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Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, alongside his son and Nigerian musician, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, have joined the ongoing protest against bad governance in Lagos State.

DAILY POST reports that protesters, Friday morning, gathered at the Ikeja Underbridge area of Lagos, to protest the economic hardship and security crisis currently bedevilling the nation.

The protesters carrying placards demanding urgent action to tackle the country’s worsening security situation, said people are dying every day due to bad policies.

Some of the inscriptions displayed on the placards read: “No Democracy Without Security,” “End Insecurity and Kidnapping,” “End Bad Governance,” and “Free All Abducted Children, Teachers, Farmers,” among others.

President Bola Tinubu had addressed the nation, promising an end to the prevailing security crisis.

The president, who is seeking his second term in 2027, vowed that the country would win the war against insecurity.

Falana, Falz, others join ‘EndBadGovernance’ protests in Lagos [PHOTOS]

Abdulmumuni Abiola, son of MKO Abiola, has said Nigeria is still grappling with some of the issues that were identified in 1993.

Abiola made this remark on Friday when he appeared as a guest in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’.

He was speaking on Nigeria’s 27th anniversary of uninterrupted democracy.

“After a successive democratic government, we are still basically in the same position we were when we started. We are not necessarily saying we don’t like the democracy we are in, but we are only saying it has not been a representative one.

“The fact is that some of the issues that were identified in 1993 are still with us today, and I think that’s what the issue is.

“So, I think what we have in Nigeria today is a situation where we have people in the country, but nobody is actually coming out to express their own voices, like to speak to the government,” he said.

June 12: Nigeria still dealing with same issues 27 years after democracy – Abiola’s son

Hundreds of protesters on Friday staged a fresh #EndBadGovernance protest in Lagos, using the Democracy Day period to press for immediate government intervention in the areas of economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and the escalating cost of living.

The protest attracted activists, civil society organisations and concerned Nigerians who marched peacefully through parts of the city, carrying placards with inscriptions including “Free All Captives Now,” “End Anti-People Policies Now,” and “For a Living Wage and Mass Creation of Employment.”

Participants expressed concern over the worsening economic conditions in the country and urged the government to take decisive steps to address the challenges confronting citizens.

The demonstration came against the backdrop of recent mass abductions reported in Oyo and Borno States, as well as growing public frustration over rising living costs and economic difficulties.

The protesters also highlighted the impact of inflation, increasing transportation fares and declining purchasing power on ordinary Nigerians, calling for policies that would ease the burden on citizens.

Among those present at the protest is prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, who joined calls for improved governance, enhanced security and economic reforms aimed at improving citizens’ welfare.

Falana had earlier aligned with several civil society groups in designating June 12 as a day of nationwide demonstrations, citing concerns over widespread insecurity, hunger and the economic challenges affecting millions of Nigerians.

Security personnel were deployed to monitor the protest and maintain order throughout the exercise.

Meanwhile, a separate group of demonstrators also emerged at the venue to express support for the Federal Government’s ongoing economic and policy reforms.

The pro-government supporters marched with banners bearing messages such as “Better Days Ahead for Nigeria,” urging Nigerians to exercise patience and allow the reforms to yield positive results.

According to the group, the policies being implemented by the government are intended to reposition the economy for long-term recovery, stability and sustainable growth.

End Bad Governance: Protest breaks out in Lagos over hardship, insecurity

Some Ghanaian youths under the banner of the “South Africa Must Go” campaign on Thursday staged a peaceful protest in Accra, demanding that South African companies in the country be shut down.

The development, which followed the deadly xenophobic attacks in South Africa, has heightened tension in the country.

In a viral video, the protesters could be heard saying enough to the attacks on Ghanaian residents in South Africa.

The demonstrators were captured in the video carrying placards reading, “Ghanaian lives matter” and chanting slogans as they converged on the company’s premises.

The development comes weeks after Ghana and some other African countries, including Nigeria, began evacuating their citizens from South Africa amid rising tensions.

In Nigeria, the first batch of returnees arrived in the country on Thursday and were received by government officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sola Enikanolaiye.

Tensions in Ghana as ‘South Africa Must Go’ protesters storm streets in Accra

The World Bank Group’s latest Global Economic Prospects indicates that the Middle East conflict is pushing global growth to the lowest rate since the COVID-19 era amid increased borrowing costs, higher energy prices and inflation.

Global growth is expected to slow to 2.5% in 2026 from 2.9% in 2025, with two-thirds of economies downgraded relative to January of 2026. ‘

The growth may also rise to 2.8% in 2027, but around 0.4 percentage points below the average during the 2010s.

The reports released on Thursday, says by 2028, developing economies, other than China and India, will have experienced nearly a decade of no progress on narrowing their per capita income gap with advanced economies.

It says the Strait of Hormuz closure has acutely disrupted energy markets, with Brent crude oil prices projected to average $94 a barrel in 2026, 36% above 2025 levels, if the worst interruptions ease in July.

Fertilizer prices are forecast to skyrocket this year, with knock-on effects for food prices. Cumulatively, the factors are upthrusting global inflation, which is predicted to rise to 4.0% in the coming months, up from 3.3% in 2025.  

However, if energy supply cuts prove more severe than is witnessed and substantial financial stress occurs, global growth may fall to 1.3% in 2026, and inflation will rise to 4.4%, the Global Economic Prospects finds.

Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, said although developing countries have faced a series of challenges in the last decade, the basic test remains protecting people and preserving stability, without giving up on growth and jobs.

“We are providing liquidity where it is needed. We are ready with additional financing, guarantees, and private-sector solutions if pressures deepen,” Banga assured. “Our job is to help countries steady the ship, keep reforms moving, and emerge stronger on the other side.”

Ayhan Kose, World Bank Group’s Deputy Chief Economist and Director of the Prospects Group, insists now is the time to “strengthen policy frameworks, invest in infrastructure, accelerate business-enabling reforms, and mobilize private capital to support job creation at scale.”

In response to the Middle East crisis, the World Bank is providing $50–60 billion through existing instruments, including $25 billion of pre-arranged financing to support the most vulnerable people, boost fiscal capacity, and provide working capital as well as liquidity support for firms and farms.

Middle East conflict slows global growth in 2026 – World Bank

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, Toyin Amuzu, has decried the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria, describing it as tragic that human lives appear to have lost their value in the country.

Amuzu lamented the frequent killings, kidnappings and violent attacks across the nation, saying no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.

Speaking on Friday as Nigerians commemorate the June 12 Democracy Day, the PDP House of Representatives Candidate vying to represent Abeokuta South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, urged Nigerians not to lose faith in democracy but to actively demand transparency, accountability and good governance from those entrusted with public office.

According to him, democracy can only thrive when leaders are held accountable and citizens remain vigilant in defending their rights and demanding better governance.

“It is sad that human lives no longer seem to have value in our country. Every day, innocent Nigerians are killed, kidnapped or displaced, while many families live in fear. 

“The primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property and much more needs to be done to secure our people,” he said.

Amuzu also expressed concern over the current state of the nation’s democracy, noting that political ideology, conviction and integrity appear to be diminishing in the country’s political landscape.

He further criticised the growing trend of opposition politicians defecting to the ruling party, whether by persuasion, pressure or personal interest, warning that such developments weaken democratic institutions and limit healthy political competition.

Amuzu also paid glowing tribute to Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and other heroes who sacrificed their freedom, comfort and in some cases, their lives in the struggle for democracy.

“The sacrifices of Chief MKO Abiola and other martyrs of democracy will never be forgotten. Their courage and commitment paved the way for the democratic freedoms we enjoy today. We owe it to them to protect and strengthen our democracy,” he stated.

The Asiwaju Leragun Egba urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from the struggles of the nation’s democratic heroes and recommit themselves to the ideals of justice, accountability, equity and good governance.

“As we remember Chief Abiola and other democracy heroes, let us also remember that democracy is not just about elections, it is about improving the lives of the people. Nigerians must demand more from their leaders and hold them accountable at all times. Only then can we build a nation that is secure, prosperous and just for all,” he added.

June 12: PDP’s Amuzu decries insecurity, says Nigerians must demand good governance

The International Press Centre, IPC, through its Safety and Protection of Journalists, SPJ, Hub, has condemned the arrest and detention of the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, Olalekan Akindoju, by police officers in Osogbo.

In a statement issued by Melody Akinjiyan, its Press Freedom Officer on Friday, the organisation described the incident as unlawful and called on the Nigeria Police Force to apologise officially to the journalist and investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

According to the statement, “Akindoju was arrested at his residence in Osogbo on Thursday, June 11, by police operatives who allegedly arrived at his home in the early hours of the day.”

Speaking in a telephone conversation with the Press Freedom Officer of the IPC-SPJ Hub, Akindoju said the incident occurred at about 6 a.m.

“They invaded my residence this morning around 6a.m, arrested me and seized my phone without any valid explanation. All attempts to identify myself as a journalist failed, as they refused to listen to me or give me opportunity to call anyone,” he said.

Akindoju further stated that he was held for several hours before regaining his freedom following interventions by colleagues and the NUJ.

“I was detained for almost five hours before I was released after the intervention of colleagues and the NUJ. The Police claimed it was a case of mistaken identity,” he added.

Reacting to the development, the Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade, criticised the conduct of the officers involved and urged security agencies to exercise caution in carrying out arrests.

“This incident is highly condemnable, and the Police must do due diligence in gathering their intelligence and information before initiating arrests, especially as it pertains to journalists,” Arogundade said.

The SPJ Hub reiterated the need to protect press freedom and safeguard journalists from harassment, intimidation and unlawful arrests.

The organisation also called on the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Gotan, to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident and take appropriate action against any officers found culpable.

The statement urged the police authorities to uphold the rights of journalists and guarantee an environment that allows media practitioners to carry out their professional duties without fear of intimidation or unlawful interference.

IPC condemns journalist, Akindoju’s detention, demands police apology

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has said that attempts to portray Nigerian Muslims as perpetrators of Kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes is false and misleading, stating that such position is unfair to the overwhelming majority of peace-loving Muslims that contribute to national development across all sectors.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Abbas Jimoh to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day, the council said, “Recent efforts by some individuals and groups to associate Islam and Muslims with criminal activities were unjust and dangerous to national unity.”

The statement recalled recent kidnapping incident in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the attempts to link the crime to a particular ethnic or religious group.

It explained that suspects should be identified and prosecuted based on evidence and not identity, saying that criminal acts should not be given ethnic or religious colouration.

The statement further observed with dismay the broader security challenges facing the country such as terrorism, banditry and kidnapping that have continued to claim lives, displace communities and hinder development.

The NSCIA expressed sympathy for victims and their families being affected by criminal activities and condemned all forms of violence, advising those involved to abandon such criminal activities.

It called on the media and opinion leaders not to leave any stone unturned by reporting responsibly and avoid narratives capable of deepening divisions or mistrust among Nigerians.

The council hailed the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies in tackling insecurity, calling for greater cooperation to restore peace.

Stop giving ethnic, religious colouration to banditry, kidnapping  – Islamic Council 

Ranchers Bees boss, Sadiq Umar, has issued an official notice suspending recognition of all club leadership positions until further notice.

Umar stated this in a letter addressed to the Kaduna-based club Elders forum.

He stated that no individual should be recognised as Chairman, Supporters’ Leader, Fans’ Leader, or any other official leader of the club pending a formal address from his office.

According to the address, the club said that they are working to clarify their leadership structure.

Ranchers Bees will play in the 2026-27 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, season after two decades of absence.

The Kaduna club last featured in the NPFL during the 2009-10 season.

NPFL: Sadiq Umar to reposition Rancher Bees after promotion

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, clearly, has an axe to grind with NNPC Ltd. The former labour leader, who was once a junior staffer in a textile mill, now sits in the Senate. From that perch, he has declared the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited “a bunch of criminals and thieves.” To watch the video clip from the 10 June 2026 session of the Senate Public Accounts Committee is to witness a lack of logic and decency. It is remarkable that he now stands before the nation to impugn the integrity of an institution staffed by the very professionals he once claimed to represent as a union leader. Could this be an issue of inferiority complex? 

But for the sake of decorum, let us simply state the facts: the Senate, as an institution, has formally dissociated itself from Oshiomhole’s outburst. On Thursday, 11 June 2026, the upper legislative chamber, through a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, condemned the remarks as “an unwarranted attack on the character of public officers”. The Senate declared that the remarks “do not represent the official position, resolution, finding or determination of the Senate as an institution”. High ranking legislators, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, cautioned the former Edo State governor against “making defamatory remarks that could undermine the integrity of public institutions.”

Several colleagues demanded that Oshiomhole publicly withdraw his statement. In other words, even Oshiomhole’s colleagues could no longer stomach his conduct. That speaks volumes, not about NNPC, but about the senator’s conduct.

Let us backtrack. The committee had summoned Umar Ajiya, NNPC’s former Chief Financial Officer, a man of impeccable professional standing who retired meritoriously a little over a year ago. In his testimony, Ajiya did not mince words. He put to bed the ludicrous figure of N210 trillion that some senators have been bandying about. According to Ajiya, the total revenue earned by NNPC during the entire period in question (2017 to 2023) was N54.5 trillion. So how can N210 trillion be missing? The figure is mathematically impossible and is not supported by any cash flow records. As Ajiya explained, the alleged “missing” sum is nearly four times the entire revenue earned. He even revealed that the company spent N2.9 billion, not N5.8 billion, to complete its registration with the CAC and FIRS (two government agencies, no third parties). He then threw down a gauntlet: call the EFCC and the NFIU to conduct a forensic investigation, and arrest and jail anyone found guilty. That is not the language of a thief. It is the language of a patriot who has nothing to hide.

Many Nigerians, some garrulous lawmakers among them, prefer sound bites over substance. Rather than intelligently review audit queries, they play to the gallery. The Senate plenary made it abundantly clear that no committee possesses the independent authority to issue or execute an arrest warrant without the express approval of the Senate President. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele warned: “The power to issue a warrant affecting the liberty of a citizen is an extraordinary statutory power which must be exercised strictly in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law.” He further stated: “The constitutional doctrine of fair hearing and the presumption of innocence require that no person or institution be adjudged guilty except by a court of competent jurisdiction after due process of law”. Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno described the motion as a necessary intervention to preserve the credibility of the legislature, noting that it would be “contradictory for lawmakers to make laws for national governance while simultaneously violating those same laws”. Senator Abba Moro emphasised: “We should not make statements that seek to impugn the character of public officers or individuals in society”.

But let us talk about glass houses. Those who live in them should not throw stones. Senator Oshiomhole, for all his theatrical outrage, has a public conduct record that would make any reasonable Nigerian cringe. In June 2025, he was embroiled in a public confrontation at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed Airport. The airline alleged that the senator jumped onto a baggage conveyor belt and obstructed other passengers. Several viral videos showed the senator engaging in a shouting match with airline and airport staff. The Punch newspaper reported that “despite whatever provocation was claimed, Oshiomhole‘s conduct is unbecoming of his status as a senior citizen and ranking politician”. This is the same man who, according to the Air Peace airline, attempted to force his way onto a flight after check in had closed and engaged in disruptive behaviour, including physically assaulting staff and barricading the terminal entrance, which obstructed other passengers and disrupted airport operations. 

On the financial front, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been called upon repeatedly to investigate corruption allegations against Oshiomhole. In 2018, a Federal High Court in Abuja refused to compel the EFCC to investigate allegations against him, with the anti graft agency admitting that it had received petitions accusing Oshiomhole of complicity in acts of corruption. The EFCC stated that it was not under any obligation to report or give account of its investigations to any individual or within a timeline. In 2019, the court again declined to compel the EFCC to investigate him, with the agency admitting it was in receipt of petitions but declining to act. More recently, in April 2026, the Federal High Court once again refused to compel the EFCC to investigate corruption allegations against him. In 2018, Vanguard newspaper reported that a petitioner had sent a detailed complaint to the EFCC outlining corrupt practices Oshiomhole was alleged to have been involved in. While the courts have not compelled action, the mere existence of multiple petitions and the EFCC‘s refusal to publicly exonerate him leaves a stain that cannot be ignored.

The senator was widely condemned for mocking Governor Godwin Obaseki and his wife, Betsy, for being childless. Netizens blasted Oshiomhole for calling the Edo governor’s wife barren. This is a man who lectures NNPC staff on morality.

In his defence before the Senate plenary, Oshiomhole claimed that his comments were made under provocation. “I acted under provocation because distinguished members were being attacked without any proof of the allegations being made,” he said. 

“If it is the view of the Senate that I should apologise, I have no problem with that”. He insisted he was merely defending the integrity of the Senate and its members. But his colleagues were not convinced. Senator Adamu Aliero, former Kebbi State Governor, described the statement as “reckless” and argued that it could damage Nigeria’s investment image internationally, noting that, “The NNPC is the cash cow of this country. Such reckless statements could damage Nigeria‘s investment image internationally”. That is the nub of the matter. Senator Aliero was absolutely right.

Beyond public umbrage, however, lies a far more urgent matter. Umar Ajiya himself warned that unverified allegations damage not just individuals but the entire nation. He said that unfounded claims do real damage. International rating agencies use public information to assess countries. When inaccurate figures circulate without verification, it can affect perceptions and even influence financing decisions. He recalled how an unpatriotic Nigerian once wrote a petition to the Chinese government, stalling a USD 2.5 billion loan for the AKK gas pipeline project. That project remains incomplete because of loose tongues.

NNPC Ltd. is now preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO), with plans to list on leading international exchanges, including New York and London. As the company moves towards an IPO, foreign investors will scrutinise not only its books but also the media and political environment in which it operates. A word, they say, is enough for the wise. Senator Oshiomhole would do well to remember that every reckless sound bite echoes long after the cameras leave. His grandchildren will have to live with the consequences. So will ours. We will defend NNPC’s honour because their honour is tied to the prosperity of every Nigerian. The senator from Edo North may have forgotten that NNPC is the cash cow of this country. Those who wish to slaughter the cow should not be surprised when there is no milk left for their own children.

Dr. Adeyemi Adegbola is an international energy correspondent. He writes from Abuja.

Adeyemi Adegbola: NNPC: Cheap shots, phantom claims, and a nation in need of foreign investment