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Bola Tinubu: The fall of an emperor at Lekki Toll Gate, By Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi

It is the gamut of corruption that Lagos has become and must be sustained that the crowd at the Lekki Toll Gate must be dispersed to keep the money flowing.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu began his political career with an understanding that reflects the popular Yoruba saying: “eniyan bo ni lara ju aso lo,” meaning: “People cover nakedness far better than clothes.

That was the soil in which this political iroko seed was planted. His growth was rapid from Coker Street, Orile-Agege, Lagos, his branches spread across Lagos West and his senatorial leaves were plucked with ease. Bola Tinubu was in touch with the people. He connected with the streets and conquered the grassroots with the help of Iya loja Emeritus, his mother Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

He was really in the good book of the people.

He understands the enormity of the influence of the market unions and associations in the Nigerian politics and positioned his daughters to understudy his mother.
But after her demise, he singlehandedly imposed his daughter on persons who reserved the rights to step into the shoes of his mother, having served the interest of Oja along with the late mama before the daughter was even born.

For me this was the point at which Tinubu lost it. He tore the cloth that his mother bequeathed to him with his greedy approach to leadership. Today he is regaled with clothes on. Yet, he is unfortunately naked before the people.

Tinubu’s presence in the Senate during Babagida’s democratic experiment was exceptional. Exploits from his immediate constituency of corporate stewardship came on hand. He was the most literate expert in the ICT and he brought it to bear.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu was ahead of his peers so much that no one in his Senate class commanded the pedigree of his influence in Nigeria today.

His identification with the people when Babagida dashed our hope through the annulment of the only free and fairest election ever conducted in my lifetime, consolidated Tinubu’s political relevance among the people.

NADECO became a necessity and Tinubu was very much on ground to serve till our democracy dream became a reality in 1999.

His return to the country was rewarded by the Alliance for Democracy (AD) leadership which stepped down Lagos political juggernaut of that time in the person of Funso Williams.

Tinubu was smart and skilful in the game. Like the fig tree, his tentacles have spread across Lagos and interlocked with roots of other political shrubs and trees. As it now, he has, indeed, become a difficult tree to uproot.

In torrents, allegations came like storms which include running a drug cartel, “Toronto certificate” of his very questionable Chicago life style. But non could be used to pin nor nail him because before the court of the people, Tinubu stood guiltless.

But in the twinkling of an eye, the veil of deceptions that had covered a “sin full man” and made him look like the saviour of the masses is currently being torn to shreds before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Apara put his nails to the sinful garment of Bola Tinubu to unmask the bandits and his gang who have been ‘raping’ Lagos, the Centre of Excellence’ since two decades. The fleecing of Lagosians has been institutionalised with craftiness so much that the victims hail their oppressor to high heavens. They are even calling him out to come rape Nigeria in 2023.

Alpha Beta is a revelation, a conduit for Tinubu’s illegal empire. Through it, the emperor’s palace had remained connected and serviced directly with 10% of all the taxes that Lagos State Inland Revenue (LIRS) generates which go to this company’s fiat.

lt is after they had taken their own 15% share that they would then remit the rest to the Lagos State account.

A sad reminder were the days of Abacha in power when the duties of the Federal Inland Revenue were taken over by private companies and certain individuals were made billionaires over night. The ATM machine that Abacha has become in death is not unconnected to the impunity that was prevalent with our taxes and revenue generation.

The absurdity of Tinubu’s banditry is so embarrassing that the Lagos State Water Corporation is serving as their headquarters. It is left to imagination whose tenants they are and to whom their rents are being paid.

Mr Dapo Apara, a Nigerian chartered accountant, opened the can of worms when he accused the former governor of Lagos State (Tinubu), a consulting firm, Alpha-beta, and a former commissioner in the state, Akin Doherty, of money laundering, fraud, tax evasion and sundry corrupt practices.

In a writ of summons deposed to at a Lagos high court, Apara had claimed that Tinubu and Alpha-beta reneged on certain agreements reached in the past about the management and control of the consulting firm.
The silence on this issue by the masses in Lagos is the justification of the sophistication of Edo over Lagos which resonated with the “Edo No be Lagos slogan.

Witnessing a protest from the state against church tithe, that silence greeted payment of 10% of our commonwealth to an individual and his cronies is a hard one to swallow.

But things took a dramatic turn for the emperor and his empire after the Edo election. If Lagosians had chosen to look away from his humongous financial fraud allegations against their state, would they do same against the blood of their children being gruesomely murdered in the wake of the endSARS protest?

Apara’s allegations were not unconnected with the fraud that Lagos Concession Company is to Lagos. The company which runs Lekki Toll Gate was said to be making N12 million naira a day. Even if you are poor in Arithmetic, a simple multiplication of that figure by 365 days will leave you with N4,380,000,000; reason our children must be evacuated with the barrel of gun to keep their business running.

Tinubu, who couldn’t appear before the court to respond to Apara’s allegations tweeted that the protest would be met with fierce force if the protesters refused to call off the protest.
But a reliable source said he was in Abuja on Monday, 19th of October, 2020.
This translates to a Yoruba saying: “Aje ke lana omo ku leni, tani omo pe aje ana lo pa omo je,” which means: “The witch cried yesterday and the child died today. And who would not conclude that the witch that cried killed the child?

If Tinubu tweeted from Abuja about a fierce force, and Sanwo-Olu declared a 24 hour curfew in less than 4 hours and warned strongly; “nobody must be found outside”, that for me is a shoot at sight order. Preparing ground for the order, LCC removed the CCTV camera and put out the light, Buhari as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces completed the job, turned guns at innocent youths, that moment the legitimacy of Sanwo-Olu as Governor and Buhari as President was lost. Reacting, Sanwo-Olu said the evil was perpetrated by forces beyond his control. Official Buhari is beyond his control, unofficially Tinubu as the Emperor of Lagos also is. We need not ask for clarification the forces beyond his control are known.

To one of the youths made a call, and told him they learnt he was out of the country to France to be precise and asked how true it was, Tinubu responded: “IT IS ALMOST TRUE.”

It is left to Lagosians what to make out of the response. Tinubu seems to be inferring that he is neither on the FALSE nor TRUE lane. This is a reminiscence of Babagida’s principle of maradona leadership … a little to the left and to the right. Tinubu’s maradonic spell blinded the people. He was almost always true that 150 billion naira as a part of our collective commonwealth is paid as tithes to a man who is neither a pastor or our general Overseer.

The conspiracy that has cemented Lagos’ loyalty to Tinubu needs to be visited. Why did erstwhile Lagos governor, Babatunde Raji Fasola (SAN), looked away from this embarrassing illegality during his eight years tenure?

The role of vice president and man of God, the then attorney general of Lagos State drafted and supervised all legal agreements and frameworks, while all these were being perpetrated should be made clear.

It is the gamut of corruption that Lagos has become and must be sustained that the crowd at the Lekki Toll Gate must be dispersed to keep the money flowing.

But his hope of ever ruling this country was buried at the toll gate on Tuesday 20: 10: 2020.

In memory and honour of our children that were gruesomely murdered, I think #endTollgatecollection at the Lekki Toll Gate should be declared. May I further propose the renaming of the toll gate as ‘Gate of Blood’ so that our unborn generations may know that it was at that ‘jungle’ that the shackles were broken upon the legs of Lagos and the yoke of Buhari’s brutality upon the neck of our nation was removed.

Upon the blood of our slain, a new Nigeria will rise.

Nigeria, Where Are We Going?

By Muiz-Banire, SAN

For more than a week now, the youths in the country have taken to the streets for one reason or the other, ranging from the excesses of the defunct police squad, code-named, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to the insecurity in some parts of the country; the most prominent aspect of the struggle being the campaign against the retention of SARS in the country. Recall that, after some procrastination by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu, there was presidential intervention, leading to the disbandment of the squad. This disbandment, it was thought, would lead to the cessation of the protest but, alas, it appeared to be the commencement.

Regrettably, the IGP, hastily, in my view, announced a new outfit called Special Weapons and Tactics team (SWAT). Days after the announcement of the scrapping of the squad and the establishment of the new outfit, five new demands were made by the protesters. The government, in response, accepted all the demands of the youths. Still, the protests persisted. The question on the lips of all, therefore, is how the protests can be stopped or brought to an end.

Let me state, as reflected in my several write-ups in the past, the state of the nation could largely be attributed to the docility of Nigerians generally. This is not strange, however, if we countenance the warning of one of my favourite philosophers, John Stuart Mills, when he said, “All it takes for a nation to decay is for the good people there to keep quiet.”

The Yoruba replica says, Aile s’oro ni ipile oriburuku. The replica in Igbo language being, Okooha fu Elwupuhu Ona aza OKPURUKPU, which means, if an elder keeps quiet when things go wrong, he also suffers from same leprosy and will pay the price too.

Thus, the state of the country today cannot be divorced from the docility of Nigerians generally. While the rising up of the youths is commendable, particularly in the face of the impotence of the labour movement and the death of student movement in the country, a lot is still desired from the protesters. Let me confess that, prior to the protest, I seemed to have lost hope in the system, thinking the Nigeria situation was irredeemable. With the singular act of the youths in the past few days, I believe that there is now hope. I am not too sure that there is any nation that progresses where the citizens are docile. By the protest, the youths have succeeded in re-establishing the sovereignty of the people.

This is a clear demonstration of the fact that power belongs to the people and not the leaders. The donated power can always be recalled anytime the people deem fit. The signs for my optimism range from the acceptance of the protest by the government as genuine, to the civil manner of handling it, except for the latest Lagos massacre, which I shall address in my next column. In fact, the Presidency continues to acknowledge the right of Nigerians to peaceful protest. This, to my mind, is commendable and a good omen for the nation. Protest, as a feature of democracy, enhances the delivery by the leaders, as they cannot claim monopoly of wisdom. Citizens add value to the act of governance through the expression of their views. Secondly, the tendency of leaders to abuse power is often checked by the people in this manner. As a British historian of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Lord Acton, said, “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Against this background, therefore, there must always be a check against the intoxicant nature of power, if society must not descend into authoritarianism. This underscores the pre-eminence of the rule of law in society.

There cannot be institutions, much less, strong institutions, in the absence of the rule of law. The alternative to the rule of law is the rule of man, which breeds nothing other than anarchy. The role of the followers or the governed, consequently, ought to be checks on the system, particularly in terms of accountability and probity. Beyond this demand for accountability for the mandate given to the leaders, citizens must continuously engage the government to ensure transparency. Peaceful protest is a tenet of democracy and a right that cannot be circumscribed. In fact, in some climes, it leads mostly to conduct of referendum over issues. Unfortunately, the right of protest, as pivotal to democracy as it is, has been stifled in NIgeria, thereby crippling the growth of the country. Democracy demands the triumph of the majority’s position over that of the minority, no matter how unsound and uninformed such opinion is.

This is because democracy is a popularity contest and not an intellectual debate. It is a fault of the system but it is still recognized as the best form of government so far despite its imperfections. That the Nigerian youths are not doing anything extraordinary or unusual can best be appreciated if we recall the experiences of other nations in recent times.

We are all living witnesses of the events that started in Tunisia, which, subsequently, spread to Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Bahrain and other Middle East countries, today known as the Arab Spring. The youths in those countries were the triggers in what today changed the complexions of their nations. Remember the struggle in those countries were against oppressive governments, police corruption, economic struggle and widespread human rights violations. Also, remember the International Indigenous Youth Council in Dakota, where the young activists altered the course of events in that country. A recent instance is also the Black Lives Matter movement in Ferguson, Missouri, which culminated into a country-wide protest in the United States of America against the aggression of the police against Blacks.

Sam Brannen, in his article, ‘The Age of Leaderless Revolution,” had this to say, ‘citizens’ grievances are many but share a common theme: the failure of ruling elites and political institutions to meet expectations of dignity and betterment.

Protesters are frustrated with perceived corruption and economic inequality. Often young, angry, and urban, protesters are not an organised opposition proposing the substitution of their party or ideology for an existing one but a leaderless movement demanding their voices are heard. In some cases, protesters’ demands are clear; more often they are muddled. Across the board, the aggrieved want change in systems that feel outdated, broken, or non-responsive’. This mission of the Nigerian youths, however, suffers from the affliction of absence of leadership. Although leaderless movement is a recent strategy in revolutionary warfare dictated by the social media, it, however, cannot work in a situation like Nigeria, where the tendency of other elements such as politicians and hoodlums hijacking protest is highly probable. This gap has actually led to the latest developments in several parts of the country, particularly Osun State, where the Governor alleged the political opponents to have been responsible for the attacks unleashed on him; in Benin where a similar insinuation was drawn, coupled with the activities of hoodlums; in Lagos and in Abuja, where there are accusations and counter-accusations between the government and protesters as who engaged hoodlums to disrupt the protests. These are simply consequences of lack of leadership. Leadership could have enabled the protesters to guard their flanks from the hoodlums and would have enabled them situate their demands properly.

After war-war, it is jaw-jaw. Hence, no matter how long the protests persist, the end result will still be dialogue. Inevitably, this will require the representatives of the protesters as leaders to marshal their thoughts in a deliberative atmosphere with the government. As remarked above, there is nothing strange in leaderless struggles as aptly captured by Sam Brannen,, “…It is a question of when, not if, the digital flash mob comes for those in power. Leaderless movements are a tidal wave washing over our planet. The energy that creates them does not dissipate even when they are crushed by authoritarian governments. Rather it re-gathers strength. It cannot be ignored, but it can be co-opted for harm or good”.

Existence of leadership would have led to the creation of structures essential to the immediate and future agitation of grievances.

The lack of leadership is usually costly, as currently witnessed in the country where the undue mayhem and violence, not intended, are being perpetrated by miscreants attributing same to genuine activists. What this reveals is the imperfection in the leadership capacity of the youth. Indisputably, they demonstrated some measure of leadership capacity before the hijack. Unfortunately, attempts by some elders to give some guidance were rebuffed, suspiciously for good reason.

Elders have not over time shown why they should be trusted, hence the fear of seeking or taking advice from them.

Notwithstanding, the saying is, Ti omode ba n ge igi ni’gbo, agba lo maa mo ibi ti o maa wo si (where a child fells a tree in the forest, it is the elders that know the direction of its landing). The adult counsel could have helped to direct the fledgling protests. In some states, curfew has been imposed, and more states possibly will follow suit. By the time the majority or all the states are under curfew, the country would have been shut down. How does this help the country that is just struggling to recover from the compelling COVID-19 lockdown?

At the end of the day, is the country not dangerously heading towards failure? This is why I believe that the imposition of curfew might not be the best solution in the circumstances.

One would have thought that the government would first accelerate the full and actual resumption of the tertiary institutions at all levels. These young ones have been at home for seven months with the attendant boredom, waiting for government to fashion out the necessary protocols for them to resume. In other climes, schools have for long resumed in one form or the other, thereby engaging the youths and enabling them positively channel their youthful energy into productive ventures. That is not so in Nigeria. Hence, when the protest started, the youth saw relaxation opportunity in it and resumed daily at the various centres.

This is further aided by the provision of all basic needs at the venues, food, drinks, medical andlegal support, in a few instances, financial support. Do you then blame them for seeking happiness in those venues? The youths are practically visiting the relaxation parks in Lagos for pleasure and not really out to disrupt anything. Can the government, therefore, fast-track the resumption into campuses of these youths and take time to attend to the grievances of the youths in a manner that provides reasonable solutions to their challenges?

The other category of those involved in the protests are the jobless. They are in multitudes. Government needs to urgently create an engagement scheme for them. Without any form of engagement, the devil will continue to find job for idle hands. Addressing the new seven-point demands might be insufficient.

The ongoing protest is a wakeup call to Nigerian leaders and it is hoped that the opportunity will not be allowed to slip in adjusting their traditional posture of being nonchalant. Should the Nigerian government survive this, the strong warning by Sam Brannen must be borne in mind that, ‘Leaderless revolutions grow in perceived voids of leadership at the national and international levels around the globe. Social media is accelerating and enabling them. We are in a new age of leaderless revolution. The accelerating trendline is clear, and we would be wise to look for its further intensification in years and perhaps decades ahead’.

A word is enough for the wise, as the country may not be this lucky next time.

LIKE GRATIANO, BUHARI’S SPEECH IN THE FACE OF CRISIS WAS FULL OF BUSHELS OF CHAFF

There is power in speech. Words can heal. Words can kill. Great orators wield the power to move the world with the power of their words. Their eloquence can be like a melody, melting the heart of melancholy. Oratory could be a gift, or an art that can be learnt. It is in doubt whether President Buhari has the gift or has learnt the art. But as the President, he has access and the resources to engage one of the best writers in Nigeria.

#EndSARS Protest and Black Tuesday

The famous #EndSARS protest in Nigeria has been one of a kind. It is a protest against Police brutality, especially the atrocities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and more importantly, a protest against bad governance. Thus, the #EndSARS hash tag has become a tagline used by the masses to make legitimate demands on the Government of Nigeria at all levels. While citizens in several Nigerian cities joined the protest, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (FCT) and Lagos State are the leading locations for the protest.

On a Black Tuesday (20/10/2020), in what appeared to be a well-organised military assault at the Lekki Toll Gate, Lekki, Lagos, some men adorning the uniform of the Nigerian Army (and who were believed to be Nigerian Army officers) were caught on video as they opened fire, causing grievous bodily harm to many peaceful protesters as well as fatality – what many described as pure massacre – #LekkiMassacre. The point must be made that even if it were only one Nigerian that died as a result of the shots fired on live bullets, it is as good as a million Nigerians were killed! This is why the approach is highly condemnable.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, released a statement confirming that as at the time of his hospital tour, no death was recorded. This appeared to run contrary to the news making the rounds in the social media. Talking about the power of words, the Governor ought to have been more circumspect in his choice of words as it is believed that his comment at the time that no fatality was recorded was like rubbing salt on an open wound, which probably increased the rising tension that led to the rampage that followed. The Governor also made reference to “forces beyond his control” as being responsible for the ugly incident which led to the call for his resignation, notwithstanding his much admired response in the early days of the protest.

As the heat was on, Nigerian citizens were looking out for their President but no word came from Aso Rock until 7pm, 22/20/2020, roughly 48 hours after the Lekki incident. In the public domain, President Buhari is perceived as a President who does not care about his people and who appears to love Nigeria and not necessarily Nigerians per se. It is difficult to articulate the reason for the nonchalant posturing of the Nigerian President but it may not be unconnected to the level of abuses donated to his person over time which often make him look like an angry dad. Whatever the case, addressing the citizens promptly and properly, with true passion, (and without necessarily reading out from written notes) is an obligation owed, and a powerful antidote which Buhari has failed to employ in his relationship with the citizenry.

Bushels of Chaff

Listening to President Buhari’s speech in the face of the crisis in Lagos State and other parts of Nigeria, one is tempted to liken Buhari’s speech today to what Bassanio said about his friend, Gratiano, in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice (Act 1 Scene 1) thus:

Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice. His reasons are as two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff: you shall seek all day ere you find them, and when you have them, they are not worth the search.

President Buhari’s speech lacked the vibe and ointment that is capable of healing and reuniting the nation. There is no assurance or reassurance in the speech. This was unfortunate.

The Formula

President Buhari and all our politicians must be reminded that there is one formula for addressing critical issues like the one recently being witnessed which is oftentimes neglected. Beyond ensuring that steps are constantly taken to guarantee good governance and deliver the much needed reforms, our leaders must learn to adopt one of their political campaign strategies in dealing with the masses. During election campaigns, the President, in company of other Governors and top party stakeholders often converge where they physically engage the people on a one on one campaign. This is notwithstanding their busy schedules. Imagine if Buhari and his political entourage had done this at Lekki Toll Gate instead of the lifeless speech delivered, the people may likely be appeased. During elections, our leaders condescend to the lowest levels to appeal for votes but will ascend the throne of their hallowed offices in times of crises to make largely unconvincing remarks.

Sovereignty belongs to the People

True sovereignty belongs to the people. Without the people, there is no Government. Section 14 (1) and (2)(a)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) provides:

The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice. It is hereby declared that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority; the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of Government.

Importantly, it is the duty of the Government to provide adequate security to protesters in order to ensure that the protest is not hijacked by hoodlums. This failure is also responsible for the escalation of the crisis. The Government must be proactive in beefing up security to ensure that any breakdown of law and order is contained and that there is no destruction of lives and properties. The duty to protect lives and properties is a duty that must be performed especially in the most demanding times and not in moments of tranquility only.

Peace and Unity! Rest in Peace all our fallen heroes.

Flying Nigerian Flag and Its Implication.

Daily Law Tips (Tip 679) by Onyekachi Umah, Esq., LL.M, ACIArb(UK)

Introduction: 

There is a recent call on social media for the use of national flag during protests across Nigeria to avoid harm from law enforcement agents and the Nigerian armed forces. There is also a contrary claim, that there is need for a license before the National Flag can be used in a public place. Many are not sure of the true legal implication of the use of the National Flag in a public place in Nigeria. This work examines the legal implication of flying the National Flag in Nigeria; revealing the duties of flyers, the offences and punishments relating to the National Flag and the duty of the Police to the National Flag. 

The National Flag and the Public Places: 

The National Flag is the official Flag of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The National Flag was designed by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi and officially flown on 1st October 1960, although it was adopted in 1959. It is made up of two colour; Green and White. “The green panels represent agriculture; the white stands for peace and unity”.

The National Flag can be flown in a public place in any part of Nigeria. Any person that intends to fly or display the National Flag in any public place needs the approval (license) of the Federal Minister of Interior Affairs, unless the National Flag is being displayed or flown to show patriotism and support for Nigeria. 

Hence, the National Flag can be flown and displayed in any part of Nigeria and in a private or public place without any permit/approval, in a show of support for Nigeria. It is safe to assume that no law enforcement agency can arrest any person that is patriotic and supportive of Nigeria. The term “Public Place” includes any highway, wharf, street, bridge, parks, and thoroughfares, among other places. 

Duties of Flyers of the National Flag:

Generally, in any part of the world, a Nigerian must obey and respect the National Flag. The National Flag cannot be flown or displayed on the same staff (pole, pipe, stick or rod) or cross bar with the flag of any other State, or the flag of any other country. Also, the national flag must not be dirty, tattered, defaced and torn when displayed or flown. 

States in Nigeria are allowed to have their respective state flags and to fly such in their states and in any part of Nigeria even without flying the National Flag. No state flag can be flown in the Federal Capital Territory without the National Flag. However, if the National flag and a state flag are to be flown in any state, then the National Flag must be at least of the same size with the state flag and the National Flag must be flown higher and above the state flag.  

The Federal Minister of Interior Affairs can through a license authorise the flag of another country to be flown and displayed in a public pace in Nigeria with or without the National Flag. For avoidance of doubt, no embassy, high commission, consulate or means of transportation or foreign ship is to be considered as a public place. So, they don’t need the license of the Minister for any foreign flag to be displayed or flown on or in them. 

Offences Relating to the National Flag:

There are several offences created by law that relate to the National Flag. The offences include; 

  1. Defacing or destroying the National Flag.
  2. Flying or displaying the National Flag in a defaced or bad condition. 
  3. Flying the National Flag on the same pole/stick/staff with any other flag.
  4. Flying the National Flag on the same level with any flag of any state in Nigeria.    
  5. Flying the flag of any foreign country without license/approval of the Minister for Interior Affairs. 
  6. Use, display or flying the National Flag in a public place without the intention of supporting Nigeria.
  7. Where a license is obtained to use the National Flag, using the National Flag contrary to the terms of such license. 
  8. Flying the National Flag for any business, trade, profession or calling and not for patriotism (support for Nigeria). 

Punishment for Offences Relating to the National Flag:

Where there is an offence, there is always a punishment. The above offences relating to the National Flag have punishments. The punishment for any offence relating to the National Flag is a fine of One Hundred Naira (N100.00). Where the offence continues, the fine is Ten Naira (N10.00) for each day. 

Duty of the Police Relating to the National Flag: 

The Nigeria Police Force has a duty to seize and remove any flag that is being used to commit an offence in any part of Nigeria. The removed flag is to be disposed in a manner/way to be determined by the Federal Minister of Interior Affairs.

Recommendation and Conclusion:  

The National Flag of Nigeria can be used and flown in any part of Nigeria, whether in private or in public places without any permit/approval, so far as the National Flag is being used to show support for Nigeria (patriotism). However, in the use of the National Flag, the National Flag must be clean and not tattered to avoid committing an offence. Also the National Flag must not be flown on a stick/pole/pipe/staff that carrys any other flag or on the same height with any flag of any state in Nigeria. 

The punishment for offences relating to the National Flag is N150.00 only and there is no option of imprisonment. The punishment is unpatriotic and cannot deter offenders. It is a mockery of today’s realities. Hence, there is need for the National Assembly (federal legislatures) to amend the federal law (The Flag and Coats of Arms Act of 1960). The 60 years old federal law needs an urgent amendment!

My authorities, are:

  1. Section 1, 2, 3, 24, 214 and 215 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
  2. Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the Flag and Coats of Arms Act, 1960
  3. A. Igoni Barret, “I remember the day … I designed the Nigerian flag” (Aljazeera, 3 September 2015)<https://www.aljazeera.com/program/episode/2015/9/3/i-remember-the-day-i-designed-the-nigerian/ > accessed 20 October 2020. 
  4. Onyekachi Umah, ”Can Any State In Nigeria Own A Flag And Fly It Instead Of The National Flag?” (LearnNigerianLaws.com, 7 November 2018) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/daily-law-tips-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-tip-222-can-any-state-in-nigeria-own-a-flag-and-fly-it-instead-of-the-national-flag/ > accessed 20 October 2020. 
  5. “Federal Republic of Nigeria” (FOTW, 10 October 2015) <https://fotw.info/flags/ng.html > accessed 20 October 2020.
  6. Onyekachi Umah, “Six Duties Of All Nigerians In Any Part Of The World” (LearnNigrerianLaws.com, 28 August 2019) <https://learnnigerianlaws.com/six-duties-of-all-nigerians-in-any-part-of-the-world-daily-law-tips-tip-402-by-onyekachi-umah-esq-llm-aciarb-uk/ > accessed 20 October 2020. 

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Ikoyi Prison Attack: Over 40 Inmates Killed

Over 40 prisoners were killed in Ikoyi Prison attack that happened on Thursday according to report.

In a voice call recorder obtained by West African Reporters in a conversation with one of the inmates, he said over 40 of them were killed.

He disclosed that the soldiers and other prison officials stormed the prison while the building was on fire, open fire and killed 40 of them.

One of the prisoners who reached out to his client Femi Fanala chambers said they are been killed inside the prison by the government armed squad.

“I just received a call from my client who is detained in Ikoyi Prison that prisoners are being shot and killed,  as he was talking to me I can hear gun shots at the background”, one of the lawyers at the Falana chambers said.

The lawyer, also alleged that another of his client from Medium prison, reached out to him saying the place is tensed and they may soon start killing them soon.

When West African Reporters reached out to Francis Enobore the Spokesperson of Prison for a response, he said he is no longer the PRO, and directed that call be made to the new PRO.

Although there are reports that the prison was attacked by thugs, but we could not immediately ascertain who is responsible for the attack.

Source: Neswirelawandevent

I did not order attack on Yoruba assets – Nnamdi Kanu

ENUGU – Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has denied that he ordered the destruction of economic assets of Yoruba people in Lagos State.

He said that agents of the Federal Government carefully twisted parts of his recent broadcast to create impression that he had turned the EndSARS protests against Yoruba.

He was speaking on Thursday afternoon on an emergency Zoom meeting on the topic: “#EndSARS is not an ethnic protest, stop the propaganda to make it one”, organised by Njenje Media TV on the ethnicisation of the #ENDSARS movement.

The event, moderated by Maazi Ezeoke also featured former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

Kanu stated that those who caused division between Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe during their time were bent on pitching Ndigbo and Yoruba against themselves.

He asked people to ignore any divisive statements credited to him, urging that to really situate what he said, one must listen to the about two-hour broadcast. (The Sun)

COVID-19 and mega rallies and protests, By Isaac N. Obasi

When politicians campaigned during the Edo and Ondo governorship elections recently held on 19 September and 10 October 2020 respectively, little regard was given to the observance of the non-pharmaceutical guidelines and protocols issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for stopping the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic ravaging the entire world. For instance, the issue of crowd management during the rallies was entirely neglected even when the politicians had promised to organise their rallies in compliance with the NCDC guidelines.

As the first two pictures of campaign rallies below reveal, the politicians, at best paid lip service to the NCDC guidelines. Little did it occur to them then that our youths who formed part of the mammoth crowd at many of the campaign rallies held in different parts of the two states, were watching keenly. The impression the youths got must have been deep and lasting.

There is little doubt that the youths must have gone away with the wrong impression that the fight against COVID-19 was no longer an issue to worry about. But even if it was, there was neither enforcement nor penalty for non-compliance by the politicians who operated in their business-as-usual-mentality. Regrettably, the risk communication messages regularly sent out by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the NCDC during the period of the campaign appeared not to have yielded the desired attitudinal and behavioural changes.

•Mammoth crowd at PDP political rally in Edo State, 2020 (Courtesy: Nairaland Forum & Picture by eseosa77(m)
•Mammoth Crowd at APC Political Rally in Edo, 2020 (Courtesy: NaijaNews.com)

Again, when the Federal Government of Nigeria celebrated the 60th Independence anniversary on 1st October 2020, our youths watched the crowd that gathered at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the venue of the colourful event. Although, the organisers observed the COVID-19 guidelines and protocols with respect to all the VIPs that sat at the arena, but such could not be said entirely of the large crowd of other people at the event. There was a large crowd made up of security forces that took part in the parade, some people who performed cultural dances and displays at the ceremony, as well as others like journalists who covered the event in a crowded vantage position. Even though on balance, the event was not a complete violation of the COVID-19 guidelines, the youths who were watching it would likely go away with the impression that things had become normal with respect to gathering of large people in public.

•Cultural Troupe on display (with large crowd at the background) during the 60th Independence anniversary on October 1, 2020, at the Eagle Square, Abuja (Courtesy: thisdaylive.com…)

Based on these two cited events that occurred between the months of September and October, it was not surprising to see a mammoth crowd of youths under the #EndSARS protest, showing a total disregard for the COVID-19 guidelines and protocols. Looking at the two pictures below, they give the impression that Nigeria is no longer fighting the battle against COVID-19 pandemic which presently is still killing thousands of people in the United States of America, Brazil and India, among many other places. Europe for example, is presently witnessing its second wave which is not only devastating their economies, but also causing tensions between the people and their governments with respect to the imposition of more restrictions to curb the spread of the virus. This goes to demonstrate that a total disregard for the COVID-19 social distancing protocol by the #EndSARs protesters, in pursuit of their constitutionally guaranteed rights of peaceful protest, was a dangerous risk that could cause incalculable harm to public health and people’s socio-economic activities. Nigeria cannot afford a second wave of the virus.

•EndSARS protesters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, (Courtesy: https://www.aljazeera.com/… Benson Ibeabuchi/AFP)
#EndSARS Protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos (Courtesy: Quartz Africa via qz.com/africa…)

It was in this regard that Mr. Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, while reminding the nation of the negative health impact of the #EndSARS protests, warned of the danger ahead as the protests would likely lead to a resurgence of the virus, which Nigeria is gallantly fighting to flatten its curve. As a way of advocacy, it is germane to provide more details on the remarks made by Mr. Mustapha at the national briefing on COVID-19 held on Monday, 19 October 2020 by quoting him directly.

Cautioning that the youths protest would lead to rising cases of infections, he said: “I can say it authoritatively that with the ongoing protest across the country, in the next two weeks the cases of COVID-19 would have increased. Each and everyone that attended the protest and did not put up any form of protection is likely going to spread the virus. When people contract the virus during the protest gathering, they will go back home and spread it.”

This is one of the reasons why we must be extremely careful when we congregate because when you gather together in such an atmosphere where people don’t wear face masks or maintain the social distance you are creating a potential opportunity for carriers to spread the virus.

Continuing he also said: “So far we have done pretty well as a country but this protest is like a setback and we must avoid a situation where we will have a resurgence. Countries that thought they have overcome are dealing with the second wave. We are extremely lucky as a nation and we should be careful of any situation that can warrant the second wave.”

Reacting in like manner as Dr Anthony Fauci, US top infectious disease expert’s description of Trump’s White House event in which he unveiled his Supreme Court nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Mr. Mustapha aptly described the #EndSARS protests as a “a super spreader event”.

This is the nation’s worry and rightly too, but a greater worry as far as this column is concerned, is a deep reflection on why the youths in such a huge number would show a total disregard for the guidelines and protocols meant to keep them alive. Put differently, why would the youths show far greater interest in their #EndSARS cause, than in respecting the NCDC guidelines meant to protect their precious lives?

For too long, the youths have found life meaningless, helpless and more regrettably hopeless. If hope at least existed, many of them would show patience. But in the absence of hope (and on top of it, the government through some of its policies, continue adding salt to injury), then it becomes difficult to dissuade them from participating in such protests in a period of COVID-19. Anybody who finds him/herself in some of these youths’ situation could probably behave the same way. This is a serious psychological issue which should give the Federal Government a food for thought. Our youths need meaningful jobs where they can make their careers and start meaningful lives.

Although such stop-gap job opportunities as SURE-P, N-Power, public works in 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), are good as temporary interventions, the government should look more towards creating job opportunities through rapid industrialisation of the economy. Our manufacturing capacity has to be stepped up in reviving the economy.

Secondly and lastly, the Federal Government as a matter of urgency should democratise job opportunities in all its agencies than what presently obtains where ONLY (except by God’s help) the family members, relations, and friends of the highly politically connected and privileged members of the ruling class (in and outside the government) are the ones who can be employed in highly paying Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the government. As it has been observed elsewhere, #EndSARS protests should not be literally interpreted for it has long become a metaphor for the governance injustice plaguing our country. If it is a fact that many of our meaningfully employed youths did not participate in the #EndSARS protests even when they identified with its CAUSE, it goes to confirm the saying therefore that: an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.

POSTSCRIPT

Reward and Punishment for good and bad managers of COVID-19 pandemic

This column heartily congratulates the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, on her landslide re-election in office ‘after swift handling of pandemic’. This column notes that as an outstanding manager of COVID-19, she deserved to be resoundingly rewarded with a re-election. Keen watchers of the management of COVID-19 pandemic across the globe are indeed proud of her. This column wishes her a very successful second term in office.

The same cannot be said of bad managers of COVID-19 who deserve to be resoundingly punished for mishandling the pandemic. The first candidate for such is President Donald Trump of the United States of America, who deserves to be punished in the forthcoming 3 November 2020 presidential election. Rejecting President Trump in the November election is the first step for the US towards reclaiming her lost leadership position in the world under Trump. Indeed America is not just on the ballot, its soul is. This column wishes America well.

•Obasi, a public policy expert, is of the Department of Public Administration, University of Abuja. Email: [email protected] 

#EndSARS protest: We lost over N200m to the violence – Apo traders

ABUJA – Apo Traders Association (ATAS), Abuja, has said they lost over N200m to the violence that erupted on Monday between the #EndSARS protesters and some miscreants, who went on a rampage, killing people and burning shops, houses and vehicles in the process.

BusinessDay on Tuesday reported that what initially looked like a peaceful protest by the #EndSARS protesters later degenerated into a clash between the protesters and hoodlums at the Apo Mechanic Village, Abuja leading to the death of six people.

Chiemezie Ife, the Chairman of ATAS lamented that the destruction they incurred from the rampage at one spot alone was over N200 million.

He said as peace-loving people, they were not part of the #EndSARS protest and wondered why they should come under such attack.

Ife, however, appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bello Mohammed to make the Apo Mechanic Village more conducive for business, adding that they place had been in a bad shape.

The chairman stressed that they had been keeping vigil at their shops so as to prevent the situation from escalating further.

According to him, “We continue to appeal to the FCT Minister to make this place more conducive for us. If this place is well fenced, this would not have gotten to this extent.

“Since the incident happened, we have been sleeping here to protect our environment.

“We are peace-loving people. We are not part of #EndSARS protesters. Some of us have stayed in Abuja for 40 years now. If you look around, you see that what was destroyed here alone is worth over N200 million.”

While commiserating with the traders, the minister disclosed that a team had been set up to look into the matter with a view to replacing what had been damaged.

Mohammed said security personnel would henceforth secure the place and appealed to them to continue to live in peace and harmony.

“We are here to commiserate with you. Already, a team has been set up. Your members will be invited to be part of it so that we can know what was destroyed and how they can be replaced.

“Abuja is our city and we all came here to look for food, including yours sincerely the minister. So under no circumstances should we allow people from somewhere to come and disturb us because the moment you destroy anything, it would be difficult to replace it.

“So I am appealing to all of you to live in peace and harmony. I assure that security personnel will protect this place day and night,” the minister stated.

The minister also visited the Customary Court complex and the scene where three vehicles were burnt, including a Julius Berger truck both in Dutse.

Meanwhile, to forestall any further breakdown of law and order, police have mobilised to the Gudu Market close Apo Mechanic Village) following reports of the killing of an unnamed man in the market on Thursday.

It was gathered that the traders deserted the usually busy market located in the Gudu District of Abuja.

#EndSars: Agbakoba, Falana, Kukah, Jega, 37 Others Condemn Wanton Destruction Of Properties, Call On Protesters To Remain Calm And Be Law Abiding

*Urge Buhari to Halt Descent into Chaos, List Actions to be Taken

In reaction to the ongoing EndSars protest across the country, not fewer than 41 Senior Lawyers and elders have called on President Buhari to take “immediate urgent steps to address the widening trust deficit between the Government and the President on the one hand, and the Nigerian youth and its people on the other.”

This is contained in a joint statement signed by the said elders and made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL)

The elders include Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; Matthew Kuka; Mr. Funke Adekoya, SAN; Prof. Atahiru Jega; Femi Falana, SAN; Prof. Konyin Ajayi, SAN; among others

They commended the youth for being courageous and patriotic in their demands for the protection of their rights and for a better Nigeria

While condemning the ongoing wanton destruction of properties as a fall out of the protests, they urged the protesters to be law abiding.

Read the full statement below:

Our Youth and the Unfolding National Crisis: Need for Urgent Intervention

By Concerned Nigerians

We are responsible and patriotic Nigerians who have watched with serious concern the unfolding crisis threatening to engulf our nation. This has followed the recent protests by Nigerian youth across the country, against widespread police brutality, endemic corruption, and bad governance. We are non-partisan actors who believe in the union of our people through the maintenance of democratic order founded on the rule of law. We believe in the freedom of all Nigerians to exercise the rights guaranteed in our constitution, including freedom of speech, the right to participate in peaceful protest and in processions without harassment or intimidation from any person or authority.

The developments of the last weeks culminated in a deadly attack on peaceful protestors, which from available evidence appears to be by agents of our government on 20th October 2020 present one of the most serious crisis in our nations history. At the root of these protests by our youth is bad governance and lack of accountability. Currently, 65% of Nigerians are young persons under 35 years of age. Majority do not feel that Nigeria works for them or supports their interests or aspirations. They have been victims of police brutality and extortion all their lives and collectively decided the situation was no longer acceptable. It was on that basis that they began the EndSARS protests to end police brutality and ultimately to defend their basic rights, including the fundamental right to life. From all accounts, their protests were peaceful, and disciplined. They were focused on defending the rule of law and good governance, on many occasions symbolically raising the national flag or singing the national anthem.

The response of the Government to these protests has been largely slow, unconvincing, and half-hearted. By formally accepting the youth’s demand to end

SARS but immediately announcing it would be replaced with SWAT, that did not demonstrate good faith. This has happened several times previously when our youth had protested police brutality and extortion. With no credible response and with no basis for trust in the willingness of their government to address their real grievances, they continued their protests.

There are widespread allegations and some available evidence would appear to support this, that agents of government or other affiliated political actors sought to break the legitimate protests by the youth through sponsoring or promoting thugs to attack the protestors and damage properties which were then attributed to the youth protestors. Some evidence also suggests that there are attempts to delegitimise the protests by seeking to divide and rule the youth through ethnic and religious manipulation. This makes the situation very dangerous for the country. This divisive and cynical approach, if established, portends great danger to the nation and is unacceptable.

A cynical and brutal response, to the protests by the government or its agencies will only succeed in taking the agency of these protests from the hands of concerned, peaceful, orderly protesters for the rule of law and delivering our streets to the hoodlums and arsonists as is currently unfolding.

With over one hundred million people living in extreme poverty, Nigeria cannot afford to tread the path of exacerbating ethnic and religious divides which can only lead to anarchy. Any response from the government agencies or indeed any group, that suggests this, must be condemned strongly.

On Tuesday 20th October 2020, the nation was rudely shocked by what appears to be a premeditated violent crackdown on the protestors thereby significantly escalating the volatile situation. Earlier on that day, the Lagos State Government had declared a 24-hour curfew which would take effect from 4pm. According to reports, as the deadline was not practical, the state government extended the time for compliance to 9pm. However, before the reviewed curfew time, armed men in the uniform of the Nigerian military were deployed to the protest site at Lekki toll gate in Lagos. Available evidence suggests that they did not order the crowd to disperse and they did not engage in non-lethal crowd dispersal action, but rather opened live ammunitions on the defenseless assembled youth, some of whom were reportedly killed or wounded. This attack on unarmed protesters holding the nation’s flag and singing the national anthem will go down in infamy and will be engraved in the minds of Nigerians as one of the worst abuses of its own citizenship.

No Nation can survive a war between its security agencies and its youth, and it is to avert this prospect that we make this intervention and recommend the following urgent action.

Having carefully observed and followed these unfolding events, and to halt our descent into further break down of law and order, we call for urgent steps to be taken by all concerned.

1. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to take immediate urgent steps to address the widening trust deficit between the Government and the President on the one hand, and the Nigerian youth and its people on the other. To move forward, the President must take decisive action to close the trust deficit by:

a. Identifying and arresting immediately the persons that gave instruction for soldiers to shoot protesting youth at the Lekki Toll Gate on 20th October 2020.

b. Institute an urgent independent inquiry on: (i) the events at Lekki toll gate leading to the use of live ammunitions on the protestors and (ii) the apparent use of sponsored thugs or hoodlums by security operatives to infiltrate and break the peaceful protests. All those identified to be responsible for this must be held to account and prosecuted.

c. Take immediate remedial action as spelt out in the youth Charter of Demands (which they term 5For5 Demands) including the immediate release of all arrested protestors, justice and compensation for the families of victims, and an independent body to oversee the prosecution of guilty officers.

d. Address the Nation with concrete plan of implementation of the modalities and timelines for police reform.

e. Respond positively to the consensus opinion that the heads of the security agencies have performed poorly and should be relieved of office.

f. Announce urgent steps to address perennial insecurity and killings in the country particularly in the North-East and North-West.

g. Finally, develop a clear workplan for the implementation of the governance reform programmes for which well meaning Nigerians have been demanding.

2. We commend our youth who have been courageous and patriotic in their demands for the protection of their rights and for a better

Nigeria. We urge that all Nigerians support these demands which have been without any ethnic or religious coloration.

3. We urge the protestors to remain law abiding and patriotic and not to engage in any intimidation or harassment of ordinary citizens or engage in any form of violence. We appeal to parties and stakeholders to work for speedy resolution of the crisis.

4. We strongly condemn the wanton destruction of properties, killings and maiming of innocent citizens and ethnicization by rioters and hoodlums trying to ignite a religious or ethnic conflict and call on ALL Nigerians to remain calm and avoid retaliation or taking the law into their hands.

ISSUED THIS 22ND DAY OF OCTOBER, 2020

Signed By the Underlisted:

1. Dr. Olisa Agbakoba OON, SAN 2. Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim 
3. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka 4. Prof. Attahiru Muhammadu Jega OFR
5.  Funke Adekoya, SAN 6. Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo 
7.   Mr. Femi Falana SAN 8. Rev Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi SAN 
9.  Prof. Auwalu H. Yadudu10.  Mal. Yusuf Ali SAN 
11. Dr. Chris Kwaja 12. Mr. Chino Edmund Obiagwu SAN
13. Father George Ehusani 14. Mr. John Odah 
15. Prof. Mohammed Tabiu, SAN 16. Mal. Kabiru Yusuf
17. Cmrd. Salisu Nuhu Mohammed 18. Mr. Ledum Mitee 
19. Ms Ngozi Iwere 20. Ene Obi
21. Ms Amina Salisu22. Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed 
23. Dayo Olayide24. Danlami Nmodu 
25. Mallam Hamza Ibrahim26. Prof.  Ukachukwu A. Awuzie
27. Dr, Peter Ozo-Eson28. Dr. Dipo Fashina
29. Dr. Udo Jude30. Ms Idayat Hassan
31. Abubakar Sokoto Mohammed32. Prpf. G.G. Darah
33. Prof. Adele Jinadu34. Prof. Rufai Alkali
35. Hon. Rima Shawulu36. Dr. Innocent Chukwuma
37. Dr. Kole Shettima38.  Adeyemi Candide-Johnson SAN 
39. Mal. Y.Z. Yau40. Prof. Pat Utomi
41. A. B. Mahmoud, OON, SAN

#EndSARS Protest Cannot Change This Regime — Northern Governors

Worried by the continuous protests by youths in different parts of the country, the northern governors have expressed worries that in spite of the magnanimity exhibited by the Federal Government and various State Governments, the protests have continued.

At the emergency meeting held in Kaduna on Thursday 22nd October In Kaduna, the governors extensively discussed issues bordering on National Security particularly the nationwide Endsars protest which has led to the wanton destruction of lives and properties in some parts of the Country.

The governors declared that ENDSARS protesters and hoodlums cannot change the regime for Nigerians.

This was contained in a communique issued and read by the chairman of the governor’s Forum who is the governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong.

“Concerned by this development, the Northern States Governors Forum met and deliberated on the matter.

The Forum, however, expressed worry and concern on why the protests have persisted despite the magnanimity exhibited by the Federal Government and various State Governments calls from well-meaning Nigerians to put an end to the protest.

“The meeting discussed the various dimensions of Endsars protest in the Country.

“While appreciating across constitutional rights of all citizens to express concern even by way of protest, it however condemned the incessant destruction of lives and properties that ensued in the process.

“Forum commiserates with those who lost their lives, the wounded and those whose properties were destroyed.

“Forum strongly sues for unity and peaceful co-existence of all citizens and groups of people in Nigeria. Urge all Nigerians to see themselves as equal citizens of the country as the unity of Nigeria cannot be compromised.

“The Forum regrets the diabolical influencers in form of hooliganism, ethnoreligious bigots and even political marauders who are bent on pulling the nation down its knees and pushing for regime change.

“The Forum called on all Nigerians to resist these enemies of the nation by supporting Mr. President, the Federal Government and democracy at large.

“Forum appeal to all citizens to restraint themselves from unwarranted disposition of sentiments, harassment, and intimidation of other citizens residents in their home states.

Forum notes that all these are antics of the enemies of the country who are violently pushing for regime change outside the ballot box.

“Forum resolve further intensify their strategic engagements among different levels of stakeholders in their respective states.

“Forum also notes the heavy presence of external influencers both locally and internationally. Called on all citizens particularly community leaders and youth groups to be very vigilant and report the presence of such people to security agencies.

“The Forum calls for comprehensive and robust reforms in the Police Force. She supports various Federal Government initiatives put in place by the Federal Government and will ensure that they are fast track and given more impetus by the Nineteen (19) Northern states.

“The Forum advocates for the Constitution of Judicial Commission of enquiry to investigate all levels of destruction and killings during the Endsars protest.

“Calls for greater synergy between the state and the federal government in strengthening the unity, oneness and overall development of the country.

“Federal Government to explore the possibility of ending ASUU strike. Most of the youths are idle staying at home.

“Forum further restates her commitment in exploring area of reviving the ailing economy of the North with reference to those areas of comparative advantage.

“The Forum is in synergy with other Governors in the South-West, South-South and South-East to address these challenges of nationhood headlong. Together we shall keep Nigeria united and indissoluble.

“The Forum restates its confidence in the unity of Nigeria and support all our colleagues in other states of the Federation in our collective efforts to restore peace and stability.

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