Don’t Overload Nigerians With Too Much Taxes, Afenifere Charges Tinubu

By

-

June 29, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has called on President Bola Tinubu, to ensure that the people are not squeezed out of breath before that good time when results of his policies will be felt by Nigerians.

The Yoruba group advised the president to urgently put a halt to steps by some government institutions to jack up prices of commodities and services “as such would further worsen the precarious situations of hapless Nigerians.”

A statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the organization, Jare Ajayi, maintains that various steps taken lately by Tinubu-led administration may have the potentials of lifting Nigeria up in the medium and long term.

“But there is the need to ensure that the people are not squeezed out of breath before that good time comes, as it’s only a person who is wholesomely alive that would enjoy the largesse of tomorrow!”

While calling on President Tinubu to checkmate steps capable of alienating his administration from the people, Afenifere urged him to be mindful of actions by government agencies that may be tantamount to sabotaging his good intentions.

Afenifere noted that move by the electricity Distribution Companies in the country (Discos) to increase tariffs from July 1, this year, 40 percent, and the Federal Joint Tax Board imposing a levy of N1,000 per annum on every vehicle owner in Nigeria are anti people policies which should not come now.

“As though to further squeeze the citizens, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made it obligatory for commercial banks to collect and verify their customers’ social media handles as part of their Know Your Customer (KYC) process.”

According to Ajayi, this directive amounts to making members of the public ‘to pay’ for the failure and negligence of relevant organs of the government in carrying out their constitutionally assigned duties.

“The CBN, through its Director, Financial Policy and Regulations Department, Mr. Chibuzo Efobi, said that it gave the directive with a view to ‘bolstering compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism provisions.

“Already, every telephone user in the country got captured as directed by the National Communications Commission (NCC) with the National Identity Number (NIN) incorporated.

“Besides, every bank customer now has what is known as Bank Verification Number (BVN). Email addresses were also registered with the banks into which information from banks are sent to the respective customers.

“Meaning that the information this new directive is seeking is already within the purvey of government agencies.”Faulting the reason of Discos for the planned increase in tariff on Naira exchange that went up from N441 to N750 per dollar, Ajayi wondered why service being rendered in Nigeria should be denominated in or predicated on US Dollar.

“Is the energy they are distributing imported from the United States of America?”

He concluded by calling on President Tinubu to stop the planned increase on electricity tariff and ensure that the increase is not effected secretly as had been done before, stop the planned N1,000 POC levy and prevail on relevant arms of government to utilize information about Nigerians already in their purview as the new CBN directive is repetitive of what already exists in addition to its potential of being used to infringe on the privacy of Nigerians.”

Faulting the reason of Discos for the planned increase in tariff on Naira exchange that went up from N441 to N750 per dollar, Ajayi wondered why service being rendered in Nigeria should be denominated in or predicated on US Dollar.

“Is the energy they are distributing imported from the United States of America?”

Afenifere called on President Tinubu to stop the planned increase on electricity tariff and ensure that the increase is not effected secretly as had been done before, stop the planned N1,000 POC levy and prevail on relevant arms of government to utilize information about Nigerians already in their purview “as the new CBN directive is repetitive of what already exists in addition to its potential of being used to infringe on the privacy of Nigerians.”

“My Bedroom Was Miraculously Saved From Fire – Ajaero, NLC President

By

Adesina Soyooye

-

June 28, 2023

0

By Adesina Soyooye

Unknown to many, the angry tongues of fire which engulfed the Lagos home of the President, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, happened about two weeks ago. But it became public only on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. He did not want to make it a public issue.

Ajaero, said the incident took place as soon as he arrived Geneva where he led Nigeria’s delegation to a congregation of the International Labour Organisation, ILO, members.

But he chose not to make it public because he did not want any wild speculations over the cause of the wild fire, described by many as mysterious. But to his discomfort, the incident was eventually leaked to the Media.

As brutal as the fire incident which took place in the afternoon was, it could have been worse but for God’s miraculous mercies. The lives of his wife and daughter were saved, and so was his bedroom where, obviously, he has very important personal documents – educational certificates and the lot.

It was a Sunday afternoon and Ajaero’s wife and daughter were at home, having just returned from Church. The fire outbreak took them by surprise. There was no power outage or anything which could have triggered the fire. But he said his wife and daughter heard an unusual noise upstairs which they attributed it to perhaps, birds perching on the roof. Even when the family dog began to bark erratically, they suspected nothing. But suddenly, smoke engulfed the house, accompanied by angry tongues of fire. Both took over the house, except his bedroom.

When Ajaero was told of the tragedy by phone calls, his concern was the safety of those in the house, not anything else. That his bedroom was, also, spared, was an icing on the cake.

While he is not addressing the speculations, he is grateful to God for spared lives. Asked if he thought the incident has anything to do with his job, his response was swift: “Every job has its own risks.”

Eid Mubarak: Obi Fetes Anambra Muslim Community; Sues for Peace, Unity, Love for One Another

By

The Source

-

June 28, 2023

0

Peter Obi with Akwa Muslim Community — Mr Peter Obi presenting the cheques to the leaders of; Anambra Muslim Community through the, Sarki of Onitsha, Alhaji Iliyasu Yushau (left) and Sarki of Awka, Alhaji Garba Haruna (right) in the presence of other Muslim Community Leaders, during the Eid al Adha celebration in Onitsha.

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has celebrated the Eid al Adha 2023 with the Anambra Muslim Community in Onitsha while calling on Nigerians to embrace peace, unity and brotherly love.

Obi, who was visited, in his residence, by the leaders of Anambra Muslim Community, said that he decided to celebrate the Eid al Adha with the muslim community in Anambra, to show the brotherly love and unity that should exist among Nigerians, irrespective of tribal, political or religious belief, and to start fulfilling his promise of helping to renovate the Awka and Onitsha mosques.

It would be recalled that during Obi’s visit to Awka and Onitsha muslim communities in April, he promised to support them in renovating their place of worship, which was no longer in good condition. Obi used the opportunity of the visit to start fulfilling the promise. He presented both Awka and Onitsha Muslim Communities with cheques worth millions of Naira to commence with the renovation projects.

Speaking at the event, Obi said, “We are all Nigerians, and we will continue to live as one irrespective of our religious or political beliefs. What we owe each other is brotherly love and care, so we can live in peace and unity as a nation. We have no other nation but Nigeria and we must make it work.

“I know that times are difficult for everybody in the country, but if we rise above our religious, political and ethnic divisions, we will be able to surmount our challenges in unity. We will not give up on our nation, but continue to work for a New Nigeria that will be beneficial to every Nigerian.”

In his words of appreciation, the Sarki of Awka Muslim Community, Alhaji Garba Haruna said they were thrilled by Obi’s simplicity and consistency. He said Obi has, once again, demonstrated that he is a truly detribalised Nigerian, by making out time to mark their Sallah celebration with them.

Alhaji Haruna recalled how Obi visited their mosque in April and was displeased with the deplorable state of their mosque, and pledged to help in renovating it. He sincerely appreciated Obi for the cash gift which he said will go a long way in rebuilding the mosque.

Appreciating Obi further, the Sarki of Onitsha Muslim Community, Alhaji Iliyasu Yushau, said the memories of Obi’s visit to their mosque in April still stays fresh in their minds. He said even though he was not in Anambra then, he received reports of Obi’s good will to the community.

Alhaji Yushau said Obi had not failed in taking care of the muslim community in Anambra, even from his days as the Governor of the State. He said Obi’s actions reflect a leader who is desirous of caring for everyone irrespective of tribe or religion. He prayed Allah to bless and grant Obi his heart desires.

Aside the cheques presented to the Communities, Obi gave them other material gifts to celebrate the day.

Praying Ground Stampede: Osun Govt Alleges Assassination Attempt On Governor; APC Says He Breached Protocol

By

Ayodele Oni

-

June 28, 2023

0

Ademola Adeleke at Praying Ground in Osun State

By Ayodele Oni

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has reacted to the chaos which followed his arrival at the Osogbo praying ground, appealing for calm soon after he escaped an alleged “assassination.”

But the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state insisted that the manner the Governor’s entourage invaded the praying ground caused the pandemonium.

The Governor, in a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, thanked God for preserving him and his team, directing law enforcement agents to arrest culprits behind the incident.

“My good people of Osun, I appeal for calm and urge us to continue to celebrate the Sallah festival in peace. I am safe by the special grace of God.

“I have directed security agencies to arrest those behind the incident and get them to face the wrath of the law. The Commissioner of Police has been directed to arrest those involved no matter how highly placed.”

The State Government had, meanwhile, condemned the orchestrated attacks on the Governor by stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress at the praying ground.

“The governor is shocked and surprised by the role played by former Senator Ajibola Bashiru, who took over the space reserved for the Governor at the prayer ground. All efforts to get the former Senator to vacate the space proved abortive.

“PDP members who agitated for respect for the office of the Governor were beaten up. It was chaotic scene which the Governor walked into when he arrived at the ground for the Eid prayer.

“The Governor was even more shocked that thugs armed to the teeth were spotted all over the praying ground with security information that they were imported to eliminate the Governor and key Government functionaries.

“The Governor who arrived at the venue hoping to observe the Eid prayers was practically surrounded by armed thugs, prompting security men to ferry the Governor into his jeep.

“For the second time, the Governor attempted to enter the praying field, but the encirclement by armed thugs was already visible. It was at that point that the Governor had to leave the praying ground.

“The Governor is now safely at home, receiving guests and leaders from all walks of life.”

The APC, in a statement by its Chairman condemned the invasion of the Muslim Praying Ground at Oke-Bale, Osogbo by Governor Ademola Adeleke and his retinue of political thugs who are loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with some Soldiers and Policemen.

According to the State Chairman of the APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, in Osogbo on Wednesday, the entire scenario which culminated in a rancorous scene orchestrated by Governor Adeleke and his political hoodlums amounted to executive lawlessness.

APC explained that “without prior notification by the advanced party and protocol unit of the Governor’s Office, Governor Adeleke’s handlers badged into the Muslim Praying Ground and ordered a respected leader of Osogbo, Alhaji Tunde Badmus, the Asiwaju of Osogboland and Senator Ajibola Bashiru, to vacate where they were already seated and that it was the choice of the space for the Governor.

“It was an attempt to forcefully remove Alhaji Badmus and Senator Bashiru from their seats at the praying ground and subsequent executive order by Governor Adeleke who hails from Ede, to the police to effect the arrest of the two prominent sons of Osogbo that degenerated into the confusion which engulfed the scene.”

APC further claimed that the Governor who left the scene before the beginning of the Eid-Eil-Kabir prayers session issued an order to close the gate of the entrance of the praying ground in order to effect the arrest of Alhaji Badmus and Bashiru.

The indigenes of Osogbo, who saw no reason for the arrest, resisted the development, which resulted in the ensuing rancorous scene.

“Governor Adeleke did not even alight from his official vehicle throughout the duration of the crisis, which makes nonsense of those who are reporting an assassination attempt on the Governor.”

Foreign: Germany: 14 Things Nigerians Need To Know About New Work Visa

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

-

June 28, 2023

0

The German parliament passed an immigration law on Friday designed to encourage more people from outside the European Union, including Nigeria, to come to Germany for work.

The German Government has made a new law to make it possible for Nigerians who wish to live and work in the country.

Under the new legislation that is expected to be passed by the end of the year, skilled workers from Nigeria and other countries outside the European Union will be allowed to apply for work visas, according to Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who stated that the draft law will secure prosperity in Germany.

Faezer, however, warned that the bureaucracy could frustrate the effective implementation of the law, which the magazine learned was enacted to respond to the country’s shortage of skilled workers, which according to the Institute for Employment Research rose to over 1.7 million last year.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said having enough skilled workers will boost the country’s economy, adding that the law will clear the hindrances that had made it impossible for immigrants outside the EU to seek work permits in the country.

According to the Scholz, “We know that we can only guarantee our future, the efficiency of our economy and the efficiency of our social security systems if we have enough skilled workers at our disposal.

“From within the European Union, that’s not so difficult, because there is freedom of movement. With regard to the rest of the world, it is a greater challenge.”.

Hints For Prospective Immigrants From Nigerians

According to Euro News, the reforms are to modernise the country’s immigration legislation expected to make it easier for third-country nationals to work in Germany. It could increase the number of non-EU workers in Germany by 60,000 per year.

The reforms to the Skilled Immigration Act particularly focus on workers with vocational, non-academic training. Existing rules for qualified professionals with university degrees will also be relaxed.

Germany is hoping to combat its shortage of skilled workers with a new ‘opportunity card’ called chancenkarte. The ‘chancenkarte’ will use a points system to enable workers with required skills to come to Germany more easily.

The points-based system will take into account qualifications, professional experience, age, German language skills and ties to Germany.

Every year, quotas will be set depending on which industries need workers. Three out of four of the following criteria must also be met to apply for the scheme: a degree or vocational training, three years’ professional experience, language skills or a previous stay in Germany and 35 years old or younger.

Currently, most non-EU citizens need to have a job offer before they can relocate to Germany. A visa for job seekers already exists, but the ‘chancenkarte’ is expected to make it easier and faster for people looking to find work in Germany.

Citizens of certain countries with visa agreements can already enter Germany for 90 days visa-free but are only permitted to take up short-term employment.

The opportunity card will allow people to come and look for a job or apprenticeship while in the country rather than applying from abroad. Applicants must be able to prove they can afford to pay their living expenses in the meantime.

The exact details of the scheme are yet to be formalised. The chancenkarte is not expected to be available until at least the end of 2023.

The new system will make it easier for people with professional experience – rather than a university degree – to come and work in Germany.

Germany will become more open to job experience and professional qualifications that are recognised in workers’ native countries. Currently, the country is strict about which qualifications it recognises.

It will also be easier for those without a job offer to seek work in Germany via the opportunity card.

Qualified job seekers with degrees or vocational certificates will be allowed to stay in the country for one year as they search for employment. While looking for full-time employment, they will be permitted to work up to 20 hours per week.

Rules will also be eased for those with a job offer and a recognised diploma. Salary thresholds will be lowered, it will be easier for workers to bring their families to Germany, and it will be easier to gain permanent residency.

Job opportunities are open in Germany for immigrants that are craftspeople, electrical engineers, IT specialists, careers, nurses, catering and hospitality professionals.

Gov Makinde Hosts Oyo Muslims, Assures Of Speedy Development

By

Ayodele Oni

-

June 28, 2023

0

By Ayodele Oni

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has revealed that more appointments are to be announced very soon as his administration will double its pace on the path to attaining sustainable development in the state.

Makinde spoke on Wednesday, while playing host to Muslim leaders in the Government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, who visited him in his house on the occasion of 2023 Eid festival.

The governor, who appreciated the Muslim community in Oyo State for standing by his administration during the first term, promised to roll out the names of some new appointees very soon.

He said, “First, I want to thank the Almighty for keeping all of us up until this moment; for us to witness another Sallah.

“About three months ago, we were all still out there campaigning and some people tried to sow the seed of division by introducing religion into the politics in Oyo State. But thankfully, they failed as our people did not listen to them, and we have a united Oyo State.

“We are all here celebrating another Sallah. So, I use this opportunity to greet my brothers and sisters of the Islamic faith for standing by this administration and also to wish them many more Sallah.”

While appreciating members of his cabinet for their contributions to the success of his administration during the first term, the governor implored everyone to play their part to make Oyo State better and more united.

He said further: “Our people are expectant and they want us to move as fast as possible and we have started. The House of Assembly, yesterday (on Tuesday), cleared some of our commissioner-nominees.

“The structure of government will start taking shape in days. So, our people should not despair or think we are moving slowly this time around. No, we are not. We will even double our pace.”

Earlier, the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, thanked the governor for empowering the people of the state and executing laudable projects.

He also lauded him for exemplifying the virtue of Prophet Ibrahim who kept his vow to Almighty Allah.

Arapaja said Makinde kept his promise to the people of Oyo State in his first term. He expressed confidence that he would not deviate from that style.

Osun: Tension At Osogbo Eid Prayer Ground, Gov Adeleke Leaves Hurriedly

By

Ayodele Oni

-

June 28, 2023

0

By Ayodele Oni

The simmering war between Governor Ademola Adeleke and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) former Senator Ajibola Basiru, escalated at the Eid prayer ground, Osogbo, Osun State capital on Wednesday.

The situation, caused by sitting arrangement, led to confusion, and delayed the prayer from commencing on time.

Report said the governor and his entourage had to leave the venue to avoid adegeneration of the situation to an open attack.

Both the governor and former senate spokesperson had earlier been entangled in war of words over security situation in the state.

The governor had called on the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) to arrest the lawmaker.

At the prayer ground for the Eid prayer, arguments ensued over the sitting position of the Osun State Governor, Adeleke.

It was gathered that the immediate past spokesperson for the Nigerian Senate, Ajibola Basiru had arrived at the prayer ground located at Oke-Baale area in Osogbo and allegedly sat at the position reserved for the governor.

When Governor Adeleke arrived the venue some minutes after, it was learnt that efforts at making Basiru leave the front space for Adeleke proved abortive.

The situation became rancorous as some Muslim leaders intervened to douse the tension so that the prayer for the Eid-el-Kabir would commence.

Eye witness recounted that “Efforts to make Basiru leave the sitting space didn’t yield positive results as the Senator remained in his space.”

It was further gathered that Governor Adeleke and his entourage left the prayer ground angry, and couldn’t participate in the religious event.

“Before Governor Adeleke arrived at the venue, Senator Basiru had already seated in the front row. The exact space he was sitting was said to have been reserved for Governor Adeleke.

“When the governor came with his team, they asked Senator Basiru to leave the space but he refused.

“Some Muslim leaders who were at the scene appealed to Governor Adeleke not to leave angrily. They tried again to ask Senator Basiru to leave so that the governor wouldn’t sit in the back row, but he remained in his position.

“After this, Governor Adeleke and his people went away angrily and couldn’t stay for the prayer. The prayer started after the noise and confusion were over.’

When contacted, the spokesperson for Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, said, “The Governor escaped assassination attempt,” saying government will react later.

Reservations, Mixed Feelings Trail Ekiti New Commissioners’ List; No Youth, Muslims Grumble

By

Ayodele Oni

-

June 28, 2023

0

By Ayodele Oni

The list is a disappointment, a setback for those that had wished Ekiti state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji will have a break from the past, as he had promised to give the State, for the first time, an opportunity to test another crop of intellectuals, that abound in the State right to be part of governance.

On Tuesday, the Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, unveiled a list containing names of nominees for Commissioners as submitted by the Governor to the Assembly.

The list has been greeted by mixed feelings as, surprisingly, it contains the old and worn out politicians, some of them coming on board for the third time as Commissioners in a State that prides itself as the fountain of knowledge.

Is this the best the Committee set up by the Governor to move round the State and unearth the best hands it could get? Or another imposition from those that are afraid to quit the corridors of power after the expiration of their tenure.

From the first set of three Commissioners appointed by Oyebanji, it is glaringly evident that there is still a big masquerade behind the throne, that wants his cohorts to entangle the Governor and possibly arm- twist him in the course of governing the State, says analysts.

They note that the promise to involve the youths in governance to tap their fresh knowledge is thrown into the dustbin. Going through the list as presented by the Assembly, none of the nominees is 40 years or below.

However, Oyebanji is always quick to say he is not being teleguided, but all his action point to that direction, they note.

Eight months into his administration, it is pointed out, he has found it difficult to pick his Chief of Staff, a personal aide. This is because his choice does not go down well with the power behind the throne. There is no doubt that the Governor is still enjoying the people’s applaud for some of his intervention programmes but the list of Commissioners is a set back.

From the religious point of view, the list, also, falls short of taking care of the interest of Muslims in the state as only a nominee is a Muslim out of 21.

The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, has drwan the attention of the governor to the perceived marginalization which the Muslims condemned, describing it as unacceptable.

President, Nigerian Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaj(Dr) Hammed Afolabi Bakare in a statement urged governor, to, as matter of urgency, revisit the list and make amend in the interest of peace .

“The entire Muslims in Ekiti State wish to express their dissatisfaction with this continuous marginalization as we have through various platforms engaged and showcase Muslims professionals and competent persons within the society who have participated dearly in the development of the state in various capacity.

“We urge the Executive Governor to revisit our application to ensure he run an all inclusive government that showcase religious equality in Ekiti State as against what was recorded in previous government.”

Oyebanji had earlier appointed an Islamic faithful, Alhaja Adubiaro as Secretary to the State Government.

The list is a mixed grill among members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) especially those whose names were shortlisted by the appointment Committee for commissionrship but were not picked. The consolation is now that there still remain hundreds of position to be filled in the administration, hoping that some of them may still9 be lucky.

Fraud: CBN Limits Daily Contactless Payment To N50k

By

Tosin Olatokunbo

-

June 28, 2023

0

The Central Bank of Nigeria has raised the daily cumulative limit for contactless payment to N50,000.

Contactless payment system are credit cards and debit cards, key fobs, smart cards, or other devices like smartphones and other mobile devices, that use radio-frequency identification or near-field communication for making secure payments.

There are low-level and high-level contactless payments, according to its “Draft Guidelines For Contactless Payment” released by the government- controlled bank last year.

The apex bank defines “High-value contactless payments are transactions that exceed the above-stated limits and shall require appropriate verification and authorization. Limits above this stipulated daily cumulative limit shall be conducted using contact-based technology.”

The apex bank said in the guidelines that it has powers to review the daily contactless transaction, from time to time, after consultation with key stakeholders in the banking and financial sector.

“The bank shall determine the transaction limit and cumulative daily limits for contactless payments from time to time. Stakeholders shall be permitted to set limits in line with the bank’s limits,” CBN said in the document.

According to a circular released on Tuesday, signed by Musa Jimoh, director, CBN payments system management department, the apex bank said any transaction above N50,000 will require ” verification and authorisation” as a way to combat fraud.

Any transaction above this, the apex bank said will be carried out using “contact- based technology,” adding that existing know-your-customer, KYC, requirements and limits on the electronic payment channels shall apply, accordingly.

The circular said: “Following the issuance of the guidelines on contactless payments in Nigeria and in cognisance of the risks associated with contactless payments, the bank, hereby, defines transaction limits above which verification and authorisation are required.

“Transaction limits for contactless payments through accounts/wallets in Nigeria shall be as follows: transaction limit 15,000, daily cumulative limit N50,000.

“Higher-value contactless payments are transactions that exceed the above-stated limits and shall require appropriate verification and authorisation.

“Limits above this stipulated daily cumulative limit shall be conducted using contact-based technology,”

News Analysis: Obi As Africa’s New Face Of Democracy

By

The Source

-

June 28, 2023

0

By Amanze Obi

The electoral authorities in Sierra Leone have just commented on Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. The focus was on Mr Peter Obi, who flew the flag of the Labour Party in that election.

Just a few days ago, the chairman of the country’s Political Parties Regulations Commission (PPRC), Abdulai Bangura, urged politicians participating in the country’s ongoing elections to borrow a leaf from Mr Peter Obi of Nigeria.

He told his countrymen and women that Obi held so much promise in the February 25 presidential election in Nigeria. He pointed out that Obi was a frontrunner who was tipped to win the election. However, when the results were announced by Nigeria’s electoral commission, the vote tally did not favour Obi. Bangura noted with satisfaction that Obi did not mobilize his teeming supporters to take to violence despite the fact that the election was believed to have been massively rigged. Instead, the Labour Party candidate restrained himself and chose the legal option to reclaim his mandate.

Bangura described Obi’s conduct as worthy of emulation and urged the people of Sierra Leone to, like Nigeria’s Peter Obi, approach leadership with restraint and selflessness. The PPRC Chief is satisfied that Obi has, through his peaceful conduct, saved his country from bloodshed.

From Bangura’s commentary, it has become a well known fact that the preparations for, as well as the conduct and outcome of the February 25 presidential election in Nigeria have become a reference point not just in Nigeria but indeed the whole of Africa and beyond. Just as Nigerians were excited and expectant about the election, so was the watching world. Even after the election had, presumably, been won and lost, matters arising from it remain a subject of excitable discourse in Africa and the globe.

But the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria did not just happen. It became a turning point in democratic discourse in Nigeria and Africa owing principally to the participation of one man in that election.

That man is Mr Peter Obi.

Obi happened upon the Nigerian polity like a storm. He came with a certain thunderbolt, attendant with suddenness and surprise. He went into the election with a refreshing outlook both in messaging and disposition. This caught instantly like wild fire. Nigerians had never seen such novelty and originality in their politics. That was why the greater majority of the people embraced him without reservations.

By restraining himself from going loose with his army of supporters after the election was compromised, Peter Obi has made himself a reference point. His exemplary conduct is worthy of emulation. This was what the Sierra Leonian party regulation Chief was talking about.

Unlike many before him who relied on violence and intimidation to win elections, Obi never preached violence. He did not deploy foul language in his campaigns. He remained civil and tame even in the face of provocations. Beyond all this, Obi did not rig elections and he did not ask anybody to rig for him. He played straight. That is why he is standing tall even in the face of daunting challenges.

Bangura has just told us the trending story about democracy in Africa. The story revolves around the name Peter Obi. Certainly, Bangura’s observation does not end in Sierra Leone. Other countries of the world where elections are still regarded as a do or die affair have so much to learn from the Peter Obi example. Indeed, Obi has become the new face of democracy in Africa.

For analysts, the Peter Obi disposition poses a huge challenge to our electoral courts. Going by the story emanating from Sierra Leone, Nigerians and the relevant institutions, especially the courts, are being watched. The watching world will like to see and know how the electoral infractions in Nigeria will be adjudicated upon. They will be interested in knowing whether the Justices will live above board. Will they deliver justice or politics? Time, certainly, will tell.

Amanze, PhD, is a renowned Columnist, Author, Journalist, and former Imo State Commissioner for Information and Culture