National News
Rep. Ahmed Ja Babawo’s Boko Haram remarks are reckless, demoralising, and dangerous
Rep. Ahmed Ja Babawo’s Boko Haram remarks are reckless, demoralising, and dangerous
By: Zagazola Makama
The recent outburst by Rep. Ahmed Ja Babawo, the Member representing Chibok, Damboa, and Gwoza Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, claiming that Boko Haram is more sophisticated than the Nigerian Army, is not only irresponsible, it is an affront to the gallantry, sacrifices, and resilience of our Armed Forces.
At a time when our soldiers are battling against the most brutal form of asymmetric warfare, it is appalling that a sitting lawmaker would mount the podium of national representation to glorify terrorists and diminish the credibility of Nigeria’s military. In any serious democracy, such inflammatory rhetoric would be met with public censure, if not outright disciplinary measures.
Let us be clear: what Rep. Babawo has done is not advocacy. It is sabotage. He claimed terrorism is “returning to 2014.” Really? In 2014, over 17 local government areas in Borno State were completely overrun. Gwoza, the very heart of his constituency, was declared a “caliphate” by Boko Haram. Tens of thousands were displaced, entire communities levelled, and humanitarian camps stretched to the brink. Those were the days of daily suicide bombings in Maiduguri by Abubakar Shekau, military bases overrun, and territory actually held by terrorists.
That is not today’s reality. Today, none of those librated LGAs are taken back by the terrorists. None. Even the last IDP camp in Maiduguri “Muna” is scheduled to be closed within weeks, According to Governor Babagana Zulum. So far, over two million displaced people have been voluntarily and safely resettled by the Borno State Government, with massive investments in housing, infrastructure, schools, and health centres.
The locations the lawmaker mentioned Sabon Gari, Izge, Wajiroko have not experienced any form of mass displacement. What occurred were isolated, hit-and-run attacks targeting military formations, not civilians. These were tactical ambushes, not territorial seizures. No ground was lost, no civilian communities were overrun, and certainly no LGAs have been displaced. Even the loggers he claimed were slaughtered by Boko Haram, went beyond the parameters set up by the Military in search for firewood which exposed them to attacks.
But to hear Rep. Babawo tell it, Nigeria is once again on the brink of collapse.
This is not just exaggeration; it is a lie. And it is a dangerous one. It insults the blood of our fallen heroes. It diminishes the sweat of our deployed troops. It undermines the faith of our citizens in the very institutions designed to protect them. Worst of all, it gives psychological oxygen to the terrorists we are fighting. It emboldens them. It tells them their tactics are working. Who benefits from such a narrative? Certainly not the Nigerian people. Certainly not the grieving mothers of soldiers who died holding the line. Certainly not the children who now attend schools rebuilt in liberated communities.
The fact is that our troops under Operation Hadin Kai are doing an excellent job in the exceedingly difficult terrain. While the war is far from over, the Armed Forces and the government are still maintaining the momentum. The achievement of the troops of Operation Hadin Kai are vividly illustrated by the neutralization of over 567 terrorists, among them include over 51 top commanders of Boko Haram and ISWAP from February 2024 to date. These targeted assaults coupled with meticulous intelligence gathering resulted in the recovery of 492 assorted weapons, over 10,714 rounds of ammunition, and numerous high value items including general purpose machine guns, rifles, and various explosives.
The success of counter-terrorism activities extended beyond weapon captures. the military rescued over 2,225 civilians from terrorist enclaves. Additionally, more than 9,800 patrols, nearly 2,700 ambushes, and over 990 clearance and offensive operations were carried out, significantly weakening enemy strongholds and restoring safety to the civilian population. Also, through intensive interdiction NAF Air Component operations conducting 232 missions killing hundreds of the insurgents and destroying their logistics across 230 sorties, clocking more than 567 hours of flight time the air component remained a force multiplier in the fight.
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) played a crucial role; the Nigerian Air Force UAV command executed 760 ISR missions totaling 6,674 flight hours, providing real-time intelligence and enabling precision strikes. This synergy of air and ground operations facilitated the arrest of over 161 terrorists’ logisticians and the surrender of an astounding 200,000 fighters along with their families, which marked a paradigm shift in the theatre’s counter-insurgency efforts.
Other Key activities was the successful conduct of Operation Desert Sanity III, aimed at degrading insurgent networks, coupled with the ongoing efforts in community stabilization. The resettlement of over 4,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kukawa after successful stabilization operations exemplifies the tangible peace dividends.
Rather than standing on the floor of the National Assembly to push for better soldier welfare, increased military recruitment, or more funding for equipment and surveillance, Rep. Babawo has chosen the path of alarmism. When was the last time he sponsored a bill to improve military pensions? Or advocated for increased defence procurement? Or even visited the frontline to see the real work being done?
In truth, this lawmaker and others like him are not offering solutions. They are offering sensationalism. They prefer soundbites to statecraft. They peddle despair while brave men and women fight daily to bring hope.This trend must end.
National security should never be politicised. Insecurity should never be weaponised for relevance or clout. It is a disservice to the nation, and a betrayal of those who fight in our name.
What is required now is synergy between the military, National Assembly, the police, intelligence agencies, and local authorities. It is the failure of this synergy that has left the Nigerian Army overstretched, deployed to 36 states for duties that ought to be handled by other security agencies. It is not the fault of the military that they are made to respond to every internal threat, no matter how minor. That is a structural problem, not a tactical one.
The Nigerian Police Force must step up. They must be equipped, trained, and repositioned to handle internal security so the military can focus on their primary role. But instead, the military dislodges terrorists, only to be told to “hold the ground” indefinitely, while the civil institutions that should take over are nowhere to be found.
This model is unsustainable. To win this war, we must empower our military, reform our police, and harmonise our security architecture. Governors must also evolve innovative local solutions and ensure good governance that fosters peace.
What we do not need is a politician who sees headlines in the blood of his own people, who shouts fire where there is none, and who declares defeat while our troops continue to win. What happened in Izge was an example. Five terrorists were killed while weapons were recovered but the politicians chose to report that one captain was killed without mentioning the casualties of the terrorists.
The Nigerian Armed Forces are not the enemy. They are the backbone of peace. They are the custodians of our sovereignty. They are the reason Chibok, Damboa, Konduga, Bama, Gwoza and many other LGAs are still standing today. Therefore, to glorify Boko Haram’s “sophistication” over them is not patriotism it is treasonous talk wrapped in cowardice.
This is the time to rally behind our military not ridicule them. This is the time for facts, not fearmongering. And this is the time for lawmakers to act like leaders, not megaphones for terrorists.
The war is not over, but we are not in 2014. Anyone saying otherwise is either ignorant, complicit, or both.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region.
Rep. Ahmed Ja Babawo’s Boko Haram remarks are reckless, demoralising, and dangerous
National News
Experts Warn Senate Amendment to Electoral Act May Weaken Electronic Transmission Safeguards
Experts Warn Senate Amendment to Electoral Act May Weaken Electronic Transmission Safeguards
By: Michael Mike
A coalition of electoral reform advocates, legal experts and technology specialists has warned that the proposed amendment to Clause 60(3) of Nigeria’s Electoral Act could undermine recent gains in electoral transparency if not carefully revised.
They gave support to the position of the House of Representatives over that of the Senate, stating that the lower legislative arm position on the amendment of the electoral act was a lesser devil than that of the upper chamber.
The position emerged from an Expert Round Table convened in Abuja on Friday by ActionAid Nigeria, YIAGA Africa and the Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria. The meeting brought together academics, civil society leaders, lawyers, engineers, election administrators and governance specialists to examine the implications of the National Assembly’s amendment to Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
At the centre of deliberations was the provision dealing with electronic transmission of election results. While the current law provides for electronic transmission, the Senate’s amendment affirms that manually signed polling unit results remain legally valid if electronic transmission fails. Participants argued that this caveat could reopen long-standing vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Experts at the forum stressed that credible elections are the bedrock of democratic legitimacy and political stability. They noted that Nigeria’s democratic history has repeatedly been strained by allegations of manipulation, flawed collation processes and protracted post-election litigation. According to participants, strengthening transparency in result transmission is critical to rebuilding public confidence.
A major focus of the discussion was the role of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in safeguarding results at polling units. Participants described electronic transmission not merely as a technological innovation but as a protective mechanism against manipulation during collation — historically considered the weakest link in Nigeria’s elections.
Technical experts at the meeting maintained that electronic transmission is largely feasible nationwide, citing data that shows approximately 98 per cent network coverage across polling units, with only about two per cent classified as connectivity blind spots. They recommended targeted infrastructure investment to address these gaps rather than reverting to manual safeguards that could compromise transparency.
Concerns were also raised about legal ambiguities in the proposed amendment. Participants observed that the Senate version does not explicitly mandate electronic transmission through BVAS, nor does it clearly outline procedures in the event of technical failure. This, they argued, could create loopholes and fuel conflicting interpretations between manual and electronically transmitted results.
Another issue highlighted was the legal status of regulations issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Many operational guidelines governing electronic transmission are contained in subsidiary regulations rather than entrenched in the Act itself, potentially weakening their enforceability in court.
The experts warned that ambiguity in the law could increase election petitions and deepen what they described as the “judicialization of politics,” where electoral outcomes are increasingly determined in courtrooms rather than at the ballot box.
Beyond the amendment, participants identified broader institutional challenges affecting electoral integrity, including perceived executive influence in appointments to INEC, vote buying, weak enforcement of electoral offences and political interference. They called for comprehensive reforms to strengthen the independence and technical capacity of the electoral body.
In their resolutions, the roundtable participants reached consensus that electronic transmission should be clearly established in law as the primary and legally binding method for transmitting election results. They expressed preference for the version passed by the House of Representatives, which does not prioritise manually signed results in cases of transmission failure, while recommending further refinements to ensure clarity.
They also urged lawmakers to incorporate key INEC regulations directly into the Electoral Act, reform judicial procedures governing election disputes for faster resolution, and invest in election technology infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the experts advocated a long-term reform agenda that could eventually include electronic voting, drawing from international best practices. They further called on the National Assembly to conduct a public hearing on the technical glitches recorded during the 2023 general elections to prevent recurrence and enhance accountability.
The meeting concluded that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on ensuring that electoral reforms strengthen — rather than dilute — safeguards designed to reflect the true will of voters. Participants pledged continued legislative engagement and public advocacy to protect the integrity of the country’s electoral framework.
Experts Warn Senate Amendment to Electoral Act May Weaken Electronic Transmission Safeguards
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
By: Our Reporter
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria Hajiya Nana Shettima arrived Addis Ababa With Her Husband, Senator Kashim Shettima to attend the 30th General Assembly of Organization of African First Ladies For Development (OAFLAD) while The Vice President will be attending the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of States and Government on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Mrs Shettima is Representing First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON.
The African First Ladies are expected to Focus on internal issues and advance OAFLAD’s strategic priorities.
The 30th General Assembly’s open session under the theme “Building Resilience for Women and Girls: Climate, Conflict, and Sustainable Futures will be held on the 15th of February.
Mrs Shettima who left Abuja this afternoon for Addis Ababa the Capital of Ethiopia will participate in various meetings with African First Ladies spanning for Three Days
Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria in Ethiopia
Vice President Shettima Arrives Ethiopia Ahead Of AU Summit
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government, as well as the 30th General Assembly, scheduled to hold on February 14 and 15, 2026, respectively.
The Vice President was received at the Bole International Airport by the Ethiopian Minister of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Belete Mola, alongside the Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Berhanu tsegaye; Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yussuf Tuggar; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Amb. Dunoma Ahmed; Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Nigeria, Ethiopia, Amb. Nasiru Aminu; Head of Consular and Ambassador-Designate, Amb. Geoffrey Chima and other government officials.
On arrival, the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Tuggar, debriefed the Vice President on his itinerary at the Summit.
This year’s AU summit, with the theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” will focus on advancing continental commitments toward sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems, and the broader development aspirations encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
Besides the Heads of State meetings, Senator Shettima will participate in high-level side events, and bilateral engagements with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships across the continent.
Speaking with journalists after debriefing the Vice President, Amb. Tuggar said the launch of the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) is a strategic move to consolidate and strengthen the democratic culture in Africa.
On the gains of the summit, the Minister noted that the country was already taking in the benefits of her participation, with the confirmati on of Nigeria as the host of the African Monetary Institute and the African Central Bank as well as its nomination to the board of the bank.
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