Princewill Chinedu

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

Beyond Politics: Has FIFA President Gianni Infantino Received the Credit He Deserves?

FIFA President Gianni Infantino deserves encouragement and recognition for his efforts to expand and develop world football. While he has faced criticism from some quarters, including within European football circles and from those who are not at peace with his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, it is important that his work be assessed on its own merits rather than through the lens of politics.

It is true that no leader is beyond criticism, and Gianni Infantino is no exception. Some of his decisions and proposals have generated genuine debate, and those who disagree with them have every right to express their views. However, disagreement should be based on the merits of those decisions rather than on political associations or personal affiliations. A fair assessment of any leader requires that we acknowledge both achievements and shortcomings, giving credit where it is deserved while engaging in constructive criticism where necessary.

The recently organised FIFA Club World Cup showcased a level of ambition and organisation that deserves recognition. From the world-class stadiums and robust security arrangements to the efficient coordination, match scheduling, and overall fan experience, the tournament reflected meticulous planning and professionalism. For many football enthusiasts, it demonstrated FIFA's capacity to stage a competition of the highest standard while bringing together clubs from across the globe in a truly inclusive celebration of the game. Achievements of this nature should be acknowledged, even by those who may disagree with some of Gianni Infantino's policies or personal associations.

The expansion of the FIFA Club World Cup to 32 participating clubs is one of the most significant reforms under Gianni Infantino's leadership. It has opened the door for more clubs from different confederations to compete on football's biggest club stage, giving many teams and nations opportunities that were previously out of reach. By making the prestigious tournament more inclusive, Gianni Infantino, has brought greater excitement, broader global representation, and renewed hope to clubs aspiring to compete at the highest level.

In light of these achievements, it is fair to ask whether Gianni Infantino has truly received the credit he deserves. While no leader is above criticism, fairness demands that achievements be acknowledged just as shortcomings are scrutinised. Football is best served when its leaders are judged by the impact of their work rather than by political perceptions or personal associations.

Constructive criticism is a normal part of leadership, and people are entitled to disagree with any proposal the FIFA President puts forward. If stakeholders believe a proposal is not in the best interest of football, they have every right to reject it through the appropriate channels. No one is compelled to accept every proposal. However, disagreements should remain respectful and focused on the issues rather than becoming personal attacks or politically driven campaigns.

Football has always been a global game that transcends political differences. Whatever one's views on politics or international relations, the administration of football should be judged fairly, with due recognition given to achievements while allowing room for honest debate about future decisions.

To FIFA President Gianni Infantino, keep pressing forward with courage and conviction. Every leader who dares to bring positive change faces criticism, but criticism should never discourage genuine service. You are already doing a great job—keep it up, and keep the FIFA flag flying even higher. Continue working to grow the beautiful game, unite nations through football, and create opportunities for clubs and players across the world. In the end, your legacy will not be defined by the voices of your critics but by the lasting impact of your leadership on world football. Wishing you greater wisdom, strength, and success as you continue to lead FIFA to even greater heights.

@FIFAcom @FIFAWorldCup @UEFA @UEFAcom @premierleague @SeppBlatter @France24_en @cnni @FoxNews @ChampionsLeague @MLS @SkySportsNews @cnnsport @BBCSport @USATODAY @nytimes @washingtonpost @euronews @SkyNewsBreak @fifacom_es @fifaworldcup_es @fifacom_ar @fifaworldcup_pt @Sports @BBCSport @SportsCenter @beINSPORTS @sportv @ONTimeSports @SportsCenterBR @donald

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

STANDING UNBOWED: AN ACCLAMATION TO NIGEL FARAGE

Politics has never been a refuge for the faint-hearted. Throughout history, men and women who have challenged prevailing orthodoxies have often faced fierce opposition, relentless criticism, and, at times, outright hostility. Whether history ultimately vindicates or rejects their ideas, one characteristic consistently distinguishes such individuals: the courage to stand firm when doing so is neither fashionable nor easy.

Nigel Farage is one such figure.

For more than three decades, he has remained one of Britain's most influential and recognizable political voices. Long before many of the issues dominating today's political landscape became mainstream topics of discussion, he was advocating for stronger national sovereignty, greater democratic accountability, secure borders, and a reassessment of Britain's relationship with supranational institutions. Agree or disagree with his political philosophy, it is difficult to deny the remarkable consistency with which he has pursued those convictions.

His political journey has been anything but comfortable. He has endured intense media scrutiny, public criticism, electoral setbacks, and persistent personal attacks. Yet through it all, he has continued to articulate his views with conviction, refusing to abandon principles simply because they attract controversy. In an age where public figures are often encouraged to dilute their beliefs to avoid backlash, such consistency is increasingly uncommon.

It has been made clear that part of the criticism directed toward Mr. Farage has been heightened by his close friendship and political affinity with President Donald Trump. The two have publicly expressed mutual respect over the years and share broadly similar views on issues such as national sovereignty, immigration, economic policy, and the role of nation-states.

In today's deeply polarized political environment, political alliances often attract as much attention as policies themselves. Whether or not one agrees with those alliances, individuals should be judged fairly on their own words and actions rather than solely by the company they keep.

Nigel Farage has repeatedly demonstrated that leadership requires resilience. The campaign that culminated in the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union remains one of the defining political moments in modern British history, and while opinions on Brexit remain deeply divided, few would dispute that Mr. Farage played a significant role in bringing that debate before the British public. His persistence serves as a reminder that determined advocacy can shape national conversations, even when the odds appear overwhelming.
Every leader eventually reaches moments when the pressure to compromise becomes immense. Critics become louder, headlines become harsher, and calls to retreat grow stronger. Yet these are often the very moments that reveal the depth of a person's convictions. Courage is not demonstrated when applause is guaranteed; it is revealed when one continues to stand with integrity despite criticism and adversity.

Nigel Farage is therefore encouraged to remain steadfast, continue to speak with clarity, confidence, and conviction. Never allow opposition to diminish his resolve or discourage him from participating in the democratic process. Political fortunes may rise and fall, but perseverance, integrity, and consistency leave a legacy that extends far beyond any single election or news cycle. As true leadership is not measured by opposition, but by the strength to endure it with dignity.

@Nigel_Farage @10DowningStreet @ukhomeoffice @UKHouseofLords @HouseofCommons @BBCWorld @SkyNewsAust @FoxNews @cnnbrk @AP @Reuters @euronews @PressSec45 @POTUS45 @WhiteHouse @NBCNews @netanyahu @realDonaldTrump @PeteHegseth @marcorubio @JDVance @StateDept @nytimes @washingtonpost @_FriedrichMerz @GiorgiaMeloni @EmmanuelMacron @NOIweala @UKLabour @EU_Commission @TPUSA @RSBNetwork @WorldNews_X_ @donal

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

IRAN DESERVES ACCOUNTABILITY, NOT BILLIONS: TRUMP MUST NOT REPEAT OBAMA'S IRAN MISTAKE

Calls to hand billions of dollars to Iran in the name of peace defy both logic and justice. Before any discussion of financial relief for Tehran, there must first be an honest conversation about accountability. Who will compensate the victims of terrorism, missile and drone attacks in Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain and other countries that have suffered from Iran's actions or those of its proxy groups? Who will compensate the families devastated by decades of Iran sponsored terrorism? Justice cannot be selective.

For decades, Iran has armed, funded, and supported terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, helping to fuel conflicts across the Middle East. Following the October 7 attacks, renewed scrutiny focused on Iran's longstanding support for Hamas, even as Tehran denied directing the operation. Regardless of differing views on its role in specific events, Iran's extensive backing of armed proxy groups is well documented. Any serious policy toward Tehran must begin with that reality, not ignore it.

The current shift in policy is therefore difficult to understand. Many who once condemned President Obama's engagement with Iran now appear willing to embrace a similar approach. If easing pressure on Tehran without meaningful behavioural change was considered a mistake then, why is it acceptable now? President Trump built his foreign policy on confronting the Iranian regime. Rewarding Tehran before it has demonstrably changed course would undermine that principle and weaken America's credibility!

Peace is always worth pursuing, but peace without accountability is appeasement. Before sanctions are lifted or billions flow to Tehran, Iran should demonstrate, through clear, verifiable action, that it has ended support for armed proxy groups, abandoned regional destabilization, and chosen peaceful engagement. Trust is earned through conduct, not concessions.

The world wants peace, but history warns against confusing appeasement with diplomacy. Stability in the Middle East will not come by rewarding aggression while victims are forgotten. Accountability must come before rewards, justice before concessions, and lasting change before financial relief. Anything less risks repeating the very mistakes Trump stood against and once vowed never to make.

@realDonaldTrump @JDVance @marcorubio @PeteHegseth @StateDept @DeptofWar @DailyIranNews @Iran @IranObserver0 @IranIntl_En @foxnation @OANN @NEWSMAX @BBCWorld @SkyNewsBreak @RSBNetwork @SenateGOP @HouseGOP @GOP @SenMullin @tedcruz @DonaldJTrumpJr @MELANIATRUMP @elonmusk @TPUSA @USATODAY @EricTrump @IvankaTrump @seanhannity @foxandfriends @JesseBWatters @foxnewspolitics @PressSec @SusieWiles47

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

4-YEAR-OLD, PREGNANT WOMEN KILLED AS FRESH ISLAMIC JIHADIST KILLINGS RAVAGE PLATEAU AND BORNO: ARMY PARADE VICTIMS FOR SELF-DEFENDING

Over the weekend, a fresh wave of Islamic terrorist attacks by Boko Haram and Fulani terrorist groups rocked the besieged regions of Plateau, Borno and broader Northern Nigeria.

In Yobe state, two military bases were attacked with over a dozen soldiers and policemen killed by Islamic terrorists.

Barely 24 hours after the attack, Gwa-Rim areas of Riyom LGA in Plateau state came under another fresh series of Fulani Jihadist night terror attacks with eight persons allegedly killed. This follows after Friday Jihadist attack at Ngbra Zongo community in Bassa LGA, Plateau state where pregnant women were among the murdered.

The state governor, Caleb Muftang, blamed the recent killings on illegal mining activities by victims—a new excuse that appeared not to sit right with many Christian survivors who witnessed another Jihadist attack at the mass burial of their slain loved ones, on Saturday.

The Borno State government recently boasted “rehabilitating” over 8,000 Jihadi Fulani terrorists and granting them a role in the army. While it openly accepts murderous radical Islamic terrorists as part of its new recruits, the Nigerian Army continues to arrest citizen journalists who speak out against its atrocities and parade local vigilante youths in Plateau state for obtaining and arming themselves against future Boko Haram attacks.

Over 8500 devout Catholics, including 40 catholic priests have, so far, been massacred by Boko Haram and Islamic Jihadist terrorist groups operational in the Northern Nigeria region. In Taraba, nearly 100,000 are reportedly displaced with over 200 churches destroyed over the last 7 months, per the Catholic Diocese report.

As the Nigerian government continues to deny the scale and intent of Islamic Jihadist operations in its country, it behoves on the global world leaders to defend the rights of helpless and defenseless Christians daily slaughtered in the country.

@realDonaldTrump @JDVance @marcorubio @PeteHegseth @StateDept @officialABAT @NGRPresident @NGRSenate @Senator_Akpabio @MikeArnoldTruth @RepRileyMoore @SenTedCruz @OANN @CNN @FoxNews @nytimes @PoliceNG @washingtonpost @SkyNewsAust @CBSNews @NBCNews @ABC @RSBNetwork @USATODAY @Israel @netanyahu @IDF @10DowningStreet @UKHouseofLords @UKHouseofLords @TPUSA @GiorgiaMeloni @netanyahu @Reuters @elonmusk @AP

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

THE RAPID RESPONSE OF NIGERIAN SECURITY AGENCIES IN TRACKING ORDINARY CITIZENS, YET THEIR FAILURE TO DECISIVELY TACKLE KIDNAPPERS

In present-day Nigeria, the efficiency and capability of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies are often clearly demonstrated whenever an ordinary citizen is reported for an alleged offence. In such situations, security operatives move with remarkable speed to trace, track, and apprehend the accused person, regardless of location, often within a very short period of time. Their coordination, intelligence gathering, and professionalism are displayed with striking effectiveness when dealing with civilians.

However, the same level of urgency and efficiency appears largely absent in the fight against kidnappers, bandits, and terrorists who continue to terrorise the nation. Almost every day, Nigeria records fresh incidents of abduction, killings, and violent attacks carried out by criminal groups. Families are forced to pay ransoms amounting to millions of naira to secure the release of their loved ones. During these negotiations, kidnappers maintain repeated communication with victims’ relatives through phone calls and other channels, while ransom payments are sometimes delivered in relatively open and traceable locations.

This raises serious questions: where are the highly efficient security agencies during these operations? Why can the same technology, intelligence systems, and rapid-response mechanisms used in tracking ordinary citizens not be effectively deployed against kidnappers and terrorists? Why do these criminal elements continue to operate with such boldness despite the existence of multiple security institutions?

The horrifying treatment inflicted upon kidnapped victims is both heartbreaking and unacceptable. Many innocent Nigerians have been subjected to torture, humiliation, starvation, and in some tragic cases, death, simply because they or their families could not meet the financial demands of their captors. Some victims have disappeared without proper burial, leaving families in endless grief and trauma.
The seeming inability or unwillingness of security agencies to decisively confront this menace has fueled public suspicion and loss of confidence. Many Nigerians now question whether there is negligence, compromise, or even possible collaboration between certain security operatives and the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. Such perceptions, whether true or false, continue to damage public trust in the nation’s security architecture.

The responsibility of protecting lives and property rests squarely on the shoulders of the government and its security institutions. Therefore, security agencies must rise to the occasion by intensifying intelligence gathering, strengthening coordinated operations, and ensuring that kidnappers, bandits, and terrorists are swiftly brought to justice. Doing so would not only restore public confidence but also serve as a strong deterrent to future offenders.

Nigeria must not allow criminals to appear more powerful than the institutions established to defend its citizens. The safety, dignity, and security of Nigerians must remain the highest priority of government.
The time for decisive action is now.

@officialABAT @PoliceNG @HQNigerianArmy @NGRSenate @SenGodswill @WhiteHouse @realDonaldTrump @JDVance @marcorubio @PeteHegseth @StateDept @DeptofWar @CNN @FoxNews @ARISEtv @SkyNews @BBCWorld @AJEnglish @NBCNews @MSNBC @USATODAY @AIT_Online @seanhannity @SpeakerJohnson @SenateGOP @HouseGOP @SenateDems @HouseDemocrats @hrw @amnesty @10DowningStreet @netanyahu @IDF @Jerusalem_Post @nytimes @RSBNetwork @RepRileyMoore @SenTedCruz @MikeArnoldTruth @NTANewsNow @OjyOkpe @foxandfriends @JesseBWatters @ruffydfire @Reuters @AP @washingtonpost @TPUS @euronews

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

PRO-KAMALA SHOOTER ARRESTED AS TRUMP SURVIVES THIRD ASSASINATION ATTEMPT

US President, Donald Trump, yesterday, survived a third assasination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington D. C. Trump, Melania, and J.D. Vance was directed away by State Security Service officers from the guest table as gunshots rang in the background. An identified shooter, Tomas Allen, 31, was taken into custody as a police officer was shot in his bullet-proof vest.

Saturday night’s attack marks the third time, Trump escaped assassination attempt—first at Butler Pennsylvania, and at Mar-a-Lago in 2024– in what many describe as a growing radicalisation of the left towards violence. Allan was a card-carrying Democrat voter.

From Iran to Brussels, resetting the rot in the world does come with a huge risk, thus it is imperative for the Presidential Security details to beef up its protection of the President. Three attempts is a failure too many. Since the death of Charlie Kirk, the left have shown an increasing violence-backed intolerance for differing opinion to the point of silencing with the bullet.

As prayers continue to pour in for the president, the media must cease the “rhetoric” spin-off and focus on the deadly radicalization of the left for hate and life-taking violence.

@realDonaldTrump @JDVance @MELANIATRUMP @marcorubio @StateDept @PeteHegseth @FBI @FBIDirectorKash @DeptofWar @DHSgov @elonmusk @DonaldJTrumpJr @cnnbrk @FoxNews @OANN @VOANews @SkyNewsBreak @foxandfriends @nytimes @BBCWorld @SkyNewsAust @RSBNetwork @washingtonpost @Reuters @AP @USATODAY @TPUSA @SpeakerJohnson @SenateGOP @HouseGOP @SenateDems @HouseDemocrats @euronews @France24_en @_FriedrichMerz @GiorgiaMeloni @EmmanuelMacron @NBCNews @CBSNews @ABC @Commanders @ARISEtv @seanhannity @OjyOkpe @JesseBWatters @secretser

[Princewill Chinedu @PrincewillChi10]

@MTNNG I had issues with my MTN line and had to head to MTN connect store at Jabi, FCT. I met one Onyedum Ogechukwu Ruth and I can tell you that the attention she gave me was very welcoming and my issue was resolved before I knew it. She is very good at what she does there.

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

UN AND EU MUST STOP LOOKING AWAY FROM NIGERIA'S KILLING FIELD

For years, we have watched the United Nations and the European Union jump into action when certain groups are targeted. We see the press releases, the emergency sessions, and the threats of sanctions.

But when it comes to the systematic, daily slaughter of Christians in Nigeria, that same energy vanishes. It is replaced by a "blind eye" and a cold, academic silence that is costing thousands of lives.

The double standard is deadly because every human life is sacred and Christian lives matter. When a Muslim is killed, the world should be outraged. But that outrage must be consistent. Right now, it isn't.

In Nigeria’s Middle Belt and North, Christian communities are being wiped off the map. Mothers are being killed in their farms, and children are being hacked to death in their beds. Yet, the UN and EU continue to describe this as "communal clashes" or "consequences of climate change."

This isn't just a misdiagnosis; it’s a lie. It is targeted, faith-based persecution, and by refusing to call it what it is, you are giving the killers a free pass.

The UN and EU were founded on the idea that human rights are universal. If we are all truly "under the same umbrella" of humanity, then why is the focus so lopsided? Where is the equal attention? Where are the special rapporteurs for the thousands of Christian orphans?

Why is the plight of a Christian villager in Plateau or Benue State treated as a "local matter" while other conflicts get global intervention?

By staying quiet, you are telling the perpetrators that killing Christians carries no international price tag. You are effectively telling the victims that their faith makes them invisible to the world’s "protectors."

We don’t need more "expressions of concern." We need action that matches the scale of the tragedy. Stop hiding behind the "farmer-herder" narrative. Acknowledge that Christians are being hunted for their faith and their land.

Use your diplomatic leverage to force the Nigerian government to arrest and prosecute the killers. Financial aid should be tied to the actual protection of these vulnerable communities.

Give the slaughter of Christians the same floor time in Brussels and New York that you give to any other major humanitarian crisis.
Justice isn't justice if it’s selective. You cannot claim to stand for human rights while turning your back on one of the greatest organized killings of our time.

It’s time to stop looking away. It’s time to treat the blood of a Christian with the same urgency as any other human being on this planet. The world is watching, and history will remember your silence.
@TinubuMediaS @officialABAT @BBCAfrica @BBCBreaking @BBCWorld @euronews @EU_Commission @eu_eeas @UN @unfoundation @UNGeneva @foxnewspolitics @FoxNews @SkyNews @cnni @CNN @FRANCE24 @daily_romania @UKParliament @HouseofCommons @BBCNews @10DowningStreet @GermanGarmendia @Trump @realDonaldTrump @EricTrump @DonaldJTrumpJr @Pontifex @cnalive @USCCB @CatholicArena @CConcern @LouboutinWorld

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

UNMASKED KILLERS IN JOS: WILL JUSTICE SPEAK OR STAY SILENT?

The killings in Jos were not carried out in secrecy. Videos circulating online clearly show the perpetrators, their faces uncovered, their actions undeniable. This is not a case lacking evidence. It is a moment that demands urgent and decisive action.

At the same time, there are recent incidents where perpetrators operated in broad daylight on busy roads, killing someone openly, with their faces clearly captured in circulating videos. These cases, though separate from the Palm Sunday attack, reinforce a troubling pattern: crimes being committed openly, with little immediate consequence.

Nigeria has handled similar situations before. In cases like the aftermath of the End SARS protests, video footage and digital trails were used to identify individuals across different locations. Security agencies have also relied on similar methods to track suspects involved in kidnappings and violent attacks across the country. The tools exist. The precedent is clear.

What is required now is urgency.

The Federal Government must direct security agencies to act swiftly, thoroughly investigating the numerous killings, while also leveraging available video evidence in other related incidents to identify, track, and arrest those responsible. The evidence is there. Delay only weakens public confidence and emboldens wrongdoing.

More importantly, this is not just about justice for victims. It is about prevention. When those who commit such acts, whether in coordinated attacks or in open public spaces, are tracked and arrested, it sends a clear warning to anyone planning similar evil. It tells them that there are consequences, that they will be found, and that they will face the law.

They must be tracked. They must be arrested. And it must happen in a way that deters every future act of violence waiting to be conceived.

@realDonaldTrump @JDVance @marcorubio @PeteHegseth @StateDept @DeptofWar @officialABAT @SenateGOP @NGRPresident @NGRSenate @MikeArnoldTruth @RepRileyMoore @SenTedCruz @UN @10DowningStreet @UKParliament @EmmanuelMacron @elonmusk @Reuters @CNN @SkyNews @BBCNews @SkyNewsAust @ARISEtv @channelstv @seanhannity @AIT_Online @nytimes @washingtonpost @netanyahu @IDF @euronews @OANN @NBCNews @CBSNews @SpeakerJohnson @amnesty @POTUS @TPUSA @SenateDems @HouseGOP @NEWSMAX @FoxNews @JesseBWatters @USATODAY @hrw

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

*Why Pope Leo XIV’s Anti-Combat Comments Were Theologically Shallow — and Dangerously Political*

Criticisms continue to trail Pope Leo XIV Palm Sunday remarks after the 267th Pontifex stated: “This our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war, He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.”

Leo’s speech, many believe, was targeted at US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who prayed for “wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”

The sly rebuke, which made international headlines, has drawn serious scrutiny, casting the Chicago-born pontifex in the light of predecessors who meddled heavily in politics and frolicked with far-left liberalism.

From the same Bible which the pontiff drew his aspersions, there exist Moses and Joshua, recorded to have led the Israelites into divinely sanctioned combat. Records also show David as a warrior king and the author of 150 Psalms now generously recycled in the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours.

Ironically, the Pope—just like America under Trump— sufficiently acknowledges existential threat to its papacy in choosing to fortify both the Vatican and its signature popemobile with layers of security. If deterrence and self-preservation are morally legitimate for the Bishop of Rome, the theological grounds on which the logic exists must be extended to a nation of 330 million people and the only Jewish state currently faced with adversarial threat from a regime widely known as the world’s leading state sponsor for terrorism.

Nations carry both the right and the obligation to defend their citizens. Soldiers carry a tradition of prayer that predates the current pontificate by millennia. Secretary Hegseth’s invocation of faith at the Pentagon stands within a tradition as old as Christendom itself — one the Church, for most of its history, did not merely tolerate but actively endorsed.

Pope Leo XIV leads one of the world���s most consequential institutions. That office commands genuine respect. But such respect becomes severely eroded when the office weaponizes the scriptures to justify geopolitical commentary.

@Pontifex @VaticanNews @WWERomanReigns @realDonaldTrump @PeteHegseth @JDVance @marcorubio @netanyahu @IDF @DeptofWar @StateDept @CNN @FoxNews @SkyNewsAust @SpeakerJohnson @HouseGOP @SenateGOP @10DowningStreet @UKParliament @OANN @NEWSMAX @nypost @washingtonpost @Reuters @CBSNews @NBCNews @DonaldJTrumpJr @USATODAY @ABC @UN

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

The English Premier League should reconsider its policy to pause matches at sunset during Ramadan. The policy deviates from the neutrality embedded in the Laws of the Game, written by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and followed in competitions under FIFA. The principle that states that sport must not be used for political, religious, or personal expression exists to keep the game a neutral space, free from ideological or sectarian signalling.

If one faith’s observance warrants an in-game pause, what is the consistent policy for others? If every religious request required structured stoppages, a 90-minute match would struggle to remain 90 minutes.

Religious freedom is a private right, fully respected without requiring changes to the format of play. A football pitch is not a place of worship; it is a competitive arena governed by uniform laws designed to apply equally and without preference. Neutrality is not optional. It is foundational. click to continue reading https://t.co/K9jMWFJdkE

The English Premier League, Ramadan Pauses, and the Question of Football’s Neutrality

@BBCSport @TheSunFootball @premierleague @NBCSports @SkyNews @SkySportsPL @CBSSports @euronews @FOXSports @FOXSoccer @EPLworld @Reuters @Independent @DailyMail @DailyMirror @Telegraph @itvfootball @ManUtd @LFC @FabrizioRomano @FIFAcom @UEFAcom @LUFC @SSFootball @seanhannity

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

POLICE BRUTALITY AND LAWLESSNESS IN EDO STATE: END THE REIGN OF FEAR

Across Edo State, a dangerous pattern of police misconduct has taken root, one that has transformed law enforcement from a pillar of protection into a source of fear. Innocent civilians are increasingly subjected to harassment, intimidation, and violence at the hands of those sworn to uphold the law. Rather than ensuring public safety, elements within the Nigeria Police Force have fostered an atmosphere of terror, where citizens are treated as suspects first and human beings second. The time has come to confront this crisis with courage and clarity.

One of the most disturbing trends is the unlawful abduction of civilians under the guise of arrest. Individuals are seized without warrants, bundled into vehicles, and taken to undisclosed locations, leaving families in anguish with no information about their whereabouts. These are not lawful detentions, they are kidnappings carried out by those in uniform. Relatives wander from station to station seeking answers, often met with silence, denial, or demands for bribes before any information is disclosed. This practice not only violates constitutional protections but erodes public trust in the justice system and deepens the trauma experienced by already struggling communities.

Equally troubling are the incessant roadblocks that litter major and minor roads throughout the state. What should be legitimate security checkpoints have, in many cases, become toll gates of extortion. Commuters, commercial drivers, students, and traders are routinely stopped, delayed, and coerced into paying “settlement” fees to avoid fabricated charges or prolonged harassment. These illegal collections disrupt economic activity, inflate transportation costs, and humiliate hardworking citizens who simply wish to move freely within their own state. Instead of protecting highways from criminal activity, these roadblocks often criminalize ordinary existence.

Beyond unlawful detentions and roadside extortion, residents report excessive use of force, arbitrary raids on homes and businesses, profiling of young people based on appearance or possession of electronic devices, and the suppression of peaceful assembly. Victims recount beatings, threats, and the destruction or confiscation of personal property without due process. In some cases, officers allegedly demand ransom for bail in clear violation of the principle that bail is free.

There are also complaints of delayed response to genuine distress calls, selective enforcement influenced by wealth or political connections, and intimidation of journalists and activists who seek accountability. Such actions paint a grim picture of systemic abuse, not isolated incidents, they undermine legitimate crime fighting efforts and divert attention from addressing real security threats confronting the state.

The people of Edo State deserve policing rooted in accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights. Reform is not optional, it is urgent. Independent investigations into allegations of misconduct, protection for whistleblowers, strict penalties for erring officers, and community based oversight mechanisms must be implemented without delay. True security cannot be built on fear and exploitation, it must rest on justice, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to serve. Until meaningful reforms are enacted, the call to end police brutality and restore lawful policing in Edo State will only grow louder, and rightly so.

@PoliceNG @m_akpakomiza @officialABAT @NGRSenate @SenGodswill @ARISEtv @channelstv @AIT_Online @realDonaldTrump @JDVance @_AfricanUnion @UN @CNN @FoxNews @SkyNews @GazetteNGR @DailyMail @OjyOkpe @vanguardngrnews @OfficialAPCNg @OfficialPDPNig @ADCVanguard_ @bbcw

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

NIGERIA’S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: FROM DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATION TO ENGINEERING ELECTORAL FRAUD?

The recent actions of the National Assembly have ignited a firestorm of outrage across Nigeria, and rightly so. At a time when citizens are demanding stronger safeguards for their votes, lawmakers appear to be moving in the opposite direction. A legislature that should stand as the guardian of democratic integrity is now facing accusations of weakening it. When elected representatives begin altering the very rules meant to protect the ballot, Nigerians are justified in asking, who exactly is being represented?

The controversy surrounding the Electoral Act amendment is not a trivial misunderstanding. Reports that draft provisions were altered in ways that appeared to favor manual transmission over real time electronic transmission have deepened public distrust. In an era where digital systems drive banking, commerce, and governance, many progressive democracies are strengthening, not weakening, electoral technology. Countries such as Estonia have pioneered secure digital voting systems, while African nations like Ghana and Kenya have integrated biometric verification and electronic result transmission into their electoral processes. Against this global and continental movement toward transparency through technology, Nigeria’s retreat to manual collation sends a disturbing signal. It raises the unavoidable suspicion that opacity, not transparency, is being institutionalized.

Real time transmission of results is not a luxury, it is a democratic safeguard. Every gap between voting and final declaration is a window that can be exploited. Nigerians have not forgotten the notorious technological glitches that marred the last general election, glitches that weakened public confidence and sparked nationwide controversy. Instead of decisively closing those loopholes and reinforcing the system against future failure, lawmakers now appear to be working toward institutionalizing the very vulnerabilities that caused such distrust. Democracy does not survive on legality alone, it survives on trust, and trust once broken is not easily restored.

The constitutional mandate of the Independent National Electoral Commission is to conduct elections that are free, fair, and credible. Any legislative maneuver that constrains transparent result transmission places unnecessary strain on that mandate. If infrastructure is weak in some areas, the solution is investment and innovation, not the normalization of manual processes that are easier to manipulate. The Nigerian voter deserves a system that protects their will from polling unit to final tally without shadowy detours.

As political calculations quietly shift toward 2027, the optics of these legislative decisions grow even more troubling. The ruling All Progressives Congress must understand that electoral credibility is bigger than any single party or administration. Laws crafted today will govern tomorrow’s contests. If the framework appears tilted toward incumbency, the legitimacy of future outcomes, regardless of who wins, will remain permanently under question.

Nigeria stands at a defining moment. Around the world, democracies are strengthening digital transparency, not dismantling it. The National Assembly must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as a defender of democratic evolution or as an institution that stalled it at a critical hour. Nigerians are not asking for miracles, they are asking for credible elections. And credible elections demand one simple principle, transparency without compromise. The National Assembly must serve the people, uphold their rights, and not simply do the bidding of the ruling APC.

@NGRSenate @SenGodswill @officialABAT @realDonaldTrump @JDVance @marcorubio @CNN @BBCWorld @SkyNews @PoliceNG @HQNigerianArmy @AP @Reuters @GazetteNGR @NGRPresident @DailyPostNGR @SkyNews @FoxNews @OANN @OjyOkpe @channelstv @nytimes @washingtonpost @RSBNetwork @euronews @_FriedrichMerz @GiorgiaMeloni @10DowningStreet @IvankaTrump @ARISEtv @washingtonpost @DonaldJTrumpJr @UN @_AfricanUnion @EmmanuelMacron @netanyahu @Israel @PremiumTimesng @TimesofIsrael @Jerusalem_Post @vanguardngrnews @DailyMail @Reuters @AP @MELANIATRUMP @USATODAY @NTANewsNow @nytimes @rsbn

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

2027: FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS HANGS IN THE BALANCE AS NIGERIA LAWMAKERS THRASH REAL-TIME RESULT TRANSMISSION

Thousands continue to gather outside the Nigerian National Assembly, yesterday, in protest of a glaring subversion of the electoral mandate of millions of Nigerians by the nation’s lawmakers.

This is in reaction to the decision of the Senate and the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, to repeal real-time electronic transmission of electoral results thus preserving loopholes for potential manipulation of results through manual (form EC8A) entry.

In an age of cloud technology and satellite connectivity, the Nigerian lawmaker’s choice of analog electoral process remains a worrying subject for both global and local debate given the antecedence of previous electoral cycles punctuated by seismic corruption, violence, result forgery and manipulation toward party interest advancement .

Nigerian lawmakers must note that jettisoning the planned real-time result upload on the basis of epileptic power supply or poor rural network connectivity is flatly unacceptable. Such action clearly represents an indictment on the bewildering corruption, waste, fraud and abuse that has become a hallmark of the Tinubu-led APC government. As eyewitness antecedence has shown, pen and paper poll entry in an age of AI, clearly constitutes a retrogressive hijack and weaponisation of democracy to sustain the cancer of anti-democracy, nepotism and cronyism.

A free and fair election is the only lifeline of over 250 million Nigerians—-66% of whom suffer from multi-dimensional poverty.

With barely a year to the nation’s most consequential election yet, Nigerians all over the world must act with urgency to apply all diplomatic and civil pressure and compel its lawmakers to respect the decisions of their constituents and seal up every loophole for electoral manipulation..

@officialABAT @NGRPresident @NGRSenate @realDonaldTrump @JDVance @marcorubio @StateDept @GazetteNGR @femigbaja @ARISEtv @channelstv @AIT_Online @cnnbrk
@OANN @NEWSMAX @nytimes @washingtonpost @Reuters @JesseBWatters @seanhannity @SkyNews @BBCWorld @FoxNews @RSBNetwork @CBNNews @NBCNews @ABC @AP @UN @NOIweala @GEJonathan @10DowningStreet @_FriedrichMerz @GiorgiaMeloni @EU_Commission @Europarl_EN @EmmanuelMacron @euronews @France24_en @netanyahu @IDF @IsraelMFA @TimesofIsrael @UKParliament @DonaldJTrumpJr @IvankaTrump @washingtonpost @USATODAY @NTANewsNow

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

NIGERIA: ON TAX REFORMS AND DOUBLE TAXATION

Tax Reforms:
Come 1st January 2026, over 40 million tax-paying Nigerians are expected to secure a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or risk losing access to bank accounts, the Nigerian Federal Government has declared.

This additional verification burden, with which the government imposes to enforce new tax rules, has raised panic and worry for millions of citizens already in possession of transaction identifications like the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and NIN (National Identification Number).

By its new tax rules, the APC-led Federal Government violates the nation’s 1999 constitution which authorizes no exclusive or concurrent basis to impose Value Added Tax (VAT) on already taxed citizens.

Added to this violation, is the proven criminal level of fiscal irresponsibility by the Tinubu-led government in accounting for taxpayers revenue. For example, five months after President Tinubu declared an excess revenue above its N40.8 Trillion budget, it turned around, this week, to announce a N30Trillion shortfall. Worse still, the government has failed to publish both its 2025 budgetary expenditures and spending from its oil-generated revenue, plunging business and contractors in fiscal limbo.

Electoral Reform:
In over two and half years in power and with an under-average performance in economy, security and foreign policy, many worse-off Nigerians now grapple daily with the shambolic electoral process that hurled Tinubu to power in the first place.

Since reneging on the use of accreditation and transmission systems as enshrined in 2022 Electoral Act, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues to cast a prolonged doubt on the credibility of future electoral process in Nigeria. Now a fresh window has opened for INEC’s new chairman,
Prof. Josh Amiputan, to commence implementation of electoral reforms including Bimodal Verification Accreditation System (BVAS), timely collation of results, and speedy resolution of post-election disputes among others. Without such binding reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections, the loopholes that allowed for opacity and manipulation will remain open

On Party Defection:
While INEC is encouraged to work its part, the habit of cross-party defection among politicians must be strongly condemned. Nigeria’s nascent democracy yearns for party politics rooted in definitive ideologies not incessant defections—from opposition parties to the ruling APC—which creates a uniparty crony club betraying the trust of millions of voters.

In recent times, the APC has been accused of commodifying democracy by weaponising billions of alleged taxpayers funds to reward defection. If true, this constitutes a condemnable violation of the Corrupt Practices Act with far-reaching damage to the nation’s political system. It behoves on INEC and the state justice system to preserve and protect the sanctity of the nation’s electoral system by instituting guardrails against incessant and counterproductive defections.

Incessant Checkpoints in South-South and South-East:
As Nigerians journey back to their hometowns to celebrate the Christmas season, perhaps, it is a critical time for Defence Headquarters to make good the widespread enforcement of its orders to dismantle non-essential roadblocks nationwide. The Southeastern region, specifically suffers significant harm as it fields an average of 2000 police and military checkpoints across five states, making it the most checkpointed region in Nigeria, per intersociety reports. In all its major interstate roads—Aba/Enugu, Aba/Port Harcourt, Owerri/Onitsha, Onitsha/Enugu etc—a checkpoint is stationed for every four to six kilometers of road. Last year in December, these roadblocks allegedly raked in over N20 billion from extortion of commercial motorists and private travelers, resulting in illegal double taxation and costing travelers billions more in travel delays.

The Federal Government is encouraged to continue in its fight against corruption, and to reinstate petroleum subsidies as the most equitable distribution of welfare benefits to citizens. It must commit to free and fair upcoming elections and cease the entrenchment of nepotism and religious ethnocentrism in appointment processes.

Finally, the Federal Government as a matter of urgent necessity should fix the major oil refineries in Nigeria such as those of Kaduna, Port-Harcourt and Warri as this will go a long way to contribute to the alleviation of hardship encountered by innocent Nigerians.

@officialABAT @NGRPresident @NGRSenate @SenGodswill @femigbaja @PoliceNG @HQNigerianArmy @ARISEtv @channelstv @AIT_Online @realDonaldTrump @JDVance @marcorubio @PeteHegseth @StateDept @UN @CNN @FoxNews @BBCWorld @SkyNews @Reuters @euronews @AP @nytimes @RSBNetwork @washingtonpost @EU_Commission @Europarl_EN @_FriedrichMerz @GiorgiaMeloni @10DowningStreet @_AfricanUnion @seanhannity @sunrisedailynow @foxandfriends @OjyOkpe @ruffydfire @WashTimes @TPUSA @MrsErikaKirk @elonmusk @POTUS @USATODAY @ntane

[Princewill Chinedu @PrincewillChi10]

Awka, Anambra learning community final meetup is really going awesome #GrowWithGoogle #AlcInAnambra

[Princewill Chinedu @PrincewillChi10]

Awka, Anambra learning community final meetup is really going awesome #GrowWithGoogle #AlcInAnambra

[Civil Rights International @CivilRightsInt]

God bless
@RepDougCollins
for telling the truth & defending the good people of America👏 #StopTheWitchHunt Dems #ImpeachmentHearings Trump #impeachmentDebate

[𝓓𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓮𝓵⚡ @utd_dan]

Nigeria Border Closure - Exposing the hypocritical agenda

https://t.co/Uz5NWII8Il

#Buhari
#CHAIRMAN

[Princewill Chinedu @PrincewillChi10]

@civilrightsint @NGRPresident @MBuhari @NGRSenate @HouseNGR @SecPompeo @cnni @hrw @BBCWorld @VP @Mike_Pence @Refugees @USUN @USAGov @UN @UNHumanRights @antonioguterres @Pontifex @amnesty @realDonaldTrump @channelstv On what basis? What are his achievements? Would he be in power if his predecessors did same or does he enjoy perpetuating suffering for the masses?