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GEJ Insist Problem of Africa, the Making of Leaders Who Fail to Respect Laws
GEJ Insist Problem of Africa, the Making of Leaders Who Fail to Respect Laws
By: Michael Mike
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has decried that the problems of Africa is the making of leaders who do not respect their nation’s laws, calling on the electorate to elect only leaders who will respect the laws of the land.
Jonathan, who is ECOWAS special envoy, made the call on Tuesday while officially opening the second annual retreat for special envoys and high officials representing Regional Economic Communities (RECs) on Constitutional Transitions and Unconstitutional Changes of Governments, organised by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in collaboration with Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He said: “I believe that we need to elect leaders who will respect their laws. If our leaders – Presidents, Prime Ministers, the parliament and the judiciary – would respect our laws, I believe that 70 per cent of our problems would be solved.”
The former Nigerian President while commending the organisers of the summit, enjoined them to get leaders involved, stressing that: “I have always said that for us to move forward, key political leaders need to be involved.
“Sometimes, these conversations are very brilliant but how do we make sure it works? It is like the debate between having strong institutions and having a strong man. No matter how strong the institutions are, there are some kind of characters that trample on the institutions and nothing will happen.
“So, we need somebody who means well for the people, and who can make strong institutions work. There will be two forces jamming; the force of the president and the force of the head of an institution and the head of an institution can not stand the president, especially in African countries.”
He advised the organisers to bring African presidents and other leaders together to make key decisions on how to bring inclusivity to their governance process.
Jonathan while admitting that the theme of the event was timely given the pace of rising insecurity, mounting social tension, and the number of unconstitutional transitions and unconstitutional changes of governments in Africa, expressed optimism that concrete and actionable recommendations would be generated from the retreat to respond in a sustainable and inclusive manner to these complex situations.
The former ruler who emphasized the need to sustain democracy in Africa, said: “I have always said that there is a strong connection between democracy and development, hence the need to deepen democracy, make it more inclusive and strengthen the institutions of governance, towards building a stable and prosperous society.
“A dialogue on inclusivity should explore the process through which RECs and Special Envoys are responding to constitutional transitions and Unconstitutional changes of governments, and the need to strengthen structures for credible elections, peace mediations and good governance.”
Earlier in his remark, Secretary-General of International IDEA, Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, said the key finding emanating from the organisation’s signature publication, the Global State of Democracy Report which assesses democratic performance in 173 countries shows that this is the sixth consecutive year of democratic deterioration globally, the longest such sequence is witnessed since our records started in 1975.
He added that: “Over two-thirds of the world’s population now lives in non-democratic regimes or in countries where democracy is visibly retreating. Our report documents the considerable pressures faced by democratic governments everywhere: rising populism; declining trust in institutions; runaway polarization; unmet social expectations; pressing environmental challenges; and an increasingly toxic information environment.”
Casas-Zamora also said: “We document in our report the visible rise in unconstitutional changes of government, particularly in West Africa; the increase in violence in so many places in the continent, including, in tragical fashion, in Sudan; and the problematic presence everywhere of an increasingly naked geopolitical competition and of widespread dissatisfaction with the workings of democracy.”
In his keynote address, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdul-Fatau Musah noted the excuse of insecurity used by military juntas to overthrow democratically elected leaders was not tenable against the backdrop that insecurity has continued to grow under them.
He added that it become more untenable considering that it is the sector that is saddled with security that are putting up the claim, which in actual fact should be seen as their failure.
He said it has become imperative not to leave the transition position back to democratic rule in this hands of juntas, insisting that they should be made to vacate power and put in place a transition government made of civilians.
GEJ Insist Problem of Africa, the Making of Leaders Who Fail to Respect Laws
News
Youth attempt to disarm soldiers enforcing curfew in Niger
Youth attempt to disarm soldiers enforcing curfew in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
Some youths in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State allegedly attempted to disarm soldiers enforcing a curfew before fleeing the scene, security sources have said.
Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 10:35 p.m. on March 10 when troops of the 221 Battalion, Wawa Cantonment, were on patrol to enforce the curfew declared by the Chairman of Borgu Local Government.
According to the sources, the troops were patrolling along the Correctional Service Office area in New Bussa when they intercepted some motorcycles.
During the encounter, some aggressive youths reportedly began stoning the soldiers and attempted to struggle with them in a bid to seize a rifle, while also hurling abusive language.
The troops fired warning shots into the air to disperse the youths, who later fled the scene.
The Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service subsequently reported the incident to the police.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in New Bussa immediately mobilised more security personnel to the area, but the youths had already dispersed.
Community leaders, including the village head, were later invited and cautioned to maintain peace and ensure residents avoid confrontations or misunderstandings with security personnel.
Security sources said no arrest was made and no injury was recorded, while the military troops continued their patrol in the area.
Youth attempt to disarm soldiers enforcing curfew in Niger
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ISWAP appoints Abu Ameer as new pulka commander after neutralization of Modu Kundiri
ISWAP appoints Abu Ameer as new pulka commander after neutralization of Modu Kundiri
By: Zagazola Makama
Following the recent neutralization of Modu Kundiri, the senior commander (Qa’id) of Pulka camp in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has appointed a replacement to sustain its operational command in the area.
Intelligence reports obtained on the evening of March 11, 2026, revealed that ISWAP leadership quickly designated Abu Ameer as the new commander (Qa’id) of Pulka camp. The move pointed out to the group’s efforts in maintaining command continuity despite recent setbacks.
Kundiri had served as the senior commander, also known as Qa’id, of the group’s Pulka camp, a strategic operational hub located in the southern axis of Borno near the border with Adamawa State and Cameroon.
Pulka occupies a critical position in the insurgency landscape due to its geographical proximity to the border regions linking Borno State with Adamawa State and neighbouring Cameroon.
The area has historically served as a transit corridor for insurgent fighters, logistics supplies and communication networks operating across multiple theatres.
According to intelligence discussions intercepted on March 11, fighters loyal to the group are still present in Ngalta village, located between Pulka in Gwoza LGA and Madagali Local Government Area in Adamawa State.
The disclosure reportedly came during internal exchanges among insurgent members, where a fighter identified as Konto informed another member, Manya, about the continued presence of fighters in the area.
Such conversations indicated that despite losing commanders, the group continues to maintain operational cells and surveillance elements within the Pulka–Ngalta–Madagali corridor.
The continued presence of fighters in Ngalta village suggests that the insurgents may still retain limited operational capability along the Borno–Adamawa border axis. Such locations often function as temporary regrouping points or staging areas for movement between remote settlements.
The development therefore point to the need for sustained intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance and coordinated ground operations across the corridor.
Zagazola emphasise the importance of maintaining strong collaboration between military forces, local vigilante groups and community intelligence networks to detect insurgent movement.
The development comes amid ongoing operations by the Nigerian military to dismantle ISWAP strongholds across the Northeast and reinforce stability in affected communities.
ISWAP appoints Abu Ameer as new pulka commander after neutralization of Modu Kundiri
News
Buni attends funeral prayers of Wali Shettima, elder brother, in Nauru
Buni attends funeral prayers of Wali Shettima, elder brother, in Nauru
By: Yahaya Wakili
The Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, COMN, and other top government functionaries attended today the funeral prayers for Ba Wali Shettima, elder brother to Yobe State Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali mni, in Nguru town of Yobe State.
Ably represented by his deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune), the funeral prayers were led by the chief imam of Nguru Central Mosque, Shiek Ibrahim Shehu Ahmad.
The governor described the death of the renowned Islamic scholar Ba Wali as a huge loss not only to the Nguru community but to the whole Yobe state.
Gubana further extolled the virtues of the late Ba Wali as a committed and dedicated cleric, an epitome of peace and knowledge who contributed his own quota towards teaching and propagating Islam.
Late Ba Wali died at the University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu, on Tuesday after a protracted illness at the age of 80. He is survived by a wife, ten (10) children, and many grandchildren.
Special prayers were offered by Chief Imam Shiek Ibrahim Shehu Ahmad. May Aljanna Firdausi be the reward of his good deeds. Amin, suma Amin.
Buni attends funeral prayers of Wali Shettima, elder brother, in Nauru
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