Sir Victor Walsh Oluwafemi
Public Analyst and Development Consultant has called for due process and responsible public discourse over calls for the resignation of Independent National Electoral Commission INEC’s chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, SAN.

In a statement he personally signed, Oluwafemi noted that:

“I am compelled, as a concerned citizen and a professional engaged in governance advisory and institutional systems, to address the growing calls for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN.

“While accountability remains central to any functioning democracy, the manner, tone, and timing of these demands raise serious questions about intent and consequence.

“It is important to critically examine whether such calls are grounded in verifiable institutional breaches or whether they reflect political positioning and reactionary pressure.

Oluwafemi further stressed that: “The positions recently advanced by the African Democratic Congress and the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, if not exercised with caution, risk projecting a troubling precedent that leadership within critical national institutions can be influenced through public agitation rather than constitutional procedure.

“When institutions begin to respond to pressure instead of process, democracy itself becomes negotiable.”

“Nigeria’s constitutional framework is unambiguous. The removal of the INEC Chairman is not a matter for public sentiment or media campaigns, but one strictly governed by law. It is therefore both prudent and necessary to advise that all grievances, allegations, or concerns be subjected to judicial scrutiny.

At this stage, restraint is not only advisable but also essential.

“In every serious democracy, accusation must travel through the courts, not through microphones.”

“Equally concerning is the growing trend of unguarded and, in some instances, uncultured utterances across television, radio, and digital platforms.

“Public commentary on matters of national importance must be measured, responsible, and evidence-based. The consequences of careless rhetoric are neither theoretical nor distant.

“Recent electoral observations in Nigeria recorded over 200 incidents of election-related violence, with multiple fatalities.

“A significant driver of such tensions has consistently been inflammatory rhetoric and the premature delegitimisation of institutions.

“Words, when recklessly deployed in a fragile political climate, can become triggers rather than expressions.”

“It is therefore imperative to caution all stakeholders. Opposition actors must ensure that their engagements strengthen democratic confidence rather than weaken institutional trust.

“Socio-religious organisations must be mindful of the weight of their voice, particularly in matters that intersect with national governance.

“Those who appear on radio and television must understand that public platforms are not merely spaces for expression, but instruments that shape national mood and direction. Discipline in speech is not a limitation; it is a responsibility.

“Freedom of expression must never become a licence for institutional erosion.”

“This is not a defence of any individual. It is a defence of process, order, and democratic stability. Where there is credible evidence of wrongdoing, it must be tested through lawful and constitutional channels. Disputes must be resolved within the framework of the judiciary.

“Until such processes have run their course, calls for resignation remain premature and potentially destabilising.

“A nation does not strengthen its democracy by removing officials through pressure, but by upholding the systems designed to hold them accountable.”

“Nigeria must choose discipline over noise, process over pressure, and stability over sentiment.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Kabiru Tanimu Turaki has formally rejected the takeover of the party’s national secretariat by a rival group aligned with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The dispute over the control of Wadata Plaza, the party’s headquarters, escalated after police sealed the facility on November 18, 2025, following clashes between the two factions.

On Saturday, the Wike-aligned group announced that the police had unsealed the secretariat, allowing them to take control of the premises. However, the Turaki faction quickly dismissed the development, accusing law enforcement of partisanship and noting that the ownership dispute remains before the courts.

In a statement, Ini Ememobong, spokesperson for the Turaki faction, alleged that the police had unlawfully aided the Wike camp, describing its members as “agents of the federal government and APC apologists, masquerading as PDP members, despite a pending appeal.”

Ememobong said the court ruling the police claim to be acting upon has already been appealed. He added that the police force, as a party to the case, has been formally served with the appeal and is fully aware of the legal status.

“By their action, they have tampered with the res which could render the judgment of the Court of Appeal nugatory when it is eventually given,” Ememobong said. “It is most shameful that those entrusted with protecting the law are those disobeying the law.”

He further criticized the conduct of the police throughout the crisis, saying, “While it is not surprising that the police is acting in a clearly partisan manner, we were hopeful that they would act differently under the command of the new Inspector General of Police. From the inception of this imbroglio, the officers of the police force have consistently acted in a manner that leaves no one in doubt as to their support for the Wike-backed APC apologists.”

Despite the tensions, Ememobong urged members of his faction to remain peaceful and avoid any actions that could disrupt public order.

“As law-abiding citizens, we admonish our members to continue to maintain peace and not undertake any activity capable of breaching public peace, while we promise to take all necessary steps within the ambit of the law to protect the rights and privileges of the genuine members of the Peoples Democratic Party,” he said.

The faction assured the public that what it called “state-sponsored persecution” would not last, expressing hope for a return to genuine democratic practice in the interest of preserving the republic.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

At least 56 people, mostly traders, are feared dead and 14 others hospitalized after an airstrike struck a weekly market on the Borno–Yobe border on Saturday.

The attack occurred at Jilli Market, which lies between Gubio and Geidam Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno and Yobe States, respectively. The market is a major hub for traders and buyers from surrounding communities, including Gubio, Chiweram, and Benisheikh in Borno, as well as Gurokayeya and Geidam in Yobe.

The airstrike is believed to have been carried out during a military operation targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents. Multiple sources disclosed that a fighter jet was tracking a group of suspected insurgents who had reportedly come to the market to collect levies from traders and obtain supplies. However, the strike apparently missed its intended target.

An eyewitness who participated in rescue efforts described the scene:

“The incident happened around 2:46 p.m. while business activities were ongoing. Four fighter jets carried out the attack, though the fourth jet was not clearly visible. We only heard the sound of explosions.

“I counted 56 corpses myself and helped rescue two injured people, taking them to the hospital. I believe the number of casualties may be higher, as more bodies are still being recovered.”

The councillor of Fichimaram Ward, Malam Lawan Zanna, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust. He stated that about 20 people had been admitted to the Specialist Hospital in Geidam, Yobe State.

“The incident occurred at Jilli village’s weekly market under Fichimaram Ward in Geidam LGA. From the information available to us, it was an airstrike.

“When the jets launched their attack, people panicked and began to run, but the strikes continued. As we speak, over 30 people have been killed.

“More than 20 people were hospitalized in Geidam. Two were referred to the Teaching Hospital in Damaturu. Out of those receiving treatment, nine have died, bringing the death toll to over 30,” he said.

The Special Adviser to the Yobe State Governor on Security Matters, Brigadier General Abdulsalam Dahiru (rtd), confirmed the incident but stated that it occurred within Borno State.

“I have spoken with the chairman of Geidam LGA, who informed me that Jilli village falls under Gubio LGA of Borno State. You may contact officials in Maiduguri for further details,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Air Force had not issued an official statement on the incident.