Saturday, March 4, 2023 Weekend Edition

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Supreme Court has declared that the old and the new Naira notes of 200, 500 and 1000 remain in circulation as a legal tender till 31 December, 2023.

The Apex Court held that President Muhammadu Buhari breached the Constitution of the Federation in the ways he issued directives for the redesigning of the Naira by the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN.

The seven-man panel of the court led by Justice Emmanuel Agim, held that the decision of the president on the new monetary policy should have been made after consultation with all the stakeholders and not the decision being handed down after personal engagement with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

“The President acted Ultra vires by the failure to consult with the National Council of States, Federal Executive Council FEC and the National Economic Council NEC before directing the Central Bank of Nigeria to unlawfully introduce new Naira notes.

“The unconstitutional use of powers by President Buhari on Naira Re-designing has breached the fundamental rights of the Nigerian citizens in various ways.

“The action of the government to declare the old notes non legal tender without

New naira policy: Supreme Court declares old naira notes legal tender till Dec 31

making the new notes available is invalid.

“The acts of the president are the acts of the Federation. The Federation is inherently the sovereign state. Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria.

On the argument that the

CBN was not a party to the suit, The court held that the argument is invalid on the basis that the introduction of the new naira policy is the action of the federal government who is a defendant in the suit.

According to the supreme

court, the CBN is an agency of the government which only acts on the dictates of the Presidency.

Therefore, it maintained that CBN is an unnecessary party to the suit, adding that the suit can be heard and

determined without the joining of CBN as a party.

Also, Justice Agim held that the court has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the suit, therefore, dismissed all the preliminary objections for lacking in merit.

CBN must respect apex court’s decision - Gbajabiamila

By Christiana Ekpa

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has hailed the decision of the Supreme Court, which invalidated the deadline for the currency policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and extended it to 31st December, 2023.

Gbajabiamila noted that, by the decision, the apex court has once again proved that it is the highest court of justice in the land.

He said the House had faulted the implementation of the policy as it went contrary to the law establishing the CBN, and that the Supreme Court’s decision has validated the position of the House.

WEEKEND PHOTO

In a press statement on Friday, Gbajabiamila said, “It has always been the position of the House of Representatives that, despite the noble intentions behind the currency swap policy, the design and implementation of the policy have been fatally flawed and contradictory to the ends of law and public policy.

“The decision of the Supreme Court suspending the currency swap policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and extending the implementation deadline to December 31, 2023, validates the position of the House in its entirety.”

Describing the implementation of the policy as “remarkably haphazard,” Gbajabiamila stated that it

fell way short of international standards.

“It deviated from the prior practice of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) without providing any benefits to the Nigerian people or the economy of Nigeria, both of which have suffered significant harm as a result.”

He said the CBN “must respect the apex court’s judgement and act quickly to give it full effect. This is necessary to reverse some of the damage done to our economy and prevent the continued suffering of the Nigerian people.”

Gbajabiamila commended the governors of Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara as well as their other colleagues, for approaching the apex court to make a decision on the matter,

describing their action as “the right thing to do.”

“It showed their collective adherence to the rule of law and their determination to take bold actions that serve the best interests of the Nigerian people.”

“While we anticipate action by the Central Bank, there is still a need to examine and understand how this policy intervention turned out in the way it did.”

“The House of Representatives will exercise its authority to review the actions and inactions, the failures of law and procedure that set the conditions for this profound failure of public policy. This is necessary to ensure we take the right legislative actions to prevent future reoccurrence.”

Dignity of Labour! Laborers at construction side, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Six states drag FG to Supreme Court over presidential, NASS elections

By Vivian Okejeme, with Agency reports

Six states of the federation have dragged the Federal Government before the Supreme Court over the conduct and subsequent collation and announcement of the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The plaintiffs in the originating summons marked: SC/CV/354/2023, are specifically asking for an order of the apex court “directing a holistic review of all results so far announced by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

They alleged that the collation and announcement of the results were carried out other than through the manner prescribed by the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and the INEC Manual for Election Officials.

The suit is filed by the Attorneys General of Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Sokoto States.

The Attorney General of the Federation is the sole respondent and was brought pursuant to SECTIONS 6 (6) (a), 14 (2) (b), 153 (1) (F) AND 232 (1) OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (AS AMENDED); 2. SECTIONS 25 (1), (2) and 3; SECTIONS 60 AND 66 OF THE ELECTORAL ACT, 2022.

They predicated their case on the grounds that the collation of the national election results from the 36 States of the Federation, and that of the Federal Capital Territory, for the said 2023 elections have not been carried out in compliance with the mandatory provisions of relevant sections of the Electoral Act, 2022.

According to the suit filed by their lawyer, Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the agents and officials of the federal government and INEC, failed to transmit the collated result as prescribed by the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022.

They said the commission failed to adhere to the transmission of the results by the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in flagrant breach of the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022; the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022; and the INEC Manual for Election Officials, 2023.

It is their submission that the “noncompliance” with the due process of law has led to a widespread agitation, violent protests, displeasure, and disapproval from a wide spectrum of the Nigerian populace, including International Observers, Political parties, well-meaning Nigerians and former Head of States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

They further claimed that the widespread violent protests, demonstrations and rallies have endangered the peace, order, good governance, security and safety of the Plaintiffs.

Meanwhile, plaintiffs argued that the federal government through INEC, “is empowered by law to correct the elections due

•

Says exercise in breach of Electoral Act 2022

• Demands review of all results announced

to technical glitches and errors arising from the conduct of the elections.

“Whilst queries were being raised as to the failure or deliberate refusal of INEC to transmit the results electronically, the INEC suddenly pulled down its portal harbouring the Regulations and Guidelines, thus leaving the Plaintiffs in the dark.

“Most Nigerians, including the Governments and peoples of Adamawa, Akwa Ibom State, Bayelsa State, Delta State, Edo, and Sokoto states, are entitled to a proper and electoral lawful process and procedure that guarantees a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

“There is no justifiable basis for the ongoing collation of results without compliance with the mandatory provisions of the law that mandatorily require the use of BVAs, electronic transmission to the IRev Portal.”

They argued that unless the court intervenes, the governments and people of Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Sokoto states, who have suffered and will continue to suffer irreparable hardship and damage of unquantifiable proportions.

They prayed a declaration that the entire results of the presidential election conducted on Feb. 25, announced by the Chairman of the INEC, at the National Collation Centre, Abuja,

was in flagrant provisions of Sections 25; 47(2); 60 (1), (2), (4) & (5); 62; 64(4)(a) & (b); 70; and 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022. Meanwhile the plaintiffs brought an application praying the apex court for an order directing a departure from the rules of the apex court in the interest of justice by directing for accelerated hearing of the substantive suit. Besides, plaintiffs also filed another application seeking for an order for abridging time for parties to file and serve responses for and against the suit.

No date has been fixed for hearing in the suit. (NAN)

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Tinubu’s bumpy road to Aso Villa: Review of intrigues before 2023 presidential election

Former Governor of Lagos State and national leader of All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is now the President elect of Africa’s largest population and largest black race, a height he did not achieve without a painful journey due to the bumpy pathway to Aso Villa. Our correspondent, Ikechukwu Okaforadi reviews the intrigues and his rough path to the presidential Villa.

On Wednesday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu winner of the tight race leading to 2023 presidential election, having satisfied all the legal requirements in both spread and majority votes to become president more than the three other leading contestants, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

This development, on the first day of March, marked not just the conclusion of a contentious presidential election process, but also the culmination of his long and difficult march to the apex power

house of his country.

In what could be regarded as the most wide-open presidential election Nigeria has seen since 1979, Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat 17 other candidates. His two closest opponents, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and former Governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party, are calling for the cancellation of the 25 February poll, alleging that it was tainted by voter suppression and the failure of INEC to upload polling units results from the over 176,000 polling stations to a web portal as stipulated in its guideline.

INEC has dismissed the claims of the candidates, whose agents walked out of the national collation centre, where the returns from the states were tallied, and advised them to take their grievances to the election petition tribunal, as stipulated by law. The presidentelect, a few hours later on Wednesday gave an acceptance speech before cheering party leaders and supporters, in which he offered reconciliation to his opponents and their supporters.

It seemed on many occasions, between the point that he declared his bid and the certification of

his election early Wednesday morning, that the feat might elude him. Tinubu was the first in the APC to announce his aspiration in January 2022, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja.

Also,the choice of location or timing of the announcement seemed to have been a strategic design to create the impression that President Muhammadu Buhari was in full support of the former governor’s ambition. But after several weeks of hesitation, many other aspirants declared too, including some ministers assumed to be close to the President.

And when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, an associate of Tinubu, also declared, it was taken as a confirmation that the President did not want the former Lagos governor, his most important political ally since they formed the APC in 2013, to succeed him.

In one of the occasions where Tinubu met with APC Governors in Kebbi Governors Lodge in Abuja, journàlists confronted Tinubu with a question of his political son (Yemi Osinbajo) declaring for the plum job, but he said “I have no son old enough to contest for the office of

the President”.

This was interpreted as a drawn battle line between Tinubu and his reported political son, Yemi Osinbajo, though Osinbajo was considered as a preferred candidate of the alleged cabal in the presidential Villa.

What followed was a shopping of endorsement by both Tinubu and Osinbajo, both of who crisscrossed the northern States to seek backup by emirs and key northern politicians.

At a certain point, Tinubu’s presidential ambition seemed imperilled a few days before the party primaries forcing him to make the controversial “Emi lokan” (it is my turn) remark in Abeokuta, Ogun State while addressing party delegates. It was taken as a public attack on the President Muhammadu Buhari, and the last kicks of a dying horse. But after a few more days of intrigues in the party prelude to the APC presidential primaries, Tinubu recorded a stunning landslide victory at the APC national convention in Abuja.

In what looked like a political masterstroke, most of the presidential aspirants began to

Cont. on next page

Tinubu’s bumpy road to Aso Villa:

Cont. from prev. page

step down for him, except those who were being backed by cabals in the presidential villa, and others contesting on principles. Those who stepped down were ex Akwa Ibom Governor, Godswill Akpabio, ex Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi, ex Ogun Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, senator Ajayi Boroffice, ex Speaker of House of Representatives, Oladimeju Bankole and Uju Ohanenye.

Others, including the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, ex Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonaya Onu, ex Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amechi, all sustained their contest for the APC presidential ticket.

Though Tinubu won the presidential primaries landslide, it did not take long before the speculation that President

refused to vary his approval to the central bank for the implementation of the policy. The opposition, led by PDP’s Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, hailed Buhari for his stand on the issue, interpreting it as a determination to stop Tinubu and state governors from buying votes during the elections.

It was under these circumstances that the APC went into the elections on Saturday. And the outcome underscored widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling party. In the presidential poll, it came top in only 12 states across the country, down from 19 when Buhari was reelected in 2019. Tinubu also lost Lagos, his stronghold since 1999, to the Labour Party, while Buhari’s Katsina went to the PDP. In the North of Nigeria, where it had been dominant since 2015, the APC won only six of the 15 states in which it has

Tinubu managed to draw the highest votes, although the votes in quantum and as a percentage of the total votes cast, were still the lowest by a winning candidate in the Fourth Republic. Yet that feat was entirely due to the division of the opposition, which split into three, and an unresolved internal crisis in the PDP.

The Labour Party, whose candidate was the PDP vice presidential candidate in 2019, seized the strongholds of the main opposition party in the South-east, South-south and North-central. In Lagos where Obi embarrassed Tinubu, the PDP candidate suffered a worse rout, leaving Tinubu with a gain of about 500,000 votes over Atiku, his closest rival.

And in Kano, where the APC share of the votes fell by half, the beneficiary was the NNPP which also seized most of what had been

especially Rivers, Oyo and Benue states.

However, in spite of the opposition cannibalising and leaving itself injured in the fight, the poll could still have dragged into a run off, but for the residual support that the APC retains across the North. Tinubu came out with more votes in the North-west and North-central than Atiku, despite losing the four-K (Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi) states and taking only two of the seven states in a zone with the largest voter population in the country and long-term fortress of the APC.

By his victory in the presidential election, Tinubu became the third person from the South-west to be elected president in 30 years and in the entire history of the country. However, the election of the first one, Moshood Abiola, was annulled and he died in prison under the military, while insisting on retrieving his victory in the 1993 presidential election and validation

Despite the hard way he secured his victory, the president-elect is going to the Aso Rock Villa with a reputation of a successful governor, party builder and political strategist. This will raise expectations among Nigerians and outside the country about the prospects of Nigeria on his watch. After the security and economic crises of the past eight years, many believe Buhari’s is not a tough act to follow. Some reports on Tuesday stated that Nigerian stocks rose upon information that Tinubu was heading

Presidential Poll: Appeal Court okays PDP, LP request to inspect election materials

By Vivian Okejeme

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has granted an ex parte motion filed by the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, requesting it to inspect the election materials used during last Saturday’s presidential poll.

The court granted the request

•Tribunal begins sitting

to have access to all the sensitive materials Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deployed for the presidential election won by All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu as announced.

The Appellants premised the application on Section 146 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022,

Paragraph 47 (1, 2 &3) of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act of 2022, as well as under the inherent jurisdiction of the Court as referenced by Section 6 (6) A & B of the 1999 Constitution, as amended

The Justice Joseph Ikyeghled panel of the appellate court, granted the request after it heard two separate ex-parte

applications brought by Atiku, Obi and their political parties.

Mentioned as Respondents in the matter are the INEC, Tinubu and APC.

Obi, in his application moved by his counsel led by Mr Alex Ejesieme, SAN, sought six principal reliefs.

On his part, Atiku, through his counsel, Adedamola Faloku,

sought seven prayers from the tribunal.

Specifically, the applicants urged the court to compel INEC to allow them to obtain documents in its custody that were used for the presidential election.

The appellants submitted that the requested documents would aid their petition against the outcome of the presidential contest that was declared in favour of Tinubu.

FCT Youths hit Abuja streets to celebrate Tinubu’s victory

By Stanley Onyekwere

Abuja youths on Friday defied all odds to march through the streets in celebration of the victory of Bola Tinubu and Kassim Shettima’s victory at the just concluded Presidential polls.

The Victory rally came against the backdrop of uneasy calm that had trailed the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission across the the country, including the nation’s capital.

The Convener of FCT Youths Coalition for Tinubu and Shettima, Butrus Garki said the Abuja youths were celebrating because of the known capacity of the President elect in delivering good governance and human capital development.

He noted that Abuja indigenes believe that the Tinubu led administration would bring prosperity to the people and also address all grievances that lead to violent agitation.

According to him, the Abuja youths have faith in the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu and Kashimu Shettima, to bring about the inclusion that the original inhabitants of Abuja have long yearned for.

Garki lamented that FCT indigenous people have continued to be marginalised in the distribution of government appointments and other benefits of governance.

While he assured the President-elect and his team of support, he also demanded that Abuja indigenes should be given their rightful place in the government.

On his part, Director of Operation , APC President Campaign Council in FCT, Mohammed Musa noted that Abuja indigenes and residents have high expectations which they hope the President elect would fulfil.

Jigawa Senator elect vows to empower youth, women

From

Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse

The Jigawa North - West Senator elect Alhaji Babangida Hussaini has promised to do all his best and empower Youths in the state.

Alhaji Babangida dropped the hint shortly after meeting with

the Gubernatorial candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC) Alhaji Umar Namadi.

He said, fighting against drug abuse among the Youths will be part of his priorities through creating more job opportunities for teeming youths.

Hussaini emerged victorious

in the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections held on Saturday after scoring 187,049 votes to defeat Ibrahim Saminu Turaki of PDP who scored 134,199 votes.

The new Senator also urged Jigawa people to come out en masse and vote for Alhaji

Umar Namadi as next governor of Jigawa in the forthcoming Gubernatorial election. He then commended the people of Jigawa North-West for giving him the mandate to serve and also pledged to support the provision of infrastructure in the state.

Some of the FCT youths, who thronged the streets to celebrate Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Tinubu, in Abuja, on Friday

1.5bn people live with hearing loss, says WHO

The World Health Organisation says an estimated 1.5 billion people globally live with hearing loss.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, made this known in her message to mark and commemorate the 2023 World Hearing Day with the theme: “Ear and hearing care for all! Let’s make it a reality.”

She also said that the number could rise to over 2.5 billion by 2030.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the world hearing day is held on March 3 each year to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world.

Moeti said that the burden of ear and hearing problems reflects significant inequalities disproportionately impacting on the marginalized populations across the globe.

She said in Africa, an

estimated 135 million people are battling with ear and hearing problems as medical conditions, saying the number has been on the increase by the day.

Moeti said that at the current rate, it was likely that by the year 2050 about 338 million people would be affected by visual and hearing problems in Africa.

The regional director said that the day was an opportunity to raise awareness on the preventive measures as well as promote ear and hearing care worldwide.

She explained that It was a favourable day to reiterate the message on preventing and addressing common ear and hearing problems as nearly 30 billion dollars were being lost due to the collective failure to address the problem in the African Region.

According to her, more than 60 per cent of the common ear diseases and hearing loss can be detected and often managed at the primary level of medical

care.

“We acknowledge recent efforts made by the relevant bodies towards addressing hearing and visual problems”

“The ongoing support to Kenya to establish a Center of Excellence for Eye Health Clinic, Eye Health and Oral Health is a welcome step.

“Also, with our support, countries are developing and implementing national strategies for ear health,” she said.

According to her, in 2022, Kenya, Malawi, and Guinea launched and started to implement national ear and hearing care strategies.

She said that there was also a regional analysis on ear and hearing care, including country profiles for all Member States.

Moeti said that two modules on ear and hearing care management for primary health care workers were developed saying that it would integrated into the WHO PEN packages.

“Here are the most burning issues affecting patients: Many people with hearing loss do not know how and where to find help or do not have access to the needed services.

“This greatly impacts on the lives of those affected, their families, and their communities.

“Also, the excessive burden of these conditions is also due to the limited number of ear, nose and throat specialists and audiologists available in the countries

“In most places, access to ear and hearing care continues to be limited to highly specialized centers and clinics.

“Integrating ear and hearing care into primary care services is possible through training and capacity building to address the challenges.”

She said WHO had recently launched a Primary ear and hearing care training manual that was intended to inform doctors, nurses, and other health workers to achieve universal

coverage.

She called on governments to prioritize ear and hearing care health programmes as part of their universal health care agenda and increase their political and financial commitment.

She further advocated for increased newborn hearing screening services, stressing that effective accessibility of hearing aid technology are critical starting points.

Moeti urged hearing and the visually impaired individuals suffering to learn more about their conditions and seek care when needed, including attending hearing screening services.

She added that the World Report on Hearing has been developed in response to the World Health Assembly resolution, adopted in 2017 as a means of providing guidance for Member States to integrate ear and hearing care into their national health plans. (NAN)

Benue PDP talks tough ahead Guber polls

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has outrightly rejected the outcome of the Saturday 25th,2023 Presidential /National Assembly elections in certain local government areas of the State, warning that it would not allow Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to perpetuate such electoral ‘fraud’ during the forthcoming Governorship election next Saturday.

Acting chairman of the Party Isaac Mffo who made this assertion at a press conference held at the party Secretariat Friday, explained that the rejection is based on a report received from their polling agents in over 5000 polling units in the State.

Mffo, who though refused to mention the local government areas affected, maintained that “it is for the reason of breaches of the electoral law”.

He said the party is calling for the cancellation of the results returned from those local government areas and has duly forwarded a Letter of Protest to INEC to that effect.

“After due consideration of the findings of the Legal Department, it is the position of our great party, the PDP, that the process of conducting both the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Benue State did not conform with the standards stipulated in the enabling laws for the exercise.

“It is our considered opinion as a political party and a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s democratic process that provisions of the Electoral Act (2022 As Amended) in Sections

60 (5) and 148 which empower the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make guidelines for the conduct of the elections were grossly violated.

“In this regard, we consider it a matter of grave concern that Clauses 38 and 93 of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Election, 2022, which make mandatory the transmission of election results electronically from the polling units to the INEC Server were serially flouted.

“The above identified breaches of extant laws raise a fundamental issue of noncompliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, a situation which impinges negatively on the credibility of the election.

“We have equally mandated our Legal Department to approach the Presidential Election Petitions

Tribunal sitting in Abuja and the National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Makurdi to challenge the results of the elections in those local government areas as returned and announced by INEC”, he said.

The acting chairman also raised concerns of renewed attacks on rural communities across Benue State in Kwande, Logo, Guma, Gwer-West and Agatu local government areas by suspected Fulani herdsmen which have resulted in loss of lives, destruction of properties including farms and consequent displacement of people from their lands, stating that such attacks, if not halted by security forces, will further worsen the problem of low voters turnout at the coming Governorship and State Assembly elections slated to hold on 11th March, 2023 across the state.

“We call on All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled Buhari regime to rise up to its responsibility by deploying security agents to protect the lives and properties of Benue people from the herdsmen who have terrorised the state for too long”, he appealed

On rumors making the rounds that the party Governorship candidate Engr. Titus Tyoapine Uba has stepped down from the March 11th,2023 Mffo said, “ the rumour is a lie fabricated by agents of opposition political parties which are afraid of facing our candidate at the coming polls, and it should be disregarded in totality as our candidate is not just still in the race but far ahead in the lead and most favoured to win and succeed Governor Samuel Ortom at The People’s House, Makurdi come May 29th, 2023.

HYPPADEC flags-off 160 housing resettlement Center in Niger State

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

The Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has officially flagged off the construction of 160 detached 2-bedroom flats at the resettlement center of Muregi and Ketso communities in Niger state.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held at New

Muregi resettlement center in Mokwa local government of the state, saying that the building will have a toilet and kitchen, in which Muregi will have allocation of 120 units and Ketso will get 40 housing units respectively.

The Managing Director HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa expressed concern over the economic and environmental disaster experienced over the years

due to perennial flooding that has caused destruction of lives and properties in the affected communities.

Sadiq Yelwa noted that the projects would be delivered as planned and in standard within the duration of 3 months period because sufficient funds of 30% to be released in each trench to ensure completion for occupation by 12 communities, adding that each building will cost a sum of N4.8 million each.

Governor Alhaji Abubakar

Sani Bello of Niger state has assured of full support to the HYPPADEC for its interventions in tackling various challenges facing the affected flooding areas, decried that four years ago about 150 Communities were flooded in Niger state.

Governor Bello who assured to provide the necessary social amenities to the community like water, electricity, schools ongoing, urged them to take

ownership of the projects hence to set up a relocation committee immediately after completion to ensure the use of the project.

Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger state traditional rulers’ council, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar applauded the relentless commitment of HYPPADEC especially this project that was initiated over 20 years to be realized and assured for his maximum support to the commission.

Hold PDP responsible for breach of peace in Kaduna, says APC Council

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be held responsible for any breach of peace in Kaduna state before, during and after the gubernatorial election, according to the Kaduna State All Progressive Congress (APC) Campaign Council

This was contained in a statement from Mallam Ibraheem Musa, of the Directorate of Strategic Communication of the Council, which was made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

The statement disclosed that in a petition to security agents, the Assistant Director, Public Affairs of PDP Kaduna state chapter, had raised an alarm over possible violence today, ‘’like what happened during juma’at prayers in Katsina last week,’’ when PDP members protested the use of ‘’Islamic clerics.’’

It added that the Petition whose excerpts have gone viral, is somewhat ambiguous and lacks clarity, so security agents should ask the PDP spokesman to share his intelligence with them.

“Failing to give a satisfactory answer, the spokesman should be charged to court under extant laws of Kaduna state, for giving false information or conceals, defamation and public incitement.

“Ironically, rather than try to win the people’s support, given its locust years in office, which citizens of Kaduna state rejected in 2015, PDP is trying to blackmail its way

to office by intimidation, raising the specter of violence and dragging our respected Islamic clerics into the murky waters of politics, in its desperation to grab power during the March 11 gubernatorial election.

“”The residents of Kaduna state will not forget the 16 wasteful years of the PDP government in a hurry, when they had nothing to show for the huge statutory allocations that it had received from the Federation Account, in terms of development.

“Instead, the last PDP administration left behind huge debts and pension liabilities, a state divided along ethno-religious lines and a subnational with very low Human Development Indices.”

It continues: “Upon assuming office in 2015, the Malam Nasir El Rufai government reversed these negative parameters, by revamping education, overhauling the health sector and improving human capital in general.

“In particular, the APC administration has introduced free and compulsory education from primary to secondary levels, sacked incompetent teachers and employed versatile ones, built more schools and classrooms, renovated existing ones as well as provided furniture to public schools. The exercise is ongoing.

“The result of this reform is evident from the performance of our students who have been sitting for external examinations that are being conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and NECO.

Ministry refutes reports of oath taking over 2023 polls

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Afaith-based organization, Throneroom Trust Ministry, in Kafanchan has disassociated itself from a purported meeting and oath taking by Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and others on its grounds, hence should be disregarded as false, as such only exists in the figment of the imagination of the writer.

The International Administrator, Ministry, Pastor Jonas Ambisa who stated this in a statement made available to the

media in Kaduna yesterday.

The Ministry also said after the declaration of the results of last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly Elections, it called on Nigerians both Muslims and Christians to focus on the prayer/praise for the resolution of all outstanding matters as was predetermined by God for Nigeria from the beginning of time.

The statement added that its attention has also been drawn to the fact that some people are writing articles and suggesting things emanating from Apostle Kure or the Throneroom in order

Forum hails INEC’s handling of 2023 polls

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Concerned Northern Forum, (CNF) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a transparent presidential election that produced Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) as president elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

CNF through its spokesperson, Comrade Abdulsalam Mohamed Kazeem, during a press conference held in Kaduna Friday, said the 2023 presidential and National Assembly election was the most transparent, fair and credible poll in the history of Nigeria.

According to him, the integrity of INEC has been redeemed again, adding that those calling for the cancellation of the election results are enemies of Nigeria and should not be given any listening ear.

He said, “We want to first of all congratulate Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his welldeserved victory. As northerners, we are pleased with his victory and without being selfish want to identify and work with him when he’s eventually sworn in on the 29th of May, 2023 Inshallah.

“The fact that Alhaji Atiku

Abubakar, a northerner contested with Bola Tinubu under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and lost does not mean we should join other undemocratic groups and networks in the country to condemn and discredit one of the most credible elections in the history of Nigeria. We are more concerned with the progress of Nigeria and with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a new Nigeria is possible.

“In a special way, we want to salute the courage and integrity of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmud Yakubu for making history and delivering an impeccable election despite the aggressive work of saboteurs and enemies of democracy in Nigeria.

“Despite widespread fears bothering on insecurity and kidnappings and against the judgment of many analysts that elections will not hold in many parts of the country, INEC under Mahmoud Yakubu delivered a world class election all over the country including flashpoints of violent extremism and terrorism such as Borno and Zamfara states.

“Similarly, about seven (7) serving Governors lost their senatorial elections. If the elections were not free and fair,

then how come all the contesting political parties won in areas that were not their strongholds and even had elected representatives? Those hanging onto the issue surrounding the uploading of results on the INEC portal should note that the Electoral Act did not state that results should be uploaded in IReV, it was just part of INEC guidelines which cannot be seen to supersede a law. It wasn’t mandatory for INEC to upload the results on its portal as simple as that.

“Those calling for the cancellation of this election are enemies of Nigeria and must not be given a listening ear. Calling for the cancellation of an election that has been conducted in the most peaceful and orderly manner across the country is simply mischievous and a call for the abortion of democracy. This election is the best Nigeria ever had and cannot be compared to the 1993 or even 1999 elections”, he said.

The group urged other contestants and their supporters to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and congratulate Tinubu, pledging their loyalty to work with him for a better Nigeria.

“In the spirit of sportsmanship,

those who have lost this election and their supporters should reach out and congratulate Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and pledge their loyalty to work with him for a better Nigeria. This is not the firsttime candidates will lose in an election. President Muhammadu Buhari lost elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011 before winning the 2015 Presidential election.

“Jonathan lost in 2015 without calling for the cancellation of the result. In fact, he immediately called and congratulated the president elect. As a true democrat, Senator Bola Tinubu in his magnanimity has reached out to Nigerians across all divides seeking their support to work together to salvage Nigeria. This is the time for those who have lost at the polls to queue behind the great leader to make Nigeria great.

“Instead of creating tensions and causing disaffection amongst Nigerians across tribal and political divides, we call on those who feel aggrieved to approach the law courts following the laid down procedures and lodge their case. Sponsoring protests and making inflammatory comments is unacceptable and a direct call for anarchy. As northerners and all other democratic societies

to turn people of faith against each other or other religions against the faith.

“ The public should note that anything that is not from our official website is not true. They are only intended for mischief and should be disregarded.

“The Throneroom led by Apostle Kure has focused on prayers for the last one year plus and is still praying for a smooth election transition and right leaders in Nigeria. It has not stopped. No special prayer squad has been set for anything at any time”, the Statement reads

across the nation are satisfied with the outcome and we don’t expect any candidate of northern extraction to delay our democracy by any needles legal battle over a clear victory that Nigerians are all satisfied with.

“As with all human setups, it will be a lie to deny that the human elements and technology employed in the conduct of elections all over the world are perfect. But as an African proverb says, you can’t throw away a baby with the bath water. We call on INEC to continue the good work they have already started by consistently working towards fixing the anomalies discovered in the past elections.

“The success gained through the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) should be sustained with the inclusion of other technologies such as Blockchain to keep hackers and other criminals away from tempering with the people’s mandate. To call for the cancellation of this election is to downplay the tireless efforts of the Commission and the resources expended so far to give Nigeria the best elections in Africa and the world at large.” Abdulsalam added.

L- R: Vice President- elect, Sen Kashim Shettima, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, President- Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sen. Danjuma Goje at the residence of the President-elect, yesterday in Abuja

Presidential election: Can Atiku,Obi upturn Tinubu’s victory in court?

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

It is no longer news that the outcome of the presidential election held on Saturday, February 25 has been made known and that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been declared the President-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, led by Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

It is also a stale news that INEC has presented certificates of returns to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettina.

What is, however, not yet known is how far or to what extent the co-contestants of Tinubu in the election would go in their opposition to or rejection of the outcome of the poll.

Already, the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the Labour Party, LP, who are the first and second runnersup to Tinubu in the presidential election have described the result of the election as a sham.

The LP presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi has already headed to court to challenge the result of the election.

The PDP presidential flag bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his party, have already described the election as grossly flawed in every material particular, and as such must be challenged.

Addressing a world press conference in Abuja on Thursday Atiku noted with regret that Nigerians, especially the youth, were traumatized by the outcome of the poll. He, nonetheless, urged them to conduct themselves peacefully.

The former Vice President declared that the rigging and manipulation of the last presidential election has been attested to by both local and international observers.

“I want to believe that this was not the legacy that President Muhammadu Buhari had promised”, he said.

At the press conference held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua centre, Abuja and attended by party’s chieftains and Governors, Atiku said, “Having consulted with leaders of our party and Nigerians from different walks of life, I have come to the conclusion that the processes and outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly election of last Saturday was grossly flawed in every material particular, and as such must be challenged.

“For President Buhari, it is not too late to make amends for the good of our country and the future generations and indeed to assure his legacy.

“This battle to right the wrongs of Saturday is not about me. It is a continuation of my battles to deepen democracy and for a better life for our people. It is about the future of Nigerian youths.

Similarly, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on behalf of all members of the PDP, has rejected, in its entirety, the declaration and return of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as President-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The PDP demanded that INEC immediately withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to the Presidential Candidate of the APC and cancel the Presidential election declaration in line with its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022.

The Party insisted that INEC, in declaring the APC Presidential Candidate as winner, acted contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as

amended), the Electoral Act 2022 and the INEC Guidelines and Regulations for the conduct of the 2023 Presidential election.

The problem, actually began, right from the International Conference Centre, Abuja, venue of the national collation centre, when the agents of PDP and LP presidential candidates, among others, faulted the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission to upload the results of the election, right from the wards/ units levels up to the wards, local government areas and stated on the commission’s portal, as earlier promised by INEC.

The problem got worse, when the agents of the said opposition parties walked out of the national collation centre, Abuja, in protest, even as the results were being announced.

The agents of the parties, led by Senator Dino Melaye and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (both of the Peoples Democratic Party), after storming out of the International Conference, called for the cancellation of the presidential election.

Dino Melaye and Emeka Ihedioha, who spoke with journalists outside of the venue, proposed that a fresh presidential election should be conducted alongside the governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls on Saturday, March 11.

They categorically declared that they have

lost confidence in the whole coalition process of the presidential election.

However, the APC agent, Barrister Babatunde Ogala suggested that instead of calling for the halting of the election, the aggrieved parties should file their petition before the tribunal.

Dino Melaye recalled that the INEC Chairman had assured Nigerians at 68 different times that the result would be uploaded on INEC portal before the final collation, while another INEC Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye equally assured Nigerians 118 times on the same.

He noted with regret that while the promise to upload the result was not kept, the result was being announced.

Shortly after that, the National Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Labour Party (LP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), jointly called for the immediate cancellation of the presidential election, arguing that the results of the election have been heavily manipulated and doctored.

Also, at a press conference jointly addressed by the Chairmen of the three opposition parties, Dr Iyorchia Ayu (PDP), Barrister Julius Abure

(LP) and Dr Ralph Okey Nwosu (ADC) and their chieftains in Abuja, they also passed a vote of no confidence on the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, with a call on him to step aside.

The parties, similarly, pushed for a fresh election to be carried out within the window allowed by the Electoral Act and in accordance with the laid down INEC procedure for the conduct of the 2023 Elections.

They called on the international community to note that the results being declared at the National Collation centre, Abuja, have been heavily doctored and manipulated and do not reflect the wishes of Nigerians expressed at the polls on February 25, 2023.

The parties, in their joint position presented by Barrister Abure, the National Chairman of LP, said, “This election is not free and far from being fair or transparent.

“There is ongoing extensive cancellation of results all over the country, especially in the areas of strength of the opposition parties to shore up the numbers of the ruling APC.

“We have, therefore, arrived at the conclusion that the presidential election of Saturday, February 25, 2023 conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been irretrievable compromised and, we have totally lost faith in the entire process.

“The Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party shall not be part of the process currently going on at the National Collation Centre, and we demand that this sham of an election should be immediately cancelled.

“We also call for a fresh election to be carried out within the window allowed by the Electoral Act and in accordance with the laid down INEC procedure for the conduct of the 2023 Elections.

“

We have, therefore, arrived at the conclusion that the presidential election of Saturday, February 25, 2023 conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been irretrievable compromised and, we have totally lost faith in the entire process

Atiku Cont. on page 10

Cont. from page 9

“We similarly call on the international community to note that the results being declared at the National Collation centre have been heavily doctored and manipulated and do not reflect the wishes of Nigerians expressed at the polls on February 25, 2023.

“We also wish to declare a vote of no confidence on the INEC Chairman, Professor Yakubu Mahmood. By his conduct and reaction to the complaints of disenfranchised political parties, we believe that he lacks the integrity and moral standing to continue to oversee this process to a conclusion.

“We are therefore calling for Professor Yakubu to step aside from his role as INEC Chairman and for a credible personality from outside the Commission to take his place and see this process to a conclusion that would be acceptable to all stakeholders and would restore the confidence of the international community in our democratic process and institutions.

They cited Section 60 sub-section 5 of the Electoral Act which states that “the presiding officer shall transfer the results, including total number of accredited voters and the result of the ballot in a manner as prescribed by the commission.”

They added, “It was on the strength of this provision in our Electoral Act that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) introduced the BVAS technology to the country.

“The expectation of the majority of Nigerians was that INEC was going to conduct the 2023 election in compliance with both the Electoral Act and its own guidelines.

“Unfortunately, INEC capitulated on that promise and conducted the election with the usual crude standard that predates the introduction of the BVAS machine”, they said.

In a related development, the Vice Presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Labour Party, LP, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and Hon. Yusuf Datti BabaAhmed respectively, on the same day, called for the cancellation of last Saturday’s presidential election, describing it as a sham.

Both Okowa and Baba-Ahmed specifically called on the Prof Mahmood Yakubu -led INEC to thread on the path of honor by canceling the election outright and commence the process of a fresh election that will not only be credible but will be seen to be credible by Nigerians.

They argued that last weekend’s election was neither free nor fair but a sham because the transmission of the results was not in tandem with the Electoral Act and the INEC guidelines.

“Finally, we call on the commission to thread on the path of honor by canceling the election outright and commence the process of a fresh election that will not only be credible but will be seen to be credible by Nigerians”, they said.

According to them, “That paragraph, which deals with the transmission of results at the polling units, is crucial, and it imposes statutory obligations on the part of INEC to upload polling units results on its portal,” they insisted.

They maintained that polling units results are the pyramid upon which other results are built.

The two Vice Presidential candidates said, “Paragraph 38 of INEC Manual 2022 made pursuant to the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and section 149 of of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that: on completion of all the Polling Unit voting and results procedures, the Presiding Officer shall:

*Electronically transmit or transfer the result of the Polling Unit, direct to the collation system as

Presidential election: Can Atiku,Obi upturn Tinubu’s victory in court?

prescribed by the Commission.

*Use the BVAS to upload a scanned copy of the EC8A to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), as prescribed by the Commission.

*Take the BVAS and the original copy of each of the forms in a tamper evident envelope to the Registration Area/Ward Collation Officer, in the company of Security Agents. The Polling Agents may accompany the Presiding Officer to the RA/Ward Collation Centre.” It is mandatory and compulsory. INEC has no option.

Continuing, they said, “So, the failure to upload results and follow the procedures set out in paragraph 38 of the manual made pursuant to the Electoral Act 2022, is a fundamental breach that has the potential of rendering the election results that did not follow those procedures null and void.

“Finally, we call on the commission to thread on the path of honor by canceling the election outright and commence the process of a fresh election that will not only be credible but will be seen to be credible by Nigerians”, they insisted.

President Muhammadu Buhari, while congratulating the winner of the Presidential Election and candidate of the All-Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, admitted that there will be areas that need to be worked on to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure.

According to Buhari, “Of course, there

will be areas that need work to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure. “However, none of the issues registered represent a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections.

“I know some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view. That too is fine. If any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence.

“If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will-no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets.

“However, to do the latter means they are not doing it in the interest of the people, but rather to inflame, to put people in harm’s way and all for personal, selfish gains.

“After a degree of polarization that necessarily accompanies any election, it is now time to come together and act responsibly.

“I call on all candidates to remember the peace pledge they signed just days before the election.

“Do not undermine the credibility of INEC. Let us now move forward as one. The people have spoken”.

The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has, however, appealed to his co-contestants in the last Saturday’s presidential election to allow political competition to give way to political

conciliation and inclusive governance.

Tinubu made the appeal on Wednesday morning shortly after he was declared presidentelect by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC ,in Abuja.

Tinubu noted that the lapses that did occur during the election were relatively few in number and were immaterial to the final outcome.

The President-elect told his co-contestants that they may have been opponents during the election, but that they were,indeed, never his enemies.

His words, “To my fellow candidates, former VP Atiku, former governor Kwankwaso, former governor Obi and all others, I extend the hand of friendship. This was a competitive, high-spirited campaign.

“You have my utmost respect. Political competition must now give way to political conciliation and inclusive governance.

“During the election, you may have been my opponent, but you were never my enemy. In my heart, you are my brothers.

“Still, I know some candidates will be hard put to accept the election results. It is your right to seek legal recourse. “What is neither right nor defensible is for anybody to resort to violence.

“Any challenge to the electoral outcome should be made in a court of law, and not in the streets”, he said.

The governments of United Kingdom, United States of America and European Union among others have congratulated the Presidentelect.

The British Prime Minister, Mr Rishi Sunak, in his congratulatory message to Tinubu, said, “UK-Nigeria relationship remains strong.

Now that the winner of the election has been announced by INEC and certificate of returns given, it remains to be seen how far the aggrieved parties can go.

Will they (the aggrieved opposition parties) be able to upturn the victory of Tinubu in the court?. Time will time.

“ After a degree of polarization that necessarily accompanies any election, it is now time to come together and act responsibly.

10th Assembly: Battle line drawn over Senate President, HoR Speaker slots

The 10th National Assembly will be inaugurated in June. Preparatory to the inauguration day, the next line of political battle is among the members of the 10th National Assembly, especially the current principal officers are the game and struggle of who became the next Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as other Principals officers, our correspondents, IKECHUKWU OKAFORADI and CHRISTIANA EKPA write on the likely contestants.

From all indications and the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, it is clear that some experienced lawmakers will miss in the 10th National Assembly as some of them, who are aspiring for the positions of Presiding and Principal officers, failed in the general election.

A lot of them who were aspiring for the positions, failed to secure the tickets of their parties to re-contest parliamentary elections, while others lost to their opponents at the general election.

In the Senate, the same fate is playing out, as key senators, who are well positioned by experience, to contest and emerge as Senate President and principal officers, could not secure return tickets.

The list of those who did not make it includes, Minority leaders of both Chambers, senator Philip Aduda and Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, who lost at the general election, the Deputy Minority Leader Toby Okechukwu, who could not secure his party ticket, Hon. Magaji Dau’ Aliyu and Hon. Nkeiruka Onuejeocha, senator Mathew Urogide, among others who also lost at the just concluded poll.

The Prominent one among others who won their reelection and could be aspiring for the Senate President and Speakership positions are the Present Speakers, Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Speaker Idris Ahmed Wase, the Chairman of Appropriation, Aliyu Mukta Betara, the Spokesman of the House, Benjamin Okezie Kalu and the embattled Leader of the House, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

Others are Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, Godwill Akpabio, Ahmed Lawan, the incumbent President of Senate, Ali Ndume, former Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, senator Adamu Aliero, incumbent senator leader, Ibrahim Gobir, among others.

For the Speaker Gbajabiamila, the victory of Ahmed Tinunu gave him an edge over all others aspiring for the position of the Speakership but there are also feelers that Gbajabiamila could move to Villa for a position as Chief of Stuff to the President or Attorney General of the Federation.

Another Vital point to look at is the fact the Position of Speakership may be zoned to North West or North Central which could give Idris Wase an edge, also perhaps if not the needless controversy that surrounds his style of presiding the green chamber.

However, Gbajabiamila could stand a better chance if he decides to contest for the Speaker, as there is already laid precedence that the South West, particularly (Lagos) have The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and the Speaker Gbajabiamila servicing the country at the same.

The Speaker who has been described as a bridge-builder and one of the most resilient, resourceful, and successful Nigerian politicians among his colleagues is not free from those who

may kicked against his reelection as the Speaker of the House, as there were alleged threat of impeachment more than 3 times since he became the Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Hon. Idris Wase, on his part was said to have worked hard for the President Elect, Tinubu just for him to get the Speakership position but f old members will it difficult for him to scale through considering the fact that he was caught in a needless controversy several times preventing his colleagues from presenting their views on matter against the federal government and other ethnicity issues, Wase is been seen by among his colleagues to be impulsive and always want to have his with religious and ethnicity biases.

A perfect example of how he operates shows how he rides on tribal and religious sentiments, by stoutly preventing a member representing Gwer East, Gwer West Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Mark Gbillah from presenting a petition against the federal government on the alleged takeover of their lands by herdsmen.

The petition filed by Mzough U Tiv Amerika

(MUTA) on insecurity in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba accused the federal government of nonchalance towards the perils facing those who have been displaced as a result of herdsmen activities. But Wase said Nigerians abroad are not eligible to file petitions against the federal government on crimes linked to herdsmen. He argued that Nigerians abroad had no rights to file a petition on the crisis, saying it would be understandable if the petition came from those in the country.

“Honourable Gbillah, did you say Tivs in America? What do they know about Nigeria? What is their business? They can’t sit in their comfort zones and know what is happening in Nigeria,” Wase said. Responding, Gbillah argued that Nigerians abroad should be able to file complaints, because they have family members residing in the state. But Wase questioned whether or not MUTA was even registered with the Corporate Affairs of Commission to begin with.

Gbillah, however, countered Wase on the grounds that Nigeria has been pursuing a policy of inclusiveness for its citizens in the Diaspora, an aim he said would easily be defeated if the same category of Nigerians cannot be allowed to speak on raging matters of national concern. Rejecting the petition, Wase, ‘’I’ll refer you to the functions of the committee on diaspora, if you go through that, it is nothing relevant to what you’re now presenting. I’m not convinced that we have to take that petition.’’

The media, however, missed the drama until the video surfaced online. As expected, there were reactions and a huge backlash, as the video portrayed the Deputy Speaker as nothing but an ethnic jingoist in such a high national office. The backlash, which Wase ordinarily was unprepared for later forced him to issue a statement justifying why the petition was rejected without even considering its merits.

The majority leader of the House Doguwa, ambition, dreams and desires to become the Speaker of the House seem to be over as he has been sent to Prison for culpable homicide, conspiracy, mischief, unlawful possession of firearms and inciting disturbance.

Others charged at large are Nazifi Asnanic, Nafiu Musa, Hamisu Amadu and Abdulhadi Alaramma.

Alhassan Doguwa was charged with burning a building that resulted in the burning of Alasan Mohammed and Aminu Malam Amadu to death, while Bashir Yani, Labaran Sule and one Amadu were injured by the fire,” one of the charges read in part.

The offences are contrary to Section 97, 114, 247, 336 and 221 of Penal Code.

Another Lawmaker who stands good chance outside Gbajabiamila is Aliyu Betara as he is widely accepted among his colleagues due to his open-minded roles in the lives of his colleagues and the way he carries his colleagues along in the decision of his Appropriation Committee

He is also a major force in returning the Budget circle from January to December and there feeler also that he secretly stepped down to work for Gbajabiamila during their last principal officer’s election with a promise that the Speaker will consider him.

However, the choice of the Vice President Kashim Settima may create an obstacle for him, but there is also a laid down precedence that Nigeria once had Vice and the House Speaker from the same zone, just as the saying goes that everything is possible in Nigeria.

The Spokesperson of the House, Benjamin Kalu also stands a good chance for the Speakership position but ambition of his God father and Uncle, Senator Orji Kalu who is been position and have worked for Tinubu for the Position of the Senate President could be an obstacle against the young outspoken who has been described as one of the must outstanding Spokesperson since in session of the House.

One notable fact is that, the olde members always have their way of influencing the new members on how the electing principal officers should be and that only indicates that Gbajabiamila will still hold the show as he will determine who becomes next Speaker of the House if he is not contesting.

In the Senate, the battle will be largely determined by where the party decision on zoning will swing. If APC decides to zone to the South East, then Orji Kalu becomes the best choice, given his experience and friendship with northern politicians, including northern Senators.

However, political pundits believe that Tinubu will not be comfortable with a Kalu led Senate, especially looking at the fact that he supported Ahmed Lawan, a northerner against him (Tinubu) during the primaries of the party.

To this line of thought, former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, will do better in the rank of preferred candidate for Tinubu, especially given that he played a good boy role by stepping down for Tinubu before the commencement of APC primaries at Eagle Square.

Looking at all these permutations, one can say it is only time that will tell how the party may decide to zone the positions and if the lawmakers will accept the zoning arrangements of the party. Only time will tell.

The Prominent one among others who won their reelection and could be aspiring for the Senate President and Speakership positions are the Present Speakers, Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Speaker Idris Ahmed Wase,

POLITICS

Presidential poll: Obi, Atiku chasing after a mirage in tribunal - APC campaign council

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of All Progressive Congress (APC) has said the standard bearers of Labour Party and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are chasing a mirage over their threat to go to Court to challenge the victory of the ruling party’s candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Addressing journàlists yesterday in Abuja, the Special Adviser on Media and Communication of the APC PCC Dele Alake, however commended the decision of the two major opposition parties to follow the rule of law rather than taking the law into their own hands, but said nothing will come out of the tribunal to upturn the election.

“We must thank the two of them for finally opting for the rule of law as against the initial belligerent posture as they

continue their baseless journey of chasing after a mirage. Those who lay claim to democratic credentials are expected to be conscious of those inimitable minimum requirements of law and order even in the face of a perceived injustice.

“The initial knee-jerk and hothead call for anarchy by their proxies was ill-advised and would in no way serve any noble cause. It is good to know that reason has prevailed.

“Let us say, unequivocally, that we welcome the decision of both the PDP and LP and also the NNPP candidates to test their claims, as ridiculous as they are, in the court of law as provided for by our constitution. This is without prejudice to the conciliatory efforts of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has reiterated in his post declaration speeches the need for all Nigerians, irrespective of whom we all voted for, to rally

quickly together for the good of our country.

“We must say, however, that listening to both Atiku and Obi yesterday left us in the APC family confused. We understand that there has been an orchestrated campaign by the acolytes of PDP and LP in the media to discredit the Presidential election. What we did not expect is that the two presidential candidates and, indeed, their political parties, would shamefully re-echo the puerile and unimaginative arguments that are being canvassed by political illiterates and mischief-makers who are crying wolf on social media.

“As we all can see, these two otherwise experienced politicians are pinpointing lack of adherence to the guidelines as a basis for discrediting the votes lawfully cast by Nigerians. We shall examine the so-called process that was purportedly breached by the electoral

No president-elect, INEC decision won’t stand – Pa Adebanjo

body and how it, in their wild imagination, undermined the credibility of the election.

“The claim that INEC did not use the BVAS is false. Those who voted across Nigeria, including Atiku and Obi, were accredited by BVAS. Save for the bad losers that these two people have proven to be, we should rather be celebrating the tremendous improvement the use of BVAS has brought to our electoral process.

“The complaint over the electronic transmission of the result is not supported by law.

“Section 38 of the Electoral Acct 2022 referred to by the PDP and LP has nothing to do with transmission of election results. Section 60, subsection 2 of the Act deals with transmission of results and it is at the discretion of INEC. The Act does not contain any mandatory provision regarding the transmission of results”, he said.

APC, Tinubu will remain restless because they’ve murdered peace - Labour Party

By Christiana Ekpa

The Labour Party has said that the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate will remain restless because they have murdered peace in the country by conniving with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rub citizens of their mandate.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Director of Media Team, ObiDatti presidential campaign organisation, Diran Onifade, LP said that since Tinubu and APC were fraudulently declared winner of the election, they have become restless.

“Since this unsettling declaration as winner of a charade, as supervised by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and his men, and which has rightly been condemned by millions of Nigerians and also by international observers, the APC and its candidate, Bola Tinubu, have remained restless, because they have murdered peace.

“So, not surprisingly, Yesterday, March 2, 2023, soon after our presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi reaffirmed that he indeed won the election, and declared his intention to proceed

to court to retrieve his mandate, the APC camp panicked again, with Onanuga’s incongruous press statement .

“What may be gleaned by Mr Onanuga’s empty and futile attempt to throw truth on its head, is that Mr Obi was declared 3rd, so he has no standing to contest the results, that many prominent parties and personalities lost their states and contested seats, so therefore the elections were free and fair,and that Mr Peter Obi and the Labour Party swept the elections in the southeast, so it was an indication of fairness.

“It is important to underline, for the benefit of Mr Onanuga and anyone else, who may be caught in similar shallow and deceitful analysis, that our objection to the criminal operation on 25th February is fundamental and total, based not on diversionary sentiment, but on thousands of well documented evidence, which do not need much searching or advanced intelligence, to obtain or comprehend.

“What we seek, simply, is that the true results, as recorded by Nigerian voters, in the polling booths, be processed, as required by law, by instantly transmitting them to the INEC server and thereafter being reflected on

the IREV before declaration, as they form the primary record of the election, for all tabulation, collation and declaration.

“The idea of criminally withholding passwords, inflation , alteration , substitution, manipulation and fabrication of voting figures and Form EC8A, outside this simple process, remains an illegality, even where they have been criminally crafted for the Labour Party to maintain its deserved lead, at any sub unit of the election.

“It is clear that we have little grounds in common with Onanuga or the APC, to begin to discuss or compare notes on this election; as far as he is concerned, the fact that Labour Party won in some declared results, should forestall a challenge to an election that was overwhelmed by irregularities, from top to bottom. This has no basis in reason.

“Let us also address this opportunity, the scope of this illegality. We totally reject the narrative that the Obi/Datti ticket did not win the required spread of 25% in enough states, or that we did not win enough votes in the Northern States.

“The evidence is consistent that the same brazen alteration of votes, and non transmission of

polling booth results, occurred all across the country, including the Northern States.

“There is abundant evidence that the votes were systematically altered and reduced in these states, with the particular aim of denying our ticket it’s duly earned 25% and higher, in those states.

“Ordinarily, it is not in our nature to respond to every diatribe, especially of misguided deceit.

“However, where the line between truth and falsehood, as well as between fact and fiction, have become so thin, it is incumbent on us, to set the records straight, lest the APC known for their penchant for halftruths , deflect attention from their misadventure of February 25, which has cast a pall over the entire nation.

“For a party, which has spent the last eight years in power, destroying every fabric of national unity, pauperizing Nigerians and pillaging the national treasury through greedy and unconscionable officials, to try to paint our Presidential Candidate with the same paint of ethnic and religious divisionism, which is their trademark, is not only despicable, but unconscionable, the statement said.

By Christiana Ekpa

Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has claimed that there is no Presidentelect in Nigeria, insisting that the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu winner of the 2023 presidential election, will not stand.

Pa Adebanjo is one of the elder statesmen who publicly declared support for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, on the ground that the people of the South East should be allowed to have a shot at the presidency for equity and justice to reign supreme.

The INEC declared Bola Tinubu winner of the February 25th, 2023 presidential election amidst an alleged wide range of irregularities across the country majorly due to the inability of the electoral umpire to keep its promise of deploying technology in the election.

While the BVAS failed in many states, some Governors were said to have hijacked the election and suppressed the will of the people, especially in Rivers State and Lagos State,

Appearing on Arise Television on Friday, Adebanjo said INEC’s decision on Saturday’s polls, as regarding the presidential election result, will not stand.

“I listened to the Chairman of INEC when Dino Melaye told him to suspend, not cancel the coalition, citing a lot of irregularities so that he can correct them. He said ‘no I promise, if you let me complete this exercise, I’ll review it.

“As for the Chairman, those of us who know him know that he has not been the man that he should be. He’s a great disappointment. This is not the first time he would be disappointing Lagos people. In 2019, he deceived us and now he’s done it again thinking that Nigerian people are fools.

“And I said it before in this election nobody can Babangida us. It was a daylight robbery. The whole country supported you to amend the electoral law to ensure it is is transmitted by electoral law and at the time of the election you came back to fight us. What a shame. I’m only sorry for the country.

“I’m only sorry for the youths. But I warned you before, this government is a disaster… It’s a disaster that God will help us get rid of. There’s no President-Elect at all. It’s just a sham that will be removed in due course. We’re all living witnesses to it. Why won’t we follow the law provided for the election?”

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EDITORIAL

Leading by example from Downing Street

The United Kingdom Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, recently was fined by the British police for not wearing a seatbelt in the back of a moving car while on a trip to northern England. Sunak was seen turning in his seat without a seatbelt on. The PM’s office at Downing Street said the incident was a “brief error of judgment”, but Lancashire constabulary announced they were fining Sunak for the infraction.

The force said: “You will be aware that a video has been circulating on social media showing an individual failing to wear a seatbelt while a passenger in a moving car in Lancashire. After looking into this matter, we issued a 42-year-old man from London with a conditional offer of fixed penalty.”

Reacting, a spokesperson for Sunak said: “The prime minister fully accepts this was a mistake and has apologised. He will, of course, comply with the fixed penalty.” A fixed penalty means Sunak can pay a fine to avoid a court hearing. The police did not disclose how much they had fined the prime minister, but according to the government’s safety campaign, any driver or passenger not wearing a seatbelt is breaking the law and is liable to be fined up to £500 if the case goes to court, according to The Guardian UK.

Sunak’s transportation habits were already a talking point in the United Kingdom before the incident, a report by AFP says. His political rivals have taken aim at his use of a private jet to make multiple short flights in recent days. This is not the first time Sunak has been slapped with a police fine. He was fined while serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer for attending a Downing Street party in June 2020 that violated the government’s rules on social distancing, according to an AFP report.

The latest fine makes Sunak the second Conservative prime minister to receive a police fine in less than 12 months. The Metropolitan police, in 2020, issued a fixed-penalty notice to Boris Johnson for attending a party during lockdown. Sunak was fined for attending the same event as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The prime minister of a powerful country fined for not wearing a seatbelt! Points to note. Firstly, the police didn’t identify him by his position. They only said “an individual”, “a 42-year-old man from London”. They were simply reminding everyone that the law is no respecter of position and all are equal before the law. Secondly, the prime minister readily accepted he was at fault and would pay the “fixed penalty” the police had slapped on him. “The prime minister fully accepts this was a mistake and has apologised”, his office said.

Fast track to Nigeria or another Third World nation. It is unheard of that the police have found a prime minister/ President guilty of offence and penalized them. The police, by their training, are taught certain stereotypes, including the law is not meant for the powerful but the weak. This confers on the latter a certain degree of impunity to break the law and damn the consequence. Indeed,there will be no consequence because no crime has been committed as far as the police are concerned.

This is why the British case has fascinated millions of Nigerians. Yes, Muhammadu Buhari refused to drive through the “stop” red light after he was elected president in 2015. He would not begin his presidency with a blatant breach of a traffic law. But he only was/is one in a million that would respect the law. Will the British example ever happen in Nigeria any time sooner. Your guess!

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OPINION

Africa almost close to gaining a voice at G20

By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

At the meeting of the G20 foreign ministers, the gathering firmly welcomed the rise of new centers of influence in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. The G20 (Group of Twenty) is a forum of 19 countries and the European Union and represents 85% of global GDP, 75% of global trade and two-thirds of the world’s population.

The G20 foreign ministers, from the world’s largest economies meeting in the Indian capital of New Delhi, have overwhelmingly approved African Union’s permanent membership into their organization.

The result of several appeals from different corners, these few years, can be considered appreciable as it offers the African Union the platform to express and address significant questions affecting the entire continent, but the final step comes off when the leaders meet to endorse and incorporate full-fledged membership concretely into documents.

With the emerging new order, Africa is attempting to tidy its home, seriously diversifying its economic ties and straddling to enforce some principles of democracy, and further seek positions on global stage. In this context, a number of African leaders have been advocating for the inclusion of the AU in the G20 and increase representation in the UN Security Council.

Quite recently, President Joe Biden hosted 49 African leaders and the African Union in Washington for the second U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. The landmark summit offered the platform for 49 African leaders + the African Union to highlight both new and existing challenges, and to pitch their collective expectations and aspirations in the emerging new world.

During speeches, Biden emphasized that the African Union, which represents 55 African states, be given a seat in the G20, an influential collection of the strongest economies in the world. South Africa is the only member from the continent. It was not the first time, Biden has thrown his backing behind the African Union getting permanent membership which will enhance economic ties with Africa.

As Rotating Chairman of the African Union and the President of Senegal, Macky Sall has excelled in speaking up on many development priorities for Africa. Macky Sall has, on many occasions and on different platforms, drummed home the African story of “unity in diversity” and other issues including key development priorities, challenges and the future.

At the United Nations General Assembly last September, during his address to the gathering, Macky Sall was not shy about speaking up for Africa. The gist of his message? There is absolutely no excuse for failing to ensure consistent African representation in the world’s key decisionmaking bodies.

“It is time to overcome the reticence and deconstruct the narratives that persist in confining Africa to the margins of decision-making circles,” said Sall, who is also the President of Senegal. His speech was about the need to give Africa permanent seats at the UN Security Council so, as he put it, “Africa can finally be represented where decisions that affect 1.4 billion Africans are being taken.”

But that was far from the first time he has called upon the global community to seek and consider African perspectives. “Our continent cannot be a field which is the feast of others,” Sall said. Multilateralism must “serve the interests of all,” or it will suffer “loss of legitimacy and authority,” Macky Sall argued last October.

At the meeting of the G20 foreign ministers, the gathering firmly welcomed the rise of new centers of influence in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. The G20 (Group of Twenty) is a forum of 19 countries and the European Union and represents 85% of global GDP, 75% of global trade and two-thirds of the world’s population.

Kestér Kenn Klomegâh is an Int’l Affairs Analyst.

2023 Election: Press freedom, curtailing the power of journalism

By Biliaminu Manne

“Imprisoning journalists is just one measure of how authoritarian leaders try to strangle press freedom. Around the world, governments are also honing tactics like “fake news” laws, using criminal defamation and vaguely worded legislation to criminalize journalism, ignoring the rule of law and abusing the judicial system, and exploiting technology to spy on reporters and their families.”

The curtailment of press freedom is no longer a news, the issue of press freedom is not a novel thing nor is it the most amazing attended to with great care, but the most violated right by government, public officials, corporations and the likes of others. Limitations and restrictions are being put in place to suppress the power of the press.

The world is on the verge of the theory of “survival of the fittest”, where the stronger ones survive and the weak ones drop to the ground, where the public officials siphoned public money meant for their development while the masses live in abject poverty.

Our leaders have tamed the press freedom and the power of journalists, and confronted them with the threat of being put behind bars; the freedom of information Act is yet to be domesticated in some states thereby making them unaccountable to the press.

Recall that on 25th February 2023, Opinionnigeria.com has published an article about the roles of Youths and Journalists in ensuring smooth electioneering conduct, and also the general election of Nigeria was held.

The publish article of Opinion Nigeria expressed about the duties of journalists to ensure free and fair election processes in various polling units by observing, reporting and taking pictures of the election proceedings.

Part of the article reads: “Journalists have critical roles to play in monitoring election activities to ensure smooth electioneering processes by reporting the factual data to enhance transparency and accountability in the conduct of elections. It is news of the people, by the people and for the people in a democratic society.”

“Journalists provide on the spot information on polling units during the election by sincerely monitoring election proceedings on observation and surveillance of the environment to ensure transparency and free and fair proceedings. These can be done by taking pictures, photos and other activities on election ground.”

However, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has published a report on Monday, 27th February 2023, that at least 14 journalists and media workers were detained while being covering the Nigeria Presidential Election.

“Abuja, February 27, 2023 – At least 14 journalists and media workers were detained, harassed, or attacked while covering Nigeria’s presidential and federal elections, including private news website WikkiTimes owner Haruna Mohammed Salisu, who remains in police custody without charge, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday,” it read.

Notwithstanding, last year 2022, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), alsi published in their report on Wednesday 14th December 2022, that 363 pressmen were deprived of their press freedom for practising their profession as of this year. Journalists are being prone to a series of attacks and intimidation from public officials thereby disrupting their lawful work.

Part of the report reads: “It’s been another record-breaking year for the number of journalists jailed for practising their profession. The Committee to Protect Journalists’ annual prison census has found that 363 reporters were deprived of their freedom as of December 1, 2022 – a new global high that overtakes last year’s record by 20% and marks another grim milestone in a deteriorating media landscape.

“Imprisoning journalists is just one measure of how authoritarian leaders try to strangle press freedom. Around the world, governments are also honing tactics like “fake news” laws, using criminal defamation and vaguely worded legislation to criminalize journalism, ignoring the rule of law and abusing the judicial system, and exploiting technology to spy on reporters and their families.”

This evidenced the derogation of press freedom and humiliation suffered by the gentlemen of the press across the world while discharging their duties.

Conclusively, If the rights of Journalists or the press freedom is going to be derogated by arresting them upon discharging their responsibilities, how will a nation survive without being oppressed by a tyrant ruler?

Who will be the eyes and ears of the masses?

The government should give room to the Journalists to discharge their responsibilities transparently and also the leaders should shun the curtailment of press freedom across the world for the free and fair dissemination of information in every Nation.

Biliaminu

Manne is a Public Policy Analyst.

Trapped funds: Travel agencies seek FG intervention over ‘unfair’ ticket pricing by foreign airlines

By Abubakar Y. Ojimaojo

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ( FCCPC) to proffer solutions to the challenges of airfare profiteering in the aviation sector.

Susan Akporiaye, NANTA’s national president, made the call when she visited FCCPC’s office in Abuja .

Akporiaye said the visit was for the association to seek guidance and solution-driven advice on the face-off with

By Abubakar Y. Ojimaojo

The global pace of reforms toward equal treatment of women under the law has slumped to a 20-year low, says a new report by the World Bank.

In the report titled ‘Women, Business and the Law’, released on Thursday, the World Bank said the “reform fatigue” constituted a potential impediment to economic growth at a critical time for the global economy.

The international financial institution said that in 2022, the global average score on its Women, Business and the Law index rose just half a point to 77.1 — indicating women, on average,

foreign airlines over unfair ticket pricing in Nigeria.

The NANTA president said it was high time the association sought guidance and determined the next line of action over foreign airlines’ high fares as well as the closing of lower inventories to travel agents across Nigeria.

She added that these challenges have affected the travel agents’ businesses in several ways as the airlines blame the hike in airfare on their trapped funds.

Akporiaye also said the association was committed to protecting its members and

their businesses from any form of exploitation and unfair practices from any quarter.

She further requested the FCCPC to assist NANTA and Nigeria’s travelling public, with remedies to curb the unfair practices in the downstream aviation sector and how best to articulate its position going forward.

“We strongly view from our professional experience and knowledge of fare mechanism, that the reactions of foreign airlines on trapped funds is grossly unfair to the Nigerian travelling public and gravely threatens the survival of NANTA

members,” she said.

In his response, Babatunde Irukera, FCCPC vice-chairman, commended NANTA’s leadership for the trust and confidence in governmentstructured competition and consumer protection ecosystem.

Irukera assured that the commission would engage in necessary interventions which may include inviting parties and stakeholders involved.

“We at FCCPC welcome your request for guidance and will do our best to help determine possible steps to solve this problem which affects Nigerians,” he said.

enjoy barely 77 percent of the legal rights that men do.

The report said that at the current pace of reform, in many countries, a woman entering the workforce today would retire before she will be able to gain the same rights as men.

Commenting on the report, Indermit Gill, chief economist of the World Bank Group and senior vice president for development economics, said, “At a time when global economic growth is slowing, all countries need to mobilize their full productive capacity to confront the confluence of crises besetting them.”

“Governments can’t afford to sideline as much as half of their

population. Denying equal rights to women across much of the world is not just unfair to women; it is a barrier to countries’ ability to promote green, resilient, and inclusive development.”

The World Bank said its latest Women, Business and the Law report assessed 190 countries’ laws and regulations in eight areas related to women’s economic participation — mobility, workplace, pay, marriage, parenthood, entrepreneurship, assets and pensions.

The data — which are current through Oct 1, 2022 — offer objective and measurable benchmarks for global progress toward legal gender equality.

The report said that at present, just 14 countries — all high-income economies — have laws that give women the same rights as men.

According to the report, worldwide, nearly 2.4 billion women of working age still do not have the same rights as men.

It said that closing the gender employment gap could raise longterm gross domestic product (GDP) per capita by nearly 20 percent on average across countries.

“In 2022, only 34 genderrelated legal reforms were recorded across 18 countries—the lowest number since 2001,” the report reads.

“Most reforms focused on increasing paid leave for parents and fathers, removing restrictions to women’s work, and mandating equal pay.”

At the current pace, the bank calculated that it would take at least 50 years to pass the 1,549 reforms needed to reach “substantial gender equality everywhere.”

The World Bank said that although great achievements have been made over the last five decades, more needs to be done worldwide to ensure that good intentions are accompanied by tangible results —that is, equal opportunity under the law for women.

S’Court verdict on Naira redesign: We tried to settle behind closed doors, says el-Rufai

By Abubakar Y. Ojimaojo

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, says the ruling of the supreme court on old naira notes is a victory for Nigerians.

PEOPLES DAILY Weekend had reported that the supreme court invalidated the naira redesign policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

A seven-member panel of the apex court held that the old N200, N500 and N1000 notes remain legal tender until December 31, 2023.

The supreme court faulted the policy of the CBN, saying the timing and implementation

were defective.

Speaking with journalists after the ruling of the apex court on Friday, the Kaduna governor reiterated that the policy was designed to prevent the All Progressives Congress (APC) from winning the elections.

“A full court of seven justices gave a unanimous judgement 7-0 that all our prayers to the court have been accepted. This is a victory for Nigerians,” elRufai said.

“But this policy which was designed and targeted at a political party and its candidates has brought hardship on our people, this is why the three of us took the decision to come to the supreme court.

“We are APC members, the president of Nigeria is from the APC, but we disagreed with him on this policy and its implementation and when we tried everything to settle this behind closed doors, we had no option but to come to the supreme court.

“We are very grateful to the court for this unanimous decision and the orders it has given to the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure that from today to the 31st of December 2023, the old naira notes of all denominations shall continue to circulate with the new naira notes. That is the major decision of the supreme court.

“The other decision of the

supreme court is that the policy of currency confiscation where you deposit money in the bank and the bank chooses what to give you is unlawful and illegal.

“Nigerians can go to the bank and collect whatever they have deposited and get on with their lives.

“Those that said we went to the court because of elections are wrong. We went to court because our people in our states are suffering and businesses in our states are coming to a halt, lives are being destroyed, that’s why we went to court.

“We left elections in the hands of God and we all know the result. Although this policy was designed to ensure that we

did not give them the essential edge in the elections, we have won.”

World Bank: 2.4bn women of working age do not have same rights as men

Susan Akporiaye el-Rufai

Old N500/N1,000 notes: Uneasy calm as mixed reactions trail S’ Court deadline extension

By Abubakar Y. Ojimaojo

Nigeria has in the past, had reasons to change, redesign and redenominate its currency; but, never, in the annals of the nation’s political history, has such an exercise brought so much hardship, confusion, apprehension, rancor, despondency like is currently being witnessed and experienced.

Perceptible disobedience to the order of the Supreme Court, pitching many states against the Federal Government, and gradually descending to the masses against the Federal Government, resulting in unimaginable angst, expressed in wanton destruction of properties of financial institutions, and even loss of lives.

The Supreme Court on Friday extended the validity of the N200, N500, and N1,000 notes till 31 December.

A seven-member panel of the court led by John Okoro unanimously directed that the CBN must continue to receive the old notes from Nigerians

The court held that the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari for the redesign of the new notes and withdrawal of the old notes without due consultation is invalid.

Emmanuel Agim, a member of the panel, who read the lead judgment, also condemned the President’s disobedience of the court’s 8 February order that the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes should continue to circulate alongside the new ones.

He said the president’s broadcast of 16 February that only N200 notes should remain legal tender made Nigeria’s democracy look like a mere pretension while democracy is replaced with autocracy.

Background

On February 8, 2023, the Supreme Court of Nigeria made an order directing that the old Naira notes of N200, N500, and N1000 should continue to circulate alongside the new Naira notes, pending the hearing and final determination of the Motion on Notice filed by three States before the Court.

The case was then adjourned to February 15, 2023. In its reaction to the suit and the order made therein, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, filed its processes in the suit and gave the undertaking to obey the order of the Supreme Court.

In the meantime, the problems associated with the scarcity of the new Naira notes continued unabated. At the behest of the President, the Council of State met, and advised that if the new notes are not sufficiently available, then the old notes should continue to circulate concurrently with the new notes, until such a time that the latter will circulate widely.

When the case came up before the Supreme Court on February 15, 2023, the interim order previously made was

validated and extended.

The following day on February 16, 2022, the nation woke up to listen to the President in his nationwide broadcast on the crisis of the old and new Naira notes. The highpoint of the President’s broadcast is best captured in the now infamous declaration that the old N500 and N1000 notes have ceased to be legal tender and that the old N200 will remain legal tender till April 10, 2023.

Reacting to the judgment In a separate interview with PEOPLES DAILY Weekend, Bunuyamin Musa, who is a Civil Servant, said Nigerians were misled by the President and the CBN, that if we surrendered our old notes to the banks, they will have access to the new notes in exchange, which has not been the case. The CBN cleverly deceived us into giving up our old notes, when it had no plans to print enough new notes to go around.

“Can authoritatively tell you that Nigerians are suffering because of cash. There is no way you can get Cash even at an ATM point, what is happening? but my prayer is that the Federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari and CBN would obey the court order.

Victoria Kanu told Peoples Daily Weekend that their own thing is the supreme court giving an order and the other is for the Federal government to obey it because the supreme court has given such an order and Buhari would not obey it.

We are waiting patiently to hear from President Muhammadu Buhari and Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele to say something. I don’t think it’s time for a celebration yet.

“I must collect money today. I cannot go home and come back again because there is nothing I’m the house for my children to eat. Point Of Service (POS) is not working anywhere and even those that are working, you can not dare to withdraw because of the 40 Percent charges.

“President Muhammadu Buhari should do something because we are suffering. If we in Abuja are finding it difficult to have access to cash, what about those in the village?”

Rukuyya Musa, from Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, lamented that the situation in the villages was worst due to the lack of commercial bank branches in the rural areas.

“As I speak, we are stranded here in the village because even the nearest POS agents don’t have money to dispense.

“No money to even buy Maggi to cook, not to talk of buying some other things. President Buhari should please allow money order CBN to print more money”, he said

Before the court judgment, In Nyanya, Peoples Daily Weekend observed that taxi drivers are rejecting transfers in places like Parks, Fuel stations, and marketplaces, but you can make use of your ATM card, which happens at the supermarket and not the park.

Isa Suleiman told Peoples Daily Weekend that he doesn’t know the last time he went to the office since the scarcity of cash. Even though you want to, the Okada man won’t collect the transfer from you or the taxi driver because they are also looking for cash.

“How can you transfer N50, N100 notes to Okadaman? It is very annoying, I swear. This process is frustrating us and we don’t have anything to do. I think President Muhammadu Buhari should follow the court order so that old notes and new ones should flow to the market,” he said.

Weekend MagazineEntertainment

Jide Kosoko congratulates Tinubu, says it’s a new dawn for Nigeria

Nollywood Veteran Nigerian actor Jide Kosoko has expressed his excitement over the recent victory of the All Progressive Party, (APC) at the 2023 polls and also congratulated the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory in the February 25, 2023 presidential election.

Kosoko, who is the Secretary of the Creative Arts Directorate of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday, declared that the election of Tinubu as President will herald a new dawn for Nigeria, bringing with it renewed hope for millions of Nigerians who have been searching for solutions to the myriad of challenges facing the country.

He further congratulated the wife of the President-elect, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Vice President-elect, Senator Kahim Shettima and his wife, the Director General of the PCC, Governor Simon Lalong, the Secretary of the PCC, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, the entire membership of the PCC and particularly members of the Creative Arts Directorate for their hard work that brought the well deserved victory. Prince Kosoko said he was convinced that the election of Tinubu would be to the advantage of all Nigerians.

The veteran actor also has a word of encouragement for Nigerian youths, especially the agitated ones, assuring them that the coming of Asiwaju Tinubu would answer all their questions and provide lasting solutions to their agitations and challenges.

The last son of renowned ace musician Fela Kuti, Seun broke has also added his voice to that of other entertainers celebrating the victory of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigerian president elect.

Kuti, who is renowned for speaking his mind without concern for what others may think of him, took to Instagram to share his views on the just-

concluded elections.

In the run-up to the elections, the singer got into a back-and-forth with Peter Okoye of the PSquare group over concerns about who should become president.

Seun Kuti mentioned the election and said that Nigerians wanted the “lesser of three evils, but you got the best.” He also mentioned how Nigerians frequently allow public figures to influence their choices while knowing they are only thinking about themselves.

Seun wrote, “When you realize that all your actors, musicians, influencers, comedians, politicians and business leaders are using your resources and support to become British and American citizens so their children don’t exist with yours maybe you will have sense enough to stop allowing them direct your life!!!You wanted the lesser of 3 evils but you got the best! May the best lie win!! Let’s know @mopcentre those ready for the work. It’s starts today!!”

Seun and Peter’s altercations issue started when Kuti said he believes that no politician can save Nigeria except for Nigerians themselves. Fela’s son insisted that even if Sowore wins the election, he cannot make any effective change in a country with PDP and APC-controlled states.

He went on to say that Peter Obi is an opportunist who switched to the Labour Party after losing the PDP primaries. The comment struck a nerve with Okoye, who has been an avid supporter of the Obi movement.

Reacting to this Peter Okoye wrote: “Dude just erased his father’s history. You said only the people of Nigeria can save Nigeria. Is PO and the rest candidates not Nigerian people? Shame! Shame! Shame!!!”

He also insulted Kuti’s music career, calling him a Grammy nominee who is still living in the trenches.

Weekend Magazine

Mr Marcaroni counsels youths againts creating tribal war

Comedian Mr. Macaroni has counselled young Nigerians to abstain from participating in tribal battles and letting politicians use them as a means of wreaking havoc.

The comedian implored young people in a video posted to his Instagram page to stay united and avoid igniting tribal conflict over politicians who, in his opinion, will always be friends.

In his words, “I know how some people must feel; I know we’re not happy with the way INEC conducted the elections in some certain areas, but the president-elect has been announced, and any aggrieved candidate can go to court; don’t let anybody use you. The Nigerian youths must remain one.”

He added, “Do not die for any politician, don’t let any politician use you as a tool, that’s all. They are friends, we know they’re friends. The youth can have their choice but politicians will be politicians. Don’t give up and don’t lose hope. Anybody that is telling you as a Yoruba man to attack your Igbo brother or my Igbo brothers are telling you to attack Yorubas somewhere, Hausas or any other tribe, my brother please don’t. And while we’re trying to build trust for politicians we must remain united because only then can we say oh na we bring you in you no do well get out. Only when they see that we’re united is when we can make decisions like that.”

Be calm, don’t overreact to election results –Charly Boy urges youths

Nigerian Entertainer, Mr Charles Oputa, popularly known as ‘Charley Boy’ has called on Nigerian youths to be calm and not to overreact to the 2023 election results declared by INEC.

Charly Boy Oputa made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday at the Unity Fountain in Abuja.

The entertainer, who spoke in reaction to the gathering of some youths at the Unity Fountain, said the gathering was to protest the alleged bogus election result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Young people are gathering to protest the situation and bogus election that have just been concluded.

“As Area Father, I am just here to make sure that it is peaceful and that they are doing the right thing.

“I believe in what they are doing and I am here to show support.

“The election result is the most bogus, most annoying and a financial disaster looking at the money wasted on the exercise by the Federal Government,” he said.

According to him, we cannot afford to be seen as overreacting because I know how the enemies will use that against us, so we need to use our heads.

Oputa expressed satisfaction with the conduct of Nigerian youths in the electoral process.

Mr Isaac Balami, the convener of the peaceful walk said the gathering was to protest the 2023 presidential election results released by INEC.

He said INEC had broken the code and peace

accord reached by political parties by failing to deliver on its promises.

Balami attributed the huge turnout of voters across the country to promises made by INEC that the election would be transparent and that their votes would count.

He alleged that INEC’s Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) stopped working in the middle of the election when it discovered that the APC was losing the election.

Balami said the non celebration of the APC victory across the country was an indication that the election result was not a reflection of the choice of the people.

BBTitans: Pressure is getting more intensed as the week rolls by in Big Brother’s house

It’s been seven weeks since the commencement of Big Brother Titans (BBTitans) and there seems to be more pressure as not many housemates have been evicted as expected.

Having gone half way through the season and just one-third of the housemates had been evicted, it seemed as though things in Biggie’s home were about to take a bad turn. This indicates that there will probably be many large-scale evictions and tension in the coming weeks.

It is already taking place; the atmosphere in the house is incredibly upsetting, and it is having many negative effects on the roommates. The first to fall victim to this was undoubtedly Tsatsii, whose transgressions on Monday caused the Royals to lose both their save and replace powers as Heads of House and be nominated

as well. Evidently, that has somewhat ruined their week, and she feels bad for putting Ebubu in danger. The housemates were

given another task by Big Brother on Wednesday, but this one was intended to help them decompress. They had to come up with

strategies for unwinding and practising self-care, as well as get a facial, pedicure, or manicure. The moment the brief was finished being

read, Tsatsii conveyed her growing worry about the short amount of time they had left to prepare their presentation.

HEALTHY Living

Scotland first to ban environmentally harmful anaesthetic

Scotland has become the first country in the world to stop its hospitals using the anaesthetic desflurane because of the threat it poses to the environment.

NHS data suggests the gas, used to keep people unconscious during surgery, has a global warming potential 2,500 times greater than carbon dioxide.

Banning it in Scotland - from its peak use in 2017 - would cut emissions equal to powering 1,700 homes a year.

UK hospitals have already cut down. In the last few years, more than 40 hospital trusts in England and a number of hospitals in Wales have stopped using it.

NHS England will introduce a similar ban from 2024, which - like Scotland - prohibits its use for anything but exceptional circumstances.

Banning it across NHS hospitals in England would cut harmful emissions equivalent to those caused by powering

11,000 homes every year, according to NHS analysis of desflurane use in 2020.

Other countries, including many in Europe, are likely to make similar moves in the next few years.

Dr Kenneth Barker, anaesthetist and clinical lead for Scotland’s national green theatres programme, said he was shocked to find the anaesthetic drug he had used for more than a decade for many major and routine operations was so harmful to the environment.

“I realised in 2017 that the amount of desflurane we used in a typical day’s work as an anaesthetist resulted in emissions equivalent to me driving 670 miles that day,” he said.

“I decided to stop using it straight away and many fellow anaesthetists have got on board.

“When you are faced with something as obvious as this and with the significance it has to the environment - I am very glad we have got to this stage.”

Many hospitals have switched to safe and effective anaesthetic gases with less warming potential such as sevoflurane, which has a global warming potential 130 times that of carbon dioxide, or to using alternative non-gaseous anaesthetics and more efficient equipment.

Scottish Health and Social Care Secretary, Humza Yousaf, said: “Programmes like this are key to our transition to become a net-zero health service, whilst ensuring patient safety remains at the heart of every clinical decision.

Greener NHS ‘must help fight climate change’

The NHS’s ‘first climate friendly’ operation

Meanwhile. Dr Helgi Johannsson, vice president of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, told the BBC: “More and more anaesthetists across the UK have become aware of the sheer extent of the damage the gas can cause to the

environment and have chosen to stop using it - and I am proud of that.”

But he warns it is only the start and just “a drop in the ocean of the NHS carbon footprint”.

He explained: “The NHS is a really carbon-intensive industry. We need to concentrate on all the other major things that can make a difference too - such as tackling old hospital buildings that are difficult to heat and reducing the journeys patients take.”

Overall, anaesthetic gasses make up about 2-5% of the NHS’s carbon footprint, and efforts are under way to tackle other medical gases like nitrous oxide.

NHS England’s net-zero strategy includes looking at more environmentally friendly heating and lighting systems, greener vehicles and examining the environmental impact of how medicines and equipment are supplied to the NHS.

Source: bbc.com

ICT

Top 10 Information Technology Trends

The IT world never stands still. This rapid, ever-changing industry is full of new technologies, tools, software frameworks and innovative ideas.

Information Technology Trends

Modern technologies develop symbiotically and inevitably affect one another. For instance, mobile internet depends on cloud computing and facilitates IoT development. Therefore, a breakthrough in one area stimulates innovations in the other.

1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Over the past few years, artificial intelligence and machine learning have been the headliners among emerging information technologies. Many large businesses have begun to introduce AI and ML solutions into their operations, gaining tangible benefits such as improved customer experience, streamlined processes, reduced production issues and higher revenues.

According to the statistics by Semrush, 86% of CEOs said AI was mainstream technology in their office in 2021. Specifically, we’ll see more SMBs ensuring their development strategy takes into account artificial intelligence, machine learning, or deep learning.

Intelligent tools and algorithms will be expanding their presence in various sectors, from manufacturing and healthcare to finance and education. Companies that ignore or postpone AI implementation within the next five years will risk falling by the wayside.

2. 5G Proliferation

Although the first 5G-enabled devices were connected to the network in 2019, the new standard has not become ubiquitous yet. Unsuitable infrastructure and lack of compatible devices were the main obstacles for 5G expansion in previous years. Infrastructure is becoming more sustainable, and the availability of compatible handsets is growing, enabling mobile phone users and various businesses to leverage the potential of 5G technology.

The practical usage of 5G brings broadband download speeds over mobile networks and provides 10x faster internet services than 4G. Consequently, it provides the impetus for further development of disruptive technologies, including the Internet of Things, self-driving cars, virtual and augmented reality, robotic surgery, drone delivery and more.

3. Quantum Computing

You may be surprised, but traditional computers are objectively quite slow. Information technology trends say that the next generation of computers will be quantum computers. The technology is actively maturing now and is going to supplant current technology.

Quantum computing technology is a completely new way of transmitting and processing information based on the phenomena of quantum mechanics. Traditional computers use binary code (bits) to handle information. The bit has two basic states, zero and one, and can only be in one of them at a time. The quantum computer uses qubits, which are based on the principle of superposition. The qubit also has two basic states: zero and one. However, due to superposition, it can combine values and be in both states at the same time.

This parallelism of quantum computing helps find the solution directly, without the necessity to check all the possible variants of the system states. In addition, a quantum computing device doesn’t need huge computational capacity and large amounts of RAM. Imagine: it needs only 100 qubits to calculate a system of 100 particles, whereas a binary system requires trillions of trillions of bits.

With quantum computing, it’s much easier to process large sets of information,

which is incredibly beneficial for predictive analytics applications. Further development and widespread adoption of the technology are therefore only a matter of time.

4. Blockchain

Though most people still associate blockchain with cryptocurrencies only, the technology has been successfully incorporated into many other fields that require decentralized data storage and transparency of transactions. For example, blockchain is currently used for supply chain management, making falsifications practically impossible at all its stages (financial transactions, warehousing, inventory records, delivery schedule, etc.). The security of medical data management is also enhanced using blockchain technology. Specialists from various industries are actively exploring the potential of blockchain. So, this year and beyond, we are likely to see new practical use cases, and the demand for blockchain experts will increase.

5. Cybersecurity

Spending on cybersecurity continues to grow for several reasons:

More and more companies are undergoing digital transformation, so they need protection for their digital business environments.

More businesses have been assessing the risks of data breaches and realizing the amount of financial and other losses they can avoid by developing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.

Cybercriminals continuously invent increasingly sophisticated malicious activities, so companies need to hire skilled professionals and introduce advanced counteractions to resist their attacks.

The 2021 Security Priorities study by IDG revealed that 98% of respondents will either increase their security budget or keep it the same in the upcoming 12 months.

6. Edge Computing

The demand for edge computing devices is steadily growing due to the large volumes of data that enterprises produce and need to analyze. The essence of edge computing is that data processing nodes are situated closer to data sources and consumers. Obviously, this is a quicker and more efficient way to gain valuable

insights than transferring raw data to centralized platforms.

This decentralized model of data handling provides lower latency, which is critical for real-time operations. Hence, edge computing technology will be more widely introduced in logistics, smart manufacturing enterprises and healthcare institutions. Moreover, edge computing will significantly contribute to cybersecurity, because distributed nodes are less vulnerable to cyberattacks than a single platform.

7. Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

The automation of processes has been a ubiquitous trend for practically all industries and spheres over the past decade. Known as business process automation (BPA), it’s based on software systems such as CRM and ERP. These are tailored to the specific needs of enterprises, automating various repetitive tasks according to prescribed code. BPA solutions need APIs to integrate with other systems.

In 2022, we’ll see the emergence of robotic process automation (RPA). In this type of automation, bots are trained to completely take over human tasks. They don’t need APIs but run on top of systems using a screen-scraping method. Bots record actions that humans perform in the interface (typing in data, moving a mouse) and then mimic them, thus performing the same tasks. Leveraging AI and ML technologies, bots can categorize unstructured information, interpret it and make decisions independently.

8. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Initially, VR and AR technologies were used mostly in the gaming industry and entertainment. And this market continues to grow. However, the applications of augmented and virtual reality are not limited to games anymore.

Retailers utilize VR and AR tools to enhance customer experience during online shopping. With the help of such tools, customers can configure products such as furniture to their liking and see whether they match the interior of a room before making an order. In virtual reality, consumers can also try on clothes to make sure that the size and style are right for them.

Engineers and designers across industries

(automotive, construction, and more) create prototypes in the digital environment and experiment with them to achieve the best result. This is much cheaper than producing numerous physical prototypes that fail.

Healthcare specialists use VR and AR as training tools to train medical personnel. The technology also assists with planning and performing of surgery thanks to the anatomical reconstruction of patient bodies.

Undoubtedly, VR and AR technologies have huge potential and we’ll see more examples of their practical applications in the future.

9.

Growth of IoT Networks

Many enterprises have been using IoT solutions for quite a long time and benefit from them. Nevertheless, the technology doesn’t stand still. The Internet of Things continues its advancement due to the development of complementary technologies such as 5G connectivity, edge computing and artificial intelligence. As a result, IoT networks reduce or eliminate latency, becoming more efficient and secure.

This year and beyond, more enterprises that need real-time applications for their processes will implement IoT solutions, so the market will be expanding.

10.

Cloud Migration

Though cloud computing is not new, the market growth doesn’t slow down. This is due to several factors:

The accelerated digital transformation of companies caused by the pandemic

The need to modernize legacy enterprise applications to stay competitive

The need for data analytics to drive business processes

The development of edge computing and 5G technology, which enhance cloud capabilities

Business owners realize that cloud migration is an integral part of digital development that brings a range of benefits.

More companies choose a hybrid cloud model while developing a cloud migration strategy. Kubernetes orchestration is also a growing trend in the cloud computing world.

Source: https://www.sam-solutions.com

Weekend Pictorial

From left: Commissioner of police, Cp. Sunday Babaji,- Assistant inspector of police (AIG) Ahmad Abdurrahman,- inspection senior officers during the Assistant inspector of police AIG zone 14 official visit to kaduna command over 2023 election duty on thursday 2/3/23

From left: Contractors Association, chairman Ahmad Hussain,- kurna Costruction company chairman, Aliyu Usman,- association financial secratery Kamilu Abdurrahaman,- Presenting a new form to the Association stakeholders during a 1st General Meetting on stretening their leadership withing Association in kaduna on wednesday 2/3/23

L-R......Head of Team Corruption Trackers, Koletaiye Shamsudeen, Executive Director The Corruption Trackers Initiative, Comrade, Hamza Abidin Danliman, and Director Legal Department of the initiative, Barr, Paul Okache during their International press conference in Kaduna yesterday

L-R, Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, Chairman, Labour Party, Barr Julius Aburi; Labour Party Chieftain, Alhaji Mohammed Audi and Former minister of Aviation, Mrs Fidelia Njezie during a World Press Conference on the outcome of the 2023 Presidential General Elections in Abuja yesterday Photo Ro

President Buhari with L-R: Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development Sadiya Umar-Farouq, Borno Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum and Vice PresidentElect Senator Kashim Shettima during the Tour of Ruins of Maiduguri Monday Market in Borno State on 2nd Mar 2023

L-R: Consultant to Lubcon Ltd., Engr. Kayode Sote ; Chief Executive Officer, MannaBiz Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Azeez Taiwo; Managing Director, Lubcon Ltd., Taiye Williams; Representative of Woopet Ogbus Ventures, Mrs. Chioma Anyanwu and Chief Executive Officer, Gold Touch Technologies Nigeria Limited, Jehu Omoruku at the 12th West African Excellence Awards 2023 where Lubcon Ltd., won West Africa Best Premium Lubricant of the Year Awards in Lagos.

Biography

Sir Ahmadu Bello: A true hero!

Sir Ahmadu Bello, popularly known as the Sardauna of Sokoto is arguably one if not the most politically powerful man to have walked the northern Hemisphere of Nigeria. The Sardauna of Sokoto was a reputable statesman, a focused politician, and a well-admired and loved diplomat. He is a descendant of the famous Islamic Cleric and Jihadist, Usman Dan Fodio who founded the Sokoto Caliphate.

Early Life of The Sardauna

Ahmadu Ibrahim Bello was born in the city of Rabah, on June 12 1910 to the family of Mallam Ibrahim Bello. His father held the title of Sarkin (king of) Rabah. He was from the early age of four Islamically educated at home, where he learned the Qur’an, Islamic jurisprudence, and the Prophetic traditions which were expected as a descendant of the great Sheikh Muhammad Bello, son of Dan Fodio.

Education

After his homeschooling, at the age of eleven, he then attended Sokoto Provincial School and afterward the then Katsina Teacher’s Training College (now Barewa College, Zaria). During his school days, he was popularly known as Ahmadu Rabah. He graduated in 1931 and subsequently became (appointed by the sultan) the English teacher in Sokoto Middle School. Like the majority of other northern royals, he is an accomplished horseman.

Early political Activities

In 1934, the Sardauna was made the District Head of Rabah by the then Sultan, Hassan dan Mu’azu, who succeeded his brother. In 1938, Ahmadu Bello was promoted to the position of the Divisional Head of Gusau (present Zamfara State capital), thus making him a well-standing member of the Sultan’s council.

At a very young age of 28, in the year 1938, After the demise of Sultan Hassan dan Mu’azu, he attempted to become the Sultan of Sokoto but was not successful, losing to Sir Siddiq Abubakar III (his first cousin) who reigned till his death in 1988.

As Sir Siddiq Abubakar III, the new Sultan assumed the seat of power, he immediately made Sir Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna (Crown Prince) of Sokoto, a chieftaincy title, and promoted him to the Sokoto Native Authority Council, noticing he commanded a high morality and intellectuality. These titles by default made him the Chief Political Adviser of the Sultan.

The Sardauna of Sokoto was eventually put in charge of the Sokoto Province to oversee its 47 districts and by the year 1944, he had returned to the Sultan’s Palace to work as the Chief Secretary of the State Native Administration, which meant he held the traditional Islamic title of Sardauna as well as a British Colonial Office. This appointment was in line with the British Policy of indirect rule.

Involvement with The Northern People’s Congress

In the 1940s, sir Ahmadu Bello joined the Jam’iyya Mutanen Arewa party, which later became the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) in 1951. After

his appointment as the Chief Secretary of Native Administration, he traveled to England on a government scholarship to study Local Government Administration, which broadened his understanding and knowledge of the western form of governance.

After Sardaunan Sokoto’s returned to Nigeria in 1952, in the first-ever held elections held in Northern Nigeria he secured a seat in the House of Assembly of the Northern region of the country, and when there was a new constitution that came into being, he was appointed as an Executive minister of Survey and Works. He was also minister of Works, Local Government, and Community.

As a member of the house of assembly, he became a prominent voice for northern interests and adopted a style of consulting and consenting with the major representatives of the then northern emirates; Kano, Borno, and Sokoto. He was also selected to be a part of the committee that redrafted the Richards Constitution and he attended the general conference in Ibadan.

His participation in the assembly and the constitution drafting committee brought him much appreciation and admiration in the north and was asked

to take on leadership positions within Jamiyya Mutanen Arewa.”

Two years after his appointment as minister, the Sardauna of Sokoto became the first and sadly the only Premier of the North, being the leader of the Northern People’s Congress, the ruling party at the time.

In 1959, during the independence elections, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello led the NPC to win the majority of the parliamentary seats. The NPC allied with the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) led by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, forming Nigeria’s first indigenous government which led to Nigeria gaining its independence from Britain.

During the formation of the 1960 independence government, Ahmadu Bello, the president of the NPC, was by default supposed to be the Prime minister of the newly formed government. But the Sardauna had other plans than leading the newly formed independent government, he chose to remain Premier of Northern Nigeria and redirected the position of Prime Minister of the Federation to his deputy of the NPC, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

Achievements of Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna

Ahmadu Bello’s many political accomplishments include; establishing the Northern Regional Development Corporation (NRDC), which subsequently became the Northern Nigeria Development Corporation (NNDC), the Bank of the North, the Broadcasting Company of Northern Nigeria (BCNN), and the Nigeria Citizen Newspapers.

The Sardauna saw the North as far less developed; structurally as well as economically than the South, and he argued that the North needed to catch up and a matchup with the South for the sake of national harmony hence his policy of Northernization.

His leadership characteristics were a mishmash of religious, traditional, and modern values and his obligation in colonial and post-independence Nigeria was performing these different roles in the northern region.

He made it a major priority of his that the North would be at par politically and economically with the Western and Eastern regions.

Sardauna’s Death and Assassination

On the 15th of January 1966, Sir Ahmadu Bello was assassinated by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu a Nigerian Army officer in a coup that toppled Nigeria’s post-independence government. Before the coup d’etat, he had received warnings from the Premier of the Western Region Samuel Akintola, and Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun.

He was still the premier of Northern Nigeria at the time.

This was the first coup in the history of Nigeria, which catapulted the rise of a series of military reigns and coups in the country’s politics. Also assassinated in the coup was his long-time friend and deputy, Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa alongside many other notable political elites in the north and western region of the country.

Ahmadu Bello’s Legacy, Honours, and Awards

During his lifetime, he had received a lot of honours and awards, including honorary doctorate of Law from UNN (University of Nigeria Nsukka) in December 1961 and an honorary degree from the University of Al-Azhar in Cairo in 1962. He was made a Knight of the British Empire (KBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 1959 just before the colonial rule came to an end.

He established the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1962, the second largest University in Africa, which was named after him. He was the University’s first Chancellor. The 200 Nigerian naira carries his portrait.

Sir Ahmadu Bello also has several roads named after him in almost all states in northern Nigeria. The stadium in Kaduna is also named after him. His residence in Kaduna where he lived, is now a center of Research and Historical Documentations under Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Source: northpad.ng

Sir Ahmadu Bello

Relics of post election violence that claimed three lives, burnt property in Kano

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The just concluded presidential and National Assembly Election has come and gone in the country, leaving in its trail some sad memories.

Although it was relatively a peaceful exercise, with little pockets of violence at some spots across the country, some families in Kano state will never forget the 2023 presidential elections.

It was an attack, which was confirmed by the Kano State Police Command, on the campaign office of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Tudunwada Local Government area, a day after the election.

In a statement on Monday by spokesman of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the police stated that the incident occured on Sunday at about 4pm when collation of results was ongoing at INEC office in Tudunwada Local Government area.

He narrated that the thugs in large number, mobilized and attacked the campaign office by setting it ablaze.

According to SP Kiyawa, two unknown persons in a stationary motor vehicle inside the building burnt to death as a result of the inferno.

He added that the hoodlums again mobilized and attempted to block the road leading to the INEC office, but were dispersed by security personnel, who were immediately mobilised to the

scene.

One of the thugs, according to Mr Kiyawa, was fatally injured and was rushed to hospital where he died while receiving treatment.

“At about 1600hrs, reports were received that, while the collation of results was ongoing at Tudun Wada LGA INEC Office, a group of thugs in large numbers mobilized and attacked the Campaign Office of NNPP House of Representatives Candidate and sets the building ablaze with two unknown persons in a stationary Motor Vehicle inside the building burnt to death as a result of the inferno.

“The hoodlums again mobilize and attempted to block the road leading to the INEC Office. Security personnel were immediately mobilised to the scene. One of the thugs was fatally injured and was rushed to Hospital where he died while receiving treatment.

“Four other suspected thugs were arrested, as well. An Investigation is in progress,” the statement reads in parts.

This attack, according to the Police, led to the arrest of Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the Majority Leader, House of Representatives and memberelect, Doguwa/Tudunwada Federal Constituency.

He was arrested at Mallam Aminu Kano Airport on the suspicion that he orchestrated the attack on the NNPP

campaign office that led to the burning of two persons to death and injuring many.

Doguwa had since been arraigned and remanded at Goron Dutse Correctional Centre after being charged for culpable homicide, conspiracy, mischief, unlawful possession of fire arms and inciting disturbance.

Meanwhile, Peoples Daily also gathered that before the gruesome attack on Tudunwada Local Government, the independent National Electoral Commission office in Takai Local Government Area of Kano State was reportedly gutted by fire.

It was gathered that the incident happened at around 09:30 am on Sunday when some unidentified persons started beating people which forced election observers, journalists and INEC officials to scamper for safety and hide in the ceiling but the thugs set the office on fire.

One of the victims and a journalist from the area, Sale Nasko, said the suspects were believed to be followers of one of the political parties.

The victim who is currently hospitalised with various degrees of injuries said the suspected attackers namely Garba Gambo, Shehu Namarka, and Abdullahi Dan-jalingo were arrested and an unidentified one was at large.

The attack comes as the collation

officer of the local government was waiting for the arrival of the last two wards (Takai and Kachako) before announcing the official results of yesterday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

He said they were rescued by men of the military.

“We have learned that the attack doesn’t affect the election results,” said the victim.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Kano, SP Abdullahi Haruna confirmed the incident.

He said the fire was set up at the generator house behind the office building but it was put off immediately.

“It was from the generator house that they put out the fire. It was hurriedly brought under control and security operatives have been intensified in the area,” he said.

However, the Senator-elect of Kano South Senatorial District, Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila at a press conference in Kano on Sunday, alleged that the fire incident was set up by thugs, sponsored by APC.

He said there was plan to also attack the INEC collation centre in Rano Local Government area, calling on security agents to quickly foil the attack.

The collation centre was however not attacked and the state is now peaceful even after the announcement of the winner of presidential election.

International Johnson may have misled Parliament over parties, say MPs

Boris Johnson may have misled Parliament over Partygate on four occasions, MPs investigating his conduct say.

Evidence strongly suggests breaches of coronavirus rules would have been “obvious” to Mr Johnson, the privileges committee said in an update.

The former PM was among those fined by police for breaking lockdown rules at gatherings in Downing Street.

He said there was no evidence he “knowingly” misled Parliament.

Mr Johnson is due to give evidence to the MPs later this month.

Mr Johnson repeatedly denied Covid lockdown rules were broken during gatherings at Number 10 when asked in the Commons. Two investigations, including one by senior civil Sue Gray, found there had been multiple rule breaches.

On Friday, the committee published its initial report, including some previously unseen photos of Downing Street parties.

The report says Mr Johnson “did not correct” misleading statements he made in the Commons at the “earliest opportunity”, as would

have been expected from an MP.

Mr Johnson had “personal knowledge” about lockdown gatherings in No 10 which he could have disclosed to MPs, the

committee said.

The report found “evidence strongly suggests that breaches of guidance would have been obvious to Mr Johnson at the time he was at

the gatherings”.

It also said there was “evidence that those who were advising Mr Johnson about what to say to the press and in the House were

themselves struggling to contend that some gatherings were within the rules”.

The inquiry had been held up by a “reluctance” from Mr Johnson’s government “to provide unredacted evidence”. Some material “had been redacted even though it was already in the public domain,” according to the report.

The unredacted disclosure of all relevant material was finally provided by Rishi Sunak’s government on 18 November.

The committee said it will take the findings of a report by Ms Gray into account.

It emerged this week that Ms Gray has quit the civil service and is set to become chief of staff to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, prompting claims from Tory MPs that she was politically biased.

Mr Johnson said in a statement that it was “surreal to discover that the committee proposes to rely on evidence culled and orchestrated” by Sue Gray.

“I leave it to others to decide how much confidence may now be placed in her inquiry and in the reports that she produced,” he added.

Genevieve Lhermitte: Belgian mother who killed her five children euthanised

ABelgian woman who murdered her five children has been euthanised at her own request, 16 years after the killings.

Genevieve Lhermitte killed her son and four daughters, aged three to 14, in the town of Nivelles on 28 February 2007, while their father was away. She then tried to take her own life but failed, and ended up calling emergency services for help.

The 56-year-old was sentenced to life in prison in 2008, before being moved to a psychiatric hospital in 2019.

In Belgium the law allows for people to choose to be euthanised if they are deemed to be suffering from “unbearable” psychological, and not just physical, suffering that cannot be healed.

The person must be conscious of their decision and be able to

express their wish in a reasoned and consistent manner.

“It is this specific procedure that Mrs Lhermitte followed, with the various medical opinions having been collected,” her lawyer said.

Psychologist Emilie Maroit told the RTL-TVI channel that Lhermitte likely chose to die on 28 February in a “symbolic gesture in respect for her children”.

“It may also have been for her to finish what she started, because basically she wanted to end her life when she killed them,” the psychologist said.

The quintuple murders in 2007, and the subsequent trial, rocked Belgium.

During the trial Lhermitte’s lawyers argued she was mentally

disturbed and should not be sent to prison. But the jury found her guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced her to life in jail.

In 2010 Lhermitte filed a civil lawsuit demanding up to three million euros (£2,655,840) from a former psychiatrist, claiming his “inaction” failed to prevent the murders, but she ended up abandoning the legal battle after 10 years.

In 2022, some 2,966 people died via euthanasia in Belgium, an increase of 10% compared to 2021. Cancer remains the most common reason, but officials said in nearly three out of four requests the patient presented “several types of suffering, both physical and psychological”.

Ukraine war: Kyiv orders partial evacuation of liberated city

Ukraine has ordered some residents to leave Kupiansk, as Russia seeks to re-take the city it left last year.

Kharkiv’s regional authorities said families with children and people “with limited mobility” must leave due to “constant” shelling by Russian forces.

Russia seized the north-eastern city early in the full-scale invasion, with Ukraine recapturing it last September.

Meanwhile, Russian mercenaries say they have “practically encircled” the key city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.

The comments were made by Yevgeniy Prigozhin, who heads the paramilitary Wagner group.

In its latest news bulletin, Ukraine’s military said Russian troops continued their offensive on Bakhmut - but the attacks were “repelled”.

Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted the situation in Bakhmut - about 130km (80 miles) southeast of Kupiansk - was becoming “more and more difficult”.

In Kupiansk, the Kharkiv regional military administration said on Thursday the evacuation order was due to the “unstable security situation” caused by Russian shelling. It said those evacuated would be provided with assistance, including accommodation, food, humanitarian aid and medical support.

Other citizens were also permitted to leave the region, it added. The city had a pre-war population of around 25,000.

The military said 812 children are currently registered in Kupiansk and the surrounding district, as well as 724 disabled

people.

The Institute for the Study of War said this week that Russian forces were continuing “limited ground attacks” north-east of Kupiansk, as well as offensive operations around Kreminna, about 80km south-east.

Kupiansk - home to an important railway junction - has witnessed fierce fighting since the war began, with Russia taking control in a matter of days, and occupying the city for several months.

However, in September Ukrainian forces took back control amid a rapid counter-attack in the country’s north-east that saw almost entire of the Kharkiv region brought under Kyiv’s control.

Those advances - and the liberation of the southern city of Kherson - were the most significant front-line changes

since Russia withdrew from areas around Kyiv in April.

Last month, Ukraine warned that Russia was preparing a major new offensive, with officials saying Moscow has amassed thousands of troops on Ukraine’s eastern flank.

And Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov warned a month ago that Russia could “try something” to mark the anniversary of the full-scale invasion on 24 February.

But that apparent escalation has not translated into major successes on the battlefield, despite apparent advances around Kupiansk and Bakhmut.

In a video posted on Telegram, Mr Prigozhin, head of the paramilitary group Wagner, on Friday said that “pincers are closing in” around Bakhmut.

And in a direct message to President Zelensky, he said

Wagner units had “practically encircled” the city, with only one road remaining. He called on the Ukrainian president to abandon the city.

In a separate development on Friday, Vladimir Putin is chairing a meeting with the country’s top security officials.

It comes a day after the Russian president accused a Ukrainian sabotage group of entering a Russian border region and opening fire on civilians.

The governor of Bryansk region said “saboteurs from Ukraine” had fired at a civilian car in Lyubechane, a border village, killing two men and wounding a 10-year-old boy.

Kyiv strongly denied the Russian claim, describing it as Moscow’s provocation.

Source: BBC

Moldova’s President Maia Sandu has warned that some are hoping to install a Russian puppet government in her country

Lhermitte seen in court before her conviction in 2008

Ghana pledges to monitor all fishing vessels

Ghana will require all fishing vessels operating in its waters to fit electronic monitors, the country’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development told the BBC’s Newsday programme.

“The electronic monitoring system with have cameras and we have tied this to the licensing of the vessel to be able to go for fishing,” Mavis Hawa Koomson said.

She said that the monitoring will not only track the vessels but also, through attached cameras, allow authorities to deal with claims of abuse of Ghanaian workers by Chinese vessel operators.

The move comes after Ghana committed to ensuring 100% electronic monitoring of its industrial fisheries at the One Ocean conference in Panama City.

It’s hoped the new policy will help Ghana better manage its marine resources.

Russian embassy rides on Kenya antiLGBT wave

Russia’s embassy in Kenya has been showing support to a push by local leaders to condemn what they allege is a promotion of LGBT culture.

It follows last week’s Supreme Court ruling which allows the LGBT community to register lobby groups in Kenya.

Supporters say the judges were asserting a right to association as given to all citizens, but opponents, including President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, accused the judges of promoting “un-African” values.

Many have wrongly interpreted the judgement as giving the LGBT community freedom to get married in Kenya - which the Russian embassy has been keen to exploit.

One of the embassy’s tweets said: “Vladimir #Putin

: “As long as I’m president, we will have ‘’dad’’ and ‘’mum’’”. Another said: “The West will come for more. Traditional values shall be protected, otherwise humanity is doomed.”

International

Iliman Ndiaye: Senegal midfielder an ‘unbelievable’ player

Senegal midfielder Iliman Ndiaye has been described as “an unbelievable footballer” by Sheffield United team-mate Tommy Doyle.

Ndiaye’s late goal in the fifth round of the FA Cup shocked Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur 1-0, taking the second-tier Blades into the quarter-finals.

Fellow midfielder Doyle, who is on loan from Manchester City, has been impressed by Ndiaye’s ability to play under pressure.

“When he gets the ball, he can get out of any situation,” added Doyle.

“If he’s got five players around (him), sometimes you don’t even shout for the ball.”

Sheffield United have won the FA Cup four times - but their last triumph came nearly 100 years ago, in 1925.

“It got us through to the next round and the audience in the FA Cup is very different, so all these things make it a big goal,” said United

manager Paul Heckingbottom. Ndiaye, 22, has scored 11 goals in 37 games for United this season and played three times for Senegal

at the World Cup in Qatar. The Championship side host Blackburn Rovers in their FA Cup quarter-final later this month.

Nigeria’s Supreme Court rules CBN naira redesign invalid

were initially given until the end of January to hand in all their old notes, although this had previously been extended amid the chaotic scenes.

Reading out the ruling, Justice Emmanuel Agim said the correct process had not been followed.

“The directive given by President is invalid. Such directive is not just handed down after personal conversation with the governor of CBN [Central Bank of Nigeria],” he said.

and cash machines and it is not clear what immediate impact the reversal will have.

Many had already deposited their old notes at the banks and with the new ones unavailable, large numbers have switched to online banking. However, millions of people and businesses in the rural areas remain heavily dependent on cash.

Nigeria’s Supreme Court has ruled that old banknotes remain legal tender until the end of the year, bringing relief to millions affected by a chaotic redesign of the naira notes. The justices said that not enough notice was given to the public before the old notes were withdrawn.

Not enough of the new notes were released, leading to widespread anger and frustration.

Many people were unable to get cash to pay for food and slept outside banks.

The policy was announced last October and the new notes were released in mid-December. People

The court also berated President Muhammadu Buhari for not obeying a previous provisional order to halt the policy until it decided the case. It said there was nothing to show that President Buhari’s directive for the release of old 200 naira notes until 10 April was implemented.

“Disobedience of order of court shows the country’s democracy [is] a mere pretension and now replaced by autocracy,” it said in a scathing verdict.

Nigerians are still experiencing difficulties accessing cash at banks

Sixteen Nigerian states had challenged the redesign of the 200, 500, and 1,000 naira notes, saying that the deadline was too tight.

The central bank said that the redesign would help bring down inflation, control the amount of money in circulation and make ransom payments in Nigeria’s huge kidnap industry more difficult. Many suspected that the policy was also targeted at politicians involved in vote-buying during elections.

A tightly contested presidential election last Saturday was won by the ruling party. Some cases of votebuying were reported, but fewer than in previous polls.

The UN has condemned the presence of South Sudanese soldiers in the southern part of Abyei, an oil-rich border area being contested by Sudan and South Sudan.

The UN peacekeeping force, called the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abye (Unisfa) says

Aman who survived a hyena attack two years ago has been killed by an elephant in Makueni county in eastern Kenya, local media report.

Seventy-two-year-old Musili Musembi is said to have been trampled on by an elephant as

“uniformed personnel” were spotted in Abyei on Tuesday.

It said it was “deeply worried” the development would further exacerbate the conflict and cause a humanitarian crisis for civilians living in the area.

South Sudan’s army

he walked home on Wednesday night.

Human-wildlife conflicts are common in the area that borders the vast Tsavo East National Park, with residents complaining of attacks and destruction of their crops by wildlife.

spokesperson, Maj Gen Lul Ruai Koang, has denied the presence of government soldiers in Abyei.

Unisfa said Abyei remains a “weapon-free area” that should not have the presence of any force.

“Unisfa condemns the renewed fighting within and around the

UN ‘worried’ over South Sudanese soldiers in Kenya hyena-attack survivor killed by an elephant

In 2020, the deceased is said to have fought off a hyena that attacked his livestock, sustaining an injury on his left hand.

On Thursday, angry residents demanded a meeting with the minister in charge of wildlife.

They also wanted the Kenya

borders of Abyei Box and urges all parties to ceasefire and allow the political process to resolve the lingering crisis,” it said in a statement.

It urged both countries to respect the UN Security Council resolution on demilitarization of Abyei.

Wildlife Service to put down the rogue elephant.

Police are said to have fired in the air to disperse the residents to retrieve Mr Musembi’s body, which was later taken to a hospital mortuary in Kibwezi town.

Source:BBC

Iliman Ndiaye’s goal against Tottenham in the FA Cup was his 11th in 37 games for Sheffield United this season

Some people queued overnight outside banks to try and get cash

Why half of India’s urban women stay at home

Nineteen-year-old Manisha works as a full-time maid at a house on the outskirts of the Indian capital, Delhi.

Back home in Jharkhand, she dropped out of school as public transport was irregular and sexual harassment on the roads was common. She travelled to the Indian capital, and got herself a job in an apartment. But still she does not venture out much, citing difficulties in commuting and lack of safety.

“I am working but I only go out once or twice a month. I don’t feel comfortable on the streets,” she says.

Manisha’s story wouldn’t come as a surprise to Rahul Goel, an assistant professor of transportation research at Delhi’s Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). He has used data from India’s first Time Use Surveywhich measures the amount of time people spend doing various activities - to find out more about how gender inequality impacts daily mobility. (Surveyors spread out across India in 2019 collecting information on how people used their time the day before the interview.) In particular, Mr Goel looked at a dataset of 170,000 people living in cities and towns, who were a part of the survey.

The findings were striking. When surveyors visited households, more than half - 53% - of women said they had not stepped outside home the previous day. Only 14% of the men said they had also stayed in.

The study also found that girls were less likely to go out than boys when they were in their adolescence - aged 10 to 19 - and that there was a “slight increase in mobility” when women reached middle age. Mr Goel believes it shows that conservative social norms that restrict women from working outside home, or going out of home at all “start their effect early in childhood”.

The study revealed glaring contrasts in gender roles. Women did largely unpaid house work while men spent time in activities outside home. Women, aged 25-44, spent an average of eight-and-ahalf hours every day on domestic or caregiving work. Men in the same age group spent less than an hour on these activities. Only 38% of women in this age group reported going out of home, compared to 88% of men.

Being married or living with a person was associated with reduced mobility for women but increased mobility for men. Also women who were married or had an infant went out less; marriage and children had virtually no impact on the mobility for men. “These results are in line with the findings where responsibility of household

chores falls disproportionately on females,” says Mr Goel.

After reaching working age, more men than women were going out and joining the work force. As people reach the working age of 15, men make the transition from education to work, while this transition happens for a small proportion of women. Only 30% of women who didn’t work reported going out of home at least once,

compared to 81% of women who were studying or working.

“In other words, it is just not that some women are not going out to work, but many are not going out of the house at all,” Mr Goel says.

Some of the findings have puzzled experts.

Ashwini Deshpande, a professor of economics at Ashoka University, says there has been a “massive” increase in numbers of girls enrolling for school and college education in India and there’s scant evidence of them not showing up for classes. That would mean more women were mobile, and not held back by social norms.

“Indian women are definitely not chained to beds and being made to sit at home,” she told me.

Prof Deshpande believes

Indians also might be “translating” the concept of travel differently in their various languages. “I wouldn’t, for example, categorise going to school or college as travel,” she says.

Also, low mobility of women cannot be simply explained by social norms or lack of jobs, many believe. For example, women were mobile and very visible on the street in the western city of Pune, which also reports a low rate of women’s participation in the work force.

Of course, argues Mr Goel, there are regional variations - there are many more women going out regularly in a number of states. Goa, for example, is the “only state which is completely gender equal when it comes to mobility”.

Women are out and about in Tamil Nadu, where 43% of India’s 1.6

million women engaged in factory work live, according to a study. More girls are going out in states like Bihar and West Bengal after a government scheme provided them with free bicycles.

Still, India - and some of South Asia - appears to be an outlier.

A 2007 summary of timeuse surveys across 15 European countries found that in all countries, except one (Lithuania), women were actually more mobile than men. London reported no gender differences in total number of trips per individual and in France, women made more trips than men.

Another study of 18 cities around the world from Australia, Europe, Latin America, subSaharan Africa and North America found that on average 76% of the

women reported making a trip compared to 79% of the men. This indicated that the large gender disparity in mobility rate in India is an “outlying phenomenon not commonly observed in most parts of the world”, says Mr Goel. At one level, the findings are unsurprising.

India has a high rate of gender inequality: it has a low sex ratio, labour force participation of women

is among the lowest (27%) in the world, and social norms restrict mobility. Many women continue to be sequestered with very few friends, limiting their opportunities to mingle and critique inequalities. At the same time, maternal mortality rates have dropped, fertility levels have fallen, sex ratio at birth is improving slowly and school and college enrolment rates for women have shot up.

Mr Goel says a key barrier is “just about getting women out of the house”. One reason is women feel unsafe on the roads which are also not friendly for children and the elderly. “Our public spaces are too masculine. We need to feminise them,” he says. There’s little dispute about this.

Source: BBC

“ However, the alarm has continued to trigger apprehension and deep fears, thereby, unsettling the everbubbling seat of power and its government of Nigeria

India’s first Time Series Survey showed women went out considerably less than men

Researchers say India needs to “feminise” its public spaces and make them safer for women

Goa is the “only state which is completely gender equal when it comes to mobility”

A large number of Indian women are engaged in unpaid chores

Binani: Nigeria’s 1st female governor prospect - To be or not to be

From Umar Dankano, Yola

The emergence of Senator representing Adamawa Central senatorial district, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, fondly nicknamed “BINANI” as the 2023 elections gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Adamawa state has raised hopes for the first female governor in the history of Nigeria’s democracy.

This expectation is also challenged by uncertainty in equal proportion as to whether the serving Senator can indeed weather the storm in view of the political realities in her state of Adamawa.

Nigeria is touted as the largest democracy in Africa, but until now, it has never produced a female candidate for a governorship election, let alone an elected female governor. Kenya for instance, unlike Nigeria, currently has seven serving female governors.

Kenya in August 2022 sworein seven female governors after the country conducted its elections earlier in the month. The women make up 45 of the governors in the East African nation. Reports indicate that over 20 female candidates had vied for the governorship posts. The governors were sworn in by judges appointed by Kenya’s first female Chief Justice Martha Koome.

“I commit to satisfactory service delivery, an all-inclusive government geared toward realizing remarkable milestones in good governance and development,” one of the new governors, Gladys Wanga, had tweeted after her swearing-in.”God bless Kenya, God bless Homabay, “ she was quoted as saying.

In Adamawa Nigeria, political analysts and pundits are contemplating the possibilities for Binani to make history as the first female executive governor if elected in Nigeria’s political history.

A little search into Nigeria’s political history has revealed that since independence in 1966,there wasn’t any elected female governor but only that of Anambra and Kaduna States,who acted briefly due to circumstances, Mrs Virginia Ngozi Etiaba served as “Acting Governor” from 3rd November 2006 to February 6th 2007 when Governor Peter Obi was impeached in Anambra state.

Similarly,in Kaduna state when Governor Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufa’i was diagnosed and tested positive for COVID 19 virus during the pandemic lockdown in 2019 then his deputy,Her Excellency Hadizah Sabuwa Balarabe acted for few months into year 2020 as Governor of the State. And now, we have Binani as the only female governorship candidate in the country.

Senator Aishatu Binani is an entrepreneur turned politician who was born on the 11th August,1971 to the family of Alhaji Dahiru Yola,who was elected as member House of

Representatives representing Yola North Yola South and Girei federal constituency under the People’s Democratic Party,PDP from 20112015 where she served meritoriously by provision of infrastructural projects with direct bearing on her constituents.A situation that attracted attention to her capabilities of good governance in the state.

In 2019 Senator Binani after wide consultation with her political associates defeated to the All Progressives Congress,APC which accorded her easy ride in to the 9th Assembly during the 2019 general elections as she stand as the chairperson,Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals,SDG’s and serving in other committees in various capacities.

As a federal law maker from her state,Some of her contributions in bringing devidends of democracy to her constituents such as upgrading of Federal Medical Centre Yola to Modibbo Adama Teaching Hospital

,Facilitation of establishment of Federal Medical Centre Mubi,Dredging of River Benue up to Wuro-bokki and Conversion of Modibbo Adama University of Technology(MAUTECH) to a conventional University, Modibbo Adama University(MAU) Yola among many others are believed by political pundits to be reason for her wide acceptability across the state.

A political analyst,Hon. Maulud Usman Jimeta viewed Binani as a God sent agent in addressing many challenges facing humanity not minding the political differences especially when it comes to protecting what belongs to her constituency from all channels being it,Federal projects,appointment opportunity as well as assisting her people from her personal purse.

Usman Jimeta opined that the 2023 election is going to be a walk out for with the track records to her credit noting that the electorate can only reciprocate by voting her

massively come Saturday 11th March 2023 as the next governor for the state so that she can do more for them(electorate).

Another inspirational characteristic seen in her candidacy by many is her emergence as the Adamawa APC governorship flag bearer after earning 430 votes in the party’s governorship primaries to defeat six (6) male opponents including political heavyweights like Former Action Congress Presidential candidate and former EFCC pioneer chairman,Mallam Nuhu Ribadu who scored 288 votes,Former Governor Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla Bindow who got 103 votes.

Others she crushed in the contest were Former Spokesman of the House of Representatives,Hon Abdulrazak Namdas with his 94 votes,Former State Assembly member representing Hong Constituency,Hon Therman Wafari and Engineer Umar Mustapha Madawaki(Otumba of Ekiti) recked 39 and 34 votes respectively.

Despite the little set back experienced as a result of legal suit against her emergence instituted by Mal.Nuhu Ribadu when on the 14th October,2022 when Federal Court Yola nullified Binani’s candidacy under APC in the state declaring that the party will not fill candidate in the 2023 Gubernatorial race but both petitioners and defendants in the suit are free to appeal.

However,the court of Appeal Yola presided over by Justice Tani Yusuf Hassan among other justices quashed the lower court judgement saying it acted in error of law and that Senator Binani remains the recognised candidate of her party.A development that was received with maximum jubilations across the 21 LGA’s by Party faithfuls,supporters and her admirers.

Allegations of the under hand interference allegedly by the Incumbent Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri administration there by using internal forces with in the APC to create confusion and disharmony among party members and the refusal of his government to release the famous Mahmoud Ribadu square for her governorship state campaign rally are seen as a booster to candidacy.

Some are of the belief that since her winning at the court of Appeal and subsequently launching her statewide campaign with the public acceptance in almost all the 21 local councils, she has been giving Gov. Fintiri and his team sleepless nights forcing him to drop his deputy governor, chief Crowther Seth and changing him with a female and former Vice chancellor of the Adamawa state University Mubi (ADSU), Professor Kalepapwa Farauta to give a sense to womenfolk.

Hosting of the presidential and Governorship campaign rally jointly with the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari and president-

elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu with many heavyweights from the national level sends serious message to all the political gladiators in Adamawa politics that Senator Binani is out for a vigorous fight for the Dougirei Hills government house Yola.

In his remarks at the rally held at the newly constructed Muhammadu Buhari’s square opposite Yola International airport on the 9th January,2023,President Buhari charged APC teeming supporters and electorate to vote massively for Binani so as to make history of becoming first female Governor in the history of the country.

Buhari assured the public that with the track records of Binani,she will no disappoint and therefore should be given the golden opportunity for her to prove her worth saying that her ten points agenda has cover the yearnings of her people if implemented.

Corroborating her former colleague in the red chambers,Senator Abdulaziz Nyako at a political gathering recently in Yola attested that Senator Binani is workaholic and results getter reiterating that voting for her as Governor will bring more development to the state.

Nyako said he believes she in most times use her personal earnings to do many projects scattered across her constituency urging the electorate to support her candidacy for good of every one.

Upon all these testimonies another school of thought is viewing its assertion on religious and cultural perspective, advancing that being a woman,her candidacy is defective because religion and culture brown at such moves due certain considerations especially from the Northern part of the country where she comes from.

According to her line of programmes and policies for the people if given the mandate tagged “the Binani manifesto tenpoint action plan”.She promised achieve agricultural and rural transformation,provision of healthcare services,Human capital development,poverty alleviation through investing in people,and promotion of peace and social justice.

Others include resuscitation of the skills acquisition centres,urban renewal,Digital economy and innovations,Youths,sports and culture as well as providing good governance stressing that “people are the greatest assets of a nation.We would provide them access to education,develop their environment and see them grow to prosperity.This is my commitment.

“I am a worker not a talker,I say what I do and do what I say,my word is my bond.Most times more is done than promised but never less.It is therefore in this light that I say vote for me as your next Governor on the 11th March 2023”. Binani appealed.

Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed

Wavinya Ndeti was sworn in as Machakos County governor in Kenya

SPORTS Rashford named Man United’s Player of the Month for February

England forward Marcus Rashford has won the Manchester United player of the month award for February.

Rashford scored seven goals in eight games for the Red Devils in February winning three Man of the Match Awards in the process.

His thrilling form in the Carabao Cup, Premier League and Europa Cup has been key to United’s triumphsashford overcame the likes of Casemiro and Fred to claim the award.

Rashford won 47% of the vote in the fan poll, while Casemiro got 42% and Fred had 12%

This is the 25-year-old’s third award after winning it in December and January.

Rashford has bagged 25 goals and nine assists across all competitions for Manchester United this season.

Manchester United have 49 points from 24 Premier League games and are third in the league table.

Anyansi-Agwu decries false publication, warns perpetrators

First Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu has expressed dismay and disappointment with a recent publication in an online blog in which he was quoted as having denied Nigeria’s joint bid with Benin Republic to host the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

In a statement he personally signed on Wednesday evening, the respected football administrator strongly denied ever granting any such interview or having a chat with any media person on the subject, and made it clear he would not hesitate to drag future offenders to the law court.

“My attention has been drawn to a malicious publication on an online blog, with the misleading title, NFF Denies Joint AFCON2025 Bid With Republic Of Benin, in which I was quoted to allude to being unaware of Nigeria’s bid for the hosting rights of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

“Clearly, the entire article is built on falsehood and mischief as I have never granted an interview to any media outlet

on the subject. It is therefore shocking that the writer, in a flagrant disregard of the ethics of journalism, could so falsely attribute such a quote to me.

“Sadly, this is not the first of such calumny as there have been previous publications in other online platforms suggesting that there exists division within the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation.

“While I have always maintained a cordial relationship with members of the press and have consistently stood firmly for progressive and ethical journalism, it is most condemnable that some persons have rather chosen the untoward path of using their platforms to malign and create unnecessary tension.

“Consequently, I wish to sound a warning to perpetrators of such practices to desist as I will not hesitate to take appropriate legal actions against writers/editors who deploy their platforms for the spread of false and malicious content aimed at smearing my reputation and straining my professional relationships.”

Egypt 2023: Gusau charges Flying Eagles to earn Final ticket

By Albert Akota

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has told the country’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles to focus their minds on winning Monday’s semi-final clash with either The Gambia or South Sudan to reach the Final of the 17th Africa U20 Cup of Nations ongoing

in Egypt.

Speaking to the players and officials in their dressing room at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium after the victory over Uganda on Thursday, which qualified the Flying Eagles for this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals, Gusau lauded the spirited efforts of the squad and implored them to do even better against the opponents in the last four.

“You have done a great job in achieving our first objective here, which is to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. With the World Cup ticket in our pouch, it is now time to go for the trophy itself.

“Our country has won this same trophy seven times before but our last triumph was eight years ago, in Senegal. Time for another triumph. For now, the semi-final is what is in front of you and what

you must focus hard on,” Gusau, who was in company with Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Alhaji Nura Abba Rimi, said.

An own goal by Ugandan defender Ibrahim Juma, in a panicky touch following Ibrahim Muhammad’s shot that rattled the upright, sent the Flying Eagles to the semi-finals and also earned a FIFA U20 World Cup ticket, for Nigeria’s 13th appearance at the global finals.

At the Africa U20 Cup of Nations, Nigeria have been winners seven times, finished as runners-up twice and been bronze medallists three times.

At the global level, the Flying Eagles have been silver medallists on two occasions and won the bronze medals once, as well as reaching the quarter finals when Nigeria hosted in 1999, in Canada in 2007 and in Colombia in 2011.

Paris 2024: Olympic Eagles back in camp for Guinea

By Albert Akota

Head Coach Salisu Yusuf has called to camp 30 players ahead of this month’s Africa U23 Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture against Guinea.

The list includes four goalkeeper, eight defenders, 10 midfielders and eight forwards.

Nigeria, conquerors of Tanzania in the second round of the race, will host the first leg of the fixture against Guinea at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan on Wednesday, 22nd March.

All the players have been directed to report at the Chida Hotel, Abuja on Friday, 3rd March, ahead of the contingent’s departure to the Oyo State

capital. In the second round of the series, the Olympic Eagles drew 1-1 with Tanzania in Dar es Salaam, and then spanked their visitors 2-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium a week later.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: John Amah (Sunshine Stars); Nurudeen Badmus (Dakkada FC); Ifeanyi Nchekwube (Akwa United); Oriya Joseph (Lobi Stars)

Defenders: Christopher Nwaeze (Plateau United); Desmond Ojietefian (Shooting Stars); Okechukwu Chikason (Enyimba FC); Anthony Anieke (Akwa United); Samuel Olamilekan (Niger Tornadoes); Benjamin Tanimu (Bendel Insurance); Evans Ogbonda (Port

Harcourt City); Umar Ahmed Farouk (Gombe United)

Midfielders: Daniel Wotlai (Abia Warriors); Akanni Qudus (Remo Stars); Auwalu Naziru (Rangers Int’l); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Enyimba FC); Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance); Taofeek Malomo (Shooting Stars); Samuel Chisom (Kwara United); Samaila Sarki (Bendel Insurance); Kumaga Suur (Lobi Stars); Inye Green (Ibani United)

Forwards: Munir Idris (Niger Tornadoes); Ahmed Jimoh (Kwara United); Ezekiel Edidiong (Remo Stars); Ifeanyi Ogba (Akwa United); Umar Ibrahim (El-Kanemi Warriors); Alkasin Deji Yusuf (Dakkada FC); Mojereola Suleiman (Sunshine Stars); Akile Monday (Lobi Stars)

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2023

Decision 2023: The BVAS revolution

The conduct of our national elections suffers from two historical disabilities that are deleterious to its health. One is trust deficit and the other is a template which provides the basis for judging all our elections the same way, no matter what progress we might have made in our leadership recruitment process.

The first disability posits that no Nigerian should trust his fellow Nigerian to do what is right. He must always be seen to act not with honest intentions but with ulterior motives. In an exceptional case where he does the right thing, he is suspected of having been settled – a term which suggests that in our country, the arc of honesty always bends towards the man who pays the piper.

The second disability is a ready tool with which foreigners, including foreign observers to our national elections, fit in the conduct of our elections. This template posits that like Nazareth, nothing good can come out of our elections. Why bother? We are a country of election riggers and cheaters who know no shame. It provides too that when one man is winning, the election is fraudulent because it denies the other man the right not to lose. I call it amala logic. It continues to confuse us.

Both disabilities have held the conduct of our elections at all levels hostage to readymade answers even where there are no questions. Because of this, the conduct of our elections is condemned even before an election is conducted. We came to the 2023 presidential and national assembly elections with the two disabilities. We refuse to consider what has been done by INEC so far to clean up the system and make the 2023 general elections freer, fairer, more transparent and more credible than our earlier elections. Trust deficit is a red flag flown on the poles of our fault lines of ethnicity and religion.

I invite you to look at the views that trail the conduct of the 2023 presidential and national assembly elections. The totality of the condemnations by the jaundiced, the poorly informed, the informed but mischievous as well as the uninformed does not reflect what was seen of the elections by individuals and groups; it merely reflects the amplified trust deficit imposed on the template.

The howl of protests about rigging, manipulations and disenfranchisement began long before the people went to their various polling units to cast their votes. Given the template, the assessors of our leadership recruitment process believed they knew to which direction the arc was bending. To condemn it before hand was not to sabotage the process but to intimidate the electoral umpire and force it to see the calamity likely to be visited on the country streaming across the sky like the rainbow. Is this an unfortunate country of patriots who cannot spell patriotism or what?

I would be the last person to suggest that the just concluded elections were perfect. But I would be the first person to suggest that we have never had it so good in the conduct of our elections. We have managed to reach our finest hour here and now. Yes, there were electronic glitches not strange to the digital age. But these could not take anything away from the conduct and success of the elections

Saturday Column

By Dan Agbese

that put saboteurs and hackers to shame.

The BVA has revolutionised our elections. We have evidence today that for the first time in our national history, the ballot paper made a difference in the political misfortunes of the well-heeled and the fortunes of the okada rider in Kaduna State heading for the house of representatives. The votes counted, the mighty fell on the sword of the people’s rejection and the reject of the earth rose because the votes counted as never before. The signposts are evident everywhere. They glitter like the diamond in the sun. With the BVA as the rampart against the flood of rigging, we are moving away from a government of the powerful and the influential to a government freely instituted by the people.

This is the kind of presidential election the late President would have loved to have

their fraud. These men believed that the system as it was best served their political interests and must be maintained. They looked at the small picture of self-interest, but Yakubu looked at the larger interest of the nation, notorious for the conduct of its elections lacking in integrity. In the end, he defeated the forces of retrogression. His victory is reflected in the new electoral act.

That act has all but plugged the loopholes in the electoral system and made rigging almost impossible. It is evidence of what one man armed with moral courage can do to change a system. The hitches, the violence against the commission and its personnel in parts of the country are merely the forces of darkness fighting back and losing the battle.

For most Nigerians, the most visible evidence that Yakubu has moved this nation’s electoral process and the conduct of its elections to a higher ground is that in the just concluded elections, the votes of the electorate counted. The will of the people could not be bent or sabotaged. It has prevailed. No presidential candidate scored millions of votes in his geo-political zone. The BVA has confronted us with the truth of our elections. But for the BVA the 84 million registered voters would have been shared among the presidential candidates and each of them would have coasted home with millions of non-existent votes. The conduct of each election ought to be judged on its own merit. Not even the foreign observers have done that.

the end, he ditched his own political party, PDP, and hitched himself to the Obidient waggon. It did not save him. He lost the state. He who has ridden rough shod over the weal and the welfare of Benue citizens by letting pensioners starve to death and turned his civil servants into beggars, was heading for the senate too. He forgot that this time around the ballot paper can avenge the wrong done to the people by their so-called leaders.

Governor Ahmad El-Rufai of Kaduna State, the stormy petrel who, truth be told, became a thorn in the flesh of his own party and exposed its shenanigans, lost his state too but still made history with the election of an okada rider into the house of representatives.

I could go on citing more instances of how, with the freedom to freely use the ballot paper, the people freely decided the fate of their political leaders. Did something like this happen in 2019? Yakubu has pressed the BVA into service in our leadership recruitment process. I predict that few, if anything, will remain the same in our electoral system. Where the people’s votes count, the people matter and cannot be treated like convenient trash.

brought him to power in the 2007 general elections. At his inauguration, the president diplomatically condemned the election that brought him to power. He was so unhappy with it that he promised to do something to clean up the system and make our elections free, fair, transparent, and credible. Just for the record, the said election was conducted under Obasanjo’s watch.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC chairman, took on the challenge to do much better than the parade of professors that sat on that chair before him. Some of them made a mess of eating the yam pottage served them and soiled their professorial integrity with palm oil.

Yakubu has fought the entrenched political interests in the executive and the legislative arms of government that treated the people like convenient tools to legitimise

For the first time, as we say in Agila, the iroko tree was turned into soft wood. Here are some of the unexpected that happened because the people’s votes rather than money or influence counted. President Muhammadu Buhari lost his state. We are talking about the president of the country humbled by the ballot paper in the hands of the talakawa in his state.

Ahmed Bola Tinubu, regarded for good reasons as the father of Lagos State, lost it to Peter Obi. I thought that if rigging was the name of the game, Tinubu, not Obi, would win the state. But not even the great Asiwaju could bend the will of the people.

Simon Lalong, governor of Plateau State and director-general of Tinubu’s campaign organisation, lost his state. He thought he would follow the beaten path and go to the senate, but the people gave him the thumbs down. We are talking of a state governor who, for eight years made and unmade individuals. Where did the people get the guts to abort his ambition? Ask him.

The same fate befell General Dr Samuel Ortom, commander-in-chief of the Benue security outfit. He was a member of the G-5 and cast about for a political platform. In

The instances cited above cannot be cited as evidence by the sane that the presidential and national assembly elections were poorly conducted and openly rigged just to fit the elections into a template. Ahmed Bola Tinubu did not win the presidential election through rigging before and during the election. The BVA is the new sheriff in town. He won because the people, free to freely use their ballot papers as never before in our history, made their choice and spoke their mind. He won because a welcome political era has dawned on this nation and the power of the rich and the powerful and the influential is in retreat. It took the bullet on January 15, 1966, to change the nature of our national politics. Now, it has taken the BVA to restore to the people their right as the custodians of power. It would be foolish of us not to hit the owambe dance floor.

Email: ochima495@gmail.coc/ SMS: 08055001912

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For the first time, as we say in Agila, the iroko tree was turned into soft wood.

Here are some of the unexpected that happened because the people’s votes rather than money or influence counted.