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Uzodinma: “My Competitors Swam Against The Tide”, Receives Certificate Of Return, Says “I Worked Hard For My victory”

By
The Source
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Re-elected Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma and his running mate, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru on Friday received their Certificates of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with Governor Uzodinma saying that he worked very hard to earn his re-election.

“I am glad to say that I deserve this victory because I strategised and worked very hard for it,” Governor Uzodimma remarked before officials of the INEC and others who turned out in their numbers at the Rockview Hotel Owerri after he had collected his Certificate of Return from the Electoral Umpire.

In her welcome address, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Imo State, Prof. Sylvia Agu, congratulated Governor Uzodimma and Lady Ekomaru for their resounding victory in the Saturday, November 11 governorship election in the State which she dubbed “generally peaceful,” and lauded all those who contributed in one way or the other in making the exercise worth the while.

Prof. Agu who thanked the 18 Political Parties for playing by the rules as set in the Electoral Act 2022, specifically appreciated the security agencies, the Civil Society Organisations, the Women groups, the Men groups, the Media, the Physically-challenged among others, who through their different engagements with the INEC, helped to make the exercise free, fair and credible.

She said the off- cycle election in Imo brings to an end INEC elections in 2023 in the State and assured of the preparedness of the body to serve the society creditably whenever the need arises.

After handing over the Certificate of Return to Governor Uzodimma and Lady Ekomaru, the INEC National Commissioner supervising the South East, Hon. Kenneth Ukeagu, thanked Imo people for the peaceful conduct of the election and lauded the partnership that existed between the body and different agencies in and outside the State that helped to make the process hitch-free.

Ukeagu reiterated the independence of INEC and its willingness to deploy technology to conduct elections for the benefits to the society.

Governor Uzodimma in his acceptance remarks, expressed his deep feeling of appreciation to God and Imo people, both of who made it possible for him to be re-elected for second and final tenure in office.

It was also an opportunity he used to reiterate that power will shift to Owerri zone when his tenure ends in 2027.

“Under my watch, Owerri zone will produce the next Governor,” he said and invited those who contested with him to join him to make Imo State a better place for all as his victory is the victory of Imo people.

Governor Uzodimma’s acceptance remarks read in full:

“A few minutes ago, I received the Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,  as the duly elected Governor of Imo State for my second and final tenure. I did so with a deep feeling of appreciation and gratitude to God almighty who made it all possible.

“I congratulate Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Deputy Governor-elect of Imo State, who has also received her Certificate of Return, making her the second female deputy governor of Imo State since the creation of our state in 1976.

“In my thank you address, which I gave shortly after I was declared  the winner of the election,  I acknowledged the contribution of all segments of the Imo society who worked hard for my victory. I also dedicated the victory first to God, from whom all powers come.  I equally dedicated my victory to Imo people, including those who massively voted for me and those who voted for other candidates.

“Let me once more  congratulate the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,  for conducting the freest, fairest, and most peaceful election in the history of Imo State on November 11th, 2023. With the assistance of the security agencies,  INEC delivered what has been widely adjudged a credible poll, whose integrity can not be questioned.

“By upholding the sanctity of our electoral process, INEC has deepened our democracy with the assurance that our votes will always count. I therefore commend INEC for a job well done. I equally commend the security agencies and all those who worked tirelessly to ensure that the election held peacefully throughout the 27 local government areas of the state.

“I am  aware that some cynics and naysayers have been stunned by my overwhelming electoral victory, which saw me receiving the majority of the votes cast in all the 27 local government areas of the state.  As usual, these critics have been weaving their conspiracy theories without taking into consideration the factors that shaped my victory.

“I am glad to say that I deserve this victory because I strategized and worked very hard for it.  This is the only way  to guarantee victory in a democratic election, especially in a state like Imo where the people are mostly literate, republican and politically aware. This means they can separate the wheat from the chaff.

“Having said this, it is pertinent to highlight two issues that I believe propelled me to a clear and outright victory.  One is my sterling performance as the governor in the last four years, and the second is the Imo Charter of Equity, which prescribes the orderly transfer of  gubernatorial power from one senatorial zone to the other.

“When people speak of incumbency factor in aiding the re-election of a sitting governor,  they misconstrue it to be the use of power and state resources to confer an unfair advantage to the candidate. For me, that is not the case. Rather, it means leveraging on  one’s performance as a marketing tool in an election. For example, Imo people will readily attest to the fact that there is no  community, no ward, and no local government that has not been impacted positively by my government.

“In the area of infrastructure, especially road infrastructure,  I have made the difference.  In all the sectors of the economy, our people have felt the positive impact of my administration.  As various groups, including trade unions, were endorsing me for re-election some, people dismissed it as  a political gimmick.   But those who endorsed me have walked the talk with their followers.

“The result of their efforts is this resounding victory. The beneficiaries of our 3R mantra of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery showed me appreciation through their votes. The same is true with the thousands of  youths whom I have trained and empowered. My opponents failed to provide an alternative blueprint for better achievements than mine, so there is no way I couldn’t have won.

“The second factor, like I mentioned, is the Imo Charter of Equity, which the Elders Council, traditional and religious leaders promoted to enthrone peace and order in the transfer of power in the state. Since I am from Orlu, these leaders endorsed me for a second and final tenure.  They made an appeal to Imo people that only those from Orlu zone  should contest the last election.

“Because the Charter does not abridge the constitutional right of anybody,  our brothers from Owerri and Okigwe still contested.  But they were rejected because they swam against the tide which the Charter represents.  In other words, apart from my superlative performance,  the Charter played a key role in my reelection.

“People voted to support the Charter so that going forward, our electoral process in the state will be rancour free and less expensive. The first takeaway from the Charter of Equity, going forward, is that under my watch, Owerri Zone will produce the next governor of Imo State in 2027.

“Now that the election is over, I renew my call to my brothers, who contested with me to join hands with my administration to continue to offer quality services to the people of Imo State. My appeal is that we should put the interest of the state and her people above our personal consideration. There is still time for everyone to buy into the Charter of Equity.

“As always, I am committed to running an inclusive government where the interest of every Imo man and woman will be accommodated. My desire is to leave a legacy of a tradition of rancour-free politics that guarantees all zones a realistic entitlement to the governorship of the state.

“Finally, I once again extend an olive branch to all aggrieved persons and groups and invite them to join hands with me to work to grow our state and make it the envy of other states.

“Thank you all, and God bless Imo State.”

Different individuals, groups and political parties who witnessed the handing over of the Certificate of Return to Governor Uzodimma and his running mate include former INEC National Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, members of the Inter Party Advisory Council, Traditional Rulers, members of the Clergy, politicians, business moguls, among others.

President Tinubu Leaves For Berlin,  Attends G20 ‘Compact With Africa’ Conference

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

Two days after returning from Saudi Arabia, President Bola Tinubu will, on Saturday, depart Abuja for Berlin, Germany, to attend the G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) Conference.

The conference, being hosted by German Chancellor af Scholz, begins on November 20.

During the conference, President Tinubu is expected to join other Heads of State and Government of CwA member countries, bilateral partners, as well as Heads of International Organizations to deliberate on the immediate enhancement of economic and business cooperation.

This is with a view to outlining concrete measures to boost investments in critical areas such as energy, trade, infrastructure, and new technologies, among others.

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngalele, in a statement on Friday, explained that the G20 CwA Conference will be taking place alongside the Fourth G20 Investment Summit, co-hosted by the German government and German business associations.

The statement added that “In view of President Bola Tinubu’s globally recognized drive for foreign direct investment in Nigeria, the President will sustain the momentum and advance the mission further as he leads Nigeria’s delegation to participate in the investment summit.

“This visit also affirms President Tinubu’s commitment to diplomatic reciprocity as the invitation to Germany from the German Chancellor is being honoured following the visit of the German Chancellor to Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria, from October 29 to October 30, 2023.

“Leveraging on the opportunity presented by the Fourth G20 Investment Summit, the Nigerian delegation will follow up on productive meetings previously conducted with high-ranking representatives from German business organizations, who were part of the official delegation of the German Chancellor to Nigeria.

“In his discussions with Chancellor Scholz in October, President Tinubu highlighted the imminent need for more German companies to invest in the Nigerian market across multiple sectors of the Nigerian economy, such as transportation, mining, and energy, all while noting that Nigeria remains Germany’s second largest trading partner in Africa.

“Nigeria and Germany, being the largest economies in Africa and Europe, respectively, recorded an increase in bilateral trade volume from two to three billion Euros between 2021 and 2022.

“The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; and the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.”

Ekiti Disburses N500m To Pensioners, Oyebanji Urges Public Servants To Await Subsidy Fallout

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has told public servants in the state to be patient as his administration is still working on reasonable amount to cushion the effect of subsidy withdrawal on petroleum.

Some States have commenced the implementation of palliatives between payment of N25,000 and N30,000 to workers, as well as provision of transport facilities to convey workers to and from work.

In Ekiti State, Government has made provision for buses to convey the workers while bags of rice were also distributed to them and other groups.

Governor Oyebanji said on Thursday that his government was already working out a scenario where workers would be taking care of to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on them, but would not rush to give a figure government would not be able to sustain.

He pleaded with the citizens of the state to be patient with his administration as government is also working out formalities that would  take care of those in informal sector of the economy as he assured all of good policies, interventions and infrastructural development that would enable government perform its responsibility to all without prejudice.

“Also on what the labour leaders refer to as wage award, I will not rush and promise you something that I will start and I won’t be able to sustain.

“If I want applause, I can award too and when it is no longer sustainable, we start dragging it, that is not my style because I promised to deal with you in truth.

“So, we are looking at the numbers, they’re working out the scenarios, and whatever we promise we are going to do for you sure it is something that we can carry. I don’t want to do something I will stop mid-way.”

Governor Oyebanji stated this on while presenting cheques worth N500 million  to about 140 benefiting retired state pensioners in Ado- Ekiti.

He assured pensioners in the State that his administration would not relent in the drive to clear the backlog of gratuities  in order to guarantee their welfare at their old age.

The Governor added that Government was not unaware of the hardship caused by the subsidy removal on the senior citizens, who had served the State meritoriously for the better part of their lives, assuring that government would always look for avenues to cushion the effect of the economic situation.

While disclosing that efforts were in top gear to work our modalities on how to clear the backlog of all gratuity arrears, Governor Oyebanji said his administration would also consider the demand for monthly payment of gratuity to Pensioners.

“On all outstanding issues, we are working so hard to ensure that we crack those nuts, I’m aware of all the arrears of pensions and check-off dues and a lot of things that are still due to our people.

“Our intention is to come to a point where we reach appreciable number of the pensioners, and you know that a committee has been put in place and very soon discussion will be concluded on it.

“We are trying to get the best deal for our people. What will gladden my heart is to sit down and see that we are doing N20 Billion and it feasible, it will get to a larger number.”

The Head of Service, Sunday Komolafe commended the Governor in the drive to ensure careful implementation of his administration’s cardinal programmes and policies to impact positively on the lives of the people, saying the various disbursement he had done for pensioners in the state laid credence to his resolve to make life meaningful and worthwhile for the people.

Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Kolapo Olatunde, and his counterpart from the Trade Union Congress,  (TUC) Sola Adigun, opined that the narratives had changed concerning the issues of pension and gratuity payment in the state since the inception of the present administration.

Presidential Aide Asefon Lists Students Benefits In Renewed Hope Agenda

By
Ayodele Oni
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Sunday Asefon - NANS President

By Ayodele Oni

As the world observes Friday November 17, as this year’s  International Students’ Day, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement, Sunday Asefon has assured the commitment of the administration to ensure access to education.

In a statement to mark the day, Asefon, said that the free shuttle buses for students, access to loans and appointment of youths into positions are some of the incentives of the administration to encourage the.

“Following the global adoption and domestication of this day, I extend the warm regards of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an education loving President, a champion of unconditional full and free Access to Tertiary Educational, a passionate lover of Students and Youth, whose administration has placed an unprecedented and premium value on education, and Youth development.

“Indeed, it is a blessing to the Nigerian student community that the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed an uncommon priority on education and fostering Youth development which is evident in the programs and actions of the administration so far.

“These programs and initiatives are not limited to: Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023, Approval of CNG Buses for Student Union Governments and National Students bodies.

“Presidential Directive on No increase in school fees by Federal Institutions, Appointment of an erudite scholar with highest education qualifications ‘Professor’ to mount and supervise education ministry among others in six month into the administration and Appointment of young, qualified Nigerians as Ministers to oversee the Youth ministry.

“These are unprecedented and a practical demonstration of commitment beyond mere Promises which symbolized a renewed sense of hope and a fresh beginning, emphasizing enhanced welfare, inclusivity, and the establishment of a more supportive environment for Nigerian Students.

“I encourage Nigerian students to stay optimistic, resolute, and dedicated to the renewed Hope agenda, as this government remains committed to supporting students and fostering the optimal educational environment in Nigeria.

“Let me also use this medium to announce to Nigerian Students that to further demonstrate the practical dedication of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to education and Student development, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement will soon launch the Renewed Hope Academic Excellence Reward Scheme in collaboration with key stakeholders.

“This initiative aims to recognize and encourage the top graduating students annually from every tertiary institution in Nigeria, further details to be provided later.

“I therefore call on Nigerian Students, leaders and cadres of Student movements across Nigeria to join hands and support the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by maintaining peace and order in all their campuses while the government navigates the path to a prosperous Nigeria as contained in the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Appeal Court Sacks Kano Gov, Upholds Bauchi Gov Election

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Court of  Appeal sitting in Abuja has sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State.

Governor Yusuf had earlier been sacked by the state Election Tribunal on September 20. The governor appealed the ruling, which has now been affirmed by the appellate court.

The situation is however different in Bauchi state where the Court of Appeal has affirmed the election of  Governor Bala Mohammed.

In the case of Kano, the lower court had declared 165,663 votes of Yusuf of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP invalid citing that they were not signed or stamped by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The governor’s votes were then reduced to 853,939 while those of Nasir Ganuwa, of the All Progressives Congress, remained at 890,705.

More to come…..

Vote Of Confidence: Gov Akeredolu Days In Office Numbered – Ondo PDP

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has described as meaningless the vote of confidence passed in Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu by 33 out of 35 cabinet members.

Two cabinet members that did not sign the confidence document have described the action of their colleagues as overzealousness.

In a state in Akure on Friday, the PDP spokesman, Kenedy Peretei, noted that things have so deteriorated in Ondo state to the extent that the whereabout of the governor is not known for 65 days.

To make things worse, according to the party, the governor’s son, Babajide has now assumed the role of Chief executive of the state, as the deputy Lucky Aiyedatiwa that is constitutionally empowered to assume the role is battling to save his job.

“Keen watchers of Ondo State politics may have been wondering how the State arrived at this sorry state of affairs. Where the ship of the state is just floating on the high sea, no captain, no direction and about to hit a dangerous cliff any time soon.

“While concerned opinion leaders in the state are still in the process of proffering solutions to the present political logjam, the State Executive Committee came up with a meaningless communique passing a vote of confidence on their boss whose whereabouts have been unknown for more than 65 days.

“As if to shred whatever was remaining of the Akeredolu administration, two State Commissioners ridiculed the purported communique as ‘senseless’ and of ‘no effect’.

“Last week, Babajide Akeredolu, the Governor’s heir apparent was seen in Oke-Ijebu area of Akure, inspecting government projects with the full compliment of the Governor’s convoy and security apparatus.

“Things have never been this bad in Ondo State. Who voted for Babajide as Governor, or his mother, Betty, both of whom have held the state by its jugular?

“Now that the State Executive Committee has decided to come and dance in the market place naked, it is clear the days of this government are numbered.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter wishes to advise Akeredolu’s appointees to be honourable in the discharge of their responsibilities instead of making a mockery of themselves in the eyes of the people.”

Emefiele Remanded In Kuje Prison

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele has been remanded in Kuje Prison, Abuja, the Nation’s Capital on the orders of Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Justice Muazu said the former Governor of the Apex Bank should be remanded in prison pending the determination of his request for bail.

Emefiele will remain in prison until November 22, when the court will deliver a ruling on his bail motion.

His lead counsel, Mathew Burkaa SAN, moved the application for bail which Rotimi Oyedepo vehemently opposed on behalf of the Federal Government.

After taking arguments for and against the application, Justice Muazu said a bench ruling could not be delivered in view of the plethora of authorities cited by the two parties.

The Judge said he needed a little time to study the authorities and peruse through the exhibits supplied by Emefiele to support his request for bail.

Emefiele was in custody for 151 days after his suspension from office by President Bola Tinubu in June, 2023. He was first detained by the Department of State Services, DSS, then the EFCC. After 151 days, he was given what has now turned out to be a temporary bail by a Federal High Court. In Abuja on Friday, he was again taken into custody when he was remanded in the custody of Kuje prisons pending a decision, again, on his bail application. A new CBN Governor has since been appointed.

AAAN Holds  LAIF Festival In Lagos

By
James Orji
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The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, will on Saturday, November 18, 2023 hold its 2023 Edition of the Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival, LAIF, at The Hall, Victoria Island,  Lagos.
The event, according to the organisers will attract  captains of industries and top business executives of the advertising industry, with honours and awards bestowed on worthy personalities who have in one way or the other impacted the Advertising Industry.
Chairman of the LAIF Management Board, Jay Chukwuemeka stated that this year’s awards present a major opportunity to celebrate outstanding creative works that stood out in the last 12 months, and also drive inclusion as seen in the volume of entries that have come in this season.
Chukwuemeka stressed that the 2023 LAIF Awards Celebration will be unique and  symbolic considering that it  coincides with the golden celebration of AAAN.
With the theme ‘A New LAIF’, the 2023 LAIF Awards will feature a total of six major categories,  new categories have also been created to make this year’s unique, the organisers said.
He disclosed that over 550 entries was received from 19 creative agencies that are located across Nigeria and registered under AAAN.
According to the advertising guru, “This year’s award would certainly give every participant the opportunity to celebrate distinctive works from advertising agencies in Nigeria for the period under review.
“It is an exciting thing to celebrate the great ideas from our creative eggheads . Having seen the creativity churned out by these practitioners, LAIF provides the opportunity to appreciate their works.”
The major highpoint of this Year’s LAIF is the ‘Young LAIFERs’, where young practitioners under 30 years come together to compete for a rewarding award and the LAIF AND DIRECT Conference with the theme, “Understanding the African Consumers”, in which two panel sessions were held with Keynote Speech being delivered.
This award ceremony is targeted at recognising two advertising Icons who will be decorated as LAIF Hall of Fame personalities.
The two icons includes; the Director General, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON, Dr. Lekan Fadalapo and Mrs. Nkoli Ogbolu.
Since its maiden edition in 2005, LAIF award has contributed significantly in stimulating healthy rivalry in the marketing communication landscape while also raising the level of creativity and profesionalism leading to some of the winning entries carting home laurels on both the continental and global stages.

OPINION: Nigeria’s Last Emperor

By
James Orji
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0
Akin Osuntokun
By Akin Osuntokun
I could have bet my last shekels that then aspirant Bola Ahmed Tinubu was never going to emerge the presidential candidate of the All Peoples Congress, APC. I was this certain on account of the logic that no aspirant could emerge the candidate without the buy-in of the cultic and all powerful President Muhammadu Buhari. It was more or less an open secret, through contrived slips of tongue and body language that Buhari may not have made up his mind on who to hand over the reins of power to but he appeared to have been resolute on who not to.
When we replay the Abeokuta video clip,(on a campaign stump speech at the Ogun state capital, prior to the presidential primaries), of Tinubu’s open declaration of hostilities against the powers that be in the APC, it is impossible not to draw the conclusion that the then aspirant believed he had come to the end of his presidential run. It was the beginning of a series of twists and turns of disappointment turned blessing for him.
So that no one is in doubt about his intentions, Buhari has been this categorical of his desire to anoint the president who succeeds him “In keeping with the established internal policies of the Party and as we approach the Convention in a few days, therefore, I wish to solicit the reciprocity and support of the Governors and other stakeholders in picking my successor, who would fly the flag of our party for election into the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023″.
The grapevine had it that, ironically, it was Tinubu’s resolve to go for broke in Abeokuta that saved the day for his campaign. It was a plot in which the feisty first lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, featured as Tinubu’s guardian angel. It turned out that rather than get enraged (and thereby redouble his anti Tinubu resolve) at the rude and insolent frontal attack on him, Buhari was rattled and perplexed. Privy to this crucial insider knowledge was the first lady, who whispered to her political partner to pile it on until Buhari’s resolve was reduced to tatters. She found a co conspirator in the caucus of the Northern APC governors.
With eyes set on power rotation back to the North in the near future, it was in the governors’ individual vested interest (as in presidential aspiration) that the presidency rotated to the South this time around. Haven gotten wind of Buhari’s inclination to field Ahmed Lawan as his successor, their response to the Buhari solicitation (to be given the privilege of choosing his successor) was the qualification that the party candidate must come from the South-in compliance with the North/South rotation principle. Finding himself boxed into a corner, the former President capitulated and consoled himself with option B, (to covertly back the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Atiku Abubakar, a fellow fulani moslem).
If therefore,Tinubu is the president of Nigeria today, it is no thanks to his predecessor. The knock-on effect of emerging president autonomous of Buhari or any godfather was a commensurate boost to his authority as president. Power is afterall the capacity to get one’s objective regardless of anyone’s contrary wishes. In the event, the APC governors sold themselves short and relieved Tinubu of any obligation of deference to them by selling themselves for a mess of pottage. The spectacle of the APC presidential primaries in Abuja was a sight to behold. It was not just the spectre of several contestants stepping down for a fellow contestant, it was the open secret of governors being financially induced to do so.
The ‘Independent National Electoral Commission’, INEC, took off from where the APC presidential primaries had left off. Prior to the presidential election, several organisations followed the routine global culture of conducting public opinion polls on the popularity of candidates. The three leading candidates were Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC. Almost all of the pollsters, notably those of Bloomberg and CNN (by a wide margin) gave the election to Obi. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Opinion polls are generally conducted with statistical selection controls in place and are thus called scientific”. A singular characteristic of science, stricto sensu, is predictability. In other words, it shall make a prediction and the prediction shall come to pass.
If the overwhelming majority of the polls predicted that Obi will win the election, why then should anyone be surprised at his (non INEC certified) victory at the 2023 presidential election? At any rate, at 4am or thereabouts on March 1st 2023, INEC took its turn in the relay race of delivering the Aso presidential villa for Tinubu. Regardless of the son of soil Atiku Abubakar factor, the votes of the Northern muslims segment of the Nigerian electorate proved quite decisive in tipping Tinubu over the bar. Upon being sworn in as president, no one would have been surprised were he to opt to play the Northern proxy and reflect a Northern bias in the distribution of strategic political and public appointments. Surprisingly, he hasn’t and has thereby rendered himself liable to the unintended consequence of Buhari’s crass nepotism.
It was predictable that any correction of his lopsided governance style would be interpreted by the beneficiary Northern constituency as discrimination against them. In this projection, the extant bitter withdrawal syndrome of the Northern political elite was foretold. While the North wallows in this quiescent bitterness, the South West zone appears to have been over compensated by their son. Given the winner-takes-all context of Nigeria’s politics, and against the immediate background of Buhari’s Northernisation agenda and the remote backdrop of President Olusegun Obasanjo nationalist even handedness, Tinubu’s apparent Yoruba bias, is a remarkable political assertiveness
.
I have been a little bit surprised at the preparedness of the Yoruba intelligentsia (or a fraction thereof) to adopt the prescription of calculated realpolitik and look the other way-where the liability of the shortcomings of the President is concerned. At play here is the unresolved age old Igbo/Yoruba political angst (with Obi as the victim, this time around) and an unflattering understanding of Nigerian politics as unamenable to high ideals. Others less charitable may see the attitude as mere euphemism for political opportunism.
Taking a cue from the Republic of Niger’s political crisis in which they found common purpose with Nigeria and Ecowas (both of which are controlled by the Nigerian President) the Western powers have equally adopted Tinubu as their leading political point man in the Ecowas subregion. Given the deepening gloom and despair that have embraced Nigeria including, especially, the tragic dysfunction and disappointment of the 2023 general elections, national debate is trending back towards the inevitability of constitutional reforms, aka restructuring. It is a no brainer to reiterate that the basic leadership problem of Nigeria is political mismanagement. Reinforcing this ailment is a constitutional dysfunction which structurally predisposes and renders the political leadership prone to this political mismanagement.
The over concentration and centralisation of powers in Abuja and concomitant disinheritance and disempowerment of the states breed lopsided instability, inefficiency and abuse of power. It predisposes the constitutionally enabled wielder of the power at the centre to arbitrary, discriminatory and unaccountable exercise of power. In the words of Lord Acton, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Increasing immiseration has resulted in the weaponization of poverty politics and very few Nigerian political leaders have the wherewithal to deploy financial resources with devastating effect as the President.
More than any other, especially against the immediate background experience of the leadership of Buhari, the primary lesson Nigerians have learnt is that, ideally, Nigeria shouldn’t have been constituted into one country. We can draw a similar conclusion of almost all post colonial African states. But that does not amount to the logic that (haven been lumped together), we cannot make a success of the imperfect political union that was handed down to us.
The corollary of the sustained trend towards over centralisation of powers and quasi-unitary state is a drift towards dictatorship and one party state. A growing strategic shortcoming of Nigeria is the capacity to absorb and normalise any political outrage. Nigeria has arrived at a juncture in which the citizenry have become generally powerless against the will of the ascendant Nigerian political elite. It is a situation of political stupefaction where see no evil, hear no evil, say no evil has become a collective response to the prevailing gross abuse and misuse of political power. Potentially and absurd as it seems, this development can be used for the good or bad of Nigeria.
All the major indices of the political development of Nigeria had been accomplished by the fiat of civil and military dictatorship, beginning with the colonial dictatorship of the British. Be they the 1960, 1979 and 1999 constitutions. Be they the translation of the four regions of the first republic into thirty six states. In reflection of his personal history as the Nigerian army officer whose worldview and socialisation were forged within a briefly nationalistic military institution; the Nigerian war commander who received the surrender of Biafra; the military ruler who conceived and executed an unprecedented and successful transition from military rule to the civil democratic rule in 1979, Obasanjo will tell you he wants to be perceived first as a Nigerian before being acknowledged as Yoruba.
The reverse seems to be the case with Tinubu. Though a latter day rebel, he is a mentee of the Afenifere/Yoruba nationalist politics and probably aspires to be perceived as Yoruba crown prince warts and all. Inferring from the substance and style of his short stint as Nigerian President I am substantially persuaded that the legacy he cherishes before all else is to go down in history as a Yoruba hero. Now, of course, being a Yoruba hero is not mutually exclusive of being a Nigerian patriot. At any event, you cannot be a good Yoruba without being a good Nigerian and good human being.
With a reputation in free fall, Mr President requires no further compelling incentive to work towards his moral rehabilitation and he has precisely the platform and opportunity to remould his image. Nigeria lies prostrate before him. If he leaves the Nigerian constitutional status quo intact, he will not only leave Nigeria in ruins, he can kiss goodbye to any positive remembrance of him. Posterity will judge him harshly, quite deservedly.
Osuntokun, a public critic is a former presidential adviser

FG Can’t Borrow On High Interest Rates- Minister

By
James Orji
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0
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun has disclosed that the federal government is not considering borrowing funds to finance the budget.
According to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, NBS, the nation’s public debt stock which includes external and domestic debt currently stands
at over N87 trillion or $108 billion.
Not a few Nigerians have warned the government to shun borrowing for now in order not to mortgage the country’s future.
The minister made this known when he  appeared before the joint Senator Committee scrutinizing the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, and Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP, led by Senator Sani Musa.
Edun stated that it had even bec ok me too expensive to borrow at this time, stressing that the government is focusing on other alternative source of income to support the Budget.
According to him, rich countries are tightening their economies, and one of the ways they are doing so, is by raising interest rates.
 Edun said Nigeria’s GDP to debt to ratio is still very low compared to other African countries and some rich countries, whose ratio is between 25 and 50 percent, in spite of this, he said borrowing would be the last resort for the government.
 “Clearly the environment that we have now, internationally as well as nationally, we are in no position to rely on borrowing,” he said.
“We have an existing borrowing profile. Our direction of tariff is to reduce the quantum of borrowing or intercepting deficit financing in the 2024 budget.
“Simply put internationally there is focus among rich countries on bringing down the inflation rate to stabilize the economies and give them opportunity for investment growth.
“We are in the process, of sacrificing that immediate goal for compacting their economies, or at least contracting the money supplies and pushing up the interest rates and of course, high-interest rates and investments don’t go together.”
The minister stated further: “What is left for us to access those funds are expensive so it is the last thing that we must rely on.
“As we know we have all the figures and debt servicing and cushioning 98 per cent of government revenue.
“The last thing you can think of is to pick on more debts. Government needs to not just maintain its activity, it needs to spend more. If you look at government spending, if you look at the budget as a percentage of GDP, ours is one of the lowest being 10%, even Ghana is at 25%, and rich ones they are 50 percent.”
Recall that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu said during the week that the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari left a ‘bankrupt’ economy behind.
Meanwhile, many Nigerians are watching whether the government would fulfill its promise to focus on generating revenue rather than resorting to borrowing.
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