Babangida belongs to dustbin of history – Sowore
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has criticized the continued recognition and celebration of former military ruler, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), describing him as a “villain” responsible for Nigeria’s democratic setbacks.
Sowore, who is also the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, made the remarks during an interview on Nigeria Info FM, where he expressed outrage that Babangida, despite annulling the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election, continues to receive public honour instead of facing justice.
The activist decried the privileges Babangida still enjoys, arguing that he should instead be serving time for what he described as one of Nigeria’s greatest political betrayals.
He lamented that the country has failed to hold leaders accountable for undermining democracy, which, according to him, has emboldened impunity in the political system.
“For Babangida to come back 32 years later to launch a book and raise N17 billion for a presidential library instead of rotting in jail shows that Nigeria is not working,” Sowore stated.
Babangida, who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993, is widely criticized for annulling the June 12 election, which was believed to have been won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.
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The annulment led to political turmoil, prolonged military rule, and Abiola’s eventual arrest and death in detention.
At a recent book launch and fundraising event for his presidential library in Abuja, Babangida publicly admitted that Abiola won the election and took responsibility for its annulment.
However, Sowore dismissed Babangida’s justification for the annulment, calling it an attempt to rewrite history.
“IBB has never told the truth in his life,” Sowore said, rejecting Babangida’s claims that he annulled the election to prevent national instability.
He accused the former leader of deliberately holding on to power and misleading Nigerians with false promises of a transition to democracy.
Sowore argued that rather than issuing apologies, Babangida and his associates should be prosecuted for their actions.
He cited historical cases where individuals were held accountable decades after committing crimes, noting that justice should not have a time limit.
“If IBB had been arrested, prosecuted, and jailed for his crimes, he would probably be begging for parole today,” he asserted.
The activist also called for an investigation into Babangida’s tenure, including the alleged assassination of journalist Dele Giwa, phantom coup trials, and the mismanagement of the $12 billion oil windfall during the Gulf War.
Sowore maintained that Nigeria’s failure to punish past leaders for their misdeeds has enabled corruption and political manipulation.
He vowed to continue advocating for accountability, stating that Babangida should be remembered as a “villain” rather than celebrated.
“It is my hope that one day soon, Babangida will be consigned to the dustbin of history where he belongs,” he concluded.
Shehu Sani faults senators taking voice vote objection to media
A former senator who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District has slammed lawmakers for going to the media to raise objections against the adoption of voice voting for the confirmation of a State of Emergency in Rivers State.
Shehu Sani said that any lawmaker who wished to raise such an objection ought to have done so in the chambers of the National Assembly and not the media.
Recall that members of the National Assembly had voted on the proclamation of a State of Emergency in Rivers by President Bola Tinubu.
However, rather than adhere to the provisions of the law by taking a head count to determine that the Assembly had formed a quorum, the leadership of both chambers adopted voice voting.
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Shortly after the voting process which was condemned by many including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and the Peoples Democratic Party among others, Ireti Kingibe, a serving lawmaker condemned the process.
In his reaction, to this Sani said all objections should be done within the chambers, not outside or in the media.
He wrote on X, “If any lawmaker had issues with voice votes or quorum, he or she is supposed to raise a point of order on the floor and insist on being heard; and not be silent in the chamber then come to the media to raise objections.
“If there is no quorum, it’s because some lawmakers deliberately chose to abstain,” Sani noted.
Abducted Anambra Rev Fr released after police, gunmen fierce battle
The Anambra State Police command has secured the release of a Catholic priest, Rev Fr Stephen Echezona, who was abducted in Ichida, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga said the priest was released unhurt after an encounter with his abductors in Ihiala.
In a statement in Awka, the PPRO said: “In the early hours of March 23, 2025, a joint security team comprising the Police, Military, Civil Defence, AVG Ichida, and Ihiala respectively, secured the release of Rev. Father Echezona at Ihiala. The priest was returned unharmed.
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“The victim was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida. A joint security force, in an ensuing gun duel with the armed criminals operating in a white Lexus SUV without plate number, overpowered the kidnappers.
“The assailants abandoned the white Lexus and in a bid to flee the scene due to the superior fire power of the joint security team, fled the scene and held the Rev. Father hostage. The operatives also recovered the white Lexus vehicle.”
“In a coordinated hot chase by the operatives, different security checkpoints and security operatives in the state were alerted, which resulted in the criminals abandoning the Priest at Ihiala and escaping through a nearby bush.”
According to the PPRO, the joint security team has taken over the scene in Ihiala for possible arrest of the armed men and recovery of the Toyota Highlander belonging to the Rev. Father.
Group tackles Natasha over call for drug test on senators
Some indigenes of Kogi West Senatorial District on Sunday, rose in defence of their senator, Sunday Karimi over the verbal tirade between him and Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the embattled Senator of Kogi Central who is currently on suspension from the national assembly, noting that her call for periodic drug tests was apt and self-indicting.
The indigenes said the embattled senator’s advice was in order, considering the fact that her conduct since she refused to obey a simple sitting arrangement rule at the Senate, had truly called for a drug test to ascertain if she was free from the influence of substance.
The constituents were responding to a statement by the embattled Senator, where she called for periodic drug tests for senators, in response to a statement by Karimi.
Their reaction came through a statement signed by the Chairman, Kogi West Patriotic Assembly, Ayodele Joshua, PhD; and Secretary, Kareem Adigun.
Senator Karimi had said former Governor Yahaya Bello had been vindicated by the embarassment Akpoti-Uduaghan had brought on the Senate and Nigeria as a whole.
The Kogi West Indigenes, who swiftly rose in his defence after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s response, told him not to engage in a war of words with her, stating that they were well positioned to give the embattled Senator the right response.
“Our attention has been drawn to a rejoinder by the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to Senator Sunday Karimi’s comments on her conduct at the National Assembly, which recommended drug tests for serving senators.
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