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Rumblings in Plateau over move to recall Lalong, Dafaan, Venman

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Rumblings in Plateau over move to recall Lalong, Dafaan, Venman

By Mark Longyen

Plateau State has been thrown into political panic mode following a subterranean move by Plateau South senatorial zone’s constituents to recall former Gov Simon Lalong (APC-Plateau South) from the Senate.

Also penciled for recall by the aggrieved constituents are Lalong’s former Chief of Staff, John Dafaan (APC-Shendam, Quaan-Pan, Mikang) and Vincent Venman (APC-Langtang North/South) federal constituencies.

Impeccable sources disclosed that within the past week, over 500,000 constituents had already appended their signatures to initiate the recall of the trio from the National Assembly.

It was learned that about a fortnight ago, the forms for the recall of the three lawmakers were distributed across the six local governments that constitute the senatorial zone, which have now been signed by the constituents.

People familiar with the prevailing political intrigues said that any time this week, the signed forms by constituents from all the polling units will be collated and forwarded by the petitioners’ lawyers alongside their petitions to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Thereafter, INEC is expected to send a team of its officials to the senatorial zone and the two federal constituencies for verification of the signatures.

Once the signatures are verified and confirmed in the various polling units that 50 per cent, plus one, of the total registered voters actually signed the recall forms, then INEC will within a statutory time frame, arrange for a referendum to be conducted to recall the lawmakers.

The referendum simply entails a “yes or no” voting by the constituents on whether to recall the lawmakers or not, which outcome is to be determined by a simple majority to declare a lawmaker automatically recalled or to retain his seat.

The sacking of Sen. Napoleon Bali (PDP-Plateau South, June 2023 to October 2023) by the Court of Appeal had paved the way for Lalong, whom he defeated in the 2023 senatorial election with an unprecedented landslide, to subsequently resign as minister of labour and productivity, to occupy the seat.

A source, who preferred not to be named, said that Bali is championing the recall move, although Bali himself could not independently confirm the latest development.

However, it would be recalled that shortly after his sack late last year, Bali had told newsmen that although as of then, he had not gone back to the senatorial zone after the judgement, he had it on good authority that his aggrieved constituents were already collecting signatures to initiate the recall process.

He had also disclosed that his legal team was weighing various options, including going back to the court to explore any window to review or remedy the injustice done to him and other fellow lawmakers.

According to him, being the victim of the brazen judicial gymnastics, he had the constitutional option of initiating a recall process against those who were brought to office by the Appeal Court judgment, or to live with it for the next three years.

The latest move seems to align with the earlier vow of Bali to unseat Lalong and co, as impeccable sources say plans have reached advanced stage by constituents to recall the embattled lawmakers.

“What the people of Plateau South senatorial district are saying is that they will not allow them.

“I don’t know what they want to do, but I was told reliably that people are already gathering signatures that they must recall them.

“This time around we are going to test INEC and the judiciary that installed them because that is the option we are sure of.

“Like I said, our lawyers are making all efforts to see whether there is a window. I’m not a lawyer; I don’t know how they are going to do it.

“But the one I’m very sure of is that all those who the Appeal Court collected our mandates and gave to them wrongfully, as concluded by the learned justices of the Supreme Court in Gov Mutfang’s case, we are definitely going to recall them.

“When? I will not tell you because it will just come to them as a rude shock.

“For the specifics, I can tell you that in Plateau South, I know that they have gathered over 300,000 signatures to recall Lalong already.

“That is already in the public domain. He is aware, his party, the APC is aware.

“By the time we get the required number of signatures, which is 50 per cent of the total registered voters, it’ll be a done deal, we’ll do it.

“We have the INEC current register; I will not tell you more than this because we keep that one close to our chest.

“As soon as we get the 50 per cent, we are going to write a petition, and our lawyers will follow it up from there to tell INEC to verify.

“Once that is done, INEC will have no option but to conduct a referendum and we take it up from there,” Bali, a retired Air Vice Marshal and fighter pilot, had assured.

Lalong, Dafaan and Venman were roundly defeated by Bali, Rep Isaac Kwallu and Beni Lar, who won the Plateau South, Shendam, Quaan-Pan, Mikang and Langtang North/South House of Reps seats, respectively, during the 2023 National Assembly polls.

Despite being the sitting governor of Plateau State from 2015 to 2023, and Director General of the 2023 Tinubu Presidential Campaign Organisation, Lalong was humiliated at the polls by Bali, who trounced him with an unprecedented vote margin of about 60,000.

The former governor was comprehensively defeated by Bali in all the 6 local governments that constitute his senatorial zone, including his own Shendam Local Government Area, except in Wase Local Government.

Dafaan was similarly floored by Kwallu in all the three local governments that constitute Shendam, Quaan-Pan, Mikang federal constituency, and in 31 out of the 32 federal wards in the area, including Dafaan’s Kwalla-Moeda federal ward, with an unprecedented vote margin.

Also, perennial winner and political Amazon, Rep Beni Lar (PDP-Langtang North/South was re-elected in the 2023 polls by her constituents following her landslide victory with a very wide margin against APC’s Venman, who was her closest opponent.

However, all the PDP lawmakers’ victories were controversially annulled by the Court of Appeal, on the technical ground that PDP did not have a legitimate political structure that produced them as candidates, thereby, truncating their tenures.

This was notwithstanding the fact that the case was a pre-election matter, which the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain in the first place.

Not a few observers had described the court’s curious decision as being a predetermined judicial compromise, while the Supreme Court later frowned at it and chided the Appeal Court, describing the decision as an act of judicial rascality.

Apparently miffed by the court’s decision to impose on them those who they rejected at the polls like being compelled to swallow unwanted bitter pills, the lawmakers’ constituents have now turned to the constitutionally sanctioned recall option as a last resort.

Reacting to the bid by constituents to recall Lalong and co, the Plateau State chapter of the APC described the action as a wasted effort that was informed by PDP’s “desperation and frustration to remove the lawmakers from their legitimate seats.”

Confirming the recall initiative, the state chapter of the APC in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its acting Publicity Secretary, Shittu Bamaiyi, described the recall effort as merely a “PDP orchestrated recall campaign, a wild goose chase, and mission impossible.”

“For quite some time now the PDP in the southern part of Plateau State, has embarked on a wild goose chase, in the name of recall campaign against these members of the National Assembly.

“The party has unrelentingly and agonizingly, been cajoling unsuspecting eligible voters to append their signatures on worthless sheet of papers, as a means of recalling Senator Simon Lalong and Chief John Dafaan from the Red and Green Chambers, respectively.

“The desperation and frustration of the PDP seem to know no bounds, to the extent that the party is so blinded to the constitutional requirements of initiating, as well as embarking on such a herculean exercise,” the APC stated.

According to the party, the PDP has thrown caution and decorum to the winds by embarking on the recall process against the lawmakers.

“By using all sorts of shenanigans and deceits to cow people into appending their names on papers, under the pretext of making them enjoy some palliatives and loans from the federal government as well as the state governments.

“Though the unsuspecting electorate have been suspicious of the promises, and taking them with the pinch of salt, the hirelings assigned the responsibility of the misadventure, have unblushingly continued to move round all the nooks and cranny of the Southern zone to collect signatures for the futile exercise.

“It is unfortunate that the PDP could condescend to that level of desperation, when viewed from the prism of civility and propriety, as well as considering the fact that, the legislators in question have hardly spent one year in their respective chambers,” the APC further said.

“Unarguably, a recall exercise is an electoral and constitutional process which can be initiated against wanting or incompetent legislators as the case may be, there must always be overwhelming justification for such a cause.

“Undoubtedly, the narcissistic attitude of the PDP will certainly come to naught, sooner than later, because from all indications, the legislators are at the moment, enjoying the support of their constituents not withstanding their short stay in the National Assembly.

“In addition, the APC as a party, and other interest groups, are closely monitoring events as they unfold, with a view to checkmating the misadventure.

“Without any fear of the unknown, the campaign is surely going to be a mission impossible and a disgrace at the end of it all,” Bamaiyi added.

When contacted for comments on the development, Rep. Kwallu, one of the lawmakers sacked by the Court of Appeal and Dafaan’s predecessor, confirmed that the recall move by the constituents was true.

He explained that the recall process is provided for in the Nigerian constitution, which empowers constituents to recall their elected representative at any time, stressing that there is no cause for alarm.

Jimmy Lar, a political gladiator from the senatorial zone, while commenting on the APC’s statement describing the recall process as a desperate move by PDP, justified the ground for the initiative.

He asked rhetorically: “Who is the desperate one between someone who stole what doesn’t belong to him or her and the one who is making all lawful efforts to recover his or her stolen item?

“It’s the right of an owner to go to any length to recover his stolen property.

“When you are robbed, you tell people, approach the lawful authorities and take all necessary measures to recover your stolen items from the robber(s).

“Whether or not you are able to bring the thief to justice is not for the thief to decide, it’s for time to decide,” he said.

Simon Shindai, a lawyer, constituent, and APC member, while confirming that he was fully aware of the recall bid, alleged that some stakeholders, mostly from the state’s ruling PDP, were behind the recall move.

According to him, some PDP chieftains are strategizing, working round the clock, and leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the recall agenda is carried out seamlessly to achieve the desired result within the next six to twelve months, and warned the APC not to treat the issue with kid gloves.

“It is not a joke because it is a serious constitutional matter that is outlined in the 1999 Constitution, so once these processes are met, then INEC will definitely go ahead and conduct a referendum, which outcome could be a big shocker for the lawmakers in question,” he said.

Also commenting on the issue, Alhassan Barde, an APC supporter, said that APC as a political party that knows and has tasted power, and is still in power at the centre and elsewhere, should do more than just mere press statements.

“The party should be strategic in handling critical matters that are pending and have been left unadressed, matters that have emerged (like the one at hand), and those at the horizon with the potential to affect its present structure, and the chances that lie ahead for greater fortunes.

“Remember, your opponent in whatever contest, would employ and deploy all manner of tactics to rattle and weaken your immune system and then launch attacks on your defence mechanisms.

“All that we are doing is a clarion call to APC to wake up now, and do something about it,” he said.

Lalong, while reacting to the recall move by his constituents, through his Legislative aide, Hon. Exodus Pyennap, acknowledged being aware of it but described the initiative as an effort in futility that is baseless and dead on arrival.

He said that the first requirement for a recall process to be considered by INEC is for the constituent petitioners to have a solid ground for the recall, such as failure, misconduct, corruption, non-performance or some sort of official misdemeanor against their representative, which are all unfounded  in the instant case.

“So, the entire hullabaloo is an effort that is baseless and futile, INEC will not even bother to act on it,” Lalong said.

Lar and Dafaan could not immediately be reached for comments on the issue as of the time of filing this report. Dafaan did not answer or return the several phone calls made to him.

Rumblings in Plateau over move to recall Lalong, Dafaan, Venman

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ECOWAS Court Raises Alarm Over Gender Violence, Low Compliance With Judgments

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March 10, 2026

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ECOWAS Court Raises Alarm Over Gender Violence, Low Compliance With Judgments

By: Michael Mike

The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Claudio Monteiro Gonçalves, has called for stronger regional action to combat gender-based violence and ensure justice for women and girls across West Africa, warning that many victims still suffer in silence.

Gonçalves, who was represented by the Acting Deputy Registrar of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Mrs. Marie Sanie, made the call in Abuja during the court’s celebration of International Women’s Day, organised by the CCJ Women Forum under the theme “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls,” with a sub-theme urging stakeholders to “Break the Silence: End Gender-Based Violence Now.”

He said the protection of women’s rights remains central to the court’s mandate of advancing the rule of law and safeguarding fundamental human rights across the Economic Community of West African States.

According to him, the court has, through its judgments, played a significant role in challenging discrimination, addressing sexual and gender-based violence and providing remedies for victims across the region.

“These groundbreaking decisions have not only delivered justice to individuals but have also set important legal precedents that reinforce the dignity and protection of women and girls throughout the region,” he said.

Among the landmark rulings highlighted by the court president was the 2008 case of Hadijatou Mani Koraou v Republic of Niger, which addressed slavery practices in Niger, and the 2017 case of Dorothy Chioma Njemanze & 3 Ors v Federal Republic of Nigeria that condemned discrimination and degrading treatment against women.

Other notable cases cited include WARDC & IHRDA (Mary Sunday) v Federal Republic of Nigeria on domestic violence, WAVES & 1 Or v Republic of Sierra Leone on discrimination based on pregnancy, Adama Vandi v Republic of Sierra Leone on rape and the failure to provide effective remedy for victims, and Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) & 2 Ors v Republic of Sierra Leone concerning female genital mutilation.

Gonçalves stressed that gender-based violence remains a major obstacle to equality, justice and sustainable development across the region.

“Too often, survivors suffer in silence due to stigma, fear or lack of support to seek justice. Today we affirm that silence must end and justice must be translated into action,” he said.

The court president also expressed concern over the low level of compliance with the court’s rulings by member states, revealing that only about 20 per cent of its judgments have been fully implemented.

He warned that the low enforcement rate could undermine the authority and credibility of the regional court if not addressed urgently.

To tackle the challenge, he said the court recently carried out bilateral engagement missions to several member states, including Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Guinea-Conakry, as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States.

The missions, he explained, were aimed at encouraging governments to implement the court’s decisions and fulfil their treaty obligations.

Gonçalves also noted that the court regularly conducts awareness and outreach missions across member states to educate citizens on how to access the court and seek redress for human rights violations.

He emphasised that justice would only be fully realised when citizens are aware of their rights and governments ensure that court judgments are respected and implemented.

While celebrating the achievements of women working within the ECOWAS Court, he acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in ensuring greater representation of women in leadership positions and creating supportive work environments that promote work-life balance.

Despite the challenges, he reaffirmed the court’s commitment to strengthening legal protections for women and girls in the region.

“As we celebrate the achievements of women today, we reaffirm our commitment to delivering justice, advancing the rule of law and building a region where every woman and girl can live in safety and dignity,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Patron of the ECJ Women Forum, Justice Dupe Atoki, has called for stronger commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls, stressing that legal protections must go beyond promises to ensure real justice and equality.

Atoki made the call during the celebration of International Women’s Day at the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja, where officials, diplomats and legal practitioners gathered to discuss the role of justice systems in safeguarding women’s rights across West Africa.

Speaking on the global theme for this year’s commemoration, the judge said the theme serves as both a reminder and a call to responsibility for governments, institutions and society at large.

She emphasised that the rights of women and girls should never be treated as privileges granted at convenience but as fundamental human rights that must be respected, protected and fulfilled.

According to her, although progress has been made globally in advancing gender equality, many women and girls still face barriers that limit their opportunities, silence their voices and restrict their participation in social, political and economic life.

“The emphasis on rights reminds us that the rights of women and girls are not privileges to be granted at convenience, but fundamental human rights that must be respected, protected and fulfilled,” she said.

Atoki noted that justice systems have a critical responsibility in addressing discrimination, violence and exclusion against women, adding that courts and legal institutions must remain accessible, impartial and responsive to the realities women face.

She said effective justice mechanisms are essential in ensuring that laws protecting women are properly enforced and that perpetrators of abuse are held accountable.

“The call for justice highlights the vital role of laws, institutions and courts in safeguarding equality and dignity. Justice must be accessible, impartial and responsive to the realities faced by women and girls,” she stated.

Atoki also stressed that achieving gender equality requires more than commitments and declarations, noting that deliberate action is necessary to dismantle structural barriers that hinder the progress of women and girls.

According to her, governments and institutions must translate policy commitments into practical measures that create safe and supportive environments for women to thrive.

“The call for action reminds us that commitments alone are not enough. Real progress requires deliberate steps through policies, institutions and collective effort to dismantle structural barriers and create environments where women and girls can thrive,” she said.

She urged stakeholders across the region to renew their commitment to advancing women’s rights, strengthening access to justice and ensuring that gender equality becomes a lived reality rather than a distant aspiration.

Atoki concluded by calling on governments, civil society organisations and legal institutions to work together to ensure that the promise of rights, justice and action is realised for all women and girls across the West African region.

ECOWAS Court Raises Alarm Over Gender Violence, Low Compliance With Judgments

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NHRC Takes Rights Campaign to Grassroots, Holds Women’s Day Town Hall in Abuja Community

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March 10, 2026

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NHRC Takes Rights Campaign to Grassroots, Holds Women’s Day Town Hall in Abuja Community

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has intensified advocacy for the protection of women and girls by organising a community town hall meeting in Bwari as part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day.

The sensitisation programme brought together traditional rulers, youth leaders, women groups and other community stakeholders to discuss the need for stronger action against discrimination and violence affecting women.

Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, said the annual commemoration of International Women’s Day provides an important opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while drawing attention to the obstacles that still limit their full participation in society.

Ojukwu, who was represented at the event by the Director of the Commission’s Women and Children Department, Ngozi Okorie stressed that the theme of the 2026 celebration, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” calls for practical and sustained efforts to remove barriers confronting women in many communities.

He noted that despite growing awareness of gender equality, women and girls continue to face gender-based violence, discrimination, limited access to justice and socio-economic inequalities.

According to him, addressing these challenges requires the collective commitment of government institutions, community leaders and citizens.

“The rights of women and girls are fundamental human rights. Protecting them demands deliberate and sustained action from all stakeholders,” he said.

The NHRC boss reaffirmed the Commission’s determination to promote and safeguard the rights of all Nigerians, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children.

He explained that the Bwari town hall meeting was designed to deepen public awareness of human rights and provide a platform for dialogue on practical measures that could strengthen the protection of women and girls at the grassroots.

Traditional rulers who attended the forum commended the Commission for bringing the conversation on human rights closer to local communities.

The Esu of Bwari, represented by Mai Anguwa of FCDA Quarters, Zakwoi Ibrahim, described the initiative as timely, noting that such engagements would help educate residents about their rights and responsibilities.

Also speaking, Youth President of Bwari Area Council, Comrade Dr Awoyi Bwari, praised the NHRC for organising the programme, saying it would boost awareness on human rights issues among both men and women in the community.

Representatives of women’s organisations, including faith-based groups and market associations, also participated in the meeting and pledged their support for efforts aimed at promoting and protecting the rights and welfare of women and girls.

NHRC Takes Rights Campaign to Grassroots, Holds Women’s Day Town Hall in Abuja Community

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Interior, Information Ministries Forge Stronger Partnership, Spotlight Key Reforms in Passport, Security, Identity Services

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March 10, 2026

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Interior, Information Ministries Forge Stronger Partnership, Spotlight Key Reforms in Passport, Security, Identity Services

By: Michael Mike

The Ministry of Interior has strengthened its collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to improve public awareness of key government reforms in passport services, border security, identity management, and national safety.

The engagement took place during a high-level visit by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, to the Ministry of Interior, where he was received by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Tunji-Ojo while welcoming the delegation, highlighted the critical need for coordinated communication to ensure Nigerians are fully informed about government achievements under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Tunji-Ojo noted that the Ministry of Interior oversees key agencies, including the Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, and the National Identity Management Commission. He described the last two and a half years as a period of transformative reforms across these agencies, resulting in significant improvements in service delivery, security, and citizen engagement.

Among the Ministry’s notable achievements, Tunji-Ojo highlighted the rapid clearance of over 204,000 pending passport applications, the introduction of contactless passport renewals for Nigerians abroad, and the establishment of Nigeria’s first centralised passport personalisation centre in Abuja. He also pointed to advanced border management technologies, including the deployment of Advanced Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems, and the introduction of electronic immigration gates at major airports.

In the area of identity management, Tunji-Ojo announced that over 130 million Nigerians have been enrolled in the National Identity Database, while the launch of the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card now facilitates regional travel within West Africa without passports. The Minister further highlighted correctional reforms, skills development for inmates, the construction of a National Fire Academy, and deployment of Mining Marshals to protect critical mining sites.

Tunji-Ojo emphasized that these reforms require strong public communication and urged the Ministry of Information to collaborate on a coordinated strategy to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information to Nigerians and the international community.

In his response, Idris commended the Ministry of Interior for the remarkable reforms, stressing that consistent government messaging on security and development initiatives would boost Nigeria’s international image and attract foreign investment. He also announced that Nigeria would host the World Public Relations Forum later this year in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), a move expected to bring global communication experts to the country.

Both Ministers agreed to deepen collaboration in strategic communication to ensure that government achievements and reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda are widely publicized and accessible to Nigerians. Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustaining reforms that translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

The partnership signals a renewed focus on transparency, institutional reform, and enhanced citizen engagement, positioning Nigeria to showcase its progress on governance, security, and development to both domestic and international audiences.

Interior, Information Ministries Forge Stronger Partnership, Spotlight Key Reforms in Passport, Security, Identity Services

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