The Nation April 14, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

Fayose: Anxiety in Ekiti over judgment

Mimiko after my life, says deputy NEWS Page 9

NEWS Page 4

•Supreme Court verdict today

•Thugs attack Olanusi’s convoy

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3184 TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Buhari must tackle impunity, says World Bank

T

HE World Bank spoke yesterday on Nigeria’s economic future, saying Presidentelect Muhammadu Buhari’s plan to tackle corruption will have consequences.

The bank projected a drop in the economic growth rate of Sub-Saharan Africa from 4.5 per cent in 2014 to 4.0 per cent in 2015.

The bank’s Chief Econo-

mist for Africa, Mr Francisco Ferreira, spoke during a video conference to inaugurate ‘Africa Pulse’, a World Bank Group analysis on issues shaping Africa’s economic prospects. The conference was monitored in Abuja “I think it is very well spelt because institutions are built in parts on norms; one norm that has to be changed is the norm of impunity.

“I think the decision, hopefully, will have consequences for the future as institutions will be stronger and norms will be cleaner,” Ferreira said.

According to him, the downturn largely reflects the fall in the prices of oil and other commodities.

“The 2015 forecast is below the 4.4 per cent average annual growth rate of the past two

decades and well short of Africa’s peak growth rates of 6.4 per cent in 2002 to 2008.

“Excluding South Africa, the average growth forecast for the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa is around 4.7 per cent”, Ferreira said.

Ferreira said an average decline, in terms of trade for Africa is about 18 per cent, a development he said, would lead Continued on page 4

•INSIDE: MALALA TO CHIBOK GIRLS ON ABDUCTION ANNIVERSARY: I WANT TO HUG YOU P56

Elections: APC wins 19 states as PDP takes seven STORY ON PAGE 4

Inconclusive results in Imo, Abia, Taraba Controversy trails Rivers result WINNERS ALL

•Tambuwal (Sokoto) APC •Ajimobi (Oyo) APC •Ahmed (Kwara) APC •Ambode (Lagos) APC •El -Rufai (Kaduna) APC •Okowa (Delta) PDP

•Ganduje (Kano) APC •Geidam (Yobe) APC •Amosun (Ogun) APC •Dankwambo (Gombe) PDP •Masari (Katsina) APC •Lalong (Plateau) APC

•Ortom (Benue) APC •Yari (Zamfara) APC •Ugwuanyi (Enugu) PDP •Al-Makura (Nasarawa) APC •Ayade (C/River) PDP •Shettima (Borno) APC

•Abubakar (Bauchi) APC •Bello (Niger) APC

•Bindow (Adamawa) APC •Emmanuel (A/Ibom) PDP •Bagudu (Kebbi) APC

•Abubakar (Jigawa) APC

THE OUTLOOK •APC - 19 states Inconclusive (3 states) •PDP – 7 states •Imo •Inconclusive – 3 states •Abia •Taraba •Umahi (Ebonyi) PDP •Wike (Rivers) PDP

States without elections •PDP – 4 •APC – 2 •APGA 1

States without polls •Bayelsa•Ekiti •Ondo•Kogi •Anambra•Osun•Edo

GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS BENUE Samuel Ortom (APC) Terhemen Tarzoor (PDP) ADAMAWA Jubrilla Bindow (APC) Markus Gundiri (SDP) Nuhu Ribadu (PDP) JIGAWA Muhammadu Abubakar (APC) Aminu Ringim (PDP) CROSS RIVER Ben Ayade (PDP) Odey Ochicha (APC) PLATEAU Simon Lalong (APC) Gyan Pwajok (PDP) NASARAWA Tanko Al-Makura (APC) Labaran Maku (APGA) NIGER Abubakar Sani Bello (APC) Umar Nasko (PDP) BORNO Kashim Shettima (APC) Gambo Lawan (PDP) DELTA Ifeanyi Okowa (PDP) Great Ogboru (LP) O’tega Emerhor (APC) KEBBI Atiku Bagudu (APC) Sarkin Bello (PDP) RIVERS Nyesom Wike (PDP) Dakuku Peterside (APC) LAGOS Akinwunmi Ambode (APC) Jimi Agbaje (PDP)

RESULTS 422,932 313,878 362,329 181,806 98,917 648,045 479,447 342,016 26,918 564,627 520,913 309,746 178,983 593,702 293,772 649,913 34,771 724,680 130,028 67,825 477,376 293,443 1,029,102 124,896 811,994 659,788

Continued on page 4

•BUDGET DEBATE TODAY AS REPS SUMMON NNPC, DPR, OTHERS OVER CRUDE DIVERSION P11

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

2

NEWS GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS LOSERS

Obanikoro...Which way forward after three failed attempts?

T

HE Minister of State, Foreign Affairs II has taken shots at the Lagos State House thrice and failed three times.

He got the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) run against incumbent Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2007 after protesting what he called the imposition of Mrs. Funsho Williams at the PDP shadow election. He lost the election with a wide margin but got compensated with an ambassadorial posting to Ghana.

In 2011, he lost the bid to clinch the PDP ticket to Prince Ade Dosumu, who eventually lost Fashola.

He again got a ministerial posting as compensation.

His conduct in the Ministry of State for Defence where he held the forte before he resigned to pursue another

failed ambition remained controversial. Whistleblower Captain Sagir Koli named him as one of the dramatis personae in the plot to rig the June 21, 2014 Ekit State governorship election. Though his voice in the audio recording of the plot, Obanikoro has denied involvement and threatened court action. After losing the PDP ticket to Mr Jimi Agbaje, Obanikoro was nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan a ministerial slot to pacify him. Before he was cleared in controversial circumstances by PDP senators, Obanikoro was turned back twice from the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

He was named the Minsiter of State for Foreign Affairs II when he eventually got a portfolio in the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Between March 28 and April 11, Obanikoro

Ribadu: Between ambition and principle He returned from self-exile to the warm embrace of the progressives.

His belief that the anti-corruption structure he left behind in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) – where he was pioneer chairman – had collapsed under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration led him to the progressives’ camp. He was the presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in 2011. He lost the election to Dr. Jonathan. Before his shocking defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP, Ribadu enjoyed respect. An overture by the PDP leadership that he would become the governor of Adamawa without stress encouraged him to jump ship, a move many viewed as unprincipled. The PDP leadership got knocks from Chief Edwin Clark, who said Ribadu was imposed as the governorship candidate in the Northeastern state. Clark

•Obanikoro

suffered three defeats. He failed to win Lagos for the President his party lost the governorship election and his son, Babajide, lost his bid to represent one of the State Constituencies in EtiOsa at the House of Assembly.

Jang: Setback for governors’ chair

•Ribadu

had warned that imposition and subversion of the people’s will, would adversely affect the electoral fortune of the ruling party. Ribadu’s PDP came a distant third in Saturday’s governorship election. The former anti-graft czar lost to the Sen Bindow Jibrilla of the APC.

He probably must have seen Saturday’s governorship election as a fait accompli, having won the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But Plateau Governor Jonah Jang got the shocker of his life yesterday as the results of Saturday’s elections proved bookmakers wrong. Against all predictions, Simon Lalong of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 564, 913 votes to defeat Jang’s anointed candidate Gyang Pwajok of the PDP, who polled 520, 627. The choice of Senator Pwajok pitted Jang, who is Chairman of the Federal Governmentbacked Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), against his deputy, who felt the governor should have backed him for the PDP ticket to reward his loyalty.

Maku:Racing to nowhere Labaran Maku resigned from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as Information Minister to contest the governorship of Nasarawa State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but lost out at the primary. Embittered by the loss, he defected to the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), which offered him the governorship ticket on a platter of gold. Maku defection from the PDP he once defended, shocked many. But he lost the election as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday declared Governor Tanko Al-Makura of the All Progressive Congress (APC) winner of the poll. The incumbent governor, who polled 309, 749 votes, won in 12 out of the 13 local government areas, beating the former minister to a distant second with 178, 983 votes. Maku, who won only in his Nasarawa Eggon local government area, re-

•Jang

Obanikoro ‘Jnr’.... twice unlucky •Maku

jected the results and described the election as a coup. He promised to take action after consulting with his supporters and critical stakeholders.

Adams:The burden of failed promises Despite failing in his promise to deliver six million Southwest votes to President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the March 28 presidential and National Assembly elections, Gani Adams, National Coordinator of a faction of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has vowed to stay with his benefactor at all time. Adams with other PDP supporters staged a solidarity rally from the old Toll Gate at the Ojota end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway through the ever-busy Ikorodu Road to the stadium in Surulere to drum up support for PDP candidates. Adams said President Jonathan would win Lagos and parts of the Southwest zone in the general elections that ended on April 11. The President and the PDP lost in all the six states but Ekiti on March 28.

Adams forgot his supremacy battle

Like father, like son, Babajide is fast taking after Obanikoro. He has lost two elections in the past four years.

His ambition to chair the Ikoyi/ Obalende Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) ended at the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal about four years ago. In a desperate bid to win Saturday’s House of Assembly election, Babajide allegedly led some of his loyalists to harass and intimidate voters who were waiting to cast their votes. He was allegedly taken away from the scene by security operatives. Babajide lost the election.

•Adams

over who controls the OPC between him and founder of the group, Dr. Fredrick Faseun. The duo found a common benefactor in President Jonathan, whose government awarded multi-million naira oil pipeline protection contracts. The Chief Reuben Fasoranti-led Afenifere also teamed up with both factions of the OPC in the failed move to deliver the Southwest to the PDP.

•Babajide Obanikoro

New role f

The outcome of the general elections has reduced the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to a regional party. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines its implications and its likely effects on the political future of the Southsouth and the Southeast geo-political zones.

T

HE electoral defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election is already taking its toll on the ruling party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). The party has been in power for 16 years. Given its national spread, the party has been domineering since 1999. It was against this backdrop that a former chairman of the PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor boasted that the party will rule the country for 60 unbroken years.

But the results of the just concluded elections have changed the political calculus of the PDP. An ominous sign that the claim of the PDP as a dominant party was in sight came when like-minded elements in four major opposition parties formed the All Progressives Congress (APC) which was registered in 2013. The party has made history as it defeated a sitting President.

In the presidential election, APC won in 21 states while the PDP triumphed in 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The states where the APC got majority votes are: Kaduna, Kwara, Oyo, Kogi, Kano, Jigawa, Ogun, Osun, Ondo , Katsina, Niger, Lagos, Gombe, Adamawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, Benue, Bauchi, Yobe, Sokoto and Borno. The results shows that the APC is the dominant party in the Northwest, Northeast , Southwest and part of the Northcentral.

The states won by the PDP are: Enugu, Nassarawa, Ekiti, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Plateau, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Taraba, Delta, Anambra, Rivers and FCT. The results indicate that the party is strong only in the Southeast and Southsouth and part of the Northcentral.

The governorship election results have given a broader picture of how the parties stand. The APC had won more states than it did in the presidential election. For instance, the party won Plateau and Nasarawa from PDP. Thus, the APC is in firm control of the Northcentral.

The implication of the election results is that the PDP has degenerated into a regional party. A party that has strong presence in virtually all the six

geo-political zones can now boast of the Southsouth and Southeast as its stronghold. Analysts say unless the PDP leadership go back to the drawing board to examine what went wrong with the once-upon-a-time national party, that has shrunk into a regional party, it will be difficult for it to win presidential election in future.

They argued that a regional party cannot win presidential election and cited the case of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, who despite his popularity in the North, failed in 2003, 2007 and 2011 to win because he contested on the platforms of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) which later merged with other opposition parties to form the APC.

Electoral fraud in Southsouth/Southeast However, the desperation of the Southsouth and Southeast states to keep the PDP flag flying has resorted in monumental electoral fraud being perpetrated by leaders of the party in the two zones. There were reported cases of electoral malpractices in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Enugu and Imo, where results posted for the APC did not reflect the political situation in those states. The figures released for the PDP are so outrageous. For instance, it was reported that during the presidential and governorship elections in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states, the election materials were hijacked by hoodlums sympathetic to the PDP and election did not hold in many polling units. Yet, results were posted for such units. The figures released in some of the states tallied with the total number of registered voters, an implication that the areas recorded 100 per cent voter turnout.

Local and international observers have written in their preliminary reporters that the turnout of voters for the governorship and House of Assembly elections was lower than during the presidential and National Assembly elections on March 28.

This is not the first time that states in the Southsouth and Southeast will be voting overwhelmingly for the

WINNER Al-Makura: Nasarawa’s man of destiny But for Providence, Tanko AlMakura would not have participated in Saturday’s governorship election.

The incumbent governor would have been impeached by the House of Assembly last year. Emboldened by the ouster of Governor Murtala Nyako in Adamawa by their counterparts, lawmakers in Nasarawa had served AlMakura with an impeachment notice, and urged the State Chief Judge to constitute an investigative panel on the sundry allegations they raised against the governor.

Declaring the results at the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the returning officer in the Northcentral state, Prof Abdulmuninu Ranfindadi, said the incumbent governor won the election having scored 309,746, to defeat his closet opponent, Labaran Maku of the All Progressives

•Al-Makura

Grand Alliance (APGA), who polled 178,983. He was trailed by Yusuf Agabi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 119,782 votes.

Prof Ranfindadi explained that the APC candidate satisfied the requirements of the Electoral Law having won 25 percent in 12 out of the 13 local government areas of the state.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

3

GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS

for Southsouth, Southeast •The Governorship outlook

Imo. The purported performance of our party in those states remains a mystery.”

Breaking ties with the North

PDP. In 2011, when President Jonathan first contested for presidency, nearly all the states in the two zones recorded between 90 and 100 per cent of the total registered voters for him. The attitude then was that they had to give maximum support to Jonathan, who they saw as their brother.

Kano-based legal practitioner, Mahmoud Garba, said it was amazing hearing people from the

Southsouth and Southeast alleging that the North and the Southwest ganged up against the re-election of President Jonathan.

Garba said: “These same group of people voted 100 per cent for their son.

There is no single state in both zones where Buhari scored the minimum 25 per cent except in Imo and Edo. On the contrary, Jonathan won in some states in the North and Southwest.

“The ethnic and regional politics

that our brothers in the Southsouth and Southeast are playing is not in their interest. No zone or region can do it alone. Nigeria has grown beyond regional or ethnic politics.

Rather than turn the fall of PDP into regional affairs, they should examine the factors that led to its misfortune with a view to addressing them so that PDP can bounce back in the nearest future.”

Former Senate Minority leader, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora said the votes posted for the APC is not a true reflection of the party’s projected popularity and acceptability in the two geo-political zones.

Mamora said: “I am not saying that we should have won in all the states in those zones but at least I was expecting that the number of votes returned for our party would have been much higher than what appeared to have been allocated to us.

“We should not forget that APC still have some states that are currently under its control like Edo, Rivers and

Since Independence, the Southsouth, then referred to as the minority group, has always aligned with the North for the fear of domination by the Igbos. When the late Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu declared secession in 1967, the likes of Rivers and Cross River refused to be part of Biafra, they remained in Nigeria. In the Second Republic, the Southeast that was just coming out of the civil war believed it would not be wise for it to be in opposition, it joined the Northern dominated National Party of Nigeria (NPN) that ruled the country between 1979 and 1983. The Southsouth was also dominated by the NPN. That explains why both zones embraced the PDP which was predominantly a Northern party. The Southwest used to be in opposition right from independence till date. As from May 29, the Southsouth and Southeast will be in opposition.

The implication of the new role that the two zones will play under the Buhari administration is that they will be out of power. They may lose ministerial appointments and top legislative and administrative appointments.

The PDP swept all the senatorial and House of Representatives seats in the two zones. So they are not in contention for the office of the Senate President and Speaker of House of Representatives.

How First Lady ‘influenced Rivers governorship poll for Wike’ •Wike, allies panic over likely cancellation of poll •APC decries killing of 19 members,

F

RESH facts emerged yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital,on how President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Dame Patience, influenced the April 11 governorship election for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)standard bearer, Nyesom Wike.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the poll’s results at about 4am yesterday. Wike polled 1,029,102 to beat the Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 124,896 votes.

A source revealed that Mrs. Jonathan, an indigene of Okrika, the headquarters of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, took undue advantage of her husband’s position to undermine the electoral process in Rivers State.

President Jonathan voted in his Otuoke country home in Bayelsa State without the First Lady. He arrived at his polling unit where he voted at the State Assembly election in the company of his mother, Eunice.

Mrs. Jonathan has relocated to Okrika in the evening of April 10 to ensure victory for her political godson and former education minister.

According to the source, President Jonathan was opposed to proposals to manipulate the process to pave the way for Wike’s victory, a position the source alleged, never went well with the First Lady.

An unconfirmed source said the First Lady was unhappy that the President conceded defeat after losing the March 28 election to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the APC without putting up a fight.

It was learnt that the First Lady decided to sacrifice her vote in Otuoke for the trip to Okrika to see Wike to victory.

Dame Jonathan allegedly summoned the leadership of the Rivers State Police obtained commitment from the police to support her in the manipulation of the electoral process in favour of the PDP. The officers and men of the Command assured the First Lady of their support, a source claimed.

When the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 6, Calabar, Tunde Ogunsakin, an exRivers Commissioner of Police, who supervises Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Ebonyi States, arrested a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) with electoral materials in Rivers, the First Lady immediately intervened by calling his husband.

The source disclosed that President Jonathan quickly got across to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, and directed him to order Ogunsakin out of Rivers State. The AIG re-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

turned to his Calabar base at about 5am on April 11.

Efforts to get the First Lady’s reaction proved abortive as calls made to her Glo line were unanswered as at press time.

The Rivers PDP governorship candidate and his allies are also panicking over the likely cancellation of the polls in the state.

One of Wike’s close associates sent a text message to a frontline journalist in Port Harcourt to know if there was a move by the INEC headquarters in Abuja to cancel the flawed elections and fix a new date for a rerun.

The Rivers Chairman of the APC, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, also decried the senseless killing of 19 members of his party on Saturday. He pushed the polls cancellation.

Ikanya, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, described the governorship and House of Assembly elections and the announcement of fake results as tragedy.

The Rivers APC chairman said: “What took place was a macabre dance of intimidation and violence, perpetrated against the peace-loving APC members, after which results were written in favour of Chief Nyesom Wike of the PDP. It is evident that the announcement of winners for the polls is a travesty of justice and a rape of democracy.

“We insist that the purported governorship and House of Assembly elections be cancelled in their totality and a new date set for proper polls, as prescribed by law. We hope that INEC will enforce the rights of Rivers people to free, fair and credible elections, by heeding the clarion call.”

Ikanya also stated that many eligible voters were disenfranchised, as all hell was let loose throughout the state.

He accused the state chapter of the PDP of mobilising militants, who went on rampage, shooting, bombing and killing, killing no fewer than 19 APC members.

He noted that the victims were attempting to prevent the rigging plot of the PDP, in conjunction with INEC and some policemen, led by a deputy commissioner of police.

Ikanya said: “Rivers APC declares unequivocally that the elections were fraught with violence, unbridled manipulation and intimidation, while

no voting took place in most parts of Rivers State.

“At Tai Local Government Area, Lekia Nkirine was shot dead, while Gbaraka Nna was shot on the neck. A PDP chieftain in the area, bought the guns, while another PDP chieftain fired the shot.

(Nkenya listed the suspected killers.)

“In Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area, seven APC members were killed, with three killed and thrown into the rivers and one beheaded. Two buses and INEC office were burnt, while the house of the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Joeba West, was bombed. These exclude tens of buildings and cars that were destroyed.

“Three persons were killed at Etche Local Government Area. One was killed in Ikwerre Local Government Area. Two APC members were murdered at Egbeda Ward I of Emouha Local Government Area, while Hon. Chidi Lloyd, the leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, was beaten to a pulp, while attempting to prevent the rigging of the elections in his constituency.

“In Obga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, there were at least five reported deaths, namely: Obinna Ndubuoke, Jeophat Kingdom, Ndidi Ebere, Sydney Wokocha and Hon. Clever Orukwowu (APC Youth Leader).”

Ikanya stated that among the persons injured by the blood-thirsty PDP thugs was; Evangelist Faith, who was beaten to a pulp at Dere in Andoni Local Government Area, with her whereabouts remaining unknown and Alifor Onyeso, who was shot by armed thugs, led by a lawmaker from Omuma constituency in the Rivers House of Assembly.

The APC chairman insisted that on April 11, in most parts of the state, voters were disenfranchised, intimidated and harassed, with outright manipulation of the already-announced results at the various units.

He said: “There was no election in Rivers State on April 11 and anyone who says otherwise is an enemy of this state. We had vigorously campaigned for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in the state, Mrs. Gesila Khan, because of her well-known support for the PDP, but our cries were ignored.

“Now, what we feared has happened – even worse than we feared. We cannot in all honesty accept the results announced, either for the governorship or state’s House of Assembly elections.”

Ikanya pleaded with INEC Chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, to save Rivers State from doom, by cancelling the purported elections and rescheduling them.

Houses of Assembly Results

PLATEAU LGA. Bassa Barkin Ladi Mikang Shendam L/North Jos East.

Kanke Riyom L/South Jos South Jos North Quan-Pan Mangu Bokkos Pankshin Kanam Wase

PDP 34,341 56,933 12,512 14,476 23,045 7,752 23,118 37,793 19,061 93,962 61,391 19,965 28,509 16,111 23,493 30,466 18,689

Tafa Bosso Gurara Munya Paikoro Rafi Chanchaga Shiroro Bida Lavun Rijau Gbako Borgu Lapai Agaie Suleja Magama Katcha Wushishi Mokwa Kontagora Agwara Mashegu Mariga 25. Enagi

APC 11, 555 29, 777 15, 211 12, 636 25, 956 31, 307 44, 863 26, 478 38, 055 25, 497 21, 093 22, 629 25, 006 27, 114 20, 101 27, 886 18, 864 20, 175 16, 049 27, 880 39, 295 7, 472 22, 634 24, 653 12, 326

APC 28,770 13,151 11,522 40,464 25,202 15,356 18,458 7,253 13,663 31,760 117,443 27,472 74,981 35,689 33,364 41,512 27,869

NIGER PDP 7, 267 7, 187 ‘7, 921 7, 542 1, 023 8, 937 14, 863 8, 862 7, 345 10, 713 11, 880 8, 902 7, 798 6, 797 9, 189 9, 243 20, 036 7, 488 8, 387 8, 097 11, 196 8, 751 8, 734 10, 437 11, 184

RIVERS PDP Abua/Odua 46,392, Asari Toru 32,150 TAI 32,988 OMUMA. 10,735 Eleme 3,079 Ahoada West 15,575 Andoni 70,317 ONELGA 67,864 Opobo/Nkoro 2,345.

Khana 33,559 Ahoada East 14,100, Gokana 62,218, Ogu/Bolo 33,559.

Obio /Akpor 274,049.

Oyigbo.

7,559.

Akuku Toru 64,498 Okrika 47, 891 P/Harcourt City 24,367 Ikwerre, 23,511 Etche, 33,954 Degema, 31,103 Bonny, 10,156 Khana, 72, 505 Emohua cancelled

APC 790 566 2,219 3,376 10,522 13, 175 5, 278 9,532 5,455 9,532 4,011 734.

742.

12,045 6,529 3,010.

1631 82,289 10,555 6,488, 1,244, 5,822, 180

CROSS RIVER Abi. Akpabuyo.

Bakassi.

Bekwarra.

Calabar Calabar Ogoja.

Odukpani.

Biase.

Yakurr.

Yala.

Akamkpa.

Obanliku.

Obubra.

Ikom Boki.

Total.

APC 793.

1, 997.

222.

5881.

2, 206.

4, 773.

2, 810.

2, 149.

2, 578.

3, 412.

8, 030.

3, 201.

1, 137.

5, 913.

1, 857.

5, 503.

52, 562.

LP 6, 037.

1, 463.

241.

1, 300.

1, 834.

1, 697.

1696.

1, 918.

1, 226.

1972.

572.

697.

4, 184.

3, 323.

3, 824.

3, 864.

35, 848.

PDP 17, 740 7, 842 1, 923 13, 784 15, 848 14, 538.

24, 096.

11, 672 18, 180.

17, 049 27, 780 17, 621 9, 190 21, 560 26, 471 38, 258.

283, 549

4

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

NEWS

•From Right: All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote; Lagos State Governor-elect Akinwunmi Ambode; his running mate, Dr. Oluranti Adebule and Oando Plc. CEO Mr Wale Tinubu; celebrating Ambode’s victory in Lagos...on Sunday.

PHOTO NIYI ADENIRAN

Elections: APC wins 19 states as PDP takes seven

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday consolidated its hold on the political landscape, winning some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strongholds as more governorship election results were announced.

The party won in Plateau, Benue, Niger, Adamawa and Kebbi states that were held by the PDP. Besides, it retained Nasarawa and Borno states.

The PDP won in Delta and Cross River states. Its ‘victory’ in Rivers, announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday – like the one in Akwa Ibom on Sunday – is in dispute.

Results from Taraba, Abia and Imo states were declared inconclusive by the electoral agency.

In Adamawa, APC candidate Jibrilla Mohammed Bindow won with 362,329 votes. Markus Gundiri of Social Democratic

By Our Reporters

Party (SDP) with 181,806 came second.

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of the PDP came third with 98,917.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), Dr Ahmed Modibbo, scored 32,985 votes.

APC candidate Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar won the Jigawa governoship seat. He scored 648,045 votes to beat the PDP candidate, Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim Ringim, who got 479,447 votes.

Ben Ayade of the PDP won in Cross River State. He defeated Odey Ochicha of the APC with 342,016 to 53, 983. Labour Party candidate Fidelis Ugbo scored 36, 918.

In Benue State, APC candidate Samuel Ortom polled 422,932 to defeat PDP candidate Terhemen Tarzoor who took 313,878

votes.

A one-time speaker of the House of Assembly, Simon Lalong, is the Plateau State governor-elect. He polled 564,627 to defeat Senator Gyan Pwajok of the PDR, who scored 520,913 votes.

Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura of the APC retains his seat by defeating his closest rival and former Minister of Information Labaran Maku of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Al Makura polled 309,746 votes to Maku’s 178,983. PDP candidate Yusuf Agabi polled 119,782.

Al - Makura said: “My victory is victory for all the people of Nasarawa State. It is victory for all the people that contested with me because by their participation in this exercise they have endured due diligence in the process of democracy and I think they should also be appreciated

for having faith in the system to participate in it.

“I believe all of us are working towards one goal for the purpose of taking this state to the next level for the betterment of the people of the state.”

APC candidate Abubakar Sani Bello won in Niger State.

He scored 593,702 votes against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Umar Nasko with 239, 772 votes.

Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima of APC polled 649,913 to beat Gambo Lawan of PDP who scored 34,771 votes.

In Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa polled 724,680 votes to beat Chief Great Ogboru of Labour Party who won 130,028 votes. Chief O’tega Emerhor of APC garnered 67,825 votes.

Okowa won in 21 of the 25 local government areas. Ogboru clinched the remaining four.

Continued on page 60

EU slams organisation of elections

T

HE European Union’s Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) yesterday criticised the elections.

But the EU EOM returned a better verdict on the governorship election, saying: “overall, the process appeared to be more efficient with polling staff working diligently and improvements evident in the more timely opening of polling sites”.

That was the best the EU election observer mission said about

From Nduka Chiejina and Chioma Onyia, Abuja

the elections.

In its second preliminary statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Chief of EU EOM, Santiago Fisas, the Mission said President Goodluck Jonathan’s concession of election defeat “may be partly attributed to the sustained efforts of the National Peace Committee which was formed to monitor compliance

with the Abuja Accord and to find mediated solutions to electoral disputes”.

The EU team said INEC failed to provide “breakdown of the results, thereby precluding the checking of announced results, which risks diminished confidence”.

“INEC, till date, has not centrally published the results of the Senate nor for the House of Representatives.”

This, according to the EU,

leaves stakeholders without official information on the composition of the new parliament, and instead relying on party and media unofficial compilations of results, which sometimes lack inconsistency.

Also, the EU condemned the collation of the election results, describing it “as the weakest part of the Election Day process”.

According to the EU “out of the 43 collation centres on election

GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS RESULTS OGUN Ibikunle Amosun (APC) 306, 988 Gboyega Isiaka (PDP) 201, 440 OYO Abiola Ajimobi (APC) 327,310 Rashidi Ladoja (Accord) 254, 520 YOBE STATE Ibrahim Gaidam (APC) 334, 847 Adamu Maina Waziri (PDP) 179, 700 KANO STATE Umar Ganduje (APC) 1,546, 434 Sagir Takai (PDP) 509,726 KWARA Abdulfatah Ahmed (APC) 295,832 Simeon Ajibola (PDP) 115,220 KATSINA Aminu Masari (APC) 943,085 Musa Nashuni (PDP) 476,768 KADUNA Nasir El-Rufai (APC) 1,117, 635 Ramallan Yero (PDP) 485,833 BAUCHI Mohammed Abubakar (APC) 654,934 Auwal Jatau (PDP) 282,650 GOMBE Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP) 285,369 Inuwa Yahaya (APC) 205,132 SOKOTO Aminu Tambuwal (APC) 647,609 Abdalla Wali (PDP) 269,007 ENUGU Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (PDP) 482, 277 Okey Ezea (APC) 43, 839 EBONYI Dave Umahi (PDP) 289,867 Edward Nkwegu ( LP) 124,817 TARABA (inconclusve) Darius Ishaku (PDP) 317,198 Aisha Alhassan (APC) 262,386 •Rerun in Danga Local Govt. and polling units in Chanchanji in Takur IMO (inconclusve) Rochas Okorocha (APC) 385,071 Emeka Ihedioha (PDP) 306,142 •Rerun expected in Oru East (six wards) and others ABIA (inconclusve) Okezie Ikpeazu (PDP) 248,459 Alex Otti (APGA) 165,406 CORRECTIONS •Lagos governorship results: Amuwo Odofin Local Government (APC) 26,349 (PDP) 35,168 •The caption of the picture on page 48 should read: Lagos State Governor-Elect Mr Akinwunmi Ambode (second left); his wife, Bolanle (second right); Deputy Governor-Elect, Dr Idiat Adebule (left) and Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during a victory celebration in Lagos.

Continued on page 60

Fayose: Anxiety in Ekiti over Supreme Court judgment

A

LL was tense yesterday in Ekiti State ahead of today’s Supreme Court judgment in the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the election of Governor Ayo Fayose.

The legal dispute is on the June 21, 2014 governorship election, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Fayose, who ran on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), winner.

The electoral agency credited Fayose with 203,090 votes. The APC candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, scored 120,433 votes.

Fayemi conceded defeat to Fayose but his party (APC) went to court, complaining of intimidation of its members and militarisation of the poll. Besides, the APC questioned Fayose’s qualification for the election.

Fayose’s election was affirmed by the Election Petition Tribunal led by Justice Mohammed Sirajo, on December 19, last year.

The APC proceeded to the Court of Appeal but lost again as an Appeal Panel chaired by Justice Abdu Aboki on February

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

16 upheld Fayose’s election.

Although the APC lost at the Appeal Court, the court found merit in the party’s claim that the military was used to intimidate its leaders and members before and during the election.

The court ruled that it is illegal to deploy the military for election duties.

Undeterred by its loss in the Appeal Court, the APC went to the apex court, to challenge Fayose’s victory.

Fayose, in a broadcast, urged residents to maintain the peace.

He expressed appreciation to the people for voting for his party at last Saturday’s House of Assembly polls.

Fayose said the victory had confirmed that the PDP’s winning streak, which started with last year’s governorship poll, was not a fluke and that he is not holding a stolen mandate as alleged by his opponents.

The governor expressed confidence that he would overcome his travails, adding that the plot to remove him will not succeed.

Some residents have been re-

acting to the impending judgment.

A State Local Government Service Commission official said what was paramount to him is the peaceful coexistence of residents.

A farmer, Mr. Sunday Adelowo, said he did not believe that people should nurse anxiety over the judgment since the Tribunal and the Appeal Court had earlier ruled in Fayose’s favour.

Policemen remained on guard yesterday at various places in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital where they have been since the outbreak of the impeachment crisis last week.

The APC in Ekiti State has raised the alarm over alleged plans by members of the PDP to attack its members and supporters on Tuesday if the Supreme Court judgment threatens Fayose ‘s position.

APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun said in a statement that the party had uncovered plans to burn down houses of APC leaders and harm members and supporters if the judgment is not favourable to the governor.

The APC said: “Since the Ekitigate tape emerged, the PDP has become more desperate in its actions over where the pendulum will swing in the impending judgment.

“They have mapped out elaborate strategies to attack our members if the judgment does not favour the governor.

“In Ikere-Ekiti, for instance, they have threatened to burn down the homes of two members of the House of Assembly in Ikere Local Government, Yomi Daramola and Clement Adu Sunday.

“One Ejila and Ibrahim are said to be the arrowheads of the planned attacks.

“Just today (Monday), PDP members were attacking the street sweepers in Ikere-Ekiti, accusing them of not voting for PDP in the weekend election while in Ado-Ekiti, the home of APC candidate for last weekend’s House of Assembly election, Sola Olofin, was attacked.

“They are planning to attack the home of another Assembly candidate, Sola Fatoba. These attacks are carryover of the violence during Saturday’s State

Assembly election, marred by ballot snatching and violence.

“We call on the security agencies to provide adequate security for APC members while those causing crisis in the state should be arrested.”

Also yesterday, there were speculations of “a desperate attempt to influence the verdict”.

Two key government officials are said to be behind the moves to influence the court’s verdict.

A source spoke of how the officials had been pushing to “reach out” to the Supreme Court Justices.

The officials reportedly visited a senior Judiciary figure, seeking his go-ahead for a meeting with some of the Justices – a move which a source said would be tuned down to protect the court’s integrity.

The officials, said another source, planned to tell the Justices that some of them would be dismissed on corruption grounds, when the new government assumes office next month.

But Fayose is said to be upeat, telling his supporters that he had been assured of a favourable verdict.

World Bank projects drop Continued from page 1

to losses in purchasing power for the region.

He said that the decline in oil and commodity prices were among the challenges undermining the developmental gains made in the Sub-Saharan African.

“There is the issue of insurgency, fatalities as a result of conflicts, violence from political groups like the Boko Haram in Nigeria and Al-Shabaab in Kenya.

“The Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone has highlighted pre-existing weaknesses in the health systems of the three most affected countries, as well as others.

“A World Bank study estimated that the three countries will face at least $1.6 billion in forgone economic growth in 2015,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Ms Punam Chuhan-Pole, the bank’s Lead EconoContinued on page 60

ADVERT HOTLINES

08023006969, 08052592524

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

5

NEWS

P

Sambo leads Fed Govt’s transition committee

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has raised a 17man transition committee to take stock and prepare a comprehensive handover note for the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

The panel, which held its inaugural sitting yesterday, is headed by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

But the presidency is awaiting the transition committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC)/president-elect for what a source described as “constant consultations on key issues.”

Although the list of the committee was yet to be made public, it was gathered that it was a “compact panel” for efficiency.

Some members of the committee are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (Northcentral); the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is also Coordinating Minister for the Economy (Southeast); Min-

Presidency denies allocating N3bn to panel From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

T

HE Presidency has denied the allegation that it allocated N3 billion to the transition committee.

A social media message claimed that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration allocated the money for members of the transition committee to prepare handover notes to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, described the allegation as pure fiction and blackmail.

He said no meeting between both camps has been held.

“This is pure fiction and blackmail. No such meeting or conversation ever took place. Whoever wrote the copy obviously has never heard of being magnanimous in victory. A charlatan certainly,” he stated.

•Buhari, APC may meet tomorrow From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

ister of Niger Delta Affairs, Stephen Oru (Southsouth); Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda (Northwest); Minister of Police Affairs Mr. Jelili Adesiyan (Southwest);

and the Minister of Transport Senator Idris Umar (Northeast).

Others in the team are the Managing Director of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi; the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Ben-

jamin Ezra Dikki; and some technocrats in government.

Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the committee’s meeting, Anyim said: “We met to discuss the terms of reference and developed the guidelines for preparing the handover briefs and the committee adjourned to April 20 for a second meeting.

“After we have collected our own briefs from the MDAs (ministries, departments and agencies) and then put them together, we will then interface with the other committee so that whatever clarification they want, the questions they have, we will be able to address them.”

On whether he was aware that a committee has already been set up, he said: “Yes, that is normal. Ours is to collect our own hand over briefs, prepare the briefs and prepare the president’s handover notes.

“The terms of reference of our own committee are to collate relevant information for the hand over briefs from all the MDAs, prepare them and inter-

face with the incoming administration’s transition committee.”

A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President mandated the committee to do a thorough job to enable the administration to take off on time.

“The government is only awaiting the APC/Presidentelect’s transition team to compare notes and carry the new government along.”

The source said the key areas the committee might focus on include the actual state of the economy; assets and liabilities, especially local and foreign debts; the level of privatisation programme; completed and uncompleted projects; multilateral agreements; and the oil industry among others.

But, there were indications yesterday that the Presidentelect might meet with APC leaders tomorrow on the transition committee of his incoming administration.

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY RESULTS JIGAWA APC PDP

25 5

KOGI APC PDP INCONCLUSIVE

7 12 5

GOMBE APC PDP INCONCLUSIVE

9 14 1

ONDO APC PDP INCONCLUSIVE

5 19 2

LAGOS APC PDP

32 8

SOKOTO APC PDP

30 0

BAYELSA APC PDP

0 13

How presidency intimidated us, by Saraki From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

WARA State All Progressives Congress (APC) leader Senator Bukola Saraki yesterday described the period of his political differences with President Goodluck Jonathan as challenging.

He said the period was fraught with blackmail, threat and intimidation against him and his supporters.

Saraki relieved his experience to reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, while reacting to APC’s victory in the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

The former governor added that in spite of the intimidation, Kwarans never wavered in their support for him.

The Senate Committee Chairman on Environment and Ecology said: “Everybody knew how President Goodluck Jonathan told the world that they would take Kwara back to PDP. Normally, under that kind of situation when people see almighty power, people tend to desert you. But the people of Kwara did not desert us and that is why I am entirely grateful to them.

They stood by us despite the threat coming from the centre.

The period was fraught with intimidation, blackmail and all sorts.

“There was nothing they did not use to threaten people. But Kwarans said no and they gave us a result that is even better than 2011. In 2011, we did not have the whole 24 members’ state House of Assembly. For Kwarans, all I can say is that this confidence they have reposed in our party under our leadership, that we will continue to do our best not to disappoint them. If there are areas that need improvement, we will do our best.”

On governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State, the senator said: “I don’t think anybody can deny the fact that compared to other states of the country that there was something wrong in the Rivers State election. That already raises a red flag that something has gone wrong and that need to be investigated. And I think it is only fair for the people of Rivers to have an election that is similar to what happened in other parts of the country.

“I think more importantly, we must ensure that people that violated the electoral laws are punished. It is the only way in subsequent elections people will respect the law.”

He said the challenges before the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and governors-elect are daunting, but surmountable.

He urged Nigerians to be ready to make sacrifice to enable the new helmsmen succeed in their task.

Saraki said Buhari and governors-elect have a “nest to clean” because of what he called alleged misrule by Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) administrations.

He said the success recorded by the APC in the general elections in the state was possible because the people did not desert the party’s leadership in the face of intimidation from the presidency.

He was confident that the general elections would open a new page for Nigeria.

K

•From left: The Press Officer, European Union Election Observation Mission, Eberhard Laue; Chief Observer, Santiago Fisas and Deputy Chief Observer, Hannah Roberts, at the presentation of the second preliminary statement on governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

APC lauds Southwest for electing Ambode, Ajimobi, Amosun

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the Southwest geo-political zone for electing its governorship candidates in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.

It added that with the governors’ victory, “time of consolidation has come to the region”.

Its National Vice Chairman (South-west), Chief Pius Akinyelure, in a message yesterday, congratulated the three governors-elect Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) - for winning after a good contest.

The former Executive Director in Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc said the victory of Ambode signalled a season of socio-economic consolidation, which, he said, became necessary due to

F

•Time of consolidation has come, says party

transformation already going on in the APC-controlled states.

The party’s victory, Akinyelure noted, “will not have been possible without the support of Southwest, which, he added, stood against poor government and earnestly pushed for regime change in Nigeria”.

The APC chieftain said a new dawn “has started already in Nigeria”.

His words: “It is a dawn of political stability and economic progress. Indeed, it is a dawn of new Nigeria, where people’s aspiration and yearning would be realised. It will mark a total break from diverse socio-economic indicators that

threaten our indivisibility as a state and as a people in spite of our diversity.

“It will herald an order of confidence-building and put an end to a culture of impunity that has become entrenched in our country.

“With your support, we have emerged victorious at the polls.

Successfully, we have returned the APC to power in three Southwest states, where governorship elections were conducted.

“We have also made good progress in all Southwest states during the state legislative elections. We, therefore, thank the people of Southwest for unflinching support they gave our

party during the 2015 general elections.”

Akinyelure assured that the party would make good all its promises, citing that it “has never reneged in all the past promises”.

He added: “We have been implementing life-transforming policies programmes in all states under the control of our party. Now that our parties have been given another opportunity to rule, the APC will continue to pursue pro-people policies and programmes not just in Southwest, but also in Nigeria.”

The APC vice chairman expressed concerns over irregularities and malpractices, which, he said, marred the state house of assembly election in Ekiti and Ondo states, adding that the party would seek redress legitimately.

Ex-VP Atiku advises APC governors-elect to emulate Buhari

ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on elected governors on the platform of the All Progressive Party (APC) to emulate the exemplary and selfless service the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, is ready to provide at the national level.

Atiku, who spoke at a news conference addressed by APC leaders and elders in Yola, said the election of Senator Jibrilla Bindow has stopped ethnic and religious politics in Adamawa

•Senator Bindow hails Adamawa’s voters From Blessing Olaifa, Assistant Editor, Yola

State.

The conference was organised to thank the people for voting massively for the APC at all levels.

It was attended by the governor-elect, three senators-elect, members of the House of Representatives, 22 members of the state House of Assembly elected

on APC’s platform and other party leaders.

Atiku described the momentum and victory of the APC as historic, saying it was the first time in six years that he would be part of the winning team at the state and federal levels.

The former vice president regretted that the state has been so divided on ethnic and religious lines, especially because

of the insurgent activities and the political campaigns of some politicians.

He, however, said his heart was gladdened that the people won the challenge with their uncommon resolve by voting massively for APC candidates and Senator Bindow, as the governor-elect.

The former vice president urged the governor-elect to put

a formidable team together and hit the ground running immediately after his swearing-in, stressing that there was urgent need to address the myriads of problems facing the people frontally.

He said besides the challenge of resettling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and victims of insurgency, the problems of infrastructural deficit in the areas of health, education, roads, and water supply for the

people should be addressed for the good of the people.

The governor-elect said he was humbled by the massive support and mandate given to him by the people, saying it was made possible by the tireless efforts and support of the party’s elders and leaders.

He praised the people for their support and confidence in the APC, urging his co-contestants to join hands with him to develop the state.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

6

NEWS Defection: Minister, Gbemi Saraki trade words From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

N

•Suspects arrested with ballot boxes and Accord Party posters with the picture of Governor Abiola Ajimobi superimposed on it to mislead the public, at a parade by the Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan...yesterday. INSET: A gun, bullets and phones confiscated from them.

PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

Constitution amendments: President may veto bill from N’Assembly

T

HERE were strong indications that the presidency may veto the bill on amendments to 1999 Constitution, which was sent to President Goodluck Jonathan by the National Assembly.

The presidency was said to have spotted “awkward recommendations” in some of the amendments passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly.

According to a top source in the presidency, the government discovered that the amendments did not satisfy the conditions for the alteration of the 1999 Constitution.

Also, the Presidency picked holes in certain amendments, especially on life pension for the Senate President, Deputy

T

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and his deputy; and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the each of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.

A top presidency source said: “Based on some contradictions in the amendments and awkward recommendations, the President may veto amendments to the 1999 Constitution.

“For instance, the National Assembly ought not to pass the amendments through voice vote, but they defied the required constitutional procedures. The presidency cannot be part of illegality. The amendments must substan-

tially comply with the law.

“The amendments will be returned to the National Assembly. If the lawmakers can effect corrections before the 7th Assembly ends, the president may assent to the alteration. Otherwise, the 8th National Assembly may complete the process.

“The details of the observations of the presidency will be made available to the President of the Senate, David Mark, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.”

Another source in the presidency said: “Some of the amendments are landlines for the president-elect and we do not want him to start with any constitutional cri-

sis.

“These lawmakers virtually stripped the president of some Executive functions.

For instance, they recommended that the National Judicial Council should now appoint the Attorney-General of the Federation.

“The NJC is only mandated to appoint judicial officers and the AGF is not a judicial officer.

“Also, public opinion is against pension-for-life for some principal officers of the legislature as captured in some of these amendments.

There is no way a reasonable president will run against public opinion. The economy cannot sustain such a huge out of office perks.”

Tambuwal seeks dismissal of suit challenging ticket

HE Sokoto State Governor-elect and Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit challenging his emergence as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last Saturday’s governorship election.

Tambuwal’s lawyer Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) contended that in view of his client’s victory at the election, the suit instituted by Senator Umaru Dahiru no longer possesses any live issue to be determined by the court.

He noted that in view of the outcome of the election, most of the plaintiff’s prayers have been overtaken by events.

Okutepa urged the court to order counsel in the case to address the court on whether or not there was still any legal reason for the court to continue hearing the case after the actual governorship election had been conducted and results declared.

“The governorship election has been won and lost. Has this action not become academic?

Is there any live issue to determine as utilitarian value to the plaintiff in view of the relief sought by him? I believe this issue should be resolved by your lordship before any other step can be taken.

“Your lordship should order counsel to address the court on this issue. The court should allow us to address your lordship. There is no more live is-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

sue in this case,” Okutepa said.

Lawyer to the APC, Sunday Ameh (SAN), associated himself with Okutepa’s position.

Plaintiff’s lawyer Awa Kalu (SAN) argued otherwise, insisting that there was still reasonable cause of action in the case.

Kalu described the application by Tambuwal and APC as an attempt to deliberately “kill” the case.

“When counsel deliberately kills a case, it must have a consequence. It is like murder.

“This case will expose the choreography of the murder of the case. I do not agree that the case is dead. It is their responsibility to enunciate how the case is dead,” he said.

Justice Evoh Chukwu ordered Tambuwal and APC to within five days file an address on the issue and serve the plaintiff.

He also ordered the plaintiff to respond within five days of receiving the defendants’ processes. He adjourned to April 27.

Dahiru sued after the December 14, 2014 APC governorship primaries in Sokoto State, urging the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Tambuwal as the APC’s governorship candidate.

He contended that the primary was held in violation of the provisions of 2010 Elec-

toral Act 2010 and the APC’s electoral guidelines.

Listed as co-plaintiff in the case is Aliyu Sanyinna. APC, Tambuwal and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are the defendants.

The plaintiffs, in their statement of claim, alleged that APC officials denied all other aspirants and their delegates, except Tambuwal and his delegates, access to the primary’s venue.

They also alleged that the screening of delegates on the day of the primaries was not

•Tambuwal

done between the stipulated hours of 8am and 12noon and that the list of the delegates as issued by the National Secretariat of APC was not used in the conduct of the primary.

African Bar Association to support Buhari From Osagie Otabor, Benin

T

HE African Bar Association (ABA) is ready to partner with the administration of President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari with a view to rescue the country from the shackles of corruption and ineptitude.

It said Gen. Buhari could always count on its support at the international level in his quest for global reformation and identity.

Its President, Hannibal Uwaifo, and Secretary-General, Mrs. Flavania Charles, who said this in a congratulatory message, added: “We trust that the other African nations that have carefully watched for the outcome of the Nigerian election have a lot of positive lessons to learn on it.

“On our part, we assure your government of a solid partnership in your resolve to elevate the stakes in Africa for good governance.

“This victory is significant against the backdrop of your slogan for change and total emancipation of the Nigerian people. The African Bar Association is equally proud of your humble, but sound background of disciple, honesty, sincerity, austere and focus.”

ATIONAL Planning Minister Dr. Abubakr Sulaiman and Senator Gbemisola Saraki yesterday traded words over the latter’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The senator had on the eve of the presidential election directed her supporters to cast their votes for the APC. She later officially announced her defection to Kwara State APC. But yesterday, Dr. Sulaiman described the senator as a mole in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that she defected because she lost out in the PDP governorship primaries.

The minister, who spoke with reporters on the outcome of the governorship and state House of Assembly election, said: “Senator Gbemisola Saraki is not an issue to me. Kwarans have been talking about liberty; liberty from Saraki family.

So, if Gbemisola goes back to her brother, it is the same thing.

“Gbemisola has been a mole in the party. She was there to play a role and she has played that role and left.

“Gbemi stood for primary election and lost. If she had won, would she have left? This is the message.”

Reacting, Senator Saraki said: “The fact is that the minister, who claimed that he had done so much for the PDP is one of those who came and benefit from where they did not sow.

“I think it is better for them, rather than be questioning why people left the party, to concentrate on why they are in the party and to do the best for their own party.

“I did what is best to leave the party for Kwara and for Nigeria as we all know, as it is evident in the result of the last election that the country is about change. And like the PDP Chairman said at a time, ‘monkey dey work, baboon dey chop period’ is over.”

Ibori’s London case: Judge adjourns till next year

J

UDGE Anthony Pitts of the Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom yesterday adjourned the confiscation hearing of former Delta State Governor James Onanefe Ibori till June 6, next year.

Pitts said he took the action to allow him have time to attend to a case of attempt to pervert the course of justice brought against Mr. Bradresh Gohil, whose counsel alleged in court that a British police officer, DC Mcdonald, who is a lead investigating officer in the case involving Gohil and Ibori, collected money for information involving Gohil and Risk Management company.

Pressing home his demand, Gohil’s counsel said: “There is new evidence indicating that Macdonald exchanged 22 telephone calls, which have been traced to Risk Management at key stages of the investigation of Ibori, which coincided with unexplained payment into Macdonald’s account.”

Judge Pitts, who granted Gohil’s counsel’s request in the trial, said: “Justice must not only be done but must be seen to have been done.”

It was the second abrupt ending in the Ibori confiscation case.

The first ended last year, after it abruptly ended the Ibori’s confiscation hearing late last year on the grounds that the judge lacked enough evidence to arrive at a decision in the confiscation hearing.

Asking that the case be adjourned again on two grounds, Gohil’s counsel, Kamlish, a Queen’s Counsel, said: “Your Honour, I seek to have this case adjourned on two grounds: Gohil is not being represented at the hearing as the former counsel and solicitor have withdrawn. The second ground is that it will be improper to have a confiscation hearing before Mr. Gohil’s trial.”

The judge, in accepting his request, adjourned Gohil’s trial till January 16, 2016.

The adjournment of Gohil’s trial affected Ibori’s confiscation hearing as the prosecution sought an application to join the former governor’s and Gohil’s cases together.

Ibori’s case should have lasted for just six weeks, but will now be yoked to Gohil’s, which will begin next January.

Ambode: Fashola thanks Lagosians

L

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has reacted to the victory of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode as the Governor-elect, thanking residents for keeping faith with the model of common widespread development that gives people the dignity to compete and be the best that they can be rather than be a model of patronage a few days to an election.

The Governor, who spoke with State House Correspondents at the Lagos House, Marina after the declaration of Mr. Ambode as the Governor-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), added that the people have chosen service, competition and choice over very banal patronage a few weeks to an election.

He reiterated that this is why he is very happy that all the hard work in the last eight years has been vindicated and that he is delighted that the people of Lagos with this mandate to Mr Ambode have connected with the choice and model of governance and have chosen the accelerated development where one doesn’t need to know anybody before he gets an opportunity.

On what advice he has for the newly elected Governor, Mr Fashola said he would not advice Ambode in the open and that whatever advice he has for him will largely be privately given and that the important thing is that he should stay connected to the people.

Earlier in a tweet on the declaration of the results, Governor Fashola said: “Lagos wins. Congrats Ambode. Well done Jimi. Eko Oni Baje ooo”.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

7

NEWS RIVERS/AKWA IBOM GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS CONTROVERSY

•Members of the European Union Election Observation Mission during the presentation of their report in Abuja ... yesterday

The fraud called polls in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, by APC APC’s Lai Mohammed yesterday gave details of the ‘fraudulent’ polls.

A

S you are aware, the Governorship and House of Assembly elections were held across the country on Saturday.

While the elections went on smoothly in most parts of the country, the situation was different in some others, where all that took place was nothing but mock elections, a mere charade!

Two of the states that witnessed such caricature of elections are Rivers and Akwa Ibom, where elections were not conducted in accordance with INEC guidelines.

Because of this, we in the APC are left with no choice than to demand the immediate cancellation of the purported elections in the two states.

Let me now present more indepth details of what transpired in Rivers and Akwa Ibom on Saturday, and why the elections in the two states cannot stand.

RIVERS •It is clear that the script for the distortion of the Rivers elections was written by the Presidency and executed by the PDP, the police and militants •As you would recollect, our party’s chapter in Rivers had written a petition complaining of the crass partisanship of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police in the Presidential and National Assembly Elections held on the 28th of March. Because of this petition, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Suleiman Abba, posted three Commissioners of Police from the Force Headquarters to oversee the April 11th Governorship and House of Assembly Elections in Rivers State.

•As soon as the President learnt of this development, he directed the IGP to reverse the decision and instead requested that AIG Tunde

•Party seeks cancellation of April 11 elections U.S. to victims of electoral fraud: seek redress

T

HE United States Embassy congratulates Nigerians and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for an electoral process on April 11, 2015, that generally went well across the country and built on the success of the March 28 polling process.

We have seen reports of violence and alleged irregularities, particularly in Rivers and Akwa Ibom

Ogunsakin be posted to oversee the April 11th Elections in Rivers State •As soon as electoral materials were distributed, the Divisional Police Officer for Akuku Toru Local Government Area simply handed over the election materials for this local government to the militants. Upon learning of this development, AIG Ogunsakin ordered that the materials should be recovered and handed over to the Electoral Officer for the Local Government within the next hour.

•Irked by AIG Ogunsakin’s directive, the Presidency ordered him to leave Rivers State within 6 hours and a pliant replacement was asked to take over from him.

•From then on, unimaginative terror was unleashed on the electorate, in particular on APC members and supporters. It was a straight fight between the police, the militants and the PDP on the one hand and the APC on the other hand.

•Contrary to the directive from INEC that Card Readers be used for the elections, the machines were discarded in Rivers. This is why the voter turnout for Rivers, as announced by INEC for Rivers, stood at more than 75 per cent, compared with the national average of between 25 and 35 per cent.

•Gentlemen, because of these and other anomalies, we hereby unequivocally demand for the cancellation of the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State.

AKWA IBOM •The APC fully supports the demand by its chapter in Akwa Ibom for the immediate cancellation of

states, and call on those dissatisfied to pursue their grievances peacefully in the judicial arena. We regret any loss of life and destruction of property.

We commend the leadership of Nigeria’s political parties, notably President Goodluck Jonathan and President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, for urging their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process.

the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Akwa Ibom.

•Our position is based on the fact that elections in most parts of the state were not conducted according INEC guidelines.

•Election materials were not supplied to most of the polling units in all the three senatorial districts.

- In former Governor Victor Attah’s ward in Ibesikpo Asutan, three contiguous polling units did not receive election materials.

- In the most of the polling units in Oruk Anam, which is the home local government area of Atuekong Etiebet and Chief Soni Udom, Director-General of the APC Governorship Campaign Organisation, most of the polling units did not receive election materials.

- Election materials were also not supplied to most polling units in Itu, Ibiono Ibom, Ikot Ekpene, Esisien Udim, Uyo, Eket, Abak, Nsit Ibom, Etinan, Esit Obolo, Ibeno, Nsit Attai, Ikono, Ini. •In areas where polling materials were received, hordes of deadly armed thugs, escorted by men in Nigeria Police and Army uniforms, stormed the polling units and carted away the election materials midway into the accreditation process.

- For instance in Ndiya ward 3, unit 004 in Nsit Ubium, which happens to be the polling unit of our governorship candidate, election materials were supplied but thugs led by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, retired Capt.

Iniobong Ekong, invaded the place and took away all the election materials. The thugs were later traced to the house of Capt. Ekong, where the election materials were recovered. An inventory of the recovered

materials showed that the number of the ballot papers had reduced from 1,571 to 450. The polling officer could not account for the differential. Even so, the Divisional Police Officer of Nsit Ubium later stormed the place and took away the remaining materials.

•In a meeting with APC Governorship Candidate, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, the electoral officer of Nsit Ubium local government admitted that the election process in the area was marred by security failure, which allowed PDP thugs to hijack election materials and take them to private homes for thumbprinting.

•Similarly, invasion of polling units and snatching of ballot materials took place in other polling units in Uyo Senatorial District, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District and Eket Senatorial District.

•In addition to the failure to supply election materials to polling units and the snatching of ballot boxes, the elections were marred by widespread violence, resulting in the deaths of many people.

Here are instances of such unbridled violence, as related by INEC staff, party agents and other citizens who saw most of what happened.

- PDP thugs killed two of our members in Ibiono Ibom when Bassey Albert invaded a RAC centre in the area with over 50 thugs to cart away ballot materials.

- The PDP thugs also killed one of our members in Nsit Ubium.

- Three APC supporters were also killed Uyo. - Yet another APC member was killed in Uruan.

- One more APC member was killed in Ini Local Government Area. This was acknowledged by

the Assistant Inspect General of Police, Mr. Baba Adisa Bolanta, who was in charge of elections in the state.

We have included here some links to pictorial evidence showing the killings and other acts of violence that marred the elections in Akwa Ibom State.

•In view of the widespread failure by INEC to supply election materials to polling units in most parts of Akwa Ibom, the rampant snatching of ballot boxes and the bloodletting by PDP thugs that characterised the conduct of the elections on Saturday, we as a party hereby call for an outright cancellation of the elections.

We are vindicated that some local and international election observers have also been very critical of the elections in the two states, with some calling for an outright cancellation.

The leader of African Centre for Leadership Strategies and Development, Mr Humphrey Bekaren, said in Port Harcourt that the observers were shocked that INEC disregarded the widely reported violent irregularities to begin the process of declaring results in Rivers state.

He says: ‘’We request all lovers of democracy to join us in calling for the outright cancellation of the phony election.Unless this is done, we would have sown the seed that could eventually grow into providing a shade of fear and death over us.’’

Also, The Situation Room, which is a coalition of Civil Society Organisations working to ensure credible elections in Nigeria, called on INEC to ‘’urgently take steps to clinically scrutinise the final collated results from Rivers and Akwa Ibom, as well as Abia, against the polling unit results and make a reasoned judgment about them’’.

It said in its final statement issued a few minutes ago: ‘’In our view INEC should concern itself with possible negative public perceptions of the elections in the three States and ensure that it takes every necessary step to protect the integrity of the elections in the States, as a way of strengthening the trust of the electorate in the voting process.’’

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

8

NEWS RIVERS/AKWA IBOM GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS CONTROVERSY Emmanuel’s victory coup against state, says Umana

CSOs query credibility of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Abia polls’ results

•We’ll challenge victory in court

T

•‘14 deaths, 254 cases of misconduct recorded’

A

BOUT 60 civil society organisations (CSOs), under the aegis of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), have queried the credibility of the outcome of Saturday’s elections in Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Abia states.

NCSSR, whose member organisations had monitors throughout the country, said from reports submitted by members, it was concerned “about the overall conduct of the elections” in the three states because there are grounds to question the credibility of the results.

It urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take steps to authenticate the final collated results from the three states against the polling unit results and make a reasoned judgment about them.

The Situation Room’s Coordinator, Clement Nwankwo, while giving the group’s assessment of the elections, told reporters in Abuja yesterday that 268

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

cases of electoral misconducts were recorded nationwide during Saturday’s elections, leading to 14 deaths.

He listed the cases of deaths as six in Rivers, three in Akwa Ibom, two in Delta and two in Katsina, among others.

Sokoto State recorded the highest cases of “disorderly conducts at polling units,” with 18 cases, followed by Katsina with 17 and AkwaIbom 10.

It recorded 112 cases of election-related violence in Akwa Ibom (18), Katsina (17), Sokoto (17), Rivers (16), Abia (nine), Delta (nine), Kano (seven), Anambra (seven), Imo (six) and Benue (six).

The group said it recorded 60 cases of polling logistic problems in Akwa Ibom (14), Sokoto (12), Rivers (11), Delta (nine), Katsina (eight) and Adamawa (six).

Thirty-seven cases of “process violations” in Sokoto (with 15 reported cases),

Adamawa (six), Delta (seven) and Katsina (nine) were also recorded.

The group noted that in Rivers, “historically deeprooted political animosities played out in a brazen, violent and naked manner to subvert the electoral process in many local governments.

“In Akwa Ibom, there were also serious questions about the veracity of the results because of reports of active and direct partisan interference with elections.

“There are also concerns about Abia State, which recorded multiple cases of electoral misconduct,” it said.

The group, while contending that INEC should be concerned about the possible negative public perceptions of the results in Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Abia, urged it to do all it can to protect the integrity of elections in the states as a way of strengthening the trust of the electorate in the voting process.

It expressed concern about

•Nwankwo

what it termed the weak oversight powers of INEC’s national headquarters over the resident electoral commissioners and state INEC offices in the management and conduct of elections.

“This makes it easy for compromised RECs and other state-level INEC officers to undermine the credibility of the election, sometimes with reckless impunity,” it said.

Amaechi’s kinsmen, lawyers reject Rivers results

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikwerre Local Government and Rivers Lawyers for Change have rejected the result of last Saturday’s governorship election, which gave victory to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Chief Nyesom Wike.

At a press briefing yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the Ikwerre APC leaders described last Saturday’s election as a coup against democracy and the people’s will.

They said it was needless calling for the cancellation of the election when no poll took place, adding that last Saturday it was arrangement of results, which could not be described as election.

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

Ikwerre Local Government is the council of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

The House of Assembly candidate and member representing Ikwerre, Azubike Chikere Wanjoku said his people have rejected the result that produced Wike.

Wanjoku said, as in other councils, there was no election in Ikwerre but a coup against the people, where voters were intimidated and results manipulated.

He accused the INEC of recruiting PDP members as poll clerks; ward and council Returning officers.

He noted that the election was between Rivers REC, Dame Gesila Khan, the po-

lice and armed thugs, who he said denied the people the right to elect their leaders.

“Everybody that participated in that election as INEC officials, Returning officers are members of PDP. They took over the election structure and nobody could listen to us. INEC became PDP, so who do we complain to?

Ward Collation officers disappeared from the ward and resurfaced later with results.

“Now, the question is how and where the Collation officers got their results, because, as far as we are concerned, none of the council Collation officer went to the ward to collate results. Yet they manufactured their results and sent to the state.

Ikwerre people cannot accept

such results.”

The state Chairman, Lawyers for Change, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Dike, said they have enough evidence to present before the court.

Dike, who showed reporters the photograph of Dr. Prince Nmorn , a PDP card-carrying member who was made a Returning officer of Ikwerre, said there were evidence that most of the Retuning officers were PDP members.

“We are calling on our party supporters to calm down as we are going to address the issue within the confines of the law. We have received evidence of these irregularities, we are presently finetuning arraignment to retrieve our mandate from the criminals.”

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Umana Okon Umama, has described the victory of Udom Emmanuel, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate as a coup against the people.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday declared the PDP candidate as the winner of last Saturday’s election in the state.

According to INEC, Emmanuel scored 996, 071 votes to defeat Umana, who scored 89, 865.

But speaking to The Nation through telephone, Umana said APC would take steps to seek justice in the interest of the people.

He said despite the widespread hijack of voting materials across the 31 lcouncils and non-collation, results of

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

the election were announced

by INEC. “Udom Emmanuel’s declaration is a coup against the people of Akwa Ibom State.

So we will take steps to seek justice in the court of law for the people.

“You are a reporter in Akwa Ibom State. You know we did not have an election. Electoral materials were hijacked everywhere and there was widespread violence.

“Above all, through out Saturday, did you see collation taking place anywhere?

At the local government level, there was no collation.

“So where are the results coming from? From the houses of people and from Government House. It’s a travesty of justice. It’s a crime against the people. We’ll seek justice in the courts.”

‘

Udom Emmanuel’s declaration is a coup against the people of Akwa Ibom State. So we will take steps to seek justice in the court of law for the people

’

Thump printing of ballot papers done in homes of VIPs, says Senator

T

HE governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) in Akwa Ibom State, Senator Helen Esuene, has described last Saturday’s elections as a sham.

Esuene, in a statement yesterday, said electoral materials and personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were diverted on their way to polling units and taken to the homes of some VIPs where the voting exercise was illegally conducted.

She explained that such homes were heavily guarded by police officers.

According to her, the state was infused by mercenaries.

The senator also said the

•Governor Adams Oshiomhole on a 10-km road show round major streets of Benin City to thank the people of Edo State on the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Assembly election ... yesterday.

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

election was more of a show of financial strength than capturing of the wishes of the Akwa Ibom people.

She said: “Election materials were diverted on the way to the units, while some were forcefully taken away from units with the assistance of mercenaries to unknown destinations.

“After normal voting by accredited voters, the remaining ballot papers were thump-printed with the full knowledge of INEC officials and security personnel; any agent who tried to resist this was forced out.

“The materials and personnel that were diverted on the way to polling units ended up in the homes of some VIPs where the voting exercise was illegally conducted.

Such homes were heavily guarded by police officers.”

Esuene also said thump printing of ballot papers were done irrespective of the Card Readers.

The senator, who represents Eket in the National Assembly, said in many units the number in the voters’ register were fraudulently inflated, and the cards do not belong to known persons.

“It is common knowledge that the number in the voter register in many units were fraudulently inflated, and the cards do not belong to known persons. These are the cards that were used to inflate actual voting where the officials want to exhibit some level of caution, she said.

“In other areas, thump printing was done irrespective of the Card Readers. In order to serve as a deterrent for future elections the result of all such inflated units should be discarded and only the genuine result of the few units be used to compute for the declaration of the winner.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

9

NEWS Mimiko warns Ondo REC

APC hails Lagosians

O

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has thanked Lagosians for renewing their confidence and trust in the party and its leaders.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the party said: “Words are not enough to express our gratitude and satisfaction for the boldness and courage displayed by Lagos voters in voting for continuity in the Centre of Excellence.

“In the face of harassment, intimidation and brigandage from the powers that be, APC lovers showed courageous love to the party and its leaders.

“APC lovers did not succumb to blatant lies, hate campaigns, politics of the stomach, ethnic and tribal politics and money politics. They were not swayed because they understand what is at stake.

“They did not see these inducements as low hanging fruits to take advantage of.

They were smart, courageous and determined to use the power of votes to sustain the intelligent leadership and governance in Lagos.

“We have no doubt that the synergy between Abuja and Lagos will add values to the project called Nigeria and make our country to remain credit positive in years to come.”

NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has warned the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Segun Agbaje, not to tamper with the results that gave victory to the two candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last Saturday’s House of Assembly election in Ilaje Local Government.

Contrary to the earlier declaration by the Returning officers that the PDP candidates won, Agbaje announced at a briefing on Sunday that the results were yet to be ratified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

The governor said the REC lacked the power to tamper with the results of the election that gave victory to the PDP candidates, adding that whoever is uncomfortable with the outcome, should go to the tribunal.

“As far as we are concerned, strictly in compliance with the Electoral Act, results were collated for Ilaje constituencies 1 and 2. The results were declared and result sheets signed by the appropriate Returning officers. As far as we know, there is nothing inconclusive about the election.

“We don’t know anything about inconclusiveness, the election was concluded.”

Ikuforiji reassures Lagosians

By Oziegbe Okoeki

S

PEAKER of the Lagos State House of Assembly Adeyemi Ikuforiji has assured Lagosians that they will not regret voting for the governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

He promised that Ambode’s victory would take the state further into sustainable socio-economic and human development.

The Speaker gave the assurance in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Adebayo.

He said: “On behalf of my family and my colleagues, I say a big congratulation to all Lagosians of goodwill, for voting for our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“One thing that I will like to assure you all is that you will not regret voting for our candidate and our party.

“As you all know, what has been the staying power of our state in the last 16 years has been the professionalism in which it’s been run.

“I can assure you that the future of our state under Ambode will witness a greater level of development in all areas.

“Lagos State will no longer be treated with so much needless hatred by the Federal Government.

“No longer shall our state be denied its rights and privileges as witnessed before.

"And no longer shall Lagos be denied all the refunds of the several billions of tax payers' money that is spent on damaged Federal Government roads.

“No longer too shall our state be denied the necessary waiver that we urgently need to actualise all pro-people developmental projects."

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (second right) at a meeting with permanent secretaries in Ibadan ...yesterday. They are led by the Head of Service, Soji Eniade (right).

Mimiko after my life, says deputy

P

ROTESTERS yesterday attacked the convoy of Ondo State Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi, blocking his entrance to the Government House.

His security personnel shot into the air to disperse the protesters.

Olanusi defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It was gathered that as the Supare-Akoko politician was leaving his home town, some youths, carrying placards with inscriptions, such as “Ali must go”; “No way for Olanusi in Government House”; “Olanusi is a traitor” and “Jasper Ali must resign”, blocked his convoy.

The security personnel attached to the deputy governor shot into the air to scare away the protesters before the convoy could make its way through the road leading to

•Protesters attack Olanusi’s convoy •It’s not true, says govt From Damisi Ojo, Akure

the Government House.

Residents, who heard the gunshots, ran for cover, thinking it was a robbery.

Some of the protesters threw stones, water sachets and eggs at the vehicles, hitting one of the vehicles.

Olanusi, who spoke with reporters, accused Governor Olusegun Mimiko of using suspected political thugs to harass him.

“It is surprising that a governor is going around with thugs to attack me. You can see things yourself at the roundabout, the thugs he hired there and at the gate there, if I had not come with my convoy, they would have attacked me.

“I call on the assistant inspector general and the inspector general of Police to protect me. They should provide me with more mobile policemen.

I am ready to resume duty as the elected deputy governor.

“Nobody has told me to resign. If they are talking about impeachment they should go about it in a lawful way, not that they should use thugs to attack me.

“They should realise that as Mimiko was elected, I Ali Olanusi, was equally elected. He cannot be chasing me with thugs.”

Speaking in an interview on a private radio station, Olanusi said some hoodlums have been trailing him.

He urged the people to tell

Mimiko to spare his life.

But the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Eni Akinsola, denied that political thugs were used to harass the deputy governor.

He said some people were trying to reverse the peace trend the state had been enjoying in the last six years.

According to him, Olanusi came to the town shooting into the air and it was aggrieved residents, who protested against the deputy governor.

Akinsola said people should accept democracy as a normal way of life, accept when their calculation go wrong and accept defeat.

The Nation gathered that electricity to the deputy governor’s official quarters has been disconnected.

Besides,the monthly salaries of his aides have been stopped.

Cooperate with me to build Ogun, says Amosun

O

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has called on his cocontestants in last Saturday’s election to cooperate with him in building the state, describing them as stakeholders in the Ogun project.

In his acceptance speech during a special broadcast, the governor asked them to join him to build the state.

“We are all winners. There are no losers. Our unity is our strength. We have to continue to march forward together,” he added.

Amosun reassured the people that his administra-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

tion would continue with its policy of non-discrimination ‘’The policies, programmes and projects of our administration in the next four years shall continue to be for the benefit of all. Indeed, we shall pursue with more vigour, determination, honesty of purpose and courage, our five cardinal programmes as contained in our Mission to Rebuild Ogun State.

“We shall build on the foundation we earlier laid to

make our state one of the most modern and one with the highest standard of living in our country. The focus of our administration will continue to ensure better service delivery. This, I believe, is why you voted for continuity.

“However, for us to continue to achieve development, we need all hands on deck. We invite our people to continue to join this progressive team that will further solidify development, progress, security and peace in our state,” the governor said.

Commending the people

for performing their civic responsibility in a peaceful, civilised and orderly manner, Amosun said the elections were the best as no violence was recorded, except for a few malpractices in some areas.

He thanked them for their resilience, determination and perseverance, saying “we have demonstrated that we are truly of Ogun standard.

“You have once again demonstrated why the world has always referred to our state as the “Gateway” to Nigeria’s civilisation.”

Man arrested with Ajimobi’s picture on Accord posters

T

HE police in Oyo State have arrested a man, Ayo Ajiboye, with posters bearing Accord logo and Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s picture.

Also paraded were 22 other suspects at the state headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

Police spokesman Adekunle Ajisebutu, who paraded the suspects on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Katsina, said Ayo was arrested at Anfaani Junction, Ring Road, Ibadan at 8:20am on Friday.

“On April 10, at 8:20am, a man, Ayo Ajiboye, was arrested with some Accord posters bearing the picture of Governor Abiola Ajimobi

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

superimposed on it to mislead the public.” he said In an interview with The Nation, the suspect, who introduced himself as a printer, explained that he was only contracted to print the posters.

He refused to mention his clients and his political affiliation.

Similarly, the police also paraded four men- Abdulfatah, Tajudeen, Balogun and Aderibigbe- who were arrested in a Volkswagen Golf at a military check-point in Kishi, Orelope Local Government. Some electoral materials were found in the car.

Two of the suspects, Balo-

gun and Aderibigbe, said they were students and refused to answer further questions.

The eldest, Abdulfatai, said they were taking the election materials to bean cake (akara) sellers.

A six-man gang that purportedly went around some of the polling stations and collation centres on election day was also arrested with a gun, 27 live cartridges and assorted charms. They are aged between 28 and 48 years.

Two men, Nureni and Hassan, who allegedly stormed a polling unit at Kinni-Kinni Primary School, Saki on election day and assaulted a security personnel were also

paraded.

The two men with others now at large purportedly broke the ballot box, disrupted the election and caused temporary breakdown of law and order at the scene.

But the suspects denied the allegation.

Hassan said he saw the second suspect, Nureni, who is his younger brother on his way back from the Mosque bleeding. According to him, policemen met the two of them there and arrested them.

Two others Saheed and Oladipupo were arrested with a locally made cut-to-size gun within the vicinity of the polling unit at Sango area of Ibadan.

Two arrested with ballot box, arms

By Precious Igbonwelundu

TWO suspected ballot box snatchers were, on Saturday, arrested by naval officers at Igbokoda in Ondo State.

Operatives of the Western Naval Command’s (WNC’s) Forward Operating Base (FOB) swooped on the suspects as the House of Assembly election was going on.

It was learnt that the armed suspects engaged the naval personnel in a battle; the third person escaped with gunshot injuries.

WNC spokesman Lieutenant Commander Abdusalam Sanni said the suspects had been handed over to the police.

He said five pump action rifles and ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

Sanni hailed the command’s security arrangements, adding that the waterways were safe during the polls.

OPC council asks Adams to resign From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

THE National Coordinating Council of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has asked the National Coordinator, Otunba Gani Adams, to resign to prevent an “internal war” within the organisation.

Speaking with reporters in Ibadan yesterday, its spokesman, Comrade Adesina Akinpelu, asked Adams to make public the OPC’s bank statements since March 1, 1999, when he became national president.

Akinpelu called on Yoruba monarchs and governors to prevail on Adams not to cause another crisis, saying many died in two such crises fuelled

by Adams in Lagos and Ibadan.

“It is on record that many indigenes died in the battles between Adams and Dr. Fredrick Fasheun.

“We now know the antics of Gani Adams, and we will never allow him to start another internal war within the OPC.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

10

NEWS Youths hail Tinubu, Akinyelure

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Assembly has hailed the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Southwest Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure.

The National Coordinator, Majeed Yahaya, said the victories recorded by the party are testimonies to the leadership qualities of the former governor.

“We give glory to God for these victories and the leadership direction Tinubu has given us.

“We want to congratulate our national leader for ensuring that we retained our pride in the Southwest.

“The April 11 victories are

landmark achievements.

“Tinubi is indeed a visionary leader, a core democrat, an ideologist and a strategist, who God has used to accomplish the huge success and victories recorded by the APC. We will forever appreciate him.

“Our appreciation also goes to Chief Akinyelure, whose fatherly experience we would continue to enjoy in the Southwest.

“His appointment as the Southwest Chairman has been a blessing to the region.

“We’re also full of joy with the record created by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who broke the second term jinx in Oyo State.”

No new case of Ebola in Nigeria

T

HERE is no re-emergence of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria, the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has said.

It refuted the rumour making the round, especially on social media, that two Chinese nationals allegedly infected with the virus died in the hospital.

According to a social media report, two foreigners, who were allegedly infected with Ebola, were brought to LUTH on Sunday.

The Acting Medical Director (CMD), Prof Chris Bode, said the rumour is reckless and malicious.

By Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha

He said: “If left unchallenged, this falsehood is capable of undermining the glorious works and enormous sacrifices made by the Federal Government, states, stakeholders, heroes and heroines, who rid Nigeria of the dreaded disease and won our nation many international accolades.

“It also has grave implications for our people travelling to sundry places and may negatively impact our sub-regional economy at this critical phase.”

“LUTH management has searched its last two weeks

records and we have no such incident to report.

“Our professionals at the emergency services, laboratories and nurses all reported no such cases in our hospital.

“I reinstate that nobody died of Ebola in LUTH and people should disregard this mischievous rumour.

“We have maintained the required vigilance and shall continue to observe all precautions to quickly identify any likely cases of Ebola, in line with international best practices.

“The public should therefore go about their business without panic.

“I encourage social media

users and subscribers to be more responsible in their use of the platforms.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations state that the end of an EVD outbreak in a country can be declared after 42 days and no new cases have been detected.

The 42 days represents twice the maximum incubation period for Ebola (21 days).

This 42-day period starts from the last day that any person in the country had contact with a confirmed or probable Ebola case.

Nigeria achieved this status last October.

Majekodunmi lauds Amosun

A

CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Chief Femi Majekodunmi, yesterday hailed the re-election of Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his Oyo State counterpart, Abiola Ajimobi.

He said it followed “relentless hard work, great vision and serious mindedness in governance”.

Majekodunmi, a medical doctor, said Amosun’s victory served to prove that the people are appreciative and would always stand by what brings growth and develop-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

ment.

The Baagbile of Egbaland said Ajimobi’s victory could only mean that the APC has come to stay as the leading party in the Southwest.

The Baasegun of Ibadanland told reporters that the APC governors with their victory showcased themselves as good party ambassadors.

He said, “The re-election of the two governors has shown that the APC has come to stay as the dominant party in the Southwest.”

‘Chairman disowns’ lawmaker

A

FACTIONAL chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Oyo State, Adeola Adepoju, yesterday “disowned” the lawmaker-elect representing Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South and Oriire federal constituency, Segun Ogunwuyi.

Adepoju, at a briefing in Ibadan, said his party “disowned” Ogunwuyi because he was not duly nominated to vie for the position, having allegedly not resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), prior to contesting under the LP. “It is bizarre and it is only in a ‘Banana Republic’ that a person would not join a party properly and he would be parading himself as a member, and candidate of a party.”

‘Ambode’s victory well-deserved’

A

N All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State, Bayo Osiyemi, has hailed the victory of the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

He described the victory as a “clear victory of common sense over emotive nonsense”.

In a statement yesterday, Osiyemi said: “It was clear from the reaction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

to the choice of the accounting guru that the party had no coordinated and appropriate response to APC’s decision to put a tested and competent person forward for the top job.

“When APC was at work strategising on how to win at the polls, the PDP was busy mobilising ‘mercenaries of fortune’ to come and wage unwarranted assault on defenceless citizens, who were bounded by a common resolve to reject filthy lucre this time around.”

SDP congratulates Amosun

T

HE governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ogun State, Senator Akin Odunsi, yesterday congratulated Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on his re-election victory.

The SDP state Chairman, Olu Agemo, announced this to reporters in Abeokuta, the state capital.

He, however, said the party was studying the results of the governorship and House of Assembly elections and would take a position on its findings.

Agemo refuted claims that SDP was being sponsored by the Presidency to destabilise Southwest politics.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Agemo said: “Our candidate has sent a congratulatory message to Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

“As for whether or not we are going to the tribunal, for now, we are still meeting and studying the results of the elections.

“We are not making any noise or trouble. We are preparing for the future.

“Men of goodwill from the Presidency who made contact with us got it clear from us that we were not out for financial gains in our efforts to ensure equity and fair play.”

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (right), his wife, Olufunso (second right) listening to theAwujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona (left). With them is the monarch’s wife, Olori Kemi (second left) and others when the governor’visitedthe Awujale in Ijebu-Ode...yesterday.

APC: Ondo Assembly polls marred by irregularities

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has said last Saturday’s House of Assembly election in the state was a bazaar, marred by irregularities and intimidation.

The party said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has shown its desperation as many undemocratic activities were perpetrated.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, the APC said: “The election was marred by irregularities, intimidation and violence.

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

“The people were intimidated and induced to vote for the PDP. “The election didn’t represent the wishes and aspirations of the people as many results were canceled and election materials hijacked.

“Our people were baited with money ranging from N1,000 to N5,000. Their conscience was tampered with.

“The April 11 election is far from being free, fair and credible. Governor Olusegun Mimiko was desperate and he

employed every illegal means during the election.”

Adesanya said the PDP turned the election into a war in Ilaje, Idanre, Ese-Odo, Irele, Ifedore, Odigbo, Okitipupa and Owo local governments .

“The party -with the help of security agencies- fomented troubles in our party’s strongholds.

“Our agents were beaten and intimidated by PDP thugs, leading to them fleeing their various polling booths .

Ajimobi, a man of history, says Oladokun

A

FORMER Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, has described Governor Abiola Ajimobi as a man of history.

He stated this while congratulating Ajimobi, who is the first governor to be re-elected in Oyo State.

Oladokun said Ajimobi’s victory was an appreciation of his performance, stressing that his victory has established the fact that performance has a place in the heart of voters.

He said: “There is no doubt he has outperformed his predecessors who were also candidates in the election.

“While congratulating him, I urge him to continue with the good work and improve on it by sustaining the spread of development across the nooks and crannies of Oyo State so that the party will continue to be the party

•Jubilation enters second day From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

of choice for the people. He has become a man of history.”

Jubilations over the governor’s victory entered the second day yesterday with supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) dancing in many areas in Ibadan, the state capital and Oke-Ogun.

They held brooms and waved them from their vehicles and motorcycles as they drove round some parts of the city, including Agodi, Mokola, Challenge and Old Ife Road.

A victory rally was also held in Orelope, Irepo and Olorunsogo local government areas of Oke-Ogun, where the governor won by a landslide.

One of our members was killed in Ifedore by PDP thugs.”

The party reasoned that the fact that Ondo is one of the states where violence was recorded as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a pointer that the PDP and Mimiko were desperate to win the election at all cost. Our party will challenge the outcome through legal means.”

Osun APC thanks voters From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has congratulated the people for their “rejection” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The party said: “Not only did the people vote for peace and progress, their votes were unmistakably a rejection of everything the PDP and its leadership stood for in Osun.”

In a statement by its Director of Research and Publicity, Kunle Oyatomi, the APC claimed that “if anybody had doubted the rejection of PDP in Osun by the citizens, Saturday’s election said it loud and clear”.

“The PDP’s current leadership is its albatross; and except it is replaced by respectable, intelligent and dignified politicians, the PDP should be considered dead and buried in Osun.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

What does corporate governance do? It ensures that you have set up a structure and a culture within the institution that can drive the business in line with given rules. That’s what corporate governance does.

-Seplat Petroleum Managing Director Mr Austin Avuru

World Bank lowers sub-Saharan Africa growth forecast

T

HE World Bank yester day cut its forecast for gross domestic product (GDP) growth for sub-Saharan Africa to 4.0 per cent this year from 4.5 per cent it was last year.

The global lender blamed the fall in oil and other commodity prices for its action.

Its Vice President for Africa, Makhtar Diop, said in spite of daunting challenges, the subregion was still experiencing growth, adding however that a need for structural reforms has arisen.

“Despite strong headwinds, sub-Saharan Africa is still experiencing growth .... The end of the commodity super-cycle has provided a window of opportunity to push ahead with the next wave of structural reforms,” the World Bank said in a statement.

Oil cuts early gains as glut continues • From right: Group Chief Executive Officer, Forte Oil Plc, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, Chief Executive Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., MMA-2, Mr. Christophe Penninck and Development Manager, Med-view Airline, Alhaji Isiaq Nalah during the commissioning of the new Boeing 737 - 400 aircraft acquired by Med-view Airline on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed Airport2 Ikeja, Lagos.

Reps summon NNPC, DPR, others over crude diversion T

HE House of Repre sentatives has sum moned the management team of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and National Oil Spill Detection Response Agency (NOSDRA) over an allegation that Universal Energy Resources Limited is diverting crude oil deposit at Stubo Creek Marginal Field.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil Cocoa

$58/barrel

• Debate on 2015 budget, PIB today From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

The ad hoc committee headed by Hon. Friday Itulah which is in charge of the investigation has also invited other stakeholders such as the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), representative of Akwa-Ibom government, the Chief of Mbo and the Youth Develop-

¢132.70/pound

Cotton

¢95.17pound

Gold

$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

$163/lb RATES

Inflation

8%

Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending 30% Prime lending

15.87%

Savings rate

3%

91-day NTB

15%

Time Deposit

5.49%

MPR

13%

Foreign Reserve

$34.5b

enue earned by Federal Government from oil export, other sources as well as ascertain the state of the Nigerian economy last year.

Also, on resumption from 2015 Governorship and State Assembly elections recess yesterday, lawmakers may likely consider the report of the Committee on 2015 Budget and the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

N25.7b theft charge against Atuche: EFCC seeks adjournment sine die

$2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

ment Association of Mbo, all in the Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State.

The public hearing is slated for tomorrow.

A similar but more profound investigation chaired

by Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele had been ordered by the Speaker of the House, Aminu Tambuwal, on March 12 this year to investigate the rev-

Two years after it was referred to the committee by the leadership of the House, Mohammed Bawa. Chairman of the adhoc Committee on PIB had on March 12 this year laid the report before the House.

It is therefore expected that the lawmakers will commence debate on the 707-page report of the Adhoc committee for the “Act to provide for the establishment of a legal, fiscal and regulatory framework for the petroleum industry in Nigeria and for other related matters.” before the expiration of the seventh Assembly in June this year.

T

HE Economic and Fi nancial Crimes Com mission (EFCC) has asked a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja to adjourn sine die (indefinitely) its ruling on an application filed by a former Managing Director of Bank PHB, Mr. Francis Atuche.

Atuche is seeking to quash the N25.7 billion theft charge preferred against him alongside his wife, Elizabeth and a former Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu.

At the resumed sitting of the court yesterday, counsel to the EFCC, Mr Dele Adesina (SAN) in an application, urged Justice LateefLawal Akapo of Lagos High Court, Ikeja to adjourn the ruling indefinitely.

Adesina said the application was pending the out-

By Adebisi Onanuga

come of the appeal filed against the Court of Appeal judgment of November 21,2013 by the EFCC which struck out the theft charges preferred against a former Managing Director of Finbank Plc, Mr. Okey Nwosu and others for lack of jurisdiction.

Adesina told the court that the EFCC had filed an appeal against the judgment at the Supreme Court, adding that the matter has being granted expeditious hearing due to its importance.

In his response, Atuche’s counsel, Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) asked the court to reject the application. Oyetibo told the court that the application was intended at trun-

cating the ruling which was listed as the business of the day.

Atuche had approached the court for the quashing of the charge, arguing that like Nwosu’s case, the state high court had no jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Oyetibo had maintained that the cases were similar in nature because they emanated from capital market transactions.

“The appellate court had held that such capital market-based matter was an exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court,” he said.

To buttress his submission, he referred the court to the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, delivered December 31 last year in the

case of Dr. Erastus Akingbola against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to him, the appellate court struck out the case against the former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, on similar grounds.

However, after taking the submissions of both parties, Justice Lawal-Akapo said nobody could predict the time the Supreme Court would arrive at its verdict in the said appeal.

He said judges at the lower court had waited for over a year for the apex court to clarify the ruling given by the Court of Appeal on the Okey Nwosu’s case.

He adjourned the matter till April 22 this year for arguments on the application.

C

RUDE futures edged up but relinquished early gains and briefly turned lower in choppy trading yesterday as a global supply glut continues to cap gains and traders took profits after oil’s earlier push higher.

Prices rose initially on concerns about turmoil in Yemen, expectations for no quick return to the market of Iranian barrels if a deal is reached on Tehran’s nuclear program and the slowdown in U.S. drilling.

Weak export data from China raised concerns about the economy of the world’s No. 2 oil consumer but also fueled hopes for economic stimulus along with data that showed China’s crude oil imports were up 14 percent in March versus a year ago, though imports fell from February.

“Another case of bad news possibly being good news, since more stimulus for China would lead to more demand,” said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago.

United States (U.S.) May ULSD HOc1 futures, receiving support last week from agricultural demand in planting season and export demand, got more lift on news that Colonial Pipeline COLPI.UL shut down on Sunday its Line 2 distillate pipeline running from Texas to North Carolina.

Brent May crude LCOc1 was up 13 cents at $58 a barrel at 12:25 p.m. EDT (1625 GMT), having swung between $57.46 and$59.54.

U.S. crude CLc1 was up 25 cents at $51.89 a barrel, well off its $53.10 peak just below its 100-day moving average at $53.18. It has not been above that key technical level since July last year.

The market opened for yesterday’s trading with momentum from Friday’s strong finish on news that the number of U.S. rigs drilling for oil fell by 42 last week to 760, the largest decline in a month.

12

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

13

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

14

THE NATION

BUSINESS TRANSPORTATION

E-mail: ynotaderibigbe@gmail.com

Taxi industry can generate N50b, says Opeifa Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation Kayode Opeifa says the provisional licence given to taxi drivers under its Traffic Law will stimulate growth, enhance commuters' confidence and operators' capacity to create jobs.

He spoke with reporters in Lagos. ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE was there.

T

HE new licence regime is part of the transport reforms began last year. It was introduced to ensure seamless taxi operation. So under the Lagos State Traffic Law 2012 public transport operators must have a licence, while the drivers must regularly be certified by the state's driver's institute (LASDRI).

New Law for jobs, wealth Opeifa said the Traffic Law is to create jobs, wealth and guarantee safety.

“We did a survey and we found out that the taxi industry in Lagos is worth N27 billion, but sadly, we have not seen anyone in that sector becoming a billionaire, so something must be wrong and we want to redress this.

“So, with this system, they will have ability to refleet and exist as a corporate entity. They will also have the ability to employ people. They will begin to enjoy so many things from government; they will begin to enjoy group programmes like maintenance yards, access to new vehicles and loans. The vehicle licence that would be given to them is also going to be an asset. So if you need a loan to buy a new vehicle, even a loan to build a house, they can use this licence as collateral. Though this licence is being given to them free of charge by the governor, soon, it would mature to become a valuable asset.”

Examples from U.S.A For example, in some states in the United States of America, precisely in the City of New York, taxi licence is worth $900,000 to about $1.2 million, so a taxi cab owner has an asset in their pocket. In the city of Chicago, I know same licence is worth between $370,000 to $740,000 and these are assets that they bought either at about $100 or given to them free of charge.

Over the years like the share certificates and landed properties, this certificate too will appreciate in value because it will obey the dynamics of demand and supply and we will regulate to make sure that you will need it to operate, just like the old liquor licence.

When these are in place, consumers will feel more secured and more comfortable. You will be more convinced to leave your vehicles and take a taxi because you will now see a neater, better managed system where the driver is not only making money but generating wealth to take care of himself and employ more people.

•Rickety taxis such as this would be phased out.

Kabukabu... Going, going Also, for our taxi system, for sometime now we've not been allowing entry into the taxi system to prevent those unpainted operators called kabukabu from operating.

Under the new system, there will no longer be kabukabu because they have all been captured in the system as they have registered and would be given licences too. From this moment, all taxis in Lagos, apart from the corporate ones we've registered, would have the same yellow colour, but the black stripe will be replaced with the four Lagos colours and will henceforth be known as mega taxis.

Owners of rickety taxis, or those without airconditioning system, would be given two years deadline to retrofit air conditioning system in their cars or replace them. They are given such moratorium because they have been in operation before the commencement of the system. The only condition for these class of vehicles is that they must be road worthy.

But new vehicles that want to come into the system must comply strictly to the standards. This ultimately will lead to improved service delivery, and taxi drivers will now have badges and identification cards and their operations are now being guaranteed by the government, which will boost the industry.

Threats of subversion of govt's intentions Opeifa does not believe the system can be subverted by political interests since the implementation started in 2007 and the programme is the implementation of the provisions of the state's traffic law 2012.

"We have since started the implementation of some of the provisions of this law; such as regulations 23, 27, 40 and 41. We've been meeting with the taxi operators even before the road traffic law came into force.

In 2007, we started the mega taxi system and strengthened taxi services by licencing corporate taxi operations in 2008. We harmonised the system thereafter and this was reflected in the 2012 law. In July 2013, the state's Executive Council approved for the commencement of the harmonised system and that was why in November 2013, we commenced the documentation process and we thought that would end in January 2014, which would have heralded the take-off of the scheme by May 2014, unfortunately, the taxi drivers do not understand it, so it took quite a lot of stakeholders meeting until both parties agreed. One of the issues we are able to harmonise was the issue of age of the vehicle. While the law stipulates a five-year period for any vehicle in the scheme, the governor

• Opeifa

in his magnanimity eventually agreed the age be shifted to 12 years for new entrants, while the age criterion was lifted for all old operators.

What gains industry?

for

the

The commissioner believed the gains of the new taxi scheme will be tremendous. One of the major gains according to him is that the taxi industry will become more regulated and when that happens there will be safety guarantee to attract more investment and industry's capacity to create jobs would be enhanced. Be-

FRSC arrests over 2,000 motorists •650 vehicles seized

By Olalekan Ayeni

•Omeje

N

O FEWER than 2,033 motorists were arrested for 2,268 traffic offences during Easter, says Lagos State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

About 650 vehicles were seized during the exercise tagged: "Easter Special Patrol," between April 1 and 8.

Lagos Sector Commander Hyginus Omeje said the exercise was in line with the Corps' strategic goals of reducing accidents by 20 per cent and accident related deaths by 30 per cent.

According to him, seven crashes were recorded during the period; two persons were killed in two, 25 were injured and 52 were unhurt.

Omeje said: "Over 500 officers, 35 patrol vehicles, two ambulances and four motor bicycles were deployed by the Corps in strategic roads within the state, while two heavy duty tow trucks were also positioned to remove obstructions in the shortest possible time in the event of any breakdown."

Before the exercise, the Corps, according to Omeje, embarked on safe road enlightenment campaign in 117 motor parks; over 5,000 handbills distributed. The Corps had 16 radio programmes aimed at educating the public on safety on the highway.

The Lagos and Ogun Sates Zonal Commander, Assistant Corps Marshal Charles Akpabio, directed the officers to enenforce "strictly" the traffic laws.

He urged motorists to avoid drinking when driving or the use of mobile phone while driving. Other offences include seat belt violation, over-speeding, overloading and any form of distraction while driving. He added that the licences and vehicles of defaulters may be seized.

He appealed to officers to avoid

bribery, adding that any one caught would be dismissed.

The Lagos and Ogun Special Marshals' Coordinator, Mr Toyin Kadiku, appealed to motorists to adopt defensive driving culture. He urged them to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy.

The Anambra Command said it deployed 1,000 regular and special marshals for the exercise.

The Sector Commander, Mr Sunday Ajayi, who spoke in Awka, the state cpital, advised motorists to comply with directives.

He said the commission would continue to arrest erring motorists in order to keep the roads safe.

"I have deployed over 1,000 personnel that include regular and special marshals on the roads," he said.

Ajayi urged motorists to be safety conscious always.

cause all operators are captured on our database issues of security would also be reduced. Passengers will have more confidence in the system and this will lead to improved business and turn around for all operators. We are also envisaging that improved confidence in the taxi system will lead to improved traffic as many would leave their vehicles at hometo patronise the taxi. If we can achieve this, we would have achieved a major plank of our mandate to establish an intermodal transportation system that is safe, reliable and affordable. Taxis would help our people connect from mile to mile especially the short distance, which are presently being covered by okada and tricycles popularly called keke Marwa.

The taxis would phase out this ugly transportation that has left many of our citizens dead and many others injured.

When the industry improves, more taxis will be on the road and taxi fares will come down. You will think the taxis will lose money if that happens, but they will make more money because more people will now use taxis and they would now make more money.

For the government, the major gain would be the creation of more jobs. We would not only be creating jobs, we would be creating wealth.

People who hitherto operate taxis at a loss will now be empowered to create wealth and consequently stimulate the economy. Government's security guarantee would also open new windows of investment opportunity for the industry, so that he N27 billion industry which we met would be more vibrant and can really increase to N50 billion. When this happens, there will be more jobs and more wealth opportunities. Call centres will open to manage their call system, and more modern mechanic workshops would also begin to spring up.

He believes a glut currently exists in the taxi density in the state that the system would address. The total number of taxis required by the state is actually about 10,000 Opeifa said, however how studies showed that we currently have 14,000 operators in the system. What this means is that there is a glut who would otherwise be idle and the industry would not be able to operate maximally. What we have done is to give licences to all of them.

All the 14,000 have been given this licence free and they have been made the grand fathers of this new programme. This does not mean that all the 14,000 would be operating, but as the industry becomes more vibrant the entire number would then be fully engaged.

"As the demand for taxis improves, not only would all the 14,000 be engaged, there would be need to issue new licences. We have done a lot of projections that has shown that this would be attained within the next five years. Soon this licence that is given free would be tradable as a means of exchange and people can either sell it or have others buy vehicles under the licence certificate," he said.

Do beneficiaries have to renew the licence? Opeifa said no. The licence is a once in a lifetime certification to operate public vehicles in the state.

However, they would need to submit their drivers to periodic test and trainings and can have the certificate withdrawn if it was discovered they had compromised on the safety standards set by the government or refused to present any of their operator for mandatory training.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

15

16

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

THE NATION

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate

BUSINESS PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com 08062722507

property@thenationonlineng.net muyiwalucas2002@yahoo.com

Climate change is still a global challenge. Over the last six years, the government of Lagos State has held summits to tackle the phenomenon. Its seventh edition is scheduled for next week in Lagos. How impactful have these summits been? MUYIWA LUCAS asks.

•Dust Storm ... effect of climate change.

Climate change summit: What impact on the environment?

W HEN the Governor Babatunde Fashola administration in Lagos State introduced a summit aimed at addressing pressing issues on the climate, not many agreed less that it was a step in the right direction.

Following six successful editions of the forum that sought to explore the challenges and opportunities of climate change in the state in particular and the world in general, its organisers are now attempting to evaluate its gains with a view to charting a way forward.

Analysts say the fact that the seventh edition of the summit is coming towards the end of the tenure of the administration of its originator, Fashola, is an indication that the summit has come to stay.

Partcipants at the previous editions say it has been impactful, especially as it has given room for policy makers to plan for unforseen occurrences.

For instance, at the maiden edition of the summit in 2009, the governor had lamented that it become difficult to draw a line between the rainy season and dry season, just as farm harvests were no longer predictable and bountiful. Aqua life, he added, had been depleted to the extent that certain species of fish were no longer available on the table. These, he said, were the effects of climate change.

Events that unfolded after 2009 seem to have proved him right. For example, on July 10, 2011, for 16 hours non-stop, Lagos experienced a torrential rainfall.

This justified the concerns of Lagosians and also served as a wake up call to the reality of climate change and the need for stakeholders to proffer solution to its menace. To date, that July 10 rainfall remains unprecedented in the history of the state.

The government has since embarked on proactive measures to combat flooding by developing an all-year construction, maintenance and dredging of canals and drainage channels. This has, for the third year, elicited the commendation of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) as the only state in the

federation to come up with a comprehensive drainage/de-flooding programme.

The maiden summit, attended by over 700 participants drawn from various stakeholder groups in both the public and private sectors, raised public awareness as well as trained the trainers on issues of climate change and the danger it poses to human development.

The summit also provided a platform for national and international experts to exchange ideas on best practices in mitigation and adaptation measures to address the challenge of climate change, essentially also to agree on joint action by all and sundry.

At the summit, Fashola urged the Ministry of the Environment to ensure the continuity the summit as well as the full implementation of all its outcome, particularly the mitigation and adaptation strategies for climate change impacts in the state. The 2009 Summit had ten Plenary Sessions during which papers were presented and Panel Discussions held on Global Climate Change Overview: Challenges and Prospects; Governance and Climate Change; Climate Change and Public Health; Climate Change, Sea Level Rise and Coastal Adaptation as sub-themes.

Others include Climate Change and Food Security; Climate Change and Energy; Climate Change and Waste Management; Climate Change and Urban Development; Climate Change and the Imperative of Adaptation, and Partnership in Climate Change Adap-

tation: Prospects for a German (Bavarian) -Lagos State Collaboration.

Recommendations

At the end of the summit, the communiqué asked the state to develop a State Climate Change Action Plan with a vision to drive the major changes that would be necessary to combat change in climate; the government should partner with and support the private sector to encourage them to capitalise on the opportunities under climate change mitigation and adaptation options to transit to the low carbon (green) economy.

Others are that the state’s approach to climate change should integrate closely with national actions and promote progressive and forward-looking, growthoriented policies tailored to the state’s specific development needs; all levels of government in the state should be involved in raising awareness that Lagosians can take to combat the impact of climate change.

It was also recommended that the state government should establish and fund mechanisms for research and studies on climate change and its impacts on all sectors of the state’s economy in order to provide required data and knowledge to drive intervention strategies. Such shall include partnering with private sector and research institutions as appropriate; the state government should embark on upgrading existing, and installation of up-to-date real-time weather monitoring, prediction instruments and early warning systems for the state.

It also asked the government to institutionalise a comprehensive assess-

•Fashola

ment of the impact of climate change on its development activities, adding that the government should build capacity to take advantage of the opportunities provided in climate change mitigation and adaptation, particularly in the energy, service, building and transportation sectors, financial services and water sector. The state government, it was also recommended, should initiate steps to incorporate climate change issues in schools curricula at all levels particularly for children and adolescence and should collaborate with international partners for technology transfer on climate change, mitigation and adaptive strategies.

The forum also urged the state to develop and implement an energy policy in which a substantial part of electricity is from renewable sources, especially solar, wind and biogas from waste Furthermore, it was recommended that the BRT system should be expanded to cope with increased demand and promote further emission reduction; intensify ecofriendly and “green” waste management technological approach and support the private sector for similar initiatives. Appropriate policies should also be put in place to drive these initiatives and to move towards zero waste, among others.

It was also recommended that the state government should establish and fund mechanisms for research and studies on climate change and its impacts on all sectors of the state’s economy in order to provide required data and knowledge to drive intervention strategies

The fifth edition of the forum had Vulnerability and adaptability to climate change in Nigeria: Lagos State transportation, housing and infrastructure in Focus as its theme.

Fashola said the only way to fight and win the war against climate change and global warming was through adaptation and a change in lifestyle.

Participants focused on measures that would aid adaptation and mitigation, and recommended that the Federal Government should create the enabling environment for the private sector to aggressively tackle climate change through mitigation and adaptation initiatives in the interest of green development. The participants, drawn from different sectors of the economy, charged governments at all levels to properly mainstream climate change into their infrastructural development agenda for sustainability.

In a communiqué at the end of the 2013 summit, participants recommended that the state should ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to the planning, design, construction and management of urban infrastructure.

“To make our urban infrastructure climate-resilient, the Lagos State government should continue to pursue the development and implementation of a long-term strategic and inclusive vision that is embedded into the current planning, especially land use allocation, and promote infrastructure with integrated design solutions,” the communique read in part.

It also encouraged the government to “further strengthen the capacity of its electricity board to pursue its energy conservation initiative; governments at all levels should promote climate-smart agriculture and strengthen capacity of small-holder farmers to mainstream climate change impacts into their activities for the attainment of national food security.”

Fashola assured that the state government was putting policies and strategies in place to mitigate the effects of climate change in the areas of transportation, housing and infrastructure, and urged everyone to adopt clean development mechanisms.

The Commissioner for the Envi• Continued on page 49

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

17

18

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

As Buhari goes to Aso Villa

Criminals within •Banks must look inward for loopholes among their staff as counterfoil to ATM fraud

N

EWS report that hackers have perfected another strategy to defraud people using the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) must have made many Nigerians who have vowed never to use the device to be convinced that they have made a right decision. According to the report, the hackers fix a small fraud tool on the ATMs that grants them access to the passwords of the cardholders whenever they come to collect cash or transact other businesses on the machines.

A banker said of the development, “A number of the ATMs in Victoria Island and Lekki axis have been compromised by hackers. Some of these fraudsters visit those ATMs very late in the night or very early in the morning to fix some fraud devices on them, which are capable of collecting cardholders’ information, including their passwords. They come back later to remove those devices. The infor-

‘Anyway, what seems a more pragmatic approach to dealing with the situation was offered by the Vice-Chairman, Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads, Mr. Dele Adeyinka, who assured that the incidence of such frauds should be reducing with the banks’ compliance with Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive asking them to install anti-skimming devices on their ATMs’

mation collected is then used to commit fraud against those customers later”.

This is a serious matter. Although electronic fraud is common worldwide, many other countries are not tired of devising ways to be ahead of the fraudsters. This is what is probably lacking in the country; it appears our own bankers and security agencies are working reactively when they should be proactive. For instance, a banker who acknowledged the development said some of the banks have deployed detectives to start “combing the affected areas and the ATMs from time to time” and expressed optimism that they “will get those guys soon.” Isn’t this like trying to use analogue solution for a digital problem? What if the fraudsters realise that they are being monitored in the aforementioned places and shift base? There are thousands of ATM points nationwide, are the security men going to be moving round them at the same time?

Anyway, what seems a more pragmatic approach to dealing with the situation was offered by the Vice-Chairman, Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads, Mr. Dele Adeyinka, who assured that the incidence of such frauds should be reducing with the banks’ compliance with Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive asking them to install anti-skimming devices on their ATMs. Nigeria joined the rest of the civilised world to embrace cashless banking and we have achieved a lot in this regard.

However, we need to build more public confidence in the electronic payment to make it a success. So much money is being lost to the fraudsters. Nigerian banks

lost about N40bn to electronic fraud in 2013 alone. This is huge, considering that there were other cases of fraud perpetrated in the system in the same year.

It is against this backdrop that we offer our support to the apex bank’s initiatives to stem the incidence of e-fraud. The bank had issued circulars after circulars to guide the operations of the banks with a view to safeguarding depositors’ funds.

One of such directives dated January 19, 2015 prevents payment cards (debit and credit) issued by the banks from working in fraud-prone countries like South Africa, China and the United States of America.

Another directive from the apex bank barred banks in the country from making their payment/ATM cards from working in non-Europay, MasterCard and Visa countries as well as made it mandatory for the banks to only activate the cards when the owners are travelling abroad and for the duration of the trip only. Since no bank would want to lose money, the CBN’s directive that the banks would be liable for fraud committed abroad using cloned cards belonging to their customers is also a welcome development; it would make the banks take extra measures to ensure that they protect their funds.

We urge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the police and the banks to work in concert towards frustrating the fraudsters and ensure that more Nigerians develop confidence in the e-transactions. In the same vein, the CBN should fast-track the biometric registration of bank customers as a way of checking electronic frauds.

All-Nigerian, all Ivy •Another young Nigerian shines in the United States

T

HE news that Harold Ekeh, a 17year-old Nigerian immigrant, secured offers of admission to eight of the top universities in the United States – the so-called “Ivy League” – is both a testimony to the country’s huge potential and the fact that it has not been properly utilised.

Ekeh’s history is truly impressive.

Brought to the US as an eight-year-old, he has had to overcome the hardships of migration, especially a significant amount of culture shock, while remaining focused on his studies. He founded a mentoring programme in his high school to help other students and wishes to become a medical doctor.

Such brilliance and determination, while remarkable in themselves, are actually part of a distinguished tradition of highlevel Nigerian scholarships in the diaspora.

There is Emmanuel Ohuabunwa, who graduated with a 3.98 Grade Point Average (GPA) out of a possible 4.0, to earn a degree in Neurosciences at Johns Hopkins University in 2012.

There is Tunji Olu-Taiwo who obtained a perfect cumulative GPA of 4.0 at Eastern Mediterranean University in the same year. There is Miss Gabrielle Oluwanifemi Akinluyi, who obtained a First Class degree in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2014.

Stories like these are ample proof that Nigerian citizens abound in the potential to make significant contributions to the advancement of their societies. Nigerians can be found across the world working at the highest levels of medicine, engineering, aerospace and even politics, and their

contributions to the growth of the societies in which they are based have been gratefully acknowledged by their hosts.

The unfortunate paradox of such impressive scholarly achievements is the fact that it has done little to lift Nigeria to the ranks of truly prosperous and peaceful nations. It is ironic that a nation that can produce so many intellectual superstars on such a consistent basis is also the nation with the highest number of children out of school, and whose education system is characterised by dilapidated infrastructure, poorly-motivated teachers and administrators, and plagued by examination malpractice and poor performance.

Indeed, it speaks volumes about the nation that so many of its intellectual highflyers are compelled to go abroad to fulfill their potential. If Harold Ekeh had been a student in Nigeria, he would have had to struggle past the sundry inefficiencies of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), whose chaotic ComputerBased Test prevented many candidates from putting in good performances last March. Ekeh’s ethnicity might have been an obstacle in some Nigerian universities where notions of “catchment area” and “educationally disadvantaged states” could have conspired to deny him the fruits of his labour.

It is not enough for Nigeria to complacently celebrate the scholarly achievements of its nationals in Diaspora. Policies must be set up to ensure that the country is able to produce similar high-quality students at home where their impact is most likely to be felt. This means transforming the educational system from its current dysfunctional state into a veritable pipe-

line of academic excellence consisting of good public schools, committed and wellpaid teachers and administrators, functioning facilities, adequate infrastructure and comprehensive mentoring and scholarship schemes.

In seeking to achieve this, the country would do well to learn from past mistakes.

In 1986, the Babangida administration set up a Gifted Education Programme which became manifest as the Suleja Academy four years later. Twenty-five years later, the concept has not spread to other states, to say nothing of having measurable benefits on the country’s education system.

Nigeria will continue to produce Harold Ekehs who will consistently amaze the world with their intellectual abilities, but it must now seek to create the conditions that will enable them to thrive within its borders rather than outside them.

‘It is ironic that a nation that can produce so many intellectual superstars on such a consistent basis is also the nation with the highest number of children out of school, and whose education system is characterised by dilapidated infrastructure, poorly-motivated teachers and administrators, and plagued by examination malpractice and poor performance’

IR: Without doubt, the victory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, at the just concluded Presidential election brings hope and a big relief to a distraught nation and her citizenry. Nonetheless, it is important to point out that the victory and relief may be short-lived if the President-elect allows himself to be entangled in the web of deceits and manipulation by some political jobbers and sycophants the way and manner they held the outgoing president spell bound.

The outcome of the presidential election did not come to many of us as a surprise, especially in the light of the generality of dissatisfaction and disenchantment over the squander of the country’s fortunes by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the last 16 years and more particularly under the watch of the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan.

Some of us are of the firm belief that if the elections were held as scheduled in February, the margin would have been too wide and embarrassing. But the outgoing President appeared to have stolen victory in defeat through his timely conceding of defeat to Muhammadu Buhari. President Goodluck Jonathan, for the first, freed himself from the cabals and hawks around him and took the path of honour. This is the only aspect of the exercise that came to some of us as a surprise and nothing more.

As opined in the opening of this piece, the Presidentelect must be wary of those factors that made President Jonathan became disconnected from the over twenty two million Nigerian electorate that freely gave him their mandate four years ago. President Goodluck’s major problem appears to be his deliberate alienation from the masses and their sufferings as largely represented by some of his policies and actions . Instead he surrounded himself with questionable characters that only told him what he wanted to hear. They used him to satisfy their unbridled gluttony. They pilfered our commonwealth at will and with reckless abandon.

The incoming president must avoid these people like a plague. He must continue to maintain his closeness with the “talakawas” (the downtrodden) who championed his election victory through his government programmes.

Thankfully, the President-elect is noted for his zero tolerance for graft and indiscipline. He must maintain this attitude throughout his tenure in office. The incoming president must not allow the cacophonies of goodwill messages coming from all manner of people to distract his commitment towards building a corrupt free and safe Nigeria. He must not fall into such dubious and hypocritical gestures meant only to lure him to their traps as usual. These are obvious ditches the President-elect must avoid if he must sustain his electoral fortunes.

The interest of Nigerian masses must come first in whatever policy and programme his administration initiates. It is also necessary to remind the “People’s General” that he will soon discover the extent of damage and destruction which the outgoing administration and its cohorts had done to our economy and national pride? But regardless of these, the Presidentelect must somehow find a way to return the country to the path of glory and growth. And this is where his experience as an ex-Head of State will come to play.

He is not new to the system, and so Nigerians expect him to navigate his ways and the country out of this murky water and political cum economic landmine laid by the outgoing leadership. Moving forward, it is equally our collective duty to help the incoming administration succeed on its electoral promises. There is no better way to achieve this than through constructive criticisms that will constantly put the incoming administration on its toes. To do otherwise is to drift back to the era of impunity symbolised by the outgoing regime. It is essential too we come to terms that it is not until we completely wrest power from the cabals that we can shout Uhuru.

•Barrister Okoro Gabriel, Ebonyi state.

S

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba •Advert Manager Robinson Osirike •IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: Wednesday, April 1st 2015 will remain a great day in our democratic history, not only because it was the first time an opposition party defeated an incumbent president in a presidential election but because it was a day Nigeria joined the privileged few African countries where the idea of competitive electoral politics is becoming gradually institutionalized.

Let me use this medium to congratulate the people’s general, Muhammadu “Okechukwu” Buhari on a well-deserved victory. You are the change that we seek. May your reign bring the desired change.

My support for the president-elect became appallingly obvious when he emerged as All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential flag bearer.

In one of my articles in December last year titled, General Muhammadu Buhari: “The Wind Of Change”, I averred that “General Muhammadu Buhari is the Moses of our time who is confidently living out his life of grace, this explains his wide acceptance this time around

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

The gains and pains of Presidential election across the federation which has made him remain resolute in his mission and vision to stamp out corruption once he’s elected president”.

I postulated further that, “General Buhari’s charismatic authority is a phenomenon, he is a man of untainted integrity, a strong distinct personality, with an unlimited amount of passion, he has the ability to inspire people to key into his vision. His cult of followership is on the increase. It cuts across ethnic, religious and party affiliations, it is a demonstration of his extra-ordinary insight and accomplishments”.

One then urged Nigerians wher-

Re: Who Owns Lagos?

S

IR: I read Ijeoma’s article, just like I did that of the Achebe lady, and it is obvious that the Ibos just don’t get it. Lagos became a colony in 1860 by the signing of a treaty with the local indigenous chiefs, who turned out to be, surprise, surprise, Yoruba. The colony of Lagos covered only the three islands.

The colonial government had to pay the western protectorate to acquire what is now Ebute Meta up to the boundary at tabs. What is now the Ajah corridor was in western Nigeria.

The current Surulere, and it’s counterparts at Ilupeju, Ikeja ,Apapa etc were creations of the western region, built with cocoa money. The Apapa ports and the airport were the only federal projects outside the colony with little western input.

Even then, rates were charged for imports meant for the north. So when I hear such idiotic statements as Ibos helped develop Lagos, which part?

Festac 77 opened up the bandage axis, but Abule Ado has been in existence for 300 years, before the military, and later, the trade fair complex. Ajegunle was a trading outpost hence the preponderance of

non-indigenes.Obalende was built for returning soldiers from WW2, and they were mostly Hausa. So, which road did the Anambra State government used its federal allocation to build that Ibos can claim to have paid for? Or which school did the Imo State build from the scratch in Lagos, or which stadium did Abia build in Lagos from its revenue. I was born and bred in Lagos, and the state paid for my education till graduate school, and despite being a Yoruba, I have never pretended that despite the fact that Lagos made me, that it has no indigenous population and that their hopes and aspirations don’t matter. Oh those with a deep rooted inferiority complex and very low selfesteem would feel so ashamed of their ancestral home and contest ownership of a city where they have no cultural and linguistic ties, no heritage or historical ties, a thousand kilometers away, while deliberately isolating their land from similar incursions, even from those they share a language with.

• GaniKayodeBalogunjr.

From Facebook

ever they are in the yuletide seasonnorth, west, east or south, to drum, sing, shout and write about the man.

However they can, they should spread the good news about General Muhammadu Buhari. I give kudos to all those that shunned parochial sentiments and supported the people’s General till the last day-it wasn’t an easy decision to make. To the narrow minded, it was strange for someone from my region to be a die-hard supporter of an assumed Muslim fanatic. Many of us passed through the fire in defence of General Buhari they hardly know other than the hate documentaries and contrived propaganda some paid apologists of the out going government used to get at him.

On social media platforms like Facebook and twitter, I wasn’t spared at all, the insults were beyond reproach and in the process of defending the people’s general, tempers ran high and friendships were severed. I lost friends who did not see reasons with me why we should

look beyond religion and ethnicity and vote for a change.

Due to ignorance or outright refusal to see the impossibility of such, majority of Christians were irreversibly paranoid of an “Islamic agenda” in Nigeria if GMB emerged president of Nigeria courtesy of repeated sermons in their various places of worship. On Monday 30th March, while many awaited the announcement of the winner of the presidential election, I was in my comfort zone celebrating the victory of the people’s General on my face book page, many that doubted me from the onset started coming to terms with the reality as results from states were collated.

You and I were witnesses to the celebration of Nigerians both at home and abroad on Tuesday, 31st March. The emergence of GMB as the president-elect of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria is a strong reminder that “failure is indeed an orphan”. Many that never saw anything good in the opposition APC

before now are already identifying with the party and before May 29th hand over date, there will be an exodus of politicians from other political parties to the soon to be governing/ruling party.

After the elections, the biggest shame won’t be who won or lost, but the friendships or relationships that were damaged over politics while the campaigns lasted. Same politicians we supported that made us severe our friendships may defect to the soon to be governing party and it will be business as usual.

I may have had the last laugh but the truth remains that friendships lost may never be regained again.

It’s not worth the stress. Let’s drop our hatred for one another and move on, there’s life after politics.

To friends that have been asking me all over the social media, “the gains of supporting General Buhari now he has won?”. The answer is very simple and brief, “It is not what I will gain, it is what Nigeria will gain, a great and better Nigeria for us all. Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though chequered by travails... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat according to Theodore Roosevelt.

•Joe Onwukeme Enugu.

The Kenyan massacre IR: The killings of 150 students of Garissa university does not come as a surprise looking at the justifiable participation of Kenyan troops in the fight against Alshabab in Somalia.

What surprises one was the shoddiness of the international media in their reports reports of the killings, especially the low profile the story was given just like the massacres in Bama and the Buni Yadi.

These terrible reporting should be condemned by the entire world.

The professional independence of international media stations can now be questioned looking critically at how they showed their open bias on international happenings.

The Israel-Palestine war last year

S

witnessed one of the most controversial media coverage in modern television history. Many channels dedicated more than two days covering the story in order to clean up the mess the aggressor did in the war. For example, a United Kingdom newspaper just because of covering the war and its effects on Palestine fired its journalist as a fall guy. This is unprofessional and unacceptable.

It should also be recalled that the Denmark killing carried out by terrorist Brevic, some years ago, was given all day coverage. Is there any difference in the value placed on human lives? Media houses are sadly becoming agents of western propaganda. The BBC is British in

its creation. CCTV is Chinese.

Press TV is for Iran and VOA for America. But still, the stations are supposed to be professional and open in their approach to important global issue.

We stand with Kenya’s on this issue. I call on African countries to support each other in their quest for development. I call on Nigeria’s President-elect to bring back the ministry for Africa’s integration and cooperation. The AU should be strengthened to stand as a symbol for Africa’s interest projection and promotion.

• Comrade Abdulbaqi Aliyu Jari, Abuja

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

21

COMMENTS That moment, his bid UST as antiquity was enthralled by probably received a fatal kiss. the real-life glorious tragedy of the For one, the Oba in Yoruba Spartan King Leonidas and his 300 culture is Kabiyesi — he who in 480 BC, the modern literary world cannot be questioned. For has been gripped by the wilful tragedy another, Nigeria is a of Okonkwo, Chinua Achebe’s fictional democracy that cohabits with creation in Things Fall Apart, his 1958 feudalism, in delicate classic. dialectics.

After all the As Leonidas and his men fought to the excitement on the campaign Olakunle last man at the pass of Thermopylae, in stumps, and all mythical claim a Greco-Persian War, the fictional lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola to free speech, you would still Okonkwo sacrificed self to resist go prostrate to your monarch creeping Christian (read European) in private — so decrees incursion into his pristine Igbo world. culture!

Many say Okonkwo was rash and But the most lethal of the brash. Others say he, as a rule, acted Agbaje gaffe was setting first, thought later. Still, others insist his tragedy was himself up as putative Afonja of Lagos — a toxic tag. Afonja Though this “win” fetched the Igbo in Lagos a couple of avoidable, had he been less impulsive. was the personage in Yoruba history, whose treachery seats in both the House of Representatives and the Lagos But after all said, Okonkwo hanged, so his Igbo essence helped the Fulani to put Ilorin, hitherto a Yoruba town in House of Assembly, that such was attained by perceived could live. Indeed, the Okonkwo mystique was chaffing at the Oyo Empire, under Fulani suzerainty. ethnic gang-up makes such gains pyrrhic, given the rupture the living dead, making shameful peace with the new The Trade Fair charge bolstered the cheering but obviously of an age-old Yoruba-Ndigbo amity, despite that ethnic “abomination” — for what is a people’s life sans their distraught Igbo, despite their overt braggadocio. But it also tensions were never too far from the placid surface. culture? galvanised a piqued Yoruba population, furious at “Jimi’s Besides, it takes no especial acuity: an Igbo representative Given how some Igbo leaders in Lagos played their [alleged] conspiracy to gift Lagos to the Igbo”. So, while in Lagos, propelled almost solely by the votes of fellow numbers game in the March 28 presidential/National comparatively the Yoruba appeared to have come out in ethnic Igbo, to the chagrin of their ethnic Yoruba hosts, is a Assembly and April 11 gubernatorial/state legislature their numbers, the Igbo rather seemed to recede. journey to nowhere. elections, it was as if Okonkwo leapt from his pristine In three short months of electioneering — or even less — The reason is simple, even if unpalatable to dreamy-eyed Umuofia, landed pat in the Igbo dominant areas of 21st Mr. Agbaje had, therefore, morphed from the decent and democrats, or even worse: the so-called “de-tribalised” century Lagos, and hollered: “meeennn, a new sheriff is in avuncular neighbour next door, to a putative betrayer of his (whatever that means!) Nigerians. Unlike the United States, town”! own people! But that cannot be true! Mr. Agbaje needs which is a settler community, Nigeria is a country of The only difference though, was that while the original urgent help to throw off this unflattering, if not fatal, tag. indigenous peoples, with each passionate about its own space. committed self-martyrdom over a just cause, this grotesque, The fact, however, is that, for the umpteenth time, the Besides, before democracy, there was sociology; and before Lagos Okonkwo manically launched into a dubious one; swashbuckling Ndigbo in Lagos blundered into the sociology, there was anthropology. suggestive of rank covetousness of Lagos, that instantly maelstrom of a brutal power play, both nationally and in So, it is patently shallow to claim playing democracy, brought out the virtual beast in their Yoruba hosts.

Lagos. But they ended up as merry fall guys. without grasping social formations and showing acute Brash, rash and impulsive, the war-cry of this herd was President Goodluck Jonathan started the noxious sensitivity to the indigenous people’s aspirations, mores and spewing fictional history, bawling dubious statistics plus campaign, way back in 2011, when he suggested in Lagos values, especially in indigenous communities like Nigeria’s, insensate boasts, and threatening, in concert with a pressured that if Lagos non-indigenes banded together, they could no matter how big or cosmopolitan, as is the case with Lagos.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), orchestrating a hateful politically usurp the native Yoruba. Pre-2015 election, he In the Lagos case, it was especially politically costly. campaign of opponents’ demonization and ethnic baiting as followed that up with campaign stops to churches, posturing Aligning with PDP which had ruined the central government, own survival strategy, to take over Lagos! One, Tony Nwulu, as an endangered Christian president, waiting to be undone against APC, which had built Lagos was, to many Lagosians, now an Oshodi-Isolo House of Representatives-elect was by vicious Muslims. That was the long and short of Lagos brazen betrayal. even quoted in the media as threatening that, should he PDP’s electoral strategy: ethnic baiting and religious Which brings the matter to the Oba of Lagos, Riliwan lose, he and his group would make Lagos ungovernable! divisiveness.

Akiolu’s alleged Lagoon fatwa — alleged because the Eko Yet, at the end of it all, it turned a damp squib. When the On the Lagos front, not a few business gentries and freePalace had tried to tone down its menacing import — which dust cleared, both at the presidential and gubernatorial wheeling political aristocrats, progressive, conservative and generated quite a huff. elections, all the bragging about making up 30% of Lagos reactionary, who hate the guts of Bola Tinubu, the APC On the political/democratic plane, the threat was awful — could only notch a win in five out of 20 constitutionally and you could tell by the way it immediately put the Lagos national leader, cooked their own plot. recognised local governments!

All Progressive Congress (APC) establishment on the back Mr. Agbaje, always hinting at “vested interests”, was the foot, disowning the royal and placating the hurting Igbo; smiling, brilliant and decent face of that ugly plot. A more ‘For the umpteenth time, the and the way the Lagos PDP latched onto it, like some Deus- discerning Okonkwo in Lagos should have seen through the making a divine appearance, to breathe fresh life booby trap, and not recklessly blundered into it, as if it were swashbuckling Ndigbo in Lagos ex-machina to a doomed project. its own. But alas! blundered into the maelstrom of a But not so, on the sociological/anthropological plane.

This is no triumphalism — no! It is rather truth, frankly Jimi Agbaje, the Lagos PDP gubernatorial candidate and painfully told. The Ndigbo, for too long have been mixed brutal power play, both nationally When told cheering Igbo traders at the Lagos Trade Fair complex up in needless crises. The Lagos debacle is the latest. and in Lagos. But they ended up as to, with their votes, drive the rival APC into the Atlantic It is high time their leaders had some introspection, if they Ocean, it was a devastating and recklessly irreverent pun, must attain their ultimate in the context of a just, fair and merry fall guys’ telling his own Kabiyesi to himself go jump into the lagoon! equitable Federal Nigeria.

J

V

R

epublican ipples

IGOROUS enforcement of road safety regulations will be a plus to the new administration. For instance, relevant laws can be reviewed such that reckless drivers, who caused death within built up communities, should not enjoy bail while, as part of preventive measures, commuters can report reckless drivers who may have their licences withdrawn before they do harm. For FRSC, its inability to ensure road discipline and safe motoring on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the main artery of Nigeria’s economic and social activities, thereby making motorists to suffer harrowing traffic gridlocks, and be prey to robbers, is a manifest instance of its incompetence.

As a columnist with Peoples Daily newspaper, I wrote a piece in my February 28, 2011 column captioned - Wanted: Road Accident Prosecution & Relief Agency (RAPRA) in which I indicted the FRSC for lacking passion in executing its core mandate where it lapses into civil service indolence, but very enthusiastic when it comes to cornering licensing revenue.

The then Corps Marshall of FRSC, Osita Chidoka, now Minister of Aviation, had invited me to Abuja, from Iwo, where I am a teacher, to see their operations, apparently to disabuse my mind. I was at FRSC headquarters, Abuja, on June 1, 2011 and taken on a tour of its facilities by an assistant director. In fairness to Chidoka, the FRSC under his watch is a reservoir of data on various aspects of road management ranging from road fatalities, injuries, type and number of vehicles involved, driving licence approvals, speed limit violations and crashes by governors’ motorcades etc.

So, while FRSC may be strong in terms of database, it is very poor in its practical responsibility of ensuring road safety. And that has to change.

The celebrative victory party for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be over by May 29, 2015 when he is sworn in as President, and the countdown to 2019 general election when the party submits again to the electorate’s verdict would have begun. The President-elect has accurately identified the demons of corruption and insecurity as the twin evils bedeviling Nigeria, which must be wrestled down. Nigeria has gone through cycles of euphoria and disappointments as the promise of any new government soon turns a mirage. This has bred what scholars have identified as the phenomenon of unfulfilled rising expectations leading to rising frustrations in many developing countries and occasioning a state of near permanent crisis. But Nigerians are hopeful that this time around, there will be CHANGE, for the better.

The Buhari Presidency will face its toughest challenge in the war against corruption. This is because over the past four

Okonkwo in Lagos

Buhari Presidency’s first 100 days-2

By Bisi Olawunmi decades, beginning in the 1980s, corruption has assumed the status of a cultural norm and as such will require not just a mechanistic legal approach, but a cultural re-orientation that must have a revolutionary fervor. So many people are on the corruption take, to the extent that even the economy runs on corruption. The new President may not be on the same page in the corruption war with some people, including those he may appoint to office. For ‘President’ Buhari, therefore, tackling corruption will, as in the title of Alhaji Babatunde Jose’s media memoir, amount to walking the tight rope. He had stated he wont delve into the past. But the past cannot be de-linked from the present and that would present a dilemma should people want to hold him by his words. However, the dilemma is not insurmountable. Gen. Buhari can stay in the background as the symbol of the anti-corruption campaign while his appointees in the relevant regulatory agencies become the point-men manning the barricades against the corrupt.

Because of corruption’s deep taproot in the society, any hope of successful war against corruption must involve the mobilization of the people to see it as the peoples’ war. The primary inducement to corruption is monetary and material wealth acquisition. A helpful habit is that many who acquired resources through corruption cannot seem to resist the temptation of ostentatious living. They brazenly flaunt the ‘dividends’ of corruption before our very eyes, without any fear of retribution.-, thus making the honest worker look stupid. It is this impunity that has encouraged a bandwagon effect where virtually everybody are now scrambling to get on the corruption train on their way to El Dorado of opulence.

But since the corrupt live among the people, many of who feel offended by the put down attitude of the corrupt rich, such people would gladly expose the economic parasites.

A people-oriented approach will assuage the anger of the people while also giving them the feeling of being part of their own salvation. Before now, the culture of most ethnic groups in Nigeria was to have no regard for those seen to

have amassed illegitimate wealth, often barring their children from marrying into such families. Children grew up nurtured into a culture of not taking things, which did not belong to them, with parents querying any lifestyle considered beyond the legitimate earnings of their children. That has changed – parents now even show contempt for their children who are not into corruption, citing the affluence of their children’s corrupt age mates. Also those who enjoyed collateral benefits of corruption – wives/husbands, adult children and friends – should also be charged for aiding and abetting corruption.

The media is of critical importance to the Buhari Presidency. The reality of the moment is that a President Buhari needs the media more than the media need him, since the media slant in projecting the activities of his government to the public can substantially make or mar his presidency.

There are glaring excesses in the media, part of which manifested in the presidential election campaigns where many media outlets became platforms for hate and incitement, so much so that there was palpable fear of post-election violence that forced many to temporarily relocate to their ethnic enclaves. However, in spite of the negativism of many media establishments, print and broadcast, the Buhari Presidency will need to formally reach out to the media with a view to mobilizing them as partners with his Presidency. To signpost the importance his administration intend to accord the media, a Presidency - Media Summit holding within the first few days of inauguration will go a long way to establish mutual rapport. The Presidency needs to key the Nigerian press into Prof. Dennis McQuail’s Development Media Theory where journalists are made to understand their strategic role of being agents of positive change. Of course, the Buhari Presidency would have to accommodate media criticisms, including that of specific office holders, as necessary feedback mechanism for better service delivery.

The Nigerian populace look forward to an eventful and momentous first 100 days of the Buhari Presidency characterized by a frenetic pace of activities, not a slow-paced learning process. One area that the government can make dramatic impact is confronting indiscipline in government and among the people, with a President Buhari leading by example by being punctual at all official engagements. The War Against Indiscipline is needed now more that 30 years ago when his regime introduced it.

• Olawunmi, is a Lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Bowen University, Iwo; Fellow, Nigerian Guild of Editors and former Washington Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN)

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

22

COMMENTS

T

HE 2015 general elections, to the surprise of many, were largely free, fair and to some extent peaceful. If one could ignore what happened in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States in the name of election, it could be safely said or assumed that Nigeria’s democracy has finally come of age. But it would be foolhardy and even dangerous to brush aside what took place in these states on March 28 and April 11 and conclude that Nigeria has finally joined the global enviable league of established democracies.

Located in Nigeria’s south/south region, Rivers and Akwa Ibom State are two of the three states, the other being Delta, heavily relied upon by Dr Goodluck Jonathan and his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)to deliver votes in their millions to the president to aid his re-election bid.

Jonathan’s expectation of a heavy voters’ support for him in this region was based mainly on the fact of his being from the south/ south and not on account of any outstanding performance. But the people of this region, especially residents of these two states were not given to this sentiment.

In the run up to the elections it was glaring that they were not ready to reward incompetence as exemplified by the Jonathan administration and instead were ready to team up with the rest of Nigeria rooting for change.

They were leaning towards the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). In fact, Rivers States has an APC government already in place and the expectation was that the state would go the way of the party in the general election, the fact of Jonathan coming from that region notwithstanding.

The financial recklessness of the Godswill Akpabio administration in Akwa Ibom state with nothing tangible to show for the huge state resources available to him also commended the APC to the people of the state as

What to do with Rivers and Akwa Ibom

the party of change that they yearn for. So, like Rivers, the expectation here also was that the wind of change would blow the PDP away on elections day. But that was not to be or rather, not allowed to be by the powers that be.

Faced with an imminent defeat at the polls, the Jonathan federal government deployed all State’s and non-state’s resources at its disposal to rig the election in its favour with the hope of making it back for a second term. In the March 28 presidential election, Jonathan recorded near overwhelming support in these two states, with over 95 per cent of the votes, but it wasn’t enough to win him the presidency again.

The way this ‘victory’ was achieved cast doubt on the legitimacy of the result. In Rivers State, apart from the pre-election violence that led to the killing of many people, mainly from the APC, no election in the real sense of the word took place anywhere on that day, a fact acknowledged by both foreign and domestic observers, yet the Independent National

‘For the sake of the democracy we are trying to build and also the credibility of Professor Attahiru Jega’s INEC, the result in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States should not stand. Let there be fresh elections in these states with enough security personnel on ground to prevent the killings and the fraud that attended the March 28 and April 11 elections’ ‘For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar’s angel.

Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar lov’d him!

This was the most unkindest cut of all; For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors’ arms, Quite vanquish’d him: then burst his mighty heart. . . .’ ——Julius Caesar Act 3, scene 2

E

VERY leader sooner or later faces the Julius Caesar situation - beneficiaries of his most noble and patriotic efforts stab him in the back. However, leaders with a treacherous streak, take it in their stride more than leaders like Julius Caesar, who was without guile. Such leaders as Caesar are victims of the truism that to the pure all things are pure; they live their lives believing that everyone is good. When their “Brutuses” bare their fangs, the weight and depth of their ingratitude and betrayal vanquish them. Such was the case with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in the last presidential election.

He conceded defeat with the feeling of “et tu Brutus.” The list of betrayers is endless... et tu Prof Jega, et tu some northern PDP Governors (particularly the one who voted openly for APC and showed his ballot paper shamelessly to the people), et tu some PDP senators etc. He was not defeated by the conspiracy of the leaders of some of the majority tribes against the South South. Everyone saw that as plain as a rain cloud on a sunny day. The traitors from the South South who failed to understand the consequences of today’s action for their posterity did not defeat him.

President Jonathan was vanquished by the shocking depth of treachery and betrayal to his noble and patriotic cause by persons who were close confidants and who assured him of their support. These were wolves in sheep clothing. It is to Jonathan’s credit that in the campaigns, he was indicted for omission, not commission. He should have armed himself and rescued the Chibok girls like Arnold Swazzenager armed himself and rescued his daughter in the film “Commando.” He should have declared a full emergency in the three insurgency-ravaged states (like Chief Obasanjo did in Jos), but he did not.

He should have known better than to seek

Electoral Commission (INEC) said it was satisfied with the exercise and declared Jonathan the winner in the state. While no voting took place, results were allocated to parties by INEC officials in a predetermined way to give victory to PDP with a landslide.

In Akwa Ibom State, the way ‘victory’ was achieved was disingenuous. While voters were given the impression that they could vote and their votes would count, (at least in places where INEC was allowed to show up), government/PDP agents/thugs were deployed to polling units to obtain the number of accredited voters and forward same to a situation room in the Government House where the votes were allocated to parties based on the number of accredited voters, with the PDP getting the lion share. The figures recorded on the result sheet at the Government House were then forwarded to INEC which in turn released same as the outcome of the election.

With the outcome of the presidential election in these two states not enough to tilt the scale of victory in Jonathan’s favour nationwide, the PDP went back to the drawing board for the governorship and state assembly elections on April 11, to ensure that its rigging plan not only produces a winner but retains/ returns the control of the two states to the party.

The outcome was a sham election that even PDP sympathizers in some so called opposition parties could not stomach.

The Labour party governorship candidate in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, a known supporter of President Jonathan was so disappointed in the conduct and outcome of the election that he described the exercise

The presidential election in perspective

By Anietie John Ukpe to end insurgency in the three APC states and give them the opportunity to vote, knowing fully well that these were states, which could swing the votes away from him - but he did not. He did not want to disenfranchise them at the expense of his ambition.

He could have stopped the governors (Amaechi et al) and others from decamping from the PDP to APC, but instead of defending the Constitution in line with his oath of office, he went to court. But all his accusations resembled an oily paper parcel, containing a hamburger, wrapped hurriedly in a driving rain - it had many holes. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who claimed that there was an agreement that President Jonathan should go for only one term, let the main burger out of the bag.

Why was his fate sealed before his journey of service? The most pertinent answer is because he is from the South South. It was the first time a South South man was ascending to power and it was through a force majeure (act of God). Yet the Obasanjos of this world had to use this opportunity to prove to all and sundry that though all regions are equal, some are more “equal” than others. It was heartbreaking to hear him (OBJ) say repeatedly that it was agreed that the South South should do only one term. Is he not the man who did two terms and wanted to tweak the Constitution for a third term?

Nigeria needs zoning and zoning should reflect justice in structure and content. In America, when George Bush was president, his sons-George Bush Jr was the governor of Texas while Jeb Bush served as the governor of Florida. In America you can come from anywhere and contest for

office anywhere. In Nigeria, even if your grandfather was born in Sokoto and your father never visited Imo State and you never visited Imo State and your name were Okechukwu, you could never claim to come from Sokoto State - do not even mention contesting for any office there. That is the way the card is stacked against commonsense and nationalism. We are too attached to our ancestral homes and we think in terms of that - that is why we need zoning as a principle - not as tokenism to some regions. It is also why some regions conspire to rob other regions in their inordinate struggle for power and supremacy in the Nigerian political space. There is a sense of belonging when someone from your region is the President. A sense of “Hey, the President is from my area! Everyone has a fair chance and one day my son or daughter can also be president.”

The president may not do anything for your area, but his merely occupying that office inspires your confidence in the Nigerian project.

Confidence in the Nigerian project gave way to a new found sense of brotherhood and solidarity with the South East. That sense of solidarity is strengthened by a common sense of distinctiveness and grievance. Gowon’s three R’s (reconstruction, reconciliation and rehabilitation) still sound to the people of the South East like a bad joke about Santa Claus. It will remain so until Nigeria accedes the presidency to an Igbo man.

GMB’s first task should be to heal the wounds and scars of the election. It was an acrimonious campaign laden with single-perspective arguments. War drums were sounded and emotions were driven high. Echoes of the fight now reverberate around the country, particularly in Ekiti State where the APC members of the House

as neither free nor fair. He expressed his frustration in the following words: “Without the presence of INEC officials or material in some areas, results were declared in the very same areas as if elections actually did hold. What kind of message are we sending? Can the people who experienced this ever have faith in politics or the electoral process again? This process was neither free nor fair and it certainly was not credible. But in the end INEC felt otherwise.”

Observers from the African Centre for Leadership Strategies and Development described the elections in Rivers State as not only bloody but also fraudulent, urging INEC to cancel the polls. International election observers also spoke in the same vein, yet INEC went ahead to declare the result giving victory to PDP. The same things happened in Akwa Ibom. The APC, the party at the receiving end of this electoral fraud is crying foul but INEC does not seem to be listening.

The implication of INEC accepting the result of these sham elections is that the electorate in these areas would never have faith in politics and the political process, especially the principle of one man one vote. And as long as the result stays good people will continue to stay out of politics in these areas and we will continue to have thugs as leaders coming from there; and when they come to the national stage you can imagine the pollution they would bring to national politics.

I don’t want to dwell on the violence that attended the so called elections in these states, it is sickening. People being beheaded, whole family being wiped out, political thugs, at times in military/police uniform going from house-to-house, clubbing or shooting opponents to death, most of these in the presence of and even with active connivance of security agents. What kind of democracy is that? And on elections day, ballot boxes/papers being snatched and yet INEC accepted the results from such polling units?

For the sake of the democracy we are trying to build and also the credibility of Professor Attahiru Jega’s INEC, the result in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States should not stand. Let there be fresh elections in these states with enough security personnel on ground to prevent the killings and the fraud that attended the March 28 and April 11 elections. This is how to build a good democratic culture. Let the winner win clean and clear and the loser lose clean and clear as well.

of Assembly are bent on sacking Governor Ayo Fayose - apparently for his virulent attack on the President-elect during the campaigns. The timing of the impeachment smacks of vendetta.

This is the time GMB should prove himself a statesman by calling the APC members there to order and offering Fayose the kind of forgiveness Nelson Mandela offered to his white captors who jailed him for 27 years. He should follow Jonathan’s example. He won in 2011, but no one suffered because of his victory. That, among other things, is why Jonathan has already established his credentials as the first global statesman to come from our shores.

President Jonathan is on his way out. But the problems of Nigeria will outlive him.

Let Jonathan return home in the knowledge and comfort that he reigned and left without shedding anybody’s blood and without allowing anybody’s blood to be shed because of his ambition. The traitors are still celebrating and clinking glasses.

That was how Anystus and company celebrated when they dealt with Socrates. But today Socrates’ name is in the Hall of Fame and the names of Anystus and his accomplices are in the Hall of Infamy. Nobody trusts a traitor, and even GMB will be wary of them. Such are the real losers in this election - not Jonathan. May God give GMB the wisdom to rule well and follow the path of true statesmanship.

• Ukpe is an Uyo-based commentator on public issues.)

‘That was how Anystus and company celebrated when they dealt with Socrates.

But today Socrates’ name is in the Hall of Fame and the names of Anystus and his accomplices are in the Hall of Infamy. Nobody trusts a traitor, and even GMB will be wary of them’

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

23

24

41

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

25

’

ensure that your work remains like sterling silver that becomes more valuable with age. I therefore urge you to be proactive in seeking out ways to improve justice delivery especially, as it pertains to the case disposal rate in the FCT High Court.

’

See page 26

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose ran the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the House of Assembly out of town on assumption of office last October. Since then, he has been preventing them from returning to perform their legislative duties. But last week, the 19 ‘exiled’ lawmakers returned and served Fayose an impeachment notice. They wrote the Chief Judge to raise a panel to probe their allegations against Fayose, who is more comfortable doing business with the minority seven People Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers. Are the governor’s days numbered? PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU asks.

W

HAT Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose seems to fear most even tually happened last week. The 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the House of Assembly that he ran out of town on assuming office last October beat all odds to serve him an impeachment notice. The impeachment process opens another front in the battle between the lawmakers and Fayose, who is more comfortable dealing with the minority seven legislators.

Since his return as governor, Fayose, who was impeached by the then House in 2006, has been working with the seven lawmakers who are members of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). With Fayose’s tacit support, the minority lawmakers approved some commissioners for him and the state’s 2015 budget.

Fayose and his lawmakers have been carrying on despite warnings from the majority 19 legislators that what they are doing is wrong. Is this a replay of the 2006 impeachment of Fayose for gross misconduct?

Following Fayose emergence as governor last year, the APC challenged his victory at the Election Petitions Tribunal, claiming that he is ineligible to contest having been impeached in 2006.

Thugs disrupted proceedings, leading to the death of one person; many others were injured. Worried by the development, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) shut the courts in the state and the Tribunal was moved to Abuja.

The crisis deepened when the Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin, was ‘impeached’ by the seven PDP lawmakers. Fayose is alleged to have instigated Omirin’s removal.

Armed policemen were positioned outside the Assembly’s premises last November 18 to prevent the APC lawmakers from entering. Omirin’s aides were withdrawn.

Electricity supply to his lodge was disconnected. Allowances meant for his office were stopped.

Many faulted the minority lawmakers’ action. Reason: Section 92(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution states that a Speaker can only be impeached by at least two-third majority of the House.

With Omirin impeached and all 19 APC lawmakers allegedly chased out of the state by thugs, legislative business including the confirmation of key executive council members and approval of major financial decisions were taken by the pro-Fayose seven, led by Dele Olugbemi, who claimed that the APC lawmakers had deliberately absconded from duty.

The case against Fayose

INSIDE:

In a letter titled: ‘‘Re: Notice of Allegations of Gross Misconduct’’, the lawmakers listed eight impeachable allegations against the governor and demanded a reply in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.

The governor’s alleged offences include invasion of the House of Assembly with thugs and miscreants; instigating unconstitutional takeover of the House by seven legislators to sit in contravention of Section 96(2) of the Constitution; prevention of the 19 APC legislative members from performing legislative duties with the use of security agents and armed thugs and sponsor-

Tasks before new FCT Chief Judge -Page 26

?

Will Justice triumph in Ekiti? ing an unlawful impeachment process in the house.

Other allegations are spending Ekiti State funds without the requisite constitutional approval in contravention of the constitution; running the government of the state without a legally constituted Executive Council in contravention of Section 192(2) of the Constituion; operating an illegal 2014 Budget as well as sponsoring and instigating illegal sitting of the House in contravention of Section 96(1) of the Constitution.

However, Fayose, who claimed he has not been served any impeachment notice, but only read it online, described the lawmakers as jesters for drafting the said notice outside the Hallowed Chamber. He reminded the lawmakers that there was a pending case in court insti-

tuted by Omirin, challenging his removal and asked them to await the outcome of the suit.

He boasted that, despite being in the majority, the lawmakers can not impeach him because he had done nothing wrong. He accused Omirin of having an ulterior motive of becoming Acting Governor, thereby returning the state to APC. Since then, the state has not known peace. On April 7, at least one person was reportedly killed as the protest to stop Fayose’s impeachment raged on.

Procedures for impeaching a governor According to Section 188 of the Constitution, a governor or his deputy shall be removed

Lawyers set agenda for Buhari, Osinbajo -Page 39

from office whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than onethird of the members of the House of Assembly, alleging gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, with detailed and specific particulars are availed the Speaker.

Upon receipt of the notice, the Speaker is expected to, within seven days, cause a copy to be served on the Governor and on each member of the House of Assembly, as well as ensure that the governor’s response to the impeachment notice is also served on the legislators individually. ‘‘(3) Within 14 days of the presentation of the notice to the speaker of the House of Assembly (whether or not any statement was made by the holder of the office in reply to the allegation contained in the notice, the House of Assembly shall resolve by motion, without any debate whether or not the allegation shall be investigated. ‘‘(4) A motion of the House of Assembly that the allegation be investigated shall not be declared as having been passed unless it is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of the House of Assembly; “(5) Within seven days of the passing of a motion under the foregoing provisions of this section, the Chief judge of the State shall at the request of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, appoint a Panel of seven persons, who in his opinion are of unquestionable integrity, not being members of any public service, legislative house or political party, to investigate the allegation as provided in this section. ‘‘(6) The holder of an office whose conduct is being investigated under this section shall have the right to defend himself in person or be represented before the panel by a legal practitioner of his own choice; “(7) A panel appointed under this section shall – (a) have such powers and exercise its functions in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed by the House of Assembly; and (b) within three months of its appointment, report its findings to the House of Assembly. ‘‘(8) Where the Panel reports to the House of Assembly that the allegation has not been proved, no further proceedings shall be taken in respect of the matter; “(9) Where the report of the Panel is that the allegation against the holder of the office has been proved, then within fourteen days of the receipt of the report, the house of Assembly shall consider the report, and if by a resolution of the House of Assembly supported by not less than two-thirds majority of all its members, the report of the Panel is adopted, then the holder of the office shall stand removed from office as from the date of the adoption of the report. ‘‘(10) No proceedings or determination of the Panel or of the House of Assembly or any matter relating to such proceedings or determination shall be entertained or questioned in any court; “(11) In this section - “gross misconduct” means a grave violation or breach of the provisions of this Constitution or a misconduct of such nature as amounts in the opinion in the House of Assembly to gross misconduct.’’

Although the APC lawmakers have more •Continued on page 26

Ex-minister, son insist on respect for Nigerian courts’ decisions -Page 40

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

26

LAW COVER CONT’D

Will Justice triumph in Ekiti?

•Continued from page 25

than the stipulated one-third majority to institute an impeachment notice, many have wondered if it would be possible to impeach Fayose and his deputy, giving that the state House of Assembly currently has two factional speakers – Omirin and Olugbemi.

Analysts have also expressed concerns that the impeachment may be stalled by the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, who the lawmakers allegedly requested to constitute a seven-man probe panel to investigate the allegation of gross misconduct, because of pending cases in various courts, even though the lawmakers have applied to withdraw the suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The 19 lawmakers are also racing against time. With the PDP reportedly winning majority of the seats in the state Assembly in last Saturday’s election, the APC lawmakers have only until May 29 to impeach Fayose, for it will be difficult to do so by a House dominated

by PDP lawmakers.

It also appears that the security agencies have not granted Omirin and the 19 lawmakers maximum protection to enable them perform their duties in the House. The presidency, so far, has been silent on the crisis and observers feel every effort is being made to prevent Fayose’s impeachment until at least, May 29.

Lawyers react Can the 19 lawmakers “impeach” Fayose outside the hollowed chambers to which access has been blocked? Can they legally sit anywhere and take a decision? Lawyers believe that the APC lawmakers have so far acted in accordance with the law. They argued that impeachment notice can be drafted anywhere, but must be signed by at least one-third of the members (one-third of 26 lawmakers in this case).

Constitutional lawyer, Funke Adekoya (SAN) noted that in terms of the venue and number of members, the notice of impeach-

•Fayose

•Falana

•Adekoya

•Ngige

ment on Fayose was valid.

She, however, argued that the notice must be sent to the Speaker, who will serve on the Governor to avoid being invalidated when challenged in court.

On the way out, she said the governor must be duly served with the impeachment notice.

Like Adekoya, renowned lawyer Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) said the constitution is silent as to the location where an impeachment notice can be drafted.

He said: ‘“What is important is where the deliberation to impeach is taken. It can be done outside the Hallowed Chamber and so,

the venue is valid. ‘‘Now that the governor has refused to respond, the next stage is what the legislators have done by writing the CJ for a panel. After the panel has finished its investigation, it will send its findings to the Assembly, which must be received in the Hallowed Chamber after which the deliberation for impeachment will commence there. ‘‘The charges against Fayose are the grossest of misconducts I have ever seen. A typical example is the governor using seven members of the state Assembly to constitute majority against 19 members. That alone is a rip on the

constitution. ‘‘Another gross misconduct is driving the 19 members out of the state by use of force and violence, as well as using six lawmakers to approve sensitive cabinet positions like Attorney-General, Accountant-General and Commissioner for Finance. ‘‘The governor’s misconduct cries to high heavens and I am happy that the lawmakers have summoned the courage. Since Fayose emerged as governor, has he run the state in accordance with the constitution? No! ‘‘Way forward is for the House to complete the process. If the legislature does not do it well, the judiciary will play its role.

“Nigerians are witnesses to the use of thugs to molest and drive away legislators from their chambers; humiliation of judges, who were beaten up by thugs of Fayose. ‘‘He made the state unsafe for the legislators and cannot truthfully claim they absconded from duty.’’

Responding, Femi Falana (SAN) explained that what was required to serve an impeachment notice was one-third of the members of the assembly and the APC lawmakers are more than one-third.

“Once the governor receives the notice, it has to be taken seriously because impeachment is a serious matter in the Constitution.

That is why I am advising the governor to take this matter very seriously. He should seek legal advice on this matter,” he said.

Falana said in a democratic system of government, the majority would have its way while the minority would have its say.

“Section 96 (1) says the quorum of a House of Assembly shall be one-third of all the members of the House. In the case of Ekiti, the very least that can sit is eight members.

“Section 188 says that whenever a notice of any allegation in writing is signed by not less than one-third of the members of the House of Assembly and is presented to the Speaker that is known to law, the Speaker shall, within seven days of the receipt, cause a copy to be served on the governor or the deputy governor.

“That is enough to put the engine in motion for the impeachment of a governor. The constitution does not say that the letter must be signed in the House.

“And from the look of things, that constitutional provision has been met. I do hope that the governor will take this notice very seriously, and react under the law,” Falana said.

All eyes are also on the Chief Judge to see the next step he takes.

Justice Ishaq Bello was inaugurated on March 31 as the Acting Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). His appointment is to be confirmed by the Senate. Justice Bello is the court’s fourth Chief Judge. ERIC IKHILAE lists the tasks before him

Tasks before new FCT Chief Judge F

OR the first time in its 33-year history, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja held a valedictory court session on March 31, in honour of its retiring Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Bukar.

Justice Bukar assumed office in 2013 and retired on March 31, 2015, on attaining the mandatory retirement age of 65 years. Before now, two Chief Judges had left the court, but without being accorded such honour.

They are Justices Dahiru Saleh (1984-2002) and Lawal Gummi (2002-2013). Justice Gummi, who retired from the court on May 13, 2013 and became the Emir of his community, Gummi, the next day, left the court in a controversial manner.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) in July 2013, found Gummi guilty of gross misconduct after investigating some petitions against him. The NJC found among others, that Gummi, now the Emir of Gummi in Zamfara State, interfered with the execution of a judgment delivered by another judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Jude Okeke.

The NJC, however, refrained from recommending punitive measures against him on the ground that he had retired in May, some months before its verdict was ready. But on March 17 this year, Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja decided the case with which Gummi sought to restrain the NJC from acting on the petitions against him.

Justice Kafarati, in his judgment in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/365/13, held that the investigation conducted by the NJC after Justice Gummi voluntarily retired as a judicial officer, was null and void.

Justice Kaafarati upheld Gummi’s argument that the NJC was without powers to conduct such investigation when it did because, two suits -FHC/ABJ/CJ/27/13 and

FCT/HC/CV/2558/13 - were pending before the Federal High Court and High Court of the FCT on the same issues raised in the petitions on which the NJC acted. The NJC has vowed to appeal the decision.

This past experience of the court no doubt, informed the tone of the speech by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, while swearing in the court’s new helmsman, Justice Ishaq Bello at a brief ceremony held at the Supreme Court on March 31.

The CJN particularly cautioned Justice Bello to be cautious and remain guided by his conscience and the oath of office to which he subscribed.

Justice Bello is generally regarded as a brilliant judge within the Abuja judicial circle.

He is highly credited as one of the forces behind the success of the Panel on Implementation of Justice Reform (PIJR), which he head as Chairman.

The body midwifed the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJ) Bill, which though, has been passed by the National Assembly, is awaiting presidential assent. The ACJ law contains highly innovative provisions aimed at improving the administration of criminal justice in the country.

Observers contend that it is now left to see how Justice Bello will successfully combine his duties as a judicial officer (for which he has earned the admiration of many) and the tasks of an administrator. This is because, his new posting requires that he combines both roles.

This perhaps informed why Justice Mohammed urged him to learn from the court’s past, and to see the fact that only one of the court’s past Chief Judges has been honoured with a valedictory court session as a challenge to “aim to serve and retire with honour.

•Justice Bello

“As your lordship takes the oath of office and the oath of allegiance, it bears reminding that this oath is not to a man only, but a solemn appeal to God. It is therefore to God that you will be ultimately responsible. It is from this oath that your duties and responsibilities spring forth and has a binding effect “It is an ethical undertaking to do justice as well as uphold the rule of law in our courts.

As such, my lord, your is an especially, onerous position, but one which I believe you are eminently qualified and capable of excelling in,” the CJN said.

The CJN and other stakeholders want Justice Bello to positively affect critical areas in the court’s operations. They want him to work on the speed of justice administration in the court, particularly as it relates to criminal cases.

On this, the CJN counseled the new CJ to “ensure that your work remains like sterling silver that becomes more valuable with age.

I therefore urge you to be proactive in seeking out ways to improve justice delivery especially, as it pertains to the case disposal rate in the FCT High Court”.

Most affected cases in this regard are corruption cases involving politically exposed individuals, whose trial had dragged for years without any meaningful progress made.

There is particularly the case now popularly known as the Apo six, in which some policemen have been on trial since 2005.

The policemen, Danjuma Ibrahim, Othman Abdulsalami (at large); Nicholas Zacharia, Emmanuel Baba, Emmanuel Acheneje and Sadiq Salami are accused of killing Ifeanyi Ozo, Chinedu Meniru, Isaac Ekene, Paulinus Ogbonna, Anthony Nwokike and Tina Arebun. The deceased, aged between 21 years and 25 years, were returning from a night party in 2005 when they were allegedly killed.

Incidentally, Justice Belllo is the trial judge in that case that had suffered much delay. After about 10 years of tortuous trial, further hearing in the case is scheduled for today, during which the defence is expected to make a nocase submission.

There is also the need for the new CJ to examine the quality of personnel manning key positions in the court to avert cases of official misconduct, the latest being the fraud discovered in the court’s Probate Registry, for which two of the court’s staff are currently standing trial.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

27

LEGAL OPINION Text of a lecture delivered by Femi Falana (SAN) at the Social Weekend at the Life Theological Seminary in Ikorodu, Lagos.

Beyond 2015 General elections: Delivering election promises

•Falana

I

N 2009, not less than N2.1 trillion was committed by the CBN in collaboration with the Federal Government into key economic schemes for economic development.

The benefitting schemes include the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (NGN69billion); Commercial Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (N200billion); the Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NGN200billion); Small and Medium Enterprises Credit Guarantee Scheme (N200billion). the SMEs Restructuring and Refinancing Scheme (N200billion) and Power and Airlines Intervention Fund (N300billion). In defending the release of the funds to the rich the CBN claimed that “The Federal Government of and CBN instituted the intervention programmes to enable key players in the economy have access to finance adding that access to credit remains important to agricultural value-chain” . (Mrs Sarah Alade, CBN Acting Governor, MSME News March 3, 2014).

It is on record that the privileged beneficiaries of the aforementioned loans and other huge loans procured from the commercial banks were unable to liquidate them. As the banking system was going to collapse the CBN had to bail out the banks with a loan of N600 billion. As if that was not enough, the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) was quickly established to take over the toxic debts of the rich worth trillions of naira. In an article titled: “Waiver for the rich, hard labour for the poor”, a respected economist, Mr. Henry Boyo, said: “Although AMCON purchased the stockbrokers’ toxic assets at a discounted price of about N42billion, in reality, the current value of the underlying assets or collaterals is only about N19.6bn, according to the minister.

Consequently, AMCON’s over N2tn incursion in the money market may, in reality also, be worth less than N1tn at current valuation; thus, AMCON may ultimately have flushed another N1trillion public funds down the drains.” (The Punch, December 1, 2015.)

The candidate of the APC has said that the economy will be private sector driven.

Pray, which private sector is the General talking about? The beneficiaries of contract bazaars, duty waivers? Or the beneficiaries of amcon waivers? Or the importers of fuel products and oil thieves? Or the buyers of public assets in the name of privatisation and liquidation? Or currency

speculators and round trippers? Essentially, the private sector is an extension of the public sector in Nigeria. Since 1999, the economy has been mismanaged by the private sector constituted by rent collectors. In the process, the national economy has been ruined completely.

According to an enquiry conducted by the House of Representatives the Obasanjo Administration wasted $16 billion on the power sector. After injecting several billions on the sector the NEPA was eventually privatised almost two years ago without any noticeable improvement.

Shamefully, Nigeria is the only oil producing country which imports petroleum products for domestic consumption. In 2011, the National Assembly appropriated N245 billion for fuel importation but the Central Bank released the sum of N2.3 trillion on the recommendation of the Federal Ministry of Finance. Since then, not less than N1 trillion has been earmarked for fuel importation annually in addition to billions of dollars spent on the turnaround maintenance of the nation’s refineries. At a public hearing held by the Senate in 2012, the Comptroller General of Customs disclosed that the nation had lost N604 billion due to indiscriminate duty waivers granted by the Federal Ministry of Finance within a period of nine months.

Sequel to the crash in the price of crude oil the Federal Government announced that austerity measures would be imposed on the hapless Nigerian people. Because of the gross mismanagement of the economy by the government and its allies workers are now salaries for months. After the elections the people are going to be made to bear the brunt of the looting of the treasury and costs of running the government.

But in spite of the grinding poverty in the land Nigerian legislators are said to be the highest paid in the world. The country’s public officers equally receive the highest estacodes in the world. With over 10 aircraft Nigeria has the largest presidential fleet among the developing nations in the world.

The dollarisation of the economy Under Section 16 of the Central Bank Bank Act, 2007 the power to fix and determine the exchange rate of the Naira is exclusively vested in the central bank.

But the CBN has abdicated that statutory duty to the so called market forces. For instance, the Monetary Committee of the CBN fixed devalued the national currency in November last year by fixing the exchange rate at N168 to a dollar.

But market forces have increased the exchange rate to over N220 to a dollar while the International Monetary Fund is insisting that the Naira be further devalued. In justifying the reckless devaluation of the Naira last November, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria blamed it on the falling price of oil in the international market. However, the CBN governor has asked Nigerians to accept that devaluation would come with pains but would

lead to benefits in the long run. This is a reminder of the mantra of the discredited Ibrahim Babangida junta when it accepted the prescription of the International Monetary Fund to devalue the Naira under the dubious Structural Adjustment Programme in 1986.

Although Mr. Emefiele did not explain why some other oil producing countries have not devalued their currencies he has publicly admitted that the factors causing the continued fall in the value of the Naira are beyond the control of the Central Bank and the Federal Government. Contrary to official claim on cause of the devaluation of the Naira the policy was largely induced by the illegal dollarization of the neocolonial capitalist economy of the country. In utter violation of the Central Bank Act rents are fixed and collected in dollars in the high brow areas of Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other cities in Nigeria. Some institutions charge tuition fees in dollars. On a daily basis, traders are allowed to buy millions of dollars to pay for all manners of goods including toothpicks imported from China, United Arab Emirates, Turkey etc.

No doubt, the pressure on the dollar has recently increased due to unprecedented demand from politicians in preparations for the 2015 General Election. Hundreds of millions of dollars were bought from the forex market to purchase votes during the congresses and primaries of political parties.

A particular candidate has been linked with the distribution of dollars to traditional leaders and other influential groups in the country in a desperate bid to win the presidential election. In a bid to dollarize the economy and destroys the Nigerian economy the CBN supplies millions of dollars to the foreign exchange market on a weekly basis.

Although Nigeria has become the largest importer of the United States dollars in the world neither the International Monetary Fund (IMF) nor the World Bank has ever questioned the reckless devaluation of the economy. Even, the National Assembly which is debating the 2015 Appropriation Bill has not deemed it to consider the deleterious effects of the increasing devaluation of the national currency on the implementation of the Budget.

Since by virtue of section 16 of the Central Bank Act, 2007 the currency notes and coins issued by the central bank shall be legal tender in Nigeria at their face value for the payment of any amount it is illegal to dollarize the economy in any manner whatsoever. Indeed, under section 20 (5) of the Act any person who refuses to accept the Naira as a means of payment for any amount in Nigeria is guilty of an offence and liable to be prosecuted and if found guilty shall be fined N50,000 or 6 months imprisonment. In Chief Gani Fawehinmi v. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria (2007) 14 NWLR (Pt 1054) 275 the plaintiff challenged the policy of In the Olusegun Obasanjo Adminis-

tration of paying dollar salaries and allowances to Dr. Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala and Ambassador Olu Adeniji, the ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs respectively. The federal high court struck out the case for want of locus standi on the part of the plaintiff.

But the Court of Appeal disagreed with the lower court. In upholding the locus standi of the appellant to maintain the action the Court held the payment of salaries of any public officer in dollars was contrary to the provisions of the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances etc) Act No 6 of 2002. In declaring such payment illegal and unconstitutional the Court directed both ministers to refund to the Federal Government the money paid to them in excess of the salaries and allowances approved by law. Based on the decision of the Court of Appeal and the relevant provisions of the Central Bank Act the management of the CBN should stop the further dollarization of the economy.

Conclusion From the foregoing analysis it is undoubtedly clear that the neo-colonial capitalist economy has continued to increase misery and frustration in the land. But while harsh economic conditions are imposed on the people the unjust socio-economic system has set aside loans and waivers that run into several trillions of naira for members of the ruling class. Since the government is required by the Constitution to control and manage the economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare and happiness of all citizens the Nigerian people should get organized and demand for the redistribution of the commonwealth from the political party that wins the forthcoming election.

However, there is no indication that the election will hold. If the INEC goes ahead with the conduct of the elections there are fears that the exercise may be sabotaged by anti democratic forces. If the election holds the results may be rejected leading to a post-election violence which may threaten the corporate existence of the nation. In the circumstance, an interim government may be established and be saddled with the task of preparing the country for another political transition. In the alternative, a coup de tat that may be staged by the top echelon of the armed forces under the pretext of restoring law and order and fighting the menace of insurgency. The military wing of the ruling parties succeeded in Mali and Burkina Faso. But having fractionalized the country along ethnic and religious lines the masterminds of the political crisis are not likely to profit from the perfidy. Therefore, the Nigerian people should be prepared for a long drawn out battle for the liberation of the country from political and economic predators.

•Concluded

Nigeria on path to true democracy, says NBA chair

T

HE Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Ijebu Ode Branch has said the man ner in which people conducted themselves during the governorship and House of Assembly elections was a testimony to the fact that Nigeria is on the path to true democracy.

The branch’s chairman Otunba Oloruntobi Mamora stated this at the end of last Saturday’s polls.

Mamora, who led a committee to monitor the election in Ijebu Ode, described the ex-

By Adebisi Onanuga

ercise as “free, fair and credible”.

He said the people were enthusiatix about what they wanted for the town.

“The people showed that they are clear about how the next person gets into office and not much as to who is the person,” he said.

The NBA chairman said he observed that the people of the ancient town were “patient” and determined to choose new representa-

tives.

“They defied the heavy rain and sun. In some areas, people provided tent, chairs and accommodated all parties,” he said.

He said there was no violence that usually characterised past elections.

Oloruntobi described the turn out as low in some areas and impressive in some wards.

He observed that the turnout was, however, below what was recorded during presidential and National Assembly election.

•Mamora

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

28

LAW & SOCIETY As Nigerians await the May 29 inauguration of the President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, more lawyers have set agenda for the incoming administration. Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU spoke with them.

Lawyers set agenda for Buhari, Osinbajo •Continued from last week

M

ORE lawyers have set agenda for presidentelect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and vice-president-elect Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Dr. Babatunde Ajibade (SAN) said he expects more reforms in the justice sector, among others.

“My expectations are very high in the area of justice sector reform and justifiably so in my opinion.

Prof. Osinbajo revolutionised justice sector delivery in his eightyear stint as Attorney-General of Lagos State from 1999 – 2007 and my expectation is that he will influence the same kind of revolution at the Federal level, albeit that he’s Vice-President elect and not the Federal Attorney-General.

“More importantly, I see a direct correlation between a complete overhaul of our justice sector and a re-design of the sector’s architecture and the achievement of the Buhari/Osinbajo campaign promise of eradicating corruption. In the absence of an efficient and effective justice sector, the eradication or even reduction of corruption will be no more than a pipe dream.

“The driving force behind the high levels of corruption in Nigeria at the moment is the palpable absence of efficient and effective enforcement mechanisms. The situation is so bad that the uncorrupt feel marginalised and frustrated because the corrupt get away with blatant acts of corruption and the system appears powerless to prevent this from happening.

“If this is to change, there has to be a root and branch overhaul of the system starting with the investigative and prosecuting services of the Nigerian Police (including the EFCC, ICPC and all other related agencies); the prosecuting services of the relevant departments of the various ministries of justice; the adjudicatory authority of the judiciary; and my own constituency, the representative duties of Legal Practitioners. All of these elements of the justice sector must be reviewed in detail and subjected to a thorough reform exercise.

“We cannot prevent or reduce corruption if the Police are not willing, able or empowered to carry out their investigative and prosecuting functions properly; the judiciary cannot convict anybody of corruption if the cases are not properly investigated and evidence properly assembled before charges are brought; and judges cannot convict anybody of corruption if they themselves are susceptible to corrupt inducement, invariably offered to them by Legal Practitioners representing the corrupt; and prosecution of corruption cannot occur if Legal Practitioners are permitted by timid and (with respect) lazy judges to stultify and delay the justice process by placing reliance on ridiculous technicalities that delay and frustrate the process.

“In the final analysis, the changes required are a function of leadership. The most important task ahead of the Buhari/Osinbajo presidency now is identifying and selecting the right personnel to head all the various agencies that have a bearing on the justice sec-

tor, to the extent that the power of appointment rests with them. It is the nature of these appointments and the mandate that those appointed are given that will determine whether our expectations of a robust reform of the justice sector under this incoming presidency will be met,” Ajibade said.

Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof. Lanre Fagbohun said he expects the new president and his vice to lead by example.

“Our wants as human beings are quite limited, but the greed of majority of our leaders is amazing and often borders on the ridiculous. The best leaders lead by example, thus, what I will expect of Gen. Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo as President and Vice- President is for them to lead by example.

“Impunity in governance has gone on for too long; the aspirations and hopes of Nigerians as reflected in the just concluded presidential election are that a Buhari government will begin to right the wrongs of corruption, meet the challenges of insecurity, move away from leadership devoid of vision, reflect sincerity of purpose, and introduce reforms that will positively impact on the social and economic lives of the people.

“Nigerians want to walk tall within and outside Nigeria; they want to be able to proudly introduce themselves as Nigerians. The acts and utterances of the Numbers One and Two citizens must therefore, be such that will inspire Nigerians to greatness, otherwise, the people will once again feel betrayed and disillusioned.

“For Nigerians, the base of the above conversation is good governance and this is what should be critical to this administration. Nigerians want to see respect for rule of law across the board; transparency; accountability; ethics in public service; national re-orientation geared towards promotion of dignity of labour as against the current syndrome of ‘get rich overnight’; and a more inclusive governance that allows for active public participation. Our institutions must be made credible and positioned to offer responsive services.

“The task is certainty not for Gen. Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo alone.

When they offer leadership that ingrains the right mental attitude, everyone of us must also be ready to join them in the task of nation building. This is not the time for other arms of government to unduly antagonise desirable reforms.

Let us all work cooperatively together in the collective interest of Nigeria, and be guided at all times by the Constitution,“ Fagbohun said.

For Mr. Osaro Eghobiamen (SAN), the new administration should make honesty its watchword.

“My expectations are that the President-elect (with his strong military pedigree of discipline) and the Vice-President (with an equally accomplished pedigree in Law) will both seek to work on the ‘infrastructure of the mind’ by adhering honestly and sincerely to the fundamental objectives contained in section 23 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which states: The national ethics will be discipline, integrity, dignity of labour,

•Ajibade

•Fagbohun

•Eghobiamen

•Oku

•Obla

•Ubani

•Salami

•Olatoye

•Nankin

social justice, religious tolerance, self reliance & patriotism.

“These principles must be consciously and strenuously pursued in the aftermath of an election campaign which was provocatively divisive. With particular reference to reforms in the administration of justice, my expectations are as follows: all courts should be technologically equipped so that they may perform their constitutional role, dispensing justice within a reasonable time. Enhance capacity in Justice Administration: this will apply to the administrative staff as well as judges at all levels. In this respect, the process of appointment, removal as well as welfare of Judges must be revisited to attract the best quality ( men and women of character and learning).

“Strengthen the financial independence of the Judiciary: the State Governors must be held responsible for the complete shutdown of the Courts on account of their refusal to adhere to the principles of financial autonomy. This present situation may lead to anarchy. Every State Governor is under a duty to ensure that the Judiciary is completely independent.

Chief Judges are expected to reciprocate by exhibiting an optimal level of integrity.

“Transformation of the Criminal

Justice System: In this respect, three major institutions will need overall reforms - the Nigerian Police Force, the Prisons systems as well as the Courts. The success of this administration must be gauged by its pursuit of social justice as well as enhancing the moral fibre that keeps us together as a nation” Eghobiamen stated.

For Jibrin S. Okutepa (SAN), the judiciary must be well-funded.

“First let me congratulate Gen Buhari and Prof Osinbajo on their well deserved victory. Nigerians expect a lot from them. They have articulated three key areas that are crucial and critical, these are corruption, insecurity and unemployment.

“For me, they cannot tackle corruption efficiently and effectively without effective and efficient justice system that guarantees easy access and quick justice delivery system. They must fund the judiciary well, ensure that both our procedural and substantive laws are reformed to make their application peoples and users friendly.

“In this regard the incoming administration must tackle the problem of delayed justice. They must equally ensure that the rule of law and its application become sacrosanct and all who breach our laws must be punished without fear or favour. In composing their cabi-

net they must go beyond party loyalty and party men and women.

“The incoming government is on redeeming mission, all best hands must be sought and used in government. The security operatives must be re-organized to tackle corruption. The current system of arresting before looking for evidence cannot tackle corruption. In this regard the operation of the EFCC, the police, the Directorate of State Security (DSS), and other security operatives under the justice system must be re-organized.

“The Ministry of Justice must be headed by a lawyer who is thoroughly a professional of credit and repute. A lawyer who is morally and legally sound in knowledge and character and who can tell the government the truth without bias and ill motive,” Okutepa said Former Ikeja Branch Chairman of of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Monday Ubani described Buhari’s victory as the beginning of a new era.

“We are clearly overjoyed at the victory of Gen. Buhari and Prof Osibajo. We are happy at the cleansing of our country that has just taken place and the beginning of new era for the great nation of Nigeria. What gladdens most of us more is the seeming restoration of Continued on page 37

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

PAGE 29

INSIDE Water relief for 23 Kaduna communities

•A raging and unchallenged desert

With over 80 per cent of residents cooking with firewood and the governments doing little to reforest, the Sahara Desert is advancing faster than is healthy for the region. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

PAGE 31

Fuel scarcity: A headache that won’t go away

W

ELL, what can we do?

That probably sums up the disposition of the bulk of the northern population who appear to have no choice but to cook with firewood. Many do not quite appreciate the fact that trees are nature’s weapon against ozone depletion and desert encroachment. But state governments are also doing pretty little to educate the people. Nor are the officials mounting a consistent tree-planting campaign to regrow the forests and restore greenery in the communities.

As a result, the geography of the region continues to change for the worse. The forests are being wiped out.

Most poor communities in the region survive by selling firewood, but they do not plant trees to replace those cut down. Even the trees they chop down are becoming more and more difficult to find. Thus, every morning, they wake up to search for their source of livelihood.

There are several firewood depots in Jos, the Plateau State capital. In some cases, there are stores where the commodity is kept before they are sold to retailers or end-users.

A retailer at Tudun-Wada RingRoad, Jos, Mary Jato, said, “I’m

PAGE 33 •Wood as cooking fuel

Why the desert keeps encroaching

selling firewood to sustain my family; my husband has no work, so I have to do something to help myself.”

On how they source the firewood, she said: “People bring it from a distance and sell to us, we are just buyers, we don’t know how they get the firewood but they bring it in trailer-loads and we buy from them and sell. The demand for firewood is very high in Jos because so many families cannot buy kerosene; they depend on firewood to cook their

food. So that is why we are selling it.”

A widow popularly called Mama Tabitha who also sells firewood in Tudun Wada, said, “I have no money to do any business; this firewood is the only thing that I can sell and feed myself and my children with it. You can see, I don’t

Cool cage

have the power to go to the forest and look for firewood, but there are men who bring the firewood here for us to buy.”

There are other women whose major business is to buy and sell •Continued on page 30

PAGE 36

30

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

Why the desert keeps encroaching •Continued from page 29 charcoal in Jos. They have their charcoal depots also at several points in the city. There is an identified charcoal market in the city located along Tafawa Balewa Street. It is called ‘Yan Gowayi’ in Hausa, meaning, Charcoal Market.

There are such markets in more than five places in Jos and Bukuru, an adjoining community.

The charcoal is a by-product of fresh wood. The fresh wood is cut in pieces, dumped into a large pit, covered with dry grass and set ablaze. In a matter of an hour, the wood turns into charcoal. These charcoal factories are very common in the North, always feeding the retail market.

The charcoal products are transported across the North to designated depots. It is in high demand among the poor who need it to cook their daily meals. One of the sellers in Jos, Mama Abok said, “During the rainy season when kerosene is very scarce, there is a high demand of charcoal. A full bag of charcoal costs between N1,000 and N2,000 depending on the period of the season.”

The suppliers of the product do bring them from Bauchi, Nasarawa and Kaduna states.

As forests in the North continue to deplete, there are no obvious government policies to stop the trend or replace the forest. There is a School of Forestry in Jos where students are trained to grow trees and reforest. They have a demonstrating tree farm along JosSaminaka Road. But the graduates of the school hardly get government employment to practice their training, most of them ended up taking another job aside what they were trained for.

A graduate of the school who now teaches there, Bitrus Madugu, said, “The irony about the school is that it is only government that can employ us and use us to build the environment, but they don’t employ us; they left us on our own to look for anything we can do, that is why I found myself a teacher. Some of my colleagues are revenue collectors at the local government. I think government does not take the issue of the environment that seriously.

Speaking further, he said, “If you

‘As forests in the North continue to deplete, there are no obvious government policies to stop the trend or replace the forest. There is a School of Forestry in Jos where students are trained to grow trees and reforest.

They have a demonstrating tree farm along Jos-Saminaka Road’ go to the school campus you will see the kind of forest created by students there; we can create the same forest even in the desert, but it takes a lot of cost, it can be capital intensive maintaining them. If you plant trees and you don’t maintain them they will die in a short period.”

This explains why state ministry of environment in the northern states continued to fail in their efforts to fight desertification in the region. They spent huge fund plating trees each year but the tree so planted does not survive the next planting season due largely to lark of maintenance. The ministry for environment in Plateau State had abandoned the annual tree planting campaign long time ago as it has became a huge conduit pipe for corrupt government officials. They can hardly account for the three they planted five years ago. This made the idea of planting more trees baseless.

There is a continental and a global concern on the speed of desertification in West Africa. Nigeria is under threat of the desert. The most affected part of Nigeria is the Northern region. The consistent speed of desertification in northern Nigeria has robbed half of the region of its original vegetation and Continued on page 31

•A rubber tree forest created by government to fight the desert but such efforts are far too little

•A typical landscape in the region

•Ahmadu Bello Way during the announcement of results of governorship and House of Assembly elections in Bauchi State

•Children fetching water from a public tap during the governorship and House of Assembly elections in Suleja, Niger State

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

31

THE NORTH REPORT

Water relief for 23 Kaduna communities

N

O fewer than 23 communities in Kaduna State will access clean water.

This because the generation and treatment facilities of the precious liquid will soon come to life in the state.

That much has been guaranteed by the state government.

It will be a milestone in the state.

For nearly two decades, water has been a huge challenge. In 1999, a former governor of the state, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi requested the Federal Government to rehabilitate and expand the Zaria Water Supply Scheme.

The arrangement was for the Federal Government to (i) rehabilitate the water works;(ii) construct a new 186MCM dam (iii) build a new 150 MLD water works; (iv) construct transmission mains and service reservoirs.

The state government, on its part, was only to rehabilitate and expand the pipeline distribution network.

The Federal Government awarded contracts for the construction of a dam and the rehabilitation of the water treatment plants of 50m litres daily and 10m litres daily (10MLD) which were operating below 30%.

President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration awarded these contracts but the projects suffered budgetary constraints and were not completed on schedule.

Eventually the late President Musa Yar’Adua introduced the Water Exit Policy and thus transferred the rehabilitation of the existing water treatment plants to Kaduna State when it was about 80% completed.

Similarly, the construction of the 150 MD water treatment plant and the construction of the service reservoirs became the responsibility of the state government in addition to the pipeline distribution network rehabilitation and expansion Administration of the then Governor Namadi Sambo awarded the contract for the construction of 150 MLD water treatment plant at the total cost of N15.7 billion. The 150 mld water treatment plant was then billed to be completed in 2011.

During the administration of the late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, the contract was revised upward and it also suffered delays as a result of the killing and the kidnapping of foreign personnel of the contractor and the late Governor Patrick Yakowa made frantic efforts to refocus and continue implementing the project.

Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has equally promised to complete the contract. He said his administration would complete (i) the Continued from page 30 changed its geography entirely.

Areas referred to as the ‘FarNorth’ comprising Nortwest and Northeast like Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Maiduguri, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano and parts of Plateau states and parts of Kaduna State including their various communities have already lost their natural vegetation to the rampaging desertification in the north.

Desertification in Northern Nigeria can be traced to two major factors: Nature and Man-Made.

The natural factor is linked to the wave of desertification blowing down northern Nigeria from the Sahel Savanna of West Africa. But the man-made factor has to do with the consumption of the features of the forest by men and women of northern Nigeria. The

‘The Yero administration to build a new water works, construct the transmission mains and service reservoirs and rehabilitate and expand the pipeline distribution network and sanitation facilities’ From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

construction of a new 150 MLD water works; (ii) construct the transmission mains and service reservoirs and (iii) to rehabilitate and expands the pipeline distribution network and sanitation facilities.

However, Issues arising from Zaria water works recently have become alarming as allegations and counter allegations keep emanating from all nooks and crannies. Recently, allegations from some quarters was that the project has been abandoned and officials of Kaduna State government were enriching themselves at the detriment of the helpless masses who have been waiting to drink portable water at the completion of the multi billion naira projects.

The gigantic water project when completed is expected to provide water to the entire Zaria city and five other local governments, totalling 23 communities, if completed has the capacity to serve Zaria residents and other neighboring local government areas.

The project is grouped into four construction stages which are 150 million water treatment plant; the construction of transmission mains and service reservoirs; rehabilitation and extension of distribution network.

The Nation’s fact finding mission to Galma Dam in Kubau and Zaria water works revealed that works are ongoing at the sites of the multi-billion naira water project and it is set

•Parts of the water works for completion by 2015.

It is a fact that, the pursuit for substantive and veritable amenities by the electorates in any government is very paramount, most especially in developing countries since such efforts if hinged on the virtues of con-

structive criticism could reinforce the sensitivity of the Government in policy making.

Recently, a group of Zaria residents alleged that, the water projects was since abandoned and without value to them, since they still depend com-

pletely on the commercial water vendors popularly called ‘’Mai ruwa’’ It was one project initiated by the State Government with the objective of providing sustainable •Continued on page 32

Why the desert keeps encroaching third factor which has natural and man-made features is that of global warming.

As it appears, both causes of desertification in the North remains uncontrollable and ungovernable to governments and northerners themselves. Government’s claim to have been encouraging afforestation and reforestation over the last 50 year has become a mere talk show. From all indication, there is no evidence of government afforestation program any where in Northern Nigeria.

Some proof of afforestation can only be seen at school campuses like Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Maiduguri, etc. Outside the school premises of few schools in the north, the region is largely a semi-desert, with grasses and shrubs.

‘Desertification in Northern Nigeria can be traced to two major factors: Nature and Man-Made. The natural factor is linked to the wave of desertification blowing down northern Nigeria from the Sahel Savanna of West Africa. But the man-made factor has to do with the consumption of the features of the forest by men and women of northern Nigeria’ It’s original forest has been consumed.

There is federal owned college in Jos called School of Forestry. It was meant to encourage the practice of

forestation. The school has a demonstration farm along Jos-Saminaka road. It is difficult to tell if the school of forestry has any positive impact on the recovering the lost vegetation

of the northern region.

The Northerners themselves who consumed their forest appeared careless if their natural vegetation is depleting. They keep exploring it without replacing them. Children of the region are now be told of tales of forest trees majority of which have already gone out of extinction due to handwork of their parents.

Forest, it’s contents and inhabitants are major source of economic power often obtained as main source of livelihood by majority of people of Northern Nigeria.

Trees, Games, animal and birds in the forest has not only been consumed directly as raw foods, but has been traded for cash in various ways.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

32

THE NORTH REPORT

Water relief for 23 Kaduna communities •Continued from page 31 water supply and sanitation to the people of Zaria. More so, it aims at ensuring that the state attains the targets for portable water and sanitation as enunciated in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) document.

Meanwhile, in a swift reaction, the Commissioner for Water Resources Honourable Ado Dogo denied the allegation, saying, the projects will be completed this year.

The allegation and denial informed our Correspondent’s fact finding mission to the project sites.

At Galma Dam, a project of the Federal Government located in Kubau Local Government, the Dam’s Project Manager, Mr. Itzik Zeevi revealed that the Dam with a capacity of 186million cubic meters, a catchment capacity of 250million cubic meters, with an embankment of 2.7 KM, and with a height of 28meters is 98percent completed.

He also disclosed that, the second and third phase of the projects, which are Irrigation and proposed Hydro power, expected to generate 2.7megawatts of electricity will soon commence.

The Nation also observed that, a settlement has already sprang up as a result of the alma Dam, and is named after the Gilmor Construction Company. Abdullahi Sani also known as ‘’Mai kifi’’ a resident of the Gilmor community said ‘’I am a farmer and also a fisherman I came here to fish, am a registered fisherman in the Dam and we are about 200 of us, the business is seriously moving here, at least I have water to irrigate my maize and I also fish’’.

Meanwhile, at Shika Dam, located in Zaria, Engineer Binta Aliyu Yakubu who took our Correspondent on a guided tour of the Low lift pump, extensively articulated the prospects so far and the Challenges. According to her, “the 150 Million Litre per Day (mld) Regional Water Supply being constructed by the state government at Kakeyi village, near the existing 50mld Water Works is meant to tackle the protracted water supply scarcity in Zaria.

“The project is grouped into four construction stages, namely: a new 150 million litre per day water

treatment plant; the construction of transmission mains and service reservoirs; rehabilitation and extension of distribution network; and network extension to six other local governments comprising of 23 communities, if completed has the capacity to serve Zaria residents and other neighbouring local government areas. Work is 88 per cent completed and by next year that is 2015 the work will be completed,” she added.

Mr Yakubu, an engneer, further explained that, “the Dam is ready, the water treatment plant is almost ready but this one relies on another one this is phase one and then we have phase two, because when you finish the treatment unit you have to transport the water to the service reservoirs in the town and we have the transmission main that will convey water from this treatment plant to reservoirs for that, the Government secure a loan from Islamic Development Bank, the loan is ready we are even in the process of procuring consultants and awarding the contracts.

The loan is 81 million US dollars, then the third phase is that of distribution line, the water will flow by gravity to the distribution mains and to the end users. The Government again has secured another loan from the African Development bank and that one is about 101million US dollars and that is the third lines for distribution lines and sanitation facilities, so we call it water supply expansion and sanitation project’’.

She maintained that, the project was meant to provide sustainable water supply to effectively serve Sabon Gari, Kubau, Soba, Kudan, Makarfi and Giwa in addition to Zaria local government.

Similarly, during the last visit of the Kaduna Governor, Ramalan Mukhtar Yero to the project site at Zaria, work was adjudged to have reached over 80 percent completion with an assurance that it would be completed on scheduled time. From what was gathered from the site engineers and government officials handling the multi-billion naira project during the visit. While on tour of the water project, Yero reiterated commitment to improved water supply noting that it is one of the main objectives of his administration.

The governor strongly believes that no meaningful development could be achieved if the people do not have access to potable water supply. “We have gone far in our efforts

•Water vendors in Zaria

‘The Dam is ready, the water treatment plant is almost ready but this one relies on another one this is phase one and then we have phase two, because when you finish the treatment unit you have to transport the water to the service reservoirs in the town and we have the transmission main that will convey water from this treatment plant’ to solve the water problem being experienced in Zaria and environs.

He also noted that increasing the production capacity without addressing the distribution network, transmission mains and service reservoir will not yield the desired result.

He explained that the government partnered with the African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank to consolidate the gains of the multi-billion Naira Zaria Regional Water Supply Project.

In the the same vein, the Country Director of AfDB, Dr. Ousmane Dore who was on tour of the project with Governor Yero assured the governor of providing support and concluding the project on schedule. He as-

•Female voters display their cards during the governorship and Houses of Assembly elections in Suleja, Niger State ... at the weekend

sured of the commitment of AfDB to ensuring the project will rekindle the expectation of the over two million people from Zaria and 6 other local government areas to benefit from the water project when completed.

Meanwhile, on the fears raised on how to transmit and distribute the water to be produced, the Governor said there was no cause for alarm as the dam and water treatment plant under rehabilitation has reached 95 per cent and 85 per cent completion respectively.

At the end of the tour, Yero hinted that the first phase of the civil work for hydropower and irrigation component is completed and promised that the supply of turbine develop-

ment of 400 hectares of land would be completed soon.

Also speaking, the paramount ruler of the host community Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris expressed anticipated joy on the completion of the project, assuring the state and Federal Government of the support of his people. He observed that the people of Zaria who have suffered water shortage and sanitation would smile after the project is completed and put to functional use.

According to him, it is a pointer to the commitment of government to the socio- economic condition of the people. “The government has shown clearly that it intends to solve the problem of water shortage and help the people to reciprocate by being law abiding,” the Emir stated.

Though Zaria is ancient city with various higher institutions spread around the city, the residents and students had to grapple with the untold hardship of either buying water daily, dig wells, boreholes and occasionally fetch from rivers, which are most often times polluted, water scarcity was one common problem the residents face.

The General Manager of Kaduna State Water Board, Engineer Kabiru Ahmed Rufai, who spoke to newsmen recently on the level of work at the dam site, said the 150 million litres per day water plant will soon be completed and ready for use.

He said, Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero was ever determined to complete all ongoing projects initiated by previous administrations in the state, especially the Zaria Water Works, considering its desired impacts on the residents.

•Youths playing football on Minna Road during the governorship and Houses of Assembly elections in Suleja, Niger State ... at the weekend

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

Page 33

•The scarcity bites harder

T

HE scarcity used to be the exception rather than the rule. When petrol was hard to find, it was only for about a week or two. Now, residents are adjusting to life without fuel.

Abuja residents have been experiencing the scarcity of fuel since December 2014. Since then, it was gathered, nothing meaningful has been done to improve the situation.

The fuel scarcity is biting harder as motorists in the city queue for hours at petrol filling stations in search of the product. It was observed that most of the filling stations which had fuel before the Easter break have since run out of stock.

Many filling stations have resorted to selling in trickles, while major distributors restricted their business to night hours when they are sure to make more money from black market vendors. Black marketers took over Abuja with containers, which according to findings, majorly contain diluted PMS. Several commuters were stranded at different bus stops due to lack of commercial vehicles while the few ones that were plying the road jacked up their fares by 50 per cent, some by 100 per cent depending on where and how

Fuel scarcity: A headache that won’t go away Residents of the nation’s capital are gradually getting used to what they do not like: fuel scarcity. It is now normal for people to wake up before dawn to queue up for the precious product but they often return empty-handed. GBENGA OMOKHUNU writes they got fuel.

Hawkers of petrol in jerry cans cashed in on the scarcity and sold the product between N200 and N300 per liter, depending on the customer’s bargaining power.

Many obscure filling stations, especially in Suleja, Kuje and on ZubaGwagwalada Road, sold the product between N110 and N120 per liter which is far above the regulated rate.

Only petrol filling stations within the city and those owned by major marketers in other areas dispensed petrol at the stipulated N87 per liter. Even when they display the regulated N87 per liter the quantity of the fuel will not be equiva-

‘The situation is getting out of hands; people are suffering in the FCT because of some greedy petrol operators who are hoarding the fuel for no reason. The Federal Government should do something about it, because, it is spoiling the good report of ‘no fuel scarcity’ during this administration’ lent to the price. According to those who spoke to Abuja Review the situation has gotten worse to the extent that many motorists had to

sleep in petrol stations to hunt and wait till when fuel would be dispensed At the Nigerian National Petro-

Kuje residents bemoan prolonged power outage

R

ESIDENTS of Kuje area council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have lamented the prolonged power outage in the council.

Some of the residents who spoke with Abuja Review said that the power failure has almost crippled business in the council, mostly in Kuje town, appealing to the council chairman, Hon. Shaban Tete to rectify the problem.

Mr. Samuel Joseph, a resident of the council, lamented that his business has almost crumbled following the general power failure, which, he said, has lasted over five

From Gbenga Omokhunu

days. He said his woes were compounded by the fact that he could not get fuel to power his generators.

“We are really suffering in this council,” he said. “This issue of light is a big problem. I operate a restaurant and bar, but we do not have power to cool our drinks and foodstuff in the freezers; now most of our things in my freezers are spoiling by the day, and there is no fuel in filling stations to use for our generators.”

Another resident, Mallam Isah

Yahaya, a vulcaniser, lamented that the power outage has crippled his job too, adding that since the power failure in the council, he has not been able to work and his business is suffering.

“My business is really suffering, nobody knows what is wrong with the light. The only thing that we can remember is that the light went off almost immediately after the President and National Assembly election.

We believe that most of the transformers in the council are bad and we are calling on the council boss to help us in the council,” he said.

Speaking with a senior staff of the

Kuje power distribution company, who pleaded anonymity, explained that the Kuje power source has dropped from 8megawatt to 4megawatt, which has made it difficult for the council to have appreciable power supply.

She further said that most of the electricity transformers in council have become faulty, which has led to the inability to supply electricity light in the council, saying that the engineers in the company are working tirelessly on the transformers and other sources, in order to rectify the problem.

leum Corporation (NNPC) mega station on Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Central Area, long queues of vehicles were on three lanes, blocking the entire road and forcing motorists to drive against the traffic. This has also led to several accidents on that road due to the unfortunate situation.

The situation was also the same at the Forte Oil, adjacent the NNPC mega station, where the queue stretched to the UAC fence early in the morning but later stopped selling.

The ConOil and Total filling stations opposite NNPC Headquarters were also selling with long queues. The queue formed a circle round through the Bureau of Statistics Complex to the Unity Bank building back to NNPC Towers, Abuja.

Also, ConOil station, NNPC franchised station and another private filling station on Olusegun Obasanjo way, were not selling. Most of the filling stations on Obafemi Awolowo Way were dried, except Oando at the junction of Wuse Zone 6, Mobil at Arab Junction and Eterna Oil filling station.

However, the situation was not different with most filling stations on Airport Road, AYA, Maraba, Kubwa, Suleja and other neighboring towns. Most motorists said they were having diffi•Continued on page 34

34

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

ABUJA REVIEW •Continued from page 33 cult time at filling stations before they could get fuel to buy.

Despite President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive to ensure that there is fuel not only in Abuja but other parts of the country, the directive appears not to be holding grounds with the situation of things presently.

Many are of the view that shortly before and after the presidential election when Dr. Jonathan lost to General Muhammadu Buhari the fuel scarcity got out of control.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Department of Petroleum Resources had attributed the situation to panic-buying.

NNPC spokesperson, Ohi Alegbe, had in a statement cautioned motorists against panic-buying and stock-piling the products. He said there was enough fuel in the stock that could last for months. The DPR spokesperson, Saidu Mohammed, also said the queue was due to panic buying.

Motorists on the fuel queue had a raw deal because sometimes, after the attendants had sold to a few people, the station would announce that they had run out of fuel.

Many motorists without fuel in their car had to leave their vehicles at the station waiting and hoping to buy the next day.

Residents called on the Federal Government to tackle the scarcity which has caused serious hardship to all.

Some of them, who were lamenting outside Oando filling station in town where operators of the station refused to sell to motorists, also explained that most petrol stations have refused to sell fuel to motorists because of the fear of prolonged fuel scarcity.

Mr. John Oku, one of the residents who spoke with Abuja Review, said he has been looking for fuel for the past two days without any headway, adding that he cannot afford to buy from black marketers.

His words: “The truth is that nobody knows what is causing this scarcity in Abuja; most of the filling stations have stopped selling fuel, without any genuine reason.

If you ask the operators, they will tell you that they do not have fuel and even when you see filling station selling fuel, you will queue for hours before you buy the product.

“The situation is getting out of hands; people are suffering in the FCT because of some greedy petrol operators who are hoarding the fuel for no reason. The Federal Government should do something about it, because, it is spoiling the good report of ‘no fuel scarcity’ during

•The fuel queues in Abuja are getting longer

Fuel scarcity: A headache that won’t go away this administration.

“It seems President Goodluck Jonathan is not doing anything about this situation. Maybe because he did not win the poll.”

Another resident, Mrs. Agnes Shekwo, said that the scarcity is seriously affecting the lives of the people, because, apart from using the product for vehicles, it is not available for residents to use to power the generator for businesses when there is power failure.

“We need fuel to power our generators for us to effectively do our businesses. But since the scarcity of petroleum product, I have not been able to get fuel to put on my generator, and we hardly have electricity light in my area.

“Last week, all the meat I kept in my freezer to prepare food in my restaurant got spoilt, because of power outage and no fuel to use in my generator. The Federal Government should call whoever is involved in the fuel scarcity to order.

Because, the whole thing is getting out of hands,” she appealed.

Abba Attahiru said: “We do not know what is causing the fuel scarcity but we just woke up one morn-

‘We need fuel to power our generators to enable us do our businesses effectively.

But since the scarcity of petroleum product, I have not been able to get fuel to power my generator, and we hardly have electricity in my area…Last week, the meat I kept in my freezer spoilt, because of power outage and no fuel to use in my generator. The Federal Government should call whoever is behind the fuel scarcity to order. Because, the whole thing is getting out of hand’ ing and started experiencing it since December last year. Nobody is giving us a true story of what is behind the scarcity. All the same as Nigerians we have been trying to cope. Suffering and smiling as usual. For me I think it is connected to the political problems we are having in the country because with the trend of things that is happen-

ing now, insecurity, among others and you know a lot of bodies have been showing their grievances. I think we have to put more efforts in making Nigeria a better place.

Government should look at the suffering of the masses. Because we made them to be where they are today, they should try to resolve the crisis of fuel scarcity.”

Mr. Patrick Odeh also lamented saying: “We were thinking that this type of thing will not surface again in Nigeria having experience free flow of fuel for the past two years.

We just believe that it is artificial and then it will be dealt with appropriately. Government should do the needful. We have no reason suffering fuel scarcity in this country with all the refineries that are in place. And I am sure when Genera Muhammadu Buhari gets to power things will normalize” Authorities of the filling stations visited refused to speak with Abuja Review on the matter.

Another concerned person, Mrs. Lamid Adeniyi said: “We do not know where we are going in this Nigeria. Our leaders should help us, we are really suffering. Everything is politics.”

Everybody is begging the appropriate authority to find a lasting solution to the situation before it gets out of hand. Many are also hopeful that when General Muhammadu Buhari takes over the mantle of leadership as President Fuel scarcity will become a thing of the past.

Scrap land-swap policy, natives urge Buhari

T

•Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Anselm Umoren dancing with Zumutanmata during Easter music fiesta at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gwagwalada, Abuja

HE natives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the auspices of the Original Inhabitants Development Association of Abuja (OIDA) have appealed to the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to scrap the land-swap programme of the outgoing Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed.

They said the swap deal was a conduit pipe for allocation of massive lands to cronies of the outgoing PDPled federal government.

In a statement by the President of the association, Pastor Danladi Jeji, the natives who congratulated the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President-elect, Professor Yemi Osibanjo on their victory in the March 28 polls, said the victory is a right step towards the fulfillment of the aspiration of Nigerians through the ballot box.

The natives further appealed to the in-coming Buhari-led government to

From Gbenga Omokhunu

appoint competent natives of Abuja as Minister of the FCT and political aides, so that the incoming government will not have a crisis of confidence between it and Abuja original inhabitants, urging the federal government to ensure that all Nigerians have a say in the people-elected government.

“The election of Gen. Buhari is the fulfilment of our aspiration for a people-centered government and we will offer maximum support to the incoming federal government which we are optimistic will have policies that will benefit not only original inhabitants of Abuja but also all Nigerians resident in the capital city.

We also seek a total audit of land allocations by the Abuja Geographic and Information System, AGIS,” the natives stated.

OIDA stated that the natives have •Continued on page 36

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

35

ABUJA REVIEW

Natives seek ministerial slot in Buhari govt

A

BUJA natives, under the Original Inhabitants Development Association (OIDA) have congratulated General Muhammadu Buhari on his victory in last month’s presidential polls.

President of the association, Pastor Danladi Jeji, said that Gen. Buhari’s victory is a right step towards the fulfilment of the aspirations of Nigerians.

He urged the new government to ensure that all Nigerians have a say in the people-elected government.

Jeji added that Abuja natives are asking the President-Elect to appoint competent natives of Abuja as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and political aides so that the incoming government will not have a crisis of confidence between it and Abuja original inhabitants.

He urged President Buhari to immediately scrap the land-swap programme of the outgoing minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed because according to him, it is a conduit pipe for the allocation of massive lands to cronies of the outgoing PDP-led federal government.

Jeji stated this in a press release by ýOIDA’s media adviser Summer Sambo, who stated. ”The election of Gen. Buhari is the fulfilment of our aspiration for a people-centered government and we will offer maximum support to the incoming federal government which we are optimistic will have policies that will benefit not only original inhabitants of Abuja but also all Nigerians resident in the capital city.

“The natives are asking the President-Elect to appoint competent natives of Abuja as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and political aides so that the incoming government will not have a crisis of confidence between it and Abuja original inhabitants.

The Abuja native inhabitants want the immediate scrapping of

T

HE newly elected House of Representatives member, Hon. Zakari Angulu-Dobi, representing Abuja South has promised to pursue the prolonged desire of natives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for Abuja to be recongnized as a State in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Angulu-Dobi who made this known while speaking with journalists in his hometown at Dobi in Gwagwalada area council of the FCT, advised residents of the FCT to have positive change in mind, that there

From Grace Obike

the land swap programme of the outgoing minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed because it is a conduit pipe for allocation of massive lands to cronies of the outgoing PDP-led federal government. We also seek a total audit of land allocations by the Abuja Geographic and Information System, AGIS. “OIDA stated that the natives have “fought and endured injustice for long in the administration of the outgoing PDP-led Federal Government especially on the protracted issues of land-grab, demolition of native houses, non-development of satellite towns, marginalization in appointments, non-compensation of compulsorily acquired lands and massive sacking of whole villages for the appropriation of their lands by selfish politicians and their cronies in government. We have the confidence in the ability of your government to end these injustices.

“The group urged the APC-led Federal Government to create a development commission to cater for displaced indigenous communities in Abuja. ”The proposed Abuja Original Inhabitants Development Commission (AOIDC) should be statutory and derive its funding from 30% of all sales accruing from allocable lands within the FCT. When established, AOIDC should deal with the lingering issues of relocation, resettlement and compensation for all project affected communities and persons.

“The pan-FCT group also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting defeat and saving the nation from crises that may have occured if the election had not been conducted according to international best practices. They wished him the best of luck in his future endeavours.

•Choir of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, singing during Easter music fiesta at thee church in Gwagwalada,

Abuja “Formally welcoming the President-Elect and his vice to the nation’s seat of power, the natives

urged General Buhari not to let Nigerians down considering the massive votes given to him by citi-

zens from all parts of Nigeria including the natives of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

‘We remain committed to youth empowerment’ T

HE chairman of Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Ibrahim Daniel has reiterated commitment of the council to provide skills acquisition for youths in the area.

Daniel, in an interview, stated that apart from the many programmes to be organised in the council for such purposes, the council will also in conjunction with FCT administration create an atmosphere for job creation.

“There is an empowerment programme we will do in conjuction with FCT administration. We will benefit from it and it will help them be creator of jobs.

Although, within the council through the office of the first lady, we have trained them and we will also give them micro loans, to help them

continue with the skills they have learnt and teach other ones.

“We want to ensure that there is multiplying effect it. If we have had 15 people that have learnt the skill, now we have about 50 people. Those 50 people will also train others and within a year, we would have trained more people. We have done a lot. We have sent some of them to China were they went to learn some skills,” he said.

On the various projects in the council, the chairman said some of the projects have been completed, while some are at the point of completion, thereby pledged the council’s com-

mitment to complete them in due course, so that the residents will benefit from them.

“We had initiated some projects when we came into office like the boreholes, road projects. We reawarded Angwan Kashun Road, which has been completed. The Yangoji-Dafa Road also has been completed.

“The Dabo-Bako township road is ongoing. The council has achieved about 60 per cents of the project. The contractor is waiting for mobilization, in order to finish the job. We are aiming to complete it within the second quarter of 2015,” he said.

‘I’ll advocate for Abuja state status’, says Abuja South’s would-be Rep

Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu

will be job opportunities for any qualified resident and native of the FCT, that it is not going to game as usual, where opportunities were only given to those who have people in government, According to Angulu-Dobi, the members representing the FCT are also going to struggle to make sure that the FCT is recongnized as if it was one of the states in Nigeria and

that all necessary opportunities given to other states, will also be accorded to the FCT. “We will also going to struggle in the National Assembly, that like in every city in the world where they have a Mayor, Nigeria should not be different. Let the truth be told. We

are not saying that a Mayor should be given to Abuja just for only the indigenes. We are saying that as far as you are residing in the Abuja, you are qualified to be Mayor of the Abuja.

“But let there be a structure that will take care of the state, and by doing so, it will give the opportunity to have mayoral council as a state legislative structure. It will also reduce the crisis and political problems we have in the FCT. Again, like coming Saturday, which is April 11, every other state will be exercising their rights to vote for a governor and members of the House of Assembly.

“But, I want the country to tell me what Abuja people would be doing.

Of course, nothing. So, is the country been fair to the people of the FCT? No. So, we want justice, equity and

fairness to all and that is what we are seriously going to struggle for.

Again, we are going to ensure that the programmes and policies of land allocation in the FCT, is reviewed.

Reviewed in the sense that, the original inhabitants of the FCT are taking into serious consideration. They are given due respect, because this is their place,” he said.

The lawmaker further said that if indigenes are to be relocate or resettled, they should be given adequate compensation, as it is required in the constitution, assuring residents of the FCT that he believed they are going to achieve their desires presently, because of the kind of President Nigeria has gotten, which he described as someone who is not corrupt and has the fear of God and love for the masses.

‘We will also ensure that Abuja has a mayor as in every city in the world. Nigeria would not be different. We are not saying that the position of a mayor should be an exclusive preserve for those who are indigenous to Abuja. We are saying that, as far as you are residing in Abuja, you are qualified to be mayor of Abuja…But let there be a structure that will take care of the state, and by doing so, it will be given the opportunity to have mayoral council as a state legislative structure’ •Part of the collapsed Giire Bridge on Kosubosu-Yashikira Road in Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

36

ABUJA REVIEW

N

O one likes being in a cage. It restricts movement and leaves a choking sensation.

But many Nigerians will really love to be in the kind of cage President Goodluck Jonathan said he has been in the past 16 years.

Jonathan, through his good luck, was elected Bayelsa State Deputy Governor and thereafter became the Governor of the state. He was later picked among his peers to be Vice President to late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and thereafter became President of Nigeria.

Even though he has not been able to freely move around the way he would have wanted in the past 16 years without security personnel watching over his shoulders, Jonathan was catered for by the various governments during the period.

That was why he declared by himself during the Easter homage paid to him last week Sunday that he was one of the luckiest Nigerians to have gotten the privilege to serve the nation at the various tiers of government.

Hear him: “This easter period coincide with when I’m leaving but I always say I’m one of the luckiest Nigerian. From 1999 I have been in the hands of government. I am yet to see somebody luckier than me. I was in the hands of governments for 16 years, not in government as a parliamentarian, because if you are in the National Assembly or State House of Assembly, you take care of yourself and you are in your house, I was in a cage being taken care of by the government.”

“But I think it is enough and I am happy, help me to thank God for that. I will continue to thank Nigerians for giving me that privilege, I became Deputy Governor because Baylesans voted for me and governor then. I became VP because Nigerians voted for me and Yar’Adua. And Nigerians voted for me and Sambo. We have to thank all Nigerians. Wherever I will be I have to thank all Nigerians. Today is a glorious day for me,” he stated The cage Mr. President referred to, no doubt, must be a sweet one going by the fact that he recontested the 2015 Presidential elections in order to continue in office.

Besides, some politicians will even be ready to spill human blood in order to occupy lesser public offices like ward councillor or chairmanship of a local government area, let alone office of a deputy governor and above.

Now that Mr. President will soon have his freedom, Nigerians can only hope for the best for him.

Cool cage Holy Ghost fire against Jonathan’s betrayers Were you one of those who betrayed President Goodluck Jonathan especially in the period leading to the March 28 Presidential elections?

Did you deceptively and wickedly divert, embezzle or misappropriate monies meant for his campaign fund? Or are you a close friend, presidential aide or top government official who has intentionally misled the president in anyway?

If you fall into any of these categories, then you have cause to worry as your case is now going beyond the physical realm to the spiritual.

The Aso Villa Chapel is now petitioning God to expose every deceptive and wicked person around Jonathan.

In the Prayer Guide for Nigeria April 2015 edition printed by the Chapel, one of the prayer points for Saturday April 18th, 2015 reads “Ask God to expose every deceptive and wicked person around our President and the rest of our leaders who mean well for Nige-

From the Villa

By Augustine Ehikioya ria. Esther 7:5-10, Proverbs 25:5.”

To ensure that Jonathan and other leaders are not misled in the remaining time of their tenure, the church will also pray to God through Proverbs 24:3-6 for wisdom and wise counsel for the president.

The prayer point for Monday April 20th, 2015 reads: “Pray that the President and each of our leaders at various levels would receive and use wise and Godly counsel from honest and God-fearing people. Proverbs 24:3-6.”

These mean that all those who

have been at fault will urgently need to reconcile the differences and ask Jonathan and God for forgiveness to escape the wrath of God.

Campaign dance in church Those waiting to see more of President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign dancing steps may not wait for too long if the President heeds the advise of the Aso Villa Chaplain, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba The pastor, who felt that Jonathan was not dancing like King David in the Holy Bible during Easter Sun-

day service in the Chapel, charged him to feel free and display his campaign dancing steps in the church.

President Jonathan, who had admitted during the service that he was going to miss the Chapel choir after May 29th, did not dance to the satisfaction of the pastor when the choir rendered various gospel songs in English and local languages.

The pastor counselled him that he will not be demeaned in anyway if he brings the campaign dance to the church.

Looking at the President who was sitting in front of him on the first seat in the first row on the right side of the hall, the pastor said: “I saw your dancing steps during the campaigns. You should take that to the church too. Nobody will demean you for that.”

In his gentle posture, President Jonathan, who was dressed in cream-coloured traditional attire and cream-coloured shoes to match, simply smiled to the pastor.

Since the campaigns are already over, more Nigerians will definitely love to see more of the dancing steps.

Scrap land-swap policy, natives urge Buhari •Continued from page 34 fought and endured injustice for long in the administration of the outgoing PDP-led federal government, especially on the protracted issues of land-grab, demolition of native houses, non-development of satellite towns, marginalization in appointments, non-compensation of compulsorily acquired lands and massive sacking of whole villages for the appropriation of their lands by selfish politicians and their cronies in government.

They urged the APC-led Federal Government to create a development commission to cater for displaced indigenous communities in Abuja. “The proposed Abuja Original Inhabitants Development Commission (AOIDC) should be statutory and derive its funding from 30% of all sales accruing from allocable lands within the FCT.

“When established, AOIDC should deal with the lingering issues of relocation, resettlement and compensation for all project affected communities and persons. We have the confidence in the ability of your government to end these injustices,” OIDA said.

The natives also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting defeat and saving the nation from crises that may have occurred if the election had not been conducted according to international best practices. They wished him the best of luck in his future endeavours.

“Formally welcoming the President-Elect and his vice to the nation’s seat of power, the natives urged General Buhari not to let Nigerians down considering the massive votes given to him by citizens from all parts of Nigeria including the natives of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” Jeji said.

•Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Abdulmumin Jibrin (middle), Director House

of Representatives Management, Abdulkadir Adamu (right) and a Political Analyst , Buhari Sabo during the declaration of interest by Abdulmumin Jibrin for the Speaker House of Representatives of 8th National Assembly in Abuja PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

37

LAW & SOCIETY

Appeal court reserves judgment in property suit

T

HE Court of Appeal, Abuja Di vision, has reserved judgment in a dispute over the ownership of a piece of land in Asokoro, Abuja.

A Nigerian in the Diaspora, Mr. Imokhuede Ohikhuare, built two duplexes on the land, but a former Nigerian Envoy to South Africa, Ambassador Shehu Malami, claimed ownership.

He claimed to have transferred the property to a businessman, Sir Emeka Offor.

A three-man panel of Justices W.

By Olalekan Okusan

Akomolafe, Tanin Yusuf and Moh’d Yusuf reserved the case for judgment after hearing the parties.

It is expected that the Appeal Court would deliver judgment on the appeal within two weeks as is the practice of the appellate court whenever it reserves judgment in matters before it.

At the hearing of the matter on April 1, 2015 the Appeal Court justices confirmed the written briefs submitted to it on the matter and listened to oral arguments by coun-

sel to the appellant, Mr. Paul Erokoro (SAN) and Mr Femi Falana (SAN) as well as the lawyer representing Ambassador Malami and Sir Offor - Chief Udenwa Udechukwu (SAN).

The case, numbered CA/A/370/ 2012, has been before the Court of Appeal since 2012.

Ohikhuare, a businessman and appellant in the matter, said he bought the land in 2006 for N50 million, and built residential apartments valued at about N1billion on the land.

He said for four years, Malami and

Offor did not lay claims to Plot 1809 Asokoro. He was living with his family in the property until he was allegedly ejected from it, on the strength of a verdict by Judge A.S. Umar of an Abuja High Court.

In March 2010, Ambassador Malami filed a suit at an Abuja High Court before Judge A.S. Umar against the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Federal Capital Development Agency (FCDA) and a former Minister of Transport, Alhaji Mohammed Habib Aliyu, who sold the land to

Ohikhuare.

Ohikhuare only learnt of this suit as he was not joined in the matter

by Malami even when it was apparent that Ohikhuare was in legitimate possession of Plot 1809, Asokoro. Consequently, Ohikhuare sought to be joined in the matter.

Malami had claimed that the land was originally allotted to him in 1984, but was unlawfully revoked in October 2005 by the FCDA, which, thereafter, assigned Plot 1809 to Alhaji Aliyu, who eventually sold the land to Mr. Ohikhuare.

•From left: Rosemary Dejan, her husband Caleb, Ime Obet, Helen Egube, Tobechi Ekomaru, Caroline Ibhamnefe, Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN), Gloria Nweze, Chief Duro Adeyele (SAN), his wife Kehinde, John Baiyeshea (SAN), his wife Deborah, Taiwo Lambo and Olaniyi Mariam at the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) conference in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Photo: JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU

Lawyers set agenda for Buhari, Osinbajo •Continued from page 28

sovereignty back to the people.

We as a people are careful to return all the glory to God for allowing this revolution to happen in our time and through our generation..

“We expect this new government that will be sworn in on the 29th of May this year to start running on assumption of office. No single time to waste, the truth is that Nigeria is lying prostrate, diminished and greatly violated as a nation for the last sixteen years. The people of Nigeria are on the edge, clearly impatient with any government that has no immediate answer or understanding what is at stake. Gone are the days and years where political actors who are not prepared for governance are forced upon the people. People who sought governance and understand its implications have been given mandate by the people and so no excuses will be entertained from them.

“The judiciary deserves special attention. An institution that interpretes the law of the land must be independent through and through, especially if we desire the enthronement of rule of law and the application of the principle that none should be above the law of the land. Therefore to complete its autonomy, the financial autonomy as enshrined in the constitution must be upheld by both Federal and state governments.

Our judicial system is criminally slow and this must be addressed speedily. Factors that must be looked into to address this judicial lethargy are the issue of appointment of judicial officers(their qualification, their salaries and welfare, enthusiasm for the job and their moral integrity). More numbers of judicial officers should be appointed to ease the innumerable cases all

over our jurisdictions.

“The states should be allowed to appoint the number of judges they need to man their judiciary. The present system of using NJC to appoint state judges is clearly faulty.

The second issue is the review of our obsolete substantive laws and some of our procedural laws that act as a cog in the wheel of progress(for instance, interlocutory appeals on criminal proceedings should be abolished, these should be taken together at the conclusion of all trials). Our judicial system that still use long hand in taking proceedings and writing judgments in this 21st century is criminal and should be abolished forthwith. Our proceedings should be ICT driven from now onwards.

“All the basic infrastructures that makes for efficient justice delivery should be made available as a top priority immediately the government is sworn in. Things needed today for effective administration of justice are functional buildings with modern facilities like air conditioners, microphones and computers.

Every judge must have lawyers as his research assistants and a recorder.

“Power supply must be constant in all the courts in the land. Everything about the judiciary must be functional. Non judicial staff must be looked into very urgently. Their salaries, allowances must be addressed expeditiously but above all, the issue of service of processes and execution of judgement must be overhauled if we are to make progress in justice delivery in Nigeria. There are so much troubles from that angle that impedes the operations of effective justice delivery.” Ubani said.

Former University don, Mr. Aina O. Salami said: “The result of the election of March 28, 2015 remains a watershed in the annals of the po-

litical history of Nigeria. While the outcome of this election clearly represents the yearning of Nigerians for change, we must however acknowledge the fact that the Buhari/ Osinbajo Team is coming to governance at a time when the economy is pretty bad and almost every aspect of the life of the people has been badly hit and therefore need restructuring and resuscitation.

“With one hundred million Nigerians or thereabout reported to be living on less than one dollar ($1) a day, the coming new government should therefore be pro-poor and think more, act more for the poor and for the voiceless. The percentage of this group of people (over 60% of the population of Nigeria) obviously points to the fact that the incoming government does not have an enviable task.

“In the Justice sector of the Nation, the expected pro-poor policy of government should be seen in the area of support/assistance in aid of the poor to access Justice effortlessly and cheaply. Extensive prison reform need to be carried out too and of course overhauling the rights of the physically challenged and giving such rights the necessary prominence they deserve in order to build an egalitarian society. Fortunately the Vice President elect (Pro. YemiOsinbajo, SAN) has a wealth of experience to draw from as a former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice who has done much in these areas before now.

“Apart from faith in divine being which Nigerians generally have as religious people, there is no doubt that the hope and expectation of Nigerians which is very high, is in the pedigree of these two (as people of integrity) that have been elected into the executive arm of government of this Nation, commencing 29th May, 2015.

A university Don, Mr. Olatoye Kareem said: “The outcome of the election has already impacted positively on business confidence and economic climate generally. The capital market for instance railed on a positive note in an unprecedented manner while the Naira has also gained value against the dollars, a development attributable to the common dictum now amongst Nigerians called “Buhari effect”.

“Setting the agenda for the new government therefore l would say they must hit the ground running in areas of security, corruption, electricity, fast train and road networks, education, agriculture and Justice Sector reforms. All of these when properly implemented would effectively transform the economy, as most of the agenda elements are at the root of all problems we have in Nigeria.

“The Agricultural sector alone if properly handled is capable of giving employment to all unemployed youth in Nigeria. What is wrong with graduates engaged going to farm with ties on their necks as farm supervisors. A graduate is not discouraged taking up a job on the farm as long as he enjoys the same level of comfort, infrastructure and degree of dignity accorded those taking up white collar jobs.

“In the case of justice sector reforms, there is urgent need to reform the civil and criminal justice systems in Nigeria. The government needs to unearth problems of slow court processes which bring about delayed justice, an endemic phenomenon in the nation’s judicial system.

“The need for a functional court system capable of supporting a rapidly growing economy, guaranteeing basic rights and providing security and justice to all makes urgent reforms an imperative” Olatoye stated.

Mr. Nankin Bagudu said: “The two of them are a perfect combination in every sense of the word. They should know and realise that the greatest asset they have now is the trust and confidence of Nigerians as exemplified in the polls. this combined with hardworking Nigerians should enable them to maximise our natural resources to the fullest. I expect them to try new methods and new ways of doing things in Abuja.

From day one let them tell us that no one owes us a living. We have to work hard to earn our pride of place on the world map. Also they have to help our country break our old fashioned, stupid and damaging prejudices that has become our way of life.

“I expect Buhari/Osibajo to be the first example of Nigerian leaders that would use our natural resources wisely. They must avoid extravagant expenditure on useless prestige/white elephant projects that we witnessed in many states and at the federal level in the succesive years such as governors squandaring billions on gangantuan government houses, airports, etc. They must invest in infrastructure, health and education, build up substantial reserve where it is possible and allow the private sector to thrive and eliminate or reduce corruption to the barest levels. They also need to revisit the Orosanya report and implement it to reduce waste. Also do something about pension scam especially of the security agencies.

We understand many of the pensioneers have died but through connivance of the officals moneys are still been paid and shared.

They should use every public function to talk about the challnges ahead and how they intend to tackel them. We should the new government two years, after which we shouldexpect to see.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

38

NATIONAL BAR The Eket Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has held its law week. The guest speaker at the opening ceremony, a former NBA president, Joseph Daudu (SAN), identified how to reverse Nigeria’s underdevelopment. JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU reports.

Why Nigeria is underdeveloped,

by Daudu, others F

ORMER Nigerian Bar Associa tion (NBA) president, Mr. Jo seph Daudu (SAN), has said Nigeria’s underdevelopment should not be blamed on the leadership alone. He said the citizens are culpable too.

Both groups, he said, have shown a lack of understanding of democratic principles such as due process, rule of law, good governance and accountability.

Daudu spoke on The rule of law, democracy in Nigeria and good governance-matters arising at the opening ceremony of the NBA Eket branch’s Annual Law Week.

Daudu said majority of Nigerians are poor even though they are “in an ocean of plenty”.

“The people and even those who loot the nation’s assets are in poverty and bankruptcy of resources and ideas.

“What, then, is responsible for this state of affairs? Some have blamed it on our understanding of the concept of democracy, while some have ascribed it to absence of credible leadership. Some think that it is a failure of followership.

“The inability of both to comprehend these are democratic concepts have put them in jeopardy,” Daudu said.

According to him, corruption is the antithesis of democratic ideals; while the corrupt sees in every official act profit for himself. On the other hand, democracy expects that the service rendered is for the people.

“This irreconcilable conflict of interest between these two parallel ideals if it continues at this pace will comprehensively destroy the entity known as Nigeria.

“Unfortunately in all departments, the indices that a developing nation should be adjudged by do not add up for us.

“Our greatest assets, which are our teeming population and our diversity have become for us a disadvantage brought about by greed and mistrust. This has affected us in every sphere of department, infrastructural and human,” Daudu

said.

The former NBA president said it is not too late to change course. The corrupt, he said, should seek new pre-occupation where they can work for themselves and make profit.

“Even when working for themselves, they would soon discover that they are bound by the strict rules of corporate governance, which promotes accountability and sound ethics just as the rules of good governance promotes similar ideals in the public service,” he said.

In the legal profession, Daudu said corrupt behaviour has spread, thereby affecting the honour and dignity with which lawyers are held.

“The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee continues to grapple with dozens of cases involving our colleagues who have unfortunately been accused of corrupt practices within the ambit of their professional expectations.

“It is hoped that both the central and state governments will tackle the spectre of corruption in the system as the legal profession through the Body of Benchers and the NBA have done.

“It is hoped that other agencies in the country both public and private will positively engage and join in the reversal process against corruption.

“While the leadership have a responsibility to provide good and indeed, exemplary leadership, the people have a corresponding duty, nay social contract to obey extant laws and demand accountability from her leaders “Failure or omission on the side of both parties to keep the faith as described above, will plunge Nigeria into unspeakable cataclysm. Our generation must not let that happen,” Daudu added.

In his paper titled: Insurgency in Nigeria, where did we get it wrong,’ Paul Erokoro (SAN) said there can be no development without peace.

According to him, insurgency has hampered Nigeria’s development

• From left: First NBA Vice-President Francis Ekwere; Justice John Okoro of the Supreme Court and NBA Second Vice-President Taiwo O. Taiwo.

and must be dealt with decisively.

He defined an insurgent as a person who, for political purposes, engages in armed hostility against an established government.

He said: “The United States Department of Defence in 2002 defined terrorism as: ‘the unlawful use of our threatened use of force or violence against individuals or property to coerce and intimidate government or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives.

“Section 46 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004 (EFCC Act) defines terrorism, Section 15 of the Act also provides for the offence of terrorism and surprisingly prescribes a term of life imprisonment for any person convicted for either supporting terrorism, funding terrorism, or committing terrorist acts.

“From the two legislations, there appear to be conflicts with regards to the terms of imprisonment upon conviction.

For the purpose of this paper, I will apply the words insurgent and insurgency to reflect the topic of discussion. Insurgency can be defined in its simplest form, as a rebellion against a constituted authority,” he said.

Erokoro said development could only thrive in a peaceful environment.

“Insurgency is inimical to sustainable national development.

He urged the government to em-

•From left: Chief Godwin Egburuonu; former NBA President Okey Wali (SAN); Ebitu and Senator Bob.

bark on poverty alleviation programmes, especially in the North, adding that these would impact positively on the lives of its citizenry,” Erekoro said.

Youth unemployment, he said, should be addressed by the government.

“Education must be a right not privilege and where possible, free/compulsory education should be implemented in the North.

“Government should intensify border control and intelligence gathering/promote information and computer technology training for our security forces.

“The government must eschew corruption in the fight against insurgency and improve the welfare of our security personnel.

“Merit system should be adopted in employment and distribution of natural resources.

The military should stay off from partisan politics while ensuring good governance.

“There is need for government to urgently look into the take home pay of political office holders and drastically reduce their entitlements. By this only those who genuinely want to serve will contest for elections.

“There is need for urgent overhauling of the investigating and prosecuting authority on terrorism. The Judiciary should, as a matter of urgency, establish special procedures for the quick dis-

pensation of terrorism cases. The case of Charles Okah, who was accused of October 1, 2010 bombing is still pending while his brother, Henry has been long tried and convicted in South Africa, he said.

He cited the case of Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, the alleged mastermind of the April 14, last year Nyanya, Abuja bomb blast, saying it seemed to have suffered prosecutorial setbacks.

“The above recommendations are not exhaustive, but if government can urgently address them, we will be on the path to a better Nigeria where we can live the words of our national anthem and truly live in a “nation bound in freedom, peace and unity,” Erokoro said.

The branch’s chairman, Mr. Akpadiaha Ebitu, said the Law Week was unique because it included a lecture in honour of Senator Effiong Bob, the ProChancellor of University of Benin.

The branch’s bar journal was launched, while a fund-raiser for N80million for the Bar Centre was held. The week ended with a dinner.

Among those who attended were the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Idongesit Ntem Isua; Hon Justice Joy Unwana, past secretary of the branch and Founder, Heritage Polytechnic, Eket, Emmanuel Ekott, Mr. Scoot Tommy.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

39

LEGAL OPINION A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Emeka Ngige (Ikemba N’ Alor), expresses hope that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari would bring the change Nigerians have been yearning for.

Buhari’ll bring true change, says Ngige

T

HE declaration of General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) did not come to me as a surprise. Though this victory was long in coming keen observers of recent developments in Nigeria know that the victory was inevitable; that a day like this would come. It was a victory postponed, but not denied.

It is not in doubt that the last time the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won an election freely and fairly conducted in Nigeria was in 1999 under the administration of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

From 2003 to 2011, PDP had not won any free and fair election. It was the judiciary that had always legitimised the shenanigans that characterised the previous elections.

It is, therefore, to the credit of Prof. Attahiru Jega that he decided to make history by insisting that the 2015 Presidential and National Assembly election is substantially free and fair despite the massive

rigging some unscrupulous INEC perpetrated in the South-East and South-South states in the election.

Nigerians yearned for change: change from a corrupt, clueless, inept, incompetent, hopeless, divisive and hateful government that had been in office for the last 6 years. Nigerians yearned for a change from a government that had divided the country along ethnic, religious and regional lines to a government that will unite, unify and bond all Nigerians.

Nigerians yearned for change from a government that had no answer to the collapsing economy, mass unemployment, insecurity and mass poverty to a government that will revive the economy, create employment and empower the masses. Nigerians yearned for a government that will stop the mindless looting of our common patrimony and assets by our fellow country men and women.

I am hopeful and optimistic that Gen Buhari represents the symbol

of change that Nigerians yearned for hence the massive support he received from the entire North, South West, South East and South South zones of Nigeria.

The process for the redemption of our country under the leadership of Gen Buhari and Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has just started.

All hands must be on deck to support the incoming government to return this country to the path of glory and progress.

I congratulate Nigerians for this historic election in which an incumbent government at Federal level has been voted out of office through a free and fair election.

I must also congratulate the outgoing President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his spirit of sportsmanship in conceding defeat and thus saving the nation from needless post election tension and apprehension.

To God be the Glory. Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria.

•From left: Mrs. Mojisola Tijani, Ebi Ikhinmmiand and Pius Madaki at the Eket Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Law Week.

Alleged N30m theft: Bank manager, court officials get bail

J

USTICE Bello Kawu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has granted bail to a Manager with Keystone Bank Plc , Mrs Edna Akpan and two officials of the court held over their alleged involvement in fraud resulting in the theft of about N30million belonging to an ex-Senator, the late Amasike Iwuagwu.

The late Iwuagwu represented Owerri Senatorial Zone at the Senate before his death in 2005. He was once a Policy Adviser to former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999).

Mrs Akpan of Keystone Bank, Wuse 2 branch, Abuja, Luke Oko of the Probate Unit of the FCT High Court, Mathew Ekele of the court’s Process Unit and Onyekachi Guy Ochiagha a staff of First Bank Plc, (but now said to be at large) allegedly manipulated the court’s probate procedure (with Mrs Akpan and Ochiagha posing as wife and son of the late Senator Amasike Iwuagwu) to claim N27,240,870.13, which was the outstanding balance in the Senator’s account with Key-

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

stone Bank before his death.

They were arraigned on March 25 before Justice Kawu at the FCT High Court, Kubwa on a threecount charge marked: CR/111/2015 and dated January 26, 2015, prepared and being prosecuted by Johnson Ojogbane. They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Mrs Akpan, Oko and Ekele were charged in counts one and two, with conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence, offences contrary to the provisions of Sections 1(1) and 8(a), and punishable under Section 1(3)of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Oko was charged alone in count three with the destruction of evidence, which ought to have aided the court, offence punishable under Section166 of the Penal Code, Cap 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.

They were in count one accused of conspiring to obtain money under false pretence. In count two, there were said to have obtained N27,240,870.13 “from the FCT High Court Probate Division under false

pretence that Edna Akpan was Janet Iwuagwu and Guy Ochiagha (now at large) was Izuchukwu Iwuagwu, the widow and son of the late Senator Amasike Iwuagwu, which pretence you knew to be false.”

In count three, Oko was said to have “destroyed the entire file and all documents filed by Edna Akpan (alias Janet Iwuagwu) and Guy Ochiagha (alias Izuchukwu Iwuagwu) in the fraudulent application for Letters of Administration made to the High Court of the FCT Probate Division, which you may lawfully be compelled to produce as evidence in court, with the intent of preventing the same from being produced or used as evidence before the court.”

On March 27, defence lawyers, including Sunday Ameh, (SAN) (for Mrs Akpan) and Sunday Essienekak (for Ekele) argued the accused persons’ bail application, which Justice Kawu granted conditionally. The judge granted each of the accused bail at N1m and one surety in like sum. He said such surety must have a landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com For comments: 08033054939 (sms only)

Enhancing votes’ accountability

T

HE 2015 general elections have shown what our dear country could gain from an efficient electoral process. From the results, the fears of those opposed to the use of the card reader is well founded. With the use of card readers, Nigerianshave been able to eschew any landslide victory for those who are in control of the security agencies or who could buy the officials of the election management body. To a large extent, the card reader squarely placed the voter in the vortex of who wins or loses elections. Going forward, what Nigerian must do, is to consolidate on the gains of accountability of the votes.

From hindsight, the run-up to the general elections exposed the worst fears of our political elites; whose fame and fortune at elections,are tied to unscrupulous process. I am referring to pseudo-democrats, who operate in fear of one man one vote.While the card reader did not prove to be perfect, Nigerians have been able to get results reflecting substantially the will of the electorate. The next step if Nigerians wish to consolidate the democratic process, is to introduce electronic voting.

Any person who opposes that transition, I can say without equivocation, is clearly an anti-democrat, regardless of any pretences.

To that effect, members of the national assembly who hitherto opposed electronic voting, must turn a new leaf, in the interest of our country. As many of the current members of the national assembly may now realise, Nigerians are determined to gain control of the electoral process. Those who were able to win elections for the next legislative assembly must show gratitude to the electorate,by supporting a more efficient andtransparent electoral process.For the incoming executive administration, a bill to approve electronic voting, should be one of her first bills to the national assembly; after all, but for substantial electoral accountability, there is no way an opposition could win an incumbent.

So for the incoming administration, supporting a more efficient electoral process, would amount to showing appreciation to the Nigerian voters.While Nigerians would be expectant of economic gains from the administration, a more enduring legacy would be to promote the culture of accountability at all levels of governance.I am confident that the beneficiaries of the enhanced accountability of votes, would appreciate that the greatest benefit they can give to their electors is to support greater accountability. So while the expectation for economic miracle would be high, the more important task is to ensure that those elected, henceforth realise that they owe their positions to the electorate.

In this regard, it is important to forewarn that any attempt to derail the electoral gains would be foolhardy, as it will surely backfire. As the recent election showed, the demography of Nigeria, places the youths as the majority of the Nigerian electorate. The import is thatconsidering the impatience of the youth, any attempt to derail the endless possibilities that accrue from an accountable electoral process may be resisted with every ounce of youthful energy. What they will strive for, would be a more efficient process, and the incoming administration owes that to the youths, and indeed to all Nigerians.

As the recent elections also showed, part of the challenge of the current system, is the few attempts by some of the incorrigible election riggers to manipulate the election, using the result sheets. Such possibility will be eliminated by the electronic voting system. Again, the recent election has put a lie to the fears expressed before the polls, that Nigerian are not literate enough to use modern technology. I believe that the same pleasant surprise would await Nigerians, if they embrace the electronic voting system. What the incoming administration should strive to do, is to ensure that the improvement is put in place as early as possible, so that it would be test run, well before the 2019 general elections.

Again to facilitate the accountability of votes, it is important that Nigeria honestly and tenaciously follow through with authentic national census. The incoming administration must resist the urge to allow the hawks around it, to seek to manipulate the process, for immediate gains or to just show off that they are now in power. It is important to remember that apart from the traditional socio-economic benefits of a proper census, a cleanhead-count would substantially help to eliminate foreigners who pass off, as Nigerians. It will also help to deal with the complaints of under-aged voting, or similar vices associated with the old system of doing things.

Having consolidated on permanent voters register, it is important that efficient continuous voters’ registration is adopted. If that is done, election management will seize to be an ad hoc process, at every election cycle. Again those who have complaints against the voters register, should use the interregnum before the next general elections to see through their complaints, if it is genuine. With a successful transition from one political party to another through the ballot box, Nigerians have shown that our democracy is maturing, and all patriotic efforts should be made to consolidate on that.

With the successful national and state wide elections, it is important to extend the democratic process to the local government levels. The shameful exercise were only the party in control of the state, wins all the chairmen and council seats, in a stage-managed elections, must now stop. If we insist on allowing the local government as a third tier of democratic government, then we must embrace democracy at that level also. The recently elected state governors and legislators, while holding their heads high as the authentic preferences of the electorates, must also hold genuine democracy high,at the grassroots.

40

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

FROM THE COURT Do orders made in English courts supersede those made by their Nigerian counterparts? This is the question the Federal High Court in Lagos will answer when a suit by PhoenixTide Offshore Nigeria Limited against Tidewater Marine and others is heard. ERIC IKHILAE reports.

Cabotage deal: Ex-minister, son insist on due process C

AN an English court, at the pleasure of having its orders obeyed, compel a Nigerian to disobey subsist ing injunctions by Nigerian courts? Are orders made later by English courts superior to earlier subsisting orders made by courts in Nigeria?

These and others are issues to be examined as hearing opens on April 17 in a suit before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, initiated by PhoenixTide Offshore Nigeria Limited against Tidewater Marine International Incorporated, its local agent, Tidex Nigeria Limited, Total E & P Nigeria Limited and two others.

The suit is in relation to the operations of PhoenixTidex (created in 2005 by a company owned by former Commerce and Tourism Minister, Mrs Bola Kuforiji-Olubi - Phoenix Ocean Line Limited - and a foreign company, Tidewater Marine International Incorporated, as a wholly Nigeria company to provide support services to international oil companies). It was created in compliance with then legal regime, which required that vessels on bareboat charter for cabotage trade in the country must be hired by Nigerian citizens.

According to court documents filed by parties, PhoenixTide, upon its creation entered into blanket bareboat charter (BBC), technical services agreement (TSA) and marketing agreement (MA) with Tidewater Marine. By the agreements, Tidewater Marine was engaged to run PhoenixTide, including handling the management and operations of all vessels bareboat hired by the plaintiff, except for some other local issues.

In the course of its operations, PhoenixTidex provided services for some international oil companies (IOCs), which included Total E &P Nigeria Limited, Total Upstream Nigeria Limited, Total E & P Nigeria Deepwater Limited.

In court documents filed by PhoenixTide, in support of the suit marked; FHC/L/CS/609/2013, the company stated that parties had no problem until some years later, when Nigerian investors in the plaintiff began to notice some alleged sharp practices on the part of Tidewater Marine in the operations of PhoenixTide, Some of the identified sharp practices, it said, included making false tax claims and misrepresenting facts about its revenues with the aim of deceiving Nigerian regulatory agencies.

It was stated that the Nigerian directors became more concern about how Tidewater was running the affairs of the plaintiff when on November 4, 2010, the US Department of Justice announced that it had filed a criminal information, charging Tidewater Marine International Incorporated, a Cayman Island subsidiary of Tidewater Incorporated (collectively “Tidewater”), with conspiring and violating the books and records provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for allegedly engaging in unethical practices in its operations in Nigeria and Azerbaijan.

To resolve the issue, the US Justice Department and Tidewater later entered into a deferred prosecution agreement that required, among other things, that Tidewater Marine pay $7.35 million as criminal penalty.

The plaintiff stated that in the following year, (2011) the Nigerian government moved against senior officials of PhoenixTide over similar issues on which the US government had earlier sanctioned Tidewater. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused PhoenixTide of among others, non-payment of required taxes and non-disclosure of actual revenues in relation to their operations in the country.

A terms of settlement and non-prosecution agreement was entered between the Nigerian government and PhoenixTide, including other companies with which it had relationships as a way of resolving the issue.

The agreement, which had the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) signing for the Nigerian government and Tidex Nigeria (a local agent of Tidewater) signing for PhoenixTide, Tidewater and other companies with which it had relationships, saw the company paying $6million to Nigeria as penalty.

Under the agreement dated February 25, 2011, the companies also undertook to ensure that their business dealings in the country were “carried out in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.”

PhoenixTide stated that rather than comply with its undertaking as contained in the 2011 agreement with the Nigerian government, the 1st defendant (Tidewater) allegedly persisted in its old ways.

PhoenixTide also stated that on realising that the 1 st defendant’s activities have exposed it to the risk of being held liable by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LSIRS), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Rivers State Board of Inland Revenue (RSBIR) and other regulatory authorities, it petitioned the relevant bodies, particularly the FIRS and AGF, intimating them of the activities of the 1st defendant and sought investigation.

In its petition to the FIRS, dated October 29, 2012, the plaintiff requested the agency to “establish the tax liabilities due on the plaintiff’s operations.” In a similar petition to the AGF, dated on February 20, 2013, PhoenixTide drew the AGF’s attention to the development and the 1st and 2nd defendants’ alleged “continued violations of the corporate compliance scheme provi-

sions of the agreement.”

The plaintiff further stated that in view of its insistence on the restructuring of their operations and the need to comply with the corporate compliance scheme provisions, Tidewater, via letter dated October 23, 2012 written by its lawyers (Clyde & Co) decided to end their relationship.

PhoenixTide averred that it was not averse to the severance of their relationship, as indicated by Tidewater, but demanded from it (the plaintiff) indemnities to insulate it (the plaintiff), its shareholders and directors from any liabilities which may arise from its alleged refusal to comply with the 2011 non-prosecution agreement with the government.

The plaintiff stated that rather than address its demands, Tidewater, via a letter by one of its officials, Arthur McGimsey, sought the consent of its (PhoenixTide’s) local directors to transfer abroad payment made within that period by Total for the services earlier rendered to it while the relationship between the plaintiff and 1st defendant lasted.

PhoenixTide stated that it refused to accede to granting consent to Total to pay the money to a foreign account, but insisted that details about how Tidewater had managed the plaintiff, including detailed information about its revenue and expenditures from inception; other pending issues including the settlement of all outstanding taxes and obligations, must be resolved before what is left of the payment by Total could be taken out of the country.

The plaintiff averred that its position was informed by its realization that the 1st defendant’s (Tidewater’s) violation of the terms of the non-prosecution agreement with the Nigerian government was capable of prejudising its (plaintiff’s) business interest in the country and the economic activities of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

It prayed the court to among others, compel Tidewater “to make full disclosure and provide necessary information for the assessment of its tax liabilities and other statutory charges by the relevant government agencies,” and “an order directing the 1st defendant (Tidewater) to pay its tax liabilities and other statutory charges as may be assessed by the relevant government agencies in consultation with, and satisfaction of the plaintiff.”

The plaintiff also stated that rather than address the issues it raised, Tidewater went before the High Court of England, Commercial Division to it, with the principal intention to compel its local directors to give consent to Total to pay into its (Tidewater’s) account without first, resolving issues relating to unpaid taxes and other dues owed to local agencies.

The English court rejected PhoenixTide’s objection to its jurisdiction. PhoenixTide had, among others, argued that in view of the provisions of Nigeria’s Admiralty Jurisdiction Act (AJA) and that fact that the dispute arose from parties’ maritime operations in Nigeria, the Federal High Court in Nigeria possessed the jurisdiction to hear the case.

The trial judge in the English court, Mr. Justice Burton proceeded with the case marked: “Claim 2013 Folio 290” without PhoenixTide’s further participation. The judge later gave a default judgment in favour of Tidewater.

While the English court proceeded with the Tidewater case, the Federal High Court in Nigeria also proceeded to hear the three cases filed before it. The cases included the suit filed by PhoenixTide, marked: FHC/L/CS/609/2013; the one initiated

by Total and two of its subsidiaries, marked: FHC/L/CS/274/ 2013 and the last marked: FHC/L/CP/975/2014 between Tidewater Marine and PhoenixTide.

In a ruling on May 7, 2013, Justice Okon Abang, the trial judge in the suit marked: FHC/L/CS/609/2013, ordered parties to maintain status quo ante bellum and refrain from taking any further steps in relation to the subject matter of the case pending its determination.

The judge’s order was informed by allegations that the Tidewater and Tidex (1st and 2nd defendants in the suit) were engaged in clandestine moves to ensure that the funds to be paid

by Total E&P Nigeria Limited, Total Upstream Nigeria Limited and Total E & P Nigeria Deepwater Ltd (which formed the subject matter of the suit) was transferred abroad.

Unable to decide who to pay to, Total E&P Nigeria Limited, Total Upstream Nigeria Limited and Total E & P Nigeria Deepwater Ltd filed the suit marked: FHC/L/CS/274/2013 praying the court for directive on whether to pay the funds into a local account in the name of PhoenixTide (named as 1st defendant) or to Tidewater and Tidex (named as 2nd and 3rd defendants) As a third option, the plaintiffs prayed the court to be allowed to pay the amount into an interest yielding account in the name of the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, should the court finds that, in view of pending cases, the funds should not be paid to any of the defendants.

In a judgment on November 8, 2013, the trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba accepted the third option and ordered that “the sums shall be paid into interest yielding account in the name of the Chief Registrar pending when it is decided by a competent court, who is entitled to the funds between the respondents.”

On the argument by Tidewater and Tidex that the court should decline jurisdiction in view of Tidewater’s pending case before the England court, Justice Buba held that the decision by the English court was only persuasive.

•Adoke “It is the law that the decision by English court on exclusive jurisdiction clause is only persuasive and not binding on this court. A Nigerian court will not abdicate its responsibility to a foreign court where the parties agree to a foreign jurisdiction undermining the integrity of the Nigeria court,” the judge said.

Dissatisfied with the court’s decision, Tidewater and Tidex appealed the judgment. But before the appeal could be heard, they applied to the Federal High Court, Lagos in a suit marked: FHC/L/CP/975/2014 for the registration of the English court’s judgment to enable them execute it in the country.

On learning about the move to register the English court’s judgment, PhoenixTide filed a counter application, urging the court to refrain from registering the foreign judgment on the grounds, among which was that the proceedings in the English court were in violation of the provisions of AJA and the Nigerian Constitution.

PhoenixTide also stressed the implication of the registration of the English court’s decision on the pending cases, including the appeal by Tidewater and Tidex, which they did not bring to the court’s attention while seeking to register the foreign judgment.

Justice Buba, in a ruling dated December 16, 2014 in the suit marked: FHC/L/CP/975/2014, refused to register the judgment as required. He equally granted an order of perpetual restraining Tidewater Marine and Tidex “from executing or attempting to execute the English judgments/orders either in this court or in any other court in Nigeria.”

It was justice Buba’s opinion that, not only did Tidewater and Tidex fail to meet the conditions precedent to the registration of the English court’s judgment , “the registration of the judgment has the effect of making useless the order of November 8, 2014 (asking Total and two others to pay into an account in the name of the court’s Chief Registrar) and the pending case before Justice Abang.

“Until a legally admissible judgment of a competent court has decided who is entitled to the funds between the respondents, this court cannot ignore the disputes in courts between the respondents and act on an inadmissible default judgment,” Justice Buba said.

On March 6, 2015 Justice Abang ruled on the preliminary objection by Tidewater and Tidex (in PhoenixTide’s suit marked: FHC/ L/CS/609), challenging the court’s jurisdiction on the ground that the suit was an abuse of court process in view of the pendency of the case before the English Court.

Justice Abang dismissed the objection and assumed jurisdiction over the case, noting that the subject matter of both pending cases are not the same.

Justice Abang noted that the suit PhoenixTide relates to complaints about the alleged willful failure by Tidewater and Tidex to implement a scheme of corporate compliance improvement and their alleged refusal to perform the contract in line with the terms of settlement and non-prosecution agreement entered into by the 2nd defendant on behalf of the 1st defendant with the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).

The judge held that subject of the suit before him was entirely different from the claim and issues arising in the suit before the English court. Justice Abang has fixed April 17 for hearing of substantive suit.

Rather than await the determination of their appeal against the November 8, 2014 judgment by Justice Buba, the determination of the suit before Justice Abang, or seek the setting aside of the order for the maintenance of status quo made by Justice Abang on May 7, 2013, Tidewater and Tidex went back to the English court.

They initiated contempt proceedings against PhoenixTide’s Managing Director, Olutokunbo Kuforiji and his mother, Mrs. Kuforiji-Olubi, who was a non-executive Chairman of the company, accusing them of disobeying the English court’s judgment.

It is PhoenixTide’s contention that due process must be observed, with Tidewater made to settle all tax liabilities and other statutory charges due to Nigerian agencies, and ensure total disclosure of all its revenues and expenditure while it ran the affairs of PhoenixTide, before it is allowed to exit and move funds out of the shores of the country.

42

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

43

44

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

45

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

These days, many doctors are wont to deliver women through caesarean section (CS).

But the World Health Organisation (WHO) is urging doctors not to breach ethics in the use of CS, writes OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA.

When CS is ideal, by WHO S

OME women give birth with ease; some do not. To help such women out, doctors ask then to go for Caesarean Section (CS). So, when is CS necessary? It is when there is a medical reason for it, says the World Health Organisation (WHO) where normal delivery is possible, doctors should shun CS, WHO adds, noting that many go for CS without any medical reason, thereby putting mothers and their babies at risk.

According to WHO, CS is a common surgery whose rate is on the rise, particularly in high and middleincome countries.

CS becomes necessary when vaginal delivery poses a risk to the mother or baby – for example due to prolonged labour, foetal distress - or because the baby is presenting in an abnormal position.

“However, caesarean sections can cause significant complications, disability or death, particularly in settings that lack the facilities to conduct safe surgeries or treat potential complications,” it stated.

The WHO Statement on Caesarean Section Rates is based on two studies carried out by the UNDP/ UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme for Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction.

This programme is the main instrument within the United Nations system for research in human reproduction, working within the Department of Reproductive Health and Research of the World Health Organisation.

Ideal rate for CS The global health watch dog said since 1985, the international healthcare community has considered the “ideal rate” for caesarean sections to be between 10 percent and 15 percent. New studies reveal that when caesarean section rates rise towards 10 percent across a population, the number of maternal and newborn deaths decreases. But when the rate goes above 10 percent, there is no evidence that mortality rates improve.

“These conclusions highlight the value of caesarean section in saving the lives of mothers and newborns,” said Director of WHO’s Department of Reproductive Health and Research, Dr Marleen Temmerman.

“They also illustrate how important it is to ensure a caesarean section is provided to the women in need - and to not just focus on achieving any specific rate,” she said.

She added: “Across a population, the effects of caesarean section rates on maternal and newborn outcomes, such as stillbirths or morbidities - birth asphyxia - are still unknown. More research on the impact of caesarean section on women’s psychological and social well-being are still needed. Due to their increased costs, high rates of unnecessary caesarean sections can pull resources away from other services in overloaded and weak health systems.”

International use of Robson classification The organisation said the lack of a standardised internationally-accepted classification system to monitor and compare caesarean section

rates in a consistent and action-oriented manner is one of the factors that have hindered a better understanding of this trend, hence WHO is proposing the adoption of the Robson classification as an internationally applicable caesarean section classification system.

The Robson system classifies all women admitted for delivery into one of 10 groups based on characteristics that are easily identifiable, such as number of previous pregnancies, whether the baby comes head first, gestational age, previous uterine scars, number of babies and how labour started. Using this system would facilitate comparison and analysis of caesarean rates within and between different facilities and across countries and regions.

“Information gathered in a standardised, uniform and reproducible way is critical for health care facilities as they seek to optimise the use of caesarean section and assess and improve the quality of care,” explained Temmerman. “We urge the healthcare community and decisionmakers to reflect on these conclusions and put them into practice at the earliest opportunity,” she added.

A member of Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Dr Adebayo Bamisebi, explained why more women are undergoing CS. He said: “There is a better understanding of the relevance of CS to safe delivery nowadays. Before now there is a morbid fear on what CS entails and does not. But with better enlightenment, more professionalism and equipment to work with, professionals launch into CS to save mother and child. The fear is based on the notion that anything that pertains to opera-

tion in this part of the world is fearful because we don't trust our medical experts, with a mindset that anything can happen.”

Bamisebi continued: “There are many reasons a health care provider may feel that an expectant woman will need to have a CS delivery. Some caesareans occur in critical situations, some are used to prevent critical situations and some are elective.

“Some reasons for the increased use of caesarean childbirth include the use of heart rate monitors to evaluate the fetal heart rate pattern; baby positioned in a manner other than head first; woman's preference for repeat caesarean sections; labour does not progress to delivery; mother has an active genital herpes infection (the baby needs to avoid potential exposure through the birth canal); mother has HIV infection; presence of obstructions such as benign or malignant tumors in the lower reproductive tract or pelvic anatomical abnormalities; malpractice concerns, i.e, birth in a private, for-profit hospital; woman's higher level of education and social status and increased maternal age, as more women are having babies later in life.”

He said: “Also, the most frequent reasons for performing a caesarean delivery are repeat cesarean delivery: There are two types of uterine incisions - a low transverse incision and a vertical uterine incision. The direction of the incision on the skin (up and down or side to side) does not necessarily match the direction of the incision made in the uterus.”

He said the medical reasons for CS are: “Previous cesarean deliveries as women with a prior history of more than one low transverse cesarean sec-

tion are at slightly increased risk for uterine rupture. This risk increases significantly when the woman has had three caesarean deliveries. If an abdominal delivery is planned and a trial of labor is not an option, the best time for delivery is determined when the lungs of the fetus are mature.

“Lack of labour progression: If the woman is having adequate contractions but no change in the cervix (opening to the uterus) beyond three centimeters dilation or the woman is unable to deliver the fetus despite complete dilation of the cervix and "adequate" pushing for (generally for two to three hours or more), cesarean delivery may be performed.

“Abnormal position of the foetus: In a normal delivery, the baby presents head first. This is the way it happens in most births. The smallest diameter of the human skull is presented to the pelvis in the most advantageous way. This increases the success of a vaginal delivery. There are various other presentations of the fetus, which make vaginal delivery difficult, including the commonly known breech position (when the baby's buttocks are in the lower portion of the uterus). Certain forms of breech delivery have a very low increased risk to the fetus. Breech deliveries may cause more complications, including death and neurologic disability. Careful counseling, analysis of the exact type of breech position, an estimate of the baby's weight, and other information are required before making any decision about an attempted vaginal delivery or delivery by cesarean section.”

Bamisebi added: “The fetal status, although an attractive and much-used tool, the fetal heart rate monitor has

•Bamisebi

not improved birth outcomes as once expected. Some believe the lack of improved outcomes is because many current practicing doctors are poorly trained in interpreting the subtleties of fetal heart rate patterns. Since the use of continuous fetal heart rate monitoring in labour was begun, however, birth experts say death of a fetus during labour is much rarer than in the past.

“Emergency situations: If the woman is severely ill or has a lifethreatening injury or illness with interruption of the normal heart or lung function, she may be a candidate for an emergency caesarean section. When performed within 10 minutes of the onset of cardiac arrest, the procedure may save the newborn and improve the resuscitation rate for the mother. This procedure is performed only in the direst of circumstances. Likewise, elective sterilisation, but desire for elective sterilisation is not an indication for caesarean delivery. Sterilisation after a vaginal delivery can be performed via a tiny three-cm incision along the lower edge of the umbilicus or as a delayed procedure six weeks after delivery with laparoscopic surgery or vaginal surgery.”

Clean environment’ll prevent asthma, says don

N

IGERIANS have been advised to clean their surroundings to reduce asthma

risk.

A consultant chest physician at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Dr Cyril Chukwu, gave the advice in Lagos.

He told The Nation: “Many patients I attended to said they did not experience asthma attack while abroad. This is due to their clean environment.”

Chukwu said most developed countries pay attention to environmental sanitation and tree planting, among other ecological beautification.

Good life, he said, will help an asthmatic stay healthy, adding that the poor status of major cities is responsible for their unhealthy index.

“Things are not working in Nigeria because some gaps need to be filled. When the asthmatics get back, they face the problem of power outage. Frustration alone can trigger an asthma attack before we now talk about unhealthy environment,” he said.

The medic said industries should be regulated in Nigeria to prevent environmental pollution, saying the latter can also cause asthma.

“The more advanced a country is, the more civilised it is, the more cases of asthma it has. But the management of asthma in those coun-

By Wale Adepoju

tries is a lot easier than in Nigeria, among other underdeveloped countries,” he said.

He said despite the low rate of asthma in Nigeria compared to those of industralised countries, its management is poor. “We do not have as much asthma as the industrialised world but the major-

ity of asthmatics overseas live a better life because of other things they enjoy. Our small number of asthmatic relative to developed countries is no cause for happiness because our small number suffers more, they die early and live a more miserable life. The fact that our number is small is no good news,” Chukwu said.

He said if Nigeria has better infrastructure, such as industrialised countries, like United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK), among others, the impact of asthma would not be felt.

Ignorance and poverty, Chukwu said, are two factors which worsen asthma in underdeveloped or third world countries. They contribute to poor environment, he added.

•From left: Food Safety Consultant, Mrs Kehinde Daniel; member, Association of Public Health Physicans (APHP), Lagos State Chapter, Dr Kofo Odeyemi; Head, Business Sanofi, Mrs Ovy Ohioze; Chairman, APHPA, Lagos Chapter, Dr Doyin Odunbanjo; and Director, Occupational Staff Health Service, Dr, Kubie Enitan Layemi-Adeyemo, at the World Health Day Food Safety by APHPA Lagos Chapter and Sanofi Pasteur.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

46

HEALTH Sickle Cell disease (SCD) patients are lamenting. The reason is lack of support from the public and the government. They feel abandoned and want people to identify with them. Two patients speak their minds to WALE ADEPOJU.

Will sickle cell patients ever get support?

S

UICIDAL thoughts have occurred to Wilson Michael at least once. For those who do not know him, it will be too early to judge him. He is a 200 biochemistry student at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, and if everything goes well, he will complete his studies. But why did he think of commiting suicide?

It is because, Willy, as he is fondly called, has lived with sickle cell disorder for the past 27 years and as such has experienced a number of ‘painful’ crisis.

Another sickle cell disorder sufferer, Mr Kelvin Akpavie, on the other hand, has been battling leg ulcer; no thanks to sickle cell.

Besides, his family back home in Isoko, Delta Delta State, has been impoverished by his condition.

Akpavie could not even complete his education. He was forced to drop out of school and abandon his studies at Senior Secondary (SS) 3 .

The big question is, are SCD patients getting the support to live with the disease in Nigeria? No, said the two sufferers.

For Michael, most tales, more often than not, have ended in woes than joy. This, he said, is a cause for concern as he urged the Federal Government to do something about the problem.

According to the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN), almost 300,000 children, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, are born with sickle-cell disease yearly.

According to its chairman, Prof Olu Akinyanju, many Nigerians with the AS blood type are carriers of the sickle cell genes.

The SCFN chair described SCD, or sickle-cell anaemia (SCA) or sometimes drepanocytosis, as hereditary blood disorder, characterised by an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying haemoglobin molecule in red blood cells.

The condition, Akinyanju said,

• Michael

• Akpavie

can be very serious when there is no support.

“It is worse than HIV/AIDS because most SCD patients hardly smile. This probably was because the society has left them to their fate,” he said.

The complications of SCD, he said, can be prevented to a large extent with vaccination, preventative antibiotics, blood transfusion, and the drug hydroxyurea/ hydroxycarbamide.

A small proportion of patients require transplant of bone marrow cells, Akinyanju said.

Recounting his ordeal, Michael said life has been very tough for him, especially during crisis.

“When I’m having crisis, it is like hell. I always wish for death.

Sometimes, I crave to end it all once and for all,” he said.

People, he said, do not know what it is like for somebody to be experiencing pain in their bones.

“The pain in my bones can be so severe that I often feel like dying.”

Describing the crisis, he said: “It

is like somebody axing you. The pain and tears are uncontrollable.

And my bones will become so feeble to the extent that I am completely helpless.”

He said sufferers should be supported financially and morally, adding that life would be hell for them without these. SCD has affected his education, growth and life in general.

“For me, everything was upside down. My family could only do very little to help my condition because I did not come from a well-to-do family and most times getting money for treatment is a problem. This was why life was so difficult for me,” he said.

Michael said to relocate to Lagos from Warri was difficult, but a decision had to taken to save his future.

“I have been providing for my treatment and education. This is difficult because I am presently studying to become a biochemist.

So, this makes me to work and study at the same time,” he said.

How to avoid kidney damage, by expert

D

IABETES, hypertension, smoking and self-medication have been listed as major factors responsible for kidney or renal damage in Nigeria.

A senior consultant nephrologist at Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, India, Dr Devendra Agarwal, who spoke in Abuja, said they are the contributory factors why people’s kidneys fail.

To prevent kidney damage, he advised that people should abstain from poor lifestyle, adding: “People should go out, or do morning walks. They should watch what they eat and be active instead of sitting all day watching television and eating fatty foods,” he said.

Agarwal said diabetes cases are increasing by the day across the world, adding that half of transplantation carried out on Nigerian patients by his hospital was due to diabetes.

“Smoking, which people say affects the heart and lungs have been found to be injurious to kidneys too. Pain killers’ use over a long time can predispose people kidney damage. My advice is that pain killers should be taken only when they required. If we take care of these things, we can cut down the numbers of patients with kidney failure,” he said.

The nephrologist said transplantation and dialysis are the two options often explored to restore a damaged kidney. Dialysis, he said, continues throughout

By Wale Adepoju

the lifetime of a kidney patient, adding that a patient only gets one kidney in transplant.

“Many patients from Nigeria have undergone kidney transplantation and they are doing fine. Most transplant patients do normal jobs and get back to routine life. But, things can be different in the event of donor for transplant. We often advise the patient to continue with dialysis, which is the cleaning of the blood by a machine for four hours. This is required for two or three times a week and it is lifelong,” he said.

He said non-compliance of patients to drug prescriptions, especially the dosage, is the main reason for poor outcome of kidney transplant.

“Many patients have reduced the dose or stop it completely because they were okay after their transplant. They forgot that the bodies are different, so the kidneys.

Therefore, rejection can happen and in most cases, the solution is a second transplant or dialysis,” he said.

He assured that transplant patients can live an absolutely normal life, adding that it is not devoid of medication.

A kidney patient, he noted, would need a donor, adding that most patients in Nigeria get their family to donate for them.

“Some patients, who are brain dead may authorise their relations to donate their kidneys. But this

is no so common,” Agarwal said.

He further said: “A family donated the kidneys of their relation, who was cadavers or brain-dead.

The heart of somebody that is brain-dead still works. We put one kidney into an 18-year old girl and the other into a 55-year-old woman. Both are doing well. But the number of cadaver transplantation is less because families do not give consent for cadaver transplants.”

Agarwal said experts should test for tissue matching to increase the chances of compatibility before the transplant. “The second thing we do is give drugs known as immunosuppressant to the patients to be taking regularly. It usually starts with a high dose. But later dose reduces,” he said.

The body, he said, can reject a kidney if it is not compatibility or when the blood group does not match that of the patient.

“When the blood group does not match there will be rejection.

The antibodies also increase and that triggers rejection. When the donor match is positive, we still cannot do a transplant otherwise the body will reject the kidney.

What we often do is plasma exchange to take out the antibodies, and when the cross-match is negative, and then we do the transplant. Now it is different blood group renal transplant are possible with the help of plasma exchange and Rituximab, among others,” Agarwal said.

He said his parents did try, but were frustrated owing to poor cash flow. “One day, they told me that they were tired of everything. I was so sad but I understand their predicament,” he said.

The reason, he said, was simple: “My elder sister was also a sickle cell patient. They had to cater for her too,” he said.

He said most times, his parents would struggle to pay for his sister’s treatment until she passed away.

People, he said, discouraged his parents from spending money on his treatment since they were already broke. “They would tell them that I will not survive it. This made them resign to fate that I would die anytime soon. But, something kept saying I would make it,” he said.

He said it was during this period that he left Warri to fend himself in Lagos, stressing: “Since then, I’ve been on my own without social support. However, I always encourage myself that I am going to live. But I am still trying to put myself together as I am a bit disappointed,” he said.

Michael said he owed his continued existence to some doctors and friends, who always lend a hand during critical moments.

“If not for their regular support I could have died. I met them when I gained admission to study at CMUL. They made me who I am today,” he said.

He said he could not do what most of his friends do because he was too weak to engage in physical activities, even though he loved to be lively. “If I push harder like my friends it might result to a crisis. So, I always keep to myself,” he added.

On his lifestyle, he said: “I have never lived a normal life. When people are having fun, I am battling with crisis and pains.”

He said SCD has affected his relationship with friends and general well-being, adding: “During the Christmas or Easter, I am always miserable because I cannot go to the beach to swim or cinema to see a movie. It is either I am having some pain or taking precautions against the crisis. I always miss out in everything; some clothes that I should have worn I could not for fear of getting cold.

All aspects of my life is affected.”

He said he could not eat the kind of food that he loved, especially the traditional oilly soup in Warri, because of SCD. He said any attempt to eat it may

spell doom for him as it can cause skin reaction.

“Also, I could not use some drugs prescribed by doctors, especially Tramador capsule. I always take the tablet form. Its capsule causes irritation on my skin.

He advised sickle cell patients to be themselves and ensure that they take their medication as prescribed by their doctors. They should avoid anything that can trigger crisis, especially stress, he added.

“Sickle cell patients should take food that is rich in protein, such as beans. They should also relax. The reason I experience crisis because of my heavy schedule as a worker and student,” he said.

He said he usually starts his day at 6am and ends it by 9pm, Monday through Friday, adding that it is a must do for him to become somebody in life.

Mr Akpavie said he has never felt bad for being an SCD patient.

According to him, the reasons were best known to God. The Isoko, Delta State indegene, said his parents did their best for him before they passed away.

Akpavie, who lives with his elder sister, said out of eight children, he was the only one with the condition.

He called for support from wellmeaning people and the government, stressing that the financial help he was getting could not meet his medical needs.

He said: “I have leg ulcer, which I must treat regularly. There are injections that I must take. These have not been easy.”

He said his sister has been a pillar of support, adding that anytime she does not have money his treatment cannot go on.

He said he could not go back to school since the demise of his father.

“I was in Senior Secondary (SS) 3 when my father died. After his burial, there was no money for me to return to school. This is coupled with the accident which I had.

These worsened the leg ulcer,” he said.

Patients, he said, should take their treatment seriously, adding that they should avoid worries and be focused.

“I know that one day it would be better than this. None of his extended family has shown any interest in assisting him. I am on my own,” he said.

Akpavie is still nursing the ambition to return to school if he could get help.

Society loses ex-President

A

FORMER President of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP), Prof Hyacinth Okeke is dead.

In a statement, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the society, Olawale Dada, said the late don would be missed for his novel contribution to the society as he was instrumental to the phenomenal development of the profession in the country.

“This is because he loved to teach and imbibe knowledge and as such selflessly took up lecturing duties in various schools both in and out of the country at various times. He taught Physiotherapy students, Nursing students and medical students at the University of Nigeria Enugu campus.

“He also lectured at Khaled University Teaching Hospital, King-

• The late Okeke

dom of Saudi Arabia and the Department of Physical therapy, Kuwait University, Middle East. He taught as a professor at Madonna University and also took up a contract job at the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus.

47

TUESDAY APRIL 14, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has made history by defeating the ruling Peoples Demoratic Party (PDP) that has run the country since the return to civil rule 16 years ago. The President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, must now begin the process of translating his vision into reality. In this piece, Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI and Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examine the task facing the incoming administration.

Task ahead for incoming APC govt O

On industry intervention, the LCCI stated that investment incentives should be of universal application to all investors in a given sector. According to the communiqué, “The incoming administration should improve the scope and depth of financial intermediation for the benefit of all investors, irrespective of size. Guidelines for accessing intervention funds should also be reviewed and made less stringent.

“They need to ensure a level playing field for all investors across all sectors with regard to import tariffs, funding opportunities, tax incentives, among others, ensure the sustainability of selected policies and programmes of the present administration which currently offer value to the economy and ensure robust consultation with the private sector bodies for inputs into policy formulation processes.”

NE of the factors that aided the election of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the belief that it will not be business as usual from May 29, 2015, under a new government headed by the General. The electioneering campaign threw up a lot of issues on the economy, the security and welfare of Nigerians. Buhari’s position on corruption, insurgency in the Northeast and his vision of building a new Nigeria appear to resonate well with the people.

Beyond rhetoric But, having been given the mandate by the electorates, the President-elect is expected to move beyond rhetoric and start serious preparations for the tasks ahead. According to analysts, it is important for the incoming government to mobilise Nigerians to close ranks for the task ahead. This is because the election that gave Buhari the mandate is the first one since 1999 that politicians were confronted with the painful realisation that sovereignty belongs to the people, as stipulated in Section 14 (2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Hitherto, the political class only paid lip service to this important provision of the constitution and as such the level of impunity has been very high. There was also a marked absence of internal democracy and so-called party members had no hand in choosing those who represented their parties in elections. As such, the political space was saddled with characters who did not prepare for the task of governance. After taking over the reins of power such characters turn important political positions into kindergarten schools where the valuable four-year mandate is utilized to start learning the ropes of governance.

But, the emergence of the APC as a viable opposition introduced an element of competition into the political arena. Today, the election that gave Gen. Buhari the mandate is widely regarded as the “first” democratic election since the advent of the Fourth Republic. Nigerians believe that their votes have started counting. Naturally, they would not hesitate to kickout any government that fails to live up to their aspirations in future. This is the reason why it must not be business as usual for the incoming APC government led by Gen. Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo.

Now that the incoming administration is preparing to take over the reins of power on May 29, the onus is on it to begin to translate its visions into reality. Nigeria is currently faced with two critical challenges that have to do with her economic security and the security of the homeland generally. Unlike in the past, the dip in global oil prices and its impact on the country’s revenue profiles is not the only problem the country has to deal with. There is also the tricky situation of market loss – the market for Nigeria’s oil, according to experts in the oil trade, has dried up significantly. In the past, oil prices might fall, but in spite of the shortfall there would still be demand for Nigeria’s oil, and sales. This situation is quite different today because the United States, which used to be the chief importer of Nigeria’s oil, is now awash with her own oil.

Nigerians must close ranks

• Gen. Buhari

Anti-corruption crusade

Diversification, blockage of leakages Stakeholders have started setting their own agenda for the incoming administration. For instance, manufacturers and members of the organised private sector have spoken of the need to address the nation’s fiscal outlook through effective implementation of diversification agenda, blockage of fiscal leakages, prioritisation of government’s expenditure to boost investments in critical infrastructure. The above requests, it is hoped, will help to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Besides, the stakeholders have emphasised the need to increase the momentum of the war on terrorism and insurgency, following the effects of such acts on business activities, while also enhancing a level-playing field for all investors across all sectors with regard to import tariffs, funding opportunities, and tax incentives.

The President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Jacobs, said it is incumbent on the incoming administration to embrace and sustain policies that aid the industrialisation of the country. He said: “The incoming government should set on whatever good policy the outgoing administration had put in place, especially in the area of trying to diversify the economy. This is particularly important now that we are having challenges with the price of crude oil in the international market.

“The outgoing government has come with the National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) which is a very good policy that has been put together by the public and the private sector.

The incoming government should sustain that effort and implement policies in a way that will help empower manufacturers. We have to recognise the importance of manufacturers in

Given the array of problems facing the country, there is a consensus among observers that the incoming administration must assemble the best brains, irrespective of political party affiliation, to give the country a new direction. Respondents may have put it in different ways, but the consensus is that Nigerians must close ranks for the task ahead.

As a civil society activist and President of Nigeria Voters Assembly (VOTAS), Comrade Mashood Erubami, aptly puts it, “the clamour for Buhari as the catalyst for real change is not an end but a means to achieving a better end of democratic consolidation for a new dawn in the life of Nigerians.” Therefore, he said Buhari must commit himself to building on the legacy of global democratic order, by ensuring that the constitution of the new government is just, fair, people driven.

The civil society activist wants Buhari to set up a “multi stakeholdership government” that will invigorate the already weak naira, boost the morale of Nigerians who are victims of the 16 years of unimpressive governance of the PDP. His words: “The election of Buhari has thrown up a new phase of politics in Nigeria which must be accompanied by new style of governance that considers the concrete reality of mass unemployment of youths and productive adults, lack of electricity, scarcity of fuel and bad governance.

“By choosing him, the electorates believe that, given his pedigree and antecedents, Buhari possess superior capacity to manage the economy and that he will not give spurious excuses for failing. Having been giving the chance, he should set up an innovative ‘multi-stakeholdership government’ as interface programme to bring about the much-desired change in the country, so that Nigerians can end the years of misery and hunger in the midst of plenty.”

• Prof. Osinbajo

generating employment and other issues that affect this country. Therefore the issue of manufacturers’ empowerment should be given attention so that they would be able to address the problem of employment in the country.”

The priority of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is for the incoming administration to address fundamentals like the high cost of doing business and low productivity, which could be ascribed to macroeconomic factors, institutional challenges and structural issues. The chamber said in a communique: “The plummeting oil price and the impact on the fiscal outlook present a significant challenge to the incoming administration. It is therefore critical to manage expectations at this time. The outlook for many macroeconomic indicators is not bright with foreign reserves dropping below $30 billion and persistent pressure on the naira exchange rate.”

Besides, the issue of corruption was put on the front burner during the campaign for the last presidential election and Gen. Buhari presented himself to Nigerians as an anti-corruption czar who has the magic wand to curb the growing menace within the ranks of those in the corridors of power.

Indeed, from the perspective of the Southeast Secretary of Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr. Jerry Chukwuokolo, the dilemma facing Buhari is how he would curb corruption within the ranks of top APC functionaries who are going to play significant roles in the administration. Chukwuokolo warned Buhari to tread cautiously, saying that in history those who come in amidst the kind of high expectations that aided his election usually fail his people. “This is because the expectations are so high and there is no way he can meet up to that level of expectation.”

In Erubami’s view, what Nigerians want to be topmost on the anti-corruption agenda of the Buhari administration will be the formation of a government standing on a tripod of fairness, human rights and social justice. The civil society activist said it would be imperative to evolve new policies that would bring about discipline and ethics in government and private practices, in line with his “War Against Indiscipline (WAI)” of the 1984/1985 military regime.

He said: “This new WAI should be directed at changing the general attitude in the social, economic, political realm and environmental aptitude towards ensuring that people move to the attitude of change. Citizens should still be re-assured that Gen. Buhari will never run a unilateral government nor will he be vindictive, instead he should take the country along with Nigerians on the path of recovery, genuine change and progress.

“These programmes should serve as the new foundation on which the creation of employment, power generation governmental ethics and socio, political discipline will be erected. With the new Charter of Human and Socio-economic and Political Rights of the APC, it is certain that the new administration under Gen. Buhari will not espouse a ‘winner-take-all’ policy; his • Continued on page 48

48

THE NATION TUESDAY APRIL 14, 2015

There are quite a number of things that Nigerians have ‘been yearning for, which they would expect under the new government. Education is key. Education is one of the programmes emphasized in the APC manifesto. In the manifesto, the party has promised to provide free and qualitative education from primary to secondary school level

’

...51 D AYS TO GO DA

Task for incoming govt • Continued from page 47

government will represent the interest of all regardless of their political affiliation, sex and ethnicity.

“Instead of concentrating efforts on arresting, prosecuting and sentencing corrupt elements in the past government, leaving no time for constructive governance, the Buhari government should be pre-occupied with how the country’s loan profile to be inherited will be defrayed without affecting the capacity to stabilise foreign reserve for emergencies arising from unforeseen socio-economic challenges.”

National integration On insecurity, Chukwuokolo said Buhari should work towards national integration, by trying to instill the spirit of nationalism in Nigerians. He said: “Whether we like it or not, this country is very much divided today. The issue of re-integration is very important. This is because I don’t see the reason why an Igbo man in Kano has to run away because an election is coming up and thereby he is disenfranchised.”

Civil rights activist Mr. Osita Kelechi said the incoming administration must give priority to security.

He said the insecurity in the country has restricted movement from one part of the country to the other. “In a situation where goods and services are restricted because of fear of safety does not augur well for the overall development of the nation,” he said.

On the economy, Chukwuokolo said the incoming President should be disciplined enough to hire those who would help him reposition the economy. “The first step is to work towards having a stable power supply in the country. One fact no one can refute is that the Jonathan administration has laid a solid foundation for stable power supply in Nigeria. What Buhari needs to do is to build on Jonathan’ power sector reforms,” he said.

In the view of a finance and investment consultant, Mr. Akintunde Maberu, the incoming administration needs to look at those things that have constituted an obstacle that has prevented Nigeria from having stable power supply. He said the desire for a progressive government has been long and arduous. He added: “So, there are quite a number of things that Nigerians have been yearning for, which they would expect under the new government. Education is key.

Education is one of the programmes emphasized in the APC manifesto.

In the manifesto, the party has promised to provide free and qualitative education from primary to secondary school level.”

Maberu also wants the government must look into the policies of the developed world in the area of healthcare, particularly that of Britain and adopt the welfare system that will enable Nigerians to have access to cheap but qualitative healthcare facilities. “The government should also strive to build infrastructure in the healthcare sector that will make it unnecessary for Nigerians to go abroad for treatment,” he noted.

On the economy, he said it is imperative for the incoming APC government to open up other sectors of the economy, especially agriculture and solid minerals.

Renowned economist Henry Boyo said the problem with the Nigerian economy lies with faulty monetary framework. He said there is urgent need for a fundamental restructuring of the country’s mon-

etary framework. “So that our economy can be rapidly transformed to induce vast expansion in industrial activity with single digit lending rates, increase employment opportunities, lower single digit of inflation and a market determined mechanism. The government’s efforts to achieve these parameters, reduce poverty and enhance the social welfare of our people in the last 30 years have evidently failed woefully,” he explained.

Boyo added: “Indeed our economy appears trapped in a paradox of deepening poverty with increasing export revenue. It is inexplicable, for example, that Nigeria became listed among the poorest nations of the world. A careful analysis of the process infusion of our export earnings into the economy will show that this anomaly was made inevitable by the Central Bank’s practice of capturing export dollar revenue and substituting naira at its unilaterally determined rate of exchange before payment of consolidated naira allocations to the three tiers of government.”

of democracy and good governance.”

Long-term solution

•Erubami

•Maberu

•Chukwuokolo

•Boyo

‘

erate gainful employment, reviving and transforming the economy through heavy investment in agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and infrastructural development, so as to set strong foundation for general development through standard, qualitative and functional education for all.

“Corruption should be fought seriously, using the House of Representative report on oil subsidy as a head start to send right signals to culprits mentioned in the House Ad-hoc committee investigation as signs that he is ready to fight corruption.

“Nigerians need a leader as Buhari, a person with honour, dignity and selfless passion for public service delivery to humanity, a courageous, committed and knowledgeable individual with quality and strong leadership imbued with character of integrity who is sincere and loyal to his country.”

The VOTAS President is also of the view that the incoming President should also initiate new electoral reforms strategy that will revisit the Uwais report, “as first rung on the ladder of institutionalisation

Creation of job opportunities On how the economy could be propelled to create job opportunities, Boyo said: “the stronger naira exchange will bring down the cost of imported raw materials and machinery, and this together with low interest rates will energise the industrial and services sub-sector, and reduce unemployment and greater consumer demand. The local manufacturers will also be protected by a discriminatory tariff regime to favour patronage of locally produced goods in place of imports.

“Increased commercial and industrial activities will provide a huge revenue base for government taxes.

More workers will inevitably mean more income tax revenue for both state and federal government agencies. The stronger naira will not only bring down the cost of production, but will also reduce annual inflation to not more than two per cent, and consequently increase the purchasing power of low income group.

“The increased job opportunities will increase employment and engender a conducive environment that will reduce strikes and other work stoppages. The enhanced economic growth and improvement in social welfare with increased purchasing power brought about by a stronger naira will begin to reverse the deadly infection of brain drain, as Nigerians in the Diaspora will return home to make valuable contributions and enjoy better life in their fatherland.

Erubami said the APC government under the Buhari should be concerned with how to use fiscal and monetary regulatory policies to stabilise and mitigate the volatility of the country’s currency in exchange for other foreign currencies and notwithstanding the currently dwindling revenue, more monies should be generated to reflate the economy and bring about good welfare.

He said: “Above all, substantial fund should be derived from blockages of prodigal spendings on frivolity, unnecessary celebrations and aimless interventions either internally or outside the country to be deployed into the building of useful and functional infrastructures and other sustainable human development projects for the comfort and welfare of the people.”

The VOTAS President wants the incoming President to initiate ef-

Nigerians need a leader as Buhari, a person with honour, dignity and selfless passion for public service delivery to humanity, a courageous, committed and knowledgeable individual with quality and strong leadership imbued with character of integrity who is sincere and loyal to his country

’

forts to stamp out Boko Haram for all time and create conducive environment for healthy living and sustainable industrialisation, which would lead to massive employment for the teeming unemployed youths and adults.

He added: “He should provide adequate power and energy to power the nation and empower the citizens. These will provide energy for the industry and power to gen-

In the long term, Nigerians expect the incoming administration to work towards restructuring or discentralising governance, resource control and fiscal federalism and reducing the cost of governance. Experts say the incoming administration must revisit the issue of resource control and fiscal federalism, and ensure that more money is allocated to the states, if it wants to bring out about the desired change. Resource control has remained contentious issue since the return of civil rule. Before independence, the colonial government, with the consent of the regional governments appointed the Fiscal Commission to look into the functions and powers of the legislative and determine the percentage of revenue the regional government will need to carry out their functions and the percentage that will go to the Federal Government. That was how government at independence up to the time of Murtala/ Obasanjo followed the fixed constitutional formula of 20 per cent to the Federal Government, 50 per cent to state of origin and the remaining 30 per cent to distributive pool to be shared among the regions or states was established. But, today, the Federal Government takes 54 per cent.

Former Minister of Works and Housing, Alhaji Femi Okunnu could not understand why the Federal Government’s share of the Federation Account should jump from 20 per cent to 54 per cent when the functions of the states are getting bigger. He suggested that the Federal Government should go down to 25 per cent if not 20 per cent as before; state of origin at least 25 per cent if not 35 per cent and the remainder should go into distributive pool.

Okunnu is of the view that the present sharing formula is not fair to the oil-producing states. He said: “The retention of 13 per cent of the profit from the sales of petroleum and agricultural products to state of origin under the 1999 Constitution is grossly unfair to the states of origin of minerals and agricultural products. There are minerals in different parts of Nigeria, which are yet to be tapped.”

The elder statesman bemoaned the neglect of agriculture. He added: “We see no more of Kano groundnut pyramids and cotton.

No more huge production of palm oil and palm kernels where Nigeria led in the production as number one and three in the world 40 years ago.

We have reduced ourselves to marginal world production of cocoa, timber and rubber.”

•Lagos State Governor-elect Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (second right) flanked on his left by his wife, Bolanle; Deputy Governor-elect Idiat Adebule (right) and Senator Oluremi Tinubu (extreme left) during the celebration of his victory in Lagos.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

49

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

Eko Atlantic City: The Azuri Allure beckons

I

N the Marina District of Eko Atlantic City, a new worldclass development is evolving, aimed at giving luxury and urban lifestyle a new definition. It has been described as a premier residential destination, offering opportunities for living, working and leisure.

Known as Azuri Peninsula, the development is being promoted by Eko Development Nigeria Limited - a real estate development company. The project sits on a combined land area measuring 127, 507 square metres to be built and delivered in three phases.

The first phase, with a 36-month completion plan, has 13,000 square metres gross buildable area (GBA) and 130 square metres built up area where 120 luxury apartments, 12 super-luxury simplexes, two superb villas and seven town-house apartments would be nestled.

Chief Responsibility Officer, Eko Development, Ihiene Ogolo, said: “Azuri Peninsula offers a unique and luxury urban lifestyle by the delightful marina-front of the Marina District in the vibrant new Eko Atlantic City.”

According to Ogolo, Azuri combines the African word ‘Zuri’ meaning, beautiful, while Azure suggests a radiant sea. He said the location of the Peninsula in the Marina District, considered the most exclusive in Eko Atlantic City, explains the developer’s choice of a brand name that resonates uncom-

Stories by Muyiwa Lucas

mon luxury and lifestyle.

The Peninsula will be delivered as two and four-bedroom luxury apartments, six-bedroom duplexes and seven-bedroom villas, arranged across marina town-house apartments and three outstanding residential towers known as ‘Zuna’ (meaning abundance), ‘Orun’ (meaning heaven) and ‘Oban’ (meaning king), each rising 26 floors.

“This development is taking into consideration lifestyle and ambience. The lifestyle is created by its location. The location is between the Atlantic Ocean and the Lagos channel; we are also creating a marina and so you have three water bodies that create a lifestyle and ambience,” Ogolo said.

For the ultimate comfort of the prospective residents of this Peninsula, which has already recorded about 80 percent buyer-interest, there will be a five-star marina and yacht club with an attractive promenade, high-end shops, cafes and a wealth of amenities.

Eko Atlantic, a city frequently touted as Africa’s Dubai, is a layout of 10 districts of which the Marina is one and the Business District is another. Though Eko Peninsula is planned as a mix-use development that will be 92 per cent residential and eight per cent retail, its closeness to the Business District complements its concept as a live, work

and play destination.

In line with the highest standards of contemporary living, all apartments in the Peninsula will be fullyfitted with state-of-the-art kitchens and luxury bathrooms, air conditioning and broadband terraces and balconies. The ‘Orun’ and ‘Oban’ Towers will promises to offer the ultimate in luxury living and these include a private gym and swimming pool as well as stunning, panoramic views of the environment.

The Peninsula also promises residents access to 24-hour concierge service, a gym, two squash courts, and a café. These come in addition to a relaxing sauna, games, screening rooms and a children’s playroom. Outside, residents will have access to a private outdoor swimming pool, children’s playground, garden-piazzas and valet parking.

In the Marina District, there will be high-end retail outlets, international standard restaurants and an abundant range of amenities, all of which will establish Azuri Peninsula as a premier residential destination.

Eko Atlantic’s high-standard infrastructure, which includes managed and maintained utilities, will guarantee an exceptionally comfortable lifestyle. A well-planned road system, up-to-date ferry service and helicopter service linking the city to Lagos, will ensure that Eko Atlantic is the best-connected city in West Africa.

Indigenous, American firms partner to boost real estate

O

PPORTUNITIES for Nigerians to invest in a foreign real estate market has received a boost as 3INVEST, a real estate firm, partners an American firm, Houston EB5, to raise capital for Marlowe, a real estate project in Houston.

Houston EB5, a real estate investment company and promoter of the project, is offering not only the prospect of a good return on investment on the project, but also a chance for a prospective investor to qualify for permanent residency in the United States through the EB-5 programme.

The project, Marlowe, is planned as a 20-storey, 100 residence contemporary tower, with one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans, and is located in the heart of downtown Houston.

It provides exquisite living experience within the Houston environment, including sports venues, parks, shopping centres, and restaurants, all situated within less than 200 metres.

Randall Davis, a Houston Luxury Condominium Developer and his partner in Houston EB5, Mexico City native and Houston entrepreneur Roberto Contreras, who are involved in a similar construction project, Astoria, are upbeat about Marlowe, insisting that given its ideal location, it will provide the very best living experience.

The deal with 3INVEST may not have come as a surprise. This is because foreign investors have to, a large extent, influenced similar projects. For instance, in 2010, Houston EB5 embarked on a programme

•Prototype of the Marlowe Estate in Houston

targeting wealthy foreigners to fund their real estate projects - a $70 million residential tower in Houston Galleria area called “Astoria” and also a $48 million, eight-story, 240unit apartment building in the heart of Downtown Houston called Block 384. The raise for Astoria was completed with $30million from EB5 investors and the raise for Block 384 with $12million.

“Astoria was really made possible, thanks to the help of foreign investors, and we are steadfast on continuing to build and strengthen our relationships with investors abroad,” said Contreras, adding that the firm’s continued accomplishments overseas are a testament to the opportunities the EB5 programme provides. He further said that expanding their investor reach in Nigeria as well as other African countries if a priority for the firm.

The Managing Director of Houston EB5 Regional Centre, Acho Azuike, said the firm plans to attract more investors from Nigeria for its future projects because of the huge involvement of Nigerians in EB5’s past development projects.

“Nigerians are familiar with the Houston area already and we now have a track record of success because of our Astoria and Block 384 projects,” Azuike explained.

He assured investors in the Houston EB5’s Marlowe project of a more reliable and timely return on their investment, given that real estate investments remain much safer in nature than typical business investments, a trend buoyed by Houston’s strong economic environment. And like previous Houston EB5 projects, Marlowe has received great support from the City of Houston. A “TEA” designation has been assigned to the project, lowering the minimum investment amount to $500,000 as opposed to $1 million.

The EB5 investment programme is administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the Department of Homeland Security. It allows investors who make a qualified investment to fast track permanent legal residency in the US for themselves and their immediate family without the usual roadblocks or red tape associated with the immigration process.

• Azuri Pennisula in Eko Atlantic City

Climate change summit: What impact on the environment?

• Continued from page 16

ronment, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the objectives of the summit was to promote and sustain an infrastructural system that was environmentally friendly and geared towards reduction in carbon emission.

It was also aimed at analysing policy instruments for easy adaptation to climate change and mitigation of greenhouse gases’ emissions as they affected transportation and the housing sectors.

Talking shop?

With the seventh edition in the series kicking off, has the forum become a mere talking shop for policy makers? How well has the state keyed into the benefits of previous editions? What impact have they had on the environment and the citizens?

How has the forum immuned the state from the imminent effects of climate change?

Bello said the achievements in the past six editions of the summit are many.

He said they include the Draft Lagos State Climate Change Policy Document and Action Plan, Lagos State Adaptation Strategy Documents produced to reinforce actions to address the challenges of climate change; the heightened collaboration with various non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Vulnerability Study on Coastal Areas to Climate Change in the state in conjunction with the United Nations International Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Eko Atlantic Project, Shoreline Protection of the Bar Beach and Rehabilitation of the Drainage Infrastructures in Lagos.

Others, he observed, include the introduction of Mass Transportation Systems, including Bus-Rapid Transit (BRT) and Light Rail Project, School Advocacy Programme, Yearly School Exchange Programme to Germany (where students from Lagos State public schools, are sponsored to join their counterpart abroad), as well as participation of various government officials at international climate change conferences and events. Additional achievements of the summit include the establishment of waste-to-wealth programmes (such as Nylon Buyback, Waste-to-Compost and Waste-

to-Energy), Annual Tree Planting Campaign, Car Horn-free Campaign, the Greening Programme, and passing of laws to protect the environment.

“For example, it is now an offence to fell a tree in Lagos, as doing so attracts a fine and the planting of five trees for every fallen tree. Amid the enactment of fresh laws (such as on noise pollution), environmental laws are likewise being harmonised, even as the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) has been elevated to the status of an Agency to enforce environmental laws,” Bello said, adding that the previous summits have clearly shown that the state’s commitment to the development and evolvement of a climate change conscious society so as to lay the foundations necessary to counteract the global threat.

Fashola takes delight in these feats, saying that the input of the state government in environmental regeneration and infrastructural development are in furtherance of sustainable environment.

“In Lagos, we have continued to landscape and beautify hitherto open spaces and loops that were then hideouts for miscreants. We have also modernised parks and gardens, as well as established an agency named the Lagos State Parks and Gardens (LASPARK) whose major role is to oversee the parks and gardens in the state and to continue the greening initiatives in order to assure modern town planners that the state is methodically planned with all its resources for an enviable regional national development,” he explained.

Ths year’s conference has Seven years of Climate Change Governance in Lagos State: Celebrating Success Stories, Reviewing Challenges and Setting Future Agenda as its theme. It holds between April 21 and 24 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The summit has, so far, addressed various measures of combating climate effects through various mitigation and adaptation actions, shared best practices across boundaries, and explored inherent business opportunities.

Also, the vulnerability and adaptability of climate change in major facets of life have been focused upon.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

50

THE NATION

BUSINESS ENERGY

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Oil price crash: 6,000 jobs gone N

O fewer than 6,000 techni cal workers have been sacked in the last eight months, following the fallen oil price.

They include geologists, engineers, artisans, and fitters in the oil servicing firms.

President, Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Emeka Ene, told The Nation that the body was feeling the price crash pinch, going by the gale of retrenchment carried out in the oil service segment.

He said:“The oil servicing companies employ 20,000 technical workers, while the indirect workers are around 100,000. These are people that, by virtue of their services, do not have direct dealings with members of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria.

Thirty per cent of 20,000 will give us 6,000 plus.”

He said the fall in price of crude oil from over $100 per barrel to $40 per barrel, between August last year and January this year, has af-

By Akinola Ajibade

fected the operations of firms that provide technical services. Ene said this is evident in the failure of oil servicing firms to secure and implement good contracts.

“At a point, oil servicing firms were directed by oil exploration and production companies operating in the country to reduce the cost of contracts by 30 per cent. By this, oil services firms are going to execute contracts at a rate or cost that is not beneficial to them. This is a loss, and everyone is now feeling the spiral effect of oil price plunge.

Based on this, there is no way oil servicing firms would review their operations to be able to meet up in the industry,” he added.

He said the body is working to curtail further job loss by introducing measures that would pave way for the engagement of more domestic oil and gas operators.

Ene said discussions between oil service providers and the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), a body

that comprises multinational oil firms in Nigeria, are ongoing to salvage the situation.

He said: “There are series of engagements between the oil service providers, international oil companies and local oil and gas producers to minimise the effects of the falling crude oil prices on the industry. The discussions were initiated to enable the operators maximise the gains of the Local Content policy formulated years ago.’’

According to him, oil servicing firms would tap into opportunities provided by the Act to improve their operations after the discussions. He said the discussion would help in clustering activities or services in the industry, stressing that the operators will form groups to execute projects.

He said the idea would benefit the local firms in the long run because they would secure and implement oil servicing contracts profitably.

He said: “When services are clustered and executed by groups, the losses accrued to the parties involved would be minimal. The

purpose of the Local Content Act or policy would be defeated if domestic operators cannot tap the opportunties in it.”

Also, the Chief Executive Officer, Manifold Energy, Dr Dapo Oshinusi, said the effects of the crash in oil prices are evident globally. He said the prayer of operators was that the price of oil should rebound to encourage industry’s growth.

Oshinusi said oil device providers and other operators were facing hard times caused by glut in supply of crude oil.

He said oil servicing firms were battling to survive because of the fall in the global prices of crude oil.

He said the firms were being forced to review their contracts downward, without considering the implications the development would have on their operations.

He said: “Imagine a situation where oil services firms got the contracts when the price of crude oil was $100 per barrel, and now being directed

A

NLNG pays $14.7b dividend to govt

T

HE Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) paid $14.7billion to the Fedral Government as dividend last year.

It also paid $15.3 billion dividend to other investors, $21 billion to joint venture (JV) feedgas suppliers, and N220 billion tax during the period.

In its 2015 Facts and Figures report, NLNG said besides financial contributions, it also contributed substantially to environmental hazard reduction, foreign direct investment, job creation, local content development and the boost in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The report read: “NLNG utilises gas that would have otherwise been flared, thus making significant contributions to the nation’s income while helping to protect the environment.

Payment to joint venture feedgas suppliers from inception till date is almost $21 billion, between 55 and 60 per cent of this amount goes to the Federal Government via its shareholding in Nigerian

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

“NLNG has also over the years paid dividends of almost $30 billion, out of which 49 per cent went to the Federal Government through its shareholding in NNPC. “As a good corporate citizen, NLNG also contributes to national wealth and economic wellbeing of states in which it operates, by paying all applicable taxes and tariffs. In 2014, the company’s corporate income tax amounted to about N220 billion, thus making NLNG by far the highest tax payer in Nigeria and sub-Sahara Africa.

“The company since 2008, contributed about four per cent of Nigeria’s annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and with current rebasing of the GDP, NLNG’s contribution to the GDP is put at about one per cent.”

On environmental hazard reduction, the company said it has converted about 133 billion

standard cubic metres (Bcm) of associated gas (AG), which is equivalent to 4.68 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of associated gas to exports as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The conversion of the associated gas helped to reduce gas flaring by upstream companies, it stated, adding that however, flares are only permitted in order to eliminate waste gas which cannot be converted to any further use. Flares also act as safety systems for non-waste gas and are released via pressure relief valves, when required, to ease the strain on equipment.

NLNG also said it provided more than 2,000 jobs in each construction year. Overall, the major sub-contractors employed about 18,000 Nigerians in technical jobs in the base projects adding that through each Nigerian Content plan for its contracts, NLNG has promoted the development and employment of indigenous manpower. “For instance, 600 Nigerians will be trained in Nigeria and at the contractors’ (Hyundai

by oil majors to cut the cost by 30 per cent. How are they going to make up for the shortfall?”

Nigeria and other member-countries of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have been battling challenges following the fall in the prices of crude oil since last year.The situation is having debilitating effect on Nigeria that derives over 70 per cent of its revenue from oil.

Nigeria gets $3.017b from Shell NGLO-Dutch oil giant Shell said its subsidiaries in Nigeria paid the Federal Government $3.017 billion as income taxes and royalties last year.

In its 2014 Sustainability Report, the company said it paid the government $2.290 billion income taxes and $727 million as royalties.

Its Chief Financial Officer, Simon Henry, said the company knows the importance of taxes to the governments where it operates.

He said: “We provide the authorities with timely and comprehensive information on potential tax issues, while we receive treatment that is open, impartial, proportionate, responsive and grounded in an understanding of our commercial environment. Not only does this approach help us to comply with both the letter and the spirit of the laws where we have our operations, it also improves transparency about our tax affairs and allows Shell to better manage its tax-related risks throughout the life cycle of each project.

“At Shell, we understand how tax binds governments, civil society

•NLNG’s Plant

• Ene

and Samsung) shipyards in Korea as part of the Nigerian Content deliverables tied to the construction of six new LNG vessels by Bonny Gas Transport (BGT), a wholly owned subsidiary of NLNG. “Those 600 Nigerians, with enhanced skills in welding, hull assembly, pipe fitting, electrical, mechanical, painting and ship design will join the country’s workforce, providing a support base for technology transfer and industrialisation.

“Thirty-five of the Nigerian trainees are in Korea for participation in the ship construction and six Nigerians are working as ship managers (two Production Managers, two Quality Assurance/Quality Control Managers and two HSE Managers) in the ship construction at the shipyards in Korea,” it added.

Shareholders of NLNG are NNPC (49 per cent), Shell Gas B.V. (25.6 per cent), Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15 per cent) and Eni International (10.4 per cent).

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

and businesses together. We use legitimate tax incentives and exemptions designed by governments to promote investment, employment and economic growth. But we oppose tax fraud and tax evasion. For transparency reasons, Shell reports all its significant subsidiaries.

“At Shell, we have a zero tolerance policy on corruption and bribery. “They disrupt societies, they disrupt the level playing field among companies, and they threaten the viability of the longterm investments that characterise our industry. We do not tolerate the direct or indirect offer, payment, solicitation or acceptance of bribes in any form. Facilitation payments are prohibited. Our Code of Conduct include specific instructions to staff and mandatory training, especially with respect to potential conflicts of interest and the offer or acceptance of gifts and hospitality. A Global Helpline allows employees and business partners to seek advice and report any violations. In addition, Shell sits on Transparency International‘s Steering Committee for the Business Principles for Countering Bribery.

“Our anti-bribery commitment is an integral part of the Shell General Business Principles, first published in 1976. So is our stance against political donations, which precludes Shell from making payments to political parties, organisations or their representatives.

“In today’s fast-changing world, where energy plays a vital role, Shell is active as a constructive and responsible partner in public policy making, from advocating the implementation of effective carbon pricing to the protection of our ships against piracy. In all these endeavours, we favour a multi-stakeholder approach, working with others inside and outside our industry to achieve practical and effective solutions, beneficial to all parties involved.

“Tax binds governments, communities and businesses together. Revenue transparency provides citizens with an important tool to hold their government representatives accountable and to advance good governance. Shell is committed to transparency as it builds trust. Trust is essential for a company that operates in our line of business, reflecting our core values of honesty, integrity and respect for people.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

51

52

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

53

54

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

THE NATION TUESSDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

55

MONEYLINK

FBN Holdings to focus on short-term financing

F

BN Holdings will focus on short-term trade financing to make up for slower growth in its loan book forecast to expand by four percent this year from 23 percent last year, its CEO said yesterday.

The Chief Executive of FBN Holdings, Bello Maccido, told Reuters that the lender with over N2.2 trillion on its loan book will be conservative on loans this year after financing power and oil sector projects last year.

He said: “In the past we would do term loans of two years but this year we would focus on trade finance.

“We are projecting modest loan growth of four per cent. We expect to be conservative on loans ... focusing on trade transactions that have typical 90-day cycles.”

Maccido said he expected FBN Holdings to generate a tenth of its revenues from its investment banking

Firm wins $3m fee dispute with Visa, MasterCard

S

Stories by Collins Nweze

and insurance units combined by 2016, up from around seven per cent now, after it acquired Kakawa Discount House and Oasis Insurance last year.

The commercial banking arm, First Bank Limited, with over 9.4 million customers, accounts for around 93 per cent of revenues, Maccido said, adding that the group has applied for a merchant banking license. FBN Holdings, with interest in lending, insurance and investments, last week reported growth in 2014 pretax profit of 1.7 per cent, driven by project and trade finance.

Shares in FBN Holdings, which have risen eight per cent this year fell 0.1 per cent yesterday to N9.50 each. The stock fell 46 per cent last year. Maccido said the bank holding company was trading at a discount of 0.6 times book value relative to

•FirstBank CEO Bisi Onasanya peers, but expected a rally in its share price this year after a rule restricting pension funds from investing in holding companies was lifted.

FBN Holdings proposed to pay N0.10 cash dividend for last year with a bonus of one new share for every 10 held, Maccido said because the group planned to retain a greater proportion of its earnings to fund growth rather than raising fresh funds.

Western Union deploys messaging service for customers G LOBAL payments provider, Western Union, is deploy ing Infinite Convergence’s cloud-based enterprise messaging service (EMS) for its customers.

EMS will securely deliver messages to Western Union customers through push notifications and alerts, and will support queries, requests, surveys and more. EMS is proactively monitored to prevent any message delivery issues.

With EMS, Western Union customers will be able to receive notifications about money transfers and one-time password verifications to receive funds. Also, Western Union said, an analytics and reporting dashboard will allow the company to measure the effectiveness of messages and campaigns.

Western Union: Big data driving digital transformation Western Union looks to Tibco for big data initiative Western Union deploys Cloudera Hadoop tools for transactional data analytics “Our Enterprise Messaging Service enables businesses like Western Union to provide customers with a more convenient alternative for communication,” said Anurag Lal, chief executive, Infinite Convergence Solutions. “Especially with the global prevalence of mobile messaging, enterprises must give customers the option to send or receive text messages to improve operational efficiency

and the customer experience.”

Last year, Western Union implemented a Hadoop-based data analytics platform from Cloudera to help provide a more personalised experience to its customers. Using Cloudera Enterprise, Western Union is able to more efficiently store and process real-time analytics on what the vendor describes as “one of the world’s largest enterprise data sets”.

The Hadoop implementation has helped Western Union centralise its global customer data in an enterprise data hub, and supports pattern recognition and predictive modeling.

MARTMETRIC, Inc has said it won a legal fee dispute with Visa Incorporated and MasterCard International. The two payments card companies had sought what would have approximated to $3 million in fees and costs against SmartMetric arising from the SmartMetric patent infringement claim against Visa Inc. and MasterCard International.

“This is great news for SmartMetric, freeing us now to move forward with our advanced biometric payment and identity card technology without this massive potential cost to the company over our heads. This threat over the company of having to pay $3 million has been a serious impediment to our moving forward into production but now being dispensed with by the Court will allow us to move forward into production with great vigor,” SmartMetric’s President & CEO Chaya Hendrick said.

“Defendants MasterCard International Inc. and Visa Inc. filed a Motion for Attorney Fees on October 30, 2013. On December 18, 2013, the Court granted Defendants’ ex parte application to continue the hearing on that motion until after the Supreme Court’s decision in Octane Fitness. On January 28 last year, the Court entered the parties’ stipulated order postponing the hearing on that motion until after the Federal Circuit resolved the appeal in this action.””After reviewing the docket, its own prior orders, and the declarations made on both sides of this litigation, the Court does not believe that the litigation was undertaken in bad faith or that this case “stands out” under the Octane standard.”

“Importantly, the Court did not find that SmartMetric’s infringe-

ment case lacked any legal or factual basis, and moreover, Defendants never brought a motion asserting these deficiencies at that stage of the litigation. Additionally, the Court did not find that SmartMetric’s claim construction arguments were frivolous or without merit. Indeed, the Court’s Claim Construction Order actually adopted much of SmartMetric’s proposed language.”

“The Court, in its discretion and in the consideration of the totality of the circumstances, thus concludes that this case is not an exceptional case that “stands out from others with respect to the substantive strength of a party’s litigating position.”

Meanwhile, March 31 was the deadline for Visa and MasterCard to switch the processing of their operations in Russia to the National Card Payment System. The Visa system could now be forced to pay a guarantee fee of around $60 million for the first quarter of the year.

US-based international payment system Visa has no plans to abandon the Russian market and the Russian customers will be able to use its cards as usual, the company’s press service in Russia said Wednesday.

“We remain in Russia and confirm that Visa cards continue to work as usual,” the press service said in a statement written in Russian.

March 31 was the deadline for Visa and MasterCard to switch the processing of their operations in Russia to the National Card Payment System introduced in an effort to reduce Russia’s dependency on foreign payment systems. However, Visa said last week it still needs up to two months to transfer processing of transactions made on its credit cards in Russia to the local payment system.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

126.04 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,744.73 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.2440 1.3324 0.8009 1.1456

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.2370 1.3324 0.7884 1.1456

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

WEMABANK GUINNESS BETAGLAS FIDELITYBK HONYFLOUR UBCAP NAHCO MAYBAKER NEM AGLEVENT

0.95 140.00 26.11 2.02 3.06 1.45 6.13 1.74 0.67 1.36

1.00 147.00 27.41 2.12 3.21 1.52 6.42 1.82 0.70 1.42

0.05 7.00 1.30 0.10 0.15 0.07 0.29 0.08 0.03 0.06

LOSERS AS AT 13-04-15

O/PRICE

NESTLE 1,044.05 BERGER 9.49 RTBRISCOE 0.81 EVANSMED 2.09 NPFMCRFBK 1.05 CUTIX 1.58 FLOURMILL 34.00 CHAMS 0.51 SKYEBANK 2.64 CHAMPION 7.76 LEARNAFRCA 1.51

C/PRICE 991.85 9.02 0.77 1.99 1.00 1.51 33.02 0.50 2.60 7.70 1.50

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) April 13, 2015

Inflation: Febraury

8.4%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

CHANGE -52.20 -0.47 -0.04 -0.10 -0.05 -0.07 -0.98 -0.01 -0.04 -0.06 -0.01

Interbank ($/N)

199.00

$1

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

$1

$33.2b

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR) Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$60.91

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 13-04-15

SYMBOL

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

Tenor 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

April 10

April 13

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

1M

15.033

15.977

3M

15.809

17.177

6M

16.493

17.908

Statistics All Share Index Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) Deals Volume (mn) Value (NGN’mn)

19 Feb 29,282.04 9,770.36 3,385 564,28 6,087.80

20 Feb 29,383.93 9,804.36 3,714 377,75 6,568.66

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

April 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

T-bills - 364

13.92

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

Transaction Dates

Amount Offered in ($)

Amount Sold in ($)

03/02/2015

500m

499.93m

3/12/2014

400m

399.97m

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

1/12/2014

350m

349.96m

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

THE NATION TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2015

56

NEWS CHIBOK SCHOOLGIRLS: ONE YEAR AFTER

Amnesty accuses insurgents of killing 600 in one day in Gwoza From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

T

HE Amnesty International (AI) yesterday accused Boko Haram insurgents of killing at least 600 during its attack on Gwoza, Borno State on August 6 last year.

It also alleged that the sect executed 100 men in Madagali in Adamawa State for refusing to join the group.

It said about 5,900 structures were destroyed in Bama, which accounted for approximately 70 per cent of the town The AI, which made the allegations in a statement by its Secretary General, Shalil Shetty, said since last year, Boko Haram had carried out 300 raids and attacks against civilians.

But Boko Haram leadership was yet to react to AI’s allegations as of press time.

The AI statement said: “Since the start of 2014, Amnesty International documented at least 300 raids and attacks carried out

by Boko Haram against civilians.

“During their attacks on towns, they would systematically target the military or police first, capturing arms and ammunition, before turning on the civilian population.”

We’ll defeat Boko Haram, says Buhari From Tony Akowe, Abuja

P

RESIDENT-ELECT Muhammadu Buhari, has assured Nigerians that his government will do everything possible to defeat the Boko Haram insurgency and bring an end to terrorism.

Buhari also said that his government will bring back the schoolgirls kidnapped from Chibok, Borno State one year ago by members of the Boko Haram insurgency group.

In a statement by him in Daura, Buhari said his government will do everything possible to defeat Boko Haram insurgents and act different from the present government.

Buhari said while he cannot promise to find the Chibok girls, he assure every parent, family member and friend of the children that my government will do everything in its power to bring them home.

The statement reads: “Today we remember the kidnapping of 276 girls from a school in Chibok one year ago. This crime has rightly caused outrage both in Nigeria and across the world.

“Today is a time to reflect on the pain and suffering of the victims, their friends and families.

Our thoughts and prayers, and that of the whole Nigerian Nation, are with you today.

“I want to assure all of them, and particularly the parents, that when my new Administration takes office at the end of May, we will do everything we can to defeat Boko Haram. We will act differently from the Government we replace: we hear the anguish of our citizens and intend to respond accordingly.

“This new approach must also begin with honesty. We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued. Their whereabouts remain unknown. As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them.’

•The abducted Chibok schoolgirls

Mixed reactions trail abduction of Borno schoolgirls

T

HE story of Chibok schoolgirls in Borno State has been characterised by tears, pains and disappointment.

Some Nigerians are unhappy with the Federal Government’s inability to bring back the girls; others believe the government has to do more to rescue them after a year in captivity.

Also, a handful of Nigerians have refused to believe there was an abduction, saying it is political and a way to discredit the Federal Government.

A civil servant at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, Mr Godson, was upset by the #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) protest last week.

He said: "Why are they still disturbing us? Have they not succeeded in ruining the governt of the President? I'm sure that they are happy and congratulating themselves. We all know that the Chibok schoolgirls abduction is a scam.

Where is the proof that the girls were ever abducted? And how can you tell me that some of them jumped from a moving vehicle and the terrorists did not shoot them or catch them? Haba! We are not all fools in this country. Some of us know their plans and we have refused to be deceived."

Another woman, who pleaded anonymity, said: "This is all propaganda. They should go and ask the politicians in that state what they did with the girls. I can assure you that if they investigate, they will re-

•Ezekwezili, others remember girls From Grace Obike, Abuja

alise that the girls are somewhere enjoying. Yet, they came here to disturb us. As far as I know, nobody was abducted.

We know that Boko Haram insurgents have been wreaking havoc and they have been abducting women and children.

I know that. But it is not as bad as they portray them. No Chibok schoolgirl was abducted.

It is just a scam."

Members of the #BBOG advocacy have been protesting the abduction of the girls since last year.

They have not relented in their agitation or cave in to glaring intimidation.

A former Minister of Education and leader of the group, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, explained why some people refused to believe the authenticity of the abduction.

She said: "It just tells you that the capacity of the human being to withhold love and empathy is deep. I mean, at this stage, what is there to contend with the fact that there are children of other people that are actually missing, that were taken away? Some of these people are victims. You know when they were saying to us that this is political. I didn't understand. I frankly did not understand how the abduction of young women and our coming out to say go and find them could be termed political.

“But as it has gone full circle, I'm beginning to see that this was what prevented the kind of actions that could have been taken because they believe that it was political but to us as a people who were driven by that humanness, that we couldn't behave like we have always behaved as a people, ignore such a grievous, tragic thing that had happened to innocent school children.

"We were not in any way with the mindset that this thing is about politics. We even said at some point that if we assumed at the extreme, there were some plans to take the girls away for political reasons.

But the issue is: were the girls also part of the plan? Shouldn't we as a people then make brining them back as a priority and then deal with those who made the plan? It is bringing the girls back that will be the first plan of any leader, no matter who concocted any plot. Should that be the truth - that a plot was concocted - it should be our schoolgirls who innocently went to school and now are not where they should be.

"When I see people who still abuse us and throw things at us and say, ‘You are advocating for a scam’, I just pray the mercy of God on them. There is nothing more I can do because there is no other person that is a victim than our girls, and their parents are the victims here."

One of the 57 girls who escaped, Rebecca Ishaku, at the special church service and prayers to mark their one year anniversary, said: "I was among the abducted girls, but I escaped. Now, it is a year after the abduction, but some people are still saying that the abduction is a lie, while others are saying that maybe all of us escaped. Some others are saying that nobody escaped.

But it is true that some of us escaped and 219 are not yet back till now, a lot of them are my friends.

"I don't know what to tell people that have refused to believe in the abduction, yes they can say that it is a lie and I will not blame them because our government did not take it serious to go and bring back the girls, some people took it serious, they helped us to cry and and so I will say to Nigerians, thank you.

"Maybe they will come back, I don't know, maybe they are still alive I don't know, maybe they killed them I don't know, but I pray that God brings them back so that they can continue with school as I have, but right now, I am not enjoying school because my friends are not yet back, I will only be happy when my friends return."

Another advocate of the #BBOG, Aisha Yesufu, who is known for being outspoken

said: "For me, I will just say that, there is no need bothering about those who dont believe and at the same time, there are people that instead of admitting their wrongs, will rather hold on to a certain belief. There are some who have come out to say that the girls are not missing and we are just coming out for political reasons. But for me personally, I feel that is their way of being able to live with their conscience, so as long as they tell themselves that the girls are not missing and those people are playing politics, then they will be able to live with themselves, they don't want to face their conscience to realise that something has happened and they are not doing anything, so they would rather hold on to that.

"Growing up, I knew that this country failed me, but I was not bothered about it, I just wanted to make a living and forget about it. But seeing what happened with the Chibok schoolgirls, I realised that as a person, because I have been keeping quiet, a lot of atrocities have been going on, most of us here do not have any political allegiance, yes there are a few people that belong to political parties, but it doesn't mean that when you belong to a political party, you do not have a human side, you are human first of all and that empathy will always be there, for us, it is all about the Chibok girls.

Malala to Chibok schoolgirls: I look forward to hugging you

N

OBEL peace laureate Malala Yousafzai yesterday criticised Nigerian and world leaders for not doing enough to free 219 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped a year ago by Boko Haram insurgents.

“In my opinion, Nigerian leaders and the international community have not done enough to help you,” she said in a letter to the teenagers, on the eve of the first anniversary of their abduction.

“They must do much more to help secure your release. I am among many people pressuring them to make sure you are freed,” she added, calling the girls “my brave sisters”.

Yousafzai’s letter, which she said was “a message of soli-

darity love and hope”, comes as events, including marches, prayers and vigils, were being held to mark the girls’ 12 months in captivity.

Boko Haram sect kidnapped 276 girls from their school in the remote town of Chibok, Borno State, on the night of April 14, last year.

Fifty-seven of the girls managed to escape soon afterwards but the others have not been seen since an appearance in a Boko Haram video last May. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has claimed the girls havd converted to Islam and been “married off”.

President Goodluck Jonathan and his government were heavily criticised for their re-

sponse to the kidnapping but Malala said there were now “reasons for hope and optimism”.

“Nigerian forces are regaining territory and protecting more schools,” she wrote.

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, has vowed to make securing your freedom a top priority and promised his government will not tolerate violence against women and girls.”

Malala, 17, also wrote of her own experiences at the hands of militants in her native Pakistan. She was nearly killed by the Taliban in October 2012 for insisting that girls had a right to an education.

She recovered and became

a global champion of girls’ rights to go to school.

A fund set up in her name would ensure the girls will continue their education after their release, she said, urging them not to give up hope.

“I look forward to the day I can hug each one of you, pray with you and celebrate your freedom with your families. Until then, stay strong and never lose hope.

You are my heroes,” she added.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that 800,000 of the 1.5 million people displaced by Boko Haram’s insurgency were children.

More than 300 schools have

•Malala

been severely damaged or destroyed between January 2012 and December last year, with at least 196 teachers and 314 schoolchildren killed in that period, it added.

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

57

NEWS GOVERNORSHIP AND HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS

Alamieyeseigha, Alaibe eye Bayelsa APC governorship ticket

E

X-Bayelsa State Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha is seeking a return to the Government House on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), it was learnt yesterday.

The former Bayelsa helmsman was impeached on December 9, 2005, two years into his second term in office, on allegations of acts of malfeasance.

It was also gathered that an ex-Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe, is interested in the APC ticket ahead of the 2016 governorship election.

Others said to be eyeing the party’s ticket include APC chieftain and former Gover-

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

nor Timipre Sylva; former Health Commissioner Frank Akpoebi; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power Godknows Igali and APC State Chairman Tiwe Oruminighe.

It was learnt that Preye Aganaba (aka Prince of Odi), who lost his senatorial bid, is being prepared by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to go for the party’s ticket.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said Alamieyeseigha, the state’s first elected governor, was nurturing his ambition to return to the Creek Haven, the sobriquet for the Government House in Yenagoa, on the platform of

APC. The source said the former governor and Igali are plotting to wrest power from the Governor Seriake Dickson.

It was learnt that the duo had been meeting in the last two weeks in Abuja to finetune their plots.

The source added that both men met last Friday at the late Oronto Douglas’ home, after a condolence visit, to discuss their plan.

Alamieyeseigha became governor in 1999 and was reelected for a second term in 2003.

But he was embroiled in allegations of corruption and money laundering.

He was impeached by the House of Assembly, prosecuted and convicted by the

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Alamieyeseigha was succeeded by his deputy, incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, in 2005.

The ex-governor got the President’s State pardon on March 12, 2013.

The source said: “Alamieyeseigha is eyeing the governorship seat. His plan is to make a return to the seat of power in 2016. He has been holding a series of meetings with some APC stalwarts.

“He is assuring the APC leadership that with him at the helm, the militants would feel comfortable. He is saying Governor Dickson is not liked by former militants, citing the clash between the

governor and ex-agitators over pipeline contracts.”

But when reminded that President-elect Muhammadu Buhari has a zero tolerance for corruption and may not allow the like of Alameiyesegha to become candidates of the party, the source said the former governor is banking on his closeness to some APC leaders.

The source said: “He is banking on his relationship with some national leaders of the APC to market him to Buhari because he knows that ordinarily, the President-elect would not give him a chance, regardless of the Presidential pardon granted him.

“But we know that Dickson still stands a good chance of retaining his seat in 2016, giv-

en his performance and strong progressive contacts within the APC as a former member and leader in the Alliance for Democracy (AD).”

But another source in the APC said the state leadership of the party had placed an embargo on the influx of defectors pending the swearing in of the President-elect.

Without the embargo, he said a gale of defections to the APC would have hit the PDP in the state.

“Major PDP stakeholders are warming up to join the APC in the state. We are going to be busy welcoming them. Most of them will be coming with governorship ambitions,” the source added.

Bayelsa Speaker rigged, parties allege • Seek polls cancellation • Benson: allegation untrue

T

HE Bayelsa State chapters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Alliance for Democracy (AD) yesterday alleged that House of Assembly Speaker Kombowei Benson rigged the elections in Southern Ijaw Constituency 4.

Benson, who hails from Korokorosie, is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

But the Speaker has denied the allegation.

The parties, at a protest in Yenagoa, the state capital, said materials meant for most wards were diverted to the Speaker’s home by his security aides.

They alleged that the results for most wards were written in Benson’s home under heavy security and sent to the Collation Centre.

State APC Chairman Tiwe Oruminighe said besides Koluama, there were no elections in other communities.

He alleged that materials for Fropa Ward 14, Apoi Ward 15 and Kubie Ward 6 were taken to the Speaker’s home in Korokorosie.

Following alleged widespread manipulation, Oruminighe said he reported the Speaker’s actions to Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Baritor Kpagih.

The APC chairman said the REC admitted receiving complaints of diversion of materials and referred him to the Electoral officer in the area.

He said the Electoral officer, despite accepting that materials were diverted, did not take action.

Oruminighe added that when APC agents visited Korokorosie to assess the situation, they were denied access

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

to the community by security operatives, who barricaded the area with gunboats.

The party chairman also said the Collation Centre was arbitrarily moved from Ward 4 to Oporoma by the Electoral officer.

He said: “They didn’t allow us to enter the Collation Centre. One of our party men was shot. He is in the hospital. If you saw the video of what happened, you would think it was a war front. I don’t have confidence in the INEC I met at Oporoma.”

Oruminighe urged INEC to cancel the elections and order a fresh poll.

The APC chairman stressed that the party would not accept anything short of a new election in the affected areas.

Also, the Campaign Director of the AD candidate, Mr. Etimifa Stephen, decried the irregularities in the elections and called for cancellation.

He said: “There was real election in Koluama Ward, but my agents told me there was no election in other wards. People waited in vain to vote for their candidate.

“At Ward 3, the Speaker’s ward in Korokorosie, materials were taken to the Speaker’s home. The materials for Fropa were taken to the Speaker’s ward. At Apoi community, the Speaker’s aides hijacked election materials.”

But Benson said since his home was not a polling unit, it could not have been used for thumb-printing ballot papers.

“To the best of my knowledge, the election went on well till the point of collation,” he said.

Ibori’s daughter wins in Delta From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

D

AUGHTER of ex-Delta State Governor James Ibori, Erhiatake, and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the Ethiope West seat in the House of Assembly.

She polled 32,700 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Edirin Ajueshi Ejidiran, who got 1,709 votes.

The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Ajogri Benedict, polled 1,429; APA candidate, Okpomo Sunday, got 11 votes and Egikpero Kingsley of the PPN, 14.

•Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Alliance for Democracy (AD) protesting the result of the April 11 Governorship and House of Assembly elections at Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State...yesterday.

PDP wins Cross River governorship poll

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has won the governorship and 23 of the 25 seats in the House of Assembly in last Saturday’s elections.

The results released yesterday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that PDP’s candidate, Ben Ayade, got 342,016 votes while Odey Ochicha of the All Progressives Party (APC) polled 53,983 votes. Fidelis Ugbo of the Labour Party got 36,918 votes.

Resident Electoral Com-

•Party gets 23 of 25 Assembly seats •APC candidate congratulates Ayade From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

missioner, Dr Sylvester Ezeani, said the two state constituencies, whose results were not ready were Yakurr 2 and Biase. He said elections could not hold in these places due to violence and snatching of election materials.

He said elections would hold here on Saturday.

Also, Cross River State All Progressives Congress

(APC) candidate, Mr. Odey Ochicha, has congratulated Prof. Ben Ayade on his victory.

In a statement yesterday in Calabar, the state capital, Ochicha said: “This morning (yesterday), I called on my opponent, the PDP governorship candidate and the winner of last Saturday’s governorship election, Prof.

Ben Ayade, to congratulate him on his victory. I praise him for fighting to the end

and winning the election.

“I advise that he be magnanimous in victory by carrying everybody along in his administration. Besides, I enjoin him to live up to the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the state.”

But APC State Chairman Pastor Usani Usani, yesterday called for the cancellation of the elections.

The party chairman alleged that the polls were rigged by the PDP in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.

INEC to conduct fresh poll in Edo constituency

T

HE Edo State Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the House of Assembly election for Orhionmwon II, which was inconclusive last Saturday, following violence, will be held on Saturday.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, yesterday addressed reporters in Benin, the state

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

capital, on the need for the rescheduled poll.

But he noted that the success recorded by the commission outweighed the challenges encountered during the elections.

Igini, who assured eligible voters in Orhionmwon II that their votes must count

in the rescheduled election, added that election would be conducted in the 12 units in the constituency with 4,813 registered voters.

He said: “Orhionmwon II was declared inconclusive because some polling unit results were cancelled or election not held on account of violence. Therefore, we were unable to make a return.

“The affected areas involved are 12 units in four registered areas (RAs). We have 4,813 voters in the affected polling units; it was on account of the fact that the margin of win of the leading candidate was far less to areas where we had 4,813.

On or by Saturday, INEC will be going back to Orhionmwon II to conduct the election.”

58

THE NATION TUESDAY APRIL 14, 2015

NEWS Bindow: I’ll be governor of Adamawa people •Atiku hails ‘historic victory’ From Barnabas Manyam and Blessing Olaifa, Yola

A

DAMAWA State Governor-elect Senator Bindow Jibrilla has spoken of his style–he will carry everybody along.

He said he would be governor of all, irrespective of religion, political and tribal affiliations.

Bindow, who addressed people at the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Yola, said: “I thank Adamawa people, particularly those who stood by us and elected us. I assure our people that I will be a governor of all, irrespective of tribe, religion or party affiliation.”

He extended his hand of fellowship to members of other parties “in order to move our state forward.”

The governor-elect said: “Let’s join hands and work together for the peace and progress of the state.”

He hailed President-elect Muhammadu Buhari for aiding his victory.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described Bindow’s victory as historic and a blow to the politics of ethno-religious sentiments.

Said he: “Today is a very historic day in the political evolution of our state. Today we are witnessing history in the making because we are about inaugurating an opposition party.

“This would not have been possible without the support of Nigerians, who yearned for change. We promised them change and not just change but a positive one.”

Atiku urged Bindow to make a difference in delivering the dividends of democracy.

He listed agriculture, healthcare, education and resettlement of internally- displaced persons as areas to be prioritised, saying he had discussed with President-elect Buhari on the need for a marshal plan for the Northeast.

One of the APC elders, Boss Mustapha, who prayed for a speedy turnaround for Boko Haram victims, urged unity among the people.

At the event were Atiku, Dr. Dahiru Bobbo, Mustapha, Senator Ahmed Barata, Dr. Jonathan Zwingina, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abba Jimeta, Senators Abdulaziz Murtala Nyako, Binta Masi Garba, Abubakar Moallahyidi, Alhaji Mijinyawa Kugama, Alhaji Abdulrazak Namdaz, among others.

Bindow emerged winner, as APC won in 22 of the 25 House of Assembly seats.

The Governor-elect, who polled 362,329 votes, defeated 11 other candidates with a wide margin.

Among them is the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who emerged a distant third, scoring 98,917votes, having lost the second position to the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP’s) candidate, Markus Gundiri, who got 181,806.

INEC declares polls inconclusive in Kogi HE Independent Na-

T

tional Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday declared inconclusive, elections in five federal constituencies in Kogi State.

It said polls did not hold in one.

INEC declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner in 12 constituencies and the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner in seven.

Areas where elections were declared inconclusive are Ajaokuta, Dekina, Igalamela-

From James Azania, Lokoja

Odolu, Lokoja II and Ofu. The commission said elections did not hold in Okura (Dekina II).

PDP won in Adavi, Bassa, Ibaji, Idah, Ijumu, Kabba/ Bunu, Ogori magongo, Okehi, Okene II (South), Omala, Yagba East and Yagba West.

APC was victorious in Ankpa I, Kogi Koton-Karfe, Lokoja I, Mopa Moro and Okene town.

Minister greets governor-elect From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

T

HE Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Boni Haruna, yesterday congratulated Adamawa State Governor-elect Senator Jubrila Bindow of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his victory.

The minister, hailing the peaceful conduct of the elections, praised stakeholders and the indigenes for comporting themselves before, during and after the polls.

He said they demonstrated the deepening of democracy and the maturity of the electorate, especially against political upheavals.

Ribadu, Modibbo hail Bindow

T

HE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and Dr. Ahmed Modibbo of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) have congratulated Governor-elect Jibrilla Mohammed Bindow on his victory.

From Blessing Olaifa and Barnabas Manyam, Yola

They wished him well as he prepared to meet the aspirations of the people.

Ribadu and Modibbo urged the people to support the Governor-elect to enable him face the challenges confronting the state.

Suspected thugs attack INEC’s office

S

USPECTED thugs yesterday attacked the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) office in Gembu, the headquarters of Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State.

They torched the home of the Secretary to the State

•SSG’s home torched From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

Government (SSG), Mr. Gebon Kataps. He, however, escaped.

Kataps said on the phone: “They have succeeded in burning down my house. As

I speak with you, they have set it ablaze.”

Kataps, a Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) chieftain alleged that trouble started after the collation of votes, which gave the All Progressives Congress

(APC) a little lead over the PDP, but not good enough to affect the results released by INEC, which placed PDP ahead.

Police spokesman Joseph Kwaji confirmed the incident.

He said they were investigating it.

•All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters celebrating the victory of the party’s governorship candidate, Alhaji Bello Abubakar, in Bauchi ...yesterday

I’ll fight corruption in Plateau, says Lalong

P

LATEAU State Governor-elect Simon Lalong has said he will fight corruption like President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

Lalong, a lawyer, spoke after he was declared the winner of last Saturday’s poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer polled 564,627 votes to defeat his closest rival, Senator Gyang Pwajok of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 520,913 votes.

He said: “The declaration of the results of the governor-

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

ship election today by INEC marks a significant milestone in our political and democratic journey as a people.

“The result tallies with the wishes and aspirations of the people, who yearned for change.

“I will not say this is my victory. This is our victory because we achieved this victory together.

“Our people really humbled me. I’m honoured to accept this mandate. I believe God, who started the journey on the Plateau, will lead us to the realisation of our vision and mission as a people.

“We must drive strength in our diversity even as we build the Plateau of our dream.

Peace building and even development will be one of our core values.

“To INEC and other stakeholders including the media, security agencies, civil society organisations and organised labour, I salute your courage and dexterity in upholding the tenets of your professions, which has contributed to the success of this election.

“To the indigenes, particularly youths, I cannot afford to lose you in the name of post-election celebrations, bearing in mind that there

should be no harassment of others, no intimidation and provocative statement against any person in the course of our celebrations.

“To my opponents, who stepped down along the way and to Senator Pwajok, who contested with me, I wish to congratulate you on your mature conduct during and after the campaigns. I extend to them my hand of fellowship in building a virile Plateau with a view to bequeathing a legacy for the younger generations.”

APC Chairman Mr. Latep Dabang thanked the people for reposing confidence in his party.

Suswam, PDP candidate Tarzoor congratulate Ortom

B

ENUE State Governor Gabriel Suswam has congratulated Governor- elect Samuel Ortom on his victory in last Saturday’s poll.

He said Ortom’s election was a reflection of the people’s wish, adding that in life the only permanent thing was change.

The governor said the outcome of the election was an opportunity for the state to progress.

He urged the indigenes to support the Governor-elect as they supported him.

Suswam advised Peoples

•’We ‘ll not contest result at tribunal’ From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) members and All Progressives Congress (APC’s) supporters to avoid hate speeches, vendetta and witch hunting.

The governor advised Ortom and his party to be magnanimous in victory and see the people as his own.

He assured the APC standard-bearer of putting in place a solid arrangement for a smooth transition.

Suswam said PDP would

PDP candidate hails Ganduje

K

ANO State Governor-elect Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday received a phone call from the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Malam Salihu Sagir Takai, congratulating him on his victory.

A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations to the Governor-elect, Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu, confirmed that Takai congratulated Ganduje.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

The PDP standard-bearer, who called Dr. Ganduje about 11:45am shortly after the official declaration of the results by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) collation officer, accepted the outcome of the election.

Ganduje not only appreciated Takai’s goodwill message, but he described it as a demonstration of exemplary statesmanship.

not contest the result at the tribunal, adding that there was no need to distract the Governor-elect “with unnecessary litigation.”

He advised him to unite Benue people.

Suswam and Ortom later held a closed-door meeting.

The details of the meeting were not made known to reporters at press time.

PDP’s governorship candidate Terhemen Tarzoor has congratulated the Governorelect on his victory.

He called Ortom on the phone, saying he aspired for the position to have the opportunity of contributing to the state’s development.

“But your election is an indication that Benue people have spoken.”

Tarzoor wished the Governor-elect a successful tenure.

Taraba election inconclusive HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday declared as “inconclusive”, the governorship election in Taraba State.

It ordered a rerun in some polling units in 30 days.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Darius Dickson Ishaku, won the poll in nine local governments with 317,198 votes. Aisha Alhassan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in six councils with 262,386 votes to emerge second.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Mohammed Kyari, said since the number of cancelled votes was more than the number of the difference in votes (margin) between PDP and APC, there was need to re-conduct the election in the affected areas.

INEC said it cancelled the polls in those areas because of irregularities and pockets of violence.

PDP won with a difference of 54,812 votes, while the number of the cancelled votes in the affected polling units amounted to 127,125 votes.

The commission said there would be rerun in Donga Local Government and some polling units in Chanchanji Ward in Takum “where votes were rejected.”

The rerun in Donga will be across its entire 165 polling units, which PDP claimed to have won.

T

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

59

NEWS GOVERNORSHIP AND HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS RESULTS

8th Senate: Senators bicker over ranking rule From left: Enugu State Governorelect, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Executive Chairman, Enugu Sports Club, Chief Obum Arum and the Vice Chairman, Chief Ben Etiaba, during a visit to the sports club in Enugu ...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Tension in Anambra over non-issuance of CTC results

T

HERE is tension in Anambra State, following the failure by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue certified true copies (CTCs) of results to failed candidates, two weeks after the National Assembly poll.

The Nation gathered yesterday that INEC’s Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, queried the Resident Elector-

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

al Commissioner (REC), Edwin Nwatalari.

Some candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) stormed INEC’s office to demand in vain for CTCs. INEC spokesperson Mr. Frank Egbo debunked allega-

tions that the commission was witch-hunting some candidates.

He said the issuance of CTC was on first-come, firstserve basis, adding that it was delayed because the workload was huge.

Egbo said the commission applied for additional hands from the National Headquarters.

“There is only one signa-

tory to the documents - the administrative secretary - as approved by the National Headquarters and from what is on ground, you can see that the work heavy for one person to handle.

“It is a tasking job for only one person because of the volume of work, so, it is not deliberate and INEC is not witch-hunting anybody please,” Egbo said.

Hoodlums go on the rampage in Imo

H

OODLUMS suspected to be hired by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, went on the rampage in Owerri, the Imo State capital, attacking supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and damaging vehicles and other property.

The thugs, who took over major streets in Owerri, forced passers-by and

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri commuters to chant antiOkorocha slogans.

At the headquarters of the Rochas Campaign Organisation, the hoodlums allegedly destroyed APC campaign buses and billboards, after they failed to enter the premises.

They carried placards with inscriptions, such as: “Ihedioha is our man”;

“Rochas must go”; “We don’t want APC in Imo”; “Say no to Moslem party”; among others and demanded cancellation of the governorship election.

Director of Media, Ihedioha Campaign Organisation Enyinna Onuegbu said they were not sponsored by the PDP as alleged, but were party sympathisers, protesting the electoral fraud committed by the

governor.

“The youth were protesting the massive rigging of the governorship election; they were not sponsored by the PDP. They want INEC to declare Ihedioha winner of the election,” Onuegbu said.

Police spokesperson Andrew Enwerem said the Police have advised them to remain calm until INEC declares the final result.

Cancelled Assembly poll fixed for April 25 in Anambra

T

HE Anambra State House of Assembly election result in Ekwusigo Local Government Area has been cancelled and elections rescheduled for April 25, Resident Electoral Commissioner Edwin Nwatarali said yesterday.

Nwatarali said the cancellation was as a result of irregularities, which marred the election.

It was gathered that supervising Polling officers may have been compromised by some politicians and businessmen.

Voting materials were

reportedly diverted to the Oraifite residence of a prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, whose younger brother is the PDP candidate.

A pressure group, the Ekwusigo Renewal Movement (ERM), alleged that each supervising Polling officer was given N50,000, with a promise for additional N150,000 if the PDP candidate was delivered.

The ERM also accused a leader of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) and a police com-

mander in Nnewi of collaboration in carrying out “the massive electoral heist”.

“They all invaded Ekwusigo with at least 100 soldiers, Naval and Police officers, as well as thugs to foist the PDP candidate on INEC to announce, having forcibly taken 32,000 of the 62,000 ballot papers to thumbprint,” the group said.

At a press conference yesterday, the movement praised President-elect Muhammadu Buhari for pledging that perpetrators of electoral violence

would be made to feel the full weight of the law.

“While pledging our unalloyed support, we would like to remind him of the need to punish not just electoral violence perpetrators, but also those who used INEC officials to subvert the will of the people.

“It is only by bringing all such lawless people to book will the integrity of the electoral process be respected by all and sundry. All election riggers are as dangerous as perpetrators of electoral violence,” the group said.

PDP calls for cancellation of Imo governorship election

T

HE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the cancellation of the results of the governorship election in Imo State.

Citing violence and large scale irregularities, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the election inconclusive.

Metuh said: “PDP demands cancellation of the election and conduct of a fresh election in Imo State.

“In Oru East, Electoral officials confessed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) members forced them to re-

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

write results. Some fake policemen, who were arrested, confessed that they were recruited by the APC. “In Ideato North and South, election did not take place but figures were allocated, forcing the people to demand a fresh election.

“The PDP cannot sit by and have results in its stronghold downplayed. We must observe the rules and stick to the tenets of democracy.

“Imo people want a change. If INEC refuses to cancel the election, it should go back to the old results where PDP was leading”.

S

ENATORS are debating whether to retain the controversial ranking rule of or do away with it.

This is coming ahead of the June 4 inauguration of the 8th Senate.

The rule gives preference to old or ranking senators in the composition of the Senate leadership.

Returning senators are insisting on retaining the rule.

But new Senators are kicking against it.

Some of the new senatorselect described the rule as “discriminatory and undemocratic.”

Findings showed that some of the senators-elect were already up in arms lobbying party leaders to pave the way for them to form part of the Senate leadership.

Following the emerging new dispensation in the upper chamber, it is not yet clear whether the rule will apply in the composition of the Senate principal officers.

But the outgoing Senate President David Mark’s leadership relied heavily on the rule.

A senator from the Northeast challenged the rule when it was applied to shut him out of the race for Senate Presidency.

The controversial Senate Standing Orders (as amended) states that any senator, who has been elected and has been reelected into the chamber, has preference over a member, who is newly elected into the chamber.

Chapter II (2) of the rules clears any ambiguity about the status of senators in the cham-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

ber.

Rule 2, on election of presiding and other officers, stipulates that in determining ranking, “the following order shall apply: (i) Senators returning based on number of times re-elected; (II) Senators who had been members of the House of Representatives; (iii) Senators elected as senators for the first time.”

The implication of the ranking rule is that only senators, who have been returned based on the number of times re-elected, are expected to form the leadership.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) senators with their simple majority in the chamber are expected to fill the following positions: Senate President; Deputy Senate President; Senate Majority Leader; Chief Whip; Deputy Majority Leader and Deputy Chief Whip.

The Northcentral and the Northeast senators are struggling to pick the Senate President slot while the Deputy Senate President position is expected to be filled by the Southwest geo-political zone.

It is not yet clear how the Southsouth and the Southeast slots in the Senate leadership will be filled because of absence of ranking senator from the two zones.

The Northwest geo-political zone with its array of ranking senators is expected to seamlessly fill the slot of Senate leader.

Accept election result, Elechi urges

E

BONYI State Governor Martin Elechi has urged the people to accept the results of last Saturday’s election.

He spoke yesterday at the Government House when the Governor-elect, Dave Umahi visited him.

Elechi urged Umahi not to allow external forces destroy the peace in the state even as he promised to support him.

Umahi promised to run an all-inclusive administration, adding that he would always consult stakeholders.

Present at the meeting were former Governor, Dr Sam Egwu; Commissioner of Police, Dikko Maigari; Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Chief Elias Mbam;

•Elechi From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

former Deputy Governor, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu; Amb. Frank Ogbuewu; Dr. Igwe Ajah-Nwachukwu; Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Chief Edward Nkweg; and other political bigwigs.

Jonathan mourns Tamuno

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the Tamuno family of Okrika and the people of Rivers State on the death of renowned historian, Prof. Tekena Tamuno.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Reuben Abati, in a statement yesterday, said: “The President joins them in mourning the first rate intellectual, academician and historian who stood out for many years as one of the very best of his generation.

“President Jonathan believes that the late Prof. Tamuno, who was also a seasoned administrator, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and notable public servant, will be long remembered and honoured for his very significant contributions to national development over several decades.”

The President said the nation owed the late professor “a huge debt of gratitude for his immense efforts in helping to document the history of the country’s foundation, growth and development for posterity”.

Jonathan urged family, friends, associates of Tamuno as well as generations of students, within and outside the country, “to also give thanks to God Almighty for his long and very fulfilled life of shining and enduring accomplishments.”

60

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

NEWS EU slams 2015 Nigerian elections Continued from page 4

night and in the following days, 14 were assessed as ‘bad’ and ‘very bad’. The first level of collation (at wards) appeared to be particularly problematic, with 8 out of 17 rated as “bad” or ‘very bad”.

Fisas said results in some cases did “not always arrive in sealed tamper-proof envelopes (in 12 centres not one of the results arrived sealed), results not always being displayed at the centers, mathematical errors, inconsistent checking of results, and some repeated alterations of result forms.”

According to him, “scrutiny appeared to be weak especially at the lower levels, with APC and PDP agents present only in 34 and 33 centers respectively and citizen observers only in 14 centers out of 43. In five centers visited, there were no agents or citizen observers present at all”.

The EU EOM observers did not find any evidence of systematic manipulation of results, but the available presidential results from Rivers State, however, “include only highly implausible data, such as zero rejected(invalid) ballots out of 25,174 ballots cast in Omuma Local Government Area (LGA), no difference between the number of accredited registrants and the number who actually voted in Emohua and Ogu/Bolo LGAs, and a 98% turnout in the Emohua LGA.” Such questionable data, Fisas said, warrants further investigation.

Commenting on other indicators of attempts to manipulate, the EU cited the findings of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), which stated that “turnout was inflated by at least 10 percent, with results adjusted in favour of PDP it doubted the collation in Akwa Ibom, Bayel-

sa, Delta and Rivers.”

The EU Election Observer Mission noted: “Some state representatives and candidates of the PDP and APC were seen to misuse incumbency. There were reported cases of abuse of state resources and also biased policing, as well as breaches of campaign regulations and inducement of voters. Intimidation of opponents and deployment of armed thugs reportedly occured in Rivers, Lagos, Kaduna, Ogun and Oyo states.”

Of particular concern to the EU was that religion, ethnic and sectional sentiments continued after the presidential election, including the threat of the Oba of Lagos to Igbo about perishing in the lagoon. The mission described the threats by some ex-militants and Ijaw youths in the Niger Delta as having increased the ethnic tension and sharp reactions in the social and public media.

The mission faulted INEC leadership at both national and state levels for failing to provide sufficient information on the evident problems that arose during the elections. “Thus, it is not clear in how many locations polling could not be completed for security reasons. However, during collation, it became evident that in most observed states, some polling unit results were cancelled or could not be cleared due to over-voting, vandalism or snatching of material,” the EU said.

The EU was worried that the “total number of registered voters in the declaration of the presidential election is, without any public explanation given, lower by 1.4 million than the total number of registered voters previously officially announced by INEC”.

The official presidential turn-

out figure provided the EU said “is calculated from this reduced number of registered voters and refers to turnout for accreditation rather than for voting. This is a significant difference, given that over 2.3 million of those that were accredited (7.3%) did not finally cast their ballot. The announced official turnout is thus 47.09 percent, with a total of 29,432,083 votes cast. This is reduction from the 39,469,484 votes reportedly cast in 2011.

The actual voter turnout (as opposed to accreditation turnout), calculated from the total number of registered voters officially announced by INEC on 13 January, is 42.76 percent.

Of the 80 observation of voting, Fisas revealed that “23 were negatively evaluated. In 12 sites, there was interference with polling officials’ work, mainly by party agents. In 23 sites, ballot boxes were not sealed. Ink was not checked at all in 37 sites visited and in 25 locations ink was not applied. In 20 sites, voters never marked their ballot in secret and in 16 locations group voting was observed.”

During closing, Fisas stated, essential checks were not consistently performed. According to him, “in nearly half the locations observed, unused ballots were not cancelled, counted or recorded as required. Similarly, counterfoils of used ballot papers were not generally counted, and basic reconciliation was not undertaken. In five sites visited, observers and agents were not able to observe counting without undue restrictions. In seven sites, PU results were not posted and in four, copies were not given to agents.

The Mission will be back to Nigeria in June with its final report on the elections.

Elections: APC wins 19 states as PDP takes seven Continued from page 4

Kebbi State Governor-elect is Senator Atiku Bagudu, who scored 477,376 votes to defeat PDP candidate Gen. Sarkin Bello, who scored 293,443 votes.

Former Minister of State for Education and PPD candidate Nyesom Wike was declared winner of the Rivers governorship elections.

INEC Returning Officer Prof.

Faraday Orumwense, said he polled 1,029,102 votes.

He said Dr. Dakuku Peterside, of the APC scored 124,896 votes.

LP candidate Tonye Princewill polled 10,142 votes.

Election in Emohua, one of the 23 local government areas, was cancelled, having been marred by violence, according to the INEC officer in charge of the area.

The result showed that the PDP won 25 seats in the House of Assembly elections.

The APC won a seat while the exercise was inconclusive in six constituencies.

INEC yesterday declared as “ i n c o n c l u s i v e ” , the governorship election in Taraba State.

The commission ordered a rerun in some polling units.

The candidate of the PDP Darius Dickson Ishaku won in nine local governments areas with 317,198 votes. Hajia Aisha Alhassan of the APC won six local government areas, scoring 262,386 votes.

The Returning Officer, Prof.

Mohammed Kyari, said since the number of cancelled votes was more than the number of the difference in votes (margin) between PDP and APC, there was need to reconduct the election in the affected areas.

Kyari said: “Since the number of the cancelled votes is more than the difference between the two leading parties, the election in Taraba State is therefore inconclusive.”

INEC said it cancelled the polls in those areas because of irregularities and pockets of violence.

The PDP is leading with 54,812 votes. The number of the cancelled votes in all the affected polling units is 127,125.

INEC said there would be rerun in Donga Local Government Area and some polling units in Chanchanji Ward in Takum “where votes were rejected”.

The rerun in Donga will hold across the entire 165 polling units, which the PDP earlier claimed to have won.

INEC also declared the Imo State governorship election inconclusive.

Returning Officer Prof. Oye Ibidapo- Obe, said APC candidate Rochas Okorocha is leading with 385,071 votes to his PDP rival Emeka Ihedioha with 306,142 votes.

According to the Returning Officer, the election was declared inconclusive because the total number of votes in areas where election could not hold was higher than the margin be-

tween the two leading candidates.

The APC candidate is ahead with 79,0529 votes. The number of votes in the affected areas is 144,715.

Prof. Ibidapo-Obe said the results could not be authenticated and a winner declared, until rerun election was held in the places were results were cancelled.

Then units are scattered across the state with the bulk in six Wards out of the 10 in Oru East local government area.

In Abia, PDP candidate Okezie Ikpeazu is leading with 248,459. APGA’s Dr Alex Otti has 165,406 votes. The election was declared inconclusive last night by Returning Officer Prof.

Benjamin Ozumba.

Prof Ozumba said there were 179,224 potential voters who wre accredited but could not vote due to various reasons including violence. He said the number is higher than the difference between the leading candidate and the second placed candidate. Ikpeazu is leading Otti with 83,053 votes.

Fayose: Anxiety in Ekiti over judgment Continued from page 4

One of the officials is said to be contacting prominent Yoruba leaders to help stem the growing opposition towards Fayose in the Southwest, especially in the event that the judgment goes in his favour. His reasons is that Fayose fought Jonathan’s cause.

A General was contacted directly by Fayose for his assistance, but his plea met with brick

wall, as the respected General turned him down.

Fayose reportedly sent emissaries to the National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying he plan to defect to the APC if he could assist him scale the Supreme Court hurdle.

The thinking, it was learnt, is that a rift exists between Fayemi and Asiwaju Tinubu.

World Bank projects drop Continued from page 4

mist said: “Large fiscal deficits and inefficient government spending remain sources of vulnerability for many countries of the region.

“It is urgent that these countries strengthen their fiscal positions

and fortify their resilience against external shocks.”

She said beyond macroeconomic policies, there was the need for structural reforms to ignite and sustain productivity growth in all sectors in the region.

61

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS Russia lifts ban on missile delivery to Iran

R

USSIA has lifted a ban on supplying Iran with a sophisticated air defence missile system, the Kremlin has said.

Delivery of the S-300s was cancelled in 2010 after the UN imposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.

But the Russian president gave the go-ahead after Tehran struck an interim deal with world powers to curb nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

Despite the sanctions, Russia and Iran have remained close allies.

The contract to deliver the system was heavily criticised

by Israel and the US, who feared it could be used to protect Iranian nuclear sites.

When it was cancelled, Iran filed a lawsuit seeking billions of dollars in damages.

Moscow said it had no choice but to annul the deal when the UN imposed sanctions, outlawing the sale of advanced weapons.

The Russian defence ministry said it was ready to supply the S-300 equipment “promptly”, an official there said, quoted by Interfax news agency.

Russia was one of six major world powers to reach an outline agreement with Iran over its nuclear programme.

The sides have set a 30 June deadline to reach a comprehensive deal.

Tough negotiations lie ahead, in particular on how and when to lift sanctions.

Taliban attack kills 18 Afghan soldiers; some beheaded

T

ALIBAN fighters swarmed over Afghan army posts in the country's northeast, killing at least 18 soldiers and beheading some in a major attack to mark the start of the country's summer fighting season, authorities said Monday.

The assault marks a grim first summer battle for Afghan forces, now fighting largely alone after the U.S. and NATO ended their combat mission in the country at the start of this year.

The attack in Badakhshan's Jurm district happened Friday, though officials only offered details about it days later as they pledged to investigate the apparent rout.

Some 250 Taliban fighters overran the posts, said Gul Mohammad Bidar, the province's deputy governor. Ahmad Nawid Froutan, a spokesman

for the provincial governor, said the attack killed 18 soldiers, with eight of their bodies beheaded. He said Afghan troops killed 19 Taliban fighters, eight of them foreigners, and that the insurgents fled after reinforcements arrived to the area.

The Defense Ministry said earlier Monday that the attack caused 30 soldiers to be "killed, wounded or become missing."

The ministry said it was conducting an investigation into the attack, which it said came from unspecified "neglect" by an army officer there. It said the fighters looted military equipment and set fire to vehicles it couldn't take.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and said they killed 49 soldiers. The Taliban often exaggerates their claims.

•The United States Consul General in Lagos, Jeffery J. Hawkins speaking recently at the confab.

U.S., Nigeria partner to battle bird flu

A

S on-going battle against bird flu (avian influenza) in some parts of the country continues, the United States Consul General in Lagos, Jeffery J. Hawkins has warned against the consumption of raw eggs.

The United States government, Hawkins said, is partnering Nigeria to curb the spread of the flu. According to him, “bio-security is both a national and global concern”, urging that poultry industry officials be vigilant and keep the “surveillance system operating smoothly”.

At a workshop in Ibadan, Oyo State, for poultry industry officials, the US Consul General said: “The United States is bringing supplies and training as part of our

By Evelyn Osagie contribution to fight bird flu; but we cannot do it alone. The ability of Nigeria to quickly detect and respond to avian influenza will be enhanced by the partnerships, platforms, and knowledge built over the past decade.”

The workshop was attended by over 160 participants from the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Health and the poultry sector. Supported United States Agency for International Development (USAID), it was held in response to the bird flu (avian influenza) outbreak in some part of the country. Participants were trained on how to control avian influenza.

Hawkins praised Nigeria’s

‘Kenya university killings fuel growing global trend of attacks on education’

T

HE international nonprofit organisation, Save the Children, has described the killings at a Kenyan university as “unjustified” and “horrifying”.

The organisation calling for the protection of children has raised alarm over the growing global trend of attacks on education.

An unknown number of masked gunmen had reportedly stormed a hostel at Garissa University in north-eastern Kenya last Thursday, taking a group of students’ hostage, kill-

By Evelyn Osagie

ing at least 15 people, including one pupil, and injuring at least 65 others.

Duncan Harvey, country director at Save the Children Kenya has said: “Today’s attacks are both unjustified and horrifying in equal measure.

The simple act of going to school or university is becoming increasingly perilous for young people across the world, with attacks on schools constantly on the rise. Every child has a right to education and the

sanctity of such institutions must be upheld. Schools and universities should be zones of peace where children can learn in safety.”

According to a statement, Save the Children is actively engaged in promoting theGuidelines, whose development involved consultation with military and humanitarian law experts from around the world, are based on existing obligations under the laws of war and examples of good practice. While they are aimed at protecting students and

teachers from the use of schools for military purposes, the organisation added that theGuidelines are designed to reduce the possibility of schools becoming legitimate targets for attack by encouraging achange in mentality towards the military use of schools and universities.

The organisation also noted that heavy gunfire and sporadic explosions continue to be heard in the area, with mobile network coverage around the university area currently switched off.

German Nobel laureate Guenter Grass dies at 87

G

UENTER GRASS, the Nobel-winning German writer who gave voice to the generation that came of age during the horrors of the Nazi era but later ran into controversy over his own World War II past and stance toward Israel, has died.

He was 87.

Matthias Wegener, spokesman for the Steidl publishing house, confirmed that Grass died yesterday morning in a Luebeck hospital.

Grass was lauded by Germans for helping to revive their culture in the aftermath of World War II, and giving voice and support to democratic discourse in the postwar nation.

“His literary legacy will stand next to that of Goethe,”

German Culture Minister Monika Gruetters said in a statement following the news of his death.

Yet Grass provoked the ire of many in 2006 when he revealed in his memoir “Skinning the Onion” that, as a teenager, he had served in the Waffen-SS, the combat arm of Adolf Hitler’s notorious paramilitary organization.

In 2012, Grass also drew sharp criticism at home and was declared persona non grata by Israel after publishing a prose poem, “What Must Be Said,” in which he criticized what he described as Western hypocrisy over Israel’s nuclear program and labeled the country a threat to “already fragile world peace” over its belligerent stance on Iran.

PHOTO: AP

A trained sculptor, Grass made his literary reputation with “The Tin Drum,” published in 1959. It was followed by “Cat and Mouse” and “Dog Years,” which made up what is called the Danzig Trilogy - after the town of his birth, now the Polish city of Gdansk.

Combining naturalistic detail with fantastical images, the trilogy captured the German reaction to the rise of Nazism, the horrors of the war and the guilt that lingered after Adolf Hitler’s defeat.

The book follows the life of a young boy in Danzig who is caught up in the political whirlwind of the Nazi rise to power and, in response, decides not to grow up. His toy drum becomes a symbol of this

refusal.

The books return again and again to Danzig, where Grass was born on Oct. 16, 1927, the son of a grocer.

In the trilogy, Grass drew partly on his own experience of military service and his captivity as a prisoner of war held by the Americans until 1946.

“The Tin Drum” became an overnight success - a fact that Grass told The Associated Press in 2009 surprised him. Asked to reflect why the book became so popular, he noted that it tackles one of the most daunting periods of German history by focusing on the minutiae in the lives of ordinary people.

Then he quipped: “Perhaps because it’s a good book.”

swift response in the past in containing the current outbreak bird flu, urging that prevention, detection, and containment remains the best methods of dealing with the spread of the flu. Although there have been no human cases in the recent outbreak, Hawkins urged Nigerians, to stay safe by cooking dairy foods thoroughly.

“The poultry industry is important to Nigeria and Nigerians. We love our chicken, and we should feel safe and assured when we enjoy our favorite chicken dishes…

I do not know if any of you normally eat raw chickens or

eggs. If you do, please do not do it now,” he said.

Since 2006, the US government, through USAID, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the US Department of Agriculture, has contributed approximately $1,750,000 in response to the bird flu outbreak in Nigeria. “USAID contributes $473 million a year to improve health and education, create jobs and improve public administration in Nigeria. USAID also has humanitarian programs providing emergency response in Nigeria’s northeast,” according to USAID.

62

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10

NO. 3184

‘For the sake of the democracy we are trying to build and also the credibility of Professor Attahiru Jega’s INEC, the result in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States should not stand’ WAHEED ODUSILE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

F

AR from confirming the claim of the incurably deluded spokesperson for Goodluck Jonathan’s doomed re-election campaign that his principal had conceded defeat out of patriotism rather than because he lost irredeemably, last weekend’s gubernatorial and state assembly elections show dramatically just how diminished, how washed-up the “biggest political party in Africa” has become.

One of its chieftains, who would later stand trial for criminal embezzlement (he was cleared by the courts) had declared that the PDP would rule Nigeria for 60 years “in the first instance.”

More recently, as she barged from one campaign stop to another, hurling coarse abuse at her husband’s opponents and inciting rented crowds to stone anyone demanding a change from the status quo, Dr Jonathan’s wife had stamped her ample personal authority on continuity: 60 years of PDP power, nothing less.

In the event, the PDP’s reign, which has drawn far more tears than cheers, is mercifully set to expire after just 16 years.

An obituary notice to that effect, a spoof on the standard Nigerian fare, has been doing the rounds. With due acknowledgement to its anonymous author and high praise for his or her creativity, I quote the epitaph in part: “With gratitude to God and total submission to the will of the Nigerian Electorate, we announce the death of our party, grand party and great-grand party, PDP, on March 30, 2015, after a prolonged illness from corruption, impunity, arrogance, bomb blasts, etc.

“Funeral services will be held on May 29, 2015, at Eagle Square, Abuja, at 10 a.m” To be sure, the reports of the PDP’s death are somewhat exaggerated. However, persuaded that it has served its time and now faces a bleak future, many of its hardiest denizens are bailing out as if it were a ship on which an outbreak of Ebola fever has just been confirmed. The PDP, they have now realised, with their own Iyiola Omisore, is nothing without the Presidency.

Sic transit gloria.

As things stand now, the APC has, in addition to winning the Presidency, racked up comfortable majorities in both houses of the National Assembly, and all the principal officers of that body will come from its ranks.

It also has some 20 gubernatorial chairs and the same number of state assemblies under its control.

Not bad for an opposition party that Dr Jonathan’s wife derided endlessly as an “expired drug”’ that has undergone so many name-changes that it might yet call itself “Ebola” — a party against which her hus-

RIPPLES

TUO, Falana to Buhari: FIGHT CORRUPTION TO A STANDSTILL

Yes, especially those TOLL GATES called CHECKPOINTS!

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

This defining moment

‘

The APC must not for a moment indulge in such hubris. Nothing stops the PDP from re-building itself into a strong and credible opposition party the way a decimated Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) under the dynamic and committed leadership of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had done before the merger that produced the APC •President-elect Buhari •Asiwaju Tinubu

band who was only last week being hailed as a statesman for merely doing the decent thing, re-launched a vile, divisive, moneydrenched campaign in a desperate but ultimately futile bid to supplant in Lagos, its stronghold.

Oba Rilwan Akiolu’s bellicose warning to the Igbo to vote for the APC gubernatorial candidate Akinwunmi Ambode or face the consequences may well have been his answer to Dr Jonathan’s dishonourable campaign. But that is no justification. Whatever happened to noblesse oblige?

Fears that Nigeria may become a one-party state, what with the rate at which members of the PDP are abandoning ship for the victorious APC bring to memory the aftermath of the 1983 general elections during which the NPN, inebriated with its stolen victories across Nigeria, declared that all other political parties had become “irrelevant.” Three months later, it was swept into oblivion by the military.

The APC must not for a moment indulge in such hubris. Nothing stops the PDP from re-building itself into a strong and credible

’

opposition party the way a decimated Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) under the dynamic and committed leadership of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had done before the merger that produced the APC For one thing, even in those geopolitical zones where it is weakest, the PDP still has some diehard supporters, witness its entrenchment in the South East and South South where the plucky Rochas Okorocha and the much-persecuted but resolute Chibuike Amaechi are the last men standing, its tenacious grip in Ondo, its close run in Lagos, and its comprehensive sweep in all the elections held in Ekiti in the past two weeks.

At his inauguration last July, Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose had in a speech that sounded as if it was an entry in the diary of a mad man, had vowed to drive the ACN not just out of Ekiti but out of Yoruba land and Nigeria.

A delusion, to be sure; but he seems to have succeeded in driving it out of Ekiti.

In the June 2014 election that returned Fayose to power after a previous outing remembered mainly for high scandal, arbitrariness, brazen corruption and sophomoric

HARDBALL

D

EAR reader, please permit Hardball to, this morning, indulge in Reuben Abati’s famous tautology, in the service of his presidential principal: negative triumphalism!

Ha, ase Jimi o tie le! Ha, so Jimi is not that tough!

For much of last week, it was virtual war, with the Olowo Eko, Oba Rilwan Akiolu fatwa; the Igbo taking the umbrage and threatening to vote Jimi Onye-Igbo to call the Oba’s bluff; the Yoruba, first all apologies; but later their own bout of defiance, almost telling the Igbo to go jump into the lagoon (no pun intended!); the Ambode All Progressives Congress (APC) camp in palpable panic, over what had promised an easy enough win, following the bandwagon of their presidential triumph but now becoming a tough call; and the Lagos Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), veteran and perpetual losers in such gubernatorial match-ups, clutching at a virtual gift from the gods to shake off the stupor of their crestfallen supporters, after their presidential loss!

Lagos, the state proud indigenes and residents love to call city-state, was quaking with electoral war and rumours of war! Jimi Agbaje himself, the PDP candidate, went virtually berserk, somewhat telling Igbo trad-

Ha, ase Jimi o tie le! ers at Trade Fair Complex Lagos to use their votes to drive APC into the Atlantic Ocean, in a savage and irreverent pun of the Akiolu lagoon warning! No paddy for jungle — on April 11, there would be war, war for the soul of Lagos, and the ultimate electoral determination of its rightful owners!

Since 1999, Mr. Agbaje has been the most formidable challenger to the Lagos progressive establishment. For one, it was a very dangerous juncture: a government handing over to another, not an incumbent seeking a second term. For another, with an ethnically and religiously divisive Jonathan Presidency, bent on driving in inter-ethnic and inter-religious wedges for costly partisan gains, it was the best PDP chance in ages. What is more? A party used to fielding political straw-(wo)men had cottoned on to a very credible candidate — who rather colourfully dubbed himself Jay-Kay (his initials) but whose APC opponents derided as Just Kidding!

But at the end, it was a damp squib, not flattering at all to the JK noise and seeming formidability on facebook and other social media outlets. Of the 20 officially recognised

stunts, he won a majority in every local government to defeat the incumbent, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

We now know, through damning documentary evidence produced by a competent witness, that the victory was procured, not by the so-called stomach infrastructure strategy, but by good old-fashioned skullduggery.

But the formula Fayose employed to deliver Ekiti to Jonathan in the presidential race, secure the election of three senators, six members of the House of Representatives and 26 members of the state assembly, all of whom he had personally handpicked, without challenge – how Fayose constituted Ekiti into a one-party state remains one the best-kept secrets of Nigerian politics.

Household per household, Ekiti is reputed to have the largest number of holders of advanced degrees not just in Nigeria but in all of Africa, and surely ranks high in the world league for that distinction, if it does not sit at the very top.

That a delinquent who parades his mother’s infirmity of the most intimate kind in the market square to score a cheap political point can hold them in thrall, pervert all they hold dear and block every recourse to justice and redress, is an affront and a standing rebuke to the learned and highly accomplished people of Ekiti, and the elders who won’t call him to order.

History will show that Fayose could not have done it without Dr Jonathan’s close collaboration or active connivance. But how will the Ekiti people explain this tragic turn in their history to their progeny?

To return to what lies ahead, at this defining moment: The task before the APC now is to transform a loose coalition into a focused governing party and translate slogan into actuality. It must deliver change – change that Nigerians can feel and see in their living conditions and in the lives of their children.

Not change that will occur in a nebulous future, like regular power supply, but change with an immediate impact.

It cannot be business as usual. Governance cannot be a jobs-for-the boys scheme. In this data-driven age, it cannot be an encounter of the unprepared with the unforeseen.

Public expectations are high. There is so much do, so much to fix.

During World War II, one American military unit had this as its motto: “The difficult task we do right away; the impossible takes a little longer.”

That is the spirit that should animate the APC as it prepares to take power and guide it throughout its rule.

This must not be another false dawn.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above local governments, JK won only in five, surrendering the remaining 15 to the APC candidate, Akin Ambode, who coined his own Ambo [We’re coming]; and whose delirious supporters, sensing victory as the results trickled in, broke into screams of “Ambo, ati de!” [“We were coming, but now we’re here!]

Though the winning margin was not a gulf, the spread was a rout — ase JK o tie le! Still, it ended as sport, as JK congratulated the winner, shortly before the official declaration of results.

Mr. Agbaje must have learnt some hard lessons from this bitterly fought electioneering, with hate campaign and ethnic baiting the central core of PDP’s strategy, even if the candidate himself, aside from a few blunders, sought to stick to issues.

But the Igbo-Yoruba confrontation, which drove the eventual result, hung on JK’s neck the rather dangerous title of Afonja of Lagos — as in the Afonja of Ilorin case, a toxic metaphor for a person who sides with strangers against his own people’s interest.

Now that the heat of election is gone, it is time for real reconciliation. JK may be a keen competitor, who went overboard in the heat of the moment. But he is a patriot, not a traitor. Lagos needs every useful pair of hands on deck.

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 08034505516. Editor Daily:08099365644, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14 Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790 WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO