By Atekojo Samson Usman

It is obvious that the political sad story of Igala Kingdom in Kogi East today is traceable to travesty and malady of the past gullible leaders and not realizing to proffer solution would continue to elongate illusion of desires and opportunities.

Kogi East politically is on bended knees desiring to be rescued not just to take over governance at the State level which it assumed for 16 years, but how well such lofty opportunities are harnessed to advance the wellbeing of the Igala/Bassa nation and by extension Kogi State generally.

The only string of joy the Igala/Bassa Kingdom has currently is the strong and virile representation at the 10th Senate being saddled by Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho. If he wasn’t such a committed and passionate Senator, it would have been such a traumatic and worrisome development for Kogi East that was once the pride of the State and the nation in general.

Alas, indicators have shown that the Kingdom’s nightmares are far from over or its readiness to reboot the political sagacity that was once in vogue in the days of Dr Steven Makoji Achema of the blessed memory and the late Prince Abubakar Audu, given the web of dangerous politicking pervading the land out of utter hatred for each other.

The 2027 general election is fast approaching and the Kogi East’s seeming hemorrhage of ideas on what to do at all strata of politics would pose “no change”, and dangerously too, that some sponsored social media irritants are well bent on desecrating political leaders and engaging in pull him down subterfuge. Sadly, opinion moulders have disappeared from the scene, even as ‘wise men from the East’ are nowhere to be found to encourage the political leaders who are doing well and to offer counsel on way forward.

At this critical times, one expects that a modicum of intelligence would understand that Senator Echocho’s legislative activities in the Senate since 2019 has been the only saving grace, hence, offering him ‘the first of right refusal’ for the 2027 general election should be the way to go for now.

It is axiomatic that the 2027 general election which every ‘Jack Robinsons’ are sponsoring campaign of calumnies as strategies to reposition themselves to contest the 2027 Senate can only be safe with Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho. This is because, it would be too costly to trade away Kogi East representation at the Senate, and given that it is the only highest political office for Igala/Bassa kingdom for now.

Criticism of political office holders at all level is good if it is done constructively, but in the case where fact speaks for itself in terms of performance in office, ‘res ipsa loquitor’, then criticism becomes destructive if it is done to purposely paint the leader as the demon hindering the progress of Igala/Bassa land.

Statistics show that Kogi East with nine Local Government Councils is one of the highest Senatorial flank in the country, hence, any representative at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly must be more than a servant leader to dutifully serve the people.

Entrusting the Senatorial District to an untrusted and untested hand as the Kingdom approach the 2027 general election would be a risk and more than a political suicide at this precarious time. That is why wisdom demands that the people, the socio-cultural group, religious groups and political stakeholders should rally round the political leaders for support, ask questions on their activities where some issues are unclear in order to move the Kingdom forward.

Of particular interest in this piece is the Kogi East Senatorial District currently occupied by Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho, who one could proudly say has been doing surprisingly well at the Red Chamber and back home in the district. Any adult who was a living witness to the debut of democracy in 1999 till date is challenged to place performance index of Kogi East Senators side by side and you will discover that none in the past is match for the current Senator. Let the truth be told for once!

Though, this is an opinionated piece, if this is believed ‘hook line and sinker’ as could be seen in motions, resolutions the Senator has sponsored in his first and second term of office and the massive constituency projects in the district as well as personal and official intervention in dire conditions of the constituents, one would discover that the narrative has changed.

Before the Senate went on Sallah and Easter recess, Senator Echocho sponsored a bill to establish National Cashew Production and Research Institute to be cited at Idah in Kogi East. The bill has passed first reading on the floor of the Red Chamber and one expect Cashew Produce association, stakeholders and traditional rulers not only to be excited, but rally round the Senator to ensure that the bill is passed into the law.

This is notwithstanding the fact that the proposed National Cashew Production and research Institute comes with job opportunities as well as infrastructural development in Igala/Bassa land.

Lawmaking encompasses participation of the constituents as they have opportunity to participate in public hearing after the bill has passed second reading before the third reading. It is important to see good things in one who is doing well on his beat and if he seeks a return, it is good enough to grant it.

One of the advantages of returning a lawmaker is that a bill he sponsored and is passed into law, if it is not assented to by the President for it to become an act, the same bill would have accelerated hearing to its passage if re-presented.

Atekojo Samson Usman is a journalist and writes from Abuja. He can be reached through: ateko2007@gmail.com

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Before the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Nigeria’s security architecture was grappling with deeply entrenched challenges, particularly in the Northwest and Southeast regions.

The situation had deteriorated to alarming levels, with criminal elements and secessionist movements establishing a disturbing level of control in certain areas.

In the Northwest, banditry had evolved from sporadic attacks to the full-scale occupation of territories. Vast stretches of land, especially in states like Kaduna, Zamfara, and Niger, fell under the influence of heavily armed groups.

The Abuja-Kaduna highway which was once a vital economic and commuter route, became a perilous stretch, notorious for frequent kidnappings and ambushes.

The security threats extended further, with the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari–Lagos road effectively shut down due to sustained bandit activity. Even commercial life suffered significantly; the Birnin Gwari cattle market, a major hub for livestock trade, was forced to cease operations under the pressure of violence and extortion.

Meanwhile, in the Southeast, the situation was compounded by the secessionist agitation led by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Through fear and coercion, IPOB succeeded in enforcing a weekly sit-at-home directive across several states in the region, paralyzing economic activities every Monday. Businesses were shuttered, schools closed, and the freedom of movement was severely curtailed, undermining both governance and development efforts.

This was the grim reality inherited by the Tinubu administration. However, at the heart of the renewed fight against insecurity stands a strategic recalibration: what many now refer to as the “Nuhu Ribadu Formula.”

As National Security Adviser, Ribadu brought a fresh, intelligence-driven approach to tackling Nigeria’s security woes. With an emphasis on coordination among security agencies, restoration of public confidence, and targeted offensives against criminal enclaves, his methods have begun yielding tangible results.

While challenges persist, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas, the difference in tone and trajectory is becoming increasingly clear. The Ribadu-led security strategy has not only focused on reclaiming territory but also on addressing the root causes of unrest; be it poverty, weak governance, or community grievances. It is this multidimensional and proactive approach that may well define Nigeria’s path to lasting peace and stability.

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, has been pivotal in reshaping Nigeria’s national security framework through a clear and strategic vision built on three foundational pillars.

The first is the carrot-and-stick approach, which balances kinetic (military force) and non-kinetic (dialogue, reconciliation, and development) strategies. This dual-pronged method recognizes that not all security threats can be resolved through force alone.

By combining targeted military operations with community engagement and deradicalization efforts, the approach aims to neutralize threats while addressing the root causes of violence.

The second strategy is a shift from rhetoric to action, a deliberate move away from endless briefings and political grandstanding towards concrete, measurable outcomes.

Under Ribadu’s watch, security interventions are now judged not by promises, but by performance. The focus is on restoring peace, reclaiming lost territories, and enabling displaced persons to return to their communities.

Third is the promotion of synergy and intelligence sharing among security agencies. Previously plagued by inter-agency rivalry and fragmented operations, Nigeria’s security forces are now operating with improved coordination.
Through unified command structures and shared intelligence platforms, responses have become faster, more precise, and increasingly proactive.

These strategies have already begun to yield visible results. The recent resurgence of attacks in Plateau and Benue States, as well as isolated Boko Haram assaults on soft targets in Borno and Adamawa, were swiftly countered using the same framework. Rapid deployment of forces, community-based intelligence, and coordinated operations prevented escalation and restored calm.

Still, the road to full recovery is a gradual one. While the machinery of state security has clearly been retooled, the average citizen may not immediately perceive these gains. Part of the challenge lies in the persistence of outdated or unverified reports in some sections of the media, which can paint a distorted picture of the current realities. Nevertheless, those on the ground, especially in previously hard-hit areas, are beginning to sense a shift.

The “Nuhu Ribadu Formula” is proving to be more than just a tactical adjustment; it is an evolving doctrine that prioritizes effectiveness, accountability, and collaboration. With sustained implementation and public support, it could well become the blueprint for enduring peace in Nigeria.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980