A former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, last week sued the State House of Assembly following the lawmakers’ resolve to investigate the alleged misappropriation of N432 billion ($1 billion) in public funds by his administration.
The same week, a former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to immediately address the escalating political crisis in Rivers State.
These and three other stories we tracked dominated public discourse in the country during the period.
1. El-Rufai sues Kaduna Assembly
On June 26, the former governor sued the State House of Assembly following the parliament’s resolve to investigate the alleged misappropriation of N432 billion ($1 billion) in public funds by his administration.
The former governor’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, disclosed this in a post on his X handle.
Adekeye said: “His lawyer, AU Mustapha SAN, said that El-Rufai approached the court as a Nigerian citizen who is entitled to be given a fair hearing before his rights can be determined by a quasi-judicial or investigative body or courts in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.”
Why it matters
The latest development from Kaduna is an indication that the former governor has fallen out of favour with President Bola Tinubu’s government and his party.
El-Rufai has been fishing in trouble water since he was denied a ministerial slot in August last year, with his reported romance with opposition elements putting him in the bad book of President Tinubu’s men in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
All said, the House’s resolution brings to the fore the concerns raised by many on the management of state resources by the governors, many of whom live in opulence while their subjects groan under harsh conditions induced by unfavourable policies.
Indeed, it brings home the question of accountability and whether indicted public officials involved in barefaced corruption are being sufficiently punished as a deterrent to others.
2. Clark demands Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers crisis
A former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, on June 25 appealed to President Bola Tinubu to immediately address the escalating political crisis in Rivers State.
In a letter he signed, Clark urged the president to restrain the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and allow Governor Siminalayi Fubara to govern the state without interference.
The letter read: “I wish to congratulate you for your prompt action taken by the Presidency to douse the political tension in Rivers State. Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media to Mr. President disclosed the President’s position during an interview on TVC on Saturday, 11th May, 2024.
“And it has been warmly received by Nigerians, particularly in Rivers State. The crisis is no doubt will gradually die down if the statement is upheld by the Presidency, and it will enable us to face the security problem in other parts of the country.”
Why it matters
The elder statesman’s latest call on Rivers suggests that the crisis in the oil-rich state requires a tougher approach akin to an executive order to whip all contending forces into line.
Last week’s attempt to bomb the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt and similar incidents are signs that peace may continue to elude the state unless the president calls to order individuals who are determined to push the state to its knees because of their greed and lust for power.
3. FG, ASUU agree on resolution of crisis
The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on June 26 agreed to resolve all contentious issues amicably to avert another strike in the universities.
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The parties also agreed to kick-start a communication process to avert the planned strike by the union.
The ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, told journalists after the meeting that the negotiation process had begun and urged the federal government to follow up on the agreement between both parties.
He said: “We have discussions on all the issues and we have given assignments to some people to look at and agreed on the way forward.
“What is important is that we have started the process and our prayers is that we resolve it for the interest of our young men and the interest of the nation.”
Why it matters
While the development may have laid to rest fears of another strike in the nation’s ivory towers, the onus is on the government to honour agreements freely signed with the varsity teachers to avoid another disruption in the country’s education sector.
Knowing how the failure of successive governments to honour agreements with trade unions casts doubts on the integrity of the Nigerian state, the Tinubu government will do well to change the narrative and improve its fragile rating in the eyes of the public.
4. MURIC on planned removal of Sultan
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on June 26 alleged there were plots by the Sokoto State government to remove the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, MURIC claimed that the Sokoto State government was making secret plans to dethrone the Sultan and warned of the grave consequences of such action.
The statement read: “Feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier.
“MURIC advises the governor to look before he leaps. The Sultan’s stool is not only traditional, it is also religious. In the same vein, his jurisdiction goes beyond Sokoto. It covers the whole of Nigeria. He is the spiritual head of all Nigerian Muslims.”
Why it matters
The recent events in Kano and other parts of the country have reinforced the call for the tweak of the constitution to strip the governors of the powers on the appointment and removal of traditional rulers.
Like Kano, Sokoto State is a key state in Northern Nigeria because of its position in the Muslim world and the government must take measures to avoid a crisis capable of undermining the region and the country as a whole.
5. Amnesty Int’l claims 2,600 killed in Benue crisis
Amnesty International said on June 26 that at least 2,600 persons, mostly women and children, have been killed in attacks on 50 Benue State communities in the last one year.
The Amnesty International Programme Director, Mrs. Barbara Magaji, disclosed this during a photo exhibition and news conference in Makurdi.
She said 18 out of the 23 local government areas in the state were constantly under security threats by armed attackers.
According to her, the attacks occurred between January 2023 and February this year.
Magaji said: “These attacks are significantly affecting food security and livelihoods because the affected communities are farmers and displacement makes them unable to carry out any farming activity.
“These displacements are having significant and adverse effects on the right to livelihoods, and depriving thousands of children of the right to education and development.”
Why it matters
The frequent attacks on soft targets by bandits and other criminals again indicate an urgent reboot of the Nigerian security architecture for effective performance.
The attacks show that the current military strategies are no longer suitable for the campaign against the criminals who are becoming more sophisticated in their war against the Nigerian state.
This problem, therefore, requires proactive measures on the part of the government to halt the country’s slide into a failed state.