Politics
2027: FG warns envoys against unguarded comments
By Nkem Okereh
As Nigerians go to the poll to elect their new leaders in 2027, the federal government has charged all foreign envoys and diplomatic offices to refrain from making statements that could stir crisis and endanger the nations democratic process
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at a meeting on Thursday, warned foreign diplomatic missions against making unguarded comments, disparaging remarks or unsolicited lectures on democracy as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The minister who met with with members of the Diplomatic Corps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, described Nigeria as Africa’s largest democracy, added that developments in the country had regional and international implications, and therefore emphasised on the need for diplomatic missions to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and established diplomatic channels.
The minister however assured the diplomatic community that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to democratic governance and delivering a credible election.
“As the 2027 general elections draw near, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would request that missions remain guided. Recognising the fact that Nigeria is the largest democracy in Africa, and that developments in Nigeria have regional and international complications and implications, we would not look kindly upon unguarded comments, disparaging remarks, or unsolicited lectures on democracy.
“The Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to democracy and to delivering an election that will be peaceful, free, fair, and credible in all ramifications,” she stated.
She called for closer cooperation between the ministry and foreign missions, emphasising the importance of dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to established diplomatic procedures.
“I want us to speak frankly, to engage constructively, and to resolve issues through dialogue, established diplomatic channels, and mutual respect.
“Let me emphasize that the Ministry is not an obstacle between you and the Nigerian Government; we are your bridge to the Nigerian Government
“The true measure of our relationships will not be the number of meetings we hold, neither will it be the number of communiqués we issue. It will be the progress we achieve for our peoples, the investments we facilitate, the opportunities we create, the challenges we resolve, and the friendships we strengthen,” she stated.
The minister reiterated that Nigeria’s foreign policy under Tinubu was anchored on the four Ds—Demography, Development, Democracy and Diaspora.
According to her, the policy seeks to place Nigerians at the centre of the country’s international engagements while maintaining its commitment to Africa and constructive relations with the wider international community.
She said Nigeria would continue to pursue strategic autonomy in its international relations, stressing that the policy did not amount to isolation.
“Strategic autonomy does not mean isolation; it means preserving Nigeria’s sovereign right to determine the relationships and positions that best serve our people,” she said.
On consular services, Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged Nigerian and foreign authorities to improve efficiency in handling diplomatic correspondence, document authentication, legalisation and visa applications.
She appealed to foreign missions to review their visa processes for Nigerian applicants, noting that prolonged waiting periods could affect legitimate travellers, students, businesspersons and families.
“While we fully respect the sovereign right of every country to determine its visa policy, excessively long waiting periods can create considerable difficulties for legitimate travellers, students, businesspersons, and families,” she said.
The minister further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to dialogue, multilateralism and the peaceful resolution of disputes through its engagements with ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other international institutions.
“Nigeria will, therefore, continue to champion dialogue, multilateralism, and peaceful resolution of disputes while remaining active within ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and other international institutions.
“We will continue to advocate an international system in which Africa’s voice is heard, and the continent participates meaningfully in shaping global decisions.
“We are ready to work with each of you to deepen trade and investment, strengthen cooperation on peace and security, advance education, health, and technological innovation, and create greater opportunities for our peoples,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed.
The Senate has announced the indefinitely postponement of its two-day National Security Summit, initially scheduled for October 12 and 13, 2026, following the tragic crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Ondo State that claimed 25 lives.
The postponement was announced in a a statement signed by Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele on Tuesday
The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, killing 25 officers including seven crew members on board.
The Senate expressed deep sympathy to President Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigerian Air Force, and the families of the officers and crew members who lost their lives in active service.
The Senate leadership noted that a new date for the summit would be announced in due course, appealing to all key stakeholders to stand with the nation during this period of grief.
From Musa Disso (Kano)
A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Kano state Aminu Warkai, has been summer bed by the state Police authorities for questioning over his alleged display of firearms during a recent political gathering.
Warkai had in a viral video openly displayed a firearm suspected to be a pump-action rifle at the said political occasion.
The Kano state Police Command In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the alleged act constituted a clear violation of the provisions of the Firearms Act.
The police insisted the act was capable of inciting fear, intimidating the public, and amounted to a breach of public peace and security.
“On the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, the said Aminu Abdullahi Warkal was invited to the Command Headquarters, Bompai, Kano,” said the statement.
“He is currently at the Command’s State Intelligence Department (SID), and an investigation is in progress,” the statement held.
“The Commissioner of Police will not tolerate any act of lawlessness, thuggery, or display of weapons capable of threatening public peace, irrespective of the status of the person involved,” the statement disclosed.
The police statement said the “alleged unlawful display of a firearm, if established, constitutes a clear violation of the provisions of the Firearms Act and is capable of inciting fear, intimidating members of the public and breaching public peace and security
“All political activities must be conducted in a manner that promotes peace, tolerance and respect for the rule of law,” the police said.
The Command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that Kano State remains peaceful before, during and after the political season.
By Tony Chuddy
The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has blamed poor implementation and utilisation of the N4.4 billion defence maintenance before dget to the series of military plane crashes that have taken the live of several young Nigerian officers
The party ina statement by it’s National Publicly Secretary, Bolaji Abdullah, expressed sadness over Monday’s crash of a Nigerian Air Force (ATR-42) aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State.
The party therefore called for an audit of the “non-implementation of defence budgets needed for the regular maintenance of aircraft in service with the Nigerian Air Force.”
The ADC said the incident, which he described as “tragic and unfortunate”, highlights the poor funding of defence budgets in the country.
“While we do not intend to prejudice ongoing investigations into the cause of this tragic crash, we believe that this sad moment also provides an opportunity to raise, yet again, questions about the non-implementation of the defence budget and the perennial neglect of military equipment,” the statement read.
The opposition party recalled that the federal government had in 2025, released the sum of N4.5 billion, representing only about 13.98 per cent of the N34.71 billion budgeted for the maintenance of Nigerian Air Force aircraft.
The statement noted that the released sum, “stood in sharp contrast to the N20.74 billion allocated for the maintenance of the Presidential Air Fleet, of which N20.27 billion had been released over the same period, representing 97.76 per cent.
“Put simply, while the fleet that serves a handful of people in power got almost every kobo it asked for, the fleet that serves and protects 200 million Nigerians was left with crumbs,” ADC said.
While insisting that the safety of the President matters, ADC said what also matters is the safety of the pilots and airmen who put their lives on the line in defence of the country.
“Patriotism does not replace spare parts, and condolence messages do not take the place of accountability,” the party added.
The party therefore demanded investigations into the cause of the crash and a thorough probe of the maintenance of defence equipment, especially the Nigerian Air Force fleet.
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