Dr Chi Udeh-Momoh tells FemiDlive that dementia is coming for Nigeria — and with energy drinks, chronic stress and absent government policy, even 30-year-olds are at risk.
Dementia Is Quietly Rising in Nigeria — And the Country Isn’t Ready Read More »
Amara Nwankpa of the Yar’Adua Foundation tells FemiDlive that low voter turnout is not apathy — it is a rational withdrawal of labour by citizens the state has failed.
Why Millions of Nigerians Are Choosing to Stay Home on Election Day Read More »
The Political Capital of Chaos: Why Nigeria’s Security Failures Are Intertwined with 2027 ABUJA, Nigeria — In the theatre of Nigerian politics, state failure is rarely just an accident of governance; often, it is a currency. As the nation grapples with a compounding crisis of mass abductions, unchecked banditry, and rural displacement, an uncomfortable consensus is emerging among state observers: the premium placed on instability may be rising as political actors eye the 2027 general elections. The mechanics of this crisis extend far beyond tactical military deficits. Instead, they expose a deeper structural rot within Nigeria’s defense and political architectures—one where the preservation of insecurity increasingly aligns with the preservation of power. The Illusion of Restorative Justice For years, the federal government’s approach to counter-terrorism has relied heavily on a contentious pillar: the “repentance” and rehabilitation programs for captured or surrendered insurgents. Touted as a non-kinetic strategy to deplete enemy ranks, the policy has instead created a dangerous moral hazard. “You cannot negotiate from a position of systemic weakness, nor can you incentivize rehabilitation while the victims of terror remain languishing in displaced persons camps,” notes James Ugochukwu, Regional General Secretary of the West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF). Speaking on a recent episode of the political broadcast Volume with FemiDlive, Ugochukwu argued that the state’s continued indulgence in these programs amounts to a surrender of sovereign authority. When the state treats terrorism as a negotiable grievance rather than an existential breach of the social contract, it signals to criminal syndicates that violence yields diplomatic leverage. The persistence of amnesty frameworks has effectively institutionalized a revolving door, allowing actors to cycle between active insurgency and state-funded rehabilitation without ever facing transitional justice. Porous Borders and the Identity Vacuum This policy failure is further aggravated by a fundamental collapse in domestic intelligence infrastructure. While international partners frequently pledge advanced hardware and technical training to the Nigerian Armed Forces, these tools are rendered largely impotent when deployed against a landscape of “ghosts.” Modern precision warfare and counter-insurgency operations are entirely dependent on robust data states. In Nigeria, however, the intersection between tracking biometric data and the national identity infrastructure—primarily the National Identification Number (NIN)—remains profoundly broken. Security Deficit Operational Impact Strategic Consequence Flawed NIN Database Inability to map domestic networks or trace terror financing streams. Insurgents operate with functional anonymity within urban and rural fringes. Porous Regional Borders Unchecked flow of foreign mercenaries across Niger, Chad, and Cameroon borders. Localized conflicts are continuously militarized by external actors. Kinetic Over-Reliance Heavy deployment of troops without hyper-localized tactical intelligence. Military forces exhaust resources holding territory rather than neutralizing threats. Without a reliable domestic tracking apparatus, advanced military tech is merely a costly cosmetic fix. The state cannot target an adversary it cannot identify, leaving vast swathes of the country vulnerable to actors who cross international boundaries completely unrecorded. The Road to 2027: Security as an Electoral Weapon Perhaps the most cynical dimension of the current security landscape is its geographic drift. Historically concentrated within the Northeast and Northwest zones, organized violence and high-profile abductions have increasingly encroached upon the South-West and North-Central regions. This shifting geography is not random expansion; it possesses a distinct electoral calculus. In Nigeria, widespread regional insecurity serves as a highly effective tool for voter suppression and geopolitical engineering. By engineering or permitting instability in specific electoral strongholds, political networks can artificially depress voter turnout, displace unfavorable demographics, and justify hyper-militarized polling environments that lend themselves to manipulation. Furthermore, the deliberate foot-dragging on constitutional reforms—most notably the implementation of State Police—highlights a resistance to decentralizing security architecture. The centralization of police commands allows the federal executive to retain absolute control over domestic coercion mechanisms, a critical asset when managing highly contested regional transitions. Ultimately, political parties in Nigeria have historically functioned not as ideological institutions, but as transactional vehicles designed for power acquisition. When instability serves the immediate strategic interests of those negotiating for 2027, the political will required to reform the defense sector evaporates. Until the structural incentives change, security will remain less a public good and more an electoral commodity. To watch the complete broadcast analysis on how institutional inertia and regional instability shape Nigeria’s governance landscape, watch the full interview on Stop Negotiating on Security Failure, State Police | James Ugochukwu | Volume with FemiDlive. This video provides crucial context regarding the lack of political will behind defense architecture reforms and the ideological vacuum within contemporary Nigerian political parties.
Why Nigeria’s Security Failures Are Intertwined with 2027 Read More »
Alhassan Ibrahim warns FemiDlive that Nigerians’ data will be weaponised in 2027 — from Cambridge Analytica’s legacy to AI-powered political bots.
Nigeria’s Digital Double Life: How AI and Data Harvesting Will Shape the 2027 Vote Read More »
Dr. James Okoroafor tells Volume with FemiDlive that Nigeria’s voting crisis and economic crisis are one and the same — and only systemic reform can fix either before 2027.
Nigeria’s Ballots Are Broken. So Is the Economy Behind Them. Read More »
In a compelling dialogue at the National Conference on the Future of Democracy in Nigeria, Honorable Dr. Gbenga Olawepo Hashim provided a sobering assessment of the nation’s current political and judicial landscape. His insights challenge the common narrative that Nigeria’s problems are purely economic, suggesting instead that the country is grappling with a profound “poverty of values” that threatens the very foundation of its democratic institutions. The Problem with Institutional Recruitment Dr. Hashim highlighted a critical flaw in the formation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While some recommendations for independence—such as funding via a first-line charge—were accepted during the transition from military rule, the method of recruiting leadership remains a point of contention. He argues that the current system allows the executive to maintain too much control by appointing “dodgy” individuals who are easily manipulated. “When you have a transparent process of recruitment and the person that is being appointed is subjected to public debate, he will hold his loyalty to society rather than to few people who appoint him in government.” [04:46] Material Poverty vs. Poverty of Values One of the most striking parts of the discussion centered on the phenomenon of vote-buying. While many attribute this to the economic hardship facing Nigerians, Dr. Hashim drew a historical parallel to the 1950s to illustrate that integrity is not dictated by wealth. He noted that even when Nigerians were materially poorer, they held their political leaders to higher standards. “It’s not a question of material poverty; it’s about poverty in values. We have to go back and strengthen our value system because it is these intangible things—values, culture—that build society.” [06:01] He further emphasized this point by contrasting the past and present: “In the 50s, if you give them a bag of rice, they will not vote for you. They will still vote for their trusted political leaders. But Nigerians today, some of them who eat rice every day, if you give them a cup of rice, they are ready to vote for you.” [05:51] The Independence of the Judiciary The conversation also turned to the judiciary, an institution often seen as the last hope for the common man. Dr. Hashim expressed concern that while judges are now better compensated than ever before, their independence seems more compromised than it was even under military dictatorship. He suggests that financial corruption has achieved what brute force could not. “What military dictatorship could not do, money corruption is doing now. Judges are now more paid than they have ever been paid… they have no reason not to stand for justice and equity.” [07:21] Looking Toward 2027 As Nigeria looks toward the 2027 elections, the fear of widespread vote-buying looms large. However, Dr. Hashim offered a glimmer of hope, suggesting that collective will can override financial manipulation. He believes that if the majority of the population is truly committed to change, the sheer volume of voters will make individual bribes inconsequential. “There will be vote buying, but it’s not going to be consequential if majority of people are ready really to vote for change. You can’t buy millions of people when they are out to really vote.” [06:34] Ultimately, Dr. Hashim’s message is a call to action for all Nigerians to reclaim their cultural and moral values. Without a foundation of integrity, material achievements and institutional structures will continue to crumble under the weight of corruption. Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/Csh7n_qacKE
Crisis of Values: Rethinking Nigeria’s Democracy and Judicial Integrity Read More »
In a recent hard-hitting interview on Volume with FemiDlive, political activist and commentator Henry Shield delivered a blistering critique of the current Nigerian administration under President Bola Tinubu. The conversation, titled “No One will Vote for Tinubu in 2027 Elections if…”, paints a grim picture of a nation grappling with economic hardship, a perceived decline in democratic values, and a fragmented opposition. The “Emperor” and the Vanishing Rule of Law Shield did not mince words when describing the current state of governance, suggesting that Nigeria is drifting away from democratic ideals toward what he termed an “imperial” style of leadership. He cited recent incidents involving the harassment of journalists and citizens at court premises as evidence of a “non-existent” rule of law. “You are calling him president; I see him as an emperor—His Royal Majesty King Tinubu.” [31:28] The Economic Toll on the Common Citizen The heart of Shield’s grievance lies in the skyrocketing cost of living. He pointed to the dramatic leap in fuel prices—from approximately 145 Naira to 1,000 Naira—as a “shock” that no citizenry should be expected to absorb without significant government accountability. He criticized the government’s focus on paper indices and “theory” while the average Nigerian struggles to afford basic necessities like rice, which has surged toward the 100,000 Naira mark. “The only indices that count in the economy of any nation, the only factor that matters, is the improvement in the lives of the people. Any other thing is paper discussion.” [10:14] A Call for Opposition Sacrifice Looking toward the 2027 elections, Shield expressed deep frustration with the current opposition leaders, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. He argued that their personal ambitions are currently standing in the way of a unified front that could challenge the APC. Shield, who campaigned vigorously for the Atiku-Obi ticket in 2019, lamented their split in 2023 and urged them to prioritize the “larger good” over individual goals. “There is no ambition that is big enough for you, or that is bigger than the interest of the country… they first of all need to save Nigeria from the APC.” [14:42] The Burden of Taxation and Transparency The activist also took aim at proposed new tax policies, arguing that the government has yet to prove it can be a responsible steward of existing resources. He highlighted the lack of transparency in high-profile expenditures, such as the presidential jet and yacht, as reasons why citizens are hesitant to give more. “Taxing is not the first thing. First thing is system… A system that makes it impossible for you to take my money because it’s my tax.” [28:03] The “Defeated” Citizenry Perhaps the most poignant part of the interview was Shield’s reflection on the state of Nigerian activism. He expressed a sense of fatigue, noting that while he is willing to stand his ground, he often finds himself part of a very small group actually willing to “hit the streets.” “I have actually decided to just slow down because I am yet to find Nigerians who reason like citizens. What I see are people who now reason like defeated and conquered citizens.” [06:08] Conclusion Henry Shield’s message is a clarion call for both the leadership and the populace. For the government, it is a warning that economic “baby steps” are resulting in giant leaps of pain for the poor. For the opposition, it is a demand for unity. And for the citizens, it is an invitation to reclaim their voice in a democracy that Shield fears is quickly slipping away. Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/C9a5AgX1jx8
No One will Vote for Tinubu in 2027 Elections if… Read More »
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
“Nigerian Opposition Figure Slams Tinubu Leadership as ‘Disgraceful’” Read More »
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
Nigerian Opposition Figure Slams ‘Disgraceful’ Leadership, Warns of National Siege Read More »
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:
Nigeria’s Economic Pivot Hits ‘Wits’ End’ as Political Opposition Vanishes Read More »
