International Day of Democracy/ ActionAid Nigeria Demands Good Governance

By: Michael Mike

As the world commemorates the International Day of Democracy under the theme, “From Voice to Action,” ActionAid Nigeria has insisted on good governance and the repair of the fractures in the nation’s democracy in order to ensure its foundational pillars are not eroded.

A statement on Monday by the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu noted that the theme of the day serves as a powerful call to move beyond merely expressing the will of the people (voice) to taking decisive steps to translate that will into tangible results and good governance (action).

He noted that: For Nigeria, this year’s commemoration is not a theoretical exercise; it is an urgent demand for a system where the voice of the people is not just heard, but is acted upon to repair the fractures in our democracy and ensure its foundational pillars are not eroded.”

Mamedu also noted that “Our democracy is at a critical juncture. While we have sustained a continuous civilian rule for over two and a half decades, the promise of democracy, accountability, good governance, and credible elections remains, for many, an illusion.”

He highlighted the recent 2025 Chandler Good Government Index, which ranked Nigeria at a dismal 116th out of 120 countries, and the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which places us 33rd out of 54 African nations, stating that these “are not mere statistics; they are a damning indictment of a system that is failing to deliver on its most basic duties. This trust deficit is palpable and it stems from a leadership that often operates without genuine accountability to the citizens it purports to serve.”

He added that these figures, alongside a national unemployment rate that has remained stubbornly high and a multidimensional poverty index showing that a third of our population lives in abject poverty, paint a picture of a democracy that is not delivering on its promise.

He noted that the Rivers State situation in 2025 serves as a chilling testament to this democratic regression, a situation where a state of emergency was declared to settle political scores.

He further noted that the situation with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan further questions Nigeria’s rule of law and the abuse of power within our legislative arm, lamenting that despite a court order and the expiration of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension, the National Assembly has continued to bar her from resuming her duties, citing a pending appeal.

Mamedu said this refusal to adhere to a judicial pronouncement is a clear example of legislative impunity, and it disenfranchises the entire Kogi Central Senatorial District. He added that it is a deeply unsettling precedent that suggests political institutions can act as they please, with little regard for the checks and balances designed to protect the rights of citizens and their elected representatives.

He stressed that this deliberate obstruction of a lawmaker’s mandate is not just an attack on an individual; it is an assault on the core tenets of representative democracy and a clear message that dissent will not be tolerated, even when it is legally sanctioned.

He said: “As we confront these domestic challenges, we must draw lessons from global trends, particularly from the Gen Z-led movement for accountability and democratic reform in Nepal. Angered by systemic corruption and a lavish political elite, Nepalese youth took to the streets in 2025, demanding a government that serves the people rather than itself. Their digitally powered protests, which saw the use of social media platforms like TikTok and Telegram for mobilisation, culminated in the resignation of the Prime Minister and a push for a new political order. This movement is a powerful reminder that a digitally-native generation is no longer content with the status quo. They are demanding transparency, accountability, and a genuine say in whom their leaders are. For Nigeria’s democracy to thrive, it must empower its youth and engage with their demands for good governance, for it is this generation that will either inherit a broken system or build a more equitable one.”

He said on this International Day of Democracy, ActionAid Nigeria calls on all tiers of government and stakeholders, including the judiciary, civil society, and every Nigerian citizen, to demonstrate a renewed commitment to accountability. We demand the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to her senatorial seat in compliance with the Federal High Court’s judgment. The Presidency must be held accountable by refraining from actions that undermine federalism, as seen in the Rivers State crisis.

He added that: “The National Assembly must also be held accountable by playing its role of check and balance on the Executive arm. Furthermore, we call for the swift passage of electoral reform legislation, including provisions for electronic transmission of results, to ensure our electoral process is transparent and accountable. We also call on our Judiciary to actually be the hope of the common man and be bold and quick in giving judgements on issues that are of national interest and have bearing on interpretation of our constitution, like the case of the ability of the President to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State and remove an elected Governor and serving State House of Assembly Members.

International Day of Democracy/ ActionAid Nigeria Demands Good Governance

NAF airstrikes neutralise bandit hideout in Chikun in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft have carried out a precision strike on a notorious bandit hideout in Kunti, within Sohon Gaya community of Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

Zagazola learnt that the operation followed credible intelligence reports of heightened bandit activities in the axis, with the criminals reportedly wielding sophisticated weapons, including assault rifles and heavy-calibre arms.

Sources confirmed that at about 1200hrs, two NAF helicopters were sighted conducting the successful strike on the location, which had been a source of terror to the surrounding communities.

In the aftermath of the air interdiction, friendly ground troops arrived the target area in Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to secure the location, assess battle damage and mop up fleeing elements of the bandits.

The timely synergy between air and ground components ensured effective neutralisation of the threats while also restoring confidence among residents of Sohon Gaya community.

NAF airstrikes neutralise bandit hideout in Chikun in Kaduna

Hilda Baci Concludes GWR Jollof Rice Attempt, Awaits Confirmation

By Halima Abdulkadiri 

Celebrity chef Hilda Baci on Saturday successfully wrapped up her ambitious bid to set a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for the largest pot of jollof rice.

The reports gathered that Baci cooked approximately 200 bags of rice in a massive 22,619-litre pot, which measured six metres in both width and height. The cooking process lasted about nine hours.

She now awaits official confirmation from Guinness World Records on whether her feat will be certified as a new world record.