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Nigerians Urged to Uphold Principles of Democracy, Justice, and Unity – Group
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The National Coordinator of the Liberal Progressive and Patriotic Members Congress (LPPMC), Dr. Kingsley Okundaye, has stated that as Nigerians reflect on the implications and lessons of 12th June, the LPPMC reaffirms its commitment to fostering a Nigeria that learns from its past while striving for a brighter future.
He declared, “We call upon all Nigerians to join us in this endeavour for a nation that upholds the principles of democracy, justice, and unity.”
In a statement released on Monday, Okundaye expressed their belief in a Nigeria where individual freedoms are honoured, social justice is upheld, and the country’s democratic institutions are fortified for the benefit of all.
He remarked, “As we look forward to a more promising future, we must also reflect on the past to comprehend the challenges that have impeded our democratic progress. A particularly significant moment in Nigeria’s history is the annulment of the 12th June 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“The recent acceptance of responsibility for this annulment by former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, during his book launch, has reopened old wounds and reminded us of the setbacks this decision inflicted upon our democracy.”
He asserted that the annulment of 12th June was not merely a political blunder but a devastating blow to Nigeria’s democratic evolution, arguing that it deprived the nation of the opportunity to build upon its foundation.
“Had the election been upheld, Nigeria would have established a tradition of credible elections, thereby reducing the prevalence of rigging and electoral malpractice that has since become endemic,” he opined.
The National Coordinator of LPPMC believes that the annulment exacerbated regional and ethnic divisions in Nigeria. Prior to 12th June, there was a sense of unity and hope as Nigerians from various ethnic and religious backgrounds voted overwhelmingly for Chief MKO Abiola, a Yoruba Muslim from the South, and his running mate, Babagana Kingibe, a Muslim from the North. He contended that the annulment shattered this unity and fuelled suspicions of ethnic and regional bias in the distribution of political power.
According to him, the 12th June election illustrated that Nigerians could rise above religious divides, as both Christians and Muslims supported the Muslim-Muslim ticket of Abiola and Kingibe without reservations or fears of an Islamisation agenda. He pointed out that the annulment politicised religion and sowed seeds of distrust between the two major faiths in Nigeria, a division that continues to plague politics today.
He added, “The annulment laid the groundwork for the abuse of incumbency power in Nigeria. It sent a dangerous message that those in power could manipulate the democratic process to serve their interests. This culture of impunity has persisted, with successive leaders exploiting their positions to undermine democratic institutions and entrench their hold on power.”
He noted that the annulment marked the onset of the erosion of the Electoral Commission’s independence, stating that since then, the Commission has often been perceived as a tool of the ruling party, rather than an impartial arbitrator of the electoral process, significantly undermining public trust in the electoral system.
Okundaye emphasised that the annulment eroded trust between the political elite and the Nigerian populace, reinforcing the perception that politicians and military leaders would go to any lengths to retain power, even if it meant betraying the will of the people. He lamented that this culture of betrayal and manipulation continues to define Nigerian politics.
US President Donald Trump has asserted that he is not jesting about his ambitions for a third presidential term, despite the constitutional restrictions in place.
While the U.S. Constitution prohibits any individual from serving more than two four-year terms, Trump indicated that it is premature to delve into such considerations.
Having assumed office for his second, non-consecutive term on January 20, Trump has hinted at his desire for a third term, addressing the matter more directly in a telephone conversation with NBC News.
“No, I’m not joking. I’m not joking,” Trump reiterated, though he acknowledged, “it is far too early to think about it.”
He hinted at potential avenues to pursue this goal without providing specific details.
According to the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, U.S. presidents are limited to two terms, whether consecutive or not. To amend this constitutional provision would require a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress, followed by ratification from three-fourths of the 50 state legislatures.
Some of Trump’s allies have suggested the feasibility of extending his stay in the White House beyond 2028. Trump himself has alluded to this notion on multiple occasions, often in a manner that challenges his political adversaries. Should he pursue another term after the November 2028 election, he would be 82 years old, having previously made history as the oldest president at the time of his inauguration.
The tradition of limiting presidential terms was established by George Washington in 1796. This practice was largely followed for over 140 years until Franklin D. Roosevelt broke the norm by winning a third term in 1940. Roosevelt, who led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II, sadly passed away during his fourth term in 1945, leading to the enactment of the term limits amendment in 1951.
Steve Bannon, a long-time adviser to Trump, expressed in a March 19 interview with NewsNation his belief that Trump will indeed run again in 2028. Bannon noted that he and others are exploring ways to facilitate this ambition, including reviewing the definition of term limits. “We’re working on it,” he stated, underscoring the ongoing discussions surrounding Trump’s political future.
Traders in Lagos have voiced their concerns regarding the significant decline in food sales, particularly for pepper, attributing the downturn to rising prices and the diminished purchasing power of local residents.
In interviews conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), both traders and consumers shared their experiences regarding patronage as the Sallah celebration approaches.
Mr. Rabiu Zuntu, Chairman of the Tomato Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria (Kaduna chapter), linked the situation to the heightened prices of produce and the weakened purchasing capacity of consumers. He stated, “Pepper prices in the north are also steep, with a jumbo 50kg bag reaching as high as N150,000, compared to N60,000 to N70,000 just months ago. This price surge may adversely affect the Sallah festivities, as only a few consumers may afford these products.”
Zuntu further explained, “Currently, we are outside the pepper farming season. Insufficient rainfall has led to a scarcity of this commodity, with only a handful of farmers involved in irrigation. Many will resort to using dried pepper, which is more affordable during this time, although demand remains low. We anticipate an increase in demand as the celebration nears.”
Mrs. Mistura Balogun, a pepper vendor at Lawanson Market in Surulere, echoed these sentiments, noting the unusually low customer turnout. “It’s not just pepper that has become expensive; many other goods have seen price increases as well. Typically, this time of year should see a bustling market, but today is quite different. I have been at my stall since morning, and the number of customers is minimal,” she lamented.
Similarly, Mrs. Mojisola Gbadegesin, another pepper seller at Idi-Araba market, reported a stark decrease in patronage. “Despite the high prices, we usually see customers buying pepper, but this year is different. The market feels deserted, and business is sluggish,” she remarked.
Mrs. Judith Amen, also a foodstuff vendor, highlighted that the rising prices of pepper and other food items are likely to escalate further as the celebrations peak. “At the start of the week, a small bag of scotch bonnet pepper was priced at N70,000, and I expect prices to soar over the weekend due to Sallah. A good quality bag of rice is selling for N85,000, while lower-quality options range from N60,000 to N75,000. Although patronage is currently low, we anticipate an uptick a day before Sallah, but consumers will only purchase what they can afford,” she explained.
Mr. John Nwabueze, a trader in the Agege area, expressed frustration over the lack of customers as Eid celebrations begin. “Sales have been notably low, with people buying only what their budgets allow. The market has been unusually quiet, affecting all commodities, including rice. A 50kg bag of rice is priced between N76,000 and N78,000, yet sales remain sluggish this Sallah,” he noted.
Mrs. Amina Fakunle, a resident of the Alimosho area, remarked that the high cost of pepper would lead consumers to celebrate in a more subdued manner. “Just six pieces of pepper cost about N500, which is the lowest price available. With these prices, people will likely opt for a low-key celebration,” she stated.
Mr. David Oriafo, a resident of the Dopemu area, also commented on the lack of festive activity in the market. “I managed to purchase a few items for my family to save costs, but it’s evident that the usual festive buzz is missing. People are only buying what they can afford, much like myself,” he shared. (NAN)
A Nigerian boxer, Segun “Success” Olanrewaju, has died after slumping during a boxing match in Ghana.
The Secretary-General of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Remi Aboderin confirmed the death of the boxer on Sunday.
The 40-year-old boxer, nicknamed “Success”, stumbled to the canvas while fighting Jon Mbanugu, a Ghanian, at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League at Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra, on Saturday.
Olanrewaju was not punched or near his opponent when he collapsed violently in round three of the light-heavyweight bout.
The referee called the match immediately, and medical aid was ushered into the ring.
Olarenwaju died after he was rushed to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Ther boxer was a former West African and national light-heavyweight champion.
He competed in 24 bouts with 13 wins, eight losses, and three draws.
In 2022, Chukwuemeka Igboanugo, another boxer, also died after suffering a technical knockout (TKO) in a bout at the National Sports Festival (NSF) in Delta.
Igboanugo died after he took a fatal blow to the nose and did not survive the hit.