Politics
Lawmakers Representing Us Are Doing Nothing -Borno Residents
Residents of communities around Northern Borno have expressed worries over the nature of their representations by lawmakers from the zone.
According to them, with one senator, three members of the green chamber and nine members of the State Assembly, it is believed that their cry for liberation would have made President Buhari to sit up on the issue of constant attack in the area by elements of Boko Haram and break away Islamic State for West African Province, ISWAP.
“The people representing us are not doing anything but warming benches and fighting themselves over who becomes senator or who remains in his position as senator. The political crises between our member, Barrister Mohammed Monguno and Senator Abubakar Kyari has deepened and the rest of the members are either on Kyari or Monguno’s side, leaving the people to bleed from attacks and lack of democratic attention,” Goni Mintar, a resident of Damasak told The Tide source in a chat in Maiduguri.
Another resident, Usman Kyari said, the distance between Maiduguri and Monguno is about 200 kilometres and to journey along that route on a normal day, takes three to four hours. But with the insecurity situation, it takes a whole day sometimes and especially when there is an attack.
“ Boko Haram attack almost on a daily basis. They would kill or abduct innocent travelers and go unchallenged. This has become so worrisome especially to those plying the road on a daily basis to seek for means of living through this deadly voyage.
“You may recall that, it was on the same road that the five humanitarian workers were abducted and later executed by their abductors. There are many incidents that have not been reported, cases of attacks and abduction,” Kyari said.
Alhaji Sani Umaru Monguno, who is a trader along the Maiduguri/ Monguno road also told our source that, he pays two hundred (N200) Naira to security agents whenever he comes in and out of Maiduguri.
According to him, “One must pay N200 to N500 to some officers at the entrance to Maiduguri when returning home.”
The residents observed that, during the recent nomination and selection of Chairmanship and Councillorship position for the local government elections, their representatives from the Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly held series of meetings just to have their interests in place.
“If those kinds of meetings were held in respect of the constant attacks or for something to ease the suffering of the people they are representing, in the interest of the people, then all these issues of fear of plying the Maiduguri / Monguno road or any route across the Northern Borno would become history,” Alhaji Sani said.
He said further, “If the amount of money they are spending just to bring up a chairman of a council is put to use in support of the soldiers, I believe we would have made progress long before now, “ he added.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.