Soludo in Landslide, Secures 2nd Term, Victory Reinforces Power of Incumbency

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November 10, 2025
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*Garners 422,664 votes, close rival and APC candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu with 99,445

*Tinubu congratulates him, declares his triumph affirms his visionary leadership

*NGF, Abiodun, Ngige greet, task winner

*ADC dismisses exercise as ‘Cash-and-Carry Democracy’, warns of 2027 danger

Deji Elumoye, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja, Chuks Okocha in Awka, Hammed Shittu in Ilorin and James Sowole in Abeokuta

In a landslide, the Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, weekend, secured his re-election for another term of four years, thus reinforcing the power of incumbency in Nigeria’s electoral system.

Although a few governors had failed the re-election test since the nation returned to civil rule in 1999, the power of incumbency has remained a recuring factor in the nation’s electoral process.

Since 1999, at least, more than 20 governors had failed to return to office for a second term of four years, albeit under different circumstances.

While the likes of Chief Bisi Akande (Osun), Lam Adesina (Oyo), Olusegun Osoba (Ogun), Adebayo Adefarati (Ondo), Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti), Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) Chinwoke Mbadinuju (Anambra), Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa), Abubakar Hashidu (Gombe), Ikedi Ohakim (Imo), Idris Wada (Kogi), Bindow Jibrilla (Adamawa) and Mohammed Lawal (Kwara), didn’t secure re-election after they ran for another term, some others were victims of court verdicts.

For example, Olagunsoye Oyinlola was already in his second term in Osun when he was sacked mid-way by the court. Professor Oserheimen Osunbor had barely completed his first term when the court also sacked him as Edo State governor.

A similar fate befell Celestine Omehia of Rivers State after he was sacked a few months into office in his first term. Also, Dr. Chris Ngige, had a taste of the court ruling as he, too, was sacked as Anambra State governor.

Unfortunately, for Akinwunmi Ambode, a former governor of Lagos State, he was denied the opportunity to re-present himself for another term as he failed to clinch the party’s ticket for re-election.

In the case of Ayodele Fayose and Kayode Fayemi, both from Ekiti State, while they did not immediately return to office for second term, they both returned after a few years outside of power to complete their second terms – back to back.

These few examples, nonetheless, the incumbency power has always and continued to play a major role in both the governorship and the presidential elections, even though former President Goodluck Jonathan, remains the only president defeated in office.

But the election of Soludo, despite the tension that built up to the exercise, has reaffirmed the myth about the incumbency power as a critical factor in elections in this part of the world.

Soludo secured a second term after he was declared winner of the November 8 Anambra State governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

According to the results announced by INEC in the early hours of yesterday, Soludo won by a landslide in the 21 local government areas of the South-East state, polling 422,664 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 99,445 votes.

Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Omoregie Edoba, declared Soludo as the winner of the exercise after the collation of results from the local government areas of the state where the election was held.

“I hereby declare that Soludo Chukwuma Charles of the APGA, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” Edoba, a professor, told a gathering at the state headquarters of INEC in Awka, the state capital, where the election results were collated.

Soludo, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), secured 422,664 votes to trounce his closest rival, the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Nicholas Ukachukwu, who polled 99,445 votes.

Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) came third with 37,753 votes, while John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 8,208 votes.

George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP) and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 10,576 votes and 1,401 votes, respectively.

Shortly after the results were announced, there was jubilation at the residence of the governor in Isoufia community, Aguata LGA.

The results have given Soludo a fresh four-year term at the Light House.

Sixteen parties and their candidates contested for Anambra’s top job.

Apart from Soludo and Ukachukwu, others were Paul Chukwuma of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and John Nwosu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Also cleared by INEC were George Moghalu of the Labour Party (LP), Echezona Oti of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Ms. Chioma Ifemeludike of the African Action Congress (AAC), Jeff Nweke of Action Alliance (AA), Charles Onyeze of Accord Party (AP), Geoff Onyejegbu of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Jude Ezenwafor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Also in the race were Chukwudubem Nweke of the Action Peoples Party (APP), Jerry Okeke of the Boot Party (BP), Ndidi Olieh of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Martin Ugwoji of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), and Vincent Chukwurah of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Soludo was first elected governor on November 10, 2021, sweeping to victory in 19 of the 21 LGAs.

 Victory for the 65-year-old former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) signalled the end of the months-long electioneering dominated by debates over the state of affairs in Anambra.

 His opponents and critics accused him of failing to address insecurity and economic challenges plaguing Anambra residents.

But the governor promised to consolidate on his achievements in the first four years if re-elected, banking on APGA’s 19-year grip on power in the state.



Heavy Security, Voter Apathy, Alleged Vote-Buying

However,  ahead of the election, the police had deployed 45,000 personnel to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

Though largely peaceful, the election was marred by claims of vote-buying and voter apathy.

Several candidates, including Soludo, raised concerns over alleged monetisation of the election.

Observers also shared similar sentiment, accusing parties of inducing voters to back them.

“If there’s no seller, there cannot be a buyer. Some people have chosen to sell their conscience, which is even worse than those who buy votes.

 “When you give up your right to money, you lose your voice as a citizen. You can’t cry later, society must be blamed for encouraging this,” Ukachukwu of the APC said, echoing similar sentiments like other contestants.

Tinubu: Soludo’s Re-election is Affirmation of His Visionary Leadership

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, among several other prominent Nigerians, has congratulated Soludo on his victory as Anambra State governor.

The president, in a personally signed congratulatory letter, lauded Soludo for bringing discipline, grace and a fresh perspective to governance in Anambra State.

He assured him of his unflinching support and continued collaboration between federal and the state governments.

Tinubu also commended the new leadership of INEC for conducting what election observers have described as credible poll.

The president, in the 12-paragraph congratulatory message stated: “I congratulate Professor Chukwuma Soludo on his re-election as the governor of Anambra State.

“The overwhelming victory he recorded in Saturday’s poll has now made him the third governor in the state’s political history to win a second term.

“I must also congratulate the people of Anambra State, the security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the peaceful and successful conduct of the governorship election.

“Professor Soludo’s re-election is a testament to his visionary leadership and the significant progress the state has made under his guidance.

“Governor Soludo, the Solution, has demonstrated that indeed knowledge is power and that academic principles can be applied in serving the people, undergirding accountability, transparency and prudent management of people and resources.

“I visited Anambra State in May this year, where I inaugurated some projects executed by the Soludo administration. I highlighted the good thinking behind the landmark projects being embarked upon by Mr Solution. That experience is indeed remarkable and will remain indelible in my mind.

“I commend Governor Soludo for bringing discipline, grace, brilliance, and a fresh perspective to governance in Anambra. Under him, Anambra is living up to its motto as the Light of the Nation.

“I urge Governor Soludo to be magnanimous in victory and to seek the cooperation of his opponents in the just-concluded elections. I assure Governor Soludo of my unwavering support, and I look forward to continued collaboration between Anambra and the federal government.

“The victory of the opposition All Grand Progressives Alliance in the election again demonstrates the vitality of our political system and the fact that victory for any progressive and hardworking leader can hardly be encumbered or denied.

“I must also thank the new INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and his team for conducting what observers have described as a credible election, based on the reports I have received thus far.

“I charge the commission with maintaining the standards and further improving its performance, so we can continue to strengthen and deepen our electoral system.”

NGF, Abiodun, Ngige Greet Soludo

Nigeria’s Governors Forum (NGF) has congratulated Soludo on his electoral victory at the last Saturday gubernatorial election in Anambra state.

A statement by the Chairman of NGF, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, stated that the clear margin of victory underscored the popularity of the governor and his programmes among Anambrarians.

The statement read: “We are confident that this deserving victory will enable His Excellency to consolidate on his great achievements across different sectors.

“We also congratulate the people of Anambra and all the stakeholders on the orderly and peaceful conduct of the election — another proof that Nigerians have fully embraced democracy and rule of law as a choice form of governance.

“We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security agencies for the orderly electoral process so far.”

Abiodun: Anambra Has Huge Confidence in Soludo’s Leadership

Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, has congratulated Soludo, on his re-election as governor, saying the results showed in unmistakable terms that the people of Anambra State have huge confidence in his leadership.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, Abiodun charged Soludo to use the victory as a tool of greater delivery of the dividends of democracy, and to unite all political tendencies in the state for its development.

“With the results of Saturday’s election, the people of Anambra State spoke in clear, unmistakable terms, affirming their belief in the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

“I heartily congratulate my brother and Vice Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and urge him to continue inspiring the people of Anambra State with life-changing policies and projects.

“By uniting various political tendencies in the state, he will further consolidate on the dividends of democracy under his leadership in Anambra State.”

Ngige Tasks Soludo on Security, Welfare

A former Governor of Anambra State and erstwhile Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has urged Soludo to take opportunity of his reelection to rededicate himself to working for the people with greater zeal and to ensure the people’s welfare and security.

In his congratulatory message, Ngige said Soludo’s landslide victory at the poll was like a referendum on his management of the state since March 17, 2022 when the state was entrusted in his care.

He said he and some other stakeholders had publicly attested “to the excellent fiscal policy and gargantuan infrastructural and human resources development of our homeland by the governor.

“Only God is perfect. So this second recruitment/missionary affords the governor an opportunity to rededicate himself to working for the people with greater zeal to ensure the people’s welfare and security of their lives and property as enshrined in Section 14 (2)b of the Nigerian Constitution 1999.

“Where mistakes through actions or inactions were made, a golden opportunity for correction is now here. May the good Lord guide you bless our State Anambra and our country Nigeria”.

ADC Slams Election as ‘Cash-and-Carry Democracy’ Warns of 2027 Danger

But the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the Anambra 2025 gubernatorial election, describing it as a heavily monetised process that undermined the very idea of democracy itself.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party accused the incumbent and his party of engaging in widespread cash-for-votes, while also criticising the silence of security agencies and the inaction of electoral officials, which it said bordered on collusion.

The party said it has observed the conduct of the just concluded Anambra gubernatorial election with a deep sense of concern for the electoral process in Nigeria.

Abdullahi said what unfolded in Anambra was, regrettable, describing it as a cash-drenched spectacle that was more of a bazaar than an election that undermines the very essence of democracy.

”We wish to state categorically that, as has been widely reported and clearly shown to Nigerians and the international community, this election was highly monetized, with the incumbent and his party seen to have participated in several forms and styles of cash-for-votes.

”At polling units across the state, bundles of naira notes changed hands in full view. This was a brazen violation of the Electoral Act, whose foundation had been laid by the Governor himself well ahead of the election.

”Even more troubling was the apparent silence — and in some instances, visible inaction — of institutions mandated to enforce electoral integrity.

”Security operatives stood by as voters were harassed and compromised, while electoral officials, overwhelmed or indifferent, failed to uphold even the most basic standards.

”If this is the manner in which the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, intends to conduct the 2027 general election, then Nigerians have every reason to be worried about the future of our democracy, especially at a time when the state of our nation is under the microscope of the international community.

”On our part, the ADC remains committed to building a Nigeria where leadership is earned through integrity, inclusion, and service — not through the crude exchange of cash for votes,” he said.

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SPECIAL REPORT: Plot to Take Over Nestoil/Neconde’s Interest in OML 42 Unravels

*Foreign lenders, major banks join fight to overturn sweeping court orders

*Court halts proceedings amid NJC, Chief Judge petitions

Sunday Ehigiator

Fresh controversy has erupted over the far-reaching orders granted by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Lagos, which froze the bank accounts, shares, and assets of Nestoil Limited and its affiliates in a high-stakes debt recovery suit involving unverified claims exceeding $1.01 billion and N430 billion.

In a ruling on an ex parte motion dated October 15, 2025, and filed on October 20, Justice Dipeolu issued sweeping orders restraining Nestoil Limited, Neconde Energy Limited, and other Nestoil affiliates from operating their bank accounts or dealing with funds, shares, or assets held in any Nigerian financial institution.

At the centre of the storm is Neconde Energy Limited, which has faulted its inclusion in the Mareva and receivership orders obtained by FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited and First Trustees Limited, describing the orders as wrongful, oppressive, and a clear case of judicial overreach.
Meanwhile, Glencore Energy UK Limited, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited, and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) — collectively described as Senior Lenders – have filed motions seeking to be joined as defendants to overturn the sweeping ex parte court orders.

Through their counsel, Olufemi Oyewole (SAN), the Senior Lenders asked the Court to set aside or vary the ex parte orders of October 22, 2025, which they said threaten their security interests in Neconde’s assets and operations.
They argued that the plaintiffs failed to disclose in their affidavit the existence of the Senior Secured Medium-Term Facility Agreement dated April 27, 2016, under which Neconde obtained a $640 million syndicated loan.

They added that the Deed of Charge dated December 8, 2022, relied upon by the plaintiffs in obtaining the ex parte orders, was registered against Nestoil Limited only and not against Neconde Energy Limited, rendering it defective and unenforceable against Neconde.

Citing Clause 3.4 of the Deed of Charge, they noted that FBNQuest’s charge “shall rank in all aspects subordinate and subject to the charges and assignments constituted by the Neconde Senior Security Documents.”
They therefore urged the Court to vacate or vary the interim orders or restrain further interference with Neconde’s assets pending determination of the substantive suit.

They asserted that the interim orders have made it impossible for Neconde to service its obligations to the Senior Lenders, potentially triggering events of default that could lead to insolvency actions with highly disruptive consequences.
When the case came up on Friday November 7, 2025, Justice Dipeolu revealed that he had received the petition sent to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court concerning his handling of the case and related cases.
He subsequently suspended further proceedings pending the Chief Judge’s directive on whether he should continue or recuse himself.

The petitions accused the judge of judicial misconduct and reckless issuance of sweeping ex parte Mareva orders in two related cases — FBNQuest Merchant Bank & Anor v. Nestoil Ltd & Ors (FHC/L/CS/2127/2025); Aries Energy v. Neconde Energy & Ors (FHC/L/CP/1439/2025).

The petitioners alleged that Justice Dipeolu granted freezing and receivership orders without verifying ownership of several properties, including Nestoil Tower, which allegedly belong to third parties not indebted to the plaintiffs.
They also accused him of granting freezing and receivership orders against Neconde without any basis and authorising the Nigerian Navy and Department of State Services (DSS) to assist a receiver in enforcing civil orders and selling crude oil from OML 42 — actions they said contravened the preservative nature of interim injunctions.

They urged the National Judicial Council to investigate the matter and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign all related cases to another judge to preserve public confidence in judicial impartiality.
Neconde has also filed processes in court praying the Court to discharge the ex parte orders.
It argued that the instant suit is jurisdictionally incompetent, having been commenced against it despite being under winding-up proceedings before the Federal High Court, Lagos, in Suit No. FHC/CP/1439/2025: Aries Energy & Petroleum Company Limited v. Neconde Energy Limited, Gobowen Exploration and Production Limited, Dr. Ernest Azudialu, and Bridge H&T Limited.

The firm submitted that by the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, once a company is being wound up by the Court, any disposition of its property, including things in action, transfer of shares, or alteration of members’ status after the commencement of the winding-up, shall be void unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
They further contended that any attachment, sequestration, distress, or execution enforced against the estate of a company in liquidation shall equally be null and void except by the Court’s order.

Neconde, a major independent oil producer in OML 42, maintained that it is neither indebted to the plaintiffs nor privy to the syndicated loan transaction forming the basis of the suit.
The company’s lawyers argued that its inclusion amounted to wrongful interference with third-party rights and had effectively halted its daily crude oil production of over 40,000 barrels.

They contended that the ex parte orders were excessively broad and issued without jurisdiction, particularly since Neconde is already the subject of ongoing winding-up proceedings before the same Federal High Court.
The other defendants, Nestoil and its affiliates, have also filed a motion seeking to vacate the orders, describing them as unconstitutional and obtained through suppression of material facts.

They accused the plaintiffs of failing to make full and frank disclosure before securing the ex parte orders, thereby misleading the court into granting extraordinary far-reaching orders without hearing from the affected parties.
According to their counsel, the plaintiffs’ actions were “profoundly hasty and desperate,” contrary to established legal principles governing ex parte reliefs, which are intended to be temporary and preservative.

They argued that no urgency existed to justify freezing accounts or seizing assets, especially since the alleged loans had been restructured under a Common Terms Agreement (CTA) executed in December 2022.
The CTA, they said, rescheduled repayments over ten years from December 2021, making the present suit premature and in breach of its reconciliation clause.

The defendants further accused FBNQuest of failing to provide statements of account for over three years despite repeated written requests, insisting that only a forensic reconciliation could determine the true financial position.
They alleged that the plaintiffs’ claims were inflated with illegal and excessive charges and argued that Nestoil Towers, a major landmark on Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, is an immovable and secure property, making the drastic order unnecessary.
They also challenged the appointment of a receiver/manager by the plaintiffs, claiming the appointee was not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as required under CAMA 2020.

The companies warned that maintaining the orders would paralyse operations, freeze directors’ personal accounts, and inflict devastating losses on Neconde’s oil production — losses that would also affect the Federal Government’s revenue from crude oil exports.
Meanwhile, industry sources warned that the continuing legal tussle, if not promptly resolved, could disrupt oil production in OML 42 — once producing over 250,000 barrels per day in the 1970s — and further erode investor confidence in Nigeria’s indigenous oil sector.

*Foreign lenders, major banks join fight to overturn sweeping court orders *Court halts proceedings amid NJC, Chief Judge petitions Sunday Ehigiator Fresh controversy has erupted over the far-reaching orders granted

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Presidency Flaunts Counter-terrorism Record Amid America’s CPC Designation

*Cites 81% drop in terror-related deaths, neutralisation of 13,000 terrorists

*NSCIA: alleged Christian genocide US pretext to destabilise Nigeria

*Muslim Ummah backs nation’s stand on Palestinian crisis, condemns Trump’s Hamas policy

Deji Elumoye, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

The presidency, yesterday, made public an abridged update on the country’s counter-terrorism operations, detailing arrests, convictions, and significant declines in terror-related deaths since 2023.

The update, posted on its verified X handle, @NGRPresident, came in the wake of renewed diplomatic tension following genocide allegations by United States President Donald Trump against Christians in Nigeria, and designation of Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).

The US had also threatened sanctions and hinted at possible military action.

The update came as Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) denounced the designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern and the allegation of genocide against Christian faithful by the US president as a covet plan by the American government to destabilise Nigeria.

Similarly, Muslim Ummah, Bauchi State Chapter, and the leadership of Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) condemned Trump’s proposal labelling Hamas as a terrorist organisation, calling it unjust and counterproductive to the resolution of the Palestinian conflict.

The Nigeria government repeatedly rejected the genocide allegation, insisting the country faces a complex, decade-long security challenge driven by terrorism, banditry, and communal violence, not religious persecution.

The government maintained that the security crisis had claimed lives across all faiths and regions, and continued to appeal to global partners, including the US, for support in its ongoing operations aimed at defeating the debilitating challenge.

In the update, the presidency reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s stance that “the security of Nigeria is non-negotiable”, stressing that enhanced inter-agency cooperation has led to stringent action against terrorists and insurgents since 2023.

In the figures released, it claimed security agencies had “vigorously pursued, arrested, eliminated or successfully convicted” extremists linked to some of the country’s deadliest attacks.

The update disclosed that since 2024, over 124 terrorists and insurgents had been convicted by Nigerian courts, while several high-profile suspects, including leaders of Ansaru, those implicated in the 2022 Owo Church massacre, and those involved in the Yelwata reprisal killings in Benue, were undergoing trial.

The federal government also highlighted a suite of counterterrorism measures, including strengthened joint security task forces, enhanced border patrols with regional allies, permanent joint operations in vulnerable corridors, increased compensation for victims of attacks, and deeper intelligence collaboration with international partners.

Quoting measurable results, the presidency reported that as of 2025, terror-related deaths in Nigeria had declined by 81 per cent compared to 2015, attributing the improvement to intensified counter-insurgency operations and stronger engagement with affected communities.

It also revealed that over 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year alone, while more than 124,000 fighters and their dependents surrendered to the authorities.

The presidential post added that more than 2.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) had returned to their communities, with many areas experiencing reconstruction and renewed stability.

Government said it further instituted a Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict to facilitate rehabilitation, rebuild destroyed settlements, and support reintegration efforts.

However, the presidency continued to call for international partnership, insisting that global support remains crucial in dismantling terror networks operating across borders.

NSCIA: Alleged Christian Genocide US Pretext to Destabilise Nigeria

Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) denounced the designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern and the allegation of genocide against Christians, saying they represent a covet plan by the American government to destabilise Nigeria. Secretary General of NSCIA, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, affirmed this position yesterday at a press briefing to address allegations by Trump of ongoing genocide against Christians as well as the threat to authorise the US to attack Nigeria if no solid action was taken to stem the act.

Oloyede stated that Nigeria faced a complex and tragic perennial security crisis that was inflicting immeasurable pain to all its citizens, regardless of faith or ethnic persuasion.

He said many parts of the country were being subjected to gruesome savagery against Muslims and Christians, Imams and priests, stressing that this position has been reinforced by the Amnesty International, which after methodically investigating the insecurity in the country, stated that there was “no evidence of a religious motivation” to characterise it as genocide.

Oloyede stated, “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), following its Expanded General Purpose Committee (EGPC) meeting held earlier today, convenes this conference on behalf of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to condemn the recent threat against the sovereignty of our nation.

“We have not been emphasising the killings of Muslims because we do not see it as a religious war, but a national security issue. The world is aware that some Islamophobic and unpatriotic Nigerians had authored a dangerous script, promoted it in Western circles, especially in the United States, and got the attention of the highest levels of the United States government, which are erroneously made to believe that there is a ‘Christian genocide’ in Nigeria.

“When the U.S. President, Mr Donald Trump labelled our country ‘disgraced’, every right-thinking Nigerian was concerned because an ally that is determined to help a sovereign country to ‘completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities’ would offer to assist and collaborate with the country and not use such language to describe a country it aims to partner in wiping out the terrorists.

“While a number of countries (e.g., China, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar) have also been designated ‘Countries of Particular Concern’, the present context of ‘what Nigeria will not like’ suggests that the plan is a pretext to destabilise our country/

“It reinforced that Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) report of 2022 that conclusively stated that the overwhelming driver of violence in Nigeria was not anti-Christian persecution, as Muslims and people of other faiths were also overwhelmingly affected.”

NSCIA insisted that there was no “Christian genocide” in Nigeria. It stated that the allegation, under Article II of the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide 9 and Article 6 of the Rome Statute 11, was a crime with specific “intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”.

The council said Islamist Jihadists-ISWAP and Boko Haram considered Muslims who did not embrace their doctrine as “dissidents and were killing both Muslims and Christians and demolishing Mosques and Churches”.

NSCIA accused the United States of creating Al-Qaeda, which is being projected as Islamic, while also reinforcing the allegation by a US Congressman, Scott Perry, who testified that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was financing the activities of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria and elsewhere.

It contended that the real driver of violence in Nigeria was ecological, caused by relentless desertification and climate change, which degraded pastures and dried up water sources in the far-northern Sahelian belt.

Oloyede said, “This is not an ‘Islamist invasion’; it is a desperate southward migration of herders seeking survival. This climate-driven migration forces herders into direct, and often violent competition with sedentary farming communities over dwindling resources of land and water.

“Historic grazing reserves have been lost to expanding settlements, and traditional conflict resolution mechanisms have eroded. This is the flashpoint for the farmer-herder crisis in Plateau, Benue and other middle belt states in Northern Nigeria.

“The second driver is criminality. In the North-west, North-east and South-east, banditry is fuelled by the overlapping factors of grinding poverty, mass youth unemployment, drug abuse, porous borders and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons over the decades. Crucially, as researchers have noted, it is also driven by illicit artisanal mining of solid minerals.

“Criminal syndicates and bandits sack villages and displace populations, creating an ungoverned space for their illegal mining operations. This is a violent, organised crime racket for resources and there is nothing Islamic about it also. In Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto axis, Muslims have lost more than 1,200 souls to the same bandits who answer to crime, not tribe or faith.”

NSCIA stated, “The United States Department itself, in its 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom, stated that ‘banditry and other criminality, not animosity between particular religious groups… were the primary drivers’ of intercommunal violence. This is not a religious war.

“Then, we cannot gloss over how, over a long period, failure of governance has enabled violence in Nigeria. Studies have revealed how endemic corruption, lack of accountability for human rights abuses and failure to provide basic security for citizens have, over time, created a vacuum for impunity.

“When the state fails to protect anyone, criminals and militias thrive. This is a ‘massive state failure’, as some have called it, not a state-sponsored ‘genocide’”

The council accused foreign instigators, especially some American politicians, including Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Riley Moore, of spreading the false narrative of mass murder of 50,000-100,000 Christians in Nigeria to energise their domestic evangelical base and garner votes in Texas and West Virginia.

NSCIA said the foreign actors were aided and abetted by domestic instigators, particularly separatist groups, like Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, which it alleged was hatching political/economic, but not religious, agenda by outspending the federal government on lobbyists, as revealed by regulatory filings in Washington, D.C.

NSCIA said, “And what is their core message? The filings show they are focused on raising the issue of ‘Christian killings’ on Capitol Hill. This is a political separatist group, weaponising a religious identity to achieve its goal: the balkanisation and fragmentation of Nigeria.

“These lobbyists who received millions of dollars flood Washington with doctored videos and fake statistics. They quote 52,000 Christians killed since 2009, a number even Open Doors refuses to endorse.

“There is also, as we have previously stated, a network of Nigerian citizens at home and abroad who have found a big business in self-flagellation. These crisis entrepreneurs exploit transactions in religious antipathy as easy pathways to global recognition and fame.

“They fabricate or decontextualise claims of persecution to gain speaking tours, material gains, or preferential asylum status in the West. The media is awash with evidence of some religious leaders and elite who originated the false claim for non-religious purposes. Some of them ignite and pretend to, at the same time, extinguish fire. We condemn these individuals engaging in falsehood and acts that verge on treason.

“This is why the council is extremely disappointed by the false proclamation of the CAN President, which has now shown clearly that the individuals who were propagating the falsehood were, in reality, playing the scripts of CAN.”

Muslim Ummah Backs Nigeria’s Stand On Palestinian Crisis, Condemns Trump’s Hamas Policy

The Muslim Ummah, Bauchi State Chapter, and the leadership of Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) condemned Trump’s labelling of Hamas as a terrorist organisation, calling it unjust and counterproductive to peace in the Palestinian conflict.

They, however, expressed support for the federal government’s advocacy for justice for Palestinians, calling for an unconditional ceasefire and the withdrawal of Zionist forces from Gaza.

The call came in a communiqué issued at the end of a leadership training workshop organised by the National Islamic Centre, Zaria.

The meeting of the leadership of MSSN, Bauchi Area Unit, was held at Sultan Muhammad Saad Abubakar Hajj Camp, Bauchi, at the weekend.

The communiqué, signed by Professor Abdullahi Lare Amaoo, Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, also condemned the incessant banditry and kidnappings, and urged security agencies and stakeholders to intensify efforts in combating these threats.

It expressed deep worry over the endemic corruption pervading all levels of society, and called for urgent and collective action to save the nation from potential collapse.

The Muslim Ummah emphasised that piety (Taqwa) was an essential leadership attribute that must be cultivated for national survival and prosperity.

The communiqué also highlighted the pervasive poverty and deprivation affecting the country, stressing the urgent need for concrete measures to alleviate the situation.

Addressing security concerns, the Ummah condemned the incessant banditry and kidnappings and urged security agencies and stakeholders to intensify efforts in combating these threats.

They expressed support for the federal government’s advocacy for justice for Palestinians, calling for an unconditional ceasefire and the withdrawal of Zionist forces from Gaza.

Professor Muhammad Babangida Muhammad, National Ameer, outlined the purpose of the Muslim Ummah, emphasising its role in ensuring spiritual, physical, socio-economic, and moral upliftment for the people.

Dr. Usman Bugaje highlighted the importance of addressing the leadership crisis within the Ummah for stability and healthy growth, stressing the need to balance challenges with the competencies required for effective management.

The workshop also featured the formation of area branches, inauguration of their leadership across 20 local government areas, and elections for new leadership at the state level.

*Cites 81% drop in terror-related deaths, neutralisation of 13,000 terrorists *NSCIA: alleged Christian genocide US pretext to destabilise Nigeria *Muslim Ummah backs nation’s stand on Palestinian crisis, condemns Trump’s Hamas policy Deji Elumoye, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The presidency,

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