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OPINION: Managing Post Anambra Governorship Election Fallout

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4 years ago

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No one likes to lose, much less a political contest in which all contenders boast that they would win. So the shock of losing an election, the trauma of the month-long stress of electioneering campaign, the huge sums of money spent in pursuit of the project, betrayal from trusted allies and supporters, all these make it even worse.

At the end of every election, there is a winner and there are losers. In reality, both winning and losing are integral parts of our existential experience; someone must win a political contest, others will lose, but that’s not the end.

The Anambra state governorship election which will be completed today after the supplementary election in Ihiala local government is as good as concluded with a clear winner, except for any last-minute, unforeseen miracle. Otherwise, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of APGA is the substantive governor-elect of Anambra state. And so moving on, it is expected to read outbursts from politicians who lost the contest. No one likes to lose, much less a political contest in which all contenders boast that they would win. So the shock of losing an election, the trauma of the month-long stress of electioneering campaign, the huge sums of money spent in pursuit of the project, betrayal from trusted allies and supporters, all these make it even worse. Perhaps, within the reality and context of human relations and engagements, nothing is more devastating than losing an election and people respond to the shock differently.

In the days ahead, it is therefore expected that friends may fallout in public. Allies may cut ties. People will demand that their monies given freely as election mobilization funds which those given did not use, should be returned to them. It is going to be a full-blown crisis, which may involve some level of violence like beating, harassment with police, detention, among others. Things like this have happened before, so it is not exactly new. Yet, in every election, some political merchants still go about collecting money from politicians and accepting election mobilization funds only to pocket same. It is quite a jungle out there, and a terrible experience for any politician who has lost. For the one who has won, all is suddenly fair and just, such is the supremacy of victory.

Everything associated with election victory and loss is also associated with life itself, nothing is new. Those who are victorious must show restraint and magnanimity
in their victory.

In Nnewi, there is an ongoing ‘fight’ between Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, the YPP candidate and his mentor, Chief Cletus Ibeto, a major financier and supporter of Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo of APGA. Sen. Ubah is not happy not only with Ibeto, but also with other Nnewi-born wealthy and powerful men who did not support him. Although in 2019, Chief Ibeto was the major supporter of Sen. Ubah in his senatorial aspiration. When APGA renegade on the deal brokered by Ibeto to give Ubah APGA’s senatorial ticket of Anambra South. Chief Ibeto supported Sen. Ubah in YPP and Ubah later won overwhelmingly. But in 2021, Ibeto did not support Ubah for governor, instead, he supported Soludo. Other Nnewi-born heavyweights supported various candidates of their choice. For Sen. Ubah, it is too difficult for him to stomach. In his radio outing earlier, he blamed Nnewi rich and powerful for his fate and accused them of sabotaging the ‘Nnewi Agenda’. He also shamed them for failing to win their polling units as they could not stop people from showing him (Sen. Ubah) love and voting for him notwithstanding. While he did this without mentioning anybody’s name, yet, he left a clue. The closest hint he gave was when he referred to “nke na alu motor” which can be translated to mean “the carmaker”, of which the identity is certain and unmistaken.

As his discussion went viral, soon, a piece, “Ifeanyi Ubah, lest you forget” authored by a certain Anthony Okoli, obviously, a pseudo, followed and was spreading on WhatsApp and social media platforms till Tuesday morning. The piece essentially noted how Ifeanyi Ubah was the major supporter of Andy Uba in 2007 against his own Nnewi sister, who was then the Deputy Governor. Chief Ibeto allegedly shared the post in a Nnewi Forum and that proven to have provoked Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah to a telling point. This morning, Ifeanyi Ubah personally shared a piece titled, “Oga Cletus Ibeto, lest you forget; Never stab a man that calls you father and mentor.” also authored by “the same” Anthony Okoli. This piece accused Chief Ibeto of working against “Nnewi Agenda” and also of destroying Nnewi rising figures in a bid to remain a godfather forever, among many others. Things like this are expected in this season because of tension, the pressure of personal sacrifices that have come to nothing, and the shame and sadness associated with losing. Sen. Ubah has always extolled Chief Ibeto as his father and his mentor, and we were witnesses to how Chief Ibeto stood his ground in 2019 and gave him full support to the senate, but these are different times.

The winner of the election and. in this instance Prof. Chukwuma Soludo should, as a matter of strategic outreach, extend a hand to all colleagues in the contest, all of them, if he has not. This will help in their recovery process and also help to stabilize his government on time.

Both election victory and losses must be managed in the utmost interest of all. Everything associated with election victory and loss is also associated with life itself, nothing is new. Those who are victorious must show restraint and magnanimity in their victory. There is absolutely no need to join issues with anyone who has lost. Those who lost are going to need time to heal and there is just no use robbing it on their faces. But even those that lost must understand that someone must win and therefore others have to lose in consequence. They must show maturity and sportsmanship, desist from name-calling and shaming. For instance, Sen. Ubah won Nnewi squarely despite the fact that both APGA and APC major supporters and financiers are from the same Nnewi and have intimidating capacities. Still, YPP won APGA which is the closest rival by almost three thousand votes. There is nothing he needs to say that can speak louder than the result he has. Winners and losers must show grace and moderation in their commentaries and reactions to the election outcome.

The winner of the election and in this instance Prof. Chukwuma Soludo should, as a matter of strategic outreach, extend a hand to all colleagues in the contest, all of them, if he has not. This will help in their recovery process and also help to stabilize his government on time. Given the background of this year’s election, the growing tension might signal a return of the old pattern in which electoral victory is needlessly and hopelessly dragged in the court, causing distraction and impacting negatively on governance. In the interest of Anambra state, stakeholders and respected figures who wield influence over the candidates should intervene on time to forestall possible adverse impact of political bickering and bad blood, on governance.

♦ Ebuka Onyekwelu, strategic governance exponent,  is a columnist with the WAP

 

 

 

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Africa

U.S. Signals More Strikes in Nigeria as Abuja Confirms Joint Military Campaign

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2 weeks ago

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December 27, 2025

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The United States has warned that further airstrikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria are imminent, as Nigerian officials confirmed that recent attacks were part of coordinated operations between both countries.

The warning came hours after U.S. forces struck militant camps in Sokoto State, an operation President Donald Trump publicly framed as a response to what he described as the killing of Christians in Nigeria. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were only the beginning.

“The president was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end,” Hegseth wrote on X. “The Pentagon is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight—on Christmas. More to come. Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.”

Nigeria’s foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed on Friday that the strikes were carried out as part of “joint ongoing operations,” pushing back against earlier tensions sparked by Trump’s public criticism of Nigeria’s handling of insecurity.

The airstrikes followed a brief diplomatic rift after Trump accused Nigeria’s government of failing to protect Christians from militant violence. Nigerian officials responded by reiterating that extremist groups in the country target both Christians and Muslims, and that the conflict is driven by insurgency and criminality rather than religious persecution.

Speaking to Channels Television, Tuggar said Nigeria provided intelligence support for the strikes in Sokoto and described close coordination with Washington. He said he spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for nearly 20 minutes before briefing President Bola Tinubu and receiving approval to proceed, followed by another call with Rubio to finalize arrangements.

“We have been working closely with the Americans,” Tuggar said. “This is what we’ve always been hoping for—to work together to combat terrorism and stop the deaths of innocent Nigerians. It’s a collaborative effort.”

U.S. Africa Command later confirmed that the strikes were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities. An earlier statement, later removed, had suggested the operation was carried out at Nigeria’s request.

Trump, speaking in an interview with Politico, said the operation had originally been scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed at his instruction. “They were going to do it earlier,” he said. “And I said, ‘Nope, let’s give a Christmas present.’ They didn’t think that was coming, but we hit them hard. Every camp got decimated.”

Neither the U.S. nor Nigerian authorities have disclosed casualty figures or confirmed whether militants were killed. Tuggar, when asked whether additional strikes were planned, said only: “You can call it a new phase of an old conflict. For us, this is ongoing.”

Nigeria is officially a secular state, with a population split roughly between Muslims and Christians. While violence against Christian communities has drawn increasing attention from religious conservatives in the United States, Nigeria’s government maintains that extremist groups operate without regard to faith, attacking civilians across religious lines.

Trump’s public rhetoric contrasts with his 2024 campaign messaging, in which he cast himself as a “candidate of peace” who would pull the United States out of what he called endless foreign wars. Yet his second term has already seen expanded U.S. military action abroad, including strikes in Yemen, Iran, and Syria, as well as a significant military buildup in the Caribbean directed at Venezuela.

On the ground in Sokoto State, residents of Jabo village—near one of the strike sites—reported panic and confusion as missiles hit nearby areas. Local residents said no casualties had been recorded, but security forces quickly sealed off the area.

“As it approached our area, the heat became intense,” Abubakar Sani told the Associated Press. “The government should take appropriate measures to protect us. We have never experienced anything like this before.”

Another resident, farmer Sanusi Madabo, said the night sky glowed red for hours. “It was almost like daytime,” he said. “We only learned later that it was a U.S. airstrike.”

For now, both Washington and Abuja are projecting unity. Whether the strikes mark a sustained shift in strategy—or another brief escalation in a long war—remains unclear.

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Africa

Nigeria–Burkina Faso Rift: Military Power, Mistrust, and a Region Out of Balance

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4 weeks ago

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December 14, 2025

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The brief detention of a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and its crew in Burkina Faso may have ended quietly, but it exposed a deeper rift shaped by mistrust, insecurity, and uneven military power in West Africa. What was officially a technical emergency landing quickly became a diplomatic and security flashpoint, reflecting not hostility between equals, but anxiety between unequally matched states navigating very different political realities.

On December 8, 2025, the Nigerian Air Force transport aircraft made an unscheduled landing in Bobo-Dioulasso while en route to Portugal. Nigerian authorities described the stop as a precautionary response to a technical fault—standard procedure under international aviation and military safety protocols. Burkina Faso acknowledged the emergency landing but emphasized that the aircraft had violated its airspace, prompting the temporary detention of 11 Nigerian personnel while investigations and repairs were conducted. Within days, the crew and aircraft were released, underscoring a professional, if tense, resolution.

Yet the symbolism mattered. In a Sahel region gripped by coups, insurgencies, and fragile legitimacy, airspace is not merely technical—it is political. Burkina Faso’s reaction reflected a state on edge, hyper-vigilant about sovereignty amid persistent internal threats. Nigeria’s response, measured and restrained, reflected confidence rooted in capacity.

The military imbalance between the two countries is stark. Nigeria fields one of Africa’s most formidable armed forces, with a tri-service structure that includes a large, well-equipped air force, a dominant regional navy, and a sizable army capable of sustained operations. The Nigerian Air Force operates fighter jets such as the JF-17 and F-7Ni, as well as A-29 Super Tucanos for counterinsurgency operations, heavy transport aircraft like the C-130, and an extensive helicopter fleet. This force is designed not only for internal security but for regional power projection and multinational operations.

Burkina Faso’s military, by contrast, is compact and narrowly focused. Its air arm relies on a limited number of light attack aircraft, including Super Tucanos, and a small helicopter fleet primarily dedicated to internal counterinsurgency. There is no navy, no strategic airlift capacity comparable to Nigeria’s, and limited logistical depth. The Burkinabè military is stretched thin, fighting multiple insurgent groups while also managing the political consequences of repeated military takeovers.

This imbalance shapes behavior. Nigeria’s military posture is institutional, outward-looking, and anchored in regional frameworks such as ECOWAS. Burkina Faso’s posture is defensive, reactive, and inward-facing. Where Nigeria seeks stability through deterrence and cooperation, Burkina Faso seeks survival amid constant internal pressure. That difference explains why a technical landing could be perceived as a “serious security breach” rather than a routine aviation incident.

The incident also illuminates why Burkina Faso continues to struggle to regain political balance. Repeated coups have eroded civilian institutions, fractured command structures, and blurred the line between governance and militarization. The armed forces are not just security actors; they are political stakeholders. This creates a cycle where insecurity justifies military rule, and military rule deepens insecurity by weakening democratic legitimacy and regional trust.

Nigeria, despite its own security challenges, has managed to avoid this spiral. Civilian control of the military remains intact, democratic transitions—however imperfect—continue, and its armed forces operate within a clearer constitutional framework. This stability enhances Nigeria’s regional credibility and amplifies its military superiority beyond hardware alone.

The C-130 episode did not escalate into confrontation precisely because of this asymmetry. Burkina Faso could assert sovereignty, but not sustain defiance. Nigeria could have asserted its capability, but chose restraint. In the end, professionalism prevailed.

Still, the rift lingers. It is not about one aircraft or one landing, but about two countries moving in different strategic directions. Nigeria stands as a regional anchor with superior military power and institutional depth. Burkina Faso remains a state searching for equilibrium—politically fragile, militarily constrained, and acutely sensitive to every perceived threat from the skies above.

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Kaduna Governor Commissions Nigeria’s First 100-Building Prefabricated Housing Estate

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2 months ago

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November 14, 2025

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Kaduna, Nigeria – November 6, 2025 — In a major milestone for Nigeria’s housing sector, the Governor of Kaduna State has commissioned a 100-unit mass housing estate developed by Family Homes and executed by Karmod Nigeria, marking the first-ever large-scale prefabricated housing project in the country.

Completed in under six months, the innovative project demonstrates the power of modern prefabricated construction to deliver high-quality, affordable homes at record speed — a sharp contrast to traditional building methods that often take years.

Each of the 100 units in the estate is designed for a lifespan exceeding 50 years with routine maintenance. The development features tarred access roads, efficient drainage systems, clean water supply, and steady electricity, ensuring a modern and comfortable living environment for residents.

According to Family Homes, the project represents a new era in Nigeria’s mass housing delivery, proving that cutting-edge technology can accelerate the provision of sustainable and cost-effective homes for Nigerians.

“With prefabricated technology, we can drastically reduce construction time while maintaining top-quality standards,” said a spokesperson for Family Homes. “This project is a clear demonstration of what’s possible when innovation meets commitment to solving Nigeria’s housing deficit.”

Reinforcing this commitment, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State emphasized the alignment between the initiative and the state’s broader vision for affordable housing.

“The Family Homes Funds Social Housing Project aligns with our administration’s commitment to the provision of affordable houses for Kaduna State citizens. Access to safe, affordable and secure housing is the foundation of human dignity. We have been partnering with local and international investors to frontally address our housing deficit,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Ademola Adebise, Chairman of Family Homes Funds Limited, noted that the project embodies inclusivity and social progress.

“The Social Housing Project also reflects our shared vision of inclusive growth, where affordable housing becomes a foundation for economic participation and improved quality of life.”

Karmod Nigeria, the technical partner behind the project, utilized its extensive expertise in prefabricated technology to localize the process, employing local artisans and materials to enhance community participation and job creation.

Industry experts have described the Kaduna project as a blueprint for future housing initiatives nationwide, capable of addressing the country’s housing shortfall more efficiently and sustainably.

With this pioneering development, Kaduna State takes a leading role in introducing modern housing technologies that promise to reshape Nigeria’s urban landscape.

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