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

Dan Bello, Sowore, Adeyanju Lead Peaceful Protest for Police Pensions — Government Finally Responds

In a powerful display of civic responsibility and advocacy, prominent activists Bello Galadanchi, Omoyele Sowore, and human rights lawyer Barrister Deji Adeyanju on Tuesday led a peaceful protest in Abuja, demanding the immediate payment of long-overdue pensions and gratuities for retired police officers across Nigeria.

The demonstration, which started from Unity Fountain and proceeded to the Ministry of Police Affairs, was peaceful, orderly, and heavily attended by civil society groups, retired police personnel, and concerned citizens.

Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Our Heroes Deserve Dignity,” “Police Are Not Slaves,” and “Pensions Are Not Privileges,” the protesters drew attention to what they described as decades of neglect, underpayment, and bureaucratic injustice suffered by retired police officers who served the country with dedication.

Addressing the crowd, Bello Galadanchi said:

“We are here to speak for thousands of retired officers who can no longer afford food or medication after risking their lives for this country. A nation that cannot take care of its security men in retirement is heading towards moral collapse.”

Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters and a former presidential candidate, condemned what he called the “institutional abuse of retired officers,” urging the government to stop treating retirees like second-class citizens.

“These men and women upheld law and order when the country was in chaos. Today, they can’t even access their pensions. This is unacceptable,” he said.

Barrister Deji Adeyanju, known for his strong stance on social justice, emphasized the legal right of retirees to receive their entitlements without delay.

“We will not stop until the last kobo owed to these retired officers is paid. This is not a favour—this is their right under the law,” he declared.

Government Responds Swiftly

In what many consider a victory for the protest leaders and the retirees they represent, the Ministry of Police Affairs issued an official statement just hours after receiving the protest letter. The statement, signed by the Permanent Secretary, assured the protesters that the government has begun processing the backlog of pensions and gratuities and will begin phased payments starting next month.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is committed to the welfare of all security personnel, including those who have retired. A committee has been set up to review and clear all outstanding entitlements,” the statement read.

Many protesters welcomed the government’s response with cautious optimism, saying they will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure promises translate into action.

Nationwide Attention

The protest has sparked national attention, with thousands on social media praising the leaders for giving voice to retired officers who have long suffered in silence. Hashtags like #JusticeForPoliceRetirees and #PayOurHeroes have been trending on Nigerian Twitter.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Nigeria and SERAP, have also commended the peaceful nature of the protest and urged the government to follow through on its promises.

A Turning Point

For many, the protest may mark a turning point in how Nigeria treats its retirees—especially those in uniformed service. The bold stance by Galadanchi, Sowore, and Adeyanju is being seen as a critical moment in the push for dignity, justice, and accountability in public service administration.

As the nation watches, retired officers and their families are hoping this is not just another political promise but the beginning of long-awaited justice.

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.