The Nation Newspaper

Category: Baba Yusuf

  • As PDP struggles to remain united

    As PDP struggles to remain united

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been facing escalating internal wrangling since the presidential primaries of the political party built up to the 2023 Presidential elections, and so far, key leaders of the PDP have not been able to stabilize the party. 

    Indeed, the crises have gotten worse in the last few months resulting in litigations with subsisting court injunctions and counter-injunctions, which culminated in having two clear factions last week after the Amb. Umar Damagum-led NWC suspended the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, for alleged abuse of office and insubordination. In response, Ologunagba and Ajibade announced the suspension of Damagum and the party’s National Secretary, Senator  Samual Anyanwu, over alleged anti-party activities and their role in the political crisis in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.

    The crisis got to a head when the Ologunagba group announced the party’s National Treasurer, Yayari Mohammed, as Damagum’s replacement.

    So far, some of the 13 PDP State Governors have also not been consistent in their unity with regard to the intrigues and the interests. However, it appears that the upcoming Ogun state gubernatorial elections have made the party leadership rethink lest they shoot themselves in the foot when the governors came together and appear to beat a tactical retreat to manage the PDP through the upcoming Ogun State elections. Of course, this is a temporary retreat. I don’t believe this will be the end of the crisis. The days ahead especially after the Ondo elections will be very interesting as things unravel.

    The PDP Governors through the Chairman of the PDP-Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed, asked that Amb. Damagun should resume back as the PDP National Chairman. This decision to broker a truce was reached after the PDP-Governors Forum consulted with representatives of the National Working Committee, the party’s National Assembly Caucus, and the Board of Trustees, BoT. As I mentioned earlier, this is clearly a tactical move to manage the PDP through the upcoming Ondo gubernatorial election coming up on November 16 (the next 4 weeks). The PDP wants to put up a “united” front so as not to lose voters. What remains to be seen is if this temporary arrangement will facilitate a win for the PDP in Ondo State, and if so, if the truce will be sustained into a lasting peace and unity for the party. In my view, unless there is a solid and practical strategy to unite the Party – the PDP crisis is definitely not yet over.

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    Accordingly, could this be the beginning of the end of PDP? As we watch the People’s Democratic Party unravel due to toxic internal crises, and protracted toxic internal wrangling, the party is yet to find its sound footing. This is despite the fact that it has been able to muster about 13, about 36 senators, and over 100 members of the House of Representatives in the 2023 General elections.

    What is very interesting is that the members of parliament are hardly around during crisis meetings or engagements of the PDP. Indeed, most of them hardly take a firm position with regard to the issues, apart from the likes of Honorable Ikenga Ugochinyere ; a member representing Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives and some senators and members of House of Representatives.

    The lingering leadership crisis of the PDP is a sign of a party that is at a precipice. Unless the PDP leaders are able to put their personal interests and sentiments aside, the party may not be able to reclaim its lost glory. It may be a party that may become a relic of itself and a reference point in our political history. Conversely, if we consider the exploits and successes of the PDP from the time of its formation in 1998 to the time it lost presidential power, as an incumbent in 2014 under President Goodluck Jonathan; the political party could also become a reference point of how a party could be well-structured, well-oiled, well lead political party, which was at the top of its game during its heydays.

    However, looking into the future, the PDP in its present form is not an example of a political party that has the potential to upstage an incumbent President in the person of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With the way the PDP leadership saga is going, it is even likely that in the coming weeks and months some PDP members, especially, some of the State Governors, may capitulate and decamp to the ruling party, i.e. the APC, or other political parties. Political parties’ cross-carpeting has become a traditional political survival move in Nigeria, especially built up to elections. Members of opposition political parties easily morph into the ruling parties; obviously to ensure political sustainability and in some cases, as speculated, to avoid potential arrests and prosecution for graft, after their tenure – especially the governors. For instance, in the case build-up to the 2023 Presidential elections some PDP Governors like Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi at that time decamped to the APC. The same thing happened in the build-up to the 2019 elections, when the likes of the then Senator Godswill Akpabio, who was then the Minority leader of the Senator under PDP, decamped to the APC in August 2018.

    Therefore, based on the foregoing, if the PDP does not put its house in order to achieve unity in the next 6 months, then the party will certainly face an existential crisis of ability to effectively strategize, plan, prepare, and effectively win the 2027 Presidential election, even by a long shot.

    How did Pdp get to this stage?

    The PDP is dealing with what I consider self-inflicted injuries, majorly. due to the ambition of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In my humble opinion, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was not able to keep the party united  build-up to the 2023 presidential elections. At the end of the elections, the PDP ultimately lost His Excellency, Peter Obi to the Obedient Movement/ Labor Party; and His Excellency, Nyensom Wike to Alhaji Atiku’s arch-political rival, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is now the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The inability to manage the critical stakeholders, particularly His Excellency Nyensom Wike, during and after the PDP Presidential Primary elections, dealt a big blow to the PDP power dynamics. The consequence is the PDP losing the Presidential elections and the crisis that ensued due to the hitherto grip and influence that His Excellency Nyensom Wike has had on the PDP for years as the main political party financier, manager of the PDP superstructure and, influencer some of the PDP Governors. This power dynamic enabled Wike to have the vice grip he still has on the party thus far, and that is why I dare say that the critical PDP’s problem is a “Wike” problem. 

    His Excellency former Vice President Atiku Abubakar lost peripheral vision of the structure of the party, whereas Hon. Minister Nyensom Wike was able to take over the structure, including the support he mustered from his fellow Governors of Oyo, Benue, Enugu, and Abia, with whom he formed the G5 pressure group. Indeed, Mr. Nyensom Wike had been oiling that political structure for a very long time due to the cross-carpeting of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar between PDP and APC between 2014 to 2023. Nine years I sa long time for a political leader no matter how powerful he/ she is to consolidate power and control of a political party; or for hie/ she to lose grip and control of the political party.

     Whenever Alhaji Atiku left the political parties, he founded, co-founded, setup, structured and led, other visionary political leaders people take over the parties, maintain them better, make them stronger, and use them as a veritable platform to further their political objectives.

     A typical example is how Wazirin Adamawa Atiku Abubakar formed the Action Congress (AC) in 2006, built up to the 2007 elections. In 2006, Alhaji Atiku as the then Vice President was able to muster a structure that was formidable, formed a back-office alliance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then Governor of Lagos State, put up a very good fight as the AC Presidential candidate, in a political fight against his principal, the then President Olusegun Obasanjo. But immediately after Alhaji Atiku lost the presidential elections of 2007, he abandoned the structure of the AC, which His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over, invested in it, maintained, later renamed, and was able to hold it for the next 8 to 9 years until his Excellency Bola Tinubu executed is strategic masterplan of the merger of CPC, ACN, ANPP, NPDP, and a governor from APGA of 2014 to form the All Progressive Congress (APC). The APC went on to make history by upstaging the incumbent PDP government of President Goodluck Jonathan. Ironically, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar joined the APC merger under the umbrella of the nPDP rather than the AC he formed in 2007.

    Essentially, the PDP leadership needs to wake up, smell the coffee, and decide what they want to be by 2027, veritable opposition or political party that yet again loses to the APC, or becomes a relic of a party as a case study in political history. We are watching developments are they unfold.

  • EFCC and states challenge of its legitimacy

    EFCC and states challenge of its legitimacy

    “Corruption is incipient in every society and must be continuously purged. Once corruption has set in, it is not possible to wipe it out quickly.” – Mr. Lee Kuan Yew – the First Prime Minister of Singapore.

    I wish to state that I am reflecting on this topic without prejudice to the ongoing Suite at the Supreme Court. I will therefore not be speaking on the legal mechanics but in general terms of the fight against corruption and graft in Nigeria and the potential impacts of actions like the ongoing case before the Supreme Court.

    Like every other Nigerian, I am watching with keen interest the development with regard to the suit instituted at the Supreme Court of the Federation of Nigeria by 16 State Governors across political party lines, challenging the constitutionality and legitimacy of the existence of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In my view, the Suit is politically motivated and not borne out of any intent to better our lot as a nation. This is especially given the fact that there are no subsisting bi-bilateral or multilateral conventions entered into by Nigeria that negate the legislation that promulgated the EFCC Act.

    Three days ago, the Supreme Court fixed October, 22nd, 2024 for the hearing of a suit filed by at least 16 state governments challenging the constitutionality of the laws establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and two others. Interestingly, the 15 States are joining in support and/ or consolidation of a Suit, in this regard, initiated last year by the Kogi State Government.

    The Kogi government sought a declaration that the federal government through the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) lacked the power to issue any directive, guideline, advisory or any instrument however called for the administration and management of funds belonging to the state.The Kogi State government also sought a declaration that the EFCC, the NFIU, or any agency of the federal government cannot investigate, requisition documents, invite or arrest anyone concerning offenses arising from or touching on the administration and management of funds belonging to the state.

    Other States that joined in the suit marked: SC/CV/178/2023 include Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross-River and Niger.The 16 states said they are relying on the fact that the constitution is the supreme law and any law that is inconsistent with it is a nullity. The plaintiffs argued that the Supreme Court, in Dr. Joseph Nwobike Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria, had held that it was a UN Convention against corruption that was reduced into the EFCC Establishment Act and that in enacting this law in 2004, the provision of Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was not followed.

    They are arguing that, in bringing a convention into Nigerian law, the provision of Section 12 must be complied with. According to them, the provision of the Constitution necessitated the majority of the states’ Houses of Assembly agreeing to bring the convention in before passing the EFCC Act and others, which was allegedly never done.

    It is a very interesting development, especially given the recent developments and the prosecution faced by former governors and the potential prosecution that governors that will be leaving office will face on issues of graft; to see how this Suit will impede or stop the fight against corruption in Nigeria. The state governors are well within their rights to institute such a landmark suit challenging the constitutionality of such very important institutions in Nigeria, anti-corruption institutions (EFCC and the NFIU). In fact, I am very, very happy that the Governor took this action. This is because I believe that at the end of the day, the two institutions will be further strengthened, which may likely be against the intention of the state governors who instituted the suit.

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    Indeed, there is a global and national consensus that for us to make any meaningful progress in Nigeria, we must effectively fight corruption in Nigeria. This consensus has been established for over 40 years; it was the institutions and the political will that have been lacking up until Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999 with the advent of the 4th Republic and the subsequent legislation and establishment of the EFCC (within which NFIU operated) in 2003 the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration. In the 21 years since the promulgation into law of the EFCC and NFIU, the relevance of the institutions in the fight against corruption has been further entrenched. It is also true that entrenched corrupt vested interests have been consistently fighting back. Therefore, I believe that ongoing overt and covert efforts to undermine those anti-graft institutions, hamstring them, and withhold or whittle their powers will ultimately fail.

    It is worthy of note that since the setup of the EFCC, and NFIU, for the past 21 years, no state government, civic society organizations, constitutional lawyers, etc. have challenged the legislation or any process of the enactment of the institutions into existence and operations. All attempts within those years to challenge the legality of the consequence of suits or prosecutorial processes instituted by these anti-corruption agencies have also failed even at the Supreme Court. I am optimistic that this time around also the will decision of the Supreme Court will be in the overall interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

    No matter how “noble” the intention of the 16 States could be, the move has dented a negative mark on the image of Nigeria in the Committee of Nations, on the one hand, and is also sending wrong signals to Nigerians. Rather than for state governors to be focused on delivering the much-desired good governance in their respective States in the midst of multi-dimensional poverty; they are preoccupied with such legal exercise is, to say the least, worrisome. Especially when not long ago we were described as “fantastically corrupt” by the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron. In fact, Mr. Cameron was re-echoing how Nigeria was/ is perceived globally despite various anticorruption efforts of successive administrations. It is, therefore, a paradox that 16 Governors of our 36 Governors and the Minister of FCT are taking such a legal step, while Nigeria is trying to shake the ugly toga of being seen as “fantastically corrupt”. This is also happening at a time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been investing time and a lot of resources to boost the confidence of the international community and attract foreign investments into Nigeria while, as a lot of good Nigerians are all over the world doing their best for themselves, their families and for Nigeria to keep our image good and our flag flying.

    It will be very interesting to see how Mr. President is able to apply political sagacity and strategy to first of all rein in the APC Governors as well as the other Governors across the party lines, to support the enactment of new laws that will boost the war against corruption. It is also important for civic society organizations and Nigerians to rise against any attempt to frustrate the fight against corruption.

    Moreover, the fight against corruption will not be the job of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu alone, nor will it be the job of the National Assembly alone. It will be the job of all the citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. If we want to fight corruption in Nigeria, we, as people, must resist any attempt, covertly or overtly, to frustrate the fight against corruption or even to kill or destroy the institutions that are set up to fight corruption. As the saying goes, when you fight corruption, corruption fights you back. I believe that this is the way to go in trying to counter this obvious attempt to subvert what is necessary for; the endurance of the nationhood of Nigeria, the socio-economic recovery of Nigeria, putting the country on the solid economic trajectory, for the successful review and entrenchment of the value reorientation of Nigeria, and the sustainability of the socioeconomic well-being of Nigeria.  I dare say that no Economic strategic blueprint of policies will succeed if the fight against corruption is not a critical pillar.

    Furthermore, we must all note that the pushback against the war against corruption will not stop but continue. It has been like that, coming with different methodologies and approach, and I don’t think it will stop now. What is important is that Nigerians should all see through veiled and clear attempts at drawing us back as a nation and resist such by supporting the President or any leader that is sincerely fighting corruption. And that is why it is important for us not to be caught up in the moment where we are. Nobody knows tomorrow. What is essential is what we are bequeathing to our children and grandchildren.

    It is my expectation that the Supreme Court would judiciously take a position that will be in the overall interest of Nigeria, after which myself and some concerned Nigerans will strongly advocate for some new provisions to be legislated to further strengthen the EFCC, NFIU, and the ICPC for better performance and effectiveness.

     I wish all Nigerians, God’s Guidance and Grace. May Almighty God Continue to Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • As we mark 64th Independence Day

    As we mark 64th Independence Day

    “A nation is great not by its size alone. It is the will, the cohesion, the stamina, the discipline of its people and the quality of their leaders which ensure it an honorable place in history.”- Mr. Lee Kuan Yew – the First Prime Minister of Singapore.

    SO FAR SO GOOD, BUT GOOD IS NOT GREAT

    Three days ago, as Nigerians, we marked and celebrated the 64th Independence Day in Nigeria, with mixed feelings. While we celebrate 64 years of independence from colonial rule, and 25 years of uninterrupted democracy on one hand, on the other hand, we remember with nostalgia, the sweet decades ago when the socio-economic condition of Nigeria was far better than what it is today – Our Naira was stronger and more valuable albeit, it has been losing value in the past 50 years, our GDP, inflation rates, and other indices were far better and more promising even in terms of projections. Unfortunately, President Bola Tinubu took over the leadership of Nigeria with over 65% of the population (above 150million Nigerians), i.e. about 7 in every 10 Nigerians are “multi-dimensionally poor”, employment rates have been free falling, insecurity has been escalating for the past 16 years, albeit we have seen some improvements in the past weeks with the onslaught on the terrorists in North West Nigeria by the Nigerian Armed Forces – which is commendable.  

    Furthermore, climate change has been ravaging and degrading our topography and ecosystems, especially with the increased flooding across Nigeria especially in the north where desert encroachments have been on the increase. The global socio-economic headwinds, which is impacting every Country in the world, are further exacerbating our situation.

    Even though some Nigerians may retort that this is a time to celebrate, which I agree to some extent as stated above; with over 65% of us in “multi-dimensional poverty”, it is also important that we remain not just aware of our poignant reality, but that we all (the Government and the citizens of Nigeria take the proper actions to make Nigeria a better place. Unless we all, especially the leaders face those realities practically, decisively, with honor, integrity, and empathy – Nigeria will continue to slide into the abyss of retrogression with devastating consequences.

    KUDOS

    When 65% of the population of a Country is multi-dimensionally poor, then that Country is undoubtedly in trouble. Therefore, I appreciate that President Bola Tinubu decided that Independence Day, this year, was marked in low-key. Indeed Mr. President applied his “sensing” personality in this case, which is quite commendable.

     Importantly, the fundamental rights of citizens of freedom of expression, movement, and choices as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution have been largely enjoyed and sustained by citizens far more than what was obtained during the military juntas, even though there should be improvements, going forward. The ability of citizens to engage government in politics, economy, social justice, unity, justice, etc., has increased significantly in the past 25 years because Governments have been consistently put on their toes by citizens, civil society organizations, etc. – questioning strategies, policies, actions, and inactions, etc. These are all in my opinion dividends of independence and democracy.

     Therefore, we have come a long way as Nigerians and we must appreciate how far we have come. That being said, there is still much left to be desired in terms of what we are expecting from democracy. Because in my opinion, democracy is a process that should produce dividends like peace, unity, equity, justice, economic growth and development, social justice, value and cultural re-orientation, etc.

    Furthermore, the political landscape is broadening and the political consciousness of Nigerians has evolved in the past 25 years reaching its highest during the 2023 general elections with citizens demanding good governance and increasingly knowing the power of their votes.  

    The aforementioned key developments are gains of our independence, and therefore, so far so good. But If we pride ourselves on being the giant of Africa and considering where we are coming from, our position in Africa and in the Committee Nations – then I dare say that for Nigeria- good is not great!

    DEAR MR. PRESIDENT

    Managing Expectations With profound respect, Mr. President I submit as follows:

    Mr. President, in the Foreword of your Renewed Hope manifesto, during your campaign for President in 2023, you stated that, “…Our objective is to foster a new society based on shared prosperity, tolerance, compassion and unwavering commitment to treat each citizen with equal respect and due regard”. The aforementioned excerpt encapsulated your overall vision for a better Nigeria, and I am of the view that that quote should form the overarching strategic thrust and objective of his administration, going forward – which in my opinion is “a better Nigeria for all Nigerians and the allies of Nigeria”.

     I note and commend your excellency’s efforts in trying to turnaround the socio-economic situation of Nigeria, while managing our international relations, as you also steer the affairs of the ECOWAS and Africa as you are elected for the second time as ECOWAS Chair. Your multitasking abilities despite your age are clear for all to see and acknowledge (your friends and foes).

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     However, many Nigerians including myself are apprehensive about the situation in Nigeria and what will come in the next months and years. Therefore, we are glad to hear that you intend to rejig your cabinet for better performance at this crucial time. Indeed, Mr. President, you cannot run fast with iron-clad shoes, because the input of your team is your output. I agree with you that it is time that you get rid of the “weaker links” in your team. Indeed, performance is not measured by events, but by results and impacts.

    Speaking Truth to Power

    In conclusion, Mr. President, mine are the words of a son to a father, the words of a citizen to his President on behalf of a lot of other citizens; the words of those that voted for you and also those that did not vote for you. Because as Nigerians you remain our President and Commander-in-Chief, and for that, you are responsible for guiding and leading this Country. What we owe you is support, commitment, loyalty, and the truth. 

    Your Excellency, some of us will remain committed to adding our voices to healthy progressive narratives/engagements; and also, actively support you in building our nation. We will commend you where you do well, encourage you when and where you need it, and sometimes speak truth to power when/where necessary; not out of sycophancy, malice, disrespect, or sabotage, but out of respect for you, and genuine love for Nigeria, and based on the believe that a single leader, alone cannot successfully lead a Country. Indeed, I believe that the success of a nation is not based solely on the quality of a single leader (whom I call the focal point leader), but based largely on the collective support of some members of the society that I refer to as “the leadership value-chain”. I will share my thoughts on the concept of the leadership value-chain with you Mr. President, and with my fellow compatriots very soon. Thank you, Mr. President.

    NOTE TO THE HANDLERS OF MR. PRESIDENT

    I respect your various versatile skills, competencies, and capacities; which are the reason why Mr. President hired you for your various roles of handling his communication and publicity. However, I am of the humble opinion that there is a need for a review of Mr. President’s Communication Strategy to be more proactive, pragmatic, “sensing”, “influencing” and empathetic.  

    In my view, some of the handlers and supporters of the President make the grave mistake of addressing all feedback from all Nigerians that is not in line with what they want as political or opposition. With all due respect, that is wrong. There are a lot of good Nigerians; male, female, young, and old who voted for Mr. President; across creeds that mean well for Nigeria.  Those citizens have the skills and capacity, and/ or most importantly, the right to speak truth to power and for the leaders to take the feedback seriously; and speak and act in a manner that reflects respect and understanding of the people that elected Mr. President, and even those that did not elect him. Indeed, he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. that the administration is serving.

     In the case of opposition parties and personalities, and also critics; they are well known and have their place in our democratic process. In strategy, you don’t get fixated on the messenger – if so, you will lose the objective, focus, and the ability to effectively counter-maneuver or effectively deliver your mandate. Therefore, it is important to differentiate distractions from substances and deal with them accordingly.

     Another key point to note is that the consistency of the handlers of Mr. President is crucial in managing the image of Mr. President, and the expectations of Nigerians.

    DEAR FELLOW CITIZENS

    We must recognize that we all have roles to play as citizens especially, we the elites, in influencing a change in our mindsets, and behaviors, and that of our political class, so that they will be more productive, and impactful for the betterment of Nigeria.

     I wish all Nigerians, God’s Guidance and Grace. May Almighty God Continue to Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • EFCC versus Yahaya Bello

    EFCC versus Yahaya Bello

    “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time”

    This quote by the late Abraham Lincoln, the 16thPresident of the United States of America which was further re-echoed in the 1970s by the legendary musician, late Bob Marley, as part of his song titled “Get up, stand up” is apt regarding the dramatization of the ongoing prosecution of the former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the. Suffice it to say that it is very obvious as to who is trying to fool who in his saga.

     Yet again, two days ago, former Governor Yahaya Bello was absent before Hon. Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja. This is despite the subsisting Court of Appeal Order which affirmed the Federal High Court Order compelling Yahaya Bello to appear before Justice Nwite having ruled against his appeal to set aside Justice Nwite’s Order. Instead, Yahaya Bello has basically decided to hit the bulwark of the judiciary heading to the Supreme Court of the Federation in order to avoid complying with the Order of the Court of Appeal. I wonder what Mr. Yahaya Bello will do when the Supreme Court bounces him back to submit himself to the Federal High Court. Will he at that point appear before Justice Nwite? Or will he still be looking for other avenues to dodge the Courts? “Time is a gentleman”.

    Mr. Yahaya Bello who has been declared a fugitive (local and international), has so far refused to take a plea. Interestingly, it appears like it is not a drizzle for Yahaya Bello, but for him, it is a heavy downpour. This is because, 48 hours ago the EFCC has come up with another sucker punch by filing fresh 16 charges against him and two others on a N100.4 Billion case bordering on breach of trust, in another Court. This is adding another dimension to his travails. This will tally to almost N200 Billion as the total money belonging to Kogi State that is alleged to have been stolen by Yahaya Bello and his accomplices.

     By the way, I am one of the Nigerians who were taken aback by the inability of the EFCC to take Mr. Yahaya Bello into custody when he arrived at the EFCC Headquarters last week and presented himself – escorted by his Excellency, Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Governor of Kogi State. Despite the explanations given by the EFCC, a lot of concerned Nigerians believed that it was an opportunity for the EFCC to take Yahaya Bello into custody having declared him a local and international fugitive. Nonetheless, Mr. Yahaya Bello has the duty to comply with the Appeal Court Order for him to appear in Court to answer the charges proffered against him. The fact the EFCC failed to arrest him at the Headquarters is not an excuse for him not to comply with Court Orders.

     Former Governor, Yahaya Bello has so far made several unsuccessful attempts to frustrate the corruption case against him. Meanwhile, his supporters from Kogi State, some Civil Society Organizations, his supporters across Nigeria, and some days ago, the Kogi State Assembly are claiming that Yahaya Bello’s travail is a witch-hunt against him by the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Barrister Ola Olukoyede.

     However, in my opinion, the claim by the Kogi State Assembly that the EFCC Chairman is witch-hunting former Governor Yahaya Bello is clearly another failed publicity stunt to botch the investigation and prosecution of Mr. Yahaya Bello. Rather than focus on the mandate of delivering the desperately needed good governance to the good people of Kogi State, the State Assembly members are preoccupied with an obviously futile exercise of fighting EFCC. 

    Therefore, let us dimension the claims by the Kogi State Assembly and some supporters of Yahaya Bello to determine the veracity of such claims:

    Yahaya Bello is not the only politically exposed person thatis facing investigation and prosecution

    Over the past last one year since the beginning of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, there have been several ongoing high-profile grafts and other corruption cases at various stages of investigation and prosecution – with a scope and scale of cash and assets amounting to whopping Billions of US Dollars (Trillions of Naira); These are indicators of the critical momentum that the EFCC has built in such a short time under the leadership of Mr. Olukoyede, especially with the seriousness and fearlessness that the EFCC is currently executing her mandates. 

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    Such high-profile cases include: the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele and his co-suspects, the former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello and his co-suspects, former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Senator Hadi Sirika and his co-suspects,  suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, her predecessor and other co-suspects, suspended Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Board (REA) Mr. Ahmad Salihijo, the suspended Executive Directors of the REA, and their co-suspects, etc. So, I wonder how come former Governor Yahaya Bello and his supporters are claiming a witch hunt? What is the basis for their allegation?

    The level of pushback that is deployed anytime there are attempts to stand up against vested interests or fights against corruption in Nigeria, tells any right-thinking person that indeed we are in trouble in this country.

     Furthermore, from all indications, Mr. President has not been interfering with the works of the EFCC. What is key to note here is that even though, the EFCC Executive Chairman has the support of President Tinubu, Mr. The President would have called him to order or stopped him, if Mr. Olukoyede was operating unprofessionally. 

    Additionally, the claim by the Yahaya Bello media office that the EFCC has a vendetta against him is far-fetched. For example, if it is a vendetta, I expect Mr. Yahaya Bello to puncture all the allegations by countering with solid counter-evidences and accountability. That way Yahaya Bello can clear his name and prepare himself for a political future devoid of blemishes. That is the strategy that will work for him. Media war and propaganda will only make things worse for him. 

    Another key point to note is that, if the allegation by Yahaya Bello and his supporters, that the EFCC is hounding the former governor is true; does that mean that the Federal High Courts and the Court of Appeal are also aiding and abetting the EFCC’s vendetta against Yahaya Bello? This question is germane based on the fact that the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal have taken similar decisions, which speak volumes about the veracity of the need for Yahaya Bello to have his day in Court. This is so much so that on 17th July 2024, Hon. Justice Nwite had to issue an order of Court referring Mr. Bello’s two most senior defense lawyers to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for probe over alleged professional misconduct – Is this also an EFCC vendetta?

    We can run, but you cannot hide from the long arms of the law

    Yahaya Bello is needlessly complicating his case whether he is guilty or not. In addition, I must say that Yahaya Bello’s supporters are not helping him with wise counsel on this matter. The ongoing civil and criminal corruption cases against the former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello which interestingly started about 2 years ago before the tenure of Barrister Ola Olukoyode as the Executive Chairman has become a macabre dance on the part of the former governor. In fact, in my view, Yahaya Bello has boxed himself into a legal cul-de-sac.

     This is a classic example of “you can run but you cannot hide from the long arms of law”. Nigeria and the international community are awash with the macabre dance by the former governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello who is trying to run and evade a reality that I thought the former Governor should know better.

     Let me be clear, I am not saying that Mr. Yahaya Bello has been found guilty – No! Mr. Yahaya Bello remains innocent until proven guilty by a Court of competent jurisdiction. My grouse is that the activities of Yahaya Bello and his co-travelers are leaving a very bad impression of him in the eyes of the public and the eyes of authorities (local and international).

     I urge Yahaya Bello, his team of lawyers, and supporters to do justice to the allegations made against him by puncturing the pieces of evidence line by line, item by item – and if he cannot, he should do what men of honor do – step up and take responsibility, it will not be the end of life. It will be an opportunity to close a chapter and open a new one that will be full of opportunities for greatness.

     Dear former Governor Yahaya Bello, until you step up to the plate and take responsibility, you are losing face and supporters. Please be wary of sycophants, who will only make your matters worse while they mock you behind you. At the end of the day, you will stand alone with a few of your true friends and loved ones who tell you the truth and mean well to you.

  • Lagdo Dam alert: is warning good enough?

    Lagdo Dam alert: is warning good enough?

    “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!”. This quote by the late Benjamin Franklin, an 18th Century American Polymath and one of the founding fathers of the United States of America; resonates with me, and reflects on how we govern and conduct our affairs in Nigeria and most parts of Africa.

    I am saying this because in the last 1 year (from 6th October 2023 to 28th June 2024).  I wrote six episodes in this weekly column under Agriculture, Food Insecurity, Climate Change, and Cost of Living Crisis topics; wherein I was calling the attention of the government to the projected floods in 2024, other climate change variables, and the looming socio-economic impacts, especially, food insecurity. However, I did not hear about or see a concrete action plan to mitigate the impending threats as they were, until now that the threats have become clear and present dangers with the ongoing counting of loss of lives and livelihoods due to the bursting of Alo Dam in Borno State, which has been showing signs of deterioration for decades (without interventions) and other floods across states in Nigeria. The impending dangers of the opening of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon are even more worrisome when the Cameroonian authorities have given us adequate notice about their plan for the dam – I have not seen Nigeria’s Action Plan.

     In those writeups I spoke about the importance of planning, having a strategy, and importantly taking proactive actions to forestall, effectively contain, and significantly reduce the impacts of the onslaught of floods which is basically due to climate change on one hand, and also due to poor risk assessment and poor disaster mitigation and management practices on the other hand. We seem never to learn from past experiences. This is especially so, given what happened last year when the opening of the Lagdo Dam. unleashed floods that disconnected two major logistics and supply chain corridors from Northern to Southern Nigeria, and vice versa, i.e. from the River Niger route in Lokoja (western-middle-belt), and the River Benue route in Makurdi (western-middle-belt). Consequently, the impacts were deep and wide across Nigeria with direct impacts on not less than Seven States and indirect impacts on the economy of the entire country.

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    The major problem, in my view, is that we are very good at alerting and reporting about disasters in Nigeria with no action. We are a reactive nation, instead of being proactive. Having known that there is a report of disasters that have happened, and also, we have access to international and national projections, what lessons have we learned? And what Action Plan have we put in place since the 4th Quarter of last year as part of the 2024 national strategic plan and budget; to forestall and mitigate the annual recurring threat and also potential disasters? What is the plan? Where is the strategy? 

    Apart from warnings, alerts (which are not even loud enough), and telling people to move out of flood plains; Have we factored the potential dangers of floods for this year, especially the opening of the Lagdo Dam – vis-a-vis provision of security, safety nets, temporary shelter for victims, provision for relief materials, Medicare, logistics, communication, and information management systems, etc.? If so, where are the Action Plans (at Federal and State levels)? Because, by now NEMA in conjunction with the States, and relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) should have been communicating the Acton Plans to stakeholders, six (6) months ago (March this year) for cascade to Nigerians and residents in Nigeria. This is very important given that government agencies are aware that we have a recurring action plan by the Cameroonian authorities to avert disaster in their Country, by the annual opening of the Lagdo Dam. Do we have our own national Strategy and/ or Action Plan in Nigeria to control the consequences of crises that will ensue if and when the dam is opened? Have relevant MDAs developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to manage such an annual threat? Have they developed a protocol for “unexpected” disasters like the Alo Dam overflow? In which case, is there a “contingency” provision in the 2024 budget?

    As of this moment, we should have had a crisis/disaster management framework and system communicated to Nigerians starting from 6 months 2024, especially the potential areas of impact through the paper, electronic, online social media, local, town criers in villages, etc., repeatedly with contact points and guides for people in the case of the eventuality. This is a worrisome situation, because, the narrative I am hearing from government agencies like the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency, is that people should get out of the flood plains. There is no template that has created a clear pathway for individuals and families to prepare for and manage the situation, no Dos and Don’ts guidelines to guide people, etc. I am not hearing such communications at the national level from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Environment, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Orientation Agency (NAO), and other relevant government agencies. 

    Furthermore, it is worthy of note that President Bola Tinubu, recognizing the importance of climate change as a national and global challenge; has made climate change one of the key national priorities by appointing some persons to preside over some key national and international Climate Change portfolios with the latest of such appointments made by Mr. President a few weeks ago include; Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe as the Director-General/CEO of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), and Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Shelleng, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Climate Finance & Stakeholder Engagement- Office of the President. Therefore, it is time for those officials in conjunction with the relevant MDAs to fully activate their roles and start making impacts, with regard to the ongoing flood situation across Nigeria, especially, with the impending annual opening of the Lagdo Dam of Cameroun. 

    I use this opportunity to commiserate with the government and the good people and residents of Borno State for the tragedy of the overflow of Alo Dam, and for the loss of lives, properties, and livelihoods.  May Almighty Allah SWT Make things easy for all of us. Ameen, I commend the efforts of President Tinubu, Governor Zulum of Borno State, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and other well-meaning Nigerians for coming to support the people in Borno in this trying time. I also commiserate with all the people that are affected by floods across the States in Nigeria. Indeed, these are major setbacks for us as a nation.

     In addition to the Alo Dam overflow; floods in other states have swept away farms, markets, food reserves, and silos in parts of Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Niger, Bauchi, etc. With the subsisting food crisis, we are having in Nigeria, and the insecurity that has blocked many farmers from their farms; the floods will certainly further exacerbate the food insecurity in Nigeria.

     Way Forward – Recommendations

    I expect all the critical stakeholders to put their hands-on deck as a matter of national priority – It is better late than never!

    The Lagos State Example

    Lagos State has consistently been proactive in mitigating threats and risks such as flood; in terms of regulations, enforcement of regulations on building plans, construction of drainages, culverts, and other ways waterways, sensitization of citizens and residents, etc. Other States and Local Governments need to also be proactive in this regard.

    Key points to note on Action Planning

     1. The Federal Government should have declared the opening of Lagdo Dam as a Category-1 Threat, while the State Governments that are located on the flood pathway of Logda Dam should have declared a state of emergency on the topic with a disaster mitigation action plan, systems and resources allocation to deal with the issue. 

    2. Leaving the citizens and residents to the elements, and just telling them to do their parts is not good enough! Most of the doing should be done by the government (Federal and State) including the enlightenment campaigns unsung paper, electronic, and local media platforms

    3. Inter-States collaboration amongst the States that are along the flood pathway to ensure synergy in managing the crisis. Because this issue has to do with the security, safety, and economy of these States. The floods have the capacity to ground the supply chain and economy of the entire Country.

    4. Mitigation of health issues that will ensue due to water, air, and environmental pollution, especially at this time that Cholera and M-pox diseases are ravaging some Nigerian States. This is also a critical issue that requires inter-state and inter-agencies collaboration.

    5. Interagency collaboration, Policy coordination, infrastructure protection strategies, data management, security coordination, risk advisory, and strategic alliances in the management of disasters are critical.

    6. Creation of “Buffer Dams” can take overflowing water from major dams which can also create irrigation platforms for all-year-round farming, Dam-silting dams Clearing tributaries

    7.  Continuous environmental impact assessments and acting on issues that are flagged.

    I hope that the relevant MDAs and State governments will not sit on their hands until disasters happen, because we do not have the luxury of time, the situation is dire and the clock is ticking.

  • Abdul Samad Rabiu initiatives:$100 million interventions for Africa

    Abdul Samad Rabiu initiatives:$100 million interventions for Africa

    Two months ago (3rd July 2024), I wrote and lamented about the current brutal socio-economic situation in Nigeria which must be reversed immediately; in which I called out the leaders of Nigeria, especially northern leaders, demanding better leadership. By leaders, I am referring to political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, business leaders, and community leaders down to the parents at home.

    I spoke strongly about how northern Nigeria is moving backward and is hamstrung by debilitating socio-economic malaise due to the cyclical and abysmal failure of northern leaders and the need for a change in this ugly phenomenon. Otherwise, the future of northern Nigeria which is currently lagging behind across all socio-economic indices with over 70% of the over 130 million multidimensionally poor Nigerians (according to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics); will be doomed.

    Interestingly, it is at this crucial moment in the history of Nigeria; that I got the cheery news about an upcoming scholarship intervention for the youths of Nigeria, by Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR) Africa Initiative; with an initial take-off of 500 scholarships at the Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University (KHAIRUN), Kano – Nigeria.

    Consequently, I was so excited when I saw a video clip, advertising the scholarship initiative that I had to immediately call an acquaintance of mine, who is a cousin of Abdul Samad Rabiu to confirm if it is true, to which he confirmed in the affirmative. With over 13 million out-of-school children/ youths in Nigeria out of which almost 70% or more are from northern Nigeria, this is music to my ears! I am so delighted as I commend Alhaji Abdul Samad Isyaku Rabiu for this huge leap of service to Allah SWT.

    The scholarship program is part of wider national, continental, and global interventions by the Abdul Samar Rabiu (ASR) Africa Initiative, which cuts across three critical sectors, i.e. Education, Health, and Social development. You will agree with me that the three aforementioned sectors are critical success pillars for any society or nation. 

    The ASR Africa Initiative is the brainchild of an indigene of Kano State – Nigeria; a proud Nigerian, foremost industrialist, philanthropist, the second richest Nigerian, and one of the richest Africans in the world; Alhaji Abdul Samad Isyaku Rabiu CON, CFR, GCON. Abdul Samad is the Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, one of the biggest and most successful Nigerian conglomerates with interests and active businesses (manufacturing, infrastructure, and agriculture) across sub-Saharan Africa.

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    Abdul Samad Rabiu has set up the ASR Africa Initiative with an annual pledge of 100million US Dollars $100,000,000 (USD); with Nigeria to benefit 50 million US Dollars $50,000,000 annually, and the rest of Africa, $50,000,000 annually; in what is currently the largest private philanthropic giving of its kind by an individual in Africa. Indeed, this is a remarkable achievement for a man who always tries to give more to humanity.

    It is in line with the foregoing, that ASR Africa Initiative in partnership with Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University, Kano, Nigeria (KHAIRUN), is offering a “unique opportunity” of free scholarships to 500 students in northern Nigeria and across the nation. With these scholarships, students will get access to world-class university education, ensuring that students receive the best training for a productive future. This scholarship program, which will effectively commence next year, is open to students from all parts of Nigeria; giving them access to financial support, brilliant faculties, and world-class facilities and an environment for conducive learning.

    One of the key points to note is the premium that the scholarship puts on the girl-child education, with the scholarship’s target ratio of 60% female and 40% male. This, in my view, is a strategic move, going with the saying that “if you educate a girl you educate a society”.  This initiative is highly commendable, and I am sure that it will be a success and the impacts will be huge.

    Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University, Kano (KHAIRUN)

    KHAIRUN is the brainchild of the late Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu, the father of Abdul Samad Isyaku Rabiu.  Knowing that education is the bedrock of any sustainable and developing society, the late Khalifa, started building the school during his lifetime as part of his various humanitarian, religious, and philanthropic initiatives. Even though he could not finish the project during his lifetime, he set aside the funding for the completion of the University when he was alive, so that the project would be completed even after his death. Accordingly, the project was completed by Abdul Samad Rabiu after his death with the support of his siblings. Together, they ensured that they fulfilled the wishes of their father – A  feat that I find very remarkable indeed.

    Late Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu was a Kano indigene, a prominent Nigerian businessman, and an Islamic scholar who founded a major conglomerate – the Isyaku Rabiu & Sons Conglomerate in 1952, after initially starting as a UAC Agent. Isyaku Rabiu & Sons grew and diversified into manufacturing, insurance, banking real estate, etc.

    KHAIRUN got the license to operate as a University in 2022 and became operational in 2023. The University is currently in the second semester of its first year of operation.

    Interestingly, KHAIRUN was founded initially as a Qur’anic recitation school, after which the late Khalifa expanded his vision for the school to make it a University that would teach various Islamic and secular courses/ subjects across various disciplines for the development of humanity.

    Other Education interventions by Abdul Samad Rabiu

    It is worthy of note that the ASR Africa Initiative is not the first time or the only education intervention that Abdul Samad Isyaku Rabiu provides – much as he does not talk about them; which speaks volumes of his modesty, selflessness, and virtues. Indeed, Alhaji Abdul Samad has been providing thousands of scholarship interventions for decades cutting across various fields, and across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions (Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, etc.) within and outside of Nigeria.

     Abdul Samad inherited those virtues from his late father who did a lot of philanthropy during his lifetime. Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu left indelible marks of honor, kindness, humanness, fear of Allah SWT, and the love of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in ways and measures beyond human comprehension.

    Moreover, the passion for education did not start from the late Khalifa Insyaku Rabiu. Their passion for education started from the late Alhaji Abdul Samad’s paternal grandfather, late Mallam Muhammadu Rabiu Dan Tinki, who was an Islamic scholar from the Bichi Area of Bichi Local Government of Kano State – Nigeria, who led his own Quranic school. 

    I am the son of an educationist, myself. My mother (May Bless her soul) was a teacher, lecturer, and education administrator; from Primary school to Tertiary level during her lifetime until she retired, after which she continued providing education interventions in every way she could throughout her life. Therefore, I understand, value, and cherish people who dedicate their lives to educating people by teaching, funding, and supporting the entire education value chain. It is, therefore, by default that I keyed into the ASR Initiatives with such vigor

    Some Key Points to note about the state education, especially in northern Nigeria

     According to the National Bureau of Statistics of Nigeria, in 2017; Yobe had the lowest literacy level of 7.23%, Zamfara 19.16%, Katsina 10.36 % and Sokoto 15.0 %. Southern states were far better with Imo the highest with 96.43%, Lagos 96.3%, Ekiti 95.79 %, and Rivers 95.76%. There has been little progress since then. 

    In fact, things have gotten worse. According to UNICEF, about 1/3 (one-third) of primary school-age children drop out before reaching Junior Secondary School, says UNICEF, and the majority are female children from the Northern states.  The number of out-of-school children and youths from primary to secondary and tertiary institutions has significantly increased due to increased multi-dimensional poverty, insecurity, kidnapping, child marriage, religious extremism, and other forms of strife. In some cases, there is a need for more awareness for the citizens who still do not send their wards to school in towns and villages and lack of political will and corruption on the part of governments at federal and State levels to do the needful that will improve the quantity and quality of education in Nigeria. 

    A Call to Action

    To our northern political leaders; Where are the visions? What are the priorities? What are the values? I hope that you will emulate the virtues of Nigerians like Abdul Samad Isyaku Rabiu and indeed his father Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu and his grandfather late Mallam Rabiu …… May Allah SWT Continue to repose their souls in Aljannatul Firsdau. Ameen.

    I close by saying; “Thank you and Well-done Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu. You are indeed a model of good leadership, selflessness, and good virtues. May Allah SWT Reward you. Ameen.

  • U.S. 2024 Presidential Election (2)

    U.S. 2024 Presidential Election (2)

    On 9th February 2024, I wrote Part 1 of the topic on my reflection today. In that episode, I reflected on some of the mechanics and dynamics of the political landscape in the United States of America (US, or USA) building up to the 2024 Presidential elections. Today, I will further my analysis of the political permutations and combinations with the attendant potential outcome of the elections.

    THE USA GOING THROUGH A PHASE OF POLITICAL METAMORPHOSIS?

    One of the points I made in the 9th February episode of this Column was that, in my view; the USA is undergoing a phase of political metamorphosis with both the Republican and Democratic political parties undergoing sublime internal ideological restructuring which will ultimately impact the mid to long-term political outlook of the Country. 

    Indeed, it turns out that my postulation is becoming true; as President Joe Biden bowed to pressure and stepped down while endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s Presidential nominee. This is due to the fact that a lot of us, including members of the Democratic party, were raising concerns with the Democrats that President Joe Biden was not a strong contender despite his power of incumbency; due to the obvious and worsening state of health and some strategic policy missteps. Therefore, President Biden’s stepping aside from contesting and nomination of Kamala as the Democratic party’s nominee is a deft and strategic move. The move has caused a major political upset in the political history of the USA, especially when it only happened after the Republican Presidential candidate and former President, Donald Trump had crafted his strategy and picked Senator JD Vance, as his Vice Presidential candidate, and Mr. Trump and his supporters in the Republican Party were already having a field day, due to the galloping polls that were in his favor – no thanks to President Biden’s gaffes, slips, and mental breakdowns which culminated in the debate he had with Trump in about two months ago in Atlanta Georgia; where a clearly incoherent candidate Biden failed to impress even his most devoted supporters within and outside the US. 

    I must say that the Atlanta debate was the tipping point for the Democratic party power brokers like former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, The Clintons, and then subsequently the Obamas as they were able to influence President Biden to do the right thing, i.e. to give up his second term aspiration in the interest of the Democratic party’s stability and a better chance to win the elections. By finally taking that step, because it was completely up to him to push on and fail, I give kudos to President Biden for being a leader. More importantly, he didn’t go without landing a last punch on Donald Trump with his nomination of VP Kamala Harris – This I consider a “sucker punch”! This is because Donald Trump’s political calculus was based on Biden running – pure and simple, and he crafted his strategy including the choice of his VP candidate, the punch line, and the communication strategy including advertisements based on that seemingly settled reality! Mr. Biden demonstrated political sagacity with the deft move at the instance of his Party’s power brokers.

    Vice President Kamala Harris’s emergence as the Democratic party’s presidential candidate and the huge acceptance and the “Wow” effect it is having on the Democrats and even Republicans-who were taken aback by the development, has already set candidate Kamala Harris on a good campaign start and building critical momentum with the huge potential of becoming the first female President of the United States of America. The democratic party is now unified, and the cracks of doubts and frustrations that initially started forming due to Biden’s candidacy have disappeared. This is important for the Democrats – Unity of purpose is key! The US public, especially the undecided voters, is now looking at a new scenario with keen interest because, like her or not, Kamala Harris presents some kind of freshness albeit with some legacy issues of her own and those of President Biden’s administration which she cannot extricate herself from. 

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    The nomination of Kamala Harris has sent Donald Trump’s camp into a frenzy, with Donald Trump escalating his verbal abuses and attacks, speaking outright lies, misinformation, and disinformation, and throwing tantrums which in my view will not really help his campaign. In my opinion, for Mr. Trump to make tangible progress in his campaign, he should focus on the issues. Indeed, nobody can wish away the importance and influence of Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement in current American politics. Donald Trump has become a phenomenon (good or bad) that cannot be ignored or waved away. But his behavior is eroding his opportunities. Therefore, I think candidate Donald Trump and his campaign team need to focus on the issues especially as the campaign becomes hotter with the debates coming up. Donald Trump needs to focus on the Homeland and Foreign policies missteps of President Biden, which Kamala Harris is part of.

    FOCUS ON THE ISSUES, POLICIES, AND SUBSTANCE WILL WIN THE RACE

    Focusing on facts and figures and not fiction and linking them to Kamala Harris as part of the Biden administration will help Donald Trump’s campaign and not the verbose onslaughts on what I call micro or non-issues, sentimentalities, or personalization of issues. 

    For Kamala Harris, the momentum is good, the acceptance is growing, but the game is just starting. She should not rest on her oars and take this initial momentum for granted and her campaign team should not for a moment be complacent but actually brace for one of the most toxic and tough campaigns – even tougher than that of Biden versus Trump. The days ahead will be crucial. The messaging should be based on substance, character, and values. Moving forward, much as Kamala is part of Biden’s administration, she should demonstrate independence of opinion without disparaging the Biden administration that she is part of. She should show that she can creatively and strategically, have a better value-proposition to Americans than what President Biden offered or what he is currently doing. For example, with regards to the Israel-Palestine war in Gaza, and other global geopolitics. I do not expect many ideological changes in Kamala’s strategic and policy messaging.

    Essentially, the win will not come to Vice President Harris on a platter. It will be a neck-to-neck campaign and elections. Therefore, complacency should not be contemplated by Kamala Harris and her team. They know better than I do, that Donald Trump is tough, popular, and relentless with high electoral value, based on a support base that believes that the establishment is against him and therefore they see him as a victim of the establishment and their MAGA hero – that is a powerful combination in favor of Trump. 

    Being practical and pragmatic on the issues that concern Americans will be key. The days ahead will be very interesting as this keen contest unravels. Americans and the world in general, will be watching out for the ultimate outcome of the elections. This is especially true with the fear-mongering and gaslighting by candidate Donald Trump, stating that should he not win, there could be a crisis. He is already reeling out the same election malpractice narrative from the 2020 elections.

    Conservative Republicans like Representative Liz Cheney, who openly stated that they would vote for Kamala Harris are a very important value addition to Kama Harris’s campaign and speaks volumes of the momentum of her campaign. So definitely there will be protest votes from the camp of the Republicans. However, much as these protest votes will add value to the optics and campaign of Kamala Harris, those votes will not tip the scale, albeit the votes will go a long way to muster more support for Kamala.

    Gun violence, rising racism and race-related violence, hate speeches promoted directly by Trump and surreptitiously by Biden (in support of the onslaught on the Palestinians), etc. will be some of the issues that the candidates will be addressing.

    WHAT IS IN IT FOR AFRICA?

    In my view, when it comes to Africa, I don’t expect much from the outcome of the US elections. Whoever becomes the President of the United States of America, whether it is Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, THE US agenda for Africa will pretty much remain the same- nothing much of substance for us. The US and the Western powers will continue to feather their nests at the expense of Africa and Africa. Therefore, my interest is from the global geopolitical point of view. When it comes to Africa or Nigeria, I do not expect significant positive changes.

     Of course, it also speaks volumes with regard to the fact that “Africa is on its own”. We, the people of Africa in general and Nigeria in particular need to do the needful to come out of our political, and socio-economic doldrums. That being said, when the dynamics are escalated with global socio-economic impacts, for example, what is happening in Sudan, where the US and Russia are majorly he unseen hands; then we should take note with regard to the political dynamism of the emergence of the next President of the United States of America, so that we can strategize, plan, hedge and position for better survival, growth and sustainable development.

  • Re: Seizure of Presidential jets

    Re: Seizure of Presidential jets

    Today, I will reflect on the recent Chinese takeover of Nigerian aircrafts in France and Canada as part of the ongoing imbroglio between Ogun State and a Chinese Company Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited/ Zhongfu International Investment FXE).  This debacle has become somewhat of an international embarrassment for Nigeria, and I hope that the issue will be addressed as quickly as possible to prevent negative impact on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to bring in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) as a means of economic recovery and growth.

    In analyzing this topic, I wish to lean on my credentials a strategist, global investment expert, special economic zones expert and, the first substantive MD/CEO of arguably the first airport free trade zone (FTZ) in Nigeria. Additionally, I am also a member of the World Free Trade Zone Organization (WZO), so, we have access to get additional information including for government to take note that the Chinese company is going after other Nigerian assets in other jurisdictions.

    About two months ago, the Honorable Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite; during her 1-year performance review, stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had secured over $30Billion Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) commitments within 1 year of his administration. It is worthy of note that the ongoing saga between Nigeria and the Chinese Company will discourage prospective investors to Nigeria and if not properly addressed, could undermine the FDI efforts of President Tinubu’s administration, and also he efforts of the private sector businesses that have secured or are trying to secure foreign investments. The Dangote debacle and this Chinese Company saga will raise questions and red flags by investors and even Countries from a risk perspective. This is will also impact the negotiations positioning of Nigeria and Nigerians when engaging investors due to such actions by governments at subnational or even actions of some government officials at federal level. The risks will be escalated with regard to goodwill, also with regard to the position of Nigeria in global investment trade climates

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    So, my call is that Governments at Federal and especially at State levels should be circumspect when going into international agreements, transactions and other engagements, lest their actions or inactions will put the entire country in serious socio-economic jeopardies with dire consequences. A classic example is this case whereby the actions of a State Government many years ago with a Chinese Company, not even the Chinese Government, has led to the seizure of the assets of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not even the assets of the State Government. Therefore, it is very important that governments contemplate the domestic and international ramifications of their decisions and act accordingly.

    Another key point to note, is the way we react when such an international incident occurs. He federal government should have a crisis management protocol that will respond to such a situation. For example, when the Chinese Company seized of the aircrafts in France, there were discordant voices by government officials including Ministers which gave the impression that there was no inter-agency collaboration between MDAs at federal level and also between Ogun State Government and Federal Government. I advise that when such incidents occur, there should be a crisis management or “damage control” protocol in place to ensure that there is clearing house with regards to communication. There should be a coordinated response in such ways and manners that Nigeria puts its best foot forward; and a template to ensure that as a government we put a good face out there and speak with a unified position and voice that will give us a better standing in the face of the committees of nations. This is very important in foreign relations as it is in international investment, trade, etc.

    With regards to Free Trade Zones operations and management, I do not know how the former Governor was able to sign-off the license or revoke such a special economic zones project without the input of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), which is the only government agency that has the powers to manage, administer and discipline Free Trade Zones in Nigeria – with due recourse to the provisions of the NEPZA Act 1992 and the NEPZA Operational Guidelines and regulations. For example, Section 1 sub section 1, of the NEPZA Act gives the authority to assign and declare free trade zones anywhere in Nigeria, only to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. By extension, it is NEPZA (with due recourse to the Honorable Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade), that can revoke Free Trade Zone licenses based on established processes and procedures. 

    In addition, another very important issue that may have put us in a bad position is the lack of diligent litigation by the lawyers that have been representing Nigeria during the arbitrations at the United Kingdom (UK) and at the United States of America. We are aware that there were 2 instances (or even more) when the arbitration process was ongoing in the UK and USA Nigeria’s lawyers were not in the Court. This sloppiness certainly worsened our case, further placed us in a bad position and certainly impacted the outcome against Nigeria, because this shows lack of seriousness and lack of respect to the arbitration process.

    Indeed, this is a very sad and embarrassing situation that we found ourselves as a Country. In my view, this is another avoidable situation that was created based on what so far looks very much like an avoidable situation. When some of us spoke to a similar issue some years ago, we ran into issues because people do not want to hear the truth and those truths that we were talking about 5 to 6 years ago are manifesting in the case of Ogun State. I seize this opportunity, to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to re-evaluate all our special economic zones agreements where Nigeria (at Federal and State levels) have agreements with international investors, not just the Chinese.

    In the case of this particular issue where a State government’s action has backfired on the assets of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; I listen and before things blew up, some of us have been keenly following the developments for the past 10years, because within the international circle of special economic zones, conversations on thus case have been ongoing. The truth is that we sat on our hands for about 10 when this issue was snowballing into a combustible issue that blew upon on our faces as a nation. The point is that there is a subsisting agreement and what makes this case a bit different, is that it is backed up by an agreement that is leaning on a bilateral agreement between Nigeria and China that was signed-up in 2001; with ProVisors that are germane and worth noting by all stakeholders for compliance. With all due respect to the former Governor of Ogun State, his excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, he confessed to have made a mistake and that mistake in my opinion was avoidable. That singular act is what cost us this international embarrassment whereby the Presidential jets of Nigeria were seized by a Company, not even a Country, and the Company is clamping down on other Nigerian assets globally.

    The argument about two Chinese Companies quarreling about being the authentic Company to be part of the agreement with Ogun State was completely uncalled for. How come we did not undertake due diligence ab initio – before the then Governor Amosun signed off, not just Ogun State assets but the territorial integrity of Nigeria and the assets of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? Due diligence is common-sensical to say the least and that could have most likely, saved us all that is happening now. This kind of behavior, especially by political leaders is becoming a corporate culture in Nigeria. Because there are two layers of engagement, the first thing to do was to go through the details of the agreements between Ogun State and the Chinese Company and also the Bilateral agreement between Nigeria and China. In addition, there should have been critical stakeholders’ engagement.

    With regards to some people that are saying that Federal or State Governments could also revoke agreements with foreign or even local partners, I say to them, “you can’t just “yank off” agreements with foreign partners without properly following due process the rules of engagements”; because doing so would lead to adverse consequences. Just because we get away with doing things anyhow in Nigeria does not mean that we can get away by behaving anyhow in the international arena. Let me remind us that in international agreements and even here in Nigeria that parties to agreements are bound by the agreements. Importantly, we are bound by the rules of engagements. For instance, there is always a “penalty clause and also there is also the “exit clause” provisions in the agreements which if not complied with will lead to consequences of breaches of agreement.

    I do not support the seizure of our national assets, but I believe that part of the problem is that we go into such engagements without any strategy. Anything without strategy will fail. We are dealing with the Chinese or any serious Country that will come to the table with a masterplan and strategy to ensure that they protect their investments, why didn’t we as Nigeria do the same? And if we did what are the safeguards and the leverages, why haven’t we used them to avoid the current logjam?

    I hope that this saga will guide the thinking ad actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so that a strategy, policies and systems will be out in place to prevent the re-occurrence of such avoidable situations which will certainly hamper development.

  • My take on The Patriots’ proposal

    My take on The Patriots’ proposal

    About two weeks ago, a group of some eminent Nigerians – the Patriots, led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, a former Commonwealth Secretary-General; met President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and made a germane proposal regarding the need to overhaul the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended; as part of the much needed political, structural and system reform for a better, more united and progressive Nigeria. The Patriots have taken the initiative to catalyze the very important conversation that has been in the front burner for a very long time, albeit the political will to deliver a concrete process and implementation, has been lacking. Therefore, I commend the Patriots for coming forward to present the proposal to President Bola Tinubu.

    I am also happy with the feedback that Mr. President gave the Patriots. Because the topic is very important to Mr. President as he stated in his remark to the Patriots. Indeed, the topic aligns with Mr. President Tinubu’s political philosophy and advocacies in his long-standing political journey. President Tinubu has been an advocate of true federalism, which in my view, we cannot achieve unless the 1999 Constitution is completely overhauled. The ongoing “peace-meal” amendment of the constitution will not address the key yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. The yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians vis-à-vis; devolution of powers, genuine unity in diversity, cost of governance, fight against corruption, having the ideal political system and structure, and other fundamental issues like adherence and compliance with the constitution will only be addressed if we follow the right process and overhaul the 1999 constitution.

    Accordingly, I add my voice to the call for the review of the constitution. My feedback to those who are expressing pessimism with regard to the ongoing conversation is that I do not see anything wrong with a group of eminent Nigerians going to Mr. President to engage him constructively on matters of national unity and progress. The Patriots are not criticizing, or agitating; they are a group of respectable Nigerians that submitted a proposal to Mr. President as contributing to our collective good as a nation, which Mr. President graciously accepted and gave positive and appreciative feedback, which I consider is encouraging feedback to Nigerians. Therefore, I don’t think that the hue and cry is necessary.

    However, I agree with Mr. President that there are pressing socio-economic issues that are to be focused on and addressed as high-level priorities. That being said and noted, it will be good to include the overhaul of the Constitution as part of the overarching strategy of President Tinubu’s administration such that it could be a mid-to-long-term strategic objective in the Roadmap of this administration.

    Moreover, the discordant voices from amongst the Patriots are also, in my opinion, good for our polity. What is important is that from all the discussions going on this matter, it is very clear that there is a need to critically examine the Constitution. If we truly love Nigeria, then we should agree that the overhaul of our constitution is a critical success factor to the progress and development of Nigeria.

    It is worthy of note, that the issue of the proper view of the constitution is so important that, unless we are determined and come up with the right and creative process to achieve success, members of the National Assembly as currently constituted, that are beneficiaries of the defects of the subsisting constitution, may likely not be keen for an overhaul of our political structure and system that could impact on their current status-quo.  Even if it is for face value, all Nigerians should have a sense of belonging because it is true that there are Nigerians who currently do not have a sense of belonging in Nigeria due to the nature of the subsisting constitution. I also believe that excellence is a process, as we can see that the bastions of democracy like the United States of America, Canada, etc. had to undertake a critical review of their constitutions. Therefore, it will be good for us to undertake this very important exercise at this stage of our political evolution; after all, this constitution was not promulgated by a fully democratic process, and we have been using it for the past 25 years, while the defects are manifesting with negative impacts on our polity. The overhaul of the constitution will result in more unity of ownership amongst Nigerians, a better and more holistic and genuine sense of ownership, and an alignment of core values.

    I also believe that full implementation and compliance with the letters and spirit of the Constitution are crucial to the achievement of the objectives behind the contents of the Constitution. This is because even though the 1999 Constitution may have some shortcomings; I also believe that it is not such a bad constitution if the political, judicial, regulatory, and law enforcement leaders and their teams implement and comply fully with the constitution. Therefore, if we do not address the issue of implementation and compliance, then any amendment or overhaul of the 1999 constitution will be useless. Unless we address the issues of mindset and character, there will be no effective and efficient implementation of the Constitution, as we currently cherry-pick what we comply with in the Constitution. So, I also advocate that we undertake a review of the Constitution in ways and manners, that will ensure compliance and execution of the provision of the Constitution, moving forward.

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    Furthermore, the references made by the Patriots to Canada, Bosnia Herzegovina, India, etc as case studies are relevant to our situation. I am happy that real-life scenarios are used to make a case for such a critical national political structural reform. We need to learn from history, we also need to learn from success stories. We MUST move away from the “cut and paste” adoption of structures, strategies, policies, and systems; we should formulate and domesticate a democracy and political system that will suit our diversity, peculiarities and economic makeup. For example, there is growing consensus that the current Presidential system we operate with a bi-cameral parliament is not suitable for Nigeria in terms of effectiveness, cost, efficiency, socio-economic realities, etc.

    My call to the elite of Nigeria

    It is based on the aforementioned developments that, with profound respect, I find it necessary to speak to all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly the elites, on the importance of citizens’ participation in our political process as a crucial value-addition to the enactment of sound, far-reaching, and impactful amendments of the Nigerian constitution that will further unify Nigeria and ensure the delivery of good governance. 

    By “elites”, I mean the middle-class citizens, who are mostly educated, gainfully employed, and part of the governance and leadership structure of Nigeria in the Civil Service, Public Service, and Private sector. We are mostly employees or employers of labor as professionals, businessmen/women, entrepreneurs, academics, craftsmen, etc.

    We, the elites have been failing the masses of this Country by not really taking tangible actions that add value to our political processes. We mainly engage in “armchair “criticisms and cynicisms. The question is what are the contributions and sacrifices we are making to better the political process? It is not good enough to just lament and pontificate. What solutions are we offering and how are we part of the solutions? Only when things affect our relatively comfortable lives do we try to gaslight the situation and make it look as if “we are all in it together” with the poor citizens? That is one of the things that I call the “hypocrisy of our expectations”.

    However, in my opinion, good governance is not just about waiting for politicians to do as they wish while we lament about how things have been getting worse in the past 25 years since the return of Nigeria to democracy, but good governance is a process that includes citizens making demand and actually setting the parameters, standards of the kind of leadership their want and the accountability and performance framework based on which they will measure their leaders at all levels and hold them accountable. The elites of this country have been serially and unfairly undeserving of the political evolution of Nigeria by not being actively part of the political process. We mainly engage in “armchair “criticisms and cynicisms. The question is what are the contributions and sacrifices we are making to better the political process? It is not good enough to just lament and pontificate. What solutions are we offering and how are we part of the solutions? We should also note that not participating in the political process is also a vote of confidence on the status quo. And if we don’t participate, then we lose the moral ground to challenge and hold our leaders accountable because we would have a really failed ab initio in our roles as citizens.

     In closing, I hope that President Tinubu, at the right time, will seize the moment, to achieve the overhaul of the 1999 constituent and other critical political reforms during his tenure. I urge that all Nigerians should have constructive and civilized conversations and at the right time make the right contributions to achieving an inclusive, generally acceptable and sustainable constitution.

     God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Crucial points to note on the protests

    Crucial points to note on the protests

    The protests against rising cost of living which started 8 days ago is wading out, and normalcy is returning to most states across Nigeria. Therefore, I wish to take stock of the protests and note some learning points going forward as we evolve as a polity in Nigeria.

    While there is a growing number of complaints and lamentations regarding the rising cost of living in Nigeria, opposition political parties and figures use the opportunity to score political points. As a patriot, mine is to be a sounding board devoid of political connotation for our leaders at all strata.

    In my opinion, the volume and reach of the complaints is beyond opposition parties ranting. This point is so important so that the leadership of this Country will not play into the hands of the 5th columnists, and opposition political parties. I advise that government should objectively, compassionately, and practically address the issues of the rising cases of hunger and poverty with a view to proactively and constructively engaging Nigerians. Because the important people are the innocent and good citizens of this Country. I will maintain a moderate stance to say that, going forward, government should be more proactive and in curtailing deteriorating situations in line with the genuine agitations of Nigerians. To this extent, two critical stakeholders should play key roles, i.e., the State governments and the National Assembly. We have 469 legislators at the National Assembly that are direct representatives of various constituents covering the entire 774 local governments across Nigeria. We have 36 State Executive Governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory that are saddled with the mandates delivering good governance at sub nationals. Therefore, I humbly suggest that we should be continually, and proactively speaking directly to Nigerians with empathy on what Nigerians are going through and the activities of governments and impacts that have been made thus far. Indeed, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been consistently providing interventions to all the states and FCT to the tune of about N1Trillion in the past 1 year since he resumed as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is in addition to the fact that in the past year the FAAC has shared about N1Trillion with states collecting about triple what they were receiving in the past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, which is due to the removal of fuel subsidy. I dare say most of the interventions to contain the exacerbating cost of living crisis have been by Mr. President from the federal level, with about 3 critical interventions within spaces on months.

    Accordingly, I expect the handlers of Mr. President to articulate the impacts of such interventions in ways and manners that will clearly show the level of efforts that have been put while highlighting tangible outcomes and impacts. The State governors also need to do same, especially for State Governors that have been doing so much for their people.

    However, I urge that in speaking to the citizens, leaders or their representatives should speak with respect and empathy, and to speak with the consciousness and demonstration of the understanding that they actually know what people are going through. Not all the people that complain are against the governments (at federal and state levels). A large section of the people complaining are also people that voted for and support President Tinubu or the Governors at State levels. So let us not make the mistake of speaking in a ways and manners that suggest that anybody that complains of hardship in Nigeria is against the government. This is will set government in a negative perception trajectory which will not augur well for the much needed confidence and trust of citizens. It is important to take honest feedbacks of citizens and process them for better performance of government. Engagements by governments should also be strategic and impactful.

    Furthermore, in my opinion, the decision by the House of Representatives to donate 50% of their monthly salaries for 6 months is not good enough. If any legislator wants to make such sacrifice, he/ she should take the money and share directly to their constituents. It is disingenuous to ask that deductions be made from their salaries. They can share whatever that want to sacrifice directly with their constituents as their own efforts to provide succor for their people. More importantly they should also be regularly and consistently engaging their constituents directly, speaking to them on their legislative efforts and the impacts on their communities. They should also continually take feedbacks and act accordingly.

    In addition, I call for all hands on deck at this crucial moment in Nigeria. I expect that in the coming weeks people at position of power and governance from the presidency down to the local government level; will demonstrate compassion and empathy in the way they and their families speak and the way they behave, so that citizens will feel that the leaders are also with them during these trying times. I dare say that there some officials of this administration at federal and state levels that are not helping their leadership by their behaviors at events like weddings, etc, by display of wanton affluence and luxury in the midst of hunger, abject poverty, strife and insecurity. There is need for immediate change of such callous, insensitive and irresponsible behaviors which actually undermine the efforts of President Tinubu’s mission of delivering good governance. There is the need for display of maturity and decorum by senior government officials in the executive and legislative arms of government. I also expect display of high sense of respect and decorum in the utterances of political leaders and their staff. There is also the need for circumspection in strategic communications. Let us not forget that over 130 million of Nigerians are multi-dimensionally poor. So it is important that the narrative of government functionaries should be clear and their behaviors should align with the narrative of Mr. President. Because unless the behavior of government officials aligns with the narrative and policies of Mr. President, the citizens will not trust the government and therefore will continue to be agitated. When we tell citizens to continue to be patient, then government officials and political leaders should also demonstrate prudence, be frugal and respectful to citizens. 

    I am speaking with all sense of humility and responsibility as some of us will continue to speak the truth to power, not out of disrespect or hatred for government, but because it is in loving the government or our Country that we speak the truth. It is on record that efforts are being put in place by government but the key questions are how impactful have been the efforts? Indeed, the socio-economic challenges we are facing in Nigeria is also as a result of ongoing global economic challenges. Suffice it to say that bad governance by previous successive administrations further complicated our situation in Nigeria. Indeed, things should be better.

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    Moreover, my words of caution, coming out of the planned protests is that government should be proactive, practical and pragmatic in dealing with our socio-economic challenges. I worry when political leadership blame all agitations and uprisings to the machinations of opposition parties or  5th columnists. The danger is the risk of bottling up genuine frustrations that may result is building desperations that could lead to combustible “unplanned” protests that may be incontrollable with disastrous consequences for the leaders and citizens. We should reflect and draw lessons from what triggered the first and second Arab spring, the downfall of President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan, the Sri Lanka incidence of 2022, the Kenya episode is which still fragile. And as if that is not enough, just 2 days ago the President of Bangladesh had to resign and escape out of the Country with the collapse of her administration and the entire parliament. I am making reference to those scenarios to serve as wake-up call to the possibility of what we do not wish to happen if we do not do the needful as at when we should.

    Meanwhile, it is worthy of note that the outcome of violent protest will always leave behind horror that take years or decades to overcome. The deaths, injuries, destruction of critical infrastructure, loss of properties, life-long trauma, and destruction of social structure and system, are better imagined. Be that as it is; it is very important to note and process the fact that it is difficult to control the thinking of a man or woman whose child/ children have not eaten for days. Or the state of mind of man or woman whose family member is in critical health condition with no financial capacity or facility to cater for the loved one(s), as they watch them die, while the government officials that tell them to be patient are throwing parties and publically showering their family members of expensive lavish gifts.

    Emotional intelligence by top government functionaries will be a critical success factor for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, because emotional intelligence will enable situational awareness and result-oriented strategy, policy formulation and implementation.

    I hope that, the reality of the state of mind of our people vis-à-vis the brutal socio-economic situation of Nigeria will not be lost in government’s fixation on the machinations of 5th columnists, cynics, and opposition parties and figures.