Category: Special Report

In this open letter to the Canadian Prime Minister and President of the United States, Prof Yemi Oke, Nigerian-Canadian law scholar, consultant and legal practitioner, addresses many weighty issues in the controversial letter of Nigerian-born writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, to President Joe Biden

Background

It is most bewildering that a privileged Nigerian-born writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie born in Enugu, Nigeria in 1977 but now lives in the United States of America, has decided to paint her country of origin “black.” Sadly, Chimamanda’s letter is a reckless affront on our resolve not to be part of the “brain-drain” syndrome against our dear country Nigeria like the writer. Some of us are determined to be “brain-gain” to Nigeria. It is in view of this that we felt taken aback that Chimamanda went below expectations to pen-down a seditious letter against the government and people of Nigeria.

 Chimamanda’s letter titled, “Nigeria’s Hollow Democracy,” was not about the election or person of the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose victory was freely and fairly unveiled despite dis-oriented opposition politicking and those of their supporters in Nigeria and their allies in the diaspora. Chimamanda’s letter was against entire “Nigeria’s Democracy” that was fought and procured with patriotic bloods, labour, efforts, lives and undeterred resolve of democrats, chief among them being Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, by divine arrangement, is now the President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 The misplaced reference to certain “The smoldering disillusionment felt by many Nigerians” in her letter is, at best, Chimamanda’s sole experience of agonies of defeat suffered by her and her preferred candidate/party in the recently concluded presidential elections in Nigeria.

Seditious elements of Chimamandi’s letter

  Sedition is an offence in the U.S. where Chimamanda lives. It is also an offence in Nigeria, her country of origin that she now holds and views with disdains.  Sedition not only covers a person’s actions but also any words or writings in print that may incite, encourage or promote the overthrowing of a government. The U.S. criminalises seditious conspiracy by virtue of 18 U.S.C. § 2384

 Sedition is a transnational crime defined as the “inciting by words or writing to show disaffection towards the state or constituted authority.” The transnational nature of sedition committed by U.S. resident against sovereign nations led to the enactment of the Alien and Sedition Acts (1798), which aimed to prevent “aliens,” or non-citizens, living in the United States from resorting to seditious acts or conduct, like Chimamanda did in her letter. The law authorised the President to deport “aliens,” and also permitted their arrest, imprisonment, and deportation for seditious acts or conduct. The Sedition Act also made it a crime for American citizens to “print, utter, or publish…any false, scandalous, and malicious writing” about a government.

 Locus standi of Chimamandi’s letter

  Under the Nigerian constitution, Chimamanda’s franchise, constitutional right to vote and be voted for, is guaranteed but the writer opted to snub the legal right by refusal to collect a PVC – Permanent Voter’s Card. She opted to be more “American” than the real Americans! She also did not participate in Nigeria’s election as a candidate or as eligible voter. She opted to make several videos to publicly endorse and campaign for her “messianic” candidate of the Labour Party. Chimamanda became needlessly embittered because her tribal option and those of her political party failed woefully.

 Chimamanda’s claims and assertions on the recently concluded presidential elections in Nigeria is not only ludicrous, it is also illogical, baseless and depicts ignoble ranting of an uninformed mind about legal and judicial processes or procedures. It is unimaginable that someone who did not participate or vote in an election would make categorical statements about an election she did not witness. What Chimamanda did not tell her gullible readers is that her candidate won mostly in her/his ethnic enclaves and that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, President Buhari, notable Nigerian Governors, Senators and others also lost in their strongholds, which should ordinarily have been their locational advantage for “manipulating” the outcome, as Chimamanda unconscionably and recklessly alleged.

 The writer-turned ethnic politician did also not indicate that the presidential election was conducted on the same date as the National Assembly elections in which the ruling party won about 60% of all seats in the Senate and House of Representatives. The winning trends of the APC are obvious, real, actual and all-embracing.

 Chimamanda represents recent generations of Nigerian intelligentsias in the diaspora. Her lonely voice on the election of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu is, at best, a muted trumpet which is audible to no one except herself and her co-travelers.  The only legal and legitimate option is for her candidate, Peter Obi, not Chimamanda herself because she lacks the locus standi, to approach the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal as provided by Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). This has since been done, and further makes it illogical for Chiamamanda to resort to writing letters capable of inciting ethnic or violent reactions in Nigeria while she resides in the comfort of the U.S., her new found home or haven, which was fought for and procured with hard labour and commitment of Americans. If Chimamanda is unwilling to sacrifice to make Nigeria better, she should kindly desist from undermining the resolve of those of us who believe that Nigeria could be better if we all make necessary sacrifices like American did to build their country where Chimamada now sojourns.

Chimamandi’s reckless undermining of judicial process

  Chimamanda’s letter is most unbecoming. Nigerians have spoken with their votes in the election, and they spoke loudly and clearly. The losers have since taken to the legal and legitimate options of challenging the outcome. Legally speaking, the issue is now subjudice. Chimammada’s letter may be viewed as an attempt to undermine the course of justice or pre-empt the outcome of judicial processes. This is similar to the same way and manner her party and candidate orchestrated polls to pre-empt the outcome of an election they knew they could never win, as they planked their electioneering and campaign activities on tribal and other ethnocentric and religious sentiments. This is also reflected in the outcome of the elections as results empirically validated this assertion.

 The position of law in Nigeria (and similar to all civilised democracies of the world, including Canada and the US), is that: any individual or political party that intends to challenge or question the result of an election must ensure the petition is established on a valid ground or reason recognized by law. An election petition can only succeed with valid grounds recognized by the 1999 Constitution or Electoral Act, 2022.

The Giant called Nigeria will rise and never fall again

The expectations of Nigerians are very high on the up-coming Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency, which had triumphed over all known forces of religious bigotry of “Muslim-Muslim ticket, ethnicity and other divisive tendencies. Elections have come and gone. The battle now shifts to the Presidential Election Tribunal. The act of serious, progressive and purposeful governance must immediately commence and continue pending legal battles. The President-elect is no longer for the APC. He has declared that he is now for APC as much as for PDP, LP, and other major political parties in Nigeria. More importantly, he has also declared that his administration will govern for the benefit of those who voted for or against it.  Now that the season of politics, politicking and electioneering is over, it is time for all of us to collaborate, including diaspora Nigerian citizens, writers and intelligentsias like the Chimamandas of the U.S., Canada, the UK and elsewhere, to team-up and get Nigeria working again under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Conclusion

The intention of this open letter is not to vilify, ridicule or incite and set the law of sedition in motion against Chimamanda. It is to right-size her over-bloated ego of perceived global self-esteem. She needs to realise that thousands, if not millions of Nigerians (including those of us who are now back home in Nigeria- but still frequently travel to those sides – to be a part of the solution and those still in the diaspora) have had similar and even better opportunities in Canada, U.S., UK and other countries of the world without deploying our privileged positions to undermine our country of origin, Nigeria.

 At a time all hands are on deck to build a Nigeria of Renewed Hope under the in-coming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the unpatriotic Chimamandas opted for the ignoble act of stimulating crisis against Nigeria, a country that prepared them for their perceived global fames. This is not the Canadian or American culture we had imbibed and which has now positively and progressively shaped our worldviews and socio-political and other forms of engagements.  For the records, the pride of Canada and the U.S. democracies is multi-ethnicity and multiculturalism, not ethnocentrism. This is a vital lesson for all concerned.

Incessant falling and other avoidable accidents involving articulated vehicles and their attendant fatalities and injuries have heightened public concern about road transport safety across Lagos State, reports PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU

In January 29, nine people, including Blessing Isioma, Abdurahman Okoya Sunday, Felix John Ifeanyi, 40, Olatokunbo Basirat King, 49, were crushed to death by a containerised truck that fell down at Ojuelegba Under Bridge.

 The truck, which climbed the flyover, was said to have suffered mechanical failure and tilted through the barricade and discharged the container on a 10-passenger commercial bus that was loading by the foot of the bridge.

 Two days later, a fuel-laden tanker rammed into four tricycles at Ikotun and instantly killed two persons. On January 30, four people were feared killed after another truck fell in the Igando area of the state.

 Similarly, on January 27, an articulated vehicle upturned in the Igando area of Lagos leaving three people dead. At the Okota/Itire Link Bridge at Cele, yet another containerised truck fell in December, crushing a commercial bus driver.

 On April 2, a tanker carrying petroleum products went up in flames on the Long Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after it fell on a Toyota saloon car whose occupants fled before the explosion. The same day, April 2, a containerised truck fell off Ojuelegba Bridge, creating panic in motorists and commuters on that axis.

 On March 11, five accidents involving containerised trucks at Ketu inward Mile 12; Ojuelegba Bridge inward Stadium; Under Bridge by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH) Ikeja; Ago Palace Way, Okota, and Oke-Afa Bridge inward Jakande Estate, said the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) in a statement lamenting incessant truck accidents.

Ojuelegba Bridge as a death trap

  Checks by The Nation revealed that no fewer than 17 incidents have occurred on the Ojuelegba Bridge in the past few years with some of them resulting in deaths and injuries.

Among these incidents was the January 27 disaster allegedly caused by corrupt task force officials who were chasing a commercial bus. The bus fell from the bridge and crushed a woman to death.

 In September 2015, a couple was killed in their vehicle after a container fell from a truck from the bridge and landed on their car. This accident also claimed the life of the occupant of another vehicle.

 In the wee hours of July 8, 2017, a truck laden with a granite container collided with a saloon car crushing a young woman said to have concluded plans to travel to the United States of America (USA).

 On June 20, 2018, an overloaded and loosely latched plywood container fell off a flat panel truck while climbing the bridge. It crushed some cars and commercial buses and killed at least three people.

 Also, on April 2 last year, an unidentified male occupant of a Honda Accord car was crushed to death by a truck that fell off the bridge at night.

Statistics

 Reports of avoidable accidents involving articulated vehicles across Lagos State that lead to loss of lives, injuries or damage to properties are recorded daily.

 Statistics obtained from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), indicated that articulated vehicles accounted for 78 incidents resulting in 26 deaths recorded in January alone.

 The data revealed that there were 15 reported cases of trailer/tanker accidents; 25 truck accidents; 16 road traffic accidents (RTAs); four fallen tankers; 14 broken down trucks/tankers; two broken down vehicles; an incident of gas tanker leakage and a fallen containerised truck.

The statistics showed that 18 trucks conveying 16 pieces of 20ft containers fell, noting that while eight of the trucks carried two pieces of 20ft containers each, the remaining 10 were laden with a piece of 40ft container respectively.

 “In January this year, a total of 26 deaths were recorded at incident scenes.

 “The highest number of deaths recorded at a single incident scene was nine and that was on Sunday, January 29, at the Ojuelegba scene of a fallen container,” said LASEMA in the data obtained by The Nation.

 Also, the Lagos State Police Command said it recorded 108 articulated vehicle incidents with 77 victims and 152 suspects between January 2022 and January this year.

 The above statistics indicate that incidents involving articulated vehicles across the state have become a public emergency as residents unceasingly bear the brunt of their recklessness; outright disregard for existing legislations, regulations and the lack of willpower by state actors to enforce the laws.

 Undoubtedly, the concentration of the country’s viable seaports in Lagos, coupled with the comatose cargo rail and problematic inland waterway transportations have, over the years, engendered an influx of articulated vehicles for the movement of goods within and outside the country’s commercial capital.

 To check the menace of articulated vehicles, the state government, in 2012, passed the Lagos State Traffic Laws when, among other things, restricted the movement of heavy-duty vehicles with back axles and six tyres to dusk (9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.).

 Specifically, Sections 2 and 38 clearly stated that all articulated vehicles save for petrol tankers, long passenger buses, fire service trucks, rescue and recovery trucks, perishable farm products trucks, refuse collection trucks, cement mixer trucks, tractors and refrigerated trucks, were banned from driving through the metropolis from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

 Moreover, such vehicles were also banned from plying inner routes and flyover bridges such as the FESTAC Link Bridge in Amuwo-Odofin, the Ojuelegba Bridge on the Western Avenue flank as well as the Ikeja Flyover Bridge on the Mobalaji Bank Anthony Way with barricades mounted on them to deny access to recalcitrant drivers.

 Findings by our correspondent revealed that the lack of will by law enforcement agencies, intimidation by powerful owners of the vehicles, corruption and extortion have made the restrictions impossible to enforce.

 Security operatives who interacted with our correspondent revealed that whenever some of the errant drivers were apprehended, they would receive calls from high places ordering them to release the vehicles immediately or face the consequences.

 An operative, who spoke in confidence, said it was practically impossible to rein in the drivers because the owners of the vehicles were highly placed individuals, who had unrestricted access to the powers that be and could even cause their dismissal, and redeployment.

 He gave an instance where two trucks were impounded for not obeying the call-up system introduced to remove these vehicles from the bridges only for the owner, said to be a former President, to call Abuja and rain insults on a security chief who, in turn, contacted the Head of the agency in Lagos to ensure the immediate release of the vehicles without investigation, prosecution or sanctions.

 “If you were the men on duty, how will you feel? Are you going to keep arresting vehicles that would be released with just a phone call from a big man with your job even threatened? What is the point in putting regulations that are not enforceable?

 “The trucks owned by ‘nobodies’ do not behave so lawless like those owned by highly placed government officials or ex-officials. They are the ones to be called to order,” he lamented.

Truckers’ grievances

  Asked why his members were not obeying the restrictions, the President of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMARTO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi said there was no way the law would be followed since the port runs 24-hourly.

He said the world over, port activities were 24 hours and so, limiting the movement of trailers would, instead, compound situations for the entire country.

 Ogungbemi said rather than talk about restrictions, the government should tackle the issue of extortion from touts and law enforcers across bus stops in the state; some of them even drags steering to turn truck heads, damage side mirrors, windscreen and tyres if their demands were not met by drivers.

 “The law that mandated trucks to ply only at the night can’t work because Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) operates 24 hours. The ships that are coming to the port operate 24 hours and the agreement signed with the terminal operators is to work for 24 hours.

 “So, a single state cannot say a truck should be operating only during the day because trucks are the movers of the economy for the whole country.

 “If the trucks do not move, the economy cannot move. So, the law cannot hold unless they want to cripple the economy. Can we stop the ships from coming to the ports to discharge or not to sail? No. So, the law cannot work. The government should rather see how to remove the problem which is extortion and harassment from Area Boys and security operatives.

 “They charge between N50,000 and N100,000 per truck. These Area Boys are all over the place and, most times, security agencies will stand close by but look away.

“When trucks are in motion or when stuck in traffic, the hoodlums will hang around the trucks terrorising the drivers. They beat them up, collect their phones, and demand money. If the driver doesn’t have money to give them, they know how to tamper with the truck and how to make holes in the truck.

 “They always hang on the truck brandishing sticks or sharp objects to make holes on the trucks. Apart from Ojuelegba, they are everywhere within the Lagos metropolis.

 “Our demand is that we want the Lagos State Government to outlaw and criminalise the activities of Area Boys. The government should know how to handle them.

 “Whenever things such as this happen, the security agencies do not even care. They just look the other way.

 “Then, for Ojuelegba, there should not be a bus stop by the Fire Service Station. I have gone there after the incident and discovered that LASTMA had started doing its job now. That place should not be a bus stop. I was with the General Manager of LASTMA and I commend him for their effort. I also told him to instruct security to continue to maintain the steps so that the place won’t be used as a bus stop again.

 “I also told him that the Costain bus stop should be well managed because it could be dangerous for bus drivers due to trucks that ply that route.

 “On the issue of vehicle inspection, we are trying our best possible for our members to go for vehicle inspection. Unfortunately, when they go the hoodlums will barge on them to destroy all that has been fixed.

 “So, that’s why we call on the government to help us to stop the activities of the hoodlums so that the truck drivers can take the vehicle for inspection as an utmost obligation of their work.”

The way forward

Weighing in on the issue, former General Manager of LASEMA, Adesina Tiamiyu said all stakeholders must commit to ending the menace and take practical steps to combat it.

 “I remember that a task force was set up by the state government when I was the GM of LASEMA on the perennial congestion caused by articulated vehicles. We went into the port during one of our tours and discovered so many anomalies.

 “One of them was the quantum of rickety vehicles that were being allowed to carry containers at the terminals.

 “The vehicles were not road-worthy. When we insisted that such vehicles should not be loaded with containers, there was a protest from the drivers’ union and they said no other vehicle will be attended to if those ones didn’t get served.

 “There was also the issue of control of the port area which is under the Navy and that caused power tussles among the various agencies such that the task force collapsed. There is also the issue of the lack of control of members by the drivers’ union. So, many teenagers and young men drive vehicles without adequate years of experience.

“There is also the lack of enforcement of rules and laws by law enforcement agencies. Vehicles parked at the foot of the bridge to get passengers swiftly, while the trucks still climb bridges despite the prohibition.

 “The truth is that Ojuelegba is the major route out of the port apart from Oshodi/Apapa Expressway. So, these vehicles will most likely ply that bridge through Western Avenue.

 “So, there should be a standby enforcement team ready to work to ensure that these articulated vehicles only operate in the evenings when traffic is lesser. There is a need to engage in a stakeholder meeting where all concerned should agree to work together on how to manage traffic. “Lagos must enforce its rule on the time of passage of these vehicles. Law enforcement agencies should have a place at the loading bays and terminals to ensure only road-worthy vehicles are loaded,” said Tiamiyu.

 Lagos: Rules still in force

For the Lagos State Government, there was no backing down on laws banning articulated vehicles from plying flyover bridges, including Ojuelegba.

  The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso told The Nation that the state would not condone any form of lawlessness from truckers. 

He also said that the government was not in support of touts harassing or extorting the truckers under any guise, even as he assured that anyone caught would be prosecuted.

 “There is no way the government will support harassment or extortion of truckers. That is an infringement on their rights to freedom of movement. We do not condone that and will ensure anyone caught is prosecuted.

 “Yes, the ban on such vehicles from climbing flyover bridges including Ojuelegba is still being enforced. I will have to find out from my colleague in Transportation Ministry about the restriction of movement to nighttime,” he said.

 While commiserating with families of the January 29 disaster, Omotoso said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had directed the prosecution of the driver and owner of the truck.

 He said the governor also has directed that “the Ministry of Transportation and Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) should meet urgently to find a lasting solution to the menace of falling trucks, and all the laws governing the operations of trucks and related vehicles must be enforced with more vigour and diligence.

 “The incident of January 29 2023, is one too many and it shows the irresponsibility of owners and drivers of such articulated vehicles who, under the law, should care for other road users.

“The Lagos State Government has zero-tolerance for large containers that fall off trucks and injure or kill citizens, who are going about their lawful businesses.

  ‘The driver (Sodiq Okanlawon) and owner of the container which killed three people on July 26 2020 on Oshodi/Apapa Expressway Ilasamaja, (Wasiu Lekan) were prosecuted and convicted on February 28, 2022, and sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Okikiolu Ighile.

 “The state government will, in a similar manner, ensure that the driver and the owner of the truck involved in the January 29 incident are put on trial for the needless death of our dear citizens.

 ‘This, we hope, will send a strong message to all those who have no regard for other people’s lives that Lagos will not condone their recklessness. They must be stopped, with the strong backing of our laws, because their actions offend our avowed commitment to safety and decency.”

 While reacting to the accident on January 30, the Commissioner for Transportation said the state was working with the Federal Ministry of Works to reinstall barricades on the bridge in order to prevent articulated vehicles access to the bridge.

  He said the government would continue to implement its transport master plan, which had safety strategies that would ensure safer roads.

 To address the menace, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) last week, embarked on a joint campaign with the Amalgamation of Container Truck Owners’ Association of Nigeria (ACTOAN); Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

 During the campaign which was held at the various bonded terminals, officials educated drivers on the need to adhere to safety standards such as functional horns, headlamps, brake lights, side and inner mirrors, and a need for continuous vehicle maintenance, among others.

 Drivers were also advised to avoid consumption of alcohol or drugs while driving; ensure they have the required training and licence to handle such vehicles; shun overspeeding and reckless driving, and take adequate rest.

QUOTE

They (touts) always hang on the truck brandishing sticks or sharp objects to make holes in the trucks. Apart from Ojuelegba, they are everywhere within the Lagos metropolis. Our demand is that we want the Lagos State Government to outlaw and criminalise the activities of Area Boys. The government should know how to handle them.

By Yinka Adeniran, Segun Showunmi , Mike Odiegwu, Okungbowa Aiwerie, Sunny Nwankwo, Linus Oota, Fanen Ihyongo, Duku Joel, Uja Emmanuel and Victor Gai

Governors-elect yesterday unfolded their agendas as they received   Certificates of Return(CoR) from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The certificates were also presented to the deputy governors-elect and newly elected members of the state Houses of Assembly in their state capitals.

Among the governors-elect are Seyi Makinde(Osun); Sheriff Oborevwori(Delta),  Siminialaye Fubara (Rivers), Alex Otti (Abia), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Hyacinth Alia(Benue), Abba  Yusuf (Kano), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Agbu Kefas (Taraba) and Mai Mala Buni(Yobe).

Makinde pledges to  tackle poverty

Governor Makinde promised to redouble efforts at taking the people of the state from poverty to prosperity.

He said, “Today is not a day for long speeches but a day to thank the Almighty God on behalf of all the elected officials in Oyo State.

“I want to use this opportunity to say that elections and electioneering campaigns are over now. No more abuses and all that, and it is time for us to face the task of governance and building a state that will be an envy for all the states in Nigeria.

“This is the time for us to redouble our efforts towards taking our people from poverty to prosperity. This is a day to reflect on the decision of the people of Oyo State. It is a day to acknowledge all the people who have contributed one way or another to making today a success.”

The governor, who will on May 29 commence his second tenure, appreciated  his “co-contestants” for    congratulating him.”  He said their action demonstrated  “the spirit in Oyo State.”

His deputy, Bayo Lawal and the 32   members-elect of the state House  Assembly also received their CoR.

An Ibadan Chief,   Dotun Sanusi said he was sure that Makinde would do better in his second term to further lift the state’s economy and improve the lives of the citizens.

Sanusi said,  ‘He has shown capacity, character and courage in leadership to merit a second term in office. I have come to once again felicitate one of us, Engr. Seyi Makinde to receive the Certificate of Return from the INEC.”

Rivers governor-elect: our doors  will be open  to opposition

Rivers State Governor-elect Fubara called on the opposition to join his incoming government to build a better state.

Fubara said his doors and windows would be open to everyone willing to make contributions to further develop the state.

“For the opposition, our doors are open, including our window. If you don’t want to pass the door you can enter through the window because we really need everyone on board for a better and progressive Rivers State,” he said.

The governor-elect attributed the success recorded by INEC in the governorship and House of Assembly elections to the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

He said: “I want to commend you for this innovation. Although we had a few hitches here and there, I believe going forward, INEC should ensure that ad hoc staff, including their staff members, are given proper training early enough so that the hitches experienced, most especially during the presidential election will not be experienced in future election.”

Fubara also commended Rivers State electorate for voting massively for him, his deputy, Ngozi Odu,  and other PDP candidates in the election.

He said his emergence as the governor-elect was a resounding reaffirmation of Rivers’ people support for continuity and consolidation of the New Rivers vision of the Nyesom  Wike-led  administration.

“We will ensure that, though the bar had been raised before us, we will also raise the bar for whoever is going to take over from us”, Fubara added.

Governor  Wike,  former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chibudum Nwuche; former Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  Sam Sam Jaja and the PDP chairman in the state,   Desmond Akawor attended the ceremony.

INEC National Commissioner supervising Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers State,  May Agbamuche-Mbu, told the governor-elect and the lawmakers-elect to realise that being elected into office was a call to service.

She said: “Beyond the excitement of your new position and office you must commit to good leadership and you must ensure the trust and vote of the electorate are reciprocated with good governance, security of life , positive human and infrastructural development in Rivers state and Nigeria by extension.”

Agbamuche-Mbu appealed to security agencies and political parties to cooperate with INEC to ensure hitch-free conduct of supplementary election in two federal constituencies in the state at the weekend.

REC  in the state,  Johnson   Sinikiem urged the governor-elect and others not to see their success at the polls as a personal victory, but as a triumph for the democratic process and a call for national duty.

He said: “You must be magnanimous in victory and ensure you run an inclusive government at all levels. Let me remind you that the office you have been elected into is essentially rendering service to God and humanity.

“There are expectations not only from those who voted you into office but also from all Nigerians within and outside Rivers State. I pray that God will give you the wisdom and courage to make the right decisions that will better the lives of our people and by extension our nation Nigeria.”

All   looted funds must be returned, says Otti

Governor-elect  Otti has urged those that looted public funds to return them immediately and voluntarily …

“I call on those who have looted Abia funds to return them immediately. We can’t allow our resources to be converted to a private estate while Abians are wallowing in abject poverty,” he said after receiving his CoR.

Otti, however, assured that his incoming administration would not be vindictive, adding that he would not have the time to be chasing anybody.

The governor-elect admitted that he was aware of the huge expectations that are on him,  and assured Abians that he would not disappoint.

His words: “God had given Abia a new song.  Your expectations have put a huge responsibility on us. I won’t fail Abians who have waited for an opportunity like this for a new dawn.

“You will not be disappointed. I won’t betray the confidence you have in me. “

Otti commended candidates of other political parties who had already called to congratulate and promised to support him to move the state forward.

The governor-elect urged other contestants to put the election behind them and rally around him for the good of the state instead of engaging in litigation against “a clearly won election”.

Otti, who thanked out-going Governor  Okezie Ikpeazu for also congratulating him, and for advising other contestants against what he described as unnecessary litigations.

But he called on Ikpeazu not to create tension in the state by awarding fresh contracts as doing so would not be in good taste.

He  commended the Returning Officer, and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, (FUTO), Prof.Nnenna Otti, for being upright and refusing to be compromised.

“With people like her, there is hope for Nigeria”, Otti said.

Kano governor-elect: I’ll overhaul governance

Kano state governor-elect, Abba Kabir Yusuf, assured that he would overhaul governance in the state.

Yusuf, who  pledged to reform education in the state, added: “We assure you that our administration will not relent in reviving healthcare service delivery, education, agriculture and other sectors needing rescue.”

The  New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) governor-elect appreciated   Kano people for giving him their mandate to serve them.

He said: “There will be a total overhaul of governance in Kano State, as we accept this privilege with heavy responsibility.

“We shall carry out the people’s democratic directives with focus and unrelenting dedication. And we shall govern for all for peace and prosperity of the state,” he pledged.

Yusuf promised not to allow his family members to interfere with the running of the affairs of the state.

“There is no way I will allow my family to be involved in my government because the Oath of Office I took, I did it alone without them, meaning they are not part of the government,” he said.

He promised to  “  pay total attention to the state and submit my time to the upliftment of the standard of living of the people.

“We have what it takes to move Kano state to the next level through massive infrastructural development.”

The governor-elect also pledged to adopt a people-oriented democracy with a focus on the peace and prosperity of the state.

He appreciated the people of the state for giving him and his running mate the mandate to lead the state.

Yusuf thanked traditional and religious leaders for their roles in providing a peaceful atmosphere that paved the way for the election to hold in the state.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of the state, who was APC’s governorship candidate for the March 18 poll,  Nasiru   Gawuna yesterday congratulated  Yusuf for his victory..

*I won’t betray Deltan, says Oborevwori

Governor-elect  Oborevwori, his deputy   Monday Onyeme and  27 newly-elected members of the state Assembly received their certificates from the INEC National Commissioner in charge of  Edo, Cross River and Delta states,   Rhoda Gumus.

The governor-elect thanked all who contributed to the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) and promised not to betray the confidence reposed in him by Deltans.

State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Monday Udoh-Tom, urged those elected to run an all-inclusive government by embracing those who voted against them in the elections.

*Kefas to pursue “stomach infrastructure”Taraba State Governor-elect  Kefas and outgoing Governor Darius Ishaku have both agreed that “stomach infrastructure” was the best policy for the state.

They stated this after the presentation of  CoR to  Kefas and  24 members–elect of the state House of Assembly in Jalingo.

When asked on how the incoming administration could sustain his strides in infrastructure, Ishaku simply said he noticed that Tarabans appreciated “stomach infrastructure” more than physical Infrastructure. He therefore urged the incoming government to focus on the former.

“I will tell the incoming government to concentrate more on stomach infrastructure than physical Infrastructure because I discover that the people appreciate stomach infrastructure more than infrastructure itself,” Ishaku stated.

Kefas re-echoed Ishaku’s position and promised to pursue “stomach infrastructure alongside other areas of development.

His words: “Just as His Excellency Governor Darius Ishaku said, we are going to look into security, unity, education, health, agriculture and stomach infrastructure.

“Our people are still alive, instead of building physical Infrastructure and we have healthy and not  dead people.”

*I’ll   take Benue to a higher height, governor-elect

Governor-elect Alia promised to take the state to higher heights from where he met it.

He said:  ” We will apply this trust maximally, optimally to the benefit of the State. We will not take this trust of yours for granted.

” We remain indebted to all who make this day possible. We will remain loyal and patriotic to the tenets of our nation.

The   Catholic priest stated further ” We will remain faithful and great citizens of the State and nation. We look forward to working with different groups and all parties in the State and taking Benue to greater heights.

The governor-elect also spoke on how he would work with APC-dominated lawmakers.

His words:   ” I am very confident that the members-elect will make a transition and work-friendly enough and much beneficial for the great people of Benue.

“I remain hopeful in an assembly that will produce and create avenues for peace, and economic growth by making all assertions meaningful for the State.

“We must all be architects of a new face of Benue. We need to make the civil service which is the engineering room of the State functional.”

Sule:   “I’ll make Nasarawa a dream state

Addressing   All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters  after receiving his certificate, Governor Sule said his victory at the March 18 poll was “a personal challenge for more work towards the Nasarawa of our dreams.”

Sule, who described the PDP in the state as a confused set of people, said he was elated that the people voted for   “competence, leadership and growth of Nasarawa State.”

“On that day(March 18), you said no to tribalism and religious bigotry, you overcome misinformation and outright falsehood fabricated to confuse and mislead you, I’m grateful and say a big thank you,” the governor said.

He, however, warned that his government would not hesitate to do whatever was necessary within the provisions of the law to take on any person or group of persons working to truncate the peace in the state.

“We shall expose and go after anyone who seeks to sacrifice the peace and brotherliness we enjoy in Nasarawa State for their selfish interests,” Sule warned.

*My govt will be all-inclusive, says Nwifuru

On his part, Nwifuru pledged to run an all-inclusive and open-door administration.

He paid tributes to  Ebonyi electorate,   elders and leaders for the mandate given to him to lead the state.

Nwifuru, who is the current speaker of the state House of Assembly,  called all his competitors in the election to eschew party differences and team up with him to build a better and greater state.

He said: “I thank my fellow candidates from other political parties who went on this journey with me and I call on them to join this ‘Divine Mandate’ and eschew all differences so that we can work together for the peace and development of Ebonyi people.

“The campaign was a race to serve our dear people of Ebonyi, Therefore, I invite all of them to join me in building Ebonyi that we all will be proud of.”

Earlier, the  REC   Pauline  Onyeka  charged the recipients of the certificates to always remember that they were   elected  because  their constituents   believed that “they  have the capacity and ability to deliver the dividends of democracy to them .”

Buni: I remain committed to Yobe’s development

Yobe State Governor   Buni, who restated his commitment to developing the state, called on those who contested against him on March 18 to join hands with him in achieving the goal.

He dedicated his reelection to   Allah and the people of the state. The Head of voter education and Publicity for INEC in the state, Rifkatu Duku,  announced that the certificates of three members of the State House of Assembly were not presented certificates because of a court injunction.

On the strength of Nigeria’s estimated 200 million population and huge market, she was tipped as the biggest potential beneficiary of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. However, two years after trading commenced on January 1, 2021, Nigeria is yet to begin practical implementation of the trade pact. Poor preparation as well as low productivity and reduced competitiveness foisted on manufacturers and agro-exporters by the prevailing high-cost business environment and other unfavourable macro-economic variables are said to be undermining the country’s chances of leveraging the AfCFTA to remake reflate the economy. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports

It does not take an expert in international trade and diplomacy to see that the odds are stacked against Nigeria as far as taking full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement is concerned. For a start, two years after trading under the AfCFTA commenced on January 1, 2021, Nigeria, which experts tipped as the biggest potential beneficiary of the trade pact that seeks to connect 1.3 billion people across 55 African countries with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) valued at over $2.6 trillion, seems unprepared to seize the monumental opportunities offered by the AfCFTA.

Nigeria, in spite of her population and market size that naturally place her in a vantage position to dictate the pace in the continental trading bloc, has not moved beyond what some private sector operators routinely refer to as “sensitisation and consultation with the public sector.” The paperwork for the agreement has also not been concluded. The Nation learnt that, as of last week, the final document articulating Nigeria’s National Strategy under the AfCFTA was still being prepared. This was after all stakeholders were said to have been invited to validate what Nigeria’s National Strategy will be.

The 2nd Deputy President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Jani Ibrahim confirmed this much, saying: “All the relevant stakeholders were invited to validate what our national strategy will be.” While adding that “the final document is being prepared,” Ibrahim, however, told The Nation that a lot of sensitisations were going on, with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), for instance, getting online to be able to do business under the AfCFTA. The NACCIMA chief, who has been on the frontline of the push for the private sector’s active participation in the AfCFTA, was, however, quick to add that “there are certain things that also need to be done which is the domestication of AfCFTA statutes in our books.”

Now, the fear is that with Nigeria already in an election year when matters germane to her economic survival, including those related to the AfCFTA, are likely to take the back seat, domesticating the protocols and implementing the AfCFTA may not be given priority attention this year, perhaps beyond. The AfCFTA is a high-ambition trade agreement founded in 2018, with trade commencing on January 1, 2021. It seeks to create the world’s largest free trade area; one that integrates 1.3 billion people across 55 African countries with a combined GDP valued at over $2.6 trillion.

The Agreement commits countries to remove tariffs on 90 per cent of goods and incrementally applies the same to services. The removal of tariffs on goods, in particular, is projected to increase the value of intra-African trade by 15 to 25 per cent by 2040, translating to between $50 billion and $70 billion in value.

Nigeria – Africa’s largest economy – signed the AfCFTA on July 7, 2019, becoming the 34th member of the continental trading bloc, which, according to development experts and analysts, puts her in good stead to benefit tremendously from the larger market access, free movement of labour, goods, services and capital it offers. The AfCFTA is also expected to motivate Nigerian SMEs to expand their businesses to other African countries, foster business growth, increase profit as well as contribute substantially to the development of the manufacturing sector.

Other monumental and heart-warming benefits and opportunities available for Nigeria to grab under the AfCFTA include a significant boost in the export of commodities (mainly agricultural and other non-oil commodities), manufactured products as well as services; increase in the country’s GDP and contribution to external reserves accretion; likely influx of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country.

Manufacturers are also likely to set up their plants and hubs in Nigeria to take advantage of the large market. There will also be an increase in job opportunities and the demand for labour, as opportunities will be created for Nigerian professionals to seek employment in other African countries, thus helping to reduce unemployment. Also, being a common market arrangement, the AfCFTA will encourage the unhindered flow of Nigeria’s agricultural goods to key markets in Africa that are in need of them. This, according to experts, is more so because Nigeria has a lot of potential export growth across a range of key food commodities.

However, while the aforementioned benefits and opportunities offered by the AfCFTA are, no doubt, bountiful and mouth-watering, there are fears that they may elude Nigeria. Her seeming lack of readiness or preparedness to seize the opportunities tossed on her path by the AfCFTA by moving beyond sensitisation and consultation campaigns to the practical implementation of trading may hurt her chances of leveraging the agreement to reflate her economy.

Admittedly, for a trade agreement that took over 60 years to put into place, significant trading under the AfCFTA, according to those schooled in the dynamics of international trade agreements, will take some years to take off fully. This means that it will take some time before the envisaged direct benefits of the trade liberalisation deal begin to manifest. The AfCFTA Secretary-General Mene Wamkele said, for instance, that market integration, which the agreement seeks to achieve, is not an event, but a process that takes time, pointing out that it took the European Union (EU) almost 60 years to achieve its current depth of integration.

However, the thinking of industry operators and stakeholders is that Nigeria may be off to a shaky start and as such, may not benefit from the first-mover advantages that come with the AfCFTA. Besides, Nigeria’s failure to implement the AfCFTA and lead the charge in the unfolding effort to leverage the AfCFTA to force Africa’s economic rebirth may not only hurt her chances of maximising its benefits but also constitute a drag on other African countries.

The President of the Pan-African Manufacturers’ Association (PAMA), Otunba Francis Meshioye, inadvertently verged on Nigeria’s seeming lack of readiness in the AfCFTA regime when he said: “Without doubt, we must now move beyond the completion of negotiations on the schedule of tariff offers, finalisation of work on the Rules of Origin and fully operationalise the Pan-African Payment Platform. We should speedily resolve all outstanding issues that are germane to the effective implementation of AfCFTA.”

The occasion was the “Lighting the African Trade Torch for the Implementation of AfCFTA” held in Lagos on January 18, 2023, where, in his goodwill message, Otunba Meshioye, who incidentally doubles as the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), affirmed PAMA’s commitment to the seamless operationalisation of the AfCFTA Agreement. Organised by the Africa Business Council (AfBC), which is considered the premier advocacy arm and platform for private sector cooperation and engagement at the African continental level, along with ensuring regular inclusive dialogue with the AU, the ‘Light the Africa Trade Torch for Implementation of AfCFTA’ is a private sector initiative started on January 20, 2021, for the popularisation of AfCFTA.

At the Lighting the Africa Trade Torch event, Otunba Meshioye reiterated that PAMA sees the single liberalised market for free trade in goods and services, which AfCFTA offers, as “a lifetime opportunity for African countries, Nigeria inclusive, to trade more with each other, refocus national economic, investment and industrial policies to be in sync with continental aspirations.”

Some of the aspirations, according to him, include enhancing private sector development, growing national economies, increasing the number of African multinational companies and fast-tracking the process of fully integrating the continent into the global market among others. “All these opportunities are for the taking if the competitiveness of private businesses is enhanced, and I must say we cannot afford to allow this monumental opportunity to liberate Africa economically slip from our hands…,” Meshioye said.

Nigeria is hobbled by reduced competitiveness, low productivity

Unfortunately, as things stand, the “monumental opportunity to liberate Africa economically,” which so much excites Meshioye and, indeed, other critical stakeholders may slip from the continent’s hands, at least, from Nigeria’s end, unless the productivity and competitiveness of her private businesses – both in manufacturing and agriculture – is urgently enhanced as the PAMA president recommended.

Indeed, not a few operators and experts, who spoke with The Nation were emphatic that without addressing the weak productivity and reduced competitiveness of private businesses in Nigeria forced largely by the prevailing high-cost business environment and other unfavourable macroeconomic variables, the country will not benefit optimally from the AfCFTA regime. “For you to benefit from the AfCFTA, you must be competitive. Your goods must be competitive in quality and price,” NACCIMA Director-General Olusola Obadimu said, adding that “When your infrastructure is weak and your cost of doing business is high, the security is bad, how can you manufacture competitively?”

Obadimu told The Nation that if Nigeria is not competitive with her goods and services, there will be more inflows than outflows and she will lose because more goods and services will be coming in than they are going out of the country. “So, the only way to be competitive and gain from the agreement is to be able to compete and get your goods or whatever you produce in good quality and less price. That’s how you can have more outflows than inflows,” Obadimu stated.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, could not agree more, noting that countries with strong productivity and competitiveness will benefit more. “Benefits and costs would vary from country to country. Countries with a quality investment environment would emerge as key destinations for investment,” Yusuf, who was former Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said.

Ibrahim also attributed private businesses’ weak productivity and reduced competitiveness to infrastructure gaps, particularly poor electricity supply and logistics problems. “A critical area of concern for Nigeria under the AfCFTA is the manufacturing sector. Of course, we know the reasons why we may not be too competitive; it’s because of the challenging business environment, especially power and logistics problems, but we’re looking forward to the government resolving them so that our enterprises can take advantage of this open market,” he said.

Before his recent exit as MAN President, Mansur Ahmed never stopped lamenting that with the economy lacking in key infrastructure, the manufacturing sector was too fragile to become competitive under the AfCFTA or even withstand competition from other countries. “We cannot achieve competitiveness without the provision of infrastructure such as good road networks and electricity, not only within African countries but also across borders. There is also the aspect of the provision of soft infrastructure – like visa, tariffs, and foreign exchange – that will help ease the process of carrying out business transactions between countries,” Ahmed said, at one of MAN’s fora in Lagos.

While insisting that, “We must address all these issues since the AfCFTA is not just about trade in goods, but also trade in services,” the former MAN president said modern industry competitiveness depends to a great extent on the provision of adequate and efficient infrastructure. “From the availability of power and energy to transport and logistics, the role of infrastructure cannot be overemphasised in trade and economic development on the continent,” he stated, pointing out, for instance, that transportation is vital to enhancing competitiveness in trade.

Indeed, the need to address Nigeria’s business environment challenges particularly closing her huge infrastructure gap, especially power and also improving the general ease of doing business has never been compelling if she must reap the full benefits of the AfCFTA. For instance, because of poor transport infrastructure, it costs a business owner in Nigeria more to transport goods from Lagos to Kano than it costs a Chinese business owner to transport the same goods from China to Lagos.

High logistics costs and high cost of power supply have been a pain in the neck of manufacturers and agro exporters in Nigeria. The Nation learnt that while power takes only about 10 per cent of production cost in some countries, it gulps between 40 to 50 per cent of Nigerian manufacturers’ cost of production.

The founder and Group Chief Executive of Emerging Africa Capital Limited, Mrs Toyin Sanni, also lent her voice to the growing concern over Nigeria’s lack of capacity to benefit from the AfCFTA. “Unfortunately, we can’t take advantage of the agreement again because what we produce is much more expensive for us to take it anywhere,” she said. Mrs Sanni, who was a panellist at this year’s edition of the annual Vanguard Economic Discourse held last week with the theme, “Taming Inflation and Stimulating Growth: The Place of Fiscal and Monetary Policies,” hinged her position on Nigeria’s current unfavourable macroeconomic conditions, particularly rising inflation.

According to her, the rising inflation in the country has led to several unsavoury consequences, including a drastic reduction in the purchasing power of Nigerians, increased number of Nigerians relocating abroad for greener pastures (otherwise known as the Japa syndrome), reduced foreign investment, reduced competitiveness in the global market etc. She, however, traced Nigeria’s rising inflation to a sustained reduction in the value of the local currency, the naira, an increase in fuel and energy costs, as well as increased insecurity across the country, which, according to her, forced an increase in food cost and by extension, inflation.

“Reduced foreign investments, high inflation have brought instability and made Nigeria a less attractive destination for foreign investments and our next-door neighbours have taken up all the flows that should have come to us by virtue of the size of our market. There are reduced productivity, reduced savings and investments,” Sanni said.

She said: “Nigeria’s reduced competitiveness in the global market is particularly important now that we have the AfCFTA, an initiative that is meant to give us the opportunity to take our goods across the whole of Africa at a much-reduced tariff and minimal obstructions.”

The expert, however, said encouraging Nigerians abroad to bring in more money into the country, widening the tax net, and, of course, improving infrastructure, and others, could help turn the situation around. Obadimu, who was also a panellist at the Economic Discourse, however, argued that the soaring inflation currently plaguing Nigeria and hurting her continental and global competitiveness was basically cost-push, forced by the prevailing high-cost business operating environment. “Our inflation is basically cost-push, and that’s why monetary policy is not working and can’t work,” Obadimu maintained, insisting that addressing the high-cost business environment as well as the divergent exchange rates, for instance, are key to curbing inflation.

Agro-exporters also losing grip

Manufacturers are not the only players under the AfCFTA regime whose productivity and competitiveness have seriously declined in recent times. Operators in the agri-business sector are no less affected due largely to the lack of quality and standardisation for Nigeria’s export-bound agro-allied products. The thing is that in today’s international business and trade, importing countries want to be sure of the quality, sanitation, and hygiene of products from exporting countries. Countries not sure of the quality and standard of their imports will not throw their markets open to the exporting countries.

What this means is that, for Nigeria to be competitive in agro-export globally, she must comply and align herself to the global benchmark for standards and trading. This is conspicuously lacking in Nigeria at the moment where the rejection of export-bound products has continued unabated, due to a lack of a policy framework that guarantees standards, quality and certification.

According to experts, the poor quality of agricultural products for exports, which results in such rejections, is traceable to poor handling of agricultural products (pre- and post-harvest period), diseases and pest attacks on crops and excessive use of pesticides for preservation purposes. Indeed, with globalisation and increasing emphasis on the quality of agricultural products, which is benchmarked on international food safety procedures, the need for Nigeria to put in place appropriate risk management measures and provide required guarantees on agricultural products leaving the shores of the country has never been imperative.

The President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), Prof. Benedict Oramah, brought the reality of Nigeria’s poor showing in the international export business nearer home when he said recently that Nigeria suffered a loss estimated at $700 million over rejected agro-produce. “Due to poor quality, over $700 million worth of agro-produce are rejected from Europe alone. “About 76 per cent of exports from Africa are rejected annually,” Prof. Oramah said, at the official inauguration of the Africa Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC) in Sagamu, Ogun State.

He, however, said Afreximbank was working to address the problem by working with a lot of organisations to create the framework for the harmonisation of standards across the continent. He said African products must meet international standards to make their mark in countries around the world. Other areas highlighted by experts to help give Nigeria a strong footprint in the AfCFTA regime include the need to fast-track industrialisation, prioritise value addition to agricultural products, and increase technology adoption in order to improve payment systems, widen market reach, build capacity, eliminate diverse barriers and entrench cost-effective processes, among others.

While industry operators and stakeholders await the in-coming government in Nigeria to address some of the identified issues that may deny the country the benefits of the AfCFTA, the service sector, where Nigeria is said to have comparative advantage and strength, The Nation learnt, appears to be coming on relatively strong at the moment. For instance, Engr. Ibrahim, said a lot of Nigerian lawyers, including operators in the banking, aviation and creative industries, are already operating in Africa.

NACCIMA ex-officer, Adebayo Jimoh added that a lot of Nigerian operators in the cement sector such as Lafarge and Dangote Cement are also now operating in African countries, making it easier for them to expand.

The protracted cash crunch forced by the national currency redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has not only posed an existential threat to most Nigerians; it has also crippled economic activities in the country. The policy under which CBN mopped up over 70 per cent of cash in the economy has left manufacturers agonising over a more than 25 per cent dip in sales of manufactured products. Many operators in the informal sector have also shut down, with corresponding job losses in hundreds of thousands, forcing millions of Nigerians to slip into penury. Assistant Editors CHIKODI OKEREOCHA and OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE report that the economy has lost an estimated N20 trillion and still counting

Nigerians have never been this traumatised in recent history. The protracted cash crunch foisted on them following the implementation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) national currency redesign policy has brought economic activities to a halt, with various players in the economy and indeed, Nigerians generally counting their loses.

From manufacturers to small scale businesses in the informal sector, and to buyers and sellers, artisans and company workers, no one is spared of the disruptive and damaging impact of the policy and its attendant cash scarcity. For instance, the crisis has disrupted manufacturing activities and by extension, the economy in a profound manner, with manufacturers contending with more than 25 per cent dips in purchase of manufactured products.

The Director General of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir, gave insight into how the cash crunch left manufacturers with about 25 per cent decline in purchases. For a start, he said although manufacturers do most of their transactions such as purchase of raw materials electronically, they also engage in cash transactions. According to Ajayi-Kadir, the purpose of manufacturing is to sell, and selling takes place typically at the retail end where most people use cash. “Even in some cases where we have to gather our raw materials from the local areas where cash is king, you make those purchases particularly from the farmers when you are aggregating the input for your manufacturing with cash,” he said.

The MAN DG further stated that manufacturers are particularly impacted by the currency scarcity in the sense that all that they produce need to be bought for them to have successfully executed business. “For us, what happens at the retail end of the market is of paramount importance. It means that the average citizen will simply not have enough cash to be able to buy,” he told The Nation.

Ajayi-Kadir also pointed out that even though a lot of advances have been made in terms of electronic transfer of funds, “you discover that most of the purchases you have, particularly in the sub-national and in the rural communities, are still transacted in cash and so we are going to have limitations in those areas.”

That is not all. The obviously worried MAN DG also said there is the issue of not being able to move around very easily because one needs to pay cash, and trade requires movement of people. “We have also seen some disturbances that have accompanied the non-availability of cash and most citizens are getting frustrated and they are prioritizing the purchase of food to survive. So, the little naira you have, you tend to use it to buy food and it has had major impact on us. Some of our members are already complaining that what they are able to produce; they are not able to sell. This is swelling the unplanned inventory that they have,” he told The Nation.

However, manufacturers who have been saddled with huge inventory of unsold goods were said to have been left with no choice than to invest heavily in hiring warehouses to keep their goods. This is because most of the products produced by manufacturers could not be sold because of the currency scarcity. But the option of hiring warehouses isn’t without implications. As Ajayi-Kadir put it, “it means that some of the goods that are stored in the warehouses will reach their shelve life and it will become a burden even on manufacturers to dispose of them. So, we are looking at a situation where the naira scarcity doesn’t augur well for the manufacturing sector and we are eagerly looking forward to the issue being addressed.”

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr. Muda Yusuf, is no less worried by the obvious negative impact of the prevailing cash crunch on the struggling manufacturing sector and by extension, the economy. He said the crisis has disrupted many business activities especially at the distributive trade level. Dr. Yusuf pointed out, for instance, that in many locations, particularly in the informal sector and the rural economy, transactions are basically cash-based. Also, movement logistics to and from work by employees of many organisations, including manufacturers, he said, has been severely affected because intra city commercial transportation is purely a cash business. Many members of staff of organisations have also not been going to work due to lack of cash.

“The implication of all of these is that manufacturers’ products that are traded largely in the informal sector and in the rural areas across the country suffer serious setbacks in terms of sales and turnover. This naturally had a knock-on effect on capacity utilisation and manufacturers’ inventory levels,” Dr. Yusuf told The Nation.

He said beyond the cash crisis, there is also a lot of pressure on digital payment platforms, many of which have either collapsed or functioned sub-optimally. As a result, those seeking to make payments on digital platforms have been having serious problems of transaction failures, with many business transactions getting stalled.

Bad as it is, Dr. Yusuf, however, said there is very little manufacturers can do to fix this problem since it is purely an exogenous factor. Besides, manufacturers, he said, do not have direct interface with consumers or retailers. “The best they (manufacturers) could do is to strengthen their advocacy towards a much better management of the economy,” he suggested.

As far as Dr. Yusuf, who is a renowned economist and former DG of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is concerned, “The whole cash crisis is a consequence of huge capacity gaps in monetary policy formulation and management.” He, however, said in terms of options open to manufacturers, there are very limited options other than to get the CBN and the Federal Government to obey and fully comply with the Supreme Court judgment by improving the supply of cash to the economy and give more time for the transition from the old to the new currency note regime.

Dr. Yusuf also said it is important for the CBN to retrace its steps on the arbitrary mop up of 70 per cent of cash in the economy. “This is the big issue because the shock created serious problems for small businesses in the economy. The cost of cash rose to an unprecedented level of between 20-30 per cent for conversion from digital money to cash. This is obviously very punitive,” he kicked.

The expert, however, said with the Supreme Court ruling, he expects to see a gradual normalisation of economic activities and better circulation of cash in the economy. Dr. Yusuf was referring to the Supreme Court ruling on Friday, March 3rd, 2023, that the Federal Government’s naira redesign policy was an affront to the 1999 Constitution; that the policy breached the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens, and therefore, ordered that the old N200, N500 and N1, 000 notes remain in circulation as legal tender till 31st December this year.

The ruling itself followed a lawsuit filed in February by 16 state governors after President Muhammadu Buhari refused to heed their pleas to show more sensitivity to the plight of millions of ordinary Nigerians and allow the old notes to circulate for a more extended period. The Court held that the unlawful use of executive powers by the President inflicted unprecedented economic hardship on the citizens by denying them ownership of and access to their money, noting that some cash-strapped citizens had to engage in barter to survive.

However, it took the CBN days to confirm its compliance with the ruling by the Supreme Court. Before then, the CBN kept sealed lips over the judicial verdict overruling its earlier 10th February deadline for expiration of old N200, N500 and N1, 000 notes amidst scarcity of new notes that has inflict incalculable injuries to the economy and Nigerians.

On February 16th, President Buhari also made a broadcast granting isolated extension of N200 notes validity to 30th April. But the broadcast did not go down well with Nigerians, with many of them accusing the President of being insensitive to their plight and not appreciating the gravity and enormity of their suffering and pain.

Recall that the Godwin Emefiele-led CBN inadvertently threw Nigerians and the economy into confusion. That was in October last year when it introduced the naira redesign policy, unveiled the specimen new notes in November and fixed January 31 for the phasing out of the old notes.

The CBN fixed a 90-day timeline for the currency transition, claiming among other things that the currency redesign will help mop up excess cash in the system, drive a cashless economy, fight crime and kidnapping, prevent vote-buying, and rein in inflation and counterfeiting.

Sadly however, the unintended consequences of the policy appear to have over-shadowed its envisaged deliverables. Since that January 31 when the CBN asked Nigerians to deposit their old N200, N500 and N1000 notes in exchange for the newly-redesigned naira notes, it’s been a tale of woes by not a few Nigerians and business owners, both big and small.

This is because the CBN did not release enough new notes to guarantee a seamless currency swap. And the acute naira scarcity that followed led to widespread anger and frustration, as most Nigerians could not get cash to pay for food and other basic necessities. To make matters worse, payment systems across all platforms that should have provided alternative to distressed Nigerians and business owners collapsed. The CBN was said to have mopped up as much as 70 per cent of the cash in the economy, forcing many Nigerians to turn to digital or electronic platforms. Yet, many of them could not get relief as most electronic payment platforms have been performing sub-optimally because of congestion.

Many Nigerians who could not bear the unprecedented economic and financial hardship inflicted on them by banks that denied them ownership of and access to their money, practically relocated to the banks where they kept vigil. Some women who were unable to feed their children and send them to school have protested by going naked in banking halls. Several bank branches have been attacked by men who could not bear the hardship, forcing many banks to close their banking halls to prevent their workers from being attacked and killed.

However, it took the Supreme Court order of March 3rd that all old notes remain legal tender until the end of the year and should circulate alongside new notes for distressed Nigerians and business owners from across all sectors to begin to see what appears to be a gradual return to normalcy, even though the crisis has continued to impact businesses and social livelihood beyond intentions.

“Retail transactions across sectors have become nerve-racking and distressing as payment system challenges persist,” Dr. Yusuf lamented, noting that since the onset of the cash crisis, “the Nigerian economy has lost an estimated N20 trillion.”

According to him, these losses arose from the deceleration of economic activities, the crippling of trading activities, the stifling of the informal economy, contraction in the agricultural sector and the paralysis of the rural economy. He also said there are corresponding job losses in hundreds of thousands. It is easy to see how the huge job losses came about. For instance, several operators in the informal sector, particularly Point of Sale (PoS) across the country, have been forced to shut down, complaining of lack of cash to dispense to their numerous customers. Many PoS operators are known to employ several workers, and closing shop meant throwing those workers back into the saturated labour market. Some of the PoS operators, who spoke with The Nation, said they could not stand the exorbitant cost of dispensing N10, 000, for instance, to their customers for as much as between N3, 000 and N4, 000, in most cases.

Although the expected relief from the Supreme Court judgment has not fully materialised, signs of improvement are gradually appearing on the horizon particularly after the elections. Dr. Yusuf, however, cautioned that the CBN should remove all impediments to the flow of cash in the economy, and that all administrative and regulatory barriers should be removed in line with the Supreme Court ruling. “The condition that deposit of cash will require the generation of code from the CBN portal is completely unnecessary and should be eradicated,” he added.

On his part, Ajayi-Kadir said there are still some conversations that need to happen between the CBN and probably the judiciary so that they can find an amicable way to allow the suffering to abate. “There has to be a way of implementing the Supreme Court judgment in such a way that it does not also take away the prerogative of the CBN to manage our monetary policy and how we spend money,” he said.

The MAN DG, while reiterating the need for a high-level conversation between the CBN and the judiciary so that the suffering of the people is reduced and businesses can function effectively, noted that the currency redesign policy was “an excellent monetary control measure by the CBN.” He, however, expressed regrets over what he described as “the inexplicable poor management of the transition process.” He said if the problem lingers, “the in-coming administration should swiftly address it without throwing away the baby with the bath water.”

The DG, LCCI, Dr. Chinyere Almona, also said the Chamber supports the drive towards a cashless economy, but insisted that redesigning the naira and phasing out old currency notes could have been better planned and implemented with no hardship for businesses and individuals.

According to her, the cash crunch is impacting businesses and social livelihoods beyond intentions. She said while banks have endeavoured to meet the currency demands of their customers through Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) and electronic transfers, the scarcity of the naira has rendered their efforts ineffective. “Businesses are suffering the consequences of the CBN currency management policy lapses. Regarding the deadline extension for phasing out old notes, the Chamber does not see any value in this if the scarcity of the new naira notes persists,” Dr. Almona said.

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor, Nimotalahi Awoniyi Duku Joel, Damaturu; Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna; Tony Akowe, Abuja; Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto; Linus Oota, Lafia; Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi; Eric Ikhilae, Abuja, Segun Showunmi, Ibadan, Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi, Kolade Adeyemi, Jos, Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt, Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba and Polycarp Oro-sevwotu Ughelli

LAGOS, BENUE

32 electoral offenders for prosecution in Lagos, Benue

The Lagos State Police Command has said that six out of 19 persons arrested during last Saturday’s governorship election will be prosecuted for alleged electoral offences.

The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin made this known yesterday while parading the suspects and others at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti-Yaba.

Hundeyin said the suspects were involved in 21 cases which include attacks on INEC officials, vandalism and ballot box snatching. Other offences are possession of a fake INEC ID card, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, assault occasioning harm and illegal possession of firearms.

He said that four of the suspects would be prosecuted by the INEC, while two found with arms and involved in other criminal acts will be prosecuted by the police.

The spokesperson said that the suspects will be transferred to Force Headquarters Abuja where they would hand some over to INEC. He said those whose crimes fall under the police will be prosecuted by the force.

Hundeyin said others paraded include two who were allegedly involved in violence at Abule-Ado in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos and a suspected cultist. He said that three suspected kidnappers, who allegedly confessed to having collected about N20.7 million ransom from victims were also arrested and paraded.

Hundeyin said that two other suspects allegedly stole a truck parked by its driver, which was carrying a brand new car belonging to the American Embassy in Lagos. The image maker said that the suspects were arrested while trying to sell the truck with the car at the cost of about N5 million.

In a similar development, the Benue State Police Command said 26 persons were arrested for various electoral offences during the election.

In a press release, the Police Public Relations Officer, Kate Anene said the suspects were arrested during the elections for various offences, including political thuggery/illegal possession of firearms, snatching of ballot boxes and intimidation of voters.

Exhibits recovered from them include three locally made pistols, cutlasses, knives and wraps of weed suspected to be Indian hemp.

Commissioner of Police, Benue State, Wales Abass has ordered a detailed investigation into all the cases. He also promised to deal with suspects in accordance with the laws.

 KANO

 APC rejects result

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has rejected the result validating the election of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) Abba Yusuf as governor-elect.

 The Independent National Electoral Commission had on Monday declared Yusuf as the winner of the election.

 Announcing the result in Kano, the state Returning Officer, Prof. Doko Ibrahim, the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said Yusuf polled 1,019,602 votes to emerge victorious.

 He said that Yusuf defeated his closest rival and incumbent Deputy Governor of the State, Malam Yusuf Gawuna of the APC, who scored 892,705 votes.

But reacting to this at a news conference in Kano on Tuesday, the state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, said the APC would challenge the result.

Abbas, who was represented by the party’s Legal Adviser, Mr. Abdul Adamu Fagge, insisted that the election should be declared inconclusive.

According to him, the cancelled votes are greater than the margin between the candidate of APC and NNPP as provided by the Electoral Act.

Yobe

PDP rejects Buni, vows legal action

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Yobe State Chapter said it is opposed to the declaration of Governor Mai Mala Buni by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the re-elected governor of Yobe state.

 INEC had on Sunday declared Buni as the winner of the governorship election having polled 317,113 votes to defeat his closest opponent and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Sherif Abdullahi, who scored 124, 259 votes.

But the opposition party in Damaturu on Tuesday said INEC’s declaration was unacceptable because the election was marred by intimidation of voters, vote-buying and inducement of officials. 

 Addressing journalists after the meeting, the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the State Sherrif Abdullahi vowed that his party will challenge the result in the court.  

He said: “Based on the results collated from our party agents and those from the IRev portal, the party therefore wishes to oppose the outcome of the elections as announced in its entirety. 

 But the State Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress in the State Mohammed Gadaka said the PDP was just shopping for a face-saving strategy, just as he described them as bad losers crying foul for nothing.

KADUNA

El-Rufai hails  residents

Governor Nasir El-Rufai has expressed appreciation to the people of Kaduna State for peacefully comporting themselves during the  elections and for voting for the All Progressives Congress (APC) both at the presidential and governorship polls.

A statement  by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye yesterday, said that the governor is especially grateful to the people for voting for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president-elect and  Governor-elect Uba Sani.

 The statement quoted El Rufai as expressing optimism “that these results have created an atmosphere that enhances the progress of our country and our dear Kaduna state.”

According to Adekeye, the governor “wishes the leaders that have been re-elected or freshly elected in this 2023 cycle, every success in accelerating the uplift of our country and society and in improving the wellbeing and life chances of all our people.”

  LAGOS

Sanwo-Olu’s victory is

people’s mandate,

says Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has said that the victory of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Saturday’s governorship poll was the people’s mandate.

 Hence, the lawmaker urged the governor to be magnanimous in victory and consolidate on his achievement during his first term in office.

 In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker, who congratulated the governor and other governorship candidates of the APC who won the elections, said the landslide victory Sanwo-Olu recorded was a testimony to his good governance and giant strides in Lagos State in the last four years.

While describing it as a deserved victory, Gbajabiamila said he was happy that Lagosians had seen the “good work” that Sanwo-Olu had done and elected him for the second time.

 Gbajabiamila applauded Lagosians for their resilience and determination to see that Sanwo-Olu was returned.

He stressed that with the Sanwo-Olu that he knows, Lagos State would witness massive developmental projects during the governor’s second term in office.

Group urges Sanwo-Olu to rally Lagosians for support 

A social mobilization organisation – Every Lagosian Matters (ELM) has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was at the weekend re-elected for a second term to galvanize residents of the state to support his second term in office.

 Specifically, the group urged him to use his second term mandate to build enduring legacies that would immortalize him in the history of the state as a leader of modern Lagos.

 Speaking at a briefing in Ikeja, ELM Team Leader, Kenneth Ibe-Kalu, while congratulating Governor Sanwo-Olu on his victory, observed that the number of votes he received attests to the fact that he is at home and in tune with residents of Lagos.

 Ibe-Kalu said: “We use this opportunity also to call on all contestants to see the election as a competition where a winner where losing is not a sign of weakness. We call on Governor Sanwo-Olu to reconcile and harmonize all interest groups with a view to galvanizing Lagosians for the task ahead of building a greater Lagos.

“We call on the governor to always see himself as the father of Lagos State and Lagosians. We also call on Lagosians to join hands to support the developmental vision of the governor as he commences his last term in office on May 29.”

KADUNA

ADC candidate greets Governor -elect Sani, PDP rejects result

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator Caleb Zagi has congratulated the candidate of the APC, Senator Uba Sani for emerging as winner.

This is coming as the major opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the election and rejected the result.

 INEC had declared Sani, winner of the governorship election held on Saturday.

But the PDP State Collation Agent, Danjuma Sarki, who had raised several objections to the declaration of Sani, had Monday night refused to sign the result.

Sarki argued that the number of cancelled votes across the state during the election was more than the winning margin, which gave the victory to the APC candidate.

The State Collation Officer,  Professor Lawal Bilbis explained that, majority  of the cancelled votes were as a result of over-voting, which renders the votes from such polling units invalid.

Meanwhile, ADC candidate in a statement he personally signed, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the election, describing the process as transparent, free and credible.

 Sani, in his acceptance speech, has said that he would govern the State without ethnic and religious sentiments.

Sani also said that he would be focused and dedicated to serve the people to the best of his ability once sworn in on May 29, 2023 as the duly elected governor of the State.

The governor-elect added that he would diligently follow the good governance standard set by the outgoing Governor Nasir El-rufai.

But the PDP governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru, who noted that the election was far from expectation and did not reflect the wishes of many electorates, however, urged members of the main opposition party in the state to remain calm.

 Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has also congratulated Sani and urged him to be committed to both human and infrastructural development of the state.

A statement issued by the National President of the Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, expressed optimism that the governor-elect will perform well stressing that, ” When we were engaged in civil society activism in support of poor people against military dictatorship, he was unwavering in his determination.

 SOKOTO

Sultan congratulates

Governor-elect Aliyu

Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has felicitated the Sokoto State Governor-Elect, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto over his landslide victory during the just- concluded governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

This was said by the representatives of the monarch at the Gawon Nama, Sokoto, resident of the state APC leader and former governor of the state, Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.  The delegation was led by the Waziri of Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, who represented the Sokoto monarch.

Abubarka, who expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of the election, assured the governor-elect the Sultanate Council’s readiness to work assiduously with Aliyu.

Responding, Aliyu, while acknowledging the inspiring message with joy, described Sultan Abubakar as a father to all.

 But, the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party in Sokoto state has accused security agents of intimidating, harassing, arresting and denying its members of freely exercise their franchise during last Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections.

It said the alleged acts grossly undermined the freedom of PDP supporters.

TARABA

NNPP heads to court

Prof. Sani Yahya, the governorship candidate of New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) in Taraba State, has rejected the outcome of the governorship election.

Yahya told journalists in Jalingo on Tuesday that he would challenge the result of the governorship election in court.

According to him, there was overwhelming evidence of electoral malpractice in the election that gave victory to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kefas Agbum.

Yahya urged his supporters and the people of the state to stay calm and eschew violence, assuring that the NNPP won the election and would reclaim its mandate through legal means.

OGUN

Accord  seeks reversal of Abiodun’s victory

Accord in Ogun State has accused Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of violating Electoral Act by declaring Governor Dapo Abiodun as winner of Saturday’s  election.

Consequently, it has called on Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to reverse Abiodun’s declaration.

Secretary of the party  Rotimi Oke, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta on Tuesday, described INEC’s declaration of Abiodun as “an act of wickedness and a broad daylight robbery.”

Oke said that INEC should have declared the election inconclusive and ordered a re-run at the polling units where elections were reportedly disrupted by thugs.

NASARAWA

APC wins 11, opposition 12 Assembly seats

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State has won 11 out of the 24 seats of the state House of Assembly.

It was reported that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won eight seats, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) clinched two seats each.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the results as collated from the various centres across the state.

However, the result of Lafia Central state constituency was declared inconclusive by INEC.

Some observers of the election had decried the entire exercise, saying it was strictly about religion and ethnicity.

Addressing a press conference yesterday at the NUJ house Lafia, about 10 observers groups, led by Nwokoma Messiah who represents ‘Vote Count Campaign Organization’ said, the action of political figures created a kind of division in the voting pattern which witnessed some electorates heeding to the calls of their religious leaders who actually directed them to vote along such lines.

But they maintained that there was no vote buying and the security provided by Nigerian Police and NSCDC as well as the Nigerian army to ensure smooth conduct of the election.

BENUE

APGA Joseph Waya

congratulates Alia

Mr. Joseph Waya of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), yesterday in Makurdi, congratulated the winner of the Benue Governorship election, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and called on all Benue people to support him in the task of governance.

In a statement, Waya alleged widespread irregularities, but said he was still committed to the Benue project and appealed to other contestants to “set aside partisan rancour and rally round Fr. Alia for the overall interest of the state”.

He said his desire to lead the state was never borne out of a conviction for personal aggrandizement but for the wellbeing, peace and security of the people.

Also, Alia has assured the people  he will not abuse the confidence reposed in him.

OYO:

 PDP stalwart congratulates Makinde

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rita Orji and an ally of Governor Seyi Makinde has congratulated the governor  at the just-concluded governorship election.

Orji described Makinde as a leader with a burning desire to set Oyo State on a positive trajectory. A statement personally signed by the former House of Representatives member noted that people of the state believe in the efficacy of Makinde’s campaign promises.

Extolling the leadership acumen of Governor Makinde, the PDP stalwart said he remains the symbol of good governance to his contemporaries in the country.

She thanked the people of Oyo State and the Igbo community in the state who rallied around the governor and voted for him across the 33 local governments.

She observed that the developmental strides recorded under the governor’s “Omituntun 1.0” were the tip of the iceberg, as the programme contained in “Omituntun 2.0” will be more impactful on the lives of the people.

BORNO

Zulum dedicates victory

 to God, masses

Borno State Governor  Babagana  Zulum  has dedicated his re-election victory to God and the people.

 Zulum said his renewed mandate had humbled him with the depth of trust and weight of expectation that his administration carried to win the confidence of the electorate.

The governor, who lauded the support of the party leadership and all stakeholders for the party landslide victories at all levels of the general election, said his administration would take measures to continue to enhance that unity by rewarding members based on their contributions.

CROSS RIVER

Governor- elect seeks rival contestants’ collaboration

Sen. Bassey Otu, the Cross River Governor-Elect has extended hands of fellowship to other candidates, urging them to join him to build a new state.

Otu who won on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) said this when he spoke with journalists on Tuesday in Calabar while celebrating his victory at the poll.

Otu promised to operate an equitable, fair, compassionate and a listening government in which all shades of ideas would be given fair-hearing and a chance at success.

He lauded Gov. Ben Ayade for insisting on power rotation in the state in line with the principles of justice, equity and fairness.

ZAMFARA

 Police warn against breach of peace

The Police Command in Zamfara has warned to deal with any breach of the peace following the conclusion of elections in the state.

In a statement issued in Gusau on Tuesday by the command spokesman, SP Muhammad Shehu, the command said it would decisively deal with any individual or group of people for breaching the peace in Zamfara.

He said that measures have been put in place to protect lives and property of citizens.

PLATEAU:

 APC heads to court to challenge PDP’s victory

 The Plateau State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda has vowed to challenge his defeat in court, alleging that the polls were rigged.

Dr. Nentawe made this known when a group of party faithful and loyalists paid him a courtesy visit in his home, shortly after the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Caleb Mutfwang the winner of last Saturday’s governorship election on the Plateau.

He urged his supporters to remain hopeful and stand by him. He called on them to be civil and not insult anyone but just to stand by the mandate of the party in Plateau.

Nentawe was a former Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Benue State who only last year resigned his position to contest for a governorship seat under the platform of the APC.

The APC candidate lost with 481,370 against the candidate of the PDP who polled a total of 525,299.

Meanwhile, Mutfwang has promised that he will run an all-inclusive government, irrespective of ethnic colouration where all will be involved in the governance. He made the promise in his acceptance speech after he was declared the winner of the election by INEC.

 He thanked the people of Plateau State for the confidence reposed in him by overwhelmingly voting for him.

RIVERS:

 Abe denies congratulating Wike’s anointed successor

The Rivers State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Sen. Magnus Abe has debunked a report making the rounds suggesting that he has congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the winner of last Saturday’s governorship election, Siminialaye Fubara.

The PDP candidate secured 302, 614 votes to defeat his closest contender, Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 95,274 votes. Abe came a distant third with 46,981 votes.

 The SDP flag bearer was alleged to have sent his goodwill message to congratulate the winner of the exercise yesterday.

 However, a statement by Abe’s spokesman, Pastor Parey Benson said the governorship candidate did not congratulate Fubara, who emerged from a process that was characterized by manipulation, voter intimidation, suppression and other forms of violence.

 He described the report as misleading.

DELTA:

 We will prioritise rural development, says governor-elect

Delta State governor-elect, Sheriff Oborevwori has vowed to give priority to rural development.

 Oborevwori, who spoke through Information Commissioner, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has assured the people  that he would continue with ongoing programmes and policies of the Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration, while also introducing his own programmes.

Aniagwu said Governor Okowa and the Governor-elect and the PDP, in general, are grateful to Deltans for their show of love, particularly for their appreciation of the sterling performance of the Okowa administration and the street credibility of Oborevwori. He added that the PDP is in the DNA of Deltans.

Ogboru congratulates Oborevwori on his victory

The Delta State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Great Ogboru has congratulated the winner of last Saturday’s governorship election in Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori of the PDP.

Oborevwori was declared the winner of the election after polling 360,234 votes; against the 240,229 votes scored by his closest rival, APC’s Ovie Omo-Agege.

In the congratulatory message, Ogboru also lamented that the election was marred by intimidation and voter apathy. He described the process as a major setback in the evolution of democratic tenets.

He said: “The election witnessed a high degree of intimidation, violence, coercion, voter apathy and an unprecedented level of vote-buying never seen before. It is a major setback in the evolution of democratic tenets and a threat to future elections. But there is a declared winner and we must accept it.

“May I, therefore, use this opportunity to congratulate Sheriff Oborevwori for his victory over several obstacles in this election. Congratulations as we wish you all the best as governor of Delta State.”

Desirous of optimum performance and efficiency in service delivery, many countries have initiated various reform measures to improve and reposition the public sector in view of its strategic position as the engine room of governance in every country, which in turn affects national economic and social development in ways that impact citizens’ lives. In this report, JULIANA AGBO examines the role of the private sector in transforming the public sector.

The public sector remains the engine room of administration and governance. A country’s economic and social development is highly dependent on the efficiency of its public sector. While a performing public sector improves the lives of citizens, research has also shown that there is a strong correlation between the performance of a country’s public sector and economic development.

However, public sector transformation cannot be accomplished without the full support of citizens, civil society organisations, and private sector entities. To this end, the AIG-Imoukhuede Foundation, with the introduction of its Public Leadership Programme (PLP), has been in the forefront of improving the lives of Africans through transformed public service delivery and better access to quality primary healthcare, starting with Nigeria.

The AIG Public Leaders Programme, which offers emerging African public sector leaders a unique opportunity to develop their leadership capacity and acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to drive change, runs in conjunction with the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government. It’s an executive education programme that provides high-potential African public servants the opportunity to acquire the skills needed to create cultures of excellence, effectiveness, and integrity in their organisations. The programme, which offers an immersive, world-class executive education experience, led by some of the world’s leading public policy experts and teachers, has been changing the narrative of public sector reform. It also aimed at seeing Nigeria’s public servants set the pace in the continent just as they did in the 60s and 70s when the country’s public servants were honoured by the international community.

Programme overview

Speaking on the Programme overview and structure, a professor of Practice of Public Integrity at the Blavatnik School of Government, Prof Christopher Stone, stated that the programme is designed to ensure that senior public leaders, and those moving into senior leadership in the public sector over the next three to seven years, master a range of new skills as quickly as possible. According to him, the programme curriculum consists of six core themes, which include governing in times of challenge and change, integrity, the pitfalls in decision making, strengthening public organisations, harnessing technology, leadership and authority.

The programme, he said, offers insights from the world’s leading scholars and practitioners and peer learning from participants’ counterparts. “The learning experience is intense and demanding, engaging participants through a mixture of classroom discussion, simulations, practical exercises and project work over a total period of six months which include live classes, online learning, residential programme, project development and project review. Participants have an unparalleled opportunity to develop the conceptual frameworks and practical tools they need to meet the challenges of today’s rapidly changing and complex world.”

Programme focus and goals

Speaking on the goals of the foundation at the closing ceremony of the 2022 PLP class, the founder and chairman, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said the programme was designed to produce more effective public servants that will set the pace in Africa and to see that Nigeria is better governed with the lives of citizens significantly improved. Imoukhuede noted that the programme aims to equip participants with the skills needed to build transformative cultures of excellence, effectiveness, and integrity throughout the public institutions they lead, and across the broader public sector.

As part of its multi-billion Naira commitment to facilitate the transformation of the public sector, he stated that the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation was committed to building a new generation of public sector leaders to drive change across their various organisations. He noted that the vision is to close the gap between Africa and the world.

Speaking further, he said the strategic plan of the foundation from 2020- 2025 sets out pathways to achieve four strategic goals. The goals he listed include, changing the narrative on public sector reform, taking ownership for public sector transformation, public sector leadership development and strengthening capacity for effective policy design and implementation. The realisation of these objectives, he said, will result in a better performing public sector. Speaking on the successful completion of the 2022 PLP class, Imoukhuede said the class of 2022 which included its first international participant from South Africa, was made up of  52 public servants, carefully selected from government ministries, departments, and agencies.

He informed that the foundation was looking to increase the number of participants in the next class to 100, and is also considering the inclusion of political actors. “The first class of the PLP commenced in 2021 and since that time, we have offered over 100 fully funded scholarships to public servants to enable them participate in the programme. We are, therefore, committed to building a shared understanding of what is required to improve public sector performance and why some previous reform efforts were not successful.

“We seek to collaborate with stakeholders including private sector entities and citizens who recognise the role that they can play in public sector transformation and who will join us in investing their time and other resources to advocate for change, and support and protect key reform initiatives. We are building a critical mass of public sector leaders who are equipped with the skills, knowledge and tools they need to drive and sustain reforms and who will improve the quality of public service delivery.

“Our goal is to work with the public sector to ensure an enabling policy and legal landscape, which supports coherent policy development, promotes the implementation of reform initiatives, and drives public leadership accountability”, Imoukhuede said.

To ensure each participant can get the most out of the programme, the foundation said ample opportunities are offered to pull together the skills and conceptual frameworks learned in each session, including through project work and group reflection. “After weeks of blended teaching, programme participants are given a window of time to develop a capstone project, allowing them apply key learnings from the programme into their day-to-day workings,” it said.

Speaking on eligible criteria for the programme, it noted that for one to be eligible, participant must be a citizen of any African country and actively working within the public sector in Africa with a minimum of seven years of active service in the public sector. “It added that intending participant must be at a directorate level and must not exceed 50 years of age. We build the human capacity to drive transformation as the capacity of the public sector workforce is a key driver of its success or failure.

“Our capacity building programmes, delivered in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government at University of Oxford, provide current and future public sector leaders with training and support from the world’s best public policy faculty, to empower them with the skills and knowledge they need to be effective in their roles.”

It, however, noted that the AIG Fellowships programme gives outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the public sector an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of critical public policy challenges facing the continent. “Our AIG Public Leaders Programme provides senior civil servants with the skills, frameworks and tools they need to meet the challenges of a complex and rapidly changing continent.”

Speaking on the programme scholarship, it said “our AIG Scholarships provide the next generation of public service leaders with a world-class public policy education, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to make positive change.”

Advocacy for public sector transformation

The foundation noted that it uses evidence-based advocacy to equip citizens with the information they need to assess the performance of the public sector and hold government accountable. “We provide them with research, data and tools so that they are empowered to engage government and advocate for change. We advocate for increased private sector participation in the implementation of public sector reforms, recognising the impact that such private-public sector collaboration can have on the efficiency of public sector effectiveness and the capacity of the public sector workforce.

“Our public sector performance index provides an assessment of a range of Ministries, Departments and Agencies across the Nigerian government, tracking how effectively they are delivering public goods and services. We advocate for increased private-public sector collaboration to enable the transfer of knowledge and private sector expertise to support public sector reform efforts and increase the capacity of the public sector workforce.”

Analysing the impact of the programme since its inception, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, said the programme has helped in building social capital, transform and reposition the African and Nigerian public sectors as catalysts of growth and development. According to him, the foundation has been doing various commendable philanthropic programmes and projects, including this Public Leaders Programme.

He said the programme teaches what public officers must possess as core qualities of good leaders, such as: trustworthiness and honesty, ethical and professional conduct, capacity for critical thinking and problem solving, communication as well as conflict resolution among others. Jega noted that he is glad to be associated with the foundation’s excellent work, both as the pioneer African Initiative for Governance (AIG), sponsored Visiting Fellow of Practice at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford (2016/2017), and now as a member of the Leadership Council of the AIG-Imoukhuede Foundation.

Corroborating Jega, Executive Vice Chairman of the foundation, Mrs Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, explained that programme graduates have been transformed by the skills and insights they need to perform their roles effectively and efficiently in the public service. She said graduates have been able to gain the know-how to share skills and insights within their organisation and with the broader public sector and will strengthen their ability to respond to six challenges that face all leaders of public institutions.

“Our Mission is to improve the lives of Africans through transformed public service delivery and increased access to quality primary healthcare. We are at the forefront of facilitating a positive change in the quality of public service delivery and access to primary healthcare. We are thrilled with the impact our programme participants are having in their organisations, as they use the learnings gained to shape positive change, with many of them receiving commendations and awards for the capstone projects they implemented in their organisations after the programme,” she added.

While some political parties are getting more endorsements and receiving new members to their fold, others have been making efforts to sustain their campaigns in the face of one form of distraction or the other

LAGOS: Pa Fasoranti, Shehu Sani, others back Sanwo-Olu

LAGOS  State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is gunning for re-election  has chided his opponents , saying governance is not for newbies, as the economy cannot be managed by someone who lacks the requisite experience in governance and leadership.

The governor made the remarks in an interview with Nigeria Info FM yesterday.

He said that he is the most qualified of all the candidates.

The governor has been receiving endorsements from all quarters ahead of Saturday’s election.

Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti has called on the people of Lagos State to come out en-masse  and vote for Sanwo-Olu.

Pa Fasoranti said there was a need for continuity in Lagos State.

He said he believes that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president would benefit Lagos State more if the state has an APC governor to complement whatever the president has for the state.

Pa Fasoranti, who spoke in a statement signed by his Administrative Secretary, Chief Oladiran Adesua, said Lagos, as the economic nerve centre of the country and by extension of Yorubaland, deserved the very best.

In a veiled reference to the LP candidate, Pa Fasoranti said  Afenifere was not in support of certain individuals threatening the corporate existence of the country because their preferred candidates lost in the February 25 presidential election.

Also,young Nigerians in the Diaspora have thrown their weight behind the re-election of the governor.

Speaking at a teleconference yesterday from his base in the United States of America, the Chairman of the Houston chapter of the APC-USA, Dr Emmanuel Abiodun Dada, urged Lagosians not to allow the state to fall into the hands of “unseeded elements, renegades who have no experience about governance and who are strange to the timeless tradition and heritage of Lagos”.

Dada, a chemical engineering professor, said Lagos is the most developed among the 36 states of the federation. He said: “In terms of security, protection of the dignity of labour and human rights defence, Lagos is miles ahead of many of the 36 states. We must never allow these gains to fizzle out. We must defend it. We must protect it. We must cherish it. You will not know the value of what you have until you lose it. This is a battle we must fight; this is a battle we must win.

“We cannot hand over the biggest economy in Nigeria to someone unknown to labour, strange to hard work, someone who has never employed a single person in his life, someone who does not know our history, does not understand our language and culture. A strange fellow whose antecedents were that he took part in violent protests and led the destruction of properties in Lagos.”

Similarly, an interest group, the Omoluabi Renaissance Movement (ORM) has also endorsed the candidature of Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat. The group made the endorsement immediately after an emergency meeting held in Ikeja, Lagos.

It said the duo, running on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has exhibited a high sense of responsibility and accountability in their first term  and have executed legacy projects which can be stalled with the posturing of “half-baked candidates’ jostling for the Alausa Glass House.

The endorsement of the duo was contained in a statement by the ORM Convener, Dr. Opeyemi Ade-Ibijola and the Director of Communications, Rotimi Opeyeoluwa. The body stressed that Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat have exhibited the uncommon Omoluabi ethos in the last four years of their stewardship to Lagosians and have proven that good governance is both possible and attainable.

In another development, Wale Jafojo, son of a former Lagos deputy governor and Dayo Israel, the National Youth Leader of the APC, have also backed Sanwo-Olu’s second term bid.

Jafojo has urged youths in Ikeja to come out in their numbers and make their votes count for Sanwo-Olu’s continuity in office. He made the call at a gathering organised by him, tagged: Jafojo Youth Support for Sanwo-Olu, which was held at the historic Oluwaleimu Youth Centre in Ikeja on Tuesday.

Also, acampaign support group of the All Progressives Congress (APC), No Alternative to Tinubu 2023 (NATT 2023), has said Lagosians should  re-elect  Sanwo-Olu.

The National Coordinator, Vincent Uba, speaking with reporters yesterday in Lagos, said Sanwo-Olu should be allowed to complete the good work he had started.

Thanking Nigerians for voting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on February 25, the group said Lagos State development template created by Tinubu had become so workable, reliable and usable that many states in Nigeria were asking for it.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu is on a roller coaster of good governance, using the template of his teacher as a good student of history that he is. He has shown commitment, capacity and capability in steering the affairs of Lagos State in a progressive direction, despite the enormous challenges.”

The former senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani has expressed excitement over what is playing out in Lagos politics, especially between the LP and the APC.

Sani said he is backing the re-election bid of the APC candidate, Sanwo-Olu. He said though the recent presidential election results revealed the overt threats from the LP in Lagos State, it was time the voters  shun all forms of sentiments and consider experience; capacity and ability to work and deliver on the campaign promises of Sanwo-Olu.

Fielding questions from reporters about the contest and why, as a PDP member, he decided to support Sanwo-Olu of the APC for the Lagos governorship, instead of the PDP candidate, Senator Sani said: “It’s true that I am a member of the PDP, but from the PDP’s performance during the presidential election in Lagos, it obvious that the battle is between the APC and the LP. For me, the leadership record of Sanwo-Olu is inspiring. I’m not from Lagos, but Lagosians should vote for him.”

The Executive Chairman of Lagos Central Mosque, Sheikh AbdulAfeez Abou said Muslims are backing Governor Sanwo-Olu for a second term for the continuity of his developmental projects . He said the Muslim community cannot sacrifice the landmark achievements the state has recorded over the years on the altar of religious bias.

Sanwo-Olu deserves second term, says  cleric

Centre for Righteous Living, a faith based non-governmental organisation has backed the re-election bid of  Lagos State Governor  Babajide  Sanwo-Olu.

A statement by the Centre’s  National President, Rev. Solomon Adegbolagun, said  there was the need to join other well-meaning residents of Lagos across faith and social groups to back  the governor, who ‘’has been very active, responsive and diligent in his mandate to the people of Lagos State in almost the four years.

The statement said: “In the last four years, Governor Sanwo-Olu has proved himself to be a man who we can trust with the administration of Lagos State. He has been able to maintain peace and security, as well as religious harmony in the state.”

“His works in infrastructure, in education, health, road, transportation and employment generation speak volumes. It is on this note that we believe he still has a lot to contribute to the growth and development of the state, and an unbroken second term would help him to achieve this.

“In specific terms we salute the governor’s efforts in his giant stride on the recently  inaugurated  iconic projects in the state. These are the Imota Rice Mill, Light Rail (Blue Line), Lekki Deep Sea Port and JK Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, the building of over 308 roads, upgrade and development in the educational sector, the repositioning of the health sectors through the building of more health centres at the grassroots, and a free health policy for children below 18 years and adults above 65 years of age.”

Noting that all these sterling achievements put Governor Sanwoolu into an advantage ahead of others, the Christian leader called on all the members of his group, Christians and all eligible voters to come out in large number to vote for the performing governor, and his party APC at all levels.

He expressed the belief that if Sanwo-Olu is voted in, he would be able to use his experience to do more to improve the status of Lagos and the lives of its residents.

Group decries upsurge of provocative statements

In the face of the tension and discord being stoked ahead of the governorship and  assembly elections, a coalition of various ethnic groups, community-based organisations, civil society and artisan associations have appealed to Nigerians from all walks of life, especially those living in Lagos, to sheath their sword and allow peace to reign.

The call came following a meeting in Lagos facilitated by Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER).

A statement by its Convener, Adewale Adeoye, said participants expressed worry over the gradual slide into hate and provocative statements by political actors and social media influencers ahead of the elections.

Adeoye added that such comments are aimed at spurring ethnic violence and conflict across the country and should be discouraged.

Aside from Adeoye, the statement was also jointly signed by David Ajetumobi of the Nigerian Automobilse Technicians Association (NATA); Segun Ajomole, Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (ANACOWA); Konoun Marshal, the Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta; Ade Ikuesan, the National Association of Nigerian Motorcycles Riders; Rasaq Arogundade, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC New Era); Dim Uche Okwukwu, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Mallam Shetima Yerima, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF); Col Tony Nyiam of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), among others.

OYO: Olunloyo, Boot Party unite for Makinde’s re-election

Former governor of the old Oyo State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo has described the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde as excellent. The former governor who made the observation yesterday while speaking on a Splash FM current affairs programme called on residents to vote for the PDP flag bearer on Saturday to enable him to secure his second term.

Olunloyo said he had seen a lot of innovations with the Makinde administration and that he would want him to continue for another four years.

He called on Makinde’s co-contestants including Senator Teslim Folarin of the APC and Chief Adebayo Adelabu of Accord to exercise patience and wait for their time.

Also, supporters of the Boot Party, one of the registered 18 political parties, have declared their support for Makinde’a re-election.

The House of Representatives candidate on the platform of the party for Oluyole Federal Constituency, Gbenga Badejo made the declaration on Monday, alongside all the 10 ward chairmen in the constituency and their supporters.

Speaking during a news conference in Ibadan, Badejo said they decided to throw their weight behind Makinde’s re-election due to his exemplary and outstanding performance in the last four years in the state.

Badejo particularly commended Makinde for the manner in which he led the state during the Covid-19 lockdown by not following the bandwagon policies of total lockdown of the states by many governors. He added that Makinde remains the preferred alternative in a bid to enable complete the good works he has started in the state.

PDP members defect to APC, vow to unseat Makinde

The Oyo State APC Campaign Council has received another boost yesterday, as more members of the ruling PDP in the state defected to the opposition party with a collective resolve to unseat Governor Makinde.

Earlier in the week, the media space was awash with the reports of five different groups within Oyo PDP, with members numbering over 7,000, defecting to the opposition party, following its brilliant performance in the recent presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

BENUE:Nine political parties endorse PDP candidate

The electoral fortunes of the PDP governorship candidate in Benue State, Titus Uba has received a boost, as nine political parties endorsed his candidature for the contest.

The endorsement from the nine parties is coming barely two days after a Coalition of 94 “Obidient” groups that worked for the success of the LP in the recent presidential election also endorsed him.

The nine political parties made the announcement on Tuesday after a meeting with Governor Samuel Ortom and the PDP candidate in Makurdi. The groups are the National Rescue Movement party (NRM), the Action Alliance (AA) and the African Action Congress (AAC). Others are the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), the BP, as well as the Action Peoples Party (APP).

The leader of the parties, Mr. Paul Aondofa Tor said their decision to support Uba was based on their conviction that he is the only candidate that would sustain the good works of Governor Ortom. Tor is the chairman of the NRM.

OGUN: Adebutu accuses APC of planning to rig

The governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun, Ladi Adebutu, has accused the state chapter of the APC of planning to rig Saturday’s elections with thugs.

Adebutu made the allegation while addressing hundreds of PDP supporters at a mega rally in Abeokuta yesterday.

NAN reports that Adebutu had earlier marched around Abeokuta, accompanied by Segun Showunmi and other chieftains of the party. He said the PDP had uncovered the plan by APC and Gov. Dapo Abiodun to import thugs into the state to intimidate, harass and prevent voters from performing their civic duties.

Adebutu said that Abiodun and APC were afraid of PDP’s growing popularity, stressing that his party would not allow them to unleash their thugs on the state.

He called on the people of the state to remain calm and ensure that they come out en masse on Saturday to vote according to their conscience and report the activities of any hoodlum to security agencies.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Kunle Somorin, however, described the allegation as baseless and presumptuous.

•Reports by Raymond Mordi, Deputy Political Editor; Jide Orintunsin, Abuja; Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan; Frank Ikpefan, Abuja; Osagie Otabor, Akure; Tajudeen Adebanjo, Lagos; Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu; Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi; Sola Shittu, Gombe; Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja; Bassey Anthony, Uyo;and Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

GOMBE: Lawyers raise alarm on violation of electoral laws

A group of human rights and public interest lawyers in Gombe yesterday raised alarm on deliberate violation of electoral laws during campaigns by the ruling APC, saying it might affect free and fair conduct of the governorship election on Saturday.

The spokesman for the group, Musa Luka Haruna said the utterances of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya on several occasions during the electioneering campaign is a direct violation of the Electoral Act as amended.

The lawyers in a statement titled: “Threat to life, breach of law and order and flagrant manipulation of the electoral process by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and his aides” said the build-up to the violation of the Electoral Act started with the lifting of the ban on the campaign by INEC in September last year.

“We, as human rights and public interest legal practitioners in Gombe State must say without mincing words that while other political parties in the state have conducted their affairs in absolute civility, the governor of Gombe State and his party, the APC, have brazenly flouted the laid-down rules regulating political campaign activities and have rather adopted a system of deliberate intimidation and malicious prosecution of members of the opposition parties and their supporters.

“Particularly, village heads, wards heads and district heads have been having been constantly intimidated to manipulate the masses and the electoral process due to their proximity to the people and the roles they play in their communities.”

CROSS RIVER: INEC REC bows to pressure to sign election result sheets

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Cross River, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, says he has personally signed all 3,281 result sheets meant for Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Yomere disclosed this in Calabar yesterday during the inspection of the electoral materials for the polls, before their onward distribution to the various local government areas of the state. He said that the need to sign the result sheets became necessary,  to douse tension and also dispel rumours that the sheets had already been issued out to a particular political party.

He said: “The rumours have been rife that INEC in Cross River has already sold the result sheets to a particular political party. But you can see for yourselves that everything is intact and has not been tampered with, as it was kept in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“While I’m not bothered with the rumours, to ensure transparency of the process, I will sign all the result sheets for the governorship election while the Administrative Secretary will sign that of the House of Assembly election before they are distributed to various council areas.”

Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has lauded the decision of the REC to sign the result sheets for the elections. Mr Bissong Attah, IPAC Chairman in the state who spoke at the venue of the distribution, said it was what they had requested the commission to do as part of efforts to curb what played out during the Feb. 25 polls.