THEWILL NEWSPAPER January 15, 2023

P olitics and men of God have never seen eye to eye in modern time. I say modern time because if you were to search the bible, kings—especially from Israel, were often men who carried the power of God, or often had priests or prophets as their advisors. From king Saul, to David, these kings were anointed—chosen by God, in some cases, and others by the people, but God was with them through prophets and priests (Prophets Nathaniel, Samuel, etc.).

And so it bewilders me to think that pastors dissuaded members of their congregation from running for political office. Thankfully, that is changing as more true Christians are now running for political positions with the blessing of their pastors or priests.

But one thing tends to keep them from being able to go past a certain stage in the game of politics— old tricks. I have always said politicians have certain tricks up their sleeve, which they pull when they need to and those tricks always disarm these Christian political aspirants, making them fall short of moving from stage to stage. I guess that’s why Jesus said people of the world are smarter than Christians.

Commenting on my question regarding why the current Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Osibanjo couldn’t go past a stage in his run for presidency, our cover personality, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo said, “That’s a tough one...I haven’t asked him. But from the sidelines, he probably underestimated the monetisation of politics in Nigeria… And it was politics as of old. They drew out all the tricks politicians know…”

I couldn’t agree more with that statement.

In my opinion, what these Christian politicians need to do is thoroughly study those old tricks and find a way to play the game such that it pleases God.

You must read this powerful interview with Pastor Ighodalo regarding how Nigerian politics plays a role in influencing us as citizens—from our parents down to children. It will give you a totally different viewpoint that you might or mightn’t agree with.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Onah Nwachukwu Editor, THEWILL DOWNTOWN @onahluciaa +2349088352246

Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

THEWILLNIGERIA THEWILLNG THEWILLNIGERIA

Tinubu, Atiku in Tight Race

For the 18 presidential candidates on the ballot for the February 25, 2023 election, clear forces are already at play to separate the pretenders from the contenders, 41 days to the election. Factors such as zoning, political stand of each state and geo-political zone, antecedents of the various presidential candidates, strength of parties, religion and ethnicity have become major determinants of the fate of the candidates according to THEWILL checks in this special presidential election projection series across the states of the federation.

How the 49. 5 million males, 44.4 million females, 37 million youths among the 93 million voters will follow this pattern is what THEWILL correspondents outlined in this week's long investigation. For now, the major contenders remain the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP). The campaign of Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has been struggling nationally and hasn’t gained traction outside the North West. In fact, with elections just 6 weeks away, the name Kwankwaso is not popular amongst eligible voters nationally.

THEWILL also projects that the candidates of the PDP and APC have a clear path to securing at least 25 percent of the votes cast in 24 states as mandated by the constitution including securing the plurality of votes to win the election. Both Tinubu and Atiku are locked in a close race, Tinubu

has an edge, according to our projection. From our findings, there are elements in the north who are hellbent on keeping power in the region. These forces who are sympathetic to Atiku's cause, are aggressively playing the ethnic card and mobilising their kinsmen across party lines to vote Atiku in the presidential race. The impact of this mobilisation on the race will become clearer as we

approach election day.

However, the candidate of the LP may fall short of the 25 percent requirement in at least 24 states, according to our checks and we also project that Obi is unlikely to poll the plurality of votes nationally on February 25, 2023. Because of these factors, we do not foresee a runoff.

AMOS ESELE WITH UKANDI ODEY, AMOS OWEI, BASSEY ANIEKAN, GEORGE MARTINS, SAMPSON UHUEGBE, SUNDAY OGBU, MAIMUNATU IBRAHIM & SEGUN AYINDE

JANUARY 15 - JANUARY 21, 2023

THEWILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnigeria.com

...Tinubu, Atiku in Tight Race

PDP’s Path to 25% in 24 States

Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara, Plateau, Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Jigawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi.

APC’s Path to 25% in 24 States

Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Kwara, Plateau, Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Bauchi, Yobe, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi.

LP’s Path to 25% in 24 States

Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna, FCT.

NORTH EAST: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe

The north-eastern zone comprises six states with a large Hausa and Fulani ethnic group co-existing with a sizable number of minority population, all governed by traditional habits and Muslim, Christian and animist religious beliefs. Borno state has Kanuris as majority.

Adamawa – PDP Projected to Win

Adamawa is a home state of the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and it is one of the states controlled by his party, the PDP,

The decision by former APC Governor, Bindow Jubrilla, to align forces with Atiku and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, has significantly improved the chances of the former vice president in Adamawa. He will handily win his home state.

Bauchi – PDP Projected to Win

The state is unique in the landscape of the North East because of its high number of ethnic minority groups, therefore, it’s always unpredictable to say which party has dominance, particularly between the two major political parties, APC and PDP.

Also, Bauchi natives and residents are famous for their progressive politics, particularly among the elite. They are fond of taking a collective decision to safeguard their interest.

Therefore, it is worth noting that Tinubu’s decision to pick Kashim Shettima as his running mate has upset calculations here as the Christian political leaders in the North East, especially the likes of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, have pitched their tents with the PDP. Besides, Senators from the state have defected to the PDP.

Considering this development and the incumbency factor - the state control under the control of the PDP - Atiku may defeat Tinubu with a wide margin. NNPP has a strong followership in Bauchi but it is yet to make a headway to be considered a major threat.

Borno - APC Projected to Win

Right from the beginning of the fourth republic in 1999, Borno state continues to remain in opposition to the PDP. It is currently an APC state. Several efforts by the PDP to govern the state have failed. Its presidential outings have also been woeful. PDP’s fate in the 2023 polls may have been sealed with the emergence of Senator Kashim Shettima as VP candidate of the APC.

Gombe – APC Projected to Win

The state is controlled by the APC. Now that warring Senator Danjuma Goje and the incumbent governor, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, have reconciled their differences, the atmosphere favours Tinubu to come tops on February 25 2023.

Gombe state was once a state controlled by the PDP when Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo governed the state, but for the presidential election, APC will be in the front, beating PDP to the second position in the upcoming presidential polls.

Taraba – PDP Projected to Win

Taraba State is a stronghold of Atiku Abubakar but rivalry exists between Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, a strong chieftain of the PDP and the incumbent governor, Darius Ishaku, so this poised a great setback to the party in the state.

Earlier in August 2022, the ‘Obidient Movement’

successfully conducted a million man march in Jalingo to the astonishment of many. Taraba, being a Christian dominated state, the factor of religion is paving the way for Peter Obi, who is trying to poach the votes of the ruling PDP in the state. This will adversely affect Atiku if Obi succeeds apart from the internal crisis rocking APC and PDP in the state.

PDP is projected to take this state despite the strong challenge from Obi.

Yobe – APC Projected to Win Yobe State is controlled by APC and it will continue to be so, simply because the opposition PDP in the state is very weak due to internal wrangling in conducting their affairs.

NORTHWEST: Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano

These seven states of the Northwest zones are populated mainly by Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups who are mainly Muslims, with other notable groups in places like southern Kaduna and Zuru in Kebbi States. The seven Northwest states are now a battleground between the governing APC party, which controls all but one state, and the opposition PDP and NNPP as the incumbency factor which may likely not matter.

As the zone with a large chunk of registered voters, APC, NNPP and PDP are in fierce battle for control and triumph.

According to a breakdown of registered voters published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, North-West zone leads with 22, 255, 562 out of 93, 469,088. South-West follows with 17, 958,966; NorthCentral has 15, 363,731; South-South has 14,440,714; North-East has 12,542,429 and South-East has 10, 907,606.

Kaduna – Too Close to Call, Leaning APC

The main attraction for LP, however, is that Kaduna is where VP candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmad, comes from.

Kaduna is one of the interesting states in northern Nigeria with diverse people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Besides, the southern part of the state has become a killing field owing to prolonged insecurity there as it is in Zamfara and Katsina states. These tormented people have made up their minds to revolt against the APC. The PDP, NNPP and LP are waiting in the wings to harvest the protest votes. At any rate, the outcome of the presidential election will be difficult to accurately project now because the three major parties of APC, PDP and NNPP are strong in the state.

Kebbi – APC Projected to Win

This state is one of the strongholds of the ruling APC, while the opposition parties are weaker in the state.

“

also projects that the candidates of the PDP and APC have a clear path to securing at least 25 percent of the votes cast in 24 states as mandated by the constitution including securing the plurality of votes to win the election. Both Tinubu and Atiku are locked in a close race, according to our projection

PDP and NNPP will compete for second and third in the February 2023 presidential election in the state.

Governor Atiku Bagudu, Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, has a firm grip of the state and may easily swing it in favour of Tinubu if the issue of religion and ethnicity does not rear its head in the coming weeks when the real alignments of forces would have crystalised before voting for the presidency. This makes it unrealistic to wish away an Atiku win here just yet.

Like in Zamfara, the PDP is weak because of the supremacy battle between former governor Adamu Aliero, who defected from APC to the PDP when he failed to get his former party’s ticket to return as Senator and Mallam Kabiru Turaki, erstwhile Minister of Special Duties.

Zamfara – Too Close to Call

This agrarian state is facing security challenges of banditry. Will this nemesis work against the ruling APC in the state?

The pillar of the PDP in the state is a former National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau, facing the APC front led by Governor Bello Matawalle, and APC war horses in the state, including ex-Governor Abdullaziz Yari and his former arch rival, Senator Kabiru Marafa.

PDP is currently facing an internal crisis as a result of the governorship primary that produced factional candidates. Zamfara is one of the four states in the zone bleeding from the negative impact of insecurity which may mar the outcome of the poll.

So, for now, this election is too close to call for the two rival parties, the APC and PDP, given the recent alarm raised by the Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, over the threat posed by insecurity to the conduct of the polls.

Kano

– Very Tight. Too Close to Call

The 2023 general election is not going to be business as usual in Kano state due to the emergence of many presidential candidates that have array of commanders in the epic centre of political activities in northern Nigeria.

The Bola Tinubu campaign crusade is being spearheaded by the ruling party in the state under watchful eyes of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who constantly bragged that the state will provide the highest vote for Mr Tinubu in the coming few weeks’ general election.

The APC being the party in control of the state has 44 local government areas and majority members of the state and National Assembly members who have devoted themselves to the movement under the watchful eyes of Governor Ganduje, who is the chief crusader of the party's presidential candidate in the state.

The APC Presidential candidate may likely get higher votes in Kano going by the number of political positions being influenced by the party in the state with three serving senatorial and ministerial niche, including other appointments by the President Muhammadu Buhari, who are indigenes of the state and may have influence in their various locations among the people of the state.

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, is not so popular among Kano voters compared with their familiarity with Tinubu, Atiku and Kwankwaso.

His popularity is mostly among the educated people and those living in an area populated by non-indigenes called Sabon Gari.

The Labour Party is not so strong and acceptable in the minds of typical voters in the 44 local government areas of the state, but political observers guess that the nonindigenes may likely support him with their votes.

Atiku, the former Vice President, is believed to be a household name among the electorate in the state, but his albatross is that he lacks foot soldiers who would work and ensure his victory in the February election.

Again, the in-fighting between the Aminu Wali faction and the Shehu Wada Sagagi faction of the PDP in the state will not help Atiku, as followers of the two groups are deeply polarised thus eroding the chances of the presidential candidate and the party itself in the forthcoming polls.

However, the defection of Senator Malam Ibrahim

THEWILL

www.thewillnigeria.com

...Tinubu, Atiku in Tight Race

Shekarau from the APC to the PDP could improve the stakes for Atiku as the former Governor of Kano State came in with large followership that might get thousands of votes for the PDP presidential candidate. Politicians like the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, will make the election for interesting for Atiku, while the former commissioner of Agriculture during the Kwankwaso administration, Hajia Baraka Sani, will attract more votes from the women side due to her resourcefulness and being a good mobiliser in the state.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is a well known name among the entire citizens of the state, because he served as the governor of the state for two terms and was also a senator for Kano Central senatorial district. Kwankwaso is the leader of the popular Kwankwasiyya Movement which has enabled him to retain control over a major part of the political elite in the state and his array of followers across the 44 local government areas, majority of whom consider him as messiah of the common man.

Analysts therefore believe that with the uncertainty attached to every election, Kano’s outcome will see Atiku, Tinubu and Kwankwaso splitting the votes, securing at least 25 percent of the total votes cast with a winner emerging with a marginal victory.

Katsina – APC Projected to Win

This home state of President Muhammadu Buhari and incumbency will work there, even though some APC big wigs and their supporters defected to the opposition PDP. With President Buhari now hitting the campaign trail to help Tinubu and the party’s candidates, especially in the north, the APC could keep Katsina in its column.

NNPP is also getting stronger in the state, but the majority of the votes we project would be shared between the APC and the PDP in the state, with the APC coming on tops.

Sokoto – PDP Projected to Win

The caliphate state is a PDP controlled state. The next few weeks’ election will be a tough one among the PDP, the APC and the NNPP. Incumbent governor Aminu Tambuwal, who is also the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, narrowly won the election for a second term. The major leaders of the APC in the state who did not defect with him to the PDP, still control a large part of the state. Even so, the PDP is projected to triumph over the APC.

Jigawa – PDP Projected to Win

The new world state is a state controlled by the APC but the 2023 Presidential election will be between the PDP and NNPP. The ruling APC will find it difficult to emerge in the forefront because of the economic hardship and lack of access to the government by the electorate.

NORTH CENTRAL STATES: Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau & (FCT)

This zone is characterised by its diversity of ethnicity and religion. This flexibility has allowed the LP to make some inroads in this zone, particularly in Plateau and Benue (as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja), where Christian religionists have been swayed by arguments against the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC.

Niger State – APC Projected to Win

The election is going to be purely between the ruling APC and the PDP. Atiku is very strong in the state but the incumbency factor may work against him in the coming election and make him take second place to Tinubu with the NNPP and LP coming third and fourth, respectively.

Benue – LP Projected to Win

The food basket of the country under the administration of the PDP is going to support the candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, who is very strong in the state against the APC candidate, Tinubu. The Labour Party however is in serious contention here.

In Benue state, one of the most celebrated candidates is Peter Obi of the LP who has made several visits as his part of his campaign, where he donated funds to the displaced.

From all indications, Obi has endeared himself to Benue indigenes and voters. In one of the outings, Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, one of the G-5 governors, declared that if he were not a member of the PDP, he would have led the Obi campaign across the country.

Just last week, Ortom commended former president

Olusegun Obasanjo for endorsing Obi’s candidacy. Checks within the state revealed that Obi is ahead of other presidential candidates and poised to win in Benue with at least 40 percent of vote cast, followed by Atiku, who has henchmen in the state like National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu; former Senate President, David Mark and former Governor, Gabriel Suswan.

For Tinubu, apart from consultation, he is yet to launch his campaign in the state. His decision to pick governorship candidate, Revd Fr Hyacinth Alia as his coordinator has brought apathy to APC leadership in the state.

Apart from when he visited the state for consultation, Kwankwaso and his party, NNPP, are hardly heard about in the state even with Professor Bem Angwe as the governorship candidate.

Kogi – APC Projected to Win

The election in this state is going to be between the APC with its incumbent governor, Yahaya Bello, holding forth and PDP, which still has some big wigs having governed the state for 16 years. The outcome may likely be in favour of Tinubu with PDP, LP and NNPP following in that order.

Nasarawa – Too Close to Call

This is the home state of the APC national chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu. It is also controlled by the APC. The APC, PDP and NNPP in that order, are in strong contention here that it is hard to say convincingly who will carry the day. Only the electorate will determine the outcome of the results in the state.

Kwara – Too close to call

It is a straight fight between forces loyal to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak of the APC and former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, of the PDP. Riddled by a two-year crisis fueled by supremacy battle between groups loyal to the governor and Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, which forced many members to defect to the Young Peoples Party, YYP and the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the state, the APC has lost some grounds to the PDP.

The Obi Volunteer Network, a group within the ‘Obidient Movement’ has been roaring in the state to the extent that Ilorin, the state capital, is one of the first in the country to have a giant Obi/Datti billboard located on Ibrahim Taiwo road. APC, PDP and LP are in contention in this state.

Plateau – Leaning LP

In Plateau State – which is the capital or melting pot of politics in the Middle Belt otherwise referred to as the North Central zone, the stakes are high just as the curve of voter enthusiasm and awareness are on the upward.

“

From our findings, there are elements in the north who are hellbent on keeping power in the region. These forces who are sympathetic to Atiku's course, are aggressively playing the ethnic card and mobilising their kinsmen across party lines to vote Atiku in the presidential race. The impact of this mobilisation on the race will become clearer as we approach election day

There is very little talk or consideration for the New Nigeria Peoples Party here because the race generally is being dominated by the trio of the PDP, the LP, and the APC.

In the build up to the elections next month, the opposition parties are waxing strong and enjoying rave reviews as the electorate consider them as veritable platforms to punish the ruling APC for subjecting Nigerians to the agony of bad governance and hopelessness for almost a decade.

Blighted by internal strife and strands of acrimony and lack of cohesion, the APC in the State is already being wished away, meaning it cannot harness any incumbency advantage. Realistic party members have admitted that the State APC is not on ground as it was in 2015 and 2019; and that this bad situation degenerated and worsened intra-party fraternity following the mismanagement of the details of Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign flag off in the State on November 9, last year.

Many in its rungs have departed the party, with a huge prospect that many more will leave just before the polls.

In spite of apparent revamp of the electoral value of the PDP in the state, and the amiable appeal and popular acceptability of its gubernatorial candidate, Caleb Mutfwang, Director General of the Party’s governorship campaign, Latep Dabang, said the LP is more a problem than the APC.

Haunted initially by the governorship ticket crisis, the LP got its electoral impetus refurbished by a court judgment last December which upheld Dr Patrick Dakum and Edward Pwajok as governorship and deputy governorship candidates respectively.

However, the PDP is well ahead, with the Labour Party braving to put up an impressive showing.

Although the records and history favour the PDP, a lot still has to be done, especially in the presidential election as there is a thickening preference by many to vote LP in the presidential, and vote the PDP in the governorship. Since 1999, the PDP has always won Plateau State in the presidential election.

For Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his APC, he is expected to poll at least 25 percent of the total ballot at the end of voting next month. Unlike the PDP and LP candidates, he is not popularly discussed in the state.

FCT - LP It is a dog fight here between PDP, which showed some strength recently with the Local Government Poll which it shared three apiece with the APC. But the religious factor has shown its face as the major Christian population, in response to the Muslim-Muslim ticket of APC, is said to be rooting for the LP candidate Obi. The PDP has always won the polls in the administrative center of power even when the incumbent president Buhari had achieved some nation-wide popularity close to the 2019 poll: Atiku won the election in the FCT with 259,997 votes against 152, 224 for Buhari. With Obi’s growing popularity, the poll here is too close to call for the three parties though the LP maintains an edge. But there is no gainsaying that the PDP, APC and LP would secure the minimum 25 per cent votes.

SOUTHWEST STATES: Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Osun.

This zone is dominated by Yorubas with a healthy mix of Christian, Muslim and indigenous religionist cohabiting with discerning politicians. Besides, the ‘son of the soil’ would count in many of the states, particularly in the four states controlled by the party. The APC is the ruling party in four of the six states Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo, while the PDP controls Oyo and Osun.

However, THEWILL projects that the PDP will do well in this region by securing at least 25 percent of the votes across the six states, while we project that the LP will get at least 25 percent of the votes cast in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo. The LP will struggle in Ekiti, Ondo and Osun States.

Ekiti – APC Projected to Win

The APC defeated the PDP with a wide margin and the incumbent governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, would combine with ex-governor Kayode Fayemi, to give Tinubu the lead here. The PDP is a divided house.

JANUARY 15 - JANUARY 21, 2023

THEWILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnigeria.com

...Tinubu, Atiku in Tight Race

Ondo – APC Projected to Win

Voting is likely to follow this pattern in Ondo, where the APC has governed the state for the past six years. But Atiku has always made a good showing here in previous polls. Can he repeat the feat on February 25, 2023? Highly unlikely.

Lagos – APC Projected to Win in Close Finish

The APC is the dominant political party in Lagos which Bola Tinubu, the candidate of the APC call his home state, which we project he will win in February. THEWILL however projects that the presidential election will be fiercely battled between Tinubu and Peter Obi of the Labour Party because of the cosmopolitan composition of the state where the message of a viable alternative finds easy receptivity. The PDP is projected to come third in the state.

Osun – Too Close to Call

THEWILL projects Osun State as too close to call because of the outcome of the last governorship election in the state which the then incumbent, Gboyega Oyetola of the APC lost to the PDP’s Ademola Adeleke despite Tinubu’s active participation in the poll to ensure Oyetola, his cousin retained the state. In fact, Tinubu, who is speculated to be originally from this state, committed a lot of resources and virtually relocated to the state for that election and still lost. Osun will be a state to watch with the APC and PDP securing at least 25 percent of the votes there.

Governor Adeleke, who appears to be very popular and traditional rulers have pledged their support for Atiku, whose first wife is Titi, an indigene of the state.

Oyo – APC Projected to Win

The move by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo, one of the G-5 governors to launch anti-Atiku campaign in Ibadan alongside his allies backfired when the crowd protested by heckling him and other G-5 governors at the campaign launch. In the 2019 poll, Atiku defeated Buhari in Oyo state, polling 366,592 to 365,229. With Tinubu, the case is expected to be different. The PDP is expected to get a good number of votes in the state.

Ogun – APC Projected to Win

This is a Tinubu territory, with all the chieftains of the APC, including Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Governor Dapo Abiodun, who have sunk their differences for the realisation of Tinubu's victory, making it hard for Atiku and Obi to make any significant headway.

Generally, in all the six states, the ‘son of the soil’ factor will work for Tinubu. His henchmen are very active and strategic in making sure he retains the southwest, his home front, as a launch pad to other parts of the country. Obi and Atiku would follow as coming second and third, respectively. NNPP is yet to make any significant road in the southwest.

SOUTH SOUTH STATES: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Delta, Rivers

The South-South is inhabited by ethnic minorities except Bayelsa which has a homogenous population composed of 95 per cent Ezon/Ijaw, holding Christian and indigenous religious beliefs. The PDP has dominated this zone for the past 23 years even with the recent defection of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River state to the APC. But the PDP’s dominance is being boldly challenged by Peter Obi and his ‘Obidient’ Movement

Cross River – Too Close to Call

In Cross River State, the three leading presidential candidates, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso have been making subtle moves to woo the electorate to their side.

While Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso have visited the state to engage the electorate, Atiku Abubakar is yet to visit the state but his associates have been engaging the electorate on his behalf.

As it stands, the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, seems to be well placed to win the state in next month's elections.

This is courtesy of the groundswell of people who have resolved to cue behind him based on his track record and the need to ensure the country gets it right.

Several associations in the state like Traders union, ASUU, professional associations, and students groups have been mobilising people to vote for Obi.

Another thing going for Obi within the state is that people are resolved to work for him as volunteers and even spend their hard earned resources to ensure he emerges as the next president.

This is not limited to the urban centres as in remote villages across the state, his support base is quite visible.

Though his popularity and strength has yet to be tested in the field, no politician in the state is taking him for granted.

Besides the Labour Party winning hearts and minds across the state, the crisis within the state chapter of the PDP is playing into the hands of the ‘Obidient Movement’.

The state chapter of the party has been divided between the Atiku Camp which is spearheaded by former governor of the state, Liyel Imoke alongside Senator Gershom Bassey with Professor Sandy Onor, the PDP governorship candidate in the state and a strong ally of Nyesom Wike, the Rivers State Governor, who has openly vowed to work for the defeat of Atiku in February.

Both camps have been holding separate rallies and there are fears they may undermine each other during the elections.

Though it governs the state, the APC does not stand on solid ground within the state as it concerns the presidential elections.

This is fuelled by the economic deprivations within the state which is attributable to incompetence by the national leadership as well as the spectacular failure of the incumbent governor of the state.

For the NNPP's Rabiu Kwankwaso, his support base revolves around the Hausa/Fulani settlements within the state as well as his Kwankwasiya movement which has a presence within the state. Yet he is yet to make the required impact to be considered any threat. THEWILL projects a tight race in Cross River between Atiku, Obi and Tinubu though Atiku may eke out a win at the end.

Edo – LP Projected to Win

What is true for Obi in Cross River is true may also play out in Edo State, where the ruling PDP is polarized by the power tussle between Governor Godwin Obaseki and Chief Dan Obi, PDP Vice Chairman, South-South. The ‘Obident Movement,’ is boldly on the ground selling the candidature of Obi/Datti candidacy so much so that Benin City, the state capital, is completely ‘Obidient.’ THEWILL projects that Atiku and Tinubu will poll at least 25 percent of the votes cast in the state.

Delta State – PDP Projected to Win in Close Finish This is the home state of the VP candidate of the PDP, and incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who is very unpopular in the state and fighting hard to stall an embarrassing defeat.

Delta is usually a slam dunk for the PDP but its 23 years dominance in the state is facing its fiercest challenge ever with the LP and Obidients looking to cause an upset in the presidential election and the APC laser focused on the governor’s mansion in the March guber poll. Okowa will heave a huge sigh of relief if he ekes a 40% win. The

LP and APC will easily poll 25 percent of the votes in the state.

Bayelsa – PDP Projected to Win

The duo of Governor Duoye Diri and his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson are deploying resources to ensure the PDP wins the presidential vote in the state, which had fallen to the APC in the last governorship election but for a late Supreme Court judgment which disqualified the APC and awarded victory to the PDP. The APC and the vibrant LP/‘Obidient Movement’ in the state will secure at least 25 percent of the votes though THEWILL projects Atiku will win.

Rivers – LP Projected to Win in Close Finish

Though he is yet to openly declare his preferential candidate, Governor Nyesom Wike, who leads an antiAtiku G-5 camp of governors is doing all he can to stall an Atiku win in this state where the PDP usually does very well. Because of the division in the party, the LP and the ‘Obidient Movement’ have gained a lot of sympathy and pushed Obi as the leading candidate in the state at least at this time. THEWILL projects that Atiku will poll at least 25 percent of the votes.

Akwa Ibom – PDP Projected to Win in Close Finish

This is a solid PDP state because of the exceptional performances of all the PDP Governors -Victor Attah, Godswill Akpabio and Udom Emmanuel - who have governed the state since this republic. The LP is however very popular in this state with the ‘Obident Movement’ aggressively knocking and rocking the state. Obi’s wife, Margaret, comes from the state, a sentiment that has added pep to the reception of Obi in the state. Atiku and Obi are in solid contention for the state but THEWILL projects Atiku to emerge victorious in a tight contest.

SOUTHEAST: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo

Igbos are the major ethnic group in the southeast zone. They are republican in nature and mainly Christians with a sprinkling of indigenous religious believers. The ethnic sentiments, propelled by wide spread support for Peter Obi's candidacy as a viable alternative to the stifling status quo coupled with the general clamour for power shift to the Southeast, has worked in his favour in the geopolitical zone.

Imo – LP Projected to Win

Supporters of the presidential candidates of the APC, PDP, and LP are convinced they will win the presidential election in the state.

However Imo is presently governed by the APC courtesy of a controversial Supreme Court ruling which awarded the governorship election to the APC. The PDP has a solid presence here by virtue of having governed the state longer than any other party.

Obi has however garnered more support from people in the State than candidates of the two major parties - the APC and PDP - even though Governor Hope Uzodinma and his predecessor, Emeka Ihedioha, are working hard for their principals, Tinubu and Atiku, respectively.

Anambra – LP Projected to Win

This is the home state of Obi, where he was governor for two terms. Like other candidates, the ‘son of the soil,’ would likely play in his favour in spite of the perceived opposition by Governor Charles Soludo and businessman, Arthur Eze.

Abia - LP Projected to Win

This state is governed by the PDP. The governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, is one of the feuding G-5 governors of his party. He is known to be ‘Obidient’. Obi will win with Atiku coming second and Tinubu and Kwankwaso far behind.

Enugu – LP Projected to Win

Like his Abia counterpart, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuany is one of the G-5 governors of the PDP, who is opposed to an Atiku win and is tacitly ‘Obidient’. LP is very popular in this state.

Ebonyi – LP Projected to Win

Three leading parties, APC, LP and the PDP are pulling their weights in this state that has an APC Governor in Dave Umahi. According to our survey, Obi appears to be the most popular of the candidates amongst registered voters despite the APC’s firm control of political power in the state.

However, the candidate of the LP may fall short of the 25 percent requirement in at least 24 states, according to our checks and we also project that Obi is unlikely to poll the plurality of votes nationally on February 25, 2023

Nigeria, Spain Deepen Partnership on Gas Development, Investments

Nigeria and Spain have expressed commitment to deepen bilateral relationship and partnership in investments and development of Nigerian gas resources for the global energy market.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, made this known in Abuja when he received Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Albarese, in the company of other top officials and investors from Spain.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bilateral meeting between Nigeria and Spain dwelt on Spain’s investment on security, technology and development of Nigerian gas resources.

According to the minister, Spain has been a partner and customer of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) company from inception.

Sylva, who described Spain as one of the first countries to visit in 2023,

said the visit could tell the importance of the relationship between the countries, adding that Nigeria required investments in the oil and gas sector, being the core of the economy.

He said the identified major investment companies and potential investors on the table, occasioned huge opportunities for Nigeria in view of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) already pitched the process of mini bid round.

“These are people that they would have ordinarily gone to meet in their country before any bid round, but in this case, the potential investors are here by themselves, so you can see why this meeting is very important.

“As a country, we need a lot of investments, we need Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Spain is one of the countries that we believe can give us a lot of that investment to help in development,” he said.

Supreme Court Sacks Obong of Calabar

Nigeria's apex court, the Supreme Court, has sacked the Obong of Calabar, Édidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, after years of legal tussle.

The judgment followed a suit, numbered, HC/102/2008, filed by a former Minister of Finance under late Gen Sani Abacha regime, Etubom Anthony Ani, and others.

Filed on their behalf by his lead counsel, Joe Agi (SAN), the plaintiffs had sued Otu and others in their capacities as members of the Etuboms’ Traditional Council for jettisoning the screening process of the Western Calabar.

A High Court of Cross River state, judgement of Justice Obojor A. Ogar, had sacked Abasi Otu as the Obong of

Calabar on January 30, 2012 in favour of Etubom Anthony Ani and jettisoned the Appeal Court judgement that was in favour of the deposed Obong.

However, the Obong and others challenged the High Court Judgement at the Appeal Court, Calabar and was again sacked by the court and a fresh election ordered.

But in a judgment written by Justice Amina Ahgid and read by Justice Akomaye Agim, the apex court on Friday, ordered the kingmakers and Traditional Rulers’ Council to immediately convoke a fresh selection process to produce another Obong of Calabar.

The court held that the fresh selection should be held in accordance with the 2002 Constitution of the palace.

ADC Presidential Candidate, Kachikwu, Tests Positive For COVID-19

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, on Friday, revealed that he had tested positive for coronavirus.

In a statement, Kachikwu said he has suspended campaign for the February 25 presidential election and would be isolating himself from all public events.

He called on Nigerians not to take the corona virus for granted as infection rates have risen rapidly all over the world in the last few weeks.

Kachikwu, therefore, appealed to the health sector to increase the testing and return to all necessary precautions that would help to control the spread of the virus.

”Nigerians must not let their guard down even though the Government has relaxed COVID rules. Our public health system can’t cope with the fallout of huge infection rates with attendant symptoms, especially at a time when our health care professionals are leaving the country in droves.

“We must increase testing and take all necessary precautions not to spread the virus. We must not allow political rallies to become COVID spreaders and reverse the gains made in combating the virus. We will survive the coronavirus if we all remain vigilant," he said.

I'll Establish Orange Processing Factory in Ushongo to Check Wastages - Uba

Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue state, Mr Titus Uba, has pledged to establish an orange processing factory in Ushongo Local Government Area of the state in order to check wastages of the produce in the area.

Uba, who is the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, told Ushongo people that he had worked with many orange companies in the country and having known their peculiar problem of wasted oranges in their communities, he would provide succour to them in that regard if he becomes the governor of the state in the 2023 election.

The governorship hopeful, who was on a campaign tour of the area, further explained that he will establish orange companies where no wastage would be recorded in the state while orange farmers would harvest value for their produce.

He urged Ushongo people to continue to support Senator Gabriel Suswam at the National Assembly so that he will continue to attract more democracy dividends to the constituency. He also commended Governor Samuel Ortom and Senator Suswam for their pragmatic leadership disposition by presenting him before the Ushongo people to see how healthy and fit he is to rule the state.

According to him, the sponsored speculations against his failing health, being perpetrated in the social media was the handiwork of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, was targeted at misleading unsuspecting members of the public and urged people to disregard it.

In his remarks, Benue State Governor, Ortom, charged the people of Ushongo to reject the APC and their candidates who are always bent on misinforming the general public that the Tiv people are killing themselves and not Fulani herdsmen.

Governor Ortom also called on the people to reject APC because of their bad intention to align with their collaborators in the state to take over Benue land if they return power in the forthcoming general elections.

Ushongo people, the governor noted are known for PDP when they were having one constituency and now that they are having Mata and Mbagwa constituencies and will wax stronger to ensure that Uba and all PDP candidates comes out victorious in the general election.

The Governor stated that his administration has prioritised the security of Benue citizens which the Ushongo people are not exception as manifested in the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality in their area.

Earlier, the Senator representing Benue North East Senatorial District, Suswam, described Ushongo as his home and promised not to abandon them.

Senator Suswam reminded Ushongo people that it was his effective representation at the National Assembly with their son, Bob Tyough, member, House of Representatives for Ushongo constituency capped with the unending support from Governor Samuel Ortom that led to the restoration of Mata constituency which was scrapped over the years.

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) receives the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on a thank you visit at the State House on January 13, 2023.

FROM GEORGE MARTINS, MAKURDI

POLITICS

INEC And PVCs' Distribution, Collection

BY AYO ESAN

The passion to participate in the forthcoming elections scheduled for February and March this year has made many Nigerians to register as voters. In fact, the last registration exercise witnessed an unprecedented improvement in numbers when compared to the past exercises.

Many Nigerians who have participated in the registration exercise are however currently facing hardship in the collection of their Permanent Voter Cards, (PVC).

INEC has warned that there will be no room for voting without PVC and this has made many people to show desperation in getting their cards ready before the poll kicks off in about six weeks.

Reports across the country indicate that many people are finding it difficult to obtain the PVC after initially going through the pain of registering their names. But with patience and perseverance, Nigerians are getting their PVCs especially with the extension offered by INEC for the collection at the ward level.

Across the country, the turnout of residents ranged from low, to moderate and high. The distribution was smooth in wards where the turnout was low but herculean in wards with high turnout of residents.

Many citizens, who trooped to their wards to collect their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, expressed fears that they may not be able to vote during next month’s presidential election and the state election in March this year.

To them, getting PVCs has become a tug of war. Most of them said they are not sure that they will get the cards.

They complained of the crowd as being too large. To them, though INEC has been telling people to go and collect their PVCs, it has not made it easy for people to do so.

Many have also expressed their frustration having gone to the Local Government for days without success.

In Lagos, some residents complained that the collection centres are too far from the places they registered and that having gone there more than two times and unable to collect the cards, they have already given up.

Others complained that INEC officials were not organized, accusing INEC of trying to disenfranchise people.

It was also gathered that those who could afford to pay, paid money to some agents who collect peoples’ slips and go inside to bring their cards. Some, who couldn’t pay, stayed outside the gate waiting endlessly.

Some, it was gathered, paid as high as N3000 while some paid more to collect their cards.

Another thing that played out according to the report is the issue of tribal sentiment as most of the people waiting endlessly were said to be non-indigenes.

But having followed the complaints of would-be voters and as a way of allowing more people to get their Voter Cards, INEC has extended the deadline for

the collection of PVCs until Sunday 29th January 2023.

The electoral umpire earlier fixed the collection deadline at Sunday, 22nd January, 2023.

The Commission said it is determined to ensure that registered voters have ample opportunity to collect their PVCs ahead of the forthcoming election.

“For this reason, the time-frame for the collection of PVCs is extended by eight days,” INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, said in a statement.

“Instead of ending on Sunday 22nd January 2023, the collection of PVCs will continue until Sunday 29th January 2023. At the moment, the period of collection is 9.00 am – 3.00 pm daily (including Saturdays and Sundays)”, he said.

He explained that the development signals “a consequential adjustment of the collection by location”.

He said collection at the Registration Area (Ward) level is extended by one a week from Monday 16th – Sunday 22nd January 2023 while collection at the Local Government level will resume on Monday 23rd and end on Sunday 29th January 2023

According to him, with reports of INEC officials extorting Nigerians at PVC collection centres, the Commission is launching an investigation into the allegations.

“Those found culpable will face disciplinary action and/or prosecution,” Okoye added.

“Similarly, the Commission is disturbed by allegations of discriminatory issuance of PVCs in some locations. This is against the law. All bonafide registrants are entitled to their PVCs and to use them to vote on Election Day in any part of the country where they are registered.

“Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) have

Across the country, the turnout of residents ranged from low, to moderate and high. The distribution was smooth in wards where the turnout was low but herculean in wards with high turnout of residents

“

POLITICS

been directed to ensure that no such practices occur nationwide and take immediate disciplinary action against violators”, Okoye further said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has announced that the voter register had increased to 93.5 million.

While giving the analysis of the preliminary register, Yakubu revealed that Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Rivers, Katsina and Oyo states have the highest number of registered voters.

A breakdown indicates that Lagos has 7.57 per cent; Kano, 6.34 per cent; Kaduna, 4.65 per cent; Rivers, 3.77 per cent; Katsina, 3.76 per cent and Oyo 3.51 per cent.

According to the preliminary voter register, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna and Rivers states lead with 7,075,192; 5,927,565; 4,345,469 and 3,532,990, respectively.

They are followed by Katsina with 3,519,260 and Oyo, with 3,275,045.

Further analysis also revealed that the North-West geopolitical zone, which comprises the seven states of Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Jigawa, with a total of 22.27m voters, has the highest number of registered voters.

As of the 2019 elections, the North-West had 20.15m voters. However, the data from INEC revealed that the zone got additional 2.12m voters during the recentlyconcluded continuous voter registration.

The South-West, which earlier had 16.29m voters as of 2019, now has 17.93m voters, having added a total of 1.64m newly-registered voters.

Following in third place is the South-South zone comprising Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Cross-River, Bayelsa, Edo and Delta states.

The number of registered voters in the zone has risen from 12.8m to 14.4m.

The North-Central, which is made up of Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Niger Kwara, and Plateau now has a total of 13.8m voters while the North- East which consists of Yobe, Borno, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe added 1.07m new voters to reach 12.5m.

The South-East, which is the smallest geopolitical zone, and consists of five states — Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, Anambra and Imo now has a total of 10.9m voters while the Federal Capital Territory increased from 1.3m to 1.5m registered voters.

The question on the lips of political analysts and watchers of political developments across the country is, how many of the cards announced by the electoral umpire will be collected before the election date?

So many people are not excited about the huge numbers of PVCs as announced by the INEC Chairman. The past experiences have shown that those who come out on election days are usually less than half of the registered voters.

Observers believe one of the reasons for this has been the inability of voters to collect the cards from INEC offices across the country.

With close to 20 million uncollected Permanent Voters Cards from 2011 and another over nine million new registrants between June 2021 and July 2022, Nigerians definitely deserve an effective way to ensure all eligible voters collect their cards and participate in the 2023 general elections.

INEC itself has continued to lament the low PVC collection across various states, which it said remains a major cause of concern and has been vociferous in pleading with Nigerians to strive to collect the cards.

It was gathered that there are about 1.7 million uncollected PVCs in Lagos State, about 500,000 uncollected cards in Abuja, while more than 160,000 people in Kogi State are said to have abandoned their

cards at the INEC offices in the state.

A review of the situation across the 36 states in recent times had also shown that the same scenario is playing out as many Nigerians have abandoned their PVC as they are scared of the rigour they will undergo to collect the cards..

The initial enthusiasm shown by Nigerians is diminishing as they are going through hardship in collecting the PVCs from INEC offices across the country.

One is not in doubt that the attacks on INEC facilities in some parts of the country has not helped the preparation for the elections with over 50 offices attacked in the last three years most especially in the South East.

To quicken the process of collecting the cards, INEC started distributing the cards at the Ward level. But it was still clumsy in many areas.

Many electorate are already giving up on the collection of the PVCs even with the extension of the deadline last Thursday.

While many Nigerians have commended the INEC for the extension of the period for the collection of PVCs, there is also the need for the electoral umpire to ensure a seamless process of collection.

INEC should know that the citizen’s participation in election is essential in a democracy and so should do all within its power to ensure that all cards are collected by the owners.

“There is no doubt that INEC has in recent times

harnessed the use of innovative technology to promote transparency and ensure efficiency in its process. With comprehensive data of registered voters and PVCs printed, the commission with support of CSOs can develop a strategic standard of operation to make the process easier and faster.

“This intentionality will first enable the accurate identification of eligible voters whose PVCs are laying at INEC office via their names, phone numbers, email and location right from 2011 till date.

“In this vein, a bulk email or Short Message Service (SMS) can be sent to potential voters who are yet to collect their PVCs with information like local government, wards or address of where they could collect their cards.

“Although the SMS is said to be deployed but this has to be decentralised to all locations and to every citizen who is yet to collect their PVCs right from 2011.

“This will no doubt go a long way first informing citizens that their cards are indeed ready for collection and the exact location where they can collect it while alleviating the challenges of endless visits to either the wrong locations or meeting unavailable PVCs”, a political commentator recently said.

Also speaking with THEWILL, the spokesperson of a Non Governmental Organisation, Citizens Forum, Comrade Joe Akpan, said INEC should be commended for the extension of the date for the collection of PVCs.

“The extension becomes necessary and we thank INEC for the extension. Aside the extension of the deadline, INEC needs to talk and monitor the activities of its officials to ensure that more people collect their cards and are able to participate in the coming elections.

“We also appeal to our citizens to take time to collect their PVCs as they must participate in choosing those who are to govern them for another four years from May this year. Steps should also be put to end unnecessary and illegal extortion being carried out in some collection centres in some parts of the country.

“We can see the commitment and determination of INEC to ensure that the elections are held as scheduled in the face of high levels of insecurity”, he said.

Will the extension of date for PVCs collection by INEC solve the problem being encountered in centres across the country, only time will tell.

Buhari Yakubu

“

INEC And PVCs' Distribution, Collection

POLITICS INTERVIEW

FG Must Provide Adequate Security For INEC Facilities – Ajomale

Chief Henry Oladele Ajomale is the former Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC). In this interview with AYO ESAN, he speaks on the prevaling insecurity in the country and how it may affect the coming elections. He also speaks on other issues as they affect the nation

Excerpts: Ajomale

INECChairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, recently warned that if the spate of insecurity in the country continues unabated, it may affect the conduct of this year’s election. What is your take on this? There has been general anxiety because of the security situation in the country. Many Nigerians are worried about the nefarious activities of kidnappers, bandits, and other criminals terrorizing the country but I think, things are a bit better now, and it is my hope that the situation will get better before the polls.

The federal government has been taking some actions that have ensured that things are getting better. Although we are not yet out of the woods, I’m optimistic that the situation will get better. During the Yuletide period, a lot of people travelled home by road to celebrate with their families and loved ones, and this was not something that could be done about a year ago. That’s to show that we are getting some positive results in the battle against these criminals.

This is to show us that the situation is better than what it used to be. We can’t say that we are yet there 90% in the battle against insurgents but things have improved dramatically within the last six or seven months.

This insecurity challenge is not only peculiar to Nigeria, it is everywhere. Look at the Sahel region, in Chad, Burkina-Faso, and a host of other countries in that region, insurgents are making life difficult for the people. Some of these countries even have to look for foreign assistance to combat the threats posed by these terrorists. The economy of these nations have also been affected just as it has also affected our own here. It is not only here that we are facing this crisis. We should try to understand that what is happening is not peculiar to Nigeria.

But the federal government must find ways to solve the problem because one of the primary responsibilities of the government to the citizens is to provide security. As the elections are fast approaching, tension will be heightened, and this is why the federal government must step up the battle against the insurgents in order to reassure Nigerians that there is no cause for alarm. They must step up the present campaign against them. If

there is any need for the federal government to seek foreign assistance, and co-operation in order to get the desired results, they should not hesitate to do so. Nigerians should not entertain any fear about the elections. I believe that the federal government is up to the task.

How will you rate the chances of the presidential candidate of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu?

I have a strong conviction that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu still stands a shoulder above others. He has a track record. He performed very well when he was Lagos State governor between 1999 and 2007. He laid a solid foundation which other succeeding governors are building upon. He is the architect of modern Lagos, and it is due to the excellent work he did that Lagos state has become a role model for other states in the country. Other leading candidates are also qualified but of the whole lot I can vouch for Tinubu, and I believe that with his running mate, ex-governor Kashim Shettima, the two will be able to transform this country.

How will you assess INEC’s preparations for the coming elections?

INEC is doing very well, and I have no doubt that they will conduct free and fair elections. Again with the introduction of BVAS, it will be difficult for anybody to rig the elections. The introduction of BVAS is a coup against election riggers. It is a good step in the right direction as election results will be electronically transmitted. I know that some politicians have been calling for its reversal because BVAS will spoil business for them, and I believe that it is those politicians that want to rig the elections that are making such calls. But they should be ignored. BVAS will do us good for the polls, and I believe it is even too late now to be calling for its reversal.

We shouldn’t distract INEC from the good work it is presently doing. I will however like to appeal to the federal government to provide adequate security around INEC facilities across the country because we are gradually entering a crucial period towards the elections. President Buhari has promised Nigerians free and fair elections, and INEC has also given similar assurances, and I’m optimistic that they will keep to their words. I strongly believe that INEC will conduct the elections without fear

“

and favour, and not only that; I also believe that the elections will be free and fair.

The Lagos State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to defeat the APC in the gubernatorial election coming up in March . What is your reaction to that? That’s empty boast. PDP is dead in Lagos state. Lagosians have seen the light, and they will never want to go into darkness. Since 1999, that’s how PDP leaders have always been boasting but they have always been defeated, and this time around, it is not going to be different. APC will inflict a crushing defeat on PDP. To make matters worse for the party, PDP’s top leader in Lagos state, Bode George has vowed not to vote for the party’s candidate during the election. So who is going to mobilise votes for their candidate? The party is already divided before the polls while APC is waxing stronger by the day.

Not only that, Lagosians have been enjoying the dividends of democracy under APC since 1999, and the transformations taking place under APCled governments are visible for all to see. PDP only exists in name in Lagos state as the party is already dead, and buried. Under APC, Lagos is working, and not only that, unique revolutionary changes which are having positive changes in the lives of Lagosians are taking place, and Lagosians are happy with the government, so why are they going to vote for a party that is non-existent and that is already extinct? PDP is dead, and it can never resurrect again in Lagos.

I will however like to appeal to the federal government to provide adequate security around INEC facilities across the country because we are gradually entering a crucial period towards the elections

www.thewillnigeria.com

EDITORIAL

Ensuring Peaceful General Elections in Nigeria

The reassurance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), last week, that it was fully ready and well-prepared for the 2023 General Elections is a welcome development. The reassurance came after the initial fears raised on the possibility of a shift, cancellation or postponement of the polls based on the present situation in some parts of the country, mainly the prevailing insecurity, especially in the South East.

The Federal Government had responded to the ''distress call'' by INEC with a prompt affirmation that it would ensure that the elections are conducted under a free and safe atmosphere. Maintaining that there was no cause for alarm, the Federal Government assured that the elections would go on as scheduled, starting with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled to hold on February 25, 2023.

About a month ago, President Muhammadu Buhari had also affirmed that INEC had no reason not to be ready for the General Elections as he had met all the requests of the nation's electoral umpire and was ready to leave a legacy of free and credible elections in the country.

Without any iota of doubt, INEC has been resolute and determined in going ahead with the elections despite obvious challenges just as President Buhari appears ready to walk his talk . His recent political engagements and full participation in the campaigns of his party - the

All Progressives Congress (APC) - are clear indications that he is, indeed, preparing to hand over to the next leader.

INEC, on its part, has been battling with so many forces and frustrations, especially the various attacks on its offices and destruction of electoral materials in some parts of the country. Other challenges also include the threat by some elements not to allow elections to be held in their areas.

All these, coming just over a month to the General Elections, must have warranted the alarm raised on the possibility of the elections being shifted, cancelled or postponed.

However, it appears that the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, is equally undaunted by the mounting challenges as he remains focused on delivering free, fair and credible elections to Nigerians.

The conduct of the 2023 General Elections is a task that must be achieved, he seems to be telling Nigerians.

Prof. Yakubu's ability to deliver on his mandate is not in doubt as his excellent performance of his duties had earned him a second term in the exalted office thus beating his predecessors to the enviable record.

We therefore believe that INEC needs all our support at this point in time.

The electoral umpire appears to be running against time and is not leaving any stone unturned. Penultimate week, INEC stepped up its preparations for the polls by constituting committees for the National Situation Room and Collation Centre for the 2023 General Elections.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu, was appointed to head the Collaboration Secretariat

Committee as National chairman with the National Commissioner, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, as chairperson of the Situation Room Committee.

Only last week, the Commission announced the extension of the ongoing distribution and collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) at the wards level by a week to enable more Nigerians participate fully in the elections even as it released the total number of eligible and registered voters across the six geo-political zones of the country just to demonstrate its

readiness for the polls.

We believe that nothing could be more assuring than all these and we urge Nigerians to fully support the Commission as it prepares for the elections. We are also happy that the political campaigns have been going on peacefully across the country without attacks on political opponents as we used to experience. Nigerians, in general, must therefore be commended for the maturity being displayed in the countdown to the General Elections..

While not supporting the militarisation of the elections, we encourage the security personnel to be at alert to deal decisively with trouble makers. Recent security breaches in Anambra, Imo and Kogi States are simple pointers to what we might experience during the elections. Nigerians must be reminded that the political aspirations of any individual or group of individuals is not worth the blood of Nigerians.

Our politicians and political leaders must be responsible for their actions and inactions before, during and after the elections. Irresponsible political statements and subtle threats on the electorate as well as intimidation and harassment of opponents in order to woo them to their sides should be discouraged.

Nigerians must understand that there will always be life after the elections and, as such, must strive to ensure that the forthcoming general elections are not only peaceful but credible as well. All hands must therefore be on deck to ensure that the 2023 elections are conducted under a very peaceful atmosphere in order to ensure a smooth transition of power to the next set of leaders.

Nigeria Bureau: 36AA Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA, Ikeja. Lagos, Nigeria. info@thewillnigeria.com / @ THEWILLNG, +234 810 345 2286, +234 913 333 3888.

EDITOR: Olaolu Olusina @OLUSINA

opinion.letters@thewillnigeria.com]

Prof. Yakubu's ability to deliver on his mandate is not in doubt as his excellent performance of his duties had earned him a second term in the exalted office thus beating his predecessors to the enviable record. We therefore believe that INEC needs all our support at this point in time

Ooni of Ife: We Are All Fools

BY LEO IGWE

Astatement by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, declaring the lack of wisdom in the atheistic outlook has generated heated debates within the theistic and atheistic communities. Widely reported in the local media, this remark is an invitation to re-examine an allusion that Christians and other believers often make to justify their faith in the various deities.

At a Christian event over the weekend, Oba Adewusi acknowledged that Jesus Christ was "the Lord of Lords and a wonderful God, who turned his shame into celebrations".

He noted that it was a good thing to praise the Christian God, Jesus, and to appreciate him.

Then he started, “I observed where I started, hitherto, the Lord has helped me. It is clearly stated to me that the Lord is Alive.

"Fool is anyone that says there’s no God.”

Fool?

The statement has elicited reactions from atheists. Many atheists regard believers in the existence of God, like Oba Adewusi, as deluded and mistaken. Many view theism as an exercise in transcendental temptation, illusion, and imaginaries. Some think that as a royal father, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi should not have uttered such words. Some atheists are of the

idea that the Ooni of Ife is a father of all, and such remarks were irresponsible and unexpected of a man and his office because such utterances would only alienate some members, the atheist, irreligious, freethinking, and non-believing members of his community.

No doubt, that remark epitomizes royal rascality and recklessness.

Someone, who presides over a diverse community of god believers and nonbelievers should not make such declarations. But truth be told, the notion that those who do not believe in God, the Christian God, are fools is widely shared in religious and theistic communities and codified in sacred texts and traditions. Many Christians routinely make similar references to stress the wisdom in their Christian God belief and the lack, thereof, in non-belief.

It is important to note that the statement is not original to the Ooni of Ife. It is an adaptation of a verse in the Christian holy book, the Bible. Various versions exist in other sacred texts and formations. Psalm 14:1 says "The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.” Christians believe this declaration to be the word of God. Thus, as a matter of faith, lack of belief in God is equated with corruption, evil and abominable actions.

Now if one takes a critical look at the statement, a fool is merely a relative term that applies and could apply to all humans, to all believers and nonbelievers in a deity. Look, in this case, Oba Adewusi referred to those who said the Christian God did not exist as fools. And those who do not believe in the existence of the Christian God include other theists and atheists. Traditionalists do not believe in the existence of the Christian God. Christians do not believe in the existence of the traditionalists' God. So to traditionalists, Christians are fools. And to Christians, traditionalists are fools.

Hindus do not believe in the existence of the Christians God. Buddhists do not believe in the existence of the Christians God. Muslims do not believe in the existence of the Christians God. So, to Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims, Christians are fools; they are corrupt and evil.

Given the panoply of gods that people believe exist, worship, and venerate, all humans, including the Ooni of Ife, who do not believe in the existence of traditionalist, Hindu, and Muslim gods are fools.

So, in reference to god belief and unbelief, nobody is wise. Everybody is a fool. We are all fools.

•Leo Igwe is a board member of the Humanist Association of Nigeria.

Benedict XVI: Counting Our Losses

BY ABIODUN KOMOLAFE

On January 26, 1998, I authored an article, entitled ‘Lessons from the Dead’, in one of Nigeria’s foremost newspapers. In the piece, I attempted to eulogize the late Mother Theresa of Calcutta for her avowed commitment to the advancement of global development as well as her giving an everlasting face of honour to humanity. As a member of staff of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) later that year, I came to a striking realization that ‘Catholics are made, not born!’

As a writer and public affairs commentator and, much later, as a leading member of the production crew of ‘CSN News’, the official newsmagazine of the administrative headquarters of the Catholic Church in Nigeria, yours sincerely was able to read widely in a bid to know more about the Church and its leaders. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, then, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was one of them. In 2002, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of visiting the Cathedral Church of Our Dear Lady (Frauenkirche), Munich, Germany, which served as Ratzinger’s seat as Archbishop of Munich and Freising, between 1977 and 1982.

Indeed, one of the attributes of the Catholic Church is its ability to train its people. Well, the Church believes that one should always be at the top of one’s game. That’s why the institutional prowess of the Catholic Church is unparalleled all over the world. It is also the reason an institution like that can raise a pope like Benedict XVI. The Church is supportive of its members and adherents of the faith. It is also pro-intellectual like no other Church, and it is wealthy enough to see its projects anywhere on Planet Earth. That’s why we seldom have a wishy-washy man becoming pope.

The Catholic Church must actually be commended for the selection process of popes because enormous responsibility is placed on it to ensure that the right candidate is chosen. Ideally, the Church can afford no error! Ceteris paribus, it has fared better! So, raising a brilliant, charismatic and resourceful priest like Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is also a sign of the shrewdness of the process of the selection of popes.

To be sure, one of the shining attributes of leadership is an individual’s ability to thrive in untested waters – navigating roads that were hitherto never travelled and how specific leaders fared at the end of the day. Indeed, Pope Benedict has demonstrated to the world what the ideal profile should look like. He was a pragmatist; and, like former

President J.F. Kennedy, the Bishop of Rome and Sovereign of the Vatican State understood the huge responsibilities of power and its functions. Therefore, he would not stick to power for the sake of power. Instead, he carried power gingerly throughout his tenure. And, when it was time to let go, he didn’t need anybody to persuade him. He knew his health was failing and he decided to let go. Whereas other people would have been beating a wall with the hope of transforming it into a door, the pontiff opted for the path of honour. Even with the clergy in Africa, they wouldn’t have let go of that sweetness of power!

When Benedict resigned as pope on February 11, 2013, the world was taken aback while some people felt it was rare and unheard-of. Indeed, in the preserved historic account of the Church, only one pope had attempted such; and did resign, hundreds of years ago. Pope Benedict lived above his peers! He glossed through life with abundant grace and vitality because he has an understanding of the intricate details of life and the inevitability of death. Like King Hezekiah, whose resolutions were based on the convictions of his faith, the Holy Father was a man of uncommon courage and a sure symptom of manly tenderness who, until death, was developing. Unlike others, who’d never want to listen to the topic of death, Benedict XVI was able to speak truth to power and face any situation because he knew that he would be here only for a while; that he would one day take the exit route of life. And, by so doing - not living for the moment - he would surely live forever in the hearts of a lot of people.

Abraham Lincoln! Nelson Mandela! The tragic truth is that the world is fast losing its best with striking vengeance and opportunities for their replacement are waning with each passing day. Unfortunately, Africa is the worst hit! Therefore, welcome the African continent, where leadership positions are held in a ‘till-death-do-us-part’ fashion. In the African setting, it is considered normal for leaders to stay put in positions of power. The point is: in our clime, leaders don’t quit; they don’t resign; and they don’t retire! Of course, they are not even supposed to leave, courtesy of the alignment and accommodation found in the cultural contents of most African societies. Unlike Giovanni Martinelli, the Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli who, despite repeated threats to his life, preferred martyrdom to betraying his community, the story of leadership in Africa has been one of unutterable desolation, indescribable poverty and wanton destruction of innocent lives.

Let’s face it: leadership in the African setting doesn’t have the same root in cultural foundation as the rest of the world. In a continent where people with neither decency nor honour dictate the pace of affairs; where conspicuous underachievement and struggle for power crudely compete for space; of course, where poverty increases with the same proportion as the national budget, why won’t times and things get messed up? That’s why you have a leader like Paul Biya and Yoweri Museveni who will not want to go after spending 40 and 37 years in office respectively.

Nigeria’s case is even peculiarly worse! Here, the society and the social structures are ambivalent; and successive leaders understand this! That’s why they can afford to mess up in public office while the society debates the pros and cons of the alleged misdemeanour. To get out of this doctrinal mess, the Cultural Revolution and new orientation will have to start from scratch; that is, from the youths. The youths need to learn that, when they are in a position, they should do for their country because everyone has an expiry date!

Generally in Nigeria, the leadership and/or ownership structure and the preponderance of diverse denominations have actually divided the Church more than unite it. The personalisation of the ownership of the churches for pecuniary conveniences has made cohesion and control of the Church a difficult venture. Take for instance, a General Overseer (G.O.) somewhere may say something to his or her members and the leader of another denomination may be opposed to it! It is this lack of cohesion amongst the denominations that have made it easier for the political ‘King Kongs’ and socio-economic swallowers to factionalize the Church. If God is God and the same One, it is common logic that the doctrines coming from the denominations should not be different.

Undeniably, the Catholic Church and, indeed, the world, has lost a star; not only because the Successor to the Throne of Peter shined as a noble priest, but being someone who through his life and death has contributed significantly to the leadership and institutional attributes of the Church globally. May the generations of Pope Benedict XVI abound, even in the future!

May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, rest the soul of our beloved Pope Benedict XVI and comfort the Church he left behind!

•Komolafe wrote in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria (ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk)

Buhari’s Successor to Spend Tenure Fixing Refineries

BY SAM DIALA

Whoever emerges as Nigeria’s next leader in the presidential election scheduled for February 25, 2023, will spend the four-year tenure fixing the country’s ailing refineries. The refineries have remained comatose since President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was inaugurated in May 2015. Huge amounts of taxpayers’ money have been spent on them without results; and current contracts to rehabilitate the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna will overflow into the next seven years.

Aside from specific budgetary allocations for major projects such as the turn-around maintenance (TAM), the idle plants have remained a cesspool of money-guzzling. Enormous recurrent expenditure is incurred by them through personnel costs and overhead. Yet, the nation remains a net importer of petroleum products to meet its domestic demands with huge subsidies on petrol hitting over N4 trillion annually.

This possibly explains why many Nigerians were unamused by the recent disclosure from the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, that the rehabilitation of the 60,000 barrel per day (bpd) Port Harcourt refinery is being completed – to resume operations this first quarter of 2023.

The Managing Director/CEO, Taurus Oil & Gas Limited, Dr Nnaemeka Obiaraeri, said there is nothing to celebrate about rehabilitating a 60,000 bpd refinery after about eight years.

“This is their usual political abracadabra; 60,000 barrel per day refinery will barely give us four million litres of PMS per day. This is nothing compared to the over 38.5 million litres

Air Passenger Recovery Continues as Total Traffic Climbs 41% in Q4 2022

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR

There are great improvements in the passenger recovery trend in the global aviation industry as total traffic in November 2022 rose 41.3% compared to November 2021.

Total traffic is measured in revenue passenger kilometers

or (RPKs) as announced by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which confirmed recently that air travel recovery continued through November 2022.

According to IATA, which

Continues on page 33

we consume in a day in Nigeria”, the former staff member of NNPC said in a note to THEWILL.

An engineering and financial consultant, Ibilola Amao, said the news of the 60,000 bpd refinery in Port Harcourt “is not consistent with the reality” considering the scenario in the nation’s governance and the oil and gas industry today.

While giving an update on the Port Harcourt refinery during the Ministry of Petroleum Resources 2022 scorecard presentation in Abuja on January 9, 2022, Sylva shifted grounds: He claimed that the promise (originally) made was not to complete the rehabilitation of the refinery by May 2023 but that the fuel plant will be rehabilitated by the end of Q4 2022.

It is on record, however, that in September 2022, Sylva who spoke to Journalists after a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, assured Nigerians that the country’s biggest refinery would become functional by December 2022. The minister, this time, admitted that the timeline was no longer feasible, hence the adjustment in the programme.

“The promise was to start the fuel plant, which is the 60,000 bpd component of this activity by the last quarter of 2022, but it is not practical. So, we will start it off in the first quarter of 2023, otherwise every other process is going on,” NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, who accompanied Sylva during the briefing, stated.

Sylva, who concurred with Kyari that the refinery would begin

of the January 31, 2023 deadline for the old Naira notes to cease being legal tender, Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has stepped up the issuance of the new naira notes through its Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). To expand its awareness campaign, the Tier-I bank last week announced that Nigerians can now get the new Naira notes at its ATMs across the country.

a message to its customers on Sunday, the Alawuba

Continues on page 34

Buhari

AVIATION/ENERGY

Air Passenger Recovery Continues as Total Traffic Climbs by 41% in Q4 2022

Willie Walsh said “Traffic results in November reinforce that consumers are thoroughly enjoying the freedom to travel. Unfortunately, the reactions to China’s reopening of international travel in January reminds us that many governments are still playing science politics when it comes to COVID-19 and travel".

"Epidemiologists, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and others have said that the reintroduction of testing for travelers from China can do little to contain a virus that is already present around the world. And China’s objections to these policy measures are compromised by their own pre-departure testing requirements for people traveling to China.

“Governments should focus on using available tools to manage COVID-19 effectively—including improved therapeutics and vaccinations—rather than repeating policies that have failed time and again over the last three years", Walsh added.

At the international passenger market, Asia-Pacific airlines had a 373.9% rise in November traffic compared to November 2021, which was the strongest year-overyear rate among the regions.

Buhari’s Successor to Spend Tenure Fixing Refineries

Continued from page 32 work before March, explained that the government had continued to buy stakes in most privately owned refineries in the country because of the need to ensure the nation’s energy security.

For instance, Sylva disclosed that the Dangote Refinery in which the national oil company holds 20 per cent shares, Waltersmith where it has 30 per cent, and Duport where it holds 30 per cent, would come on stream this year.

But ground-shifting is the pattern of behaviour of the Petroleum Ministry and the NNPC Limited as several project timelines have not been achieved and, in some cases, ended in a confusion.

“

Walsh

represents some 300 airlines comprising 83% of global air traffic, globally, traffic is now at 75.3% of November 2019 levels while international traffic rose 85.2% versus November 2021.

The International aviation body further pointed out that the Asia-Pacific continued to report the strongest year-over-year results with all regions showing improvement compared to the prior year.

Explaining further, IATA stated that November 2022 international RPKs reached 73.7% of November 2019 levels, just as domestic traffic for November 2022 was up 3.4% compared to November 2021 with travel restrictions in China continuing to dampen the global result. Also total November 2022 domestic traffic was at 77.7% of the November 2019 level.

Commenting, Director General of IATA,

African airlines however, had an 83.5% rise in November RPKs versus a year ago. November 2022 capacity was up 48.4% and load factor climbed 14.2 percentage points to 74.3%, the lowest among REGIONS

African airlines however, had an 83.5% rise in November RPKs versus a year ago. November 2022 capacity was up 48.4% and load factor climbed 14.2 percentage points to 74.3%, the lowest among regions.

It would be recalled that total passenger traffic market shares for 2021 by region of carriers in terms of RPK were: Asia-Pacific 27.5%, Europe 25.0%, North America 32.6%, Middle East 6.6%, Latin America 6.5%, and Africa 1.9%.

On the other hand, data released for November 2022 global air cargo markets showed that demand softened as economic headwinds persist.

According to the report global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), fell 13.7% compared to November 2021.

Also Capacity (measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers, ACTK) was 1.9% below November 2021.

This was the second year-on-year contraction following the first last month (in October) since April 2022. International cargo capacity decreased 0.1% compared to November 2021.

Compared to pre-COVID-19 levels (November 2019), there was a smaller contraction in overall demand, while capacity was down 8.8%.

Explaining further Walsh said “Air cargo performance softened in November, the traditional peak season. Resilience in the face of economic uncertainties is demonstrated with demand being relatively stable on a month-to-month basis. But market signals are mixed.

“November presented several indicators with upside potential: oil prices stabilized, inflation slowed and there was a slight expansion in goods traded globally. But shrinking export orders globally and China’s rising COVID cases are cause for careful monitoring".

For the African market, IATA stated that "African airlines saw cargo volumes decrease by 6.3% in November 2022 compared to November 2021. This was an improvement in performance compared to the previous month. Capacity was 11.4% below November 2021 levels".

On August 3, 2022, Sylva, told Journalists that FEC had approved $1.48 billion for the rehabilitation of both Kaduna and Warri refineries. He added that 15 percent of the contract sum had been disbursed to the contractors: Saipem SPA, and Saipem Contracting Ltd to be executed in 3 phases across 77 months (over six years).

On October 27, 2022 (barely two months after), Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, in a statement, said President Muhammadu Buhari during his visit to Seoul, South Korea, expressed delight as he witnessed the signing of the MoU between NNPC and Daewoo Group on the rehabilitation of Kaduna and Warri refineries and constructing NLNG Train-7 project.

THEWILL contacted the NNPC spokesman, Garba Deen Muhammad, to clarify if this is a joint venture with Saipem SPA, but he did not respond.

An oil and gas expert who would not want his name published because of his closeness to those in authority, said “the whole thing is confusing and does not speak well of the Buhari Administration which is winding down in a couple of months. This ought to be properly explained to Nigerians. It will generate avoidable controversies like the others in the past.”

Similarly, FEC approval of $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery in March 2021 – six years into President Buhari Administration, triggered a wave of criticisms and opposition from several analysts and important stakeholders. Among those who vehemently opposed the idea was an investment banker and founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Mr Atedo Peterside, who was on the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) between 2010 and 2015.

“FG should halt $1.5 billion approval for repair of Port Harcourt refinery and subject this brazen & expensive adventure to an informed national debate. Many experts prefer that this refinery is sold ‘as is’ by BPE to

core-investors with proven capacity to repair it with their own funds,” Peterside posted on his twitter handle.

This followed an earlier query on his twitter handle: “In 2019, PH Refinery contributed zero revenue, but incurred costs of N47bn; almost N4bn a month! Instead of ending this nightmare through a #BPE core investor sale, #NNPC wants to enmesh Nigeria into a deeper financial mess by throwing $1.5bn (incl. debt) at a problem it created?”

The huge amount of money borrowed to fix the moribund refineries will add to the N77 trillion debt load that the Buhari Administration will transfer to Nigeria’s next leadership.

While speaking on an NTA programme on February 1, 2022, Sylava noted that he was hopeful that the Buhari regime would be able to complete 60 per cent of the repair of the two Port Harcourt refineries before leaving office while the ones at Warri and Kaduna would take much longer.

Sylva said, “We agreed from the very beginning that the completion date will overflow into the next administration but we agreed that there are milestones. We expect that by the end of this year, in Port Harcourt, we expect to achieve at least 60 per cent of the capacity production from Port Harcourt.

“We are hoping that by the end of next year (2023), the rehabilitation will have been completed. Warri and Kaduna started after Port Harcourt refineries and of course, it is going to progress at a slower pace

“But I believe that at the end of the year, all the refineries – Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna – will be operating at a certain capacity. I cannot tell you what capacity it will be operating by the time we leave but they will all be at least partially functional and we expect that since governance is a continuum, the next government will take up from wherever we stop and get it to the finishing line.”

The huge amount of money borrowed to fix the moribund refineries will add to the N77 trillion debt load that the Buhari Administration will transfer to Nigeria’s next leadership

www.thewillnigeria.com

Nigerian Breweries to Raise N20bn Through Commercial Paper

Nigerian Breweries Plc has launched a new phase of its N100 billion commercial paper programme, allowing the firm to raise N20 billion from investors.

The capital raise comes in three series of varying maturities: the first has a tenor of 91 days, the second 120 days and the third 154 days.

Typically unsecured, commercial papers provide corporations an opportunity to borrow from investors to meet shortterm financial obligations at a fixed interest rate.

Nigerian Breweries said the debt will cater for its “short-term funding needs.”

“The CP Programme continues to provide the opportunity for non-equity investors to invest in the company, support the company’s cost management initiatives and serve as an additional source of funding for the company,” it added.

UBA Steps up Payment of New Naira Notes Through ATMs

financial institution stressed that the withdrawal limit via this channel is N100,000.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had directed commercial banks in the country to stop giving the redesigned notes to customers via other-the-counter (OTC) but through ATMs.

Meanwhile, the cash withdrawal limit imposed by the CBN kicked off across the country on Monday, January 9, 2022, with Lagos residents expressing mixed reactions.

The apex bank had notified the public of its determination to strictly enforce the sluggish cashless policy which was introduced about a decade ago, but has not been implemented in the desired direction.

The process which followed the Naira redesign policy announced on October 26, 2022, have seen series of policy measures taken by the CBN to actualise the drive towards a far-reaching cashless policy.

THEWILL findings revealed that the chaos and confusion predicted by experts to follow the Naira redesign and cash withdrawal limit during the Christmas and New Year celebrations were not noticed in Lagos.

Although some banks had a large number

of customers in a sitting queue under the booths and extended balconies erected in the bank premises, the environment was devoid of chaos and confusion.

“It is the same size of customers we have on Mondays and you can see that everything is going normally. There is no chaos here and no need to create confusion because we have not seen the chaos that people predicted initially,” a female member of staff told THEWILL at the Dopemu Branch of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Agege, Lagos.

Many Automated Teller Machines (ATM) were seen dispensing both the new and old currencies yesterday (Monday) and today when THEWILL visited branches of Access Bank, First Bank, Keystone Bank, GT Bank, Polaris Bank, Zenith Bank, Sterling Bank, Union Bank and FCMB in the central business district of Akowonjo in the Alimosho local government area, popularly called “Roundabout”.

The National Assembly and many Nigerians had urged the central bank to extend the date by three or six months to allow people with the old N200, N500 and N1,000, especially in the rural areas, to have enough time to exchange them with the redesigned currency notes.

The apex bank maintains that no extension would be considered.

Access Holdings Reverses Move to Acquire Entire 83.4% Stake in Kenya’s Sidian Bank

Access Holdings Plc said it will no longer continue in its push to acquire the entire 83.4% shareholding held by Centum in Kenya’s Sidian Bank Ltd.

A corporate disclosure signed by Company Secretary Sunday Ekwochi said Access Bank remains committed to growing its franchise safely and soundly in Kenya.

Apparently, the completion of the proposed transaction was subject to fulfilment or waiver of certain conditions before the long stop date as defined in the transaction agreement.

But as the company explained, some of these conditions were not met because both parties were unable to reach an agreement on the set conditions.

Their failure to reach an agreement was despite the best effort of Kenyan regulators who provided support through engagements throughout the transaction negotiations.

The statement read in part: “Consequently, we hereby notify the Nigerian Exchange Ltd and the investing public that the Sidian acquisition will no longer be completed by the bank.

“The bank however remains committed to growing its franchise in a safe and sound manner in Kenya and the broader East African community and will continue to explore a variety of organic and inorganic opportunities to grow its market share therein,”.

AfCFTA: Ghana to Host Africa’s Business, Social Sector, Political Leaders

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR

Africa’s business, social sector and political leaders will be hosted between January 26 and January 28th, 2023 in Ghana at the maiden edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues.

The conference is under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

An initiative of the Africa Prosperity Network (APN), the Dialogue series are expected to bring Africa’s political and business leaders, as well as other thought leaders on Africa, together in the conference.

According to the organisers, the leaders are not only to brainstorm on the all-important single market project for the continent, but also to create an annual platform for the continent’s leaders to spearhead the collaborative implementation of the all-important Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.

"It is a recognition that, for it to work, there must be a shared ownership of the objectives of AfCFTA, particularly with businesses big and small, right from the onset", the organisers stated.

In recent times, global geopolitical issues have exposed Africa’s over-reliance on the global supply chain and natural resources export, and highlighted the imperative for Africa to seriously consider how to strengthen capacity for greater intra-Africa reliance and cushion herself against exogenous shocks from events beyond her control.

The Africa Prosperity Dialogues Series will incorporate the launching of various platforms for political, business and social sector leaders on the continent and in the Diaspora to think, plan and collaborate towards building a strong and effective single market of Africa’s 1.4 billion people, thereby, helping to create more opportunities for African citizens and build a more prosperous Africa.

Dubbed the “Kwahu Summit” because the concept was birthed at an APN retreat held at the renowned Rock City Resort in the Kwahu Mountains of eastern Ghana, the Dialogue Series will also help bring into sharp focus the continent’s critical challenges, outline its industrialisation priorities, and aggressively advance the required commercial and infrastructural interventions to achieve the goal of deepening inter-continental trade.

*Continues online at www. thewillnigeria.com *Continues online at www. thewillnigeria.com

In December, the brewer announced a proposal to issue about 2.1 billion ordinary shares to reward stockholders in the proportion of 1 new share for every 4 currently held.

It hopes to achieve that by setting aside over N1 billion from the share premium account, which had a balance of N77.5 billion as of the end of 2021.

Nigerian Breweries announced a revenue of N393.336 billion for the third quarter (nine months) ended 30 September 2022. The figure represents an increase of 27.2 percent from N309.22 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2021.

In a statement signed by the Company Secretary/Legal Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Uaboi Agbebaku, revenue growth in the quarter driven by pricing was however offset by higher input cost arising from increased rate of inflation and higher energy costs.

Analysis of the results revealed that cost of sales rose significantly by 20.2% from N198.75 billion in 2021 to N238.92 billion during the period under review in 2022. Marketing, Distribution, and Administration expenses also grew by 40.1% from N86.33 billion in 2021 to N120.95 billion in 2022.

Apart from volume and cost challenges which affected business performance negatively in Q3, 2022, there was increased pressure on consumer disposable income as well as heavy rains and flooding. Nevertheless, the Company performed relatively well in the period led by a strong premium portfolio of Heineken, Tiger and Desperados.

Despite the volume and cost challenges in the third quarter, the strong performance recorded in the first half of the year ensured that Operating Profit grew by 44% while Profit after Tax went up 80%.

The Board has therefore announced an interim dividend of N3.29 billion payable to shareholders at 40kobo each per ordinary share of 50k.

While being cautious about the development of input costs and consumer demand in the remaining period of 2022, the statement assured stakeholders that the Company is well positioned to take advantage of any upswing in the market and maintain its leadership position.

L-R: Vice President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Engr Leye Kupoluyi, FCA; Director General, LCCI, Dr. Chinyere Almona; President, LCCI, Asiwaju (Dr) Michael Olawale-Cole; Deputy President, Mr Gabriel Idahosa, FCA and Vice President, LCCI, Mr Gbenga Ismail, during the 2023 first quarter Press Conference on the state of the economy at Commerce House, Victoria Island Lagos on January 10, 2023.

Equities: Zenith Bank Emerges Most Active Stock

In the second trading week for the year, Zenith Bank emerged the most active stock for the second day running (January 12 and 13) with 20.3 million units of its shares worth N517.7 million traded in 337 deals. This was followed by other stocks in the Financial Services sector – GTCO, whose shares numbering 18.2 million and priced at N449.9 million exchanged hands in 363 transactions.

UBA had 17.1 million shares valued at N144.4 million traded in 268 deals. Sterling Bank traded 15.8 million shares estimated at N24.3 million in 93 transactions and Transcorp traded 11.7 million shares valued at N14.1 million in 76 deals.

Nigerian stocks jumped for the third straight trading session on Friday as investors bet more on shares, pushing the benchmark index close to its peak level since 20th July and up by 0.9 per cent compared to the previous session. The climb pivoted around investors’ interest in the shares of MTN Nigeria and a couple of bank stocks, with the number of advancing stocks trebling that of decliners.

Transaction volume improved by 3 per cent, while turnover depleted by as much as 67 per cent.

Market breadth, which measures the extent of investors’ sentiment towards trade, was positive as 36 gainers were reported compared to 12 losers.

The all-share index increased 463.6 basis points to 52,512.5, while market capitalisation increased to N28.6 trillion.

Year to date, the index is up 2.5 per cent.

Total was the most profitable stock, appreciating by 10 per cent to N212.3. Berger Paints went up by 10 per cent to N6.60. Linkage Assurance rose to N0.44, notching up 10 per cent. Thomas Wyatt added 9.6 per cent to end the trade at N1.48 while Prestige completed the top 5, climbing by 9.52 per cent to N0.46.

Lasaco was the worst-performing stock, dropping 10 per cent to close at N0.99. CWG shed 9.52 per cent to close

at N0.95. Linkage Assurance fell to N0.44, losing 10 per cent. Chellarams slumped to N1.34, recording 9.5 per cent depreciation while Royal Exchange closed at N0.91, going down by 7.14 per cent

Altogether, 217.2 million shares estimated at N2.6 billion were traded in 4,591 deals.

In its weekly report, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited said a total turnover of 1.286 billion shares worth N29.634 billion in 19,816 deals was traded last week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, in contrast to a total of 921.856 million shares valued at N27.154 billion that exchanged hands last week in 15,601 deals.

The Financial Services Industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 952.237 million shares valued at N9.728 billion traded in 9,647 deals; thus contributing 74.07% and 32.83% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Industrial Goods Industry followed with 92.864 million shares worth N8.510 billion in 1,682 deals.

The third place was the Conglomerates Industry, with a turnover of 54.568 million shares worth N96.654 million in 754 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely FBN Holdings Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, and Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 507.852 million shares worth N5.707 billion in 2,585 deals, contributing 39.50% and 19.26% to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The NGX All-Share Index and Market Capitalization appreciated by 2.52% to close the week at 52,512.48 and N28.602 trillion respectively. Similarly, all other indices finished higher with the exception of NGX Insurance and NGX

Growth indices which depreciated by 1.64% and 4.40% respectively, while the NGX ASeMand NGX Sovereign Bond indices closed flat.

Airtel Nigeria Obtains 5G Licence; Will Soon Commence Test-Run

Airtel Nigeria has received a greenlight from telecommunications sector umpire, the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC) to fortify its 4G offerings as well as deliver 5G services to its teeming subscribers in the country.

This is because the telco has paid US$316.7m(N143.02billion) to the Commission for 100 MHz of spectrum in the 3500MHz band for the deployment of 5G network and 2x5MHz of 2600MHz to bolster its fourth-generation(4G) footprint across the country.

Airtel stated this in an announcement dubbed ‘Nigeria 4G and 5G Spectrum Acquisition.’ Airtel tariff plans NIN 5G.

As per Airtel Nigeria, the additional spectrum will support its investments in network expansion for both mobile data and fixed wireless home broadband capability, including the 5G rollout.

The Chief Executive Officer at Airtel Africa, Segun Ogunsanya, said, “Nigeria is a market with enormous potential for future growth in mobile services.

“Investment in new technologies and local infrastructure to enable this growth is a strategic priority for the Group and will ensure we are able to provide reliable and affordable services to local communities across the country. 5G is critical to these ambitions, and we look forward to launching new services to drive further digitization across the country, facilitate economic progress and transform lives across Nigeria.”

By this development, Nigeria currently boasts three telcos having 5G licenses. In 2021, MTN Nigeria and Mafab Nigeria Communications Limited won two of the available lots of 100 MHz TDD slots of 3.5 GHz band, with Airtel narrowly missing out after a frenetic showing during the auction stage.

As at the time of this report, MTN Nigeria has launched its 5G network in Lagos(south west), Abuja(north central), Port Harcourt(south south), Ibadan(south west), Kano(north west), Owerri (south east), and Maiduguri(north east). Mafab Communications Limited is about now test running its network.

Anti-Monopoly Group Warns Against Cartel in Uganda’s Telecom Market

The Alliance Against Monopoly (AAM), a Pan-African anti-monopoly group has called upon regulators and lawmakers to nip in the bud, the “ugly monster of monopolies and duopolies that are slowly but surely choking the country’s ICT sector, stifling innovation and reversing the gains of the past two decades”.

Commenting about the recently released Uganda National IT Survey 2022 Report - a study by The National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U), that showed that the cost of access, was the single-largest inhibitor of internet connectivity for a majority of Ugandan businesses, households and individuals, Dr. Omife I. Omife, AAM’s Continental Advisory Director, said that it was incumbent upon legislators and regulators to move in fast and cut the monopolistic hydra, whose tentacles continue to block innovation and competition.

According to the NITA-U Report, householdlevel internet access is still severely limited, with 94% having no access at all across the country- with a wider urban-rural divide. 37% of households without access cited the cost of access being too high, while 48% cited the cost of the equipment being out of reach.

Amongst businesses, while the study showed that 55% had internet access, only one in every three businesses had a business website. Of the 44.7% of businesses that said they did not have access to the internet, the high cost of internet service was cited as the top-most reason (63.6%), followed by the high cost of internet equipment (58%).

“The cost of internet access remains a major challenge and this calls for collaborative action across both government and the private sector,” the NITA-U study concluded.

The NITA-U study also comes on the heels of another study, The Surfshark 2022 Digital Quality of Life Index that showed that Uganda is home to the second-most expensive internet in the world, after Ivory Coast. Uganda was ranked 116th out of 117 nations surveyed.

SurfShark, a Netherlands-based software company said on average, Ugandans must work an average of two weeks to afford the cheapest fixed broadband Internet bundle. The company also said that countries with the most expensive internet also tended to be the least stable with Uganda being ranked 110th out of 117 countries in internet stability.

“The 4th Industrial Revolution is here and has been here for a decade. This technological revolution that is fundamentally altering the way we live, work, relate and do business with each has connectivity to the internet as its core.

“The countries that invest significantly in affordable, stable and quality internet access for its population, especially the youths, educational institutions and its businesses will be strategically positioned to outpace their peers and emerge as the next powerhouses,” said Dr. Omife I. Omife.

He added, “Unfortunately for Uganda, this opportunity could be squandered or may be slowed down by an emerging profit-first monopoly by a few players, who are making it difficult for businesses, schools and households to have access to life-changing affordable internet.

“The internet, like other vital resources and infrastructure such as water, energy, healthcare, education and transport must be delicately protected, from the excesses of capitalism.

L-R: Non Executive Director, Royal Exchange General Insurance Company Limited, Mr. Adeyemo Adejumo; Company Secretary, Mrs. Sheila Ezeuko; Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr. Ike Chioke and new Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Ebele Nwachukwu, during the 2023 press briefing and introduction of Mrs Nwachukwu as the new CEO of Royal Exchange General Insurance Company Limited, in Lagos on January 9, 2023.

www.thewillnigeria.com

ECONOMY

Sustainable Consumption: Are Nigerians Waste Conscious?

BY TIMI OLUBIYI

The Yuletide has witnessed a significant consumption rate across the country in the consumer goods sector. On a larger scale, sachet usage has dominated the retail industry in many parts of Africa but more significantly in Nigeria, where the population is high, and there is a huge demand for consumer goods.

The level of plastic and sachet waste generation is extremely high, and we may have a big problem with that if this trend continues to increase without adequate regulation. Because sachet products, or single-serve packs as they are normally called in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, dominate the retail landscape, the surge in usage has been alarming.

In colloquial terms, the model is referred to as “sachetisation” which is known to have kicked off in Nigeria in the ’90s with the making of smaller sachets of drinking water (pure water) and Cowbell powdered milk by Promasidor. Then the idea was necessitated by innovation to penetrate the larger low- or no-income populace.

However, the idea was later met with intense and stiff competition. Today, the literature suggests that over 60 million units of pure water are consumed per day in Nigeria, along with loads of other sachet pack products. From take away food packs to carrier bags, drinks, cooking ingredients, and household cleaning products.

The sachet trend has continued to expand due to shrinking income levels, widespread hardship, and rising poverty amongst the populace. These undoubtedly have caused the growing adoption of sachet packs in the country recently. For companies, the tough operating environment, decrepit infrastructure, continuous inflation, porous borders, and waning bulk consumption have further heightened the need for the sachet model's adoption.

Both individuals and businesses are feeling the weight of the economic challenges, and over time, the disposable income of consumers continues to wane. Besides the consequences of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the economy in recent times continued to worsen the situation. They are majorly eroding the purchasing power of many individuals, households, and even companies.

The current economic situation has also made products and services more expensive nationwide. In fact, many manufacturing companies are witnessing reduced patronage of large items because not everyone can afford bulk purchase or regular packs, and consumers continue to look for cheaper alternatives.

So, “sachetisation” is a business strategy and an alternative to engaging customers continually in this trying time. The idea is to make products affordable to consumers, particularly the majority of daily income earners who constitute a large chunk of the country’s population.

Many companies at this time of high inflation and economic uncertainty have resolved to adopt the “sachetisation” model to give some of the poorest people in Nigeria easy access to everyday household essentials and for continuous patronage within the consumer goods space. Also, for the companies this time, it is a way to increase sales among the customers who cannot afford to buy in larger quantities.

Even though the sachet model saves wastage with portion control, it requires minimum packaging materials, less storage, low shipping and transportation cost, and most importantly, it is pocket friendly to the end-users. However, the painful truth and disclosure are that this trend is an indication of unsustainable consumption, income inequality, unaffordability, and the wide gap between the haves and have-nots, the dwindling economy, and a high level of poverty in the country.

Supportably, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in the “2019 Poverty and Inequality in Nigeria” report, highlights that 40 per cent of the total population, or almost 83 million people, live below the country’s poverty line. This figure even appears underestimated,

in my opinion, due to a lack of data on the extremely huge informal sector of the country.

However, these sachet products give the poor in the country access to everyday household essentials but compromise the sustainable consumption and the environment.

From observation, there is hardly any market-leading FMCG company in Nigeria that has not manufactured a single-serve pack (sachet-packed product) to capture the poor consumers. To buttress the adoption of this model, the various operators in the open markets in the country unknowingly practice the sachet model on perishables, vegetables, and foodstuffs freely.

All due to economic reasons and the waning purchasing power of the consumers. The regular essential consumables that are noticeable in sachet are milk, detergent, cooking oil, cereal, margarine, liquor, pepper mix (pepper, tomatoes and onions), toothpaste, sugar, tomato sauce, shampoo, cornflakes, seasoning/spices, biscuits, dishwashing liquid, shaving sticks, cereals, bleach, Lipton sachet with just two tea bags, diaper sachet with just two units, disinfectant and energy drink amongst others.

From the sampled opinion, this sachet trend is on the increase in a bid for companies to continue to increase market share, increase market penetration, and remain competitive. The important thing is that the trend is now becoming increasingly popular, and even choice brands are included in the growing wave.

This trend encourages quick sell and increases competitiveness in consumer goods, where affordability

is a big issue. Importantly, companies need to note that the population of the poor in the country continues to grow, indicating that those unwilling to flow with the sachet trend may be at risk of running out of business.

Considering the country's economic griefs, the trend is beneficial regarding patronage, sales, and business continuity. The sachet model is undoubtedly on the increase in the country, and it is currently a winning strategy to sell what a large percentage of the population can afford.

All said, the points raised above are not to completely justify “sachetisation” as a business strategy but also to implore the companies and government to promote measures to improve sustainable consumption, clean production, and circular economy to reduce multidimensional poverty- which may include food security, housing, health, education, and security which directly impact the wellbeing of the populace.

The big issue is that most plastic sachets are not currently being recycled and reused. Therefore, government sustainable development strategies and policies need to be heightened to involve waste management, environmental management, pollution, and recycling and socio-economic plans need to be in place to promote recycling and save the environment.

This should be a priority now. Therefore, key policies and measures to encourage proper waste management and recycling in the country should also be considered to avoid huge environmental pollution.

In conclusion, observation indicates “sachetisation” is now more like a necessity than an option in the country due to increased deprivation in myriad aspects of life. The country's telecommunications and some real estate companies are exploring the sachet model with various smart (sachet) pack products with daily payment options.

Above all, it is not even out of place to mention that just like these companies and the Fast-moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), the financial sector- banking, insurance, and investment management companies and even the Cable TV operators can ‘sachetised’ to make services more accessible and affordable for the masses. However, leveraging innovation, sustainable production, and technology will be of great significance to achieve this.

•Dr. Olubiyi is an Entrepreneurship & Business Management expert.

Even though the sachet model saves wastage with portion control, it requires minimum packaging materials, less storage, low shipping and transportation cost

“

JANUARY 15 - JANUARY 21, 2023

JANUARY 15 - JANUARY 21, 2023

THEWILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnigeria.com

THEWILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnigeria.com

Media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu speaks with THEWILL Shade Wesley-Metibogun on career, clocking 40 and sundry issues

I LEFT THE LEGAL PROFESSION AS I WASN'T MAKING ENOUGH MONEY – EBUKA OBI-UCHENDU

Howdoes it feel clocking 40?

It took me a while to accept it because it sounds like a very big number but I am living in my truth and being very happy and accepting that age is just a number. I feel great. It’s nice to have all these experiences and still be doing the work that you absolutely love. It’s great really, I am enjoying it.

What is the best thing about turning 40?

I don’t know. I am still enjoying myself, I am still being me. I am still doing great work, it doesn’t feel any different and I will still do more work in the future. It feels the same. I didn’t know that anything switched that day, except that my knees are now a little bit weak.

What exactly happened to your knee?

I don’t know but I have a history of arthritis in my family so let me blame that for it.

You look young for your age. Is there a secret to it?

I don’t know any secrets. I know that I have worked out for about 13 or 14 years. I am not working out to look muscular or be a body builder or to look as if I am going to the stage to perform. It is all about looking and feeling healthy. I have been working out since I was 26 years, I have been consistent with it since then for 13 years. Maybe that has helped out with the way I look. I am also a huge fan of water, many people think water is underrated. I also have a pretty healthy diet, I don’t take too many crazy things.

You’ve been the host of Big Brother Naija for a couple of years now. Is there something you are doing differently that has kept you on the show this long?

I don’t know about doing things differently but I guess when you are doing something good and you are doing it well enough, people will appreciate it. I am very honoured and privileged to be part of what I call the biggest show on the continent. You know that when Big Brother Naija is on, the country almost shuts down. It is testament to the fact that I am doing something good. There are other people who are doing great as well, I am sure if they have the opportunity, they would also put their best foot forward.

What do you enjoy most about hosting Big Brother? Being able to connect to people across the continent and even internationally now because we broadcasted across the United Kingdom in the last two seasons. And also watching these human beings evolve. When you watch these housemates going into the show and see how they turn out after the show, it’s always very fascinating for me and it is a testament to the fact that we all as human being enjoy watching people. Whether we like it or not or pretend that we don’t, we like to watch people. The reason the show is as big as it is, is because we like to watch human beings and we all have one or two housemates that we might identify with, that is why the show is relatable. You might say, if I were this housemate, I would have played my game this way or that way.

Have you ever had a favourite housemate who you really wish could win the show?

Of course, I am a human being. I always have a favourite every season but it is my job not to let that affect my work. I will be lying if I say I don’t have a favourite.

Has any of your favourite ever won the show? No comment. I once spoke about my favourite relationship, let me talk

Obi-Uchendu

about that. My favourite friendship in the last season was Bryan and Daniella, they were very good friends. It is often common to see a guy and a girl who are just friends who connect on that level without anything romantic. I really like that. It doesn’t mean they were my favourite housemates, I just enjoyed their level of friendship.

You also host 'Rubbing Mind' on Channels TV. Which among the personalities you have invited gave you the most pleasure?

I have had a few people that were interesting and one of the few that stands out is rapper and actor, Remilekun Khalid Safaru aka Reminisce. I always say that because I underrated his intelligence which is a very bad thing. He came on and he talked about a range of things. It was a testament to the fact that interviews are always a good thing. You know, you judge people based on their work and not necessarily understanding how their mind works. I sat down with him and I was just blown away at how smart the guy is which is why I enjoyed having him on the show.

When you turned 40, your wife said you know a bit about everything. How were you able to develop yourself to be this versatile?

I am an extremely curious person. I used to read a lot but I don’t read a lot anymore but I watch a lot of things on television. I watch everything, news, cartoons, movies, and documentaries, reality shows all with the same level of interest. And I think I just have a curious mind and love gathering information.

You are one of the best dressed media personalities. Where did you get your fashion sense from?

I have no idea. Nature, my parents, maybe. It’s something that has evolved over time and I just realized that how you present yourself is very important.

About your personal style, what comes to mind when you want to dress up?

Comfort is paramount to me. It doesn't sound interesting to people but that is what I go for. I need to be comfortable. I like when I am walking into somewhere I am confident in what I am wearing and people understand that I am not necessarily trying to be the centre of attraction, but at the same time, command the attention that matters. Ultimately, it's comfort that works for me.

You pioneered many colours not considered masculine, like yellow, pink, wine and red. Have you had people tell you certain colours you wear are not manly?

I didn't care. Who made the rules anyway? Women have always worn trousers but men can't wear skirts. It doesn't mean that I am going to wear skirts. But who decides who wears what colours. I believe there is a reason the colours exist. And I have never bothered about what people think about me. I wear what makes me happy and that is all.

You were not wearing earrings before, when did you pick up this trend?

I will say it's part of evolving. I turned 40 this year and I decided to start doing things that I wouldn't usually do. I know people say that I don't look my age.

I mean, if I don't do it now, I don't know when else I would. They say, life begins at 40. So basically, it's like my life has been reinvented now. It's just to do interesting things. Once in a while, I wear the earrings, other times, I don't.

Would you also blame it on the fact that you are mostly in showbiz?

Yes, but you would not see me wearing earrings on 'Rubbin Minds' for example. So, it depends on the circumstances or the event that I am hosting.

What are your expectations about the forthcoming Big Brother Titans?

I am looking forward to the interaction among housemates from the two countries and how they would comport themselves in the house. I also look forward to the viewer's reaction to it as well. It should be an interesting season to watch.

Do you think you would probably venture into acting in the near future?

I don’t think I am a good actor, that is why I have not involved myself in it. But let’s see, maybe in the future, I can take acting classes and try my hands on it.

You are a lawyer. What is happening to that certificate?

It's still there. I am an entertainment Lawyer. I got a Master’s Degree in Entertainment Law, which doesn't need me to go to court, so I do use it once in a while. I have worked with artistes in contracts. I have reviewed a few contracts here and there. With the kind of work that I do, the legal profession needs your full attention as well. So it is not something I can completely leave my work for, but it has been something that has been there. It's a certificate I worked very hard for. I have four certificates in Law and I don't intend on throwing them out anytime soon.

The law career and your career as reality television show host, which would you say gives you more money?

What I am doing now gives me more money. It's why I left law in the first place. When I tried practicing before and realised that my salary was not healthy enough, I had to leave it. Hopefully, I can make more money anytime I go back.

Which other thing do you have passion for?

I did play basketball when I was in secondary school but I don't know if I was good enough to make money from it, so I didn't try it out. I dreamt of being a pilot at one point in my life. I am presently doing what I love.

Obi-Uchendu

It doesn't look like respite is on the horizon for popular Instagram auto dealer, Adesuwa Ogiozee, more popularly known as Renee. Adesuwa, who has been under investigation and charged to court by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for alleged fraudrelated offences, has been denied a request to remove the electronic monitoring devices on her as a bond condition in her internet fraud

case. The United States District Court for the District of New Mexico denied her the request for failing to comply with the court’s order to provide her financial and employment information while on home detention. The court however stated that it would consider her renewed motion upon compliance with the court order and fixed February 5, 2024, as her trial date. Recall that Adesuwa was allegedly indicted in a federal court in New Mexico on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy as reported by THEWILL. She was allegedly indicted alongside her co-conspirators, Kayode Adeniyi, Olutayo Sunday Ogunlaja and two others. A grand jury had indicted them for alleged wire fraud, including scamming a female victim resident in Albuquerque, New Mexico and fraudulently dispossessing her of the sum of $560,000. FBI findings

allegedly indicated that Adesuwa moved more than $3 million in suspicious transactions through her American bank accounts between August 2016 and September 2017. She was initially arrested in September 2021 and on the 17th of the same month, she appeared in the Eastern District of Missouri and was released the same day on a $25,000 bond. To keep prying eyes from getting details of the fraud charges, Adesuwa allegedly got the charging documents sealed in New Mexico and St. Louis. However, one of her co-conspirators, Adeniyi, was sentenced to three and half years’ imprisonment by a US federal judge after he pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and fraud in connection with computers before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. Adesuwa has always maintained her innocence, denying ever participating in fraud and claims that she is being targeted because she is Nigerian. She added that she got into trouble after selling a car for $12,000 to a customer in 2016. She also claimed that she had been cleared of any charges of fraud. According to her, she cannot be said to be fraudulent, having sold over 2,000 cars with only one customer having issues with her. Adesuwa provides services to many Nigerians including celebrities via her various business concerns, such as Adesuwa Motors LLC, which she set up in 2014; Adesuwa Auto LLC, incorporated in 2016 and Renzee Logistics, established in 2017.

The Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi is presently crossing his 'Ts' and dotting his 'Is' in preparation for his 7th year coronation anniversary. The Oluwo who will be marking the anniversary with his third wife, Queen Firdaus Abdulahi, has a line-up of activities to mark the auspicious occasion. One of those activities includes a book launch. Scheduled to take place at Lagos Marriot Hotel on Monday, 16 January, the book launch is expected to witness the convergence of top dignitaries, captains of industries, politicians, businessmen and socialites. The book titled, 'Code of Kings,' is meant to register a pathway for the black race in the traditional institution. The book is expected to form part of Oluwo’s contribution to learning, knowledge and history, with the strong hope, that it will correct some distortions in Nigeria's rich history and liberate

Nigerian youth from mental slavery. While Abel Lanre Adeleke, the Chief Executive Officer of Peculiar Ultimate Concern Limited, has been pencilled down to chair the event, businessman and chairman of SIFAX Group, Taiwo Afolabi, will be the chief launcher. The Oluwo ascended the throne of his forefathers in 2015 as the 16th Oluwo of Iwo land after a royal battle over who will succeed his predecessor, Oba Ashiru Olatubosun Tadesei. So fierce was the battle that it threatened to tear the five ruling houses eligible to ascend the throne apart as no fewer than ten princes from three of the royal houses threw their hats into the ring. But a year later, the Oluwo emerged victorious in the selection process. His seven-year rule has not been without its

own fair share of scandals. Perhaps, the fact that he overcame these scandals, is more than enough reason for him to roll out the carpet in celebration.

Unlike the average man, it isn't every day you find the wealthy being grateful or being indebted to another, for throwing them a lifeline. But not businessman cum investor, Femi Otedola. If there is one man, he will continually show gratitude to, even in death, that person will be the late Dr Adedapo Onafowokan. And the reason is not far-fetched. The late Onafowowokan was instrumental to Sir Michael Otedola emerging the governor of Lagos State. The older Otedola, an easy-going businessman, was persuaded to contest the election by his ambitious and daring son, Femi. But it wasn't until the run-up to the 1992 elections after accepting to contest that the older Otedola realized that elections is a money-guzzling venture. At some point, his campaign council ran out of funds. It was a crucial time and funds were badly needed. Expectedly, Femi undaunted, tapped into his contacts and connections to raise the required funds for his father. But it was a generous intervention from the late Onafowokan that salvaged the situation. He gracefully, without hesitation gave the younger Otedola a cheque of N250,000 which reignited the campaign and eventually led to the victory the older Otedola recorded on the platform of National Republican Congress, NRC. Five years after, Onafowokan passed on at the age of 97. Onafowokan who was from the Ikenne and Tunwase Royal Family of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, was the founder of LADGROUP, an agricultural company that engages in the processing and export of shea butter. Ladgroup Limited started as a commodity trading company in 1971 focusing on the export of commodities like ginger, gum, cocoa, shea nuts, etc. For many years, Ladgroup was the biggest exporter of cocoa and other agricultural commodities and was the first indigenous private company that imported rice from Thailand to Nigeria.

The allegation that Kayode Salako, the erstwhile chairperson of the Labour Party, Lagos State chapter, is working against the interest of the party by secretly working for and boosting the chances of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has engulfed the businessman. A support group known as the Peter Obi Grassroots Mobilisation 2023 had accused Salako of working against the party. The group accused him of planning to defect to APC, the party he belonged to before joining the Labour party. It also alleged that he had been working for the party underground. The group pointed to the fact that Salako’s wife, Nollywood actress, Foluke Daramola is like a younger sister to Tinubu and has been drumming up support for him since 2021. The group said she has been singing his praises and had collected money to endorse him. The group further alleged that Salako’s in-law works directly and feeds from Tinubu’s milk of kindness, hence, they cannot totally trust

Salako’s work or loyalty to the Labour party. It was alleged that he would not neglect his family while pledging allegiance to the party. The group therefore called for his immediate removal as the chairman of the Labour party and subsequent expulsion from the party. The prayers of the group were eventually answered as Salako, unable to take the heat anymore, resigned from his position. He has been replaced with Dayo Ekong, a chieftain of the Labour party. Until his new position, Ekong was the Special Adviser on Lagos Affairs and Liaison operations to the National Chairman of the Party, Julius Abure.

Salako during his handover, denied that he is a mole in the Labour Party, a party he says made him who he is today contrary to speculations that APC made him after being a member of the party for many years. He claimed that he resigned, not because of the group baying for his blood, but majoly because he is contesting for the House of Representatives seat in Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 1 on the party's platform and needs time to concentrate on his own campaign.

THEWILLNG THEWILLNIGERIA

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

Otedola

Ogiozee

Salako

Akanbi

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

Meet Ruqayyat, Atiku Abubakar's Wife, at Forefront of His Campaigns ON JIMI LAWAL'S POLITICAL MISADVENTURE

Jimi Lawal's scheming to oust Ladi Adebutu as the Peoples Democratic Party's gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State and take his place, has backfired. The Supreme Court dismissed two interlocutory appeals brought before it by Lawal. The appeals were dismissed after his counsel made a dramatic withdrawal. Lawal had filed two appeals challenging the use of the court record transmitted by another party and the procedural policy in accepting and using the disputed record. At the proceedings, a fivemember panel of justices of the apex court subjected the appellant’s counsel to questioning over the desirability of pursuing interlocutory appeals at the expense of the substantive matter. The presiding judge informed the counsel that the court had no luxury of spending time on interlocutory appeals before coming to the substantive matter and further drew the lawyer’s attention to the fact that the appellant’s appeal was time-bound and must be tackled at the substantive level instead of dissipating energies on the interlocutory ones. Lawal's counsel who claimed to have got the hint from the justices, subsequently applied for withdrawal of the appeals. Both Lawal and Adebutu have been locked in a fierce legal battle on who should fly the party’s flag at the governorship election. Following the party primary that threw up Ladi, Lawal dragged the PDP, Adebutu and the Independent National Electoral Commission to court, challenging the authenticity of the delegates list used for the

primaries. He argued that the delegates were not democratically elected at the ward, local council and state congresses, hence the panel could not unilaterally or arbitrarily impose the list on the party. He prayed the court to, among others, nullify or set aside the primary.

In September of 2022, a Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta answered Lawal’s prayers and nullified all primary elections conducted by the various factions of the PDP in the state, (governorship, state house of assembly, house of representatives, senate). The court declared that all the primaries conducted by the PDP in the state were not in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act. Thus a rerun of the primaries within 14 days of the judgment was ordered. The judgment also prevented the national body of the PDP from organising the rerun primary. It rather ordered the state executive to handle it. The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising

Adebutu as the governorship candidate of the party in the state. Adebutu had allegedly, initially agreed for the rerun but later changed his mind saying that he would appeal the judgment. At the expiration of the 14 days, Lawal conducted his own rerun where Adebutu scored zero vote following which Lawal got suspended by the party for anti-party activities, vowing to challenge his dismissal from the party in court as well as to continue pursuing legal means to emerge PDP gubernatorial flag bearer. However, the odds have now favoured Adebutu following the dismissal of Lawal’s suit at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

How Yomi Badejo-Okusanya Celebrated 60th Birthday

The Group Managing Director of CMC Connect, a public relations/ perception firm, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, recently joined the diamond club when he clocked 60. Not one to do things half measures, Yomi who looks nothing like 60, rolled out the drums to celebrate the landmark occasion. The birthday party was held at the Grace Assembly Church, Oregun, Lagos, where he worships as an ordained pastor and several personalities from all walks of life were present to honour the man regarded as Nigeria’s public relations guru and an authority in the Integrated Marketing Communications sector.

To attest to his good nature and his knack for capacity building, all his former staff

who worked with him and gone off to other ventures for the past 20 years teamed up to surprise him on that day. It was such an emotional evening for Yomi who was shocked to discover that he obviously made a huge and positive impact on his former staff. Considered one of Nigeria's best dressed men, Yomi is the President of the Africa Public Relations Association (APRA). He is the first African to be inducted into the prestigious International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) Hall of Fame. It is worthy to note that Yomi's father, whose Badejo Sounds Studio produced legendary musicians like Victor Olaiya, Dele Ojo, Yusuf Olatunji and Bobby Benson, was the first indigenous record label owner in Nigeria.

She is the second wife of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party. A blue blood, Princess Ruqayyat is the daughter of the Lamido of Adamawa. She has been married to Atiku for 32 years and is the mother to seven of Atiku's 28 children. Just like his ex-wife, Jennifer Iwenjiora DouglasAbubakar (whom he divorced last year,) who played her part well as the ever-supportive wife in the campaigns leading to the 2019 general elections, Ruqayyat understands the import of her husband's presidential ambition and has taken it upon herself to step out of her

comfort zone to flag off her own campaigns on behalf of her husband. Her involvement in his husband's #RecoveryNigeria plans, shows how committed she is to the cause as she has single handedly been holding

town hall meetings across northern Nigerian states, majorly geared at the women folk in a bid to strengthen their participation in politics and define their roles in the forthcoming elections.

Teslim Folarin, Bayo Adelabu in War of Words Over Oyo Govt House

Teslim Folarin, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state and his counterpart in Accord party, Adebayo Adelabu have resorted to mudslinging in an attempt to curry favour from the electorate ahead of the general elections. While Folarin is a serving Senator, currently representing Oyo Central Senatorial district in his third term, Adelabu is a former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria who defected to Accord party after he lost the primary election to Folarin who emerged as the APC gubernatorial candidate. Perhaps the pain of losing to Folarin, must have prompted Adelabu to fire the first salvo. Adelabu had described both the state governor, Seyi Makinde, and Folarin, as people without major stakes in Oyo state because they have no investments in the state. This according to Adelabu is despite the state governor having an estimated N48 billion worth of assets before becoming governor and Folarin who has represented his constituency for 12 years with millions accruing to him as a Senator. Unfortunately, despite their wealth, both have been unable to establish a single factory, even if it is a pure water factory that will employ at least five persons in Oyo state. Adelabu wondered what they were doing with all the money they have amassed over the years and why they prefer to stash it in

foreign banks. He then described them as birds that fly as soon as a tree falls, implying that, if there were to be an implosion, both men would easily relocate abroad where their investments are stashed, leaving the people of Oyo State at their own mercy. He prided himself as being a true son of Oyo State whose treasures are rooted in the state. In addition to not relocating out of the state after he lost the 2019 elections to Makinde, Adelabu said he made it a point of duty to add a new money yielding, job providing investment every year since 2019. This he said is because he is a true stakeholder who would not want to see the state regress or collapse. While Makinde is yet to respond to him, Folarin felt insulted by Adelabu's impression of him and lashed out at him.

He wondered what the choice of business that each candidate engages in has to do with political campaigns adding that Adelabu's utterance has revealed him to be a learner in the field of politics. He called him a sore loser who ran an uninspiring campaign for the gubernatorial position in 2019 but lost scandalously. Continuing with his tirade, Folarin advised him to leave politics for those who know how to play it well and go compete favourably with business titans, the likes of Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Tony Elumelu or even Bill Gates. Folarin further assured the people of Oyo State that the remnants of Adelabu's bloated ego will be finally deflated in the upcoming general election, adding that the shame of electoral defeat would make Adelabu run away from future contests.

Lawal

Folarin Adelabu

Badejo-Okusanya

The Abubakars

Chief (Mrs) Modupeola SanniAdeleke, the elder sister to the governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has been appointed as the director of the Atiku-Okowa Women Presidential Campaign Council in the South-West region by the Presidential Campaign Council of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. She is expected to mobilize women in the South-West zone to vote for Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate in the forthcoming elections. She will also coordinate activities of women groups in the party and beyond in the six states of the zone to ensure PDP emerges victorious. Her

appointment will drive the needed victory for the party in the coming election. Her appointment came after she successfully deployed the Adeleke Women of Substance in mobilizing women across Osun state for the election of Senator Ademola Adeleke in the July 16 governorship poll. Known as 'Mrs Fix It All', the influence of the matriarch of Adeleke's family speaks volume as a woman of substance.

The amiable woman who is also a member of the Governing Council of Adeleke University owned by Dr Adedeji Adeleke will definitely put her motherly role into use as she leads the women of the party in the south-west region.

The third term political bid of Stella Adaeze Oduah, the candidate representing Anambra North district under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Senate has suffered a setback.

The former Aviation Minister started her political journey in the senate in 2015. She was elected to the Nigerian senate to represent Anambra North Senatorial District under the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC. She was re-elected in 2019 for a second term. In order to secure a third term ticket, she decamped to the PDP and signified her interest to be elected for the third time to represent Anambra North senatorial district.H owever, the Anambra North Elders Forum, ANEF, rejected her third term political ambition, labeling her eight years tenure in the 9th senate a failure. She was accused of constantly fighting corruption cases and not having time to sit in the hallowed chambers to sponsor any bill or motions that would positively impact the people of her constituency. The Adaeze Chukwu of Ogbaro land was also said to have

failed woefully in empowering people despite the huge money that accrued to her office. Having enjoyed a fair share of representation, she was advised to take a bow and allow another person take over. This is not the first time that the senator would face opposition because of her political ambition. She was dragged to court by one John Emeka who accused her of lying under oath in her nomination forms. Her participation in the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC was questioned and he asked the court to disqualify her from seeking an elective post in 2023, however, the case was later dismissed.

It seems as though the people of Kwara State, especially artisans and road transport workers in the state capital, are not happy with the former governor of the state, Senator Bukola Saraki. They disgraced the politician by burning some branded materials, red caps, which were distributed to them in Ilorin, the state capital. The caps with the inscription, ‘O’su wa' (We're tired), were given by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the transporters and other artisans to seek their support for the 2023 gubernatorial elections in the state. The Chairman of the Task Force committee of the union in the state, Alhaji Taiye Olose, revealed that the materials were burnt to show that the PDP party led by the former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki in Kwara State was rejected and cannot reclaim the reins of leadership in the state. According to him, PDP has nothing new to offer the people of Kwara after ruling for 16 years with nothing to show for it before they were sent packing during the polls in 2019. He said that Saraki who had ruled for eight years

shouldn't dream of imposing a candidate on them. He also added that since they were able to chase the Sarakis away who wanted to turn the leadership of the state to that of a family

business, they are not dreaming of bringing his party back to the state. The development was a huge slap on Saraki and his political influence which seems to be fast waning.

Khadijah Okunnu-Lamidi, daughter of former Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing, Lateef Olufemi Okunu and first woman to declare her interest to run for the 2023 presidential race under the platform of the Social Democratic Party, SDP has found her groove back. Following her desire to run for the highest office in the land, she was unfortunately disqualified and advised and encouraged to seek other positions such as a local government chairman, member of the state House of Assembly or the National Assembly. The ambitious woman had taken the disappointment in her stride but promised to continue supporting her party in her own capacity. A few months after her disqualification, the party appointed her as the Deputy Director-General of its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for the upcoming general election. She was appointed to ensure maximum productive engagement with the electorate. The party praised her for remaining steadfast in the party with a resolve to play an active role in the revitalisation of Nigeria’s reform agenda.

Legendary Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, professionally known as KWAM1 or K1 De Ultimate has opened a state of the art hospitality center in Ogun State. The Mayegun of Yoruba land, took to his social media handle to share the good news while inviting prospective guests and customers to his multi-million naira business. Named after his traditional title, Mayegun Royal Ranch and Resort, the centre is located in Ijebu-Ode in Ogun state, the same town where he erected his palatial home some years ago. The iconic Fuji artiste reiterated in his

post that 2022 has been a good year for him with the blessing that providence brought his way. Built for fun lovers and entertainment buffs, the ranch and resort boast of state of the art equipment which gives comfort and satisfaction to clients.

Adeleke

Marshal

Oduah

Saraki

STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

Akinwumi Adesina, the president of the African Development bank will forever remain indebted to former vice president Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Unknown to many, the two have come a long way even before Adesina was elected as the president of the African Development Bank. If not for a drastic step taken by Atiku, perhaps, Adesina might still be holding his position as the Vice President of Policy and Partnerships for the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa, AGRA. Adesina was nominated by the former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as Nigeria’s candidate to vie for the

presidential seat of the African Development Bank. Retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the former Head of State, had called Adesina to advise him to seek help so that he would win the election and emerge president of the bank. He was instructed to get in touch with Atiku who could introduce him to the crème de la crème of the bank's member states and some of the regional African member states who would determine his fate at the polls. Recalling Atiku’s benevolence, the former minister of Agriculture and Rural Development revealed that one of the notable visits they embarked upon was the visit to

the president of South Africa then, Jacob Zuma. Atiku not only flew him in his private jet but stood by him for the five minutes he was given to defend his cause in the presence of Zuma. The Turaki of Adamawa was the driving force that made Zuma second Adesina’s candidacy before he was eventually elected as the president of the bank. Adesina has since served his first term and is currently serving his second term.

Supremacy Battle Between Obas Aladetoyinbo, Ajimokunola Deepens

The supremacy battle going on between two traditional rulers in Ondo State, Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi and Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Olugbenga Ajimokunola, is yet to come to an end. The two monarchs have been at loggerheads for some years now over traditional hierarchy which seems to be

getting deeper. It started after Ajimokunola stopped regarding Deji of Akure as his superior. He was formerly a quarter chief but was upgraded to the position of a traditional ruler. A quarter chief presides over minor disputes and oversees part of a community but they are under the authority and leadership of a traditional ruler. The supremacy battle has lingered

for some years and has had the court stepping in to resolve it. The Supreme Court and Appeal court gave Deji of Akure the sole authority over lesser chiefs and Oba’s but Ajimokunola has refused to submit to his authority. The two monarchs had in time past quarreled over appointment of community leaders, closure of markets and other trivial issues. The duo renewed their beef again while engaging in a land dispute. Ajimokunola accused the Deji of Akure of harassing and arresting workers on his father’s farmland with thugs and security men. According to him, his farm workers were taken to Deji of Akure’s palace and were beaten and tortured. The traditional ruler petitioned the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, the state commissioner of police and other security agencies on the matter and appealed to them to fish out the culprits. He also stated that the the government should find a lasting solution to the constant dispute between him and the Deji of Akure which is fast affecting the peace of their communities.

Prince Clement Haastrup Gives Out Daughter in Marriage

Former Osun State Deputy Governor, Prince Clement Haastrup rolled out the drums to fete political bigwigs, business mogul at his daughter, Adetokunbo Kofoworade Haastrup’s wedding to her beau, Harrison Godspower Eyenobong last week. The traditional wedding took place at the Five Palms Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos State. The event was anchored by Larry J, while His Essence band, which is owned by

the bride, thrilled guests to wonderful music.

Adetokunbo Koworade is a podcaster, speaker, blogger and traveler. She is also a singer and owns a music band called His Essence. She is an advocate of women empowerment and has a podcast, 'Bodaciously' which she co-hosts. Her beau, Godspower from Cross River is a graduate of Computer Science from Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island. He is based in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Saliu Mustapha, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Kwara Central Senatorial district candidate and Bolaji Abdullahi, People’s Democratic Party, PDP candidate representing Kwara Central Senatorial District are on a war path. The two politicians who are vying for the same seat at the Upper legislative chamber became sworn enemies after they started pursuing the same interest. The two had an amicable relationship until politics tore them apart. They have never engaged in a public altercations until they started pursuing the same interest. It all started after Mustapha criticized Abdullahi’s campaign slogan. Abduallahi had used the phrase, 'Big Idea’ as part of his campaign slogan. He emphasized on the impact certain ideas would have if they are well thought out and executed properly. However, Mustapha countered his assertion and maintained that having an impact is better than conceiving an idea. Abduallahi, who did not find his political opponent’s criticism funny, responded with an open letter where he sent Mustapha to the gallows. He warned his opponent that the position he wants to contest for thrives on big ideas, critical thinking, and not deep pockets. He added that

he was perplexed that Mustapha would say he has passed the level of ideas, adding that such an impression was pedestrian, embarrassing and cynical. He noted that the primary job of a legislator is all about canvassing ideas to solve the problems that confront the people and that some of the problems that would confront the people will require deep critical thinking.

Mustapha on the other hand was surprised that the PDP candidate would misinterpret his previous statement. He slammed the politician and said an average reader would understand what he said not to talk of Abduallahi

who is considered an intellectual. He added that while ideas are good, it will amount to nothing if it does not solve people’s problems. Not satisfied with Mustapha’s response, Abduallahi also reacted and said Mustapha’s idea would be rejected in February by the electorates at the poll since he cannot comprehend English Language. After a back and forth by the two politicians, Mustapha tried to make peace by reiterating that his first response to Abduallahi’s letter was to set the records straight and to avoid misrepresentation. He promised to ignore his counterpart’s charade in the nearest future.

Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has been made the Acting Chairman of Oyo State traditional rulers and Chief in Council. The number one citizen of the state was honoured by traditional rulers as part of their promise to support his second term bid. As the

Acting Chairman of traditional rulers and Council of Chiefs, Makinde will give the welfare of monarchs and chiefs in Oyo State a top priority. He will also ensure the traditional ruler disputes experienced during the appointment and coronation of monarchs is reduced to the barest minimum in the state.

Adesina

Haastrup

Abdullahi Mustapha

Aladetoyinbo

Ajimokunola

Makinde

SHOTS OF THE WEEK

Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]

THEWILLNG THEWILLNIGERIA

L-R: M/D, Prenedos Power Limited, Mrs Preye Denedo; CEO, Commonsense Group, Rev. Olumide Emmanuel and Chairman, Prenedos Power Limited, Mr Emmanuel Denedo, at the commissioning of Prenedos corporate head office in Lagos on January 6, 2023.

President Muhammadu Buhari (right) receives Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, during a courtesy visit to the President at the State House Abuja on January 13, 2023.

L-R: Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, warmly welcomes the Deputy Premier and Minister of Skill Trades and Profession, Alberta, Canada, Hon Kaycee Madu, on a courtesy call to his office in Government House, Owerri on January 10, 2023.

L-R: Media Consultant, Adeniyi Ifetayo; Chief Executive Officer, Optiva Capital Partners, Jane KimemiaNechi and Chairman, Optiva Capital Partners, Mr Franklin Nech, at a media parley for 2023 outlook in Lagos on January 9, 2023.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, (right), and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Spain, Jose Manuel Albares, during his courtesy visit to the State House, Abuja on January 12, 2023.

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji; former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi and a former Deputy Governor of the state, Prof Modupe Adelabu, during the inauguration of Presidential Campaign Committee, Ado-Ekiti on January 13, 2023.

ARTS

ARTSPLIT Hosts Alatishe, Barber's Iconic Works at January Auctions

“

See Me I by Peju Alatise has been exhibited and sold in auction at Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary African Arts, London to a private collector in 2021.

Peju Alatise is an interdisciplinary artist, architect, poet, and author of two novels, based in Lagos, Nigeria. She started her career as an architect while running a private art studio. She is a leading voice in contemporary art on the African continent. Her practice is relentlessly experimental and labor-intensive. She produces works across various mediums, techniques, and materials, including but not limited to paintings, film, installations, and sculptures. Her work is also pointedly political, often asking damning questions, and provoking reflections about the times, and the state of affairs at home and abroad.

Alatise’s work has, in the past, explored exploitative labor practices in Nigeria, child rights with a focus on young girls, state-sanctioned violence against citizens, migration, and the policies that ensure that many die at sea, seeking a better life.

Alatise produces through the lens of spirituality, and Yoruba cosmology, leaning into ancient storytelling traditions and crafting alternative social imageries. In 2017, Alatise was selected as one of the exhibiting artists at Nigeria’s debut pavilion at the Venice Art Biennial. In 2020, Alatise was selected as an exhibiting artist for the Venice Architecture Biennale by curator, Hashim Sarkis. Alatise is a fellow at the National Museum of African Art, and part of the Smithsonian Institute.

Abayomi Adebayo Barber (23 October 1928 - 26 December 2021) was a Nigerian contemporary artist and an important modern art figure in Nigeria who created an informal afrosurrealist school of art, known as the Abayomi Barber School of Art in Lagos, Nigeria. Barber is best known for the application of naturalism and surrealism methods in his artworks. Some of his signature works include life-sized busts of former Nigerian president, Murtala Mohammed and the former Oba of Ile-Ife, Adesoji Aderemi, and an oil painting of Shehu Shagari.

The Abayomi Barber School of Art debunked the idea of tagging art as “African”, because of the demeaning expectation of Europeans. The school also practiced art as being the universality of individual artists' experiences. Barber felt that artists of his time produced art that supported Western misconceptions. He, therefore, positioned his artistic ideologies against Western perceptions of African authenticity as ‘primitive’, ‘crude’, and ‘unskilled’. Just like the father of Nigerian modernism, Aina Onabolu, Barber’s art is often viewed as not exuding Africanness.

The ARTSPLIT app allows users to own fractions of prominent African artworks, also known as "Splits," and keep or sell them on the app at the end of the Split Auction." The Splits allow multiple people to co-own a single iconic piece of art, which no other art platform currently does. Users can also participate in a 'Lease Auction' on the app to win physical custody of these coowned artworks for a set period.

This January auction follows the massive success of ARTSPLIT’s Arts Auction and launch in Ghana in December 2022. In keeping with its vision to create better access and value for both emerging African artists and already established masters, the auction bridged generations by featuring Isshaq Ismail, Koffi Agorsor and Ablade Glover

This January auction follows the massive success of ARTSPLIT’s Arts Auction and launch in Ghana in December 2022. In keeping with its vision to create better access and value for both emerging African artists and already established masters, the auction bridged generations by featuring Isshaq Ismail, Koffi Agorsor and Ablade Glover.

ARTSPLIT is an art trading company driven by the shared goal of enhancing the investment status of African art by allowing users to co-own rare and valuable artworks on a platform that guarantees price discovery and market liquidity.

Its mission is to position African art and artists as the preferred alternative investment choice by democratising access to iconic African art alongside developing the African art ecosystem through technology and co-ownership. ARTSPLIT believes that, in this way, it can make wealth accessible through alternative investments.

The platform (ARTSPLIT mobile app) allows its users to own fractions, also known as “Splits,” of prominent African artworks on the app and in the “Split Auction”, where they can either keep or sell in its secondary market to other users for profit. These “Splits” (fractions) enable multiple individuals to co-own a single iconic piece of art on the platform. Following the Split Auction, users on the app can also bid to win physical custody of these co-owned artworks for a set period via the “Lease Auction.” And this cycle is repeated on the app as far as multiple individuals own splits of that artwork.

ARTSPLIT, the pioneering African art trading platform, is hosting two iconic works by Nigerian artists, Peju Alatise and Abayomi Barber, at its ongoing January auctions . See Me I (2015) by Peju Alatise and Untitled (1978) by Abayomi Barber, are presently featuring at the January edition of ARTSPLIT’s monthly auctions which started on January 2, running through January 25. Both works are available for Split and Lease auction.

Abayomi Barber, Oil on board, 1978

Co-founder, ARTSPLIT, Onyinye Anyaegbu

Peju Alatise's work, See Me I (2015)

THEWILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnigeria.com

Chess Champ Who Sold Out FEATURES

Match fixing is sometimes considered part of the game for outdoor sports like football. With the connivance of coaches, footballers and even soccer administrators, fixtures can be bought or sold, sometimes well before play commences on the pitch. What about fixing games in indoor sports like Chess? Does it ever happen? Yes, it does! So THEWILL was told recently when the newspaper met and spoke with a former champ who lost games to opponents he could have defeated easily. Things have not quite been the same for him ever since. Michael Jimoh reports…

For years beginning from the nineties, dozens of Chess devotees used to converge at the Adegboyega household in Aboro Ogun state to watch two brothers and their friends square-off for hours on end. Begun by the senior sib, Bayo, friends and sundry Chess enthusiasts used to flock around, the crowd attracting more people as time went by.

Demola the younger brother didn’t play at first. He just watched in solemn fascination as the players moved their pawns back and forth and diagonally without even uttering a word. This was a mind game and nothing physical, a game you tried to outwit your opponent by out-thinking him so as to capture his king. Demola loved it and so began to play.

It may have ended there at home were it not for the secondary school Demola attended. Just as there were literary, drama and sundry societies given to extra curricula work, there was a Chess club which he joined promptly. His exposure at home and school was all he needed to become a notable player, someone respected by other equally gifted players like his brother Bayo whom he soon began to play against. And such was their fame that it naturally attracted people from far and near.

There were the neighbourhood kids, for instance, youngsters who come by just to watch players try to outwit and mate themselves. There were the regulars, as well, chess enthusiasts who will one day take up the game. And, finally, there were the bettors, the money bags who come with bricks of cash to back one player or another in informal tournaments. The last ones came mainly from Lagos Island, driving all the way to the venue in Ogun state.

Undeterred by the more than two-hour drive over rugged terrain and traffic congestion, they come from as far away as Surulere, CMS, Oyingbo loaded with as much N150, 000 per head to stake on their favourite players, very much like bettors in a horse race.

“I was not even in secondary school then,” Tomide Babatunde told THEWILL mid-week. But he used to frequent the Adegboyega household like most other youngsters drawn irresistibly to a mind game he now plays almost every evening. “There will be wads of money on the table – as much as a hundred and fifty thousand naira per person – to be collected by the winner.”

For all of them, it was some kind of business pilgrimage – business in the sense that at the end of the day, someone would have become richer by several hundred thousand naira. A pilgrimage because they had all come to the temple of Chess where there are many worshippers like them with two brothers as the presiding priests.

“I started playing Chess in 1992,” Demola told the newspaper. Of course, he was a rookie at the time. Hard work and talent, so they say, can carry a man a long way. It did for Demola. With time, Bayo and Demola joined the Nigeria Chess Federation

“

It has been tough since then for the Chessman of Aboro who’s represented many states across Nigeria in championship games sponsored by the NCF. Nobody would put his name forward anymore to appear in tourneys. There are no more challengers. And of course no more paid up trips to Benin or Owerri

where they will soon distinguish themselves thus becoming permanent fixtures in National Sports Festivals.

The first national competition Demola took part in was NSF Imo 1998 in Owerri the state capital. Demola played for Team Lagos in that year. Next was the same NSF Bauchi 2000. Demola represented Team Kwara. They won the silver trophy with Demola himself playing in the finals with others representing the Middle Belt state. He would go on to participate actively in Edo 2002 in Benin. This time, he represented Yobe state. All in all, he represented no fewer than four different states in the space of six or eight years of national competitions.

Asked whether it’s possible for a single player to represent different states like he has done, Demola said yes. It is possible, sort of like a mercenary to whoever is willing to bid for your services, sort of belonging to nobody but everybody all at once.

For what it is, an intellectual kind of game and not a brawlers sport like cricket or rugby, say, most of the athletes were given the royal treat, having their travel, feeding and boarding expenses paid by the various governments enlisting their services. Demola admits he was a roll at the time. “There were

many pleasures, many small, small connections,” Demola recalled with a wistful grin.

When the newspaper caught up with him last Wednesday, Demola was playing with a handsome graduate of Mining Engineering, Tomide Babatunde, in a storey building by the rail tracks not far from Egbado Market. The building itself is occupied by a parish of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. So, twice or so every week, members of the church come to worship. But every evening, another kind of meditative session takes place – almost always between Demola and Tomide.

The latter started playing Chess proper with Demola in 2019 and he continues to doff his hat to someone he sees as a first rate Chess player. A game had been on when the reporter met them. Answering questions, Demola would pause to make a move, capturing a Knight or even a Bishop. Demola did likewise, their respective sides filing up with white and black pawns correspondingly.

In no time, Demola won. Next game was a tie. Then Demola won one more time. This was not a tourney, just something to while away time. There were smiles and laughter from both of them since this was the equivalent of a friendly. It would have been a different ball game if there was something to be won like in a serious competition. There are stories of losers at such tourneys becoming depressed, having being outwitted in a game that has much to do with mental acuity and alertness.

“I feel bad if I lose in a tournament,” Demola admits. Tomide agrees, too. “It is kind of depressing. Almost the same feeling if you are defeated by an opponent in a physical combat. There was this day he won me and I was actually having headache, feeling feverish. I was hoping to come back and each time I was defeated and I was just messed up. For the rest of that week I was not myself, not because he is not a better player but I have been winning consecutively in several meetings and all of a sudden he just gave me like seven straight wins!”

More than anything else to Tomide and Demola’s Chess companion is the immeasurable joy he derives from playing the game. “Even the gratification of just winning is something, it is therapeutic in a way. For me right now, I play when I am tired, when I need to clear my head. Not because I get a prize from playing but just the fact that it relieves me, it distracts me from my daily struggles, from the things I probably am looking forward to and am not getting, the disappointments. When am in the game, the only thing in my head is just the game. So, when am done playing, am exhausted mentally. And that, for me, is better.”

Isn’t it like one is hiding, like using Chess to hide from daily worries? “It is not,” Tomide said sharply. “That’s why I said it is therapeutic because if I wasn’t playing Chess, I will be dwelling on the problems I can’t solve so it doesn’t make any sense. I’d rather be doing something productive than something which is counterproductive which is not necessary.”

Tomide had heard about Demola long before he started playing with him. “I have known him, heard about him since 1999. I wasn’t even playing Chess all those times. I just go to his place and people will come from as far as Surulere, Lagos Island, betting on his brother and himself, betting as much as N150, 000. It was 2002. And they always played with Chess clock. In other words, they were timed. And I remember also that there was cat-quiet silence, studio-quiet silence then when they were playing.”

Demola’s loss to an opponent was deliberate. According to him, and like most expert players who can predict an opponent’s move long before he makes one, Demola had the opponent’s back to the wall. But he decided to give his game away. What was his reason? His total takings from the tourney was about 20, 30 to the challenger’s 80, 70. In other words, whether he won or not, his purse will not amount to much. In his words, he’d won two games hands down. Before the third game, someone approached him from the opponent’s side, made an offer he could not refuse. And that was it!

It has been tough since then for the Chessman of Aboro who’s represented many states across Nigeria in championship games sponsored by the NCF. Nobody would put his name forward anymore to appear in tourneys. There are no more challengers. And of course no more paid up trips to Benin or Owerri. His only comfort these days is when he arrives round about 5pm every day at Tomide’s place, sitting and brooding over the pawns on the 64 square board.

Will he take up any challenge from an opponent if he has half the chance? “Yes, of course,” he replied with a peculiar glint in his eyes, as if to say “I still have it in me.”

SportsLive

Why Nigeria's Domestic League Should be More Standard, Competitive, Challenging

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), which has been renamed the Nigeria Premier Football League, is set to mark its 11th anniversary. However, the league has been faced with several challenges in recent years . The challenges include indiscipline, haphazard schedules, paucity of funds, lack of investments, upended standardisation and the corrupt practices of the handlers at the level of administration and at the club levels.

In 2012, the League Management Company (LMC) took over the management of the league, which was then considered one of the very best in Africa and rated higher than the Scottish league. Eleven years later, the league is struggling to fix a realistic calendar of matches, is unable to retain top talents, and the coaching has devolved into a bygone era . Now, we have administrators who have little or no knowledge of what a modern day football club represents, let alone helping these clubs to challenge for honours domestically and on the continent.

To address these issues, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, constituted an Interim Management Committee (IMC) after the LMC was declared an illegal body last year. The IMC has now announced a partnership with GTI Group, as a strategic partner for the NPFL, in an effort to revive the league.

GTI Group, a Nigerian corporation, has invested N200 million in the league to bring liquidity and energize the league to start generating reinvest. Nelson Ine, the project director for GTI, who explained the nature of the investment remarked that the partnership was not a sponsorship, but rather a strategic partnership for the development of the league and football in general.

The cash inflow of N10m to each club from the N200m injection into the NPFL is intended to check corruption among administrators even if it will need to be followed through with stricter oversight and accountability measures

He emphasised the importance of ethics and corporate governance structures, transparency in the system, and accountability in driving sports and business all over the world and insisted that GTI was primarily focussed on making the reality of viable sports investment a possibility in the NPFL.

The NPFL hopes to follow in the success of the English Premier League, which was rebranded in 1992 and saw significant growth in domestic broadcast revenues and the ability to bring top players to the league. GTI and local investors aim to improve the image of the NPFL and make it an entertainment venue. This, they hope to do by replicating the successes of Nigerian music acts and increase the value of the major ingredient-the players.

The cash inflow of N10m to each club from the N200m injection into the NPFL is intended to check corruption among administrators even if it will need

to be followed through with stricter oversight and accountability measures.

Additionally, more funding can now be allocated to sports programmes in the participating teams in order to improve infrastructure and provide better resources and improvement in the quality of training and coaching for the players and technical staff. Also, the IMC can emphasise and reward those who display more discipline and a strong work ethic

Local league in action

THEWILL NEWSPAPER • www.thewillnigeria.com

... Domestic League Should be More Standard, Competitive, Challenging

among athletes and coaches during the period of the 2022/2023 season. Topping all of these will be plans to increase visibility and promotion of sports as well as engaging with fans, all of which can help to build support and enthusiasm for domestic football in Nigeria.

These plans will reflect in the 2022/2023 season, which, for the first time ever in Nigerian football, will be abridged because of time and circumstances. The time factor has to do with the entire process of wresting control of the League from the LMC, proscribing its existence in response to court judgements and transferring the responsibilities of managing domestic club football to the IMC.

By the time the interim body was settled to handle the business of the 2022/2023 season, time had been expended far into the calendar for football and all the parties involved met and agreed to enter into an abridged football season rather than completely lose out on the entire season.

The circumstantial reasons for the abridged arrangement point to the fact that Nigeria is currently in her political season and much of the focus that ought to go to football will be unfavourably split with following events in the political space which may not augur well for a full-blown calendar of domestic games.

Yet, an initial start date in December, to ensure that it truly reflected the 2022/2023 calendar, did not materialise due to inadequate planning, logistics and coordination.

The decision to push back the start date for the league was made by the IMC, which has been working with key stakeholders for the projected improvements in a domestic league that has been struggling in recent years due to poor management and lack of funding. The IMC held regular meetings with key stakeholders to discuss concrete ways and means to improve the league. In the aftermath of these meetings, the IMC announced that the draws for the 2022/2023 NPFL season will take place on December 28 and the league will begin on January 8, 2023.

The IMC also revealed to all 20 participating teams in the 2022/2023 NPFL season, that they will each receive N10m as takeoff grants ahead of the new season. Additionally, the IMC and the clubs agreed to go ahead with an abridged league format to make up for lost time.

All parties involved have turned their attention to claiming the title from Rivers United, the defending champions.

As THEWILL previously reported, Rivers United won 23 games, drew 8, and lost 7 of their 38 league games, to finish the 2021/2022 campaign 10 points ahead of their closest rivals, Plateau United. It was a daring feat which the state governor, Nyesom Wike, handsomely rewarded in a dollarised windfall for coaches and players. And, although it was a disappointing experience for Nigerian representatives in the continent as all but the heavily incentivised Rivers United were eliminated from the CAF Inter-clubs competitions at the early stages.

The other three clubs were Plateau United in the CAF Champions League and Remo Stars and Kwara United in the CAF Confederation Cup, were unable to keep their places in the respective competitions.

The disappointing performance of Nigerian teams in the continental competitions highlights the need for the NPFL to improve in order to compete at the highest level. The partnership with GTI Group and

the efforts of the IMC aim to address these issues and bring the league back to its former glory. The investment from GTI Group will bring much-needed liquidity to the league and help to generate revenue. This will be crucial in attracting and retaining top talents, as well as improving the overall image of the league. The league will also have to invest heavily to improve the standard of coaching and bring in modern practices to keep up with the changes in the game.

The NPFL has touted plans to improve the viewing experience for fans, with focus on improvements in the standard of the stadiums and facilities. However, this is not the first time that such promises have been made without concrete evidence to demonstrate that these promises have been delivered in reality.

Yet, if truly the domestic league intends to enter the modern age of football and be as competitive and productive as domestic football is in South Africa and north African countries such as Morocco, Egypt and Algeria, a lot will have to go into stadium improvements and standardisation. These will not only make the league more attractive to fans, but it will also be beneficial for the players, who will have better facilities to train and play in.

One of the key areas that the NPFL will focus on is youth development. The league will, of necessity, have to invest in Youth Academies that will produce young talents that can take the league to the next level. This will also help to ensure that the league has a steady stream of young talents to replace the older players as they retire or as they are scouted for clubs abroad. As these Academies groom the next generation of stars, it will be to their benefit that they are given as much visibility as their talents demand so that a wider audience can appreciate local artistry in football.

This ties into plans by the NPFL to improve the broadcast rights and expand the league's reach through digital media. This will help to increase the league's visibility and attract more fans and sponsors. The league will also look to increase its international exposure by participating in more international tournaments and friendly matches. However, beyond the avenue of domestic footballers to get the much-needed limelight that the the Championnat d'Afrique des Nations (CHAN - African Nations Championship) provides, the Nigeria Football Federation owes it to these players to enforce it on the coaching crew of the Super Eagles to pay particular attention on the local league and populate the senior national team with talents from the NPFL rather than the vexatious practice of chasing after footballers abroad with some negligible Nigerian heritage to play for Nigeria, which has become too common recently.

In conclusion, the NPFL is facing major challenges in bringing domestic football up to a realistically respectable level to compete favourably with continental giants in South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria. It will take more than just a cosmetic renaming to make this happen. The new partnership with GTI Group and the efforts of the IMC, demonstrate that the league is hoping to turn things around and bring back the glory days of Nigerian football.

The league is turning its focus on improving the standard of coaching, facilities, youth development, broadcast rights, and international exposure and these efforts can elevate the NPFL to become one of the top leagues in Africa and compete with the best in the world. It will take the herculean efforts necessary, on the part of all relevant stakeholders, to make this objective a reality. Time will tell if this will come to pass.

For now, the NPFL season will be played in the aforementioned abridged format, with all 20 clubs divided into two groups, A and B, each containing 10 teams. The top three teams from each group will then proceed to a super six tournament to determine the eventual winner, who will receive a prize of N100 million. The groups are made up of the following clubs:

Group A: Plateau United, Gombe, Enyimba, Akwa United, 3SC, Remo Stars, Kwara, Nasarawa, as well as newly promoted El Kanemi Warriors and Bendel Insurance.

Group B: Wikki Tourists, Abia Warriors, Dakkada, Rangers, Sunshine Stars, Niger Tornadoes, Doma United, Lobi Stars, and Bayelsa United.

Gusau

Elegbeleye

Why Youths Hold The Aces in 2023 General Elections

With the general elections due to begin just about six weeks from now, there is a consensus amongst political watchers and analysts that voters between the ages of 18 and 34, who are about 37 million in number out of the 93 million registered voters, would likely determine the outcome of the Presidential and other elections in this circle. Another notable significant block with huge numbers amongst eligible voters who most times claim to be youths are middle-aged persons, those between the age brackets of 40 – 60, where I belong.

According to data released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, last week, there are now 93, 469, 000 total voters in the new register. This is a new record and this should worry the establishment because in 2019, the number was 84, 004, 084 while in 2015, INEC reported 68, 833, 746 registered voters. The number was 73, 528, 040 in 2011.

A breakdown of the current register showed that 49, 054, 162 (52.5%) are male voters and 44, 414, 846 (47.5%) are female. 37, 060, 399 (39.65%) are youths, followed by middle-aged persons with 33,413,591 (35.75%) while a deeper breakdown showed there are 26,027,481 (27.8%) students.

Though there have been reports of massive youth enthusiasm over the February 25, 2023 presidential election, this data from the electoral body robustly confirms that they are fired up and are participating in the electoral process. This is some good and comforting news because youths usually passively showed interest in elections because the results were mostly falsified. This election however appears to be different with INEC’s introduction of the Bimodular Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s masterstroke redesign of the naira as well as the cap on cash withdrawals from bank accounts. These two key developments are very popular with voters, especially the young ones who have been clamouring for a change from the status quo.

Youth participation in elections globally is very critical for the democratic process because they represent the future. In Nigeria, it is even more important because of the poor state of affairs of the country which is supposed to be Africa’s powerhouse.

The youth population in Nigeria comprises a significant portion of the population and is a vital demographic indices in any election especially when they seem to now understand that elections matter. This is why I am calling out the youths (18-49), so they understand how immensely important it is for our tomorrow that they come out

en masse to vote for credible candidates who will work for the betterment of the country. We have the power to shape the future of Nigeria, and it is crucial that we exercise this right irrespective of the challenges and difficulties we might encounter, to vote and make our voices heard.

We have witnessed the greatness and impact of our youths in sports, entertainment and even in Fintech and technology. We must keep faith and

enter the political space with that enthusiasm, drive and passion because it is only through active participation in the democratic process that Nigeria can move to the next level of political leadership and economic development.

It is not surprising to see politicians and political parties recruiting young, savvy people to help with their political campaigns and advocacy. We have seen this in town hall meetings, youth forums and social media campaigns that have specifically targeted the youth population. Youths run the social media, we run the streets and yes, we can run this democracy if we do what we need to do. The time for the Nigerian youth has finally come ONLY if we vote and choose wisely.

The Not-Too-Young Act is a recent development that has reduced the eligibility for election into the Legislature at state and federal levels from 30 to 25 years and for the President of the Republic from 40 to 35 years. This move is part of a broader youth campaign that has been ongoing for some time, with advocates pushing for increased representation of young people in politics. The campaign has been driven by a desire to see a new generation of leaders step forward and take the reins of power, with inspiration drawn from the examples of young leaders around the world.

One notable example is Emmanuel Macron, who became President of France at the age of 40, overtaking David Cameron who had become

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the age of 43. Another example is Jacinda Ardern, the 42-year-old Prime Minister of New Zealand who gave birth while in office, becoming only the second world leader to do so. Additionally, at 31, Sebastian Kurz became the Chancellor of Austria. In Nigeria, during the good old days, young people laboured and laid the foundation for the country we love so dearly. Matthew Mbu was only 23 years old when he became the Minister of Labour and Productivity, and later the first ever Nigerian Ambassador to the Court of St. James in the United Kingdom. Lt.-Col. (later General) Yakubu Gowon became Head of State at 31. Chief Obafemi Awolowo wrote his famous book, Path to Nigerian Freedom, in 1947 at the age of 38, founded Action Group at 41, and became leader of Government Business at 42. He and Sir Ahmadu Bello became Premier of their respective Regions at 45. Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe had by 1947, at the age of 43, become a Member of Legislative Council in Lagos; Member, Western House of Assembly at 48 and Premier of Eastern Region at 50. He had been editor of a national newspaper in Ghana at 30. At the age of 31, Sir Tafawa Balewa had founded Bauchi Discussion Group and at 36 had become a Member of the Northern House of Assembly. At 40 he became Minister of Works and Prime Minister at 45. General Ibrahim Babangida was 44 when he seized power from General Muhammadu Buhari, who was 43 years old then having seized power at 41 in 1983, when himself and other coup plotters sacked the democratically elected government of President Shehu Shagari.

Sadly, there are no youths in strong contention in the presidential race. The top four contenders are Peter Obi (61) of the Labour Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso (66) of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Bola Tinubu (70) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar (76) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

With youth unemployment hovering around 40% and millions of persons living in acute poverty, I am certain that our youths understand what is at stake on the ballot in February when they cast their votes. February 25, 2023 is the day for the real Soro Soke (meaning Speak up), a slogan that resonated during the massive #ENDSARS protests against police brutality that rocked many major cities.

If Nigeria gets its elections right and sorts its leadership problem then Africa, especially the West African sub-region, where military coups have destabilised some countries, would take a cue.

Youth participation in elections globally is very critical for the democratic process because they represent the future. In Nigeria, it is even more important because of the poor state of affairs of the country which is supposed to be Africa’s powerhouse