The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives on Wednesday delivered a scathing assessment of the state of the nation, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of failing to address worsening insecurity, deepening economic hardship, and mounting threats to democratic institutions.

The opposition lawmakers also alleged that the government is prioritising political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections over the urgent challenges confronting Nigerians.

Addressing journalists at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, House Minority Leader, Fred Agbedi, said Nigeria was experiencing one of its most difficult periods since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

According to him, persistent insecurity, rising poverty, and growing public frustration have left the country in a precarious situation.

“Nigeria is bleeding, Nigeria is confused, and Nigeria is being deliberately pushed to the brink by a government that has elevated 2027 electioneering above the lives and welfare of citizens,” Agbedi declared.

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He said the caucus convened the press conference “with a heavy heart but with unshaken resolve to speak truth to power,” stressing that silence in the face of the nation’s challenges would amount to complicity.

The lawmakers argued that nearly three years into the Tinubu administration, Nigerians were yet to witness meaningful improvements in security and economic conditions despite repeated assurances from government officials.

Security Concerns

A major focus of the briefing was the recent death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, who was reportedly abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State before dying in captivity.

The caucus described the incident as a tragic reflection of the deteriorating security situation across the country and called for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

“That a General of the Nigerian Army, who once commanded troops and defended this nation, could be kidnapped alongside his wife and later declared dead under unclear circumstances is a grave indictment of a failed state. It is a national embarrassment,” Agbedi said.

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The lawmakers noted that the incident occurred amid a wave of attacks by bandits, terrorists, and criminal gangs across several parts of the country, including the North-West, North-Central, and parts of the South-East.

They lamented that security personnel, traditional rulers, and ordinary citizens have increasingly become targets of kidnappers and armed groups despite ongoing military operations.

“If a General is not safe within the borders of our nation, then who truly is?” Agbedi asked.

He further expressed concern over the growing vulnerability of community leaders and traditional rulers who have become frequent targets of criminal elements.

“Our security is in the mud. Yet, the political class is busy rehearsing new political dance steps, seemingly unbothered,” he added.

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The caucus urged President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to immediately present a comprehensive security strategy capable of addressing the multifaceted threats confronting the country.

“At a period in our nation’s long-drawn battle with these insurgents, victory was close by, especially with the presence of mercenaries on the frontlines. Today, no one is sure what the strategy, if any, is,” Agbedi stated.

The lawmakers also called for improved welfare for security personnel, enhanced intelligence gathering, and a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s security architecture.

They expressed concern over the continued captivity of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, describing the situation as another example of the state’s inability to guarantee the safety of its citizens.

“As we speak, schoolchildren and their teachers abducted in Oyo State remain in captivity. Their crime? Going to school in Nigeria,” Agbedi said.

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The caucus demanded an immediate and coordinated rescue operation, warning that prolonged captivity could expose the victims to grave dangers.

Democracy and Judiciary

The opposition lawmakers also raised concerns over what they described as troubling developments within the judiciary, particularly a Federal High Court judgment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five opposition political parties.

According to Agbedi, the ruling raises serious questions about the health of Nigeria’s democracy and could undermine political pluralism ahead of future elections.

“This judgment, coming only months before the country’s general elections and after a subsisting Court of Appeal decision on the same matter, is not intended to serve justice. Instead, it appears to be a deliberate ploy to engender judicial chaos weaponised to destabilise the polity,” he said.

The Bayelsa lawmaker described the judgment as “rascality taken too far,” arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent capable of weakening democratic participation and shrinking political space.

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He questioned why submissions reportedly made by INEC, indicating that the affected parties had satisfied legal requirements through electoral victories in previous elections, were allegedly disregarded.

The caucus further alleged that opposition parties have increasingly faced institutional barriers, including delays in the registration of new political parties and attempts to frustrate emerging political coalitions.

“From external manipulations and executive meddlesomeness that kept old political structures polarised, to attempts to truncate new alliances through institutional bottlenecks such as the refusal to register new political parties, the whole goal has been to muscle all credible opposition out of the 2027 contest,” Agbedi alleged.

While welcoming the intervention of the Court of Appeal in halting implementation of the Federal High Court judgment, the lawmakers urged democratic stakeholders to remain vigilant.

Economic Hardship

Turning to the economy, the caucus painted a bleak picture of conditions facing Nigerians, citing inflation, rising food prices, declining purchasing power, and widespread hardship.

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The lawmakers argued that the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira—key reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration—had imposed severe burdens on citizens without adequate social protection measures.

“From Sokoto to Enugu, from Borno to Lagos, the story is the same: hunger, killings, kidnappings, collapse of the naira, collapse of hope,” Agbedi said.

The opposition lawmakers accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency of prioritising politics over governance.

“Yet what preoccupies the ruling party and the Presidency are 2027 endorsement rallies, defections, re-election strategies, and town hall meetings to discuss tenure security,” he added.

They challenged President Tinubu to temporarily suspend political activities linked to the next election cycle and focus squarely on addressing the nation’s pressing challenges.

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“President Tinubu must suspend all 2027 political activities and declare a six-month National Security and Economic Recovery Plan,” Agbedi said, urging the President to “lead or leave.”

Recommendations and Call to Action

As part of its recommendations, the caucus called for:

• An independent and transparent investigation into the abduction and death of Major General Rabe Abubakar;
• Immediate efforts to secure the release of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and their teachers;
• Urgent reforms within the security sector;
• Intervention by the Chief Justice of Nigeria in controversies arising from conflicting court judgments on political parties; and
• Stronger efforts by INEC to safeguard democratic competition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Agbedi warned against what he described as attempts to weaken opposition voices through judicial and institutional means.

“The attempt to kill opposition parties through judicial ambush, to ignore mass killings while chasing a second term, and to normalise the abduction of children is a declaration of war against Nigerians,” he said.

He vowed that opposition lawmakers would continue to hold the government accountable through constitutional and legislative means.

“We will not be silent. We will not be intimidated. We will use every legislative instrument to hold this government accountable,” he stated.

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Addressing Nigerians directly, Agbedi urged citizens not to lose faith in democracy despite the country’s present challenges.

“To Nigerians, do not despair. 2027 will not be decided in Aso Rock or by compromised courts. It will be decided by you, the people.

“The opposition parties will stand with you. The opposition will not be muscled out. Nigeria will be rescued.”

The briefing was attended by House Minority Whip Mansur Soro, Deputy Minority Leader Abdussamad Dasuki, and the leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress caucus in the House, Afam Ogene.

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Grace Joseph, the widow of the commercial bus driver, Joseph Okpe, who was allegedly beaten to death by the Nigerian Air Force officers along the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway in Lagos, has accused the military of abandoning her family, saying she has not heard from its representatives since they paid a condolence visit and promised support.

PUNCH Metro reports that the driver died a few hours after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of officers following a minor traffic incident involving their vehicle.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed that all officers involved had been detained and that the family had been visited.

“The Nigerian Air Force is aware of the reported incident and is deeply saddened by the loss of life,” Ejodame said.

“Upon receiving information on the matter, the personnel suspected to be involved were immediately taken into custody, and the case is currently under investigation by the appropriate civil and military authorities.

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“The NAF has also extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and visited them to express sympathy and support during this difficult time,” the statement added.

However, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, the grieving mother of three said the Air Force had failed to fulfil the assurances given to her family during the condolence visit.

“He was the breadwinner. The Air Force officers came to visit us, and the way they spoke gave me hope. I was encouraged by what they told us.

“But after they left, everything changed. I have not heard from them again. My husband was the one feeding and taking care of the family, and now he is gone.

“When they came that day, they spoke in a way that made me happy. But after they left, they changed. I don’t know why. I have not seen them again, and I do not know the reason,” she said.

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Speaking in a shaky voice, the mother of three said her children had continued to ask about their father.

“The children have been asking about their father, especially the youngest one. Since the day my husband died, he has been crying because he misses his father.

“My youngest child is five years old. My daughter is 10 years old, and my first child is 14 years old.”

She added that during the condolence visit, Air Force representatives handed her N200,000 to assist with feeding the children.

“They gave me N200,000 when they came. They said it was for me to use and feed the children. Since then, I have never received another call from them.

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“I feel very sad about it. I really do.”

The bereaved widow appealed to the government to intervene and support the welfare and education of her children.

“What I want the government to do for me is to help me train my children and support their education. Their father was the one responsible for them and took care of all their needs.

“I want the government to take responsibility and help ensure that the children can continue their education and have a future.”

Recalling the events that led to her husband’s death, the widow said the tragedy came as a devastating shock to the family.

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She said, “When the time came, I had to explain because it was shocking to me. I was so surprised because I never expected this kind of thing.

“On the day it happened, both of us left the house at the same time. I was going to visit one of my sisters, while my husband had gone to work.

“That night, I received a call after 8 p.m. The woman who called asked if I was Joseph’s wife. I said yes, and she told me that my husband had been involved in an accident. I was shocked.

“I immediately called my husband’s elder brother and informed him that someone had called to say my husband had been involved in an accident.

“My husband’s brother asked where I was, and I told him I was at home. I then went to my sister’s place.

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“The caller told me to come with my family, so I went to my husband’s sister and brother in Oshodi. When I got there, I explained everything to them, and we started looking for a vehicle to take us to the hospital.

“At that time, it was already late, and we could not find transportation. People were unwilling to come out because of the late hour and fear of being stopped by the police.

“The caller told me my husband was at a hospital in Mushin. Later, the doctor’s phone number was sent to me, and I forwarded it to my brother.

“My husband’s brother and I began communicating with the doctor. We pleaded with him to take care of my husband because we could not get there immediately due to the late hour.

“About three to five minutes after we spoke with the doctor, he called back and told me that my husband had died.

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“The following morning, I went to the hospital with some people who assisted my family and me. When I got there, I saw my husband lying on the bed.”

The youth wing of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council has raised the alarm over the formation of several amorphous groups in a bid to swindle those interested in the controversy over handling of the South-East Development Commission, SEDC.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike.

He said the clarification and alarm became necessary in order to protect the people of the South-East from political jobbers who also cash into any controversy to swindle unsuspecting members of the public.

Okwu said owing to his call for proper accountability in the SEDC, a certain group, Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly dished out a statement claiming to be representing the interest of the Igbo youths.

According to him, “we have let this slide but for the fact that the promoters of the said group have been going around soliciting for funds from prominent members of the South-East.

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“To set the records straight, Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly does not exist anywhere except in the wide imaginations of the promoters.

“Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, who is behind the group was hitherto parading as head of the Ohanaeze parent body in Anambra State. It then beggars belief that the same person has switched back to the youth wing of Ohanaeze apparently because his enterprise in the parent body failed.

“The same character also reached out weeks back asking for collaboration, but we turned it back because while we always stand for Igbo interest, his likes are after stomach infrastructure.”

While advising members of the public to be wary of a summit purportedly scheduled by the same group in Awka Anambra State, Okwu said it was only an avenue to milk politicians.

“They have been reaching out to many people, including the SEDC leadership, asking for money, but nobody obliged them.

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“Right now, Okpalukwu feels that the only way to curry favour is to attack the Ohanaeze Youth Council.

“We advise eminent Igbo leaders not to allow themselves to be swindled as the said group does not exist. All they intend to do is to go to streets and recruit people for the dead-on-arrival summit in Awka in order to justify their pay. Nobody should fall for that gimmick,” Okwu submitted.

By Chinedu Sabastine

ENUGU — Founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has cautioned against what he described as premature attacks on the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

Chief Okorie who made this call during a press briefing at his residence in Enugu, urged stakeholders in the region to avoid actions capable of undermining the newly established intervention agency.

Speaking on the controversy surrounding the commission’s expenditure and consultancy engagements, Okorie said the South East must desist from “hurting itself” at a time when a long-awaited development institution is beginning to take shape.

“I have been involved in the struggle for the South East for over 50 years without interruption. I know how much damage we do to ourselves, especially when good things are about to come our way,” he said.

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The elder statesman commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the commission and giving it a clear mandate to address developmental challenges confronting the region.

“This is the first time we have a commission specifically designed to tackle the issues arising from the neglect and devastation suffered by the South East after the Biafra civil war. Whatever reservations some people may have, President Tinubu deserves commendation for taking the bold step of not only approving the commission expeditiously but also providing it with a specific mandate,” he stated.

Okorie argued that relying solely on statutory allocations would be insufficient for the commission to achieve its objectives, noting that its management was right to seek alternative funding sources and investor partnerships.

According to him, projects such as interstate rail transportation, gas development, electricity generation, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship support and skills acquisition require substantial investments that can only be attracted through well-prepared feasibility studies and professional consultancy services.

“If you want investors to come and invest in the South East, you must have documents showing the viability of those projects. Consultancy is about preparing such documents. Without them, how do you attract investors?” he asked.

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Reacting to concerns raised by the Senate Committee overseeing the commission regarding alleged expenditure on office accommodation and consultancy services, Okorie questioned why the committee waited several months before raising the issues publicly.

“The Senate appropriated funds for the commission and has oversight responsibility. If there were concerns, why did they not engage the commission earlier? If an office was rented for N153 million in Abuja, what stopped members of the committee from driving there to inspect it?” he queried.

He described the public dispute as unfortunate and capable of creating the impression that some persons were working against the interests of the South East.

“Let us stop hurting ourselves. It is too early. After the commission waited for about one year and eight months before receiving funds, six months later the Senate committee suddenly begins to raise alarm publicly. Oversight should be carried out diligently and maturely, without creating the impression that there are ulterior motives,” he said.

However, Okorie also faulted the commission’s communication strategy, saying inadequate public engagement had created room for rumours and speculation.

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“The commission has not done enough publicity. People need to know its constraints, what it has achieved and what plans it has for the funds already released. Better communication would keep those who want to cause confusion at bay,” he noted.

He urged SEDC to strengthen its presence across the region by making its Enugu head office fully operational and establishing offices in all five South-East states.

“They should have functional offices in the five states and engage local people to communicate their policies, programmes and activities. Their communication is poor, and that creates room for rumours and all sorts of allegations against the commission,” Okorie added.

He maintained that while accountability remains important, stakeholders should support rather than undermine an institution established to drive the development of the South East.

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