The Nation Newspaper

Category: Round Table

  • The intellectual complex…

    The intellectual complex…

    The former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji recently resigned his appointment amidst the alleged certificates’ forgeries. He is alleged to have forged both a degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate. While he claims to be stepping aside to give room for judicial processes, it is apposite to dig into reasons why the few cases of certificate forgeries in public service persists. With the return of democracy in 1999, the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari  was discovered to have claimed to have graduated from the University of Toronto and altered his age to qualify for the constitutional age to be a house member.

    He was subsequently prosecuted and convicted. He was later pardoned by the late Buhari administration and even honoured with being a Chancellor of a University. Many are still scratching their heads for the reasons behind such actions. A former minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun was equally discovered to have submitted a fake NYSC exemption later and she subsequently resigned.

    There have been outrage across the country about this recent alleged scandal involving Chief Nnaji. On his part, he struggled after the media exposure to communicate with the public. His so called PR consultants seem to have made matters worse by declaring that their principal was a victim of political blackmail. Whether their arguments helped their principal in any way remains to be seen as events unfold.

    Nigeria is a developing country. There would always be pitfalls and challenges but efforts must be made by the citizens and the institutions to reduce to the barest minimum instances that derail development.  There must be a decision by the people to change certain socio-cultural fixations. The lust for titles, certificates and all forms of tags must be addressed. It is good to achieve certain academic or traditional goals but they must be earned as in the days of yore. There must be a return to the era where integrity, meticulousness and hard work matter.

    Why do humans, including Nigerians try to access certain positions and qualifications they have done little or nothing to achieve? Why do people pursue titles even when they have not earned them legitimately? Why do people take short cuts to academic qualifications, why do people pay money to be given traditional or religious titles in some instances? How do these all impact development?

    The Roundtable Conversation sought the views of one of Nigeria’s most accomplished actors who is as cerebral as she is a woman of many accomplishments in many fields; journalism, cosmetology, TV  and photography. She is popularly referred to as the matriarch of the Nigerian very vibrant film industry. According to her, at 84, she has seen a bit of the Nigerian socio-cultural and political metamorphosis to understand why.

    She says that Nigeria is a beautiful and highly gifted country but the humans have to decide how the country develops or sinks. Addressing the issues of certificate forgeries generally and other forms of examination malpractices, she feels the people must have a deep introspection. She points out that intellectual bankruptcy is reason some people belief they need certain tags or titles to be recognized. Logically, when you do well, when integrity matters to you, your output both on a personal and professional level gives you the requisite recognition, influence and power.

    “I am simply Taiwo Ajai-Lycett”. This she says means that no tag precedes or follows her name but that does not diminish her status or achievements in the fields she had ventured into all her life. “My simple name is my passport to anywhere in the world.  What this means is that when you want a certain status of power and influence, you work hard for it. I have worked hard and I have earned my flowers without having to forge any certificates”.

    She believes that people must decide what parts to choose on their way to achieving fame and fortune. The idea that some parents and other adults get involved in exam malpractices on behalf of their children or even for themselves is very telling of the lack of intellectual depth and altruistic aspirations. There is a growing incident of anti-intellectualism and this is affecting both the political and socio-economic lives of the nation. There is an increasing pursuit of status and power in different forms, political, social and even religious. These powers when acquired even if falsely elevates the humans involved and when the society refuses to hold the guilty accountable, it often spirals out of control. The logical sequence of events used to be that people struggle to be of impeccable moral character as that attracted respect and reverence in some cases. Today, the values seems to have changed and there seems to be a certain ‘fast-foodlike’ attitude to getting ahead in life in ways that points to, ‘the end justifies the means’ social mantra.

    She recalls that in the past, intellectualism was admired and that does not mean it comes only through academic achievements. Intellectualism in its purest sense is devotion to the exercise of intellect which comes from well-thought out processes of ideas, knowledge and information. So the fact that some people feel that they can have short-cuts to real success is what feeds the hunger to try to skip due process either academically or socially in the case of those who use money to influence titles or positions of authority and influence in the society.

    The society must begin to purge itself of honouring misfits. This is why people love to acquire titles and cheat their ways to positions they won’t ordinarily be given. There is a local saying that ‘a good name is better than silver and gold’. No one ever said that a good title or position is anything to be proud of. So according to Ajai-Lycett, the craving to be addressed as; Excellency, Honourable, Distinguished, Professor, Dr. and other appellations seems to be at the root of people seeking validation and power.

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    She says that each society through the values they espouse often impacts on the kind of development that becomes achievable.  The idea of exaggerated self-importance with little cerebral content might work against development. The fact that certain values have been eroded would continue to fuel deviations from the right parts. A Chief Nnaji, if the allegations are true must have gone that route because he wanted the power the position he was nominated for brings. He must have believed that he is in a system where due diligence is lacking and might have gotten away with his alleged forgeries.

    The system must have a re-orientation and the society must get back to the values that empowers societies. There is no perfection anywhere but positions of influence must not be for people without the intellectual pride to engage in the rigorous but rewarding route of knowledge acquisition, sharing and productivity.

    Dame Ajai-Lycett advised that though the media is trying in the development of the country being the 4th estate of the realm, care must be taken not to allow certain PR communicators to continue to present themselves as media professionals. She insists that they are at best commercial communicators who work with the media to project either the products or services of their clients. The media is responsible to the people and help in deepening the works of the executive, legislature and the judiciary.

    Public Relations practitioners must not be allowed to bastardize the value and work of the core media. The fact that they project their clients through the media does not make them media practitioners in the sense they often project themselves. She feels that it’s curious that when some of these scandals break, some PR consultants in defending their clients often posture as media practitioners which is misleading. The hallmark of journalism is objectivity, PR consultants are often very subjective.

    This alleged scandal is an indictment on the system generally. How did a whole Senate of Nigeria not scrutinize documents submitted by a ministerial nominee? The alleged discrepancies on the certificates were too obvious that the senators ought to have identified and pointed them out. The litany of screenings and confirmations by the senate since 1999 ought to have produced better developmental results if patriotism were on the cards. This alleged scandal is an indictment on the senate and other government agencies that had a hand in clearing the ex-minister. There must be more diligence in the ways things are done because everyone becomes the casualty when incompetence comes from public servants.

    In this case, if a nominee cannot be truthful with his qualifications and NYSC requirements, how sincerely can he serve the people of Nigeria? Again, there are suggestions that the constitution must be amended to upgrade the requirements for accessing public service. In many developed nations, the public service is the exclusive of many of the best qualified in character and learning. The value comes with the productivity of people who have lived lives o diligence and integrity. We must make a choice.

    •The dialogue continues…

  • 2027: Party/Governors’ Report Cards

    2027: Party/Governors’ Report Cards

    Nigeria is the most populous black nation on earth whose political economy cannot be ignored in the global stage. The human and material resources of the country form the pillars of the country’s strength. However, it does seem that the country’s greatest asset, its human resources has not been optimally developed in ways that can catapult the country to its greatest productivity levels. Much needs to be done on major sectors like, agriculture, education, infrastructure and health.

    Developing the human capital of any nation requires grit, vision and focus. As a democracy, progress has been made especially with the return of democracy in 1999 but much still needs to be achieved. The level of development in the country still needs a greater and more daring attention to all the variables of development. There has to be a deeper reorientation and introspection by  the political elite. The exaggerated celebration of democracy becomes a farce the moment the people are handed the short end of the stick through policy misdirection, inconsistencies including the absence of viable socio-economic policies.

    The Nigerian democracy seems to have been modeled after that of the United States of America. However the political elite seems to merely choose the politically expedient democratic structures that have weakened the Nigerian brand. To start with, the political parties in Nigeria lack any ideological base. This makes it almost dysfunctional as there seems to be no ideological anchors that unite any group of politicians that decide, even if momentarily to come together for the purposes of winning elections.

    The political parties lack a certain form of cohesiveness and administrative accountability that empowers political parties to hold members accountable. The tiers of government;  federal, state and local governments often appear to have overlapping and often confusing roles in the eyes of a largely illiterate citizenry. In a country like this often leave jobs undone. In a country where citizens are often fixated on the post of the Presidency because of both tribal and religious sentiments, governors and local government chairpersons often bask in that flawed mob belief that the office of the president just needs to wave the magic wand to solve all problems.

    Make no mistake about it, the federal government wields enormous powers that many political analysts believe a constitutional amendment can help balance out in the future. However, the Nigerian governors are a very powerful political force. They often hold Presidents to ransom when their individual interests are at stake. In real terms, governors often wield more powers than the president when it comes to local/grassrrots politics. The essence of their association, ‘The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF)’ which often has units at the regional levels often spells bullish authoritarianism.

    Governors in Nigeria are almost very imperial in ways that distort democracy and impede progress. They are often the ones that control the political structures which they use to extract blind loyalty in some cases. Their attitude is often the reason intra party democracy is hard to maintain. Because they wield so much power, they often determine who gets elected to the state houses of assembly, their own deputies, and the national assembly members. For party congresses at the national level, they often determine who gets the presidential nominations.

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    As a developing country, it is often easy to describe the Nigerian democracy euphemistically as, ‘nascent’ but there must be a time to wean the country into real development. The governors have been getting away with a lot since 1999 and 2027 must be a defining moment if Nigerians are serious about getting value for the democracy that is on the right side of three decades.  It is time to begin to hold governors to account. There is a reason the buck stops at their table as state chief executives.

    The news has been all over the place that due to the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023, governors across the country are getting more allocations from the Federal Allocation Committee (FAC) with media publications of how much each state gets on a monthly basis. Factual as the news is, not much difference has been noticed by the men and women on the streets.  But mum has been the word while attention is focused on the federal government. Development cannot happen by accident. The people must begin to have more interest in the activities of their state governors and local government chairmen that have been granted financial authonomy.

    Commissioning  ‘projects’  (read roads, bridges, school renovations etc. ) with all the exaggerated fanfare and media bliss seems to have become the norm for most governors as proof of their people-focused development projects. Ironically, despite the plethora of ‘commissioning of projects’ across the country, the poverty index keeps increasing. Most of the commissioned projects are either white elephant projects or they are abandoned for new ones by their successors most of who they as ‘godfathers’ install at the end of their tenures.

    Not many governors since 1999 have real legacy projects that are impacting the people and pushing up development. It does seem that rather than target real development projects, many governors across the country focus on self-glorifying projects that are principally for political expediency rather than functional investments that change the lives of the people. There seems to be little investment in the informal sector of the economy and this merely translates to more poverty. There is little investment in human capital development and this has led to an increase in insecurity and unemployment.

    The Roundtable Conversation is ready to ask the very tough,  questions.  Nigerian democracy has shown that many political parties and state governors have not made very impactful social and economic investments aimed at empowering women and girls that drive the informal sector. The political parties are still dominated by men at the leadership levels because there is a tendency to just leave ‘Women Leader’ roles for the women. This position is nothing other than a furtherance of the exclusion of more women at the decision making level of party leaderships which if reversed and made more representative can alter the fortunes of women politically and help the country to progress.

    Political parties still run as a male monopoly given that the funding of political parties is still not inclusive of the larger voting bloc through voluntary donations. In other climes, there are ceilings to campaign donations and a bit of transparency  which deepens democracy. In Nigeria, there is no firm systemic control of financial inflow for political party administration. It is therefore not difficult to see a subtle exclusion of women who even though ready for political leadership, get sidelined due to low economic capacity. Political party administration ought to be open and accessible by willing and competent individuals of any gender.

    Political parties in Nigeria must be realistic enough to understand that democracy is about the people and not about one gender. Economists and global institutions like the UN across the world consistently publish statistics about the status of countries that do not empower their women. These warnings have always been ignored by both political parties and most Nigerian governors. Electing women at party levels for executive positions has been very abysmal. As populous as Nigeria is, there has never been a woman presidential nominee from the major political parties, no woman has been elected as governor and even some state assemblies have no female member.

    Nigerian political parties often merely appoint a few women into positions as tokenism. While women excel in sectors where merit is the criteria like in the corporate world, entertainment, agriculture, sports and the academia, most male politicians often bully women out of political participation through subtle economic and even physical bulling. The Nigerian national Assembly has in the last few years seen a decline in the number of women elected to represent their constituencies not for want of qualified and willing women but just out of the lack of real understanding of the value of inclusivity.

    Development happens when countries invest in their human capital through policies that yield tested and tried results. Leadership at state levels has been largely that of lip service to the development and empowerment of women. There must be a level playing field for the best to emerge. Leadership is not gender-sensitive. Ironically, women lead in most areas except in politics and that says something about the democracy we run. For a long time, Nigeria seems to have become a one-winged bed trying to fly but falling back each time but continues to do the same thing but expecting a different result.

    Illiteracy, poor reproductive health, lack of basic education, child marriage, poor economic prospects and some other odds seem to be huddles against women empowerment and the poverty index continues to increase. Governors who pay attention to some of these sectors obviously have better economic and social stability than those who seem not to care. The increased food insecurity and banditry are rooted in certain policy flaws.

    As 2027 election cycle approaches, we intend to highlight the political parties and governors who have shown through actions that they understand the socio-economic impact of empowering women. The poverty index in Nigeria must alarm any governor or political party and they must show through the right actions that they understand that the world leaves any nation that fails to empower  women behind.

    Governors must be accountable to their political parties and that can only happen when they act in ways that make democracy a functional  system that is for the people, by the people and for the people. If the mantra, “when you educate a woman, you educate the nation” is anything to go by, then political parties must restructure in ways that their governors understand the functional development models that have been tried and tested. In the coming weeks, we intend to publish the statistics of projects and inclusion in states who feel they have more inclusive and women-empowering policies to push development.

    •The dialogue continues…

  • Anioma State: history, identity and need for equity

    Anioma State: history, identity and need for equity

    Nigeria has a very interesting even if often paradoxical history. The area that was colonized by the British Empire had in the 19th century like nations consisted of many ethnic groups. Colonialism was principally a political and economic enterprise for the benefit. It was therefore an outcome of colonial strategy that the British took certain political decisions for both political and economic expediencies.

    The political dominance of the three ethnic groups possibly based on population has since remained the albatross of development in Nigeria. The post-independence military coups had ethnic colorations and since then in the words of legendary literary icon, Chinua Achebe, politics has become the proverbial knife that has cut what held the Nigerian people together and things have fallen apart.

    The 1967 civil war set the stage for further ethnic divide and mutual suspicion in the larger Nigerian state. Both military and civilian governments have been tainted by both ethnic and religious allegiances that have never translated to development. The effects of Nigerian/Biafran civil war between 1967-1970 still reverberates in the Nigerian polity in ways that political historians and economists have agreed must be redressed .

    Even though the then Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) promised the three Rs, Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction post-civil war, many analysts believe it has been mere socio-political rhetoric devoid of sincerity and an eye for real reconciliation and development. In fact many believe that the Igbos with historical evidences have been handed the shortest end of the stick.

    The paradox remains that while the mantra seems to be that the three major ethnic groups are equal, for some reasons Ndigbo have solid reasons to feel marginalized in the Nigerian project. State creation   has been one socio-political and economic tool. From 1967 – 1998, the various governments have created 36 states. Gowon administration sought to split the Eastern region as a political and economic tool. Today, the North has 19 states while the South has 17.  Most regions have 6 states apiece and even the North West has seven states while only the South East has just 5 states.

     State creation is a political action that has both socio-political and economic implications. The agitation for the creation of Anioma state predates the present republic. It emerged from the voices of indigenes seeking a reunification with their kits and kin spread across the country due to migration, trade and the civil war, a re-affirmation of socio-cultural identity and a solid base for generational identity and self pride.

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    The Roundtable Conversation had engaged with a wide network of Ndigbo and socio-cultural groups both at home and in the diaspora and there is unanimity of demand for an Anioma state.  Prof. Pat Okedinachi Utomi is a renowned professor of Political Economy and Management Expert. He is the founder of Center for Values in Leadership.  He traced the efforts of late Dennis Chukwudi Osadebe (1911-1994) whose iconic memory as a politician, journalist and former Premier of the Mid-Western Region of Nigeria looms large in the history of Anioma state creation in the last six decades.

    He recalls that there are Ndigbo in parts of Cross River, Rivers, Benue, Kogi and the five states of the South East. The creation of an Anioma state to him is merely a political action that is long overdue. A huge part of Delta state is home to people of same ancestry, language, culture, food and heritage. He believes that ethnic identity is not bad on its own but political marginalization and manipulation can be veritable sources of conflicts which hampers development. He recalls that as for viability, the Anioma region as the name implies (Good land) has the human resources that is the key element of development. About 80% of the drivers of many indigenous Nigerian banks and notable technocrats trace their ancestry to the Anioma region.

    The late Asagba of Asaba, one of the most revered Nigerian academic and dignified Royal Father, late Prof. Chike Edozien was a very vocal advocate of Anioma state.  He was a direct descendant of Nnebisi, the founder of Asaba. It was not surprising that he was a passionate promoter of Igbo unity. He was immersed in encouraging the full socio-cultural unity of Ndigbo anywhere they exist. Late Dr. Ralph Uwechue, renowned diplomat became the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo bringing with him the unity and purposeful leadership that was as admirable as it was functional in promoting Ndigbo causes and unity.  

    A Prof. Pat Utomi insists that on a philosophical level, he believes that the regional system of government was very productive as all regions thrived productively. However, even though many of the governors appear very profligate and poor in maximizing the value of human capital, he believes that a country  like Japan and others that have little natural resources but are in the global high development index.

     Senator Ned Nwoko represents Delta North Senatorial District and is the Sponsor of the Bill for the creation of Anioma state which has the support of most of his colleagues in the present National Assembly.  Asked his motivation for sponsoring such a Bill, he went down memory lane recalling that the agitation predates his present status as a Senator. He said he stands on the shoulders of Anioma citizens that started even before his birth. Today that he has the opportunity to represent his people, the best he can do is to add his voice to those of his progenitors and the living as a way of leaving a legacy for generations. He recalled his war time experiences staying in today’s Abia state as a pre-teen. When his parents decided to get back ‘home’ to today’s Delta area, his young eyes recorded memories that brings him to tears every time.

    The Senator recalls how the then Nigerian soldiers killed and/or raped young girls in his community. At some points, as a survivalist strategy, parents decided to tell their kids to adopt names of Benin and Yoruba people just so their life could be spared. That became the origin of ‘I’m not Igbo’ that is common with a few individuals today.

    This piece of history explains the identity crises  that has lasted over generations. This gave rise to some Igbos being prefixed with; Mid-Western Igbos, Bendel Igbos and today Delta Igbos. He advises  that the creation of Anioma state would be a soothing balm on the psyche of generations. It would spell equity, justice and peace to let Ndigbo reunite as a people and have the solid identity that gives the confidence to feel valued and part of the Nigerian state.

    He feels that the state would be viable because the human/material resources would be maximized. Asked about some people who feel Anioma shouldn’t be created or even it is, it should be attached to the South South, the  Senator said that that all the democratic processes including referendum would take place. This is why the advocates are taking all the legal steps to get the National Assembly do the needful. After all, being representatives of the people  was a product of voting power. That is democracy.

    The Senator believes that the agitation is not just about politics but about the human essence that powers development. It is about righting the wrongs of the past, it is about an inferred restitution of a people that need to reclaim their past. The now globally documented Asaba Massacre of October 1967 remains as a reminder of how deep the hurt is. The massacre was orchestrated by the Nigerian army as punitive measures for the Igbo identity of the people. The Oputa Panel presentations saw survivors still living with the trauma.

    The legislative and legal processes for the creation of Anioma state as the 6th state for the South East cannot be waved off by people who lack what  Rev. Prof. Anthony Akinwale, calls the ‘tedious task of tidy thinking’. It is not about any individual or political process but a very far reaching action that would re-orientate the wounded mindset, restore self-identity and reunite the Igbo people across the country and beyond. As the social mantra goes, ‘Igbo bu Igbo’ which translates to the Igbos everywhere are still Igbos no matter their location.

    The Senator maintains that those who tend to make the argument that the Anioma state would not be viable must remember  that the area in question has huge land mass and is blessed with arable land, huge gas deposits and some of the most productive technocrats and corporate giants in Nigeria. What with the Okonjo-Iwealas, the Tony Elumelus, the Nduka Obiagbenas, the Jim Ovias, the Achuzia, the Odogwus, the Kachikwus, the Okogwus  (in fact former first lady Maryam Babangida is credited with using her influence to get the Asaba as capital for Delta state in respect of her heritage), the Uwechues, the Utomis, the Edoziens and a host of other very brilliant and highly successful individuals that have the torch of progress as evidence of the value of human capital.

    The South East  must not remain a dot in the map according to the late President Buhari who gained a presidential twitter notoriety by claiming that he will treat the people in the ‘language they understand’, a subtle reference to the tragedy of the civil war. After his election, he claimed he would not treat the ‘97% of those who voted for him the same way he will treat the 5% that didn’t, still referencing the South East region, flawed as his statistics was.

    Equitable treatment, justice and fairness must be the bedrock of development. An Anioma state according to both Senator Ned Nwoko and Prof. Pat Utomi will engender leadership legacies that stand individuals out through the actions they take to enhance human flourishing. A Mandela, an Abraham Lincoln,  an Azikiwe, a Martin Luther king, a Ghandi and many others who remain immortal did so by acting on behalf of their people and humanity. The Anioma state creation story continues to intrigue and create room for the values of history and human memories.

    The dialogue continues…

  • 2027 and the damaging sense entitlement

    2027 and the damaging sense entitlement

    The 2027 elections in Nigeria promises to be very exciting. As always, the political activities are gaining momentum. Permutations are almost on steroids and the people are having a blast discussing the possible outcomes. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is seemingly the beautiful bride as some members of other political parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) and some other parties keep defecting to the APC. There are defections from the APC but into the APC seems more in comparative terms.

    On the other hand, the PDP and LP, two of the most vibrant opposition parties seem to have some internal party issues that have in some ways coloured the type of opposition they have provided in the last two years. Even though the APC as a political party has its own internal issues too, the power of incumbency is a strong force in Nigerian politics. The new party of the said political coalition,  African  Democratic Congress (ADC) is just trying to organize what the politicians call the ‘coalition’ to unseat the APC at the center.

    Whether the word, ‘coalition’ as implied by the ADC meets the political semantic value or not, fingers are crossed to see the outcome of the political journey of those involved. The Roundtable Conversation is watching events closely and the conversations would continue.  Given the history and nature of politics in Nigeria, it would be interesting to see how this coalition works. Already, many Nigerians believe that the coalition is a collection of strange bedfellows who might not have enough political muscle and patriotism to push out the APC from power both at the federal and state levels.

    As the politicking hots up, many Nigerians seem to be complaining about the fact that the Nigerian political parties are made up of the same old politicians who have been in the business since 1999 that civilian  democracy returned to the country. What this means is that the same politicians who have stirred the ship of governance for more than a quarter of a century are still the ones in all the parties in Nigeria. The country has had some achievements in the period but the poverty index seems to be higher incrementally. For Nigeria to have more than 133million people in multi-dimensional poverty presently says a lot.

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    However, majority of those complaining about the roles older people are paying in politics are from the younger generation who feel excluded alongside women. They complain of marginalization but the fact is that as President Tinubu is often quoted as saying, “power is not served a la carte”.  You have to fight for power. No one gives you power just because you desire it. How proactive have the Nigerian young people being in politics? Have they really stood up to be counted?  What of the Nigerian women? Why is it that despite the fact that women constitute more than 50% of active voters, they are always largely insignificant on the electoral maps?

    The Roundtable Conversation had a chat with multiple award winning matriarch in the Nigerian arts and entertainment industry, veteran actor, journalist and cosmetologist, the irrepressible Taiwo Ajai-Lycett. We wanted to find out her views about the brand of politics in Nigeria where some intellectuals of both genders, women, the Gen-Zs and millennials often feel excluded from politics even when they are often the most impacted by bad leadership at all levels.

    She feels that the younger generation must deliberately try to convert their internet and social media activism to functional radical political value with better critical thinking. Granted that times have changed, the younger generation must realize that their lives and future are at stake. Without serious and consistent engagement with the older politicians on the field, nothing will change.  Lamentations neither influences nor makes policies. Only deep and persistent engagement in the political field can alter the situations for the better. Mere social media analysis and trolling older politicians cannot change the narrative.

    Ajai-Lycett believes that now more than in the past, education and exposure have impacted young people globally and it is then left for the youths to valuably utilize their education and modern innovations. Those the young people berate as old and uneducated have persevered in the political field and the prize is their occupation of the political field and power influence. The young people seem to be more interested in mundane things like fashion, easy fame, personality worship and how to be rich without investing time and hard work.  She believes that the young people often focus only on discussing personalities than issues that would impact their lives. Whether we like it or not, politicians decide what happens to everyone especially in democracies so the young people must not look in through the window, they must be at the table participating.

    When it comes to the issue about gender equity in politics, she believes that it is a global problem but it appears that women in other climes struggle more to overcome the misogynistic attitude by throwing their towels into the ring. She gave examples of a Kemi Badenock, a Nigerian-British who has risen to become the leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom. She didn’t get there by being ‘a Woman Leader’ in the Tory party. She has paid her dues and might just be on her way to becoming the next British Prime minister following in the footsteps of late Margaret Thatcher, Theresa May and Liz Truss.

    While there are socio-religious issues affecting women’s political participation globally, women in Nigerian politics have for long accepted to be treated as second class citizens by the male political class. She insists that the position of ‘Women Leader’ by Nigerian political parties and the acceptance of same by the women is not only an insulting tokenism but an acceptance by the women that they are mere appendages. Why don’t the men have ‘Men Leader’ positions? It is because they believe that women must be considered incapable of leading.

    Fallacious as that thinking is, the women have not seen anything wrong in that. They have not seen the devaluation embedded in having the position of ‘women leader’ which on a good day is just a subtle relegation of the leadership qualities of women to fellow women. The women further enable the insult by organizing other women to vote for men no matter how incompetent they are.  The moment women in politics realize that they have to own their value as competent, thoughtful, compassionate and multi-tasking humans as opposed to men, things would begin to change. They will then stop feeling triumphant when some tokenism is thrown at them.

    She believes that the older women in politics must educate and mentor younger women so that they would be confident enough and use their intelligence to work for themselves.  Beyond this, they must not be mere, ‘city women’ who just go home during elections. The grassroots mobilization can be very rewarding. Being intellectually savvy does not win elections, mobilization at the grassroots level must be done by serious women including those in the corporate and business world who have what it takes to lead.

     Many women tend to isolate not just themselves but even their children from integrating at the community levels. Men seem to be more grounded and use this effectively during the elections. Women must engage more and desist from being errand ladies recruiting fellow women to vote for men by helping the men give out tokens before elections.  Women must galvanize and re-orientate women and the young ones because it is in the nature of women to nurture and educate. This is very valuable in politics. Politics is about numbers. If the women can expediently use their numbers, Nigerian politics would change for the better.

    In all, the matriarch believes Nigerian politics would change with more people willing to make sacrifices for the people now and in the future. Presently there is over reliance on Europe and America and some in the Asian blocs. Today, the global political dynamics is changing and it is  a wakeup call for Africans, nay, Nigerians to put their best foot forward. Women and the young people must work their way up the political ladder. They must learn to network like the men.  It is funny that even women often look down on each other based on the wrong-headed narrative from socio-religious  societal grooming about leadership. The world knows better now that critical thinking, a profound pillar for leadership is not an exclusive of any gender or age. Networking is a very vital rule for political success so both women and the young people. Power is never willingly yielded so every demographic must fight to clench power for the good of the country.

    Women and the young people must dismantle the narrative of genderizing power or ruling by age. Why do we have words like, female member or a youth representative? These are semantic manipulations that seek to keep the status quo, an ill-wind that blows no one any good. Men seem to have successfully made politics and leadership very hierarchical. This makes it appear like patriotism is measurable in gender terms. No one can measure patriotism based on unbalanced opportunities.

    Ajai-Lycett believes that to make progress, we must as citizens treat the causes of our socio-economic problems rather than the effects, a system that has always failed to work for deevelopment. The variables must shift. Women and young people ought to not just read the memo but memorize and act accordingly. 2027 election is less than two years away but in politics, 24 hours is a long time. Like the saying goes, politics is too serious to be left in the hands of politicians. Women and the young people must move from passive participation to getting truly involved and re-strategizing for better functional results for development. Inclusion is not out of entitlement mentality, its done through grit and hard work.

    •The dialogue continues…

  • Coalitions, mergers and defections: It’s all politics

    Coalitions, mergers and defections: It’s all politics

    The next Nigerian general election is less than two years away. Barring any shifts or cancellations, Nigerians are expected to go to the polls by February 2027 to elect a president, governors in majority of the states (post-election litigations had altered some state governors’ elections to off-season) and state and federal legislators. The political environment is hitting up giving vent to the cliché saying that, “politicians always  think of the next elections”.

    The Nigerian democracy is fashioned after the American model (but I dare say to the extent that the politicians in Nigeria find very expedient). The Nigerian political party system allows for dozens of political parties. The American political party system is clearly a two party system even if there are the less popular smaller parties that have not made great inroads electorally.

    The two popular parties, the Republican and Democratic parties are deeply ideologically based. Despite their marked differences, they often agree on some national policies when it is in the interest of the American people. Even though policy routes might differ sometimes, they often hold dear American national interests especially in global politics. The Republican and Democratic parties are run under strict constitutional guidelines. Party leaderships are  not based of financial capacity and their roles are often purely administrative.

    The Nigerian political system is such that the structure seems so flawed that it would appear there are neither strict adherence to both party and the national constitutions nor a strong adherence to laws. This seems to be the core reason for the level of indiscipline often displayed by some influential members of most political parties at ward, state and national levels. There is clearly no strict ideological identities of political parties in Nigeria. This is reason why politicians easily oscillate (often euphemistically referred to as defections) from one political party to the other. In fact, the late former Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo, a renowned political scientist had once referred to the Nigerian so called political parties as mere gatherings of people.

    READ ALSO: The Tinubu administration and its malcontents (2)

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had to deregister some political parties because some of them did not meet the electoral benchmarks to continue in the process. Recently too, it does appear that more than a hundred political parties are seeking registration with INEC. This fact says a lot about Nigerian political party system. Between the  mere gathering of people who are often strange bedfellows politically and socially and functionality of the democratic system in Nigeria is often some blurred lines.

    One fairly good outcome of the former military ruler, Ibrahim Babangida’s lengthy transition period was obviously his insistence on just two political parties, the National Republican Convention (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). That system seemingly brought a bit of order and cohesion within the political party structure. It helped the Nigerian political system as it helped in uniting the country politically. That system produced what is now celebrated as the best, freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history. It blurred the tribal, ethnic and religious lines often drawn by politicians for their personal expediencies.

    So as the 2027 general election draws near, the Roundtable Conversation is calmly observing the usual macabre dance in the Nigerian political field. There have been a continual defection of politicians mainly from the seemingly opposition Peoples democratic Party (PDP) and the 2023 revitalized Labour Party (LP) aand other inconsequential political parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Despite the Supreme Court’s verdict about the consequences of defections from one party to the other after winning elections, Nigerian politicians through their actions sometimes say in very loud terms, “the Supreme Court can give verdicts but we can do what we like”.

    Even though this disobedience of the Supreme Court ruling happens most of the time with no consequences, it is a loud verdict on the discipline of the Nigerian political class. It stands as a bold example of why Nigerian democracy seems to appear very unweanable and  earns the delusional tag of ‘a nascent democracy’.  No nation that has chosen democracy as a system of government can continue to toy with wobbly political culture and make progress.

    A close scrutiny of the average politician’s attitude in politics shows a lot of hypocrisy. The lack of ideological leaning and the indiscipline of oscillating from one political party to the other is often euphemistically explained as a power granted by the constitution for freedom of choice, free speech and gathering. The kind of cherry-picking that doesn’t apply when they refuse to be held accountable, when they disobey  their own party and national constitutions and the Supreme Court of the land.

    While analysis go on and on about formation of new political parties, defections to or from the ruling APC, PDP, Labour or SDP, one thing remains clear, there is an ominous sign to Nigeria’s democracy. Professional politician as they exist in Nigeria is not good for democracy. It is sad that most politicians in Nigeria describe themselves as ‘professional politicians’. On the face of it, it sounds comical but with a deeper look, it portends grave danger for development. There seems to be a preponderance of individuals whose only means of livelihood comes from the ‘spoils’ of office and politicking.

    The late Ojukwu once defined most politicians as individuals with no second addresses. By this he meant those who introduce themselves as ‘professional politicians’. They often lack the discipline of occupational achievers. They eran their every dime and influence from playing politics and in most cases, they are in it not to improve the welfare of the people but for what they can get election after election. There is hardly any developmental initiative, vision for the future of the country or worries about the state of the ordinary people who are the main reason for governance in the first place.

    Nigerian elite has a role to play in redirecting the course of our democracy. It is not enough to sit back and sneer at the things happening in our political space. The essence of education, knowledge and exposure is the value it brings to the lives of others. Iconic individuals and legends in the world earned their legendry accolades for their civil and political activism that impacted others beyond thei generations. Late Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Mandela, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Patrice Mulumba, Queen Amina, Moremi, Queen Idia and countless others earned their immortality through acts that edify humanity.

    As we watch the drama in the political field, the scramble for registrations and the harvest of inter party defections at a time most politicians ought to be held accountable is as tragic as it as laughable. In the 26 years return to democracy, there are more people in the poverty bracket that even India with its more than a billion population has left Nigeria in the poverty bracket. There are more than 133million people living in multidimensional poverty, Nigeria has more out of school children than some five countries’ population, there are more chronically malnourished kids than some country’s entire population.

    Nigeria might be raising a generation of mentally and physically retarded children whose future miht be altered by their developmental deficiencies which ultimately impacts productivity. Do our politicians take stock at all? Do they care for the future? Do they care for legacies beyond bank balance and property and notoriety? It is a sad commentary that most politicians only see themselves in the mirror of life. Nothing matters except their advantageous political positioning.

    Beyond the political party intrigues, who cares about the structure of these political parties as enduring legacies that can enhance the Nigerian democracy for the children yet unborn. The irony and hypocrisy of politicians at campaign podiums is that the same puerile rhetoric keeps being regurgitated with no serious thought about walking the talk post elections. Why do most state governors hide under the federal government instead of taking their constitutional roles beyond white elephant projects  that often have no direct impact on the people? The basic needs of food, shelter and health have not really been prioritized. Political expedient but low impact projects are often over celebrated and not very impactful.

    As one watches the political activities unfold across the country, there is a tendency to be despondent. This is reason the best brains in the country are being lured to other countries through the now socially coined word, ‘jakpa’. It is a euphemism for the lure that emigration from the country offers. Globally, immigration is not a crime as humans have been moving from creation for different reasons. However, the modern trend is a fall out of socio-economic conditions forced on the people by bad practice of winner takes all democracy.

    The constant political lexicon, ‘mergers and coalitions’ seem to only be for the positioning of the political actors most of who have played politics all their lives with little or no legacies of good service delivery. As the 2027 political season hots up, we are forced to ask the political actors, what new song shall the people sing? Are we just going to see, ‘my sin is smaller than yours’ kind of self-aggrandizement that has kept our political parties looking like tree brances to the monkey – a mere means of getting to either the next fruit or running from a predatory animal?

    As we watch the public race to grab the headlines and with it power, we watch keenly to see the stars that would shine on their merit like a Zik of Africa with his patriotism, an Awolowo with his free education legacy, an Aminu Kano with his pro-talakawa popularity and effective leadership, a Lateef Jakande with his investment in public housing and education. Each day, we watch and record…

    • The dialogue continues…

  • MKO Abiola: The untold story of a metaphor

    MKO Abiola: The untold story of a metaphor

    Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (GCFR) has earned the axiomatic ‘good name’ that is better than silver and gold. Even though he died decades ago, he remains immortal not because he won the 1993 presidential election that was annulled by the former military president, Gen.  Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd.) but because of the human he was. Politics did not bring him into prominence. His foray into business, sports, entertainment and philanthropy preceded June 12, 1993.

    As Nigeria celebrated Democracy day on June 12th the focus seemed to have been on the election and the outcome.  It has become the metaphor for the freest, fairest and most credible election in Nigeria’s political history. An M.K.O Abiola won the election. He broke records. He ran with Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, a fellow Muslim from the North. There was no problem with that for Nigerians. He defeated the late Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in his home state of Kano.

    Nigerian politics has been and continues to be plagued by tribal and religious intrigues fired by manipulative politicians across the country. They often fan the embers of hatred amongst the lower rungs of the society often too naïve to understand that religion and tribe have nothing to do with good governance. Manipulative politicians often mask their incompetence and lack of merit to earn the votes of the people by playing the religious and ethnic cards.

    But an M.K.O Abiola emerged in the scene in 1993 and erased totally the clichés and semantic manipulation by politicians in Nigeria. He won the election by a 58% majority. He was of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). While the annulment of the election continues to be debated in the public domain, former President IBB in his recent memoir tried to play with words and somewhat pass the buck.

    However, the electoral umpire, late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu had in many interviews explained that he was not confused about the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections. The result of the annulment of the election was chaos across the country. There were protests and some people were killed, others displaced, many arrested, tortured and jailed while many ran into exile to save their lives.

    As Nigeria marked this year’s June 12 democracy day with speeches and awards of National honours to some of the heroes of democracy owing to their fates or actions about the annulment of the election, the Roundtable Conversation just noted that not much of the personality of the late MKO Abiola was reiterated for the records. Not that the day ought to be about him alone but his persona brought about the victory and the democracy day we celebrate.

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    Historians and Biographers might have documented the life of an Abiola. The event of June 12, 1993 has immortalized him but we have to look at an Abiola pre-June 12, 1993. He was an exceptional human being. He was the true metaphor of grass to grace. He rose from poverty to wealth, used his wealth to empower and nurture  and became a global citizen. His personality was larger than life. He was as versatile as he was humble and humane. His humanity was as enduring as it was endearing. He was not perfect but he was human.

    He was grounded and versatile. He was at home with business as he was with entertainment, politics and international politics. His passion for humanity was expressed through his practical expression of his love for and support for various sports not just in Nigeria but across the continent. When people say that sportsmanship exemplifies large heartedness, that saying had full expression in an M.K.O Abiola. He was a sportsman who loved and supported sports across board. He invested in football, athletics, boxing, table tennis and many others.

    The Roundtable Conversation has noticed that many Nigerian politicians assume politics is a sport and they tend to play it to the hilt. Most have no second addresses. They are neither interested in people nor in sports except for political expedience in some instances. An Abiola was different. He loved and invested in sports and humans. Most Nigerian politicians are so bare of any affecting quality that they earn only skepticism from the people. This is reason there is huge trust deficit in the political class. This in turn gives birth to apathy during elections and the rejection of most politicians by the people which impacts on the flawed electoral processes that have made Nigerian elections the most litigious in the world.

    We decided to talk to two veteran sports journalists that had close interactions with late M.K.O Abiola about their assessment of the person they conferred with the highest sports award not just in Nigeria but Africa as a continent. The African Sports Journalists Union (ASJU) had awarded an M.K.O Abiola the ‘Pillar of Sports in Africa’ in 1980. He remains the sole awardee till date. On January 11, 1992, the African Football Hall of Fame had his name etched by CAF with the Order of Merit in Gold.

    Mr. Kunle Solaja, ace sports journalist that holds the enviable achievement and honour of covering about nine World Cup tournaments, who not only worked in Abiola’s Concord newspaper but has been in the business of sports (especially football reporting) ever since traversing the Sun Newspaper as Sports Editor and now the Vice President/Editor in Chief at Extra Time Communications LTD./Sports Village Square.  He says he was honoured to have been in vantage position to have seen firsthand the passion that the late Pillar of Sports in Africa expressed for sports in general across Africa.

     Solaja said that not only was the late MKO a sports enthusiast, he was as versatile in business, politics, entertainment as he was in philanthropy.  He was not just interested in sports in Nigeria alone,  he was a regional and intercontinental lover and investor in sports not for any profit or political expediency but just as a global communication tool. He was at home investing in Zambia as he was enthusiastic about Algeria, Ghana etc. To an MKO, sports is a universal language of love and entertainment. He invested with no anticipation of returns. To Solaja, unlike most politicians that saw invitations to sports events as ego trips, an Abiola, initiated, sponsored and participated in sports activities that spurred others to attend. He founded the defunct Abiola Babes and Concorde  football clubs that made waves in Africa and nurtured some of the best names in football at the time. 

    As a journalist at the time, sometimes editors had a hard time casting headlines because an Abiola often made headlines in business, Sports, national and global politics. He was one of the pioneer advocates for the payment of reparations by the colonial and trans-Atlantic slave trade proponents.  He was as much a patriot as he was a Pan Africanist. His humanity was evident in his extensive philanthropy across Africa.There was no doubt that his passion for sports was a product of his inner sense of sportsmanship not just as a social rhetoric but as a choice. 

    Onochie Anibeze is an award-winning veteran sports journalist who is presently the Vanguard Newspaper Saturday Editor . To an Onochie, there is no African living or dead that matches the late M.K.O Abiola’s interest and investment in football, boxing, athletics and table tennis. He was a great sportsman who put money and time in sports promotions. He didn’t just throw money into sports, he was present in the real sense. He loved and lived sports and it was no surprise when in 1980, long before he thought of contesting for the Presidency, he was crowned the Pillar of Spirts in Africa, an honour yet to be bestowed on any other individual living or dead.

    His humanity shone like a million stars through his sponsorship and presence in the support of various sports across the continent and even beyond. He recalls an incident in 1987 when they were travelling together to Tunisia with Abiola Babes team. Suddenly the team doctor  fell ill on air and the late MKO joked that the doctor was now at the mercy of journalists’ healing hands if they had any.  That was how hilarious and human an Abiola was. He was a hands on human whose large heart touched many in and out of sports.  His humility knew no bounds as he could travel in the same plane or bus with players and other individuals covering any sport he was interested in. his sponsorship of sports was across regional lines as he was as present in Senegal as he was in Algeria. He was very close to most players and journalists and related to them as a father.

    Onochie recalls that an Abiola showed unique qualities that were endearing.  He was always travelling for and sponsoring sports events with his late wife Simbiat who equally had her own Simbiat Babes football club. In fact, journalists nicknamed the amiable couple Papa and Mama Sports respectively due to their parental-like involvement in sponsoring and supporting sportsmen and women across board. An M.K.O almost knew most sports journalists on first name basis and related closely with them. Not many billionaires with his stature was that magnanimous and charitable.

    So an Abiola to us was more than the winner of an annulled election. his image and humanity were rare. He easily won the election because he earned the love of the people. He did not win because he used thugs or shared money. He was loved across tribes and religions. His personality was very endearing and people rewarded him with their votes in an option A4 Open secret ballot that defied rigging. He earned the love that won him the election. That should be celebrated and copied  by politicians in Nigeria beyond the commemorative June 12  Democracy Day celebrations.

    •The dialogue continues…

  • Between JAMB and WAEC, what oversight from the National Assembly?

    Between JAMB and WAEC, what oversight from the National Assembly?

    “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”—Nelson Mandela

    Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school (OOS) children in the world with about 20 million across the country. About 12.4 million never attended school at all while about 5.9million dropped out of school too early. This, according to statistics means that Nigeria alone accounts for about 15% of the global total. What this means is that the population of educationally disadvantaged children in Nigeria in a 21st century world is almost the population of about three or more countries combined.

    This startling statistics have been the object of discussion at United Nations education agencies like UNICEF and UNESCO. The implications are dire. Education has no alternatives in our modern world where technology and Artificial intelligence (AI) have become the order of the day. Education according to Malcolm X, “…is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”.

    Nigeria’s successive governments seem not to fully appreciate the value of education in development. There is a seeming ignorance about the impact of illiteracy in the Nigerian political economy. Nigeria has a staggering number of about 137 million citizens living in multi-dimensional poverty.  A huge percentage of the problem of poverty is illiteracy in a world ruled by ideas polished through education. Nigeria has never met the UN annual budgetary benchmark of 26% for education. In fact, it has never even hit 20% in any given year.

    This has very huge implications. The education system doesn’t seem to serve the maximum number of people. So many socio-religious issues seem to be on the way.  There is lack of total appreciation for the prime value of an educated population.  Successive governments  seem to pay lip service to education and the result is what we have at the moment where things seem to go from bad to worse.

    Most times, those at the helm of education do not appear to put emphasis on the right requirements. Teachers are some of the least paid public servants. This sadly is why very few young people have the ambition of being teachers. Teachers are treated as second class workers as their salaries are often too poor especially in public schools. Infrastructural development is equally poorly managed across the country as some pupils and students still study in very pathetic environments like under trees and barely roofed classrooms. No one knows how much is invested by government in teachers’ training schools to make it more attractive.

    Early marriage, insecurity and poverty are some other factors that affect school enrolments and there seems to be little attention paid to enforcing child enrolment at least for the basic primary education that is compulsory and free across the nation.  The proliferation of private schools that are often out of the reach of many parents came as a result of lack of government attention to public schools which ironically today’s politicians gained from in their days, most even with either state or federal scholarships. Paradoxically, most Nigerian politicians in contrast to the teachers that groomed them live in obscene luxury.

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    The Roundtable Conversation had in the last few weeks discussed the unfortunate muddled up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) that is the organizing body for the exams. More than three hundred thousand candidates had had to retake the examination because of what the registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede alleged was a technical glitch caused by some individuals in the organization.  A 19 year old female candidate had out of frustration for the poor marks she received from the exam body committed suicide. She might not be the only one but her case came to limelight through the media. Some other affected students might not commit suicide but both them and their parents are traumatized and might be forever impacted by that singular mishap. Many others might drop the idea of tertiary education completely even if they are super talented.  Those would be loses to the nation.

    Just as Nigerians tried to take the JAMB tragedy in their stride while waiting for full investigation and disclosure by the organization, videos of West African Senior School Certificate Examination  (WASSCE) students writing their English language exams with torch lights in several examination centers flooded the media. Students were seen struggling to write exams in very horribly dark examination centers with all sorts of improvised lighting. Some parents and guardians were seen around expressing their outrage and discomfort.

    The question is, what is really the value the nation puts on education? This is not a problem with budgeting or infrastructure, this is purely the failure of those in charge to plan and to be sensitive to what ought to be normal course of events.  Let’s assume for anything that there were logistical problems, why did the West African Examination Council (WAEC) not postpone the exams in the affected centers to a later date? Why should children be subjected to such an tacky examination environment? What kind of mental torture were those children subjected to and what results no matter how brilliant a student is can be expected to be produced under such conditions?

    These two incidents with JAMB and WAEC are testimonies to how careless Nigerian agencies can be with education. Even if JAMB can be excused based on possibly technical issues which is normal with human processes, what excuses does WAEC have for making students write examinations with torch lights and candles in 2025? By the way, the exam is a regional one and Nigeria seems to be the black leg.This is very telling of a dysfunctional system where people do not care for consequences of their actions. We expect heads to roll.

    Then the question is, why do these things happen in a country with the most educated and talented Africans in the world? Lack of reward and punishment easily comes to mind. These recent incidents are not isolated cases. There have been a litany of dysfunction in both exam bodies over the years but sadly not many if any heads had rolled in punishment. Who are those whose negligence normally causes exam malpractices and fraudulent centers to thrive? What attempts have been made to nail perpetrators?

    The Roundtable Conversation knows that there are Committees both at the House of Representatives and the Senate that have Oversight functions over the Ministry of Education and affiliate agencies. What do they assume is their job? Do their duties just end at appropriating funds to these agencies? What diligence do they bring to the table in a country that should be number one in education in the world? It seems they are mainly reactionary when cases  of incompetence or negligence is highlighted by the media.

    The essence of the third tripod of Oversight as the function of the legislature in a democracy is for them to be actively a supervisory body that takes detailed interest in the executive arms and the agencies under them. The Nigerian legislature possibly assumes that their only job is to take care of their own welfare and grandstand as the second arm of government  without much active participation through stringent oversight functions.

    The Nigerian legislators seem to misunderstand their legislative roles. They are the ones with the proverbial sword of Damocles that should fall on any erring executive ministry or agency. Rather what happens is that they almost always react following public outrage. This is why it does appear like there are no barricades and ministries and agencies often do not act in the interest of the people.  A good party loyalty route should be in making sure that the ministries and agencies work for the people of Nigeria.

    On the face of it, the tragedies with JAMB and WAEC would appear as minor issues that can be swept under the carpet but a good analysis of the issues involved shows that such issues contribute to the decline of interest in education in the country and Nigeria cannot afford to slide down the education slope given the already bad state of illiteracy in Nigeria. Institutions like JAMB and WAEC as academically inclined agencies must like Ceasar’s wife, be above reproach.

    The impact of these pitfalls can be far reaching. More young people would drop out as the agencies stumble through carelessness and negligence through trust deficits. Academic achievements don’t come easy. To create extra huddles for students and parents just exacerbates the problems in the education sector. The two examination bodies through all the systemic tackiness merely discourage interest in scholarship in young minds.

    Underdevelopment is not a national disaster. It is a result of lack of planning and prioritizing human development. The metaphoric Singapore that Lee Quan Yew created emerged because he invested in the human capital of his country. Today, a country of less than 6million people with very few natural resources is in the first world. It was not a divine miracle. The leadership of the country and many of the Asian Tigers are where they are today because of investment in education of their human capital.

    Sadly, Nigeria with all its human and material resources is still an underdeveloped economy with millions in the abject poverty index. There must be a concerted effort to take education more seriously in the country and prioritize the sector along with healthcare. This is why donor agencies and individuals like Bill gates invest so much money in the health and education sector. Nigeria has a decision to make!

    •The dialogue continues…

  • Any calming the Rivers of conflict?

    Any calming the Rivers of conflict?

    The Nigerian political space can be as intriguing as it can be deeply confusing. The political actors can be hired by the greatest global film industries like Hollywood, Nollywood or even Bollywood and their performances would be top notch. The political actors in Nigeria are ever active in or out of season. There are no dull moments. Political analysts have somehow agreed that the Nigerian political theatre seems eternally active. The political environment can be riveting, opaque and confusing all at the same time.

    While Nigeria adopted the American presidential model of democracy, many democratic structures that have taken roots in America are often very noticeably absent in the Nigerian model. There seems to be some ‘Ostrich-playing’ by the Nigerian political class as they seem to make no serious attempts to adopt those democratic structures that make the American model such an enduring even if imperfect legacy.

    First of all, Nigeria has no strong political party structure that shows any ideological leaning. The political party funding empowers a few who then wield powers that stretch their influence and relevance. When this happens, the creation of the proverbial godfathers naturally enters the mix in ways that stands them on the mountains of influence.  Candidates often emerge through undemocratic party primaries and that is where the electoral flaws begin. From the ward levels to the highest political party in the land, it becomes the survival of the fittest.

    That Nigeria has one of the most litigious post-election cases stems from the flawed structures of the political parties as candidates are often not products of the will of the majority from intra-party primaries. The internal conflicts in the political parties show that there is something wrong with the political party structures. Many politicians oscillate from one political party to the other almost towards the beginning of a new campaign season with no sanctions. The Nigerian voting public is often not considered when these politicians make their moves based on political expediences.

    This background is the foundation for the roles of political godfatherism in ways that have created huge problems in Nigerian democracy. Most party members seem to have little or no say in who emerges as candidates. This is exactly why a notorious politician in Anambra state once boasted that he, ‘installed every elected candidate from the Sweeper to the Speaker’. This rhetoric is often true of some other ‘very powerful’ members of the many political parties.

    This backdrop seems to be the albatross of democracy in Nigeria at least since 1999. The governor Siminalayi Fubara odyssey in Rivers state seems a slice of a larger political dysfunction that pervades the whole country even if undocumented. His relationship with his former boss, former governor Nyesom Wike, now minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under whom he served the state as Accountant General is not far from the regular issues in Nigerian political space.

    Many people believe that the declaration of the six-month state of emergency in Rivers state by President Tinubu was a needed intervention to restore order while others believe that it is as unconstitutional as it should not have a space in a democratic process. The Roundtable Conversation sought the views of two elder statesmen whose views on such national issues are always profoundly relevant.

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    Dr.Kalu Idika Kalu is a foremost economist, former World Bank Economic Strategist, a two-time Minister of Finance, Minister of National Planning and Minister of Transport. To him, a state of emergency in a democracy should not be an option. He believes that the suspended governor Fubara ought to have been earlier held accountable for allegedly destroying part of the house of assembly building that belongs to the people. His precipitate action to allegedly prevent an impeachment move by the house members has no place in a democracy.  He overreached himself with such a very reckless act. The law enforcement agencies ought to have waded in at that time to question the governor’s actions or inactions that led to the destruction of public property. This would have been the way to let even other governors realize that acting with impunity would not be tolerated.

    A state of emergency rule that brings in a former military man should not be a solution to an obvious political problem. Political solutions are always more functional in democracies.  As an economist, Dr. Kalu feels that democracies when made very functional stand a better chance of serving the people and guaranteeing economic growth. The alleged crisis between the suspended governor and the FCT minister could not have enhanced economic activities in the state neither did is encourage investment as investors prefer calm operating environments both politically and socially.

    However, the renowned economist believes that the only redeeming feature under the circumstance would be for the sole administrator, Rtd. Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas to make sure that as a citizen who has served the country in a very high capacity, he works in the six months to retain democratic structures and not dig in more military structures through committees or other undemocratic institutions.  He must work as an arbiter whose temporary job is to foster peace and calm the polity. He should consult more with the stake holders without being partisan. He should discuss with the traditional rulers and the other relevant demographics whose roles are reconciliatory.

    His six-month stay would make a calming difference depending on his efforts at walking the democratic routes even as a retired military man. There is no room for command and control. His contribution to democracy should be evident in his ability to just take actions that would amount to an improved welfare of the people through wide consultations. The aim of governments in a democracy is to enhance the welfare of the people. He must not through his actions give the impression of any form of partisanship or taking sides. His eyes must be to extend his legacy of service to the nation through this role. The suspended governor and the house of assembly members on the other hand must recalibrate and understand that two months is almost gone and they must use this period for introspection to serve the people better.

    Mr. Lade Bunola, popularly called Ladbone in media circles is a veteran journalist whose footprints are boldly marked in Nigerian print media practice. He was the former Managing Director of The Guardian Newspapers and now sits on the board of many others. He is a multi-award winner from several media and non-media organizations. His,  ‘Lifetime Award for Journalistic Excellence’ from the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism speaks to his value. As a veteran journalist, he believes strongly in the role of the media as the watchdog of every democracy. He believes that media must not let the baton fall from standing firm in defense of democracy.

    As regards the state of emergency in Rivers state, Ladbone believes that more democratic options ought to have been applied to resolve the political issues in the state.  The President ought to have applied dialogue to resolve the political issues between the suspended governor Fubara, his political mentor, Nyesom Wike and some of the house of assembly members. He believes it is unconstitutional for a president to remove a governor because they both enjoy the mandate of the people that elected them. The fact that some other president made the same mistake does not make it right.

    The constitution lays out clearly the process through which a governor can be removed and that is through well-laid out impeachment processes that includes the active involvement of the state Chief judge that is mandated to set up a committee to investigate the alleged infractions by a governor after which a required number of votes must be collected before an impeachment goes through.

    He believes the president could have employed dialogue by possibly engaging some of the respected voices of the region like the former governor or Akwa Ibom state, Chief Victor Attah,  King Alfred Diete-Spiff and other notable traditional rulers. Even though the public might not be privy to the security reports that necessitated the state of emergency, dialogue with the different warring parties would have been a better option if our democracy must be nurtured to grow. In democracy, politicians must understand that winning is not permanent, sometimes you lose, sometimes you win. All processes are listed in the constitution and must be followed in ways that there is the maintenance of law and order.

    An intervention would have calmed a Wike while governor Fubara would be made to understand that his mentor deserves respect too and severing relationship with him is not the most ideal thing to do. Prior to the court process, the assembly members that defected to another party ought to lose their seats and then another election held which would have them re-contest and the voters given the chance to either give them their mandate under another party or to reject them at the polls.

    Ideally, if the President had explored other options other than the emergency rule by a sole administrator, the issues might have been better resolved and the governor re-instated faster than the six-month tenure while the peace-building continues between the tripartite teams; governor Fubara, his alleged godfather Nyesom Wike and some of the House of Assembly members. Peace would be achievable but it needs more efforts and the acceptance of the fact that no one person or political party must win all the time. Democracy is like a swinging door that rotates victories and loses.

    The Roundtable Conversation believes that Nigerian political actors must be willing to play by the rules so that our democracy would thrive and begin to have dividends that can be progressively functional. We must restructure the political system to align with the functional tenets of democracy by handing power solely to the people through intra-party democracy that cascades into almost flawless electoral processes. When this happens, there would be less post-election rancor and ultimately zero need for such an intervention as the Rivers situation.

    • The dialogue continues…

  • Nigerian legislators: Power for its own sake?

    Nigerian legislators: Power for its own sake?

    The past six weeks have had the Nigerian Senate being the center of public discourse. It started with the Senator Akpabio Vs Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uguaghan drama during a plenary session. Like wild fire during the hamattan, the altercation seems to have spiraled out of control. There have been accusations and counter accusations. The senate directed the Ethics and Privileges Committee to investigate the case of gross misconduct by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    Their verdict was a six-month suspension of Senator Akpoti Uduaghan, barring her from the National assembly, suspending her salaries and that of her aides and removing her security. According to the senate leadership,  “Let it be unequivocally stated that Senator Uduaghan was suspended solely for her persistent act of misconduct and disregard for the Senate Standing Order.

    Senator Akpoti Uduaghan had made several allegations bordering on sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to the media both locally and internationally. She took her case to the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) some weeks back. The Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, was equally at IPU and pushed that the claims made by Akpoti-Uduaghan at the United Nations event that she was suspended for raising allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio was untrue.

    Kafilat Ogbara as the House Committee  Chairperson on Women and Social Development was representing the  National Assembly to present a response to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s speech  at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the status of women was in her words, “In response to the call by the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Right Honorable Tulia Ackson to hear both sides of the matter, I have received a letter from the Nigerian Senate in my capacity as Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development of our parliament in Nigeria and the parliamentarian representing Nigeria at this conference,” she stated.

    Nigerians and the world eagerly await the intervention of the IPU on this issue. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had gone to some foreign cable news media to tell her story before coming back to the country. In the meantime, the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions hearing on a fresh petition submitted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio ended in chaos as Senator Nwebonyi and Oby Ezekwesili exchanged words.

    The Senator Nwebonyi had since the Senators Akpabio Vs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan seems like a spokesperson of the Senate President given his media rounds making some allegations against Senator Natasha. It was therefore not surprising that the Committee sitting ended in chaos given the verbal exchanges between him and Oby Ezekwesili. The trigger seems to have  been his being shouted at, to ‘shut up’ after he seemingly interrupted  the process. They then went on with invectives at each other to the utter outrage of the whole country. The Senator ‘assured’ a highly accomplished Oby Ezekwesili that, “you can never be a senator”.

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    The Senator Natasha Vs Senator Akpabio issue has so engulfed the political space that it is the most written about national issue in the last six weeks. It has even been linked to the chaotic ‘recall attempts’ of a senator Natasha that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the processes flawed and therefore not valid. An Abuja Federal High Court  presided over by Justice Binta Nyako  had on Friday barred parties in the suit filed by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and three others from granting press interviews on issues relating to the case.

    No matter the merits of the cases by both parties, the Roundtable conversation feels that the Nigerian 10th senate has not lived up to expectations. The Nigerian people would be better served that the senate shines through as the representatives of the people, as the second tripod of the democracy we practice that must have the people and service to them as the focal point of their tenure in the national assembly. Make no mistakes about it, politics especially with legislators is not a walk in the park, there must be arguments, debates, lobbying, points of disagreement etc., but the grass which symbolically is the people must not be allowed to suffer whle the ‘elephants’ in the parliament ‘fight’.

    Nigeria has been going through socio-economic problems over the years. More than 134million Nigerians live in multi-dimensional poverty, more than 20millions Nigerian children are out of school in what is seen as a global highest in a seemingly ‘peaceful’ country. There is high unemployment, high maternal and child mortality, high insecurity, low productivity and other high indices of poverty and underdevelopment.

    On the other hand, Nigerian legislators are some of the most highly paid parliamentarians in the entire globe. They reek of luxury, power and influence. However, their influence is not always about the people they represent. It is always almost about themselves, their ego and their comfort. There is often zero allegiance to the voters who are the mandate givers in cases of real elections.

    The question is, given the below average performances of most government parastatals, ministries and agencies that are supposed to deliver service to the people, where is the legislative oversight functions? We understand some of the perfunctory committee ‘sittings over public petitions’ , but what has changed? How effectively functional is the legislative oversight functions? Why do we often hear of ‘juicy committees’? What are the implications of tagging some committees ‘juicy’?

    Most legislators are so self –centered that they only remember their constituencies during elections only. Once they access power, they run to cities and forget the constituents.  Ironically, most of them feed fat on so-called ‘constituency projects’ that really defy any valid explanations. This often turns out to be political smokescreens.  When Nigerian politicians fully understand the meaning of their legislative duties, development would be accelerated in the country. They would understand their core duties, be more committed to the people who voted them in, be more accountable and take joy in serving the people rather than the present grandstanding and ego-trips that create chaos and are very distractive.

    The issue remains that most politicians who vie for seats in Nigeria do so not as a result of any sense of service but to acquire power for its own sake and for personal reasons. Most have no vision, no agenda or commitment to the general good. The fact that a Senator Elisha Abbo notorious for assaulting a woman in a sex toy shop suddenly jumps out to narrate his experience with a senator Akpabio few weeks after the Senator Akpabio Vs Senator Natasha issue gained national attention is almost laughable.

    While it is his right to speak what he wants us to believe is his own truth, it is apposite to remind him that as a Senator representing Adamawa North in the Senate, his scandalous behaviour then adds to the litany of toxic masculinity and official abuse of power by politicians in Nigeria. His appearance at the Ethics and privileges Committee then regarding his case was scandalous too as it ended in chaos too.

    A senator Elisha Abbo might or might not be speaking the truth of his encounter with the Senate President before he was sacked by the courts but the Roundtable sees his sudden media engagements as merely playing politics. How has he atoned for the scandal that brought him notoriety?  What legacies did he live for his senatorial district? What was the equity and fairness bills he pushed as a senator? What will a senator Elisha Abbo be remembered for?

    Taking advantage of political situations to leverage public approval or sympathy cannot earn anyone garlands. It amounts to speaking  from both sides of the mouth for one who has a history of gender injustice to suddenly want to leverage on the present issue at the senate to launder an image immersed in a scandal he has not shown serious remorse for rather than mere politicking.

    Again on the senate floor, as the senate seemingly debated on the need for late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu to be honoured post-humously, it was interesting to watch  a senator like Adams Oshiomole, who rode on the back of Nigerian workers to national prominence and political gains and visibility argue that a Prof. Nwosu, who as a worker, gave the country the freest, fairest and most credible election ever did not deserve to be honoured, because, in his words, “Don’t accept a job you cannot do and someone must have the courage to do something” all in reference to the late NEC chairman.

    For an Oshiomole, a Prof. Nwosu was a coward. Being a senator, the Roundtable conversation wants an Oshiomole to understand what an award means. It is not a canonization of any human. It is rather recognition of a certain level of diligence, excellence, commitment, sometimes patriotism and a level of integrity. Politics must not dilute the meaning of diligence, integrity and a sense of patriotism lest our children begin to seek heroes from other lands. Going round media houses trying to justify his dishonouring a man who though fallible and imperfect gave the country the best election ever, told his story before he died and acknowledged globally as a man of integrity is just a tad too disappointing.

    Being a national legislator is not just about your constituency, it is a national service that seeks to work for the progress and unity of the country. Legislators must like Ceasar’s wife be, ‘above reproach’ especially in their discharge of their legislative duties in or out of the chambers. Discipline and decorum and a sense of history, equity and justice must be keys. There must be no descent to comic distractions. It is a serious business of national importance.

    • The dialogue continues…

  • Humphrey Nwosu and the undertakers of history

    Humphrey Nwosu and the undertakers of history

    Just two days before the internment of late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the former chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) another side of the 10th Senate came to national and international focus. In what has now become a viral video, the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe and a few co-sponsors from the minority caucus  had  presented a motion of urgent national importance, seeking the immortalization of the late national figure, for his role in Nigeria’s democratic history.

    In their words, “Prof. Nwosu’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy remain undeniable. Despite the challenges he faced, he conducted an election that remains a reference point in our electoral history. It is only right that this senate recognizes his role and honours his memory” argued Senator Abaribe. Sadly, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele disrupted the argument by raising a point of order arguing that the senators did not have enough copies of the motion which in his view was a procedural breach. A representation the second day was fruitless still resulting in the walk-out of the South East senate caucus.

    The presiding Deputy Senate  President, Jibrin Barau, had interjected that, “It is controversial. Some people see him as one of those who truncated June 12, others say he was a hero of democracy”.  Senator Abaribe eventually moved the motion and the deputy Senate President put it to a voice vote and even though the obvious louder voice decibel of the ‘Yeses’ sounded louder, Senator Jibrin raised the garvel and ruled in favour of the ‘Nays’. That singular legislative action symbolically buried the motion, at least ‘temporarily’ as there seems a little window of opportunity of a representation.

    In the seeming legislative ‘politicking’ Senator Abaribe’s futile efforts to push forward the motion was tiring and he exacerbatedly asked, “what is wrong with this motion? What is wrong with a motion to immortalize Prof. Nwosu”?  His further efforts at convincing his colleagues under Order 1b and pointing out that they were operating under democratic tenets did not make any corrective impact. And so, Prof. Nwosu was interred in his Ajali, Anambra state yesterday being a victim of mere politicking in Nigeria’s 10th Senate.

    The 1993 election, more than any other since independence or even after 1999 with the return of democracy remains a great watershed in the history. It has been referred to as the “freest and fairest election” in Nigeria’s history. It is no political, social or ethnic patronage. Prof. Nwosu proved that integrity, education, bravery, patriotism and diligence can all be embodied in one single man. 

    A Prof. Nwosu had coined the socio-political social mantra, “no magomago, no wuruwuru” (which translates to no dubiety or corruption) into Nigeria’s political lexicon. This is rooted in the history of pre-1993 elections that had often been tainted with corruption, violence, rigging and post-election litigations and divisions along ethnic and or religious lines. In Nigeria’s political history, the damage that the military inflicted on the country still subsists till date. The winner-takes-all mentality, the authoritarianism, the power show and total lack of accountability are still the bane of Nigerian politics.

    A Prof. Nwosu had the bad fortune of working under a military dictatorship and came out almost immaculate. The recent launch of his appointer, former military Head of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd.)’s latest book, “A Journey in Service, An Autobiography” more than vindicated him even if there was any iota of doubt about his stewardship as the electoral umpire in 1993.  He had used the very viable and transparent Option A4, Open/Secret ballot system that saw a late MKO Abiola win the 1993 presidential election.

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    According to the former self-styled military President, IBB, the annulment of the election was a totally military decision. His allegation against the role of the late former Head of State, late Sani Abacha that sacked the transition government of late Ernest Shonekan as the one who masterminded the annulment of the election is neither here nor there. Fact remains that the buck stopped at his table in 1993. It is interesting to note that he acted in ‘self-preservation’ by running with his tail in between his legs as his military colleagues messed up a good election that had produced a winner. Many political analysts are outraged that he is only speaking out the obvious truth a long 32 years after the now metaphoric June 12 presidential election.

    His declaration that the late MKO Abiola actually won the 1993 election but military power intrigues and manipulations  pushed for the annulment that cost Nigerian lives and socio-political disruptions and chaos ought to have been valid enough for the Nigerian senate to be sensitive to history and not play politics with history. The fact that  the historic 1993 election produced a winner that had no encumbrances of corruption and rigging should earn late Prof. Nwosu honours. It should not be a debatable motion or under the political doublespeak and chicanery of members of the highest legislative house in the land.

    Elections in Nigeria have been notorious for the electoral infractions that have been sometimes traced to the inefficiency of electoral umpires or even compromises from other government agencies. The fact that two University professors, Professor of Human kinetics, Mr. Uduk and another Prof. of Soil Sciences, Prof. Peter Ogban who had acted as INEC Returning officers in recent elections have been convicted and jailed for different electoral crimes should further highlight the value a Professor Nwosu brought to the 1993 election.

    Most Nigerian politicians are super egoistic, territorial, loquacious and self-centered. Most are still afflicted by the military hangover of the years of the locust.  These are so evident in the ways they grandstand and condescendingly address the electorate. Not many of them bother about due process, professionalism and personal integrity. This is precisely why our democracy seems to continually remain unweaned from both colonial and military mentality. This fuels the lack of patriotism in them and the utter disrespect for both the constitution and electoral laws from the political party levels to the general elections. There seems to be lack of intra-party democracy and this in turn accounts for the country having  some of the most litigious post-election cases in the world. Post election litigations often last for years and are as distractive as they are financially draining in a country where electoral funding is  very systemically unstructured and flawed. The result? A democracy that often does not work for the people but benefits the political actors hugely.

    A Prof. Humphrey Nwosu was one who stood tall and defiant of military bullying. He was as thorough as he was patriotic. Working under a somewhat brutal military regime, he defied all intimidatory tactics and demonstrated that his education and character were valuable assets to the country. The dubiety of the judicial disruption on behalf of ABN with a restraining other stopping the election almost on the eve of the election was ignored by the NEC chairman at the time.

    His choice of the OPTION A4 OPEN/SECRET BALLOT  SYSTEM  for the 1993 elections gave the country the most credible, freest and fairest election in the country’s history. All the artificial bottlenecks and fraudlent practices of most dubious politicians were crushed through a fairly transparent the system that suited both the literate and illiterate. It was seemingly rig-proof. In a country with low literacy level, low technology  and many poor citizens,  that electoral system proved to be the best option. 

    The system defied the age-long hypocrisy of politicians who always wanted to have an edge through ethnic and religious bigotry in addition to other fraudulent electoral practices.  The system in addition to thorough strategic diligence helped  give victory to the then Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, the late MKO Abiola over his main rival, the late Ibrahim Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC) even in his home state of Kano. In the past, even unpopular candidates used the dicey ‘catchment area’ to claim victory through fraudulent actions.

    The voters’ voices were truthfully and loudly heard across Nigeria. There were no significant breaches like snatching of ballot boxes or stuffing of same by street urchins induced by some politicians. The system was so transparent that up till this day, many Nigerians of voting age still remember Prof. Nwosu’s chosen system as the must functional and transparent system  of voting. In a country where the political party system still operate on almost zero ideological leanings, personal credentials of candidates should remain the benchmark for voters.

    Religious and cultural bigotry have for decades been exploited by politicians to win votes. A 1993 election gave no room for any triumphalism on the basis of ethnicity or religion. SDP as a party defied the odds and ran for the first time in Nigerian history on a Muslim-Muslim ticket with an MKO Abiola and a Babagana Kingibe both muslims. What that showed was that stripped of those socially divisive rhetoric, Nigerian voters can make democratic choices unencumbered. The triumph of the SDP candidates was historic and should be something to celebrate.

    Truth be told, stories have been told about the 1993 elections, the former self-styled military president, Ibrahim Babangida has in his current autobiography affirmed the success of the election. The late Prof. Nwosu had equally written a personal account of his stewardship as the chief electoral umpire at the time. People might have and will express different opinions about the elections but no one can take away the historical, political and social value of 1993 presidential elections.

    For the deputy senate president to allege that some people see a Prof. Nwosu as one of those who truncated the 1993 election while others see him as a hero is surely beyond belief. There is clearly a unanimity of opinion about the success that Prof. nwosu made of the assignment he was given as chairman of NEC at a time there was no ‘independent’ as prefix for the electoral commission. He had the mental, patriotic and professional disposition to write his name on the pages of history. He goes to his grave proud of the legacy of excellence not just as an academic professor but as a patriotic Nigerian who gave his best. As the advocates of his immortalization insist, naming the INEC building after a Prof. Nwosu opened the door for putting a moral beacon for all INEC officials in particular and Nigerians in general.

    It is funny that most Nigerians with dented past have national monuments named after them but some senators feel that a Prof. Nwosu, the best of all the electoral commission chairmen does not deserve his flowers. Time like Euripides insists, is a babbler that speaks even when not asked.

    • The dialogue continues…