SONNY IROCHE argues that the Senate has increasingly resembled a ceremonial appendage of the Executive

In every democracy, there are moments when history pauses, not because of a dramatic rupture, but because institutions quietly surrender their authority. Nigeria may be approaching such a moment. The growing subservience of the National Assembly, symbolised by the now-infamous “take a bow” culture of the Senate, combined with the accelerating cross-carpeting of governors and politicians into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is creating the unsettling silhouette of a one-party polity. The consequences of this drift are neither abstract nor theoretical. They point unmistakably toward weakened checks and balances, creeping authoritarianism, and the ever-present temptation of constitutional manipulation for tenure elongation.

The Nigerian Senate was designed to be a co-equal arm of government, a deliberative chamber meant to restrain executive excess, protect federalism, and represent the sovereign will of the people. Yet in recent years, its posture has increasingly resembled that of a ceremonial appendage of the Executive.

The phrase “take a bow,” once uttered by Senate leaders to wave through ministerial nominees without scrutiny, and the recent confirmation of President Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominees, has become emblematic of legislative abdication. It is not merely about skipping questions at confirmation hearings; it reflects a deeper erosion of constitutional responsibility. When nominees are spared rigorous examination of competence, conflicts of interest, or policy vision, the Senate effectively renounces its oversight role.

This is not a trivial matter. Democracies do not collapse overnight. They erode gradually, through the normalisation of shortcuts, the silencing of dissent, and the replacement of accountability with blind loyalty. A Senate that no longer interrogates power becomes an accomplice to its excesses.

Parallel to legislative docility is the growing wave of political defections to the ruling APC. Governors elected on opposition platforms, federal and state legislators, and influential political figures have been steadily crossing over, often without ideological justification, crises in their parties, or electoral mandate.

In theory, political realignment is part of democratic life. In practice, when defections occur en masse and almost exclusively toward the party in power, they signal something more troubling: the collapse of competitive politics. Opposition parties are hollowed out not through persuasion or superior ideas, but through inducement, coercion, and the promise of protection from past and impending corruption charges.

This phenomenon creates the illusion of national consensus, when in reality it reflects politicians convergence around power rather than popular consent. The electorate is effectively disenfranchised when the platform on which their representatives were elected is casually discarded after the polls.

Nigeria has walked this road before. The Vincent Ogbulafor-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) once boasted that it would rule for 60 years. That arrogance of permanence bred complacency, corruption, and ultimately, public backlash. The APC itself emerged as a corrective force to that dominance.

Ironically, today’s political trajectory risks reproducing the very pathology the APC once opposed. A dominant party that absorbs opposition figures, neutralises legislative resistance, and controls most state governments begins to resemble a de facto one-party state, even if elections still hold.

History is unkind to such systems. Without robust opposition, policy stagnates. Without fear of electoral loss, leaders lose the incentive to govern well. Without institutional resistance, power inevitably seeks expansion.

It is within this context that the probability of tenure elongation must be understood, not as paranoia, but as a rational concern grounded in African political history.

Nigeria has already experienced an attempted constitutional subversion. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s ill-fated third-term agenda failed not because the Executive lacked ambition, but because institutions, particularly the National Assembly, under the leadership of the courageous Senator Ken Nnamani, which retained enough independence pushed back and resisted it. 

Today, the conditions, under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, are markedly different. A pliant Senate, a weakened opposition, and a political class increasingly dependent on the ruling party for survival collectively lower the barriers to constitutional revision. What once seemed politically impossible becomes merely procedurally inconvenient.

Across Africa, the pattern is familiar. In Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroon, Togo, and elsewhere, constitutional amendments, often framed as “stability,” “continuity,” or “national interest”, have enabled incumbents to extend their rule indefinitely. Each case began not with tanks on the streets, but with legislative compliance and political consensus.

Modern authoritarianism rarely announces itself. It advances incrementally, through legalism rather than illegality, through institutions rather than force.

First, the legislature weakens itself, or it allows itself to be weakened by the executive arm of government. 

Next, opposition fragments.

Then, the ruling party becomes indistinguishable from the state.

Finally, constitutional norms are revised in the name of expediency.

At no point does democracy formally end; it simply stops functioning.

Nigeria’s danger is not an imminent dictatorship, but a slow conversion of democratic structures into hollow rituals, elections without choice, legislatures without power, and constitutions without constraint.

The implications extend far beyond politics. Investors, both local and foreign, are acutely sensitive to political concentration. One-party dominance and constitutional uncertainty raise red flags about policy reversals, rule of law, and contract sanctity.

Social cohesion also suffers. When political competition collapses at the political “elite” level, tensions are displaced downward, into ethnic, religious, and regional grievances. Citizens who feel excluded from formal political channels seek alternative, often destabilising, means of expression.

Ironically, the very stability that dominant parties claim to offer is undermined by the suppression of pluralism.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a seasoned political actor with a long history in Nigeria’s democratic struggles. His legacy will be shaped not only by economic reforms or infrastructure projects, but by how he relates to institutions.

There is a profound difference between benefiting from political momentum and exploiting institutional weakness. A statesman strengthens checks on his own power; a ruler quietly welcomes their erosion.

Nigeria does not need a president made powerful by submissive institutions. It needs institutions made strong enough to restrain even the most powerful president.

If Nigeria’s democracy is to endure, the Senate must rediscover its constitutional spine and backbone. Oversight and interrogation must replace “take a bow” and ovation. Debate must replace deference. Senators must remember that they are not emissaries of the Executive, but trustees of the republic.

History remembers legislatures not for how loudly they applauded power, but for when they dared to restrain it.

The convergence of a docile Senate, mass defections to the ruling APC, and Africa’s cautionary examples of tenure elongation should provoke urgent national reflection. Democracies do not defend themselves. They rely on men and women within institutions to do so.

Nigeria stands at a crossroads. One path leads to renewed institutional balance, competitive politics, and democratic resilience. The other leads, slowly but surely, to authoritarian consolidation dressed in constitutional language.

The choice, while not yet made, is being shaped every day, by every “take a bow,” every opportunistic defection, and every silence where scrutiny should speak.

History is watching. And unlike politicians, history does not take a bow.

  Iroche was a Senior Academic Fellow at the African Studies Center of the University of Oxford (2022-2023) and a public affairs commentator and publisher. 

 http://linkedin.com/in/sonnyiroche

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…Says we’re on top of situation

By Kingsley Omonobi & Favour Ulebor

The Federal Government said yesterday discussions were still ongoing over the detention of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft and 11 soldiers, noting they were yet to be released by the Burkinabe government.

Recall that the aircraft, crew and soldiers onboard the plane were  seized on Monday, shortly after the crew made what it described as precautionary landing in Bobo Diulasso, Burkina Faso.

The Nigeria Air Force, NAF, had said the aircraft on its way to Portugal for maintenance made the precautionary landing due to technical faults.

But the government of Burkina Faso and its counterpart in the Confederation of Sahel States, AES, accused the crew of entering into its airspace without clearance, adding that explained the reason the Hercules plane was forced to land.

However, speaking on the development yesterday, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the federal government was actively engaging the authorities of the country involved to resolve the matter diplomatically.

“We are engaging them, but they are yet to be released,” Ebienfa said.

He added that the ministry of foreign affairs had taken over the discussions to ensure the safe release of both the aircraft and the Nigerian military personnel.

With the take over of negotiation of the aircraft and military personnel, the Nigerian Air Force has chosen to keep mute on the matter.

Though the ministry is handling the matter and not releasing details about talks on the issue, Vanguard made further efforts to contact some retired NAF pilots to comment on the implication of detaining a military aircraft after it encountered an emergency situation.

Those contacted said it would be wrong to speculate or pass judgment on the true situation of things with the aircraft and soldiers, as discussions or negotiations were still ongoing between Nigerian officials and those of Burkina Faso.

“In such situations when the facts of the discussions are not made clear yet, assuming a conclusion may jeopardise the government-to-government discussion and lead to some avoidable risks. So I advise we wait for the outcome of the negotiation,’’ said one of the retired officers on condition of anonymity.

Vanguard, however, gathered that Burkina Faso and other Sahel states, including Mali and Niger, who were members of Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, before they were suspended due to violent military overthrow of democratic institutions in their countries, are trying to use the situation as a bargaining chip.

“My observation is that the blockade of trade, movement of goods and services by ECOWAS which these three countries feel is under Nigeria’s control is seriously hurting them and has worsened their economic situation. Don’t forget that France no longer does business with them, so they are in difficulty.

“They feel the way to break out of the difficult situation they find themselves is to use Nigeria to negotiate a way out or secure some economic assistance or relief by bargaining with the military aircraft. But we will see how it goes. That’s my personal opinion,” one retired officer said

The post Seized C-130 aircraft: 11 soldiers yet to be released in Burkina Faso — FG appeared first on Vanguard News.

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• Labour tasks Sanwo-Olu on good roads
Stakeholders, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Council, Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), have charted a path to a sustainable transport sector in the state.

This followed complaints by workers about spending a significant portion of their salaries on daily transportation due to bad roads and inadequate traffic management.

They, however, proposed practical and people-centred interventions for a safer and greener transportation system in Lagos State.
 
The stakeholders spoke during a transportation summit organised by the NLC Lagos State Council in collaboration with affiliate unions in the transportation and logistics sector, designed to foster partnership among the government, employers, and employees, with a focus on delivering a sustainable transport sector that addresses the challenges and promotes inclusive stakeholders’ engagement in the state’s transport system.
 
Chairperson of the NLC Lagos State Council, Agnes Sessi, tasked Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on more investment in road management, completion, and optimisation of the rail system, stating that as rail lines expand, the government must prioritise affordability, security, and strict adherence to schedules.
 
She said that the NLC would not relent until transportation becomes an enabler of development and not a burden on the lives of residents.

According to her, bad roads must be fixed promptly, and traffic officers must be trained and deployed in a way that genuinely eases congestion.
 
Speaking on the theme “Addressing the Challenges of Transporters and Commuters in Lagos State,” Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Moshood Jimoh, lamented that traffic congestion chokes the roads, leading to lost productivity and heightened stress.
 
The CP, who was represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, State Intelligence Department, Lagos State Police Command, Joseph Jaiyeoba, said that safety concerns from reckless driving to criminal activities on the highways threaten lives and livelihoods.
 
He, therefore, urged transporters to imbibe the characteristics of discipline and responsibility for a better transportation system.
 
Also, Sector Commandant of the FRSC, Lagos Command, Kehinde Oseni, who was represented by the state’s Chief Road Commandant, Olaseinde Egbontan, said that the country records about 60,000 deaths yearly, even as he stated that work-related crashes account for the highest number of deaths.
 
He listed the human element as a major factor accountable for the number of deaths recorded yearly.
 
For a better transportation system in Lagos, Oseni also called for discipline and responsibility on the part of transporters, highlighting why inefficiency persists despite the improvement culture by officials.
 
Keynote Speaker and Chief Executive Officer of Widescope International Logistics, Dr Olusegun Musa, highlighted challenges of infrastructure deficit, regulatory and enforcement issues, safety and security, among others, denying the state of efficient gains of transportation.
 
Musa, who was represented by Training Director, Global Transport Policy, Olusegun Awe-Obe, called for more opportunities for a viable state transport sector.

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FRESH indications have emerged that one of Nigeria’s oldest banking institutions, which is yet to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitalisation requirements, is currently attracting strategic investor interest from at least three groups.

Market intelligence suggests that despite an outward appearance of regulatory calm, the CBN has been quietly reviewing competing bids from both local and foreign investors seeking core equity stakes in deposit money banks that have not attained the statutory capital thresholds. Among them is an over 100-year-old bank that has become the focus of intense behind-the-scene negotiations.

Sources familiar with the process disclosed that a consortium from the Arabian Peninsula and another group with strong European banking connections have emerged as frontrunners in the race for a strategic stake in the institution.

However, the process remains fluid, with no final decision taken and negotiations still ongoing.

Analysts say the apex bank may be favourably disposed to a foreign investor acquiring a significant ownership position in the century-old lender, viewing such an outcome as a credibility booster for the ongoing recapitalisation programme.

The programme, which aims to strengthen balance sheets and enhance systemic stability, is scheduled to conclude on March 31, 2026.

According to proshare’s Economic and Market Intelligence Unit (EMIU), the CBN is also not opposed to mergers among relatively weaker banks, particularly those with negative or marginally positive shareholders’ funds. Such consolidation, analysts argue, could lead to the emergence of larger, more resilient institutions with stronger lending capacity.

“The challenge with some of the local interests that have expressed intent is their limited capacity to raise the minimum unencumbered capital required, while also sustaining adequate working capital,” EMIU noted. “This has raised concerns about the viability of purely domestic solutions for some of the weaker banks.”

One proposal under consideration in market circles is a partnership model in which foreign investors with deep capital collaborate with local investors who possess political and market influence.  

While this approach appears logical on the surface, industry watchers say it faces significant technical, governance, and regulatory hurdles that may ultimately limit its feasibility.

For banks listed on the Nigerian Exchange, recapitalisation outcomes have so far been mixed. With roughly three months remaining to the deadline, most Tier-1 and Tier-2 banks have successfully raised the capital buffers required under the revised regulatory framework. However, several Tier-3 lenders remain under pressure, scrambling to secure capital injections or strategic partnerships to avoid forced mergers or distressed acquisitions.

CBN governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, acknowledged this uneven progress at the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Annual Bankers’ Dinner last month. He said many banks had already met the new capital requirements, while others were making steady progress and were expected to comply comfortably before the deadline.

According to the Governor, twenty-seven banks have raised capital through public offers and rights issues, while sixteen institutions have already met or exceeded the new thresholds. He noted that this performance underscores the depth, resilience, and adaptive capacity of Nigeria’s financial system, even amid prevailing macroeconomic headwinds.

As the recapitalisation deadline approaches, attention is increasingly shifting to weaker lenders and the regulatory decisions that will shape their future—whether through foreign strategic investments, mergers, or acquisitions that could redefine Nigeria’s banking landscape.

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• A Nigerian lady has cried out on social media seeking help on the behalf of popular Nigerian actress Doris Ogala
• In a video, the lady claimed the Doris Ogala has been hospitalised and asked people to check on her before her condition gets worse
• Speaking further, the lady noted that she felt bad for the actress after she exposed her alleged escapades with a pastor

A Nigerian lady has shared a video on TikTok calling attention to the wellbeing of Nollywood actress Doris Ogala.

The video quickly went viral on social media as she lamented about the actress’s emotional state and health.

Lady solicits help for Doris Ogala

In the clip, the lady appealed to people within the actress’s circle to intervene urgently, expressing fear that the situation could worsen if no one stepped in.

She hinted that the actress had been overwhelmed by personal struggles and required immediate support from those close to her.

Read also

“It’s wrong”: Man shares disappointing thing he discovered about Doris Ogala and Pastor Chris Okafor

Identified on TikTok as @mummyuniqueoffrance, she explained why she felt compelled to speak publicly.

She stated that she had followed the recent situation involving the actress and a popular pastor Chris Okafor, and felt pained by what she had observed.

According to her, Ogala had endured emotional pain after an alleged romantic involvement with the pastor.

The lady implied that the experience had taken a heavy toll on the actress, leaving her deeply in pain and vulnerable, especially after hearing that the pastor was getting married to another lady.

In her words:

“Anybody close to Doris Ogala should go and check on her o. This girl is going through a lot o. Depression is real o. She said since the pastor slept with her she hasn’t gotten herself. Now they said the pastor wants to marry. Depression is real. I feel for her o. See the way she dey cry. She don land for hospital.”

Reactions as Doris Ogala is reportedly hospitalised

Read also

“Red flag”: Man openly supports Pastor Chris Okafor amid Doris Ogala controversy, explains why

TikTok users stormed the comments section to react to the heartbreaking post.

@humpherychime said:

“Any man don’t believe in Jesus go and build a criminal pastors your own.”

@Millennium said:

“Please Ma. Me Oluchi from Tiktok is asking God to give you a blessing that will make you forget this my love. I can see your pain. Please ma. Vengeance is too strong it is so strong like the grave. Mummy please. I am begging you. Please allow the universe to handle this please. I don’t know the depth of the hurt you have. Nne biko ghara. God bless you.”

@amypeace said:

“But the woman fine oo y pastor Chris wan leave her.”

@Nda said:

“Ma’am, you don’t have to work yourself out because of a man. Be strong and walk away with your shoulders high up above the mountains.”

@the truth reacted:

“The grass is not always greener outside. You left your marriage for a motivational speaker on tv.”

@Ezestellaoluchi said:

Read also

Natasha Akpoti Breaks Silence After Doris Ogala Vowed to Expose Incriminating Evidence Against Her

“That one vex me abeg, how you go leave your husband cause of another man God forbid.”

@St. Jonathan added:

“So if promise a woman marriage and later her attitude doesn’t go well with me I should not leave her because I have made a promise to her? Promising marriage is not a guarantee of marriage don’t marry out of pity if it doesn’t go well with you leave her/him simple.”

See the post below:

Man supports Pastor Chris Okafor

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a Nigerian man spoke out in support of a popular pastor after watching a video that recently surfaced online.

In the video, the pastor spoke about women and explained why some men might not choose certain women as their wives.

Source: Legit.ng

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…dismisses claims of EFCC weaponisation, insists agency is independent and accountable only to the law

…says defections to APC are voluntary, driven by Tinubu’s reforms, not coercion

The Presidency has cautioned opposition politicians to desist from actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s democratic and anti-corruption institutions, accusing them of engaging in subterfuge, scapegoating, and politicization of accountability in a bid to escape scrutiny.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency cautioned that attempts to discredit national institutions for “cheap political gains” would not distract the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from enforcing the rule of law.

The statement was a response to claims by a group of opposition figures who alleged that Nigeria’s multi-party democracy was under threat following the defection of prominent politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Dismissing the allegation, the Presidency said such claims ignored constitutional guarantees, noting that “our constitution guarantees freedom of association and affords our people the right to change their political leanings at any time of their choosing.”

According to the statement, the defectors joined the APC without pressure, stressing that “none of the people who joined the governing APC were pressured to do so. They all did so of their own free will,” and were motivated by “the noticeable gains of President Bola Tinubu’s reform programme.”

The Presidency questioned the selective outrage of the opposition, asking, “When politicians were moving in droves to the now-dying Peoples Democratic Party between 2000 and 2015, was Nigeria’s democracy imperilled?”

On accusations that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was being used to target opposition politicians, the Presidency firmly rejected the claim, reiterating the independence of the anti-graft agency.

“While the Presidency does not speak for the EFCC and believes the agency can speak for itself, we must reiterate that the EFCC is an independent institution established by law and empowered to carry out its statutory responsibilities without interference or favour,” the statement said.

It added that the EFCC’s mandate was to investigate and prosecute financial crimes “irrespective of the personalities involved, their political affiliations, or their positions in society,” emphasising that President Tinubu “does not issue directives to any anti-corruption agency on whom to investigate, arrest, or prosecute.”

Describing allegations of “weaponisation” as a diversionary tactic, the Presidency said such narratives were being pushed by politicians “running short of campaign issues to challenge President Tinubu and the APC’s success in less than three years in office.”

“No one is above the law. Everyone must be accountable for their actions, both in and out of the office. Political affiliation should not be a shield against EFCC statutory work,” the statement declared, noting that the agency’s recent efforts contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

The Presidency also noted that some signatories to the opposition statement had been investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC before President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, while others had been indicted in international money-laundering probes, with accomplices jailed abroad.

“We advise those politicians not to undermine the integrity of our nation’s institutions and the collective resolve to fight corruption by weaponising politics to escape accountability and encourage impunity,” the statement warned.

The Presidency concluded that the fight against corruption remained a collective national responsibility that must not be “trivialised by baseless allegations, jaundiced or politicised narratives.”

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By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, on Sunday drew a firm line against unconstitutional changes of government, condemning recent coups and attempted coups in the sub-region, warning of targeted sanctions against offenders.

The regional body reaffirmed its readiness to deploy the ECOWAS Standby Force to defend constitutional order.

At the close of the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, who read the highlights of the final communiqué, outlined far-reaching decisions on regional security, democratic governance and institutional leadership.

Dr Touray said the summit, attended by Heads of State, Vice Presidents and Ministers from all member states, reviewed the Community’s 2025 Annual Report and assessed peace and security developments across West Africa.

According to him, the Authority recognised the “relative stability and resilience” of the region, commended the conduct of recent presidential and general elections in Guinea-Bissau and Côte d’Ivoire, and welcomed preparations by Benin ahead of its forthcoming polls.

The Authority also acknowledged progress in Sierra Leone in implementing the Agreement for National Unity between the government and the opposition All People’s Congress.

On The Gambia, ECOWAS expressed grave concern over statements made from exile by former President Yahya Jammeh, warning that the pronouncements breached the conditions of his asylum in Equatorial Guinea and posed a threat to peace, security and social cohesion.

Dr Touray said the Authority stressed that the joint ECOWAS-African Union-United Nations declaration preceding Jammeh’s departure did not absolve him of accountability for allegations of human rights violations committed during his rule between 1994 and 2016.

The Authority also condemned democratic setbacks in the region, denouncing the coup in Guinea-Bissau as a subversion of the will of the electorate and condemning, without reservation, the attempted coup in Benin.

It applauded the swift intervention of the ECOWAS Standby Force, alongside national forces from Benin, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Sierra Leone, describing the action as a demonstration of regional solidarity.

On Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS rejected the transition programme announced by the military leadership, demanded the immediate release of all political detainees, and called for a short, inclusive transition led by a civilian government reflecting the country’s political and social diversity.

The Authority authorised the ECOWAS military mission in the country to protect political leaders and national institutions, mandated the Chair of the Authority to lead a fresh high-level mission to Bissau, and directed the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to engage the military authorities.

“The Authority insists that failure to comply with its decisions will attract targeted sanctions against individuals or groups obstructing the return to constitutional order,” Dr Touray said, adding that ECOWAS had called on the African Union and international partners to support its efforts.

On Guinea, he said the Authority welcomed progress in the transition process ahead of the December 28 elections and confirmed that ECOWAS would deploy election observers.

The summit also reshaped the region’s institutional leadership ahead of the end of the current Commission’s mandate in July 2026.

Consequently, Senegal was named to assume the Presidency of the ECOWAS Commission, with Nigeria as Vice President.

Other statutory portfolios were allocated to Sierra Leone (Political Affairs, Peace and Security), Liberia (Economic Affairs and Agriculture), Côte d’Ivoire (Internal Services), Ghana (Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation), and Benin (Human Development and Social Affairs).

ECOWAS also endorsed Ghana’s candidature for Chairperson of the African Union in 2027 and indicated that Liberia would assume the ECOWAS Commission Presidency between 2030 and 2034, subject to meeting the required criteria.

Earlier, before closing, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, who chairs the ECOWAS Authority, urged the bloc to rebalance its focus by intensifying economic integration after decades dominated by security crises.

“We have a strong belief that we will raise this community to meet its mandate as an economic community,” President Bio said. “But over the last 50 years, we have been more engaged in security, because insecurity is the deepest enemy of development.”

He stressed that meaningful regional integration would remain elusive without stability, while calling for urgent investment in education, jobs and opportunities for West Africa’s rapidly growing youth population.

President Bio described the Abuja summit as taking place at a critical moment for the region, grappling with economic pressures, persistent security threats and multiple, overlapping crises.

“This meeting was dedicated to confronting our inadequacies, addressing our economic and security challenges, and paving the way for a better future for our young people,” he said.

He commended Nigeria for hosting the summit and thanked fellow Heads of State and Government, the ECOWAS Commission and development partners for their cooperation, noting that it was “a privilege to serve the nearly 400 million people of our community.”

Vanguard News

The post ECOWAS cracks down on coups, warns Jammeh, reorders regional power structure appeared first on Vanguard News.

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Coups, terrorist attacks and rising insecurity are threatening West Africa’s democratic future, the United Nations and the African Union warned, as both organisations called for renewed commitment to constitutional governance, inclusive political processes, and regional stability.

Delivering a message on behalf of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel at the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government on Sunday in Abuja, said the sub-region had experienced both democratic progress and serious setbacks in recent months.

Speaking further, he highlighted successful elections in some countries, but expressed concern over recent military interventions.

“Some of the key developments in the sub-region since June include the successful conduct of the presidential election on 20 October. I wish to congratulate President Alassane Ouattara for his re-election.”

“However, in Guinea-Bissau, peaceful presidential and legislative elections held until 3 November were interrupted by a military coup on 6 November, prompting an extraordinary ECOWAS session.

“One week ago, we witnessed a new attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government in Benin. Thanks to ECOWAS’ decisive action, this attempt was thwarted,” he added.

Simão condemned these actions as a violation of democratic norms.

“The United Nations strongly condemns any attempt to seize power by force, which constitutes a serious threat to the stability of the country and the region, and a violation of fundamental principles of the Constitution under the rule of law,” he said.

He also stressed the growing security challenges across the region.

“Terrorist attacks continue to cause a rising number of victims using increasingly sophisticated means. We need to anchor electoral and political processes on consensus and inclusiveness, with full participation of women, youth and all marginalised groups,” Simão said.

“It is also important to address the root causes of conflict and insecurity, including providing basic social needs like health, education and infrastructure, and ensuring effective, accountable justice and security services through transparent governance and the rule of law,” he added.

Simão called for a multi-dimensional approach to counter-terrorism:

“We must adopt a holistic approach by combining kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, enhancing cross-border and inter-regional cooperation, and acting decisively against transnational organised crime.

“UNOWAS, and the United Nations in general, remain committed to working closely with ECOWAS to strengthen our partnership and contribute to the aspirations of the peoples of the sub-region for peace, security and development.”

Speaking on behalf of African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye highlighted the AU’s support for ECOWAS’s role in defending democracy in the region.

“The African Union is profoundly pleased to continue sharing the same values with ECOWAS under this high-level interface,” Adeoye said.

He condemned recent military interventions in the region as “unacceptable” and warned against the erosion of democratic norms:

“The attempted military intervention in Guinea and the disruptions in other countries represent a serious assault on democratic governance.

“The African Union strongly condemns all such incidents and stands in full unity and solidarity with ECOWAS in opposing unconstitutional changes of government,” Adeoye said.

The AU official also urged long-term measures to strengthen democratic institutions and prevent future crises:

“Going forward, the African Union will deepen collaboration with ECOWAS to structure conflict prevention, political transitions, and build resilient national institutions.

“We pledge to foster mutual assistance to national electoral bodies, parliaments, and judiciaries. West Africa must remain a region of inclusive democracy, durable frameworks, and shared prosperity,” he said.

Adeoye reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to collective action: “In the African Union, we stand firm with ECOWAS on all fronts because this partnership is crucial to promoting stability, democracy, and the dynamic force of the continent on the global stage.”

READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

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Bandits have attacked a branch of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Àaaaz-Kiri community, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

,At least one person was killed while an unspecified number of parishioners were abducted.

Report from the area noted that the suspected bandits shot sporadically to scare the inhabitants away on entering the town in the morning.

In the melee that followed, the gunmen reportedly shot their way towards the church in the village that was holding service.

It’s not clear how many were killed yet. The parishioners were holding Sunday service , when the assailants struck.”

“So far , one person has been confirmed dead; many families are reporting of missing relatives, or close ones as many of them were abducted by the invading gunmen”, said a resident who craved anonymity.

Again, in a coordinated attack , the hoodlums reportedly invaded Illai and Okeagi , settlements in Mopa Muro local government around 4am, killing three persons.

It was noted that the bandits struck two locations almost simultaneously, operating for more than an hour in the communities before distress calls could reach the authorities for actions .

Locals said they first attacked Jamroro settlement, located between Oke-agi and Takete Isao, killing two persons.

Another group reportedly attack a settlement near Ilai Grammar school, killing one person, and abducting three persons.

Jamroro is said to be largely inhabited by Tiv farmers while the settlement near Ilai is said to be occupied by Bassa people who relocated there for farming activities.

In a swift reaction, Senator Sunday Karimi condemned the spate of attacks, calling for urgent intervention.

In a statement, the Senator expressed concern over reports of killing and kidnapping of an unspecified number of worshipers at ECWA Church in Àaaaz-Kiri community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area in the early hour of today 14th December, 2025.

“Today similar incidents have occurred in Oke-Agi and Ilai communities in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State, where people were kidnapped and killed in one of the Tiv communities in the area”..

The senator added further that many of his constituents fled the community when the bandits returned in a coordinated attack on Sunday.

He described the prolonged insecurity situation in the area as worrisome, calling for concerted efforts to root out the bandits.

“The worsening security situation in the entire district calls for urgent intervention, from both federal and state governments, as well as all stakeholders, to tackle the issue head-on, and rescue the people from the bandits’ attack”, he said .

While the senator recalled that the worshipers kidnapped at the Cherubim and Seraphim church in Yagba East local government area two weeks ago have not been released, he said communities in his district are now living in fear of incessant bandits’ attacks and kidnappings.

Similarly, the state commissioner of Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo sympathized with the people of Illai and Okeagi over the attack.

He said: “Our thoughts are with the people of Illai and Okeagi at this trying moment.

“I am aware that efforts are ongoing to restore security to the area. I have also spoken with the Council Chairman of Mopamuro and other people concerned.
We will triumph by the grace of God”.

However , the state government is yet to make official statement over the incident .

Spokesperson of the Kogi Police Command, CSP William Aya, was contacted but he had not responded as at the time of filing this report.

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The Rivers State Government has said that the state’s health system is undergoing deliberate structural and transformational reforms spanning service delivery, governance, financing, and infrastructure.

Speaking against the backdrop of World Universal Health Coverage, UHC Day, commemorated annually on December 12, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains committed to ensuring that no resident is denied access to healthcare because of cost, distance, or circumstance.

According to Dr Oreh, Governor Fubara has taken a bold step in demonstrating his commitment to Universal Health Coverage through the Rivers State Health Contributory Health Protection Programme, RIVCHIPP.

The commissioner described RIVCHIPP as a strategic pathway to achieving universal health coverage in the state, adding that the insurance programme is “very operational, functional and already delivering real protection to residents of Rivers State.”

Dr Oreh explained that “RIVCHIPP is now giving families access to accredited health care facilities, offering essential services including emergency and referral services, maternal, newborn and child health, preventive and primitive care, and financial protection from catastrophic health expenses.”

She noted that the insurance programme serves as the state government’s engine for universal health coverage, ensuring that low-income earners and the most vulnerable residents are not left behind.

The commissioner further assured that the Rivers State Government’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage goes beyond health insurance.

She said the state is “expanding and strengthening the entire health system, upgrading physical infrastructure across primary, secondary and tertiary health systems in the state, equipping facilities with essential diagnostics, modern technology and functional medical equipment, and recruiting and deploying health workers” to ensure that every community has access to skilled health professionals, among other critical interventions.

She explained that these efforts are aimed at reducing the financial burden on residents, improving the quality of care, and advancing the state’s journey towards achieving UHC.

Dr Oreh emphasised that attaining Universal Health Coverage is not solely the responsibility of government.
She appealed to residents to enrol in the state government’s health insurance programme, stressing that “good health should not depend on your ability to pay but on your right as a resident of the state.”
She commended Governor Fubara for his leadership, which she said has continued to strengthen and reposition the health system in Rivers State.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of RIVCHIPP, Dr Vetty Agala, speaking on the theme for this year’s Universal Health Coverage Day, “Unaffordable Health Care Cost: We are Sick of It”, said the state insurance programme is no longer just an idea on paper.

Addressing an event to mark UHC in Port Harcourt, Dr Agala emphasised that UHC is not merely a mandate but the operating system by which the state functions every day.

She stated that for UHC to be effective, residents must be protected from “catastrophic health expenditure.”

She stressed that citizens must be “visible in the policy of the government, covered in practice and enrolled in the UHC plan of the state, which is RIVCHIPP.”

Dr Agala revealed that approximately 140,000 people have already begun accessing care through RIVCHIPP since the programme commenced in 2024.

She added that RIVCHIPP maintains a network of healthcare providers, both public and private, spanning 210 facilities across the 23 local government areas of the state.

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