Famous comedian Helen Paul, popularly known as Tatafo, has shared an inspiring story of her grass to grace story.
She posted a video on her Instagram page where she discussed about being a rejection to many at a tender age because of the situation that surrounded her birth.
She explained how she turned her rejection into a power force.
Helen Paul revealed that she was stigmatised since her mother gave birth to her after being raped and her aunts repeatedly reminded her that she has terrible blood and that none of her grandmother’s stipends should be spent on her.
Tatafo described how she was given the name Helen by an unknown man since her relatives believe she is a disgrace on their family.
Helen Paul, who shared the video, urged her supporters not to be discouraged by the stigma from close family members, noting that she had progressed from a comedian to a professor in the United States.
“Never feel rejected believe it to be your power force.From a comedian in Nigeria to a professor in USA.What a story!Please be alive to tell your story too. All things will work out,” she said in parts.
Audi, who spoke in Port Harcourt during his visit to Rivers State to condole with the families of the deceased, charged the personnel to be resolute saying there should be no compromise in the ongoing war against oil theft.
The victims were killed by gunmen at Alakiri, Degema local Government Area of Rivers state.
Audi said the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, sympathised with the deceased families insisting that the blood of the officers would not be a waste.
He said: “Let me first of all condole with you as a Command and the families of our gallant men who lost their lives some few days ago while on official duty. This is part of the hazards of the job and we pray that God would grant the families the fortitude to hear the loss.
“I bring to you the message of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who has asked me to tell you that the blood of these gallant men will not be a waste. All hands are on deck as the Corps would contact their next of kin to process necessary benefits in order to serve as a succour to the families.
“I will not reveal to the public our operational strategies in order to bring the perpetrators to book but definitely we are in collaboration with Sister Security Agencies and I assure you that Justice will be served “.
Audi lauded the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unflinching support in enhancing the capacity and operational efficiency of the NSCDC through the provision of gunboats and different welfare packages.
He said that the appointment of the present Minister of Interior was a tremendous blessing to the corps describing the the minister as a man with great passion for the four agencies under his watch.
He added that the Minister had come to deliver and impact positively in consonance with the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President.
The CG further charged all Personnel to continue to put in their best in utmost loyalty, dedication and discipline.
Speaking on the numerous challenges faced by the corps, Audi said he was committed to tackling them.
He said the corps under his watch had made a headway by clearing all the backlogs of promotion and arrears inherited from the previous administration.
He reeled out some of the achievements of the corps since assumed office especially the introduction of Career Progression Development Courses and the establishment of the NSCDC Command and Staff College in Jos.
Audi said henceforth the promotion of officers to a new rank would be based on merit and performances noting that there would be no longer room for promotion stagnation.
The NSCDC Commandant-General also charged the new recruits on training to remain focused, fit and agile adding that the success of an officer was based on diligent service, commitment and loyalty.
He said the corps upscaled its disciplinary system by the introduction of Standard Operating Procedures and Code of conduct to check, correct and punish erring officers.
He said persons found guilty had earlier been shown the way out of service through summary dismissal while others were either demoted or sanctioned.
Speaking further on the reviewing of Salaries and allowances, the CG said efforts ongoing by the government through the Minister of Interior to make the welfare a priority.
Audi spoke on the need for fairness, empathy and accountability in leadership and urged the young officers to remain unwavering in loyalty void of eye service.
President/CEO of Del-York International and Fahrenheit Global Security Solutions, Mr. Linus Idahosa has described The Delborough Lagos as “a country within country”.
Idahosa, who was recently appointed as a Board Member, made the remarks in an interview with newsmen shortly after his official inauguration into the Board of what is being hailed, as one of Africa’s most iconic luxury brand ahead of its upcoming commissioning in Lagos.
The Delborough Lagos is a well-appointed and elegant establishment with sophisticated state-of-the-art luxury facilities located at Plot 1502, Bishop Aboyade Cole Close, Opposite Krispy Kreme, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Idahosa said: “With the world standard set here, The Delborough Lagos is a country within a country.
“If you listen to every single person who has stepped in here today, I think that nothing else one needs to say.
“I am very grateful that this is happening in Nigeria. As we stand here right now, its almost impossible to tell whether one is in Nigeria or not”, he added.
“A big congratulations to The Delborough Lagos and also a big congratulations to the one with the vision behind this edifice.
“To diplomats, international businessmen and women, expatriates, people looking for a place where their security is assured, whilst feeling at home far from their countries, The Delborough Lagos is the place to be.”
An INEC Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa state has been abducted while waiting to board a boat to his duty post.
The Head of Information and Voter Education at the INEC headquarters in Yenagoa, Wilfred Ifogah said in a statement that the SPO was. A?abducted at the Amassoma jetty while waiting to board a boat to Registration Area-06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA.
Ifogah, who said security agents have been notified of the development, also confirmed that a boat conveying election personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southem Ijaw LGA capsized.
The statement reads: “The Independent National Electoral Commission, Bayelsa State Office commenced the movement of Personnel and electoral materials to the Registration Area Centers (RACs) on Friday 10th November, 2023.
“However we wish to confirm that a boat carrying election personnel to Registration Area-17 (Koluama) in Southem Ijaw LGA capsized.
“Fortunately no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued.
“We however lost our result sheets, power banks and luggage containing personal effects of staff.
“The total number of registered voters in the affected Registration Areas is 5368 and the number of PVCs collected is 5311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of election in the affected area.
“INEC also reports that its SPO assigned to Registration Area-06 (Ossioma) in Sagbama LGA was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma Jetty. The security agencies have been notified.”
INEC warns staff, ad-hoc workers against malpractices, partisanship
INEC deploys six National Commissioners, 27 RECs
Crisis hits Bayelsa LP over bribery allegations
Insecurity: election observer group identifies Brass, Nembe, Ogbia, Southern
Ijaw LGAs as flashpoints
EFCC deploys operatives to prevent vote-buying
After weeks of bated anxiety, governorship aspirants in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states will have their fate decided by voters as they troop out today to elect new governors.
The elections are holding against the background of heightened tension in the affected states over fears of electoral violence.
Already, the Nigeria Police Force has deployed 67,000 of its men for the polls.
The elections, expected to be keenly contested, will feature no fewer than 51 candidates with Kogi, where 18 candidates are expected to slug it out, as the state with the highest number of contestants.
Seventeen candidates are jostling for the coveted seat in Imo while 16 will battle it out in Bayelsa.
No fewer than 5,169,692 voters who collected their permanent voter cards (PVCs) are expected to vote in the elections.
Investigation revealed uneasy calm across the three senatorial districts in Kogi State as people appear to be apprehensive due primarily to the violence that attended previous exercises.
In Bayelsa State, hundreds of women besieged the State Police Command in Yenagoa, the state capital on Thursday, demanding the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Tolani Alausa.
As a precautionary measure against the high level of insecurity anticipated in Kogi State during the poll, security operatives have been massively deployed in the state to maintain law and order and protect voters who are expected to troop out to its over 3,500 polling units to perform their franchise without intimidation.
Our correspondent in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, observed that personnel from the various security agencies had arrived in the state and were being deployed in its nooks and crannies.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) overseeing Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi State, Habu Sani, told reporters in Lokoja that the 40,000 police personnel deployed in the state was proportionate to the threats level.
He insisted that the security personnel so far deployed were enough to handle the fears in some quarters over possible violence and disruptions during the exercise.
According to him, about 90 per cent of the personnel deployed for the election had arrived in the state.
He said those that were not yet on ground were either on transit or would take off on Friday to arrive early enough for the election.
He said that all the 3,500 polling units in the state would be adequately covered, adding that no room would be left for anyone who might want to disrupt the election.
Sani said: “Our deployment is proportionate to the threat levels identified before election.
“Forty thousand personnel and officers have been mobilised to neutralise any untoward happening before, during and after the election.”
He also said there would be restriction of movements on the Election Day and only those on essential duties would be allowed to move around after they might have been issued with tags.
He called on members of the public who might have useful information to contact the police control room whose number and that of the officers in charge of each zone would be circulated.
At least two deaths had been confirmed and the police themselves have confirmed gunning down several political thugs who attempted a gun battle with security agencies ahead of the elections.
Election observer group identifies Brass, Nembe, Ogbia, Southern Ijaw LGAs as flashpoints
An election management team, CellHub, yesterday identified Brass, Nembe, Ogbia, Southern Ijaw, and Yenagoa local government areas as key flashpoints which the security agencies should pay attention to ahead of today’s governorship election in Bayelsa State.
In Brass, agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) keeping vigil at the registration area centres (RACs) were said to have clashed, thereby unsettling the area.
The election monitoring group noted that there might be mayhem during the polls in the five LGAs.
The organisation commended the performance of security agencies involved in the pre-election operations, particularly the military.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Idris Usman, the group acknowledged the commitment, professionalism and diligence so far displayed by security personnel deployed to ensure a secured and conducive environment for the electoral process.
It noted that the efforts of security agencies had contributed significantly in building public confidence and ensuring the smooth conduct of pre-election activities.
The statement said: “However, as part of our ongoing collaboration to enhance the electoral process, CellHub urges the security agencies to concentrate their efforts in identified flashpoints within certain local government areas.
“These areas include Brass, Nembe, Ogbia, Southern Ijaw, and Yenagoa local government areas.
“We have noticed over the last 24 hours reported cases of intimidation and violence in some communities, particularly Brass and Nembe local governments.
“Recognising the significance of these local governments and the potential challenges they may pose, CellHub calls for heightened vigilance, strategic deployment, and effective communication among security personnel.
“By focusing on these flashpoints, we aim to preemptively address any potential security concerns and ensure the safety of voters, electoral officials and other stakeholders.”
Protesters besiege police headquarters in Bayelsa, demand CP’s removal
Hundreds of women in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, on Thursday, besieged the State Police Command, demanding the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Tolani Alausa.
The protesters made up mainly of women and dressed in black attires also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure a violence-free governorship election in the state today.
On the placards displayed by the protesters were inscriptions such as “IG – the Police must be neutral”, “Change CP Alausa for a violence-free poll”, “We say no to CP Alausa”, “Give us new CP”, “We don’t want Tolani Alausa”.
“All we are asking for is a violence- free election in the state. Is that a big thing to ask from those who are supposed to be responsible for protecting us? Why can’t the police be neutral in this election? Can’t we just vote for our preferred candidate in peace?
“We want a non-violent exercise. The police should protect the people and allow us to vote who we want. This shouldn’t be like other elections where people manipulate election with the assistance of the police,” one of the protesters said.
Another protester and human rights activist, Mrs. Timitimi Ebipador, was quoted as pleading for a non-violent exercise.
“We are appealing to you for the conduct of a peaceful election. We want an exercise devoid of violence. You are responsible for the provision of security of our lives and that should be your duty and not interfere in the election itself.
“No blood of any Bayelsan is worth the blood of any politician. Do all it takes for a non-violent election, we beg you to protect us. I call for a peaceful election. We want our husbands, children and even brothers safe after the exercise.
“We have experienced it on several occasions. In 2015 and 2019, it was marred by violence and till this moment, nobody was prosecuted and jailed for violence,” she said.
On his part, the Police DIG in charge of South-South, Sokari Pedro, assured the protesters of peaceful conduct of the election, saying that all measures for smooth conduct and professionalism by officers and men of the police force would be applied.
He assured that the election would be different from previous ones that were marred by violence in 2015 and 2019.
He said: “We have heard your agitations, and we will ensure a peaceful conduct of the exercise before and after. I just addressed stakeholders of the various parties and other state actors that the election will be peaceful.
“2023 is not 2015 and 2019. We have put all measures together for a peaceful process. All security architecture is in place.
“Also, pass the information to your people in various communities to let peace reign. Without peace, there will be no development in our communities.
“We have to avoid unnecessary confrontations with people this election season.”
DHQ, defence minister allay fears of insecurity
In separate statements on Thursday, both the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, allayed any fear of insecurity during the elections, assuring voters of their safety during the exercise.
Matawalle, who spoke in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said adequate arrangements had been made for security agencies to deal decisively with any “noisemaker” and anyone who might want to foment trouble or crises during the elections.
He said: “The military will be available ’24/7′ for anyone who wants to contact them.
“I, particularly, will be in the office within the period of the election so as to ensure safety in the three states.
“We shall protect the people. We shall ensure that the three states are safe and the people are protected.
“I assure Nigerians that the elections will be held amicably; nothing will happen to anyone.”
“The elections will be conducted in these states peacefully.”
In apparent corroboration of Matawalle’s statement, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) declared that anybody or group planning to disrupt the governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo or Kogi state would face the consequences of their action.
The DHQ said the military was aware of plans by some miscreants to disguise themselves in military uniforms in order to disrupt the election process.
The military high command spoke through the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, during a briefing at the Defence Headquarters Abuja.
Buba said: “We are aware of plans of some to disguise themselves in military gear to orchestrate havoc and disrupt elections in some areas. Our message to such a group is that there will be injurious consequences for such an action. The military will not fold its arms and watch its image dragged to the mud.
“Election is a serious business and the military is giving it the seriousness it deserves. So much is being put in place, troops and platforms are being deployed to those locations to reinforce security that is already in place in those states.”
PSC monitors arrive duty posts as Commission releases phone numbers for complaints
The Chairman Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Solomon Arase, has advised officials of the Commission deployed to monitor the governorship election in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states to be transparent and dedicated to duty.
The PSC staff monitors, according to findings, have arrived and taken positions at their duty posts in the nine senatorial districts of the three states of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa where the off cycle governorship elections are holding today.
The Commission has also released dedicated telephone lines where Nigerians are expected to call to complain about any police misconduct or commend police exemplary conduct.
According to a statement issued yesterday by the Head Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, the Commission Monitors will be appearing in reflective jackets with PSC inscriptions for easy identification.
Ani said Arase had charged the Staff Monitors to live above board and execute their assignment with diligence and Commitment.
Arase said the Commission would also hold its staff monitors accountable for any deliberate infraction in the course of their duty, warning that they must restrict themselves to the approved guidelines on monitoring of Police conduct and the rules of engagement.
He said: “The Commission’s dedicated telephone numbers are: National Cordinating Centre:
Aminu Malumfashi 08059170235
Ikechukwu Ani 08088155981.
“Kogi State;
East Senatorial district -Adeola Albert; 08084385726
Central Senatorial district; -Justina Okunriboye 08033145592 and West Senatorial District Dada Babatunde; 08054970152.
“Imo State:
North Senatorial District ‘ Amaka Omene: 08033702079
East Senatorial District – Uche Wokocha; 08033127845 and West Senatorial District- Mathias Okoi Uyo-Uyo; 08038179665
“Bayelsa State;
East Senatorial district – Ponfa Wuyep; 08036707485
Central Senatorial district- Solomon Jibrin; 08064766550 and West Senatorial District -Iniobong Uko Anthony; 08061309837″.
Ani said PSC monitors are expected to monitor Police conduct in the three states using Commission’s approved guidelines on Police conduct during elections.
Crisis hits Bayelsa LP as party splits into factions over bribery allegations
In Bayelsa State, a major crisis has erupted in the Labour Party with the party’s chairmen in six of the state’s eight local government areas dumping its governorship candidate, Udengs Eradiri, over the alleged exclusion of the party executives and structure in his governorship campaign.
They also vowed to support the candidacy of Senator Douye Diri, the incumbent governor who is seeking reelection on the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The party chairmen, Ifiemi Ilahnyog (Southern Ijaw), Clinton Naru Emesua (Ogbia), Tamuno Deifugha (Kolokuma/Opokuma), Warri Moses (Sagbama), Appi Ebierelayefa Stephen (Nembe) and Super Kworkwor (Yenagoa), also accused the party’s candidate of deliberately refusing to inaugurate a campaign council.
The party chairmen also accused Eradiri of appointing only a two-man campaign structure which he used as “mere errand boys”.
In a statement they issued in Yenagoa, the state capital, the six local government party chairmen, who had spurned several invitations to appear before the state executives of the party, accused the governorship candidate of openly insulting, embarrassing and rejecting advice offered him about his campaign activities.
The aggrieved chairmen’s statement reads: “Our candidate lacks the maturity that is required to be the Governor of Bayelsa State. Yes, we agree that he is well educated and has experience, but maturity is zero.
“He is too petty, fault-finding, quick-tempered, impatient and very argumentative. Our candidate does not believe in our party or its leadership.
“He abuses and castigates party leaders both in private and in public. Even the national leaders are like children as far as our candidate is concerned.
“The governorship candidate of our party in Bayelsa State deceived us about his financial preparedness to contest this governorship election. Every Bayelsan knows the enormous financial implications of contesting for the position of governor of a state.
“The candidate is also 100 per cent aware that the party has depleted its resources in the last presidential election and he ought to also know he should have come prepared. Instead, he came and was asking the party what we have brought to the table.
“Financially, in the spirit of disrespect and disbelief in the leadership of the party, the candidate has been visiting our communities, wards and constituencies without informing the party.
“Our Labour Party structure in the various state levels will call the leaders and complain that they are seeing our candidate in their various communities and that they are not aware of his coming.
“This has made the local government and ward chairmen to lose confidence in the candidate as a person, who if elected will not only sideline the party but will also drive the party out of Bayelsa State.”
The party chairmen concluded their statement with a vow to support the candidacy of Governor Douye Diri, who is seeking reelection on PDP’s platform, with a view to saving the existing structures of Labour Party in the state from collapse and extinction.
“We would rather vote for a more prepared candidate who, in our assessment, will perform well when elected and carry the numerous labour party members along; the miracle Governor, Senator Douye Diri of the PDP.”
Eradiri accuses party of collecting N100m from Governor Diri
In a counter-accusation, however, Eradiri accused the party leaders in the state of betraying him after collecting N100 million from Governor Douye Diri.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, the LP governorship candidate said: “Just yesterday, they did a press conference after collecting N100 million from the governor. The sharing formula started creating problems.”
Eradiri alleged that the party’s state chairman collected a whopping N100 million and claimed to have sent N50 million to the national leadership of the party even though the national body denied it, while the sharing of the other N50 million was causing a lot of rancor.
The LP governorship candidate accused the party’s leadership in the state of requesting money before agreeing to go with him on campaign trips.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Thursday that it had distributed sensitive election materials to all the eight local government areas in the state ahead of today’s governorship election.
The Head of voter education and publicity at INEC’s State Headquarters, Wilfred Ifogah, told journalists in Yenagoa that the election materials were already in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria branch in Yenagoa and were distributed in the presence of representatives from all political parties participating in the polls.
Ifogah said: “The distribution took place earlier today (Thursday) in the presence of political parties and security agencies.
“Currently, the sensitive materials are at our local government offices from where they will be dispatched to the Registration Area Centres (RAC) on Friday.
“On Saturday, the materials will then be taken from the RACs to various polling units for setup.”
Since Wednesday, there had been heavy presence of stern-looking armed security men screening people and vehicles within the vicinity of INEC’s head office in the state.
Detachments of police and other security agencies deployed for election duties have been arriving in the state since Wednesday while political parties wrap up their campaigns.
A total of 1,056,862 registered voters are expected to go to the polls on Nov. 11 to elect a governor for the state during the off-cycle election.
INEC deploys six National Commissioners, 27 RECs, says voters will decide next gov
INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, vowed that the choice of who becomes the next governor of Imo, Kogi or Bayelsa State would rest solely with voters in the affected states.
To ensure a credible election, the INEC boss said the Commission had deployed 2 National Commissioners and nine Resident Electoral Commissioners and Administrative Secretaries to supervise the elections in each of the three states.
In a message to the people of the three states, Prof Yakubu asked all INEC deployed officials (both regular and ad hoc staff) to display the highest level of professionalism and patriotism throughout the period of the election.
He also assured that election results will be uploaded in the INEC Result Viewing portal, insisting that the commission was not a political party and has no candidate in the election.
The statement reads: “In less than 24 hours, 5,169,692 Nigerians who collected their permanent voter cards (PVCs) are expected to vote in off-cycle governorship elections.
“This is the first time in our history that these elections are held on the same day and across three geo-political zones of the country: North Central (Kogi), South East (Imo) and South South (Bayelsa).
“As we approach the Election Day, I wish to call on our officials (both regular and ad-hoc) to demonstrate the highest level of patriotism and professionalism.
“As I said repeatedly, not least during my recent readiness assessment visits to the three states, INEC is not a political party and we have no candidate in the election.
“Our responsibility is to safeguard the process and ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.
“The choice of who becomes the governor of Bayelsa, Imo or Kogi state is entirely in the hands of voters.
“We have delivered all sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the elections.
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) have been configured for deployment to Polling Units as the only means of voter verification and fingerprint/facial biometric authentication of voters.
“Polling Unit results will be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. All election duty officials have been trained. Arrangements have been made for land and maritime transportation to enable us to commence voting on schedule.
“In spite of the extremely difficult terrain and physical infrastructure in some locations, we are determined to ensure that our officials are there waiting for voters rather than the voters waiting for our arrival.
“For these off-cycle elections, the Commission is deploying two (2) National Commissioners, nine (9) Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and Administrative Secretaries (ASs) as well as additional staff from different States to each of the three States to support the process. They will be deployed across the senatorial zones in the States.”
EFCC deploys officers in Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deployed its operatives on election monitoring operations in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states.
The commission’s Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, in a statement said the operations were aimed at checking electoral fraud and associated crimes.
He said: “In its drive to checkmate electoral fraud and associated financial crimes, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has deployed its officers to Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states where governorship elections are holding on Saturday, November 11, 2023.
“The commission’s monitoring operations are to tackle any form of voter’s inducement through vote buying, vote selling and other manipulation of the electoral processes at variance with the Electoral Act.”
The day of decision in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States is here as the electorate choose new governors for their states. Assistant Editor Emmanuel Badejo examines the strengths and weaknesses of key contenders in the race.
Today is D-Day for voters in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States as they decide who governs them for the next four years.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saddled with responsibility for conducting national and state elections, has dispatched officials and materials for the polls.
According to INEC, about 5.4 million voters have been registered for the exercise in the three states. While 1,056,862 are registered voters Bayelsa; 2,419,922 in Imo State; and 1,932,654 in Kogi State, making a total of 5,409,438 registered voters.
Political parties have concluded campaigns. However, behind-the-scenes maneuvering to woo more voters is silently going on.
The three states have been contending with one degree of violence or the other. Candidates of major political parties have pointed accusing fingers at each other for communal unrest that engulfed the states since preparations for the elections started.
But, going by the assurances from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, all has been done to ensure the elections are conducted freely and without violence. Notwithstanding, feelers from the states, show that apprehension is high among major contenders.
While Governors Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) respectively are seeking re-election, all contenders in Kogi State are first timers, as Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration is winding down.
Though INEC cleared 16 candidates for Bayelsa, 18 candidates for Imo and 18 contestants are jostling for the Kogi government house, the consensus is that the battle is majorly between the APC, PDP, Labour Party and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
BAYELSA STATE
INEC’s schedule says 16 candidates are on the ballot – consisting of 14 male and two female candidates. None of the candidates are people with disabilities.
However, many political watchers believe that the election is a three-horse race among Diri of PDP, Timipre Sylva of APC, and Udengs Eradiri of the Labour Party (LP).
For 24 years, since the return to democracy, Bayelsa State has been under the grip of PDP. All the main contenders are hopeful of emerging victorious in the exercise.
In 2015, INEC declared the candidate of APC winner of the governorship poll. Can APC repeat the same feat? If not, does the LP have the wide acceptance to cause an upset and seize power? Defeating the incumbent will be a herculean task.
DUOYE DIRI
Governor Diri is a popular face in the state’s political arena. The incumbent, born in 1959, represented the people of Bayelsa Central Senatorial District between 2019 and 2020.
He became the governor following the Supreme Court judgment that annulled the election of David Lyon, candidate of APC, who was declared winner of the poll in November 2019.
STRENGTHS
Diri, who emerged through consensus arrangement in April 2023, largely enjoys the support of PDP bigwigs in the state. Besides the power of incumbency, his candidacy has attracted significant endorsement lately. For instance, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, serving governors, senators and members of the House of Representatives have backed his ticket. Even the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has endorsed the PDP candidate.
The sentiment that the state has been under the leadership of PDP for more than two decades may also swing votes to the incumbent.
Pundits have also said Diri has been able to use his term to assert himself in the political equation in the state.
WEAKNESSES
Notwithstanding the fact that the state receives 13 percent oil derivation, a high percentage of Bayelsa residents are still poor. This, according to sources, can hurt Diri’s chances. The opposition could exploit this to change the narrative regarding the governor’s performance in his first term.
While the high level of poverty has been a major campaign slogan of LP’s Eradiri, APC’s Sylva has been re-echoing his readiness to reduce joblessness among the youths.
TIMIPRE SYLVA
Timipre Sylva was a former governor of Bayelsa who served from 2007 to 2012. The immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, was born in 1964.
He had part of his education in Bayelsa and in Lagos.
Sylva’s political career started in 1992 when he won a seat in the House of Assembly Election representing Brass constituency in the old Rivers State. At the time, he was the youngest of all the members in the House of Assembly.
He was appointed as Special Assistant to Dr. Edmund Daukoru, the Minister of State for Petroleum in 2004. In 2006, he contested the PDP governorship primaries in Bayelsa.
Elected and sworn into office in April 2007, he served for about a year until the election was nullified, and a rerun declared. He won the rerun and was sworn in again on May 24, 2008, serving four more years.
STRENGTHS
He has the political war chest to confront the incumbent having been in the political ring for a long while. He may also be relying on his grassroots reach.
Judging from the crowd at his campaigns, he seems to be enjoying mass support from thousands of Bayelsan voters.
Being a former governor and minister, Sylva possesses a robust political network which could potentially boost his chances. He also has the backing of APC at the centre, which has been rallying voters to back his candidacy.
The Court of Appeal a few days ordered that his name should be added to the INEC list, removing the legal question mark that had been hanging over his candidacy.
WEAKNESSES
The opponents might have succeeded in whittling his influence following the court judgement that led to the initial removal of his name from his list of contestants.
He is also facing the election with a divided house, as he could not reconcile with some of the disgruntled party bigwigs in the state.
There is also an argument that Sylva’s popularity is diminishing within the state and that David Lyon could have posed a better challenge to the dominance of the PDP. It is rumoured that Sylva is embroiled in a feud with Lyon and Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, who hails from the state.
Last month, some APC stakeholders on the platform of Bayelsa APC Integrity Group accused Sylva of “running a one-man show” after he reportedly named himself Director-General of his campaign.
UDENGS ERADIRI
Comrade Udengs Eradiri was born on 22nd March, 1976. He is a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, COREN certified graduate from the University of Benin with a degree in Production Engineering and also has a certificate in Dredging Technology from the A&M University Texas USA.
Eradiri’s foray into politics began in 2011 when he unsuccessfully contested for the Kolokuma/Okpokuma Yenagoa Federal Constituency seat under LP.
Since then, he has served in various other political capacities. Between 2018 and 2019, he was Commissioner for Youth Development and from 2019 to 2020, he was Commissioner for Environment.
In 2021, he assumed the role of Special Assistant on Youths and Sports to the interim administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
He continued in this capacity with then-acting Managing Director of NDDC from 2022 until January 2023 when the board was eventually constituted.
STRENGTHS
Backers of the LP candidate, who is a former president of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), believe that he may secure victory by leveraging the goodwill the party currently enjoys among sections of the electorate — especially the youth. He may utilise his contact with many youth groups to spring surprises.
WEAKNESSES
Eradiri has never won an elective seat in the state or national elections. He will struggle to compete with Diri and Sylva who have well-established political networks across the state and country.
IMO STATE
No fewer than 18 candidates are in the race for governor in Imo State. Political pundits argue that of this number, just about seven parties and their flagbearers are in the race to win based on their popularity, spread, capacity of candidates, acceptance by the citizenry, structure, and presence in the state.
The candidates are Governor Hope Uzodimma of APC, Senator Samuel Anyanwu of PDP, Senator Athan Achonu of LP, Major Gen. Lincoln Ogunewe of Action Alliance (AA), Dr. Kemdi Opara of Young Progressives Party (YPP), Chief Tony Ejiogu of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), and Ekwebelem of SDP.
However, three of them – the APC, PDP and LP candidates – are believed to be the ones to watch.
While Uzodinma’s opponents see today’s election as an opportunity to unseat him, the governor views it as a chance to consolidate his leadership.
HOPE UZODINMA
He is the candidate of APC and current occupier of Douglas House, Owerri, who is seeking re-election. Born on 12 December, 1958, in Omuma, Uzodinma holds a Diploma in Maritime Management Technology, and Higher Diploma in the same field, from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
He also has a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from Washington University in St. Louis, United States. Prior to his entry into politics, he was an entrepreneur with vast business interests.
Uzodinma began his political career during the Second Republic, joining the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN), where in 1983, he became the Imo State youth leader. In the 1990s, with the aborted transition to the Third Republic, he featured prominently as a member of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP).
Forward to the Fourth Republic, the governor was initially a senator before running for gubernatorial seat.
STRENGTHS
He has power of incumbency alongside a wide spectrum of support from party members both in the state and the centre. This has produced a wide range of endorsements of his candidacy.
Furthermore, major stakeholders recently adopted the Imo Charter of Equity for him to complete a second term and midwife the turn of an Owerri-born person as his successor.
As chairman of the APC governors’ forum, Uzodinma is considered a critical force in the race, being a seasoned politician. He’s the only candidate from Imo West senatorial zone which has the highest number of local government areas in the state.
The other factor that will work for him is his recent reconciliation with former Governor Rochas Okorocha. Okorocha might have posed a threat to him, but the hierarchy of APC played a smart game by engineering a truce between them.
Another plus for Uzodinma is the ongoing seaport project at Oguta. If that project comes to fruition, the credit of opening the Southeast to the world will go to him.
He is also currently the Igbo man with the strongest footing in Aso Rock. So, the people of Imo will not make the mistake of not electing him.
Above all, other contestants will deplete their votes in other zones while Uzodinma will get bloc votes from Orlu zone which has twelve LGAs. APC is also holds the majority in the state assembly.
WEAKNESSES
Many believe that Uzodimma is faced with the challenge of distancing himself from the people. One key issue has been his frequent outings in Abuja. To this extent, opposition parties have used it in their campaigns to describe him as not being ready for governance.
But his biggest opponent may probably be insecurity as several communities have been deserted following activities of gunmen and arsonists. Under his watch, several people have turned internally displaced persons as their homes and villages have been taken over by gunmen. This is something other candidates have been harping on.
The state is also having a running battle with labour unions and that may also impact his chances.
SAMUEL ANYANWU
Anyanwu, popularly referred to as Sam Daddy, 58, was chairman of the Ikeduru Local Government Area in western Imo State from 2004 to 2007 and a member of the House of Assembly from 2007 to 2015. In the Senate he was a member of the committees on Ethics, Privileges and Public Positions and Customs, Exercise, and Tariff.
STRENGTHS
He is not a political neophyte and has been using the security challenge in the state as a campaign tool. He’s probably the most experienced candidate having served as local government chairman, House of Assembly member, senator, and party official. His party PDP, which used to govern the state, could be his biggest strength.
WEAKNESSES
His party, which some political watchers believe is getting out of favour with the people, may also be his undoing as there are visible cracks within it. Some members bear a grudge against the candidate – arguing that he muscled Chief Emeka Ihedioha out of the race.
This largely accounted for the defection of some notable members of his party. That he didn’t support the emergence of a Southeastern presidential candidate may also count against him today.
ATHAN ACHONU
Senator Athan Achonu of LP, popularly called One-arm General, represented Imo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly.
STRENGTHS
LP supporters under the auspices of the Obidient family have reiterated their commitment to working to ensure he wins today’s election. He’s probably the single largest investor in Imo State of all the candidates through his Aku Ruoulo (invest home) project with several industrial farms to show.
WEAKNESSES
He’s now facing a series of lawsuits from other claimants of the LP governorship ticket such as Joseph Ukaegbu, Basil Maduka, and Ike Ibe.
However, the national leadership of the party has affirmed Achonu as its candidate and has been carrying his message of ending insecurity and industrialising Imo, to strategic groups, stakeholders, and professionals.
KOGI STATE
In Kogi State, though INEC announced that 18 political parties will be slugging it out for the number one office, the race is really among three of them: APC; the main opposition party PDP and SDP.
But of the 18 candidates vying for the governorship, the ruling APC’s standard-bearer, Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman, appears to be the favorite as his party has continued to get more support across the state.
AHMED USMAN ODODO
Ododo of APC has been rated as standing taller than the other two in terms of popularity and acceptance by Kogi people.
This conclusion stems from the fact that numbers don’t lie and when you consider APC rallies in the three senatorial districts, you will realise that almost everybody that matters in the state participated in them.
The massive crowd that came out to support the chartered accountant-turned-politician has always been intimidating.
Another important factor that gives credence to the above assertion is the fact that almost all leaders in Kogi across party lines have thrown their weight behind the Ebira-born candidate.
The gale of defections during this election season is unprecedented and most of these politicians are leaving their parties to join APC and have also called for support for Ododo.
Fortunately for him, almost all the bigwigs in Kogi PDP have pledged support for him.
STRENGTHS
He has the power of incumbency supporting his bid. Traditional rulers and unions in the state have also backed him because his running mate was a labour leader and former chairman of a teachers’ union in the state.
WEAKNESSES
Intra-party disputes due to the primary that produced Ododo may come back to haunt him at the polls today. The victory of Senator Natasha Akpoti a few days ago may also reduce the grip of his party in the political district of the lawmaker.
DINO MELAYE
Senator Melaye, candidate of the PDP, needs no introduction. A colourful and controversial character throughout his years in the House of Representatives and Senate, he is today in with a credible chance given the historical strength of his party in the state.
STRENGTHS
He is relatively popular in Kogi politics having been a regular face on the ballot. The LP has also collapsed its structure for him in a last minute electoral alliance.
WEAKNESSES
Observers feel his chances of becoming the next governor of Kogi may be limited following the defection to APC of some notable politicians in his party.
Among those that have dumped the main opposition party in the state are former Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi, and a former member of the state House of Assembly, Alfred Hello.
●Your investments safe in Nigeria, Tinubu assures Saudis
The Government of Saudi Arabia has pledged to invest in the revamp of Nigeria’s refineries, as well as provide financial support to sustain the government’s foreign exchange reforms, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said yesterday in a statement .
Saudi Crown Prince, HRH Mohammed bin Salman, according to the statement, made the pledges at a bilateral meeting with President Tinubu on the sidelines of the Saudi-Africa Summit in Riyadh.
“To support the Central Bank’s ongoing reforms of Nigeria’s foreign exchange regime, the Saudi Government will make available a substantial deposit of foreign exchange to boost Nigeria’s forex liquidity,” the statement said, adding that Prince bin Salman commended the economic reforms being implemented by
President Tinubu, and “expressed the commitment of the Saudi government to supporting these reforms, and enabling Nigeria to reap the full benefits. According to him, Saudi Arabia is very eager to see Nigeria thrive under President Bola Tinubu, and realise its full potential as the economic giant of Africa.”
In addition to these, the statement said Prince bin Salman also highlighted agriculture and renewable energy as areas of investment interest for Saudi Arabia in Nigeria, to help the country attain food and energy security, respectively.
“The Crown Prince hinted that the refinery investments in Nigeria will be led by the Saudi state-owned oil company, Saudi Aramco, with the revamp to be completed within a two- to three-year timeframe.
“The Crown Prince also expressed appreciation to Nigeria for its active participation in, and support for OPEC+.”
President Tinubu thanked the Saudi leader for the proposed investments, and pledged that Nigeria would ensure judicious management and oversight. The two leaders vowed to work together over the next six months to develop a comprehensive road-map and blueprint to deliver on the agreed investments and outcomes.
“Also, President Tinubu and Crown Prince bin Salman spoke on the need to strengthen security cooperation to mitigate terrorism, irregal migration and other crises not just in Nigeria, but across West Africa and the Sahel region.The two leaders further discussed existing economic and socio-cultural cooperation between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, and agreed to open new vistas in bilateral relations.”
The bilateral meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Amb Yahaya Lawal and the state Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Adekunle Adeleke.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu yesterday, reassured potential investors that their investments are safe in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Saudi-Africa Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, President Tinubu said Nigeria is ready for business while assuring investors of some of the world’s highest returns on investment.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu also informed the gathering that Nigeria is in the middle of the diversification of its economy, away from dependence on just oil, to achieve sustainable development.
The President said Nigeria is desirous of enhancing collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on combating terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other violent extremist groups, which have been terrorizing the Lake Chad and Sahel regions.
“Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have always enjoyed a special relationship at both the bilateral and multilateral levels. Within the past six decades, our bilateral cooperation which was initially hajj-centric, has witnessed diversification to cover a number of areas of common interest.
“It is delightful to note the presence in this great Kingdom of a large number of our compatriots and professionals, including highly-skilled medical practitioners and professional football players.
“As members of several international organizations, including the UN, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the International Energy Forum, the G77, the Islamic Development Bank, the Digital Cooperation Organisation, among others, our two nations have effectively used these and other platforms to enhance close interaction and coordination.
“I am confident that our joint positive disposition within these platforms will continue to be demonstrated as we seek to advance our mutual interests.
“Nigeria, like the Kingdom, is diversifying her economy away from oil dependence to promote sustainable development. My administration has undertaken bold economic reforms by removing wasteful subsidies on petroleum and the merging of our foreign exchange market, among other incentives aimed at improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
“I also wish to assure all potential Saudi investors of the safety of their investments based on the sanctity of the rule of law and good returns on their investments in the largest economy in Africa. In this regard, the benefit attached to the early inauguration of the Nigeria-Saudi Business Council cannot be over-emphasized,” the President said.
President Tinubu thanked the Kingdom for the various humanitarian interventions in Nigeria through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.
Speaking on climate change and how it affects Africa, President Tinubu said climate change has led to an expedited rate of desertification and incessant flooding in Nigeria and many other countries of Africa.
He commended the efforts of the Kingdom for its various initiatives to fight the effects of climate change, adding that Nigeria is also working on a number of initiatives to fight the effects of climate change and energy poverty.
“Recently, we launched a data-driven Energy Transition Plan which sets forth a clear carbon reduction policy and targets net-zero emissions by the year 2060 while also setting out our plans for industrialisation using new energy systems and universal access to modern energy services.
“Mr. Chairman, let me also take this opportunity to reiterate Nigeria’s full support for the Kingdom’s bids to host the 2030 World Expo in Riyadh and the 2034 FIFA Senior Men’sWorld Cup, the latter of which is now all but guaranteed to succeed,” the President said.
IGP orders investigation of alleged assault of NLC President
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) yesterday issued an order of interim injunction restraining members of the organised labour, including the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliates, from proceeding with the strike they planned to commence on November 14.
The President of the court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, issued the order while ruling on an ex-parte application brought by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on behalf of the Federal Government and argued by Tijani Gazali (SAN), Acting Director (Civil Appeals), Federal Ministry of Justice.
Justice Kanyip said the order shall subsist until the determination of a motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions equally filed by the AGF.
The judge said the court is empowered under sections Section 7(1) and 19(a) of the NICN Establishment Act to hear such ex-parte application and grant such ex-parte order where a strike is threatened but yet to be commenced, as in this case.
Justice Kanyip equally granted leave to the Federal Government to serve the restraining order and other originating processes filed in the suit, through substituted means, by pasting same at conspicuous places in NLC and TUC offices in Abuja.
The judge also ordered the publication of the court documents in two national dailies.
He subsequently reassigned the case to Justice Olufunke Anuwe (another judge of the court in Abuja) before whom a similar case was already pending.
Gazali had, while moving the ex-parte application, prayed the court to grant the relief sought in view of the sensitive nature of the case.
He noted that flights were disrupted in Abuja and other parts of the country on Thursday by members of the respondents (NLC and TUC), who were enforcing flight ban to Imo State.
“People who had no business in Imo State were all affected and left stranded by the activities of members of the respondents,” Gazali said.
He urged the court to grant the relief sought in order to restrain the respondents and prevent a possible breakdown of law and order, which will occasion further hardship on innocent and law abiding citizens.
Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has given an account of the recent physical attack on him by suspected thugs in Imo State.
Ajaero said he was arrested by the police in Owerri, Imo State capital and handed over to thugs numbering seven, who beat him and dragged him on the floor like a common criminal.
The NLC president gave the account at a press conference in Abuja yesterday.
He said the NLC wrote to all the security agencies before they went to the state for a protest last week.
The labour leader said he gave his itinerary to the Department of State Services on the day of the protest.
The NLC president said that workers who arrived at the venue of the protest around 7 am on that day were beaten up by thugs who also seized their phones.
He said two workers of Television Continental were handcuffed and their cameras seized during the protest.
Ajaero said he got there around 9am after he got the report of an assault on workers.
The NLC president alleged that the police arrested him and handed him over to thugs.
He said: “A police officer arrested me and handed me over to thugs. That was how they dragged me on the floor and took me to a bus. About seven people.
“I can’t explain the beating I received. They tied my hands and eyes and dragged me on the floor like a common criminal.
“They asked me to say my last prayers.”
Ajaero said he is not a card-carrying member of any political party as alleged.
He said: “He (Gov Uzodimma) said I am playing local politics. I do not know which one is local politics. I am not a card-carrying member of any political party in Nigeria.
“And as a governor, he should be privileged to some classified information to say which political party I belong to. But I thank God that I am alive today.
“Whoever has diverted the workers’ money has diverted blood money and has attracted generational curse.
“I am not sure that anybody from my village is contesting for any election, not to talk of my family members.
“I do not have any family members or whatever running for election. But they are free to run if they are interested. If I want to run for any office tomorrow, I will pick the form of any party.
“There is no law that forbids a civil servant from contesting elections. The Appeal Court has also made it clear that you do not need permission for a protest or rally; you only inform the security.
“There were some media organisations that their staff were humiliated on that day. Two TVC staff were handcuffed. Were they also playing politics? And the TVC has kept criminal silence about it.
“Why has the NUJ not said a word about the humiliation of journalists?”
He said the struggle to ensure that workers in Imo are paid would continue.
The labour leader said not even his death would stop the struggle to ensure that workers who are being owed are paid their entitlements.
“Not even my death could have stopped the struggle for the payment of those workers. If I had died in the process, the people that would take over would be more daring.
“Any of the deputies here that would take over, would have been more decisive. So nobody is backing out; it is a question of allowing justice to prevail, and the people you are owing, you pay them.”
The Inspector -General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault on the person of Ajaero.
Egbetokun directed the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department to take over the matter with the primary objective of ascertaining the facts surrounding the incident.
The investigation, the police boss said, will also address any ambiguities that may exist as the Police have been inundated with different versions of the incident, making investigations imperative to clear the conflicting accounts.
A statement issued yesterday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said: “The Nigeria Police Force understands the importance of transparency and accountability in maintaining public trust.
“The IGP therefore assures the public, most especially the leadership of the organised labour, that a thorough and unbiased inquiry will be conducted to provide clarifications while urging organised labour and the public to remain calm, as he has personally intervened to address the issues surrounding this incident.”
Adejobi, who said investigation had commenced, added that the Nigeria Police Force guarantees that it will be followed to a conclusive end and appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
Going to play at the senior World Cup anywhere in the world should be a birthright for Nigeria, given the exploits of her players in Europe, the Americas, and the Diaspora. Our players in the foreign legion need to replicate their mastery of the game which they display at their various clubs, while playing for their fatherland. Super Eagles have been consistently awful in their outings relying on the artistry displays of a few players such as Victor Osimhen. Preparing the Super Eagles for the World Cup is the most expensive project with as it takes a minimum of N540 million per game. No hyperbole. You better believe it.
Every invitation for any qualifier attracts as many as 29 foreign-based players flying on business class while some privileged few with long legs fly on first-class tickets. This crowd of 29 players reside in some of the best five-star hotels in the world, beginning with the African continent. At other times, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) secures a charter jet, which takes a contingent of 200 people including supporters Club members. This crowd flies into such countries with high altitudes the evening before the game and departs immediately after the game, irrespective of the results.
Of course, the charter jets spend the night at the airport with all its huge logistics, landing rights paid for in foreign currencies. I don’t know how much it costs to keep an aircraft in the hangar in foreign land. All attempts are made by the NFF to treat our players as the big boys that they are. The pre-match show of class for players melts away like ice cream when the matches begin with our players behaving on the pitch as if they are doing us a favour.
On a few occasions, one can understand why our players are mindful of their commitment towards our matches because of the terrible conditions of the pitches compared to what they have in Europe which propels the players in their different clubs to always give their best. Many people have sworn not to watch the Super Eagles on live television after the breathtaking 3-2 away win against Sierra Leone played in Monrovia. The Eagles led by 2-0 only to falter a bit. The Sierra Leoneans seized the loop to level the scores at 2-2. It took a last-ditch effort by Kelechi Iheanacho to score the winning goal at the death.
Some other times, the Eagles struggle with the atmospheric conditions of some of these African countries necessitating the medically-informed plans by the NFF to fly the team to such places by charter flights a day before such games. Sadly, the plans to curtain the altitudinal problems are thrown into the trash bin by the same players who stroll into the camp as if they were in town to attend a disco session.
Rather than hit the camp on Monday for the Sunday match, our big boys don’t report until Thursday, leaving the coaches with between two to three days to prepare the boys instead of the six days agreed with them after the last game. Guess what, these players who sauntered into the Nigerian’s camp at their leisure scamper to return to the European clubs, knowing the implications of late coming.
Why the Eagles manager has failed to bench latecomers remains a mystery. The excuse that the European clubs pay their wages is neither here nor there. After all, they are not playing for Nigeria for free. The players each gets paid between $5,000 and $ 10,000. They all share in the qualification bonus paid by FIFA which is quite handsome. Multiply $5,000 by 29 players not forgetting the manager, who gets twice what the players earn in games won and drawn, you will appreciate why the players must play the country’s World Cup qualification matches as if their lives depend on the ticket. It is double the figure spent at $5,000 if the players are paid $10,000 each. Who gets paid $5,000 or $10,000 for a job done in 90 minutes in Nigeria?
We have seen how Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah have flown in charter jets to their countries to honour their invitations to camp. If our players can report early to camp and apply themselves to the six days of training, Nigeria has players who can deliver World Cup tickets with, at least, two matches left.
It is instructive to state here that apart from those players who changed their nationalities to Nigeria, the rest cut their teeth playing for Nigeria, beginning from the country’s age-grade teams. Need I waste space naming those in these categories?
Fortunately, the players and officials have the matches of the Africa Cup of Nations to be staged by Cote d’Ivoire in January to also prepare for the senior World Cup. Happily, the NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau while receiving the Ambassador of Cote d’Ivoire to Nigeria, His Excellency Kalilou Traore, in his Dankaro House office in Abuja said: “I have been receiving regular briefings on the preparations from the President of Cote d’Ivoire Football Federation, Yacine Idriss Diallo, who is a personal friend. I am aware that the Government of Cote d’Ivoire has really invested in stadia and general infrastructure to make the AFCON a success and a huge spectacle.
“Our two teams (Super Eagles and Elephants) are in the same group at the finals, and it would be a very interesting game when we play on 18th January. We know the whole of Africa and even the world will be focused on Cote d’Ivoire before, during, and after the AFCON, and our team will be ready to do its best. When Cote d’Ivoire played host to the AFCON in 1984, our Eagles finished second. This time round, we will work very hard to emerge champions.”
Gusua’s comments find expression with most soccer-crazy Nigerians who support our national teams during competitions and international friendly games. And the least that players, coaches, and officials can do for the over 200 million Nigerians is to win their matches by scoring goals with aplomb. Gusau reiterated that three-time champions Nigeria are ready to give the campaign their best shot when the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations begins in Cote d’Ivoire on 13th January 2024.
Nigeria’s green-white-green flag wasn’t among the comity of nations that participated in the Qatar 2022 World Cup. We can’t afford to miss the next edition.
No country runs its sports on the yearly fiscal budget because of its clumsiness. Sports competitions are run on a calendar system which gives participating countries to prepare adequately for periods of one to four years. Besides, there are other tournaments that serve as qualifiers for the main events across the globe which makes it imperative that funding must be handy, not dependent on any form of bureaucracy
The countries that excel in sporting events have systems that guarantee enough funds for the sportsmen and sportswomen to compete with the best such as tax rebates on sport-friendly firms, lotteries, and businesses owned by wealthy nationals who know what is in such a sponsorship that benefits them by the sitting government. Such financial taxes are spelled out to companies and wealthy citizens after agreements have been reached. These cast-in-stone policies are binding on all the parties to such an extent that breaches are adequately addressed to allow either of the parties to seek redress in court.
The beauty of this organised method of funding is it gives all the concerned sponsors enough time to schedule their commitments to their boards to provide for them in the yearly budgets for the duration of the contractual agreements with reliant government parastatals for the exercise. Is Nigeria ready to prosecute a seamless World Cup qualification series with a solvent NFF? You tell me, dear reader.
Nearly four and a half decades between Nigeria’s critical presidential election of 1979 and the no less momentous presidential polls of this year, many analysts have rightly noted the striking similarities between both exercises. The 1979 presidential election was contested by five political parties namely the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP), Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). The presidential candidates of these parties were Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the NPN, Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the UPN, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe of the NPP, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim of the GNPP and Mallam Aminu Kano of the PRP although the election was widely perceived at the time and turned out to be a closely fought three-cornered contest among Shagari, Awolowo and Azikiwe as Aminu Kano and Waziri Ibrahim were essentially fringe players with their support bases in Kano and Kaduna as well as Borno and Gongola respectively.
Interestingly, the three main contenders also represented the tripod of the three major ethnic groups namely the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo. All presidential elections between 1979 and that of this year had essentially been two-party contests even when there were more than two candidates on the ballot making the share of votes scored by candidates far higher than that possible in a three-horse race. Thus, in the 1983 presidential election, which was really a showdown between Shagari and Awolowo even though Azikiwe was on the ballot, Shagari scored 12,081,471 (47.57%) of votes to Awolowo’s 7, 907, 209 (31.09%) of the votes. The June 12, 1993, presidential election was a two-cornered affair between Chief MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) from the South who polled 58.36% of the vote to win the election and Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC) from the North who recorded 41.64% of the vote.
In the same vein, the 1999 presidential election was a showdown between General Olusegun Obasanjo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who won 62.78% of the vote and Chief Olu Falae of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) who scored 37.22%. In 2003, another essentially two-cornered affair between Obasanjo and General Muhammadu Buhari of the ANPP, the former polled 61.94% of the votes to Buhari’s 32.19%. This was also the pattern in the 2007, 2011 and 2015 presidential elections which were basically contests among two major candidates respectively even when there were other fringe candidates in the race.
In essentially two-party contests, candidates have the chance of scoring a higher number of votes than in contests with three or more major candidates who split the total number of votes cast into more fractions. Thus, in 2015, Buhari’s margin of victory over Jonathan was 2,591,759 votes as he scored 53.96% of the total votes while in 2019, the Daura General’s margin of victory over Atiku Abubakar was 3,928,869 as he polled 55.60% of the votes. A number of analysts have sought to despise, discredit and delegitimize the 2023 presidential poll outcome partly because the winner, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, scored what they consider a paltry 8,794,726 representing 36.1% of the votes while his two main contenders, Atiku of the PDP and Peter Obi of the LP, jointly scored approximately 13 million votes.
But it is the single candidate with the highest number of votes and the requisite constitutionally required spread that can emerge winner. The constitution makes no room for a tag-team in presidential elections. In any case, as I had earlier stated, each candidate will necessarily score a lesser number of votes in a three or more- cornered contest in which the key contenders are from the major ethnic groups from which they enjoy considerable support as was the case in the 2023 presidential election.
Let’s return to the 1979 presidential poll to illustrate this point. In that election, President Shehu Shagari scored 5,688,857 (33.77%) of the vote, Awolowo recorded 4,916,531 (29.6%) of the vote and Azikiwe had 1,732,113 (16.75%) of the vote. Shagari’s 33.77% of the vote in no way detracted from the legitimacy of his victory in 1979 just as Tinubu’s 36.62% of the vote in this year’s election rests on solid ground and does not erode from either the legality or legitimacy of his triumph. Another point of similarity between the 1979 election and that of this year is that the Yoruba of the South-West voted as massively and one-sidedly for Awolowo’s UPN back then as the Igbo of the South-East did for their son, Peter Obi, in this year’s election.
Indeed, it is remarkable that with victories in only five states, Lagos (82.30%), Ogun (92.61%), Ondo (94.50%), Oyo (85.78%) and Bendel (53.20%), Awolowo recorded 4.916 million votes coming a close second to Shagari who only won by a margin of 772,306 votes even though his party, the NPN, won 12 states and performed impressively in a 13th, Kano State. Perhaps a major difference, however, is that the Yoruba near-unanimous vote for Awolowo was predicated largely on his superlative, unsurpassed, performance as Premier of the Western Region in the First Republic.
Prior to his emergence as Premier and Leader of Government Business in the West, which enabled Awolowo to showcase his administrative acumen as well as developmental passion and genius that endeared him to the masses of the region, Zik’s NCNC had been the darling of the West with the party winning elections in key urban Centres of the region including Lagos, Oyo, Ibadan, Ife, Ilesha among others. But beyond sheer primordial tribal identification, it is difficult to decipher the basis of Peter Obi’s new cult following in the Igbo land. His performance during his 8-year tenure as governor of Anambra State was anything but stellar. Obi is distinguished neither by a commitment to principled politics nor by a capacity for rigorous and profound thought.
But this is not new. In 1979, Dr. Azikiwe scored 82.88% of the vote in Anambra and 84.69% in Imo, possibly because of his status and role as perhaps the greatest Igbo man of the 20th century and his contribution simultaneously and rather paradoxically both to Nigeria’s nationalist struggle for independence and the evolution of Igbo collective consciousness and ethnic self-esteem. On the developmental front, however, the great Zik was not a spectacular success as Premier of the Eastern Region at least not in the mold of the mercurial and intrepid Dr Michael Okpara, who remains, perhaps, the South-East’s most impactful transformational leader till date.
Just like most Igbo today, particularly members of the intelligentsia, believe fervently that Obi won the February 25 presidential election, a substantial percentage of the Yoruba were convinced that Awolowo won the 1979 presidential election. Their conviction unfortunately rests on shaky ground even though I was also of the same view at the time. The great educationist, social critic and newspaper columnist, Dr Tai Solarin, wrote a long-running series of articles on the 1979 election titled ‘The Stolen Presidency’ in the Nigerian Tribune. Indeed, no presidency was stolen in 1979 just as in 2023.
But many of the intellectuals in the West were more circumspect and realistic as regards the dynamics of Nigerian politics at the time. As an ardent Awo supporter, I watched aghast and dismayed as a group of five Yoruba academics from the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, who participated on an NTA Ibadan discussion programme shortly before the 1979 presidential election all predicted victory for Alhaji Shehu Shagari of the NPN.
Of course, their reasons were obvious. With Azikiwe’s presence in the race, it was unlikely that Awolowo would do well in the South-East even though his running mate, Phillip Umeadi, was from the region and his low rating in the East was compounded by Awo’s role in contributing to the victory of the federal side in the civil war. Furthermore, with the loss of some of his staunch stalwarts in the Middle Belt such as Joseph Tarka, Awolowo’s influence in the region was diminished and he had dim prospects of doing well in the far northern states. There was simply no pathway to victory for him just as any thought or talk of a Peter Obi victory in the 2023 presidential election is utterly self-deluding.
An emphatic victory in his Igbo South-East, a slim victory in Lagos in the South-West, Victories in Edo, Delta and Cross River in the South-South as well as victories in Christian dominated Plateau and Nasarawa in the North-Central as well as the FCT, Abuja, was an impressive performance by Peter Obi but grossly insufficient to achieve victory for him in a presidential election in a vast, complex polity like Nigeria comprising 36 states.
Yet, Obi continues to proclaim from the rooftops that he won the election although his lawyers could not present credible evidentiary proof of this before the courts. Even if the courts were to annul President Tinubu’s election as prayed by Atiku and Obi, could they have overlooked the Waziri Adamawa who came second in the polls to declare Obi winner even when the LP candidate did not raise any legal objections to the votes recorded by Atiku? It is brazen illogic.
When Awolowo challenged Shagari’s victory right up to the Supreme Court in 1979, the UPN presidential candidate did not claim to have won or sought to be declared winner. Rather, his contention was that Shagari did not meet the constitutional requirement to be declared winner in the election. Awolowo argued that although Shagari scored the highest number of votes, he did not meet the requirement of scoring 25% of the votes in at least two-thirds of the 19 states which he claimed was 13 since it was impossible to fractionalize a state as demanded by Shagari’s counsel, Chief Richard Akinjide.
The wily SAN had contended that Shagari won 25% of the votes in 12 states and also 25% in two-thirds of a 13th state, Kano even though he did not secure 25% overall in the state. Unsurprisingly, both the appeal tribunal and the Supreme Court upheld the respondent’s submission that Shagari was duly elected having won not just the highest number of votes but also scored 25% in 12 two-thirds of 19 states.
Most of Awolowo’s supporters were livid and contemptuous of the judgement but the great sage himself, unlike Peter Obi, was restrained and refrained from commenting on the judicial verdict till nearly a year later when he addressed the National Conference of his party. There he mainly questioned the suspicious mode of appointment of the then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Atanda Fatai Williams, by the Obasanjo regime allegedly in consultation with Shagari even when it was obvious that the legal challenge against the latter’s election would most likely get to the apex court.
But could the judiciary have realistically reached a different conclusion as regards the 1979 election petition? It is unlikely. They could not have annulled the election of a candidate that clearly won in 12 states and performed strongly in a 13th and ordered a run-off between Awolowo and Shagari that could at least theoretically have resulted in victory for the former who won only five states and secured a little over 21% in Gongola State. Such a judgement could have consumed the country. Neither Atiku nor Obi met the constitutional requirement of support spread and did not score the highest number of votes in the election and yet they each sought to be declared the victors.
Peter Obi in particular laments that the Supreme Court judgement did not reflect public opinion. This is naive, betrays ignorance and is intellectually lazy. Such a position assumes that public opinion is a monolithic, uniform and unitary phenomenon. Unfortunately, in liberal democratic politics, public opinion is always complex, complicated, plural and not easily measurable. To which voice of public opinion, for instance, should the jurists have listened to and abided? That of the Obidients, Articulated, Batified or those who belonged to none of these partisan groups? It is a nonsensical proposition. The judges at both levels of adjudication decided to stand by the law and the facts. That was the right and reasonable thing to do.
