Politics

Protests: Tinubu’s Real Troubles Are Just Beginning – Farooq Kperogi

Published

8 months ago

July 28, 2024

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In light of his planned astronomical hike in petrol prices euphemistically called “subsidy removal” in 2023, which his opponents also promised to implement and caused Nigerians embrace as inevitable and desirable, I foretold the imminent social convulsion that is gathering momentum across Nigeria now.

“I can assure Tinubu that if petrol price hikes deepen people’s misery, he’ll have a tough time governing,” I wrote in my April 29, 2023, column. I followed this up with more than half a dozen columns on the same theme.

When you remove subsidies from an all-important product like petrol that literally regulates every facet of life in a country like Nigeria, which also has the dubious honor of being in perpetual competition with India for the status of the world’s poverty capital, and then follow it up with a massive devaluation of the national currency even when the country is hopelessly import-dependent, you unleash existential demons that compel vast swaths of people to choose between life and death.

False assurances that the mass agony in the country is only temporary, or that the pains people are grappling with are mere precursors to future gains, or even that there is light at the end of the tunnel only aggravate people’s angst. There are two reasons for this.

One, most people know that based on past experiences in Nigeria (notably during IBB’s ruinous SAP, which Tinubu merely repurposed and renamed) and elsewhere in the developing world where the IMF and the World Bank dictate economic policies, there has never been a single example of these sorts of pains ever transforming into gains for the masses of the people.

Second, people outside the circles of power and privilege realize that the pains are being borne only by the poor.

Tinubu, for example, bought a new presidential jet worth millions of dollars even before the spineless National Assembly had a chance to rubber-stamp it, as is now their wont, among other profligate expenditures amid a biting economic downturn.

People who are visiting darkness on the poor in the name of a deferred light at the end of the tunnel are glowing in incandescent bulbs of illumination. And the people are intelligent enough to know that what awaits them at the end of this disconsolate tunnel isn’t light. It’s an inferno. It’s a dreary snake pit of doom and gloom.

When people come to this realization, no one needs to “sponsor” them to protest. The pangs of hunger they feel is sufficient to sponsor them to protest. The sensation of hopelessness that overcomes them is a bigger motive force for protest than the political machinations of any politician.

But even if it’s true that opposition politicians are taking advantage of the mass discontent in the country to cripple the government and delegitimize it for their self-interest, that’s not illegal. It’s an intrinsic element of democracies for opposition parties to seize on the missteps of incumbents to displace them.

President Tinubu is in power today precisely because he mastered the art of instrumentalizing the missteps of incumbents to advance his political aspirations. As recently as 2012, he “sponsored” a disruptive protest against former President Goodluck Jonathan that led to the deaths of protesters—for precisely what he is doing to Nigerians now.

No amount of persuasion or financial inducement of traditional rulers, religious clerics, union leaders, or activists will get people to make peace with needless suffering occasioned by a self-centered, hard-hearted implementation of vicious economic policies that snuff the life out of the people. Even if the planned protests are aborted, the predictable is only being postponed.

The only way Tinubu can retain legitimacy and earn the trust of the people is to reverse the deep, stinging hurt his policies have caused to the vast majority of our people. People are no longer interested in progress or the renewal of hope. They just want Tinubu to take them back to where he met them, which was not an enviable state. And that’s not too much to ask.

In a February 10, 2024, column titled “Hunger Protests: Why Tinubu Can’t Govern Like Buhari,” I said the spontaneous, hunger-induced eruption of seething communal anger in Minna, Suleja, Kano, and Osogbo were “a warning sign” that Tinubu couldn’t afford to ignore. He ignored it.

He is probably following the Buhari template of enacting unpopular policies and relying on the blind support of his worshipers to shield him from the consequences of his actions. But Tinubu has no such following, and I am glad he doesn’t, which is why I would hate for someone like Peter Obi or Rabiu Kwankwaso to be president.

They are political cult leaders with unthinking, fanatical followers who lose their damned minds if you as much utter the mildest critical remark about their gods, however factual it may be. Like Buharists, they have abdicated their senses to their political gods.

I reproduce here a portion of the column to remind Tinubu why he can’t benefit from the kind of immunity Buhari enjoyed:

“Had the current president been Muhammadu Buhari and not Bola Ahmed Tinubu, chances are that the worst that would happen amid the adversity people are going through now would be suppressed, barely audible murmurs. It’s because Buhari is a political cult leader with a firm grip on his followers who worship him and surrender responsibility for their lives over to him. Tinubu has no such appeal.

“A psychologist by the name of Steve Taylor came up with a concept he called ‘abdication syndrome,’ which he said disposes people to invest total, child-like trust in a political figure, a cult leader, an opinion molder, etc. in ways that mimic how children idealize and idolize their parents as unblemished paragons of perfection.

“According to Taylor, ‘abdication syndrome stems from the unconscious desire of some people to return to a state of early childhood, when their parents were infallible, omnipotent figures who controlled their lives and protected them from the world. They’re trying to rekindle that childhood state of unconditional devotion and irresponsibility.’

“Buhari is lucky to benefit from abdication syndrome in Muslim northern Nigeria, broadly conceived, which explains why he got away with murder for eight years. When he increased petrol prices by a steep margin in 2016, for instance, there were protests in Kano, Bauchi, and other places in SUPPORT of the increase and AGAINST people who planned to protest the increase. Nigeria had never seen anything like that before.

“Even protests against the unabating descent of northern Nigeria into a theater of bloodshed and abduction on Buhari’s watch provoked counter protests from people who have abdicated the use of their brains in the service of Buhari.

“Tinubu not only does not have the benefit of abdication syndrome anywhere in Nigeria, but he also has the misfortune of having to contend with a peculiar character of Muslim northern Nigeria: we feel the pain of, and react violently to, bad policies only when the policies are hatched and executed by people who have no filiation with our natal region.

“It’s no surprise that the hunger protests against the Tinubu administration started from and spread in the North.

“A powerful indication of Tinubu’s lack of firm emotional support base emerged when Osun, his state of birth where he lost the last presidential election to PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, became the first southern state to join the hunger protests. Should the resistance to his punishingly heartless neoliberal economic policies ignite a nationwide convulsion, the Southwest is unlikely to constitute itself as his bulwark.

“In fact, I hazard a guess that should Tinubu’s unfeeling policies activate the sort of destabilizing national upheaval that we saw in 2012 during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the Southwest won’t be aloof. It is likely to join in.

“And, of course, Tinubu is deeply unpopular in the Southeast, the South-south, and Christian northern Nigeria. In other words, Tinubu is essentially floundering into the most treacherous of social quicksands.

“His only fortification against danger is not just good governance but compassionate governance. The release of thousands of metric tons of grains is a good first step, but it’s not nearly enough to stem the tide of mass rebellion that is brewing in the country. At best, it will only delay the inevitable.

“The truth is that Nigeria can’t survive a total withdrawal of petroleum subsidies without an adequate, systematic, well-planned public transportation system. To do away with petrol subsidies, the government must first create conditions where car ownership and patronage of commercial transportation are a luxury.”

Politics

We are in control of NNPP – Kwankwaso’s loyalists snub court ruling

Published

6 minutes ago

April 7, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The faction of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) loyal to former presidential candidate Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has reiterated its claim to the party’s leadership despite a court ruling that dismissed its legal challenge.

The group, led by Dr Ajuji Ahmed, reaffirmed that it remains in charge of the NNPP’s operations, arguing that the recent verdict did not affect the existing leadership structure.

The party has been entangled in a leadership tussle since after the 2023 general elections, with two rival camps laying claim to its control, a situation that has triggered internal chaos—particularly in Kano State, where the NNPP holds executive power.

Last week, the Federal Capital Territory High Court struck out a suit filed by the Ajuji-led camp challenging the legitimacy of another faction headed by Chief Boniface Aniebonam and the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Agbo Major.

The plaintiffs, including Dr Ajuji and 20 others, asked the court to stop officials from the opposing camp from convening meetings or organizing party conventions, arguing that they had been expelled.

But in his ruling, Justice M.A. Hassan declined jurisdiction, stating that matters concerning internal party disagreements, including leadership and membership disputes, fall outside the scope of judicial determination.

“The position of the law, as upheld by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, is clear: courts do not adjudicate on matters that fall within the internal affairs of a political party, except in cases relating to the nomination of candidates for elections,” Justice Hassan ruled.

The judgment did not clarify which faction holds legitimate authority, thereby prolonging the party’s leadership crisis.

Aniebonam’s camp claims victory

Members of the Aniebonam-led faction welcomed the court’s decision as validation of their leadership.

Factional Secretary Oginni Olaposi described the verdict as a win for internal party democracy.

“This verdict affirms the legitimacy of the NNPP leadership under Dr. Agbo Major and reestablishes the authority of our Board of Trustees, led by Chief Boniface Aniebonam. It sends a strong message that party matters should be resolved internally,” Olaposi said.

Segun Fiki, legal counsel to the defendants, echoed this stance.

“The court has spoken clearly—this matter is non-justiciable. The legitimate leadership of the NNPP has been affirmed and we now expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to formally recognise and engage with the party’s duly elected officials,” he said.

Kwankwaso camp dismisses claims of legitimacy

In a swift response, the Kwankwaso camp warned against misinterpreting the court’s decision.

Barrister Ladipo Johnson, spokesperson for the Ajuji-led faction, accused expelled members of spreading misinformation.

“Quite expectedly, some of the defendants in the suit—who remain expelled from the party—have rushed to misinform Nigerians by twisting the judgement. Contrary to their false claims, there was no pronouncement conferring legitimacy or authority on any so-called Board of Trustees,” Johnson asserted.

He maintained that the expulsion of Boniface Aniebonam, Agbo Major, Olaposi Oginni, and others—previously upheld by a Federal High Court on April 18, 2024—remains in force.

Referencing constitutional and electoral provisions, Johnson emphasized that leadership legitimacy rests with the body recognized by INEC.

“If you check with INEC or visit its portal, you won’t find the names of Boniface Aniebonam, Major Agbo, Olaposi Oginni, or their allies listed as members of the NNPP’s NWC,” he said.

“The judgment in question did not issue any directive to INEC or disturb the current status of the NNPP. The party’s management remains firmly under the leadership of Dr Ajuji Ahmed,” he added.

Politics

IMO DEPUTY SPEAKER, IWUANYANWU DONATES 500 CAPACITY TOWN HALL BUILDING TO NWANGELE COMMUNITY, SALUTES GOV. UZODIMMA FOR ENABLING PROJECTS EXECUTION

Published

19 minutes ago

April 7, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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IMO DEPUTY SPEAKER, IWUANYANWU DONATES 500 CAPACITY TOWN HALL BUILDING TO NWANGELE COMMUNITY, SALUTES GOV. UZODIMMA FOR ENABLING PROJECTS EXECUTION

Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Nwangele LGA, Imo State.

As part of his renewed commitment to translate effective representation to tangible dividends of democracy, doubling his efforts toward community development through the spread of people -oriented projects in line with the 3R blueprint of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Shared Prosperity Administration: Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly; the member representing Nwangele Constituency, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Ksc, was on Sunday, April 6, 2025, recorded yet another milestone as he officially donated a 500 capacity state -of-the arts furnished town hall building project to Amuzi village in Dim-na-Nume Isu Community, Nwangele LGA, Imo State, amid commendations by the people.

Speaking during the official handover of the building project to the Chairman of Amuzi village—Mr. Obinna Otuonye, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, Ksc, accompanied by the Executive Chairman of Nwangele Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Paul Duru, alongside the retinue of his colorful entourage, thanked the leadership and members of the community for their show of love, support and solidarity over the years as he has always won elections in a landslide at their pilling units, reassuring them of his commitment to keep bringing developmental projects not just in Amuzi village as their illustrious son in government, but across the various wards in Nwangele LGA.

Obviously elated for fulfilling his promises of building a befitting town hall project for Amuzi village and also facilitating the construction of over 3km NNDC motorable road project, Iwuanyanwu maintained that community services and development are the hallmarks of his late father, Chief Sir Ignatius Chyna Iwuanyanwu; affirming that he would also have done same if he were still alive today.

In his own words, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu stated; “ I am here today to thank you for your show of love to me since my sojourn in Nwangele polotics. You have always demonstrated your unflinching support to our great party, APC, and our performing govenror, His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Hope Uzodimma.

During the last election in this polling unit where I recorded a landslide victory for my position and that of the Imo State govenrorship, I saw the despair, neglected, and abandoned of this townhall and promised to build a brand new one for you after the election. Today, it is a promise made and also a promise kept.

Let me quickly use this opportunity to thank our dear governor, His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma —for always putting Nwangele LGA in his developmental considerations and choice of political appointments. I also wish to thank our illustrious son and apex leader, my political benefactor, High Chief Johnbosco Chukwuma Ozigbu, Ph.D (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga), for always standing by me and supporting our shared commitment in the development of Nwangele Constituency.

In his note of appreciation to the Deputy Speaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu, National Chairman of Amuzi Village, Mr. Obinna Otuonye, eulogized his performance index for not just being the member representing Nwangele Constituency, but also as a proud son of Amuzi who always brings back home the largesse of government to his people through developmental projects.
According to him, he feels very fulfilled that such befitting townhall building project was executed during his tenure; including the NDDC road construction. Reassuring the commitment of Amuzi people and the entire Nwangele LGA to keep supporting the political aspirations of their son, Amara Iwuanyanwu, who they unanimously prayed God to give him a higher position in due time.

In the same vein, a 75 year old community leader and home-chairman of Amuzi Village, Mr. Meshach Iheanyi Alimnor, poured out his heart in appreciation for the befitting townhall donated to the village by Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu even as he prayed God to protect him and his family in all they do as he has continued to make Amuzi people and Ndi Nwangele proud as their state representative.

Majority leader of Nwangele Legislative Council and member representing Dim-na-Nume Isu Ward, Hon. Kelechi Mark- Oparaocha said by always fulfilling his promises to Nwangele people, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu has shown capacity in leadership, sincerity of purpose and political sagacity, a true reflection of his late father’s drive for community development and selfless services to his people, a virtue and legacy which the state lawmaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu, is tenaciously upholding dearly.

Savvy, proactive, politically productive and development- driven, Rt. Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu since the inception of office in 2019 has given impressive outing with a proven record of his breathtaking achievements scorecard in youths development programs, practical empowernments, construction of water boreholes, donation of vehicles, free distribution of refrigerators with start-ups capital for small business owners, facilitating NDDC road construction, installation of solar street lights and political appointments in government, as he consistently demonstrates unwavering commitment to the development of the entire Nwangele State Constituency.

Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Media Consultant|Newspaper Columnist|Public Analyst|PR-Expert

Politics

Wike, others planning extend Rivers six months emergency rule – Suspended Commissioner, Gbali

Published

1 hour ago

April 7, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The suspended Commissioner for Youth Development in Rivers State, Chisom Gbali, on Monday accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike and his cohorts of plans to extend the state of emergency in the state.

Gbali said Wike and his cohorts are planning to create problems that would lead to President Bola Tinubu extending the state of emergency in the state.

The president had declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Sim Fubara following intelligence report of militants planning to attack oil installations.

Tinubu also suspended Fubara for six months while appointing a sole administrator to preside over the state.

His pronouncement was due to the face-off between Wike and Fubara that affected the state House of Assembly but the Supreme Court had intervened recently.

However, appearing on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Gbali said the body language of the Sole The Administrator suggest a calculated effort to extend the situation beyond six months.

According to Gbali: “We are in the same wave length, that’s actually the calculated attempt I was talking about. There is a plan to extend it and even incite problem before the end of these six months, they want to incite problem that would make the president make another pronouncement.

” And of course you know that if there is any extension whatsoever, it calls for the end of the administration, so if you see the school of thoughts in politics that they call body language, if you see the body language you will know that this is a calculated attempt.

“They are setting aside all the subsisting projects, suspending boards and parastatals but for someone that was sent to restore peace, till now all we are seeing is different.

“They even planned to install a sole administrator at the local government level. these are there calculated attempts.

“The current minister of the FCT and his cohorts, the assembly members, former chairmen whose tenure elapsed, that’s the people i’m talking about, we know them. The issue of Rivers State is between the former governor and the current governor.

“All these things are geared towards 2027 and we are dazzled that his excellency will be meddling in this kind of matter when there are so many areas that have more pressing needs, people are dying everyday and there is no state of emergency but in Rivers where we never had hurt they did.”