National
Coalition Plans Mass Protest to Demand INEC Chairman’s Removal
The South Unity Youth Coalition, consisting of various youth groups from the South-South and South-East regions of Nigeria, has announced a mass protest on June 12, Democracy Day, to demand the removal of Professor Mahmoud Yakubu as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The coalition alleges that Professor Yakubu’s leadership has severely compromised the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process, attributing numerous instances of electoral misconduct, voter intimidation, and result manipulation to his tenure. These issues have raised serious concerns among Nigerian youth about the integrity of elections in the country.
This was contained in a statement released by the Coordinator of the Coalition, Silas Maduke Clarkson, who emphasized that these protests are crucial for safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic principles.
According to Clarkson, “It would be a national disgrace for Nigeria to commemorate Democracy Day while tolerating an electoral body that has become synonymous with incompetence and lack of credibility.”
He further emphasized the necessity of the protests as a response to the glaring electoral misconduct and ineptitude displayed by INEC under Professor Yakubu’s leadership.
The coordinator stated, “The coalition strongly believes that INEC’s reputation as the worst election agency in the country threatens Nigeria’s democracy and must be addressed urgently.”
The coalition’s statement condemned the unacceptable practice of ignoring blatant disregard for electoral integrity by the institution responsible for ensuring free and fair elections.
“The coalition is therefore committed to holding INEC accountable and demands the immediate removal of Professor Yakubu to restore public trust and confidence in the electoral process.
“We call on all Nigerians who are concerned about the future of democracy in the country to join us in this mass protest on June 12 at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, to be preceded by a world press conference on June 11 at Agura Hotel.
“It is imperative that the voices of the people are heard and that those in positions of power are held accountable for their actions.
“We also call on all concerned citizens, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to join us in our quest for electoral reform and the removal of Professor Yakubu from his position.
“It is a call to action for all Nigerians who are tired of the status quo and who want to see a change in the way elections are conducted in the country.
“INEC’s failures under Professor Yakubu’s tenure have sparked outrage among Nigerian youth, who view free and fair elections as a cornerstone of democracy.
“The call for his removal is driven by a genuine desire for transparent and accountable electoral practices.
“We believe that a leadership change at INEC is necessary to restore public trust in the electoral system and ensure that the will of the people is accurately reflected in election outcomes.
“The mass protest is a bold and necessary step toward demanding accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s electoral system. It serves as a reminder to all Nigerians that our democracy is a precious gift that must be protected and nurtured by all citizens.
“The time has come for us to unite and demand the removal of those who do not uphold the principles of democracy and fair elections. Let us stand together on June 12 and make our voices heard for the sake of a better Nigeria.”
The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
National
Nigeria Advocates for Collaborative Border Control Efforts with Sahel and West African Nations
Nigeria is seeking enhanced collaboration with Sahelian and West African nations to facilitate effective information and data sharing for improved border control measures.
During a press briefing on Tuesday at the Border Security Summit in London, Minister of Interior Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo emphasized the necessity for regional cooperation.
“There is a critical need for countries within the Sahel and West African subregions to collaborate more effectively for better international partnerships and information dissemination,” he stated.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo highlighted the importance of proactive strategies to not only address ongoing issues but to prevent future occurrences. “The major takeaway from this summit is the emphasis on proactivity rather than mere reaction, as nations increasingly aim to criminalize irregular migration.”
He described the summit as a significant opportunity for border control ministers to collaborate in safeguarding their nations’ borders.
The minister pointed out that organized immigration crimes are not confined to individual countries but are a collective issue requiring shared solutions. He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to combating border-related crimes through the implementation of effective strategies.
“Nigeria has developed a comprehensive border control solution, recognizing that we are not just a transit point. Our systems have been automated with numerous measures introduced to secure our borders and eradicate irregular migration,” he affirmed.
“We cannot afford to lose the battle before it begins, and we are confident that, through this summit, we can present a united front to effectively tackle this challenge,” Tunji-Ojo assured.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to enhancing its immigration policies and collaborating with global partners to combat transnational crimes, including human trafficking, smuggling, and document fraud.
According to NAN, the summit convened over 30 world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, to address significant issues related to border control and organized immigration crime (OIC). The event served as a platform for international cooperation on migration policies, security threats, and strategies to counter illegal immigration activities. (NAN)
The Nigerian electricity sector slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with the electricity production index declining by 1.64% year-on-year (y-o-y).
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says this marks a reversal from the 5.55% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3 2024).
Average estimated electricity generation rose by 2.34% to 4,206.50 megawatts per hour (MW/h) from 4,110.47 MW/h in Q3 2024.
Similarly, electricity consumption saw a modest increase of 2.63%, reaching 4,105.66 MW/h from 4,000.24 MW/h in the preceding quarter.
This is as the Nigerian economy witnessed widespread expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2024), with 21 out of 22 subsectors recording positive growth.
On a quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis, however, the subsector showed signs of recovery, as the index rose by 22.50% compared to a significant decline of 49.46% in the previous quarter.
The broad-based economic expansion in Q4 2024 can be attributed to several factors, including improved business confidence, increased consumer spending, and enhanced performance in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
The government’s fiscal and monetary policies, aimed at stabilising inflation and boosting investment, also contributed to the positive momentum.
According to the CBN, the improvement was largely attributed to enhanced gas supply to thermal power stations and the continued implementation of the Siemens Power Project, which has positively impacted power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.
Notably, the oil and gas sector benefited from relatively stable crude oil prices and improved domestic production, which provided a boost to overall economic output.
The data also stated that the non-oil sector, particularly fintech and digital services, also played a significant role in driving economic activities.