TUESDAY 21TH MARCH 2023 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

EU Laments Widespread Violence During Guber, Houses of Assembly Polls Reveals 21 killed in Saturday’s elections Urges immediate action to prevent relapse of Nigeria’s democracy Michael Olugbode in Abuja The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to

Nigeria has lamented the pervasive violence in the country during last Saturday’s governorship and Houses of Assembly elections. EU EOM

stated that 21 persons were reported to have died across the country in various forms of election-related violence.

The EU mission said something must be done urgently to correct the anomaly to prevent a relapse in Nigeria’s democracy. It said there

was general voter apathy during the last elections as a result of infractions that took place in the president and National Assembly polls.

EU EOM Chief Observer, Barry Andrews, made the asserContinued on page 9

Okowa: My Administration Inherited Bulk of Delta State Debts from Previous Govt... Page 5 Tuesday 21 March, 2023 Vol 28. No 10205. Price: N250

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Bauchi Guber Poll: INEC Must Probe Cases of Over Voting, BVAS Compromise, Says APC... Page 27

INEC, Security Agencies Frustrating Our Target of Winning 20 States, Ayu Cries Out Describes gubernatorial elections as rape of democracy, frustration of popular will Warns electoral body against inviting anarchy on Nigerians Chuks Okocha in Abuja National Chairman of Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, yesterday, alleged that the Independent National

Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies were trying to frustrate the party's target of

winning in 20 states, out of the 28 where governorship elections took place last Saturday.

Ayu warned INEC against inviting anarchy on Nigerians because of its manipulative tendencies. He

said last Saturday’s elections were Continued on page 9

APC Sustains Momentum, Retains Kaduna, Borno, Nasarawa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Niger Recovers Benue, loses Kano to NNPP; PDP reclaims Plateau, wins Rivers, Bauchi, Delta INEC suspends collation in Abia, Enugu, declares Adamawa poll inconclusive PDP's Agbu Kefas finally declared winner of Taraba poll Opposition parties, candidates protest results in many states

See story on page 9

Re-Elected Mohammed - Bauchi, PDP

Oborevwori - Delta, PDP

Re-Elected Zulum - Borno, APC

Uba - Kaduna, APC

Re-Elected Sule - Nasarawa, APC

Yusuf - Kano, NNPP

Otu - Cross River, APC

Muftwang - Plateau, PDP

Bago - Niger, APC

Nwifuru - Ebonyi, APC

Alia - Benue, APC

Fubara - Rivers, PDP

Kefas - Taraba, PDP

TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023 •T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023 •T H I S D AY

TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

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

NEWS

MANDATE RENEWED... L-R: Wife of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat; her hubby, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Dr Ibijoke celebrating re-election victory after being declared winner of the governorship election by INEC, at the Lagos House, Marina, in the early hours of Monday.

Okowa: My Administration Inherited Bulk of Delta State Debts from Previous Govt

Says victory for Oborevwori will ensure continuity of PDP’s policies, good governance Obinna Chima

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has said a substantial amount of the state’s present debts were inherited by his administration from previous governments. Delta State’s domestic debt is presently at N154.6 billion while its foreign debt is at $61.4 million. Speaking during an interview with Arise Television yesterday, Okowa, who also thanked the people of the state for voting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded governorship election, said, “what we have done is to pay down that debt to a reasonable level.” “By the time we came in, it was quite tough and we couldn’t pay salaries. What we did then, all governments in the country, restructured the debts of their states. We worked with the federal government and restructured those debts to about 30 years. “So, that debt has over the past eight years has been paid down to where you have it at the moment and it has been going down remarkably and the next government is going to continue repaying. It was not done for Delta alone, it was done for all the states,” he explained. Okowa also faulted some of the economic statistics about the state that were being bandied around, insisting that his government had taken a lot of youths out of the streets and unemployment through various technical and vocational programmes. The vice presidential candidate of the PDP in the just concluded presidential election thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all its officials and the security agencies for staying through to the promises made to ensure a free and fair elections last Saturday. He said the victory was a confirmation that the PDP was in control of the state, even as he noted some unfortunate incidence that occurred during the election. “In Ughelli North, one of our stronghold, voters were dispersed and injured and another ward, 11 units had to be cancelled in another of our stronghold. One of our agents was also shot death along with one of our party leaders in the PDP. Despite all these, the people came out and voted for the PDP.

“By and large, the electoral process was very fair. I think Deltans know what is right. In the last eight years, we have done our best considering the difficulties. All that we have done in terms of development, the roads, healthcare, free healthcare for mothers, schools and the fact that we inaugurated three universities, the people are quite excited, in addition to several entrepreneurial programmes to empower the youths, really touched the heart of the people. “Now that we have victory, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who is the incumbent Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and understands our programme and knows the foundation of our policies, would continue to build on it and build on it and introduce new programmes. “The main thing is that he is not going to learn on the job. So, he would seamlessly come into office and we shall continue to pray for him and pray that all that supported me would support him,” Okowa added.

Kaduna Governor-elect, Sani Promises to Sustain Progress Achieved in State Kaduna State governor-elect, Uba Sani has promised to sustain the progress achieved in the state by the present administration led by Nasir El-Rufai. Sani said this in his acceptance speech yesterday. He also promised to govern for all no matter how they worship and no matter the language residents of the state speak. He added: “Our gaze would firmly be in the direction of continued progress, peace and prosperity of the state. We shall ensure we sustain the path of progress our beloved leader, Mallam Nasir El Rufai has brilliantly opened for Kaduna State. I thank Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and his executive team for their collective effort since 2015, to build the foundation for a new Kaduna State. “I thank every resident of Kaduna State who helped in making the 2023 election largely a peaceful exercise. One candidate has emerged winner, but we are all winners when the people freely declared their preference at the ballot. I note the energetic campaigns of fellow contestants and call on them to continue to make their contributions for the development of the state.” He said he would be devoting efforts in the next few days to ensure that he governs effectively when he assumes office on May 29th, with the standard set by the current government. “Much has been achieved since 2015, but much remains to be done to drive Kaduna closer to its potential,” he added

After Two Years of Blackout, Port Harcourt Disco Restores Electricity to Community Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt Two years after being in total blackout, the people of Komkom Community in Oyigbo local government area of Rivers State and its environs heaved a sigh of relief as they would now be reconnected to the national grid. The Managing Director and CEO, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) Plc, Dr. Benson Uwheru, disclosed this yesterday, during the official commissioning of rehabilitated Komkom Injection Substation in Oyigbo. The Komkom 33kv fielder radiating from Afam Power Plant (known as Komkom Injection Substation) supplies power across Komkom community, location axis in Oyigbo,

Internet Road, Umuebulu in Etche local government area, etc. Uwheru, represented at the event by the Regional Head, Beta 2, Mr. Kenneth Idemudia, said PHED decided to ensure power was restored to the area based on the community's cooperation and willingness to support the company. He urged them to live up to their obligations as customers of PHED, by paying their bills regularly and also ensure protection of the facilities. The MD who noted that all issues that led to shutdown of the sub-station had been resolved, said the company would create opportunities for regular engagements with the community to enhance their relationship.

“With all shades of joy, our mission today is to commission and restore power supply to the Komkom community. Indeed, it is our pleasure to have this community return to our network again because we understand the yearning of our customers in this community. "However, I must confess that it has not been an easy journey, but we were resolute about achieving this feat, and I am happy that we are all here to witness this ceremony today. "Recall that we have had several conversations and engagements with representatives of this community before now, and we have been encouraged by their willingness and commitment to support PHED and collaborate with

us to ensure that we do not go back to the era we are about to leave behind now. "Therefore, I will encourage us to live up to our obligations and commitments as customers of PHED, by paying our bills fully, regularly and promptly, and by taking ownership of the electrical infrastructures in your community, ensuring they are safe and protected, desist from acts of economic sabotage, meter by-pass, vandalism, assault, and other illegalities that negates the cordial conversations we have had, the investment PHED has made to restore power supply here, the relationship we are now building and the prosperity of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc as a business.”

Our Determination Will Be an Offshoot of Kwankwaso’s Govt -Abba Yusuf, Kano Governor-elect (NNPP)

With deep humility and gratitude to Almighty Allah, who gives and takes power, and appoint who He wills, on behalf of myself and my deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, we stand before you to accept our mandate of the good people of Kano State, affirming to afford this special contract between our party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, and the good people of Kano State. Our humbling gratitude goes to the entire people of Kano State. We recognise your commitment, your determination, courage, loyalty as well as your feracious resolve to defend your personal right and the integrity of our democracy. Despite the fact that our party, the NNPP is relatively new, coupled with the fact that, the logo of our party was clearly depicted on the ballot paper, and with widespread of electoral violence, you still gave us your mandate. We had no money, and due to the inflicted poverty on the citizenry, the government of the day, took advantage by buying votes of the people, with both the new and old currencies and distributed with other household items to voters. Against these odds, you still came out en masse to give us your mandate. We are profoundly grateful and will not take your mandate for granted. Our unreserved commendation, also, goes to the members of the armed forces, who were deployed to Kano for the election, among others security agencies and indeed, Independent National Electoral Commission for maintaining their neutrality by keeping the peace and promptly responding to our genuine complaints before, during and after the elections. In the same vein, I salute and commend the patriotism of members of the media for their coverage and also applaud and appreciate the role played by members of the civil society and the numerous domestic and international observer groups, that worked tirelessly towards ensuring free, fair and credible elections. Fellow compatriots, our determination will be an offshoot of the Kwankwaso administration – the Kwankwassiya government. We shall continue with his laudable populist policies of good qualitative education, empowerment programmes; policies and programmes that promote skills acquisition and entrepreneurship. The completion of abandoned projects across the state, pre-maternal healthcare programmes and provision of conducive atmosphere for the development of businesses within the state. We cannot complete our acceptance speech without thanking our leader, our mentor, His Excellency, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for his untiring efforts that led to the declaration of our mandate today as governor and deputy governor-elect. Finally, ladies and gentlemen, we thank all people of goodwill across the country and foreign nationals. It is our hope that you will continue to support us towards the successful discharge of our mandate by the grace of Almighty Allah.

It’s Time to Get Back to Work -Bala Mohammed, Bauchi Governor-elect (PDP)

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdukadir Mohammed, has attributed his re-election victory to the will of God and a collective struggle of the common man, who placed the interest of the state above their personal ones. This followed his declaration as the winner of Saturday's gubernatorial election, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Mohammed said he was honoured by the mandate given to him by the electorate and pledged commitment to consolidate on the success recorded during his first tenure. He, therefore, called on those who lost the election to support his administration's move towards transforming the state. While soliciting for forgiveness from those offended during his electioneering, the governor noted that the time to face serious government business has come.

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NEWS

UNVEILING OF NAVIGATIONAL CHARTS OF LOWER RIVER NIGER... L-R: Chairperson, Sealink Promotional Company, Mrs. Dabney Shalhoma; MD/CE NEXIM, Mr. Abba Bello, and Chief of the Naval Staﬀ, Vice Admiral A. Z. Gambo, during the unveiling ceremony of the Navigational Charts of Lower River Niger at the NAF Conference Center, Abuja…recently

NNPC Tips French-Swiss National to Head Its Oil Trading Arm Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited yesterday announced the appointment of Mr. Jeane-Mare Cordier, a former

Vice President of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) as head of its oil trading arm, the NNPC Trading Ltd. THISDAY gathered that the move was to strengthen that unit of the national oil company, which has for

years underperformed on several strategic indices. A statement signed by NNPC Limited's Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Garba Muhammad, stated that Cordier's appointment was in furtherance of

the ongoing repositioning drive in the company towards improved growth, better performance, and service delivery. The NNPC explained that the new appointee, Cordier, a French/ Swiss national, is a renowned

Labour Party Stakeholders Want INEC to Declare Alex Otti Winner

Labour Party (LP) stakeholders in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State have commended the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review election results in the area. Recall that the local government had been in the news lately following media reports that thugs invaded INEC collation centre in the area. The stakeholders said the desperation of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to remain in power was giving the area a bad image. In a statement issued yesterday and jointly signed by the Chairman, Obingwa West Stakeholders of LP, Dr. Eric Egwuibe and the Coordinator, LP, Obingwa west Constituency, Maxwell Nwadike, also called on the electoral umpire to immediately

declare the governorship candidate of the party, Dr. Alex Otti as the winner of the election. It said: "We note with dismay the desperation of the PDP in Abia State to perpetuate itself in power at all cost even when the people of Abia State have collectively rejected them and sent them packing in the Saturday, March 18, Governorship and House of Assembly elections. "Having failed everywhere in the State, the PDP has refused to give up on Obingwa LGA. It will be recalled that one of us, Dr. George Chiedozie, the Labour Party Local Government Collation agent was brutally beaten by the PDP thugs at the collation centre at Mgboko, the Council's headquarters Saturday night." The stakeholders said most regrettable was the election results from the local government area

that were highly doctored beyond the accredited number of voters in the local government. The stakeholders stressed that needless to say that the reports of the criminal incidents had since reached the INEC headquarters in Abuja, which had also promised

to review the results and do the right thing. "We welcome and commend INEC for this bold decision to correct the anomalies. We believe that the review will filter the padded results and restore the correct figures," it added.

As the nation moves toward the inauguration of the next administration, experts in the country’s environmental field have come out with key policy steps to address the threat of climatic change and stressed the need to launch the country into a new era of industrial development and economic growth. Addressing a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, the leader of the group (Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), a non-partisan organisation devoted to sustainable policy research, Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, said after months of research, the group had unraveled 11 key steps and decisions that if taken in the next five years, there would be a socio-economic transformation required to enable Nigeria meet the government’s 2060 net zero carbon emissions mission target. Okereke, who is an internationally

recognised scholar, flanked at the press conference by Executive Director, Society for Planet and Prosperity, Oghenemere Orugbo and CEO, GCA Capital Partners, Obi Ugochukwu, recalled that at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26), President Muhammadu Buhari had committed to achieving net zero by 2060, which would be in line with the Climate Change Act and Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, released in August 2022 and was developed to serve as the pathway toward achieving the 2060 net zero target. He noted that Nigeria had also launched a long-term vision for 2050, which was expected to inform the development of its Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy. He said riding on the shoulder of Mr. President’s announcement at COP26, the Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP) a non-partisan

team member in charge of building the trading activity for ADNOC and the launch of ADNOC Global Trading (AGT) in December 2020. According to Muhammad, Cordier has since assumed duty. In July last year, the NNPC Limited transited fully into a commercial entity, thereby continuing its operations in line with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA). Speaking at the event, President Muhammadu Buhari had said that the move had given the company a new impetus, with improved fiscal framework, transparent governance and enhanced regulation as well as the chance to become a world-class firm. “It will, of course, conduct itself under the best international business practices in transparency, governance and commercial viability,” the president had said.

NCC Unveils Consumer TELCARE Centre at Abuja Airport Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled the Telecom Consumer Assistance, Resolution and Enquires (TELCARE) centre, as part of the series of events to mark the 2023 International Consumers Rights Day celebrated by the commission

in Abuja last week. The TELCARE was unveiled at the Terminal C of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, which becomes the first beneficiary. The Chairman, Board of Commissioners of NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande, who unveiled the initiative, said the launch was the

Experts Present Guidelines to Tackle Climate Change, Economic Growth Michael Olugbode in Abuja

international oil trader, holds a Masters degree in corporate finance with a distinction from Paris 9 University. “He comes into the role with a rich background spanning over 30 years in physical oil, oil derivatives, and risk management, with significant experience in reorganising and creating a trading business. “He spent 24 years with Elf Trading/Total Trading in various positions as trader, trading desk manager in Geneva, and four years as the global trading manager at Addax Energy in Geneva,” the statement added. At Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ADNOC, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the NNPC said that Cordier served as vice president middle distillates and senior vice president, risk management. Besides, the statement stressed that the new appointee was senior

organisation devoted to sustainable policy research on July 28th, 2022, had launched the project “Nigeria: Top 10 Net zero Measures” with funding from the European Climate Foundation (ECF), disclosing that the Top 10 measures were later developed into 11 measures after critical examination by experts. He said: “The main aim of the project was to map 11 key steps and decisions that if taken in the next 5 years will underpin a socio-economic transformation required to enable Nigeria to meet the government’s 2060 net zero target, the project was also aimed at presenting these steps and decisions in a format that is accessible to a wider public through communication materials that can stimulate and inform a wider public debate, involving civil societies and policymakers.” He revealed that: “In selecting the top 11 measures, the Society for planet and prosperity engaged with

senior experts from the government, the private sector, trade unions, civil society organisations, academia and think tanks, the media, and international development partners. “They were invited to discuss and assess the benefits of successful implementation of each measure against four criteria, which are deemed to fairly represent the breadth of the development challenges facing the country.” He said according to the report, prioritised measures that if implemented jointly over the next five years would significantly positively impact the ability of Nigeria to embark on a low-emission development pathway to a net-zero emission future are: “A strong focus on generating renewable electricity both on and off-grid (minimum of 30% of on-grid electricity from renewables); elimination of diesel and gasoline generators for electricity generation by 2030.

beginning of the helpdesk project expected to adorn some airports and other similar public locations across the country. He said it was one of NCC's strategies for expanding the channels of engagement with telecom consumers. Akande said the project was a deliberate effort by the commission to amplify its commitment to promoting the interest of consumers using various engagement strategies and initiatives to protect, inform, and educate telecom consumers. While expressing gratitude to the management of the Federal Airport Authority Nigeria (FAAN) for its support in ensuring the successful establishment of a TELCARE desk at the airport, Akande reiterated that the platform would serve as an additional channel for consumers to make enquiries on consumer issues, allowing the Commission to provide advocacy on consumer concerns as well as create awareness regarding Commission’s activities. The Commission, under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, has continued to re-engineer its strategies and structures to make them more effective to engage critical stakeholders to address unfair practices including but not limited to matters relating to tariffs. In his goodwill message, the Regional General Manager, FAAN, Kabir Mohammed, said

the management of FAAN was delighted to partner with the NCC on the initiative, as the passengers and airport users would have the opportunity to resolve issues bothering them while in transit. Mohammed also noted that the first-hand interface with consumers would not only expedite the feedback mechanism in addressing telecom consumer issues, but also curb unfair practices within the system and further bridge any communication gap between the consumers and its regulators. Head, Consumer Affairs Bureau at NCC, Ayanbanji Ojo, while speaking through the Head, Consumer Protection and Advocacy at NCC, Clem Omife, expressed optimism about the expected success of the initiative. Ojo noted that many consumers transiting at the airport were already taking advantage of the desk even before the launch of the TELCARE desk, to make enquiries or lodge complaints. "This is a pilot project, and the Commission will ensure that the TELCARE Desk is established in more strategic locations around the nation. We believe that through adequate education, information sharing, and the provision of layers of channels for complaints and redress, we can safeguard the interest of telecom consumers and innovatively promote the prospect of more excellent consumer experience," Ojo said.

TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

NIGERIA AS A SITE FOR TESTING CHEMICALS WEAPONS?... L-R: Team leader of the Organisation of Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), The Hague, Netherlands, Dr. Roman Warchol; experts from Finnish Institute for Veriﬁcation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (VERIFIN) Helsinki, Finland, Lauri Manravaara; Aleski Rapo, and Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, during a facilities inspection and assessment visit to NAFDAC’s Central Laboratory in Oshodi, Lagos…recently

Credit Suisse Rescued in Deal with UBS Oil prices continue fall amid concerns of banking crisis Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja with agency report Credit Suisse shares plunged yesterday, after Swiss authorities cut a deal with its bigger rival, UBS, to acquire the troubled bank at a marked-down price. But European bank stocks and the wider market gained as investors watch whether moves to shore up banks will stem further upheaval in the global financial system, according to the Associated Press. Shares of Credit Suisse, whose woes stem from questions over its internal controls, closed nearly 56 per cent lower a day after UBS said it would buy its fellow Swiss bank for a lowball price of 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.25 billion). The shares traded at about the level they are valued at in the deal. Swiss regulators orchestrated the purchase in a bid to stop more

turmoil after the collapse of two United States banks. In an indication of the frantic, behind-the-scenes dealmaking to resolve the issue before markets opened, the acquisition was announced late Sunday. There was still uncertainty over how the deal would play out for the combined lender and what comes next for the wider banking system. Analysts said some previous forced bank mergers didn’t work out well for shareholders in the long run. It could be that no more banks get into trouble, but it’s also possible that “we just go from one weak institution falling over to the next,” senior economic adviser at Capital Economics, Vicky Redwood said. There are no other obvious candidates that could be singled out like Credit Suisse, but it’s “hard to predict where the problems will emerge,” she said. UBS shares initially dropped on

the Swiss stock exchange but closed up 1.3 per cent. The deal whipsawed other European bank stocks, which tumbled before some clawed back their losses. Germany’s Deutsche Bank, France’s BNP Paribas and Italy’s UniCredit ended higher, while London-based Barclays sank 2.3 per cent. Swiss authorities urged UBS to take over its smaller rival after a central bank plan for Credit Suisse to borrow up to 50 billion francs ($54 billion) last week failed to reassure investors and customers. Many of Credit Suisse’s problems were unique and unlike the weaknesses that brought down Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in the U.S., including high interest rates. Those US failures have raised questions about other potentially weak global financial institutions, sweeping up the already beleaguered Swiss bank.

Soludo Denies Spending N3.5bn State Funds onVote-buying During Assembly Poll David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has denied that he spent N3.5 billion of state funds to buy votes during last Saturday's House of Assembly election. A rights group, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) had in a press statement signed by its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, had accused Soludo of disbursing state funds to stakeholders, to work for the

election of candidates of his party; All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the March 18 poll. But Soludo, reacting through his Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, said the rumour was false. Aburime in a statement he signed and issued in Awka, yesterday, described the rumour as "satanic, despicable and illogical." He said: "N3.5 billion could not be disbursed at a time when the society was passing through a cashless phase. "The allegation is further baseless against the background that it is

coming at a time of acute shortage of cash due to the federal government’s naira redesign policy which sadly exposes the devilish intentions of the writer(s). "Anambra people are advised to disregard the group which made the allegations as it had been known to be serial blackmailers over the years and do not serve any useful purpose to society. "Governor Soludo does not need to buy votes to win an election. He is a democrat who enjoys the overwhelming support of the good people of Anambra State."

EFCC Arrests NCAA’s Director of Account, Two Others over Alleged N2bn Fraud Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested four top officials of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over alleged N2 billion Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) fraud in the agency. The suspects included the Director, Finance and Accounts,

Bilkisu Adamu Sani; Deputy General Manager, Treasury, Hart Benson Fimienye; Deputy General Manger (Management Accounts), Obene Jenbarimiema Turniel and Nathaniel Terna Kaainjo, General Manager, Accounts and Stores respectively. THISDAY gathered that Kaainjo was taken into EFCC’s custody on Thursday, March 16, 2023, while

the others were arrested yesterday and are presently being grilled by a team of operatives at the anti-graft agency’s headquarters in Abuja. It was further gathered that the NCCA officials allegedly paid themselves and others duty tour allowance in excess of N2 billion. Sources at the EFCC confirmed the arrest.

Credit Suisse has faced an array of troubles in recent years, including bad bets on hedge funds, repeated shakeups of its top management and a spying scandal involving UBS. Analysts and financial leaders said safeguards are stronger since the 2008 global financial crisis and that banks worldwide have plenty of available cash and support from central banks. But concerns about risks to the deal, losses for some investors and Credit Suisse’s falling market value could renew fears about the health of banks. An economic history professor at University of Zurich, Tobias Straumann, said the merger was the right move because the U.S. bank collapses and the danger to Credit Suisse was “an international banking crisis in the making.” “Markets are very nervous, and I think an additional accident in Switzerland would have fueled a lot of problems,” he said. Credit Suisse is among 30 financial institutions known as globally systemically important banks, and authorities were worried about the fallout if it were to fail. UBS is bigger but Credit Suisse wields considerable influence, with $1.4 trillion assets under management. It has significant trading desks around the world, caters to the rich through its wealth management

business, and is a major mergers and acquisitions adviser. However, Credit Suisse weathered the 2008 financial crisis without assistance, unlike UBS. As part of the deal, approximately 16 billion francs ($17.3 billion) in higher-risk Credit Suisse bonds will be wiped out, leaving investors with hefty losses. Lawyers were already circling, eyeing possible legal action to get compensation for bondholders amid concern about the market for those bonds and other banks that hold them. The combination of the two Swiss banks, each with histories dating to the mid-19th century, strikes at the country’s reputation as a global financial center — putting it on the cusp of having a single big national bank that would be too big to fail. Some customers were caught off guard by the turmoil, at odds with Switzerland’s reputation as stable banking haven. Sahil Dua, an Indian software engineer living in Zurich, holds a UBS account but opened one at Credit Suisse last Tuesday, the same day the lender flagged “material weaknesses” in internal financial controls that ultimately helped spark its downward spiral. “My impression as a customer,” Dua said, is “that at least these two banks were going to be fine,

whatever happens.” Dua said he wanted the credit card that came with the Credit Suisse account and that he considered switching over his primary bank account and bringing his savings from UBS. Not anymore. He has a Credit Suisse account “with a balance of zero, and I’m glad that it’s still zero because I didn’t add any money yet to it.” In the future, he plans to spread out his money in more than one bank. “I will look into diversification more seriously now,” Dua said. As the market tries to figure out what comes next after the merger, Straumann, the professor, said he wouldn’t be surprised to see problems for regional banks in Europe after further interest rate increases, much like what happened with midsized banks in U.S. “The banking system of Europe has not fully recovered from the crisis” in 2008, he said. “It’s better, of course, than it used to be, but it’s vulnerable.” Meanwhile, prices of crude oil continued to fall yesterday, amid concerns over recent crisis in major banks in the United States. Brent crude, Nigeria’s benchmark was trading at $72. 63 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was changing hands for $66.49 per barrel yesterday evening.

Guber Polls: NNPP Congratulates Abba Kabir, Kano Residents Juliet Akoje in Abuja The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) yesterday congratulated the party's Kano State Governorship Candidate, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf for his resounding victory in the March 18, 2023 poll. In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Dr. Agbo Major, the party said that it was a well- deserved victory for a new Nigeria which it represents. The NNPP while congratulating the good people of Kano State, who overwhelmingly voted for a new Nigeria, “ensured that their votes were counted and count in the overall result and that it is democracy in action.”

The party further said, "The journey to a new Nigeria starts with Kano State and moves speedily across the nation as we collectively redefine the destiny of Nigeria" The party further congratulated all National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly candidates elected on the NNPP platform across the country, adding that it was victory for democracy, effective representation and progressive governance. "The people have spoken loud and clear for change and expressed confidence in our great party to provide strong leadership and dividends of democracy to assuage the pains of poor governance inflicted on them by the outgoing All Progressives Congress government

in Kano." NNPP however congratulated the party's National Leader and Presidential Candidate, Senator (Engr.) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing him as a man of indefatigable endeavour with enormous political sagacity and savvy for his leadership acumen and direction that led to the victory of party candidates across the nation. The party also commended the Founder and Spiritual Leader/BOT Chairman, Dr Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam and the National Working Committee (NWC) party for winning these elections. "NNPP will justify the confidence citizens reposed in it by providing visionary, pragmatic and purposeful governance"

TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NINE A P C S U STA I N S M O M E N T U M , R E TA I N S K A D U N A , B O R N O , N A S A R AWA , C R O S S R I V E R , E B O N Y I , N I G E R Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, George Okoh in Makurdi, John Shiklam in Kaduna, Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano, Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri, Sylvester Idowu in Warri, Laleye Dipo in Minna, Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki, Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi, Daji Sani in Yola, Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia, Gideon Arinze in Enugu, Bassey Inyang in Calabar, Seriki Adinoyi in Jos, Igbawase Ukumba in Laﬁa and Wole Ayodele in Jalingo The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, sustained its winning streak in more states of the federation, retaining Kaduna, Borno, Nasarawa, Cross River, Ebonyi, and Niger, while recovering Benue State from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But APC lost to New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State, a critical northern state. In addition, PDP reclaimed Plateau State from the ruling party, while also keeping Bauchi, Delta, and Taraba states within the political family. However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), suspended collation of results in Abia and Enugu states, citing different crises. At the same time, INEC declared the election in Adamawa State inconclusive, after a tense and tight race between the ruling PDP’s Governor Ahmad Fintiri and the opposition APC’s Aisha Dahiru Ahmed-Binani. PDP raised the alarm over alleged plans by the INEC leadership and APC to manipulate results of the governorship election in Taraba State. But the suspicion vanished, when the commission declared PDP’s Agbu Kefas as winner of the election. Yet, there were protests by some political parties and their candidates following the controversial outcomes of some of the governorship elections across many states. Most of the aggrieved parties alleged malpractices and conspiracy to edge them out. On the flip side, some of the defeated candidates demonstrated good sportsmanship by calling their victorious opponents to congratulate them. They included Teslim Folarin of APC in Oyo State and Great Ogboru of All Progressives Grans

Alliance (APGA) in Delta State. The governorship elections held on March 18 in 28 states were almost done yesterday, with results already announced in 22 states. Of the 22 states, APC won 14 states, while PDP had seven, and NNPP one.

of the election ignited wild jubilation across the state, even as Kano State Government imposed a dawn to dusk curfew to avoid a breakdown of law and order following tensions generated from the collation of results.

KADUNA STATE

BENUE STATE

The candidate of APC in Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, was declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state. He polled 730,002 votes to defeat the candidate of PDP, Isah Asharu, who scored 719,196 votes. Although the announcement was delayed after agents of other parties pointed out disparities in the figures, the returning officer, Professor Lawal Bilbis, went ahead to announce Sani winner of the election.

The governorship candidate of APC in Benue State, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, was declared by INEC as winner of the March 18 governorship election. Alia polled 473,933 votes to defeat his closest rival and PDP candidate, Titus Uba, who scored 223,913. Returning Office, Professor Faruq

BORNO STATE Borno State Governor and candidate of APC, Professor Babagana Zulum, was declared winner of the governorship election. Announcing the results of the election, Professor Jude Rabo said the APC candidate polled a total of 545,542 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Muhammed Jajeri of PDP, who secured 82,147 votes. Rabo, in announcing the governor as returned re-elected, said, “Babagana Zulum of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes in the election is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”

KANO STATE The governorship candidate of NNPP, Abba Kabir Yusuf, won the Kano gubernatorial election, after polling 1,019,602 votes to defeat the incumbent deputy governor of the state and candidate of APC, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna. Returning Officer, Professor Ahmad Doko Ibrahim, announced the total registered voters as 5,921,370 and accredited voters as 2,032,955. He said APC scored 890,705 votes, while NNPP had 1,019,602, and PDP polled 15,957. Ibrahim said the total valid votes was 1,977,872 and rejected 27,092, while the total votes cast was 2,400,964. The announcement of the result

Kuta, who is Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, announced the results. Alia won the election with one local government area left, where election was to be held on Tuesday. The election for Kwande Local Government Area was postponed to Tuesday following errors in INEC documents for the election. However Alia was declared winner, as his scores were far higher than the entire expected votes from Kwande. Meanwhile, the police in Makurdi arrested some persons engaged in violence during the elections. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Sewuese Anene, said

GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION RESULTS RELEASED No.

STATES

APC

PDP

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

OYO GOMBE YOBE KWARA JIGAWA KATSINA SOKOTO OGUN

256,685 342,821 317,113 273,424 618,499 859,892 453,661 276,298

563,756 233,131 104,259 155,490 368,726 486,620 404,632 262,383

DELTA

240,229

360,234

BAUCHI

432,272

525,280

BORNO

545,543

82,147

BENUE

473,933

223,913

NASARAWA

347,209

283,016

CROSSRIVER

258,619

179,636

PLATEAU

481,370

525,299

EBONYI

199,131

80,191

KADUNA

730,002

719,196

RIVERS

95,274

302,614

NIGER

469,896

387,476

LAGOS

AKWA IBOM

KANO

TARABA

APC

762,134 PDP 356,346 NNPP 1,019, 602 NNPP 202,277

312,329 YPP 136,262 APC 890,705 PDP 257,926

EU LAMENTS WIDESPREAD VIOLENCE DURING GUBER, HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY POLLS tions yesterday while addressing a press conference in Abuja, where the group presented a preliminary report on their observations from last Saturday’s elections. Andrews, who is also a member of the European Parliament, said shortly before, and on election day, incidents of organised violence in several states created an environment of fear for voters. The EU chief poll observer stated, “Public confidence and trust in INEC were severely damaged on February 25, due to lack of transparency and operational failures in the conduct of the federal level polls. “Up until the postponement, INEC continued to abstain from providing information, limiting its communication to a few press releases and ceremonial statements and, hence, failing to address public grievances and rebuild confidence in the electoral process. “From March 11 onwards, despite compressed timeframes, INEC introduced various corrective measures to render a timely delivery of electoral materials, efficient use of election technologies, and ensure prompt publication of result forms, some of which were effective. “Overall, on election day, multiple incidents of thuggery and intimidation interrupted polling in various locations, primarily across the south, but also in states in the central and northern areas. There were reportedly some 21 fatalities. In polling units in several states, violent incidents targeted voters, INEC personnel, citizen observers, and journalists. “Most polling units opened with materials and personnel deployed on time, although a dismal level of voter participation meant less pressure on INEC operations throughout the day. Vote-buying, also observed by EU EOM observers, further detracted from an appropriate conduct of the elections.” Andrews stated further, “The

March 18 elections did not face the same problems with the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as on February 25. Result forms for the gubernatorial races were uploaded and displayed for public scrutiny. At the time of the declaration of presidential results only.” He added, “Throughout the mission we saw that Nigerians have a great appetite for democracy and are keen to engage in various civic activities. However, in many parts of the country, their expectations were not met. Many were disappointed and we witnessed voter apathy that is in part a clear consequence of failures by political elites and, unfortunately, also by INEC.” Andrews noted that multiple incidents of thuggery and intimidation of voters, polling officials, observers and journalists were recorded mainly in Lagos, Kano, and other states in the southern and central parts of the country. He said campaigns in state elections were competitive and fundamental freedoms of assembly and movement were largely respected. The EU mission insisted, however, that insecurity impeded the canvass for votes in certain parts of the country and organised violent attacks shortly before the elections in several states led to a fearful atmosphere. Some state governors took executive actions, negatively affecting the campaign environment, he added. According to him, the EU EOM observers also saw misuse of administrative resources, including through various financial and in-kind inducements to voters, giving an undue advantage to the party in power. Andrews said EU EOM observers noted that in several states the abuse of incumbency gave an undue advantage to the party in power. He lamented that law enforcement agencies failed to prosecute

persons who attacked, intimidated, or harassed journalists during or after the presidential polls in at least five southern states with fiercely contested state-level races. He disclosed that in two other states, the police arrested two journalists on bogus charges. EU EOM observers confirmed 10 incidents involving the media, stating, “Only in one instance police opened a case.” Andrews added, “Impunity encouraged by police inaction is detrimental to freedom of expression, particularly as independent and trusted outlets are targeted. This does not accord with Nigeria’s regional and international commitments for protection of the media. “On 15 February, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) sanctioned 41 media outlets, with excessive fines on 25 radio and TV stations for vaguely defined breaches. The NBC did not publish its decisions nor grant due process, effectively subduing critical reporting prior to the state elections.” He also lamented that the protracted deadlines for candidacy disputes created uncertainty for voters and electoral contestants alike, “while clear underrepresentation of women as candidates demonstrated a stark lack of internal party policies to support constitutionally prescribed inclusion, also contrary to Nigeria’s international commitments to eradicate discrimination against women.” Nonetheless, the EU mission said, “The EU EOM commends the civil society, media, and fact-checkers’ commitment to promote democratic standards, as shown between the elections by raising awareness and providing electoral information of public interest to voters, by organising debates and by striving to preserve the integrity of the online space. “Also, the deployment of more

than 10,000 citizen observers on the election day positively contributed to the transparency of elections.” Andrews alleged that vote buying by or on behalf of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was also observed by five EU EOM observer teams within the vicinity of polling units, including by the distribution of goods and money. He pointed out that EU EOM observers received credible reports of pressure on civil servants by governors, for example in Katsina State, where several high level officials were dismissed after a disappointing outcome for APC in the February 25 presidential elections. He said local government officials were threatened with losing their jobs if they did not ensure victory in the upcoming polls. Andrews stated, “In the last week before March 18, the governor of Rivers authorised the promotion of civil servants at all levels in the state and announced the recruitment of 10,000 youth employment positions in the administration. “Misuse of state resources was evident, primarily through the promotion of social benefits and relief programmes, which significantly intensified between the polls. “As noted by EU EOM observers and reflected in media reports, governors publicly provided inducements to voters, including significant grants for traders, distribution of vehicles, buses, and motorcycles (Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa); issuing cheques to different beneficiary groups (Nasarawa, Yobe, Kwara); inaugurating infrastructure projects and for campaign purposes (Ogun, Katsina); and the payment of 1.2 billion Naira in backlogged pensions to civil servants and the release of impounded vehicles to owners free of charge days before the elections (Lagos).”

26 suspects were arrested across the state for various offences, including political thuggery/illegal possession of firearms, snatching of ballot boxes, and intimidation of voters.

The PDP candidate expressed confidence that his promise of possibility remained strong as be would seek legal means to reclaim his mandate.

RIVERS STATE

BAUCHI STATE

The PDP governorship candidate, Siminaliayi Fubara, was declared Rivers State governor-elect after winning all 23 local government areas and polling a total of 302,614 votes. His closest rival and candidate of APC, Tonye Cole, scored 95,274, while the candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Magnus Abe, had 46,981. Collation Officer, Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, announced the results and declared Fubara winner and governor-elect, saying he has satisfied all requirements.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Abdukadir Mohammed, was re-elected after winning 15 of the 20 local government councils in the state, and scoring 525,280 votes. His closed rival, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar of APC, scored 432,272 votes, while Senator Jika Haliru of NNPP got 60,496 to place third. The margin between PDP and APC was 93,003 votes. Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Dutse, Professor Abdulaziz Sabo Mohammed, announced the results.

NIGER STATE

CROSS RIVER STATE

The APC candidate in Niger State, Alhaji Umar Mohammed Bago, was declared winner of the governorship election in the state. Bago, a member of the House of Representatives, polled 469,896 votes to defeat his closet challenger, Alhaji Isah Liman Kantigi of PDP with 387,476 votes. The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Mr Joshua Bawa, recorded 3,415 votes, while the NNPP candidate, Alhaji Ibrahim Sokodeke, garnered 3,378 votes. The returning officer, Professor Clement Allawa, who is Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, announced the results.

The governorship candidate of APC in Cross River State, Bassey Edet Otu, was declared winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state. Returning Officer, Professor Teddy Charles of the Federal University, Otuoke, who made the announcement, said the APC candidate polled 258, 619 votes to emerge winner of the election. Charles said Otu's closest rival and candidate of PDP, Senator Sandy Onor, polled 179, 636 votes to come second. The votes recorded by other parties were as follows: AA: 405; ADC: 1620; ADP: 902; APP: 340; LP: 5, 957; NRM: 441; PRP: 3,052; SDP: 628; YPP: 333. The returning officer said the number of registered voters in the state stood at 1,766, 466; and total number of accredited voters was 466,294.

EBONYI STATE INEC, yesterday, declared the candidate of APC, Mr Francis Nwifuru, as winner of the Ebonyi State governorship election. Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Charles Igwe, announced that Nwifure scored 199,131 votes to defeat his closest challenger and candidate of PDP, Mr Ifeanyi Odii, who polled 80,191 votes. The candidate of APGA, Professor Ben Odoh, came a distant third position with 52,189 votes. Meanwhile, Odoh and his PDP counterpart, Odii, vowed to review the results of the election. In their separate statements, Odoh noted that he was saddened by the numerous reports of loss of lives, damage to property and injury to voters and citizens recorded all over the state.

PLATEAU STATE PDP reclaimed Plateau State, which it had lost to APC in 2015, after its candidate, Caleb Mutfwang, defeated Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda of APC. Returning Officer, Professor Idris Amali, said Mutfwang polled a total of 525,299votes to beat Yilwatda, who scored 481,370 votes, while Dr. Patrick Dakum of Labour Party (LP) came third with 60,310 votes. Mutfwang won in 10 local government areas, namely, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Langtang North, Mikang, Langtang South, Riyom, Mangu, Continued on page 26

INEC, SECURITY AGENCIES FRUSTRATING OUR TARGET OF WINNING 20 STATES, AYU CRIES OUT a rape of democracy. Ayu spoke yesterday in Abuja at the PDP national secretariat, when he addressed a press conference. He wondered why the results of the governorship elections in Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Enugu and Abia states were being, saying it is for manipulative reasons. According to Ayu, "From the results obtained by our party and independent observers directly from the polling units, the PDP recorded sweeping victory in most of the states where the elections held. "Sadly, the announced results are not reflecting voter choices. Once more, INEC has failed the integrity test. Its officials have connived with chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and security agents to swindle the PDP out of its deserving electoral victories. "Of particular note is the brazen plot by the APC and INEC to alter the results of the Adamawa State governorship election already won by the PDP candidate, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and give undeserving victory to the candidate of the APC. “This is unacceptable. It is the rape of democracy, a frustration of the popular will. We will not accept such a travesty of justice. "The same scenario has already played out in Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kebbi and Sokoto states, among others. In all these states, the illegal use of security agents to tip electoral victories in favour of the much-discredited APC was massive. We invite the INEC National Chairman, Professor

Mahmud Yakubu, to immediately do the needful." The PDP national chairman added, "The on-going brazen attempt to alter the electoral outcome in Adamawa State is particularly shocking. In spite of the manipulations, i.e. switching, doctoring and altering of figures by the APC and INEC, after the final tabulation, our candidate still defeated the APC candidate with over 35,000 clear and undisputable votes. But INEC is hell-bent on denying the PDP victory. "The PDP cautions INEC not to invest in chaos by engaging in this nefarious act. We remind INEC that the people of Adamawa State already have the results of the election from all the polling units in the state. They are aware that the PDP candidate won with about 35,000 votes; and as such, they will never accept any fictitious electoral outcomes generated from INEC’s offices in Abuja. "The people of Adamawa State have spoken loudly and clearly in re-electing Governor Fintiri. They are already agitating over the unwarranted delay by INEC in announcing him winner in line with the results obtained from the polling units. We say to INEC: don’t invest in anarchy. "Respect the popular will. Announce the already known winner of the Adamawa governorship election, Ahmadu Fintiri. Anything to the contrary will never be accepted." Ayu, however, stated that PDP would accept defeat anywhere it genuinely lost the governorship election.

TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023 •T H I S D AY

TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023 • T H I S D AY

TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

CELEBRATION MOOD... L-R: Odey Ochicha; Cross River South Senator-Elect, Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr, celebrating with Governor-elect of Cross River, Senator Bassey Otu, shortly after INEC declaration of Otu as winner in the gubernatorial election held in Cross River State... weekend

Afe Babalola Tasks Newly Elected NASS Members to Prioritise Ekiti’s Development Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti Legal luminary and respected elder statesman, Afe Babalola has charged newly elected Senators and Members, House of Representatives from Ekiti state to use their new status to attract development to the state, using necessary connections and lobbying processes. Babalola, who gave the charge in Ado Ekiti, when the state Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji. led the three Senators -elect and six House of Representatives members- elect to the Founder of Afe Babalola University, called on all influential Ekiti indigenes at home and in the diaspora to start paying taxes and development levies to the state in the drive to ensure aggressive development.

The legal icon, who is reputed as the highest tax payer in Ekiti State, appealed to all Ekiti people irrespective of political affiliation, to join hands with Oyebanji to drive aggressive development of the state. adding that he was convinced Ekiti would progress rapidly under Oyebanji whom he described as a progressive leader. Babalola used the opportunity to call on local government administrators to embark on aggressive food production by investing massively in agricultural implements and inputs to make the state the food basket of the nation. He highlighted his development strides in the state to include law, education, health, youth development, industry, agriculture and

lots more, adding that ABUAD Multi-Systems Hospital was at the verge of taking healthcare delivery close to the people by establishing ABUAD Health Centres in remote areas of the state to help the people with critical health challenges who may not be able to visit the main hospital. Babalola who hailed the exemplary leadership of Oyebanji, said the Ekiti Governor had started effecting some positive changes in the state, urging him to ensure their sustainability. “Whatever you want to achieve in life starts from leadership at all levels, the fact that we are able to bring you together here shows a new leadership order and that Governor Oyebanji is an exemplary leader and

he will continue to be successful,” Babalola noted. In his remarks, Oyebanji, who reiterated his commitment to Ekiti’s development, noted that Babalola was more passionate about Ekiti project. The governor said he led the newly elected lawmakers to the nonagenarian in order to share his vision for Ekiti as well as give them assignments on the Ekiti project. He added that his government would partner ABUAD by sharing its vision of industrialisation, saying if the institution could achieve this remarkable feat in the 13 years of its existence, then sharing vision with it would be a plus for the state. “As Secretary of Ekiti creation, I have an idea of Baba’s vision for Ekiti state and I know that as we

10th Assembly: Group Makes Case for South-east, North-west Says for peace, stability south-east should produce Senate President, North-west Speaker

Juliet Akoje in Abuja The National Unity Group (NUG) has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the president-elect, Bola Tinubu to zone the positions of Senate President to the South-east and that of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the North-west zones of the country. In a statement made available to news men in Abuja, yesterday, by its National Chairman, Dr. Omotayo Gbadebo, the group said, “this zoning arrangement would heal the mounting high political tension, end killings, kidnapping for ransom across the nation, entrench peace, reconciliation and stability in the nation's polity.” The Group explained that there was currently tension in the country as it was in 1999, when the military handed over to the democratically elected administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, adding that adopting the 1999 to 2007 zoning formula would usher in peace and douse tension "The scenario we are now is similar to what we had in 1999. Remember that because of June 12, the military decided to compensate the South West for peace to reign. Hence Alliance for Democracy (AD) was registered even when it did not meet up with the requirements and

the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deliberately picked a Yoruba man, Chief Obasanjo as its candidate and its vice president (Atiku Abubakar) from North East" The group further stated that, “When the government was sworn in, the Senate president was given to the South East (Evans Enwerem/ Chuba Okadigbo/Anyim Pius Anyim); Speaker of the House of Representatives was given to the North West (Salisu Buhari/Ghali NaÁbba/Aminu Masari), while deputy Senate President went to North Central (Haruna Abubakar/ Ibrahim Mantu) and deputy speaker to the South South (Chibudom Nwuche/Austin Opara). The PDP national chairman (Solomon Lar) was from North Central. “We are now saying in order to have peace, end stop the killings in the South East, North Central and compensate North West for its immense contributions to the victory of the APC in the last presidential election, let the Senate President go to the South East, Speaker of the House to the North West, while Deputy Senate President and deputy speaker be zoned to the South South respectively. “Presently, there are mindless killings in the South East and agitations as it was in the South West then, let the party give them

Senate President so that they can have a sense of belonging in the Nigerian project. For North West, it is the biggest geopolitical zone with the highest number of votes (2.9m) in the presidential elections, which is approximately 34 per cent of the total votes that gave the president-elect victory." "As such, you can’t abandon this geopolitical zone with seven states. Therefore, for fair play, equity and morality, North West should be given number four position for the zone to have a sense of belonging in the project Nigeria, while South

East should be given number three. “Anything short of number four for the North West will be morally wrong and it will be tantamount to rejection or non-recognition of the zone, which has contributed more than any other zone in the emergence of the president” Furthermore, the Group said “We are urging the APC leadership and president-elect to as a matter of equity, fairness and stability of the nation, pay special attention to the appropriate zoning of principal offices and political positions in the next administration."

are today, we can only realise that vision when we partner together. I was telling them about your gesture towards the airport, they did not believe it, that the airport would have been completed if we allow you to do what you wanted to do. “I brought them here today to listen to you and to also thank you for what you are doing to humanity and to Ekiti state. If it were in the

olden days, you would have been made a god, but in your lifetime sir, we will continue to reverence you and make you proud.” Speaking on behalf of the Legislators, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator-elect Cyril Fasuyi, reiterated their commitments to Ekiti project and promised to work closely with Governor Oyebanji to attract more development to the state.

UNICEF Administers COVID-19 Vaccine, Immunisation to Rural Women, Children in Anambra David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has flagged off the vaccination of rural people, against COVID-19 pandemic in Anambra State. The organisation is also immunising children in rural areas of the state against many diseases. The vaccination and immunization which are taking place simultaneously in eight local government areas through a medical mission was targeted at victims of the 2022 flood disaster. In Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area, where THISDAY monitored the exercise, scores of women living in the highly populated slum (Okpoko) were seen receiving COVID-19 vaccine and immunisation for their children. Local Immunisation Officer (LIO) for Ogbaru Local Government Area, Mrs. Modesta Chukwuneke, who spoke to journalists, said there was no resentment for the COVID-19 vaccine, as many of

the rural women were presenting themselves for it. She said: "This is a UNICEF programme, sponsored through Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), for children from zero to two years. Besides children, we are also using the opportunity to administer COVID- 19 vaccines to adults who have not had the jabs. "The medical outreach is for victims of the 2022 flood disaster that ravaged eight LGAs in Anambra State, last year. "We sent town criers into the communities to announce the commencement of the programme, that is why you can see this number of people here. "We are particularly happy that the adults are coming by themselves for the COVID-19 vaccination, without being coerced. We have vaccinated up to 30 adults today, and countless children as you can see here, and this outreach is a five-day event."

After Losing Senatorial Election, Nnamani Dumps PDP Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former Governor of Enugu state and Senator representing Enugu East in the Senate, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani has formally withdrawn his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just as he expressed appreciation to his constituents for the unalloyed support over the years. This followed his defeat at the weekend by the Labour Party’s candidate, Kelvin Chukwu, in his reelection bid in Enugu East Senatorial district.

The LP candidate had polled 69, 136 to beat Nnamani who scored 48, 701 votes. In a statement, he signed yesterday, Senator Nnamani said he consulted with his associates and constituents alike and decided to quit the PDP on account of irreconcilable differences with the national leadership of the party. According to him, he has moved on and hoped that his modest contributions to the development of his constituency would be the building blocks on which his successors would

build on. Nnamani thanked Nigerians, especially his Ebeano political family and urged them to remain steadfast in the years ahead. The former Governor reaffirmed his acquaintance with the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and promised to continue to partner with him. He expressed optimism that a Tinubu Administration would promote good governance, rule of law and human rights for the interest of all Nigerians. Before his eventual resignation,

the NWC of the PDP had in February 2023, officially withdrawn Nnamani from the 2023 Senatorial election and had expelled him following his involvement in anti-party activities. According to the PDP, Nnamani was no longer a candidate of PDP, for the Enugu East Senatorial Election that held last Saturday. PDP, in a memo it sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission and signed by Anicho Okoro, on behalf of the National Secretary of the party had expelled the lawmaker.

TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023

POLITICS

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

As Tinubu’s Hints of Govt of National Competence Unlike what transpired during the almost eight-year rule of President Muhammadu Buhari where nepotism and incompetence appear to be the order of the day, the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has hinted of his readiness to constitute a government of national competence. Adedayo Akinwale writes

he February 25, 2023 presidential election has been won and lost, but the hues and cries by those that felt aggrieved are still very much loud and they’ve headed

to court. Ironically, both the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, who came second in the contest and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, who came third, are both laying claims to have won the election. They have told whoever cares to listen that they were robbed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Although, the electoral umpire assured before the February 25th election that results would be transmitted from polling units to INEC Results Viewing (IReV) Portal. That was not to be, as no result was transmitted on the day of election due to technical glitches according to the electoral body. This unfortunate incident has overshadowed most of the surprises recorded during the elections due to the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) introduced by INEC. For example, President Muhammadu Buhari lost his home state of Katsina to PDP, the president -elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu lost Lagos to LP, same as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdulahi Adamu who also lost Nasarawa to Labour Party, among others. Be that as it may, a cursory look at the voting pattern showed that while Obi would have kept depleting the votes of the PDP, he may not have the much needed spread to emerge the president of the country even if the election is re-conducted. Expectedly, the aggrieved Presidential candidates have headed to court to challenge the outcome of the presidential election that produced Tinubu of the APC as the president in-waiting. To Tinubu, a fair, credible election had been held and won, and the honor of the victory and the steep responsibility it entails has fallen on him. He said why he was not out to gloat or boast because there was no room for such behavior, he merely stated the facts as they are. Moreso, he noted that it was not unnatural for Atiku and Obi to have voiced their dissatisfaction by going to court to contest the election. He said this act was inherent in the democratic process. Nevertheless, while they exercise the legal rights afforded them in democracy, Tinubu noted that he has set his course and mind on the leadership of this nation. He said he has important work to do and was committed to getting that work done for the benefit of all the people, whether or not they voted for him or even voted at all. Unfazed by the legal tussle ahead, Tinubu assured that in selecting his government, he would not be weighed down by considerations extraneous to ability and performance. As far as he was concerned, the day for political gamesmanship was long gone. He acknowledged that while there had been talks of a government of national unity, his aim was much higher because he would priortise a government of national competence. Consequently, he reiterated that he would assemble competent men and women and young people from across Nigeria to build a safer, more prosperous Nigeria. Tinubu noted: “As your incoming president, I accept the task before me. There has been talk of a government of national unity. My aim is higher than that. I seek a government of national competence. In selecting my government, I shall not be weighed down by considerations extraneous to ability and performance. The day for political gamesmanship is long gone. “I shall assemble competent men and women and young people from across Nige-

Tinubu

ria to build a safer, more prosperous and just Nigeria. There shall be young people. Women shall be prominent. Whether your faith leads you to pray in a church or mosque will not determine your place in government. Character and competence will. “To secure our nation and to make it prosperous must be our top priorities. We cannot sacrifice

these goals to political expediency. The whims of politics must take a backseat to the imperatives of governance.” If Tinubu’s antecedent is anything to go buy, his ability in spotting talents is never in doubt. The examples abound during his time as the governor of Lagos state. Most of his cabinet members are presently dictating the pace at the federal level and making their mark. For instance, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Without doubt, Tinubu may not have been the choice of some people due to the precarious situation the country has found itself in the hands of the APC-led federal government, because the belief of most Nigerians is that the president-elect was part of the old order that brought the country to its present state. On the other hand, Nigeria does not need a messiah or a saint to set it on the path of prosperity. Tinubu might as well be coming at the right time, beecause It takes someone who understands the system, who has proﬁted from the system to ﬁx the system

was a University lecturer before he was made the Attorney General of Lagos state when he was the governor. The current Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola was a lawyer before he was made part of government when Tinubu was the Governor of the Centre of Excellence. Similarly, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed was Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola was his Commissioner for Works, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele was his aide; former Governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi and the current Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, among others, were all his mentees. “We have families to feed not just to eliminate hunger but to nurture enlightenment, civic responsibility and compassion. We have jobs to create not merely to put people to work but to afford all a better standard of living by which families and communities are improved and democracy deepened. We have water to replenish not just to quench physical thirst but to ignite a thirst for creative and better solutions to society’s challenges. We have a nation to protect such that we eliminate danger and even the fear of danger. “An important step toward restoring economic normalcy has been taken by the Supreme Court’s decision on the parity of old and new notes. This restores both the rule of law and economic decency. But this is not the end of the story. It is merely the beginning of a more comprehensive solution to our economic challenges,” Tinubu noted. Without doubt, in constituting his government, youth and women will participate actively. It however remains to be seen if women would be given 35 percent affirmative action in his government. What is certain is that unlike what was witnessed in the government of President Muhammadu Buhari where cabinet members were not kept on their toes and non-performing cabinet members are eulogised rather than being shown the way out will not be a norm in the incoming administration. This is because the in-coming president understands the enormous task ahead and there is no room for trial and error or failure If his government is to make any impact. As a democrat, Tinubu acknowledged the strong showing of new parties in the 2023 elections. He wondered why the critics of Nigeria were too quick to conclude that the country’s political system was fragmented because of the impressive showing of new parties and their candidates. He was of the view that these critics are wrong, because he believed that the emergence of the new parties and their candidates underscores the dynamic strength of the nation’s democracy. According to him, people want democracy to work and they want to have their voices heard and interests met within it. This is a good thing to be promoted, not something to be feared. What must concern us is not the growth of parties but the regrowth of old prejudices and bigotries such as ethnicity, creed and place of origin. Without doubt, Tinubu may not have been the choice of some people due to the precarious situation the country has found itself in the hands of the APC-led federal government, because the belief of most Nigerians is that the president-elect was part of the old order that brought the country to its present state. On the other hand, Nigeria does not need a messiah or a saint to set it on the path of prosperity. Tinubu might as well be coming at the right time, beecause It takes someone who understands the system, who has profited from the system to fix the system.

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& RE A S O

Tuesday March 21 , 2023 Vol 27. No 10205

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

CONTAINING THE HEART BREAKS OF DEMOCRACY EBOE-OSUJI urges all those who did not win elections to accept the result and channel their energy into nation-building

See page 17

IN PURSUIT OF THE PEACE PROCESS The suspended Seplat boss means well, writes DAN AIBANGBE

See page 17 EDITORIAL

THE JUDICIARY AND THE ELECTIONS

The violence against the Igbo is condemnable, writes PAUL NWABUIKWU

THE LAGOS ELECTION AND THE ANTI-IGBO ATTACKS “I was told to go back to Anambra! How does Bolarinwa sound like an Igbo name? I was rough handled, beaten and sent out because I look Igbo? Because I was not going WR YRWH $3&" 7KLV HYLO ÀUH ZLOO EXUQ \RX DQG \RXU JHQHUDWLRQ µ IYANUOLUWA BOLARINWA: @Bolarinwaiyanu ´, ZDV KDUDVVHG WRGD\ DW WKH SROOLQJ XQLW WROG WKDW , ORRNHG OLNH DQ ,JER SHUVRQ ,W·V REYLRXV WKDW WKH UXOLQJ SDUW\ SODQV WR XVH intimidation, tactical disenfranchisement, YLROHQFH WKXJJHU\ DQG WULEDO ELJRWU\ WR KROG RQ WR SRZHU 7KLV LV QRW DQ HOHFWLRQ 7KLV LV D FULPH VFHQHµ DR. OLAWALE OGUNLANA: @olawalesmd ´, ZDV ERUQ LQ /DJRV ,·P D /DJRV ZRPDQ 7KLV LV P\ ´YLOODJHµ EXW , ZDV QRW DOORZHG WR YRWH EHFDXVH , GRQ·W ORRN OLNH <RUXED"µ SISIYEMMIE.COM: @Sisi_Yemmie Over the coming days, weeks, months and perhaps even years, there will be attempts to disprove, discredit and play GRZQ WKH IDFWV DQG VLJQLÀFDQFH RI ZKDW took place last Saturday in many parts of Lagos during the governorship and state assembly elections which are captured in the searing tweets above. Motivated by cash incentives in a struggling economy, inspired by access to the winners of the elections DQG H[SHFWDWLRQV RI LPPLQHQW SURÀW galvanized by a primordial urge to protect their “heritage”, many “experts” will do their best to justify the XQMXVWLÀDEOH Spin doctors will spin, journalists will produce alternative facts and theories to counter or distract from the awful incidents of unprovoked violence against people whose only crime was to leave their houses and head for the polling units to cast their votes. “Elder statesmen” will be wheeled out to assert that the horrors were nothing but a storm in the national tea cup. They will spout patriotic platitudes to support their point that “Area Boys and “miscreants” were responsible for the harassment, attacks and deaths that KDYH GHÀQHG WKH /DJRV SROOV IRUHYHU Less principled persons, like some individuals I have the misfortune of knowing have already gone to town ZLWK DQ ROG EXW HͿHFWLYH VWUDWHJ\ whataboutism. “Why are you focusing on Lagos only? What about the violence in other parts of the country? You’re just exaggerating for your own political purposes”, they scream, apoplectic with invented indignation, their physical

and metaphorical veins bulging with hypocrisy. One can almost hear Gani Fawehinmi and Fela turning in their graves, appalled by the performance of these humans who are ready to do violence to the most noble virtues in pursuit of personal and group interests, GHÀQHG LQ WKH EDVHVW ZD\V %XW WKHLU HͿRUWV ZLOO IDLO XOWLPDWHO\ $V the personal stories of the brave patriots who went public with their experiences RQ 7ZLWWHU WHVWLÀHV WKH ELJRWU\ WKDW characterized the polls in many parts of Lagos is already a part of our history. As Badero Olusola, the popular podcaster known as Maiyegun Politico captured it in a searing episode, the widespread attacks against Igbos and persons who are unfortunate enough to look like Igbos was “open bigotry” perpetrated by “dark minded and primitive persons” claiming to represent the interests of Yorubas, perhaps the most educated and cosmopolitan ethnicity in Nigeria. Maiyegun Politico, no fan of Bola Tinubu, puts the blame squarely on the recently declared president-elect who he says has the ultimate responsibility for the orchestrated attacks. Some have compared the targeting of Igbos as reminiscent of both the pogroms that preceded the Civil War and the more recent Rwandan genocide that witnessed the murder of nearly a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus. This is because of the orchestrated threats of “we will deal with you if you don’t vote for APC”, the mobs of youths captured in social media videos armed with sticks and machetes and the occasional gun, implacable in their rage and determination to hurt any unfortunate Igbo who crossed their path, WKH IHDU LQ WKH H\HV RI ÁHHLQJ YLFWLPV WROG disturbing stories. Others disagree. They assert that a few attacks by “miscreants” in a few parts of Lagos cannot credibly be compared to the unspeakable awfulness of Biafra and Rwanda. They’re partly right. In scale and sheer savagery, what happened last weekend in Lagos is small potatoes and can certainly not be compared to

JHQRFLGHV $V D ZLW RQFH VDLG ´ZHWLQ consain aeroplane with bridge?” But while admitting the incongruity of the comparison, it would be unwise to be dismissive. For one thing, neither the pre-Biafra pogroms nor the Rwandan genocide happened in one day. Like the reverse aftershocks of an earthquake, smaller acts of violence paved the way IRU WKH ÀQDO FDWDFO\VP $QG WKDW·V WKH UHDVRQ ZH FDQQRW DͿRUG WR EH FRPSODFHQW about the attacks of Igbo supporters of Peter Obi and Labour Party in Lagos. The political incitement against Igbos did not start last weekend. It has been building up for some time. It’s become a part of the electoral cycle as APC, scared of the electoral strength of the VLJQLÀFDQW ,JER SRSXODWLRQ KDV PDGH it a habit to deploy underhand tactics to reduce Igbo turnout which they believe will not favour them. In the most infamous example of this strategy, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu publicly threatened to ensure that Igbos who did not vote for APC perished in the Lagos lagoon. Though Akiolu later claimed he was quoted out of context, the threat by the most powerful traditional ruler in Lagos has been reinforced by others. For instance, the Bale of Igbara community in Eti-Osa local council in Lagos also declared before the presidential elections that “only residents who have their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and ready to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) would be allowed to do business in the community”. ,W LV VLJQLÀFDQW WKDW /DJRV $3& VFDUHG by the popularity of Obi and his party, decided to go beyond the previous attempts to intimidate by threats into street violence and physical attacks. The ORJLFDO TXHVWLRQ KRZ IDU ZLOO WKH\ JR next time? $QG WKDW·V ZK\ WKH HͿRUWV WR VSLQ and dismiss the violence against Igbos and even Yorubas who were suspected to be Igbos should be taken seriously. Something ugly happened in Lagos and, like the rancid gutters of Lagos, strong action will be required to achieve the political equivalent of unclogging the drainage, disinfection and odour elimination. Anyone who believes that what happened in Lagos last weekend was exclusively an Igbo problem is wrong. It wasn’t just some Igbos that were under siege. The very soul of the Nigerian project and the essence of Nigerian citizenship in our democracy were under attack. Nwabuikwu LV D PHPEHU RI 7+,6'$< (GLWRULDO %RDUG

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EBOE-OSUJI urges all those who did not win elections to accept the result and channel their energy into nation-building

CONTAINING THE HEART BREAKS OF DEMOCRACY

happy with those results are Tinubu and his supporters. It goes without saying that if the vote distribution remains the same but only the names of the candidates are switched around LQ DQ\ FRQÀJXUDWLRQ $EXEDNDU 2EL RU Kwankwanso and his supporters will now be beaming with joy for having received 8.7 million votes—Tinubu and his supports will be complaining of electoral irregularities. It means, in every case, that any presidential election will leave millions of Nigerians XQVDWLVÀHG ZLWK WKH RXWFRPH 7KDW LV the primary reason that democracy is messy and unsatisfactory. We may recall Winston Churchill’s observation that “democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried.” Perhaps, Switzerland, as they often do with things, have the best job of managing the messiness of attaining power through elections. There is no one SHUVRQ WKDW LV UHDGLO\ LGHQWLÀHG DW any given time as “the” President of Switzerland. That function is served by the Swiss Federal Council, made up of seven members. The members take turns on a yearly-basis serving as the president of the Federal Council— WKXV VHUYLQJ LQ HͿHFW DV WKH SUHVLGHQW political strategist agreed. “Democracy of Switzerland—but only for the one is messy,” Galen said. “It is messy year at a time. Perhaps, Nigerians (and whether you’ve been doing it since Americans, too!) should try the Swiss 1789 or whether you’re going to do it DSSURDFK ,W GLͿXVHV WKH LPSRUWDQFH RU IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH LQ 7KH WURXEOH concentration of political power in any with Democracy is, you hold elections. one person, as it emphasises, instead, The trouble with dictatorships is … the value of sharing it. For now, however, we must make the you don’t.” I added my own observation that best of the system we have. It is not the the real trouble, of course, is that only Swiss system. Perhaps, the trick is to one person will be declared the winner remember how we feel when the Super of any contested seat, and others who Eagles lose important matches—a worked just as hard or even harder heartbreak that every Nigerian knows must put up with depressing feelings of all too well. The same feeling gnaws at disappointment. I commiserated with heart of every Nigerian if the election those experiencing that feeling in the UHWXUQ FHUWLÀFDWH LV SUHVHQWHG WR WKH outcome of the Nigerian presidential candidate (s)he did not support. It is an election. I urged them to accept the inevitable feeling of disappointment declared result, for the sake of the that we must learn to live with. country they love so dearly. In doing Nigerians must not allow those feelings so, they would have been performing to control our actions and our lives. Life the most important public service that ZLOO RWKHUZLVH EH PXFK PRUH GL΀FXOW they could possibly perform in these for us individually and for the country we love. I know, more than most, how delicate moments. There will be those who will argue that can be so. As a senior functionary that part of the messiness of democracy at the International Criminal Court, I is that there are always irregularities in saw how some of the leading lights of elections—be it in the United States or Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire ended up on in Nigeria. It is unhelpful to dwell on the docks of the ICC, when the posta comparative analysis of frequency or HOHFWLRQ SDVVLRQ KDG FRROHG RͿ VLPSO\ VFDOH RI LUUHJXODULWLHV LQ WKH GLͿHUHQW because they could not manage the countries. And there will be those who negative emotions that is constant in will argue that given the inevitability of every election. That is not a story that electoral irregularities, it is impossible any politician would want for himself to envisage a scenario when the side or herself. I urge all those who did not that did not win will accept the results win to accept the result and to channel of an election as free and fair. That the same pre-election energy into circumstance tells us that the only the post-election demands of nationpeople who celebrate the outcome building that Nigeria needs to become of an election are only those who are the nation of our hopes of dreams. declared winners. It does not matter Eboe-Osuji, LLB, LLM, PhD HLF the margins by which they win. INEC was President of the International declared Tinubu as having garnered Criminal Court from 2018 to 2021. He 8.7 million votes, Atiku Abubakar 6.9 is now the Distinguished International million, Peter Obi 6.1 million and Rabiu Jurist at the Toronto Metropolitan Kwankwanso 1.4 million. Naturally, University the only interested Nigerians who are Since INEC’s announcement of the Nigerian presidential election results, I have tried to use my Tweeter handle @EboeOsuji to engage as many people as I can. This was motivated by what must be the feelings of grave disappointment for the 14.4 million Nigerian voters who did not vote for the President-elect Asiwaju Tinubu as he and his supporters celebrate victory. In one of the tweets, I recall Robert Kennedy saying, “Democracy is messy and it’s hard. It’s never easy.” Richard Galen, another American

The suspended Seplat boss means well, writes DAN AIBANGBE

IN PURSUIT OF THE PEACE PROCESS Seplat Energy PLC, established in 2009 with at the extent to which Nigerians would about 600 strong human resource base (as at haunt foreigners, just because of new 2022) and market value of GBP628.56 million found powers under a deregulated oil (about 352 billion naira) has come a long way Industry. How have we addressed the such that it achieved prime positioning both GHÀFLHQFLHV DQG LQH΀FLHQFLHV RI RXU at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NGX and the national corporation and regulator in this London Stock Exchange (LSE). VDPH RLO LQGXVWU\" 1LJHULD KDV VXͿHUHG With such corporate posture, one should VHULRXV SDLQV GXH WR WKH LQH΀FLHQFLHV not be too surprised that such a big company of NNPCL at great cost to our national ZRXOG GHVLUH WKH SURÀOH RI DQ LQWHUQDWLRQDO productivity and cost of doing business, FLWL]HQ DV LWV &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2΀FHU KDYLQJ but here we have a few apparently already secured a Nigerian as Board disgruntled stakeholders, trying to hold Chairman. Seplat started out with a Nigerian a private entity to a higher responsibility CEO, Austin Avuru, who retired voluntarily than our national asset in same industry! in 2020 and was replaced with a British Upon enquiries from the Seplat Energy national. The executive management is rich Executive management as to the origin of with Nigerian nationals, including Mr Basil this legal action and the possible angst of Omiyi (Chairman); Mr Emeka Onwuka, CFO; WKH SODLQWLͿV , OHDUQW LW LV QRW XQFRQQHFWHG Mr Samuel Ezeuguorie, COO; Uche Lotanna- WR WKH HͿRUWV RI WKH QHZ H[HFXWLYH KHDGHG Anajemba, HR Leader; etc. by Mr Brown to sanitize the system to For those who are familiar with corporate shape up to higher performance and structures, it is easy to discern that every position for greater capacity as demanded facet of power in this organization is held by the rapid growth in stature and scale of operation. Another angle to the litigation is suggested as the desire to force the removal of the incumbent, with the infantile hope that a softer personality may emerge as replacement to enable a certain cabal continue to undermine the FRPSDQ\ WKURXJK FRQÁLFW RI LQWHUHVW DFW IRU SHUVRQDO EHQHÀWV UDWKHU WKDQ FRUSRUDWH advancement. As gleaned from one of the news pages of the company website, seplatenergy. com, Seplat Women’s Awesome Network (fondly known as SWAN) is dismayed by the misleading and distasteful public propaganda against the CEO, Roger Brown. They consider allegations contained in the petitions to the Ministry of Interior and the Federal High Court by Nigerians and one should wonder how as full of lies. They are unable to identify a ‘racist’ CEO could freely practice his act in any of the individuals alleging these such an environment. It is more intriguing falsehoods as their fellow employees – why a clique of minority stakeholders could past or present. make such frightening accusations without They also believe that the unfortunate any such incidence having been captured (but perhaps intended) consequence of in the whistleblower structure of internal WKHVH HͿRUWV LV WR GLVSDUDJH WKH VWHUOLQJ corporate governance system. We must bear record of their corporate champion and in mind that the oil industry in Nigeria is steadfast cheerleader while diverting highly unionized: so why would the courts be the much-needed time and resources of WKH ÀUVW UHFRXUVH RI VXFK SHRSOH LI WKH LQWHUHVWV the Ministry of Interior and Courts away are genuine? from legitimate concerns requiring their $QRWKHU ZRUULVRPH LVVXH LV WKH ÀUVW attention. accusation in the writ which mentioned the As a body of women who stand for attitude of the CEO, Mr Roger Brown in the utmost truth and equity for all, they abusing the Nigerian President in privacy. are resolved to rise in support of their How should this be of such concern that EHORYHG &(2 DQG WDNH D ÀUP VWDQG would warrant a court action, even if such was against the attacks on his person and his true? Are we no longer practicing democracy leadership. Therefore, the SWAN proudly in Nigeria, such that comes with freedom of stands alongside Roger Brown and joins speech? Is the private conversation of a CEO the Seplat Board of Directors to declare now a matter of urgent corporate importance? WKHLU XWPRVW FRQÀGHQFH LQ KLP DV &(2 The immediate past President of Nigeria, Dr and foremost champion for diversity and *RRGOXFN -RQDWKDQ KLPVHOI KHOG WKH XQR΀FLDO equality. They also consider their very title of ‘The Most Abused Nigerian President,” existence as a testament to Roger’s drive yet, he is alive, well and glowing as Nigeria’s for equality and mutual advancement. Peace Ambassador Plenipotentiary! There’s It was under the new CEO’s leadership a great adage attributed to the Poet General, WKDW D YLVLRQ IRU JHQGHU HTXDOLW\ ÀQDOO\ late Mamman Vatsa, ‘when a man begins crystallized at Seplat – after a decade of the to abuse himself, others will join him’. That company’s corporate existence. Persons said, what is the nature of such derogatory external to Seplat can only speculate about remarks or “unprintable” words used against (or worse still, fabricate) the disposition of the President of Nigeria that are tantamount the CEO on this subject, but in the interest to ‘high treason’ as being suggested? Is of equity and truth, they have come Seplat Energy now a government parastatal, forward to authoritatively underscore the where such mundane issues can be treated CEO’s unblemished record of diversity, as insubordination? The Nigerian President equality, and inclusion at Seplat. and his presidency is far bigger, stronger and smarter than that! Aibangbe On the whole, I am seriously concerned writes from Lagos

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EDITORIAL

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

THE JUDICIARY AND THE ELECTIONS The courts should ensure the election disputes are handled speedily

Meanwhile, the essence of the court’s interventions s provided for in the Constitution of in election matters is to promote democratic culture the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 DQG VWUHQJWKHQ WKH FRQÀGHQFH RI WKH SHRSOH LQ WKH (as amended), aggrieved politicians GHPRFUDWLF SURFHVV %XW IRU DV ORQJ DV ZH LQVLVW RQ ZKR ZHUH GLVVDWLVÀHG ZLWK WKH reducing our courts to vote-counting stations in a outcomes of the concluded elections manual process, this democracy will either destroy are taking their petitions before the the judiciary or corrupt the judiciary to eventually various election petition tribunals. Many others are destroy the prospects of democracy. Already, in the process of preparing their cases. For this, we many of our politicians no longer bother with the congratulate the politicians for their maturity in electorate. They just contest and literally wait at the submitting themselves to the requirement of the rule gate of tribunals and courts with bales of cash. of law. To be sure, the judiciary has the sacred role The framers of our constitution foresaw this of interpreting laws and deciding the rights, situation where electoral contests would become responsibilities, and liabilities of parties to a dispute, subjects of disputes and provided remedies. LQFOXGLQJ RQ HOHFWLRQ PDWWHUV %XW D VLWXDWLRQ LQ Aggrieved persons have the option of going up which opportunity for to the Supreme Court, legal redress is available especially for but where it comes with As the petitions get to the courts, we hope that the grey areas of our presidential and little or no hope of justice governorship elections. electoral laws are made clearer such that the aggrieved and other ever being served, is as That these remedies good as useless. There are being explored is Nigerians would ﬁnd the outcome of the arbitration acceptable as have been brazen cases gladdening. ZKHUH ORVHUV DUH D΀UPHG Election is a process. justice being served as winners and vice versa. It begins with the In some cases, the rules registration of voters and T H I S D AY of procedure of our courts are thrown overboard to ends with the conclusion of judicial adjudication over EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU achieve some predetermined end. disputes. As the petitions get to the courts, we hope DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA Interestingly, the rules of procedure of our courts that the grey areas of our electoral laws are made MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO prescribe a speedier process than what obtains clearer such that the aggrieved and other Nigerians DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU in most jurisdictions including the United States. CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI ZRXOG ÀQG WKH RXWFRPH RI WKH DUELWUDWLRQ DFFHSWDEOH EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN That is why the Supreme Court could ensure that as justice being served. That way, our inclination for MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI all pre-election disputes were determined before rules and laws will tower over recourse to self-help THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE WKH 2QGR 6WDWH JRYHUQRUVKLS HOHFWLRQ +RZHYHU and violence, making our society a more peaceful the same court is yet to conclude similar cases in and stable one for citizens and foreigners alike. other states. Yet in time bound cases, the apex court However, we are concerned by the time it takes to T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D is empowered to announce a judgment and give conclude election cases in Nigeria. In most countries, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA reasons later. Since election petition tribunals sit on WKHVH FDVHV DUH FRQFOXGHG EHIRUH DQ HOHFWHG R΀FLDO GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, Saturdays, there is no reason why these cases should FDQ DVVXPH R΀FH %XW ZH KDYH D VLWXDWLRQ LQ ZKLFK ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI take forever to decide. it could take up to three years before someone who DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, The delays in our judicial system are deliberate acts ANTHONY OGEDENGBE was not validly elected loses his/her seat. Yet, delay DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI of individual lawyers and judges which of course is in the hearing of cases in Nigeria is largely caused SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH an extension of a national culture of tardiness and E\ ODZ\HUV MXGJHV DQG MXGLFLDO VWDͿ 2XU MXGJHV ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI corruption. To stem it, we must restore integrity to are ever ready to indulge and encourage lawyers to CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI the bar and the bench in Nigeria. waste the precious time of the courts. DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO 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 IN APPRECIATION OF SHUAIB AUDU It is no longer news that the Presidential candidate of WKH $OO 3URJUHVVLYHV &RQJUHVV $3& $VLZDMX %ROD $KPHG Tinubu has been declared winner of the 2023 Presidential election. This victory is spectacular in many respects because it is one of the closest, peaceful and transparent Presidential elections in the electoral history of Nigeria. This hard fought victory wouldn’t have been possible without the contributions of many stakeholders, grassroots supporters, party leaders, and members. The role they played to make this victory possible cannot be over emSKDVL]HG 2QH RI WKH VLOHQW FRQWULEXWRUV WR WKH 3UHVLGHQWLDO VXFFHVV RI %ROD 7LQXEX .DVKLP 6KHWWLPD WLFNHW LV XQGHQLably Prince Shuaib Abubakar Audu, the scion of the Prince Abubakar Audu’s political dynasty. The young Shuaib saw the Presidential quest of one of his late father’s political friends as an opportunity to invest in the leadership recruitment process of the country. He sees this opportunity as one he has to seize with his two hands not because of what he

would get for himself but in supporting a candidate he feels represents the renewed hope he has clamoured for and an opportunity to support a candidate that he feels has all what it takes to entrench in the country a new type of political dispensation where the people matter. :LWK WKH ÀQDO YLFWRU\ RI %ROD 7LQXEX LQ WKH 3UHVLGHQWLDO election, it is therefore correct for those who have noticed the role and contributions of this young man aspiring for WKH JXEHU VHDW RI .RJL 6WDWH WR EHDW WKHLU FKHVW DQG DSSODXG one of their very own. Shuaib Audu blazed the trail in mobilising his people and in supporting the candidature RI %ROD 7LQXEX ZLWK IXQGV FKDQQHOOHG WRZDUG PDNLQJ KLV FDPSDLJQ HͿHFWLYHO\ H[HFXWHG 6KXDLE DQ H[HFXWLYH GLUHFWRU ZLWK 67$1%,& ,%7& LV D \RXQJ PDQ WKDW UHDOL]HV VR HDUO\ WKDW PDQ\ DFKLHYHUV OLNH 7LQXEX DOVR VXͿHU VRPH privations. Shuaib Abubakar Audu appointed into the Finance Committee of the APC, PCC, donated N30 million to WKH FURZG IXQGLQJ $SS DQG ZDV DPRQJ WKH ÀUVW WR GRQDWH

buses to the campaign even before the primaries valued at over N10million. He among other things also donated relief PDWHULDOV WR ÁRRG YLFWLPV RQ EHKDOI RI %ROD 7LQXEX YDOXHG at over N20million. We can say with all sense of responsibility that Shuaib has VSHQW LQ H[FHVV RI 1 PLOOLRQ VXSSRUWLQJ WKH %ROD 7LQXEX .DVKLP 6KHWWLPD 3UHVLGHQWLDO SURMHFW WR WKH JORU\ RI *RG He did all this and more because he was so passionate about Asiwaju becoming the President. Shuaib has over the years learnt a lesson from his father that in politics one should put his hands where his mouth is and this has made him carved a niche for himself as one of the very few politicians who voluntarily supports causes that are greater than them. The Presidential project of the Asiwaju, to him, is worth propagating because of his transformative achievements over the years. Thanks for the support, Shuaib Abubakar Audu. Jamila Musa, Abuja

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

Xi in Moscow for Talks with Putin Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow Monday for a three-day state visit to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, with Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s peace proposal part of the agenda. Last month, China floated a 12-point plan designed to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which began on February 24, 2022. On Monday, Xi wrote in Rossiiskaya Gazeta, a daily published by the Russian government, that the Chinese proposal represents “as much as possible the unity of the world community’s views,” according to an English translation of the article issued by the Chinese Mission to the United Nations. “The document serves as a constructive factor in neutralising the consequences of the crisis and promoting a political settlement. Complex problems do not have simple solutions,” Xi said. In the People’s Daily, the newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee, Putin said on Monday: “We are grateful for the balanced line (of China) in connection with the events taking place in Ukraine, for understanding their background and true causes,” according to The Associated Press. “We welcome China’s willingness to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis,” Putin said Sunday.

Former Taiwan Leader Ma Ying-jeou to Visit China

Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou will visit China next week in what a spokesman called a bid to ease tensions between the self-ruled island and the mainland. Ma presided over a period of warm ties with Beijing but left office under a cloud after a trade deal with the mainland failed to win approval amid the island’s largest protests since the 1990s. Ma’s proposed visit comes as China’s People’s Liberation Army sends fighter jets towards Taiwan nearly daily and as official communications between the two governments have broken off. China’s ruling government claims Taiwan is part of its national territory, but Taiwan’s current ruling government says it’s already a sovereign state, not part of China. Ma, a member of the opposition Nationalist Party (Kuomingtang), will lead a delegation of academics and students and his former presidential staffers from March 27 to April 7, his office said Sunday. The office of President Tsai Ing-wen said Ma had notified the office of his plans Monday and that they “hoped Ma, in his role as the former head of state...can show the value of Taiwan’s democracy and freedom and the position of equality and dignity in cross-Straits exchanges.”

EU Ministers Consider Ammunition Plan for Ukraine

European Union foreign and defence ministers are meeting Monday in Brussels to finalise a multi-prong plan to supply Ukraine with ammunition and replenish their ammunition stocks. The $2 billion proposal also includes working to increase the EU’s production of ammunition to secure long-term supplies better. Ukrainian officials have stressed the need for more ammunition aid from Western partners as Ukraine battles against a full-scale Russian invasion that began more than a year ago. EU foreign policy chief Joseph Borrell has encouraged members to approve the plan, saying Ukraine needs deliveries of more artillery ammunition to happen faster. The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Russian-occupied Ukrainian port city of Mariupol late Saturday after a stopover in the Crimean Peninsula to mark the ninth anniversary of Moscow’s illegal annexation of the territory in 2014. Video showed Putin chatting with residents after earlier visiting an art school and a children’s centre in Crimea. The visits came after the International Criminal Court Friday issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest on war crimes charges for Russia’s seizure of Ukrainian children

Africa Police, Soldiers Deploy for Opposition-led Protests

during its 13-month invasion.

Thailand Dissolves Parliament for Crunch Election in May

Thailand dissolved its parliament on Monday to clear the way for an election in May, a vote set to reignite a long-running power struggle between a military-backed establishment and a political movement that has dominated elections for two decades. King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorsed a decree to dissolve parliament, according to an announcement in the Royal Gazette on Monday, ahead of an election that must be held within 45 to 60 days. No date has been announced, but two sources with knowledge of the matter earlier on Monday told Reuters the vote would be on May 14. “This is a return of political decisionmaking power to the people swiftly to continue democratic government with the King as head of state,” said the decree published on Monday. The election broadly pits the billionaire Shinawatra family and its business allies against parties and politicians close to their rivals among the royalist military and old money conservatives. With populist policies aimed at Thailand’s working classes, parties controlled by the Shinawatras have won every election since 2001, including twice in landslides, but three of its governments were removed in military coups or by court rulings.

Pakistan Arrests Scores of Supporters of Ex-PM Khan

A police crackdown in Pakistan has led to the arrest of around 300 former Prime Minister Imran Khan supporters for their alleged involvement in recent clashes with security forces and arson. Authorities and Khan’s opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said Monday that the arrests occurred in the capital, Islamabad, and the eastern city of Lahore. A police statement confirmed overnight raids had rounded up some 200 PTI supporters in the capital for their role in arson and attacks that injured dozens of security forces. The rest of the arrests took place in Lahore. The detainees faced terrorism and other offences. Khan’s party workers also clashed with security forces for two straight days starting last Tuesday after police officers attempted to arrest the 70-year-old opposition leader at his Lahore residence for failing to appear before an Islamabad court hearing graft charges against him. Another round of violent clashes occurred on Saturday outside a court compound in Islamabad when Khan was due to face charges of unlawfully selling state gifts he received while in office. Fawad Chaudhry, a central PTI leader, told reporters police had raided the homes

of all senior party leaders late on Sunday. Khan condemned the police action against his party.

North Korea Holds Drill Simulating Tactical Nuclear Strike

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a drill simulating a tactical nuclear attack, state media said Monday, as part of what Pyongyang described as a response to ongoing U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises. The North Korean exercise, held Saturday and Sunday, included a “launching drill simulating a nuclear attack on major target of the enemy,” according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency. During the Sunday launching drill, a tactical ballistic missile with a mock nuclear warhead “correctly exploded in the air” at 800 meters after travelling for 800km, KCNA added. Analysts said the drill aimed to simulate a nuclear airburst, the detonation of a warhead above ground to increase its effectiveness. South Korea had earlier reported Sunday’s launch, calling it at the time a short-range ballistic missile that was launched from the Tongchang-ri area of North Korea before splashing into the sea. Kim, accompanied at the drill by his young daughter, said the manoeuvre was aimed at preparing North Korean nuclear forces to launch attacks “rapidly and correctly at any time and in any situation” to deter war, said KCNA.

Kenya’s Opposition Supporters Clash with Police

Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s supporters demonstrated in Nairobi and other parts of the country Monday, engaging police in running battles. Protesters criticised the high cost of living, alleged electoral irregularities, and alleged corruption in the government of President William Ruto. Kenyan police dispersed demonstrators in Nairobi with tear gas and water cannons, and at least one person was shot. The Odinga motorcade also was targeted with tear gas as it approached the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. A protester, Petit Musa, said the Ruto government must prove it won the election fairly. He said he wants the manual and electronic presidential results to be released so the people can tell whether the Ruto government is legitimate. He also wants the government to lower the prices of food. Ruto defeated Odinga, his main challenger, in the August presidential election by a narrow margin. The Kenyan Supreme Court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the election was rigged. Odinga maintains that the electoral commission wrongfully denied him the presidency.

Police and soldiers deployed across South Africa Monday as the country braced for protests after a left-wing party called for a “national shutdown”, sparking fears of a repeat of unrest that turned deadly two years ago. There was a heavy security presence at the Union Buildings, the seat of government in Pretoria, where demonstrators were expected to protest later. The country’s third-largest party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has urged South Africans to take to the streets and bring the country to a halt. Authorities said they were on high alert to prevent and fight any acts of criminality and maintain public order. Parliament announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa had authorised the deployment of 3,474 soldiers to assist police. “We hope that those that will be marching, as long as they will be doing so peacefully, we have no reason to interfere with them,” police minister Bheki Cele told reporters in Johannesburg on Monday. “Police will have to be tough without really being brutal,” he said, adding that private security companies were also helping police.

Several Civilians Killed in DR Congo Attacks, Fighting with M23 Rebels Flares

More than 20 civilians were reported killed in separate attacks in the restive east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where fighting also resumed over the weekend between the government and M23 insurgents, local sources told AFP on Sunday. In Ituri province, CODECO militants — a group claiming to protect the Lendu community from another ethnic group, the Hema — were accused of targeting five villages in Mahagi early on Saturday. “For now, we’ve counted 15 dead, mainly women, children and old people,” said Arnold Lokwa, a village chief. At least nine people were reported killed at Nguli in neighbouring North Kivu by rebels in the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which is linked to the Islamic State jihadist group, village chief Kambale Kamboso said. Two children were also missing after the attack, carried out with “machetes and knives,” he told AFP.

UNICEF: Millions of African Children Face Water Catastrophe

“Africa is facing a water catastrophe,” UNICEF Director of Programs Sanjay Wijesekera said in a statement Monday. A new UNICEF report says 190 million children in 10 African countries are “at the highest risk” from three water-related threats and climate hazards. The three threats, known collectively as WASH, are inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. According to the UNICEF analysis, many children in the affected countries do not have access to basic sanitation, whose findings are being released just days before the UN 2023 Water Conference. Water in the home is not available to nearly one-third of the children, while two-thirds do not have basic sanitation service. A quarter of the children lack an alternative to open defecation. Threequarters of the children cannot wash their hands because there is no soap and water in the home. The countries affected by the water nightmare are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Somalia. In addition, some countries and, consequently, their children face yet another threat – instability and armed conflict.

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 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 17Mar-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 200.46 201.61 7.58% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.36% Nigeria International Debt Fund 330.61 330.61 6.70% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 107.08 108.18 1.45% 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 100.00 100.00 12.90% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.86 3.92 13.41% 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 6.19% Anchoria Equity Fund 153.93 155.52 6.20% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.25 1.25 1.54% 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 23.37 24.08 6.52% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 547.85 564.37 5.11% ARM Ethical Fund 47.40 48.83 5.08% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.14 1.14 1.09% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.12 1.12 1.53% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.36% ARM Short Term Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 1.33% 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 92.86 92.86 -2.36% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,125.58 1,125.58 -0.08% 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 2.15 2.15 4.11% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.38 2.43 7.67% 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 1.79% 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 11.27% Paramount Equity Fund 20.01 20.38 4.05% Women's Investment Fund 153.42 155.65 4.09% CHD Nigeria Bond Fund 101.94 101.94 10.76% CHD Nigeria Dollar Income Fund 1.00 1.00 10.41% 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 8.27% Cordros Milestone Fund 143.74 144.66 4.39% Cordros Fixed Income Fund 107.56 107.56 9.71% Cordros Halal Fixed Income Fund 104.56 104.56 6.03% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 114.51 114.51 5.77% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.71% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.09 1.09 10.30% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.14 1.14 26.26% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 105.99 105.99 4.63% 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 1508.27 1508.27 11.97% FBN Balanced Fund 209.19 210.73 4.76% FBN Halal Fund 126.12 126.12 12.35% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.18% FBN Dollar Fund 122.04 122.04 6.93% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 174.79 177.11 5.54% FBN Specialized Dollar Fund 106.23 106.23 9.50% 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 7.57% Legacy Debt Fund 3.53 3.53 -11.83% Legacy Equity Fund 2.09 2.14 20.42% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.28 1.28 6.10% 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 4,362.38 3,771.85 100.00

Offer Price 4,390.91 3,771.85 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 17.63% 7.73% 11.44%

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 N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End N/A N/A N/A 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 12.92 12.98 4.87% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.17% 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) 102.63 102.63 10.17% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 12.37% 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 ASSET MANAGEMENT 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 The Frontier Fund 135.24 138.48 7.58% 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 3,812.81 3,840.80 12.44% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 247.14 247.14 4.91% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.50 1.51 19.44% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 336.87 336.87 7.58% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 278.77 281.76 19.27% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.12% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 12,929.51 13,084.42 18.41% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.38 1.38 7.17% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 122.59 122.59 4.86% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 117.14 117.14 10.12% Stanbic IBTC Absolute Fund 4,656.48 4,656.48 9.46% Stanbic IBTC Aggressive Fund 3,421.16 3,463.63 23.05% Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund 4,382.88 4,399.33 15.13% 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 1.06 1.08 10.86% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.56 1.59 14.41% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.26 1.29 8.80% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.13 1.13 9.95% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.98 1.98 7.27% United Capital Eurobond Fund 126.76 126.76 5.46% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.10% 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 14.51 14.64 4.60% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 16.49 16.65 4.29% Zenith Income Fund 23.91 23.91 1.51% 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 4.28 4.38 6.61% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 6.98 7.08 19.35% Vetiva Grifﬁn 30 Exchange Traded Fund 19.86 20.06 12.22% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.77% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 25.42 25.62 27.07% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 141.70 143.70 -10.12% REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

115.40 53.52 101.31 9.93

1.31% 4.74% -13.05%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

17.09 138.16 111.07 17.40 16.40

17.19 140.57 113.00 17.50 16.50

10.39% 8.27% 11.09% -4.27% -3.46%

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.

LAWYER TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023

FESTUS KEYAMO, SAN

DR DANIEL BWALA

UT H

& RE A S O

WEEKLY PULLOUT

UT H

& RE A S O

VALENTINE OBIEYEN

2023 Election: The Way We See It

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

IN THIS EDITION

Power to Transfer Matter from State to Federal High Court Page IV

Justice for ‘Ekwulobia Four’, Court Orders IGP, AGF to Pay N400m Compensation QUOTABLES

Page V

‘I’m not challenging who INEC declared. I’m not challenging the outcome, I’m challenging the process by which they arrived at their declaration. And, unless we do that, we are not going to stop the rascality witnessed in that election.’- Peter Obi, Labour Party Presidential Candidate, 2023 Presidential Election, Federal Republic of Nigeria ‘The myth of political structure, has been destroyed.’.- Femi Falana, SAN

COLUMNIST PROF MIKE OZEKHOME, CON, SAN, FCIArb,, PH.D. LLD Constitutional Democracy, means a system of government, in which political and governmental power, is defined, limited and shared by a grundnorm called the Constitution, which provides inbuilt checks and balances. This column seeks to fiercely discuss constitutional, legal and political issues, with a view to strengthening, deepening and widening the plenitude and amplitude of democracy and good governance, without fear or favour. The writer of this column, Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is a Constitutional Lawyer, Human Rights Activist, Pro-Democracy Campaigner, Notary Public and Motivational Speaker. He co-founded the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Nigeria’s pioneer human rights league, on October 15, 1987, the Universal defenders of Democracy (UDD), in 1992, and with Chief Gani Fawehinmi and others in 1998, the Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON), to push out the military. In his early days, he lectured at the University of Ife. Prof Ozekhome is an author of many books. He is also a Special Counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC), at The Hague.

LAWYER

Ex-Elizade Varsity VC Appeals Ondo Magistrate Court's Guilty Verdict Page V

Dr Olaleye’s No Case Submission Fails, Ordered to Open Defence Page V

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

III THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023

The Case Against Child Marriage The Paedophilic Alhaji ast week, a photograph of an Alhaji purportedly from or in Kano and a girl who was said to be 11 years old, trended on social media. I thought he was her father or grandfather, until I read the caption that accompanied the photograph which read: "She is my choice. I married her because we love each other". I was shocked that this kind of child abuse, is still happening in Nigeria of 2023. However, I later learnt that, like many of the fake things we see on social media that go viral, the narrative of the photo was false. I saw another photo of the couple, and apparently, the young bride in the photo is 21, not 11 (while I couldn’t determine her age in the second photo, she certainly didn’t look like an 11 year old child in it). This however, doesn’t detract from the fact that there are many sick men around, who are nothing more than paedophiles - a paedophile is a person who is sexually attracted to children; a person who has absolutely no qualms about marrying a girl as young as 11. The caption in the fake photo claimed that an 11 year old child who has not reached the age of consent, let alone understand what romantic love is, was also in love with the Alhaji! Tah! When I first saw the fake photo, I wondered how a man who was openly committing what can only qualify as a disgusting crime against a minor, can be openly celebrating his criminal activity? Even though it appears that Kano State is one of the two States left that has not yet domesticated the Child’s Right Act 2003 (CRA) which sets the age of consent at 18 years (Zamfara has not domesticated it either), the Penal Code Act (PCA) which is applicable in all the Northern States including Kano and Zamfara, sets the age of consent at the somewhat still tender age of 14, which would have made the Alhaji’s marriage to an 11 year old child unlawful, if it had been real.

Marriage Under Sharia Law (Nikah) Those who commit this atrocity of marrying underaged girls in the North, use Sharia Law as their shield. But, it is impossible to agree that Sharia Law permits underaged marriage, considering the fact that Islam considers marriage to be the legalisation of a sexual relationship between a man and a woman in order to procreate, and one of the first laws of Islamic Marriage, is that the parties to the marriage must have the capacity to marry, and must both consent freely to the marriage. There must also be no legal impediment to the marriage. These three conditions (plus the ijab (proposal), qubool (acceptance), mehr (sufficient consideration) and sufficient number of witnesses) must all be fulfilled, for there to be a valid contract of marriage. Islam permits marriage upon puberty, and when the girl child can bear to engage in sexual activity. Biologically/physically, a girl child passes through five stages of puberty starting from Stage 1 between age 8-11 which cannot be observed by the naked eye (ovaries enlarge, production of hormones begin); to between Stages 2-4 age 9-16 when the breasts grow, pubic hair grows, menstrual period starts etc; to Stage 5 up to age 19, when the girl child becomes fully developed. How then, can anyone say that a child who is in the beginning stages of puberty at 11, or at age 14, has reached full puberty and is ripe for marriage? Is this not why many child brides suffer from the disease known as VVF, that is, Vesicovaginal Fistula, urinary incontinence caused by an abnormal opening between the bladder and vagina, when they are forced to have sex or bear children at an early age, before they are fully developed? Age of Consent Section 29(4)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2018)(the Constitution) defines ‘full age’ as 18 years and above. However, while some may argue that that definition of full age is restricted to only Section 29(1) of the Constitution, which concerns the renunciation of Nigerian citizenship, Section 27(2)(a) of the Constitution also refers to full age and capacity for the grant of a certificate of naturalisation. Can this be taken to mean that 18 is the general age of consent in Nigeria, or it is only for citizenship purposes? I submit that the Constitution needs to make a clear provision on the ‘full age’ of a Nigerian. By virtue of various statutes, there seems to be a general consensus that the age of consent in Nigeria is 18 (also see Section 12(1)(b) of the Electoral Act 2022), so that one conclusion we can safely draw is that, under the law, the age of consent cannot be age 11. For the 34 States

Natasha v State (2017) LPELR-42359(SC) per Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun JSC where the Supreme Court held that under the Penal Code, a child less than 14 years old is incapable of giving consent.

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

The

Advocate “Girls suffering fromVVF are then shunned by society because of the odour that surrounds them, as a result of the constantly leaking urine caused by the damage to their bladders and vaginas.The psychological trauma inflicted on these little girls as a result of early marriage and sexual activity, is another matter. No one, especially helpless little girls, should be made to go through such inhumane treatment” that have domesticated the CRA, the age of consent is definitely 18. Section 21 of the CRA provides that a person under the age of 18 is incapable of contracting a valid marriage (also see Section 31(1) of the CRA). It is instructive to note that Senator Ahmed Yerima, former Governor of Zamfara State, who was the first to declare Sharia in his State in 2000, is famous for his penchant for taking younger girls as his brides, even being accused of marrying a 13 year old girl in 2009 (which would have been contrary to the PCA which is also applicable in Zamfara); and so, it is therefore, no surprise that his State, Zamfara, has failed to domesticate the CRA, since past Governors usually maintain a firm grip on their States long after they cease to be in office. Wouldn’t be so sad, if the children of a State are being denied the protection they deserve under the law, due to the perverseness of a few? Section 29(4)(b) of the Constitution goes on to provide that “any woman who is married is deemed to be of full age”. This implies that a 14 year old married girl, is deemed to be 18. Will she be deemed to be 18 only for the purposes of naturalisation and renunciation of Nigerian citizenship, or generally? In Orji v Dorji Textile Mills (Nig) Ltd & Ors (2009) LPELR-2766(SC) per Niki Tobi JSC, the Supreme Court held inter alia about the word ‘deem’ that: “….it means to treat a thing as being something that it is not, or as possessing certain qualities that it does not possess. It is a formal word often used to create legal ﬁctions…..When a person, for example, is deemed to be something, the only meaning possible is that whereas, he is not in reality that something, the Act of Parliament

requires him to be treated as if he were”. In the context of this discourse, it means considering a married 14 year old girl to be 18 because she’s married, not because she’s 18 in reality. Just like Section 318 of the Constitution which equates a Primary School Leaving Certificate with a Secondary School Leaving Certificate, this is yet another falsehood crafted into the grundnorm, for the protection of paedophiles who marry little girls, for them to be deemed 18 in the eyes of the law, especially if the ‘full age’ of 18 in the Constitution is taken as general, and not just for citizenship purposes. The capacity to consent and the age of consent, create the legal impediment to marriage in Nigeria, whether under Islamic or any other law. While Sharia Law and Customary Law constitute two of the sources of law in Nigeria, our legislated laws stand superior to all other sources of law and have the power to increase or decrease the scope of other types of law. Therefore, laws like the CRA and other legislation in that regard, will take precedence over Sharia and Customary Law. And so, assuming without conceding that Sharia Law considers 11 to be the age of consent, laws like the CRA, PCA etc say otherwise, thereby decreasing the scope of Sharia Law in that regard. Section 7 of the Sexual Offences Act 2015 provides for the offence of defilement, to have sexual relations with a minor below the age of 18 and prescribes a punishment of life imprisonment upon conviction for the offence; while Section 23(5) Cybercrimes Act 2015 defines a child as one below the age of 18. Under the Penal Code which is applicable in the Northern States, age 14 is the age of consent - see Sections 39(c) & 282(1)(e) of the PCA. Also see the case of

Conclusion I urge the remaining States that have not domesticated the CRA, to do so immediately. Or can we argue that by virtue of Section 17(3)(f) of the Constitution which provides for the protection of children and young persons against any type of exploitation, and which is binding on us all by virtue of Section 1(1) of the same Constitution, the CRA can be considered to be a statute of general application since it concerns the protection of all children in Nigeria, and therefore, does not need special domestication to be applicable in a particular State? There must also be public education - that marrying a child under the age of 18 is unlawful. Section 22 of the CRA strictly prohibits Parents and Guardians from betrothing a child to any person, while Section 23 prescribes a punishment of N500,000 or five years imprisonment or both, upon conviction for betrothing or marrying a child. Parents and Guardians who are favourably disposed to giving their underaged daughters out in marriage, must also be educated on the dangers of engaging in such a vile act; that not only is it a crime, but that it is very likely to be physically harmful to the child, by way of VVF. Girls suffering from VVF are then shunned by society because of the odour that surrounds them, as a result of the constantly leaking urine caused by the damage to their bladders and vaginas. The psychological trauma inflicted on these little girls as a result of early marriage and sexual activity, is another matter. No one, especially helpless little girls, should be made to go through such inhumane treatment. At that age, they should be in school learning; it is unconstitutional to subject them to such (see inter alia, Sections 18(3)(a)-(c) & 34(1)(a) of the Constitution).

Dear Editor Re: Obi, LP Membership and 2023 Polls Dear Editor, The issue of Obi’s candidature is a constitutional qualification issue, which cannot just be waived off. B.O., Lagos Dear Editor, I think you are biased against PO. I am concerned about your interpretation of Section 77(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, and a clarion call for opinions on the section whether PO doesn’t stand disqualified - I think it’s wrong. M.O., Lagos Dear M.O., You didn’t give me your own interpretation of Section 77(3) of the EA. I, on the other hand, gave Sections 77(3) & 84(13) of the EA their literal interpretations, as required by our legal rules of interpretation - see the case of Buhari v Obasanjo 2005 13 N.W.L.R. Part 941 Page 53 at 205206 where the Supreme Court held that: “In the interpretation of a statute, once the words used are clear, ordinary meanings of the words in it are given to them”. I also gave arguments on both sides of the divide, and asked colleagues to share their own opinions. Thank you for yours. Editor Dear Editor, You hit the nail on the head. In answering one of the questions you posed, I would say that a person who is a member of Party A 30 days before the Primaries, whose name is included in Party A’s membership register and submitted to INEC for Party A’s Primaries, and then subsequently defects to Party B after the membership register of Party B has been submitted to INEC prior to Party B’s Primaries, remains a member of Party A as far as the law is concerned. A.C., London, UK

IV LAW REPORT

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

Power to Transfer Matter from State to Federal High Court Facts The Respondents filed a writ of summons dated 18th January, 1990 against the Appellant at the High Court of Oyo State, seeking inter alia, certain sums as special damages and general damages suffered by the Respondents as a consequence of the leakage of the Appellant’s petroleum pipes at Oluode/Alafarra/ Yemoja villages at Apata, near Ibadan, between 1988 and when the matter was filed in court. The Appellant also sought an order of court directing the Appellant to undertake an immediate repair of the leaking petroleum pipes, and an order of injunction restraining the Appellant and its privies or agents from further acts of trespass on the Respondents’ land. In reaction, the Appellant filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection challenging the jurisdiction of the High Court of Oyo State to determine the Respondents’ claims. The basis of the Appellant’s Notice of Preliminary Objection was that it was the Federal High Court and not the State High Court, that has the exclusive jurisdiction to entertain the Respondents’ claims. After hearing arguments of parties on the preliminary objection, the trial court delivered its ruling in which it held that the claims indeed, fell within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. In the ruling, the trial court held that although the Rules of the Federal High Court permits the court to transfer any matter before it over which it lacks jurisdiction to the State High Court, however, since there was no such similar provision in the extant High Court of Oyo State Civil Procedure Rules of 1988 or any decided authority which enables the High Court to transfer a matter in a similar circumstance to the Federal High Court, it had no choice than to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction. Consequently, the trial court struck out the suit. Dissatisfied with the decision of the trial court, the Respondents appealed to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal agreed with the finding of the trial court that the State High Court did not have the jurisdiction to entertain the suit; however the lower court held that the State High Court has the power to transfer the suit to the Federal High Court by virtue of Section 22(3) of the Federal High Court Act. The Court of Appeal thus, replaced the trial court’s order striking out the suit with an order transferring the suit to the Federal High Court. Dissatisfied with the latter part of the judgement, the Appellant filed an appeal at the Supreme Court. Issue for Determination In resolving the appeal, the Supreme Court considered the following issue sole issue submitted for determination by the Appellant. Whether the Court of Appeal was right to have transferred the suit to the Federal High Court after the trial court declined to transfer the suit, on the basis that the rules of the State High Court do not provide for such powers of transfer. Arguments Counsel for the Appellant submitted

839 @ 850-851 and submitted that the decision of the Court of Appeal to transfer the suit to the Federal High Court rather than upholding the striking out of the suit, met the ends of justice in the circumstances of the case.

Honourable Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 2nd day of December, 2022 Before Their Lordships Olukayode Ariwoola John Inyang Okoro Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju Tijjani Abubakar Emmanuel Akomaye Agim Justices, Supreme Court SC/136/2007 Between NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION And

APPELLANT

OLAJIRE ALABI & ORS

RESPONDENTS

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, JSC)

that the lower courts are bound to follow the decision of a higher court, inasmuch as the facts and circumstances of the case before it are the same as that in the decision of the higher court. He cited GLOBAL TRANS OCEANICO S.A. v FREE ENT (NIG.) LTD (2001) 5 NWLR (Pt. 706) 426 @ 441 PARAS B-C in support of his submission. Counsel referred to the decision in FASAKIN FOODS LTD v SHOSANYA (2006) 10 NWLR (Pt. 987) 126 to argue that Court of Appeal is bound by the precedent established by the Supreme Court in the said case, to the effect that a State High Court lacks the jurisdiction to transfer a suit to the Federal High Court pursuant to Section 22(3) of the Federal High Court Act. He urged

“….. at the time the cause of action in the appeal arose, the rules of the High Court of Oyo State did not have any provision conferring jurisdiction on the High Court of Oyo State to transfer matters which it lacked jurisdiction over, to the Federal High Court”

the Court to affirm its precedent as set out in FASAKIN FOODS v SHOSANYA (Supra) and strike out the case. Conversely, counsel for the Respondent argued that the provisions of the Federal High Court Act is intended to have general application throughout Nigeria, where there is a lacuna in the relevant rules of court. He contended that under the Federal system of government, a State High Court lacks the power to pick and choose the Federal law to apply; therefore, the applicability of Section 22(3) of the Federal High Court Act becomes inevitable, more so as there is no provision in the rules of the High Court of Oyo State which provides for the transfer of cases to the Federal High Court or any other court in the event that it lacks jurisdiction over the subject-matter. Counsel argued further that the Court of Appeal is empowered under Order 1 Rule 20(5) of the Court of Appeal Rules, 2002 (which was the applicable rules at the time the matter came before the court) and Section 16 (now Section 25) of the Court of Appeal Act, to make an order transferring the case from the State High Court to the Federal High Court. He referred to COMPTOIR COMMERCIAL & IND. v S.O.S.W.C. (2002) FWLR

Court’s Judgement and Rationale The Supreme Court held that by Section 239 of the 1979 Constitution which was applicable in 1990 when the action was filed, the High Court can only exercise jurisdiction, whether substantive or procedural, which is donated by the Constitution or the State House of Assembly. In like manner, the Federal High Court only exercises jurisdiction given to it by the Constitution and the National Assembly. Any law of the State House of Assembly or National Assembly which is inconsistent with the Constitution, is liable to be declared a nullity. The Court held that Section 22(3) of the Federal High Court Act 1976 relied upon by the Court of Appeal in its judgement transferring the suit to the Federal High Court, which provided that the High Court of a State could transfer a matter over which it has no jurisdiction, was a law made by the National Assembly in excess of its powers. The Supreme Court referred to its decision in FASAKIN FOODS LTD v SHOSANYA (2006) 10 NWLR (Pt. 987) 126 that Section 22(3) and (4) of the Federal High Court Act 1976 which in effect was a legislation which covered the State High Courts, was an act or provision that the National Assembly had no power to do and make. The National Assembly has no legislative authority over a State High Court’s Practice and Procedure. Thus, any law made in that regard would be a nullity. The Court held that at the time the cause of action in the appeal arose, the rules of the High Court of Oyo State did not have any provision conferring jurisdiction on the High Court of Oyo State to transfer matters which it lacked jurisdiction over, to the Federal High Court. In essence, pursuant to Section 239 of the 1979 Constitution as applicable at the time the action was filed, the trial court’s jurisdiction was limited to just striking out the suit in the circumstances, which it rightly did. Furthermore, in the exercise of the power granted by Section 16 (now Section 25) of the Court of Appeal Act, the Court of Appeal can only make orders which the court of first instance is legally permitted to make, but failed to make. Thus, the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction to exercise its powers under Section 16 (now 15) of the Court of Appeal Act, to do what the High Court of Oyo State was constitutionally barred from doing. Appeal Allowed. Judgement of the Court of Appeal Set Aside, Order of the Trial Court striking out the suit Restored. Representation Patrick Osu with Claire Elueze for the Appellant. Sobaloju Kazeem Adekunle, for the Respondent. Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Report (NMLR)(An afﬁliate of Babalakin & Co.)

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba

Professor Adekunle Oloyede

Dr Femi Olaleye

Justice for ‘Ekwulobia Four’, Court Orders IGP, AGF to Pay N400m Compensation After more than twenty years of painful mourning, justice finally came to families of four Ladipo Traders, who were extrajudicially killed by Policemen

in 2001, as Justice Olufunke Sule-Amzat of a Lagos High Court sitting in Yaba, ordered the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney-General of the

Federation to pay N400 million as compensation to families of four traders. The four traders Anthony Ezenwafor, Chukwuemeka

Ex-Elizade Varsity VC Appeals Ondo Magistrate Court's Guilty Verdict The former Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Professor Adekunle Oloyede, has approached the Ondo state High Court asking for a setting aside his conviction by an Ondo State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the State capital. Chief Magistrate Mrs Aderemi Adegoroye, in her judgement delivered on 25th January, 2023, found the Australian-based Professor of Medical Engineering, guilty of all six-count charges of conspiracy to steal, obtain by false pretence, obtaining under false pretences of the sum of $720,000.00 on 3rd March, 2015, under the pretext of constructing 500-bed space hostel at Elizade University, using panel building technology from Australia. The Professor was also accused of obtaining another $250,000.00 on 28 April, 2017, from Mike Ade Investment Limited for Duro Global Property Limited for the same purpose of constructing a 500-bed hostel. He was also alleged to have obtained another $150,000.00 on 19 May, 2015, from Omimeje Resources Limited for Duro Global Property Limited for the same purpose of constructing a 500-bed hostel. Oloyede, was also accused of collecting another $650,000.00 from Elizade Investment Limited for the same purpose. According to the Ondo State Director of Public Prosecution represented by Mr O.E Akintan, the alleged offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 419 of the State Criminal Code. The ex- VC pleaded not guilty. During the trial, Professor Oloyede insisted he did not connive with anyone, but merely acted as an intermediary and introduced the two parties. He claimed no knowledge of the monies by the University or when Chief Ade Ojo, owner of Elizade University, paid

$720,000.00 , $250,00.00 or $150,000.00 to Duro Global Property Limited. He told the court that it was after Adeojo had sent the money, that he (Chief Michael Ade Ojo) informed him about it. He also said he was not at the meeting where the parties agreed to the contract between them. He said the reason $650,000.00 was sent to him (which was the only money that passed through him), was because of his role under the Power of Attorney. However, Mrs Adegoroye was not convinced of the evidence-inchief of the ex-VC. She found him guilty and sentenced him to a cumulative eight years in prison, with an option of a fine of N600,000.00 only. However, Professor Oloyede was not incarcerated, as he opted for the fine option, according to our correspondent. However, dissatisfied with the decision of the court and determined to set aside the judgement , Professor Oloyede, through his counsel, Oke Olusola Esq. of Chief G. O. Ijalana Esq and Olusola Oke & Co of Graceville Law House, filed seven grounds of appeal. Amongst others, Professor Oloyede insists that Mrs Adegoroye erred in law when she assumed jurisdiction to try the case, notwithstanding that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case; that she reached a perverse decision when she relied on Exhibit P.28 to convict him; and that she further erred when she relied on substantive charge in Count 3, 4, 5 and 6, which are on obtaining money under pretence to convict and sentence him on Count 1, even though he was not charged with the offence of stealing. Other grounds of appeal cited by Professor Oloyede are miscarriage of justice occasioned by the finding of the court, that the purpose of the money was for the payment for

building materials which creates a big doubt in the case of the prosecution. Professor Oloyede, on a final note, insists that the entire decision of the Magistrate Court is unreasonable, unwarranted and cannot be supported having regard to the weight of evidence. No date has been fixed for the hearing of the application.

Ezeofor, Izuchukwu Ezeama, and Aloysius Osigwe, popularly Known as the Ekwulobia Four, because they hail from Ekwulobia, Anambra State, were traders at Ladipo International Auto Spare Parts market before they were killed by Policemen attached to Surulere Division on July 21, 2001, extra-judicially. The trial Judge, while delivering judgement last Thursday in the fundamental rights suit filed on behalf of the deceased by human rights activists, Akaraka Chinwe Ezeonara, Chris Okpara, Remigus Ezenwane and Ifeanyi Okoye, ordered the Police to pay the family of the deceased N400 million as compensation . Justice Sule-Amzat however,

exonerated the Lagos State Government (the 3rd Respondent in the suit) through its AttorneyGeneral, from the killing. Aside IGP, the Judge also found former Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Marvellous Akpoyibo (Rtd), culpable. The other five Respondents in the suit failed to appear before the court, despite having been served with the court processes and hearing notices. The Judge in her judgement, held that the fundamental liberties of the Ekwulobia Four, including their rights to life, and dignity of the human person were clearly breached by the Police Officers, as they were executed despite

not being sentenced by any court of law, nor were they found to have resisted arrest. She further held that the Police are empowered to investigate crimes, and not to kill citizens. "The Officers mismanaged their firearms, as there was no evidence of provocation. "There has been a growing incidence of Police shooting people at the slightest opportunity, under the guise of carrying out arrests. A firearm is prima facie a dangerous weapon, the handler owes the public the duty to handle same with reasonable care. "Their actions are not in accordance with the provisions of the Police Act, and amounts to a violation of their fundamental rights.”

Dr Olaleye’s No Case Submission Fails, Ordered to Open Defence The ‘no case application’ filed by the embattled Dr Femi Olaleye, who is alleged to have sexually defiled his wife’s niece, has been dismissed by Justice Rahmon Oshodi of the Lagos Sexual and Domestic Violence Court Ikeja. In his ruling, the trial Judge dismissed the application for lack of merit and asked the medical doctor to enter his defence. Olaleye, is facing a two-count charge allegedly having unlawful sexual intercourse and sexual assault by penetrating her mouth with his penis, filed by the Lagos State Government. His offences contravene Sections 137 and 261

of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. Ruling on Olaleye’s application moved by the Defendant’s lead counsel, Mr Olusegun Fabunmi, SAN, the court held that it was inclined to agree with the prosecution witness and their testimony before the court. Justice Oshodi said that he had studied all the exhibits in detail, and was constrained to consider the evidence before the court on a prima facie case and the credibility of the evidence. He held that, “I have carefully listened to the submissions of

both prosecution and defence. In this case, six witnesses testified for the prosecution and various exhibits were tendered in evidence. “At this stage, I am not to decide whether the evidence presented is believed or not. I am not to decide the credibility or the way to attack the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, but what I am obligated to do at this stage, is to decide whether something has been produced so far to prove this case worthwhile. “I am inclined to agree with the prosecution, I do believe that the testimonies of the prosecution

witnesses namely PW1 to 6 and the exhibits tendered thus far, have made it worthwhile to continue the trial. “The no case submission is overruled, and accordingly, the Defendant is hereby called upon to open his defence.” Earlier, Fabunmi, SAN in his ‘no case submission’ dated February 21,2023, argued that the prosecution has not provided sufficient evidence against the Defendant, to warrant him to enter a defence. He also submitted that the evidence of the prosecution was not sufficient to convict the Defendant .

NJC Recommends Compulsory Retirement of a Chief Judge, Appoints of Heads of Court and Judges The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the compulsory retirement of Hon. Justice F. B. Andetur, the Chief Judge of Taraba State High Court with immediate effect. At its 101st meeting of the Council held on 16 March, 2023, under the Chairmanship of the CJN, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, the Council also recommended the appointment of six new Heads of Court, and five new High Court Judges. A press statement release by the Office of the NJC Director of

Information, Soji Oye, Esq, states that Hon. Justice Andetur was recommended for compulsory retirement following the findings of an Investigation Committee to a petition written against him by Senator Muhammed Sanusi Daggash, that His Lordship suppressed a judgement by failing to deliver judgement in Suit No: TRSJ/134/17: Mallam Kassim Yahaya Ahmad v Shittu Wurmo & Shuwari Farms Limited 30 months after adoption of final addresses by the parties. The NJC, after deliberation, found that the Hon. Chief Judge breached

the provisions of Section 294(1) of the Constitution and therefore, recommended him for compulsory retirement with immediate effect, to Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba State. In the interim, the NJC in exercise of its disciplinary powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, suspended Hon. Justice Andetur from office, pending his compulsory retirement. He is to hand over to the next most senior Judge in the State. The NJC also considered the Report of one of its Complaints

Assessment Committees, and agreed with the Committee’s recommendation to empanel four Committees to further investigate four of the seven petitions forwarded to it, and dismissed three others. One of the three, was dismissed for being sub judice, and the remaining two were dismissed because the Judicial Officers had retired from service, and by virtue of Rule 18(2) (h) of the National Judicial Council Judicial Discipline Regulations 2017, the Respondent Judicial Officers are no longer under the disciplinary control of the Council.

#upjudicialsalaries

“Compared to the other arms of Government, the Judiciary appears to suffer some of the worst conditions of public service. Yet, successive governments since 1999 appear to have glossed over the issue.” - NBA Working Committee on Judicial Remuneration and Conditions of Service

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President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu

2023 Election: The Way We See It The 2023 general elections may have ended in misgivings, mistrust and castigations against the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While recriminations continue to be traded by all parties in the election, INEC has so far, received the larger share of the umbrage. THIS DAY LAWYER sought the views of the spokespersons of the Presidential candidates of the three leading political parties in the election, All Progressives Congress’s Festus Keyamo, SAN, People’s Democratic Party’s Dr Daniel Bwala and Labour Party’s Valentine Obieyen, and they spoke their minds to Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi in answering the questions which were put to all three of them on diﬀerent aspects of the election ‘The Majority have had their Way, in Electing Bola Tinubu’ - Festus Keyamo, SAN The just concluded Presidential election has been adjudged to be

one of the most controversial in the nation’s recent history, with reports of electoral malpractices and BVAS machines that didn’t work, despite the earlier assurance by INEC that they would function optimally. Nigerians saw a few videos of different electoral malpractices; they were not the

“So, our elections have greatly improved from previous ones. On a comparative note, this is a great improvement on previous elections. I will say it was largely, free and fair”

exclusive preserve of only one party - all the leading political parties were involved. As Lawyers, we are familiar with the saying “he who comes to equity, must come with clean hands”. Are the hands of your party clean enough to come to equity? People are mixing things up. The BVAS devices did not fail. They were used to properly accredit voters, before they voted. It has replaced the old manual register. The BVAS was also to be used to capture the forms EC8As, and transmit them electronically to the INEC central server. From there, INEC would upload the results to the IREV. That delayed, according to INEC, because the IREV was down

as a result of congestion or something like that. So, BVAS did not fail, and the results which were finally uploaded to IREV, to a large extent, were still the same results obtained by Party Agents at the various Polling Units. The little discrepancies so far, are not substantial enough to have affected the overall outcome of the elections. Given some of the outcries that have trailed the election, observation of international election observers, now the litigation that is following, would you say the election was really free and fair? How well would you say that INEC discharged its constitutional duty? Our own Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a report saying only

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2023 Election: The Way We See It 8% of persons were not satisfied with the processes, before and during the election. Apart from that report, we also can see that the old practices of ballot snatching, massive thumb-printing, etc have greatly reduced. The numbers we are also getting, are also becoming more realistic. So, our elections have greatly improved from previous ones. On a comparative note, this is a great improvement on previous elections. I will say it was largely, free and fair. Would you say that the 2023 elections met the expectations of majority of Nigerians? My previous answer above has covered this. When you say ‘majority’, do you mean the people who shout most on TV or radio or the social media? Because, the majority have had their way, and elected the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu. For now, that is the ‘majority’ that I know of. Any other dissenting voice belongs to the sore losers, or the minority who will have they say, anyway. What level of conﬁdence do you have in the Judiciary, the last hope of the common man, that justice will be dispensed fairly, in furtherance of Nigeria’s democracy? I am a member of the Inner Bar, so I take your question to be a rhetorical one, because I hope you don’t expect me to say I have no faith in the Judiciary? However, it appears the Press want to pass a subliminal message to the public, that except the judgement goes a particular way, then justice has not been done. Let me strongly caution against that type of editorial slant. Some of the major foreign powers like USA and UK have already congratulated the people of Nigeria and the President-elect on the elections, though they also urged INEC to improve the electoral process for the Gubernatorial elections, for the people to eschew violence and inﬂammatory statements at this critical time, and for politicians to use the “well-established mechanisms for the adjudication of electoral disputes”. What do you make of their position? It has become the standard position of the International Community and International Observers, to various local election results. Essentially, they are not supposed to interfere in our internal affairs. Their role is merely advisory. So, all this ignorance we see online by some supporters, that they are waiting for ‘validation’ of our internal processes from foreign powers is very unfortunate. They will wait till ‘thy kingdom come!’ The issue of whether a Presidential candidate must win 25% of the votes cast in FCT is also one that has created a huge debate amongst Lawyers. Kindly, share your opinion on this. It is a non-issue. I will refrain from giving a robust analysis at this stage, because I am part of the legal team,

Festus Keyamo, SAN

though I will be announcing my appearance with them in court only after May 29, since I am still in Cabinet up till that day. But, let me just chip in this: if you read Section 134 of the Constitution in conjunction with Section 299 of the same Constitution, then the issue will become clearer to you. There has been some public outcry on how INEC announced the results of the elections, with many arguing that INEC breached some provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 in so doing, including not uploading the election results. Some even claim that the BVAS was not deployed for accreditation in some areas. Kindly, comment on this, especially as you had your party agents in all the polling units across the country Do you have the number of polling units affected by this? If you don’t have it, then the question will be useless for this purpose, because we need to know whether the numbers of PVCs collected in those units are more than

“BVAS did not fail, and the results which were finally uploaded to IREV, to a large extent, were still the same results obtained by Party Agents at the various Polling Units….Our own Nigerian Bar Association has issued a report, saying only 8% of persons were not satisfied with the processes, before and during the election”

the number of votes by which the President-Elect beat Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. How would you rate the Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections? Would you say the conduct of this second set of elections was better than that of February 25th? Well, as at today (Sunday the 19th) results and reports are still coming in, so it would be difficult to make an overall assessment. Thank you.

Festus Keyamo, SAN, All Progressives Congress

‘The Hands of My Party are Clean’ - PDP’s Dr Daniel Bwala The just concluded Presidential election has been adjudged to be one of the most controversial in the nation’s recent history, with reports of electoral malpractices and BVAS machines that didn’t work, despite the earlier assurance by INEC that they would function optimally. Nigerians saw a few videos of different electoral malpractices; they were not the exclusive preserve of only one party - all the leading political parties were involved. As Lawyers, we are familiar with the saying “he who comes to equity, must come with clean hands”. Are the hands of your party clean enough to come to equity? The hands of my party are clean. We went into the elections with high hopes, having successfully communicated our manifesto to the Nigerian people on what we hoped to do when elected. Our vision and mission centred on the realities confronting the everyday life

of the average Nigerian. We have never been this divided along so many fault lines, and APC obviously mismanaged our unity in diversity. So, we projected that if voted in, we would focus on Uniting Nigerians in order to provoke national consciousness and loyalty pursuant to Section 14 of the Constitution. We knew that to be able to do that, we needed to address the economy, security, restructuring, education through a strong private sector led economy. Our plans were widely adjudged as the best by policy experts; therefore, we were upbeat and energised. But, unfortunately the elections were compromised, and here we are approaching the court to seek for redress. Given some of the outcries that have trailed the election, observation of international election observers, now the litigation that is following, would you say the election was really free and fair? How well would you say that INEC discharged its constitutional duty? No doubt, INEC failed to discharge its duties in every respect, and the evidence is replete everywhere. Thankfully, even the international election observers which comprise of the European Union, African Union, Commonwealth, NRI etc have, in their joint statement, condemned the election process as fraudulent and far below international best practices. In fact, very recently, the Chatham House stated that INEC has learnt nothing from its past failures. Personally, I think the exercise was merely a Broadway show, rather than election. The whole process looked suspect and scripted, as every effort to draw the attention of INEC to failures such as BVAS bypass, violence, falsification of results, lack of upload into IREV of the results at the poling units etc, all fell on deaf ears. What is of particular note to me, was the abuse of cont'd on page VIII

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COVER 2023 Election: The Way We See It cont'd from page VII

and non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022, regarding BVAS uploads and particularly, the proviso to Section 65 of the Electoral Act which empowers the Commission via its Chairman to review all polling unit results and conflicts thereof before final collation. The Chairman refused to apply that novel part of the amendment, which would have addressed the concerns around the irregularities. The Chairman claimed he would do that after the final collation, but he failed to do so, and this election is widely viewed as the worst elections in the history of the Republic because of the simple fact that this is the only election in Nigeria’s history, where the entire country was rigged in one swoop through technology. Would you say that the 2023 elections met the expectations of majority of Nigerians? The 2023 elections, certainly did not meet the expectations of majority of Nigerians. The victory of the Presidential election, was greeted with graveyard silence for more than one week. The spirit of the Nigerian people has been down ever since, for the simple fact that it did not reflect the wishes of the Nigerian people. There will always be a winner and losers in every election, but when the process and the outcome is marred by irregularities, corruption, vote buying and now an emerging concept of INEC capture, the future is bleak for sure. Historically, Nigeria witnessed a voter registration surge across all age grades. Coming on the heels of #EndSARS, the youths decided to play a role in deciding their future and the next direction of the country. Added to this, were the realities of the third force which created excitement amongst the voting population. The uncertainty that greeted it, the debates, the issues and the media coverage, all played their part in energising the voting population to organise and engage, only to encounter a disappointment during the voting process. Voter suppression, over voting, BVAS bypass, violence etc were all the evils of the past that reared their ugly faces during these elections. So, in a nutshell the elections quite frankly, did not meet our expectations at all, needless to say, they didn’t meet that of the international community either. What level of conﬁdence do you have in the Judiciary, the last hope of the common man, that justice will be dispensed fairly, in furtherance of Nigeria’s democracy? I have high hopes in our Judiciary, firstly, as a law abiding citizen and secondly, as a practitioner of law before the judicial officers everyday. The Nigerian Judiciary has risen to occasion, when the need arises. They have defined the bounds of our national unity. They have sacked Governors, law makers and installed others. They decided on matters that border our unity and faith, peace and progress. Their judgements, over the years, have redefined so many issues around our polity, even where the law makers failed to make a law for peace, order and good government.

Dr Daniel Bwala

There are times they fall short of the expectations of Nigerians. There have been judgements that have created sadness and discontent in the polity. Some of the judgements are not merely because the jurists compromised themselves, but because they executed judgements both on law and policy. It is to be noted with regret too, that there may be bad eggs amongst the Judges whose judgements were motivated by bribes or sentiments, but our Judiciary has always used its self-cleansing mechanisms in dealing with erring Judges. As with executive and legislative branches, even the Judiciary sometimes has its challenges, but I have high hopes in the ability of the Judiciary to save our democracy. Let me note a couple of things though, that there would be people who might assume that in Nigeria’s history, Presidential elections have never been annulled due to public policy. Whilst it may be true that it has never happened, it will be a serious error to assume it will be the same this time around because of three reasons, namely, 1) overwhelming evidence and the need to preserve the sanctity of law, both as it is and as it ought to be; 2) flowing from bold precedents

“The 2023 elections, certainly did not meet the expectations of majority of Nigerians……The spirit of the Nigerian people has been down ever since, for the simple fact that it did not reflect the wishes of the Nigerian people”

set by the Supreme Courts in Austria, Maldives, Kenya and Malawi, that the courts must not shy away from doing what the law provides, because doing so would destroy the very concept of the rule of law and democratic governance; and 3) the need to preserve Nigeria’s national security. These elections present that opportunity to take a closer look at the evidence and law, and ensure that public policy must marry the law this time around. Some of the major foreign powers like USA and UK have already congratulated the people of Nigeria and the President-elect on the elections, though they also urged INEC to improve the electoral process for the Gubernatorial elections, for the people to eschew violence and inﬂammatory statements at this critical time, and for politicians to use the “well-established mechanisms for the adjudication of electoral disputes”. What do you make of their position? The congratulations of the US, UK etc is not conclusive proof of either approval or endorsement. It is a diplomatic courtesy that when a United Nations member who shares similar democratic ideals produce leaders through elections, that they congratulate the country and the winner. But, I must say that in the same vein, that the same countries have condemned the process that produced our President-elect as not meeting international standards. In fact, Times London advised that if the outcome is taken to court for adjudication, the court should take a second look. This election would be subjected to the crucibles of the law, and the law tested. It will be interesting to see how it plays out, but I personally think the Supreme Court, in the end, would order a fresh election. 10. The issue of whether a Presidential candidate must win 25%

of the votes cast in FCT is also one that has created a huge debate amongst Lawyers. Kindly, share your opinion on this 11. Section 134(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) in determining the winner of the 2023 presidential election is quite clear. I will take the liberty to quote Section 134(2) of the Constitution cited supra. “ 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 onequarter of the votes cast at the election each of at least two-thirds of all the States in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja” Nigeria is a Federation of 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, therefore “two-thirds if all the states” referenced in subsection 2 (b) of Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution translates to 24 states of the Federation. This is very clear and unambiguous. The subsection proceed further to states “..in the Federation AND the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja” What this means therefore, is that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) places a mandatory requirement in declaring any candidate as winner at any Presidential election under our law, that that candidate must have in addition to securing the highest lawful votes cast, 25% of the votes in 24 States and he must have at least 25% of the said votes cast in the FCT. As for the history, morality or politics cont'd on page IX

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2023 Election: The Way We See It cont'd from page VIII

of the requirement, in terms of ensuring the winner must have national spread and acceptance, I elect to leave it to the politicians and history teachers. What I am concerned about is the mandatory requirement of the law, which, with respect, leaves no discretion to any person or body regulating elections in Nigeria. Furthermore, the import of the word “and” in subsection 2(b) of the said section referred to Supra, and wonder whether the 25% threshold excludes Federal Capital Territory, the decision of the Court of Appeal in Dasuki v Director General, State Security Services & Ors (2019) LPELR48113(CA) is a guide. The court 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. Therefore, Bola Tinubu should not have been declared the winner of the Presidential election, having failed the test of securing 25% of the votes cast in the FCT.

Dr Daniel Bwala, Legal Practitioner and Barrister Lincolns Inn, London (NP), People’s Democratic Party

‘The Most Corrupt Election, in the History of Electioneering in Nigeria’ - LP’s Valentine Obieyen The just concluded Presidential election has been adjudged to be one of the most controversial in the nation’s recent history, with reports of electoral malpractices and BVAS machines that didn’t work, despite the earlier assurance by INEC that they would function optimally. Nigerians saw a few videos of different electoral malpractices; they were not the exclusive preserve of only one party - all the leading political parties were involved. As Lawyers, we are familiar with the saying “he who comes to equity, must come with clean hands”. Are the hands of your party clean enough to come to equity? Engaging in election malpractices, is the function of people’s character. A lot has been written about the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi; however, none of the writings has impugned on his character. On the contrary, during electioneering, we saw the dirty and unbelievable past of some of the contestants, bordering on all forms of corruption and drug-dealing. Logically, those found wanting, by extension, have the character traits to engage in election malpractices with the clear conscience of nature. The man whose character does not entertain vices, would hardly engage in such things. I can therefore tell you with surety, that Mr Peter Obi has not, and will not even be part of, where such is discussed. On the issue of BVAS machine that did not work, it is very clear that it was an essential part of the plan by those that rigged the election - the President,

Valentine Obieyen

INEC Chairman and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Have you asked yourself why, amidst the universal criticisms of the BVAS machines that did not work, only one party has not condemned it. On the election being adjudged as one of the most controversial, may I add that it is the most corrupt election in the history of electioneering in Nigeria. The painful thing is that with BVAS, it would have been the best, since it has comfortable safe guards, but like everything Nigeria, we missed that opportunity of proving to the world that we have come of age as a nation and as a people. With what happened, most civilised countries are now looking at Nigerians as a nation of barbarians, because of the indiscretion of a few. Given some of the outcries that have trailed the election, observation of international election observers now the litigation that is following, would you say the election was really free and fair? How well would you say that INEC discharged its constitutional duty? INEC failed woefully. Beyond INEC, our President, General Muhammadu Buhari would probably be remembered as the worst President since independence. I can understand the crude urge to rig elections, many years ago. However,

“……by aborting the working of BVAS, it turned out to be the worst election. It did not meet the expectations of Nigerians and of the whole world, especially other Africans that look up to us for direction and guidance”

with where we are today and where other countries are, it is heartbreaking that a leader who professes patriotism, would allow such avoidable disaster to befall the country today. While other countries are struggling to move forward, we are content to move backwards. In the past, even with hitches here and there, international observers had given kudos to the conduct of our past elections. However, all of them condemned the last Presidential election, because the rigging was brazen and stupefying. Would you say that the 2023 elections met the expectations of majority of Nigerians? I have already described it as an election that ought to have been the best, because the designers of BVAS correctly provided safe guards against the evils of elections in Nigeria – over-voting, thumb-printing, ballot-snatching, amongst others. However, by aborting the working of BVAS, it turned out to be the worst election. It did not meet the expectations of Nigerians and of the whole world, especially other Africans that look up to us for direction and guidance. What level of conﬁdence do you have in the Judiciary, the last hope of the common man, that justice will be dispensed fairly, in furtherance of Nigeria’s democracy? There appears to be a consensus among Nigerians, pointing to the loss of faith in the Judiciary. All I want to say here is that, while not agreeing with them, this is an opportunity for the Judiciary to reassure Nigerians. Here, may we remember the immortal words of Aristotle, that “separated from law and justice, man is the worst of all beasts”. If justice is not done, we are simply craving a return to the state of nature. Nobody wants that for our dear country. The Presidency has moved some steps towards that, it is left for the Judiciary, peopled more by mature and circumspect men, to

halt the descent into hell. Some of the major foreign powers like USA and UK have already congratulated the people of Nigeria and the President-elect on the elections, though they also urged INEC to improve the electoral process for the Gubernatorial elections, for the people to eschew violence and inﬂammatory statements at this critical time, and for politicians to use the “well-established mechanisms for the adjudication of electoral disputes”. What do you make of their position? I do not have the list of those who have congratulated him or not. In international diplomacy, offering of congratulations are normal, but not in any way meant to be a stamp of legitimacy. One would even notice that the congratulations are coming reluctantly, and what does that show you? Have you noticed that Nigerian Governors are not congratulating him? They know that Nigerians are angry, and would vote against those that do so. They are probably waiting to do so after the election. This shows us that offering congratulations, is mostly perfunctory. The issue of whether a Presidential candidate must win 25% of the votes cast in FCT is also one that has created a huge debate amongst Lawyers. Kindly, share your opinion on this The framers of the Constitution, are clear about that provision. If they wanted Abuja to be considered among other States, they would have used the word “including”, but they clearly used “and” to show that Abuja stands independently of other States. Why seek interpretation of a word that is plain and not ambiguous? Valentine Obieyen, Labour Party Thank you All.

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY PROF MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

0809 889 8888 SMS ONLY

CSOs and the Media in Promoting Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria (Part 2) in that State for redress.” The record of our courts in the protection of the fundamental human rights, could be said to be commendable. The Supreme Court of Nigeria has, over the years, surpassed the record of most united Nations member States’ constitutions, as the jealous guardian of the human rights of the people of this country. In the celebrated case of Bello v Attorney-General of Oyo State, Aniagolu, JSC in his concurring judgement picturesquely captured the horror and shock.

Introduction igeria’s democracy, either as a concept or a system of rule, has become excessively ambiguous in contemporary political analysis. It has been fragile and fluctuating, since independence. Today, our discourse will be on whether Nigeria is practising true democracy or not. Please, read on.

Is Nigeria Practising Democracy ? Indeed, Nigeria, especially under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, does not practise democracy at all. Rather, it practises electionocracy, judocracy, executocracy and legislatocracy. I will explain these terms which I have personally coined from my personal lexical dictionary. That was what informed the aliases of “Ozek Baba”, “Mobile Dictionary” and “Mobile Library”, that my late legendary mentor, the iconic Chief Gani Fawehinmi GCON, SAN, SAM, fondly called me whilst working with him, up to becoming his Deputy Head of Chambers in 1985.

The Concept of Good Governance The concept of good governance therefore, is not new or novel. It is as old as human civilisation. Simply put, going by Coleman, governance means the process of decision making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented). Governance has been described as an approach or perspective that focuses on State, societal institutions and the relationship between them, as well as on how rules are made in a society, which are accepted as legitimate to enhance values that are sought by individuals and groups within the society. Governance has also been identified with the founding values and constitutional policies that constitute the nature of governing institutions, guide their actions, and shape the complex relations between them and the society. Public management based on principles of good governance as one that attempts to improve the system of government, to emphasise efficiency and responsibility for all institutions, to promote democratic principles and to establish a new relationship between government and civil society. Good governance according to Downer is the process whereby public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public resources and guarantee the realisation of human rights. Good governance accomplishes this in a manner essentially free of abuse and corruption, and with due regard for the rule of law.

Electionocracy “Electionocracy ” is a system of government where elections are held as a ritual, at intervals of 4 years in Nigeria, with the emergent elected or selected leaders, rather than giving the electors dividends of democracy, merely stabilise themselves in power, commence primitive acquisition of wealth and forget the electorate that erected the leaders in the first place. They then begin another round of campaigns, after pretending to work for two years. They are already looking forward to the next election when the electorate has not benefited from any democratic dividends from their first term. Judocracy “Judocracy” is a genre of government practised only in Nigeria, where Presidents, Governors, Legislators and LG Chairmen are thrown up as having "won" in an election. Their victory is immediately challenged. They get enmeshed in these legal callisthenics for the next two to three years of their corruption-ridden governance. Then, suddenly, they are conceived, incubated and delivered in the hallowed Chambers and precincts of our law courts, rather than through the ballot box. The will of the people is thereby subsumed in the decision and judgement of courts of law, the non-representatives of the people. Executocracy “Executocracy ”, as practised in Nigeria, is an aberrant form of government, far removed from democracy, where the executive arm of government acts in torrerem of other arms of government. The Executive continually browbeat, intimidate, harass, marginalise and subjugate the Legislature and the Judiciary. It is usually headed by a maximalist, autocratic, absolute and dictatorial head, who views himself as Loius XIV of France. Loius XIV was so intoxicated with the effect of liquor-inebriating power that in 1655, he proudly stood in front of parliament and declared “L’etat, C’ est moi” (I am the State). He said this to indicate his complete hold on power, to the exclusion of all other lesser mortals. Legislatocracy “Legislatocracy” is another peculiar genre of democracy, as practised only in Nigeria. It is a fundamentally flawed legislative system, where there is an over-bloated and virtually jobless 360 members of the House of Representatives and 109 Senators, all of whom are not unsurprisingly permitted by the 1999 Constitution to sit for only six months out of 12 months in a calendar year of 12 months. This enables them to seamlessly engage in extra-legislative businesses, and money-making

ventures. These legislators, contrary to the clear provisions of the 1999 Constitution, legislate on Everything except making laws “for the peace, order and good government of the Federation”. The law makers carryout oversight functions under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, not in furtherance of any public interest or any common good, but in pursuit of their private pockets after extorting money (during budget presentations) from Ministeries, MDA’s and other government establishments, both at the Federal, State and LGA levels. Under legislatocracy, Mr President’s requests are sacrosanct and written on Hamurabi tablet of inviolability. So, like the agama lizard, the law makers can only nod their heads “yes, yes, yes”, to all Presidential requests, however anti-people. Legislatocracy ensures free padding of budgets, to accommodate their insatiable bacchanalian propensity to consume and indulge in primitive acquisition of vulgar wealth in a rentier economy. Legislatocracy also ensures that rather than make laws, Legislators fight over constituency projects. When given hundreds of millions to execute these projects, they end up digging few boreholes, repairing village culverts; buying motor cycles, hair dryers, grinding machines and wheel barrows, to their hapless clapping peasants and thugs that were used during the last elections. Nigeria’s peculiar legislatocratic system, ensures that the law makers receive the highest pay amongst law makers across the globe, including older, tested and more established democracies of the world. Constitutional and Sound Democratic Culture Afford Citizens Protection in a

“Under legislatocracy, Mr President’s requests are sacrosanct and written on Hamurabi tablet of inviolability. So, like the agama lizard, the law makers can only nod their heads “yes, yes, yes”, to all Presidential requests, however anti-people”

Democratic Society Democracy as a form of government, is manbased; it is a humanistic, individualistic and moralistic institution, created for the sake of what the ancient philosophers called the “Good life of society”. Democracy will therefore, be meaningless without a constitutional framework providing for freedom of dissent and respect for the individuality of each person. For, man is first and foremost an individual human being, and his individuality must come before the demand of equality with other members of society. A democratic society must therefore, combine social equality with respect for each person’s individuality and his freedom (within certain limits) to be different and to dissent. It is against this background that the Constitution of Nigeria clearly provides that: “The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice” And that: (a) Sovereignty belong to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this constitution derives all its powers and authority; (b) The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government; and (c) The participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with provisions of this constitution.” The most singular and outstanding Constitutional protection offered the citizen on our Democratic Nigeria, is the Fundamental Human Rights provisions enshrined in Chapter IV of the Constitution, which chapter provide for the protection and enforcement of every individual’s Right to life, Right to dignity of human person, Right to personal liberty, Right to fair hearing, Right to private and family life, Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, Right to freedom of expression and the press, Right to peaceful assembly and association, Right to freedom of movement, Right to freedom from discrimination, Right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria, non-compulsory acquisition of property, By virtue of Section 46(1) of the Constitution, “Any person who alleges that any of the provisions of this chapter has been, is being or likely to be contravened in any State in relation to him may apply to a High court

The True Test of Good Governance From the above definitions and concept of governance, it become crystal clear that the true test of good governance is the degree to which it delivers on the promise of human rights; civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. Conable is of the view that good governance is the exercise of power or authority, political, economic, administrative or otherwise, to mange a country’s processes and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights and harmonise their differences. The UN Human Development Report pointed out that governance has two faces: first, the leadership which has responsibilities derived from the principles of effective governmental organisations. Second, the governed, that is the citizens, who are responsible for making relevant inputs to the socio-economic and political affairs of their society. In other words, governance is a relationship between rulers and the ruled, the State and society, the Governors and the governed. It is important that the two principal actors be as close as possible, to ensure the legitimacy, accountability, credibility and responsiveness of the rulers and the effective participation, corruption and responsiveness of the ruled is achieved. An important aspect of the relationship within and between the two components of governance, is the change that usually occurs. For instance, laws regulating certain behaviours and activities may sometimes change. Where these changes become too frequent, without well thought out appraisals, instability results, and this may paralyse operations. Good Governance Differs from Country to Country Various countries that are quite similar in terms of their natural resources and social structure, have shown strictly different performance in improving the welfare of their people. Much of this is attributable to standards of governance, which may stifle and impede development. In countries, where there is corruption, poor control of public funds, lack of accountability, abuses of human rights and excessive military inﬂuence, development inevitably suffers. Michels states that Government is one of the actors in governance. (To be continued). THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard”. (H. L. Mencken)

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TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

Debunking the Myth of Lagos as No Man's Land T

he Binis, Fulani, Hausa and Yoruba are the most well documented ethnicities in Nigeria. And when I say documented, I am talking about the pre-colonial era. Their histories are not lost. You just have to know where to look for it. The Binis carve their history. For example, if a plague, like COVID-19, visited Benin 500 years ago, you would know all about it today, because they would carve it in intricate detail. Among the people now loosely called Yoruba, they sang and drummed their history. Each community had a griot or praise-singer, who knew the history of each family, and passed it from father to first son. During festivities, these griots would recite your lineage's oriki for you. And as an Omoluabi, you were honour-bound, but not duty-bound to pay them. The Fulani and Hausa wrote their histories in Ajami script, which they have been using for close to 500 years. So, history abounds in Nigeria. It is just that sadly, our people have become intellectually lazy, due largely to the vicissitudes of colonialism. And this political season has accentuated and emphasised that mental laziness, like never before. I was sent a viral video of a certain woman accusing the Yoruba of calling other non-Yoruba Southerners Yibo, by Daddy Freeze, who wanted to know if there was truth in what she said. Actually, what she said is an urban myth. Many people from all over Nigeria come to Lagos, and the melting pot creates its own historical ecosystem, such that a new language evolved (Yoruba) and new ethics and morals developed. Before colonialism, there was nothing like Yoruba. You were either Egba, Owu, Awori, Ibadan, Ekiti, Ondo, Ikale, Igbomina, etc. Many modern-day 'Yoruba' people are even shocked to learn that the Ijebu are not even part of what they call Yoruba today. They have their own origin different from modern-day Yoruba, or Omo-ti-Olu Iwa-bi (the real name of the people now known as Yoruba), The people who were custodians of history among the people now called Yoruba often had the prefix of ayan, which means drummer, to their names Typically, they would drum with a talking drum (which is a language known to the initiated) and sing your oriki (a poetic narration of exploits of your family lineage). People who you see today with last names like Ayantade, Ayandele; Ayanbadejo, etc, likely had ancestors that were involved in oriki. These orikis were custodians of history. And even in pre-colonial times, when they were vastly illiterate, the Yoruba (real name Omo-to-Olu Iwa-bi) oriki had specific names for other major tribes. Binis were called Ibinu (angry people), probably because they liked to fight and conquer others. Igbo were called Kobokobo, and later in post-colonial times, Ajeokuta m'a momi. Hausa were Gambari, while Fulani were Fulani. Nupe were Tapa (Sango's mother was Tapa). If these ayans could be so aware when they were illiterate, is it now that they are literate that they will be unaware? In fact, some of the Yoruba Lagosians are not even of Yoruba or Omo-to-Olu Iwa-bi origin. Most are, but some are actually of Igbo and Efik/Ibibio origin. The reason being that just before and immediately after the British abolished slavery in 1807, they began dumping their emancipated slaves in a place they Christened Freetown, which is now the capital of Sierra Leone. Many of those freed slaves were Igbo. Others were Yoruba. A lot of them left Freetown for Lagos and became Lagosians. The French dumped their own freed slaves in Libreville, Gabon. Libreville means Freetown in French. Many of those freed slaves were Igbo and fewer were Yoruba. The French had more Igbo slaves and worked them on an island then known as Hispaniola, later rechristened Saint Domingue, but known today as Haiti. People of Haiti and many in Gabon claim Igbo heritage and that was the reason why both countries supported Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War. Gabon went even further and accepted Biafran refugees. It is widely believed, but not publicly proven, that the ruling Gabonese President's family is of Igbo origin. Libreville is quite popular with Igbo. In fact, a popular Nollywood actor is Igbo from Libreville, Gabon. Now, let us face the issue of Lagos. First of all, let us go into the origin of the names of some strategic places in Lagos. Eti-Osa is actually a Yoruba word, but it is a Yoruba word of Bini origin, accepted into Yoruba language. It is a compound word. The word Eti is fully Yoruba. However, the word Osa has its roots in the Bini language. It means sea, which has the same meaning in Yoruba today. The Binis have two words for big bodies of water. The first is osa, which is more like sea. And then okun, which we can term ocean. It is just like the word sachet. Yes, sachet is now an English word, but it is a French word accepted into the English language, like entourage, genre, apostrophe, ballet, cadet, cliche, etc. All those words are French words accepted into English.

A map of the Slave Coast Eti-Osa should not be confused with Etinosa, which means the power of God in Bini. Etin and Eti are two completely different and unconnected words. And Osa (God in Bini) is pronounced differently from the Bini word for sea, Osa. But they are spelt the same. And there needs to be no controversy. There are ancient pre-colonial maps of Eko in the British library. And there are copies in Lagos. The state known today as Lagos was classified as the Slave Coast. The territorial waters were known as The Bight of Benin. Present-day Idumota was known on that map by its original Bini name, Idumwun-Ota. Obalende also features on the map by its Bini name, Oba n' dé (meaning the Oba never fails). Obanikoro is actually Obanikáo (the Oba on the frontline) on the map. Kao means first in Bini. Obazuaye is now known as Bajulaye. While Isi-Eko (meaning in Bini: outpost war camp) is now known as Isale Eko. Please do not get angry with me if you are Yoruba. I actually agree that the people who are now loosely called Yoruba, were there in what is now known as Lagos before the Binis conquered it, or you prefer, occupied the land. The reason I am bringing out this pre-colonial map is to prove to those who say that Lagos is a No Man's Land, that they are very far from the truth. How can a land that was surveyed in a map over 400 years ago, with identified locales, be a No Man's Land? As our people would say, no be juju be that? Even the name for Lagos, before the Portuguese renamed it Lagos (Lagos means Lakes or lagoon in Portuguese) is of Bini origin. That name is Eko. And the name of the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Iga Idunganran, is a Bini phrase. Eko means barracks, or war camp, in Bini language. It was used to describe Lagos because it was a military base of the Binis. If you lived in Benin, or attended the University of Benin, you would know of a place close to Ugbowo called Eko-Oshodin. It is very popular with students. Eko-Oshodin simply means Oshodin's war camp. The word Eko-Oshodin has been corrupted to Ekosodin by non Bini-speaking students who largely populate the environ as a satellite town to the Ugbowo main campus of the University of Benin. Just like the street Papal Via was corrupted to Akpakpava. It was called Papal Via, because that was where the first Catholic priests sent by the Pope stayed. Papal Via simply means Pope Road. The place described as Jaboo on the map is actually the modern-day Ijebu. If you read my earlier piece, ‘The Ijebu, The Yoruba and Their Influence on The Bible and Judaism’, you will remember that I said that the ‘I’ in Jebu was originally silent. This map is my vindication. Through enculturation and acculturation, some Bini words became part of Yoruba and Itsekiri lexicon. If a Yoruba or Itsekiri speaks their native tongue, a Bini person will understand about 6-7% of what they say. On February 24, 1851, Oba Akitoye of Lagos actually wrote a letter, which still exists, to the then British Consul, John Beecroft, clearly stating that Lagos was under Bini suzerainty. Even the current Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, admitted on video that he and his lineage are of Bini origin. Please Google the interview he gave to Channels TV. But as to whether or not Lagos is no man's land, no, it is not. When the Binis got there, they met Awori,

and other peoples now loosely called Yoruba. It is important to state that even the word Yoruba is a fairly recent word, coined by Samuel Ajayi Crowther. I know what it means and it is offensive. So I won't say it. The more accurate name of the people is Omo-tiOlu Iwa-bi. And etymologically, they are classified as Edekiri people. The Ife Bronzes are actually carbon dated to be older than the Benin Bronzes. As a result, it would be preposterous to say the Binis were in Lagos before the Yoruba. And being the honourable people they are, the Binis do not even make such a claim. However, we ought to accept that Nigeria's democracy is seriously flawed at gubernatorial levels. Why? Because groups with an agenda to upset the demographics of a state can encourage their kinsmen to move to that state in biblically exodus dimensions. Burden free social services, paid for by the taxpayers, including education, health care, and public utilities. Not pay taxes. Register to vote. And do a hostile takeover of the state, after acquiring a critical mass, and then declare it a no man's land. It is an age-old challenge. Egypt was nearly overwhelmed by the ancient Israelites 4000 years ago, and again, by Syrians after the Syrian civil war began in 2011. The Lebanese lost their country through uncontrolled demographic change and are now near slaves to those they once hosted. And in America, even the Democrats are now waking up to the reality of mass invasion from their Southern borders. We keep bringing up Europe and America. I schooled in England and have been resident in California from the age of 9. You can't just move from Florida to California, and register to vote. You must fulfil residency requirements, pay taxes, and in some states, but not all, have no criminal records. And you cannot just move from Birmingham to London and vote in municipal elections. You must fulfil residency requirements, and pay the poll tax, as well as have proof of address at a place where you pay utilities. If Nigeria's democracy is not reformed to reflect ‘no representation without taxation’, then sedentary Nigerians would soon be at the mercy of more itinerant Nigerians who consider other people's domains their own, while studiously protecting their own domains from any form of demographic change. Some people who want equal rights with others in places where they have not made equal contributions with those they desire to be equal to, would literally kpai you if you try what they are doing to you in their ancestral homesteads. Of course, when you raise these factual issues, those who have an agenda will shout loudly, even though in their hearts of hearts, they know it is true. Sadly, some of those who should know, would join them, perhaps because they need validation, seeing as their careers in comedy and music, transcends peoples. But you should still not swallow poison because you are trying to be polite. If your neighbour starts acting like your master in your own home, then your silence is no longer golden. Especially when he has an unknown rabid dog in his house that kills people who have a contrary opinion. You cannot say what is yours is ours but what is mine is mine. That is not cooperation. That is domination. If for example, the United Arab Emirates does not put in place sufficient checks and balances, they would overnight become a minority in their own country. Of course when good things are happening, everybody

will lay claim to a place. But I was in Nigeria in 1993, immediately after General Babangida annulled the June 12, 1993 Presidential elections. Those who are old enough remember the massive exodus by some groups away from certain Nigerian cities as a result of the June 12 annulment. When the chips are down, you will really know those who have made a home in a place versus those who have an agenda in that place. Our system of democracy without responsibilities is breeding irresponsible democrats, who see rights everywhere, but take flight when duties arise anywhere. You cannot for example open a shop in any part of Europe or America without a business licence. But people expect to move from point A to point B in Nigeria and then they are asked to pay taxes they say it is because of their ethnicity. What a simplicity of imagination! Nigeria is not like America, a country that was built on immigration. As I said earlier, the Ife bronzes are a thousand years old. Meaning that, that region of Nigeria has been inhabited for a millennium. To call anywhere under Ife influence a no man's land is a crime against history! And it goes beyond territory. Even religion should be monitored, if not regulated outright. One of the candidates in Nigeria’s February 25, 2023 Presidential elections really went too far in using religion. And it has now caused a crisis of expectation, with religious leaders rolling their tongues in their noisy mouths as they try to justify why their 'prophecy' did not come to pass. Some of the more callous ones are even making comments that under a military government, could be deemed treasonable. Well, thankfully, some Christian elders are trying to undo the damage their rogue colleagues have done, by calling for caution and asking Obi to accept his fate as the will of God. Sadly, Obi himself seems unwilling to be checked. He is accusing such elements of using Lord's Name in vain. When the same church leaders were publicly telling Peter Obi that the name of the next President is in the Bible, Obi didn't accuse them of using the Lord's Name in vain. But now that they are telling him to accept his loss, they are suddenly using God's Name in vain? Peter was ready to jump from church to church telling Christians to take back their country. And now that Muslims have taken his advice and voted religiously, he is crying? The moral of the story is this: don't start what you can't finish!

Reno’s Nuggets Don't confuse someone who needs you for someone who loves you. If you are looking after a poor girlfriend and paying her school fees, she needs you. Don't mistake her need for you as her love for you. Relocate her to Canada first and see if her love remains the same! Sadly, poverty can humble people. But that does not mean they are humble. No. They have been humbled. Remove the poverty, and their humility may go away. The love, loyalty, and respect a broke person gives you is untested. That does not mean it is not real. Or that it is real! #RenosNuggets #FreeLeahSharibu

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY MARCH 21, 2023

FEATURES

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

Rights, Freedom and Potential: The UK’s Women and Girls Strategy Catriona Laing

t can sometimes feel like the struggle for gender equality is getting more and more difficult. Women’s rights are under attack and hard-won gains are now under increasing threat. Climate change and humanitarian crisis disproportionately affect women, for example according to the United Nations 80% of people displaced by climate change are women. Sexual violence is happening in conflicts across and the world, and gender-based violence is amplified online. This is why, to mark International Women’s Day, the UK Government announced a new strategy focussed on tackling gender inequality globally and countering any rollback on women’s rights and freedoms. Launching the strategy in Sierra Leone during a visit to see some of our Women and Girls programmes, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said gender equality was the “fundamental building block of all healthy democracies”. As part of this new plan, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has committed to ensuring that at least 80% of its bilateral aid programmes will include a focus on gender equality by 2030. Many women in Nigeria still face discrimination and marginalisation: Nigeria ranks 123 out of 146 countries in the 2022 Global Gender Gap Report, with particularly wide gaps in women’s political empowerment. That is why we have been supporting civil society to increase the political participation of women in Nigeria’s 2023 elections. This included support for the introduction of constitutional quotas for women in legislative houses and campaigns for gender-sensitive priorities for candidates and political parties contesting in the 2023 elections. These campaigns ensured women were more engaged throughout the electoral cycle. – although results of the National Assembly elections shows that much more needs to be done. Overall, 36% of women in Nigeria report having experienced violence from

Catriona Laing an intimate partner. And we know that gender-based violence (GBV) increases in scale and severity in conflict, including conflict-related sexual violence. In North East Nigeria in particular, women live under the threat of sexual or genderbased violence, abduction, and forced marriages. At the UK-hosted Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) International Conference last year we agreed to urgently accelerate action to end conflict-related sexual violence, hold those responsible to account, provide more comprehensive support to survivors, and tackle stigma. I am delighted that Nigeria made a strong national commitment to this agenda and the UK will continue to support Nigeria’s efforts to end all forms of sexual violence, including as

one of nine focus countries in the UK’s Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan. We are also going to work more closely with women’s rights groups. These organisations are closest to the work on the ground and know what is most needed to secure sustainable change. They can often be poorly funded; in 2021–22, only 1.25% of the UK’s Official Development Assistance for gender equality went to women’s rights organisations and movements. We’re changing that, with a new global programme. And we have also just announced a new sexual health programme that will reach up to 10.4 million women in sub-Saharan Africa, which has the highest rates of fertility, child marriage, and maternal mortality in the world. In Nigeria, through our Lafiya health programme we are improving coverage and access to basic health care services, such as antenatal care, safe delivery, and neonatal care - mostly targeted at women and children. Our strategy focuses on the 3 Es:

r &EVDBUJOH HJSMT BOE TUBOEJOH VQ GPS every girl’s right to 12 years of quality education r &NQPXFSJOH XPNFO BOE HJSMT BOE championing their health and rights, whether that is through access to adequate sexual and reproductive health, civil and political participation, women’s peace and security, or economic empowerment. r &OEJOH HFOEFS CBTFE WJPMFODF TVDI BT conflict-related sexual violence, early and forced marriage, modern slavery, trafficking, online violence and female genital mutilation. Our strategy will target investment towards the key life stages for women and girls, to secure the greatest life-long and intergenerational impact. We know that girls’ education is a game-changer in this regard. Through our Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria programme we are improving foundational learning. Our girls’ education programmes have directly contributed to significant enrolment gains, including supporting 1.5 million additional girls to access schooling in six states in Northern Nigeria since 2012. The new strategy will mobilise support for women impacted by crises such as wars and natural disasters, and strengthen the political, economic, and social systems that play a critical role in protecting and empowering women and girls. Here in Nigeria through the Expanding Social Protection for Inclusive Development programme, we have supported gendersensitive social protection, including creating a GBV Referral Directory and capacity building of National Social Safety Net staff on gender based violence, sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, and prevention. We are well placed to drive efforts to help in the battle for gender equality. However, we know this will not be easy, and we cannot do it alone. Please join us in protecting the rights and freedoms of women and girls around the world, so they can reach their full potential. -Laing is the British High Commissioner to Nigeria.

Garlands for BHM at SABRE EMEA Awards At the 2023 SABRE EMEA Awards, BHM was nominated as Africa Consultancy of the Year for third time in three years, Precious Ugwuzor reports

HM Holdings, one of the fastestgrowing public relations and communications companies out of Africa, has been recognised as a finalist for the Africa PR Consultancy of the Year award at PRovoke Media’s 2023 SABRE Awards EMEA. This is the third consecutive year that BHM will be nominated in the same category. Organised by the world’s leading media voice in public relations and communications, PRovoke Media, SABRE Awards EMEA is an annual ceremony celebrating public relations and communication excellence in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It recognises campaigns, agencies and individuals that demonstrate the highest levels of creativity, effectiveness, and integrity in public relations, benchmarking campaigns from around the globe. According to a statement by PRovoke Media, BHM’s nomination is in recognition of the company’s commitment to empowering employees through thought leadership, innovation and insights, and its sharpened focus on modernising media relations in the face of new ways of communication. BHM, a US$6.2 million operation offering diverse public relations and communication services, has a client roster including leading pan-African streaming company, Showmax; Nigeria’s largest brewer NB PLC; global investment company, Honeywell Group; Africa’s leading telecommunications firm, MTN; Nigeria’s largest media and entertainment company MultiChoice DSTV; retail supermarket

The BHM Team chain, Shoprite; and Premium Single Malt Whiskey The Macallan, leading to a 55 per cent increase in business over the past year. The company is also up for 15 other categories for work done across owned and client projects in the past year at the forthcoming SABRE EMEA which holds in Frankfurt, Germany on March 23, 2023.

Commenting on the recognition, Founder and CEO, Ayeni Adekunle says, “Each of these nominations is as important as winning, considering we are just a little Lagos company trying to give the world an alternative global communications platform - the first from Africa. Still a long journey ahead but we are inspired, encouraged and committed. It is possible,” BHM is the only nominee from Nigeria this

year and the highest African nominee. For three consecutive years, the firm has been acknowledged in the same category for its pioneering vision in building a multifaceted global PR and communications consultancy out of Africa. BHM’s expansion initiative has led to its presence in the UK, Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya, with upcoming plans to enter the American and European markets.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT IWD: Palton Morgan Holdings Insists on Equity at Workplaces Bennett Oghifo

alton Morgan Holdings (PMH), a real estate firm, has stressed the need for equity at workplaces and all facets of life. This was the focus of discussions at an exclusive Tea Party PMH hosted in Lagos to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), with the theme, #EmbraceEquity. Palton Morgan Holdings is a frontline player in the luxury segment of the Nigerian real estate market. It is the parent company of Grenadines Homes, The Oceanna and Propertymart which are developers of super luxury and affordable housing for first time home owners respectively. Two Amazons-- Delphine Misan-Arenyeka, a member of Palton Morgan’s Board of Directors and Uwa Ohiku, Partner at Jackson, Etti & Edu were invited to speak on the theme of the day, #EmbraceEquity. In her keynote address, Misan-Arenyeka described equity as fairness and justice, saying “Equity comes when women have found themselves; you must know who you are, what you want, and what you want to achieve. “As women, we must be willing and prepared to develop ourselves; we must put in the work,” Misan-Arenyeka said, adding, “this is the only time we can talk about equity.” She advised women to focus on their goals and know that there were no limitations to what could be achieved, noting that “the unit of destiny is time; so, keep moving and refining yourself as you go on.” Also discussing the theme, Uwa Ohiku urged

R-L: Member, Palton Morgan Board, Delphine Misan-Arenyeka; Senior Partner, Jackson, Etti & Edu, Uwa Ohiku; and Brand Coordinator, Palton Morgan, Jaja Victoria, at the International Women’s Day celebration hosted by Palton Morgan in Lagos… recently

women to invest in themselves, stating that only women who were competent and qualified could seek equity. “Be prepared for opportunities to come and never hesitate to knock on doors,” she said, adding, “this is how you get invited to the table.” Ohiku advised that women should desist from getting results by making sexual advancement or accommodating such. She cited the experience of a student who, she

recalled, had to report to the dean of her faculty to get a lecturer off her back, saying, “you have to be intentional to get things done.” Victoria Jaja, the Brand Coordinator of Palton Morgan, noted that with this year’s theme, #EmbraceEquity, their women had the opportunity to listen and get inspired by other women. Jaja, who gave the opening remark on behalf of Adeyinka Adesope, GMD of Palton Morgan Holdings, explained that to embrace equity means to understand the journey required to achieve women’s equality. “The celebration

also means to deeply believe, value and seek out a difference as a necessary and positive element of life, she said.” Adesope appreciated the women for their efforts in the growth of the organisation. “Your input is highly valued,” he said, adding, “at Palton Morgan, we honour and appreciate all women from different walks of life who have contributed positively to our society.” International Women’s Day is a global event celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activities are witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality. IWD is now observed annually as a global holiday on March 8 to draw attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. The day dates back to the early 20th century and, since then, has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in the political and economic arenas. It is estimated that, globally, legal restrictions have kept 2.7 billion women from accessing the same choice of jobs as men and less than 25 percent of parliamentarians were women, as of 2019. It is also on record that one-in-three women experience gender-based violence and abuse.

APPSN Urge Members to Upgrade Equipment for Improved Productivity Fadekemi Ajakaiye

he Association of Private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN), a subgroup of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), Lagos State Branch, has called on its members to upgrade their equipment and skills to enable them practise effectively in a fast-changing professional environment. The Chairman of APPSN, Mr Ibikunle Adaranijo, made the call at its 2023 Annual General Meeting and Luncheon, held in Lagos, recently. He was re-elected as the chairman at the AGM.

Adaranijo said in 2019, the Lagos State Government remapped the whole of the state, which was the reason for the call on their members to upgrade equipment through an installmental purchase plan with some firms. He said all old Certificates of Occupancy (CofO) issued in the state before the period were affected, hence the need for the experts to purchase new equipment for precision in charting. The chairman said APPSN was partnering with some firms to help

its members acquire good survey equipment to catch up with new trends. “Without that instrument, there will be serious problems upon problems in Lagos State,” he said. According to him, surveying is the bedrock of all development, but errors of the past resulted in cases of building collapse, which the association, the state government and other stakeholders were working to resolve. Adaranijo said the theme ‘Re-Engineering Professionalism in Private Practice Sector Towards Service Delivery’ was apt toward addressing challenges for growth of Nigeria. He said the association was taming quackery and recently apprehended a quack who was

impersonating experts by using fake Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) numbers to execute shoddy jobs. The chairman said that the projects executed by the accused person failed, which led to complaints, leading to investigation and arrest of the quack. He also called for use of the APPSN application to check the list of certified surveyors online. The Guest Speaker, Mr Tope Ojo, said surveyors must migrate from analogue methods and use technology to upgrade business models to advance the practice and Nigeria. He stated that better technology could help people chart land from whatever distance and address several societal problems.

Pertinence Launches Oneapp, Property Flex to Democratise Real Estate Investment Fadekemi Ajakaiye

ertinence, one of the leading real estate companies in Nigeria, has released Oneapp, a web application designed to make real estate assets more accessible to people of all economic backgrounds and walks of life. The move has been described as a groundbreaking fusion of real estate and technology. Speaking at the launch, at the company’s corporate headquarters in Lagos recently, Mr. Tunji Ademuyiwa, head of technology at

Pertinence Group, said Oneapp was developed to offer a variety of services, beginning with land purchase, with flexible financing options and plainly stated terms and conditions, so that anyone can make decisions about investing in real estate with adequate knowledge. “Being a tech-forward business, Pertinence has worked on a few tech initiatives like Realvest, Homify, and Real Max. Now, though, we want

to combine all of these distinct functionalities into a single platform where users can access everything real estate. “By everything real estate, I mean land, houses, rentals, and leases, whatever it is as long as it’s real estate, we want to have it all in one spot, that’s why we dubbed it Oneapp,” Ademuyiwa explained. Ademuyiwa, who doubles as CEO, Datafirst Technologies, stated that signing up is free and easy, and that customers could access a variety of real estate products right from their dashboard.

He said installment payments are also supported by the app, adding that a user could choose to sign up as a realtor and receive commissions from sales made by customers that register under him. Meanwhile, a flexible property-ownership package known as Property Flex was also introduced along with the app. The company stated that while being a fantastic investment, real estate had historically been out of reach of people with low incomes, including students, corps members, young workers, and small business owners, which is why Property Flex was created.

Finebricks & Properties Providing Affordable Luxury Homes in Property Market

inebricks & Properties Investment Ltd., a leading real estate company in Nigeria has said it is driven by a passion for reducing the housing deficit in the country by the provision of affordable luxury homes. Under the visionary leadership of the Managing Director, Mr. Oladeji Adeoye, FineBricks has grown in leaps and bounds, launching other products like Ile-Ola Estate & Omoluabi Estate respectively in Epe. In a bid to continue its winning streak, FineBricks will be launching a new estate, Ivana Court, on April 1st. This is a premium estate characterised by its urban lifestyle, premium sense of security, unequaled comfort, affordability, according to a statement by its officials. Thus, the company has embarked on many housing projects at prime locations such as the

SherWood Court – a mini estate with four units of 4BR Terraces, 6 units of 3BR semi-detached duplexes, and one unit of 3BR fully detached duplex. They had a groundbreaking event in November 2022 at its location in Sangotedo Ajah (Vintage Estate). The estate is near major landmarks like Lagos Business School, Fara Park, and Lufasi Nature Park amongst others. Amidst pomp and pageantry, FineBricks did a handover ceremony of a completed and furnished 3 Bedroom duplex. The event had company representatives, captains of industry, consultants, proxy of the client, Excos of the estate community, amongst others.

Legal/Secretary, Ene; Research & Marketing, Client Representative, Akin; Research & Marketing, Patricia; Customer Service, Jennifer; and Operations, Gideon, all of Finebricks & Properties Investment Ltd

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

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

08056356325

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2 0 , 2 0 2 3

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EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

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10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

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9.56%

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YEAR TO DATE

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N1trn Debt Payment, Gas Supply, Others Top Gencos’ Agenda for Incoming Govt

Peter Uzoho Power Generation Companies (Gencos) have listed some issues affecting operators and investors in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), which they want the next president to pay priority attention to. Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), Dr Joy Ogaji, in an exclusive chat with THISDAY, said the next administration should

clear the Gencos’ N1 trillion outstanding debt, which they are being owed for years. Ogaji added that the next government should also resolve the gas supply challenge that has been hampering power generation, make foreign exchange accessible to them and ensure adequate risk protection mechanism for Gencos against breach of contract. She specifically canvassed for government-backed Partial Risk Guarantees (PRGs) for all

Gencos to cover private investors against the risk of a governmentowned entity failing to perform its contractual obligations with respect to a private project. Insisting on 100 per cent payment of all outstanding payments due to Gencos by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Limited (NBET) and the Market Operator, Ogaji suggested that the federal government may provide tradable instruments backed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in

lieu of outright settlement. “There has to be full capacity and energy payments on an ongoing basis – for Gencos to maintain and improve available capacity as well as aid implementation of expansion plan (over N1.6 trillion),” she canvassed. She also demanded that the next administration should put in place a special FX window or arrangement to support operation and maintenance (O&M) needs to keep the power sector operational.

While advocating that concession fees by hydropower generators be paid in naira rather than in dollars, the Gencos’ spokesperson, however, called for an immediate and effective infrastructural improvement to increase the capacity of the national grid. She further urged the incoming administration to formulate a policy document to address the inequitable distribution of technical and commercial risks in the power

sector, stating that this would provide the policy direction for the regulator to design a risk matrix. Ogaji also demanded government’s immediate intervention to resolve all interface issues between Distribution Companies (Discos) and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to enhance increased capacity utilisation. NOTE: The story continues online on www.thisdaylive.com

Nigeria’s Oil Rigs Count Stagnates, Despite February Crude Production Growth Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Despite adding about 48,000 barrels per day in February, Nigeria’s oil rigs count stagnated at 13 during the month, THISDAY analysis of the latest data released by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has revealed. Hope of new investment in the oil and gas sector in the country grew markedly in January when Nigeria’s oil rigs count rose markedly from

six to 13 between January 2022 and the same period in 2023 as earlier indicated by Baker Hughes figures. But the velocity has now been slowed, with the February data showing that no new rigs came into the country, although there has been an improvement in the volume of oil drilled, which is still significantly lower by at least 500,000 bpd. In January, the rigs hit over a dozen, up from 12 in December and up from six one year ago, marking a major

positive change of 8.33 per cent from November last year and a whopping 116.7 per cent from one year ago. However, new information from OPEC’s Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) released this March, showed that expectations that the rigs count could hit 14 this month did not materialise. There had also been hope of additional rigs when offshore contractor, Dolphin Drilling, which in February had one of its semi-submersible rigs

FOOD

on its way to Nigeria, was expected to start its new drilling campaign. In addition, Blackford Dolphin had departed Las Palmas and was already en route Nigeria, following a successful shipyard campaign, which enabled the recertification for a further five years. It appeared from the data that they had yet to begin operation as of the second month of this year. Nigeria’s oil output had begun to rebound since October last year, after a multi-decade low of 900,000

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

bpd, with the rate of growth rising to 28,000 barrels per day increase in January and 48,000 bpd in February, to hit 1.3 million bpd during the month. But the figure was lower when compared to the over 55,000 bpd increase in December, according to data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), but much better than the 28,000 bpd January production figure and the 48,000 bpd drilling in February. While production in December, the

previous month, was 1.235 million bpd, the January oil output was 1.258 million bpd, while the February figure stood at 1.306 million bpd. But the OPEC data indicated that while Nigeria’s average rigs count was 11 in 2020, it was seven in 2021, 10 in 2022, but had recently grown to 13 as new investments began trickling into the country. But as opposed to Nigeria’s 13 Continued on page 22

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STATE

PRICE

100KG JIGAWA

N30,000

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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

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TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NAME OF COMMODITY

PALM OIL

COMMODITIES

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STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

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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

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N32,000

N14,000

25CL IBADAN N22,000 — N35,000

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N45,000

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N11,000

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25CL LAGOS N20,000-N35000 25CL

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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

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Report: Nigeria’s LNG Output Still Weak Despite Europe’s Thirst for Spot Supplies Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Heavy flooding, upstream gas supply issues and pipeline vandalism have left the six-train Nigeria LNG (NLNG) facility on Bonny Island producing far below capacity since last year, with the trend largely continuing in 2023, a Natural Gas Intelligence (NGI) report has noted. Liquefied natural gas exports have been “protractedly declining” since the 22 million metric tons/ year NLNG declared a force majeure in October 2022 due

to flooding, NGI stated, quoting Kpler analyst, Ana Subasic. “Nigeria’s LNG exports have been lower, but steady since the beginning of this year,” Kpler stated. Subasic said NLNG, a major Atlantic Basin supplier since 1999 when the first train came online, delivered 1 million tons (Mt) to the global market at a 53 per cent utilisation rate in January. The situation seemed to be improving, however, as exports bounced back to 1.07 Mt last month, or 63 per cent

of its total monthly capacity, after four consecutive months of decline, according to Kpler. The commodity data firm also projects exports to reach 1.22 Mt in March. Although Nigeria is Africa’s largest LNG exporter, and as Europe looks to replace Russian natural gas with more of the super-chilled, Nigeria has been unable to increase capacity to meet the ramp in global demand. The country is missing out on opportunities in what the International Energy Agency

(IEA) expects to be a tight market until 2026, when new projects come online and begin easing the supply crunch. Nigeria isn’t alone as output has fallen across Africa, the report said. In Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Egypt and Equatorial Guinea, utilisation rates have slipped to just 58 per cent of the 71 mmty of liquefaction capacity available, according to the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. At the continent’s largest plant, NLNG exports have dropped from a high of 21.33

After being held virtually in May 2021 in a bid to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, the biennial event is set to return to the NCDMB Conference Centre in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in May 2023, and would showcase the various opportunities that exist in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, a statement from the organisation said.

The event which was introduced by the Simbi Wabote-led NCDMB in 2017, with the inaugural edition held at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has consistently showcased short to medium term plans and activities of operators and project promoters in the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry.

The NCDMB chief executive had previously explained that the showcase of upcoming projects is intended to give Nigerian service companies ample opportunity to build relevant capacities that might be required to execute the projects in-country, thereby creating employment opportunities, and retaining spend in-country.

Mt in 2019 to just 14.61 Mt last year, according to Kpler. Nigeria once had a 10 per cent share of the global LNG export market, but by 2021, the country’s market share had fallen to just 6 per cent, the report added. A “general lack of investment, maintenance, prolonged flooding periods, and more recently

pipeline vandalism in Nigeria, has been at the core of Nigeria’s decline in output seen since 2019,” Subasic told NGI. “Human-imposed sabotage and theft have been affecting the feed gas supply of Nigerian associated gas, directly linked with Nigerian oil production,” it added.

Shell Reports Sharp Fall in Nigeria Oil NCDMB to Host 4th Nigerian Oil, Gas Opportunity Fair Spills After Shutdown Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced plans to organise the 4th edition of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), with the theme: “The Oil and Gas Industrycatalyst and Fuel for the Industrialisation of Nigeria.”

Shell reported a sharp fall in oil spilled as a result of sabotage in Nigeria’s oil-rich Delta in 2022 reflecting closure of operations for six months in the wake of attacks. The volume of crude oil spilled caused by sabotage in the Delta fell to 600 tonnes from 3,300 tonnes the previous year, Shell said in its annual report, as reported by Reuters news.

The number of such spills fell to 75 from 106. “The decreased number of incidents in 2022 correlates with a shutdown of production for about six months because of an unprecedented increase of crude oil theft from the Trans Niger,” it said. Shell is the operator of Nigeria’s main onshore oil and gas joint venture SPDC which has struggled for years with operational incidents, theft and sabotage.

Oil Price Steadies After 5% Loss, Int’l Breweries Promotes Climate Lowest in Over 15 Months Action with Gas Powered Trucks Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Oil prices steadied at the weekend after dropping to near 15-month lows earlier in the session, supported by reports that top producers Saudi Arabia and Russia met to discuss ways to enhance market stability. Brent crude futures, Nigeria’s benchmark, rose 26 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $73.95 a barrel while America’s West Texas Intermediate crude futures (WTI) rose 19 cents, or

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)

0.3 per cent, to $67.80 a barrel when the initial shock began to subside. Despite the price of the commodity rising above $100 in 2022, Nigeria has not been able to take advantage of the high prices to boost its economy, having been unable to meet its Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota for over 12 months. In spite of current efforts to ramp up production which has been largely hobbled by oil theft and pipeline vandalism, Nigeria is still under-producing to the tune of 500,000 barrels per day. But the recovery in the market came after prices plunged by nearly 5 per cent earlier to settle at the lowest levels in more than a year on concerns that a crisis of confidence in the banking sector could trigger a recession and cut demand. Crude recovered some of its

earlier losses along with benchmark equity indexes after Swiss regulators pledged a liquidity lifeline to Credit Suisse, which had earlier seen shares fall as much as 30 per cent. Both crude benchmarks hit their lowest levels since December 2021 and have fallen for three straight days, Reuters reported. The session saw Brent crude settle down $3.76, or 4.9 per cent lower, at $73.69 a barrel even as WTI closed down $3.72, or 5.2 per cent lower, at $67.61. Brent had fallen by more than 10 per cent since Friday’s close, while U.S. crude was down more than 14 per cent. But figures showed that China’s economic activity picked up in the first two months of 2023 after the end of strict COVID-19 containment measures, raising the hope of a bearish market.

Schneider Electric Unveils Cost-Saving Energy Solutions Ugo Aliogo Schneider Electric, has unveiled cost saving energy solution for Nigeria industries, while calling on industries to channel their attention on current building management systems for optimum operation. Speaking to journalists recently in an interview, the Product Application Engineer, Schneider Electric, Tunde Olumuyiwa, stated that as the Nigerian landscape has witnessed a surge of energy cost in the past years, the need to manage energy usage and minimize costs has become paramount, therefore

increasing the demand for value adding energy solutions. He revealed the importance of using facility management solutions both with respect to cost effectiveness and sustainability goals. He further explained the challenge of energy costs can be solved with the EcoStruxure solutions and the benefits, noting that the EcoStruxure solutions are designed to minimize energy consumption while maximizing performance management in buildings and industries power systems.

In furtherance of its sustainability drive, International Breweries Plc, has commenced the use of gas-powered trucks to distribute its products across the country. This is after the company unveiled its first instalment delivery of 540 gas-powered trucks on Tuesday at its Gateway Plant in Ogun State. The company will receive a total of 540 state-of-the-arts gas-powered trucks with a yearly instalment delivery of 180 trucks in three years arriving. This initiative is aimed at reducing the emission of carbon monoxide (CO2) on Nigerian roads,

a common practice that leads to the deterioration of public health, in line with the UN’s Sustainable Goal 13. which speaks to Climate Action. Speaking at the launch, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Kikelomo Longe, who represented the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, emphasized the importance of International Breweries to Ogun State and commended the giant brewer for yet another laudable and pioneering initiative.

On his part, the Supply Director, international Breweries Plc, Tony Agah, said, “As a forward-looking organisation, we consistently explore ways to improve our operations and reduce the environmental impact of our activities, and our switch to gas-powered trucks is a significant step in achieving both of these goals. By using compressed natural gas (CNG) as fuel, our trucks emit significantly fewer pollutants than traditional diesel engines. This will help us reduce our carbon footprint and support Nigeria’s efforts to address climate change.”

NIGERIA’S OIL RIGS COUNT STAGNATES, DESPITE FEBRUARY CRUDE PRODUCTION GROWTH rigs, the United States as of February, according to the OPEC MOMR data, had 758 oil rigs, Canada had 248, while Mexico had 46, bringing the Americas’ total to 1,954 rigs. In Africa, Algeria had 31 while Angola had nine oil rigs as of February. Besides, Iran’s rigs were 117, Iraq’s were 62, Libya had 12 even as Saudi Arabia had 77 and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had 54. In total, OPEC members’ rig count were 407 while world rig count stood at 2,004, an increase of 22 rigs during the month. According to the Baker Hughes data, in January 2022, Nigeria’s oil rigs were six, but rose to eight in February and then to 10 in March. It stated that this figure increased and remained stagnant at 11 in April, May, June and July respectively. In addition, as Nigeria’s oil production struggled, the country’s oil rigs count fell further to 10 in August and dipped even further

in September to seven and eight in October. But as the country’s production started to improve in November 2022, the rigs count increased to 10, before shooting up to 12 and 13 in December 2022 and January, 2023 respectively and stagnating at the figure in February. In other years, a THISDAY analysis revealed that Nigeria’s oil rigs count fell from 16 to eight between 2019 and 2022, underscoring the magnitude of challenges the country has faced in producing its OPEC monthly allocation. The MOMR showed that while the average rigs count was 16 in 2019, it fell to 11 to 2020, and then further to seven in 2021. While the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has put current production at over 1.6 million bpd, the NUPRC and OPEC peg the number at 1.3 million bpd. OPEC calculations exclude condensates. In recent times, the country’s

active rigs had progressively decreased, but was made worse after Nigeria began shutting down many of its offshore platforms as oil prices took a downward slope and the producers’ group embarked on production curbs to stabilise the market in 2020, following the upsurge of the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, there has been massive underinvestment in the sector, leading to depleting oil rigs. Despite the remarkable recovery in global crude oil demand, Nigeria had been unable to ramp up production, following massive theft of the resource in the Niger Delta as well as shutdowns due to frequent equipment failure. In the oil and gas industry, the rig count is a major index for measuring activities in the upstream sector. While for instance, 26 rigs were in operation, on both onshore and offshore terrains, in 1997, Nigeria has had the number remarkably depleted in recent years.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023

BUSINESSWORLD

AGRICULTURE

How Inconsistent Agricultural Policies Spiked Food Insecurity Many Nigerians are falling into the hunger net almost on a daily basis, writes Gilbert Ekugbe in this piece that blames inconsistent agriculture policies by successive governments for Nigeria’s looming food crisis

Gilbert Ekugbe

igeria is currently ranked 103rd out of 121 countries according to the Global Hunger Index (GHI). With this situation, Nigeria is just 18 places above Yemen, the country tagged with the highest hunger rate. The World Food Price (WFP) in its Hunger hotspots report in May 2022 said that Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Yemen remained at the “highest alert” of countries with catastrophic food security conditions. The report added Afghanistan and Somalia as new entries into this worrisome class since the previous hotspots report was released in January 2022. This development goes to show that Nigeria is not doing enough to put the nation on the right path to food security. With the Russia-Ukraine conflict compounding the already plagued agricultural sector, the managers of Nigerian economy must as a matter of urgency dot the “I”s and cross the “T”s in the country’s food policies and implementations strategies. No doubt, Nigeria has the potential to become a major food exporter on the African continent. Between 1950 and late 1960s, trade in agricultural produced such as cocoa, cotton and groundnuts, among others, generated foreign exchange for the country to kick-start its infrastructure development. However, the oil boom era of the 1970s put this advancement on a reverse gear and agriculture steadily declined to the extent that Nigeria resorted to food imports to supplement the low agricultural output in the country. Stakeholders and experts in the country’s agriculture sector identified poor implementation of laudable agriculture policies as actually the bane of agricultural development. They believed that all policies formulated by the government were targeted towards the development of the sector, but implementing these policies to the latter still remained the greatest challenge hindering any meaningful growth in the sector. From 1972 to 1985, the federal government introduced five agricultural

policies that included the National Accelerated Food Production Programme (NAFPP) 1972-1973; Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) 19761980; Green Revolution Programme (GRP) 1981-1983 and Go Back to Land Programme between 1983 and 1985. But just like these policies looked good on paper, they lacked input from agricultural stakeholders who are the major actors in the sector. According to reports, farmers, pastoralists, rural dwellers and other key actors in the agricultural value chain were mostly not carried along at the formulation and implementation of agricultural development policies and initiatives.

NIGERIA’S AGRIC ENDOWMENTS In the early 1960s, Nigeria was the world’s largest palm oil producer with global market share of 43 per cent, but today, it is ranked as the fifth largest producer with less than 2.0 per cent of total global market production of 74.08 million metric tonnes. Even Malaysia that depended on Nigeria for its palm oil needs had since surpassed Nigeria and has emerged the world largest producer of palm oil. Malaysia started with palm tree seedlings it acquired from Nigeria. Reports revealed that in 1966, Malaysia and Indonesia surpassed Nigeria as the world’s largest palm oil producers, noting that both countries combined produce approximately 80 per cent of total global output, with Indonesia alone responsible for over half i.e. 53.3 per cent of global output. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), if Nigeria had maintained its market dominance in the palm oil industry, the country would have been earning approximately $20 billion annually from the cultivation and processing of palm oil as at today. Cocoa was the main thrust of economic development in Nigeria’s Western Region, which had about 350,000 cocoa farmers. In the 1950s, Nigeria’s share of world cocoa trade increased from roughly 14 per cent

to 18 per cent. In the mid-1960s, the volume of cocoa export grew from approximately 100,000 tonnes to 229,000 tonnes yearly from 1963 to 1967 period. The export of cocoa grew at a compound average growth rate of about 7.0 per cent per year in the ten years between 1956 and 1967. By the early 1960s, the production of cocoa had risen by about 80 per cent above the previous 1950-51 high following the acreage increase in cocoa cultivation of about 15 per cent. The increase was attributed to the widespread use of insecticides, fungicides, improved seedlings and other improvements that had been seriously promoted through subsidies, credit schemes and extension services by the western regional marketing board. The neglect of the agricultural sector and almost total dependence on oil export has been a disaster for the country’s economy. If Nigeria had prioritised sound and sustainable policies, its market share in palm oil, cocoa, groundnut, and cotton, it would be earning today at least $10 billion per year from these commodities

GROUNDNUT PYRAMIDS IN KANO The history of groundnut in Nigeria started as far back as 1912. Then most farmers were encouraged by high economic returns from groundnut and well organised marketing of the crop. The groundnut pyramids, which used to be the pride of Kano State played a vital role in the economy of Nigeria’s First Republic. Apart from being a dependable source of income for the nation, the pyramid also served as a tourist attraction site where people travel from far and wide to marvel at the monumental piece. Regrettably, over the years, the groundnut pyramids disappeared into thin air. Reports have it that the pyramids were said to have been invented by a famous businessman in the region, Alhassan Dantata. But such an innovation was not institutionalised by successive governments over the

years. Since then, many ministers of Agriculture have come and gone with no blueprint to revive or emulate the initiative that could have made Nigeria the highest exporter of groundnut or other agro commodities to the world.

WAY FORWARD The most effective way to improve the lives of millions in poverty is to support agricultural development. Transforming a country’s agriculture sector will create jobs, raise incomes, reduce malnutrition and kick start the economy on a path to middle-income growth. Managers of the Nigerian economy must focus on the changes that are most likely to kick-start rural economic growth by identifying goals in a limited number of crop and livestock value chains, cross cutting agriculture enablers such as lower transportation costs or access to irrigation and specific geographies. Nigeria must also begin to focus on value and on productivity of row crops rather than opportunities for high value crops, downstream processing and livestock. Successful agricultural transformation plans give farmers the opportunity to raise their household incomes. Again, stakeholders have reechoed the fact that the success of any agricultural transformation relied on how well millions of smallholders and small medium sized enterprises can be helped to change farming practices as quickly and effectively as possible. Nigeria must as a matter of urgency deploy the use of change agents to gain the trust of farmers. These change agents are people who farmers can interact with regularly to help change their farming practices. Change in agricultural systems require multiple parallel advancements such as improvements in agricultural extension and seed systems would increase farmers’ productivity and most importantly, approaching transformations with an investor mind-set is critical to the success of kick-starting agricultural transformations, coordination among government donors and civil society is vital, but also equally important from the start to plan for private sector engagement.

TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

PAN: Poultry Industry on the Verge of Collapse, 15m Crates of Eggs Lost to Naira Scarcity Gilbert Ekugbe The Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria (PAN) has raised the alarm that Nigeria’s ailing poultry industry is on the verge of total collapse as a result of the naira scarcity. The National President of PAN, Mr. Sunday Onallo-Akpa, stated that over 15 million crates of eggs worth over N30 billion have been lost to the negative effect of naira scarcity in the country. Onallo-Akpa also said in a statement that the new currency policy is having severe impact on the industry and

causing untold hardship for its members and stakeholders. He described the poultry industry in Nigeria as one of the most consolidated sub-sectors of Nigeria’s agriculture that is contributing about 25 per cent of the Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (AGDP) and providing over 25 million direct and indirect employments. “The industry is completely private sector driven worth over N3 trillion. It has been able to contribute to the local domestication of investments in the country. “Eggs being daily produced by poultry farmers since the

first week of February 2023 till date have not been off-taken by 20 per cent because of the near absence and lack of the naira notes to buy basic food items and other necessary proteins like eggs and chickens,” the PAN’s president added. He further called for urgent intervention by the federal government to save the industry from imminent collapse while appealing to the government to mop up the eggs through the association for distribution to the most vulnerable populations as part of the social investment support to Nigerians.

Food Production: Global Technology Leaders to Converge for 8th Agrofood Expo Gilbert Ekugbe The 8th edition of Agrofood and Plastprintpack Nigeria Exhibition and Conference is expected to bring together global technology leaders from 18 countries to showcase adapted technologies and solutions for the Nigerian and West African market in the fields of agriculture, food and beverage processing, ingredients, plastics, printing and packaging. The conference and exhibition is scheduled to hold between March 28 and 30, 2023, at the Landmark Centre, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos. Among the countries that

expected to participate in the event are Austria, Bulgaria, China, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Germany, India, Italy, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. In a statement that was released by the Fairtrade, an international trade show specialist, announced the confirmation of participation of more countries, global exhibitors, diplomats, and speakers for the internationally acclaimed trade show. “As part of the highlights at this year’s Agrofood and Plastprintpack Nigeria,

Germany, a leading global economy, will be hosting a dedicated pavilion featuring 21 German exhibitors. The German pavilion will be presented by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and supported by the German Trade Fair Association AUMA and the German Engineering Federation VDMA., ” the organisers added. The Managing Director of Fairtrade Messe, Mr. Paul Maerz, said: “We are pleased with the level of local and international commitment for this year’s edition, making Agrofood and Plastprintpack Nigeria 2023 a must-see exhibition and conference.”

Universal Insurance CEO Wins Leadership Excellence Award Ebere Nwoji Managing Director/ CEO, Universal Insurance plc, Dr. Benedict Ujoatuonu, was among the eminent personalities recently decorated with Insurance Personality Leadership Excellence Award for Year 2022. Ujoatuonu, clinched the award at the 2022 edition of the African Prize for Leadership Excellence Award Ceremony held in Lagos recently. The organizers of the event, the Africa Leadership Media Limited, a Pan Africa Leadership Magazine, said the Africa Prize for Leadership in Excellence Award was in recognition of the positive

contributions of individuals and corporate organisations in Africa. “Africa in the last decade has experienced significant economic growth that has not only put it in spotlight but has also made it attractive to foreign investors. The Africa new growth factor has been attributed to the Leadership Excellence of some selected African individuals and Corporate organisations that have demonstrated uncommon initiatives in the African economy”. According to the organisers, the African Prize for Leadership Excellence Award, is a prize for excellent leadership experience for some selected African

personalities who have made impact in the development of the African economy through their innovation, creativity and leadership experience in their field of endeavour.” The statement said the category, won by UjoatuonuInsurance Personality Leadership Prize of the Year’ was awarded to him in recognition of his insurance expertise, sound knowledge, and practical leadership excellence in management skills. Receiving the award, Ujoatonu, expressed his excitement on being chosen for the award and thanked the organisers for the honour accorded to him.

Guinea Insurance Commits to Prompt Settlement of Claims The management of Guinea Insurance Plc, has said that the company was committed to the satisfaction of customers and the insuring public with prompt settlement of claims as well as improved service delivery. Accordingly, the company said it would continue to settle all genuine claims promptly and speedily. Managing Director of the company, Mr. Ademola Abidogun, disclosed this to insurance and pension journalists at the Quarterly CEO forum sponsored by Guinea Insurance Plc in Lagos. While disclosing the claims payment history of Guinea Insurance, Abidogun said that the company paid total claims of N263 million in 2020. According to him, the company also paid total claims of N258 million in 2021, even as it paid total claims of N165 million in

2022. Abidogun also disclosed that the company would return to profit terrain in 2023 as loss after tax has drastically reduced to N20 million in 2022 from N700 million recorded in 2020. “Guinea Insurance has continued to make underwriting profit every year. If you look at how the loss after tax has reduced in the last three years, from N700 million to N200 million to N20 million, you will discover that based on what we are doing now, we will make profit by the end of the 2023 financial year. “We are committed to reduce expenses and increase turnover, increase topline and manage underwriting properly with proper reinsurance. We are also looking at businesses that we take and we make sure that we don’t just take any business. We are very optimistic and very

deliberate in our analysis. We track expenses, track businesses that we do, we do a lot of analysis to ensure that we change the story. “We have been paying claims promptly and will continue to do so going forward. What we want to do is to be more visible to the insuring public and meet all their insurance needs.” On the positive strides of the company, Abidogun noted that Guinea Insurance staff has been outstanding even as he commended them for being very competent and dependable. He said: “I will also commend the staff for the good work they are doing. If the people are not there to do the work, if people are not connected to the mission of the board, there is nothing anybody can do and it will hamper the progress of the company.

L-R: Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole; Minister of Aviation, Senator. Hadi Sirika;and IATA’s Area Manager West and Central Africa, Dr. Samson Fatokun, during the meeting with IATA, NANTA and foreign airlines on Blocked Fund issue in Abuja yesterday.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS (MILLION NAIRA) AUGUST 2022 Money Supply (M3)

49,356,443.6

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

50,601.36

Money Supply (M2)

49,305,842.3

-- Quasi Money

27,869,678.3

-- Narrow Money (M1)

21,436,164

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,680,236.81

---- Demand Deposits

18,755,927.2

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

5,074,909.92

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

27,869,678.3

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

61,195,142.4

---- Credit to Government (Net)

21,001,401.5

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

40,193,740.9

--Other Assets Net

6,785,979.22

Reserve Money (Base Money

14,040,351.9

--Currency in Circulation

3,210,664.98

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,829,686.9 390,557.8

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

July 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

13.00

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.76

Savings Deposit Rate

1.42

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.64

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.96

6 Months Deposit Rate

5.87

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.76

Prime Lending rate

12.10

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT 8 MARCH, 2023

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $84.37 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $84.59 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).

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023

MARKET NEWS

Stock Market Down N16bn on Weak Investors’ Sentiment Kayode Tokede The stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday opened the new trading week extending its losing streak for the seventh consecutive session as investors’ weak sentiment trading down market capitalisation by N16 billion. The NGX All Share Index (ASI) decreased by 29.35 basis points or 0.05 per cent to close

at 54,886.04 basis points, while the market capitalisation lost N16 billion to close at N29.900 trillion. Analysing by sectors, the NGX Banking Index added 1.3per cent, and NGX Industrial Goods appreciated by 0.1per cent, while the Insurance Index down by 0.5per cent and NGX Consumer Goods Index depreciated by 0.4 per cent printed losses. On the other hand, the NGX Oil & Gas index closed flat.

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R MARKET PRICE

Meanwhile, market breadth, which is measure by market sentiment was positive, as 19 stocks gained relative to 14 losers. Access Holdings recorded the highest price gain of 7.14 per cent to close at N9.00, per share. Cutix followed with a gain 5.69 per cent to close at N2.23, while University Press appreciated by 5.53 per cent to close at N2.10, per share. Custodian Investment went up by 5.17 per cent to close at

N6.10, while Chams Holding Company appreciated by 4.17 per cent to close at 25 kobo, per share. On the other hand, Ikeja Hotel led the losers’ chart by 9.52 per cent to close at N1.14, per share. Wapic Insurance followed with a decline of 9.52 per cent to close at 38 kobo, while Stanbic IBTC Holdings went down by 8.52 to close at N36.50, per share. Multiverse Mining and Exploration lost 5.80 per cent

S E C U R I T I E S

T R A D E D

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

MAIN BOARD

to close at N3.25, while Livestock Feeds shed 5.50 per cent to close at N1.03, per share. The total volume traded went up by 646.50 per cent to 1.172 billion units, valued at N2.877 billion, and exchanged in 3,066 deals. Transactions in the shares of Neimeth Pharmaceutical topped the activity chart with 1.069 billion shares valued at N1.581 billion. United Bank for Africa (UBA) followed with 15.964 million shares worth N128.784 million,

AS O F

while Access Holdings traded 13.033 million shares valued at N114.365 million. Transnational Corporation (Transcorp) traded 11.770 million shares valued at N15.257 million, while Zenith Bank transacted 9.861 million shares worth N243.759 million. Analysts at InvestmentOne Research said, “The equities market recorded a negative performance today due to the slumping prices printed in the Consumer Goods sector.

1 7 / 0 3 / 2 3 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

CELEBRATING MOTHERHOOD... Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN (5th left) , his wife Mrs. Dolapo and other women during the Mother's Day Service at the Aso Rock Villa Chapel in the Statehouse, Abuja on Sunday

Abdulahi: Why I Won’t Congratulate Governor AbdulRazaq Says he leaves election outcome to God Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last Saturday governorship and House of Assembly elections in Kwara State, Alhaji Shuaib Yaman Abdulahi, has said he would not congratulate the winner, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, because the election was fraught with irregularities, and has therefore left the outcome to God. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had Sunday declared Abdulrazaq winner of the election with 273,424 votes while the PDP candidate got 155,490 votes and the SDP came third with 18,922 votes. Addressing journalists in between series of meetings with the PDP members in Ilorin on the outcome of

the elections on Monday, Abdulahi said he would not congratulate Abdulrazaq on his victory, saying the election was fraught with electoral malpractices. He promised to keep the decision to continue in politics or not within himself for now, adding that he would be returning to Kaduna State to face his business. "For the fact that political thugs were used, calls for concern among Nigerians, especially, among our people and relevant stakeholders. Voters apathy in the last governorship elections was far greater than before, while the number of voters was greater than the presidential elections. "And I think INEC has questions to answer on the electoral process too. Security forces were used against people and I wouldn't know if they

are real security operatives used against the people, while the APC monetarised the elections. Our collation offers were chased away in many places. "It's not even about the result declared by the INEC. I know one thing for sure that evil victory is temporary while that of the Almighty God victory is permanent. We leave everything to God," he said. Abdulahi, who was emotional and close to tears while addressing the party supporters, chastised some party members in some senatorial districts for their alleged acts of betrayal and anti-party activities. He, however, admonished the PDP members and supporters in the state to keep hope alive, praying that God would repay their good intentions with good rewards. "The spirit that keeps us should be

kept alive. God will not repay your good intentions for bad. We need to recover from dark evil. We cannot afford to be led by incompetent people, who do not know what to do to lead. “One day, our efforts would be

beneficial to us or our children. Kwara will rise up again and our group will thrive. This is a moment to retreat and ponder. This is not the end. Let's prepare for battle ahead. It's not over yet. "I know for sure that they must

Obi-Chukwu Named EY Entrepreneur of the Year The Founder/Chief Analyst of Nairametrics, Ugodre Obi-Chukwu, has emerged as the winner of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2023 West Africa. Obi-Chukwu bagged the award in the Emerging Category.

He was earlier shortlisted as one of the two finalists in the category alongside the Founder/CEO of Nature’s Bounty Health Products T/A ReelFruit, Affiong Williams. In the Master entrepreneur category, the Managing Director

A P C S U STA I N S M O M E N T U M , R E TA I N S K A D U N A , B O R N O , N A S A R AWA , C R O S S R I V E R , E B O N Y I , N I G E R Jos South, Bokkos, QuanPan, while Yiltwada won in seven: Jos East, Kanke, Pankshin, Shendam, Wase, Kanam, and Jos North.

NASARAWA STATE Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, was re-elected governor of the state Although the governor and his deputy, Emmanuel Akabe, had both lost their Akwanga and Doma local government areas to the opposition PDP, Sule won in seven of the 13 council areas, scoring a total of 347,209 votes. His closest rival, Dr. David Ombugadu of PDP, scored a total of 283,016 votes. The margin of victory was 46,228 votes.

ABIA STATE INEC, yesterday, prolonged the suspense surrounding the final result of the March 18 governorship election in Abia State, after it suspended collation. Collation Officer for Abia, Professor Nnenna Oti, who is also Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), announced the suspension of result collation and declaration of final results. Oti attributed the suspension to a directive from the INEC headquarters to halt further collation of results due to the controversy surrounding the results from Obingwa local government. A letter to that effect signed by the INEC Secretary, Mrs. Rose Omoa Oriaran-Anthony, was read by the Abia INEC Administrative Secretary, Mr. Clement Oha, to the hearing of everybody at the State Collation Centre, Umuahia. INEC said in the letter that its office in Obingwa was on Sunday, March 19, 2023 invaded by thugs during the collation of results, thereby disrupting the exercise.

The commission said a team of investigators would arrive in Umuahia on today to review the Obingwa issue and take a final decision before the conclusion of collation and declaration of the governorship poll results in Abia.

ENUGU STATE INEC also suspended further collation of the governorship election results in Enugu State. The commission, however, assured the people that a review would be undertaken immediately before the process was concluded. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in a statement, said the commission took the decision after its meeting held yesterday, to review the exercise. "Arising from the meeting, the commission took the decision to suspend forthwith further collation of the governorship election results in some parts of Abia and Enugu states," he said. Okoye said reports from Enugu State called for a review of the results for the governorship election from the two outstanding local government areas of Nsukka and Nkanu East. Meanwhile, Campaign Council of PDP in Enugu State disagreed with INEC over its decision to suspend the announcement of the final results and declaration of Dr. Peter Mbah as winner of the Enugu State governorship contest. The council stressed that the election management body was overreaching itself, as it could not, by law, suspend the declaration of an already collated result. PDP equally said INEC was wrong to present the Abia and Enugu cases as the same. The party stated these at a press conference addressed by the spokesperson of the Enugu

State PDP Campaign Council, Nana Ogbodo.

ADAMAWA STATE INEC, yesterday, declared the governorship election in Adamawa State as inconclusive. The candidate of APC in the state, Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed-Binani, scored 390, 275 votes, while the incumbent, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, the PDP candidate, polled 421,524 votes. But INEC declared the election inconclusive due to the margin of votes. Meanwhile, APC alleged that Fintiri unleashed heavily armed thugs on the people to disrupt collation of results and subvert the will of Adamawa people, as expressed at the polls, due to his imminent defeat. APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement, yesterday, said the election results showed a clear and decisive victory for the APC candidate. Likewise, the presidential candidate of PDP and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, condemned INEC's delay in announcing the results of the Saturday governorship elections in Adamawa State. Atiku, alongside Fintiri at a world press conference in Yola, said the commission’s delay was already causing tension and apprehension in the state. The former vice president said despite the fact that the results so far announced showed that PDP was winning, there was no reason why INEC should keep delaying the results. "Last night, I called the INEC chairman on phone to appeal to them, to announce Adamawa governorship results without further delay for benefits of peace,"

account for all the votes, because they only ambushed people for election. These are people who had kept mute on what their plans are for people or for the state to benefit, but were only distributing money to buy people," he said.

Atiku said. He warned that further delay might throw the state into a serious crisis.

TARABA STATE The uncertainty that surrounded the outcome of the governorship election in Taraba State was finally cleared in the early hours of today, when INEC declared the gubernatorial candidate of PDP, Agbu Kefas, as winner of the election. The delay in announcing the results had stoked fear in PDP, which raised the alarm over a alleged plot by INEC to alter the result of the gubernatorial election in the state. Declaring the winner of the election on Tuesday, about 12:25am, the returning officer, Professor Mohammed Abdulazeez of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, stated that Kefas polled 257,926 votes to defeat Professor Sani Yahaya of NNPP, who polled 202,277 votes, while the candidate of APC, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, got 142,502 votes. Kefas won 11 out of the 16 local government areas in the state, while the NNPP and APC candidates won in three and two local government areas, respectively. Publicity Secretary of the party, Andeta'rang Iramea, had raised the alarm and lamented the commission’s delay in announcing the result even when all the results from the 16 local government areas had arrived the commission's office. Iramae, who was in company with other PDP stakeholders, including Eric U.J Yohana, accused the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Umar Muktar Gajiram, and Returning Officer, Prof Muhammed Ahmed Abdulazeez, of colluding with the NNPP candidate to alter the result

of the election. Iramae insisted that INEC had no reason to continue delaying the declaration of the results, which according to them was already public knowledge based on the results on the INEC IRev portal. He warned that any attempt to alter the results would be a dangerous invitation to anarchy.

DELTA STATE The governorship candidate of PDP in Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, was declared winner of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in the state. Oborevwori polled 360, 234 votes to beat his closest rival and candidate of APC, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who scored 240,229. The LP candidate, Ken Pela, polled 48,047 votes. Returning Officer, Professor Georgewill Owuneri Abraham, announced the result at the INEC headquarters in Asaba, saying, “The PDP candidate, having met the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned as governor-elect.” Meanwhile, Omo-Agege, last night, rejected the result of the election. He alleged that the poll was marred by irregularities perpetuated by PDP against the wishes of Deltans. According to a statement by Omo-Agege’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sunny Areh, the APC governorship candidate vowed to challenge the outcome of the exercise in court. The governorship candidate of APGA, Chief Great Ogboru, conceded defeat. Ogboru said he was satisfied with the outcomes of the elections, and congratulated Oborevwori. He also pledged to work with the incoming government in the state to ensure Oborevwori’s administration did not fail.

of Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe emerged as the winner. Elegbe was shortlisted alongside 3 other finalists in this category, which included Chairman/Founder, Brittania-U Limited, Uju Catherine Ifejika; Managing Director of Providus Bank, Walter Akpani, and Managing Director, Rite Foods Nigeria Limited, Saleem Adegunwa. Meanwhile, Rose Ada Okwechime received the Lifetime Achievement Award as a pioneer of a primary mortgage bank in Nigeria. Until her retirement, Okwechime was the founding Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abbey Mortgage Bank Plc, the premier and leading non-aligned primary mortgage bank in Nigeria. She was honoured for being a frontline Mortgage Banker in Nigeria’s financial landscape. The EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award was launched in West Africa in 2011, the EOY award was instituted to recognise and celebrate unique men and women who have combined ingenuity, hard work and perseverance to create and sustain successful growing businesses. The programme, a yearly global event, has enjoyed international recognition for over 30 years. Senior Partner and Entrepreneur of The Year Award leader for West Africa region, Ashish Bakhshi, while providing overview of the programme, said: “The EY Entrepreneur of The Year award brings together some of the finest and most accomplished entrepreneurs, some of whom have grown to become global market leaders in their fields of play. The shortlisted finalists undergo the final stage of judging by an independent fivemember panel of entrepreneurs, some of whom were past winners of the award. “They assess the finalists through criteria such as their entrepreneurial spirit and leadership, financials, innovation, as well as community impact, among others.” The top entrepreneurs were announced at a Gala/Award dinner on Thursday, March 16 with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo as Special Guest of Honour.

TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

CELEBRATING VICTORY... Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya being cheered by the people during a thank you rally in Gombe after he was declared winner of Governorship election, yesterday

Obaseki’ll Appreciate Edo People for House of Assembly Victory with More Infrastructural Projects, Says Aide Governor renews commitment to promote equality, inclusivity, urges stakeholders’ collaboration The Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, yesterday, commended Edo people for coming out en masse to vote and ensure victory for the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last Saturday’s House of Assembly elections in the state, reassuring that the governor would appreciate the people for their efforts, resilience and sacrifice with more infrastructural projects across the state. Osagie, said this during a live session held at the journalists’ situation room, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Benin City, which was anchored by the association’s chairman, Festus Alenkhe, and Adesuwa Ehimuan, Chairperson, Edo State Council of the Nigeria Association of Women

Journalists (NAWOJ). According to him, “The March 18 House of Assembly election was more representative of what the people voted and we thank Edo people for rising above the noise and propaganda and coming out en masse to vote for PDP and protecting their governor who cares about them and works for them night and day. He may not talk too much but they know he is working for them. “The sinister motive of the All Progressives Congress (APC) coming into the election was to come and remove the governor and that is such an irresponsible reason for contesting an election. How can you be trying to be a lawmaker just because you are planning a vendetta?

“We are very confident the PDP will have control of the house of assembly. We believe that we will have not less than 15/16 seats which is a comfortable majority and we will be able to conduct our affairs in a seamless way and allow the governor to focus on his work. “We are full throttle ahead. The governor will show his appreciation to Edo people who rose to his defense and provided a guarantee on his mandate, not just in words but action and ensure he does not betray their trust and belief,” he reassured. The governor’s media aide continued: “This governor has only one instrument to play politics - good governance - by working which has been his winning formula, unlike others who use violence,

thuggery, harassment, bribery, inducements, etc. “That's what you are going to be seeing in the next few months including road construction works continuing, infrastructure development continuing, enhancement of business environment intensified, new hotels spring up, new power companies set up as the federal government has made it now possible for the state government to do so, more tertiary institutions come on stream with massive recruitments, repositioning of state universities, and lots more." Decrying the manipulations during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, Osagie further charged the electoral body, "In the future, INEC should practice what they preach and make it known if

Bauchi Guber Poll: INEC Must Probe Cases of Over Voting, BVAS Compromise, Says APC Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to probe cases of over voting, massive electoral fraud, thuggery, harassment, intimidation, and widespread violence that characterised the Bauchi governorship election. The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, in a statement issued yesterday, also urged the electoral body to expeditiously investigate reports that its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was compromised in many polling units. Specifically, he said in Alkaleri, Kirfi, Toro, Warji, Ningi and Zaki Local Government Areas of Bauchi State recorded widespread violence, over voting and alleged massive rigging of the APC governorship candidate, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (rtd). The spokesperson noted that it was confusing that inexplicable massive figures were invented in polling units in which voting didn’t take place, and in which results were never collated. Morka said: "With indisputable cases of over-voting, massive electoral fraud, thuggery, harassment, intimidation, and widespread despicable violence that marred the Bauchi State Governorship election, the All Progressives

Congress (APC) calls stridently on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to expeditiously investigate reports that its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was compromised in many voting units and cancel invented results of affected polling units in the state." He stressed that extensive cancellations of polling units results in APC candidate’s strongholds were made without valid justification, except to depress his vote count and give undue advantage to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor, Bala Mohammed. Morka added: "Specifically in Alkaleri LGA, APC polling units’ agents were chased away by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs who took control of affected polling units and thumb-printed ballot papers without BVAS accreditation, and results were gratuitously awarded and written up without voting, as mandated by law. "The bogus “result” in the same Alkaleri LGA with recorded and verifiable over-voting, and in which INEC’s returning officer was molested and threatened at gunpoint to sign the “result” sheet was irregularly collated and used in the declaration of final result of the election in the state." Morka noted that in one of the many brazen cases recorded by polling unit agents, a reportedly

serving PDP Commissioner in the state was alleged captured buying votes in open and full glare of cameras, citizens, and assisted by security officials that bore a constitutional duty to arrest and take the criminal into custody for further investigation and prosecution. He said the ruling party rejected the invented election figures and INEC's declaration of the governor-

elect in Bauchi State. The party, therefore, called on INEC to cancel the election in the aforementioned local government area that were characterised by over-voting, destruction of electoral materials, harassment, intimidation, and widespread violence and other irregularities in line with its power to review declaration of result within seven days under Section 65 of the Electoral Act.

things will not work. They should be more responsible as their action has damaged the confidence of the average Nigerian voter and might even make some people lose interest in voting for a long time.” Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reaffirmed the government's commitment to promoting equality and inclusivity in the state. He therefore called for the support of all stakeholders to achieve a prosperous and progressive Edo State that is totally free from all forms of discrimination and prejudice. According to a statement, the governor gave the assurance in commemoration of the 2023 International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination marked yearly by the United Nations and its sister agencies. Obaseki, who described racial discrimination as a flagrant violation of human rights and a barrier to achieving equality, justice, and peace, said his government will sustain efforts at ensuring an equal opportunity for every Edo citizen to live their life to the fullest. He said, “As we mark the 2023 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to promoting equality, inclusion and social justice in Edo State. “Racial discrimination is a global issue that affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It is a flagrant violation of human rights,

which threatens our collective wellbeing and undermines our efforts to build a just and inclusive society, and requires the collaboration of all stakeholders to end the hydra-headed monster in all its forms.” Obaseki further noted, “As a government, we understand the dangers of societal discrimination and have taken deliberate steps to eliminate it in all its forms and guise and promote social justice and inclusiveness. “We are creating an enabling environment that guarantees equal opportunities for all our citizens to live their lives to the fullest, irrespective of their ethnicity, religion and gender. “We are also pursuing reforms and programmes to promote diversity in our workforce, improve access to education and healthcare and empower marginalised communities, thereby tackling inequalities and discrimination in our state.” According to the United Nations, “The 2023 theme of the International Day focuses on the urgency of combatting racism and racial discrimination, 75 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). “The UDHR states that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms, without distinction of any kind, such as race and colour, among others. However, racism and racial discrimination continue to affect people all over the world.”

26 Students Bag First Class as OndoVarsity Holds Convocation Fidelis David in Akure No fewer than 26 students of Ondo state-owned Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, would be graduating with first class honours during the first convocation ceremony of the institution. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, who disclosed this yesterday, at the press conference heralding the maiden convocation ceremony said the students were among 982 graduands to be awarded various degrees of the university. According to him, the 982 graduands were from five sets 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 session, while the breakdown showed that a total of 26 graduands made First

Class; 307 made Second Class Upper Division; 488 in Second Class Lower Division and 161 in Third Class. He said the event slated for March 25, would also feature the award of Doctor of Business Administration (Honours Causa) to the Chancellor of the University, and the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba (Dr.) Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan (Okoro Ajiga I). His words: "We would have a Convocation Lecture to be delivered by Emeritus Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan. The title of the lecture is “Transforming the Nigerian University System for Graduate Employability and Socio-economic Development.” Ologunorisa who stated that the university had become one of the most sought after in the country, said, "the university started with just one Faculty/School, which is the

School of Science, and two additional Schools – School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, and School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources in 2017. “Today, the university has five Faculties/Schools. These are: School of Science, School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Recourses, School of Management Sciences and School of Earth Sciences. "The university is noted for a very high academic standard. In the next academic session, 2023/2024, the School of Basic Medical Sciences will take off. The school will run courses in BSc. Nursing and BSc. Public Health. Also the BSc. Applied Geology programmes will also commence in 2023/2024 academic session in the School of Earth Science," he revealed. The VC disclosed that the Ondo

State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) was building a new School - School of Maritime Transport and Logistics at Ugbo Nla, in Ondo State southern senatorial district and the Maritime Academy would train the critical skilled manpower necessary to drive maritime industry and ultimately the blue economy of the state. "The school will run courses in the following areas: BSc. Nautical Science, BSc. Maritime Transport and Logistics, BSc. Marine Engineering, BSc. Shipping and Port Management, BSc. Marine, Economics and Finance and BSc. Maritime Security. “The state is in the process of establishing a deep sea port. This courses will also help to boost the local economy of the state aside from providing the critical manpower in the maritime industry currently short supply in Nigeria," he added.

TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

SOLO EXHIBITION AND BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION... L-R: Founder,Front Range Schools, Mrs. Ibidayo Sholoye; German Tourist, Dr. Stephan Ketten; Founder/ CEO, Nike Art Gallery, Chief . Nike Davies Okundayo; Exhibitor/ Celebrant, Royinjesu Akinyemi; German Tourist, Dr. Volkmar Hering; Mother of the Celebrant, Mrs. Adeola Akinyemi; with Oluwatitomi Akinyemi; and Curator, Artegun, Mr. Yusuf Durodola, at A Solo Exhibition and Birthday Celebration PHOTO; ETOP UKUTT tagged '' Beauty in Nature'' by Royinjesu Akinyemi held in Lagos… recently.

Lagos Governorship Elections Free, Fair, Say Foreign Observers Commend INEC for peaceful exercise Foreign Observers under the aegis of the International Police Chaplain Sustainable Development and Law Enforcement, USA, have marked the governorship election held in Lagos on Saturday, March 18, as free and fair. They however, commended Nigerians and the Independent

National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the peaceful conduct of the exercise, particularly, in Lagos State. The observers also commended Domestic and Foreign Observers, Civil Society Organisations, political parties, and other stakeholders, who showed the spirit of democracy

Russian/Ukraine War Poses Climate Change Challenge if Not Managed, Says CNA Udora Orizu in Abuja The Clerk of the National Assembly, Magaji Tambuwal has said the ongoing Russia-Ukrain war and other climate issues in the world posed great danger to world peaceful and a sustainable future if not properly managed. Speaking at a forum to commemorate this year's Commonwealth Day with the Theme, "Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future" in Abuja, Tambuwal who was represented by the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana, however said the recently established national climate change innovation hub would address inherent challenges in the area and also help the achieve their potentials. He recalled that the Common-

wealth Day was usually held on the second Monday of March every year, explaining that the event for the commemoration was shifted due to the 2023 general elections. The clerk also said the federal government had evolved some mechanisms to address climate change issues, adding that the youths would be included in the decision making process as well as developed a long term vision for zero gas emissions. In a presentation, the guest speaker, Mrs. Rabi Audu said concerted efforts should be made by the stakeholders towards forming a sustainable and peaceful environment. Audu also urged the youths to engage in activities and programmes that promoted innovations and inclusivity for all.

and patriotism to make the election a success. Head of the Police Chaplains Electoral Observation Mission in Nigeria, Ambassador Johaness Makouvia from Togo, gave the commendation yesterday during a news conference at Ikeja, Lagos. International Police Chaplain Sustainable Development and Law Enforcement is one of the Foreign Observers accredited by INEC to observe the just concluded general election in the country. Makouvia urged Nigerians, the federal government, political actors, and stakeholders to continue to

promote peace and stability to consolidate democracy and rule of law in Nigeria. “The IPCSL Mission reminds all sons and daughters of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that they remain the main actors in the development of their country and therefore, have an imperative to be natives of peace in all the states of their nation. “The IPCSL Mission commends the Nigerian people, the central government, political actors, and all stakeholders in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It urges them to continue to preserve the peace and stability to

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has approved the release of N14.9 million as grants to about 149 firemen in the state. The governor gave the approval in appreciation of their gallantry at arresting the inferno at Gamboru Market in Maiduguri over the weekend. The state was still battling with the rebuilding of the burnt Monday Market, which is expected to gulp several billions of naira, after it was consumed by inferno on the eve of the Presidential and National Assembly election.

Similarly, fire fighters from both Borno State and the Federal Fire Services did an outstanding job at the weekend, to ensure that the inferno that erupted at the Gamboru Market caused minimal damage. Zulum who paid a ‘thank you’ visit to headquarters of the Borno State Fire Service in Maiduguri on Sunday, told the firemen he was impressed with their gallantry. The governor said for their gallantry, he had approved the release of N14.9 million as grants to about 149 firemen operating under both the federal and state fire services. He said: “I am here purposely

form of protests. Makouvia, who urged INEC to continue to interact with political parties, Civil Society Organisations to strengthen the national fabric as well as collaboration between various international missions, recommended increased voters and civic education for the sustenance of national peace. The Mission deployed 182 observers from 13 countries including the United States, Denmark, Pakistan, Cameroon, Togo, Ghana and Niger Republic to 2,117 polling units across Nigeria during the 2023 general elections.

JAMB Commences Direct Entry Registration, to Close April 28 Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), yesterday disclosed that it has resumed the 2023 Direct Entry (DE) registration exercise. Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, who made this known during a press briefing in Abuja, said the DE registration would come to a close on April 28, 2023. While lamenting high level of forgery of A Level certificates used for the registration, Oloyede said

the Board has introduced new guidelines to checkmate such act. He said: "You will recall that the Board commenced the 2023 Direct Entry registration on Monday, 20th February, 2023, but had to immediately suspend it following the discovery of the plethora of devices and machinations to circumvent and compromise the standard of A ‘level qualifications required from DE candidates. "Recall that recent joint operations of the Federal Ministry of Education and the Independent Corrupt

Zulum Rewards 149 Firemen with N100,000 Each for Gallantry During Market Inferno Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

consolidate democracy and the rule of law, especially in a challenging socio-political context,” he said. While describing the election process as free and fair in Lagos, Ambassador Makouvia, however, condemned the tribal sentiments and violence recorded in parts of the state and some of the 2,117 polling units visited by the Mission Observers, across the country, with a call for peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians. He implored all aggrieved political parties to resort to legal means to seek redress in court, rather than fomenting trouble in

to convey my deep appreciation to all of you for the great work you have been doing. Yesterday (Saturday) we had another fire disaster at Gamboru market and I was informed of your efforts towards quenching the fire. This goes to show how committed you are and we want to once again extend our appreciation to you.” The beneficiaries comprised of 60 firemen working with Borno State Government, 49 working with the Federal Fire Service, as well as 38 volunteer-fire fighters. Zulum directed that each of the 149 fire men be given N100,000 and a bag of rice, as part of appreciation

from Borno State Government. Meanwhile, the governor has directed the employment of the 38 volunteer- firemen into the Borno State Fire Service as permanent staff. The volunteers, 20 of them with the Maiduguri International Hotel and 18 with Borno State Fire Service were offering supportive services without receiving salaries which permanent staff are entitled to. The governor also directed the management of Borno State Fire Service to immediately send to his office all of their requirements that would ensure the optimal performance of firemen in prevention and responses to fire incidents.

Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on DE qualifications brought to light some of these unsavoury and nefarious activities. " Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has also consistently brought to the fore the high rate of forgery of A’Level qualifications for DE. “For instance, it was discovered that, in previous years, some candidates used unacceptable and forged A’ level certificates/ qualifications to register for Direct Entry and eventually got admitted. For example, out 148 candidates verified by BUK, only six were found to be genuine. By implication 142 of the results were forged. "The Board, concerned stakeholders and institutions are working assiduously to detect such and the ones already found, are being dealt with according to the provisions of the law. "In order to further checkmate the anomaly and to also prevent recurrence of such irregularity, the Board has decided that the 2023 DE registrations will not only be restricted to JAMB (Professional Test Centres (PTCs) but will also be done under strict supervision. "The Board has provided additional guidelines to all DE registration outlets (JAMB-owned centres), Officers of the Board and candidates on the 2023 Direct Entry registration exercise. " At the point of registration, all candidates must fill in:Registration/Matriculation

Number of the previous school attended where the qualification was obtained; Subject(s) of qualification; Awarding Institution; Institution actually attended." Speaking further, Oloyede said the Board would only accept 13 qualifications/certificates for the 2023 Direct Entry registration exercise, which includes first degree, university diploma, Higher National Diploma (HND), Ordinary National Diploma / National Diploma (OND/ND) and Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE). Others are Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) A’ Level, Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board (JUPEB) A’ Level, NABTEB Advanced National Business Certificate (ANBC), NABTEB Advanced National Technical Certificate (ANTC), NABTEB GCE-A’ Level (2015 – 2021), Higher Islamic Studies Certificate (HIS) by NBAIS, International Baccalaureate (IBN) and the National Registered Nurse /National Registered Midwife (NRN/NRM)." The JAMB boss also revealed that the Data Bank put in place to address challenges associated with the A ’level qualifications has now been renamed “Nigeria Post-secondary Education Data System (NIPEDS)”. On the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Oloyede said JAMB has introduced new measures in the conduct of the exam and called for understanding.

TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

SUPPORTING WOMEN IN BUSINESS...

L-R: Founder, 360 Woman Africa, Yvonne Chioma Ofodile; representative and associate of the Chief Executive Officer, Elgazelle (Osato El-Osemwingie), Adelekan Lateefat; and Group Executive Director, African Industries, Uche Iwuamadi, presenting the first prize grant award to the winner of the 360 Women In Business Fund the Enterprise Summit and Grant Awards in Lagos…recently

CDD: Decreased Trust in INEC, Violence, Vote-buying Blighted States Polls Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Pro-democracy think tank, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) Election Analysis Centre (EAC) has pointed the decrease in trust in Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), violence and vote-buying as factors that affected the weekend governorship and state houses assembly elections across the

country. Speaking to journalists and election stakeholders during the post-election briefing in Abuja yesterday, Chairman of the CDD EAC, Professor Adele Jinadu and Director, Idayat Hassan said despite the improved conduct of the governorship and houses of assembly elections by INEC, the process was undermined by the combination of violence,

My Re-election is the Will of God, Says Bauchi Gov Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdukadir Mohammed has attributed his re-election to the will of God and a collective struggle of the common man who placed the interest of the state above their personal ones. This followed his declaration as the winner of Saturday’s gubernatorial election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Addressing journalists on the development, Governor Mohammed said he was honoured by the mandate given to him by the electorate and pledged commitment to consolidate on the success recorded during his first tenure.

He therefore, called on those who lose the election to support his administration’s move towards transforming the state. While soliciting for forgiveness from those offended during his electioneering, the governor noted that it was now time to face serious government business. Meanwhile, hundreds of supporters took to the streets of Bauchi metropolis to celebrate the victory of Governor Mohammed’s second term. The male and female supporters who were playing different political songs carried the governor’s billboards and posters while others were seen dancing and jubilating on the streets in the state capital.

vote-buying, online and offline intimidation of voters, disinformation and decreased citizens’ trust in INEC. The group stressed that despite INEC’s improved performance

The Young Progressives Party (YPP), Akwa Ibom State, has totally condemned and rejected the conduct of the governorship and State House of Assembly in the state, vowing to challenge the results in the court. At a press conference in Ùyo

Schneider Electric has unveiled cost-saving energy solution for Nigeria industries, while calling on industries to channel their attention to current building management systems for optimum operation. Speaking to journalists recently, the Product Application Engineer, Schneider Electric, Tunde Olumuyiwa, stated that as the Nigerian landscape has witnessed a surge of energy cost in the past years, the need to manage energy usage and minimise costs has become paramount, therefore increasing the demand for value adding energy solutions. He revealed the importance of using facility management solutions both with respect to cost effectiveness and sustainability goals. He further explained the challenge of energy costs can be solved with the EcoStruxure solutions and the benefits, noting

the acceptance of the results returned, particularly in races where a narrow margin of victory is recorded or where presidential results are not replicated at the sub-national level.”

yesterday, the state secretary of YPP, Ambassador Kelvin Umoh alleged massive rigging, intimidation , violence and killing executed by agents of the state government and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the conduct of the elections. “Not only do we seek redress against the misconduct of the polls;

we are also calling for dispassionate action against all perpetrators of evil on that Election Day and for those who killed innocent souls to face justice,” he said. Umoh, who said the elections were “not the will of the electorate In Akwa Ibom State” noted that reports from YPP agents, voters and independent observers corraborated

by credible intelligence have given evidence that the elections were rigged against the will of electorate. The YPP secretary also alleged that fake security personnel, who dressed in police, military and para-military uniforms, were used against YPP agents and supporters in polling units and registration area centres across the state.

Folarin Congratulates Makinde, Urges Supporters to Remain Calm supporters and party members Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last election, Senator Teslim Folarin, yesterday, congratulated Governor Seyi Makinde over his victory at the poll. This is just as the former Senate Leader, in a statement made available, urged his

to remain calm, adding that he was studying the election results. Makinde won in 31 local government areas with a total of 563,756 votes to defeat Folarin, who won in two local government areas and scored 256,685 votes,while the governorship candidate of Accord Party, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, came third with a total

of 38,357 votes. Folarin’s statement read in part: “All Glories and Adorations are due to Almighty God for His Grace and for preserving our lives throughout the 2023 electioneering process. “I would like to express my sincere appreciations to Oyo State electorate for their support for all APC candidates on March 18th elections. May God Bless

you all. “To whom much is given, much is expected. It is on this note that I am offering my solemn gratitude to leaders and members of our great party,APC; the coalition parties, candidates of other political parties that worked for us, volunteers, the press as well as individuals that contributed to the Itesiwaju Ipinle Oyo 2023 project.

Kwara NNPP Guber Candidate Congratulates AbdulRazaq on Re-election Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The New Nigerian Peoples Party

that the EcoStruxure solutions are designed to minimize energy consumption while maximizing performance management in buildings and industries power systems. According to him, “With the EcoStruxure Building Operation (EBO) and Power Monitoring Expert (PME), fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), hospitality, manufacturing, and construction businesses can efficiently track and manage energy consumption, monitor building systems, observe energy use, combine data from all energy assets, and access real time and past data with easy-to-use analytics from a central point. “The EBO and PME solutions simultaneously solves customer related problems- from lighting, air conditioning, plumbing and water monitoring, access, and security-EcoStruxure provides a value added package inclusive and tailored to a customer’s specific need.”

the 18 March process and their engagement in it. According to the CDD, “diminished trust in INEC as an institution will shape wider perceptions when it comes to

YPP Rejects A’Ibom Guber, House of Assembly Election Results Okon Bassey inUyo

governorship candidate in Schneider Electric Unveils (NNPP) Kwara State for the last Saturday elections, Prof New Energy Solution governorship Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem, UgoAliogo

during these elections, the perceived questionable credibility of the conduct of presidential and National Assembly polls in the minds of many voters has shaped how Nigerians viewed

has congratulated Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of the All Progressives Congress

(APC) over his reelection. AbdulRaheem, in a telephone conversation with Governor AbdulRazaq on his electoral victory at the polls which was obtained by journalists yesterday, described the victory as a reflection of the people’s acceptance of the governor’s mode of administration. He thanked the people of the

state, particularly the traditional rulers, the academia, students and business community as well as the Mekunu supporters, for believing in the future of the state. According to him, his motives in politics were altruistic while he seeks support for the governor in ensuring that Kwara State witnesses more socio-political

and economic transformation. Abdulrasaq, in his response, thanked Prof AbdulRaheem for his call and display of political magnanimity. He expressed his confidence that a conducive environment would be created where the duo would operate on common ground in the interest of the state.

Ovia West Women Protest Inconclusive Election in Edo said they wanted the electoral umpire by agents allegedly loyal to the At the INEC office, spokesperson AdibeEmenyonuinBeninCity

Protest erupted at the Independent NationalElectoralCommissionofficein Benin City, when women from Ovia South-west Constituency,protested the declaration of election in the area as inconclusive by the Returning Officer, Prof. Francis Omoruyi. The women during the protest,

to declare the APC candidate, Sunday Aghedo as the winner of last Saturday’s state assembly election. The protest was on the heels of call by the chairman of Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), Dr. Samson Isibor, who alleged irregularities in several voting centres and massive vote-buying

Peopels Democratic Party (PDP) led government in parts of Edo South senatorial district, Edo Central and Edo North. He said the coalition would consider legal options to address the situation if the electoral umpire allowed the noticed irregularities unaddressed.

of the women, Mrs.Angela Okpame, while commending INEC for the conduct of the said: “We voted for Hon Sunday Aghedo in 2019 he was denied inauguration and so for four years, Ovia South West had no representation and by 2023, God did it again, we voted for him again to return to the house.

Ekiti Assembly Poll: Group Commends INEC, Says BVAS Best for Nigeria Gbenga Sodeinde in AdoEkiti The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the people of Ekiti State have been commended for a peaceful and credible election during Saturday election.

Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC), a leading human rights coalition that monitored the Saturday poll, specifically commended INEC performance, the public and government in Ekiti State. The NHRC specifically noted that “the peaceful

conduct of the election and the non-interference of the various institutions, including the political and security operatives, have left a remarkable milestone worthy of emulation in other states of the federation.” The group commended

INEC for the introduction of BVAS, saying it is the hope for Nigerians’ search for elections that meet international standards. NIHRC said it would produce a comprehensive account of the election to be distributed to local and international communities.

TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

COLLABORATING ON FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS…

President, Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certiﬁed Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki(left), and Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Oﬀences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, during CIFCFIN’s courtesy visit to ICPC’s corporate headquarters, Abuja…recently

Three Killed, Four Injured as Soldiers, Policemen Clash in Jalingo Wole Ayodele in Jalingo Three people, including two policemen and a civilian, were killed yesterday morning in Jalingo, Taraba State, as soldiers and policemen clashed at the state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), venue

of the governorship election results collation centre. Besides, two soldiers and two policemen also sustained varying degrees of injuries, two of whom underwent emergency surgeries at the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo and the Specialist Hospital also in Jalingo.

Ogun LP Congratulates Abiodun on Re-election, Lauds INEC

James Sowole in Abeokuta

The Ogun State Chapter of Labour Party (LP), under the leadership of Mr. Micheal Asade, has congratulated Governor Dapo Abiodun on his re-election for another four -year tenure as governor of the state, saying his victory did not come as a surprise. The LP also described Abiodun’s victory as sweet and well deserved. It also commended the people of the state for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 governorship election. The LP message was contained in a statement signed by its Acting Natiinal Publicity Secretary, Mr. Abayomi Arabambi. Arabambi praised the INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and other management

staff of the commission, which according to the party, lived up to expectations in the discharge of their constitutional role. He also commended the security agencies and the entire residence of the state for coming out to discharge their constitutional role. “The victory is a confirmation of the elevation of truth over falsehood, reality over deception and full defeat of the amalgamation of principalities and powers in political equation of Ogun State and shut up victory against serial betrayers who had before now assumed and ascribed the status of “Supreme God Almighty” but by this victory of Gov Dapo Abiodun, this bunch of disjointed political misfits and despots are now confined to the political dust bin of history.

The two sides engaged in a fierce exchange of gunfire and sporadic firing of teargas canisters causing residents of the area and passers-by to run helter-skelter scampering for

Justice Ibironke Harrison of the Lagos High Court at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) yesterday granted bail to the Medical Director of Excel Medical Centre, Dr. Ferdinand Orji, pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction. Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the Lagos High Court had in Charge number: LD/8963C/2019m sentenced Dr. Orji to one year imprisonment for negligence, and causing grievous harm to his patient. However, Orji in an application filed by his counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), prayed the court to admit him on bail pending the determination of his appeal challenging the judgement of the court. Ruling on the application, Justice Harrison held that the granting of bail is at the discretion of the court which should be exercised judiciously and judicially. The court noted that for the application to succeed, the applicant must show special circumstances

The court, in considering the health condition of the defendant/ applicant, held that exhibit 1, 2 and 3 which are his medical report were obtained before his sentence. The court also examined and considered the Medical Report of Nigerian Correctional Service dated on February 21, 2023, which was submitted to the court. Justice Harrison found that the Medical Report of Nigerian Correctional Service of February 21, 2023, showed that the applicant is a known hypertensive patient and on daily medication with a restrictive diet. However, the court noted that contrary to the deposition of the defendant/applicant’s affidavit that he had a diagnosis of Adrenal Tumor, the Nigerian Correctional Service did not mention such, adding that the Medical Report of the Nigerian Correctional Service did not also state that the defendant/applicant’s health is complicated and that they cannot manage it.

6th Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the Director of State Services (DSS) that only one policeman was killed, THISDAY confirmed authoritatively that corpses of

two policemen were deposited at the morgue of Specialist Hospital while a yet-to-beidentified middle aged man was also killed after being hit by a stray bullet.

Katsina PDP Threatens to Sanction Shema, Supporters over Anti-party Activities Francis Sardauna inKatsina The Katsina State Chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has threatened to sanction a former governor of the state, Mr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema, and his supporters for alleged anti-party activities. The Chairman of PDP, Mr. Lawal Danbaci, disclosed this yesterday at a press conference in Katsina, where he said that the party would

examine and follow its constitution to sanction all those involved in anti-party activities. Danbaci said: “We will follow our party’s constitution to sanction whoever is involved in anti-party activities.” Also, the Director General of the state’s PDP Campaign Council, Dr. Mustapha Muhammed Inuwa, accused Shema and his supporters of working against the PDP during

the March 18 governorship and House of Assembly’s elections. He explained that virtually all Shema’s foot soldiers defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that the PDP leader was waiting for the swearing in of the Governor-elect, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, to join APC. Meanwhile, Shema and his former aides have received Radda and his Deputy, Mr. Faruq Lawal

Jobe, on a courtesy call at his residence in Katsina in the wee hours of yesterday. Radda and his entourage were received by the PDP leader and his former chief of staff and House of Representatives member-elect for Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency, Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri, Mr. Idi Kwado, Bishir Tanimu, Lawal Dankaba, Rabiu Gambo Bakori, among others.

Outcome of Ondo Assembly Election Affirms Unshaken Confidence in my Administration, Says Akeredolu

Fidelis DavidinAkure

Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has described the outcome of the March 18, 2023, House of Assembly election in the state as an eloquent testimony to the degree of acceptance of his administration

by the people of the State. The party won 22 out of the 26 State constituencies. It also won all the three Senatorial seats in the state, cleared eight out of the nine House of Representatives seats. The governor, who said the impressive performance of the All Progressives Congress

(APC) in the state was an unequivocal affirmation of unshaken confidence reposed in his administration, pointed that Ondo APC under him recorded the highest percentage of votes cast (67 per cent) for the APC and the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, nationwide.

Akeredolu in a statement made available to Journalists through his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde ,also congratulated the people of the state for the peaceful conduct of the House of Assembly election while saluting voters for voting for the candidates of their choice without rancor and violence.

Come, Join Me to Build Gombe of Our Dream, Says Re-elected Gov Segun AwofadejiinGombe

Gombe State Governor, Mr. Court Grants Post-conviction The Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who reelected for another four years Bail to Medical Doctor was has extended hands of fellowship by affidavit evidence. WaleIgbintade

safety. Though the Taraba State Commissioner of Police, Suleiman Yusuf, told journalists at a joint press briefing with the Brigade Commander of

to those he defeated at the polls and urged them to team up with him to move the state forward. Yahaya stated that “as in every

electoral contest, there is bound to be winners and losers. But for me, there is no victor and no vanquished. “If the ultimate objective of all political parties and contestants is about the peace, progress and development of Gombe State, it behooves on all of them to support us in moving our dear

state forward. On my part, I’m ready to work with all stakeholders in running an all-inclusive government for the benefit of our people.” He said in his acceptance speech on Sunday that “this victory is not Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s or APC’s victory alone. It is a victory for all citizens of Gombe State.

“The roads, hospitals, schools and other development projects and dividends of democracy we provided over the past four years (and which we shall continue to provide) are not for the benefit of our supporters alone, but for the benefit of all citizens of Gombe State irrespective of ethnic, religious or partisan affiliations.”

Police Arrest 26 ElectoralExhibits Offenders in Benue Assembly elections last Saturday. recovered from them promised to deal with the suspects

George Okoh inMakurdi

Despite series of engagements and warnings to members of the public on the dangers of electoral offences, the police in Makurdi, Benue State, have arrested some recalcitrant persons engaged in violence during the last gubernatorial and state

According to the state Police Pubic Relation Officer, (PPRO), CSP Sewuese Anene, 26 suspects were arrested across the state for various offences, including political thuggery, illegal possession of firearms, snatching of ballot boxes and intimidation of voters.

included three locally made pistols, cutlasses, knives and wraps of substance suspected to be Indian hemp. While condemning these acts, the state Commissioner of Police, Wales Abass, ordered detailed investigation into these cases, and

in accordance with the laws. The CP enjoined the people of Benue State to go about their normal activities and be assured that the Police Command is committed to the protection of lives and property during and after elections.

Youths Group Advocates Power Rotation for Fairness, Justice in Kogi

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

A youths group, Kogi Youths Ambassador (KYA), has appealed to the Kogi State Government and the political stakeholders as a matter of equity, fairness and justice to allow a rotational system or power shift to Kogi West without rancour.

This appeal came on the heel of the coming governorship primaries and subsequent gubernatorial elections in May and November this year respectively. The state Coordinator of KYA, Abdulsalam A. Ozianda, who made this appeal while addressing journalists in Lokoja yesterday, explained that without

equity, fairness there can never be justice, stressing that the nature of Kogi State as a multiethnic state requires rotation and equitable distribution of resources. He pointed out that the youths group has been in existence for a long time and has been in the vanguard of equity, fairness and justice,

saying there is equity, there will be fair play, and there will be justice for all. The group leader added that the slogan of the Kogi Youth Ambassador is Equity, Fairness and Justice, adding that the group has been in the forefront of preaching peace, unity, equity and justice across the state.

TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺͻ ˾ T H I S D AY

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Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Onuachu, Musa, Others Swell Eagles Camp to 16 as Team Train Guinea Bissau expected to fly into Abuja on Wednesday 2 0 2 3 A F C O N Q UA L I F I E R S Duro Ikhazuagbe

Paul Onuachu of Southampton, Brentford midfielder, Frank Onyeka and Turkish Sivasspor winger, Ahmed Musa were the addition to the Super Eagles list of players that have arrived training camp in Abuja to swell the squad to 16. Seven other players were being expected as at the time of filing this report at 9.50pm last night. Super Eagles had their first training session with Portuguese Head Coach, Jose Peseiro in charge yesterday evening. Other players that featured in the training include; Kevin Akpoguma, Joe Aribo, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Francis Uzoho, Wilfred Ndidi, Kenneth Omeruo as well as fresh invitees Daniel Bameyi and Chijioke Aniagboso Both Bameyi and Aniagboso were in the Flying Eagles who finished third and qualified for the U20 World Cup in Indonesia

later this year. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s opponents in the 2023 AFCON qualifying tournament, Djurtus of Guinea Bissau are expected to touch down in Abuja tomorrow, Wednesday, March 22, 2023. THISDAY learnt that the team changed earlier plans to storm Nigeria today for Wednesday as part of their plot to unsettle the hosts ahead of their first leg clash at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja. Super Eagles are on maximum six points from their defeats of Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe, with the Djurtus in second place on four points from their defeat of Sao Tome and Principe and draw with the Leone Stars. The Guineans however are hoping to upturn the form book with a minimum four out of six against the former African Champions and make qualification into the main tournament much easier before the final match days.

...NFF Clears Air on Finidi, Shorounmu’s Absence from Eagles’ Bench Super Eagles players taking instructions from Head Coach, Jose Peseiro (third right) during team's ﬁrst training session at the MKO Stadium in Abuja... yesterday

IMC Praises Rivers Utd’s Confederation Cup Performance The Head of Operations of the Interim Management Committee (IMC), Davidson Owumi, has congratulated the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) cup holders, Rivers United for reaching the quarter finals stage of the CAF Confederation Cup after a 2-2 draw at home to Diables Noir

of Congo Brazzaville. Owumi said the performance of the nation's representatives in Group B of the CAF Club competition has so far shown that they have the capacity as a team in both personnel and organisation to win the competition. Rivers United on Sunday

secured a place in the quarterfinals of the 2022/2023 CAF Confederation Cup on MatchDay 5 of the group fixtures at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. "Rivers United have represented the league very well and they have so far shown that the

BetKing Announces New Partnership with Ikorodu City FC Leading sports betting and digital entertainment company, BetKing, has signed a partnership agreement with Ikorodu City FC in a bid to encourage sports development at the grassroots level. The announcement was made recently at a press briefing hosted by BetKing at its Headquarters on Victoria Island, Lagos. This partnership, according to the sports betting company, is an effort to reaffirm BetKing’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of local sports in communities within Nigeria. Ultimately, the partnership will support the football club’s plans to become the leading team and compete with their peers nationally. It will also provide capacity building for the players and an opportunity for them to reach their full potential, thereby contributing to the advancement of grassroots

sports in the country. Commenting on the partnership, the Managing Director of KingMakers, Gossy Ukanwoke, “At BetKing, we are committed to sports development and driving the growth of grassroots football here in Nigeria. Our commitment is expressed in this partnership with Ikorodu City FC. We are very happy to be backing a team that wins, which is one of our ethos as a company- we are winners and kings and hope that Ikorodu City FC will also become kings. He stressed that, “With this partnership, we will work closely together to build future stars and create opportunities to grow and make a difference. By extension, the company will continue to invest in local sports development, youth empowerment, health, education, and other initiatives that improve the socio-economic well-being of

individuals and communities,” he concluded. Also speaking on the partnership, Vice President, Ikorodu City FC, Adeyemi Doherty said: “I want to sincerely thank BetKing for partnering us. What BetKing has done is laudable, and we hope other organisations take a cue from them. This partnership will not only contribute to sports talent development but open doors for national exposure. As you invest and build confidence in us, we will be as transparent and honest as possible. We are pleased with this partnership and look forward to its continuity." Since BetKing’s entry into the Nigerian market in 2018, the company has made significant contributions to the socioeconomic transformation of Nigeria through several initiatives spanning youth and women empowerment, sports, health, and education.

team can go all the way and possibly win the competition which Nigeria hasn't won in many years", remarked Owumi. He commended the club Management and sponsors, saying, "the results could not have been possible without adequate motivation of the playing personnel by the Management. It is also a product of the work of the Technical Crew that assembled the squad and the players themselves. "We congratulate everyone who has played a role, including the owners of the host stadium in Uyo that has provided them a home away from home". ASEC Mimosas stunned Motema Pembe 2-1 to join Rivers United at the top to take the battle for group leadership to April 2when they host Rivers United on the final match day.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has said that the news making the round that it has sacked the duo of Finidi George and Ike Shorounmu from the technical team of the Super Eagles as untrue. In a statement issue by the Head of Media Department of NFF, Ademola Olajire yesterday, it read: “As part of cost-cutting measures instituted at the beginning of the new administration, we established a rotation policy among the assistant coaches, based on the high number, which was agreed with all of them. The last time that the team had a programme, Mr. Finidi George was the person who travelled for the friendly match in Portugal. This rotation policy is only for matches. When there is a tournament, all of them will be with the team. “He (Finidi) knew at that time that the next trip would be that of Mr. Usman Abdallah. Abdallah is simply taking his turn to be in the camp for the programme of Super Eagles Vs Djurtus of Guinea Bissau, and Mr. George will be around for

the next programme,” observed Olajire. He stressed that the other coach who ought to be in contention for the trip, Salisu Yusuf has been seconded to the U23 team. “The other person who could have been contending, Mr. Salisu Yusuf, has been sent to the U23 team. There was no victimization, sleight of hand or any disrespect meant to our illustrious ex-international players. “The case of goalkeepers’ trainer, Ike Shorounmu is somewhat peculiar, as the former Nigeria goalkeeper showed a clear lack of desire to be in camp for the matches against Guinea Bissau. “We do not want to go into any details because we have the utmost respect for all our ex-internationals, including Mr. Shorounmu. It was only when we got the clear signal that he was unwilling to come, and the Head Coach was in a quandary, that he (Coach Peseiro) requested for the services of Olatunji Baruwa, who he had seen at work during the U20 AFCON in Egypt, to help do the work of training the goalkeepers,” he concluded.

Infantino Showers Encomiums on Late Mabo President of world footballgoverning body, FIFA, Mr. Gianni Infantino has described the former Super Falcons’ Head Coach, Ismaila Mabo who died recently as “one of the best coaches of his generation.” In a letter of condolence that he personally signed and addressed to President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on 20th March 2023, Infantino expressed, on behalf of the international football community, FIFA’s deepest sympathy to the NFF, family, friends and loved ones on the passing of

the titan. “I would like to express my sincerest and heartfelt condolences on the passing of the former women’s national team coach, Mabo Ismaila. Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel for this loss. Former international player with regular appearances in the senior national team, he notably defended the colours of Mighty Jets FC in the late 1960s and 1970s. “As a coach, Mabo Ismaila led the senior women national team, the Super Falcons, to the quarter finals of the FIFA Women’s World

Cup in 1999, to two Olympic Football Tournaments in 2000 and 2004, as well as to the 1998- and 2000-women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles. “Considered as one of the best coaches of his generation, inspiration to younger generations of coaches, having contributed to the growth of women’s football in the country and around the world, his legacy and achievements, and in particular his personality, his loyalty and his human qualities will not be forgotten and he will be truly missed.”

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

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George to Lagos APC Thugs

“In democracy, you can’t force anybody on the people. With what happened on Saturday, Lagos is now the centre of ‘wetie’, with thugs on the rampage, attacking innocent citizens. Those responsible for this despicable act should be ashamed of themselves and must be brought to justice. I watched videos of armed thugs moving from polling units to units, telling people not to come out and vote if they were not voting for APC. What an aﬀront! What an insult!” --Lagos PDP chieftain, Olabode George, decries that our democracy is now in shambles.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

Nigeria: Beyond The Elections N

igerians looked forward to their just concluded State elections – Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly - held on Saturday March 18, with fervent hope that their expectations would be met. They had managed to survive the Presidential and National Assembly elections of February 25 which resulted in controversy, protests, and two of the major parties heading to the Presidential Election Tribunal to challenge the process and the declaration of the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President-elect. Both local and international observers, with the striking exception of Federal Government spokespersons – Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Mallam Garba Shehu and of course, APC supporters, had dismissed the election as “flawed”, “far short of international standards.” The Presidential candidates of the PDP- Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party – Peter Obi called for the cancellation of the Presidential election. In general, questions were raised about the failure of INEC to abide by enabling laws and its own regulations and guidelines, the failure in particular of the Bimodal Voters’ Accreditation System (BVAS), and INEC not keeping to its promise to upload results to its results viewing portal in real time; there were also challenges arising from voter intimidation and logistics, the dominance of ethnicity and religion as deciding factors, vote buying despite the scarcity of cash at the time due to the Central Bank’s Naira redesign policy, violence across many states – Lagos, Rivers, Taraba, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Kogi, Bayelsa, FCT, Enugu, Osun, Ondo and Ogun, the wanton violation of the law by prominent figures displaying their ballot papers at polling units. In that election, voting had to be rescheduled in 141 polling units in Bayelsa state, where BVAS machines had been carted away or materials did not arrive on time or not at all. The general word of advice to INEC is that it should address whatever technical glitches that affected the polls on February 25, and that the security agencies should improve on their performance. Public expectation was further raised by the fact that INEC approached the Court to reconfigure BVAS in readiness for the next elections and having been granted leave to do so, it subsequently postponed the state elections from March 11 to March 18, thus gaining more time. Indeed, INEC and the security agencies after a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security assured Nigerians that all would be well on March 18- a far more demanding election covering elections in 28 states, 1, 021 constituencies, and over 930 candidates. Nigerians are incurable optimists, but their enthusiasm was subdued on March 18, as seen in the emergent reports of voter apathy and low voter turn-out. On the streets of Rivers state, young men chose to play football on the streets. In Yenagoa, Bayelsa people went to the markets as if there was no restriction of movement on election day. The observed shortcomings of the February 25 process robbed many of faith that their votes would count. Nevertheless, INEC officials arrived early in most parts of the country. Where voting commenced early, there were no reports of “big men” displaying their ballot papers. INEC also did a better job of uploading results to its portal, even if in other places, voters were told pointedly that there would be no uploading of results and that all results would be taken to the state collation centres. To be fair, the law does not expressly state how INEC should upload election results. However, in terms of general atmosphere and outcomes, during and after the voting, the March 18 elections were worse. This has been attributed to the fact that the professional political class had seen how the political map of the country was significantly altered after the February 25 elections. Labour Party, a movement

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu that had been revived only a few months earlier in 2022, won 36 seats in the House of Representatives, four seats in the Senate, and practically swept the polls in the South East. The Labour Party further accomplished the feat of beating the ruling APC in Lagos State, the stronghold of the APC Presidential candidate. Strong, established politicians were also defeated including Senator Philip Aduda who had been in the Senate for a record four terms, Senators Abubakar Bagudu, Gabriel Suswam, Tanko Al-Makura, Uche Ekwunife, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Kabiru Gaya, Stella Oduah, Biodun Olujimi, Bashiru Ajibola. And in the House of Representatives – Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Hon. Nkeruika Onyejeocha. These are political heavyweights but they were defeated. In addition, incumbent Governors seeking a trip to the Senate – the usual retirement, idling destination for former Nigerian Governors were disappointed: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ben Ayade (Cross River) Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi) Samuel Ortom (Benue), Simon Lalong (Plateau), and Darius Ishaku (Taraba). Ahead of the March 18 elections, President Buhari made it clear that there would be no such thing as the annulment of election as happened in 1993. Whoever is aggrieved should go to the courts. Nigerians have mixed feelings about the judiciary. The manner in which those who were declared winners trumpeted the phrase: “let us meet in court” further deepened suspicions. Given this scenario, it turned out that politicians went to the March 18 polls with greater desperation. Nobody wanted to leave anything to chance. The received wisdom in Nigerian politics is that it is better to win by any means possible, collect the Certificate of Return and allow the aggrieved persons to complain and file petitions. By the way, it is not every loser in an election that would seek legal redress: lawyers don’t come cheap during election seasons in Nigeria! It is their own stomach infrastructure moment too. Hence, what we witnessed on March 18 in most parts of the country was war, with dosages of violence, death, pathos, and burlesque. Every identifiable bane of Nigerian politics was on full display. Violence - in Imo State, INEC officials were kidnapped, and later rescued, persons were killed in Gboko South LGA, Benue state, also in Ibiono Ibom, Akwa Ibom State, in Lagos, persons were killed, macheted, and journalists from Arise News, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), AIT, and celebrities were brutalized by hoodlums and criminal gangs who took over the streets and threatened to harm anyone who voted for any party other than the ruling party.

In Rivers, gunmen invaded Elibrada Community in Emohua Local government, and killed three persons, two others were killed in Bori, Khana LGA. In the same Rivers state, the APC Campaign Director, Chisom Lennard was abducted and later shot dead in Ahoada West LGA. In Ebonyi, the state Chairman of the PDP was beaten to a state of coma. He died from injuries. Two persons were killed in Ethiope West, LGA, Delta State. By the morning of March 19, the media was reporting over 30 deaths. To win an election, those seeking leadership positions were ready to kill the same people they promised to serve! INEC and its officials and equipment were equally a special target: In Taraba, Lagos, Rivers, Kebbi, Benue, and Delta, BVAS machines were snatched, ballot boxes were either stolen and carted way or set ablaze as in the Ojo LGA of Lagos State. It must be added though that INEC officials have been accused of malpractices. In Owerri North LGA of Imo State and in parts of the North, INEC officials were caught helping to thumb-print ballot papers in favour of political parties of their choice. The reign of impunity has since continued. On Sunday evening, thugs invaded the LGA Collation Centre in Obingwa, Abia State. There was so much tension in Kano State, the state government had to declare a curfew yesterday. The people defied it. In Delta State, the collation of results was delayed because INEC officials had been held hostage in Ughelli North, allegedly on the orders of a powerful Gubernatorial candidate. After the announcement of the Gubernatorial result in Nasarawa state yesterday, people took to the streets in protest. Both the PDP and APGA in that state believe that the results were manipulated in favour of the APC. Vote buying/Voter inducement: It has been reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by March 18 had arrested more than 65 suspects involved in vote buying. The sad news is that in some of the states, cash was given out in the open, with policemen in attendance, looking the other way. The performance of the security agencies varied. The police were happy to be on duty. In fact, in some states, it was reported that they helped hoodlums to snatch ballot boxes. The Supreme Court had ruled that old redesigned notes should remain legal tender, and before March 18, the CBN had formally directed all deposit money banks to comply. Unlike February 25, there was money to go round on election day, March 18. Poverty became a stronger weapon in the hands of politicians. Voter suppression: this was also a big problem, what rankles was the brazenness and the variety of it. The most obvious was the deployment of criminal gangs in various parts of the country, especially Lagos, Rivers, and Delta. In Delta, there is a video of Mr. Fred Ajudua telling voters in Ibuzo: “If you are not voting PDP, stay in your house”. It was worse in Lagos where ahead of the election, traditional rulers in the state announced a traditional Oro festival, telling women and non-indigenes to stay indoors at certain hours. When public outcry made that impossible, thugs and touts were deployed to the streets to tell the people how to vote or face the consequences. On election day, the same thugs took charge. Polling units were relocated either to the main road where thugs could have easy access, or to traditional palaces. One traditional ruler locked the gates to his estate. In areas that had been identified as strongholds of the Labour Party on February 25, Igbos were prevented from voting. It was said that Lagos is for the indigenes, and that Igbo tenants and settlers should not think of dictating who becomes Governor in Lagos. It was absurd and crude. Yet, this election strategy has been defended by otherwise educated and intelligent people. My friend and brother, Femi Fani-Kayode has written a piece in which he says Lagos belongs to Yoruba people and Igbos should return to their own land. He even says Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour (Labour Party), a Yoruba, cannot be Governor in Yorubaland because his mother is Igbo. Coming from FFK, who defended Nnamdi Kanu, and who has four smart, good-looking sons

from an Igbo woman, I can only say that I am flabbergasted. This is what politics does to us? Bayo Onanuga, co-founder and Managing Director of The News, former MD of NAN and seasoned journalist is an Ijebu-Ode man but working for APC, he has been arguing that he has no apologies for saying that Igbos should not interfere in Lagos politics. A settler in Lagos telling another settler to mind his business in Lagos? But the part of the elections of March 18 that I found even more curious was the spiritual side of it. In Lagos, spirituality and occultism were thrown into the mix. How widespread this was may not be easy to establish but at least we can quote a few examples. In Lagos, there is a video in circulation showing some Lagos Chiefs at a shrine called “Oju Alale”, literally the shrine for the worship of the founders of the community, raining curses on Igbos in Lagos and praying for the incumbent Governor’s victory in the election. On election day, some cultists dressed in complete secret society habiliments were seen in Ikeja shouting “Agan o, Agan o” and warning non-indigenes not to vote foolishly. In Oyo state, members of a syncretic church were also shown raining incantations on a small ram and praying that Senator Teslim Folarin must win the Oyo State Gubernatorial election. Folarin did not win. I believe the remains of that ram ended up in the bellies of the Pastors. Only God knows how many animals lost their lives at ritual conclaves because Nigeria held an election in 2023. I have tried, thus far, to document the highlights of March 18 for record purposes. But what next for Nigeria? I argued in this same space last week, that despite the avalanche of litigations that would arise, not much would change. Dr. Chidi Odinkalu says the next round of voting is by the judiciary. It is unfortunate that it is the judiciary that would determine a matter that should be the actual prerogative of the electorate. But given the nature of our election jurisprudence, the judiciary cannot cure all the ills that we have seen. Apparently, Nigerians have not learnt any lessons from the errors of the past. In 2007, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua publicly confessed that the 2007 process that brought him into power was flawed. He pledged to correct the situation. His successor, President Goodluck Jonathan kept that promise in 2011, and again in 2015. Between then and now, all the gains have been erased, and we seem to have returned to the pre-1999 era. What is the way forward? One, the task of electoral reform is not yet over. It has just started. The emergence of the Electoral Act 2022 generated a lot of excitement but these elections have exposed many loopholes in it. It has to be reviewed. Two, we are far from where we should be with regard to technology. BVAS, IREV sounded like nice phrases, but they triggered more problems. Is Nigeria ready for technology or we are just gambling? Three, the independence of the electoral body must be addressed. INEC’s integrity is a major issue today. Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor, and former Minister of Transportation has blown the whistle that the INEC Chair, Professor Yakubu Mahmood was nominated by someone close to the President-elect and that he once worked with Governor Wike at the Federal level. Wike probably knew this all along, but he is now speaking up because it is convenient for him to condemn the same government he served. What we can take from his protest is that going forward, INEC Chair, Commissioners, and Returning Officers should never be appointees or nominees of the ruling government and party. We have to go back to the Uwais Commission Report! Above all, electoral offenders must be punished. We must re-open the conversation about the need for an Electoral Offences Commission, passed by the Senate in July 2021, blocked by the House of Representatives. But now here we are, with thugs all over the place, from INEC officials to palaces, worship places, to social media, making Nigerian democracy a joke. And how can this country find healing and reconciliation after all the wounds inflicted on all fronts in this electoral season?

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