Opinion
El-Rufai’s Despotism Will End May 29
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
By May 29, 2023, the despotic reign of the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, will come to an abysmal end.
He stands in perfect comparison with the famous Adolf Hitler, not only in size but in the manner he ran his government that was fraught with anti-people policies which led to the unavoidable death of many citizens of the state.
With Saturday, 18th March, 2023 Governorship and Houses of Assembly election approaching, every citizen of Kaduna State is hereby availed of yet another opportunity to participate and vote in credible leaders that will heal the present wounds of disillusionment and despair for distraught communities of Kaduna State.
There’s no doubt saying that the 8-year tenure of Governor el-Rufai has been hell on earth for most citizens and residents in Kaduna State who have experienced unprecedented hardship under the present administration. His administration has been trailed with fierce agony and anti-people policies that have thrown many into the pit of abject poverty and homelessness.
It is on record that residents in the State only experienced el-Rufai’s full executive powers as demonstrated by the government’s deployment of raw power on innocent and defenceless citizens who were turned into soft targets for terrorists determined to turn our villages and towns into killing fields and decimating our once thriving communities.
For instance, communities in Birnin-Gwari on several occasions raised the alarm of imposition of levies by these terror groups before being allowed to harvest their farm produce. In some instances, they were forced to pay levies for protection as government security looked the other way without confronting those that have sworn to wipe out indigenous people from their ancestral lands.
Governor el-Rufai’s reign can be compared with that of an Egyptian pharaoh whose words were law as he equally displayed lack of empathy in the manner he treated citizens with disdain devoid of respect to the sanctity of life.
Governor el-Rufai had, during his inaugural speech in 2015, said:
“I pledge to do all that is humanly possible to move our dear state forward, beginning from today. As soon as I am sworn into office and constitute a state executive council, we shall begin work to meet your expectations of positive change.
“We are aware of your justifiably high expectations of our government. We will do our utmost to meet them. But we shall need your patience, sacrifice and support as we reform Kaduna state institutions to instill a culture of probity that insists on value for money that ensures that government procurement occurs at the most cost effective level and encourages personal responsibility. We will do whatever is humanly possible to fulfill the promises in our manifesto. Our commitment to transparency will be manifest as we reform the public sector to be an efficient deliverer of services.”
The 2015 inauguration speech, described by Nigerians as touching on critical issues that confront Kaduna State, earned el-Rufai national encomiums and filled Kaduna citizens with the hope for a new day. However, with the passing years, el-Rufai’s rule turned draconian and the economy declined, culminating into the collapse of many small scale businesses.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) took over the reins of power with great hope that Kaduna State, considered the heart of Northern Nigeria, was poised to recapture the greatness of the past. But just a few years later, el-Rufai started showing flashes of the brutal, authoritarian ruler he would become.
I think the legacy of el-Rufai’s life will be one of a leader who had so much, but missed so many opportunities and never used the knowledge he had for his own people. He has turned out to be a governor who has ruined his own state and denied it of the promised greatness.
In 2014, Bondong community in Kaura and some communities in Sanga Local Government Areas experienced the worst ruthless attacks under the administration of Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero. The incessant attacks unleashed by criminal groups dashed the hope of the Southern Kaduna people. The election of the Zaria-born quantity surveyor was seen as the only option in dealing with the monster of insecurity ravaging our communities.
Southern Kaduna and other parts of the state felt that el-Rufai’s emergence as governor would bring hope and heal their wounds. But it turned out to be a disaster. The same region he got a House of Representatives member and four State House of Assembly members, the first time since 1999, he turned against them.
Since the dawn of this broken democracy in 1999, el-Rufai remains the only opposition party that scored almost 45 percent votes from the Southern Kaduna region. His tenure has been characterised with untold hardship, poverty, communities destroyed either by bandits or government demolition of houses at wee hours.
Journalists and human right activists have become endangered species. They were treated with disdain under the dictatorial rule of the governor. Not less than 23,000 teachers, nearly 5,000 district heads and village heads have been sacked. The level of insecurity has gone over the skies and those who resigned or retired from the public service are yet to be paid their benefit.
The sacking of district heads and inability to cover the vacuum has worsened the security situation in the state. In a state that requires constant monitoring of communities, the sacking of these monarchs has left the state bereft of traditional supervisors and monitors of state security
To mentioned but a few, it was under el-Rufai’s watch that over 100 students of Bethel Baptist Science School, Green Field University students, two Nurses in Idon General Hospital, Students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Mando, and Train Passengers were kidnapped, while some gruesomely murdered.
Southern Kaduna over the last 8-years of the Governor el-Rufai administration was known as an enclave of bloodshed and tears, following persistent mass murder of farmers in bloody attacks described by the government as ethnic clashes. It is on record that the Kaduna State Government has not brought any attacker to justice over the incessant bloody attacks unleashed by criminal groups in the state.
One of the most deadly of such unprovoked attacks were the one that occurred on September 26 in Madamai community, and 18th December, 2022, all in Kaura Local Government Area of the state where a total of 90 people were killed, and no fewer than 200 houses burnt. It is unfortunate the el-Rufai administration has remained handicapped in the face of the mass killing of defenceless villagers.
The carnage of the past eight years has been senseless and cruel, just as the flood of bloodshed has continued unabated, leading to tens of thousands fleeing to Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps in search for refuge and succour in their own ancestral lands.
Kaduna citizens are yearning for a leadership that will restore their hope, sanity and never experience the reign of despotism. Come next Saturday, march 18, Kaduna State citizens must unite and throw away a reign of impunity that was unleashed on the state eight years ago.
We must try to reclaim our state from forces that seek to divide us on the basis of ethnicity and religion.
A pro-democracy group, the Progressive Group for Democracy (PGD), has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and stop local government officials in Lagos State from pursuing unconstitutional third terms in upcoming council elections.
The group alleges that officials in Agbado Oke-Odo and Ikosi Isheri Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) are exploiting legal loopholes to extend their tenures, in violation of Nigeria’s Constitution.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, PGD National Coordinator Aladesanmi Abiodun Salawu described the move as a “clear violation” of constitutional provisions and a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
He invoked President Tinubu’s historical opposition to tenure elongation, referencing the president’s fierce resistance to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term bid in the early 2000s.
“As a pro-democracy group, we are reminded of President Tinubu’s fierce opposition to Obasanjo’s third-term agenda. President Tinubu stood firmly against constitutional manipulation then. Where is the president’s voice now?” Salawu asked.
The PGD alleges that the officials in question assumed office following the deaths of elected chairpersons, took oaths of office, and later won full terms in subsequent elections.
“Their current bids for re-election, the group argues, constitute an unconstitutional third term. Salawu cited the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution, signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018, which prohibits individuals from seeking a third term after completing a predecessor’s tenure and winning a subsequent election.
“Today, we stand at a very dangerous crossroads. The same anti-democratic forces that our heroes fought against during the June 12 struggle are re-emerging in Lagos State,” Salawu said.
“In Agbado Oke-Odo and Ikosi Isheri LCDAs, we are witnessing a calculated attempt to normalise constitutional violations through the backdoor.”
The group also criticised Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, accusing him of complicity due to his silence on the issue. “As the chief security officer of Lagos State, (Sanwo-Olu)has a constitutional duty to uphold the rule of law. His silence is not just concerning; it is complicity,” Salawu said.
The PGD urged President Tinubu to publicly denounce the third-term bids and called on the Attorney General of the Federation to issue an advisory on term limits for local government administrations.
It also demanded that the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) disqualify candidates seeking unconstitutional terms.
“These individuals in Agbado Oke-Odo and Ikosi Isheri LCDAs must withdraw their candidacy immediately. We are not making a request; we are stating what the constitution already mandates,” Salawu declared.
The group vowed to challenge the alleged violations through legal means, including mobilising civil society, approaching the courts, and organising peaceful protests if necessary.
“The Lagos Society for Good Governance will utilise every legal means available to challenge this dangerous precedent,” Salawu added.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
History was made again today at the National Assembly Service Commission NASC as the newly appointed as Executive Chairman,Dr Saviour Enyiekere and his Commissioners, was sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential villa to signify the beginning of another five years journey for the new management of the Commission.
Dr Enyiekere who was appointed along with his 12 commissioners representing the six geopolitical zones on 20th, February, 2025, assumed duty on 5th, May, 2025 few months after their appointment after been taking oath office.
He took the oath of office as the sixth National Assembly Service Commission Chairman since the inception of the Commission over four decades ago .
Until his appointment, Enyiekere, an environmental specialist, was the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President and had played a leading and strategic roles in the last 19 months before his elevation.
Soon after he took the oath office along with his commissioners , he assumed duty and was hosted by management and staff of the National Assembly Service Commission NASC and by extension, the National Assembly management led by Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana, the new Clerk to the National Assembly CNA.
Fresh and determined to make a difference,While acknowledging the audience along with his new commissioners , he described today’s occasion as unique with the date falling to 5/5/2025, stating his determination to work with all stakeholders at the NASC and NASS.
He eulogised the outgone leadership of the commission and also paid a glowing trubutes to the deceased ones , acknowledging their unique performance and contributions to the development of the commission in all areas.
Enyiekere who solicited for the cooperation of the management, staff and staff union , promised to prioritize the welfare and well-being of staff of the commission.
The New Executive Chairman , National Assembly Service Commission NASC, Dr Saviour Enyiekere also promised to work harmoniously with the management of the commission , staff, and members of Parliamentary Staff Association PASAN.
Dr Saviour who attracted a conference hall that was filled to capacity bare his mind of carrying all and sundry along in his new administration .
Assertive, young and brilliant to manage the affairs of the commission, he promised to promote and sustain the legacies of management and previous leadership saying their contributions was indelible on the sands of time.
He used the opportunity to appreciate Nigeria’s President and reiterated his commitment along with his commissioners to promote and protect the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, with full support the leadership of the National Assembly under Senator Godswill Akpabio and Rt Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, lauding them for a job well-done and careful selection of the new Chairman and members/commissioners of the commission.
While describing the new responsibility as hectic and challenging, , saying with prayers , God will see us through.
Dr Saviour Enyiekere who promised to keep intact the good records of NASC management and the staff union , so as to ensure harmonious working relationship going forward.
During the handing over ceremony, The Secretary to the Commission, Mr
Lucky U. Ikharo, while presenting the handover documents to the new NASC boss, pledged the total commitment of the NASC Management towards the effective performance of the Commission’s assignment.
Speaking further during the handing and talking over ceremony at the Commission’s Conference Room, the new NASC boss told officials of the National Assembly Service that his leadership would emphasise the welfare of the workers of the Service, harmonious working relationship and productivity.
The new Chairman and his commissioners anxious to make a difference asked all stakeholders to extend their fellowship, admonition and possibly corrections.
Dr Saviour , a grassroot politician , with indepth experience in civil and political exposure, promised to make a difference without further delay .
The entire National Assembly Service Commission NASC bounced back to life after three months since the exit of the former Executive Chairman , National Assembly Service Commission NASC, Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE.
Highlights of the occasion included group photograph, media interview and interactions with the management and staff of both the National Assembly Service Commission NASC, National Assembly leadership led by Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana along with the new commissioners.
With his assumption of duty and his promises, no doubt a new dawn has encapsulated and heralded the National Assembly Service Commission NASC and his leadership.
In a goodwill message, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana, assured the new Commission of the full co-operation of the National Assembly Management towards achieving success. He, however, pleaded with the Commission to carry the National Assembly Management along on key decision-making.
The Honourable Commissioners that reported to duty alongside the Chairman include: Mr. Hanmation Mark Tersoo and Mr. Salisu Umar Agboola-Balogun (North-Central); Alhaji Lawan Maina Mahmud and Aminu Ibrahim Malle (North-East); Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi and Hon Yusuf A. Tabuka (North-West), Chief Festus Ifesinachi Odii (South-East), Mary Samuel Ekpenyong and Mr Patrick Giwa (South-South), Mrs Taiwo Olukemi Oluga and Ipesa-Balogun, Afeez (South-West, with
The Honourable Commissioners that reported to duty alongside the Chairman include: Mr. Hanmation Mark Tersoo and Mr. Salisu Umar Agboola-Balogun (North-Central); Alhaji Lawan Maina Mahmud and Aminu Ibrahim Malle (North-East); Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi and Hon Yusuf A. Tabuka (North-West), Chief Festus Ifesinachi Odii (South-East), Mary Samuel Ekpenyong and Mr Patrick Giwa (South-South), Mrs Taiwo Olukemi Oluga and Ipesa-Balogun, Afeez (South-West), with Festus Ifesinachi Odii not yet resume from the South-East .
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
By Capt. Caleb Danladi Bako
The global shipping industry is the lifeblood of international trade, with nearly 90% of goods transported by sea. Behind this vast network of commerce are the seafarers professionals whose dedication keeps the world’s economy afloat. Yet, while the focus often falls on operational efficiency, safety, and environmental concerns, an equally critical aspect remains largely in the shadows: the mental health and wellbeing of those who spend months away from home, isolated and often battling invisible struggles.
Having worked both at sea and now within the maritime industry ashore, we have witnessed firsthand the emotional challenges faced by seafarers. Life at sea is often romanticized, but the reality is far more complex. Prolonged isolation, communication barriers, high-pressure environments, and the unpredictability of life at sea contribute to a unique mental health crisis that has, for too long, gone unspoken.
A seafarer’s life revolves around routines, watches, and operations that leave little room for personal downtime. The absence of family support systems limited recreational facilities, and minimal mental health resources onboard amplify feelings of loneliness and helplessness. Recent studies, including those by the Mission to Seafarers and the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), reveal alarming rates of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation among crew members. These findings highlight a pressing need for the industry to prioritize mental health with the same seriousness as physical safety.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed and intensified these struggles. Hundreds of thousands of seafarers were stranded aboard ships, unable to disembark for months beyond their contracts. Crew change crises turned ships into floating prisons, exacerbating feelings of abandonment and mental exhaustion.
Though some shipping companies have since introduced mental health initiatives such as access to tele-counselling and mental wellness apps, these measures are still the exception rather than the norm.
Mental health challenges at sea are not merely personal struggles; they can have direct safety implications. Fatigue, anxiety, and depression diminish focus and decision-making ability, increasing the risk of accidents. Thus, protecting seafarers’ wellbeing is not only a moral obligation but a safety imperative for the entire industry.
As industry experts and former seafarers, we believe urgent cultural change is required. Shipping companies must move beyond token programs to embed mental health care into the fabric of maritime operations.
Practical steps include mandatory mental health training, confidential support systems, improved internet connectivity for family contact, regular shore leave, and destigmatization of seeking help.
It is time to bring the untold struggles of seafarers into the light. By acknowledging their mental health needs and committing resources to support them, we honor not only their critical role in global trade but their fundamental humanity.
Capt. Caleb Danladi Bako
Maritime expert and Academic Researcher
E-mail: Caleb.Danladi@plymouth.ac.uk, dancb2k@yahoo.com
Phone: +2348064218253