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Traditional leaders who can’t advise politicians fearlessly, honestly should resign – says ex-Waziri, Prof Lugga
The former Wazirin Katsina, Professor Abubakar Sani Lugga has called on traditional and religious leaders who cannot give fearless and honest advice to political leaders in Nigeria to tender their resignation or be removed.
Lugga made the call while playing host to a team of journalists at his Katsina residence on Friday.
The erstwhile Waziri explained that the perpetual prayers of the citizenry have not been answered because the country is under what he termed ‘divine curse’, blaming bad leadership for the country’s woes.
In the same vein, he advised political leaders who cannot perform their functions effectively to resign.
Lugga said, “In Nigeria, we have the following group of leaders:
“The first set is made up of Political Leaders: These are the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. They are the only group of persons who can ensure and enforce the performance of good actions, enjoin people to do what is right, and forbid people from engaging in what is evil. They have the Power and the Authority to uphold the Religious Commandments of peace, harmony, justice, and fairness. They can ensure that Muslims adhere to the Tenets of Islam and Christians adhere to the Tenets of Christianity; since all the Christian and Islamic Do’s and Don’ts in Worldly Affairs are the same; with slight differences only in the modes of worships!
“Political Leaders have the powers, the authority, and the responsibility to ensure a peaceful, secure and prosperous society, community, or nation. They can enforce justice and fairness and they can punish injustice and all other evil acts and actions
“The second set is made up of traditional and religious leaders; who only have advisory roles. They have no powers and they have no authority to enforce anything. They are respected by the people for what they are; but not for what they can do or undo. No traditional or religious leader can enforce justice or punish crime. They are only advisers to political leaders.
“It is therefore glaringly clear that the responsibility of peace, security, harmony, development and all other peoples’ welfare rest with the political leaders. In addition, Section 14 (2) (b) of the Nigerian Constitution clearly states that, “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
“For decades, Nigeria has led the World as the Centre for Prayer Warriors. Many Christian and Muslim clerics claim to be so close to Allah/God that He communes with them.
“They say that Allah/God tells them when this or that shall happen. They even tell who shall die and who shall live; as and when and where! But the same Allah/God has never told them that the evil acts of political leaders and those of some of the religious leaders themselves have led Nigerians into similar evil acts.
“Have the Nigerian political, religious, and traditional leaders ever asked themselves if a Nation like Nigeria can expect peace, security, stability, and development under the following circumstances?
“Where poverty, unemployment, corruption, pen robbery, injustice, etc, have upset the socio-economic order?
“Where a few political, business, religious, and traditional leaders boast of billions of Naira, while the vast majority of the citizens labour or beg just to get one meal a day?
“Where Political Leaders build mansions and buy private jets with bribery and corruption? Where religious leaders build mansions and buy private jets with un-religious tithes of the improvised masses? Where traditional leaders have thrown away customs and traditions as “turbans” and “crowns” are now for sale in naira and dollars and not under traditional inheritance and competence?
“Where a few Leaders’ children are in private schools at home and abroad, while the Citizens’ children are in the streets begging or in non-functioning public schools?
“Where a few leaders fly to overseas for medical care and the citizens have no basic healthcare?
“Where justice is for the rich and the powerful, while injustice is for the poor?
“Where saying the truth to those in authority is a crime and praise-singing them is a virtue?
“Where a plethora of other evils are increasingly being committed?
“These evils by the Nigerian leadership have led to the citizens taking arms to seize what they foresee as their own share of the national cake.
“Any Nigerian Political Leader who cannot perform his/her functions effectively; and any Nigerian traditional ruler and religious leader who cannot give fearless, honest and sincere advice to the political leaders, should resign or be removed so as to allow those who can effectively perform to take over. Allah/God does not place a burden on any person beyond his/her ability.
“The Glorious Qur’an states that Allah does not place a burden on any soul greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every evil that it earns. (Qur’an 2:286)
“The Holy Bible states that, But God is Merciful; He will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13)
“Leaders, in particular, should take note of these Qur’an and Bible provisions, as they shall account to posterity in this World and to Allah/God in the Hereafter for every brutal citizen’s death, every injury, every kidnapping, every armed robbery, every rape, every child abuse, every hunger, every property destruction or theft, every economic sabotage, etc!
“No Leader (or any other person for that matter) shall have an excuse to posterity or to Allah/God for failing to credibly perform his/her duties and still cling to power. Even in Worship for example, Allah/God has removed the burden of fasting on those who are sick and cannot fast. Therefore, any person who cannot perform anything, should leave that to those who can perform. This is the fundamental command of Allah/God.
A Yoruba group, Yeye Dara Omoluabi Family, on Sunday urged Yoruba communities to heed the call by the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Adeola Ajayi, to embrace self-defence as insecurity worsens across Nigeria.
The President of the group, Yeye Victoria Omodara, made the call during a press conference held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan. Her address, titled “Response to DSS Director’s Call for Self-Defence Amidst Rising Insecurity,” was delivered on her behalf by Comrade Omosebi Kolawole.
Omodara lauded Ajayi for acknowledging that Nigeria’s security agencies are currently overwhelmed by the scale of insecurity, urging Yoruba communities to reconnect with the spiritual heritage of their ancestors to defend their land.
The event was attended by leaders of various Yoruba groups from all six southwestern states, with Dr Tunde Hamzat representing renowned Yoruba leader, Professor Banji Akintoye.
In her speech, Yeye Omodara stressed the urgency for Yoruba communities to take proactive steps to protect their lives and property using “what we inherited from our forefathers.”
She said, “I urge all Yoruba people to heed this clarion call by organising community defence initiatives to reclaim our forests, farmlands, and neighbourhoods from marauding terrorists and kidnappers. The persistent attacks on farmers and rural communities have severely disrupted food production in Yorubaland, contributing to scarcity and economic hardship. It is imperative that we take ownership of our security to protect our people, lands, and livelihoods.”
The Yoruba leader decried the increasing spate of terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across Nigeria, noting that the DSS director’s call offers a practical solution to the lingering insecurity.
“I, Victoria Omodara, President of Yeye Dara Omoluabi Group, fully endorse the recent candid remarks by the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Adeola Ajayi, who acknowledged that Nigeria’s security agencies are currently overwhelmed by the scale and complexity of threats posed by terrorists, bandits, armed robbers, kidnappers, and other criminal elements,” she declared.
“His call for citizens to take proactive steps to defend themselves is a sober recognition of the harsh reality on the ground. Similarly, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and elder statesman TY Danjuma have both emphasised that while the military and security forces are intensifying operations against insurgents and criminals, the challenges remain formidable. Citizens cannot solely rely on security agencies for their protection.”
Omodara revealed that the Yeye Dara International Farm is already mobilising its members to adopt self-defence strategies in alignment with the DSS director’s advice.
“We view this approach as a necessary complement to the efforts of security agencies. By fostering community vigilance and preparedness, we can create safer environments that allow agricultural and economic activities to thrive uninterrupted,” she added.
She lamented the complex and volatile security situation in Nigeria, noting the threats posed by multiple insurgent groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and the emerging Lakurawa terror group.
“Banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery have escalated, overwhelming police and military capacity in many areas. As TY Danjuma and security chiefs have noted, the fight against insecurity will require not only enhanced military operations but also active citizen participation and innovative community-based solutions,” she stated.
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Food Security: Rep. Oseni Boosts Oyo Agriculture, Distributes 5,200 Bags of Fertiliser to Farmers
The Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Engr. Aderemi Oseni has distributed 5,200 bags of fertiliser to farmers across his constituency.
The distribution, which took place on Tuesday, is part of Oseni’s agricultural empowerment initiative under the Soludero Movement. According to a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the initiative is designed to boost food production and combat the rising cost of food items in the country.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, which drew traditional rulers, party leaders, farmers, and constituents, the lawmaker described the gesture as a “landmark intervention” aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
“This is not merely a fertiliser distribution,” Oseni stated. “It is an empowerment programme designed to enhance productivity, boost food supply, and restore hope to thousands of households.”
He explained that the initiative aims to support farmers as the planting season begins while alleviating the burden posed by high agricultural input costs. The APC chieftain added that the intervention reflects his commitment to grassroots development and food security.
The Soludero Movement, launched shortly after he assumed office, has rolled out several empowerment programmes, including scholarships for over 1,000 students, interest-free loans for market women, and multi-million-naira grants for small business owners.
The lawmaker also unveiled plans to strengthen farmer support systems through the newly established Remi Oseni Soludero Cooperative Societies. The cooperatives, he said, are designed to support farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs in the constituency.
“We are creating sustainable systems that will outlive political tenures and build enduring legacies,” he said, highlighting that the effort goes beyond fertiliser distribution to promoting long-term economic growth.
The Onido of Idoland, Oba Gbolagade Babalola (Gbadewolu I), who was present at the event, commended the lawmaker for the initiative. He urged beneficiaries to use the fertilisers on their farms and not to sell them.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigeria Cassava Association in Ido Local Government, Oladipo Nurudeen, speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, praised Oseni for his continued support. Oladipo further noted that fertiliser is a critical input for farming and that the intervention would go a long way in enhancing food security in the area.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced the temporary closure of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu to allow for essential runway maintenance works.
In a statement issued on Saturday, FAAN revealed that a sudden and significant rupture had appeared in the asphalt surface of a critical section of the runway, necessitating immediate intervention.
Emergency repairs will take place from 22 April to 6 May 2025, during which time the runway will be entirely closed to all landings and take‑offs.
“In compliance with Nigerian civil aviation regulations, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has, therefore, closed the runway during this period,” the authority said.
FAAN emphasised that this measure forms part of its ongoing commitment to passenger safety and the modernisation of airport facilities.
“All flights to this airport will be diverted to nearby airports,” FAAN added, appealing to airport users and stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation. The authority also apologised for the late and unexpected notice regarding the closure.
Reacting to the announcement, Air Peace confirmed on Saturday morning that it had suspended all flights scheduled to the airport.
In its own statement, the carrier attributed the suspension to the deteriorating condition of the runway infrastructure, which it said had repeatedly raised safety concerns.
“At Air Peace, we prioritise safety first over convenience,” the airline declared. “We believe that if flights are not operated into this aerodrome for the next few days, it will allow the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria the opportunity to perform the necessary repairs on the runway.”
Air Peace further explained that all affected services would instead operate from Asaba, Delta State.
“Please be informed that all flights scheduled into and out of Enugu will now be operated into and out of Asaba. We regret any inconvenience this change may have caused,” the statement concluded.
Ibom Air has likewise suspended its Enugu services for the duration of the maintenance. Its Customer Contact Centre will reach out to passengers already booked on affected flights, and those seeking alternatives may make enquiries at Lagos (LOS), Abuja (ABV), or Enugu (ENU) airport desks.
“The safety of our passengers remains our top priority, and we look forward to resuming full operations in Enugu once the runway maintenance is completed,” the airline said.
