The Northern Coalition for Justice (NCJ) has criticised comments by Atiku Abubakar on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s stance on insecurity, describing the remarks as “politically driven and insensitive to the plight of victims.”

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its President, Mallam Mustapha Alhassan, the group said Atiku’s reaction not only misrepresents the government’s efforts but also “amounts to a subtle mockery of victims of insecurity across the country.”

The Coalition argued that while national grief over insecurity is real and must be acknowledged, exploiting such tragedies for political criticism risks trivialising the suffering of affected communities.

“It is deeply concerning that comments of this nature, rather than offering solutions, appear to weaponise the pain of victims for political advantage. In doing so, they inadvertently mock the very people whose suffering is being cited,” the statement read.

Mallam Alhassan said the administration of President Tinubu has demonstrated commitment to addressing insecurity through sustained military operations, improved inter-agency coordination, and increased investment in security infrastructure.

He noted that the country’s security challenges are longstanding and complex, requiring time, consistency, and collective effort to resolve.

“No responsible government will abandon its duty to protect lives and property. What is required now is unity of purpose, not commentary that deepens division or diminishes the sacrifices being made to restore peace,” he said.

The group also faulted the “emotional and exaggerated framing” of insecurity statistics, warning that such narratives could create panic and undermine public trust in ongoing efforts.

According to the Coalition, political leaders have a responsibility to contribute constructively to national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues such as security.

“Leadership demands empathy, but it also requires responsibility in communication. Public statements must aim to heal, not inflame; to unite, not divide,” Alhassan added.

The NCJ further stated that the President’s remarks reflect determination to confront insecurity rather than indifference to the suffering of citizens.

It said resilience and steadfastness are necessary qualities in leadership, especially in times of national challenge.

“The President’s position should be understood as a commitment to stay the course and confront these challenges head-on. It is not, in any way, a dismissal of the pain experienced by Nigerians,” the statement said.

The Coalition urged political actors to rise above partisan considerations and support efforts aimed at strengthening security institutions and protecting lives.

It also called for greater collaboration between government, opposition leaders, and citizens in addressing the root causes of insecurity.

“At a time when the nation is confronting serious threats, unity is not optional; it is essential. We must all contribute to building a safer Nigeria,” the group said.

The NCJ reiterated its support for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, commending their sacrifices and expressing confidence in ongoing operations.

It urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and supportive of security efforts, while rejecting narratives that could undermine national cohesion.

“Security is a shared responsibility. We must stand together in defence of our country and in solidarity with the victims; not use their pain as a tool for political scoring,” Mallam Alhassan said.

Nigerian entrepreneur, business leader, and philanthropist Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich, Founder and CEO of Elin Group Limited, commanded global attention at the inaugural UNLEASH Global Business Conference 2026, held Friday at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC.

Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most respected businesswomen and philanthropists, Dr. Jack-Rich featured as both a key panelist and a keynote speaker — further cementing her status as one of Africa’s most influential voices on the global stage.

She joined a high-level Fireside Chat titled _“Leadership in the Age of Disruption: Identity, Power, & Impact,”_ alongside Denise Fall, Senior Leader in Immunology at Johnson & Johnson, and Tolani Alli, Creative Campaign Director at the World Bank. The session brought together accomplished women leaders to examine how identity, power dynamics, and purposeful leadership intersect in today’s volatile global business environment.

Described as insightful, energizing, and highly relevant, the conversation resonated strongly with young professionals and emerging leaders navigating volatility, sustainability challenges, and opportunities across emerging markets.

Beyond the Fireside Chat, Dr. Jack-Rich delivered a powerful keynote address that anchored key discussions on building resilient enterprises and leading with impact amid disruption.

Dr. Jack-Rich leads Elin Group Limited, a diversified conglomerate with strategic interests spanning:
– Real Estate Development
– Power Generation and Gas Utilization
– Agriculture
– Mining
– Maritime and Aviation — notably through Elin Air, where she stands out as one of the few female operators of private jet charter services in Nigeria
– *Logistics and Infrastructure*

Beyond her corporate achievements, she is the driving force behind the Elizabeth Jack-Rich Aid Foundation (EJRAID), through which she has executed numerous high-impact philanthropic initiatives focused on poverty alleviation, women and youth empowerment, education, and community development across Nigeria.

Themed _“Building For What’s Next,”_ UNLEASH 2026 was a one-day strategic summit co-hosted by three prominent student organizations at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School: the Africa Business Club, Women in Business Graduate Club, and Net Impact Club. The conference drew MBA students, young professionals, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and policymakers for robust dialogue on leadership, innovation, sustainability, and strategies for thriving in an era of global disruption.

Her participation was widely applauded as a proud moment for Nigerian and African representation in global leadership conversations, with many attendees citing her journey as a blueprint for purpose-driven enterprise and impact.

*Fixes May 18 for hearing

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, thwarted a move by Tope Temokun, counsel to online publisher and politician, Omoyele Sowore, to secure a month’s adjournment in a suit he filed against the Department of State Services (DSS) and Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of Facebook and X).

The judge expressed surprise that Temokun, who as counsel to the plantiff, ordinarily should be interested in a speedy adjudication, would seek a month’s adjournment. He overruled the counsel and fixed May 18 for hearing.

Sowore had last September sued the DSS, Meta Platforms Inc. and X Corp., accusing them of unconstitutional censorship of his social media accounts. He prayed the court to declare as unconstitutional the request by the DSS for Meta to delete his posts calling President Bola Tinubu a “criminal.” Listed as defendants were the DSS, its Director General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, as well as Meta.

When the matter came up on Wednesday, Sowore’s counsel, Temokun, drew the court’s attention to the withdrawal and substitution of an earlier application and counter-affidavit by counsel to Meta Incorporated, who were listed as the third defendants.

Responding, counsel to the DSS and their Director General, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, lamented the tardiness of the Meta legal team. He blamed the Meta team for all the delays encountered in the course of the matter, and expressed a desire for speedy resolution of the matter.

Kehinde told the court that it was in the interest of justice that the matter be quickly dispensed with. He stated that he had fully prepared from the beginning. The senior lawyer begged the court to accord the matter accelerated hearing. He and Sowore’s counsel, however, didn’t object to the withdrawal and substitution of Meta’s application and counter affidavit.

Counsel to the DSS appealed to the court not to make a long adjournment.

At this point, Justice Umar, who noted that courts prioritize matters bordering of the rights of citizens, offered Sowore’s counsel the privilege to choose a date. The counsel proposed June 2, which the judge said wasn’t a close enough date.

Justice Umar held that, against the importance the matter, he, as the presiding judge, has the final say. He directed all the parties to return to his court on May 18.

The same court had on April 2, dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Sowore, against the DSS), its Director General, and Meta Platforms Incorporated (formerly Facebook).

Justice Umar resolved the three issues identified for determination against Sowore, declined to grant any of the reliefs sought, and dismissed Sowore’s suit for lacking in merit. He awarded N1.5 million cost against Sowore.