INAUGURATION OF ZENITH BANK CÔTE D’IVOIRE IN ABIDJAN...
L-R: Deputy Governor, Jigawa State, H.E. Engr. Aminu Usman; Minister of Interior, Nigeria, Mr. Olubunmi Ojo; Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria, H.E. Traore Kalilou; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON; Minister of Planning & Development, Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Souleymane Diarrassouba; Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), Federal Ministry of Finance, Nigeria, Mohammed Sanusi; Deputy Mayor of Plateau (Abidjan), Mr. Ben Diarrassouba; and Vice President, National Assembly, Côte d’Ivoire, Honourable Cedric Tidjane Diarra, during the Official Inauguration of Zenith Bank Côte d’Ivoire in Abidjan... recently
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Obi, Kwankwaso Formally Declare for NDC, Set Stage for 2027 Presidential Battle See story on page 35
THE RENAISSANCE MOVEMENT FOR TINUBU
Yari: This Road is Familiar
T
he path to every election cycle is usually fraught with all sorts, wrapped in destructive political rivalry. And chief here is the struggle to undo tendencies considered critical in that journey. It is often a treacherous path – a minefield of total obliteration of persons and characters, who pose threat. Indeed, in public discourse, the strength of a message is usually measured by the evidence behind it. It is also determined by the character who tells a story. Yet, in Nigeria’s political space, today, a troubling pattern is emerging, repetition is increasingly being mistaken for truth and propaganda is being dressed up as public interest. The latest wave of narratives attempting to re-link the former Zamfara governor to money laundering and terrorism financing is meant to create friction between him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and it clearly fits into this pattern. The latest wave of claims are not random or harmless commentary; they appear to be part of a calculated effort to manufacture suspicion, distort political relationships and create tension where none may truly exist. Ironically, those promoting these narratives are not, in themselves, the real issue. They lack the credibility required to persuade informed or discerning audiences. What is more revealing is the underlying motive, which are often driven by fear and discomfort about what a stable and strategic relationship between the president and Senator Yari could produce within the political landscape. To careful observers, the claims hold little substance. They are never supported by verifiable evidence, judicial pronouncements nor credible institutional findings. Yet, they persist, repeatedly amplified, not to inform the public, but to maliciously shape perception and influence opinion. A clear example lies in the recurring allegations around terrorism financing. The federal government, has at different times, publicly identified and listed individuals suspected of such activities. Senator Yari’s name has never appeared on any such list.Notably! This is not a minor detail, it is a significant fact that directly undermines the credibility of these recurring accusations. If there were any substantiated basis to these claims, they would have been reflected in official actions or records by now. Even more telling is the senator’s continued presence and role within the Nigerian Senate. After his invitation by the anti-graft body in 2023, his subsequent inauguration as a duly elected lawmaker should, by all reasonable standards, have put these allegations to rest. Public office at that level is not conferred lightly; it is backed by constitutional processes and institutional checks. But in spite of these, the narratives continue to resurface from time to time, often from the same source. This persistence reveals their true target. These claims are not designed for critical thinkers or informed audiences. Rather, they are aimed at shaping general perception, relying on repetition to create doubt, regardless of the absence of proof. It is less about truth and more about influence.
This is the essence of modern political calumny. It is not opposition rooted in ideas or policy differences, but a sustained attempt at reputational damage driven by political unease. When allegations are circulated without evidence and repeated over time, they cease to serve accountability and instead become instruments of political warfare. Beyond Senator Yari, this trend reflects a deeper concern within Nigeria’s political culture. It signals a decline in ethical standards, where unverified claims are deliberately deployed to achieve strategic goals, whether to isolate individuals, weaken alliances or disrupt cohesion within governance structures. The consequences of this approach are far-reaching. It erodes public trust in democratic institutions and promotes a culture where accusation is valued more than evidence. Over time, governance risks being reduced to spectacle, where skewed media narratives overshadow due process and facts become secondary. Nigeria cannot afford to continue down this path. When propaganda begins to pass as truth, it weakens the very foundation of democracy. A society governed by law cannot thrive on rumours, recycled allegations, and politically motivated storytelling. It is also important to note the timing of these campaigns. They often re-emerge at politically sensitive moments, reinforcing the perception that they are strategically calculated rather than genuinely motivated by public interest. Their goal is not clarity, but confusion; not accountability, but disruption. However, history provides a useful guide. Similar allegations have surfaced in the past, only to crash under scrutiny when evidence failed to materialise. Despite being loudly promoted, cooked up allegations against Senator Yari have not translated into court rulings or credible investigative outcomes. This pattern alone should be viewed with caution and skepticism. Ultimately, this strategy is self-defeating. It weakens democratic culture, undermines respect for institutions and replaces reasoned engagement with distortion. While such campaigns may attract short-term attention to their peddlers, it does lasting damage to the political system. Senator Yari, like every citizen, is entitled to the full protection of the law, including the presumption of innocence. Attempts to erode this principle through coordinated campaigns are not only unjust, they strike at the heart of democratic governance. In the end, history remains consistent in its judgment: politics built on propaganda rarely endures. It may dominate headlines for a time, but it seldom survives the test of truth. This is because democracy is not strengthened by the destruction of individuals, but by a commitment to evidence, fairness and due process. That is the standard Nigeria must uphold if its institutions are to remain credible and its future secure.
Kabir Dan’Azumi National Coordinator