News
Democracy in Decline: Peter Obi Slams Tinubu’s Two-Year Rule
Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the state of democracy in Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Obi made this assertion in a Democracy Day message titled “Democracy in Decline: Reflecting on Two Years of Tinubu’s Governance,” reacting to the President’s speech to a joint session of the National Assembly.
According to Obi, a comprehensive review of Tinubu’s two-year rule reveals significant shortcomings in governance and policy delivery.
“Democracy has been in recession since President Bola Tinubu took over power two years ago,” Obi stated, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration has performed poorly across various governance indices, including corruption, economic management, insecurity, and politics.
Obi lamented that Nigeria can no longer be classified as a democratic country, citing the absence of vital democratic indicators.
“Democracy is said to be ‘a government of the people, by the people, and for the people,’ yet none of these three measures exist in our democracy today,” he noted.
The Labour Party leader called on President Tinubu to emulate the example of late President Umaru Yar’Adua, who acknowledged the flaws in his election process and took steps to address them.
He also commended former President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting defeat before the announcement of the 2015 election results, describing it as a significant contribution to Nigeria’s nascent democracy.
Obi urged President Tinubu to prioritize domestic engagement over international trips, suggesting that the President should tour the 36 states of Nigeria instead of spending excessive time abroad.
“Governing by remote is not what Nigerians need, you need to go round and get firsthand,” Obi advised, noting that the President’s over 30 international trips in two years have not yielded the desired results.
The former governor emphasized the need to end the current era of impunity, state capture, and disregard for the rule of law, stressing that these issues are essential to the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.
“We must end this troubling governance era that is filled with impunity, state capture, and absolute disregard for the rule of law and the checks and balances required of any worthwhile democracy,” Obi declared.
News
Court, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations
Court, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations
US House Democrats have threatened to begin impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over her handling of the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, unless President Donald Trump removes her from office.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that Democrats could proceed “the easy way or the hard way,” describing the actions of Noem’s department as “disgusting.”
The crisis follows the fatal shooting of US citizen Alex Pretti by a federal agent, which has triggered backlash in Minneapolis and led to the planned departure of Border Patrol Chief Gregory Borvino and some agents from the city.
Trump has deployed his “border tsar,” Tom Homan, to take charge of on-the-ground operations, while a Minnesota judge has ordered acting ICE director Todd Lyons to appear in court over alleged violations of court orders.
Trump has distanced himself from claims by senior adviser Stephen Miller that Pretti was a “would-be assassin,” saying he did not believe the victim was acting as one.
Video footage shows Pretti holding a phone while filming agents, not a gun, although police say he was a legal firearm owner.
News
UN Raises Alarm Over ‘Spare No-One’ Rhetoric by South Sudan Army Chief
UN Raises Alarm Over ‘Spare No-One’ Rhetoric by South Sudan Army Chief
The United Nations has expressed concern after South Sudan’s Deputy Army Chief, Gen. Johnson Oluny, was heard urging troops to “spare no-one,” including children and the elderly, ahead of military operations in opposition-held areas of Jonglei State.
In a video posted on Facebook, Oluny, addressing members of his Agwelek militia, called for total destruction during the deployment.
The UN Mission in South Sudan condemned the remarks, describing them as “utterly abhorrent,” and warned that inflammatory rhetoric targeting civilians must stop immediately.
South Sudan’s government, however, said the statement did not amount to an official order, insisting it remains committed to protecting civilians.
Minister of Information Ateny Wek Ateny said civilians were being warned only to avoid being caught in crossfire.
The development comes amid escalating fighting in Jonglei, where forces loyal to suspended Vice-President Riek Machar have seized several areas.
The military has ordered civilians, UN personnel and aid workers to evacuate three counties—Nyirol, Uror and Akobo—ahead of an imminent operation.
The UN says more than 180,000 people have been displaced by the renewed violence.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high as opposition forces threaten to advance towards the capital, Juba, a claim dismissed by the army.
South Sudan has been unstable since a 2018 peace deal ended a five-year civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people, but lingering political rivalry and ethnic tensions continue to threaten fragile peace.
Diplomacy
Rwanda sues UK over scrapped migrant deal payments
Rwanda sues UK over scrapped migrant deal payments
The Rwandan government has initiated arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom, seeking payments it says are owed under the now-abandoned asylum partnership agreement between both countries.
Rwanda has filed the case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, arguing that the UK failed to honour financial commitments contained in the deal signed under the former Conservative government.
The agreement, designed to relocate some asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda, was scrapped in 2024 by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with the Home Office saying about £220m in future payments would no longer be made.
UK authorities insist the policy was costly and ineffective, pledging to defend the case to protect taxpayers’ funds.
Rwanda, however, says the arbitration concerns unmet treaty obligations and is seeking a legal determination of both parties’ rights under international law.
The PCA lists the case as pending, with no timetable yet announced for hearings or a ruling.
-
Analysis21 hours agoThe Agony of a Columnist, by Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
-
News15 hours agoMacron invites Chad’s Déby to Paris amid push to reset ties
-
News15 hours agoTinubu Unhurt After Brief Stumble at Turkey Reception
-
Diplomacy15 hours agoRwanda sues UK over scrapped migrant deal payments
-
News15 hours agoUN Raises Alarm Over ‘Spare No-One’ Rhetoric by South Sudan Army Chief
-
News14 hours agoCourt, Congress Pile Pressure on DHS Over Minnesota Operations
