THEWILL MAY 29 - JUNE 04 EDITION

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Ala areWis sese Wis are Ala Fighting Child Abuse g Child Abuse Fightin Through Poetry Through Poetry

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2023 PRESIDENCY:

Buhari’s Manoeuvres Keep APC Aspirants on Edge asAtiku Emerges PDP’s Flagbearer •Governing Party May Reopen Window For Submission of Nomination Forms •How INEC Was Pressured to Extend Primary Timeline •APC Gets More Time to Strategise, Pick Candidate that Can Defeat Atiku, Kwakwanso, Obi

MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

IS NOW WHOLLY DIGITAL B

Photo: Kola Oshalusi @insignamedia Makeup: Zaron

eing a child is quite different these days. With the advent of technology, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get children to participate in outdoor games. While there is nothing wrong with getting acquainted with the evolution of the world, we must keep a close eye on what these kids view on the Internet.

When did we become so busy that we longer make time to supervise our children and instead leave them to the mercy of the Internet? What we have, in turn, are children who are not being children anymore because of what they have been exposed to online. And it doesn’t stop there. The schools owe it to the parents and children to ensure that the innocence of our little angels is protected.

I have to cite the content of some books posted on social media to educate children about sex and where babies come from. These books were written for four to eight-year-olds and yet were so explicit. They described every minute detail of how babies are made. I could not believe what I was reading.

And what was scary was that one of the books was in a school library. Who approved it?

VOL 2 NO. 22 • MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022

Alaare Wisse

While I am not averse to speaking to children about babies, it must be done at the right time and in a way that that child’s innocence is preserved.

Fighting Child Abuse Through Poetry

Until next week, enjoy your read.

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COVER

2023 PRESIDENCY:

Buhari’s Manoeuvres Keep APC Aspirants on Edge as Atiku Emerges PDP’s Flagbearer •Governing Party May Reopen Window For Submission of Nomination Forms •How INEC Was Pressured to Extend Primary Timeline •APC Gets More Time to Strategise, Pick Candidate that Can Defeat Atiku, Kwakwanso, Obi

BY AMOS ESELE

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he conspiracy between President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, is so deep that even party bigwigs seem to be lost on the duo’s game plan for the party’s presidential convention, now scheduled to hold at the Eagles Square, Abuja, between June 6 and 8, 2022.

While the National Vice Chairman of the National Working Committee, NWC, Northwest, Malam Salihu Mohammed Mustapha, at the weekend, accused Adamu of refusing to take action on crucial party matters, such as the screening of presidential aspirants of the party, the National Chairman is quietly carrying out directives from the President.

THEWILL checks revealed that President Buhari THEWILLNIGERIA

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and the APC played a significant role in the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the deadline for parties to conclude their primaries to give the ruling party enough time to reflect on the outcome of Saturday’s presidential primary of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was elected the party’s flagbearer before the APC decides on its candidate.

THEWILL had exclusively reported last Thursday that President Buhari had directed Adamu to work with state governors in the party and shortlist 10 presidential aspirants, from which he would pick one as his preferred successor.

According to a dependable source, who craved

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anonymity, Buhari issued the directive to Adamu before he departed for Malabo to attend the AU summit.

The APC has over 20 presidential aspirants with the President preferring to elect his successor through a managed consensus primary process. So far, according to feelers from reliable insider sources, the President is not disposed to having the frontrunner, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as his successor. The candidacy of Senator Ahmad Lawan, President of the Senate, is also believed to be facing a similar fate.

Politicking around these plans has made it almost impossible for the governing party to stick to a working timetable for the conduct of its presidential convention.

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COVER THEWILL checks further revealed that the leadership of the party may extend the period for the submission of nomination forms to enable some aspirants, who already purchased presidential nomination forms but had not formally turned them in, in order to be eligible, to participate in the party’s primary.

THEWILL recalls that on Friday, May 27, 2022, INEC acceded to the request of political parties and the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, to extend the deadline for primaries.

Although INEC’s concession was done after it met with 18 political parties and IPAC, the unseen hand in the whole saga, which has now placed a moral burden on the Commission, was the presidency and the APC, because the PDP had already started preparations for its convention at the velodrome of Moshood Abiola Stadium on that Friday in Abuja.

THEWILL gathered that it was part of the plan to seek ways to arrive at a consensus for the President’s choice candidate ahead of the primary without destabilising the party.

“By the time the APC picks its presidential candidate, all the other significant parties would have concluded the process. It was a well orchestrated move by the president to block any aspirant from defecting to another party to actualise their ambition,” a senior party source said, asking to remain anonymous.

It was therefore a victory for the party that immediately INEC acceded to its request for an extension of deadline for primaries to June 9, 2022, National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, issued a statement announcing the postponement of its presidential convention from May 29 and 30 to June 6 to 8, 2022.

BUHARI, APC’s DILEMMA The PDP on Saturday elected Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2023 general election as President Buhari made his return to the country from his trip to Malabo where he attended a meeting of the African Union.

Within the next one week, he will have to name his preferred successor from a long list of aspirants, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The list also features ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Minister of Niger Delta Development, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade; Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; ex-Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; former Senate President, Sen. Ken Nnamani; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; ex-Zamfara State governor, Sen. Ahmed Yerima; former Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; former Imo State governor, Sen. Rochas Okorocha and former PAGE 8

Ogun State governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun.

Others are Pastor Tunde Bakare, Senator Ajayi Borroffice, the only female aspirant, Barr. (Mrs) Uju Kennedy Ohnenye, Pastor Nicholas Felix Nwagbo, former Speaker of Representative, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan; former Minister of Information, Chief Ikeobasi Mokelu and Mr Tein Jack Rich.

Also speculated to be under consideration are former President Goodluck Jonathan and AfDB president, Akinwunmi Adesina. There is also the possibility of the President backing a dark horse, according to feelers from the presidency on Saturday.

One of the reasons the President and his foot soldiers continue to insist on using consensus as the mode to pick the party’s flag bearer besides direct and indirect primary as stated in its constitution, is the long drawn-out plan to frustrate the ambition of Tinubu, the former Lagos governor. As a strategist with a war chest, who has built bridges across the political and regional divide in the country but is currently going round holding consultations with delegates, the politician is in a strong position to snatch the party’s ticket in a free and fair convention. The adoption of consensus is the weapon to stop him. But getting the party’s bigwigs to concede to the arrangement has been hard as it happened during the national convention to pick the National Chairman of the party; the stakes are higher at the presidency with geo-political and bloc interests involved.

But with the President’s insistence and aspirants warming up to the idea in their press statements that if they lose, they would stick with the party, the consensus mode has become easier to manage and sell as the most viable option to hold the party together and not allow the PDP to get back into power as the President has often said to whip dissenters into line.

THEWILL can report authoritatively that President Buhari had told his close advisers that he prefers

“

THEWILL checks further revealed that the leadership of the party may extend the period for the submission of nomination forms to enable some aspirants, who already purchased presidential nomination forms but had not formally turned them in, in order to be eligible, to participate in the party’s primary

a successor from the South-South zone with Igbo heritage.

Whoever the APC picks will find formidable opponents in Atiku; former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, who will likely emerge candidate of the Labour Party and Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso, who is expected to emerge candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

ATIKU ABUBAKAR WINS PDP PRIMARY Following former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the candidate of the PDP on Saturday at a seamlessly organised convention, analysts are keen on seeing how the ruling APC will respond with the choice and quality of its presidential candidate.

THEWILL reports that the horse trading for votes from adhoc delegates and high-wired politicking by some leaders of the party, who were opposed to the emergence of Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as winner of the primary, received the backing of some governors from the South-South in the party when they met early Saturday morning and decided to support Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy. The governors from the South that backed the move according to our checks were Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta).

At the keenly contested primary election at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, Atiku Abubakar polled 371 votes out of the total number of 731 votes cast by the 767 delegates. 12 votes were voided.

Trailing him were Mr. Wike who got 237 votes, while former Senate President Bukola Saraki came third with 70 votes, followed by Governor Emmanuel Udom who scored 38 and his Bauchi counterpart with 20 votes. Ex Secretary to Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, got 14 votes. The only female aspirant of the party, Oliver Diana and corporate guru, Sam Ohabunwa got one vote each. The remaining four aspirants, namely former Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, Publisher Dele Momodu, Charles Okwudili, Kanu Chukwendu scored zero votes.

In his acceptance speech, Abubakar thanked the delegates for electing him and pledged to unify the country which he said had been disunited by the APC administration through misguided policies and undemocratic posture. He pledged to deal with insecurity and economic challenges facing the country and to work with the party leaders to woo back the aggrieved party members that defected to other parties.

The high drama of the primary was enacted by Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State when he withdrew his candidacy and declared support for Atiku.

He said; “I have come to the conclusion to step down my aspiration for Atiku Abubakar and appeal to my supporters to take the stand in its stride,” he said.

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NEWS French Devt Agency Boosts Projects in Nigeria

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Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State (left), and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye, when the latter paid a courtesy call on the Governor at Government House Owerri on May 27, 2022.

Police Confirm 31 Dead in Port Harcourt Stampede

T

he Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the deaths of 31 persons in a stampede that occurred during an outreach programme organised by a new generation church, Kings Assembly, on Saturday in Port Harcourt.

The Acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Iringe-Kok told NAN that the church, located in GRA in Rivers capital, had invited members of the public to an event where it would share some gift items, including food stuff, to its members.

She said that the event was held at the Port Harcourt Polo Club in order to accommodate the anticipated crowd, including the underprivileged.

The PPRO stated that though the programme was billed to start by 9a.m., some of the participants arrived there before the time.

The command’s spokesman said that the church leadership was distributing the palliatives to the participants before the time at the venue which led to the stampede.

She said the stampede must have occurred when the members of the congregation struggled to have items, thereby resulting in the death of the 31 persons.

2023: Imo PDP Delegates Shock Aspirants at Primaries FROM SAMPSON UHUEGBU, OWERRI

T

he Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has held its National Assembly primary election. The exercise which took place at the Aladinma Shopping mall, Owerri, had in attendance the party leadership at the state and national levels, aspirants and their supporters.

The lawmaker representing Imo East Senatorial District, Sen. Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi, was defeated by the former Secretary to the State Government during the tenure of the Emeka Ihedioha administration, Rt. Hon. Uche Onyeagocha, with 134 votes, while Ezenwa got 110 votes. Basil Maduka who emerged third position, garnered 64 votes.

Reacting, Onyeagocha described his victory as the choice of the people of Owerri zone, saying that he would not take the massive support for granted.

Also, the third-time member representing Orlu, Orsu and Oru East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso, who was aspiring for Imo West (Orlu Zone) Senatorial District, lost to the former Lawmaker that represented Isu/ THEWILLNIGERIA

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Nwangele/Njaba/Nkwerre in the green Chambers of the National Assembly, Hon. Jones Onyereri with 228 votes, Hon. ThankGod Ezeani got 118 votes, while the Incumbent House member, Rt. Hon. Alagbaoso scored 54 votes.

Meanwhile, Mr Emmanuel Okewulonu has defeated Ifeanyi Araraume Jnr, a son of former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume to clinch the PDP ticket for the Imo North Senatorial District in the 2023 general election.

The party’s primary election took place in the presence of security operatives and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, in Owerri, on Thursday.

Announcing the results, Co-ordinating Chairman of the election, Mr Amaechi Onowu, said that Okewulonu polled a total 132 votes to defeat Araraume Jnr, his closest rival, who scored 61 votes. ”Having polled the highest number of 132 votes, I hereby declare Emmanuel Okewulonu the winner of the Imo North senatorial primary election for the PDP”, he said.

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Bayelsa APC Scribe, Others Win House of Reps Primary FROM DAVID OWEI, YENAGOA

T

he State Secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Hon Ebipade Fekoweimo and two incumbent Members of the Federal House of Representatives, Preye Oseke and Israel Sunny-Goli, have won the part’s tickets in the recently concluded Federal House of Representatives primaries in the state.

While Hon Fekoweimo emerged as the PDP flag flag bearer in Kolokuma/ Opokuma/Yenagoa Federal Constituency with 20,820 votes to defeat his opponent, Chief Chubby Ben-Watson. who scored 376 votes, Hon. Oseke was declared winner of the primary election for Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency with a total of 16,511 votes to clinch the party’s ticket and Hon. Isreal Sunny-Goli was returned unopposed in the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency primaries to run for a second term in the forthcoming 2023 general election.

The duo of Hon. Eddi Orubo and Hon. Michael Olomu also emerged at the primaries conducted at Ogbia and Sagbama respectively.

While Hon Eddi Orubo won the party ticket to represent Ogbia Federal constituency, Hon. Michael Olomu won the ticket for the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency.

The State Publicity Secretary of the APC IN Bayelsa, Doifie Buokoribo, who confirmed the peaceful conduct of the Federal House of Representatives primaries, declared that “The Party congratulates all the aspirants who are now candidates. Similarly, it commends Party faithful for their peaceful conduct during the exercise which was conducted across the state through direct Primaries.”

He also said the Party Primaries were the easier part in the electioneering process,” The big challenge is to win the main election, and APC in Bayelsa State is determined to win all the elections in this 2023 circle”

he Agence Francaise de Dévelopment (AFD) has said it committed $2 billion to support projects in Nigeria in the last 14 years.

The Country Director of AFD, Mr Xavier Muron, said this at the CATCH UP II Project final Art Exhibition in Abuja.

CATCH UP projects are financed by AFD through Urunwa Art to organise the second and final art exhibition that captured 30 children from vulnerable communities.

Urunwa Art is owned by Chidimma Urunwa and her team worked on a collective art project centered on bringing out-of-school children back to school and to reintegrate them into the school system.

Also, the project is part of the AFD’s METIS Initiative that aims, through the mobilisation of the arts and the use of emotions, at promoting transformations that will benefit societies.

Muron said that AFD had been supporting around 35 to 40 projects in the last 14 years.

He expressed satisfaction with the CATCH UP projects since it was his first assignment in Nigeria and the first edition that gave him the opportunity to meet with young artists and discuss.

According to him, this art exhibition featuring works produced by you (children) is scheduled to take place on Children’s Day. “The AFD opened in Nigeria 14 years ago and today were are recognised partners, financing projects in key sectors, such as energy, urban transportation, agriculture, water and rural roads.

“We have committed around $2 billion within these 14 years and we have been supporting around 35 to 40 projects.

“Why we are here, as far as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are concerned, is to invest more in human capital or human development.

“Which means we need to engage with the civil society, people like Urunwa who want to add value to their country by engaging in inclusive activities to support the most vulnerable in the population.

“And children are the most vulnerable.

They will be used as agents of destruction, if they are not engaged in their childhood, so we rely on people like you to engage them.

“We also rely on government, civil society and to engage people like Urunwa to make it faster to reach the most vulnerable ones in the country,” he said.

He added that, at AFD they had decided to collaborate with Urunwa Art in reaching to children which was in line of the agency’s projects.

“That is basically why we are here because the CATCH UP intuitive was finance through an international worldwide programme under AFD called METIS initiative that aims.

“Through the mobilisation of the arts and the use of emotions to promote transformations that will enable societies and, in particular, the most vulnerable populations to build their future with pride, dignity and commitment.

Speaking also, Urunwa, the artist and the owner of Urunwa Art , said that the children of the CATCH UP ll programme had done work that depicts the both virtue and social vices ranging from Rape, Girl Child Education and Art.

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Abacha

Fintiri

Adediran

POLITICS

PDP GOVERNORSHIP PRIMARIES:

How Adediran, Fintiri, Mutfwang Others Emerged

BY AYO ESAN, UKANDI ODEY, CHRISTIANA BABAYO AND UDEME UTIP

PLATEAU

C

aleb Mutfwang polled 252 votes, beating 14 other aspirants, to win the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket to contest in the 2023 governorship election. Before the primary commenced, four aspirants had voluntarily stepped down and declined to continue the contest.

An analysis of the votes showed that a total of 600 votes were cast.

The first runner-up, Wungak Kefas, scored 113 votes, while the second runner-up, Alfred Dapal Ali, scored 92 votes.

Three of the aspirants with the worst showing polled zero, one, two and three votes, among them a former ambassador and minister.

In his acceptance speech, Mutfwang said there was no winner or vanquished, adding that the victory belonged the party, Plateau State and the people.

He promised to reach out to his co-contestants for their cooperation and understanding, which will crystallise the desired synergy for good governance and development.

He said the transparency and credibility of the whole process which encouraged all contenders to accept the outcome, underscores the new positive spirit driving the PDP and called on the people to leverage this and vote the PDP to power in 2023 to enthrone a repositioned Plateau State.

LAGOS

The Lead Visioner, Lagos4Lagos Movement, Dr Olajide Adediran (Jandor), on Wednesday clinched the PDP ticket for the 2023 governorship election in Lagos State, thereby setting the stage for a tough battle with the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) in the main election.

Declaring the results of the primary in Ikeja, the Chairman of the Lagos PDP Electoral Committee/Returning Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ogidi, said that Adediran scored 679 votes to defeat his closest contender, Mr David Kolawole Vaughan, who polled 20 votes.

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Adediran, who acknowledged the aspirants that stepped down for him and his contender, said he was ready to face the All Progressives Congress (APC)

ADAMAWA

No fewer than 663 delegates voted Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State last Wednesday as the PDP candidate for the 2023 governorship election, thus handing him the opportunity to contest for a second term in office.

The Chairman of the Electoral Committee for the primary election, Gibon Katabs, made the announcement in Yola after the exercise.

Fintiri was the only contestant in the election, following the disqualification of Jamil Waziri by the screening committee.

Katabs said that 668 delegates were accredited, but there were five invalid votes.

Ogidi, who noted that there were 775 ad hoc delegates for the primaries, said that 709 were accredited for the election. According to him, 10 votes were voided in the election.

“Governor Ahmadu Fintiri scored 663 valid votes and is hereby returned as the governorship candidate of PDP for Adamawa in 2023,’’ he said.

He said, “The total number of accredited voters is 709, and Olajide Adediran got 679 votes, DAKOVA (David Kolawole Vaughan) had 20 and we had 10 voided votes.

Katabs also commended the delegates for the successful primary election.

“Having satisfied all the requirements in our guidelines, I want to announce Dr Olajide Adediran as our candidate after scoring the highest number of votes. He is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”

Before announcing the results, he said that delegates from AjeromiIfelodun Local Government Area failed to see reason with the committee over alleged discrepancies on the list of delegates.

He, however, commended the aspirants and delegates for their peaceful conduct and sportsmanship throughout the process.

In his victory speech, Adediran, who acknowledged the aspirants that stepped down for him and his contender, said he was ready to face the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He pledged to sit with all aspirants and leaders of the party to tap from their wealth of knowledge and experience in a bid to win Lagos state for PDP. Adediran, who applauded all the delegates for their trust in giving him the party’s ticket, promised to bring governance to the grassroots.

In his acceptance speech, Fintiri thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him to run for a second term in office.

KANO

Alhaji Muhammad Abacha, son of late military Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha, has emerged as the PDP’s candidate for the 2023 governorship election in Kano State.

Abacha polled 736 votes to defeat his closest rival, Jafar SaniBello, who scored 710 votes in the primary election.

The Returning Officer, Hajiya Amina Garba, declared Abacha as the winner of the primaries. The Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Alhaji Mohammed Jamu, said the primaries were legally conducted with validly-elected delegates and supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police and operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS).

KEBBI

A retired Army general, Aminu Bande, polled 471 votes to win the PDP governorship primary election in Kebbi State. He defeated four other aspirants to clinch the party’s ticket to contest in the 2023 governorship election in the state.

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POLITICS THEWILL reports that Oborevwori polled 590 votes to emerge as the candidate of the PDP in Delta State for the 2023 governorship election.

The primary election, which was held at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, the State Capital, saw 825 delegates accredited to vote.

Oborevwori defeated David Edevbie, who scored 107 votes to clinch the party’s ticket. Others who lost in the primary were Senator James Manager (83 votes), Olorogun Fred Majemite (6 votes), Peter Mrakpor (9 votes), Kingsley Otuaro (9 votes) and Omizu Odebala (4 votes).

A total of 14 aspirants were announced for the governorship primary election, but only 13 were present at the venue.

Other governorship aspirants that took part in the primary election are Abel Esievo, Chris Iyovwaye, Braduce Angozi, Lucky Oroye, Onajefe Gift and Ike Arariboro.

TARABA

Lt Col Kefas Agbu Rtd, has emerged governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba state, following the primary elections of the Party.

Kefas Agbu won the primaries, defeating other aspirants at the poll with 443 votes in Jalingo on Wednesday.

Eno

Ashiru

Others , who contested alongside Kefas were, Speaker of the House, Hon. Albasu Kunini,31 votes; Pof Jerome,24 votes, Sen. Joel Ikenya,11 and Bubajoda Mafindi , 6votes respectively.

KWARA

KADUNA

A former member of the House of Representatives, Yahman Abdullahi, beat two other aspirants, Prof Issa Gana and Ahmad Pategi, to emerge as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Kwara State.

The Chairman of the electoral committee of the governorship primary and the returning officer, Niyi Owolade, announced the result of the election at about 10 pm on Wednesday night.

Owolade said that Abdullahi polled 518 out of the total 574 votes cast, while Pategi got 31 votes and Gana 14.

According to him, 574 of the total number of 591 delegates were accredited, while 11 votes were voided.

Abdullahi, a former lawmaker representing the Pategi/Lafiagi/ Moro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

Isah Ashiru has won the PDP governorship primary held in Kaduna, to emerge the party’s candidate for the 2023 governorship election.

The Returning Officer, Chief Raymond Dabo, former PDP Chairman, plateau state announced the result.

Others who took part in the exercise were James Iniama, Aniekan Etim, Mike Enyong, Senator Bassey Albert and Akan Okon.

Ashiru was the PDP flagbearer in the 2019 governorship election, but he lost to governor Nasir El-rufai of the APC.

Others include Onofiok Luke, Umoh Idorenyin James and Ide Owodiong.

RIVERS

THEWILL reports that before the commencement of the exercise, Onofiok Luke, Senator Bassey Akpan Albert and Prince Aniekan Etim, among others had issued statements boycotting the exercise.

The immediate past Accountant-General of Rivers State, Fubara Siminialayi, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the PDP for the 2023 general election in the state.

Abdullahi, in his acceptance speech, thanked his co-contestants for accepting the outcome of the election. He called for the cooperation of all members of the party so that the PDP would become victorious in the 2023 general election in the state.

Siminialayi, who hails from Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of the state, polled 721 out of a total votes cast of 890 to emerge the overall winner.

SOKOTO

Fubara, widely acknowledged as Wike’s first choice aspirant, emerged winner at the primary concluded on Wednesday night at the Obi Wale Cultural Centre in Port Harcourt, with majority delegates swayed by the governor’s will.

The former Commissioner for Environment in the state, Sagir Bafarawa, who also took a shot at the position, will now be Umar’s running mate.

Giving his acceptance speech, he said, “I don’t even know what to say. I wish I had prepared 20 years for this. I all I can say is that victory for Fubara is victory for Rivers PDP and victory for Rivers State.”

Other aspirants for the governorship position, who stepped down for Alhaji Umar, were a former Deputy Governor in the state, Mukhtar Shagari and the current PDP chairman of the state, Bello Aliyu Goronyo.

Speaking at the occasion held at the International Conference Centre, Kasarawa, Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal thanked the delegates for a smooth conduct of the governorship primaries.

He commended the members and leaders of the PDP in the state for their patriotism and loyalty in all of the process, assuring that he would work hard to ensure that the party emergs victorious in the 2023 general election in 2023.

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Pastor Umo Eno, the preferred successor of the incumbent governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has emerged the flagbearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 governorship elections in the state.

At the delegates election, held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Eno polled a total of 993 votes out of the 1,018 delegates accredited for the exercise, to defeat 13 other aspirants.

He defected to the PDP six weeks ago and collected the forms to contest the governorship ticket.

In the exercise supervised by Dr Tom Zakari from the party’s national headquarters, Alhaji Umar polled 695 votes of the total 755 delegates.

AKWA IBOM

Ashiru scored 414 to defeat Sani Sidi with 260, Ramalan Yero with 28, Sani Abbas 15, Haruna Saeed 11 and Shehu Sani with 2, invalid votes 30.

A total of 16 aspirants contested the primary after a series of meetings and consultations led by Governor Nyesom Wike failed to yield a consensus.

A former Secretary to the Sokoto State Government (SSG), Mallam Sa’idu Umar (Mallam Ubandoman Sokoto), was declared winner of the PDP governorship primary in the state

In his acceptance speech, Kefas promised to run an inclusive government that will build on the legacies of Governor Ishaku.

Among the aspirants that participated in the primaries were former deputy governors, Tele Ikuru and Felix Obuah; the immediate past Chairman of the PDP in the state, Dr Tammy Danagogo; Secretary to the State Government, George Kelly; Special Adviser to Governor Wike on Projects and Dr. Abiye Sekibo former Minister of Transportation.

Meanwhile, some of the aspirants, including Sekibo, former senator Lee Maeba, Gabriel Pidomson and Obuah boycotted the exercise despite commencing the process.

DELTA

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, was declared winner of the PDP governorship primary in the state.

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They cited a subsisting court order in suit No. FHC/ABJ/ CS/606/22, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, as the reason for the decision to boycott the primary.

However, when the matter came up last Tuesday, Counsel to the 2nd –1st defendants, Uwemedimo Nwoko SAN, argued that the status quo ante bellum advice by the court was misrepresented by the plaintiffs to mean an order of court to stop the primaries from holding.

The court had agreed that it never stopped the primaries of the PDP in its order and urged the plaintiffs to go ahead with their arguments on the preliminary objections over jurisdiction and locus standi brought by the defendants.

Counsel to Plaintiff, Ahmed Raji, also appealed for more time to study the preliminary objections filed by the defendants. The defendants raised no objection to his plea, after which the matter was adjourned to Wednesday, 1st of June, 2022 for further hearing.

The exercise was supervised by the Akwa Ibom State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, alongside other officials of the Commission, who were on hand to monitor the exercise in line with constitutional provisions.

The Akwa Ibom PDP Governorship Primary Committee had Edo Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, as Chairman, while Mr Edwards Ayo-Odugbesan served as Secretary. Other members of the six-man Committee were Hon Mamman Usman, Hon Stephen Ibrahim, Barr K, Njoku and Mariam Bala.

Some aspirants, who lost the primary have congratulated Pastor Umo Eno for emerging victorious at the primary.

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POLITICS APC GOVERNORSHIP PRIMARIES:

BY AYO ESAN, UDEME UTIP, OGBU SUNDAY, UKANDI ODEY AND BASSEY ANIEKAN

O

gun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun on Thursday evening, emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for next year’s general election.

Abiodun secured the victory to pursue his second term bid at the party’s primary election held at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, .Kuto, Abeokuta, the state capital.

The incumbent governor contested the election with five other aspirants: Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade; Biyi Otegbeye; Modele Sarafa-Yusuf; Owodunni Opayemi and Remi Bakare.

Abiodun polled a total of 1,168 votes out of 1,170 delegates’ accredited votes to defeat other contestants who scored no vote.

Two votes were however voided.

The exercise, which was conducted by the five-man electoral panel led by Wale Ohu, was monitored by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the Director of Elections and Party Monitor, Mrs. Oyafunke Olanike.

Ohu announced Abiodun as the winner of the election after delegates drawn from the 236 wards of 20 local government areas of the state, cast their votes.

According to Ohu, 1,170 delegates were accredited for the election.

“Prince Adedapo Abiodun, having scored the highest majority vote cast is hereby declared the winner of the APC governorship primary election in Ogun state and he is hereby declared the governorship candidate of APC to stand in the 2023 governorship election in the state”, Ohu said.

Abiodun in his acceptance speech described the election as a victory for the people of the state.

“This is definitely a day to remember. It is a day of victory – a victory that I will savour for all my life. It is a day the majority of our party men and women spoke with one voice. It is a day that an overwhelming 100 per cent was scored in an electoral process in Nigeria. I am excited. I am grateful and I promise not to let you down.

“A 100 per cent in any exam is the mark of genius. While I do not claim to be one, I am challenged by it. In a democracy, it is a resounding vote of confidence. You know it is one thing to

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“

The party members defied the downpour that marred the exercise held on Thursday at Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan; they filed under the rain and cast their votes to approve the Governor’s second term ticket

Abiodun

Otu

Udofia

Abiodun, Udofia, Others

filed under the rain and cast their votes to approve the Governor’s second term ticket.

The electoral process commenced at 12:33pm with the arrival of the chairman of the Lagos Gubernatorial Primaries Committee led by the former Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Adamu Shettima Yuguda.

The electoral committee’s arrival was followed by immediate accreditation of delegates across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Of all the 1,225 delegates expected to participate in the primaries, the electoral committee accredited 1,198 delegates seated at the venue.

The exercise was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dispatched from the commission’s headquarters to monitor the primaries.

support one on paper; on the social media or on the face value.

This is real life and not mere audio endorsement. In a free and fair contest, it speaks volume about a people’s love for their own.

Before voting commenced, Shettima explained the modalities adopted by the electoral committee on how the delegates would cast their ballots.

“I will continue to carry out the office of governor in such a way that those who voted for me today can take pride in having done so. Let me also assure you that those who will be my opponents in the general elections would be pleasantly surprised and have no choice than to join us in our Vision of “Building Our Future Together”.

He said: “This exercise we are conducting here is to renew the mandate of the APC government in Lagos. We bring greetings from our national secretariat. Lagos is an APC state, no other party should be allowed to govern the State because our party has done extremely well.

“During these uncertain times, my highest commitment is to be your bipartisan voice in the state so that we can achieve our shared goals. Our state is one that has been built by our compassion towards each other, our commitment to decency, and our faith in our neighbours.

“Now is the time for us to be more united as a people so that we can genuinely continue to improve on our economy, create more rewarding jobs, provide more effective and easily accessible healthcare, and ensure that every student receives improved education”, Abiodun submitted.

Sanwo –Olu Wins Second Term in Lagos

With 1,170 delegate votes in his favour, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu won the governorship primaries of Lagos State’s chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) to become the party’s standard bearer in the 2023 general election.

The party members defied the downpour that marred the exercise held on Thursday at Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan; they

“Lagos is very important to APC, because the next president is most likely to emerge from this State. This exercise is important, no matter how long we are here, we must be patient because this is what the electoral laws mandate.”

At 1:03pm, accredited delegates filed out to vote according to their Local Government Areas. There were five delegates each from 245 wards across the 20 federally registered LGAs. The voting was temporarily disrupted by the downpour. When the rain subsided, the delegates came out again to vote.

At 3:35pm, the voting ended and sorting of the cast ballots began immediately. Then, the electoral committee chairman declared vote counting.

A total of 1,182 votes were cast during the primaries; 1,170 valid votes were in favour of Sanwo-Olu, while 12 votes were invalid.

Having garnered the highest votes, Shettima returned Sanwo-Olu as winner of the process, stressing that two other aspirants who THEWILLNIGERIA

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POLITICS

Pick Governorship Tickets

“I am deeply touched by this show of love and you will never walk alone.

“I hold the mandate in trust and promise to carry everyone along”, Senator Otu said.

Earlier, the state party chairman, Alphonsus Eba, thanked the governor for entrusting them with the leadership of the party seven months and 10 days ago.

He thanked all aspirants who surrendered to the consensus arrangement and also expressed appreciation to all stakeholders who helped midwife the process.

Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is a former two-term member of the House of Representatives representing Calabar Municipality/ Odukpani Federal Constituency.

He also represented the Southern Senatorial District in the Senate between 2011 and 2015.

Aisha Binani Wins Adamawa

The lawmaker representing Central Senatorial District, Aishatu Binani, has emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Adamawa State.

Aishat floored five other contestants to clinch the party’s ticket in the just concluded governorship primary election in the State.

Binani

Sanwo-Olu

Announcing the result, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Gambo Lawan, said Binani scored 430 votes to defeat her closest rival, Ribadu, who had 288 votes.

were supposed to contest in the primaries had been disqualified by the party’s screen committee prior to the exercise.

agreement in the state which sees power rotate among the three senatorial districts will be ditched.

Aspirants disqualified from the primary election are Abdulhameed Olorunfemi Mustapha and Wale Oluwo.

The governor’s promise however seemed to be faltering following his defection to the APC. To douse the concerns, once again the governor pledged during a reception at the MDI to receive some stalwarts of the PDP in the south to the APC that the “back to south promise” is sacrosanct.

Reacting to the outcome of the primaries, Sanwo-Olu dedicated the victory to all party members, describing them as the main winners of the exercise.

The governor said the outcome of the exercise was a “loud and clear” message from the party delegates, noting that his victory was the first leg of the success being expected by the State chapter of APC. He said the party leadership would not divert all its energy to win the APC presidential ticket for the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sanwo-Olu said: “Having thanked all our party faithful, the bigger appreciation goes to all Lagosians irrespective of the side they lean. This victory is for all residents who have supported us on this journey we started four years ago. What we witnessed this evening is an affirmation that the good work we have been doing should continue.

“This is the assurance we are taking to the general elections and we will ensure that we don’t fail. With all sense of responsibility, there are still a lot more that Lagosians should be expecting from us across all facets of governance. The confidence reposed in us will not be betrayed. We pray that God gives us the energy to take Lagos to a level that will reflect the aspiration of all Lagosians.”

Other members of the Gubernatorial Primaries Committee who were at the exercise are the Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Bashir, Tilewa Sijuwade, Hon. Bola Imolehin and Stella Okotete.

Senator Otu Picks Ticket in Cross River

With Senator Bassey Otu’s emergence as the Cross River State APC governorship candidate, the state governor, Prof Ben Ayade has kept his promise to the people of the Southern Senatorial District.

The state governor had in the build-up to his re-election promised the people of the South that the next governor of the state will come from the south.

The governor made the promise at the palace of the Obong of Calabar Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu during his consultative visit.

The governor’s promise followed concerns that the gentleman THEWILLNIGERIA

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The governor’s political sagacity came to play when he prevailed on 17 governorship aspirants of the APC to step down for a consensus candidate, Senator Bassey Otu. The drive to arrive at a consensus appeared to have hit the rocks when two high profile candidates from the central senatorial district declared their intention to run and went ahead to buy forms.

The candidates, Senator John Enoh and Christopher Agara, went on to submit themselves for screening and all was set for the primaries between Prince Bassey Edet Otu from the South and two candidates from the central.

However, delegates of the party decided to queue behind the governor’s “back to south” agenda.

In the election, which lasted till the early hours of Friday morning, delegates unanimously queued behind Ayade and nominated from the south as the party’s flag bearer.

Prior to the primaries, the chairman of the panel, Alhaji Mohammadu Makoro asked if any candidate wishes to step down but none inclined to do so and the primaries went ahead.

Otu polled 811 votes to defeat Owan Enoh who polled 84 votes as well as Christopher Agara with 63 votes.

Reacting to his emergence, Senator Bassey Otu commended delegates for standing by him.

He said delegates voted for him without receiving any penny or entitlement from him and promised them that they will never walk alone.

In his words, “Today, you have put in place a solid Democratic foundation for the state and I will continue from where you stopped.

“I thank you delegates, you voted for me without receiving any penny or entitlement.

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The former governor, Bindo had 103 votes to clinch the third position.

The election, which started at about 11:30 pm on Thursday, was concluded at about 8:44 on Friday morning.

Scores by each aspirant: Aisha Binani: 430; Nuhu Ribadu: 288; Jibrilla Bindo: 103; Abdulrazak Namdas: 94; Umar Mustapha: 39; Wafari Theman: 21.

Binani has now become the first woman to win the governorship candidacy of a major political party in the State.

Binani is a serving Senator, representing Adamawa Central and she obtained victory over the likes of former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ribadu, immediate past governor of the State, Jibrilla Bindow, House of Representatives member, Abdulrazak Namdas, Wafari Theman and Umar Mustapha for the governorship race.

Nentawe Wins Plateau APC Ticket

Former Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State, Dr. Nentanwe Yilwatda has emerged as the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial primary in Plateau State.

Dr Nentawe polled a total of 803 votes to beat three other aspirants.

Nine Aspirants were in the race, however before voting commenced , some of the aspirants sent in their letters of withdrawal from the contest.

According to the Chairman of the electoral Committee, Hon. Habu Ajiya, those who withdrew from the contest include, Sunday Garba Biggs, Dr. Sarpiya Danyaro, Sen. Hezekiah Dimka and Arch. Steve Fitka.

Akanimo Udofia Beats Ita Enang, Others in Akwa Ibom

Akanimo Udofia has been declared the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State for the 2023 general election, after beating the likes of Senator Ita Enang and Prof Christopher Ekong in a landslide victory.

The breakdown of the delegates’ election held at No. 6 Ekpo Obot State Secretariat of the party showed tha, Akanimo Udofia polled a total of 1,227 votes out of a total of 1,313 accredited delegates for the exercise, while his closest rivals, Senator Ita Enang and Christopher Ekong scored 34 and 21 votes respectively.

By the victory declared in the early hours of Friday by the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State APC Governorship Primary Committee, Omobatunde Ajibola, Udofia will contend with the candidate of the ruling PDP, Pastor Umo Eno in the general election early next year.

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EDITORIAL

Illegal Oil Refineries And Fatal Explosions

T

he recent explosions at Abizi in Ohaji/ Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State and Uzuaku in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State have once again raised concerns about the reckless manner with which we conduct our affairs as a people and government.

Both explosions, triggered by illegal oil refining in the affected communities, occurred within two weeks, leading to avoidable deaths, destruction of valuable property and wildlife.

Over 100 persons lost their lives in the Imo blast, which occurred on Friday, April 22, 2022, while 10 persons were killed in the Abia incident on Friday, May 6, 2022.

Coming in quick succession, the incidents would never have occurred if the authorities had been proactive and diligent enough.

It would be recalled that before the Imo and Abia incidents, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State had personally led a task force against bunkering and illegal oil refineries existing in different parts of the state and he found that security

men were in cahoots with the refiners.

Wike then called for the redeployment of the Commandant of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers.

Nonetheless, we sympathise with the families of those who died in the Imo and Abia explosions.

The Imo and Abia State Governments have separately launched an investigation into the disasters. Meanwhile, Indeed, on Monday, April 11, we call on the federal less than a fortnight to the government to expedite action Imo disaster, buildings used on the Petroleum Industry in the storage of artistically Act, particularly in the area refined petroleum products dealing with community exploded and burnt for days at inclusion in the management the Bonny-Bille-Nembe jetty of oil and gas exploited in in Port Harcourt, the state their areas. capital, killing five persons, including a pregnant woman In addition, security agents and a two-month-old baby. must work together to stop the operations of illegal Also, civil society refineries. Operation Dakatar organisations have severally Da Barawo or ‘Stop the Thief ’, accused security agents of issuing permits to illegal refinery operators for a handsome pay-off.

The point is that the so-called illegal refineries, which litter the thickets of many states in the Niger Delta, are known to the authorities and conniving security men who play the ostrich after the inevitable happens.

This contradictory behaviour must stop and a more organised approach adopted in order to eliminate the menace of illegal refineries.

Operating such refineries in a make-shift environment will always lead to disastrous outcomes, in addition to sabotaging the Nigerian economy.

The point is that the socalled illegal refineries, which litter the thickets of many states in the Niger Delta, are known to the authorities and conniving security men who play the ostrich after the inevitable happens

which the Navy launched in response to Governor Wike’s crackdown, should work with the N SCDC and other task forces to protect the network of oil installations in the Niger Delta region from vandalism.

But the Federal Government must note that this problem will not go away without the provision of a viable, life sustaining and productive alternative for unemployed youths who feel neglected and abandoned to fate.

What will render the combustible pipeline vandalism and the operation of illegal refineries unattractive to Nigerians is not pious speech making or investigations that often end up in committee reports, but massive investments in the ruined oil and gas communities to give their inhabitants a sense of belonging, such as the PIA seeks to address.

It is a sad commentary on the current state of affairs in Nigeria that exploding illegal refineries and oil fires continue to occur in the Niger Delta since the tragic pipeline fire that claimed 1,082 lives at Atiegwo, near Jesse in Delta State on October 18, 1998. It is time to put an end to the wanton destruction of human, animal, plant life and the national income earner.

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Austyn Ogannah Editor – Olaolu Olusina Deputy Editor – Amos Esele Politics Editor – Ayo Esan Business Editor – Sam Diala Copy Editor – Chux Ohai Cartoon Editor – Victor Asowata Entertainment/Society Editor – Ivory Ukonu Photo Editor – Peace Udugba Head, Graphics – Tosin Yusuph Circulation Manager – Victor Nwokoh Nigeria Bureau: 36AA Remi Fani-Kayode Street, GRA, Ikeja. Lagos, Nigeria. info@thewillnigeria.com / @ THEWILLNG, +234 810 345 2286, +234 913 333 3888.

EDITOR: Olaolu Olusina @OLUSINA [Letters/Opinions: opinion.letters@thewillnigeria.com]

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OPI N ION

2023: Between Genuine Aspirants And Pretenders

BY BAKARE IFEDAYO

B

ecoming Nigeria’s President requires many things, such as financial clout, strength, mental fortitude for disappointments and a great sense of brinkmanship. To be the biggest politician in Nigeria, you also need to learn the difficult art of waiting.

The 2023 Presidency has thrown up all manner of names, from perennial contenders, expected aspirants to aggressive pretenders, political jobbers and people who only desire their next meal ticket.

After President Muhammadu Buhari asked members of his cabinet interested in running for political offices to resign their government appointments, Nigerians saw many public officials who only chased clout and enjoyed the run, but had no stomach for partisan politics.

That decision by the President separated the ones who genuinely wanted to contest for political offices from the ones who merely dreamt about it.

The primary elections of the respective political parties promises to be even more interesting than the general election as the politicking and quality of aspirants imply. These politicians have a point of unity where they never seem to disagree.

The collapse of political parties that birthed the 2014 coalition that led to the founding

of the All Progressives Congress was an exposure of the true nature of Nigerian politics and politicians. They are neither progressives nor conservatives. There is no clear ideology behind a Nigerian politician’s drive. Their association is based on chances and opportunities presented. They just want to wield authority, gain control and always have Nigerians begging for mercy.

Rather than build structures and institutions that will outlive them, they would build men to cower before their feet, sing their praises and form an advance army for their political desires. They would rather build men to usher in their lifelong ambitions than build systems and structures that would enhance the achievement of the everyday ambition of building a better nation.

The 2023 presidential election will leave an indelible mark on Nigeria in terms of new political realities, but it will remain the same in terms of how far away we are, as a country, from the modern realities of great nations.

Seeking a better country from the present political elite is akin to asking a pig to bark it is not its quality. Nigerians are once again between a deep blue sea and a furnace at the other end. The choice is between sinking or burning. It is the reality.

Amongst those contesting in the 2023 general

election are Nigerians who have been seen.

They have nothing new to give the masses.

They have shown their qualities or the lack of it. While their understanding of the murkiness of politics is brilliant, their desire to build a nation is absent.

At a time the third force is also rearing its head, albeit strongly, this time with the involvement of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and Rabiu Kwankwaso, the future of Nigerian politics is taking shape again. Nothing incredible will change. The same brilliant politicians who build people for their political ambitions will emerge. The game is the game.

The man who may never become Nigeria’s President is that one who has everything it takes go occupy the position, including a sound moral background and understanding of Nigeria’s hydra-headed problems.

He, however, cannot spend billions to become President as he has no history of state capture or strategically-whittled corruption. The men that will never become Nigeria’s President are the men that can make the country a better place. It is a bitter pill, but we should learn to get used to its taste.

•Ifedayo sent in this piece from Lagos.

He can be reached via Ifedayobakare6@ gmail.com

Time For Nigerians to Wake up

BY CHRISTIE NDUKWE

T

he day we begin to focus more on our ancestry as children of one father is the day we will put aside the negative things that have kept us divided and hating each other at every little provocation.

The failure of the adherents of the two major religions in this country to study their scriptures is being exploited by selfish and sometimes ignorant religious leaders to confuse and control our minds. It’s about time we stopped them.

Education, formal or informal, is the major tool for recreating the minds of people.

Poverty is second to ignorance on the scale of factors responsible for the tensed relationship between people of the same bloodline. We can actually live in peace, do business together and transform Nigeria.

If the founders of the United Arab Emirates, an original desert land, could turn the wilderness to a wonder and yet make it home for non Muslims to live and do business, there is no THEWILLNIGERIA

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reason why we should keep a Greenland, with all the resources beneath it untapped, comatose on the altar of religious differences and ethnicity.

The ‘Abraham Accords’ has done the impossible.

It has “brought about normalisation and a quick warming of relations between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain.” The group has extended this accord between Israel and Sudan and Israel and Morocco.

We are still here looking for the difference between an Igbo and Ikwerre, a Fulani and Hausa, an Ibibio and Anang or Efik, and worse still, between a southerner and a Northerner.

Little wonder, the race to the 2023 general election has been predicated on ethnicity and religion.

If not, why wouldn’t a Tinubu run with a Sheriff or an Amaechi with a Fashola?

The drums of ethnicity and religion will be rolled out. I wish I could close my eyes and

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wake up with a new beginning for the once giant nation of the black race.

Unashamedly, Nigeria is broke, but her leaders are super wealthy.

Realising that the value of 1 dirham or AED in the UAE to the Nigerian naira is 166, I weep for my country.

The Zambia we oftentimes overlook has its currency so close to the UAE money with just a slight difference. We are a nation so rich, yet so poor. We intimidate other African nations, yet we are not getting better than them.

Before you come to my timeline to place the blame on anyone, know that you have also in some way contributed to the fall of the giant.

It is time for us to think home and join the @ ThinkHome campaign!!!

•Ndukwe is a writer, social critic and founder of ThinkHome Campaign, an arm of Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative.

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www.t hew i llni g eri a. c om VOL .2 N O.2 2

Emefiele

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GDP Q1 2022: Rapid Telecoms Growth Drives Emefiele’s Financial Inclusion Agenda

BY SAM DIALA

T

he exponential growth of the telecommunications (telecoms) industry which manifested after rebasing the economy in April 2014, accounts majorly for the recovery seen after the headwinds of COVID-19 and two recessions.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports show that the telecoms group which dominates the ‘Information and Communication sector,’ has recorded significant improvement both in growth and contribution to the GDP since 2015.

Analysis of NBS Q4 GDP reports in the past seven years revealed that the Information and Communication sector recorded steadily positive growth, with the exception of Q4 2017 when it suffered a 1.46 percent decline. In terms of contribution to GDP, the sector’s record showed a 36.8 percent rise between 2015 (11.04 percent) and 2021 (15.21 percent); and 46.8 percent between Q4 2015 and Q1 2022 (16.20 percent).

The growth trend rose from 5.21 percent in Q4 2015 to 12.07 percent in Q1 2022. The telecoms was also the driving force in the exponential growth of the non-oil sector which pushed agriculture to the fourth position.

“The non-oil sector grew by 6.08 per cent in real terms during the reference quarter (Q1 2022). This rate was higher by 5.28 per cent points compared to the rate recorded in the same quarter of 2021 and 1.34 per cent points higher than the fourth quarter of 2021. This sector was driven in the first quarter of 2022 mainly by information and communication

Security Breach: Over 25 Airports Risk Runway Incursions

BY ANTHONY AWUNOR

N

o fewer than 25 airports in the country are exposed to security breaches, due mainly to substandard fencing.

At the moment, some of the international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt have partial perimeter fencing, while the others owned by the Federal Government are not yet properly fenced, a situation which

PAGE 16

has led to encroachments on the lands by some unwanted elements.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) security guidelines prescribes that all airports must be secured with double perimeter fences. Its regulations mandate standard airports to have Continues on page 17

(telecommunication); trade; financial and insurance (financial institutions); agriculture (crop production); and manufacturing (food, beverage and tobacco), accounting for positive GDP growth. In real terms, the non-Oil sector contributed 93.37 per cent to the nation’s GDP in the first quarter of 2022, higher than the share recorded in the first quarter of 2021 which was 90.75 per cent and lower than the fourth quarter of 2021 recorded as 94.81 per cent,” the NBS report revealed.

While the trend is promising, the deliverables it impacts on the 2019 Financial Inclusion agenda of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, is noteworthy.

Financial inclusion means that people have access to basic financial services like a savings account, credit and insurance.

The importance is on the fact that financial services have the capacity to empower people, create jobs and open up the remote areas for meaningful economic activities. The higher the inclusion, the better the quality of life for the people. A higher exclusion rate in Nigeria could lead to a poorer population, as lack of access to credit and insurance puts them at an economic disadvantage.

The CBN had in a circular in 2018 lamented that Nigeria was not meeting any of the agreed financial inclusion targets included in the 2012 Financial Inclusion Strategy. The Enhancing Financial

MORE INSIDE First Bank Profit Soars 74% to N117.8bn in 2021 PAGE 19

NCDMB Lauds Temile/ Hyundai Deal to Build New LPG Vessel

Continues on page 17

Access Bank Revs up Agency Banking in Nigeria

I

n a bid to enhance financial inclusion, Access Bank has announced its intention to significantly increase its customer base and deepen wallet share of the banking population riding on its agency banking platform.

Access Bank agency banking ‘Access Closa’ recently hit a milestone of having 100,000 agents currently spread across Nigeria as

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AVIATION/ECONOMY Security Breach: Over 25 Airports Risk Runway Incursions Rapid Telecoms Growth Drives Emefiele’s Financial Inclusion Agenda

Continued from page 16

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both perimeter and security fences. The ICAO annex 14 sees a perimeter fence, while annex 17 equally has provisions for a security fence.

In an effort to meet the ICAO standard, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had painstakingly applied safety measures in line with international best practice to boost security and safety within the nation’s airports.

However, more needs to be done in relation to the fencing of all the airports across the country.

Investigations show that there is an urgent need for the FAAN to fortify the already existing perimeter fencing as required by the ICAO to avert more security breaches in the future.

On May 19, 2022, the mangled body of an unknown person was found on Runway 18R/36L of the International wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.

The human remains were suddenly found on Runway 18R during a routine runway inspection by FAAN personnel.

In a statement issued shortly after the incident and signed by Mrs. Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, General Manager, Public Affairs, FAAN said investigation was ongoing and a report would be issued accordingly.

Earlier, in March 2022, gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked Kaduna Airport, killing the guard at the Voice Omni Directional Radio (VOR) site, a Navigational Aids equipment belonging to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).

The sudden attack, which took place at midday, affected the smooth take-off of flights as most of the airport workers were running helter-skelter for safety.

The recent attack was not the first. In March, 2021, the airport’s staff quarters, close to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), were invaded.

From all indications, most of the attackers usually gained entrance into these restricted areas of the airport through the perimeter fences. For the

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To meet the ICAO recommended practices, industry observers said there is need for adequate provision of huge funds to construct perimeter and operational fences across all the over 25 airports operated by FAAN THEWILLNIGERIA

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Kaduna attack, the bandits had gained access to the quarters through the airport runway at midnight, storming into the apartments of their victims in a brazen manner.

Investigations have shown that most of the existing fences of airports in the country are poorly manned and could be easily breached by unwanted guests.

It was also gathered that the poorly built fences, coupled with underutilisation of airport premises, especially those closer to the fences, had given room for thick bushes to grow, covering up the fences in some instances and allowing hoodlums to take cover, a situation inside sources have described as dangerous.

Findings also revealed that although Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt Airports boast of the best fencing infrastructure in the country, they still fall short of the ICAO standard.

To meet the ICAO recommended practices, industry observers said there was a need for adequate provision of huge funds to construct perimeter and operational fences across all the over 25 airports operated by FAAN. The funds are expected to take care of the several hundreds of kilometres of landmass across the airports in the country.

The ICAO security guidelines instructs that all airports must be secured with double perimeter fences. To meet this specification, nets, barbed wire, cameras, sensors, infrareds, intrusion detection devices are required, all of which would cost close to N1 trillion to fix.

In his opinion, a former Commandant of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport MMIA, Group-Captain John Ojikutu, stated that airports were supposed to be fortified with perimeter fences in accordance with Annex 14 and that if they have security fences, it must be in accordance with Annex 17.

Querying further, the aviation security consultant and CEO of Centurion Securities, said, “Do they have security fences in accordance with Annex 17? If there are no security fences but perimeter fences, are they enhanced in compliance with Annex 17? Do we conduct regular security patrols on the internal perimeter roads around the airport to wade off intruders? Do we have sufficient manpower deployed to man or for the monitoring of the perimeter fences? If all these are not in place what do we spend the security levy imposed on the passengers on?”

Ojikutu pointed out that there is a minimum distance that the urban and public roads and buildings must not exceed to the airport fences or security fences. All these parameters, he said, must be enforced by the responsible airports and state Authorities.

Reacting to the issue of insecurity at the airports, the Secretary-General of the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Comrade Abdulrasaq Saidu, condemned a situation whereby a corpse was found at the runway.

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*Continues online at www. thewillnigeria.com

Innovation and Access, EFInA, data showed that only 64.1 percent was financially included by the end of 2020. This means that 36 percent of Nigerian adults, or 38.1 million of the country’s 106 million adults of 18 years and above, remain completely financially excluded – a shortfall by 16 percent points from the desired target of a 20 percent exclusion rate.

To underscore its importance, Emefiele, in his second term agenda as the CBN Governor in 2019, put Financial Inclusion at the forefront of his 5-point agenda. He set a target of 2024 to achieve 95 percent financial inclusion.

“Over the next five years, through initiatives and policy measures such as the Shared Agent Network (SANEF) and the payment service banks, we intend to broaden access to financial services to individuals in underserved parts of the country.

Our ultimate objective is to ensure that 95 per cent of eligible Nigerians have access to financial services by 2024. We will also intensify our financial literacy and consumer protection programs such that current and eligible bank customers are fully aware of the financial services being offered to them as well as the cost of utilizing these services, which will enable them to make well-informed choices,” Emefield stated in his world press conference on June 24, 2019.

The CBN, thereafter, fired from all cylinders, especially by embracing the Payment Service Bank (PSB) initiative. The move was different from the seeming lackluster, or wait-and-see attitude, it had adopted before then – since 2018 when it rolled out the Guidelines (revised in 2020) for the Licensing and Regulation of Payment Service Banks (PSB) with little results.

It eventually embraced the PSB approach after several years of “pressure” from members of the public who urged it to tow the path of successful African countries like Kenya, Ghana and Ethiopia that had become role models in the financial inclusion.

A PSB is a category of banks with smaller-scale operations and the absence of credit risk and foreign exchange operations. They are regarded as a hybrid of conventional banks and fintech companies; they provide banking solutions with the flexibility, accessibility and technology tools employed by fintech companies in driving the financial inclusion project. Their major window of operation is telecoms. Unfortunately, COVID-19 pandemic which altered the path of normal life across the globe and spread a wave of disastrous health and economic damage, was expected to constitute a hitch in driving the Emefiele Financial Inclusion Agenda.

In November 2021, the CBN granted Approval in Principle (AIP) to two of the country’s largest mobile telecoms service operators – MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa.

The AIP prepared ground for the final approval in six months’ time. This would enable them to operate grassroots financial services especially the Mobile Money channel which is expected

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With just a phone number, any Nigerian who does not have a bank account will most likely be able to ride on the infrastructure of any of the telecoms firms or other service providers to transact through an e-wallet or mobile money account

to remove most of the barriers to obtaining bank accounts such as the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and other KYC (Know-YourCustomer) requirements.

The CBN had earlier issued PSB licences to 9Mobile and Globacom in 2020. While 9Mobile had launched its 9PSB in 2020, Globacom licence is still cooling off on the shelf – unutilised. Incidentally 9Mobile’s PSB project did not go far before it ran into murky waters for what experts described as lack of intensity. Aside from the announced partnership with Fluterwave in September 2020, the 9Mobile PSB project has remained in the silence mode.

In the second quarter of 2022, CBN granted final approval for MTN and Airtel to operate a full payment Service in Nigeria using their individual channels. MTN received the final approval to operate as Momo Payment Service Bank Limited (Momo PSB). Airtel subsidiary, SMARTCASH Payment Service Bank Limited (‘Smartcash’) was granted approval to operate a Payment Service Bank in Nigeria.

The CBN had earlier granted Airtel’s subsidiary, Airtel Mobile Commerce Nigeria Ltd, a full “super agent” license, allowing it to serve customers of Nigerian banks, payment service banks, and licensed mobile money carriers.

The CEO, Airtel Africa, Segun Ogunsanya, said, “This licence enables us to expand our digital financial products and reach the millions of Nigerians that do not currently have access to traditional financial services. We are delighted to be able to pursue our shared agenda with the Nigerian Government, the CBN and traditional financial institutions to further deepen financial inclusion in the country for the benefit of all citizens and the Nigerian economy.”

The two major telecoms companies agreed that the license would enable them to reach the unbanked and promote the apex bank’s agenda of financial inclusion. *Continues online at www. thewillnigeria.com

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INSURANCE

Directors of 5 Major Insurance Firms Earned 45% Pay Rise in 2021

BY SAM DIALA

sacrifices because the industry is under pressure from every front and to run insurance business in this clime is very difficult,” Agada told New Fortunes in a note.

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espite the sluggish performance of the insurance sector in 2021, directors of five major insurance firms earned a 45 percent pay rise during the year, while shareholders’ dividend payout remained static. Nigeria’s 10 largest insurance firms by market capitalisation have a total of N148.5 billion; but this report focuses on the top five that have published their 2021 audited report. They are Custodian Investment Plc, AIICO Insurance Plc, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Linkage Assurance Plc and Prestige Insurance Plc.

The International Association of Insurance Supervisors, IAIS (a voluntary membership organisation of insurance supervisors from over 190 jurisdictions constituting 97 percent of the world’s insurance premiums) reported that lower premiums, on the back of reduced economic activities, coupled with lower investment income pressured the profitability of insurers in 2020.

“Data as of Q2:2020 also showed that solvency ratios declined on an aggregate level across business lines and regions resulting from investment losses that accrued from financial market volatility during the period.

Lower profitability, increased claim payments, and declines in asset values as a result of financial market volatility have forced some insurers to discontinue some pandemic-related insurance policies and remove clauses that expose insurers to pandemic-related claims in existing policies in order to contain claims,” IAIS stated.

The 2021 audited results of the five top insurance firms showed a mixed fortune for the financial services insurance sub-sector at the time of filing this report.

This, apparently, reflects the sluggish recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the two recessions which hit the economy – the worst in a quarter of a century, in the previous years.

The development reconfigured the top- and bottomlines performance trajectory of the firms, with the directors’ total remuneration hitting N1.39 billion, a 45 percent rise from N956 million recorded in the preceding year.

Data from the 2021 audited annual report of the profiled companies showed that Directors of Custodian Insurance Plc, the largest insurance firm with N38.2 billion market capitalization, earned total remuneration of N987.97 million, representing 82.5 percent rise from N5341.33 million they received in the previous year. In the case of AIICO Insurance Plc with the second largest market capitalization of N24.5 billion, the Directors’ remuneration jumped slightly from N290.88 million in 2020 to N295.39 million in 2021, reflecting a 1.5 percent increase.

A newspaper report had disclosed that the total emolument of N290.8 million received by Directors of AIICO Insurance Plc in 2020, the year that COVID-19 spread human suffering and destabilized global economy in the worst dimension in a century, was the highest remuneration paid its Directors since 1990 when AIICO Insurance was listed on the Nigerian Exchange as a public limited company. It was established in 1963 as a private enterprise.

Directors of Cornerstone Insurance Plc went home with a total remuneration of N41.98 million, 41 percent drop from the N71.20 million they enjoyed in the previous financial year. The story was slightly different at Linkage Assurance Plc where the firm’s Directors received a total remuneration of N38.71 million, representing 14.29 percent rise from N33.87 million they were paid in the year before. Prestige Insurance Directors’ total remuneration jumped by 17 percent to N21.57 million from N18.50 million in the preceding year.

The five top insurance firms recorded a total of N179.16 billion as Gross Premium Written in 2021 compared with N152.98 billion in 2020, representing 17.12 percent increase. Total profit before tax (PBT) recorded by the five top insurance companies in 2021 was N15.68 billion compared with N23.3 billion in 2020, a drop of 33 percent. Total profit after tax (PAT) recorded by the five surveyed insurance firms was flat at N23 billion and N23.17 billion for 2021 and 2020 respectively.

Custodian Investment, AIICO Insurance and Cornerstone Insurance each declared a N0.50 dividend per 50 kobo share in 2021. Prestige Assurance declared N1.50 per 50 kobo share.

Thomas

Recovering from the stunted growth recorded since it contracted 2.9 percent in 2019, the Nigerian insurance sector achieved a negative 15.3 percent growth in 2020 according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

In terms of global relevance, the Nigerian insurance sector lagged significantly with a total contribution to global premiums at 0.03 per cent as it ranks 63rd of 88 countries profiled by Sigma Research in 2019.

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The insurance sector has remained vulnerable to the volatility in the economy making the number of uninsured Nigerians among the world’s largest within prospective insurance markets. According to the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), this is as a result of its inability to enforce the compulsory insurance laws and lack of cooperation among insurance operators in the country.

The Commissioner for Insurance, Sunday Thomas had in January this year said the apex insurance regulator would intensify its plans on different policies and initiatives to deepen insurance penetration thereby ensuring that more Nigerians and assets are insured

The Commissioner for Insurance, Sunday Thomas had in January this year said the apex insurance regulator would intensify its plans on different policies and initiatives to deepen insurance penetration thereby ensuring that more Nigerians and assets are insured.

He was optimistic that the N1 trillion target set for using the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI) goals initiative will be met. This is not minding the challenges before the regulator in whipping the operators into line, ensuring that all claims including COVID-19 and #EndSars are paid.

Other objectives for the commission this year, Thomas said, include consolidating the sector’s capital, Human Capital Development, Financial Inclusion, Bancassurance initiative, Life Annuity, New Insurance Law, African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), improving efficiency in the supervisory

challenging operating environment, unfavourable government policies and unprofessional conduct of some practitioners. “Even the directors are making

10 Largest Insurance Companies by Market Capitalisation S/N Name of Company

**Total Assets @ 2021 (N’bn)

Mkt Cap (N’bn)

1

Custodian Investment Plc

184.47

32.2

2

AIICO Insurance Plc

222.37

24.5

3

AXA Mansard Insurance Plc

N/A

22.3

4

NEM Insurance Plc

N/A

20.0

5

Cornerstone Insurance Plc

10.8

6

Coronation Insurance Plc

N/A

10.3

7

Linkage Assurance Plc

38.71

6.9

8

Prestige Assurance Plc

21.57

5.3

49.30

The five insurance companies’ combined total assets was N586.72 billion in 2021 from N515.43 billion in 2020, reflecting an increase of 13.84 percent. Experts ascribe the slight growth to the lull in the industry as it battles against the headwinds of COVID-19 and the two occasions of recession in 2016 and 2020.

9

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc

N/A

5.2

10

Mutual Benefit Assurance Plc

N/A

5.0

An insurance practitioner, Joe Agada, said the insurance sector is still under pressure from a

•Source: NGX;

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BUSINESS NEWS NCDMB Lauds Temile/ Hyundai Deal to Build New LPG Vessel

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L-R: Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Mrs. Ore Famurewa; President, Food and Beverage, Royal FrieslandCampina, Mr. Roel van Neerbos; Chairman, Board of Directors, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Mr. Moyo Ajekigbe; Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa Cluster, FrieslandCampina, Mr. Ben Langat, and Member, Board of Directors, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Mrs. Oyinkan Ade-Ajayi, at the 49th Annual General Meeting of FrieslandCampina WAMCO in Lagos on May 26, 2022. Photo: Peace Udugba.

Bank Profit Soars Access Bank Revs up Agency First 74% to N117.8bn in 2021 Banking in Nigeria F

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the bank further plans to increase its footprint by having a minimum of 50 agents in each of the 774 LGAs across the country.

Group Head, Agency Banking, Chizoba Iheme, recently informed journalists that due to the limited number of financial institutions, especially in rural areas, Access Closa is Access Bank’s strongest retail channel used in providing banking services to a large population of unserved and underserved Nigerians.

“Going by the high youth and adult population, the resources of Nigeria’s financial institutions are being overstretched in providing physical and human resources and were unable to cope with gaps that existed in meeting banking needs of Nigerians hence the need for Agency Banking as envisaged by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2013″, she said.

“Therefore, Agency Banking helps financial institutions to decongest crowded branches by providing a matching and more often convenient channel for their customers.

“In instances where reaching customers in rural areas is often highly expensive for financial institutions because transaction numbers and volumes do not cover the cost of a branch, agency banking helps in serving them.”

Iheme added that becoming an agent has become a means to empower and reduce THEWILLNIGERIA

unemployment in Nigeria.

“Our commission structure allows an agent to earn up to N500,000 and more monthly in commissions, including incentives and opportunities for agents to grow their business and partner with a reputable brand is an attraction to the Closa brand.”

On the risks associated with agency banking and how Access Bank moves to mitigate them, Iheme listed four major risks identified – Technological, Legal, Fraud/Reputational. Assets.

“Technological Risk, to prevent software and hardware failures, the bank is investing in new infrastructure with capacity to absorb service disruptions that will have minimal impact.

“As part of our onboarding process, the bank’s agents are required to execute a service agreement that stipulates the roles and responsibilities of each party.

“Also, agents are trained at the point of activation on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Terrorism Financing. This training also takes place every year to reiterate the dangers and consequences associated with fraudulent actions.

“Besides, the bank has set a maximum daily limit on the amount and frequency of transactions that can be performed by an agent. Lastly, a quarterly risk profiling exercise is carried out on all agents for effective management,” Iheme added.

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irst Bank of Nigeria Limited, a commercial banking subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc has reported a profit after tax of N117.8 billion, up 73.9 percent year-on-year from N67.8 billion posted in 2020. Profit before tax was N130.9 billion, up 77.9 percent year-on-year from N73.6 billion reported in 2020.

Non-interest income grew by 106.4 percent to N342.2 billion from N165.8 billion on the back of increased fees and commission income, treasury activities and other operating income.

The bank reported gross earnings of N716.8 billion, up 30.3 per cent y-o-y from N550.3 billion posted in 2020.

Commenting on the results, the Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, said: “Following years of strategic restructuring of the Bank’s balance sheet and operations, the Commercial Banking business is beginning to transition into a sustained growth phase delivering performance commensurate to the size of our business and capabilities of our people.

“Profit before tax is up 77.9 per cent, gross earnings 30.3 per cent, total assets 15.9 per cent and customer deposits up 19.5 per cent.

“This performance was driven by a relentless focus on the needs of customers and improving the competitiveness of our offerings. We have sharpened our ‘Go To Market’ approach to better leverage the opportunities which our large scale provides in addition to becoming more relevant to our clients by improving our value propositions.

“This performance is also in line with the Bank’s Quantum Profitability Leap agenda which seeks to ensure that we fully maximise the revenuegenerating capacity of our business to boost the bottom line and fulfil the expectations of all stakeholders in the business.

“The demonstrated resilience of our franchise to headwinds and excellent risk management capabilities place us in a good position to weather any macro-economic shocks which may arise due to the volatile nature of the current operating environment. Our Non-performing loans ratio at the end of the year was 6.1 per cent which represents significant progress towards those of other Tier 1 banks and the regulatory threshold of 5.0 per cent *Continues online at www. thewillnigeria.com

he Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Wednesday congratulated an indigenous shipping company, Temile Development Company on the contract signing agreement with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for the construction of a new 23,000 cubic meters Liquefied Petroleum Gas Carrier Vessel. The indigenous company also signed a separate agreement with NSML - an integrated maritime services subsidiary of Nigeria LNG Limited for the construction supervision of the vessel.

The LPG carrier vessel is the second that is being constructed by the Temile Development Company and is a sequel to the first vessel which was constructed in 2018 and is currently chartered to Nigeria LNG Limited for domestic LPG supply.

In a video message he delivered to the agreement signing ceremony held at the sidelines of the 2022 World Gas Conference in Daegu, South Korea, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote saluted Temile Development Company for its bullish initiative in investing in an area that is regarded as offlimits for local players. He described the accomplishment as evidence of significant growth in capacity and confidence of local companies to play in the international arena and in complex areas of the oil and gas industry.

The new 23,000 cubic LPG/NH3/VCM Carrier to be constructed is a high-end specification vessel that has been designed

by NSML in accordance with bespoke requirements using HMD’s highly efficient eco-design. The new LPG carrier is expected for delivery on 26th July 2023 at HMD in Ulsan, Korea.

Wabote indicated that the agreement signing event and subsequent construction and supervision of the contract align with the Board’s strategic plan of maximizing the potentials in the Midstream and Downstream Sectors of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, especially as the oil and gas industry strives to actualize the Decade of Gas policy of the Federal Government.

According to him, “this project clearly supports our LPG penetration initiative in Nigeria and will further close the gap in LPG penetration in Nigeria.”

He stated further that the project will bring invaluable local content opportunities in technology and innovation, human capital development and research and development.

Speaking further, the Executive Secretary commended Hyundai for the work it was doing at the Brass Shipyard and other investment projects in Nigeria that will support the repair of vessels. He also applauded NLNG for the strategic initiative of deploying 100 percent LPG to the local market to close the gap in respect of LPG penetration in-country, adding the company has helped in reducing cost as well as creating a cleaner source of energy for our people.

Temile’s Chief Executive, Mr. Alfred Temile said “We are delighted to execute the construction of our new LPG carrier with HMD, bringing onboard NSML to supervise the construction, as an indigenous company this demonstrates our commitment and support to the Nigeria Local Content Act and as well establishes our confidence in local capacity to deliver international acceptable standards.

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BUSINESS NEWS UBA Among Top in Marketing, Advert Spends in 2021

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Tinubu’s New Book, ‘Bisi is The Boss’, Unveiled in Lagos A

Written by Mrs Bola Tinubu, founder of the popular Cece Yara Foundation, ‘Bisi Is The Boss’, is about child safety and protection presented in an interactive and exciting storyline packed with fun trivia, colourful characters and valuable lessons.

It is a guide for adults and care givers on how to protect the little ones from child sexual abuse, a perverse act that permeates the society through households, peer groups, schools, religious establishments and other layers of interactions.

In a pre-event media chat the author drew attention to the fact that we live in an environment that is battling with harmful acts against innocent children, especially child sexual abuse.

The author explained that in a society with an alarming rate of child sexual violence, the book, ‘Bisi Is The Boss’ raises important issues on child abuse, how best to handle it and protect children from sexual predators.

She said it also provides parents with a fun yet educative way to navigate delicate topics relating to private parts, establishing boundaries and speaking up in the case of abuse.

“Child sexual abuse is something very difficult to talk about, whether you are a child or an adult. And part of the reason the problem continues to exist is because we do not want to talk about it.

“We see a situation where children do not know what happens to them, they do not

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know that what has happened to them is even wrong, they don’t know who to tell.

For me, it was a means of passing on a message to children and adults on how we can best protect our children.”

The author said ‘Bisi Is The Boss’ is a simple book that provides an opportunity to discuss a very difficult subject with our children at a time when adults are not willing to teach them about the private parts of their bodies.

She added that the book helps to teach children to know the boundaries – the parts of the bodies where people are not supposed to touch, and how to recognise any move towards subjecting them to an abuse, and how to react.

“What the book does is that it gives the children different scenarios from their everyday life to know what is safe and what is not safe. One important thing about child sexual abuse is that children don’t talk because they do not know who they can trust.

“The book therefore aims to teach children about those adults in their lives that they can trust to help them and keep them self. It offers the adults the opportunity to make their children know that they have the ability to protect themselves.”

In her address, Mrs Tinubu said ‘Bisi Is The Boss’ teaches the children the important lesson that they are the boss of their body. She said the book has been translated into three major Nigerian languages, Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba and that proceeds from the book will be used to circulate the publication to ensure that every child in Nigeria has a copy.

“It empowers children and their caregivers by teaching children how to recognise boundaries, how to react, who their trusted adults are, and how to get help. Empowering children is a great step towards breaking the cycle of child sexual abuse, and my aim is to get this book into the hands of every Nigerian child no

matter what their circumstances are.”

According to the publishers, with the publication of her new children’s book, Mrs Bola Tinubu provides an interesting take on child sexual education through an interactive and exciting storyline packed with fun trivia, colourful characters and valuable lessons.

In a society that has an alarming rate of child sexual violence, the book raises important issues on child abuse and how best to handle it and protect children from sexual predators. It also provides parents with a fun, yet educative, way to navigate delicate topics regarding private body parts, establishing boundaries and speaking up in the case of abuse.

A report published by UNICEF states that one in four girls and 10 percent of boys in Nigeria are victims of sexual violence, and of the children who reported violence, fewer than five out of a 100 received any form of support.

*Continues online at www. thewillnigeria.com

Being a highly invested advocate for Children’s right and a mother, Bola Tinubu established the Cece Yara Nonprofit organisation in 2016 armed with a multi-disciplinary team of counsellors, social workers, child advocates, lawyers and forensic interviewers to prevent child sexual abuse and to provide access to care, information, protection and emergency intervention for children who have experienced sexual abuse or who are at risk.

Narrating the character used in the book, the author explained that ‘Bisi Is The Boss’ amounts to an all-encompassing read not only simplifying the difficult subject of abuse but also providing a bonding platform between guardians and the children in their care. The storyline follows Bisi, a well-informed little girl who teaches young children through this important book how to identify inappropriate behaviours and create body boundaries.

Uzoka

new children’s book, ‘Bisi Is The Boss’, was unveiled in Lagos, on Friday, May 27, 2022 to mark this year’s Children’s Day. The colourful ceremony held at the prestigious event centre, The Wing, in Victoria Island attracted dignitaries from the public and private sectors, as well as nongovernmental organisations and the Diplomatic Corps.

frica’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa Plc, was among the top deposit money banks (DMBs) in marketing and advert spending, according to data from the 2021 annual reports of financial service companies quoted on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). Benefits of the significant marketing and advert budget showed on its revenue stream in the FY 2021 and Q1 2022 interim reports.

The Tier-1 bank spent N8.75 billion on advertising, promotions, and branding in 2021. This is a marginal increase compared to N8.51 billion incurred in the previous year, or 2.8 percent. Its advert cost accounted for 14.6 percent of the total N60.01 billion recorded by twelve top banks on advertisement expenses.

UBA was also able to increase its interest earnings by 10.8 percent to N474.26 billion in 2021 from N427.86 billion recorded in 2020, while it posted an 8.7 percent increase in profit after tax to N118.7 billion.

The bank raked in N15.11 billion as Electronic banking income, representing a 21.04 percent increase from N12.48 million in Q1 2021.

Data from the bank’s 2021 report further revealed that it grew its deposits from customers by 4.47 percent to N6.65 trillion while its total assets now stand at N8.89 trillion, with Net assets rising 2.60 percent to hit N825.75 billion.

Despite intense headwinds that impacted the economy this past quarter (Q1 2022), UBA reported moderate yet impressive performance which signals a positive outlook for the entire year.

In the bank’s Q1 2022 interim financial results released in the past week, the Tier-1 lender recorded positive performance in the key parameters that underscored resilience and unyielding efficiency in its corporate practice.

The interim financial results revealed a profit after tax (PAT) of N41.5 billion during the quarter against N38.2 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2021 reflecting a moderate 8.7 percent growth.

Profit before tax (PAT) was N44.5 billion compared with N40.6 billion which shows a 10 percent increase. Interest income rose by 15.2 percent to N125.0 billion from N108.6 billion in the corresponding period.

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Serial entrepreneur, Toyin Lawani speaks with SHADE WESLEYMETIBOGUN about her brand, acting career, motherhood and sundry issues

RUNNING BRANDS IN NIGERIA QUITE A BIG DEAL – TOYIN LAWANI H

ow does it feel to be on the cast of Real Housewives of Lagos?

It feels normal. Most people who know me know that I am very real. Let me say I have always been real and I feel that quality attracted the show to my personality. So, it’s a win-win situation for me. I also feel my former reality show, Tiannah’s Empire Reality Show had a lot to do with my participation in Real Housewives of Lagos, too.

What was the experience like?

The experience was great. It had a lot of ups and downs and misconceptions, but I am focused on selling my brand. That is why I will continue to maintain my focus, no matter the misconceptions.

What did you enjoy most about the reality show?

I enjoyed selling my creations without saying a word. I mean, I am the fashion goddess and the king of all queens. Creativity is all I know. I’m a walking billboard. I don’t need to say anything. My fashion sense is enough to advertise my designs.

The reality show gives you the arena to sell yourself on a world class standard and I have 33 brands I run on my back to sell, which is something huge for me.

You clocked 40 years in March. How does it feel?

I feel great, blessed and fulfilled. I’ve achieved a lot at my young age, God has blessed me with a family and I have kids, too. I run an empire and it feels great to see it growing every day. You can see that I have every reason to be grateful to God for the opportunity he has given me.

Do you have any regrets at 40?

I don’t have any regrets at 40. Turning 40 is the best thing to happen to anyone. I mean not everyone gets the chance to turn 40. I am grateful for the opportunity. So I’ve no regrets. I feel blessed and grateful to God. A lot of people were disappointed that you didn’t roll out the drums to celebrate your birthday. Is there a special reason for that?

40 is a blissful year for prayers and honor to my late mother Princess Atinuke Babalola. That is why I didn’t have any celebration to mark it, except do a photo-shoot. When the next one comes, by God’s grace, I will make all the noise in the world.

What are the lessons you have learnt in your 40 years of existence?

I have learnt to be determined. I have learnt to expect the unexpected. To live your truth, be extra and always try to enjoy yourself and stay away from anything that will attract negativity to you. And for your brand, consistency is key. It is not just enough to be creative, you have to do it consistently.

Your designs are usually the most creative and they always stand out. How do you create such flattering pieces?

They call me the fashion goddess because I have remained

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undefeated over the years. No one does what I do in Nigeria and worldwide. I can also say that the kind of designs I create are of international Lawani standards.

My ideas are always fashion forward and you can’t see them elsewhere. Maybe in a year or two, you will start seeing people create similar designs to what I have created.

Some of those creative pieces take a year to complete. And I can create some within a few hours. My work is always mind blowing. I create something out of nothing. I’m selling Nigeria to the world with my creative pieces, I’m fearless with my pieces and I set trends which people follow later.

Lawani

Which of your fashion pieces is the most challenging to create?

Avant-garde pieces are very difficult to create. They usually take a lot of hard-work. Sometimes, we have to weld, use harmful objects to create. I even feel most people don’t know what it takes sometimes that is why some people criticize them. But I’m all focused on the results.

You are a serial entrepreneur running several businesses at the same time. How do you find the strength to do it all?

It’s not easy, but it’s my passion. I started my business at the University of Lagos when I was 16 years-old. I learnt from my mom. So I was born into business. To be Tiannah is not easy, but I find it entertaining and not challenging. That’s what it takes to be the queen of all queens. Not many can wear that many hats comfortably and still be a mom and super sexy, my end result is what fuels me and gives my kids the best in life.

Have you ever been tempted to call it quits because of the challenging business environment in Nigeria?

I don’t think you have met me before. Challenges are afraid of me. Nothing scares me, not even when I lost N260 million during the COVID-19 lockdown and I had to move base.

I didn’t let it put me down. I started all over again without saying a word to anyone. I simply moved on. Things like that will set a lot of people back, but I’m a moving train and I crush challenges. They call me unstoppable Toyin Lawani for a reason. Nobody said it won’t be difficult, but you just have to fight daily.

Can you share some of your business challenges and how you were able to overcome them?

Workers are the most difficult people to deal with. You train them and they become quite good at the job. But after gaining knowledge, they are off. They are inconsistent and it will always affect one’s business. So, you just can’t relax and trust them fully with your business.

A lot of controversies surround your person and creative pieces. Do you think you are often misunderstood?

For a creative-minded person like me, I’m used to criticism from people whose mentality is not capable of understanding me, my creations and what I stand for. Trust me, I won’t even go an inch to explain myself to anyone. I’m Toyin Lawani and I remain unstoppable. I don’t allow negativity get to me.

Before I create any piece, I always know that I will receive criticism, but I still go ahead to create it anyway and it sets the trend which the international community follows.

How are you rocking motherhood?

I rock motherhood like no one can. At 40, I have three children, but I still look young and sexy because I take care of my body. Motherhood is the best thing to ever happen to any woman.

What is the greatest thing about being a mother?

Having a family that loves and protects you and can go all out to make sure you are well and safe.

Are you planning to have more children?

If it is God’s will, yes. It is God that gives children. Giving birth to my last child was challenging due to my health issues, but I thank God for his mercies.

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STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

Real Reason Kenneth Gbagi’s Governorship Ambition Suffered Huge Blow

N80BN FRAUD: WHY IDRIS MUST GO TO JAIL

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bout two weeks ago, the mass media was awash with the news of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation, Ahmed Idris’ arrest for stealing a whopping sum of N80 billion.

Idris was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after failing repeatedly to honour its summons. He was accused of embezzling the funds through bogus consultancies and other illegal activities, using proxies, members of his family and close associates.

He was also alleged to be involved in money laundering activities through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.

Ironically, Idris had replaced Joseph Ogunniyi Otunla, who was sacked

by President Muhammadu Buhari for stealing N2.5 billion from funds belonging to the security agencies.

The former accountant-general of the federation, it was gathered, owns one of the largest real estate portfolios in northern Nigeria, with over 100 properties in his name, including a huge warehouse complex called Gezawa Commodity Exchange in Kano. The smallest warehouse in this complex can conveniently take 100 truck loads of grain.

In addition to the complex, he owns the largest shopping mall in Kano, which he built on the same spot where Sokoto Hotel used to be.

According to THEWILL investigation, he had bought the famous hotel for N500 million and demolished it in order to pave the way for the construction of the mall.

Believed to be worth more than N250 million in cash and assets before his arrest, Idris was, no doubt, the wealthiest civil servant from northern Nigeria.

To provide an insight into how he has been able to amass so much money, in 2021, he proposed the sum of N36 million in the 2022 Budget as fund for fumigation of his office to rid it of antelopes, snakes and other reptiles that had been troubling him and members of his staff. One may be forced to wonder if his office is located inside a zoo instead of a commercial and busy part of Garki 11 area of the Federal Capital Territory.

To make matters worse, he tried to justify his request for the ludicrous amount by maintaining that the fumigation would cover all the offices in the 36 States of the federation, in addition to zonal offices in the six geopolitical zones, the headquarters and a treasury academy in Abuja. According to him, the funds allocated for fumigation allocation may likely be much higher than what he proposed.

Following his arrest, the Minister of Finance and Budget, Zainab Ahmed, ordered his suspension before President Muhammadu Buhari replaced him with Anamekwe Nwabuokwu.

But beyond Idris’ brazen inclination to loot public funds, there is no gain saying the fact that by virtue of her role as his supervising minister, Ahmed is allegedly an accessory to the N80 billion fraud. According to sources, who are familiar with the

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Idris case, there is no way Ahmed can claim not to be aware of what Idris was up to while in office. How was it possible for him to commit such a monumental theft undetected, right under the nose of the finance minister who was his approving authority?

Another source, a seasoned public servant who is very familiar with the underground and shady workings of the civil service, expressed the opinion that there was no way Idris could have pilfered such an amount over a period of time, all by himself without help from a high authority on the inside. Or that his supervising minister had not even the slightest inkling about the looting. This source noted that the finance minister might have allegedly either looked the other way or she was allegedly in on it.

Hopefully and unlike the case of Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to Government of the Federation, who is walking around a free man after he was sacked for claiming to have awarded N544 million grass cutting contracts to different companies where he had interests in, the EFCC will convict him for his financial crimes and he goes to jail. Also, let us also hope that he does not get a presidential pardon like former governors Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye, both of who looted their respective states dry.

he PDP governorship primary have come and gone, leaving winners and casualties in its wake. One of the heaviest casualties of the primary, particularly in Delta State is former Minister of State for Education, Senator Kenneth Gbagi. Of the 14 aspirants that contested in the primary, Gbagi was the only one who did not get a single vote.

Perhaps he must have had an inkling of what was coming as he allegedly pulled out of the race hours to the primary, after years of preparation, including monetary preparation, to see his dream to govern Delta State come true. The phrase, ‘The dog destined to be missing will never hear the hunter’s whistle,’ aptly applies to Gbagi in this case. He must have been warned by his inner man against making public his governorship ambition, but he waved it away, thinking that his title, as a former minister, or his wealth, which compares to nothing against state resources, would be his saving grace. How wrong he was.

Gbagi must have also thought that the people of Delta State would develop amnesia like him, to quickly forget the inhuman treatment he meted out to his staff once he declared his governorship ambition. Or did he for one minute think that the court dismissing the case in his favour would count

for him on the day of judgement which was the primary?

Gbagi once assaulted and dehumanised his workers by allegedly stripping them naked. While he walks about a free man without consequences, his victims still battle trauma two years after the incident. In 2020, he had accused Precious Achibong, Roselyn Okiemute Diaghwarh, Victor Ephraim and Gloria Oguzie, who were working in his Signatious Hotel in Warri, Delta State, of stealing the sum of N50,000.

The victims, one of who was a pregnant woman said the money Gbagi accused them of stealing were tips given to them by a customer who had lodged at the hotel. He had allegedly stripped them naked, taken photographs of them and videoed them before handing them over to the police, who detained them for four days and subsequently charged them to court.

This provoked women, girls, and human rights activists to embark on a mass protest across the state to call for the immediate arrest and

Gbagi prosecution of Gbagi. The affected workers, with help from some human rights lawyers, instituted a suit against Gbagi in a High Court sitting in Effurun, Delta State. But in September 2021, the court dismissed their suit for lack of merit. Despite this, a criminal proceeding against Gbagi opened at the Federal High Court in Asaba. Although the victims are yet to get justice, on Tuesday May 24, 2022 karma was served almost frozen to Gbagi. Thankfully with his ambition dead now, the people of Delta State won’t have to be afraid of getting stripped naked if they commit any offense.

Tayo Ayeni Gives Out Daughter in Marriage

Sunny Asemota Passes on at 87 T he Chairman of Sunny Motors and Omoriege Motors, Chief Sunny Asemota, is dead. The Edo-born patriarch of the Asemota family passed on at the age of 87, leaving behind children, grandchildren and a grieving wife, Ireti, one of the matriarchs of high society.

Late Chief Asemota was one of the wealthiest Nigerians whose indelible footprints in the automobile business has remained a reference point for many decades. Not one to be associated with anything that has no class, he lived a lifestyle of luxury.

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About 10 years ago, Chief Asemota retired from active service, having successfully nurtured his companies from infancy to a multi-billion naira business enterprise that is now being run professionally by his children, Osa, Iredia and Omoregie. One of his children, Oghogho, who used to be married to Ayo Adedoyin, runs Aralia by Nature, a landscape design company. As earlier stated, Asemota and his wife dominated the social scene for many years, a feat that earned them a legendary status of some sort.

Sanwo-Olu, the Akintayos and Gbajabiamila

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atilda, the first daughter of prominent businessman, Tayo Ayeni of Skymit Motors fame, recently got married to her sweetheart, Olamide Akintayo.

The traditional wedding, which took place at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, had the cream of Lagos society

in attendance as the bride’s father played the perfect host alongside his wife, Tutu. The couple treated relatives and friends, including the likes of Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan

Ogunwusi, to choice wines, spirits and a delightful cuisine.

Others who graced the event were three serving governors in the person of Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who was the father of the day and Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State etc.

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STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

OKOWA’S DAUGHTER, FAYOSE’S SON, OTHERS WIN PDP PRIMARIES It was mixed blessings for the children of some leading politicians in the country who contested in the Peoples Democratic Party’s primary elections held on Sunday, May 21, 2022. While some of them emerged winners and simultaneously won the party’s tickets to contest in the 2023 general election, others lost.

Here are some of the winners and losers: MARILYN OKOWA-DARAMOLA

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CHINEDUM ORJI

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son of the immediate past Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, Chinedum trounced his opponent, Chief Obi Aguocha, to emerge winner of the PDP primary election for House of Representative candidates. The Speaker of the State House of Assembly will be representing Ikwuano/ North Umuahia/Umuahia South Central Constituency of Abia State.

he daughter of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State earned the PDP ticket to contest in the House of Assembly election as a representative of Ika North East Constituency in Delta State. Even before her emergence as the party’s candidate, she was a Senior Special Assistant on Girl-Child Empowerment to the Delta State Governor.

OMOSEDE IGBINEDION

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he is one of the daughters of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and a former member of the House of Representatives. Omosede won the PDP ticket to contest again for a seat in the House of Representative as a representative of the Ovia Federal Constituency in Edo State, come 2023. She worked hard to get this far by mobilising youths under the aegis of Ovia Youths Vanguard to rally support for her political ambition.

OLUWAJOMILOJU FAYOSE

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e is one of the sons of a former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.

He clinched the PDP ticket to contest in the National Assembly election in Ekiti under the Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1, comprising Ado and Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government Areas of Ekiti State. He polled 69 votes to defeat his opponent, Deji Adeosun. Joju, as he is fondly called, was once arrested and locked up for many months in Dubai for money laundering running into millions of naira. However, his past was swept under the carpet as he was allowed to contest in the party’s primaries.

SADIQ ANGO ABDULLAHI

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espite the fact that he is still in captivity, the son of the Convener of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof Ango Abdullahi, won the PDP ticket to run for a seat in the House of Representatives as the candidate of the Sabon Gari Federal Constituency in Kaduna State. Sadiq is one of the victims of the terrorist attack on the Abuja-Kaduna Railway Line. He was kidnapped by the terrorists and has not been released. Before the PDP primaries, rumour had it that he had been released, but his father quickly debunked it. He contested against Hadiza Muhammad, Salisu Abdullhamid and Misis Paulina.

ADAM SAMBO

ERHIATAKE IBORI-SUENU

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he is former Delta State Governor, James Ibori’s daughter and a two-term member of the Delta State House of Assembly.

Erhiatake contested in the PDP primary election for the party’s ticket to run for a seat in the House of Representatives as a representative of Ethiope Federal Constituency in Delta State. She had a tie at the poll with Ben Rolland Igbakpa, incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s favourite candidate. A re-run election took place and IboriSuenu won.

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he son of former Vice President Namadi Sambo contested for the party’s ticket to run for the House of Reps in Kaduna North Federal Constituency and lost. After he was defeated, Sambo requested for the N76 million he gave the delegates who voted for him at the primaries as it was within the agreement of the party that delegates should return the money collected from any aspirant who failed to secure his ticket. Sambo contested against Samaila Suleiman who is a serving Federal lawmaker.

NNENNA UKEJE

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three time member of the House of Representative in Abia State who represented Bende Federal Constituency in the state won her fourth time bid at the primaries. Nnenna did not allow the political distraction that befell her a few months ago when hoodlums invaded her home to destroy her property derail her focus. She aimed for it and clinched People Democratic Party’s ticket to represent Bende Federal Constituency in the house if representatives ahead of 2023 election.

MUSTAFA LAMIDO

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on of former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido is on his way to step into the shoes of his father who was once the number one citizen of the state. He won the People’s Democratic Party’s ticket as the gubernatorial candidate in Jigawa State for the forth coming general election taking place in 2023. When he first made his intention known to contest for the governorship election, his ambition was greeted with criticism that the former governor was imposing his son on the people of Jigawa. Despite the opposition, Lamido defeated Saleh Shehu his opponent and emerged the choice candidate.

MOHAMMED ABACHA

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he eldest surviving son of former late military ruler, Sani Abacha won the primaries in Kano State to emerge the party’s governorship candidate. Many must have forgotten that he was once arrested and charged for looting the government treasury before choosing him to represent the party. The looting took place when his father was still the military head of state but he was punished many years after his father’s death. He spent three years in prison before his release, making him among the league of ex-convicts who have turned vied for political post in Nigeria.

LADI ADEBUTU

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he son of billionaire businessman and chairman of Premier Lotto Limited, Sir Kesington Adebutu, emerged factional winner of Peoples Democratic Party governorship canditate at parallel primary held in Ogun State. Segun Sowunmi, an ex-aide of former Vice President Atikua, who is also a presidential aspirant on the platform of PDP emerged the second factional winner in another parallel governorship primary.

Hopefully dicey situation doesn’t eventually cost him the governorship seat.

ORODE MEYIWA UDUAGHAN

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rode, a daughter of former Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, lost the PDP ticket to contest for the Delta State House of Assembly. After her defeat, she sent a heartwarming message to the winner, Honorable Alfred Martins, urging him ensure a robust and better representation for the people of Warri North Constituency.

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MAY 29 - JUNE 04, 2022 T H E W I L L N E W S P A P E R • www.thewillnigeria.com

STORIES BY IVORY UKONU

Controversy Trails Natasha Akpoti’s Victory at PDP Senatorial Primary

OKOWA EDGES OUT IBORI, BECOMES NEW POWER BROKER IN DELTA

Ibori & Okowa

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he struggle for supremacy between former Delta State Governor, James Ibori and the incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa finally came to a head on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. After months of pretending that all is well between the two most influential personalities in Delta State, the battle finally came to an end with a clear winner – Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

Okowa’s anointed candidate, who is expected to succeed him at the end of his tenure in 2023, the current Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, emerged winner in the People Democratic Party’s governorship primary, beating 13 others, including David Edevbie, Ibori’s candidate who came a distant second with 113 votes.

Oborevwori polled 597 votes. He was so ecstatic about his win that he openly knelt down to appreciate Okowa who made his emergence happen.

Besides Oborevwori’s victory, Okowa’s daughter, Marylin, also emerged victorious in the party’s House of Assembly primary. However, Ibori’s daughter’s journey to victory in the primary for the House of Representatives wasn’t exactly smooth. The fact that it ended in a tie between her and her opponent, despite his pleas to the state’s delegates, spoke volumes about Ibori’s waning political clout. A rerun eventually saw his daughter,

Erhiatake, emerging victorious.

But how did things degenerate between these two political gladiators?

Ibori and Okowa have come a long way and are veterans of many political battles. For instance, while in jail in the United Kingdom for graft and money laundering, Ibori ensured Okowa became governor, even though his cousin, former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan vehemently refused Okowa’s emergence.

Okowa in turn honoured Ibori by appointing some of his loyalists, including Edevbie, in the Delta State Government, gave Ibori contracts running into hundreds of milions of naira and just generally watched his back.

Ibori had campaigned actively for Okowa’s re-election in 2019 and was instrumental in ensuring that Okowa gave Uduaghan’s first daughter, Orode, an appointment in his government, in a bid to end the conflict between Okowa and Uduaghan. But they both came on a collision course when Okowa preferred to anoint his own candidate to succeed him. This obviously didn’t go down well with Ibori, who had his eyes spread across key positions in the state in his bid to install some persons to get back his political influence in the state.

Okowa threw the first salvo to send home his message. He sent packing from his government, all of Ibori’s

loyalists, including Edevbie who Ibori was openly positioning to take over from Okowa. Edevbie, a former Commissioner for Finance during Ibori’s administration and later the Private Principal Secretary to late President Musa Yar’Adua is undoubtedly, one of Ibori’s closest confidants, who allegedly helped the former governor with his illicit financial schemes. Being a loyalist who never squealed on his boss, Ibori felt duty bound to reward him and thus asked Okowa to make him his finance commissioner which he willingly did. Almost immediately, Ibori began to nurse a higher ambition for Edevbie to take over from Okowa and by extension, protect his (Ibori) interests and dance to his (Ibori) tune. But his plans boomeranged. Ibori must have read the handwriting on the wall as on the day of the primary, he was conspicuously missing.

Then the issue of who occupies the Delta Central Senatorial District came up. Ibori wanted Ighoyota Amori for the position. Sensing a blockade from obvious quarters, Ibori sent out a message without naming names.

He said that the plan to disgrace him via Amori’s ambition to return to the senate will not work.

“I am behind and I will support Senator Ighoyota Amori every step of the way, and anybody, anyone conspiring, anybody that thinks that because I am now a former governor they want to conspire to disgrace me, God will disgrace all of them. This is not an issue of money. All mothers should call their children to order.

This is my senatorial district. I am a stakeholder in this party (PDP) and I am a stakeholder in Urhoboland. This is my place of birth. I am with Senator Amori all the way. Ibori is begging you and you are refusing? Please, support me to send Senator Ighoyota Amori to the Senate. I want to say it again that this senatorial race, this Senator Amori’s bid, is my bid. Please, join hands with me and join hands with Senator Amori to the Senate,” Ibori pleaded and threatened at the same time.

Sandra Petgrave Bounces Back

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ormer Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Sandra Petgrave, seems to have gotten over the dark period in her life, in which she was jailed for committing fraud.

Sandra, who was crowned in 1992, was hauled off to serve a jail term of one and half years, while her co-conspirator, her husband, George Chukwuka was handed nine years for their roles in a $5.8 million mortgage fraud that spanned five years. The couple allegedly ran a fraud ring for four years, between 2006 to 2011, targeting the property/mortgage industry and causing extensive damage and losses to their victims to the tune of several millions of dollars.

Following her release, she was subjected to three years of supervised release, and ordered THEWILLNIGERIA

to pay restitution in the amount of $1.1 million. Her husband has also completed his jail term and both of them have reunited.

While George is not much of a public person, Sandra on the other hand who courts publicity, keeps busy as a motivational speaker via her organisation called Success Brain Training, where she trains her clients on tips, proven strategies practised by the world’s top achievers to succeed in life.

Also, using her experience, she offers succour to the battered and beaten via a programme she aptly calls ‘Become HER’ which means Healed, Empowered, Reinvented.

And what is more, she has embraced God like never before.

Sandra had quietly relocated to America in the mid-nineties after her reign. She and her husband Petgrave have six children together.

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Elegushi

OBA SAHEED ELEGUSHI CELEBRATES MUM’S 70TH BIRTHDAY WITH LAVISH PARTY

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ast weekend, Oba Saheed Elegushi, the monarch of IkateElegushi kingdom in Lagos State, rolled out the drums in his characteristic grand style manner to celebrate his mum, Olori Sinatu Aidelohi Titilayo Elegushi, as she clocked 70.

Known to always spare no cost to celebrate his mother, who he adores, on her birthday, this year was different as she reached a milestone that he felt deserved to be celebrated in a grand style.

The party, which was held at her daughter in-law’s event centre, The Monarch, as expected, had all the trappings of luxury, royalty and class.

Although the king has three other female siblings, their input to the birthday paled in comparison to that of his wife, Olori Sekinat, who played her role perfectly as the Chief hostess.

Olori Sekinat’s preparation for the event started days before the party. She got her personal photographer to take stunning shots of the queen mother after her personal makeup artist, Banke Meshida-Lawal, transformed her to a stunner, looking several years younger than her actual age.

Also, from welcoming guests to her event centre, venue of the party, ensuring that the high profile guests were well feted, to pulling a surprise on the celebrant, Sekinat’s input was quite significant. She had contacted gospel singer, Tope Alabi to serenade the celebrant as soon as she stepped into the venue where the guests were already seated.

The celebrant’s son joined his wife in ensuring that everything went as planned. Unlike a typical monarch, Oba Elegushi was on his feet for most of the time attending to guests, exchanging pleasantries and when it was time to dance, he put aside his royal demeanour as he and his wife entertained guests to erotic dance moves. Besides Tope Alabi, Davido, who arrived with his immediate older sister, serenaded the celebrant, who couldn’t hide her joy from the guests, to his repertoire of songs.

The guest list read like the who-iswho in Nigeria’s corporate, political and business circles. While the party afforded some the opportunity to do subtle campaign for the elective positions they seek, others used the opportunity provided by the party to relaunch themselves into the limelight.

ontroversial Kogi State politician, Natasha Akpoti, has launched herself back to political relevance after her failed bid to challenge the incumbent, Governor Yahaya Bello in November 2019 governorship election.

The self-styled social entrepreneur had made a previous attempt to run for a seat in the National Assembly, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), but in vain.

Akpoti had claimed at the time that Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State had planned to assassinate her for daring to give expression to her political ambition. She had alleged manipulation and rigging in favour of the All Progressive Congress candidate, Yakubu Oseni, as the reason for her loss.

She immediately shifted focus to the governorship. However, her ambition in that direction failed to happen and she challenged the result of the election, alleging that the election was marred by irregularities, bribery and malpractice, all of which favoured Bello to emerge winner. But she failed to provide proof of her allegation when she took the case to court.

Ironically before her political ambition, she was in Bello’s good books and was even closer to his wives until their friendship was torn apart by politics of bitterness. Following her marriage to the Alema of Warri, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, Akpoti

she dumped the SDP for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) where she has now emerged the party’s senatorial candidate in the forthcoming 2023 general election.

However, Akpoti’s emergence is considered to be deeply flawed.

The same reason she gave for failing to win the senatorial and governorship elections on the platform of the SDP is being peddled by her co-contestants, following her emergence as the PDP senatorial candidate.

While the aggrieved contestants accused the state Chairman of the party of alleged manipulation of delegates from all the five local government councils in the district, one cannot totally exonerate Akpoti from the allegation. In other words, the delegates were manipulated into ensuring that she emerged the preferred candidate. Six of the aggrieved aspirants have since petitioned the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu, seeking justice for their ambition.

Nana Otedola Resurfaces From Oblivion

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ana, the ex wife of Femi Otedola and mother of three of his four children, is back after a long time away from the public glare and has been registering her presence at high profile parties. Nana for reasons best known to her, has been doing some disappearing acts for months on end, only coming into the

Otedola

country on very short trips, which are few and far between.

She was conspicuously absent at the lavish 90th birthday of her ex husband’s mother, Lady Christine Doja Otedola weeks ago. Many looked forward to seeing her at the party, if for nothing, at least for old times sake and the good times she shared with the nonagenarian as a former daughter in law. But her absence only proved that she has moved on completely and save for her children, she would rather not have anything to do with the Otedolas again.

Femi and Nana’s marriage has been dogged since they both tied the knot with alleged infidelity. Unable to keep up with appearances, they both decided to end the union and officially signed the divorce papers after a lot of mudslinging, a few years ago.

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STORIES BY SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN

Meet Winifred Ehinome Akhuemokhan, AKINYELURE BLAMES MIMIKO Actor Blossom Chukwujekwu’s New Wife

FOR DEFEAT AT PDP PRIMARIES A

Akinyelure

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enator Ayo Akinyelure, a lawmaker who twice represented Ondo Central Senatorial district at the National Assembly, has accused a former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, of working against his interest at the recent Peoples Democratic Party’s primaries.

Akinyelure previously served two terms in the Senate on the platform of the Labour Party before defecting to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) where he signified interest to contest for the third time. Unfortunately, he lost in the primaries to Chief Ifedayo Adedipe who polled 82 votes.

Mimiko Akinyelure, who got 58 votes, blames his defeat on Mimiko and the three ad-hoc delegates at the primaries.

He alleged that Mimiko instructed the ad-hoc staff to vote him out of office as the former governor has not been on speaking terms with him for a couple of years.

THEWILL gathered that the enmity between Mimiko and Akinyelure started when they were both in the Labour Party. Mimiko allegedly rode on the back of Akinyelure’s staunch support to emerge governor of Ondo State on the platform of the Labour Party in 2009-2017.

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screenshots of the conversation she had with the skit maker where he requested that she spend the night with him in his home till the next day in return for a role in his skit.

He was also accused of sending photo images of his penis to ladies interested in his skits and denying any lady the opportunity of appearing in his skit if she refused his advances.

Isbae U’s sex for skit scandal became a trending Twitter topic that many thought it would lead to the end of his love relationship with Mummy Wa, who was physically shaken by the allegations. They even unfollowed each other on social media and drifted apart for a while before settling their differences later.

the pastoral ministry.

Akhuemokhan is social mediashy. She is not active on all the social media platforms except on Instagram, which is under lock and key to prevent the prying eyes of the public into her personal affairs.

However, their traditional marriage which took place last week got people wondering if Blossom isn’t younger than his bride by miles.

This speculation was quickly rebuffed when it was discovered that she is just 33 years old. The traditional

However, when he finally settled in Government House, Mimiko forgot Akinyelure’s loyalty to him.

When he allegedly gave some of his loyalists an opportunity to nominate candidates for some elective positions, Akinyelure was excluded. Mimiko also ran a one man show and he never listened to his loyalists or carried them along in his administration.

Akinyelure made his grievances known to Mimiko at that time and both of them fell apart afterwards. This prompted the lawmaker to defect to the People’s Democratic Party.

Six years after Mimiko defected to the PDP from Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), he was assured the leadership position of Ondo Central Senatorial District and was told to get his candidate for the senatorial seat. His anointed candidate was of course Adedipe as against Akinyelure. Many supported Adedipe who obviously had the blessings of Mimiko and disregarded Akinyelure.

Sade Balogun Accuses Ex-Husband of Attempting to Humiliate Her

Just when fans thought the public had had enough of the sex allegation, Mummy Wa accused the skit maker of physically assaulting her and having illicit affairs with several ladies. Isbae U would take ladies to the apartment he shared with her each time she was away. It was gathered that the apartment they both occupy is jointly owned by both of them. They contributed money, built the house and furnished it to their taste. So taking a lady to their jointly owned apartment was a slap on her face.

Any attempt at voicing her grievances to her lover often earned Mummy Wa some beating. Isbae U also started monitoring her social media account and email. He would allegedly physically assault her whenever he noticed anything fishy and later pacify her with gifts just to cover-up for his shortcomings. The last act that ruined the relationship was a physical assault on Mummy Wa at a location outside Lagos State. Some of their colleagues witnessed the incident and tried to intervene, even advising Mummy Wa to quit the relationship. Mr Macaroni also tried to intervene and resolve their conflict, but his effort yielded no result.

Having had enough physical abuse, Mummy Wa ended her relationship with Isbae U. She demanded a refund of the capital she invested in their jointly owned property. She had to involve her lawyers because her estranged lover was not interested in giving her anything as compensation.

to write a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General of the State and Commissioner for Justice, as well as the National Human Right Commission, claiming that both Balogun and Mosaduluwa were after her life and they should both be held responsible for any injustice committed against her.

Balogun refuted Igbinoba’s accusation adding that she was just trying to broker peace between Mosaduluwa and Igbinoba. She claimed that her ex-husband was behind Igbinoba’s petition against her and that he had been trying to ruin her image since she expelled him from their matrimonial home and real estate business.

She said that Gbadamosi had been trying to take his pound of flesh by getting back at her. She alleged that the two connived and twisted her role in the peace keeping mission to that of someone trying to take Igbinoba’s life. She claimed her ex-husband saw an opportunity to malign her image that was why he collaborated with Igbinoba who was once their business partner to accuse her wrongly. She further revealed that Gbadamosi went as far as sending messages to her domestic staff boasting that Balogun would go to jail.

Balogun alleged that her estranged husband created different Facebook accounts to bully her.

Mummy Wa And Isbae U Part Ways Over Allegations of Domestic Violence he romantic relationship between Instagram sensations, Adebayo Ridwan, also known as Isbae U and his colleague, Kemi Ikuseedun, otherwise known as Mummy Wa, has packed up over allegations of battery.

The duo came to into the limelight after they appeared in Debo Adedayo (Mr Macaroni)’s Instagram comedy series.

The two love birds publicly announced they were in a relationship last year in an Instagram post. However, a few months after their public display of affection, Isbae U got involved in a sexscandal that threatened his career and relationship with Mummy Wa. Isbae U was accused of demanding for sex in exchange for roles in his skits. One of his victims a lady posted

ctor Blossom Chukwujekwu has finally moved on from his failed marriage to Maureen Esisi.

Blossom and Maureen walked down the aisle in 2015. Fans were shocked when she revealed that her marriage to the actor was over. Chukwujekwu had called his father-in-law and informed him that he was no longer interested in the union.

He kept his wife in the dark about it until Maureen’s father spilled the beans.

Three years after quitting his first marriage on allegation of infidelity on the part of Maureen, the actor has found love again and will be giving marriage a second chance.

He has found love in the arms of a cleric. Winifed Ehinome Akhuemokhan. His new bride is the niece of the Founder of Christ Embassy, also known as Believers Love World, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. She is also a very active pastor in the ministry.

She is said to have appeared in a few Nollywood movies as an actress, but more engaged in

Balogun

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he last has not been heard of the conflict between estranged couple, Sade Balogun and Babatunde Gbadamosi. Since the two went their separate ways, they have been engaging in altercations publicly. Balogun, boss of Redbrick Homes International Limited and owner of Amen Estate, has accused her estranged husband, Babatunde Gbadamosi of conspiring to frame her up in a case involving threat to life. It all started after Yinka Igbinoba, who is a business partner to both Balogun and Gbadamosi, contacted Balogun over a case she has with Saheed Mosaduluwa, a land agent.

Mosaduluwa sold a property to Igbinoba’s sibling at N30 million, but they later discovered a fraudulent deal in the property and demanded a refund of his

money.

Mosaduluwa was able to pay N15 million out of the N30 million but things turned messy between the two when he refused to pay up the remaining N15 million. During an altercation between the two warring parties, Mosaduluwa boasted about his pedigree as an influential man who could get away with anything. In the process, he decided to get Balogun involved in the case.

Igbinoba also decided to contact Balogun since she also knew her.

Balogun in good faith decided to step in as an arbitrator between the two warring parties.

Balogun mounted pressure on Mosaduluwa to return the N15 million he owed Igbinoba’s siblings. While Balogun tried to resolve their conflict, Igbinoba connived with her ex-husband

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Chukwujekwus wedding of Chukwujekwu and Akhuemokhan took place in Benin, Edo State on Friday, May 20, 2022. The white wedding will take place in June, 2022.

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SHOTS OF THE WEEK Photo Editor: Peace Udugba [08033050729]

L-R: Supply Chain Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Martin Kochl; Corporate Affairs Director, NB Plc, Sade Morgan; Company Secretary/Legal Director, NB Plc, Uaboi Agbebaku; Managing Director/CEO, NB Plc, Hans Essaadi; CEO, Konexa, Pradeep Pursnani, and Commercial Director, Konexa, Joel Abrams, during the contract signing ceremony for a ten-year power purchase agreement renewable energy between Nigerian Breweries Plc and Konexa in Lagos on May 18, 2022.

L-R: Principal Consultant, NECCI, Mrs. Nkechi Ali-Balogun; President of African Public Relations Association and GMD, CMC Connect, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; CEO, Global Alliance for Public Relations & Communication Management, Justin Green and Deputy Minister, Ministry of Information, Communications and Information Technology, Tanzania, Engr. Kundo Mathew during the presentation of the Global Icon Award to Mr. Yomi BadejoOkusanya at (APRA) Conference 2022 in Tanzania on May 24, 2022.

L-R: Vice Chairman, Body of Past President, CIBN, Mr Ralp Osayameh; President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, Dr. Ken Opara; Immediate Past President, CIBN, Dr. Bayo Olugbemi, and Registrar/Chief Executive, CIBN, Dr. Seye Awojobi, during the Investiture of Dr Opara as 22nd President/Chairman of Council of CIBN in Lagos on May 15, 2022.

L–R: Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Mr. Temi Popoola; Head, Government Relations, L-R: Chief Executive Officer/CEO, Healthgarde International, Nneka Lovelyn Nwarueze; Awardee, Debbie Idoko, and Chalya Shagaya, and Executive Commissioner Operations, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dayo Chief Operations Officer, (COO), Healthgarde International, Lovelyn Bassey, during the company’s awards dinner Obisan, at the West African Capital Markets Conference in Ghana on May 24, 2022. held in Abuja on May 24, 2022.

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POLITICS XTRA Ebonyi APC Describes Primaries as Credible, Transparent FROM SUNDAY OGBU, ABAKALIKI

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he leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has lauded its national body for conducting a peaceful, transparent and credible governorship and House of Assembly primaries in the state.

The Ebonyi APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Emegha, also appreciated the delegates for placing premium on the need to sustain the developmental trajectory of the state government by electing credible individuals who are now standard bearers of the party in the 2023 general elections.

Chief Emegha made this known while interacting with journalists shortly after the Governorship primary in Abakaliki, capital of the state.

L-R: Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, during the Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Primary Election at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, on Thursday, May 26, 2022.

Ogun Assembly Primary: Makanjuola Wins In Ifo/Ewekoro Constituency FROM SEGUN AYINDE, ABEOKUTA

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he Chief Executive Officer of Makaycana System Enterprises, Daniel Makanjuola, has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly primary election in Ifo/ Ewekoro Constituency of Ogun State Twenty-one accredited delegates from 10 wards voted for Makanjuola, who defeated Azeez Durodola in the primary held in Itori on Sunday, May 22, 2022.

Addressing journalists at the end of the exercise, Makanjuola described the primary as free and

fair. He commended officials of the Independent National Electoral Commision for using the delegates’ list sent from Abuja by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and the venue approved by the PDP leadership in the state to conduct the election.

He described his victory at the primary as a reflection of the people’s choice, promising that if elected to represent the constituency in the 2023 general election, he would not fail to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

2023 Presidency: Nigeria Needs a Brave Personality – Maharaj ji

BY AYO ESAN

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he Founder of One Love Family, Satguru Maharaj ji has said that Nigeria needs a brave, lion hearted person to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari saying the enormous work on ground required somebody who is bold and ready to step on toes.

Speaking on the 2023 general election, Maharaj ji said only a president with such guts can confront the nation’s various difficulties.

Maharaj ji who was speaking with newsmen in Lagos on the state of the nation said the country needs a people’s oriented government and someone who can stand up to fix problems.

He said: “We don’t need a lame-

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duck president but one with a lion heart. The nation needs a president that will use public funds to make people happy and not hypocrite and deceiver”.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to follow all the guideline in the Electoral Act 22 and the Nigerian Constitution in carrying out and accepted election that will be devoid of rigging in 2023.

He equally called on the national assembly to wake up and provide hope for the nation as people’s representatives.

There is a need for a divine government of love that will touch all aspects of a citizens’ life,” he added.

Bayelsa PDP Primary: Aspirant Opposes Declaration of Opponent As Winner

BY DAVID OWEI, YENAGOA

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he Azibalamawal Jonathan’s Campaign Directorate has described as spurious and undemocratic, the declaration of one Mr Richard Ibegu as winner of the PDP House of Assembly primary in Ogbia Constituency1 of Bayelsa State.

In a statement, the aspirant, Hon. Azibalamawal Jonathan, expressed shock over the declaration of Mr Ibegu as winner of an election that never held due to violence, which eyewitness claimed was caused by Ibegu’s supporters.

He called on the PDP and the general public to discountenance any contrary claims by his opponent’s campaign team, saying the entire world knew that no primaries were held last Sunday in Ogbia town, headquarters of the Constituency and the Ogbia Local Government Area, respectively.

Jonathan urged his teeming supporters and believers in his aspiration to continue to keep faith in his campaign team as it keeps working assiduously and meticulously towards the actualisation of the party’s delegates mandate he would have gotten if the primaries were conducted. This was just as he had also called on his supporters to continue toeing the path of peace and love for the constituency and the PDP, saying he is willing to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.

He noted that the remote and immediate cause of the violence, which characterised the botched primary at Ogbia town was the impersonation of delegates at the supposed venue of the primary, describing Ibegu’s claim on the social media that he won the election at Ogbia town as a blatant lie.

Jonathan stressed that he was not aware of any other Ogbia Constituency 1 where the PDP house of assembly primary held in Bayelsa.

He also condemned the murder of a PDP member, Mr Michael Isaiah, at the venue of the botched primary, even as he conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families, describing the young Isaiah as a promising youth of the Ogbia LGA and Bayelsa State.

He said, “Having crossed this huddle, I believe strongly that the 2023 general election will be far better. The delegates have done what is right in the interest of the party and general public who are counting on us. We have shown we are one united and indivisible entity. One big family. We are delighted for the outcome of the exercise all over the state. It was peaceful, credible and transparent as expected.

“Again, we are talking about building our tomorrow and it is all about the youth. I believe strongly that this is the time for the youths to take their destinies in the hands it is by voting correctly and for the continuity of the transformation already ongoing in Ebonyi State. Today party the demonstrated it”.

“In all honesty, the Electoral Committee drafted by the national leadership of the party to the state truly delivered on its mandate and we are very much delighted.”

The APC Chairman in Ebonyi dismissed the fact that a parallel governorship primary election held in the state.

“There was nothing like a parallel governorship primary in Ebonyi. You saw the whole of the panel assigned by the party’s National Working Committee to conduct this particular exercise. They are all here as you witnessed. The Governorship Electoral Committee chaired by Prof Emmanuel Adebayo Kehinde did a credible job that will stand the test of time.

The members came with their letters.

‘Well you all are here and with what you are seeing, it is enough to tell you that there was nothing like parallel congress anywhere. If it is this APC that is the ruling party in the country, there is no parallel congress it is just this congress.

“For now we cannot see the reason for any member of the APC to go astray but if anyone does, the party will discipline such an individual. Our party is highly coordinated and will not condone disloyalty.

“For Chief Elias Mbam, I called him in the morning and he told me that he wants to travel Abuja. I asked him not to travel but let’s conduct the primary and whosoever that wins, they rest will congratulate and work with the person. I told him that solidarity is key hence sustaining our dominance during the general elections cannot be jeopardized.

“I am very happy because the election came and ended in a peace way although it was anticipated. Thanks be to God,” he concluded.

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FEATURE

To Be or Not to Be a Yahoo, Yahoo Boy

BY MICHAEL JIMOH

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ne day last December, Obinna got a call from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to report in their office in Ikoyi, Lagos. A single father of two boys, Leo and Joseph, he lives in one of the estates in Abesan a jogging distance from Iyana Ipaja.

Obinna (not his real name) is 62 and has lived with his teenage sons for years ever since he separated and eventually got divorced from his wife. Technically, he’s been a sole parent, seeing his sons through school and now preparing them, like most hopeful fathers, for university.

Their JAMB result wasn’t that impressive last year. Before the call came from EFCC, Leo and Joseph had been busy nonetheless, browsing with their Android or I-phones like most teens are wont to anywhere in Abeokuta or Asaba, Bauchi or Benin, Kaduna or Kano, Lagos or Lokoja.

Like some in their age bracket, the two brothers surf sites for musical videos from their favourite Nigerian artistes by day. It could be Adekunle Gold, Davido, Naira Marley, Phyno, Small Doctor, Timaya or Whizkid. But by night, they surf other sites that require more concentration, dating or randomly selected sites, sending out marriage proposals to American or European women desperate for union with Africans or anyone for that matter, what has now entered internet fraud lexicon as ‘love scams.’

On the day Obinna received the call from EFCC, they told him his two boys were in their custody. So, could he come around to Ikoyi and identify them as his sons?

“I thought it was a prank call at first,” Obinna told friends later.

“But when I asked to speak with my senior son, the person on the line passed the phone to him. He was crying. That was when I knew it was true.”

How did two sibs end up in EFCC custody?

Both were invited to a birthday party by one of their classmates and good friend, Bolu. Venue? A hotel not far from their house in Abesan. The hotel itself is a popular hangout for youngsters like them, young scammers bound together by a common interest and mission: send as many love scams as possible and simply wait for positive responses from their victims.

Unknown to them the financial crimes agency had marked down the hotel as a convergence point for yahoo, yahoo boys, based on information and painstaking observation, Leo and Joseph honoured the invites. Along with the celebrant himself were a dozen girls and as many boys, all in their teens, some sporting short dreadlocks, one or two with tattooed biceps and nearly all of the boys wearing hoodies and sagged pants.

When a dozen EFCC officials stormed the hotel about 7pm that day, the chaps and their girlfriends were frolicking by the poolside bar sipping a cocktail of drinks and passing weed from hand to hand. In the ensuing confusion, Joseph quickly tossed his phone over the fence. Leo was not so lucky, and the rest of the boys, too.

Before loading them into their vans, the EFFCC officials freed the girls and then arrested all the boys, drove them to their Ikoyi office on Obafemi Awolowo Road. “I got the call from EFCC around 8.30pm,” Obinna recalled, “asking me to report at their office the following day.” He couldn’t sleep any more that night.

Obinna went to EFCC office the following day, and thus began a tortuous process of negotiating with the officers on how to free his sons from detention. “I was going to their office almost every day for more than a week, covering a distance of nearly 35 kilometres between Abesan and Ikoyi. It was not funny.”

Not funny, as well, was the self-indicting transactions found in Leo’s handset when the agents looked through. True, a handset is a private property no one else can access without your consent. But it is even truer that no teenager, however plucky he may be, will be courageous enough to stop gun-bearing security operatives from looking for incriminating evidence in his phone.

when a Federal High Court in Kaduna sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment for defrauding an Austrian of $1, 000. The inventive undergrad presented himself as gay to his victim who obviously is gay too. Imonina has been in the slammer since June 2012.

Resourceful Nigerian scammers have even looked beyond Nigeria to dupe victims. There was the numbing story of Achimota Mile 7 Police, Accra, busting 29 Nigerian yahoo, yahoo boys some years ago. Tipped off by observant neighbours, the police kept the building under surveillance. By the time they raided the pad, they met all of them home, working their laptops and phones.

They retrieved 34 laptops and 48 mobile phones from the suspects.

Among them was Ike Ogu, 24; Ike Iduozi, 23; Blessing Adebayo, 25; Awudu Abdul Razak, 23; Daley Emmanuel, 26; Moses Madjaki, 30; Onaghnise Osahon, 24; Peter Andrews,25; Benjamin Akumeze, 25; Kelvin Osayi, 23; Oforufemi Adrigu, 25; Anthony Irughe, 22 and Kelvin Uche, 22.

The Achimota Mile 7 Police also netted Timothy Irughe, 22; Elvis Uzeogbu, 24; Owen Zakari, 24; Joe Steve Obozu, 29; Festus Owubu, 25; Abraham Femi, 24; Suleman Abudu, 25; Abraham Femi, 24; Age Michael, 25.

Peddling lies and falsehood is a specialty of yahoo, yahoo boys.

But one of them, a third year student of an unnamed Nigerian university was not fibbing when he told an interviewer thusly: “I started online fraud in my second semester of 100 level [a session comprised of two academic semesters in Nigerian universities as an impostor via online dating. Then I looked for the profile of people that live in developed countries. But if it is in Nigeria, I look for people who live in places like Port Harcourt, Abuja [luxury suburbs].

“I always posed to them as a big man who needed a wife.

Sometimes I posed to them on how my wife disappointed me and took away my property and children. All this is polished in a pitiable way with some pictures to convince them when I’m chatting with them. However, what I do mainly now is to transmit misleading information online for people to send their bank accounts details.”

In towns and cities across Nigeria today, there are so many Leos and Josephs, youngsters barely out of parental care looking to making fast money through fraudulent scam messages sent direct from their handsets or laptops to gullible victims abroad. Some call it hustling, others refer to it as cyber-begging.

After much going back and forth by their hapless father and considering their age, the EFCC officials were not too keen on making a serious issue out of it, like charging the minors to court.

From what Obinna told sympathetic friends, the lads were let go in the end but for an amount he wouldn’t disclose.

The lure of addiction, psychiatrists like to say, is stronger than the pull of sobriety. In that sense, you could also surmise that, for yahoo, yahoo boys in Nigeria, the lure to make money at whatever cost is stronger than the customary progressive stages of development through school and then gainful employment in the private or public sector.

Imonina Kingsley of the University of Ilorin was not so lucky

A regular excuse that has almost become a refrain by many of them

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is that there are no jobs even after graduating or, as one pointedly told THEWILL recently, “school na scam.”

The chap who told the newspaper that is 23, a low-level cyberbeggar living in Dalemo in Ogun state. Ideally, Jamiu, not his real name, should be a university hopeful. Apparently, he is not interested. These days, Jamiu hangs out with like minds in the hood, most of them in their twenties or thirties, all of them getting high by the hour on a cocktail of rectified spirit and stronger variants of weed like Colorado (N1, 000 a pinch), Skunk aka SK, Loud, Black Mamba, etc.

Mrs. Yemisi Olagoke is a Guidance Counsellor living and working in Osogbo, Osun state. Last August, she told a Punch reporter why young people turn to cybercrime, citing an instance of a boy she knew who was compelled to join internet fraudsters. “Many youths now also see internet fraud otherwise known as yahoo, yahoo as a way of life rather than engage in a vocation.”

Continuing, Olagoke said the rising phenomenon is also caused by “breakdown in values further compounded by adoption of dubious individuals as role models.” Olagoke herself was once a target “after she advised a neighbour who wanted to enlist his son as an apprentice under an internet scammer to not follow up with such a decision.”

Of course, the neighbour won and got his convert. Barely 20, the lad got a laptop after three months of apprenticeship. He is now on his own, like thousands of young Nigerians out there looking for easy prey to entrap – a lonely lady in London, Berlin or Bucharest, say, a trustworthy companion, girlfriend in Jos or Lagos, just to make it and then, what next? Show off!

Is it any surprise there is an increasing number of yahoo, yahoo boys now? It is no surprise that “celebration of wealth, particularly among politicians,” a commentator once said, “is a motivation for Nigerian youths to be involved in cyber-crime,” insisting further that “the Nigerian society celebrates wealth without questioning the source of the money.”

With their numbers increasing exponentially in Nigeria today, will the yahoo, yahoo boys fare any better than role models they see tooling around in marques and living in palatial homes? Some will, surely. Some others may not. Already, there are stories of some yahoo, yahoo boys swiping faeces with loafs of bread, taking public baths at T-junctions in the daytime, sacrificing more victims to pacify the forces they worship or even becoming mad in their quest for quick cash.

With money at the very heart of internet scam by some Nigerian youngsters, yahoo, yahoo is a phenomenon that is likely to continue for some time to come. So, you can be sure that, like Obinna, most parents will get that ultimate call from EFCC, something like “Hello, are you the father, mother of so and so? We have him in our custody.”

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SportsLive

U.S. Consulate Deputy Public Affairs Officer Jennifer Foltz (right) with former NBA player and CEO of OBN Academy Obinna Ekezie in a group photograph with participants of the “Uplift African Youth Through Basketball” camp in Port Harcourt.

U.S. Consulate, OBN Academy Launch Basketball Camp For 100 Underserved Youth in Port Harcourt U.S.government sports diplomacy programme promote social inclusion and empower youth in underserved communities by providing them with team-building, leadership, and conflict-resolution skills

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he U.S. Consulate General Lagos, in collaboration with the Organized Basketball Network (OBN) Academy, has launched a sports diplomacy programme “Uplift African Youth Through Basketball” for 100 boys and girls aged 6-18 from underserved communities in Rivers State.

The basketball camp provided the participants an opportunity to learn from mentors, including alumni of U.S. government exchange programmes, about the sport, gender-based violence, entrepreneurship, and inclusion of marginalized communities.

Speaking at the launch of the basketball camp in Port Harcourt, U.S. Consulate Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Jennifer Foltz, highlighted the U.S. government’s commitment to empowering youth in underserved communities with valuable life skills through participation in sports.

She explained that the U.S. Mission has organised many sports initiatives through the Sports Envoy programme, which recruits passionate, articulate, community-oriented professional athletes from the United States, to connect with communities in every

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corner of the world, using sports as the platform, to build connections and to bridge cultural divides.

“Our sports programmes are not just about sports, they are a way to engage people, especially youth, on important topics. For our programme today, the youth participants will learn about basketball, but also about gender-based violence and inclusion of marginalized communities. In addition, they will build their communication, leadership, and teamwork skills,” Foltz added.

Declaring the basketball camp open, Rivers State Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Banigo, congratulated the participants on their enthusiasm and involvement in the program and encouraged them to keep dreaming big.

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Through this basketball camp, we have been able to teach important life and sports values, such as respect, discipline, overcoming adversity, combatting genderbased violence and basic entrepreneurship skills. We made a lasting impact in Port Harcourt and we are grateful to the U.S. government for the partnership

She expressed her satisfaction at the hard work demonstrated by the participants and conveyed her appreciation to the U.S. Consulate and OBN Academy, a local basketball institution founded by former NBA player Obinna Ekezie, for providing mentorship to the participants.

In his remarks, Ekezie said the basketball camp will provide the girls and boys with skills that will enable them to impact their communities positively. He added that the participants will benefit from followon activities throughout the summer.

“Through this basketball camp, we have been able to teach important life and sports values, such as respect, discipline, overcoming adversity, combatting genderbased violence and basic entrepreneurship skills. We made a lasting impact in Port Harcourt and we are grateful to the U.S. government for the partnership,” Ekezie said.

The next edition of the “Uplift African Youth Through Basketball” will take place in Lagos in the coming weeks. The basketball diplomacy project highlights the importance of sports and education for young people and promotes dialogue, tolerance, and respect for diversity.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria utilises sports diplomacy as a way to build bridges and enhance peopleto-people ties, as the universal passion for sports transcends socio-cultural and linguistic barriers and unites people.

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SportsLive

NBBF Crisis And FG’s Withdrawal

BY JUDE OBAFEMI

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n Thursday, May 12, basketball fans across the country were stunned with the news that the Nigerian government had unilaterally mandated the complete withdrawal of the Nigerian senior male and female basketball teams from all international competitions for a two-year period, effective immediately.

All these efforts notwithstanding, the typical parallel elections that have become an NBBF staple returned at the Federation’s polls again. Following the Ministry’s reconciliation efforts and the threats of a ban from FIBA from excessive interference from government and delay in organising their congress, Kida and his group, with the support of FIBA, decided to hold the Benin election on January 31 this year, with 28 states’ representatives in attendance. In addition, four of the seven elected representatives were at the occasion.

If fans were stunned, the dedicated players in D’Tigers and D’Tigress teams were incredulously astounded. The decision of the Federal Government, which was passed through the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, to journalists in a briefing held in Abuja, shpwed that President Muhammadu Buhari approved this withdrawal.

As observers, the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) were also present.

However, concurrently, Igoche Mark won a parallel election in Abuja, which included some current and former basketball players as delegates not backed by the Federation. Kida’s election in Benin was the one recognised by FIBA, which sent a letter acknowledging the leadership of the elected for the following four years. Those elected alongside Kida were Vice President: Babs Ogunade: North-central Rep. Deishi Adamu, North-east Rep. Abba Kaka, North-west Rep. Surajo Yusuf, South-east Rep. Ugo Udezue, South-south Rep. Ahamaudu Kida, South-west Rep. Olumide Oyedeji.

The minister, who was represented at the briefing by Ismaila Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, stated that an interim committee would be appointed to monitor basketball leagues across the country, with a view to developing the sport from the grassroots.

Pointing to internal wranglings in the administration of the sport in the country as the basis for the decision, he said, “Following the unending crisis which have plagued and nearly crippled the development of basketball in Nigeria, President Buhari has approved the withdrawal of Nigeria from all international basketball competitions for a period of two years. This is with immediate effect. This will also allow for the setting up of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to oversee the management and development of the domestic basketball leagues in Nigeria.”

He therefore urged players, officials, fans, and all stakeholders in the sport to be calm while the government undertakes farreaching steps to reposition, sustain, and stabilise basketball for long-term growth and success in the country’s best interests.

It is yet another sordid chapter in sports governance in the country, with painful reminiscences of the crises that brought the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to its knees and resulted in the downgrading of the country from a Category B level to a Category A level and destroyed the sports fortunes of no fewer than 10 Nigerian athletes, who were rendered ineligible to participate in the 2020 Summer Olympics hosted in Tokyo Japan last year because they failed to take the required outof-competition tests expected of a Category A country by the Athletics Integrity Unit of the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA). This time around, the fortunes of the best male and female teams in Africa hang on the precipice of decline with this two-year self-imposed ban, even as there is the possibility of further ban by the world basketball governing body, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

The origins of the leadership crises at the top of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) goes back two whole elections ago and it circulates around the current president of the Federation, Engr Ahmadu Musa Kida. To trace the genesis of the issue requires that the circumstances surrounding the election of the Federation five years ago be involved.

The seeds of contested elections were sown at that election.

Kida and his opponent, Tijani J. Umar, fought bitterly for the presidency of the NBBF. But, there were two elections held simultaneously.

Kida won the poll in Abuja, which was overseen by the Sports Ministry. In Kano, Umar went forward with his parallel election. Kida’s election was recognised by FIBA, allowing him the authority to hold sway at the NBBF for his first term.

At the conclusion of that tenure four years after, Kida wanted a second term.

An NBBF congress convened correctly in Abuja voted to THEWILLNIGERIA

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Dare

Dare also reaffirmed the government’s interest in and commitment to the growth of basketball in Nigeria, as well as the enormous abilities of young talents domestically, in an atmosphere free of squabbles and rancour.

With parallel president Mark parading himself as the substantive head of the NBBF, there appears to be no end in sight in the crises at the helm of basketball governance.

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An NBBF congress convened correctly in Abuja voted to organise an elected congress in Benin City. As necessary for its legitimacy, it was endorsed by FIBA and the Ministry of Sports

organise an elected congress in Benin City. As necessary for its legitimacy, it was endorsed by FIBA and the Ministry of Sports.

However, signs that all was not well at the ministry with the administration of the federation was acknowledged when the Dare used security as an excuse to postpone the NBBF polls scheduled for October 30 in Benin City, Edo State. Incidentally, this October ending date for the Congress was based on a 21day deadline given to the NBBF by a collaboration between the sports ministry and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) as it was reasoned that an election will reconcile the quarrelsome factions of the Federation and give it a fresh start from whence to move forward. Instead, the wranglings in the Federation grew grown in intensity as the elections approached to the point of threatening the very process itself especially so that the Ministry had to postpone the Congress. After this postponement, the sports minister and the NOC president, Habu Gumel, met with the NBBF parties at the minister’s office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium and the cordial nature of their resolution gave the promise of consensus ahead of the rescheduled Congress.

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Yet, there must be creative problem-solving actions to resort to than to hamper the steady growth that Basketball in the country is making instead of slamming it with a blanket ban for an entire two years, effectively jeopardising the contributions of patriotic sportsmen and women, who have laboured tirelessly to make Nigerian basketball a tour de force on the continent.

The hopes of the D’Tigress women’s national team to compete in the 2022 World Cup in Sydney, Australia are already in jeopardy, while the D’Tigers, who are expected to compete in window three of the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup qualifiers in Rwanda starting July 1, may be the first to be impacted by the sanction.

The consequences of the Federal Government’s action include incurring avoidable sanctions from FIBA. Although it has not officially acted on the two-year withdrawal, FIBA’s Head of Legal, Jaime Lamboy, in a letter addressed to Kida and dated May 18, spelt out what the repercussions of the lateral withdrawal could mean for the country because the action contravenes Article 9.7 of FIBA’s General Statutes, which states that “National member federations shall manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties.”

FIBA might therefore decide to act according to Article 10.2 of the FIBA Statutes, that empowers the FIBA Central Board to suspend a national member federation for violating Article 9.7 on the Secretary-General’s suggestion. If acted upon, Nigeria will not only be barred from competing in the 2024 Olympic Games as well as the 2025 World Championships for both men and women but be also forced to miss subsequent competitions, losing all momentum so far actualised.

To highlight how manifestly unwieldy this entire decision to withdraw is, the Interim Management Committee (IMC) created to oversee the development of basketball in Nigeria was not exactly given the objective to straighten out the leadership crises. Instead, Dr. Henry Nzekwu, Mr. Udon Ubon Humapwa, Mr. Frank Jitubhoh, Zenith Bank representative, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, Mr. Peter Nelson, Group Captain Rahinatu Garba, Aderemi Adewunmi, Oluchi Nzekwe, and Sani Adio (SAN) were tasked with the responsibility to devise programmes that will revitalise basketball in Nigeria at the grassroots level, resuscitate its dormant domestic leagues, and seek corporate sponsors to help the game grow.

How this will happen in an atmosphere of presidential wranglings is a question the sports ministry will still have to answer while hoping that FIBA will exercise restrain in handing out penalties for the contravention of its rules.

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www.thewillnigeria.com • May 29 - June 04, 2022

Delegates, Monetisation of Politics and Danger to Nigeria’s Democracy

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here is a clear danger in Nigeria’s primary electoral process that could deprive the country of quality leaders, if not checked. Millions of people have seen videos circulating on social media or read about how large sums of money were distributed to delegates to buy their votes ahead of the primary elections being conducted by political parties across the country.

Sadly money is now used to determine who gets votes from party delegates. This is a very disturbing trend that we must collectively speak up against.

The main culprits are politicians from the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While well-meaning citizens of this country were seeking a way out of the doldrums that the country had found itself and hoping that the next administration would begin the process of bringing Nigeria from the brink of total disintegration, delegates charged with the sole responsibility of picking candidates who will make this possible, had other things on their minds.

What Nigerians have witnessed among these delegates instead has been an inclination to abuse this sacred responsibility by indulging in the age-old political ritual known as money-for-votes. This tradition did not take Nigeria anywhere in the past. It will not help to move the needle towards progress today. It will only make the future appear bleaker than it already seems.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, recently warned the nation about the danger in this style of politics.

Speaking at a one-day stakeholders’ colloquium organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), with the theme, ‘Emerging issues that would shape the 2023 general elections in Nigeria’ and held on Wednesday, May 25, Yakubu expressed concern over the monetisation of the nation’s electoral process by politicians seeking favours from party delegates.

He said that, if left unchecked, the sleazy money-forvotes ritual had the potential of dragging the nation towards plutocracy or government by an elite or ruling class that derives its power from the wealth of its members.

Considering what it costs to even indicate interest in a political office in Nigeria, one can argue that there is a plutocratic strain already inherent in the system of politics that is operating in the country. Reflecting on the issue, Yakubu’s predecessor, Prof Attahiru Jega, blamed the political class for undermining the integrity of elections as the use of bribes had worsened over time.

Yet, the voice of caution of these past and present INEC Chairmen were by no means the solitary notes of warning against the monetary inducement of delegates to buy their consciences. Former President Goodluck Jonathan decried the pre-eminent value placed on bribes over and above the worth of the candidates that delegates gave their votes to. At the same

stakeholders’ colloquium, Jonathan bluntly admitted, more than once, that the system had failed.

He had said, “The primaries going on across the country are a mess. This is not a standard practice.

The process has failed. We cannot use the process to elect a President, governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives and others. The failure of the process is not good for the country. But we will manage and move on. We pray that good people will come. I hope that what happened this year will not happen again in this country.”

What is abundantly obvious from the charade of a democratic process that occurred at the primaries recently is that, as a practising democracy, we are still very far from running the type of system that will churn out individuals with the acumen to marshal the abundant human and natural resources the country is blessed with and enable us to take our rightful place in the comity of nations.

There is no gainsaying the fact that each political party reserves its right to determine how its candidates emerge, based on ideology and prerogatives, but that right cannot be without the equally significant responsibility that they owe the country in putting forward men and women of unimpeachable character, exemplary leadership, inspirational lives and sterling traits, who will be charged with leading the country towards progress and making their parties of origin proud.

This lofty nature of the ideal roles of party delegates has not been considered with the pristine sacredness it deserves by the political class in Nigeria. The most egregious examples of this wanton disregard were on display during the primaries organised by the APC and PDP. Delegates from both political parties considered it their good fortune to be courted by politicians of all stripes seeking to fly their parties’ flags at the 2023 general election. These delegates were willing to sell their votes to the highest bidder and mostly in foreign currencies.

The need for Forex to sweeten the delegates’ palates made the US dollar scarce, consequently driving up the value in the money market. It was a racket that cared little or nothing for ideals and principles, value, responsibility, representative leadership and good governance. Only one objective mattered for what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of these delegates: To make as much money as possible.

This skewed focus on selfish ends was the reason for such embarrassing reports that followed announcements of the results of some of the primaries, as was the case of an unnamed House of Representatives aspirant in Kaduna State.

After losing at the primaries, the candidate employed the frightening and coercive powers of local hunters and vigilante to successfully recover about N100 million, which he used to unsuccessfully lobby some delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party.

There was also the unabashed admission of Adam Namadi, the son of ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, who made no bones about confessing that he had demanded a refund of the sum of N76 million, which he offered as bribes to help him secure the PDP ticket for the 2023 National Assembly Election in Kaduna North Federal Constituency after his bid failed at the primaries.

Also in Ondo State, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, who failed to win the party’s ticket to return as a representative of Ondo Central Senatorial District, immediately retrieved two vehicles given to some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and requested a refund of the money (in US dollars) he shared to delegates.

By now it must be obvious that there is nothing positive that Nigeria can reap from this system. We must find an alternative to a situation where, having bought their way into political offices, politicians feel responsible to nobody and busy themselves with trying to recoup their investments in elections.

For a system where the public official is beholden to the people, as democracy truly stipulates, there is the absolute need to strip the system of this delegate bypass and evolve an open participatory system that will promote representative local politics and cut off this cancerous money-suffused poison.

I urge political parties, for the purposes of picking their flagbearers, to a database of their registered members who participate actively in the regular constituency activities and who have taken their time to listen to their party’s class of candidates for elective positions and interacted with them to highlight their local concerns.

It is this set of members that will be granted the power to pick the candidate that most closely reflects the person to take care of their concerns, if elected at the general election.

This process will also help the party to ascertain their candidates’ popularity at the grassroots in-house ahead of the general election and give them a look into areas where they can make adjustments to their campaign to give them a better shot against the opposition. This open system is more efficient, cost effective and useful for the party, its constituents and the candidates themselves. It will bring value to the system and encourage individuals who can deliver the numbers the party will need to carry the day in the general election.

In the final analysis, the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government will have to be involved to move the country away from this embarrassing slide to a free-for-all-moneybags syndrome. All sorts of monetary inducements during electioneering in the form of bribes must be criminalised and the penalties that apply must be stringently enforced and implemented to the letter, if we must truly begin to introduce some much-needed sanity into the electoral system. This is something that ought to have been introduced long ago. Now, it is a necessity for the sake of our democracy and the progress and development that the country needs.

Sadly money is now used to determine who gets votes from party delegates. This is a very disturbing trend that we must collectively speak up against. The main culprits are politicians from the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) PAGE 32

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