By Our Correspondent

A prominent constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate, Hamza Nuhu Dantani, Esq., has written an open letter to the Executive Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, appealing for the immediate lifting of the nighttime motorcycle ban currently enforced across the state.

In the letter titled “Appeal for the Lifting of the Nighttime Motorcycle Ban in Our Beloved State, Gombe”, Dantani commended Governor Yahaya’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Gombe residents but argued that the ongoing ban, which restricts motorcycle operations between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., has become “a cure far worse than the disease it seeks to address.”

Dantani noted that while the policy was initially introduced by the Gombe State Police Command as a measure to tackle insecurity, its continued enforcement has inflicted severe economic and social hardship on law-abiding citizens. He stressed that the ban disproportionately affects the livelihoods of commercial motorcycle operators, many of whom are breadwinners sustaining their families, paying school fees, and meeting hire-purchase obligations.

“Your Excellency, with the utmost respect, the continuation of this restriction is a cure far worse than the disease it seeks to address,” the lawyer wrote. “The unintended consequences have become more severe and far-reaching, disrupting essential services and crippling economic activity, especially for those who operate motorcycles at night.”

Dantani reminded Governor Yahaya of his constitutional responsibility as the chief security officer of the state, citing Section 14 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which declares the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government. He also referenced legal precedents such as Bariga-Amange v. Adumen (2016) 13 NWLR (Pt. 1530) 349, which underscores the balance between security and the welfare of citizens.

The rights activist criticized the rationale that the restriction would reduce mobile phone theft, arguing that criminals can easily switch to other means of transportation such as tricycles or private vehicles.

“Blanket policies that punish law-abiding citizens alongside criminals cannot address the root causes of insecurity,” he warned.

Citing the experiences of neighboring states like Borno and Yobe, where similar bans were either ineffective or later lifted due to economic hardship, Dantani urged the Gombe State Government not to ignore the lessons learned from such measures.

The lawyer further highlighted the broader socio-economic impact of the ban, pointing out that hospital workers, food vendors, traders, and religious leaders have all been adversely affected. He noted that even some police officers tasked with enforcing the policy have faced transportation challenges.

“This is a democracy, and the people—the market woman, the night-time nurse, the okada rider, and the student walking home after evening prayers—bear the brunt of this decision. They are groaning under hardship and calling upon your compassionate leadership,” he said.

Concluding his appeal, Dantani called on Governor Yahaya to reconsider the policy in the interest of fairness and progress:

“Let reason prevail. Let the voices of the people be heard. Let Gombe continue its march towards prosperity, unhindered by measures that inadvertently punish the people they are meant to protect.”

The letter, which is already circulating widely among Gombe residents, has sparked fresh debate on the effectiveness and fairness of the nighttime motorcycle ban. Many residents have echoed Dantani’s sentiments, calling on the government to adopt more targeted and intelligence-driven security measures rather than blanket restrictions.

By Our Correspondent

Human rights activist and social critic, Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wala, popularly known as IG Wala, has raised fresh concerns over what he described as the growing economic inequality in Nigeria, accusing federal lawmakers and state governors of enriching themselves through inflated constituency and allocation funds while the general population is left to grapple with poverty, hardship, and death.

In a statement released on his verified social media page, IG Wala said:

“Our Senators have not less than N2 billion and House of Representatives members N1 billion worth of constituency projects allotted to each. Then Governors got tripled billions for allocations. MASSES ARE LEFT WITH DEATH & HARDSHIP.”

His comments come amid ongoing nationwide criticism of government spending, rising inflation, and widespread poverty that continue to affect millions of Nigerians.

Wala, known for his outspokenness on public accountability, lamented what he called the “institutionalization of greed” within the Nigerian political class, saying that despite the huge resources at their disposal, there is little to no impact in the lives of ordinary citizens.

“There is no justification for lawmakers and governors to control such enormous funds while schools remain dilapidated, hospitals lack basic equipment, and millions sleep hungry,” Wala added in a follow-up post.

Billions with Little to Show

According to public procurement records and civil society watchdogs, many of the constituency projects often lack transparency, and in some cases, they are either poorly executed or never implemented despite full budgetary allocations.

IG Wala’s claims echo reports from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which in previous years uncovered several instances of diverted or abandoned constituency projects.

A source close to a budget monitoring NGO told this reporter:

“What Wala is saying isn’t new. It’s just bold. Lawmakers hide behind constituency projects to siphon money. Governors use inflated contracts and ghost projects to do the same. Meanwhile, the masses suffer.”

A Call for Accountability

IG Wala’s remarks have sparked renewed calls for reforms in Nigeria’s budgetary process, particularly as it relates to constituency projects and state-level spending.

He urged civil society, the media, and concerned Nigerians to continue demanding accountability, transparency, and better representation from elected officials.

“This is not just about figures. It’s about justice. It’s about fairness. It’s about survival,” he said.

Response from Authorities

As of the time of filing this report, no official response had been received from the National Assembly or the Nigeria Governors’ Forum regarding IG Wala’s comments.

However, a legislative aide who spoke on condition of anonymity defended the lawmakers, saying:

“Many of these projects are implemented through agencies. Lawmakers only nominate them. The problem is not with the allocation itself but with how the execution is handled.”

Conclusion

As Nigeria continues to grapple with rising poverty, unemployment, and insecurity, voices like IG Wala’s highlight a growing disconnect between elected leaders and the people they represent. Whether these revelations will spark meaningful reforms remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Nigerians are no longer silent in the face of injustice.