Welcome to Thursday’s roundup of Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-focused calls on issues that impact citizens.
1. Punch: Abduction crisis: NASS asks FG to name terrorism financiers
The National Assembly has urged the Federal Government to publicly name and prosecute terrorism financiers, with both the Senate and House insisting that exposing the money men behind insecurity is long overdue. Lawmakers now want kidnappers and their sponsors treated like the villains in an action film, except this time, the plot twist Nigerians are hoping for is that the government actually follows through.
Our Take: The National Assembly’s tough talk on naming terrorism financiers will only matter if the Executive, led by President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, actually move from debate to decisive action. Nigerians need the Senate, House, DSS, EFCC, and police to stop treating terrorism sponsors like invisible VIPs and start dragging them into courtrooms with receipts in hand.
2. The Guardian: Stakeholders Demand Legal Backing for IREV, e-Transmission of Results
As the National Assembly prepares to vote on constitution amendment bills, electoral stakeholders are urging lawmakers to adopt reforms that legally recognise electronic transmission of results and strengthen INEC’s technological systems, including the IReV portal.
Our Take: Nigeria’s leaders now have a perfect chance to stop treating electoral reform like a New Year’s resolution they never intend to keep. The National Assembly should swiftly pass amendments that give full legal force to electronic transmission of results, strengthen INEC’s digital tools, and finally establish the long-delayed Electoral Offences Commission.
3. Daily Trust: Insecurity: ‘There are gaps within armed forces’ – Gen. Musa
During his Senate screening on Wednesday, the new Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, acknowledged that significant gaps still exist within the armed forces, hindering Nigeria’s fight against insecurity. Appearing before the upper chamber for a four-hour session, Musa was confirmed as Defence Minister following President Bola Tinubu’s request to appoint him as successor to Abubakar Badaru, who recently resigned from the role.
Our Take: Now that General Christopher Musa has taken the helm as Defence Minister and openly acknowledged the gaps weakening Nigeria’s security apparatus, he must waste no time turning those admissions into action. Nigerians need him to push the service chiefs, modernise equipment, tighten coordination, and hold underperforming commands accountable, rather than letting insecurity roam the country like it has a permanent VIP pass. The minister has the mandate, now he must show that the era of excuses is finally over.
