The Nigerian Senate has written an emotional tribute in remembrance of soldiers killed in the line of duty as the world marks the Armed Forces Remembrance Day on the 15th of January.

A statement signed by the Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua on Wednesday, described the military’s sacrifices for the defense of the country as selfless.

He wrote “On behalf of the Senate Committee on Nigerian Army, I wish to pay tribute to our fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our great nation.

“I wish to also commend our serving officers and soldiers who are currently maintaining the peace and ensuring that our nation is secured and safe from internal and external aggression. January 15th is a day set aside to remember and celebrate the bravery, patriotism, and selflessness of our military personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

“As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, I am deeply humbled by the sacrifices of our Armed Forces. Their bravery and unwavering commitment to our nation’s unity and security have not gone unnoticed. They have consistently put their lives on the line while upholding the territorial integrity of our nation, and ensuring that our citizens can live in peace and safety.

“The sacrifices of the dead officers and soldiers in the last year will not be forgotten.

“We remember their families, who have been left behind to bear the pain of their loss. We hope that the nation will continue to care for them, providing support and comfort in their time of need.

“As we celebrate our fallen heroes today, we are reminded of the importance of unity, patriotism, and selflessness. We must continue to work together to build a nation where our military personnel can operate in an environment that is conducive to their safety and well-being.

“Once again, I salute our fallen heroes and their families. May their sacrifices not be in vain. May we continue to work towards a nation where peace, unity, and prosperity reign supreme.”

Former Senate Deputy President and Delta State APC governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, Ovie Omo-Agege, has refuted the rumours making the rounds that he was planning to dump the APC.

Ovie Omo-Agege, in a statement on Tuesday by his media adviser, Sunny Areh, described the report as baseless, calling it a product of speculative journalism without any truth.

“In the weird publication, it was alleged that Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate in the 9th Session, is scheming to abandon the All Progressives Congress, APC, to team up with Mallam Nasir el-Rufai to float a phantom new political party. The story is not only shocking but idiotic.

“Having led the APC to its best ever performance in the 2023 general elections in Delta State where the party won two of the three senatorial seats and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege was narrowly cheated from coasting to victory in the Governorship election, associating his name with the political group the former Kaduna State governor is said to be working on is a clear case of fable without any basis whatsoever.

“The story is the product of a hatchet job orchestrated by political forces whose only path to relevance is to create a wedge between Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

According to him, the rumour is a game the perpetrators are already deploying to blackmail him and sabotage the APC.

He said he remains committed to the task of completing the job of rescuing the state from the serial failed administrations in 2027.

“Let it be known that as the leader of APC in Delta State and having taken it through a record showing in the 2023 general elections, I remain irrevocably committed, steadfast, and primed to the task of completing the job of rescuing the state from the serial failed administrations in 2027,” he added.

Elder statesman and leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, has called for the suspension and reform of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.

Clark made the call in an open letter on Monday, stating that the Forum had deviated from its original purpose of fostering collaboration and had instead become a “platform for power without accountability, influence without responsibility.”

He explained that the NGF, originally established to promote inter-state cooperation, had evolved into a “cabal” capable of challenging the federal executive, manipulating the legislature, and obstructing local government autonomy.

“The NGF was born out of necessity. It was established to foster inter-state cooperation and facilitate dialogue among the governors of Nigeria’s 36 states. Its purpose was to act as a bridge between tiers of government, harmonising governance practices, exchanging ideas, and advocating for state interests within the federal framework.

“However, by the early 2010s, the NGF’s original mandate was overshadowed by a growing tendency to act as a bloc—a cabal capable of challenging the federal executive, manipulating the legislature, and stifling local government autonomy. The consequences of this transformation have been dire. My voice, my letters, my pleas—perhaps dismissed as the words of an elder in the twilight of his years—yet I persisted. I persist now because the story of the NGF, like that of Nigeria, is still being written,” the letter read.
Allegations of Overreach
Highlighting instances of the Forum’s alleged overreach, the Ijaw leader accused the NGF of reducing state assemblies to mere extensions of the executive. He noted that speakers and assembly members were often handpicked by governors to ensure unwavering loyalty.

“The NGF’s manipulation of legislative processes is equally troubling. Governors often manoeuvre federal candidates, particularly senators, to safeguard their future political interests. The Senate, rather than being a chamber of independent thought, becomes a retirement plan for ex-governors.

“When will we see legislatures that reflect the will of the people rather than the interests of governors? How can we rebuild these institutions to function as true checks and balances?”

Clark described the NGF as a “notorious cabal” with a reputation for secrecy, resistance to reforms, and prioritising power over service. However, he expressed hope that with meaningful reforms, the NGF could still become a force for good.
Call for Reform and Reconstitution
The elder statesman called for the suspension and reconstitution of the NGF, stating that reform would offer an opportunity “to recalibrate, recommit, and rebuild.”

“Let us imagine a reconstituted NGF—one that aligns with constitutional principles, serves as a true platform for collaboration rather than control, and prioritises the people over politics.

“Reform is not an indictment; it is an opportunity—a chance to recalibrate, recommit, and rebuild. Fellow Nigerians, the NGF stands at a crossroads. Its survival, and ours, depends on its willingness to reform and align with the principles of democracy and good governance.”

Clark warned that failure to reform the NGF could lead to a looming crisis, urging the Forum to embrace change to avert further division among Nigeria’s various levels of government.