After an extended legal battle, the Supreme Court has finally resolved the controversies surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February 25, 2023, presidential election.
As of Thursday, October 26, the Supreme Court confirmed President Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 presidential election, which had faced challenges all the way to the highest court by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Mr. Peter Obi.
With the Supreme Court’s judgment, President Tinubu can now focus on governing without further distractions, providing an opportunity for him to deliver on his promises.
Since his victory was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President Tinubu, his All Progressives Congress (APC) party, and Nigerians as a whole have been eagerly waiting for the outcome of the legal disputes. Many believe these legal challenges have contributed to a slower pace in addressing the numerous socio-economic, political, and security issues.
The public had high hopes that President Tinubu’s administration would mark a significant departure from the previous government, characterized by high levels of insecurity, economic challenges, and divisions along ethnic and religious lines. However, these expectations have yet to be realized, as many Nigerians continue to struggle with economic difficulties, soaring inflation, and rising prices for essential goods.
In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling, it is expected that President Tinubu will take immediate steps to address the country’s numerous challenges. To begin, he can focus on stabilizing the nation’s currency and implementing measures to improve the economy.
On the security front, he could issue a clear directive to the military to eliminate the hideouts of bandits and restore peace to the country. Additionally, addressing allegations of nepotism and ensuring that appointments are made based on merit and national inclusivity is essential to building trust and unity among Nigerians.
It is also vital for President Tinubu to prioritize the issue of infrastructure development and pursue the much-needed process of restructuring the country to address its many problems and unite the diverse population.
The economy, security, national unity, and good governance should be at the forefront of President Tinubu’s agenda as he takes on the responsibility of leading the nation.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reported that a joint operation involving Nigerian military troops and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives resulted in the elimination of 52 terrorists and the apprehension of a leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Bauchi State.
The ISWAP leader was captured in a sting operation at Tarum, a village outside Bauchi Metropolis, as disclosed by Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, in a statement on Friday.
While the DHQ did not disclose the name of the arrested ISWAP leader, it revealed that the individual held a significant role in the North Central and North West zones.
The military high command emphasized that targeting terrorist leadership is crucial in ensuring the safety and security of citizens, with ongoing operations consistently diminishing the fighting force and capacity of these groups.
Maj.-Gen. Buba noted that Nigerian Air Force airstrikes played a key role in destroying terrorist leaders’ enclaves in the North West and North Central zones in the past week.
The week’s operations resulted in the neutralization of 52 terrorists, the arrest of 204 individuals associated with terrorism, and the rescue of 234 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, in the South-South zone, troops recovered stolen crude oil and illegal refined products, destroyed various equipment and sites used for illegal activities, and seized a substantial amount of weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and other items associated with criminal operations.
Solomon Arase, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, has expressed distress regarding the escalating violence against security personnel, particularly police officers, in the South East region.
The former Inspector General of Police highlighted the growing number of police officers’ wives becoming widows due to attacks by gunmen in the area. In a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations, Arase conveyed his apprehension during a courtesy visit by leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, in Abuja.
Arase emphasized that it’s essential to communicate to the assailants that the police are not their adversaries and have committed no wrongdoing. He lamented the loss of numerous serving officers in the South East, urging the perpetrators to recognize the police as friends and cease making widows out of officers’ wives, who are essentially their sisters.
Furthermore, Arase assured that the Commission has addressed the perceived marginalization of the South East in police representation nationwide.
Elder Onwu Arua, the leader of the Ohanaeze delegation, expressed concern about the lack of interest among people in the South East regarding the ongoing police recruitment exercise. He urged the Police Service Commission to devise strategies to address this issue.
On Friday, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) alleged that Governor Peter Mba was facing pressure from “Aso Rock” to discredit the Supreme Court ahead of the judgment on its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, scheduled for December 15. IPOB based this claim on Mba’s characterization of the group as a proscribed organization, a statement he made after visiting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
IPOB cautioned the governor against making a “costly mistake” by using the group’s name to gain favor from Tinubu’s administration. In a statement by Powerful, a spokesperson for IPOB, it was emphasized that Mba’s comments were deemed reckless and unguarded. The statement alleged that Mba, under pressure from the federal government, accused IPOB of being responsible for the sit-at-home protest and insecurity in the Southeast.
The statement pointed out that Mba had previously condemned Simon Ekpa, who was associated with the enforcement of the Monday sit-at-home. IPOB expressed skepticism about the governor’s motives and suggested that his statements were influenced by the Tinubu administration.
IPOB urged the public to dismiss the governor’s remarks, describing him as a “cowardly governor” making unfounded accusations. The statement reminded Mba that IPOB is not easily intimidated and warned against attempting to use the group’s name for political advantage.
The statement concluded by calling on the Nigerian Supreme Court Justices not to succumb to blackmail, urging the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who was acquitted by the Court of Appeal. IPOB reiterated its commitment to the cause of self-determination and emphasized that the movement would not yield to blackmail or pressure.
