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“Nigerian Opposition Figure Slams Tinubu Leadership as ‘Disgraceful’”

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For decades, the relationship between the Nigerian state and its citizens has been defined by a precarious silence: the government provides little, and the people expect even less. But that silence is being shattered by a sweeping new tax reform that critics warn could turn a standard fiscal tool into a “weapon of oppression” in a nation already reeling from record inflation and a crumbling social contract. In a blistering assessment of the country’s economic direction, Dr. Umar Yakubu, Executive Director of the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, says the government’s push for increased tax revenue is fundamentally flawed because it ignores the reality of life for the average Nigerian. “Taxation is a tool of oppression when there is no service,” Yakubu said during an interview on Volume with FemiDlive. “If I provide my own security, my own water, my own electricity, and you still come to ask me for tax, what are you taxing? You are taxing my survival”. A Social Contract in Tatters The debate centers on a series of tax bills currently moving through Nigeria’s National Assembly, championed by a reform committee led by Taiwo Oyedele. While the administration of President Bola Tinubu argues these reforms are necessary to move Nigeria away from its “petrodollar” addiction and toward a sustainable revenue base, Yakubu argues the timing and the target are wrong. He points to a massive “trust deficit” between the governed and the governors. In developed economies like the United Kingdom or Scandinavian nations, Yakubu notes, citizens see their taxes reflected in the National Health Service or public infrastructure. In Nigeria, those services are largely non-existent for the poor, who are now being asked to pay more while the political elite maintain lavish lifestyles. “We have a situation where 0.1% of the population controls the wealth, yet they are the ones who pay the least in taxes through various exemptions and waivers,” Yakubu said. Meanwhile, the burden of consumption taxes like VAT falls disproportionately on the millions of Nigerians living below the poverty line. The ‘Missing’ Billions The most controversial aspect of Yakubu’s critique involves the 63 Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs)—agencies like the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) that generate trillions of naira in revenue. Yakubu argues that before the government looks to the pockets of the poor, it must first address the “black hole” within these agencies. He claims that many of these institutions operate with zero transparency, keeping a vast majority of the funds they generate for “administrative costs” and “personnel expenses” that are never fully audited. “Why are we putting pressure on a man selling tomatoes in the market when you have 63 institutions that generate billions and nobody knows exactly how that money is spent?” Yakubu asked. He suggested that if the government simply enforced efficiency and transparency in these 63 agencies, the need for aggressive new taxes on the public would vanish. The Efficiency Crisis The government’s reform efforts have been described as an attempt to “broaden the tax base.” However, Yakubu warns that without a corresponding increase in government efficiency, more revenue will simply lead to more waste. He cited the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023 as a prime example. The move saved the government trillions of naira, yet for the average Nigerian, the only result has been a 300% increase in transportation costs and a surge in food prices. “The people were told to make sacrifices, but where is the evidence of that sacrifice in the government’s own spending?” Yakubu said. The strategist argues that Nigeria is currently “over-governed and under-served.” He notes that the cost of maintaining the National Assembly and the various layers of the federal bureaucracy consumes a staggering percentage of the national budget, leaving little for the actual development of the people. A Warning for 2027 As Nigeria moves toward the next election cycle in 2027, the tax issue is becoming a political lightning rod. Critics argue that the government is using tax reforms as a way to satisfy international lenders like the IMF and World Bank, rather than focusing on the needs of the domestic population. Yakubu’s warning is clear: a government that taxes its people without providing security or basic services is a government in peril. “The day the Nigerian people realize that they are paying for a government that gives them nothing in return is the day the social contract officially expires,” he said. For now, as the tax bills navigate the legislative process, millions of Nigerians are left watching the cost of living rise, wondering if their meager earnings are the next target for a state that many feel has already taken enough. Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/-4mbQb7HLj4

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Nigerian Opposition Figure Slams ‘Disgraceful’ Leadership, Warns of National Siege

Leave a Comment / Blog Posts, Volume with FemiDlive / femi d

ABUJA — Nigeria is facing a systemic failure of leadership and remains “under siege” from a worsening security crisis that the current administration has failed to address, a prominent opposition figure said in a wide-ranging interview. Anthony Ehilebo, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and a legal practitioner, characterized the administration of President Bola Tinubu as being more focused on political survival for the 2027 elections than on the immediate safety and economic well-being of the population. “I am totally disappointed in his application of democratic norms and his application of good governance,” Ehilebo said during an interview on Volume with FemiDlive. “His financial intervention in Nigeria has failed Nigerians woefully. We have gone further deeper into poverty.” [22:36] Security Crisis and ‘International Invasions’ Ehilebo described Nigeria as a patient with “multiple cancers,” arguing that the security situation has deteriorated significantly since 2015. He noted that while the insurgency was once localized to the northeast with Boko Haram, it has now morphed into a nationwide crisis involving bandits, kidnappers, and international incursions. [11:32] He alleged that the country is facing an “invasion” from foreign elements on motorbikes entering from the Sahel region, a situation he claimed the government has refused to define accurately. [09:53] “Nigeria is under siege,” Ehilebo said. “You can see even the U.S. Congress and the U.S. State Department have put in more effort in two months than our entire National Assembly, the Federal Executive, and the Judiciary have combined in the last 10 years.” [12:43] He called for the immediate convocation of a National Security Conference to provide an emergency roadmap, warning that the president has only a narrow window before the country enters a full campaign cycle that often compromises governance. [13:08] Economic Criticism and ‘Oppressive’ Taxation The PDP official also targeted the government’s fiscal policies, specifically the removal of fuel subsidies and a new tax regime. He accused the administration of being a “Father Christmas” to state governors by distributing subsidy savings to them without ensuring transparent reinvestment in public infrastructure. [14:53] Ehilebo expressed concern that a proposed tax regime could be used as a “tool of oppression” against the political opposition. He argued that the state has no moral right to levy further taxes when citizens are already providing their own electricity, water, and security. [50:54] “What gives them the right to tax me when they are not providing governance?” he asked, citing constitutional requirements for the state to provide security. “I’m a local government unto myself. I provided power for myself; I provided water for myself.” [52:10] He further criticized the lack of frugality in government, citing the 30-billion-naira expenditure on the Vice President’s residence and the president’s large convoys as evidence of a leadership disconnected from the financial struggles of the citizenry. [53:28] Political Friction and the ‘Destruction’ of the PDP Turning to internal politics, Ehilebo launched a sharp critique of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, accusing him of undermining the PDP and exerting undue influence over the Rivers State House of Assembly. He alleged that the 17 pro-Wike lawmakers in Rivers “cannot even breathe” without the minister’s authorization, a dynamic he said is destroying the democratic fabric of the state. [21:20] Ehilebo also raised alarms about judicial bias, claiming that certain judges are repeatedly assigned to cases involving the FCT Minister and the PDP, which he said “makes a mockery of our judicial system.” [32:12] In a surprising claim, Ehilebo asserted that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had left the PDP for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stating that the elder politician should have “stayed and fought for the party.” [38:26] Geopolitical Concerns The interview also touched on Nigeria’s role in West Africa. Ehilebo expressed suspicion regarding President Tinubu’s close relationship with French President Emmanuel Macron, suggesting that France may be seeking a new “foothold” in Nigeria after being expelled from other Sahelian nations. [57:36] He warned that Nigeria must be careful not to become a staging ground for “recolonization” or a pawn in a larger propaganda war involving Russia, the United States, and France. [01:00:32] Ehilebo concluded by urging Nigerians to demand more from their representatives. “If everybody starts telling lies, how far are we going to go?” he said. “The truth is what it is.” [37:56] Video Source: Disgraceful Leaders Everywhere in Nigeria even Tinubu | Anthony Ehilebo | Volume w FemiDlive

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Nigeria’s Economic Pivot Hits ‘Wits’ End’ as Political Opposition Vanishes

Leave a Comment / Blog Posts, Volume with FemiDlive / femi d

Nigeria’s attempt to transition toward a market-driven economy has reached a state of exhaustion, undermined by a “tactical rollback” of reforms and a political vacuum where a viable opposition no longer exists, according to Majeed Dahiru, a prominent Nigerian political strategist and public affairs analyst. In an expansive year-end assessment on the podcast Volume with FemiDlive, Dahiru argued that the nation’s democratic architecture is currently operating on only one of its two necessary pillars. While the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) struggles with the fallout of its fiscal policies, the primary opposition—the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)—has descended into “post-Buhari oblivion,” leaving the electorate without a credible alternative framework for governance. “Nigeria is not only suffering from failure of governance,” Dahiru said. “Nigeria has a problem of failure of opposition”. He noted that for the first time in the country’s 25-year democratic journey, there is no organized political force offering a rigorous policy counter-narrative to the government’s controversial moves, such as the removal of fuel subsidies or the floating of the local currency. The ‘Tactical Rollback’ of Reforms The central economic thesis of President Bola Tinubu’s administration—the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the Naira’s exchange rate—is being quietly dismantled to prevent a total social collapse, Dahiru contended. He described the current state of the Naira as “floating aimlessly” toward the 2,000-per-dollar mark before the central bank was forced to intervene. Dahiru pointed to audited financial statements suggesting that the government is still spending trillions of Naira on “energy security,” which he characterized as a euphemism for the very subsidies the administration claimed to have abolished. This “tactical rollback,” he argued, proves that the neoliberal orthodoxies currently being tested in Nigeria are ill-suited for its unique developmental stage. “There is no alternative to government intervention in energy,” Dahiru stated, suggesting that the administration’s initial “shock therapy” was more a result of ideological pressure than practical economic planning. He warned that the government’s failure is not the principle of intervention itself, but the “meritocracy” and integrity of the officials managing those interventions. The ‘E-Lock’ Metaphor for Institutional Decay The social consequences of these economic shifts are perhaps most visible in the hallowed halls of the National Assembly. In a striking anecdote illustrating the deepening chasm between the ruling class and the public, Dahiru revealed that lawmakers from Northern Nigeria have begun installing electronic locks on their office doors to barricade themselves against constituents seeking financial aid. “They can no longer cater for the number of people coming to see them,” Dahiru said, explaining that the traditional patronage networks of the North have been shattered by skyrocketing inflation. The “e-lock” has become the new symbol of a representative democracy where the representatives are now in hiding from the represented. Security and the ‘Genocide’ Debate The interview also touched on the worsening security situation in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, specifically in Plateau and Benue states. Dahiru criticized the semantic debates regarding whether the killings of agrarian communities should be labeled a “Christian genocide,” arguing that the focus on terminology distracts from the catastrophic failure of the state to protect its citizens. Noting that Nigeria has been designated a “country of particular concern” by international observers, Dahiru called for a “shock therapy” approach to national security. He made a poignant appeal for religious empathy, urging the Northern Muslim elite to take greater responsibility for addressing the “banditry” and “herdsmen” violence that emanates from within their demographic fold. “The people that are responsible for both the killing of members of our own family and our Christian brethren come from our family,” Dahiru said. The Road to 2027 Looking ahead to the 2027 election cycle, Dahiru was skeptical of the opposition’s ability to regroup. He blamed the PDP’s current “oblivion” on its decision to ignore the geographic zoning traditions in the 2023 election, which fractured its southern base and birthed the “Obidient” movement under Peter Obi. Without a “valid framework” for the future and an opposition capable of intellectual engagement, Dahiru warned that Nigeria risks remaining in a state of political and economic stasis, where policies are “aimlessly” floated and institutional doors remain electronically locked against the masses. Watch the full interview:

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Nigeria Graft Advocate Urges Treason Charges for Billions Stolen

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Nigeria should redefine its legal framework to treat high-level public sector corruption as a crime against the state equivalent to treason, a move that could significantly alter the risk-reward calculus for a political class accused of “scavenging” the nation’s wealth. Dr. Umar Yakubu, Executive Director of the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, argued that the traditional definition of treason—historically tied to selling state secrets or supporting foreign enemies—is obsolete in an era where illicit financial flows pose a greater existential threat to the nation than external invasion. “We need to transit from making corrupt offenses to become treasonable offenses,” Yakubu said in an interview with Volume with FemiDlive. “If you take money meant for a hospital… and you take it to another country, killing your own country, that is the context of why I feel we need to redefine treason” [15:45]. The proposal comes as Nigeria continues to bleed an estimated $15 billion annually in illicit financial flows [18:47]. For a nation grappling with a debt-servicing crisis and crumbling infrastructure, Yakubu contends that the $9 billion P&ID judgment saga—which Nigeria narrowly escaped—highlights how “treasonable acts” by officials can nearly bankrupt the state through fraudulent contracts and bribery [27:52]. The ‘Scavenging’ of Election Financing A central pillar of Yakubu’s critique is the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He argues that INEC’s failure to enforce regulations on political party financing is the primary driver of public sector graft [43:06]. “The most important institution to solve the corruption problem is actually INEC,” Yakubu said, noting that the agency focuses almost exclusively on logistics while ignoring its powerful regulatory mandate over campaign spending [39:23]. The astronomical cost of seeking office in Africa’s most populous nation—where a gubernatorial run can cost tens of billions of naira—forces candidates to “scavenge” from government parastatals to recoup investments [42:51]. This creates a cycle where lawmakers and chief executives prioritize “recovering” their election funds over governance, leading to a system where “political interest comes first before national interest” [18:13]. Real Estate: The ‘Dumbest’ Money Laundering Yakubu also pointed to the decoupling of Nigeria’s real estate market from its actual economic productivity. In the capital of Abuja, where luxury mansions are priced between 1 billion and 2 billion naira ($620,000 to $1.2 million), the advocate describes the sector as a massive, inefficient money-laundering machine for the political elite [36:28]. “The dumbest thing to do is to buy real estate… because they can’t even think of what to do” with stolen funds, Yakubu said [01:04]. He argued that because most Nigerian politicians lack backgrounds in wealth creation or industry, they simply “lock up capital” in property rather than investing in productive enterprises like pure water factories or studios, which require actual management and innovation [35:17], [36:11]. Transparency Gaps and the Religious Paradox The Center for Fiscal Transparency’s recent “Transparency and Integrity Index” revealed a startling lack of openness among the country’s most powerful financial institutions. Agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Accountant General’s Office have frequently landed in the “red zone” for failing to publish basic fiscal data [45:04]. Yakubu’s methodology is blunt: “The least transparent you are, the more corrupt you are” [45:50]. He notes that the 63 government-owned enterprises (GOEs) that generate their own revenue often operate as “fiefdoms,” spending billions on cars and fuel while the general population is told to endure the removal of fuel subsidies [47:38], [51:30]. The interview also addressed the paradox of Nigeria’s high religiosity—where 95% of the population professes a faith—and its pervasive corruption. Yakubu attributed this to an “externalization of religion” where ritual practices like leading prayers or attending church on Sundays are disconnected from internal morality [11:19]. The Path Forward While President Bola Tinubu has focused on aggressive tax reforms and subsidy removals, Yakubu suggests the administration’s “political will” to fight corruption remains invisible [52:42]. He estimated that if just 10% of the energy used for tax reform was applied to fighting public sector corruption in the top 63 institutions, “corruption would drop by 90%” [54:07]. Until the cost of graft outweighs the benefit—potentially through the threat of the death penalty or life imprisonment associated with treason—Nigeria’s “shadow economy” will continue to outpace its formal one, leaving the state in a perpetual state of “bleeding” [18:39]. Watch the full interview

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Rafsanjani, Head of Transparency International Nigeria/ED CISLAC

Nigeria Governance Being ‘Privatized’ by Political Class, Watchdog Says

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Nigeria’s political landscape is undergoing a “total colonization and privatization” by a ruling class that is actively rewriting legal frameworks to shield itself from criminal prosecution, according to one of the country’s leading anti-corruption advocates. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and representative of Transparency International in Nigeria, said in an interview with Volume with FemiDlive that the nation’s democratic institutions are being systematically hollowed out. The trend, he warned, poses a fundamental threat to the rule of law and Nigeria’s standing in the global economy. “Thieves don’t make laws that will catch them,” Rafsanjani said, describing a legislative environment where individuals with questionable backgrounds have secured seats in the National Assembly to ensure immunity from accountability. “When you have political corruption, the very people who are supposed to be punished are the ones who have taken over the legislature, they have taken over the judiciary, and they have taken over the executive.” Executive Overreach and the ‘Pardon’ Culture The critique comes at a sensitive time for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has sought to attract foreign direct investment by promising structural reforms. However, Rafsanjani argued that recent executive actions—specifically the granting of presidential pardons to high-profile convicts—undercut these efforts and signal a lack of commitment to judicial independence. Rafsanjani alleged that the current administration has granted pardons to individuals previously jailed for offenses ranging from corruption and murder to drug trafficking. He questioned the economic logic of spending significant taxpayer resources on years of prosecution only for the results to be vacated by executive fiat without transparent consultation. “Tinubu has even done the worst,” Rafsanjani said, comparing the current administration’s record to its predecessors. He noted that such moves demoralize law enforcement agencies and suggest that political loyalty carries more weight than legal compliance. The ‘Ghana Warning’ and Global Isolation For investors and regional partners, the most startling portion of Rafsanjani’s assessment concerned Nigeria’s deteriorating international reputation. He warned that Nigeria’s failure to implement robust identity authentication systems and its culture of impunity for criminals could lead to unprecedented regional isolation. Specifically, Rafsanjani suggested that even neighboring West African nations, such as Ghana, may eventually feel compelled to bar Nigerians from entry to protect their own internal security. He pointed to a growing global trend where Nigerian citizens face increased scrutiny and “disrespect” at international borders due to the perceived integrity deficit of the country’s leadership. “If we do not have a system where we can verify who is who… even Ghana will one day say Nigerians cannot come in,” he said, citing the lack of a centralized, credible database for criminal records and identity management. Institutional Capture The interview also highlighted the breakdown of public procurement and the “personalization” of state resources. Rafsanjani detailed how chief executives across various government tiers often bypass formal bidding processes to award lucrative contracts to personal associates, family members, and “girlfriends”. This “street-level” corruption, he argued, is a direct byproduct of the “capture” of the state by a narrow interest group. He described a system where the police and judiciary are often used as tools for political intimidation rather than as impartial arbiters of justice. A History of Defiance Rafsanjani’s perspective is informed by decades of activism, beginning during Nigeria’s era of military rule. He recounted a 1989 incident at Bayero University Kano (BUK) where he was targeted for assassination by a mob due to his student leadership. He credited his survival to a group of both Muslim and Christian women who formed a human shield to protect him. That history of survival, he suggested, underscores the resilience required to challenge what he describes as an increasingly entrenched “plutocracy.” As Nigeria continues to navigate a complex economic recovery marked by high inflation and currency volatility, Rafsanjani’s warnings suggest that the “institutional risk” remains a primary hurdle. Without a decoupling of criminal interests from the lawmaking process, he concluded, the “Volume” of Nigeria’s potential will remain muffled by its own governance structures. Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/QnUGGIVJRn8

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INEC Never Promised Electronic Transmission of Results | Festus Okoye | Volume with FemiDlive

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Nigeria’s Electoral Law and the FCT: Roles, Realities, and Reform — A Practical Guide for 2025 Nigeria’s electoral landscape is complex, shaped by a dense web of constitutional provisions, institutional structures, and on-the-ground realities. In this post, we unpack the role of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) within the electoral framework, reflect on the 2023 experience, and explore practical reforms and ongoing challenges. We’ll also clarify key terms, outline the procedural realities of transmission and collation, and offer a candid look at how political actors, institutions, and citizens can contribute to a healthier democratic process. The FCT in the Nigerian federation: status, not a superior state Core point: The FCT is not a “special state” with elevated electoral status. Constitutionally, it is treated as a state within the federation, without superior electoral prerogatives over the 36 states. Supreme Court affirmation: The judiciary has affirmed that the FCT’s status should not elevate it above other states in the administration of elections. This matters for intergovernmental coordination, funding, and the application of electoral law across the federation. Practical implication: While the FCT has unique administrative and security considerations (as Nigeria’s capital and a major urban center), its electoral process must align with the same constitutional and legal framework that governs all states. This emphasizes uniformity in rules, procurement, voter registration, and the management of polling units and collation. Electoral process and terminology: transparency, practice, and clarity Transparency vs. practice: There is a necessary tension between the ideal of transparent processes and the practical realities on the ground. Nigeria increasingly emphasizes transparency—especially through digital tools and timely information—but traditional, manual elements (like results collation) remain part of the system. Transmission vs. collation: Electronic transmission is used to promote transparency and real-time visibility of results, but it is not always the basis for final collation at national or local levels. The official collation still occurs through established procedures, which can involve multiple checks and balances. Clarity on terms to combat misinformation: Beavers: The biometric voter verification system used to authenticate voters at the polls. By-elections: Elections held to fill vacancies that arise between general elections. Reruns: Additional electoral rounds prompted by specific legal or constitutional triggers (e.g., unresolved results). Supplementary elections: Elections conducted to fill remaining vacancies or to address specific electoral contingencies. Inconclusive elections: Outcomes where no candidate meets the required threshold or where other procedural issues necessitate further action. Why this matters: Clear definitions help counter misinformation and ensure the public understands why certain actions—like postponements, reruns, or supplementary elections—occur. Reflecting on the 2023 elections: transmission debates and results handling Transmission debates: The 2023 cycle highlighted ongoing debates about how results should be transmitted and compiled, and how to balance speed, accuracy, and security. Explaining processes: The path forward involves consistent, accessible explanations of how results are generated, transmitted, and verified to prevent false narratives. Practical takeaway: Strengthening public communication about electoral processes, including timelines for results, the role of INEC and state bodies, and how collation works at local, state, and national levels, is essential to building trust. Institutional structure and reforms: INEC, SIECs, and integration INEC vs. SIECs: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the national body responsible for federal elections, while State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) handle local government elections in some states. Integration and independence: Calls for stronger integration between INEC and SIECs aim to reduce gubernatorial influence over state electoral bodies, minimize political interference, and promote consistent standards across levels. Reform proposals (longer-term independence): Prohibiting recent party membership for key appointees to reduce conflicts of interest. Independent shortlists for appointments to electoral bodies, reducing political gatekeeping. Robust oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability without compromising operational independence. Practical impact: These reforms would ideally strengthen impartial administration, reduce incentives for partisan capture, and improve public confidence in electoral outcomes. Practical challenges in Nigeria’s elections Logistical complexity: Thousands of polling units, collation centers, and ad hoc staffing create a heavy logistical burden. The practice of using lecturers and vice-chancellors as collators highlights a reliance on often highly skilled professionals outside the core electoral workforce. Security, transportation, and environment: Remote and rural areas pose challenges for voter access, ballot security, and timely vote counting. Weather, terrain, and security considerations affect logistics and safety. Voter registers and turnout: Ensuring accurate voter registers, facilitating PVC (Permanent Voter Card) registration, and maintaining safe, high-turnout elections remain central concerns. Periodic purges or updates to voter rolls after multiple electoral cycles are proposed to improve accuracy, while balancing inclusivity. Practical takeaway: Any reform must carefully weigh the need for accuracy and integrity against the risk of disenfranchisement or exclusion, especially for marginalized communities or transient populations. Election timing and constitutional constraints Single-day nationwide voting debate: Arguments against a single-day, nationwide vote often center on constitutional tenure limits, potential emergencies, and regional disparities in readiness. Staggered elections and emergencies: A staggered approach can accommodate varied local contexts but requires clear constitutional rules for handling emergencies, extensions, or suspensions, and guarantees to avoid a governance vacuum. Practical takeaway: Any change to timing must be anchored in constitutional provisions, with contingency plans for emergencies and a transparent framework for extending or adjusting timelines. Role of political actors and civic engagement The reality of political pressure and manipulation risks: Elections occur within a political environment where actors may attempt to influence outcomes. A democratic culture among elites and citizens is essential to resist manipulation and uphold the integrity of the process. Civic engagement: Encouraging people to register and participate remains critical. Combating cynicism requires constructive discourse, accessible education about how elections work, and visible accountability for breaches of rules or abuse of office. Practical takeaway: Citizens should be empowered with information, protected by transparent processes, and encouraged to participate through credible, non-discriminatory registration and voting opportunities. Campaigns, pre-election activities, and regulatory gaps Distinction between official aspirants/candidates and third-party campaigns: There is a need to clearly delineate who is officially running and what third-party groups can or cannot do in terms of political action. Premature campaigning and legal lacunae:

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Nnamdi Kanu Transformed a Nation’s Destiny | Barr Maxwell Opara | Volume with FemiDlive

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The interview with Barrister Maxwell Opara discusses the state of human rights in Nigeria, the role of law and judiciary, and the impact of non-state actors on governance and public safety. It emphasizes that human rights are rooted in universal principles and constitutional protections, yet enforcement is hampered by systemic issues, including delays in the judiciary, abuse of authority, and political interference, while also exploring international perspectives on extradition, terrorism, and rule of law. Key Points Human rights are universal and codified internationally and domestically, with Nigeria’s legal framework reflecting rights to life, dignity, expression, and movement. The absence or weakness of rule of law and fundamental rights in Nigeria is contrasted with better practices in other countries, highlighting governance and accountability gaps. National security actors, including non-state actors, influence public obedience and perceptions of legitimacy, impacting trust in government. The Nigerian judiciary faces backlog and procedural inefficiencies, leading to prolonged detentions without timely trials, undermining rights to fair process. Extrajudicial statements or calls to action by public figures can trigger real-world violence, underscoring the need to balance free expression with responsible rhetoric and intent. International law and extradition processes involve nuanced criteria, ensuring due process and human rights protections when pursuing fugitives across borders. The functioning of institutions like the MBA and other human rights bodies is crucial for advocacy, oversight, and protecting detainees’ rights, but faces capacity and systemic challenges. There is a tension between political realities and legal duties: rulers must respect rights while maintaining security, and missteps can erode public trust and hinder development.

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Founder of The Engage, Empower Educate Initiative (EEEI Nigeria), Kalada Belema Meschack Hart on Volume with FemiDlive

Belema Hart Urges Nigerians to Embrace Collective Action for National Renewal

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Abuja, Nigeria — Philanthropist and social advocate Belema Meshack Hart has called on Nigerians to renew their sense of unity, purpose, and responsibility, insisting that rebuilding the nation requires the active participation of citizens rather than dependence on political leaders alone. Speaking on the popular programme Volume with FemiDLive, Hart said Nigeria’s progress hinges on “a collective awakening” that restores trust, accountability, and compassion among citizens. He described the country’s major challenges — insecurity, poverty, corruption, and youth unemployment — as “symptoms of a deeper moral and leadership crisis.” “We cannot wait for miracles from politicians,” he said. “Change begins when citizens rediscover the power of community, empathy, and hard work. Nigeria will rise only when Nigerians decide to act differently.” Citizenship Over Politics Hart, Founder of The Engage, Empower Educate Initiative (EEEI Nigeria), Kalada Belema Meschack Hart believes on championing women growth in Africa. argued that national renewal must be citizen-driven, not party-driven. He emphasized that good governance starts at the community level, through transparency, civic engagement, and service to others. “Our obsession with politics blinds us to citizenship,” he explained. “The real power lies in people who choose to build, teach, and volunteer.” He added that his foundation’s work in education, health care, and women’s empowerment demonstrates how private initiatives can fill gaps left by government inefficiency. “Each Nigerian who decides to help one person has already started nation-building,” Hart noted. Reforming the Social Mindset The entrepreneur-turned-humanitarian also challenged what he called Nigeria’s “culture of entitlement.” According to him, the country’s development has stalled because too many citizens look to government for everything while neglecting personal integrity and productivity. “Our biggest problem is not just bad leadership — it’s bad followership,” Hart said. “We celebrate wealth without asking for its source. We vote for people who bribe us. Until that mindset changes, progress will remain a dream.” He encouraged parents, teachers, and faith leaders to model honesty and discipline, arguing that moral education is as vital as economic reform. The Youth and the Future Addressing Nigeria’s growing youth population, Hart said young people remain the nation’s greatest hope but must channel their creativity into innovation and entrepreneurship rather than despair. “Youth energy should not end on social media,” he said. “We need that same energy in agriculture, technology, and community service.” He urged government and the private sector to collaborate in providing vocational training and digital-skills programmes, warning that youth frustration could deepen insecurity if ignored. A Call for Compassion and Service Hart closed the conversation with a message of optimism, saying Nigeria can still recover its lost potential if citizens unite around shared values. “Service is the highest form of leadership,” he said. “If we each commit to doing good — to our neighbors, to our communities — we will rebuild this nation from the ground up.” He urged Nigerians not to succumb to cynicism, adding that the moral strength of a people determines the destiny of their nation.

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