Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has lamented that the failing state status of Nigeria is glaringly evident.

Obasanjo issued a scathing critique of Nigeria’s current state under President Bola Tinubu, lamenting that the country is a “failing state” plagued by corruption and leadership failure.  

The former president made these remarks during his keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum held at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.  

In a statement released by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo referred to President Tinubu with the epithets “Baba-go-slow” and “Emilokan,” the latter being a term popularised during Tinubu’s election campaign, what he described as lacklustre leadership. He stated that the nation’s dire situation is evident to “every honest person.”  

Delivering a lecture titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria,”Obasanjo warned that the nation is sinking deeper into insecurity, division, and underdevelopment. 

He attributed these issues to widespread corruption, mediocrity, and a lack of accountability.  

“The more the immorality and corruption of a nation, the more the nation sinks into chaos, insecurity, conflict, and disunity,” Obasanjo said. 

“The failing state status of Nigeria is confirmed and glaringly indicated for all to see.”  

Drawing inspiration from Chinua Achebe’s 1983 treatise, ‘The Trouble with Nigeria, Obasanjo reiterated that the nation’s challenges stem from a failure of leadership. He dismissed notions that cultural or environmental factors are to blame, stressing instead the inability of leaders to rise to the occasion.  

Obasanjo also accused political elites of engaging in state capture, a form of corruption where powerful groups manipulate national policies, laws, and resources for personal gain. 

He noted the sale of national assets at undervalued prices and the undue influence of interest groups in shaping Nigeria’s economic and political landscape.  

“State capture is one of the most pervasive forms of corruption,” Obasanjo explained. 

“What is happening in Nigeria – right before our eyes – is state capture, where public institutions are subject to undue influence from vested interests.”  

The former president criticised the intertwining of business and political elites through family ties, lobbying, and vote-buying, which he argued prioritises private gain over public welfare. 

He warned of the long-term implications on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development.  

On a hopeful note, Obasanjo maintained that Nigeria’s challenges are surmountable, provided the nation’s leadership embraces accountability and reforms.  

In honouring Chinua Achebe, Obasanjo praised the late literary icon for his lasting contributions to Nigerian society, describing him as “a great and distinguished Nigerian.”

Nigerian music sensation Daniel Anidugbe, popularly known as Kizz Daniel, has revealed plans to take a break from music after the release of his upcoming EP.

The singer announced that following the release of his EP, Uncle K, on November 29, 2024, he would not be putting out new music until 2026.

“After this, I’m not dropping anything again until 2026,” he shared via his X handle on Friday.

Fans have since flooded his social media with messages, urging him to reconsider and expressing how much they will miss his music.

Kizz Daniel, who first gained recognition in 2016 with the hit single Woju, has remained one of Nigeria’s most consistent artists. Over the years, he has released five studio albums and numerous chart-topping songs, solidifying his place in the industry.

Ondo Decides 2024: Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa Leads in Governorship Election

Live results from the Ondo State governorship election indicate Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) maintaining a commanding lead over his closest rival, Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

As Aiyedatiwa seeks reelection, the race sees other contenders from the Labour Party (LP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) struggling to keep pace.

The tally of results across several wards has been consistent in favor of the APC, showcasing its strength in critical areas of Akoko North East and Irele Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Below are detailed results from various polling units:Oyinmo Ward, Akoko North East LGA1. Omotunwase/Mr. Giwa’s house (near late Pa Aliu Bakare’s house):

APC: 131PDP: 632. Osaniyi/Odenusi/Akinnugbagbe/Niyi (at Omowaye’s house):APC: 89PDP: 553. John Holt (at Oladugba’s opposite Total Filling Station):APC: 139PDP: 284. Atere/Owolabi/Alao/Aro/Aduloju/Sunday Compound (at Omojola’s house):APC: 140PDP: 475. Kowode Market/Suberu/Odeniyan’s House (at Chief Adunlu’s house):APC: 142PDP: 446. Okereo/Odose/Ode Ateti (in front of Chief Bada’s house):APC: 251PDP: 46Ajagba Ward 2, Irele LGA1.

Aggregated Results:ADC: 1ADP: 3APC: 1,136APGA: 4PDP: 588YP: 1Edo Ward, Akoko North East LGA1. Odeluke (in front of late Chief Odeluke’s house):APC: 164PDP: 412. Okereo/Odose/Ode Ateti (in front of Chief Bada’s house):APC: 251PDP: 463. Ode Odalure/Osoro/Ode Imoku/Ode Olori/Okegbede Barracks A.U.D Primary School III:APC: 115PDP: 40

Governor Aiyedatiwa’s dominance in these wards highlights APC’s robust grassroots support, particularly in Akoko North East LGA.

Meanwhile, the PDP, though trailing, has shown pockets of resistance in areas like Irele LGA. With votes still being counted across the state, the APC remains optimistic about a favorable outcome.

The Ondo governorship election continues to draw nationwide attention as voters await final results, with many commending the peaceful conduct of the polls so far.

Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has excused grieving first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from the Super Eagles’ squad to confront the Amavubi of Rwanda in Monday’s final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Uyo.

“He has been excused from the game.

However, the player will come to watch the match and cheer his team mates on,” Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, told thenff.com.

The player announced via his social media handle on Friday that his father, Godspower Onyekam Abali, Chief Onyeogazrim 1 of Okwuzi, had passed on. The former chief surveyor was 67. Nwabali’s absence means the contest for the number one jersey in Monday’s encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium will be a straight one between Italy-based Maduka Okoye and Ethiopia-based Amas Obasogie.

The Nigeria Football Federation has commiserated with Super Eagles’ number one goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, who lost his father in the morning of Friday, 15th November 2024. The South Africa-based Nwabali announced the sad news on his Instagram page on Friday morning.

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “We are shocked and saddened to hear of the demise of Stanley Nwabali’s father. Coming a day after the player featured in the match that won us the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ticket, it made for a day of low morale as we flew from Abidjan to Uyo.

“The death of a parent is always a thing of deep sorrow and sadness. However, we want Stanley to take heart in the fruitful and fulfilled life that his father lived, and we pray that the Almighty will grant him eternal rest, and also grant Stanley and other members of the family the fortitude to bear the big loss.”

Group winners Nigeria and final-day opponents Rwanda have both landed at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo ahead of Monday’s Matchday 6 clash in the concluding round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Deflated but not altogether supine, the Amavubi still have a mathematical chance of qualifying, though the supposition is not actually in their favour.

They missed a big opportunity to enhance their chances when losing at home to Libya’s Mediterranean Knights on Thursday, and can only make it to Morocco 2025 if they defeat Nigeria in Uyo and Libya are victorious against Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in North Africa on Monday.

The Super Eagles, confirmed group winners, have nothing to chase other than national pride, and will play a more relaxed game against the visitors than the turgid contest with the Cheetahs at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan on Thursday night.

Nigeria’s delegation flew from the Ivorian capital, Abidjan, to Uyo aboard a chartered ValueJet aircraft, arriving at 3.50pm.

Rwanda’s delegation flew from Kigali to Lagos aboard a regular Rwandair flight, arriving at 1pm, before boarding an Ibom Air flight to Uyo. They landed in Uyo just before 5pm.

Uyo’s magnificent Godswill Akpabio Stadium is the venue, and a carnival atmosphere is expected as the Super Eagles celebrate for 90 minutes and afterwards with the AFCON ticket long in the bag.

Both countries battled to a scoreless draw in their first confrontation in Kigali in September, though the jury is still out on Ademola Lookman’s first-half headed goal that was inexplicably chalked off by the Moroccan referee.

Incidentally, another Moroccan will be in the role of referee on Monday. 44-year-old Samir Guezzaz takes the stage in the centre at the game that kicks off at 5pm.

Guezzaz alongside his compatriots Zakaria Brinsi (assistant 1), Abdessamad Abertoune (assistant 2) and Kech Chaf Mustapha (fourth official) are scheduled to arrive in Nigeria on Saturday, same as Prosper Harrison Addo from Ghana (commissioner) and Ali Mohamed Ahmed from Somalia (referee assessor).