WEDNESDAY 1ST MARCH 2023

APC PCC: Obasanjo's Call for Election Cancellation Meant to Truncate Nigeria's Democracy Says ruling party will defend Tinubu's mandate against anti-democratic forces Jonathan, Mahama, other W’African elders sue for calm Urge electoral body to address procedural concerns, comply with electoral law Meet with Atiku, Kwankwaso, Obi and Tinubu in peace move

Chuks Okocha, Emmanuel Addeh and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the call

by former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the cancellation of the presidential election results

was part of a grand orchestration to truncate the nation's democracy.

This was just as former President

of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Ex-Ghanaian President John Mahama and other members of the

West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Continued on page 9

Wednesday 1 March, 2023 Vol 28. No 10185. Price: N250

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INEC Declares Bola Ahmed Tinubu President-elect Tinubu: 8,794,726, wins 12 states Atiku: 6,984,520, wins 12 states Obi: 6,101,533, wins 11 states + FCT Kwankwaso: 1,496,687, wins one state

Story on page 9

2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS SN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

total

STATE EKITI ONDO KWARA OSUN OGUN LAGOS OYO YOBE AKWA IBOM ADAMAWA ENUGU GOMBE JIGAWA KATSINA NASARAWA ABIA EDO KOGI BAUCHI PLATEAU CROSS RIVER KANO KADUNA BAYELSA BENUE ANAMBRA TARABA ZAMFARA IMO KEBBI EBONYI NIGER RIVERS SOKOTO BORNO DELTA FCT

VOTES STATES

APC 201,494 (65%) 369,924 (67%) 263,572 (56%) 343,945 (46%) 341,554 (58%) 572,606 (45%) 449,884 (55%) 151,459 (40%) 160,620 (28%) 182,881 (25%) 4,772 (1%) 146,977 (28%) 421,390 (45%) 482,283 (45%) 172,922 (31%) 8,914 (2%) 144,471 (24%) 240,751 (52%) 316,694 (37%) 307,195 (28%) 130,520 (31%) 517,341 (30%) 399,293 (29%) 42,572 (25%) 310,468 (40%) 5,111 (0%) 135,165 (27%) 298,396 (59%) 66,406 (14%) 248,088 (44%) 42,402 (13%) 375,183 (48%) 231,591 (46%) 285,444 (48%) 252,282 (54%) 90,183 (14%) 90,902 (19%)

8,794,726 12

Total Registered Voters: Total Accredited Voters: Total Valid Votes: Total Votes Cast: Total Rejected Votes:

-

LP 11,397 (3%) 47,350 (8%) 31,186 (6%) 23,283 (3%) 85,829 (14%) 582,454 (45%) 99,110 (12%) 2,406 (0%) 132,683 (23%) 105,648 (14%) 428,640 (93%) 26,160 (5%) 1,889 (0%) 3,676 (0%) 191,361 (35%) 327,095 (88%) 331,163 (56%) 56,217 (12%) 27,373 (3%) 466,272 (42%) 179,917 (43%) 28,513 (1%) 294,494 (21%) 49,975 (30%) 308,372 (40%) 584,621 (95%) 146,315 (29%) 1,660 (0%) 360,495 (78%) 10,682 (1%) 259,738 (79%) 80,452 (10%) 175,071 (35%) 6,568 (1%) 7,205 (1%) 341,866 (55%) 281,717 (61%)

NNPP 264 (0%) 930 (0%) 3,141 (0%) 713 (0%) 2,200 (0%) 8,442 (0%) 4,095 (0%) 18,270 (4%) 7,796 (1%) 8,006 (1%) 1,808 (0%) 10,520 (2%) 98,234 (10%) 69,386 (6%) 12,715 (2%) 1,239 (0%) 2,743 (0%) 4,238 (0%) 72,103 (8%) 8,869 (0%) 1,644 (0%) 997,279 (58%) 92,969 (6%) 540 (0%) 4,740 (0%) 1,967 (0%) 12,818 (2%) 4,044 (0%) 1,552 (0%) 5,038 (0%) 1,661 (0%) 21,836 (2%) 1,322 (0%) 1,300 (0%) 4,626 (0%) 3,122 (0%) 4,517 (0%)

PDP WINNER 89,554 (29%) APC 115,463 (20%) APC 136,909 (29%) APC 354,366 (48%) PDP 123,831 (21%) APC 75,750 (5%) LP 182,977 (22%) APC 198,567 (52%) PDP 214,012 (38%) PDP 417,611 (57%) PDP 15,749 (3%) LP 319,123 (62%) PDP 386,587 (42%) APC 489,045 (46%) PDP 147,093 (27%) LP 22,676 (6%) LP 89,585 (15%) LP 145,104 (31%) APC 426,607 (49%) PDP 243,808 (22%) LP 95,425 (22%) LP 131,716 (7%) NNPP 554,360 (40%) PDP 68,818 (41%) PDP 130,081 (16%) APC 9,036 (1%) LP 189,017 (37%) PDP 193,978 (38%) APC 30,234 (6%) LP 285,175 (50%) PDP 13,503 (4%) LP 284,898 (36%) APC 88,468 (17%) APC 288,679 (49%) PDP 190,921 (41%) APC 161,600 (26%) LP 74,194 (16%) LP

6,101,533 1,496,687 6,984,520 12 1 12

93,469,008 25,286,616 24,025,940 24,965,218 939,277

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

See Tinubu's first remarks after being declared winner on Page 6

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580

NEWS

AFRICAN ELDERS ON A PEACE MISSION...

L-R: President of the ECOWAS Commission Dr. Omar Alieu Touray; former President of Sierra Leona and Head of Missions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ernest Bai Koroma;former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi; former Ghanaian President and head of WAEF Mission, John Dramani Mahama; former Kenyan President and Head of AU Mission Uhuru Kenyatta and former President of Benin, Boni Yayi, during the visit by members of the West African Elders Forum and other African elders to Obi... yesterday

Amina Mohammed Calls for African Solutions in Addressing Continent’s Environmental Challenges Dike Onwuamaeze The Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Ms. Amina Mohammed has advised African leaders to support and invest in environmental and sustainability solutions that have their roots in the continent.

Mohammed, gave the advice yesterday, at the opening ceremony of the Ninth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable

Development (ARFSD-9), holding in Niamey, Niger Republic, where she tasked African leaders to understand that true African-led solutions that were born in the continent would enable them meet the challenges of Agenda 2063 and the SDGs. She also tasked the African head of states to ensure that digital economy would serve by ensuring that young people would play a key role in its implementation.

She said: “When the world

leaders, including our 54 African leaders, gather for the SDG Summit next September, it is solutions that are likely arising in Africa that must be supported and must be invested in.”

According to her, Africa was faced with, “incredible complexities in our environment in which we must achieve so much with so little and urgently for our people and the environment that we live in.

“We are doing so with the

common understanding that with true Africa led solutions born in Africa soil we can change force and arise to the challenge of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“We must ensure that the emerging green and digital economies will serve African people and the national environment and key to the implementation will be the inclusion of our young people.”

Amina told African leaders that

Obaseki Seeks Investors to Build More Refineries in Edo State begins payment of arrears owed local council pensioners

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the government was providing the right incentives and guaranteeing a safe and conducive environment to ensure the influx of investors to boost the state’s economy and sustain the government’s industrialisation drive.

Obaseki said this when he inspected the Edo Refinery in Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the state.

The refinery which is operating at 80 percent production capacity is the first of two refinery projects in the state, alongside the Duport Refinery, which is operated by Duport Midstream Company Limited.

The two modular refineries were attracted into the state on the back of nuanced reforms by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to boost investment inflow and drive industrialisation in the state.

The combined capacity of the two refineries positions Edo State as a major hub for petrochemicals in the country, as the construction projects create job opportunities and build local capacity for projects in the oil and gas industry.

Speaking during the inspection, the governor said the refinery was

already oversubscribed, noting that the government was encouraging more investors to take advantage of its gas assets to build more refineries in the state.

Obaseki said the government was partnering with the private sector, ensuring a business-friendly environment to drive investments into the state and boost its economy.

During the 2022 Alaghodaro Summit, Obaseki had disclosed that the government was in talks with private investors to finalise agreements and pre-work for the development of two condensate refineries in the state.

Edo State, under the administration of Obaseki, was being repositioned to become Nigeria’s leading industrial hub, pushing for investments in industrial and processing industries. In the last six years, the state has attracted close to $2 billion worth of investment across agriculture, energy, food processing, light manufacturing, forestry and technology sectors.

With the rise in electricity wattage in the state, it is fast becoming a new haven for businesses seeking stable electricity to expand their businesses, especially as it boasts the largest onshore gas resources in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Edo State Govern-

ment has commenced the payment of pension arrears owed retired Local Government workers between 1984 and 2021.

In a statement, Edo State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Monday Osaigbovo, said the payment would be in batches.

He said the payment was in furtherance of the Obaseki-led administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and retirees in the state.

Osaigbovo noted, “In line with the government promise in our earlier letter dated 20th January

2023 (LGSPB/469/T1/91), the Local Government Staff Pensions Board has started the payment in batches of the huge pension arrears owed to her retired Local Government workers in the state between 1984 and 2021.”

The government’s commitment to the retirees is in line with the ongoing revamp of the state’s civil and public service, engendering responsive and technology-driven service delivery and governance models, thereby impacting greatly on the lives and productivity of the state’s public workers.

this was one of the moments to come together to fight for the SDGs and ensure that the promises that were made in 2015 were kept.

These promises, she said, must deliver in three key areas, especially new financial architecture that would enable Africa greater access to finance.

She said: “First, we must reenergise nationalisation promise, which is clear that after seven years of implementation we are not taking the bold decisions by making the needed investments to drive transformative progress.

“At the summit leaders will set out clear ambitions to reduce poverty and inequality by 2027 and 2030. And we must do this by making investments in Africa, investments in our economy and investment in our people, especially in our women and our youths.

“We must convey a clear commitment to fully align national institutions and budgets with the framing of the sustainable development goals.

“And we must put forward country plans to drive critical SDGs transformations from energy to food systems to digital technology and to social protection plan like in education and make real our commitment that we leave no one behind.”

She also said, “this summit must deliver on tangible progress in the area of SDGs financing” as the financing gap to achieve the SDGs and deliver climate resilience

has continued to widen at a time when 43 per cent of African nations are in, or nearing, debt distress mostly driven by external factors that are beyond the control of these governments.

“This cannot be acceptable. The secretary general of the United Nations has called on the G20 to unlock on SDG stimulus of at least $500 billion annually to developing countries, especially in Africa.

“On so many fronts our world is on fire and putting off that fire demands equality in our support and not hypocrisy and broken promises. More broadly, we also need systemic reforms to global financial architecture, which today is not fit for purpose and remains to short term oriented, crisis prone and fundamentally skewed toward the interest of the rich.

“Through the SDG stimulus, coupled with initiatives like the green agenda, we will continue to hope for such reforms. This includes ensuring that African countries can access debt relief, right downs and additional finance to desperately need to recover and plan. We need a breakthrough in access to African financing so that we can urgently scale up required investments.

“Thirdly, the summit must reinvigorate the concept of genuine partnerships. That means engaging the young people, civil society and the global public and the co-creators of our efforts to transform the world by 2030.”

Buhari Asks Senate to Confirm Reappointment of NHRC Boss Sunday Aborisade, in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to confirm the reappointment of Anthony Ojukwu, as the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

This was contained in a letter to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, read at plenary, yesterday.

The reappointment would be for five years and would be Ojuku’s final term in the position.

The letter read, “In accordance

with the provisions of Section 7(2), of the National Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Act, 2010, I write to forward, for confirmation by the Senate, the nomination of Mr. Anthony Ojukwu, for re-appointment as Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, for a final term of five years.

“While it is my hope that the Senate will consider and confirm the appointment in the usual expeditious manner, please accept Distinguished Senate President

the assurances of my highest consideration.”

Also, in another letter, dated, February 1, 2023, the president also sought confirmation of the appointment of Hon. Justice Stanley Lawal, as the substantive President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Abuja.

The confirmation, according to the president, was in pursuant to Section 266(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Amended).

The letter read, “I am pleased

to forward for confirmation by the senate the appointment of Hon. Justice Stanley, Adekunle Lawal, the Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as the substantive President of the court.

“I trust that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominee in the usual expeditious manner Please accept.

“Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

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NEWS

ON A PEACE MISSION...

Representatives of the West Africa Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Mission to Nigeria, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan (left); presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu and another representative of WAEF Election Mission to Nigeria former President of Ghana, Mr. John Mahama, during their visit to Tinubu at his residence in Abuja... yesterday

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and Mahama-led the West Africa Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Mission to meet with the NNPP Presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his residence in Abuja... on Monday

Glencore Fined $700m for Bribing Nigerian Officials, Others A United States judge yesterday ordered Glencore Plc to pay $700 million in connection with its guilty plea over a decade-long scheme to bribe foreign officials across several countries.

The sentence handed down by US District Judge, Lorna Schofield, in Manhattan federal court consisted of a $428.5 million fine and $272 million in forfeiture, in line with a plea deal reached last May between the mining and commodity trading giant and federal prosecutors in Manhattan.

According to Reuters, prosecutors said Glencore paid more than $100 million in bribes to officials in

countries including Nigeria, Brazil, Venezuela and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to win business or avoid audits.

The fine was 15 per cent below what US sentencing guidelines recommended and reflected credit for Glencore's cooperation, including by providing documents that were located abroad and investing "significant resources" in improving ethics and compliance, prosecutors said.

Overall, the Swiss-based multinational said it expects to pay more than $1.5 billion to settle bribery and market manipulation accusations,

including more than $1 billion in the United States.

Last year, Glencore was ordered to pay $341 million in fines and $144

28 February 2115 My fellow Nigerians, I am profoundly humbled that you have elected me to serve as the 16th president of our beloved republic.

This is a shining moment in the life of any man and affirmation of our democratic existence. From my heart, I say thank you.

Whether you are Batified, Atikulated, Obidient, Kwankwasiyya, or have any other political affiliation, you voted for a better, more hopeful nation and I thank you for your participation and dedication to our democracy.

You decided to place your trust in the democratic vision of a Nigeria founded on shared prosperity and one nurtured by the ideals of unity, justice, peace and tolerance. Renewed hope has dawned in Nigeria.

We commend INEC for running a free and fair election. The lapses that did occur were relatively few in number and were immaterial to the final outcome. With each cycle of elections, we steadily perfect this process so vital to our democratic life.

Today, Nigeria stands tall as the giant of Africa. It shines even brighter as the continent’s biggest democracy.

I thank all who supported my campaign. From President Buhari who adeptly led my campaign as its chairman, to my Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

To the progressive governors of our party and this nation, to the party leadership, to our loyal party members. I owe you a debt of gratitude. To the entire campaign organization, I thank you sincerely.

I thank my loving wife and dear

family whose support was ceaseless and inspiring. Without you, this victory would not be possible.

I am grateful to Almighty God.

By His mercy, I was born a son of Nigeria and through His sublime purpose I find myself the victor of this election. May He grant me the wisdom and courage to lead the nation to the greatness He alone has destined for it.

Finally, I thank the Nigerian people for their abiding belief in our democracy. I shall be a fair leader to all Nigerians. I will be in tune with your aspirations, charge up your energies and harness your talents to deliver a nation that we can be proud of.

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

You have my utmost respect.

Political competition must now give way to political conciliation and inclusive governance.

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

Still, I know some candidates will be hard put to accept the election results. It is your right to seek legal recourse. What is neither right nor defensible is for anybody to resort to violence. Any challenge to the electoral outcome should be made in a court of law, and not in the streets.

I also ask my supporters to let peace reign and tensions fade.

We ran a principled, peaceful and progressive campaign. The aftermath of our campaign must be as benign.

Yes, there are divisions amongst us that should not exist. Many people are uncertain, angry and hurt; I reach out to every one of

commodity trading and mining company with headquarters in Baar, Switzerland. Its oil and gas head office is in London and its

registered office is in Saint Helier, Jersey. The current company was created through a merger of Glencore with Xstrata on 2 May 2013.

Coalition of Nigerian CSOs Warns Against Cancellation of Polls, Stoppage of Votes Collation Wants grievances addressed by INEC Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja A coalition of Civil Society Organisa-

“The Era Of Renewed Hope“ By the President-Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,

million in forfeiture after pleading guilty to a market manipulation charge in Connecticut federal court.

Glencore is a Swiss multinational

you. Let the better aspects of our humanity step forward at this fateful moment. Let us begin to heal and bring calm to our nation.

Now, to you, the young people of this country, I hear you loud and clear. I understand your pains, your yearnings for good governance, a functional economy and a safe nation that protects you and your future.

I am aware that for many of you Nigeria has become a place of abiding challenges limiting your ability to see a bright future for yourselves.

Remodeling our precious national home requires the harmonious efforts of all of us, especially the youth. Working together, we shall move this nation as never before.

My running mate, Vice Presidentelect Shettima, and I understand the challenges ahead. More importantly, we also understand and deeply value the talent and innate goodness of you, the Nigerian people. We pledge to listen and to do the difficult things, the big deeds, that put us on the path of irreversible progress. Hold us firmly to account, but please give us a chance first.

Together, we shall build a brighter and more productive society for today, tomorrow and for years to come.

Today, you have given me the greatest honor you can bestow on one man.

In return, I will give you my utmost as your next president and commander-in-chief. Peace, unity and prosperity shall be the cornerstones of the society we intend to build. When you gaze upon what we shall accomplish in the coming years, you shall speak with pride at being a Nigerian.

I thank you all.

God bless you all.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

tions (CSOs) in Nigeria yesterday kicked against calls for the cancellation of the results of the presidential election held last Saturday and the termination of the collation process.

In a joint statement, the group stated however, that it was concerned about reports of irregularities and violence during voting in several states as well as the evident blunder by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which resulted in lengthy delays in the start and end of voting in a number of polling units.

Members of the organisation include the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA)

Resource Centre, represented by Sulaimon Arigbabu, the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, represented by Dr. Abiola Akiode- Afolabi and the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED), which was represented by Dr. Zikrillahi Ibrahim.

Other members of the coalition are: Connected Development (CODE) on whose behalf Hazmat Lawal signed, the Centre for Anti-corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), represented by Debo Adeniran, the Citizenship Civic Awareness Centre aka Democracy Vanguard, represented by Adeola Soetan and

the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), represented

by Olanrewaju Suraju.

While also highlighting reports of technical challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in some polling locations, as well as other critical but resolved issues such as ballot paper stamping delays, the coalition stated that the process was still not beyond redemption.

It also expressed worry over reports of violent assaults on INEC staff, election material, including BVAS, and some voters in a number of places as a result of security flaws.

Continued on page 8

Buhari Congratulates Presidentelect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Says he's the best man for the job Expresses readiness to work with him for a seamless transition Notes that electoral maps changed in some states including his home state, Katsina Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the winner of this year's Presidential Election, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Reacting to the presidential election results announced this morning by Chairman of the Independent National ElectoralCommission (INEC), Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, President Buhari said: “I congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory.

Elected by the people, he is the best person for the job. I shall now work with him and his team to ensure an orderly handover of power.

According to the President: “The election was Africa’s largest democratic exercise. In a region that has undergone backsliding and military coups in recent years, this election demonstrates democracy’s continued relevance and capability to deliver for the people it serves.

“Within Nigeria, the results reveal

democracy’s ripening in our country.

Never has the electoral map shifted so drastically in one cycle. In the presidential elections, states in all regions across the nation changed colour. Some amongst you may have noticed my home state amongst them. The winning candidate did not carry his own home state either.

That happens during a competitive election. Votes and those that cast them cannot be taken for granted.

Each must be earned. Competition is good for our democracy. There is no doubt the people’s decision has been rendered in the results we look at today.

“That is not to say the exercise was without fault. For instance, there were technical problems with electronic transmission of the results. Of course, there will be areas that need work to bring further transparency and credibility to the voting procedure.

However, none of the issues registered represent a challenge to the freeness and fairness of the elections.

“I know some politicians and candidates may not agree with this view. That too is fine. If any candidate believes they can prove the fraud they claim is committed against them, then bring forward the evidence. If they cannot, then we must conclude that the election was indeed the people’s will – no matter how hard that may be for the losers to accept. If they feel the need to challenge, please take it to the courts, not to the streets.

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

“After a degree of polarization that necessarily accompanies any election, it is now time to come together and act responsibly. I call on all candidates to remember the peace pledge they signed just days before the election.

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

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PREACHING PEACE...

L-R: Former Ghana president, John Dramani Mahama; PDP presidential candidate and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar; vice presidential candidate of the PDP and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, when Mahama led the West Africa Elders Forum Election Mission to Nigeria to a meeting with Atiku at his residence in Abuja…yesterday

Catholic Bishops Urge INEC to Urgently Address IReV Issues, Douse Tension

Amby Uneze in Owerri

The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji has called on the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood

Yakubu to promptly take adequate steps to address the lingering issues emanating from the presidential and National Assembly elections in order to douse tension in the country.

The clergy, who is also the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic

Diocese reminded INEC to ensure that it does the right thing to ensure that the sanctity of the collective will of the electorate was not violated, so as to restore the confidence of the citizenry in the government and its institutions.

In a statement released yesterday

FG Warns Obasanjo Not to Truncate Electoral Process Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has urged former President Olusegun Obasanjo not to truncate the 2023 general election with his inciting, self-serving and provocative letter on the elections.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who issued the statement, said what the former President “cunningly Framed” as an 'appeal for caution and rectification' was nothing but a calculated attempt to undermine the electoral process and a willful incitement to violence.

Mohammed expressed shock and disbelief that a former President could throw around unverified claims and amplify wild allegations picked up from the street against the electoral process. ''Though masquerading as an unbiased and concerned elder statesman, former President Obasanjo is in reality a known partisan, who is bent on thwarting, by subterfuge, the choice of millions of Nigerian voters,'' Mohammed said.

The minister recalled that the former President, in his time, organised perhaps the worst election since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999, hence he is the least qualified to advise a president whose determined effort to leave a legacy of free, fair, credible and transparent election is well acknowledged within and outside Nigeria. ''As the whole nation waits with bated breath for the result of last Saturday's national elections, amid unnecessary tension created by professional complainants and political jesters, what is expected from a self-respecting elder statesman are words and actions

that douse tension and serve as a soothing balm. ''Instead, former President Obasanjo used his unsolicited letter to insinuate, or perhaps wish for, an inconclusive election and a descent into anarchy; used his time to cast aspersion on electoral officials, who are unable to defend themselves, while surreptitiously seeking to dress his personal choice in the garb of the people's choice. This is duplicitous,'' he said.

He reminded Obasanjo that organising elections in Nigeria was not a mean feat, considering that the voter population of 93,469,008 in the country is 16,742,916 more than the total number of registered voters, at 76,726,092, in 14 West African nations put together. ''With a deployment of over 1,265,227 electoral officials, the infusion of technology to enhance the electoral process

and the logistical nightmare of sending election materials across our vast country, INEC seems to be availing itself creditably, going by the preliminary reports of the ECOWAS Electoral Observation Mission and the Commonwealth Observer Group, among other groups that observed the election. ''Therefore, those arrogating to themselves the power to cancel an election and unilaterally fix a date for a new one, ostensibly to ameliorate perceived electoral infractions, should please exercise restraint and allow the official electoral body to conclude its duty by announcing the results of the 2023 national elections. ''After that, anyone who is aggrieved must follow the stipulated legal process put in place to adjudicate electoral disputes, instead of threatening fire and conjuring apocalypse,'' he said.

in Owerri, the cleric expressed displeasure over the delay in the electronic transmission of the results of the polling units to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) before their announcement at the collation centres which had raised suspicion in the minds of Nigerians about the transparency of the entire process.

He added that there was palpable tension in the air and agitations not just by some political parties, but by a cross-section and majority of the Nigerian population, adding that the inability of the commission to transmit the results through the IReV had no doubt jeopardised

resist any attempt by politicians of all stripes to undermine or impede our hard-earned democracy.

“The integrity of the electoral system is critical to the legitimacy of any government that emerges from it. The reported infractions in the conduct of the last Saturday ‘s elections must be thoroughly investigated, and where human error is established, such persons must be duly prosecuted.

“Despite the infractions and incidences of violence reported in a couple of places, we strongly believe the elections are not beyond redemption, and thus INEC and law enforcement authorities should do all that is possible within the

of the people would be accurately reflected in the conduct of the elections.

“Hence, people trooped out in their numbers to cast votes in order to freely choose their next president and representatives at the senate and federal house of assembly,” he said.

He, however, appealed to all Nigerians to remain calm, lawabiding and fervent in prayers, enjoining leaders of political parties to exercise restraint while trusting that INEC would do something to remedy the problems highlighted

by Nigerians.

Lawan: My Constituents Fasted to Enable Me Win Senatorial Seat Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has narrated how he eventually got back his ticket to contest for the Yobe North Senatorial seat after an initial setback.

Lawan was re-elected into the Senate for the fifth term by his constituents in Yobe North on Saturday.

He said his people, apart from voting massively for him on election day, had earlier prayed and fasted for his victory.

He said, "These people fasted on their own. The old people – women.

In fact, I joined in the fast when I

COALITION OF NIGERIAN CSOS WARNS AGAINST CANCELLATION OF POLLS, STOPPAGE OF VOTES COLLATION More significantly, the group observed INEC's inability to quickly update the iRev portal for citizens to monitor poll results, despite the huge expectations raised by the electoral umpire in that regard.

Furthermore, the CSOs expressed worry over the approach that politicians across the board are taking to the issues, as well as the danger that their words and actions may pose to Nigerian and efforts to consolidate the democratic experience.

“We are especially concerned about any attempt to end the ongoing process without completing it logically and in accordance with established processes and procedures, and we urge Nigerians to be vigilant and

the electoral process.

The Archbishop in his message noted that, “for a very long time, we have been praying for peaceful, transparent and credible elections as well as an accurate transmission of their results,” thanking God from saving our country, Nigeria from chaos, anarchy and doom.

“Before the general elections of 25 February, 2023, Nigerians were assured both by the federal government and by the Independent National Electoral Commission that enough electoral reforms and preparation had been made to ensure that the sovereign will

law to transparently rectify these situations,” it stated.

According to the group, INEC should also continue to fix its technical issues and upload all results to its iRev, as pledged to Nigerians, while also ensuring the integrity of the uploaded results. “ The ongoing presentation of results from the states by Returning Officers at the National Collation Centre in Abuja should not be halted under any circumstances, but should be concluded without further delay. “ INEC should ensure results are declared and a winner announced once it has addressed complaints and validated all results from the various states,” the CSOs explained.

saw that youths in the zone started fasting. They fasted for three or four days consecutively praying to God that we get judgement.

And we got it.

"When I went home the following Saturday after the judgement, it was an emotional reunion between me and my constituents. Some were in tears of joy."

Lawan added, "You will recall that when the crisis about who will run for the Senate seat for Yobe North started, the matter was taken to court.

"At the Federal High Court Damaturu, somebody else was given judgement and immediately, the following morning, I issued a statement signed by me that I accepted the judgement of the Federal High Court Damaturu giving the Senate seat to somebody else and that I was not going to appeal the judgement and I meant it and I didn't have any doubt about what I was doing.

"I was thoroughly convinced of what I was doing. But the people of Yobe North stood up in unison and in solidarity. They said that Senate seat for Yobe North is not my personal thing. It is their own.

"So while they respect my opinion and my right to say something that I said before, they wanted an appeal against the judgement.

"The party at the state level, APC, my party, took up the gauntlet. His Excellency, the Governor of Yobe

State also took up the gauntlet and the party at the national level, the APC headquarters also took up the gauntlet and the party appealed.

Of course, they lost at the Appeal Court.

"And at the Supreme Court, the judgement came in our favour. We thank the Almighty God for giving us the judgement because God has plans for all of us and there is a popular adage that ‘man proposes, God disposes."

"While I was ready not to contest again because of my decision, God did not see it that way. God look at the hearts of the most ordinary people that I represent.

"All through my over 20 years in the National Assembly and, with this one, seven contested elections consecutively, I have never seen a show of love like this one. And that is why I said I am going to carry this congratulatory card to Gashua to show my constituents.”

Speaking further, he said: "I campaigned for two days Wednesday and Thursday. We didn't have time. Even if we didn't go out to campaign, people were already mobilised. The outcome of the election was the best I ever had because they voted more than at any other time for this 2023.

"Yobe North people deserve every accolade. Infact, I need your prayers that I'm able to give them the kind of representation that will make them happy because they have made me and all my supporters quite happy."

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Okowa, Datti-Ahmed Call for Cancellation of Presidential Polls Say exercise violation of constitution, electoral laws

Chuks Okocha in Abuja In a follow-up to the world press conference by the national chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Labour Party (LP), vice presidential candidates of two of the parties, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and Senator Datt-Ahmed of the Labour Party, have also called for the cancellation of the presidential election because it is a violation of the constitution and the 2022 electoral act.

Addressing a world press conference in Abuja shortly after their national chairmen, Okowa and Datti said the presidential election held Saturday February 25 2023 could not stand,because it was a rape on democracy as well as unconstitutional.

The text of the press statement read by the PDP Presidential running mate, Okowa stated:"We wish to state for

the records that last weekend's election was a sham. It was neither free nor fair. What played out yesterday at the National Collation Center exposes the National Chairman of playing to a predetermined script. Our position remains that the election and transmission of the results must be in tandem with the Electoral Act and the INEC guidelines.

"There is no doubt that INEC is under a statutory obligation to transmit election results electronically.

Paragraph 38 of the INEC manual made pursuant to section 149 of the Electoral Act 2022 and the 1999 constitution as amended provides for this. That paragraph, which deals with the transmission of results at the polling units, is crucial, and it imposes statutory obligations on the part of INEC to upload polling units results on its portal.

"There is no doubt that polling units results are the pyramid upon

which other results are built.

Therefore, it is required that the moment polls come to a close and the results are declared, the results must be uploaded on INEC server or portal," Okowa stated.

According to him, "Paragraph 38 of INEC Manual 2022 made pursuant to the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and section 149 of of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that ‘On completion of all the Polling Unit voting and results procedures, the Presiding Officer shall: Electronically transmit or transfer the result of the Polling Unit, direct to the collation system as prescribed by the Commission.

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

Take the BVAS and the original copy of each of the forms in tamper

evident envelope to the Registration Area/Ward Collation Officer, in the company of Security Agents. The Polling Agents may accompany the Presiding Officer to the RA/Ward Collation Centre.’ It is mandatory and compulsory. INEC has no option.

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

Accordingly, Okowa said, "For clarity, Section 64 (4) (a) and (b) of the Electoral Act, 2022 specifically provide thus: ‘A collation officer or returning officer at an election shall collate and announce the result of an election subject to his or her verification and confirmation that the -

"number of accredited voters stated on the collated result are correct and consistent with the number of accredited voters recorded and transmitted directly from polling units under section 47 (2) of this Act and (b) votes stated on the collated result are correct and consistent with the votes or results recorded and transmitted directly from Polling Units under Section (60) (4) of this Act,” he explained.

Consequent on the above Section 60 (4) of the Electoral Act 2022, Okowa stressed, "any result announced by INEC is ultra vires, illegal, and of no consequence unless they are results already transmitted DIRECTLY from the Polling Units. So, procedurally, INEC cannot continue to announce results that are yet to be transmitted as expressly stated in the relevant sections of the Electoral Act. ''The law is that where the law has set out the procedures to be followed,

that procedures and no other must be followed. The argument that INEC guidelines have no force of law is idle and wayward arguments. This is not even the question of alterations of the results. It is a question of noncompliance with mandatory statutory provisions.

"The argument that it is only when the Chief Electoral Officer of the Federation announces the winner of the Presidential election that the results can be uploaded on the INEC portal cannot be correct.

There must be uploading of results at the polling units after the polling officers had announced the winner at the polling units.

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

results, saying the upper chamber never approved electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act it passed.

Lawan said the senate only approved a transfer of the results after all the paper work had been done, with the party agents having copy of the results.

Responding to the wave of negative reactions to the elections, Yakubu said, "In accordance with the new Electoral Act, particularly, under section 65 of the Electoral Act, we will review the election where it is absolutely necessary."

IPAC chairman, Yabagi Sani, however, urged INEC to continue with the result collation process, saying, "We are here with most of the members of the council. We are here to express our delight that this process should continue.

This is because when democracy fails, political parties are the first casualties and the politicians are the biggest losers.

"Democracy is crucial to the people of this country and we believe that the elections are the fundamental pillars of our democracy. So, the mere fact that we held this election amid the current circumstances, we need to congratulate this country."

Sani noted that IPAC was aware of the challenges in the country, and the unexpected developments the commission and political parties had to deal with.

He said, “From our findings, it is not uncommon to experience such in any technology usage. We believe that we are at a crossroads but Nigerians are highly resilient.

We should summon up the courage

to conclude this process."

National Chairman of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, had also urged the INEC chairman to go ahead with the process.

Nwanyanwu stated, "Without prejudice to whatever challenges, we must not burn down Nigeria.

Nigeria must exist first before we can become whatever we become.

Nobody can believe that Lagos can fall to third force. Nobody believes that three governors will lose their senatorial seats. A state they governed for eight years.

"Nobody believes that an Okada rider is now moving to the House of Representatives. Party leaders lost their polling units and states. This is the same election we want to throw the baby with the bath water. So go ahead with the process."

nationally.

According to him, “ethnic champions can’t go far as democracy is a game of numbers. Wherever a candidate has the critical numbers, he wins. Wherever he is deficient, he loses. We have seen all these scenarios at play in the weekend election.”

The APC campaign called on INEC to speed up the announcement of the result to quickly defuse the current atmosphere of anxiety in the country.

It also called on Atiku and Obi to emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan by conceding defeat, saying, “this election has already been won

by Bola Tinubu of APC according to the results declared at the collation centres in the state.”

Alake added: "In 2015, President Jonathan did not wait for INEC to finish collation before he called President Muhammadu Buhari and congratulated him in the true spirit of democracy and sportsmanship.

"We urge Atiku Abubakar and Obi to follow the same path of honour, instead of attempting to heat the polity via the reckless statements by surrogates. Let Atiku and Obi call Tinubu now."

Meanwhile, the West African Elders Forum have appealed for calm in the country. They also called on INEC to address the concerns

Abure, who read the text of the press conference said, "The conduct of the February 25, 2023 election has been marred by widespread violence, rigging, intimidation of voters, doctoring of the results, and violation of the laid down electoral process, which was communicated by the national electoral body, INEC. "INEC had announced a process, which would require the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for accreditation and voting and that all election results would be electronically transmitted from polling units to INEC Servers.

"The above process, published repeatedly, announced, and agreed with INEC by all political parties was not followed, thereby leaving room for manipulation of the results after Nigerians had voted.

"The results announced by INEC so far show monumental disparities between the actual results reported

by Labour Party agents, our party members, and, indeed, millions of Nigerians, on election day from the polling units. We have also listened to the arguments made by collation officers of the different political parties.

"The crux of the matter is the deliberate refusal of the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, as the National Returning Officer for the presidential election, to respond to the demand of political parties for the commission to respect the pre-existing regulations that results of this election shall be uploaded on the INEC server through the Biomodal Voter Accreditation System technology.”

Abure said INEC’s failure to comply with the laid down, published, and agreed process for the conduct of the election had compromised the integrity and credibility of the entire presidential election.

According to him, "In cases where they tried to upload the results, INEC officials assigned to polling units could not do so. In some cases, they revealed that they had directives from their superiors to not upload the results. In some cases, they said the password for them to access the INEC server had been changed. We also recall that the initial explanation by INEC for the delay was on account of glitches on the INEC server.

"Neither did INEC explain to the nation what the nature of those glitches was nor did the commission avail the country or even agents at the polling units that it will not be uploading the results generated at the polling units to the server, when it resolves those glitches. We are, therefore, constrained on this development to state that INEC compromised the integrity of this election even before collation began at the PUs. “We have, therefore, arrived at the conclusion that the presidential election of Saturday, February 25, 2023, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been irretrievably compromised and we have totally lost faith in the entire process.

"The Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party shall not be part of the process currently going

Continued on page 11

Continued on page 34

INEC DECLARES BOLA AHMED TINUBU PRESIDENT-ELECT Chuks Okocha, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Olawale Ajimotokan, Adedayo Akinwale, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Ugo Aliogo in Lagos The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2023 presidential election.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu declared Tinubu the winner at exactly 4.10am today in Abuja. By this declaration, Tinubu would be the 16th leader of Nigeria since independence in 1960.

The former Lagos state governor polled a total votes of 8,794,726 to defeat his closest rival and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar who scored 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of Labour party who polled 6,101,533 votes.

The presidential candidate of New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso came a distant fourth with the total votes of 1,496,687 votes.

Yakubu said the registered voters for the election was 93,469,008, while 25,286,616 voters were accredited.

He put the total valid votes at 24,025,940, while total rejected votes were 939,278.

The INEC chairman said the total number of votes cast was 24,965,218.

He declared: "I certify that I am the returning officer for the 2023 presidential election held on the 25th of February 2003.

"That Tinubu Bola Ahmed of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared

the winner and returned elected. The Certificate of Return to the president elect and Vice president elect will take place here at 3pm today."

Yakubu said for Senators and Members of the House of Representatives elect, the commission would issue a statement today on when the presentation of their own certification would be made.

Earlier yesterday, Tinubu had commenced move to stop Atiku and Obi from taking any action that would see to the stoppage of the ongoing collation and announcement of the results of the election.

Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kasim Shettima, who were the plaintiffs in the suit filed before a Federal High Court in Kano, in their motion on notice filed alongside the originating summons, had asked the court to make the order restraining the defendants from stopping the collation and announcement of the results because, “damages will not adequately compensate for the injury that may be occasioned on the Plaintiffs if by the Defendants stop the collation of the result.”

Also yesterday, INEC had responded to the groundswell of grievances about the conduct of last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections with an assurance that the polls would be reviewed where necessary in accordance with Section 65 of the Electoral Act. But the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) had thrown its weight behind the electoral body, saying the ongoing collation of the presidential election results should continue, despite the overwhelming public misgivings.

Amid the growing complaints about the polls, the PDP, Labour Party (LP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC), had yesterday, called on Yakubu, to stand down from superintending the election process on account of his alleged biases.

The parties stated this during a joint press conference in Abuja, where they played a tape of Yakubu promising last November that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) would be used in the 2023 elections.

However, a statement yesterday by Yakubu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, described the calls for the INEC chairman’s resignation as misplaced and irresponsible.

Nonetheless, the national leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said INEC had explanations to make to Nigerians on why its officials failed to use the BVAS machines on election day as provided in the election guidelines.

Similarly, a top member of LP, Mr. Dele Farotimi, said any attempt to foist on Nigerians a new president based on a flawed election would result in legitimacy crisis for the president.

As part of the widespread loathing of INEC’s conduct during last Saturday’s elections, protesters from different political parties, yesterday, stormed the Presidential Collation Centre at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, to demand electronic transmission of results by the commission.

Curiously, Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, yesterday, intervened in the controversy over the manual collation of the presidential election

PDP, LP, ADC tell INEC Chairman to Resign

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) called on the INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to step down from further supervision of the ongoing result election collation process on account of his alleged biases.

The three parties made the call at a joint press conference in Abuja. They passed a vote of no confidence on the INEC chairman and played a tape of Yakubu promising last November that the BVAS machine would be used for this year’s elections, during an interaction with some international pre-election observers.

National Chairman of LP, Julius

A P C P C C : O B ASA N J O ' S CA L L F O R E L E CT I O N CA N C E L L AT I O N M E A N T TO T R U N CAT E N I G E R I A ' S D E M O C R ACY Election Mission to Nigeria have appealed for calm in the country.

The WAEF also disclosed that they have since met with Senator Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress; Mr. Peter Obi Of the Labour Party; Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), since last Saturday’s elections, in a peace move.

Obasanjo had in a letter issued Monday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to cancel all elections that did not pass the credibility and transparency test and a new date rescheduled also for electoral wards or polling units where elections were disrupted.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, in Abuja, the Special Adviser, Media, Public Affairs and Strategic Communications, APC PCC, Mr. Dele Alake, said Obasanjo has no moral right to meddle in the election let alone calling for its cancellation.

He said the former president’s call for cancellation of the election was anchored on unsubstantiated claims, rumours and allegations of fraud by opposition parties led by Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party, who having seen that they had lost the election would rather want the country's democracy to be truncated on the altar of their lies.

He said the APC had always

suspected that the Labour Party and PDP were same, only divided by individual inordinate ambition.

Alake stated: "You must also be aware of the gang up by the PDP and Labour Party, whose agents walked out of the National Collation Centre in Abuja on Monday.

“Today, they continued their conspiracy to truncate our 24-year democratic journey by raising unfounded allegations against INEC, casting aspersions on the whole electoral process, forgetting the process had handed them unexpected victories in some states.

"We have always suspected that the Labour Party and PDP are the same, only divided by individual inordinate ambition. We want to remind them that election is a process like pregnancy. Like a pregnancy that has reached full term, it cannot be aborted. We are not in 1993 when June 12 was aborted by similar forces. It is too late to do so.

"The APC-PCC wants to say emphatically that former President Obasanjo has no moral right to meddle in this election let alone calling for its cancellation because he is an interested party having publicly, on January 1 this year, endorsed the candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi," he said.

Alake noted that the ruling party would not jump the protocol governing the announcement of the election results and allow the

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to perform its constitutional duty.

He added: "We want to tell the gathering anti-democratic forces that we have the strength, the determination and the will to protect and defend this process and the soon-to-be-formally announced mandate freely given to our party and presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

"We are very well aware of the plan of the PDP and their Labour Party collaborators to heighten tension in the country and create general state of fear through their sponsored Television and Radio surrogates who continue to push false narratives about the general conduct of the election.

"We are also aware of the coordinated assault aimed at discrediting the whole electoral process and the integrity of INEC by their so-called paid and partisan agents who wear the toga of Election Observers.

"We consider Obasanjo’s failed attempt to scuttle the process through his unsolicited advice to President Muhammadu Buhari to cancel the election as part of the grand orchestration of many evil plots to truncate democracy in Nigeria."

He said the integrity of the electoral process had been attested to by the international observers such

as the Commonwealth, ECOWAS, European Union and African Union observer missions who according to him, had adjudged the election as peaceful, free and fair whilst they identified areas of logistical improvements INEC should take into consideration in future elections.

Alake stressed: "As you are well aware, the election was replete with drama. We saw the APC presidential candidate, party chairman and PCC director-general, losing their home states to Labour Party. Our DG also lost his bid to the Senate.

"We have also seen how Governor Samuel Ortom, a Labour Party backer lost his state of Benue to the APC. He also lost his bid to the Senate to the APC candidate.

“The Benue APC Tsunami was triggered by our popular governorship candidate, Father Hyacinth Alia and the party leader, George Akume.

In Taraba, we have also witnessed how Governor Darius Ishaku lost his senatorial election.

"With all these hills and valleys and dramas that characterized the election, how can anyone claim the election was rigged or not transparent."

Alake said there was a need for politicians to imbibe the democratic spirit, saying elections were meant to test a candidate’s acceptance or popularity.

He said in a national election, politicians must seek acceptance

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NEWS

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON ABIODUN...

L-R: Ogun State Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Olayinka Abayomi Ijale; Governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Cyrus Johnson; suspended National Public Relations Officer of Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi; Governor Dapo Abiodun; state Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in the state and the chairman of PRP, Samson Ogunsanya; Deputy Governorship Candidate of APP in the state, Bello Oluwatomisin, and state chairman of APP, Alhaji Moshood Adesina, and others, during a meeting where a vote of confidence was passed on Governor Dapo Abiodun by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in the state at Iperu-Remo... yesterday

Halt ongoing Collation of Presidential Election Results, Peter Obi Support Group Tells INEC Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The Peter Obi Support Network (POSN) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop the collation of results and comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act which stipulates that results must be uploaded and transmitted to INEC Result Viewing portal (IReV).

The POSN in a statement signed

by Alhaji Ismaila Savu of the groups Directorate of Information, condemned the electoral body for violating its own laws on transmitting of results.

The group stated that INEC had violated all the stipulated guidelines on transmission of results despite assurances to the public.

The statement read in part, "Section 60 of the Electoral Act provides that the Presiding officer shall, after counting the votes at the polling unit, enter the votes scored by each candidate in a form to be prescribed by the

Commission as the case maybe.

“Section 60(5) of the Electoral Act provides that the Presiding Officer shall transfer the results including total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.

“Independent National Electoral Commission thereafter pursuant to Section 148 of the Electoral Act, 2022, the Commission may, subject to the provision of this Act, issue regulations, guidelines, or manuals for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Act and for its determination.

"This regulation and guidelines cover elections and arrangement for their conduct, accreditation and voting procedure at elections, and collation of election results.

"In article 38 of the Electoral guidelines - Article 38 provides that electronic transmission of results and upload of results to IReV the commission stated that on completion of all the polling unit voting and results procedures, the presiding officer shall:

LASG Pays 533 Pensioners N1.2bn

Rebecca Ejifoma

Lagos State government yesterday revealed that it has paid N1.2 billion accrued pension rights to 533 retirees.

The state government explained that the payment aligned with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's mandate to clear the pension backlog.

Speaking at the 99th Benefit Bond Certificates Presentation for retirees of the State Public Service, the Director-General of Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mr. Babalola Obilana, reassured the pensioners of Sanwo-Olu's commitment towards the wellbeing of the state workforce.

"The Lagos state government is paying N1.2 billion to 500 pensioners just as he promised.

The money will be transferred to your Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) in a week," Obilana told participants.

He, however, told the bond certificate recipients that if they encounter any difficulties, they should swiftly call on them to intervene.

"Please be wary of those who will approach you for investments. This isn't the time to buy aso-ebi or marry more wives," he added.

The Director General appealed to the senior citizens to take good care of themselves, urging them to "be prudent with your expenses."

While presenting the bond certificates to the pensioners, Obilana congratulated them and thanked them for their services to the state.

“Electronically transmit or transfer the result of the polling unit, direct to the collation system as prescribed by the Commission; use the BVAS to upload a scanned copy of the EC8A to the IReV as prescribed by the Commission “Take the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) and the original copy of each of the forms in tamper evident envelop to the registration Area/Ward Collation Office, in the company of security agents.

"The polling agents may accompany the Presiding Officer to the RA/Ward Collation Centre.

The IReV is a platform created

by INEC in Nigeria to provide real-time transmission of election

results from polling units to the central collation centre.”

It was designed to enhance the transparency of the electoral process and reduce the incidence of vote rigging and election manipulation.

"The IReV platform allows voters and other interested parties to monitor the electoral process and view the results of ongoing elections in real-time.

"The portal provides pictures of the election results from each polling unit, including the number of votes cast for each candidate and the percentage of total votes cast.

"The presidential election of 2023 was conducted on the 25th

day of February 2023. Most of the election spilled to the early hours of the 26th day of February 2023.

"During the collation of the results, INEC Polling agents refused, failed and neglected to upload scanned copies of the EC8A to the IReV therefore did not electronically transmit the result of the polling unit to the collection system.

"The polling officials mentioned several factors that stopped or inhibited the upload and transmission such as: wrong password, no password, no network, device low battery, and presidential IReV not working.”

It disclosed that when they approached INEC through its

spokesperson, Festus Okoye, he had insisted that it was a mere glitch and that the IRev would be back in no time.

"To our greatest chagrin, the Chairman of INEC began to collate the results and start receiving results from the state returning officers without these results being transmitted or uploaded in the IReV. "This is a violation of the extant laws that require all results to be uploaded and transmitted to IReV. "We therefore request that the Commission should immediately halt the ongoing return exercise and announcement of results until these results are uploaded and transmitted to IRev."

Elections: NBC Warns against Broadcast of Subversive Contents Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has warned broadcast stations covering and reporting the general elections to be wary of broadcasting contents capable of leading to the breakdown of law and order.

The Director General NBC, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja.

He asked all broadcasters to abide by the provisions of the extant electoral laws, the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and other relevant regulations guiding the broadcast of elections in Nigeria.

He noted the Commission had also observed that some guests on broadcast stations were making volatile allusions capable of causing unrest in the country.

He referred to section 5.3.3(k) of the code which forbids broadcasters not to use any vote obtained at a polling station or from an exit poll to project or speculate on the chances of a candidate and section 5.3.3(l) which says the relay of election results or declaration of the winner must only be as announced by the authorised electoral officer for

the election.

Ilelah added that the NBC Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation, 2004, also prescribes, in the third Schedule 12(6) that: “A licensee shall be responsible for the content of the station’s broadcast.”

The NBC warned that appropri-

ate sanctions would be meted out to any erring station that operates outside the confines of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

“The Commission enjoins all broadcasters to desist from using or allowing their platforms and facilities to be used for the

broadcast of contents that may lead to the breakdown of law and order,” Ilelah added.

He appealed to broadcaster to perform the role of peace agents by adhering to the principles of responsibility, accuracy and neutrality.

NBA Chief Calls for Immediate Provision of Health Facilities in Courts Condoles with deceased lawyer's family, others Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti Following the sad news of a judge's sudden death while on duty in an Akure court of Appeal, Ondo State, a former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ado-Ekiti branch and Human Rights Lawyer, Samuel Olakanmi Falade has called for the immediate provision of health facilities across courts in the country An Appeal Court judge, Justice Lokulo-Sodipe who reportedly slumped in court on Monday, was confirmed dead yesterday.

He was aged 67.

Justice Lokulo-Sodipe who was

until his demise was one of the Justices at the Court of Appeal, Akure Division was said to have slumped while dressing up for Monday’s matter in court. Attempts to resuscitate him failed due to lack of health facilities in the court, as he reportedly gave up the ghost on the way to the hospital.

Falade who reacted through a telephone chat with THISDAY, expressed sadness that the deceased couldn't be revived, pointing out that he would not have died if there were health facilities on the court premises.

"The judiciary at all spheres

should as a matter of urgency provide for adequate health facility and personnel seconded from both federal and state parastatals to all state High courts and division of all court of appeals and the supreme Court."

The NBA chief equally sent his condolences to the families of the late jurist and members of bar and benches in Akure and Ondo state government.

While praying that God should grant the family and his colleagues the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, Falade prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest.

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WEDNESDAY, ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

WATCHING COLLATION OF RESULTS...

Party agents at the National Collation Centre, Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI

Olu Bajowa Hits Obasanjo Over Call for Cancellation of Elections

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

A retired military general, Olu Bajowa has condemned former President Olusegun Obasanjo for demanding the cancellation of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

Obasanjo had called on President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the polls because they were marred by irregularities.

But in a statement yesterday, the retired general, who saved Obasanjo

from being killed by whiskers during the February 13, 1976 military coup, warned the former head of state against causing crisis in the country.

He said, "It is very sad, most disheartening and grossly unexpected that a man of the calibre of a former military Head of State

and two-time civilian President, General Olusegun Obasanjo could contemplate anything that could truncate Nigeria's democratic process at this very crucial stage!

"General Obasanjo was the one who gave me orders to go to the war front in 1967, to fight the legendary

Bauchi APC Demands Redeployment of INEC REC, Admin Secretary for Breaching Electoral Act Alleges PDP compromised security, electoral body’s adhoc officers during polls Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Bauchi State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has questioned the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the conduct of the 2023 presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections held in last Saturday.

It alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government compromised the security and INEC ad-hoc electoral officers in most of the polling units across the state.

Similarly, the party called on the Chairman of INEC to immediately transfer the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state.

The state chairman of the APC, Hon. Babayo Aliyu Misau, who made the call yesterday, while briefing journalists over the conduct of the presidential and NASS elections held in the state alleged that they (INEC) have become the machineries of the PDP that manipulate the electoral process.

According to him, "We unconditionally demand for immediate redeployment of the REC for Bauchi State and the Administrative Secretary of the Commission to ensure transparency and safeguard the sanctity of the electoral process.

“We unconditionally demand INEC to immediately disengage all of the illegal Presiding Officers and replace them with the genuinely trained Youth Corps members in line with the terms contained in the MOU between INEC and NYSC." Represented by the State Legal Adviser, Rabiu Garba, the chairman said: "We unconditionally demand that INEC must ensure that all

of its ad-hoc staff are sufficiently trained before the next election of March, 11, 2023 to avoid the occurrence of unnecessary and deliberate irregularities capable of undermining the sanctity of the election process.

“As you are all aware, the presidential and National Assembly elections were conducted across the federation by INEC in tandem with the approved guidelines and timetable for the 2023 General Elections.

"We must commend INEC for keeping to its pledge to conduct the exercise as scheduled against all odds and apparent challenges. We further commend all stakeholders in the entire electoral process notably, the security operatives, civil society organisations, international observer groups, the media and most importantly the electorates who massively voted for our next president (Insha Allah), Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all other candidates of the APC in the just concluded elections."

He added: "We in APC, have always maintained the firm view of the electorates that elections must be free, fair, credible and in line with the international best practices.

“From the results so far released, it is obvious that the electorates in Bauchi State have confidence in our great party, APC which created panic in the ruling PDP in the State.

"However, we must condemn in totality, the cunning move made by the PDP Government in Bauchi State to compromise the security and INEC ad-hoc electoral officers in most of the polling units across the state."

Speaking further, he said: "For instance, under the INEC

guidelines for the 2023 general elections, ad-hoc staff are required to be effectively trained on how to operate the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) device and to as well, preside over elections at polling units.

"We have witnessed in some Local Governments Areas of Bauchi State where the INEC trained ad-hoc staff were replaced with certain card- carrying members of

the ruling PDP who apparently manipulated the election process in favour of their party.

"Thus, in some polling units, they illegally cancelled the elections in APC controlled polling units caused deliberate malfunctioning of the BVAS machines, mutilated sensitive election materials, etc.

We strongly condemn the PDP interference in that regard and shall take up the matter appropriately."

Ore Battle, ‘to keep Nigeria One.’ "Without any attempt to undermine General Obasanjo, I believe that his intentions on the 2023 electoral process, are far from being sincere, given the fact that he openly endorsed a particular candidate who incidentally is not leading the polls, as already announced by INEC. "As the saying goes, he who must come to equity, must come with clean hands. Hence, it is obvious that having endorsed a candidate, General Obasanjo’s hands are not clean in this instance, and he lacks the moral right to come to equity.

"I advise President Muhammadu Buhari, not to be deterred by the anti-democratic voices making the rounds and not be swayed, deceived, or persuaded to allow anyone to destroy his worthy legacy of excellent service to our great nation.

"A quick glance at the results announced so far by INEC, paint a clear picture of the direction to which the voice of the people is tilted. There are several upsets which only a free and fair process could have produced.

"For instance, the official release of results so far showed that, President Buhari lost Katsina, Bola Tinubu lost Lagos, El-Rufai lost Kaduna, Ganduje lost Kano, Lalong lost Plateau. All these states are strongholds of the ruling political party! How else can a process be free, fair, and transparent?

"I call on all well-meaning Nigerians across political parties, tribes, and religion to rise and condemn any attempt by any persons of sinister motives, to create problems for our country, leading to anarchy that could endanger peace, unity, and stability of Nigeria, and even the disintegration of the country.”

According to him, Nigeria was not a lawless country.

“The constitution is clear on who should conduct elections, and there are provisions for review on irregularities, punishment for infractions, and aggrieved parties to seek redress through the legal process!

“In fact, the law does not make any provision for unilateral cancellation or annulment of election results. Such move is totally wrong, undemocratic, unacceptable, and unconstitutional."

APC PCC: OBASANJO'S CALL FOR ELECTION CANCELLATION MEANT TO TRUNCATE NIGERIA'S DEMOCRACY and procedural questions raised so far by different stakeholders.

The elders also urged INEC to comply with the electoral law and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as a means of retaining the confidence of Nigerians in the on-going collating of the February 25 presidential election results.

The elders who stated this in a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, also revealed that they had begun a process of consultations with some of the presidential candidates and other key stakeholders, taking to them messages of peace in order to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order in the country.

In the statement jointly signed

by Jonathan, who is the convener of WAEF and Mahama, Head of WAEF’s Mission to Nigeria’s 2023 Elections, the Forum commended Nigerians for the calmness, patience and maturity they continued to exhibit as they wait for the collation process to be concluded.

The Mission further noted that Nigerians demonstrated faith and patriotism in their country, by defying the challenges of delay in arrival of electoral materials, voter suppression and incidents of violence to perform their civic

duties of voting on election day.

The Mission noted how Nigerians across the country demonstrated faith and patriotism in their country, defying many challenges to perform their civic duties.

They stated: “While the elections were peaceful in a number of places, challenges of delay in arrival of electoral materials, voter suppression, ballot box vandalisation and incidents of violence in some states, created anxiety among citizens who were passionate to cast their ballots.

“We commend Nigerians for the calmness, patience and maturity they have continued to exhibit as they wait for the collation process to be concluded.

“The Mission notes that some political parties and concerned citizens have raised procedural questions and allegations of infractions of the electoral law in the process of collation of results. We call on all aggrieved parties to document and present their claims to INEC, in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022.

“The Mission notes the imperative of retaining the confidence of Nigerians in the ongoing electoral process and, therefore, urges the INEC to thoroughly investigate those concerns and comply with

the electoral law and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the process of collating the election results.”

They also reiterate that Nigeria remains a major stakeholder in the sustainability of democracy in West Africa and the responsibility of maintaining the nation’s thriving democracy and the general peace of our sub-region, “rest on all our shoulders, especially on the integrity of INEC and other election management bodies in West Africa, during elections.”

They added: “We therefore urge INEC to live up to its responsibility of delivering free, fair and credible elections, in accordance with the nation’s laws. WAEF urges political parties, candidates and their supporters to remain calm and peaceful while awaiting the final outcome of the electoral process.

“As former leaders who are committed to peace and stability in our sub-region, we have begun a round of consultations with some of the presidential candidates and other key stakeholders, taking to them our message of hope, understanding and peace.

“So far, WAEF have held meetings with some of the presidential candidates including the Presidential

candidate of the New Nigeria People's Party Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in Abuja.

“This afternoon we also held consultations with the All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate Senator Bola Tinubu and the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in an expanded meeting that included the Heads of Missions of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma and His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, respectively, as well as the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Dr. Omar Alieu Touray.

“We have continued, in all of these meetings, to urge the candidates and their supporters to maintain peace and use all available legitimate means to sort out their concerns and grievances. We hope to sustain this Mission until the electoral processes are successfully concluded.

“We, therefore, urge everyone to be circumspect in their actions and responsibilities, during this moment in order not to jeopardise the collective stability and peace of the nation.”

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2023

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com

08033025611 SMS ONLY

Constituents Reject Senators Gaya, Olujimi, Egwu, Others at Poll The Tsunami that swept about 70 per cent of the current members of the Senate during the primaries of political parties last year, further depleted the hallowed red chambers at the end of the just concluded National Assembly elections. Sunday Aborisade reports.

Gaya

A

Olujimi

part from all the six female Senators that would not make it to the 10th Senate, some ranking Senators also lost at the poll last

Saturday.

The female Senators that lost in their re-election bid are Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South); Stella Oduah (Anambra North); and Lilian Ekwunife (Anambra Central).

Senators Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central), Nora Ladi Dadu’ut (Plateau South), and Akon Etim Eyakenyi (Akwa Ibom South) did not seek re-election.

With the prevailing trend, the 10th National Assembly may be dominated by fresh legislators with the attendant adverse effects on institutional memory which usually strengthen the legislative institution.

Other serving Senators who lost their bid to return to the red chamber after Saturday’s poll are the Senate Spokesperson, Ajibola Basiru (Osun Central), Kola Balogun (Oyo South); Danjuma La’ah (Kaduna South), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi North), Michael Ama Nnachi (Ebonyi South), Kabiru Gaya (Kano Central); Francis Alimikhena (Edo North); Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North);Gabriel Suswan (Benue NorthEast) and Senator Bala Na Allah Kebbi South).

Announcing the result at the collation center for Kebbi South in Zuru, Professor Ibrahim Mohammed, said PDP scored 75,232 votes, while APC scored 70,787.

Serving governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Ben Ayade (Cross River), lost their bid to retire to the 10th Senate.

Despite the controversies that trailed his candidature which was later resolved at the Supreme Court, President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, won his re-election to the Senate for the fifth term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

Lawan, who won the Saturday Senatorial election by a landslide victory having polled 91,318 votes, representing 74.7 percent of the total valid votes(122,193), to defeat his closest rival, Bello Ilu of PDP who polled 22,849 votes dedicated his victory for the people of Yobe North Senatorial District in Yobe State.

Also, the Chief Whip of the Senate and Candidate of the APC, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has been declared winner of the Abia-North Senatorial elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The former governor of Abia State polled a total of 30,805 votes to defeat his major opponents Mao Ohuabunwa

of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 15, 175 votes while Nnamdi Iroh of the Labour Party got 25,540 votes.

Similarly, the Senator representing Bayelsa West in the National Assembly, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has been re-elected. Dickson was declared winner of the Bayelsa West Senatorial District election by the Senatorial Returning Officer, Prof Akpan Emnanuel, on Monday.

The former two-term Governor of Bayelsa State polled 27,000 votes to defeat candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Wilson Ayakpo Dauyegha, who scored 8,375 votes.

Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (APC Niger East) has also been declared winner of the Niger East Senatorial District. He scored a total of 229,415 votes to beat his opponent Isiaku Sani of the Peoples Democratic Party who scored 116,143.

Similarly, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party for Nasarawa North Senatorial district, Godiya Akwashiki, has also won his re-election bid.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, polled 69,351 votes to defeat Ajijola Lateef of the PDP who polled 26,181 votes.

Umar Sadiq Sulaimon of the APC was declared winner of the Kwara North Senatorial District.

Egwu

Suswan

Sulaimon polled 78,015 votes to beat his closest rival, Issa Bawa Adamu of the PDP, who garnered 41,443 votes, while the Labour Party (LP) Candidate, Moses Rebecca, got 1,947 votes.

The declaration was made by the Returning Officer for Kwara North, Professor Oluwole Akinola.

In the same vein, Senator Lola Ashiru, representing Kwara South Senatorial District, APC, has been reelected for another term. Ashiru of the APC polled a total of 55,966 votes, while Senator Rafiu Ibrahim of the PDP received 34,950 votes Ibrahim Mustapha of the PDP has been declared winner of the election in Kaduna North Senatorial District.

PDP candidate in the Cross Rivers North Senatorial District elections, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has been declared winner in Saturday’s National Assembly elections.

Announcing the results, the Returning Officer, Dr Emmanuel Emanghe said the PDP scored 76,145 votes to defeat the incumbent APC Governor of the State, Professor Ben Ayade, who scored 56,595 votes. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe has thus been re-elected to the senate.

Senate Spokesperson, Ajibola Basiru, has lost his bid to return to the senate, after losing to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Fadeyi Olubiyi. Declaring result of the election at the Osun Central Senatorial collation centre, Osogbo City Hall, Olonkoro, the collation officer, Professor Ibrahim Usman, disclosed that Olubiyi scored 134, 229 to defeat Basiru, who polled 117,609.

Former Governor of Ogun, Gbenga Daniel, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been declared winner of the Ogun-East Senatorial election held on Saturday.

Christopher Onwuka, INEC Returning Officer for the senatorial district, announced the results on Sunday at the collation centre in Itoro Hall, IjebuOde. Onwuka said Mr Daniel scored 115,147 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ajibola Kalejaiye of the PDP, who scored 58,708 votes.

Also, Senator Solomon Adeola polled a total of 112, 887 votes to defeat Ganiyu Obanibasiri of the PDP, who scored 60,189 votes. Adeola scored the highest votes of 112,887, to emerge winner of the Ogun-West Senatorial District.

Busunessman and Enterpreneur, Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, polled 110,665 votes to defeat a former deputy governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi of the PDP, who polled 65, 784 votes to emerge the Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District.

Declaring former Governor Godswill Akpabio as the winner of the contest for the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Professor Anthony Udoh, said the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, satisfied all conditions to be declared the winner having polled 115,401 valid votes.

The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Emmanuel Enoidem, who came a distant second, polled 69,838 votes.

Former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, also won Zamfara West Senate seat under the APC. The Returning Officer, Zamfara West Senatorial Election, Prof. Rufus Tinuola, said Yari scored 147,346 votes against his closest opponent of the PDP, Bello S-Fagon, who scored 58,832 votes. According to him, other candidates Ibrahim Musa of ADC scored 150 votes, Ahmad Lawali of APP scored 75 votes and Aliyu Yahaya of LP had 111 votes.

Former governors of Gombe State, Danjuma Goje and Ibrahim Dankwambo won their bids to represent their senatorial districts.

Goje of the APC was declared winner for Gombe Central Senatorial district while Dankwambo of the PDP emerged winner of Gombe North Senatorial election. Anthony Siyako of PDP clinched Gombe South Senatorial seat.

Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Abba Moro of the PDP has won his re-election bid. He polled 76,459 votes to defeat his closest rival Daniel Onjeh of APC who polled 59, 595 and Joe Ojobo of LP who polled 40,194 votes However, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom of the PDP lost to Titus Zam of the APC in the contest for Benue North West Senatorial District. Zam polled 143,151 votes to defeat Ortom who got 106,888 votes and Mark Gbilah of LP who scored 51,151 votes.

The female Senators that lost in their re-election bid are Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South); Stella Oduah (Anambra North); and Lilian Ekwunife (Anambra Central). Other serving Senators who lost their bid to return to the red chamber after Saturday’s poll are the Senate Spokesperson, Ajibola Basiru (Osun Central), Kola Balogun (Oyo South); Danjuma La’ah (Kaduna South), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi North), Michael Ama Nnachi (Ebonyi South), Kabiru Gaya (Kano Central); Francis Alimikhena (Edo North); Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North);Gabriel Suswan (Benue North-East) and Senator Bala Na Allah Kebbi South)

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2023

POLITICS

APC Fast Losing Grip of Nasarawa State Igbawase Ukumba reports that All Progressives Congress in Nasarawa State may have lost control of the state as outcome of last Saturday’s national assembly election has shown the Social Democratic Party and Peoples Democratic Party as being in firm control of the state.

Adamu

I

t was on November 5, 2023, that President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated all Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council for Governor Abdullahi Sule to crush opposition in the state during the 2023 general election.

However, Buhari’s directive to crush the opposition hit brick walls of the opposition due largely to the internal crisis that had engulfed the state chapter of the APC during the party’s primary elections. It was alleged in some places that the national headquarters of the APC had doctored the delegates’ list of the primary elections in the state.

Hitherto, the Nasarawa APC was reportedly on a reverse gear following mass exodus of its juggernauts from the party to the opposition political parties.

Hours after the Nasarawa State governorship primary election of the APC was conducted, there were allegations from the state chapter of the party that the entire delegates list of the party were changed overnight.

It was against this background that the state chapter of the APC had to suspend the state House of Assembly primaries citing alleged tampering with the authentic list of delegates in the state.

The chairman of the state chapter of APC, Dr John Mamman, had at a press conference in Lafia, the state capital, said the party was sad after discovering that the authentic list of delegates sent to the national secretariat for the party’s primaries had been tampered with.

He insisted that the party would not tolerate the unwarranted distortion of the official delegates list sent to the national secretariat.

He also warned that the party would not accept any list outside the authentic list of delegates.

Mamman, however, enjoined the national secretariat of the APC, in the interest of peace, unity, harmony and the progress of the party, to ensure that wishes of the law-abiding party members were respected.

“The numbers of delegates across Local Government Areas in the state were doctored or completely changed. We consider this undemocratic, and this is capable of breeding disaffection, tension and disunity in the party. The APC in Nasarawa should not be made to lose its status and prestige as a model, “the Chairman had cautioned.

Consequently, the development caused uproar among powerful political strategists that had led the party to victory in previous elections. Hence, most of them either resigned their membership of the party, or just maintained the status quo as pseudo members to work against the party’s success in the 2023 polls.

Notable among those caught in the alleged doctored list crossfire were the chairman of the state 2019 Governorship Campaign Council, Hon Aliyu Wadada; Governor Sule’s former Campaign Director General, Senator John Danboyi and Senator Godiya Akwashiki.

Others were two incumbent members of

Gov. Sule

the House of Representatives representing Lafia/Obi and Karu/Keffi/Kokona federal constituencies of the state - Hon Saraki Dahiru and Jonathan Gaza, respectively and the incumbent majority leader of the state House of Assembly, Hon Tanko Tunga, among others.

Be that as it may, the APC in Nasarawa State has been struggling to survive the bumper traps set against it by its aggrieved members and the opposition, hence leading to the party losing in the presidential and National Assembly election held on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

It could be based on the above scenario coupled with the support of youth in Nasarawa State for the presidential ambition of Mr. Peter Obi that metamorphosed into the defeat of the APC by the Labour Party (LP) in last Saturday’s presidential election in the state.

Flowing from this, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, polled a total of 191,361 votes in the 2023 presidential election conducted in Nasarawa State on February 25, 2023, to defeat Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling APC. The presidential election results as announced by the Nasarawa State Presidential Election Collation Officer, Prof.

Ishaya Tanko, at the Lafia office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), showed Ahmed Tinubu of the APC polling 172,922 votes to come second while Atiku Abubakar of the PDP scored 147,093 votes to come third.

The presidential flagbearer of the NNPP, Musa Kwankwaso, trailed a distant fourth with 12,715 votes. Prof. Tanko, who is the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, said during his announcement of the results.

Al-Makura

Also, the All Progressive Congress in the state has lost all the three senatorial seats to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The first person to be consumed in the Nasarawa APC imbliglio was the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, as INEC declared the SDP as winner of the Nasarawa West Senatorial District election. The senatorial district is the base of the APC’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu. Adamu had earlier lost his polling unit during the election to Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

The SDP senatorial candidate, Aliyu Wadada Ahmed, who had defected from the APC in the aftermath of the alleged doctored delegates’ list, is to replace Adamu, who had vacated his seat in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly last year after emerging National Chairman of the ruling APC. Announcing the results of the election in Keffi, headquarters of the Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Returning Officer of the election, Prof. Nasir Baba, declared Aliyu Wadada Ahmed of the SDP as winner having polled 96,488 votes.

APC polled 47,717 votes while Umar Musa Galadima of PDP polled 46,820 votes, Bala Tongorma of LP got 33,228 votes while Wakil Kabiru of NNPP secured 2,667 votes.

Another victim of the party’s instability was the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last Monday, declared that the immediate past governor, who is representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District on the platform of the APC, had lost to Mohammed Onawo of the PDP with 76,813 votes, against 93,064 votes.

Declaring the result in Lafia, the Returning Officer, Prof. Ahmed Ashiku, said Onawo got 93,064 votes to defeat Al-Makura of APC who got 76,813 votes. The returning officer stated that, “Onawo of the PDP having satisfied the requirement of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby returned elected.”

Similarly, the incumbent senator of the Nasarawa North Senatorial zone, Godiya Akwashiki, who had renounced his membership of the APC in the aftermath of the

The development caused uproar among powerful political strategists that had led the party to victory in previous elections. Hence, most of them either resigned their membership of the party, or just maintained the status quo as pseudo members to work against the party’s success in the 2023 polls. Notable among those caught in the alleged doctored list crossfire were the chairman of the state 2019 Governorship Campaign Council, Hon Aliyu Wadada; Governor Sule’s former Campaign Director General, Senator John Danboyi and Senator Godiya Akwashiki

alleged doctored delegates’ list for APC’s primaries of the state, had won his re-election on the platform of the SDP against his former political party.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Godiya Akwashiki of the SDP as winner of last Saturday’s election for the Nasarawa North Senatorial zone.

The INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Ilemona Adofu of Federal University of Lafia, declared Akwashiki as winner with 44,471 votes. Akwashiki defeated former Executive Secretary of the National Judicial Commission (NJC), Danladi Halilu Envuluanza, of the APC who scored 32,058 votes.

The PDP on the other hand scored 11,212 votes, the New Nigeria Peoples Party got 4,083 votes and All Progressives Grand Alliance received 1,455 votes, among others.

APC was also caught in the web of its internal imbliglio as it also lost its Lafia/Obi and Karu/Keffi/Kokona federal constituency seats to the opposition SDP. The two federal constituencies mentioned are being represented by Hon Sarki Dahiru and Jonathan Gaza. The duo had since dumped the APC, on whose platform they were elected to represent their constituencies. They resigned their membership of the APC during the doctored delegates’list episode that denied them return ticket to the National Assembly.

Dahiru and Gaza after dumping APC pitched tent with the SDP where they contested to return to the green chambers of the National Assembly.

The INEC declared the two federal lawmakers winners of their constituencies at the Saturday polls.

Declaring Hon Gaza, Member of the House of Representatives for Karu/Keffi/ Kokona Federal constituency as winner of the Saturday’s election for the constituency, INEC Returning Officer for the election, Prof George Genyi, declared Gaza, who polled 60,265 votes as winner at the Keffi Zonal Collation Centre in Keffi Local Government Area of the state last Monday.

Genyi said the candidate of the PDP, Mr Bulus Ishaku, scored 33,180 votes, with that of the LP, Mr Iliya Gambo scoring 29,665 votes, while that of the APC, Mr. Auta Koro, scored 28,417 votes, respectively.

“That Gaza Jonathan of the SDP having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declare winner and is returned elected,” Genyi declared.

In the same vein, Hon. Sarki Dahiru has won the Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency seat on the platform of the SDP. Dahiru, who was re-elected for the third term after dumping APC, polled 37,469 votes to defeat Ahmed Dallah of the PDP and Mohammed Al-Makura of the APC, who both scored 36,067 and 35,400 votes respectively.

Abdullahi Usman, Returning Officer of the election who declared the result said Dahiru scored the highest number of votes cast. He added that Dahiru of the SDP won having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes in the election.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ˜ 2023

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email: chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430

In Search of Permanent Solution to Violent Farmers-Herders Clashes As part of efforts to find a permanent solution to the violent farmers/herders clashes in the country, the Kano State government recently organised a-two day national conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts. Adedayo Akinwale writes

F

or years, Nigeria has witnessed and is still witnessing a series of farmers–herders clashes which has led to the death of thousands of people. The majority of this conflict is within Northern Nigeria and predominantly in the North-Central region. Over the years, the conflicts have spread across the country and have led to indiscriminate and avoidable loss of lives and property.

Needless to say farmers and herders, also called ‘pastoralists,” have cohabited for decades. Many pastoral and farming settlements developed symbiotic relationships through reciprocity, economic exchanges, and support. However, with decreasing economic cooperation as a result decreasing availability of, and access to shared resources, their relationship is progressively characterized by violent conflicts.

The implications of these conflicts are seriously felt on the nation's economy—in terms of the resources invested on the resolutions as well as the manifestation of the unemployment it aggravated.

Moreso, the menaces of cattle rustling and banditry activities have become a serious threat to the safety and lives of the people. Cattle rustling and banditry have been facilitated and made sophisticated by the proliferation of arms. It has developed to become an organized crime that goes beyond national to transnational. Statistics have shown that so many cattle have been stolen as a result of these organized crimes.

These vices have also resulted in various reprisal killings, raiding of villages, and raping and kidnapping of men and women.

It was against this background that the government of Kano state organised a-two day national conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts to proffer lasting solutions to the farmers-herders clashes in the country.

The Conference was designed as an allinclusive process to generate ideas that would contribute to addressing an acute national problem: the relative underdevelopment of the Nigerian Livestock sector and the perpetual crises and conflicts associated with it.

Speaking at the event, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar has said the clashes between farmers and herders in Benue state has continued because all the suggestions made to the government were not implemented.

Abubakar stated: "Let's keep politics aside.

The issues of development especially for the common man [should be prioritised]. These people that God Almighty gave leadership over, one day, God forbid, rise up [against us]. After all these English by professors, how do we get these developments down to the common man who is a farmer, the common Fulani man who doesn't know anything about development in his life, he only cares about cattles.

"I have been to Benue at least two times as Sultan to sit with the governors and traditional rulers to discuss peace in the Benue valley. At the end of it, the suggestions, we throw them away. Nothing is done and we are back to square one. Let this conference not be in the same manner, let's do it and let's do well and now. The people are hungry – is there money? Akawi kudi?

No cash! People are angry and hungry, let's see how we can douse the tension."

Also, the Vice President of Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Mansur Muhtar said that various farmers-herders clashes that took place at various times across the country have claimed the lives of 4,000 people in seven years, with several thousand others sustaining injuries.

He said while fatalities were initially confined to the North Central, they have since spread across the country, increasing

L-R: Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero; Kano state Deputy Governor, Nasir Gawuna; Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje; and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar

pre-existing religious and ethnic tensions. He pointed out that the Northern parts of Nigeria have been the epicentre of this conflict, although this was spreading to other regions.

Muhtar said given the relatively poor performance of the region, in terms of education, health and other human development indicators, this situation was untenable and threatens the future of the young, growing, and promising population.

According to him, conflicts between farmers and herders/pastoralists have been an issue of national concern in recent years. Perhaps the most significant issue of concern is the growing number of casualties associated with it. Between 2016 and now, at least 4000 people lost their lives in these conflicts, with several thousand others sustaining injuries, both physical and emotional. While fatalities were initially confined to the north central, they have since spread across the country increasing pre-existing religious and ethnic tensions.

"In addition to the unfortunate loss of lives, this conflict has often been manifested by an increasing number of internally displaced persons, leading to the

breakdown of family units, the bedrock of our society, and disruption in education, especially for young girls. This crisis has also undermined agricultural production compromising our nation’s food security, especially during these periods of rising food prices," he added.

Muhtar decried the security challenges caused by the conflict, stressing that with the passage of every single day that this crisis goes unresolved, adding that already fragile national security was further threatened, saying the country cannot continue like this.

On the way forward, he said while ranching was very important, it was insufficient to effectively address the fundamental drivers of the farmer-herder crises, because of the complexity of the crises which calls for a multi-stakeholder intervention.

Muhtar stressed that the abysmal performance of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) showed that there was need for far greater political will than has been demonstrated thus far. To him, the NLTP appears to have great potential, but it requires community buy-in and the full cooperation of all levels of government.

He was also of the opinion that the modernization of the livestock sector cannot be left to the government alone given the need for financing and capacity building, while calling for support from private investors, the international donor community, and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).

Declaring the conference open, the Governor of Kano state, Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje said the conference grew out of the need to

According to him, conflicts between farmers and herders/pastoralists have been an issue of national concern in recent years. Perhaps the most significant issue of concern is the growing number of casualties associated with it. Between 2016 and now, at least 4000 people lost their lives in these conflicts, with several thousand others sustaining injuries, both physical and emotional

provide solutions to the age-long conflict between herders and farmers and also propose way forward to economic development of the sector.

The theme of the conference, according to him, was relevant in the current scheme of events, given the appropriateness of the time when Nigeria has been persistently experiencing other security challenges.

Ganduje explained that for many years in Nigeria, farmers and cattle herders have been in conflict over land rights. He said the disputes have reached crisis levels in recent years, killing thousands of people and displacing many thousands more from their homes, left in relics by attacks.

"The livelihoods of farmers and herders have historically complemented each other.

They exchanged produce with one another and when conflicts arose, they were addressed by traditional institutions and existing conflict resolution mechanisms. However, over the past few decades, a wide range of factors have resulted in tensions often ending in deadly violent conflicts between the two groups," he said.

The governor noted that climate change which resulted in desertification and soil erosion has enraged competition over natural resources, pushing herders to venture into new areas to seek pasture for their herds.

He noted that the Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) or ranching, which has been deliberately politicized, remains the only option that would go a long way in mitigating existential problems, as pastoralists would have lands to graze without cattle encroaching on people’s farmlands.

Ganduje stressed: "Because, herders need fodder for their cattle and promoting alternative means of producing feedstock, which reduces the need for grazing land. We have gone far in the establishment of Ruga Settlement in Kano. Already, 25 housing units out of the projected 500, situated on 4, 413 hectares of land at Dansoshiya Forest in Kiru local government have been completed and handed over to the herders. Replica of the houses will be displayed during an exhibition planned as part of this conference."

It is expected that the two-day conference would produce a blueprint that would put an end to the violent ashes between the herders and farmers.

19

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ˜ 2023

INTERVIEW

Sarah Dagin: When Women Inspire Women, 35% Affirmative Action Becomes Possible Sarah Dagah is a mother, scholar, accountant cum auditor, philanthropist, core entrepreneur as well as a strategic thinker and mentor. In the face of proper women representation in all facets of life, she spoke to Kuni Tyessi

W

ith your qualifications and honors, one would have expected you to sit back and enjoy your accomplishment, yet, you are engaged in trading and other businesses. What prompted you to achieve this much and still do what you are doing?

Having learnt at an early age to make my own money from petty trading in varieties of commodities and other agricultural products, I made tremendous progress by switching into selling of clothes in 2001 after raising a seed capital of N20, 000.00 to support my new-found scheme, which saw me travelling the length and breadth of Nigeria to meet demand and supply. I was able to combine petty trading, business, family and academics. I ventured into production of polythene products in the year 2013 in Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. The passion later moved me in 2016 to establish Wilval recycling in Jos, Plateau state; a business that has engaged dozens of Plateau youths which is my best of entrepreneurial activities because of the social and economic impact. This is an activity that recycles approximately 10 tons of Nylon Waste in a week and, it is anchored on the 3 R’s principle of Reduce, Re-use and Recycle thereby converting waste to wealth.

It also rids Plateau and neighboring states of the menace of nylon waste by keeping the environment clean and safe.

What informed your decision to start an NGO? My passion for humanity, the less privileged, poor and vulnerable people as well as to empower communities for human development. In the words of Jim Rohn, “Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness-great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation and great joy”.

What are some of the challenges you have faced since you started the foundation?

Abuse of privilege is always a major challenge. There are a lot of people out there who want to cash out on the NGO with

the rest?

You may be right when you say most people see NGO owners as exploiters or political office seekers, but this is absolutely wrong.

We cannot generalize because it is not every giver that expects or wants a reward or pay back. The exploiters and political office seekers may be into NGOs for a reward but, a giver comes with grace and does not expect a token in return for any giving. However, if any opportunity unveils to represent my people and it will promote my vision and support the cause of humanity, I will gladly accept to serve, but as for politics where my posters will fly up and down, count me out.

I won’t get involved.

Sarah Dagah false claim of wanting to start an entrepreneurial activity in which at the end, non-will ever exist after being assisted with startup capital. Secondly, running a self-funding NGO comes with some challenges of inability to solve a certain percent like the needs of the less privileged as one requires. Often times, out of 100 per cent, only two per cent or three per cent is met as at the time required.

Can you say that, you have been able to touch lives with your Foundation?

To the best of our capability and strength being a self-funding NGO as it is now in my stage, I will say yes, I have touched lives.

Most people see NGOs as exploiters or political office seekers. What makes your Foundation different from

Nigerian women have not been able to achieve the 35 per cent affirmative action?

The women missed it when we allowed ourselves to be deceived that our place is in the kitchen. Many shunned education. A lot refused to rise to add value to self. Some believed that it is a man’s world! Many out there are of the belief that women are merely for raising children. But I thank God that, these perceptions are changing.

What will it take for Nigeria to have more women in elective and appointive positions at both state and federal levels?

When we encourage more partisan women in politics, when we support our fellow women to believe more in themselves, when the women rise and aspire to be educationally, socially and economically empowered and when women identify positive opportunities and grab them to empower self. I believe we will get there soon.

Are you worried with the spate of insecurity that has bedeviled your state, Plateau?

I am definitely worried. The prolonged insecurity has affected so many lives and properties and has almost grounded the state economically, culturally and socially. We have lost lives and still counting. We do not know

who will be next because communities are daily razed down with countless killings and properties destroyed. Farmlands and crops are also being destroyed on daily basis as well as innocent lives taken and properties constantly lost. It is also pathetic that no help has come from the state and federal Government for displaced communities and people who have become internally displaced persons in their land.

What will it take for people to have lasting peace on the Plateau?

As much as I would love to comment on that, I will rather leave it to the state and federal government to handle. All I can say for now is that the government should stop playing politics with lives.

On the soft side, what is that habit that has become a major weakness for you?

My major weakness is believing that everyone is good and kindhearted like I am, and this affects my expectation of people. Another weakness is so much trust imposed on people and often times; I get hurt or betrayed by those I trust the most. I don’t hide my anger; I am very outspoken and have the tendency to give it back to whoever offends me. I don’t like keeping things or being vindictive. Once I say it, it’s over. I don’t know how to keep malice or harbor unforgiveness. Some see it as emotional intelligence management. I think it’s a major weakness.

What is your daily beauty routine?

I drink plenty of water, key habit for maintaining general physical health aside basic skin care habit. I also apply sunscreen on my face daily to keep it fresh. I make sure I eat healthy foods aside taking beauty supplements. Another thing I don’t miss is the use of facial cleanser before bedtime. I try to get enough sleep and at weekends, I shut down for total rest if I don’t have any engagements. I am also used to Moroccan bath and lotion and do an exfoliate once a week.

Progressing in your Career as an Executive Assistant with Commensurate Reward Precious Emechebe

A

s an Executive Assistant, you have sat in meetings with Directors, Heads of Departments, CXOs, and Chairman of big organizations among many others. You have worked on projects beyond the initial scope of your role, put in long hours planning conferences while attending to requests from the direct reports of your boss while filing reports on the last retreat you organized while sharing your perspective on an issue that will have a serious impact in the organization. You get the picture right? Still, you are referred to as ‘just an assistant’ when you share your desire to progress in your career. If this is you, you are not alone. I have faced this in my career as an EA and will be sharing five ways you can accelerate your career growth with an equally financially rewarding salary. Emechebe One of the challenges Executive Assistants have to grapple with is an undefined career path and this can be attributed to a number entails or the value it brings to CXOs of factors. A few are: and high-level professionals. This r*U JT OPU B DPVSTF UBVHIU JO JOTUJUVUJPOT discourages entry-level employees of higher learning. Therefore, students are who jump ship after a while. not aware that such a title exists until they r*OBEFRVBUF NPEFMMJOH NFOUPSship and coaching from thriving EAs. start working or encounter an EA and since Despite these, if you have chosen they are not aware, they do not choose the this as a career path or ‘found’ role. Personal research has shown that a large yourself in this role and desire to number of those who became EAs ‘stumbled’ grow, it is a perfectly normal and on the role. healthy desire. I have had the same r-BDL PG B QSPGFTTJPOBM CPEZ UIBU TFUT UIF UPOF desire a number of times in my and standard for the profession or even defines career. Here are five ways I believe its training needs, and scope of requirements. you can accelerate your growth and r5IF CFMJUUMJOH PG UIF SPMF CZ PVUTJEFST XIP demand more financially: do not understand what being a professional EA

1) See and understand the bigger picture: Your role as an EA brings you in contact with key decision-makers. You are privy to high-level conversations and gain insights into how leaders think and make decisions.

This exposure enables you to understand the vision of the business and the forecast of the industry and they are important because they help you position yourself strategically to offer value. Be intentional in communicating this value when you speak and interact with your leaders and peers. Ask intelligent questions and make valued suggestions and contributions that show you understand the business; pique the curiosity of your leaders. Make valuable connections internally and externally so you can appreciate how different teams work to achieve the organization's objective and benchmark with what obtains beyond your organization.

2) Be indispensable: I know no one is indispensable in the practical sense of the word still, most organizations will do all within their power to retain their top performers. You should CF POF PG UIFN UPP -BZFS ZPVS CJH QJDUVSF thinking with an in-depth understanding of your leaders. Anticipate their needs and prepare well in advance for it. Work at being a solutions provider so much that you earn the reputation of getting the job done without excuses. You have to get to a point where it is in the best interest of your company to keep you happy and fulfilled because of the value you bring to the table.

3) Grow your network and seek stretch assignments: A whole world exists and if you stay in your corner, you would never know. Step out of your comfort zone, enrol in programmes and projects that stretch you, join

professional/business bodies that expand your mind and grow your network, and then work your network. You do this by volunteering, being authentic and genuinely interested in others, showing up for them when needed and lending helping hands among others. Whatever value you get from these, bring them to bear JO ZPVS SPMF -FU JU TIPX JO UIF XBZ ZPV EP the work that you are growing. You already know that tooting your horn is a skill you must learn to do in the workplace right.

4) Document and share your wins: -FBSO to keep a record of every achievement in your career. Share what you have accomplished with relevant stakeholders and leaders, tying it to how it has contributed to business objectives.

Remember you are a strategic big-picture thinking EA, always share from this perspective.

5) Make your move: The best time to do this is during Performance Discussions, mid-year or annual reviews with your boss.

Show your value and ask for a promotion with commensurate raise. This is the first step and may involve many other steps but definitely is the step in the right direction. You are at liberty to seek new opportunities that will give you the desired reward you seek if all negotiations fall through.

-Emechebe is the Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria. She shares her wealth of knowledge and experience gained in her over 12 years of working as an EA in different multinationals and fields of business including Law and Human Rights, Customer Strategy, Sales Development and Business Operations and Projects among others.

20 T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2023 TR

UT H

& RE A S O

Wednesday March 1, 2023 Vol 27. No 10182

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

TALES ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE 2023 ELECTIONS The social media, true to type, is a mixed bag, writes SONNY ARAGBA-AKPORE

See page 21

INEC MUST DO THE RIGHT THING GOZIE IROGBOLI urges the electoral body to organise a fresh presidential election

See page 21 EDITORIAL

THE WOES OF IRREGULAR MIGRANTS

22

1

Obasanjo and ‘owners of Nigeria’ are plotting another June 12, writes LOUIS ODION

NIGERIANS STAY AWAKE! One read with bewilderment, even a sense of dark foreboding, the statement by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, calling for the cancellation “of all elections that do not pass the credibility and transparency test” during the Saturday (February 25) presidential elections.

We have always known Chief Obasanjo to harbour anti-democratic proclivities. But never did one anticipate WKLV HͿURQWHU\ WKLV LQ \RXU IDFH DXGDFLW\ by the General and his co-travellers to VHHN WR UH HQDFW WKH SHUÀGLRXV FLUFXV WKDW eventuated in the June 12 annulment of 1993, thereby plunging the country into needless catastrophe yet again.

There is clearly no basis — whether legal or moral — to cancel an election which, on the whole, has been adjudged by the Commonwealth Observer Group as a VLJQLÀFDQW LPSURYHPHQW RQ DOO SUHYLRXV elections.

1RWKLQJ SHUKDSV UHDGLO\ H[HPSOLÀHV this than the outcome of the presidential election in Lagos where the ruling party, APC, lost to Labour Party the home base of its candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed 7LQXEX WKH ÀUVW LQ WKH ODVW \HDUV Of course, the “feat” has since been celebrated with wild jubilation in social media as proof of “transparency and credibility” of the Saturday elections.

But the song of celebration echoed by Obasanjo and his cohorts seems to change RQO\ ZKHUH $3& ZRQ 1RWH RQ WKH VDPH day that Labour won Lagos, opposition PDP also won the following key states namely Katsina (home of President Muhammadu Buhari); Plateau (home of DG of APC Campaign, Governor Solomon Lalong who also lost his senatorial election); Nasarawa (home of APC National Chairman, Senator Adamu); Kaduna (home of Governor El Rufai, Special Adviser to APC Campaign) and Kano (home of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, another Special Adviser to the APC Campaign whose son also lost House of Reps bid).

So, considering this overwhelming backdrop, what else could still be driving the cry of “massive rigging” and call for outright cancellation of results if QRW SHUÀG\ DQG SXUH WUHDVRQ" -XVW KRZ possible is it to nurture democracy ZLWKRXW GHPRFUDWV" For instance, results authenticated by INEC show that Obasanjo, the promoterin-chief of the Labour Party candidate, could not deliver his polling unit in Abeokuta, Ogun State to his anointed as he only secured nine votes to the 56 votes scored by the APC candidate. Part of the issue with Chief Obasanjo is indeed the lack

of shame and comportment expected of his stature as former president. Otherwise, having openly expressed partisan interest in Peter Obi and proceeded to campaign vigorously for him and then getting beaten soundly in his own very polling unit in Abeokuta, he should know he had ipso facto forfeited the privilege to invoke the spirit of statesmanship to speak in the lofty terms he now aspires.

To be sure, one aligns oneself with FRPSHWHQW RSLQLRQ DOUHDG\ RͿHUHG E\ OHJDO authorities that the INEC is in order thus far vis-a-vis the announcement of results, consistent with the extant provisions of the Electoral Act. In any case, the provisions of the law clearly avail anyone with contrary view to take advantage of the Election Petition Tribunal.

Inviting the cancellation of the results like Chief Obasanjo did is, therefore, akin to seeking to abort a pregnancy when the midwives already delivered the baby. A laughable exercise in futility indeed.

With this, Chief Obasanjo appears to ÀQDOO\ FRQÀUP ZLOG VSHFXODWLRQV WKDW started gaining traction in the last several weeks of a subterranean resolve by some anti-democratic forces to short-circuit the 2023 electoral exercise and foist another Interim National Government on Nigeria by any means possible.

They are the amorphous group of self-interested, self-styled “owners of Nigeria” who arrogate to themselves the prerogative to forever dictate the outcome of every electoral exercise in Nigeria, in utter contempt of the democratic yearning and aspirations of the rest of the populace.

7KH RZO·V ÁLJKW LQ GD\OLJKW LV RPLQRXV indeed. How ironic that Obasanjo, who had absented himself from the Council of State meeting held two weeks ago at the Presidential Villa, out of spite, is suddenly adopting a solicitous language in an open

letter to the same President Buhari.

Symbolically, what Chief Obasanjo is RͿHULQJ 3UHVLGHQW %XKDUL LQ WKH XQVROLFLWHG epistle is a poisoned chalice indeed. With the Saturday polls already receiving plaudits from all and sundry as “one with little or no monetary inducement of voters”, Chief Obasanjo must be stung to the marrow by bitter jealousy.

Out of mortal envy, he would not want President Buhari to go down in history as organising polls better than his, thereby potentially displacing him as the new authentic “moral voice” of the African continent after iconic Nelson Mandela.

For the better part of President Buhari’s two terms, Obasanjo did all within his power to undermine the latter.

At international fora, he never let any opportunity pass without attempting to discredit the incumbent president who ironically is widely adjudged to have recorded more tangible achievements in R΀FH ZLWK OHVVHU UHVRXUFHV FRPSDUHG WR WKH SUHFHGLQJ \HDUV RI 3'3 SURÁLJDF\ of which Obasanjo had the distinction of squandering billions of dollars with nothing to show.

A classic example was the $16b splurged on phantom power projects that only generated more darkness for Nigerians by 2007 when Obasanjo’s tenure ended.

Now that he has a sinister agenda, the Ota famous letter-writer is suddenly shouting ´KRVDQQD µ WR WKH VDPH 3UHVLGHQW %XKDUL in a shameless emotional blackmail.

Throughout his eight-year imperial reign, the name, Obasanjo, was of course a by-word for bare-faced electoral robbery and willful subversion of due process.

Nigerians will indeed never forget how Obasanjo’s enforcer and INEC chair, Professor Maurice Iwu, had, for instance, appeared in Abuja in 2007 to declare PDP winner of Katsina elections while voting ZDV VWLOO RQJRLQJ So indefensible was the process that eventually ushered in President Umar Yar’Adua that he was forthright enough to openly admit Obasanjo’s “electoral atrocities”, and thereafter sought atonement by instituting electoral reforms contained in the Justice Uwais Report.

Against this backcloth, it might not be out of place to now ask lovers of democracy in Nigerian to stay vigilant at this critical moment against the antics of Obasanjo and other so-called “owners of Nigeria” intent on derailing democracy with a view to sustaining their chokehold on the neck of the Nigerian nation.

Odion, FNGE, is senior technical assistant on media to the President

T H I S D AY

321

WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2023

The social media, true to type, is a mixed bag, writes SONNY ARAGBA-AKPORE

TALES ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE 2023 ELECTIONS

Apart from various polls by real and or ponzi pollsters that dotted the social media of happenings around the country, the 2023 general elections may go down as one of the most popular events where technology played strange roles.

Strange because not every information SXEOLVKHG RQ VRFLDO PHGLD FRXOG EH YHULÀHG since everyone on social media is capable of being a publisher as the place is all comers’ DͿDLU ZLWK QR YLVLEOH JXLGHOLQHV DQG QRW regulated by anyone.

To publish, all one needs is simple. Just get a smart device, some loose data and one is on net publishing whatever one likes. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp,Telegram and others, possible explanations why so much half-truths and lies dominated the social media in the last few weeks prior to the 2023 general elections. ,QÁXHQFHUV ZHUH YHU\ EXV\ WU\LQJ WR ZHDYH narratives either to shape opinions or twist

them depending on the subject they were engaged to handle and whose side they were.

6RPH LQÁXHQFHUV HYHQ EHFDPH VSLQ GRFWRUV spewing and weaving tales as the case may be. But the social media did not spare anyone.

For instance, so many versions were woven around the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) currency redesign policy as most publishers were led to publish whatever met their fancies. Just every now and then one information came out and before people came to terms with it, the CBN denied it.

There were several denials of fake news peddled by social media publishers. And we all lived with these.

The President’s wife, Aisha was also a victim of these licentious publishers as her YHULÀHG VRFLDO PHGLD KDQGOH ZDV GHSOR\HG in sending a press statement which was believed to be allegedly authored by the CBN extending the life span of the 500 and 1,000 old naira notes to May 2023. Until she denied this in strong terms, the society was almost running with it.

The matter at Supreme Court which was supposed to be subjudice had its own share as many analysts made various attempts to interpret what they believed was the position of the law.

A few days to the general elections, information went round town via social media saying telecommunications networks especially as they relate to banking operations were going to be shut down. Even bank apps and the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) will be disabled too in order to frustrate vote buying via transaction by bank transfers.

Other publishers came out with information allegedly from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that would allow voters without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to vote saying they could DSSURDFK HOHFWRUDO R΀FLDOV DQG WKH %LPRGDO Voter Accreditations System (BVAS) would

verify them with accreditation by simply EUDQGLVKLQJ GXELRXV LGHQWLÀFDWLRQV LQ WKDW regard.

The INEC promptly denied this saying only those with PVCs were eligible to vote.

But social media thought otherwise.

Too many lies hiding behind technology DQG DUWLÀFLDO LQWHOOLJHQFH ZKHUH YRLFHV RI individuals and known personalities are FORQHG WKXV FUHDWLQJ GLVDͿHFWLRQ LQ WKH SROLW\ Despite the manifest odds from social PHGLD LW·V QRW HQRXJK WR ZULWH LW RͿ EHFDXVH some good also comes from there. Through social media, society is gauged as it serves as check on some anti - social and bad tempered aspects of society.

Social media reaches faster than mainstream media as information comes out quickly and the reach very far.

When some WhatsApp platforms shared very frightening information about bank shut downs on the eve of the election, it was immediate. “Good day everyone, I trust your day is going well... I just want to pass an important information here, so no one will be stranded due to the new development of no Cash....I got an important information from P\ %DQN 0DQDJHU WRGD\ ZKR VSHFLÀFDOO\ told me by Friday till Sunday evening online transfer will not be working anymore, that CBN has order (sic) all banks to shut down online transfer due to the election....so pls kindly look for cash from now till Friday bcus do not hope for transfer by weekend.”

The bankers denied this saying there was no iota of truth in this.

CBN denied this too.

The banks sent messages out to customers of early closure of business between midday and 1pm on Friday, February 24, 2023.

On the issue of network shutdown, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) denied this in a statement saying: “The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been drawn to fraudulent and misleading information circulating in some social media platforms, insinuating there is a planned shut-down of all telecom networks and relevant ICT Units, including online transfer IDFLOLWLHV RI WKH EDQNV ZLWK HͿHFW IURP WRGD\ February 23, 2023.

“The Nigerian public, consumers of telecommunications services, and all bank customers are advised to ignore these or similar messages that insinuate deliberate network shutdown or disruption of services in the Nigerian telecom network.

“These malicious and subversive messages originated and are being circulated by fraudsters and unscrupulous elements in the society with the intent to cause chaos and panic among the populace. “ %\ GHSOR\LQJ DUWLÀFLDO LQWHOOLJHQFH technology, some persons caused to be circulated a meeting allegedly held by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his team on their plans to compromise the general elections. This the party stoutly denied.

A technology expert with vast interests LQ $UWLÀFLDO ,QWHOOLJHQFH $, 'U 1GXEXLVL Ekekwe explained what may have happened.

In the run-up to the 2023 general elections a new kind of political propaganda started, XVLQJ FXWWLQJ HGJH DUWLÀFLDO LQWHOOLJHQFH technology to clone the voices of political ÀJXUHV Aragba -Akpore is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board The most recent example involves the

GOZIE IROGBOLI urges the electoral body to organise a fresh presidential election

INEC MUST DO THE RIGHT THING 7KH UHVXOW RI SUHVLGHQWLDO HOHFWLRQ ÀOWHULQJ endured the ensuing hardship that came out of the Independent National Electoral with the policy. Furthermore, when he told Commission (INEC) is generating ripples the nation to vote their preferred candidate DQG WHQVLRQ EHFDXVH LW GLG QRW UHÁHFW WKH ZLVK in a nationwide broadcast, many thought of the electorate and if the right thing is not he was out for free, fair and credible done, the country may be plunged into worse election. Additionally, when we saw SROLWLFDO FULVLV 7KLV KDV FRQÀUPHG WKH IHDUV PRYHPHQW RI VHFXULW\ R΀FHUV DQG WURRSV PDQ\ RI XV H[SUHVVHG LQ GLͿHUHQW IRUD EHIRUH we thought it was to stamp out thuggery the election that the ruling All Progressives and rigging but now we know better. The Congress (APC) will be going into the 2023 LQIRUPDWLRQ ÀOWHULQJ LQ IURP WKH SROOLQJ presidential election from a disadvantaged centers and INEC collation centers seem to position given its woeful performance and contradict this notion about holding a free, may resort to rigging as the only strategy to fair and credible election. hold on to power. Secondly, all the elections But, we saw the telltale signs and conducted under the APC regime were all ignored it because of the ostensible neutral marred by violence, vote-buying, and other posturing of the president. INEC did forms of electoral malfeasance and where and not release the voters’ card to those who when they could not rig, they would declare registered later at the scheduled time; three the election inconclusive. weeks to the presidential election, some The report from across the country indicates registered citizens were yet to get their that the February 25, presidential election was PVCs and many were not able to get theirs. marred by gross irregularities and electoral We were shown pictures of peoples PVCs malfeasance unprecedented in the history of willfully dumped into water drainages this nation despite the much advertized use of and in the forest. And later we were told Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS). that some polling units were delisted for some inexplicable reasons. And few days to the election it was observed that there were errors in the INEC printed ballot papers. Today, it seems the critics who had insinuated that, all the government and INEC’s show of neutrality, was a ploy to hoodwink the electorate, were right. And President Buhari must demonstrate to Nigerians and decisively too, that he was ÀUP LQ KLV UHVROYH WR FRQGXFW IUHH DQG IDLU election.

Indeed, it is inexplicable that it took INEC four whole years to prepare for this election at a huge cost to the nation and yet the election was nothing to write home about because the system was deliberately compromised. The INEC’s budget for this election is 305 billion Naira, aside from the 50 billion Naira budget for its annual expenditure. So why would INEC spend this humongous sum and give us nonsense? The current INEC The pictures, video footages and stories chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has from the polling units across the nation are clearly written his name in the mud. He unpalatable and terrifying. In some locations has entered the history books as the most in Lagos, voters were disenfranchised by area corrupt and inept INEC chairman. He boys. And in some places, the INEC’s BVAS cannot willfully subvert the will of the refused to work while in some the INEC people and go scot-free. Electoral violence R΀FLDOV GHOLEHUDWHO\ UHIXVHG WR XSORDG WKH and fraud have continued unabated in result from the polling units to INEC server. this country because nobody seems to There were many cases of ballot box snatching be punished for it. Prof. Eme Awa and by armed thugs and underage voting. We Prof. Humphrey Nwosu made Nigerians have seen incidences of harassment and think that intellectuals, especially political intimidation of voters wherein people were scientists could be better electoral umpires deliberately locked out of the voting centers. but Attahiru Jega and Mahmood Yakubu Also, there are video footages of party men and their team of crank intellectuals have LQFOXGLQJ VHFXULW\ R΀FHUV ORFNHG LQ D SODFH proved otherwise. thumb printing ballot papers. There is the story Nigerians trooped out en masse, forgo RI DQ $3& DJHQW LQ ,1(&·V R΀FH IUXVWUDWLQJ WKHLU EXVLQHVVHV DQG VKLUN RͿ DSDWK\ ZHQW the uploading of results from the polling to various polling units to exercise their units. More troubling is the insinuation that franchise to vote out the obnoxious APC INEC is accepting results not uploaded in its regime. Nigerians have spoken loud and server from the polling units as procedurally clear: nobody wants APC at the center required, an indication that the system has anymore. If Tinubu could not win in his been compromised. The whole thing was a stronghold how could he have won every total farce and unacceptable. It is a joke taken other place? He lost in his den in Bourdillon too far and Nigerians are saying no to it.

Road Ikoyi. He lost in Lagos State. He lost in Early last year when the president signed Osun, his home state. He lost in Aso Rock. the electoral law many cheered and when the Tinubu’s loss in these locations portends BVAS was introduced, many said it is bye- signs of rejection. You will say Obasanjo bye to ballot box-snatching. Also when the lost in his state in 1999, but that was under INEC chairman extended the deadline for GLͿHUHQW FLUFXPVWDQFHV 2%- ORVW EHFDXVH voters’ registration, we applauded cheerfully. he was not a politician and because he Again, when the president instructed the contested against his tribesman.

CBN governor to redesign our currency we Irogboli believed it was to curtail vote buying and his is an economist, novelist and public policy earnest desire to leave a lasting legacy and we analyst

22 4

T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2023

EDITORIAL

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

THE WOES OF IRREGULAR MIGRANTS Government must address the socio-economic issues that give rise to the crisis

N

women), used as mercenaries, deployed as household o fewer than 150 stranded Nigerian servants, factory workers, drug couriers and even as migrants were last week brought organ donors. home under the auspices of the However, we must also interrogate the conditions International Organisation for that create the desperation to leave the country for Migration (IOM) in collaboration unknown destinations. Today, we live in a country with Economic Commission of West ZKHUH PDQ\ DUH QRW RQO\ SRRU EXW FDQQRW ÀQG MREV African States (ECOWAS) and the federal government.

For years, factories have been closing down and At a period when there is an increasing number of selling their warehouses to religious organisations fatal shipwrecks on the Mediterranean Sea, relevant while several businesses have had to shut down due authorities in Nigeria should be concerned about to lack of electricity. In the circumstance, vibrant young this recurring tragedy. As we continue to reiterate on men and women are leaving the country to embark on this page, the current migration crisis is a cruel twist journeys which for many of them tragically end either of the logic of the transatlantic slave trade. Under in the Sahara Desert or on the Mediterranean Sea. the ancient regime, African agents of European slave There is also a criminal dimension to the problem traders hunted men and women and forcibly sold that is also local. Some WKHP RͿ WR EH WUDQVSRUWHG unscrupulous Nigerians across the Atlantic to now recruit young girls the ‘New World’. In We live in a country where many are not only poor but cannot find from rural communities the modern ‘trade’ that with the promise of started about three jobs. For years, factories have been closing down and selling their securing for them good decades ago, Africans are jobs abroad only to turn warehouses to religious organisations while several businesses have willingly subjecting and them to prostitutes. submitting themselves as had to shut down due to lack of electricity Chilling statistics suggest fodder and merchandise WKDW KXPDQ WUD΀FNLQJ KDV for enslavement across become one of the biggest T H I S D AY the Mediterranean just to reach countries in Europe, EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU PRQH\ PDNLQJ EXVLQHVVHV DIWHU GUXJ WUD΀FNLQJ Asia, and the Middle East.

DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA Today, our country is regarded not only as a transit Driven mostly by economic desperation, thousands MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO route for this illegal trade but also a source as well as a of able-bodied young men and women are, almost DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU destination with children and young adults, especially daily, embarking on suicide missions in the bid to CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI of the womenfolk, now becoming merchandise for EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN migrate towards the northern hemisphere in search what has become a cross-border crime.

MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI of opportunities that are no longer readily available THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE One of the challenges is that of mind-set as there even in those societies. While only a small fraction are many young men and women who believe they eventually gets to their destinations where they face can only make it abroad and will do anything to disappointments and frustrations, majority of them travel outside the shores of the country. But that is not usually perish on the way. Indeed, the stories being T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D correct. Irregular migrants are merely compounding EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA told by Nigerians who are increasingly being deported GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, their miseries because what await them on the other DIWHU WKHLU IDLOHG HͿRUWV WR FURVV WR (XURSH RU RWKHU ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI shores are no longer opportunities but detention, most parts of the world are harrowing. While many of them DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, often under subhuman conditions. Therefore, apart have become destitute, some nurse terminal diseases ANTHONY OGEDENGBE from addressing the socio-economic issues of our like cancer without any support. For these unfortunate DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI country, government must also embark on a campaign SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH Nigerians whose quest for a better life ended in to disabuse the minds of our teeming population of ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI disappointments, the future seems bleak. Meanwhile, young people. The grass is not always greener on the many who make it to Europe, or the Middle East CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO other side. are usually forced into prostitution (especially the TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LETTERS A COUNTRY HOLDS ITS BREATH After four years during which the All Progressives Congress and President Muhammadu Buhari have ridden roughshod over Nigerians, the country is in the pangs of childbirth, with anxiety ZDVKLQJ WKURXJK PDQ\ SHRSOH DERXW ZKDW D GL΀FXOW ELUWK ZLOO bring forth.

On Saturday February 25, 2023, Nigerians descended like loFXVWV XSRQ GLͿHUHQW SROOLQJ XQLWV DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ WR WDNH WKHLU destiny into their hands and decide their fate. Armed with their voter cards and possessing faith in the power of a vote, many Nigerians braved the inclement weather, their suspicions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and their residual fear of electoral violence coming from previous elections to insist that their votes must count.

With corps members serving their country in uncertain times conducting the elections, many Nigerians besieged their polling units until late in the day and were simply overjoyed just to vote.

For many, the mark of ink on their thumb was a stamp of approval for democracy, a nod to change, and a tribute to the extraordinary power of free and fair elections to give a voice to people power.

The election results have since continued to pour in and while Nigerians eagerly await the winner, it takes no rocket science to discern the gains democracy has made in Nigeria since 1999.

It is in times like this that people appreciate the gifts democracy

brings to the table and the impregnable light it sheds into hitherto impenetrable darkness. That people are able to express themselves so clearly and trenchantly through the ballot box while WKHLU HQHPLHV ORRN RQ ÁXPPR[HG LQWR KHOSOHVVQHVV LV MXVW RQH RI the many mockeries democracy heaps on other limited forms of government.

For Nigerians, it is either Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar or Bola Ahmed Tinubu. One of these men is on their way to Aso Rock.

Which one of them it will be really matters to Nigeria because it is clear from all indications that Nigeria’s arduous journey will either get easier or harder depending on who wins.

For Atiku Abubakar and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it appears that it is now or never not just because of their age but because of what has been unearthed about the duo since they stepped under the merciless scrutiny of Nigerians when announcing their intention WR UXQ IRU WKH FRXQWU\·V KLJKHVW R΀FH )RU WKH GXR LW DSSHDUV WKDW HDFK QHZ GD\V GULOOV D QHZ KROH LQWR WKH LQFUHDVLQJO\ GHÁDWHG EDOloons of their credibility.

For Peter Obi, the undisputed choice of many young Nigerians, if he loses, it is unclear whether he will want another go in four years’ time or eight years as the case may be. But his teeming supporters across the country would want him to. They would want the ‘people’s president’ to have another go.

If there was never anything like a political miracle, Peter Obi has worked one in Nigeria since May 2022 when he swapped the Peoples Democratic Party for the Labour Party. Nigerians home and abroad have without hesitation bought into his message of KRSH DQG WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ )RU WKH ÀUVW WLPH LQ D YHU\ ORQJ WLPH 1LJHULDQV VDZ D 1LJHULDQ ZKR KHOG D SURPLQHQW SXEOLF R΀FH EXW UHPDLQHG ODUJHO\ LPPXQH WR WKH LQFXUDEOH DYDULFH WKDW D΁LFWV SXEOLF R΀FHUV LQ 1LJHULD +LV JULSSLQJ YLVLRQ RI WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ IRU 1LJHULD VWDUNO\ DQG ULRWRXVO\ DV WKH GLͿHUHQFH EHWZHHQ KRSH and despair for many Nigerians who have been burnt by the country since 1999, but especially in the last eight years.

In many places, the elections have been met by widespread allegations of electoral violence and fraud but how gratifying it is to see that with each election that comes around, Nigerians take yet another step towards strengthening their democracy and the institutions which support it.

There is no missing the waves of change washing across Nigeria at the moment, rousing even those hitherto crippled by hopelessness and apathy. By the time the waves make their full rounds, those left all at sea will be in no doubt that Nigeria is not for them.

Kene Obiezu, @kenobiezu

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2023

23

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

08056356325

F E B R U A R Y

S & P INDEX

2 8 , 2 0 2 3

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Lafarge, BUA, Dangote Cement PBT Lag at N712.47bn on Cost of Sales, OPEX Firms record N1.04trn CoS Dangote Cement spent N266.49bn on energy

Kayode Tokede Due to the challenging business environment, three cement manufacturing companies, Dangote Cement Plc, Lafarge Africa Plc and BUA Cement Plc struggled to report robust profit, attributable to a significant increase in cost of sales, operating expenses and finance cost in 2022 financial year.

Analysis of the companies’ 2022 results (profit & loss figures) revealed the three companies reported a whopping sum of N1.04 trillion cost of sales, an increase of 24 per cent from N837.9 billion in 2021.

Dangote Cement, with subsidiaries in other African countries reported N662.89 billion cost of sales in 2022 from N551.02 billion in 2021, while BUA Cement announced N197.94 billion cost of sales in 2022 from N136.39 billion in 2021.

For Lafarge Africa, it announced N177.02billion cost of sales in 2022, an increase if 18 per cent from N150.51billion reported in 2021.

As the average retail price of Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) paid by consumers in December 2022 was at N817.86 per litre, an increase of 182.64 per cent from N289.37 per litre recorded in the corresponding month of 2021, Dangote Cement

spent N266.49 billion on fuel & power consumed in 2022 from N196.63 billion reported in 2021.

Also, Lafarge Africa reported N64.14billion on fuel consumption in 2022 from N30.30billion in 2021.

Consequently, the three companies reported N712.47 billion profit before tax in 2022, representing a marginal growth of 1.34 per cent from N703.03 billion reported in 2021.

Further analysis of the companies’ 2022 results revealed that Dangote Cement reported N524.01 billion profit before tax in 2022, a decline of 2.66 per cent from N538.4billion in 2021, while BUA Cement profit before tax stood at N120.15 billion

in 2022, an increase of 17 per cent from N102.87 billion reported in 2021.

In addition, Lafarge Africa announced N68.31billion profit before tax in 2022, a growth of 10.6 per cent from N61.8billion declared in 2021.

As total operating expenses of Dangote Cement, two others stood at N523.38billion in 2022, representing an increase of 48 per cent from N353.49billion in 2021, Finance cost grew significantly by 116 per cent to N156.91billion in 2022 from N72.69billion in 2021.

According to THISDAY investigation, the three companies were faced with hike in cost of raw materials, cost of purchasing

diesel, among others as inflation rate mounted in the year under review.

The Nigeria economy was also faced with naira devaluation that impacted on foreign exchange loss, as Naira depreciated from N424.1/1$ at the end of 2021 to N461.1/1$ at the end of 2022.

Reacting, the management of Dangote Cement stated that it experienced a surge in prices of our inputs costs; significant foreign exchange fluctuation in our countries of operation; and a drop in gas availability in Nigeria.

“However, we proactively implemented a robust cost reduction strategy and a performance

improvement plan across the Group.

These initiatives enabled us manage our cost efficiently, while also tracking performance across all departments,” the leading cement company said in a statement obtained by THISDAY. The company added that, “In total, manufacturing costs increased by 20.3per cent to N662.9billion from N551.0billion in 2021. Materials consumed increase by 12.1per cent to N196.5billion, despite the reduction in production volume owing to inflationary pressures.

“Fuel & power consumed increased by 35.5per cent to Continued on page 24

Analysts Predict End to Cash Crunch After General Election Nume Ekeghe Analysts have predicted that the nationwide cash crunch following the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) naira redesign policy would subside post presidential and national assembly elections.

Also, the analysts urged the incoming government to first unite the country and roll out

policies that would encourage private sector growth.

They hinted that the economy regardless of who is elected to the highest office in the land would bounce back.

Specifically, the Chief Executive Officer, Eczellon Capital, Diekola Onaolapo said he believes the conclusion of the general elections should ease the current cash

crunch in the country.

He also stressed that with the glaring economic headwinds evident in Nigeria, an incoming government should be more deliberate in policies involving the economy.

However, he predicted an uptick in the Nigerian economy.

According to him, “After the elections, the cash crunch would

subside and everything should return to normalcy.”

Furthermore, he noted that there are a lot of economic headwinds on the global front, which an incoming president of Nigeria would have to deal with. “ Nigeria is particularly unique in the sense that in addition to economic issues, it also had its own socio-political issues that

need to be dealt with. And these are challenges a new president would have to face. As we speak, we can’t call the election but the comfort an analyst like me, has with this election coming in is that the candidates all should be able to assemble a solid enough team to manage the economy because I think that’s one of the things that the country has not

clearly enjoyed in recent times.

I hope that one of the things that we will see in the incoming administration would be a good vision plan and then we have a competent team that can execute it, ”he said.

On his part, the Head, of Financial Institutions Ratings Continued on page 24

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T U E S D AY, F E B R U A R Y 2 8 , 2 0 2 3 BONDS DESCRIPTION Price ^14.20 14MAR-2024 ^13.53 23MAR-2025 ^12.50 22JAN-2026 ^16.2884 17MAR-2027 ^13.98 23FEB-2028

10.362, 00 10.459, 00 10.287, 00 11.168, 00 10.386, 00

Change Updated Time (%) 10.82 -0.01 January 6, 2023 11.11 -0.71 January 6, 2023 0.00 January 11.35 6, 2023 12.60 0.00 January 6, 2023 12.92 0.00 January 6, 2023

Yield

BILLS MATURITY

Discount

NTB 26-Jan23 NTB 9-Feb23 NTB 9-Mar23 NTB 27-Apr23

3.01

NTB 11May-23

3.23

3.01 2.21 3.20

3.27

OTC F X F U T U R E S

CPS

Change Updated Time (%) 3.01 -0.01 January 6, 2023 6, 0.00 January 3.02 2023 6, 2.22 -1.71 January 2023 6, 3.23 0.00 January 2023

Yield

6, 0.00 January 2023

MATURITY FDHP CP III 17-MAR-23 VHPL CP III 1-APR-23 MREP CP VI 11-APR-23

Change Updated Time (%) 6, 9.26 9.43 0.00 January 2023 6, 14.15 14.64 0.00 January 2023 6, 10.52 10.81 -0.01 January 2023

Discount Yield

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CONTRACT Current TENOR Contract Rate Updated Time ($/₦) (MONTH) NGUS JAN 25 469.87 January 6, 1 2023 2023 January 6, NGUS FEB 22 2 472.05 2023 2023 NGUS MAR 29 474.23 January 6, 3 2023 2023 NGUS APR 26 476.42 January 6, 4 2023 2023 NGUS MAY 31 478.60 January 6, 5 2023 2023

24

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

ECONOMY

GDP Growth: Non-oil Sector to the Rescue Nume Ekeghe writes on the recent gross domestic product report and the contribution of oil and non-oil sector to nation’s economy

L

ast week, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released the gross domestic products (GDP) report for the fourth quarter of 2022, showing a 3.52 per cent growth year-on-year (YoY) in Q4-22, as against the third quarter growth rate of 2.25 per cent.

The Q4-22 growth figure brought the 2022 full year growth print to 3.10 per cent lower than the 3.4 per cent that was printed for the 2021 full year. According to the NBS, the performance of the GDP in the fourth quarter of 2022 was driven mainly by the Services sector, which recorded a growth of 5.69 per cent and contributed 56.27 per cent to the aggregate GDP. Although the Agriculture sector grew by 2.05 per cent in the reference period, its performance was significantly hampered by severe incidences of flood experienced across the country, accounting for lesser growth relative to the fourth quarter of 2021, which was 3.58 per cent.

Moreover, the industry sector was yet challenged recording -0.94 per cent growth and contributing less to the aggregate GDP relative to the third quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2021. Overall, the performance of agriculture and industry reduced in 2022 relative to 2021, while the performance of the services sector improved in 2022.

According to analysts at Cordros Research, the growth print was primarily driven by the non-oil sector, reflecting gains associated with the sturdy telecommunication sub-sector’s performance, seasonality effect in agriculture, albeit limited by flooding incidents, manufacturing sector’s return to growth, and improved credit to the private sector.

The analysts noted that the positive contribution of the non-oil sector to the total GDP growth offset the negative contribution from the oil sector. In line with analysts’ expectations, the oil sector’s contraction moderated to 13.38 per cent year on year in Q4-22 reflecting higher crude oil production, an indication of the government’s efforts at tackling crude oil theft and vandalism in the review period.

OIL PRODUCTION REMAINS SUBDUED

A breakdown of the data provided by the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) showed that the Bonny, Forcados, Brass and Escravos terminals primarily contributed to the increased crude oil production in Q4-22 relative to Q3-22. Overall, crude oil production (including condensates) averaged 1.37 million barrels per day (mb/d) in on account of the synchronous impacts of massive oil theft and pipeline vandalism, retrenchment of large International Oil Companies (IOCs) from onshore oil exploration, and lagging impacts of decrepit infrastructure.

Analysts at Meristem said they anticipate increased oil production in 2023 hinged on intensified efforts by the Federal Government to combat the aforementioned challenges plaguing the sector and reopening of the forcados terminal.

“In addition, Dangote Refinery which is expected to become operational in Q2: 2023 poses an upside to the growth expectation for the oil sector. Thus, we estimate an average oil production of 1.50mbpd for 2023 (9.49% higher than the average oil production for 2022). Also, while we anticipate OPEC’s supply cut to be muted in 2023, Russia’s planned oil supply cut by 500,000bpd as well as the reopening of the Chinese economy are expected to keep oil prices

elevated thereby supporting Nigeria’s oil revenue,” the analysis observed.

Analysts at Cordros believe that, “for Nigeria to achieve crude oil production up to the country’s OPEC+ production quota (1.83mb/d), the government would need to incentivise investment in new production capacity and invest in the proper training of indigenous firms to handle the divested IOC’s assets.”

NON-OIL SECTOR DRIVING GROWTH

Meanwhile, the non-oil sector continued to drive growth expanding by 4.84 per cent year on year in 2022 as against 4.44 per cent and -1.25 per cent in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The major catalysts to this growth were the Information and Communication, which was up 9.76 per cent, trade, which grew by 5.13 per cent, financial services which grew by 16.36 per cent and agriculture which was up by 1.88 per cent.

Growth in the ICT sector was driven by increased mobile subscriber base due to the recovery of lost subscribers between 2020 and 2021 from the NIN-SIM data linkage exercised mandated by the Nigeria Communications Commission. Consequently, higher voice and data traffic bolstered the average revenue per user of the players in the industry.

Analysts said the expansion of 4G-network coverage as well as 5G-network rollout in some states are expected to result in increased data traffic. Additionally, higher fintech transaction volumes due to increased commercialization of fintech services as well as CBN’s cashless policy are expected to support the ICT sector in 2023.

Furthermore, the agriculture sector recorded a slower growth of 2.05 per cent in Q4 2022 compared to 3.58 per cent in Q4: 2021 owing to the post-harvest losses resulting from the flooding. Cumulatively, the sector grew by 1.88 in 2022 as against 2.13 per cent in 2021, as analysts say they expect

the sector’s growth to remain slow in 2023 owing to continued insecurity challenges affecting the food-producing areas and persisting issues in the agricultural value chain.

SECTORIAL OUTLOOK

Analysts at Cordros said for the agriculture sector, they expect the increased security challenges associated with the build-up to the general elections to constrain farming activities, limiting agricultural output.

“Similarly, we expect the lower fertiliser usage arising from the lingering high prices to constrain farm activities, limiting crop production. “Therefore, we estimate that the Agriculture sector will grow by 1.88 per cent in Q1-23,” the analysts also said.

For the trade sub-sector, the analysts observed, “Domestic trade activities continue to witness intermittent disruptions in line with the policy maker’s back and forth on the deadlines for old high denomination notes to cease being legal tenders and cash crunch given the significantly low supply of new naira notes. More disturbing is the low-ticket transactions traders’ distrust of digital payments, slowing down their sales, more so that many buyers are experiencing cash shortages to pay for goods and services.

“Consequently, unless there has been a drastic change in the composition of N1, 000 and N500 notes since December 2022 (which is unlikely in our view), we expect trading activities to be significantly hampered in the near term, more so that the supply of new notes remains low. Thus, we project the Trading sub-sector’s growth to moderate considerably to 1.21% y/y, weighing down the service sector.

“Away from Trade, we expect the ICT sub-sector to maintain its solid growth pace because of the continued strong voice and data traffic growth. However, the ICT’s growth is likely to moderate compared to the prior quarter, given the high base effects from the prior year’s corresponding period.

“Elsewhere, while the relatively improved

macroeconomic environment would spur banks to maintain the current quantum of risk assets, the financial institution’s growth will likely moderate given the combined impact of tighter monetary conditions, which are likely to limit the growth of credit creation and unfavourable base effects from the prior year. Therefore, on a balance of factors, we expect the Service sector to grow by 2.68per cent.”

For manufacturing, analysts say aside from the high production costs exacerbated by high energy prices, elevated borrowing costs and FX constraints, they expect the lingering cash crunch to also negatively impact the manufacturing sector.

Cordros analysts said, “We understand that producers are now producing below capacity, given the low consumer spending associated with cash shortages and the cessation of NGN1000 and NGN500 as legal tenders. In addition, heightened uncertainties regarding the election outcome are also expected to limit production in Q1-23. Accordingly, we forecast a 1.57 per cent growth in the manufacturing sector in Q1-23.

SPLIT 2023 GROWTH FORECAST

In all analysts are split in their GDP growth forecast for 2023. Earlier this year, the World Bank had cut Nigeria’s projected growth in its Nigeria development update to 2.9 per cent from 3.1 per cent, citing the downturn in its oil sector as well as the aftermath of rising insecurity and flooding in the country.

Analysts at Cowry Assets Management remained optimistic about the nation’s economy, reviewing forecast for the country upwards to 3.74 per cent for 2023 as against an earlier projection of 2.9 per cent. Similarly, analysts at FBN Quest remained optimistic with a 3.2 per cent projection for 2023 year end.

On the other hand, analysts at Afrinvest West Africa said they expect the country’s economy to grow by 2.99 year on year in 2023, while analysts at Meristem and Cordros Research were more pessimistic with a 2.7 per cent growth expectation.

ANALYSTS PREDICT END TO CASH CRUNCH AFTER GENERAL ELECTION at Agusto & Co, Mr. Ayokunle Olubunmi said: “Now that the election is over, we expect an increase in the supply of cash into

the economy. So the cash crunch we have been experiencing over the last few weeks would reduce. I also think the CBN would actually

increase printing because their focus was to reduce vote buying and so now, we would have more cash in the economy.”

On policy focus for an incoming government, he added: “The Presidential elections are over and the wisest thing to do

for the incoming president is to look for ways of reconciliation and finding a way of uniting the country. If it is a Tinubu

presidency, I believe he would partner more with the private sector unlike what we had in the last eight years.”

through its subsidiary Geocycle, are tilting towards alternative fuels like biomass for cement production in their plants.

“Most of the components of the biomass fuel are locally sourced, reducing their dependence on imported and costly energy sources.

Consequently, input cost worries moderated, thereby improving profitability margins.”

The firm had projected that cost pressures and foreign exchange liquidity issues to persist throughout 2022 and this

may dampen the anticipated price stability as industry players may have to pass the increased cost to consumers.

“Also, the recent hike in interest rates by the CBN will make borrowings more expensive and may weigh on investments in the real estate sector. Although the rising interest rate may affect demand, the ongoing construction activities by the public and private sectors would support cement demand through the remainder of the year,” the analysts added.

LAFARGE, BUA, DANGOTE CEMENT PBT LAG AT N712.47BN ON COST OF SALES, OPEX N266.5billion due to increasing energy costs especially AGO and coal. The increase in Nigeria’s manufacturing costs was mainly driven by increased plant maintenance cost, rising energy costs and increase in price of gas which is pegged to the USD.” The CEO of Lafarge Africa, Khaled El Dokani in a statement stated that the worsening exchange rate situation led to revaluation losses, thereby constraining net Income growth to 5.2per cent.

Further findings revealed that

Dangote Cement still maintained leader in revenue generation, followed by BUA Cement Plc. The compaany reported N1.62 trillion revenue in 2022, an increase of 17 per cent from N1.38 trillion in 2021 while BUA Cement grew its revenue to N360.99 billion in 2022, an increase of 40.3 per cent from N257.33 billion in 2021.

Lafarge Africa on its part reported N373.24 billion revenue in 2022 from N293.09 billion in 2021.

Meanwhile, analysts believe the business environment was

challenging for companies operating in Nigeria last year, stating that inflation rate, among other factors impacted on profit generation.

The Vice Chairman, Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adnori said cement producers in 2022 benefited from the ongoing construction of infractrucure projects, like rail and roads by the Federal Government and the demand for housing infrastructure by the private sector.

Also, analysts at Vetiva Research stated that raw input costs have

remained elevated, driven by persistent FX challenges and rising inflationary pressures.

Vetiva Research in a report titled, “Nigeria H2’22 Outlook A strange labyrinth,” said the upward impact of the ongoing Russian-Ukraine crisis on energy prices has caused an increase in diesel and gas prices, which has emerged as a major threat to profitability.

“To combat these rising cost lines, cement players like Dangote Cement, through its Alternative Fuel Project, and Lafarge Africa,

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2023

25

BUSINESSWORLD

INSURANCE

Of CPS and Violation of Legislative Procedures The passage of a bill by the two chambers of the National Assembly for an act to exempt its service personnel from the Contributory Pension Scheme has been greeted with negative reactions from pension stakeholders, writes Ebere Nwoji

R

ecent passage of a bill by the National Assembly for an act to amend the Pension Reform Act, 2014, to exclude/ exempt the National Assembly Service personnel from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and establish what the law makers tagged, “National Assembly Service Pension Board,” has generated a lot of misgivings by Nigerians especially stakeholders in CPS who described the development as mockery of the legislative process.

The said bill seeks for an act that will exempt the lawmakers and their employees from the CPS, which has been in practice in Nigeria for the last 18 years.

The bill seeks to amend the Pension Reform Act 2014 to exclude/exempt staff of the National Assembly Service Commission from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and establish the National Assembly Service Pension Board; and for related matters.

It provides that the board shall be charged with responsibility of managing payment of pensions and gratuities to all personnel of the Service. The bill shall apply to all personnel of the National Assembly Service including those who had retired before the commencement of the bill. It provides that the retirement benefits of the personnel shall be adjusted to be commensurate with the provisions of the bill. They shall be charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, all such sums of money as may, from time to time, be granted by the federal government by way of pension and gratuity in accordance with the bill.

The 2004 Act establishing the CPS listed some categories of Nigerian workers that have been exempted from the CPS mainly due to the peculiarity of their work nature. It was this same lawmakers who in 2014 amended the 2004 Act during which it among other things exempted the armed forces intelligence from the CPS. Since then, workers from some sectors have been agitating for exemption from the CPS for their various reasons but have not been permitted.

For instance, the university workers who have been agitating for this through the ASUU were not granted to be exempted rather they were allowed to establish their separate pension company the National University Pension Company (NIPENCO), which is still under the CPS. The police was allowed to open Police Pension fund administrator under the CPS. However, airways workers have long been agitating for exemption but this has not been granted.

The latest was this National Assembly, which did not agitate long before going ahead to pass a bill that will usher in an act for amendment of Pension act that will exempt them from the CPS. The bill has already been silently passed without passing through public hearing or allowing stakeholders to make their contributions.

In a swift reaction to this, pension stakeholders have questioned the rationale behind this hasty and silent passage of the bill.

PENOP POSITION

Reacting to the passage of the bill, the Pension Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp), said: “this bill sets a dangerous precedent that will not augur well for hardworking Nigerians, working across the private and public sector, who depend on the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for retirement security and stability. The introduction of the CPS in Nigeria marked a departure from the unsustainable pension schemes the country had been operating in the past. “This scheme has brought transparency, international best practice and guaranteed peace of mind to millions of pensioners.

PenOp in the statement said it wishes to express grave concern regarding the way the bill was passed.

According to PenOp, the passage of the bill seems to have been unnecessarily expedited and shrouded in secrecy with very little engagement and input from critical stakeholders—as it was passed during the National Assembly’s recess.

PenOp said it was disturbing that the bill did not go through any public hearing, noting that a key component of the legislative process that allows stakeholders to have their voices and opinions heard for possible inclusion in the process was not done.

PenOp said if this was done, pertinent issues such as the amendment of retirement age, funding of pension liability, and the potential debt burden on government all of which were affected by this bill would have been debated and brought to the fore.

“The National Assembly prides itself as the heart of our democracy. Indeed, the halls of the National Assembly are the people’s halls. As such, it is extremely important that the legislative authority

the National Assembly wields is in no way subverted to serve vested interests in passing anti-people legislation, ”PenOp stated.

It noted that the exemption of any agency or group from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) held grave consequences for the Nation’s struggling fiscal position and would potentially upend the retirement security of pensioners who have given their blood and sweat in service to our great Nation.

Describing the passage of the bill a procedural anomaly and legislative immorality, PenOp called on all well-meaning Nigerians to note the grave anomaly and call the lawmakers to order.

Also speaking Barrister Ivo Takor, a legal practitioner and consultant National Institute for policy and strategic studies Kuru, Jos, described the Passing of the bill which was sponsored by Olododo Cook Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on National Planning and Economic Development as a mockery of the legislative process and smacks of impunity as well as arrogance in law making by the leadership and members of the current National Assembly.

He quoted Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that the legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in the National Assembly, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representative.

He said Section 58(1) provides that the power of the National Assembly to make laws shall be exercised by bills passed by both the Senate and the House of Representative and, except as otherwise provided by subsection (5) of this section, assented to by the President.

He said in present times laws (acts of legislative bodies, statutes) are considered the main source of almost all national legal systems adding that is why the elaboration of this acts was important for the state, society, and all social and political groups.

“The strengthening of the position of the acts of legislative bodies is in democratic character in the procedure of adoption. In the acts of the legislative bodies, the people’s will is transferred to the will of the state. They are the results of a certain political compromise of different social and political interests. For the reaching of a compromise the special legislative process is established. It is open for public, mass media, so it is under social control, commonly referred to as public hearing.

He said stakeholders in the pension industry as well as members of the public are critical that contrary to established procedures and conventions, the bill under reference was passed by the National Assembly without the holding a public hearing on the bill by any of the Chambers.

He insisted that a bill is carried forward through all the stages of the legislative process by a long chain of standardised motions, which must be adopted by the house before the bill become law. According to him, the House does not commit itself conclusively in favour of a bill until the final stage, when it takes a decision to let the bill pass from the House or not.

Against this backdrop Takor, said the leadership of both Chambers of the National Assembly, the Senate and the House of

Representatives owe the public, who they represent, an explanation as to why they avoided holding a public hearing on this particular bill.

He said to circumvent laid down process in law making as happened with the bill was a mockery of the legislative process and smacks of impunity as well as arrogance in law making by the leadership and members of the current National Assembly.

According to him, Public hearing helps in the evaluation of previous undertakings or decisions taken on the subject matter.

“If a public hearing was held on the bill, the House Committee concerned and indeed the House of Representatives, would have been able to activate the various interest groups, which include the Federal Government, the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Pension Fund Operators (PenOp), the labour movement (Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress), Civil Societies Organisations and other interested members of the public who would have averted them from embarking on a mission towards self destruction.

He submitted that it was the fear of hearing from these organisations and associations that was the principal reason why they skipped public hearing in the process of passing the bill.

He noted that in 2017, Olawole Oke, sponsored a bill, which sort to amend the Pension Reform Act 2014, to exempt the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Nigerian Prison Services (NPS), Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), the Nigerian Security Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from the CPS. At a public hearing organised on the bill, but that during the public hearing, stakeholders in the pension industry spoke against the bill and that was the end.

Again he recalled that on Tuesday 22nd February 2022 the House of Representatives Committee on Pension held a public hearing on two bills all seeking to amend the Pension Reform Act 2014. “The first bill, was “A bill for an Act to amend the Pension Reform Act 2014 to provide for the exemption of the Nigerian Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme and for related matters [HB. 1578] sponsored by Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive.

“There have been several other attempts aimed at exempting certain categories of public sector workers from the CPS through private members bills, which have failed as a result of the positions taken by critical stakeholders in the pension industry including the federal government position on the matter. The passing of the current bill is an indication that the current House of Representatives lack institutional memory, or is not diligent in the law making process or members

are beclouded by pecuniary interest as it is being alleged by members of the public”.

He posited that the federal government was already overburdened with the payment of pensions under the unsustainable defined benefits scheme as illustrated in the 2022 Appropriation Act. “Under the Service Wide Vote, the sum of N577.3 billion was made as total allocation for Pension and Gratuities. Pension allocation under defined benefits scheme for military and other security agencies represent 45.5 percent of the total proposed allocations for pension and gratuity. Meanwhile, only N125 billion was proposed for payment of accrued rights under the CPS for the 2022 prospective retirees of federal government treasury funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Querying the benefit of wasting legislative time and resources in passing a bill that the legislators themselves were afraid to follow its own due process, Takor said it was obvious even to them that it will not be assented by the President.

OTHER STAKEHOLDERS’ VIEW

When contacted, actuarial Scientist and Chartered Insurer, Dr Pius Apere described the bill passage by the National Assembly as creating lack of confidence in their own law, which they amended eight years ago. He said when they amended the 2004 law; they stated persons to be exempted from the CPS forgetting their staff.

He said this is lack of confidence because then, they exempted the arm forces but did not exempt their own staff.

He said just eight years after passing a bill for amendment; they are calling for another amendment.

Describing the bill passage as an after thought he said it is uncalled for.

Secondly he said by passing the law, the National Assembly has opened doors for other government agencies and parastatals to begin to agitate for their own exemption .He added that when they begin to ask for exemption, the law makers would have no moral justification to deny them that.

NOTE: The story continue online on www.thisdaylive.com

26

˜ ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

Local Bourse Extends Gains… ASI up 0.9%

േ

േ

േ

Positive Sector Performance

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 R O X P H

7 R S * D LQ H U V

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

F ID ELIT YB K

40.0

2.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

34.2

2.1%

9.6%

OA N D O

22.6

9.1%

17.8

6.3%

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

M RS

36.85

10.0%

ST A N B IC

41.70

9.9%

C ILEA SIN G

3.98

T ic k er

M C N IC H OLS

0.72

9.1%

T R A N SC OR P

OA N D O

4.80

9.1%

GT C O

10.4

2.5%

8.1%

FCM B

9.8

0.0%

8.1%

J A P A ULGOLD

9.4

0.0%

UB A

8.2

2.4%

M B EN EF IT

7.3

3.1%

A C C ESSC OR P

6.3

2.7%

R OYA LEX

0.80

UP D C R EIT

3.35

N GXGR OUP

29.00

F T N C OC OA

0.29

C UT IX

2.20

7.4% 7.4% 7.3%

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 D O X H

7 R S / R V H U V T ic k er M ULT IVER SE C WG

3.96 0.90

P ric e C hg % -10.0% -9.1%

F LOUR M ILL

32.00

-8.4%

CHA M S

0.26

-7.1%

R T B R ISC OE

ଂ

P ric e

0.27

-3.6%

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

D A N GC EM

1575.8

2.2%

Z EN IT H B A N K

907.5

2.1%

GT C O

274.7

2.5% 2.0%

F ID ELIT YB K

202.0

WA P C O

133.8

5.4%

A IR T ELA F R I

132.2

0.0%

ST ER LN B A N K

1.52

-2.6%

GLA XOSM IT H

6.70

-2.2%

OA N D O

109.1

9.1%

M TNN

95.4

0.0%

LA SA C O

1.02

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C UST OD IA N

5.95

-0.8%

P R ESC O

82.4

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-0.8%

UB A

71.2

2.4%

IN T EN EGIN S

1.19

27

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2023 • T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 27Feb-2023, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 203.23 204.38 6.03% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.30% Nigeria International Debt Fund 328.91 328.91 5.35% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 106.63 107.73 1.08% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 7.87% Anchoria Equity Fund 157.16 158.85 8.43% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.23 1.23 0.14% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com info@anchoriaam.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 23.68 24.40 7.93% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 552.60 569.26 6.02% ARM Ethical Fund 47.04 48.46 4.28% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.14 1.14 0.89% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.12 1.12 1.30% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.68% ARM Short Term Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 1.00% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 98.56 98.56 2.55% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,115.56 1,115.56 -0.93% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.14 2.14 3.85% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.37 2.42 8.69% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.86% Paramount Equity Fund 20.17 20.54 8.53% Women's Investment Fund 156.67 159.66 6.72% CHD Nigeria Bond Fund 101.37 101.37 10.91% CHD Nigeria Dollar Income Fund 1.01 1.01 8.85% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 1.00 12.34% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.23 1.24 2.74% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.38 1.38 -2.17% Coronation Fixed Income Fund EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 100.00 100.00 10.29% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 11.62% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,116.59 1,121.00 0.89% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.45% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.08 1.08 10.26% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.14 1.14 39.03% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 105.61 105.61 3.77% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund 1499.64 1499.64 12.26% FBN Balanced Fund 211.04 212.54 5.68% FBN Halal Fund 125.44 125.44 12.87% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.86% FBN Dollar Fund 121.50 121.50 6.92% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 0.00 0.00 5.09% FBN Specialized Dollar Fund 105.59 105.59 9.74% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.62% Legacy Debt Fund 3.52 3.52 -12.08% Legacy Equity Fund 2.11 2.16 21.56% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.27 1.27 5.27% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1

Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

Bid Price 4,421.30 3,758.40 100.00

Offer Price 4,403.40 3,758.40 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 29.24% 7.85% 11.10%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.14 1.14 5.66% GUARANTY TRUST FUND MANAGERS LIMITED enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.gtcoplc.bank; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.95% Vantage Balanced Fund 3.20 3.26 8.27% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 7.21% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 0.00 0.00 0.00% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.29 1.33 7.35% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 8.67% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.81 1.85 3.92% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,175.32 1,175.32 1.29% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: www.meristemwealth.com/funds/; Tel: +2348028496012 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 102.11 102.11 10.03% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 12.01% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 132.61 135.75 0.05% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 11.02% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Absolute Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Aggressive Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund N/A N/A N/A UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 1.04 1.07 9.48% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.57 1.60 14.53% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.25 1.27 7.42% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.12 1.12 9.92% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.97 1.97 7.32% United Capital Eurobond Fund 126.43 126.43 5.50% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.33% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Balanced Strategy Fund 14.52 14.66 4.71% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 16.52 16.68 4.51% Zenith Income Fund 23.83 23.83 1.15% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 0.00% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Bid Price Offer Price Yield/T-Rtn Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 4.54 4.64 13.04% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 6.69 6.79 14.38% Vetiva Money Market Fund 20.04 20.24 13.24% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 1.00 1.00 10.36% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 24.73 24.93 23.63% REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

115.40 53.52 101.31 9.93

1.31% 4.74% -13.05%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

16.76 141.91 111.31 17.40 16.40

16.86 144.39 113.24 17.50 16.50

8.26% 11.21% 11.33% 0.34% 6.65%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

106.75

0.00%

Fund Name

SFS REIT Union Homes REIT Nigeria Real Estate Investment Trust UPDC REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

28

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2023

EDUCATION Dr. Okafor: How I Made 8 Distinctions to Emerge as ABUAD’s Best Graduating Medical Student Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekitie

I

t was a joyful occasion for parents, friends and family members of 22-year-old Dr Ginika Okafor, as she emerged the best graduating medical student of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), with eight distinctions, during the fifth induction ceremony into the Medical Profession (MBBS) Class of 2022 of the university, by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

The ceremony was held at the Alfa Belgore Hall, ABUAD. The prodigy received cash awards totalling N900,000, with N50,000 for each distinction.

The founder and chancellor of the university also gave her N500,000 at the induction ceremony for emerging as the overall best.

A delighted Ginika, who hails from Abatete, in Idemili-North LGA of Anambra, said, “I feel very happy. Delighted is the word to express my emergence as the overall best graduating medical student.

I thank the university for finding me worthy, and I am very grateful to my parents for their efforts and sacrifices in sending me to ABUAD, which, no doubt, is the best university in our clime.“ She said her initial challenge as a medical student was the stress of studying the course.

“You won’t have time for any other thing. Initially, I found it difficult to cope.

Sometimes, I nearly caved in to the heavy weight of academic work with attendant stress, but with God, time and determination, I was able to surmount it all,” Ginika explained.

“Now that I am a doctor, I have more responsibilities in impacting and giving back to society as a finished product of ABUAD,” she added. “I am so grateful and can’t wait to start discharging my duties via contributing my quota to Nigeria’s health sector.”

In his remarks, Aare Afe Babalola noted that Times Higher Education Impact Ranking in 2022 ranked the university as the number

Dr. Okafor one university in Nigeria, “John Hopkins Hospital in America has also entered into (an) agreement with your university under which some students will be going on scholarship training annually to America. The first set will leave for the US in April this year,” Babalola stated.

The Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD,

Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, said the university started carting home enviable commendations from national and international education stakeholders including UNESCO which acknowledged it as a “world-class institution of higher education” and the National Universities Commission (NUC), the regulatory authority for university education in Nigeria, which also endorsed ABUAD as “the pride of university system in Nigeria.”

“The icing on the cake of acknowledgements came last year when the university was rated by the highly respected Times Higher Education Impact Ranking as the ‘number one out of the 220 universities in Nigeria and number 321 in the world,” explained Olarinde. “This is a no mean global achievement which was commended by eminent Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari.”

ATBU VC Harps on Graduates’ Skills Acquisition Segun Awofadeji ÓØ ËßÍÒÓ

The Vice-Chancellor of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Prof Muhammad AbdulAzeez, has stated that the country’s education system needs to focus on producing graduates equipped with the skills needed to be successful in the workforce.

The university don stated this during a two-day workshop for North-east universities’ staff on ‘Outcome Based Education’ (OBE), organised by ATBU in collaboration with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

According to the vice-chancellor, the training was for academic and non-academic staff of the Faculty of Engineering in all North-East universities. He said outcome-

based education is an approach to education that prioritise learning outcomes over the traditional approach of focusing on rote memorisation.

“The focus is to develop essential skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, rather than simply learning facts. Outcome-based education can help ensure that we are producing graduates with the necessary skills, as well as the knowledge, to be successful in today’s world. It is thus our belief that outcome-based education will help create a more equitable educational system by focusing on essential skills that

would ensure all students, regardless of their background or educational history, have the opportunity to develop the skills necessary for success,” he said.

The Registrar of COREN, Prof Ademola Adisa, said the workshop’s main goal was to train the participants to acquire knowledge and skills of Outcome-Based Education to train others in its implementation in Nigerian universities.

He said outcome-based education is an approach to education that focuses on specific attributes in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitude that must be exhibited by graduating students, adding that the workshop was for the North-East region.

He listed the regions where such a workshop had taken place as; Ahmadu Bello University for the North-West, the

University of Benin for the South-South, and Enugu State University for the South-East.

Others are the University of Abuja for the North-Central, the University of Ibadan and Afe Babalola University for the South-West.

“The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria is a statutory organ of the federal government of Nigeria that was established by decree Number 5 of 1970 and amended by decree Number 27 of 1992.

COREN has the mandate to regulate and control the practice of Engineering in all aspects and ramifications,” he explained.

“At the education level, on behalf of the federal government of Nigeria, COREN determines the academic standards of courses and accredited programmes to be offered by the institutions that are training engineering personnel.”

Teach for Nigeria Commences Seventh Cohort of Its Fellowship Uchechukwu Nnaike

Teach For Nigeria, a non-profit organisation focused on building a movement of leaders committed to improving foundational learning outcomes and life opportunities for low-income children in Nigeria, has announced the launch of the seventh cohort of its fellowship.

The Teach For Nigeria Fellowship programme is a two-year full-time paid commitment that is designed to build a movement of leaders who will work towards eliminating educational inequity by teaching in under-served schools in low-income communities across Nigeria.

The selected fellows will be posted to teach students in under-resourced schools across Lagos and Ogun States.

The 2023 fellowship, themed ‘Find Your Purpose: Discover Your Leadership’, is targeted at young leaders committed to tackling Nigeria’s foundational learning challenge in underserved primary schools.

Speaking at the recruitment launch, the CEO of Teach For Nigeria, Folawe Omikunle, said the organisation is committed to building a nationwide movement of leaders to provide an excellent, equitable education to all Nigerian children.

“Through our two-year fellowship, we are driving long-term systemic change. Our fellows are placed in underserved schools to

work relentlessly to transform the lives of their students,” said Omikunle. “We also train, equip and support them through a combination of pre-service training and ongoing support. We are about to usher in a new set of leaders in the educational sector and we are excited to begin the process of inspiring leaders.”

According to Omikunle, the programme continues to serve as a private-sector-led solution to bridge the learning gap and address the education inequity in Nigeria, and it is open to outstanding young professionals, including non-teachers and existing teachers interested in being part of the movement to end educational inequity in the country.

A 2019 TFN alumnus and guest speaker at the event, Daniel Ochekwu, said his

two years as a fellow at TFN made him grow exponentially.

“It helped me learn more about life and improved my ability to empathise, identify and solve problems. Teach For Nigeria supports you to run with your innovations beyond the fellowship,” Ochekwu noted. “The resources (people and material) Teach for Nigeria gave me were enormous.”

In the last six years, Teach for Nigeria has successfully placed and supported 1,140 fellows to lead significant academic and non-academic outcomes in 600+ underserved schools, impacting over 160,000 students in Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna and Oyo. Interested applicants can visit https://teachfornigeria.org/ apply/ to apply.

29

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2023

EDUCATION

Greensprings Celebrates 38 Years of Impact Greensprings School recently marked its 38th anniversary.

In her message to the community, the founder, Mrs Lai Koiki, spoke about the growth and impact that the school has had over the past 38 years.

According to her, the school started from a humble beginning of only three students.

In 38 years, about 40,000 students have been enrolled in the school, with many of its alumni now captains of industries and successful entrepreneurs contributing to the prosperity of Nigeria.

She said, “When the school was established in 1985, I chose the name ‘Greensprings’ to depict growth and blossoming. The school started with three students, and today, about 40,000 students have successfully passed through the school. Also, from one campus, the school now has four campuses, one of which is a school for special

needs children with the name ‘Anthos House’.”

She said the school caters for children from pre-school to the international baccalaureate diploma level.

“Greensprings’, as a name and a school, has proved impactful, and our alumni are accomplishing giant strides across various sectors like technology, science, art, business and sports.”

Since the school is only two years away from being four decades, the founder described each decade in one word: “dream, perseverance, thanksgiving and impact.”

She said that the words were chosen to describe the progression of the school from being birthed from a dream to persevering through the hurdles, then thanksgiving to God for His faithfulness and finally, the impact that the school has achieved through the years.

UNILAG Dons Win World Lung Health, Fellowship Doctoral Programme Awards Funmi Ogundare

A pulmonologist and associate professor at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Dr Uju Ozoh has won the World Lung Health award.

She will receive the award at the opening ceremony of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2023 international conference, scheduled to hold from May 19 to 24 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Centre, Washington DC, United States of America.

Ozoh’s areas of research

interest include airway diseases, pulmonary complications of respiratory exposures and chronic medical conditions, tobacco epidemiology and obstructive sleep apnea.

The World Lung Health Award recognises the contributions of accomplished professionals like Ozoh to improving world lung health in the area of translational or implementation research, delivery of healthcare, continuing education or care of patients with lung disease, or related political advocacy with a special emphasis on

efforts that have the potential to eliminate gender, racial, ethnic, or economic health disparities worldwide.

Also, Dr Isiaka Ayobi Raheem of the Department of Physics won the Texas Tech University (TTU) Dean’s Executive Fellowship Doctoral Programme award.

The programme issued by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, Texas Tech University (TTU), is a fellowship package which involves those in STEM education, graduate recruitment

fellowship, research, teaching and assistantships.

The cohorts of the 2023 Fall are scholars with a focus on education and educational research that is interdisciplinary, comparative, convergent, transdisciplinary, transnational and transformative.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, who expressed delight about these feats, congratulated Ozoh and Raheem, saying the awards were well-deserved recognition.

She wished them continued success in their careers.

Federal Poly Ado Publishes Book in Honour of Ex Rector Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, has celebrated its outgone Rector, Engr Dayo Oladebeye for the landmark achievements recorded during his tenure.

While launching a book titled ‘Engr. Dr Dayo Hepzibah Oladebeye: Selected Speeches of a Quintessential Rector, 20182022’ the pioneer head of the newly established Department of Library and Information Science, Dr Emmanuel Olu Ayeni, who did the compilation and publication of the book, said he initiated it to honour the former rector.

Ayeni said the main import of the onerous task was that the works of an icon like Oladebeye, whom he described as a man of great ideas and vision, should not be allowed to be locked out in file cabinets.

“One of the best ways of immortalising such an icon far beyond his tenure in office or

naming of structures after him is the publication of the vision, thoughts and ideas of such an icon,” Ayeni explained.

The public presentation of the book on penultimate Tuesday was attended by the Deputy Rector (Administration) Dr Micheal Akinola, who reviewed the book, the Deputy Rector Academic, Dr David Olusegun Dada, the Bursar of the Polytechnic, Prince John Kehinde Omodara, the acting Polytechnic Librarian, Mrs Margaret Oluyemisi Abifarin and Surv. Abiodun Oyedikun, among others.

The National President of the Polytechnic Alumni Association, also the chief launcher of the book, stood in for the chairman of the 11th Governing Council of the Polytechnic, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo.

Several current and past deans of the various schools in the polytechnic were also in attendance to honour the former rector.

Edo Poly Matriculates 1850 Students Ugo Aliogo

The Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, has matriculated 1,850 students into its National and Higher National Diploma programmes for the 2022/ 2023 academic session.

The acting rector of the polytechnic, Engr Omoruyi Sylvester, who acknowledged Governor Godwin Obaseki’s consistent support in ensuring that all programmes in the polytechnic attain full accreditation, said the institution recorded tremendous progress in the last one year.

He said Obaseki’s concern about the progress of the polytechnic, especially in the aspect of accreditation, led to the accreditation of six programmes during the recent NBTE Quality Assurance and Resource Visitation to the Polytechnic in January.

“It is my pleasure to inform you that with the support of the state government through the office of the Commissioner for Education, Dr Joan Oviawe, that management is also making preparations to invite NBTE for another accreditation and resource inspection exercise for more programmes,” noted Sylvester.

Omoruyi charged the students with good conduct and urged them to prove their worth by working hard and embracing the various learning opportunities and technology innovations at the Polytechnic to get the best of their chosen programmes.

The education commissioner, represented by Dr Osamuyimen Oni Ekhosuehi, reiterated Obaseki’s commitment to ensuring the institution becomes a leading polytechnic in Nigeria.

The Principal, Federal Science and Technical College Yaba, Lagos, Mr. David Omada, with representatives of the winning houses and other officials during the 52nd inter-house sports competition of the college... recently

ITF: Over N24.6bn Paid as SIWES Allowance in Seven Years Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

The Director General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ari, has disclosed that the fund has spent N24.6 billion as payment for Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) allowances in the last seven years.

He said under his administration, ITF also paid over N29 billion as reimbursement to more than 2,242 contributing companies within the same period in line with the act establishing it.

Ari disclosed this in Jos while receiving an Award of Excellence in Leadership and Human Capital Development from the Correspondent’s

Chapel of the Plateau State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

He said the SIWES processes had been restructured for seamless and more effective management in light of prevailing challenges and to actualise its objectives fully.

“When I came into office, the SIWES was bedevilled by a backlog of unpaid students’ and supervisory allowances, but we assiduously worked towards reducing the backlog.

Since 2016, N23,699,280,000 has been paid as students allowance, while N1,051,277,751 was paid as supervisory allowance within that same period,” he stated. “Since 2016, over N29,964,150,308.68

has been paid to more than 2,242 companies as reimbursement, which is an outcome of the innovations I brought on board.”

Ari noted that ITF has pursued this mandate using apprenticeship training in both formal and informal sectors, skills upgrading and broadening for on-the-job development among its many activities.

Calling on other agencies of government involved in human capacity development to find ways of working with it to make it in tackling the numerous national challenges, Ari observed that “with the institutionalisation of the National Apprenticeship Training System (NATS), the ITF will

enhance the capacity of artisans, craftsmen and technicians for employability and provide Nigerians with the relevant skills and competencies that will grow the economy.”

Chairman of the Correspondent Chapel, Mr Gyang Bere, said the award was in recognition of the DG’s quest to drive Nigeria out of poverty and fight unemployment through skills provision.

“Being a consummate administrator, a charismatic and a leader with foresight, we have noted with satisfaction your outstanding performance since you assumed duty as the director-general/chief executive of the Industrial Training Fund ITF in 2016,” said Bere.

African Petroleum Producers to Partner Petroleum Training Institute on Capacity Building Sylvester Idowu in Warri The African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) has paid a one-day study visit to the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Effurun in Delta to seek areas of collaboration with the institute.

The director of research in APPO, Dr Naja Terha, who led the team, said the purpose of

the visit was to assess some oil and gas training and research centres and institutes in Nigeria in terms of their capacity, quality of programmes and determine current capacity and future expansion requirements where necessary.

He disclosed that the team was also keen to ascertain the willingness of the management of those centres to serve as regional

APPO centres of excellence and to collaborate with peer institutes in other APPO member countries in the field of technology development and training.

Receiving the delegation from APPO, the Principal and Chief Executive Officer of PTI, Dr Henry Adimula, explained that since its inception 50 years ago, the institute had trained over 50,000 oil and gas industry

workers.

He said the institute did not only train personnel in the oil and gas for Nigeria alone but also for some students from other African countries.

Adimula said the institute was ready to collaborate with other Institutions in research and development and training manpower in the oil and gas industry.

30

WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2023 •T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2023 • T H I S D AY

31

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

32

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

GDP Report: Comercio Partners Counsels Investors on Opportunity Sectors Oluchi Chibuzor

Comercio Partners Limited has counseled investors to focus attention on industries positioned to profit from the current macroeconomic trends as revealed in the gross domestic product (GDP) report for 2022.

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Comercio Partners Asset Management Limited, Tosin Osunkoya gave this advice while reviewing the GDP report for the fourth quarter of last year, Q4’22, released recently by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS. Among other things, the NBS report showed that while the economy recorded GDP growth of 3.52 per cent, Year-on-Year, YoY, in Q4’22, up from 2.25 per cent in Q3’22, it however recorded a lower annual GDP growth of 3.1 per cent, YoY for Full Year 2022, FY’22, down from 3.4 per cent in FY’21.

Osunkoya noted though the economy recorded lower GDP growth in FY’22 due to the combined effect of the high inflation levels triggered by the Russia war in Ukraine as well as the 19.22 per cent contraction in the oil sector, the performance of the Services sector, which continued in to improve in 2022 represents a major silver lining.

He added that the impact of the improved performance of the Services sector is reflected in the higher real growth of 4.4 per cent, YoY recorded in the Non-Oil sector in Q4 ‘22.

Speaking on investment opportunities highlighted in the FY” 22 GDP performance of the economy, Osukoya stressed that though there are areas of concerns, namely the continued contraction in the oil sector and hushed growth in the agricultural sector, investors should focus their attention on specific industries

that are strategically positioned to profit from the current macroeconomic condition.

He said: “With the oil sector’s enormous influence on the Nigerian economy, its ongoing decline—which was marked by a negative growth rate of -14.93% in Q4 2022—is a major cause for concern.

“Also, another major concern was the hushed growth in agriculture majorly due to the historic flooding experienced during the latter part of the year 2022 which largely affected crop production.

“Investors should focus their attention on specific industries that are strategically positioned to profit from the current macroeconomic condition. One such industry is finance, particularly banks, which stands to benefit most from the top banks’ rate increment.

MARKET INDICATORS

Insurance Commissioner Advises Nigerians to Give Insurance Prime Place The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Sunday Thomas, has advised Nigerians to give insurance a prime place in their financial planning because of the crucial role insurance plays in their lives.

The commissioner who stated this at the 2023 Business outlook Conference organised by the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) in Lagos said the Nigerian Insurance Industry has got the potential to be a major driver of advancing national development if government could reduce the burden from fundamental risks and catastrophes incurred by the people.

He said government often bears this burden through compensation to the people or rehabilitation of the people when disaster occurs due to lack of insurance cover on their side.

He said had Nigerians cultivated the habit of insurance policy coverage, government would not spend time and limited resources on compensating the people in time of need.

This year’s edition of the outlook has the theme Reshaping the Financial Sector: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities”.

He said insurance operators should make insurance part

of financial services offering to the people.

Thomas reiterated that operators should incorporate insurance as an integral part of financial plans of individual, entities and businesses He further noted that insurance as a risk mitigation tool prepares everyone for unforeseen circumstances and losses instead of enhancing unexpected borrowings.

The Naicom boss therefore charged insurance companies to take rightful place by not just supporting only from the back end but take the lead in financial planning of customers.

DataPro Affirms SKLD Integrated Services “BBB+”; Outlook Stable DataPro, a technology-driven credit rating agency has affirmed SKLD Integrated Services Limited’s long-term rating of “BBB+” with a Stable outlook for the year 2022/2023.

A statement signed by the Client Services Manager of the rating agency, Mr. Kehinde Rasheed, explained that the rating reflects DataPro’s view of the company’s financial resilience following its

recovery from the Covid-19 driven revenue decline in the year 2020.

“In the year under review, revenue grew its highest in five years. SKLD’s financial resilience is evident in thebmaintenance of financial metrics consistent with a good financial risk profile, despite experiencing some softening in demands from effects of the pandemic,” the statement said.

It added that the company’s effort to expand its operations was also recognised, saying this was reflected in the surge in the company’s cost profile and increase in capital base.

“During the year, the company moved to convert its ordinary shares to preference shares leading to a rise in share capital from N10m (Yr. 20) to N777m (Yr. 21),” the state added.

Ecobank Rewards Customers Supper Reward Campaign Nume Ekeghe Ecobank Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) has rewarded four customers, being winners in the Super Rewards deposit promo, with N1 million each.

The Super Rewards Campaign is a customer-focused initiative designed by Ecobank Nigeria to reward customers’ loyalty and consistent use of the bank’s electronic payment platforms.

This edition of Super Reward campaign, tagged, ‘Season 3.1,’ rewarded 100 customers monthly since November 2022

with cash prizes of N50, 000, while four customers won N1 million each at the end of the three-month campaign, which ran between November 2022 to January 2023. The four winners were Mr. John Sokeipiriala, Ahmed Said, Onashile Obafemi, and a couple with a joint account, Mr David Edokwe and Mrs Ifeoma Edokwe.

Speaking at the cheque presentation in Lagos, recently, the Head, of Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Mrs. Korede Adeniyi, said the scheme was introduced by the bank to reward customers’ loyalty, adding that it was also to promote the use of its electronic

payment channels that offered convenient banking.

According to her, “This is the third edition of our reward initiative which started about two years ago. The feedback from our customers has been quite impressive. It is not just to encourage people to save but also transact on our digital channels. Today, you and I know that with the cash scarcity, the digital banking channels have become very helpful. So today, we’re rewarding four customers who won N4 million.

We have also rewarded 100 customers with cash prizes of N50, 000 monthly during the period of the campaign.”

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) AUGUST 2022 Money Supply (M3)

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 10 JANUARY, 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $82.78 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $81.86 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basrah Medium (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela)

33

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯ˜ 2023

MARKET NEWS

Seplat Announces 22.11% Increase in PBT, Declares US15 Cents Dividend Kayode Tokede Seplat Energy Plc, yesterday announced its audited results for the full year ended December 31, 2022, recording a rise in profit before tax by 22.11 per cent to N86.73billion from N71.03billion reported in 2021 financial year reports.

The leading Nigerian independent energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the London

Stock Exchange (LSE), also generated cash from its operations to the tune of N242.4billion from N150.9billion year-on-year, rising by 60.6 per cent.

The energy Company’s also grew its revenue by 38 per cent to N403.9billion from N293.6billion; as its gross profit soars to N197.2billion from N114.2billion year-on-year, rising by 72 per cent.

Seplat Energy is paying a US7.5 cent final dividend, de-

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R MARKET PRICE

spite the significantly disrupted production experienced in the second half of the year. This amounts to a full-year dividend of US15 cents, representing a dividend yield of around 11 per cent at the current LSE share price.

In its operations, Seplat Energy’s working interest production averaged 44 kboepd, impacted by outages of key infrastructure predominantly in Q3. Use of Amukpe-Escravos

Pipeline (AEP) enables high uptime in December, exit rate of 53 kboepd. The Company completed 13 wells including two wells for the ANOH gas processing plant. ANOH Gas Processing Plant is 95 per cent mechanically complete, awaiting third-party infrastructure completion.

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Officer, Seplat Energy, Mr. Roger Brown in a statement said:“I am delighted

S E C U R I T I E S

T R A D E D

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VALUE TRADED ( N )

MAIN BOARD

that our strong financial performance will enable the payment of a US7.5 cent final dividend, despite the significantly disrupted production we experienced in the second half of the year.

“The full-year dividend of US15 cents represents a dividend yield of around 11per cent at the current LSE share price.

“As we enter 2023, the business is in a very healthy state, with new wells coming

AS O F

onstream, encouraging appraisal drilling underway at Sibiri, and alternative export routes ensuring good export performance in January and February this year.

“Our gas business continues to develop, with first gas expected from ANOH in Q4 this year, and we are now in the process of separating our Midstream Gas business from the Upstream unit to unlock new value for shareholders.

2 8 / 0 2 / 2 3 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

34

WEDNESDAY, ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

YIAGA ELECTION PRESS CONFERENCE...

L-R ;Member YIAGA Africa, Asmas Maikudi; Board Chairman YIAGA Africa, Dr. Thussaini Abdu; Executive Director Yiaga Africa; Samson Itodo; Board member, YIAGA Africa; Asma Maikudi; during PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE the 2023 General election press conference by YIAGA Africa in Abuja... recently

INEC DECLARES BOLA AHMED TINUBU PRESIDENT-ELECT on at the National Collation Centre, and we demand that this sham of an election should be immediately cancelled. We also call for a fresh election to be carried out within the window allowed by the Electoral Act and in accordance with the laid down INEC procedure for the conduct of the 2023 elections.

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

“We also wish to declare a vote of no confidence on the INEC chairman, Professor Yakubu Mahmood.

By his conduct and reaction to the complaints of disenfranchised political parties, we believe that he lacks the integrity and moral standing to continue to oversee this process to a conclusion.

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

Buttressing the facts that the collation of result was a mere allocation of results, National Chairman of PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, said identical results were awarded to parties in Bauchi and Gombe presidential results. For instance, he said, INEC awarded the same presidential results to PDP, APC and LP in Gombe and Bauchi states.

Ayu explained that INEC awarded 146977 to APC, 319123 to PDP and 26160 to Labour Party in Gombe and repeated the same in Bauchi.

INEC: Calls for Yakubu’s Resignation Misplaced, Irresponsible

INEC described the calls by Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the resignation of the commission’s chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, as misplaced and irresponsible.

The presidential election agents of PDP, Senator Dino Melaye, and LP, Hon. Umar Farouk Ibrahim, had while addressing journalists on Monday after staging a walkout at the collation centre in Abuja accused the INEC chairman of rigging elections for the ruling party.

But, in a statement yesterday

by Chief Press Secretary to the commission’s chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, INEC said contrary to the insinuation by the parties, results emanating from the states pointed to a free, fair and credible process.

Oyekanmi stated, "The call by the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party on the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to resign is misplaced.

The allegation by Dino Melaye that the INEC chairman allocated scores to parties is unfounded and irresponsible.

“At the same time, contrary to the

insinuation by both parties, results emanating from the states point to a free, fair and credible process.

There are laid down procedures for aggrieved parties or candidates to follow when they are dissatisfied about the outcome of an election.

Such procedures do not include calling on the INEC chairman to resign or for the election to be cancelled."

Oyekanmi noted that aggrieved parties were free to approach the courts to ventilate their concerns and wait for the matter to be resolved, adding that inciting comments capable of causing violence or unrest are unacceptable.

He stressed that the 2023 general election process was in their final stages, and it was only fair for the aggrieved parties to allow the conclusion of the process and approach the courts with their evidences to pursue their cases.

CAN Demands Explanations on Failure of BVAS

The national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said INEC had explanations to make to Nigerians on why the BVAS machines were not used in last Saturday’s elections as provided in the election guidelines.

A statement by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh, said, "It is important that explanation be given to Nigerians by INEC as to why the preventable lapses were not addressed in a timely manner."

CAN said it noted with deep concern the recent developments in the country following the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections. It said despite the many assurances given by INEC about its level of preparedness for the polls, "it was observed in many quarters that last Saturday's elections fell below the reasonable expectations of the people" Okoh said elections were vital to the country's stability and democratic consolidation, adding that the process must be conducted and concluded safely, fairly and credibly.

CAN, however, urged politicians and other stakeholders to avoid any action that could create needless tensions or stoke any form of violence that could put the country on a precipice.

Similarly, Nigerian Christian Elders Coalition (NCEC) alleged that INEC deliberately put the presidential poll in terrible disrepute, thereby, destroying the legitimacy of the election.

NCEC, which addressed journalists in Abuja, accused INEC and its chairman of flagrant abuse of both the Electoral Act 2022 Section 60(5) and the INEC 2022 Guidelines and Regulations for Conduct of Elections, Clause 38.

The group maintained that INEC arrogantly sidestepped and bypassed its own rules, guidelines and principles it had set up by itself for the 2023 presidential election and engaged in broad daylight election brigandage.

Leader of the group and Senior Pastor of Family Worship Centre (FWC), Sarah Omakwu, contended

that the conduct of the presidential election fell below the threshold of transparent, free and credible election.

Omakwu was joined by Rev William Okoye, Associate Professor Sam Amadi, Professor Haruna Dabin, and Rev Austin Kemie, among others.

She explained, "The most distressing aspect of the conduct of the election was the refusal of INEC to electronically transmit the results of voting directly from the polling units to IREV platform as required by the Electoral Act.” Omakwu said the failure was unbelievable and surprising, considering that the heart of the new Electoral Law was the mandatory electronic transmission of results to enhance the credibility of the process.

NLC: Results Not Reflecting Wishes of Nigerians will Spell Doom

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warned that any election result that did not reflect the wishes of the people would not only spell doom for democracy, but also render the benefiting government illegitimate.

NLC, in a statement by its National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said sustainable governments were built on sovereign will. Ajaero added that such government was akin to a coup, though not a military one, organised by civilian INEC against the fundamental rights and choices of the people as expressed through the ballot last Saturday.

The statement hinted that every government needed legitimacy to govern freely, stating that this could only be conferred by the will of the people freely given in an election.

He stated that when that will was circumvented by whatsoever means, the government lost the very foundation it needed to be anchored to in order to find acceptance to govern.

Farotimi: President with Flawed Poll Suffers Legitimacy Crisis

Labour Party (LP) stalwart, Mr. Dele Farotimi, said any attempt to foist on Nigerians a new president based on an election that lacked credibility would result in legitimacy crisis.

Farotimi, who spoke on the Arise Television Morning Show programme on Tuesday, said there was no doubt that INEC breached its set guidelines by refusing to upload election results from the polling units.

The lawyer and politician expressed dismay over the apparent volte-face exhibited by the INEC chairman by failing to keep to his undertaking to ensure simultaneous uploading of polling unit results of the election.

Farotimi stated about the INEC chairman, "The man told Nigerians that INEC will upload results from the polling units. He kept using the word, Nigerians as citizens will be able to view the results on our INEC portal real time.”

On what would be the immediate response of his party, Farotimi said, “We are not going to organise protests over this matter.

“There is an adage that says when

a thief carries what does not belong to him, the owner needs not panic, all he needs do is sit and watch the thief carry what he cannot carry."

Asked whether LP and others raising concerns had facts to defend their allegations of malpractice by APC, Farotimii said, "There is basically nothing to change the mind-set of the electoral umpire or judiciary that were already compromised.

“But some people have elected to take the legal path, all those facts that you are talking about will, of course, form the basis of evidence that will be filed before the courts.

For me, I believe there are two angles to this, it is not just a legal matter, it is a political matter. The citizenship of a person is first political before it becomes legal."

On his position on the view expressed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, faulting the election process, Farotimii said he was in total agreement with Obasanjo.

The LP member said though people might question Obasanjo's moral standing on the issue of credible election, "The fact remained that the elder statesman was correct in his condemnation of what took place during Saturday’s presidential election in the country." He said the presidential poll came short of the credibility quotient required to pass for a free and fair process, adding that Yakubu has lost the confidence and trust of Nigerians to deliver a credible election.

Protesters Storm Collation Centre over Results Transmission

Scores of protesters from different political parties, yesterday, stormed the Presidential Collation Centre at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, to demand electronic transmission of results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The protest took place at the nearby Emeka Anyaoku Street, Area 11, apparently due to the tight security cordon at the International Conference Centre.

The protesters expressed dissatisfaction at the failure of Yakubu to abide by his promise to relay the results of the elections via electronic transmission. They said Yakubu should fulfil his promise of a transparent and open election process.

One of the protesters, Lillian Kozau, who spoke with reporters, called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to allow his image to be tarnished and his legacy destroyed

by INEC. Kozau explained, “INEC assured us that it would be a transparent process. They assured us of a transparent process and that the BVAS would be used, which is supposed to be an electronic process. Yet, after three days, 23 states still need to be uploaded. Why? Does this mean we will be doing this for one week?

“Why will a result be deleted from a platform after it has been uploaded?

What are they up to? All we asked for was a transparent process. We just wanted whoever we voted for

to emerge as the president of this country. We just wanted hope; we just wanted things to work. We are not asking for too much.”

Another protester, Dr Lovett Izekor, asked the international community and the international election observers to mount pressure on the federal government to ensure INEC kept to the promise of electronic transition of results.

Lawan: Senate Didn’t Approve Electronic Results Transmission

Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, yesterday, intervened in the controversy over the manual collation of the presidential election results, saying the senate never approved electronic transmission of results in the Electoral Act it passed.

Rather, Lawan said the senate only approved a transfer of the results after all the paper work had been done, with the agents having copy of the transmitted results.

Lawan spoke after plenary ended in a rowdy session during debate on a motion on the collation of the results of the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections by INEC. He said, “In the Electoral Act that we passed, there is nothing like the electronic transmission. What we have passed is to transfer after all the paper works that we normally do while the agents and everybody there have the papers. INEC will now scan or snap the result sheets and transfer them. We urge INEC to follow the Electoral Act and other laws on their guidelines.

“In this chamber, we are not going to interpret the Electoral Act. This is not a court of law. We are just to guide this debate and talk about the general principles of how this election and declaration should be done. There is no need to stress ourselves.

“What we are doing is to urge INEC to follow the law and the citizens should be calm.”

However, the Electoral Act 2022 clarified the issue of electoral result transmission, thus, “’electronic format’ refers to the electronic version of the Register of Voters or National Electronic Register of Election Results, as the case maybbe, created, recorded, transmitted or stored in digital form or in other intangible forms by electronic, magnetic or optical means or by any other means that has capabilities for creation, recording, transmission or storage similar to those means and which may be converted to or reproduced in a paper document.”

Lawan said the right thing was for aggrieved persons to go to court.”

The senator representing Kwara Central, Ibrahim Oloriegbe, who cited Orders 41 and 51, had presented a motion on the need to call for calm and appeal to political parties, stakeholders and Nigerians to abide by the rule of law on the electoral process in the just concluded election.

Supported by his colleagues in the All Progressives Congress (APC), he said it was important for the highest legislative body to bring calm to the raging storm among political parties.

Oloriegbe urged all political actors,

leaders, and every Nigerian to remain calm and allow the collation and announcement of the presidential and National Assembly elections to proceed based on the provisions of the Electoral Act. Contributing, Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East,) said since Nigerians did not vote electronically, the issue of asking INEC to release results in real-time was unnecessary, because the Electoral Act did not mandate the electoral umpire to do so.

Musa said, “It is very clear that accreditation and verification are to be done by the BVAS. We are not voting electronically for that real-time transmission to happen.

Transmission can only happen after it has been published on BVAS. So it is not real-time. We are not a court to interpret but INEC has a responsibility to stick to guidelines.

“It is a simple process and that process after publishing, they send it to back-end servers and it is after then that INEC can put it on IREV. INEC has been attacked over 160 times and nobody has been making any issue about that.”

The senator representing Ekiti Central senatorial district, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC), told the electoral umpire to do the right thing based on the Electoral Act and urged that Nigerians should be patient for INEC to complete the process while also calling on the judiciary to do the right thing. Bamidele added that the Judiciary should not allow itself to be dragged into interfering with the elections.

The session became rowdy when Senator Betty Apiafi (PDP, Rivers West) said it was wrong to bring up the issues at such a “critical time.”

Apiafi explained that it was not in the place of the senate to prescribe what the guidelines should be.

The senator representing Benue North West, Emmanuel Orker-Jev (PDP), supported his colleague, and stated that it was best for the Red Chamber to maintain neutrality on the issue.

“The best way is to step down this order because if we are already generating this kind of controversy, imagine what will happen out there,” Orker-Jev said.

Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa (PDP, Bauchi North) also noted that the senate should steer clear of the issues due to the controversy surrounding it, saying, “Whatever happens in the collation centre and the social media, the senate should not be involved in it.

Minority Whip, Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu North), said, “I think we have exhaustively looked at issues concerned here. As a parliament, it is our duty to stabilise the polity, to calm the nerves of people that are agitated as a result of the last election on 25th February.

Anambra Central senator, Uche Ekwenife, said, “This is a very controversial matter; everywhere is tense, and people are very apprehensive. The only way out of it is for INEC to stick to the constitution and the Electoral Act. INEC should stick to their guideline. That is the only solution."

Continues online

35

WEDNESDAY, ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

…NIGERIA DECIDES 2023…

YAKUBU AND HIS TEAM ANNOUNCING RESULTS...

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at the National Collation Centre in Abuja...yesterday

PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI

Gbajabiamila Talks Tough, Warns against Actions Inviting Fatal Intervention Udora Orizu in Abuja Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday, warned political actors

to avoid actions or utterances that set the stage for interventions that could be fatal to the democracy and the gains made over the last two decades.

The speaker, who gave the warning while delivering his welcome address at the resumption of plenary after the presidential and national assembly elections, vowed that they

would resist any attempt by malign actors seeking to exploit this moment of tension for their own ends.

He also vowed that they would defeat the cynicism of those waiting

APC Calls for Cancellation of N'Assembly Results in Rivers Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has rejected the national assembly results announced

by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for Rivers East Senatorial District and Ikwerre/ Emohua Federal Constituency.

This as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers, Johnson

Sinikiem, has announced the suspension of the Port Harcourt Local Government Federal Constituency 11 and Port Harcourt Local Government Area Senate Elections over alleged irregularities.

The APC candidates for national assembly election in Ikwerre/ Emohua and Rivers East Senatorial District alleged that the figures were manipulated and did not represent the

wishes of the electorate, therefore called on members of the public to prevail on INEC to throw away the results announced so far.

Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Ezemonye Ezekiel Amadi, APC candidate for Ikwerre/Emohua, regretted that INEC who promised to give Nigerians free and fair election has only succeeded in taking the country backwards and called

Shema Urges INEC to Look into Legitimate Complaints Francis Sardauna in Katsina A former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to look into legitimate

the five area councils where results were declared to emerge winner.

Aduda came second with 100,544 votes, while Mr Angulu Dobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came third with 78,905 votes.

Results of Abaji Area Council were cancelled due to over voting and the appearance of African Democratic Party (ADP) on the ballot when it had no candidate for the election.

said the nation's electoral umpire might be abused but that should not deter it from doing what is right within the ambit of the law.

"INEC must look into genuine and legitimate concerns and complaints, but in doing so must act strictly in consonance with the laws of the land.

They will still be accused, abused, and insulted, but that should not deter them from doing what is right under the law."

While saying the election was acclaimed to be peaceful, but with some challenges, he said, "We should therefore collectively come together to work for its peaceful outcome and continue to support the advancement of the course of our dear country and its people". He appealed to all leading candidates in the election to come together and speak with one voice for the peace, unity, and stability of Nigeria which they seek to lead.

the elections held last Saturday.

The Returning Officer for Plateau North Senatorial election and the Head of English Department, University of Jos, Professor Jeff Doki, announced the results.

He said Mwadkwon polled 155,681 votes to defeat the candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Christopher Musa who polled

78,302. The candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Suleiman Kwande polled 32,607 votes.

For the Bassa/Jos North federal constituency seat, the Returning Officer, Professor Josiah Muthir of the University of Jos, said the PDP candidate scored 87,609 to win the election while his closest rival, Hon Muhammad Alkali of the PRP polled 67,331.

complaints raised by Nigerians on the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections in the country.

Shema, who made the appeal at a press conference in Katsina yesterday,

Ireti Kingibe Shocks Aduda, Wins FCT Senatorial Seat Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Labour Party’s Ireti Kingibe, has won FCT Senatorial election after she defeated the incumbent, Senator Philip Aduda of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Returning Officer for the FCT Senatorial election, Prof. Sani Saka, who declared the result, said Kingibe scored a total of 202,175 votes across

for the cancellation of the National Assembly results in the areas.

"We are calling Nigerians to prevail on INEC to throw away the figures announced so far. The figures are manipulative and do not represent the wishes of the electorates. Rivers East has been shortchanged. INEC failed to upload results in accordance with the Electoral Act. We have videos of PDP thugs aided by the police carting away elections materials. INEC has announced results from Omuma, whereas there was no election in many wards in Omuma, as thugs disrupted the elections. The figures declared by INEC doesn't represents the votes cast by the people at the various polling units.”

to see their worst predictions for the country become real.

According to him, it was not in the interests of the country, now or ever, to advocate for or embrace extralegal interventions to resolve electoral disputes and address grievances.

While expressing confidence,

Nigeria would rise above the worst expectations others might have of her in this defining this moment, he expressed optimism that Nigeria would be at peace because they would work through the law and due process to resolve differences, settle disputes and ensure the peaceful transition of power.

Presidential Election: Tinubu Wins Atiku, Obi in Rivers Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has won his election in Rivers State.

Tinubu polled a total of 231,591 votes to clinch the position in the state.

While the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi polled 175,071 votes and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had 88,468

votes.

The result was declared at about 6.42pm on Tuesday, by the state collation officer for the presidential election in Rivers, Prof Charles Teddy Adias.

Announcing the result, Prof Adias disclosed the total registered votes in the state as 3, 315, 005 and Accredited voters as 605,055. He further declared the number of total valid votes as 523,65, rejected votes 30293, adding that the total number of votes cast is 553, 944.

Joel-Onowakpo Beats Okowa’s Ally, Ejele, to Emerge Delta South Senator-elect Sylvester Idowu in Warri The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Thomas Joel-Onowakpo, has defeated Mr. Michael Diden, popularly known as Ejele of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate, Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (retd) to emerge Senator-elect for

Delta South Senatorial District of Delta State.

Joel-Onowakpo was officially declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Delta South Collation Centre in Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area.

Announcing the results the Returning Officer for Delta South

Senatorial election, Prof Peretimina Anthony, said the APC candidate, polled a total 49, 955 votes while his closest rival, Hon Michael Diden of the Peoples Democratic Party got 47,656 votes.

Peretimina, therefore, declared Joe-Onowakpo Thomas as duly elected Senator-elect at the collation centre in Otobo Hall in Oleh.

Ekwunife Congratulates

NHRC: Voter Apathy Likely Umeh on Victory in PDP Wins Plateau North Senate, Reps Seats Amid Drama in Next Round of Election Anambra Central David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), yesterday, declared the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Simon Mwadkwon and Musa Agah as winners for the Plateau-North Senatorial district and Bassa/Jos North Federal constituency respectively in

LP Wins Presidential Election in Anambra with Wide Margin David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, winner of Saturday's presidential election in Anambra State.

Obi swept all the 21 local government areas in the state with a wide

margin.

Prof Nnenna Otti, Vice Chancellor Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), who worked as the Anambra State collation officer announced the result at exactly 12:50 pm.

She said: "The total number of registered voters is 2,536,156,

accredited voters is 628,590."

She gave the number of votes scored by the parties to include: "APC, 5,111; APGA, 7,388; LP, 584,621 and PDP, 9,036."

Anambra State had a total valid votes of 613,861. Void votes was 10,751 and total votes cast was 624,612.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC) has raised the alarm that with the way the Presidential/National Assembly elections was handled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), there might be voter apathy during the March 11 Governorship/House of Assembly polls.

It also warned that if something was not immediately done to ameliorate the problem caused so far with the electoral process, there might be outbreak of violence in the country.

The Commission supported ongoing call on INEC, to comply with the rules guiding the conduct of the 2023 general election as contained in the amended Electoral Act, insisting that non-compliance would result

in voter apathy, violence among other consequences in the coming governorship and states assembly elections.

The call was championed by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, during the briefing on the review of the NHRC 2023 elections and the human rights situation on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ojukwu said people may gradually lose faith in the system because of non-compliance with relevant laws and rules guiding the conduct of the election.

In his remark, the Executive Director of, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Coordinator of, Transition Monitoring Group, Auwal Rafsanjani, condemned INEC for its silence for days while the people complained about manual upload of results rather than electronically.

The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District and Senatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the just concluded Senatorial election, Uche Ekwunife, has congratulated Senator Victor Umeh.

Umeh, a candidate of Labour Party in the just concluded election was declared the winner of the 2023 Anambra Central Senatorial District election over Ekwunife of PDP and Dozie Nwankwo of APGA. In a congratulatory message by Ekwunife, signed by her media aide, Kingsley Ubani, the senator accepted the outcome of the election, and urged the constituents and critical stakeholders in the zone to support the senator-elect as he prepares to represent the people in the 10th Senate.

36

WEDNESDAY, ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS REVIEW

Sitting Governors Who Lost Senatorial Election

The February 25 National Assembly election seems to have sounded the death knell of some governors’ political ambition to remain in the corridor of power. Their tenure will end on May 29, 2023. Handed defeat in the just-concluded federal parliamentary polls, they were forced to eat the humble pie, at least, for a moment, writes Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

T

he announcements were greeted with grave silence. The hangers-on, praise-singers and retinue of aides became crestfallen.

The governors swallowed hard a lump they felt in their throats. Their stricken countenances might pass for the bereaved at a graveyard. Like a head of gold and feet of clay, they crashed into the dust with a thud. Their trepidation reflects the potential of loss of the trappings of the Government House and invincibility, controlling and determining the lives of millions of people in their states.

They are grand in power. As the governors count their days in the Government House, they desire to continue in the corridor of power in the twilight of their reign. They threw their hats in the ring to contest the senatorial elections. At the moment, several of them have fallen short of that insatiate lust for power until they launch another attempt to claim what they have lost at the Election Petitions Tribunal.

Power is transient. Governors wield it. Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Governors reign supreme and enjoy the immunity that makes them higher than other humans in their domain. As governors, their grandeur can pass for that of ancient emperors. After feeding fat on public coffers and saving more for rainy days, they often find the National Assembly (especially the Senate) as a retirement home. Not all of them make it to the Red Chamber, a hallowed chamber reputed for “juicy” contracts and committees.

Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin: those striking words changed the world of the then-reigning global leader, Babylon’s Belshazzar. The striking handwriting was on the wall for King Belshazzar to decipher during his grand feast.

In the just-concluded National Assembly elections held on February 25, at least five governors were stopped in their tracks to make the Senate a “retirement home.” Their constituents apparently rejected them after years of presiding over their states. The irony of power is illustrated in their quest for grandeur: after controlling a state, they now seek to represent a small part of it. The governors scrambling for the Senate will longer enjoy the palatial luxury of the Government House but will seem contented if they could occupy the offices in the National Assembly Complex as senators.

Having failed to “recycle” themselves in power, with the grim reality of losing every shred of officialdom. The governors may look elsewhere for relevance. The motorcade, the stern-looking bodyguards and the menacing siren-snarling convoy will soon cease to herald their arrival and departure unless they get the senatorial seats delivered to them on the silver platter of a court ruling. Yet, at present, their constituents must seem to have passed a resounding verdict: “We don’t want you any more. Don’t represent us again!” The governors’ grandeur of delusion might have been laid bare.

Saturday’s federal parliamentary polls were not devoid of surprises as sitting governors lost their bids to make the Red Chamber their retirement home. While some governors were swept away by the Labour Party tsunami, some met their Waterloo at the polls due to their abysmal performance as governors.

Samuel Ortom of Benue

One of the sitting governors that lost the Senatorial election was Samuel Ortom of Benue State. Ortom lost his senatorial bid for the Benue North West constituency to a former aide, Titus Zam of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The returning officer, Prof Rufus Shaato, declared Zam the winner of the election after polling a total of 143,151 to emerge winner of the election as against Ortom of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled a total of 106, 882 to come second, while the candidate of the Labour Party, Mark Gbillah scored 51,950 votes.

The governor lost in six of the seven local government councils, winning only Guma local government, where he hails. Ortom, a member of the Integrity Group, a group of five governors led

Samuel Ortom

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

Ben Ayade

Darius Ishaku

Simon Lalong

Atiku Bagudu

by Nyesom of Wike of Rivers, has vehemently opposed the leadership of the PDP. The G-5 ensured that PDP had a taste of defeat in their respective states. For many people of Benue, Ortom’s defeat at the poll is a testament to his failings as the governor was a failure.

James Athanasius, an indigene of Benue, said, “Ortom is a failure. His defeat did not come as a surprise. No developmental project to his name, neither is he paying workers their wages.”

The defeat is even much bitter as Ortom lost to his former appointee, a special adviser on local government and chieftaincy affairs.

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu

Another member of G-5, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, also suffered a setback after losing to the candidate of the Labour Party, Okechukwu Ezea.

Ezea defeated the Enugu governor and PDP candidate to emerge as senator-elect for Enugu North senatorial district. In the result announced

by INEC Returning Officer, Prof Chukwuemeka Ubaka said Ezea polled 104, 492 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ugwuanyi, who got 46, 948 votes.

Ben Ayade of Cross River

Similarly, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has suffered humiliating defeat in his bid to return to the Senate after completing his tenure

as governor. Ayade was in the Senate from 2011 to 2015 and had hoped to return to the role as senator representing Cross River North.

The governor was, however, defeated by the incumbent, Senator Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe of the PDP, who got 76,145 votes, while Ayade polled 56,595.

Ayade came into the political limelight as a member of the PDP. He was elected into the Senate in 2011 as a candidate of the party in 2011 and governor in 2015. He was also re-elected governor as a PDP member. The governor, however, defected to the All Progressives Congress in 2021, while Agom-Jarigbe chose to remain with the PDP. Ayade’s problem started when he lost the first primary election on May 28, 2022. He scored the lowest votes of 52 against the winner, Cecilia Adams’ 140 votes, and the first runner-up Drim Martin Ojei who garnered 61 votes.

A respite, however, came his way when Martin Ojei withdrew in the second primary election that saw Ayade contesting as a lone candidate and scoring 252 of the 255 votes cast.

The governor is reported not to have won any election outside the PDP since 1999, as Cross River state has always voted for the PDP.

Darius Ishaku of Taraba

Governor Darius Ishaku lost the Southern

senatorial district election in Taraba to David Jimkuta of APC. The governor could not deliver his polling unit to his party, PDP, losing it to Labour Party.

Apart from failing to deliver his polling unit to PDP, the APC beat him in his local government, Takum council, with a landslide victory.

Declaring the results, INEC returning officer for the election, Prof Solomon Adeyeye, said Jimkuta polled 85,415 votes, while Ishaku had 45,708 votes.

Simon Lalong of Plateau

Governor Simon Lalong lost the bid to represent the Plateau South senatorial district slot.

Lalong, the director-general of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), lost to Bali Ninkap Napoleon of the PDP, who scored 148,844 votes, while the governor polled 91,674.

Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi

The tsunami that swept away governors eyeing senatorial seats did not spare Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi. Bagudu, who is the chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, lost his bid to represent Kebbi Central senatorial district lost to Senator Adamu Aliero.

Aliero scored 126,588 votes as against Bagudu’s 92,389 votes.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

COURSE ON AGING SCIENCE…

L-R: Aesthetics Dermatologist, Dr. Mohammed B. Danmallam; Founder and Medical Aesthetician at Hello Perfect, Onyeka Michael Ugwu, and United Kingdom-based Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Chike Emeagi, at the International Master Course on Aging Science (IMCAS) World Congress in Paris, France…recently

BVAS Taken Away By Police Meant for Repairs, Emptech Technologies Explains Alleges Atiku’s ex-ADC stage-managed operation, Says IG apologised

KingsleyNwezeh andSunday Aborisade inAbuja Emptech Technologies Nigeria Limited, accused by the Police of allegedly manipulating the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), has described the allegations against

Police had claimed that their operatives, yesterday evening, swooped on a residential building at No. 15, Ganges Street, Maitama, Abuja and arrested a gang allegedly specialist in manipulating BVAS, an electronic device designed to read Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and authenticate voters.

The Police claimed that their men, following a tip off from unidentified He said: “It has been brought sources, invaded the location which to the attention of the governor of they claimed was being used as a Ebonyi State that just this evening, base to manipulate last Saturday’s Monday, February 26, 2023 that the Chairman of Ezza Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty, Eze Igboke Ewa, was shot dead this Michael OlugbodeinAbuja night by people suspected to be political thugs for not supporting a The National Human Rights particular party. “The governor is Commission (NHRC) has raised aware that a number of candidates the alarm that with the way the have been making provocative and presidential and national assembly inciting statements about the election elections were handled by the results in Ebonyi State.”

Independent National Electoral He further directed security Commission (INEC), there might agencies to move into the council be voters apathy during the March area for a rescue mission and arrest the killers immediately.

it as false.

The firm, in a statement last night, said the police operation was stage managed by an ex-aide of former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, claiming also that the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, had already apologised to it.

Gunmen Kill Ebonyi Traditional Ruler Benjamin NworieinAbakaliki

The traditional ruler of Umuezeokaha community in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Eze Igboke Awa, was shot dead on Monday night by gunmen.

Confirming the incident during a state wide broadcast, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. David Umahi, alleged that the killers were people suspected to be political thugs of a particular political party.

Umahi said that a number of candidates had been making provocative and inciting statements about the election results in the state.

elections, and recovered numerous BVAS machines and several laptops and desktop computers, as well as other technology materials.

They also said, several suspects were arrested and that security operatives had launched a manhunt for several other suspects involved in the matter, while the arrested suspects were helping the Police with their investigations.

But in a statement by the Director, Operations & Innovation of Emptech Technologies Nigeria

Limited, Mr. Selnan Nimyel, the firm said the police operation was stage-managed, and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, had already apologised to the firm.

“The video clip is absolutely false, the police crafted it to aid the Peoples Democratic Party to discredit the election and Independent National Electoral Commission. They (Police) went to the office of the company/Factory that supplied and maintains the

BVAS at 15 Ganges Street Ministers Hill Maitama Abuja under the pretext that a petition was received against the company and that they are there to search.

“Even without search warrant, they forcefully broke in to the company’s office, arrested the Company’s Managing Director and took some of the old BVAS sent in by INEC for repairs. The police then forcefully left with two of the company’s staff and three BVAS in their cartons.”

NHRC: There May Be Voters Apathy during Next Round of Election 11 governorship and House of Assembly polls.

It also warned that if something is not done immediately to ameliorate the problem caused so far with the electoral process, there might be outbreak of violence in the country.

The NHRC supported the ongoing call on INEC to comply

with the rules guiding the conduct of the 2023 general election as contained in the amended Electoral Act, insisting that non-compliance would results in voter apathy, violence among other consequences in the coming governorship and states assembly elections.

The call was championed yesterday in Abuja by the Executive

Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Tony Ojukwu, during the briefing on the review of the NHRC 2023 elections and the human rights situation.

Ojukwu said that people might gradually lose faith in the system because of non-compliance with relevant laws and rules guiding the conduct of the election.

Air Peace Denies Involvement in Planned Dinner for Lagos Governor

e-invite last night and learnt that “My attention has just been “The truth is that I saw the Fire Guts Newly Inaugurated ChineduEze the invitation has been circulating drawn to an e-invite that has invitation card via social media gone viral in the social media in last night for the first time. I am The Chairman and Chief Executive online for some days.

Lagos Blue Rail Line In a statement titled, ‘The which a ‘one-on-one interaction not in anyway involved in the Officer of Air Peace Limited, Rebecca Ejifoma The newly inaugurated Blue Rail Mass Transit at Marina Lagos Island, yesterday was gutted by fire, which was said to have started from the generator in the facility.

While road users scampered to safety, the fire service, the police, and other emergency responders were said to have arrived to quell the fire.

However, Lagos State Police

spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, called for calm. He said: “The fire at Marina started from the generator of the Blue Rail Mass Transit. Police patrol teams and the fire service are already on the ground to control the crowd and put out the fire, respectively.”

Hundeyin therefore, urged road users to go about their lawful duties and not panic, assuring them that the situation was under control.

Hall 7 Celebrates Anniversary, Launches Product In celebration of its decade long existence, Real Estate firm, Hall 7, has launched 18 units of exclusively detached duplexes in the heart of Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, named the Cubiq Residences.

The celebration, which is billed to run throughout the year, would open prospects and clients of the company to an array of the company’s products at slashed prices while maintaining its penchant for exquisite interior designs and

lavish finishing.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Hall7, Mr. Olayinka Braimoh, with the introduction of its 18 units of exclusively detached duplexes, each having high-class building technology, finicky interior and promising return on investments, clients have an array of return options for their investment whether they are looking for a luxurious starter home or a spacious property for a large family.

Allen Onyema, has denied any involvement in the plan to organise one-on-one interaction dinner with the Lagos state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwolu by Igbo captains of industries in Lagos.

Onyema said that he saw the

Proposed One-on-One Interaction Dinner by Igbo Captains of Industry’, the Air Peace Chairman said nobody contacted him about the dinner, which means the invitation was not genuine but an online fabrication.

Dinner’ with His Excellency Mr. Babajide Sanwolu, the Governor of Lagos State was being proposed for Sunday 5th of March 2023.

My name was included as one of the organisers of the proposed dinner.

said dinner and its organisation.

“Nobody has contacted me or ever contacted me in respect of the event. I suspect that the e-invite is not genuine and is most likely, a social media fabrication planted by some mischievous elements.

Kwara SDP UrgesHouse Members to Work for Victory in March 11 Polls of Assembly polls. the SDP, Alhaji AbdulAzeez followed the pattern and some Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Leadership of the Social Democratic Party(SDP) in Kwara state yesterday said that it would not allow the politics of depression over the outcome of the elections of last Saturday to dampen the party’s morale ahead of March 11 governorship/ state

The SDP therefore, enjoined their members and supporters to rally round the governorship candidate of the party, Alhaji Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal and candidates for the state House of Assembly in the elections Speaking at a news conference in Ilori, the state chairman of

Afolabi said that, “Leaders of our great party SDP, ladies and gentlemen, we have invited you here today to show resolve in the leadership of our party despite the outcome of the results of the last presidential and national assembly elections.

“We are aware that you equally

of the factors that played out in that elections, the outcome which also has elicited a lot of concerns and emotions.

“Losing an election can be traumatic. For candidates who have invested their hopes and dreams in wining office, it can be especially hard to take.

Abia North: PDP, LP Candidates Reject Result, Say Poll Not Concluded fraudulently declared. of INEC in Abia, Clement Oha, the provisions of the Electoral Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The outcome of the Abia North Senatorial election has sparked controversy following allegations by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) that the result was

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday announced that supplementary poll would be held the following day by 8.00am in some wards and polling units across Arochukwu and Ohafia local governments.

The Administrative Secretary

had explained that the electoral umpire found it necessary to conduct the supplementary poll in order to conclude the Abia North Senatorial election before results could be announced.

But in a twist INEC later said that the supplementary poll would no longer hold, citing

Act 2022 as amended.

Subsequently, the returning officer for Abia North Senatorial election, Chinedu Nnamdi announced the result on Monday and declared Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the Senate Chief Whip and APC candidate as winner.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 1, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

38

NEWSXTRA

KPMG AUDIT COMMITTEE SEMINAR…

L-R: Partner, Technology Assurance, KPMG , Mr. Lawrence Amadi;Medical Director, Doren Specialist Hospital and Locum Consultant for Lagos State Health Regulatory Body ( HEFAMAA), Dr. Akinsiku Oladipupo; Partner and Head, Audit Services, KPMG, Mr. Goodluck Obi; President, Noble Shareholders’ Solidarity Association ( NSSA),Mr. Mathew Akinlade;Associate Director, Audit Services, KPMG, Omolola Oloye; and Partner, Audit Service, Mr. Okunlola Kiabir, at the KPMG Audit Committee Seminar in Lagos recently ETOP UKUTT

Police Arrest Doguwa, House Majority Leader, for Allegation of Killings in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The House of Representatives Leader, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, was yesterday arrested by the police for his alleged involvement in the killing of several persons and burning of the secretariat of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano, during the just concluded polls.

A reliable source in the police told reporters that Alhassan Doguwa was picked up at the Mallam Aminu Kano

International Airport (MAKIA) while about to board a flight to Abuja.

The source said the report obtained from the police in Tudun Wada, stated that Doguwa personally led thugs that set ablaze the NNPP secretariat where at least two persons were burnt to death.

“He also used the pistol of his orderly and fired at several persons. So we have arrested him in connection to murder and arson. He is currently

Premium Trust Bank Faults Story on Its Ownership

Dike Onwuamaeze

Premium Trust Bank Limited (PTB) has refuted allegations that the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and his family are among its shareholders.

The bank described allegations the as fabricated, fictitious, and maliciously erroneous.

The bank’s rebuttal was contained in a letter written on their behalf by its solicitors, D.A. Awosika and Partners faulting a story published on February 16, 2023.

Part of the story read: “Branded vehicles, made in the semblance of colours and logos of the All Progressive Congress, are hidden in the premises of the Premium Trust Bank, along Maryam Babangida Way, Asaba. The bank is believed to belong to the Okowa family.”

The story titled: ‘Delta Elections: APC Alleges Plans By PDP to Manipulate BVAS’, further read: “Intention of Okowa and the PDP is to use these vehicles for thuggery, inflict harm and injuries on innocent citizens in other (sic) to bring public opprobrium and hate upon APC as we approach the general elections, he alleged.”

However, the bank’s solicitors described the publication as preposterous and untrue remarks.

They said: “From the said publications, you referred to our client as being involved in corrupt practices in a manner suggesting that our client is engaged in subversive activity in a bid to undermine the ongoing electoral process. Furthermore, from the said publications, you mentioned that the family of the current Governor of Delta State (Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa) is the owner of our client.

cooling off in the state Criminal Investigation Department,” the source, who is very familiar with the investigation and asked not to be named, said.

The police in Kano had confirmed that at least two persons were killed at the campaign secretariat of the NNPP in Tudun Wada after the secretariat was set ablaze.

The spokesman of the Kano Police Command,Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, could not be reached for comment.

Doguwa had in a press briefing

with journalists before his arrest denied any culpability and had said he learnt that police were looking for him but he had not received any formal invitation.

Katsina APC Suspends Secretary, Legal Adviser over Anti-party Activities FrancisSardaunainKatsina The Katsina State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended its state Secretary, Malam Shitu S. Shitu, and the Legal Adviser, Barrister Nasiru Umar-Wagini from the party.

Although the party did not state the reason for the suspension of Shitu and Wagini, THISDAY investigation revealed that they were suspended

for alleged anti-party activities.

The party, in a statement signed by its chairman, SaniAli-Ahmed and issued to journalists last night, said it had inaugurated a committee to investigate the embattled secretary and the legal adviser.

This is coming barely 48 hours after the termination of the appointments of the state Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Hon.

Tasi’u Dandagoro; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry ofAgriculture and Natural Resources, Aminu Waziri; the Chairman, Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Yusuf Barmo and the Permanent Secretary, Sustainable Development Goals, FatimaAhmed, by the state government.

Ahmed, in the statement, said: “Following the State Working Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held

on Monday 27th February, 2023, on the issue of suspension letters served to the state party Secretary Malam Shitu S. Shitu and the state party Legal Adviser, Barrister Nasiru Umar Wagini by their respective party chairmen.

“The State Working Committee of the party do hereby reaffirmed their decisions pending the findings of an investigation committee set to investigate the matter.

PDP, APC Trade Blames over Election Violence in Ebonyi Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

Ebonyi State Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Mr Chukwuma Odii, said he has uncovered plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) in the State to attack him.

On the other hand, the State

Director General of the APC campaign council, Austin Umahi, has accused Odii for hiring fake security men for the purpose of causing mayhem in the State.

Umahi also accused him and other opposition parties for electoral violence and manipulation of results during the Presidential and National Assembly elections

in the state.

However, Odii reiterated that his security team was legitimate, stressing it was the plan of the ruling party to attack him like other governorship candidates in the State if not that he was fortified with security operatives.

He said: “My security team is genuine and legitimate. It appears

that their problem is that they don’t know how to attack me like other governorship candidates who have been attacked severally in the State. It baffles me why they should be the one complaining that I have enough conventional security operatives around me.

That shows they want to attack me and possibly kill me.”

Presidential Election: Rivers Collation Officer Decries Threat to His Life Blessing IbungeinPortHarcourt

The State Collation Officer for the 2023 Presidential election in Rivers state, Prof Charles Teddy Addias, has decried series of threat from some political party faithful and unconfirmed members of the public.

Just as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi

is leading the state with 168, 981 votes as collated from 21 local government areas of the state.

Prof Addias ,who spoke yesterday , while presiding at the 2023 general election state collation centre, held at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Port Harcourt, said he would have to indefinitely adjourn the

collation process.

Collation of the presidential election for the state was expected to be concluded at the reconvening of the collation process, having just two local government areas to conclude the exercise.

Addias, who is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Otueke, Bayelsa, disclosed that his family members have received

similar threats from the public, saying that despite the challenge he would remain committed to the service of the nation.

He explained that he was not involved in the collation of results at the polling units or at the LGAs, but a state Returning Officer whose duty was to receive already collated results and transmit to national collation centre, Abuja.

Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against uploading fake National Assembly election results on the commission’s backend servers.

In a statement yesterday, the

alerted the public of a sinister plot by defeated National Assembly candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to collude with some officials of INEC to upload doctored results on the backend servers.

“We have been reliably informed by insiders that the

with the declared results of last Saturday National Assembly elections. The agenda is to upload false results through connivance with some unscrupulous INEC officials. Such fake results will defer from what has been announced.

“We are using this medium to strongly warn against any attempt

INEC officials to beware of hired elements who may compromise its system in service of APC. Osun people massively voted for PDP legislative candidates. Any attempt to tamper with results already validly declared will be resisted by our people,” the party Chairman warned.

C’River NNPP Alleges Distortion N’ Assembly Elections: Osun PDP Warns INEC against Uploading Fake Results of Party’s Logo on Ballot Paper YinkaKolawoleinOsogbo State Caretaker Chairman of the defeated APC candidates are to tamper with the will of Osun party , Dr Adekunle Akindele, working on an evil plot to tamper People. We specifically call on

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) supporters in Cross River have raised the alarm over the distortion of the party’s logo on the ballot paper.

A cross section of NNPP party faithful, who spoke after the elections, alleged that there were some discrepancies in the party logo on the ballot paper which made it difficult for people to cast their votes rightly.

NNPP gubernatorial candidate for Cross River Wilfred Bonse noted that the logo was completely defaced, adding that the experience was quite horrendous.

He said: “Very unfortunately, the NNPP was not represented on the ballot papers as should have been. I struggled very hard to even recognise as a candidate of the party

at the level of the gubernatorial position the logo of the NNPP. “The NNPP logo is a basket of fruits, but I unfortunately found a mixed coloured basket not of fruits but probably something that looked like one or two yams without even NNPP written under.

“That’s a fiasco, total fiasco. Even when some of our candidates and agents were trying to capture it on picture and videos as evidence, they were attacked.

“So, this is a very big gang up and conspiracy if you like against the NNPP. The other parties have their logos clearly stated. “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for instance had the umbrella well captured, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and even the Labour Party (LP).”

Elections: Group Calls for Cancellation of Presidential, N’Assembly Results yesterday and signed by its national officials colluded with politicians strategic places in order to disrupt

SylvesterIdowuinWarri

A national political pressure group, Elites For Good Governance (EFGG) has called for the cancellation of the presidential and national assembly elections over alleged discrepancies recorded during last Saturday exercise across the country.

The group , in a statement issued

president, Mr. Ogie Samson, said that the elections were fraught with lots of manipulations by political actors, including the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials in the country.

“Reports filed by our members across the Nigeria indicats that INEC

by bypassing the use of BVAS and allowed electorates to vote manually contrary to the provision of the electoral act.

“In some instances, INEC officials were either chased away or held hostage by politicians to manipulate the exercise or falsify the results. INEC deliberately delayed materials in

or frustrate the elections,” it stated.

The group cited an instance in Oki 1, Ward 1 Unit 19 off Okere road in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area where three adhoc officials, Udori Stephanie, Igein Theresa and Adeleke Balikiz Yetunde, were held hostage because the BVAS machines allegedly crashed.

39

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Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Iheanacho’s Goal Not Enough as Blackburn Knock out Leicester FA C U P F I F T H R O U N D

Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report Nigerian internationals, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi and their Leicester City teammates were bundled out of the FA Cup by Championship high-fliers Blackburn Rovers. It was the biggest FA Cup fifth round upset this season.

Although substitute Iheanacho pulled one back for the Foxes by slotting in from close range, a dull and dreary night ended in disappointment for Brendan Rodgers' men. Ndidi was an unused sub in the game.

Rovers, fourth in the table and aiming for a return to the top flight where they have not played for more than a decade, were more than a match for 2021 cup winners Leicester.

Their dynamic display, in which

Bosso Confident Flying Eagles will Neutralise Uganda for World Cup Ticket Coach Isah Ladan Bosso believes he has the men to push Uganda’s Hippos off the way in their Africa U20 Cup of Nations quarter-final duel on Thursday and reach the FIFA U20 World Cup finals scheduled for Indonesia, 20th May – 11th June.

Both teams clash at the 22,000 -capacity Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia as from 7pmEgypt time (6pmNigeria time) on Thursday, and the Flying Eagles’ tactician says that while he does not underrate the Hippos, but he trusts his charges to make Nigeria proud and reach the tournament’s last four.

“Before we left our training camp in Morocco, the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau told us clearly that the first objective should be getting a ticket to the FIFA World Cup. We are at that most important stage now and we cannot afford to falter.

“We are aware that Nigerians are looking up to us to deliver. While our mission remains bagging the World Cup ticket, we are also eyeing the trophy, which is still a number of matches away. For the moment, we have Uganda in our view and we are working hard to see that we

Salah's Agent Denies Exit Link from Liverpool

they should have scored more goals, gave them a place in the last eight for the first time in eight years.

Having been denied by Daniel Iversen's flying save, Tyrhys Dolan curled past Leicester's Danish goalkeeper for the opener.

Ryan Hedges then missed a gilt-edged opportunity to double the visiting side's lead at the start of the second period when he failed to hit the target from 10 yards out.

It didn't prove costly as Sammie Szmodics wriggled clear to convert Rovers' second in the 52nd minute, while the midfielder also had a goal ruled out for offside.

This was the first meeting between the two sides since they played in the Championship nine years ago, when the Foxes finished top of the table with a tally of 102 points.

U20 AFCON control proceedings on Thursday.”

Two-time silver medallists and one-time bronze medallists Nigeria are seeking to make another appearance at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals. They finished in third place when the tournament was staged in then USSR in 1985, beating the host nation on penalty shoot-out in the bronze medal match. Four years later, in Saudi Arabia, the Flying Eagles lost 0-2 to Portugal in a classic Final in Riyadh. And in 2005, Lionel Messi and Argentina were 2-1 winners in the Final match in The Netherlands.

The Hippos of Uganda finished top of their Group B which also included Congo, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. They defeated Central African Republic 2-1, and drew 2-2 and 0-0 with Congo and South Sudan respectively.

It took a drawing of lots by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to separate Uganda and Congo and determine the winner of Group B, as both teams finished with the same statistics.

Blackburn Rovers players celebrating their famous win over Leicester City...last night

Alaba Explains the Choice of Messi Instead of Benzema Austria Captain, David Alaba, has said that it was a team decision for him to vote for Lionel Messi over his own Real Madrid team-mate, Karim Benzema, as men's player of the year at the Best FIFA Awards.

Defender Alaba, 30, received abuse on social media for not choosing Benzema.

Argentina forward, Messi, won the accolade on Monday ahead of France forwards Kylian Mbappe and Benzema.

"The Austrian national team vote for this award as a team, not me alone," said Alaba.

"Everyone in the team council is able to vote and that's how it's decided."

FIFA released a list of who voted for whom at the awards.

Alaba voted for Benzema second and Mbappe third, prompting the hashtag #AlabaOut to trend on social media.

F I FA B E ST AWA R D S Benzema and Alaba have played together at Madrid since the latter joined from Bayern Munich in 2021.

"Everyone knows, especially Karim, how much I admire him and his performances and I have often said that for me he is the best striker in the world, and that is still the case. Without doubt," said Alaba.

The award was voted for by national team coaches and captains as well as journalists and fans across the world.

Croatia head coach, Zlatko Dalic, decided against taking part in the vote, saying his side deserve more "respect" from FIFA. Captain Luka Modric came fourth in the vote but was the only player from Croatia on the list of 14 candidates, despite their

reaching the World Cup semi-finals last year.

"If English, Brazilian, Spanish, German or Italian players and coaches had the kind of results that we do, they'd be on the shortlist for every possible football award," said Dalic.

"I want more respect for us, for our national team, for our players, and for myself, because with two medals, we more than deserve it."

Dalic suggested Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic and RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol should have been on the list.

"FIFA should promote the fact that a tiny country such as Croatia can play against the biggest nations in the world because that's the most beautiful message for the whole football world," he said.

The agent of Mohamed Salah has responded to claims that the forward could be sold by Liverpool this summer.

The Reds have endured a hugely disappointing season so far, currently languishing in seventh place in the Premier League table.

They suffered their worst ever home loss in Europe at the hands of Real Madrid last week, succumbing to a 5-2 defeat in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 tie.

With qualification to next season's Champions League looking unlikely, reports from across Europe have claimed that Salah could leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

However, one of his representatives, Ramy Abbas, took to Twitter to comment on such speculation.

"Nonsense. This was never discussed or thought about. Not qualifying to the Champions League hasn’t even crossed our minds," Abbas insisted.

Salah signed a bumper new contract with Liverpool last summer after it long seemed as if he would run his deal down and leave for free.

Since signing that extension, Salah has scored 19 goals and assisted a further nine in 35 games for Liverpool, though has largely failed to live up to his standards of last season when he played his way into Ballon d'Or contention.

On Monday, it was announced that he finished 14th in voting for FIFA's The Best Men's Player award for 2022, receiving just two points and ranking last in the list of final nominees.

BACK PAGE CONTINUATION THE PATH TO PEACE AND PROGRESS for whatever reason is probably safer than to cancel the collation of the results mid-way. This is because of the obvious sensitivity of that stage.

In a certainly different historical context, Bashorun Moshood Abiola likened cancellation of election results to the misnomer of pretending to abort a pregnancy after birth. According to Abiola in his legendary wits, in that state you would no more be dealing with a case of abortion, but that of murder. The military government of President Ibrahim Babangida annulled the victory won by Abiola in the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Whereas the same electoral laws that the parties cite for contradictory purposes envisage the errors of omission and commission of which INEC has been accused by having provisions for legal redress and election tribunals, cancellation by INEC would not have no legal basis. The non-electronic transmission by INEC could be challenged in court after the conclusion of the process. Any cancellation of results during national collation runs the risk of generating a profound crisis. The cost of cancellation is not only material. The political consequences are immense. The extremely toxic tone of the campaigns and other political manoeuvres preceding the elections make cancellation dangerous in the circumstance.

The insistence on cancellation brings to the fore th spectre of June 12.

Whatever the options politicians are exploring to resolve the issues arising from the election, violence should not be considered at all. A peaceful atmosphere is important for the actualisation of any strategy a politician may have

Progress, Not Perfection

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu developed. Caution is, therefore, the word. In statements and action, politicians should not incite their supporters to violence.

Meanwhile, it must be duly acknowledged that the widespread disappointment with INEC has a valid basis.

Some of the technical errors are simply not excusable.

Adequate provision of voting materials, punctuality of the ad hoc staff, general coordination, functionality of the gadgets and similar logistical issues ought to be settled before elections. Although, as a human institution INEC is not expected to be perfect. But as an institution of democracy it should do more to improve its performance. If things are reviewed, INEC can make progress and enhance Nigeria’s democratic development. In the immediate terms, INEC should do better with governorship and state legislative elections coming next Saturday.

The police and other security agencies should be prepared to deal with perpetrators of violence. Killings, maiming and destruction should not be turned into routine features of elections. Pending the establishment of the Electoral Offences Tribunal (the enabling law of which is still in the works), INEC should work with the police to ensure the arrest and prosecution of electoral offenders. Members of staff of INEC found to be perpetrating crimes too should be made to face the law. It was unfortunate that despite the commitment of the presidential candidates and other politicians to peace, the message of non-violence doesn’t appear to be sinking to the level of the foot soldiers and henchmen.

It is one thing for the big politicians to assemble at the invitation of the peace committee chaired by General

Abdulsalami Abubakar, it is another thing for their supporters to heed the message of peace To make progress in democratic development, the elephant in the room seems to be declining voter turnout.

The trend has worsened in this electoral season. Something is fundamentally wrong when fewer than 25 out of 87 million holders of voters’ cards actually showed up at the polling booths. Whatever happened to the over 50 million holders of PVCs who never bothered to be part in the balloting at all? This is certainly not the way of participatory democracy.

The political parties still have the next few days to change the tide of things in terms of direct mobilisation for the state elections. A huge demobilising factor is provided by the disruption in the socio-economic situation caused by the scarcity of cash coupled with long queues for fuel weeks before the elections Maybe, it is too early to judiciously assess the democratic progress in this electoral season. It would be interesting to see the political trajectories in the states after March 11.

In sum, in order to deepen Nigeria’s liberal democracy caution should be exercised by politicians to keep peace.

This is especially so given the strong ethnic and religious undertones of the campaigns especially for the presidential election. In the absence of ideological politics, religion has become the theme of campaigns. Instead of policy debates the ethnicity of candidates has become the issue of discussions.

The trend has to be reversed for the purpose of making progress.

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

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MISSILE Akinrinade to Obasanjo “Being not neutral, Obasanjo’s intervention falls short of patriotism and fits perfectly into meddling in the affairs of the state that is already the constitutional responsibility of INEC” – Former Chief of Defence Staff General Alani Akinrinade condemning the call by former President Olusegun Obasanjo for the suspension of the collation of the results of the presidential election held last Saturday.

KAYODEKOMOLAFE THE HORIZON

kayode.komolafe@thisdaylive.com

0805 500 1974

The Path to Peace and Progress

A

midst the tension that envelops the political landscape as the declaration of the winner of last Saturday’s presidential election was awaited, a clear path to peace as a condition for progress could be located.

It is the path for the respect for the law.

However, the deep irony of this situation of anxiety is that all the contending political forces seem to hinge their positions on the laws cited from different the sections of the book. By so doing, they are avoidably raising the political temperature.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is at the centre of the mixed expectations of what it means to act according to the law.

About this time eight years ago, “congratulation” was the word. The force of example demonstrated by President Goodluck Jonathan made all the difference. Before the formal declaration of General Muhammadu Buhari as

preside-elect by INEC Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega, Jonathan called Buhari in an unprecedented act to say congratulations. Buhari too responded with a good measure of grace. The foreboding on the national horizon disappeared. And history was made.

In a sharp contrast, the tension is thickening by the day as the “cancellation” is the word today. Incidentally, both “congratulations” and “cancellation” start with letter c !

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and others have called for the cancellation of the elections and the removal of INEC chairman Professor Yakubu. The “intervention” of President Muhammadu Buhari has been sought. They are asking the President to give directive to an institution that is statutorily immune to interference from any authority. The political parties are insisting on the uploading of electoral results on the portals of INEC. They are also accusing INEC of not transmitting the results electronically as required by law. Initially, the

demand of the political parties was the halting of collation so that the alleged irregularities could be corrected before proceeding further in the process.

Instead of meeting the demands of the political parties, INEC has continued with the process. The commission worked till the early hours of Wednesday.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has understandably expressed support for making the process conclusive.

In the poisoned atmosphere, therefore, it is difficult to expect the political parties to be sympathetic to INEC in its Catch-22 situation. Just imagine this possible scenario.

The INEC accedes to the request of the PDP and LP to correct the errors pointed out in the process. The collation is suspended. After some days, the commission resumes collation only for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some other parties to raise their own queries about the process. And INEC stops the collation again and goes on to attend to the new set of queries. And the back

and forth to the earlier stages in the process continues…

It is in order to avoid such a seemingly endless process that the laws make provisions for electoral tribunals for those who feel cheated to seek redress. To avert crisis politicians should not lose confidence in the judicial process in seeking justice despite the imperfections of the system.

In a bourgeois liberal democracy the alternative would political violence.

In the circumstance, it is in the supreme interest of peace and progress for INEC to conclude the process while politicians see this moment as a critical one to summon political dexterity to avert a crisis. Anything contrary to that would be an open invitation to anarchy.

It would be unwise to render the election inconclusive because of the faults alleged by the aggrieved parties.

To postpone a presidential election before polling starts Continued on page 39

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