TUESDAY 7TH MARCH 2023

Banks Resume Issuance of Old N500, N1,000 Notes to Customers At N503bn, CBN records 52.39% repayment under Anchor Borrowers’ Programme

James Emejo in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos Some commercial banks yesterday resumed the issuance of the old N500 and N1000 denominations to the public.

The move followed a Supreme Court judgement, which extended the validity of the banknotes till December 31, 2023.

In another development, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday disclosed that total repay-

ments under its Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) stood at N503 billion, representing 52.39 per cent of total exposure.

On the issuance of the old banknotes to customers, THISDAY, however, gathered that the absence

of a statement by either President Muhammadu Buhari or the apex had resulted in uncertainty, as businesses in Abuja and other places continued to reject the old denominations.

Since the Supreme Court’s

Says N119bn not due

ruling, no further clarification or directive had been issued by the central bank, a situation that has caused the banking public to take precaution with regard to the old notes.

THISDAY further learnt that

some GTBank and Access Bank branches paid out the old banknotes in Abuja. In Lagos, it was gathered that Sterling Bank and Access Bank at Iyana Ipaja loaded the old N1000 Continued on page 9

Tonye Cole Pledges to Create 230,000 Jobs in First 100 Days in Office... Page 27 Tuesday 7 March, 2023 Vol 28. No 10191. Price: N250

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Sanwo-Olu Has Done So Well, He Deserves Second Term, Says Osoba ... Page 10

PDP: Ample Evidence Shows INEC's Deliberate Complicity to Rig Presidential Election Says commission deceived Nigerians, knowingly deactivated BVAS APC dismisses opposition party’s protest

Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said yesterday during a protest march

to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja that there was ample evidence that the

commission directly aided rigging of the February 25 presidential election, which produced the

All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, as president-elect.

PDP had at the protest its presiContinued on page 9

INEC’s Application to Court to Reconfigure BVAS Raising Integrity Questions

Story on page 9

Commission harps on need to reset devices before their deployment for governorship, state Houses of Assembly polls

ATIKU LEADS MARCH FOR FREE AND FAIR VOTING...

L-R: Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar; Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu and former Chairman, PDP, Okwesileze Nwodo, protesting the poor conduct of PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI the recent presidential election in Abuja... yesterday

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

BANK OF INDUSTRY'S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY CONFERENCE...

L-R: Moderator, Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede; Panelist, First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu; Chief Host, Hon. Minister of State, for Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Mariam Yalwaji Katagum; Host, MD/CEO, Bank of Industry, Mr. Olukayode Pitan; Panelists, First Lady of Yobe State, Hajia Hafsat Kollere-Buni and First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Bene Obaseki during the Bank of PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA industry's International Women's Day Conference 2023 in Lagos....yesterday

FG Rallies Local, International Support for N869bn National Census Seeks states' financial commitment IMF, UNFPA, other devt partners, private sector commit to exercise Dangote, Elumelu canvass credible census Green method to be used in line with global climate change campaign Governors call for confidentiality, data integrity Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal government yesterday galvanised local and international support for the projected N869 billion 2023 Population and Housing Census, with an appeal for technical and financial assistance in key activities yet to be implemented preparatory to the exercise.

The exercise is slated for between March 29 and April 2, 2023.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed and her Minister of State counterpart, Clem Agba, called for local and international support in Abuja, yesterday, at a well-attended high-level partners’ engagement to seek support for the conduct of the impending enumeration exercise.

In her remarks, Ahmed said the need to address the inconsistency in national census and statistical system which limits the efficacy of development initiatives premised on obsolete data cannot be overemphasised.

According to her, almost two decades after the 2006 Census was conducted, it had become imperative and urgent for Nigeria to conduct another census as clearly spelt out in the National Development Plan 2021 – 2025.

She said: "Our major challenge over the years had been the lack and/or inadequate funds to readily carry out such huge project in the face of pressing needs for social welfare and human capital

development.

“It is worthy to note that 60 per cent of the funding and other requirements for the 2006 Census could not have been achieved without the invaluable support of the development partners, corporate bodies and other key stakeholders.

"Indeed, the partnership and collaboration in carrying out the 2006 National Census took a lot of burden off the Government of Nigeria and enabled us to conduct a credible exercise whose outcome, served through the years."

While appreciating the European Union (EU), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), among other development partners and key stakeholders whose invaluable and generous support gave a huge credibility to the 2006 Census, the minister noted that Nigeria sincerely cherish and acknowledge the impact of the support in entrenching systems and tenets of good governance in the economy.

"As we work towards actualising the conduct of the 2023 National Census which is transformational for Nigeria, we are equally confident of a more robust network of partners that share in our aspiration for making available credible and acceptable population and housing data that will meet the needs of various stakeholders," she said.

She highlighted some major activities that had been successfully completed in preparedness

towards the conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census by the federal government.

She disclosed the demarcation of 773 out of the 774 local government areas in the country into Enumeration Areas (EA) with the exception of Abadam Local Government in Borno State, adding that hybrid enumeration strategy is being developed for its demarcation.

She also disclosed that First, Second Pretests and Trial Census to test processes, procedures and instruments developed for the Census; conduct of the Trial Post Enumeration Survey; Mapping of Special Populations (homeless, hunt-

ing, fishing and nomads) to ensure that no resident in Nigeria was left uncounted had been completed.

Ahmed added that there has also been a compilation of historical events to aid accurate collection of data on age during census, a robust data quality management system to ensure data quality, a monitoring and evaluation system for the census to ensure real time tracking of census implementation against set indicators, among others, are in place.

The minister stated that the 2023 exercise would be Green Census involving the use of digital maps, digital questionnaire and cloud com-

Determined to offset the backlog of pensions and gratuities arrears in Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun has announced the increment of the quarterly payment of pension to N1billion.

Abiodun, made this known while addressing pensioners at an interactive session held at Abeokuta, yesterday.

The governor informed the pensioners that his administration met arrears of over N80 billion and had since developed ways of defraying it.

He said, "When we came in, we met pension arrears of over N80 billion. We started paying N500

million at a time, we later increased it to N600 million monthly. If the previous government had been paying, we would not be where we are today.

"I am expecting about N280 billion from the federal government, being money we spent constructing federal roads. I can assure you that as soon as I get that money, I will pay between N10 billion and N18 billion as pensions and gratuities," the governor promised.

Abiodun who disclosed that no gratuity was paid from 2012 up to when he assumed office in 2019, however, announced increment of N15,000 for pensioners who were previously collecting N5,000 monthly pension, wondering how

the total requirement for the exercise (including post-census activities) at N869 billion ($1.88 billion).

According to him, N626 billion ($1.36 billion) which was $6 per capita was the actual census requirement, while N243 billion ($527 million) was for post-census activities.

So far, the federal government, he stated, had committed N291.5 billion (632 million) to the exercise, translating to 46 per cent of total funding.

He stressed that an immediate sum of N327.2 billion (709.9 million) Continued on page 10

Adeleke Unveils Digital Economy Policies, Launches Google Map Project in Osun Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke yesterday said the present administration under his watch would transform the state into a tech hub for the south-west region.

Adeleke stated that Osun was ready to be a digital driving state that would resolve citizens' challenges through tech applications.

The governor disclosed this yesterday, in Osogbo, Osun State, at the unveiling of the state’s ‘Digital

Economy Policies and Flag Off of Osun State Broadband Fiber Optic Project,’ as part of the programmes to mark his 100 days in office.

Adeleke said his government would unveil several initiatives within the tech sector that would provide gainful employment to the youths.

He noted that the Information Communication and Technology, (ICT) Policy by the present government was the first in the history of the state.

Pensions: Abiodun Increases Quarterly Payment to N1bn James Sowole in Abeokuta

puting to ensure compliance with the global climate change campaign for reduction of emission by 30 per cent unconditionally and an additional 15 per cent conditionally by 2030.

In his presentation, Agba commended the 36 states of the federation for expressing support for the forthcoming census.

However, he noted that their support should transit from verbal to financial commitment, describing census as a national project that benefits all the strata of the society and tiers of government.

Noting that the exercise was highly capital-intensive, Agba put

people would survive with such paltry amount of money at the present difficult time.

He added that his administration had devised various ways, including providing needed infrastructure, security and enabling environment for more Investments aimed at increasing the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

While noting that his administration was not unmindful of the plight of the senior citizens, the governor said a special arrangement had been made by the state government to take care of pensioners who need urgent medical treatment.

He, therefore, pleaded for patience and understanding, saying

the government would be making efforts to attend to their issues, pledging to have such interactive session twice a year.

Speaking earlier, the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Alhaji Waheed Oloyede, urged the state government to increase the monthly pension of those still collecting N5,000, saying the N600 million quarterly payment for pension was inadequate to pay gratuities.

While calling for the review of pensions in the state in line with what was obtainable at the federal level, Oloyede called for a regular interface between the pensioners and the state government to enable them solve any impending issues.

The governor said, "We are gathered here to plan for the present and the future. The subject of today's event are Tech Innovations, ICT, Digital Economy, Osun State Google Mapping, Start Up Bill and Broadband Fiber Optic.

"We are talking of a new age agenda; we are aligning with the global digital movement. This is the new reality of our existence.

Technology rules our lives.

“After the Covid-19 pandemic, technology assumed even more frontal roles. I am determined to place Osun state in the frontline position. Osun must be on a global digital map.

"Also, as a highly literate state, Osun is blessed with an intelligent youth population. My administration seeks to open up the field of global opportunities to our youth.

Under the Imole Digital Agenda, our target is to resolve citizens' challenges through tech applications.

"It is with these lofty ideals in mind that I am here to unveil several initiatives within the tech sector. Permit me to note that this is the first time Osun state will be having an ICT Policy.

"The policy is designed to identify and apply information communication technology in various sectors of the state. Hence, the new policy has ICT in agriculture, education, health, environment, administration, infrastructure among others. This

policy will change our state for the better.”

He added: "I am also unveiling the Osun State Tech Innovation policy. Many talented tech innovators abound in our state. The policy seeks to create an enabling environment for tech innovations. Hence, we will support establishment of tech hubs and ensure innovators secure much needed backing.

"As part of our digital economy drive, Osun is poised to be the first State to domesticate the Nigerian Start-ups Act. This will be my first Executive Bill I will be forwarding to the State Assembly after this event.

“The Act is programmed to ensure that new start-up promoters and entrepreneurs secure desired mentoring and financing. The law once domesticated will enhance the goals of both the ICT and the Tech Innovation policy.

"As e-commerce is at the heart of digital economy, my administration also launched the Osun Google Mapping project. This is to ensure that Osun businesses and landmarks are placed on Google maps to start with. When I took over in November, 2022, Osun Google Mapping coverage was below 30 percent. I am happy to record that Osun Mapping coverage is today above 50 percent. When we are to launch Phase 2, I will host e-commerce giants in Nigeria alongside Goggle Corporation.”

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SPECIAL VALEDICTORY COURT SESSION IN HONOUR OF RETIRING JUSTICE...

L-R: Hon. Justice Adefope Okojie; Imo State Deputy Governor, Prof Placid Njoku; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and Hon. Justice Rita Noskhare Pemu (Rtd.), at the Special Valedictory Court Session held in honour of retiring Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, Hon. Justice Pemu, held at the Court of Appeal, Benin Division, in Benin City, ... yesterday

Buhari Canvasses Duty Free Access Market for Least Developed Nations Flays 'unsustainable external debt burden' on vulnerable countries Justifies Nigeria's participation at UN conference despite not being in LDCs category Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has called on developed and developing nations to grant duty-free and quota-free market access for products originating from the world's 46 leastdeveloped countries to ensure their integration in regional and global value chains.

Speaking yesterday in Doha, the capital of the State of Qatar, at the UN Conference of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the President strongly criticised the current structure of the global financial system which places an unsustainable external debt burden on the most vulnerable countries.

He warned that such debt

burdens would make it extremely difficult for LDCs to meet the 2030 Agenda for Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to him: ‘‘In 2015, the world came together to endorse the 2030 Agenda for Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals.

There was no doubt that it was highly ambitious and would require leaders around the world to be fully committed for the SDGs to be achieved within the projected timeframe.

“Eight years on, the possibility of achieving the SDGs remains bleak for many countries, particularly, the LDCs. The difficulties in achieving the SDGs are numerous and were further compounded by the

COVID-19 pandemic, the continued threat of Climate Change, and recently the Russia-Ukraine conflict. ‘‘The LDCs are often faced with developmental vulnerabilities and challenges that are not always of their making. These pose huge obstacles to their development efforts, hence the need for urgent and robust assistance to help unlock their potentials and build socio-economic resilience.

“This assistance can be provided within the framework of the Doha Programme of Action which is designed to help LDCs exit their current classification."

Buhari challenged developed countries, civil society actors, the private sector and the business com-

munity to partner with the LDCs in order to provide necessary resources and capacity to deliver development outcomes in the economic, social, and environmental aspects of the 2030 Agenda.

He listed some measures that would help LDCs recover from COVID-19, achieve SDGs, develop and prosper over the long term. ‘‘As a matter of urgency, there are a number of priorities we have to focus on to help achieve the SDGs in these countries and ensure their prosperity. First, COVID-19 has taught us that we must all work together, to ensure that diseases do not thrive in the LDCs, due to their overall negative impact on productivity and economic growth

Eulogies as Justice Rita Pemu Retires after 29 Years on the Bench Calls for reorganisation of Court registry Obaseki urges FG to decentralise security system

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City It was torrent of praises and commendations yesterday for Justice Rita Nosakhare Pemu who retired from public service after 29 years on the bench as the presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division.

At the valedictory session held at the Court of Appeal, Benin City, which also coincided with her 70th birthday, Justice Pemu called for reorganisation of the Court Registry as part of judicial reforms and solving courts problems.

She also called for improved security for judicial workers, citing recent killing of court heads in some parts of the country and her kidnap in February last year.

Also, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, canvased for the decentralisation of the country’s security system to check the level of insecurity in Nigeria.

In their various comments, the President, Court of Appeal Nigeria, Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, who was represented by the Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Benin Division, Orji-Abadua Theresa Ngolika said Pemu was one of the justices whose judgments have become references while Ngolika in

her remarks said Justice Pemu was reputed for writing her judgments in simple English that makes them easily comprehensible.

The representative the body of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who also stood in for the Warri Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ama Etuwewe, said Justice Pemu was the first female member of the Warri Branch of the NBA to rise to become a justice of the Court of Appeal.

Also, the chairman Benin Branch of the NBA, Nosa Edo-Osagie said: “It is a thing of joy when judges retire unblemished after a long service. Today, a forthright, trustworthy and quintessential jurist retires from the bench with an admirable record of hard work, integrity, unbroken trust and knowledge.”

Speaking on her experience on the bench, Justice Pemu said the judiciary must shun corruption as the courts remain the last hope of the common man.

The retired justice of the Court of Appeal, said she had the best in her career at the Owerri Division because she was able, “to navigate and circumvent very difficult challenges.”

According to her, “I left behind in the Owerri Division, a sanitised

registry and a calm court. I am certain that the lawyers and staff in that division will attest to this fact.

“In any judicial system, I found that the registry of the court is the nucleus or pivot around which every other department revolves and once you sanitise the registry of a court, half of the problem is solved.

“A prime, proactive and unadulterated registry is a blessing to any court. Therefore, it is desirous and indeed imperative to sanitize on a continuous basis the registry of the courts. Counsels should desist from colluding with registries’ staff to cut corners.”

On insecurity, she said: “The issue of security is also at the front burner.

This issue becomes more profound particularly as it appears that the judiciary and indeed judicial officers are targets. “Just a couple of weeks ago, the chairman of a customary court in Imo state was dragged out of the court and shot on the head in the course of performing his judicial functions.

“Again, about two Sundays after, a court in Imo State was burnt down by hoodlums. I myself, on the 20th day of February 2022 as I travelled down from Benin to Owerri, I was kidnapped by hoodlums within the Ihiala axis of

Anambra State, it was only by the grace of God that I escaped with some of my staff. My personal driver and the two cars in our possession are still missing as I speak. The judicial officers are exposed too much for comfort.”

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and development. ‘‘Accordingly, policy and budgetary provisions must be made to ensure equal access to medi-care and vaccines, for both the poor and the rich alike. We must also work with manufacturers of medical equipment and pharmaceutical companies to provide adequate equipment, test-kits, vaccines and treatments for diseases,” he said.

Expounding on the issue of rising debt burden, Buhari underscored the need for reform of the international financial architecture that prioritises the needs of LDCs. He aligned with the United Nations Secretary-General's description on the global financial system as an, “unfair debt architecture that not only charges poor countries much more money to borrow on the market than advanced economies, but downgrades them when they even think of restructuring their debt or applying for debt relief.”

On trade issues, Buhari said it was important to put in place modalities to facilitate transit cooperation, transfer of technologies and access to global e-commerce platforms, saying they are critical for the integration of LDCs into the regional and global value chains and communications technology services. ‘‘The adoption of a global coordination mechanism to systematically monitor illicit financial flows and engender support for a United Nations International convention

on tax matters to eliminate base erosion and profit shifting, tax evasion, capital gains tax and other tax abuses is essential to achieving the SDGs and promoting security and economic prosperity,’’ he stressed.

On Nigeria’s expectation from the conference, the president expressed optimism that the Doha Programme of Action would lead to the acceleration of exports from LDCs by 2031, through the facilitation of their access to foreign markets in line with World Trade Organisation’s Facilitation Agreement.

On climate change, Buhari said LDCs continue to suffer disproportionately despite contributing least to its causes, adding that countries must prioritise cutting global emissions and work with determination to hold warming to 1.5 degrees, thereby securing the children’s future.

“We must also commit to helping build resilience in developing countries, while also providing the needed technical as well as financial support for a just transition to renewable energy,” he added.

Buhari warned that climate change remains one of the biggest existential threats facing humanity today, posing challenges to lives and livelihoods, and manifesting in different negative forms, including increase in temperature, rise in sea levels, flooding, drought, and desertification.

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Coroner Inquest into Death of Chrisland School Student to Begin April 4 Wale Igbintade

The Coroner Inquest set-up to unravel the cause of the death of a 12-year-old Chrisland School pupil, Whitney Omodesola Adeniran, who died on February 9, 2023, would commence on April 4.

Magistrate Olabisi Fajana gave the date yesterday, after entertaining submissions of all Counsels, who appeared before the Court, sitting in Ogba.

The Counsel to the deceased family, Mr. Femi Falana, had informed the court that they were unable to file a witness statement as instructed by the Court at the last adjourned date.

Falana told the Court that the

Magistrate Registry refused to process the enrolling of the witness statement on the grounds that there was no provision for filling of Coroner processes.

Also, lawyer to Chrisland School, Mr. Olukayode Enitan, and the State Counsel, Mr. Akin George, also corroborated the position of Mr. Femi Falana, seeking the Court directives as to how to get their processes filed.

Magistrate Olabisi Fajana informed the Counsels that she would get directives from the Chief Magistrate on how to ensure that the processes were filed before the Coroner.

Subsequently, Enitan, informed the court that he has an application

before it, seeking to get samples and materials to carry out an independent evaluation of the autopsy report.

But, in his response, Falana, said he had not been served, stating that the autopsy of the deceased was done in the presence of the school representatives and other concerned parties.

However, the State Counsel, George, told the Court that what the state received was a letter not an application, and the state would respond at the appropriate time.

Magistrate Fajana thereafter adjourned the commencement of trial till April 4, and advised all Counsels to ensure that all their processes were filed and confirmed on April 3.

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10TH AFRICA SANKALP FORUM...

L-R: Program Officer, Visa Foundation, Mr.Chukwudi Onike and Sub-Saharan African Lead, Sankalp Forum, Arielle Molino, addressing members of the media at the sidelines of the 10th Africa Sankalp Forum in Nairobi, Kenya recently

S&P: With Delay in Dangote Refinery, Sub-Saharan Africa to Continue 700,000 bpd Diesel Import Projects facility to reach full capacity in 2024 Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja With the delayed commencement of the over 650,000 barrels per day Dangote refinery in Lagos, Sub-Saharan Africa will continue to import about 700,000 bpd of diesel to meet its daily need, a report by S&P Global has indicated.

The integrated Dangote refinery project under construction in the Lekki Free Zone is expected to be Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest single-train facility when completed.

If everything goes well, the about $19 billion facility is expected to meet 100 per cent of the Nigerian requirement of all refined products and also have a surplus of each of the products for export. However, the project has been delayed for a multiplicity of reasons.

But the S&P report stated that with South Africa losing a huge percentage of its refining capacity recently, the refining capacity on the continent has diminished considerably with about 80 per cent of sub-Saharan Africa diesel need still being imported.

On the supply side, Sub-Saharan Africa, S&P noted, lacks sufficient refining capacity and therefore is highly dependent on imports.

“In particular, the region needs to import nearly 700,000 bpd of diesel, which is 80 per cent of its needs,” it stated.

The report added that this gap has grown considerably since 2020 when a wave of refinery closures

swept the region and slashed domestic supply. Most notably, in 2022 , it stressed that South Africa lost the third of its five refineries; with only 35 per cent of its refining capacity being currently operational.

“There is a possibility for additional domestic supply in the immediate term, but this hinges on the restart of South Africa’s Astron refinery. Nigeria’s Dangote refinery, once online, is expected to provide substantial additional volumes that will relieve pressure from supply constraints across the region.

“But the giant greenfield refinery still has a long way to go. It is expected to come on-stream only after the fourth quarter of 2023 and not reach full capacity before the end of 2024. “ Moreover, in 2023 the global market is forecast to remain tight, with disruptions anticipated owing to the expected embargo on Russian exports,” the report stated.

With global markets already in flux in 2023, uncertainties for the supply of products to Africa, S&P said in its 2023 African Outlook, still abound.

According to the report, the embargo on Russian oil products imposed on February 5, 2023 means that diesel supply trades to African markets will require some reconfiguration, explaining that this comes with risks. “Although Africa does not import material diesel volumes from Russia, Russia is a major diesel exporter to Europe,” it added.

As a result of the inadequate supply of electricity in Nigeria, many businesses depend upon diesel which has had its price skyrocket from about N196 to N850 in the last couple of months. Diesel price is deregulated in Nigeria.

S&P stated that Sub-Saharan Africa’s energy sector remains subject to the turbulent pushpull of conflicting forces, despite renewed regional economic activity resulting from the end of COVID-19 restrictions.

It stressed that although the region had a banner 2022 for world-class frontier hydrocarbon discoveries, energy transition considerations remain a challenge to future upstream activity.

For last year, the report said that results were mixed in terms of the economy, with a buoyant export prices for oil, copper, platinum, coal, gold, and other commodities offset by high import prices for agriculture products, such as wheat, vegetable oils, and fertiliser as well as refined

The crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) in Oyo State has taken another dimension as all the candidates contesting for House of Assembly and the gubernatorial elections in the state have dissociated themselves from any form of alliance with both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The disclosure was made yesterday, in a communique read by one of the House of Assembly candidates representing Ibadan South East Constituency 2, Ayodeji Babalola, at a press conference after a meeting held at Obi/Datti Campaign office, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, the state capital.

The communique was signed

by other candidates that included Mr. Kayode Adejumo-Bello, Ibadan North Constituency 2; Mr. Temidayo Taiwo, Ibadan South-West Constituency 2; Mrs. Oluwatoyin Okunlola, Oluyole State Constituency and Mr. Summonu Musa, Ibadan -East Constituency 2.

The state Working Committee of the party had on Sunday, during a press conference addressed by the Chairman, Atayese Sodiq, adopted Governor Seyi Makinde of the PDP as its gubernatorial candidate in this Saturday’s election But speaking with journalists, the LP candidates insisted that they were still in the race and would participate actively in the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections on Saturday,

expected to hit advanced economies early in the year and cut global growth to 1.9 per cent in 2023 from around 3 per cent in 2022,” the report projected.

Headline inflation in Sub-Saharan Africa, it said, will average 10.3 per cent in 2023 compared with 13.1 per cent in 2022.

“This level exceeds the region’s five-year average of 9.2 per cent and discourages any rapid movement toward loosening monetary policy,” S&P added.

NNPC Ends JV with Eroton, Says Action Meant to Halt Further Asset Degradation Maintains partner under probe, may have its licence revoked Laments production fell from 30,000bpd to zero under Eroton Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) yesterday announced that it had ended the Joint Venture (JV) relationship between the national oil company and Eroton Exploration and Production Limited to stop the jointly-owned asset from further degradation.

In a statement yesterday, signed

by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., Garba Muhammad, the NNPC stated that the non-operating JV partners of OML 18 have now appointed NNPC Eighteen Operating Limited as the new operator of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 to replace Eroton.

“This is to curtail further degradation of the asset and revamp production of oil and gas,” the NNPC stated.

According to the statement, in

Polls: Oyo Labour Party Candidates Fault Claim of Supporting PDP, APC Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

fuel products.

“Inflation is expected to remain elevated longer in Sub-Saharan Africa than in other regions,” it said, adding that in line with the global trend, central banks of major African economies including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya tightened their monetary policies, leading to higher interest rates.

“Real GDP across Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to drop to an average of 3.3 per cent in 2023 owing to a mild recession, which is

stating that they have not adopted or have any plan to adopt candidates of either the ruling party in the state, PDP or the APC. The communique read in part, "Our attention has been drawn to a news item making the rounds in both the traditional and social media, on the declaration of support for the PDP and APC by some minority factions of the leadership of Labour Party in Oyo State towards the forthcoming gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections in the state, an action that was taken unilaterally and in pursuit of personal agenda and aggrandisement.

"The movement and all candidates hereby totally dissociate themselves from the selfish stand

of those negligible and greedy elements. The entire public is hereby put on notice to beware of this desperate move.

“We like to put on record that, the Obi-dient Movement is an Assemblage of over 120 Support Groups who are attracted to politics (as it were) by their interest in the aspiration of H.E Peter Obi to become the President of this great country, hence the acronym: Obi-dient.

"Therefore, majority of us are card carrying members of LP and at the same time very staunch members of the Obi-dient Movement. This same support for our master is unequivocally extended to all candidates of the party nationwide and in Oyo state particularly.”

order to protect the JV investment in OML 18, the non-operating partners, NNPC Limited (55 per cent interest) and OML 18 Energy Limited (16.20 per cent interest), jointly owning 71.20 per cent equity, removed Eroton as operator of the JV in line with the provisions of the Joint Operating Agreement (JOA).

The change in operatorship, the NNPC stressed, has been notified to the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and communicated to Eroton.

While the key business reasons that made the change in operatorship are compelling, the national oil company noted that it is publicly available information that production has declined from 30,000 bpd to zero.

“The persisting inability of Eroton to meet the fiscal obligations of the federal government led to the sealing of Eroton’s head office in Lagos by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for more than 12 months due to non-payment of outstanding taxes to the government.

“Eroton is also not able to remit to the JV parties the proceeds of gas supplied to its affiliate, Notore. A number of audits and investigations, including by the EFCC, NURPC's work programme audit and others have been undertaken or are ongoing.

“Some of these audits are regulatory steps that may lead to licence revocation under the relevant

laws if drastic steps are not taken by non-operating partners,” the NNPC noted.

The NNPC stated that in particular, as a majority shareholder with a unique stewardship responsibility to the federation, it was committed to assuring that the energy and financial security of the country is uppermost in its business decisions.

It added that removing an operator in these circumstances was therefore inevitable in order to protect the JV from governmental or third parties action from entities, including Eroton's lenders and other service providers.

It highlighted that OML 18 was an oil-producing block covering 1,035 square kilometres located south of Port Harcourt and contains 11 oil and gas fields with about 714 Million Stock Tank Barrels (MMSTB) of oil and condensate and 4.7 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas reserves.

According to the NNPC, eight fields have been developed, but only four are currently producing including: Cawthorne Channel, Awoba, Akaso, and Alakiri.

In 2014, the NNPC noted that Eroton acquired the 45 per cent interest previously owned by Shell – 30 per cent, Total – 10 per cent, and NAOC – 5 per cent, in the then NNPC/SPDC/Total/Agip OML 18 JV. Continues online

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Okonjo-Iweala: Our Target is to Deliver New, Result-oriented WTO

The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has said the focus of members was to develop a new results-oriented global trade body that meets the expectations of members.

Speaking at a meeting of the General Council held recently, Okonjo-Iweala welcomed the constructive spirit demonstrated by members in preparations for the WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in February 2024, saying delivering meaningful and quality outcomes at MC13 was “not beyond

our reach.”

In addressing the first General Council meeting of 2023, the Director-General said leaders, ministers and other stakeholders she met during her recent outreach appealed to the WTO to "work towards delivering further results for the benefit of people around the world – with MC13 being a key opportunity to do so."

The Director-General also said she was encouraged by the support expressed by India and other members of the Group of 20 leading economies for the WTO's

work during recent meetings in India of G20 finance and foreign affairs ministers.

The chair statement issued by the Indian G20 presidency after the meeting of foreign affairs ministers on 1-2 March in Delhi was an "unprecedented acknowledgement of the work of the WTO," she said.

"Excellencies, one thing was very clear at this meeting. Expectations are now that we will get results at MC13. A new results-oriented WTO that is producing for people is what is being expected of us and that means that we have a

lot of hard work ahead of us in Geneva to build trust to work hard to have a results focus and to deliver," she added.

The Director-General also noted the discussions which took place at the February 28, meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee, where several members cited the need to avoid overloading ministers' plates with outstanding issues at the last minute.

"This means we must now prioritise a few issues and build as much convergence on them as possible," she said.

"If we sustain the positive spirit from last week's meeting over the next 10 months, then delivering meaningful, quality outcomes are not beyond our reach."

The chair of the General Council, Ambassador Didier Chambovey, reported to members on the outcome of the 2-3 February informal meeting on WTO reform, which focused on development.

Chambovey said he was encouraged by the support from all members to make progress on the organisation's development work and proposed that the

reform discussions on development take place under the aegis of the WTO's Committee on Trade and Development.

The General Council chair also noted other issues on the WTO reform agenda, including dispute settlement, the negotiating function, the deliberative and monitoring functions, and institutional issues, among others. He noted that the informal discussions on dispute settlement have now entered the next stage and expressed hope that members would continue to constructively engage in this process.

PDP: AMPLE EVIDENCE SHOWS INEC'S DELIBERATE COMPLICITY TO RIG PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION dential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa; National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu; and other party leaders and governors. It accused INEC of deceiving Nigerians by deliberately deactivating the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during the election.

The opposition party condemned what it called “hasty” declaration of the presidential election results, saying it is a violation of the Electoral Act. It maintained that the election was a charade and a murder of democracy in the country.

The electoral body, while receiving the protest letter, promised to look into the grievances and assured, "This commission is for the Nigerian people. Our allegiance is to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This commission does not have allegiance to any political party or candidate, our allegiance is to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Similarly, the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of APC dismissed the protest staged by PDP leaders as incapable of providing a window of victory for a “fragmented” opposition party and its presidential candidate.

At the same time, National Secretary of APC, Senator Iyiola Omsiore, described Atiku and other PDP leaders as desperate for protesting at the national headquarters of INEC over the outcome of the presidential election.

The protest, which started at 11.05 am and ended at the INEC

office about 1.45pm, caused heavy vehicular traffic from the PDP Legacy office in Maitama.

In its protest letter signed by National Chairman, Ayu, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and handed over to INEC, PDP reiterated that the conduct of the February 25 election fell short of the expectations of all Nigerians.

PDP stated, "You would recall the outcry of many concerned citizens of this country variously accusing your commission of complicity in a planned manipulation of the electoral process in favour of the ruling Party (APC). At each time the issues took the media front burner, you were quick in dispelling them as rumours and mere allegations.

“Today, Nigerians have all seen that those allegations were true.

It is, indeed, disheartening to say that the election, which raised the hopes of all Nigerians to witness an advancement in our electoral process, turned out to be a charade.”

The opposition party reminded INEC that in many meetings and briefings it held with the political parties and the press ahead of the elections, it had assured Nigerians that the Professor Mahmood Yakubu leadership would conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

The letter stated further, "You also promised the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) technology in voter accreditation and result management, whereby the public would have unhindered access to the results uploaded to

your servers online and in real time (iREV). Contrary to this belief, there was an abysmal failure on your part to honour your promises.

"Predictably, the conduct and outcome of the presidential and National Assembly elections fell below acceptable standards. It has resonated the fears of all Nigerians in your integrity and that of your commission to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

"The confidence you deceitfully made us to repose in you and your commission has been battered and eroded away by the outcome of that election. The masses are angry and have not hidden their resentment and rejection of the purported declaration you made to that effect.

"Without any equivocation, this election, in the history of our country, elicited so much interest, awareness, commitment and dexterity in Nigerians to exercise their civic responsibility."

According to PDP, "The major factors that heightened the zeal and confidence of Nigerians to participate in the electoral process were the failures of the ruling APC government, the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) technology, the Electoral Act 2022 and your repeated assurances of bequeathing Nigerians a credible electoral process.

"Everyone recalls with disappointment, the reported widespread irregularities and manipulations that marred the election. There is ample evidence to show deliberate

INEC’S APPLICATION TO COURT TO RECONFIGURE BVAS RAISES INTEGRITY QUESTIONS Alex Enumah in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) decision to approach the Court of Appeal in Abuja, for an order varying the permission the court had previously granted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) to inspect materials used by the commission in the conduct of the February 25 presidential election has elicited questions about the integrity of the recently held poll.

INEC said the request was predicated on the need to reconfigure the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) used in the presidential election before deploying them for the March 11 governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls.

However, some IT experts who didn’t want their names in print were unanimous that granting the order would allow the electoral body to tamper with the evidence and compromise the pending litigations on the controversial poll and further worsen the credibility of the entire process.

The IT experts believe that INEC does not need to reconfigure the BVAS ahead of the gubernatorial and the states’ houses of assembly polls.

The presidential candidates of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and LP, Peter Obi, had in their challenge of the outcome of the presidential election, recently, obtained the order of the court to inspect materials used in the conduct of the poll, including the BVAS. INEC had declared candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, winner of the presidential election, which

was marred by technical challenges.

The controversial poll has been rejected by the two leading opposition parties and had been criticised by international observers and civil society organisations.

Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, was said to have polled a total of 8,794,726 votes to defeat his closest rival and presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku, who scored 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of LP, who polled 6,101,533 votes, in an election that INEC failed to ensure instantaneous transmission of results to its IReV at the conclusion of voting at polling units as originally planned for the 2023 general election.

Both Tinubu and Atiku won 12 states each, while Obi won 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Court of Appeal presided

by Justice Joseph Ikyegh had last Friday, while delivering ruling in two separate applications, permitted Atiku and Obi to inspect the said materials, which they intended to use in proving their allegations of non-compliance and rigging of the poll.

The appellate court, ruling in an ex parte application, permitted Atiku and Obi to inspect, “All the electoral materials used in the conduct of the election for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria held on February 25, 2023.”

The court also permitted Atiku and Obi to do electronic scanning and/or make photocopies of Voter’s Registration and ballot papers used in the presidential election.

In addition, both Atiku and Obi were by the order permitted to,

“Carryout digital forensic inspection of BVAS machines used for the conduct of the February 25” presidential election.

However, INEC, in a fresh application, which THISDAY learnt was filed over the weekend, asked the appellate court to vary the order so as to allow the electoral umpire reconfigure the BVAS for use in the March 11 governorship and Houses of Assembly elections.

No date was fixed for hearing of the application.

According to a source in INEC, the application became necessary following an order restraining the commission from tampering with the information embedded in the BVAS machines until due inspection was conducted and Certified True Copies (CTC) issued to the applicants.

The source added that INEC needed sufficient time to reconfigure the BVAS to be used during this Saturday's poll holding in the 36 states of the federation, excluding the FCT. According to the source, considering the number of BVAS machines required to conduct the election across the states, INEC needs to reconfigure the BVAS used for the February 25 elections before deploying them to the various polling units.

The source said the technical team of the commission had to be deployed on time to start the reconfiguration of the devices, which had to be done one by one.

The source maintained that not varying the order could result to postponement of the March 11 elections.

complicity of your commission in the entire fraud.

"The falsification of results and deliberate de-activation of the BVAS and your servers to frustrate the transmission of election results directly from the polling units attest to that. In all these issues brought to your attention, you refused to act."

The INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Publicity, Festus Okoye, received the letter on behalf of the INEC chairman.

PDP also told INEC in the letter, "Nigerians are no more in doubt of your direct involvement in aiding and abetting the monumental rigging and manipulation of the election results in favour of the ruling party (APC).

"In addition, the refusal and neglect of your electoral officers to transmit results of the election directly from the Polling Units (PU) to INEC Servers as required by law is a flagrant violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. This action is not acceptable to Nigerians and neither to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It, therefore, stands to be challenged.

"For want of clarity, Section 64 (4) (b) of the Electoral Act 2022 specifically provides 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 (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. "Consequent upon the above Section 60 (4) of the Electoral Act 2022, the result you have announced and the declarations made are ultra

vires, illegal and of no effect except for results transmitted directly from the Polling Units.

"It is, therefore, circumspect that despite the agitations by Nigerians and our party during the collation process protesting the reported irregularities surrounding the election, you proceeded with the announcement of the results in utter disregard of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

"It is funny and a gross abuse of our electoral process for your commission to have commenced transmission of the February 25 election results from the various Polling Units (PU) days after the results of the said election had been announced and purported winners declared. Your action in this regard is an affront on the sensibilities of all Nigerians, which we have vowed to resist.

"Notably, the hasty declaration of the election results evidently violating the Electoral Act 2022 places your integrity to total scrutiny going by your deceitful representations and assurances to Nigerians and the international community that the Electoral Act 2022 is a game changer that would guarantee a free, fair, transparent and credible electoral process, especially with the BVAS transmission of election results directly from the polling units.

"The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) detests and condemns this absurdity and brazen rape of our electoral process. Nigeria should be seen as a country governed by the rule of law and it is a responsibility we collectively owe our citizens desirous of entrenching true democratic principles and the rule of law. In this circumstance, we call on all Nigerians, both home and

in the diaspora, to stand firmly in defence of their rights, votes and stolen mandate.

"In consideration of the foregoing, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), acting on the mandate of the Nigerian electorate, has resolved as follows: “To reject and declare as unacceptable the outcome, announcement and declaration of the presidential election results.

"To call on your commission to suspend the on-going transmission of the Polling Units results to your servers, which is in complete breach of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

"To warn your commission against a repeat of the experiences of the February 25 election in the coming Governorship and State Assembly elections of March 11, 2023. Any attempt to manipulate the electoral process will be vehemently resisted.

“To call on all Nigerians to be co-partners in defence of our democracy, votes, the rule of law and their rights to freely choose the candidates of their choice.

"To demand an explanation why you proceeded with the declaration of the election results marred with irregularities against all calls to address the complaints brought to your attention before and during the collation process."

The PDP leadership equally expatiated, "We are writing to you because we want to bring our grievances and demands formally to your attention for necessary action.

Furthermore, to inform you and your commission that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) together with the ordinary and aggrieved Continued on page 27

BANKS RESUME ISSUANCE OF OLD N500, N1,000 NOTES TO CUSTOMERS and N500 notes on their ATMs and people were withdrawing them.

However, scarcity of cash remained evident across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as practically none of the Point of Sale (POS) agents had cash at the time of the check.

A POS operator told THISDAY that it was sickening to idle at banking premises only to be given between N2000 and N5000 at the end of the day.

Findings further revealed that many POS operators resorted to online money transfers and did very little cash exchanges.

Analysts, however, believed that cash availability and circulation would greatly improve in the coming days following the apex court’s decision. They also hoped that the conclusion of the general election next week would lead to some monetary policy decisions that would improve cash circulation in the economy.

Ultimately, providing clarity and direction on the court’s ruling would quell apathy on the part of the banking public, many believe.

Meanwhile, CBN yesterday disclosed that total repayments under its ABP stood at N503 billion, representing 52.39 per cent of total exposure.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, CBN’s acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Dr. Abdulmumin Isa, added that the balance of N 119 billion was not

due for repayment.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) last week said only 24 per cent of loans collected by farmers under the ABP had been repaid.

This implied that 76 per cent of the loans were yet to be paid.

But in his reaction to the IMF, Isa said the CBN remained committed to its development finance mandate of stimulating access to finance for the real sector.

Providing further update on the ABP, Isa said the bank had released the sum of N1.08 trillion, as of February 28, 2023, of which N960 billion was due for repayment. He said CBN ABP had supported about 4.57 million smallholder farmers who cultivated over 6.02 million hectares of 21 commodities across the country as of February 2023.

He listed the commodities to include rice, wheat, cowpea, millet, maize, cotton, fish, soya bean, poultry, and cassava.

Others are groundnut, ginger, sorghum, oil palm, cocoa, sesame, tomato, castor seed, yellow pepper, onions, and cattle/dairy.

Further citing data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FOA), the acting director noted that the ABP had contributed significantly to increased national output of focal commodities, with maize and rice peaking at 12.2 million metric tonnes and 9.0 million metric tonnes in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Isa said the programme had also helped to improve the national

average yield per hectare of these commodities, with productivity per hectare almost doubling within the eight years of the programme’s implementation.

Isa further noted that repayments under the ABP were made through cash or produce by the beneficiaries, adding that the outstanding due balance on loans was still under moratorium due to the COVID-19 forbearance granted to beneficiaries through the apex bank's interventions in March 2020 and extended to February 28, 2022.

Isa explained, "It is pertinent to note that the tenure of loans under the ABP is based on the commodity gestation period. For instance, loans granted to farmers cultivating some perennial crops could have up to seven-year tenure.

“The CBN remains committed to its development mandate of stimulating access to finance for the real sector, particularly agriculture, as it continues to support the federal government’s drive for food security and economic growth.

"Accordingly, the CBN continues to welcome applications from eligible Nigerian farmers and firms under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.”

Isa added that the central bank's core objective of catalysing the productive base of the economy had continued to support investments in capital assets in sectors with high-growth and employmentelastic potential through its various interventions.

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INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH PUBLIC SERVANTS...

L-R: Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Mrs Ajibola Ponnle; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Head of Service, Mr Hakeem Muri Okunola, and Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB), Hon Wahab Alawiye-King during an interactive session with public servants at Ikeja... yesterday

Sanwo-Olu Has Done So Well, He Deserves Second Term, Says Osoba Urges Lagos residents to re-elect governor based on performance, laudable achievements Gets CAN, Igbos’ backing Segun James and Mary Ekah Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has appealed to all Lagos State residents, especially the electorate to re-elect Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the forthcoming gubernatorial poll, saying the Governor has done so well and deserved to be re-elected.

This was just as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Lagos, the Christian community in the state and some igbo residents have expressed support for the candidacy of Sanwo-Olu, and his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat for a second term.

Speaking during the Journalist Hangout Programme on Television

Continental (TVC) at the weekend, Osoba, a renowned journalist and former Editor and Managing Director of Daily Times Newspaper, said Sanwo-Olu had done so much in Lagos State and based on his performance deserved to be voted for en-masse on Saturday.

Osoba, who expressed his displeasure over the voting pattern against APC in Lagos State, especially at Ikoyi, Eti-Osa Local Government Area during the last presidential elections, urged Lagos residents to redeem themselves by voting for a performing government.

He said: “Lagos has given so much to all of us, let us pay back by showing gratitude to a Governor (Sanwo-Olu) who I believe has done

FG RALLIES LOCAL, INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR N869BN NATIONAL CENSUS was required to complete the census.

Calling for support financial, material and technical support of development partners, the private sector and other stakeholders, he listed some areas requiring support.

These he said were in the areas of the acquisition of 405,000 additional local content tablets and accessories, and training of 885,000 persons for building numbering, among others.

Earlier in their goodwill messages, the representatives of various local and international organisations, development partners, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), private sector players, among others, underscored the need for a credible census.

In his message, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale urged all international partners to provide support for Nigeria's Census, adding that the attainment Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was tied to a credible census.

Similarly, the Resident Representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr. Ari Aisen said the Fund recognised that census was very expensive and takes a lot of resources.

According to him, this called for the support, cooperation and participation of all.

He, however admonished that a good, credible census with diagnostic elements was important for economic Planning, noting that while there was the need for partnership and support, the ultimate goal should be the desire for Nigeria to succeed.

In the same vein, the Director

General, Nigeria Governors' Forum, Asishana Okauru, advised that the exercise must ensure data confidentiality and the highest level of integrity.

Okauru expressed the total support and commitment of the 36 governors to the impending exercise.

Also, speaking at the event, Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu, said census was critical and very important for the nation’s future.

He underscored the imperative of a credible census in the allocation of resources, expressing regret that in the past, the exercise had been politicised.

He urged the National Population Commission to carry out a census that meets public expectations, while pledging the support of his Foundation and Nigeria's private sector.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director, Dangote Group, Mansur Ahmed reiterated the desire of not only the Dangote Group but the private sector for a seamless, credible census, pledging the support of his organisation.

The UNFPA Resident Representative, Ullapool Elisabeth Mueller said by 2050, which is 25 years from now, Nigeria was projected to have a 450 million population.

This, she said, puts the country as the third most populous in the world.

According to her, what that means was that Nigeria could have a 450 million population, which is an asset or 450 million weak population, depending on the choices it makes.

his best.”

The former Ogun State governor also appealed to Lagos residents, especially youths, Ndigbo in the State and religious leaders not to allow ethnicity and religion be a dividing factor in the forthcoming governorship election in Lagos State.

He said: “In Lagos, it hurts me and it gives me sleepless nights when educated people and others voted against APC in Ikoyi for example.

“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has done so well in Ikoyi. Ikoyi was totally run down; it was almost becoming a slum. And when Sanwo-Olu came in, he did so much renewal in Ikoyi. He has done a lot to fix Glover Road and McPherson Avenue with heavy drainage to address the flooding. He has also worked on Lateef Jakande, McDonald all the way down to Cooper Road, Alexander and Queen Drive.

“He (Governor Sanwo-Olu) has done so much renewal and yet some of us elites whose property value had gone almost 50 percent voted blindly.

I thought we would vote according to performance. Anywhere in the world, you assess a government and vote based on performance. I hope they will redeem their image. How can the Ikoyi voting pattern be against a government that performed?

“They voted against APC. What is their reason? Tunji Bello used to tell me about the efforts they always make to pump water every flooding period to save us from heavy flooding. So, it devises all reasonable logic the way people; educated people voted in Ikoyi for example, where I lived.”

Osoba, who governed Ogun

State during the aborted Third Republic and was also elected as the first Ogun State governor in the present Fourth Republic, appealed to all Lagos residents, especially the youths to vote for Governor Sanwo-Olu and APC candidates in the March 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections.

“Why should anybody be looking for a change in Lagos? I have spoken about the assessment and performance of Sanwo-Olu in Ikoyi where I live. This is not hearsay.

The monorail that Jakande started was canceled over 40 years ago, he has restored it with the Blue line rail. I can go on and on giving you examples of his performance.

“I went to campaign in Agbado on Friday and when coming back, I google my way to my house and all throughout Agege and neighbouring areas between Ogun State and Lagos were all dualised. How do you say a man like that should not continue?

“I will urge our people, especially the youths not to make the same mistake that they made in Eti-Osa where they voted blindly out of frustration, which I appreciate.

And the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, told them he will address their frustration.

“I appeal to my Igbo brothers and sisters, don’t let us make this an ethnic issue. Anywhere in the world where ethnicity has become an issue, it becomes destructive.

‘I will plead that the youth, our religious people, and our Igbo brothers and sisters in Lagos should think of the past. Nnamdi Azikwe, the father figure of Igbo land, started and all his political life was in Lagos.

The first Igbo lawyer, Sir Louis Mbanefo went to Methodist Boys High School and King’s College; he had his education in Lagos.

“We have been working together.

Let us sustain the relationship. Lagos is the most liberal state in this country.

Lagos has given so much to all of us, let us pay back by showing gratitude to a Governor who I believe has done his best,” Osoba appealed.

Meanwhile, CAN in Lagos and the Christian community in the state have endorsed Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat for second term.

Speaking during a media briefing held yesterday to announce CAN's endorsement of the governor, the Chairman of CAN Lagos State, Bishop Stephen Adegbite noted that it was essential to make it clear that the Christian community in Lagos demanded a Christian Governor and by divine providence and listening ears of party leaders, the present governor was favoured.

Adegbite stated however that the endorsement was based primarily on Sanwo-Olu’s performance.

“His achievements in the critical sectors of the state's economy are endearing, and we are convinced that it needs to be sustained. The recently completed multi-billion naira Imota Rice Mill project, foreign direct investments coming through the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the recently completed first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line, and the commencement of the second phase called the Red Line, repositioning of the health sector through the building of more health centres at the grassroots, and a free health policy for children below 18

years and adults above 65 years of age not minding your ethnic background or religious affiliations are just a few of the things we have seen and consistency is what we need.

“These, amongst others, are projects, programmes, and policies capable of creating employment for our teeming youths and help in strengthening our economic fortunes”, the cleric noted.

In a related development, Igbo leaders in Lagos State under the umbrella of Concerned Ndigbo has appealed to Ndigbo residents in Lagos to vote for Sanwo-Olu. The group disclosed that credentials of all the contestants vying to be governor had been reviewed, saying none of them is better than the incumbent governor.

The group led by Chibunna Ubawuike, Ozoemena Nliam and Igwe Ikechukwu at a press conference in Ikeja, yesterday, appealed to people of Igbo extraction living in the state to support Sanwo-Olu. Ubawuike who is the coordinator and also the National Organising Secretary, APC Support Group for Tinubu/Shetima, explained that a vote for Sanwo-Olu was imperative because his administration had performed creditably well without segregating or discriminating against any tribe in the state.

He urged Ndigbo in the state to give unflinching support to Sanwo-Olu's re-election bid.

Secretary of the group, Nliam and the Patron, Ikechukwu while collaborating Ubawuike, described Sanwo-Olu as a honest man who has done well.

Sani Musa Joins Race for 10th Senate President APC national chairman may resign to ensure his emergence Sunday Aborisade in Abuja Fresh facts emerged yesterday concerning the race for the office of the Senate President in the 10th National Assembly as the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Mohammed Sani Musa has offered himself for the top job.

A close associate of the Senator, disclosed this to THISDAY in Abuja.

He said the ranking senator, who is the Chairman, Committee on Senate Services, would declare his ambition if the All Progressives Congress (APC) zones the position to the North Central geopolitical zone.

The source also disclosed that the National Chairman of the party, Senator Adamu Abdullahi, would not mind to resign his position to pave the way for Musa's emergence.

He said, "Senator Musa will run for the office of the Senate President.

We hope that the All Progressives Congress would zone the office to the North Central zone."

Asked if it was possible for the Senator to emerge as the Senate President when the National Chairman of the Party was also from the North Central zone, the source said Abdullahi was ready to resign his appointment to make it possible.

He said, "Senator Abdullahi Adamu is interested in the emergence of Sani Musa as the next Senate President and he would not mind resigning his appointment to make that happen."

When reminded that Musa's ambition would possibly clash with that of the incumbent Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, being his friend, the source said, "Lawan has dropped his ambition to contest."

He said, "As we speak, Senator Lawan is no longer going to contest the office of the Senate President in the 10th National Assembly. That I can assure you."

On what would happen if the

party failed to zone the office to the North Central zone, the source said, "Senator Musa would contest for the position of the Deputy Senate President.

"He is already talking to his colleagues and close associates about his ambition," the source added.

THISDAY had reported exclusively on Monday that the incumbent President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and some of the senators-elect like Orji Uzor Kalu, Barau Bibrin, Godswill Akpabio, Adams Oshiomhole, Abdul-Aziz Yari and Dave Umahi, had started subtle campaigns.

TUESDAY MARCH 7, 2023 • T H I S D AY

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CAN'S MEDIA BRIEFING...

L-R: Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Christian Religion, Bukola Adeleke; Chairman, CAN Lagos State, Bishop Stephen Adegbite; Assistant Secretary of CAN Lagos State, Dele Asaaju and Archbishop of the African Church, Abuja, Peter Ogunmuyiwa, during a media briefing held by CAN Lagos...yesterday

PDP Chief, George, Backs Rhodes-Vivour, Vows to Resist APC’s Violence Saturday Alleges threat to life of LP gubernatorial candidate Segun James A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has warned that there plans by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to foment trouble during the election, even as he raised the alarm of an alleged threat to the life of the Lagos State Labour Party governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

Speaking on behalf of a socio-

political group, Omo Eko Pataki, George recalled the dastardly murder of a former governorship aspirant in the state, Mr Funsho Williams, saying any attempt to foment trouble and attempt Rhodes-Vivour's life, would attract repercussions.

The PDP chieftain, who stated this during a press conference held at his office in Ikoyi, Lagos, said plans to eliminate Rhodes-Vivour before the election on Saturday March 11 had been uncovered.

Court Grants N500m Bail to Majority Leader, Doguwa Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano A Federal High Court sitting in Kano, yesterday, and presided over by Justice Muhammad Nasir-Yunus, granted bail to the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Garba Ado Doguwa, in the sum of N500 million and two reliable sureties in like sum.

His Counsel Nuraini Jimoh (SAN) had prayed the court to admit the defendant on bail, arguing that his client was presumed innocent, pursuant to the provision of section 35 sub 6 of constitution of Federal of Nigeria (1999 as amended) Ruling on the application, Justice Nasir-Yunusa granted him bail in the sum of N 500 million with

two reliable sureties.

According to the court, the sureties shall be First Class Emir and any Senior officer in Civil Service, even as it ordered Doguwa to drop his International Passport to Court Registry pending the trial.

The court further restrained him from going to his constituents during the gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections billed to hold this Saturday, March 11, 2023.

Doguwa is standing trial for allegations of criminal offences bordering on conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, culpable homicide and breach of public peace.

He pleaded not guilty when arraigned before the Kano Magistrate Court 54.

He stressed that Nigerians should be wary of taking yet another wrong step to vote for the APC government in the governorship election, saying under the watch of the APC government, the country had been bestridden in widening uncertainties.

He also condemned a viral vdeo on the social media, which showed somebody threatening 'brimstone and fire' against anybody who would not vote for the incumbent governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu. "We have called you here today, on the auspices of the Omo Eko Pataki, a concerned vanguard of true born and bonafide Lagosians, to brief you on issues of salient national importance, as we head towards the final lap of the 2023 general election.

"It is expedient for us as major stakeholders, to let Lagosians,

Nigerians, and the international community be aware of developments both in the aftermath of the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections, as well as raise some pertinent concerns about the Governorship, and the State Assembly elections scheduled for this Saturday, 11th March, 2023.

“Of paramount interest and concern is the issue of threat to lives by cronies and criminal elements, who we presume are being unleashed on innocent citizens, who are willing to exercise their civic rights, to effect a positive change to their lives, the lives of their unborn children, using the civilised option of the ballot box, universally approved as opposed to the option of anarchy.

"As we speak, there are grand designs, to provoke the peace loving Nigerians, whose resolve is to effect

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kogi State chapter, yesterday inaugurated it's new office complex in Lokoja, Kogi State.

The outgoing State Chairman of NLC, Onuh Johnson Edoka, made this know while speaking at the inauguration of the multimillion-naira Labour House.

Edoka explained that the edifice could be described as a legacy project and epoch-making since 32 years of Kogi State.

The NLC Chairman noted that just like what was reported in other

states that government would build Secretariat for NLC and later seal it when workers protest obnoxious policies of government, that would not happen in Kogi State, adding that the new secretariat was built by the union with little support from the government.

According to him, numerous challenges were encountered when they were building project, adding that the union got little support from stakeholders in the state.

"No government can come out and close this secretariat if workers embark on strike. This secretariat belongs to us. The government

the right of Nigerians to exercise their civic responsibility?

"We reject this divisive politics of annihilation of innocent Nigerians, which seeks to create anarchy and provoke anger of the citizenry.

We wish to remind all the nonLagosians agents of the Lagos State Government, that Nigerians have lived together in peace, irrespective of any political party in power.

"We must rework it. We must push towards a renewal and a rebirth. This is the time for us to have a change of vision through an electoral overhaul. We equally urge the electorate in Lagos to go out in their numbers on Saturday, to vote against the plundering that has bedeviled our prosperous state for over two decades as adequate security is assured to everyone out to exercise their civic responsibility," he said.

Edo Group Vows to Reject APC at Saturday’s House of Assembly Polls Alleges Tinubu’s declaration as president-elect, rape of democracy The National Coalition of Edo Voters have vowed to reject candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 11 House of Assembly elections in the state, to express their displeasure over the gross manipulation of results of the

presidential and National Assembly elections by the party in favour of its candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking at a press conference in Benin City, the Edo State capital, the group rejected the outcome of the poll, noting that the declaration of

NLC Inaugurates Multi-million Naira Office Complex in Kogi Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

change through the ballot box on Saturday, as threats are being issued against voters suspected to be willing to vote against incumbency.

"For the avoidance of doubt, a particular video has gone virile, on the social media, which showed a weird character, suspected to be one of the agents of the state, threatening 'brimstone and fire' against anybody, particularly of South East extraction (Igbo), to dare come out on election day to vote for the Labour Party. In the words of the state agent in the video clip, 'It’s either Sanwo-Olu or nothing in Lagos "To this disposition, we, the Omo Eko Pataki, say it is the most heinous crime against humanity in this 21st century, and condemn such in all its entirety. We ask: who gave these characters the institutional authority and powers, to query

offered little support in the building of our secretariat.

“We know what is happening in other states were NLC secretariat was built by the state government, so we are careful that is why we went all out to source for fund to build this NLC secretariat by ourselves with little support from government,” he explained.

Edoka, who would be handing over to a new Executive of NLC this week, appreciated Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello for his support towards ensuring that NLC in Kogi State has its own secretariat after over 30 years of

their existence.

He used the opportunity to also commend the Auditor General of Local Government, Alhaji Usman Ododo for his support in the completion of the Secretariat.

Edoka appealed to Kogi workers to always support the NLC towards achieving their goal in the state.

Speaking at ceremony, the National President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, who was represented by the General Secretary, Emmanuel Ogwaja, commended the leadership of NLC for his achievement in the state.

the APC candidate as the winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was a rape of democracy.

Convener of the group, Olu Martins, while decrying APC’s desperation to usurp democracy and foist their candidate on Nigerians against their will, urged Edo voters to reject the party at the forthcoming March 11 House of Assembly elections.

He said, “We only had one problem in Nigeria, the APC, but after the election in February, it became two problems - APC and INEC. They believe that after a few days, Nigerians will be tired of the unrest following the declaration of Tinubu as the president-elect and go back to their normal lives.

We only want INEC to declare the original result of the presidential election.”

The convener added, “We are preparing and shining our eyes for the elections come Saturday, March 11 against the APC and INEC. You can vote for any other party but

APC. They should not get even one vote from any polling unit. Let's tell them that after raping us in broad daylight, they cannot come again to kidnap us.

“If there is any misconduct in the coming election, we will march to the INEC office directly. We were taken unawares in the February 25th election.”

On his part, co-convener of the coalition, Christopher Ojeikere, said, "We want to register our strong protest against how Mahmoud Yakubu gave our mandate to the wrong person.”

Also, Osas Okhilua, added, “I urge you to come out en masse to vote come Saturday, March 11 so that we can gradually start to reclaim the sovereignty of the people of Nigeria.

“Our tolerance for evil has become too much in this country, right from independence. Some persons who have held this country to ransom have continued to subvert the mandate of the people, sabotaging our efforts.”

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POLITICS

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com (08033025611 SMS ONLY)

Intriques as Katsina Guber Candidates Face Electorate Saturday As governorship candidates of various political parties get set for a final battle in Katsina state on Saturday, Francis Sardauna examines the intrigues, chances and weaknesses of the leading candidates.

Danmarke

Radda

T

he outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Katsina State is a pointer to the fierce battle among various governorship candidates of political parties and interest groups jostling to produce Governor Aminu Bello Masari’s successor in March 11 governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

Indeed, political ranking has come into play in the state, and Governor Masari who has been deploying his experience to garner the maximum votes from the ancient city for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), could not deliver the state for the party during the February 25 presidential and national assembly elections.

According to results announced by the State Returning Officer, Prof. Mu’azu Abubakar of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP polled 489,045 votes to defeat the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC who scored 482,283 votes in the state. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) polled 69,386

votes, while Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) scored 6,376 votes.

With these results, pundits said the APC chances of winning the governorship election have diminished. Masari tried to deliver the state for Tinubu, but he couldn’t arguably because of the influence of the immediate past Secretary to State Government, Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa and some PDP bigwigs who are said to have vowed to unseat APC in the state.

Much has also been seen from Inuwa whose defection to the People’s Democratic Party alongside with his political support groups after decades of sojourn with Governor Masari, had attracted serious interest about the unfolding political schemes in the state.

However, on the part of Masari, who sacrificed his senatorial aspiration unlike other outgoing governors

Khalil

Abu-Musawa

to ensure that his party, the All Progressives Congress retains the state in the March 11 poll, continuing internal dissensions and silence on issues of public interest remain his setback.

Although Governor Masari’s stake in the poll is limited to his desire to see APC triumph, he is seen as the main foot soldier of the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, and is reported to have been having sleepless nights to see that Radda wins the governorship poll.

But, the appearance of Senator Yakubu Lado Danmarke on the governorship ballot does not seem to be making the job of cornering Katsina for APC easy for Masari. The fact that the incumbent and the serial governorship contender are former allies separated by political interests have reduced the influence of Radda in the scramble for votes.

Yet, riding on his power of incumbency as the outgoing governor of the state, Masari and his former SSG, Inuwa, have succeeded in creating the impression that the battle for Katsina is a straight one between them. And that is where

Inuwa’s reach as a ‘home-boy’ who apparently brought Masari to power in 2015 and 2019 is diminishing the powers of the incumbent, who is not on the ballot, but serving as a proxy.

For instance, in what came up recently as another uprising within the Katsina APC camp, is the defection of three serving House of Representatives—Hamza Dalhatu (Rimi/ Charanci/Batagarawa constituency), Salisu Iro (Katsina constituency) and Ahmad Dayyabu (Danmusa/Batsari/Safana constituency)—to the PDP alongside their teeming supporters in their constituencies.

With this harvest from the storm at Masari’s backyard, the PDP may have better chances and formidable team to reclaim power from the APC in the state during the forthcoming governorship poll, because the three federal legislators have a network of followers in their respective constituencies.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

State Assembly Election is a Two-horse Race in Ondo Fidelis David reports that out of the 10, 231 candidates vying for 993 State Assembly seats across Nigeria, electorate in Ondo, the sunshine State, will again file out on March 1, 2023 to elect 26 members for the state House of Assembly.

O

ndo is one of the eight states where governorship election will not hold on Saturday because the incumbent Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) will complete his second term in office in 2024. However, the electorate in the State are already warming up to storm the 3,933 polling units and 203 political wards across the 18 local government areas of the state, where they will cast their votes for the candidates of their choice.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) put the total number of registered voters in Ondo State at slightly above two million.

Findings show that only 1,991,344 permanent voters cards (PVCs) had been produced for the state.

Out of these, over 1,729,641 representing 86.9 percent had been collected and over 261,981 were uncollected. The voters are spread across the 203 wards in the 18 local council areas and 3,933 polling booths in the state.

In 2019, the APC won 23 seats in the Assembly, the opposition PDP won only two seats, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) got the remaining one seat, while the ruling APC lost the state to the opposition PDP during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

In 2023, it is worthy to note that the other political parties also have candidates for the assembly elections, but political pundits and residents of the state believe that only the candidates of the two dominant parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) – will be the main contenders for the 26 seats in the state Assembly.

Don’t forgot that the president-elect, who was the Presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Bola Tinubu, defeated the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar with 246,477 votes in the February

Akeredolu

Mimiko

25 Presidential election in the state.

Tinubu cleared all the 18 council areas of the state, polling 361,944 votes as against Atiku’s 115,467 votes and the Labour Party in the third position with 47,350 votes. Also, the African Democratic Party got 5,612 votes.

Prof. Abayomi Fashina, the Returning Officer in the state for the Presidential Election, who is also the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, while announcing the result, disclosed that 571,402 voters were accredited, 570,017 votes were cast, while 19,009 votes were rejected.

Also, the APC won all the three senatorial seats in the state in a landmark victory, with eight out of the nine House of Representatives slots for the state. Only Festus Akingbaso of the PDP, who is a current member

representing Idanre in the state Assembly won the Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency seat.

So, given the dominance of PDP and APC across state, residents are fixated on the candidates of the parties while they spare little or no attention to the candidates of the other parties.

Out of the total 26 lawmakers that would form the 10thAssembly, only six current lawmakers are re-contesting while the remaining 20 members are new comers.

There is no any female candidate of the PDP for the House of Assembly seat. Theyl candidates include Olajide Oguntodu (Akure constituency 1); Moses Eruebuke (Akure North); Dotun Olorunyomi (Odigbo constituency 1); Olu Falolu (Odigbo constituency 2) and Adeolu Adeniran (Akure South constituency 2).

Others are : Tomide Akinribido (Ondo West constituency 1); Femi Olafusi (Ondo East Constituency); Oyewole Aderemi (Idanre Constituency), Babatunde Fadare (Ileoluji/Okeigbo), Ojo Victor (Akoko South East ) and Akintola

Olarewaju (Akoko North East constituency) among others.

The only female lawmaker in the 9th Assembly, Favour Tomomowo, is now contesting under ADC to represent Ilaje constituency II. The ruling APC has four female candidates while the rest 22 are male. The party’s candidates include, Ololade Gbegudu (Okitipupa Constituency II); Mr. Akintola Olarenwaju (Akoko North East constituency); Akinruntan Abayomi (Ilaje constituency 1); Oluwole Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi (Owo constituency 1); Emmanuel Gbogi (Akoko South West 1); Simeon Toluwani Borokini (Akure South I), Abitogun Rotimi (Akure South II) and Ologede Kolawole (Akure North).

Others under APC are: Akomolafe Temitope (Ifedore constituency), Ayebusiwa Odunayo (Okitipupa I), Oladapo John Biola (Ondo West II), Fayemi Olawunmi Annah (Ilaje II), Mohammed Taofik Oladele (Akoko North West II), Allen Messiah Oluwatoyin (Ese odo), Alaye Adesina (Akoko South East), Tiamiyu Fatai Ojara Atere (Akoko North West I), Japhet Victor Toyin (Akoko North East), Oshati Olatunji Emmanuel (Ose), Ogunwumiju Moyinolofun Taiwo ( Ondo West I), Oladiji Olamide (Ondo East), Ogunlowo Oluwatosin Ajirotutu (Idanre), Akeju Bukunmi (Akoko South West II), WitherspoonAtinuke (Owo II), Ogunlana Christopher (Irele), Ifabiyi Samuel (Odigbo I) and Fasonu Oluwarotin (Odigbo II).

With the performance of the ruling All Progressives Congress, the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections, it will be a straight battle between APC and PDP in Ondo State on Saturday.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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& RE A S O

Tuesday March 7, 2023 Vol 27. No 10188

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

SURMOUNTING THE ODDS AND HEALING THE WOUNDS ABDULAZIZ ABDULAZIZ contends Bola Tinubu’s victory is well-earned

See page 17

MAKING LAGOS A 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY The Sanwo-Olu administration is on serious drive to boost food security, writes FUNKE COLE

See page 17 EDITORIAL

NAIRA REDESIGN AND THE RULE OF LAW

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Nigeria’s 2023 election could have grave consequences for the country and beyond, argues CHIDI ANSELM ODINKALU

#NIGERIADECIDES2023: A TRAGIC FARCE Despite recent advances in Malawi and Zambia, elective government stutters and sputters to the uncertain rhythms of pathogens and politicians across Africa. The onset of 2022 served notice that #NigeriaDecides2023 is likely to be the most complex and most watched in a brutal biennium for elective governance in the continent.

In Mali and Guinea, these uncertainties have produced military coups. In Ethiopia, they have led to a civil war. The electoral landscape in Africa over the next biennium UHDGV OLNH D PLQHÀHOG $PRQJ WKH FRXQWULHV scheduled to vote, “Libya, Somalia, Mali, Guinea, and Chad are all tentatively scheduled to hold elections that have been GHOD\HG RU GLVUXSWHG E\ FRXSV RU FRQÁLFW µ Some of these may slip. The general elections in Kenya and Angola in 2022 will also be closely watched.

In 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way wrote that Africa was increasingly a hotbed RI ´FRPSHWLWLYH DXWKRULWDULDQLVPµ ZKLFK they describe as “a type of regime in which the coexistence of meaningful democratic institutions and serious incumbent abuse yields electoral competition that is real but XQIDLU µ 1LJHULD LV DPRQJ WKH $IULFDQ countries which fall into this category. The one time there was a let up in 2015, the country experienced electoral alternance.

On 27 April 2021, Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), served a 660-day notice of the date for the next general election, which will occur on 18 February 2023.

Nigerian politicians like to claim that an election is a game of numbers. That is not actually accurate; elections are about counting and accounting. As a country, Nigeria has historically not distinguished itself in either enterprise.

You can have numbers without counting.

In June 2020, Andy Uba manufactured HQWLUHO\ ÀFWLRQDO QXPEHUV IRU D SDUW\ SULPDU\ that took place only in his imagination to emerge candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the governorship election that took place in November 2021. In the case of Rtd. Cpt. Ahmed Haladu Bichi & PDP v.

Alhaji Ibrahim Muazzam & Others, Petition No. EPT/KNS/HR/29/07, the election petition tribunal in Kano accused INEC of LQGXOJLQJ LQ LQVWLWXWLRQDO ´DEUDFDGDEUDµ ,Q Chief (Mrs.) Edith Ejezie v. Hon Ralph Okeke & Others., Petition No. EPT/AN/NAF/ HR/13/2007, a separate tribunal in Anambra found INEC guilty of “generating of results IRU DQ HOHFWLRQ WKDW GLG QRW KROG µ Competitive authoritarianism is a system that seeks to confer legitimacy on electoral abracadabra through mechanisms of incumbency, including coercion, menace and institutional forgeries. Electoral abracadabra is not an event. It is the result of a multi-system process usually set up over an election cycle.

It has many actors and components, nearly

all of them within the state sector. Whether Nigeria will continue with this squalid tradition in 2023 will depend on several factors. Five will be pivotal.

First, the independence of INEC itself. 2023 will put to test whether INEC has improved from its default for abracadabra. Electoral systems at the end of the day are run by human beings. When they are crooked or lacking in independence and integrity, the elections are compromised. Already there are reports of “serious concerns in INEC that preparation for the 2023 general elections PD\ QRW FRPPDQG SXEOLF FRQÀGHQFH µ The ruling party APC has clearly not been wanting in intent to compromise INEC. Last July, the National Assembly reluctantly rejected the unlawful nomination for the position of INEC Commissioner of a cardcarrying member of President Buhari’s ruling APC. The ruling party has used attrition to get rid of INEC’s independent commissioners. Credible sources within INEC report that during the Anambra governorship election, a state governor in south-east Nigeria repeatedly threatened an INEC Commissioner from the same region that he would be replaced if he did not comply with the need for the governor’s party to corrupt the election. His party lost the election. That Commissioner has recently been replaced with a nominee who is himself D VWDͿ RI ,1(& ,Q WKH UHJLPH VRXJKW to intimidate the same commissioner by deploying the State Security Service (SSS) to arrest him in the middle of the general election. His crime was that he could not be bought or sold. The Commissioner for logistics, a retired Air Vice Marshall, has also been replaced. In July and August 2022, the tenure of at least 23 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECS) will lapse. Their replacements will have less than six months to bed in before the 2023 elections. If this trend of replacing experienced commissioners of integrity continues, INEC will not be able to salvage any credibility from the 2023 elections.

Second, technology. INEC has been quite voluble about the Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as its answer to Nigeria’s chronic problems of voter

accreditation and ballot collation. This system KDG LWV ÀUVW PDMRU RXWLQJ LQ WKH $QDPEUD governorship election last November.

BVAS is geospatially dependent. It is also broadband dependent and needs 4G to guarantee functionality. Anambra is Nigeria’s second smallest state at 4,844 km², with a dense population, in which communities live cheek-by-jowl with one another. The next two states in which INEC will audition BVAS before the 2023 presidential election, Ekiti (6,353 km²) and Osun (9,251 km²), combine for only 15,604 km² of landmass or nearly the size of Lagos State smaller than the smallest state in northern Nigeria, Gombe State (18,768 km²).

By contrast, Niger State, the biggest state in (northern) Nigeria at 76,363 km² is about two and a half times the size of Oyo State, which at 28,454 km² is the largest state in southern Nigeria but only the 14th in the country.

In Anambra, INEC could get away with the electoral frustrations of BVAS but they are unlikely to do so in Zamfara State with 39,762 km² or in Taraba State’s 54,473 km².

Despite its evident geospatial sensitivities, BVAS will only have been tested in three relatively small states of southern Nigeria before the 2023 elections but nowhere in the north. A situation in which BVAS can only be deployed in Southern Nigeria in 2023 but not in the North will rather be problematic, to put it mildly. With 4-G coverage of Nigeria realistically unlikely to break 65% in the next year, the elections could be decided in Nigeria’s telecommunications blindspots.

Third, violence. 2021 recorded the worst toll in deadly violence in the country since 2015. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Early Warning Projections for 2021-22 ranks Nigeria 8th in the global list of countries at risk of mass killings. Access WR LOOHJDO ÀUHDUPV KDV EHHQ GHPRFUDWL]HG $W the beginning of 2022, the Auditor-General of the Federation reported “the total number of ORVW ÀUHDUPV IURP WKH 1LJHULD 3ROLFH )RUFH as reported as at December 2018 stood at 178,459 pieces. Out of this number, 88,078 ZHUH $. ULÁHV µ 7KH QXPEHUV DUH OLNHO\ to have grown vastly since 2018. To police the Anambra election last November, the country deployed nearly 14% of activeduty police assets, supplemented by other security agencies. There will not be this proportion of assets available in a general election. In the absence of any credible ideas for diminishing the current trajectory of violence in Nigeria, INEC will struggle to ÀQG HOHFWLRQ DGPLQLVWUDWRUV DQG QXPEHUV will be manufactured from places where no voting can take place.

A lawyer and teacher, Odinkalu, can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu . This DUWLFOH ZDV ÀUVW SXEOLVKHG LQ -DQXDU\ under title “Five Factors Will Determine #NigeriaDecides2023”.

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TESDAY MARCH 7, 2023

ABDULAZIZ ABDULAZIZ contends Bola Tinubu’s victory is well-earned

The Sanwo-Olu administration is on serious drive to boost food security, writes FUNKE COLE

SURMOUNTING THE ODDS AND HEALING THE WOUNDS

MAKING LAGOS A 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY

For a hurdler who laboriously surmounted PDQ\ KXUGOHV RQ KLV ZD\ WR WKH ÀQLVK OLQH there could be the temptation for chestbeating and gloating. The victory was well earned. He worked for it and it came as a vindication that through acts of providence DQG KDUG ZRUN GHVWLQ\ FRXOG EH IXOÀOOHG LQ spite of mountainous challenges. But for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s president-elect, victory is a moment for humility and magnanimity.

Immediately he was announced as the winner of the presidential election in the early hours of Wednesday, March 1, 2023,

Asiwaju Tinubu changed from that political gladiator who fought his way to victory to a unifying statesman.

The journey to victory was an uphill task.

He paddled through shark-infested waters to grab the presidential ticket of the All Progressives (APC) at the June 8 Convention last year. He upturned his disadvantageous position just days before the primaries into a formidable one. At the end he emerged winner with shocking two/third of the total votes. He repeated the feat at the general election.

This presidential election is arguably the most competitive we’ve seen in recent recollection. Ordinarily it ought to be a walkover for the APC having gone into the election as a pretty intact ruling party at the centre with 21 governors in tow. However, events leading up to the election threatened the comfortable position of the party. The threats were not the making of the opposition. The ranks of the position were hugely fractured with the closest contender having to deal with a bitter internal revolt.

The APC went into the poll with two LQMXULHV ODUJHO\ VHOI LQÁLFWHG³WKH XQHQGLQJ fuel crisis and the messy currency swap (or FRQÀVFDWLRQ WR ERUURZ WKH WHUP IURP WKH Nigeria Governors’ Forum). Pains from the two situations generated a lot of anger.

Like the Qur’anic Abu Lahab, some persons went about laying out thorns on Tinubu and the APC’s path to victory. They clothed their actions with a garb of patriotism and pushed their sugar-coated bitter pills down the throat of Nigerians. Expectedly it stoked anger and sent the opposition, who were likely part of WKH VFULSW LQWR DQ RYHUGULYH 7KH\ ZURWH RͿ Tinubu and his quest. In deed if not for the smart management of it, the scheme could have cost him the victory.

The campaign also had to contend with three strong rivals, each of them experienced in politics, and each one of them riding on strong emotional waves. The polarized voters invested a lot of emotion largely along ethnic and religious lines in the election. It

was a stormy ride.

After the end of the rigmarole Asiwaju Tinubu came out of the ring victorious but bruised. He won the election with reasonable margin; averaging the usual margin for previous presidential elections, in spite of the lower turn out.

He was pained that he lost Lagos, he admitted when he received former South African president Thabo Mbeki on Thursday. ,W ZDV WKH ÀUVW WLPH D SDUW\ KH KDG VXSSRUWHG would fail to clinch that state. It’s doubly painful that he was on the ballot. But, as he admitted, it goes to show how credible the election was and call to question the hypocrisy of the wailing losers who celebrate such victories for themselves yet call to question integrity of the entire process.

The true democrat that he is, once it was over Tinubu immediately put behind him the sores from the campaign and the election.

It is a new dawn for the nation and for him whose lot it is to unite the country as he prepares to take the reins.

Rather than relish the sweetness of his victory with dance steps and parties, he chose to assume the position of a peacemaker. He extended olive branch to the candidates who lost and used his words as soothing balm for Nigerians who supported candidates other than him and are now ruining the defeat. +H KDG VDLG LW LQ KLV ÀUVW VSHHFK WR WKH nation as president-elect: it doesn’t matter if you had voted for him or supported any of his opponents. The issue on the table now is building an administration and a nation.

“Political competition must now give way to political conciliation and inclusive governance,” he declared in his acceptance speech.

6SHDNLQJ DIWHU UHFHLYLQJ KLV FHUWLÀFDWH of return, Tinubu went on along the same line philosophising about the importance of placing the country above anything else.

“To those who didn’t support me, I ask that you not allow the disappointment of this moment to keep you from realizing the historic national progress we can make by joining hands and hearts in common endeavour to pull this nation through.

“In a phrase, I am asking you to work with me. I may be the president but I need you.

More importantly, Nigeria needs you.”

It is in this spirit that he opened his doors wide open to receive visitors irrespective where they stood before the election.

Everyone came. Lines were blurred. The goal now is rallying the country around and galvanising its great sons and daughters to come around for the task ahead.

He received close lieutenants and foot soldiers. Those who refused responsibility or declined support at the time it was needed ZHUH WKHUH ZLWK VPLOHV +H UHFHLYHG ÀIWK columnists who threw spanners to work against him with his same warm embrace and broad smile. The past is behind, the task is ahead. ,W LV D QHZ FKDSWHU 2Ϳ LQ WKH KRUL]RQ glint of the Renewed Hope Asiwaju Tinubu promised is already visible. This week both the Nigerian bonds and stocks appreciated sharply in response to the election outcome.

To borrow his own phrase, indeed “hope is here”.

Abdulaziz is Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the president-elect

Just as Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, the famous It also bears stating here that the French playwright better known by his stage Sanwo-Olu administration is already name, Molière, noted: “It is good food and playing to literally turn the tables by QRW ÀQH ZRUGV WKDW NHHSV PH DOLYH µ $V WKH way of gaining an added advantage for proactive governor that he is, Mr Babajide Lagos in the area of rice production. From Olusola Sanwo-Olu knows that feeding available information, the completed is a crucial item in the bouquet of services evaluation of expression of interests for to the teeming electorate. It’s an essential the development of the power plant for democratic dividend.

Imota Rice Mill will assume the status That explains why he did not hesitate to of a game-changer as the integrated rice create a stable and functional template for mill at Imota is expected to cater for 25 food security, especially against the backdrop percent of the national rice consumption.

RI WKH XQSUHFHGHQWHG LQÁX[ RI GLYHUVH HWKQLF What that means is that Lagos would groups making the state their abode, oblivious soon begin to play host to prospective rice of consequential population increase. For the merchants across the country. This will be Sanwo-Olu administration, the scenario has the largest rice mill in Africa, suggestive now become a major drive to propel more of the fact ‘Lagos is not playing.’

DJULFXOWXUDO LQSXW DV DQ HͿHFWLYH VXVWHQDQFH Also, as a way of boosting the for economic growth and development. aquaculture of the Centre of Excellence, The government took a giant leap of the state government facilitated the IDLWK E\ XQYHLOLQJ D ÀYH \HDU IRRG VHFXULW\ Seafood Festival to project the state’s roadmap. This strategy, which is to achieve aquaculture and seafood potential to the sustainable and inclusive growth with the local and international markets. citizens at the core, has set Lagos on a right Added to that was the hosting of the growth pedestal in its quest to invigorate maiden edition of the Eko-City Farmers’ Market, which netted N7.9 million transactions, just as the state government organised a mentorship seminar for over 1,000 youths in the state on the theme, Agricpreneur: Strategy for Wealth Creation to facilitate direct supply of fresh produce such as tomatoes, pepper, plantain, vegetables and fruits to the 53 collection centres in the state, with over 1,050 rural women in agricultural related enterprises. These include cultivation of vegetables; cassava planting and cultivation; and garri processing.

Another positive development of the comprehensive food programme OLYHOLKRRGV DV ZHOO DV ERRVW GLYHUVLÀFDWLRQ of the Sanwo-Olu administration was According to the Governor, the roadmap the commissioning of the Fadama Food focuses on the development of agricultural Market at Agbalata, Badagry purposely value chains where the state has competitive to promote the structuring of agricultural and comparative advantages, including the produce marketing. provision and availability of improved inputs, 1RZ ZDLW IRU WKLV LQ IXOÀOPHQW RI WKH increased productivity and production. yearning by Lagosians for Sanwo-Olu to From the inception of his administration “give us this day our daily bread”, the in 2019, a comprehensive reengineering of administration supported the production the agriculture value chain has been top on of about 335,000 loaves of bread under Sanwo-Olu’s agenda. The governor explained the Eko Coconut Bread initiative. Its that the state government has begun the success galvanised action towards the implementation of various projects in the hosting of the maiden International agricultural space targeted at revolutionising Coconut Summit. Its primary purpose: to food production with a view to reducing explore, exhibit and evolve new ideas for dependency on other states for food supply. sustainable development of the coconut 8SRQ DVVXPSWLRQ RI R΀FH 6DQZR 2OX value chain in the state. embarked on the prioritisation of agricultural As a government continually looking empowerment programme, with the for ways of harnessing its resources, introduction of N1 billion Agric Value Chain it has also adopted the Public-Private Fund targeted at businesses that operate Partnership (PPP) model in delivering within the sector. About 1,750 actors have food security. One of these partnerships EHHQ LQFRUSRUDWHG LQ WKH ÀUVW SKDVH DOO led to the establishment of LACE to empowered with agricultural productive SURGXFH PLOOLRQ ÀQJHUOLQJV DQG assets and inputs to meet the desired SURFHVV RYHU 07 WDEOH VL]H ÀVK objectives of the government. yearly, and establish central food security Key projects aimed at boosting food logistics hub at Ketu-Ereyun, Epe and security include the Agricultural Productive mid-level agro produce hub at Idi-Oro, Assets and the Agricultural Value Chains Mushin. The PPP model is also feasible Enterprise Activation Programme. in the livestock production segment, Thankfully, some of the programmes are especially the establishment of the semialready bearing fruits with over 879 farmers mechanised abattoir in Oko-Oba, Agege and small and medium scale enterprises axis of Lagos. working across poultry, aquaculture and rice All these and more are what have value chains from the Lagos Agro-Processing, made Sanwo-Olu’s Lagos a destination Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood of choice for many discerning Nigerians Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project. who continually throng the city because The second phase had over 600 women and of its boundless promises. youths, including 240 in aquaculture and 300 in poultry, under the APPEALS project in rice Cole farming. writes from Lagos

18 4

T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MARCH 7, 2023

EDITORIAL

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

NAIRA REDESIGN AND THE RULE OF LAW Democracy is built on the principle of rule of law

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the National Economic Council before directing the y the tenets and letters of the 1999 CBN to introduce new Naira notes. He held that the Constitution of the Federal Republic unconstitutional use of powers by President Buhari of Nigeria (as amended), government, on Naira redesigning had breached the fundamental all levels in our country, shall be rights of Nigerians in various ways. This unlawful administered based on the rule of law. In XVH RI H[HFXWLYH SRZHUV E\ WKH SUHVLGHQW DFFRUGLQJ addition, all authorities and persons shall WR WKH DSH[ FRXUW LQÁLFWHG XQSUHFHGHQWHG HFRQRPLF obey valid and subsisting orders of courts. There’s a hardship on citizens by denying them ownership reason why. When the most fundamental element and access to their monies. and requirement of democracy, which is the rule of At the swearing-in of 38 new Senior Advocates of law, is thrashed, we all have no recourse against the Nigeria (SAN) in October 2019, the then Chief Justice tyrant’s jackboots. And when you remove freedom of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, underlined the need from democracy, all that remains is a political shell to always observe the rule of law. “All binding with rituals. That precisely is the meaning of the court orders must be obeyed,” he said. “As we judgement delivered last Friday by the Supreme NQRZ ÁDJUDQW GLVREHGLHQFH RI FRXUW RUGHUV RU QRQ Court on the controversial Naira redesign policy compliance with judicial of the Central Bank of orders is a direct invitation Nigeria (CBN). to anarchy in the society.”

When in February At no time in the history of Nigeria has any government openly Therefore, there can be the Supreme Court no greater indictment ordered the CBN to justified disobedience of court orders under the pretext of defending a for an elected leader in begin recirculating the a democracy than to be old notes along with the public policy or for ‘national security’ declared autocratic in his new ones, it was a faceDFWLRQ DV WKH DSH[ FRXUW saving opportunity for has just done.

President Muhammadu T H I S D AY It is unfortunate that the president allowed Buhari. But that opportunity was spurned. The EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU himself to be misled on this issue. Even under DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA issue, as we argued at the time, was not just about MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO colonial and military regimes, the country was having the power or authorisation to do something, DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU governed by ordinances or decrees which the rulers especially if the goal is about achieving the desired CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI were compelled to obey. And whenever there was a purpose, it is more important to limit unforeseen EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN material departure from such laws, the courts never MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI adverse consequences. Whatever might have KHVLWDWHG WR FDOO SXEOLF R΀FHUV WR RUGHU %XW DW QR THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE EHHQ WKH LQWHQGHG EHQHÀWV RI WKH SROLF\ ZKLFK ZH time in the history of Nigeria has any government endorsed, systemic inadequacies that could make RSHQO\ MXVWLÀHG GLVREHGLHQFH RI FRXUW RUGHUV XQGHU OLIH GL΀FXOW IRU RUGLQDU\ SHRSOH ZHUH LQH[FXVDEOH ,W WKH SUHWH[W RI GHIHQGLQJ D SXEOLF SROLF\ RU IRU is worse when the president is seen to break the law T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D ‘national security’, as it has become the norm under EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA in that regard.

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, Buhari.

Last Friday, the Supreme Court panel said the ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI Since democracy is built on the principle of rule of seeming disregard to its 8th February order on DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ODZ WKH PHVVDJH IURP WKH DSH[ FRXUW RQ WKH 1DLUD the continued circulation of the old currency ANTHONY OGEDENGBE redesign policy of the CBN is that no one, no matter notes was an abuse of the constitution. Justice DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI how highly placed, should be allowed to take the SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH Emmanuel Agim who read the lead judgement of ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI laws into their hands or resort to self-help on any the Court held that the president acted ultra vires CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI issue. We hope President Buhari and his enablers got by his glaring failure to consult with the National DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO the message. &RXQFLO RI 6WDWHV )HGHUDO ([HFXWLYH &RXQFLO DQG 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 PLATEAU’S POINT OF NO RETURN Before the guns started booming and blazing across Plateau State, the well-placed rocks and endlessly rolling hills used to evoke no little sense of wonder for residents and visitors alike.

How, many asked, could nature have been so partial and so preferential as to clothe a single state with such breathtaking beauty?

While the bloody disturbances of the early 2000s helped to shatter the mythical serenity of the state, the spirit of its people has remained largely unbreakable.

If the gods of nature were so generous to Plateau State, the gods of leadership have not been as liberal. This has been especially pronounced in the last eight years during which the All Progressives Congress(APC) has occupied the seat of power in the state under the administration of Simon Bako Lalong.

It was in 2015 that the APC took power in the state as part of the gale that swept through the country, ripping the structures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) apart. Governor Lalong rode the opportunity to the Plateau State Government House. +LV WLPH LQ R΀FH KDV EHHQ WZR VLGHV RI D FRLQ HDFK VLGH IHDWXULQJ KLV WZR WHQXUHV RI IRXU \HDUV HDFK DQG KLV GLͿHUHQW IDFHV OLNH WKRVH RI -DQXV ,Q KLV ÀUVW WHUP LQ R΀FH KH ODUJHO\ VXFFHHGHG LQ cleaning up the mess left behind by the previous administration which was no mean feat. His ability to pay the salaries of civil ser-

vants in the state on time also endeared to many.

However, by the time he won re-election bid in 2019, he had ZHOO EHFRPH DQRWKHU PDQ 7KH HQHUJ\ DQG WKH H΀FLHQF\ RI KLV ÀUVW WHUP LQ R΀FH KDG GULHG XS UHSODFHG E\ DQ HQHUYDWLQJ NLQG RI listlessness and even apathy.

For most of his people, the last straw that broke the camel’s back was when he accepted to chair the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council. The Council which was to work towards the realisation of the presidential aspiration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu was repugnant to many Plateau indigenes especially because of the APC’s ludicrous Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Payback came in the overwhelming victory the Labour Party and Mr. Peter Obi scooped in the state during the elections of February 25. But with the conclusion of the presidential elections, attention has quickly moved to the governorship election in the state which is set for Saturday, March 11, 2023.

In Plateau State, the Labour Party has on its ticket Dr. Patrick Dakum as governorship candidate and Mr. Edward Pwajok, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as his running mate. The Peoples Democratic Party has Barrister Caleb Mutfwang who is running with Mrs. Josephine Chundung Piyo while the ruling All Progressives Congress has Dr. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda who is running with

Hon. Pam Bot-mang.

On the face of it, it would appear that the residents of the state are spoilt for choice. However, closer look would betray a dilemma. In the case of the APC and Dr. Nentawe, a rickety vehicle appears to bear a crown jewel. The current governor may have perIRUPHG EHORZ H[SHFWDWLRQ DQG FDVW WKH SDUW\ LQ EDG OLJKW EXW 'U 1HQWDZH VHHPV WR EH ZLGHO\ SRSXODU ZLWK KLV ¶*HQHUDWLRQ 1H[W· slogan especially appealing to the young people failed by the current administration.

The Labour Party and the PDP each has a lawyer on their ticket DQG IRU ZKDWHYHU UHDVRQ WKH SHRSOH VHHP WHUULÀHG RI KDYLQJ D ODZyer occupy the number one or number two positions in the state given the woeful performance of Lalong, himself a lawyer. $V WKH VWDWH DSSURDFKHV D SRLQW RI QR UHWXUQ IRU WKH QH[W IRXU years, it will be interesting to see if Dr. Nentawe’s widespread acceptance will translate to victory. It also remains to be seen if anyWKLQJ JRRG FDQ FRPH RXW RI WKH $3& JLYHQ WKH PL[HG SHUIRUPDQFH of the party in the last eight years and the way it slumped to defeat in the state during the presidential election.

Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

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PRESIDENT -ELECT, BOLA AHMED TINUBU

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Is 25% of FCT Votes Required to Win a Presidential Election?

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ired u q e R s e t o V T C F Is 25% of n? o i t c e l E l a i t n e d i s e t o Wi n a P r QUOTABLES ‘For those waiting to see their worst predictions for our country become real, Nigeria will be at peace, because we will work through the law and due process to resolve differences, settle disputes and ensure the peaceful transition of power.’ ’-Rt. Honourable Olufemi Gbajabiamila CFR, Lawyer, Speaker, House of Representatives, 9th National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Conditions for Candidate’s Eligibility for Throne of Obong of Calabar Page IV

‘I had cause to advocate for a constitutional court that will deal squarely with electoral matters, so it becomes a specialised court that is standing on its own.’ Yakubu Maikyau OON, SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association

COLUMNIST STEPHEN KOLA-BALOGUN Stephen Kola Balogun, is a vastly experienced Legal Practitioner who obtained his LL.B from University of Ife and LL.M from the School of Oriental & African Studies, University of London. He has Post-Graduate Diplomas in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London and in Construction Law, Management and Arbitration from Kings College, London. He has served in various capacities since his Call to the Nigerian Bar in 1982, including practising at Akinjide & Co., and lecturing part-time at Oxbridge Tutorial College. He was the Honourable Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Special Needs, State of Osun, August, 2011 to November 2014. He is currently the Principal Partner at Kola Balogun & Partners, and sits on the Advisory Board of the Centre of Law and Business. SKB, as he is fondly called, is accredited with several publications to his name, both International and Domestic.

LAWYER

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE: EDITOR, JUDE IGBANOI: DEPUTY EDITOR, PETER TAIWO, STEVE AYA: REPORTERS

III THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023

Presidential Election Call: Between Equity and Absurdity 3 AGs v AGF Currency Redesign Case: Supreme Court Decision udos to the Supreme Court for holding inter alia last Friday, that the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes remain legal tender till December 23, 2023. This order is self-executory, and needs no further order for enforcement, that is, no further order is required for the old notes to continue to be used, and for the Banks to continue to accept and disburse them. What this decision has done, is to declare the February 10 deadline and the President’s directive either for the February 10 deadline or the extension of the life of only the old N200 note to April 10, invalid. In Ogbu v State 53 Misc. 2d 740 the Supreme Court held that “when an act or a decision is declared null and void, it is incapable of giving rise to any rights or obligations under any circumstances”.

Some people were arguing that, no order was made to execute the judgement. When such declaratory judgement is handed down, consequential orders which accompany the judgement to enforce it, are not made. The declaration completes the process. See the case of Iragbiji v Oyewinle 2013 13 N.W.L.R. Part 1372 Page 566 at 580 per Rhodes-Vivour JSC. In Gongola State v Tukur 1989 4 N.W.L.R. Part 117 Page 592 per Oputa JSC the Supreme Court held that: “A declaratory judgement is a binding adjudication that establishes the rights and other relations of the parties, without providing for an ordering enforcement”. The proper thing to do after a declaratory order has been handed down, is to file a subsequent action based on the declaration, praying the court for executory orders where necessary. See the case of Dalori v Sadikwu 1998 12 N.W.L.R. Part 576 Page 112 at 113 per Edozie JCA. In the currency case, the order that the notes remain legal tender till December 2023 completes the process, and this particular order is self-executory and needs no further order for execution. It is a victory, for the Nigerian people. However, it has been argued that if the CBN is required to re-circulate the old notes that it has already collected from the public, an application to the Federal High Court based on the declaratory judgement of last Friday may be necessary. See the case of Dalori v Sadikwu (Supra); Okoya v Santilli 1990 2 N.W.L.R. Part 131 per Agbaje JSC. I wonder! Should it not be automatic that if something has been declared to be legal tender, you should make it available? The reason that you collected it and kept it, is because you unlawfully declared that it was no more legal tender. Now that the Supreme Court has declared it to still be legal tender, those on the other side of the divide of the argument, maintain that no further order is required for CBN to start to recirculate the old notes. Hopefully, we will immediately start to see more money in circulation, and this will ease the hardship the people are presently suffering.

K

The February 25 Presidential Election: Election Petitions Last week, Senator Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu of the APC was declared the winner of 2023 Presidential election. Of course, as usual, pre and post declaration, there were allegations of election malpractices.

Both PDP and Labour Party (LP) claimed to be the winners of the election, yet, it was APC that was declared the winner!

There are so many matters arising - from LP candidate, Peter Obi, joining the party only three days before he clinched his Party’s ticket in its Primaries, contrary to Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2022 (EA) which requires parties to submit their membership registers to INEC 30 days before the date fixed for primaries, thereby making him unqualified to even run (will this be considered to be a pre-election matter, which should have been brought 14 days after the Primaries?); to allegations of rigging against the APC, and counter-allegations of rigging against the other leading parties, PDP & LP. We saw different videos during the elections (isolated incidents, because, in many other areas like mine, voting went smoothly with no disruption or problems), from someone in Lagos menacingly commanding that Igbos should not vote at a particular polling unit (voter suppression/intimidation), to Igbos claiming that they were denied access to polling units like that of LASU, to ballot boxes and papers in Lagos being burnt in some areas - it is instructive to note that LP, and not APC, won Lagos; we saw an underaged boy in the North, possibly about 6 years old, flashing his PVC and proudly stating that he was voting for the PDP candidate; we saw the COP in Kano ridiculously claiming that it was difficult to tell the difference between a child and an adult, as some people may not be well developed genetically, and in any event, it was INEC that had done the voter registration, who was he to tell registered voters not to vote (when we are all aware that 18 is the minimum age allowed to vote) - it is instructive to note that, neither of the three leading candidates won Kano, NNPP won; we saw two girls in the

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive. com onikepob@yahoo.com

The

Advocate “I make mention of allegations of electoral malpractices that touch on the leading political parties, including the PDP & LP, especially because they are the ones mostly alleging that there were irregularities in the elections; yet, they also played an active role in some of those irregularities….We must however, bear in mind that the EA does not envisage a perfectly conducted election, nor can an election be automatically invalidated because of allegations of malpractices” South East, also not more than 12 years old, proudly flashing their PVCs too, and stating they were voting for the LP Candidate - it is instructive to note that, the LP Candidate won overwhelmingly in the South East; we saw a member of PDP arrested with $500,000 cash confessing that he was given the money by PDP National, Abuja, to bribe INEC Officials and buy votes; we saw a young lady, an INEC Official, somewhere in Enugu State I think, caught trying to pass off votes cast for the LP Candidate as the NNPP Candidate’s, while we also saw a video of voter intimidation somewhere in the South East, in favour of LP. I make mention of allegations of electoral malpractices that touch on the leading political parties, including the PDP & LP, especially because they are the ones mostly alleging that there were irregularities in the elections; yet, they also played an active role in some of those irregularities. Isn’t it trite that, he who comes to equity, must come with clean hands? However, I suppose this cannot stop anyone from seeking justice, whether they deserve it or not - and this is applicable to all the parties that engaged in election malpractices. Naturally, we expect all these allegations to form the basis of the various election petitions, which are provided for in Part VIII of the EA. We Lawyers, therefore, look forward to novel, groundbreaking decisions, that will enrich our jurisprudence.

We must however, bear in mind that the EA does not envisage a perfectly conducted election, nor can an election be automatically invalidated because of allegations of malpractices. Section 135(1) of the EA provides that, an election shall not be invalidated by reason of non-compliance with the EA (obviously, many of the complaints about the elections qualify as electoral offences/ non-compliance under the EA), if it appears to the Election Tribunal or Court that the election

President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu

was conducted substantially in accordance with the principles of the EA and the non-compliance did not affect substantially the result of the election. It is left for the Tribunals and Courts, to decide upon the definition of ‘substantial’ in the context of this election.

The Section 134(2)(b) of the Constitution Controversy One of the questions that seems to be occupying the front burner presently, is the issue of the interpretation of Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2018)(the Constitution), Section 134(2)(b) in particular. By declaring Senator Bola Tinubu as the winner of the election, it is obvious that INEC’s interpretation of Section 134(2)(b) is not that a candidate must score 25% of FCT votes.

Last week, several people telephoned to ask me for its interpretation. My response was that, it depended on which side of the divide they were on! The interpretation has been reduced to which ethnic group one belongs to, or the political party they support! For the people on the side of those who the election results did not favour, especially LP, because LP was the only party that secured up to 25% of the votes cast in FCT, then the interpretation of Section 134(2)(a) & (b) would be that only a candidate who scored the highest number of votes cast, 25% of two-thirds of all the States (24 States) and 25% of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) could be declared the winner of a Presidential election, thereby rendering Bola Tinubu ineligible to be declared winner.This interpretation, I submit, is however, somewhat absurd, because, firstly, if the provision meant 25% of FCT, it would have stated so. In Buhari v Obasanjo 2005 13 N.W.L.R. Part 941 Page 53 at 205-206, the Supreme Court held

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu

inter alia thus: “In interpretation of a statute, once the words used are clear, ordinary meanings of the words in it are given to them”. Also see the case of Awolowo v Shagari & Ors (1979) LPELR-653(SC) per Atanda Fatai-Williams JSC (later CJN) where the Supreme Court held that: “The duty of the Court is to interpret the words that the legislature has used; those words may be ambiguous, but, even if they are, the power and duty of the Court to travel outside them on a voyage of discovery are strictly limited”.

The Apex Court went on to state that: “….if the words of an Act admits two interpretations, they are not clear; and if one interpretation leads to absurdity and the other does not, the Court will conclude that the Legislature did not intend to lead to an absurdity, and will adopt the other interpretation”. I submit that the interpretation of 25% of the votes cast in FCT as a must leads to an absurdity, and as such, must be rejected.

Secondly, insisting that the provision means 25% of Abuja specifically, confers some kind of special status on FCT which the other States of Nigeria do not have, since no particular State is mentioned for the 25% spread, just as long as it is two-thirds of all the states. Section 299 of the Constitution, states inter alia that the provisions of the Constitution shall apply to FCT as if it were one of the States.

This provision was confirmed in the case of Ibori v Ogboru & Ors 2005 6 N.W.L.R. Part 920 Page 102 at 116 where the Court held inter alia that: “In other words, the Federal Capital Territory is to be treated like a State; and it is not superior or inferior to any State in the Federation”.

A conclusion that a Candidate, who for example scored the highest number of votes cast, and a 25% spread in all 36 States except Abuja cannot be the winner of an election, I submit, is not only inequitable and absurd, but makes the FCT superior to all the other States of Nigeria, if a requirement which isn’t necessary or applicable in all the other States of the Federation, is necessary or applicable there. This is unconstitutional (see Section 299 of the Constitution).

It would also be strange that FCT which has only one Senator and two members of the House of Representatives, as opposed to the three Senators and eight or more House of Representative members per State (see Sections 48 & 49 of the Constitution), should suddenly have more stringent conditions and be elevated above and superior to other States for the purposes of voting. Another absurdity.

Consequently, if those asking for the interpretation were interested in hearing it from the side of the law, I would say that the interpretation of Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, that the provision means 25% in 25 States, is the most plausible interpretation. The reason is that, all the States and FCT which is taken as if it were a State, would be two-thirds of 24 States, and additionally FCT, bringing the total to 25 States. This makes good sense. Nevertheless, with the caveat that this certainly does not translate to 25% of Abuja in particular, just that it should be added to the two-thirds of all the States to include it as part of the spread of the States. How else would the drafters of the Constitution have referred to FCT to include it as one of all the States, if not by its name? To then conclude that, having to identify FCT to include it in the general spread envisaged by Section 134(2) (b) by mentioning its name, FCT, as it is not known as FCT State or Abuja State like the other States are known, for example as Oyo State, Anambra State, Kano State and so on through the 36 States, means that a candidate must score at least 25% specially in FCT, I submit, is an over-stretch.

Conclusion Professor Sagay’s interpretation of Section 134(2) (b) of the Constitution, is certainly credible and tenable, more so than 25% of FCT which seems to be not only rather far-fetched, but unsupported by a community reading of Sections 134(2)(b) & 299 of the Constitution, amongst other provisions. See the case of Ibori v Ogboru & Ors (Supra). However, the confusion that this provision causes because of its clumsy drafting style, cannot be understated.

This is yet another provision, that requires attention.

Perhaps, a simple ‘inclusive of’ FCT instead of ‘and’; or clearly stating that FCT should be an additional State, would have been ideal.

Space constraints do not allow me to go into the more convoluted Section 134(3)(b) of the Constitution, the provision for a second election, which isn’t applicable to the recently concluded Presidential election, but is pari passu with Section 179(3)(b) of the Constitution, with regard to Gubernatorial elections, and could be an issue if the need for a second election in any of the States arises from the March 11 elections.

P.S. The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, turned 60 last Wednesday. There has been silence on the fact that from that day, he ceased to be a serving Police Officer!

IV

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023˾ T H I S D AY

Conditions for Candidate’s Eligibility for Throne of Obong of Calabar

Facts Sometime in 2008, the stool of the Obong of Calabar became vacant owing to the ill-health of the then Obong of Calabar. Further to this, the Etubom’s Traditional Rulers Council of the Obong’s Palace represented by the 1st set of Respondents wrote to the Esik Edik Traditional Council (Western Calabar Traditional Rulers Council/Western Council), requesting that a suitable Etubom be selected among them to be the next Obong of Calabar. The Western Council met, and agreed to cede the nomination to the Ikoneto Ruling House. The 1st Appellant became the Etubom of the Ikoneto Ruling House after the Western Council was asked to select the next Obong among themselves, hence, he had not been capped by a serving Obong or inducted into the Etubom’s Council of the Obong’s Palace.

The 1st Appellant was selected as the candidate of the Ikoneto Ruling House to the Obong’s throne, and the Appellants forwarded his name to the 2nd set of Respondents as their nominee for the stool. He was screened by the Western Council on the same day. However, while waiting for the 1st Appellant to be presented to the Etubom’s Council, the Appellants heard that the 4th Respondent had been selected as the sole candidate of the Western Council for the stool. When the Appellants protested, the Western Council said that the 1st Appellant was not traditionally qualified to ascend the Obong’s throne, because he was not a capped Etubom.

On 31st March, 2008, the 1st – 3rd Respondent Council proclaimed the 4th Respondent as the Obong-elect.

Aggrieved, the Appellants filed a suit at the High Court of Cross River State, wherein they sought several declarative and injunctive orders, essentially to nullify the presentation of the 4th Respondent as a candidate for the throne of Obong and his proclamation as the Obong-elect. In its judgement delivered on 30/1/2012, the trial Court granted all the reliefs sought by the Appellants. The trial court held that the Etubom’s Council had waived the requirement for the 1st Appellant to be capped and inducted into the Etubom’s Council to be qualified to be voted for as the Obong, and as such, they were estopped from disqualifying him. Dissatisfied, the two sets of Respondents filed separate appeals at the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal delivered its judgement on 4th July, 2013, allowing the appeal substantially.

The Court of Appeal held that, the 1st Appellant was not traditionally eligible to be voted for as Obong of Calabar under the Efik native law and custom. The Appellate Court however set aside the selection and proclamation of the 4th Respondent as Obong of Calabar and ordered that the Etubom’s Council should conduct another process of selecting a new Obong with the participation of all qualified candidates including the 4th Respondent. Aggrieved, the Appellants filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination The Supreme Court considered the following issues in its determination of the appeal.

1. Whether the 1st and 3rd Respondent’s Notice of Appeal was properly signed by a cognisable legal practitioner, as prescribed under Section 2(1) of the Legal Practitioners Act as to invoke the jurisdiction of the lower Court.

2. Whether the Court of Appeal was right to have set aside the trial court’s finding that the Respondents waived the requirement for capping by a reigning Obong and induction into the Etubom’s Council of the Obong’s Palace, as a qualifying factor to be voted for as Obong of Calabar in favour of the 1st Appellant.

3. Whether the finding of the Court of Appeal that the 4th Respondent is qualified to contest for the throne of Obong of Calabar, is not contrary to the evidence evaluated before the trial court.

Arguments On the 1st issue, counsel for the Appellant questioned the signature on the Amended Notice of Appeal filed by the 1st set of Respondents at

pellants’ unchallenged oral evidence on the declaration they were seeking, to the effect that the 4th Respondent is not qualified to contest for the Obong’s throne.

Honourable Amina Adamu Augie, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 13th day of January, 2023 ÏÐÙÜÏ ÒÏÓÜ ÙÜÎÝÒÓÚÝ Musa Datiijo Muhammed Chima Centus Nweze Amina Adamu Augie Uwani Musa Abba Aji Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju Justices, Supreme Court SC.634/2013 Between 1. ETUBOM (DR) ANTHONY ASUQUO ANI 2. ETINYIN OKON EFFIONG OFFIONG 3. CHIEF OFFIONG EYO OFFIONG 4 CHIEF EMMANUEL ENIANG OFFIONG (For themselves and on behalf of Ufot lkot Nkpor Clan, Mbiabo lkoneto, Odukpani Local Government Area)

APPELLANTS

ØÎ

1. ETUBOM ESSIEN EKPENYONG EFFIOK 2. ETUBOM OKON ASUQUO 3. ETUBOM MICAH ARCHIBONG (For themselves and representing Etubom’s Traditional Rulers Council, Obong’s Palace) 4. ETUBOM EKPO ABASI OTU 5. ETUBOM OTU EFA OTU (For themselves and representing the Esit Edik Traditional Council)

1ST SET OF RESPONDENTS

2ND SET OF RESPONDENTS

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Amina Adamu Augie, JSC) the Court of Appeal. Counsel contended that there were eight names starting with “Mrs Nella Andem Rabana SAN” listed in the Notice; however it could not be deciphered who amongst them signed the process. He argued that this rendered the Notice of Appeal incurably defective, and this should have been the end of the Appeal.

In response, counsel for the 1st set of Respondents submitted that from the interpretation of Section 2 of the Legal Practitioners Act in OKARIKA v SAMUEL (2013) 7 NWLR (PT. 1352) 19, the process will be valid so long as all the persons listed therein are legal practitioners and it was signed one of them, and in the circumstance, it was clear that Mrs Nella

“Article 24 did not merely say that a candidate selected for succession must be an “Etubom of a royal house”; it added that the Etubom of a royal house must be recognised as such by the Obong and Council”

Andem Rabana SAN is a legal practitioner within the context of Section 2 of the Legal Practitioners Act. On the 2nd issue, counsel for the Appellant argued that the Western Council acted as the agent of the Etubom’s Council therefore whatever action they took or any waiver conceded by them is an act of the Etubom’s Council. He argued having screened the Appellant after which they placed him on a ballot to contest the election to the Obong’s throne, the Etubom’s council is deemed to have waived the requirement for him to be capped and inducted into the Etubom’s Council; and found him eligible for the Obong’s stool.

On the other hand, respective counsel for the two sets of Respondents argued that the 1st Appellant had been invited for screening by the Western Council and not the Etuboms Council, and the Western Council’s action in screening the 1st Appellant cannot be deemed to be a waiver since the Western Council is not the body empowered to appoint the Obong of Calabar.

On the 3rd issue, counsel for the Appellant argued that the Court of Appeal was wrong not to have taken into consideration the worthless nature of the unsigned and undated genealogical chart relied on by the 4th Respondent to overturn the Ap-

Court’s Judgement and Rationale In deciding the 1st issue, the Supreme Court held that where it is clear that the person who signed a Notice of Appeal is a legal practitioner, and it is obvious to the Court that the person did indeed sign the said process, the failure to tick her name as the person who signed the Notice of Appeal will not invalidate the Notice of Appeal. The Court relied on its decision in WILLIAMS v ADOLD/STAMM INT’L (NIG) LTD (2017) 6 NWLR (PT. 1560) 1. The Court held that in this case, whilst there were eight names listed on the Amended Notice of Appeal, it was clear that the signature was that of Mrs Nella Andem Rabana SAN, whose name was directly under the signature. The absence of a tick beside her name could not therefore, invalidate the Amended Notice of Appeal.

On the 2nd issue, the Apex Court referred to Article 34(3) of the Efik Constitution, 2002 which provided that the ultimate decision of who succeeds as Obong of Calabar, is exclusively vested in the Etubom’s Council and no other. The Court held that the only role the Western Council had to play was to present an Etubom to the Etubom’s Council, which would then have the final say as to who to select amongst the candidates presented to the Etubom’s Council as the Obong. The question of waiver would not arise at screening stage which the Western Council had control over, and the acts of the Western Council in this regard cannot be deemed to be the acts of the Etubom’s Council. The Court further held that by Article 24 of the Efik Constitution, any Etubom of a Royal House nominated for succession to the Obong’s throne must be recognised as such by the Obong and the Etubom’s Council, and to be so recognised, the Etubom must have been presented and inducted into his Traditional Council and thereafter, presented and inducted into the Etubom’s Council of the Obong of Calabar and the traditional rites, include capping by a reigning Obong of Calabar. Article 24 did not merely say that a candidate selected for succession must be an “Etubom of a royal house”; it added that the Etubom of a royal house must be recognised as such by the Obong and Council. In the instant case, the 1st Appellant had not been capped and inducted into the Etubom’s Council, hence, he was not qualified to vie for the stool of the Obong of Calabar and the act of Western Council in screening him cannot be said to amount to a waiver of the requirement by the Etubom’s Council.

On the 3rd issue, the Court held that a Plaintiff who seeks a declaratory relief, has the burden to prove to the court that he is entitled to same. He is not allowed to point his fingers at any weakness, omission or default on the part of the Defendant, and must stand or fall on the strength of his own case. The Court referred to EMENIKE v PDP (2012) 12 NWLR (PT. 1315) 556. The Court held that it was obvious that the Appellants, instead of proving their entitlement to the declaration sought that the 4th Respondent is not qualified to be selected as Obong of Calabar by their own evidence, they chose to rely on what they saw as the weaknesses in the Respondents’ case to argue that the Court of Appeal was wrong to have set aside the finding of the court on that issue. It was the Appellants that had the burden to adduce credible evidence in proof of their claim, and the trial court had no business whatsoever foraying into the Respondents’ pleadings or evidence, to decide whether the Appellants were entitled to the declaration sought or not.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation Joe Agi, SAN with O. F. Ekeugba for the Appellants.

Nella-Andem-Ewa Rabana, SAN with Kennedy Akaolisah for the first set of Respondents.

F.R.A.Williams Esq. for the second set of Respondents.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Report (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

V

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

My Brief by SKB STEPHEN KOLA-BALOGUN Introduction olitical control by the people, can only be exercised by them at election time. It is the Courts alone, who at all times, have the power and responsibility of standing between the government and the governed.

The fundamental importance of the independence of the Judiciary from the legislature and executive is therefore, absolutely vital. It is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that government policies and actions are not contrary to law, and of ensuring that citizens legal rights and responsibilities are vindicated or enforced. It is up to the Courts to protect the citizens, against arbitrary and unlawful acts of the other arms of government. Actions for a judicial review in Nigeria, can be based on either the common law doctrine of ultra vires or the Constitution. In the case of the former, the action may be bought (i) under the action for judicial review procedure under the various High Court Civil Procedure Rules or (ii) for a declaration and injunction under the common law. In the case of the latter where the judicial review action is founded on the Constitution, it normally will be (i) to protect or enforce a fundamental right guaranteed under Chapter IV of the Constitution or (ii) to prevent an infraction of the Constitution, or to pronounce as unconstitutional, an infraction of the Constitution or to invalidate a law on the ground that it is constitutionally invalid. In the case of (i) the avenue for the enforcement of fundamental rights is provided for under Section 46 of the Constitution. In the case of (ii) no special procedure is required, such actions are usually for declarations and injunctions.

stephenkolabalogun@yahoo.com

P

Facts It was on the basis of many of the grounds highlighted above that the Supreme Court was called upon to adjudicate in AG Kaduna, Kogi & Zamfara State & Ors v AG Federation & Ors SC/CN/162/ 2023 on the constitutionality or otherwise of the Federal Government’s Naira redesign policy. Since the suit was filed at first instance at the Supreme Court, its original jurisdiction to hear the suit was called into question. The suit as filed was couched as both an infringement of the fundamental rights of the citizens of the Plaintiff States, and an infraction of the Constitution. The Defendants, on the other hand, filed a Preliminary Objection arguing that the Supreme Court had no original jurisdiction to hear the suit as filed.

It will be recalled that before the States filed the above suit, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had earlier extended the deadline for the swap of old N200, N500, and N1,000 currency notes from 31st January, 2023 to 10th February, 2023, following complaints by many Nigerians; but, subsequently, the Supreme Court, by an interim order directed the Federal Government, the CBN, and all the commercial banks to abort the 10th of February deadline, pending the determination of a Motion on Notice filed by the Plaintiffs in respect of all the issues at hand.

In what was yet another turn around, the President by a national broadcast, varied the Supreme Court’s order, and directed the CBN to release the old N200 notes back into circulation to co-exist with new N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes for 60 days till 10th April, 2023. The President also directed that the old N500 and N1,000 bank notes would cease to be legal tender in Nigeria.

At the resumed hearing of the Supreme Court on 22nd February, 2023, Justice John Inyang Okoro JSC leading a seven-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court joined 13 other States as Plaintiffs to the action while Edo and Bayelsa States were joined as Defendants.

All other claims and suits were consolidated and after adoption of all written addresses and oral arguments the Supreme Court fixed Friday 3rd March, 2023, for the Court to make its final decision The Issue of Jurisdiction and theVarious Preliminary Objections The Presiding Judge on the date reserved for judgement, was Emmanuel Agim JSC. He held that the issue of contempt as raised by some of the Plaintiffs touched on the merits of the case, and as such, he considered it prudent to first determine the issue of jurisdiction.

The AGF had argued in his papers as filed before the Court, that there was a distinction between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Federation In

President Muhammadu Buhari

Naira Redesign Policy: The Supreme Court Confirms the President Acted Ultra Vires resolving this issue, the Supreme Court held that the Federal Government is an agent of the Federation, and that the acts of the Federal Government are the acts of the Federation, and as such, the suit as filed was purely a dispute between the Federating units and the Federation. Accordingly the Supreme Court held that It was indeed, a dispute within its original jurisdiction.

The argument of Musa Sanusi, SAN representing Kano State, who joined the suit at the last hearing before judgement on the 22nd of February, 2023, also appeared to have been adopted by the Court.

The Learned Silk had argued that the President did not consult the National Council of States and the National Economic Council, before implementing the Naira redesign policy. He had argued further that, since they are constituents of the Nigerian State, they ought to have been consulted. The Supreme Court agreed with these arguments, and added that this was implicit in the Constitution.

The Supreme Court also noted that there was also nothing to show by any public notice, that the currency was going to be redesigned. The public only became aware of this, through press remarks. This, according to the Supreme Court, cannot qualify as adequate notice, and as such, any such notice was invalid. The Supreme Court was also of the view that the decision to change a Country’s currency, cannot be implemented after a mere personal consultation with the CBN Governor.

The Presiding Justice, Emmanuel Agim JSC, then made reference to the experience of India and the difficulties they encountered when attempting to change its currency, and that this was further proof that changing a Country’s currency must involve several consultations. The Supreme Court concluded that, this was never done in the case under review.

According to Hon. Justice Emmanuel Agim JSC “…..no reasonable notice was given as required by Section 20(3) of the CBN Act. The directive and implementation of the policy, is therefore invalid”.

The Supreme Court also found that the Suit as instituted, could effectively be determined

“How can we appropriately enforce these significant aspects of the Constitution? It’s not in all instances, that one can have access to the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. It’s high time we begin the debate, about having a Constitutional Court. A constitutional court is a high court, that deals primarily with constitutional law”

without joining the CBN. The CBN need not be joined, since it was an agent of a disclosed principal who had already been sued. The Supreme Court pointed out that this issue had already been established in many cases, that an agent of a disclosed principal is not a necessary party.

The Supreme Court therefore, found that the argument of the Defendants relating to the fact that CBN ought to have been joined is without any merit. It further noted that the suit as filed was not between banks, and as such, it was not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. It is a dispute between some States and the Federation, over the way and manner the Federal Government introduced an economic policy without the involvement of the National Council of States.

The Supreme Court further pointed out that the scope of its original jurisdiction covers any dispute, and as such, it is vested with unlimited jurisdiction over disputes between States and the Federation. It was on this basis, that all the Preliminary Objections were held to have failed and were accordingly dismissed.

Finally, the Supreme Court went on to state that the Defendants ought not to be heard, since they had refused to obey the interim order it had earlier granted. The Court stated that the disobedience of the orders it granted, is a sign of the failure of the rule of law. This suit it claimed, has merits.

Judgement on Main Issues In a unanimous consolidated judgement on all issues, the 7-man Panel of the Supreme Court with Emmanuel Agim JSC delivering the decision, nullified the Federal Government’s Naira redesign policy, and declared that it was an affront to the 1999 Constitution. It also ordered that old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes should remain in circulation until the 23rd of December, 2023. The Court further stated that the unconstitutional use of executive powers by President Buhari on the Naira redesign policy had not only breached the fundamental rights of the Nigerian citizen in various ways, but that also, the use of such powers by the President is neither permitted in our democracy, nor in a society such as ours.

A brief summary of the reliefs granted by the Supreme Court are as follows: 1. A declaration that the demonetisation policy of the Federal Government is inconsistent with the CBN Act. 2. A declaration that the President cannot make a unilateral policy without carrying the Plaintiffs along.

3. In issuing the policy, the President was under an obligation to carry the National Council of States along.

4. The policy has impeded the functions of State

governments.

5. The directive of the President is illegal.

6. Old versions of Naira notes shall continue to be legal tender with the new Naira notes, until 23rd December, 2023.

Conclusion Although the Supreme Court’s judgement on the Federal Government’s Naira redesign policy has brought much needed relief to Nigerians, I don’t think, at least, strictly from a legal perspective, that the Supreme Court should have got directly involved in imposing a new deadline.

This is not the role of the Courts. They should have stated in general terms their concern about the timelines the CBN and President had set, as well as worries about sufficient Notice, and ask that the CBN revisit it. This is how the Courts review legislative, executive or administrative actions They could unwittingly set a dangerous precedent of not only encroaching into executive, legislative and administrative spheres of influence, but also be accused of encroaching upon and making Monetary Policy (I acknowledge that there may indeed, be a counter-argument to this), but the dangers are nevertheless, there.

Secondly, there has been, and there will continue to be, several breaches and infractions of the Constitution, particularly with regard to the constitutional role and functions of the various executive bodies established under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution as contained in Part I of the Third Schedule of the Constitution, such as the Council of States and the National Executive Council, to mention a few. How can we appropriately enforce these significant aspects of the Constitution?

It’s not in all instances, that one can have access to the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. It’s high time we begin the debate, about having a Constitutional Court. A constitutional court is a high court, that deals primarily with constitutional law. Its main authority is to rule on whether laws that are challenged are in fact unconstitutional, that is, whether they conflict with constitutionally established rules, rights, and freedoms, among other things. If we do eventually establish a constitutional court, it will deal primarily with constitutional matters. Ideally, appeals from the constitutional court may have to go directly to a newly established constitutional arm of the Supreme Court (depending on the model we want). This will of course, require a constitutional amendment, but it will bring much needy certainty to the law and enforcement of constitutional matters. Both Lawyers and Judges will become better acquainted, with constitutional aspects of our laws.

A constitutional court’s jurisdiction, would typically include judicial review of legislation and adjudication of constitutional disputes. Individuals may have access, in human rights cases. States that have created constitutional courts, have done so largely because they see the court as a necessary guardian of democratic institutions, constitutionalism and fundamental rights; and the Naira redesign case, has certainly emphasised our need for such a Court.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

COVER

CROSSFIRE!

Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN

Femi Falana, SAN

Is 25% of FCT Votes Required to Win a Presidential Election?

The nation went through a somewhat complex and controversial Presidential election on February 25, 2023, and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu, who was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has since been issued his Certificate of Return. It has become the norm, that practically every election in Nigeria is contested in court. The 2023 Presidential election, is no different. Two of the other leading candidates in the contest, have since proceeded to court to commence the process of challenging Tinubu’s victory at the polls. The present debate amongst legal pundits, is whether a Presidential candidate must score at least 25% of all the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (FCT), aside from the other two conditions precedent, to be declared winner of an election. INEC’s declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the Presidential election, clearly evinces the fact that the electoral body doesn’t believe that 25% of the votes cast in FCT must be secured to win. The Cross-Fire in this Special Edition, is on the interpretation of Section 134(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which makes provision for this issue. Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN; Femi Falana, SAN; Distinguished Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN; Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, SAN; Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN; Dr Sam Amadi, Kingsley Idahosa and Osigwe Ahmed Momoh cross-fire as they give their various interpretations to the aforementioned constitutional provision, and their answers to this burning question

25% of FCT Votes is Constitutionally Compulsory

It Is Not Compulsory for a Presidential Candidate to Win 25% of FCT

Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN

Femi Falana, SAN

Section 134(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is clear and unambiguous, direct and simple.

To be declared Presidential winner, a candidate must secure at least 1/4th (25%) of votes cast in 2/3rd of the entire 36 States of Nigeria (that is in 24 states). Also, the candidate must also secure not less than 25% of the votes cast at the FCT. The literal interpretation of this section is that a candidate must secure 1/4th (25%) of votes cast in 2/3rd of the entire 36 States of Nigeria and 1/4th (25%) of votes cast in FCT. This provision is so clear, direct and unambiguous, that you don't need a Professor of Constitutional Law to comprehend. The use of the word “and” had been held by the Supreme Court to be conjunctive, which implies that the conditions in Section 134(2)(b) are conjunctive and mandatory.

Resort to Section 299 (which states that the FCT is to be treated as a State in Nigeria), is a general provision that has no bearing on Section 134. A general provision cannot override a specific provision. Section 134(2)(b) is a specific provision on the conditions for declaration of a candidate and the presidential winner at the polls.

Conclusion In conclusion, with the result of the general elections as published by INEC, the contest is still open, as none of the candidates has satisfied the legal threshold in Section 134.

Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association

“…..at least two-thirds of All The States And the FCT means 25 States or 24 States plus the FCT……The FCT, is not the Electoral College of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”

Section 299(1) of the Constitution provides that the provisions of the Constitution shall apply to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as if it were one of the States of the Federation. It means that, the FCT is the 37th State.

So, Section 134 of the Constitution which provides that "not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in Each of at least two-thirds of All The States *And* the FCT" means 25 States or 24 States plus the FCT. Winning the FCT by a candidate, is not compulsory.

In Baba-Panya v President, F. R. N. (2018) 15 NWLR (Pt. 1643) 395 the Court of Appeal held inter alia: "It is therefore, doubtlessly clear that by virtue of Section 299 of the Constitution of the Federation, the Federal Capital Territory is in law a State. In others words, the Federal Capital Territory should be treated as one of the States in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It follows therefore, that bodies like the Federal Capital Development Authority are to be regarded as

an agency of “a State”, independent of the Federal Government. It would appear that the only relationship existing between the Federal Government and the Federal Capital Territory, is that its executive and legislative powers and duties are exercised for it by the President through the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the National Assembly respectively. From the provision of Section 299(a), where the President through the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Acts, he does so as a Governor of a State, so also where the National Assembly legislates for Abuja, it does so as a State House of Assembly".

Thus, by the combined effect of Sections 134 and 299 of the Constitution, a candidate shall be deemed to have won the Presidential election if he scores the highest number of lawful votes cast at the election, and 25% of lawful votes in 37 States or 36 States plus the FCT. It is not compulsory, for a Presidential candidate to win the FCT. The FCT, is not the Electoral College of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Femi Falana, SAN

VII COVER

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

CROSSFIRE!

Distinguished Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN

Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, SAN

You Don’t Need 25% of FCT Votes to Win

Time to Halt Strained Interpretation of Section 134(2) of the 1999 Constitution

Distinguished Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution has suddenly occupied the centre stage, in the decision on who should be declared as the winner of the Presidential election. The pith of the controversy, is whether in determining the required spread of two-thirds of the States of the Federation, the FCT is to be included or excluded. It is being contended that a candidate who, for example, scores at least 25% of votes cast in 25 or more States of the Federation and has the highest number of votes, must still score not less than 25% of the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory.

I am of the opinion that FCT is part of the two-third spread, contemplated in Section 134 of the Constitution. The word ‘and’ which appears immediately after the word Federation and before Federal Capital Territory conjoins FCT with the States, as to make FCT part of the two-third spread. Had the word ‘in’ featured immediately after the word ‘and’ in the section, the argument of proponents of separate treatment of FCT may have been stronger.

It seems to me that proponents of separate treatment of FCT, are interpreting Section 134 of the Constitution in isolation of other relevant provisions of the same Constitution.

FCT is like a State, but definitely not a State. FCT is the Federal Capital.

It is not the capital of any State, the way Ikeja served as capital of Lagos State when Lagos was the Nation's capital. FCT has no State or Deputy State Governor. The executive powers of FCT vests in Mr President. FCT also has no separate legislative body.

National Assembly legislates for FCT. FCT is also not one of the 36 States of the Federation listed in Section 3(1) of the 1999 Constitution. Unlike States that have Local Governments, FCT has six Area Councils. Finally, while each State has three Senatorial seats, FCT has only one. FCT is not superior to the States, as to justify being accorded separate status. Section 299 of the Constitution, is designed to bring FCT to the same level with the States. The section certainly does not confer on FCT a separate and superior status, as being argued by protagonists of separate treatment of FCT. It is gratifying, that the non-separate and non-superior status of FCT was confirmed in the case of Ibori v Ogboru (2005) 6 NWLR part 920 page 102, where it was held that "..the Federal Capital Territory is to be treated like a State, it is not superior or inferior to any State of the Federation".

Conclusion In view of the above, it is clear that FCT is part of the two-third spread contemplated in Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution. A candidate who has the highest number of votes and satisfies the 25% spread in not less than two-thirds of the States including FCT, is entitled to be declared the winner of the election, even if he is unable to score at least 25% of the votes cast in FCT.

Distinguished Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN

Time to Halt Strained Interpretation of Section 134(2) of the 1999 Constitution Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, SAN Lately, there has been a spate of opinions on the correct interpretation of the provisions of Section 134(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which encapsulates the legal requirements or conditions precedent that a candidate must satisfy before he can be declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] and returned as the winner of the election to the

office of President in Nigeria.

I will, at the expense of verbosity, but borne out of necessity, reproduce the ipsissima verba of Section 134(2) (a) & (b) thus: “A candidate for an election to the office of President shall be deemed to have been duly elected, where, there being more than two candidates for

the election(a) He has the highest number of votes cast at the election; and (b) He has not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the States in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

The foregoing constitutional provisions, represent the epicentre of varying interpretations and seeming unending arguments to which I have, in accord with the tenets and spirit of the law, accorded a merciless scrutiny.

Interpreting Constitutional Provisions It is prudent to preface this intervention by stating that, the approach of the courts to the construction of the provisions of the Constitution has always been one of liberalism. Thus, the courts usually avoid a construction which will defeat the obvious ends that the Constitution itself was designed to serve. More often than not, the courts embrace the construction which accords and is consistent with words and sense. See United Agro Ventures Ltd. v FCMB Ltd. (1998) 4 NWLR (Pt. 547) 542 at 559. See also Fawehinmi v IGP (2000) 8 NWLR (Pt. 665) 481 at 528 where the Supreme Court stated that: “In its construction, the Constitution which is a living organism must be given its natural ordinary meaning and the words must be given purposive construction”. Also in Buhari v Obasanjo (2003) LPELR – 813 (SC), Belgore, JSC [as he then was] posited as follows: “The Constitution should never be read to say what it has not provided, even though it should be liberally construed to giving meaning and effectiveness, so as not to have embarrassing anomaly that can result in vacuum of any office or cause serious crisis in the polity. The Constitution, I must point out, is a general statement of how Nigerians wish to be governed, and the real way of governing will be found in all the laws, body of laws,

that comply with the Constitution”.

No Ambiguity in the Provisions of Section 134(2) of the Constitution It is submitted that there is no ambiguity in the provisions of Section 134(2) of the 1999 Constitution. Accordingly, the furore that have been generated regarding the proper or correct interpretation thereof, are completely misplaced. The words used in the section are clear, lucid, unambiguous, and they clearly evince the intention of the draftsmen. The reference to the FCT in the provision, is clearly indicative of the unimpeachable fact that the territory is treated as part of the constituent units from where a candidate who is desirous of being declared the winner of the presidential election in Nigeria can amass, at the very least, one-quarter, that is, 25%, of the total valid votes cast at the election.

It, therefore, imports a serious remiss, for anyone to contend that the mention of FCT in the section implies the erection of an additional constitutional hurdle that must be dismantled by a candidate.

I do not see any court of law that will be persuaded by such argument.

In point of fact, the provisions of Section 134(2) of the Constitution fell for consideration and determination by a full panel of the Apex Court in Buhari v Obasanjo (2005) All FWLR (Pt. 273) 1, aeons ago! In a unanimous judgement of the court, it was held that the purport of the provisions is simply to ensure that a winning candidate should have the required majority. The court stated further that once a candidate attains such majority, the requirement of the section is/are fulfilled.

Those who have suggested the strained interpretation of Section 134(2) to the effect that a successful Presidential candidate must secure 25% of the votes in at least two-third of the 36 States and, as well, secure an additional 25% of the votes cast in the FCT, seem to overlook the essence or significance of the conjunctive word ‘and’ employed therein. In law, whenever the word is employed, it denotes a conjunctive, and never a disjunctive meaning. See Yusuf v Obasanjo (2006) All FWLR (Pt. 294) 387 at 453. It appears to me,

“Resort to Section 299 (which states that the FCT is to be treated as a State in Nigeria), is a general provision that has no bearing on Section 134”

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FCT Abuja City Gate

Time to Halt Strained Interpretation of Section 134(2) of the 1999 Constitution Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, SAN cont'd from page VII

rather clearly, that the quagmire which some writers and commentators have harped on in relation to the provisions of Section 134(2) of the Constitution is self-inflicted. If the drafters of our constitution had intended a separate or additional “25% vote requirement” for a candidate, they would have so stated.

May I invite our attention to Section 48 of the 1999 Constitution whereat the composition of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is stated unequivocally as follows: “The Senate shall consist of three Senators from each State and one from the Federal Capital Territory”.

From the afore-quoted constitutional provision, it is beyond any argument that, whereas, each State in the country is entitled to produce a maximum of three Senators, a different requirement of one is deliberately set or prescribed for the FCT, the use of the word “and” notwithstanding.

It will be ridiculous, if not out rightly absurd, to argue that the intention of the draftsmen of the Constitution is to erect a requirement, not otherwise contemplated by the grundnorm, insisting that a candidate who, for instance, has already scaled the popularity threshold by scoring the highest number of votes cast in all the 36 States of the Federation, must have no less than 25% of the votes in the FCT. With respect, the intention of the draftsmen is not, and could not have been to confer any “super” status on the FCT, or elevate it over and above the States that make up the federating unit. The letters, spirit and intendment of Section 134(2) of the Constitution, hardly would lend credence to such strictures.

It is beyond any argument that the FCT is regarded and treated as a State.

See also Baba-Panya v President, FRN (2018) 15 NWLR (Pt. 1643) 395 at 30, where the Court of Appeal held that the Federal Capital Territory is, in law, a State. See also Ibori v Ogboru [2005] 6 NWLR [Pt. 920] 102 at

138 where the Court of Appeal held that the provisions of the Constitution apply to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja as if it were one of the States of the Federation. In other words, the Federal Capital Territory is to be treated like a State, and it is not superior or inferior to any State in the Federation. See Section 299 of the Constitution.

This writer holds the respectful view that the proper interpretation that accords with the purposive prescription handed out by the Apex Court is one which treats the “FCT” as a State, and regards it as a critical part of the constituent units (two-thirds of all the States) from where a candidate is at liberty to draw his “one-quarter” [25%] votes. Any other interpretation, is clearly a product of mechanical jurisprudence!

Conclusion In a nutshell, there is nothing in the clear, lucid and unambiguous provisions of Section 134(2) of the Constitution, which imposes a mandatory requirement of obtaining at least 25% of the total valid votes cast in the FCT on a candidate, before he can be declared the winner of a Presidential election in which he already secured the highest votes tally, and has capped it with 25% of the total votes in at least two-thirds of the 36 States of the Federation.

Mathematically, therefore, the twothird stated or contemplated in Section 134(2) is, and can only mean, 2/3 of 36+1 [that is 37], and not 2/3 of 36 on the one hand, plus 2/3 of the FCT on the other hand. Any argument to the contrary is merely a red herring, canvassed for fanciful and sensational ramifications only.

Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, SAN, Constitutional Lawyer, Abuja

“A candidate who has the highest number of votes and satisfies the 25% spread in not less than two-thirds of the States including FCT, is entitled to be declared the winner of the election, even if he is unable to score at least 25% of the votes cast in FCT”

The 25% Constitutional Requirement: Legal and Governance Issues Arising Therefrom Chief Mike Ozekhome CON, SAN The gravamen of this discourse, is the mathematical exactitude of the requirement of 25%. The wordings of the Constitution, are quite clear and unambiguous. They demand for not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the elections in each of at least 2/3 of all the States; And the Federal Capital Territory. By a judicial mathematical analysis, 2/3 of 36 States is equal to 24 States, and in addition, the FCT, Abuja. As an example, if I request to see 24 Corpers in my law firm And Okon, it means I want to see 25 persons in all; but Okon must be one of the 25 persons. So, if 25 persons in my law firm show up, without Okon, have I had all the persons I want to see? The answer is No. To satisfy my request, Okon must show up in addition to the 24, thus, making the 25 persons I desire to see.

What the law states is that, the candidate must have 25% of votes in those States, and the FCT, Abuja. The law does not contemplate that, the candidate must win those States.

The jurisprudence behind this provision, is to ensure that the President as the Numero Uno citizen of the Nation, enjoys a reasonable range of widespread acceptance by majority of the people he seeks to govern, including those inhabiting the seat of power where he would govern from.

To know whether a candidate must win 25% of 24 States aside the FCT, Abuja, to be declared as winner, we must consider the provisions of Section 134 against the background of a community reading of Sections 2(2), 3(1) & (4), 48, 297, 298, 299, 301, and 302 of the 1999 Constitution. The said provisions were pronounced upon and upheld in Bakari v Ogundipe (2020) LPELR – 4957 (SC) per Bode Rhodes-Vivour, JSC. The FCT, Abuja, like any State in the Federation, has its own courts, distinct Chief Judge, a Senator; executive powers exercised by the President for it, similar to Governors of states, legislative powers vested on the NASS, instead of states with Houses of Assembly; with a Minister as its administrative Head rather than a Governor. It is distinct from the States.

This Constitution imbroglio becomes easy to untie when we recall some precedents.

In Awolowo v Shagari & 2 ORS (1979) FNLR Vol. 2, the Apex Court considered Section 34A(1)(c)(ii) of the Electoral Decree which is impari material, except that it did not add “And the FCT, Abuja.” It held: “A candidate for an election to the office of President shall be deemed to have been duly elected to such office where(c) There being more than two candidates i.He has the highest number of votes cast at the election; and ii.He has not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the States in the Federation.”

The difference between this Decree and Section 134 of the Constitution being considered is the addition of “and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja’’ under our extant 1999 Constitution.

In Awolowo’s case (Supra), FatayiWilliams JSC (later CJN), held that Section 34(1)(c)(ii) of the Decree was a clumsily worded section which was nevertheless, devoid of any semantic ambiguity. In that same case, Obaseki JSC, construed the meanings of the word “each” and the words “States in the Federation”. He held that the word “each” in subsection (1)(C)(ii) of section 34A qualified “a whole State”; and that the words “States in the Federation” referred to the land area and not votes. For the avoidance of doubt, we shall reproduce the exact words of the learned Justice; thus: “The word ‘each’ in the subsection (1) (c)(ii) of Section 34A qualifies a whole State and not a fraction of a State, and to interpret otherwise is to overlook the disharmony between the word ‘each’ and the fraction ‘two-thirds’. …Looking at the subsection still further, the words ‘States in the Federation’ can only refer to the land area and not the votes. Arising from the interpretation that 2/3 of all the States in the Federation refers to the land area and not the votes, the result of the voting in Kano State can only mean what is stated in Exhibit ‘T’ and ‘T2’ and nothing else. …”

The Status of the FCT in the Constitution By way of extrapolation, the “land area” of the FCT must be distinguished from the land area of each of the 24 States of the Federation.

Flowing from the above, let us now examine Section 299 of the 1999 Constitution.

In Bakari v Ogundipe (Supra), the Apex Court of the land held: “By virtue of section 299(a), (b), of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the provisions of the Constitution shall apply to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as if it were one of the States of the Federation; and accordingly all the Legislative powers, the executive powers and the judicial powers vested in the House of Assembly, the Governor of a State and in the courts of a State shall respectively, vest in the National Assembly, the President of the Federation and in the courts which by virtue of the provisions are courts established for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; all the powers referred to in paragraph of the section shall be exercised in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution;

cont'd on page IX

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Chief Mike Ozekhome CON, SAN

Dr Sam Amadi

The 25% Constitutional Requirement: Legal and Governance Issues Arising Therefrom Chief Mike Ozekhome CON, SAN cont'd from page VIII

and the provisions of the Constitution pertaining to the matters aforesaid shall be read with such modifications and adaptations as may be reasonably necessary to bring them into conformity with the provisions of the section. By virtue of the provisions of section 299 of the Constitution, it is so clear that Abuja, the Federal Capital of Nigeria, has the status of a State. It is as if it is one of the States of the Federation.”

(Pp. 36-37, paras. E-A). See also, with approval, the following authorities; NEPA v Endegero (2002) LPELR-1957(SC); Baba-Panya v President, FRN (2018) 15 NWLR (Pt.1643) 395; (2018) LPELR44573(CA); Ibori v Ogboru (2005) 6 NWLR (Pt. 920) 102.

There is no ruckus or brouhaha with the clear position of the courts, as stated above. This is because the Constitution is clear, on the separate and distinct status of the FCT. It is treated as any other State in Nigeria.

Consequently, a community reading of Sections 2(2), 3(1)(4), 297, 299, 301 and 302, shows that the contemplation of the draftsman was indeed, to consider FCT as separate and distinct from any other State in the Federation. It must be borne in mind that, "Judex est lex loquens", (i.e, the Judge is the speaking law"). In other words, the law is what the courts say it is, and “nothing more pretentious” – Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. We must note that, the primary responsibility of the Judiciary is "jus decere"; and not "jus devere" (to interpret laws and not to make laws).

We are constrained, at this juncture, not to dabble into some jurisprudential schools of thoughts.

Conclusion Section 299 of the CFRN states that the provisions of this Constitution shall apply to the FCT, Abuja, “As If It Were One Of The States Of The Federation”. The careful and indeed, unambiguous, wording of this section suggests that the FCT is Not a State, but should rather be treated as if it were one. Thus, in seeking 25% in 2/3 of All The States of the Federation AND the FCT, the Constitution clearly distinguished the FCT as a separate entity or a special territory, wherein the Presidential candidate need obtain at least 25% of the total votes cast in the election.

The reason for this is not far-fetched, as Abuja is the melting pot which unites all ethnic groups, tribes, religions, backgrounds, and other distinct qualities and characteristics in our plural society. It is indeed, a conglomerate of the different and distinct peoples in Nigeria, which according to Prof Onigu Otite, has about 474 ethnic groups; that speak over 350 languages. Abuja is regarded as the “Centre of Unity”, which is testament to its inclusiveness of all tribes, religions, backgrounds and ethnicity. Simply

put, Abuja is a territory or land mass made up of individuals from every State, and virtually from all Local Government Areas in the country. It is itself made up of Six Area Councils distinct from the 768 LGCs in Nigeria, thus, bringing the total to 774 LGCs in Nigeria. Therefore, scoring 25% of votes cast in the FCT, is a Presidential candidate’s testament to being widely accepted by majority of the Nigerian people.

The framers of the Constitution certainly desired for Nigeria, a President that is widely accepted with a national spread, and not one that has only the support of his tribe or region. Hence, they provided in the Constitution the sections relating to the election of the President because of our peculiarities as a multi-diverse, multi-facetted nation.

The provisions contained in Section 134 of the Constitution, are meant to reflect this. In the same light, the framers of the Constitution viewed the FCT as a melting pot, a sort of mini-Nigeria.

Thus, like a commentator posited, the position or status of the FCT assumes that of a Compulsory question that a Presidential candidate must answer in the electoral examination.

To me, the only logical conclusion is that Sections 134 and 299 are not mutually exclusive or contradictory. Rather, Section 299 actually supports and complements Section 134. To show this distinctiveness, FCT has never conducted any elections, either for Gubernatorial candidates, or for State Houses of Assembly Members as done by States. Rather, in accordance with Section 301 of the Constitution, the FCT is governed by the President with an appointed Minister as his proxy in the form of Minister of the FCT. Likewise, the FCT does not have its own State House of Assembly, but rather legislates through the National Assembly. This therefore, speaks to its distinct status, which is not affected by Section 299.

Whether Abuja is regarded as a full State, pseudo-State, quasi-State, or semiState, is immaterial. Even if it is none of these, what matters is the intention of the Constitution-makers. If, in their wisdom, they decided to reckon with the votes cast in even a single LGA in Nigeria, along with votes cast in the 36 States recognised under the 1999 Constitution, for the purpose of deciding the winner of a Presidential election, then the Six Area Councils in the FCT cannot be treated lesser or ignored..

Once that intention can be deduced from the plain, simple and ordinary grammatical meaning of the WORDS USED then, as in the present scenario, then they have to be followed. See Eze v UNIJOS (2021) 2 NWLR Pt. 1760 Pg. 208 SC; Kassim v Adesemowo (2021) 18 NWLR Pt. 1807 Pg. 67 SC; N.U.P v INEC (2021) 17 NWLR

The 25% Constitutional Requirement: Legal and Governance Issues Arising Therefrom Chief Mike Ozekhome CON, SAN Pt. 1805 Pg. 305 SC; A.P.C v E. S. I. E (2021) 16 NWLR Pt 180 Pg. 1 SC and Aguma v A. P. C (2021) 14 NWLR Pt. 1796 Pg. 351, S.C. There can be no room to resort to other aids of interpretation, which only become necessary and resorted to in the event of ambiguity in the words used in the Statutes.

I respectfully submit that none exists in the

provisions of Section 134(2)(b). Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu having not met the 25% votes threshold in the FCT, Abuja, was not qualified to have been declared President-elect by INEC. Chief Mike Ozekhome CON, SAN, Constitutional Lawyer & Human Rights Activist

Failure to Issue Interpretation on the Status of FCT Dr Sam Amadi

On Saturday, February 25, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted Presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria. The election generated a lot of controversies, such that the two leading opposition parties boycotted the result collation process, because of alleged irregularities in the manner the Commission conducted the election. International and domestic observers condemned INEC, for gross irregularities and violation of the electoral law and its regulation in the conduct of the election. In spite of the protestations of the leading opposition parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), the Commission declared the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President-elect. The aggrieved parties have go to the court to seek for reversal of the declaration, claiming gross irregularities and violations of the law.

Before the February 25, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly election, some Lawyers had raised concern, about the provision of the Constitution relating to criteria for declaration a candidate as duly elected as President in the election. Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN raised the poser, whether a requirement of 25% votes in two-third of Nigerian States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) meant that a successful candidate must have a minimum of 25% in the FCT. This poser should have been taken seriously. INEC ought to have known that the possibility that the person who wins the majority votes and gets more than 25% in 2/3 was there, and should have clarified the situation before the votes.

This failure to state clearly what Section

134(2) means, with respect to the status of the FCT. It is the function of regulatory to interpret the law establishing them, or defining their work. Such interpretation is done formally through an advisory. The administrative principle is that, the regulator is the interpreter of its laws and rules. As the person conducting the election, INEC should have sought legal opinion inhouse and after it is convinced of its legal position, it should issue a legal advisory stating beforehand on how it would interpret Section 134(2) in the event that the presumed winner does not attain 25% of votes in the FCT. INEC left the matter in the air, and took a decision in announcing the winner that did not answer the question clearly.

The mentality of staff of INEC is that, legal interpretation belongs to the court exclusively.

That is not true. Regulatory agencies have the first right to interpret the law. Their interpretation is highly respected by the court, and where they are not unreasonable, illegal or irrational, the courts should defer to them. Such interpretation clarifies the contexts and allows participants in the elections to be better guided. As K. Davis states in Administrative Law Treatise 36, 51-52 (1979), “A legislative rule is the product of an exercise of delegated legislative power to make law through rules. An interpretative rule is any rule that an agency issues without exercising delegated legislative power to make law through rules…”. As the US Supreme Court says in Chevron Inc. v National Resources Defence Council 467 U.S.837 (1984) established, the court must defer to such agency interpretation unless it is irrational, unreasonable, and illegal.

Dr Sam Amadi, Abuja

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu having not met the 25% votes threshold in the FCT, Abuja, was not qualified to have been declared President-elect by INEC”

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Kingsley Idahosa

Osigwe Ahmed Momoh

cont'd from page IX

Two-Thirds Majority Rule in Presidential X-Raying the Provision of Section 134(2) Elections in Nigeria (b) of the 1999 Constitution Osigwe Ahmed Momoh Kingsley Idahosa

The provision of Section 134(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) is unambiguous, in other words very clear.

It is settled law that where a provision of a Statute is clear or unambiguous, it must be given their natural, ordinary everyday meaning.

The provision of Section 134 is express. It mentioned “…the votes cast at the election in each of at least (two-thirds) of all the States in the Federation “and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja” meaning “plus” or “including” the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The Latin term that easily calls to hand in aid, is the Expressio unius est exclusio alterius principle or rule. It means “the expression of one thing, is the exclusion of the other not mentioned”. The section in question specifically and deliberately used the word “and the FCT” to remove the imputation of these unwarranted arguments designed to erode the Federal Capital Territory of its special status and that is certainly not the intendment of the draftsmen.

Furthermore, on the meaning and the use of the word “and” the Supreme Court in the case of Ogunyade v Oshunkeye & Anor (2007) 15 NWLR (Pt. 1057) Page 218; (2007) LPELR-2355 (SC) held thus: “In grammar or syntax, a sentence does not end with the word “and”. It is a conjunction playing the role in grammatical construction of connecting words or phrases expressing the idea that the latter is to be added to or taken along with the first. In its conjunctive sense, the word is used to conjoin words, clauses or sentences expressing the relation of addition or connection and signifying that something is to follow in addition to that which

proceeds and its use implies that the connected elements must be grammatically co-ordinate as where the elements proceeding and succeeding the use of the words refer to the same subject mailer. See Black’s Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, at page 86. While the coordinating conjunction can begin a sentence in certain instances, it function or role in the grammar of the amended statement of claim, is to add more thing or things to the reliefs sought” - Per Niki Tobi, J.S.C. (Pp.20-21. Paras.G-D).

More so, another Latin term worthy of mention here is the “Generalia specialibus non derogant” which literally means “things general do not derogate from things special”.

This common law principle is used for construing legislation which holds that a syntactical presumption may be made, that where there is a conflict between a general and a specific provision, the specific provision will prevail over the general provision, and in the instant case, Section 299 being the general provision to give way to the provision of Section 134.

The point I am driving at is that, the Section 299 (a general provision) of the Constitution, goes to no issue in the face of the specific provision of Section 134 of the same Constitution under the Generalia specialibus non derogant principle or rule.

Finally, the last Latin term that is of note also, is the “Ejusdem Generis rule”. In simple terms, it says “if the legislature intended general words to be used in unrestricted sense, it would not have bothered to use particular words at all”. Put differently, if the Constitution intended to elevate the provision of Section 299 to the status being arrogated to it over Section 134, it won’t have bothered about Section 134.

Conclusion In summary, in order to be successfully elected the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the candidate must of necessity Score 25% of the votes cast in the FCT, and without which he/she cannot be declared winner.

I beg to submit.

I rest my case.

Kingsley Idahosa, Partner, Zacks Garuba & Co., Abuja

“…..there is nothing in the clear, lucid and unambiguous provisions of Section 134(2) of the Constitution, which imposes a mandatory requirement of obtaining at least 25% of the total valid votes cast in the FCT on a candidate…..”

Section 134(2)(b) of the 1999 Const. (as amended) places an onerous task on a Presidential contestant, demanding that not only would he have more votes, but he will also have to have at least one-quarter (25%) of all the votes cast in all the States of the Federation and the FCT. Now, this seemingly comprehensible provision has come under immense scrutiny, owing to the heated nature of the ongoing 2023 Presidential elections.

For those of us who have refused to gain mastery in mathematics, since Nigeria has 36 States, 2/3 of States would simply be 24 States.

Most Political actors over the years, have held on to the 24 States rule.

Issue for Determination The issue for determination now is, ‘does the Constitution demand 25% in 24 States or 25% in 25 States with or without the FCT; in other words, if a contestant has 25% in 30 States excluding the FCT, has he met up with this stringent constitutional demands?’

For an answer to this, we may need to reproduce the entirety of section 133(2)(b): “…..has not less than one-quarter if the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-third of all states in the Federation AND the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja”.

The crucial word in contention is ‘AND’. I am sure very few people have ever paid attention to this everyday word; yet this word may very well be in the centre of our political balance.

From the exit polls making the rounds, only one party scored more than 25% in the FCT, so we understand the sudden interest in this inconspicuous word.

Gladly the Court of Appeal in Dasuki v Director General State Security & Ors (2019) LPELR-48113(CA) dissected the meaning and usage of the word when it held that “In ordinary usage, the word “and” is a conjunctive. Black’s Law Dictionary 6th Edition, described the word “and” as “A conjunction connecting words or phrase expressing the idea that the latter is to be added to or taken along with the first. Added to; together with, joined with as well as.

The word AND is remarkably different from WITH. With suggests a fusion or marriage.

Without doubt, the mischief rule of interpretation is apposite in understanding and dissecting the intentions of the drafters. In simple terms, what was the mischief that was intended to be cured by this provision?

The answer is clear and unarguable. The Constitution needs a candidate with national spread that reflects acceptance in different areas of the nation; therefore, the Constitution is looking for bridge builders’ and not a local champion.

The argument for 25 States with or without getting 25% of the FCT, takes root in Section 299 of the Constitution which reads ‘the provision of this Constitution shall apply to the Federal Capital Territory Abuja as if it were one of the States of the Federation’.

The weakness of this argument however, is that it seems to be over-stretched.

Without doubt the entirety of Chapter VIII of the Constitution, centres on the general legal framework and administration of the FCT. The Courts had held time without number, that when a specific and a general provision of the law conflicts, the general bows for the specific. Generally, Abuja should be administered as a State; this provision cannot take precedence over a specific provisions. See Ibori v Ogboru (2004) 15 NWLR (Pt. 895).

Whereas, the FCT is generally seen as a State, that provision does not in any way obviate Section 134(2)(b), otherwise the section would very easily reads, ‘the whole of the Federation’ as was the case in Section 132 (4).

The argument that 25% in 25 States will cut it, further falls on its face, when compared to Section 134(3)(b) - nowhere was FCT remotely mentioned when dealing with the contestants that had scored the highest number of votes in States.

The Supreme Court in Orakul Resources Ltd & Anor v NCC & Ors (2022) LPELR 56602 (SC) held that ‘in the construction of a statute, all the provisions dealing with the subject-matter and the overall context, the intendment or purport of the statute are to be considered together, holistically and not in isolation, in order to identify the real intention of the legislature’. Section 130 -134 of the Constitution must be given a compound interpretation, to adequately sieve the spirit of the law.

What then is the spirit of the law? Well it becomes discernible, if we understand that the Federal Capital Territory was purposefully created as a melting pot of all cultures and people of the nation; Abuja is in effect a microcosm of Nigeria, hence, the voters in Abuja would largely reflect the will of the totality of Nigerians.

Consequently, it makes sense that Abuja is seen as a special requirement by itself, and not lumped with other States.

I have often argued that Nigeria is not a strict democratic nation, social justice is as important as democracy in line with Section 14 of the Constitution. Our nation is founded on Democracy and Social Justice.

Conclusion It is my settled understanding that any candidate who fails to score 25% in 24 States as well as 25% in the FCT, has fallen short of the constitutional requirement, and cannot be declared winner of the election, regardless of the number of votes that he might have acquired.

Osigwe Ahmed Momoh, Abuja

7.3.2023

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with RenoOmokri

Implications of Presidential Election Results on Nigeria O

ne of the hardest things to do is to have a reasonable and mature conversation with some Nigerians on politics. The maxim of seek first to understand, then to be understood is lost on many of our compatriots.

They want you to listen, and understand them, and accept everything they say, and even the slightest deviation to this is met with hostility and a string of insults.

Unfortunately, this behaviour is more common in certain parts of the country that I cannot mention, because I do not have the strength to manage the fallout that would result from identifying the geopolitical zones where this behaviour is prevalent.

You see, politics is about persuasion, war is about coercion. If you apply coercion to politics, it will be hard for you to expand your base. And if you do not open yourself to views outside your views, you may be caught up in tunnel vision and react to your own echo chamber.

Yes, the Saturday, February 25, 2023 Presidential election was not perfect. Which election is? But it would have been a very uphill task for the Labour Party to win it, because the party had clusters of support, but did not hand a national spread.

It could have been possible for the Peoples Democratic Party to win if they had gotten the Northern bloc vote. But that did not materialise.

And with the reality of the PDP haemorrhaging votes to Labour in the South and the Kwarara Axis of the Middle Belt, their path to victory narrowed.

And so, ever the consummate opportunistic politician, Bola Tinubu capitalised on the refusal of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party to work together, and divided to rule.

I believe Bola Tinubu is not a fit and proper person to occupy the office of the President of Nigeria. However, it is also my assessment that he did win the election.

And why did he win? In my view, he won because of Obi. A lot of people misunderstood my actions in the months preceding the elections. And especially emotional people. Politics is a vocation that thrives on logic and strategy. Those of us who wanted Peter Obi to remain in our party and run with Waziri Atiku foresaw that though Obi is popular in some parts of the South, on his own, he could not win the election. But together with Waziri Atiku, they could not lose.

I made mention of this to Peter Obi sometime in June of 2022. If he had listened to me, the #NigerianElections2023 would have ended differently!

Even rigging could not have stopped such a ticket.

Cooperation is always better than confrontation.

Historically, Nigeria was two countries amalgamated by the British. To win an election, you need a strong Northern candidate and a strong Southern candidate to run together.

Again this was not something I hid from Mr. Obi. I personally told him this. Ask him!

Some will complain of rigging. Others will blame voter suppression. But the ONLY reason INEC declared Asiwaju Tinubu President-elect is because Waziri Atiku and Obi did not work together. Together they had over 13 million votes. Meanwhile, Tinubu has less than 9 million. Together, they would have won! This is what I told Peter Obi last June when we spoke.

Peter Obi did not fatally injure Tinubu. Rather, he played into Tinubu's hands. The man who convinced him to leave the PDP works for Tinubu. Tinubu used Obi the way Clinton used Ross Perot to defeat President George H. W. Bush in 1992. Unfortunately, people who warned him were seen as the enemy.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu In future, they may be seen as prophets!

And when I saw the Labour Party agent joining Dino Melaye in his brave walkout at the National Collation Centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission, it looked to me like a case of too little too late.

Instead of jointly walking out of the INEC collation centre, the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party should have jointly fought this election seven months ago. Their current unity is belated.

At the risk of repeating myself, I begged Peter Obi to stay in our party and run with Waziri. Had he listened, this election would have been a piece of cake for that ticket. Look at when we are now united.

When the rigged results were being announced.

If we could unite then, why did we not unite seven months ago? Only a fool does eventually what a wise man would have done immediately.

And Peter Obi did not just tank this election for both himself and the Peoples Democratic Party. He also exposed a weakness in Nigerian Christendom.

The Islamic vote was divided three ways amongst Waziri Atiku Abubakar, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Rabiu Kwankwaso. Meanwhile, the Christian vote was largely, but not wholly, united behind Peter Obi. Yet, look at the result!

No matter the provocation, Christians must NEVER allow future elections to be about religion. It will not serve us well!

We are in the heat of the moment and people are not yet thinking calmly. When you say these obvious truths, some of the very people who would benefit are the first to insult you with the vilest abuse. But no matter how we sugarcoat it, this election says a lot about the power of the Christian bloc vote.

By the behaviour they still project on social media, what some Nigerians do not yet seem to realise is that both Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila have been reelected and are likely to retain their National Assembly positions as Senate President and Speaker of the House, or be replaced by members of their clique if retention proves irksome. Meaning

that, if all things remain equal, on May 29, 2023, the President, vice President, Senate President, Speaker and Chief Justice may likely to all be Muslims males.

In case you still do not understand the implication of this, let me break it down further for you. According to Constitutional protocol, these men will be the first, second, third, fourth and fifth most important men in Nigeria.

Alas, those who know how to consult have prevailed over those who know how to insult.

Christians, you better stop insulting each other and start negotiating to insert at least two Christians into this equation before it is set in stone.

And again, at the risk of repeating myself, which I only do for emphasis, ethnicities in Nigeria that have a culture of competition will forever be under the political servitude of those ethnicities that have a culture of cooperation. It is not rocket science. Me against my brother will always lose to me and my brother as one!

This goes beyond Waziri Atiku Abubakar and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. In terms of their political history, Waziri Atiku and Bola Tinubu are two sides of the same coin. They will find common ground.

Having given an outline above, let me go granular here. The major implication of this election is that a Muslim-Muslim ticket has come to stay in Nigeria at the Federal and many state levels. Because, whether you like it or not, the experiment has worked. Muslims have demonstrated their political sagacity, love for each other, and most importantly, the fact that even when split three ways, their vote is still the deciding factor in presidential politics.

This means that they cannot be forced to balance things religiously. They can do so if they choose to. Only as an act of good faith. And to show their gentlemanliness. Or demonstrate their fairness and magnanimity. But they do not have to do so compulsorily at the federal level or at many state levels. They can win elections just by the Islamic votes.

They now have both the numbers and the spread.

Are you still insulting me? Please go ahead. I

deserve it for failing to persuade Peter not to leave our party.

Whatever victories the Labour Party had won would prove to be hollow if they show that they were concentrated in the Southeast and in Christian enclaves outside the Southeast. It would even be more destructive if the Southeast is allowed to be a region closer to other parties besides Labour. I hope that would not be the case.

One other thing that this election shows is that Nigeria's population is a sham. A shame and a sham. Why? Each election cycle from 2011, the total number of votes cast in Nigerian Presidential elections keeps reducing. From 38 million in 2011, to 29 million in 2015, to 27 million in 2019. And now we have approximately 25 million votes in 2023. Again, less than 2019.

When you take into account that 93 million people registered to vote for the 2023 elections, and that Mr. Tinubu won by less than 9 million votes, the implication is that less than 10% of the electorate determined who the winner would be.

So, did we have a ridiculously low (27%) voter turnout, or is our population reducing, or are we not really 220 million people strong as we claim?

To put things in perspective, Ethiopia has half of our supposed population (120 million people). Yet, in their 2021 election, 38,234,910 Ethiopians voted.

And that was during the height of the #COVID19 pandemic. It was also during the ongoing conflict in the Tigray region. Meaning that less people voted than would otherwise have voted.

Something is wrong somewhere with either our population, or our election figures.

In any case, let me end with this. Nigerians have moved on from the #NigerianElections2023. If we were going to do anything, we would have done it by now. Instead, from Friday to today, the number one to number 10 Twitter trends have been European football, or other light-hearted topics. And you think our people have not moved on?

That Russian woman is right. We are "just a cruise country!" And if you think she was complimenting us, I feel sorry for you.

If you doubt me, you can go and check Nigerian Twitter trends by yourself. Even those notorious groups that used to terrorise us on Twitter from home and abroad because of one candidate have moved on to romance scams and other kinds of 419!

Reno’s Nuggets Under the Labour Party, an Okada rider, Donatus Mathew, won election to the House of Representatives in Kaduna. This is democracy in its purest form. And for this, I thank Peter Obi and the Labour Party. Both of them have done much to deepen our democracy. I never envisaged that this could happen in Nigeria in the year 2923. In the future, perhaps I imagined it happening. But not now. If Labour continues this way, they will make Nigeria a more egalitarian society. This news will make Labour more acceptable in Kano, the centre of Northern egalitarianism, which is the utopian ideal that the late Aminu Kanu tried to build with the Talakawa through the Northern Elements Progressive Union, and later his Peoples Redemption Party. #RenosNuggets #FreeLeahSharibu

Ibori's Men Dump PDP's Oborevwori for Omo-Agege Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Barely five days to the gubernatorial election, former governor James Iboribacked Delta Unity Group (DUG) has formally thrown its weight behind the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

The group, which parades itself as comprising the real "intellectuals" within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, is also sympathetic to the governorship aspiration of the runner-up in the May 25, 2022 primary election of the PDP, David Edevbie.

It made public its decision in a statement yesterday.

The statement was signed by

hitherto eminent members and chieftains of the PDP in the state since 1999, including four former speakers of the Delta State House of Assembly.

The statement attributed the decision of the group to what it termed, "the obstinacy of the leadership of the party in the state."

It was signed by Chairman, Board of Trustees of DUG, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare; immediate past secretary to the state (SSG), Chiedu Ebie; coconvener and Chief Itiako Ikpokpo, co-convener of DUG. The DUG statement was issued as disciples of the state governor and the party's presidential running mate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, were frantically begging Deltans to vote the PDP

candidate and Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori especially after the dismal performance of the state PDP at the 25th February presidential and National Assembly elections.

The group accused the state leadership of the party, chaired by Kingsley Esiso, of not sincerely embracing the conciliatory efforts of some party leaders, including former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, especially after the legal tussle instituted by Edevbie ended at the Supreme Court.

The DUG noted that the APC candidate was more willing to collaborate with the DUG on key areas in development plans for the state, adding that Omo-Agege appreciated the group's concern and agreed to

incorporate the "Modernisation Agenda of Olorogun David Edebvie into his Build A New Delta (BAND)" blueprint for the state.

“It is on this basis and the general yearnings of Deltans and friends of Delta that we, as members of the DUG fully endorse the candidacy of the APC governorship candidate and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, in the forthcoming Delta State governorship elections holding on 11th March, 2023," the statement said.

Oborevwori is widely regarded as Okowa's anointed 'successor' hence his relatively easy triumph over about a dozen other PDP governorship aspirants during the primary, but Ibori reportedly had backed Edevbie

for the ticket.

Edevbie, who is the immediate past chief of staff to Governor Okowa, is the leader of the DUG and had served under the Ibori administration, with Okowa, Senator Omo-Agege and many of the defecting PDP chieftain, between 1999 and 2007.

On 25th February, two senatorial candidates of the APC, Ede Dafinone and Joel Onowakpo-Thomas, who were openly endorsed by Ibori, won the Delta Central and Delta South, respectively.

However, the endorsement of Omo-Agege climaxes a steady drift to the APC in the state following series of resignation from the PDP by numerous prominent members of the ruling ruling party in Delta State.

XV

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MARCH, 2023

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

Over 200 Killed in Fighting over Disputed Somaliland Town The director of a hospital in Las Anod, a disputed border town in Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, says about 200 people have been killed and hundreds more wounded in weeks of intense fighting.

For about a month now, the Somaliland army has been fighting with clan militias for control of Las Anod.

Somaliland, which broke away from Somalia three decades ago, has controlled the town since 2008, but the local clans support Somalia’s federal government and wish to be governed by it.

Despite local and international calls for a cease-fire, fighting has continued, raising fears of a full-blown humanitarian crisis amid a biting drought that has already affected thousands of people in the contested region.

Dr Ismail Mohamoud, director of Gargaar Hospital in Las Anod, said the number of wounded patients is close to 1,000, while more than 200 people have been killed in the fighting. Most of the victims are civilians, he added.

Mohamoud said the city’s situation had worsened due to the shelling of hospitals. He said the main Las Anod Hospital had suffered the most, with virtually all the departments destroyed by shelling from Somaliland forces.

The UN Security Council last month called for a de-escalation of violence in Las Anod, adding to similar calls from the federal government in Mogadishu.

Those calls went unheeded as both sides continued exchanging heavy fire.

Matt Bryden, founder of Sahan Research, a security and political think tank focusing on the Horn of Africa, told VOA why peace remains elusive in Las Anod.

“At this moment, there appears to be little possibility of an imminent resolution of the conflict,” he said.

“The multiplicity of actors and interests makes it extremely difficult to find a middle ground.”

Suicide Bomber Kills 9 Pakistan Security Forces Authorities in southwestern Pakistan said Monday a suicide bombing of a truck transporting police personnel had killed at least nine and wounded 13 others.

The early morning deadly attack occurred in Sibi, a central district in the province of Baluchistan.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the violence in the natural resources-rich Pakistani province, where insurgents routinely target security forces.

Mehmood Notenzai, the district police chief, told reporters the truck was heading to Quetta, the provincial capital, when a suicide bomber on a motorcycle struck it.

The injured were taken to nearby hospitals where officials described the condition of several of them as “critical” and feared the death toll could rise.

Baluchistan has long been in the grip of a low-level insurgency led by ethnic Baluch separatist groups demanding the province’s independence from Pakistan.

Monday’s attack came as Pakistan is hosting a meeting with the United States to discuss cooperation in countering what officials said was the “common threat of terrorism” facing the two countries.

UN: Taliban Pursuing Policy of Gender Apartheid A report submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council Monday accuses Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers of pursuing a policy “tantamount to gender apartheid.”

Richard Bennett, UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, told the council that “the Taliban’s intentional and calculated policy is to repudiate the human rights of women and girls and to erase them from public life.”

“It may amount to the crime of gender persecution, for which the authorities can be held accountable.”

The Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in August 2021 as US-led Western forces left the country after nearly 20 years of war.

Bennett said conditions in Afghanistan have deteriorated since he submitted his initial report to the council in September and noted, “Afghans are trapped in a human rights crisis that the world seemed powerless to address.”

Based on subsequent visits to the country in October and December, Bennett said he observed a harsher crackdown on any dissent and increasing attacks on the rights of women and girls and ethnic and religious minorities.

Not only are women and girls barred from visiting parks, gyms, and public baths, but new edicts issued by the Taliban have prevented women from attending universities and banned them from working with non-governmental organisations

US: Ukraine’s Bakhmut Symbolic Rather Than Strategic US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday that if Russian troops managed to seize control of the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, that would not represent a decisive shift in the conflict.

“I think it is more of a symbolic value than it is strategic and operational value,” Austin told reporters during a visit to Jordan.

Bakhmut has been the site of months of intense fighting with Russia pushing to take control of the area in Ukraine’s Donetsk province.

Austin said Monday he would not view a Ukrainian decision to reposition its troops to the west of the city as a strategic setback for Ukraine.

Ukraine, however, publicly suggested it would continue to defend Bakhmut. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with the country’s top generals, and his office later released a statement, saying, “They spoke in favour of continuing the defensive operation and further strengthening our positions in Bakhmut.”

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington research organisation, said, “Ukrainian forces are likely conducting a limited tactical withdrawal in Bakhmut, although it is still too early to assess Ukrainian intentions concerning a complete withdrawal from the city.”

Turkey’s IYI Party Wants Ankara, Istanbul Mayors Vice-Presidents Turkey’s right-wing IYI Party has proposed that the mayors of Ankara and Istanbul serve as vice presidents if the opposition wins the May election, a spokesperson said Monday after the party left the main opposition alliance last week.

The suggestion could pave the way for IYI to return to the bloc.

IYI, the second-biggest party in the alliance of six parties, exited the group last week after its leader Meral Aksener rejected the expected nomination of Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) as the bloc’s presidential candidate.

Instead, she had proposed that either Ekrem Imamoglu or Mansur Yavas, mayors of Istanbul and Ankara, be the candidate, saying opinion polls showed they would win against Erdogan by a large margin.

Hours before the five remaining parties of the alliance were to announce Kilicdaroglu as their candidate, the two mayors held a brief meeting with Aksener, who conveyed to them a fresh proposal for them to serve as vice presidents should the bloc win the May 14 election.

Aksener put forward an “inclusive” proposal, IYI spokesperson Kursad Zorlu told reporters moments after the two mayors finished their meeting.

The opposition drama comes two months before the presidential and parliamentary elections. A major factor for voters is expected to be last month’s devastating earthquake, which killed more than 45,000 people and left millions homeless.

Four US Citizens Kidnapped after Crossing Mexican Border

of Muslim empires — most notably the Delhi sultanate and the Mughal empire — dominated the Indian subcontinent for almost seven centuries.

During Muslim rule, the growth of trade and commerce was accompanied by the brisk growth of towns and cities across the country.

The Muslim rulers established many towns, naming them after themselves or their ancestors..

The FBI said four US citizens were assaulted and kidnapped Friday by unidentified gunmen Seoul to Compensate Japan after crossing the Mexican border.

Wartime Forced Labour Victims Soon after crossing from Brownsville, Texas, into South Korea announced plans Monday to the northern Mexico border city of Matamoros in Tamaulipas state, the Americans, who were compensate victims of Japan’s forced wartime travelling in a white minivan with North labor, aiming to end a “vicious cycle” in the Carolina plates, were fired at, placed into Asian powers’ relations and boost ties to counter another vehicle and taken from the scene by armed men.

The US Embassy in Mexico released a statement that $50,000 is being offered for the victims’ return and the gunmen’s arrests.

A Mexican official told Reuters that three men and one woman were kidnapped.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said the US citizens were believed to have been targeted by mistake while travelling to Matamoros for medical procedures, according to receipts found in the vehicle.

“The information we have is that they crossed the border to buy medicines in Mexico, there was a confrontation between groups, and they were detained,” the president said.

“The whole government is working on it.”

An innocent Mexican citizen was killed in the incident, said the US ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar.

India’s Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Rename Historical Places India’s Supreme Court has dismissed a Hindu nationalist leader’s petition to rename the country’s cities and historical places, which he said had been named after those he called “barbaric foreign invaders” several centuries ago.

In his petition, Ashwini Upadhyay, a lawyer and the leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), sought permission from the court to appoint a “renaming commission” to prepare a list of “ancient (Hindu) historical-cultural religious places” named after the Muslim rulers during their rule and offer Hindu names.

In dismissing Upadhyay’s petition, the two-judge bench said the proposal went against the principle of secularism enshrined in the Constitution.

“We are secular and supposed to protect the Constitution. You are concerned about the past and dig it up to place its burden on the present generation. Each thing you do in this manner will create more disharmony,” the bench said.

Beginning in the 12th century, a succession

the nuclear-armed North.

Japan and the United States immediately welcomed the announcement, but victims’ groups said it fell far short of their demand for a full apology from Tokyo and direct compensation from the Japanese companies involved.

Seoul and Tokyo have ramped up security cooperation in the face of growing threats from Kim Jong Un’s North Korea, which is expanding its nuclear weapons program in defiance of UN sanctions.

But Seoul-Tokyo ties have long been strained over Tokyo’s brutal 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean peninsula, with the nations unable to reach final agreements on the extent of compensation and apologies.

Around 780,000 Koreans were conscripted into forced labour by Japan during its 35-year occupation, according to data from Seoul.

This does not include the Korean women

forced into sexual slavery by Japanese troops.

Australian Pilots Offered Counseling after Missions Over South China Sea Australian Air Force chiefs have revealed that pilots are offered counselling after encountering Chinese military jets over the South China Sea. Under Operation Gateway, Australia conducts maritime surveillance patrols in the North Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Most patrols are routine, but some have caused alarm. In May 2022, a Royal Australian Air Force surveillance plane was intercepted by a Chinese military aircraft which released aluminium chaff that was ingested into the engine of the Australian plane. At the time, officials in Canberra accused Beijing of intimidation, but Australian air force officials now believe a miscalculation by the Chinese J-16 fighter pilot might have caused the encounter.

Other unspecified encounters with Chinese forces have been reported since then.

Australian Air Vice Marshal Darren Goldie told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Monday that it is important air crews are properly debriefed after stressful missions.

XVI

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MARCH 7, 2023

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Lafarge Africa Announces Commencement of 2023 Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction Bennett Oghifo

L

afarge Africa Plc., a leading Sub-Saharan Africa Building Solutions Company and member of Holcim, the global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, has announced the commencement of the internationally renowned Holcim Awards for sustainable construction.

The Holcim Awards, which was announced at a virtual press conference recently, recognises and promotes projects that combine sustainable designs and sustainable construction with architectural excellence is now open for entries.

The Holcim Awards are a competition organised by the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, an independent non-profit organisation.

The leading building solutions company is therefore calling on professionals in Nigeria’s built and construction sector to participate in the 2023 edition of the awards which is seeking real-world projects that are client-supported and exemplify sustainable construction.

To be eligible, the project must not have started construction before January 1, 2022, and must be at the following stages: detailed design, complete design, under construction, and completed construction.

According to the CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc,

CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, Khaled EL Dokani

Khaled EL Dokani, the purpose of the global awards competition is to showcase and reward leading-edge thinking and real-world examples in practice that can accelerate the global movement for sustainable construction.

Speaking at the Holcim Awards media conference organised by Lafarge Africa in Nigeria and held on March 1, 2023, the Head of Sustainability

and Corporate Brand, Titilope Oguntugua said: ‘The competition features a total prize money of USD 1 million and is open for projects in architecture, building and civil engineering, landscape and urban design, materials, products, and construction technologies. The competition has two categories and is conducted in parallel as separate regional competitions across five regions: Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, Middle East Africa, and North America. USD 200,000 per region will be shared between winners of Holcim Awards Gold, Silver, Bronze, and acknowledgement prizes in every region.’

Lafarge Africa therefore calls on all eligible engineers, architects, builders, planners, construction firms, and project owners to be part of this opportunity to make a mark in the global construction space by showcasing how their projects are contributing to a more sustainable built environment.

Oguntuga also noted that all entries will be evaluated by independent expert juries who will later nominate a shortlist of winners. Entries will be evaluated using the Holcim Foundation’s renewed goals for sustainable construction that serves as a framework to drive system change: uplifting places, a healthy planet, viable economics, and thriving communities.

The juries will be chaired by Tatiana Bilbao,

Founder, Tatiana Bilbao Estudio (for region Latin America), Craig Dykers, Founding Partner, Snøhetta (North America), Lesley Lokko, Founder, African Futures Institute (Middle East Africa), Manit Rastogi, Founding Partner, Morphogenesis (Asia Pacific), and Belinda Tato, Founding member, Ecosistema Urbano (Europe).

Submitting entries in the competition is free using a web-based form available at www. holcimawards.org to provide information in English on the project design team, project summary, project sustainability profile including data points, as well as project images.

There is no limit to the number of entries an individual/team can submit. The competition is open for entries until March 30, 2023, at 14:00 hrs UTC. Winners from all regions will be invited to the prize announcement ceremony to be held at the 18th International Venice Biennale of Architecture: The Laboratory of the Future in November.

The Holcim awards, a pioneering global awards competition launched in 2004 has recognized over 250 prize winners from 30,000 entries in 130 countries, with six international competition cycles spanning two decades. The initiative has grown to be the most significant competition for sustainable construction.

AFMPN’s New President, Erubami Sets Agenda Fadekemi Ajakaiye

T

he new President of the Association of Facility Management Practitioners, Nigeria, Paul O. Erubami has said they would embark on advocacy to present the benefits of facility management in the nation’s economic development.

Erubami stated this at the second inauguration ceremony of the association at the main hall of the Environmental Faculty, University of Lagos, recently.

He said, “Advocacy is also a critical aspect of our organisation’s mission. We must work to raise awareness of the value of facility management and its contribution to the success of organisations and governments.

“We will engage with government agencies, industry partners, and other stakeholders to promote the importance of facility management and to advocate for policies and initiatives that support our profession.”

Erubami also listed the association’s “12-point agenda” to include: “Transparency and accountability in budgeting and assets and resources management by promptly sharing information on our annual budgets and financial statements with members.

“Encourage investment in the future of the profession by engaging with soon to be engaged

Members of the Association of Facility Management Practitioners, Nigeria at the second inauguration ceremony of the association at the Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Lagos… recently

Corporate Sustaining Partners in acquiring physical structures and intellectual assets for the growth of the Association and the FM profession.

“Drive donor and internal membership funding by raising adequate funds to run operations

and investments in our strategic programmes.

“Elevate the profile of the FM profession in Nigeria through international and national affiliations. external and internal communication campaigns and engagement at all levels.

“Influence government policies through advocacy visits and outreaches, publications and strategic partnerships with other industry

stakeholders. Institutionalisation of Facilities Management by developing national FM standards and industry governance whitepapers, good practice guides, etc.

“Increase membership participation by adding new members with a goal of growing our membership base to 5,000 members in good financial status, who attend meetings, and take part in events regularly. Conduct surveys and research and publish reports to members and other stakeholders. Professional membership classification into Student Member, Affiliate Member and Registered Member “Academic and professional collaboration with institutions working in the built environment to research and espouse innovative solutions to the challenges of the built environment.

“FM credentials Framework by issuing a Nigerian FM Credential backed by Continuing Professional Development maintenance points.”

Erubami also said they would “endorse and partner training institutions. Our NEC has already hit the ground running and has come up with action plans to actualise the above strategic focus areas. In the coming days, you will be invited to sessions where our plans will be unveiled, and we invite you to take positions in the various committees to work with the three Directorates in actualising these action plans.

Kugbo Market Will Have 10,000 Daily Users, Says Mesotho Group Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

T

he project developer and Chairman of Mesotho Group Limited, Jerry Joseph Damara has said that Kugbo International Market in Abuja will accommodate 10,000 daily users when the market is commissioned this year

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the number of users will include regular traders, shoppers and people that work in the market.

According to him over 5,000 labourers were employed to build the market developed on a 13 hectres of land at Kugbo Hills along Abuja-Keffi Road in collaboration with Abuja Investment Company Limited.

He assured that the Phase 1 of the project that has about 36 lock-up shops would be commissioned in three months having attained 85 per cent completion.

Damara said the shopping complex administrative block was nearing completion while work had also advanced on other facilities like the banking halls, toilets and restaurants.

L-R: Representative of Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association; Alhaji Sulyman Bello; Area Commander, Area J, Nigeria Police, ACP Olajide Agboola; Founder of Moral Rearmanent NGO, Chief (Mrs) Odetoyinbo Feyisara; and Baale of Alasia and Secretary of Eti- Osa Indigenes Forum, Oloye Mustapha Okunmoyinbo, during the stakeholders interactive forum held in Lekki, Lagos... recently

“We are in Phase One where about seven and half hectres of land is being developed. We want

to make it life before we move on to Phase Two where we are proposing a hotel and so many other things. We plan to link this

side and the other side together as a solar farm. And this is the first market in Nigeria that has a multi-purpose and multi-level car park. We are doing two-storey in two areas. And I can assure that 1,000 cars will be parked at the same time conveniently without being visible to outsiders,” Damara said.

Also, the site engineer, Abolarin James, evaluated the construction to be structurally stable while guaranteeing the safety of investors and shoppers in the market.

“Here we are using 20 mm of iron despite the fact that it is just the ground and the first floor and 20 mm in our columns and beams for both the ground floor and the upper floor while our spacing is just three metres by four metres. Our structure is rigid. Our concrete grid is 25mm so all the structures you see here are well constructed and structurally stable,” Abolarin said.

He assured that the market is designed to last for centuries and not for 200 or 200 years, adding the only things the developers may decide to change are the roofs, windows and doors.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023

19

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

REPO

A T

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

08056356325

M A R C H

S & P INDEX

6 , 2 0 2 3

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9.56%

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0.44%

Nigeria’s Flared Gas Slumps Marginally by 500m SCF, Country Still Tops 7 Defaulters

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Operators in the Nigerian oil and gas sector reduced flared gas by a meagre 500 million Standard Cubit Feet (SCF) to hit 9.5 billion SCF in January compared with 10 billion SCF the previous month, THISDAY findings have shown.

However, the 9.5 billion SCF burnt in January was 200 million SCF higher than the 9.3 billion SCF flared in November, according to new data from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

A breakdown of the figure indicated that while 323 million SCF of gas was flared everyday during the month of December, it decreased to 307 million SCF in January as against 313 million SCF practically sent into the environment in November.

The World Bank recently stated that burning off natural gas during oil production (flaring) comes with significant environmental and economic costs, noting that in addition to wasting a valuable source of energy, flaring has negative

impact on human health.

The practice is prevalent in oilproducing Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, with Nigeria, which has the largest proven gas reserves in Africa, contributing the most to flaring on the continent.

Nigeria is one of the top seven gasflaring countries and it is estimated that around 2 million people in the country live less than 4 km away from a flare site.

According to the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), which monitors the

burning of gas in the country, the molecules are burnt off, or ‘flared’, as part of the oil production process.

It stated that gas has been flared in Nigeria since the 1950s, releasing carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere and remains a continuing source of environmental and health concerns in the Niger Delta, despite efforts to reduce it.

“When crude oil is extracted from onshore and offshore oil wells, it brings raw natural gas with it to the surface. If it is not possible to use it at source or transport it elsewhere,

it is flared as a waste product. This also helps prevent accidents,” it explained on its website.

In 2022, NOSDRA said that 12 million tonnes of CO2 were emitted into the atmosphere contributing to global warming while useful natural gas valued at $0.79 billion was burned by the Nigerian oil and gas industry equivalent to fines to the value of $450 million, many of which it said are not collected.

In addition, it explained that 22,500 Gigawatts hours of potential power generation went to waste, equivalent

to the annual electricity use of 511 million Nigerian citizens.

In the latest NNPC data, Mobil remained the biggest culprit in terms of amount of gas flared during the period, with 1.76 billion SCF of flared gas, but significantly less than its 2.52 billion SCF flared gas in December 2022.

It was followed by Shell which burnt 1.2 billion SCF as against the 1.1 billion SCF it sent into the environment where it operates in Continued on page 20

IPMAN Forecasts N800 Per Litre Petrol Pump Price after Planned Deregulation Peter Uzoho The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has projected that the pump price of petrol in Nigeria would rise to between N700 and N800 per litre if the in-coming administration finally deregulates the downstream petroleum sector and abolishes the wasteful subsidy regime.

The National Operations Controller of IPMAN, Mr. Mike Osatuyi, stated this during a chat

with THISDAY. But Osatuyi also predicted that the volume of petrol consumed in the country daily may also drop to about 40 million litres, from the 60 to 70 million litres reported by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

He urged Nigeria’s presidentelect, Mr. Bola Tinubu to deregulate the downstream sector and remove petrol subsidy as he had promised during his campaigns.

Osatuyi also advised Tinubu to set up a committee involving

industry players and critical stakeholders including the civil society in order to work out some palliative measures to cushion the adverse effect of the deregulation policy on the poor masses.

“Definitely, he has to deregulate the downstream as he had promised. But while doing that, he has to also talk about palliatives for the masses. Deregulation is the best thing but it will bring up price of petrol to between N700 and N800 per litre which will trigger inflation.

FOOD

“He needs to put a committee involving the industry players to work out the palliatives, so that some of the gains of the subsidy removal can be channelled to palliatives, so that the masses don’t feel the effects so much.

But definitely, deregulation is the best, so that we don’t continue to finance neighbouring countries, because subsidy encourages smuggling.

“You see that what they claim we are consuming in Nigeria will come down to even 40 million

COMMODITIES

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

RICE

100KG

ABUJA

N35,000 – N45,000

SORGHUM

50KG

OYO

N35,000 – N45,000

50KG

PLATEAU (JOS)

N32,500 – N42,000

50KG

KWARA

N24,000–N27,000

50KG

LAGOS

N35,000 – N45,000

50KG

RIVERS

N36,500 – N46,500

50KG

SOKOTO

50KG

EDO

PRICE

litres per day. So, the gain there should be channelled to alleviate the sufferings of the masses based on the increase of the price of petrol. You know, petrol is a security product. So he needs to manage that well, “the IPMAN official told THISDAY. The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) signed into law on August 16, 2021 provided for total deregulation of the downstream industry, which implies the removal of subsidy and enthronement of a free market

regime for the sector.

But in January 2022, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government kicked that section of the PIA aside and instead postponed subsidy removal to end of June 2023.

Despite the subsidy regime and the government’s claim that the approved petrol pump price is N185 per litre, the product is still selling between N250 and N600 at many filling stations nationwide, especially the ones owned by IPMAN members.

T O D AY

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

100KG JIGAWA

N30,000

BEANS

MAIDU GURI

N22,000 – N30,000

100KG

BENUE

N32,000

50KG BAG

100KG

N32,000

100KG LAGOS

N36,000

KADUNA

50KG

ENUGU

N24,000

100KG

KANO

N35,000

50KG

LAGOS

N26,000

100KG

DELTA

N36,000

N60,000 – N70,000

100KG

DELTA

N35,000

N17,000–N20,000

100KG

ABIA

N36,000

100KG

ABIA

N35,700

SIZE

20

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NAME OF COMMODITY

PALM OIL

COMMODITIES

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

LOCATION

PRICE

100KG KANO

N20,500

ONIONS

100KG

IBADAN

N60,000

MAIZE

100KG

OYO

N10,000

N24,000 – N35,000

100KG BENUE

N27,000

100KG KANO

N30,000

100KG ENUGU

N16,500

100KG BENUE

N65,000

100KG DELTA

100KG LAGOS

N32,000

N14,000

25CL IBADAN N22,000 — N35,000

100KG PLATEAU

N45,000

100KG

ABIA

N11,000

PRICE

25CL LAGOS N20,000-N35000 25CL

PH

STATE

GROUNDNUT

T O D AY

PRICE

STATE

SIZE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

NAME OF COMMODITY

25CL

IMO

N24,000 – N36,500

100KG DELTA

N34,000

100KG DELTA

N50,000

50KG

LAGOS

N9,000

25CL

EDO

N20,000 – N35,000

100KG

ABIA

N27,000

100KG LAGOS

N60,000

100KG KANO

N9,400

100KG ENUGU

N23 000

100KG ENUGU

N45,000

50KG

N6,000

25CL ABUJA N25,500 – N35,000

BENUE

CPPE Tasks Incoming President to Remove Challenges Hindering Industrial Development Dike Onwuamaeze The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has tasked the incoming president to take urgent steps to address the challenges militating against the industrial development of Nigeria and boost investors’ confidence by ensuring that regulatory risks and shocks are reduced to the barest

minimum.

These views were expressed in a public statement that was released yesterday by the Chief Executive Officer of CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf, which was titled “Economic Agenda for Incoming Administration” in which the incoming administration was advised to ensure liquidity in the foreign exchange market and make rapid investments that would

support backward integration in core industries like iron and steel, petrochemicals, aluminum smelter, pulp and paper and refineries.

Yusuf said: “Ensure liquidity in the foreign exchange market to guarantee access to foreign exchange for the procurement of raw materials and machineries for industry,” adding that “scaling up investment in infrastructure through

the injection of more funds and the attraction of private capital into the infrastructure space would reduce production cost and boost productivity in manufacturing.”

He also called for the “creation of more industrial parks across the country and improvement in the facilities of existing ones,” while emphasizing the need “to strengthen current development

finance to support the real sector with appropriate financing” that could offer “single digit facility with a minimum of five years tenure.”

He further tasked the incoming administration to put in place a tariff regime that adequately protects local industries.

“Import duty on intermediate products and critical industrial inputs should be reviewed to reduce

production costs.

“Tariff review processes should be more inclusive and transparent. The administration should prioritize trade facilitation and removal all non-tariff barriers to trade,” adding that “the practice of intercepting cargoes that have been duly cleared at any of our ports should be discontinued.

The practice has been proven to be extortionist.

Decade of Gas: Stakeholders Move to Address As Sanctions Take Hold, Challenges Limiting Domestic Utilisation Russian Oil, Gas Falter Peter Uzoho Stakeholders in the Nigerian gas sector have stepped up measures aimed at realising the purpose and gains of the ‘Decade of Gas’ policy of the federal government, with key milestones set for achievement in this 2023.

The federal government had in March 2021 declared January 2021 to December 31, 2030 as Nigeria’s Decade of Gas, a period the government aspires to power the economy, industrialise the country and address energy poverty using gas as an enabler.

THISDAY had reported penultimate week that the programme stagnated at a paltry five per cent implementation rate as at 2022, two years after take off.

But providing updates on the effort being made by the stakeholders to move the needle in its implementation, the President of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) and Managing Director of Shell Gas Limited, Mr. Ed Ubong said a secretariat had been set up for the the project in Abuja.

With the support of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, he said NGA

was driving the agenda and that the programme would be owned by the industry, which would work to deliver key milestones in 2023.

“Today, what is the direction?

The NGA under the auspices of the minister is driving the Decade of Gas agenda because this is now going to be owned by the industry.

“So, we are setting up a secretariat sitting next to the NMDPRA in Abuja, which will own the Decade of Gas imperatives, set laid down plans and work with all industry players to deliver key milestones.

“What are those critical milestones

in 2023? First of all, we want to be able to see the debts owed by gas suppliers totally cleared out, that’s important. Two, we also want to get clarity around pricing, this will still ultimately come from NMDPRA. “But we are now sitting next to each other. So, what they need, we as industry will provide because at the end of the day, we want to get clarity around pricing for gas across the value chain,” Ubong said.

He said the third issue on the table was to unlock incremental gas supply, noting that Nigeria needs gas but there was not enough gas to meet that demand.

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Russian economy has begun to show cracks as tight restrictions on exports of oil and gas took effect February 5 this year.

Russia’s January oil and gas revenues slid 46 per cent year over year as Western countries turned away from Russian supplies, according to the Senior Adviser For Oil Analytics Trade Flows and Modelling at S&P Global Platts, Tony Starkey, S&P Global economists expect that Russia’s gross domestic product will contract in 2023,

MOMAN Harps on Deployment of Data to Shell CEO Says Cutting Oil and Tame Fraud, Corruption in Downstream Sector Gas Production “Not Healthy”

Peter Uzoho

The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) has stressed the need for operators in the downstream sector and the Nigerian Midstream and

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Deputy Business Editor Chinedu Eze Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to embrace automation as part of measures to entrench transparency and eliminate fraud and corruption in the sector.

The Executive Secretary of MOMAN, Mr. Clement Isong, made the intervention during a virtual workshop to mark the 2023 World International Data Day. The theme of the workshop was: “Importance of Data and Automation in the Downstream Business.”

Isong said that automation would ensure transparency and boost excellent customer service, eliminate fraud and corruption, and clean up the reputation of the industry.

He specifically urged the NMDPRA and the operators to invest in infrastructure for data gathering.

He stated: “Our position in

MOMAN is that we are looking for the automation of the entire supply chain. It will mean everybody needs to invest in order to optimise their businesses.

“Eventually, the beneficiary is the customer. It is good for corporate governance. It removes people’s ability to steal. And the authority itself has got to invest in infrastructure for data gathering and has got to do a preliminary analysis of that data and has to put up that information on its website which investors, marketers operators, and everybody can access.”

“On that basis, optimise the business and make investment decisions. It is fundamental to a deregulated system. It improves the quality of decision-making as well as transparency and eliminates bad behaviour as well as fraud and theft.

“You have to shine your light, and darkness and bad practices will disappear.”

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Shell Plc’s new boss, Wael Sawan, has said that cutting oil and gas output would be bad for consumers, echoing a pivot by other major producers toward fossil fuels and energy security.

“I am of a firm view that the world will need oil and gas for a long time to come,” Shell Chief Executive Officer, Sawan said in an interview with Times Radio. “As such, cutting oil and gas production is not healthy,” Bloomberg quoted him to have said.

Europe’s largest energy majors are increasingly echoing the strategies of their less climate-minded American peers and leaning into the oil and gas businesses that drove record profits last year and payouts to their shareholders.

BP Plc, Shell’s closest peer, said last month that it would slow the planned decline in its oil and

gas production to guarantee the reliability of energy supply following the disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The renewed emphasis on fossil fuels follows a year of high and volatile prices after Russia’s invasion disrupted gas supplies and the recovery of economies from the Covid-19 pandemic drove demand for oil.

“We’ve seen of course through 2022 the fragility of the energy system,” Sawan said. “To see prices start to skyrocket, that’s not healthy for anyone, particularly consumers,” he added.

But at the same time, CO2 emissions rose to a record last year, meaning the world will need to move even faster if it wants to achieve its climate targets and avoid the worst impacts of global warming. To do that would require a steep cut in demand for oil and eventually gas

in contrast to forecasts from the IMF, which projected a modest expansion.

That decline is expected to steepen as the February sanctions — which include a ban on Russian refined petroleum products in the European Union and a price cap on Russian crude established by the Group of Seven — take effect.

“Russia played the energy card and it didn’t win,” Executive Director at the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, wrote in LinkedIn post to mark the one-year anniversary of Ukraine’s invasion. “[Russia] now faces the likelihood of further declines in oil and gas output in 2023 and a permanent loss of standing in the energy world,” he added.

The value of Urals grade crude oil — Russia’s key export product — has fallen to record lows compared with the price of Dated Brent, which refers to physical cargoes of North Sea crude.

The new sanctions are also affecting global shipping flows of crude oil and petroleum products.

“Asia is preparing to see more Russian oil products flowing into the region following the EU ban that came into effect Feb. 5,” S&P Global Commodity Insights said, “while the supply squeeze in the West will create ample opportunities for Asian refiners to cater to those requirements and reap lofty margins.”

Shifting exports to Asia, however, will have limited effects in cushioning the blow of losing Western markets, Chief Geopolitical Adviser at S&P Global Platts Analytics, Paul Sheldon, said.

NIGERIA’S FLARED GAS SLUMPS MARGINALLY BY 500M SCF, COUNTRY STILL TOPS 7 DEFAULTERS December with an increase of 100 million SCF. Addax, which was recently taken over by the NNPC also did 1.05 billion SCF compared to the 1.13 billion SCF the previous month.

However, in terms of percentage flared in relation to total production, the figures showed that 5.90 per cent of gas produced by Mobil was flared during the period, while 63.89

per cent of Addax’s production was burnt.

During the period, Shell’s share of flared gas in terms of percentage was rose to 4.92 per cent compared with 4.27 per cent in December.

Like in the previous month, of the about 30 oil firms reviewed in the provisional gas production and utilisation data by the national oil company, operators like Belema,

Seplat and NPDC/CNL flared 100 per cent of the gas they produced for the period.

They were followed by AENR, which flared 95 per cent, First E&P with 94 per cent, reducing by 2 per cent and Newcross with 94.4 per cent flaring of total gas produced in January.

However, Nigeria’s total gas production for the month, both

associated and natural gas was 160 billion SCF as against 147.8 billion SCF and 154 billion SCF the two previous months. This output was from both the country’s Joint Venture (JV) arrangements and Production Sharing Contracts (PSC).

In addition, average daily production from both PSCs and JVs was 5.16 billion SCF/d, higher than the 4.77 billion SCF/d in December.

Last year, a NOSDRA report said that Nigeria flared 216.5 billion standard cubic feet of gas in about eleven months despite its commitment in November 2021 to reach net zero by 2060.

Nigeria has over 178 flare sites which emit poisonous chemicals that cause all kinds of environmental damage and make people that around the areas fall sick.

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Restoring Power Supply to Troubled Maiduguri Emmanuel Addeh writes that last Thursday’s inauguration of a 32-megawatt emergency power plant in record time in beleaguered Maiduguri, Borno State, again reinforces the widely-held belief that when it sincerely sets out to deliver, government can be a force for good

I

t had become a war of superiority between the Nigerian authorities and the terrorists operating in the Maiduguri axis of the north-east. The unwritten creed by the insurgents appeared to have been: “You build, we destroy”.

But while it seemed like a game to the perpetrators, it was pain for the victims of the pall of gloom and darkness that Maiduguri had become before the authorities, thinking out of the box, decided to construct an emergency plant that would be difficult to access and destroy by the terrorists in the heart of town.

Several times, the state capital, and environs were cut off from the national grid as attacks were carried out on major power installations leading to the city, leaving the city in perpetual darkness. All efforts to restore the destroyed power lines were frustrated by the terrorists who had vowed to keep Maiduguri in constant blackout.

Many medium and small-scale enterprises struggling to survive, with some resorting to alternative sources of energy like gasoline generators and solar power installations.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), it would appear, did its best several times to fix the facilities which affected the 330kV transmission line between Maiduguri and Damaturu while the Damboa – Maiduguri 132kV transmission line was equally been disconnected. It was like a journey to nowhere.

However, it was a major victory against the rampaging insurgents in the north-east when President Muhammadu Buhari last Thursday inaugurated the 32MW emergency power plant in Maiduguri, Borno State, built by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

The project which was completed in record 16 months, became necessary after terrorists several times attacked the traditional power supply routes to the beleaguered city, throwing it into years of persistent darkness and frustrating every attempt to restart them.

The construction of the 50mw gas turbine power plant, known as the Maiduguri Emergency Power Project (MEPP), is expected to generate electricity to the capital city and its environs.

THISDAY learnt that China Machinery Engineering

Company (CMEC) and General Electric (GE) handled the project of which the 32mw has been completed but which is expected to be scaled up to 50mw in the coming months.

Speaking at the official opening of the facility in Maiduguri, an elated Buhari noted that the project was another testament that his administration remains committed to tackling power sector problems to guarantee stable and uninterrupted power supply aimed at improving the economy and the lives of Nigerians.

The president, who was accompanied by several state governors, party chieftains and senior government functionaries, noted that the administration had worked hard to fulfil its promises, and has succeeded in laying the foundation for a strong, prosperous country through the economic recovery and growth plan.

According to him , a key execution priority of the economic recovery and growth plan is ensuring national energy sufficiency in the country.

“The Maiduguri emergency power project is part

of incremental 4000 megawatts of power generating assets that this administration embarked upon to improve national power supply and stimulate economic growth.

“The aggressive project strategy deployed to complete this project on schedule is a total reflection of the federal government’s determination in identifying and easing the plight of Nigerians particularly, those recovering from the adverse impact of the insurgency in the north-east region,” he stated.

Over the past few years, the president recalled that insurgents had attacked power lines along Maiduguri-Damaturu and Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu roads, leading to acute supply shortages to the city of Maiduguri and its environs and crippling the economic activities in the region.

He lauded the Borno government for working closely with the federal government and other stakeholders to bring back the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees from Cameroon and other neighbouring countries.

Buhari also restated the government’s resolve to continue to implement programmes, particularly in the power sector that will expand national power generation capacity, revitalise industries, and create multiple jobs for economic growth.

He further directed the other concerned agencies of government to collaborate with the NNPC to ensure that millions of Nigerians access affordable electricity in the short term.

Also speaking during the event, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC Ltd., Mallam Mele Kyari, described the record completion time and impact of the project as ‘unprecedented’.

“It is not wrong to say that after the long nights that befell the people of this region, today we are honoured to have Mr. President bring back more power to the largest city in the north-east.

“On Mr. President’s directive, a 32mw gas-powered power plant was designed and built in 16 months and this is unprecedented and has been successfully test-run and confirmed ready for commissioning.

The Maiduguri power project will be scaled up to 50 megawatts shortly,” he assured.

He added that it was the first thermal plant of that scale in the whole of northern Nigeria, adding that even the interventions of the ministry of power had restored the traditional 330 KVA line feeding Maiduguri.

“The combined effects of the Maiduguri emergency power project and the emplacement of the transmission lines make Maiduguri the most sufficiently powered capital city in the country today.

“And obviously, it is a new power hub in the region.

We may very soon see power export to neighbouring countries from Maiduguri,” he explained.

As a commercial enterprise, Kyari noted that the NNPC viewed the project as an opportunity to monetise Nigeria’s abundant natural resource by expanding access to energy to support economic growth, industrialisation and job creation across the country.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Pastor Umo Eno: Bettering the Best in Governance many believed was owned by a multinational oil company because of the sheer size of the project is surely going to be the first of more to come. All the aforementioned policies and projects are things an average Ibomite read about and hoping to behold one day in his or her state.

Akpan Essiet

G

overnor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State is unarguably one of the best governors in Nigeria in the last 7-8years in terms of delivery of dividends of good governance in every true sense of it. He has redefined “great performance in public office”, and has raised the bar when it also comes to preservation of public trust, probity, accountability and dedication to service.

In the last 7-8years, the good people of Akwa Ibom have been living in the state one would have imagined only existing on 3D prototype design and in their imagination with an extensive road network connecting towns, industries springing up all over the state, youths gainfully engaged and employed, and the flag of Akwa Ibom being flown all over the country by its’ Ibom Air. A few highlights of the Udom Emmanuel’s administration which upped the standard of good governance and established him as the best in the country includes projects like the Ibom 3,000 project which was a demonstration of the much-needed support and development for SMEs in the State as 3,000 youths from the 31 Local Government Areas were trained on improvement of their capacities in diverse vocational, technical, entrepreneurial and managerial skills in oil and gas sector. Similar efforts were made in Agribusiness, ICT and SMEs to enable them secure gainful employment and create jobs.

This was followed with another batch of 8000 indigenes trained for the same purpose in a preparation for the industrialization of the State. The ICT training laid emphasis on digital acquisition required in the 21st century such as Coding, software architecture and engineering, and android engineering which encapsulates SOLID principles, writing clean code, application architecture and testing. Data-structures and Algorithms which are the needed skills set for the artificial intelligence driven future.

The Jubillee Syringe Manufacturing Complex, where many young people operating many equipment and machines and not as casual workers. I was told most of the workers and people undergoing training in maintaining, repairs and servicing of those machineries are youths from the host communities. This will enable them function well after the knowledge

Eno transfer and get gainful employment with the company. There is also Kings Flour Mills, where except the “Miller” who is Turkish, all other operators are Akwa Ibom youths and a process in place where youths of the state are undergoing training on acquiring the special skills towards being a miller.

The Dakkada Industries Limited where production of toothpick, plastics and tissue paper are done by youths of the State under the supervision of various technical partners, products from this place are of national and international standard. Production was later expanded just to meet up with the demands for their products and this translated to more jobs and Akwa Ibom youths with specialized training.

The skyline of Uyo will never remain the same again. The Dakkada Towers which

NOW IT HAS HAPPENED, WHAT IS NEXT? There is always that sense of lack of motivation after satisfaction and fulfilment, especially when the ultimate may seem to have been achieved, but there is always need to sustain whatever greatness that has been achieved and also improve on it. There is always room to better the best.

I dare say Ibomites may have felt there could be nothing better or beyond the “Transformation Era” of former Godswill Akpabio. Alas, they were quick to soon realise that assumption was wrongly premised as Udom’s emergence on the scene has set the pace and made a very valid case for bettering the best which is what the ambition of Pastor Umo Eno represents to the good people of Akwa Ibom.

It will amount to stating the obvious that he (Pastor Eno) tick all the boxes to inspire the sense of déjà vu among Ibomites. A cursory assessment of his credentials and his proposed policy thrust which will form the essence of the social contract he is entering with the people of the state come May 29 2023, one will be buzzing with confidence and convictions that better times lies ahead.

His ARISE agenda which is a detailed document most certainly is complimentary to the Dakkada vision which would continue to advance the aspirations of a further progressive Akwa Ibom State. This is naturally expected as he has been a member of the team and the administration which conceived and has advocated the culture of Ibomites to greatness. With the ARISE agenda, Uno most certainly tickles the imagination, stirs aspirations and increases the expectation of people of the State as many expect it will translate not just into further improvement of their individual lives. But also the collective advancement of the state’s socio-economic status and fortunes.

The promise to improve education through

increased enrolment, improved teaching aid, improved condition of service, also on health and infrastructure with the promise to do more is an indicator that the best Ibomites are experiencing is about to get better. The projects and achievements, which brought the state to national reckoning is set to get bigger without a doubt.

One may ask on what is this conviction premised to which I say, my conviction is emboldened by the antecedents and demonstrated capacity of Umo Eno. His well articulated intentions to diversify the state’s economy, expand the revenue base, ensure financial stability, and also create income and opportunities which will in turn reduce poverty in the state. His vision to hasten the industrialisation vision of the state and ensure a creation of massive variety of Akwa Ibom brands will also attract increased foreign direct investment and also increase the Gross Domestic Product of the State.

There is also a great vision to bring governance closer to the people and more efficient through the promotion of e-governance enhanced workers’ welfare and public service excellence. This will be achieved through good governance practices with promotion of transparency, accountability, consultative, and an all-inclusive government in line with the values, character and mission of Pastor Eno. His desire to create an enabling environment for business to thrive as well as wealth creation will support the growth of micro, small and medium scale enterprise. Ibomites are not just about to experience a new height of good governance, they will also benefit directly as there will be an evident rise in households’ income across the state. Pastor Eno has promised the state will not be left behind in the race for Metaverse and AI (Artificial Intelligence) as there will be massive investment into the ICT sector to produce a population competitive for the future in the horizon.

Trust me, when Pastor Umo Eno is voted into office and done with all these plans, governance witnessed in the last 7-8 years which is considered the best across the country would could only get better.

Akwa Ibom is set to get better.

Pastor Umo Eno is out to better the best on ground for the good and benefits of the people of Akwa Ibom. t &TTJFOU XSPUF GSPN 6ZP

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Karume: Nigeria’s Self-sufficiency Target in FAO: Nigeria, Others to Food Production Hinged on Farmers Education Experience Acute Food Insecurity Gilbert Ekugbe An Agro Expert and Managing Director, ECOBasics Seeds Company Limited, Mr. Brighton Karume, has warned that Nigeria’s quest for food security would remain a mirage until its farmers are educated to plant seeds instead of grains.

Karume disclosed this while interacting with a collection of farmers on importance of seed

planting. He said: “The federal government has a robust agricultural policy framework and a conducive environment to ensure the country becomes self-sufficient in food production, but government efforts and good will are not recording the appropriate results because only a very few farmers plant quality and healthy seeds while others plant grains that should be meant for consumption.”

He asserted that the majority of farmers perceived the purchase of seeds from recognised seed companies as a waste of money.

He also stated that majority of farmers grew grains whose purity and germination rate are doubtful and could not be guaranteed.

Karume said: “These grains are planted every year and saved for the following planting

season. It is very important to educate farmers on the differences between seeds and grains. Grains are meant to be used for food, so they are not treated, and there is no need to pay attention to their germination rate. On the other hand, seeds are not meant to be eaten because they are treated to protect them from diseases and pest attacks and are meant to be planted.”

Climate Change: FG Seeks Increased Funding for Tree Planting Gilbert Ekugbe The Minister of Environment, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, has called on national and international stakeholders on the need to increase investment in tree planting in order to ameliorate the effects of climate change, especially on food production.

Abdullahi, who presided over the inauguration ceremony of the new governing council on the National Forestry Trust Fund (NFTF) in Abuja, identified increased investments in tree planting as well as technical capacity building for stakeholders and stronger collaboration with national and international partners as vital ingredients in achieving a virile forestry sector.

He, however, said that the federal government has made a number of moves to resolve these issues through policy formulations and strengthening

as well as changes in institutional and legal frameworks.

According to him, the NFTF was established to tackle the challenges militating against forestry development and management in Nigeria.

He stated specifically that the fund was created to

address inadequate funding within the forestry sector by providing additional and complementary sources of funding to supplement government’s budgets.

Abdullahi said: “It envisages funding support from international donors,

corporate organisations, private sector, Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs) and individual resources for sustenance and to leveraging the seed fund from the CITES permit to carry out forestry development activities in the past few years.”

178 LGAs in 32 States Risk Severe Floods, FG Warns Gilbert Ekugbe The Ministry of Water Resources has sounded a note of warning that heavy rainfalls expected during the year would ravage many farmlands in 178 local government areas (LGAs) across 32 states in the country.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu, sounded this warning when he presented the general highlights of the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), which was prepared by the Nigeria

Hydrological Services Agency.

Adamu said that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is at high risk of flooding compared to other areas that were surveyed.

He pointed out that the AFO would help the federal and state governments to be prepared to respond to potential flood events.

Adamu explained: “About 224 local government areas in 35 states of the federation, including the FCT, fall within the moderately probable flood risk areas. The remaining 402

local government areas fall within the probable flood risk areas.”

The minister identified the highly probable flood risk states to include Adamawa, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, and Edo. Others include Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and the Federal Capital Territory.

Gilbert Ekugbe The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has stated that the benchmark index of international food commodity prices declined in February for the eleventh consecutive month.

According to a report obtained from FAO’s website, showed that Food Price Index (FPI) averaged 129.8 points in February, a marginal 0.6 per cent decrease from January, but 18.7 per cent down from its peak in March 2022.

It said that the decline in the index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly-traded food commodities, reflected drops in quotations for vegetable oils and dairy products that more than offset a steep rise in sugar prices.

The report also added that FAO Cereal Price Index remained virtually unchanged from January.

International wheat prices rose marginally during the month, as concerns over dry conditions in the United States of America and robust demand for supplies from Australia were largely countered by a strong competition among exporters while international rice prices eased by 1.0 per cent due to a slowdown in trading activities in most major Asian exporters, whose currencies also depreciated against the United States dollar.

Meanwhile, the FAO has warned that some people in six countries are experiencing, or expected to experience very soon, severe levels of acute food

insecurity, defined as level 5 of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC 5) or catastrophic hunger.

These countries include Burkina Faso, Haiti, Mali, Somalia and South Sudan as millions more face severe hunger.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index declined 3.2 per cent from January, with the world prices of palm, soy, sun flower seed and rapeseed oils all lower.

The FAO Dairy Price Index declined 2.7 per cent during the month, with butter and skim milk powder international quotations registering the steepest decline.

The FAO Meat Price Index also remained almost unchanged from January.

World poultry prices continued to decline amid abundant export supplies, notwithstanding the avian influence outbreaks in several leading producer countries, while international pig meat prices rose, mostly due to concerns over tighter export availabilities in Europe.

In contrast, the FAO Sugar Price Index rose 6.9 per cent from January to its highest level in six years, due largely to a downward revision to the 2022/23 production forecast in India, although favorable crop prospects in other suppliers, combined with lower international crude oil prices and ethanol prices in Brazil, limited upward pressure on sugar prices.

23

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 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 03Mar-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 203.92 205.07 7.82% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 10.79% Nigeria International Debt Fund 329.28 329.28 6.49% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 106.75 107.85 1.26% 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 6.90% Anchoria Equity Fund 159.05 160.77 9.73% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.24 1.24 0.76% 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 24.39 7.91% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 552.09 568.74 5.92% ARM Ethical Fund 47.31 48.74 4.87% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.14 1.14 0.98% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.12 1.12 1.31% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.37% ARM Short Term Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 1.10% 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 97.3 97.3 2.31% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,120.73 1,120.73 -0.51% 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 3.74% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.41 2.46 9.22% 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 1.02 1.02 1.43% 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 9.83% Women's Investment Fund 156.67 159.66 7.95% CHD Nigeria Bond Fund 101.57 101.57 9.97% CHD Nigeria Dollar Income Fund 0.99 0.99 8.97% 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 100.00 100.00 8.55% Cordros Milestone Fund 145.53 146.48 5.70% Cordros Fixed Income Fund 107.24 107.24 9.51% Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund 104.35 104.35 6.03% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 114.23 114.23 5.80% 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 11.40% Coronation Money Market Fund 1.23 1.24 2.98% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.38 1.38 -1.89% 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 9.97% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 11.09% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,119.94 1,124.66 1.20% 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 N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund N/A N/A N/A Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 1502.59 1502.59 12.23% FBN Balanced Fund 210.99 212.55 5.66% FBN Halal Fund 125.69 125.69 12.39% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.51% FBN Dollar Fund 121.70 121.70 6.92% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 178.97 181.29 8.07% FBN Specialized Dollar Fund 105.80 105.80 9.73% 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 8.43% Legacy Debt Fund 3.52 3.52 -12.08% Legacy Equity Fund 2.13 2.17 22.42% 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 4,429.22 3,761.35 100.00

Offer Price 4,459.06 3,761.35 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 30.96% 7.81% 11.21%

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 8.24% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.96 3.02 8.90% 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 1.33 1.37 9.17% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.08 1.08 8.63% 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 N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 13.34 13.39 8.25% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.13% 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) 102.20 102.20 9.91% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 10.87% 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 136.43 139.73 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 3,852.93 3,881.69 13.63% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 246.91 246.91 4.81% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.52 1.54 21.43% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 336.11 336.11 7.34% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 281.16 284.22 20.31% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.08% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 13,007.77 13,165.81 19.14% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.38 1.38 6.90% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 122.33 122.33 4.64% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 116.77 116.77 9.77% Stanbic IBTC Absolute Fund 4,639.48 4,639.48 9.06% Stanbic IBTC Aggressive Fund 3,478.74 3,523.00 25.14% Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund 4,387.08 4,403.96 15.24% 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 1.07 1.09 11.88% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.59 1.62 16.23% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.28 1.31 10.28% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.12 1.12 9.94% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.98 1.98 7.27% United Capital Eurobond Fund 126.51 126.51 5.48% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.84% 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 14.66 14.80 5.74% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 16.63 16.80 5.21% Zenith Income Fund 23.86 23.86 1.26% 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 N/A N/A N/A Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund N/A N/A N/A Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund N/A N/A N/A REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

115.40 53.52 101.31 104.37

1.31% 4.74% 813.92%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

16.76 143.03 111.99 17.40 16.40

16.86 145.53 113.94 17.50 16.50

8.26% 12.09% 12.01% 0.41% 3.98%

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.

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

24

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

OGSG, Fletcher Team-up to Aid Young Professionals’ Participation in Economic Development Dike Onwuamaeze Founder of a leading indigenous restaurant and outdoor catering company, Mr. Oluwatobi Fletcher, is rallying young professionals in various fields to team-up with the Ogun State Government to enhance the economic development of the state.

The initiative, which is themed Homecoming, is a movement that spotlights excellent and exceptional public spirited works that are being executed by indigenes of the state, appreciate the state government’s visionary strides, and to promote the “Gateway State” in a positive light among the youths.

The Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, who

received the team recently in his office noted that team is made up of youths from Ogun State who have excelled in their various fields but are now coming together to initiate an idea that would encourage more indigenes of the state to be their best in every field of endeavour and to boost economic development of the state.

The governor added that the state government is prepared to partner with the team at all levels because their roles as ambassadors of progress and champion of inclusive governance.

The Commissioner of Environment of Ogun State, Mr. Ola Oresanya, in his speech, said: “We applauded the group for the Homecoming

Initiative – a movement of illustrious youths of Ogun State, whose core mandate is to spotlight the excellent and exceptional works being executed by various indigene of our dear state, and also to appreciate and support the government’s visionary strides, and globally promote the “Gateway State” in a positive light especially among the youths.

“Worthy of note is their deliberate attempt geared towards sensitising and encouraging our young achievers, to invest in developing critical sectors of the state’s economy such as technology, construction, information technology, education, farming, entertainment and other critical, developmental areas.”

Polaris Digitech Partners Google to Enhance Businesses Location Visibility

MARKET INDICATORS

Sunday Ehigiator

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA)

Leading Geospatial Technology firm in Nigeria, Polaris Digitech Limited (PDL), with its over 10-year partnership with Google Nigeria, has assured businesses operating within the Nigeria Space, location visibility which would afford their potential customers the ability to locate their office space A statement from PDL read yesterday: “Over the years, businesses have been thriving in their little way via the outreach of the marketing team and subsequently providing reports to the management

team.

“However, the exclusion of the location component in every effort has tremendously undermined the prospects and potential of these businesses.

“The impact of maximizing the location component ‘where’ in phases of businesses by connecting all the dots enhances the decision-making and oversight functions of the management team as well as providing an intelligent path for the technical and commercial units.

“Closing these location component gaps of businesses and maximizing their potential is one of Polaris Digitech

Limited’s (PDL) strengths.”

Located in the heart of Lagos State and precisely in Ikeja, the statement said PDL is a leading Geospatial Technology firm in Nigeria providing Location and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning business solutions to public and private sectors for about 20 years.

“The company has provided quite several bespoke solutions to the biggest telecommunication companies and financial institutions in the country as well as State governments, insurance firms, real estate companies, schools, etc.

Naira Crunch: PAN Lament Impact of Naira Redesign on Egg Production Gilbert Ekugbe The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Naira redesign policy has been creating untold hardship for poultry farmers in the country.

Addressing a media briefing, the National President of PAN, Mr. Ezekiel Ibrahim, raised the alarm over the level of havoc the policy has caused in the poultry industry.

He said that the prices of eggs have been crashing as-

tronomically amid the scarcity of Naira to purchase grains to feed the poultry birds.

Ibrahim added that reports and complaints being received from its members nationwide indicated that the poultry sector is not doing well amidst since the introduction of new redesigned Naira notes in the country.

Similarly, the Chairman of Plateau State Chapter of PAN, Mr. Johnson Bagudu, expressed concerns on the daunting economic impasse

that is currently trailing the poultry sector in the country since the introduction of the redesigned Naira notes.

Bagudu explained that members are already at crossroads since the cash scarcity that accompanied the Naira redesign policy intensified.

He said that farmers have been recording huge losses since the currency notes crisis began, which saw the price of a crate of egg dropped from N2,100 to N1,000.

ND Refineries Completes 3000bpd Petrol Plant, Targets Production in 2023 Peter Uzoho Nigeria’s first privately-owned refinery -ND Refineries Limited, has completed the mechanical construction of its fourth train, a 3000 barrels per day (bpd) facility dedicated to produce petrol for the domestic market.

THISDAY learnt that the plant will be unveiled and made available for refining operation before the end of this year.

ND Refineries is a subsidiary of the Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP) Plc, Nigeria’s integrated indigenous company operating across the upstream, midstream and downstream value chain of the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

The fourth train is the latest addition to the company’s existing 11000 bpd modular refinery located in Ogbele marginal field, in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 54, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“The Group has invested and installed equipment comprising various units, including a reformer, to further convert produced Naphtha to Gasoline (PMS) for the domestic market. This train is expected to be available for operations by the end of 2023”, NDEP exclusively told THISDAY in response to enquires.

“Further expansion to increase the overall capacity of the refinery is also being planned for the near future in

line with the increasing demand for petroleum products in the domestic market. The plan is to increase refining capacity in the medium-term future,” the group added.

NDEP became the first to operate a private refinery in Nigeria, with the unveiling of a 1,000bpd refinery train in 2010 that has since then been producing premium diesel for domestic market.

The refinery capacity was expanded in 2020 with the addition of two trains to increase its total refining capacity to 11,000bpd and producing other refined products in addition to diesel that includes kerosene, Marine Diesel Oil (MDO), Naphtha, and Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO).

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)

25

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY, MARCH 7, 2023

MARKET NEWS

Nigerian Breweries Recommends N13.87bn Dividend Payment to Shareholders Kayode Tokede The Board of Directors of Nigerian Breweries Plc has approved the results for the 2022 financial year, recommending the payment of a total dividend of N13.872 billion, which is N1.43kobo per ordinary share of 50k each to its shareholders.

It will be recalled that

the company had earlier paid in October 2022, an interim dividend of N3.288 billion which translated to 40k per share.

The payment of the final proposed dividend of N10.584 billion at N1.03k per share will be paid after its next Annual General Meeting billed to hold on April 26, 2023.

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R MARKET PRICE

Qualifying shareholders whose names appear on the Company’s Register of Members at the close of business on March 16, 2023 will receive the final dividend.

In a statement signed by the Company Secretary/Legal Director, Nigerian Breweries, Uaboi Agbebaku announced revenues of

N550.48 billion for the year ended 31st December 2022, which is a 26per cent increase from N437.20 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2021.

Profit after Tax for the period under review rose by eight per cent, moving from N12.93 billion in 2021 to N13.93 billion in 2022.

S E C U R I T I E S

T R A D E D

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

MAIN BOARD

A breakdown of the results showed that inflation, devaluation of the naira and high energy prices led to a 33% increase in Marketing, Distribution, and Administration expenses(which moved from N123.13 billion in 2021 to N163.60 billon in 2022) and a 22per cent increase in Cost of Sales (from N276.87

AS O F

billion in 2021 to N337.31 billion).

Agbebaku noted that the economic challenges experienced during the year under review had greatly affected consumer disposable income, but that the company showed great resilience, guided by its strong premium portfolio, brand mix improvements and strong pricing.

0 6 / 0 3 / 2 3 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

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TUESDAY, Ϳ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

EXPERIENCE, SCORECARD FAVOURS SANWO-OLU...

L-R: Members of the Concerned Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Ogwuche Michael; Hon. (Mrs) Julie Eze; Chief Mba Godwin; Coordinator, Chief Chibunna Uwawuike and Patron, Igwe Ikechukwu at a press conference in Ikeja by the group,... yesterday

IG, 37 CPs Meet Ahead of March 11 Guber Polls Says police recorded 185 incidents during last election 203 electoral offenders arrested, 18 firearms recovered PSC reviews police conduct, awaits reports of serious misconduct from police management

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Inspector-General of (IG) Police, Usman Baba, yesterday, met with Commissioners of Police in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja to deliberate on the best strategy to adopt in securing Saturday's gubernatorial election.

The IG also disclosed that 185

major incidents were recorded in the last presidential election while 203 electoral offenders were arrested.

He said police also recovered 18 firearms during the election.

In the same breath, the Police Service Commission (PSC) said the commission was studying cases of police conduct arising from the February 25 presidential and

national assembly elections.

A statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer and Chief Supretendent of Police (CSP), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the IG met with Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs) and heads of tactical investigative and operational units of the Force at the Goodluck Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall,

Force Headquarters, Abuja, to debrief officers posted for election security management duties and appraise the performance of the Nigeria Police Force at the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly Elections.

It said the meeting was convened to identify gaps, and perfect the action plan for the forthcoming March 11 elections

Senator Urges IG to Prosecute Cross River APC Chair for Electoral Offences Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Agom Jarigbe, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, seeking the arrest and prosecution of the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alphonsus Eba, and 14 others for various electoral offences.

Jarigbe, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the just concluded National Assembly elections, stated this while addressing journalists in his office on Monday.

He lamented that the APC Chairman, with a serving member of Governor Ben Ayade's government, (names withheld), and a senior officer of the state police command, allegedly connived to perpetrate acts of violence and intimidation during the exercise.

He, however, vowed that, "Whether or not the IGP carries out disciplinary action on his officers or Alphonsus Eba, I will still go to court on grounds of defamation of character.

"I emerged victorious in that election with 76,145 votes; while the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), the sitting governor of Cross River State, Benedict Ayade, came second with 56, 595 votes. A clear difference of 19,550 votes. Our people made it abundantly clear that I was their

choice.

"There is abundance of proof in public domain that the APC committed several electoral offences in their bid to rig the last election in Cross River State in general, and Cross River North in particular. The party (allegedly) unleashed armed thugs to terrorise, intimidate, and

bully voters and their perceived opponents during the election.

"The security agencies are fully aware of this. The DSS arrested one of the most dreaded of these armed thugs, one Ukpan Odey; also arrested a serving Commissioner (names witheld) with guns and ammunitions. These arrests struck

fear in their camp and other armed thugs went into hiding.

"Sadly, these suspects have been released without prosecution, and with their release, others who went into hiding have all returned and baring their fangs publicly, daring the Security Operatives to do their worst.”

Soldier Kills Commander, Two Others, Self in Sokoto Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

An officer of the Nigeria Army, Lieutenant Sam Oladapo has been shot dead allegedly by Lance Corporal Nwanbodo Chinoso, who also shot two other soldiers including the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Nigeria Army Forward Base Operation Units in Raba local government are of Sokoto State.

A Nigeria Army source, who confided in THISDAY, said the deviant soldiers crept into the room of the deceased Lieutenant and shot him dead. ,He thereafter shot the RSM of the unit Sergeant Iliyasu Inusa and a Private Soldier Attahiru Muhammad before he took his own life.

The remains of the deceased officers and three soldiers have

been deposited at the mogue at the Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army said it had instituted investigations into the unfortunate incident.

In a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations Brig Onyema Nwachukwu said the sad and rare incident occurred in the evening of Sunday 5 March 2023 at the FOB, where troops were deployed for internal security operations.

He noted that the circumstances leading to the incident could not be immediately ascertained as the soldier who killed his colleagues also shot himself immediately.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Nigerian Army, who also doubles as the Commander Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin

Daji Major General Godwin Mutkut, and other senior officers have visited the location, where he commiserated with the troops for losing their colleagues in such an unfortunate situation.

The GOC urged them to be their brother's keepers and report any anomaly observed amongst their colleagues in order to forestall such incidents. He also encouraged them to remain calm and committed in the discharge of their duties.

The authorities of the Nigerian Army are deeply concerned about this unusual and ugly development and have therefore instituted a Board of Inquiry (BOI) to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. It is envisaged that the findings of the BOI will help forestall such ugly and bizarre occurrence in the future.

It said "185 major incidents were responded to by the Police across the country during the elections, while a total of 203 offenders linked to various electoral offences and sundry crimes have so far been arrested, and 18 firearms of various calibres were recovered from political thugs during the exercise.”

He emphasised that the cases were at various stages of investigation at the Nigeria Police Electoral Offences Desks and assured that they would be concluded and processed to the legal department of the Independent National Electoral Commission for prosecution.

It said the IG, "applauded the resilience and utmost professionalism displayed by officers and men of the Nigeria Police as well as other security agencies in the course of the election security operations in line with the reviewed standard operational guidelines and rules for police officers and other security agents on electoral duties which was issued to all officers in the countdown to the election operations.

"He equally attributed the professionalism of the officers to the various pre-election pieces of training, meticulous planning, massive operational assets procurement and deployment, as well as prioritised welfare.

"The Inspector-General of Police reiterates that the Nigeria Police is committed to evolving pathways to incrementally strengthen the force's operational capacity and professional knowledge in navigating through the complex electoral process dynamics to police our democratic heritage and meet the expectations of the electorates".

Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission said it was studying cases of police conduct arising from the presidential and national assembly elections.

It stated in a statement that the commission's staff monitors, who were deployed to the 36 States of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory Abuja have since turned in their reports.

"The commission is also demanding improved performance from police officers on election duties during this Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections.”

It also expected reports from the management of the Nigeria Police Force on proven cases of misconduct for commission's consideration.

The commission warned that police officers on election duties should ensure that voters were allowed to discharge their civic responsibility and that their votes are protected.

DSS Launches Social Media Handles Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Department of the State Security ((DSS) said it has launched its social media handles.

A statement issued and signed by the Spokesman of DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, said the move was designed to enhance stakeholder engagement.

"The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby informs the public that it has created Social Media handles which are as follows:

Twitter, @OfficialDSSNG Facebook, OfficialDSSNG Instagram, @OfficialDSSNG "Similarly, the PRO’s Twitter handle is @DrAfunanya_PNA. Hitherto, the service did not own or operate these handles. Its decision to operate them with effect from March, 6, 2023, is to enhance public and stakeholder engagements.

"The public should be guided and note that any such handles before now were fake, please", it said.

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NEWS

INSPECTION OF THE ONGOING CONSTRUCTION OF THE IKEJA RED LINE RAIL TERMINAL...

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (middle); to his left are Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde and Director, Rail Transportation, LAMATA, Mr Olasunkanmi Okusaga, while on his right is the Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr (Mrs) Abimbola Akinajo, during an inspection of the ongoing construction of the Ikeja Red Line Rail Terminal, on Sunday

Tonye Cole Pledges to Create 230,000 Jobs in First 100 Days in Office Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tonye Cole has vowed to create 230, 000 jobs for young people in the 23 local government areas in the state if elected in this weekend’s election.

The Rivers APC gubernatorial standard bearer said his government when elected, would curb the alarming unemployment rating of the state.

He also promised to create an enabling environment for companies and investors to return to the state as a way to create more jobs and enhance the dwindling revenue profile of Rivers State.

Cole, made the promises, while responding to questions during a programme monitored on Channels Television.

The Rivers APC gubernatorial hopeful decried lack of investment in agriculture in the last eight years over alleged hostile investment environment in the state.

He assured that his government would redesign a legal framework and grants tax holidays as a way to encourage fleeing oil and gas companies and investors back to the state.

"Within the first 100 days in office, one of the things that we have determined is that we will be creating at least, in each of the local government areas, we will be looking at 10,000 jobs that will be created almost immediately.

"But outside of that is creating the right environment that will then make jobs attractive for people who have the ideas to come into the state to develop and we have to do this in two ways.

“The first aspect of it is to give a comfort around the legal framework that enables people to come into the state to develop jobs.

"So we will be giving tax incentives, we will be giving the incentives around the certificate of occupancy of the state. One thing that we have discovered today is that Rivers State certificate of occupancy is no longer accepted

within banks because it had lost value,” he added.

Cole said if elected, he would develop two additional cities within the Riverine and upland communities and build them

around the areas of agriculture and technology.

"Within the three Senatorial Districts that we have, one of those cities will be developed within the Riverine communities, one of

the other cities will be developed within the upload areas of the Orashi, Ogoni axis. We will be looking at where agriculture logistics and development is prime.

"The second one will be within the Riverine communities where we will do technology, because that is the best way for us to improve the development of the Riverine communities".

Elections: Police Warn Fake News Purveyors, Reassure Electorate of Optimal Security Sunday Ehigiator The Lagos State Police Command has warned fake news purveyors and other mischief makers to desist from such act, saying it was capable of causing the breakdown of law and order in the state.

Reacting to some provocative contents and hate videos against Igbos living in Lagos State, which circulated on various social media yesterday, the state’s police Spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin in a statement said, the force was, “aware of malicious, inciting,

provocative and seditious contents being circulated all over the social media with the intent to cause panic, disharmony and unrest within Lagos State.”

He added: “While the Command has begun investigating this scaremongering with a view to apprehending and prosecuting those found culpable, the good people and residents of Lagos State are urged to disregard all forms of messages, especially on social media depicting fictitious, fallacious and preposterous claims aimed at jeopardising the peace currently

being enjoyed in the state.

“As the second phase of elections approaches, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa, once again assures the electorate that the Command has fully deployed its human and operational resources in conjunction with sister security agencies to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

“Voters are therefore encouraged to come out to exercise their franchise and not succumb to the panic tactics of a few unpatriotic elements masquerading as concerned and

well-intentioned Nigerians on social media.”

He added that it was, “equally imperative to warn against mischief around the polling units and collation centres and beyond, as anyone found culpable will be promptly arrested and dealt with under the law.

“Meanwhile, Lagosians are enjoined to call the police should they notice any untoward happening around them on any of the following emergency numbers: 08127155132, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870.”

PDP: AMPLE EVIDENCE SHOWS INEC'S DELIBERATE COMPLICITY TO RIG PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION masses of our dear country will no longer tolerate any act in defiance of our electoral processes and laws.

“We feel pained at the outcome of the February 25, 2023 election and the provocative declaration your commission made against the will of the people. Sadly, this is coming at the time Nigerians were in high hopes of embracing a reformed electoral process."

The opposition party warned, "Please take caution in your acts to avoid destabilising our fledgling democracy."

Other PDP leaders at the protest included the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus; former Adamawa State Governor, Boni Haruna; former Kano State Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau; Daniel Bwacha; and Senator Dino Melaye.

INEC: Our Allegiance is to All Nigerians, Nigeria

Okoye said while receiving the PDP letter that the commission's allegiance was to Nigeria and its citizens.

Okoye, in company with other national commissioners, received the protest letter from Ayu and assured them that the electoral

umpire would address the issues.

Okoye responded, "I have received this letter on behalf of the commission, if there are remedial issues to be dealt with, we are going to deal with those remedial issues.

"This commission is for the Nigerian people. Our allegiance is for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This commission does not have allegiance to any political party or candidate, our allegiance is to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

APC: Protest Won't Give Victory Window for 'Fragmented' PDP

Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of APC said the protest staged by leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would not provide any window of victory for the main opposition party.

Director, Media and Publicity, APC PCC, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, yesterday, said, instead of Atiku and his party to wisely spend their time gathering the evidence they hoped to present before the courts, they were busy dancing “skelewu” on the streets and causing traffic nuisance to

residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who were going about their legitimate businesses on a Monday morning.

Onanuga said the ruling party did not expect a former vice president of Nigeria, a statesman and a presidential candidate to be so jobless to have time to disturb public peace over an electoral outcome he had already said he would challenge in court.

The APC spokesman said when Atiku told the whole world last week that he would seek redress in court over the outcome of the February 25 presidential election, little did the ruling party know that he did not plan to be guided by his own promise.

He added that going by Atiku's political antecedents, it was rather not surprising that, days later, he led a band of protesters, "nay jesters" in Abuja, to the headquarters of INEC. Onanuga stated, "With Atiku staging a theatre of the absurd, we fail to see how a march to INEC by a scanty crowd will provide any victory window for him and his fragmented PDP. The only recourse open to Atiku after the electoral umpire declared Asiwaju Bola Tinubu the president-elect is the Election Petition Tribunal. What was

on display today by Alhaji Atiku and his motley crowd was a new low from the perennial election loser."

The APC campaign urged Atiku to respect his age and the high office of Vice President of Nigeria he once occupied and stop being teleguided by Dino Melaye, who disclosed scandalously that N400 billion was wasted on the election, which was clear at the outset that Atiku was bound to lose.

Onanuga noted, "Atiku should avoid being misdirected by other court jesters in his party, who continued to campaign after the election, still spewing their inanities against the president-elect. They are mere comic characters in a travelling theatre group."

Atiku, PDP Leaders Desperate, Says APC Scribe, Omisore

National Secretary of APC, Senator Iyiola Omsiore, described Atiku and other PDP leaders as desperate for protesting at the national headquarters of INEC over the outcome of the presidential election. Omisore stated this yesterday while playing host to a delegation from the Chinese government led by Directing Officer, Chinese Embassy,

Wu Baocai, who paid a courtesy visit to the national secretariat of the ruling party.

The APC national secretary said, "On behalf of the National Chairman and National Working Committee (NWC), I want to thank the Chinese government for believing in us, for believing in Nigeria, for believing in INEC, for believing in the process of electoral campaigns.

"The welcome development is a signpost that the world has accepted this election worldwide and equally from the Chinese government, Xi Jinping. This is the testimony of the fairness, the freeness and acceptability of the election across the world."

Addressing the PDP protest to INEC, Omisore described leaders of the opposition party as "pure losers", saying, “They are just plain losers, simple. They are just pure losers, simple no more, no less. In any contest, there must be winners and there must be losers. So, must you win? No! They are just bad losers. Very undemocratic and they are desperate people.”

Earlier, Baocai, while reading a letter from President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, congratulated the Nigerian president-elect, Bola Tinubu, on his

victory at the poll.

The Chinese government expressed confidence that under Tinubu's leadership, Nigeria would continue to make new achievements in national building and development.

The letter read, "I learned with great joy of your election as President of Nigeria, and on behalf of the Chinese Government and the Chinese people, I would like to extend to you my sincere congratulations and best wishes. I am confident that, under your leadership, Nigeria will continue to make new achievements in the cause of national building and development.

"Nigeria is an important strategic partner of China in Africa. In recent years, the bilateral relations between our two countries enjoy a sound momentum of development, with fruitful cooperation in various fields, mutual support to each other on issues of core interests and major concerns, and close coordination on international and regional affairs.

"I attach great importance to the development of China-Nigeria relations, and stand ready to work with you to take the China-Nigeria Strategic Partnership to new heights."

Continues online

TUESDAY MARCH 7, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

28

NEWS

TUSEN CONSULTING MARKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY...

L -R: Clients Services Manager, Tusen Consulting Limited, Mr.Izu Anoliefo; Financial Director, Tusen Consulting Limited, Mrs. Nike Osinibi; Human Resources Executive, British American Tobacco, Damilola Yomi-Faseun; Human Resources Officer , British American Tobacco, Chiamaka Ihenacho, and Chairman, Tusen Consulting Limited, Mr. Tunde Johnson, at the 20th anniversary of Tusen Consulting Limited in Lagos...reently ETOP UKUTT

Guber Election: Police in Kano Uncover Plans by Politicians to Import Thugs Ibrahim Shuaibu inKano

Police in Kano have uncovered plans by some politicians to import thugs in Kano with a view to disrupting the March 11 governorship and state assembly elections in the state.

Intelligence reports gathered by the police authorities in the state indicated that some unpatriotic politicians had concluded plans to bring in dare-devil thugs into

the state and pay them to foment trouble that will lead to bloody political violence during the forthcoming election.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mamman Dauda, ha therefore, warned those spearheading the ugly plot to desist or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.

He said the Police and sistersecurity agencies are fully prepared to deflate their evil orchestration and

Akeredolu Approves Increment of Pension Allowances for Retirees

Fidelis David in Akure

Ondo State governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has approved the increment in the pension allowances of the retirees in the state.

Disclosing this in his office in Akure yesterday the state’s Head of Service, Mr Kayode Ogundele, said the approval is in conformity with the consequential adjustment arising from the implementation of the national minimum wage of 2019 in the country.

According to him, no fewer than 11,654 officers from the state civil service and 11,659 from the local governments’ service who retired before 1st January, 2020, the effective date of the present minimum wage regime would benefit from the new approval.

While congratulating the pensioners in the state, Ogundele thanked governor Akeredolu for listening to the yearnings of the pensioners and prioritising the general well-being of Ondo State workers.

as well ensure that the Saturday’s gubernatorial and state assembly elections in Kano are not only violence-free, but free and fair.

According to a Statement signed by the Command’s spokesman,

Superintendent of Police, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of CP, “The Kano State Police Command under the leadership of CP Mamman Dauda, receives information that some disgruntled

politicians are planning to import thugs to the State with the sole aim of disrupting the forthcoming Gubernatorial / State Assembly Elections slated for Saturday, 11th March 2023.

“The CP is warning all thugs, mischief makers and miscreants to stay clear of the State as the Command will not relent in its effort at dealing decisively with troublemakers.

Eight Political Parties Endorse Kaduna PDP Guber Candidate

Eight political parties in Kaduna state have endorsed the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Isah Ashiru, for the March 11 governorship and state assembly elections.

The parties include: Action Alliance (AA); Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Action Peoples Party (APP); All Progressives

Grand Alliance (APGA); Young Peoples Party (YPP); National Rescue Movement (NRM); Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Accord Party (AP).

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Kaduna, the governorship candidates of the political parties, said they had resolved to mobilise their supporters to support the PDP

candidate to kick out the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Speaking on behalf of other candidates, the governorship candidate of YPP, Sanin Yaya, said the decision to support the PDP was taken after extensive consultation with members of the eight political parties in the state.

Yaya said: “The decision is borne

out of our genuine desire to have one indivisible state irrespective of tribal or religious differences, and we are confident that Isah Ashiru is the only candidate that will unify the state.”

He added: “Today, we wish to announce our support and loyalty to Rt. Hon. Isah Ashiru, the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP.”

Group: Investigate Vote-Buying, Thuggery, Diversion of Votes in Akwa Ibom North-east Senatorial District OkonBasseyinUyo

A group, the Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance has called on security agents to investigate reports of massive rigging, vote-buying and voters intimidation reported across Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District in the February 25, 2023 general election.

The group has also called on the electoral umpire to explain how all the votes amassed by Peter Obi in Senatorial District, ended up for the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Briefing newsmen in Uyo yesterday, the Chairman of the Alliance, Barrister Stephen Abia,

also enjoined voters to avail security agents of information on the perpetrators of the illegalities in the interest of the democratic process in the State.

He wondered why agents and observers, who were in the field in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district reported widespread support for Peter Obi in the presidential polls,

only for Peter Obi’s votes to be greatly and grossly reduced at the expense of the APC and its candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

The group maintained that such an act was capable of causing loss of confidence in the electoral process by the electorates and general apathy in the next phase of the election coming up this weekend.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Jimi Lawal yesterday said he had not abandoned his struggle to reclaim the candidacy of the party ahead of the Saturday’s election.

Lawal specifically said that

the Supreme Court, on the matter before the court and it was not true that he had endorsed candidate of another party.

The explanation of Lawal, was contained in a statement signed

by Austin Oniyokor, Project Director, Otunba Jimi Adebisi

(JALCO), against the report that some leaders of the opposition party, had endorsed Governor Dapo Abiodun’s re-election.

The aspirant, described the purported endorsement, as a “hoax and lies from the pit of hell.”

While assuring his teeming

the 20 local governments of the State that he would not disappoint them, he appealed to them to keep hope alive.

Lawal added that he could not abandon his pending appeal in the Supreme Court and endorse another party’s candidate.

Consider Merger with Other Parties to Defeat 2023: Jimi Lawal Denies Endorsing another Candidate APC in 2027, Ex-INEC Chief Advises PDP Ogun he still has pending appeal in Lawal Campaign Organisation supporters and loyalists across James Sowole in Abeokuta Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

Former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Lai Olurode, has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to consider a merger with other political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Olurode said the PDP would only be able to dislodge the ruling APC from power if it could merge with other parties, saying the main opposition party threw away

a big opportunity to return to power when it went into the 2023 general elections in a weaker and fractured state.

Speaking as a guest on Bottom Line, a programme of New Cruse 92.7 FM, Ikere monitored by THISDAY yesterday, Olurode said opposition parties in the country led by the PDP would have achieved the feat of sacking the APC from power if they had swallowed their pride and work together to give Nigerians a party regime change they had craved.

Tinubu Urged to Provide Good Governance Segun Awofadeji inBauchi

Nigeria’s President-elect, Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been charged to see Nigeria as an entity which he must strive to govern irrespective of ethno-religious and political affiliation.

The call was made by a coalition known as North East Development Association (NEDA) while addressing a press conference in Bauchi.

NEDAcongratulated Tinubu and the vice president-elect, Kashim

Shettima describing their victory as a sign that Nigeria and Nigerians are gradually shifting away from religious and sectional politics.

The group, which drew membership from the states that make the sub-region, also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for creating an enabling environment for the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the 2023 general elections in an atmosphere of peace.

Abia PDP Guber Candidate, Ahiwe, Promises to Chart New Course in Governance Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Sir Okey Ahiwe, has hinted of his intention to chart a new course and “completely do new things” if elected governor. .

Ahiwe, who is the candidate of the ruling party and enjoys the backing of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, pledged a fresh start if he gets the mandate on March 11, adding that he “will hit the ground running” since he already knew the issues to be resolved.

He stated this in a personal

note to all Abians entitled “My Covenant with Ndi Abia” in which he appealed to Abia voters to cast their ballots for him and the PDP house of assembly candidates.

“I will do completely new things in Abia. I know the issues, so I will hit the ground

running. I will pay pensions and the salary arrears of our workers in the parastatals and offset leave allowances,” he said.

The PDP gubernatorial hopeful also promised to build “additional infrastructure to support and boost the Abia State economy”.

Osun Workers, Others Urged to Vote APC Candidates on Saturday Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo In the build-up to the House of Assembly elections in Osun State on Saturday, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has alerted the state civil servants in particular and all the inhabitants of the state

to be wary of Governor Ademola Adeleke and his embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the needless showcasing of his insipid achievements since the inauguration of his administration on November 27, 2022.

The acting Osun State chairman of the APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal,

in a statement in Osogbo, the state capital yesterday told the state workers not to vote the PDP candidates in the Saturday’s elections as the embattled Governor Adeleke had proved to be monumentally deficient in the qualities required to successfully govern a complex state like Osun.

Lawal disclosed that all the running up and down of Adeleke to satisfy the yearnings of the civil servants were not genuine but borne out of hypocritical consideration that could be likened to a mere political infatuation aimed to swindle the innocent state workers on the long run.

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NEWSXTRA

SCHOOL RENOVATION...

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji; Vice Principal, Government Technical College, Igbara Odo-Ekiti, Mrs Yemisi Abidakun, and other officials during an inspection of ongoing renovation work at the college in Igbara Odo-Ekiti…yesterday

Niger PDP Alleges Plot by APC to Rig Saturday’s Governorship Election Laleye Dipo inMinna The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded plans to rig the governorship and house of assembly elections taking place on Saturday.

The party claimed that the

rigging plan is being done in concert with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and some security agents.

“We have it on record that plans are being made by the APC to use INEC adhoc staff and the security to perpetrate what they did in last election” the state Chairman of the party Mr Tanko Beji disclosed while

Tinubu Condemns Terrorists’ Attacks in Zamfara, Kano

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

President-elect, Bola Tinubu has condemned the attacks carried out by terrorists at the weekend in Maru Local Government of Zamfara State and the murder carried out in Maigari town of Rimin Gado Local Government in Kano State by assailants.

A Divisional Police Officer (DPO), a police inspector and a vigilance group member were reported killed in the attack in Zamfara, while the Kano attack, gunmen broke into the residence of a village head and shot him dead.

In a statement issued by his media office yesterday, Tinubu said the attack on Maru town after a period of relative peace in Zamfara State was a reminder that more needs to be done to completely defeat bandits and terrorists.

He condoled with the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, the Zamfara State Government and families of the affected security personnel over the deaths.

Tinubu, however, called for investigation into the murder of the District Head of Maigari in Kano State, who is the father of Rimin Gado Local Government chairman, Munir Maigari.

He said: “As a country we have to come together to defeat these merchants of death and terror once and for all. Mindless killings and atrocities like this should have no place in our country,” he said.

He commiserated with the local government chairman, Kano State Government and family of the deceased over the gruesome murder of the community leader.

expedite action on the investigations of some people arrested in a building in Bosso area of the state capital where they were allegedly caught with some materials including BVAs machine

designed for Saturday’s election before asking the police to make public its investigation and also seal off the building.

However, the police in the state has debunked the claim and also

said it had arrested two people for spreading fake news.

State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Wasiu Abiodun said those arrested would be charged to court soon.

Abia Faults Lawmaker’s Request for Information on Utilisation of N27bn on Projects Abia State Government has faulted a letter written by the Member representing Aba South State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Obinna Ichita seeking explanation on the N27.4 billion World Bank funds used to finance projects in the state, saying the lawmaker was merely advertising his ignorance.

Ichita through a law firm, Adulbert Legal Services, led

by his Counsel, Barr Aloy Ejimakor in a letter dated 28th February, 2023 requested the state government led by Ikpeazu to furnish him with important information on financing of notable projects in his constituency.

Ichita through Ejimakor demanded, “The accounting details of how the Government of Abia State spent the N274

billion (or the equivalent sum in dollar) which the Government of Abia State had received in full from the World Bank for road construction and erosion control projects in Aba specifically Port-Harcourt Road, Uratta Road, Obohia Road, Ohanku Road and Ngwa Road.

“The name and business address(es) of the Contractor(s) that executed any of the projects

mentioned in the preceding paragraph; and copies of the contract awards documents and the cost of the execution of each project.”

Ichita said he made the request for information in pursuant to the provisions of Freedom of Information Act, which requires compliance within strict deadlines and demanded the Governor’s timely response.

N500bn Defamation: Court Adjourns Seplat Suit against Media House to April 26 Amby Uneze in Owerri A High Court sitting in Owerri, the capital of Imo State presided over by Justice U.U. Nnodum has adjourned a defamation case between Seplat Energy Plc and Per Seconds News Limited and seven others to April 26, 2023, for parties to file preliminary objection and to argue the merits

and demerits of the case.

When the case was mentioned for the first time on Friday, the counsel to the 2nd to 7th defendants, Oladimeji Adebayo told the court that he had filed preliminary objection to the case, noting that none of the parties reside in Owerri and the case alleged defamation was not committed in Owerri.

He contended that the Plaintiff sued a non-existence party as there was no company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with the name: Per Seconds News Limited which was contained in his preliminary objection as he urged the court to dismiss the case for lack of merit.

He told journalists that

Seplat Energy Plc filed a writ of summons on allegation over defamation on the acquisition of ExxonMobil Plc. “We have filed notice of preliminary objection because this court is in Owerri and Seplat and our clients are based in Abuja, none of the matters took place here in Owerri. We also told the court that the name

Guber Election: Kwara SDP Rules Out Merger with Other Parties Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Ahead of Saturday’s poll, Kwara state chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has ruled out plan to merge with any other political party in the state.

Speaking with journalists after commission without exception. a meeting with SDP leaders and Part of the guidelines given to supporters in Ilorin yesterday, the the committee is to determine party’s presidential candidate in the suitability and capability of the applicants in line with the extant Nigerian Civil Aviation regulations and ICAO standards, Segun Awofadeji in Gombe allocate passengers to the Carriers based on their assessed Governor Muhanmadu Inuwa capabilities, Establish criteria, score Yahaya has directed for the or grade for suitability and for the immediate dismantling of all recommendation of an applicant, security check points within Recommend appropriate pilgrim Gombe State. airfare and excess luggage rate for the specified departure zones and make any other recommendation, Okon Bassey in Uyo necessary for the efficient conduct of 2023 Hajj airlift.

A Cleric, Apostle John Okoriko, IHR said the committee should has called on Christians to pray ensure that it abides by its for God’s divine intervention commitment that only Airlines who in the sufferings of Nigerians meet the technical requirements are considered for ferrying Nigerian caused by the Naria redesign pilgrims and that only airlines who policy of the federal government.

Okoriko, who is The Founder has the specified aircraft will be of Solid Rock Kingdom Church selected in Akwa Ibom State, debunked

Hajj 2023 Airlift: CSO Tasks Aviation Screening Committee on Professionalism Following the constitution of a Screening Committee to select airlines that would airlift Hajj 2023 intending pilgrims by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR), a civil society organisation has called on members of the committee to abide strictly by the terms of their mandate and apply their professional competence in selecting 2023 Hajj air carriers.

IHR lauded the terms of reference handed over to the screening committee by NAHCON and the decision to include competent professionals from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to handle the screening exercise, especially by allowing the committee to allocate passengers to the Carriers based on their assessed capabilities.

IHR charged the 36-member screening committee to strictly adhere to the terms of reference handed over to them by

addressing newsmen in Minna.

Beji advised INEC and the security agencies to live up to their responsibilities by performing their duties judiciously.

He also told the police to

the February 25, 2023 elections, Mr. Adewole Adebayo, said that the SDP was in the race to win elections, “not only in Kwara state, but across the country.”

He said:”What are we merging for? We’re here to make a difference. So that Nigeria people can see the difference between black and white. We’re not trying to mix black and white

to get grey and confuse them further. People are entitled to make choices.

“SDP wants to be in government, to be consistent and available for the people. So, when people realize the need to deal with poverty, insecurity and rights of Nigerian citizens, then we would stop rotating poverty, insecurity, rigging all

around.

“Any of the good political parties can join SDP to move the country better, but forget it, we are not joining any political party.

“Next election is for the SDP to win. With our unity, coupled with our hardwork, we can move mountain. March 11 will mean victory for us”.

Gombe Directs Dismantling of Security Check Points This decision is sequel to his consultations with heads of security agencies in the state.

This is contained in a press release issued by the State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr. Meshack

Audu Lauco, which was made available to journalists yesterday in Gombe.

Meanwhile those check points at the border with the neighbouring states should remain in place and shall

only be closed for vehicular movement from 12 midnight to 6 a.m.

The state government urged citizens to co-operate with the directive in the interest of peace and security in the state.

Christians Urged to Pray to Avert Economic Crisis in Nigeria speculations that fathers of faith in the state have received various forms of inducement to support the Peoples’ Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Pastor Umo Eno, in the March 11 governorship election in the state.

He spoke in an interactive service in Uyo where he said that the church must unite in prayers so that the current economic

hardships in the country might not be unnecessarily prolonged.

He said: “Let the church join and pray to God so that the sufferings we are currently going through in the country will be cut short. We need to pray for Nigeria.”

The cleric, who is a member of “Fathers of Faith,” said that they have not been induced to

support the aspiration of Pastor Umo Eno. According to him, their support for the PDP’s candidate, who is also a member of Fathers of Faith, was based on the conviction that Umo Eno would consolidate on the achievements of Governor Udom Emmanuel in the areas of security and infrastructures.

TUESDAY MARCH 7, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSXTRA

Polls: Youths Alleged Underutilisation of BVAS in Nasarawa Igbawase Ukumba inLafia Hundreds of youths in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State yesterday alleged that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was underutilised during the February 25 presidential/national assembly poll.

Some of the placards displayed by the protesters during the protest read: “Our EO has been compromised”. “We were disenfranchised”. “INEC should look into our grievances and make amends”, among others.

Presenting their grievance to Governor Abdullahi Sule at the Lafia Government House main gate, spokesperson for the protesters, Usman Musa Sambu, alleged further that the election was marred by pockets of irregularities.

Sambu, who is the councilor representing Nasarawa Eggon/ Alizaga Electoral Ward of Nasarawa Eggon LGA, added that the election was also marred by disenfranchisement and poor implementation of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended.

He therefore, cited the underutilisation of the BVAS,

Guber Election: Yuguda Asks Bauchi Citizens to Vote for APC Candidate Segun Awofadeji inBauchi

Former Governor of Bauchi State, Mr. Isa Yuguda, has called on the electorates in the state to vote for Ambassador Saddique Baba Abubakar of the All Peoples Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election.

Yuguda described Abubakar as a man of no mistakes that has what it takes to fix all the problems in the state.

He stated this during an interactive session with journalists at his residence in Bauchi ahead of the governorship and State House of Assembly elections that were slated for March 11.

The former governor said that he was in the state to tell the citizens of Bauchi State the true position regarding the forthcoming election and enlighten them more on the good qualities Abubakar

of the APC possesses.

He said that things were not going the way they ought to in the state, hence the need for a change of leadership that will usher Bauchi State into its promised land by bringing on board a leader who has a track-record of an outstanding performance in the country.

“You are all very much aware that I have been a member of the APC and I am still an active member. It is not yet time for me to withdraw, except in the far away future and which is why I feel very strongly that my presence now, because I have a responsibility and I owe it a duty that when things are going wrong and you are in a political party and you have a very good candidate to sell to the public, you have to be very visible.

violence in some polling areas, intimidation of voters among many other infringements.

“Your Excellency, we have calmly come here to express our anger to you. Without mincing words, our supporters of the APC suffered intimidation, mutilation of electoral

materials and acts of violence.

“Our candidate was shortchanged and our voters were frustrated. This nearly led to political unrest on Thursday in Nasarawa Eggon. But, we had to calm it down with the hope that authorities would listen to

us,” the spokesperson maintained.

Responding, Governor Sule said he was pleased with the orderliness of the protesters, hence advising them to put all their evidences of electoral infractions in order to facilitate investigation.

“We are not unconcerned of your anger. It is thoughtful that you have decided to come here and express yourself. I will assure you of doing all that is possible to ensure that your allegations are looked into and justice shall be done,” Sule assured them.

Trust Me with Your Mandate to Make New Abia Possible, Emenike Tells Abians Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

As the people of Abia State prepare to elect a new governor come March 11, 2023, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ikechi Emenike, has urged voters to trust him with their mandate.

In a message he sent to the

voters ahead of the governorship poll, Emenike said that time had come for Abia people to elect a trustworthy person to preside over the affairs of the state, saying that his word is his bond.

“If I reach agreement with you, that agreement is binding on me. I have never reneged on agreement,” he said.

The governorship hopeful

reminded Abians that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has been in power for over two decades in the state has “used lies and deceit to underdevelop Abia”.

“You have tried the same tendency for 24 years. It’s time to try another,” he said, adding that his candidacy offers Abia a new hope and belief that things can move forward.

According to him, having “failed abysmally to keep their promises” to Abians, the PDP has no moral right to make any promises this time around and expect to be believed.

“This is the time to shake off those holding Abia down.

If you continue to vote for those holding you down, then you are the one holding yourself down,” Emenike said.

Contractor Sues Church over Alleged Unpaid N29.5m Fees

Wale Igbintade

A firm, Paudemic International Limited and its managing director, Abraham Olorunda, have dragged the Registered Trustees Living Faith Church Worldwide before an Ogun State High Court sitting at Ota over alleged N29,532,638,60 unpaid contract sum awarded by

the Church.

Also sued along with the Church are the founder of the Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, and Covenant Microfinance Bank Limited.

The claimants in suit number HCT/429/2020 are also demanding an interest of 21 per cent per annum from October

2019 to judgment and thereafter at 10 percent per annum from judgment until final liquidation of the judgment sum.

The Claimants in their statement of Claim alleged that they were awarded a contract of construction of cylindrical steel tank at Covenant University Ota through a letter dated 20th October 2008 in the

sum of N14,108,000.00 only.

The claimants averred that they approached Covenant Microfinance Bank Limited one of the conglomerates of the Defendants for advance payment guarantee of 75 per cent of the contract sum which was N10, 581,000.00 for the execution of the contract.

Southern Kaduna Group Endorses Sani for Governor John ShiklaminKaduna

The Southern Kaduna Youth Stakeholders Forum (SKYSF), has endorsed Senator Uba Sani, governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State.

At a news conference yesterday in Kaduna, Chairman of SKYSF,

Mr. Mock Kure, said that the APC’s candidate is competent and could deliver if elected governor.

Kure said that Sani who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, sponsored many bills and initiated human development programmes that had direct bearing to his constituents.

He appealed to the people of

Kaduna State, especially, the people of Southern Kaduna, to come out en masse and vote for Sani and his running mate, Ms. Hadiza Balarabe, on Saturday, Kure said that Sani would embark on massive rural and urban transformation if elected.

Kure said that as a senator, Sani initiated human development

programmes such as the provision of scholarship to students in his senatorial district.

He added that Sani “is the first senator in the history of Kaduna State” to attract a project worth N4 billion to the Faculty of Engineering to the Kaduna State University (KASU), currently under construction at the permanent site.

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TUESDAY, Ϳ˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Osimhen Named 2022 Best Foreign Athlete in Italy

Duro Ikhazuagbe Victor Osimhen’s good fortunes this season in the Serie A have further earned him accolade as the Outstanding Foreign Athlete in Italy in 2022.

The Napoli talisman who leads the Italian topflight as highest scorer in the 2022/23 season on 19 goals also have additional two goals in the UEFA Champions League.

The 24-year-old Nigerian international was named the winner of the award yesterday in a statement issued by the Foreign Press Association in Italy who are the Organisers of the prize.

Napoli’s President, Alfredo De Laurentiis, watched with admiration as his player received the honour.

The Organisers stated further that Osimhen was give the prize “because of his fundamental to Napoli’s extraordinary success, thanks to his excellent play, great power and vocation for scoring goals.”

The Super Eagles gangling striker has been pivotal to Napoli’s 15-point lead from 25 games. The Naples-based former club of Diego Maradona are on the verge of winning their first Scudetto since 1990.

Only few weeks back, Osimhen was named Serie A’s Player of the Month of January while also going home with Goal of the Month gong for his magnificent volley that earned Napoli Win at Roma.

Globe Soccer Award also named him Emerging Player of the Year. He defeated the likes of Barcelona’s Gavi and Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde for the Best Young Football Talent prize for 2022.

He’s likely going to be in the centre of ‘transfer war’ as several big clubs in European leagues are gunning for his signature in the summer despite still having two more years on his contract until June 30, 2025 at Napoli.

Poor Flying Eagles Fail to Reach U20 AFCON Final Duro Ikhazuagbe

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria failed to qualify for the final of the ongoing U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt after they lost 1-0 to The Gambia at the Cairo International Stadium.

The failure ended Coach Ladan Bosso’s dream to extend Nigeria’s domination of the tournament to eight continental crown. As consolation, the Flying Eagles are to play in the losers’ third-place game against Tunisia on Friday.

As early as 7th minute, The Gambia profited from a defensive slip by captain Daniel Bameyi when the Young Scorpions’ forward, Adama Bojang, latched on a loose ball to fire beyond the reach of goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso for the only goal of the match.

Nigeria’s rapid raiders Ibrahim Muhammad, Samson Lawal, Haliru Sarki and Francis

AFN Disowns Zaria Athletics Grand Prix

Osimhen

Chelsea’s James, Pulisic May Return for Dortmund Tonight Reece James and Christian Pulisic could return as Chelsea look to overturn a one-goal deficit in their Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund tonight at Stamford Bridge.

Defender Thiago Silva remains injured and midfielder Mason Mount is suspended after being booked in Germany.

Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and Netherlands forward Donyell Malen should both be fit for Dortmund.

Karim Adeyemi, though, has

C H A M P I O N S L E AG U E been ruled out for the visitors.

Germany forward Adeyemi, who scored the winner three weeks ago, has not played since 19 February after picking up a muscle injury.

Dortmund, second on goal difference behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, will travel to London looking to record their 11th consecutive victory in all competitions, while Chelsea are hoping to secure

back-to-back wins for the first time since October.

To advance, Graham Potter's side will have to score two goals in a match for the first time since 27 December.

Chelsea also come into the contest having been knocked out of both domestic cups and are 10th in the Premier League, which leaves the Champions League as their only realistic opportunity to win a trophy

this season.

The night’s other Round of 16 game is between Benfica versus Club Brugge in Lisbon.

TODAY Champions League Chelsea v Dortmund Benfica v C’Brugge

Europa Conference Lazio v AZ Alkmaar

Morocco Escape CAF Ban over CHAN No-show The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will not sanction Morocco for their no-show at this year's Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) in Algeria.

In a statement yesterday, CAF said its disciplinary board had found the North Africans failed

Abubakar failed to get their strikes on target.

Late in the second half, Nigeria got the chance to drag the game into extra time when Flying Eagles were rewarded with a penalty by VAR. Belgium-based striker Ahmed Abdullahi was fouled by the Gambia’s goalkeeper inside the box But Abdullahi struck the kick against the base of the upright from the penalty spot to cap an evening of poor marksmanship by perhaps the worst Flying Eagles ever.

They played like a team lacking any input of a gaffer as they put every foot wrong.

The Gambia will take on Senegal’s Young Lions of the Teranga in Saturday’s Final.

The Group A winners sliced Tunisia to bits in a 3-0 win in the first semi-final played at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia earlier in the day.

to participate in the tournament, "due to circumstances totally beyond their control, and as such no sanction of whatsoever nature is imposed on the Royal Moroccan Federation."

CHAN is a tournament exclusive to players playing in their national domestic leagues.

Morocco withdrew on the eve of the competition after being denied permission to fly into Algeria from their capital Rabat, using the country’s national carrier Royal Air Maroc, as a political spat spilled over into football.

The two neighbouring coun-

tries have been embroiled in a diplomatic row and in 2021 Algeria severed ties with Morocco, a move which included suspending direct flights in both directions.

CAF has reiterated a warning that politics must be kept out of its events in future.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), insisted yesterday that it is not aware of any track and field competition purportedly scheduled to hold between March 17and 18 at the Ahmadu Bello University sports ground in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The Federation, in a statement through its Secretary General, Rita Mosindi, takes particular offence in the use of its logo and that of its parent body, World Athletics in advertising the said athletics competition.

“It has come to the notice of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) that some unknown persons have been advertising the Zaria Athletics Grand Prix which has been scheduled to hold at the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria.

“The unknown persons did not only use the logo of the Federation in the advert but also include the World Athletics logo in the advert to validate the authenticity of the event,” said the AFN in the statement issued on Monday in Abuja. ''We want to use this medium

to state that AFN, as the sole regulatory body for athletics activities in Nigeria, is not aware of any athletics competition in Zaria nor approve any Grand Prix for any one in Zaria, neither has the Organiser of the so-called Zaria Grand Prix approached the AFN for permission to use the AFN or World Athletics logo.”

“We hereby make it known to all athletes that intend to participate in the competition not to be deceived by the logos as a sign of approval from AFN.” “We also use this opportunity to inform all that, henceforth any competition that did not follow due process will no longer count nor be used as a selection criterion for any international events by AFN as embedded in the selection rules.”

The AFN therefore called on all intending competition organisers to follow due process before organising any athletics competition in order to achieve the desired mutual purpose of developing athletics in Nigeria.

Fame Foundation Commemorates Int’l Women’s Day with Football Tourney In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2023, FAME Foundation will tomorrow, March 8, 2023, mark the occasion with a football tournament at the Area 3 football pitch, Garki Area 3, Abuja.

The yearly tournament is aimed at promoting gender equality, highlight important roles of women in the community and recognise the impact of women in society.

Executive Director Fame Foundation, Aderonke Bello, said Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare would kick off the

game in the presence of High Commissioners and Ambassadors of some embassies.

There will be a total of about 11 women's football teams competing, including Team USA, Team Fame/AMAC, Team National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Team Bet9ja, Team FEAAN, Team East Africa, Team Canada, Team North Africa, and others who haven't confirmed their participation.

Team NCWS defeated Team Equality (US Embassy and British High Commission) to win the last edition.

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Afenifere to Tinubu

“The incoming administration must hit the ground running with sustainable welfarist programmes, ousting terrorism and banditry, and putting an end to nepotism with round pegs in round holes. The administration must bring down the hyperinflation in the country, make sure fuels are available at very low prices, and artificial bottlenecks in the financial sector resulting in cash crunch are removed” --Afenifere’s Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, tasking the president-elect, Tinubu, to prove the cynics wrong.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI Nigeria: February 25 And The Aftermath N abati1990@gmail.com

igeria held its Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday, February 25, 2023 across all the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

It was the most competitive election since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999, the seventh in the cycle. It was also the election with the lowest turn-out: just about 25. 2 million voters voted in that election.

Close to one million votes were voided, the declared winner won just about 8.8% of the total votes cast out of 93.4 million registered voters, with a collated figure of 87.2 million registered voters. Many commentators have attributed the low voter turn-out to voter suppression, voter intimidation and the scarcity of money and fuel, although those may not have been serious reasons for voter apathy.

The people were enthusiastic, but they were disappointed by INEC’s gross incompetence.

In 1999, voter turn-out was 52.3 %; in 2003, over 63 million voters showed up– that is 69.1% turn out in Nigeria’s Presidential and National Assembly elections of that year; in 2007, the reported figure was 57.5%; and in 2011, 53.7%, with the loser in that election - General Buhari getting as many as a little over 15 million votes. In 2015, the turn-out figure dropped to 43.7%; later in 2019, 34. 75%, The bigger point to be made is that Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential election has had the worst turn-out in the whole of Africa in the last decade. In 2017, Rwanda recorded a 98.15% voter turn-out, which was considered the highest in the world.

What we can hold on to is that whereas Nigerians were very enthusiastic about the National Assembly and Presidential elections of February 25, 2023, there were great apprehensions among the people which hindered the eventual outcome of the process.

Nigerians now have a President-elect in the person of Senator/Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the lowest margin of victory in contemporary Nigerian history.

The total number of valid votes in this election is not even up to the total number of votes won by just two candidates in previous elections. But what the law states is that the man with the majority of votes and the highest number of votes in two thirds of the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory is to be declared winner. Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution which addresses this is already a matter of contention in both the public domain and the courts. It would be interesting to see how in the course of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunals, this diminishes or enhances the county’s jurisprudence in that regard.

But for now, what we know is that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC, winner of the Presidential election of February 25. INEC did not also waste time in giving the Certificate of Return to the APC candidate. We have not seen the same haste with the other elections, the National Assembly elections of February 25 and their legislative winners. None of them has received the Certificate of Return the following day, or nine days after. But the President-elect got his post-haste. He has also since embarked on victory laps to key political figures including the President in his home state of Daura, his wife, supported by other APC wives has visited Mrs Aisha Buhari in Aso Villa, and to cap it all, the President-elect has led a delegation to the Oba of Lagos just to say thank you. Tinubu has since moved into the Defence House in Abuja, the holding bay for a President in waiting. By now, he would be receiving daily security briefings from all relevant agencies of state. In terms of optics, Tinubu himself is already hob-nobbing with the international diplomatic community. He is visiting local traditional rulers and taking messages from foreign diplomats. He has done a victory lap of sorts to Lagos and no one should be surprised if he goes to all principal Yoruba towns and kings.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu He is playing a game of self-affirmation, laying concrete beneath his “Emilokan” (it’s my turn”) declaration. He has not only managed to win the election; he is already seeking to consolidate the gain by playing a fast game ahead of others.

He is striving to establish himself as master and owner of the game.

I think I have a fair idea of what is playing out.

The last time I ran for elective office – in the 2019 Gubernatorial race, I recall some wise persons in our camp, telling us at the time, that the way Nigerian politics is played, it is better to win the election and allow other parties and candidates to be the ones to complain. While they are preparing to go to court, you take charge of the victory and take the game to another level. Resort to the tribunal and the courts is constitutionally provided for as the place of last resort for aggrieved politicians, but the received wisdom in Nigerian politics is that if you know your way, that could be difficult to enforce at the gubernatorial level and even more difficult at the Presidential level. Nigerian politicians seem to have this implicit confidence that if you know how the system works, it would be difficult to lose the certificate of return that has been issued to you. The matter is further compounded by the fact that election matters are sui generis. This is a euphemism for the fact that in an election matter, the verdict can go in any direction.

The heavy burden of proof is on the plaintiff to prove that he has been cheated. The courts have a presumption of regularity in favour of the respondent and the electoral commission. The test in election matters is substantial compliance. It is partly why some of the election cases that go all the way to the Supreme Court always produce strange outcomes. In Presidential matters, it would be recalled that the Nigerian Supreme Court has never up-turned any Presidential dispute from Awolowo vs. Shagari to Atiku vs. Jonathan and after. Their Lordships of the Supreme Court always find a way of ruling in favour of the man who already has the Certificate of Return! The ink was yet to dry on the ballot papers before INEC produced and handed over the Certificates of Return for the Presidential election to the President-elect and the Vice-President-Elect as announced for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The general impression, among Nigerians, with the sole exception of the supporters of the ruling party now declared elected, is that Nigeria’s electoral commission simply keyed into the President-elect’s “emilokan message”. Whereas the technological

innovation in form of BVAS – the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System and iREV - the INEC results reporting portal -was supposed to ensure transparency and accountability in form of real-time loading of results from polling units, on election day, the same BVAS process as provided for in Section 60 of the Electoral Act and Clause 38 of INEC’s own Guidelines failed on election day.

To be specific, it worked seamlessly for National Assembly elections but failed to upload Presidential elections. The same device, in the same locations, in the same elections conducted on the same day chose to behave in a discriminatory manner due, I suspect, to human error or human failure. But INEC places the blame conveniently on “technical glitches” arising from the fact that this was not an off-cycle election but a general election. The people were assured that the glitches would be fixed by the engineers. Nine days later, INEC was yet to load the results from over 176, 800 polling units for the Presidential election on its portal, the engineers have not fixed anything, and yet they have declared a winner of the Presidential election.

It is difficult to dismiss the aggrieved Nigerians who have blamed INEC for imposing something in the shape of “election magic” on Nigerians on February 25. The major political parties that lost out are on their way to the courts. They have asked for the leave of court to inspect INEC documents to put evidence together. The People’s Democratic Party has staged “a black uniform” demonstration in Abuja to show the party’s displeasure.

But would this make any difference? Nigeria is a funny country. Heavens don’t fall around here when people’s expectations are not fulfilled. Not in normal, everyday life. Not during elections.

Expectations die daily in Nigeria. The truth is: the people are used to that reality. They hem and haw when they are aggrieved. The same people would later move on, and behave as if nothing is amiss. The psychology of the Nigerian to adapt to everything and anything is one of the major wonders of the world. The APC strategists know this. They believe it. It is why they can beat their chests and boast with the authority of the courts.

They have not only been declared elected, they have assumed the authority of the courts. Meet us there! Their confidence is typically Nigerian.

In reality, there is no truly independent institution in Nigeria. When you look deeply enough, you’d find some magic lying underneath.

It is okay for the international community to urge Nigerians to seek legal and necessary means to resolve disputes. That is the standard script in these matters as a way of maintaining peace and order. It is even more important to prevent a country of over 200 million from descending into chaos. Nigeria is so delicate and so strategic, you can do just about anything, people can hurt you as they wish, and no matter how, everyone would still beg you to calm down. Hence, the aggrieved political parties are expected to calm down. Only three of the parties are openly aggrieved by the way out of 18 political parties: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). Only three parties are talking of going to court. Other aggrieved parties like Omoyele Sowore’s African Action Congress (AAC) have been heard making small noises, but the majority of the other parties, like the Social Democratic Party (SDP) seem to have taken a pragmatic view of the matter. Nobody should be surprised if some of the other smaller political parties show up in court to support the President-elect, and argue that there was nothing wrong with the elections of February 25. No one should be surprised either if INEC finds ways of blocking the access of the aggrieved parties to critical data and evidence.

Those who will be hurt, those to whom Nigeria has happened, after a manner of speech, are those Nigerians who got brutalized before, during and after the election (I hope Mrs Efedi Bina Jennifer’s face has healed – she got stabbed in the face on

election day in Surulere, Lagos), those whose votes were never counted because BVAS failed or INEC officials threw away their papers into the bush, or simply refused to upload results, those whose votes were set ablaze because hoodlums seized ballot boxes and set fire to them, those who voted, heard the results at the polling units, only to hear INEC Headquarters later announcing a different set of results. It must be painful to such persons to be told that their choice was determined by “technical glitches”. And now, four days to another round of elections – INEC seeks the leave of court to reconfigure its BVAS. What INEC could not do for months, and in nine days, it wants to do in 4 days? Candidly, no be juju be that? The biggest loser in the just concluded election is of course INEC. For failing the people, it failed as an institution. It lost the people’s trust and confidence. Whatever it does going forward, the people would be full of doubts. I pity Professor Yakubu Mahmood, the INEC Chairman. Whatever reputation he may have had before now, has been thrown out of the window. He won’t be the first INEC Chairman that would end up on the wrong side of history. But he may end up as the most vilified, and go down in history as the man who presided over the most competitive and most disputed elections in Nigerian history since the return to civilian rule in 1999. How does he hope to move about distinguished company when all this is won and lost?

He has now promised to conduct better elections on March 11 – the Gubernatorial and Houses of Assembly elections. The stakes are lower. If the technology – BVAS and iREV - works smoothly on March 11, that would be solid proof that February 25 was truly an exercise in witchcraft. Both ways: INEC and Yakubu Mahmood will lose. It does not matter what they do on Saturday, March 11. They have failed woefully in the court of public opinion.

Besides, the security agencies were nowhere to be found on election day. In their presence, unscrupulous voters suppressed and intimidated voters, snatched ballot boxes, set ballot boxes ablaze – most of the reports indicated that the security agencies stood arms akimbo and did nothing. In one report, the police also helped ad hoc INEC officials to thumb-print ballot papers. The police have not reported any arrests nor have they come forward to disown the men who wore police uniforms. The same police collected money and equipment from President Buhari to ensure a hitch-free election. The only security agency that showed up on election day was the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) whose officials arrested persons who moved money about to buy votes or tried bank transfers to influence voters. The only news that came from the Civil Defence was that its officials had an accident on their way to a polling booth. That must have been due to careless driving because there was no traffic on the roads on election day! General Lucky Irabor boasted that soldiers would give anybody who tried to disrupt the elections, “a bloody nose”.

Nobody saw the soldiers on duty!

What next for Nigeria, then? I believe it is a good thing to test our laws – the Electoral Act, the 1999 Constitution and INEC guidelines to deepen our democracy and jurisprudence. But I do not think that the courts would up-turn the Presidential election. Judges are also citizens. They know how the game is played. They will not allow themselves to be used as scapegoats when other institutions of state have failed. What we all can hold on to is Bola Tinubu’s promise of conciliation, unity and his agenda for prosperity. We may not have paid close enough attention to his agenda for “restored hope” before now, but it is time to do so. We must take charge of the future, and define for the President-elect what Nigeria needs going forward. Anyone thinking and dreaming that he would relinquish that certificate of return, which he says he regards, as “a world cup trophy” should stop dreaming. For Nigeria, the days ahead are bound to be even more interesting. I wait to be proven wrong.

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