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Tag: Controversy

  • Controversy over nursing mother allegedly brutalised by police

    Controversy over nursing mother allegedly brutalised by police

    There is outrage in Ekiti State following the alleged brutalisation of a nursing mother, Mrs. Toyin Adeyeye, by policemen at a checkpoint over her alleged refusal to offer them bribe. Interest groups and human rights bodies are furious with the police and the demand a high-powered probe into the incident. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    MRS. Toyin Adeyeye never bargained for what he experienced on Friday, March 17 just ten days after she arrived from the United States of America where she was delivered of her baby.

    After being successfully delivered of the baby, she was looking forward to returning home to nurse the baby and look after the business she left behind for about six months she stayed abroad.

    On that fateful day (March 17), she went to the market with her brother, Adeniyi Dada, on the wheels with the new born baby, Heritage. Little did they know that they would pass the night inside a dingy cell in a police station away from the comfort of their home.

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    Not only did they sleep in detention on that day, they allegedly received the beatings of their lives from those who are supposed to protect them from criminals and were feasted upon by ‘appreciative’ mosquitoes.

    They were accosted by a team of policemen who mounted a checkpoint in front of Ekiti Parapo Square otherwise known as the Pavilion, and demanded for vehicle documents as well as driver’s licence which were promptly supplied and were found to be valid.

    Interestingly, the incident happened few meters away from the official residence of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abdullahi Chafe.

    The police impounded the black Kia Picanto car with registration number LAGOS FKJ 221 EE with which they were coming from the market.

    The woman was breastfeeding her baby last Saturday morning when our reporter visited the police station on a fact-finding mission.

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    The woman’s husband, Mr. Akanni Adeyeye, decried the alleged brutality meted out to his wife with lacerations on her body and bruises on the face.

    Adeyeye, who slept in the police station in solidarity with his wife and his baby, explained that the policemen requested for vehicle particulars and driver’s licence of his brother-in-law who drove the car which are still valid.

    He alleged that one of the policemen withheld the documents, demanding that they be “settled,” a euphemism for bribe, which Mrs. Adeyeye and her brother refused on account that the vehicle’s papers were valid.

    Adeyeye added: “My wife and her brother were returning from the market at about 3.00 pm on Friday and on arrival at the checkpoint in front of the Pavilion very close to their station, they (policemen) asked for all vehicle papers and driver’s licence which were produced and they are valid.

    “After checking all the documents, the policemen were demanding for money to be given as ‘settlement’, which my wife and her brother refused. My wife drew their attention to the baby that was crying in the car.

    “Five of them were beating her at the point of arrest and on getting to the station, the beating continued. After thoroughly beating her, they obtained her statement around 10.00 pm. There are wounds on the back of my wife and face to show for it.

    “On getting to the station, they now cooked up a story that my wife slapped one of them and tore his uniform, which is a lie. They are telling this lie to justify their cruelty to my wife, my baby and my brother-in-law.

    “Neither my wife nor her brother slapped any policeman or tore any uniform. The question to be asked is, how would somebody who is not armed, attack an armed policeman in the midst of his colleagues who are equally armed? They are coming up with this falsehood to cover up their brutality.”

    When contacted on phone, the state Police boss, Abdullahi Chafe, insisted that the detainees slapped a policeman on duty and tore his uniform, adding that the matter was still under investigation.

    Chafe said: “Those people slapped my policeman on duty and tore their uniform. Uniform is an authority and what those people did was against the law and it is not good for a civilian to slap a policeman.

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    “It is not good for somebody to prevent a law enforcement officer from carrying out his lawful duty. Somebody wearing the uniform? It is not about his age but the authority he carries. I don’t allow my men to do something contrary to the law.

    “I don’t want a woman to be detained with baby or with pregnancy. I don’t want an old woman or a minor to be detained. I have taken note of this and we will take the right action on the matter.”

    There was a massive outrage expressed by Nigerians on the various online editions of the major newspapers and many news portals, as many of them poured invectives on the police for the alleged inhumanity to defenseless citizens.

    This prompted a reaction from the spokesman of the state police command, Alberto Adeyemi, who posted the pictures of the officer allegedly “slapped” by Mrs. Adeyeye. The officer in question had the left side of his head and the neck plastered.

    Adeyemi said in the online statement: “The attention of the Ekiti State Police Command has been drawn to a report on the Internet that a nursing mother was brutalised. We want to put it on record that our personnel stopped a Kia Picanto driven by one Dada Adeniyi and one Toyin.

    “When the patrol team requested for the particulars of the vehicle, they told the team they were in a hurry. When the driver came down to open the booth of car, the woman alighted and threw the particulars at the officer.

    “She then slapped the officer, the driver also used a plank to attack the officer. The DCO of the new Iyin (Road) Police Station was also attacked when he came to rescue the officer.

    “His uniform was torn; the two of them were arrested and brought to the station. They refused to be detained and the policewomen on duty had to use minimum force to compel her to be detained. Later that day, her baby was brought to her. I want to appeal to members of the public to cooperate with the police. The two of them will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.”

    The incident attracted the attention of Governor Ayo Fayose, who expressed anger that an harmless woman could be brutalised under his nose just few days after his administration celebrated International Women’s Day with fanfare.

    The governor, who said his administration would not condone violence against women, promised to launch an investigation into the alleged attack on Mrs. Adeyeye and bring all perpetrators to book.

    Fayose, who spoke during his monthly media chat, “Meet Your Governor” for the month of March, vowed that manhandling of women in any guise will no longer be condoned in the state.

    He said no responsible man should beat a woman or manhandle or brutalise her for whatever reason, adding that it was unlawful for any policeman to raise his hand against a woman. The governor explained that he was actually coming from a meeting with the state commissioner of police over the matter.

    Fayose said: “It is highly irresponsible for any man to brutalise a woman for any reason. The law that forbids violence against women is still operative in this state.

    “And I can never allow any form of brutality of women under my watch as governor in Ekiti State. Women are even described as the weaker vessel. As such even if you marry her, does that deny her  rights?

    “It is particularly sad that such a report was coming barely a week after we celebrated International Women’s Day in an unprecedented style in this state. I have already ordered investigation into the matter.

    “Anybody found culpable in the case will face the court of law. I am also using this opportunity to sound a note of warning to policemen who take people’s vehicle particulars, put them under their armpits and demand for bribe. Such cannot be allowed any longer in Ekiti State. We will get to the root of the matter and make justice to prevail.”

    The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Ekiti State has vowed not to allow the matter to be swept under the carpet, describing the alleged beating and detention of the woman and her baby as “wicked, inhuman, barbaric and uncivilised.”

    The association called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to order a high-powered probe into the incident. FIDA also called for the the prosecution of the policemen who participated in the beating of the woman, her brother, Adeniyi Dada. Mrs. Adeyeye, and her baby.

    Leaders of other women groups including National Council of Women, Societies (NCWS), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Women Wing, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Women Wing, Market Women Association, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Nigerian Bar Association and Women in Colleges of Education (WICE) joined in condemning the attack on Mrs. Adeyeye and her detention with her two-month-old baby.

    The women groups who carried placards with various inscriptions threatened to march on the state police command headquarters if the erring officers are not brought to justice to serve as deterrent to others.

    The groups claimed that following the beating received by Mrs. Adeyeye from the policemen, she has been readmitted at a hospital on account of the injury she received at the point of her Caesarian Section (CS).

    They urged the state police command to hand over the policeman, who led other policemen attached to New Iyin Police Station in assaulting Mrs. Adeyeye both at the checkpoint and inside the station.

    Some of their placards read: “CP Ekiti, Investigate This Crime,” “We Say No To Detention of Innocent Baby,” “We Demand Justice for Mrs Adeyeye,” “We Say No To Police Brutality,” “Violence  Against Women is Violence Against All,” “Women Deserve Respect,” among others.

    Anoma, who spoke through FIDA Vice Chairman Mrs. Seyi Ojo, revealed that Mrs. Adeyeye was delivered of her baby through Cesarian Section and the brutality affected her stitched abdomen. According to her, FIDA has commenced the process of filing a fundamental human rights enforcement suit on behalf of Mrs Adeyeye and her baby in the law court.

    She said the women lawyers’ body appreciated the intervention of Governor Ayo Fayose, who ordered a thorough investigation but expressed regrets that the state police command was yet to take any action against the culprits.

    FIDA boss said: “We observe with disdain the efforts police is making in covering up this lawlessness of its officers and the injustice to a law-abiding Ekiti woman and her child. Ekiti women are saying no to all forms of violence against women and children.

    “Governor Fayose has ordered for a thorough investigation; however, the Ekiti State Command has flagrantly disobeyed and disregarded this order. The CP has refused to investigate this matter and that is why we are holding this press briefing to draw the attention of the whole world to this case.

    “After stopping Mrs. Adeyeye and her brother  that day, they tendered all vehicle papers which are still valid and while searching for vehicle’s documents, dollars dropped from the car and the policemen demanded for dollars.”

    The chairman, Human Rights Committee, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ado Ekiti Branch, Vincent Adedara, also called on the Force Headquarters to launch an investigation into the incident because Ekiti command was allegedly shielding the culprits.

    Adedara, who is also the state NBA Vice Chairman, further called on the Police Service Commission (PSC) to discipline Waheed and other policemen who participated in the alleged brutality, while the New Iyin Road Police Station Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) should be queried and disciplined.

    He said: “What justification did the police have to brutalise a woman and how would a harmless woman assault a fully armed policeman? We believe that the CP has not handled the matter professionally.

    “Their action negates international standard of policing because they have gone ahead to plaster the head of a policeman to portray Mrs. Adeyeye as an aggressor and that is why we want the IGP to constitute a high-powered panel to investigate the matter.”

    It is sure that that the controversy over the alleged brutality won’t go away soon as it is generating questions among residents of Ekiti State and other Nigerians.

    “Can an unarmed woman with a baby in her hand slap and attack a policeman among five of his other colleagues at a scene just near their station? Can the slapping cause deep injuries on the face and the neck of the policeman? Will the woman and the ‘injured’ officer be subjected to medical examination to ascertain who was injured among them?

    “If it was true that the woman slapped or tore the uniform as alleged, does that warrant the beating she was subjected to? Was the baby with her at the time of the incident or was he brought to the station as alleged by the police? Where are the dollars allegedly seized from Mrs. Adeyeye?”

    Definitely, the case is heading to the court of law and the judiciary will do well to find answers to these posers to stem the tide of brutality at checkpoints, police stations and other public places in Nigeria.

  • Moremi controversy in S/West

    Ancient Ife, the first city kingdom founded by the Yoruba people, is a place of great legends and folktales. One of the most popular folktales from Ife is the Moremi story. In Yorubaland in modern times, Moremi has been widely celebrated in songs and drama – usually as a story of great heroism and patriotism. But now, in recent weeks, there has arisen a controversy over the exact significance of Moremi in Yoruba history. The Ooni of Ife has celebrated Moremi as a heroine and patriot with a beautiful statue in Ile-Ife. But the Oba of another Yoruba kingdom, the Olugbo of Ugbo, has responded that Moremi was not a patriot but a traitor – and a public controversy is raging.

    The first thing to say about controversies concerning Yoruba history is that the Yoruba are a very great African people – with one of the highest peaks of urbanism in world history, and with highly sophisticated political, social and intellectual accomplishments. The Yoruba have great stories to tell from their proud history but, unfortunately, because they did not develop writing as part of their civilization, oral traditions of their history can sometimes prove difficult to unravel. It is an honour for us historians to wrestle with these difficulties. And we must thank distinguished historians Toyin Falola and Jide Osuntokun and others for stepping into the present Moremi controversy. My brief intervention here is that of a historian who has spent a whole adult life researching and writing Yoruba history, and who is still strongly involved in the study.

    The setting for the Moremi story is the Ife town (Ile-Ife) in its earliest years. For many centuries before the creation of Ile-Ife, many tiny separate settlements had existed in the area of the Ife forest. (Clumps of such small settlements were many all over Yorubaland). In about the 9th century AD, the small separate settlements in the Ife forest coalesced into a single large town, Ile-Ife, ruled by one king – the first of such in Yorubaland. The path to the formation of this one Ile-Ife was rough, featuring conflicts and wars between the many small settlements of the area, conflicts and wars lasting, according to most traditions, more than 100 years. Even after the inhabitants of the small settlements finally agreed to end the conflicts and settle together in one large town (ile-Ife), there were some people who would not agree. These migrated away in anger into the forests far from Ileì-IfeòÌ, where they settled down and built settlements of their own. The people of Igbo-Igbo, one of such settlements, being still very angry, were determined to destroy Ileì-IfeòÌ. And so the stage was set for the Moremi story.

    Ileì-IfeòÌ town was new, young, and fragile. Suddenly, it found itself in grave danger. From somewhere in the deep forests, some people dressed in strange masks, and looking more like phantoms than humans, came attacking and rampaging in the dead of night, destroying and burning houses, killing people and kidnapping others. Before the Ileì-IfeòÌ people could respond, the phantoms vanished. Sometimes, the attack occurred frequently; at other times it occurred after long breaks. Nobody could tell when it would come. Fear gripped Ile-Ife; many people believed that the attackers were super-human. It sometimes seemed as if the town would break up.

    Among the king’s wives, there was one exceptionally beautiful young woman named Moremi. MoòreÌmi had only one son named Oluìorogbo. MoòreÌmi began to think of the terrible situation. Surely, she thought, there must be something that she could do to help her town. She finally came to a decision.

    One night, MoòreÌmi stole out of the palace and went to the small river EòsinÌmiÌnriÌn in the forest, not far from town. Standing in the darkness, she invoked the spirit of the river for help for Ile-Ife. At last the river spirit answered and agreed to help, but demanded a reward. Moremi pledged to offer her only son, Oluorogbo, as sacrifice to the river spirit as reward.

    And then the river spirit gave Moremi her instructions. On the next coming of the raiders, Moremi should deliberately let herself be kidnapped and taken away. She would go through a lot of experiences, but she should not fear, because she would be under protection. And she would someday come back to Ileì-IfeÌ, and her return would finally lead to the destruction of the enemies and the end of their attacks.

    So, when the attackers came next, Moremi let herself be captured by them. They rushed her and some other captives into the deep forests. After a long march in the forests, they reached their destination – a small town surrounded by thick dark jungles. Among Yoruba people, the practice was that kings and chiefs took as wives young women who were captured in war. So, the king took Moremi as wife.

    And so MoòreÌmi found herself in the very heart of the secrets of the enemies of Ile-Ife. In the many months that followed, as a wife to their ruler, she was able to listen to their conversations and plans and learn the minutest details of their secrets. They were not phantoms at all, but humans wearing masks. And their masks were inflammable.

    One morning, while fetching water alone at the brooks, Moremi felt the urge to bolt away. She said a short prayer and started off into the jungle. She had a fair knowledge of the forest paths. She knew that some men would soon be chasing her, but she was confident that they would not find her – that was what the spirit of the river had promised.

    Finally, she burst into her familiar Ile-Ife. She was taken before the Ooni and his chiefs, and she told them all she had done and suffered and learned. She revealed all the secrets of the supposedly phantom raiders, and made suggestions how their menace could be finally brought to an end.

    The raiders came at the time that MoòreÌmi had said they would. An ambush was waiting for them, mounted by men armed not only with the usual swords, spears, bows and arrows, but also with fiery torches. The phantom raiders were completely vanquished. The next morning, as MoòreÌmi had advised, a large army set out through the forests to go and attack Igbo-Igbo. The small town was taken by surprise and destroyed. Many survivors, including their king’s son, were brought captive to Ile-Ife. Many other survivors fled into the forests – and settled far away as new towns.

    In Ile-Ife, rather than order the execution of the captives, the Ooni allowed them to stay and live honorably as free citizens. The Ooni even conferred the title of a priest on their young captive prince, in which position he was allowed to wear his father’s crown. And Ileì-IfeòÌ lived and prospered from then on, and became the source from which many other YoruÌbaì city kingdoms were founded.

    MoòreÌmi’s personal story and agony was not yet ended. She still had her pledge to the spirit of the EòsiÌnmiÌnriÌn river to fulfill. One day, she took Oluorogbo to the bank of the river and offered him as sacrifice. Most versions say that, at that point, Oluìorogbo was snatched up to heaven and became a spirit. Some other versions say that after Oluìorogbo was sacrificed, the rulers and priests of IfeòÌ deified him. Oluorogbo’s shrine is said to exist still in Ile-Ife.

    Some historians doubt whether the Moremi story is myth or history. But, whichever it is, it is a very important story to the Ife people and to most Yoruba people.

    Moreover, if the Moremi story is indeed history, then it should not surprise us that, while most Yoruba regard Moremi as a heroine and patriot, people in some places in Yorubaland (probably descendants of those who suffered defeat and distress because of her actions) regard her as a traitor. In the history of the world, that commonly happens to important persons. It all depends on how an important person’s life impacted different people in his or her time. For instance, most French people regard Joan of Arc, who once saved France in a battle, as a heroine and patriot; but some regard her as an insane woman possessed of the devil.

    We Yoruba will always have colourful controversies from our great history. We must not quarrel about such. Our duty is to respect our past, and to try responsibly to study and understand difficult points in our traditions. Fortunately, we are always producing competent historians today. In the Moremi matter, the Ooni deserves our nation’s gratitude for the beautiful new statue of Moremi in Ile-Ife.  We Yoruba need to have many statues of our local and nationwide heroes and heroines in our homeland.

  • Controversy trails ‘murder’ of Delta community leader

    There is controversy over the death of Chief Sandys Uvwo, a renowned Ugborodo community leader and pioneer chairman of the community’s trust in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
    Uvwo died at his Effurun home in Uvwie Local Government when gunmen broke into his bungalow in the wee hours of the day.
    The circumstance of his death has elicited shock and outrage among residents.
    Family sources told our reporter that the 77-year-old grandfather was either strangled to death or suffocated by his assailants, who made it look like murder to hide the motive of the killing.
    A family source said: “They came in at 4 a.m and rounded up everybody in the house. They locked the others in one room and went with him to another room. It was after the assailants left his body was found in the other room.”
    Some community leaders, particularly those who hold opposing views about the leadership tussle of the oil-rich area, said Pa Uvwo died from shock resulting from the “robbery attack”.
    The robbery theory was punctured by the fact that nothing, except his mobile phones, were stolen and the fact that he had been receiving death threats for his role in the Ugborodo crisis.
    Some of his associates told our reporter that the septuagenarian was ostensibly murdered because of his irrepressible position on the leadership crisis rocking the community.
    “They killed him, probably by suffocation, and attempted to make it look like a robbery operation. There is no doubt that he murder and his murderers had one thing in mind, to silence him,” a source close to the late Uvwo, who pleaded for anonymity, spoke on telephone.
    The oil-rich Itsekiri community, perhaps one of the richest in the country, had been embroiled in leadership tussle over the control of the community’s affairs and, by extension, multibillion naira patronage and royalties.
    Also, angry and sad reactions have greeted the death of the Ugborodo leader, whose last publication on the leadership tussle stirred wide debates and reactions across Itsekiri land.
    Most of the respondents who spoke on the death were emotional about Uvwo’s “murder”.
    They insisted that its root was entrenched in the tussle for Ugborodo leadership, where he reportedly spoke against those running the affairs of the community.

  • Moremi controversy: Finding solution to age-old debate

    Moremi controversy: Finding solution to age-old debate

    The controversy generated by the role of Moremi in the history of Yoruba land has continued to evoke an interesting reading.  Not only has it been an issue among custodians of traditional institutions, it has also become an issue of interest among scholars.  But in all of this, it is imperative for the Yoruba nation to set the record straight and avert any distortion that may not mean well for our race.

    A new dimension was recently introduced to the unending controversy with a historian and Prof. of History from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Isola Olomola lending his voice to the discourse.

    According to him, Ugbo from Ileje, Ondo State not Igbo from the eastern part of Nigeria, invaded Ile-Ife before Moremi sacrificed herself, to liberate her people.

    The historian, during an interview that he granted a national newspaper, said the Igbo were never called Igbo until after the civil war. The eminent scholar stated that there is no research work or book that traced Igbo of eastern Nigerian origin to Ile-Ife.

    He said: “There is no book or research work that traced the history of Igbo to Ile-Ife. Some of their scholars claimed they are part of Jews that did not follow Israelites to the Promised Land.”

    Olomola said the controversy about the status of Moremi is unexpected because a coin must have two sides.

    He said: “Moremi as heroine was not only being celebrated in Ife, but also in Ekiti because of her role in liberating the people of Ife from the Ugbo that came to raid them at night. She submitted herself to be captured by Ugbo warriors that later married her because of her beauty. But she later returned to Ife and revealed the secret of the Ugbo. So, one should not expect Ugbo people to celebrate Moremi.”

    Aside from the scholars, Dr. Olapade Agoro the traditional ruler in the Owa Tapa of Itapa-Ijesha land expressed concern about the fate of Yoruba history.

    He said:  ”I am honestly disappointed at the extent the Yoruba history has been twisted and bastardised. This is not good for our youths, as well as our people. I am for the truth and I will say the truth anytime any day. I have no personal relationship with the Ooni of Ife; neither do I have same relationship with Olugbo of Ugbo.

    Ugbo nla (the great forest), during the ancient times, was a very great expanse of land. And they were known as people from the Water areas of Yoruba land.

    For the sake of our children, I will endeavour in this matter, to put the history in its true perspective.

    “First, what most people misinterpret as Igbo is known as ‘Ugbo nla–the great forest in Yoruba land. The then Olugbo happens to be a son from Ile-Ife that went to establish a kingdom somewhere else.

    “Unfortunately, most people have forgotten this so soon.  The Ugbo nla people did not just invade Ile-Ife during those raids in question. They were trying then to establish a right over the people of Ile-Ife.

    “Moremi Ajasoro was a water goddess, who was bestowed to the then Olugbo of Ugbo as a wife. It was therefore, not a surprise that the then Olugbo felt and believed that Moremi had a right to them. Hence, the Ugbo nla people invaded the place then known as “Ile-Ifa” that was the name before they changed it to present day Ile-Ife.  The Ugbo nla people were angry and believed very strongly that Moremi deserted them to come and stay in Ile-Ife.

    “So, they invaded Ile-Ife with the masquerades, which they covered or designed with the materials they harvested in their areas, which were mainly made up of “raffia fronds”. Most people do not know much about these materials, only people from present day Epe and Ugbo nla knew about it. We call it Eko raffia. Wizards grow on these plants along the river banks in the riverside areas. These plants are still in these areas up till now.

    “The Ugbo nla people, even when they relocated to their present areas, used to have a camp near the present day Ile-Ife. That was why it was very easy for them to invade Ile-Ife at will. Not only Ugbo people, almost all the Yoruba people of old had their locations around present day Ile-Ife, which belongs to us all.”

    He added: “Now, to the main issue, because Moremi, who was so pretty a wife abandoned her husband and came to Ile-Ife  to stay, and because the Ugbo nla people wanted her back at all costs, they resorted to insistent raids of Ile-Ife.

    “My take in all this, is that Moremi was a wife to the then king of Ugbo nla. If her statue is to be erected in Ile-Ife for whatever reasons, the Ooni of Ife needed to have approached or obtained formal permission from her husband and the people of Ugbo nla.

    “You see, so many things are today done wrongly in the name of modernisation of the traditional institutions. Nowadays, you see an Oba wearing his crown all over the places; this is not done. All manner of staffs are being carried all over the places in the name of tradition. You see two highly placed Obas embracing themselves in public. This is not our customs and traditions they are practising.”

    On its part, the Ugbo Council of Elders demanded unreserved apology from Ooni for allegedly distorting history, by referring to them as Igbo. They even advised him to clarify historical facts from the elders of Ife.

    Their statement reads in part: “We the Olugbo-in-Council find such unguarded statements and historical fallacy disturbing, particularly when such emanated from a monarch who is expected to be a custodian of the history, customs and traditions of Yoruba land. We hereby state categorically that we are Ugbo, the original settlers and owners of Ile-Ife. Our forefathers descended from heaven that is why we are called Ugbo Atorunwo. We are not Igbo who are from the South-eastern part of Nigeria, and who have their own clearly researched and defined ancestry.

    “To set the records straight, Moremi, to us, remains a traitor and a betrayer. She was a slave captured by the Ugbo warriors during one of their many raids to Ile-Ife. She later became the wife of Osangangan Obamakin, the son of Oranfe, who was the paramount ruler over 13 aboriginal communities of ancient Ugbomokun, which later came to be called Ile-Ife.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, recently blasted oil magnate and Oba of Ugbo Kingdom in Ondo State, Oba Federick Akinruntan, for referring to the Yoruba ancestral queen, Queen Moremi as a traitor not worthy to be celebrated.

    “While we remain very proud of the great queen Moremi Ajasoro, a brave woman who sacrificed her only son Oluorogbo for the victory of her people over the faceless terrorists who used to incessantly raid Ife markets, we will not dignify this rascality of royalty with an expected response as we are not ready for any useless supremacy battle incapable of taking Yoruba to a greater height.

    Kabiyesi  Ooni is not interested in joining issues with Oba Akinruntan or anyone on any matter that can jeopardise his peace and unity project which is already making impact in so many sectors such as youth development, women empowerment, cultural tourism, agric revolution, unification of our elders and traditional rulers, to mention but a few.

    From the foregoing, it is evident that there may not be an end to the controversy if an urgent step is not taken to nib it in the bud.

    To that effect, I align with the view of Prof. Asiwaju  who cautioned  Yoruba royal fathers to be sensitive to the vulnerability of historical sources on which their titles and positions are based and the need, therefore, for them to be more cautious in their public pronouncements.

    He said: “In this important regard, I would urge that revered Yoruba Obas be humble enough to read and learn more about their constituents’ history, beyond what is traditionally transmitted in the local courts and palaces.”

    The solution lay in convening a forum where scholars and custodians of Yoruba culture will set the record straight with nobody as the winner or vanquished.

     

  • Controversy over proposed assets sale lingers

    Controversy over proposed assets sale lingers

    The controversy raised by Federal Government’s proposed sale of some national assets to cushion the effects of the recession has refused to abate. Despite clarification by Minister of Budget and National Planning Udoma Udo Udoma that government was considering selling only some non-critical assets, the debate still rages. Some argue that the idea is wrongly-headed, others say the government could sell part of the assets and retain some level of ownership. Assistant Editor OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE reports on the divergent opinions on the matter.   

    The desire of Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, to put the economy back on track having been hit by a recession is not in doubt. However, if the proposed sale of some national assets is his idea of revamping an economy severely battered by recession, it is doubtful if he will get a smooth sail.

    Since the Federal Government, through the minister, announced the proposal, a groundswell of opposition has continued to trail it, with many Nigerians arguing that the proposed sale was wrongly-headed and will not be in the interest of citizen. Others, however, argue that the move will help raise capital and consequently improve the nation’s foreign reserves, calm investors and in the long run, stabilise the economy.

    Apparently to calm the controversy generated by the proposal, Udoma, last week, in Lagos, clarified that government was considering selling only some non-critical assets to raise fund.

    Apart from plans to generate immediate larger injection of funds into the economy through assets sale, the minister said: “The President’s Economic Management Team is working on advance payment of licences renewal, infrastructural concession, use of recovered funds, et cetera to reduce funding gaps and ensure implementation of fiscal stimulus/budget priorities.”

    However, not a few Nigerians have refused to be swayed by Udoma’s explanations. For instance, organised labour not only rejected the move, but also warned the Federal Government against yielding to calls to sell some national assets. Labour even vowed to resist the move.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, said for instance, that an asset such as the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), which yields over $1 billion to the nation every year, is valuable asset, that should be treasured.

    Under the proposed sale, which government said was aimed at bridging the funding gap in the budget and also boost the nation’s dwindling foreign reserves, it planned to dispose part of its 49 per cent shareholding in NLNG, including some aircraft in the presidential fleet, as well as four refineries in Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna.

    Frontline industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote was one of those who advocated the sale of national assets to cushion the biting effects of recession on the economy, including NNLG, which is believed to the nation’s cash cow. But the idea, particularly the sale of NLNG, did not go down well with many Nigerians.

    For instance, Wabba argued that embarking on such venture would be fruitless. He recalled how sale of national assets in the past failed to add value to Nigerians because it was skewed in favour of only few individuals at the expense of the citizenry.

    “It is on record that dividends in excess of $1billion have been accruing to the national coffers annually from the gas company over the past 12 years. These calls are more worrisome when one considers the history of sovereign assets divestiture in the past.

    “Where are the proceeds from sale of assets in the power sector for instance? With the benefit of hindsight, it is obvious that these assets were distributed to favour individuals and surrogates of the ruling elite without any appreciable benefits to Nigerians,” Wabba said.

    The labour unionist has an ally in Dr. Dan Nkwocha, a lecturer at the Department of Sociology, Imo State University, Owerri. Describing the proposed sale as “wrongly-headed,” he said it would not benefit Nigerians, because government does not have the necessary policing structures and mechanism to ensure that the assets to be so disposed are managed and run efficiently for the benefit of Nigerians.

    Dr. Nkwocha pointed out that the experience of Nigerians with the sale of state-owned assets such as Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), and National Fertilizer Company of Nigeria (NAFCON) among others does not encourage Nigerians to support the proposed sale of more national assets.

    “Where are PHCN and NITEL?”, the university don asked, accusing investors who bought over the assets of “reaping from where they did not sow.” According to him, the new owners took advantage of government’s lack of effective policing agents to deny Nigerians the benefits of efficient and cost-effective services post-privatisation.

    He said, for instance, that despite the sale of the assets of the defunct PHCN a few years ago, Nigerians are yet to breathe a sigh of relief by way of improved electricity supply. He lamented that rather than enjoy improved electricity supply, “Nigerians have become victims of the rapacious profiteering antics of the new core investors who daily fleece electricity consumers for services not rendered.”

    While admitting that the economy is currently in dire straits, requiring measures to pull it out of recession, Nkwocha said rather than sell national assets, government should begin aggressive diversification of the economy by exploiting opportunities in the agric and solid mineral sectors, as well as encouraging manufacturing.

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) also condemned the proposal to sell the assets, saying that the Federal Government should prepare for civil turbulence if it proceeds to sell the assets. According to the Congress, proponents of the idea are Nigeria’s enemies.

    “The TUC warns those calling for the sale of national shareholdings in NLNG and concession of the country’s airports to drop the idea if they do not want to incur the wrath of workers. Those suggestions are disgraceful and portray them as enemies of the state,” its President, Mr. Bala Kaigama, and Acting Secretary-General, Mr. Simeso Amachree, said.

    Before Udoma made his clarification, the Senate had unanimously rejected calls for the sale of strategic assets. Some of the senators alleged that it would impoverish the majority of Nigerians that are already traumatised by the parlous state of the economy.

    Specifically, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said only non-performing assets should be sold. According to him, selling productive assets will be unfair to the next generation, pointing out that countries such as United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia guard their assets jealously.

    Some of the non-performing assets, which Nigerians wanted sold, are aircraft in the presidential fleet. There have been reports, for instance, that in the past 15 months since President Muhammadu Buhari came into the saddle, government had spent a huge sum of N5 billion to maintain nine aircraft in the presidential fleet.

    Opponents of the proposed sale of assets argued that selling income yielding assets will be counter-productive. To them, it makes greater sense to sell the non-performing assets, which require a huge sum of money maintenance. They noted, for instance that selling five of the aircraft in the presidential fleet and other unproductive assets will help raise money, which can assist address some of the economic crisis bedevilling the country.

    Proponents kick their heels in

    Despite the overwhelming opposition against the proposed sale of some national assets, the Federal Government has some allies. The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the umbrella body for the organised private sector, is one of them. Its President Chief Edem Bassey was emphatic that “there is nothing wrong in selling national assets that are no longer useful or efficiently operated by Federal Government.”

    Governor of Central Bank of Nigerian (CBN) Godwin Emefiele also threw his weight behind the proposed sale. He said when the idea of selling the national assets was first conceived in 2015, it was reported that the move had the potential to yield a whooping $40 billion to the nation.

    Emefiele, however, said that with the current flexibility in the market, sales output from the assets could only yield between $10 billion and $20 billion at present. Nevertheless, he said the assets could still be sold, but with a caveat that the Federal Government could buy back such assets when the economy eventually recovers.

    Similarly, the former CBN Governor, now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said the option of selling the assets could be explored with the consciousness of preserving notable interests in such assets by making the sale transparent and also positioning it to yield expected value.

    Push for options takes centre stage

    Although, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said it was not averse to the proposed sale of some national assets, government must maintain some of ownership in the assets should they be sold.

    “Dangote spoke our mind. We are not saying government should sell its shares completely in the NLNG, which is worth $15 billion. They can sell part of it and still maintain some level of ownership,” MAN President Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs, said.

    The MAN president noted by maintaining some level of ownership, “Nigeria will generate money to beef up her foreign reserves and engender confidence in the investing community, both domestic and international.”

    Also speaking, the Acting Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Shettima Abba Gana, said selling the assets will be an unwise decision.

    Instead, he advised the government to secure loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and subsequently deploy revenues realised from the assets to offset the loans over a period of 10 or 20 years.

    Abba Gana reasoned that after the loans would have been offset within a decade or two, the nation would still continue to enjoy the income from such assets. He cautioned that Nigeria should not sell valuable assets such as NLNG and other strategic national resources to meet short-term financial obligations.

    Similarly, the President, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), Igwe Achese, said instead of selling the assets, the Federal Government should attract investors by building refineries and set the tone for economic recovery through short, medium, and long-term economic measures to alleviate the plights of traumatised Nigerians.

    Will government jettison the proposal and embrace these options? That is the big question. Although, it is yet to come out with complete list of assets to put on auction, and the modalities should it go ahead, what is clear is that the move would not be a jolly ride if it eventually makes up its minds to dispose of the assets.

  • Controversy trails funding of Anambra gov’s wife’s pet project

    The funding of Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE), the pet project of the wife of Anambra State governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, is presently marred by controversies, following allegations that it is being funded by the state government.

    But, in a swift reaction yesterday in Awka, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Willie Obiano, Hon Emeka Ozumba, debunked the claim, describing it as the ranting of those who do not wish Anambra well.

    He said the NGO founded by the wife of the governor was being managed with the husband’s salary and donations from supporters.

    Ozumba said that the clarification became necessary in order to douse insinuations and suggestions in certain quarters to the contrary, and to ensure that the people of the state and discerning members of the public were adequately informed on the sources of funding for the laudable programmes of the charity.

    According to him, “Most of you know that the governor started supporting CAFE with his salary long before other public-spirited donors added their contributions.

    “Anambra does not have a First Lady and there is no statutory budget or allocation for such an office by the legislature.

    “Thus, being conscious of the provisions of the law and the need to ensure that his wife continues with charitable works she is known for all her life, the governor staked his monthly salary which hitherto had gone to churches as contributions.”

    The Senior Special Assistant stated that the governor and his wife had clear understanding of the importance of ensuring that the welfare of the average Anambra woman was not neglected.

  • PTA levy ban of controversy

    PTA levy ban of controversy

    The Federal Government’s ban on PTA Levies in its colleges, popullarly known as Unity Schools, is generating heat. To some, it is a play to kill the colleges. But others say it is a step in the right direction. 

    The Federal Government’s ban on levy collected by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) colleges, aka Unity Schools) is the latest in the list of dramatic reforms introduced since Mallam Adamu Adamu became Minister of Education. Before it were  the ban of the Post-UTME, sack of 13 Vice Chancellors, and the stoppage of the second (interview) stage of admission screening into unity schools.

    Last week, the minister announced a hike in fees payable in the 104 Unity Schools from N20,000 to N75,000 and followed it with the ban on levy collected for development purposes by the PTA.  From now on, the levy, which cannot exceed N5,000 for new pupils (and even less for returning pupils), would be paid directly to the schools.  Also, the PTA must seek approval from the Federal Ministry of Education (FMoE) before embarking on projects in the schools.

    The minister said the aim of removing the levy, which he said became higher than the fees charged  in some of the schools, was to reduce the financial burden on parents, arguing that even with the increment, pupils would still pay less than what obtained when PTA levy was collected.

    He said in a statement: “This brings the total amount paid by parents in these two schools to N139,400 and N143,400 respectively. With the reduction on development levies and ban on charges for new projects as well as the pegging of the development levy to a maximum of N5,000, parents of JSS1 pupils in these two schools will now pay N88,000.”

    The ban, while linked with an attempt by the Federal Government to defend the fee increment, may not be unconnected with complaints in the past by parents who lamented having to pay various levies (such as laundry, prep, development, meal subsidy, etc) amounting to thousands of naira each term.

     

    Move may spell doom for unity schools

    Leadership of the PTAs across the nation, as well as some parents, and teachers have kicked against this move, which they said would spell doom for the colleges.  They argue that with underfunding of the schools by the Federal Government as well as bureaucracy involved in the release of funds, it would be difficult administering the schools.

    The Southwest Zone of the PTA of unity schools rejected the hike in school fees and scrapping of PTA levy by the Federal Government.

    The association, in a communique issued at the end of its meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital at the weekend, said the hike was at variance with the free education policy of the Federal Government

    It urged the government to rescind its decision on fees hike and levies without delay in view of the laudable projects being executed with the levies as well as the various strategic supportive role the levies play in the smooth running of the schools.

    The association in the seven-point communique signed by its Coordinator, Adebayo Olayide, urged the government to rescind its decisions in the interest of the schools.

    The communique reads in part: “We do not support the recent increase in the school fees of unity schools as this will be at variance with the free education policy of the Federal Government. We, therefore, urge the Federal Government to rescind this decision without delay as it will have far-reaching implications on the future of our children.

    “We are of the opinion that the current comments credited to the Hon. Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, to the effect that PTAs of unity schools should refrain from collecting the development levy should be given a second thought. Apart from the fact that the development levy is unanimously agreed upon by the PTA congress of each of the unity schools in Southwest Zone, prompted by a letter of request from the school authority for PTA’s assistance and justifying the need for the required facility, development projects in the schools across the zone are largely credited to this fee. For instance, the Hon. Minister of State for Education came to commission a gigantic hostel project of 1,200-bed space girls hostel built by the PTA at FSTC, Yaba, Lagos recently. The hostel project and other projects that were executed in other unity schools across the zone are in the range of hundreds of millions of Naira that were sourced from the so-called development levy.”

    The group also feared that the reduction in the levies would affect the ability of the PTA of various colleges to pay part-time teachers employed to fill shortfall in teacher supply, a general problem in the schools.

    “If the Hon. Minister of Education does not rescind his directive on the PTA development levy, the PTAs may be constrained to dispense with the PTA staff on her payroll, stop ongoing PTA projects and provision of essential voluntary services valued at N1.5 billion as the PTA would not have the capacity to continue with those activities,” they said.

    Mr. Clement Obiri, a PTA Executive at the FGC, Rumuokoro, Obio/Akpor Local government area of Rivers State, in the school said the government should not have announced a blanket ban of levies across board.  He said the ban should have applied in schools where PTA could not account for the funds collected – unlike his school, which was doing well with the funds.

    “For us here, all the levies collected were being accounted for.  Both the school and the parents are happy that we are making good use of it. Another thing is that maybe the government is trying to carry the responsibilities that were being taken over by the payment of PTA levies,” he said.

    A teacher at FGGC Calabar, who did not want to be named, also faulted the blanket ban.

    The teacher said: “I do not believe the government is right on this one. The PTA levy has tremendously helped in running the school. I want to believe the reason the government is trying to stop it is because they feel most times such monies are never accounted for. But they should not throw the baby out with the bath water. If something is good and has been working well so far, one or two discrepancies should not be enough for everything to be weeded out. I cannot speak for other institutions, but at least in this school, there are things that the PTA fee has done for us. That is because whatever money we realize from it is properly accounted for and judiciously used for any project parents and teachers have identified would benefit all and sundry.”

    For Terwase Ugoh, a PTA teacher with Federal Government College Vandiekya, in Benue State, the government should either absorb the PTA teachers into its workforce or allow the levies to remain.

    “Even though our salaries cannot be compared with the full-time Unity school teachers’ salaries; even at though it is not regular, what would be our fate if the levy is stopped?  The Federal Government should rescind the decision and allow the economy to stabilise or absorbed PTA  hired teachers into the system to make life easy,” he said.

    However, Joshua Olalekan, a student in one of the schools, said the directive may back-fire if the Federal Government did not provide sufficient funds to the affected schools.

    Olalekan said poor funding of these schools made them to seek alternative ways of generating fund, warning that most of the Unity Schools would collapse if the policy is not reversed.

    He said, “While the Federal Government insists that PTAs stop collecting levies, plans on how to fund these schools should be formulated and implemented. With this directive, Unity Schools would suffer subsequently unless they are adequately funded by the Federal Government. This directive would back-fire if funds are not provided subsequently, as the standard of Unity Schools in Nigeria would seriously be affected.”

    Former principal of King’s College, Lagos, Otunba Dele Olapeju, said but for the PTA’s financial support, he would not have achieved as much as he did during his six-year term at the school.

    Olapeju, who retired last November, said the PTA hired as many as 50 teachers for the school; without the PTA’s support, he said the Federal Government should be ready to “bury” the schools.

    He said: “That policy is a policy turned upside down. It is an invitation for undertakers to bury the remains of unity schools. Government funding is declining and we need these funds for the schools. It is the worst thing that can happen to the schools. When I heard, I could not believe it. These people (parents) are assisting government to carry out their mandate. We understand that government has a lot of responsibilities but they cannot do everything. Parents are not complaining. My six years’ success as a Principal of King’s College amounted from God’s grace and the parents’ help. They were very caring and they wanted the best for their children and that is the Nigerian spirit that we used to have in those days.

    “This is a government that wants to create jobs. In my time, 50 teachers were being paid by the PTA because the school had manpower gap. Now if they stop the levy, how will these teachers be paid? That would mean 50 more people thrown into unemployment.”

    Olapeju also claimed that the ban maybe an agenda to put all 104 Unity Schools on the same level of development, saying that the schools in the south were more developed than those in northern Nigeria.

    “The rumour is that schools in the south are doing well and it is because parents support the schools.  Those in the north are not willing to pay such money,” he said.

     

    Some stakeholders laud ban

    There are many parents who are happy that the Federal Government has finally stepped in to regulate how much they pay are to pay as levies.  They complained that the levies were burdensome and were not always put to judicious uses.

    A lecturer at the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, Mr. Idris Abubakar, who is also a parent, said the directive was welcome,

    “It is unfortunate that even amidst the current economic hardships in the country, some policies are being formulated our schools to inflict more suffering on the masses. Most of these levies are not channeled for the right purpose. Therefore, if the money is being diverted, then it should be scrapped,” he said.

    A parent, Emmanuel Zainab, said she was happy when she heard the news, adding that the huge sum of money charged in Unity Schools discouraged her from sending her two children to Unity School.

    Mrs. Juliet Obodo, whose children attend FGC in Rivers State, said parents with many children in unity schools are overburdened by the levies.

    “Look at the economic situation of the country today; it is not the same with that of yesterday. I have three children schooling here.  Apart from PTA levy, there are other levies which we pay. So if the government has decided to stop that one it is a good thing for people like us.  Though others would afford it but so many of us struggle to pay it. I support the Federal government.”

    A Principal of one of the Unity Schools in Niger State, who preferred anonymity because he was not authorized to speak, said the idea of paying for PTA as well as development levies separately in Unity Schools in the country is worrisome.

    He argued that the N5,000  the PTA levy should be enough for funding projects in schools.

    A parent with a child at the Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Mr Gboyega Alaka, agrees that the N5,000 should be sufficient to pay PTA Teachers.

    “With over 4,000 students in the school, the PTA can get enough money to pay the teachers it hired,” he said.

    An alumna of Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos, Mrs Aiki, said if the unity schools could exist without PTA levies in the good old days, they can in the future if the schools are well funded.

    “There was no PTA levy when I was a student. We had everything we required and facilities were state of the art. So these levies, I am not sure what use they are required for. But Queen’s College Old Girls’ Association (QCOGA) has always supported the school in every way and we contributed a hostel to the boarding house. So is the levy the issue now? Or should we be focusing on raising the standard of education to the point where we do not even need these levies?” she asked.

    If the government is stopping the levy, a move he supports, Victor Olabimtan, a former Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, said it must be ready to bridge the ga.

    “Cancelling the PTA levy is reasonable to some extent.  But the federal government should take up full responsibility of funding the schools.  I am knowledgeable of the affairs in the Federal Unity Schools, and the funding is inadequate.  The money being provided by the PTA which is always remitted through the designated Banks is verifiable and has been helping the schools tremendously.

    “Federal Ministry of Education should take a Census of all Unity Schools across the country and know the cost implication of funding,study the level of assistance the schools are getting through PTA levy ad determine how to allocate more funds to take charge of the abolished levy”

     

  • Controversy over restructuring

    Controversy over restructuring

    Advocates of restructuring are clamouring for it for different reasons. Many who claim that they are marginalised feel that restructuring will solve that problem. Others are for it because the centre is too powerful; so power should devolve to the regions. As the debate on restructuring catches on, Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the fundamental issues at stake and suggests what should be done to give every part of the country a sense of belonging.

    THE number of Nigerians interested in the restructuring of the country is growing. The idea is not new, but the rate at which it is now gaining currency suggests that it is a compelling issue that should be confronted frontally, to avoid a damage to the body politicy.

    The proponents believe the challenges facing the country should provide an opportunity to restore true federalism through restructuring. According to them, restructuring will address the allegations of marginalisation and injustice from different ethnic nationalities and groups across the country. It also believed that addressing the issue will dispel the cloud of tension and violence hanging over the country.

    Analysts blame the current agitation on the military intervention that wiped out the federal structure handed down by former colonial overlords and foisted a unitary system of government on the country. Such analysts are of the view that the 1999 Constitution is anything but federal, because it does not allow regions to extract resources within their jurisdiction and pay taxes to the federal government among other things.

    The current revenue allocation formula, experts insist, is skewed in favour of the Federal Government. The analysts recall that “before the advent of the military in 1966, the Federal Government was assigned only 20 per cent of the revenue, as against the 54 per cent it now receives. The Federation Account pays 50 per cent of the proceeds of any royalty received by the federation in respect of any mineral extracted in any region and any mining rents derived by the federation during that year from within that region. The remaining 30 per cent credited to the Distributive Pool is shared among the regions or states. That was the provision as contained in the 1960 Constitution until the military reversed it by decree.”

    Observers say the major problem in the present constitutional arrangement is the over–centralisation of authority in the centre within the context of a political order that emphasises optimum sharing of power between the central government and the federating units. They argue that in a federal constitution there is always a compromise between the need or the desire for union and the rights and the responsibilities of the states forming the union.

    A lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Monday Ubani, is of the view that no restructuring can be done as long as the 1999 Constitution remains in force, because it contains so many flaws. To him, it’s like building a house on a very weak foundation.

    Ubani, who is the Second Vice President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said: “We must first of all agree we want to stay together as a nation and what kind of relationship we desire. This question can only be answered by members of the Constitutional Assembly. It is on the basis of the answer provided that we will determine the type of constitution that will be drafted by members of the Constitutional Assembly elected by the people and not hand-picked by the government.”

    According to him, the clamour for restructuring making waves across the country is a genuine cause, because without restructuring the country cannot make progress. He explained that there is tension all over the country because the country is not running a true federalism that allows resource control by the federating units.

    He added:  “Unless we sit down and agree on the need for devolution of powers to the states and local governments, we can’t have a balanced federalism. It is the over-centralisation that is making the centre too attractive for people to win presidential or National Assembly elections at all cost.

    “We have to restructure our minds. We cannot run a country where people have divisive tendencies; we must have a common goal; we must agree we want to stay together and work together.”

    However, veteran politician, Dr Junaid Muhammed, has taken a swipe on those agitating for restructuring. He said: “Many of them can’t define the concept; rather they are looking for a chance to cause confusion and mislead the people. Is it to redefine the components or give a sense of belonging, they should tell us what they mean by restructuring?”

    Muhammed, a member of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic, recalled that former President Goodluck Jonathan convoked a National Conference towards the end of his tenure to cause distraction. It was an eighth-month talk shop. Not a single one out of the recommendations was implemented before he left office.

    He added: “Those who arm-twisted him to convoke the National Conference could not hold him accountable for refusing to implement the report. Now, they have started again to heat up the polity, by making unnecessary demands. For instance, the Southeast pressed for additional state in their zone to be at par with other zones, which was part of the conference recommendations. They should hold Jonathan responsible for this.

    “I think we should allow the real leaders of each zone to speak for their people. I know the leadership of the mainstream of Yoruba politics were against the last National Conference and they are not buying into the idea of restructuring now.

    “Now, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has joined the fray of restructuring campaign. I don’t know what his interests are. Can he define the word restructuring? Is he doing this for the sake of popularity? I think political leaders should stop deceiving common people in order to have their way. You cannot say one thing today and say something different tomorrow and you expect people to take you serious.

    “Those criticising the Federal Government for taking lion share of the Federal Allocation should remember that it has bulk expenditure to contend with. For instance, if the Federal Government hands off from primary education today that sector will collapse. How many local or state governments can afford to pay salaries of primary school teachers in addition to their own staff?

    But, Atiku justified his position by saying restructuring is necessary to address injustice and grievances arising from the structure of the country. He premised his argument on the current state of insecurity across the country. Atiku said: “No doubt Nigeria is passing through terrible times. Radical Islam and terrorism plaques the North, there is massive onslaught against oil installations by militants in the Niger Delta and heavy fighting between army and militants in the Southwest. Also pro-Biafran sentiment has reached unprecedented heights since 1970 in the Southeast. These are caused by injustice and grievances, arising from the structure of the country.

    “The agitations and dissenting voices are growing strong. It started with Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Radio Biafra and now Niger Delta Avenger (NDA). These groups are waxing stronger and more resolute than previous ones and the Federal Government has shown its inability to stop them. Radio Biafra is still blasting despite jamming attempts and Nnamdi Kanu doesn’t look like he is joking, even in prison. Avengers have halved oil production and pledged to step up attacks in the coming months. The Federal Government has to borrow to augment budget deficit. Even if the Federal Government decides to use force, how can it succeed against a faceless militant group using guerrilla methods? Now, if it continues like this, can the country survive one more year?

    “We have over the years responded to these agitations in a variety of ways and with a variety of measures. These include the creation of states from the earlier three and later four regions to the current 36 states; a civil war and other military operations in different parts of the country at different times; federal character principle; changes to revenue allocation formula; National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), federal take-over or establishment and management of schools, universities, hospitals, and huge federal presence in the economy as an investor. Others include the excessive centralisation of power at the federal level and the weakening of the federating states; and amnesty for repentant ex-militants of the Niger Delta.

    “Unfortunately, these measures have not worked adequately to enhance national integration and the sustenance of our democracy. If anything, our unity has been fragile, our democracy unstable, and our people more aggrieved by their stay in the federation. We have always responded with the suspicion of the ‘other’ in trying to deal with these challenges to our integration and democratic survival.”

    Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Julius Alani Akinrinade, blamed the problems Nigeria is confronting today on the military that disrupted democracy shortly after independence and introduced a centralised federal structure as against the regional arrangement.

    Akinriade said: “Before military intervention, the three regions: the North, West and East; then the Mid-West carved out of the West later, were competing among themselves. Some of the infrastructures they created have not been replicated. Most of the roads, you see in Nigeria today were built before the military regime. If there was anything that was added after 1966, it was when we started giving command everywhere, it was during Gowon’s time and a little more thereafter.

    “It was during Murtala’s era that we created the greatest havoc that put paid to development in Nigeria by disorganising the civil service. We didn’t just disorganise them, we also demoralised them. You can trace part of the corruption that we are fighting today to that era. People don’t have security again. What they thought was their future didn’t exist anymore. This must be part of the reasons people started stealing, amassing wealth and keeping it for their future.

    “When the APC put up its manifesto, they said they were going to look very closely at the constitution and they were going to do a restructuring of the country. In the past two weeks, we have heard people trying to retrace their steps, the Presidency saying there is nothing like restructuring. I am not sure whether the last conference answered all questions. If it didn’t, this is another opportunity for us to do something. What I expected from this government is a declaration to say this is the step we are determined to take. And I think people will accept it. But, to tell us there is no restructuring, we are not going to take it. Nigeria is not going anywhere without restructuring.”

    To the Arewa Consultative Forum, a northern socio-cultural organisation, the call for restructuring is unnecessary. The group advised those promoting the idea to have a rethink, because in their view the current federal structure is the best for the country and should be preserved.

    Its spokesman, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, said restructuring a complex, big and diverse country like Nigeria is a serious business that must take account of the view of all citizens, and not just of those that shout the loudest or issue threats, intimidation or blackmail. He said most of the discussions are taking place without regard to decorum or civility, as the issues are often presented as demands by one group or the other.

    Ibrahim noted that groups and individuals should present their agitations through their representatives in the National and State Assemblies.

    But, former Minister of Communications, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, disagrees, saying until Nigeria is restructured, the country will not experience true democracy.

    He said: “There must be devolution, but before that there must be restructuring, so that the oppression of the minority within a unit can be stemmed. I want the restructuring of the Nigerian federation to be a priority of the current administration. My people in Kwara State want to be part of a Yoruba nation within a federation. So long there are such desires, they must be addressed and if it is not addressed, the people will not be happy.

    “It is a matter of choice for each people where they belong and what role they play in government and who rules them. I was the Secretary of the Movement for National Reformation and the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). These groups were all about the struggle for the restructuring of Nigeria. So, restructuring is crucial.”

    On the way forward, Atiku said: “An honest reappraisal of the motives and principles behind existing solutions to our national integration challenges and their efficacy under current circumstances. Such an appraisal should not be shaped by which political party we belong to or any expected political benefits to individuals.

    “An honest and clear-headed look at better working federal system in the world. Those system will reveal among other things a greater devolution and autonomy for the federating units, less interference of the centre on local matters such as local government administration, including local policing, central governments that depend on taxation of resource extraction and other economic activities rather than rent for their operations.”

    Ubani suggested unicameral legislature for the country. He also wants the number of lawmakers be reduced for effective management and as a cost saving measure.

     

  • Mayowa controversy

    •The police should get to the root of claims and counter-claims about her health

    Being down with life-threatening cancer is traumatic enough. But sapped by a needless but excruciating controversy is the limit.

    Yet, that appears the fate of Ms Mayowa Ahmed, 29, the Nigerian woman reportedly down with ovarian cancer. Her story was initially the golden testimony to the Nigerian heart of gold, even with a daunting economy and mass privation. Within 48 hours, using the instrumentality of the social media, Nigerians rallied to raise US $100, 000 (about N64 million) in aid of her treatment abroad.

    But the story soon changed — from the noble to the beastly. The Save Mayowa Fund, which had earned applause all round, became the subject of grave suspicion, bordering on execrable crime.  Mayowa’s family were alleged, by a popular blogger, to have scammed the innocent donors. The story — horror of horrors! — suggested the Mayowa kindred, having allegedly realised the seeming hopelessness of her case, decided to cash out on the donations. That very thought, of such an unconscionable conduct, to a close kith-and-kin, sent not a few howling mad. Where is their humanity?

    If true, many argue, such beastliness would block the chances of genuine cases needing help in the future. Such seething anger was further fuelled by the blog’s report that Toyin Aimakhu, who lapped up positive publicity for using her name and her robust fan base to drive help for Ms Ahmed, had allegedly dragged the police to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, to arrest the alleged scammers. A report even claimed the police had frozen the Save Mayowa account, to keep the alleged scammers from their loot.

    But in yet another sharp turn of events, the Mayowa Ahmed family just responded, distancing themselves from such an evil scheme, and insisting that Mayowa was indeed Abu Dhabi-bound for treatment. The family poured cold water on the blog’s suggestion that because the patient’s ovarian cancer had reportedly reached stage four, it was beyond redemption.

    “The girl said she doesn’t want to die like this,” a family friend told The Nation. “She is not giving up on herself. It is not like the hospital she is going to in Abu Dhabi is promising a miracle. But they can take care of her.”

    That source also claimed the UAE doctors were in constant touch with their LUTH counterparts, who, she added, were giving the patient enough medication to strengthen her for a seven-hour flight. A part of the treatment regimen, she claimed, was the recruitment of flying doctors, to accompany Mayowa on her flight. This claim all but put paid to the earlier one that LUTH doctors had allegedly told the family that Mayowa’s case was near-terminal; and any effort to fly her anywhere could well prove fatal.

    Where is the truth in all of this? That is what the police must unravel — and fast! Nobody deserves this painful controversy, in their moment of grave health trial. Citizen Mayowa is ill. While wishing her speedy recovery, she has a right to bear her affliction with dignity. The relations tending her too need some peace of mind. Therefore, turning her into an object of media sensation is callous and sinful. So, let everyone respect Ms Mayowa’s privacy; and let the media, if they must report her at all, report with tact and utmost sensitivity.

    Still, the police have their job cut out. Is there a scam? If there is, the scammers must face the law.  However Mayowa’s case ends, no whiff of scandal should prevent a future case from the kind of benevolence Nigerians have shown her.

    If there was no scam, whoever was responsible for spreading such vicious rumour must face one sanction or another. Though the Constitution guarantees freedom of the press, that freedom must be exercised with responsibility. Even if the blog that spread the story cannot be formally charged, a prompt and conclusive police investigation would go a long way to discredit such media, and prevent any future recklessness.

  • PDP’s convention of controversy

    PDP’s convention of controversy

    The parallel conventions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have ended in a fiasco. With the emergence of three interim leaders, the opposition party is more divided. BISI OLANIYI writes on the implications of the crisis for the PDP’s future.

    The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worsened at the weekend, with the parallel conventions in Port Harcourt and Abuja. The Abuja convention produced Senator Ibrahim Mantu as interim leader while the Port Harcourt convention ended abruptly with two chairmen, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi; thereby throwing the party into a deeper crisis.

    The question on the lips of many observers now is, where does the PDP go from here? Before Saturday’s convention scheduled for Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the idea of Sheriff continuing as the leader of the party had divided the party, prompting the group that describes itself as the Concerned PDP Stakeholders to plan a parallel convention to take place in Abuja, the federal capita territory (FCT). According to reports, the Abuja convention ended after two hours, with the setting up of a 56-member Steering Committee co-chaired by former Deputy Senate President, Mantu, and former Education Minister, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, while former Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana, who was the interim leader of the group, retained his position of National Coordinator. In compliance with court orders, the Gana-led group decided to shelve the election of party officers.

    Sensing that their backing of Sheriff to continue as National Chairman was no longer feasible, the 12 governors elected on the platform of the party met before the convention was billed to commence and decided to withdraw their support for the former governor of Borno State. The governors backed out and came up with the idea of the seven-member Caretaker Committee headed by Makarfi. To assist Makarfi as National Secretary is a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Ben Obi. Other members of the committee are: Sen. Odion Ugbesie, Sen. Abdul Ningi, Mr. Kabir Usman, Mr. Dayo Adeyeye and Alhaja Aisha Aliyu. The Makarfi-led committee is expected to pilot the affairs of the party for three months.

    The Port Harcourt convention ended abruptly, with a question mark hanging over the decisions arrived at by major stakeholders of the party. For instance, the dissolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and other decisions arrived at the botched convention is being challenged by Sheriff. He said no convention of the party took place in Port Harcourt, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not monitor the exercise. Sheriff, it is said, enjoys the backing of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT). Reacting to the emergence of a new interim leader and a Caretaker Committee, the former governor of Borno State said he would remain in office until all the court cases which led to the cancellation of the planned national convention are resolved. He insisted that his only reason was because INEC had declined to monitor the election.

    He said: “We are confronted with a lot of challenges; the challenges are mostly court cases to stop our convention from taking place. After seeing the challenges confronting our party, taking into account the decision of INEC not to supervise the elections to the offices of chairman, secretary and other offices, based on the order of the court, we do hereby put off the national convention of our party. We have suspended it until when all the court cases are resolved. The issues are so many; we have three different court cases.”

    Interestingly, the Concerned PDP Stakeholders have also reacted to the emergence of the Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee. The group said the setting up of the committee was a violation of the party’s constitution. It said the PDP’s BoT should be allowed to run affairs of the party pending the conduct of an acceptable national convention. This has further thrown the party into confusion.

    An indication  that all was not well with the party emerged when the Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, Wike, invited reporters to the Government House, Port Harcourt on May 19 for a news conference, scheduled for 2 p.m., but was postponed till next day, after  they had waited for several hours.

    The reporters returned to the seat of power in the Garden City for the 12 noon news conference the following day, but had to wait again till late in the evening before the event eventually kicked off.

    Wike was accompanied by the Secretary of the national convention planning committee, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State; the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel and his counterpart of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, as well as the Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio and other leaders of the party.

    The Rivers governor insisted that there is one convention holding on May 21, which is the one in Port Harcourt, and warned that the party would not tolerate indiscipline.

    He also disclosed that the opposition party had filed a motion for stay of execution of the “fraudulent” court order stopping the election of the chairman, secretary and auditor of the party, granted by a Federal High Court in Lagos, stating that the PDP had also appealed the order.

    He said: “The PDP’s 2016 National Convention, scheduled by the National Executive Committee (NEC), which is the highest decision-making organ of the party, slated the convention for Port Harcourt on May 21, 2016. We want to assure you that by the grace of God, the convention will be taking place.

    “You may have heard of people who said they want to hold a parallel convention. The law is clear. The constitution of the party is clear. We want everybody to be together, to work as a party, but in doing that, we must not allow indiscipline.

    “The PDP’s constitution recognises the National Working Committee (NWC), caucuses of the party, Board of Trustees (BoT), the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Governors’ Forum. All these bodies met, before the NEC of the party took the decision that the convention of the party will take place in Port Harcourt.

    “Every governor of the platform of PDP in the 12 states that we control, the Deputy Senate President (Senator Ike Ekweremadu), Senate Minority Leader (Senator Godswill Akpabio), House of Representatives’ Minority Leader (Leo Ogor), Chairman of the BoT (Senator Walid Jibrin), Chairman of the party (Alhaji Ali-Modu Sheriff) are all in Port Harcourt.

    “Every organ, as far as this party is concerned, is in Port Harcourt. When these organs that represent the party, as allowed by the constitution, are in Port Harcourt, which other organ will go and hold parallel convention. So, there is only one convention. INEC has said it will monitor the convention in Port Harcourt.

    “We believe that those who say they want to conduct parallel convention are our people. We cannot say we will throw them away. They will still be part of us. Obviously, when key decisions are taken, some people may be aggrieved, one way or the other. You do not say because they are aggrieved, then you will throw them away. The PDP is still one.”

    Wike also maintained that the PDP was not disobeying any court order, with regards to the decision to go ahead with the convention.

    He said: “You may also have heard that there are court judgments. In one of the orders said to be purportedly given, they said Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, went to court, to say that there should not be convention. The chairman has clarified that it is not correct; that he never went to court. How would he go to court? People went and impersonated that he instructed them to go to court. He has written a letter to that effect, to say that it is not correct. However, a court order is a court order.

    “In consultation with our legal team, we have filed a motion for stay of execution and appeal. It is clear that when you are challenging the decision of the court, when it is a declarative judgment, when an order is made and a party takes step instantly, by filing a motion for stay of execution and file appeal, that party cannot be held to be disobeying the court order. Assuming there was such a court order, we are challenging that even the court order was fraudulent, because the judge may not have known that it was not the party chairman that came to court.

    “There was also another judgment from the Abuja High Court, if we are not law abiding, the court said there should be election for the positions of chairman and two positions (secretary and auditor), but for the 16 NWC members, there should not be elections. These are courts of coordinate jurisdiction. That means conflict of judgments. As law-abiding party, we have taken necessary steps to making sure that the right thing is done. We have filed for a stay of execution of that order/judgment. We have also filed an appeal.”

    The parallel convention in Abuja, which commenced at10 a.m., was rounded off at 12 noon.

    In compliance with court orders, the Gana-led group decided to shelve the election of party officers, while describing the Makarfi-led group as illegal and unconstitutional, stressing that only the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party could take over the affairs of the party, in case of a vacuum.

    The Port Harcourt convention was fixed for 10 a.m. at the Sharks Stadium in the old Port Harcourt Township, popularly called Town, but the programme could not commence until 3:03 p.m., in view of the emergency coup the 12 PDP governors and some leaders of the party earlier planned at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The coup was against Sheriff. The zoning policy of national offices was also set aside at the national convention in the Garden City, while the presidential candidate of the PDP in 2019 was equally zoned to the Northern states of Nigeria.

    Sheriff, however, addressed reporters from 1:50 p.m. at the Le Méridien Hotel, new Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, where he announced the cancellation of the Port Harcourt’s convention, but the 12 PDP governors and other leaders of the party simply ignored him.

    Sheriff maintained that he remained the chairman of the PDP till 2018 and later described the going ahead with Port Harcourt convention, in spite of his unilateral directive and the emergence of Makarfi as caretaker chairman of the party as illegal and a charade.

    Meanwhile, Makarfi in his acceptance speech, assured that he and the six other members of the national caretaker committee, who would be in office for 90 days to conduct another national convention and congresses, where necessary, would rebuild PDP, while urging the aggrieved members of the party to give peace a chance

    Makarfi said: “Until this very moment (Saturday evening), the bag I came to Port Harcourt with is still in the car. I have just arrived. I learnt there was a meeting holding and I did not want to be late. I rushed to Government House, Port Harcourt. I could not see the governor (Wike) to ask him for accommodation even and as I sat down, people started approaching me and asked: how do we get out of this? If you are called upon to serve, will you be willing and ready to serve?

    “What I said was that if it was in the course of the unity of our party (PDP), progress of our country, no matter the kind of job I am asked to do, once it is a legitimate job, I would offer myself to do the job.

    “I humbly accept this challenge. I said so on behalf of other members of the committee. We were nominated based on trust. I assure you, you will have no cause to worry. None of us is seeking for any office. We are here to serve our party. We are here to bring about unity in our party.

    “I call upon all aggrieved party men and women, please give peace a chance and give us a chance. So that we will rebuild our party to be the one that will give hope and will continue to give hope, not only to Nigerians, but to Africans and the black race, wherever they may be. It is not time for long speech. It is time to get to work. I thank all of you for reposing confidence in us. We shall not fail you.”