Television Nigerian

Oseni Rufai, an anchor for Arise Television, and Daniel Bwala, a spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, got into a furious verbal altercation on Monday after it was said that the broadcaster had been suspended from his position.

After taking a vacation, Rufai returned to hosting duties on Monday and addressed the rumor on the live broadcast of the Arise Morning Show, directly connecting it to Bwala.

“Bwala wants one of my Meta glasses,” Rufai stated live. I have one for him.

“On Monday morning, a government official said that I had been suspended. I usually urge Bwala to present my suspension letter.

“It is an indictment of this government that its spokesperson is lying if he fails to disclose it. So, President Tinubu, instruct Bwala to deliver my letter of suspension.

Bwala reacted quickly, calling Rufai a “adult toddler” and making fun of his freshly displayed Meta glasses in a post on 𝕏 (previously Twitter).

“An adult toddler, @ruffydfire, joked that I visited their station when he wasn’t there, which caught my attention,” Bwala stated.

“I want to start by congratulating you on flaunting a Meta glass you purchased or DEM dashing you during your alleged suspension or break.”

Bwala insisted that his visit to Lagos was a part of a larger media engagement while making fun of Rufai by implying that he was unable to interview him because of what he called a “alleged suspension.”

“You have been in Lagos during this time (perhaps your alleged suspension included being prohibited from leaving Lagos), and your producer could have called you back from your alleged suspension to come to my interview,” he said.

Bwala escalated the argument by challenging Rufai to an in-person interview and accusing him of subtly disparaging co-anchor Dr. Reuben Abati.

“Rufai, you have a studio in Abuja. Take a plane there, and let’s use Charles’ Prime Time to conduct the man-to-man interview. I urge the chairman to put that into action. “I’m waiting, quick, quick, quick!” he exclaimed.

Alassane Ouattara, the president of the Ivory Coast, was sworn in for a fourth term on Monday after a low-turnout election that was boycotted by his two main rivals.

Eleven African leaders and foreign dignitaries reportedly attended the ceremony as the 83-year-old governor, who has led the West African country since 2010, took the oath of office.

Ouattara pledged to uphold the country’s laws in his brief speech. Shortly after taking the oath of office, he proclaimed, “I vow to loyally defend the constitution.”

The inauguration took place in Yamoussoukro, the capital, about six weeks after Ouattara won a landslide 90% of the vote in the October 25 presidential election, despite only 50.1% of voters casting ballots, prompting concerns about legality and public enthusiasm.

The exclusion of Ouattara’s two most notable opponents, former president Laurent Gbagbo and former head of Credit Suisse Tidjane Thiam, has been cited by critics as a significant weakness in the election process.

Thiam was allegedly excluded due to nationality concerns, while Gbagbo was disqualified because of a prior criminal record. At the inauguration, neither was there.

In a nation where disputed elections have frequently produced upheaval, their absence has increased political tensions.

The ceremony attracted significant international attention in spite of the controversy. Former Nigerian President Mahamadou Issoufou and delegates from eleven African countries were among those present.

Speaker of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet represented France, the nation’s strong friend and former colonial power. Jacob Helberg, the Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, was sent by the United States to meet with Ouattara later that day for bilateral negotiations.

According to reports, Ouattara initially took office following a contentious election in 2010 that resulted in civil unrest and hundreds of fatalities. Since then, he has kept a solid hold on the president, gaining reelection in 2015 and prolonging his tenure through judicial decisions and constitutional modifications.

Opposition leaders and civil society organizations have criticized his most recent term, the fourth, claiming it compromises regional democratic norms.

The inauguration takes place amid concerns about military takeovers, electoral manipulation, and democratic regression in a number of West African countries.

Observers claim that Ouattara’s reelection highlights the weakness of the region’s democratic institutions, particularly in light of the controversial circumstances.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting suspected terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits nationwide as soon as possible, stating that quick legal proceedings are essential to combating the growing instability.

Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said this on Monday during a speech at the Court of Appeal’s 2025–2026 legal year opening in Abuja.

“It is impossible to ignore the grave challenge of insecurity that confronts our country at this solemn juncture in our national life,” Fagbemi stated.

These threats, which range from terrorism and insurrection to banditry, kidnapping, and violent crimes, jeopardize not just our citizens’ safety but also the foundation of our constitutional democracy.

“The courts can guarantee that those who threaten peace and stability are held accountable, that impunity is dismantled, and that the sanctity of human life and property is protected through firm, consistent, and courageous adjudication.”

According to Fagbemi, the government is prioritizing the prosecution of those connected to major assaults, kidnapping for ransom, terror financing, and extremist recruitment rather than concentrating only on incarceration or military operations.

He went on to say that the court is essential to bolstering national security initiatives, particularly when it comes to promptly and fairly deciding cases involving terrorism.

Fagbemi revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is dedicated to appointing more judges to the Federal High Court in order to expedite trials and increase the judiciary’s capacity.

According to him, the appointments will support the nation’s counterterrorism efforts and guarantee that cases are resolved quickly and effectively.

The AGF emphasized that efficient justice administration boosts public trust and supports military and intelligence tactics.

“The prompt administration of justice is an essential supplement to our military and intelligence operations,” he stated. As we cooperate to save our country, this is a time for unity rather than diversion.

Fagbemi also praised the Court of Appeal for its efforts to reduce backlogs, especially in cases involving terrorism, human trafficking, and kidnapping, through special sittings and Fast Track Practice Directions.

“The initiative is crucial to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s fight against terrorism because delays in prosecution can prolong periods of insecurity and erode public confidence in legal processes,” he said.

The Court of Appeal was commended by the AGF for preserving a positive yet autonomous relationship with the executive.

“This delicate balance, characterized by mutual respect, institutional independence, and constructive engagement, has ensured that the machinery of governance operates harmoniously while the separation of powers is preserved,” Fagbemi stated.

Following their detention during Sunday’s abortive coup attempt, the Chief of the National Guard and the Chief of Army Staff of the Benin Republic have been freed.

In a statement published on X on Monday, security analyst Brant Grant affirmed their freedom.

He stated, “The National Guard Chief of Staff and the Beninese Chief of Army Staff have been released after being kidnapped by the mutineers during yesterday’s coup.”

Their release coincides with President Patrice Talon’s announcement in a statewide broadcast that his government had regained complete authority in the wake of the disturbance.

Earlier, mutinous soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri captured Talon and a number of top military officers in Cotonou.

The event is part of a string of recent coups and attempted takeovers that have been documented across West Africa, including Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

Michael Olugbode, Sunday Aborisade, and Chuks Okocha in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu’s prompt response to President Patrice Tallon of the Republic of Benin’s distress call, which was typical of Nigeria’s position on the continent, prevented rogue officers from taking control of the nation in the early hours of yesterday.

Following the appeal for assistance, Tinubu dispatched both air and ground forces from Nigeria, which assisted in securing the neighboring nation and mobilizing the coup plotters, opening the door for the devoted local military personnel to retake control and reinstate democracy.

The Republic of Benin’s failed coup was characterized by the federal administration as a direct attack on democracy, constitutional order, and the collective desire of the Beninese people, who had continuously shown their dedication to a peaceful political transition.

Unconstitutional changes of leadership, according to the government, are unacceptable and a step backward that jeopardizes the subregion’s socioeconomic advancement and hard-won democratic accomplishments.

The attempted military seizure of the Benin Republic’s government was also denounced by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which said that it was a subversion of popular will.

However, the Nigerian non-governmental organization (NGO) Campaign for Democracy (CD) cautioned ECOWAS that unless African leaders adopted true good governance that would enhance the lives of their people, its regular denunciation of coups would no longer prevent military takeovers.

Early on Sunday morning, a group within the Benin Republic’s armed forces had tried to remove Tallon. On Benin’s official television, the troops claimed to have removed Talon from office and disbanded all government agencies.

An attack on Talon’s official residence in the city, Porto-Novo, marked the start of the coup attempt.

“Gunfire was reported at Camp Guezo,” which is close to Talon’s residence, the French Embassy stated on X, advising French nationals to stay inside for safety.

The troops, purportedly under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, made a statement during their TV appearance and declared that they had overthrown the president.

They had declared, “The army solemnly commits to give the Beninese people the hope of a truly new era, where fraternity, justice, and work prevail.”

In order to protect the president from the threat posed by the dissident soldiers and reinstate democracy, the loyalist military group later united around him with the assistance of Nigerian troops.

In response to two different requests from the Benin administration, Tinubu first gave the order for Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter the nation and seize control of the airspace in order to assist in removing the coup plotters from a military camp where they had regrouped and the national TV station.

In a verbal note, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Benin asked Nigeria for immediate air support “in view of the urgency and seriousness of the situation and to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions, and ensure the security of the population.”

The Nigerian Air Force’s deployment within Beninese airspace for surveillance and quick intervention missions under Benin-led coordination was the second request made by Beninese authorities.

Additionally, Nigerian ground soldiers were asked by the Benin government “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed groups.”

Nigerian ground soldiers are currently in Benin, according to General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria.

“We must obey President Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces,” Oluyede declared.

Tinubu praised the Nigerian military’s bravery in acting quickly to protect the Benin Republic’s 35-year-old democracy from coup plotters who attacked at first light.

According to a statement from his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised the Nigerian military for their unwavering commitment to upholding democracy.

“Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as a defender and protector of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin on the invitation of the government,” he wrote in the statement. Within the framework of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, our military forces operated.

Since 1999, they have contributed to the stability of a neighboring nation, and we are proud of their dedication to upholding our democratic principles and ideals. Nigeria is steadfastly in support of the Republic of Benin’s people and government.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also denounced the development in a statement that said, “The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has received with grave concern and unequivocally condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted forcible seizure of power in our friendly neighbor and brotherly nation, the Republic of Benin, in the early hours of Sunday 7th December, 2025.”

“Democracy, constitutional order, and the collective will of the Beninese people—who have continuously shown their dedication to peaceful political transitions—are directly threatened by this act of destabilization.

“Nigeria expresses unwavering support for the government and citizens of the Republic of Benin and commends the prompt action taken by Beninese authorities to safeguard its legitimate institutions and maintain peace.

“We praise the bravery and expertise of the Beninese security forces in protecting the President’s safety and upholding the constitutional order. The regrettable attempt to undermine democracy was successfully thwarted thanks to their commitment.

“Nigeria reiterates its strong commitment to democracy, good governance, and the rule of law as fundamental pillars for peace, development, and regional stability,” the statement continued.

The hard-won democratic gains and socioeconomic advancement of our subregion are at risk due to undesirable and retrogressive changes of leadership.

“Nigeria calls on all member states and the international community to unite in denouncing this act and in reaffirming our shared commitment to the African Union’s Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, as a steadfast partner within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union.”

“We urge all parties in the Republic of Benin to maintain composure, respect the rule of law, and continue to channel any political discourse through peaceful, constitutional, and democratic means,” the ministry added.

“As we collaborate as brothers and partners to strengthen democracy and guarantee enduring peace and prosperity for our peoples and the entire West African region, the Federal Government of Nigeria assures the Government of the Republic of Benin of its full support and ongoing cooperation.”

ECOWAS: The People’s Will Is Subverted

The Benin Republic’s attempted military takeover of power was denounced by ECOWAS as a betrayal of the country’s citizens’ will.

“ECOWAS Commission has received with consternation, reports of an attempted military take-over in the Republic of Benin,” the Abuja-based ECOWAS office said in a statement.

“This illegitimate action, which subverts the will of the Benin people, is strongly condemned by ECOWAS.

“ECOWAS praises the government’s and the Republican Army’s efforts to bring the situation under control and demands that the Benin Constitution be fully respected.”

“ECOWAS holds the plot’s leaders individually and collectively accountable for any damage and human casualties caused by their actions.

“ECOWAS will provide the government and people with all necessary support, including the deployment of the regional standby force, to protect Benin’s constitution and territorial integrity.”

Additionally, ECOWAS sent a standby force to the Benin Republic in order to protect constitutional democracy and prevent law and order.

In its second statement, ECOWAS emphasized steps taken to prevent democracy in the Benin Republic.

“Further to its previous announcement on the Republic of Benin, the ECOWAS Commission hereby advises the general public that:

1. In accordance with the terms of pertinent ECOWAS documents, including Article 25(e) of the 1999 Protocol Concerning the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution Peacekeeping and Security, and

2. Following discussions among Heads of State and Government in the Mediation and Security Council, a. The Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has directed the immediate deployment of ECOWAS Standby Force components to the Republic of Benin.

b. The Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, and the Republic of Ghana will provide troops for the Regional Force.

“c. To maintain constitutional order and the Republic of Benin’s territorial integrity, the Force shall assist the Government and the Republican Army of Benin.”

CD warns ECOWAS to either improve poor leadership or prepare for more military takeovers.

Campaign for Democracy (CD) cautioned that ECOWAS’s regular denunciations of coups might no longer prevent military takeovers, emphasizing that African leaders must instead adopt true good governance that would enhance the quality of life for their people.

In response to the failed coup attempt in the Republic of Benin early yesterday morning, the pro-democracy group claimed that rather than addressing the underlying causes of the growing demand for soldiers in politics, ECOWAS had reduced itself to a statement-issuing organization after each military incursion.

A statement endorsed by CD’s National President, Pastor Ifeanyi Odili, was signed in Abuja.

According to the statement, “ECOWAS would never serve the African people merely by denouncing coups.” The wave of political instability sweeping the continent can only be stopped by strong regional policies that force governments to maintain justice, accountability, and transparency.

According to Odili, leaderships in West Africa have abandoned responsible administration, plunging their countries into economic hardship, skyrocketing inflation, insecurity, and political uncertainty, which is directly responsible for the growing public frustration in the region.

Any democracy that continuously causes misery to its people, in his opinion, “is destined to collapse, either through revolution or a military intervention.”

He emphasized that governments must have true popular support in order for democracy to continue.

“African politicians cannot continue to lead the continent into hardship and expect the populace to remain passive,” said Odili. When governance fails, the people will always look for other options.

According to CD, the recent trend in a number of African nations, where a growing number of people publicly favored military control over what they called a dysfunctional version of democracy, should worry ECOWAS and force it to reconsider how it addresses the region’s governance issues.

The group called on the regional grouping to adopt a zero-tolerance stance against corruption and incompetent leadership among presidents and political office holders, going beyond mere condemnations.

It stated that if ECOWAS wanted to maintain democracy on the continent, it needed to start demanding moral leadership, the fulfillment of electoral pledges, and stringent accountability from member nations.

“Opposing coups is not enough. ECOWAS must demand that leaders rule with integrity, justice, and fairness. If not, coups will persist, whether they are successful or not, according to Odili.

He stated that only effective governance could shield Africa from frequent upheavals of constitutional order and that democracy can only last when its constituents perceive real advantages from the system they are expected to protect.

It’s Unsettling, Atiku Says

Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, denounced the attempted coup d’état in the Benin Republic, calling the development—particularly the frequency of incidents—concerning.

“I condemn the coup d’état in the Benin Republic, without reservation and in the strongest terms possible,” Atiku declared in a statement released last night.

“This irresponsible pattern of assault on constitutional order is completely intolerable, not only because of its perilous proximity, but also because military meddling in governance has long since ended in Africa and our subregion.

“It is alarming that these coups are taking place in the impacted nations during election seasons.

“The alleged military takeover in Guinea-Bissau occurred on the eve of the anticipated announcement of that country’s poll results, while the presidential election in Benin is scheduled for April 2026.”

“It raises fears that certain political operators may be using the military to cancel the democratic processes,” Atiku stated.

The West African subregion’s democracy is under risk from this trend, which needs to be reversed before it becomes the norm rather than the exception.

“Every decisive step must be taken to crush any emerging appetite for subverting democracy, and soldiers have no business being anywhere outside their barracks.”

Just three months after Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and his political son, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, reached a peace agreement, Rivers State’s political players are preparing for yet another crisis.

There will be another confrontation between the governor and the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule and loyal to the FCT Minister.

Recall that in late 2023, just months after the governor took office, a political dispute arose as a result of a fierce struggle between Fubara and Wike over control of the state’s political system.

After the Martins Amaewhule-led state Assembly members entered the conflict in 2024, the confrontation between the two leaders got worse.

Recall that on December 11, 2023, roughly 27 MPs who supported the FCT Minister defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, the defection was not warmly received, and on July 6, 2024, members of the house supported by Fubara declared their seats empty, intensifying the state’s political unrest.

The situation persisted until President Bola Tinubu proclaimed a state of emergency in Rivers on May 18, 2025, suspending Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly for six months.

But when Tinubu met with Fubara, Wike, and Amaewhule at the State House on July 27, 2025, he mediated a settlement between the warriors.

Just three months later, on December 1st, 2025, Amaewhule harshly denounced Governor Fubara’s administration, accusing it of ignoring the state’s public primary and secondary schools. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the crisis.

Amaewhule was heard stating that the deterioration under government control is intolerable and shameful in a widely shared video.

It is “a sad commentary,” according to Amaewhule, that public schools in the oil-rich state have gotten so bad that students are learning without teachers, vandals have taken over school property, and one teacher is required to teach two courses at once.

16 lawmakers abandon Fubara’s PDP

On Friday, December 5, Amaewhule and fifteen other assembly members defected from Fubara’s PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress, indicating the start of yet another crisis in the state.

Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1) are among the fifteen legislators.

These include Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Peter Abbey (Degema), Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Assembly-related queries The postponement of Fubara’s commissioner presentation

The assembly confronted the governor on Friday for postponing the submission of a list of commissioner-nominees for screening, which was another indication of a new crisis.

Recall that in September 2025, when the House met for the first time after the emergency rule was suspended, the Assembly asked the governor to send a list of commissioner nominations in order to guarantee efficient state government.

According to the Supreme Court’s verdict, Fubara had previously fired all commissioners chosen during the height of the political crisis because they had not been vetted by the Assembly, which is recognized by the constitution.

But the governor’s inability to send the house a new list of commissioner-nominees has led to yet another confrontation.

Rivers residents don’t need this right now, according to ADC Chairman

The state does not currently require another wave of crises, according to Leader Sampson, Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rivers State branch.

In an interview, Sampson cautioned the assembly members and all stakeholders involved in the developing situation not to put the lives of Rivers people in danger for personal gain.

“Obviously, the state does not need this at this time,” he stated. Following the resolution of their previous problems and the lifting of the state of emergency, we anticipated that the legislative and executive branches of government would work together to advance the state.

But what we observe is what we predicted earlier. We were aware of their self-serving motivation for achieving peace at that time.

“We are unable to even call that one peace agreement.” Certain people’s interests led to the agreement of terms.

As soon as Amaewhule chastised the governor, we were certain that trouble was brewing. When they discussed schools, they were merely searching for a way to pin the governor. They had already decided what they intended to do.

“Everyone is free to engage in politics, but not at the expense of the Rivers people.”

Austin Okai: “They have left Fubara behind.”

In response, Austin Okai, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), questioned why the governor was left out of the party in spite of the reconciliation.

Some of the governor’s followers have also deserted him, according to Okai, who called Fubara “back to his vomit.”

“Despite reconciliation, Wike’s train moved to the APC without carrying him,” he stated.

“Those who stood by him have also deserted him since he returned to his own vomit, leaving him lonely.”