SUNDAY 27TH JANUARY 2019

S’Court Justices Shun Acting CJN’s Swearing in of Election Tribunals PDP calls inauguration of poll panels a nullity Alex Enumah and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja All the justices of the Supreme Court, except Justice Sidi Dauda Bage, yesterday

boycotted the swearing-in of 250 members of the 2019 Election Panels by Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, in a problematic start to his

headship of the judiciary.

Muhammad was appointed acting CJN on Friday by President Muhammadu Buhari and sworn in following on a controversial ex parte order of

the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) directing the suspension of incumbent CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

Nonetheless, Muhammad sued for decency among

judicial officers to protect the integrity of the judiciary.

But the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the inauguration of the election

panels by Muhammad as a legal invalidity. PDP said Muhammad had allowed himself to be used to desecrate Continued on page 10

CJN Suspension: Senate May Reconvene Tuesday as Leadership Meets Today… Page 86 Sunday 27 January, 2019 Vol 24. No 8684

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Lawyers Say CCT, Ex-parte Order May Be Fraudulent Tobi Soniyi and Olaseni Durojaiye Lawyers across the country have continued to reject the order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) upon which President Muhammadu Buhari relied in suspending the Chief Justice

of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen. Among those who have picked holes in the order and faulted the entire process are Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana, SAN; a former Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr Chidi

Odinkalu; Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Clement Nwankwo; and the umbrella organisation for all lawyers in the country, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

They said the order upon which the president relied in suspending Onnoghen was

dubious.

Falana in a statement said, “The ex parte order is a suspect document, as the motion ex parte on which it was predicated was allegedly filed on January 9, 2019, while the substantive charge against the Chief Justice was filed at the registry of the Code of

Conduct Tribunal on January 11, 2019. Furthermore, the counsel who argued the motion is not indicated in the ex parte order.”

On his part, Odinkalu observed, “When a motion is filed in a court or tribunal, it bears the name of the lawyer or person filing it.

“The motion has to be formally moved or argued on a date fixed by the court.

In this case of #Onnoghen, the motion for his removal bears no name and the order doesn't say who moved it.

“So, to sum things up, Continued on page 10

Onnoghen: Global Concerns Mount, Fears Heighten over Free, Fair Election US, UK, EU Condemn CJN’s Suspension Dogara: Buhari’s action unconstitutional Falana: Nigeria falling into hands of incipient fascism Malami, others placed on America’s watch list Presidency: This govt won’t accept foreign interference

By Our Correspondents Global outrage has continued to trail President Muhammadu Buhari’s unconstitutional removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, without recourse to due process and the provisions of the constitution, 20 days to the presidential and National Assembly elections billed to hold on February 16. Casting doubt on the credibility and fairness of the upcoming elections. From the United States, United Kingdom, The European Union, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, lawyers, civil society groups, came condemnation of the Buhari government for its unconstitutional suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Leading the charge against what is now termed reckless impunity of the Buhari administration, the governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and the European

Union, in separate statements, condemned Buhari’s unilateral suspension of Onnoghen especially against a rather poor timing.

These allies of Nigeria, expressed their concern on the development was further stoked by the growing criticisms the president’s action has continued to attract amongst prominent Nigerians, however, suggested a swift and peaceful resolution of the matter so it does not cast a pall over the February 16 elections.

International news outlets such as BBC, CNN and Associated Press, have devoted elaborate coverage to the dramatic suspension of Onnoghen by President Buhari on Friday, warning of looming chaos.

Reeling from the global outrage against it, the Presidency reacted with defiance warning that it will not accept foreign interference.

Continued on page 8

See THISDAY Weekly Guide to 2019… Pages 18-19

BUHARI CAMPAIGN BERTHS IN THE PACESETTER STATE...

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo attend campaign rally in Oyo State

Wike: Buhari Intimidating Appeal Court Judges to Back Suspension of CJN… Page 12

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ͺͿË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Π˞ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

PAGE EIGHT ONNOGHEN: GLOBAL CONCERNS MOUNT, FEARS HEIGHTEN OVER FREE, FAIR ELECTION In a statement by the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the Presidency said the Buhari administration is against actions capable of creating apprehension, distrust among citizens or undermining the transparency and acceptability of outcomes of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s electoral process.

However, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and a renowned constitutional lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana have also come out to condemn Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action, describing it too as unconstitutional and incipient fascism in the country In similar breath, the United States may have placed certain individuals of interest under watch as persons likely to interfere with the process of the 2019 elections, amongst them is the current Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the federation, Abubakar Malami.

Highly placed sources in the US government told THISDAY that in furtherance of its interest in a credible poll, the government had placed a few individuals, who are believed to be operating behind the scenes and acting against the advancement of democracy in the country.

United States: Deeply Concerned

by Decision to Suspend and Replace Onnoghen However, in a three-paragraph statement yesterday afternoon, the US government through its embassy in Abuja, expressed deep concern with news of the suspension of the CJN. The statements reads: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Embassy of the United States is deeply concerned by the impact of the executive branchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to suspend and replace the Chief Justice and head of the judicial branch without the support of the legislative branch on the eve of national and state elections. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We note widespread Nigerian criticism that this decision is unconstitutional and that it undermines the independence of the judicial branch. That undercuts the stated determination of government, candidates, and political party leaders to ensure that the elections proceed in a way that is free, fair, transparent, and peaceful - leading to a credible result. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We urge that the issues raised by this decision be resolved swiftly and peacefully in accordance with due process, full respect for the rule of law, and the spirit of the Constitution of Nigeria. Such action is needed urgently now to ensure that this decision does not cast a pall over the electoral process.â&#x20AC;?

British High Commission: Risks Affecting Perceptions on the Credibility The British High Commission, in its intervention said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have heard a wide range of credible and independent voices, including in the Nigerian legal profession and civil society, who have expressed concern over the constitutionality of the executive branchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suspension of the chief officer of the judiciary. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We respect Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sovereign authority and its right to adjudicate on constitutional provisions but as friends of the Nigerian people, we are compelled to observe that the timing of this action, so close to national elections, gives cause for concern. It risks affecting both domestic and international perceptions on the credibility of

the forthcoming elections. We, along with other members of the international community, are following developments closely. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We encourage all actors to maintain calm and address the concerns raised by this development through due process, demonstrating their commitment to respecting the constitution and the impartial administration of the rule of law.

We further urge them to take steps to ensure that elections take place in an environment conducive to a free, fair and peaceful process.â&#x20AC;?

European Union: Suspension has Raised Concerns about Electoral Justice Similarly reacting, The European Union, in a statement by Sarah Fradgley, Press and Public Outreach Officer, said it was invited by the Independent National Electoral Commission to observe the 2019 general elections, but said it was â&#x20AC;&#x153;very concerned about the process and timing of the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Walter Onnoghen, on 25 January. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With 20 days until the presidential and National Assembly elections, political parties, candidates and voters must be able to have confidence in the impartiality and independence of the judicial system. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The decision to suspend the Chief Justice has led to many Nigerians, including lawyers and civil society observer groups, to question whether due process was followed.

The timing, just before the swearing-in of justices for Electoral Tribunals and the hearing of election-related cases, has also raised concerns about the opportunity for electoral justice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The EU EOM calls on all parties to follow the legal processes provided for in the Constitution and to respond calmly to any concerns they may have. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The EU EOM will continue observing all aspects of the election, including the independence of the election administration, the neutrality of security agencies, and the extent to which the judiciary can and does fulfill its election-related responsibilities.â&#x20AC;?

Speaker Dogara: Unconstitutional, Dictatorial and an Act of Executive Recklessness On its part, Dogara described Onnoghenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suspension as unconstitutional, dictatorial and an act of executive recklessness.

In a statement personally signed by him, Dogara said with the president's action, Nigeria has become a full blown dictatorship, taking after Germany in the wake of the 1933 Reichstag fire.

"With the unconstitutional suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Muhammadu Buhari, the world has been served with notice that Nigeria is now a full-blown dictatorship.

"This did not come as a rude shock except to those that have been blind to the gradual but progressive erosion of democratic values in the polity as President Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government has never hidden its disdain for the rule of law.

"We have watched in disbelief as the government recklessly deploys institutional prerogatives; routinely flouts the rule of law; subverts and

assaults democratic institutions; refuses to accept opponents as legitimate; suppresses citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; civil liberties (especially those of opponents) and trample underfoot the media. In short, the Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tyrannical and authoritarian credentials are loathsomely legendary."

Further faulting Buhari's action, Dogara said: "No provision in Sections 157 and 292 of the 1999 Constitution as amended supports the president in purporting to suspend the CJN or swearing-in an acting CJN. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The whole idea of a limited government is that the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s powers is limited by law and it is ultra vires his powers to act in the absence of explicit legislative authorisation.

That is representative democracy at its best which our 1999 Constitution as amended guarantees.

"It is instructive to note that our constitution does not contemplate or presupposes a situation whereby the Judiciary will have a suspended CJN and acting CJN at the same time.

Therefore, it is right to posit, as some have done that the President now has his own Chief Judge to do his bidding while Nigeria has a sitting CJN until he is removed in line with the provisions of the Constitution."

According to the speaker, suspending the CJN is an "awfully crude annexation of the judiciary by the president in violation of his oath of office and the Constitution cannot be for any other reason except, as alleged by so many, to prepare the judiciary ahead of time for the purpose of conferring some aura of legitimacy to the contraption that the 2019 general election may after all become.

"I therefore call on the President to remember that he has no better legacy to bequeath other than a good name, which cannot be achieved without honour, character and integrity. Honour and integrity demand that he upholds his oath of office by reversing this assault on our Constitution and following the manifestly clear and unambiguous constitutional procedure for the removal of the CJN if he must be removed.

Anything short of this demeans all of us.

"To our citizens, we must now heed the warning of the Irish lawyer cum orator, John Philpot Curran who said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the condition upon which God had given liberty to man is eternal vigilance: which condition if he breaks, servitude is at once the consequences of his crime, and the punishment of his guilt,â&#x20AC;? adding that despotism could only prosper if good men and women do nothing.

Falana: Suspension Should Not be Allowed to Stand Also speaking, Falana said â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have had cause to call on the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN to withdraw the charge of false declaration of assets filed against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. The call was without prejudice to the merit of the serious allegations levelled against the Chief Justice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In line with decided judicial authorities, I had wanted the National Judicial Council to investigate the allegations.

Unfortunately, the 88th statutory meeting of the National Judicial Council scheduled to hold on January 15, 2019, which could have deliberated on the matter and take an informed position was postponed indefinitely on the directive of the embattled Chief Justice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the battle shifted to the

Timeline of the CCT Charges against Onnoghen Petition received on the 9th January Petition against Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen received by Code of Code Bureau Charge dated Thursday January 10, 2019 Charge was filed on Friday January 11, 2019 Arraignment was slated for Monday January 14th, 2019.

However, the CJN did not appear. A retinue of lawyers who represented the CJN challenged the jurisdiction of the CCT on the grounds, among others, that he was not personally served.

Tribunal adjourned to January 22, 2019 and ordered that the charges be served on the CJN personally.

January 14th 2019 That same day, January 14th, a Federal High Court issued an order stopping the trial.

On the same day, a National Industrial Court also issued an order stopping the CCT from proceeding with the trial.

15th January, 2019.

An Abuja High Court made a similar order.

Monday 21st January A Federal High Court issued an order restraining President Muhammadu Buhari, the CCT from removing the CJN pending the determination of the case before the high court Saturday 19th January President Buhari stated through his Media Adviser, Mr Femi Adesina that the matter was before the courts and that he would not interfere with the process.

22nd January, 2019.

The CJN was expected to appear before the CCT for arraignment. He did not appear.

His lawyers drew the attention of the tribunal to the multiple orders stopping the trial.

However, the CCT in a split decision of 2 against 1, contended that only the Court of Appeal had supervisory powers over the CCT and not the High Court or the Industrial Court.

The tribunal insisted the CJN must appear for his arraignment.

A second member of the panel, Mr Williams Atedze, in a dissenting ruling, said it would amount to â&#x20AC;&#x153;judicial rascality and anarchyâ&#x20AC;? for the CCT to proceed with the trial, having been notified of the fact that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had been briefed of the facts of the matter.

Wednesday January 24, 2019.

The CCT adjourns further proceedings to January 28, 2019.

Thursday January 24, 2019 The Court of Appeal in Abuja bars the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) from proceeding with the trial of the CJN. Friday January 25th President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the CJN saying he acted on an order of the CCT dated Janaury 23rd, 2019. Only two members of the tribunal signed the order.

Neither the CJN nor his lawyers were present when the order empowering the CJN was issued.

Saturday 26th 2019, Acting CJN Muhammad performs first official duty The swearing-in ceremony for the electoral panel members, Muhammadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first official function as CJN, took place at the Main Court Room, Supreme Court Complex, Abuja, with just one justice of the apex court in attendance. courts, both the Judiciary and the Executive were shopping for court orders from the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court, the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the Court of Appeal. In the process, settled principles of law were sacrificed for the exigency of the moment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thus, at the 15th annual Gani Fawehinmi lecture, which held in Lagos on January 15, 2019, I was compelled to warn against the dangerous trend.

Regrettably, the warning fell on deaf ears. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Curiously, in an act of brazen impunity, the Executive procured an ex parte order from the Code of Conduct Tribunal for the immediate suspension of the Chief Justice from office. In his purported compliance with the ex parte order, President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the suspension of Justice Onnoghen as the Chief Justice and appointed Justice Tanko Mohammad as the Acting Chief Justice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is unfortunate that the Bar and the Bench have played into the hands of the sponsors of incipient fascism in the country.

For reasons best known to them, the stakeholders in the legal profession stood by and allowed the Office of the Chief Justice to be completely desecrated. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is intriguing that the 12 lawyers, including three Senior Advocates of Nigeria in the federal cabinet did not deem it fit to dissuade President

Buhari from carrying out the illegal suspension of the Chief Justice on the basis of an ex parte order issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In particular, they ought to have reminded the President of the compulsory retirement of Justice Stanley Nnaji and Justice Wilson Egbo-Egbo for issuing illegal ex parte orders for the removal of Dr. Chris Ngige as Governor of Anambra State. It is sad to recall that it was the federal government superintended by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that instigated the illegal removal of the governor at the material time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, notwithstanding the inauguration of Justice Tanko Mohammad as the Acting Chief Justice, the legal profession should not hesitate to review the entire Onnoghen saga in the interest of the nation's judiciary. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Elelu-Habeeb (2012) 1 WRN, the Supreme Court held that by virtue of section 292 of the Constitution, the heads of the judicial arms of the state and federal governments in the country cannot be removed without a prior investigation conducted by the NJC. Consequently, the apex court set aside the purported removal of the appellant as the Chief Judge of Kwara State upon an address forwarded to the House of Assembly by former Governor Bukola Saraki. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Therefore, the National Judicial Council should convene

and constitute a committee to investigate the allegations leveled against the Chief Justice and make appropriate recommendation to the relevant authorities.â&#x20AC;?

The Lagos-based lawyer therefore charged Onnoghenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legal team to proceed to challenge his suspension from office either at the Code of Conduct Tribunal or the Court of Appeal, adding that despite the gravity of the allegations levelled against the Chief Justice, the illegality of the suspension should not be allowed to stand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ex parte order is a suspect document as the motion ex parte on which it was predicated was allegedly filed on January 9, 2019 while the substantive charge against the Chief Justice was filed at the registry of the Code of Conduct Tribunal on January 11, 2019. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Furthermore, the counsel who argued the motion is not indicated in the ex parte order.

However, in view of President Buhari's belated fidelity in the rule of law, the federal government should comply with all valid and subsisting orders of competent municipal and regional courts made against the federal government.â&#x20AC;?

Commonwealth Lawyers Association Also, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), the Continued on page 10

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 27, 2019

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SUNDAY COMMENT

Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com

IGNORING THE COURT OF APPEAL AND SUSPENDING THE CHIEF JUSTICE. THIS IS A POWER GRAB GONE TOO FAR

Democracy and the Rule of Law hinges on due process. President Muhammadu Buhari is doing exactly the opposite in suspending the head of the judicial branch in a spite of the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria - a few weeks to national elections where the judiciary is one of the referees

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hat happened on Friday January 25th 2019 in the Executive Council Chambers of The Presidential Villa, Abuja, in the illegal suspension and replacement of the Chief Justice of The Federation is simply unconscionable and unacceptable in our system of laws and democracy.

While announcing the suspension of Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari said Nigeria "..is a constitutional democracy and no one must be, or be seen to be, above the law.” Sadly, the president put himself above the law. he ignored The Court of Appeal ruling staying proceedings till January 30; the president ignored the Constitutional provisions section 292 on the removal of judicial officers and relied on a dubious exparte Order whose source remain unknown, but signed by a CCT Chairman Danladi Umar who himself is under trial for corruption. For a president notorious for ignoring orders of superior courts to move swiftly to obey a dubious order of a tribunal beggars belief. No matter the gravity of the allegations against Justice Onnoghen, the recourse to self-help in dealing with the head of the judicial arm of government,

despite constitutional guarantees, is more damaging to our democracy and the principles of separation of powers, checks and balances, and the cause the president claims to be fighting. It is dangerous for our democracy that a president sworn to upholding the constitution would cynically disregard its provisions to achieve a predetermined end which many believe to be political and designed to confer advantage on the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) and his presidential run - 3 weeks to the elections. In football parlance, it is like a team in a march suspending and replacing one of the referees in the game - Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) being the Referee and The Courts being the 2nd and 3rd officials.

It is like a team in a march suspending and replacing one of the referees in the game - INEC being the Referee and The Judiciary being the 2nd and 3rd officials

Letters to the Editor

I

t is perhaps the best thing since slice bread, hearing President Muhammadu Buhari at various public fora reiterates the impregnable resolve of his government to help the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under the dynamic leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, conduct a credible, fair and transparent 2019 general election.

Simply put, ‘Baba Buhari’ is saying he will not as Mr. President— and even more instructive—as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential standard bearer, compel the electoral body to either by hook or crook, return him as the victor of the February 16 poll, which by all indices, promises to an epic contest.

Already, political gladiators and their foot soldiers are not leaving anything to chance. They have

S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS OLAWALE OLALEYE, TOBI SONIYI MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

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s the law stands today, the CJN can only be removed “by the president acting on an address supported by twothirds majority of the Senate”.

But Onnoghen has been removed under the pretext of an illegal suspension and, for all practical purposes, been pronounced guilty of an offence for which he has not even been tried or giving fair hearing - a fundamental human right. The swearing in of Justice Mohammed Tanko as the acting CJN only heightens the ethno-religious suspicions that have dogged this administration.

But all is not too late to restore some order and constitutionalism. First the dubious exparte order must be vacated and Onnoghen restored as CJN. The Court of Appeals must then be allowed to consider the CCT case on the merits while an emergency NJC is convened to look into the allegations against Onnoghen with the CJN recusing himself.

Given the danger that corruption poses to our country, every right thinking citizen must cooperate with President Buhari to fight it. But such cooperation and buy-in should be nurtured and sustained through transparency and due process without ruling party sacred cows and opposition scape goats.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

For 2019 Polls To Be Credible since been throwing diatribes on the personality and character of one another. These are what we see often on the pages of our dailies. Various electronic media platforms have also not been spared the inexcusable shenanigans of our politicians.

In every election circle, the putrid skeletons in the cupboard of party A candidate are excavated by his rival-opponent in cahoot with members of party B—all in a bid to outsmart party A’s candidate, cleverly hoodwink some uninformed electorate, and then to eventually coast home to victory.

But trust the archetypal breed of politicians we have. They will not only engage in needless campaign of calumny (at the expense of issue-based campaign), media propaganda, and political assassinations, among other scandalous

acts, but they will further take their rascality a notch higher on the D-day of election.

In their desperate bid to acquire power, our politicians introduced the ‘do-or-die’ style of playing politics. But that is not all. They have also invented, popularized and firmly institutionalized electoral corruption which is manifest in the form of vote buying, godfatherism, irregularities, outright bribery of election officials and security agents, intimidation of voters and the subversion of rules/ procedures in favour of the ruling party, to mention a few.

Electoral corruption, which is also known as political corruption, refers to all actions or inaction of individuals, groups, political parties or institutions in aiding, abetting and subversion of electoral process either by use of words,

media, thugs, violence, money and state apparatus to confer undue advantage on oneself, acquaintance or a political party.

It is mostly perpetrated by powerful godfathers, hired thugs, politicians, security agencies, civil servants and sometimes by dubious INEC staff.

Needless to say, the end-product of political corruption perpetrated through electoral heist will always be poor.

Though INEC posted remarkable improvements in the organization and conduct of both the 2011 and 2015 polls, there are vexing issues that still need to be tackled and addressed if the forthcoming election will not end up as charade.

While INEC has already evolved measures to guard against vote merchandising in 2019 polls, it must give no room for laxity on election days.

Thus, they should seek the cooperation of security personnel deployed to polling centres, so that desperate party officials

will not have a field day wooing prospective voters with money in exchange for votes.

Also, there is a compelling need for INEC to religiously abide by its electoral laws and acts which guide its statutory operations, just as it is imperative for them to remain neutral, unbiased and uncompromising. Again, one clarion call INEC must make to all the political parties, their candidates and die-hard supporters, is for them to eschew hooliganism and acts capable of impugning the credibility of the polls.

Similarly, it behooves on INEC, to this time around, make good its threat of prosecuting electoral offenders who flout its clearly-outlined election rules.

As Nigerians anticipate February 16 to ‘coronate’ the next occupant of Aso Rock, the Presidential Villa in Abuja, I am sure INEC will not allow the teeming electorate to be disenfranchised.

––Abdulsalam Mahmud, Abuja.

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NEWS REVIEW Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;COURT JUSTICES SHUN ACTING CJNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SWEARING IN OF ELECTION TRIBUNALS the hallowed temple of justice, his oath of office and oath of allegiance, saying the only option left for him is to quit the bench.

Onnoghenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trial had drawn wide condemnation within and outside the Nigerian judicial community. The objections got to a head on Friday following his suspension and Muhammadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appointment, with many in the international community joining in condemning the unfolding events in the third arm of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government.

The swearing-in ceremony for the electoral panel members, Muhammadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first official function as CJN, took place at the Main Court Room, Supreme Court Complex, Abuja, with just one justice of the apex court in attendance.

No reason was given for the absence of the other justices.

But it was generally believed to be an indication of strong

objection to Onnoghenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trial and suspension, and Muhammadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s subsequent appointment, as the bizarre events in the Nigerian judiciary took a turn for the worse.

The electoral panels comprise National Assembly Election Petition Tribunals, Governorship Election Petition Tribunals, and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunals.

Inaugurating the panels, Muhammad tasked their members to rise in defence of the judiciary from those he claimed were bent on destroying it. He charged them to discharge their duties with the fear of God, whom, according to him, they are first responsible to. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As your Lordships take the oath of office as chairmen and members of the Election Petition Tribunals, let me remind you that this oath is a solemn appeal to Almighty God,â&#x20AC;? Muhammad declared, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Therefore, it is

to God Almighty that you will be ultimately responsible. It's from this oath that your duties and responsibilities as chairmen and members of the election petition tribunal in your various places of assignment spring forth and has a binding effect.â&#x20AC;?

The interim CJN stated that the judiciary was passing through difficult times, and urged the judges to protect the institution of the judiciary by upholding and enhancing its honour and standing.

He told the tribunal members, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I implore you to discharge your onerous duty diligently and with the fear of God Almighty. The judiciary is in the trying time, you must stand to protect and uphold the integrity of this arm of government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I therefore congratulate you on this appointment and I urge you to see this assignment as a call to greater service to your nation.â&#x20AC;?

PDP: Muhammadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inauguration of Election Tribunals a Nullity However, PDP described the swearing-in of the election petition tribunal judges by Muhammad as a nullity. The main opposition party said it was imperative for Muhammad that having allowed himself to be used to desecrate the temple of justice, his oath of office and oath of allegiance, the only option left for him was to quit the bench.

National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement yesterday insisted that before the law, Muhammad could not function as CJN, as there was no vacancy in that office since the 1999 Constitution (as amended) has no provision for two CJNs at any particular time.

The party said Onnoghen was still in charge as CJN.

According to the statement, â&#x20AC;&#x153;From Justice Tankoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first illegal assignment, which is the swearingin of election tribunal Justices for the forthcoming elections, Nigerians can now see the raison dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;etre for his illegal appointment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This action is in itself a nullity and we caution the said justices to be reminded of the popular maxim that something cannot be built on nothing.â&#x20AC;?

PDP said Buhari should know that Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, creed or political leaning, would never allow anybody to push the nation to the abyss of anarchy.

The party reminded Muhammad of his membership of the panel set up by the National Judicial Council (NJC), which on March 14, 2018 forced Justice Obisike Orji to quit the bench and go on compulsory retirement for allowing himself to be sworn in as Acting Chief Judge of Abia State without the

statutory recommendation of the NJC. It advised Muhammad to note that he was allowing himself to be used by despotic forces in their bid to truncate the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard-earned democracy.

Ologbondiyan stressed that when Nigerians were in the trenches for this democracy, General Muhammadu Buhari, as he was then known, was in cahoots with the last dictator, General Sani Abacha, against the will of the people. He said it was unsurprising that Buhari, once again, wanted to subdue the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s democracy and subvert the rule of law.

PDP added that it had always alerted Nigerians to the fact that Buhari was bent on removing Onnoghen and replacing him with a pliable CJN that would help him uphold his rigging plots and achieve his self-succession bid, having realised that he cannot win in any free and fair electoral contest.

introduced on Wednesday by Rep. Karen Bass, a top Democrat serving on the House Foreign Affairs Sub-committee on Africa, along with the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Elliot L. Engel, the top Republican serving on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Congressman Chris Smith, Nigeria Caucus Co-Chair Representatives Steve Chabot and Shelia Jackson Lee, and Representative Gregory Meeks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The upcoming elections in Nigeria, Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest democracy and economy, are critical to the future of the nation. Reports of President Muhammadu Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apparent crackdown on non-violent protests and harassment of opposition leaders are extremely concerning, as well as the ongoing violence that has been perpetrated by extremists, particularly in the Middle Belt region. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The violence must be stopped, along with any subversion of the electoral process.

The Nigerian government must see to free and fair elections, which this resolution calls for,â&#x20AC;? said Ranking Member Smith.

They urged Buhari to emulate the smooth transition in 2015 from the then ruling party to the opposition, as his commitment to strengthening democracy in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria reserves the right to be insulated from suggestions and or interference with respect to wholly internal affairs and commends international laws, customs and norms that mandate

and require nations and the comity to respect this prerogative to all,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria is confident of its electoral processes and her preparation for the imminent elections and the federal government has supported the independent electoral umpire in both its independence and resources needed to accomplish our desire and insistence on free and fair elections.â&#x20AC;?

Shehu said the federal government welcomes the prevailing keen interest and partnerships for successful elections and a peaceful Nigeria.

He added that the government had ensured the independence of all organs, institutions and arms of government to â&#x20AC;&#x153;perform their functions in a manner that is transparent, and not lacking in integrity whether institutionally or by persons within such institutions or organs.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although the question of foreign interference, whether state sponsored, promoted or otherwise has dominated recent elections and outcomes globally, the federal government assures citizens and the global community that it will fiercely and assiduously promote the will and the right of Nigerians to choose and elect their leaders without pressure or assistance from persons or entities that are not constitutionally empowered to participate in the process,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said.

He reiterated the readiness of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s security forces to confront any plan or attempt to interfere with or disrupt the process whether by â&#x20AC;&#x153;elements within or from outside the countryâ&#x20AC;?.

very hard for this democracy, a lot of us were killed, a lot of civil rights activists in this country suffered tremendously for this democracy and to then see this kind of action

endangering our democracy is indeed very shocking and I really disappointed that this is happening and I think every Nigerian should be very concerned," Nwankwo state

ONNOGHEN: GLOBAL CONCERNS MOUNT, FEARS HEIGHTEN OVER FREE, FAIR ELECTION Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) and the Commonwealth Magistratesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and Judgesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association (CMJA) have added their voices to the growing condemnation of Onnoghenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suspension.

In a statement they jointly issued yesterday, the three organisations said that the CJN's suspension did not follow constitutional procedures and due process in the investigation of a judicial officer.

"We are particularly concerned that the constitutional procedures and due process in the investigation of a judicial officer in Nigeria have not been followed. Where members of the judiciary are accused of criminal conduct, the State is entitled to charge them with the relevant crimes, but the manner in which they are charged and arrested must be consistent with the rule of law and the Constitutional safeguards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The judiciary like other members of society may not be subjected to violations of their fundamental human rights no matter what the charges are against them,â&#x20AC;? the statement stated in part.

Seriake Dickson, a Sad Commentary on Democracy In the same light, the Chairman of the South-south Governors Forum and Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Seriake Dickson, has condemned Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action, saying it was a sad commentary on democracy.

In a release by his Special Adviser, Media Relations, Fidelis Soriwei, Dickson stressed that

the action was inimical to the desired stability of the nation and critical institutions of state.

"If the report that we are reading about it are anything to go by, then it is a very sad commentary on our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s democracy. It is a very sad day, for our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s democracy and for the stability of our nation, and the stability of the critical national institution of which the judiciary is primus inter pares.â&#x20AC;?

Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide Speaking also, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, in a statement by its Secretary General, Mr. Alfred Kemepado described the action as 'unlawful and shameful', noting that it remains a coup executed by the President against the judiciary.

The IYC accused the presidency of embarking on a plot to instigate unrest and violence in the Niger Delta region and the South-south of the country.

"The Buhari administration had earlier unjustly removed Mr. Matthew Seiyefa, who meritoriously rose to the rank of the Director General, DSS, just because he comes from the South and now he has attempted a coup on the entire judiciary just because its head is from the South.

"It is time for youths of Ijaw land and the Niger Delta to show how resolute they can be. We call on the international community, especially the governments of the USA, the UK and the EU to note this unwarranted state violence against the people of the South-South of Nigeria.â&#x20AC;?

In a related development the THISDAY source within the US government said the government had placed key important players in the current Nigerian government whose actions it now deems as posing a â&#x20AC;&#x153;potentially significant threat to peace as persons of interest.â&#x20AC;?

According to the source, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have followed their actions closely and have come to the conclusion that their actions may likely have the potential to cause disruption to the electoral process. The US government has decided to categorised them as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;persons of interestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,â&#x20AC;? said the source.

Malami, Others Under Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Election Watch-list The US source told THISDAY that the United States was alarmed at the actions of the Buhari government, geared towards suppressing the opposition in the country and the brazen unconstitutional removal of the CJN from his post without following the law as laid down by the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s constitution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are concerned about the democratic space that is being daily constricted by the government, using the machinery of state to harass and intimidate opponents and deny them a fair process.â&#x20AC;?

The source further revealed that the anti-graft body, â&#x20AC;&#x153;EFCC is now a tool of blackmail and bullying of political opponents, used to obtain bank account details of opposition elements, private citizens and divulge these details to government, which

then uses the information to threaten and scare them from funding democratic opponents of the governmentâ&#x20AC;?.

The source said the US was particularly alarmed by the removal of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top Judge, whom the Attorney General is rallying the machinery of state against. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We see this as an attempt to muscle the judicial and take away its independence. When you destroy the courts then the rule of law is in peril and democracy dies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The repercussions for the sub-region are too consequential and we cannot allow that to happen. We have identified the Attorney General and some key players in the presidency as persons of interest, whose actions are undermining the democracy and due process. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are monitoring them and would continuously review the list of individuals we have so far identified,â&#x20AC;? he added.

US Congress Last Friday, the United States Congress warned Buhari to stop the harassment of the opposition political leaders, following the recent crackdown on some political figures in the country.

The US Congressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; warning was contained in a bipartisan resolution, urging the government of Nigeria, along with Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political parties, to ensure electoral accountability and transparency in the upcoming February election.

A statement made available to THISDAY by Zachary Seidl of the US Congressional office said the resolution, which has been adopted by the US Congress, was

Presidency Reacts

LAWYERS SAY CCT, EX-PARTE ORDER MAY BE FRAUDULENT #Nigeria's President @MBuhari, who has no recent memory of having obeyed any court order, purports to procure the removal of the CJN based on a petition that was not investigated, a charge that was not prosecuted and an ex-parte application that was not moved.â&#x20AC;?

Falana advised the CJN to seek legal redress saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Meanwhile, the legal team of the Chief Justice should proceed to challenge his suspension from office either at the Code of Conduct Tribunal or the Court of Appeal. Despite the gravity of the allegations levelled against the Chief Justice the illegality of the suspension should not be allowed to stand.â&#x20AC;?

While calling on the president to reverse himself and reinstate the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the NBA said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is unfortunate that the Executive Branch of Government purports to suspend the CJN on the basis of an alleged ex-parte order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the same Tribunal that, to the

knowledge of the Executive, had, only the previous day, Tuesday, 22 January 2019, adjourned its proceedings to Monday, 28 January 2019 and has before it a Motion on Notice that is yet to be argued, seeking the same reliefs as were contained in the purported ex-parte application, to wit, the suspension of the CJN, amongst others.â&#x20AC;?

Nwankwo said the decision of the president violated the constitution. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unless the president has decided to operate a dictatorship, he really must rescind this so-called decision.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is happening is bizarre, it is frightening, it is unconstitutional. Not even in the dark day of military dictatorship have we seen this sort of action, so clearly what has happened is a gross abuse of the constitution, gross abuse of office, it is a misconduct indeed and the constitution is quite clear that you cannot act in violation of the constitution.

This is a constitutional rule, this is a democracy and this action

is unknown to a democracy.

Reacting to the purported order from the CCT upon which the president supposedly suspended Onnorghen, Nwankwo said â&#x20AC;&#x153;Two things are clear here. The procedure for the removal of the Chief Justice is very clear.

The action of the CCT, if indeed there was such an action, it was in clear violation of the Nigeria constitution and so it cannot stand; and then the proceedings of the CCT has been in the public domain, lawyers were in court for the Chief Judge of Nigeria and from the reports in the media it seems the case was adjourned to the 28th of January which is on Monday. In the interim, the court of appeal had made an order stopping proceedings at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). So it is quite strange to be citing an order that one is not aware of, that wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t made in public, where there was no representation. If it was an exparte order motion there was no

indication that this proceeding took place in open court.

We must save democracy in this country. Nobody has the right to undermine our democracy, we have fought

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 27, 2019

NEWS

Acting News Editor Gboyega Akinsanmi E-mail: gboyega.akinsanmi@thisdaylive.com, 0808 198 6590

Wike: Buhari Intimidating Appeal Court Judges to Back Suspension of CJN Says Rivers major reason for clampdown on judiciary Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has declared that the removal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, is the conclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government’s hijack of the judiciary.

Wike said the federal govern-

ment was trying to intimidate the judges of the Court of Appeal into giving a legal stamp to the suspension of the CJN. The governor alleged that Rivers State was a primary reason for the intimidation of the judiciary, stressing that the appellate court is being put under pressure to reverse judgements against the APC in the state.

Speaking at Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, during a courtesy visit by representatives of the National Executive Committee of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigeria, Wike stated that if Nigerians allowed criminal actions to succeed, then they should brace up for the death of an independent

judiciary. He said there must be a sustained national resistance to reverse alleged impunity of President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, “The suspension of the CJN is unfortunate. I raised an alarm when the federal government tested the waters by going to abduct judges in the midnight. I knew what the federal government

TRADERMONI OF CONTROVERSY...

L-R: Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Moses Adeyemol, during the inauguration of TraderMoni at Takie Market in Ogbomoso, Oyo State... on Friday

intended to achieve. The whole essence was to put the judiciary in their pocket.

“The then NBA leadership played into their hands. They allowed politics and religion to becloud their sense of patriotism. It is not the removal of the CJN that is the issue. There is no more judiciary. No judge will henceforth deliver contrary judgement based on law against the federal government.”

The governor said the challenge before of Nigerians was to rise up in defence of the country’s democracy and judiciary.

“Beside condemnation, concrete steps must be taken to ensure that they change their minds. There is no way that Satan can change his mind by mere statements,” he said.

The governor said the script of the Buhari administration was to create a situation where they can easily destroy judges through flimsy allegations and illegal actions.

“This unconstitutional action of the president has several negative ramifications. A governor who hates his State Chief Judge can concoct a petition and unilaterally remove him,” he said.

Wike said Rivers State was the prime target of the Buhari administration, alleging that the new CJN and other judges are under instructions to upturn judgements of courts in states where the APC is in intra-party

crisis.

According to the governor, “The Minister of Transportation told his party men that Buhari will use all forms of illegality to achieve his aim. The president wants to act against states where the party is having crisis.

“The whole thing is because APC has crisis in Rivers State.

Just because of that, you destroy the whole institution. They want another CJN that will upturn everything. These are the type of actions that generate insecurity.”

He said if Buhari got away with illegal actions against the constitution, he would go for a third term.

Wike stressed that if the removal of the CJN succeeded, Nigerians should bid credible polls farewell, as the federal government could unilaterally sack the National Chairman of INEC over any flimsy excuse.

Wike said the next victims of intimidation would be the media, noting that media proprietors would be hounded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and compelled to dish out lies and half-truths.

Earlier, the outgoing president of FIDA, Mrs Inime Aguma, said the removal of the CJN might lead to a national crisis that would negatively affect women and children. FIDA called on the federal government to have a rethink on the illegal removal of the CJN.

Ekiti Poll: Fayemi, Olusola Know Fate Tomorrow Tobi Soniyi The Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja will on Monday deliver judgment on a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party challenging the election of Dr Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress.

Notices to this effect had been sent to counsel who represented parties while the petition was argued and defended.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Suleiman Belgore had

on January10 told the parties that the tribunal would give them 48 hours notice before the delivery of the tribunal’s verdict.

The petition, which was filed by the PDP and its governorship candidate, Prof Kolapo Olusola, challenged the victory of Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at last year’s governorship polls in the state.

At the last hearing, counsel presented their final written addresses.

Counsel to the petitioners, Yusuf Ali SAN, urged the

tribunal to nullify Fayemi’s victory on the grounds that Fayemi was not qualified to have stood for the July 2018 election having been barred from seeking elective office for 10 years on the strength of his indictment by the Justice Oyewole Commission of Inquiry.

Ali also urged the tribunal to uphold the sanctity of the country’s electoral process by nullifying the election based on alleged malpractices, like over voting, deliberate voiding of votes meant for the petitioners, among others.

However, Lateef Fagbemi

SAN, counsel to Fayemi, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition for being baseless and lacking in merit.

Fagbemi contended that the purported indictment of his client by the commission of inquiry was based on Section 182, a section, he argued had been deleted from the constitution by the first alteration in 2010.

He added that the petitioners erred in basing the petition on a section of the law that was deleted eight years ago. He stated that his client could not be punished for an

offence not captured in law.

He noted that all allegations against the election of Fayemi were criminal in nature, and submitted that the petitioners failed woefully to prove them.

On the allegation of voiding of votes, he stated that throughout the hearing of the petition, no single ballot paper was tendered before the tribunal to support the claim.

Similarly, counsel to the APC, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN) urged the court to dismiss the petition on the grounds that the APC governorship candidate was not lawfully

indicted by the Oyewole Commission of Inquiry as required by law.

He submitted that the purported indictment and the 10-year ban was based on the alleged disrespect of Fayemi to the commission by his refusal to appear before it.

Counsel to INEC, Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan (SAN) urged the tribunal to uphold the election on the ground that the electoral body conducted the election in substantial compliance with the laws.

Glo Subscribers Base Subomi Balogun: At 85, I NDLEA Arrests 207 Drug Suspects in Osun Retired Rises to 45.2 Million Haven’t were identified and deSpeaking with journalists Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Olaseni Durojaiye Nigerian telecommunication multinational, Globacom Nigeria Limited has grown its subscribers’ base from 43,237,188 in November 2018 to 45,255,297, representing 26.24 percent of the total telecom subscribers in the country.

This was revealed in a report of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), indicating that the telecom giant had consolidated its leadership position in the country’s telecommunication sector as the second largest operator.

The report said Globacom’s hold on the leadership position “is due largely to its glowing performance in November 2018, when the company added 1,691,133 subscribers, topping the gainers chart.

“Again in the month of December 2018, it grossed 1,982,109 subscribers to move up from 43,273,188, in November to a new high of 45,255,297 subscribers. The latest figure represents 26.24 percent of total industry subscriber figure, thus making Globacom to be firmly in the second place.

“The latest figures show that Airtel remained in third place after increasing by 1,061,330 subscribers, to 44,180,484 in December, pushing its market position to 25.61 percent of total industry subscriber base. 9mobile added 555,344 subscribers to move up to 15,917,015 in December, from 15,361,671 in November while MTN stands at 67,133,009, having added 158,017 in December 2018.

Founder of FCMB Group, Otunba Subomi Balogun has disclosed that he has not retired at the age of 85, though he no longer reports to his office every day.

Balogun, an accomplished banker and philanthropist, has also acknowledged that he is an embodiment of God’s infinite grace, citing diverse record of achievements he claims God has generously granted since March 4, 1934 he was born.

He gave account of God’s blessings in his life at an annual prayer meeting the Otunba Subomi Balogun Foundation (OSBF) in Ijebu Ode recently to mark the New Year.

after the prayer meeting, Balogun said he had not retired, testifying that through the grace of God, he still had his faculties around him.

According to him, at 85, not many people will sit down and think through. Not many people can walk around at 85 without walking stick. At 85, I am agile. Except for the constraint of God, I am have not retired. It is true I do not go to the office again.

However, Balogun said, “Whenever I have the opportunity, I just pop in to see what is happening. It is the grace of God. The only thing I am looking for is the grace of God. It is not being metaphoric about it.

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 207 drug suspects in Osun State, comprising 194 male and 13 female suspects.

The Commander, Osun State Command, Mr. Samuel Egbeola made the disclosure at a session with journalists in Osogbo yesterday while speaking on the activities of the NDLEA in the state.

At the session, Egbeola said the arrest “has resulted in the seizure of 1148.538kg of illicit substance made up of 1065.285kg of cannabis sativa and 83.25kg of psychotropic substances .

Egbeola stressed that in addition to this 10.455hectares of cannabis sativa, farms

stroyed in different locations in the state.

He said the command had successfully secured the conviction of 29 drug suspects, while 58 cases “are still pending before at the Federal High Court, Osogbo.

In 2018, according to the commander, 113 drug dependent persons were counseled through interventions of the Drug Demand Reduction Unit of the Command.

The commander commended the state government for setting up taskforce on eradication of planting, distribution and usage of cannabis sativa and psychotropic substances during the year in review.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 27, 2019

OPINION Ghana One, Nigeria Zero Anthony A. Kila writes that the Murtala Muhammed Airport and Kotoka’s in Ghana are worlds apart

S

ports people are familiar with the common practice wherein before competitions, neutral observers or umpires and even co-competitors say to contending sides, “May the better side win”. This simple sportsmanlike desire is an expression used to indicate fairness; it assumes that each participating side in a competitive event has worked hard in preparing and that all sides will be giving their very best during the competition, and that it is hence fair for the side that is truly the better side to win the competition.

May our passion never be tested against our intellect.

When it comes to Nigeria, there have been too many times that when I hear someone say, “May the better side win”, I have been forced to answer, “Let us hope not”.

Sometimes, it is regarding our football team, other times, it is regarding our team of diplomats or negotiators.

The last time I had this kind of test, dilemma and eventual undesirable feeling was during a recent brief working trip to Ghana, our next-door neighbour. The sector that caused my malaise was aviation and specifically airport management.

As usual, I had wanted to fly a Nigerian airline, but the organisers of the event, in Ghana, warned me and my travel agent, in Nigeria, confirmed that it might be too dangerous to fly a Nigerian airline as they were prone to delays and cancellations. Both sides prevailed and I flew with a non-Nigerian airline.

The departure from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport was punctual and we left exactly at the advertised time and my arrival at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra one hour later was exactly the time we left Lagos. Do not over-stress yourself, there is simply an hour’s difference between Lagos and Accra time.

More important is the experience I had in those two airports during the one trip: two worlds apart.

The Lagos airport looked small, overcrowded, dull, stuffy, gloomy and the staff mostly petulant or begging.

There were too many people not doing many things and too few of them seem there to help you. Operational

staff from airport service men to immigration officers seem too keen to command or to order airport users rather than advise or assist.

By contrast, the Kotoka airport in Accra looked large, accommodating, bright, clean and the staff mostly professional, dutiful and ready to help. The airport itself was very digitalised and there was a lot of biometrics going on.

Passports were scanned just like thumbs and eye iris. There were clearly no duplications, no need to go from immigration to other controls and everyone you met seemed to be there to make things quicker and easy for airport users.

Equipment, all working and were indeed put to use.

May we not be judged by our airport for if an investor, a tourist or even a diasporan decides who to partner or where to settle in based on airports and surroundings, then, Ghana surely, easily and clearly trumps Nigeria in all fairness.

I dare you as a Nigerian to go through the Kotoka airport and not feel something negative. I know because I felt it and I took my time to do a quick opinion poll amongst fellow Nigerian travellers and frequent travellers of the route and users of the airport. The most common feelings reported were that of anger, sadness and envy.

May we not be judged by our airport for if an investor, a tourist or even a diasporan decides who to partner or where to settle in based on airports and surroundings, then, Ghana surely, easily and clearly trumps Nigeria in all fairness

At this point, one must ask what those we elect, pay and whose duty it is to manage our affairs feel and think when they come across such developments wherein Nigeria is clearly beaten by a neighbour with less resources. It will be good to read the diary of our ministers and airport managers after their trip to Accra and elsewhere.

I also took time to speak to the operators of the airport and some of my contacts in Ghana. Operators and all those involved in setting up and managing the Kotoka airport revealed and confirmed their application of three basic and crucial elements of management: Vision, Consideration and Compliance. Those charged with constructing and managing the airport went about their task knowing that they wanted a modern, technology-led user friendly, safe and efficient airport. They considered all their options including local factors and yes, they planned to have an airport better than the ones in Nigeria. At this point, I should ask if they are complying and succeeding in all their vision and mission. May we not struggle to give simple answers to simple questions.

Beyond the story of success, my contacts in Ghana (mostly opposition members and irreverent analysts) also called my attention to their suspicion of inflated prices and waste in the budget that built their airport.

“That airport cost $275m”, they quipped. On my way back to Lagos, I made the mistake of discussing the situation with a fellow Lagosian, I forgot the man was a top financial expert with an obsession for mathematics and history of budgets. The man almost killed me with various calculations on how much have been spent on airports across Nigeria and with frustrating results.

He concluded that we, in Nigeria, will be glad to have the Kotoka airport at $275m plus an extra a $25m as a premium and we shall still be happy and saving. He then went on to show me how we can easily build 10 of such airports and where to get the money from. If only our ministers had my kind of friends.

––Kila is a Jean Monnet professor of Strategy and Development. He is currently Centre Director, Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies.

Debate? Which Debate?

For now, debates among political candidates have no value in our system, writes Adewale Kupoluyi

O

ne of the issues that have been eliciting diverse discussions in the last few days is the boycott of the presidential debate by the two main aspirants in the race to the highest office in the land. To be sincere, next month’s general election is likely to be the most keenly-contested in the annals of the nation and is mainly going to be between the two most popular political parties. It is because of the dominance and deciding factor of these big parties such that there is too much hues and cries that the people were unable to hear from the duo during the organised debate.

Ordinarily, such a platform would have afforded the contestants as well as the electorate an opportunity to have a clearer picture of what is to come and who has what it takes to achieve the desired electoral outcomes. It would equally have made it possible to measure the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirants in terms of what they have to offer and the limitations. It is in light of these expectations that the respective political gladiators have been invited to the parley and so the idea to have the debate about one-month to the D-day is welcome in the electioneering process.

No doubt, the performance of the other three presidential contestants that participated was impressive, to say the least, going by the verdict of our people. It shows that the trio was well prepared for the outing and had a grasp of what it takes to lead, if any of them ever make it to the desired office. Not only that, their command of language and presentation skills indicate that the exalted office could be manned by sound technocrats that are poised to offer quality service to their fatherland. But for the two major contestants, participating in the presidential debate does not really matter. For them, the dynamics of politics in our country is peculiar and so debating may not be necessary after all. What matters in winning elections is not the ‘big’ grammar or any superlative outing at debates, which sound like pure academic exercise, they would say.

On why the big men did not participate, the spokesperson of one of them had disclosed that his principal could not attend because the event clashed with other crucial official engagements while the other party explained that

he backed out because his main challenger was not present at the occasion and alluded that, ‘you cannot shave a man's head in his absence’. The body language of our top politicians simply suggests that electoral victory is determined by how deep one’s pockets is, who you know and how to get things done within the available means and resources. Aside money, other incentives include creating a safe haven for those battling with litany of legal tussle and litigation. A chair of one of the parties even boasted that any member of the opposition party that had a case to answer but choses to join his party would get the ‘sins’ and be given a discharge certificate. Godfatherism, thuggery, violence and rigging have always be a common feature of our political system in this country.

Partaking in debate is certainly not one of the viable options. Let’s even ask ourselves this question: in almost 20 years of our democratic experience, how many times have politicians been elected into offices on the basis of their party manifestos, programmes or for outstanding performance during debates or town hall meetings? In fact, one of the stalwarts was so sure of victory that he had declared that his party would win within three hours of commencing voting. The party stalwart, who is also a former governor, claimed that his state would be first to hit the success mark. According to him, the people of the state had already decided who they would be voting for, insisting that there is really no battle ground in the state, saying that he can confidently confirm that his state would be the first that would win the race within three hours of voting. He may be right after all!

In all honesty, we can presume that despite the brilliant performance of the three aspirants and the absence of the other two main gladiators, the perception of the people that watched the presidential debate may be inconsequential when it comes to actual vote delivery.

What do we see? It is the common man that participates in the electoral process and not the elite. How many of our elites do come out to cast their vote? Rather, what happens is that on the voting date, our elites are busy sleeping, reading newspapers or watching the television.

On the other hand, those who would mobilise their support for the top contestants are those that may not

have watched any debate, hence, are not influenced by the contestants’ performance or eloquence. Rather, they are fully mobilised to the field, to do everything that is humanly possible to win elections before being rewarded.

The fear that all may not be well caused a former president to raise the alarm that danger lies ahead. The statesman, who was once labeled as the promoter of do- or – die politics, warned that deliberate attempts were being made to manipulate the forthcoming polls.

According to him, the electoral management body may not be able to independently supervise the conduct of a free, fair and credible exercise due to the impartiality of the umpire and that to be forewarned is to be forearmed. What is equally annoying is the fact that many of our youths and young persons that should decide who wins the race by virtue of their numbers and population when it comes to registered voters becoming useful instruments in the hands of politicians in fighting their perceived opponents by turning into party thugs, errands boys and girls. The implication of this is that the voting advantage of the crop of young electorate would have been terribly compromised and at the end of the day, status quo remains the same; old wine in a new bottle.

Who cares about any presidential debate? Which debate? Rather, what the people need is money, not big grammar. Period! Rather than wasting time on any speech jamboree, they’ll rather focus their attention to the electoral field by trading and deploying available resources to achieve electoral victory since there is no job and meaningful source of living. That is the problem. It is when we are able to address such basic societal problems that we can have the desired impact expected of any debate. That is the bitter truth. What would happen at the end of the day is that it’s either of the two main contestants that did not debate may actually win the race. Past trends have indicated so.

Debate doesn’t matter. No, it doesn’t. It’s only time that would really tell.

––Kupoluyi wrote from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 27, 2019

15

LETTERS

G

APC And Igbo Presidency In 2023

eorge Bush, a former American President once said, “It is always better to bargain from the position of power.”

In political calculations power is viewed from two angles: “financial” and “voting” strength.

In the build–up to the formation of APC prior to the 2015 elections, the South–East made no impactful financial contributions. In the actual voting in the election, the South–East was not impressive.

In the thinking of APC, the South–East was not business–friendly. It is not accidental therefore that the region is marginalized in the APC government.

Even in the party hierarchy the South–East occupies no significant position.

In the comparatively recent past, many notable sons and daughters of the Igbo nation have pitched tent with APC. It may seem that their presence can make a difference in APC’s electoral fortunes in the East in 2019.

I

John Nnia Nwodo, President-General,Ohanaeze Ndigbo

But I really do not think so. It is a common knowledge that most of these people have served in political offices and have dipped their fingers in

the common purse. The APC hierarchy is blackmailing them with these ugly records and so are coerced into APC. Therefore, they cannot draw

any weight to APC’s favour in 2019.

Again, the marginalization of the South-East by the Buhari administration; the siege on Igbo land with a multiplicity of toll-collecting police and army check–points; the murderous Operation Python Dance; the exclusion of the South-East from any federal infrastructural projects and the general attitude of the Buhari government towards Ndigbo, have further dampened our enthusiasm for APC. For these reasons, the party’s fate in the South-East in 2019 will be far worse than in 2015.

In the build–up to the 2019 elections, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is flexing his financial muscle to solidify his “strangle-hold” on the South– West. APC in the South-West is producing governors and other elective offices, by hook and crook, whereas the APC in the South-East is just floating in the air.

He who pays the piper dictates the tune. The South-West is the piper

What Is in A Name?

t is said that ‘It is the glory of God to conceal a thing but the honour of kings is to search out a matter,’ Prov 25:2.

My SPIED, Scriptural Paraphrases and Illustrations in Ehugbo Dialect, is now being written in no small measure of English diction, which is bound to be incomplete for the full SPIED is onomatopoeia.

Articles of SPIED tend to dove-tail one into another and like the vanishing point in a painting, invisible until you realize how much of the picture is determined by its’ position. So, it is important that reference is made to ‘Last War Is ISIS Not North Korea’, published in this tabloid on January 12, 2019. Now, to begin with the topic at hand, ‘what is in a name?’ name would appear to be the fact or image of being, in all respects: who one is, as the truth about his person, who is the object. Name is the character of some-ones’ identity, his reputation. 1Sam25:25 and Prov 23:7, would respectively seem to expressly support the foregoing assertion.

The two scriptures say and I quote, ‘...for, as his name is, so is he, Nabal is his name and folly is with him and ‘for...as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he’. These scriptures suppose that the way of life, ie a man’s thought, defines who he is.

This would further imply that there is a nexus between a persons’ name and his thought pattern, such that name charts his way of life and destiny as forecasted at conferment.

To make certain that he does not miss his way, heaven therefore for-tells the name of a person in line with his divine calling and destiny. This was so in many instances of the scripture such as Samson, John and even Jesus. It becomes a

truth we can hold to be selfevident that a name is a curse, cause of some-ones’ fortunes or mis-fortunes. Name is, ‘afa’, afa which is coterminous with a forecast. Forecast or Afa, afabirth agbara, alphabet written, writing, which is a cursive.

Handwriting, a metaphor for hand-writhing as in Acts 28:3.

Dan5:5, 25, Lk1:63-64 imply that, name is a handwritten alphabet for spelling. Spelling of alphabets as letters on a keyboard. Keyboard for typing of name. Name type on a board of keys, -done as sign.

Sign of done-keys, donkeysign, as a deed of assignment of births’ nickname (John the Baptist). According to the scriptures, name is typed as deed on keyboard, done as sign, a-sign meant to bring-forth the table of stone, a metaphor for key-board, Lk 1:64, Num22:28. The deed is done, after a confer-rence for conferment of number by his cow-sins. Cousins ie (ndi ikwu nne birth). Cousins of John the Baptist, which according to the scriptures were of the course of Abia Lk 1:5 1chro21:1 Gen17:5. Cousins which are the children of his aunt, the sister of his mother, the wife of his father. Father that could not say yea, to births’-right name ‘John’ the resolution of his cousins. Father that is also the husband of his mother.

Mother that said nay to ‘John’, in anticipation of births’ wrong name ‘Zacharaias’, the name of one of his relatives that is gone, as the left-incarnate.

The left, that was to be type-righted and spelled ‘John’, Lk1:58-64. John typewritten on board of keys done as sign-nature. Signature of birth, his identity or reputation, type-written as alphabets.

Alphabets spelled as dictated, which are the letters of his character as divinely fore-told.

Spelling ‘uhara’, which is how the name ceased him, as the size of letters, of the name called in vocalization, his vocation. The size according to Lk 7:28 ‘...among those that are born of women, there is not a greater than John the Baptist...’

It therefore now behoves on us to assume that every name has number, a conference, type done as assignment and size the vocation in calling. The number of name is allotted to birth to take or leave it, but his nick-name takes on him and would never leave.

A discerning follower of my extant narrative would agree with me that names appear to be devises, forecasted as our different works of life-times of chance, predicated on scientific observations and experience applied up-front as birth-right and left to reality of his fate and lot befallen him as the will of the gods, known as wishes. Wishes denominated by type and size, enumerated in numerals of number two, in attempt to break the taiwo, tie-wo of their struggle to win.

Twins adumbrated in John the Baptist and Jesus as in Lk1:41 and Isau and Jacob as in Gen25:23. Names are conferred in a conference, ‘izu-uwa’.

Conference of the number of name, forecasted by his cousins. Cow-sins as cow-word heard on horses’ mouth, in the rite of circumcision, of the penis, known in Hausa as ‘bra’. ‘A-Bra aham, which is the name of the father. Father of promise of birth-righting of the wrong left-name.

The conference usually holds in a room but there is audition by the births’ mother known as Eve of the curse as cursive, eaves-dropping the afa-birth as echoed by the wall. Wall gecko as it were, the ears of the wall in audition by the mother.

Mother who is obviously

an auditor of the number of his name, ie onu ogu-Afa, as a-count balance of number of his name, at the river bank and pool of bet at his coming of age in Ehugbo, known as ‘elia’.

‘Elia isa bet’, which refers to his coming of age, the agenda.

Age-ndaa ihe inwo gia ulo, which is to say as in 2kg4:1-7 ‘what do you have in the house’? Uloma the mother of twins as in 2kg4, who replied, ‘your handmaid have not even one cent’, to ask. Tax of males, of letters as character of birth and fee, fee-males, females in labour.

Labour-oratory of prayer, which is a watch-tower and upper-room of layers. Layeruza Nna, the Man is tall and as in Jn8:58, the amidst-star of mysteries, in ogbor-mmanupottage of Isau, the red oil pottage. Age of profit and loss account. Pot, age-ndaa ihe inwo, the age of agenda for bank account.

Account of profit and loss in labour-oratory. We may then ask, ‘what is in a name’? The answer appears in a close-out to be implicit in Rev 15:2 as follows: Sea of glass ie (the seamen and karma, the oath of orifice Mk6), the Beast ie (Isaus’ game and sports of Jacob), his Image ie (ime-agenda, a matter of identity), his Marks ie (as per-cent-of age-nda), Harps ie (as per-harps of chance in bet) and number of his name ie (‘666’, as per the beast-mark-et, market for sale of red-oil from borrowed vessel, which were not a few but many). Many ie manu. ‘Manu-ogudu’, ‘good’, sold in ‘ozu-ahia’ as the brand.

Rev 5:8, Gen30:32-39, Gen27:3, Ecc 9:11, 2kg4:1-7, Mk 5:9, Rev 13:15-18 Mt17:11-13, Mt3:4, 2kg1:8 Gen27:5, 1 Sam 28:15 1 Sam 28:72kg4:1-7, 2kg6:5-6, Lk1:13 Gen25:29-33 ––Eleje Abili-Willy, Lagos.

payer in APC. It also has the voting strength. It is therefore foolhardy to imagine that the party hierarchy will by-pass the South–West to give the Presidency to the South-East in 2023, a case of “monkey dey work, baboon dey chop?’’

Again, it will amount to outright foolishness for anyone to say that the SGF, Boss Mustapha or the President himself promised Ndigbo the Presidency in 2023 if they support Buhari’s second tenure bid. Such promise, as a political brainwave is very smart; as an aspiration of the Igbos, it is comforting, but as a hope it is an illusion!

Has the president or his party, the APC, ever

said anything that in the final analysis is found to be true? If they can deny even what is written in their manifesto, how then can they be trusted to keep faith with any promise? The risk is too great to contemplate.

A new political alignment is what we need and not a phantom promise by untrustworthy politicians and political group as represented in and by APC. And that alignment we already have in Atiku/Obi combination ––Nzekwesi I.Paulinus, Director of Spiritual Programmes Catholic Men Organisation, St. Mathew’s Catholic Church, Karmo, Abuja.

Making The Best of The Elections

W

hen the dust settles down after the presidential election 2019, one man would be left standing. There is only one man that is going to make the headlines as the winner.

Tensions have been growing from political parties, INEC, statesmen, civil right groups, religious groups, even the international community watching with close interest.

Nigerians are going to the poll to make history once again.

The two major gladiators, the ruling party All Peoples Congress (APC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), having been throwing punches, looking for avenues to get political points, accusations and counter accusations from party bigwigs, try to justify their stand.

Nigerians have to look deep into the profiles of the candidacy. Have their backgrounds effectively prepared them for this role?

Do these candidates have the capacity to take the mantle to successfully lead our dear country Nigeria?

Eligible voters have to acknowledge their achievements, not just in politics but in their own professional experience, the work they have done leading up to their candidacy will be well documented. We don't need to sell our consciousness to these politicians. No amount of money would be enough to buy your vote.

Our fate lies in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Is the election going to be credible? It is only an unbiased independent body that would take us to the poll and protect our votes.

Recently former President Olusegun Obasanjo lambasted INEC and questioned if they are really ready to conduct free and fair elections. He said "I personally have serious doubt about the present

INEC’s integrity, impartiality and competence to conduct a fair, free and credible election."

The PDP also maintained that INEC has been infiltrated by the ruling party, APC. They insist that INEC is working for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The European Union (EU) election observation mission to Nigeria has called for "transparency and accountability from all institutions involved in the conduct of the general elections." The Chief of EU observers, Maria Arena, emphasized that INEC and security agencies must not only be neutral but must be seen to be neutral.

The INEC should make sure everyone has a fair and equal chance of succeeding.

The body should make sure all parties play by the same set of rules. INEC should strongly put an end or put in place measures which would prevent Nigerians from being disenfranchised from exercising their rights.

Also, the issue of underage voting should be taken seriously and solutions to those instances should be in place.

Adequate security must be put in place. Last year the Senate approved the security budget of N53.2 billion for next month's general elections. INEC, the police and other security agencies must show 100% commitment to the well-being and security of the masses for the upcoming elections.

Politicians must not forget that Nigeria is home for all Nigerians. We don't have any other home than this great nation.

Let Nigerians decide by their votes who will lead them. Nigerians don't need to suffer for the sins of our leaders. Thomas Jefferson once said, “The government you elect is the government you deserve”.

––Taremi Zuokumor, Federal Ministry of Information, Radio House, Abuja.

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5 ) * 4 % ": t SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2019

5 ) * 4 % ": t SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2019

BETTER LIFE FOR NIGERIANS

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 27, 2019

THISDAY WEEKLY GUIDE TO 2019

Adebutu

Wike

Saraki

Sylva

The Road to 2019 Flashpoints to Watch (XX) Twenty days to the February 16 elections, the signs are already foreboding, writes Olawale Olaleye

P

erhaps, it is by sheer providence that on the 20th edition of the THISDAY Guide to the 2019 elections, the first round of elections – the Presidential and the National Assembly polls – are exactly 20 days from today. That election is slated for February 16 and the next round follows immediately on March 2.

And because the date is fast approaching, events leading to the elections have also picked up significantly. Therefore, of all weeks, the one under review witnessed a flurry of activities, many of which are considered threats to the goal of a credible poll.

President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen and immediately appointed in his place, Justice Tanko Mohammed. Unfortunately, his action has attracted scathing criticisms from all over the world with the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Union condemning his brazen disregard for the constitution.

But as if the US and the UK governments had the inkling about the possibility of interference in the election, they had earlier in the week warned of undue interference in the process and threatened visa ban on anyone found wanting.

Meanwhile, some of the candidates running for election had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to court over the election guidelines.

They took exception to some of the provisions in the guidelines and sought amendments.

Also, some ex-officials of INEC were in the week sentenced to 64 years in prison over N264 million gratification. But as bad as that may sound for INEC, it is the belief that it would send some right signals to others and deter them from activities that could undermine their responsibility and expectations. But the electoral body has continued to campaign against vote-buying even as it is constantly discovering new ways of doing so.

These aside, the campaigns continued last week with the PDP mostly doing anti-Buhari campaigns.

The party, in fact, warned against

the implications of re-electing Buhari.

In view of this, the PDP presidential running mate, Peter Obi stormed Lagos in the week and was at the Computer Village to sell their candidacy to the people. APC too has been going round.

However, in spite of the mixed feelings that trailed his recent intervention on the state of the nation, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has continued to campaign against Buhari and solicit for votes for his candidate and former deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

In all of these, the dynamics in the states with respect to interests and the power play have continued to scale up, albeit with hazy possibilities of what is obtainable from state to state. Yet, some states have remained constant on the chart.

ABIA The Battle This Time

Abia is one of South-east states, where extreme supremacy battle would be witnessed and the tenor of campaigns is daily exposing the antics and confirming the undercurrents.

With a former governor of the state, Orji Kalu gradually holding down his end of the stick in the resolve to deliver the state, the battle for Abia North Senatorial district is increasingly getting clearer as if a no-contest between the former governor and the incumbent, Senator Mao Arukwe Ohuabunwa.

Although for Kalu, this is a battle of relevance hence the slanting of his campaign to flaunt the admiration of his people by reliving his achievements while in office, particularly encouraging them to insist that since other states are fielding former governors for the senate, then, there would be no alternative to him. He has really done a good job getting the people behind him and locking down their support.

However, while Abia North could be said to have been secured by the opposition APC courtesy Kalu, the situation in Abia Central, where another former governor, Theodore Orji is the serving senator is a battleground between the APC and the PDP. There is a tinge of religious slant here as the area is believed to be predominantly Anglican and thus, the fielding of Nkechi Nwaogu is meant to neutralise him and give the APC some favourable push. What obtains here is

not solely in favour of either of the parties but a victory for whoever is able to push more beyond the current stakes. The seat is take-able.

In the South, however, where Enyinnaya Abaribe is the incumbent senator, also the part of the state where the governor, Okezie Ikpeazu comes from, the PDP still holds strong here. But the APC is not giving up even though it is aware the PDP is popular here. It is also for this reason that the APC has fielded a former Managing Director of Hallmark Bank, Marcus Wabara as its candidate. Even in some House of Representatives seats, the APC has fielded individuals with name recognition and war chest.

Such persons include Mascot Orji Kalu for Abia North and South; IK Apugo, the son of Chief B.P Apugo for Umuahia South, while returning Nkeiruka Onyejiocha for Isuikwato/Umunneochi. The APC is therefore putting out its all for the first round of the election with a view to getting ready for the second bout. But the PDP is believed not to be oblivious of these dynamics and is ready to battle fire-for-fire on February 16.

ENUGU Impregnable but Hazy West!

Even the most cynical of analysts would freely tell anyone that Enugu is one South-east state that has remained solidly PDP’s and therefore impregnable. In addition to that is the fact that the incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is running on a stellar record, therefore, making the work of the opposition APC genuinely uneasy.

What more, the governor has remained incredibly calm and cosmopolitan in the face of undue provocation, allegedly by the opposition. Rather than exert authority and pull its full weight on the opposition, he has been, on the contrary, persuasive, urging civility in every political engagement.

This perhaps is believed to have been responsible for his many endorsements.

But these notwithstanding, the ruling party might have problem in Enugu West senatorial district, where the incumbent Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has held sway since 2003. Now, some

people from another part of his senatorial district are clamouring for change, insisting he has stayed long enough. And this part of the district is believed to have the larger voting strength, thus compounding the Ekweremadu situation.

Although analysts see the situation in that part of the state as between 45 and 55 in favour of Ekweremadu and the PDP, there are however fears that if he did not buckle up, his political career might ‘kiss the dust’ to his shock. The opposition has seen this loophole and desperately cashing-in on it.

EBONYI A Looming Battle of Strengths

In South-east Ebonyi, where Governor Dave Umahi currently holds sway, there is a looming battle between him and Senator Sunday Ogbuoji of the PDP. There is no doubting the fact that the governor is running partly on his record and also on the full weight of incumbency.

Interestingly, he has a formidable challenger in Senator Ogbuoji, who is the candidate of the APC with strong and die-hard followership and equal support strength from the centre. Thus, while analysts still peg the contest to between 60 and 40 in favour of Umahi, they believe that the 40 per cent concession to Ogbuoji cannot be underestimated and could change with time.

As a result, the battle in the state is staring all in the face and certainly not going to be a walkover for the governor, either to sustain his current percentage or increase it, otherwise, the opposition appears desperate to decimate his current rating and overtake him. The jury is still out here.

IMO A Free-for-All Spectre

Imo presents a special case study in the battle ahead. Here, there are too many contending forces for all the categories of elections. These interests include Governor Rochas Okorocha; his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu; governorship candidate of the APC, Hope Uzodinnma; governorship candidate of APGA, Ifeanyi Ararume; governorship candidate of the PDP, Emeka Ihedioha and the governorship candidate of Accord

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JANUARY 27, 2019 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

THISDAY WEEKLY GUIDE TO 2019

The Road to 2019: Flashpoints to Watch (XX)

Ugwuanyi

Tambuwal

Bindow

Party, Ikedi Ohakim.

Looking at the roll call, each of the contending interests is strong in their areas and holds it down as such.

What this means is that except for a strong alliance, there is none of the candidates that can effectively achieve the required percentage for a smooth victory in the state, especially in the governorship race, because there is the expectation that they would all vote their choice presidential candidates in February.

But in the March 2, governorship poll, what is likely to happen is that there may not be a winner in the first ballot, a development that would propel high wire intrigues and possible alliances in the second ballot. And knowing the Imo brand of politics, the least likely candidate always emerges governor, but as a product of negotiations and alliances.

The state might be tilting towards that spot again as the nation counts down to March 2.

The recent intra-APC power play, which followed the suspension Uzodinnma and the dismissal of it by the national leadership of the APC hints aptly at what lays ahead.

Zamfara APC has to deal with as it faces a rather bleak future in the emerging dispensation. The party, which failed to produce candidates for any of the elective offices following its contentious primaries, is desperately seeking to get back on the ballot.

Unfortunately, its case is purely legal and guided by time as provided for in the Electoral Act. It was based on this that INEC said by missing the deadline, there was nothing it could do to help the party in the state.

The development had also become a subject of politics as the opposition continued to warn INEC to not bend the rules.

But last week, there were two conflicting rulings on the plight of Zamfara APC. While the first asked INEC to recognise candidates of the party, another gave a contrary ruling.

This is what the party has continued to deal with and from all indications the result of this uncertainty is expected to manifest in the February 16 elections.

Thus, when this is combined with the enemies he chose to make, particularly in the three senators from the state, then, the election in Kaduna goes beyond the Chief executive; it is going to be about how much of influence everyone commands and how they are able to leverage such influence and ensure it could be translated into electoral mileage.

ANAMBRA Still Up for Grab

The battle in Anambra is basically that of presidential bout and it is about consolidation of their current status by all the major actors. For instance, Governor Willie Obiano, although the greatest beneficiary of Peter Obi’s magnanimity, has never hidden the fact that he would mobilise support for Buhari. He is currently running on his second term ticket.

However, after eight years in the saddle and having failed to stop Obiano’s re-election, the February 16 election provides Obi another opportunity to prove his worth in a state he rode like a colossus for eight years. Interestingly, there is a new campaign against APGA now, which makes it literally difficult for Obiano to claim ownership of the state. The campaign is that APGA is not an Igbo party but Anambra party.

In context, it behooves either of them to prove this right or wrong by effectively mobilising their people, either for their own or someone else.

At least, the one point they have consistently raised in support of this campaign is that they cannot claim it is an Igbo party and deny the wife of their deceased leader an opportunity to go to the Senate. This battle is raging and Anambra will have to settle this once and for all.

ZAMFARA Sprawling Confusion

Very much like its character, the court is currently the problem that

OGUN The Naturalisation of APM

With each passing day, the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), party of Hon. Adekunle Akinlade is becoming the issue in Ogun State. Not just because Akinlade is Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s choice candidate, but because he has taken up the challenge himself, and facing the fire power of the opposition without having to be chaperoned.

By selling the right message at the right places, Akinlade is believed to have raised the ante of issuebased debate, coupled with elevated understanding of what the issues are.

Perhaps, like some reckon, he has been able to mobilise war chest through friends and supporters and therefore able to prosecute his campaign effectively.

Although the opposition parties are also holding down theirs, it does appear the threat of a legal suit recently instituted by Chief Iyabo Anisulowo against Mr. Dapo Abiodun has not stifled him from taking the bull by the horn. He however has an even bigger challenge in the person of Seantor Buruji Kashamu of the PDP, being from the same Senatorial district, the same way Mr. Gboyega Isiaka is Akinlade’s biggest challenge.

KADUNA el-Rufai’s Survival Battle

One of the North West states that might find it difficult riding on the weight of incumbency is Kaduna. With a legion of enemies – both within and outside the party – Governor Nasir elRufai is not enviable at this time. This is further compounded by the security challenge that has remained present even before his coming to power.

LAGOS The Unfinished Business

It appears those after outgoing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, are not done yet. Yes, they had denied him the privilege of returning to power this year; they had asked him to let go off his bitterness and support the new man on the block and of course, they had begun to issue new orders, all of which he has continued to carry out, including some recent appointments.

However, there was a corollary to denying him re-election ticket and that was also sending him packing.

Unfortunately, for his traducers, that has remained a tall order. But back and forth, they have refused to permanently close that chapter and thus, it remains the unfinished business of the owners of Lagos.

The latest, interestingly, is the refusal by the state House of Assembly to allow the governor present his 2019 budget estimate, many weeks after he had notified them. Even when they raised his hope last Monday, they merely kept him waiting for hours and looked the other way.

There have been questions genuinely asked about what the lawmakers stand to gain from this, more so that they are of the same party and in the thick of an election.

It is simply not adding up hence all eyes on the assembly to monitor what becomes of the matter ultimately.

KWARA Intrigues at Its Best

Senate President Bukola Saraki knows that this election is probably one of the few that would shake him and also take its toll on the dynasty.

He has fallen out with the ruling party and is at war with the party’s intolerant fraction. If he ever had a doubt about what the opposition in the state had in stock for him, the result of a recent bye-election must have sent a strong signal.

The thing is that Saraki is innately smart. Much as these challenges stare him right in the face, he has continued to ponder ideas on how to surmount them. That aside, he is also proving that he knows Kwara and its intricate politics.

It was therefore not surprising that he recently struck a deal with Kwara

Uduaghan

North. He had been on the deal for a while but the opposition, perhaps out of concern, had tried to undo the plans.

The people, of course, want to have a governor of their extraction and after their arithmetic, came to the realization that running with Saraki’s PDP was their best short. Thus, with a serious alliance between central and north, while south remains the battleground, the election is definitely a walkover.

RIVERS All Eyes on the Supreme Court

The pall of uncertainty that is currently hovering on the turf of River State is ideal for some political case study. Rivers APC has had to face serious legal battle within over the choice of primaries that produced the current executive in the state Flag-Ojukaye Amachree. And at each level of the legal engagements, the faction loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi always lost. But finally, the matter is at the Supreme Court, the outcome of which would determine the future of the APC in the state.

However, even if the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the APC, it would still have in the person of Senator Magnus Abe, an adversary that would not go away, even if there was intervention at the highest level to watch this go away.

It is also not unexpected that the name of Governor Nyesom Wike has consistently come up as the one clandestinely leading the onslaught against the APC in the state. For him, it is about survival and deploying everything in his arsenal and at whatever cost, he would.

Situating the Presidential Run

The space for the presidential bout was surprisingly narrowed a little when candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, opted out of the race. Although other candidates like Fela Durotoye, also expressed his willingness to stand down and form alliances of and when necessary.

But what the political space lost in the exit of Ezekwesili it also gained back in the recognition of Mr. Donald Duke as the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), after an initial brush with Professor Jerry Gana, who was first recognised by a lower court.

Meanwhile, the presidential campaign has continued from the two political parties, traversing the length and breadth of the country.

With the countdown already, next week definitely promising to be more intriguing.

5 ) * 4 % ": t SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2019

20

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21

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͺͿË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

BUSINESS

08033204315, 08111813084

Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ë? Kunle Aderinokun Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ë? Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;ĚśĂ&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;

A view of Marina, Lagos

With N182.86tn Turnover in 2018, FMDQ Set All-time Record Bamidele Famoofo

B

usiness has never been so good in the last five years at the FMDQ OTC Securities and Exchange Market as it was in 2018, when market turnover hit an all-time high of N182.86 trillion.

Aggregate transactions in the fixed income and currency (FIC) market increased by N40.83 trillion or 28.75 per cent from N142.03 trillion recorded in 12 months in 2017.

Figures provided by the FMDQ showed that market turnover has recorded a consistent increase since the market commenced operations in the last five years.

The only exception was in 2016, when turnover dropped to N113.66 trillion from N137.43 trillion in 2015. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The year 2016, challenged and beleaguered with plummeting oil prices, limited access to foreign exchange (FX), high inflation, low investor confidence (both local and foreign), etc., had a significant impact on trading activities,â&#x20AC;? FMDQ explained.

But despite the overall 17 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline recorded in 2016, the OTC Exchange experienced positive growth in the foreign exchange derivatives product line, propelled by the introduction of the OTC FX Futures product into the market.

Meanwhile, annual market turnover increased from N137.43trillion in 2015 to N182.86trillion in 2018, representing an increase of 30.1 per cent.

Analysis of trading in 2018 revealed that treasury bills (TBs) remains the toast of investors as it contributed to about 40 percent of aggregate turnover.

N78.09 trillion was spent on buying TBs papers in the review period, representing average monthly investment of about N6.51 trillion while foreign exchange followed with N51.14 trillion representing 28.0 per cent of total market turnover in the review

12 months period. Repurchased agreements/ buy-backs attracted N30.18trillion investment as at December 31, 2018, which accounts for 16.5 per cent to total turnover.

The commercial paper segment of the FMDQ market became the alternative source of short-term funding for corporates in 2018 as renowned companies like FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited among others sourced for capital to finance some projects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The OTC Exchange has, following the due diligence of the responsible Board Committee approved the successful registration of the Mixta Real Estate Plc N15.00 billion CP Programme and the Eterna Plc N10.00 billion CP Programme. These are in addition to the approval for formal admission and quotation of the FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited N7.42 billion Series 1 - 4 CPs under its N100.00 billion CP Programme and the FSDH Merchant Bank Limited N257.57 million Series 7 and N15.08 billion Series 8 CPs under a N30.00 billion CP Issuance Programme on the FMDQ platform,â&#x20AC;? FMDQ disclosed.

Chief Executive Officer of FMDQ, Bola Onadele.

Koko, noted that by quoting these CPs on FMDQ, these issuers were availed benefits that include, but are not limited to, enhanced investor confidence in the issuer, transparent/relevant information disclosure on the issue, effective price formation and global visibility. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As these corporate entities and a host of others continue to effectively and sustainably meet their funding needs, as well as contribute to the development of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debt markets, FMDQ will continue to take crucial steps, in collaboration with market stakeholders, towards promoting transparency, governance, integrity and efficiency in the Nigerian CP market,â&#x20AC;? he said.

In the review year (financial year ended December 31, 2018), two notable corporate giants, Flourmills of Nigeria Plc and Union Bank of Nigeria

Plc approached the platform of FMDQ to raise fresh capital in the Corporate Bond segment to finance their operations.

According Onadele.Koko, FMDQ formally admitted the listing of the Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc N10.11 billion Series 1 and N10.00 billion Series 2 Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Bonds under its N70.00 billion Bond Issuance Programme (â&#x20AC;&#x153;the FMN Bondsâ&#x20AC;?) on its platform.

The proceeds of the FMN Bonds will be used to refinance existing debt obligations of the company and streamline its maturity profile.

Also, the board listings, markets and technology committee of FMDQ approved for listing on FMDQ in 2018, the Union Bank of Nigeria PLC N7.19 billion 3-Year 15.50 per cent Series 1 Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Bond and N6.31 billion Series 2 7-Year 15.5 per cent Series 2 Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Bond (the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Union Bank of Nigeria Bondsâ&#x20AC;?) under its N100.00 billion Debt Issuance Programme on its platform.

Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc emerged the leader among 10 banks that are registered dealers in the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange Market as at November, 2018 in terms of turnover value. Access Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc emerged second and third respectively in the top 10 league. The three leading dealers collectively accounted for 58.44 per cent, about N73.13trillion of turnover value in this sub-section of the market.

Meanwhile, the top 10 dealing members (banks) accounted for 75.77 per cent about N125.14 trillion of the overall turnover in the market in the review period (11 months) .

Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited ranked fourth in terms of turnover value, followed by Ecobank Nigeria Limited; First Bank of Nigeria Limited; Citibank Nigeria Limited; Guaranty Trust Bank Plc; Coronation Merchant Bank Limited and Zenith Bank Plc.

22

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͺͿË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

Ëš

Entrenching Fiscal Discipline with New ECA Guidelines In the past few years, savings into and withdrawals from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) have been contentious. The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) is considering fresh guidelines for revenue inflows and withdrawals from the account.

Ndubuisi Francis reports

T

he Excess Crude Account was established in 2004 during the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, with the underlining concept to save oil revenues above the benchmarked price.

From US$5.1 billion in 2005, the account grew to US$20 billion in 2008 with the rise in global oil prices, and provided the much-needed buffer for the economy against the 2008/2009 global financial meltdown, which scorched several economies across the globe.

Analysts believe the ECA insulated the Nigerian economy from external shocks during that global financial crisis, considered as the worst after the Great Depression of the 1930s.

The Controversies However, the ECA has been buffeted by sundry controversies, ranging from its legality or otherwise, insistence by state governors to have all accruals into the account shared, and unauthorised withdrawals among others.

At some point, the Senate was to pass a motion for the abolition of the ECA, describing it as an illegality and a drain pipe .

But even with the creation of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), managers of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), the ECA has existed side by side.

Intermittently, FAAC resorts to dipping into the account to augment monthly allocations to the various tiers of government.

The National Economic Council (NEC) had also last year approved the withdrawal of $1 billion from the account to acquire military hardware for the prosecution of the war against insurgency in the North-east and other security challenges across the country.

This move also ignited another round of controversy.

Many have wondered whether the ECA funds should not be subject of federal and state assembliesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; appropriations.

The oil producing states have been vehement in their criticism with the way their share of the 13 per cent derivation funds have always been handled by the FAAC. Their disapproval to the practice where they are being forced to save significantly more from their statutory allocation every month than other states, was never hidden.

According to the oil-producing states, a situation where revenue transfers to the excess revenue account were made without first paying their share of the 13 per cent derivation revenue due to them did not take cognizance of the equity and equality of states as enshrined in the constitution.

New Guidelines Faced with sundry controversies trailing the ECA, FAAC is considering fresh guidelines for revenue inflows and withdrawals from it.

The guidelines were recommended by an ad-hoc committee constituted in July 2018 by the immediate-past Minister of Finance and then chairman of FAAC, Kemi Adeosun.

The five-member committee headed by the Delta State Commissioner for Finance, David Edevbie, was mandated to help develop clear guidelines for transfers into and withdrawals from the ECA. It was also asked to review the current modalities adopted by FAAC in making transfers into the various accounts before recommending new guidelines to follow

Barrels of Oil

in future.

After its deliberations, the committee pegged the minimum monthly statutory revenue to be shared from the Federation Account by the three tiers of government at about N680 billion.

The committee was constituted to consider series of complaints by some finance commissioners, particularly those from the nine oil-producing states of the federation, concerning the manner of transfers into and withdrawals from the Excess Crude Oil, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and Royalty Accounts.

The committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recommendations were submitted to the FAAC last November on guidelines on transfers into and withdrawals from the accounts.

According to the report, the committee recommended that any month where the net distributable revenue available for sharing by the federal, state and local governments from the Federation Account falls below N680 billion, funds should be withdrawn from the ECA to augment the shortfall to at least N680 billion.

On the contrary, the committee recommendation said that if the net distributable revenue is between N680 billion and N730 billion, up to about N50 billion should be transferred into the ECA as saving.

It also recommended that if the net distributable revenue for the month is between N730 billion and N830 billion, up to about N100 billion should be transferred to the ECA, or a minimum of N150 billion, if the figure is above N830 billion.

New criteria for monthly revenue transfers into and withdrawals from the ECA were also spelt out.

Going forward, further transfers into the ECA should be made net of the 13 per cent derivation, which component should be paid to the oil-producing states.

The committee said withdrawals from the ECA in respect of the 13 per cent derivation fund, accruing to the oil-producing states, should be calculated and credited to their accounts accordingly, while future withdrawals from the ECA should be net of the 13 per cent derivation fund paid to the oil producing states.

It equally picked holes in the practice where transfers into the ECA was determined monthly as individual item based on surpluses above each revenue items against monthly budgets of the revenue generating agencies.

The committee observed the practice adopted when the revenue generating agencies were continually declaring surpluses and not considered periods of low revenues, revenue inflows from previous months, nor the excesses or deficits in collective revenues of the agencies.

To correct the observed deficiencies in the previous practice, the committee resolved that transfers into the ECA would henceforth be made, based on the cumulative revenues reported by each revenue generating agency from the beginning of the budgetary year to the month of distribution, rather than monthly individual revenue items.

What BeneďŹ ts?

With the new guidelines in place, the question is whether they will make the federal and states fiscally responsible? How will the guidelines curtail the excesses of the states and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)?

Will these guidelines take care of the local governments which have been shortchanged for many years?

THISDAY sought the views of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first Professor of Capital Market Market and Head, Banking and Finance, Nasarawa State University, Prof. Uche Uwaleke on

these probing questions.

According to Uwaleke, the guidelines will no doubt assist the state governments to plan relying on more predictable cash flows.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has also laid out a clear criterion for building fiscal buffers since specified amounts will be transferred to the ECA if oil revenue earned exceeds certain thresholds. Be that as it may, these recommendations once again underscore the need for transparency in the financial transactions of the NNPC.â&#x20AC;? As long as the accounts of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil company remain opaque, Uwaleke argued that allegations bordering on under-remittance of revenue into the federation account will continue to plague FAAC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This speaks to the need to quickly conclude the process regarding the Petroleum Industry Bill. Ordinarily, these guidelines should promote fiscal discipline among sub national governments considering that they will be in a better position to optimally ration scarce resources by prioritising spending. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unfortunately, this may not be the case as many states in Nigeria have done little to address the challenges of bloated workforce, redundant political appointees, avoidable overhead costs, low IGR as well as huge debts owed to financial institutions. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Quite regrettably, except the vexatious issue of joint account is put to a stop, local governments will continue to get â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;zero allocationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; since they are at the mercy of state governors. I do not think the guidelines have specifically addressed the burning issue of how local governments accounts can be credited directly by the Accountant General of the Federation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The earlier the financial autonomy of the third tier of government is recognized and respected, the better for the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy,â&#x20AC;? the university don said.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͺͿË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

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BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed

EmeďŹ ele

DG, Debt Management OďŹ&#x192;ce (DMO), Patience Oniha

Managing Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Growing Debt Stock The issue of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rising debt portfolio came to front burner, when the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria held its first meeting of the year to deliberate on development in the economy and make decision on the way forward, reports James Emejo

T

he MPC last week met to appraise the performance of macroeconomic policies particularly in the areas of price stability, inflation as well as global development that have direct and indirect bearing on the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy.

Part of the major highlights of the meeting was the concerns raised by the CBN over the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s swollen external debt, which it warned had the potential of fast approaching the pre-2005 Paris Club exit level.

It is not the first time concerns were raised over the rising foreign borrowing by the present administration.

But the federal government had defended the borrowing on grounds that it was still in within the borrowing limits and are largely committed to developmental projects that could grow the economy.

In October 2018, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) estimated the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total domestic and foreign debt stock at N15.63 trillion and $22.08 billion respectively, as at June 30, 2018.

The foreign borrowing consisted of $10.88 billion from multilateral agencies, $274.98 million from bilateral (AFD) and another $2.12 billion bilateral from the Exim Bank of China, JICA, India and KFW, while $8.80 billion was commercial.

There had been growing fears that few years after exiting the quagmire of the Paris Club of creditors, the country may be headed back in the trap. The now famous Paris Club exit followed negotiations by the team led by the former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which earned the nation a reprieve, literally described as a lucky escape.

There are arguments that if not checked, the rising debt stock could rob the country of development aspirations and result in another round of economic recession because virtually all revenues will be committed to debt service, leaving nothing for infrastructure development The worrying external debt level was, however, re-echoed by the MPC, which noted the increase and advised for caution.

Providing further clarification on the position of the committee on the issue, Emefiele, who addressed journalists at the end of the two-day MPC meeting said though there was nothing really wrong in borrowing, the country needed

to rebalance the debt position.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have not said that going for foreign debt is bad or that it is wrong. Before now, by around 2017, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ratio of domestic to foreign debt was 80 per cent domestic to 20 per cent foreign to the extent that even government was being accused of crowding out the private sector. And of course, the fiscal authority thought there was need to rebalance the debt position to 60/40 and we also went last year and supported the raising of about $2.8 billion from the Eurobond market â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are just trying to observe that we are moving close to the ratio that had been set and that there is a need for us to review the situation and then re-jig and then think whether or not we should proceed.â&#x20AC;?

Another issue, which sought for clarification during the meeting was the directive to banks to suspend interest charge on loans to oil marketers.

Emefiele noted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is an agreement. I had held a meeting with both the banks as well as the oil marketers and the agreement was that the banks would stop charging interest from July 2017 to date. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That the banks themselves must play a part in what we call the hair cut- taking part of some of the consequences otherwise it took a lot to get those monies to be paid because you can imagine debts that had been outstanding for almost about two to three years owed to those petroleum marketers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So it is an agreement and we have told the banks that they should please suspend interest from July 2017 to those loans and whatever promissory notes that had been collected, they should collect them and credit the account of the petroleum marketers immediately.â&#x20AC;?

The apex bank boss was also asked to clarify the resolution of the controversy between it and MTN Nigeria over the alleged Illegal repatriation of $8.1 billion.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very delighted and gladdened that at last...I know I came here and I promised that the matter between the CBN, MTN and the banks would be resolved amicably and equitably and that everybody will be happy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am glad to tell you that yes, in November, we held a round of meetings with MTN officials even from South Africa and by December, we concluded those engagements and the matters were resolved. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It resulted in a notional, I repeat, it is not a fine, not a penalty, but a notional reversal

of the sum of $53 million amounting to about N19.5 billion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And this amount has since been paid by MTN and the terms of settlement of these matters had already been lodged in Nigerian courts.â&#x20AC;?

The planned inclusion of more items, which are to be denied access to foreign exchange at the official windows further shaped deliberation among MPC members.

Emefiele said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The CBN will get even more aggressive, to see to it that all food items that can be produced and consumed in Nigeria and are currently being imported into Nigeria would be placed on the FX restriction list. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What does that mean? That you cannot source foreign exchange from the Nigerian foreign exchange market to import those items into Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But if you have free dollars, you can bring it in, but that you will not be able to even make payments for those items from dollars sourced from the Nigerian foreign exchange market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is because we think the initiative that the CBN had put in place in the past to cut import and diversify the structure of the Nigerian economy is yielding results, we will continue to be that aggressive.â&#x20AC;?

The MPC, however, resolved to leave the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), otherwise known as interest rate, at 14 per cent.

It also retained the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 22.5 per cent and Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent.

The MPR is the rate at which the CBN lends to commercial banks and often determines the cost of borrowing in the economy.

Emefiele said all 11 members of the MPC voted to keep the policy parameters unchanged from their current levels.

He pointed out that the observed and recent high foreign capital inflow into the Nigerian economy despite the perception of election risk was evidence of the confidence of the international community in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s macroeconomic management and provided a compelling reason for the committee to await clarity on macroeconomic performance after the general elections in February and March 2019.

He stressed that going by the observed risk confronting the economy, including the global and domestic inflationary pressures that have intensified the risk of currency depreciation, the MPC was of the view that a loosening option was very remote.

According to him, weighing the balance of its judgement on price stability, conducive to growth, the MPC felt that tightening would result in the loss of the gains so far achieved.

He noted that this might drive the banks to re-price their assets, thus increasing the cost of credit as well as elevating credit risk in the economy. The governor added that it would also worsen the position of non-performing loans of the banks.

The CBN further observed that tightening monetary policy would dampen investment and hamper improvement in output growth, given the already fragile growth performance so far achieved.

According to him, the committee noted with satisfaction, the performance of the economy in 2018, highlighting the achievements in key macroeconomic indicators in the face of global uncertainties and domestic challenges. In particular, it noted the stability in the exchange rate, stable accretion to external reserves, moderation in inflation and the low, but gradual improvement in real GDP growth in the last six consecutive quarters commencing from Q2 2017. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The MPC noted that given global economic conditions and the risk confronting emerging markets and developing economies in recent times, as well as the limited productive capacity of the economy, the managed float foreign exchange management regime of the CBN has delivered the most optimal results when compared with other emerging markets in recent times. Consequently, capital flows into the domestic economy have continued unabated after an initial lull. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The committee considered the risks to the global economy, noting the downward revision in projected global output in 2019, the adverse impact of the trade war between the U.S and its major trading partners, likelihood of lower crude oil prices, impact on capital flows of continued monetary policy normalisation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The committee commended the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focused expenditure on investment in infrastructure and urged the federal government to sustain the pace towards addressing the infrastructural deficit in Nigeria. It noted that the immediate impact of this approach on GDP may be slow in coming, but will eventually expand the economyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s productive base, reduce unemployment and increase aggregate demand in a more sustainable manner and over a long period of time.â&#x20AC;?

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͺͿË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

AFOLABI IMOUKHUEDE

Imoukhuede

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Unfair to Tag TraderMoni a Vote-buying Strategy His passion could be mistaken for an unusual aggression whenever he wanted to respond to a question or an assertion that he felt was not accurate. But it was all passion for his job and love for his fatherland as far as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Job Creation and Youth Employment in the Office of the Vice President, Afolabi Imoukhuede, is concerned. Imoukhuede studied accountancy, with experience in international development and special focus on construction, real estate and small business development. He is also a certified project management and human capital consultant with particular emphasis on technical, vocational education and training (TVET). He was, at a time, the deputy team leader/intervention lead with the UK Department for International Development (DFlD)/GEMS programme with sector focus on stimulating growth and employment in the construction and real estate.

In this interview with Samuel Ajayi, Imoukhuede talks about the nPower intervention scheme, the controversy surrounding the TraderMoni loan scheme, particularly allegations that the initiative is a votebuying strategy, latest of which came from Transparency International, while also highlighting the effect of the schemes on Nigerians and why they needed to circumvent government bureaucracy to achieve results.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͺͿË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

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You Need to Speak to BeneďŹ ciaries to Know the EďŹ&#x20AC;ect of Our Intervention

T

he nPower and the other schemes under it seem an ambitious intervention programmes. How have you sustained it till this moment and what is your role in them?

My role was created as a result of what we knew and campaigned for and how resolute we were to tackle them when we came in. The three things that President Buhari campaigned on were economy, security and corruption. We came and tried to sort out the root cause of insecurity. From economic point of view, unemployment is a structural challenge. One is population growth and our economic growth does not go with this. Graduate unemployment has to do with our educational system. The output of this system is not in tune with trends in the market. And this is what is causing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;unemployabilityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Nigeria is a youthful country because the greater number is under the age of 45. Compared to other countries, we are not doing badly. But if you unpack our 16 per cent unemployment rate, then it has to do with youth. That is why the focus of my job is in that region.

Upon resumption, at the last quarter of 2015 and early 2016, with DIFD and Ford Foundation, we went round geopolitical zones and interacted with different sectors. We looked at which sector could absorb our young people in the short term and also in the long term, take them on. The priority sector that we identified was agricultural sector and agribusiness sector.

The other sector is construction because it is multi-layered and could take as many people as possible. The third is ICT because we knew it could not take many people, but was an enabler and also an employer. Another sector is retail area which is an area where Nigerians play.

There was also renewable energy sector. I can go on and on.

Beyond this, what have you looked at to curb the rising employment rate since there is also the informal sector that employs so many people?

Anywhere in the world, the MSMEs (micro, small and medium scale enterprises) are one area that drives the economy. It is a major driver that can take people at the lower rung of the society. The government set up the Presidential Enabling Business Council, PEBC, to hasten business registration and help ease the process of doing business. But even with this, we still have the MSMEs in our mind. Because even as bad as the economy is, we still have multinationals coming in and bringing in people. In other words, we have a great volume of immigration.

But like I said before, the other area is security. We have to look at unemployment in post-secondary and post-tertiary. The countries we are looking at have multi-channel ways to knowledge acquisition. Here, it is just one channel: that is just one way. People leave secondary school and they go and sit for JAMB. And out of millions, maximum that could be taken is just 500,000. If you look at those who are used for thuggery, they are in the ages between 16 and 20 and that is mainly post-secondary age.

At the bottom of the pyramid, there is greater number of Nigerians. We did not wake up to the challenges we have now. One thing we must say is that, especially about this government, we saw the challenge and decided to tackle the challenge. How do we affect the various demographics of Nigerians without undermining the functions of our various institutions?

Look at the school feeding programme. It is home-grown feeding. The farmers, who provide the food are Nigerians and also the women who cook are community women. We have to take a dive into the informal sector because over 100,000 cooks have been engaged. Many farmers are selling their local produce to us. The conditional cash transfer for the very vulnerable poor in the community is also there and then the TraderMoni, which has reached so many low-income traders. The last component is the nPower programme, which has graduate and non-graduate components and so on.

These are very huge projects, no doubt.

But we have to know the budget and the results? And how many have you been able to absorb into these programmes?

Our budget is N500 billion every year, but

Imoukhuede

budget is not same thing as release. It is just climbing to N250 billion now and with that amount and 25 per cent of our budget released to us, I will speak of nPower. 500,000 graduates are now under the nPower programme and are deployed in the 774 local governments across the country. They are in schools, hospitals and farms. We could have done more than that but we were hit with recession. It started in June 2016 and closed August 2016 and we got 750,000 applications; 350,000 for graduates and 400,000 for non-graduates. From December 2016 to 2017, our payroll was N6 billion and it was being paid directly into the participants. No one sees cash. The money goes through the TSA to the inter-bank credit scheme. Before they pay, there are validations that have to be carried out. The moment we validate your record and identification, you are paid. Since August 2018, we got 2.5 million applications and got 1.8 million clean applicants and we took 300,000 more. Since August, our wage bill has been N15billion. The non-graduate component has grown exponentially. Our focus area has been skills. In the nBuild cadre of nPower, we have 20,000 of them out there in the construction sector and they get N250,000 start-up tool-kit after the three-month training. In the nTech, they have devices like a tablet, and that with local content in this.

What is the structure of this programme?

As massive as these programmes are, they are oversighted by the Office of the Vice-President.

My own job is just to oversee job creation employment and these two dovetails into the economy and social investment. My role was created as a result of what we knew and campaigned on and resolved to tackle. Like I said, presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus was on economy, security and corruption.

And we felt we had to look at the root cause of insecurity which was unemployment. From the economic perspective, it was obvious that the problem of unemployment was structural.

One area is about our population growth and graduate unemployment and this has to do with our educational system. The output of our educational system is not in tune with modern trends in labour management.

Let us look at the issue of TraderMoni.

It has been alleged that it does not make economic sense going by the cost of going around distributing the N10,000 economic intervention package. Secondly, some see it as a campaign gimmick by your party.

And there was this allegation that some of these traders actually received N8,000 and not N10,000. How do you react to these?

If I tell you this, you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe: our party

leaders and members are angry with us because we have refused to let these schemes be used for political patronage. The pictures you see were from the financial institutions that powered this scheme. The process of getting the cash was simple, but some people would still say they could not do it and then the agent would say, if I help you do it, this is what you would give me. The person would agree and after the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;transactionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the person would come out and say he got only N8,000. But if someone tells you this tomorrow, what you should ask is for him or her to show you the original text he or she got in his mobile wallet.

The bottom line of these social intervention schemes is to reduce poverty to the barest minimum?

Yes.

But you will recall that in July last year, there was this Brookings Institution report that poverty has affected 87 million Nigerians. One will wonder why all these interventions have not reduced this alarming poverty ďŹ gures.

I will always wish that when we report headlines, we should put things in proper context.

If someone says poverty is high, it should be linked to what period and compared to what it was before. The poverty figure was 100 million pre-2015. That is the point. It is about relativity.

We have to know what facts to take and push forward. We seem to politicise everything. One thing you cannot deny this administration is that you cannot say we are not ready to confront our challenges. How can you have an ambitious social intervention programme and you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be ready to face challenges. There have been social intervention programmes before and with billions budgeted, what did we get? So we have to understand where we are coming from. You see, only those, who were beneficiaries of these social intervention schemes that can tell the effect on them. For instance, one of the beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer was asked to come and collect her own N5000 and she came with Ghana-Must-Go bag because she felt N5000 must be a massive amount of money as she had not seen such amount in her life before. We did not just become the poverty of the world overnight; we should ask the party that was in power before and wants to come back.

But micro-ďŹ nance banks are complaining that some of these schemes are affecting their businesses since these are interestfree loans.

You see, this is another problem. We know what these micro-finance banks do. They give

you loans and you pay interests on weekly or monthly basis. I mean high interests. Let us face reality. If everything we have designed in this country has worked, would we need any intervention? Just like the other day the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, claimed that nPower should have been their responsibility.

Are these micro-finance banks not dying now?

We know what the Bank of Industry, BoI, said when we took the seed money to them. They complained of lack of access to credit facilities by low and medium-scale enterprises. They too said they could not give you more them N10million. Some of the beneficiaries of this TraderMoni do not even know where banks are located. We do not need any international organisations to tell us what are problem is.

If we did not know our problems, we would not be where we are today. Who could have believed that a social intervention programme could have 500,000 beneficiaries? Agovernment agency was telling us when we were about starting that we could not do more than 37,000 beneficiaries at a time.And that was 1000 per state with the FCT. You have to look at the economic inclusion as well. Let me tell you something, because of the strict conditions that we put in place, 60 per cent of nPower beneficiaries went to open their bank accounts after we had taken them on board. And let me also say that we are not going to discredit or do away with government institutions because that will even kill the sustainability of the programme. But we needed to do what we did so that the system could take them up later. When you pay up the first N10,000 of the TraderMoni, for instance, before you can qualify for the next one, which is N15,000, you must have a bank account. It is part of the economic inclusion that made us say they have to have a bank account before they could benefit again. And I have to say this: it is a loan and not a grant. It is not a gift to bribe voters.

If someone in nPower is earning N30,000, why canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you make the N10,000 a grant?

But the guy in nPower is working and that is why he is earning a stipend. We did loan, you said it is vote buying. If we had made it free as you said, they would even say we did not want to conduct election at all.

We learnt about the beneficiaries of nPower as there are reports saying, it is working, but you have to admit this: what is the value of N30,000 and N10,000 respectively four years ago and now? A bag rice was N8000 in December 2014 but N18,000 in December 2018. What do these interventions add to the purchasing power of these people? see concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͺͿË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

26

BUSINESS/ECONOMY

Succour for the Economy as Dangoteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $11 Billion Investment Matures In the next one year, barring unforeseen circumstances, the ongoing $11 billion (about N4 trillion) petrochemical and fertiliser projects that Aliko Dangote, Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s richest man, embarked upon some 18 months ago would be expected to start running, which is expected to transform the economy, writes Bamidele Famoofo companies that put priority on items along manufacturing goods like agricultural items in the entire value chain to come forward for funding support from the bank. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I seize this opportunity again to repeat the commitment that when we find people like the Dangote Industries venturing into this kind of project, CBN stands ready to give them all the support both in naira funding and provision of forex because we know that ultimately this country stands to gain from these ventures.â&#x20AC;?

Dangote ReďŹ nery

A

liko Dangote, Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s richest man, according to Forbes Magazine 2019 ranking, is working assiduously to take Nigeria to the next level with the injection of $11billion (about N4.0 trillion) into the recuperating economy.

The investment, which has been described as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;transformational project for Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, according to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, will go a very long way in achieving the economic diversification plan of the biggest economy in Africa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is certainly a transformational project for Nigeria. And it totally keys into the objectives of President Muhammadu Buhari that focus on how we need to conserve foreign exchange, diversify the economy,â&#x20AC;? a visibly elated Emefiele announced during a recent facility tour of the project site situated at the Lagos Free Zone in Ibeju Lekki.

Impact Emefiele hinted that a major gain the nation will experience when the projects fully come into fruition by first quarter in 2020 would be to save the economy foreign exchange on importation of petroleum products that accounts for at least one- third of forex spent by the CBN on importation of goods. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To put it in a proper perspective, by the time you dimension the size of the forex we use in importing petroleum products into the country today, it is at least one third of the forex that the CBN spends to import items into Nigeria today,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The fertiliser section of the multi-billion dollar

project is fully completed as at January 19, 2019 and would be expected to be commissioned for operation sometime between April and May in 2019 while the 650,000 barrels per day capacity refinery is expected to come alive in first quarter of 2020.

Describing the magnitude of the project and its projected impact on the economy, Emefiele said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the fertiliser (let me describe the scope of the project for you guys to understand what I am talking about), though Nigeria is almost self-sufficient in fertiliser production, the size of the plant here is twice that of the Eleme petrochemicals. For the refinery, by the time it takes off around the first quarter of 2020, just one year ahead; Nigeria will not only be self-sufficient in the production of refined petroleum products, but also will join the league of countries that export refined petroleum products. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure by that time the CBN will be begging Dangote to sell foreign exchange to her. The petrochemical plant, I understand is about 10 times the size of Eleme Petrochemical.â&#x20AC;?

While the CBN said it will become more aggressive in increasing the list of forex restricted items from 42 at the moment to about 50 as a means to further save forex, Emefiele is confident that by the Dangote projects kick- off, close to about 55 to 60 per cent of what government spends in funding its foreign exchange operations would have been saved. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m truly looking forward that I would be alive by the time all these come into fruition. We need to really thank the president of Dangote Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, for this gigantic project. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure that if he knew the scope of the project that he was going into at the time he conceived of it, with the kind

of stress that he goes through today, trying to actualize this project, maybe he would not have started it. But l want to thank him and congratulate him for persevering this stress,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Funding The $11 billion project is being funded not only by Nigerian banks, but also by foreign banks as well as equity funding from Dangote Industries Limited (DIL). Dangote, president of DIL, hinted that 60 per cent equity funding is involved in the project, while debt accounts for 40 per cent. A combination of local and foreign banks provides the loan.

The CBN is however not left out as it has so far injected N125billion (about $348million) into the actualisation of the project. Though Emefiele described the contribution of the CBN as a drop in the ocean, Dangote said it was a morale booster for the group and a show of commitment by the CBN to grow the economy.

Emefiele said the CBN will continue to support individuals and companies that displayed the determination to support the government and the CBN in restructuring the base of the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is what we need and l feel so delighted that this is happening in my own lifetime and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure you all feel so happy that you have gone through this today. We have not been trekking, but driving for about four hours on about 100 hectares of land that Aliko has put this project. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure

by April we would all be here again to witness the cranking of the engine for the fertiliser plant. Whether or not Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m the governor of CBN, l will come and crank this engine by April this year.â&#x20AC;?

The apex bank governor urged Nigerian

Insiderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Information Reeling out first-hand information on the projects, Aliko Dangote said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a couple of projects here first of which is the fertiliser plant on which we are spending $2billion. He, however, lamented that most people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand what these projects mean. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They mean that we are transforming the Nigerian economy. The biggest challenge we have is that Nigeria imports more than she produces.

But by the time we finish our fertiliser plant, l think Nigeria will be the largest exporting fertiliser country in Africa and not just subSaharan Africa. We would be also the largest exporter of petrochemicals. Then we would be the biggest in Africa in petroleum exportation.

So, the change in terms of importing of 90 per cent of what you consume and exporting about one third instead of importing will bring a major transformation.â&#x20AC;?

Besides petrochemical and fertiliser, Dangote says he is investing in gas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The gas pipeline project is actually 3billion scf which is equivalent to NLNG today. All these are projects which l believe will transform the economy of Nigeria.

But these are things that are not well advertised and so people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even know what is going on. But there is a lot going on in Nigeria and we hope and pray that other Nigerians will join in developing our own economy not by word of mouth, but by action. They need to bring their capital and come in to do what we believe transform the economy. And l think a lot areas will be transformed with the help of government like what we did in cement.

If not what we did in cement, Nigeria wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even be able to import cement by now as we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the capacity or logistics to do so in the country. By the grace of God, we will still have other things that will help to grow the economy.â&#x20AC;?

Job Creation Speaking about how much job the project will generate for Nigerians after they come alive, Emefiele said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you consider today that we import petroleum products, If you consider today that until just last month, we were importing fertiliser, if you consider today that we import polypropylene products and now we are saying that we will begin to produce them in Nigeria. First, we will save forex; secondly, it will certainly create jobs.

These are not jobs from the companies that are producing these products, but be virtue of the fact that you now have people coming here to buy those items, they in turn will also create jobs.

There are so many sub-companies that will come to live by coming to do business here.

By the time this project comes on live you can imagine the industries that will open around this vicinity. Conservatively, besides the direct jobs from Dangote, millions of indirect jobs will be created around this project. The multiplier effect will be huge and that is what Nigeria needsâ&#x20AC;?.

But speaking in specific terms, Dangote revealed that about 26,000 workers are currently engaged in the complex and added that that figure will increase to almost 80,000 by the time the projects come alive.

Ë&#x153; Ëž JANUARY 27, 2019

27

MARKET NEWS

Union Bank Raises N20 billion to Finance Working Capital Goddy Egene Union Bank of Nigeria Plc is raising N20 billion under its N100 billion Commercial Paper (CP) programme to finance its working capital. The fund would be raised via 90-day and 181-day tenored instruments.

According to offer document, the minimum subscription is N5 million and multiples of N1,000 thereafter. The yield on the 90-day instrument is 13.25 per cent, while the yield

on the 180-day is 16 per cent.

The CP issuance under the programme follows Union Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s N7.19 billion Series 1 and N6.31 billion Series 2 Senior Unsecured Fixed Rate Bonds under its N100 billion Debt Issuance Programme. The Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa, had last year said that the inaugural issuance under the N100 billion bond programme marked a milestone achievement in the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bid to accelerate

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sharesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the

business growth and continue its commitment to re-establish the bank as one of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading financial institutions.

The FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange had already listed the bond on its platform.

According to Emuwa, the issuance of the Series 1 & 2 Bonds was a key milestone of our corporate funding strategy and listing the bonds on FMDQ ensures growth in liquidity and transparency within the fixed income market in Nigeria,â&#x20AC;?

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 24Jan-2019, unless otherwise stated.

Emuwa said.

Union Bank recorded profit before tax of N14.9 billion, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, up by 14 per cent compared with N13 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2017.

Commenting on the results, Emuwa said:â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the third quarter of the year, our numbers continue to track strongly across all performance metrics. The non-performing loan (NPL) ratio is down to

9.8 per cent from 10.8 per cent as at H1 2018 as asset quality continues to strengthen as we realize more recoveries while continuing to selectively grow our loan book with high quality risk assets.

Leveraging positive investor confidence in the bank, we concluded a successful inaugural issuance of Series I and II bonds under our newly-registered N100 billion bond program. We will remain focused on driving

and enhancing productivity across the Bank to ensure we deliver on our expectations for the year.â&#x20AC;?

Also speaking, Chief Financial Officer, Union Bank, Joe Mbulu said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Notwithstanding our deposit book growth, our focus on optimising our funding costs ensured that they remained flat year-on-year. This drove profitability from gross revenues to the bottom line, with higher net revenue from funds (after impairment) in the period.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 156.84 157.00 -0.93% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 278.77 279.03 2.08% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.84 0.85 0.26% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 10.98% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.00% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.23 2.26 0.55% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 100.19 100.89 -0.99% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.46% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.97% Paramount Equity Fund 11.49 11.79 -1.85% Women's Investment Fund 100.76 103.34 -1.76% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.17% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 96.55 96.83 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 99.27 99.73 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 12.79% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.76% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,196.35 1,197.11 0.92% FBN Heritage Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.66% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $114.80 $115.38 0.80% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $114.79 $115.37 1.04% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.19 1.21 -2.22% Legacy Debt Fund 3.27 3.27 0.76% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 0.31% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.88% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 107.13 107.51 6.63% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.86%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.14 2.16 -0.62% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.96% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 120.55 120.73 -3.50% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.22 1.24 0.60% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,078.40 1,078.40 0.84% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.19 11.28 -2.68% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.48% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.35 1.37 5.51% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.33 12.38 1.00% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.72% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 120.25 120.75 -0.42% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 0.90% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,312.89 2,326.90 2.11% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 192.09 192.09 2.34% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.93 0.94 -1.58% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 248.89 248.94 2.72% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 161.68 163.45 -0.91% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.09% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,301.22 8,401.36 -0.45% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 3.11% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.19 1.19 -0.94% United Capital Bond Fund 1.61 1.61 0.92% United Capital Equity Fund 0.68 0.69 -4.92% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 14.32% United Capital Eurobond Fund 107.75 107.75 0.46% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.09 1.09 -1.02% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 11.02 11.17 3.66% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.31 12.42 2.47% Zenith Income Fund 20.77 20.77 8.74% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.06%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.95 117.98 51.79

-39.35% 0.00% 0.00%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.46 113.07 87.08

10.56 115.53 88.70

-0.87% -3.58% -1.79%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva GrifďŹ n 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.89 7.18 14.42 13.02 145.32

3.93 7.26 14.52 13.22 147.32

-2.83% -5.76% -3.53% 5.34% 1.24%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.13

17.03%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website and FMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

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J ͺͿË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Π˞ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

INTERNATIONAL Franco-Italian Infatuation or Recolonisation Strategy?

What Future for African Migrants in Europe

T

he current global World Order, put in place by the Western World, is gradually giving way to a new one that is yet to be clearly delineated in terms of principles and rules. The leading superpower status of the United States, for instance, is particularly now under threat to the extent that President Donald Trump now has to ensure â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;America Firstâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; through a manu militari foreign policy.As Donald Trump has brought private business mentality to public diplomacy in such a way that he is always bastardising the principle of sanctity of agreements, and thus strengthening opposition to whatever the United States represents in international relations, other countries are also emphasising their own order of precedence: Russia first, China first, France first, etc.

The main challengers of the United States for the leadership of the world are currently China and Russia. While Russia is frontally challenging US foreign policies in the conflict zones in the Middle East and in its immediate neighbourhood, the Chinese are simply moving out of their country to other countries, particularly toAfrica, and have been impacting positively in their host countries. China is promoting win-win cooperation for peaceful development on the basis of mutual understanding and shared gains. By so doing, China is necessarily the new superpower in the making.

The European Union has also presented itself as another centre of global power. But in the whole exercise, immigration has remained one of the most critical questions to which no good answer has been provided. In an attempt to possibly provide an enduring solution to illegal migration from Mexico, Donald Trump wants to build a wall for which he is yet to get funding from the Congress. How to cope with illegal migration from NorthAfrica is also a dividing issue among the Member States of the European Union.

At theAfrican level, no country is aspiring to contest for global leadership beyond its immediate regional context for obvious reason: the continent is ridden with poverty and bad governance.

Consequently,Africans are only seeking to migrate to European countries on daily basis. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the quest to migrate elsewhere for greener pasture or seeking to escape persecution if the mode of migration is not illegal.

As such,African migration abroad has not only become a rejection of bad or poor governance at home, but also a matter of quest for an el dorado on the basis of a do-or-die for many of the migrants.

This is how the situational reality of survival inAfrica, which has become very inclement, now serves as a push catalyst in the quest for migration.And without any jot of doubt, as the environmental conditionings of political governance are also becoming dictatorial, to the extent that the quest for migration is no more the business of the illegal migrants, but also for the legal, well-trained professionals, seasoned public officials, for everyone to migrate can be understandable.

On the side of the receiving countries, many of them claim to love and heartily welcome migrants to Europe. Mainly in this category are Italy, France and Spain. But, who truly can be said to be a lover of theAfrican migrants in light of the current Franco-Italian feud on the matter? France has always claimed a pro-FrancophoneAfrican foreign policy. In fact, in spite of the official demise of the French Community established in 1958, and by extension, the closure of the French Ministry of Cooperation in Paris, French ties with FrancophoneAfrica have always remained special and strong, but generally seen to be detrimental to EUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collective interests. It is on this basis that Italy recently levied accusations of unending colonisation ofAfrica against France.

True,African migration is at the root of and main rationale for the Italian allegations against France. It has become a threat to the maintenance of peace and security in EU countries. The deteriorating ties between France and Italy are not only a pointer, but also raise the extent of the cohesiveness of and implications for European integration from which the people ofAfrica must quickly learn. The feud between France and Italy on the issue of admittance of illegal

Macron, French PM and Di Maio, Italian PM

VIE INTERNATIONALE with

Bola A. Akinterinwa Telephone : 0807-688-2846

e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com

migrants fromAfrica has also raised the issue of unending French colonialism inAfrica and the limitations of regional integration.

Since the entire making of the ECOWAS has largely borrowed from the models of the EEC, EC and the EU,African leaders may not therefore close their eyes to happenings in EU countries.

BackgroundtotheImmigrationSaga Going down the memory lane, bilateral relations between France and Italy have always been characterised by crisis and conflict of interest, on the one hand and cooperation and mutual understanding, on the other. The past Italian wars, it should be recalled, were a resultant of French invasion. Italy was made the battlefield of power rivalry in Europe. It should also be remembered that, in 1796, the French again invaded Italy and subjected Italians to the whims and caprices of Napoleon Bonaparte. The French looted Italian cultural treasures in Milan, Parma, Venice, Mantua, and Modena. These invasions and looting fall under the domain of crises and conflicts.

It is also on record that France took active part in the reunification of Italy, meaning that the aspect of cooperation and mutual understanding cannot be set aside. Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rapports with Italy therefore have both negative and positive dimensions.

In contemporary times, the relationship has followed the same pattern, even outside of the frameworks of their own making. For instance, in 2006, on July 9th in Rome, both countries clashed during the World Cup Final.As reported in The Economist, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;in extra time, with the French unable to penetrate Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tight defence, their star player, Zinedine Zidane, turned on the man marking him, Marco Materazzi, and head-butted him.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Without doubt, The Economist said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mr. Zidane had been provoked. Mr. Matezazzi later admitted that he â&#x20AC;&#x153;spoke about his opponentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sister.â&#x20AC;? But it was still a brutal piece of retaliation and Mr. Zidane was sent off.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; This incident created discontent, more so that Italy emerged the winner of the games.

In the eyes of one Italian writer, Robert Saviano, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;France is the most hated country in Italy.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Saviano has accused Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s far-right Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini, a coalition partner and head of the far-right lega, of leading a hate movement against French President, Emmanuel Macron. In the same vein, Franco Vetririni, a columnist with Corrière Della Sera, a Spanish daily, and also a French-trained and recipient of the LĂŠgion dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Honneur, has it that the links between France and Italy â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;are very close, yet not characterised by any great love. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re like two cousins, each of whom thinks she is prettier.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Franco Vetririni cannot be more correct because both countries claim to be the cultural superpower of Europe. The resultant effect of this is reciprocal jealousy. With the recent Franco-Italian imbroglio onAfrican migration to Europe, has the jealousy not been carried too far? Can it really be argued that jealousy is basically responsible for the deterioration in the relationship? How do we explain the bilateral misunderstanding within the framework of European Union integration efforts, and particularly, in the context of how best to reconcile the division of Member States of the European Union

over international illegal migration?And most importantly, what prompted the current hullaballoo between the two neighbouring countries?

ManifestationsoftheSaga The manifestations of the migration saga between France and Italy have to be placed within the context of the division among the EU Member States over the matter. Italy belongs to the group that has not been very favourable toAfrican migration, while France is preaching the sermon of empathy. In both cases, there is an inherent politics that does not allow observers to understand the extent to which both countries are sincere about their position.

One factor relevant to the understanding of the feud is the European Union policy on the matter. First, the policy is that refugees are to be shared among Member States. The basis of sharing is another subject of dispute. Hosting of refugees is to be for eight years, rather than the ten years suggested by Berlin authorities. However, some countries refuse to accommodate refugees. This situation prompted France and Germany to propose that EU governments that refuse to accept refugees should be required to pay some money and, therefore, be exempted from the EU bloc system of sharing out the migrants.

This suggestion was made because of the unsuccessful efforts to have a reformed EU asylum rules. In other words, the FrancoGerman suggestion was made as a possible compromise pending a final resolution of the dispute, especially in light of the forthcoming EU parliamentary elections, expected to hold in May 2019. In this regard, inflows of refugees of whatever kind is discouraged in order to remove the fears of those who are strongly opposed to migration.

Without doubt, Germany accommodated the bulk of migrants that first arrived in Europe: in Greece and Italy. Germany therefore belongs to the group of countries having a better understanding ofAfrican migration. France is in this group as it plays host to the biggest Spanish immigrant community outside of Spain, with 183,277 Spaniards as at 2010.

Again, at the level ofAfrican migrants, France gave active support to Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s idea of a joint sponsorship of anAfrican Conference on Immigration that took place at an EU summit held on October 27 and 28, 2005 in Britain. By that time, French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin made it clear that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;all our countries are confronted today with this question of immigration. We should treat it with courage, daring and imagination.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; In this regard, Dominique de Villepin offered a two-pronged strategy: improvement of border region controls and development and training programmes, on the one hand, and the need to give support to transit countries in the protection of their borders under a new, road European immigration policy, on the other. But how does Italy see all these French efforts and policy attitude today? To what extent do the efforts lend credence to the allegations of Italy against France which are, indeed, very heavy?

Italy has accused France of leading a colonial-style of policies inAfrica, as well as also impoverishingAfricans to the shores of Europe. Mr. Luigi di Maio, leader of Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s populist Five Star Movement (M5S), said on January 20, 2019 that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;if today people are leaving, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because certain European countries, chief among them, France, never stopped colonising dozens ofAfrican countries.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; He therefore called on the European Union for sanctionary measures against France.

Additionally, Luigi di Maio has it that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;France prints the currency, the colonial franc, in dozens ofAfrican countries, and with this currency, they finance the French debt... If France didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the African colonies, she would be the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 15th economic power, but she is among the first, because of what she is doing inAfrica.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The criticism of Mr. Matteo Salvini is equally disturbing. He has not only suggested that the French people should seek â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;to liberate themselves from a very bad president in the next European elections,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; but has also noted that President Emmanuel Macron of France â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;preaches about solidarity but turns back thousands of migrants.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Who really lovesAfrican migrants more or whose colonialism is better? Is it the limited and controversial Italian colonisation of Libya and the failed colonisation of Ethiopia or the more expansive and successful French policy of assimilation and colonialism? Whichever one is the case, the issue is likely to generate more controversies than its current Franco-Italian diplomatic row.

France has summoned the Italian ambassador in Paris to explain the intention and meaning of the allegations. Italy has similarly summoned the French ambassador, and, at least, on the basis of the rule of reciprocity.

The manifestations of the immigration feud clearly show that membership of a union does not mean total cohesiveness at all levels of policy making. The manifestations are very abusive and degrading on both sides but the various issues raised in them should be the main concerns to be addressed by the former colonised people.

For instance, during summer of 2018, President Macron referred to the M5S-Lega Coalition as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;leprosy.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Coalition leaders waited until January 7, 2019 to publicly react. Prime Minister di Maio encouraged the Gilet Jaunes (Yellow Vests or Yellow Jackets movement) in France to continue to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hang in there,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; that is, to sustain their protests against the French president. The Yellow Jackets movement is a populist, grassroots political movement for economic justice, established by force majeure in 2018.

(See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

27.01.2018

Bode Akindele His Opulence, Open Heart and Staying Power

ASSISTANT EDITOR OLUFUNKE OLAODE/funkola2000@gmail.com

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T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R Ëž Í°ÍľË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

COVER

L-R: Sir Bode Akindele, Mrs. Ayinke Akindele and Mrs. Atema Akindele during the live broadcast of 26th Annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols held at his Ibadan residence...recently

On Wealth, Wisdom and Wishes Money, respect and power â&#x20AC;&#x201C; he has it all. From Europe to America; from Asia to Africa and back home in Nigeria, he has achieved great heights. He has seen and conquered the world.

For more than six decades, Sir Bode Akindele has been one of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s richest individuals.

Intrepid and shrewd, his business interests cut across the maritime, properties, agriculture and manufacturing sectors. With an estimated wealth of $1.2 billion, the Parakoyi of Ibadan land is an enduring billionaire. But there is more to his being wealthy and successful, writes Funke Olaode

M

agnificent, gorgeous and expansive, his estate in Alomaja on the outskirts of Ibadan, in Oyo State, shimmers and towers above other buildings. Walking around his Ibiyemi Villa, an imposing edifice, one is easily overwhelmed by signatures of affluence: exotic chairs, artworks, chandeliers, and a beautifully decorated banquet hall â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an emperor lives here. Being a festive period, sound of music from a saxophonist provided the ambience of relaxation and festivity. The house was built in 1962 when the owner was barely 29 years old. And 56 years after, the house still maintains its allure as one of the finest buildings in the largest city in West Africa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ibadan.

With wealth that has spanned over six decades, Akindele no doubt is one of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entrepreneurial icons and enduring billionaires. He is a man of all seasons. Born into the famous Akindele of Mapo in Ibadan 85 years ago, the businessman started his education at Olubi Memorial School, Ibadan and later moved to Lisabi Grammar School, Abeokuta. Akindele already had his fixed on the future to become a global citizen, right after completing secondary education. His road to success was opened up by his late

mother, Alhaja Rabiatu Adedigba, a wellknown wealthy trader.

A shrewd individual, it did not take him long to establish Modondola Group of Companies with interest in manufacturing, real estate, maritime and agriculture.

Thereafter, with his feet firmly rooted in Nigeria, Akindele decided to spread his tentacles globally.

A man of vision, Akindele moved on to the United Kingdom where he registered his name as a corporate player in properties. He established Fairgate Group. The seven-storey imposing building on Bond Street in London, deals mainly in property. Among his tenants are Sainsbury and ASDA Wall Mart.

As his businesses grew in leaps and bounds in Nigeria and the UK, Akindele was not ready to rest on his laurels. He took an interest in Swedish market where it is on record that his bold move in venturing into match market has paid off. Today, he controls more than one-third of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s match market. It is also the same story in America where he controls substantial investment in property market as well as blue-chip American companies.

From banking to properties â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and other businesses â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Ibadan high chief has continued to swim in fortune. Not only that, he has become a living library for tycoons and upcoming entrepreneurs who desire to

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JANUARY 27, 2019 ˾ T H I S DAY, T H E S U N DAY N E W S PA P E R

COVER

Akindele

There is a saying that whatever you have you have to protect it. It revolves around your background. If you know how you came about your wealth you will protect it. It’s not difficult to maintain discipline in one’s endeavours if one was raised by a disciplined family. For instance, many people believe the secret to running a successful business lies in going to a business school. Business schools broaden one’s horizon. It is good and there is no harm in acquiring knowledge. Mind you, the world is changing and if you want to use my own business model that I adopted 40 or 50 years back it may be outdated and may not work. But one thing that never fails is discipline and hard work

On Riches, Respect and Raising the Bar step up their game.

Sitting like a king on a sofa in sky-blue guinea brocade, his eyes and body revealed agility and mental intensity as he welcomed visitors, clergymen and well-wishers who have come to felicitate with him during the live broadcast of his annual service of ‘Nine Lessons and Carols’ in collaboration with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), at his residence.

As a man of means, Akindele loves God and worships him wholeheartedly.

According to him, the Christmas Carol started in 1980 among his family members.

But in 1992, it became big and in the last 26 years, it has become a national broadcast during Christmas.

For those who have followed his business trajectory, his name is synonymous with success in Nigeria, Africa, Europe, Asia and America. How has he been able to keep the name without a taint?

“Well, it is the family upbringing, background and discipline that I had imbibed – these have helped me thus far. For instance, as a child, apart from being rooted in Christ, my father was one of the pillars of the Methodist Church and carrying Bible on my head to church every Sunday, we had a lot of lessons to learn,” he explained.

“Again, my father was very influential in the Old Western region and that gingered us to want to be successful and we knew we had to be devoted to our education and imbibe discipline. I believe in doing things in moderation because too much of everything is dangerous.”

Did he know he would be this famous while pursuing his dreams?

Akindele pointed out: “Well, it depends on one’s background and the family one comes from. With the kind of the opportunity that I had I could never dream less. If you come from a family that is well established, – that is well known – you would want to achieve something more than what you met on the ground.”

Then, how has he been able to sustain his wealth in the last six decades? “My answer is simple,” Akindele simply said.

He added: “It’s God’s grace. Again, there is a saying that whatever you came you have to protect it. It revolves around your background. If you know how you come about your wealth you will protect it. It’s not difficult to maintain discipline in one’s endeavours if one was raised by a disciplined family. For instance, many people believe the secret to running a successful business lies in going to a business school.

“Business schools broaden one’s horizon. It is good and there is no harm in acquiring knowledge. Mind you, the world is changing and if you want to use my own business model that I adopted 40 or 50 years back it may be outdated and may not work.

But one thing that never fails is discipline and hard work.”

Akindele’s response is like that of a man shying away from blowing his trumpet.

Yet, he said, “Well, there is nothing wrong in blowing one’s trumpet. But if you have an artificial that is when you wouldn’t want to blow your own trumpet. If you have a genuine one wherever you may hide it will blow itself without necessarily blowing it.”

Just as his name continues to resonate

across his business empire, the business magnate has an area that does not spark his interest: politics. Is this deliberate or why has he refused to embrace politics?

“Politics is not meant for everybody and as a matter of fact, you don’t have to be in politics before you contribute your quota. Look at our fingers they are not equal as the fingers were created for different purposes. Some people have to be businessmen, some have to be clergymen while some have to be in charge of governance,” he philosophised.

A successful man, Akindele also parades successful children. One of them is a lawyer – Folake Coker of the famous Tiffany Amber – and a foremost fashion designer.

“She decided to follow her passion and I thank God that she has continued to do well for herself. Another of my children, who is senior to Folake, is also a lawyer but today owns a factory. And she is not doing badly. My children are doing well in their endeavours and I am proud of them,” Akindele disclosed with esteem.

Aside from his business acumen, service to humanity has been part of the billionaire’s life.

His knack for philanthropy knows no bound as he has continued to identify with the less privileged – a way of life she learnt from his parents.

Every year, more than 1,000 individuals benefit from his philanthropic gestures. In his bid to empower youths and raise a crop of entrepreneurs who will shape Nigeria’s future, his foundation – Sir Bode Akindele Foundation – in collaboration with the Good Worker Ministries International, the University of Ibadan and the Federal University of Technology, Akure put together a programme

known as the Bode Akindele Yield Initiative (BAYI), to turn millions of youths into innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders.

In addition, BAYI intends to get other youths off drug abuse and other social vices. BAYI’s vision is to see a world of focused and well-oriented youths, promoting in them patriotism, godly values, leadership and entrepreneurial development.

Akindele said the initiative is a service to Nigerian youths.

“The primary objective is to develop millions of focused and welloriented Nigerian youths as innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders. My inspiration through God’s help is to be of benefit to mankind. This inspiration led to the establishment of the Bode Akindele Foundation (BAF) in 1985 which has been involved in several special projects. Some of which are dedicated to the development of our youths,” he explained.

Speaking further, he said: “The foundation has sponsored and financed a good number of Nigerians, including clergies, to perform holy pilgrimages, provided succour for the poor, disabled, etc. It has also assisted in education and research. It is, therefore, easy for us to collaborate with others to do what is required for the development of our youths.”

At 85, the business mogul is not slowing down. You may wonder why.

“God’s place is permanently embedded in my heart. What else can I ask for? I will continue to worship him until my last day,” he answered.

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PERSONALITY FOCUS

Iyamu

Efosa Efex Iyamu On His Comics,Theatrics and Politics Born to rule the comedy stage and serenade the big guns in the society, Efosa Efex Iyamu, the Chief Protocol Officer to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, dines with kings and wines with the high and mighty. A show-stopper and always dressed to the nines, Iyamu rules his world with resplendence and in confidence. Funke Olaode explores the inner workings, dexterity, desire and determination of Iyamu amidst his passion for the creative industry and youths

H

is striking good looks, ravishing body shape, and talent all combined to make him one-of-a-kind. He commands attention.

Exuding a mien that borders on the comical and farcical, he often steals the show as the lord of laughter. Multitalented, inventive and hilarious, his shows have become more and more class acts.

Welcome to the world of Efosa Efex Iyamu, a comedian and the Chief Protocol Officer to the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.

Looking dapper on a brown chair, Iyamu’s as a powerful dresser came to bear as his smart

orange blazer pair with brown trouser and inner cream match perfectly. Is the comedian on a date? Not really. He believed looking good is part of the show business.

Born and raised in Benin City Edo state among his nuclear family of his parents and two younger siblings, Iyamu went to Agbado Primary School (afternoon session), and Edo college secondary school and got a degree from University of Benin in History and international studies. You may wonder why is not pursuing his career in the diplomat circle or foreign service. Iyamu’s career has been cut out right from secondary school at Edo College where they had what is was then called “Teasing and Word,” an act where you would have to trade your fellow classmates or throw

jabs with a lasting impression. “I was best at that and from there I started anchoring events in school. And when I got into the university, I was readily available to do big jobs and here we are today,” he recalled.

Iyamu is good at his act which has paved ways for his many successes. It has equally opened many doors for him on big stage, hobnobbing with the high and powerful on the corridor of power.

He is currently the chief protocol officer to the Chairman of the ruling party APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. How did his path cross the labour leader-turned-politician?

“Well, I have been working with comrade Adams Oshiomhole for well over 10 years now, and by the grace of God, I have stayed

relevant and on top of my game. Firstly, I was his Senior Special Assistant while he was Governor of Edo State. And then I became his Executive Director. And now I am the chief protocol officer to the same man who is now the National Chairman of the biggest party in Nigeria, APC. Talking glowingly about the man who has added value to his life, Iyamu said “The Lord has always been there for me and made me stay relevant. I got my appointment the same week he was sworn in because I stayed in touch and raised the bar for myself in my game. I must say a very big thank you to my boss for the strength, courage and

Continued on Pg.60

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His Dexterity, Desire and Determination Continued from Pg.59 My philosophy in life is that ‘if my success cannot make another person successful, then I am a failure’ and ‘I don’t give because I have too much but because I know what it takes not to have sometimes’. So no matter how little it is we should be able to give back to our communities and lend a helping hand. I always give back from my salary and what I can gather from friends who really care and can assist us believe in my potentials and me. Comrade has tutored me and made me grow in all spheres of influence. He is my father, my leader for life; a no-nonsense man. He is a man who always wants all of us around him to grow. I had so many experiences from meeting and interacting with different classes of people both from the Presidency and to the common man. Travelling back and forth all the States in the federation and even out of the country and gaining more political experience by the day,” he said With fame come the trappings of affluence. Though he is yet to acquire one, Iyamu is one the few entertainers that fly private jet like Davido and Wizkid.

In his jovial manner he said: “I have not acquired a private jet. What can I say?

Anyway when the job requires it, you use one and if your client can afford it, then you use it because it was required.”

Efex De Entertainer used to organize a monthly show before his current job that took him to Abuja. Has the show been rested?

Iyamu assures his fans that the show is still on just as his political appointment hasn’t taken away his first love.

“No I didn’t stop my show. When I started, I was doing the monthly show to be able to promote younger entertainers in my state and set them to a bigger stage. Because I knew I will always do my major concert like I did one in February 2018 with the theme, ‘Kings and Queens Edition’ and it featured Ali Baba, Patoranking, Gordons, Gandoki, Maleke, Dan d’ humorous, Pencil, Mr. Jollof, Acapella, Shawn P, Edo Pikin, Casino, Young Chief and a host of others.

“The next edition will come up on Easter Sunday in Benin. My fans should expect nothing but the best because I have never done less. I’m going to wow them yet again.

The first edition was superb and the next one is going to be themed, ‘Resurrection Edition’.

It is now an annual. So I still do events in Abuja and I am getting better by the day,” he stated.

How is he coping with his job as Oshiomhole’s protocol officer and doing comedy? “I’m doing my best,” was his response. “I have a boss who understands that I need to grow and grow in the best of ways.

He supports me and even introduces me to the best of clients to encourage my trade.

So far, I have never regretted working with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.”

Perhaps, he has his eyes set on politics.

“Well, for now, I’m where I’m and I think I’m looking at that because we can’t make a change from speaking from outside. Politics is a good game if you are true to yourself,” he said.

Iyamu as a successful comedian has not forgotten his little beginning. Efosa Iyamu Initiative (EII), a foundation founded to reach out to the less privileged is still on and active in feeding the kids on the street, paying bills for them in school and distributing free school uniforms. Explaining the motives behind the initiative, he stated: “The Efosa Iyamu

initiative is what I have been doing for a long time privately and not because I am looking for any favour from anyone. I remember someone told me that maybe I was looking for a political position and that was why I started the initiative. I just laughed because I never had that thought.

“My philosophy in life is that ‘if my success cannot make another person successful, then I am a failure’ and ‘I don’t give because I have too much but because I know what it takes not to have sometimes’. So no matter how little it is we should be able to give back to our communities and lend a helping hand. I always give back from my salary and what I can gather from friends who really care and can assist us.”

As the country prepares for the general elections next month, Iyamu has a piece of advice for the youths: “The youths should remain positive and stay away from trouble.

Let’s vote for credible leaders who are not in any way involved in fraudulent acts – people who mean well for our nation and will fight corruption. I will say to the youth, let’s vote for a better Nigeria.”

The year 2018 has been a busy year for Iyamu as a comedian, Oshiomhole’s protocol officer and a family man. How does he combine these roles and still come out fresh?

“The Lord has just been good to me. I have been able to manage all the spheres well without any being relegated. I thank God thus

far because I have been able to manage it as it comes. It has really been a very hectic and busy year for me but in all, I give all glory to God. Again, my family understands the kind of job I do and supports me to the fullest. I have the best family ever and I get their full backing and I try to give as much time as possible to them so they don’t lack as well,” he explained.

Efex De Entertainer has become a force to be reckoned with. Looking back, he admits that his driving force has been His maker. “Honestly, my driving force is the Lord God Almighty. And I am standing here only because the Lord made a way. The Lord has been my muscle for life,” he stated.

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High Life On The Trail of Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie You never see him coming.

Unobtrusive, yet, inďŹ&#x201A;uential; if like the clichĂŠ goes that behind every successful woman, there is a woman; it would be ďŹ tting to say that behind the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, there is Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie. Uyi, as he is popularly known, is a silent force behind the former Vice President. While he holds no ofďŹ cial role in the Atiku campaign organisation, everybody that matters knows he is the guy to court and defer to if you needed to get anything out of Atiku. Some even say Uyi virtually controls the much older man and as such, treat him with reverence. Currently, he determines who gets what and how close you can be with the Waziri. Indeed, Uyi dishes out the goodies and dispenses favours depending on your closeness with him. A source said that even Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Director General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organization (APCO), gets things done faster with Uyi by his side than by himself. He is everywhere with the perennial presidential candidate. In fact, he is among the few that followed Atiku on his trip to Washington DC, U.S.A. The ďŹ&#x201A;ipside to Uyi is that though cosmopolitan in looks, there are those who claim his smile is not weakness.

Sources in the Atiku camp say Uyi has indeed been carrying on like Atikuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s de facto Chief of Staff. He brooks no opposition from anyone and has no scruples crushing perceived enemies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Uyi is a brash man and he has a way of talking down on people trying to get close to Atiku, not even top politicians are spared his ash tongue when one strays out of line. Nobody likes him around here because of his superior and intellectual affectations,â&#x20AC;?said a particular source. The source said further that while Atiku is oblivious to the disruptive and polarising character Uyi is, the people around prefer to deal with him from afar or by proxy.

According to the source,â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those who are supposed to go the whole hog, sweat blood if need be, are now holding back because of the fear that should Atiku eventually win, Uyi would become an all-powerful Chief of Staff whose word would be law and cut out a lot of people. â&#x20AC;?But he is inďŹ&#x201A;uential.

However, those who know him very well told Highlife there was no cause for alarm. Even though he might seems over bearing, he is largely a simple Ibrahim guy.

Driven more by desire to get things done. He is in a hurry fo result. Uyi is a University of Beninâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;trained lawyer and partner at the Africa Law Practice, a Nigeria-based, Africa business-focused ďŹ rm that delivers the very best of African legal and advisory services. He is also described as an accomplished energy and commercial transactions lawyer, vastly experienced in corporate and investment law, and power, energy and infrastructure law and transaction structuring; and has served on several corporate boards straddling most sectors of the economic landscape.

Uyiekpen

with LANRE ALFRED ͎͎͜;ʹ͜͜ͳ;ͳͰ

...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich and famous

Twice Married, Twice Broken...Moji Obasanjoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Second Marriage Crashes Like a crushed knight fleeing the gates of a fallen fortress, Moji, ex-wife of Gbenga Obasanjo, has fled the matrimonial home she shared with Dr Akinkunmi Abiodun Mustapha, former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance.

As much as she and her inner circle wanted to keep the news hush-hush, it has been revealed that the union between the couple had irretrievably broken down. Broken marriages seem to have become second nature to the dark-skinned Moji.

The daughter of billionaire Alex Onabanjo, toothy Moji got married to Gbenga, the first son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000.

They were soon blessed with two kids before they began to experience the hiccups associated with arranged, silver-spoon kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; marriages. The marriage eventually hit the iceberg when Gbenga sensationally accuse Moji of some wrong doings.

You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get it? Of course, the marriage broke down in the wake of that abominable accusation.

For several years, Moji shunned the

limelight and became a virtual pariah until she was later swept off her feet by Dr Akinkunmi, the urbane academic who later became Commissioner for Finance. In October 2016, after about a year in office, he was relieved of his position alongside Ekundayo Mobereola and Folorunsho Coker, former Commissioners for Transport and Tourism and Culture respectively

by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Moji was in love again and they soon moved in with each other. In 2011, she welcomed a baby boy in the United States. Years down the line, Moji is back to a path that has become all too familiar and familial. Mojiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father, the Ogun State-born billionaire businessman popularly called Alex O by peers, also parted ways with his wife of over 40 years, Lanre Adesanya-Onabanjo (aka Sisi Bus Stop), a few years ago. So is Mojiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s who has now moved into one of her fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s serviced flats in Parkview Estate, Ikoyi. With the incest stigma still hanging over her head, and estranged parents, would Moji ever get it right again with marriage?

Moji Obasanjo

Family Complications â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Not Mysterious Infernoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;...How Jimoh Ibrahimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mother Died, According to His Son

Ibrahim

Even from the aperture of his eyes, you could feel the dimple of sorrow.

From the look of things, it may take more than passage of time for the wound to heal. Some days ago, the tragic news of Jimoh Ibrahimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother, Theresa Jimoh, burnt to death right inside her bedroom went viral. As the story goes, the fire, which broke out at Road 3B8 Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lekki residence, where she lived was said to have been caused by a lit candle.

Eyewitness account said the 78-yearold Omofemiwa Jimoh lit the candle for prayers. However, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said the fire was caused by a power surge. While there have been some suggestions that her death was a spiritual attack, her kith and kin

insisted it was just a tragic accident.

According to a statement from her last child, Dipo Jimoh, the Chairman of Barama Energy Resources, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In respect of Mrs. Theresa Omofemiwa Jimohâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death, Dipo Jimoh (last child and the closest son of the late Mrs. Theresa Jimoh), who is the MD/ CEO of Barama Energy Resources debunks reports that the deceased died as a result of candle fire. I also debunk reports that her remains were deposited in the morgue by Lagos State Emergency Management Agency. I promise to face any heavyweight individual or group who plans to misinterpret or confuse the populace about the root cause of my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death. My mother died as a result of family complications and mismanagement. Full details later.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

City of David Parish Pastor, Idowu Iluyomadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wife, Siju, Celebrates 55 Like the early dew which moistens blooming bougainvillea, woman of style, Pastor Siju Iluyomade, ornamented Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high society with uncharacteristic verve and aplomb. Pastor Siju is full of enchanting song. Butterflies flit around her stomach and the fireflies dance in her eyes like the orbs of the eastern muse. She clocked 55 some days ago and she breezes through the hours like a virtuoso plucking guitar strings masterfully. Siju Iluyomade, wife of the Senior Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Idowu Olusola Iluyomade, arguably the most fashionable Nigerian female pastor, the Convener and Founder of Arise Women Conference.

She is profound and perceptive too thus she dictates and sets the pace in her social circuit. At 55, Siju symbolizes the incontestable affirmation of charm and ĂŠlan as acceptable traits in a virtuous woman.

Being a Christian, according to Siju,

should not sentence anyone to the dungeons of bleakness and aesthetic barrenness. Siju glamourizes her trendiness and love for high fashion as much as her love for God. For her, Christianity has evolved beyond conservative dress. Among other pastorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wives in Nigeria, she reigns as the queen of style and fashion.

Although she is a pastorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife, she remains the essence of glamour, elegance and unrestrained aura. City of David, arguably one of the richest RCCG parishes in Nigeria, is filled with elegant women who appear in church in elegant and immaculate dresses. But they mostly pale into insignificance compared to the flamboyance of their pastorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife. Her pretty face looks more like a work of art. She drives the best of cars and wears the most expensive of accessories. Heads turn each Sunday when she steps into church in appreciation of her beauty, while some ladies are simply green with envy. Her jewelry twinkles with

Pastor Siju

carats of diamonds and gem stones and causes the hearts of many to overflow with longing.

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HIGHLIFE

A Father Figure...Why Araba Morakinyo Sees Gbenga Oyebode as a Role Model Very few mortals make the famed mane of Araba Morakinyo, the CEO of confectionery outfit, Araba Homemade, bristle with awe at the mere mention of their name or with their presence. Aside her beloved husband, Tunde Morakinyo, a longtime aide of Senate President Bukola Saraki, the other person, arguably, is Gbenga Oyebode, the immediate-past Chairman of Access Bank and one of Nigeria’s most successful lawyers.

In a clime devoid of exemplary role models, it is no surprise that Araba sees in Oyebode, a quintessential role model and father figure like no other.

Indeed, who wouldn’t? Genial and avuncular Oyebode is the Chairman of Aluko & Oyebode, one of the largest integrated law firms in Nigeria with over 70 lawyers and offices in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Originally established in 1985 as Ajumogobia, Okeke, Oyebode & Aluko, circumstances would force the proprietors to go their separate ways thereby leaving the firm as it is today.

The firm prides itself as providing a comprehensive range of specialist legal services to a highly diversified clientele including top-tier Nigerian, international and multinational clients. A technocrat, investor and philanthropist extraordinaire, Oyebode is regarded as perhaps

Morakinyo

Nigeria’s richest lawyer. Not just that, he commands tremendous respect across the globe for his professional accomplishments.

Among other companies, he sits on the boards of MTN Nigeria, Nestle Nigeria and CFAO. Oyebode holds a Master of Laws from University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ife in Nigeria. Married to Aisha, daughter of slain former Head of State, Murtala Mohammed, who is co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, the Oyebodes have a garden walkway at the University of Pennsylvania Law School named after them, and were recently featured in Town & Country Magazine as two of the Top 50 Philanthropists to Watch in 2017.

His achievements are as compelling as they are lengthy.

Araba is the daughter of Taiwo Koffie Sagoe, lawyer and entrepreneur, who passed away in 2012, and Chief (Mrs) Modupe Sagoe, the doyenne of textile business in Nigeria. Her sister, Ekua, a lawyer and chattered administrator, is the proprietress of Greenwood House School, a high profile private nursery and primary school based in Lagos and former president of International Women’s Society, IWS.

Why Roli AdeniyiGeorge is Maintaining a Low Profile

J

ust as the droopy rose fades off the green meadow, Roli has virtually faded off the social scene. There was a time when love and profit went hand in hand in the marriage of Roli Adeniyi-George and former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Bode George. For the duo, wedlock unfurled like the lush and picturesque glade.

There was a lot of profit involved. Roli, who married Chief Bode George as a trophy wife appreciated in wealth and status particularly during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Her marriage to the PDP chieftain proved to be a well-thought out venture with attractive dividends. Her marriage to Bode George saw her bag two federal appointments within three years while Jonathan was president. It will be recalled that in 2011, she was appointed as a member of the National Population Commission (NPC) representing Lagos State; an act that pitted the Lagos State Government against the Federal Government because the former claimed that it was not consulted before the appointment was made. Roli later got appointed as the DirectorGeneral (DG) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). But ever since she got booted out of office by the incumbent administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Roli, had been discomfortingly quiet.

The former DG who maintained a showy public presence has since gone underground.

She jealously keeps a low profile at the moment. According to them, Roli secured the appointment under Jonathan due to her husband’s position within the PDP which was the ruling party at the time. Some other people argued that Roli understood that it was in her best interest to keep a low profile. Or have you seen her lately?

Dignity And Class As Sisi Modupe Sagoe Celebrates 77 There is nothing gorgeous about being draped in the finery that constricts the heart and soul. Modupe Sagoe understands this priceless fact hence her predilection for modesty and humility. The ravishing socialite who is reputed for her quiet demeanour effortlessly exudes dignity and class; the woman who projects as the nucleus and undying essence of the social scene even before contemporary celebrities were born, recently turned 77 and like a woman of true character and quiet nobility, she elected to celebrate her anniversary as a low-key affair.

It was a splurge of festivities at her Yaba, Lagos residence, where Sisi Dupe celebrated her birthday. The roll call of guests included family members, friends, top government functionaries and professional colleagues.

Sisi Dupe is regarded as one of the notable matriarchs within the Lagos social establishment. Over the last few decades, she has proved to be the only fabric merchant in Nigeria, who boasts of having a solid and rich clientele base.

Virtually most, if not all notable society women, source for their lace fabrics from her.

One tends to appreciate the enterprising spirit in this ageless society matriarch when one understands that she has dominated the textile industry for over fifty years.

Not only are her wares exclusive, they are also durable.

Till date, she remains the only African textile merchant who has been honoured by most of the textile firms in Switzerland and Australia. One of the greatest honours bestowed on her was the branding of the popular HOH Swiss headgear, Gele Sagoe, with her name.

There is something about Sisi Dupe that makes you want to know her better and love her the more. Maybe it is the smile, the seeming motherfigure personality, or her tendency to always make you feel special. Sisi Dupe’s disposition is such that after spending an hour with her, one would

L-R: Mrs. Sisi Sagoe and Mrs. Kemi Nelson

feel one has known her for ages. She wears humility like a garment, the way the society women wear her fabrics.

This is the hallmark of her personality, and it has won her many admirers within the society. A staunch member of the Anglican Communion, Sisi Dupe attends the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina. She once served as the President of the Busy Bees Association of the church. Social-wise, Sisi Dupe is

one of the most featured personalities within the Nigerian society. She is also an embodiment of style. Only few society women get it right when it comes to tying their headgears. And Sisi Dupe is one of such ladies Sisi Dupe is not just addressed as Sisi by her admirers for nothing.

She is from the Thomas family of Lagos Island, and she is very proud of her roots. Her step mother was the

granddaughter of the late Candido Da Rocha, one of the business moguls who dominated the Nigeria’s business sector during the earliest part of last century.

Her marriage to Taiwo Sagoe, the highly respected lawyer and entrepreneur, who died in December 2012 at the age of 85, was blessed with three children - Ekua Abudu-Akinsanya, Kofi Sagoe and Araba Morakinyo; and several grand-children.

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Adebayo Adeoye bayoolunla@gmail.com; 08054680651

SOCIETY WATCH

Late Sports Enthusiast, Deji Tinubu, Remembered About this time last year, the Tinubu family in Lagos lost one of their dear sons, Deji, to the cold hands of death.

But his memories live on. Indeed, for the Oando boss, Wale Tinubu, and other family members, the deceased can never be forgotten. According to Proverbs 10:7 ‘’The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.’’

Therefore, in celebration of his life and times, the City of David Parish of RCCG, Lekki, where he worshipped till he breathed his last, will today organize a solemn remembrance service for him.

Also, the family, at the instance of the Oando boss, will organise a remembrance gathering in honour of the departed soul at the family house in Lagos.

He died on January 25, 2018, having slumped while playing football at the retreat for members of the Lagos State Executive Council and Permanent Secretaries at the Jubilee Chalets, Epe, Lagos State.

Many will recall the funereal ambience as well as the tributes that poured in torrents from family members, friends, government officials and sports enthusiasts when he was laid to rest.

The late chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission was celebrated even in death with sweet and kinds words during the burial. The engineer-turned-football analyst gained recognition as a radio and television sports analyst with Sports Vision, which he set up with his business partners, Deji Omotoyinbo and Bode Oguntuyi.

He served as the chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission before he was elected as a member of the NFF executive committee. He was also Special Adviser on Sports and Chairman of the State’s Sports Commission and later moved to Commerce and Industry.

Doyin Group Boss, Samuel Adedoyin’s Geniality When Chief Samuel Adedoyin was setting out to attend the 79th birthday of his friend, Chief Razak Okoya, at the Oluwa ni Sola Estate, Ajah, Lagos, penultimate week, little did he imagine the attention his presence would generate.

The reason is not far-fetched. Just recently, the billionaire lost his daughter, Funke Adedoyin, to the cold hands of death. So, naturally, anyone would still think that he should still be grieving over the loss and would even be too devastated to attend a social function.

Though the Kwara State-born industrialist still misses his daughter, he honoured the invitation to the event out of his love and respect for his friend.

This means a lot to Okoya, especially when you realise that Adedoyin did not celebrate his own birthday last December out of respect for his deceased daughter.

Adedoyin’s name evokes a lot of images in the minds of many: success, wealth, connection, philanthropy and fellow-feeling, among others.

The Chairman, Doyin Group of Companies is everything you would wish to be in life. Providence, no doubt, has literally lavished its favour on him. Even as he just graceful turned 83 recently, it is evident that he still has a lot contribute to humanity.

Oil Magnate, Ifeanyi Ubah’s Dilemma

Ubah

If you say Ifeanyi Ubah, who sits atop Capital Oil and Gas, one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous oil companies, has been very lucky as a businessman, everyone will agree with you.

Evidence of his success as a businessman, particularly in the oil and gas industry, is visible to all.

He dines and wines with the powerful around the globe; and he has almost everything at his beck and call.

In view of his enviable height in life, many think that he should have been content as a businessman, striving harder to expand his business empire.

But driven by ambition, he ventured

into politics. Whether he thought out his political move or not remains a question begging for a satisfactory answer. How? The business tycoon seems to be in a culde-sac in his political journey. He has had to move from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, to the Labour Party, LP, and then Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP. It will be recalled that in November 2017, Ubah dumped the PDP and returned to APGA, after he was allegedly promised the APGA Anambra South Senatorial District ticket. Based on that assurance, he had supported the party in no small way.

But towards the party’s primary, the APGA leadership announced his disqualification on the ground that he did not apply and obtain the party’s waiver.

This was in spite of his huge contributions to the party. He was said to be responsible for the payment of rent for all the offices of APGA nationwide. He was said to have also provided the needed logistics to sustain the party leadership during the days of Senator Victor Umeh’s leadership struggle with former Governor Peter Obi. He was also said to be a part of those who assisted Governor Willie Obiano to return to power by delivering his Anambra South during the governor’s 2017 re-election campaign.

In the face of the disappointment, Ubah was said to have been heartbroken, as he had reportedly spent a lot of money to assist the party in the hope that he would be given the much-coveted Senatorial ticket.

Sources said the businessman, who has been facing some business challenges in recent times, was miffed over the betrayal by the party leadership.

Despite the disappointment, the wealthy businessman was not in a hurry to leave the party. He had thought that he would be able to right the wrong done him.

But he was mistaken.

Now, as the reality has dawned on him, he is said to be romancing the Young Progressive Party, YPP, where he is contesting the Anambra Senatorial District.

Ex-Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah’s Pains No doubt, this is a very difficult time for Senator Stella Oduah. In fact, no one would like to be in her shoes at the moment.

While she is battling to reclaim her mandate for Anambra North, a federal high court in Lagos, January 21, delivered a judgment in favour of Sterling Bank Plc against the former minister and her company, Sea Petroleum and Gas Limited, in a case involving the sums of $16,412,819.06 and N100, 493,225.59 respectively.

The monies were said to be the outstanding debts owed her company and duly guaranteed by the senator as of November 2016 to the bank with accrued interest.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Ayotunde Faji, while granting six reliefs out of the fourteen reliefs sought by the bank, issued order of attachment in favour of the bank against such entire assets of Sea Petroleum and Gas company, cash in bank, bond, deposit, real estate, stocks, all forms of negotiable instruments in all stock broking firms, discount houses, mortgage institutions, financial houses, microfinance houses, and all licensed banks within Nigeria, having Sea Petroleum as beneficial owner of funds to the full extent of the unsatisfied portion of the sum of $16,,412,819.06 and N100,493,225.59 respectively as at November 2016 and other accrued interest.

The court also held that having regard to the clear and unambiguous provisions of the Deed of Guarantee and Indemnity personally executed by Oduah in favour of the bank over facility advanced to the Sea Petroleum and Gas company Limited that has failed upon demands to liquidate same, Judgment could be granted against Senator Stella Oduah for the unsatisfied portion of the sum owed by Sea Petroleum and Gas company to the bank.

The judgment was sequel to a debt recovery suit filed before the court by Oluwakemi Balogun, SAN, on behalf of Sterling bank Plc. It was supported by an affidavit sworn to by Business Manager, Maritime of Sterling Bank Plc, Segun Akinsanya, with 34 exhibits attached. Akinsanya, in the said affidavit, averred that on October 8, 2012, the bank granted a lease /cabotage vessel finance facility

Oduah

to Sea Petroleum and Gas Company in the sum of $10,069,620.25 to finance one unit 5,000 MT tanker vessel.

The loan was secured by unconditional personal guarantee of the company director, Oduah, supported by statement of her net worth, legal mortgage of two properties worth N135 million, Power of Attorneys of the tanker vessel in favour of Sterling Bank and fully executed irrevocable standing payment order and tripartite remittance agreement between First Bank plc, Sterling Bank and Oduah. It was further averred that between June 27, 2013 Sea petroleum Company requested and was granted additional facilities in the sum of $449,600.00 for post-delivery expenses, $642,954.00 and $350,000 to meet the requisite conditions of the Federal High Court in securing the release of the tanker.

However, in her counter-affidavit, Oduah contended that the vessel purchased with the loan facility was registered in the name of Sterling Bank until the defendant discharged the facility.

According to her, the bank was to appoint technical managers for the vessel to ensure it is in good condition.

However, the managers appointed by the bank mismanaged the vessel resulting in several losses to her company. The bank, she claimed, ignored all pleas for the managers to be changed; hence, the company, Sea Petroleum and Gas Limited, not meet up with its financial obligations. She also argued that the non-payment of the loan was thus occasioned by the bank’s inaction and it would be unjust to impose on the company the liability occasioned by the bank’s inaction.

“The bank still retained the Vessel since ownership was in the bank.

“The bank would have been expected to sell the vessel, but failed to do so, in spite of the company’s consent to the sale.

“The bank is not also seeking a sale of the vessel in this suit.

“Consequently, the impossibility of performance is a defence to claim for specific performance. “Where a plaintiff defaults in his obligation under an agreement, he or she cannot succeed in an action for specific performance,” she further submitted.

In his judgment, Justice Faji held that “The defendant, by letter dated 6/2/15 acknowledged its indebtedness. This is part of plaintiff’s case to show that the debt is not disputed. “The defendant did not comply with the repayment under the various facilities. The Sea Petroleum and Gas Limited’s statement of account for the period 1/9/12 to 24/11/16 shows a debt balance of $16,412,819.06 and Naira debit balance of N100, 493225.59.

“As regard Sea Petroleum, therefore, it is clear that the company was all material times indebted to Sterling Bank, Stella Oduah guaranteed the indebtedness and issued a guarantee and indemnity.

“The bank was to have a lien upon the immediate right of set-off against Stella Oduah whether on any current, deposit, domiciliary or other accounts and assets.”

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 27, 2019

SOCIETY WATCH

Ladi Adebutu’s Loss

Adebutu

At the moment, Ogun State-born politician, Ladi Adebutu, is extremely angry.

The cause of his anger, it was gathered, is not unconnected to his unsuccessful bid to realize his governorship ambition in the state.

Adebutu, currently a House of Representatives member, is said to have spent a fortune towards securing the number one job of Ogun State.

In fact, a source revealed to Society Watch that the son of the Lotto boss, Adebutu Kessighton, has pumped billions of naira for this purpose.

But it seems all his efforts may have amounted to naught, as his archrival, Buruji Kashamu, is said to be having the last laugh. Reports reaching Society watch show that he will not be flying the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP ticket

in the March 2 governorship election, as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has left out his name in the candidates’ final list, despite the support of the party.

However, the source hinted that Adebutu is not going down without a fight; he is ready to fight to the finish like a wounded lion.

For those who have been following the political developments in the Gateway state, the war between the lawmakers has been a lingering one, despite several interventions from other bigwigs in the party.

Kashamu is reputed to have a knack for picking lawyers versed in the ways of the Nigerian legal system to help him win his cases, but Adebutu seems to have misjudged him, thinking he could beat him to the game.

Coliseum Set to Host Sanwo-Olu Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the All Progressives Congress, APC Lagos State governorship candidate, will mount the stage at the Niteshift Coliseum, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday, January 27.

He will join the league of other top and powerful politicians who have been hosted at Nigeria’s number one celebrity hangout.

The strictly-by-invitation premium event tagged, Grand House Reception, GHR, will attract top politicians, captains of industry and patrons of the top-notch club.

During the night, SanwoOlu, an accomplished private and public sector administrator, will be treated to a lavish reception on almost 500-Square meter red carpet spreading around the courtyard of the event venue.

The APC standard-bearer, who is expected to mingle with high-profile guests, will later be ushered into the Coliseum’s main arena to be in the hot seat, where he will share his combined experience in both public and private sector.

Sanwo-Olu is expected to highlight his significant exposure to diverse assignments and responsibilities in the governance process, leading to his various appointments as three-time commissioner and immediate-past Managing Director of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation, LSPDC, among others.

He will cap it sharing his thoughts and plans for the Centre of Excellence

with the distinguished members and patrons and invited guests.

The GHR is a non-partisan highest honour accorded renowned Nigerians and respected members of the society by the upscale hangout turned event centre.

In the past, the club has played host to many other distinguished personalities, including former President Goodluck Jonathan; former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; ex-Senate Presidents, Anyim Pius Anyim, Adolphus Wabara and Kenneth Nnamani; former Ghanaian President, Jerry Rawlings; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigeria’s former Finance Minister; Mallam Nazir ElRufai, Kaduna State Governor; Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor; All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Lagos State Governor and Minister, Power, Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. Others are former Ogun State Governors, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose; former Abia State Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Advertising Icon, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, and the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, among others.

Speaking about the coming event, Ken Calebs-Olumese, Guv’nor of The Coliseum, said, “it will be a sevenstar, with all the glitz, glamour and razzmatazz known with the Club.”

Sanwo-Olu

Fashion Entrepreneur, Labake Adeola’s New Strides

Adeola

Labake Adeola, the brains behind the soar-away outfit, Signal Fabric, is one of the big players in the nation’s clothing sector.

From the outset, this industrious fashion entrepreneur aimed to change the narrative in the sector with Signal Fabric.

She knows the business very well and is always ready to correct any misconception about the business, as she says, “You do not have to be extravagant to be elegant. At Signal Fabric, everyone is classic. It’s not the price of your fabric that stands you out, but it’s what you make with it and how you can spice it up that translates to elegance; it is what differentiates the commoner from the classical.”

Her fascination with good fabrics and elaborate lines comes alive in her range of bespoke attire.

For Labake, who is into formal and informal female clothings, the fascination with fashion started over 20 years ago with

the support of mum at the popular Alade Market, Ikeja, Lagos.

When asked to explain how she has been able to keep her customers over the years, she said with glee that “Anything you do, it’s always best to be upright, sincere and open. Customer satisfaction has been our keyword.”

As part of her expansion drive, Signal Fabrics officially opened its new branch few weeks ago on Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the head office at Martins Street, Lagos Island.

The event had in attendance her family, friends, longtime customers, society women and well-wishers who came out to celebrate with the mother of three and wife of Yinka Adeola. Amongst the guests who graced the event were the Adeola Family, Sade Kilaso, Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc and her husband, Tunde Kilaso; Yeye Yetunde Ogbemudia of Nodony Fashion House; Olori Tokunbo Eko; Wosilat Seriki and Faith Band, among others.

Zidora Group Chair, Arinze Madueke’s Philanthropy It is a fact that the success stories of most developed countries of the world have a lot to do with the pristine visions of some members of those societies.

Therefore, true nationalism is when the visionary content of a man accommodates goals concerning his personal growth and development and that of his or her country in general.

In today’s Nigeria, one of the few who have risen above all odds to impact their society is Dr. Arinze Madueke.

He is what he is today simply because he has refused to listen to the whispers of short-span satisfactory contentment. He has also tried to change the narratives in many sectors of the economy in his capacity as Chairman of Zidora Group of Companies.

This great philanthropist, now in his 30s, owns a number of thriving businesses, including Zidora Travel and Tours, Zidora Errands & Logistics, Zidora Consults, Zidora Media and Communication Limited, Zidora Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals Limited, Zidora Real Estate, Zidora Agriculture and Food Services Limited, Arigo Technologies International Limited. Interestingly, he has also been rendering invaluable services to humanity via his Zidora Aid Foundation, which gives succour to the needy in and outside the country.

Through the Foundation, the Anambra High Chief has built houses and given scholarships to many indigent students.

Society watch gathered that his beautiful wife, Chioma, has been most supportive in his chain of businesses. The mother of three, it was also learnt, is blessed with enviable leadership qualities, a factor that has also helped in the growth of the conglomerate.

Madueke

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LOUD WHISPERS

with JOSEPH EDGAR (09095325791)

The Duke : ‘I Belong to All and No One’ Abi, no be so baba talk am for 2015? I had a long conversation with a friend deep in the APC machinery in Lagos and her revelation was shocking. Apparently, I have been declared PDP and that I am being regarded as one within the APC circles. See as people want to come and increase my land use tax and PHCN bill when eventually Sanwo-Olu is crowned.

I belong to no one o. Let me shout o!

I am not PDP. I don’t even know what their logo looks like o. Please help me photocopy this column and show Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Osinbajo, Amaechi and the rest of them that today, I declare that I am not PDP in any way, form or PVC. I don’t know them and have never attended any of their rallies. No wonder Osinbajo has

not sent Tradermoni to me, No wonder my PHCN bill is so high. Na N40,000 I pay last month. They say ‘join APC and get all your sins forgiven’, na true. My people you see, no be to join PDP be the wahala, but after what we have gone through in the last four years do you blame anybody if like the children of Israel after seeing suffer in the desert beg to be taken back to Egyptian bondage?

This change they promised us since 2015 na different kind of change o. It has changed everything with kwashiorkor being our lot and our teenage daughters turning into prostitution to provide food for whole families. Yes, I kid you not, that is what this change has turned us into: a country of prostitutes. So for me it is

Atiku

ELECTION DEBATE – BUHARI RUN, ATIKU DODGE Me I was never interested in that debate simply because it has no effect

on the outcome of the elections. The people who will go out there to vote do not understand the big English they will blow on the podium. Instead they are all nestled in their various motor parks and caves drinking their paranga and kaikai after receiving their trader mon…….. sorry stomach infrastructure. But this time we were all really interested in the debate because it looked like the President and Commander in Chief would be on the rostrum and also our American returnee was flying straight to the debate.

Kai, I was nestled at the serene and exquisite Resort in Ogbomoso with my friend and partner who wants to go to the House of Representative - Oyelami Adekola enjoying my life when the time for debate came. Mbok, I left all I was doing o, jumped on my laptop and began watching Channels TV o. One by one, they started coming out. It was first the Lilliputians in their Sunday best with Fela Durotoye looking very handsome in his all white ensemble winning the award for best dressed. But wait o, where did they get the Oyinbo moderator? I am sure it was to get a balance before we start to have another Amina Zakari wahala so we went to Libya to get a non-aligned moderator. But as the man dey talk, dem give am note say Buhari is not coming again o and Atiku don vex. Kai, which kind of country is this one na? Common thing like debate see all the drama. What pained Atiku the most was the fact that he had planned to branch the south of France for a small relaxation before coming back only to be rushing down, take his bath and wear new Agbada with perfume, brush teeth and swig small brandy all so that he can come and ‘attack’ Buhari. Now Buhari no show. So did we now expect him, former Customs Boss, former VP, former OBJ errand and whipping boy, husband of Titi and Jennfer and others not declared risking a date with CCT to come and be debating with motivational speakers? He just call Saraki, common let’s go. That is

Buhari

not in the labelling, APC or PDP it is in securing our lives literally. In Nigeria we do not talk about future again, there is no future, it is today. So if it is because of my shout for better governance instead of ‘na ya fault’ governance that APC has given us since 2015, I am being labelled PDP, no problem. Make I be PDP and if PDP enter and also do this kind thing we are seeing, we will also shout and kick them out. So my dear, I am not PDP o, and certainly not APC but a true Nigerian with the right to seek and demand good governance and not to be fooled and still expect me to say thank you after rubbing my mouth in the mud for the past three and a half years in the name of change.

Thank you.

Fagbenro

Melaye

Okowa

how the debate end for me sef. I just look at the 30 girls wey Lami want to use as polling agents and say this Nigeria is not worth this sacrifice. So a whole President we have paid salary to for going to four years, cover him medical bills, give am free house and also pay for him food and holidays, say he too busy to come talk to us and then the one wey say him better pass am vex walk away come leave us with people who come debate with CVs for pocket, then why should I come and t kill myself? Nigeria is not worth dying for.

Thank you.

plane, Atiku could not eat. The fear was too much, what if the plan fails, what if the immigration man who was Ben Bruce landlord and who he was still owing some rent become funny? Atiku was not that comfortable at all, at that point he began to query the sanity of the trip. In fact, the sanity of the whole presidential race o. Is it not better if he went into lecturing on the culture of the Fulani-Herdsmen or containing of Boko Haram instead of a possible encounter with CIA? The guy can decide to be funny o. But trust Oloye, his confidence level is something else. He say, no shaking there is nothing that cannot be negotiated no be greenbacks. That is how we landed in America o, with Atiku in hooded top covering his bald head just in case.

This Atiku can fear, as we approached the immigration, he started to fear and shake. That he want to piss, that this presidency thing is not life and death, that he does not trust OBJ, that Owu Baba could have called CIA. By this time, Saraki don vex, that if Atiku continue like this, that he will run away o. Can’t he be a man and just keep a straight face na.

Saraki pass, Ben Bruce pass, two others pass and then it was Atiku’s turn. By this time, Atiku don die. He start to cry, the immigration man say hope no problem.

Saraki just jump in say, na him grand uncle and that he cannot speak English that they should ask him all the question.

Oloye, you know is not today, he answer all the questions confidently and boldly.

You see the way the man become Senate President as a member of APC using PDP senators, the open eye na first class. After all the procedure they stamp Atiku in.

Atiku just before they enter the keke Marwa for Washington hold Oloye and look him squarely in the eyes and say, Oloye you na M C Oluomo. Kai. Thank you. To be continued. Come afang summit and hear the conclusion.

unlike the other fringe platforms remains the most structured and widespread. This better positions him and his party to gain from a fallout of a likely implosion from the big two parties. Now whether this would throw him into the presidency is what I really doubt but the possibility that it could put him on the table is very real. I hear him speak regularly and I see him quietly criss-cross the nation, seeking support and you see a determined being.

He was at the debate even though he was not allowed to climb the podium, this has not waned his push. I root for him not because I see the presidency on him but because I see a major positional play from the run he will make this time. So guys watch out for Dr Fagbenro of Kowa,

ATIKU’S ABUBAKAR AMERICAN TRIP – THE REAL STORY

You see as someone who has access to the inner workings of the Atiku camp, I am proud to say that I am very privy to the real story behind the trip. As they say on CNN Backstory, It all began when at one of our meetings, it was mentioned that this our oga’s inability to enter the US in the last 12 years would be used to devastating effect during the campaigns if nothing was done. There and then it was agreed that by crook or not, the trip must be made. We agreed to use Melaye as decoy to distract the police. So when they were sending their best brains to go lay siege to his house, we were perfecting the plans. Please note that all 6,000 officers who went to lay siege at Melaye’s house all passed the police officer cadet course in flying colours abi you no see the way they moved in like those American SWAT teams we see on TV. Even when Melaye come out and see the shakara, he quickly faint. Mbok today is not for Melaye, na Atiku. So we agreed to fly to the UK first and then send our own fake Atiku to the US to test the waters. Our own Jubrin .You know how you walk thru a minefield, you will first throw stone and if it explodes, you don’t go near. As we speak, we have not seen the first Atiku we sent. But I suspect he crossed into Mexico to go stay because between Atiku and Buhari, he no see hope. Well, we were not going to give up. We continued the plan. We invoked the spirit of our ancestors to advise and guide us . So we moved in a convoy and took off. Inside the

DR. SHINA FAGBENRO – THE DARK HORSE?

In my estimation, Dr. Fagbenro of KowaParty if properly guided could be the dark horse in this contest. Kowa party

THE DUKE OF SHOMOLU PAYS COURTESY CALL ON GOV. OKOWA

This was supposed to be a wellpackaged and rehearsed visit to His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. The visit was aimed at discussing bilateral issues and forging a strong cooperation between Delta state and the people of Shomolu especially in the areas of rehabilitation of single women in Delta State. So in my entourage was world-famous Mudi and ace photographer Joshua. Joshua is a veteran photographer who has practiced his profession with the legendary Peter Obe. So that was how we landed in Warri and immediately headed to one joint to eat starch and banga soup with a complimentary Edika ikong by the side so that I could feel at home. As we ate, the signal came that His Excellency was waiting. We immediately proceeded to his lodge tucked somewhere in Warri. As we approached the gate, one nice policeman emerged and asked us what and who we were. We immediately showed him the Shomolu Coat of Arms and played the Shomolu Anthem which was written by the late Inyang Henshaw and must be played before any introduction of the Duke is made. At the end of the fiveminute song, and a small salute by all the Akwa Ibom policemen on duty who were seeing their Royal Duke for the first time in their lives, the policeman at the

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JANUARY 27, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

LOUD WHISPERS

Durotoye

gate which I am sure was a Cameroonian gendarme because he did not recognize me announced that only Mudi got the security clearance and the rest of us would have to wait outside. I tried to contain my anger, Okowa!!!!! Okowa!!!!! Refused to see me, the Lion of Shomolu not Bourdillon o, the 662nd in line to the throne of her Royal Majesty The Queen of England and a distant cousin to field Marshall Idi Amin Dada of Uganda. I told them to play my National Anthem so that I can make a dignified exit. After the song, I looked at Mudi and said, to him what my brother Fashola said during his Senate hearing that ‘May your loyalty not be tested’, let’s go.

Mudiagha Enajomo Clement looked at me and said, The Duke go wait for Hotel, I dey come, make I go piss inside Governor’s Lodge. As at the time I write Mudi still never come out for Okowa Lodge. Need to see Fashola for advice on how to handle this severe test of my loyalty by this Mudi.

Kai, Okowa disappoint me - in tuface voice.

MUDI AND THE UGHELLI PROJECT

What took me to Ughelli this week was the reconstruction of the strategic Post Office Round about in Ughelli North by influential Fashion Designer Mudi as part of activities to mark the 25th anniversary of his brand and 50th birthday. So this event took us to Delta State which afforded us the opportunity to feel the pulse on the ground regarding the coming elections. So as not to colour the activity with politics which will not be fair to Mudi, I will say little on the matter. Let me just say the status quo in the state looks like it will be maintained.

Well, we visited the palace of the Ovie of Ughelli. A kind gentleman who gave me Kolanut and N500. From there we paid a courtesy call on Chief Agofure, the billionaire owner of Agofure Motors. He was so unassuming and humble, giving us advice on community development and the need to remain very philanthropic especially at these times.

On the day of the event proper, we were up and ready. The structure itself is a huge edifice that collates into a mighty, magnificent bronze casted statues of three Urhobo figures dancing to a beat only they can hear. His Excellency Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa and his very beautiful wife, the First Lady of the state were on hand to cut the tape. Assisting him were very prominent sons and daughters of the land including the scion of the legendary Ibru Family, Oscar Ibru, former Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry Dr Steve Oru and of course, His Royal Majesty the Ovie of Ughelli.

Mudi in his speech, thanked the governor for accepting to come and open the structure, stating his reason for the project as his love to give back to his community, empower the youth and create jobs. He further averred that this was chosen over a huge party celebration that was the norm in our society these days. His Excellency in his own response thanked Mudi very well and used the opportunity to call on other well-meaning sons and daughters of the community to also emulate Mudi and stated his government’s willingness to partner with such deserving citizens on projects like these that beautify communities. After which he cut the tape and I ran back to the airport, hungry don kill me.

SAINT FELA DUROTOYE

When they introduced him on stage, he walked out in this very clean white

Sodje

Al Mustapha

OBJ BOMBSHELL – How Not to React You see as I read my brother Festus Keyamo and Garba Shehu’s responses to OBJ’s latest bombshell, I just laugh. These ones just start.

They don’t understand the strategy needed in handling a cobra like this baba. They need to go see my brother, the master strategist. Kai I have forgotten his name o – he is tall and like to wear black. He is a Calabar man, tall and fine small.

Charles something – yessss Charles Otudor. He needs to sit Keyamo and Garba down and teach them strategy, because what I am seeing here is amala strategy in response to the Hiroshima baba unleashes every six months. Responding and saying that baba has AIDS or is suffering from dementia and blindness does nothing to the crippling effects of his letter. Look everybody has abused OBJ since his 16-page attack. From Asiwaju, to Balarabe Musa and even Tony Momoh has woken up in Auchi to put mouth but none of them has addressed the issues baba has raised which remain very critical. What is the official position on his allegations against INEC and the sundry issues he raised? Yes, baba stole $16b power money, he betrayed Adekunle black scorpion and stole his wife. He even walked naked from Ota to Shomolu and he must retire because he is expired. How all these address the issues thrown up remains to be seen.

The man will just take his time, write poison and choose the right time and place to drop his bombs to maximum effect and as usual we will all be scrambling to be abusing him but the baba has done his own and gone back to his farm to eat ewedu and do bend bend sleep if he still can do it without a care. Even appearing at the Council of State meeting to do open prayers outfit looking and reminding me of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. He looked very fine o and for a second there, even me I thought he would have mistaken the podium for the church pulpit. As they asked him the first question to tell us his profile, the man just look into the camera and shout: I have trained 20,000 leaders, give job to another 10,000 and have like 60,000 followers on instagram and another 100,000 on facebook.

Na the qualifications to be president be that o. You see, I have been very harsh on Fela’s candidacy simply because to me, he personifies the seriousness of our generation. Immediately after the debate, I rushed to get Tony Blair’s biography especially the way he threaded through in berthing the New Labour Platform. What could be more conservative than a British institution that is over 100 years old? But he and his people had a vision of true change. They prepared themselves, went on tutelage, understood the system and when

Keyamo

of this footballing family in the UK. Three brothers, one of them even who played for our country at one of the World Cups being sent to jail for pilfering monies from their charity. Monies meant for the young children of the Niger Delta, they were just cutting cheques for themselves living the life. Today according to the judge, they have disgraced their family and nation (?). Na lie, they no disgrace the nation o, na themselves they disgrace. We are a nation of very honest people and these kinds are in the minority.

For me, all these our prosperity pastors are at risk when the time comes for true accountability. Or how else can you explain these guys living like Hollywood stars without any visible source of income except being GOs like say them dey go learn that one for school? Time is coming, very soon our GOs will start sweating when them ask them simple question – what is the source of this Rolls Royce? And them go say na from tithe, then we go see if Jesus will come down to do surety for bail.

FESTUS KEYAMO – HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Obasanjo

while laughing at us as we scramble to Yaba Psychiatry to unearth his file. See if you ask me, the best way to handle baba is to just ignore him. Anytime he sends those letters, we all just ignore and continue with life. That is all. He enjoys all this attention and all the abuse does nothing to him but keeps him in the spotlight. So Keyamo if you ask me, better run to Prof. Wole Soyinka who is a sworn enemy of baba and let that one carry the fight so you can concentrate on sealing the holes in this our sinking ship. By the way is it true that baba has scabies in his bum?

I never hear that one yet in response to his pertinent letter. Na wa. they felt the time was ripe, they caused their revolution. They did not achieve this by going thru the shortcut and be wearing white suit and be going to Facebook and be collating ‘likes’ from people who are liking the picture of the suit or hair style and who do not have PVC. Can you just jump on a plane and start flying because you have a vision or because you have hope? All these kind people with no experience, no understanding and no base are all wasting our time and just jumping into the fray wanting to rule 180 million people just like that make me angry and they always end up like he did on that podium that night motivating only themselves. Let’s get serious please, this is a very important country and not a kindergarten gathering. Fela wake up and smell the coffee.

THE TRAGEDY OF THE SODJE BROTHERS

We have seen reports of the conviction

So I even senior this my brother, because he big and get small belle I will be respecting him not knowing that I senior am sef. But the man has made his mark whether you like his style or not and we are all very proud of him. He has raised the bar. After all President don write am letter for him birthday. My own this July we dey see if the Local Government Chair go write that is, if them never impeach am by then.

Keyamo is today an enigma and a colossus who at a very young age forced himself into our consciousness with the singleminded and almost fearless approach to advocacy.

Don’t let me talk too much before they say I am now APC. I just want to say happy birthday my brother and remember no matter how this turns out, win or lose, you remain a huge colossus and we respect and fear you. Mudi show me your house for Ughelli abi na Warri. I see am. Well done.

AL MUSTAPHA FOR THE AFANG SUMMIT

You see the man is bold but would you expect less from him? Former Intelligence officer, national James Bond and chief bodyguard of the greatest ruler ever, the dark goggle-wearing supremo. You see when I heard of this candidacy, I wrote on this same column. I yab the living daylight of the paddy. I call him a waste of time and begged his running mate my brother Chief Opara to go and get SME Loan to start a hatchery somewhere. Well as it is, they have sent in a signal that they would be coming to the Afang Summit with 12 Strong delegates to take all our questions and probes.

I don admire the guts because the Afang summit is usually a very ‘terrible’ place for candidates who come not prepared. Ask Dr Shina Fagbenro who after all the grilling could not eat his Afang again, he just eat the meat and drink palm wine go. So Mustapha and Opara ticket is coming to the summit to take our questions and eat our Afang just before they commence their national rally.

Well, trust me na, I will keep you guys posted. Already the interest this has generated is unprecedented with people signifying interest to come from all over the nation. Me, I won’t ask question o, because if I open my mouth gbege go burst. I will just eat my Afang and be

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R Ëž ANUARY 27, 2019

Time to Say Bye Baba, Bye Buhari Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă? Adeola Akinremi

T

hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing left in President Muhammadu Buhari that Nigerians cannot dispense with. His corrosive body with failing energy cannot provide the needed service that will justify his bogus payslip over the next four years, and in retirement.

Buhari has not answered what ailed him that made him choose London over Nigeria for his medical treatment, despite his promise to revamp medical infrastructure in the country.

And this, he has not also demonstrated that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a transparent leader since he has refused to tell us how much of the taxpayerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s money he spent for his treatment in a London hospital. It has been over a year since he has been asked those questions by reporters, but Buhari has turned deaf ears.

Tellingly, his intelligence level has dwindled.

He lacks the stamina that the office of a president requires. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a pariah leader without global connection. But the more apparent of his defect is his lack of integrity and dictatorship.

The man, who has broken nearly all his promises, including the one to govern by the rule of law and fair electoral processes, is luciferous, a deceiver and nitwit who diverts attention from his maladministration.

The state of our nation today has made it essential for me to find the courage to return to my column in order to continue to unearth the cost and consequence of having an invalid as president of Nigeria.

There are many reasons Buhari should not be re-elected as the president of Nigeria. First, his disrespect for the rule of law is a mockery of democracy that Nigerians fought very hard for.

I remember when I joined the civil rights movement to chase the military out of power as a high school student in 1993, following the annulment of M.K.O Abiolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s election, during street protests, I threw teargas canisters back at the police with my bare hands.

With bottle of kerosene, handkerchief and used tires as the best ammunitions we had for wiping our faces and for bonfire to create barricades on the roads, a number of us would dash forward to pick up teargas canisters before they explode and throw it back at the police. They had the firepower, but we had the fighting spirit that ultimately enthroned democracy.

Thus, it is embarrassing and disrespecting to the memories of Nigerians who died in the struggle for the enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria to have a despot like Buhari in power. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agree that his election in 2015, was a mistake necessitated by the clueless government of Goodluck Jonathan and lack of option for Nigerians to elect a better person, shall we continue to have this despot in power? God forbid.

Now, nearly four years after he arrived in Abuja as president, Buhari has spurned several judgments delivered by courts of law, turning justice on its head.

For instance, in Ibrahim el-Zakzaky vs. federal government, a case seeking restoration of fundamental rights to the Shiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ite leader and his wife, following their arrest in December 2015, after a demonstration that was provoked, the government of Buhari has constantly disobeyed court orders for the release of the incarcerated leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

Equally, former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has been in prison for as long as Buhari assumed power without real trial, and the government has disobeyed several court rulings for his release on bail, even when he lost his father.

We have seen a clampdown on journalists and commentators who write and speak against Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government such as the recent invasion of Daily Trust newspaper and the arrest of some journalists working for the newspaper.

In short, the robotic, lackluster leader has been picking and choosing judgments that fit his agenda.

Second, in Nigeria, â&#x20AC;&#x153;vote-buyingâ&#x20AC;? has been an alien phrase until Buhari came to power. Indeed, the Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government made â&#x20AC;&#x153;vote-buyingâ&#x20AC;? a popular phrase. It is either an election is declared inconclusive or rigged outright as we have seen in Osun and Ekiti States recently.

While Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s predecessor, former president Goodluck Jonathan, restored faith in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s electoral process by hiring trusted men as umpire, Buhari

Buhari has placed his interest above the country.

The unilateral decision to suspend the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mr. Walter Onnoghen, from office without constitutional basis and regard for legislative duties of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawmakers makes Buhari a dictator and unqualified to continue in a democratic office.

Though, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has asked Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to stay action on the weighty allegation of false asset declaration

by Onnoghen, which is more political in my view, given its timing, Buhari will go ahead and remove a CJN he has no constitutional power to remove, thereby precipitating constitutional crisis on the eve of presidential election, for which his name is on the ballot.

In February last year, when the famous American newspaper, the Washington Post began using a sloganâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Democracy Dies in Darknessâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; which it has not used in nearly 140 years of its existence, it apparently sought to keep a reputation for providing insightful news stories with its consumers, but I will borrow those four words for Nigerian situation and turn it around. I will say that Buhari has brought us to the end of democracy in Nigeria with the suspension of CJN Onnoghen and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to send him out of Aso Rock.

For me, this moment is surreal, a man who claimed to be honest has been tightlipped about many corruption allegations leveled against members of his cabinet, except to go after those who opposed his ideas. So far he has let us down and I know he will continue in that path if given a chance for another four years.

Clearly, Buhari has demonstrated that he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the character to be the president of Nigeria and he shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be given additional free ride during the February election.

Third, the record of deaths under Buhari has exposed his inability to secure our nation. The Boko Haram Islamists are still killing hapless Nigerians and the soldiers that are supposed to defend them are dying like chickens in the field without competitive firepower. The promise to end the insurgency is after all a broken promise.

And then, Buhari started using government money

to buy vote ahead of the election with a pretence to support petty traders. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s do a little analysis of the Tradermoni. The government claimed that Tradermoni is a jumpstart for petty businesses to enable them â&#x20AC;&#x153;get to the next level.â&#x20AC;?

The website, tradermoni.ng, which doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t offer any transparency about its processes lists categories of qualified traders to include bread seller, mai shai, wheel barrow pusher, mobile tailor, keke rider, mobile cobbler, fruits seller and others in their ilk.

There are political and economic reasons why Tradermoni is a vote-buying scheme. For political analysis, the Tradermoni is being doled out a few weeks to the election and the government is collecting statistics that is suspicious of clandestine plan to influence voters.

Though the government has said to the contrary, there are evidence that voters are providing their Permanent Voters Card details before accessing the loan. And why is it necessary for the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to be touring 36 states to launch Tradermoni scheme? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure the professor will agree it goes with opportunity agenda rather than having a genuine intention behind it.

Now, this is my simple economic argument against the Tradermoni, small businesses are less productive, less innovative, and pay lower wages than larger businesses. In fact, petty traders output to the economy are insignificant and cannot jump to any â&#x20AC;&#x153;next levelâ&#x20AC;? as the government wants us to believe.

This means income will always be lower. So when you anchor your economic policy on this kind of scheme, per capita income will always be lower, the country will always be poor when GDP shows up. This scheme is different from helping startups which can be key drivers of growth, if they develop so fast and rapidly.

The important question then is what is the spillover effect of the scheme on the economy? And what is the cost of the intervention to the government? These two questions, if answered honestly by this government will expose the corruption behind the scheme.

I agree that transformation of monetary system in a way that makes credit available without hassle will be important to economic growth, but such credit must go into productive economic activities that can bring meaningful change to everyone.

ARTS & REVIEW A

PUBLICATION

27.01.2019

A scene from the play

JOGBOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WAR AGAINST TYRANNY Cover continued on Page 70

EDITOR OKECHUKWU UWAEZUOKE/ okechukwu.uwaezuoke@thisdaylive.com

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ARTS & REVIEW\\DRAMA

Another scene from the play

JOGBO’S WAR AGAINST TYRANNY With its explicit political message, the stage play, Jogbo rekindles the spirit of activism as exemplified in the life and times of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, writes Yinka Olatunbosun

J

ogbo. Even that title may have understated the magnitude of the political message in this play written and directed by Joshua Alabi, the founder, Kinino-Koncepts Productions.

For obvious reasons, since late 2018, most theatrical productions in Nigeria have been laced with political themes and Jogbo is no exception.

Sponsored by The Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria, the plot of the drama is based on the story of Nigeria’s foremost activist, Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the mother of the Afro-beat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

Set in Abeokuta, the play traces the history surrounding the women’s anticolonial struggles in Egbaland against arbitrary taxations led by this woman of substance.

She founded the Abeokuta Women’s Union alongside her sister-in-law, Eniola Soyinka, the mother of the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

The union had an estimated membership of 20,000 women designed to protect and advance the rights of women. Ransome-Kuti organised literacy workshops for illiterate market women, actively participated in the struggle for Nigeria’s independence and women suffrage.

A radical response to the oppressive tax conditions of the period came when the Abeokuta Women’s Union (AWU) emerged under the leadership of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, who was a headteacher at that time. AWU thus united the working class and the middle class women and subsequently challenged the colonial as well as the patriarchal by structure and tyrannical by nature. That struggle led to the abdication of the high King Oba Ademola II in 1949, who was reluctant to yield to the demands of the women.

In the production, the director of

Another scene from the play, Jogbo

this minimal budget play explored the use of an amphitheatre inside Freedom Park, Lagos, using the stage flanks as green rooms. Four microphone stands were set strategically before the stage to project the voices of the cast in lieu of the relatively expensive head worn mics. The backdrop was an assemblage of colourful raffia mats, a simpler and cheaper alternative to electronic backdrops. Those mats restored the euphoria of cultural life, which make many modern technological interventions into theatre performances stifling.

Some actors played three roles. For instance, Julius Obende featured as headmaster, drummer and stage hand while Opeyemi Dada, the assistant director acted the roles of teacher and palace chief.

An impressive part of the characterisation was the casting of Jennifer Osammor as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. Osammor, best

known for her role of Mama Oji in the 2013 movie, Half of the Yellow Sun shares a striking facial resemblance with the play’s real-life heroine.

In the area of costume, props and make-up, Bisoye Kadiku made a conscious effort to dress the Jogbo women in traditional buba and iro (top and wrapper) for the market women while delineating the elite characters with their stylish dresses as well as skirts and blouses. The natural hair looks for some of the women was spot.

Jogbo, marked by its feminist slant is a celebration of traditional aristocracy, activism and well-measured ethnic pride. The Egba women characters in Jogbo regaled in the self-appreciation of their taste in fashion, education and their ability to perform their conjugal duties with efficiency.

It’s also interesting to see the production company engage the youths with this show, which is really the aim of the founder.

“We think beyond a theme, a venue and an audience,” Joshua Alabi explained.

“We carve performances tat educate and enrich, creating avenue for young people to explore themselves in the arts and at the same time to pass on the gospel of theatre to the younger generations and instil moral values.”

Jogbo, rich in folkloric and comical elements, ended with the women’s message for the audience to sensitive them ahead of the next month’s general elections and their civic duties as the ruled. That message was echoed in the remarks by the Consular General, The Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria, Michel Deelen.

“The play says it all,” Deelen said.

“It dominates in the themes of political engagement-together you are stronger but you have to make a difference. If you just sit down and you don’t take action, nothing will happen. I think this was a very clear message. Indeed, we have elections next month. It is everyone’s responsibility to vote.”

Remarkably, The Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria supports initiatives that lead to awareness, respect for human rights and supports economic as well as human development.

“Through this play, we advise active engagement and hope that this steers discussions that will further create an aware citizenry,’’ he stated.

Other projects by Kininso Koncepts Productions later this year include “World Clock’’ a collaboration with Theatre Haus, Franfurt, Germany; a touring performance titled, “Sorry’’ which sensitises and creates awareness on the political terrain in Nigeria and, of course, the Kininso International Festival of Theatre, a children’s theatre which is a cultural staple at the annual Lagos Book and Arts Festival (LABAF).

5 ) * 4 % ": t SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2019

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CICERO

Editor:Olawale Olaleye Email:wale.olaleye@thisdaylive.com, SMS: 08116759819

IN THE ARENA

Olusegun Obasanjo is Back!

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is genuinely patriotic and unapologetic about it, writes Olawale Olaleye

H

e is not infallible and unlike many in his class, does not pretend to be. He is conscious of his humanity. Even more stupefying is that he flaunts his patriotism without minding whose ox is gored. That’s the vintage Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former president and patriotic leader of all times.

For some time now, Obasanjo had been quiet, but not before leaving behind some issues for the presidency to contend with. Before reclining briefly into his shell, he had declared support for his former deputy, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and had also warned that re-electing President Muhammadu Buhari would mean reinforcing failure, at least, from all indications.

That was not the kind of thing that the presidency, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and their supporters wanted to hear. They refused to take it with equanimity and blew up so bad. But Obasanjo, who nursed no regrets about his position, dropped the bombshell and reclined into his shell for a while. However, there was a build-up to that.

Sometime in January of 2018, Obasanjo wrote a letter to President Buhari, advising him to turn away from the idea of a second term in office. He asked him to dismount from his horse in collective interest and save the country from the pending doom of ineptitude.

It was after dropping this and supporting the Atiku candidacy with a special call for a new Nigeria movement, which in turn gave rise to a political party that he went completely off the radar.

But to the shock of his traducers, he came back last week, this time with even bigger threat to Buhari’s election.

With just some 20 days to the presidential election, Obasanjo wrote yet another letter, where he accused Buhari of using security institutions to fight all his critics and opponents and warned that such a disposition could derail the nation’s fledgling democracy. To properly underscore his points, he went on to equate the president’s style to the era of the late former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Titled “Point for Concern And Action”, Obasanjo, in his 22-page statement said he had serious doubt about the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) integrity, impartiality and competence to conduct a fair, free and credible election.

He therefore warned Nigerians and the international community of the implications of being passive in the unfolding political events in the country, saying the price of liberty and sustenance of the nation’s democracy was eternal vigilance and appropriate reaction to ward off iniquities. He also advised Nigerians to be ready to pay that price and not rely on hollow words of callousness.

“Today, another Abacha era is here. The security institutions are being misused to fight all critics and opponents of Buhari and to derail our fledgling democracy.

“EFCC, police and Code of Conduct Tribunal are also being equally misused to deal with those Buhari sees as enemies for criticising him or as those who may not do his bidding in manipulating election results. Criticism, choice and being different are inherent trade mark of democracy. If democracy is derailed or aborted, anarchy and authoritarianism will automatically follow.”

Obasanjo

Pondering the way forward, Obasanjo said, “It is no use, at this juncture, to keep lamenting about the failure, incompetence, divisiveness, nepotism, encouragement and condonation of corruption by Buhari administration as there is neither redeeming feature nor personality to salvage the situation within that hierarchy.

“You cannot give what you don’t have. Bode George put it bluntly in his statement of December 3, 2018 when he said: ‘The other day, the Vice-President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo – a learned man, an enlightened person in all parameters – was seen at various markets in Lagos State and Abuja distributing N10,000 each to market women.

“What an absurdity! It was indeed an obscene display of executive recklessness and abuse of office.

Pray, where did the money come from? Was it budgeted for in the appropriation law? In more civilised nations, Osinbajo would have been impeached and prosecuted for gutting our collective treasury.

“What an act by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, number two man in the executive hierarchy; and what is more, a pastor of one of the Christian movements led by a revered, respected and upright church leader, Pastor E. A. Adeboye. Osinbajo must have gone for, if you can’t beat them, join them. A great pity indeed and which makes people ask the

questions. Any hope?”

It was not surprising that the Obasanjo statement was badly received by the presidency and the ruling party. A majority of their members and staff of the presidency had since come out to defend what the opposition described as ‘protecting their means of livelihood’.

Although a majority of those attacking Obasanjo do not even qualify to speak on or about corruption, their reaction to Obasanjo’s statement however presents the hypocrisy of the position. Obasanjo is unapologetically patriotic and that is common sense.

And had anyone followed Buhari’s situation recently – from his performance at the town hall meeting to his performance at some of the rallies in Delta, Kaduna and other places, it is obvious that Obasanjo had a reason to be worried and genuinely so. The president is tired. Age has clearly slowed him down and health taken a devastating toll on him.

There is no doubting the fact that the nation would do well if stakeholders look beyond the messenger and address the core of his message.

That way, the collective resolve to address some of Nigeria’s challenges and set in motion the course of building a dream country could be seen as altruistic.

P O L I T I CA L N OT E S

From the Presidential Debate

L

Buhari and Atiku...the battle this time

ast weekend’s presidential debate, in which both President Muhammadu Buhari and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, were absent had generated intense debate on the rationale behind the actions of both candidates, leaving the turf still uneasy.The debate controversy, unfortunately, pointed to quite many things ahead of the February 16 polls.

First, the truth of the matter is that the presidential election of February 16 is a contest between Buhari and

Atiku and thus, any other contestant is just a spectator in another form as Nigeria’s presidential race has always been a two-horse concern.

Therefore, if Buhari was not available, Atiku’s participation in the exercise would have amounted to a sheer waste of time as the man against whose record he would be accessed was not available. His decision to walk away was spot-on and in sync with strategy and good thinking.The outraged audience would not even vote any of the other candidates to start with and at the end of the day, it would be all about politics and who is able to think faster and ahead.

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BRIEFINGNOTES The Hypocrisy of Justice Mohammed Can the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Mohammed, who was a critical member of the National Judicial Council, which sanctioned Justice Obisike Orji by forcing him to go on a compulsory retirement for allowing himself to be sworn in as the Acting Chief Judge of Abia State without being recommended by the council, head the judiciary? Davidson Iriekpen asks

A

story was once told that when Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State in 2012 failed in his bid to foist Justice Joseph Oyewole on the judiciary as Chief Judge, he settled for Justice Gloria Oladoke instead of Justice Oyebola Ojo. Investigation revealed that at the meeting of the National Judicial Council (NJC) as Justice Oladoke introduced herself as the acting Chief Judge of Osun State, below was the response she got from the then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and Chairman of the NJC, Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar: “Who invited you here? You don’t belong here. Please excuse us. Get out!”

THISDAY gathered that it took this decision by the NJC for Governor Aregbesola to know that he should follow the rule by appointing the most senior judge of the state.

In Rivers State, a few years after, Justice Peter Agumagu, who was appointed Chief Judge by Governor Chibuike Amaechi was rejected by the NJC equally headed by Justice Mukhtar. The NJC had directed that Justice Daisy Okocha be sworn in as Chief Judge of the state, a decision Amaechi refused to comply with.

The NJC consequently queried and suspended Justice Agumagu as a judicial officer by the NJC for allegedly violating Section 271(1) of the constitution by submitting himself for confirmation by the state House of Assembly and swearing-in by the governor as the state’s substantive Chief Judge without being recommended by the council.

The body claimed it acted pursuant to paragraph 21(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

The most recent was on March 14, 2018, when the council at its 85th meeting under the chairmanship of Justice Walter Onnoghen, declared the suspension of the Chief Judge of Abia State Justice T. U. Uzokwe, by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as unconstitutional.

It also sanctioned Justice Obisike Orji, by forcing him to go on a compulsory retirement for allowing himself to be sworn in as the Acting Chief Judge of Abia State without being recommended by the council. It stressed that the decision to suspend the chief judge and the swearing-in of an acting chief judge without the input of the NJC was unconstitutional, null and void.

The NJC statement then said: “The suspension of the Chief Judge of Abia State (Justice Theresa Uzokwe) by the State House of Assembly without a prior recommendation by the National Judicial Council violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Consequently, the subsequent act of appointing and swearing-in of Justice Obisike Orji as the Acting Chief Judge is invalid for being unconstitutional. Furthermore, the conduct of Justice Obisike Orji in presenting himself to be sworn in raises potential questions of misconduct that Council is now looking into. Council therefore resolved to query and suspend Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji pending the outcome of its investigation.”

The above carefully demonstrates the importance the NJC attaches to the adherence to the constitution and due process. But all these were shattered on Friday when President Muhammadu Buhari unilaterally suspended Onnoghen and promptly swore in Justice Tanko Mohammed.

Though the president defended his action by citing an order from the Code of Conduct Tribunal, directing Onnoghen’s suspension, his action has been described by a cross section of lawyers and others as a judicial coup.

Onnoghen’s travails first began in 2016, when the president refused to confirm his elevation as the CJN. But as fate would have it, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who was then the Acting President, swore him into office when the president was away on medical vacation.

About six months after he took office, there were rumours that he was being investigated, but each time

Acting CJN, Mohammed in handshake with President Buhari at Aso Villa, Abuja...recently the rumour came, the agencies accused would deny it. precedents dictate that the allegations must be referred to However, on January 7, a civil society group, the Antiand handled by the NJC and it is only after its pronounceCorruption and Research Based Data Initiative, filed a ment can the federal government’s prosecuting agencies petition with the Code of Conduct Bureau, accusing him proceed against him before any tribunal or court of law. of corruption and false declaration of assets.

In 2012, the Supreme Court ordered the Kwara State A six-count charge was drafted at the Code of Conduct to reinstate its former Chief Judge, Justice Raliat EleluTribunal (CCT). Initially the presidency denied having Habeeb, who was sacked in 2009 by Governor Bukola anything to do with his arraignment. In spite of the Saraki. The apex court in its judgment stated that under criticisms that the move against Onnoghen did not follow the 1999, the governor did not have the power to sack her laid-down rules, the trial proceeded with unusual speed. from her position without the approval of the NJC. Last Thursday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in “It is not difficult to see that for the effective exercise its ruling, ordered the CCT to stay action, pending the of the powers of removal of a chief judge of a state by the determination of Onnoghen’s application that the CCT governor and House of Assembly, the first port of call by had no power to try him. the governor shall be the NJC,” Mahmud stated.

But while Nigerians were waiting for the ruling, the Her removal from office on May 4, 2009 by the State president on Friday confirmed the fears that it was indeed Executive Council was ratified by the House of Assembly behind the travail of the embattled CJN by proceeding following Saraki’s request. Justice Elelu-Habeeb sought with his suspension and the swearing-in of the Justice redress in court Mohammed in acting capacity.

However, in its judgment, a panel of seven justices of The question begging for answers from observers is, the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Mahmud, should Mohammed have taken the position, when as a held that under the 1999 Constitution, the state executive critical member of the NJC, he was part of the decision council and the governor cannot remove any judicial that forced Justice Orji to go on compulsory retirement officer or a Chief Judge of a state without some input from for allowing himself to be sworn in as the Acting Chief the NJC and ordered her immediate reinstatement.

Judge of Abia State?

According to him, the NJC is equipped with the They reasoned that both the suspension of Onnoghen personnel and resources to investigate the inability of the and swearing-in of Muhammed in acting capacity by chief judge to discharge the functions of his office and President Buhari followed the same pattern of how the subject of disciplinary action of removal through the Justice Theresa Uzokwe was suspended by the Abia committees of the council.

State House of Assembly and Justice Orji subsequently After citing several sections of the constitution, Justice sworn in as acting Chief Judge of the state by Governor Mohammed further held that: “From these very clear proIkpeazu. visions of the constitution, which are very far from being Besides, Section 292(1)(a)(i) of the Constitution is very ambiguous, the governors of the states and the houses of explicit on the due process for the CJN removal, when assembly of the states cannot exercise disciplinary control it stipulates as follows: “A judicial officer shall not be touching on the removal of chief judges of states or other removed from his office or appointment before his age of judicial officers in the states.” retirement except in the following circumstances . . . in Just like in the above stated case, not only does the the case of . . . Chief Justice of Nigeria . . . by the president president have not the powers to unilaterally remove acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of Justice Onnoghen, he did not contact the Senate or the the Senate.”

NJC before the action was taken and therefore, his action Also, with respect to the trial of the CJN before the typifies impunity and disrespect for the laws of the land, CCT on the assets declaration charge, established judicial which he swore to uphold.

NOTES FOR FILE

Is the Graft Debate Really Expedient?

Buhari

For obvious reasons, the 2019 campaign is being subtly and gradually reduced to corruption debate, since it appears the only issue that appeals to the average Nigerian. For instance, after regaling the public with how much an individual is alleged to have stolen, supported with sensational and screaming banner headlines, the tendency that an average Nigerian would pick up the battle is high, even without first ascertaining the veracity of such claims. The evolving culture of naming and shaming is the in-thing now and everyone desires to be part of the fun.

Unfortunately, attempt to do the corruption debate with a view to placing this current administration on a high profile does not appear to align with the reality. As bad as it was, the PDP government dealt more with corruption cases and decisively so. There was the premium

case of DSP Alamieyeseigha, there was a Tafa Balogun, Bode George was wrongly convicted, there was an Abdulrasheed Maina, there was a James Ibori and indeed, there was a Stellah Oduah.

But currently, the picture that is palpable to everyone is that corrupt persons, take shield in the ruling party. They are shamefully protected and the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole unashamedly affirmed this when he said recently that sinners that run to the APC are pardoned. It does not appear there is anything expedient about the graft debate except that the candidates should stick to issues. The two major parties are populated by thieves. The only thing that distinguishes them, however, is their capacities to make hard choices and that is where Nigerians should focus during the elections.

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CICERO/REPORT

100 Days in Office: How Fayemi is Redefining Governance, Restoring Hope in Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi’s first 100 days in office has been marked by the implementation of populist agenda, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

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here is an exciting breath of fresh air in Ekiti State. The state appears to have put behind it the era of the penchant for hugging the headlines for reasons that were nowhere near giant developmental strides, economic breakthrough or human capacity development.

The new lease of life is borne of clearly defined governance principles founded on populist agenda and demonstrable commitment to its implementation without any form of media blitz or propaganda. This has been the hallmark of the first 100 days of the second coming of Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State.

Fayemi’s achievements in his first 100 days in office are expected given that he has walked the path before and has the requisite experience on account of what he has achieved within such a short period.

The governor hit the ground running with a familiarisation tour of the state. That tour of duty, score good points on two counts: It availed him with challenges before him, particularly in the area of infrastructure, and which he has to deal with.

Given the argument that some states need to rev up their internally generated revenue, the tour further availed him the firsthand awareness of the present state of some facilities with revenue-generating potential in the state, like the Ikogosi Warm Spring resort.

Undaunted by the rot he met on the ground, his quiet resolve to face the challenges head-on is not only commendable; observers said it was a fulfillment of his promise to shun vengeance.

Interestingly, a section of the state Fayemi was baying for an audit of the finances of the state given the alleged monumental heist perpetrated by the Ayodele Fayose administration. Many in the state are even disappointed that the governor was yet to make any statement on the financial status of the state since he assumed office.

Interestingly, Governor Fayemi has also set about resetting the governance mode. One of the first beneficiaries, findings revealed, is the educational sector. Even if it is nothing new, having been pioneered by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1955, he has declared education free from primary to secondary school level in the state. Before this, he had abolished the development levy imposed on students in primary and secondary schools in the state.

This is beside the fact that he also paid for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) and the University Matriculation Examination (UME) of all the SSS3 students in all the public schools in the state.

As a way to motivate the teaching staff, he announced a buffer of N200 million as housing and car loans.

Those familiar with the state lamented what has become of some of the state-owned tertiary institutions. The administrations of some of the institution were mired in the politics of the immediate past administration to the extent that professionalism and erudition suffered.

To address that, Fayemi set up visitation panels “to look into the activities of some of the institutions with a view to repositioning them for optimal performance,” a source in the state opined.

An overhaul of the leadership of some of the institutions being carried out as well as the constitution of new governing councils for the affected institutions, in line with the recommendation of the visitation panel.

Analysts interpreted the quick interventions in the educational sector as a measure of the premium that Fayemi places on human capacity development.

Expectedly, this resonated well with the people of the state given that Ekiti indigenes are reputed for erudition.

Fayemi had assured the people of the state when he was sworn in on October 16, 2018, that he would not embark on a vengeance mission like Fayose.

Many commentators welcomed the speech and reasoned that doing so would amount to dissipating energy on negative and unproductive exercise. But a section of the state argued that it was proper that he audits the Fayose administration given the alleged monumental heist perpetrated by that administration.

However, the approach of the governor, according to multiple sources in the state, was to carry out a holistic and professional audit of the state’s finances.

To this end, he has reportedly engaged leading professional services firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers.

This move draws plaudits among pundits. Besides, it would also eliminate any chances of politicizing the exercise and the attendant distractions that setting up a probe panel made of individuals, whose eventual findings could be discredited as having being political witch-hunt as is often the case. His early works have also been yielding quick win results.

One of the criticisms against the Fayose administration was the backlog of workers’ salary that it owed and what was due to the retirees. Even with the federal government bailout grant and the Paris Club loan refund, the Fayose administration still handed over several months of unpaid workers’ salaries to the Fayemi government.

It is, therefore, a welcome development that the Fayemi administration has dutifully paid workers’ salary and retirees’ pension due since he assumed office. In demystifying the payment of workers’ salary and retirees’ pension, the former Minister of Solid Minerals Development has also paid one month from the backlog that he inherited, which is a rare gesture even though the government is a continuum.

Findings in the state also revealed that utilities in the state are also getting attention from Fayemi. The $55 million Ero Dam treatment plant has commenced following the commissioning by Fayemi.

Some communities hitherto without power supply for years have also begun to enjoy power supply.

The communities include Erijinyan, Ipole Iloro, and

Ikogosi, in Ekiti West Local Government area of the state.

The kick-off of a capacity building training for over 5000 selected women and youths across the 16 local government councils of the state has also been described as one of the quick wins of the administration even as they argued that it underscores his commitment to human capacity development.

New findings revealed that the programme is in furtherance of the efforts of the government to promote policies, programmes and activities to enhance capacity-building, which ultimately leads to job creation and sustainable livelihood, which a source explained as “a re-enactment of the collaboration between Ekiti State and the federal government through the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) during Dr. Fayemi’s first term in office, but which was abandoned by Fayose.

It focuses on Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS), Micro Enterprises Enhancement, Beauty Therapy, and Demand Driven Skills of choice.

One criticism trailing the governor, however, bordered on his cabinet which he is yet to constitute. This criticism is shared by both politicians and observers of events in the state.

Those who share the sentiments said the delay is avoidable insisting that it would further put the governor under pressure from political groupings in the state.

One analyst, however, said the cabinet is being delayed among other reasons to see how the next general election pans out. According to the source that is based in the state, the outcomes of the election would determine how political appointments are shared among the key players in the state’s politics.

“The delay is strategic and for political reasons.

After the election, it would become clearer who needs to be compensated with what appointment, both at the state and federal levels,” the source explained.

In all, Fayemi has set out fine and the state is on its way to rediscovering itself after coming out of the year of the locust.

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PERSPECTIVE Why We Should Not Vote for Buhari Again Nosa James-Igbinadolor

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he Nigerian political atmosphere has become enlivened once again, with the 2019 general elections a few weeks away and more important, the future of our country as to whether we grow or we remain in a state of arrested development in our hands. These are indeed interesting times in Nigeria as we meander our way through this harmattan of despair we brought upon ourselves when we elected President Muhammadu Buhari into office in 2015.

As many of us wonder in incredulity at the dark outcomes of the votes of majority of those who honourably sought ‘change’ vis-a-vis the extremely bad governance, unprecedented nepotism, sickening religious bias, ethnic triumphalism and plain cluelessness of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government, the campaigns of Atiku Abubakar, Oby Ezekwesili, Kingsley Moghalu and Omoyele Sowore offer a spring of hope that this season of darkness could soon come to an end. Of these three, Atiku Abubakar is obviously the most electorally viable alternative to the incumbent.

At the end of the day, it is not really about Atiku Abubakar, who many regard as not being properly beatified himself. It is about the need to put to closure once and for all, perhaps one of the darkest chapters in our nations’ contemporary history. It is time for us to admit that we made an ungodly mistake in electing a provincially minded, cosmopolitan illiterate as President. A man who between 1985 when he was kicked out of office as Head of State and 2015 when he returned back to power, did not think it wise and appropriate to intellectually, academically and nationalistically improve himself. Sadly we are have all become victims of this foolish narcissism.

In his well-choreographed 2015 campaign, strung together by Bola Tinubu and the then dominant southwest wing of the party, Buhari promised to focus on three key priority areas when elected. He vowed to ensure the security of Nigerians by putting an end to Boko Haram and other forms of insecurity in the country. He threatBuhari ened corruption and swore to kill it before it killed us and Under Buhari, unprecedented massacre of peoples and also covenanted with Nigerians, that the economy would destruction of communities have been openly, blatantly change for the better. and systematically advertised by Fulani terrorists assured In these three areas and more, President Buhari and his of their protection by the certainty that their kith and kin unimpressive team of political mandarins have failed and control the commanding heights of state power in the failed woefully!

He hasn’t been able to end the insurgency in the North- country. Under Buhari, Tiv, Idoma, Berom, Irrigwe, Ibo, Yoruba, Edo, Hausa and countless other communities have East. Despite the propaganda of the government and its been subjected to the most extreme form of violence by social media evangelists, Boko Haram continues to inflict herdsmen militia including rape of women and girls! The violence on soldiers and a trinity of sorrows, tears and response of Buhari to these ethnic purveyors of sorrow, pain on innocent citizens in Borno and Yobe states. Under tears and pain has been a sickening threat to the victims Buhari’s watch, Boko Haram has murdered countless of these violence not to dare retaliate or respond in any number of civilians, continue to kill soldiers and capture form! Rather than throw the instruments of state coercion their equipment, behead their captives and launch frontal and violence against this clear and present danger to our attacks against Maiduguri and other cities in the region.

Under Buhari’s watch, swath of territories have since 2018 long sought for Pax Nigeriana, the President rather chose been captured by terrorists in the North-East and Zamfara. to throw the army and his secret police at the non-violent MASSOB. Yet this government and its congress of hailers continue Most of those who voted for Buhari in 2015 genuinely to propagandize about winning a war that is becoming believed he was going to put an end to corruption or at increasingly clear to the non-deluded mind that it has least tackle it. I knew it was never going to happen. His absolutely no capacity and no intension of winning. antecedents at the Petroleum Trust Fund which he ran between 1995 and 1998 did not give me minimal confidence that he had the capacity to deal with corruption. And in Every sector of the economy under this he has failed as expected. Four years after, Buhari has succeeded in replacing one class of “corruptocrats” this government has come under merely with a new class that has succeeded in capturing the state unparalleled internal shocks. for their personal benefits. It has become the usual to hear ‘Buharists’ and ‘Buharideens’ complain Whether aviation, banking, repetitively about a cabal that has held the President hostage and manufacturing or service, undertake the heist of state resources in his name. I am the ineptitude and failure of amazed that even rationally minded Nigerians expect a deaf, provincially minded President to come down government and government’s tone hard on the “corruptocrats” in his inner circle. I am equally policies have adversely affected dazed by the fact that Nigerians allude all the odiferous scandals that have plagued this President to a so growth and development. The weekly called cabal without interrogating why the President feels Nigerian Automotive Industry at ease with this shadowy cult. The reality is, if there is Development Plan designed by the a cabal, the President is the Capone of the cabal. That is they, the ‘cabal’ can operate with disdainful impunity past administration to stimulate why without a care for sanctions from the garrulous Ibrahim investments in domestic vehicle Magu and his inept EFCC. It is now not uncommon to not a few gullible Nigerians blame Citizen Abba Kyari production and assembly and which hear and Citizen Mamman Daura for the totality of Buhari’s had begun to bear fruits with the ineptitude. This trending cliché only ratifies the reality of establishment of more than six the evident intellectual and physiological feebleness of the Neither Abba Kyari nor Mamman Daura were private auto assembly and production president. elected into office. Buhari was. His disciples must learn to plants has been thrown aside by this blame him and him alone for the obvious lacuna in quality in the country. government, with its macroeconomic governance The state or rather ‘non-state’ of the economy under policies belying the capacity of these Buhari should more than worry all Nigerians. The reports the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the plants to survive of Nigeria Bureau of Statistics amongst others show that since

the third quarter of 2015 to date over ten million jobs have been lost under Buhari’s leadership with the economy wallowing in elephantine stagnation. In any sane society with pretentions to righteous anger, any government under whose watch such a monumental number of jobs were lost, would have been forced to either resign or be forcefully ejected out of office through people power. In Buhari’s Nigeria, the loss of tens of millions of jobs in less than two years went without a statement of regret from government or a whimper of protest from the usual crowd of rights activists many of whom are presently in an incestuous relationship with the Buhari government.

In this government’s hypocritical war against corruption, Ibrahim Magu has huffed and puffed at every public platform available to him, together with Buhari and the visibly loquacious Professor Itse Sagay, they have threatened and arrested their political opponents but have not yet secured any credible conviction in court. Perhaps if they sat back for once to do an introspective analysis of their colossal failures in this regard, they’d reach the conclusion that fighting corruption is never about breathing threats, throwing bombastic statements on Channels TV and slandering the reputation of Nigerians through press statements announcing their arrests for alleged felonies cum misdemeanors. Fighting corruption takes intellectual gravitas, hard work and good legal preparation which is increasingly clear are basic skills lacking in the drivers of this synthetic war against corruption. As long as Buhari, Sagay and Magu imperiously believe that Nigerian courts are obliged to pronounce guilt once they arrest and label an accused as corrupt, expected critical outcomes in their mock fight against corruption will remain inconsequential and corruption will continue to thrive.

Every sector of the economy under this government has come under unparalleled internal shocks. Whether aviation, banking, manufacturing or service, the ineptitude and failure of government and government’s policies have adversely affected growth and development. The Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan designed by the past administration to stimulate investments in domestic vehicle production and assembly and which had begun to bear fruits with the establishment of more than six private auto assembly and production plants has been thrown aside by this government, with its macroeconomic policies belying the capacity of these plants to survive.

The only faint hope to cling to in this government’s opulent mismanagement of the economy is agriculture.

Thanks to Dr. Adewumi Adesina’s reforms in the sector between 2011 and 2015, the agriculture sector continues to grow in spite of and despite the saturnine economic policies of this government.

Truth stares us in the face. The truth is that as his term comes to an ignoble end, we do ourselves a whole lot of good as a people when we conclude albeit rationally that this President has not only failed to perform, but also that the government that he leads has shown itself not fit for purpose. Atiku Abubakar and others including those who decamped from the special purpose vehicle called the APC like other Nigerians must hold this government to account. It will be easy to defeat Buhari if we hold him to his abysmal records of failed promises, stagnating economy, unmanageable insecurity, ethnic and religious triumphalism, massive corruption and the cataclysmic record of significant non-achievements that paint the broad canvass of government and governance in Buhari’s Nigeria.

In a contest between Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar, I would vote for Atiku Abubakar. I have since come to the conclusion that politics leadership is not necessarily an office for the canonized. Atiku Abubakar is certainly not a saint, just like Buhari isn’t one either. The former Vice-President unlike the current President, has proved himself to be cosmopolitan against the President’ ethnic and religious parochialism, he has proved himself to be a good recruiter and manager of talents and stakeholders unlike the President’s poor judgement and cluelessness in people and situation management. Above all, Atiku Abubakar understands that the fundamental reason for seeking power is to affect the lives of citizens through the upscaling and expansion of the economic opportunities available to them. He understands that only a concentrated focus on the political economy can achieve this. I was quite impressed some years ago when I read his fiscal management strategy during one of his campaigns for office. The strategy sought to ensure through legislative backing that all incomes from oil and gas should solely be invested in capital projects while funding for recurrent expenditure should exclusively be derived from non-oil and gas revenue. I urge him to expand on this strategy when he wins.

The inconvenient truth is that Nigeria cannot afford another four years of a Buhari presidency. The tragiccomedy of the present is enough. We can do better than this.

–––Nosa James-igbinadolor is a political economist.

He can be reached on njigbinadolor@gmail.com

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 27, 2019

FEATURE

Buhari

Trump

Atiku

May

Superpowers Beam Searchlight on Political Gladiators Observers believe the threats by two super-power nations, United States and United Kingdom, which include visa restrictions and other repercussions for election interference, could not have come at a better time than now to checkmate the excesses of desperate politicians in Nigeria, writes Davidson Iriekpen

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he United States and the United Kingdom last Thursday attempted to ensure that there is credibility in the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria when they announced tough sanctions, including visa restrictions and possible prosecution, for all forms of interference and instigation of violence during the polls. In two separate statements, both countries described the elections as very important to not just Nigeria, but Africa, demanding that the process be fair and transparent.

For instance, the US, in its statement, said though the country did not support any specific candidate or party in the upcoming elections, it supported the Nigerian democratic process and genuinely free, fair, transparent, and peaceful electoral process. It added that, it would, in collaboration with other democratic nations, pay close attention to actions of individuals, who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against the civilian population before, during, or after the elections.

The statement read, “The conduct of the upcoming elections in Nigeria is important not only for Nigeria, but for the African continent. The United States government does not support any specific candidate or party in Nigeria’s upcoming elections. The United States supports the Nigerian democratic process itself. We support a genuinely free, fair, transparent, and peaceful electoral process.

“We, and other democratic nations, will be paying close attention to actions of individuals, who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against the civilian population before, during, or after the elections.

“We will not hesitate to consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for those found to be responsible for electionrelated violence or undermining the democratic process. Under US immigration law, certain violations may also lead to restrictions on family members.”

On its part, the UK said it remained committed to free and fair elections in Nigeria. It promised to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in order to make the exercise credible.

“Twenty-three days to the presidential and National Assembly elections and 37 days to the gubernatorial and state assembly

elections, the British High Commission in Abuja would like to reaffirm our strong support for free, fair and peaceful elections in Nigeria. We and our international partners remain committed supporters of Nigeria’s democracy. We do not support any party or individual and believe that the Nigerian people should be able to choose their leaders in an environment free from hate speech and insecurity.

“We continue to provide significant support to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission and to Nigerian civil society to help them deliver credible elections. We also regularly engage with actors across the political spectrum to encourage them to respect electoral rules and maintain an atmosphere of peace and calm. We will be deploying an extensive observation mission for the forthcoming elections, including coordinating with the EU’s Election Observation Mission.

“Our monitors will in particular be looking out for any attempts to encourage or use violence to influence the elections, including on social media. We would like to remind all Nigerians that where the UK is aware of such attempts, this may have consequences for individuals. These could include their eligibility to travel to the UK, their ability to access UK based funds or lead to prosecution under international law.”

To many observers, the intervention of the two super-power countries is not out of place. For the umpteenth time, some Nigerian politicians have demonstrated their bestial nature by turning a routine civic exercise to a power struggle between two contending political camps. A state constituency election in Rivers State recently turned into a nightmare for election officials and the electorate. There were thousands of security personnel deployed to secure the environment at the behest of political gladiators and they provided cover for hoodlums to destroy election materials, harm poll officials and voters.

A similar thing happened in Kogi, Ekiti and Osun States recently. In Kogi State for instance, two people lost their lives in the state on August 11, 2018 as widespread violence marred the by-election conducted to fill the vacant position of Lokoja/ Koton-Karfe Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

In the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections late last year, members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

with the assistance of security agencies, overwhelmed members of the opposition with harassment and intimidation and ultimately defeated them.

Though electoral violence is not a modern-day phenomenon in Nigeria, many believe that it is getting worse with each election. The First Republic was said to have collapsed due to the widespread violence unleashed by politicians in the disputed 1964/65 general election. Historians and political scientists recall the ugly incident tagged, ‘Operation We-ti-e; literarily meaning, ‘Operation spray it!’ in the western region in which many notable politicians and their supporters were murdered in broad daylight. This largely warranted the first military coup of January 15, 1966.

At the return to civil rule in 1979, politicians displayed their incorrigibility as they, again, resorted to electoral violence and fraud, especially during the August 1983 general election. Political observers also recall the Akin Omoboriowo versus Governor Adekunle Ajasin saga in the old Ondo State, where the electoral fraud allegedly perpetrated by the National Party of Nigeria stalwarts in the state led to three days of mindless killings and arson. That again was part of the reasons the military struck on December 31, 1983.

In the current Fourth Republic, Nigeria has had five successive general election, with each of them recording high electoral violence. Over 1,000 lives were reportedly lost to pre and post-election violence in 2011 particularly in about 12 Northern Nigerian states. Ten youth corps members serving in Bauchi State were among the casualties.

The high number of deaths and destructions necessitated the setting up of the Sheik Ahmed Lemu presidential committee which looked into the immediate and remote causes of the crisis and came up with far-reaching recommendations, which former President Goodluck Jonathan largely ignored. The only major thing done was to pay some modest compensation to some of the victims of the violence. However, nothing much was done in terms of bringing the alleged masterminds and arrowheads to justice, till date.

(Reader should See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

Bauchi: Dogara’s Drowning’ Coalition Ahmed Sani Abdul

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othing exposes the dying influence of Speaker Yakubu Dogara and his lots in Bauchi politics more than their recent ranting about forming a coalition to unseat Bauchi State governor, Mohammed Abubakar.

Dogara and his partners in this dead-on-arrival venture, had while addressing the press in Bauchi, recently, said they were all out to wrestle power from our performing governor, citing ill-conceived reasons of non-performance.

Perhaps what they so called coalition and its forerunners do not know is that the good people of Bauchi state are wise enough to differentiate between genuine love for the state and outright desire to scramble for its vast resources for self reasons.

Indeed, those behind the formation of a coalition against Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi state are bad losers who appears to be writhing from the pain of defeat and the shame of being left with nothing to campaign about since the incumbent governor is doing a good job.

It is crystal clear that the so-called coalition and indeed, all those associated with it are driven by selfish desires, as they are pure enemies of the state who must be seen for what they are.

For want of being repetitive, readers may recall that governorship candidates of five political parties in Bauchi State namely People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Professor Ali Pate; People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Bala Mohammed; Green Party of Nigeria (GPN), Alhaji Muhammed Jumba; People’s Democratic Movement (PDM)

OPINION Ahmed Iliyasu and governorship aspirant of All Progressive Congress (APC) Dr Yakubu Lame have formed a coalition that might possibly lead to the presentation of one of them as formidable candidate to contest against the incumbent Governor Mohammed Abubakar in March 2019 election.

Leader of the coalition, Bello Kirfi, said it was aimed at ‘salvaging the state from the APC maladministration in the state in March 2019 election. I am compelled to ask even if rhetorically, how do these people intend to salvage the state?

An average citizen of Bauchi state knows that the coalition is driven by sheer selfishness and envy having been put to shame by the governor whose performance has led to massive acceptance by average electorate in the state.

This gathering of desperate power seekers need be told that power belongs to God who gives to whoever he wishes, when he so wish and how he wished.

I feel for the coalition because it is worried and at a loss having been arm-twisted by a governor who ensured that the state and its resources are not being managed in reckless manner, as they wanted, hence their worry.

Indeed, if there is anything, their action and that singular press conference has further exposed them as the real enemies of Bauchi State because they are all out to change the direction of good governance for which the state and its people have been proud of for the past four years.

Well, it is imperative to admonish these guys to brace up for resounding defeat at the polls because the good people of Bauchi state cannot be deceived by the antics of people who don’t mean well for the state. It is a given that this and any other group like it will crumble like a pack of card because the idea behind its formation is counterproductive. The people of Bauchi know that we have a governor that is performing and hence deserves to be supported.

Governor Abubakar has proved his mettle as seasoned leader who knows what the people of Bauchi state want and is delivering on his promises in critical areas of health, education, water supply and poverty alleviation. This is what those behind the so-called coalition don’t want to see.

One funny thing is the allegations by the coalition that the state government sanctioned a plot to perpetuate violence on unprecedented scale to ensure that the present administration continues to rule over the affairs of the state.

I can’t think of anything more baseless and fallacious than this.

These people are telling us their plans for the forthcoming polls and we will be vigilant to guard against it.

From my encounter with some electorates, am impressed that the consensus is that the good people of Bauchi State know that the coalition are agents of underdevelopment and enemies of the good people of Bauchi State who must be defeated and prevented from unleashing mayhem on the state under whatever guise howsoever.

–––Abdul lives in Wunti and can be reached through: abdulbluntsay@gmail.com (See concluding part on www.thisdaylive.com)

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THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ JANUARY 27, 2019

SUNDAYINTERVIEW Tonye Cole

Cole

I’m Certain of Supreme Court Victory and Winning the Rivers Governorship Election The Rivers State All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, has a date with justice at the Supreme Court and a day with destiny at the March 2 gubernatorial election in Rivers. Cole exemplified his grassroots touch in the state as he went on ward-by-ward tours to see, hear and feel the pulse of the people ahead of the governorship poll. The billionaire entrepreneur and co-founder of Sahara Group, exuded confidence in the “politics of peace” as he fielded questions from Ernest Chinwe and Bayo Akinloye in this interview. Excerpts:

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ou are an architect and a successful businessman. Why did you venture into the murky waters of politics? Is this about getting power to enhance your accomplishments or to render public service?

Twenty-seven years ago, I joined millions of Nigerians in the euphoric prospects of a democratic nation as we began the transition from military regimes to a civilian government. My father, Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole, had returned from Brazil and was running for the office of President so I quit my job as an architect in Brazil and came to join his campaign. It was a glorious opportunity to know the beauty of this nation called Nigeria as we traversed east to west, north to south but what happened thereafter with the ‘Maradona Saga’ left an overwhelming percentage of my generation disillusioned about the sincerity of politics. Many, including myself, focused on entrepreneurship, building businesses where we believed we had more control of our fate and destiny.

We succeeded tremendously in building a business of international repute but what soon became apparent was that politics affected every aspect of our lives as businessmen and citizens. No matter where I went in the world and no matter how successful we got, I could never be anything other than the perception the world had of Nigeria. If the world

perceived Nigeria as corrupt, then as a Nigerian, I was corrupt.

Whatever negative tag Nigeria was given, I was given. I became consumed with portraying a positive image of Nigeria but discovered that without getting involved in politics, the ability to make the necessary impactful change was limited.

This is also true in the area of philanthropy which I remain actively involved in and discovered that no matter how many lives I touch and impact, the potential to exponentially impact millions and generations to come lies in the true service of humanity through politics.

It is generally believed, especially here in Nigeria, that politics is too dirty for good men to go into. What impact do you think you’re going into politics will have on the participation of the elite and professionals in politics in Nigeria?

I sense that the toga of ‘dirty’ politics is primarily used to keep good people away from politics. My entry into the arena has been received in two distinct ways, the first being apprehension from those who are genuinely worried that politics isn’t a place for people of integrity while the second is high expectation that it is about time that our politics was infused with people of integrity. The first is driven by fear, while the second is by hope. I chose to be the latter.

Many people consider Rivers State politics as one of the most violent in the country since 1999. What encouraged you to join the gubernatorial race; and what are you going to contribute to Rivers politics apart from winning the race?

So my opening answer had to do with not being able to outrun the perception index of your nation. It becomes double wahala as a Riverian as we became the poster child for violence in the Niger-Delta. While most of the South-south states that were involved in the militancy battles have rebranded themselves, Rivers State somehow retained the image of violence.

Unfortunately this could be traced to election seasons with the 2015 elections being widely reported as ‘flowing with rivers of blood’ at a time when nationwide electoral violence was in the decline. 2019 offered a perfect opportunity to showcase Rivers State in a different light and bring in a new brand of politics that would eschew violence and integrate peace.

I have since introduced #politicsofpeace, refused to be baited into heating up the polity, determined to show leadership by example going to communities that are considered ‘extremely dangerous’ and meeting with a cross section of stakeholders especially former militants, clergy, imam, traditional rulers, elders, youths, non-indigenes, etc., on the vast potential of peace in attracting much-needed development to the state post-elections.

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 27, 2019

SUNDAY INTERVIEW t A5)&3& -- #& " 546/".* 0' 4611035 "/% * -- 48&&1 "8": 5)& 36-*/( 1"35: */ 3*7&34 t Continued from Pg. 78 Your entry into the governorship race of the Rivers State APC brought to the fore the divisions within the party. Some aspirants left the party in protest while the legal tussle generated by that is subsisting. Any regrets?

No regrets. No regrets at all. If there is something I discovered upon fully entering mainstream politics, it was how deep rooted the politics of division was within the state.

I couldn’t understand it. I still don’t understand it. You have a very pervasive spirit of betrayal that seemed to cloud everything and which led to situations where childhood friends would no longer greet themselves in public or even attend functions of mutual friends. I saw families so bitterly divided that in one case a widow and her children were not permitted to attend her late husband’s funeral. This is simply unacceptable. If there is one thing I appreciate my entry bringing out, it is forcing the issue into the open discussion. It is only when we can be true to the hidden faults within us that we can heal the divisions amongst us.

What some do not know is that right at the formation of APC as a party, I have been there. I was there when the hard decisions on if to stay within the party or leave by the PDP governors was raging. Expediency required staying in the background nevertheless it doesn’t diminish my contribution to the party in any way.

When the manifesto of the party was being debated at the national level, I was one of the keynote speakers in Abuja and worked informally with several committees that drafted the final interim plan that saw the new government assume power. It is my belief that if you are true to the party, it is enough to keep you rooted there and leaving is not the solution. I wholly believe that I am ‘the reconciliation’ the party needs and in time will ensure that the wounds would be healed and peace will reign. Many of those who left will return so together we can work to bring about a healthier and more prosperous Rivers State.

Some people have said if you have known the level of internal conflict within the APC in Rivers State you might not have accepted the invitation to fly the party’s flag in the election. To what extent is this true?

That was fake news. Someone concocted the entire story.

Do you have anything to say about the internal conflict in the party? Was it avoidable?

It is my earnest belief that it was entirely avoidable and reminds me of a saying that a stitch in time saves nine. When the congresses were being held, a group felt they were being unduly disenfranchised principally by being denied access to forms with which they could contest for party executive offices.

They carried their grievances to the party which began to look into the allegations but before that could even be addressed, they proceeded to court and got an injunction against the said congress of May 5th.

The fact that the national body of the party in Abuja was not served the court order but the state body in itself is a debate for the courts today. Nevertheless in respect to the court injunction and particularly the grievances raised by the appellants, the party at the national level instructed that the said congress be cancelled and fresh ones conducted. They went further to insist that all interested participants should use their payslips as evidence of interest and application forms would not be needed. For reasons best known to Ibrahim Umar and 22 others, they chose of their own freewill not to participate and rather continued the case in court.

Furthermore, the fresh congresses that were conducted on the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st were all conducted on the basis of a legal order of court from the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Nothing could be further from the truth than the claims that APC ignored a court injunction and continued with congresses when the said congress was cancelled and annulled by the party.

The eventual judgement that resulted from the civil case against the May 5 congress should never have been allowed to proceed but that is where we are today and the battle to unwind these judgements is what is currently before the highest court in the land.

Some politicians in Rivers State have described you as a friend of the former Governor and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, drafted to seek election to as a way of maintaining a hold on the state. What is your reaction?

I have heard this many times and I have come to the conclusion that it is driven by fear from those who are afraid of the changing landscape that I represent. There is no human being that is an island and we all exist as a measure of the relationships we build while alive. The quantity and more critically, the quality of the relationships you have will determine your net worth. I have both in spades, locally, nationally and internationally.

inexperience talking. I was told in no uncertain terms that it was not possible and not necessary.

I was advised to stick to local government area rallies as is the norm.

It took them by surprise when I began a ward to ward campaign, visiting over 230 of the 319 wards, visiting communities and meeting people who had never as much as seen a politician in their lifetime not talk of one running for the office of the governor. The experience, even for the seasoned politicians amongst us was humbling for we all saw the reality of the conditions people where living and serving under but more important, it was glaringly obvious that those who claimed to be ‘grassroots generals’, were mere propagandists.

They had neither been to the grassroots nor were they aware of the issues that troubled the people of the constituencies they governed and as a result had no solution for addressing their problems. I not only went there, I saw firsthand with my own eyes. I touched the people with my hands and I felt in my heart their pain. Few today know the grassroots like I do and this frightens the opposition. No wonder they rushed to the court to stop the most effective campaign strategy they have witnessed to date in the state.

It is my solemn promise to complete the ward tours whenever we get relief from the courts to continue.

I respect the honourable minister a lot but if there is one thing that I respect even more, it is the genuine desire to balance the injustice the riverine communities of Rivers State have been under. He nearly singlehandedly pursued an argument that having a situation where no Riverine indigene had been governor since 1999, and with the upland in power continuously from 1999 till date, it was only fair that power should rotate now. It is this desire for balance that he is being castigated for.

He has done his eight years as governor and will never in this lifetime be a governor again. He is a federal minister and God alone knows where else He has planned for him. But governance and control of Rivers State isn’t one he aspires for or desires.

The Justice George Omereji Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the sale of Valued Assets of Rivers State indicted the former governor, Amaechi, and companies allegedly owned or controlled by you: Sahara Energy and others, over the purchase of power plants and other assets including Hotel Olympia. You have neither denied this nor taken steps to free yourself from this indictment. Why? There is little or nothing I can say about that. The truth has a way of coming out no matter how deeply you try to bury it. Those who have peddled this falsehood know the truth as they were part of the administration that handled the sales.

They are also aware that there was a very strict due diligence organ called Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) headed by a very uncompromising and diligent gentleman called Franklyn Nlerum, whom many didn’t like because he wouldn’t compromise. I liked and respected him. Suffice to say that we didn’t do contracts that took money out of the state but rather invested well over N180 billion ($500 million) into the Rivers State economy. Time would vindicate me and my dealings with Rivers State government in these matters.

Recently, the Rivers State Government has terminated the sale of the said assets to your companies. How does this decision impact your companies and what are the implications for investment in the state?

I am so grateful to God Almighty that He gave us the wisdom to build a company that is grounded in good governance and integrity. It made us resolute and robust. It was why I could walk away from everything I had joined my partners to build for over 23 years with the knowledge that it was well prepared for succession and any shocks that may follow. I no longer answer for the company since I voluntarily resigned but I am certain they will handle the terminations with the utmost integrity and reverse the decisions in due course.

You are accused of not being a grassroots man and that you do not know the nooks and crannies of the state.

How well do you know Rivers State and her peoples and how do you intend to solve the problems of a people you barely know?

That amused me when I first heard it, especially against the backdrop that those who would say such had no knowledge of who I am, my capacity to learn, my management of resources both human and capital, my ability to build nor did they have any idea of the value I place on networking across multiple strata. When I informed my party colleagues that I intended to visit every ward in the state, they initially logged it down as

It is barely three weeks to the presidential elections. With the myriad of litigation facing the state APC and the fact that your name and those of other candidates of the party in the state are not yet on the ballot, your campaigns are to say the least lukewarm.

Even if the Supreme Court gives judgment in your favour, don’t you think the time may be too short for you to reconcile aggrieved members and step up your campaigns to win the elections? What impact do you think this will have on your success at the polls?

That would have been uppermost in the strategy of the opposition; nevertheless, I am not that worried. What we achieved in our ward tour is something that cannot easily be erased. I don’t agree with you that our campaigns have been lukewarm.

Holding rallies and bringing out the people for the cameras to showcase is not hard and every politician knows that while it is good for the news, it certainly doesn’t translate to the votes.

We, on the other hand, have guaranteed voters that cannot be bought. We took our time to go and meet them in their domain and we gave them an opportunity to express themselves and contribute to the way the incoming government will operate.

We recognized them as critically important stakeholders in the democratic process and they saw our sincerity. No matter when the Supreme Court gives us victory – which I have absolutely no doubt in my heart that they would – what you will witness is a tsunami of support that is guaranteed to sweep away every opposition on the election day.

The ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said you and the state APC are relying on INEC and security agencies to rig elections in your favour. What is your reaction?

I believe they are laying the grounds for litigation and contesting the results as they are deeply worried they would lose.

How else would they be able to explain any such loss but to say it was rigged? I have utmost confidence in the integrity of INEC and the security agents to do their jobs as this would be one election where the voters would be out in force and no one would be in doubt as to the true outcome of the results. There is a way a man is defeated in a contest, he knows immediately that there is no point in complaining. That is the scenario we will witness post-elections.

Your case has been taken to the Supreme Court and you are awaiting their judgement. What is your expectation?

I am a firm believer in the ability of the Supreme Court to deliver justice when every one else fails. It was clear to me once the matter got out of the lower courts to the appellate courts and we started getting some surprising judgements that the matter would end up at the Supreme Court.

I always knew that we had a solid case but for whatever reason, we were never allowed to make the cardinal facts of our case known and so kept getting judgements against us. My faith was however strengthened by the fact that matters before the Supreme Court would be presented before justices with decades of experience under their belts and they are obliged to hear all the matters before them and not cherry pick.

Their competence and vast experience was on display when one of our cases came up on Monday 21st January and fundamental issues around whether our case, being a intra party affair surrounding a congress can suddenly become a pre-election or not was extensively debated.

Armed with this knowledge and knowing how clayfooted the foundation upon which the judgements against us has been thus far, I was and am completely optimistic that justice would be done and we will win our mandate back.

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Labour and FG

2019 Budget: The Power Game, Intrigues Begin...

The 2019 Appropriation Bill appears to have been enmeshed in intrigues as the National Assembly leadership foot-drags on the debate of the bill over one month after its presentation

by President Muhammadu Buhari, report Deji Elumoye and Shola Oyeyipo

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he last few days witnessed a beehive of legislative activities in both chambers of the National Assembly following the consideration of the National Minimum Wage Bill and the 2019 Appropriation Bill.

While the House of Representatives made moves to commence deliberations on this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s federal budget estimate, the Senate appears not ready to debate it as the issue never appeared on the Order Paper for last week and the Senate leadership never brought it up for discussion.

This situation led to a ranking Senator accusing the Senate leadership of intentionally frustrating move by members to commence debate on the budget.

Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, accused the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, of frustrating moves by the Senate to discuss the 2019 Appropriation Bill submitted to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari last December.

To Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, the delay by the Senate to commence debate on the general principles of the N8.83trillion 2019 budget proposals five weeks after presentation by President Buhari was caused by the leadership of the Senate headed by PDP Senators.

According to him, as far as federal lawmakers belonging to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are concerned, the budget proposals can be attended to within a week and passed but the Senate

headed by lawmakers on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seems not to be interested in the consideration of the budget proposals for now. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Though federal lawmakers on the platform of APC are more in number than their counterparts in PDP but since it is the PDP lawmakers controlling the leadership of both chambers, the speed at which any executive bill, particularly the 2019 Appropriation Bill before us now will take lies with them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those of us in the APC in both chambers have the passion and the will to effect expeditious consideration and passage of the 2019 budget proposals but the required speed for that lies with the leadership, topmost of whom are PDP members,â&#x20AC;? Ndume said.

But the Senate last Thursday commenced in earnest debate on the National Minimum Wage Bill transmitted to it by President Buhari on Wednesday. For the first time in the history of the 8th Senate, the House Rules were set aside to allow the Bill to be debated, which culminated in the second reading of the Bill.

After a lengthy debate by Senators with Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu presiding, an eight-man ad hoc committee headed by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Sola Adeyeye, was constituted with a mandate to do further legislative work on the Bill within a two-week time frame.

In the House of Representatives, however, it was a different ball game as the leadership appeared ready to commence debate on the budget.

The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara wanted a quick passage

of the budget and he acted it out when he failed to listen to Hon. Rita Orji from Lagos, who attempted to bring up the issue of quorum when the budget was brought up for debate. Eventually the second reading of the 2019 Appropriation was stepped down till coming Tuesday.

Dogara has continued to implore his colleagues to expedite action on the budget. Even after errors were discovered in the document, he maintained that the second reading of the budget could proceed in spite of the apparent flaws but that the Wednesday debate should merely look at the general principles of the budget.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even though it is apparent on the surface of the budget that there are so many irreconcilable differences in the figures allotted, basically we are discussing the general principles of the budget by virtues of the provisions of our rules at this time. So, we would talk about general principles at this time.â&#x20AC;?

However, the reason the second reading of the 2019 budget could not be concluded last Thursday was because some major mathematical errors distorted the figures given therein.

In fact, the lawmakers were prepared to commence their recess that Thursday to enable them embark on their re-election campaigns ahead of next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s general election, but Speaker Dogara implored the House to sit on Tuesday to conclude work on the budget.

The duo of Hon. Adamu Chika representing Shiroro/ Rafi/Munya federal constituency of Niger State and Hon. Ahman-Pategi representing Edu/Moro/Pategi

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2019 Budget: The Power Game, Intrigues Begin... federal constituency of Kwara State had identified irreconcilable errors in the 2019 budget, making the House members to limit themselves to debating only the general principles of the document pending when an error-free document would be presented to enable lawmakers continue work on the document.

While pointing out some of the discrepancies in some of the figures, Chika stated that: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to raise some issues, particularly some errors I noticed in the national budget. As everyone knew, the schedule in the budget consists of part A, which is the statutory transfers and part B, which is the debt servicing, part C, which is the recurrent expenditure and part D, which is the capital expenditure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will raise some issues, which have to do, one, with the Ministry of Education, two, Ministry of Finance and three, Ministry of Budget and National Planning and then, one observation with the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you go to the education ministry, in part C, which is the recurrent expenditure, which consist both the personnel and overhead, you will realise that the budget is N462.2bn, but when you go to the summary of the budget by the MDAs, number 41: 0.5.1.8 personnel now have changed to about N539.6bn and overhead, there is N33.5bm now making it that the total recurrent expenditure when you go by the summary by the MDAs has changed to N539bn. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know why that figure was added at that level. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you go to Ministry of Finance, the budget of the ministry in the recurrent expenditure in part C is N10.8bn, however, there is also an error when you go to the summary, which is number 21: 2.2.0, personnel is N7.4bn, which is okay, but when you go to the overhead, it now becomes N2.26trn and therefore that has also changed. Now the total which is now personnel and the overhead is now N2.27trn. That has also changed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the Ministry of Budget and Planning, in the part C is N9.3bn, but however, when you go to the summary by MDAs, which is number 28: 0.2.3.8 personnel in the Ministry of Budget and Planning has now become N66.21bn. Then overhead also changed there; it is now N832.2bn.

Then the total, which is personnel and overheard in that aspect has now become N1.49trn. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The capital also has changed to about N655.9trn, now giving us a total allocation of the Ministry of Budget and Planning, instead of N9.3bn has now become N2.15trn. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Also, at the capital, which is D aspect, page 118 appeared only as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Federation.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any MDA called federation, however, when I continued with the research, I realised that in that federation there is a capital component of N31.8bn, but when I continued to search, I realised that federation, I found it in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), so why did they write federation?â&#x20AC;?

Corroborating Chikaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s findings, AhmanPategi said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you look at the budget; in the budget of the Ministry of Finance, the detail of overhead, salary and all that is correct. But in the summary detail on the right side column, that is where the mistake was made.â&#x20AC;?

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anytime we discover it (error), they can attend to it. We know that we are discussing the general principles. It will still get to the committee level and all those can be done. As for the ministry, we can get the Minister of Finance and the Chairman of Finance and Chairman of Appropriations to liaise with these three bodies; the Budget Office, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the Ministry of Finance.â&#x20AC;?

The discovery of the errors had compelled Speaker Dogara to give a directive

Buhari greets Saraki and Dogara after presenting the 2019 budget

that relevant committees of the House of Representatives should liaise with Ministry of Budget and National Planning, and the Ministry of Finance to urgently correct the discrepancies in some of the figures so that the second reading would continue next Thursday.

Apparently, the correction were not concluded by Thursday hence Dogara told members that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to sit on Tuesday so that we can give the committees the time to ensure that these errors were corrected,â&#x20AC;? adding that â&#x20AC;&#x153;members who want to speak on the budget should put down their namesâ&#x20AC;?.

Reacting to some of the errors observed in the budget, Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said human mistakes are inevitable in such circumstance but that they would be corrected. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mathematical errors in figures are things that are normal. At worst, it may reflect some kind of tardiness but it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take away the substance and the merit of what we are debating. And if you know the rules of the House very well, we are not here to debate the intricate details of the figures and numbers of the budget, we debate the general principles. That is what the debate is about,â&#x20AC;? Gbajabiamila said.

He however acknowledged that â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a good observation and I believe it has been noted. Like the Speaker said, it will be sent back; the communication will be done. They will correct the figures just here and there that may have the potential of distorting the numbers. That will be cleaned up.â&#x20AC;?

Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lasun Yusuf, was however unhappy that the budget is too paltry to cater for the needs of every Nigerian, saying now is time for all hands to be on the deck towards expanding the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are not what we think we are as a nation. We can deduct it from the figure the executive arm of government has always sent to us. We think we are a rich country but from the figures, we are very poor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 2019 budget says the proposal is N8.7trn of which if we do a direct conversion that is just merely $28.52bn. What does that mean? It means the totality of the Nigerian budget for 2019 is just about $29bn. Apple alone declared a profit of

almost $100bn after tax. So, if for 160 million people, it shows that for 2019, the total money that is due for one head is just $178.52 in a year and so we all have the duty as Nigerians to begin to think outside the box of how we can develop our country.â&#x20AC;?

The second reading of the budget however commenced last Thursday without the mandatory one-third quorum because there were just 43 members when the debate started.

Following a call by Speaker Dogara, Leader of the House moved the motion for the second reading of the budget, which was seconded by the chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Edward Pwajok.

But Orji, representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun federal constituency of Lagos State, raised a point of order, noting that the House did not form the required two-third quorum but her protest was nullified by Dogara, who contended that she was not in the position to determine the quorum of the House.

Responding to Ritaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s protest, Dogara said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are not the keeper of the register, so you cannot determine quorum.

This is politics time, some members come around to sign the register and leave. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t keep the register, so you cannot draw my attention to the issue of quorum.â&#x20AC;?

By this position, the debate on the budget started with additional five lawmakers joining the plenary and before the end of the debate only 29 members were left in the chamber.

Last Thursday, President Buhari in his letter to the House of Representatives, had stated that the N27,000 minimum wage was based on the agreement between the government, organised labour and the private sector.

Reading the covering letter attached to the amendment bill at plenary Thursday, Dogara said the announced N30,000 wage for federal government workers in the lower cadre, was not reflected in the letter.

President Buhari, in his letter to the lawmakers, stated inter alia that â&#x20AC;&#x153;The purpose of this letter is to forward to you for legislative action a new Minimum Wage BIII to further amend the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act. 2011, in order to give a new National Minimum Wage of Twenty Seven Thousand Naira

(27, 000.00) per month to the lowest paid Nigerian worker from the current eighteen thousand naira (N18.000 00) per month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This new Bill and the amendments contained therein were arrived at after consultations by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage, which was constituted by me in November 2017 to consider, make recommendations, and advise the government on this issue.â&#x20AC;?

Buhari said the tripartite committee comprised representatives of the federal government, Governorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Forum, Organised Private Sector and the Organised Federations of Trade Unions in Nigeria.

But most of the lawmakers, who commented on the new minimum wage bill, were of the views that it should be given expeditious passage and they also called for a review of the five years review clause when the debate commenced.

Hons Parley Iriase (Edo, APC), Aminu Shagari (Sokoto, PDP), Oluwole Oke (Osun, PDP), Johnson Oghuma (Edo, APC), Chika Adamu (Niger, APC), Kayode Oladele (Ogun, APC) and Segun Kolawole (Osun, APC) and several others commented on the new minimum wage proposal by the federal government.

Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Edward Pwajok, was not happy that the amount to be passed is N27,000 instead of N30,000.

Though he pointed out that there are some topographical errors in the bill, he said in view of the fact that the bill has dragged on for too long, it should be worked upon in the interest of workers.

Adding his voice on the need to give the bill quick passage, Erase said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wish that this bill would be given expeditious attention. The Nigerian worker today is at the mercy of inflation, because of what he receives as monthly salary. You go to the market today items or products prices have skyrocketed.

The Nigerian workers will praise our courage when we pass this bill. It is a fact that the latest allocation formula is currently overdue.â&#x20AC;?

He however implored members to rather pass the N30, 000 minimum wage instead of N27, 000 saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You and I know that N30,000 is what this house would pass and I recommend it to this house that when it gets to committee level we should pass N30,000.â&#x20AC;?

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T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R ˾ JANUARY 27, 2019

SOCIALMEDIABITS

with DEMOLA OJO demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Last week on social media, an aspiring president quit the race, an ex-president berated the incumbent, who later suspended the Chief Justice...

S

ocial media was abuzz with the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari at the end of last week.

Different interests weighedin, with one side stating the suspension is unconstitutional; only the judicial commission or the senate can “remove” the CJN. The other side questioned the morality of a judge presiding over his own case. As you read, the argument rumbles on.

In the estimation of Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, “Sanity needs restoration” as he went on to berate the “institutional gobbledygook” used to justify admitted wrongdoing.

Justice - his and the President’s interpretation of the concept – must not give way to “legal gymnastics and absurd technicalities,” El-Rufai pronounced via twitter.

APC candidate President Buhari and PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar travelled to different cities across the country in campaign mode throughout the week. Social media was a key battleground as both parties put up pictures and videos to suggest their superior popularity with the electorate.

The week had started with former President Olusegun Obasanjo taking swipes at President Buhari, describing his administration as a return to the era of the late military dictator, Sani Abacha.

The security institutions are being misused to fight critics of government and to derail Nigeria’s democracy, he said.

President Buhari, replying through an aide, said Obasanjo lacked the moral standing Cont’d on pg 87

JANUARY 27, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY, T H E S U N D AY N E W S PA P E R

83

SOCIALMEDIABITS to criticise his administration and vowed to teach him “and his co-travellers in the PDP” a political lesson they will never forget.

A few days later, they were shaking hands, all smiles at the Council of State meeting in Abuja.

Still on the presidential race, Oby Ezekwesili decide to quit; she would like to explore the possibility of teaming up with other candidates to form a coalition against the APC and PDP. Her decision didn’t go down well with her party, the ACPN, as they threw jibes at her before declaring supporting for President Buhari.

Then the election umpire, INEC, declared that Ezekwesili - a former minister and cofounder of the Bring Back Our Girls movement – could not back out as the time for that had elapsed.

While she was commended by some, she was accused by others for different reasons; some believe she was in it for the money, others think she got into the race to act as a spoiler.

Meanwhile, Omoyele Sowore, Fela Durotoye and Kingsley Moghalu are some of the names making the rounds on twitter as alternatives to the established order.

Durotoye spent the last week appealing to his co-contestants to come together and form a coalition. Unfortunately, even if this happens, they still stand as much chance as Ezekwesili

of winning.

With social media and the polity dominated by politics, it is difficult to miss the many serious issues facing the country, like security.

The Nigerian Army stated matter-of-factly on twitter that “a large gang of bandits armed with sophisticated weapons and rocket propelled grenades” had been forced to abandon their camps (about 18) in some locations in Zamfara State. Large gang, RPGs, camps; how else would you describe an insurgency?

In other news, Nigerian business personalities made their presence felt during the Choose France Summit in Paris and the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, is probably the most active on social media of the lot. He gave us insights into the world of the globe-trotting, deal-making entrepreneur.

Among others, he met up with fellow tycoon, Cyril Ramaphosa, who is currently President of South Africa.

Former finance minister, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, also made an impression, teaming up for a photo-op with supermodel Naomi Campbell, and also letting CNN’s Richard Quest know that she would gladly consider being World Bank president (the first female and the first African) if nominated.

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JANUARY 27, 2019 ˾ THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

No Success Without Haters

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s a pastor, one thing I find fascinating is the amount of successful people who are surprised at the opposition and enmity they encounter as a result of their success. I find it utterly surprising that anyone can be successful without knowing that success comes with haters. It is a no brainer.

And if you think only bad people have people who hate them, then ask yourself why Jesus had so many haters?

Success is the primary reason for people hating you. People can stand you when you are struggling.

In fact, they will like you. They will be sympathetic towards you. But once success comes, then something in them snaps and they will turn against you because many people who know your background never expect you to exceed that background.

Acts 13:43: says ‘42As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.’ Notice that the Jews were encouraging Paul and Barnabas and persuading them to continue in God’s grace. They did this because Paul and Barnabas were struggling.

In your life there will be people like that. They will encourage you and even pray for you for show because they believe that you will never amount to much so their prayer for you is just mechanical.

But now, let’s read verse 44-45 of the same chapter, that is Acts 13.

‘44On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.’

Now notice what has happened here. The same people that were encouraging Paul and Barnabas when they were struggling are the same people who were urging them to persevere when the crowds didn’t show up. Those same people turned against them as soon as the crowds came and success along with them.

It is not always true that behind every successful man there is a woman. But it’s always true that behind every successful man are many haters! This will not just happen once or twice. It will be a permanent thing.

Do you know why the Pharisees and the scribes conspired to kill Jesus? It was because of His success.

Do not make the mistake to think they hated Jesus from the

Omokri beginning. No. As a matter of fact they were throwing parties for Him and celebrating Him. We see this in Luke 7:36: ‘When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.’

The reason the Pharisees turned against Him is because Jesus grew to be successful.

We see this in John 12:19: ‘The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Do you see how you can do nothing? Behold, the world is gone after him.’

Being successful without having haters is like being a human being without casting a shadow. Both are impossible!

The sweetness of any sugar that does not attract ants is in

doubt and the success of people that do not have haters is in doubt.

You must understand that when water reaches 213 degrees Fahrenheit, you know it is boiling and when a man attracts haters you know he is successful.

So the more you become successful, the more you need to be careful how you choose your friends and who you surround yourself with.

That is why they say it’s lonely at the top.

Love is a 4-letter word. Action gives it definition. If a friend says they love you, their action is the dictionary that defines their love for you.

I wrote this because of the sheer number of congregants who have to deal with the issue of haters both within their family, friends and from without.

If you have that challenge (if you are successful, you do), what I want you to do is mediate on your life. How do you deal with hate and haters? Do you let it get to you or do you rejoice about it? You may ask why should I rejoice?

Well, read and mediate on Matthew 5:11. Therein lies the answer to that question.

“Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”

There are blessings for children of God when they are reviled and I am a living witness.

For four years that I served as a spokesman to former President Jonathan, I was perhaps one of the most insulted men on planet earth. I had to endure being called ‘fake pastor’ even though I served God genuinely. I had to remain silent on many occasions when I was called a looter, even though I never looted and I have never been accused of looting by the authorities.

What I did throughout that period was to prioritise God in my life.

Even close family and friends wanted me to respond to these attacks. I refused. They told me it was an urgent priority and I just shrugged them off.

You see, satan uses what is urgent to distract you from what is important. Haters attacking you may seem urgent. A phone call is urgent. But those things are not important. Prioritising God is important. Praying to Him is important.

Never allow yourself to be woken up to take a phone call.

The first person you should talk to when you wake up should be God, never a man. Never men.

I have worked with Presidents and other VIPs and without variation, I keep them waiting if they call when I am talking to God and without variation, God, in turn, has kept me when VIPs tried to destroy me, how much more when lesser men tried it.

RIGHT OF REPLY

I Didn’t Defraud GTB, Says Chima Anyaso Victor Ikem

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usinessman and managing director of Ceecon Energy Oil and Gas Limited, Dr. Chima Anyaso who is also the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, House or Representative’s candidate for the forth coming general election has said that the allegations of fraud against him by GTBank are merely orchestrated to tarnish his image as his company did not defraud GTBank rather the said amount is an accumulation of unverified bank charges by the bank Based on deposition contained in a preliminary objection filed by the oil and gas tycoon,who is a 38 years old entrepreneur stated that the original sum in dispute with GTBank was only 186 million Naira since 2011. “the imposition of unacceptable and unwarranted charges on the accounts of the Ceecon Energy Oil & Gas Limited led to a serious dispute between the parties as to the exact state of the accounts, and what sum, if any, is outstanding”.

Consequent upon the dispute, GTB contrary to the terms of the Import Finance Facility, unilaterally blocked the credit line granted to the company Ceecon Energy oil and gas Limited despite that the tenure of the said term loan was not due to expire, which act of GTB was designed to cripple and strangulate the business of Ceecon Energy oil & Gas Limited.”

That the allegation is purely a fallout of a debt dispute of N186Million and GTB knows this. There could not have been any diversion of N2Billion anywhere.

There are over four lawsuits over this matter and at no time did GTBANK claim there was a diversion. All the sworn affidavit by GTB since 2012 are there in the record of the various courts and there was never a reference to diversion of funds, fraud or forgery.

At the time GTBANK went to court in 2012 through their lawyers Kemi Balogun & Co. their claim that the sum of N567, 796, 90. (COMPRISING THE SAID N186 MILLION DISPUTE SUM AND ACCUMULATED DEFAULT CHARGES) was

Anyas what Ceecon owed, when they filed a winding-up proceedings in suit No.FHC/L/CS/787/2012; GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC V. CEECON ENERGY OIL & GAS LIMITED at the Federal High Court before Hon. Justice Buba and another suit filed by the same GTB at the Federal High Court at Abuja in suit no: FHC/ ABJ/CS/64/14; GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC V. CEECON ENERGY OIL & GAS LIMITED & ANOR over the same subject matter.

What GTB is also not telling the world is that CEECON secured its loan with prime properties and assets valued by GTB’s Valuer at over N4Billion in 2008 and still appreciating. Which places Ceecon as a very SECURED DEBTOR by all standard even as at this date. Title documents to these properties are still with GTBANK. While an appeal filed by Ceecon Energy Oil & Gas Limited was still pending On the 23rd of February, 2017, an invitation was received from

the IGP’s office to come to Abuja, on the 2nd of March, 2017 based on a petition by GTB that the Company had diverted N1.1Billion of GTB’s money. The Police were shocked to find during interrogation of GTB staff that the claimed sum was an accumulation of interest on the principal sum of N186Million.

“GTB has always known that the alleged debt is disputed because of the unscrupulous banking practices employed by GTB in dealing with Ceecon Energy oil & Gas Limited and Ceecon has continued to insist on a joint reconciliation of the account.

An example of these discrepancies are two demand notices by GTB dated 27th June 2011 stating that Ceecon owes N35,566,000 and yet another Demand Notice by the same GTB dated 25th October 2011 claiming N592,610,102.81 from the same account and the same transaction. Yet GTB bluntly refused a joint reconciliation of the account.

“Based on the above, it is mind boggling and very disturbing that GTB and other detractors would be brandishing such a humongous sum of money as N2BILLION, which diversion could never have been possible in view of the entire chronicle of events” it purely and banker/customer disagreement.

It is very clear that there is an orchestration to tarnish the image of Chima Anyaso and to malign his character. That this is happening on the eve of elections raises a lot of questions and raises many suspicion. It is interesting that only a few weeks ago the Chima Anyaso Campaign organization had warned of a plot by his opponent and detractors to attack his person.

The statement called on the media to always verify it stories before publishing, it stated that “while we are committed to seeing the court process continue, we call on the Nigerian media, journalists, editors and publishers of both mainstream and online media to always verify stories before going public”.

“It is important to seek the views and comment of all affected parties in any matter before publishing, so that there will be balance. It is against all known journalism ethics in any free world to resort to name calling and undue sensational reports without a proper investigation” the statement reads.

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NEWSXTRA Kachikwu, DPR Debunk Claims of Irregularities in Renewal of 22 Oil Blocks Olaseni Durojaiye The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu yesterday said there was no irregularities whatsoever in the renewal of 22 oil blocks undertaken by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

The minister added that the ministry and the DPR followed due process which culminated in the final approval granted by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He made the clarification in a statement the Director of Press, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Idang Alibi issued yesterday, debunking claims of irregularities in the process of the renewal of the oil blocks.

The statement came against the backdrop of reports that the House of Representatives had resolved to probe the minister over alleged infractions in the ongoing oil and gas leases renewal.

The reports said the lower chamber would also probe the involvement of the DPR in the exercise. President Muhammadu Buhari approved the renewal of 22 expired and expiring oil blocks, from which the DPR realised about $1 billion for the government.

The renewal was done under an accelerated lease renewal programme initiated by the DPR to raise money for the government and

incentivise operations in the country’s upstream oil and gas sector.

But in its statement yesterday, the ministry said it would like “to affirm most definitely that there are no irregularities associated with any lease renewal undertaken by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and particularly, the Department of Petroleum Resources.

“It will be of essence to note that the early lease renewal programme is a process ingeniously developed to expand and speed up earning potential from the renewal programme for the Federal Government and to also create security of title to leaseholders so as to allow them continue the massive investments needed to improve production from their fields.

“The process would start with an application from a lease holder, an evaluation from Department of Petroleum Resources, followed by a review by the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources and culminating in a recommendation to the President for final approval.”

The statement said the early renewal was exclusive to oil leases and does not involve issuance of new oil licenses for oil fields adding that both the ministry and the DPR are ready to appear before the House of Representatives to make clear any misunderstanding that the

Certificate Forgery: Trial of Stockbrokers’ Ex-examiner Stalled Kayode Fasua For the third time, the trial of a former Examiner of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers of Nigeria (CISN), Mr. Taiwo Asaju before an Igbosere Chief Magistrate’s Court over alleged certificate forgery has been stalled.

Counsel to the accused person, Mrs. Taiwo Obajimi, told the court that Asaju was involved in an auto crash and suffered a broken neck, hence his inability to appear in court.

Asaju is standing trial for allegedly forging a 1998 Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

At the resumption of the case two weeks ago, the accused person was also absent in court, a situation that infuriated the Chief Magistrate, P.I Bakare, who wondered why the accused was absent when the defence counsel had actually asked for the dates.

The magistrate therefore adjourned the case to January 10, 2019; but the chief magistrate was also absent on the adjourned date, owing to some administrative demand.

When the trial began last December, the Principal Assistant Registrar of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Mr. Abdulateef LanreAdi, while being examined by the counsel for Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution, Mr. Olaitan Soetan argued that Asaju forged the Higher National Diploma ascribed to the institu-

tion, which he now parades.

Soetan sought to know how Asaju obtained his Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and HND from the Kwara Polytechnic, having used them to work in many places.

In his response, Lanre-Adi, who came to represent the polytechnic’s registrar, Mr. Moses Salami, said the institution received a petition from a law firm and another from the police, “that we should investigate his studentship with the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.”

He said, “I was one of the officers detailed to carry out the findings. We discovered that Christopher Taiwo Asaju was our student who obtained an OND in Computer Science in 1993 but up till now, has not come to claim his certificate.

“Again, one of the issues we had to investigate was an HND certificate believed to have emanated from the polytechnic.

“That HND certificate ascribed to him could not have emanated from the Kwara State Polytechnic because the original certificate of his OND in Computer Science that would have been a precondition for processing the HND is still lying with the polytechnic.”

Lanre-Adi argued that Asaju’s HND certificate in Computer Science purportedly issued him by the polytechnic was apparently forged, as its security features were not those of the Kwara State Polytechnic.

House of Representatives may have on the exercise as part of its oversight function.

According to the statement, the Ministry would

also use this opportunity to clarify that the early renewal programme applies only to renewal of existing leases and does not involve issuance of any new

licenses for oil fields.

Based on the report, the statement said the minister and the DPR “await the advertised invitation from the House of Representatives,

and as always, will clarify any misunderstandings the lower chamber may have on the renewed leases as part of its normal oversight functions.

HELP ON THE WAY...

L-R: Wife of the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; her busband, Babajide; Omoshalewa Olusanya; Convener of the Lagos Enterprise Summit, Tonya Lawani-Okojie; APC deputy governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat and his wife, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat after the summit.

Fashola Demands N1bn from Adesanya over Mambilla Comments Olaseni Durojaiye The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has demanded N1 billion from the Managing Director of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company, Mr. Leno Adesanya for allegedly making uncomplimentary remarks on his person.

This was revealed in a letter dated January 18 and written by Uwensuyi-Edosomwon Chambers on his behalf, claiming that different statements made by Adesanya in newspapers and online platforms maligned the reputation of the minister.

The letter claimed that Adesanya had sponsored several media publications against the

minister and petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, urging him to intervene in the matter.

The letter said Adesanya’s words and messaging contained in various publications both in newspapers and online news portals discredited the minister as both a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Specifically, according to the letter, Adesanya had in one of the publication said in Fashola’s quest to stop the Mambilla project, he had discussed and encouraged the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari to remove Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited from the project.

The letter said the minister advised Kyari that Sunrise should “to go to court if the company felt aggrieved, knowing full well that any litigation would affect the ability of the federal government to fund the project.”

The letter listed libelous statements credited Adesanya as follows: “Your said interview to the press on the above subject was malicious and reckless with the sole objective to mislead the public.

“As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), you must stop peddling falsehood and check your facts before you open your mouth to speak. The Law profession is for honourable and honest individuals and being a senior advocate requires more.”

The letter reads in part: “Your publication was calculated to injure Fashola’s reputation in his profession and office both as a respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The venom with which you hauled libelous words at the minister in the referenced publications brooks no doubt in your manifest intention to gravely damage in his credit and reputation.

“Our instruction is to make the following demands from you. You shall make a complete retraction of the offending publications that were published as advertorials in all the tabloids and online news portals in which they were first published.

Navy Intensifies Destruction of Abiodun Pledges to Refineries in Delta Prioritise Rural Roads Illegal he said, couldn’t have been Sylvester Idowu in Warri Femi Ogbonnikan in Abeokuta

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Mr. Dapo Abiodun yesterday promise to focus on the reconstruction of new roads that would link urban centres if he is elected.

Abiodun gave the promise at the palace of Alaye Ode-Remo, in Remo North Local Government Area, saying though it “is important to have flyovers in the Abeokuta, rural roads should not be abandoned, just because of the state capital.”

According to him, fixing rural roads would ease movement of farm produce and dwellers from one location to another. Rural roads that connect other states will be given priority attentions.

He observed that it was evident that many communities in the state “are without pipe-

borne water and regular power supply. We will look into these challenges and attend to them.

“It is common knowledge that, while some governors, having spent eight years in office, have got nothing to show as the electoral promises. But I want to assure you that ours will be different. We will make good our electoral promises.”

Besides, the candidate noted that the forthcoming governorship election was for the greater growth and development of the state and urged the people to cast their votes en-mass for the APC. He said, “we are not leaving APC for another party because we know it is a great party that can bring dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

We are going to return power to the local governments so that council chairmen can perform their statutory duties effectively.

The Nigerian Navy has stepped up its fight against oil theft with the destruction of over 82 illegal refineries at Tibo community in Warri South West Local Government area of Delta State.

THISDAY observed that the site of the illegal oil refineries, covering over two kilometres, took the Navy personnel more than five days to destroy with the use of two swamp buggies.

After the destruction of the site on Friday, NNS Delta Executive Officer, Navy Captain Adeyemi Adewuyi and the Base Officer, Commander Nsikan said the illegal oil refineries were discovered through credible intelligence and had to move in naval personnel for the destruction of the site.

He disclosed that over 82 refineries were discovered at the site located in deep swamp area of the community which,

discovered without the cooperation of informants.

“We are in Tibo community in Warri South West Local Government, Delta State for the destruction of over 82 illegal oil refineries. As you can see, this is massive. We have to use two swamp buggies simultaneously for the destruction.

“These refineries are spread over four kilometres and the area is swampy. We are destroying over 82 illegal refineries, 32 dug pits, several tanks as well as hoses and pipes used for transporting their finished products to the loading bay by the river “, he said.

Adeyemi said a similar exercise was carried out at Benin River last week where over 52 illegal refineries were also destroyed, urging illegal oil refineries operators “to have a rethink by engaging in legitimate businesses warning that the navy will come hard on those engaged in economic sabotage.

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NEWSXTRA Onnoghen: Senate May Reconvene Tuesday as Leadership Meets Today Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate which adjourned plenary last Thursday to Tuesday, February 19 may reconvene on Tuesday to discuss issues of urgent national importance.

Already, the leadership of the upper chamber of the National Assembly is scheduled to meet today in Abuja to set an agenda for the reconvening of the Senate.

Sources told Thisday yesterday that the Senate leadership meeting to be presided over by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki,

at his Maitama residence by 8pm will discuss issues of national importance especially last Friday’s suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was further gathered that today’s meeting which will be attended by all principal officers of the Senate including Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan; Senate Chief Whip, Senator Sola Adeyeye and Senate Minority Leader, Senator

Biodun Olujimi, will weigh the pros and cons of reconvening the Senate in view of the recent developments as it affects the headship of the judicial arm of government.

Once the leadership of the Senate are convinced that the issue requires formal intervention of the Senate, sources said, the Clerk of the Senate will be mandated to reconvene the Senate on Tuesday,

January 29, for the Senate to deliberate and take a position on the matter.

Saraki had on Friday night reacted to the suspension of Justice Onnoghen by President Buhari saying its a threat to the nation’s fledging democracy.

The Senate President, in a 10- paragraph statement he personally signed, emphasised

that the suspension was a coup against democracy and another act of desperation by President Buhari.

He noted that by the suspension of the head of the nation’s judicial arm, Buhari has acted outside the provision of the constitution, has exercised the powers which he does not have and that this action amounted to

gross misconduct.

“This is an action aimed at undermining the nation’s judiciary, subverting the constitution, intimidating judges of all the courts of record, and creating uncertainty in the electoral process, thereby laying the foundation for influencing the outcome of litigations that might arise from next month’s elections.

FRC, BPSR to Establish Corporate Governance Code for Public Sector Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) has sought the partnership of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) to establish a code of corporate governance for the public sector The Executive Secretary, FRC Mr. Daniel Asapokhai, whose team was hosted by BPSR, noted that the council was a regulatory agency of the federal government established to promote trade and investments in Nigeria. According to him, FRC sought to promote these by high quality reporting and by good corporate governance, because these two will surely create trustworthy business environment, which is very desirable for both the private and public sectors.

Asapokhai, in a statement

signed by Deputy Director/ Head, Strategic Communications Department, BPSR, Mrs. Philomena O. Oshodin and issued after the meeting , expressed delight at the willingness of the council to work with the bureau in the interest of better service delivery in the country.

He decried the limitation of the FRC of Nigeria to effectively carry out its activities as it was removed from the federal government budget line, and it is now self-sustaining.

According to him, the council’s source of revenue generation is solely tied to fines and penalties got from defaulting organisations, which is grossly inadequate because FRC focuses on the benefits of doing what is in the code, so corporate bodies that don’t default cannot be fined.

UNVEILING NEW ALTAR...

R-L: National Overseer, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Nigeria, Pastor Joseph Obayemi and Assistant Pastor-in-Charge of Province Administration, RCCG, Lagos Province 14, Pastor Paul Adewunmi during inauguration of RCCG Overflowing Mega Parish at Fagba, Lagos…recently

Ekiti PDP Suspends Seven Lawmakers for Alleged Anti-Party Activities Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State yesterday disclosed that it had suspended seven of its members in the state House of Assembly for alleged antiparty activities.

However, over 100 loyalists of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and PDP members in Igbemo Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency dumped the PDP for the All

Progressive Congress (APC).

In a statement yesterday, the PDP Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr. Jackson Adebayo listed the suspended lawmakers as the Deputy Speaker, Posi Omodara; Deputy Leader of Government Business, Fajana OjoAde; Segun Adewumi; Badejo Anifowose; Olayode Omotoso; Cecelia Dada and Olanrewaju Olayanju.

Adebayo alleged that the lawmakers collaborated with

APC to punish PDP members, partook in suspension of local government chairman and councilors who are PDP members and that they maintained silence when the House purportedly endorsed the APC presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari.

Adebayo said the PDP State Working Committee had also set up a panel “to further investigate the extent of the damage the affected mem-

bers have done to the party.”

He added that part of the committee’s mandate “is also to find out other collaborators who are members of the party and recommend appropriate sanction.”

In a reaction, however, the deputy speaker said the PDP SWC lacked such power, saying the party’s constitution Section 59 (3) stipulated that only the National Executive Council could discipline them.

Honour Court Order on Ogun Buhari Pledges to Complete Guber Race, Kashamu Tells PDP Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project Segun James The lawmaker representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Buruji Kashamu yesterday urged the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to accept the decision of the court that declared him the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State.

Kashamu noted that the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the state’s governorship candidates “is in line with several judgments and orders of courts of competent jurisdiction.”

He expressed the view at a

news conference he addressed in Lagos yesterday, insisting that he remained the governorship candidate of the party in Ogun State.

Contrary to some reports, Kashamu said the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had since June 24, 2016 delivered a judgment authenticating the Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Executive Council as the only lawful body to conduct the activities of the PDP in the state, including the conduct of party primaries.

Kashamu said that up till date, that judgment delivered

by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court was yet to be upturned on appeal.

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday assured the South-west that the reconstruction of LagosIbadan expressway and Lagos- Ibadan rail projects would be completed before the end of this year.

He also said his administration would continue to accord due recognition to the region for standing by him, noting that the Southwest “has contributed immensely to the success of his government.

He gave the assurance at the presidential of All Progressives Congress (APC)

held at the ancient Mapo Hall, Ibadan yesterday, noting that a vote for him “is a vote for more dividends of democracy for the region.”

The rally was attended by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and Mr. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State, among others.

At the rally, Buhari said the completion of the two projects would boost the economy of not only the region, but the country as a whole.

THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͺͿË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Î

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SUNDAYSPORTS

Edited by Demola Ojo Email: demola.ojo@thisdaylive.com

Osaka Victorious in Thrilling Final, Wins Consecutive Grand Slams

apanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Naomi Osaka yesterday beat Czech Petra Kvitova in a thrilling Australian Open final to win back-to-back Grand Slams and become the new world number one.

Osaka, who replaces Simona Halep at the top of the rankings after the Romanianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 48-week stint, becomes the first Asian player to be world number one The US Open winner, 21, shed tears after missing three championship points in the second set but regrouped to win 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 6-4. The fourth seed broke for 2-1 in the decider, then served out the win.

Eighth seed Kvitova, 28, was bidding for her first major title since being stabbed in a knife attack.

Osaka was all smiles during the trophy presentation in Melbourne - in contrast to her US Open victory - and she continued a tradition of slightly awkward acceptance speeches. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Erm, hello. Sorry, public speaking isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t my strong point so I hope I can get through this,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I read notes before this but I still forgot what I was meant to say. Thank you everyone, I am really honoured to have played in this final.â&#x20AC;?

Two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova, who said she was fortunate to be alive after the stabbing Osaka holds the Australian Open trophy incident in December 2016, showed resilience to take the match into a third set as momentum swung in the decider. from side to side.

She went on to become the first player since Victory seemed to be inevitable for Osaka before American Jennifer Capriati in 2001 to follow her Kvitova broke back for 5-5 in the second, then going maiden Grand Slam win immediately with another on to win 12 points in a row to lead for the first triumph. time since the start of that set. .She is also the youngest to hold top spot since However, after welling up at the end of the second Denmarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Caroline Wozniacki, then aged 20, took set while she left the court for a bathroom break, the ranking in 2010.

Osaka regained focus to take a decisive advantage Osaka claimed her first Grand Slam by beating

23-time champion Serena Williams in a dramatic final at Flushing Meadows, which is remembered for the Americanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s row with umpire Carlos Ramos.

That left the Japanese player in tears and hiding behind her visor as she collected the trophy to the sounds of jeers from home fans in New York angry at Ramos, with Williams having to appeal for calm and respect for the new champion.

This time the atmosphere as she collected the

trophy could not have been more different.

The Rod Laver Arena, which sounded evenly split in terms of support during the match, erupted when she finally sealed victory after two hours and 27 minutes.

More followed as she lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup before the 15,000-capacity stadium fell silent as Osaka started her victory speech by praising Kvitovaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career comeback. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have wanted this to be our first match, but huge congratulations to you and your team,â&#x20AC;? she told the Czech. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are amazing and I am honoured to have played you in a Grand Slam final.â&#x20AC;?

Kvitova was contesting her first Grand Slam final since her second Wimbledon win in 2014, with many fans hoping she could cap one of the sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most inspirational stories with a fairytale finish.

Moments after Osaka sealed victory, an emotional Kvitova sat with her head in her hands as she seemed to be processing how far she has come over the past two years.

The left-hander needed surgery on her playing hand after the attack in a robbery at her home in the Czech Republic.

She sustained damage to ligaments and tendons when fighting off an intruder, but returned to the sport five months later. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is crazy. I cannot believe I played in the final of a Grand Slam again,â&#x20AC;? said Kvitova, whose voice was breaking as she fought back tears. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a great final - well done, Naomi. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thank you to my team for sticking with me, especially because we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even know if I could hold a racquet again. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that easy.â&#x20AC;?

Nadal, Djokovic Renew Biggest Tennis Rivalry in Aussie Open Final

Higuain at Chelsea training

FA Cup: Higuain Set for Chelsea Debut against ShefďŹ eld Wednesday Gonzalo Higuain could make his Chelsea debut in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FA Cup fourth-round clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge.

The 31-year-old striker completed his loan move from Juventus on Thursday and has been backed to hit the ground running with the Blues.

Chelsea assistant boss Gianfranco Zola said on Friday: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re talking about a player who has scored not only in Italy but everywhere, also in the Champions League. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure he can handle expectations. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always produced good numbers wherever heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to help Higuain to get his goals.â&#x20AC;?

However, a decision is yet to be made on whether Higuain will feature against Sheffield Wednesday.

Zola added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are players who need to be rested and it could be an opportunity.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, interim Sheffield Wednesday boss Steve Agnew said todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cup clash against Chelsea

RESULTS & FIXTURES Crystal Palace Chelsea

v v

Tottenham 5pm ShefďŹ eld Wednesday7pm

could not have been more timely for the club.

The Owlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; trip to Stamford Bridge will be Agnewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last game in charge before he starts his role as Steve Bruceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assistant at Hillsborough. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an amazing football club Sheffield Wednesday, fantastic fan-base and they will be very vocal on Sunday evening,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think anybody involved in Sheffield Wednesday needs reminding because everybody realises how big the club is and the potential it has. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But maybe a reminder to the rest of the football world that Sheffield Wednesday are playing in a huge game.â&#x20AC;? Chelsea changes are likely and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be available following a back problem. This is the 124th meeting in all competitions between Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday but first since April 2000, a 1-0 win for the Owls at Hillsborough in the Premier League.

Sheffield Wednesday have been eliminated from eight of their 10 FA Cup ties with Chelsea, last knocking them out in the 1965-66 semi-final.

Chelsea have progressed from 47 of their last 49 FA Cup ties against non-Premier League sides, losing in March 2008 against Barnsley and January 2015 against Bradford City.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will renew their long-standing rivalry in an Australian Open final where both can create new records.

Djokovic is aiming for a record seventh menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Melbourne title, while Nadal can become the first man in the Open era to win all the Grand Slams at least twice.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s match will be an ATP record-extending 53rd meeting between them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is the biggest rivalry weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen in tennis history,â&#x20AC;? Australian former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said.

The top two seeds meet at Melbourne Park for the first time since their epic five-set final in 2012, which Djokovic won with almost six hours on the clock.

The pair have produced some of the greatest matches, meeting in seven Grand Slam finals, five Grand Slam semi-finals and ne Olympic semi-final.

Djokovic, 31, leads their head-to-head 27-25, with eight victories in their past 10 matches - including their memorable 2018 Wimbledon semi-final five-setter which stretched over two days. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve played so many matches against him, epic matches on this court,â&#x20AC;? said the Serb. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to have a good final.â&#x20AC;?

Spaniard Nadal, 32, said he was happy to have shared â&#x20AC;&#x153;very special momentsâ&#x20AC;? on court with Djokovic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We push each other to the limit of our tennis level,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sunday (today) is going to be another episode.â&#x20AC;?

Djokovic set up the tantalising final with a comprehensive semi-final win over French 28th seed Lucas Pouille, which he described as one of his best performances in Melbourne.

Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nadal, meanwhile, has not dropped a set in his six matches here.

Whoever wins will move closer to Roger Federerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all-time record of 20 Grand Slam victories, although Australian great Rod Laver believes Djokovic is best placed to overhaul the Swiss.

Djokovic has won 14 majors after his Wimbledon and US Open victories last year, while Nadal

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal met in the 2012 Australian Open final with Djokovic winning in five sets in five hours 53 minutes

has 17 after claiming the 2018 French Open. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you look at his age and form in winning the last two, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d say Djokovic has the best chance of eclipsing Federer,â&#x20AC;? said 11-time Grand Slam singles champion Laver, 80.

Djokovic says beating Nadal at Wimbledon last year â&#x20AC;&#x153;mentally turned things around the mostâ&#x20AC;? for him.

Ranked outside the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top 20 earlier that year after elbow surgery, Djokovic beat Kevin Anderson in the final for his first Grand Slam title since the 2016 French Open.

He followed that by winning the US Open in September and reclaiming the world number one spot in November.

Nadal is playing in his first tournament since the US Open after injury problems and has been surprised by his level of performance in Melbourne. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am happy that I am competing that well that early. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the most important thing,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I felt myself playing well in practice before the tournament. Then you have to compete, see if you can make that happen in the competition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very happy to have that feeling again. Of course, it is a little bit surprising that it happens that early.â&#x20AC;?

Six-time champion Djokovic is tied with Australian great Roy Emerson and Federer in terms of all-time victories in Melbourne.

Sunday January 27, 2019

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Commonwealth Lawyers to Buhari “We are particularly concerned that the constitutional procedures and due process in the investigation of a judicial officer in Nigeria have not been followed.”

– Reaction of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) and the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA) to suspension of Chief Justice Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari.

SIMONKOLAWOLE And Four No Retreat, No Surrender Other Things…

SIMONKOLAWOLELIVE!

simon.kolawole@thisdaylive.com, sms: 0805 500 1961

B

efore every election in Nigeria, there is always always always something stirring up emotions, inflaming passion and pushing us, as it were, to the precipice.

We are never starved of tension.

The polity is always sharply and bitterly divided. The suspension of Justice Water Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) by President Muhammadu Buhari and the swearingin of Justice Tanko Ibrahim Muhammad in an acting position is probably the highest tension point as we head into the 2019 general election holding next month. I expect the temperature to keep rising in the weeks ahead. I just hope that at this rate, Nigeria will not catch fire.

I was more than shocked on Friday when I heard the news of the suspension of the CJN. My body became warm — as if I had a malaria attack. I was shaken. My heart skipped a bit. I never believed it was going to happen, partly because a court of appeal had asked the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to stay proceedings and partly because a CJN had never been suspended by a president in the history of our country. It was a most unexpected development. I was thinking all the litigations would be resolved before any further action would be taken. As a layman, I understand that when any case is in court, one of the parties is not expected to resort to self-help.

The court order relied upon by the president to suspend Onnoghen is one of the strangest in our legal history. The jurisdiction of the CCT was still being challenged. A superior court had, on January 24, asked the tribunal to stay proceedings. The following day, CCT ordered Buhari to suspend the CJN and swear in an acting CJN. Although the order was dated January 23 (to suggest that it was issued before the court of appeal asked the CCT to stay proceedings), there is reasonable suspicion that it was backdated to undermine the court of appeal. In fact, the CCT chairman, Mr. Danladi Umar, is said to have personally taken the papers to the ministry of justice on Friday, January 25.

I have read several legal opinions on who has the power to discipline the CJN. I prefer to leave the debate to legal experts. But an overwhelming majority of lawyers have described the suspension of Onnoghen as “illegal”. They have quoted several aspects of the law to support their position.

They have made references to previous court pronouncements to advance their argument. I don’t know if they are right, legally speaking, but I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that suspending Onnoghen is overly suspicious under the current circumstances. I doubt if the president has the power to discipline any judge, but even if he does, the undercurrents must never be lost on us.

Let us get some things clear. If Onnoghen made a false declaration of assets, he deserves to face the consequences. Some of the consequences are that he would be banned from holding public office and forced to forfeit those assets. It is immaterial whether or not he forgot to declare his assets — there is no such excuse known to law. I am very sure Onnoghen would not sit in judgment over a court case and set an accused person free on the basis that he forgot to do the right thing. Onnoghen’s failure to declare some of his assets, as alleged, is not defensible. Anyone trying to justify this is as blind as those justifying his suspension.

Also, if indeed Onnoghen is corrupt as alleged in media reports, he is not fit to be addressed as a justice, much less the chief justice of Nigeria.

Onnoghen

He deserves to be stripped of his exalted robe and sent to the courts to face justice. One of the worst things that can happen to a human society is injustice — especially when it is induced by corruption. If Onnoghen is found to be loaded beyond his means, it would be most unreasonable to say he should not be questioned. However, the moral argument for fighting corruption is that laid-down procedures were violated. But you would only be defeating your own argument by fighting corruption without also following laid-down procedures.

Meanwhile, I think it was improper for five south-south governors to have held an emergency meeting and called on Onnoghen to ignore the CCT summons. Again, that is an invitation to anarchy. Under no circumstance should we encourage anybody to ignore court summons.

You do not fight one illegality with another illegality. If we are going to build a democratic society, we must allow the system to take care of itself. We must fight illegality from the position of law. The south-south governors added an unnecessary ethnic and regional dimension to the issue. They can actually oppose the treatment being meted out to Onnoghen without whipping up ethnic sentiments.

Finally, I think Buhari’s political strategists are working very hard to destroy him ahead of the general election. They are doing everything possible to set him against the whole world and set the whole world against him. I guess they are now getting the feedback. No matter how allegedly corrupt Onnoghen is, there is no way neutrals would not smell politics with the pace and haste being deployed to tackle him.

We need to fight corruption in the judiciary, but everything must be done with decency and order. Only a shameless hypocrite would say that the Onnoghen case is less about politics and more about an attempt to fight corruption in the judiciary.

For if it were simply about cleansing the judiciary, the CCT chairman would not be sitting on that seat. There is a corruption case, filed by Buhari campaign spokesman, Mr. Festus Keyamo, dangling over Umar’s head. On the basis of morality, he should have been asked to step aside ages ago. Those asking Onnoghen to step aside on moral grounds are yet to extend this gesture to Umar. If it is sauce for Onnoghen, it should not be venom for Umar. Unfortunately, we are in the political season: the first thing that dies is reason. As long as your side of the bread is buttered, fairness and common sense can go to blazes. Nobody should promote this

lopsided approach to the anti-graft war.

Where do I stand? One, from the position of constitutional development, I think we should allow the system to take care of itself.

Despite the preponderance of criticism against the president’s move, there are legal experts arguing that there is nothing wrong with it. Let all these arguments be tested in the courts. That will allow for an organic development of the system. Some issues need to be settled in law once and for all, and I believe the Onnoghen case offers a good opportunity to resolve the role of the president in disciplining a judge.

My position, though, is that the president does NOT have the power to suspend the CJN. But I am not a court of law and my opinion is irrelevant.

Two, the CCT, in my opinion, does not have the power to order the president to swear in an acting CJN. As a layman who can read and write, I have studied the law setting up the CCT and I can say there is nothing empowering it to do what it has just done. The brief of the tribunal is to try public officers who are in breach of the Code of Conduct Act. Where it finds an officer guilty, it can pronounce these punishments: vacation of office; disqualification from holding any public office for a period not exceeding ten years; and seizure and forfeiture of any property acquired in abuse or corruption of office. Even if the CJN is found guilty, he has a right of appeal. That is the law.

Three, the president has to be very sensitive about political realities in Nigeria, especially within the ethno-religious context. Even if his advisers are telling him not to give a damn, he has to realise that there is already a sticky allegation of “northernisation” against him.

The word in town from day one is that he wanted to appoint a northerner as CJN and was never comfortable with Onnoghen, and the last thing someone in his position would want to do is keep feeding this perception. Critics say the CCT chairman, a northerner, is facing corruption charges and Buhari has never moved against him — but he has speedily suspended a southerner. Perception matters a great deal.

There is no doubt that errors have been committed by all sides. The CJN admitted that he did not declare all his assets. It is not as if he is being hounded because he did some good thing. We must never ignore this fact. Also, the federal government has gone in the wrong direction in trying to bring him to justice. As an optimist, though, I would argue that the Onnoghen saga has thrown up issues for us to tackle as a nation. We never imagined some of these issues before. Should all matters relating to judges be taken before the National Judicial Council (NJC)? What happens when the NJC chairman — that is the CJN — is involved?

We need to think deeply about this.

Above all — and this is my key argument and conclusion today — we must not lose sight of the real issue at hand: corruption in the judiciary. When the Onnoghen dust has settled, we must begin to debate how the system can be properly cleansed. The judiciary must never become a law unto itself. We cannot have a whole branch of government shielding itself from scrutiny. While I believe that the NJC should continue to discipline judges when it comes to their conduct on the bench, issues of corruption and declaration of assets should never be subject to the whims of the body. We need to take a longer-term view of things — beyond the obvious politics of 2019 elections currently at play.

HOME TROUBLE On Thursday, Ime Obi Ohanaeze Ndigbo — the highest organ of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation — endorsed Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The following day, Chief Solo Chukwulobelu, secretary to the government of Anambra state, issued a statement to distance Anambra from the endorsement. “We regret that they do not reflect the position of the people and government of Anambra state,” he said. Given that Atiku’s running mate, Mr. Peter Obi, is from Anambra and was its governor for eight years, President Buhari must be rubbing his hands from a distance. Amusing.

OBLITERATRING OBY Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili caused a stir when she abruptly entered the presidential race in October 2018 and caused even a bigger stir when she abruptly withdrew three weeks to the election. Accusations have been freely traded — her Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) accused her of being unserious and only targeting a ministerial position; she has, in kind, accused the party of not having the sort of values and vision dear to her. I find it very cruel, though, that anybody would suggest Oby went into the race for financial gain.

You can ridicule her politics if you would, but to assail her integrity is beyond the pale. Uncharitable.

ZAMFARA ZIGZAG In the midst of the crises rocking the Nigerian judiciary, the one that went under the radar were the opposite rulings on the Zamfara case by two courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction. In one instance, a federal high court in Abuja upheld the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to accept the list of candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. In another, a Zamfara state high court in Gusau asked INEC to recognise candidates of an APC faction led by Governor Abdulaziz Yari. No prize for guessing whom the state court was working for. The sad thing, however, is the way our judiciary is going into the abyss. Tragic.

AND FINALLY… You must have heard this. Abdullahi Yada’u, from Kanam local government area of Plateau State, has sent his wife, Hafsat, packing because she insisted on voting for President Muhammadu Buhari again.

“Both of us voted for Buhari in 2015 but this time, I feel disappointed with the administration and decided not to vote for him again. I told her that she must not vote for him but she insisted. This led to a quarrel which attracted the attention of our neighbours. I slapped her and told her to choose between voting for Buhari and staying with me. She ran away,” Yada’u told the BBC Hausa Service. Now, that is political rivalry taken to the next level.

Gobsmacked.

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