By Adedapo Adesanya

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have called on the federal government, state governors, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to protect journalists and urgently address worsening insecurity and human rights violations across several parts of northern Nigeria, including Benue, Borno, Kwara, Plateau, and Sokoto States.

The call followed a conference and interactive session on The Role of the Media in Promoting People’s Rights, Accountability, and Access to Justice in the Context of Growing Insecurity in Nigeria, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, jointly organised by SERAP and NGE to mark World Press Freedom Day.

In a joint statement, the groups said “protecting journalists and safeguarding information integrity are central drivers of peace, security, and democratic stability.”

They added that “any credible peace, recovery, or security strategy in Nigeria must integrate support for free, independent, and pluralistic media alongside humanitarian, institutional, and economic responses.”

They expressed “serious concerns about the scale and persistence of killings, abductions, sexual violence, forced displacement, and destruction of property across several parts of northern Nigeria,” noting that “thousands have reportedly been killed and millions displaced, with rural communities repeatedly targeted and women and children bearing the brunt of the violence and insecurity.”

SERAP and NGE warned that “the humanitarian consequences remain severe: communities destroyed, livelihoods lost, and victims left without effective remedies,” stressing that “the persistence of impunity continues to erode public trust and weaken democratic governance.”

The two organisations stated that Nigerian authorities at all levels have binding constitutional and international obligations to protect journalists and end insecurity and impunity, adding that the Tinubu administration, state governors, and the FCT minister must exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate, and remedy human rights violations, while ensuring justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators and their sponsors.

They noted that UNESCO’s theme for the 2026 World Press Freedom Day Conference, “Shaping a Future of Peace,” underscores “the centrality of a free, independent, and viable media ecosystem to peace, security, and sustainable development.”

The groups warned that “the erosion of independent journalism and civic information ecosystems directly contributes to governance breakdown,” adding that when journalists are targeted, “corruption thrives, accountability declines, and misinformation spreads,” while “information violence often precedes physical violence, deepening insecurity and undermining public trust in state institutions.”

They stressed that “protecting journalists in Nigeria is therefore not a peripheral issue but a core requirement for addressing insecurity and advancing democratic governance,” calling on the federal government, state authorities, and the FCT minister to guarantee press freedom and expression, protect civic space and journalists, promote victim-centred ethical reporting, and publicly recognise killings, abductions, and destruction of property as grave human rights violations that cannot be justified.

The groups also called for the creation of public reporting systems to track incidents and responses, and for all institutions to respect, protect, promote, and fulfil human rights, while urging Nigeria to invite relevant UN Special Rapporteurs and African Commission Special Rapporteurs to conduct independent fact-finding missions on insecurity and human rights violations in northern Nigeria, whose findings should guide accountability and reforms.

They further urged the National Assembly to exercise its oversight powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution by convening an urgent public hearing on insecurity and attacks on journalists, including scrutiny of security agencies and the strengthening of legal safeguards for accountability and media freedom.

They also called on the international community to intensify pressure on Nigerian authorities to end insecurity and impunity, protect people, safeguard civic space, and ensure that media organisations operate freely without fear of reprisals.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, has confirmed his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a few months after he joined the coalition group.

In a personally signed statement released on Sunday, Mr Obi said he decided to quit the opposition party after a deep reflection, describing the move as necessary despite “every constraint.”

“I woke up this morning after my church service with a deeply reflective heart… and felt compelled to share these thoughts,” he wrote, adding that many people do not understand the “silent pains” and private struggles faced by those trying to serve in Nigeria’s political space.

Mr Obi painted a grim picture of the current political climate, describing it as increasingly hostile and discouraging.

“We now live in an environment that has become increasingly toxic, where the very system that should protect and create opportunities… often works against the people,” he said, pointing to intimidation, insecurity, and persistent scrutiny as defining features of the system.

The former Anambra State governor also expressed disappointment over what he described as a lack of solidarity, even among close associates.

“Some who publicly identify with you privately distance themselves or join in unfair criticism,” he noted, lamenting that humility is often misinterpreted as weakness, while compassion is seen as foolishness.

Mr Obi, however, clarified that his decision was not driven by personal grievances against key leaders within the party. He specifically exonerated ADC National Chairman, Mr David Mark, and former Vice President, Mr Atiku Abubakar, saying neither treated him unfairly.

“Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman treated me badly, nor because Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me,” he said.

Instead, Mr Obi attributed his exit to what he described as a recurrence of the same challenges that plagued his time in the Labour Party, including internal divisions, legal battles, and external interference.

“The same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises… now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division,” he stated.

He further lamented that sincere contributions are often undervalued, with individuals becoming scapegoats for broader systemic failures.

“Even within spaces where one labours sincerely, one is sometimes treated like an outsider… as though honest contribution has become a favour being tolerated rather than appreciated,” Mr Obi added.

Despite stepping away, the former governor said he continues to face criticism and attacks on his character, even as he seeks to pursue national development with sincerity.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s broader challenges, Mr Obi questioned societal values that, according to him, often misinterpret integrity and prudent management of resources.

“Why is doing the right thing often misconstrued as wrongdoing in our country? Why is integrity not valued?” he asked.

Mr Obi added that he is eager to see a Nigeria that works for its citizens, reiterating that he is not desperate to be president, vice-president, or senate president.

“I am desperate to see a society that can console a mother whose child has been kidnapped or killed while going to school or work,” he said.

“I am desperate to see a Nigeria where people will not live in IDP camps but in their homes. I am desperate for a country where Nigerian citizens do not go to bed hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from.”

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

President Bola Tinubu will on Saturday, May 2, 2026, leave Nigeria for a three-nation trip, a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said.

In the notice issued on Friday night, it was disclosed that Mr Tinubu would visit France, after which he would depart for Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Africa-France Summit scheduled to begin next week.

Co-chaired by President Emmanuel Macron of France and President William Ruto of Kenya, the summit focuses on energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, restructuring of global financing architecture, and climate action.

President Tinubu’s participation at the summit from May 11 to May 12. will underscore Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with African nations and the French Republic.

The summit, with the theme Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth, will provide a high-level platform for African leaders and their French counterparts to deliberate on critical issues affecting the continent, including economic transformation, climate resilience, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, technological advancement, and peace-building initiatives.

At the end of the Kenyan summit, President Tinubu will depart for Kigali, Rwanda, to attend the annual Africa CEO Forum, taking place between May 14 and 15.

With the theme Scale or Fail, this year’s Africa CEO Forum will be the largest gathering of African private sector leaders, investors, and policymakers, focusing on accelerating economic transformation through shared scale, regional integration, and increased cross-border investment.

 Held in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the summit brings together over 2,000 top executives and national leaders to debate strategies for building resilient, competitive industries.

At the two summits, the Nigerian leader will deliver statements highlighting his administration’s ongoing reforms to reposition the nation as a prime destination for investment and growth. He will also hold high-level meetings with top-tier global and African business leaders.

President Tinubu will be accompanied on the trip by some of his ministers and senior aides. He will return to Nigeria at the end of the Rwanda summit.