The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Lagos begins N1tr capital raising for major infrastructure

    Lagos begins N1tr capital raising for major infrastructure

    The Lagos State Government (LASG) at the weekend launched the first tranche of capital raising under its N1 trillion Debt and Hybrid Instruments Issuance (DAHI) Programme.

    Lagos, Nigeria’s main economic centre, is seeking to raise N100 billion under the Series I Fixed rate Senior Unsecured Bond issuance. Application list for the offer is scheduled to close on Friday.

    The net proceeds from the bond issuance will be used to finance priority physical and social infrastructure projects across the state, according to regulatory filings by the government.

    LASG, through a book building method, is offering a 10-year bond with a pricing range of 14.875 per cent and 15.250 per cent. Book building method allows investors, especially high networth (HNI) and institutional investors to submit preliminary orders with indicative coupon based on the range. The issuer and its professional parties will then determine the closing coupon based on the order book.

    Issuing documents obtained at the weekend indicated that the N100 billion bond issuance is backed by an irrevocable standing payment order (ISPO) and consolidated debt service account (CDSA) from the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

    Minimum subscription to the issue is N10 million and thereafter in multiples of N1 million.

    Coupon will be paid at fixed rate twice a year while the principal repayment will by way of amortization after a 24-month moratorium. The bond will be listed for secondary trading on the Exchange, after completion of the issuance process.

    According to the offer documents, Lagos State has been assigned an AA- long-term rating-Stable Outlook, by Agusto & Co and GCR. This represents an upgrade from the previous A+ rating, given the state’s resilient financial condition, robust financial flexibility, suitable expenditure profile and very strong cash-generating capacity to meet local currency obligations in a timely manner from IGR.

    Lagos’ IGR is over 70 per cent of the state’s total revenue. In 2021, the state generated total revenue of N771 billion, including IGR of N573 billion.

    The reports noted that Lagos State is Nigeria’s economic focal point with a Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of N26.6 trillion, cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11 per cent from 2017 to 2021, representing some 15 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP.

    largest city in Africa in 2021, accounting for the location of more than 65 per cent of Nigeria’s industrial capacity. The headquarters for most Nigerian banks are in Lagos as well as top-tier companies and transnational corporations. The state is strategically positioned as a major trade port – with 50 per cent of Nigeria’s port revenue being generated in Lagos from three lighter terminals and two seaports – and a first-choice destination for foreign investors.

    Lagos State is also regarded as a leader in the progression and implementation of the National Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over the last 10 years, Lagos State’s spending on infrastructure development within the state has exceeded some N3 trillion. The focus on infrastructure development is essential, fostering economic growth and boosting the State’s financial capacity, enabling it to attract further capital.

  • China’s modernisation, lessons for Africa  

    China’s modernisation, lessons for Africa  

    By Charles Onunaiju

    While Chinese modernisation is conceived in China, the opportunities it brings, belongs, to the world” – Mr Qin Gang 

    In the past few years, China has emerged as the main trading partner of more than 140 countries and regions, and makes an aggregate of 320 million US dollars’ direct investment daily around the world. The simple implication of this is that around the world, countries are improving their national aggregates, enhancing their respective productive capacity and even trading more.

    It is a long-standing assumption, which is considerably true, that borders that are open to trade are less likely to be besieged by armies, simply translated that nations who trade goods and services are least likely to exchange missiles and bullets.

    In the instance of China-Africa cooperation, China’s modernisation has been a boon to the trajectories of its comprehensive and strategic development, making enormous contributions to the global profile of Africa as a region of immense opportunities to the rest of the world. Trade volumes between Africa and China have not only remained the largest vis-à-vis the other countries and regions of the world, but have hugely grown in recent times. China-Africa trade has soared to 282 billion US dollars, pushing up trade between the two sides by 11%.

    Data from Chinese Custom authorities put Chinese exports at 164.49 billion US dollars, while imports from Africa stood at 117.57 billion US dollars. The data further disclosed that while Nigeria is now Africa’s largest importer from China, South Africa, Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in that order are the largest exporters to China.

    Nigeria, with her huge endowments of wide varieties of agricultural produce, if optimally explored, has the potential to become Africa’s premium and net exporter to the Chinese huge market. The recent opening of Nigeria’s house in the Chinese city of Changsha, the host of China Africa import and trade expo centre, is a step in the right direction that Nigeria seeks to explore seriously the Chinese huge market, especially leveraging its taste for major agricultural produce from Africa. This can realise Nigeria’s protracted effort to diversify her economy and wean it off the dominance of crude oil. 

    Beijing, in an effort to smoothen the trade gap, has enabled several African countries to begin exports of some goods duty free. More than 8,800 commodities are currently identified to enjoy duty free access to the Chinese market, with China aiming to increase African exports to 300 billion US dollars by 2025.

    Apart from trade, which is phenomenally growing, last year witnessed more China’s involvement in the support for key infrastructures through the mechanisms of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Forum on China-Africa cooperation (FOCAC) and the China International Import Expo. Several BRI-related projects were begun, continued or were completed. Among such projects were Nigeria’s first ever deep seaport, Lekki deep seaport, in the country’s commercial hub, Lagos, and building of railway line, Bagamoyo port in Tanzania, mining infrastructure in the Democratic Republic Congo, the Chad-Sudan railway, and the Mphanda Nkuwa Dam and hydroelectric station in Mozambique with installed capacity of 1,500MW.

    While it is possible to continuously enumerate a broad range of concrete benefits which China’s modernisation have delivered to Africa, it is even more vital to reflect on how much China’s modernisation has inspired Africa.

    For a start, China is one the few non-Western countries to have found a path to success on a path to modernisation. At the start of the 1990s, when the former Soviet Union collapsed, a feverish text emerged among many others with a claim that history has come to an end, with Western liberal democracy and capitalism proclaimed as the final point of human ideological evolution. The text proved as pyrrhic as its conclusion was short-lived.

    At the same time, China embarked on a socialist modernisation with Chinese characteristics, and evidence has so far proved that history, far from ending at that time, was actually at the cusp of a fresh and momentous beginning.  As the Chinese foreign minister, Mr Gang said recently, “any country can achieve modernisation as long as the path suits its conditions and answers the needs of its people for development.”

    The uniqueness of China’s modernisation and its success simply means, as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and also the President of the country said with regard to modernisation, that “there are many roads to Rome.”

    The path to modernisation for Africa, which would answer to the needs of the African people would not necessarily be the same as China’s, but China’s modernisation is compelling enough to rethink modernisation in Africa from the path of Africa’s unique conditions which means that Africa’s modernisation to be able to answer to the development of needs of the people, should have to be uniquely African, with variations to the specific national conditions of the various African countries.

    The import of the success of China’s modernisation efforts is simply that every country that has exerted herself optimally and imaginatively too, can through her own effort, found a suitable path to solving problems of development through modernisation.

    Further elaborating on the success of China’s modernisation, foreign minister Gang said it “was not handed down from heaven or just emerged by itself. It has been attained step by step through determined, painstaking efforts of the people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, staying true to its founding mission,” noting that “China has realised in a short span of several decades, industrialisation that had taken developed countries several centuries.” This is not an empty assertion. Over the past ten years, China has contributed more to global growth than the group of the advanced Western industrial nations, G7 combined.

    Modern China is a civilisational state with over 5,000 years of history, but Africa is even reckoned as the cradle of human race and if China can emerge from the trauma of semi-feudal and semi-colonial society of several vicious imperialist powers to become the power house of contemporary modernisation, Africa can leverage its tumultuous history of traumas and triumphs to imaginatively create her modernisation that serve development needs of its people.

    The Chinese modernisation is not only a template for assessing the benefits and success of exploring one’s own abilities but brings along the additional support of a historic partner who is not only willing to share its development and modernisation experience but is able to bring tangible goods and materials to support Africa’s efforts to own and drive her modernisation agenda.

    The opportunities of China’s modernisation may consist in the essential tangibles it delivers to the national aggregates of several countries, but its most enduring and valuable impact is the inspirations it elicits and the convictions it forges that modernisation is an open highway to be benefitted by any country or people, who genuinely, persistently and forthrightly exerts itself.

    There are very few places where it is more instructive than in Africa, that has habitually functioned in the past as a vast laboratory for testing policies designed by cadres of international finance capital, seating comfortably far away from the continent and handing down “sacred text” of economic adjustments that have left Africa in social chaos. Interrogating China’s modernisation is no invitation to mechanically copying what the Chinese are doing but to explore our vast landscape on the terms of original thinking and reflection on the unique condition of Africa, and extrapolate a path of modernisation that is most appropriate to answering the practical needs of the people.

    •Onunaiju writes from Abuja

  • ‘Nigeria, a fertile ground for rapid private financing, expansion’

    ‘Nigeria, a fertile ground for rapid private financing, expansion’

    The Project Management Institute (PMI) has produced the best project managers in digital transformation, health care, aerospace, construction and defence industries globally.The President of its PMI, Nigeria Chapter, Mr. Paul Omugbe, sees the country as a shining star of the global economy though it faces inflation and supply chain disruptions and other challenges making implementation of projects difficult to attract more overseas investments. He sees tremendous scope and potential for good quality infrastructure in sectors such as roads, railways and waterways, which are going to lead the growth of the economy. He shared his thoughts on factors limiting execution of infrastructure projects with DANIEL ESSIET.

    What is your perspective on the economic outlook of Nigeria?

    Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, with over 200 million people. The country is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals, traditionally the backbone of its economy. However, Nigeria has faced several challenges in recent years, including falling oil prices, high inflation, and a depreciating currency. These challenges have led to declining economic growth and increased poverty rates.

      Despite these challenges, there are reasons for hope in Nigeria’s economic outlook.The government has implemented several economic reforms, including diversifying the economy and reducing its reliance on oil exports. In addition, the country has a large and growing youth population, which could provide a strong foundation for future economic growth.

      Furthermore, Nigeria has made progress in recent years in improving its business environment and attracting foreign investment. The country has also made strides in improving infrastructure, including transportation and energy, which could support further economic development.

      While Nigeria faces significant economic challenges, there are reasons to be hopeful about its economic outlook. The country has the potential to leverage its natural resources and youth population and improve the business environment to drive future growth and development.

    Are you satisfied with the national budgets in the last five years with regards to boosting economic prosperity?

    The Federal Government has released several budgets in the past five years, with varying funding levels and priorities. Some of the key priorities in these budgets have included infrastructure development, social services, and job creation. One significant challenge affecting these budgets’ impact on Nigeria’s economic prosperity is revenue generation. Nigeria relies heavily on revenue from oil exports, which can be volatile and subject to global price fluctuations. As a result, the government has recently struggled to generate sufficient revenue to implement its budget plans fully.

     Also, there have been concerns about the effectiveness of spending in previous budgets, with reports of corruption and mismanagement. This has hindered the government’s ability to realise its budgetary plans’ potential benefits fully. Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments in recent budgets, including an increased focus on non-oil revenue sources and a commitment to invest in infrastructure and social services. If properly implemented, these measures could help boost economic prosperity in Nigeria.

    Overall, while there have been challenges and concerns with Nigeria’s national budgets in the past five years, there is still potential for them to contribute to the country’s economic growth and development if they are effectively implemented and properly managed.

    What steps should be taken to advance the government’s fight against poverty, illiteracy and poor health standards and to improve the enabling environment for businesses to generate employment?

    Addressing poverty, improving the social sector, and creating an enabling environment for businesses to generate employment are complex and interrelated issues that require a comprehensive and sustained effort from the government.

     Nevertheless, I would recommend some concrete steps that could be taken to advance the government’s fight against poverty and improve the social sector while also supporting economic growth. First, I will suggest more investment t in education and skills training. Education and skills training are critical for reducing poverty and improving the social sector.

    The government could invest in education and skills training programs that equip individuals with the skills they need to find employment and contribute to the economy. The second is quality healthcare.The government  should increase funding for health care and invest in programmes that will enhance access to health care services, particularly in rural and remote areas. No advanced economies have recognised accelerated growth without  access to reliable infrastructure, such as electricity, water, and transportation. There are essential for economic growth and job creation. I will urge  the  government to  invest in infrastructure projects. This will help to catalyse economic growth and job creation, particularly in areas that are  underserved.

    Like other developing nations, Nigeria has been confronting corruption which has proven a s a significant barrier to economic growth and poverty reduction. The government could take steps to address corruption, such as strengthening anti-corruption measures and increasing transparency in government operations.

    Then, also, empowerment of  small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are a critical source of employment and economic growth. The government could create policies and programmes that support SMEs, such as access to financing and technical assistance.

    Above all, a good business environment is essential for attracting foreign investment and supporting economic growth. The government could create policies and programs that create a favorable business environment, such as reducing bureaucratic hurdles and improving the ease of business.

    Social protection programmes  such  as  cash transfers and insurance can help reduce poverty and improve the social sector. These are just a few steps that could be taken to advance the government’s fight against poverty and improve the social sector while also supporting economic growth.

    However, it is essential to note that these steps will require sustained effort and collaboration across multiple sectors and stakeholders.

    Would you say the economy is suffering from a lack of strategy and vision for infrastructure development?

    Infrastructure investment is critical to long-term economic growth and progress in Nigeria. But, unfortunately, the country has lacked investment in its core infrastructure assets for many decades. The challenges transporters face, including congested roads, fatigued rail tracks, and water shortages, are symptoms of this underinvestment.While the government has made commitments to invest in infrastructure, there are still significant challenges to overcome.

    One of the biggest challenges is the large gap between the committed funding and the total cost of the projects, making it challenging to implement the planned infrastructure development fully. In addition, there may be a lack of strategy and vision for infrastructure development in Nigeria.

    Without a clear strategy and vision, it can be challenging to prioritise projects and ensure that they align with the overall economic and social goals of the country. However, it is essential to note that infrastructure development is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive and sustained effort from the government and collaboration with the private sector and other stakeholders. It is not enough to invest more money in infrastructure; there must also be a clear strategy and vision for how that investment will drive economic growth and social development.

    Overall, while there may be a lack of strategy and vision for infrastructure development in Nigeria, it is clear that investment in infrastructure is critical to the country’s long-term economic growth and development. However, it will require sustained effort and collaboration across multiple sectors and stakeholders to overcome the challenges and fully realise the potential benefits of infrastructure development.

    At what levels should the local governments be involved in funding infrastructure and essential services?

    Local governments are essential in funding and providing infrastructure and basic services in Nigeria. As the level of government closest to the people, local governments are responsible for providing services such as primary healthcare, primary education, and maintenance of basic infrastructure such as roads, water supply, and sanitation.

    On funding, local governments in Nigeria receive a share of the Federal Government’s revenue through the Federation Account. In addition, they are expected to generate revenue from their sources, such as taxes, fees, and fines. However, local governments often face challenges in generating revenue, which can limit their ability to fund infrastructure and essential services.

    To address these challenges, it is crucial to strengthen local government capacity in Nigeria, particularly on revenue generation and management. This could involve providing training and technical assistance to local government officials, improving governance and accountability at the local level, and creating a more enabling environment for local economic development. In addition, there may be opportunities to explore innovative financing mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships, to fund infrastructure and essential services at the local level.

    Local governments can leverage private sector expertise and resources to help fund infrastructure and basic services by partnering with the private sector.

    Overall, local governments should be involved in funding infrastructure and essential services in Nigeria, as they play a critical role in providing these services to the people.

    However, local government capacity and revenue generation must be strengthened to fund and deliver these services effectively, and innovative financing mechanisms should be explored.

    What role has project management in this regard?

    Project management is critical in helping government and industry embrace innovation across the infrastructure project lifecycle. Project management involves the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to plan, execute, monitor, and control project activities, to achieve project objectives on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards.

    In the context of infrastructure projects, effective project management can help to promote innovation by providing a framework for identifying and evaluating new ideas, technologies, and processes. By incorporating innovation into project management, infrastructure projects can become more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable. Project management is critical in helping government and industry embrace innovation across the infrastructure project lifecycle.

    By promoting innovation, improving project performance, enhancing collaboration and communication, mitigating project risks, and fostering continuous improvement, project management can help to ensure that infrastructure projects are delivered in a manner that meets the challenges and opportunities of the future.

    Nigeria faces a $30 trillion investment gap by 2030. Do you think that the country can meet its infrastructure demands?

    There are many examples that demonstrate how public-private partnership models (PPPs) can effectively fund and facilitate the delivery of major infrastructure projects. While Nigeria faces a significant infrastructure funding gap, PPPs can be crucial in delivering infrastructure projects. To create more opportunities for private investment in infrastructure projects through PPPs, the government can develop a pipeline of bankable projects, provide an enabling legal and regulatory framework, facilitate access to financing, enhance transparency and accountability, and strengthen institutional capacity. With these measures, Nigeria can continue to drive PPPs and meet its infrastructure demands. So far, the government has made progress in driving PPPs across different infrastructure sectors. However, there have been challenges in implementation, including delays in project execution and contract renegotiations.To address these, the government can work with private sector partners to address potential risks and uncertainties, including regulatory and policy changes, currency fluctuations, and project delays.

    What relationship do PMI have with the national infrastructure and concession commission and other government agencies?

    PMI Nigeria, as a professional association for project management practitioners, can work with government agencies and other stakeholders to promote best practices in project management, including PPPs. PMI Nigeria can share its experience and knowledge of PPPs with the government as a priority and, in doing so, help the nation bridge its infrastructure gap.This can involve providing training and capacity-building programmes for government officials and other stakeholders on PPP procurement and management and offering technical assistance and advice on project planning and execution. Moreover, PMI Nigeria can work with government agencies to develop a pipeline of bankable projects and provide guidance on project feasibility, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. By collaborating with the government in this way, PMI Nigeria can play a critical role in driving PPPs and supporting the delivery of essential infrastructure projects in Nigeria.

    What can be done to fill the current infrastructural data gap in the country?

    To fill the current infrastructure data gap in the country, several actions can be taken. Firstly, there  is need for  a concerted effort to gather and maintain accurate data on infrastructure projects. This includes tracking project performance and asset management to ensure projects deliver the expected benefits. In addition, the Nigerian government can work with development partners and private sector organisations to improve data collection and management practices. The e government can encourage private sector investment in infrastructure projects by creating an enabling environment that supports investment. This includes reducing regulatory hurdles, providing fiscal incentives, and implementing transparent procurement processes. When investors see a reliable and transparent system in place, they are more likely to invest in infrastructure projects. Lastly, the government can collaborate with international organizations to access technical expertise and financial support. This includes working with organizations such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme to improve project management and data collection practices. In summary, improving the quality of infrastructure in Nigeria requires a concerted effort by the government, private sector, and international organizations. By implementing best practices, improving data collection and management, and creating an enabling environment for investment, Nigeria can attract more investments in infrastructure and achieve sustainable economic growth and development.

  • Census in crises

    Census in crises

    President Buhari just postponed the 2023 census. No reasons were given except the new date will be determined by the incoming administration.

    When last year, the government scheduled the census a month after the 2023 general elections, I had in this column on April 25, 2022 under the above title raised issues on the propriety of the timing given extant realities. The postponement has just given ample credence to issues raised then. I hereby reproduce the article:

    Reservations trailing the decision by the federal government to conduct a national population census immediately after the 2023 general elections are not unexpected.

    This is more so given the history of past censuses marred by intense controversies that rubbed off negatively on their overall outcome and acceptance. With this contentious background, the minimum expectation was that the authorities should have taken measures to eliminate all stumbling blocks to a credible and generally acceptable national headcount.

    But this projection appears not to have been properly factored in when the Director-General (DG) of Nigeria Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa-Kwarra, announced after the National Council of State meeting that the exercise will be held a month after the 2023 general elections. Curiously also, the agency intends to hold a pilot census this June after the primaries by political parties.

    The NPC boss sought to justify the imminence of the census on the grounds that extant population data are obsolete projections and estimations with questionable value for planning purposes. It is an open secret that this country has no reliable census data. It is also not in doubt that previous attempts at reliable census data were dogged by intense controversies, sometimes leading to the rejection of their outcome.

    So, the issue is not as much with the justification for a reliable national headcount as with its timing. Why the NPC scheduled its pilot scheme after primaries by political parties and the national census after the general elections remains unclear. Is there anything in the conduct of elections that promises to enhance the success and credibility of a national headcount? There is no evidence of that. Rather, the two engagements share common traits in their capacity to divide the country along the line. They are potentially rancorous and explosive.

    Being potentially controversial and explosive engagements, there is the mortal risk of effectively managing eventualities arising from their outcome. Ours is a country where elections are synonymous with violence of unimaginable proportions leading to loss of lives and property. In some previous instances, it took considerable time before the crisis escalated by such elections could normalise.

    It remains puzzling how a national census that may divide people along the line will fare immediately after usually disputed and rancorous polls. The probable scenario is one that will re-ignite the misgivings and distrusts usually generated by the outcome of such elections.

    Their combined outcome will likely produce consequences nobody can predict. In effect, having the two incongruous and controversial national assignments close to each other may ignite a crisis of proportions that will make a child’s play extant insecurity in the country.

    Even now, many local government areas across the country are inaccessible on account of festering insecurity levied by all manner of non-state actors. There are genuine worries on the prospects of elections holding in those communities and local governments if insecurity remains in its current form. It is for the same reason that many well-meaning Nigerians have expressed doubts as to whether the 2023 polls will even hold.

    Even if we manage to gamble the elections as INEC has vowed, it will be counterproductive to treat a national headcount similarly. It will make a mess of the entire exercise if people in crisis-torn areas are neither reached nor counted. The suspension of the continuous voters’ registration exercise by INEC in some local government areas should drive home this point most poignantly.

    When you add up the potentially disruptive effects of do-or-die elections to the unceasing insecurity that has reduced the worth of human life in this country, one is not left in doubt that the proposed census is ill-timed and ill-advised. It is loaded with frightening prospects for sliding the country closer to the precipice.

    The country is currently assailed by existential challenges from all fronts. It is more divided and fragmented than ever before, with rising suspicion and mistrust among the constituents. Such misgivings are bound to exacerbate, given the high premium the constituents place on the headcount. Things are not remedied by the fact that both revenue sharing and representation in national and state legislatures are based on population.

    The two last censuses in 1991 and 2006 did not mark any departure from previous ones as they were equally embroiled in intense disputes as sections sought to gain advantage over others. But while that of 1991 posted a figure of 88.9 million people, its 2006 variant came up with 140 million people.

    Even then, the unreliability of these figures was brought to the fore by a former chairman of the NPC, Eze Festus Odimegwu. He had told officials of the INEC who approached his agency to officially release some certified data to them to assist in their planned constituency delimitation exercise that there was no officially certified data for all the localities in the country.

    Hear him, “the enumeration centres we have, some of them do not exist in reality, some politicians bought them the way you will want to register voters and some people will buy voters’ cards in order to have advantage”. He said those who bought these enumeration areas raised the figure from about ‘250 to 500 and if you later count and discover that the population is 10, they will say no, but we gave you 500, you have to raise it to that number that we gave you.’

    Odimegwu lost his job for coming clear on the monumental fraud past censuses had been. But the issues raised illustrate how desperate our people can go on such issues, and a measure of the level of controversy they engender. We can do with less of that crisis now.

    Unless there is an agenda that must be executed before this administration exits, the census should wait for the next government after it has satisfactorily addressed subsisting security challenges.

  • Ekweremadu’s conviction and lessons

    Ekweremadu’s conviction and lessons

    By Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

    The case of David Okemini Ugbo’s organ trafficking plot preferred against Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a popular Nigerian politician and former deputy president of the Senate, his wife Beatrice, and Obinna Obeta, a medical doctor in the United Kingdom, came to a sad end on May 5, with the conviction of the three by a judge at the central criminal court also known as old Bailey.

    Ekweremadu, aged 60, got a jail term of nine years and eight months. His wife will serve four years and a fraction of months while Obeta was jailed for 10 years. The jail terms run concurrently for both Ike and wife. The three were sentenced for arranging the travelling of a young Nigerian man with a view to exploiting him – organ harvest.

    My heart and that of many Nigerians goes to the Ekweremadus. This is undoubtedly a sad and trying moment for them, friends, relations and well-wishers. No parent with or without the wherewithal of the Ekweremadus will bear the pain and anguish of his sick or dying child when there is a possible way out. Suffice it to say that parents can go the whole hog to save their children in danger, especially in danger of ill health. And the Ekweremadus are not any exception. This makes them responsible parents.

    The case, which kicked off on an optimistic note, unfortunately culminated in a sad and disgraceful end. It was an anti-climax of a supposed event to save and improve a human life – the life of their lovely daughter, Sonia, who urgently needs a kidney transplant. With this ugly development, the life of young Sonia is in dire straits.  Her hope of quick treatment and recovery is hanging on a balance or completely dashed with no reprieve at hand while her parents are in jail for parental efforts to save their sick daughter.

    Already Sonia is worried. She noted in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that “she disagrees with the conviction even though she understands it. However, she lamented that, “things will not remain the same following her parent’s conviction, adding that she feels guilty because everything happened because of her.” 

    Numerous views and opinions have been shared on this matter but one stands out. The legal perspective of Emeka Ugwuonye, a human rights lawyer on his Facebook page entitled, “The missing facts about Ike Ekweremadu’s Case,” for me took the medal. He wrote and I quote, “It was actually when Ekweremadu and Dr. Obinna attempted to return David to Nigeria that the problem started. David expected that he would be given a job in London as he was told before he left Nigeria. They did not give him a job and they did not send him to school. Instead of all he was promised, he was asked to prepare to return to Nigeria and David ran away from the house where he was kept. To win the immediate protection of the police, he lied about his age by telling them that he was 15.

    One of the key factors that worked against Ike Ekweremadu was that he lied. On three official documents he signed, he stated that David was Sonia’s cousin. But in all the WhatsApp chats with the doctor and his own brother on the matter, he referred to David as “that guy.” For instance, it was at the police station that they asked him if he was paid money and he said yes, he was paid N270,000. When the police checked the WhatsApp chats between Ekweremadu and Dr. Obeta, they realised Ekweremadu actually paid N4.5 million for Obeta to pay to David.  But Obeta only paid David N270, 000 and pocketed the rest.”

    Read Also: Ekweremadu’s daughter breaks silence after parent’s sentencing

    It must be stated clearly that the Ekweremadus seem to have overtly or covertly deceived David and took advantage of his vulnerability and the precarious situation in Nigeria. But David, finding himself in the UK, was offered an opportunity non-existent in Nigeria – he exploited the situation to his advantage. This was possible because the law is not a respecter of persons in that country. It makes a lot of difference unlike what is obtainable in Nigeria.

     Many people strongly believe that the likes of Ike are in a league of their own in Nigeria. Therefore, it is practically impossible to arrest him, let alone sentence or jail him. He would have invoked the powers at his disposal, bribed a security or judicial officer, called on his friends in the corridors of power to intervene, and the matter was dead on arrival.

    David has raised concerns regarding his safety if returned to Nigeria. He said: “I worry for myself in Nigeria. Those people can do anything. I think they could arrest me or kill me in Nigeria.”  It is advised that the UK government should take necessary measures regarding these safety concerns. His life matters. David is the exploited and underdog here. 

    The case under review has once again brought to light the struggling state of the health system in Nigeria. There is no gain reiterating the fact that it is horrible, deplorable and abysmally poor. Nigerian citizens have had to contend with the poor health care delivery system for ages and the end is not yet in sight. Those in the government, and the well-to-do Nigerians, see nothing wrong in abandoning a sector meant to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. They fly abroad whenever the need arises for the health concerns of their families, leaving the majority at the cross-roads to suffer and perish.

    Yet many like Ike Ekweremadu, who have spent over two decades in government and in making laws for the nation, still see no reason why health and health infrastructure should be a national priority. People have alluded to the fact that it was the law of Karma in action. Be that as it may, God has a unique way of pulling the ear of his sinful sons to drive home bitter lessons. For the Ekweremadus, He chose to do it disgracefully in a far-away land where the lesson will potently manifest, rebound and reverberate all over the world.

    This is not only a lesson for the Ekweremadus but for all of us, especially those who God gave the power to superintend over the affairs of men but chose to throw away their responsibilities together with the basic needs of humanity. This conviction is absolutely a lesson in integrity and engagement in lawful and transparent business.

    •Eze,  sunnyeze02@yahoo.com

  • Tinubu: Beware of foreign ‘economic hit men’

    Tinubu: Beware of foreign ‘economic hit men’

    By Alade Fawole

    Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has over the years cultivated a reputation for steely resolve even in the face of adversity. He comes across as highly informed, experienced, and quite knowledgeable about politics and governance in Nigeria, having been a major player since the aborted Third Republic. From several accounts of him in the public domain, it is apparent he is neither easy to sway by blandishments nor is he discouraged by adversity, however daunting. These, no doubt, are sterling qualities required for effective leadership.

    But being human, and a new leader from whom Nigerians are already expecting so much, himself eager to turn things around quickly for the good of the country, he definitely needs to be on his guard and be mindful especially of the army of foreign saboteurs who masquerade as economic experts and advisers. These are often highly trained professionals, well-credentialed, with cultivated urbanity and smooth manners, engaging eloquence and persuasive diplomatic skills, whose core assignment is to traverse the Global South, smooth-talking and cajoling governments to subscribe to their sinister economic agenda. Their first and main targets are mostly presidents, after which they seek out, identify and recruit their seemingly opportunistic and easily corruptible close aides and advisers to the bargain.

    Here at home, the full results of the February 25, 2023 presidential election had hardly been released, and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared the winner and president-elect, when all manner of local columnists and commentators, pundits, ubiquitous ‘public affairs analysts’, political job-seekers, both serious-minded scholars and pseudo-public intellectuals, began to set their own agenda for the incoming administration. Even yours truly was contacted by a journalist for an agenda-setting interview but the request was declined. This is simply because such would be a grand fatuity. The President-elect had won the election on the strength of his own manifesto, so trying to set a “new agenda” for him, outside of what he has laid out for himself to do, however well-intentioned, is for me completely out of the question.

    All we need to do is study his manifesto carefully so we would later be able to hold him accountable to his own promises, rather than expect him to fulfill other peoples’ desires and agenda he never signed on to in the first place. In my view, no leader should be held to account for promises he/she never made.

    This write-up therefore isn’t about agenda-setting nor is it a proposal for his consideration. It is only a piece of advice, one that is relevant and useful for every new administration in the countries of the Global South because of their susceptibility to foreign blandishments, interference and diktats that are usually cleverly devised to subjugate them to the whims and caprices of foreign powers and special interests. These foreign interests always have ready-made evil schemes and proposals, waiting for a new administration to be inaugurated to pounce on it. They are known simply as “economic hit men,” much like the fabled mafia hit men or enforcers you will say.

    “Economic Hit Men” is a nomenclature popularised by John Perkins, formerly an intrepid economic hit man himself, by the title of his book, Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. It describes the army of highly trained subversive economic agents in the service of corporate America who employ subterfuge and cajolery to hoodwink national leaders in the Global South to adopt economic proposals that look fantastic on the surface but are actually intended to destroy their national economies and subjugate them to US diktat. Governments are by these turned into puppets dancing on strings being manipulated by invisible foreign hands. As described by Perkins, they must rank by far the most diabolical and satanic enslavement stratagems ever designed by the evillest minds to subjugate whole nations to the whims of the rulers and capitalist oligarchs of the American empire.

    Is America an empire? Yes, America is an empire, unquestionably the most vicious empire ever seen. What distinguishes it from other past empires, as the late renowned African political scientist, Professor Ali Mazrui has noted, is that it is an empire of control and manipulation rather than one of physical occupation and domination. It rarely seeks to physically dominate other countries but instead exercises invisible control over them through cleverly devised strategies, one of which is to ensure their complete subjugation through surreptitious economic manipulation. Even when physical measures are required for its objective, it merely sends its military forces to invade a country, destroy it, change the regime, and then leave it in ruins —— Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya readily come to mind.

    According to John Perkins, the ex-economic hit man, it is a graduated process: only when subtle economic manipulations by the economic hit men fail to yield expected subjugation of a country are the ‘jackals’, i.e., CIA operatives, called in to stir up socio-political destabilisation campaigns and unrests, sometimes involving assassination of leaders, for the ultimate purpose of regime change so the US can surreptitiously impose puppets ready to do Washington’s bidding. When all these fail, the White House would then wield the big stick by sending in an expeditionary force to “shock and awe” and teach such a country a vital lesson. The graduated employment and deployment of these sinister tactics is what makes the American empire deadlier and much more menacing than any other in the history of the world.

    John Perkins Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is one book I sincerely recommend for the attention of President-elect Tinubu to study before his inauguration, and if possible, to be made a compulsory reading for all his incoming ministers and senior advisers as a subject for a high-level retreat immediately after the composition of his cabinet. It will surely open their eyes to the ever-present dangers of the ubiquitous foreign subversive agents.

    Again, this calls for the President-elect, if he truly wants to succeed, to exercise absolute caution and discretion in the choice of people for his cabinet, supervise them effectively to prevent them from being used by foreign economic saboteurs who would sell seemingly credible but dangerous proposals through them to the President. This will necessitate broad consultations with relevant stakeholders, engaging in research and study, subjecting proposals to critical review and evaluation before they are adopted for implementation, and effective supervision at all stages of implementation.

    Right now, there would be all manner of local and foreign ‘experts’ who have already perfected their nefarious proposals on all manner of topics and issues they will push for the government’s adoption through the ministers and the President’s closest aides and advisers, including his family members. Family members and close confidants are often the softest targets for subversion.

    If I have any personal advice for the incoming President, it will be that he should not emulate outgoing President Buhari’s penchant for ignoring Nigerians, especially on matters of critical national importance. As elected leader, he must endeavor to speak directly and truthfully to Nigerians from time to time on critical national issues, and not leave matters to unelected media aides. A leader’s words carry weight, they give hope and reassure even in seemingly hopeless situations.

    •Fawole, fawolew@yahoo.com

  • Oyebanji’s strides in Ekiti rekindle hope in governance

    Oyebanji’s strides in Ekiti rekindle hope in governance

    Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji appears to be changing the narratives of governance in the Land of Honour within six months he took over the mantle of leadership. With his populist approach to governance, he has rekindled people’s hope for a prosperous state.
    Correspondent RASAQ IBRAHIM reports

    Since its creation on October 1, 1996, by the military junta led by the late General Sani Abacha, Ekiti State had been ruled by four successive democratically elected governors each with its unique style and approach to governance. They are Adeniyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Although Ekiti may not have fully lived up to the expectations of its founding fathers, it has grown in leaps and bounds compared to five other states that were created at the same time. They include Gombe, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Ebonyi and Zamfara.

    The four successive administrations had brought socio-economic development to Ekiti, the foundation, which the current government led by Biodun Oyebanji has been building on since he assumed office.

    Oyebanji took the oath of office and an oath of allegiance before a mammoth crowd that thronged the Ekiti Parapo pavilion on October 16, last year to catch a glimpse of the epoch-making event which signalled the debut of a new landlord at the hill-top Oke-Ayoba Government House.

    The inauguration ceremony was colourful, significant and historic because it was the first time in the state’s political history a departing governor would hand over power to an incoming governor from the same party. His ascendency also broke the long-standing shackles of recycled leadership and offers a platform for “homeboy” to rule Ekiti for the first time.

    The governor who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the keenly contested June 18 governorship election by defeating his challengers, Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Bisi Kolawole of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to coast home to victory.

    Six months down the line, the majority of the people in Ekiti State are happy that they voted for the broom party because of the immediate impact Oyebanji has made when his contemporaries are still trying to learn the rope of governance and set out their priorities.

    Currently, an undiluted new air of fresh breath is blowing across the length and breadth of the state. No sector has been left out. From education, health, sports, health, security, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and amongst others are having good feeling already. All these are made possible because the governor has a full grasp of Ekiti sociology and understands the chemistry of the people being a local politician.

    Oyebanji has been able to prove that his leadership acumen and experience were robust enough not only in sustaining the legacies of his predecessor, Fayemi but also to raise the bar of governance and rev up the pedal of development in an upward direction.

    The unprecedented delivery of dividends of democracy being savoured by the people was not by happenstance but a product of methodic and strategic planning. Long before he assumed office, he had already acquainted himself with the blueprint for Ekiti’s development, of which he was one of the drafters when he was the secretary of the committee for the creation of the state.

    It is not surprising that within the short time, Oyebanji has made a positive impact in all sectors of the economy because the four-month interregnum between the day of the election and the swearing-in was used to set his administration’s targets and priorities.

    He equally interacted with stakeholders in Ekiti and sought their input towards making the state a paragon of excellence. He visited prominent indigenes like Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), Dele Adesina (SAN), Dipo Ajayi and Chief Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi.

    The visit was also extended to leaders of other political parties, including Fayose, Kolawole and former deputy governors, Chief Paul Alabi and Prof. Olusola Eleka. This justified Oyebanji’s elevated approach to governance and a departure from the old order.

    As promised in his inaugural speech, the governor hit the ground running from day one with fidelity to God, courage in his heart and belief in his mission because he understand how tortuous the journey would be because of the mountainous task ahead.

    Oyebanji within the first six hours of his ascension swung into action and made some deft moves that signaled that he was prepared for the task ahead.

    His first action was the appointment of Yinka Oyebode as the Chief Press Secretary and Alhaja Habibat Adubiaro as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). This signposted that he knew he had to start playing the ball right from day one to be able to meet his set target and the daunting expectations of the people.

    Knowing fully well that civil service is the engine room of governance, the governor held a strategic meeting with the heads of ministries, departments and agencies to fashion out institutional frameworks that laid the foundation on which his agenda, policies and initiatives were to be built.

    He was able to put together a solid mini-cabinet comprising progressive minds that share his vision, as well as imbued with an irrevocable penchant for service delivery. And they have produced appropriate synergy to drive government policies which have made it possible for electioneering promises to be translated into reality.

    The traditional rulers, commoners on the street, market women, youths, civil servants and pensioners all love him for what he has been able to achieve. Even the opposition parties, critics and cynics that had doubted his mandate have attested to the fact that the governor is punching above his weight with new songs on their lips.

    In keeping faith religiously with the six pillars of the agenda of his government, Oyebanji has set the machinery in motion in his drive to ensure infrastructural development. He opened up rural areas with infrastructures and other basic amenities in a manner that has created an acceptable balance between the urban and rural populations.

    Works have begun on the construction and renovation of road networks across the state. It is difficult for first-time travellers not to notice that the state has become a construction site. The roads receiving facelift include the Ilawe-Ikere Road, Ado Township Roads,  Ikole Township Roads, Ado-Ilawe Road, Ilawe-Igede Ekiti Road, Igede-Aramoko Road, Ayegunle-Ijurin-Iloro Ekiti Road.

    Others are Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Road, Ifaki-Ido Road, and Imesi-Kosomolate-Ipole Road.  Also, the deplorable federal roads linking Ekiti with neighbouring states are under revitalisation to ease the hardship faced by transporters and commuters.

    To boost the electric power supply, work is ongoing at the independent power project (IPP) in the state. When completed, the facility would power street lights, government offices, hospitals and the Ekiti State University (EKSU). Not only that, he has continued work on the Ilupeju-Ekiti and Ijesa Isu power substations, which when completed will serve communities both in Ekiti North and Ekiti South senatorial districts which had been cut off the national grid for over eight years.

    Oyebanji’s achievements in the health sector are remarkable. He has repositioned the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) as a world-class tertiary hospital through holistic reforms and initiatives.

    The tertiary hospital attracted positive developments including renovation of dilapidated buildings, provision of digital x-ray, computerized photography scans, and endoscopy, as well as approval of hazard allowance to health workers.

    At the same time, the secondary health facilities, including three state specialist hospitals and nine general hospitals are under serious renovation to make health care service accessible to residents of the state. The governor also approved free quarterly medical outreach for people living with disabilities.

    Besides, Ekiti State Ambulance Services recently launched a medical emergency number courtesy of the governor where medical professionals are available 24/7 to respond promptly to emergency calls.

    In the area of worker welfare, the current administration has made what many thought was impossible. The governor has continued to astound everyone with the offset of salary arrears prompt and regular payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, leave bonuses and deductions despite the paucity of funds. This initiative has boosted the dampened morale of the workers to give their best.

    With his irrevocable belief that human capital development remains the bedrock of any developed nation, a major area of focus of the current administration was education. Public schools across the 16 local government areas have received a lift with the ongoing massive renovation. Not only that the government is massively investing in digital literacy with the distribution of 910 computers to students.

    Ekiti State Digital Skill Academy was also launched with the distribution of laptops to 100 youths to upscale digital education for job creation. This was primarily to allow schools in the state from primary to tertiary, to become responsive to the demands of today by ensuring that the products of the institutions can compete favourably with their counterparts from across the globe.

    Besides the digital literacy drive, Oyebanji has secured approval for Ekiti Knowledge Zone to become a free trade zone. He has also paid the outstanding subvention to three tertiary institutions in Ekiti, namely; the EKSU, the EKSUTH and the BOUESTI. The Oyebanji government has also sustained the provision of bursaries by giving support of N22.3m to all qualified undergraduates and postgraduate students of Ekiti origin.

    In the area of job creation and youth development, Oyebanji has commenced the empowerment of youths through the “Innovation Grants Facilities” developed as a template to open ways of employment for the youths.

    He has also concluded plans to remove all the challenges impeding youths from embarking on agricultural businesses by developing plans for agricultural space through the provision of farm seedlings, pest control, and cultivation of farmland. His administration offered a 50 per cent subsidy on hybrid seedlings for farmers, including rice upland faro 59 and rice lowland faro 44, open-pollinated maize, cocoa hybrid seedlings, cassava stems and SWAN F1.

    One key policy that Oyebanji has brought into his government is human kindness. He doesn’t believe in an elitist approach to governance. His actions so far have indicated clearly that he is ideologically opposed to such an approach. Miffed by the high level of poverty, he created a desk to give succour to indigent citizens who are in dire need of assistance. He set aside specific funds every month with the beneficiaries getting between N100,000 and N700,000 each.

    The governor also extended the empowerment effort to the secretariat of the Ekiti State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), as well as the Correspondents’ Chapel. The chapel was renovated and well-equipped with modern facilities and gadgets.

    There are also deliberate investments made for the promotion of sports, social welfare, culture, recreation and tourism. The famous Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, which had lost its glory has been fully restored with the concession of the facility to Glocient Hospitality, a private investor which has transformed the hitherto derelict facility into a world-class tourism destination.

    To this end, the giant strides recorded so far have been greatly applauded by a lot of stakeholders. A community leader, Mr Abdullateef Omobriowo, popularly called ‘Baba Alato’ appreciated the governor for keeping to his election promise.

    He lauded the Oyebanji-led government for engendering socio-economic growth and development through a commitment to good governance, which according to him, has impacted positively on all and sundry.

    Omoboriowo acknowledged that things have completely changed for the better in the state with the citizenry savouring the benefits and superlative service inherent in democratic governance, irrespective of class status, political leaning and ethno-religious inclination.

    Former Ondo State governor, Dr Segun Mimiko who visited Ado-Ekiti recently said he was not surprised with the giant strides achieved by Oyebanji in all the spectrum of governance within the short time. He added that he had known the governor as a young man and was convinced he would perform creditably well.

    Mimiko added: “My prayer is that you will become the best governor ever in the history of our country. Governor Oyebanji and I have been together for a long time and I know he was well-groomed and can excel as chief executive of the state. I am not surprised that he hit the ground running and the result is quite evident.”

  • Kudos to Lagos for electric buses

    Kudos to Lagos for electric buses

    Sir: “I am excited to announce the first set of electric buses in the Lagos Mass Transit Master Plan as part of our increased effort to modernise every sector of Lagos. Thanks to our partnership with @Oando PLC, Lagosians can expect a cleaner and greener public transportation in Lagos State,” said Governor Sanwo-Olu.

    With that tweet, Lagos has once again blazed the trail by becoming the first city in Nigeria and West Africa to use electric buses. Almost immediately, tongues began to wag. While some netizens praised the initiative, children of perdition who have refused to see anything good in the city, began to raise dumb posers like “Where will the government get the electricity to charge the buses constantly? Or What will happen if the buses run out of power while in transit?” In their demented minds, it is only western nations that have the capacity to maintain such a 21st century innovation.

    Electric buses will reduce carbon emissions and increase efficiency. It will make the cost of transportation affordable due to the elimination of the cost of fuel. They are also environmentally friendly because they do not pollute the air with fumes. Each bus has the capacity to travel for 280 kilometres at full charge. This is 80 kilometres more than the normal daily travel distance for the bus which is 200 kilometres. 

    Lagos will not only have electric buses, it will also have charging stations, and other support infrastructure. Public malls and gas stations will host the charging points. It is gladdening to note that in the near future, the state government hopes to establish an assembly plant for electric buses with its implication for creation of jobs, economies of scale, and accessibility. 

    Some of the benefits of electric buses are improved air quality, better health for its citizens, a potential to employ 3000 drivers, and 2000 workers for maintenance to manage depots. The development of a robust mass transit system that would include rail and waterways would solve the perennial problem of traffic congestion and place the megacity in the league of international cities like New York and London. Other states in Nigeria should borrow a leaf from Lagos so that their indigenes would stop trooping to the city in droves and constituting a nuisance every election year.

    I commend the Lagos State Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), Oando Clean Energy Limited, Yutong West Africa, and the soft-spoken silent achiever, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on the achievement of this great feat which signals a move in the direction of phasing out fuel guzzling buses, and normalising a green transportation era.

    •Peter Ovie Akus,

    akuspeter@gmail.com

  • Senate, House: APC NWC to ratify zoning plan today

    Senate, House: APC NWC to ratify zoning plan today

    • APC Northwest chairmen oka Akpabio/Barau
    • Yari ‘won’t support consensus candidate
    • Southeast senators-elect reject zoning to Southsouth

    A major step to zone leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly will be taken today by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The ruling party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has slated a meeting to decide the geo-political zones where top positions – Senate President, Deputy Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker and Deputy Speaker – will come from.

    The APC with 59 senators-elect out of 109 seat,  controls the majority. 

    It also has 178 House of Representatives members-elect out of 360, becoming the party with the single largest members.

    Leaders of the party, such as governors, senior figures and caucuses, have made their recommendations.

    President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also been consulted by the NWC leadership.

    Today’s meeting is expected to ratify the zoning arrangement and the plan to have a consensus around the choice of candidates.

    It was learnt that on Friday, the leadership of the NWC met with the President-elect, where understanding and agreement were reached on the sharing of the six offices in each of the two chambers.

    The remaining offices are Senate Leader, Deputy Senate Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip. 

    For the House of Representatives, the offices are House Leader, Deputy Leader, House Whip and Deputy Whip.

    APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, told reporters after last week’s NWC meeting on Wednesday that the party plan a consensus arrangement for the National Assembly’s top offices.

    He added that there will be consultations with a broad section of party leaders, stakeholders and the President-elect to enable the party and all aspirants to be on the same page.

    It was also gathered that the Friday meeting directed the party’s leadership to ensure compliance with the arrangement by all the aspirants in the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    Those who attended the meeting are Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Deputy National Chairmen, Senator Abubakar Kyari (North) and Chief Emma Enuokwu (South) as well as the National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

    Others are Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo- Agege.

    National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka last night confirmed today’s meeting, but declined to make available the agenda. He merely said the meeting will take “critical decisions”. 

    Morka said: “Yes, an NWC meeting holds on Monday (today) at about noon.” 

    When asked if the zoning of the National Assembly leadership is slated for deliberations, he simply said: “The issue may be discussed, but no further information on that for now. 

    “You can be assured that we shall brief the press after tomorrow’s meeting.”

    A source close to the party, however, said: “This is a one-point agenda meeting. The Chairman is expected to brief the committee on the outcome of the meeting held with the President-elect on Friday on the zoning of the NASS leadership position and get the buying-in of NWC members to the arrangement.

    “The NWC will also consider a date for a meeting with all the major aspirants jostling for one position or the other in the two chambers of the National Assembly to ensure a rancour-free electioneering process in filling the leadership positions of the National Assembly.”

    The zoning of these offices is already generating ripples among the would-be legislators and some leaders of the party.

    The Northwest chairmen of APC have thrown their weight behind a possible Southsouth/Northwest zoning of Senate President/Deputy Senate President.

    But Senator Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara West) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he would not support any consensus arrangement.

    Also yesterday, Southeast senators-elect rejected any plan to zone the Senate Presidency to Southsouth.

    Northwest APC okay Akpabio, Barau

    The Northwest APC chairmen welcomed the planned consensus zoning arrangement, saying the choice of Senator Godswill Akpabio and Senator Jibrin Barau is “a perfect step taken to ensure good democratic governance in the country.”

    “We see the joint ticket of Sen. Akpabio and Sen. Jibrin as a wise leadership for the 10th National Assembly who will work assiduously for the betterment of Nigeria,” Chairman of the APC Chairmen Forum, Aminu Sani, told reporters in Kano at the weekend.

    Sani urged the senators-elect to rally around the choice of the president-elect and the party’s national leadership for national growth.

    They added that Tinubu had through his actions shown that he would check religious/ethnic politics.

    The APC chairmen appealed to Akpabio and Jibrin to know that the President-elect and the party’s national leadership decided to go for them “because they have the conviction that they will be a part of the progressive government in tackling the problems bedevilling Nigeria.”  

    Due process must be followed, says Yari 

    Senator-elect Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara West) vowed not to step down for anyone in the race.

    Yari, who described the race as “Senators’ business”, said that due process should be followed in electing the leadership of the Senate.

    “The Senate presidency is senators’ business and on the D- day’ when we are going to elect our president, we will do the needful,” he told the executive members of the Tinubu-Shettima Network (TSN) in Abuja at the weekend.

    He added: “When we do that, we are not for anybody. We are doing what the Constitution says: choosing our leaders within ourselves.

    “That is what the sections of the Constitution stated very clearly. What will happen that day will happen based on the provisions of the Constitution and not for anyone. 

    “So, we are going to exercise our constitutional rights there.”

    Southeast Senators-elect kick 

    Yesterday, senators-elect from the Southeast kicked against the move to zone the Senate President position to the Southsouth by the APC. 

    It said in a communique after a meeting hosted by Young Peoples Party (YPP) Senator Ifeanyi Ubah that the move would amount to injustice against the Southeast. 

    Senators-elect who signed the communique are: Orji Uzor Kalu (APC), Victor Umeh (LP), Osita Izunaso (APC), Tony Nwoye (LP), Patrick Ndubueze (APC), Okey Ezea (LP), Kelvin Chukwu (LP) and Osita Ngwu (LP).

    The caucus called on the APC national leadership to uphold “the principle of natural justice and equity which it preaches” by zoning the seat to the Southeast.

    Besides, it urged Tinubu to extend the same democratic opportunity he received from the outgoing administration “which gave all aspirants equal opportunity to exercise their fundamental and constitutional rights during the APC presidential primaries”.

    It also urged the APC to rise above primordial and political interest, shun the winner-takes-all syndrome and pursue ethnoreligious inclusivity.

    The communique reads: “We have observed with dismay the antics of persons with vested selfish interests who have planted themselves around the President-elect, Asiwaju Tinubu, and have vowed to shut out the Southeast from the Senate Presidency of the 10th Senate.

    “Beyond ethnic and religious considerations in the forthcoming 10th Senate, the Southeast is blessed with ranking Senators-elect including members of the APC who have the cranial capacity, competence, influence, experience and political followership to pilot the affairs of the Red Chamber.

    “It becomes imperative that the APC upholds the principle of natural justice and equity which it preaches, founded on reasons, and zone the seat of Senate President to the Southeast.

    “The President-elect should be conscious of the grave implications of zoning and endorsing a candidate from the Southsouth without any regard for the Southeast. Such a move will no doubt serve as a recipe for injustice. 

    “We implore the President-elect to be sensitive to the times in Nigeria and ensure the country continues to thrive on the part of equity, unity and fairness to the tripod of Nigeria (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba) and the geopolitical zones.

    “The incoming administration of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu must correct this anomaly by ensuring that the Southeast is given the opportunity to produce the next Senate President.”

  • Presidential tribunal begins pre-trial session today

    Presidential tribunal begins pre-trial session today

    The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) will begin its sitting in Abuja today with a pre-hearing session.

    Five petitions are pending before the court.

    The first petitioner, the Action Alliance (AA), is planning to withdraw its petition, it was learnt.

    The other remaining four petitions are listed for the pre-hearing session.

    Pre-hearing session entails preliminary proceedings during which lawyers agree on how to proceed with the actual hearing session.

    Such preliminary proceedings include ascertaining the number of witnesses to be called, the volume of exhibits to be tendered and how to treat them, how to treat witnesses and what time to be allocated, among others.

    The Nation learnt that it is after the pre-hearing session, which may last days, that the hearing proper will commence, during which witnesses will be taken and exhibits tendered.

    Although the identity of members of the five-member panel is not yet public, such information will be revealed during Monday’s sitting.

    The motion for withdrawal filed by the AA on May 3 will be treated first, according to the court’s schedule.

    Listed as respondents to the petition marked CA/PEPC/01/2023 filed by the AA, are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Hamza Al-Mustapha. 

    The AA, in its petition, claimed that its presidential candidate, Solomon Okanigbuan, was excluded from participating in the election.

    It argued that the ground was sufficient to void the February 25 presidential election.