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Nigeria to acquire nuclear power *I’m vindicated – Akinyemi
If authorities in Abuja swallow the bait being thrown at them by Bolaji Akinyemi, former Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, a nuclear programme would be launched soon as a means becoming a big player in the international community.
Akinyemi, rekindled the suggestion he made more than 30 years ago, when he served as the foreign Minister in the government of Ibrahim Babangida as Military President while appearing as a guest of The Morning Show, a breakfast programme on ARISE NEWS television on Wednesday.
His argument was that the respect countries like China, India, and Pakistan, hitherto the backwater of global recognition, enjoyed today, was as a result of the ability to acquire nuclear weapons and same must be embarked upon by Nigeria to be able to share in the global limelight.
The seasoned diplomat, who before his job in the federal cabinet, was the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), also used the show to weigh in on the current crisis in the Middle East, where Israel and Iran have been engaging in a programme of blitzkrieg against each other since last week. In that case, he blamed the United States for instigating it, particularly lampooning Donald Trump, the country’s President for not only making unwholesome utterances but actually throwing his weight behind Israel, stating the entire scenario confirmed the need for countries to arm themselves for self-defence.
Hear him: “Here is an American President saying to the Ayatollah, who is the head of state of Iran; we know where you are, and our patience is running out.’ What does that mean? That you are going to go out? And yet, if they want to assassinate you, oh well, then the whole world and hell will break down upon their head.
“Rather than being an agent of peace and reconciliation, the United States is the one that has, by giving Israel the nod to go ahead and do what it has to do with Iran, become the one who is about to precipitate World War. About four years ago, on this very programme, you asked me to name the two most dangerous people in the world. And I didn’t hesitate to name Netanyahu and the Ayatollah in Iran.
“Of course, at that time, I don’t think that Donald Trump was the President of the United States, or else I would have asked to be allowed to name three most dangerous people, and I would have put him there.”
“In diplomacy, the most dangerous time for everyone is when you cannot predict the behaviour of the people you are dealing with, especially the most powerful man in the world, which is Donald Trump. Now, you are attending a meeting of probably the most powerful nations in the world, and what do you do? You abandon them, and you come back to Washington… You now wanted to put the world on edge that you are about to do something unpredictable.
“You started off deceiving us by saying you were not really consulted. Then it became, ‘they did it and informed us.’ But they didn’t say ‘we approved it.’ And now the language has become, ‘we have conquered the airspace of Iran.’”
Akinyemi, who also spoke on the possibility of Iran abandoning the pursuit of the nuclear programme and withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), added: “The Non-Proliferation Treaty has never really been one of my favourite treaties, simply because what it does is the poor, weak countries are locked into that weak status, while the important and powerful countries are asked to have the monopoly of nuclear weapons.
“It’s sheer hypocrisy. If you’re on their side, you probably can break that monopoly and get away with it. India has done so, Pakistan has done so, and even Israel has done so—but without admitting it. So why should some countries have the right to the monopoly of nuclear weapons and others do not?
“Countries that want to break the monopoly, just make sure you are not against the United States or one of its minions—you will get away with it. I opposed when Nigeria signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Unfortunately, we are still a signatory to that treaty, and it’s not going to do us any good unless we are happy to stay as we are.
“The world is never going to evolve beyond double standards. Diplomacy is double standards. The weak get clobbered and the strong get away. That’s how the world was created and it will continue to be that way. That is why some of us had always emphasised the need to have power—to build your own state on power. That is not to say you ignore your economy. In fact, the stronger your economy is, the stronger your power base can be.
Dwelling on why Nigeria must acquire nuclear power, the current global situation had vindicated him for making that suggestion through which he earned a lot of heckling across the country.
“Of course, it is vindicated. In fact, there were people who said I should have my head examined. But I must say also that General Babangida supported me. General Abacha supported me, because they found no reason why we should be among the weak nations of the world.”
“He is running in contempt of the court. Justice Lifu should be arrested because he is acting in contempt of the court which is a criminal act,” were the exact words with which the African Democratic Congress (ADC), demonstrated its angst over the court ruling on Monday, ordering its de-registration as a political party in Nigeria.
A furious Bolaji Abdullahi, spokesman of the party, told his host while appearing as a guest on Monday’s edition of Politics Today, a public affairs programme on Channels Television that the judge of the Abuja Federal High Court who gave the order was actually playing with fire because of the consequences.
Directly accusing him of playing the script of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to ensure that President Bola Tinubu emerged the sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election, the party spokesman, was emphatic that the plan would not work, as head or tail, ADC must be on the ballot in all the elections.
Hear him: “There is a Court of Appeal order saying don’t hear this case until October 27. So, on what basis? You can’t place something on nothing. The Court of Appeal said don’t act on this until I hear it on October 27. So, on what basis did he deliver the judgement
“So, for us in the African Democratic Congress, what we’re convinced and they know is what they have done has no leg to stand on legally. What they want to do is to create doubts in the minds of the people that this ADC has too many legal cases, can we actually run on this? And to distract us. But we’re not distracted.
“We’re very clear. It was in spite of all they have done since ADC came on board that we ran one of the best and one of the most comprehensive direct primaries in the history of democracy in Nigeria. So, we are strong enough to withstand this. And that’s why I’m saying that we are going to contest in 2027. We’re ADC. We don’t buckle before dictatorship.”
Stressing on the implication of the judgement, which also affected Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for allegedly failing to meet constitutional and electoral performance requirements, following a suit by the National Forum of Former Legislators, he said it portended grave danger.
He added: “We are not surprised. We know that the Nigerian people believe that there is a problem with the judiciary, but what we did not expect is the level of judicial rascality that was demonstrated today.
“What we are saying is that we reject it in its totality, and we are saying that the people behind this are playing with fire. Hundreds, if not thousands, have obtained nomination forms and contested elections and emerged as candidates on the platform of the ADC.”
Peter Obi, candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), in the 2027 presidential election, is peeved at the decision of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ordering the de-registration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying the move is a heavy blow and dangerous to Nigeria’s democracy.
Justice Peter Lifu, who made the order, based on an action brought by National Forum of Former Legislators, agreed that the parties, including Accord Party (AP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), failed to meet the requirement for continued existence in Nigeria.
But Obi, who left the ADC coalition to join the NDC, incidentally, based on what he explained resulted from the multiple court cases hanging on its neck, expressed his disenchantment, in a statement by the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), on Monday.
Signed by Ibrahim Umar, its spokesman, the group quoted the former Governor of Anambra State as decrying the growing damage to the nation’s sacred institutions on the altar of politics.
Stressing that the rise of nations depended on stronger institutions devoid of political influences, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, wrote on his X platform: “When the controversy surrounding the removal of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, unfolded, I expressed a concern to a friend: that the greatest damage might not be immediate, but the message it sends about the sanctity and independence of our institutions to the world.
“Strong economies are built on trust. Investors can manage security risks, policy risks, and even market risks. What they fear most is uncertainty in the rule of law and a judiciary that is perceived to be vulnerable to political pressure.
“Today, many Nigerians have lost confidence in systems that should protect them. Businesses increasingly request that their contracts be governed by foreign jurisdictions because they have greater confidence in those institutions than in our own. That should concern every patriot.
“We must never sacrifice our sacred institutions on the altar of politics. Nations rise when institutions are stronger than individuals. The Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the ADC and other political parties is just one of those activities that further reduces the common man’s trust in our legal systems. It should be reversed.
“I pledge that we will restore the dignity, independence, and integrity of the judiciary. The common man must have a voice. The business community must be protected from legal uncertainty and intimidation. Justice must be impartial, accessible, and respected by all. To our judges, legal luminaries, senior advocates, and lawyers: this is your moment. Rise, defend the rule of law, take back your country! A new Nigeria is POssible.”
Not even Lamine Yamal’s second half introduction could help Spain break through the defence of debutants, Cape Verde, in their first ever meeting, as the ongoing World Cup event produced another one of the stunning results on Monday.
Yamal, the Barcelona superstar just recovering from a near two-month hamstring injury, was brought into the game in the second half to zest up the one-time world champion, but failed to break down the Cape Verde’s dogged defence.
Spain’s in the game played in Atlanta, one of the cities hosting the three-nation Mundial, displayed the same dismal outing, which saw them offering far less than the quality, which saw them lifting the trophy for the first time in 2010.
The European champions, which have not won a knockout game ever since, failed to dominate the African side, replicating their less than impressing outings and their eventual exit in 2018 and 2022 editions, even with the claims of coach Luis de la Fuente that the squad was the best in the competition, Spain were considered among the pre-tournament.
Neither Yamal nor Nico Williams, who also was hit by an injury-disrupted season at Athletic Bilbao and was not introduced until the 87th minute, were able to rise to the occasion against the 500,000 people African side, ranked 67 in the world, which is making their debut on the global stage.
In stark contrast to the searing temperatures faced by some other sides, Atlanta’s state-of-the-art air conditioned stadium meant there was no excuses for the slow tempo of Spain’s build-up.
Indeed the mid-half hydration break was met by boos with fans frustrated at the break in play despite the cool conditions.
The only serious move from the European champions only came at the sixth minute to half-time, when Marc Cucurella, fresh for sealing his move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, sent over a teasing cross that Ferran Torres turned onto the crossbar and Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha got back on his feet to turn Mikel Oyarzabal’s looping header over the bar.
Even after the break, the Blue Sharks, were also able to hold back from the onslaught as they did in the first half, where Vozinho, managed to make another superlative save against Aymeric Laporte’s header just before half-time.
Despite the excitement from the crowd after he was introduced, Yamal, billed as one of the stars of the tournament, failed to create any magic with his first touch being the set-up of a decent opening for fellow substitute Mikel Merino which was too close to Vozinha.
In fact, Cabo Verde billed to take on Uruguay in Miami, nearly snatched a famous victory in the final minute of the 90 when Dani Borges planted a header too close to Unai Simon, who saved the occasion, to prevent the former world champions, billed to face Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday from humiliation.
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