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Finding The Bodmas X In The Mathematics Of 25% Of The FCT, Abuja

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The Source
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By Mike Ozekhome

INTRODUCTION

In an article titled, “Presidency: Supreme Court has resolved FCT 25% quandary: (https:// the eagleonline.com.ng), my younger friend, Dr Kayode Ajulo, specifically mentioned my name (amongst other senior lawyers), whom he respectfully referred to as “revered to be authorities in their fields”. He even generously described us as “legends of Inner Bar (who are) jurists who have become oracles of constitutional law whose names have refused to leave the pages of law reports”. I thank Ajulo for his kind effusive words of praises and adulation.

Were this kind recognition all he said about me and the other “oracles of constitutional law”, I would not have bothered to write this rejoinder. But, he soon thereafter most unfairly descended on us with unrestrained upbraiding as follows:

“And when they lend their respected voices to public issues, their words are taken as gospel by laymen who lack the qualification and the intellectual rigour to interrogate their opinions of these senior lawyers are Yeah and Amen”.

“However, this electioneering season has been an eye opening one for some of us. It has been a season or unraveling and miracles as to how some legal professionals have either by deliberate action or absence of proper research, interpret one of the simplest provisions in our Constitution as regards election to the office of the President and requirements of the candidate for that highest  public office in the land”.

“We have seen those that should know and those who have held exalted and enviable positions hold curious opinions on Constitutional issues that embarrass our industry and harass ones intellect”.

“For some of them, politics have been mixed with law in order to please certain quarters of the political class. But this is a dangerous mix. There is politics, and there is law. While they can sometimes intersect, they should not be muddled up when discussing pertinent legal issues that affect the nationhood of the country and the collective development of her citizen”.

This write-up of mine should, therefore, be seen as my RIGHT OF REPLY of (see section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, as altered). I honestly believe Dr Ajulo went too far in categorizing all senior lawyers whose views are not in tandem with his as holding “curious opinions”, either “by deliberate action or lack of proper research”.

He also accused us of being tainted by partisanship or politics, merely for expressing our views. And to think that such views to him constitute “curious opinions on constitutional issues that embarrass our industry and harass our intellect”, was far too rude, self-opinionated and too vainglorious to be swept under the carpet. He erroneously (perhaps, arrogantly), elevated his personal views over and above all others’. Where is that coming from? Narcissism? Politics? godfatherism? I do not know. Or, do you?  The truth is that it is, rather, Ajulo’s views that were not only political, but heavily politicised. His entire piece read like a piece of a political party’s manifesto. It failed woefully to exhibit the attributes of the rigours and intellectual breadth and depth of scholarly research which he so gleefully talked about in his needless diatribe.

My simple take on this is that when a debate on a serious controversial national issue gets to a crescendo such as we now have it, various dimensions of and opinions on the issue under discourse must be vigorously pursued, explored and interrogated. Consequently, as regards this raging ruckus and scrimmage as to whether the 25% votes required by S.134 (2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended) is applicable to the FCT, Abuja, I have now decided to navigate further, some uncharted routes, by going mathematical to find X. This will surely emphasize to Ajulo, and others who hold similar or same views as his, that this matter is not just about to go away, or be buried, or swept under the mat, until it is, perhaps, finally laid to rest by the Supreme Court. Even at that, Scholars and Analysts will, for centuries to come, still interrogate it, in the same way, that the debate over the case of AWOLOWO V. SHAGARI & 2 Ors (1979) LPELR-653 (SC), still rages till date (44 years later!).

Contrary to the simplistic and cavalier manner with which Ajulo dismissed the 25% compulsory requirement (even while paradoxically also extensively discussing it himself), it will not vanish into thin air just like that! He gravely errs in thinking that the debate is simply about how to “interpret one of the simplest provisions in our Constitution”.

We must tackle it headlong. Let us therefore now take the argument further. I have always believed that it is in the clash of ideas that the truth- the naked truth- finally emerges.

There is no doubt that the provisions of section 134(2)(b) of the Constitution is rooted in mathematics. It requires that a winning presidential candidate shall have “not less than one-quarter of the votes at the election in each of at least two-third of all the states in the Federation AND the Federal Capital Territory Abuja”. (Emphasis supplied).

As lawyers, we should not shy away from embarking on this mathematical pathway to resolve the steaming controversy. Yes, mathematics is part of lawyers’ job in resolving disputes; and Nigerian courts are not strangers to mathematical judgments. Afterall, the 1979 presidential election involving Shagari and Awolowo was wholly litigated, won and lost on the basis of the Supreme Court’s mathematical interpretation of what amounted then to 2/3 of the then 19 states of the Federation.

The Supreme Court, in delivering judgment in favour of Shagari, ruled that the requirement of votes to win the Presidential election was 25% in 12 states, and no more. It cautiously avoided the attendant fractionalization of Kano State, so as to avoid absurdity in interpretation. My deep research has just thrown up a judgment where the court was called upon to interpret and translate 1.00 to percentage.

The Honourable Justice Nelson Ogbuanya of the National Industrial Court, in resolving the mathematical legal question, held that “1.00 of an amount means one whole number and not a fraction; and when converted to percentage, it means 100% and not 1%”. See “https://guardian.ng/features” law Court rules that 1.00 base salary to mean 100% in mathematical judgment” – The Guardian 26th November, 2019).

Let me, therefore, state very clearly here, that contrary to what is being peddled by many commentators as purportedly settled judicial decisions on the status of FCT, Abuja (many of them critiquing my earlier write-up (see www.”ruebenabati.com.na-(opinion)- The 25% of FCT, Abuja conundrum-Mike-Ozekhome; Barristering.ng.com”) such decisions are not authorities for the very recondite and recherché issue posed by the 2023 presidential election results, which border on mathematical interpretation of the provisions of section 134(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as altered, regarding the required percentage of votes which must be secured by a candidate in the presidential election in relation to the 36 states of the Federation and FCT, Abuja. There is no known judicial authority which has decided and settled this abstruse, arcane and enigmatic legal puzzle which is similar to the one that was thrown up in the aftermath of the 1979 presidential election. But that era differs remarkably from the current scenario, as, unlike section 126(2) of the 1979 Constitution which ended with 2/3 of all the states in the Federation, the 1999 Constitution added a fresh, rider, “And the FCT, Abuja”. Both the 1979 Constitution and the unused Babangida’s 1989 Constitution never added FCT, Abuja, since although same was created by Decree No. 6 of 1976, on February 5, 1976, by the assassinated General Muritala Mohammed, it came into existence on December 12, 1991, after the 1979 Constitution had been promulgated; but before the 1989 Babangida Constitution which never saw the light of day.

There is also no doubt that the FCT, Abuja, is not, strict sensu, a State (it has no State-like governance structure). However, by S.299 of the 1999 Constitution and many judicial decisions, it is “to be treated as a State”:  See BABA-PANYA V. PRESIDENT FRN (2018) 15NWLR (Pt 1643)423; BAKAR V. OGUNDIPE (2021) 5 NWLR (Pt 1768) 9. A Community reading of section 2(2), 3(1)(4), 134(2)(b), 297, 298, 299, 301 and 302 of the 1999 Constitution shows that the FCT is accorded a special status as quite distinct from that of a normal state; notwithstanding that it is to be “treated as a state”.

In dealing with this my new vista which now takes on a mathematical dimension,  there are agreed parameters to note and apply, as answering  a mathematical question requires patiently adopting  methodical approach, using certain  laid down formula.

This is what is called ‘operation show your work before putting QED on your answer’. The mathematical question thus posed by S.134 (2)(b) of the Constitution is this: what does it mean when it requires a winner of the presidential election to secure not less than (i.e at least) 1/4 ( 25%) of votes  in each of at least 2/3 of all the states in the Federation (36 states) AND the FCT, Abuja? The first step is to note that there are two parts- the variable and constant figures. In mathematics, while constant is a fixed figure, variable figures are imprecise. But, the variables must, nonetheless be ascertained before proceeding to conclude or ascribe a fixed figure in a given arithmetical equation.

It is this inability to ascertain the variable figure that usually makes some students afraid of, and intimidated by, mathematics. In the end, they always failed to find X (the constant), with the resultant hatred for mathematics. To find X, the variable figure must be worked out and ascertained in a fixed figure, such as the constant figure.

It is clear that while “2/3 of all the states in the Federation” is the variable figure, which if worked out would give 24 states and thus become a constant figure, the “FCT, Abuja”, is always the constant figure, which stands as 1.

Working out the equation to show that the two parts (both variable and constant figures) are separate and distinct in their respective values must be applicable to the 25% votes requirement. This would be subjected to the BODMAS (Bracket, Order of power or roots, Division, Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction) Rule.

This Rule is employed to explain the order of operation of mathematical expression.

Here, Bracket plays the role of “AND”, which serves as coordinating conjunctive verb in English syntax, to ascertain the two parts separated by bracket: See BUHARI v. INEC (2008) 19NWLR (Pt 1120) 246 (for the definition “And”); and EYISI & ORS V. STATE (200) LPELR-1186 (SC) (for the definition of “Each”).

In applying this formulae:

The number of states =36;

2/3 of 36 as variable =24;

FCT, Abuja as constant =1

So, the 25% of 24 States AND FCT, Abuja (1), will be expressed as: 25 % (24)(1) in mathematics. This is interpreted in English as 25% of 24 and 1, but not 25. The 24 represents states, while 1 represents FCT, Abuja.

The intention of the lawmaker is quite clear here.

The FCT, Abuja, is the seat of power of the Nigerian leadership. It is a cosmopolitan convergence of all federating units of the nation. It is to be merely treated like a State; but not as a State for the strange purpose of counting the total number of States to become 37 instead of 36 States and the FCT, Abuja, as wrongly argued by some analysts. The FCT, Abuja, is the political nerve centre of Nigeria. It has been imbued with such a special status as a miniature Nigeria in such a way that any elected president must have to compulsorily win the required 25% vote in the FCT, Abuja, after winning 25% votes in 24 States.

The reasons for this are not far-fetched.

FCT, Abuja, is the melting pot which unites all ethnic groups, tribes, religions, people of variegate backgrounds; and other distinct qualities and characteristics in our pluralistic society.

It is indeed a multi-diverse and multi-faceted conglomerate of the different and distinct peoples of Nigeria, which according to Prof Onigu Otite, has about 474 ethnic groups which speak over 350 languages. The FCT, Abuja, is thus regarded as the “Centre of Unity”, which is a testament to its inclusiveness of all tribes, religions, ethnic groups, languages; and peoples of different backgrounds. Simply put, FCT, Abuja, is a territory or land mass that is made up of individuals from every State and virtually from all the Local Government Areas in the country. It is itself made up of 6 Area Councils, quite distinct from the 768 LGAs in Nigeria, thus bringing the total to 774 LGCs in Nigeria. Consequently, scoring 25% of votes cast in the FCT, Abuja, is a Presidential candidate’s testament to being widely accepted by majority of the Nigerian people. The President is not expected to be a tenant in his seat of power. Will he pay rent to the 24 states he scored 25% votes? I do not know. Or, do you?

The framers of the 1999 Constitution certainly desired for Nigeria, a President that is widely accepted, with national spread; and not one that is a regional kingpin with support only from of his tribe, region, or ethnic group.

The provisions contained in section 134 of the 1999 Constitution are meant to reflect this. In the same vein, the framers of the 1999 Constitution viewed the FCT, Abuja, as a melting pot; a sort of mini-Nigeria. Thus, like a commentator aptly posited, the position or status of the FCT, Abuja, assumes that of a COMPULSORY question that a presidential candidate must ANSWER in the electoral examination. With the FCT, Abuja, serving as the seat of the Federal Government-with all ministries and MDAs situated in it – it represents a Dolly Parton’s “Coat of many colours”. This is why the Federal Character provided for in sections 14(3),(4); 153(1); and 318(1) of the 1999 Constitution is also reflected in the administration of FCT, even though the Gbagyis are the original Aborigines of the FCT.

The only logical conclusion that can be drawn from the above is that sections 134 (2)(b) and 299 are not mutually exclusive or contradictory, as some commentators posit. Rather, section 299 actually supports and complements section 134.

Whether FCT, Abuja, is regarded as a super-state, full State, pseudo-State, quasi-State, or semi-State, is to me, immaterial. Even if it is none of these, what matters is the clear intention of the Constitution-makers.

Had the law makers intended that the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, will be treated simply as a “State” and no more in section 134(2)(b) of the Constitution, they would have simply stopped there.

There was no need to specifically add the new phrase, “AND the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja”, as in section 134(2)(b). The Constitution would simply have provided for “two-thirds of all the States in the Federation”, and stopped there. But, it did not.

From a historical perspective (I am a student of history), recall that the AWOLOWO V. SHAGARI case and section 299 of the 1999 Constitution which states that its provisions shall apply to the FCT, Abuja, “as if it were one of the states of the Federation; including the BABA PANYA and BAKARI cases (supra), often cited with éclat, but out of context, did not deal with the issue of elections, or what percentage of the votes was expected of a presidential candidate. They merely dealt with the issues that were presented in those cases. No more.

It is trite law that a case is only an authority for what its peculiar facts present: BABATUNDE v. PASTA (2007) 13 NWLR pt. 1050 pg. 113 @ 157; ADEGOKE MOTORS v. ADESANYA (1989) 3 NWLR (pt. 109) pg. 250; UWUA UDO v. THE STATE SC. 511/2014; SKYE BANK PLC. & ANOR. V. CHIEF MOSES BOLANLE AKINPEJU (2010) 9 NWLR (Pt LL98) 179; OKAFOR V. NNAIFE (1987) 4 NWLR (Pt 64)129; PDP V. INEC & ORS (2018) LPELR-44373(SC); LAGOS STATE GOVT. & ORS V. ABDULKAREEM & ORS (2022) LPELR-58517 (SC); ILA ENTERPRISES LTD & ANOR V. UMAR ALI & CO. NIG LTD (2022) LPELR-75806 (SC).

For example, when section 48 of the 1999 Constitution provides that the “Senate shall consist of three Senators from each state AND one from the FCT, Abuja”, why didn’t these canvassers of FCT, Abuja, being merely a state, argue that once we have three Senators from “each state”, we should discard the “AND” which gives one Senator to the FCT, Abuja, and thus deprive the FCT, Abuja, of its Senator? This provision is one amongst several others which shows that the FCT, Abuja, is to be treated distinctly and separately from the other 24 states.

There is no ambiguity in section 134(2)(b) such as to bring in aid, existing canons of statutory interpretation, such as the “Golden Rule”, “Mischief Rule”, etc. It is axiomatic that all sections of the Constitution must be wholly and holistically construed together so as to avoid leaving out some portions, or rendering them nugatory. See THE ESTATE OF ALHAJI N.B. SOULE v. OLUSEYE JOHNSON & CO & ANOR (1974) LPELR-3169 (SC). The reason is that law makers are presumed not to use superfluous, otiose or extravagant words in provisions of the Constitution or statutes which they make.

CONCLUSION

It is my considered opinion that the scope of consideration of the FCT, Abuja, as a State, only applies to the enjoyment and vesting of executive, legislative and judicial powers by relevant bodies in the FCT. It does not apply to all matters, extents, and for all purposes. Further, an interpretation that Section 299 of the Constitution applies for all purposes is too narrow. It is not holistic or inclusive. It will render many other parts of the Constitution redundant, futile, unproductive, meaningless and therefore, unnecessary. Certainly, such could not have been the intention of the Legislature or law makers.

Section 134(2) of the Constitution must therefore be interpreted to mean that for a candidate to win the Presidential election, such a candidate must obtain 25% of the votes cast in two-thirds of all the States in the Federation (24 States);

AND further, in the FCT, Abuja. This is a compulsory requirement for a valid return as President. It seems to me that INEC was not properly legally guided when it declared a President-elect. The Nichodemus announcement and declaration was obviously too hasty, premature and rash.

A great writer (Onwa Nnobi) was most apt when he stated:

“If 5 credits AND English Language are prerequisite to gaining admission into a higher school of Learning; and you make 10As in 10 subjects, but get F9 in English Language, does it qualify you for admission? It is not just commonsense and logic. It is incontrovertible”.

I cannot give a better example. But, let me try two more examples of mine:

If I request to see 24 Corpers in my law firm AND OKON, it means I want to see 25 persons in all; but Okon must be one of the 25 persons. So if 24 or 25 persons in my law firm show up, without Okon, have I had all the persons I wanted to see? The answer is NO.

To satisfy my request, Okon must show up in addition to the 24, thus making the 25 persons I desire to see. Okon is a Constant; 24 Corpers is a variable. The variables must be worked by BODMAS-Rule to find the constant.

As a second example, if I tell my dear wife to treat Andrew (my ward living with us) “like my son”, does that really make Andrew my biological son? I think not.

Let me end this piece in response to Ajulo’s apophthegym of the “unwrinkled face (which) is not good for a resounding slap” with some words of advice.

Ajulo ought to know, from the deep recesses of his conscience and inner mind that what we witnessed on 25th February, 2023, was not democracy in practice. Abraham Lincoln, who made his famous Gettysburg speech on 19th November, 1863, had described democracy as government of the people, for the people and by the people. He must be turning in his centuries-old grave. The last election was nothing but a sham and shambolic election of  “first-kill-maim-allocate

-thumb print-ballot-papers -select-and-win-at-all-cost-and-let-them-go-to-court”. It was not democracy, but “electionocracy” and “selectocracy” in action.

The new refrain in town has since become “GO TO COURT”; an obvious addition to our warped political lexicon. The election in my humble view, was the shame of a country that has been held down for decades by the jugular by insensitive and insensate elite state captors. It was a purported election in which a supposed Nigerian president-elect allegedly scored 8,795,721 (only about 9.409% of the registered 93.40 million voters). And WITHOUT THE FCT, Abuja!

So, that means less than 3.998% of the entire population of the Nigerian people comprising of 220.075.973 million people as at 27th March, 2023- the very people he seeks to govern! That is a mere 454,163 votes more than Chief Abiola’s votes scored about 30 years ago, when Nigeria’s population was only 102.8 million people. It was virtually half of President Buhari’s 15,191,847 votes in 2019; and even far less than the votes of the then runner-up, Atiku Abubakar, which was 11,262,928.

What an election!

If Ajulo does not recognize this odorous putrefaction and stone-age retrogression, in our electoral system, then it is him, more than any other lawyer, that belongs to one of the “senior lawyers” he so derogatively, perjuratively and derisively referred to as those who “give certain legal opinions that they do not believe in, just because they have been tainted by politics”.

I totally agree with his conclusion that “it is the common man on the street that suffers this dangerous game of deliberate obfuscation and misinterpretation of our laws”.

Welldone. Mercifully, I am very proud to announce to Ajulo and others that going by my very well known antecedents which are self-evident (simply google me), I do not belong to such a lowly class of ego-masseurs.

I am certainly not one of those cheap obsequious fawners, brown-nosers, or toady characters that hang around political merchants and buccaneers of corridors of power. Not being a card-carrying member of any of our existing political parties, I am simply a patriotic Pan-Nigerian who interrogates issues and speaks truth to authority and power, with history and posterity as my goal.

My parting proverb to Ajulo, more in the form of an anecdote or epigram, is this:

Once upon a time, an exuberant youth beat his drum so loudly, proudly, ceaselessly and fascinatingly with such reverberating noise that an elderly man sitting nearby told him to reduce the noise. The youth told him pointedly that he bought the drum with a huge sum of money. He exhibitionistly announced the name of the rare drum. The elderly man smiled, shook his greying head slowly, and calmly told the young man the name of the very animal whose skin was used to make the drum. Let us watch our words and actions, no matter how trying and tormenting the times are.

Professor Ozekhome, SAN, CON, is one of Nigeria’s high profile Constitutional Lawyers

CAN Lauds Uzodinma, Says Governor Turning Things Around For Good In Imo

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The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Imo State Chapter, has lauded Governor Hope Uzodimma for his massive infrastructural transformation within three years in office describing the feat as unprecedented.

In a statement in Owerri on Thursday,  the Chairman of the Association,  Rev (Dr.) Etches Divine Etches, said the Christian body is not surprised at the governor’s uncommon achievements, because as the scripture says, “when the righteous are in  power, the people rejoice.”

“This Biblical passage sums up the affairs since Senator Hope Uzodimma assumed office as the Governor of Imo State in 2020.”

The statement continued: “The impassable roads are now paved. We even have dualized highways all round the State. The civil servants and pensioners are being taken care of while the health system has been revamped. There is no doubt that things are turning around for good in Imo State.

“That is why the body of Christ united under the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), most warmly express our gratitude to the governor for his relentless efforts to make Imo better.”

The Christian body further noted: “Apart from the huge infrastructure dotting the State’s landscape, we want to appreciate him for his determination to restore and sustain peace in the State. We want to thank him for the empowerment of our youths through SkillUp Imo and other development initiatives.”

The CAN Chairman then enjoined Christians, to pray for leaders.

“Consequently, we ask the entire populace of Imo State to continue to pray and support His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo State, as he strives to create a conducive peaceful atmosphere for all.”

The statement congratulated also the governor for submitting himself to be used by God for the good of Imo State and her people.

Uzodinma Mourns, Says  Imo Has Imo Lost  Two Leading Lights In Anumudu, Egwim

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The Source
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Hope Uzodinma

Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has lamented the passing of two great sons of Imo State, Chief Humphrey Anumudu and Hon. Innocent Arthur Egwim, describing their death as hurting.

The death of Chief Anumudu and Hon Egwim as reported recently was a source of great concern to their communities, friends and Imo State as a whole.

Governor Uzodimma in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, said going by the unfortunate passing of the duo, Imo State has lost two leading lights who contributed emmensely to the development of the State.

He also regretted that Chief Anumudu and Hon Egwim died when their services were still needed by their communities and Imo State in particular, and Nigeria in general.

The Governor said that Chief Anumudu, a proud son of Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State was not just a a pace setter in the business world in the country who used his resources to serve humanity and God, but contributed emmensely to the political development of his dear State as a committed participant.

On Hon Egwim, the Governor said the lawmaker who represented Ideato North State Constituency in the 9th Assembly was not only outstanding in the Imo State House of Assembly with his motions and bills and played key roles as Chairman of Committees assigned to him for oversight functions, but was a lawyer of many years standing who plied his trade with zeal.

On behalf of his family and the government and people of Imo State, Governor Uzodimma therefore commiserated with the families of the duo, their friends and well wishers, and prayed God to give them the grace to bear the unfortunate loss.

To the dead, the Governor also prayed God to grant their souls a peaceful repose.

LASG Warns Trouble Makers As APC Urges Mischief Makers To Stop Fanning Embers Of Violence

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government has warned trouble makers against postelection violence of any kind in the State.

The warning became necessary following reports making the rounds that some mischief makers are plotting to cause violence in the State.

Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will not shy away in keeping the people togather irrespective of their tribes and religion.

He said people with divisive motives must not be allowed to destroy the heritage of the State like was the case during the ENDSARS protest.

Omotoso added that it was irresponsible on the part of anyone to whip up sentiments because they lost out in the last election.

On the collection of Certificate of Return received by the Governor today, the Commissioner described it as the beginning of another phase to a greater Lagos.

In the same vein, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State have also sent a strong warning in this regard to those planning to cause trouble in the state in the aftermath of recently concluded elections to have a change of hearts.

Seye Oladejo, APC Spokesperson in the State gave this warning at a news briefing in Ikeja said the state will not allow a repeat of the sad memory of ENDSARS in the state.

He said if there were records of violence in some parts of the state does not amount to the calls for the cancellation of the outcome of the exercise.

He advised that rather than those who lost out in the election calling for violence, the best place to show their grievances is the Election Petition Tribunal.

Oladejo noted that BVAS recorded 88% sucess in polling units across the country in the last general elections.

Truce As PDP Pardons Anyim, Fayose, Shema, Other Suspended Members

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ayo Fayose and Anyim Pius Anyim

By Ayodele Oni and Akinwale Kasali

Seeking truce and a way to return peace to the party, the Peoples Democratic Party has rescinded its decision to suspend some prominent members of the party.

The National Working Committee, (NWC) had, last week, announced the suspension of some members including former Governors of Ekiti State, and Katsina State Governors

Ayodele Fayose and  Ibrahim Shema. Also suspended was Chief Pius Anyim, former President of the Senate and a former Secretary to the State Government, among others.

The referral of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, to a disciplinary committee has also been canceled.

Unfolding events after the incident led to the stepping aside of Dr Iyorcha Ayu as National Chairman, following his suspension by his Ward and a Court action against him.

Rising from its meeting on Thursday in Abuja, the NWC announced that some of the decisions have been reviewed to allow peace to reign in the party.

PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement stated that “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its meeting today, Thursday, March 30, 2023 extensively discussed recent developments in the Party.

“The NWC recognized the imperativeness of a total reconciliation among Party leaders and critical stakeholders for a more cohesive Party in the overall interest of our teeming members and Nigerians in general.

“Consequent upon the above, the NWC reverses the referral of the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom to the National Disciplinary Committee.

“The NWC in the same vein reverses the suspension of the following underlisted members of our great Party: H.E Ibrahim Shema, Katsina State; Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State; Sen. Pius Anyim Ebonyi State; Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, Benue State and Dr. Aslam Aliyu Zamfara State.

“This decision is without prejudice to the powers of the NWC to take necessary disciplinary action against any member of the Party at any time pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

“The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party across the country to be guided by the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) as well as the new spirit and necessity of reconciliation, unity and harmony in our Party at this critical time.

“The PDP must remain focused as we continue to take every necessary action to recover the stolen mandate freely given by Nigerians to our Party and Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday February 25, 2023, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.”

My Role In Naira Swap Cost Me My Re Election Defeat – Matawale

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawale, has blamed the loss of his reelection bid on his role in the struggle against Naira Swap policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN,)

He specifically accused the Federal Government of militarising the March 18th gubernatorial and state assembly elections in the state to punish him for challenging its new naira policy in court.

Matawalle and his counterparts from Kano and Kaduna, Abdullahi Ganduje and Nasir El Rufai had filed a suit challenging the federal government and the CBN at the Supreme Court over its new naira policy.

The three governors are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Matawalle lost his re-election bid to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dauda Lawal.

Mr Lawal polled 377,726 votes to defeat Mr Matawalle, who got 311,976 votes.

The APC candidate in Kano also lost the governorship election but the party’s candidate won in Kaduna.

In a nine minutes interview with the DW Hausa, the governor said he was warned that the election might not go his way for his actions.

He said over 300 truckload of soldiers were sent to the state in the eve of election with over 50 soldiers sent to strategic polling units to intimidate voters against voting for APC.

“We’ve security challenges in Zamfara state and we’ve been asking them to send soldiers to us but they didn’t.

“But three days to the election (gubernatorial) they sent over 300 vehicles conveying soldiers into Zamfara.

“Such a high number of soldiers, if they could send them to us to fight insecurity it would be better. But they only sent them during elections.

“And I tell you, they were over fifty soldiers in our polling units in Zamfara. They (soldiers) were even straight about it that those voting for APC would not be allowed to vote.

“People were harassed and beaten because they wanted to vote for APC. We all have this evidence on video. When we called soldiers to come to our aid, they didn’t come. But I’ve left everything to God.”

When asked if there was any reason for the militarisation of the election in the state, Mr Matawalle said he had intelligence report that the soldiers were sent to rig the election.

“When I saw that (the soldiers being sent) I knew they were up to something. That was why it didn’t bother me.

“Because I received intelligence report on what they were going to do against me. Not only myself but other governors that did something that is considered wrong.

“Yes, what’s being said is that we went to the court (Supreme Court) over new Naira notes redesign. They said myself, Ganduje and El Rufai would be punished accordingly.”

Matawalle however said he was happy that Bola Tinubu, the president elect, won the state with a landslide.

Nigerians Must Unite For Democracy, Not Interim Government  – Analyst

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Sam Olorunfemi

By Ayodele Oni

A political analyst has advised the Federal government and Security Agencies to take the issue of an Interim Government being canvassed by some Nigerians serious and treat those behind the idea in line with the Constitution.

Mr Sam Olorunfemi, in reaction to the alarm by the Directorate of State Security, (DSS) that some highly placed politicians were planning to foist an Interim Government on the country in an attempt to scuttle democracy, noted that the issue is beyond ordinary threat.

“The alarm raised by the Department of State Security (DSS) over a plot by some unscrupulous elements to cause an interim government must not be taken with levity or seen as a mere threat by those plotting such action to raise our democracy.

“Security Agencies, under the Defence, must resist any attempt by a group of people or individuals from causing anything that can lead to the interim government in Nigeria.

“The sole responsibility lies in the hands of the security, to ensure that we have a free, fair and peaceful transition of government come May 29 this year, according to the provision of the 1999 Constitution as amended and the Electoral Act, 2022 as amended from the outgoing President to the incoming President.

“It is crystal clear that some people want Nigeria to plummet into crisis before May 29, which will leave us with no option but to call for an interim government which is alien to our Constitution.

“There is no better way to conclude that those who are secretly plotting for an interim government and state of emergency in Nigeria are the enemies of this country; as resilient Nigerians, we vehemently kick against any attempt to take us back to the military junta era.

“The DSS as matter of urgency must immediately uncover those behind this unlawful plot and prosecute them according to the provisions of the laws of the land.

“This is a criminal offence and if anybody or a group of people try to disrupt the inauguration of the President-elect scheduled for May 29 through violence, protest or military interference against our democratic government, such group or individuals must be apprehended and face the wrath of the law.

“President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chief of Defence Staff must protect this democracy from collapsing, and ensure that the plot of these individuals with intents and purposes to abort May 29 to bring an interim government and state of emergency did not work as they are planning.

“The best and constitutional right to take over a system of government in Nigeria is through the ballots or judiciary, and any other way or means to take over the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be vehemently stymied.

“Anybody or political party that did not accept the outcome of the 2023 Presidential election should seek justice through the court as enshrined in our laws and not through an unconstitutional way of an interim government or state of emergency.

“Nigerians would recall that Ernest Shonekan was hastily brought into power on August 27, 1993, after the then Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida announced that he was “stepping aside” following the annulment of the June 12 presidential election.

The new Interim National Government, however, was short-lived as it was toppled by an overzealous and ambitious former Chief of Army Staff, General Sani Abacha on November 17, 1993, till May 29, 1999, when we returned to democracy under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR

“We have worked vigorously for this democracy, and we can not afford to go back to dark days.

“Rather than calling for an interim government, let us join hands to build our democracy to the enviable pinnacle of our desires.”

My Brother, Senator Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed

By
The Source
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0
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed

By Hakeem Baba-Ahmed

A tree is bent when it is still wet — African proverb

OUR  family is very large and intensely political. Our father came from Mauritania to Nigeria in 1920 and died 1987. He was also passionate about sharing Islamic knowledge and rendering public service. Northern political and traditional establishments embraced, and trusted him to help nurture future Nigerian generations who will take over from the British with humility and sense of responsibility.

Our mothers, were great Nigerian women who understood the challenges of rearing a huge brood, managing a prominent citizen in great demand who straddled cultures and generations, and bringing up an entirely Nigerian family. We grew up under intense pressure to acquire Islamic and Western knowledge (even at a time the northern Muslim Hausa-Fulani were at best weary, and at worst hostile, to the latter). Our father had seen the best and the worst of Nigerian history intimately, as many of the key players in its twists and turns were his students.

Towards the end of his life, he would engage the senior ones among us in intense discussions on the state of Nigerian and global politics. His views were generally critical of our political systems that were not driven by our own basic values; leadership selection processes that were easily open to abuse, and institutional weaknesses that can only be explained by their alienation from our mainstream cultures and the people they are meant to serve. He had a particular disdain for a political system that tolerated, even encouraged conduct that was utterly condemnable, from people who aspired to lead.

He told us to be wary of the type of politics that will strip you naked in public, and then, at great cost to the integrity of leadership, dress you up and install you as a leader of decent people. He was certain that citizens can be upright and useful to society without submitting to a corrupt political system which drags you down with it. His position was that we should avoid the type of partisan politics that made heroes out of scoundrels, and reduced the best and the worst to the same levels.

It may have been lost to our father that he lost the battle at the point he exposed us to education, the values of service and the love of our country. His concerns were also severely challenged by the fact that the political process in modern Nigeria was the route with the highest potential to growing a just, competent and fair leadership; triggering social and economic development that narrowed the gaps between rich and poor, and building institutions that reduced the erosion of our civilizing characters.

He did not live long enough to begin to see his family’s wholesale involvement with public service, religious propagation and partisan politics. It was virtually impossible to avoid the plunge, given our upbringing and the very wide circle of his considerable extended family that jealously guarded the boundaries of his teachings and mentorship, which included the conduct of his immediate family.

Senator Datti almost brought up the rear in a huge family, but as soon as he was free of his formal education, he made the rounds seeking advice on joining politics. Wise counsel convinced him to build a step of personal achievement and a commitment that will sayt more than that he is from the Baba Ahmad family. He built BAZE University, ran and won a seat at the federal House of Representatives where he stood out for his courage and com, became a Senator and lost it to the very same forces our father thought run our corrupt system. Still, he remained in the ring even while running two private universities in the North.

By the time Peter Obi went after him to run as his running mate, Datti was his own man: focused, visionary and achieving, hardworking and deeply embroiled in the murky waters of Nigerian politics, yet confident that there   are ways to reverse the continuing national decline. His contemplation over Obi’s offer split our massive family and its extended component. It is that kind of family, and the issue was monumental. There were many positions which queried the propriety and utility of a partnership between two parts of the country that had a number of unresolved issues.

There were concerns over the prospect of success for a partnership that had highly questionable chances of success, and thus a huge potential to hurt Datti the politician, the family, and the North. There were demands made on Datti to make on Obi regarding his positions on matters related to the South East in Nigeria. There were, to be honest, a lot more on the side ranged between outrage and hostility than those who thought the partnership represented a unique opportunity to walk away from a crippling past towards a redeeming future. In the end, having agreed that he was neither going to be involved in a crime nor a disreputable venture, and after his arguments to be trusted to engage in vital national service, Datti was told to seek God’s guidance in taking a decision and do everything without forgetting his pedigree, his values and the challenges of good leadership.

In the recent election, the Obi/Datti ticket came third with six million votes and some spectacular scalps. They and their supporters believe they did better and are demanding a judicial review, amidst shocking quarrels (even by Nigerian standards). Anyone who thinks the judiciary will not be severely tested does not understand what is at stake. There is certainly a huge amount of anger in the land, and deep retrospection if you are in the sensible ranks of the winning party. This has been an election that is testing every inch of our journey to be a democracy, and the TV appearances of Datti showed him stating their cases with unusual passion. We discussed these, and agreed that a few weeks ago, they were telling Nigerians that they are good enough to be trusted to lead this country strictly on the basis of the rule of law, and leadership is about setting standards.

We agreed that today, they are exercising their constitutional rights to challenge an election which they believe has been rigged against them. He and Obi have made all the right and responsible moves and noises, asking their supporters to await the outcome of the full interrogation of the entire electoral process from a judiciary which, on the basis of enlightened self-interest alone, should not have its integrity and competence trashed.

Both of them have more that a passing familiarity with party spokespersons whose only job is to drag everyone into dungeons of infamy where they themselves are  permanently consigned. They are not subversives who want to bring the house down, and they must use their awesome powers to rein in their supporters who may believe that an extra-constitutional adventure may yield the results they need. It is sad indeed that these characters today are digging in, signaling contempt for Nigerians and the principals they claim to speak for.

I was happy that the Datti that went into the fray and did justice to his responsibilities, is the same Datti I was engaging with: patriotic, law-abiding and passionate about the right thing being done. I reminded him that our father warned us to avoid speaking in anger. I reminded him about the biggest challenge he and Obi face: keeping the fire they lit burning, irrespective of the outcome of the litigations. Democracy is not a short walk, and you are not on a journey at all if you abandon it at the first bump on the way.

Dr Baba-Ahmed is elder brother to Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party

NPC Says Religious Affiliation Of Respondents Not Part Of Mandate

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

As the National Population Commission (NPC) is set to conduct head count of Nigerians, it has explained that religion is not part of its mandate.

The commission, in a statement in Abuja, urged members of the public to disregard the rumour of question on religious affiliation

Isiaka Yahaya, Director, Public Affairs, pleaded with members of the public to  extend maximum  cooperation to the enumerators for the sake of delivering a credible, reliable and acceptable  2023 Population and Housing Census data for national development planning.

The statement reads “The attention of the National Population Commission has been drawn to an audio tape going viral on the WhatsApp social media platform across the country which stated that the religious affiliations of respondents will be canvassed in the 2023 Population and Housing  Census.

“The audio tape calls on Muslims in Nigeria to see the purported canvassing of information  on their religious affiliations as a tool to suppress their population figures.

“It therefore instructed adherents of the Islamic faith to resist any attempt to divide the religion of Islam  by refusing to answer any question on their religious affiliations.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission wishes to state unequivocally that the 2023

“Population and Housing Census will not canvass questions on religion and religious  affiliations of respondents.

“The decision to exclude religion along with ethnicity from the census questionnaire was  taken in due consideration of the sensitive nature of these issues within the Nigerian polity  and the need to save the census data from needless controversies and attention.

“A fact check on the origin of the purported message shows that it was first circulated in  Ghana during its 2021 population census exercise through a Whatsapp message.

“This negative message found its way into the Nigerian social media space in July 2022 when the  Commission conducted the Trial Census.

“The re-circulation of the message in audio form as the Commission sets to conduct the 2023 Population and Housing Census in May 2023 is an

indication that some elements are bent on drawing the 2023 Census into unnecessary controversies through propagation of falsehood and incitement of a section of the population to destabilize existing peaceful coexistence in the country.

“The Commission carried out extensive consultation with data users and stakeholders in  coming up with the questions to be canvassed in the next census.

“The overarching goal of the questionnaire is to generate data that will facilitate sustainable development.

“The  questionnaire is robust and include demographic characteristics of respondents and other socio-economic characteristics, but without any question whatsoever on religion and  ethnicity.”

Tragedy As Nollywood Actor, Yul Edochie Loses 15-Year Old Son

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Yul and his Son
By Akinwale Kasali
Tragedy has struck popular Nollywood Actor, Yul Edochie. He has lost his 15-Year Old Son, Kambilichukwu, to the cold hands of death.
The news of his demise was announced by the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Ejezie Emeka Rollas.

Rollas said Edochie called him on telephone to  inform him of his Son’s demise.

The late Kambilichukwu  was said to have slumped and was rushed to the Mother and Child hospital, but reportedly died before they got to the hospital.

It was gathered that Kambilichukwu had read throughout the previous night in preparation for his examination on Wednesday.After his exams, he returned home, but joined his friends to play football and while playing, he slumped.
Kambilichukwu’s Grandfather is Veteran Nollywood Actor, Pete Edochie.

This is huge loss to Yul who is currently seperated from his wife, May, after news that he married  a new wife, who has  a son for him broke last year.

May the soul of the teenager rest in peace.
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