www.osundefender.org thursday, february 26, 2015 The security agencies have been thrust into the spotlight and both their reputation and effectiveness is now on the front burner. In a normal democracy this does not have to be so. That this is the situa-
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Front Page Comment
Security Agencies and the Elections
of the weak institutions which continues to hobble our nascent democracy.For a start it is alarming that the security agencies havebeen dragged
into the murky terrain of politics. I n doing so, their operational and institutional independence has been compromised. In this way their effectiveness has also been put
This is because operational effectiveness goes hand-in-glove with institutional independence.
security agency cannot be effective. For example, intelligence gathering is based on trust. Now how do you trust a compromised security agency.
N100
This could from the perspective of personal safety be a dicey proposition. This should be food for thought in view of the centrality of intelligence gathering to operational Continue on pg7
Presidential Election:
How PDP, Presidency Plan To Use Shekau To Stop Buhari •APC Flagbearer Slated For Arrest
- See Story On Page 2
•(L-R) Mrs Rachel Ojimi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Mr Muftau Oluwadare; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Regional Integration and Special Duties, Elder Adelowo Adewumi and Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Justice Jide Falola during the public hearing on Ipetumodu and Asipa town’s communal sitting at Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding in Osogbo, State of Osun last Monday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
Osun Assembly Passes 2015 Budget Of - Pg 4 N201bn Osun TUC Dismisses Workers’ Strike Threats - Pg 5 Apprehension In UNIOSUN As Visitation Panel Commences- Pg 2 Sittings
Buhari Is Stronger Than Fayose - Amosun
- See Story On Page 5
osun Defender Thursday, February 26, 2015
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Presidential Election: How PDP, Presidency Plan To Use Shekau To Stop Buhari•APC Flagbearer Slated For Arrest By our reporter
that some PDP governors and leaders of the party are opposed to the latest plan of lying against Buhari, saying it might equally have a monumental backlash effect capable of further sinking the already plumetted popularity of the party in the eyes of discerning and rightthinking members of the society. A South-South governor and another controversial counterpart of his in the South-West are said to be the arrowhead of the PDP
task to stop Buhari. Information further revealed that the two governors have offered to fund and scout for a way of creating a scenario, where Buhari and Shekarau would engage in a conversation on Boko Haram activities. The said governors are said to have sent some of their agents abroad with a task to shop for where the illicit fabricated BuhariShekau conversations could be made possible. It would be recalled
that Governor Fayose o r ch es t rat ed a s t o ry on Sunday, which was published by many national newspapers on Monday, where he said categorically that he was sure that Buhari would not be the next President of this nation. The Stop-Buhari agenda, according to information, would be so crafted in such a way that the timing would be inauspicious for him to challenge the falsehood in the court of law. It would be recalled that
the military has owned up to have killed Shekau on he reason why the controversial Ekiti State T about two occasions. G o v e r n o r Ay o d e l e F a y o s e i s s a y i n g “The make-belief categorically that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Shekau, who may be presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari made to implicate the APC (rtd), will never be the next president of this country presidential candidate, has been exposed. is a prototype one, who Information at the with which to bribe the might be told to confess d i s p o s a l o f O S U N leadership of Christian under duress or hired for D E F E N D E R s h o w e d Association of Nigeria a fee,” the intelligence that the presidency and (CAN) in the Northern confirmed. the national leadership of part of the country and the Peoples Democratic their counterpart in the Party (PDP) are genuinely South, who would see worried by the superlative Buhari as anti-Christian, popularity of the Katsina- thereby withdrawing their born APC presidential support from him. candidate. It was further gathered It is based on this B u h a r i ’s u n c o m m o n popularity that both the presidency and the PDP’s top notchers met and unanimously agreed that the only way out for the PDP is to stop the political ambition of Buhari by hook and crook means. It was further gathered that the presidency could not know the reason why all the hate campaigns against the retired Army General presidential candidate are becoming counter-productive. It was learnt that a school of thought in the Buhari-Must-Be Stopped PDP agenda has come up with the arrest of the APC presidential candidate a week or two weeks to the March 28, 2010 presidential election. How to go about the planned Buhari arrest, information reveals, is for the military to intensify efforts on the pounding of Sambisa Forest in the •Lagos State governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (sitting at the centre) with the Eze Ndigbo members during their courtesy visit to the governor North-East where Shekau, to endorse and declare their support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Lagos State in the forthcoming general elections at the the leader of Boko Haram Lagos Government House, Marina. insurgents, is believed to be hibernating. According to the been in crisis for the By Kehinde ayantunji intelligence report at past few months over the disposal of OSUN He said: “The fear is instead, the inauguration the suspension of the VC DEFENDER, what here are fears within the management circle that the panel may go extra of the panel has stabilized and two other principal informed the latest officers by the governing of the Osun State University, as the visitation miles to unravel many the system. instruction to the military, panel constituted by the state governor, Ogbeni contentious issues outside He said: “It is the c o u n c i l o v e r a l l e g e d who are fighting the Rauf Aregbesola, commences sittings. the VC and Governing inauguration of the panel financial misappropriation insurgency in North-East Council Chairman power and abuse of office but The panel is headed four weeks to complete tussle, and the consequence that is stabilizing the the VC has dismissed the geo-political zone, to capture Abubakar Shekau by Professor Adebiyi i t s j o b , i s c u r r e n t l y is that heads may roll after system now. In the last allegations and described months, the university alive is to make Shekau D a r a m o l a , V i c e receiving memoranda from the panel sitting, which two has been driving towards the suspension as illegal. or his look-alike to make C h a n c e l l o r, F e d e r a l concerned individuals may lead to re-organisation disintegration; anarchy According to Governor a f a l s e c o n f e s s i o n a l University of Technology, within and outside the within the council and the had already set in with the A r e g b e s o l a w h i l e statement that would Akure, as the Chairman; university management to management.” purported suspension of inaugurating the panel, “Part of the mandate of the VC.” portray Buhari as the Professor Jacob Ladipo; unravel the management he admonished them to principal sponsor of Boko Prof Omotoye Olorode and crisis in the university, the panel is to investigate investigate the basis of the W h e n c o n t a c t e d , Mr. Babatunde Adebayo which led to the alleged the smear relationship Haram activities. Chairman of Academic simmering crisis and the This false confession, are members with Mrs. suspension of the three between the students S t a f f U n i o n o f t h e misunderstanding between it was gathered, would be Oluwakemi Kolawole as principal officers, the and management with Universities, UNIOSUN the management and the VC, Registrar, Dr Julius reference to the recent Chapt er, Dr Ol useye council in the university, the basis on which Buhari secretary. Among the fears of Faniran, and the Bursar, crisis in Ikire Campus. Abiona, declined comment with a view to finding a might be arrested by the the stakeholders in the Mr Adebayo Lasis. These are issues outside on the matter, arguing that lasting solution. Federal Government- university are the terms The fear, according to the management crisis and it is before the panel. He equally tasked them c o n t r o l l e d s e c u r i t y of reference of the panel, officers, with a view to w h i c h i s b e y o n d t h e top management members the funny aspect of it is that He said: “I cannot speak to determine the roles of stopping his political supremacy battle between of the university, who members of staff are ready on the matter for now, as individuals and groups in anonymity, said: to volunteer information it is before a panel and the crisis, with a view to ambition or causing a the Vice Chancellor of pleaded “The fear of the people that will assist the panel.” we have forwarded our recommending appropriate d r a s t i c r e d u c t i o n i n the university, Professor is the possible changes in H o w e v e r, a n o t h e r steps to arrest the ugly Buhari’s popularity. B a s h i r O k e s i n a , a n d the nomenclature of the senior lecturer, who also submission to the panel as situation and prevent a a union. Therefore, it will Part of the scheme, the Governing Council university structures as at pleaded anonymity, said reoccurrence in the future. according to information, C h a i r m a n , P r o f e s s o r present, with the liberty of the apprehension is limited amount to prejudice. Let us allow the panel members is to make available, Gabriel Olawoyin. the panel to touch every to the top management and to do their job.” the sum of N4.5 billion The panel, which has sector in the university. council members, saying The university has
Apprehension In UNIOSUN As Visitation Panel Commences Sittings
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Osun Defender Thursday, February
2015 Polls: Jonathan’s Fund Divides Osun CAN
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By shina abubakar
governorship candidate in the last gubernatorial poll in the state. This move eventually created division within the body and the antiJonathan group is afraid that the latest move to buy the group could cause more serious damage,
hence, its resolve to ensure the body maintains its credibility. A source within the Christian body confided in OSUN DEFENDER that the level of corruption within the body is irritating because of its symbolism with religion;
hence, a group within it is seriously ready to make sure no one gets away with corrupt act under whatever circumstances. As at the time of filing this report, the state leadership of CAN is still expecting the arrival of its President.
he State of Osun Branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is set to be on collision over an alleged attempt by the President of the group, Pastor Oritsejafor, to infiltrate the religious body with President Goodluck Jonathan’s election fund. I n v e s t i g a t i o n s votes in favour of the PDP revealed that despite the noise raised by the bribery scandal against the religious body and denial by its leadership, the body is hell-bent on ensuring that it secures the vote of Christians for the President through the church leadership. The leadership of the state branch of CAN was said to be anticipating its own booty from the presidency, but a section of the state executive council were said to be opposed to receiving such goodies, saying the buildup to the August 9, 2014 governorship poll in the state had done enough damage to the body. It was gathered that the leadership of CAN in the country had reached out to the state CAN that it would be coming around to discuss issues bothering on the welfare of the body, but the medium learnt that the main purpose of the visit is to bring the state’s •Warehouse of Ayegbaju Market in Osogbo built by the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola. share of the president booty. Findings showed that a section of the state Idowu also stated that he Independent National Electoral CAN is poised for a According to him, Commission has said that the number of card readers would be ad hoc workers for the showdown with the propeople that have collected their Permanent deployed in 152,031 e l e c t i o n s ( e x c l u d i n g Jonathan group on the polling units across the INEC members of staff ground that such move is Voter Cards has risen to 52,419,495. country during the March and returning officers) are capable of dragging the T h e C h i e f P r e s s said that 52,275,367 28 and April 11 elections, about 684,000. integrity of the group in the mud, considering the Secretary to the INEC people had collected their adding that INEC had He explained that the much noise the fund had Chairman, Mr. Kayode PVCs out of 68,833,476 procured 26,000 extra card scheduled training for readers. Idowu, who stated this in registered voters. generated. the ad hoc members of “Card readers will staff ended February 12 It would be recalled a chat with newsmen in Responding to questions that the state CAN was Abuja on Sunday, said the from journalists, Idowu be deployed at 152,031 in readiness for February alleged of being induced figure represented 76.15 said: “The update I have voting points, but the 14, the initial date for the w i t h m o n e y b y t h e per cent of 68,833,476 with me now is for February commission also has more presidential elections. Presidency in a view to registered voters. 18 and it is 52,419,495 than 26,000 spares,” he Idowu reiterated that campaigning and sway said. INEC had on Tuesday (76.15 percent).” because the elections had been rescheduled, there would be more extensive trainings, especially on the card readers. By Kazeem Mohammed According to the figures pupils with balanced diet are rich or poor, there released by INEC on he Osun Elementary School Feeding and de-worming them had should be no barrier for Tuesday, Nasarawa State Programme (O’Meal) has swelled up the enhanced their Intelligent everybody to send his or led other states in terms number of enrolment into public schools Quotient and health status. her children to schools. “All the elementary There should also be of the PVCs collection across the state. with 96.29 per cent of T h e P e r m a n e n t children and wards for schools are benefitting access to allow everybody the 1,196,583 registered to enrol children into Secretary, Osun State basic education and the f r o m t h e O ’ M e a l voters having their cards. U n i v e r s a l B a s i c assurance of feeding them programme and it covers school. Coming second is “These principles are E d u c a t i o n B o a r d with balanced diet, more what we used to know as Gombe State, where 95.05 (SUBEB), Alhaji Fatai school-age children have Primary 1 to 4. The beauty being met by government public Notice and it has assited us in of it is that whether you Kolawole, stated this in been taking off the streets. This is to inform According to him, are in the urban centers or the effectiveness of the a chat with journalists, embers of the saying the idea was to t h e p r o g r a m m e h a s the remotest village in the government commitment m public that ghasali to basic education,” he ensure that children eat eliminated the issue of state, you will still be fed. a b d u ll a h i “Since the inception added. healthy food in schools at not having children in k i nk u n m i , i s Kolawole then noted a their tender age, to make schools, saying the issue of this programme, we the same person that inspite the challenges them intellectually sound that the government is have had increase in the a s a b d u ll a h i and make education addressing was to ensure enrolment into public of fund being faced, the ghasali. All former government is determined documents remain valid. that the children are schools. attractive to them. “Basic education in the to forge ahead. Osun State Polytechnic, He noted that with the properly taught when in country is about access Iree and general public sensitization of parents school. should take note. and equity. Whether you The feeding of the on the need to enroll their
Meanwhile, some anti-bribery groups in the body were not fully carried along on the modalities of the arrival of the President, but they were said to have been at alert to know what would go down within its house.
Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
76.15 Per Cent Of PVCs Now Collected – INEC
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How O’MEAL Increased Elementary School Enrolment
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per cent of the 1,120, 023 voters had collected theirs. Jigawa State came third with 93.20 per cent of the 1,831,276 voters receiving their PVCs as of Monday. Jigawa and Katsina came fourth and fifth respectively. While the percentage of the registered voters who have collected their PVCs in Jigawa stood at 93.20 per cent from 1,831,276 registered voters, that of Kastina was put at 92.68 per cent. This figure indicated that 2,620,829 of the 2,827,943 voters had collected their PVCs. Coming from the rear is Ogun State, where only 40 per cent of the registered voters had so far collected their PVCs.
public Notice This is to inform members of the public that hassan kafilat adejoke, is the same person as hassan kafilat F e y i n t ol a . A l l former documents remain valid. OSCOTECH and general public should take note.
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osun Defender Thursday, February
APC Demands Independent Probe Of Ekiti Rigging Tape
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he national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has renewed its call for a thorough probe of the Ekiti rigging tape that was recently released by an Army Captain, who recorded the audio tape, saying it is wrong for anyone to label the tape a fake without a forensic investigation. In a statement issued because of the alleged role the in Lagos on Sunday by its military played in the whole National Publicity Secretary, rigging scenario, and against Lai Mohammed, the party said the background of the court the issues exposed by the tape rulings against the deployment are too grievous to be swept of troops for elections. under the carpet or dismissed “If the government officials on the basis of nothing but and politicians, whose voices gross partisanship. were heard on the tape are not It said the investigation interested in clearing their is particularly necessary
names, what about the military institution that was dragged into the show of shame? Has the integrity of the military not been compromised by the alleged role of a General and hundreds of his troops in the rigging saga?” APC queried. The party said the inconsistency of the Federal Government’s response to the whole saga has exposed its underbelly and made it more urgent for a forensic investigation of the tape to be carried out. “First, those whose voices
were heard on the tape rushed to deny there wasn’t any such meeting. Later, after they were confronted with a preponderance of evidence, they started owning up one by one, starting with Police Affairs Minister Jelili Adesiyan, then Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro and then Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose, even though they all denied the meeting was about rigging. Of course Nigerians know better. “But these men, on the basis of their initial denial, are no
longer credible, as far as the rigging tape is concerned, hence it is necessary to have an independent investigation of the whole issue,” it said. APC also said that while President Goodluck Jonathan had rushed to dismiss the authenticity of the tape, telling the Wall Street Journal: “It’s all fabrications,” his campaign spokesman, Femi Fani-Kayode said the exact opposite: “We have listened to the audio clip and we make bold to say that the discussion that took place in it did not
Jonathan Plans To Unleash Suffering On Nigerians Ahead Of Polls By SHINA ABUBAKAR
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presidency, so that the PDP flooded with Jonathan/ lans have been revealed on modalities President of the votes it eventually would deploy food items Sambo rice, breads and Goodluck Jonathan intends to use to win votes across scored during the August 9, and cash to the people, as have begun distributing it the states of the federation. a means of winning their to some electorate, while 2014 governorship poll. The President’s campaign successful in Osun and The current situation votes like it did in Osun funds are said to have started organisation is said to be Ekiti States, particularly, across the country, where during the governorship to be deployed to some states through the PDP pushing for the Ekiti and Osun, where the PDP never people complain of hunger poll. Osun states approach to thought it would score half is in line with the plan of the Already, some states governorship candidates. the presidential poll, hence, in the North have been the serious push for poll postponement from its initial date of February 14 to March 28 and April 11 By Oluwadamil ola Adedates. its style of operation. Findings revealed that being attended to is unethical woman, who was just delivered of a new-born baby, the Presidency initially “Henceforth, bills would and may not go down well was reported to have absconded with her child from be charged and paid into thought it has the goodwill the maternity ward of a very popular private hospital’s account before with the affected patients. to win votes in so many He urged the Director of regions in the country, but hospital at Agunbelewo Area of Osogbo, State of Osun attending to the patients.” the hospital to reconsider capital, recently. was taken aback by its Reacting on the new the decision, considering popular rejection among This was disclosed by couple had planned to get policy, Mr. Idowu, a relative the economic situation in the electorate and it realised the matron on duty when away without paying for the of one of the patients on the country. there is need for change of t h e i n c i d e n t o c c u r r e d baby’s delivery and this had admission, lamented that strategy. on Wednesday, 18th of made the hospital to change paying hospital bills before The medium gathered February. that the poll shift would According to her, the allow the presidency to mop up funds from the polity and couple had registered at create a hungry atmosphere the hospital for pre-natal N201,740,360,700 to By kazeem mohammed among the masses, who care and after the baby cater for the omission of would in turn be eager to was delivered, the husband he State of Osun House of Assembly has the salaries of the Middle pretended to go back home get any kind of gift during passed the 2015 Appropriation Bill of N201 School teachers to the tune the poll to vote for such with a basket containing billion into law. the baby’s clothes, in an of N4,428,591,350, which candidate. The bill was passed at o v e r t h e r e v i e w a n d was omitted when the I t w a s l e a r n t t h a t attempt to get other required the plenary on Tuesday adjustment of the estimate. estimate was being drafted. weeks before the poll, the materials at home. It was disclosed that the following a motion moved The recurrent presidency is willing to The budget estimate deploy funds and stomach woman and her baby were to by the Chairman, House of N197,082,191,560, expenditure in the passed infrastructure to the states be discharged by 5.00pm on Committee on Finance and christened: “Budget of budget is N90,614,061,690, to buy over the conscience the said day, but she took the Appropriation, Honourable Renewed Hope,” was representing 44.9 per of voters to ensure that if the baby and ran away without Kamil Oyedele. presented to the House on cent, while the capital President did not win in state paying the hospital bill. expenditure stands Earlier, the House had December 23, 2014. While responding on dissolved to the Committee perceived to be anti-PDP, he a t N 111 , 1 2 6 , 2 9 9 , 0 1 0 In the course of the would, at least, score 25 per the incidence, a nurse in o f S u p p l y a n d m a d e review of the budget representing 55.1 of the the hospital, who spoke on cent votes. necessary amendment in estimate, the Assembly total budget. According to findings, condition of anonymity, the bill in connection with adjusted it upward to The passed budget is the style was found to be said it was obvious that the the report of the committee expected to the forwarded
Woman Absconds With Baby From Hospital •Bill Not Paid
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make any mention of any form of rigging in the Ekiti State governorship election and neither did it contain any evidence of any conspiracy to rig.” “Can anyone listen to a non-existent audio tape? This confusion in the government circles is the clearest indication yet that they were so panicked by the revelation that they could not fashion out a coherent response to it, hence the discordant notes by the major culprits and their ‘Oga’ at the top! “We sympathize with them, but we are more worried about the effect this revelation will have on a respectable national institution like the military, which was dragged into the rigging mess. This is why even the military itself must carry out its own investigation. “If an Army General could be so bullied into submission by political partisans, to the point where he said he will cry, what will they not do to any other military officer or men? Does this whole rigging saga not call into question the role of the military in elections?” the party further queried. It however vowed not to allow the issue to be swept under the carpet in the interest of the nation, and commended the media and indeed all Nigerians for sustaining the discourse on the rigging tape.
Osun Assembly Passes 2015 Budget Of N201bn
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•Aje International Market in Osogbo built by the administration of Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as captured by our cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, last Tuesday.
to the governor for his assent. Speaking on the upward adjustment of the budget, Oyedele said the increase was necessary because when the estimate was being drafted by the State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), the salaries of the Middle School teachers were omitted. He said it was in the process of scrutinising the estimate that the discovery was made, saying the effectiveness and vigilance of the House led to the discovery. The Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam, charged ministries and agencies of government to ensure effective implementation of the budget for the benefit of the people of the state. He said the House deliberately sped up action on the budget due to its commitment to the development of the state, saying the state parliament would not treat with kid gloves whoever treats the budget with levity. Commending members for their commitment in handling issues relating to the development of the state, he charged them not to relent.
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osun Defender Thursday, February
•Speaker, State of Osun House of Assembly, Honourable Najeem Salaam (sitting at the centre) with other members and clerks of the House during their sitting on deliberation on State of Osun water sector bill, at the House of Assembly in Osogbo recently. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI.
Buhari Is Stronger Than Fayose - Amosun
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he Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle the UK, said he had to man that we met together Amosun, has berated the Ekiti State struggle to catch up with with Tony Blair. We left governor, Ayodele Fayose, for his continuous the 72-year-old retired the place and we went scathing remarks about the health status of the All General, despite his own to about five different Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj. age of 57. places. The man is hale Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.), saying Buhari is He said: “Even because and hearty. stronger than Fayose. of the way I walk, it’s like “Even when we went He said this on Monday while speaking with catching up with him. For to Ben Television, I told “For your information, his age, maybe because of him ‘you can’t follow me, journalists after meeting with 705 community General Muhammadu his military background. you have to go home’. He development associations Buhari is even stronger It’s like seeing Baba was willing, he was ready and cooperative societies than the character that is Obasanjo too and say even in the cold. The man was walking round.” in the state at the June 12 saying the man is weak; he’s old. “This is the man that He further berated the Cultural Centre, Kuto, maybe because of the military background.” is very agile; we are even ruling party for going Abeokuta. Amosun, who was part telling him that you have viral on the internet Fayose’s recent remarks came on the heels of the of Buhari’s entourage to to slow down. This is the with falsehood, on the purported visit of Buhari ongoing visit by the APC presidential candidate to the United Kingdom, where he met former Senior Civil Servant By Kehinde ayantunji Britain’s Prime Minister, Association of Nigeria, Tony Blair, among other he Chairman of Trade Union Congress State of Osun branch, engagements. (TUC) in the State of Osun, Comrade C o m r a d e A k i n y e m i The Ekiti State Francis Adetunji, has dismissed the Olatunji, had on Sunday governor had alleged that ultimatum given by Senior Civil Servants’ i s s u e d a s e v e n - d a y Buhari had gone for a Association to government, saying such notice is ultimatum to look into check-up on his alleged not in line with labour laws. their demands or face failing health, instead of Adetunji reiterated that union had been resolved industrial action. a working visit as claimed the state government had by the state government. According to Olatunji, by the APC. part of their demands explained to workers all The Chairman of the include prompt payment However, Amosun said the factors responsible it was not in the character for its inability to pay of the Yoruba to wish workers’ salary as at when due, while he urged anyone dead. By Francis EZEDIUNO He said:”It’s a big workers in the state to shame from the quarters be considerate in their esidents of Osogbo, the State of Osun where the allegation came demands. capital, have expressed readiness for the He said with the current from. We are Yoruba. March and April 2015 general elections in “There is an unwritten economy challenges, the the country. rule: t’aba n ja, bi ti ka workers are expected They also expressed registered. ku ko (Even if we are to engage government delight that there has been Most of the people quarelling, it is not to justifiably and watch them remarkable improvement interviewed disclosed that closely to ensure that wish each other dead). welfare are not i n t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n they had collected their “Even in this instance, workers’ in any way compromised. and collection of the PVCs and only waiting we are not fighting. We The labour leader said Permanent Voter Cards for the set aside day for want to represent our this while reacting to (PVCs). the election. people. How can a sane the seven-day ultimatum Mr. Adedayo According to people person wish somebody strike notice issued by w h o s p o k e w i t h t h e Thomas, Mrs. Deborah else dead. It is a disgrace the Senior Civil Servant medium, majority of them A n i m a s h a u n , S t e l l a to our race as Yoruba for Association. had collected their PVCs Njoku, Bamidele Asimiyu somebody to be wishing He noted that most of from the local government all testified that they had another person dead. the issues raised by the council areas where they collected their PVCs and
to a London hospital. He added, “You can see the photoshop they are using; they are saying a lot of rubbish. This is not politics. It is descending to an abysmal level and I think all lovers of democracy and all lovers of humanity should caution them. “Politics shouldn’t be like this; saying that he (Buhari) has three months to live. They are just talking rubbish. “Politics will finish.
Where would they be when you begin to talk this rubbish? I think it’s a shame and I think they are descending to a level that is unheard of, that negates reasonableness and good thinking. It’s against our tradition as Yoruba.”
Osun TUC Dismisses Workers’ Strike Threats
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o f w o r k e r s ’ s a l a r y, promotion of workers and review of contributory pension scheme, saying non-payment of their salaries in the past four months had subjected workers to untold hardship, while pensioners were suffering in silence. He stressed that
government did not show enough commitment to the welfare of workers, hence the need for the union to give government a seven-day ultimatum before embarking on a three-day warning strike thereafter.
were ready to perform their civic duties. Asimiyu and Adedayo stated that they now had an expanded knowledge of the workings of the card reader adding that when put to use, the device would elimnate any form of irregularities that would hitherto had been perpetrated by the politicians. “Due to the level of awareness INEC put into the collection of the PVCs, there is confidence that many members of of the
electorate now know how to use the card reader. “We now know that INEC did not mean any harm by its introduction of these machines. In fact, it is going to make elections easier and fraud-proof.” They however charged INEC to embark on more voters’ education programmes in order to make it easier for more would-be voters to understand that the 2015 general elections would be different from previous ones held in the country.
Nigerians Declare Readiness For General Elec tions
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osun Defender Thursday, February
Nigerians Ascribe Credible Polls As Ingredient Of Democracy
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By Francis EZEDIUNO
ne of the ingredients of entrenching democracy in Nigeria has been described as the conduct of a free, fair and credible election that will be seen by all as meeting the standards. Accordingly, the nation’s electoral umpire, the Independent National who spoke to OSUN Electoral Commission DEFENDER recently on (INEC), has a sacred the possibility of INEC duty to the electorate in conducting a free and fair election. ensuring that. “The possibility of an This was the assertion election coming up on ascribed to by a cross March 28 and April 11 section of Nigerians is not in doubt, just as
the commission’s boss, Professor Attahiru Jega, has declared. “We should not forget that on many occasions, he has stated that he is ready to conduct the election, but that the security agencies also have a role to play.” In her own submission, Mrs. Abosede Adeshina stated that conducting a free and fair election is only possible if INEC is truly independent and if
the security agencies are impartial. She observed that both the Osun and Ekiti elections were declared as free and fair and the Federal Government did not interfere in the outcome. She also maintained that in as much as the president does not have any hidden agenda, what he said about May 29 will come to pass. Others, whose opinions were sought, urged the
politicians not to see the contest as one of do or die, but rather it should be one where bitterness would be made away with. They charged the Federal Government to follow the provisions of the Electoral Act and guarantee that every electoral official, material and election results will be safe. On the military action in the North-East, the Goodluck Jonathan administration was criticised for allowing the problem to spiral out of hand before thinking of proffering a solution to it. “The Federal Government should have done well to take care of Boko Haram in the NorthEast before allowing INEC
to choose an election date. “Jega was even at the National Assembly last week to assure Nigerians that the election will hold as planned, let us believe him and see what he will do.” The unavailability of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) was observed to be another problem that would stand in the way of a smooth electoral process, even as some individuals and groups were calling for the commission to allow the use of the temporary voters card with some even heading to the court of law to protest the use of the PVCs.
Nigerians Blast NOA For Non-voters’ Sensitisation
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•Osun Waste Management Agency (OWMA) members of staff performing their duty at Estate area of Osogbo, State of Osun, last Tuesday. Photo: GBENGA ADENIYI
OSUN DEFENDER Back Online As Reactions Trail Shut Down By Ismaeel Uthman
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he online version of OSUN DEFENDER newspaper is back, few days after the website, www.osundefender.org was hacked and shut down by hackers suspected to be working for the presidency. Hackers believed be acting the directive of the Presidency had, fewtodays the on suspected presidency ago, introduced malicious agents, as people expressed content into the web root of fear over the freedom of the the website to hack it and shut press. it down eventually. A media practitioner, However, ICT experts of Mr Adelani Baderinwa, in the OSUN DEFENDER an interview with OSUN have restored the website DEFENDER on Tuesday and all its historical contents, in Osogbo stated that the describing the shutdown as shutdown of the website was a challenge to further secure an attack on the Nigerian the site and improve on its press, irrespective of who contents. did it. Reactions have since Baderinwa said that the c o n t i n u e d t o t r a i l t h e only reason why the website shutdown of the website by was shutdown was either the
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content was offensive to the presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) or it was seen as an opposition newspaper website. He maintained that without consulting oracle, the presidency and the PDP were not innocent of the shutdown, adding that several attempts had been made by the presidency to silent the press in the past. Baderinwa recalled the deployment of soldiers in some states to mop a specific edition of some newspapers believed to contain stories t h a t w e r e o ff e n s i v e t o the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in June 2014. The former Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Bisi Akande stressed that the shutdown of OSUN DEFENDER website brought to the fore the intolerance attitude of the presidency. He, however, enjoined workers of the medium to see the attack as a compliment of their services to disseminate accurate exclusive information, which the presidency and the PDP do not want people to know. An ICT expert, Engineer Remi Omowaiye, said that OSUN DEFENDER website is a prominent newspaper site, where millions of people get to know what is happening in Nigeria. According to Omowaiye,
the website is one of the major sources of information for Nigerians abroad and that most of its contents were what the PDP and the presidency do not want in the public domain. Omowaiye stated that with the traffic of the website and volume of comments on its contents, the website enjoys some levels of dominance in Nigeria. He said that it takes a team of ICT guru with access to sophisticated applications to hack into the medium’s website and eventually shut it down. He maintained that the attack on the website was a move to silent OSUN DEFENDER and block people from having access to it. “Considering the traffic a n d c o n t e n t o f O SU N DEFENDER website, there is no doubt the PDP and the presidency could have it shutdown. Both the hard copy and the online version of the newspaper have become the voice of the opposition in Nigeria,” he said.
By Francis EZEDIUNO
hose in the know have joined the league of Nigerians criticising the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for not effectively educating the populace on the much-anticipated 2015 general elections. Among those calling on Adeniyi Kehinde, “anytime the Director-General of I switch on my television or NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri, to radio set, any information create effective means of I get about the election disseminating messages is usually from the state to educate the electorate t e l e v i s i o n a n d r a d i o on how to go about during stations. the election was a popular “I do not even know journalist and blogger, whether NOA is still very Chris Kehinde Nwandu. much of an orientation T h e c e l e b r a t e d agency. Even when the journalist accused the election date was postponed, NOA DG of neglecting his it was from friends that I primary responsibilities heard and the only reason of effectively educating for the postponement that the people on election I know about was Boko matters, which is the Haram insurgency. most important for this Meanwhile, some of the period and concentrating people interviewed were of on being the Chairman of the opinion that the voters’ the National Information education in Osun is better C e n t r e c h a r g e d w i t h compared to other states disseminating information due to the interest of the on the face-off between the state government in the Nigerian military and Boko political development of its Haram. According to him, the citizens. They argued that they Federal Government has been in a running battle had not seen the input of e with the dreaded sect for agency in terms of voters’ some years now and Omeri education but rather it was did not deem it fit to work the Independent National during the period but it’s Electoral Commission funny that he had decided to ( I N E C ) t h r o u g h i t s take full responsibility for education directorate that spearheading the agency’s was educating the people. handling the distribution of They accused NOA relief materials to displaced of neglecting its duty people and daily feeding of educating the people us with information on the o n p u b l i c - o r i e n t e d ongoing military action. programmes and focusing “To me, the issue of on disaster management and informing and educating disseminating information Nigerians on the coming on Boko Haram both of e l e c t i o n i s t h e m o s t which have bodies saddled important for now and with the responsibility of anything about Boko Haram should best be left handling such. Meanwhile, attempts to to the military authority.” get officials of NOA, Osun In Osun, the case seem to be the same, as people to counter the allegation w h o s p o k e t o O SU N proved futile, as they DEFENDER disclosed declined to speak except that the education needed given clearance from the to sensitise Nigerians on headquarters in Abuja. the part of NOA was below standard. According to Mrs.
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osun Defender Thursday, February
Security Agencies and the Elections democratic ethos.
Continued from pg1
For example the Ekiti-gate tapes revealing the compromising of key operators in the security network has not helped. It throws up a dilemma. This relates to perception. And it induces a lack of trust. For the security agencies are not supposed to be involved in what is actually a perversion of the electoral law of the country. In addition the problem is further compounded by bringing the Army into the policing of the electoral process. This is not just wrong, it is dangerous for a democracy especially one without deep roots and one that is hobbled by weak institutions. Incontrovertibly, the police force must carry out the security functions on election day. To do otherwise is to undermine both civil society and the base of the
Let us also remember the warning of the Greek philosopher Socrates who centuries ago admonished that ` a soldier who goes into politics has already lost his honour`. He is absolutely correct! Like the judiciary the Army is the last line of defense of the republic. Like Caesar`s wife they must be transparently above board. Everything has to be done to protect both institutions and their operational independence and effectiveness. The military top brass also have to keep the politicians at arms length. This is crucial in order to maintain the professionalism of the Armed Forces. Immersion of the top echelon of the Armed forces into partisan politics undermines this and should be discouraged at all cost. The coming elections are a litmus test for our democracy. Therefore
I
It is apparent that the Federal Government has suddenly found itself in a bind with plummeting crude oil prices in the international market, but typical of a team that lacks capacity for anticipatory actions, the Federal Government
has been running from pillar to post in a vain bid to stabilize the economy. Unfortunately, all conceived palliatives applied to save the n a t i o n ’s d e c l i n i n g economic indicators have merely scrapped the surface of the
problems, leaving the mass of Nigerians desperate, confused and hungrier. With external debt standing at more than $10 billion and our internal debts at more than $50 billion, it is without doubt that
President Jonathan is driving Nigeria into economic wilderness. This should be a cause for concern for all wellmeaning Nigerians, more so when the Federal Government responses to these rising economic challenges have, at best, been
We therefore insist that our police must be neutral, impartial and uncompromising; being the main institution at the center stage of policing the elections. This is the role they are expected to play according to the constitution. This has now been validated by the Courts and we should accept it as such. For those who are clamouring for the involvement of the Army clearly have an antidemocratic agenda. And that not so well hidden agenda must be exposed in order to nip it in the bud. This is because the logical conclusion of `involvement`
For 16 years after the restoration of democracy we should not continue to describe our democracy as `nascent`. This is actually insulting. Ghana today does not refer to its democracy as such. On the contrary the country is now deservedly held up as a beacon of democracy. In that admirable country an incumbent central government losing an election and voluntarily giving
Jonathan Driving Nigeria Into Economic Wilderness
t is crystal clear that our revenues are dwindling by the day and if we must survive, we cannot continue on this path of near absence o f a c c o u n t a b i l i t y, mismanagement, outright waste and jamboree that has characterised the management of public resources under the Jonathan-led PDP government. We can assure the mass of Nigerian people that help is on the way. We know that an APC-controlled Federal Government will obviously inherit a huge debt profile and an empty treasury from this PDP Federal Government. We are confident of turning the situation around.
up power is now pretty much routine. We ought to be in the same league with Ghana, Republic of South Africa and so on. Other African countries are also following the same trend. That we are not, is very disturbing!
in the scheme of things, the honour of the Security agencies and the need to be above politics must be held. The entire gamut of Nigerian life must be professionalised. The professionalisation of the security agencies is crucial in this respect. To compromise will be to endanger the very basis of our democracy. This is why unruly, anti- professionals such as Joseph Mba must be frowned upon. He in particular, represents a dangerous tendency which is incompatible with the ethos of democratic governance. It must be stopped!
casual. Emblematic of this casual, non-profound approach to the management of the national economy is the Central Bank of Nigeria’s devaluation of the national currency in November 2014, while retaining the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS). D r a m a t i c a l l y, just under three months after that devaluation, the CBN, obviously buffeted by unanticipated dynamics in the foreign exchange market, announced the closure of the RDAS and the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS). This shows clearly an uncoordinated template
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osun Defender Thursday, February
How The Tribunal Made Nonsense Of Omisore’s Petition (9)
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IFELODUN LOCALGOVERNMENT his Local Government has 9 wards and the Petitioners have pleaded malpractices in the conduct of the election in all the wards in the Local Government. Five witnesses have testified in proof of these alleged malpractices in these wards. These are PW13, PW14, PW16, PW17 and PW29. PW13 – Ganiyu Bashir Akani was the ward collation agent of the 2nd Petitioner at ward 1 collation centre. PW14 – Fashola Adebayo Mukaila was the 2nd Petitioner’s ward collation agent at ward 03. PW16, Adebisi Gbolagabe was the Local Government Collation agent for the Local Government . PW17 – Onedokun Wasil Olaitan was the collation agent at ward 04, while PW29 – Lawal Falilu was the polling agent at Ojaoke/Ojaoke unit 004 of ward 1. The sworn deposition of PW13 is on pages 1539 – 1541 of Vol.IV of the petition. His evidence is based on the information he gathered personally and from the reports he received from the agents in the various polling units in the ward. His evidence is that election in the polling units was conducted improperly by the 3rd Respondent and this affected the outcome of the election. While he has testified that there was intimidation and harassment of voters especially PDP supporters’ he did not mention anybody who was so harassed, intimidated and prevented from voting. Nobody has also testified from that ward as having been harassed, intimidated and prevented from voting. He has also not mentioned any eligible voter from his ward that was prevented from voting as testified by him. No unqualified person who was allowed to vote has also been mentioned by him. Under cross-examination he said he does not know the unqualified voters as they came from Lagos. Asked how he knew that they came from Lagos, he said they were speaking “Lagos”. He testified that the entries on forms EC 8A and EC 8B from the polling units in this ward are irreconcilable and unreliable. Exhibit 194 pages 1 – 5 are forms EC 8A for the ward while Exhibit 169 is form EC 8B from the ward. He confirmed that these are the forms EC 8A he received from his agents at the conclusion of the election. While there are 8 units in the ward and he testified that all the agents in the 8 units submitted their results to him, no explanation has been given why only 5 out of the 8 are before the Tribunal. He also confirmed that all the agents signed the results. As at the date he made his deposition on 28/8/14 he had received the results and reports from all the agents within the ward, he was therefore in a position to state the actual number of legitimate votes the 2nd Respondent got from the ward. It is therefore not acceptable for him to simply allege that votes were arbitrarily allocated to the 1st and 2nd Respondents without given details. He testified that there were cases of over-voting in this ward. Under crossexamination, he said he cannot remember cases of over-voting. Over voting is a matter which should be apparent on the documents relied upon by the Petitioners. He said multiple voting is apparent in unit 3 of Exhibit 194. Clearly multiple voting cannot be apparent on a result form like Exhibit 194. He testified that many people voted by proxy. It is however not his evidence that such persons if any, only voted for 1st and 2ndRespondents. According to him, at Okeiroko ST/Baptist Day School, Ikirun, polling unit 001 there are discrepancies in the entries made on form EC 8A. Interestingly this was where he voted. Yet no details of such discrepancies have been pointed out in his statement. As stated earlier, he had access to this form EC 8A as at the time he made his statement. And none has been pointed out to the Tribunal. PW29 was the polling agent at unit 004 of this ward – that is Ajaoke/Ajaoke unit 004. He mentioned in paragraphs 5 and 15 of his deposition some people as those who were freely campaigning and sharing money to voters, and also intimidating PDP voters
•aregbesola By Ibrahim Lawal on election day. Asked if he made a report to that effect to the police, his response was in the negative. These are offences created under the Electoral Act and proof must be beyond reasonable doubt. No witness has testified before the Tribunal that he was induced in any way to vote for a candidate other than that of his/her choice. PW29 testified that he was prevented by INEC Officials from witnessing the accreditation exercise insisting that he brings a letter of introduction from INEC. That he reported this development to his ward collation officer who could not however resolve the matter. PW13 who was his ward collation agent did not however testify of any such incident having been reported to him. While PW29 testified that he was prevented from witnessing the counting process, he admits, under crossexamination to signing form EC 8A which is on page 3 of Exhibit 194. He did not say he was forced or threatened to sign the result. He did not also point out the discrepancies he said there are in the scores in his unit. The evidence of PW14 is found on pages 1569 – 1571 of Vol.IV of the petition. He was the collation agent at ward 03 ie Owode Ikirun ward 003. He testified that he received the results from all the agents in the 9 polling units within the ward and he analyzed all these results before he made his statement. Yet he did not give specific details of where there was over voting, multiple voting, voting by proxy, intimidation, arbitral allocation of votes, disenfranchisement and voting by ineligible voters and so on as testified to by him. His complaints as regards specific units relate mostly to none stamping of form EC 8A. He also testified to discrepancies on entries in form EC 8A in units 002 and 007. The forms EC 8A from this ward are contained on pages 13 – 18 of Exhibit 194. That is only 6 out of the 9 results are before the Tribunal. These are for units 001, 002, 006, 007, 008 and 009. Under crossexamination he was given these forms EC 8A to point out the alleged discrepancies and his response was “I cannot see clear to point out the irreconcilable differences
•omisore in Exhibit 194. I will need a calculator, glasses and biro to show the discrepancies in the documents.” These are the same results he said he analyzed before making his statement. PW16 was the Local Government collation agent for the 2ndPetitioner on the election day. His evidence is found in Vol.IV pages 1533 – 1538. His evidence is based on personal knowledge and from reports given to him by the agents from the wards and at the polling units. He identified Exhibit 224 as the result given to him by the agents. He also confirms signing it. He voted at unit 006 of ward 01 on the day of the election. He said when he got to the venue he was asked to check his name on the list pasted on the wall. He found his name on the list and so informed INEC Officials and they ticked his name. This is the process of accreditation embarked upon that day as testified to by most of Petitioners’ witnesses. This is contrary to his evidence and that of PW13, who was the ward agent, that there was no proper accreditation in this ward. He has chronicled the alleged malpractices in the various wards within the Local Government. Most of these relate to non stamping of form EC 8A, discrepancies in the entries in form EC 8A, number of voters exceeding 750, irreconcilable and mutilation of figures. He said on the election day, APC members and leaders were moving freely from one polling unit to another campaigning and distributing food, drinks and money to voters on the queue and urging them to vote for APC. It is also his evidence that canopies were mounted in all the polling units in the ward by APC members as a ploy to induce voters. That Petitioners’ agents were harassed and intimidated on the instruction of the 1st and 2ndRespondents. That all their complaints to the security officers were not acted upon. He said although the 2nd Petitioner won the election in 4 out of the 12 wards in the Local Government, he still has problems with all the wards in the Local Government. Of all the 105 polling units in this Local Government, he said he witnessed the voting and counting only in his unit where he voted. Under cross-examination, his testimony is that –
“For the accreditation, voting and counting in other units, I was told by the supervisors through handsets.” No such reports are before the Tribunal. His evidence concerning these issues in the various polling units in the wards therefore goes to no issue as they amount to inadmissible hearsay evidence. He was given Exhibit 209, forms EC 8B for the Local Government and asked to point out the discrepancies. His response was – “I cannot find any discrepancy on Exhibit 209,but there are things on it which I do not understand.” He also admits signing Exhibit 224 – form EC 8C for the Local Government. He said Exhibit 224 contains the results he received from the polling agents. It is not his evidence that he was forced to sign Exhibit 224, he cannot therefore seek to controvert the contents. The evidence of PW17 is on pages 1584 – 1586 of Vol.IV of the petition. He was the 2nd Petitioner’s collation agent in ward 04. Pages 19 – 25 of Exhibit 194 are copies of form EC 8A he received from the agents at the polling units in the ward after the election. All were duly signed by the agents. He testified that there was no proper accreditation. This fact did not however prevent him from voting. Although form EC 8B from this ward was signed, he said he was not the person that signed it. According to him he saw the form when he went to the collation centre at 10.30pm on the floor, already signed, and he picked it up. He admits that voting points were created in some units. After a careful review of the totality of the evidence of the 5 witnesses called from this Local Government, we do not find any evidence of non compliance with the relevant Electoral Law and the malpractices as alleged by the Petitioners, were clearly not established. Pages 94-99 of the Judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Elizabeth Nguveren Kpojime; Hon. Justice Vincent Igometi Ofesi and Hon. Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi on the 6th day of February, 2015.
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How The Tribunal Made Nonsense Of Omisore’s Petition (10) T I L ESHA EAST L O CA L GOVERNMENT. he Petitioners are complaining about irregularities in all the units of the 11 wards of this Local Government. They have however called only one witness from this Local Government – Joseph Temitope who testified as PW39. His sworn deposition is found on pages 1259 – 1261 of Vol.IV of the petition. He was the ward supervisor/ ward collation agent for the 2ndPetitioner at Ijoka ward 06 on the day of the election. Clearly he can only testify to what happened in his ward. There being no evidence in support of the pleading regarding the remaining 10 wards, they are deemed abandoned. We so hold. PW39, as a ward supervisor said he did not stay long at any one unit within the ward as he was going round attending to complaints from the agents in the unit. At the end of the election he collected the results from the agents. This is Exhibit 195 before the Tribunal. There are 8 units in this ward 06. The complaints in this ward, as others in other Local Government Areas is that entries made in forms EC 8A and EC 8B from the polling units are irreconcilable and unreliable. Eligible voters were unjustifiably disenfranchised while ineligible persons were allowed to vote in the polling units in the ward. Votes were arbitrarily allocated to the 1st and 2nd Respondents by agents of the 3rd Respondent. That there were cases of over-voting in some polling units. There was intimidation, harassment and molestation of Petitioners’ supporters by agents and supporters of the 1st and 2nd Respondents while the security agencies failed to do anything. The witness has in paragraph 7 of his sworn testimony listed the irregularities he discovered “from the reports and election results” he received from the PDP polling agents in his ward. Clearly therefore these alleged irregularities were not personally observed by him. No agent from any of the unit has come to testify before the Tribunal. Meanwhile his evidence is that all of them are alive. While he asserts that all the results in the various forms EC 8A are wrongly entered, he says he cannot produce the authentic result. He could not mention the names of those unregistered
•A cross section of All Progressives Congress (APC) lawyers jubilating at the court room after the declaration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola as the winner of August 9, 2014 governorship election in the State of Osun at the Election Petition Tribunal that sat at High Court, Osogbo, recently.
voters who voted, as according to him, he does not know them. He did not also examine the voters’ register as to know the registered voters. He could not also, under cross-examination when asked to do so, point out any irreconcilable and conflicting entries in Exhibit 195. The reason according to him is that “the entries thereon are not clear.” It is to be stated that these are the same results which he received from his agents and which formed the basis of his testimony. They suddenly became unclear. On the day of the election, he saw his name on the list pasted on the wall and he voted. He further testified under cross-examination that some PDP supporters were prevented from voting. He says he knows them very well as they all live in the same area and they are still alive. He did not mention any such person in his deposition. No such person has also testified before us. He testified that the total number of rejected votes on form EC 8B for the ward were arbitrarily filled without regard to the actual figures. Asked under crossexamination to state the actual figure, he said he does not know “as it’s a long time ago and I am not a computer.” Why did he not state the numbers in his statement which was made not long after the election and the forms were still at his disposal? He was given Exhibits 195 and 210 which are forms EC 8A and
EC 8B respectively for the Local Government and asked to point out the cases of over voting. He was unable to do so. Clearly the evidence of this witness has not proved any of the alleged irregularities in this Local Government. ILESHA WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT. ILESHA WEST Local Government Area has 10 wards. The Petitioners are challenging the results returned from all the polling units in the 10 wards. They have pleaded the alleged irregularities in all the 10 wards. They have however called only one witness from this Local Government. That is Ajala Adewale Oluseye who testified as PW42. His sworn testimony is on pages 1380 – 1382 of Vol.IV of the petition. He was the ward supervisor/ward collation agent for ward 09 – Ereja ward. There are 10 units in this ward. There being no evidence in respect of the remaining 9 wards in this Local Government, we hold that the complaints therein have been abandoned by the Petitioners. The only result from this ward is that from unit 002 which is page 17 of Exhibit 196. It has been signed by the agent of the Petitioners. The complaint as regards this ward in the petition is that at unit 002 – the number of registered voters exceeded 750 as prescribed by law. That forms EC 8A for units 003, 004, 005, and 008
were not stamped as required by law. These forms are however not before the Tribunal although the witness said he collected them from the agents. The only complaint from this ward before the Tribunal therefore is that concerning unit 002. PW42 testified in paragraph 6a of his sworn deposition that the number of registered voters at this unit exceeded 750. When asked to look at page 17 of Exhibit 196, he said the number of voters recorded therein is 276. This is contrary to his evidence that it exceeded 750. In paragraph 6c he testified that the 1127 votes assigned to the 1st and 2nd Respondents from the ward were not earned but arbitrarily awarded. When asked to state the correct votes scored by these Respondents from the ward he said, “I cannot state the correct scores for 1st and 2nd Respondent because I was chased away and I ran for my life.” Upon further cross-examination he said he used the form EC 8B to write his statement. The said form EC 8B is however not amongst the 4 sheets of forms EC 8B from this Local Government which are before the Tribunal as Exhibit 211. In this Local Government too, the Petitioners have not proved any irregularities or malpractices as alleged. Pages 99-101 of the judgment deliver ed by Hon. Justice Elizabeth Nguveren Kpojime
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A Revolution Long Foretold
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ellow Nigerians, no matter your faith or religion you’ll agree that there’s something spiritual about the current contradictions afflicting the ruling class in Nigeria. A few years ago, it would have been unthinkable that the almighty People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would be on the defensive in a major election year. Not when its powerful operatives had projected that it would reign and control Nigeria for a minimum of 50 years. But how the times have changed, sooner than later. The PDP is now fighting the battle of its life and desperately searching for an escape from a seemingly imminent massacre in the hands of its most daring foe to date, the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Presidential race has become such that even members and friends of Nigeria’s biggest political party would confess secretly that the war is virtually lost and won. As at last week however, a few members of the privilegentsia still lived in denial, under the illusion that the election would not hold and that there are options to be explored. One prominent member assured me that “all of us are thieves and most people at the top don’t want and can’t even contemplate a Buhari Presidency.” Another told me “I’m a Northerner and I can tell you that most Northern elites are opposed to Buhari’s ascendancy.” While I do not doubt the veracity of some of their postulations, I have always believed that there is a power bigger than all of us and that God, Allah, Olodumare, Chineke, or whatever name He’s called in your language, is the One and Only. It is true that since 2003, General Muhammadu Buhari has emerged as a recurring Presidential contestant beating previous contenders like The Owelle, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The full story of Buhari’s audacity of hope and tenacity of spirit would have to be told by historians, political scientists and eminent psychologists in the future. It will be a tale in the realm of thrillers. Not many of us anticipated that, a day like this would come again when, Nigerians would practically unite behind a man who once upon a time, carried so much negative baggage that we all treated him with disdain. I’ve read and heard of salacious tales of turning adversity into prosperity but this is indeed a classic in all ramifications. I would like to posit that the foundation for this miracle was laid by no other than PDP, a party that burnt many bridges and wasted its uncommon goodwill and humongous privileges. We must travel to the past in order to understand how we arrived at this junction of confusion. PDP was the biggest beneficiary of the protracted crisis that resulted from the annulment of our best election yet on June 12, 1993. Power was then auspiciously handed over to the usual conservative elements in Nigeria, offshoots of NPN and NRC, so to say. My theory at the time and till this day is that General Ibrahim Babangida was encouraged and actively supported by the Nigerian Mafia to kill the baby of June 12 right inside the labour room. This innocent kid was just about to birth when they struck and its life was cruelly terminated. That was it! Since then, Nigeria has known no peace. What we’ve managed to enjoy are occasional flashes and sparks of hope but nothing tangible about moving our nation forward in the right direction. We watched in wonderment and amazement as our country waltzed from one demonic attack to another. For example, General Olusegun Obasanjo’s reign had a fair share of its own turbulence. Senate Presidents were changed like diapers. Governors were in suspended animation under the close watch of Nuhu Ribadu’s EFCC. A promising regime almost collapsed under the weight of a Third Term misadventure. Somehow, President Obasanjo survived the political volcano and promptly handed over power to a rather taciturn and sickly President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who seemed to have had some great vision but was handicapped by ill-health. The months leading to his demise were e highly suspenseful as those referred to as the cabal vanished into rarefied air with the terminally ill President. As always, many concerned Nigerians rose up stoutly to the occasion. The then Vice President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, was seen by many of us as an underdog and a pawn in the power game. Human rights activists and celebrities gathered and lined up the streets not because they believed that PDP would suddenly become a party that would care more about the people but to establish the rule of law and enforce the rights of man. This defence
•jonathan By DELE MOMODU of principle led to the emergence of President Jonathan in an acting capacity until the death of his boss was finally confirmed and publicly announced. The mileage accruable to President Jonathan was so massive and he enjoyed this till the election of 2011 which swept him to power in his own capacity. His Fresh Air campaign and the grass to grace trajectory resonated with most Nigerians at that time. But no sooner had Jonathan settled in than the tribal warlords moved in confidently and hijacked the President in the fashion of “he’s our son and it is our turn to enjoy power like other regions…” Thus a man who ought to have been the father of the nation was soon transfigured into an ethnic jingoist, inadvertently. He began to dress the part due, I am sure, to some experts who must have assured him that it would be better to portray his Ijaw nationhood through his mode of dressing. The President needed to concretely invest in infrastructural development for his people rather than turning a few guys into emergency billionaires. All it would have taken to build a mini-Dubai in the South South was the will and determination to resist the flights of fancy; reduce graft and profligacy, and work as if there is no second chance. But reverse was the case. What we have seen is nothing short of a monarchical Presidency, with exhibitionist proclivity. I seriously doubt if an average Niger Deltan can confidently say that his life is much better today than it was pre-Jonathan. Whatever support the President therefore enjoys today is plainly filial and no more. PDP and the President have been extremely lucky that Nigerians don’t ask for much from their leaders. I had tried in my own little corner on this page to write endless epistles to Dr. Jonathan. The whole idea was to advise and encourage him, at no cost, and warn him about a future that would creep in on him like a thief in the night. I have been around long enough to understand and appreciate the foibles of leadership as well as the sinful appurtenances of power. It would take plenty of prayers and loads of discipline to survive the temptations that strut and fret along the corridor of power. Nigeria is a country with too many needs in the midst of plenty. Our country is a paradox or an oxymoron of pain and luxury. A committed leader has to urgently shed off the toga of American-style Presidency and instantly embrace the quasi-revolutionary outlook of a Welfarist. As I repeatedly maintain, it is impossible to practise Capitalism without capital. This is the crux of the matter. Both opposition and ruling parties in Nigeria have to make up their minds about their business-
as-usual attitudes or let loose the wrath of the masses on the country one of these days. I’m certain that we are at our ‘Last Chance Saloon’ of having a bloodless revolution if we can successfully manage the forthcoming elections. The popularity of Buhari is clearly evidence, and symptomatic, of a threat of revolution if we mismanage things as usual. I must say that this election has also brought out the best out of President Jonathan. The energy and resources he has pumped into this campaign should have been unleashed on the country upon attaining power. Now he’s looking very Nigerian by reflecting the fashion of different parts. He is now talking to Pastors and Imams unlike in the past when the impression was that he cared only about his Christian brethren. He has suddenly energised the military by attempting to achieve in six weeks what he couldn’t in many years. The North East has finally returned to Nigeria after what seemed a deliberate ostracisation by the President and his war commanders. The President is making promises that may now be difficult, if not impossible to fulfil in four years. What I see in all of the above is that the President has ostensibly realised what we have been talking about, that he has underperformed, that some of his closest aides have undermined him by engaging in “galloping corruption” (apologies to Christiane Amanpour), that some of the most advertised achievements of his administration are of the lowest quality at this time and age especially for a country as important as Nigeria… Yes, we can see the President working at frenetic pace in the hope that it is not too late to salvage whatever is left of his terribly decimated Presidency. The entire world seems to know that these are not the best of times for Dr Jonathan and indeed Nigeria. From editorials in The Economist, New York Times, and comments on CNN and Al Jazeera, the story is uniform that President Jonathan has lost substantial popularity to a former dictator. All those who wrote off General Buhari in the past (I was one of his most vociferous critics) now have no choice but to see him as a veritable option worth exploring. Such is life. The arrogance of a ruling party that could not keep its house in order has now spawned a spiralling movement across the nation. The poor have always seen Buhari as their friend and saviour. What has finally put a stamp of authority on it is the fact that even members of the comfortable class are now ready to embrace Buhari warts and all. No one is ready to provoke the poor further in Nigeria. We’ve already seen the effect of poverty in the way many idle youths are easily recruited for acts of terror. If they can find someone like Buhari who they fervently trust and adore, we
can hope for some reprieve from those children of anger. But if Buhari is patently and brazenly rigged out, we are at the risk of igniting a bigger conflagration. The other reason is that many of us now think we must practise democracy properly by demonstrating that no person or political party can condescendingly perpetuate itself in power when it is very obvious that it has not met our expectations. I offer the following advice to PDP, APC, INEC, Military, Eminent personalities, Nigerian Citizens, in that order. PDP - There is no question that as a party in power for so long, PDP may not wish to relinquish power but it must know nothing lasts forever. Please, try to run a clean race and leave the rest to the electorate. If you win, you will be applauded and if you fail but concede without rancour, the ovation will be louder. You have fought too many enemies lately and lost a multitude of friends in the process. Who knows, a man whose head has been chopped off may still try to puff some smoke! Nothing is impossible. But do not attempt to win through foul means. APC - My admonition to you is not too different. This is your best chance ever as a coalition of opposition forces. You have managed a formidable campaign against all odds and all polls put you beyond or at worst neck-to-neck with PDP. This is a great compliment to a new party. You have five more weeks to perform a miracle. You are closer than you know but try to avoid complacency and over-confidence. Please, encourage your members and supporters to eschew bitterness and violence no matter the degree of provocation. In particular, reach out to all peoples and groups. INEC - I watched the presentation of INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega at The Senate chamber a few days ago and was very impressed. With what I saw, nothing stops us from having near-perfect elections on March 28 and April 11, 2015. Between now and then, INEC should continue to train its personnel and educate the electorate. History will never forget your salutary efforts if these elections are concluded satisfactorily. Military - Our military and security forces are first and foremost Nigerians. Your loyalty, as you swore, should be to your nation and not any individual or political party. You’ve always performed wonders while on national and international assignments. I’m happy and reassured about your renewed determination to rid Nigeria of insurgents. Our prayers continue to be with you. There have been all manner of rumours that you may be used by politicians to scuttle the current democratic process. Thanks for coming out openly to deny this allegation. We shall all build a better Nigeria together. Eminent Personalities - Like your counterparts elsewhere you are always worried about safeguarding your personal interests but the time has come to put the nation first. Let’s give democracy a chance. Nigerian Citizen – It is your right and prerogative to want the candidate of your choice to win. However, once we exercise our right to vote, let’s keep calm even if things don’t go our way even if we think elections aren’t free and fair. There are many ways to seek legitimate redress. We should utilise those options. No matter who wins, it is certain Nigeria will never be the same.
•Culled from This Day
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Buhari: Many Attacks, More Support T he Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria states that a person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if : a. He is a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by birth; b. He has attained the age of forty years; c. He is a member of a political party and he is sponsored by that political party; and d. He has been educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent. The raging controversy over the educational qualification of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, is much uncalled for. Nigerians, who monitor political events, are daily realizing that the PDP has nothing meaningful to offer the people of this country again as they often magnify trivial issues about Buhari. The noise and time devoted by President Jonathan’s campaign organisation on the issue of Buhari’s educational qualification confirms the PDP’s lack of seriousness and fear of challenges from the opposition. If Chapter 6, part 1 Sec 1.31(d) of the Constitution states that a minimum requirement of at least school certificate or its equivalent is required of any aspiring Nigerian to be President of the country, the PDP should stop wasting our commonwealth they have illegitimately warehoused for this election. President Jonathan’s campaign organisation and the PDP need to be told that they are offending the sensibilities of Nigerians with the information they dish out and the huge amount being spent on press conferences and newspaper adverts for promotion of falsehood and distortion of facts in a bid to win at all cost the 2015 elections. The drafters of the Constitution must have envisaged different situations and scenarios that probably warranted the insertion of school certificate equivalent in the Constitution. Not only that, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) has shown to the world his secondary school statement of results with good grades, notable and respectable individuals in the society have come out to confirm they were secondary school mates. If what is in contention that is making the PDP doubt the educational qualification of Buhari is the presidency of this country, we may need to remind them that as a General of the Nigerian Army, he must have undergone series of courses, seminars and workshops within and outside the country, which place him far higher than a school certificate holder. Above all, the office is a familiar terrain to GMB as a former military
•buhari By Bashir Omolaja
governor, former minister and former Head of State. What other qualification do we require of such a person for the office of President? In some situations, age considerations could be misleading. President Jonathan, who is younger, is said to have performed poorly, according to reports, when compared to a far older former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa at the age of 76 and he will still forever be remembered, not only for his fight against apartheid, but for putting his country on the right track. Algerian President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who is an ex-military officer too, is 78 years old and his country is better managed by him. Once the constitutional age requirement is satisfied, the PDP should leave Nigerians to decide who to lead them. Whipping up unnecessary sentiments should stop, as Nigerians now know who will serve them better. The few selfish, disgruntled Niger Deltans, who threaten to wage war if President Jonathan does not win the March
election, need to be reminded that Nigeria is bigger than any individual. Nigerians are too sophisticated and cannot be stampeded into making unwise decisions. In 2010, when the late President Umaru Yar’Adua was indisposed and could no longer perform his functions, Nigerians rose up to the situation and did the needful to protect the Constitution. There were peaceful protests, interviews by individuals and civil society organisations and prominent among them was the Save Nigeria Group, an organisation led by Pastor Tunde Bakare. These pressure groups influenced the National Assembly to come up with the ‘doctrine of necessity’ which benefited the former Vice President Goodluck Jonathan who became the Acting President. In 2011, he eventually became the substantive President through the massive votes freely given to him by Nigerians. Where were the Tompolos and Asari Dokubos then? It’s alleged that these boys are agents of President Jonathan and this makes him to look the other way, whenever they issue threats . The Department of State Security Services (DSS), and the police too
shut their ears to their inflammatory statements because of ‘presidential cover’. The television documentary on the ‘wrongs’ of General Buhari as Military Head of State to sway Nigerians has made less meaning to Nigerians. The War Against Indiscipline (WAI ) introduced by his administration has done more good to us as a people. The documentary is said to be distasteful and has not won any support for the PDP because it’s believed that the worst of all the allegations are happening now under the leadership of President Jonathan if the likes of Asari Dokubo live like kings and walk freely, and several thousands of dollars is being flown out of the country in spite of the cashless policy introduced by the administration. On insurgency, it’s not far-fetched again that the Federal Government under President Jonathan has lost control and cannot stop the dreaded Boko Haram. The All Progressives Congress, APC, vice presidential candidate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has said: “General Muhammadu Buhari, if elected, will lead the war against the insurgents.”Shouldn’t we give him
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Public Hearing On Ipetumodu And Asipa Towns Communal Sitting At Centre For Black Culture And International Understanding, Osogbo, State Of Osun, Last Monday.
•A cross section of people at the sitting
•A cross section of traditional chiefs at the event.
•Another cross section of the people.
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An Abandoned Agunbelewo Road Project By Federal Government Of Nigeria As Captured By Our Cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, Last Tuesday.
•Agunbelewo road.
The Neglected Ojutu Bridge Along Ilobu/Ifon And Erin-Osun Road By The Federal Government Of Nigeria As Captured By Our Cameraman, GBENGA ADENIYI, Last Tuesday.
•The neglected Ojutu bridge.
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osun Defender Thursday, February
2015 Elections: Disfiguring The Public Face Of Religions
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umerous media reports h a v e s u r f a c e d indicating that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) got N7 billion to enlist pastors to endorse President Jonathan and campaign against the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress party, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, in the coming presidential election. The reports came in bits, and on the heels of an earlier allegation by the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amechi, who announced that President Jonathan had paid some pastors N6 billion to aid his bid to retain the office he is currently occupying. With the presidential election on the horizon, it is quite easy to conclude that politicians are ready to rekindle their primordial instincts and if one adds these allegations to the already established climate that favours, condones, glamorises and promotes corruption, the harmful consequences of the allegations become very clear. In this shameful time, political games in Aso Rock seem to be attracting more attention than political substance. Stung by the numerous media reports of the bribe, the CAN feebly denied receiving any billion of naira from the government to manage its campaign from the pulpit. However, past alleged involvement of the CAN president in botched arms deals and the apparent Faustian pact between the top echelon of CAN and the
•jega By Disu Kamor
presidency are permanent highlights of Pastor Oritsejafor’s tenure at CAN. Leaving aside CAN’s feeble denial, the aggressive and blistering rhetoric of some pastors, who are using all dubious ploys to confound their members are recognizable strategy of thinlyveiled desperation of politicians that are quickly approaching their “use-by” date. There is something fundamentally perverse about these so-called “men of God” romping with politicians who best epitomize the unchecked gangersterism. They not only disfigure the public face of religion, their very utterances and acts betray the values and principles that divine religions call to. And the alternative to this way is clear and well-trodden by other men of God, who have historically made important sacrifices to sublime causes. In the first of the “Conscience of America” series, a man was cited in 1957 by the Gallop Poll, as one of the most admired religious leaders in the world. This same man was selected in 1957 by Time Magazine as one of the ten outstanding personalities of the year. His citations, more than seventy-five in number, include the fact that he was ranked as one of the sixteen world leaders, who contributed most to the advancement of freedom
•buhari
in the Year 1959. This was a poll conducted by Link Magazine of New Delhi, India. This great man was Rev Martin Luther King Jr. In addition to his regular duties as copastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr King was an activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He chose a different path, one that is less-travelled by those who call themselves men of God today, but who are nothing more than demagogues that have built their reputation on political games. While religious leaders like Dr King used the pulpit to advance the cause of honesty, freedom, impartiality and openness, while leaders like him engaged in difficult struggles to bring peace through justice to fellow human beings, who may not be known to them personally, others use the same pulpit to abuse these same values and devalue Dr King legacies. However, the desperate politicians’ nemesis seem to be the Nigerian voters, especially young adults, who take their democratic responsibilities seriously. This increasing politically active and informed constituency expect candidates to earn their trust through knowledge, sincerity and intellect, not due to some association to any religious leader or religion. Some have asked the question: “Why the fuss about a N6 billion (or N7 billion), when there have been
countless reports of missing billions in living memory. The one word that comes to mind is corruption. Corruption of epic proportions! But these corruption and allegations will not cease until enough Nigerians take control of the democratic process, expose any flaw in the election security, and demand real election reform that will include demilitarization of the electoral process and freedom from external interference. As the 2015 elections approach, Nigerians need the discipline of self-introspection to get it right this time. We need to engage in the serious analysis of our thoughts, ideas, feelings and actions. We must awake to the fact that no politician is corrupt for our sake or because of any religion, but in spite of it. As such, we must commit to work hard to elect only exemplary social leaders who, through their love for people and social competence, would be able to bring a sea change to turn our current challenges into opportunities. Our search for leaders that have excelled in knowledge, skills and character must be done together, irrespective of our faith, or lack of it. It is time that we amplify the voice of reason and show preference for candidates that set out clear understanding of important issues, define the roadmap to bring about measurable improvements and enrich our
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Tackling HIV/AIDS Pandemic H IV stands for ‘Human ImmuneDeficiency Virus’ – ‘human’ because the virus causes disease only in people; ‘immunodeficiency’ because the immune system, which normally protects a person from disease becomes weak; ‘virus’ because like all viruses, HIV is a small organism that infects living things and uses them to make copies of itself. HIV causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Youths represent the most vulnerable group to the core of HIV/ AIDS. No nation can underestimate the magnitude and seriousness of this problem. More so, when the twin problem of drug abuse has combined with HIV/AIDs to cause aggravated and more devastating harm on the young ones. A research finding showed that over 40 million people were living with HIV/ AIDS worldwide; Sub-Saharan Africa being the region worse affected by the epidemic with about 28 million cases. While human deaths due to HIV/AIDS worldwide have increased to over 3 million approximately, 2.3 million of these occur in sub-Saharan African alone. AIDS is the number one cause of death of 50 percent of people in their teens. AIDS is reported to have killed more people than all the soldiers killed in the major wars of the last century. All agencies at the forefront of combating this problem deserve support. Collective efforts, skills, abilities and commitment to forgoing viable partnership seem to be the tools required to achieve the envisaged goals of drastically reducing the ever-increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS particularly in the continent. Slavery as an institution was established in the 19th century as the world moved towards recognising the rights of all human beings to lead a life of freedom and dignity. Unfortunately, certain persons are still glued to the unethical practise by luring young men and women into depravity and social degeneration. There was a time two first ladies in Nigeria championed the cause of rehabilitating young girls, who were repatriated from Italy, where they had been compelled to practice commercial sex. Tragically, most of the returnees tested positive to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. This is one fact of the ugly trade in human beings. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has attained frightening proportions in the continent. There is the need to equally jointly engage in vigorous research for coast effective solutions
By A.S. ASAJU
as well as search for new techniques for controlling its spread. As beneficiaries of history, Africans know and they saw and are living witnesses to the horrors of slave trade. Today, malaria and HIV/ AIDS have combined to pluck the best and the youths of the continent. The AIDS pandemic continues to ravage the population of SubSaharan Africa and is seen as a threat to productivity and development. The incidence of the disease in Nigeria is at an all time high with an estimated 2.6 million Nigerians already infected. Governments should intensify sponsorships of awareness and enlightenment campaigns on HIV/AIDS, the development of instructions materials as preparatory efforts towards the integration of HIV/ AIDS awareness into the curricula of secondary and primary schools. The National Action Committee on AIDS should intensify their actions. The government should also seek more support of multilateral financial institutions towards the fight against HIV/AIDS. I commend the various Heads of States, who have appropriately recognised the peril of HIV/AIDS and other related infections diseases, and resolved to use their continental organisation, the African Union to draw attention to this threat to the future of the people of the continent. Other statistics reveal further
that in less than twenty years, a staggering 11.8 million Africans have died from HIV/AIDS, almost three million of whom have been children; an estimated 34 million of Sub-Saharan Africans are currently infected with HIV virus, every five minutes some youngsters between the ages of 15 and 24 are being infected with HIV in Africa; in some African countries, as much as one out of every three persons is HIV positive, in some other African countries, a quarter of pregnant women are infected each year, and this statistic is expected to increase; at least one third of African babies born to HIV infected mothers will likely be unintentionally infected via prenatal transmission or breastfeeding; more than 90 percent of the world’s AIDS orphans live in Africa, and Africa has 80 percent of all AIDS deaths and 70 percent of all new HIV infections; HIV/AIDS has drastically cut the life expectancy in some African countries by more than thirty years in the hardest hit regions. What the continent has in hands is a pandemic out of control, which is gravely threatening the nation, the children and the future of the nation. Africa has become an endangered continent! Africa will live if it constrains HIV/AIDS. After a long period of neglect, the scale of attention, materially, scientifically and even morally that is being given to HIV/AIDS, is starting to rise to near the level that it requires. There is one frightful truth, which is that
HIV/AIDS does not respect sociocultural barriers, racial barriers, or national barriers. And for now, there is no cure for anyone infected with the HIV virus, though antiretroviral drugs can increasingly extend the life of those infected with the virus. Africa has watched the scale of this pandemic develop to the extent that some may even talk of AIDS being an African problem. Pundits have observed with serious concern that Africa has in no way benefitted proportionately from the resources that have gone into the global effort to combat the spread of the killer disease. Africans as a whole occupy the lowest rung of the poverty ladder, and African AIDS sufferers are made to feel that their march to the graveyard will be poor, nasty and particularly painful. At least, in comparison with AIDS sufferers in London, Paris, or Los Angeles, where affluence means less suffering and longer lives, if not relative comfort, provided by the products of medical science and research in these countries. I commend the breakthrough in accessing drugs manufactured for the treatment of AIDS in South Africa, and indeed for the whole world. I also commend actions by some major companies to provide their products on a no-profit basis to Africa. It is also gratifying that Nigeria recorded the beginning of a pilot project for the antiretroviral treatment of 10,000 AIDS sufferers, using drugs imported at affordable prices from India. I hope that the pharmaceutical industry of the developed world will be as open and as helpful for a dramatic scaling-up of anti-retroviral and other treatment throughout Africa. African leaders should be ready to do business with those who are ready to show compassion. Vaccines represent the best longterm hope for ending the AIDS epidemic. Africa has to commit the best science the world has to offer and this must be done in full and close partnership with African scientists and research institutions. Nigeria should not be left behind in this endeavour. But until an effective and affordable vaccine for HIV/AIDS is found, prevention and treatment are the only real options. To prevent contracting and the further spread of the HIV virus, the only weapons available are information, education and communication, all linked to treatment programmes for those already infected. Responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic requires the dissemination of information, to enable people protect themselves.
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osun Defender Thursday, February
Leadership And Accountability In Period Of Moral Crisis
On 15 May 1998, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) delivered the fourth annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture. That was three weeks before the death of General Sani Abacha and about four years before Buhari entered partisan politics. This speech was delivered almost 17 years ago, but for some few dated parts, it seems to define the essential Buhari and has so much resonance for the present. INTRODUCTION 1. Let me begin by paying tribute to the subject of this lecture: Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, by common consent the greatest Nigerian of his generation. His place in the Hall of Fame is safe for all time. May his soul rest in peace. This lecture is primarily a result of reflection rather than strenuous research. It is at once dedicated to the memory of the Sardauna and a modest contribution toward a solution to our problems of leadership. We are living in very trying times: dissatisfied with the present, and unsure of the future. As a result we desperately look to the past for meaning and succour. In all of human history, the past has frequently been a point of reference and a source of nostalgia. To many writers and historians in all ages and civilizations the past seemed good, noble, and great – the very embodiment of all contemporary aspirations. The very substance of the past – its images, its institutions, its artifacts, its exploits and the individuals who lived in it – were portrayed as larger than life. In other words, the stuff of legends. 2. Thus, for those who feel unequal to the stress of today, the past is a refuge in which present hopes can be kindled and recreated. But why should the past hold so much allurement for us? In part, the answer may be because there is so much going on today - poverty, corruption, indiscipline, greed and a glaring lack of accountability – that we recall and prefer the simplicity and sincerity of the past. In consequence we have, as a community, fallen short of our purpose; perhaps because we have never consciously defined and agreed on what that purpose is. 3. Whether it is the efficiency and effectiveness of the Native Authority system as compared to the rampant purposelessness of the present local governments; whether is the quality of our former educational system at the lower levels compared to its current deterioration at all levels or, the competence and integrity of the public service of the past compared to what is perceived today, it is the past that is being remembered with nostalgia. Indeed so pervasive is the concern about the failures of the present and the possibilities of the future that when Nigerians meet and talk about their country it is this nostalgia, the preoccupation with the past, that frequently dominates their discussions. It has in fact become the subject matter of much public and private discourse across the country. But not much comes from mere talk. Much more is required. Nigerians must liberate themselves from inaction and pious hope for a better future. The past, even the recent past, was no doubt great, but what have they made of the present? That’s the real issue. 4. Why is there so much greed, corruption and indiscipline in Nigeria today? Why are all the legacies of the past decaying and crumbling as a result of so much neglect and lack of care? These questions need answers. But they also point to one direction: the quality
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of leadership. 5. So serious is this inadequacy and so crucial has become the search for answers that if all the current pre-occupation is about nostalgia for the leadership of the past years and what that entailed, and the right effort is being made to rectify the situation, it may have been entirely justified. It is manifestly clear that there is today a dearth of leadership everywhere. And it is not just political leadership – spiritual, social, national and international – has deteriorated to the extent that in many countries, in place of the giants of yester-years the world has to tolerate and accept poor substitutes, pontificating over the affairs of nations. 6. Indeed, the social economic and political crises experienced locally and globally derive from this same lack of capable and visionary leadership that leads by precepts and with commitment to sacrifice and self-denial. 7. But besides the wrong-doing that prevents the country from getting the best in any situation, good leadership eludes Nigeria for other reasons. Some of these may be the result of our differences or the peculiarities of our history; and very often we are imprisoned more by their fears than by reason. Yet, imaginary or real, a prison is a prison and its walls are tough to break out of. Nevertheless, the new Nigeria we wish to nurture must break out of this prison shell. 8. Aspects of our history that have imprisoned us have included the
differences in the approach of our regions to independence; in which those who wanted a proper understanding and respect for our differences wanted caution while those who dreamt of uniformity advocated haste. Each had its own merit, but though we could live, as we have been able to do this far, with the aftermath of the former, it is debatable if we could have survived the after-effects of the latter. Yet this incident has continued to colour the view of some of us to see the advocates of delayed self-rule as reactionaries while in fact our very history has vindicated them as veritable visionaries. If we had gone the way of haste, we would have had early independence but whether our unity would have survived the numerous disintegrative forces that followed in its wake remains doubtful. 9. In addition to this, there is also the prison of tribalism and sectionalism that becloud the view and stop people from recognizing excellence if it doesn’t occur within their area. It is same mind set at work when a section or ethnic group is stigmatized using one pretext or the other. 10. Furthermore, Nigeria is full of paradoxes. While individual Nigerians may provide the best specimen of the most strongly-willed persons around, we nonetheless display unbelievable passiveness in the face of injustice. Society displays little opposition against wrong policies. Why is this? What is the reason for this apparent docility? What has happened to the
social and political conscience of the people of this country? What has happened to our people’s sense of justice and desire for choice? 11. Part of the answer is the grinding poverty which occupies people’s attention and allows them little time for the luxury of concern in bringing about changes. Individuals are busy trying to engineer one square meal a day. But it must have been clear to all governments that ruled this country that no reasonable growth and development statistically will have any meaning if nothing is done about the level of poverty the majority of the people of this country find themselves in today. 12. Nowadays, not only does the focus of economic development lie in the sense of growth indicating a higher standard of living; but the whole concept of the process of development today recognizes the primacy of human resource above every other factor. But, this human capital has to be planned for, nurtured, educated and trained for the role. 13. It is not mere large numbers of people, but a large number of highly skilled, motivated manpower which is the engine of progress. Without these attributes, a poverty-stricken populace, instead of helping push the engine of growth and development, constitutes a clog in the wheel. And in many ways, instead of helping growth, the poor who consumes but is unable to contribute proportionately easily becomes the cause for dragging the whole society down. 14. Without access to basic needs – primary healthcare, clean water and food, education and without purchasing power—the poor becomes easy prey to manipulation by the nation’s elite. Wrapped up in their exclusive isolation, the elite for example – technocratic, business, religious and traditional – give out divisive calls while the people suffer. This is not leadership to help raise the living standard of the generality of the population for a more balanced and saner society. I would like now, to look a little more closely at aspects of our society under the following random headings. These are by no means exhaustive because our problems involve more than the points enumerated and these are by no means mutually exclusive. I would like to touch on the Military, Politics and Politicians, Public Accountability, the Economy, Public Morality and Crisis Management. MILITARY 1. For much of the past three decades the military has been at the helm of affair in this country. Since the first coup d’état in January 1966, soldiers have taken over and, except for brief periods in late ’79 and early ‘80s, they have been the leaders of the land. During this period, the military has rendered notable service to the country. This was possible because by its training and virtual seclusion from society, Continued on page 17
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the military has been partly isolated from much of the divisive tendencies prevalent in the society. As a result, it possesses certain attributes which in the Nigerian context makes it best suited to preserve the unity of the country and to, as it were, impose unity upon a reluctant populace split by parochial elite interest. Even though today, with the benefit of hindsight, we realize that our experience of the military in government has been a mixed blessing, we must also acknowledge that the nature and importance of that service was such that it could only have been rendered by the military class. 2. The special attributes which the military possesses are: first, its special expertise, having received some of the best training available, and by virtue of which it controls the instruments of force – a fact that enables it to coerce society to obey its ruling. Second, its constitutional responsibility for the defence of the nation has inculcated in its members a measure of nationalist character and a national leadership not commonly seen in any professional group in the country. Third, its feeling of corporateness, its command structure and its espirit de corps have helped in gluing the cleavages created by crises and conflicts in the society and in charging it with a mission. 3. However, long after the job is done and finished with, the workman is still hanging out there in the fields. The military has accomplished a historic duty – the defence of the nation’s territorial integrity and ensuring the unity of people’s and sections of the country. The civilians are entitled to say: ‘’Well, Military, thank you. It is time you left the stage for democratic, electoral politics’’. However, it must be stated that none of the military governments came of their own volition. They were pushed, cajoled, encouraged and welcomed by the civilians, both those in active politics and out of it. Nonetheless, it is clear that a global consensus has emerged that democracy, however adapted, is the choice and any country or any institution within a country that rejects this does so at great risk of international isolation and abuse. Democracy does not take root easily, and is full of short-comings. But, it remains still the least evil of any form of government in our time. POLITICS AND POLITICIANS 1. Still, even after recognizing and accepting this worldwide democratic consensus, we must be clear about what it is we want. Certainly what we want is democracy not as an end but as a means to end, which, for us, is good governance, economic development and happiness for the greatest number of our people. Moreover, it must be democracy that lasts. There is need to have an attitude and a spirit inculcated in the people - leaders and followers alike. It means accepting and having in place the principle of one person, one vote; and the principle of the rule of law, before which everybody is equal; instituting freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and several other attributes. In addition, elections must be properly conducted and they must be demonstrably free and fair. In laying down the foundations of this type of
politicians enough time and chance to mature. And we unreasonably expected maturity from them while in fact they are political infants. One hopes that future leaders – military and civilian alike – will display a lot more maturity in handling the public trust given them.
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democracy, there are clear steps that must be followed. 2. First, people must be educated on the nature, demands and limits of democracy. Then, a credible electoral system must be put in place and allowed to work. What this boils down to is that people must be given freedom to choose and change the leadership according to the rules. 3. Unfortunately from our experience, many Nigerian politicians are not bothered about these fundamentals, principally because they are not true democrats; they are democrats of convenience – extolling the virtues of democracy when they campaign, rigging the election when they vote, crushing the opposition when they win, and betraying public trusts when they rule. That is no democracy; that’s the rule of the jungle, with the added burden of having to vote for it. Conversely, when they lose, politicians refuse to accept the verdicts and invite the military to return! 4. For our politicians and indeed for all of us there is an urgent need for a change of heart. If all professions, as the saying jocularly goes, are conspiracies against the laity, this is certainly more true of politics than other professions and more true with respect to Nigeria than other places. For, if the truth must be told, much of rulership in this country has been one long, shameful story of betrayal of trust. 5. If our politicians wish to be taken seriously then, they must follow laid down procedures, install and allow to operate a system of accountability and respect, the checks and balances designed to reduce their own excesses. In addition, in order to contend properly for power and keep the military and attendant instability at bay, politicians must unite and end the sad fragmentation that has rendered their class ineffectual and unable to avoid being tossed around
by the very class they wish to replace. 6. But it not the politicians alone who should beware. The truth today is that Nigerians are in danger of losing faith in both the military and the politicians. Salvation however clearly lies with democratic politics; but a drastic and total change of attitude and practice must be exhibited by politicians before people’s faith is restored in a democratic system. 7. Nigeria’s First Republic lasted five years three months before it was overthrown by the armed forces. Instead of seeking to correct the lapses seen, the soldiers decided to rule. If they had only sacked the government, that, in any case was performing relatively well, the story of democratic politics will have been different in the country today. But the Second Republic was even shorter – it lasted four years two months. Though it operated a different system from the ‘’Independence British’’ parliamentary model, the experience gained would have gone on to strengthen and improve the practice of partisan politics. Unfortunately, the American executive presidential system tried in the Second Republic didn’t prove better than the system jettisoned. The Second Republic was doomed from the start on account of incompetence, impatience with the new system which politicians were unwilling to nurture, failure to be fair, grossest corruption and near total indifference to the needs of the country. 8. The Third Republic never took off despite the costly and elaborate transition programme put in place to midwife it. The political class lacked the astuteness to alter the fait accompli put before them by the military. In 37 years of independence, Nigeria has had eight separate coups with ten different governments. On reflection, it is clear that we haven’t given our
PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY 1. It is an understatement to say that there has been a clear lack of accountability in the conduct of public affairs in this country. The public service, as the executive agency of the government of the day at its various levels wields enormous powers, where the government of the day allows it to function within the normal guidelines and regulations laid, and the activities of public officers affect everyone, but the public has virtually no knowledge or control over what they do in a regime when the public has no representatives in a legislature because a legislative assembly does not exist. With such ignorance and in the absence of legislative monitoring, control of public officers and ensuring accountability become impossible tasks for the public. Generally, however, it is well known that there is a lack of information about everything official. And availability of information for the asking is the first requirement in trying to establish a basis for accountability. 2. The public is entitled to know how choices were made on its behalf and be able to know what policies, activities and development projects are approved by the appropriate agency. In addition, they must have access to the estimates made for public expenditure and the actual incurred expenditure and in order to ensure that public officers are limited by approved estimates. 3. Even when all these transactions have been carried out lawfully, the public is entitled to demand that they must be properly kept in the appropriate books of account and independently audited and accounted for. Unfortunately, this has been done in the recent past. 4. The last time the annual financial account of the Federal Government were prepared and submitted for audit was, I understand, in 1980. And at the 1984 conference of AuditorsGeneral of the Federation and States’ Directors of Audit, it was revealed to the astonishment of no one that eleven states last submitted their annual accounts for audit in 1967! During the tenure of our government in 1984-85 we instituted a programme to update audited accounts and publish them. But this was soon washed away. 5. What all this means is that there is an overriding need today to subject relevant accounts to the scrutiny of auditors. Though there has not been much of auditing within the last decade or so, ostensibly because the accounts themselves are not been prepared, the lack of independence for the auditor severely limits what he can uncover or what query he can expect to have answered. And whether we like it or not if we really desire to see a positive change in public officers the audit department is one of the first places to put right. Let us do it before it is too late. 6. Over the years Nigeria has established the dubious reputation as Continued on page 18
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a place where nothing ever gets done until money changes hands, as a result of which it has become the country with one of the highest cost of contracts in the world. Projects executed in the country have been priced more than 300% above what obtains in other comparable developing countries. Within the country, construction contracts are routinely inflated several fold while, for supply contracts, mere inflation is nowadays not sufficient. Corrupt Nigerian public officials and unscrupulous supply contractors have devised the so-called zero-supply system in which a contract for supply is awarded; but, at the end, while supply is zero, payment has been made in full. The accounts have been cooked beyond the historic-cost-verifying knife of the auditor. Thus, 100% of approved estimates have gone into unapproved pockets; and the records show that everything is correct and proper. 7. This state of affairs presents the accountancy profession in Nigeria with a grave challenge. Our accountants must rise to the challenge. Certainly the true and fair view of the state of affairs which the accounts are supposed to reflect is not fiction. It is supposed to be the truth as seen on the ground, and not as figures or signatures on payment vouchers or in ledger books. They must audit reality and insist on not being satisfied with perusing fictional figures, or they will end up being accomplices in the crime of official thievery that is being committed daily against the people of this country. If there is Truth Accounting, we should begin to practice it. Our auditors must stop crowning embezzlement with toga of legality by saying these figures reflect truth and fairness when we know the money has been stolen. 8. With or without our accountants but better with their cooperation, we must insist on the concept of getting value for money. And whether new legislation will be required or a new accounting system has to evolve, the public has the right to demand to know the measure of the economy, the efficiency and the effectiveness with which public institutions operate. Of course, there are requirements to satisfy before value is got for money. 9. First, there is need for consistency in policy planning and clarity in stating policy objectives so that we always know what we are doing and why. This can only be done if we have a purposeful public service in place. No doubt recent events have badly dented the service, but these are not irreparable or irreversible. 10. The public service must be guided to its apolitical efficiency of yester-years. Restoration of the title of Permanent Secretary is a small but important step in return to normalcy as far as the Civil Service is concerned. 11. Besides permanence, the question to ask is whether the service is being readied for the great task before it. After receiving so much battering and the loss of its efficiency and integrity, there is the feeling that a lot must be done to revive it and make it relevant for Nigeria’s needs of the 21st century. Second, there is need to keep adequate and timely records of all events and transactions and make these generally available to the public so that we can always review performance against objective. Third, there is need for a
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greater selective involvement and use of management consultants so that project formulation and execution become speedier and more cost-effective. Fourth, we must create a more open, sane and deregulated system so that we can achieve efficiently without sacrificing national interest. Fifth, everybody here knows that no one will part with his hard-earned money for mere figures on a piece of paper, so why should the government? Thus, unless public trust is held with the same care, concern and attention with which with we hold our own property, getting public officers to be accountable will be an impossible task. 12. But if, as we always say, virtue is its own reward, lack of virtue in public officers has today become for this nation more than a punishment. Besides depriving the public of its resources and the benefits accruable as a result of them, lack of accountability has unleashed a chain reaction of repercussions that have in turn created their own special problems. 13. Today this lack of accountability has for instance helped to create wide distortions in income distribution throughout society. And because little is being done to the culprits, this has also fueled the scramble for appointments, especially to executive positions which, because of the same lack of accountability, enable their occupants to do much as they please. The mad rush for the presidency and the unending clamour for its rotation derive directly from the rich pickings which lack of accountability confers on it. This is a very serious matter which ought to be remedied. But more serious are going to be some of the longer-term aftereffects on the younger generation that did not know that at one time a system of accountability existed in this land. 14. It was lack of accountability that threatened to turn us into a nation of
arsonists torching down many public buildings in order to cover up some fraud or shady business. In the mid 70s the Federal Ministry of Education went up in flames; in 1983 the Nigeria External Telecommunication tower was burnt. I believe Ministry of External Affairs was also torched around this time! The Federal Capital Development Authority finance department followed suit in 1985, while the Ministry of Defence was burnt down in 1991. In between, so many finance and audit departments have been burnt down, but because of the extent of collision between those who will investigate and those who will order it and those who will approve the findings little ever gets done besides the thunderous rhetorics at the swearing-in of the investigation panels. 15. The prosperity which embezzlement and other fraudulent practices conferred, especially in the recent past, is a direct result of this failure to investigate and punish. In general, corruption and every aspect of the lack of accountability benefits from the fact that ours is a nation that doesn’t ask questions. But in some instances, there is no need to ask questions because the evidence talks louder than words. 16. Public officers controlling votes, awarding contract or belonging to task forces enforcing any kind of law are today lords unto themselves. They do as they please and generate revenues for themselves and their families, and they compete with each other in erecting mansions and indulging in conspicuous consumption – with money largely derived from public sources. 17. Moral absolutes that used to be the pegs on which our society’s values, norms and mores were anchored had by design and default been abandoned so
totally that one could, with justification, wonder whether it would ever prove possible to revive public morality. Neither the hold of religious precepts, nor the sanction of public shame, nor yet the eyes of society, the fear of the legal system’s many penalties nor even secular civic pride or the plain responsibility of being human would make people behave according to the rules and follow laid down procedure. 18. But when did the rot in our character actually start? At some point in time, certainly in the recent past, a materialist ethos seemed to have replaced all time-honoured values. It turned honest, hardworking, homely folk into creatures worshipping money. Almost everyone is today lying prostrate in prayer before the Temple of Materialism. Officialdom isn’t saying the truth if it says the polity is secular. Why? Everyone practices the religion of money in or out of office! It is as if some divine curse had been invoked on the country as thieving tendencies take control of the conscience of public officers, and a get-rich-quick mania seizes the imagination of the rest of our people. The leadership of our people that is supposed to be the refuge that would think out solutions introduced, perfected and christened the so-called Nigerian Factor, linking the name of the country for ever to corruption and instituting the culture of Settlement. It quickly became clear that almost every one had a price and it was paid. 19. Public officer behave as if both divine and secular laws were put in the statute books as mere sport. And with advertised impunity, those given trusts betrayed them, those given public offices abused them; and the majority of those given guardianship over any matter of significance compromises their positions. It has become so bad that it is looking as if there are hardly any honest people left. 20. At the same time, the culture of hypocrisy has also been perfected. Everybody, including those perpetrating fraud complain, as if the fraudulent practices that exist are committed by extra-terrestrials from outer space. 2 1 . Ye t , t h i s s o c i e t y t h a t i s complaining is one that should be squarely blamed. No other society to my knowledge tolerates such outrage, while our own positively encourages it. Nowhere else in the world can one find a society tolerating the theft of its precious resources in broad daylight with nothing happening to the thieves. A day in the office, as far as the general public is concerned, often means eight hours of converting public resources to private purses. Few societies seem to reward embezzlement with ‘’honours’’ as does our own. 22. Instead of putting rascals on trial we put them in position of leadership – in the communities, in the cities, in the states and in the whole country. Is it therefore any wonder that we are at this impasse – perplexed, bewildered and at a loss? A society that rewards criminal behaviour and applauds the display of a vicious mindset is yet to embark on the path of honour and reform of its affairs. Where we go from here depend on entirely what we make of the current situation. Are we going to arrest it or are we going to let it consume us? And what we choose here will determine what fate the country has To be contiunued
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Afenifere: Are They The Greedy Dogs? “Yea, they are greedy dogs which cannot have enough; and they are shepherds that cannot understand. They all look their way, everyone for his gain.” The above quote, taking from the book of Prophet Isaiah Chapter 54 vs 11, rightly described what the Yoruba group called Afenifere is today under the leadership of Fasoranti. The group, formed couple of years back, lost touch of decency and reality after the demise of Chief Abraham Adesanya, who also held sway after the death of Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin. These two gentlemen of blessed memory are still our role models and herders even in death. During their fruitful journey in Nigeria, they did not take side or irrational decisions as we are witnessing now. What again can we say about those men of valour? They were simply the best for the Yoruba race after the exit of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The Chief Fasoranti-led group becomes depleted immediately another faction named Afenifere Renewal Group emerged from the group. If your hopes, your peace and your happiness are dependant on anyone other than God, learn to detach. The way they condemned Buhari left much to desire. This singular behaviour had shown and exposed them as a bunch of men without decision of character, who can never be said to belong to themselves. They belong to whatever can make captive of them. To these self-styled elders of the Yoruba race, life has no meaning except it is heavily coded in money. Their slogan that “long life is irrelevant in the absence of money” is a testimony to this assertion. They are so addicted to Goodluck Jonathan to the extent that they can prostrate for him if, by chance he visits them. What a peculiar mess! The Afenifere Renewal Group and all the youthful generation coming behind these men should condemn them and renounce them as our leaders. The entire Yoruba race with their integrity so intact should avoid these set of elders, who are unhappy and unlucky, or else we die from their misery. Emotional states are as infectious as diseases. An average Yoruba man may feel
•The Late Pa Adekunle Ajasin By tunde esan
the leaders are helping him, such Yoruba man is only precipitating his own disaster. We, the younger generation should realize that we are the spur of ambition and risk. Youth is the juiciest part of human life. All efforts in human life that yield results in old age are made at youthful age. We must refuse to follow their footsteps because they will lead us astray. The Afeniferes should be aware that, whether they like it or not, that when change, we Yorubas and other progressives are clamouring for comes, all else give way because nothing, even a hundreds of thousands of them cannot stand in the way of progress. Things don’t get better by chance but by change. The entire Yoruba race should
close their faces in shame. Imagine 75-80 years old of Yoruba origin, who failed to realize that only a fool rushes to take side. Do not commit to any side or cause but yourself. By maintaining your independence, you become the master of others. This is just the reason why we, upcoming generation, love people like Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Babatunde Fashola, Rotimi Amaechi, Adam Oshiomhole to mention but a few. They are the “radicals” who are impeccably mannered and impressively credentialed. They are men of moral masculinity. These governors and other welltrained Yoruba youths have their intellects sparkle like diamond, while Afenifere smoulders like brown papers. We should refuse their baits and be wary of the group before
we all get polluted. They are easily aroused to envy. Instead of liaising with them for wisdom, we should hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than any member of the so-called group because he has more to prove. In actual fact, we have more to fear from Afenifere than from enemies. If anyone of us doesn’t have enemy, please find a way to make one. The Yoruba race consists of enlightened people. They don’t allow people (Afenifere) to determine the conclusion about their lives. This race believes that with their attitude to life, they believe in fluctuations because if life fluctuates, you live longer but if it doesn’t, they have to be very careful.
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U.S., Iran Positive After Nuclear Talks, Say Much Left To Do
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he United States made some progress in talks with Iran on its nuclear program and managed to “sharpen up some of the tough issues”, a senior U.S. official said on Monday, but both sides said much remained to be done. Negotiators from Iran capacity. “We have always said and six major powers agreed to resume talks we will have a one-year next Monday at a venue breakout time for a double to be decided, the official digit number of years and said, speaking after that remains the case,” the U.S. Secretary of State senior U.S. official said John Kerry and Foreign on Monday. Reflecting the technical Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held two-day nature of the latest talks, U.S. Energy Secretary talks in Geneva. Zarif told Iran’s Fars Ernest Moniz and Iran’s news agency: “We had atomic nuclear chief Ali serious talks with the Akbar Salehi took part. P5+1 representatives Helga Schmid, political •john Kerry and especially with the director of the European Americans in the past Union’s External Action divisions between the talks “dangerous” and three days ... But still Service, also attended. United States and one of “astonishing”. The United T h e a p p r o a c h i n g its closest allies, Israel, States has accused it of there is a long way to reach a final agreement.” deadline has caused which has called the distorting Washington’s A s K e r r y ’s p l a n e touched down in Washington later on Monday, a senior State Would-be jihadists would Department official said also face stiffer punishment Kerry and Zarif would under a draft intelligence bill meet again next week rench President Francois Hollande vowed to to be unveiled next month, and details were being introduce tougher penalties for “racist, anti-Semitic he said. The dinner was marked by or homophobic” remarks in the wake of last month’s worked out. the absence of the rector of militant attacks in Paris. The P5+1 group — the the Great Mosque of Paris, Speaking at an annual under criminal law rather than Dalil Boubakeur, outraged United States, Russia, dinner hosted by the country’s press laws.” China, Britain, France Jewish community, Hollande H o l l a n d e s a i d a n t i - over comments by a Jewish and Germany — are called for “faster, more Semitism should be treated as community leader, Roger blaming young seeking to negotiate an effective sanctions” against an aggravating circumstance Cukierman, Muslims for anti-Semitic in the prosecution of all agreement with Tehran hate speech and added: “I violence. to address concerns that want such speech to come offences. Iran is seeking nuclear weapons technology, something it denies. “These were very serious, useful and constructive discussions. ndonesia’s president said on Tuesday the planned would consider recalling its We have made some execution of 11 convicts on death row, most on drugs ambassador to Indonesia in charges, would not be delayed, warning foreign countries protest if the executions are progress but we still have not to intervene in his government’s right to use capital carried out. a long way to go. We Brazil and the Netherlands did very much sharpen punishment. have already withdrawn their President Joko Widodo Sukumaran, 33, and Andrew up some of the tough ambassadors after Indonesia has denied clemency to the Chan, 31, two members of issues so we can work despite repeated pleas the so-called Bali Nine group executed their citizens on drug to resolution,” the senior convicts from Australia, Brazil and of Australians, convicted in offences last month. U . S . a d m i n i s t r a t i o n France, who have citizens due 2005 as the ringleaders of a Brazil took the further official told reporters. to be executed by firing squad. plot to smuggle heroin out of step of refusing to allow Indonesia’s new ambassador Negotiators hope to “The first thing I need to say Indonesia. meet a self-imposed firmly is that there shouldn’t Other members of the group to take part in a credentials March 31 deadline for an be any intervention towards have been sentenced to long ceremony, prompting the Southeast Asian country to death penalty because prison terms. initial political deal, but the it is our sovereign right to recall him in protest. Australia, which has long the U.S. official said that exercise our law,” Widodo told Indonesia was also rehad rocky relations with its would not “make us rush reporters. evaluating the purchase northern neighbor, has said it to an agreement that does He said he took calls from of fighter jets and rocket not fulfill the objectives the leaders of France, Brazil that the president has and the Netherlands about the death penalty but made given to us.” no mention of Australia. Two The aim of ensuring Australians are among the 11 Iran does not acquire a on death row. nuclear weapon “has to The president did not say outh Korea and the United States will begin eight be met and that is not when the executions would be weeks of joint military drills starting March 2, carried out. about the deadline, it is military officials said on Tuesday, an annual Indonesia has harsh about the purpose”, the penalties for drug trafficking exercise that typically provokes heightened rhetoric and official said. and resumed executions in military threats from North Korea. Iran, which denies 2013 after a five-year gap. North Korea regularly the exercises. having any nuclear Shortly before Widodo p r o t e s t s t h e a n n u a l DPRK is short for w e a p o n s p r o g r a m , spoke, a court in Jakarta threw exercises, which it says are D e m o c r a t i c P e o p l e ’s hopes a deal will bring out an appeal by the two a rehearsal for war, and has Republic of Korea, the relief from international Australians against Widodo’s recently stepped up its own North’s official title. rejection of their request for sanctions. Tuesday’s statement by air, sea and ground military clemency. the joint U.S.-South Korean exercises, amid a period of “ B R E A K O U T ” presidential “We plan to appeal today’s increased tensions between Combined Forces Command CAPACITY court decision. We have two said the North Korean army Diplomats say the six weeks to file an appeal,” said the rival Koreas. “The whole course of Key had been informed of the major powers aim for a Todung Mulya Lubis, a lawyer Resolve and Foal Eagle is dates and “non-provocative deal lasting at least 10 for the two men. aimed to occupy the DPRK nature” of the exercises. “If the law is respected, the years under which Iran O n M o n d a y, N o r t h through preemptive strikes,” would need a year or execution should be postponed said an editorial in the ruling Korean leader Kim Jong until the legal process is over.” more to produce enough has been pursuing Workers’ Party newspaper, Un told his Korean People’s highly enriched uranium an Australia eleventh-hour campaign t h e R o d o n g S i n m u n , Army (KPA) commanders to for a single nuclear bomb, to save the lives of Myuran referring to the names for focus on “combat readiness” the so-called “breakout”
position. Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon said in a statement on
Monday: “The agreement with Iran as it is coming together now is a great danger to Western world peace and a threat to Israel’s security.” Ya’alon said the deal would permit Iran to be freed from current economic sanctions on it while continuing to enrich uranium. He called Iran “the most dangerous regime” and a central factor behind instability in the Middle East. Israel has the Middle E a s t ’s o n l y n u c l e a r arsenal and has threatened to attack Iran if it is not satisfied over plans for Tehran’s nuclear program.
French President Hollande Vows Stiffer Penalties For Hate Speech
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Cukierman said he “deeply r e g r e t t e d ” B o u b a k e u r ’s absence from the dinner, adding: “Jews and Muslims are all in the same boat and I hope that contact will swiftly be reestablished.” Since January’s attacks, in which 17 people were killed, including four Jews gunned down at a kosher supermarket in Paris, soldiers and police have been deployed outside synagogues and Jewish schools.
Indonesia Says Executions Won’t Be Delayed Despite Mercy Pleas
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launchers from Brazil because of the row, its Defence Ministry said. Tr a d e h a s y e t t o b e significantly affected by the dispute. Australia is a major trading partner of Indonesia, totaling $10.64 billion in bilateral exchanges last year. Indonesia is Australia’s largest export market for both live cattle and wheat, and a major buyer of its crude petroleum, aluminum and cotton. Trade between Indonesia and Brazil totaled $4.07 billion last year, according to Bank Indonesia. Indonesia’s largest trading partner is China with $48 billion between the two
Last month, the country’s main Jewish group said the number of anti-Semitic acts doubled in France during 2014, with acts involving physical violence leading the increase. France is home to Europe’s largest Jewish population, estimated to be between 500,000 and 600,000, as well as the continent’s largest Muslim population, estimated at around five million. French migration to Israel hit a record high last year of 6,600 people, and many believe the trend will accelerate. France is still on high alert following January’s shooting rampage by three jihadists who attacked the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine, the Jewish supermarket and police officers in a three-day campaign of terror. The attacks were the worst in France in decades. The violence in Paris and more recently in Copenhagen, where two people were shot dead in attacks on a cultural centre and a synagogue, has sparked fears of a major threat from radical Islamists.
US. South Korea To Start Military Drills Amid Tension With North
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this year, according to state media. In 2013, following its third nuclear test, North Korea declared the armistice agreement which ended the 1950-53 war as “invalid” in response to the exercises. The U.S. responded with long-range nuclear-capable B-2 bomber flights over the Korean peninsular in a show of force it said was designed to show U.S. ability to “conduct longrange, precision strikes quickly and at will”. Overtures for dialogue by both Koreas in recent months have stalled, with Pyongyang describing interKorean relations as “inching close to a catastrophe,” in a separate Rodong Sinmun article.
The annual U.S.-South Korean drills are divided into two phases: ‘Key Resolve’, which runs from March 2 to 13, and ‘Foal Eagle’, which runs from March 2 to April 24. ‘Key Resolve’ is a computer simulated command exercise; ‘Foal Eagle’ includes actual “ground, air, naval, and special operations,” field exercises, the statement said. “A chance for dialogue and (a) diplomatic solution (has) already been scuppered. What remains to be done is to militarily react to the U.S. while bolstering up war deterrence to the maximum,” Tuesday’s Rodong Sinmun editorial said.
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osun Defender Thursday, February
Teaching Jobs in an Islamic School based in Lagos, February 2015
Job Vacancies In Nigeria
RmaX Systems is a registered IT consultancy firm. We are into the business of Software Development, IT Trainings, Business Support and School Management Systems. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, outstanding, inspirational and student focused teachers to deliver high quality learning and teaching to college students in a reputable Islamic school located in Ikorodu, Along Shagam Road Lagos/Ogun State: Job Title: Further Maths Teacher Locations: Lagos and Ogun Responsibilities The candidate must ensure that he or she must : Design and mark assignments and examinations, conduct assessments for both internal and external monitoring purposes and external certification. Produce effective schemes of work, lesson plans and resources, including appropriate use of new and emerging technologies ensuring they are shared, inclusive, promote equality, engage with diversity and are activity based not teacher led Ensure compliance with all College policies, procedures and regulations Help students prepare for external and university entry exams, Excellent communication skill Outstanding teaching style and techniques. Act as a tutor to students, setting challenging targets, monitoring attendance, achievement and those at risk of non completion or progression to a positive outcome Implement innovative delivery of the curriculum, investigating alternative methods to encourage independent learning Qualifications Interested candidate must possess the following: Minimum of a B.Sc/HND/OND in any related Science, Engineering and Social Science Discipline Significant skills and knowledge of teaching Maths and a proven track record of achieving good results. Must reside in Ikorodu or Ogijo and other close areas to Ogijo. RmaX Systems is a registered IT consultancy firm. We are into the business of Software Development, IT Trainings, Business Support and School Management Systems. We are looking for an enthusiastic and inspiring teacher to teach full time in a well established Islamic Nursery and Primary school in Ikorodu Lagos respectively: Job Title: Social Studies and Physical & Health Education Teacher Location: Lagos Requirements Interested candidates must have: Must have a SSCE, Degree, NCE or OND in related field Must have a minimum of 1 year experience as a teacher. Excellent communication skills. Good analytical skills and methodical approach High levels of organisational skills Ability to cope under pressure and prioritise a busy and diverse workload to meet deadlines Job Title: Montessori English Language Teacher Location: Festac Lagos Requirements The candidate must ensure that he or she must: Design and mark assignments and examinations, conduct assessments for both internal and external monitoring purposes and external certification. Act as a tutor to students, setting challenging targets, monitoring attendance, achievement and those at risk of non completion or progression to a positive outcome Implement innovative delivery of the curriculum, investigating alternative methods to encourage independent learning Produce effective schemes of work, lesson plans and resources, including appropriate use of new and emerging technologies ensuring they are shared, inclusive, promote equality, engage with diversity and are activity based not teacher led Must be able to teach other related subjects. To help pupils develop critical-thinking abilities by gaining an understanding of mathematics concepts. Ensure compliance with all College policies, procedures and regulations and assist in the implementation of Excellent communication skill Outstanding teaching style and techniques. Qualifications Interested candidate must possess the following: Minimum of a B.Ed Early Childhood Education or B Ed in English Language. Significant skills and knowledge of teaching teaching in a well recognized Montessori school record of achieving good results for a minimum of 3 years. Having received a Montessori training will be a huge experience. Job Title: NCE Mathematics Teacher Location: Lagos Job Description Interested candidates should have a minimum of 1 year experience, which includes teaching practice. Must reside very close to the area. Job Title: Basic Tech and Agric Science Teacher Location: Lagos Requirements Interested candidates must have: Must have a Degree or HND or NCE in any Engineering and Science related discipline Must have a minimum of 1 year experience as a teacher. Excellent communication skills. Good analytical skills and methodical approach High levels of organisational skills Ability to cope under pressure and prioritise a busy and diverse workload to meet deadlines Must reside in Ikorodu Preferably Muslim How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV’s to: admin@rmaxsystems.com.ng Application Deadline 28th February, 2015. —————————————————————————————————————— Jobs in Port Harcourt for Marketing Executives at Padoserve Limited Padoserve Limited an indigenous company fully registered and incorporated by Corporate Affairs commission (CAC) , with RC Number 908901 on 27th August, 2010, is a major player in the Nigerian economy with main business focus in Customer service consulting, capacity building, Manpower development, logistics, contracts and supplies. Padoserve Limited is seeking for candidate to fill the position below: Job Title: Marketing Executive Location: Rivers Job Description Marketing Executives Urgently Needed, we are urgently in need of marketing executives to fill vacant positions in an ICT company. Interested applicants must have at least 3yrs experience of Marketing ICT products such as Laptops, Desktop, Tablets, accessories, PABX, CCTV equipment and Smartphones. He/she must be a goal getter, ready to exceed set target with little or no supervision. Requirements Interested applicant must have full IT knowledge, and must be a HND/B.Sc holder in Computer Science or any Social Science related course. He/she must have full knowledge of Port Harcourt market and it’s environ. Successful applicant must be ready to resume immediately. How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications to: consulting@padoserve.com Application Deadline 10th March, 2015. —————————————————————————————— Four Points Hotel is recruiting Graduates for its new branch in Ikot Ekpene City, Akwa Ibom State
Job Title: Food & Beverage Manager and Supervisor Location: Akwa Ibom Qualification Candidates with at least a Degree/Equivalent qualifications and experience within, the service industry would be seen as an advantage. Job Title: Sales and Marketing Manager Location: Akwa Ibom Qualification Candidates with at least a Degree/Equivalent qualifications and experience within, the service industry would be seen as an advantage. Job Title: Purchasing Manager Location: Akwa Ibom Qualification Candidates with at least a Degree/Equivalent qualifications and experience within, the service industry would be seen as an advantage. Job Title: Human Resources Officer Location: Akwa Ibom Qualification Candidates with at least a Degree/Equivalent qualifications and experience within, the service industry would be seen as an advantage. Job Title: Front Desk Location: Akwa Ibom Qualification Candidates with at least a Degree/Equivalent qualifications and experience within, the service industry would be seen as an advantage. Job Title: Account Officer Location: Akwa Ibom Qualification Candidates with at least a Degree/Equivalent qualifications and experience within, the service industry would be seen as an advantage. Job Title: Training Manager Location: Akwa Ibom Qualification Candidates with at least a Degree/Equivalent qualifications and experience within, the service industry would be seen as an advantage. Job Title: Laundry Manager Location: Akwa Ibom Qualification Candidates with at least a Degree/Equivalent qualifications and experience within, the service industry would be seen as an advantage. Job Title: Housekeeping Manager and Supervisor Location: Akwa Ibom Qualification Candidates with at least a Degree/Equivalent qualifications and experience within, the service industry would be seen as an advantage. How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should send their application and CV’s to: careers.ikotekpene@ fourpoints.com Note: There will be a strict screening process on all applications and successful candidates will be contacted for further assessment/interview. Application Deadline 31st March, 2015. ———————————————————————————————— GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Vacancy in Lagos for an Internal Audit Services Manager
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), one of the world’s leading research based pharmaceutical and health-care companies, is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. GSK employs over 97,000 employees in over 100 countries worldwide. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc is one of Africa’s largest consumer healthcare companies, producing leading brands such as Lucozade, Ribena, etc. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is recruiting to fill the below position: Job Title: Internal Audit Services Manager Job Code: WD24116 Location: Ilupeju, Lagos Functional Area: Governance, Ethics and Assurance Responsibilities Evaluate, advice and report on the processes by which significant risks are managed and the adequacy and effectiveness of systems of internal control with emphasis on financial, commercial and IT processes. Partner with other providers of assurance, senior stakeholders, and compliance groups to lead the continuous improvement of internal control framework Manage audit projects and activities Leveraging a risk-based approach, determine audit scope and identify risks and implications; develop audit programs, oversee the conduct of the audit and preparation of audit and supporting documentation using the end to end one audit methodology Perform data analytics procedures and systems back-end validation testing Conduct special studies or reviews at the request of management such as those required to discover mechanics of detected frauds or unusual trend in order to develop protective and detective controls Perform third-party compliance audits Own the process of self assessment questionnaire (SAQ) review Plan, develop and perform financial, operational and compliance risk based audits for all areas Track results of prior audits, identify audit themes across organizations and facilitate appropriate corrective action Assess and appraise business operations in order to provide Management with an evaluation of internal controls Assess Management’s level of compliance with established policies, procedures and standards, as well as the adequacy of internal controls within business and financial processes and operation People Management & Development: Establish policies and procedures to guide the audit staff and facilitate consistent, high quality outcomes and deliverables. Share knowledge and develop staff capabilities to strengthen understanding of industry, business and regulatory issues and Internal Audit best practices Client Relationship Management: Serve as a point of contact for audit business partners and stakeholders; assume overall responsibility for relationship management for specific business areas. Work with Compliance department team members to provide advice and assistance with regulatory matters. Requirements Bachelors degree in any field. Minimum of 5 - 7 years post qualification experience with background in audit and business partnering. Experience in the use of data analytics and systems audit. Experience of FMCG, Manufacturing or Big 4 Audit Experience. A recognized Accounting, Internal Control, IT Audit or Anti Fraud Specialist qualification (ACA, CIA, CISA, CFE) Performed work in various areas of a company and developed an advanced perspective of business operations. How to Apply Qualified and Interested candidate should:https://careers.peopleclick.com/careerscp/client_gsk/ external1931/jobDetails.do?functionName=getJobDetail&jobPostId=253657&localeCode=en-us
Four Points - An international Branded Hotel located in Ikot Ekpene City, Akwa Ibom State is due to open soon and is looking to employ suitably qualified candidate to fill the position below:
You can subscribe to Job Vacancies in Nigeria, Jobs in Nigeria via your e-mail: www.jobszilla.ng
politics
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osun Defender Thursday, February
Jonathan On The Cliffhanger
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r e sid e nt G o o d l u c k J o n a t h a n ’s s u s p e n s e f u l uncertain transitional government is gradually drawing to a close. His secret wish had been truncated. He expects Nigerians to simply reward his 6-year gutter government with another 4 years without election. It was a vain fancy gone awry! It was a sordid denuding piety of dreaming away one’s incompetence in governance. His rule has undoubtedly ended. But he has other tricks up on his sleeves. In primitive societies, authoritarian governments survive because a coalition of political and military elites stands ready and willing to employ violence to execute Machiavellian vision of politics. The scenario described above mirrors Mr Jonathan’s government and his propensity to perpetuate himself in power beyond 2015. He has been throwing several variables around to reinforce his fable hold on the governance of the nation. Corruption in his government has decimated the middle class, dampened the prospect of power generation, ruined production industries, brought education to the precipice and the nation to the edge. This version of on-your-face affront by Mr Jonathan’s disingenuous politics of self-sustaining gimmickry cannot be disregarded. Beginning from 2014 in Ekiti governorship election, Nigerian democracy became militarized with the overt intrusion of the security sector into the political arena; a process that reached its feverish peak before the August 9th Osun Governorship election. The electoral dimension of Mr Jonathan’s authoritarianism stems from the fact that his failed government fails to hold elections as constitutionally stipulated. He is searching for an avenue to legitimise his hold on power, so as to manipulate the elections for his own ends. To become a ruled-based democracy, the stated letter of the constitution must be followed. The reign of terror in Ekiti and Osun elections was possible because of the symbiosis between the PDP and the security sector, with Jonathan providing the glue that binds them together in pursuit of regime survival. The Ekiti and Osun elections heists marked glooming spots on the nation’s map of liberal democracy as practised in saner society. It has come to the open after linked tape of how military were used to rig Ekiti election that Nigerians, who were alarmed at the Ekiti and Osun elections infested with soldiers, police, DSS Civil Defence Corps, Niger Delta militant were not alarmists as claimed by the president and the PDP. Nigerian is a symptomatic of a militarised state that reflects a broader mindset on the part of the government. International communities, civil rights groups, and media outlets have expressed concern about the militarized role of the military in a democratic society, and even the Department of Justice has raised concerns about how to deal with the
•jonathan By Erasmus Ikhide
brutal force of the military towards unarmed citizens. Taking the long view, I can’t agree less that the militarised army is a reflection of the evolution of government towards a police state model. Although, the nation has witnessed brutal repression of political opponents since the Fourth Republic, which was deeply rooted in former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government, but this phenomenon evolved gradually after 2011 presidential election, which led to the death of many. Militarised of the nation’s politics reflects the convergence of hostile and desperate political groupings and the policy of the government at the centre, which has been striving to remain in power for a hundred years. Now, its new found fang has been to eliminate “potential political enemies as terrorists”. It’s interesting to know that in essence, the justice system has indicted the military, police, DSS and their blood-curdling cousins in a lawsuit brought before it in Kano by a group of concerned Nigerians. It’s interesting because the judgement came at a time the entire
justice system was stacked against political opponents or those perceived to be the enemies of the president or his political party. The drawbacks of the military naivety have been exposed, which misconstrues faithful service to the nation and its institutional structures, as the actual service to the government at the centre. The crises that attended both Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections should provoke protests from Nigerians, thereby prompting altruistic reform in our electoral body, its independence, and of course, towards attainment of free and fair election; devoid of manipulation of any kind. Mr Jonathan’s heavyhanded government has consistently used the state apparatus to suppress dissenting voices, break up protesting groups violently more than his predecessors. The goring scene in Ekiti, where the police shot an opposition protesting youth to death, where the military threatened to shoot Rotimi Amaechi, Adams Oshiomhole, both governors of the opposition party and others sympathetic to their cause is still fresh in our minds. The incident of Ayo Fayose, as the Governor-
in-waiting of Ekiti ordering the merciless beating of judges handling his eligibility case in Ado-Ekiti High Court has not dissipated. Mr Jonathan can resort to engaging military hostility, given the history of his failed government because under his watchful eye, the state has crushed opposition elements or co-opted their followers in some manner that invariably includes superficial reforms. Nigerians didn’t hold much hope for institutional change under President Jonathan with the culture of militarised elections in Nigeria. The subtle mass protests that attended Ekiti governorship election are not just about the frozen institutional structure steeped in military and police-state methods. It was obviously created by the PDP government. The civil rights groups actually came short of staving off the negative effects of military deployment in an election and the harm’s way such military engagement puts the nation and its toddling democracy. Such protests should have been vehemently designed to address social issues, election manipulation and violence, among others, regarding social justice. It is true that protests movements throughout Nigerian history have failed to change the status quo and there is no reason to be optimistic that the ones which led to the judgement in Kano court a few weeks ago will amount to anything. Nigerians are not in high spirit that their president will order the implementation of the court judgement. Neither do they expect a revolution if the Presidency used the military and other security apparatus to intimidate, manipulate and ultimately suppress Nigerians voices in the coming 2015 presidential election. The INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, has in the past faulted the deployment of soldiers, hooded security men during Ekiti and Osun elections, describing it as abhorrent in a democracy. Beside, he spoke of how an attempt to rig the Ogun State governorship failed. Describing the trend as “worrisome, he said masked men would not be allowed for next year’s general elections”, as he also accused the security men deployed in Osun State of being “overzealous”. Department of State Security (DSS) spokesperson, Marylyn Ogar, admitted that some of the DSS men deployed for the election wore hoods. There may not be sporadic uprisings in urban areas in Nigeria that will dethrone President Goodluck Jonathan overnight, but there will be popular protests that will continue for different reasons; all of them revolving around the issue of absence of social justice and popular democracy. However, the cumulative effect of the protests that is to come, if the military lend itself to wrongful uses, as it were in 2011, will lead to mass demonstrations with very serious consequences on the unity of the country. When the lives of the people are stagnated and the prospects of their
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Editorial From Other Newspapers
osun Defender Thursday, February 26,
Taming Mbu, Other Unruly Cops
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he recent behaviour of Joseph Mbu, an assistant inspector-general of police, has once again exposed the weaknesses of our national institutions. When a senior police officer takes to uttering threats to kill and incites his subordinates against the civil populace, the rot in our security system and in those entrusted with public safety emerges in bold relief. Apparently relishing the notoriety he has garnered in recent times, Mbu, in his latest posting as AIG Zone 2 - covering Lagos and Ogun states - was in his full, odious element when he visited the Ogun Police Command two weeks ago. Addressing officers and men in Abeokuta, the stat-e capital, ahead of the 2015 elections, he encouraged them to extra judicially kill 20 persons for every policeman shot at by civilians! “If any of my men is killed,” thundered the intemperate officer, “I shall kill 20 of them. “ He then remembered to add, “ ... but don’t shoot first. If they shoot you, shoot back in self-defence. Anybody who fires you (sic), fire him back in self-defence.” Not done with this strange pep talk, he went on to also incite policemen against state governors, perhaps thereby revealing his true, unofficial, mission in the two states, “You have the power to stop the governor, you don’t have to greet him.” Mbu’s utterances were provocative, barbaric and completely out of tune with the norms of a civilised society. Extrajudicial killing is a heinous crime and no policeman has the right to kill anyone without going through the judicial process. Mbu is inebriated with power. he does not legally possess and is driven to excessive displays of impunity by his reported closeness to certain occupiers of high office whose private agenda he is obviously pursuing. Nigerians are only partly mollified by the swift rebuttal of Mbu’s license-to-kill by the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, who in a statement issued on his behalf, cautioned his men against the use of firearms during the elections “except in extreme circumstances.” He rightly reminded all that the police force’s mandate is “to save and protect lives, and not to kill, contrary to recent statements in the media.” We agree wholeheartedly with the IG that even in the face of provocation, their attributes and police regulations require officers to exercise “tact, patience, tolerance and control of temper in trying situations.” Unlike Mbu, Abba reminded officers and men of the rule oflaw as the underpinning tenet of democracy and promised dire consequences for any abuse of human rights as spelt out in the Human Rights Practice Manual of the Nigeria Police. That Abba did not go beyond public disavowal of his subordinate by immediately redeploying him, suggests how political interference has wrought havoc in the law enforcement agency. We are persuaded that Mbu is serving interests other than the Police Force, Nigeria or the constitution, pandering primarily to the personal whims of some temporary occupiers of the Presidential Villa. When as Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, he had done similar violence to the rule of law by imperiously banning public processions of the #BringBackOurGirls campaigners to please his backers, the then IG, Mohammed Abubakar
, only countermanded the illegality but did not penalise Mbu. But Mbu’s cup is full. He first gained notoriety when, as CP in Rivers State, he became the political adversary of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who has been locked in a very public and messy combat with President Goodluck Jonathan, and his wife, Patience. Police harassed the governor, defied court orders and Mbu boasted afterwards that he was a “lion” who had tamed a governor. The police become political when their bosses like Mbu are willing to convert the police to political enforcers. During the Second Republic, Sunday Adewusi, as IG, allowed the police to become virtually the armed wing of the ruling party, brutalising opponents and ordinary people. Abba and his top lieutenants should resolve today to resist pressure to make the force a pliant tool in the hands of politicians. The force is a creation of the constitution whose duties are clearly spelt out therein and in enabling laws. Mbu’s recklessness is evident in that his threat derived from no known recent threat or attack on policemen in Lagos and Ogun states. He simply came to his new posting with a predetermined mindset. His homily was nothing short of an incitement to violence at a time governments around the world are taking extra measures to curtail police use of deadly force against citizens. In the United States, France, Britain, Mexico, Russia and elsewhere, lawmakers, governments and citizens often react to isolated incidents of police use of excessive force, rolling out new measures. Nigeria, now 16 years into civilian rule, cannot be left behind. Crowd control measures have gone beyond firing live bullets at crowds; water cannons, rubber bullets, tear gas and tasers (electronically-chargedguns) are preferred. We need to reorient our policemen and end the culture of summary executions and impunity. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions in a 2009 report cited false labeling, attempted extortion- and excessive force as factors in police killing in Nigeria. We back calls by Amnesty International that our repressive colonial police heritage, laws such as the Police Order 237 that permits killing; poor funding, poor infrastructure and political interference that, combined, predispose police to brutality, be reversed to build a truly people’s police. In the meantime, Mbu should be redeployed to a desk office and eventually eased out of the force. Officers of his ilk are an anachronism in a democracy. Jonathan should subordinate his personal interests to the greater well-being of Nigeria. He should not use police, or allow the impression that he is using the force, for personal ends or allow any of his aides or family members to do so. •Culled from The Punch
POEM WHO AM I Who am i? who am i? I ask myself every day, Who am i? Is who am i from my gender? Is who am i my country? Is who i am my family? I am who am i Who am i is who i want to be I am the father of all nations, I am the mother of all nations, I am unique I am special and beautifully made Who you are? Who you are? Who you are is who you want to be Your family is who you are Your friends are who you are Your way of life is who you are You are you You may be disable You may be able You may be bright You may be dull You are who you are
Who you are is what God wants you to be You cant change your begin You are special You are God’s best creature You are who you are You are the best, no one can be you.
By Abosede Akinpelu
www.osundefender.org
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THURSday, february 26, 2015
Nigeria we hail thee; Our own dear native land; Though tribe and tongue may differ; In brotherhood we stand; Nigerians all are proud to serve; Our sovereign motherland” was the song we once cherished as our National Anthem. Service was then seen as a thing of pride because of the honour that went with it. Everybody saw the task of being one’s brother’s keeper as specifically delightful. As a deterrent, anybody who failed to seek the good of others suffered serious alienation and ostracism because the binding cord of our nationhood was selflessness. The prevalence of deviant behaviour and sequestrated life, to say the least was extremely repudiated. National identity was fabulously cherished and only rare necessities took people off the shores of our dear country; with the consciousness to quickly be back in the country as soon as possible. Today, we have different scenario trending in our national life. We suddenly become our own enemies; and we engage in deliberate action aimed at weakening ourselves through subversive actions that obstruct and disrupt our peaceful coexistence. All of a sudden, we destroy our essence through willful psychological bashing that pitches us against one another. The crafty in our midst quickly capitalize on this to profit through our complacency. The trend has continued to smear us in the face until recently; when some individuals decide to embark on a rescue mission to salvage the remnants of our incontinence. Expectedly, hope is beginning to rise that efforts can be coordinated to redeem our battered identity. There are elements of good in evil, and however good a situation appears, it is always alloyed with some taints of imperfection. So, when Nigeria was seen to be in the golden era, certain usages still dented our smooth edges; and today that people see Nigeria as a place where confusion has permeated our entire national life, some concerned individuals (though few) still feel concerned and are busy thinking of the possibility of salvaging the seeming hopelessness. These few individuals, though still have fault semblance, are engaging in a kind of covert mentoring that is intended for a bailout. The effort is now assuming a replica of massive movement, such that the impact is getting globalized with the attendant change influence that is originally intended. Nobody ever thought that a formidable opposition party could emerge at this period of our national life. It never happened during the time of Nigeria’s founding fathers like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, and Aminu Kano. Actually, what we had were parties built around these notable individuals who were seen as leaders of their blocs. The closest they went to the current situation was alliances, which never endured anyway. That was the reason the ruling-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took the emergence of All Progressives Congress (APC) lightly. This rare feat and the architects must be
By ade olugbotemi
When It Is No Longer Business As Usual
•buhari
appreciated by well-meaning Nigerians because of the effects both on the short and long runs. Nobody is talking of one Action Congress (AC) predominantly peopled by Yoruba, All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) of the Eastern Nigeria, or Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) that was synonymous with the Northern part of the country. This development is not without attendant ills and vices. The pervasive hate speech and malicious advertorials in the media clime is a direct product of the emergence of the two mega parties viz PDP and APC that are now known as providing viable options for the teeming electorate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make. General Muhammadu Buhari is not just contesting for the first time. He has tried over and over again, but nobody considered him a threat because of the sectional nature of the platform on which he has been running in earlier attempts. It is the product of an imminent change and preponderant weight of opinions that portray power shift from a party that has been in saddle for almost sixteen years to an amalgam that adopts BROOM as its logo and
CHANGE as its slogan. There is also the positive side in the urgency that the ruling PDP that has taken people for granted for who they are now see the voting populace as important. This is the first time it will happen in the post-military era that PDP will really try to resist the formidable opposition that has come like a holocaust that is trying to sweep off a party that has prided itself as the biggest in Africa, destined to rule the country for the next sixty years. This also responsible for the urgency that many have regarded as belated, which now propels the ruling party to engage in aggressive campaign and the seeming mad rush to initiate bogus projects that complacency has not allowed for in almost six years of President Jonathan’s occupation at the helm of affairs. The emergence of APC has also caused some hawks preying on our commonwealth to have a rethink; to the end that they dumped the rulingPeoples Democratic Party to embrace the emergent move that has culminated in a party that now controls the majority seats in the lower chamber of the
National Assembly. The ruling party has failed to quickly see this as a mass movement because of that predilection for inertia and impossibility mentality that has plagued governance under PDP. Some top notchers in PDP realized that unless they repent, they may soon become political relics, who are bound to become irrelevant in the emerging dispensation. They derived incurable guilt from the debilitating sabotage they have dealt our economy over the years as PDP cronies, and therefore thought it wise to dump PDP and the evil it stands for in Nigeria’s political platform. Most of the people that dumped PDP for APC have told Nigerians that they left their former party for the perceived injustice being meted to the masses through massive corruption and economic sabotage. According to them, it will be a disservice to continue to wine and dine with those who mean and design evil perpetually for the country. They intend that Nigeria should move forward, and this may be too daunting if they remain in their former PDP camp. They have hinted Nigerians on the events now playing out in the political circle, so that people will not get confused regarding their choice of candidates at the polls. The recent poll shift is prominent in PDP’s file as revealed by some of those who decamped; and consternations are rife that elections may not hold at all because the ruling party feel that they have lost too much ground to opposition and for fear of prosecution over past misdemeanour. The ongoing tenacious media campaigns are intended to possibly reverse the trend in the event that elections are made to hold compulsorily. It is now left for Nigerians to demonstrate whether they are fed up with economic saboteurs in the ruling party, or they are ready to effect the much needed change which the entire world is looking forward to; time will tell The ruling party is not allowing anything lie low as a result of mass exodus of some of its notable members. We have suddenly arrived at an era of adoption; ostensibly for the ruling PDP to claim relevance as the general elections are fast approaching; and applying the considered most potent instrument of financial inducement on gullible Nigerians as usual. They consider it an anathema to defeat a sitting president, as this has never happened in Nigeria’s history. Though some people have come to a conclusion that PDP’s actions are rather belated, the ruling party is trying hard to discredit the emerging scenario. They said APC is a party of spent forces from PDP. They also said that there is nothing for APC to change; meaning that in their own opinion, they are running the best government possible for Nigeria, irrespective of unprecedented corruption that Nigeria in now known for. They believe that corruption is no evil, and that poverty is also nothing to warrant any hues and cries. In the unlikely event that the ruling party wins the forthcoming election however, they now know that it is no longer easy to take Nigerians for a ride.
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank GTB, Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun. All correspondence to the Managing Editor, Kola Olabisi, Telephone: 08033927286 (kolaolabisi@yahoo.com); Editor, KAYODE AGBAJE, Telephone: 0803-388-0205, E-mail:
osundefender@yahoo.com, kayodeagbaje@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.Website: www.osundefender.org.