The frivolous nature of some of the importations in the country came into focus on Friday, July 19, 2024.
This followed the display of seized imported 12,000 pieces of machetes and cutlasses, expired pharmaceutical products and frozen chicken by the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service NCS.
The seized items with a street value of over N292 million, were laden in seven containers.
The interception was done on Thursday July 18, 2024, according to the Comptroller of the Apapa Port Command of the NCS, Babatunde Olomu.
While parading the seized contraband items, Olomu noted that the products imported are clearly against schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff CET, and equally violets section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Act of 2023.
“On Thursday, July 17, 2024, the Command seized 2x40ft containers carrying 12,000 pieces of cutlasses and machetes ,2x40ft container carrying 4,129 packages of frozen chicken, 1x40ft container carrying 368 jumbo bales of used clothing and 1x40ft container of expired pharmaceutical products “the Comptroller stated.
According to him, the cutlasses and machetes were imported from China, while the expired pharmaceutical drugs and frozen chicken came in from India and Turkey respectively.
The feat was achieved with the assistance of actionable intelligence, as well as the uncompromising posture of Customs operatives towards a one hundred percent examination of consignments before leaving the port and or terminal.
Comptroller Olomu vowed that the Command will not relent in its resolve to enforce all extant rules governing declaration of consignments, concealment, under declaration and under valuation of goods, while at the same improving its drive for maximum revenue collection and trade facilitation.
The Apapa Port Area Comptroller of NCS warned that the Command will continue to wage a sustained war against smuggling and other unwholesome activities.
In doing this,Olomu said the NCS operatives are also enforcing the rules ,of other security agencies, including NAFDAC.
Only genuine transactions, will be allowed to pass through the Apapa Port, the Comptroller noted.
The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct a thorough investigation into the series of allegations of threats to lives against the Minister of the FCT Bar Nysom Wike.
Prince Secondus said this has become necessary following a series of allegations against the Minister in the public space.
He warned that bloodshed for the sake of politics in Rivers state must stop and called on all the relevant Security Agencies to do everything to respect the sanctity of life.
The former PDP boss who reacted to the recent threat-to-life allegations made against Barr. Nysom Wike by the National Chairman of Zenith Labour Political Party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, plus similar reports in the past on a member of the House of Representatives. Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and former Minister of Transport Dr Abiye Sekibo urged Security Agencies to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter to nip it in the bud.
“Any action that would lead to the intimidation and cowing of persons with opposing views on issues must be discouraged in a democratic era.”
Chief Nwanyanwu had
raised serious alarm on Tuesday following his press interview on the crisis in Rivers state where he chastised Barr Wike for undue interference, after which he alleged that a man he identified as Moses Emmanuel believed to be the Minister’s hatchet man confronted him at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja threatening to kill him.
According to Prince Secondus in a statement in Abuja, ‘’A good politician and a democrat should rely on his popularity, not on the use of coercion to achieve his aim.
‘‘If the former Governor now resorts to threats to life on everyone who has an opposing view to his own, it then means he has lost the people’s legitimacy and the earlier he realizes this the better for him’’
Prince Secondus said that the attitude of the former Governor is unflattering and ugly-looking when recalled that he also recently threatened a serving Senator of the Federal Territory, Senator Ireti Kingibe for having an opposing view on the way he was running the affairs of her Senatorial area.
Prince Secondus called on the President to rein in the Minister and put a check on his reckless and impetuous attitude before he brought huge embarrassment to his administration.
“To avoid a decisive action on these critical allegations now amidst the biting economic hardship in the country is to set fears in the society on innocent people.”
Finally, Prince Secondus commended Chief Nwanyanwu and Hon.Ugochinyere who continue to stand for what is true and just on Rivers matter despite coming from another state.
Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar has accused the national assembly of condoling the recklessness of the executive arm of government.
Reacting to the removal of Ali Ndume as Chief Whip of the senate for criticizing President Bola Tinubu, he stated that it was unfortunate that senators were being sanctioned for performing their statutory duties.
Atiku, who also cited Senator Abdul Ningi’s suspension earlier this year over claims of budget padding, said the health of Nigeria’s democracy is being compromised by the unholy alliance between the executive and the legislature which portends to a dictatorship.
This decision to remove Ndume and replace him with Mohammed Monguno, was conveyed through a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, signed by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, and the National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru.
The letter, titled “Complaints Against the Unbecoming Utterances of Sen. Ali Ndume,” was read by Akpabio during the plenary session.
He pointed out that the Legislative arm of Government was conceived as a means of protecting the people from the authoritarian tendencies of wielders of state powers by ensuring the executive does not go overboard in the application of its powers.
“Regrettably, however, the democracy in Nigeria in the current administration of President Bola Tinubu has become an anathema to that general principle of democracy as providing primary protection for the people against executive excesses
“This ugly tendency is being manifested by the steady posturing of our National Assembly, especially the Senate, of taking a reverse course in its core function and becoming a puppet in the hands of the President.
“It is uncharitable that whenever members of the Senate stand on the floor of the red chamber to perform their statutory duty of calling the executive to order, they are immediately reprimanded for doing so.
“When Senator Abdul Ningi called attention of the country to the incident of budget padding in the 2024 Appropriation bill, rather than calling for a thorough investigation into the observation, the reaction of the Senate was to hand him a suspension.
“Only yesterday, Senator Ali Ndume called for the President to wake up to his responsibilities and provide succour to address the biting hunger and poverty in the country.
“Ironically, the response of the @NGRSenate to his patriotic warning is to relieve him of his principal office as the Chief Whip of the Senate.”
Atiku emphasized that there has been persistent solicitations for Government to put its priorities on canceling the excruciating hardship in the land and suspend plans of spending scarce resources on the purchase of new aircraft for the presidential fleet.
“The Senate took a stand against the people and ignored the voices of altruism by decorating the President with controversial purchases of an aircraft and a yacht amidst the worst material conditions of the average citizen in the history of our country.
“We are, therefore, beginning to see a pattern in which the National Assembly has become an enabler of executive recklessness, and the concerns of the people stand in the nadir of priority list of the legislature.
“This emerging reality must stop. The health of our democracy is being compromised by this unholy alliance between the executive and the legislature and portends a dictatorship that will worsen the lot of the people,”
More questions appear to have been thrown up concerning the brutalization of Danbiliki Kwanmanda, the vocal political actor from Kano state.
The fiery Kano All Progressive Congress, APC, top notch was on Wednesday, July 17, subjected to a despicable torture,whipping and dehumanization by some unidentified persons over his alleged criticisms of some political forces.
In a viral video, Danbiliki was shown handcuffed, and being made to sock series of flogging by some who repeatedly posed the question- Why are you insulting the Kaduna state Governor.?
Wide spread speculations said the incident took place some where in Kaduna.
But speaking with The Source Thursday night ,July 18, Kwamanda, informed that contrary to popular belief, his ordeal happened in Abuja ,the Federal Capital Territory and not in Kaduna State.
According to him, the ugly incident took place at about 9.30 pm on Wednesday, July 17.
“I was accosted by someone who identified himself as a policeman. He showed me his identity card. There were about five others with him.
“He told me that I was under arrest and thereafter, they handcuffed me, posing all manners questions to me .
“I was severely flogged, tortured and humiliated. Up till now, I cannot fathom what actually is my offence.
“But they kept on asking me why I should be insulting and criticising some people in power and position of authority.” Kwanmanda stated.
In the video clip ,his traducers ,accused him of abusing the Kaduna state Governor, Ubah Sani.
However, the Kaduna State Governor, on Thursday July 18, washed his hands off the unfortunate incident, insisting he had no reason to be associated with such bestiality.
In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Muhammad Lawal Shehu, the Governor vowed to get to the root of the embarrassing development.
“His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani has, therefore, ordered full investigation into the alleged incident. He is determined to get to the root of the incident and will ensure that the full wrath of the law is brought to bear on anyone found culpable.
“The Governor of Kaduna State is a long standing fighter for fundamental rights and freedom. He has never wavered in his commitment to the promotion and protection of civil rights ,rule of law and due process.
“He will not, under any circumstances, detail anyone to brutalize a person for holding a contrary opinion.” part of the statement reads .
With the man at the centre of the incident debunking speculations that the incident took place in Kaduna, more questions appear to have arisen as to who are really after the vocal Kano political actor and why?
If his ordeal never took place in Kaduna, what then is the connection with the Kaduna Governor? Are some forces trying to play a smart one by selling a decoy in dropping the name and office of the Governor of Kaduna state,?
For one, Kwanmanda’s fearless activities are better recorded and known in Kano, his home state. His criticisms of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP- led Kano State Government, its mentor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and staunch opposition to the reinstatement of Muhammad Sanusi as the Emir of Kano are well documented .
This is even as he had paid some prices for such contrary opinions and stance not in Kaduna ,but Kano, before now
The focal point of his political activities even pre- 1999 has been in the commercial nerve centre of the North ,not Kaduna .
This has raised the question about where actually between Kaduna and Kano, the travails of Kwanmada are actually coming from .
My dear Egbon, DR DOYIN OKUPE, I’m more amazed at your flip-flops Sir. You’re Reno’s senior in engaging in sophistry since your days as Obasanjo’s Spokesman in 1999, till you fell out. You’ve defended almost all governments since then with your eloquence. What has Nigeria gained!
(I’ve been consistently in opposition in the last 42 years. Even the Buhari that I supported, regrettably, in 2015, I dumped within two months when I saw a total lack of direction, and I’ve apologised profusely and endlessly. I will never defend useless government policies. There’s nothing more we want Nigeria to give us at this age and stage than good Leadership…)
You and I met at the London Hilton Metropole in the dying days of the Jonathan government and you boasted that no Jupiter can defeat Jonathan in an election. We had a bet of 20k USD and you lost. You begged me for debt forgiveness just two years ago at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja…
I’m sure you must have persuaded the gentleman that since the economists rated Nigeria very high, he can never be defeated. But you forgot that a government must never rely solely on theoretical economic indices. It must be balanced with real and practical economy.
(About two months ago, President William Ruto of Kenya was given Royal welcome to the White House in Washington DC. Today, he is being treated like a pariah in his own country. Heaps of praises from Western world cannot guarantee a safe economy…)
You later worked on the Presidential bid of Senate President DR ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI before ending up with GOVERNOR PETER OBI. I won’t bother about the outcomes. Like Reno, I acknowledge your brilliance, but only both of you know why TINUBU is your sudden IDOL…
The people of Nigeria have never had things so bad and you’re both defending a profligate government with untenable economic hocus pocus…
I will personally carry TINUBU on my head if he’s able to cut the reckless spending of his government, make palpable sacrifices, ignite agricultural revolution, empower our brilliant and energetic youths with vocational grants instead of distributing cash to phantom politicians, etc… But with advisers like you, no government can succeed.”
The Naira has rebounded in value following the week-long depreciation of the Nigerian currency at both parallel and official markets.
The development followed the resumption of dollars sales to BDCs by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, after months of hiatus.
The last time the apex bank sold dollars to BDC was in April this year, since then the naira has depreciated against the America Green Back, and other foreign currencies consistently.
On Thursday, the apex bank announced the sales of $20,000 to BDCs thereby reversing the sharp depreciation of the currency. The Nigerian currency was exchanged for N1,572 at the parralel market, following what financial experts described as a timely intervention by the Yemi Cardoso-led CBN.
According to the circular issued by A.A Mahdi, the Acting Director, Trade and Exchange Department of the CBN, $20,000 has been sold to registered BDCs across the country.
The bank has also directed the BDCs to sell to end users at not more than !.5 profit margin, which means that the BDCs are expected to sell at not more than N1,4 75.75 after buying for N1,450 from the apex bank.
The CBN stated: “Following the on-going reforms in the foreign exchange market, with the objective of achieving an appropriate market determined exchange rate for the Naira, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed the continued distortions in the retail end of the market, which 1s feeding into the Parallel market and further widen the exchange rate premium.
“To this end, the CBN has approved the sales of FX to eligible Bureau De Change (BDCs) to meet the demand for invisible transactions. The sum of $20,000 is to be sold to each BDC at the rate of N1,450/$ (representing the lower band of the trading rate at Nigeria Foreign Exchange Market, NAFEM in the previous trading day).
“All BDCs are allowed to sell to eligible end-users at a margin NOT MORE THAN one point five percent (1.5 %) above the purchase rate from CBN.
“All eligible BDCs are directed to make the Naira payment to the listed CBN Naira Deposit Account Numbers and submit confirmation of payment with other necessary documentation for disbursement at the appropriate CBN Branches — (ABUJA, AWKA, KANO and LAGOS),’ the apex bank said.
The Kaduna State Government has distanced itself from the manhandling and brutalization of a top Kano All Progressive Congress, APC, stalwart Alhaji Danbiliki Kwanmanda.
In a viral video currently in circulation, the fiery Kano politician, and a top member of the Tinubu/ Shettima Campaign Organization, was seen being whipped and beating mercilessly, by yet-to-be identified persons in Kaduna.
For one ,down in Kano he has been an unrepentant critic of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankaso ,Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the now Kano State reinstated 16th Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi.
Only in February, the vocal politician on a Kano-based Radio programme sounded the alarm over plans by Governor Yusuf to dethrone existing Emirs and reinstate Sanusi.
He had, during the radio programme, alleged that since coming to power, Governor Yusuf and his godfather Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, had been perfecting plans to bring back deposed Emir Sanusi.
“Commander” as he is popularly known across Kano, threatened that he will mobilize to make the State ungovernable for the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP Government, should they go ahead to disrupt the existing Kano Royal structure.
He was subsequently arrested and arraigned by security agencies on the orders of the State Government. For several days, he was remanded in custody by a Kano Magistrate Court.
Coincidentally ,his arrest came a few minutes before a scheduled interview with The Source .
On Thursday, May 23, 2024, his alarm or rather his prediction came to pass ,with the dethronement of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero of Kano and four others to pave way for the reinstatement of Sanusi.
Accusing fingers are being pointed relentless at the Kaduna state Government over his ordeal.
But in a statement issued on Thursday July,18, 2024 by Muhammad Lawal Shehu, Media Aide to Governor Ubah Sani ,the State Government informed that it has ordered a full scale investigation into the brutalization of the Kano State APC chieftain.
According to the statement ,Governor Sani is determined to get to the root of the unfortunate incident, and has assured that the full weight of the law will be visited on the perpetrators.
Below is the full text of the Kaduna state Government statement.
“The attention of the Kaduna State Government has been drawn to a video that has gone viral showing one Dan Balki Commander being whipped by unidentified persons. In the video, accusing fingers were pointed at the Kaduna State Government.
“The Kaduna State Government wishes to strongly disassociate itself from the heinous act. It is not in our character. Such barbaric acts have no place in a decent society.
“We stand for the rule of law and due process. Our administration is anchored on justice, equity, fairness, inclusivity and respect for the dignity of the human person.
“Since assuming office in May 2023, Kaduna State Government under the able leadership of Senator Uba Sani has been working assiduously to rebuild trust and give all citizens of the State a sense of belonging. We accommodate all shades of opinion and have created a conducive atmosphere for all political views to thrive.
“The Governor of Kaduna State is a long standing fighter for fundamental rights and freedoms. He has never wavered in his commitment to the promotion and protection of civil rights, rule of law and due process. He will not, under any circumstances, detail anyone to brutalize a person for holding a contrary opinion.
“His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani has therefore ordered full investigation into the alleged incident. He is determined to get to the root of the incident and will ensure that the full wrath of the law is brought to bear on anyone found culpable.
“Signed
Muhammad Lawal Sheh HBu
Chief Press Secretary
To The Kaduna State Governor
18th July,2024”
Pan Yoruba Group under the aegis of Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movement, AYDM, has frowned at the decision of the Federal Government to peg University and Polytechnic admission at 18 years. It stressed that the policy is driven by ethnic interests.
The Minister for Education, Mamman Tahir, had on Thursday, ordered all Tertiary Institutions to stick to the Federal Government’s Policy of offering admission to only candidates from age 18 and above.
But the AYDM insists it is a deliberate policy against the South and the Middle Belt Regions.
In a statement on Thursday by the Group’s Secretary General, Popoola Ajayi, the AYDM said the idea of having higher education admission pegged at 18 years will affect no fewer than 20 million Nigerian students with 99 percent of them from the South and the Middle Belt.
The group called on Southern and Middle Belt states to resist what it called the “obnoxious policy”.
AYDM, a coalition of 130 Pan Yoruba and Itsekiri groups said the attempt of the policy was based on the strategic thinking of filling the current education gap skewed against the core North.
The Group said Nigeria is gradually moving towards greater and dangerous unitarianism where fundamental decisions that affect the livelihood of Nigerians will be taken by individuals.
It lamented that instead of the National Assembly presiding over fundamental issues on Education, the Minister has autocratically assigned the role of Alpha and Omega to himself.
AYDM queried the Minister to explain to Nigerians which research study or conference he organised where such a fundamental decision was arrived at.
He said, “The AYDM and the Yoruba Nation rejects this terrible assault on the knowledge industry. In Europe and in the US, the hub of Western education, there are University graduates that came out of school at 10 years.”
He said “the policy destroys creativity, talents and endowment given by God. It is obnoxious and savage to think that a 16 year old person cannot learn when such a child had performed wonderfully throughout his or her educational career in the secondary schools.”
The AYDM added that Children who are 16 Years can be allowed to beg on the streets but they are banned from University or Polytecnic Education.
“Children who are 16 Years can join Boko Haram and terrorists but they are banned from University Education.
“Students who are 16 Years can go into armed robbery but they are banned from University Education. 16 years old can marry and have children but they are banned from University Education” the AYDM said.
The group called on groups across the Middle Belt and the South to unite in the effort to thwart and destroy the primordial agenda of the Minister of Education.
The AYDM said in decent democracies, under aged children with talents are encouraged to actualize their potentials and not to destroy and take away from them the gifts of God.
The First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Claudiana Sanwo-Olu, has called for more support for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, to enable them achieve their potentials.
The wife of the Lagos State governor was among stakeholders at the 14th Annual Guaranty Trust Company, GTCO, conference in Lagos who advocated support and inclusiveness for persons living with autism.
The confab tagged “ A Spectrum of Possibilities” was organised by the financial services giant with the support of the European Union, EU, to rally support for autism patients, and to draw attention to the challenges they face in their daily interactions in their various communities.
Sanwo-Olu said visual aids should be provided for ASD persons to make their lives easier.
She said, “Assume that the whole community has pictorials all over the place, like in our schools, mosques, churches, and universities. It will encourage more people to take part in these possibilities we are talking about.”
She also encouraged parents to love ASDs children despite the challenges they face in racing them, saying all what caregivers need is to follow expert advice.
“We need to spread love for children with autism. I must applaud parents, caregivers, and teachers for the wonderful work that they are doing to ensure that children with autism thrive. It’s not easy to care for our special needs children, as we need to adapt alternative communication skills and teaching styles to enable us to communicate with them”, Sanwo Olu said
According to experts, persons living with the condition face stigmatization as they struggle to integrate themselves into the broader society.
Speaking at the conference, the Group Chief Executive Officer, GTCO, Segun Agbaje, pledged his continued support for the Orange Ribbon Initiative, an initiative aimed at supporting persons with disabilities.
The chief executive of the financial behemoth stated that the annual GTCO Autism Conference, designed to amplify the challenges faced by persons with the condition is a major part of that support to help them live a normal life.
Agbaje said, “A major component of this initiative is the annual GTCO Autism Conference, designed to amplify the challenges faced by individuals with ASD and provide practical support to help them integrate successfully into society.”
Also speaking, Eniola Lahanmi, a Speech and Language Therapist who who spoke on the topic ‘Fundamental Communication Strategies for Children with Autism’, said that there is no limitations to what people in the spectrum can achieve, what they need basically, she stated, is community support to make them effective.
Lahanmi stressed that the sky is their limit, so long the society can focus on their strength, adding that more awareness should be created to highlight the challenges facing ASD persons in the country.
She said: “Over the years, there have been a lot of awareness, and a lot has been achieved, but we aren’t resting on our oars as there is still a lot of awareness to be done in the hinterlands.
“It is necessary for us to give Autistic Persons a sense of belonging and put aside unnecessary stigmatization. Let us provide an avenue for them where they would thrive, and achieve their goals”.
Similarly, Lanre Duyile, a certified behaviour analyst from, Behaviourprise College of Business and Health Studies, Canada, urged the society to focus on their abilities rather than their disabilities. There is no limitations to what ASD persons could achieved when they are provided the necessary support, he said.
“We focus on their strength, though, we all have limitations, because nobody is perfect. Folks with Autism have limitations but we work on them to be independent and do great things. We just need to understand them, show them love, encourage them and always see the possibilities in them for them to thrive.
“People living with Autism needs inclusivity and Autism is in three phase, Mild, Moderate and Severe, when we talk about inclusion we need to understand them and their diagnosis”, he said.
I had no intention of commenting on the shame that took place in Niger State this other Saturday. It was beneath contempt. And since I subscribe, atimes, to the saying: “silence is the best answer to a fool”, I decided to ignore the scandalous incident where a State Governor, publicly, ordered his Security Aides to slap a citizen “well-well”. But my stance was before Wednesday, June 17, when I read the disgraceful denial, by the Governor, of the incident which scandalized every decent Nigerian.
This comment now is, literally, forced by that brazen lie, the brazen denial of the incident, watched live, thanks to the Social Media, by thousands of shocked Nigerians.
It is bad enough that a State Governor allowed his anger to, unbelievably, rise to that level, but to deny it, instead of acknowledging it and apologizing, is shameful and provocative.
However, as angry as I am over this collective assault on us all, I will try, as much as possible, to be respectful for only one reason.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
The guy at the centre of this incident, Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State, prefixes his name, like his colleague- Governors, with “Your Excellency”.
When one is referred to as excellent, one deserves some respect. But more important, two of the good Books – the Holy Bible and the Holy Quoran – teach us to respect our Leaders.
That injunction by the Holy Books will guide me here otherwise, I would have started by pointing out that Governor Bago neither deserves to be addressed as His Excellency nor a State Governor. He neither has the carriage, nor the temperament to be so addressed.
If anything, the Governor should hide his face in shame.
In the past few years, or so, I have been excited over the crop of young men and women- 50 and below- who took up elective offices – State Legislators, Governors, Federal Legislators; even non-elective offices like Ministers. Look at some of the young Cabinet Members we have, today, at the Federal level, the females, in particular, forget that one of my favorites has since been in a, how do I put it? – cooler. President Bola Tinubu seems to have forgotten that case which has, for months, denied the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs a substantive Minister. When will a decision be taken? Sorry, I digressed.
But seeing them that young, occupying sensitive offices, gives me some hope that, one day, our dear country could possibly have youths in their 30s and 40s become Presidents and Vice Presidents. They would breath some fresh air, bring some vibrancy, new ideas into governance, what with their vast knowledge.
A couple of them, ushered in since 2023, have performed from average to above average. But some of them have performed badly; behaved badly; brought out the worst in them; carried away by power; became power-drunk. They have lost respect for everybody, including Traditional Rulers, their elders, and exhibited youthful exuberance in the most mean and disgusting manner. It is in this later category that the Governor of Niger State falls.
Nothing confirms Governor Bago’s membership there than his disgraceful public exhibition of raw power this other day.
On that day, Governor Bago disrespected the dead. He disrespected the many respectable personalities and the hundreds of ordinary people who gathered to pay respect to the memory of the dead. He played god. He took joy in, publicly, humiliating his fellow man, a husband and father like him. He stripped him of all dignity. He reduced him to a very dirty rag fit for the waste bin.
Why? Simple.
Bago is a Governor, with all the executive powers attached to it. So, how else would he show he is Governor if not by exhibiting raw power publicly? And this day, he regaled in it to the fullest. He took pride in it, with so much arrogance that a peacock will be green with envy.
You already know the story. But I will briefly recap for the sake of this write-up.
The Governor’s Deputy, Yakubu Garba, had sadly lost his wife, Zainab. The burial ceremony had taken place. But as the Islamic Faith dictates, there were follow up religious ceremonies. It was at one of those ceremonies that Governor Bago showed his ugly side. Arrogance. Volcanic temper. Disrespect for, especially, those lower than him in status.
It was time for prayers for the repose of the soul of the dead. And, out stepped this man to offer the prayers. That was when the ugly scene began – Bago’s public order to slap a citizen “well-well”.
I have not been able to confirm, from independent sources, whether the man is a Cleric or not; whether he was qualified to say the prayers or not; whether Bago had encountered him somewhere before and so, knew him by reputation or not. Or if the Governor remembered him as a mad man, a nuisance, an irritant, or just plain “notice-me-or I die?”
However, on Wednesday, in an unnecessary response to a Daily Trust Editorial which abhorred the Governor’s public behaviour, his Spokesperson, Aisha Wakaso, said the man was an impostor who attempted to impersonate an Imam. Perhaps.
But whatever, nothing excuses the Governor’s reaction; the bad example he showed in public which he is trying to deny through his Spokesperson The Governor who everybody heard clearly, watched in shock, is denying the incident. He is assaulting, as they say, “our sensibilities” by presenting us as deaf and blind.
But dear readers, here is what we heard the Governor say with our own ears, and, as Zebrudaya of the New Masqurade would have put it, “witnessed with our naked eyes.”
With the man on his knees, the Governor, microphone in hand, wearing his flowing “babariga”, in a very loud voice, ordered his Security Details to slap the man. “Slap him! I say slap him well- well!!” As he said that, about three-to-four of his Security Aides stepped forward and surrounded the man as if they had seen one of those murderous bandits in Niger State which Governor Bago has been unable to contain. And true to the Governor’s order, one of his Security Details proceeded to give him a couple of slaps.
Yet, the Governor Bago was not satisfied with the public humiliation of his fellow man. He was not satisfied that he had publicly stripped somebody’s husband, somebody’s father, of all dignity. No. He proceeded to order that he be arrested. “Arrest him! Arrest him!! Deal with him.” And, as the man looked on helplessly, he was roughly dragged to his feet, and led out from the arena, obviously to be detained.
Perhaps, I expected too much. Yet, what I expected from Bago was an apology for his bad conduct. Instead, we were served the opposite. Not only did Bago, on Wednesday, deny that he gave any such “slapping order”, he said the humiliated man “has apologized to him and the Council of Imams” for being an impostor.
Not quite a surprise.
Or, what did anybody expect the man to do or say? He had to apologize to save himself from more humiliation than he already got. Who is he to withstand the wrath of an Executive Governor.
Not a few of those in power play god. Once they are there, they forget they are human beings, that blood flows in them as it flows in other human beings. They forget that there will be a tomorrow and they will not be in that office “till thy kingdom come.” That is the only reason they do some of the things they do. That is the only reason the man would apologize to Bago after his public humiliation.
In the year 2001, a State Governor told me, triumphantly, eyes glittering, how he, overnight, ordered the demolition of the mansion of his former political ally just because they parted ways. “The office of a Governor is powerful ooo. Overnight, I revoked the C of O of that man’s plot and demolished his mansion!” I asked ‘why?’, he just laughed, and added, “Power”. I cringed.
Some of them treat, and speak to their subordinates like sub-human beings. Their subordinates kneel down or stoop to talk to them. And worse.
In more civilized countries, Governor Bago’s political future would have ended over that incident. He would have been forced to resign from office. But here, anything goes.
I don’t know if the Security Personnel who slapped that man is of the Nigerian Police or of another sister-agency. Some people have alleged it was the Governor’s ADC. I doubt it. But if he was the one, or if it was any Policeman, I urge the Leadership of the NPF and the Police Service Commission to slam him with severe disciplinary offence. Whoever, obeyed an illegal order. He is neither allowed nor authorized to do so. And should be made to face the consequences, including a law suit by the victim. In that whole ugly incident, only the Governor has an immunity not to be sued, nobody else. For him, however, I have an unsolicited advice.
Bago is a young man. Only 50 years old. His whole political future before him. He should not destroy it by the type of lawlessness he displayed, no matter the provocation. He should show good example to those around him, and not encourage them to be lawless, to physically assault anyone.
So, this is what I think he should do. Apologise to his victim publicly, not privately. Invite him to Government House. Humor him. There is a precedence.
As the Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, now a Senator, was frustrated by the activities of street traders in Benin, the Capital City. They can be quite a nuisance. They block the streets and roads, and dump all kinds of things on them, and even inside gutters. Angered, one day, on encountering them, he spoke to one of them, a widow, carelessly. The woman had pleaded with him not to let those on his entourage to seize and/or destroy her wares. She added that her husband had just died. In a fit of anger and frustration, Oshiomhole asked the widow to die too. The outrage was defeaning. Oshiomhole’s conscience tugged him. He realised he goofed. And quickly made amendments, beautifully. He invited the widow (I now forget if it was with her children or not) to Government House, apologised to her for his mis-speak, and had breakfast with her. I can, almost, swear he didn’t let her go empty-handed.
Governor Bago, I recommend Oshiomhole’s humility (over that incident) to you.
