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  • An appraisal of cashless policy in Nigeria

    An appraisal of cashless policy in Nigeria

    • By Musa Wada

    The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has has in the last decade introduced several initiatives with the objective of promoting digital payments and transit Nigeria from a cash-dependent economy to a cashless society. Thus, in 2012 the apex bank made a significant milestone with its digital payments directive. The directive required financial institutions to increase their investment in digital payment infrastructure, promote digital payments among their customers, and work with the CBN to develop a strong regulatory framework.

    This initiative aimed to modernise the financial sector, increase transparency, and enhance efficiency in the economy. This occasioned a range of achievements, namely, the expansion of financial access points such as automated teller machines (ATMs), point of sale (PoS) terminals, mobile cash (mCash) facilities, as well as the proliferation of e-payment platforms, and a significant increase in the adoption of electronic channels.

    The apex bank said, “Our economy uses too much cash for transactions for goods and services, especially for buying and selling. This is not how it is done in other progressive countries of the world where there are other payment options like debit and credit cards, bank transfers, bank direct debits, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and even mobile phone money.”

    Consequently, on December 21, 2022, the apex bank announced an upward review of its cash withdrawal policy across all payment channels by individuals and corporate organisations. Effective January 9, 2023, individuals and corporate entities can withdraw a maximum of N500,000 and N5 million, respectively, on weekly basis compared to N100,000 and N500,000 which was previously announced on December 6, 2022.

    The bank said in compelling circumstances where cash withdrawal above the limit is required for legitimate purposes, such request shall be subject to a processing fee of 3 per cent and 5 per cent for individuals and corporate organisations, respectively.

    The new policy on cash-based transactions seeks to reduce the amount of physical cash circulating in the economy, and not to eliminate it – as well as to encourage more electronic-based transactions in the payments for goods, and services among others.

    Read Also: Tinubu steering Nigeria through turbulent waters, says Akpabio

    The bank maintained that an efficient and modern payment system is positively correlated with economic development and is a key elixir for economic growth.

    The cashless policy will cut the cost of banking services including the cost of credit and drive financial inclusion by providing more efficient transaction options and greater reach; improve the effectiveness of monetary policy in managing inflation and driving economic growth.

    It will also provide increased convenience and more service options for consumers and reduce the risk of cash-related crimes, particularly banditry, ransom taking and terrorism financing as well as provide cheaper access to banking services and access to credit.

    The policy has helped to control inflation, create faster access to capital, reduce revenue leakage, and cash handling costs while the government will enjoy increased tax collections, greater financial inclusion, and increased economic development. Insecurity and high profile corruption have been drastically reduced.

    In a complementary gesture, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) recently unveiled new guidelines aimed at mitigating money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation of weapons, among others.

    The Enforcement, Guidelines, and Policies for Mitigation of Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, Proliferation of Weapons and Prevention of Predicate Crimes which became effective on March 1, 2023, restricts cash payments of a sum exceeding N5 million (or its equivalent) for individuals, and N10 million or its equivalent for a body corporate.

    Section 19 of the MLPPA, 2022 imposes a fine of at least N10 million or imprisonment for a term of at least three years (or both), in the case of individuals; and a fine of N25 million in the case of a body corporate. Section 26 of POCA, 2022 makes provision for the seizure and detention of cash over the prescribed amount under the law.

    The framework allows for the discontinuation of cash withdrawal in Naira and foreign denominations from public accounts at federal, state, and local government levels were in compliance with its statutory responsibility under Section 3(1) a – s and Section 23 (2) a of the NFIU Act, 2018, and other provisions under the MLPPA, 2022.

    According to the NFIU, “Civil servants are becoming more and more vulnerable to money laundering and its predicate offences due to their exposure to cash withdrawals from public accounts”.

    Evidently, the cashless policy remains popular with Nigerians who believe that the initiative would plug leakages in the administration of public resources and well as help to win the fight against corruption which is endemic in the country. The only obstacle to the policy is the privileged and corrupt elite who want to continue to take undue advantage of the system to enrich themselves to the detriment of vulnerable Nigerians.

    The vision of a cashless society, while ambitious, does hold the potential to bring about a range of benefits for the country and its people if implemented correctly. These transformations in the financial landscape have significant effects on the government, businesses, and society at large.

    As the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology, the traditional way of doing business is no longer feasible. A cashless society offers a more convenient and secure alternative to physical cash. The benefits are numerous, from faster transactions to reduced costs and risks associated with physical currency, such as theft and fraud.

    Despite the challenges, the push by the CBN to modernise the country’s financial system to enable individuals and businesses enhance their financial efficiency and security is commendable. This will pave the way for new innovations from digital payment providers and encourage financial inclusion. As Nigeria continues to embrace the shift towards digital payments, it is vital that all stakeholders work together to ensure a seamless transition and maximize the benefits that a cashless society can offer.

    While congratulating Dr Yemi Cardoso for his nomination by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the new governor of the CBN, it is expedient to advise him on the need to engender the trust of the people as it unfolds its cashless policy directives. The apex bank should step financial literacy, advocacy, and enlightenment campaign in order achieve 100 percent cashless economy for inclusive growth and development of Nigeria.

    •Wada writes from Abuja

  • Sagamu killings and governor’s resolve to end  menace

    Sagamu killings and governor’s resolve to end  menace

    On Wednesday night, security operatives in Ogun State announced that six suspected cultists, allegedly involved in the deadly cult clashes that erupted in Sagamu at the weekend, have been tracked to and arrested at the official residence of a member of the state House of Assembly. Hon. Damilare Bello Mohammed the member, representing Sagamu State Constituency 1, arrested along with the suspects, was alleged to have provided shelter to the fleeing cultists. Those arrested with him include Debo Animashaun, Bamidele Saheed, Ismaila Onitire, Adewale Otesanya and Tobi Owoade.

    Sagamu, a major town in the East senatorial district of the state had been thrown into violence for days as cult groups engaged themselves in attacks and counter attacks, leasing to the death of some persons.

    The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the killing of about eight persons in Sagamu during the senseless clashes by the rival cult groups. Nine suspects were earlier arrested in relationship with the killings, according to the Police.

    “About nine suspects have been arrested as we speak with evidences of their involvement in the killings. Two guns and some rounds of cartridges with evidences that they were recently fired, were recovered from the suspects,” Police said.

    Not a few people were taken aback when the State’s Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, said preliminary investigations revealed the remote cause of the clashes to be a land transaction that took place in the town.

    “A land was sold and some form of commission or settlement was paid to a cult group by the owner of the land. A rival cult group got to know about the payment and went after members of the other group in a bid to get a share of the commission,” the Police boss said.

    One of those who felt pained to the marrow and reiterated their belief that the killings were avoidable, is Governor Dapo Abiodun. Governor Abiodun, who has been at the forefront of the battle against cultism in Ogun since he assumed office in 2019, was greatly saddened by the development.

    Determined to see an end to the senseless killings and wanton destructions that characterise activities of cult groups, Governor Abiodun went all out to reiterate his earlier position that he will not condone criminalities of any type within the State.

    In line with his resolve to change the face of the war against cultism in the state, the governor promptly ordered a crack down on cultists In Sagamu. He left no one in doubt that he wants security agencies in the State to rid Sagamu and other parts of the state of the menace of cultists and cult-related activities.

    The police and sister security agencies were promptly given matching orders to deal ruthlessly and decisively with those directly or indirectly involved in the violence that played out in Sagamu, as the governor vowed that those responsible for this current crisis will find themselves to blame.

    “As a responsible and responsive government, we are very sad with the resurgence of activities of criminal elements under different outlawed groups, raising unnecessary tension in the sleepy town of Sagamu and it’s environs.

    “Let me categorically state that we are more than determined to put an end quickly to these nefarious activities of these hoodlums and enemies of our people; who are hellbent to truncate the peace of our land.

    “Let these urchins be rest assured that the State will be too hot for them to operate as we are reevaluating the security architecture for greater surveillance and tactical operation,” Governor Abiodun said in the wake of the crisis.

    Read Also: Tinubu steering Nigeria through turbulent waters, says Akpabio

    While it is not possible to isolate what happened in Sagamu from previous cult clashes within the town and other parts of the state, the response of the current administration has assured many residents of the state that the time may have finally come for a collective war against killer sect groups in Ogun State.

    To many observers of the actions of Governor Abiodun since the clashes broke out, he is showing readiness to lead the war and rid Ogun of the menace that cultism has become across the state. The hard stance of Governor Abiodun is fast encouraging other stakeholders to see the need for them to join in the renewed fight against the needless banditry that cultism has become. 

    To the good people of Ogun State, it was heartwarming when the governor mooted the idea of a new security approach to be implemented in collaboration with the traditional institution, community and religious leaders, youth groups as well as other critical stakeholders, in the war against cultism and related criminalities in the state.

    It was an obviously saddened Dapo Abiodun who appealed to the people of Sagamu to provide adequate and useful information to security agents for prompt response to prevent future occurrences. According to the Governor, the success of the new security initiative largely rely on the readiness and participation of the people themselves.

    Unrelenting in his determined move against the menace of cultism, Governor Abiodun elicited widespread applause within and outside the state during the week when he said his administration would soon enact a law that will pronounce the death penalty on anyone caught engaging in cult activities in the state.

    He revealed this last Tuesday at a meeting with the Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, and his chiefs at the Akarigbo Palace in Sagamu.

    “I have discussed with the Attorney General perhaps it is our disposition that allows for these occurrences of heinous crimes. It is well within my powers as the governor of this State to pronounce the death penalty on people and we are going to ensure that we enact that because when people appreciate and understand the consequences of their behaviours, perhaps they will begin to have a rethink.

    We will no longer refer to these people as cultists or any other name. We are pronouncing them as murderers and we will mete out punishments that are deserving to murderers,” the governor said.

    Declaring cultism and related criminal activities as economic sabotages against the state, the governor added that “nobody should call me or my SSG nor the Commissioner of Police. I am warning parents, we are going to deal decisively with anybody caught in the act, and we will not spare anyone.”

    In furtherance of his commitment to the war against cultism, Governor Abiodun announced that a special Court will be established by his administration to try cult-related cases. A Joint Anti-Cultism Security Task Force that will be peopled by operatives of major security outfits, with the mandate to rid the state of the menace of cultism, is also to be established.

    Governor Abiodun also said the state is considering an amnesty programme for repentant cultists who may wish to surrender their weapons and denounce their membership of cult groups.

    The governor is not embarking on a one-man-show in his renewed war against cultism. He is collaborating with several stakeholders as he promised. Many joint security meetings have been held with numerous stakeholders in pursuit of a lasting solution to the menace of cultism in the state. The meetings focused on providing adequate measures to eradicate cultism in the Gateway State.

    “As an administration deeply committed to fostering a peaceful and violence-free society, we are dedicated to providing the Special Court and Joint Anti-Cultism Security Task Force with the necessary logistics and tools to support their operations effectively.

    “The overall objective of our conversation is to address the issue of cultism through a multifaceted approach. This will include legal and enforcement measures, rehabilitation efforts, and community engagement through our respected traditional leaders,” the governor said.

    While security officials say Hon. Bello and others arrested with him are presently undergoing interrogation at the Department of State Service (DSS), reports say many dangerous weapons, including guns, were recovered from the suspects. Ogun publics are now patiently waiting for the outcome of the investigation.

    But one song now on the lips of many is that the proactive response of the current administration under the leadership of Governor Abiodun led to the many arrests we are not witnessing. While urging the governor not to relent, stakeholders from within and outside the state are insisting that justice must be done in the matter to serve as deterent to others.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Assistant Inspector General of Police Olusola Subair (rtd), while speaking on the developments, said with the commitment of the current administration to the fight against cultism, the time is ripe for a concerted effort by all and sundry to rid the state of the menace.

    Similarly, Consultant on Security, retired Commissioner of Police Awolowo Ajogun, said Governor Abiodun’s determination and the readiness of the people of the state to collaborate with security operatives are the two vital tools needed to run cultists out of the state and secure lives and properties henceforth.

    “The governor knows what to do and he is ready to do it. What is left is for the people to collaborate with security operatives,” he said.

    •Odufowokan is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Communications to Governor Abiodun

  • Rationalising and optimalising local government system in Nigeria

    Rationalising and optimalising local government system in Nigeria

    • By Godwin Momodu

    Local Government structure which  is the third-tie administrative organ of the federal system in the Nigerian socio-political sector is as old as the nation itself. Coming from the days of British Colonial Administration in Nigeria, it was coined in different  tittles Viz:- Native Authority Council; District Council or Divisional Council and etc. The system obtained through the First Republic and military interregnum in the country. It survived several reforms and finally climaxed in the 774  Local Government Areas in the federation as provided in the 1999 constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria

    Since the inception of the present civilian democratic administration in the country in 1999, local government administration has not augured well for the over all socio-political or socio-economic development of the nation.. In the first place, the creation of the 774 Areas across the country as spelt out in the present dispensation did not go down well with some sections of the country  –  particularly Lagos state –  which was short-circuited by virtue of it’s population explosion . Whereas compared with Kano and Jigawa states combined, the  hitherto status of Kano State before the last creation of local government excercise,  Lagos State has more favorable geo+demographic statistical data to deserve more local government areas than any other state in the federation.

    Read Also: No casualty at Lagos collapsed 3-storey building — NEMA

    This is probably the reason Bola Tinubu as governor of Lagos State was engrossed in seeking to balance the equation and make up for the loss Lagos State suffered in the last nation-wide excercise of local government creation. He passionately pursued the programme of creating more local government areas in the state without caring whose ox was gorged and the action indignated the office of the then president,  Olusegun Obasanjo who condemned it as ultra vires and illegal. The action really lacked the merit of constitutional amendment and the accent of the president to become law. The issue still rages onto date even though Lagos State rescinded it’s earlier action of creation of local government areas to administrative councils to avoid unnecessary disruption of the political system.in the infant democracy. Today, the man who motivated the ambitious action of the State is now the executive president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria  His Excellence Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    If the creation of more local government areas is of any administrative significance and priority to the Lagos State , this is the time such prospects can be realised. The president has to lay before the National Assembly a grant proposal for constitutional amendment which would integrate local government reforms and affairs in the country. The institution needs to be freed from the cleptomanic clutches and executive prerogatives of state governors so as to add value to the efforts of the other two tiers of government in the country. Without which development cannot trickle down the grassroots of the federation. For instance, the present situation whereby the fiscal and revenue control of funds is subject to the fruaght discretion of the state executive should be reviewed.

    Second, the mode of conducting elections into political offices in the councils must be improved upon or be handed over to INEC to discharge as their sole responsibility and disband SIEC throughout the country. This would forestall electoral malpractices and eliminate arbitrary hand picking of council officers without proper election by the executive.. There is no need to allow any breeding grounds for corruption in the     constitution..The moral sanctity of the document cannot be jeopardized for political convenience,let alone to generate malfunction in the system . Therefore, the constitution needs to be updated to expunge friction in governance and make progress in rural development. This would fast track growth in local markets and other economic sectors in the country.

    Further more, the federal government should set up a ‘ special audit system’  to monitor the incomes and expenditures of councils’ finances to check and avoid abuse and misuse of public funds.  This is the only way efficiency and probity can be restored when  autonomy with  fiscal independence is granted local government councils  in Nigeria..

    •Momodu is director-general of conscience International.  

  • Mohbad, a death, parenting, policing and the victims we create

    Mohbad, a death, parenting, policing and the victims we create

    A young musician, late Ilerioluwa, Oladimeji Aloba known by his stage name of Mohbad just died a few days ago and a lot of questions are  unanswered yet.  How did such a talented 27 year old live through an industry with all the bullying and neglect he sang about with no protection? Nigerians are asking questions. But what answers are available?

    The Nigerian police had exhumed his body in order to provide answers. There have been national protests and even a Night of Tributes organized in Lagos. The Senate Committee on Entertainment Economy headed by Senator Elisha Abbo, notorious for physically assaulting a woman in a sex toyshop some years back just visited the mother in the company of Nollywood actress, Tonto Dike.

    The result of the police autopsy has not been made public but sadly   again there are casualties from the Candlelight Memorial  as police tried to disperse the crowd that proceeded to the famous Lekki Tollgate after the night of tribute at Muri Okunola Park in Victoria Island.

     Many people even outside the shores of Nigeria want to know the cause of death of the budding musician who in some of his lyrics had somewhat ‘prophetically’ talked about being more popular in death after he has passed and predicting how the rights and wrongs he might have done would be under discourse. Many have suggested he might have had some premonitions about his death. What many fail to add might  he never sang about dying at 27 and nothing about the cocktail of allegations and controversies surrounding his very tragic death.

    The Roundtable Conversation as always wants to point the torch into the mirror of our lives, our society/system, parenting,  governments, our values (upheld or eroded), our Ostrich-playing and the fact that Nigerians love to address the symptoms instead of the fundamentals. The Mohbad death is trending, bloggers and other content creators are having a field day on the internet. Allegations are a million a kobo. While many seek for justice on one hand, they dish out injustice with the other. Many innocent people have suffered some collateral damage since the death. We must ask why the people often take the laws into their hands. There is a trust deficit on governments and their agencies.

    If this same boy sang about being bullied in the by his former music label, why did the industry not raise alarm, why did the police with active social media presence not wade in, where were the parents in the whole arrangement?

    The Roundtable Conversation sought the thoughts of the matriarch of the entertainment industry, the multi-award-winning Taiwo Ajai-Lycett. Expectedly, she is saddened that Nigeria and the world lost such a young talent whose contributions to the global community would have made a huge difference.

    So she started from the homes. She believes that tragic as the incident is, it is not an isolated case. While not blaming the parents directly for the death of their child, she believes that hearing the father, less than 48 hours after burying the son talk about money and material possessions at a time he ought to be in mourning is symptomatic of the loss of family values that put the son in danger.

    She could not understand how that discussion can even come up now given the tragedy that has left the world broken literally. But it aligns with her assessment of the erosion of values in the society. She feels there is too much poverty of the mind in ways that some parents now just have children they cannot even care for and that caring to her is not about riches or poverty. It is about the fact that most parents now see children as ATM. There seems to be more concern about the wealth children can bring than parents taking real care of their children like has been the case especially in a cultural society like Nigeria. Children are now raising themselves. There is a breakdown of values. She believes the boy is just one of many in the hood. It is not about poverty, what we see is a breakdown of societal values. Neither the father nor the mother seems to have been hands-on to raise and guide the dead boy.

    Sadly, many young people are on the streets and are suffering the same fate as the dead Mohbad but most are not in the limelight so there stories are untold and unheard.  Before we blame the system or government, the families are failing already. Everything seems to be about money and parents do not mind how their children get sudden wealth. The society seems to respect money no matter how it is made and even the musicians have their lyrics and videos celebrating wealth and its acquisition not necessarily the process of acquiring them.

    Dame Ajai-Lycett wondered how the parents did not monitor his academic progress closely, as the boy sang, “…dad gathered money for Polytechnic but I didn’t attend classes…”.Where were his parents? The vacuum then got filled by gangs and bullies who he had resorted to. How did the parents not notice and nurture his talents? It does not need a PhD or money to be an engaged parent.  Then the father was so heartless to talk about him not giving him money and posturing to have access to his money even before the sand on his grave settled? Some parents traffic their kids in different ways she said.

    When it comes to the talk about police not wading into the fact that the boy sang and spoke of his bullying, Ajai-Lycett finds it hilarious that people have such unrealistic expectations. She recounted her experience with the police after she was attacked and raped in her house some years back. She said that in Nigeria, it is all about the highest bidder for protection.

    The politicians and other rich men get round the clock police and military protection because they can fund the services. Her rape and robbery case has not been investigated many years after because she as a victim refused to fund investigations and prosecution. That is an aberration she can’t be part of. So to her, poor Mohbad might have sang about how he was being bullied, if the alleged bullies were richer, he had no chance in hell and so are majority of the people.  Sometimes there are official collusion with the bullies. The security agencies often terrorize the population instead of serving and protecting them.

    If a Taiwo Ajai-Lycett with her global iconic status could not get justice from a system she has spent more than fifty years serving, it is difficult to expect a miracle for a budding  27 year old Mohbad. She says that is why more and more people are raped, robbed and bullied but nothing happens. A Mohbad at 27, with little money and experience had no chance. While no one is claiming he died of bullying as the autopsy has not confirmed, Ajai-Lycett believes our system keeps failing many.

    Read Also: MC Oluomo gifts MohBad’s son, parents N5m

    Ace Comedian, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome popularly known as Alibaba in an interview with a TV station equally expressed his worries about the death of the very young musician.  Being a veteran of the entertainment industry, she understands the roots of the pressure those in the entertainment industry go through which often starts from families, friends, peer groups and even the society at large.

    Alibaba believes that there is some serious parental guidance lacking generally in society. The target is to make it big, to show off, to indulge in luxuries and to belong. Tremendous pressure that needs a lot of grit and will power  to resist stem from good parenting.  He understands the pressure for young people who often fall into the hands of some producers or music labels that pressure them into certain weird lifestyles that might be inimical to a flourishing and sustainable career.

    He observed that most of the record labels or producers often mount pressure on young ones to follow certain social styles which in their thinking might help them hit the limelight fast. Some he said are often persuaded to either get certain tattoos, join certain groups, smoke or drink as a sure route to success. These things are known pressure points that if not well handled can spell doom. In all these, Alibaba believes only discipline rooted in parental and school guidance can help evrry child in whatever field.

    Alibaba believes that discipline must back any type of creative talent for sustainable success.  A creative must have the willpower to resist being corrupted or negatively influenced. He believes that there are creative that have maintain their dignity while succeeding in projecting their creative talents. This group takes strong stands and do not fall to tragic bad influences. The artist in any genre must define the way he wants to go but that is only backed by parental guidance and training.

    The veteran comedian believes that aspirations must meet reality in life. It is valid to want to ‘blow’ but your aspirations are driven by what you see, what are your parents and society showing to you? What influences a child is what they see. Parents must be good role models for the children to take after. They must be firm and not permissive or absent.

    He believes that there are successful artists  like Timi Dakolo, Dareh Art Alade, Cobhams and others who don’t fit into the popular social misnomers like drinking on stage/videos, smoking or have any allegations of cultism or cybercrimes are good models. Bottomline for Alibaba is that families through good parenting must mold children and instill contentment and confidence that talent backed by hard work is enough.

    The Roundtable Conversation in talking to these two veterans,  believes that we must stop playing the Ostrich and understand that there are many Mohbads, some are unsung and never mourned  but they define a society that have departed from the core values that help nurture talents and give every child and adult the chance to blossom.

    Any lessons from a dead Mohbad?

    The conversation continues… 

  • NADECO, where are you? (2)

    NADECO, where are you? (2)

    Wait a minute, how many of the original NADECO members are still alive and what’s their current attitudinal disposition and worldview to the democracy that we claim to be enjoying? We need to interrogate this premise so that we can appropriately gauge if what we have in place is worth what they have put into the struggle. Otherwise, we will only be deluding ourselves with the notion that NADECO lives, whereas it is long gone and lives only in the abstract. For example, Nigerians remember the name, NADECO, and what it stood for, but in concrete terms, does it remain the same as of today, September 23, 2023? The tragic truth is that we have pushed crass euphemism to its most extreme bound and allowed unholy accommodation to its bottomless pit.

    In any case, this is what can raise the Coalition from its moribund posture – to make the people to begin to think, because those who actually did not even understand democracy, and did not work for it have now come to eat where they have not sown; and they are everywhere.  The nauseating thing about this struggle is that they are now the ones who have a voice. The real soldiers have been relegated to the margins. Some of those who never knew the meaning of the struggle, let alone partake of it now call the shots. But who will hear the grievances of the original labourers in the vineyard? In Nigeria’s democratic setting, the powerful ones get by only for the ordinary folks to wonder their fate. And, to whom do they appeal? Yet, we talk about democracy. At best, that’s doctored democracy, that is, democracy as defined. It is remodelled to accommodate or exclude some irritants. You are lucky if your aims and objectives are included but you will forever keep complaining if yours are thrown out.

    Right now, the challenge is not to reawaken NADECO for the sake of NADECO. What do I mean? Sometimes, people create slogans without knowing how to deliver the lyrics. They shout a slogan so that it can be everywhere in the air. But to address what? To some people, the word, NADECO, is no longer necessary, because the military has gone back to the barracks, and we are running a democracy. End of story! However, how democratic is our democracy when the police arm of the government is not democratically responsible to the governor of a state? Is a situation where a Governor Ademola Adeleke decides not to pay government’s authentic workers their salaries and emoluments as Osun State has done and everybody keeps pretending as if the fall of a yellow leaf is no longer a warning to the green ones the democracy NADECO fought for?

    Read Also: NADECO, where are you? (1)

    Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Akin Aduwo, Abubakar Umar, Anya O. Anya, Ade Ojo, Sola Soile, Niyi Akintola and Vincent Nwizugbo, Nigerians remember your immeasurable contributions to the institutionalization of democracy in Nigeria. But will this be the end? If not, how will you mentor others and build capacity for the future? Why can’t you move in to assist our president now that doing so has honour?

    Jumoke Ogunkeyede (JMK), Frank Ovie-Kokori, Femi Falana, Ayo Opadokun, Empire Kanu, Nick Dazzang, Siraj Hamza, Alex Ayatolla and Uma Eleazu! Those who may be thinking that they are already in their comfort zones should have a rethink so that their labour won’t be in vain. Therefore, this is not the time to behave like Donald Trump. It is not the time to lament our losses or betray the deepest values of democracy.

    To Wole Soyinka, Matthew Kukah, George Ehusani, Olisa Agbakoba, Peter Akinola and other allies of NADECO, we plead: ‘eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.’

    MKO Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Suliat Adedeji, Babatunde Elegbede, Bagauda Kaltho, Chris Abachi, Shola Omoshola, Abdul-Ganiyu Fawehinmi, Alao Aka-Basorun, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Tunji Braithwaite, C. C. Onoh, Moses Adasu, Wahab Dosumu, Chima Ubani, Olaniwun Ajayi, Olabiyi Durojaye, Ayo Fasanmi, Yinka Odumakin and Sunday Mbang! These and many others have fought a good fight of faith and have gone to meet their Maker. So, how do we want them to be remembered? Is this the vision that made them stake their lives to save the country? Isn’t this the right time for the implementation of the fine ideals that the Coalition has over the years been preaching? NADECO, where are you? Where is your university, where those ideals can be taught? It is pathetic that some of your chieftains have held offices in the past but left the people worse than they met them. Immediately they had power, they stopped picking calls.

    Last of all, that Tinubu is said to be doing well shows that the ‘Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom’ believes in the NADECO cause. But it mustn’t end there. A watchdog is needed, whether it is NADECO or not, because social institutions are never to be trusted. They must be constantly under watch.

    •Concluded.

  • Zacch Adedeji: A technocrat with a big assignment

    Zacch Adedeji: A technocrat with a big assignment

    There is nothing wrong with a very big dream. What is wrong is not having a dream at all. But with a dream, there’s also the possibility of a deluge of hindrances to its actualization. So, dreamers don’t go to the office to sleep. They go to the office to work.

    Actually, the dream that motivated President Bola Tinubu to appoint Zacchaeus Adedeji as the Acting Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) must be big and vibrant. But how much the Iwo Ate, Oyo State-born technocrat can achieve will depend on the environment and society. Why did I say so? Generally in any hostile society, there is always a force to contend with. While no one is trying to manufacture excuses for poor performance, the dangerous truth is that it is real. So, one cannot but wish Adedeji the very best in his new assignment.

    For sure, Zacch, as the new FIRS boss is fondly called, will need all the humility in the world to maneuver the onerous tasks before him. The praise-singers, party loyalists and the ever-known critical political ‘yes’ Sayers may be in the way. So, this man of very considerable renown and wonderful patience has to be careful. Towards the discharge of his responsibilities, all he needs to possess are commendable acts of compassion, uncomplicatedness and will-power virtue – and his antecedents have shown that he has them in abundance – and people will show him the way. They may even be prepared to work double-shift, just to help him. Yes, they may not be many, but they are always there. They may not even be bothered about promotion, but they will always want him to succeed.

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    Discreet investigations have shown that FIRS is currently an over-bloated humongous entity with over 80% non-professionals in the field of Accounting and/or Taxation as a result of which over 60% of its 4% collection fees go to staff salary alone, i.e., recurrent expenditure, thereby leaving nothing for capital expenditure. So, it behooves Adedeji to spearhead a holistic constitutional review of the Service’s operations to make them the real and soul of the Federal Government’s treasury collection. 

    Through the ages, haphazard promotion has been a means of rubbishing productivity. So, this amazing star must do all in his power to address staff recruitment and promotion which, according to information, are currently lopsided and abused. Provision of working tools, training programmes and other benefits must also be merit-based as contrary is a recipe for zero-level morale.

    May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!

    •KOMOLAFE wrote in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria (ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk)

  • Still on ECOWAS dilemma in Niger Republic

    Still on ECOWAS dilemma in Niger Republic

    • By Paul Ejime

    France and the United States were two countries that championed so-called international condemnation of and outrage against the July 26 military coup in Niger. But some two months on, both countries appear to be working at cross purposes in relation to efforts for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger or the reinstatement of deposed and detained President Mohamed Bazoum.

    This is hardly surprising, since international relations is about national interests. However, the implications of the unravelling dispositions of the two powerful nations as a metaphor and referendum on relations between developed countries and the developing nations require deeper reflections and interrogation.

    Paris and Washington have military bases and an estimated combined troops strength of 2,600 in Niger. Canada and other foreign nations also have soldiers, all purportedly training and assisting Niger armed forces in the global counter-terrorism fight.

    Also, foreign companies, particularly from France, the former colonial power, have been exploiting Niger’s natural resources, especially uranium and gold, repatriating the lion’s share of the proceeds for the development of their countries, leaving Niger and its estimated 26 million people in misery and abject poverty.

    In diplomatic parlance, Niger and its leaders “are strategic allies” to France, its Western allies and the United States.

    Given the growing anti-French sentiments in the former French colonies in Africa and with military coups in four of these countries in West Africa in the last three years – Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger – France was naturally concerned that it was losing its stranglehold on these countries. There is also the fear that the West is losing the battle for influence on Africa to Russia and China.

    It was therefore, no wonder, that Washington and Paris were head over heels in mounting pressures on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to do everything to reverse the coup in Niger.

    Senior American officials worked their phones calling West African leaders, especially Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, who is the current chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

    Even so, the external pressures on ECOWAS bore fruits. ECOWAS leaders in their first extraordinary summit on the Niger crisis on July 30 threatened the use of military force against the Brig.-Gen, Abdourahamane Tchiani-led junta if they failed to reinstate Bazoum and restored constitutional order in Niger within seven days.

    Unfortunately for ECOWAS, that ultimatum passed uneventfully. The same threat has been reiterated by different ECOWAS officials and at various fora of the regional bloc, including the leaders’ second extraordinary summit on August 10, and emergency meetings of regional military chiefs.

    “The D-Day has been decided and the Chiefs of defence staff are waiting for the go ahead for the deployment of the Standby force,” one ECOWAS official had enthused. But it has now emerged that ECOWAS is “on its own” as far as the military intervention in Niger is concerned.

    Apart from the complications and complexities of such a deployment in an environment of grave insecurity, coupled with the fact that the decision is unpopular because of the potential catastrophic consequences, the so-called military alliance for mutual support by Mali, Burkina Faso cannot be wished away.

    ECOWAS sanctions on Niger are biting hard, especially on the long-suffering population, but while the organisation is working through its designated envoy to Niger, former Nigerian Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar coupled with back-channel initiatives by some Islamic clerics, the Ulamas, some ECOWAS leaders such as Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé, are maintaining unilateral contacts with the junta.

    But more concerning is the fact that despite their public assurances, ECOWAS cannot count or rely on sincere and solid support of either the United States or France on its planned military operation.

    America for one, has been pursuing its national agenda which is at variance with what Washington had been pressurising ECOWAS to do.

    The new management of the ECOWAS Commission has made clear its determination to put an end to the resurgence of military coups in the region, which is a symptom of the governance malaise and leadership failures over the decade.

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    Some of the regional leaders now baying for blood in Niger, are partly responsible for military takeovers, including by blatantly altering their countries’ constitutions for tenure elongation, rigging of elections, clamping down on opposition and narrowing of the democratic space by not respecting the rule of law or citizens’ human rights.

    Many of them are not only corrupt but have failed woefully in delivering on their promises such as ending insecurity, providing jobs for the army of unemployed youths and failure to inspire economic development and prosperity.

    Meanwhile, Paris’ blunt refusal to withdraw its troops and ambassador from Niger as demanded by the junta, as if the West African country is still a colony, speaks to the arrogance of imperialism and mater-servant relationship between the North and South.

    But if France’s opaque position poses a problem for ECOWAS on how to proceed in Niger, the American agenda is also unhelpful if not undermining the regional approach.

    As ECOWAS continues to mull its options, America’s new Ambassador to Niger, Kathleen A. FitzGibbon arrived Niamey, the nation’s capital on August 19 to assume duty.

    As if that was not enough, American media on September 14 confirmed that “the U.S. military has resumed flying drones and manned aircraft out of air bases iin Niger after a coup temporarily halted all those activities there.”

    The 1,100 U.S. forces deployed in Niger had been confined inside their military bases. But the Pentagon was quoted as saying that “some military personnel and assets had been moved from the air base near Niamey to another in Agadez”.

    Gen. James Hecker, a top Air Force Commander for Europe and Africa, was quoted as saying that “in recent weeks some of those intelligence and surveillance missions have been able to resume due to U.S. negotiations with the junta.”

    What can ECOWAS glean from these seemingly underhand developments and their implications on its credibility and reputation as a regional bloc being dragged into a proxy war? Can the junta which, has cut a deal with America take the threat of military force by ECOWAS seriously?

    ECOWAS has to re-evaluate its partnerships, review its strategy, and prioritize the use of diplomacy, especially on the Niger crisis.

    Part of the Western hypocrisy and double standards is also the fact that Washington has still to determine whether the military takeover in Niger is “a successful coup” or “a coup attempt,” this is because the American Constitution forbids any dealings with a government that came to power though military coup. But the jury is still out on the sincerity or sustainability of such a policy where America’s national interests are involved just as in Niger.

    Furthermore, a group of five American Congressmen led by Sara Jacobs, Ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa has in a letter dated September 18 and addressed to the Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. envoy to the United States Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed “concern regarding the impact of ECOWAS sanctions on (Niger) civilian populations, particularly regarding the delivery of humanitarian and development services.”

    “While maintaining the pressure for a return to civilian rule is important, we need to mitigate spillover effects to the population as much as possible. Therefore, we urge the Biden administration to advocate for exemptions for humanitarian assistance and critical commodities such as food and medicine to be integrated into current ECOWAS sanctions,” said the Congress members.

    They also recalled a August 17 letter by the U.N. Under-Secretary General of Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator to the ECOWAS leadership, “expressing concern with the adverse impact of ECOWAS sanctions on the Nigerien civilian population and calling for amendments to current sanctions regimes to ensure timely delivery of aid and authorization of transactions essential for humanitarian operations,” noting: “this request was echoed in an August 28 advocacy note signed by more than 40 international humanitarian and development non-profit organizations.”

    As ECOWAS and other partners continue to grapple with the Niger political crisis, they cannot ignore these statements by external interests pushing for a tough stance against military coups and at the same time urging mitigation measures in Niger.

    With the involvement of Russia and China, it is clear that a UN Security Council approval for the use of military intervention in Niger threatened by ECOWAS is dead on arrival.

    ECOWAS is therefore left with the proverbial saying of “counting its teeth with its tongue,” in order words, Africans must find solutions to African problems!

    •Ejime is a global affairs analyst and consultant on peace & security and governance communications.

  • State Police: Solution in search of a problem

    State Police: Solution in search of a problem

    • By Nosa Osaikhuiwu

    Nigeria as a country has witnessed astronomical levels of violence, kidnappings, thuggery, banditry and insurgency in the last 20 years, and to date, there is a feeling of general insecurity in the land and a yearning for relatively peaceful good old days. It is in the light of this atmosphere of insecurity that many in and outside the political circle have started the drumbeat for the creation of state police which according to the advocates, will help the nation fully deal with and address the security challenges in the country.

    While I acknowledge the enormity of the security situation in Nigeria and the urgent need to bring this under control, advocating for or creating a state police does not in any way help to address these challenges. State police in my view is a solution in search of a problem. What the Nigerian people have been told or have not bothered to ask about is the threats posed to ordinary citizens and their civil liberties by the creation of such an organization under the control of corrupt and unethical political officeholders in the various states of the federation.

    The reported dust-up between the aides of the dancing governor in the southwest and a renowned politician and former senator over sitting arrangements at a mosque celebration of the Muslim holiday recently is a very telling tale of what will become regular occurrences in many states if state police are created.  It was allegedly reported that some of the governor’s entourage even requested that the commissioner of police arrest and bring in the political opponent for interrogation and questioning on the flimsy grounds that the alleged dust-up was an assassination attempt on the governor.

    Compatriots, this will only be the tip of the iceberg if state police are allowed to see the light of day. This nation with its history and the immaturity of the political class cannot and should not allow itself to be cajoled, hoodwinked or bullied into signing up for this Trojan horse called state police.

    Many reasons have been adduced or put forward by the proponents of state police, chief among which is the need for local control, community policing and the ability to quickly respond to emerging security situations to mention a few. However you look at some of the reasons put forward by advocates of state police, there does exist some merit, but taken in totality the benefits are far outweighed by the risks and negative consequences that will result from implementing state police across our nation. 

    Notwithstanding how the state police architecture is set up and implemented across the various states, the final control will rest with the state’s chief executive officers directly or indirectly through a quasi-independent board appointed by the governor. These outfits will be over politicized and instead of leading to improved security at the state level will lead to further deterioration of security in our various communities. For example, recruits will be partisans of the political party in control of the governor’s office, with many having questionable backgrounds and criminal records, and with the instrument of the force being deployed against perceived political opponents of the sitting governor within and outside the ruling party.

    Read Also: Tribunal: Labour Party vows to appeal judgement on Governor Mbah

    Furthermore, creating a state police which is bound to be abused by politicians will lead to major opposition parties creating parallel militias to protect their principals from alleged harassment and intimidation by a state police force in the pocket of state governors. We must consider this in the context of the current breakdown of our society along ethnic and religious lines and the menace from youth involvement in cultism to tread carefully in this haste to create an unnecessary police force for state governments. 

    The situation in Nigeria is very fluid and challenging and one is not trying to minimize the enormity of the situation. But the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and other security services including the intelligence agencies are well-equipped and capable of restoring order in the country, by working more collaboratively and engaging the public for actionable intelligence in their communities whenever there are uncertainties. 

    Indeed these security services have made enormous sacrifices to protect and defend this country from all enemies foreign and domestic and thus deserve our appreciation. Consequently, I wish to extend my congratulations and appreciation on behalf of a grateful nation to our men and women of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, the Navy and other security services for their service and sacrifice to our nation. 

    We do need to reform our police force to make it respond more quickly to threats by professionalizing the force, computerizing and crime data centres, improving salaries and welfare benefits, but more so, passing the necessary legislation to mandate and facilitate intelligence gathering and sharing between the various security agencies to ensure a better security situation in the country. However, the silver bullet to any improvement in the security situation must have at its core a robust intelligence gathering rooted in a partnership with the public and continuous engagement, because when the public is not fully engaged and on the side of law enforcement, then securing our nation will be a mirage and an insurmountable challenge. 

    Finally, we call on the federal government to immediately work to set up a national emergency centre in each state of the federation, if none exists with access to the national database along with a renewed effort to capture the biometric information of every resident in our country for national planning, security, healthcare and general welfare of citizens. We believe that with a renewed effort, better coordination and partnership with the public, we can better secure our country and stay out of the tragic path of mandating the creation of a state police that ultimately could lead to citizen abuse, political harassment of opponents, intimidation and further violence from cultists who may scheme to control the local police and hound their rival cults. The recent challenges between the Edo State governor and his deputy are a clear warning as to what could happen if states are allowed to control or have their local police force.

    •Osaikhuiwu is an advocate for culture change and the Executive Director of the African Council for Cultural and Economic Renaissance (ACCER).

  • Gombe 2023: The PDP’s blind alley

    Gombe 2023: The PDP’s blind alley

    • By Dahiru Hassan Kera

    The elections have so far been won and lost whether through the polls or via the election tribunals and it is now time to cast a backward glance and take a cursory look at the major events that shaped the entire process. This measurement and evaluation exercise is very necessary even if just to identify necessary adjustments, define needed alignments that can be used to illuminate the next elections slated for 2027. Indeed, for the umpire, early preparations are a major key for organising free, fair and acceptable polls. And for the contenders, understand what went wrong before will offer useful guidance.

     However, to attempt a wholesome review of the election as went down in every state will be usurping the responsibility of INEC, never mind that it will be a herculean task. Therefore, the scope and focus of this review piece shall be on and about Gombe State.

     First thing to review is how the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC lost woefully in the first leg of the February 25, Presidential and National Assembly elections. In those elections, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the state dug a deep hole into the political fortunes of the APC. The PDP snatched five out of the six House of representatives’ seats leaving the APC with just one seat.

     In the same fashion, the ruling party lost two of its three senatorial seats to the PDP. But for Danjuma Goje’s deep political capital, the PDP would have performed a clean sweep for senate seats on offer. Goje’s showing is what saved the ruling party’s neck from being totally yanked off in this segment of the polls as the former governor and incumbent senator, Danjuma Goje retained his seat in Gombe central.

     It must be said that Goje succeeded almost against all odds because he’s a master politician who knows his political onions.  Combine that with the fact that his constituents are truly enjoying his ride, and you will see why he won this time even without going out to campaign. This is despite the glaring animosity and gang up against him and his aspirations by the power that be. In the end, Goje triumphed even against political landmines planted on his path, in what many have described as a demonstration of a deepening political awareness on the part of the electorate, giving them the tools to separate chaffs from grains.

     Perhaps the most surprising and disappointing aspect of the election was the incumbent governor, Inuwa Yahaya lost his polling unit, ward and the entire LGA to the opposition PDP during the February 25, election. This was a confirmation that the governor was never in charge of his party at any point in time.

    So, how did the APC lose so woefully in the National Assembly elections, but managed to retain the governorship seat? Simple. The PDP, which is the main opposition party went into the election in disarray.

     As an indigene of the state and having been fully involved in the electoral process, I can confidently say that I know one or two things that led to that rueful showing. And although the matter is before the courts, I can say without any fear of contradiction that internal party skirmishes within the PDP were responsible for its woeful outing at the second leg of the 2023 election.

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     Particularly, the PDP failed to utilise its conflict management machinery to settle the post primary election crisis that engulfed it. Instead of looking to close ranks and present a common front, a winner takes all atmosphere was enshrined by the party’s gubernatorial flagbearer who must shoulder a large chunk of the blames.

     As the potential leader of the party, perhaps PDP’s flag bearer considered himself too high and mighty to care about the feelings of other members, perhaps he even believed that having won the primary election, he was already a governor in waiting. But, we all know that it’s one thing to win at the primary election of an opposition party and more unnerving to win at the general election, especially when contesting against an incumbent. 

     Sadly, PDP’s ill-fated journey started from name calling especially of those who passionately supported aspirants of their choice from among the array of contenders who vied for the governorship ticket; Jamilu Gwamna, Abubakar Ali Gombe, Babayo Ardo, Shehu Adamu Fura and Ya’u Gimba Kumo.

     Name calling soon gravitated into vicious vituperations headlined by a leaked mindboggling audio clip in which some important stakeholders of the party were insulted and defamed by someone who was supposed to be persuading and wooing them to support him to win the election.

     As they say, it’s too late to cry when the head is cut off. Such is the regret of those who at first thought we were wrong for dumping the man flying our party’s flag but have now seen reason with us and seeing wisdom in our actions. The over 200,000 votes scored by the PDP were the votes of ardent supporters of the party and that of those who decided not to vote for the return of the incumbent governor. To spoil the names of many who rooted for the NNPP candidate for a reason best known to all, we were reported to have purportedly collected various sums of money from the ruling party. This is ridiculous! There was nothing of such. In any case, that no longer holds any electoral value, does it?

     The PDP in Gombe or whatever is left of it is now crumbling. People are leaving in droves and it’s highly unlikely that the mass exodus will stop any time soon. The imperative for the party to rise up and put its house in order can never be overemphasized. It is my strong belief that the PDP even in its current rag tag state has strong prospect come 2027 election. 

     But, that prospect can never amount to anything until we implement reforms that will promote fairness, respect for the right of every stakeholders to pursue their ambitions within a serene internal party atmosphere devoid of rancour and injustice. Imposition of less popular candidates because of their personal stations in life must be eschewed, especially as some have proven to be either without a brass farthing or penny-pincher after getting the ticket. It must be seen that newcomers in the party exhibiting exuberance must be checked. If we can do this, the PDP will return to her glory days in Gombe.

    •Kera, is a publisher and public affairs analyst.

  • Democracy: From Athens to science 

    Democracy: From Athens to science 

    • By Sulaiman Salawudeen

    Long before 2023 General Elections, honest watchers had gleaned possibilities with godlike accuracies! From state to national, the day of the franchise only served to officialise winnings/victories about which voters had already been largely convinced. This writer recalls predicting that in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde might clinch the second term win. Ditto other contestants, particularly those who vied for national assembly slots from the state. Who could have doubted extreme likelihood of All Progressives Congress’s (APC’s) Remi Oseni (Ido-Ibarapa East) winning, given the strength/consistency of his campaigns? Who also would not have seen that Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Adedeji Stanley Olajide (Ibadan Northwest-Southwest) was waiting just for the day of election for people’s official endorsement of another turn in the Green Chambers? 

    In Osun State, how would one have missed the fact that dancer-senator, Ademola Adeleke, had won peoples’ hearts across sections of the populace than then governor Gboyega Oyetola? Indeed, while Adeleke had turned campaign grounds to dance scenes, and, occasionally assisted by his singer-nephew, Davido, who had palliated the electorate as much in cash as in kind, APC leaders had been at daggers drawn among themselves, even as Oyetola and Rauf Aregbesola factions had chosen broad streets and city centres to announce their enmities.

    Is any further explanation necessary on how APC ceded Osun political space entirely to PDP?

    How then would some elements resort to such extremely insulting, if inane, ratiocinations to discredit 2023 presidential voting eventualities, so much as to embolden the losers, especially Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, into filing ‘frivolous’ cases against expected/expectable outcomes of fantastically credible, largely transparent, significantly fair voting processes?

    Although, the Presidential Elections Petitions Court’s (PEPC’s) scientific judgment has now dealt deserved blows to Labour Party’s (LP’s)/PDP’s feeble erections, one should wonder why a few still presume elections, like wars, are winnable more by emotions, rather than preparation. What else, if not unparalleled political strategy, seconded by uncommon providential grace, could have helped Tinubu vault over rather convoluted intrigues as orchestrated against his aspiration each phase of the struggle?

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    Throughout the campaign period, LP did not have coordinating offices in at least 20 states (!), including Sokoto, Kano, while it also did not field contestants/aspirants for state and national assembly positions in many of those states! Was Tinubu/APC found wanting in such regard at all? Obi’s lack of structure manifested quite early when he fumbled about the space, seeking which party could hoist/host his plans. LP accommodated him when it almost became for him an embarrassment. The party further kept changing spokespersons, owing largely to this ill-preparedness! But, one could read method and science brought into Tinubu’s campaigns from start to finish. Wild guesses and slovenly afterthoughts cannot/don’t trump logic! 

    So far however, the same forensic perspicacity that has supported the Tribunal to expose the lies of Obi/Atiku is same as has helped the body substantiate Natasha Akpoti’s/PDP’s claims on results of Kogi Central Senatorial election held in February, even as, on September 11, it similarly nullified the election of Idris Dankawu of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), pronouncing his APC opponent, Munnir DanAgundi, winner of the Kumbotso Federal Constituency balloting in Kano State. These electoral reverses and more, expected to come in full harvest in the weeks and months to come, are instances in which the tribunal have to intervene to expose instances wherein election outcomes have deviated from actual performances of voters on contest fields!

    The 2023 elections remain one clear evidence Nigeria has advanced, at least in the realm of democracy. The alternative, perhaps, is to re-enact the Athenian ideal – find a square large enough to accommodate same time (!) whole willing/qualified individuals, who will then routinely debate and decide on legislative, executive and judicial matters. Athens, Greece capital, the popular, and yet existing acropolis dating back to the Greco-Roman ages, had bequeathed such democracy version by its fashion of gathering men at a designated square to enable free verbal participations in discussions about pressing general, not individual, concerns. Obi and Atiku seem to prefer this anachronistic option by asking to be declared winners of an election in which they stood not even the faintest chance of winning! But, democracy has since moved from Athens to science. Let us await what recalcitrant losers would bring as they approach the Supreme Court, perhaps armed with additional evidences to sway judges and judgment differently! Who knows?

    I have indeed refused to accept political explications excusing APC’s losses in Oyo and Osun, especially. Those committed to advancing Nigeria should not tell political truths, even if this does not further their personal purposes. What Nigeria experienced, especially in the 2023 presidential voting was the nearest to perfection and the best achieved in the country so far, most probably, perhaps, after the senselessly annulled June 12, 1993 election which has now become more of a national monument of shame grandiosely celebrated annually. PEPC judgment is a warning to habitual frolicsome election petitioners that a time is approaching that canes may be applied upon them on the orders of judges and within court premises – those who litigate against results simply to entertain and court attention from the public, feed the press and keep their supposed party people busy/expectant for/upon nothing! How Obi presumed his fire brigade afterthoughts could secure him a win against well laid out, long-oiled political blueprint of Tinubu must qualify as a centennial joke!

     In an unparalleled 12-hour delivery which sent litigant-petitioners taking a nap in the courtroom, the PEPC team, led by Justice Abba Mohammed, on September 6, delivered a judgment to set whole new record in Nigeria’s jurisprudential practice. It served not simply to validate Tinubu’s four-year presidency, but teach public office seekers basic lessons on morality in the art of politics, sportsmanship in electoral contests and fidelity to an ultimate, indefeasible soul which bind entire Nigerians together in Nigeria.

    The losers at the Tribunal – LP, PDP, APM (Allied Peoples Movement) – won’t go unpunished however, the judges insist, and must, within 48 hours of the verdict, pay to the court a sum of N47,910,431.78; N23,391,001.45 and N13,675,890 respectively, for failing to locate their petitions within an ambience of integrity. So, claims are no longer free, after all! Fact however is petitioners did what was possible! Their solicitors could not have held back critical evidence to substantiate claims, if they had it; but it was not there! Nigeria’s seekers after political offices need to learn lessons from the country’s bench: only truth exalts a nation! 

    • Salawudeen, writer/freelance journalist, writes via obastunde@yahoo.com