The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has called on Nigerians to demand accountability from state governors and local government chairmen, citing the significant increase in their monthly allocations. Speaking on Monday at the public presentation of “Vicious Red Circle,” a book on human trafficking by Alex Oriaku in Abuja, Yilwatda noted that no governor now receives less than three to four times their previous allocations, with recent federal disbursements reaching ₦2.2 trillion compared to ₦400 billion monthly two years ago.
“They can do more for their people,” Yilwatda said, urging citizens to press subnational leaders for tangible, people-oriented projects. “Talk to your governors. Talk to your local government chairmen. Let them do more.” Amid criticism of the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, Yilwatda, who recently assumed APC leadership, expressed confidence in the government’s path to economic recovery.
The event also spotlighted Nigeria’s ongoing battle against human trafficking, with the book launch addressing the country’s status as a source, transit, and destination for trafficked persons, particularly women and children exploited for forced labor, sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude. Despite efforts by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) since 2003, Nigeria remains a leading hub for human trafficking in West Africa.
Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed, described human trafficking as a transnational crime comparable to drug and arms trafficking, eroding Nigeria’s social fabric. He reaffirmed the NIA’s support to NAPTIP through intelligence and operations, advocating a “whole-of-society approach” involving civil society, faith-based organizations, and communities to dismantle trafficking networks.
Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, reviewed the 198-page book, highlighting its exploration of corruption, manipulation, and exploitation. He urged Nigerians to reject the “culture of silence” that perpetuates such issues. Author Alex Oriaku explained that “Vicious Red Circle” seeks to expose the cycle of exploitation and silence fueling human trafficking, aiming to bridge the gap between the global crisis and individual human stories.
The event underscored the dual need for accountable governance and concerted efforts to combat human trafficking, with calls for stronger action to protect vulnerable Nigerians
