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Rumblings in Plateau over move to recall Lalong, Dafaan, Venman
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
ECOWAS Court Restates Commitment to Protection of Human Rights
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice has restated its unwavering commitment to the protection of human rights and human dignity across West Africa region.
The commitment was given on Wednesday at an occasion hosted by the court to commemorate the 2025 International Human Rights Day, with the theme “Human Rights: Our Everyday Essential”, with legal scholars and jurists emphasizing the Court’s growing influence in shaping human rights jurisprudence in the region.
Prof. Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan emphasized that Human Rights Day is not merely a ceremonial event but a deliberate moment for nations and institutions to reflect on their progress in protecting human rights.
He said: “Every year we commemorate Human Rights Day as a point of reflection,not to recount what civil and political rights are, nor what socio-economic or third-generation rights like the right to development are ,but to underscore the impact of the ECOWAS Court of Justice’s contribution to the development of human rights experience on member states, community citizens, Africa, and even globally.”
He stressed that states in the ECOWAS region often rush to sign and ratify human rights treaties fully, yet drag their feet during implementation.
He noted that: “Promotion and protection of human rights is not a charity work by member states or national governments; it is not optional. It is first a constitutional obligation and second, a treaty obligation. Our governments are always in a hurry to sign and ratify every human rights treaty, but when it comes to implementation, the same governments or their agencies begin to provide grounds for resistance.”
Ladan emphasized that ECOWAS cannot function effectively if member states undermine the institutions established to protect citizens’ rights.
He said: “You cannot be part of a regional economic integration agenda like that of ECOWAS, set up regional institutions to take decisions for and on your behalf and on behalf of your citizens, and then fail to commit to their effective performance. Member states voluntarily join ECOWAS because they believe there are benefits, and therefore they must strengthen and respect institutions such as the ECOWAS Court of Justice.”
He highlighted that human rights obligations to protect against discrimination, marginalization, and exploitation are embedded in constitutions and treaties that West African countries have adopted.
He added that: “It is not a charity when national governments put mechanisms in place to protect vulnerable groups against disadvantage, discrimination, and marginalization.
“These obligations are found in our constitutions and in the treaties we have signed and ratified. When citizens feel a sense of non-discrimination, equality, and equal opportunities, it forms the basis for peace and security and the betterment of all.”
He noted that the 2005 Supplementary Protocol, which grants individuals direct access to the Court without exhausting local remedies, has transformed the Court into a powerful human rights tribunal.
He said: “Direct access for individuals introduced through the 2005 Supplementary Protocol has led to about 90% of the ECOWAS Court’s cases being human rights related. This statistical reality shows the Court’s importance as a forum for redress, where citizens and civil society actors can come when national systems fail or delay justice.”
Ladan explained that the ECOWAS Court’s influence extends beyond rulings; it shapes national reforms, applies global human rights standards, and empowers civil society.
He said: “The Court has issued landmark judgments,from modern slavery cases to the right to education and freedom of expression which now influence legal thinking across the globe. It applies a wide range of regional and international human rights instruments in its judgments, effectively domesticating and enforcing global standards within the West African context. These are measurable indicators of its impact.”
He stressed the indivisibility of rights, explaining that the enjoyment of socio-economic rights is essential to human dignity and the realization of other rights.
“You cannot meaningfully enjoy the right to life when you are deprived of the right to health, the right to human dignity, or the right to a clean and healthy environment. The Court has consistently ruled that ongoing violations of socio-economic rights whether education, health, or environmental protection,are not barred by time limits. This has been a major win for victims over the last seven to eight years.”
Ladan warned that widespread poverty, weak social safety nets, and corruption across West Africa continue to undermine citizens’ ability to enjoy their fundamental rights particularly socio-economic rights.
He emphasized that without political will and accountability, human rights progress will remain slow.
“Poverty undermines the exercise of human rights because many poor people are not covered by any form of social safety net. Statistics in West Africa are not favorable many community citizens still grapple with poverty.
National governments must demonstrate real political will and cooperate in stamping out corruption so that resources can be freed to provide essential socio-economic infrastructure for citizens. If you deprive any group of their everyday essentials, you deny them progress and development.”
On his part, the Honourable President of ECOWAS Court, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, emphasized that Human Rights Day is rooted in the historic adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, reminding all nations that fundamental freedoms belong to every human being, regardless of identity or circumstance.
“December 10 is symbolic because more than 70 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was enacted. It was the first global expression of the rights that everyone should enjoy, regardless of where they were born, the circumstances of their birth, their gender, race or any other factor.
On this day, we reflect on our common humanity and the challenges we face to build a community where everyone can enjoy the rights granted by God and God’s Son without discrimination.”
The President stressed that human rights are not theoretical concepts but necessary conditions that allow individuals to live with dignity.
He noted that many West Africans still lack basic needs such as education, food, healthcare, and justice.
“Human rights are not abstract ideals, but a necessity for all individuals to live a free and meaningful existence. Across our community, many still struggle for access to the essentials of life adequate food, drinking water, education, healthcare, housing, a healthy environment, and access to justice. These shortfalls remind us why the defence of human rights remains urgent and relevant.”
Hon. Justice Gonçalves recalled that ECOWAS Heads of State adopted the 2005 Human Rights Protocol to ensure that individuals could seek justice before the regional court. Since then, the Court has significantly shaped rights protection in the region.
“It was with the aim of protecting the individual voice that the Authority of Heads of State and Government adopted the 2005 Human Rights Protocol, granting this Court the mandate to hear cases of human rights violations. Since then, the Court has delivered several decisions covering the right to life, freedom of expression, education, work, unionisation, and a healthy environment, thereby aligning national laws and policies with human rights obligations assumed freely by member states.”
The President expressed deep concern over the persistent failure of some member states to implement the Court’s judgments. He warned that this undermines the credibility of the Court and reduces human rights protection to mere symbolism.
“The Court is concerned that member states have not yet implemented most of its judgments. Without effective and sincere implementation, the promise of protection offered by the 2005 Protocol becomes a mirage. Rights must be real, not ideas on paper. Victims deserve genuine access to justice, and that requires states to apply our decisions fully so that reparations bring meaningful change to people’s lives.”
Hon. Justice Gonçalves highlighted the growing challenges in West Africa ranging from military coups to terrorism, shrinking civic spaces, weak judicial systems, and climate change,warning that these trends place millions at risk.
“Across our community, we witness military coups, attempted coups, the narrowing of civic space, terrorist insurgency, under-resourced national justice systems, and the increasing effects of climate change. These are serious threats. Member states have a duty to confront them and work with all stakeholders to ensure that everyone in our community can enjoy their human rights freely and without discrimination.”
The Court urged national governments, institutions, civil society, and the media to intensify cooperation with the ECOWAS Court to strengthen the regional human rights framework. He paid tribute to those who defend human dignity across West Africa.
“We appeal to all member states to renew their commitment to the ECOWAS legal framework, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and all international human rights instruments. National bodies, human rights commissions, and justice institutions must collaborate with the Court, while civil society, the media, and human rights defenders must be respected and protected. Today, we pay tribute to all who work tirelessly,often at great personal risk to uphold justice and the dignity of human life. Their dedication transforms the promises of international instruments into real human rights every day.”
Director of Research and Documentation, ECOWAS Court, Dr. Ousmane Diallo, noted that 2025 is the first time the Court has formally included this event in its official calendar of activities. He highlighted that this year’s commemoration serves as a reminder of 70 years of struggle in the fight for human rights.
“While much has been achieved, the journey is far from complete. Each of us must continue to work tirelessly to enforce these rights, recognizing that the fight for justice and dignity is a collective and ongoing responsibility.”
The General Statistics on cases and judgments implementation, as presented by Deputy Chief Registrar of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Mr. Guye Sowe, provided an overview of the Court’s statistics, highlighting both progress and challenges in enforcing judgments across member states.
According to Sowe, a total of 775 cases have been filed before the Court, with 492 judgments delivered and 116 cases still pending. Of the delivered judgments, 192 are enforceable, reflecting the work remaining to ensure implementation.
“More than half of the cases filed before this court get dismissed,” the Deputy Chief Registrar said, noting that 54% of the 419 judgments involving AES countries were dismissed for procedural or substantive reasons.
Enforcement of court decisions remains uneven. Nigeria leads in pending enforcement, with 125 cases filed, 67 dismissed, 10 enforced, and 50 yet to be enforced. Other countries facing significant enforcement challenges include Togo with 58 judgments, 26 dismissed, 29 unenforced, 1 partially enforced, 1 amicably settled, and 1 withdrawn; Guinea with 25 judgments, 7 dismissed, and 18 unenforced; Liberia with 15 judgments, 10 dismissed, 4 unenforced, and 1 enforced; Sierra Leone with 18 judgments, 6 dismissed, 11 unenforced, and 1 enforced; Senegal with 35 judgments, 23 dismissed, 9 unenforced, and 3 enforced; Benin with 19 judgments, 13 dismissed, and 6 unenforced; Cape Verde with 3 judgments, 2 dismissed, and 1 unenforced; and the ECOWAS Commission with 36 judgments, 18 dismissed, 14 enforced, 3 unenforced, and 1 amicably settled.
Mr. Sowe stressed that the total number of unenforced judgments across member states now stands at 153, underscoring the need for stronger mechanisms to ensure compliance.
“These numbers reflect both the growing trust in the ECOWAS Court and the work that remains. Member states must ensure that judgments are fully implemented so that human rights protections become a living reality for all citizens.”
End
Boko Haram invade home of police officer in Yobe in a targeted attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected Boko Haram gunmen reportedly attacked the residence of ASP Mohammed Modu, Officer-in-Charge of Tattaba Out Station, Bara Division, Gulani Local Government Area, Yobe State, in the early hours of 9 December.
According to sources, at about 0130 hours, the armed hoodlums invaded three houses belonging to the officer, stole his Haojue motorcycle, three bicycles, a Golf 3 motor vehicle, and other personal belongings, before setting the three houses and a Honda Civic vehicle ablaze.
Security operatives visited the scene and documented the damage, with no casualties reported. The officer has been advised to exercise heightened caution while monitoring and patrols have been intensified in the area to prevent further attacks.
The incident is under ongoing investigation as authorities continue to assess the security situation in Gulani LGA. Yobe in a targeted attack
Banditry attacks in Zamfara leave two dead, three injured
By:Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have reportedly attacked two communities in Zamfara State, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
In Adabka Village, Bukkuyum Local Government Area, about 43 armed bandits stormed the outskirts at approximately 1130hrs on Tuesday, shooting and killing Alhaji Muhammad Dan Dabara, aged 45, before escaping.
The victim’s body was later evacuated to a hospital for autopsy and subsequently released to relatives for burial according to Islamic rites. Investigations into the attack have commenced.
Meanwhile, in Mashayar Zaki Village, along Gusau-Dansadau Road in Maru LGA, unknown armed bandits attacked at about 1245hrs on the same day.
The assailants shot to death one person and injured three others before fleeing. The victims were evacuated to a hospital for treatment, while the deceased was released to relatives for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
Security patrols and monitoring have been intensified in the affected areas.
Boko Haram invade home of police officer in Yobe in a targeted attack
IED explosion injures four in Monguno, Borno State
By: Zagazola Makama
Four persons sustained injuries after a truck conveying bags of onions reportedly triggered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Lingir Village, Guzamala LGA, while en route from Baga Village, Kukawa LGA to Maiduguri.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident, which occurred at about 1030 hours, involved the driver, Umar Isah (25), and three passengers Suleiman Isa (22), Ibrahim Bala (25), and Umar Hassan (22), all residents of Maiduguri.
The truck with registration number XA 504 GSH Yobe was significantly damaged in the explosion.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI and other security teams responded promptly, cordoning the area, photographing the scene, and searching for additional devices, but none were found.
The injured were initially taken to General Hospital Monguno and later referred to State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, where they remain hospitalized and are responding to treatment.
The attack was suspected to have been orchestrated by ISWAP terrorists.
IED explosion injures four in Monguno, Borno State
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