News
Wike’s action defended civilian supremacy, says ex-lawmaker
A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Johnson Egwakhide Oghuma, has said that Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, didn’t defend a piece of land, but the very principle of civilian supremacy on which democracy rested.
Oghuma said the officer’s conduct was a betrayal of both discipline and duty.
The former lawmaker, who spoke in a statement issued in Benin City, said the uniform remained a national symbol and not a license for impunity or to be used as a weapon against the law it was sworn to protect.
Oghuma said the officer desecrated the uniform and undermined the honour of the institution he represented when he abandoned his professional duty to act as an enforcer in a land dispute.
According to him, “What cannot be tolerated is a situation where armed personnel intimidate civil authorities or obstruct lawful administrative processes. Such conduct is nothing short of an abuse of power and a direct affront to civilian governance.
“The lesson from this episode is that the rule of law must remain supreme. Ministers, soldiers, and civilians alike are bound by the same legal framework. The FCTA should publish the full documentation on the disputed land to reinforce transparency, while the Defence authorities must reaffirm their commitment to non-interference in civil matters.
“If the incident leads to disciplinary action, public accountability, and renewed respect for due process, it would mark a positive turning point for governance in the Federal Capital Territory. Abuja cannot be a city where might overrides right. The capital should be a model of lawful order — where even those in uniform bow to the authority of law.”
“Minister Wike’s response, therefore, was not merely a personal reaction but an assertion of the authority of civil institutions over unlawful force. The FCT Administration is constitutionally empowered to regulate land ownership and urban development within Abuja. If that authority can be defied by a handful of armed officers, then the entire structure of urban administration collapses into impunity. In this light, Wike’s insistence that “no one is above the law” is both timely and necessary.
“That said, the incident also highlights the urgent need for better coordination between civilian and military institutions. Disputes involving government land or military establishments should be addressed through inter-agency channels — not confrontation at construction sites.
The Defence Headquarters must take disciplinary action against the officer involved, both to restore public confidence and to demonstrate that the Nigerian Armed Forces remain an institution of discipline, not disorder.
The Nigerian public holds the military in high esteem for its sacrifices in defending the nation. But such respect is sustained only when the military itself upholds the law it swore to defend. Deploying soldiers in a private or unauthorized capacity erodes that respect and sends a dangerous message to the public — that power can be used to subvert justice.
The United States government has announced a sweeping review of all Green Cards issued to citizens of 19 countries, following Wednesday’s attack on National Guard troops in Washington, D.C.
The Trump administration disclosed the move on Thursday after authorities identified the detained suspect as a 29-year-old Afghan national who had previously worked with American forces in Afghanistan.
According to AfghanEvac, an organisation involved in the resettlement of Afghans after the 2021 Taliban takeover, the suspect was granted asylum in April 2025, not permanent residency.
In a statement on X, the Director of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Joseph Edlow, said, “I have directed a full-scale, rigorous re-examination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.”
The order had earlier banned nearly all nationals from 12 of those countries, including Afghanistan, from entering the United States.
Here is a full list of countries under the travel ban:
Countries with Full Travel Ban (12)
1. Afghanistan
2. Myanmar
3. Chad
4. Congo-Brazzaville
5. Equatorial Guinea
6. Eritrea
7. Haiti
8. Iran
9. Libya
10. Somalia
11. Sudan
12. Yemen
Countries with Partial Ban (7)
1. Burundi
2. Cuba
3. Laos
4. Sierra Leone
5. Togo
6. Turkmenistan
7. Venezuela
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for questioning.
Malami served as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Malami announced the development on his Facebook page on Friday, confirming that he had received a formal invitation from the anti-graft agency.
“I would like to inform my family and friends that I have been summoned by the EFCC to provide clarification on certain matters, and as a law-abiding and patriotic citizen, I am determined to honour this invitation without any hesitation,” he wrote.
The former minister reiterated his commitment to the principles of honesty, integrity, and accountability, which he said guided his years in public service.
“I believe in the importance of honesty, integrity, and accountability in governance; these are principles that I have long supported and upheld over the years of my public service,” he added.
Malami also stated that he would keep Nigerians informed of any developments that may arise from the invitation.
• South South most equal
By Grace Edet
New data from the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) has revealed major regional disparities in spousal earnings, showing that most Nigerian wives aged 15–49 earn less than their husbands, despite growing pockets of income equality across the country.
According to figures shared by Statisense on Tuesday, the trend is most pronounced in the North-West, where 941 in 1,000 wives earn less than their husbands, while only 29 in 1,000 earn more. The region also recorded the lowest rate of non-earning husbands, with just 7 in 1,000 women reporting partners with no income.
In contrast, the South South posted the strongest levels of income parity. The region recorded 113 in 1,000 wives earning the same as their husbands, the highest nationwide. It also had the largest share of women earning more than their spouses at 61 in 1,000.
The North East also showed notable shifts. While 30 in 1,000 wives out-earn their husbands, one of the highest shares in the country, the region still reported that 888 in 1,000 women earn less, reflecting wide inequality despite emerging improvements.
The North Central displayed more balanced figures, with 46 in 1,000 women earning more, and 65 in 1,000 earning equally, though 848 in 1,000 wives still fall below their husbands’ income levels.
In the South East, income gaps remain significant but show signs of narrowing. The data shows 57 in 1,000 wives earn more, 82 in 1,000 earn equally, while 775 in 1,000 still earn less than their husbands.
For the South West, 45 in 1,000 wives earn more, and 75 in 1,000 earn the same, but 824 in 1,000 wives still earn below their husbands’ earnings. Only 11 in 1,000 husbands reported having no income.
The NDHS 2024 findings highlight a consistent national pattern: while traditional income structures remain strong, especially in northern regions, the southern zones, particularly the South South, are showing faster shifts toward income equality within households.
Experts say the trend reflects broader economic realities, including rising female participation in formal work, regional differences in literacy levels, and contrasting socio-cultural expectations about household roles.
The full survey continues to shape policy discussions on women’s economic empowerment, labour participation, and regional development priorities.
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