The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fears

Censors Board: Adedayo allays fears of RATTAWU on staff wellbeing

ASSURING the leadership of Radio, Television, Theatre, and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) of Nigeria of President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to political appointees on the need to maintain industrial harmony in their parastatals, new Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Mr. Adedayo Thomas, noted that staff welfare will be one of the top priorities of the NFVCB under his watch.

Thomas was responding to an appeal by the National President of RATTAWU, Comrade Kabir Garba Tsanni, who led the Union executives on a courtesy call to the Censors Board chief in Abuja, on Wednesday.

Comrade Tsanni who acknowledged the sensitive role of the NFVCB in safeguarding the values of the society, enthused that films were carriers of values which no society should neglect. He informed the management of the Board that his delegation came to seek the understanding of the Board on the need for continuing staff training and labour-friendly work environment.

National General Secretary of the union, Comrade Akpausoh Akpausoh, had earlier praised the ED and the Board for being labour and gender-friendly in the composition of the management of the Board and their relationship with staff.

Although Thomas lamented the financial challenges faced by the Board, he assured of his commitment to make the organisation stable and buoyant in executing its statutory roles. He maintained that despite the operational constraints of the Board, he was able to, within few days of assumption of office; influence the approval of promotion for some staff members with the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

He however, urged the union to help enlighten staff of the Board to resume by 8am and close by 4pm on every work day, so as to adhere to their part of the contract with the government.

April 29, 2017
Terror in Europe: Worries and fears
SIR: For over five years I have been living in Europe, and I have never at any time been as worried as I am right now for humankind. I have never had any reason to be more apprehensive or more disturbed about the future than I am today, at this very moment. This is because the trend of events seems to be whittling away hope for a better and brighter future for humanity. The recent spate of attacks, killings and bloodshed in Zurich, Ankara and Berlin in recent days worries me immeasurably.

These attacks disturb me because they portend a dismal future for humanity. These assaults play into the hands of right-wing politicians and other racist and xenophobic ideologues in Europe and the western world. The killings provide justifications for their anti-immigration stance.

These attacks breed and legitimise fear, suspicion and mistrust between people who regard these cities and countries as their home and foreigners and immigrants who live and reside there. These killings make one fear for one’s safety since nobody knows where the next attack would take place. Will it happen on the plane or the train, in a bus or in a park, at the airport or at the train station, at the market or at the stadium, in a restaurant or in a nightclub, in a church or in a mosque?

Nobody knows who the next attacker is – is it that driver or that pilot? Is it that police officer standing beside me or that passer-by? Is it the co-passenger or co-traveller in a bus? Is it the person sitting beside me in train or in an aeroplane? Nobody knows who the next victim would be. It could be me. It could be you. We all are potential victims. I am worried because there is so much fear and uncertainty in the land. Nobody is safe. Nowhere is safe.

I am afraid the situation is likely to get worse especially for immigrants and foreigners because these countries and their citizens are going to take urgent measures to defend and protect themselves, and to forestall future attacks. I am worried that these measures would be used to justify racism and xenophobia because people will be made to go through some processes merely because of how they look or where they come from, and yes because of the religion they profess.

Religion is especially a critical issue in this case. These attacks will lead to a profiling of Muslims and Arabs who are living in Europe. I am worried because many innocent people are going to suffer because of this. Each spate of attacks or killings affirms a strong link with jihadists, Islamists or aggrieved persons from Middle East and North Africa. Some of the militants did not disguise their intention to conquer Europe and impose sharia law.

I worry; yes I worry for the future of humanity and the prospects of peace in the world.
- Leo Igwe,
Bayreuth Germany.
December 23, 2016
The hopes… the fears of UK’s exit from EU

Last week’s exit of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) means different things to Nigerians. To some, it will negatively affect the local economy, to others, it is will be inconsequential. COLLINS NWEZE, CHIKODI OKEREOCHA AND OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE report.

IT is no longer news that Britain has parted ways with the European Union (EU). What is news is the ripple effect of the unprecedented democratic step taken by the United Kingdom (UK) on global markets and the shock wave it has sent to its allies.

The impact of that decision – Brexit – has reverberated around the world, and in Nigeria, led the naira and stocks to a free fall.

With investors sentiment dampened by a mixture of credit ratings downgrade by Fitch Ratings as well as the outcome of the Brexit referendum, activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed trading yesterday on a downward trend. The market capitalisation dropped by N278 billion due to panic selling triggered by Brexit.

The market capitalisation which opened at N10.526 trillion for trading early yesterday had lost N278 billion (about 2.64 per cent) to close at N10.248 trillion.

Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) dipped 809.43 points (about 2.64 per cent) to close at 29,840.23 compared with 30,649.66 it achieved at the weekend.

The naira and equities felled last Friday, a day after the 52 to 48 per cent Brexit poll result was announced. The naira felled to N283 to dollar on Friday from N282 the previous day on the interbank market.

As at the close of transactions yesterday, the local currency was trading at N284 to the dollar.

President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Aminu Gwadabe, said currency speculators used the opportunity presented by the Brexit poll to sell large volumes of dollar and use the proceeds to buy British Pounds Sterling which plunged more than 11 per cent, touching a 30 year low.

He, however, predicted a recovery of the British Pounds Sterling in the months ahead, depending on the response of Britain to the Brexit.

Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa Plc, Ike Chioke, said the equities market opened the week lower yesterday, declining 1.6 per cent on profit taking.

He said profit taking as well as Brexit-driven panic selling moderated gains as the NSE ASI slumped 1.4 per cent to settle at 30,649.7 basis points, up 4.8 per cent week-on-week.

Chioke said: “Accordingly, year-to-date return closed at even per cent with market capitalization improving by N481.6 billion during the week to settle at N10.5 trillion.”

Chief Economist, Renaissance Capital, an investment and research firm, Charles Robertson, said the greatest uncertainty of the Brexit surrounds the future of the EU. “Opposition parties in France and the Netherlands are calling for referenda in their countries on the EU. If either of them were to be given referenda (unlikely) and voted to leave (presumably unlikely), it would trigger Euro break-up,” Robertson predicted.

He went on: “What the Brexit vote will do is add to uncertainty among corporates in Europe – who will be less likely to invest until there is clarity about Europe’s future.

“The global economy is already weak. There is a chance this ends up tipping the US economy into recession, and that it becomes the catalyst that leads to a 50 per cent fall in the S&P500 over 15 to 18 months – a risk-scenario we flagged in 2015 and reiterated in January 2016.”

According to Robertson, the base case should be a weaker global economy, which will be more negative for oil, and means central banks globally keep rates lower for longer. This is negative for banks. It also means a prolonged market crash remains only a risk case scenario – in which gold today looks the safest play.

Robertson said Nigeria has an idiosyncratic improving story courtesy of the reforms on electricity, fuel subsidy and currency.

He said: “We see it as similar to Russia, but expect more investors to enter Nigeria when the currency has found a more liquid level. The impact on Kenya should be limited. Tourism to Kenya is already weak. More important over six months is the risk-on, risk-off trade, and the extent to which Nigeria becomes more attractive since the naira float.”

To the Nigeria-China Business Council, Brexit will be inconsequential on Nigeria’s economy and businesses.

The Council’s National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Mathew Uwaekwe, said Nigeria should not lose sleep over Brexit, assuring that that UK’s decision to quit the EU will not affect Nigeria-Britain trade relations, as majority of Nigerians do not do business with Britain. He also said the few British investments in the Nigerian economy were mostly those they made over the years, before the end of colonialism.

Uwaekwe pointed out that the low investment profile of Britain in the Nigerian economy over the years was because of a fixed perception.

He said: “The recent ‘Fantastically Corrupt’ statement on Nigeria by British Prime Minister David Cameron bore testimony to the fact that Britain doesn’t like Nigeria. How much looted funds have they (Britain) returned to Nigeria?”

Describing Brexit as “a wake-up call for Nigeria,” the Nigeria-China Business Council chief said rather than affect the Nigerian economy and businesses, Brexit would encourage Nigeria to look beyond Britain for other viable trade partners within the EU.

He argued that if Brexit would not pay Britain, Prime Minister Cameron will not be planning to resign.

According to him, fears over possible negative effects of Brexit on Nigeria are merely rooted in the fact that Nigeria was colonised by Britain.

But, in its reaction to the development, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) said Britain’s decision will have negative consequences on the Nigeria’s economy.

ACCI’s President Mr. Tony Ejikeonye said: “Now that the referendum has taken place, the first practical impact of Brexit is that the pound and euro are already falling against the dollar in the foreign exchange market, which is encouraging for the naira.

“The markets anticipate that Bretix may be bad for the economy, and so, investors are likely to move their money out of the United Kingdom,” he said. Ejikonye said Bretix will no doubt create anxiety for Nigeria’s policy makers.

According to him, the anxiety is occasioned by the prevailing slide in global market; especially at a time Nigeria is trying to revive its ‘threatened’ economy.

Ejikonye said the bilateral trade between Nigeria and UK, currently valued at six billion pounds and projected to reach about 20 billion pounds by 2020 will be disrupted as trade agreements contracted under the EU platform has to be renegotiated.

He said: “Besides, the data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that UK is Nigeria largest source of foreign investment in 2015.

“Thus, a decelerating British economy could impact a drop in investment, trade and also remittances from Nigerians in the Diaspora who injected into the local economy over $20 billion dollars last year.

“In addition, reduced trade and investment from Britain may not necessarily be taken up by the rest of the EU.”

A source within the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), who pleaded for anonymity, said UK’s exit from the EU has two sides.

Quoting some financial experts, he said Britain seems to have shot itself in the foot while others said the exit is best for them, recalling how the Popes advice that the EU should relax the conditions for member countries was not heeded.

The source believed that Britain will eventually find its feet after renegotiate some trade agreements.

Predicting a slow business prospect between Nigeria and the UK, the source warned that it may be worse if Ireland followed suit.

The source furthermore said the UK decision may affect Diasporan remittances and some Foreign Direct investment (FDI) because of the falling value of the pounds sterling.

It urged indigenous businessmen to be patient with their UK partners for things to sort themselves out.

“The British pound has dropped because of uncertainty, it is reported to have dropped to 9.8 per cent fall but l think Nigeria would be better off with Britain instead of EU”, it said.

The President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr Frank Udemba Jacobs, said the pound sterling has depreciated following UK’s exit from the EU.

He, however, described the exit as a good omen for Nigerian importers who may pay less for imported items. “The exit of Britain from EU is good especially as it will halt the pressure being put on Nigerian.”

June 28, 2016
Renewed fears over PDP convention

Following the depth of disagreements at the state congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party’s elders made moves to save the party ahead its national convention, but it seems that has not yielded any positive result, report Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu and Assistant Editor, Gbade Ogunwale in Abuja

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other concerned stakeholders have expressed fears that the party’s inability to resolve the leadership crisis in many of its state chapters before they held the state congresses is threatening to make a mince meat of the party’s forthcoming national convention.

As a result, a number of vested groups and interests within the party have called on the leadership to put the exercise on hold. The party’s recent ward and state congresses held across the federation were marred by irregularities, imposition of candidates and underhand dealings that triggered protests in many states. A number of prominent groups and chieftains had dissociated themselves from the congresses in their various states. They have called for the cancellation of the flawed congresses and the setting in motion of machinery for the conduct of fresh ones. The various groups have also demanded a postponement of the national convention.

Among the protesting groups is the Concerned PDP Group, led by the immediate past Governor of Niger state, Dr. Babangida Aliyu. The Aliyu group also condemned developments within the party, particularly the process that led to the zoning of the party’s chairmanship position to the Northeast geopolitical zone.

After a marathon meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the group said among others that the party was gradually sliding down the valley owing to manipulation by the various organs at the national level. Aliyu had said, “Furthermore, the current zoning formula for the position of National Chairman as adopted by only one-third of the National Executive Committee (NEC) is inconsistent with the original PDP principles. In consonance therefore, the group unanimously resolved as follows; call for the postponement of the national convention and appeal to the leadership of the party to revisit these fundamental issues to enable the party to organise and conduct a more cohesive and acceptable national convention to avert the situation whereby aggrieved members may be compelled to organise parallel congress/convention. Other members of the group are Senator Bala Mohammed, Mrs. Zainab Maina, Mr. John Odey, Dr. Sulaiman Abubakar, Capt. Hassan Mohammed (rtd), Saidu Ndako Idris, Dr Bolere Ketebu and Hon. Kaulaha Aliyu.

Similarly, another group of Northern elders led by a former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana has also joined the call for the postponement of the convention. The group argued that the postponement would allow for reconciliation by the army of aggrieved party members. The Gana group however, is insisting that the present members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) should vacate their seats on May 21, when their extended tenure is expected to expire. The elders decried what they described as the entrenched culture of impunity by the Sheriff-led leadership of the PDP, insisting that the party must shun these vices to enable it achieve stability and the vision of its founding fathers. They also faulted the proposed amendment of the party’s constitution, saying it was a clear violation of the provisions of the PDP constitution. Some notable members of the Gana-led Northern Elders also include a former Deputy President of the Senate, Ibrahim Mantu‎; a former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri; and a former presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, among others. The dissenting groups have been able to attract a pocket of followers in the six geopolitical zones. But acquiring the required financial muscle to fight the Sheriff camp has become a huge challenge, thus making possible the confusion that trailed the party’s state congresses.

In Kwara State for example, aggrieved party members protested against the way the state congress was conducted.

The bone of contention was whether the incumbent executive of the party, led by Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, should be allowed to return unopposed, or whether proper elections would hold to elect new leadership for the party. On this issue members were sharply divided between aggrieved members of the party led by Senator Ayinla Folorunsho, who vowed to resist affirmation and the group loyal to the state chairman of the party, Iyiola Oyedepo, who were accused taking every step to scuttle the process of injecting new blood into the executive of the party.

The Ogun State case is even more worrisome. Here, three executive chairmen emerged during the week as three factions conducted separate congresses.

They include Bayo Dayo, who was re-elected chairman for the second term in the congress conducted by the Senator Buruji Kashamu group; Sikirulai Ogundele, who emerged chairman in the congress conducted by the camp of the House of Representatives member, Ladi Adebutu; and Wale Egunleti, who emerged chairman in a congress conducted by the faction loyal to former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.

As close observers predicted, Anambra State also recorded parallel congresses during the week. Reports said there was confusion where the PDP faction loyal to Senators Andy Uba, Stella Odua held its congress.

In that congress, positions were filled by voice votes except that of Ken Emeakayi, who was retained as the chairman.

Confusion however burst when one of the candidates presented a court order to the chairman of the congress committee, Ladi Edun, disqualifying Ngozi Agudosi and Emeka Small.

The faction led by Chief Chris Uba, conducted its congress at Emmaus House, electing Oguebego as Chairman.

Until this weekend, both Oguebego and Emeakayi are still laying claims to being the authentic state chairman of the party, as each claims his faction was the group recognised by the National Working Committee (NWC).

In Ekiti State, two chairmen emerged following two parallel congresses held in Ado-Ekiti, during the week.

While the group loyal to the governor, Ayo Fayose, produced Gboyega Oguntuase as the State Chairman, the faction opposed to the governor elected Williams Ajayi as the State Chairman.

Other states where the confusion also became pronounced during the week included Kebbi and Niger.

In Niger State, the exercise was also interrupted by protests as delegates accused former governor of the state, Alhaji Abdulkhadir Kure, of hijacking congress materials.

Alhaji Abdulrahaman Enagi, former chairman of the party in the state, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, accused Kure of not allowing other contestants to collect nomination forms.

Although Kure denied the allegation, saying there was no way he could be in position of the documents expected to be with the National Monitoring Committee, the development put a serious question mark on the credibility of the exercise in the state.

In Kebbi, the state congress was deadlocked as two factions of the party failed to elect their leaders.

Eye witness reports confirmed that the factions conducted the elections without the supervision of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Election Committee from Abuja.

These disagreements notwithstanding, we gathered that the PDP is finally set to hold the party’s national convention on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. But it seems the party is going into the convention as a divided house.

Make or mar convention

Amid the protests, the leadership of the party has resolved to go ahead with the convention, with or without participation of the various dissenting groups. Already, the National Executive Committee (NEC) had proposed a meeting for Gombe, in Gombe State anytime in the week to effect and ratify amendment to the party’s constitution. The amendment and ratification are said to be in line with the recommendations in the report submitted by the Post Election Review Committee, headed by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu. However, some of the recommendations contained in the Ekweremadu committee report are believed to have been tinkered with by the party leadership.

The Board of Trustees (BoT), an advisory body that is meant to serve as the conscience of the party, has been castrated, with its key members aligning with different camps. The various national caucuses, particularly the National Assembly caucus, have thrown their weight behind Sheriff. Traditionally, the BoT and the Caucuses are supposed to meet separately before any meeting of the NEC can hold. But the proposed NEC meeting in Gombe will likely hold without prior meetings of the BoT and the caucuses. Similarly, the last NEC meeting, which was convened on April 27, was held without any input by the BoT and the caucuses. An earlier meeting of the BoT proposed for Monday, April 27, was called off without explanations. Acting Chairman of the BoT, Senator Walid Jibrin, who was to chair the meeting, had in a text message to our correspondent, cited health challenges for calling off the meeting. The governor’s elected on the platform of the PDP are also favourably disposed to the Sheriff camp. Even as the date of the convention draws nigh, divisions have continued to widen in the six zonal chapters of the party. A federal High Court in Lagos had on Thursday, halted the zonal congress in the South-West. Two factions were gearing up for the convention at two different locations. While the Buruji Kashamu-led faction had slated its own convention for Ijebu Igbo, in Ogun state, the faction led by the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko was to have held its separate congress in Akure, the state capital. Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Friday, the National Secretary of the PDP, Prof. Adewale Oladipo and the National Auditor, Adewole Adeyanju, confirmed that the party had received the court papers. According to them, the party would respect the order of the court pending the determination of the suit.

Candidates yet to emerge

Strangely, barely a week to the convention, aspirants for the 18 national offices are yet to emerge. So far, there is no record of collection of nomination forms by aspirants. Also, besides Sheriff, there seems to be no other aspirant for the chairmanship position up till now. Party officials have tactically evaded questions on preparations for the convention and the number of aspirants for the various positions. But a party source confided in The Nation on Friday that there is only one nomination form for each of the available positions. The leadership of the party has kept the identities of the aspirants a top secret. Even Sheriff’s aspiration is being kept under wraps, as neither he nor his backers have owned up to his intention to stay put in office.

Sheriff to take over from Sheriff?

From all indications, the PDP Port Harcourt Convention, if it holds at all, is meant to be a mere coronation exercise. The party leadership appears desperate to pull the convention through by all means. The reason is that there would be no basis for the continued stay in office of the national officers beyond May 21 when their tenure will be deemed to have expired. The identities of 17 other incoming national party officers will only be known at the convention ground. As for the chairmanship position, it seems it will be a case of Sheriff taking over from Sheriff.

May 15, 2016
Fears in Mimiko’s camp as more aides, associates defect

These are not good times for the political family of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State as more of his aides and close associates are not only defecting to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) but are also making eye popping allegations against his government. Late this week, when four of his close associates left his camp, they said openly that his government has failed Ondo State people.

The defectors included Senator Ayo Akinyelure (a.k.a All Over); Technical Aid Corps Director- General Pius Osunyikanmi; Mrs. Cecilia Ifayase and Kenneth Olawale a former Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly.

Osunyikanmi, who has been described as a long time close associate of the governor, had this to say of Mimiko and his government: “He is a governor who has failed our people. He is a man who I have served for years but he has consistently broken his promises.”

Ripples gathered that since then, all have not been well within the camp of the governor as no one seems to be sure which aide or associate will be the next to decamp.

February 14, 2016
Siasia fears for Enyimba star, Sokari

Former Nigeria national team coach, Samson Siasia has warned that Enyimba midfielder, Kingsley Sokari risks not fulfilling his potentials.

Sokari currently turns out regularly for Nigeria’s Under-20 side, the under-23s as well as the senior national team, the Super Eagles.

Siasia, who currently trains Nigeria’s Under-23 side says the trend may detrimentally affect the youngster’s development.

“He’s a very good player and one that I want in my Under-23 team. However, he’s usually on the move (travelling to fulfill professional duties) and it does not help me as regards blending for my (Under-23) team.

“We just have to see how we work with him and make sure that we get the best for him because he’s a very special player. When he’s having a good day, he can destroy a lot of teams,” Siasia told supersport.com.

On his part, Sokari says he has no qualms playing top flight games for the different sides on a regular basis.

“I am used to it because in the Nigerian league, I usually play matches for Enyimba in midweeks and on weekends. Most times, we have to embark on long road trips for these matches. I am still young and I can handle it,” he said.

Sokari was part of the Nigeria squad that drew 1-1 with South Africa in an international friendly in Nelspruit last Sunday.

April 3, 2015
Patience’s fears

Are the guilty afraid?

Except for the fact that her jokes are sometimes dry and insensitive, Dame Patience Jonathan’s interventions in her husband’s campaign have been as intriguing as they could be. But, when I say intriguing, I mean intriguing in reverse, because, virtually everything she said recently on the podium could be used, as they say in the police station, against her. Take for example her speech at the rally of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) women wing in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital on Monday. She said “What did they forget in Aso Rock? If you vote the PDP and Jonathan, it would be better for you. If you vote the APC, you will go to prison. How can you jail somebody for 300 years? I’m not ready to carry food to my husband inside prison oh!”

Now, if Mrs Jonathan is wondering what someone forgot in Aso Rock, does she not feel we should also ask what is it that is making them this desperate not to want to leave the place? I know she had said everybody who goes there does two terms; so, they too should be allowed to do theirs. No one is saying they cannot do two terms but the thing is not automatic. What Mrs Jonathan wants is for us to return her husband unopposed. Unfortunately, there is no such provision in the constitution. They have to work for the presidency. It is difficult for one to blame the First Family though; this is the first real election they would be having in their lives. So, one can understand their desperation and frustration with the turn of events. Perhaps if Nigerians had been as perceptive as they are today in 2011, the Jonathan administration would not have taken them for granted as it has done.

The point I am making is that Mrs Jonathan does not have the moral right to ask what anybody forgot in Aso Rock. They know how many churches they had attended to pray to retain their hold on power in recent months. That is for the ones we can see or know about. Some Senegalese Islamic clerics were in Aso Rock in May last year to pray for peace and an end to the insecurity challenges in the country. A few days ago, it was also reported that the Witches Association of Nigeria has thrown its weight behind the president’s reelection bid. As I said, there is no way we can verify some of these other connections, like that between the seat of power and the witches. We do not know too whether the wizards would go with their female counterparts. So, for someone whose husband has traversed the places the president has traversed, the question of asking what anybody forgot in Aso rock does not arise.

Then in Lagos on Thursday, the president’s wife said at another rally where she addressed PDP Lagos women at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, among others, that “I want you to know that a lion cannot give birth to a goat, a lion can only give birth to a lion, and Dr Goodluck Jonathan has delivered Jimi Agbaje to deliver Lagos. What Goodluck Jonathan is doing at the federal level is what he has asked Agbaje to reenact in Lagos State, if he wins the election. Nigerian women your messiah has come, so vote freedom for yourself in Lagos.” Some comic relief?

But I could hear Lagosians’ thunderous “we reject this in Jesus’ name”. How can any serious person say Lagos should witness the kind of paralysis that is at the centre? Could it be that those who do not know that the Jonathan presidency is a monumental failure are doing so genuinely? Or many of them are being mischievous and are only supporting the government because of ‘stomach infrastructure’. And I hear a lot of that has been going round in dollars as the campaign enters injury time.

But there is good news for Mrs Jonathan that is afraid of a Muhammadu Buhari presidency because she might have to be taking food to her husband in prison if the retired general wins the forthcoming presidential election; that fear should have evaporated with the assurance by General Buhari’s wife, Aishat, that they are unfounded. Mrs Buhari said the job to be done would not leave time for the kind of witch-hunting that Mrs Jonathan is afraid of. “For those that are campaigning, saying that he (Buhari) is coming to jail Nigerians, I don’t know what their fear is. But they shouldn’t be afraid because we are all yearning for change”, Mrs Buhari told some women in Benin, Edo State, on Thursday.

But tobe frank with ourselves, Mrs Jonathan said some home truth. The few corrupt elements who are milking the country dry are afraid of Buhari presidency because their hands are too dirty not to imagine where their next destination would be, particularly if the ‘crutches’ that have been supporting them, that is the Jonathan presidency, are suddenly sacked from power. Indeed, former President Obasanjo said that much sometime ago, that the main reason President Jonathan himself is afraid of Buhari is because of fears the retired general might send him to prison on account of corruption. But there is reasonable ground to be afraid. This is one of the few backward countries where someone would enter either State House or Aso Rock shoeless and in the next few weeks, he is into some sudden, inexplicable opulence. Buhari had been so many things in this country, yet, when he told us what he is worth, many people who had not been anything near what he had been are wondering how come someone could be that stupid not to have made so much money for himself and for his generations unborn.

For sure, with Nigerians’ experience with President Jonathan, any contender for elective posts in the country who thinks he can gain cheap sympathy by saying he was shoeless as a boy can never smell the office, because experience is the best teacher.

Again, we should understand the fear of people who are afraid of going to prison in Nigeria; the point is, they have left the prisons to degenerate and they are afraid of having a taste of what they have been serving many Nigerians who have the misfortune of being in the jailhouses. But, I want to believe that Nigerians, in their usual magnanimity would not mind conceding to our very important citizens who may be jail-bound for the atrocities they committed against the country that they should apply to serve their terms in the International Criminal Court (ICC) prison. That is a much better place, where they would have almost all their comfort except probably their freedom of movement. Their ilk there would gladly receive them. And, per chance the president ends up there, his lovely wife does not have to entertain any fear as she would not be saddled with the responsibility of taking food to him in the ICC facility.

In this wise, the ICC should begin to expand its prison because, for the first time in our country’s political history, the court may have some very important guests from Nigeria after these elections. The desperation for power has become so unusually intense as even the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, observed during President Jonathan’s visit to his palace on March 12.

Perhaps some lessons would have been learnt if General Ibrahim Babangida and his colleagues who annulled the June 12 1993 presidential election which Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Abiola was set to win, had been punished. We have to insist that some people cannot impose leaders on us. The idea that some of those in power today would hand over to anybody but Buhari is arrant nonsense. If that is the choice at the polls, anyone who attempts to stop him from being sworn in as they did June 12 must be severely punished.

Happy voting.

March 22, 2015
Offiong allays fears over Egypt, Portugal

Although she is rated as the most talented Nigerian female tennis player, Edem Offiong is yet to live up to expectations at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour, Lagos Open, having failed twice to lift the title with her best being a runner’s up at the 2013 edition.

At the last ITTF Africa Senior Championship in Cairo, Offiong was expected to inspire the Nigerian team, but when it mattered most, she was unable to excel. However, when the Lagos Open serves off on March 10 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Offiong believes she will ensure that the title remains in Nigeria.

“I am well prepared for this tournament because I have it in mind that I must do better this year. After the disappointing outing in Cairo, I returned to Nigeria and I rested for a week and since then I have been training hard to ensure that I make it to the podium this year. I am in good shape and I hope the home support will help me this year, especially against the Egyptians and Portuguese Chinese-born player,” Offiong said.

The player, who plies her trade in the Portuguese league, said: “I know a lot of people have been talking about the quality of the Egyptian player but I want to let them know that the Chinese-born Portuguese is indeed a serious threat because she is the number one female player in the Portuguese league and she is a very strong player.”

Offiong, who made it to the round of 16 at the 2014 Spanish Open in Almeria, said she hopes to use the Lagos Open title to prepare herself for this year’s German and Spanish Opens.

“I admit that it is not going to be easy because for anybody to clinch the title this year, such player must be at her best. Any player that is coming to Nigeria must understand that the atmosphere is always different from anywhere in the world because the fans are always there to cheer the host players and visitors must be ready to face this as well. I am sure this will work in my favour,” she added.

From being a runner’s up in 2013, Offiong was edged out in the quarter-final of the women’s singles by Egypt’s Dina Meshref, nevertheless, the Nigerian believes this will not repeat itself as she is ready to halt the dominance of the Egyptians in Lagos.

March 2, 2015
Fears as pre-election violence stalks Rivers communities

Though the general elections are still about six weeks away, residents of Rivers State are already living in apprehension that the elections may be marred by violence.

Their fears, rather than abate with the signing of a peace pact by the three major political parties in the state, have continued to worsen, with pockets of politically-related violence spreading across the state on a daily basis.

Investigations by The Nation have revealed that, in the last one month, many innocent citizens of the state have either been sent to their early graves or are presently battling for their lives in hospitals as a result of injuries inflicted on them during campaign rallies.

The spate of violence across the state has not only heated the political climate in the state, but has also led to a doomsday prediction by political analysts. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has been the main butt of the pre-election attacks that have been stalking the state.

The Niger Delta Peace and Security Working Group (NDPSWG), a coalition of about 40 civil society organisations working in nine Niger Delta states, recently listed some suspected hotspots in Rivers State, putting security agencies on red alert. The areas listed include Okrika, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Obio/Akpor, Kalabari and Ogoni.

According to NDPSWG, the prediction of violence during the election is predicated on the attitudes of some politicians, who it accused of putting personal ambitions above national interests.

The avalanche of attacks came to a head last Tuesday in Okrika when unknown gunmen opened fire at a crowded APC rally. The rally by the state governorship candidate of the APC, Dakuku Peterside, was disrupted by fire explosions, which led to the death of a policeman, and left several people, including journalists, injured.

Okrika is the hometown of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan. It is also the home of an ex-militant warlord, Ateke Tom. The area has been one of the difficult terrains where Rivers APC has suffered so many attacks in the recent past.

On Monday, February 10, leaders of the APC in Okrika had received invitation to a security briefing with the state Commissioner of Police, CP Bature. Prior to the invitation, there were rumours around Okrika to the effect that Mrs. Jonathan had allegedly decreed that the APC must not be allowed to hold its rallies in the two Okrika-speaking local government areas of Okrika and Ogu/Bolo.

Prior to the latest spate of violence, a clash between supporters of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Obio/Akpor had left about 17 people injured after a serious exchange of gun fire.

The clash, which lasted for several hours, led to a temporary closure of the ever-busy Whimpy Road, Mile 4 in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, as by-standers and other motorists scampered for safety.

A chieftain of APC in the area, Godwin Chinwo, who claimed that some of his members were severely injured in the fracas, blamed members of the PDP, who he alleged invaded the venue of a meeting with the state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who was visiting the area, for the violence.

He said: “The meeting was scheduled for members of Ikpoku family in Obio/Akpor Local Government of Rivers State. But it suddenly turned into a political supremacy battle between supporters of APC and PDP. The PDP supporters in the area are desperate. They have been destroying most of the banners of the APC.”

But a PDP chieftain, Clement Ndidi Onwabie, who suffered gunshot wounds during the fracas, alleged that APC was the cause. He said: “We were holding a family meeting when supporters of APC came in their numbers to stop us from holding the meeting. As we were dragging with each other, one of them fired a gun at the crowd, leading to stampede and confusion”.

On 29th of December 2014, riot broke out in the Ogoni area of the state. One of the protesters, simply identified as Naaooh, was shot and later rushed to Barithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH), where members of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) kept watch to prevent any attack.

A week later, MOSOP started another protest on the streets of Port Harcourt. The protest, which was led by former Ogoni student union leader, Comrade Simeon Waayii, started as early as 7:30 am from Rumuokuta to Isaac Boro Park in Mile 1 axis of Port Harcourt. Waayii was arrested by the police and later released after some political leaders in the area intervened.

In the Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state, the fear of political violence has become the beginning of wisdom for most politicians from the area.

On 21st of January 2014, several campaign billboards belonging to the APC were destroyed by suspected PDP thugs. Speaking later on the incident, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the local government, Hon. Mina Tende, who went into hiding over the alleged plan to assassinate him, said he was being threatened by a chieftain of the PDP in the area.

Speaking with The Nation, Tende alleged that the factional Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Evans Bipi, a chieftain of People Democratic Party (PDP), was after his life. He alleged that Bipi had never hidden his desire to have him dead. He said the PDP leader had always said at both private and public fora that he would unleash his men on members of the opposition.

He said: “My life is under threat because I insisted that APC billboards should not be demolished by agents of the PDP in my area. Because I said there should be no interference in the activities of my great party the APC, they have listed me as one of those to be eliminated.”

However, when contacted, Hon. Evans Bipi accused the APC chieftain of blackmail. “I am surprised that the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area could accuse me of planning to assassinate him. He is my friend, so why should I kill him? I know he is looking for cheap popularity to get Governor Amaechi’s attention.”

In Ogba/Ebema/Ndoni Local Government Area, APC leaders are protesting what they described as unprovoked attacks on its members in the area. The APC chairman in the area, Hon. Felix Ejechi, said party offices, buses, houses and properties have been destroyed and vandalised by agents and forces of darkness, who he said are hiding under the umbrella of opposition in the state.

He said: “On the 6th and 7th of December 2013, the then local government headquarters office of our party, situated at No.188 Ahoada road, Omoku, was destroyed and our properties vandalised. One of our elders, late Chief Godspower Ahiaidu, was murdered in his house.

“On the 12th and 13th of April, 2014, there was another attack and destruction of our party office. The damaged and plundered office is still there for all to see. As law-abiding and peace-loving citizens of this great country, we decided to relocate the LGA headquarters office of the party to No.13 Ahoada Road. On the early hours of Wednesday, 28th January, 2015, the residence of APC ward 8 chairman in Ogbogu (Egi) in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni, was attacked by unknown gunmen. His daughter was hit by bullets and his property was destroyed.

“More recently, in the early hours of January 11, 2015, the Okrika LGA, APC party secretariat and the campaign office of the APC candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, was attacked. Campaign billboards and posters were destroyed. The APC secretariat is located in Abam Ama, a community that shares borders with Oba ama, hometown of Nigeria’s First Lady, Patience Jonathan. This incident was reported to the Rivers State Police Command and the Police High Command in Abuja the same day. Till date, the police have done nothing.

“Again, on the early hours of Saturday January 24, 2015, some PDP members attacked the venue of the proposed APC governorship rally. They destroyed properties, burnt cars and attempted to prevent the rally from holding.”

Some All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftains in Rivers State have described the continued attacks on the party as a case of impunity and political bitterness. They described the arrest of some APC supporters in the state in connection with the destruction of PDP billboards as unjust and an act of desperation, adding that politicians in the state must play issue-based politics.

The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Khana Local Government Council, an APC chieftain, Chief Gordon Tornwe, said PDP leaders’ desperation would not allow them to ask for those responsible for the destruction of APC billboards in the state.

It will be recalled that a few days after the signing of the peace accord, the gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, expressed displeasure over the agreement. He said he had no confidence in the peace agreement entered into by governorship candidates of political parties in the state.

Dakuku described the agreement as a worthless exercise. He chronicled the series of attacks which his party and its members have suffered since the signing of the peace agreement, adding that the police had done nothing to stop the trend.

Dakuku said: “Last time we signed a peace accord, a week after we were supposed to go to rally, our secretariat was burnt. Several of our members sustained injury and were admitted in hospitals; we formally lodged a complaint to the police, but till today, nothing has been done.

“We went for a rally in Yege, GoKhana Local Government Area, but our people were chased away with guns and knives by some people. Nobody has heard anything about it till today.”

Speaking on the political violence and other issues, the Rivers State Police Command, in a statement, however, denied any involvement in the crises.

The Police statement read: “The Rivers State Police wishes to react to the statements credited to one Chief Tamuno William, a stalwart of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okrika Local Government alleging that the command refused to investigate attacks on their party offices in Okrika and also failing to provide them with security for their planned rally in Okrika town.

“To put the records straight, the command will not fold its arms and allow the attacks on APC facilities in Okrika or any other political party’s facility to go into oblivion. Investigations on the cases are still in progress. They are assured that sooner than later, perpetrators of the attacks will be brought to book.

“On the later allegation, the command is surprised that it came immediately after the meeting with all political stakeholders from Okrika Local Government and Commissioner of Police that held in his office on Wednesday 11/02/2015, where deliberations mainly focused on the need to maintain peace, promote non-violence politics and avoid unnecessary interference in the affairs of a political party by another. At no time did the command tell anybody that it would not guarantee security of a rally anywhere in the state. Instead, the command, along with other security agencies, are assessing situations in Okrika with a view to re-assuring the party of the required adequate security.

“The command further restated its resolve to remain apolitical and provide adequate security for all political parties and ensure that the full wrath of the law is visited on any person(s) who dare and wish to test our capability.”

The Special Adviser on Media to the state PDP Chairman, Jerry Needam, also denied all the allegations levelled against the party. He said the PDP cannot be responsible for the attacks on APC supporters.

Needam posed: “How can anybody say that the PDP is responsible for the attacks on the APC? If you say that, so who is responsible for the attacks on PDP supporters?”.

February 21, 2015
Otis fears for Falcons’ W/Cup campaign

Former Super Falcons striker, Shola Otis has said a fire brigade approach will spell doom for Nigeria’s FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign in Canada.

The reigning African champions will campaign at the upcoming quadrennial global football showpiece in Group D together with former champions, USA, Sweden and Australia.

Otis said she is shocked to know that the Nigerian representatives are not in camp four months to the commencement of the top grade championship.

“It’s our norm, nothing new to the practice of starting preparations for a major championship almost at the eleventh hour especially when it concerns the women folk.

“We always leave a lot of things to chance. So, if the side doesn’t get a good result at the World Cup nobody, not even the team, should be blamed.

“It’s quite shocking that the players are in their respective homes four months to the kick-off of the World Cup while their counterparts in other lands are in closed camp playing top flight friendly matches.

“Perhaps we’re expecting a miracle to happen at the World Cup but miracles don’t happen always.

“I won’t say outright that we’re preparing for failure at the World Cup but it’s not right that they’re not in camp at the moment.

“Fire brigade approach to the World Cup preparations will only spell doom for the side who as African champions are expected to surpass their past performances at the championship,” said the former Jegede Babes markswoman to supersport.com.

Otis said the Super Falcons will be lucky to survive the heat in their group involving America, Australia and Sweden.

“Let’s hope for a miracle as the United States of America and Sweden are the strongest obstacles for Falcons’ survival in their group.

“Miracles can still see us through the group’s campaign in a situation we pull draws against America and Sweden while we pick maximum points against Australia.

“However, we need to help the side’s World Cup course by immediately calling them to camp as well as arrange top grade friendly matches for them to make up for lost time,” said the former Abiola Babes star.

February 8, 2015