News
Chidoka Advocates Single-Term Presidency to Strengthen Governance Focus
Chidoka Advocates Single-Term Presidency to Strengthen Governance Focus
By: Michael Mike
Former Aviation Minister and Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Osita Chidoka, has called on Nigeria to adopt a single-term presidential system, arguing that the country’s current two-term arrangement fuels continuous electioneering and weakens effective governance.
Chidoka made the proposal during the Nigeria Leadership Series virtual town hall organised by the Africa Leadership Group. The event, themed “Nigeria, 2026 and Beyond,” was hosted by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, President of the Group, and brought together policy experts, civic leaders, and citizens to examine Nigeria’s governance trajectory.
According to Chidoka, prolonged political cycles leave little room for sustained reforms, as leaders are often preoccupied with re-election strategies rather than long-term development planning.
He pointed to countries such as Mexico, where a constitutionally defined single-term presidency has helped limit political distractions and encourage leaders to focus on delivery within a fixed timeframe.
He noted that Nigeria has already shifted national attention toward the 2027 general elections, despite 2026 still being a crucial year for governance.
He said: “Life does not stop because elections are approaching,” stressing that education, healthcare, and security challenges persist regardless of the political calendar.
In his presentation, Chidoka identified deep-seated structural problems constraining Nigeria’s progress. These include weak institutional systems that rely heavily on individual integrity, the dominance of emotional politics over data-driven decision-making, and a growing crisis of trust between the government and citizens, especially among young people.
He warned that relying solely on moral leadership without building strong systems often leads to disappointment and policy inconsistency. Instead, he argued for institutions that can deliver results irrespective of who is in power.
Looking ahead to 2026, Chidoka urged the government to approach security challenges with clear systems and strategies rather than rhetoric, deepen economic reforms beyond surface-level policies, and strengthen human capital development through measurable accountability. He also criticised recurring gaps between approved budgets and actual implementation, calling for closer alignment between public spending and national priorities.
Describing himself as optimistic about Africa’s future, Chidoka said Nigeria possesses immense creative and human potential that can be unlocked through purposeful governance. He said harnessing this energy could help the country evolve into a society where opportunity is widely shared and oppression reduced.
Participants at the town hall praised Chidoka’s analysis and urged citizens to remain actively engaged in national conversations. Chidoka concluded by encouraging Nigerians not to withdraw from civic life, emphasising that evidence-based engagement and accountability are vital to restoring public trust and national direction.
Chidoka Advocates Single-Term Presidency to Strengthen Governance Focus
Military
Mutiny: Presidential Guard Tightens Security Around Niger Presidency Amid Reports of Military Protest
Mutiny: Presidential Guard Tightens Security Around Niger Presidency Amid Reports of Military Protest
By Zagazola Makama
Security was significantly reinforced around Niger’s Presidential Palace in Niamey following reports of unrest involving elements of the country’s armed forces, security sources told Zagazola Makama.
According to multiple security sources, the heightened deployment of the Presidential Guard, supported by armoured vehicles around the Presidential Palace on the night of July 3 and into July 4, followed what was described as a limited protest by personnel of an armoured unit within the Niger Armed Forces (FAN).
The sources said some soldiers reportedly declined deployment to frontline positions in northern Tillabéri Region, particularly around Inatès and Chinagodrar, citing inadequate heavy equipment and insufficient operational resources to confront the growing security threats in the area.
The protest was described by one source as a “small mutiny,” although there has been no official confirmation from the Nigerien authorities.
Security sources said the development triggered concern within the country’s leadership, prompting the reinforcement of security around the Presidential Palace and temporary restrictions on movement in the surrounding area as a precautionary measure.
The Tillabéri Region remains one of Niger’s most volatile security zones, with recurrent attacks by armed extremist groups, including factions linked to the so-called Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS).
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerien government and military authorities had not issued any official statement regarding the reported protest or the increased security presence around the Presidency.
The situation remains under close observation.
Mutiny: Presidential Guard Tightens Security Around Niger Presidency Amid Reports of Military Protest
Two suspected criminals arrested during patrol in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1 under Operation Enduring Peace have arrested two suspected criminals during a routine patrol in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau.
Security sources disclosed that the suspects, identified as Azi Ezekiel, 21, and Ajiji Emmanuel, 19, were apprehended at about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday along the road leading to Forbur Village.
The sources said the suspects were intercepted by troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, while conducting a routine patrol in the area.
According to the sources, the two suspects have been handed over to the Keystone Police Station in Forbur for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The arrest forms part of ongoing security operations aimed at combating criminal activities and enhancing safety across Plateau State.
Two suspected criminals arrested during patrol in Plateau
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Plateau community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 4 of Operation Enduring Peace have arrested a suspected kidnapper during a security operation in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.
Security sources said the suspect, identified as Mohamdu Surajo, 29, was arrested at about 6:45 p.m. on Friday at Sabon Layi Village following sustained security operations in the area.
The sources disclosed that the suspect is currently in military custody and is undergoing preliminary interrogation to aid ongoing investigations.
They added that the arrest is part of continued efforts by security forces to dismantle criminal networks and enhance security across Plateau State.
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Plateau community
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