The Week In Review: Terrorists Attack NDA, Channels TV’s Interview And Aftermath, Secondus’ Never Ending Problems…

Last week, bandits attacked the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA; Channels Television was in the news following an explosive interview with a former naval officer, prompting swift reaction from the media regulator; the continued travails of Uche Secondus as well as the Ripples Nigeria Dialogue.

Terrorists attack Nigeria’s foremost military academy

NDA

The attack on the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, by bandit terrorists in the early hours of Tuesday, August 24th, 2021, took many by surprise.

The bandits who infiltrated the well-fortified military college killed two military officers, abducted Major Datong, sent another soldier to the hospital and left the premises with ease.

Nigerians came out in their numbers to condemn the latest but unsurprising move of the bandits. These terrorists who allegedly demanded ₦200m before the major can be released had one time downed a military jet.

Ortom/Olawunmi’s Channels TV interview and its aftermath

Kayode Okikiolu and Chamberlain Usoh

Angered by President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government handling of the nation’s security both Governor Samuel Ortom and former Naval Commodore Kunle Olawunmi gave a controversial interview to Channels Television, which landed the private station in hot water with authorities.

Ortom in the interview labelled Buhari as the worst President to ever rule Nigeria, adding that the President is grossly incapable of managing the affairs of the country.

He added that Buhari is trying to implement a secret Fulani agenda in Nigeria and cares more about cows than the people he is expected to lead.

Reacting, the presidency described Ortom as a very unprincipled man who is only motivated by the lust for personal gains.

While Olawunmi had also revealed that the Buhari-led government was shielding sponsors of Boko Haram.

He said Boko Haram terrorists mentioned names of current governors, senators and Aso Rock officials as sponsors during interrogation by the military authorities.

According to him, the Department of State Services (DSS) has tremendous information on terrorists but they can’t do anything except the body language of the President.

Following the ripples generated by the interviews, the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, invited the private station’s anchors to come and explain their roles in the controversial interview.

Reports also emerged on Saturday claiming security agents were after Commodore Olawunmi to share the information he has on Boko Haram and its sponsors.

PDP’s Secondus In Or Out?

Uche Secondus

One moment Prince Uche Secondus is the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while the next moment he is suspended.

Secondus’ PDP problems seem not to be ending as he keeps facing more obstacles as his tenure as PDP chairman grinds quickly to an end.

He was first suspended as PDP national chairman and member by a State High Court in Rivers State, then reinstated by a Kebbi High Court and again suspended by a court in Cross River. There is a feeling that the last of this has not been heard or seen.

Gov Okowa, Pa Adebanjo, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, others blow hot at Ripples Nigeria Dialogue

The 2021 Ripples Nigeria Dialogue entitled: Rebuilding Trust in a divided Nigeria; Advancing the Conversation’, brought together stakeholders to chart a new path of dialogue and peace for this nation.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State who gave the keynote address was joined by the leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo; spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, ex-NHIS CEO Yusuf Usman and former lawmaker Uche Onyeagocha. With contributions from the Minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Ndudi Elumelu.

The event, which was moderated by ace journalist Reuben Abati, proffered solutions to the age-long problems facing Nigeria.

The panel of renowned Nigerians were however unanimous in tagging the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration as a failed government.

That will be all for this week! Next week is another time.