TUESDAY 7TH JUNE 2022

Sultan, Archbishop of Canterbury Condemn Terrorists Attack on Owo Church, Say It’s Crime against Humanity Police launch manhunt for killers as IG condemns dastardly act Osinbajo, northern governors, Tinubu, Fayemi, Diri, Makinde, Amosun commiserate with Akeredolu, Olowo, NGF donates N50m to Catholic diocese Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Olawale Ajimotokan, Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja, Fidelis David in Akure, Seriki

Adinoyi in Jos, Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City and Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin

Sultan of Sokoto and PresidentGeneral of the Nigerian Supreme

Welby, yesterday, joined the growing number of individuals and groups that have condemned Sunday’s

heinous attack on St. Francis Continued on page 34

Lagos State Partners Oando to Introduce Electric Mass Transit Buses... Page 6 Tuesday 7 June, 2022 Vol 27. No 9919. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

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UK Leader, Boris Johnson Survives No-confidence Vote... Page 35

Atiku Slams APC, Says Ruling Party Dined in Abuja While Innocent Worshippers Died in Owo Urges Nigerians to stand with him in 2023

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Presidential candidate of People Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji

Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, took a swipe at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), when he accused leaders of the ruling

party of gathering in Abuja to treat themselves to sumptuous dinner in the name of a meeting, while innocent worshippers died

needlessly in Owo, Ondo State.

He, therefore, called on the Nigerian people to stand with him as volunteers to reclaim

the country from the challenges currently befalling it.

According to a statement titled: “Why you need to stand with me at

the front”, the former vice president said, it was disconcerting that on Continued on page 10

In ‘Super Tuesday’, Aspirants Narrow to Osinbajo, Tinubu, Fayemi, Amaechi, Umahi, Lawan President wants options reduced further today Denies anointing anyone, writes delegates, urges voting without bait Controversy trails Lawan’s alleged pick as Adamu shuns govs Kalu pushes for senate president, Akeredolu dismisses idea Tinubu’s camp insists delegates must decide standard bearer Nnamani withdraws from race, Akpanudoedehe quits ruling party A’Court stops APC from using statutory delegates at convention Party chair chases journalists out of secretariat Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Ahead of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) special convention and presidential

primary today, in Abuja, stakeholders in the party, including the progressive governors, yesterday, reduced the number of aspirants jostling to fly the party’s flag to five in order to properly manage

The Stabilizer

& BRIDGE BUILDER

the voting exercise.

From the 23 cleared by the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun Screening Committee to contest

For AN IMPROVED SECURITY ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT EDUCATIONAL REFORMS AGRICULTURAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Continued on page 10

OTE

President Muhammadu Buhari meets Northern Progressive Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the party presidential primary at the State House Abuja... yesterday PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE

Afreximbank Backs Titan Trust Bank with a $300m Intra-African Investment Finance Facility…

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SENATOR AHMAD IBRAHIM LAWAN AS

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

OF THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC)

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580

I FEEL YOUR PAIN...

TINUBU IN OWO...

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with one of the victims of the recent shooting incident St Louis Hospital to commiserate with them on the June 5th shooting incident that occurred at the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State…yesterday.

All Progressives Congress Presidential Aspirant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, (right) greeting Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on arrival in Owo to commiserate with the people of the State over Sunday's brutal terrorists' attack at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo.

Afreximbank Backs Titan Trust Bank with a $300m Intra-African Investment Finance Facility African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the disbursement of a $300 million Intra-African Investment Financing Facility to Titan Trust Bank (TTB) to support the latter’s acquisition

of a majority stake in Union Bank Plc, Nigeria (UBN).

A statement from the multilateral institution explained that the deal would enhance the competitive dynamics of the Nigerian banking

sector, while maintaining confidence in the country’s financial services and broader financial stability.

It stated that the recently disbursed financing would complement the funds required for the proposed

acquisition.

“Afreximbank’s financial support enables TTB to secure the acquisition of a well-capitalised bank with an extensive network, enabling the entity to better serve

NASS Moves to Settle Judges' Poor Salaries Suit Out-of-Court Alex Enumah in Abuja In an attempt to resolve amicably the issue of judicial officers' salaries in the country, the National Assembly yesterday sought permission of the National Industrial Court in Abuja, to explore an out-of-court settlement of the case.

According to NASS counsel, Mr. Charles Yoila, out-of-court settlement was considered appropriate because of the nature of the matter.

Yoila, therefore pleaded with the court to grant an adjournment so as to enable parties in the matter sit on a round table for discussion on an amicable resolution.

He disclosed that the lawmakers would have opted for an early resolution of the matter but for the strike embarked upon by workers of the legislators, adding that the main gate of the Assembly was under lock and key.

At yesterday’s proceeding, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, who led 33 other Senior Advocates, had sought to argue the originating summons in the suit that was filed by another senior lawyer, Sebastian Hon, SAN, in line with the practice direction of the court.

However, hearing could not proceed because of the absence of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Attorney-General of the Federation AGF and the National Judicial Council (NJC) who were not represented by legal practitioners.

Awomolo, however, conceded to the request for out of court settlement sought by the National Assembly but on ground that an early date be granted.

In a short ruling, Justice ObasekiOsaghae adjourned the matter to June 22, for report of settlement by the parties in the matter.

By the suit plaintiffs were seeking an order of court compelling the defendants to increase the salaries and allowances of judges in the country.

In a supporting affidavit to the originating summons, Hon stated that as a legal practitioner, “who has

practised in all the levels of courts in Nigeria, I know that poor pay for judicial officers is seriously affecting the quality of judgments and rulings those officers are delivering and the discharge of other functions associated with their offices.”

He argued that the current economic reality in the country required that the salaries and allowances of the nation’s judges be urgently improved upon.

The plaintiff noted that the highest-paid judicial officer in the country – the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) – currently earns about N3.4 million per annum, far below what was being earned by such an officer in other countries.

Hon, who quoted what all judicial officers currently earn as provided under Part IIB of the Schedule to the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Amendment Act 2008, said the paltry sums had discouraged him from aspiring to become a judge.

He noted that it was about 14 years now since the salaries and allowances of judges were last reviewed upward in 2008 despite the loss of value of the naira vis-à-vis other global currencies like the US dollars, the British pound sterling and the European Union (EU) euro, etc.

“As of November 2008 when the amended Act was in force, the exchange rate between the naira and the US dollar was N117.74 to $1.

“The naira has considerably lost its value over time; but judicial officers in Nigeria have been placed on the same salary scale for up to 12 years, namely since 2008,” he said.

Hon added that, “even foreigners who have been hired from time to time to coach Nigeria’s national football teams earn higher than Nigeria’s judicial officers.”

He was praying the court among others, should declare that by a combined reading of the provisions of section 6(1)(b) and (d) and Parts A and B of the First Schedule to the Revenue Allocation Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission Act, Cap. R7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,

2004, it is unconstitutional for the 2nd defendant (RMAFC) to refuse or neglect to upwardly review the salaries and allowances of the judicial officers notwithstanding the changing local and international socio-economic realities.

The plaintiff wants an order compelling the defendants to forthwith activate measures to urgently review judicial officers’ pay, raising that of the CJN to a minimum of N12 million monthly, N11 million for other Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal President; N10 million for other Justice of the Appeal Court, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and President of the National Industrial Court (NIC).

Hon also wants the court to compel the defendants to raise the monthly minimum take-home of a judge of the NIC to N9 million; N8 million for Chief Judges of High Court of state sand the Federal Capital Territory, while the other judges are entitled to N7 million.

He was also seeking an order compelling the RMAFC or any other body assigned its responsibilities, “to, in perpetuity, review and continue to embark upon and carry out, in

conjunction with the 3rd defendant (AGF), a yearly or at most a twoyearly review of the salaries and allowances of the judicial officers listed above, with a view to making the said salaries and emolument realistic and befitting of the offices and duties attached to/exercised by such offices.”

The claimant, during yesterday’s proceedings had in his team of counsel 32 SANs referred to as learned silk and 22 learned counsel.

Awomolo led the other SANs in the matter. Other counsels were Kanu Agabi, J.B Daudu, E.C Ukala, Emeka Ngige, Rabana Lawan, Mike Ozekhome, Tawo Tawo, Hassan Liman, Peter Apeh, Ogwu Onoja, Offiong Bassey Offiong.

Others were Usman Sule, Olumiwa Akonboro, Emeka Ejiaba, Chukwuma Ekomaru, Godwin Obla, Gordy Uche, Anthony Malik, E.K Asiaka, F.K Idepefo, J.O Asoluka, Harris Ogbole.

S. Musa, Mose Ebute, Reuben Atabo, T.D Pepe, Alex Ejesieme, Henry Akunebu, A.T Kehinde, Ibrahim Bawa, J.J Usman, Matter Bukar and Audu Anuga.

Edward Erhinure led the team of 21 other lawyers in the matter.

vital economic activities of the public sector, companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises,” it added.

A member of the Tropical General Investment (TGI) Group – a pan-African group with diversified investments across seven African countries in various industries and a large network of origination, distribution, and supply chain hubs, “TTB will leverage the acquisition of UBN to enhance its capacity to capitalize on the unparalleled opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”

“Afreximbank will continue to support the new merged entity in trade finance to promote intra- and extra-African trade through its broad range of programmes and initiatives, including the Afreximbank Trade Facilitation Programmes (AfTRAF) and AfPAY, the Bank’s international payment services.

“The development impact of the acquisition is immense as TTB will leverage the merged entity to provide financing of about $3 billion over the medium term of which over $600 million will directly support intra-regional trade finance,” it added.

Commenting on the transaction, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah emphasised the Bank’s commitment to strengthening the position of indigenous financial institutions, thereby increasing Africa’s control

over its own financial markets and creating greater economic resilience for the continent.

“As international capital retreats from Africa, we must redouble our efforts to build an effective and resilient financial services sector on the continent, committed to intra-African trade and investments and the development of regional value chains.

“Afreximbank is confident that the transaction will engender confidence in the Nigerian financial system, attract additional capital investments and support the financial inclusion of small-scale enterprises, women-led businesses, youth enterprises and start-ups who are critical to the successful implementation of the AfCFTA,” he added.

Managing Director/CEO of Titan Trust Bank, Mr. Mudassir Amray, thanked Afreximbank for the exceptional support throughout the transaction.

He further commended the Afreximbank team for its professionalism and dedication which led to the successful completion of this landmark transaction in a record time.

He added that, "Afreximbank is one of a handful of organisations that remain bullish in Africa in this period of global uncertainty. The new merged entity will continue to work with Afreximbank to support businesses to promote intra- African trade.”

NDDC: Group Insist on Substantive Board, Kick against Plot to Replace Interim Administrator Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa An advocacy group known as the Movement for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta (MSDND) has sent a protest letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, over an alleged plot to sack the interim administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Effiong Akwa and appoint another to oversee the affairs of the commission.

While insisting that such plot was totally unacceptable, the group maintained that people of the Niger Delta region would only compromise if Akwa would

be removed and replaced with the immediate constitution of a substantive board for the commission as demanded by the NDDC Act. MSDND, in their letter to Buhari and signed by its National Coordinator, Ayibatekena Olodin, alleged that some unscrupulous politicians were plotting for the sack of the interim administrator and for him to be replaced with another interim administrator.

They warned that such move was not only unacceptable but would be resisted by the people of the region with all means possible.

"The plot is totally unacceptable

however, the people of the Niger Delta would only compromise if Mr. Effiog Akwa is removed and replaced with the immediate constitution of a substantive board for the commission as demanded by the NDDC Act. "The Niger Delta people are firmly against the appointment of a new NDDC Interim Administrator.

Mr. President, we urge you to allow Mr. Akwa to remain as Interim Administrator until you appoint a substantive NDDC board in the interest of the Niger Delta people, because any new appointment of a new Interim Administrator will set the region further backwards.

“We have observed that in the Seven years of your administration, a substantive board of the NDDC has never been constituted. Instead of constituting a board, all we have had under your administration is a dramatic monologue of confusion and administration brouhaha.

Many Niger Delta stakeholders have written, and others have protested against the continued use of the affairs of the NDDC as a comic relief for an already tense polity. The lack of a substantive NDDC board has robbed the region of over 7 years of substantive representation, economic growth and development”.

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DINNER WITH APC ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS...

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, at the dinner with National Advisory Council members of PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa Abuja... on Sunday

Lagos State Partners Oando to Introduce Electric Mass Transit Buses

Oando, one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous energy solution providers has recorded another milestone with its signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), the Lagos State Government agency tasked with planning, implementing, regulating and franchising sustainable integrated public transport in Lagos. The MoU was signed on April 28, 2022.

According to a statement, the MoU establishes a partnership between Oando Clean Energy Limited (OCEL), the renewable energy business of Oando, and Lagos State in the state government’s journey to becoming a sustainable city via the rollout of electric mass transit buses, supporting charging infrastructure and service centers (EV Infrastructure Ecosystem).

It pointed out that with over 25 million residents, Lagos remains the most populous city in Africa and among the top ten of the world's fastest-growing megacities.

According to the statement, over the last decade, the number of vehicles on Lagos roads have quadrupled, yet studies had suggested that the state could become the world’s most populated city by 2100 with as many as 100 million residents; and as the city grows, so will the number of vehicles.

“This upward trajectory in vehicle numbers poses a significant challenge as transportation has been identified as the key contributing sector at circa 23 to 30 per cent in

annual CO2 emissions.

“In addition, the automotive future is looking increasingly electric globally, due to growing regulatory moves, including forthcoming bans on sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, changing consumer behavior, and ongoing improvements in battery and charging technology,” it added.

It noted that by 2035, the world’s major automotive markets—the United States, European Union, and China—were expected to sell only Electric Vehicles (EVs), adding that by 2050, 80 per cent of the world’s vehicle sales were expected to be electric.

“This laudable partnership will form part of several interventions such as the Lagos state blue and red rail, that would set the tone for the gradual decarbonisation of the road transport sector by Lagos State,” it added.

Commenting on the MoU signing, the Managing Director, LAMATA, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo said: “Oando Clean Energy came to us with a comprehensive solution that went beyond electric mass transit buses to include supporting infrastructure, and this was key for us, as the full remit of an EV support ecosystem is the only way to achieve success. This initiative will not only accelerate the government's transportation agenda, but also positively impact the health of Lagosians and the environment.

“The Oando brand comes with know-how and experience, and we are relying on this to successfully move from MoU signing to actual

implementation that will in the medium to long term benefit over 22 million Lagos commuters. We look forward to a very robust and fruitful partnership.”

Commenting on the launch, the Chairman, Oando Clean Energy, Adewale Tinubu, said: “Oando Clean Energy was born out of a need to curate the best energy mix to propel Nigeria and indeed Africa, to its full potential.

As a company, Oando has always championed Public-Private Partnerships as fundamental to Nigeria’s industrialisation.

“Through the signing of this MoU, we are revolutionising the landscape of mobility by pioneering e-mobility in Lagos. Furthermore, we remain dedicated to achieving our national commitment to net-zero by 2060, ending energy deficiencies and further propelling the country to an industrialised phase through

decentralised and sustainable energy systems.

“We are excited to be embarking on this journey with Lagos State and must commend their foresight and willingness to forge a template for others to follow. It’s easy to be perturbed by the perceived challenges that come with the mega-city status tag, but by taking this bold step, Lagos is showing the continent what is indeed possible and giving other cities the impetus to redefine today how to build a public transport system for the future.”

He pointed out that today, investments in more sustainable transport infrastructure solutions could deliver environmental, social and economic benefits beyond a reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.

On his part, the Commissioner for Transport, Lagos State, Dr.

Wale Igbintade A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed an application seeking to discharge an ex parte order stopping one of the largest retailing stores in Nigeria, Shoprite Checker (PYT) from leaving Nigeria over alleged $47 million debt.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa dismissed the application yesterday while delivering a ruling in an

application filed by Shoprite Checker (PYT).

Justice Mohammed Liman (before he was posted out of Lagos) had on August 17, 2020, granted the ex parte application filed and argued by Professor Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), counsel to A.I.C. Limited in a suit marked FHC/L/ CS/881/2020.

Others listed as second to fourth respondents were Retail Supermar-

… plants more trees in Benin metropolis at Oredo Girls Secondary School in Benin City, among others, to join the global effort to ensure that the planet remains a comfortable home for humanity.

The Edo State Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Engr. Jonathan Lawani, while briefing journalists shortly after the tree planting exercise, urged all stakeholders in the state to support the government’s efforts at engendering environmental sustainability, ensuring a healthier and cleaner state for all citizens.

He said, “There is no other earth except the one protected by you and l. We all know the exchange between plants and animals in terms of carbon dioxide and oxygen without which we would not be alive. We need a good environment for our trees which

the continent to actualise its industrialisation goals.

Across Africa, the PPP model has become increasingly critical as both a funding and operational mechanism for social and economic infrastructure.

“This is not the first time that Oando has partnered with the State Government nor the first time it’s created a blueprint for others to adopt in the realm of cleaner energy solutions. In the past, through its erstwhile mid-stream vehicle, Oando Gas & Power (OGP), today rebranded Axxela, the company pioneered private sector gas pipeline development in 2007 and championed the development of Independent Power Plants (IPPs) including the Akute and Alausa IPPs powering Lagos Water Cooperation and the Lagos State secretariat respectively,” the statement added.

$47m Debt: Court Dismisses Shoprite's Request to Vacate Order Stopping it from Leaving Nigeria

#OnlyOneEarth: Edo Revs Up Campaign to Restore Ecosystem, Preserve Environment

The Edo State Government, in commemoration of this year’s World Environment Day, is revving up the campaign for the restoration of the ecosystem and driving environmental sustainability initiatives, expanding the ongoing tree planting exercise to other locations in the state.

This year’s World Environment Day with the theme, ‘Only One Earth,’ provides the platform to increase awareness and rally stakeholders, including governments, cities, businesses, organizations and individuals to step up actions aimed at protecting and restoring the planet.

Through the Edo Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, the government took the tree planting exercise to schools within the metropolis, planting several trees

Fred Oladeyinde said: “With an understanding that transportation is a key emitter of greenhouse gases in Nigeria, we developed a strategy to cut greenhouse gases by 50 per cent.

“A key component of this strategy was identifying and developing a more robust mass transit system for Lagos that would include rail and waterways amongst others. Using electricity to power mass transit is a step in the right direction, and from there we would gradually transit to private cars.

“This is just the beginning, there is still a lot more to come on stream. I commend LAMATA and Oando on this MoU signing, and both parties can be rest assured that they have my full backing to ensure success.”

The initiative reinforces the importance of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in enabling

will in turn help us to synchronize the carbon dioxide and give us oxygen to live. It is our collective responsibility to protect our environment and earth.”

The commissioner, who urged the students to be advocates and champions of a healthier and cleaner environment, charged them to ensure the proper evacuation of wastes in their environment.

“We need a clean, safe and healthy environment to live happily,” he added.

On her part, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Isoken Omo, who restated the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability, said trees are essential to human existence as oxygen needed for survival comes from trees.

Describing urbanization as the

major cause of deforestation and removal of trees, Omo said, “Trees are essential to human existence as the oxygen we need comes from the trees. Urbanization has caused deforestation and removal of trees from the urban areas.”

“We are commemorating this year’s World Environment Day with the planting of trees. We must continue to do what is right to replenish our environment; it’s a culture that we need to learn. It's important for the environment. We have abused the environment for a long time and now, it is time to stop the abuse,” she urged. Also, the principal of Oredo Girls Senior Secondary School, Mrs. Vero Iyayi said the tree planting exercise will help mitigate the adverse effect of climate change.

ket Nigeria Limited, The Registrar of Trademarks, and the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP).

In the Application, A.I.C. Limited had asked the court for an order restraining Shoprite Checker (PTY), its privies, officers, nominees, successors-in-title, subsidiaries, or anyone acting through it or by it from transferring, assigning, charging, disposing of its trademark, franchise, and intellectual property in a manner that will alter, dissipate or remove these non-cash assets from the court's jurisdiction.

The applicant also prayed the court for an order of Mareva injunction restraining Shoprite Checkers (PYT) its privies, officers, nominees, successors-in-title, subsidiaries, or anyone acting through it or by it from transferring, assigning, charging, disposing of its other assets including but not limited to trade receivables, trade payables, payment for the purchase of merchandise within the jurisdiction of the court.

It further asked for an order of the court mandating the Retail Supermarket Nigeria Limited, to disclose its Audited Financial Statements for the years ending 2018 and 2019, to enable it to determine the amount of the Shoprite Checker's funds in its custody in order to preserve same in satisfaction of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No: CA/L/288/2018.

Besides, A.I.C Limited asked the court to restrain the Registrar of Trademarks, from recognising

any sale or assignment of any trademark, franchise of whatever kind, reflecting any transaction by either Shoprite Checker or the Retail Supermarket Nigeria Limited, in connection with the corporate existence or approving any pending royalty(ies), interest, management fee, trade payment for the Shoprite Checker Limited, of the anticipated judgment turn but not less than $12.4 million and 10 per cent post-judgement interest per annum of the subsisting valid judgment debt.

A.I.C. Limited equally asked for an order directing the second respondent to file an Affidavit to show compliance with the Court's Orders, within seven days of service of orders.

Justice Liman granted the application after listening to the submissions of Prof. Osipitan, SAN on the exparte application and affidavit in support, deposed to by one Joshua Oluwagbemiga Akinyemi.

Dissatisfied, ShopRite Checker (PYT) Limited approached the court with an application to set aside and discharge the order.

But, in his ruling, Justice LewisAllagoa described Shoprite's application as 'lacking in merit, abuse of court processes and dismissed same accordingly.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa also gave Shoprite Checker (PYT) Limited 14 days, to comply with the previous orders made by Justice Liman. The suit was adjourned till July 14.

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PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF PRP, KOLA ABIOLA...

L-R : Special Assistant on Media to the National Chairman, Peoples Redemption Party Mr. Bello Ishaq; Presidential Candidate of PRP, Mr. Kolawole Abiola and National Secretary of the Party, Babatunde Alli, during a news conference PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE to declare Kola Abiola as the winner of the PRP primary election and party’s Presidential Candidate held in Abuja ..yesterday

Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Sudan Join Others as Countries with Acute Food Insecurity, Catastrophic Conditions Oluchi Chibuzor The latest ‘Hunger Hotspots of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) early warnings on acute food insecurity’ report released yesterday showed that Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Yemen remain at ‘highest alert’ as countries with catastrophic conditions.

According to the report, Afghani-

stan and Somalia were new entries to this worrisome category since the last hotspots report released January 2022.

It maintained that the six countries all have parts of the population facing Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) phase 5 ‘Catastrophe’ or at risk of deterioration towards catastrophic conditions, with up to 750,000 people facing starvation and death.

The report warned that the war

in Ukraine had exacerbated the already steadily rising food and energy prices worldwide, which were already affecting economic stability across all regions.

It noted that the effects were expected to be particularly acute where economic instability and spiraling prices combine with drops in food production due to climate shocks such as recurrent droughts or flooding For Nigeria, the report high-

lighted that reaching the highest level on record, about 19.5 million people in the country were projected to be in Crisis or worse (CH Phase 3 or above) levels of acute food insecurity during the lean season (June–August 2022), including 1.2 million in Emergency (CH Phase 4), if humanitarian interventions are not scaled up and sustained.

“Reflecting the high numbers of food insecurity, the situation remains extremely concerning

Another Fulani Succeeding Buhari Not An Issue, Says Delta Commissioner Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba The possibility of President Muhammadu Buhari being succeeded in 2023 by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar is not an issue to consider under the present political dispensation, Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu said yesterday.

According to him, the emergence of the former vice president as the presidential standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a simply reflective of the wish of the party through a democratic process.

Aniagwu, who stated this while fielding questions from newsmen at a media briefing in Asaba, stressed the need for Nigerians to move away from ethnic, religious and other primordial sentiments in determining who should lead or hold elective office, so that the democratic culture could be entrenched.

In the same vein, Aniagwu faulted the claim that the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and some of his counterparts from the southern part of the country may have betrayed trust by not sticking with the decision by governors of southern states that they should work for shift of power from the north to the south in 2023.

He pointed out that there was really no concretised agreement to that effect among the governors of the south, noting that Okowa

did not vote at the convention due to new Electoral Act, but only 25 PDP delegates from Delta State duly voted.

Although, Rivers State Governor, Nwesom Wike, emerged second during the exercise, the outcome showed that Abubakar enjoyed much wider nation-wide acceptance, he said, adding that money does not necessarily sway delegates at such election but relationships and loyalty were stronger, he said.

On the social media reported crack in relation between Okowa and former governor James Ibori, the information commissioner said such a rift only existed in the imagination of those peddling the rumour, because the governor was still enjoying a cordial relationship with Ibori who remains a respectable leader of the PDP. Specifically, he said Okowa was not aware that Ibori was working against his (Okowa's) interest by allegedly blocking him from becoming the running mate to Atiku.

Aniagwu said, "We are on course and I don't think there is any problem between Governor Okowa and our leader, Chief James Ibori.

"Okowa has continued to show him (Ibori) respect and I have not seen Chief Ibori speak ill of Governor Okowa and of course knowing who Okowa is, he will never speak ill of anyone especially his leader."

He warned those who may have been stoking the fire of division for reasons best known to them to desist forthwith, saying his boss (the governor) was too refined and of an impeccable integrity to send anyone to write or publish any derogatory material against Ibori.

Similarly, Aniagwu said it was mischievous of anybody to claim that Ibori was, "Okowa's political godfather" since Okowa was Ibori's contemporary and actually became involved in active politics as far back as 1991 even before Ibori ventured into active politics.”

On the persistent claims by the state APC governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, that the Okowa administration has nothing to show for the over N700 billion that came to the state in seven years, Aniagwu advised the Deputy President of the Senate to get serious and tell the people of state what he planned to do for them if he became the governor, “instead of exposing his ignorance of simple statistics and failing woefully to get grip of the financial inflow into the state and how much was managed.”

in the conflict-affected areas of northern Nigeria, where insecurity and access challenges are likely to persist.

“Even though humanitarian assistance, including food assistance and support to agricultural livelihoods, has brought some relief in the northeast, there is a marked deterioration of acute food insecurity levels projected for the lean season (June–August), combined with an outlook of continued insecurity and access challenges.

“Several local government areas (LGAs) are inaccessible or hard to reach by humanitarian assistance due to insecurity in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

These three states contain about half the population in Emergency (CH Phase 4), and more than one quarter of people in critical need of emergency assistance (CH Phase 4) in Borno are projected to be located in inaccessible areas where access to life-saving assistance is expected to be lacking.

“Strong efforts are needed to reach those most vulnerable populations with humanitarian assistance," the report stated concerning Nigeria.

However, it noted that for Nigeria in the Cadre Harmonisé March 2022 update, no population were classified in Catastrophe (CH

Phase 5), unlike in the previous analysis, but noted that the recordhigh levels of acute food insecurity are of serious concern.

“Importantly, the population in Emergency (CH Phase 4) is expected to reach close to 1.2 million people during the peak of the lean season from June to August 2022, including in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe where some LGAs continue to be inaccessible or hard to reach.

“Precarious security conditions, macroeconomic challenges, high and further increasing food prices and a prospect of localised belowaverage harvests are likely to further aggravate acute food-insecurity levels also outside Borno State in the outlook period, while acute malnutrition prevalence remains high in several states, and exceeding 15 percent in three LGAs of Sokoto State," the report added.

“In the Middle Belt and southern regions of Nigeria, the latest forecasts indicate an increased likelihood of below-average rainfall which could reduce yields and result in crop losses, with a potential impact on pick up food prices, northern parts of Nigeria and large parts of the Sahel are expected to see average to above-average rainfall with good prospects for crops, but also an increased risk of localised flooding,” it stated further.

NCAA Presents Air Transport Licence to Nigeria Air Chinedu Eze Nigeria Air has received its Air Transport Licence (ATL) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The Director General, NCAA, Mr. Musa Nuhu, presented the certificate to the interim management of Nigeria Air. Nuhu explained that the ATL was a prerequisite for the airline to acquire Air Operation Certificate (AOC) to start operating.

According to him, the NCAA works and supports all operators currently existing and aspiring in the industry to get necessary documents after meeting all the

requirements.

“This ATL has gone through all the processes. So, at this point in time, I will like to do the presentation. We look forward for the fulfillment of the AOC process so that we can hand over AOC certificate to you.

“As the regulator, we work with operators. That is a goal to promote the growth of the industry. It is important to have strong airlines in Nigeria in view of the Single African Transport Market.

“Also, in view of Africa Continental Free Trade Area which can make significant contribution to the growth of Nigerian economy, “he said.

Nuhu said Nigeria stood to get the best from the AU Agenda 2063 Air programme being one of the largest market in Africa.

He said participating in Single Africa Air Transport Market as a nation would increase Gross Domestic Products (GDPs).

Responding, the Acting Chief Executive, Nigeria Air, Mr. Dapo Olumide, thanked the NCAA for the good job executed leading to present ATL to Nigeria Air. Olumide said the team would definitely double efforts in order to fulfill all necessary processes to receive AOC certificate from NCAA to start flying.

“We already have aircraft

identified because, that is one of the requirement for the NCAA. We are waiting for the terms of agreement with Provider of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

“What we need now is to go through stages to get AOC certificate from NCAA. No magic in the process. It is not something that can be issued because they like your face.

“When you have an AOC and ATL, you can commence commercial scheduled operations. The date to start operation is largely based on the process one is following to get the AOC certificate“ he said.

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TEN IN ‘SUPER TUESDAY’, ASPIRANTS NARROW TO OSINBAJO, TINUBU, FAYEMI, AMAECHI, UMAHI, LAWAN the presidential primary, the top five in the race now are the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu; Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi and the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

However, not satisfied with the number still in the race, President Muhammadu Buhari, after meeting with governors of the party at a meeting, which started last night and dragged till the early hours of today, directed the governors to further reduce the names to two or three, so it would be a straight fight between those shortlisted to contest.

Although it’s nothing close to the United States Super Tuesday, when the greatest number of US states – about 14 of them – hold primary elections and caucuses, where approximately one-third of all delegates to the presidential nominating conventions could be won, today’s presidential primary of the ruling APC, is a coincidence, which unfortunately, has birthed more crises than the party leadership had envisaged.

Reports earlier yesterday that the National Chairman of APC, Senator Abdulahi Adamu, had endorsed Lawan, unsettled the convention atmosphere, a development, which first precipitated a meeting of the northern governors of the party with President Buhari.

The president, who immediately issued an official statement to quell tension, however, made public his stand on the choice of a presidential candidate for the APC, saying he had no preference amongst the 23 presidential aspirants.

He also wrote a letter to the delegates partaking in today’s presidential primary election, and pleaded with them to exercise their rights without allowing any form of inducements or manipulations.

The APC governors had left a meeting at the party secretariat and headed to another one with the president, armed with five names from the southern presidential aspirants as part of their resolution, in addition to Lawan, a northern aspirant, who has refused to stand down, making the total number of those set for final showdown today six.

Going through the list, the president directed, albeit in form of advice, that they should prune down the list to two or three, preferably two so it would be a straight fight between the two at the convention today.

But seeing that the governors seemed uncomfortable with the advice, the president then said if they found it difficult to further prune down the list from the ones shared with him, then, they should let everyone go for an election today.

The progressives governors are billed to meet again this morning to wrap up their consultations, take a decision and also issue a statement to that effect, after they might have pruned down the list to a manageable number.

Yet, an apparently angry Adamu, had avoided a meeting with the governors, where the issues were meant to be looked at collectively and a solution proffered.

Relatedly, Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, has boasted that Adamu would present Lawan to the president today as the consensus option, an idea the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has also dismissed as at best, an opinion of the APC chairman.

But the camp of one of the presidential hopefuls and former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a statement

by Babatunde Ogala and Kehinde Bamigbetan, on behalf of the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Organisation, has warned on the legal impossibility of a consensus and said the delegates must be allowed to determine the choice of the party for presidential candidate.

This is as a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, has announced his withdrawal from the presidential race in the light of the unsavoury developments, while a former National Secretary of the defunct Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John Akpanudoedehe, has quit the party.

However, Adamu, apparently unhappy with the reports that exposed his underhand intrigues, yesterday, chased out all the journalists covering activities of the party from the secretariat.

But before his meeting with the governors late last night, Buhari, at a meeting with the Northern APC governors, State House, Abuja, stated emphatically that he had “no preferred candidate".

He also stressed that he had "anointed no one,” and was determined to ensure that, “there shall be no imposition of any candidate on the party.”

According to a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari said, the party was important and its members must be respected, and made to feel they were important, stressing that he had a clear mind about what he was doing and asked the APC governors to feel the same way.

“You were elected as I was.

Have a clear mind as I have. God gave us the chance; we have no reason to complain. We must be ready to take pain as we take the joy. Allow the delegates to decide. The party must participate; nobody will appoint anybody,” the president stated.

Earlier, in their addresses, Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State of the Progressive Governors Forum, said they had come to affirm the position of the Northern Governors that the party’s candidate in the presidential election shall come from the southern part of the country.

They apologised to the President for the leakage of their signed memorandum, which was not in support of any particular candidate and gave assurances to the president on their readiness to accept his leadership on the matter.

Also speaking with newsmen, Lalong reiterated the stand taken at the weekend by the APC Northern Governors that power must shift to the South in the presidential primary of the party.

He said the essence of the meeting with the president was to formally brief him about their

stand on power shift and to get the backing of the party's national leader.

His words: "We had a meeting this afternoon with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our dear President Muhammadu Buhari and this meeting is also in line with part of the consultations that Mr. President had.

“Of course, Mr. President had a meeting with us governors and series of people, but at the APC Northern Governors’ Forum, we sat down, we reviewed a lot of things in this country and we discussed at length about the unity of this country, about the need for progress and the need for inclusiveness, and also the need for accommodation.

"We sat down in the last few days and 13 out of 14 governors agreed. We took a decision to go and advise Mr. President. While we were on our way to advise Mr. President, I think part of the discussions that we had leaked out to the press. Well, we still went ahead and we told Mr. President. Mr. President, being a democrat, said no, he must listen to us, he would listen to us. And so, Mr. President granted the opportunity today.

"Our mission today is to reaffirm our position on that statement. We also apologised to him that that statement was made by all of us and we reaffirmed the position, but we apologised that the statement leaked before even our consultations with him.

"However, it is now in the message, not the messenger. So, Mr. President was very happy.

He took our position and out of that discussion, Mr. President, as a believer in democratic process, believe that any candidate must emerge through a transparent process and the emphasis that Mr. President told us that for this election, for now, he has no anointed candidate and therefore directed that the Progressive Governors Forum meet with the National Working Committee of the party to agree and proffer further solutions and recommendations for his own succession.

"For emphasis, those of you who read it, I have a copy of what we wrote, which was already out of press, and I said we wrote it and we stand by it; that in the interest of unity, in the interests of peace, we recommended that and also justice, our recommendation is that the next President should come from the south.

"I told you that the President believes in democratic process, but even during democratic process, that are consultations, that are consensus, is also part of democratic process. Even our constitution provides for that; it says consensus and then election, either direct or indirect. So, what we're doing is part of the build-up towards the election. What we're also saying is recommendation as we think that will bring out a very peaceful process."

Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, explained that his Kogi State counterpart, Yahaya Bello, who was also a presidential aspirant asked to be excused from the meeting with the president, because he did not belief in zoning presidency to the South.

He said: "We met before coming to meet with Mr. President, we met all of us, including the governor of Kogi State. As you can see, he’s not the only aspirant,

ATIKU SLAMS APC, SAYS RULING PARTY DINED IN ABUJA WHILE INNOCENT WORSHIPPERS DIED IN OWO the very day, when the whole of the country and the rest of the world was in a sober mood, on account of the massacre in Owo, Ondo State, the ruling APC could not find the moral rectitude to cancel a dinner with their presidential aspirants, slated for the evening of Sunday, 5 June.

"Needless to say that the socalled primary election is standing on the backdrop of the reported claim of President Muhammadu Buhari to be given an opportunity to handpick his successor.

"With blood of innocent worshippers flowing on the street

of the Sunshine state, leaders of the APC are gathered in Abuja, treating themselves to sumptuous dinner in a manner that suggests lack of empathy to the mood of the nation," Atiku said.

To that extent, Atiku said, "Since the convention of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, last weekend, I have continued to enjoy the support and expression of goodwill by party leaders, members and even my co-contestants after the election.

“I am happy to inform you that in my private conversations with these leaders, the PDP is ready to

face the next general election as ONE UNITED force.

“As the presidential flag bearer, my responsibility is not just to ensure that our party returns to power in the presidential election, it is my expectation that I can count on your support to see it through that the PDP wins majority in federal legislative seats, and in all gubernatorial and states’ legislative elections.

“It is a herculean task, no doubts about it. But, I know that with your support, the PDP can return to Continued on Page 12

the governor of Jigawa State is also an aspirant and he's here with us and we met. But the governor of Kogi State chose to excuse himself from meeting with Mr. President, because he believes that he does not agree with our position.

"There are 14 APC governors out of the 19 Northern states. 13 of us are on one page on this subject and we all came to see the President, but the governor of Kogi State excused himself and it is within his democratic rights to excuse himself. But 12 out of 14 is a super majority. 13 out of 14 is an even bigger super majority and the 13 of us met with the President today."

Responding to question as to if Bello was invited to the meeting, where the Northern APC governors took the decision, El-Rufai confirmed that invitation was duly extended to him but failed to make it to the meeting.

"He was invited to the meeting, he had a clash, he didn't make it. Look, I have said this over and over. I don't know why people assume that when you have 100 people, everyone must agree before a decision can be taken. That is the key to analysis paralysis.

"When the majority, or even a super majority, like 12 out of 14, takes a decision, everyone is bound. There is no time that everyone will agree to an issue. It's part of human nature. But what is the majority view of Northern governors? We represent the majority, indeed a super majority.

Also, in any case, his name is not on our list, we didn’t write his name. So even without writing his name, it shows that he was not part of it."

The northern APC governors that attended the meeting with the President included Bagudu (Kebbi), Lalong (Plateau), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Abdulrasaq Abdulrahman (Kwara) and Babagana Zulum (Borno).

Others were Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Bello Matawale (Zamfara), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Yahaya Inuwa (Gombe), Abubakar Bello (Niger), and the Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni.

Buhari Writes Delegates, Urges Voting Without Inducement

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, wrote to all delegates taking part in picking a presidential standard-bearer for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and urged them to exercise their franchise in an atmosphere devoid of any form of inducement or manipulation.

In a message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari, while welcoming the delegates, wrote that, “As I said when I met with the Progressives Governors Forum, last week, the outcome of this primary election should prove to the world the positive quality of the APC regarding democratic principles, culture as well as leadership.”

He added that the delegates should conduct themselves decently and in order, reiterating that the APC stood for positive change in the way of doing things, “and we must reflect this in all areas of our lives and conduct.”

President Buhari saluted all delegates, who had traveled from far and near, describing them as “the true pillars of the party, who have been our strength from formation, to our first electoral victory, the second in 2019, and to the third, by the grace of Almighty Allah, in 2023.”

He recalled what he told the National Advisory Council at State House on Sunday night, that, “We are marching towards a third straight victory since 2015, at the Presidential polls.”

To this end, he urged the delegates to vote wisely, and pick a person that would fly the banner of the party to a resounding victory next year, even as he wished all delegates a

happy stay in the Federal Capital Territory, and safe trip when they travel back to their respective destinations.

Adamu Shuns Govs, Kalu Pushes for Lawan, Akeredolu Dismisses Idea

National Chairman of the APC, Abdulahi Adamu, yesterday, shunned a meeting with the governors of the party held at the national secretariat in Abuja.

This is as Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu, has expressed confidence that Adamu would present Lawan as the consensus candidate, while the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has dismissed the proposition by his party chairman.

The meeting scheduled between the governors and Adamu was to discuss the issue of alleged endorsement of the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, as consensus candidate of the party.

The governors, who had initially agreed to brief the media on the outcome of the meeting with Adamu and other members of the National Working Committee (NEC) left after an hour as Adamu tactically stayed away.

Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Abba Kyari, told journalists that the meeting was called in respect of today's convention, but added that they had not taken a decision on consensus.

Asked about the outcome of the meeting, he said, "As you are aware, we have a national convention and that is in respect of what is going to happen."

The governors, however, left the party secretariat for Adamu's house located within the precinct of the Presidential Villa.

Governors, who attended the meeting were Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong; Governor of Nasarawa, Abdulahi Sule and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, among others.

All members of the NWC were at the meeting except Adamu.

Meanwhile, Kalu, in a statement, yesterday, said Lawan was chosen after a thorough evaluation of all the presidential aspirants.

He stated: "Sen Abdulahi Adamu, has through a vigorous evaluation of all our able and qualified candidates, decided in the interest of our party and the future wellbeing of millions of Nigerians, who look to our party for continuous leadership, decided that Senator Ahmed Lawan, is the strongest and most suitable candidate to be the flag bearer of our party in the upcoming Presidential election.

"The National Chairman and NWC of our party will present Senator Ahmed Lawan to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his endorsement."

But Akeredolu has said that Adamu was on a frolic of his own and that he decided to issue a statement, because the speculation about Lawan’s alleged endorsement was rife.

"My attention has just been drawn to the expensive joke purportedly enacted by the National Chairman of APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

The speculation is rife that the Chairman took a flight of fancy and decided to make a pronouncement beyond his competence. He has, allegedly, made public his preferred choice as the candidate of the APC for the Office of the President in the next general election.

"This alleged pronouncement runs contrary to the position of the majority of northern governors in APC and their counterparts in the South. Our agreement is unanimous on this issue.

"The office of the President should be contested for by qualified persons from the Southern part of the country if the move to get a consensus candidate fails.

There has been no shift from this settled issue.

"Let it be known that the Chairman or anyone, who holds a contrary opinion does so at

a personal level. He is at best embarking on a frolic, which reasonable people will consider dangerous."

Akeredolu said though his state was grieving, they have not forgotten that power must shift to the south, adding that, "on this we stand."

NWC Disowns Adamu, Insists Lawan Not Consensus Candidate

Members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, drew a battle line with the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdulahi Adamu, over the purported endorsement of the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan,as the consensus candidate, a few hours to the party's presidential primary scheduled for today.

Adamu during the NWC held at the National Secretariat of the party yesterday in Abuja, had allegedly announced Lawan as being chosen as the consensus candidate of the party.

He informed the NWC members that the decision was reached following consultation with President Muhammadu Buhari, who had since denied endorsing Lawan.

Nevertheless, the plan by Adamu to seal the fate of other presidential aspirants hit a brick wall when other members of the NWC refused to ratify Lawan as the consensus candidate of the party, a few hours to the party's convention.

Addressing journalists at the party secretariat after the NWC meeting, the National Organising Secretary, Mr. Suleiman Argungun, said the issue of consensus was never discussed at the meeting, not to talk of endorsing Lawan.

Argungu was in company with the National Vice Chairman, South-south, Chief Victor Giadom, National Vice Chairman, Southwest, Isaacs Kekemeke, National Vice Chairman, North-West, and Dr. Salihu Lukman, among other NWC members.

Lukman had recently accused Adamu of blackmailing the NWC members with Buhari's name to force decisions on them.

Argungun, therefore, stated that, "It is just an information that he (Adamu) gave us. It is not an issue that has to be deliberated by NWC. It is an information. All of us are entitled to our opinion. We are all democrats. This decision was never taken by the NWC. "That is just an information, not an issue that was discussed by the NWC. Just recently, the northern governors had their meeting. We, as members of the NWC, are with the governors on what they have said."

Tinubu: Consensus a Legal Impossibility, Let the Delegates Decide

The campaign organisation of a frontline presidential aspirant of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said the best option for his party in choosing a presidential candidate was to allow the delegates decide, otherwise, consensus remained a legal impossibility.

He, therefore, insisted that any attempt for a consensus presidential candidate must be in line with Electoral Act, which he claimed was impossible to achieve.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, Babatunde Ogala and Kehinde Bamigbetan, who spoke on behalf of the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Organisation.

Ogala said, "Asiwaju Bola Tinubu believes that if there would be any consensus that he is the consensus candidate, if not, let the delegates decide, who will become the presidential candidate of the APC. "Bola Tinubu believes that he has 51 per cent of the delegates as he has the support of the delegates from Lagos, Kano, Katsina, Borno, Cross River Kwarasouth, Oyo and Plateau States.

Continued on Page 36

TUESDAY JUNE 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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NEWS

EFCC GETS ACCESS TO INTERPOL'S SECURE DATABASES...

L-R: Ag. Director, Global Outreach and Regional Support (GORS), Interpol General Secretariat, Mr. AbdulAziz Ibaidalla; CoS to EFCC Chairman, Hadiza Gamawa Zubairu; Head NCB Abuja and VC Interpol Africa, Interpol General Secretariat, AIG Umar Baba; Senior Project Manager, GORS, Noha Amer, and Deputy Head, Interpol NCB, Mr. Stanley Ude, during the signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding between the EFCC and INTERPOL's National Central Bureau, granting the Commission access to its secure global databases in Lyon, France....recently

Buhari to Tinubu: No One Individual Can Claim Credit for My 2015 Victory Deji Elumoye in Abuja The presidency has cleared the air about the electoral victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential poll, saying no individual should claim the glory of the president's victory seven years ago.

The presidency's reaction came on the heels of comments credited to the former governor of Lagos State and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Mr. Bola Tinubu, last Thursday in

Abeokuta, that he almost singlehandedly made Buhari win the election in 2015, after three failed attempts by the president.

In a statement yesterday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the presidency said Buhari's victory in 2015 was a collective interest and not what a single person should claim the glory.

The statement added, "It is, perhaps, not surprising that on the eve of the APC primary, there

are those running who wish to associate themselves with the president’s rise to elected office seven years ago.

"There are many people who played parts large and small in his historic election in 2015, making history as the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting president, with power changing hands peacefully at the ballot box.

"There are those who advised the president to run again; those who decided to build a political party – the APC – that could finally

be the political vehicle capable of delivering victory where all other opposition parties and alliances before it had failed.

"Those decisions may have been agreed upon by a few. But they were delivered by thousands and voted for by tens of millions. No one can or should claim to have made this possible.

"Yet as important as that moment was, it is not what should decide the next general election.

"What matters is the future: the policy platforms, the ideas, the

Bauchi PDP Inaugurates Kariya-led Committee to Reconcile Aggrieved Members Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The People Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State has inaugurated a reconciliation committee under the leadership of Senator Bala Adamu Kariya to reconcile aggrieved members and strategise for the success of the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Muhammed who spoke during the inauguration of the 22-member committee at Bauchi yesterday, said the committee would be saddled with the responsibility of contacting all party members and aspirants who were not satisfied with the conduct of the just concluded state and National Assembly primary elections in the state.

He said members of the committee were selected after a careful understanding of their pedigrees, profiles and leader positions in the society.

The governor said the reconciliation committee would form a sub-committee of prominent personalities who would be saddled with the responsibility of bringing in other members of opposition political parties interested in joining the PDP in the state.

"We want to thank you most sincerely for accepting this responsibility vested on you.

This committee has been given the mandate to go and resolve all these issues and you have four weeks to complete this assignment.

Ensure you come up with a report after this assignment.

"We want to go intact as a state and as a government, we want to continue with the good works that we have started, we want to make sure that we put aside all disparaging issues, issues that are based on lies, issues that are based on political gimmicks," he said Speaking shortly after the inauguration ceremony, Kariya thanked the leadership of the party and Mohammed for the confidence reposed on the members of the committee, assuring that the committee would keep to the terms and references of assignment given to it.

He expressed optimism that the party would emerge victorious after the 2023 general elections, stressing that committee would unite all members of the party, particularly

those who are aggrieved after the conduct of the primary election.

Other members of the committee included Honourable Abubakar A.Faggo(Secretary), Alhaji Salisu Garba(Assistant Secretary), Alhaji Abdulkadir Doguwa, Alhaji Umar Barau Ningi, Alhaji Danladi Mohammed Dan Baba, Honorable Haruna Bappa Disina, Alhaji Abdullahi Yari, Mr Abdon Gin, Mr Simon Balewa, Alhaji Sanusi Sarkin Aska, Alhaji Abdullahi T.Musa and Alhaji Yerima Sarkin Misau.

The others are Alhaji Imamu Itas, Hajiya Amina Karubu, Honourable Tukur Adamu, Hajiya Zainab Rufai, Alhaji Danbaba Riminzaim, Dr Esther Ahmed, Alhaji Audu Hassan, Alhaji Inuwa Mallamin Kasuwa and Alhaji Sani Cinade.

Obaseki Extends AAU Special Intervention Team Tenure The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the extension of the tenure of the 10-man Ambrose Alli University Special Intervention Team.

In a statement, Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, said the special team’s tenure was extended by six months.

Ogie noted, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public and in particular, the Ambrose Alli University Community that further

to the provision of Section 2(c) of the Ambrose Alli University (Special Intervention Powers) Law 2021, the Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin N. Obaseki has approved the extension of the tenure of the 10-man Ambrose Alli University Special Intervention Team by 6 (six) months.

“Accordingly, the general public and the Staff and students of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma are to note the foregoing.”

According to the statement,

the intervention team was set up by Obaseki to exercise all the powers and functions of the Governing Council of the Ambrose Alli University, with a charge for them to advance the government’s vision to reposition the institution to meet global standards.

The governor at the inauguration of the team in Benin City had said, “We are going to ensure that we upgrade the Ambrose Alli University to meet global standards so that it will save us from sending

our children abroad for studying; that is what we have in mind.”

He added: "You are going to help us revive the regulation governing the service of staff of the university in line with the recommendations of the Nigeria University Commission.

"You are also going to develop a means of funding the university outside government resources by developing a strategy that will help reduce overdependence on government and separate politics from the university.”

drive, and the determination to take over the president’s stewardship of our country and build upon his legacy to make our country better than it has ever been.

"The person most demonstrable in those qualities is the one to lead our party and our country forward."

In a clear sign of desperation and fear that the presidential ticket of

the APC might be slipping from his grasp, Tinubu had declared, unequivocally, that he made Buhari President of Nigeria, nominated Professor Yemi Osinbajo as his running mate, and got Mr. Dapo Abiodun elected as Governor of Ogun State.

Tinubu then insisted it was his turn to be president.

ATIKU SLAMS APC, SAYS RULING PARTY DINED IN ABUJA WHILE INNOCENT WORSHIPPERS DIED IN OWO the winning ways. You may want to ask what are the implications of the PDP winning the general election?

“Voting for the PDP in the next general election means that you would have done your own part in ensuring that we work together as ONE PEOPLE with ONE FUTURE towards building ONE COUNTRY. “A PDP victory in 2023 elections means securing our unity as a country and protecting our security and economy, in addition to the enablement of cohesive national development. The other political party will come to you with their usual cocktail of deception.

“But this is not a time that the country can entertain their empty promises. Their scorecard of failure in the past seven years is the only hard fact that you must continue to show to them whenever they come around. That is the only truth about them: their scorecard of failure!

“But we cannot reward their failure with an automatic promotion. They have failed us and we must punish them with our votes.

With me in the front together with several other leaders of the PDP and with your support, we will get Nigeria back on winning ways.

“But why stay at the back when you can stand at the front with me in this historic patriotic mission?

You can stand with me at the front by signing up as a volunteer in my campaign by opening this link.

“You may want to tell your friends about the volunteer portal too and together we all get recruited into an army of patriots to reclaim and rescue Nigeria,” he stated.

He, however, said if the charade that the APC called a presidential convention primary election was

merely to handpick an anointed candidate, it was important to ask the managers of the ruling party why they elected to slate the so-called convention for a working day, thereby disrupting economic activities around the Federal Capital Territory.

His words: "Even as delegates in the so-called election entered into the Federal Capital Territory, they must have been greeted with long queues of vehicles waiting to buy automobile fuel and darkness that continues to grim the capital city on account of seizures in electricity supply.

"Should the APC delegates ask themselves what they have been brought to Abuja for, they should know that primaries of their party is not about any of the individuals vying for the presidential ticket of their party, but a referendum on the APC scorecard in the past 7 years.

"Should the delegates be honest with themselves about the current state of affairs in the country under the watch of their party, they ought to know that allowing the APC to remain in power one more day after May 29, next year is an unpatriotic decision to make.

"For residents of the FCT, who have been inundated with everyday stress as a result of bad governance by the ruling party, the choice of crucial working days – Monday and Tuesday – as days for the primaries of the APC is a callous and insensitive decision.

"It needs no mention that whoever is ‘handpicked’ as the APC presidential candidate in such despotic process cannot be any different from the authoritarian fervor of the APC establishment," he stated.

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T H I S D AY TUESDAY JUNE June 7, 2022 Tuesday 7, 2022 Vol 27. No 9921 TR

See page 20 BUHARI, APC AND FREEDOM FOR THE ABDUCTEES SONNIE EKWOWUSI urges government to do more and free the AbujaKaduna train victims See page 20 POST COVID-19 STRUGGLES AND CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS TIMI OLUBIYI writes that it is time businesses adopted the convenience model in order to improve sustainability See page 21 THE CHURCH AND POLITICS The church has the right to be involved in politics, argues AUGUSTA NNEKA See page 21 EDITORIAL FAAN AND THE AIRPORTS’ TOUTS

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

HEIGHTENED INSECURITY IN NIGERIA The attack on Christian worshippers at Owo is one too many, writes SONNY IROCHE

UT H

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu pays tribute to Olisa Agbakoba, renowned lawyer and human rights activist

FOR AGBAKOBA, BEFORE THE ONSET OF AUTUMN As Nigeria’s military ruler, Olusegun Obasanjo, who retired from the army as Head of State and a four-star General on the last day of September 1979, established what he later described to the New York Times over one decade later as “a farm settlement…., which aimed at the increase of food production.” It was located in an island in the Atlantic Ocean FDOOHG ,WD 2NR VRPH NLORPHWUHV RͿ WKH coast of Lagos. Curiously for a farm settlement, Ita-Oko, in the words of the General, “aimed at decriminalizing people - Nigerians and nonNigerians - who refused to work, even though work was available.”

For a project reportedly intended to alleviate hunger, hardly any food was produced in ItaOko. An island some 10 km2 in size was a most unlikely food basket for a country of over 923,000 km2.

The secret of Ita-Oko was well hidden from public view during the reign of General Obasanjo. Nearly 10 years after its HVWDEOLVKPHQW LQ DFWLQJ RQ D WLS RͿ IURP a source in police intelligence, a young lawyer recruited a few friends into a boat on a journey to locate this place.

The lawyer who led that mission was Olisa Agbakoba and that journey marked a breakthrough moment in the emergence of Nigeria’s contemporary human rights and pro-democracy communities. It was the journey that founded the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), the organization that germinated Nigeria’s contest against resilient military mis-rule.

The people who accompanied Olisa on that journey included Ama Ogan, then editor of The Guardian in Lagos; Abdul Oroh, her political correspondent; Richard Akinola, then a pioneering judicial correspondent with the Vanguard newspaper also in Lagos; as well as Emmanuel Erakpotobor and Clement 1ZDQNZR \RXQJ DVVRFLDWHV LQ WKH ODZ ÀUP then known as Olisa Agbakoba and Associates.

Ita-Oko turned out to have been an island prison. In a letter to the editors of the New York Times in October 1989, two years after Olisa and his friends had returned from the journey to Ita-Oko, Obasanjo declaimed thus: “If the Ita-Oko Island farm settlement was turned into a prison camp by subsequent administrations in Nigeria, you should not involve my person and Government with such an ugly act.”

In a country with a median age of 17 and life expectancy south of 55, a majority of the people will not have any memory of what the world was like in 1987. Globally, the Cold War still raged. In Africa, it was the age of military coups. That was the year in which Pierre Buyoya overthrew Jean-Baptiste Bagaza in Burundi; Blaise Compaore killed Thomas Sankara in Burkina Faso, and, even in Apartheid South Africa, 32-year-old MajorGeneral Bantu Holomisa overthrew Stella Sigcau in the South African Bantustan of Transkei.

In 1987, Ibrahima Babangida, Nigeria’s military ruler, turned 47, having been in power for three years and in government for over 20. Millennials and their successors in Generation-Z, accustomed to resolving their issues with tweets and emojis, will not know what courage it took in those days to confront the military, or the creativity required to foray into that vocation.

Olisa Agbakoba’s life is not unaccustomed WR WKDW UDUHÀHG IRUP RI FRXUDJH DQG QRXV +H was born in Jos, Plateau State, the second son of Godfrey Ubaka Agbakoba, a spindly lawyer and blue-blood from Onitsha, in Anambra State, and his wife Phina. Godfrey, a member of a pioneering generation of lawyers from southeast Nigeria, had established his legal practice in Jos, where Olisa began his education. On the foothills of the onset of Nigeria’s post-colonial troubles, Godfrey Agbakoba relocated to the then Eastern Region in 1965, where he became a judge and humanitarian of considerable repute.

Interrupted by the Nigerian civil war, Olisa’s somewhat peripatetic high school

Beside his work in civic advocacy, he had quietly emerged as the most prolific public law advocate in the country on the back of strategic courtroom advocacy that developed an influential body of case law by the Nigerian Supreme Court on the human rights of detainees and prisoners on death row

sojourn ended at the Christ the King College (CKC) in Onitsha, where he also earned a reputation as a competitive footballer, with the nick-name, “Abana”, after one of the more famous exponents of the round leather game in Nigerian history, Kenneth Abana. In 1978, he was admitted to the Nigerian Bar, after concluding his under-graduate education at the University of Nigeria and undertaking the mandatory vocational course at the Nigerian Law School. For graduate school, he went to the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

When he founded the CLO in 1987, Olisa was only nine years old at the Nigerian Bar and a mere three in private legal practice.

For many, it was an act of folly, but he had the foresight to divine what most could not see – that military rule was shortly to become unfashionable. To establish the CLO brand, Olisa went after precisely those abuses that GHÀQHG WKH PLOLWDU\ HVSHFLDOO\ WKH DEXVH RI powers of administrative detention in the State Security (Detention of Persons) Decree, number 2 of 1984. ,Q 'HFUHH ZDV SUREDEO\ WKH GHÀQLQJ issue in Nigerian politics. Ibrahim Babangida had launched his interminable transition to nowhere and was busy banning, un-banning and re-banning politicians whom he pleased from participating in it. For those who resisted his ban and even those who merely criticized him, Decree 2 became the tool to shut them up and Ita-Oko a convenient place where they could be disappeared.

7KHVH DEXVHV GHÀQHG WKH DQQXDO FRQIHUHQFH of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in 1989. The NBA then was led by the inimitable Alao Aka Basorun, arguably its greatest ever president. The opening session of the conference at the Nigerian Law School premises in Victoria Island turned into a spellbinding debate between Itsejuwa Sagay, then WKH ÀUH EUDQG IRUPHU 'HDQ RI /DZ DW WKH University of Benin, whom the military were desperate to be rid of; and then AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bola Ajibola, himself a former president of the NBA. Sagay was as withering in his take-down of military abuses as Ajibola was unmovable in his defence of the instruments of military dictatorship. Aka Basorun was forceful in his leadership of the Bar. Olisa, the campaigner against Decree 2 had been instrumental in crafting the moment.

As the opening adjourned, Tunde Fagbohunlu and I approached Olisa and Aka Basorun on Adeola Hopewell as they walked to the then NBA secretariat adjoining the 1LJHULDQ /DZ 6FKRRO SUHPLVHV ,W ZDV RXU ÀUVW encounter in what would become a lifelong relationship.

A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu

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T H I S D AY

The attack on Christian worshippers at Owo is one too many, writes SONNY IROCHE

HEIGHTENED INSECURITY IN NIGERIA The attack on Christian worshippers last Sunday morning at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo town in Ondo State, in which scores of worshippers ZHUH NLOOHG E\ \HW WR EH LGHQWLÀHG gunmen is one too many and must be condemned, as sacrilegious in its entirety by all well-meaning people.

the mayhem and violent attacks all over the country would have abated by now.

The level of insecurity now in the country sends a very negative signal to foreign investors, most of whom have diverted their investments to other countries in the subregion,

Upsurge in violent attacks, kidnapping, armed robbery and general insecurity in several parts of the country in recent times have become the order of the day. It is not just enough for President Buhari to, in his usual rhetoric, condemn such violent attacks, while nothing meaningful comes out of such talks.

Government has for several years now, treated the level of insecurity in the country with such levity

considered to be safer investment havens. If the lives of innocent ZRUVKLSSHUV DUH VQXͿHG RXW LQ D church, where else can be safe in the country?

Some Nigerians had expected that President Buhari being a retired Army general and CommanderIn-Chief of the Armed Forces, was better positioned to address the lingering issue of incessant attacks E\ GLͿHUHQW PLOLWLD JURXSV LQ WKH country. Unfortunately, this has not been the case as such attacks, which were hitherto restricted to the North East parts of the country, have since spread to nearly all regions of the country.

Nigerians and indeed the rest of the world are sick and tired of highfaluting words and rhetoric from government, in reaction to subsequent and frequent attacks by armed gangs and groups. One of the main responsibilities and essence RI DQ\ HͿHFWLYH JRYHUQPHQW LV WKH security of lives and property, and to protect her territorial integrity from both internal and external threats. And where there are any breaches of security, the culprits must be apprehended and dealt with severely.

This glaring failure of the federal government of Nigeria, WR HͿHFWLYHO\ SROLFH LWV WHUULWRU\ may give credence to those that are advocating for state and Local government policing. The police and security structures of the country have become too centralized and UHQGHUHG LQHͿHFWLYH E\ WKH VKDUH VL]H of the country. Rising unemployment and misery index have combined to heightened insecurity in the country.

The level of insecurity in the country sends a very negative signal to foreign investors, most of whom have diverted their investments to other countries in the subregion, considered to be safer investment havens. If the lives of innocent worshippers are snuffed out in a church, where else is safe in the country? and lackadaisical attitude. These senseless and unprovoked attacks on worshippers and innocent citizens are unacceptable and condemnable.

The culprits must be checked, in proactive and swift actions before they unleash such terror attacks; they should be apprehended and brought to book.

If government had lived up to expectations, as promised by the Buhari administration, during his inaugural speech and manifesto of his political party, the APC, perhaps,

Iroche is a Senior Academic Fellow at the African Studies Centre of the University of Oxford, United Kingdom

TUESDAY JUNE 7, 2022

SONNIE EKWOWUSI urges government to do more and free the Abuja-Kaduna train victims

BUHARI, APC AND FREEDOM FOR THE ABDUCTEES It is obvious that securing the freedom of the abductees of the Abuja-Kaduna bombedtrain is not the priority of the APC ruling party.

Neither is it a priority of President Buhari nor former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi nor the APC Presidential aspirants.

The only priority of President Buhari, the APC ruling party and APC Presidential aspirants at the moment is to re-capture political power in 2023. They have no human feeling for these abductees. I hate to address them as abductees.

They are not unknown abductees: they our fathers, mothers, sons, daughters and, above all, our brothers and sisters who were victims of the Abuja-Kaduna-train bombing and

abduction on March 28, 2022 and who have been abandoned. The Buhari government does QRW FDUH D KRRW DERXW WKHVH VXͿHULQJ EURWKHUV and sisters of ours. Had the Abuja-Kaduna train bombing and abduction occurred, say, anywhere in the western world or even Asia or other parts of the world, the CNN, BBC and the world media including the Nigerian media by now would have been bombarding us with the minute-by-minute analyses about the fate WKDW KDG EHIDOOHQ WKH DEGXFWHHV DQG WKH HͿRUWV being made to secure their freedom. But this is Buhari’s Nigeria where life has become so cheap. This is Buhari’s government where the GHDWK DQG VXͿHULQJ RI RXU IHOORZ 1LJHULDQV GR not matter to the government.

With my head collapsing on the table in great dismay and sorrow, I am just looking at the gory photos of the dismembered bodies of the innocent church worshippers who were killed by terrorists at St. Francis Catholic in Owo, Ondo State last Sunday. These worshippers simply went to church to worship God only to be felled by the terrorists’ bullets. Just last week in the Lugbe area of Abuja a member of the Vigilante Group was stoned to death and set ablaze by Muslim extremists for allegedly insulting Prophet Mohammed or an Imam.

This is Buhari’s Nigeria for you. No progress.

We are still awaiting justice for Deborah 6DPXHO ZKR VXͿHUHG WKH VDPH WUDJLF IDWH recently and now they have murdered another person for the same religious reason. Till date, the whereabouts of the conscience of the nation Leah Sharibu, the little girl who refused to succumb to their force to reject Christianity and embrace Islam, is still unknown. Is Leah Sharibu alive or dead? We don’t know.

Contrary to Lai Mohammed’s claims, Leah Sharibu is nowhere to be seen today and the Buhari government will soon quit power.

The pertinent question: why can’t this %XKDUL JRYHUQPHQW RͿHU WKH FLWL]HQV RI Nigeria at least a minimum protection of their lives and property? What an irresponsible

government! I believe it is now crystal clear that the APC ruling party has failed on all fronts-politically, economically, socially, culturally, intellectually and morally, security of lives and property-in the last seven years and consequently must not be re-elected in 2023. The national grid has collapsed again. The whole country including Abuja is submerged in darkness.

This APC government is a complete disaster. It has no heart. It has no soul. It lacks human feeling. It lacks imagination.

In the early hours of 31st October 2020, six American forces conducted a successful hostage rescue operation of Philip Walton, 27, an American citizen who was abducted in Niger Republic and held hostage in Northern Nigeria. No American soldier was injured during the operation to rescue Philip despite the fact that the soldiers were unfamiliar with the Nigerian terrain.

Now, you judge for yourself. Only one American was abducted and the American government did everything possible to send American soldiers to Nigeria to rescue him. At the moment scores of Nigerians are languishing in the dungeon of bandits and the Buhari government lacks the imagination of what to do to rescue them.

If the government lacks the military know-how and intelligence to rescue our abducted brothers and sisters, why can’t it humbly enlist the services of the American forces who rescued Phillip to come to Nigeria and rescue these brothers and sisters of ours who are being tormented in the bandits’ dungeon? Or, why can’t the Buhari government use the technology at its disposal to rescue them? If the kingpin murderer of the Anambra lawmaker Okechukwu Okoye was arrested with the aid of a phone technology, why can’t the Buhari government use the same technology to track down the bandits holding our brothers and sisters in their dungeon? If each of the APC Presidential aspirants could raise N100 million on the spur of the moment to purchase ordinary APC Presidential form, why can’t each of them, out of love for God and man, donate at least N50 million towards erecting a framework of human solidarity for the freedom of our abducted brothers and sisters?

In the last video footage shown to the public by the bandits, we saw some of RXU VXͿHULQJ EURWKHUV DQG VLVWHUV FU\LQJ to high heavens and begging the Buhari government to come to their assistance before they die in the dungeon of their DGGXFWRUV :LWK WHDUV ÁRZLQJ GRZQ KHU cheeks, one lady abductees, who was a classmate of Presidential aspirant VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo in the 1978/79 Nigerian Law School set, pleaded with Osinbajo to act quickly and save her life before she is killed by the abductors.

Another weeping lady abductee complained that she left at home her sicklier son whom she was looking after and was unsure whether he had died or still alive. Earlier, a pregnant lady abductee was delivered of a baby in the bandits’ dungeon.

Ekwowusi writes from Lagos

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T H I S D AY TUESDAY JUNE 7, 2022

TIMI OLUBIYI writes that it is time businesses adopted the convenience model in order to improve sustainability

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The church has the right to be involved in politics, argues AUGUSTA NNEKA

THE CHURCH AND POLITICS (DUOLHU WKLV \HDU D VLJQLÀFDQW FKXUFK JDYH D GLUHFWLYH IRU WKH LQWHQWLRQDO LQYROYHPHQW RI LWV PHPEHUV LQ 1LJHULD·V SROLWLFDO HGXFDWLRQ 7KLV FDXVHG D ORW RI UHDFWLRQV IURP 1LJHULDQV 6RPH ZHUH DSSDOOHG VRPH ÀJXUHG WKDW LW ZDV KLJK WLPH WKH FXVWRGLDQV RI WKH JRVSHO VWDUWHG FKRRVLQJ OHDGHUV DQG WKLV ZDV PHUHO\

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necynnadi@gmail.com

4 22

T H I S D AY

TUESDAY JUNE 7, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

FAAN AND THE AIRPORTS’ TOUTS FAAN should get rid of touts from the airports

A

major downside of using Nigeria’s airports is the intimidation and harassment by touts employed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to manage vehicular movement at the facilities. $W PDQ\ DLUSRUWV DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ WKHVH WUD΀F management personnel who are often slovenly dressed and operate as though above the law have now become a menace to motorists. On Twitter last week, a woman narrated how, at the Akure airport in Ondo State, her husband was beaten up E\ WKHVH R΀FLDO WRXWV with serious injuries LQÁLFWHG RQ KLP 7KDW RSHQHG D ÁRRGJDWH RI nasty experiences in the hands of these licensed thugs.

We understand that the original purpose for engaging the services RI WUD΀F PDQDJHPHQW R΀FLDOV ZDV WR PDNH VXUH WKDW PRWRULVWV GR QRW park on the thoroughfare so as not to obstruct WUD΀F DQG KLQGHU WUDYHOOHUV IURP JHWWLQJ WR WKH WHUPLQDOV IRU WKHLU ÁLJKWV $W WKH WLPH WKH SODQ was conceived, such obstruction was noticed at GLͿHUHQW DLUSRUWV LQ WKH FRXQWU\ 7R DGGUHVV WKH problem, the FAAN management decided to FRQFHVVLRQ WKH YHKLFOH WUD΀F PDQDJHPHQW %XW LQ recent times, agents of these concessionaires have been known to unscrupulously harass, intimidate and extort innocent motorists at the airports. They lay traps for motorists and swoop on victims, seize their vehicles, and forcefully drive them to GLͿHUHQW ORFDWLRQV IRU WKH SXUSRVH RI H[WRUWLRQ While the initial intention of FAAN may have been noble, the touts have abandoned their rule of engagement, which is to ensure that vehicles DUH SURSHUO\ SDUNHG %\ VHHLQJ WKLV DV PHDQV RI revenue collection, vehicle management at the airports has moved from correctional to punitive, as motorists who fall into their hands are made to pay arbitrary fees to free their vehicles. Many

XQVFUXSXORXV )$$1 R΀FLDOV DUH UHSRUWHGO\ SDUW of this shady deal.

At virtually all the airports in Nigeria, the whole idea of ensuring smooth passage of vehicle has been turned into a lucrative industry. In Lagos, WKH WUD΀F PDQDJHPHQW R΀FHUV ZLOO SDUN WKHLU towing van, hide it on the way to the Nigerian &LYLO $YLDWLRQ $XWKRULW\ 1&$$ KHDG R΀FH QRZ UHJLRQDO R΀FH DQG ZDLW IRU PRWRULVWV When they get a victim, they quickly move in with the towing van to block access and while some of their personnel distract the unsuspecting driver, others would begin to chain the vehicle and hook it to their van.

Vehicles that go through that towing process usually have broken bumpers because of the old, obsolete equipment used to hook them to the rickety vans.

What is unfortunate is that many people driving to the airports do not have forewarning about vehicle movement, where they should not park and the consequences.

This is done on purpose: To get more culprits ZKR ZRXOG EH PDGH WR SD\ WR PHHW WKH ÀQDQFLDO targets of the concessionaire and that of the touts who enforce the rules. The towing companies DOVR GHSOR\ WKHLU VWDͿ WR HQVQDUH URDG XVHUV E\ stationing some people who carry luggage like travellers at locations designated as no parking zone. Unsuspecting motorists who attempt to pick such a “passenger” is immediately pounced XSRQ 7KH\ DUH WKHQ IRUFHG WR SD\ ÀQHV UDQJLQJ from N15,000 to N50,000 depending on their power of negotiation.

We call on FAAN to review its relationship with the concessionaires that manage vehicle movement at the airports. There is also an urgent need for FAAN to inform the public about road usage at the airports. Above all, FAAN must rid our airports of touting and activities that encourage it.

We call on FAAN to review its relationship with the concessionaires that manage vehicle movement at the airports

T H I S D AY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 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 (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LETTERS

OWO: MURDER IN THE HOUSE OF GOD There is no doubting the fact that the country is drastically drifting towards the “state of nature” but the govHUQPHQW RZHV LW D GXW\ WR IXOÀO HYHU\ WHUPV RI WKH VRFLDO contract it willingly entered with the people for the sake of PDLQWDLQLQJ WKH FRQWLQXHG H[LVWHQFH RI WKLV HGLÀFH $Q\thing other than the urgent intervention of the governPHQW ZRXOG GHÀQLWHO\ FRQVXPH D FRXQWU\ WKDW LV DOUHDG\ sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) in Section 14(2b) is also very clear on what the primary responsibility of every government should be which is the “provision of security and welfare services for the people”.

Unfortunately, Nigeria, as it is presently constituted is fast losing its grip on curtailing violence. Meanwhile, the VWDWH LV PHDQW WR KDYH D PRQRSRO\ RI YLROHQFH %XW WRGD\ under a government that declared to guarantee the security of lives and property, our best and brightest people are being killed daily, making the country exhibit all the characteristics of a failed state.

%DUHO\ D ZHHN DJR WKH 3UHODWH RI WKH 0HWKRGLVW &KXUFK of Nigeria, Samuel Kanu-Uche was kidnapped for ransom by persons who he later referred to as young Fulani boys in Abia State. Yesterday, criminal-minded elements who are believed to be Fulani militias invaded the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo leaving a countless number of persons dead with many others sustaining bodily injury.

The news of the genocide is most pathetic and disgusting. None of those that were murdered would have envisDJHG WKDW WKH\ ZRXOG EH NLOOHG LQ VXFK D KRUULÀF PDQQHU LQ D VSDFH WKDW LV EHOLHYHG WR EH VDQFWLPRQLRXV %XW RQFH again, the country has failed some set of persons. %H\RQG H[WHQGLQJ FRQGROHQFHV DQG LQ DGGUHVVLQJ VHcurity issue, the Nigerian government should stop acting KHOSOHVV 5DWKHU WKH JRYHUQPHQW PXVW HQVXUH WKDW DOO 3ROLFH R΀FHUV WKDW DUH DWWDFKHG WR UDQGRP SHUVRQV DVLGH WKH 3UHVLGHQW 9LFH 3UHVLGHQW 6HQDWH 3UHVLGHQW 6SHDNHU 'HSXW\ 6HQDWH 3UHVLGHQW 'HSXW\ 6SHDNHU *RYHUQRU DQG WKHLU 'HSXW\ DQG -XGJHV EH ZLWKGUDZQ :H VKRXOG QRW OLPLW

police jobs to adjusting chairs or blaring sirens for random SHUVRQV DOO EHFDXVH WKH\ KDYH ÀQDQFLDO ZHLJKW 3ROLFH RIÀFHUV PXVW QRW IRU DQ\ UHDVRQ EH UHGXFHG WR GRPHVWLF VHUvants for some random persons in the society.

7KH 3ROLFH )RUFH LV PHDQW WR SURYLGH VHFXULW\ IRU WKH ODUJHU SRSXODWLRQ %XW XQIRUWXQDWHO\ WKH 3ROLFH )RUFH DV presently made up, is in a mess, hoping for redemption.

It is unimaginable that in a country with over 200 million SRSXODWLRQ WKHUH DUH MXVW SROLFH R΀FHUV WR SURYLGH VHFXULW\ :H VKRXOG QRW ÀQG RXUVHOYHV LQ D VLWXDWLRQ ZKHUHE\ D 3ROLFH )RUFH WKDW LV EHLQJ VXVWDLQHG ZLWK SXEOLF funds be distributed to private individuals as orderlies, thereby opening up the hinterlands to attack from marauding vampires. *RYHUQPHQW DW DOO OHYHOV PXVW EH XS DQG GRLQJ LQ FRPbating crime. And, in doing this, we need political and leadership will.

Kazeem Olalekan Israel, Ibadan

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 7, 2022

23

POLITICS

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG Email nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com (08114495324 SMS ONLY)

Let APC Delegates Decide Its Presidential Candidate Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes on the importance of allowing a heart-warming contest for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress

Buhari

Adamu

Osinbajo

Lawan

Tinubu

Amaechi

Akpabio

primary. It is only in an atmosphere of hot contest that aspirants will attempt to outdo each other in every department, including spending their last cash to buy votes. This would not happen if Adamu is allowed to sell the idea of a consensus candidate, which Buhari appears to be comfortable with.

Unlike the convention that produced the Adamu-led NWC of the APC, in which many leading aspirants for the office of National Chairman stepped down “in respect for President Buhari,” the President is not likely to enjoy such courtesy should he attempt to truncate some of the aspirants whose enduring life ambition is to rule Nigeria.

So, it is not surprising that there has been a gale of alleged stepping down and rebuttal from the aspirants, who paid a princely N100 million for an opportunity to contest; not minding how much more they have spent going round the country to canvass votes. Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, for example, will have none of it when he is so sure that 26 million voters have signed up for him, should the APC give him its presidential ticket. That will be a grand performance above Buhari’s 15 million winning votes in the 2019 presidential election!

While a consensus is an acceptable option

allowed by the electoral laws, APC stalwarts who are trying to push this option must realize that unlike the choice of the leadership of the party, its presidential candidate has greater impact on the larger polity. The APC controls the central government. The party has more of the 36 states flying its flag. Although, the weight of public opinion currently is against a return of the APC to power, given the proclivity towards ethnicity and religiousity in Nigerian politics, an already prejudiced and impoverished voter eagerly accepts money as additional incentive to colour his judgment.

This is where we must commend the public position of APC governors of Northern Nigerian states, who insist that the presidential ticket of the party should be conceded to a compatriot from the South, in order to be seen to be fair and equitable. Nigeria’s peculiar ethnic balancing in governance demands this kind of disposition. It will indeed be interesting to see how this will play. What may be evident is a reverse of the 2015 presidential contest in which the PDP featured a Southerner against the APC’s Northern candidate. Can a Southern APC presidential candidate defeat, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku of the PDP? The APC has promised a world-class presidential primary. Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun who is the Chairman, Accreditation and Decoration Committee made up of deputy governors, members of the National Assembly and eminent party faithful said, “We are charged with the responsibility for ensuring that only those who are validly elected delegates are allowed to go to the Eagles Square to vote.”

There will definitely be contentions concerning ‘authentic’ delegates from different states, where the selection process were manifestly flawed and did not follow standard procedure. In Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, aggrieved delegates who refused to be persuaded may have set a booby trap for the APC, that can land the party in its own messy pot of soup, as one of chieftains, former Petroleum Minister, Chief Don Etiebet has warned.

T

oday, delegates at the Special Convention to elect the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will make a decision that may have a huge impact on the country.

At no other time has the furore over activities of delegates reached a fever pitch like the 2022 election season. Since the nationwide disappointment that followed the exemption of statutory and automatic delegates from voting in the selection process of candidates of political parties for various offices, the expected largesse at the convention naturally fell on the laps of a few adhoc/national delegates who made a killing from the contrived generosity of aspirants.

At the Presidential Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the entire country was outraged to know there was an abundance rain of dollars on 767 PDP national delegates at a time when the larger citizenry can barely make ends meet on a daily basis. A new World Bank report “A Better Future for All Nigerians: Nigeria Poverty Assessment 2022,” published last March says four out of every 10 Nigerian lives below the poverty line. The report reflects the World Bank’s engagement on poverty- and inequality-relevant data and analytics in Nigeria in the past two years.

It draws primarily on the 2018/19 Nigerian Living Standards Survey (NLSS), which provided Nigeria’s first official poverty numbers in almost a decade, as well as the Nigeria COVID-19 National Longitudinal Phone Survey (NLPS). These surveys were implemented by Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the World Bank.

In the last two years, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has laboured in vain to convince the populace of its efforts to lift tens of millions of Nigerians out of poverty. However, this claim can neither be verified by the index of daily rise in prices of consumable items nor the disposable income available to workers. But Buhari insists his govt has lifted 10.5 million Nigerians out of poverty in two years, from 2019. The president said, “Our over-all economic target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is our goal notwithstanding COVID-19.I n the last two years we lifted 10.5 million people out of poverty – farmers, small-scale traders, artisans, market women and the like. I am very convinced that this 100 million target can be met and this informed the development of a National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy. The specific details of this accelerated strategy will be unveiled shortly.”

In many states, the governors set the tone for an unashamed reign of vote buying in the selection of state of assembly and National Assembly candidates of their parties. Some governors were known to have given as much as N1 million to each delegate, in the state assembly primary, to induce votes for the state chief executive’s favoured aspirant. What followed at the PDP presidential primary,

for instance, was to be expected.

Thanks to the large-heartedness of Mr. Tanko Sabo, one of the PDP National Delegates from Kaduna State, the world has been informed that each delegate that took part in the presidential selection process of the PDP went home with, at least, N12 million.

What a fantastic pay day from one night of civic (or is it partisan) duty of queuing behind an aspirant of one’s choice! If the delegate earned as much, one can only imagine the take home of the group heads who pooled the herd of voters in one direction!

And that is why the APC delegates are expectant of a heavier torrential downpour of dollars at its presidential primary. APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu whose emergence came from a questionable consensus has been pulling all the strings from behind to kill the joy of many delegates who are expecting the kind of keen contest akin to the PDP presidential

While a consensus is an acceptable option allowed by the electoral laws, APC stalwarts who are trying to push this option must realize that unlike the choice of the leadership of the party, its presidential candidate has greater impact on the larger polity. The APC controls the central government.

The party has more of the 36 states flying its flag. Although, the weight of public opinion currently is against a return of the APC to power, given the proclivity towards ethnicity and religiousity in Nigerian politics, an already prejudiced and impoverished voter eagerly accepts money as additional incentive to colour his judgment

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2022 Annual SLP Conference Holds July 3-6

The Rising b o M f o e g r u Sco ia r e g i N n i n o i Act

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QUOTABLES ‘The issue is not that we don’t know, or we don’t have enough warning…..We listen to their conversations, we know what they are planning. But, who will go and respond to them is the issue…..

Those who are to do it, are not doing it.’

-Nasiru El Rufai, Governor, Kaduna State, Federal Republic of Nigeria (on Bandits, Terrorists & Law Enforcement)

‘Nigeria, if it is not a failed State, is a failing State like Afghanistan, Yemen and some other Banana Republics…..PDP & APC are the same six and half a dozen; they are the same beans and moin moin.’ - Dr Mike Ozekhome OFR, SAN

LAWYER

NBA Lagos Holds Mentoring Session for Young Lawyers

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ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE: EDITOR, JUDE IGBANOI: DEPUTY EDITOR, PETER TAIWO, STEVE AYA: REPORTERS

III THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2022

When the Rule of Law Has K-Leg

I

'm beginning to feel more like only a Crime Reporter, than the Lawyer/Law Editor that I am.

Lately, my writings have been about crime, as the violence and the state of insecurity in Nigeria today is unprecedented, worrisome and almost out of control. The horrendous attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State on Sunday, killing innocent Parishioners who went to Church to worship, is loathsome, reprehensible, hateful and abominable - another rising vicious trend of people being attacked in their places of worship. In December 2021, 16 people were callously killed in a Mosque in Niger State, when armed bandits attacked them during the early morning Fajr prayer. What makes it worse, is the docility (sometimes complicity) of Government and its officials in these disasters, for one, for not bringing any perpetrators to justice.

Sadly, I cannot but mention two more cases of jungle justice. #justiceforDavidImoh David Imoh was burnt alive, allegedly by a mini mob of ‘okada’ riders of ‘Northernish’ extraction in the Lekki axis of Lagos, over a misunderstanding concerning N100. He was said to have been beaten to a state of unconsciousness first. His two colleagues who were also beaten to a pulp, were rushed to the hospital for treatment. I watched a heart wrenching video of his widow and their two little sons. I read in the news that seven people have been arrested for this horrendous crime, including a 22 year old. Subsequent upon this, Lagos State Government banned okadas in certain local governments, with effect from June 1, 2022. I urge the Police to bring the perpetrators of this horrible crime to justice, whoever they may be and wherever they are from. Meting out the appropriate level of justice, is one of the ways to curb this evil of mob/jungle justice. I was however, taken aback by the news report I read about the reaction of Hausa leaders in some of the areas affected by the okada ban - I expected to read that they are using their influence and good offices to help fish out some of these criminals, but instead, they were reported to have issued veiled threats to Mr Governor to lift the ban on okada riders, or risk losing the votes of numerous okada riders in the election. This is not the way to resolve societal challenges; dialogue and cooperation between community leaders and Government, is a better way. #justiceforHariraandchildren Tears filled my eyes when I read about the gruesome murder of Harira Jibril, a 32 year old 9 months pregnant lady and her four other daughters in Anambra State (a total of six innocent souls). Who could be that cruel? I have watched a Mafia movie (I’m not sure whether it was ‘The Godfather’) in which even a seasoned assassin refused to commit murder when it involved a woman and child. Jibril Ahmed, the widower and father of the little girls, who was hitherto looking forward to the birth of his fifth child, has been left without an immediate family. I read on social media that Harira and her children were targeted, because they were wearing hijabs. Again, the perpetrators of this horrific crime, whoever they may be and wherever they are from, must be brought to justice.

I unequivocally condemn these unlawful killings. #rescuethecaptivesnow Then I watched the video of some of the Kaduna train abductees, 72 days in captivity today and still counting, in a pitiable condition; some, especially the two little sons of the family of four children and their parents who are among the abductees, sick, pleading for Government to rescue them before the kidnappers begin to kill them one by one. Only one group out of numerous others that remain in captivity, unaccounted for.

Yet, Government and Politicians seem totally unconcerned and unperturbed about the state of insecurity and by extension, the state of the nation, only interested in primaries, elections and 2023; everything else, has paled into insignificance. Sadly, the Chibok girls who remain in captivity over eight years later, after the initial hype of the Buhari administration getting a few of them back, have been more or less forgotten, and so has Leah Sharibu. Well, many Nigerians including my humble self, have not forgotten the numerous abductees in captivity and the horror they must be facing; and we call on Government to fulfil its responsibility of securing the lives of these people by rescuing them forthwith, or paying their ransom to get them released. See Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the Constitution). Let me add that, the amendment to the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013, criminalising ransom payments to kidnappers will obviously be observed in the breach, as families that are able to raise money to free their loved ones from captivity will certainly do so, instead of sitting down twiddling their thumbs doing nothing, like Government.

Was the killing of innocent Harira and her lovely daughters, some kind of cruel revenge for the mob justice meted out on non-Muslims in the North, or a sick show by some in their quest for a South East Presidency or secession? If it has to do with the latter reason, then one can only wonder about the voting pattern at the recently concluded PDP Presidential Primaries, which was the first opportunity for South Easterners to show their commitment to their own

commit, that would have warranted an arrest? It is trite law, that a suspect can only be arrested for an offence known to law. Aside from the fact that such action would have amounted to disrespecting the Judiciary, a gross abuse of power on the part of the ACP, and disregard for the rule of law, it would have constituted the offence/tort of unlawful/false imprisonment. See Sections 35 (1), 36 & 41 of the Constitution and FRN v Hyeladzira Nganjiwa SC/794/2019.

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive. com onikepob@yahoo.com

The

Advocate “This lack of accountability for lawless behaviour, especially on the part of those in authority, would have emboldened ACP A and given him the impetus to misbehave with Magistrate M, simply on an egotistical whim” cause of producing a President from their zone.

I was surprised to see that out of 95 South East Delegates who partook in the PDP Primaries, the aspirant from the South East region who scored the highest, Pius Anyim, only secured 14 votes; Sam Ohabunwa, only 1 vote, while Charles Okwudili got none! Assuming that 15 Delegates voted for the South East two aspirants, who did the other 80 vote for? One would have expected that one of the South East aspirants would have secured all the 95 votes or they would be distributed amongst the three aspirants, to show a total commitment to the South East Presidency cause.

Alas! It was shocking to see that the South East didn’t wholeheartedly, not even quarterheartedly vote for their own. Even if none of the South East aspirants won, it would have been a step in the right direction for them to show commitment by supporting their goal fully.

Whatever the reason for the extra-judicial killings, it cannot justify the murder of innocent people in cold blood, especially little children, whether in the North or South. See Section 33(1) of the Constitution; Sections 315 & 220 Criminal Code and Penal Code Act respectively and Section 8(1) Administration of Criminal Justice Act. Interestingly, Learned Silk, Yemi Candide-Johnson sent me some statistics last week, evincing the fact that from 2019 to date, mob justice has been highest in the South West and lowest in the North East. While mob justice is carried out usually for economic reasons like burning of suspected thieves with tyres in the South West, in the North, it has more to do with religious and ethnic differences.

Enthronement of Lawlessness The bottom line is that, there is more lawlessness than lawfulness going round in Nigeria these days, and it is fuelled by the fact that perpetrators are able to get away with it. However, when this disregard for the rule of law is displayed by those in authority who are expected to uphold the law, it becomes even more worrisome.

Magistrate M v ACP A I wasn’t particularly shocked when I first saw the story of an Assistant Commissioner of Police

(ACP A), who allegedly arrested and detained a Magistrate for coming to inspect the jail under his command without obtaining his permission!

However, Magistrate M has since come out to deny that aspect of the story.

Apart from UN Protocols like the ‘Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners’ approved in 1957, which provides for regular inspection of penal institutions by qualified inspectors inter alia “….to ensure that these institutions are administered in accordance with existing laws and regulations and with a view to bringing about the objectives of penal and correctional services” (see for example, Sections 55 & 9 thereof), Section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (ACJA) empowers any Magistrate designated by the Chief Judge for that purpose, to inspect Police stations or other places of detention within his/her territorial jurisdiction other than the prison, at least once a month. Nowhere in that provision, does it state that the Magistrate requires the permission of the DPO or ACP, to conduct such inspection. Also, Section 21(1)(ix) of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 provides that a Magistrate and District Court Judge are official visitors of custodial centres in Nigeria, to inspect custodial centres, cells and their other divisions (also see Section 22 thereof).

In a news report which I read, Magistrate M confirmed that there was a disagreement between herself and ACP A, because she didn’t seek and obtain his permission to interrogate the inmates before conducting the inspection.

First, I must condemn what seems to be the negative trend of trying to oppress and rubbish the Judiciary, the third co-equal arm of Government.

See Sections 4-6 of the Constitution, and recall the October 2016 DSS raid on Judicial Officers. Just like perpetrators of mob justice, nobody paid the price for that fiasco. This lack of accountability for lawless behaviour, especially on the part of those in authority, would have emboldened ACP A and given him the impetus to misbehave with Magistrate M, simply on an egotistical whim.

Assuming, but not conceding that ACP A had the power to arrest a serving Magistrate, in this circumstance, what offence did the Magistrate

False Imprisonment Magistrate M is a woman; would the Policeman have treated the Magistrate in such a disgraceful manner, if it was a man like himself? Maybe because of their discriminatory regulations against women (contrary to Section 42 of the Constitution) and the way the Police has been known to treat domestic violence cases against women (allegedly calling it a family matter, to be settled at home), I cannot but help feeling that the Policeman possibly felt freer to misbehave, because the Magistrate was female.

In U.A.C. (Nig.) Plc v Sobodu 2007 6 N.W.L.R. Part 1030 Page 368 at 394. per Garba JCA (as he then was), the Court of Appeal held inter alia that "False imprisonment involves the unlawful, illegal and unjustifiable restraint of a person's right and liberty to move freely.... the wrong of false imprisonment consists of acts of arrest and detention or imprisonment of a Plaintiff without lawful justification by the Police or other law enforcement agencies on complaints or information received in the course of their duties". Also see Abdullahi v Raji 1998 1 N.W.L.R. Part 534 Page 481 at 492 per Muntaka- Comassie JCA. To establish a false/wrongful/unlawful imprisonment claim, the Plaintiff must prove that (1) he/she was wilfully detained (2) that his/her detention was without consent and (3) that he/she was detained without authority of law. See the case of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines v Taher 2014 3 N.W.L.R. Part 1393 Page 137 at 200 per Orji-Abadua JCA. I submit that, had ACP A made the mistake of detaining Magistrate M, the elements of this tort would have been quite easy to prove.

The remedy for this type of unlawful detention/ false imprisonment (not kidnapping), is monetary compensation. The court can award damages, and direct that the Defendant issue a public apology to the Plaintiff. See the case of Jim Jaja v COP Rivers State & Ors 2012 LPELR-20621 (SC); 2013 6 N.W.L.R. Part 1350 Page 225 per Ngwuta JSC. The court may also issue an injunction, to prevent the future recurrence of such unlawful detention.

Dear Editor Re: The State Beyond Mob Justice Dear Editor, Salam Alaikum, “Allah will raise those who believe among you and those who were given knowledge, by many degrees. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” Surah Al Mujadila Quran 58.11.

Your article on “The State Beyond Mob Justice” is outstanding, and succinctly captures the true position of Islam on blasphemy and mob justice.

Islam promotes the pursuit of knowledge, and elevates in rank, the seekers of knowledge.

May your rank be elevated professionally and spiritually. Ameen.

A.A.R. Dear AA.R. Ameen. Thank you.

Editor Dear Editor, I really appreciate this article, because it will hopefully educate a lot of ignorant people who just spew hate about Islam and what it teaches, without any knowledge about its teachings. I think you should have also talked about the unprovoked killings in the SE and the mob killings in the SW, to show how unwholesome the whole country has become.

M.U. Kaduna.

Dear M.U., Today, I have briefly discussed the recent unprovoked killings in the SW and SE, and the nationwide statistics of mob justice in the country.

David Imoh

Harira Jibril and her children

Thank you.

Editor

IV LAW REPORT

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Purpose of a Commission of Inquiry Facts Upon assumption of office, the 1st Respondent, pursuant to Section 1 of the Commissions of Inquiry Law of Rivers State (“the law”), set up the 3rd Respondent (“the Commission’’) to investigate the sale of some valued assets of Rivers State and other related matters under the administration of the Appellant. The 4th Respondent was the Chairman, while the 5th to 10th Respondent were the members of the 3rd Respondent.

Upon the inauguration of the 3rd Respondent, the 1st Respondent directed the 3rd to 10th Respondent to conclude the assignment as contained in the Terms of Reference within one month of the said inauguration.

Consequently, a public announcement was issued giving notice and requesting all affected and interested persons to submit memoranda to the Secretary of the Commission.

Sequel to the action of the 1st Respondent, the Appellant commenced a suit against all the Respondents at the trial court, challenging inter alia, the judicial powers of the Commission. The 1st and 2nd Respondent filed a Preliminary Objection challenging the jurisdiction of the trial court, and the Appellant’s locus standi to institute the suit. The trial court upheld the Preliminary Objection. Thereafter, the court considered the Appellant’s suit on the merit, and dismissed same.

The Appellant, who was dissatisfied with the decision of the trial court, unsuccessfully appealed the decision at the Court of Appeal. The Appellant has further appealed to the Supreme Court. The Respondents filed a Preliminary Objection against this appeal.

Issues for Determination Six issues were raised for determination by the court.

However, the court considered the following five issues: 1. Whether the Court of Appeal was right to hold that there is no distinction between a judicial commission of inquiry and a commission of inquiry.

2. Whether the 30-day time limit given to the 3rd Respondent by the 1st Respondent to conduct and conclude its inquiry, was rightly adjudged by the Court of Appeal and did not implicate a denial of the Appellant’s right to fair hearing within a reasonable time as guaranteed under Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

3. Whether the Court of Appeal correctly construed and applied Section 2(1) of the Commission of Inquiry Law (Cap.30) Laws of Rivers State, regardless of the overriding specific provision of the Constitution as to how a Governor can be investigated in his official capacity.

4. Whether the Court of Appeal rightly held that the 3rd Respondent can competently investigate and probe the Appellant who is no longer in the public service of Rivers State Government because of his official executive decisions as Governor of the state.

5. Whether the Court of Appeal rightly held that the adverse and injurious pronouncements made by the trial Judge against the Appellant in respect of the claim in litigation constituted a mere obiter dictum, and therefore, could not be appealed against.

Arguments Submitting on the Preliminary Objection, the Respondents argued that the Appellant’s Notice of Appeal was incompetent because it did not contain the address for service on the 1st Respondent, and that all the grounds in the appeal were of mixed law and fact, which leave of court was not obtained to appeal on those grounds before the Notice of Appeal was filed.

Arguing the main issues for determination, counsel submitted on issue one that the 3rd Respondent, a Judicial Commission of Inquiry, by its terms of reference, was set up to determine rights and obligations or try persons for the commission of crime. The Respondents countered the submission; they argued that the Commission is a fact finding and investigative body, whose decision does not have legal force until it is confirmed by another body.

On issue two, counsel argued for the Appellant that the 3rd to 10th Respondent were required to observe the provisions of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution; and that the Commission ought to have been constituted in such a manner as would avail the Appellant adequate time and facilities to prepare for the defence and present facts to the body that was set up to probe his administration.

He posited that the terms of reference consisted of 23 broad items to be inquired into, and one month was ridiculously too short a time to effectively conduct investigation, unless the purpose was to do a hatchet job for the new regime. Counsel for the Respondents argued that the Commission had not commenced its sitting, and the Appellant was yet to be invited to appear before the Commission. The Appellant had also not requested for a specific time frame to make a presentation, before hastily resorting to the principle of fair hearing.

Submitting on issue three, Counsel for the Appellant contended that Section 2(1) of the Commission of Inquiry Law of Rivers State is inconsistent with Section 2 of the 1999 Constitution. He argued further that the oversight function over the executive decision of Rivers State is vested in the legislative branch under the Constitution, and same cannot be delegated or deemed conferred on the Commission to be set up by the executive branch pursuant to an ordinary law of the State. Also, the terms of reference given to the 3rd Respondent to investigate were matters that had been approved and ratified by the Rivers State legislative arm, and if eyebrows are raised as to how those matters were handled, it is the place of

Honourable Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, JSC In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 27th day of May, 2022 Before Their Lordships Olukayode Ariwoola Amina Adamu Augie Uwani Musa Abba Aji Mohammed Lawal Garba Abdu Aboki Adamu Jauro Emmanuel Akomaye Agim Justices, Supreme Court SC./911/2017 Between Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi

Appellant

And 1. The Governor of Rivers State 2. Attorney-General of Rivers State 3. Judicial Commission of Inquiry (To investigate the administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi) 4. Hon. Justice George Omereji 5. Barr. Queen Godwin 6. Dr. Zacheaus Adango 7. Dr. Edith Chukwu 8. Chief Monday Ekerenta 9. Rev. Can. Alex Usifo 10. Elder Ignatius Piegbara

Respondents

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, JSC) the House of Assembly to institute investigations.

Responding to the submissions, the Respondents stated that the Appellant’s reliance on the provisions of Section 128 of the Constitution is misplaced, and borne out of gross misunderstanding of the purport and import of the Section. The power vested in the House of Assembly by that section is not absolute or exclusive; Section 128 is subject to Section 176 of the Constitution, that makes the Governor the Chief Executive Officer of the State.

The executive arm of Government is at liberty to investigate into any matter, in respect of which the House of Assembly is entitled to make law for any purpose at all. The power conferred on the 1st Respondent by Section 2 of the Law to issue commissions of inquiry is constitutional and in furtherance to the executive powers of the Governor as provided for under Sections 5(2) and 176 of the Constitution.

On issue four, counsel submitted that the Appellant having exhausted his tenure as Governor of Rivers State, does not fall within the definition of a member of public service of the State, and consequently, cannot be investigated by the 3rd Respondent. He argued that the terms of reference sought to be investigated upon, was an executive decision which was implemented by the Appellant during his tenure as Governor, and it is not in the place of the Commission to investigate executive decisions made by the Governor and the State Council, as executive governance exists in continuity

“The purpose of the investigation is to find out the facts, or gather facts on the subject-matter of inquiry. In so doing, it is not trying any person for the commission of any misconduct or crime”

despite the change in governance. The Respondents countered the submission, stating that there is nothing in the terms of reference which shows the Commission was set up to inquire or review any executive decisions of Rivers State Government.

On issue five, counsel argued that the Court of Appeal erred in law when it mis-characterised the offensive remarks of the Judge as mere obiter dictum, and assuming without conceding it is, it is of no consequence as the important consideration is the impression created in the minds of right thinking members of the society. He maintained that the trial court had a grudge against the Appellant; therefore, the remarks were highly prejudicial to the Appellant, and demonstrate that he had little or no chance of enjoying the benefit of doubt that he would otherwise have been entitled to. In response, the Respondents argued that the comment was a mere admonition, a general statement to underscore the importance of the Judiciary in the scheme of things in democratic governance, a harmless obiter dictum.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Deciding the Preliminary Objection, the Supreme Court held that the Appellant filed two notices of appeal. The first one was filed without leave of court first obtained. The second notice of appeal was filed together with an application seeking leave to appeal and extension of time to appeal, and this was granted by the court. The grant of the application and the filing of the second notice of appeal, showed that the initial notice of appeal had been abandoned. Regarding the Respondents’ argument that there was no address for service on the 1st Respondent, the court held that it was glaring from the record of appeal, that the address of counsel for the 1st Respondent was included on the notice of appeal by virtue of the proviso to Rule

3(1) of the Supreme Court (Amendment) Rule, 2014.

Coming to the main issues, on issue one, the Apex Court held that a Commission of Inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Law is a fact finding body set up by the executive arm of government, to investigate the state of affairs in the State generally or in particular areas, the official conduct of heads of Government, heads and other officers of Government ministries, departments and institutions, the management of public funds and properties, any transaction involving the State or its fund or property and any other issue of urgent public importance for the public welfare, peace and security. The purpose of the investigation is to find out the facts, or gather facts on the subject-matter of inquiry. In so doing, it is not trying any person for the commission of any misconduct or crime - BABA v NCATC (1991) 5 NWLR (Pt. 192) 383. The designation as Judicial Commission of Inquiry and the fact that it was headed by a retired judicial officer cannot invest it with judicial powers to determine any rights or obligations or try any person for the commission of a crime.

On issue two, the Supreme Court held that the terms of reference of the Commission show that it is to inquire into certain transactions involving the funds and properties of the Government of Rivers State when the Appellant was Governor of Rivers State.

Beyond the request for a written memoranda from the public, there is nothing to show that the Appellant or anybody was going to be tried by the Commission.

The assumption that the Appellant was being tried or going to be tried and therefore needed to defend himself or prepare for his defence is baseless and wrong. The fundamental right to fair hearing under 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution can only be invoked in respect of proceedings in a court or other tribunal established by law; it cannot apply to non-judicial proceedings such as the proceedings of commissions of inquiry and other administrative bodies, although the Commission is bound to observe and comply with the principles of natural justice and fairness in their proceedings - BABA v NIGERIAN CIVIL AVIATION TRAINING CENTRE, ZARIA (1991) 5 NWLR (Pt. 192) 383.

On issue three, the Supreme Court held that the provisions of Section 2(1) of the Commission of Inquiry Law of Rivers State, is not in conflict with Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution. Both provide for an inquiry or investigation over essentially the same subject-matter by different arms of government in the domain of the power and functions vested on them by the Constitution, and in pursuance of their respective powers as vested on each of them by the Constitution. There is nothing in Section 128 of the Constitution that suggests that only the legislature can hold or direct an inquiry into matters of public governance or other matters of public welfare. The 1st Respondent as Governor of Rivers State set up the Commission in exercise of the power vested on him by Section 2(1) of the Commission of Inquiry Law, in line with Section 5(2)(b) of the Constitution, which gives the Governor the power to execute and maintain the Constitution and all laws made by the House of Assembly and extends his exercise of the State executive powers to all matters with respect to which the House of Assembly has for the time being power to make laws. Consequently, the 1st Respondent did not overstep its constitutional bounds by carrying out such an inquiry as authorised by the Law. Regarding issue four, the Supreme Court held that the terms of reference of the Commission, does not include the consideration or review of the decisions of the Rivers State Government to enter into any of the transactions listed in the terms of reference as subjects of the inquiry. It is the carrying out of the transactions that is the subject of inquiry. It is obvious that the transactions involving the public fund and properties of a State directly concern the public welfare of that State, an inquiry into such transactions would certainly be for the public welfare benefit.

Deciding issue five, their Lordships held that the passing comment of the trial court made after it had determined all the issues in the case but before it pronounced its final verdict, created an impression of apparent bias that may cast suspicion on the impartiality of the adjudication by the court, even though the comment did not touch on the matters for determination in the suit. The bias is merely apparent and not actual, because it is a suspicion arising from the comment of the trial Judge. There must be evidence of improper or perverse adjudication of the case, to support the apparent bias in nullifying the proceedings. Where the trial has been conducted in which the authority of the court has been fairly exercised in consistence with the fundamental principles of justice and the due process of law, and the findings of facts and decisions of the court are the result of a proper evaluation of the totality of the evidence and consideration of the addresses, apparent bias will remain what it is without more.

The resulting suspicion, will remain mere suspicion without substance.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation L.O. Fagbemi, SAN with A.J. Owonikoko, SAN and Ors. for the Appellant.

Emmanuel C. Ukala, SAN and Ors. for the 1st and 2nd Respondents.

D.C. Denwigwe, SAN with J.O. Asoluka SAN and Ors. for the 3rd Respondent K.C.O. Njemanze, SAN and Ors. for the 4th to 10th Respondent.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

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TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

L-R: Chairman of 6th ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration, Prof Gbolahan Elias, SAN; President, ICC International Court of Arbitration, Claudia Salomon and Chairperson, ICCN Commission on Arbitration & ADR, Dorothy Ufot, SAN during the just concluded ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration which held at the Chairman, NBA-SLP, Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN Eko Hotel, Lagos from Wednesday 1st June - 3rd June, 2022

L-R: Former Lagos State Solicitor General, Lawal Pedro, SAN; Company Secretary, Channels Television, Adeola Olumeyan, Mrs Abimbola Akeredolu, SAN and Chairman NBA Legos, Ikechukwu Uwanna

2022 Annual SLP Conference Holds July 3-6 The 2022 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice (NBASLP), is scheduled to hold between July 3 and 6, 2022 in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.

The theme of this year’s Conference is "Legal Practice in Nigeria: Our Reality, Our Future".

The focus of the NBASLP signature event, is to

acknowledge and discuss the current realities of legal practice in Nigeria, and chart a new course on what the future of legal practice should be.

Diverse aspects and topics on law practice will be discussed, from a practical perspective.

It promises to be an enlightening and engaging experience, and legal practitioners will have the

NBA Lagos Holds Mentoring Session for Young Lawyers Young Lawyers under the Nigerian Bar Association Lagos Branch, were this week taken through a session on mentoring by senior members of the Bar. The mentoring session was organised by the Mentoring Committee of NBA Lagos, under the theme “What Young Lawyers Should Know”.

Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, who was the first speaker, praised the Committee for organising the event for young Lawyers. He recalled when he was a young Lawyer, how he looked up for good quality advice. He maintained that he got mentored by some of the best brains in the profession at that time like Justice Akinsanya, RhodesVivour JSC. He further told the young Lawyers, to be hardworking and disciplined.

He encouraged the young Lawyers to look for mentors, who will help them in decision making.

Also speaking, the Company Secretary of Channels Television, Mrs Adeola Olumeyau, just like Mr Pedro, shared her

experience as a single young female Lawyer, up to her present status of a married Lawyer. She maintained that networking is a very important tool that has helped her, and she believes will help them too. She also challenged the young Lawyers to understand themselves, and seek to help their bosses to find solutions to problems.

There were contributions from the Chairman of NBA Lagos Branch, Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, who advised the young Lawyers not to go about looking for money. But, that they should work for some time, and money will come. He also advised them to find and connect with good experienced senior Lawyers, who will mentor them to where they want to go in life.

The Chairman of the Mentoring Committee, NBA Lagos Branch, Mrs Abimbola Akeredolu, SAN, thanked the senior Lawyers who were present, for coming to share their experiences. She further advised the Lawyers, to take all that they had been told seriously.

opportunity of hearing perspectives, not just locally, but internationally, with eminent Jurists and Lawyers in attendance. It

promises to be an exciting event.

Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Heads of Courts, other

Judges of Federal and State High Courts and Magistrates, will be in attendance.

It will afford delegates,

especially young Lawyers, a very unique and rare opportunity to learn from them, and have personal interactions with them.

Ufot, SAN Lauds Africa's Progress in Arbitration Africa has recorded appreciable progress in the area of arbitration, as the number of African Arbitrators around the world continues to grow, according to Dorothy Ufot SAN. Ufot stated this in her opening remarks at the 6th ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration, held in Lagos from 1st to 3rd June, 2022.

The Conference themed, “African Arbitration: Consolidation and Transformation”, explored latest institutional developments and the evolution of arbitration in Africa.

Ufot, who is the Chairperson of the International Chamber of Commerce

(ICC) Nigerian Commission on Arbitration and ADR, described as highly commendable the growing number of African Arbitrators around the world contrary to what obtained over the past decades.

“For decades, women and ethnic minorities have faced discrimination and disadvantage in arbitrator appointments, on the narrative that there is a dearth of qualified Arbitrators in Africa. I am happy to state that, the narrative certainly does not hold water today, as even this hall is filled with highly qualified Arbitrators of African descent”, Ufot said on Thursday.

“Africans are today clamouring for African Arbitrators to be invited or nominated to sit at the arbitration table with their peers around the world, not just for African disputes, but disputes involving nationals of other countries”, she said.

She harped on the inevitability of disputes, wherever business or investment occurs, adding, however, that these disputes have characteristically been resolved in seats around the world such as London, Paris, New York, and so on.

“There is no doubt that progress has been made in the last few years,

which has seen African Arbitrators sitting in high profile international arbitration alongside their peers around the world, in cases involving the ICC and others. This, therefore, informs the theme of this year's conference”, she said.

She further reiterated that Africa has witnessed transformation in the arbitration ecosystem, saying the 2022 Conference aimed at deepening the gains made since the Conference began in 2016. Part of the progress made, she said, was the emergence of Claudia Salomon as the first female President of the ICC Court of Arbitration.

Hallmarks of Labour Honours Justice Karibi-Whyte, Ayo Salami, Prof Banjo and Prof Oyediran The Hallmarks of Labour Foundation has celebrated the life and times of four distinguished Nigerians, by publishing their biographies in its newest book.

The four celebrated elder statesmen are the late Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, former President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, Professor Ladipo Ayodeji Banjo, and the father of the wife of the Vice President, Professor Bankole Olukayode Oyediran.

Speaking at the public presentation of the book, Governor Babajide

Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State represented by Mrs Shade Jaji, thanked the HLF for celebrating the life, times and achievement of our heroes and fathers. He praised the effort of the author and publishers in pushing ahead with such a project, since this is the tenth edition.

Also speaking at the event, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, stressed the need for the proper documentation of the life and times of distinguished Nigerians, so that the next generation of leaders can read and take wisdom from it.

She then extolled some

nuggets of wisdom she learned from her father, whom she called Daddy Ibadan.

The author of the book, Mrs Patricia Arawore, said that the four men being celebrated were selected from a pool of distinguished Nigerians who have given their best to the Nation, and their image has not been soiled by any scandal whatsoever.

She maintained that HLF will continue to celebrate Nigerians who have given their all to the nation, with little or nothing to show for it.

The book reviewer, Professor Ibiyemi OlatunjiBello, in her speech, commended the author for digging deep into the lives of these four gentlemen, and showing the role that good moral teaching of their parents, especially their mothers, has led them to achieving great things in their youthful days.

The event was attended by top personalities like Professor Ishaq Oloyede, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, amongst others.

#upjudicialsalaries “We have been holding conferences of All Nigeria Judges, for sometime now.

This issue of non-review of remuneration of judicial officers, kept appearing in the resolutions of the communiques, conferences, and yet no action has been taken to remedy it.” - Honourable Justice Ejembi Eko JSC (Rtd)

VI

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

INSIGHT ABUBAKAR D. SANI

XL4sure@yahoo.com

08034533892 080KUBIUDOFIA.

Defences in Pre and Post-Election Litigation in Nigeria Introduction/Background It is often said that election petitions are sui generis. This means that they are distinct from regular civil proceedings: ORUBU v N.E.C (1988) 5 NWLR Pt. 94 pg. 323 and GBE v ESEWE (1988) 4 NWLR Pt. 89 Page 435 at 443.

Pre-election matters, are simply causes which originate prior to elections. By contrast, post-election matters arise from elections and are founded on alleged irregularities in the conduct of those elections.

The courts have recognised the following causes as pre-election matters, vis:i. Nomination of candidates; ii. Double nomination of a candidate; iii. Disqualification of candidate; iv. Wrongful substitution of a successful candidate’s name by the electoral umpire (INEC); v. Wrongful omission of a successful candidate’s name on the register; vi. Complaints about the conduct of primaries; vii. False declaration on oath about particulars of a candidate.

See MODIBO v USMAN (2020) 3 NWLR Pt. 1712 Page 470 at 500 – 515.

See also Section 284(14) of the 1999 Constitution, which addresses the following scenarios: i. Non-compliance by a political party with the Electoral Act, the political party’s constitution or guidelines in the conduct of party primaries; ii. Complaints by an aspirant or candidate of non-compliance by the electoral umpire (INEC) with the Electoral Act or any other Act of the National Assembly; iii. The third situation deals with complaints by a political party, that INEC’s administrative decisions or actions violated the rights of a party’s candidate in terms of his/her nomination or disqualification.

Beyond the foregoing, it appears that yet another class of pre-election matters is recognised by Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which provides that: “any aspirant who participated in the primaries of his political party and who has reasonable grounds to believe that any information given by a candidate in the affidavit or any document submitted by that candidate is false, may file a suit at the Federal High Court against such person seeking a declaration that the information contained in the affidavit is false”. See ABUBAKAR v INEC (2020) 12 NWLR Pt. 1737 Page 37.

A similar provision is contained in Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act 2022 which provides that: “An aspirant who complains that any of the provisions of this Act and the Guidelines of a political party have not been complied with in the selection or nomination of a candidate of a political party for election, may apply to the Federal High Court for redress”. More on both provisions shortly.

Defences to Pre-election Matters A respondent to a pre-election matter can challenge it on a number of grounds, one of which is that it was filed and/or determined outside the period stipulated by the law. In this regard, Section 285(9) of the Constitution provides that “a pre-election matter shall be filed not later than 14 days from the date of the occurrence of the event, decision or action complained about in the suit”. See GARBA v APC (2020) 2 NWLR Pt. 1708 Page 345 at 360.

A related provision is Section 285(10) of the Constitution which stipulates that “a court in every pre-election matter shall deliver its judgement in writing within 180 days from the date of filing of the suit”. See USMAN TUGGAR v ADAMU BULKACHUWA

President Muhammadu Buhari (2019) LPELR 47883.

Yet another statute-bar, is Section 285(11) of the Constitution which provides that: “an appeal from a decision in a pre-election matter shall be filed within 14 days from the date of delivery of the judgement appealed against” Finally, Section 285(12) of the Constitution provides that “an appeal from a decision of a court in a pre-election matter shall be heard and disposed of within 60 days from the date of filing of the appeal”.

See TOYIN v MUSA (2019) NWLR Pt. 1676 Page 22.

Jurisdiction in respect of False Information Submitted by Candidate Prior to Election The Federal High Court possesses sole jurisdiction, in respect of allegations of false information contained in an affidavit or other document presented to INEC by a candidate. That right only inheres in a fellow party member who contested in the party primaries: Section 29(5) of the new Electoral Act 2022. This is a departure from Section 31(5) of the Electoral Act 2010 which conferred concurrent jurisdiction on the Federal High Court, State High Courts and High Court of the FCT in such matters.

Jurisdiction over Conduct of Party Primaries Contrary to Section 87(9) of the Electoral Act, 2010 which gave concurrent jurisdiction to Federal, State and FCT High Courts over such matters, by virtue of Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act, 2022 only the Federal High Court possesses jurisdiction in such disputes. Secondly, to the extent that submission of false documents to INEC and nomination of candidates are internal affairs of a party, a non-party member lacks locus standi to challenge an election on that ground.

Practice and Procedure in Filing Defences to Pre-election Matters Paragraph 54 of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act 2022 provides that the practice and procedure of the court or tribunal in election petitions shall approximate as much as possible, to the practice and procedure of the Federal High Court in exercise of its

“The Federal High Court possesses sole jurisdiction, in respect of allegations of false information contained in an affidavit or other document presented to INEC by a candidate”

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad CFR jurisdiction and that its Civil Procedure Rules shall apply, mutatis mutandis, as if the Petitioner and Respondent were the Plaintiff and Defendant in ordinary civil proceedings in those courts. In this regard, the relevant statute is the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2019.

Accordingly, the provisions of those Rules are applicable to the filing of defences to both pre-election and post-election matters.

By way of caveat, however, it is pertinent to observe that Section 44(1) of the Federal High Court Act, provides that such Rules require the approval of the National Council of Ministers before they can be enacted. The implication of this is that, if those Rules lack the said approval, they are invalid.

Issues and Defences to Post-Election Petitions Locus Standi A petitioner must establish his or her capacity to challenge an election. This is called locus standi. Such persons include the following: i. One who claims to have had a right to contest the election; ii. One who claims to have had a right to be returned (as duly elected) at the election; iii. A candidate at the election; iv. A political party.

See, generally, EGOLUM v OBASANJO (1999) 7 NWLR Pt. 611 Page 355.

Such categories of suitors, are normally specifically named in relevant electoral statutes. See Section 133(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022. Where a statute confers locus or capacity to sue on a petitioner, it cannot be denied to him: NNAMANI v NNAJI (1999) 7 NWLR Pt. 610 Page 313.

Grounds of the Petition By virtue of Section 134(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, an election may only be questioned on any of the following grounds:(a) That the person returned as elected was at the time of the election, unqualified to contest; (b) That the election was invalid by reason of corrupt practices or non-compliance with the Electoral Act; (c) The respondent was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast at the election.

The mere fact that an act or omission is contrary to a directive of INEC or one of its officers, is no ground for challenging the election – provided such an act or omission is not inconsistent with the Electoral Act: Section 134(2) of the Act 2022.

In addition, Section 134(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, provides that a person’s election shall not be challenged

on the ground of qualification, once the person satisfies the relevant provisions of Sections 65, 106, 131 or 177 of the Constitution and he/she is not in breach of Sections 66, 107, 137 or 182 of the Constitution, as the case may be. This is because he or she is deemed to have been pre-qualified for the election, as it were.

Furthermore, Section 135(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 provides that an election cannot be invalidated by reason of mere non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act if, in the opinion of the Election Tribunal or court, such election was conducted substantially in accordance with the principles of the Act, and the non-compliance did not affect substantially the result of the election.

Defending Post-Election Petitions By virtue of Paragraph 9(1) of the Rules of Procedure for Election Petitions contained in the First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2022, where the respondent intends to oppose an election petition, he shall, within the stipulated time after service on him or the petition, file a Memo of Appearance stating that he intends to oppose the petition.

Suffice it to say that, the relevant provisions of the current Electoral Act in this regard are contained in Paragraphs 9-18, 34, 44, 46, 49, 51, 53 & 54 in the First Schedule to the Act Conclusion It can be seen that, beyond the normal onus which the law casts on a petitioner or plaintiff, as the case may be, of proving that an election or nomination falls short of the requisite legal standards, the main issues which arise in such actions essentially revolve around jurisdiction.

This is because, questions about a petitioner’s capacity to challenge a candidate or a return (that is, his locus standi), the timing of filing the action and its determination (statute-bar), and the legal capacity or competence of the adjudicating court or tribunal are all jurisdictional.

In terms of differences between the previous and the current Electoral Acts vis-à-vis defences to pre and post-election litigation, the following appear to stand out: i. Section 84(12) of the current Electoral Act which excludes so-called political appointees from voting and being voted for in party primaries; ii. the court with jurisdiction in pre-election matters, which is now restricted to only the Federal High Court under the current law, and, iii. the persons who can challenge the outcome of party primaries, which the new law restricts to only participants in party primaries; iv. the persons who can complain of the falsity of any information contained in an affidavit or other document submitted by a candidate in a party primary, which is similarly restricted by the new law to only an aspirant who participated therein.

VII

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

0809 889 8888 SMS ONLY

Presidential Pardon vs Presidential Impunity (Part 2) accused, but also for the victims of crimes and the State; and to some extent get reparation and restitution for the victims, while deterring others from going the same route.

Where lies the justice for the impoverished people of Plateau and Taraba State, who will now watch their tormentors stroll out with red carpet treatment?

The Government budgets huge sums of money for the prosecution of such accused persons from the tax payers’ sweat; and if after the rigorous period of trial and subsequent conviction, the guilty are simply let off the hook in such a brazen manner, the little remaining lean hope the citizens have in the system, is further diminished.

Introduction The recent presidential pardon made

by President Muhammadu Buhari, in favour of two high profile politically exposed convicts in the persons of former Governors Joshua Dariye of Plateau State and Jolly Nyame of Taraba State, stirred the hornet's nest and ruffled political and moral feathers across Nigeria. Unexpectedly, this is due to the fact that both men were convicted for offences allegedly committed between November 2000 and May 2007, after full trials that ran for many years. Most Nigerians believe that both men, having been properly convicted after full trial using State resources from taxpayers’ money, ought to have been made to serve their full punishment in accordance with our criminal justice and penal systems of justice delivery. They (including my humble self), believe that the presidential pardon amounted to a presidential endorsement of criminality and stealing of our public funds by persons entrusted with managing such funds for the good of their people who voted them into office.

What Presidential Pardon Means In strict constitutional jurisprudence, the exercise of pardon power amounts to an interference by the executive with the exercise of judicial power. This is in breach of the hallowed doctrine of separation of powers, ably espoused in 1748 by the great French Philosopher, Baron de Montesquieu. However, such interference is permitted, where it is authorised by this same Constitution that provides for the doctrine of separation of powers. Today, we shall conclude our discourse on this vexed issue that has enlisted public interest, outrage, hoopla and ruckus.

Pardon is however, an exercise that should be exercised sparingly after due consideration of the fuller implications, and after full contrition and penance on the part of the offender. For example, during the military junta, some human rights activists were prosecuted unfairly and executed, some under retroactive laws.

Such was the unforgettable grieving fate of the trio of Bartholomew Owoh (26), Lawal Akanni Ojulope (30) and Benard Ogedegbe (29), who were accused of drug peddling, but whose execution was sanctioned by Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) as military ruler. This, notwithstanding the intervention the heart-rending pleas

by Playwrights, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and J.P Clarke. Granting pardon to people should be viewed by the society as a recognition of a cause worth celebrating, not offensive and fouling the air.

This brings us to the case of Senators Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, both former Governors, who had been convicted and imprisoned for stealing billions of Naira from the coffers of their State treasuries, and thus, impoverished the very people they were elected to govern. These individuals were the Chief Executives of their States. They had sworn oaths of office and allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and vowed that they would govern their State with utmost good faith. However, they betrayed their people by stealing from

President Muhammadu Buhari them. They breached the trust reposed in them. None of them admitted their guilt or wrongdoings until the courts found them guilty, up to the Supreme Court. As a matter of fact, Joshua Dariye was a sitting Senator when the Supreme Court affirmed the 10 year jail term earlier passed on him. What then is the basis for granting pardon to these individuals, in a country where corruption is the bane and struts around imperiously like a peacock?

I had noted severally since 2013 (after my release from a three week horrific ordeal in the hands of kidnappers), that we must kill corruption which had become the 37th richest and most potent State in Nigeria, before it kills us.

By granting pardon to these treasury looters, Buhari is reviving, nurturing and watering corruption with State powers.

DSP Diepreiye Alamieyeigha When former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreiye Alamieyeigha (DSP) whom I had defended throughout his Statesanctioned ordeal was granted pardon by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, I wrote and justified it. I did so for the following reasons: DSP had fully served his term of imprisonment, after his conviction. He had earlier been pardoned by President Yar'Adua who died before consummating the pardon, until Jonathan succeeded him under the “doctrine of necessity”. As noted by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, at page 62 of his book, titled “The Burden of Service”, DSP had also shown contrition, remorse and repentance. He had also earlier been pardoned by Yar'Adua, though not gazetted before his death.

DSP had also helped greatly, in brokering the peace process that led to amnesty in the restive Niger Delta region that halted oil production. This, in turn, led to stability in the area and reduction in pipeline vandalism, kidnapping of

“This recent pardon….is the worst way to fight corruption. It will further water, nurture and elevate corruption to a fundamental objective and directive principle of State policy. It is so sad and counterproductive”

expatriates, and thus, improved oil production which had plummeted to a state of nadir, leading to national ruckus and impoverishment. He had evidently demonstrated that, he believed in one stable Nigeria.

Perhaps, more significant, is the fact that Alamieyeigha was gravely ill with life-threatening ailment, from which he later died barely two years after the pardon was granted him. DSP had thus, earned the State pardon after the Council of State recommended approved it. The same cannot be said of these two Governors, who were still serving their jail terms.

Thus, the act of granting amnesty or pardon though discretionary, this discretion must be exercised judiciously and in the best interest of the country, so as not to create doubts in, and dampen the confidence of the citizenry in the national moral fabric, and in the fight against corruption.

People’s Reaction So, when the Council of State recently authorised the pardon of 159 convicts, including Senator Joshua Dariye and ex-Governor Jolly Nyame, who were both imprisoned for stealing N1.16 billion and N1.6 billion respectively, many Nigerians justifiably showed anger, because these two political leaders had been duly tried and convicted for stealing money belonging to their respective States. The courts in Nigeria were unanimous in their verdicts that they were corrupt, and had corruptly enriched themselves while serving as Governors of their respective States.

They were still serving their sentences.

These men had betrayed the trust their people reposed in them, by stealing money meant for the development of their respective States while serving as their chief executives.

Many Nigerians thus, viewed the action of Mr President in granting them pardon as recommended by the Council of State, which is a body peopled mostly by friends and political benefactors or allies of the convicts, as an action taken in bad faith. This is more so that President Buhari had assumed office on the goodwill of the Nigerian people, largely fuelled by his avowed commitment to fight corruption in all its ramifications, to a standstill.

The purpose of criminal prosecution is to secure justice, not only for the

Abuse of Power & Negative Consequences I dare say that in these two instances, both the President and the Council of State goofed and abused their undoubted constitutional powers and privileges.

A constitutional issue as volatile as this could have been better managed, if the minders of the President had told him the embarrassment this could cause the Government in the estimation the comity of nations. And, it is doing just that.

This brazen abuse of power will definitely ricochet, and erode the confidence of our international partners in the fight against corruption. It will also dampen the morale of the agencies fighting corruption, such as EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force, and the ICPC, amongst others.

This singular ill-advised act of abuse of power, will also definitely embolden political thieves and unrepentant pilferers of our national commonwealth. It shows that once you are a friend of the President or a member of his political party, or his acolyte and supporter, you can get away with any crime. In other words, in Nigeria, corruption surely pays!

With this action, the fight against corruption appears forlorn and a mirage. What is the essence of spending scarce resources in the name of fighting corruption, if at the end of the day the convicts will be pardoned and stroll into their palatial homes in splendour in this ugly manner?

Granted that the Constitution gives the President and the Governors the power of prerogative to pardon criminals in deserving circumstances, must it be done in the vulgar way and manner the instant case was handled?

In fairness to the President, not all the 159 convicts and ex-convicts granted presidential pardon are politicians. But, the most prominent of them are the two former Governors. That is what has led to the national ruckus, bedlam and hoopla.

This is because, it could be argued (and rightly too), that the main essence of the last meeting of the Council of State was to give imprimatur to, and grant pardon to the two political heavy weights, while making up the number with some insignificant lightweight ones, using garnished veneer and sleight of hand .

The President, by so doing, has certainly violated the provisions of the Constitution and his oaths of office and allegiance to defend the Constitution. This recent pardon, in my humble view, is the worst way to fight corruption. It will further water, nurture and elevate corruption to a fundamental objective and directive principle of State policy. It is so sad and counterproductive. (Concluded).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained.” (Helen Keller)

VIII

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

COVER

David Imoh

Deborah Yakubu

Harira Jibril

The Rising Scourge of Mob Action in Nigeria In the past few years, irate mobs have unleashed jungle justice on hapless citizens, claiming many lives in the various zones of the country. From 2019 to date, it was reported by SBM Intel that there have been 279 cases of mob justice in Nigeria, resulting in the death of 391 people, 223 of them occurring in the South. So far, the South West is leading the pack with 100 incidents, South South 64, North Central 39, South East 33, North West 30 and North East 13. What could be responsible for this rising inhumane trend, where citizens take the law into their own hands, resorting to self-help and becoming the Prosecutor, Judge, Jury and Executioner? Is the nation’s criminal justice system failing? Is it caused by a combination of factors like unemployment, poverty, illiteracy and religion? What is the panacea? Professor Earnest Ojukwu, SAN, Professor Andrew Chukwumerie, SAN and Chukwu Emeka Eze examine the worrisome trend and proffer solutions Causes of Mob Justice in Nigeria Professor Earnest Ojukwu, SAN

T

he growing trend of mob action or mob justice in Nigeria, needs to be addressed urgently. There are many reasons for this upsurge. Mob justice is a sign of a failing or failed State, where governance is collapsing or has collapsed. It is evidence of lawlessness and impunity.

The major basis is a feeling of injustice, and a mistrust of the justice system. This includes a distrust in law enforcement agencies, especially the Police; a distrust of the Judiciary, Lawyers and the legal profession; and a distrust of political leaders and the law itself. Mob actions are also fuelled by anger, which is in turn fuelled by economic and social justice deprivations; religious and tribal hatred fuelled by inequality, distrust, ignorance, prejudice, and indoctrination.

The spread of prejudice and use of indoctrination, is largely based on a growing culture of dishonesty among the greater number of the Nigerian population, and this has manifested in the effective use of false information to misinform and miseducate, to reduce our greater illiterate and half educated population to the lowest animal levels and achieve hatred, insecurity, strife, and in fact, terrorism.

Reversing the Trend of Mob Justice To reverse the trend, will require so much effort. The will and actions to stem

the tide, has to be equal. We must focus on extracting Nigeria from a failed State status, and engender good governance at all levels and in all parts of the country.

Our economy must improve tremendously; employment must be created; poverty must go; fairness and equity must be enthroned; our justice system must work effectively and justly; the Police must be wholly reformed and transformed to a civilised Police Force; re-education and re-orientation of the entire population must begin in earnest; the standard of our normal education must be improved; the illiteracy gap must be closed, especially in educationally disadvantaged parts of Nigeria; and our culture of corruption and dishonesty must be extracted from our “blood”, especially from the “blood” of our political leaders and civil servants.

Professor Earnest Ojukwu, SAN, former Deputy Director General, Nigerian Law School The Rising Incidents of Mob Action in Nigeria Professor Andrew Chukwumerie, SAN Causes of Mob Action 1) Failure of Law Enforcement The rising trend of mob actions, is really disturbing. The causes are many. The first cause, is the failure of the enforcement of the law.

“Mob justice is a sign of a failing or failed State, where governance is collapsing or has collapsed. It is evidence of lawlessness and impunity”

The country has been in a state of lawlessness, for many years now.

Nigerian criminal legislation is full of prohibitive provisions against mob actions, religious riots etc. If laws were to be enforced no matter whose ox is gored, there would not be so much mob actions and riots.

However, once some people can do something or commit a crime and nothing happens to them, other persons would be emboldened and seek to do similar or other things and crimes. That is from the point of view of the aggressor, the initial criminal. From the stand point of the victim of the crime, if there is no retribution for a crime committed, the initial victim may get frustrated with the State; anger that no one can help. That immediately forces him into a retaliation. It is human nature to disobey the law; the rules.

Once the law is properly enforced, practically everyone will be law abiding. The difference between the law abiding civilised nations and Nigeria, is traceable to this factor.

2) Oppression of Citizens Closely linked to this, is the deliberate use (or misuse) of the law for the deliberate mistreatment or indeed, oppression of some of the citizens. The hue and cry of Nigerians now about the state of things economically and socially, is one great source of mob actions and riots. The demand for the Police Force to be an agent for the proper protection of the people, instead of a tool for the harassment and oppression of these same people, was the genesis of the #EndSARS riots across the country in 2020 that resulted in so much damage to lives and property. The demand

for the restructuring of the country, is the source of agitations across the country. So many youths are involved in these agitations. Sadly, the powers that be in the country are taking these agitations in their stride, believing nothing will come out of them. It is not a good omen for the country, that so much of its population spread across the country are agitating for one thing or the other, due to their dissatisfaction with governance.

3) Religion The other thing is, religion. There is some misunderstanding of religious writings and proclamations, by some clerics. Those clerics go ahead and tell their followers that they can get involved in mob actions or riots and kill adherents of other religions, especially Christianity, when things happen that they easily term as against their religion. I am aware that Christianity and Judaism, especially Christianity, are considered religions of the Book, and no adherent of the one should do any harm or kill an adherent of the other.

I have had extensive discussions with very notable and influential Muslim faithfuls, and heard them quite clearly on this. I am aware that Christians will consider somebody an outcast, if they hurts or kills the Muslims, followers of African traditional religion, followers of Hinduisms, Buddhists, Sikhism or Judaism, or indeed, anybody, on account of religious differences or expressions of those. It is so, whether the person does something considered blasphemous to his faith or not. That person will be understood as trying to fight for God, the Almighty, Who, apart from being thoroughly forgiving to errant humans, can always fight for Himself in much more effective ways, when it becomes necessary to fight for Himself.

IX COVER

TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

The Rising Scourge of Mob Action in Nigeria The situation is worsened in Nigeria, by the use of such misunderstanding of religion for political reasons. It is used as a tool which much (definitely not all) of the political class (even when civilians are not in power, but the military) uses for political domination. Clearly, this is not the fault of Islam (much less of Christianity, Judaism, African traditional religion, Hinduisms, Buddhists, Sikhism or any other religion practiced in Nigeria) as a religion, but the fault of politicians using mob actions and riots as a political tool of negotiation – negotiation in violence. Once the mob action or crisis starts, members of other religions are slaughtered. Eventually, nothing happens to the perpetrators. It was once said at a time during the Obasanjo Presidency, in the heat of a riot that started in a particular State, that the Presidency warned the then Governor of the State that serious consequences would follow if riots occurred further in the State. At that time, the Presidency had used the declaration of state of emergency once, and was going to use it once more in that State if the riots persisted. No further riots occurred in that State or neighbouring States, at the time. The law was going to take its course. Everyone behaved well, and lives were spared.

It is the intention of some people to use religious riots and mob action, to intimidate the rest of Nigerians into fear of saying or doing things that their religion may consider unfavourable. In the country now, there is a palpable fear of saying anything that religious fanatics or their far sighted sponsors may find offensive - even when those things are clearly not offensive to anyone.

When these things happen, some persons just take up arms and hurt and kill others in the name that they have blasphemed the own faith. The surprising thing is that, you will hardly find a well-informed person inside such a crowd, when they are killing the person alleged to have blasphemed.

Well-informed and positioned persons, their own children, no matter how young or uninformed they may be, are hardly seen doing this. Is the revenge for blasphemy, a thing for the less informed ones in the society?

4) Failure of the Law Where the law fails as it has in Nigeria, ambitious persons arise, wanting to sway public opinion in their favour, whether or not the other members of the society like it or not. To some extent, this seems to be what has happened in certain parts of Southern Nigeria.

Criminals seem to have taken over people’s legitimate grievances, and turned them into an engine of fraud and crime.

The last point I would want to highlight here, is a high level of frustration manifesting in the entire populace, especially amongst the unemployed youths. The point has been made time and again, that Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb. Regrettably, those in Government at the Federal, State or Local Governments, do not seem to fully realise this point, or are not prepared to do anything

Professor Earnest Ojukwu, SAN

serious about it. A situation where unemployment amongst the youth is so high, is extremely undesirable. In addition or in lieu of the statistics normally coming out of the Bureau of Statistics, just think of the number of Nigerians that leave the NYSC each quarter of the year. How many of those get employed? Or put in another way, how many are even employable?

Think of those who could not go to tertiary institutions, and are roaming the streets unemployed. Think of the number of Nigerians who lose their jobs now and then, because of the failure of companies or their downsizing! Think of the millions of people who cannot access their pensions, either because a government is deliberately owing them, or because those who were supposed to administer their pensions simply made away with the money. All these people are without any means of income! Any spark of by way of a misdeed against them, or any source of anger causes a resort to mob action. Many people who joined the #EndSARS riots, probably joined just because of this cause.

Realisation If Nigeria realises realises that it is losing human life and human capital, and getting steadily dragged backwards by avoidable loss of lives each time these things happen, the country will stand up against the mob actions. If Nigerians realise at personal levels, that (whatever any one believes or does not believe) whatever a man sows he will eventually reap now or later, much progress will be made in this area.

Professor Andrew Chukwumerie, SAN, Abuja

“…. you will hardly find a well-informed person inside such a crowd, when they are killing the person alleged to have blasphemed….Is the revenge for blasphemy, a thing for the less informed ones in the society?”

Professor Andrew Chukwumerie, SAN

Legal Diagnosis of the Resurgence of Mob Action in Nigeria Chukwuemeka Eze According to Thomas Hobbes (Leviathan, 1651), the state of nature was one in which there were no enforceable criteria of right and wrong. People took for themselves all that they could, and human life was “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” The state of nature was therefore, a state of war, which could be ended only if individuals agreed (in a social contract) to give their liberty into the hands of a sovereign, on the sole condition that their lives were safeguarded by sovereign power. www.britannica.com Rising Cases of Mob Action in Nigeria There are reported cases of mob action in recent times, across the country without consequences.

It will not be exaggerating to dub April and May 2022, as months of jungle justice in Nigeria.

In April 2022, two alleged motorcycle thieves were lynched at Suleja in Niger State. In the same April, an alleged kidnapper was killed by a mob in Kano.

Early last month, Nigerians woke up to read about the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel Yakubu through jungle justice, by her fellow students at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, after accusing her of blasphemy. Attempt by the Sokoto State Government to bring the ringleaders of the killing to book, led to a riot in which property valued at millions of Naira, were destroyed.

In the same second week of May, a sound engineer, David Imoh, was mobbed and killed by Okada riders in the Lekki area of Lagos over a N100 dispute. Similarly, a pregnant Hausa woman, named Harira, and her four children, were killed in Anambra State, also in May, by unknown gunmen. These cases have raised concern among many Nigerians, as to the lack of sanctity of life in Nigeria.

Thomas Hobbes is one of the legal philosophers, inclusive of John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau, that examined the state of nature with

regard to the social contract theory. His proposition presented man as being in an anarchic state of nature where everyone was at war with everyone, which Latin translation is, _omnia contra omnes._ Citizens eventually handed over their fate and protection, into the hands of a sovereign. The Nigerian State has undertaken the duty to treat our welfare and security as the primary purpose of government, under Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.

A situation where groups of citizens regularly take the law into their hands to kill their fellow citizens without the due process of the law and without the imprimatur of the State, is one of the hallmarks of a failing or a failed State. The incidence of mob action, is not new to us.

In October 2012, four students of the University of Port Harcourt – Ugonna Obuzor, Toku Lloyd, Chiadika Biringa and Tekenah Elkanah – were lynched after they were falsely accused of theft in the Rivers State community of Aluu. The act elicited widespread condemnation and cry for justice, using #Aluu4 on social media.

In June 2016, an Igbo trader, Bridget Agbahime, 74, was killed by a rampaging mob in Kano, after an alleged act of blasphemy.

A month later, a preacher/evangelist and member of Redeemed Christian Church of God was killed by some assailants while preaching at Kubwa, an FCT satellite town.

Following the disturbing trend, Senator Dino Melaye introduced a Bill for a law to protect persons against “jungle justice”, which passed through the Second Reading in the Senate in October 2016. The Anti-Jungle Justice Bill, SB 109 – was formally titled ‘Bill for an Act for the Prohibition and Protection of Persons from Lynching, Mob Action and Extrajudicial Execution and Other Related Offences 2016’. The Bill was eventually not signed, to become an Act of the National Assembly.

Illegality of the Abridgement of the Right to Life through Mob Action Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 entitles every person in Nigeria to the right to life, and nobody has the power to unlawfully take another person’s life without the due process of the law. cont'd on page X

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COVER

The Rising Scourge of Mob Action in Nigeria cont'd from page IX

During mob actions, the mob serves as the prosecutor, the judge, jury and the executioner.

In legal terms, mob action is an act where a person acting together with one or more persons and without authority of law (knowingly, intentionally and recklessly), disturbs public peace by the use of force or violence. In other words, it is an act where a person assembles with one or more persons to do an unlawful act (knowing and intending) that the purpose of the assembly is to perform the unlawful act.

Causes of Mob Action The increasing rate of criminality in the society and the continuous delay in the dispensation of criminal justice, has led to wide provocation among the public to take the law into their own hands. A research carried out by Mr Ilori, a Criminologist at the University of Ibadan in 2014, found that factors like insecurity, understaffed and illequipped Police Force, are drivers of jungle justice. An overwhelmed Police, makes neighbourhoods seek the services of vigilante groups for local security.

The form of street justice occurs where a dysfunctional and corrupt judiciary system and law enforcement, have lost all credibility. When people lose confidence in judicial or law enforcement agencies, it will most often lead them to have resort to mob action.

Investigations have shown that one of the major reasons for such act, is lack of confidence in the security and justice system. Many believe that some of the victims are usually hardened criminals, or those found to have been involved in very heinous crimes, particularly as it appertains to taking of a life. There is also the belief that some of these alleged criminals always find their way back into the society, and some buy their freedom.

However numerous the factors behind mob actions in Nigeria may be, mob actions can never be justified, being that such type of actions are mainly self-help, which does not enjoy any form of support by the laws of this country.

What the Law Provides The Constitution provides for the right to life, and it is declared that nobody’s life should be taken. In Nigeria, it is an offence to participate in any mob action by setting a person ablaze or inflicting physical injury on them, or death.

The abridgement of life through illegal means, is frowned at by domestic and international laws.

Section 33(1) of the Nigerian Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 provides: “Every person has a right to life and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria”.

Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 provides: "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person".

Article 6 of the International Cov-

Chukwu Emeka Eze

enant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966 provides: “Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life”.

Article 4 of the African Charter on Human Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act provides: “Human beings are inviolable.

Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of this right."

Section 315 of the Criminal Code Act provides that: “Any person who unlawfully kills another is guilty of an offence called murder or manslaughter, according to the circumstances of the case.”

Section 220 of the Penal Code also provides that: “Whoever causes death: (a) by doing an act with the intention of causing death or such bodily injury as is likely to cause death…commits the offence of culpable homicide”.

Section 2(1) of the Violence Against Persons Act also provides that: “A person who wilfully causes or inflicts physical injury on another person by means of any weapon, substance or object, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding N100,000.00 or both”.

Section 8(1) of Administration of Criminal and Justice Act (2015) provides: “A suspect shall: (a) be accorded humane treatment, having regard to his right to dignity of his person; (b) not be subjected to any

“The United Nations Rapporteur Report on Extrajudicial Killings in Nigeria, etc, states that the overall situation encountered in Nigeria gives rise to extreme concern. The warning signs are flashing bright red, increased numbers of attacks and killings…..”

form of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment”.

The United Nations Rapporteur Report on Extrajudicial Killings in Nigeria, etc, states that the overall situation encountered in Nigeria gives rise to extreme concern. The warning signs are flashing bright red, increased numbers of attacks and killings over the last five years with a few notable exceptions; increased criminality and spreading insecurity; widespread failure by the Federal authorities to investigate and hold perpetrators to account, even for mass killings; a lack of public trust and confidence in the judicial institutions and State institutions more generally; high levels of resentment and grievances within and between communities; toxic ethno-religious narratives and “extremist” ideologies - characterised by dehumanisation of the “others” and denial of the legitimacy of the others’ claims; a generalised breakdown of the rule of law, with particularly acute consequences for the most vulnerable and impoverished populations of Nigeria.

Weakness of the State Enforcement Machinery as Catalyst for Mob Actions Based on the foregoing provisions, it is safe to say that any society that tolerates such barbaric conduct shows clearly the level of its judicial development, and that is a very clear evidence of a failing State.

People are increasingly losing faith, in the Police investigative system and processes. They think that when these suspects are arrested, they might be freed by the Police or released by the courts, so the right thing to do is to take the law into their hands; but, it is noteworthy that two wrongs do not make a right.

No amount of loss of faith in the judicial process, should encourage and tolerate or empower any person to take the law into his hands.

Another Attempt at Legislative Intervention The Nigeria criminal justice system, has been a very topical issue everywhere. But, the slow pace of obtaining justice should not be an excuse to delve into the arena of violence and crime. Whoever is opposed to the process and decides

to indulge in criminal acts, should find himself on the wrong side of the law.

The era of taking suspected criminals into private custody and killing them, should be gone.

In 2021, Hon. Emeka Martins Chinedu, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ahiazu-Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State, introduced a Bill seeking to punish those who engage in mob action. The Bill was considered by the House of Representatives, but it was envisaged that the intent of the Bill will be grossly misrepresented to mean a Bill seeking to jail protesters. The introduction of this Bill, was a clear indication that mob action is a threat to our security and safety in Nigeria.

The Way Forward The possible solution is to establish confidence in the minds of the people, that the Judiciary will always do justice to those who engage in heinous crimes, and also that the law enforcement agencies will crystallise their investigations to the satisfaction of the people, to enable the people believe that justice will always be done in every case concerning crime.

Also, the Judiciary and law enforcement agencies should be up to their feet, to ensure that those who engage in mob actions or jungle justice are brought to face the wrath of the law.

Religious leaders of all faiths should dissuade their followers from self-interpretation and enforcement of punitive measures pursuant to their holy books, without indictment through the judicial process.

Conclusion Mob action or jungle justice, is inhuman and barbaric. It signposts a return to the state of nature, where life is solitary, short, nasty and brutish; and where everyone is at war with everyone. The act of mob action is not only illegal, but a regression into antiquity. The State needs to provide safeguards against jungle justice, and to ensure the existence of a legal framework for appropriate punitive measures against those that constitute themselves as mobs to abridge the lives of others.

Chukwuemeka Eze, Lecturer, Department of Public and International Law, Faculty of Law, Nasarawa State University, Keffi

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

REPO

A T

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

08056356325

J U N E

S & P INDEX

6 , 2 0 2 2

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OPR

11.25%

CALL

10.25%

INDEX LEVEL

613.31%

1/4 TO DATE

-0.85%

N416.86/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

11.50%

1-MONTH

9.56%

1-DAY

0.16%

YEAR TO DATE

7.64%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10.52%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.44%

Amid Cash Crunch, NNPC Records $.92bn Project Funding Deficit in Four Months Cash call arrears remain at N971.8m Spent $321.9m on cost recovery in April

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) recorded $920 million (about N386.4 billion) deficit in its planned funding for priority projects in the first four months of 2022, latest data from the national oil firm has shown.

It came amid increasing cash crunch and the inability of the organisation to meet its monthly financial obligation to the federation,

comprising the federal, state and local governments, which operate a joint account THISDAY recalls that in 2021, the company posted a deficit of over $2.6 billion for cost recovery and priority projects, although it budgeted about $5.8 billion for the purpose.

While through cost recovery, a party is able to recoup its capital and operating costs out of a specified percentage of production, the NNPC also has major oil and gas

projects meant to boost the country’s production.

Some of the projects, which have been on for years include domestic gas development initiatives, frontier exploration, renewable energy and the Nigeria/Morocco pipeline.

They also include the Gbaramatu IPP/Excravos power plant, upgrade and rehabilitation of Delta IV, upgrade of Oben metering, Sapele metering station, Ajaokuta metering station as well as construction of

Egbin 500mmscfd gas facility.

In addition, the NNPC had previously listed the construction of the West Niger Delta project, Asa north Ohaji project, Excravos/Lagos pipeline expansion, OB3 supply lines as well as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) project as some of its priority projects.

The NNPC document showed that the entire appropriation for ‘calendarised’ cost recovery and funding for priority projects was

$6.43 billion for the year, which was further segmented into $536 million monthly disbursement.

According to the document released by the corporation, between January and April, while it was supposed to pay a total $2.14 billion as recovery and project costs, actual functional funding remained at $1.22 billion at the end of the month.

In terms of actual functional dollar funding level, a breakdown of the releases showed that in January,

$441.2 million was spent on cost recovery and ongoing projects, in February it was $137.3 million, while it was $322.9 million and $321.9 million in March and April respectively.

In the same vein, the shortfalls in funding for the months were $94.77 million in January, $398.7 million in February, $213 million in March and $214.334 million in April.

Continued on page 29

IOCs Reported Increased Cash Flow, Higher Proven Reserves in 2021 Despite Headwinds Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Despite waning investment in oil and gas, the annual financial reports of 119 publicly traded exploration and production companies has revealed that their aggregate proven reserves of crude oil and natural gas increased by 19.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) in 2021.

Collective Exploration and

Development (E&D) expenditures by the companies increased only 1 per cent in 2021 from 2020, remaining 28 per cent below their five-year (2015–19) average, an Energy Information Agency (EIA) report said.

Many publicly traded oil and natural gas companies, generating more cash from operations as a result of higher prices in 2021, directed more of their financial

resources toward debt reduction, dividend increases, merger and acquisition opportunities than toward capital expenditures for production growth.

The analysis was based on the published financial reports of 119 domestic and international companies provided to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, collected by Evaluate Energy and published by

FOOD

COMMODITIES

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

RICE

100KG

ABUJA

N23,000–N25,000

SORGHUM

50KG

OYO

N22,000-N25,000

50KG

PLATEAU (JOS)

N23,500-N25,000

50KG

KWARA N24,000–N27,000

50KG

LAGOS

50KG

RIVERS N23,000–N26,500

50KG 50KG

N23,000–N26,500

SOKOTO N11,500–N13,000 EDO

N17,000–N20,000

the EIA. “We estimate the 119 companies in this analysis accounted for about 60 per cent of total nonOPEC liquids production in 2021.

“Of the 119 companies with financial reports we reviewed, the top 20 held 78 per cent of the collective 293 billion BOE in proven oil and natural gas reserves held at the end of 2021.

“Although many of these

SIZE

PRICE

STATE

100KG JIGAWA

companies have global operations, some are national oil companies with reserves and operations concentrated in their home countries,” it stated.

According to the report, the organic additions to proven crude oil and natural gas reserves come from improved recovery and extensions and discoveries that can be linked to E&D expenditures.

Global E&D costs incurred and unproven reserves acquisitions by these companies in 2021 increased 1 per cent year-over-year to $244 billion, it stated.

With less capital expenditures devoted to E&D, the publicly traded companies the organisation reviewed, devoted more cash from operations toward financing Continued on page 28

T O D AY

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

N9,000

C O C OA

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

1 TON

ONDO

N740,000 – N760,000

1 TON

OSUN

N730,000 – N750,000

1 TON

EDO

N720,000 – N740,000

100KG

BENUE

N8,500

100KG

KADUNA

N8,500

50KG

ENUGU

N23,000

50KG

LAGOS

N17,000

1 TON

CROSS RIVER

N700,000 – N720,000

100KG

DELTA

N23,000

1 TON

AKURE SOUTH, ONDO

N730,000 — N755,000

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BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

FG’s Commendable Effort to Support Local Industries As part of government’s effort to support local industries, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, recently went on a facility tour of BUA Cement Plant in Sokoto State where he outlined plans by the government to support Nigerian companies to boost employment. Oluchi Chibuzor highlights the minister’s visit

A

s the government continues to seek ways to support home grown industries across the country, especially those with labour multiplying effects, the need to boost average individual’s low per-capital consumption of cement has been identified as a critical factor to cushion the demand and supply forces and the racketeering margin made by middle men affecting price of product.

This is as most of the middlemen in the cement industry sell their product about 25 to 30 per cent above factory price across the country, which is largely because of underproduction of the product in Nigeria.

In view of this, the federal government is urging potential investors to take advantage of various window of opportunities like tax holidays to participate in the diversification initiatives aimed at growing more businesses.

Speaking in Sokoto, during a factory tour of the BUA cement production plant, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, acknowledged that the country must encourage companies like BUA that are engaged in multibillion naira investment projects.

According to him, “We are here today in continuation of our tour of public and private sector projects across the country that are impacting positively on the lives of the people that are beneficiaries of the conducive business environment created by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, under the auspices of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

“The result of such favourable business environment was the birth of new businesses such as the 5 Million tonnes per annum (mtpa) BUA Cement here in Sokoto; the $2.5 billion Dangote Fertilizer Plant that will produce 3 million tonnes of Urea every year; the 650,000 barrels per day oil refinery due to open later this year; the Lekki Deep Sea Port, one of the most modern sea ports in West Africa and the 5,000 barrels per day Modular Refinery in Ibigwe, Imo State.”

Commenting on the incessant rise of cement in the country, the minister noted that until supply exceeds demand the country will continue to witness rise in price.

He said, “Is about demand and supply; the demand for cement is so high and until we are able to ramp up supply we will not be able to have a reasonable price. For instance, if 100 people need cement, and we can provide only for 50, those in between will hoard and sell at their own price.”

Responding to this challenge, which has continued to deny so many Nigerians the opportunity to own a home, Mohammed agreed that the government must continue to support the industry through tax incentives to investors.

“We invite more investors to take advantage of our tax holiday programme, backward integration, tax incentives because to have one line of cement production you need a minimum of half a billion dollars, “he said.

REDUCING COST

Speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, BUA Cement Plc, Yusuf Binji noted that Nigeria’s low capital per consumption for cement usage remains a critical factor that must be addressed quickly to reduce the cost on the consumers.

For him, driving down the energy cost of the plant is another key factor adding that the government needs to intervene quickly.

The company, he revealed, bring in 20 trucks of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Port-Harcourt every day to keep the factory running to 90 per cent production capacity.

He added, “Now we are bringing NLG from Port-Harcourt about 20 trucks a day and energy estimates about 80 per cent of our production cost and definitely anything that is going to reduce energy is going to reduce the current cost in the open market. This will have a direct impact on the cost of cement in the country. The price of cement currently being sold in the open market is about N4000; this is about 25 to 30 per cent higher than factory price and we are selling far below that.

“Factors of demand and supply do influence the price and definitely Nigeria still has a very low per capital consumption of cement compared to some countries. In Nigeria now, per capital

Lai Mohammed speaking during the tour of BUA Cement in Sokoto State consumption is about 123 kilogramme per person which is less than two and a half bags. That is where we want to be as a country and this means there is still under production of cement in Nigeria because right now last year the consumption and demand was about 30 millions tonnes and we should be like 60 to 70 million tonnes even countries like Senegal, ivory coast, Egypt, they are all far above Nigeria in terms of per-capital consumption.”

However, the minister promised that the government would continue to encourage the usage of cement in road construction as part of its backward integration programmes.

Another key issue, which was raised includes the possibility of allowing the market to be more competitive, which Binti, opined would should drive innovation and quality in the country.

“We are a product of competition, there is nothing like competition, it is about service delivery to Nigerians. What we want to do is to bring our product to be available everywhere so that cement can be affordable because our processes are standard. The quality is good and is left for the consumer to make its choice.

“But like I said our per capital consumption is almost the lowest in the world. The world average is almost 650 kilograms per person that is 13 pound per person and if we are to get to that level with this kind of facility you have seen you need probably 10 more in Nigeria,” Binti stated.

BANNING IMPORTATION

Commenting further, the minister stressed that the banning of importation of cement and backward integration would help interested companies make returns easily.

He said, “Because when you invest about $1 million in one line it takes about four to five years gestation period before you can even start producing and another 10 years for you to breakeven.”

Meanwhile, in the last five years, BUA said it has completed four new cement plants of 3 Million tonnes per annum line (IV), “and similar capacity in different parts of the country and we are set to complete two more plants soon.”

Binji stated that cement producers are still under producing with a demand of 30 million tonnes far below Ghana, Egypt, Senegal and Ivory Coast in terms of per

capita consumption.

“We should be doing like 70 million tonnes instead of 30 million tonnes. Nigeria still has a low per capita consumption of cement when compared to Ghana. Our per capita consumption is about 123kg representing less than two and a half pounds while Ghana is about five pounds per person,” he said.

IMPACT OF RAILWAY

The minister assured that the Kano-Jibia Maradi railway line when completed, would help to crash the price of cement in the country.

According to him, the railway line will help reduce the cost of transportation and energy incurred by cement manufacturers since bulk of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) would be transported using railway transportation.

In his words: “By the time that section of the rail is completed, it will be cheaper to transport cement from Sokoto to all parts of Nigeria by rail. It will also help in bringing the cost of energy deployed in producing cement because it will bring bulk LNG to the plant. We are very confident that in a few years time, with the challenges in logistics addressed, we can be looking forward to a crash of the cost of cement.”

The Minister however stated that the conditions that have made BUA cement to flourish, especially since 2015 when the present administration assumed office, include the fact that BUA was granted Pioneer Status, the ban on importation of cement, government’s divestment from the cement industry and backward integration policy.

“Thanks to these conditions, BUA Cement has recorded a 300 per cent increase in production between 2015 and now. That is from 3.5 million tonnes per annum in 2015 to 11 million tonnes per annum now. For its part, the sokoto plant is operating at over 90 per cent of installed capacity,” he said.

He added: “Because of its location, which is just 100 kilometers to Niger Republic, the plant exports to Niger and Burkina Faso, earning Nigeria much needed forex. Please note that only excess is exported, especially during the raining season. Other facts include that the company produces all year round, loading between 250 and 270 trailers per day. The plant has 700 trucks for cement distribution.”

He noted that the three million tonnes per

annum line (IV) of the BUA Cement facility takes the combined installed capacity of the factory’s lines 2,3 and 4 to 5 million tonnes per annum, stressing that this is one of the most modern cement plants anywhere in the world.

“It has gas analyzers used in regulating carbon emissions released into the atmosphere; air purifying mechanisms set up to enhance the quality of air released from the cement manufacturing process. In fact, the plant has filters capable of capturing 99.9 per cent of dust in order to make the environment healthy and conducive for the workers and customers alike,” he added.

He stated that the plant is the first cement plant in Nigeria to use LNG to generate 50MW of power, thereby replacing coal in its kiln, pointing out that this has made the plant environmentally friendly to also curbclimate change.

“I am sure when the AKK gas pipeline project is completed, it will drastically reduce the time and cost of transporting gas, which is currently being trucked from Port Harcourt to the plant.

At least 20 trucks of LNG are brought here daily from Port Harcourt. Imagine the costs and the logistic challenges involved in this,” he said.

“Of course this plant is also a job creator. As the Managing Director said, there are 443 permanent staff and, together with all other ancillary jobs, the total is about 10,000 jobs,” he averred.

He commended the Chairman of BUA Cement, Abdul Samad Rabiu and his entire team for his undying belief in Nigeria, saying that there is no better indication of BUA’s support for the government’s economic diversification and job creation agenda than the company’s massive investments in Nigeria.

“In the last five years, BUA has completed four new cement plants of similar capacity in different parts of the country and is set to complete two more plants soon. It is expected that total production for BUA Cement will amount to 17 million tonnes per annum by 2023, “he added.

Earlier, Binji stated that that investing in the future, its strategic priorities would be to drive revenue and cost synergies across revenue and margin lines, harmonise sale and marketing strategy across its two plants, increase customer portfolio and capture new market areas including export, construct lines 3&5 at Obu and Sokoto plants respectively and deploy solutions that enhance customer experience.

He said the price of cement currently being sold in the open market at N4000 is about 25 to 30 per cent higher than the ex factory price.

IOCS REPORTED INCREASED CASH FLOW, HIGHER PROVEN RESERVES IN 2021 DESPITE HEADWINDS activities such as debt reduction and dividends.

“Collectively, their cash from

operations increased to $597 billion in 2021, the most since 2014. With higher revenues, the

companies focused on paying down debt and increasing dividends, probably to improve their

financial position and increase shareholder returns.

“Net debt held by the compa-

nies decreased by $134 billion, the largest amount in any year from 2012 to 2021, and dividends

increased to $107 billion (24 per cent above the 2015–19 average),” said the report.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2022

29

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Olumide-Awe: How Maltina is Igniting Happiness In over four decades of its existence as Nigeria’s number one malt brand, Maltina has built a reputation for curating unique experiences and igniting happiness for consumers while impacting millions of Nigerians nationwide. Through a wide range of projects, Nigerians across the nation have felt a huge impact of Maltina especially for fostering happiness across borders and uplifting families. In this interview with the Senior Brand Manager for Maltina, Elohor Olumide-Awe she talks about how Maltina has stayed true to its values of impacting lives and igniting happiness one at a time. Oluchi Chibuzor presents the excerpts What’s the overarching philosophy behind Maltina’s numerous impactful initiatives? ur biggest philosophy in Maltina is about igniting happy connections and that sits very well within our brand essence because here we build brands and our brands are built in a way that they are part of people lives - people engage with our brands on a daily basis in one way or form and so we don’t just want to position ourselves as something they only just buy and drink, but see it as something that mean something to them, that connects with them. Therefore, our major brand essence, like I mentioned earlier, is about igniting happy connections with our consumers.

And that means that at every point where we see an opportunity for consumers to come together, and connect with families and friends and loved ones and frenemies, Maltina wants to be part of that connection and be the enabler for whatever they are celebrating. So, that’s really what drives what we do as Maltina.

O

In what significant ways have you seen Maltina affect the Nation’s educational sector positively over the last few years, especially considering programmes like the Teacher of the year and the school game?

It still comes out of our brand essence. We have two major platforms that are more upscale, where we give back in the educational system. That does not also take away from other engagements that we do. For instance, we sponsor a lot of inter house sports competitions across schools, fun days and other programmes in schools. These are things that we do almost on a monthly basis. But the big platform where we are able to leverage and really bring out what we stand for, as a brand is our Maltina’s Teacher of the year as you rightly mentioned and of course, our Maltina School games.

We are participating in these two platforms because it is also a point of connection. The children come to school, they connect with each other and their teachers. The teachers are the one that connect with them to impart knowledge.

And so, we believe that, a lot of times these teachers are overlooked, they are not given the right motivation to continue to give their best to these children and the truth is that our children spend a lot of hours with the teachers in school, and, in fact, sometimes they even rely on what the teachers tell them even more than what the parents tell them at home. And so, for the teachers to be able to influence them positively, they need good motivation and that’s where Maltina comes in to say, we recognise what you do in terms of imparting and building the next generation. And because of that, we want to give a platform to reward you and to show that we really appreciate what you do and ensure that you keep on doing the good work even better than what you’re doing.

And so, this is a national competition amongst teachers, where they get to write essays about what they’re doing in their different schools to impact the life of children, share examples and everything. And we do it in partnership with the ETF, Educational Trust Fund and then there is a panel that actually judges the essays that are sent in by all the teachers and at the end of the day, the top teacher per state is rewarded. There’s always a winner from each of the thirty-six states in the country as well as Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, and then, there is the national winner as well.

The Maltina school game is another massive platform where we directly impact the lives of children. We come in here because we believe that beyond the education that they get, the social

Olumide-Awe interaction through sports is also a very big part of how we mould our children. It also gives them the clarity of mind; they learn skills like team bonding, building relationships, and different things through these competitions.

And we’ve run this for three consecutive years now and we’ve impacted over 100,000 children, because we give these children a national platform, where they’re able to showcase their skills. We see that a lot of attention is concentrated on football while not much is done in the area of athletics and this is affecting our performance at major competitions such as the Olympics.

If you go to the North, East, West, you will find talent that are very good in athletics, and we give them a platform to come, compete, show what they can do, connect, get some training because we bring Olympic athletes to come and mentor them and coach them during the finals. You have sessions with these people throughout that time, and then they are able to go and compete. So, this year was very phenomenal for us, because we were able to hold the national finals again, we couldn’t do that last year because of COVID, we had only state finals. The Minister of Sports actually attended the event, he came with Mary Onyali and Daniel Amokachi, they spoke to the children. Five of our athletes who won went to an international competition in France with the NSSF in May. And then another 12 of them will be going to China in November to represent Nigeria in the World Athletic games. So, it’s a really big platform for us and we see it as something that’s really imparting the life of children.

Maltina’s tradition of celebrating holidays and religious festivals with consumers is well known across the Nation. How have you been able to identify with the different target groups of consumers in

these celebrations?

So, we call Maltina the family brand and you know in the family set up, the family is a community of people living together and, in every community, there are different beliefs, different interests, for different members of the community and family. And so, for us, festivals are also important. We have a huge population of Nigerians living in the northern part of the country and in the north, we know they’re always having different types of festivals – Durbar, Argungu and others.

Also, in the North, there’s a huge consumption of non-alcoholic beverages.

Maltina is also seen as one of their top beverages to consume. They use Maltina for most of their celebrations and we felt that it was important to integrate the brand into some of what these people believe in.

That’s why celebrating things like festivals alongside these consumers is very relevant for the brand. And so, we come in there, support the communities in different ways, either by giving back or even making the product available for them to consume during the ceremonies. We made sure that we play a part and it also shows that we appreciate their loyalty to the brand and signifies that they are relevant to us as consumers. So, for us festivals are very important. It’s also a part of us as Nigerians to celebrate. It is the same in the South as well with festivals such as Ojude Oba, Eyo, New yam. Festivals are part of Nigerian culture and what better way as a brand to show consumers that you appreciate their lifestyle than to acknowledge these things that are important to them.

What have been some common trends in consumer impact across the numerous initiatives spearheaded by Maltina over the past few years?

I think over time, we have been able to build brand love and loyalty from consumers. I mean, consumers even look forward to it; I saw a post recently that said ‘oh, wait for Maltina to do a promo so you can win a trip with your husband to Dubai.’ So, people already know and associate the brand as really giving back and putting the consumers at the forefront of everything that we do. So, we’ve seen a lot of brand love and loyalty. For a while we saw that young people were not really associating with the brand, because they saw it as “Oh, it’s for my parents’ generation”. But now we’re seeing a lot more interest in the brand with even young people talking about it. They go on social media saying things like ‘Oh, I’m having my Maltina vanilla with my meat pie. Thank you, Maltina.’ So, you begin to see a lot of association with young people particularly, and a new set of consumers just trying the brands for the first time. So, I think it’s really built brand love over the years.

What was the impact of COVID-19 on the brand and how were you able to ensure relevance during the period?

COVID impacted a lot of what we would normally do. I think now we’re able to do a lot more. Even though we could not do physical engagement, what we tried to do was to stay top of mind. So, while some brands were pulling out of media support or saying they won’t do this, don’t do that, Maltina kept on engaging with consumers.

So, throughout 2020, we did a lot of Virtual Engagements even when we launched our new flavours in 2020, we really went heavy with a digital and influencer led approach

to unveil the product and a lot of out of home advertising. So, one of the things we also did, or were doing, we did a lot of PR, we engaged people during the fasting period, we knew people couldn’t come in larger numbers to the mosque, but they would still be in touch with their Imams.

So, what we did was to partner with over 60 imams in different regions, and we sent drinks, our products to the mosques, and we said okay, through the mosque, reach the consumers that would need Maltina to be able to break their fast and things like that.

We also did some virtual training programmes, we partnered with a lady called Northern hibiscus and we were able to give training to over 2000 northern entrepreneurs online through telegram, so they were able to get some training on how to improve their business and things like that.

Even here in the West we also partnered with some mosques. We also partnered with Jumia and all these online platforms to be able to even send out products. We didn’t relent in all those efforts. And immediately we saw opportunities begin to ease up around the Christmas period, we had a massive Christmas engagement with our consumers, with families just to remain relevant and top of mind, in their hearts. Our radio campaign was constantly on just to continue to remind them and we adapted our communication to tell the consumers that even though there is COVID, you can still stay safe and stay refreshed. Lagos State had a lot of community markets, so, we had our sales team set up stores in some of those community markets, and they were able to still sell Maltina and some of our older products as well to the communities around. So, it’s really about remaining relevant and letting consumers know that you are not only there when things are good, that you are also there when things are not so good; that we are that reliable brand that will always be there to support them.

As a marketing expert, how can brands build loyalty? And what is the place of influencers in modern day marketing?

Building loyalty comes with first of all, having a quality product; a quality product that people can believe in and trust, because if your product is not right in the first place you already have a challenge. Then second is also being clear on the brand role in the consumer’s life. I need to feel that this brand I am using plays a role in my life. If it is nourishment you’re offering, state it clearly and make sure that whatever you’re doing around your brand speaks to that nourishment that you’re offering to the consumer. Have a clear brand identity, and of course stay relevant to the consumers in life because consumers interact with the product and the experiences it brings to them.

So, those are the two major things I will speak about. In terms of influencer marketing, we’ve seen the rise of influencer marketing over the years and I think particularly during this COVID and post COVID, we have seen it almost triple or quadruple in relevance. It is very key, but you also have to make sure that you are using it tactically, you cannot put all your marketing strategy on influencers because if anything happens to the influencer tomorrow, it has an indirect impact on your brand. Also, when you’re using influencers, you have to pick influencers that fit your brand.

In terms of personality, you’d be surprised how far reaching those impacts go on the brand.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

AMID CASH CRUNCH, NNPC RECORDS $.92BN PROJECT FUNDING DEFICIT IN FOUR MONTHS Meanwhile, in the last six years, the NNPC has reduced cash call arrears owed five International Oil Companies (IOCs) by $3.717 billion from the initial $4.689 billion in 2016, the NNPC data stated.

However, there were no new payments carried out in April and May, the latest document detailing NNPC’s presentation to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), indicated.

But it showed that repayments to Mobil Producing Nigeria and

Chevron Nigeria Limited remained cleared while Shell Petroleum Development Company, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria, as well as Nigeria Agip Oil Company were still being owed.

In all, the NNPC has paid $3.717 billion in the last six years out of the $4.689 billion renegotiated in 2016, but with $971.817 billion still outstanding. While SPDC is still has unpaid arrears of $595.1 million, Total is being owed $152 million while Agip’s debts remains

at $224.64 million.

THISDAY recalls that the national oil company had signed the cash call repayment agreements with the five IOCs to defray the cash-call arrears within a period of five years after many years.

However, the repayment period has now exceeded six years.

Cash Call obligations arise when non-operating JV partners like the NNPC are called upon to provide funding for operations usually based on each partner’s

equity in the project.

The NNPC, in 2016, signed the cash call repayment agreement with its JV partners to defray cash-call arrears within five years after many years of its indebtedness to its partners. Before then, it had consistently for years failed to meet its indebtedness to the IOCs, a situation the operators said caused loss of new investments in the oil and gas sector.

At the time, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources had negoti-

ated a discount with the IOCs, comprising SPDC, Total, Mobil, Chevron and Agip from about $5.1 billion down to $4.68 billion and had since then continued to reduce the debt payments in instalments.

The cash call arrangements, under which NNPC pays for its 55 per cent to 60 per cent share of investment in the upstream joint ventures, had been in place for over 40 years before it was restructured.

President Muhammadu Buhari

had declared that the reforms initiated by his administration in 2015 when he took office, including the JV renegotiations, succeeded in saving the oil and gas industry in the country from total collapse.

Buhari noted that, for instance, the payments of huge cash call backlog owed the country’s JV partners took off a huge burden from the NNPC, saying that the “transparency drive” in the national oil company was a product of those critical restructurings.

30

TUESDAY JUNE 7, 2022 • T H I S D AY

31

TUESDAY, J Ϳ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

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ĂŶĚ ʬϴ͘ϵďŶ͘

ĞĂƌŝƐŚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

0.14%

ROE

ROA

P/E

34.9% 150.2%

1,766.00

0.0%

45.4%

234.50

2.0%

74.25

0.0%

22.50

-0.2%

3 BUA Cement Plc 4 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC

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2501.60

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

Price Previous Price Current Change Price Change Weighting Index to Change YTD Date

5.2x

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

P/BV

0.8x

6.2%

17.5%

84.9%

84.9%

18.2%

6.2%

1.2%

7.8%

19.0%

19.0%

105.6%

13.9%

14.8x

18.3x

5.6%

6.1%

10.7%

10.7%

19.1%

11.2%

27.9x

6.7x

3.9%

3.6%

4.5%

-13.5%

-13.5%

19.8%

3.2%

3.7x

0.7x

13.3%

27.0% 34.0%

6.7%

23.35

-0.4%

4.4%

-7.2%

-7.2%

20.6%

2.6%

2.9x

0.6x

13.3%

277.00

0.0%

3.8%

7.8%

7.8%

37.7%

16.4%

12.5x

4.6x

7.7%

8.0%

1,400.00

0.0%

2.5%

-10.1%

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112.8%

16.1%

24.3x

28.3x

3.6%

4.1%

11.25

2.3%

2.7%

-1.3%

-1.3%

20.1%

1.9%

2.4x

0.5x

3.1%

41.2%

27.20

0.7%

3.0%

13.6%

13.6%

15.5%

11.1%

7.4x

1.1x

7.4%

13.6%

9.95

0.0%

2.3%

7.0%

7.0%

17.9%

1.6%

2.2x

0.3x

7.0%

46.0%

7.80

0.6%

1.7%

-3.1%

-3.1%

15.6%

1.4%

2.2x

0.3x

12.8%

44.7%

12 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 13 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

34.00

0.0%

1.2%

-5.6%

-5.6%

15.6%

2.1%

7.2x

1.1x

8.8%

13.9%

63.70

0.0%

1.6%

27.4%

27.4%

10.5%

3.9%

27.4x

2.8x

2.6%

3.6%

14 SEPLAT Energy PLC 15 Ecobank Transnational Inc

1,289.50

0.0%

2.5%

98.4%

98.4%

7.5%

3.6%

13.2x

1.0x

3.2%

7.6%

11.70

-1.1%

1.5%

34.5%

34.5%

18.4%

1.0%

2.5x

0.4x

5.7%

40.2%

16 International Brew eries PLC 17 Okomu Oil Palm PLC 18 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC 21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc 23 United Capital PLC 24 Guinness Nigeria PLC 25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 26 Presco PLC

7.25

0.0%

1.3%

46.5%

46.5%

-9.9%

-3.4%

193.50

0.0%

1.2%

36.3%

36.3%

43.6%

25.5%

10.1x

4.2x

4.1%

9.9%

35.00

-0.4%

1.0%

23.5%

23.5%

15.9%

4.5%

5.4x

0.8x

6.1%

18.7% 38.5%

1.4x

-7.4%

3.42

3.6%

0.7%

34.1%

34.1%

13.3%

1.2%

2.6x

0.3x

10.2%

2.07

1.5%

0.4%

-10.8%

-10.8%

2.9%

0.9%

19.8x

0.6x

12.1%

5.1%

16.00

0.0%

0.4%

-8.0%

-8.0%

16.7%

6.6%

8.6x

1.4x

6.3%

11.6%

3.27

0.0%

0.4%

9.4%

9.4%

10.7%

1.1%

13.10

0.0%

0.4%

32.3%

32.3%

90.50

0.0%

0.7%

132.1%

132.1%

1.26

-0.8%

0.3%

31.3%

31.3%

17.8%

8.1%

13.5x

0.3x

6.0%

3.3x

11.4%

2.2x

0.5%

0.5x

1.6%

7.4%

162.00

0.0%

0.4%

84.5%

84.5%

7.6x

3.8x

4.1%

13.2%

27 NASCON Allied Industries PLC 28 AIICO Insurance PLC

12.85

0.0%

0.2%

-2.7%

-2.7%

18.5%

5.7%

12.9x

2.3x

3.1%

7.7%

0.66

-2.9%

0.2%

-5.7%

-5.7%

21.1%

3.6%

26.8x

0.6x

3.0%

3.7%

ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ŽƵƌ ƉƵƌǀŝĞǁ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

29 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 30 Custodian and Allied Insurance

234.50

0.0%

0.2%

5.7%

5.7%

1.7x

8.0%

7.00

0.0%

0.2%

-11.4%

-11.4%

19.5%

5.5%

4.1x

0.8x

7.1%

24.3%

ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ϯ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϯ ůŽƐƚ͘ dŚĞ

31 Vitafoam Nigeria PLC 32 Unilever Nigeria PLC

22.50

0.0%

0.2%

0.0%

0.0%

50.3%

19.0%

4.2x

2.1x

6.7%

23.9%

14.50

-3.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

8.8%

5.4%

28.4x

1.2x

3.4%

3.5%

Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĮƚͲƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E ^d> ;Ͳ

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 34 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

26.90

2.7%

0.2%

20.4%

20.4%

18.1%

2.3%

6.0x

0.8x

9.3%

16.7%

6.40

2.4%

0.1%

8.5%

8.5%

6.1%

0.7%

10.1x

0.7x

9.9%

ϵ͘ϭйͿ͕ hE/> s Z ;Ͳϯ͘ϱйͿ͕ >/E< ^^hZ ;Ͳϲ͘ϰйͿ͕ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ͕ ƵƉ Ϭ͘ϳй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϭй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕ ŽŶ ĂĐͲ

35 Oando PLC 36 Wema Bank PLC

6.00

1.7%

0.1%

35.7%

35.7%

14.5%

2.6%

2.6x

0.4x

38.7%

ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ DŝdžĞĚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ĂƐ ϰ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽƐƚ͕ ϭ ŝŶĚĞdž ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &ZͲ/ d ŝŶĚĞdž ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ

Ğƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϰ͘ϲй ĂŶĚ

ĂŶĚ D E^ Z ;ͲϮ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬͲ ĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ KEK/> ;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ ŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĨĞůů ďLJ Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůͲ

K E K ;нϭ͘ϳйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ t W K ;нϬ͘ϳйͿ͘ >ŝŬĞǁŝƐĞ͕ ŽīƐ ŝŶ K E K ;ͲϬ͘ϴйͿ͕ E/d, ;ͲϬ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;ͲϬ͘ϮйͿ͘

37 NEM Insurance PLC 38 Sterling Bank PLC 39 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

3.25

1.6%

0.0%

351.4%

351.4%

15.6%

0.9%

12.0x

1.7x

7.9%

8.3%

4.20

0.0%

0.1%

-6.7%

-6.7%

22.3%

12.9%

4.3x

0.9x

5.2%

23.0%

1.9x

0.3x

6.7%

53.7%

1.50

0.0%

0.1%

-0.7%

-0.7%

9.9%

0.9%

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-17.7%

-4.1%

6.25

0.0%

0.0%

16.2%

16.2%

1.8x

-9.5%

1.0x

1.1%

ƉƌŝĐĞ ƵƉƟĐŬ ŝŶ DdEE ;нϮ͘ϬйͿ ĚƌŽǀĞ ƚŚĞ &ZͲ/ d ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a in e r s

ŝŶĚĞdž ƵƉ Ϭ͘ϴй͘ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞdž Ğƌ͕ ƵƉ ϭ͘ϴй ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂͲ

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Vo lum e

C ON OIL

32.00

10.0%

FB NH

610.4

2.3%

P H A R M D EKO

1.75

9.4%

F LOUR M ILL

23.0

-0.4%

LEA R N A F R C A

2.37

8.7%

WA P IC

21.6

0.0%

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ Ϭ͘ϰй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϭй ƌĞƐƉĞĐͲ

F T N C OC OA

0.36

5.9%

T R A N SC OR P

11.6

-0.8%

CHA M S

0.25

4.2%

Z EN IT H B A N K

8.9

-0.4%

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ƟǀĞůLJ͕ ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ƉƌŽĮƚͲƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ d/ ;Ͳϲ͘ϰйͿ͕ EͲ

ET ER N A

8.00

3.9%

R OYA LEX

7.2

3.2%

F ID ELIT YB K

3.42

3.6%

CHA M S

7.1

4.2%

0.98

3.2%

GT C O

6.3

-0.2%

24.75

3.1%

A C C ESSC OR P

5.5

0.0%

2.7%

A IIC O

5.0

-2.9%

ƟŽŶ ŝŶ E' D ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͘ ĚŝƉƉĞĚ Ϭ͘ϰй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůů

ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ ŽŶ // K ;Ͳ

Ϯ͘ϵйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ Ăƚ ϭ͘ϲdž

/d, ;ͲϬ͘ϰйͿ͕ hE/> s Z ;Ͳϯ͘ϬйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ &>KhZD/>> ;Ͳ

R OYA LEX

ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

N GXGR OUP

Ϭ͘ϰйͿ͘

J B ER GER

ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϭϱ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ DZ^ ;нϵ͘ϵйͿ͕ D zͲ

26.90

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

< Z ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ,KEz&>KhZ ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ ůĞĚ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ

KƵƚůŽŽŬ

T ic k er

ǁŚŝůĞ dZ E^ ;Ͳϴ͘ϯйͿ͕ > ^ K ;Ͳϲ͘ϳйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ >/s Ͳ

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ^dK < ;Ͳϰ͘ϴйͿ ůĞĚ ůŽƐĞƌƐ͘ ĂƐ WƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ĚĂLJ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ

J A P A ULGOLD

P ric e 0.30

P ric e C hg %

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

-6.2%

FB NH

6775.8

P ric e C hg % 2.3%

803.9

-0.4% -0.4%

0.31

-6.1%

F LOUR M ILL

ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ͕ ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ƵŶĐŚĂŶŐĞĚ Ăƚ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ Ϭ͘Ϭϴdž ƐĞĂƐŽŶ ĂƐ ϭϵ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŵŝdžĞĚ͕ ĂƐ

UN ILEVER

14.50

-3.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

208.9

A IIC O

0.66

-2.9%

N EST LE

167.7

0.0%

ŐƌĂĚƵĂůůLJ ǁŝŶĚƐ ƵƉ͘ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ͕ ϭϯ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ǁŚŝůĞ ϴϬ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘

J A IZ B A N K

0.88

-2.2%

D A N GC EM

145.8

0.0%

C H IP LC

0.67

-1.5%

GT C O

142.7

-0.2%

dŽŵŽƌƌŽǁ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƐĞĞŬͲ

ET I

11.70

-1.3%

N GXGR OUP

81.5

3.1%

1.14

-0.9%

M TNN

75.1

2.0%

ŝŶŐ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƟĞƐ͘ Afrinvest West Africa Limited

A B CTRA NS

C A VER T ON T R A N SC OR P

1.26

-0.8%

A C C ESSC OR P

54.4

0.0%

NA HCO

7.90

-0.5%

P R ESC O

48.5

0.0%

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ JUNE 7, 2022

32

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Federal Mortgage Bank Recapitalisation Plan Gets BPE’s Nod Emmanuel Addeh ÓØ ÌßÔË The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) plans to deepen collaboration with the new Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) executive management team towards recapitalising and repositioning the bank for more effective affordable housing delivery.

The Director General of BPE, Mr. Alex Okoh stated this during a courtesy visit to the new FMBN management team on their appointment in Abuja, a statement by the bank said.

Okoh stated that the BPE recognises the strategic role of the FMBN to bridging the critical gaps of housing shortfall in the country, pledging to work to ensure the success of the plan.

He also intimated the FMBN management on the BPE’s

ongoing engagement with bank towards the implementation of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP)’s decision to commercialise the bank for greater service delivery.

He touched on the urgent need to recapitalise the bank, restructure its operational framework, implement internal reform initiatives and the streamlining of the FMBN five-year strategy plan to fit the NCP’s goal of a reformed, efficient, and more functional and financially robust bank.

Okoh noted that the strategic engagements between BPE and FMBN had recorded decent progress but were stalled, stressing that the appointment of the new team was an opportunity to restart the process.

In his remarks, Managing Director, FMBN, Mr. Hamman Madu, assured the agency of the readiness of the bank to

create a business driven and impactful FMBN. He further added that the restructuring and recapitalisation of the FMBN was top on the new FMBN management’s priorities.

He said: “The recapitalisation and repositioning of the FMBN is an area that our team intends to pursue vigorously.

Engagements are ongoing with the Central Bank to map out best ways to achieve it.

“Resolving FMBN financials is a critical next step that would lay the foundation for further action and we are working with relevant stakeholders to ensure this is done.” Madu said.

He added that the five-year FMBN plan will be reviewed for more aggressive implementation starting this year, explaining that the over-reliance on the funds accruing to the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme

Head, Development Finance Office, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Benin Office, Edo State, Esther Odeyemi; President, Nigeria Agric Business Group, Emmanel Ijewere; Managing Director, Presco Plc, Felix Nwabuko; PalmElit Commercial Director, Xavier Lacan and Siat group Research &Development Manager, Reinout Impens at the ‘Seed Evidence Day’ ceremony held at Ologbo, Edo State...recently

MARKET INDICATORS

Presco Seeks Support for Oil Palm Research, Smallholder Farmers The Managing Director, Presco Plc, Felix Nwabuko, on Monday, appealed to relevant government agencies to support Oil Palm research as part of measures to boost export and economic development.

Addressing Major stakeholders at one of Presco’s plantation at Ologbo, Edo State, as part of activities lined up to mark ‘Seed Evidence Day,’ Nwabuko explained that smallholder and outgrower farmers are very critical to the development of the sector.

According to Nwabuko, challenges posed by inadequate land for large scale expansion has made collaboration with Small Holders imperative.

He commended efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sustain growth in the sector, adding that “research is the way to go”.

Also speaking at the event, Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Stephen Idehenre, said the state government is working in

collaboration with Presco and other stakeholders to produce quality seedlings for Nigeria and the international market.

In his submission, President, Nigeria Agric Business Group, Emmanel Ojewere, described oil Palm as the future of Nigeria and Africa.

Siat Group Research & Development Manager, Reinout Impens who spoke on the outcome of research conducted with partners said the development boost growth and sustains profitability.

According to him, to support sustain such progress the Siat group started a 20-year collaboration with CIRAD, PalmElit and INRAB in 2007, pointing out that the “Genetic Block Project”, implemented in Presco plc saw the establishment of progeny trials covering some 500 hectares. ”Such material can only be developed and obtained through breeding and selection involving long term concerted and committed efforts from breeders,

research institutes and private actors.

“Most trials aim to determine the breeding values of parents for a new generation of planting material.

“Other trials are part of larger international efforts to improve drought resistance and fertilizer use efficiency both critical for long term resilience in the lights of climate change and growing resource scarcity.

“Moreover, the project further enables a diversification of disease resistant planting material as well as the introduction of additional traits of interest.

“This project, developed in Africa and one of the largest of its kind in the world, engages over 120 full time workers to monitor the growth, production, and oil extraction rate components.

“Results indicate that oil yield of over 5t/ha can sustainably be achieved in Africa (against a global average ofaround 4t/ ha and well above the 1t/ha averaged in Nigeria).

Purple Posts Impressive Results, Pays Dividend Purple Real Estate Income Limited (PREIL) has released its audited results for the financial year ended 31 December 2021.

Analysis of the results showed PREIL’s total operating income stood at N2billion as at December 31, 2021, having increased by 112 per cent over the position in the corresponding period of 2020.

This was attributed to expansion of asset base including sales of properties.

The company recorded a total income of N1.18 billion from the flagship Maryland Mall in the period under review, representing a rise of 46 per cent over the previous year as a result of retail market stabilisation post-COVID-19 lockdown and increased occupancy.

Also, revenue from sale of trading properties grossed N1.35 billion in 2021, with the emergence of Purple Nano project, which is now sold out. Further analysis revealed profit before taxation (PBT) hit N1.5 billion in the review period, representing an increase of 181 per cent from 2020, as profit after tax (PAT) grew by 168 per cent to N1.3 billion.

While total assets grew by 60 per cent to N26.4 billion,

annual dividend recorded an astronomical increase of about 4984 per cent to N442.3 million.

Commenting, CEO, Purple, Laide Agboola, noted, “2021 has been an important year in our journey and we have made significant progress across all our strategic priorities, despite the challenges that the on-going economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continued to present.”

He added: “Our flagship location, the Maryland Mall, has supported growth in our operating revenue, delivering double digit increases in rental, service, and other revenue lines.

This has been supported by very strong sales of our Purple Nano residences at the PurpleLekki mixed use project, where retail lettings are also performing well, with 90% committed a year before anticipated opening.

Together, this has driven growth in our operating income of 112%, to N2 billion and growth in Profit Before Taxation of 181%, to more than N1.5 billion, enabling us to return money to shareholders through a dividend of N442.3 million.

Agboola also said, “Our project development pipeline

advanced significantly in 2021, with more than 600 homes now planned. We secured the site for our Purple Macro project, while our Purple Urban project began foundation work in late 2021 and is targeting a first phase of 110 units. Our entry into the affordable student housing segment also gathered pace, as we have identified campuses in a number of locations and are targeting 1,500 bed spaces as we roll out.”

“We have also made very encouraging progress in our emerging financial services and technology segment, with the completion of a key acquisition, which enables us activate our regulated asset management capabilities. We know that participation in the real estate market can have a high cost of entry and we are building a suite of exciting property technology solutions that will give our consumers the ability to invest in real estate assets at affordable price points. We look forward to the launch of these products in 2022, and to furthering our ambitions to democratise access to Nigeria’s burgeoning real estate market.”

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $118.84 a barrel on Friday, compared with $116.50 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Zafiro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

33

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͵˜ ͰͮͰͰ

Stock Market Crosses 53,000 Basis Points to Begin Week on Positive Note Kayode Tokede Starting the week, the stock market of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday extended gains from prior trading session as the All-Share Index crossed 53,000 basis points over renewed bargain hunting by investors.

In summary, the NGX ASI appreciated by 178.22 basis points or 0.34 per cent to close

at 53,086.46 basis points from 52,908.24 basis points it opened for trading.

Consequently, the overall market capitalisation value gained N96 billion to close at N28.619 trillion.

The market positive performance was driven by price appreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks which are; MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN) Plc, Conoil Plc, Nigerian Exchange Group

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

(NGXGroup), Julius Berger and Eterna Plc. The market breadth closed positive as 19 stocks gained relative to 13 stocks that declined.

Conoil recorded the highest price gain of 9.97 per cent to close at N32.00, per share. Pharma Deko Plc followed with a gain 9.38 per cent to close at N1.75, while Learn Africa gained 8.72 per cent to close at N2.37, per share.

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

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FTN Cocoa processors appreciated by 5.88 per cent to close at 36 kobo, while Chams gained 4.17 per cent to close at 25 kobo, per share. On the other hand, Japaul Gold and Ventures led the losers’ chart by 6.25 per cent to close at 30 kobo, per share. Associated Bus Company followed with a decline of 6.06 per cent to close at 31 kobo, while Unilever Nigeria shed 3.01 per cent to

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close at N14.50, per share.

AIICO Insurance shed 2.94 per cent to close at 66 kobo, while Jaiz Bank depreciated by 2.22 per cent to close at 88 kobo, per share.

Meanwhile the total volume of trades rose significantly by 167.03 per cent to 755.624 million units, valued at N8.902 billion, and exchanged in 4,297 deals.

Transactions in the shares of FBN Holdings (FBNH) topped the

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activity chart with 610.414 million shares valued at N6.776 billion.

Flour Mills of Nigeria followed with 22.966 million shares worth N803.915 million, while Wapic Insurance traded 21.604 million shares valued at N8.794 million.

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) traded 11.567 million shares valued at N14.564 million, while Zenith Bank transacted 8.917 million shares worth N208.879 million.

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CONTINUATION PAGE SULTAN, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY CONDEMN TERRORISTS ATTACK ON OWO CHURCH, SAY IT’S CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. They described the massacre of over 50 worshippers at the church during Sunday service as a crime against humanity and a grievous and inexplicable sin.

The Nigeria Police, yesterday, said they had launched a manhunt for the killers. The police confirmed that the terrorists used AK 47 rifles and explosives in the attack on the church.

The vice president, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, and presidential aspirant and former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, commiserated with the Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the people of the state, and the Catholic Diocese over the attack.

Reacting to the attack, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) asked the federal government to wake up from its slumber and mobilise security agencies to tackle criminal elements causing mayhem across the country head-on.

An explosion rocked the Catholic Church on Sunday, which was immediately followed by sporadic shootings by gunmen suspected to be terrorists. Over 50 worshippers and passers-by died in the incident, with many more injured.

The Archbishop of Canterbury wrote in his verified Twitter handle, “The massacre of worshippers – men, women and children – during a Mass in South-west Nigeria was an act of pure evil and a profound offence to God. My prayers are with all affected by this barbaric attack. I continue to pray for the nation of Nigeria.”

The Sultan of Sokoto’s condemnation of the attack was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the NSCIA Director of Administration, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu.

The statement reiterated the Islamic council’s absolute solidarity with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Catholic community and the government and people of Ondo State. The Sultan also commiserated with the families of the victims of the attack, “at this time of immeasurable agony and distress.”

He tasked all peoples of faith to take the attack on the Catholic Church as a direct attack on all law-abiding citizens, asking them to be in the vanguard of efforts to halt the evil assailing the life, property and integrity of humanity, particularly believers in God. He also urged all sub-national governments to issue an ultimatum to the security agencies to unravel the identities of the perpetrators of the violation of sanctity of not only life, but also religion, and bring them to justice.

The Sultan said in the statement, “The security agents, who have been engaged to combat criminality and insecurity, are enjoined to heed the Qur’anic call that: ...For had it not been that God checks one set of people by means of another; monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the name of God is persistently mentioned would surely have been pulled down.

“Verily, God will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, God is AllStrong, All-Mighty. (Q 22: 40). It is therefore mandatory for security agencies to help in rescuing the helpless citizens that we have all become.”

Police Launch Manhunt for Killers, as IG Condemns Dastardly Act

The police high command declared a manhunt for the killers of the worshippers on Sunday in Ondo State. It confirmed that the terrorists deployed AK 47 rifles and explosives in the massacre of the church members. The police also disclosed that they recovered pellets of AK 47 rifles and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at the scene of the mass murder.

A statement from the Force Headquarters said the police recovered pellets of expended AK-47 ammunition and confirmed the use of explosives, as fragments of the IEDs used were found after thorough sweeping of the scene. It said preliminary investigation revealed that some of the gunmen disguised as congregants, while other armed men positioned themselves around

the church premises from different directions from where they fired into the church.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, who condemned the act, ordered full-scale investigation into the incident to bring to book the perpetrators.

The police statement said, "The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has condemned in all totality the brutal murder of innocent Nigerians in an attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owaluwa, in Owo, Ondo State.

The attack was carried out by yetto-be-identified gunmen at about 11.30am on Sunday 5th June, 2022.

"The gunmen, from preliminary investigations, invaded the church with arms and materials suspected to be explosives.

"Police investigators, who were part of the first responders deployed to the scene, have recovered pellets of expended AK-47 ammunition while the Explosive Ordnance Devices – Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Explosives (EOD-CBRNE) unit – confirmed the use of explosives as fragments of the IEDs used were found and after thorough sweeping of the scene, three unexploded IEDs were recovered at the scene of the incident."

The statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, added, "The assailants fled the scene using a Nissan Sunny car with Reg No. AKR 895 AG, which was snatched from the owner, and escaped through Owo/Ute road. The vehicle has been recovered while the owner of the vehicle is currently assisting the police in its investigations.

"The IGP has ordered full-scale investigations into the incident in order to bring to book the perpetrators of the gruesome killing of the worshippers at the church."

The statement affirmed that the IG also ordered the deployment of specialised operatives of the Police EOD-CBRNE, police experts, and other tactical units from the Force Headquarters for a comprehensive investigation and for immediate interception of the villains.

The IG, therefore, condoled with Ondo State Government, family members, relatives and friends of those, who lost their lives in the attack.

He assured that "the heartless killers of the harmless victims, particularly, innocent children, would be made to face the full wrath of the law while the force will emplace strategies to forestall similar future occurrences," the statement said.

Osinbajo, Tinubu, Fayemi, Makinde, Amosun Commiserate with Akeredolu, Olowo, NGF Donates N50m to Catholic Diocese

Osibanjo and Tinubu yesterday commiserated with the Ondo State governor, the people of the state, and the Catholic Church over the attack.

Osinbajo, while addressing journalists at the scene of the incident, said, "Let me say that I am completely speechless, looking at the extent of the tragedy that took place here yesterday (Sunday). I think the evil is almost unspeakable and horrible, indeed.

"I think it is just terrible and I’m here on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as the government to express our sincere condolences to the church and the people of Owo community and the people of Ondo State.

“It is a horrible tragedy and I don't think anyone will wish this to their worst enemies. It is also a time for us to reflect deeply on our relationship with one another."

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) also paid a condolence visit to the state.

Chairman of NGF and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, visited Akeredolu at the Government House, Akure. Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, accompanied Fayemi.

Fayemi and Amosun were later led by Akeredolu to the residence of the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese

of Ondo, Bishop Jude Arogundade, before moving to Owo to commiserate with the Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, in his palace.

Fayemi, who described the attack as least expected, stated that Owo had been a very peaceful environment.

Fayemi said, “It is a serious and unusual attack on the people who can’t go out and farm or worship God in peace. We are all shocked.

Just like the governor said, these people shall not go unpunished.

They will be hunted down and brought to book. But this cannot save the lives that have been lost or save the wounded from discomfort.

“As leaders of the people, we will redouble our efforts. This is happening across the county and we are concerned. We know how troubled you will be. And we know that this is something that troubles our minds.

“For now, the government at the state and federal levels are working to bring the perpetrators to book.

My colleagues in the governors’ forum have asked me to donate N50 million to the Catholic Church to ameliorate the condition of the families of the victims. This is a crime against humanity.”

Arogundade described the attack as evil. He urged the governors to ensure that those behind the killing and their sponsors were brought to book.

The bishop stated, “I appreciate your coming and comments. How did we get here? Have we lost our mind and humanity? Even in war situation, nobody kills children and women. Nobody attacks the church.

“I am calling on you, the leaders of the country, I think we need to talk and we need to be frank with ourselves. This cannot happen without the backing of some powerful people. Those behind this, no matter how powerful they are, must be brought to book.

“How are we presenting ourselves as primitive. Ondo State doesn’t deserve this; humanity doesn’t deserve this. This doesn’t present us well. People are laughing at us.”

Northern Governors Condemn Attack

The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) condemned the attack on worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, Ondo State, which over 50 persons dead and others injured.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, said in a statement signed by his media aide, Simon Macham, that NSGF totally condemned the unprovoked attack on the Church and its worshippers. The statement said the attack was a clear attempt by criminals to instigate religious hatred and inflame passions among Nigerians.

While commiserating with the survivors, families of victims, the Catholic Church, and the Christian body in Nigeria, Lalong said the northern governors wanted security agencies to do everything to apprehend the perpetrators, their sponsors, and collaborators. This, he said, would not only ensure that justice was served, but also send a clear message to criminals bent on causing chaos in the country.

The governor added that the northern governors were in solidarity with their colleague, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and the government of Ondo State.

Makinde Visits Scene of Attack, FMC Owo

Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, yesterday, visited the church, where worshippers were attacked and killed on Sunday in Ondo State. Makinde, who condoled with the government and people of Ondo State, noted that necessary intelligence must be deployed to prevent a recurrence of such incident.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, said Akeredolu and Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, received Makinde at the premises of the church.

The statement further said Makinde, who was accompanied by his Special Adviser on Strategy and

Political Matters, Hon. Babatunde Oduyoye, visited the affected church and the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, in company of Akeredolu and Aregbesola.

Speaking to newsmen at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, where most of the surviving victims with various degrees of injury were receiving treatment, Makinde said the country must be prepared to stop terrorism.

He added that he was concerned and hoped there was no nexus between the June 5, 2021 attack on Igangan, Oyo State, and that of Owo, Ondo State, on June 5, 2022.

Makinde, who was moved to tears at the sight of an infant casualty with severe injuries, said the attack was unacceptable and highly condemnable.

He declared that such attacks must never be allowed to recur, calling on all stakeholders to be more prepared and deploy intelligence to prevent a recurrence.

The governor said, "We just saw a baby on the bed there struggling for life. It was a dastardly act. But we have to avoid any knee-jerk reaction.

We have to use the intelligence that we have and not just say a particular thing cannot happen. We have to be prepared.

"I don't want to make it sound as though this is a regional thing, but as long as it is not acceptable anywhere else, we don't want to see this kind of thing anywhere in the South-west region of Nigeria."

Hunt Down Criminals Responsible for Owo Attack, NLC tells FG

NLC urged the federal government to wake up from its slumber and mobilise security agencies to take full term justice to criminal elements causing mayhem across the country.

In a statement signed by NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, the congress said government should ensure swift administration of justice to the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

NLC said it was unfortunate and worrisome that barbaric attacks by all shades of criminals across the country were getting bolder and more daring as politicians hustled to occupy public elective positions.

"This is, indeed, one attack too many,” NLC stated. It said, “Our heart goes out to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in this despicable attack.

“Our prayers are also with those who were injured and we wish them very quick recovery and healing from yet another savage and satanic attacks on innocent citizens of our country.

"We urge the Ondo State government and the federal government to mobilise immediate medical supplies and other care items for victims.

We also call for the beefing up of security in public spaces all over the country.

"Government must strengthen its intelligence gathering and surveillance mechanisms with the objective of preventing odious crimes of this nature.

“The fact remains that every action – whether good or bad – is planned before execution. We also commiserate with the Catholic Church and the Ondo State government for this great loss. Nothing can be more devilish than this.”

Catholic Group Protest in Jos, Says Government Has Failed

The Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria protested the unwarranted killings of their members in Owo. Addressing journalists in Jos, National President of Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria, Mr. Henry Yunkwap, lamented that the victims committed no other 'crime' than being Christians, and worshipping their God in church on the day the unfortunate incident occurred.

Yunkwap said, "I'm heartbroken and I find it very difficult to address my people at this moment knowing that we are yet to recover from the recent murder of our daughter and friend, the late Deborah Samuel, by some heartless religious extremists in Sokoto State.

"While we are making frantic

efforts to console our people and also plead with our youths not to take laws in their hands, but to abide by the Bible injunction which admonished us, as Christians, to allow God take vengeance in all circumstances, over 50 innocent worshipers on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State were gruesomely murdered by the people we've deliberately refused to identify by their names but prefer to use ‘unknown gunmen’ when referring to them. This is uncalled for; this is unacceptable at this time."

He warned that every life was sacred, adding that nobody has the right to take life in whatever way, be it under the guise of religion, ethnic or political differences.

Yunkwap said, "The 'crime' committed by those killed were just two; Christians, and secondly, because they were in the church on Sunday worshipping God. "As a Christian group and direct mourners of this sad incident, we do not want to only condemn this barbaric act carried out by these animals in human form, but use this medium to let the government know that we have taken enough of this killing of our people and we find it very difficult to chew what is now being forcefully put in our mouth.

"Any government that cannot provide security for her people is indirectly telling them to defend themselves by whatever means.

We are, indeed, tired of words; we want action and the urgent arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of this evil act.

"Government must rise against just condemning the act by using the over-used words. They must see the life of every Nigerian as very important, not minding where he or she comes from."

Diri Condoles with Victims' Families, Akeredolu

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, extended his condolences to the families of victims of the attack. Diri also condoled with his Ondo State counterpart, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and condemned the attack on the worshippers as callous and extremely wicked.

The Bayelsa State governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, urged the federal government to spare no effort in unravelling the attackers and ensuring they were brought to justice.

The statement quoted Diri as saying, “This is another callous and mindless attack on defenceless worshippers. It is of more concern as the perpetrators of the dastardly act went into the temple of worship to desecrate it.

“All lovers of peace and our country must stand with the victims and families to condemn this very despicable act. I urge the federal government and the security agencies to spare no effort in tracking down the perpetrators and ensure that they face the wrath of the law.

“We mourn with families of the victims and pray that the Lord comforts them in this moment of grief. No word is soothing enough to succour them except the solace of the Lord.

“I also commiserate with my brother-governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, over this deeply sad incident. An attack on one in any part of the country is an attack on all of us that love the peace and unity of Nigeria.”

Diri, who equally condoled with the Catholic Church, said the culprits would face the wrath of God. “I urge the Catholic Church and, indeed, the Church in Nigeria not to despair because of this attack, but to remain fervent in prayers. All evildoers will definitely have their day of reckoning,” the governor added.

Christian Body Flays Wanton killings in Owo Church, Elsewhere

The national leadership of Nigeria Christian Graduate Fellowship (NCGF) called on President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle

the challenge of insecurity in the country, saying Nigerians could not go to church to worship and feel safe any longer. The national president of NCGF, Professor Chuks Eboka, made the appeal in Benin City, Edo State, while addressing journalists. Eboka expressed sadness over the wanton killings everywhere in Nigeria.

He said NCGF was traumatised and shocked by Sunday’s killings at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo. According to him, "This has happened over and over, with lives of Nigerians being at the mercy of Boko Haram, killer herdsmen, and the so called bandits. We are aggrieved that there no longer exists any safe place in our country.

"Nigerians cannot go to church to worship and feel safe: they cannot travel by road and by rail in safety.

Innocent lives are being wasted every day."

The group also stated, "Nigerians have lost faith and trust in the current ruling class, regardless of the parties to which they belong," after the unrests in parts of the country occasioned by the activities of Boko-Haram, Killer herdsmen, and bandits.

Eboka stated, "We call on President Buhari to urgently arrest this headlong descent into anarchy. We refuse to believe that our military is unable to effectively rein in those who are terrorising our people.

"If this degeneracy, insecurity and social crisis continue to escalate across the country, the National Assembly should do the needful by invoking the relevant provisions of the constitution to salvage the country."

The national president of NCGF also described as vexatious and counterproductive the continued closure of the country's universities, just as he lamented the alarming poverty index in Nigeria.

According to the group, as Nigeria heads towards 70 years of independence, there is an urgent need for a return to true federalism and nationalism as was practised in the First Republic. It observed that given all indicators, the present structure was not working and, indeed, could not work.

We Are All Potential Targets of Terrorists, Says APC Chieftain

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ayodele Arise, SAID with the spate of insecurity in the country, everyone was now a potential terrorist target.

Arise, while reacting to the Owo incident, in a statement yesterday, described the sad occurrence as a national calamity. He said there was a need to be resolute in the fight against the insecurity ravaging the country.

Arise stated in the condolence message to the governor and people of Ondo State, "Please, accept my condolences over the gruesome massacre of worshipers in Owo, your hometown. That this could happen anywhere is the dangerous narrative of our time. The callous perpetrators chose to strike in the heart of one of Yoruba heritage and on holy ground.

"We must be resolute in our quest to fight the gory tragedies of insecurity ravaging our country.

This grief is not just for you or Ondo people, it is a national grief that requires all hands on deck to confront the evil minds in our society.

"Nigeria must defeat all acts of terrorism. Everybody is a potential victim. We must act decisively and timely. God will grant you the wisdom to console your kith and kin."

Buhari Overwhelmed by Insecurity, Says Accord Party

National Legal Adviser of Accord Party, Maxwell Mgbudem, yesterday, said the killing in Ondo State was an indication that Buhari was overwhelmed as the chief security officer of the country.

In a statement issued in Abuja, to condemn the tragic incident, Mgbudem said there was no doubt that Nigeria was at a crossroads, Continued on Page 35

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NEWS

READY FOR CONVENTION...

L-R: A member of the All Progressives Congress, Accreditation Committee, Sen. Magnus Abe; Chairman of the Committee, Governor Dapo Abiodun and Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot SalakoOyedele at the International Conference Centre, Abuja...yesterday

UK Leader, Boris Johnson Survives No-confidence Vote British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson yesterday survived a noconfidence vote, securing enough support from his Conservative Party to remain in office despite a substantial rebellion that leaves him a weakened leader with an uncertain future.

Known for his ability to shrug off scandals, the charismatic leader has struggled to turn the page on revelations that he and his staff repeatedly held boozy parties that flouted the COVID-19 restrictions they imposed on others.

Support among his fellow Conservative lawmakers has weakened as some see a leader

renowned for his ability to connect with voters increasingly as a liability rather than an asset in elections, the AP reported.

Johnson won the backing of 211 out of 359 Conservative lawmakers in a secret ballot, more than the simple majority needed to remain in power, but still a significant rebellion of 148 MPs. Johnson called it a “convincing” win and said the party should now “come together.”

“What it means is that as a government we can move on and focus on stuff that I think really matters to people,” he said.

With no clear front-runner

to succeed him, most political observers had predicted Johnson would defeat the challenge. But the rebellion could still be a watershed moment for him — and is a sign of deep Conservative divisions, less than three years after he led the party to its biggest election victory in decades.

Johnson’s winning margin was less than that secured by his predecessor, Theresa May, in a similar vote in December 2018. She was forced to resign six months later.

Since replacing May as prime minister in 2019, Johnson has led Britain out of the European Union

and through a pandemic, both of which have shaken the UK socially and economically. The vote came as Johnson’s government was under intense pressure to ease the pain of skyrocketing energy and food bills.

But the main blow to his leadership has been revelations that he and his staff repeatedly held boozy parties that flouted the COVID-19 restrictions they imposed on others. That caused anger in the country, and unease among many Conservatives.

Discontent that had been building for months erupted after a 10-day parliamentary break that included a long weekend of

SULTAN, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY CONDEMN TERRORISTS ATTACK ON OWO CHURCH, SAY IT’S CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY which he said required concerted effort by every stakeholder to find a lasting solution.

Mgbudem said in the statement, "Protection of lives and properties is the primary responsibility of the government. This is clearly stipulated in the 1999 Constitution, so any government that cannot guarantee this has failed in its basic obligation to the citizens."

He lamented that the brazen wastage of innocent souls could only portray that Nigeria was on the way to becoming a failed state, saying this must be reversed immediately, especially given the huge human emergency it will create across West Africa.

Mgbudem, who is also National Vice Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), regretted that the security agencies had consistently failed to detect such ugly attacks before they happen. He said the arrogance with which the terrorists carried out their evil acts left much to be desired on the part of the Nigerian security and intelligence community.

He cautioned that if government failed to take urgent steps to rein in terrorism and their sponsors, the county might be thrown into anarchy due to reprisal killings. This,

with the victims.

“The attack speaks to the failure of the APC at the national level, in Abuja, to take responsibility and face the issue of safety and security squarely. This failing is what Edo APC has refused to acknowledge and draw the attention of its leaders in the executive arm of government to so as to forestall a reoccurrence.”

celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. For many, the four-day holiday was a chance to relax — but there was no respite for Johnson, who was booed by some onlookers as he arrived for a service in the queen’s honor at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Friday.

Conservative Party official Graham Brady announced Monday that he had received letters calling for a no-confidence vote from at least 54 Tory legislators, enough to trigger the measure under party rules.

Hours later, party lawmakers lined up by the dozen in a corridor at Parliament to cast their ballots in a wood-paneled room, handing over their phones as they entered to ensure secrecy.

Johnson addressed dozens of Conservative lawmakers in a House of Commons room before the vote as he tried to shore up support, vowing: “I will lead you to victory again.”

Johnson’s allies had insisted he would stay in office if he won by even a single vote.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said Johnson had won

the vote, “handsomely,” and urged the party to “draw a line under this now.”

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, one of the favorites to succeed Johnson if he was ousted, tweeted: “Pleased that colleagues have backed the Prime Minister. I support him 100 per cent. Now’s the time to get on with the job.”

But previous prime ministers who survived no-confidence votes emerged severely weakened.

Johnson became prime minister in July 2019, capping a rollercoaster journey to the top. He had held major offices, including London mayor and UK foreign secretary, but also spent periods on the political sidelines after self-inflicted gaffes.

He kept bouncing back, showing an uncommon ability to shrug off scandal and connect with voters that, for many Conservatives, overshadowed doubts about his ethics or judgment.

But concerns came to a head after an investigator’s report late last month that slammed a culture of rule-breaking inside the prime minister’s office in a scandal known as “partygate.”

he said, will ultimately bring the existence of Nigeria to an ugly end.

While commiserating with the families and victims of the attack, Mgbudem challenged both the state and federal governments to work in synergy with the security agencies to track down the perpetrators of the act, saying it is one attack too many and cannot be swept under the carpet.

Obaseki embarks on foreign trips to seek investment, Edo APC is quick to throw tantrums. When there is momentary flooding in Benin metropolis, the party and their lackeys go about taking pictures, making bogus claims. But on a very important occasion, such as the Owo attack, they have failed to make a statement to commiserate

Your Govt in Abuja Has Failed Nigerians, Edo Government Chides APC

Fayose Warns Tinubu to Learn from the Fate that Befell Awolowo, Abiola

Special Adviser, Media Projects, to the Edo State Governor, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, upbraided the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its silence on the church massacre in Owo. The governor’s aide, in a statement, said it was unfortunate that the party in the state had kept mum in the wake of the attack, which had thrown the country into mourning.

Osagie stated, “Edo APC has been uncomfortably mum about the recent attack at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which has drawn condolences and condemnation from across the country.

“When Governor Godwin

Former Governor of Ekiti State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayo Fayose, yesterday advised former Governor of Lagos State and Presidential Aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to tread carefully in the pursuit of his presidential ambition.

Although APC will hold its presidential primary election today, in Abuja, there are strong indications that many forces in the party are against Tinubu, especially after his outburst in

Abeokuta, Ogun State last week.

Apparently, seeing the handwriting clearly on the wall and sensing danger, Fayose in an open letter to Tinubu, which he posted on his verified twitter handle last night said: “Going by the handwritings that are now clearly on the wall, I see you as one that may be swimming against the political tide of the cabal in your party.”

The former Ekiti State governor, who reminded Tinubu that he is not an APC member and will never be, said that going by

Tinubu’s outburst in Abeokuta and the reactions of his political allies both in the North and South, there is danger.

Fayose, who said he is writing Tinubu as a concerned Yoruba man and not as a politician reminded him of the fate of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the celebrated winner of the June 12, 1993 general election, Alhaji Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, both of who he claimed were led to the Golgotha by self-acclaimed “champions of democracy.”

Fearing that Tinubu faces the same fate, Fayose declared: “I am sure the same people may advise you to ignore my advice.”

Fayose ended his letter with a strong advice to Tinubu by quoting the Bible, saying: “Sensible people will see trouble coming and avoid it but unthinking people will walk into it.”

“Again, Asiwaju, for reasons of not being misrepresented, \i will like to stop here and allow you to take your decisions, good or bad as a wise full-grown adult whom you are,” he said.

36

TUESDAY, J Ϳ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

Buhari, Give Tinubu The Special Ambode Treatment

L

et me make myself clear from the get-go. It is wrong for Buhari alone to single-handedly pick the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress. It is undemocratic.

However, his statement that he should be allowed to pick his successor is not just undemocratic, it is treasonable. Buhari works for Nigerians, not vice versa. Even if he can arm-twist his way into picking the APC candidate, Nigerians will pick his successor!

And if his threat is predicated on repeating the massive rigging he supervised in 2019, then my response to him is to repeat what he (Buhari) said on May 15, 2012: “They either conduct a free and fair election or they go a very disgraceful way.”-Muhammadu Buhari.

What nonsense is that? A man of low mentality, who has reduced Nigeria from the third fastest-growing economy in the world on May 29, 2015, to the world headquarters for extreme poverty today, is now saying he will produce his successor as if the electorate doesn’t count?

Let him try it. But before he does, he should also remember what happened during #EndSARS. That was an unprecedented people movement sparked by government’s oppression of the governed. And if Buhari tries a repeat of the shameful rigging that happened in 2019, he should prepare for EndSARS part 2!

The reality is that Buhari is not even politically savvy enough to anoint his successor. Look at what happened in his own state. His nephews were defeated in the APC primaries. His in-law was roundly trounced in Kaduna. In Kano, his aides were defeated. And in 2023, his candidate will be defeated by Nigerians!

Without the APC Governors, Buhari is a toothless bulldog. He can bark, but he has no bite. The real power in the party belongs to the Governors. And even they are fed up with Buhari. Their allocations from the federation account have been the worst in history under the ineffectual so-called General!

But coming back to Bola Tinubu, why is he now subtly attacking Buhari and insisting that he must be the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress because he supported Buhari? Why is he sulking and agitating against Buhari’s stated intention to pick the APC’s candidate?

I really don’t get why Bola Tinubu’s people are complaining that Buhari can’t choose who the APC candidate will be. Who chooses who becomes the candidate of the APC in Lagos? Is it not solely Tinubu?

Who stopped Ambode from being re-elected? Was it not solely Tinubu? Did Ambode not pay for an All Progressives Congress Gubernatorial form in 2019?

Did the APC not collect his money and refuse to refund him after Tinubu rejected him?

Did he not go and gather his brother Governors to beg Tinubu on his behalf? Did Governor Bagudu of Kebbi, who is the chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, not prostrate to Tinubu on Ambode’s behalf? Not that I support the imposition of candidates.

Tinubu However, what is good for Lagos APC is also good for national APC! Or should I say, what is good for Greece is also good for Uganda.

I am a student of history. I recall clearly that Samuel Doe relished slicing the flesh of his political opponents while they were still alive. However, when Prince Yormie Johnson arrested him on his way to seek safety with the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group, ECOMOG, Johnson gave Doe the special Doe treatment.

So, if Buhari decides to give Tinubu the special Ambode treatment, history justifies it! Tinubu cannot expect Buhari to treat him better than he, Tinubu, treated Ambode.

If Ambode was the Governor of Lagos on October 20, 2020, instead of Sanwo-olu, maybe the #LekkiMassacre of peaceful, unarmed #EndSARS protesters would not have happened. But Tinubu denied him the ticket.

So, Buhari can deny Tinubu just as Tinubu denied Ambode. No one will cry foul!

Tinubu says he made Buhari President in 2015 and expects to be supported in 2023. That may or may not be true. But what is true is that Afenifere made Tinubu Governor in 1999, and he not only abandoned them, he also fought them. One bad turn deserves another!

The thing about Tinubu’s argument is that it is not about Nigeria, or its people. Watch his video in Ogun state while he was campaigning for delegates on Thursday, June 2, 2022. He said he made Buhari President and as such Buhari should support him.

He played the same emotional blackmail against his

host Governor, Dapo Abiodun, saying: “Dapo that’s sitting down here, could he have become Governor without me? We were at the stadium, they tore all his posters. Even the party flag, they didn’t want to hand over it to him, I was the one who brought it.

If he wants to meet God at the right place, he must know that without God and me, he would not have become Governor.”

Nothing about what he would do for Nigerians.

He is appealing to Buhari instead of Nigerians. So Nigerians should remain onlookers in his quarrel with Buhari. Let them fight and destroy their party the way they have destroyed Nigeria.

And the curious thing is that Buhari has not yet cheated Bola Tinubu, and Tinubu attacked him. Why did he not wait until after the primaries before attacking Buhari? Now, he has given Buhari an excuse not to support him. I thought Bola Tinubu knew how to play politics. I was wrong. Very wrong!

Look at his petty complaints? Buhari did not give me ministerial slots. Buhari did not give me contracts. Me, me, me! Like a spoilt child. Nothing about what Buhari has done to Nigeria, a country he met as the third fastest-growing economy in the world, and is leaving as the world’s headquarters for extreme poverty!

Tinubu was not even ashamed to say that Buhari did not want to contest, and had retired from politics until he went to Daura to beg him to contest in 2015. In other words, it is because of Tinubu we are suffering from the worst government in our history!

And hear him! I deserve to be President because I made Buhari President and it is my turn. Look at the egotistical entitlement! Nothing about what he did or would do for Nigeria or Nigerians. What kind of cult language is that? That he made Buhari President is precisely why Tinubu should not be President!

Tinubu is letting tantrums spoil what could have been a home run for him in the APC primaries.

How can you call a Yoruba Governor ‘eleyi’ to his face? Yoruba that love respect? Vice President Yemi Osinbajo must be dancing with his RCCG political directorate!

Tinubu is just behaving like Tonto Dikeh and Nkechi Blessing. Like a woman who was promised marriage and jilted and is now exploding and exposing the jilter. Buhari don buy market. He either builds another ‘other room’ for Tinubu, or marry him as promised!

When he was doing Ambode, he did not have mercy. Now that Buhari is doing him, he is shouting ‘eleyi’ all over the place. First to do e no dey pain.

Jagaban to to di jagajaga. It is just that he did not buy a form. If not, I would have said Buhari should give it to Ambode!

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan did not accuse Tinubu of betraying him. Akinwunmi Ambode did not accuse Tinubu of betraying him. Afenifere is not accusing Tinubu of betraying them. Yet, after a political lifetime

of betrayal and backstabbing, Tinubu is surprised with the breakfast he got served?

Because of Buhari, Tinubu insulted former Presidents Obasanjo, and Jonathan. He insulted Yoruba obas.

He insulted #EndSARS protesters. And after all he has done, Buhari wants to do him ‘I go chop your dollar’! Ah! Aiye! This life no balance ra ra!

Tinubu portrayed ignorance of elementary rudiments of power politics. If you want a reigning king to anoint you, do not remind him of what you have done for him. Kings hate to be indebted to their subjects.

Instead, remind the king of what you can still do for him in future!

With what I watched in Ogun state, if the NDLEA performs drug tests on all Presidential aspirants, as recommended by its Chairman, Buba Marwa, I seriously doubt that Bola Tinubu will pass it. Nobody throws stones like that unless they are stoned!

Bola Tinubu fall my hand, as the young people say. How can he expect a former coup plotter, who overthrew a democratically elected President, to keep to agreements? Shagari was a Fulani Muslim like him, yet Buhari overthrew him. If Buhari could overthrow his own brother, who is Tinubu that he can’t betray?

And to further indicate his political naïveté, Tinubu proudly released a photo of him sitting in a chair in a mosque, to greet His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto.

But who is advising Tinubu? How can you follow Sarkin Musulumi to a mosque, and he will sit on the floor and you will sit in a chair? If you are too old to sit on the floor, like other Muslims, then you don’t attend with the Sultan. Or maybe you stay somewhere else until Jumat is over. Buhari also sometimes sits in a chair because of old age, but NEVER in the presence of Sarkin Musulumi!

The Queen of England is the official head of the Church of England. Her official title is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, AKA Fidei Defensor (Defender of the Faith). Even the Archbishop of Canterbury cannot sit in her presence, until she sits.

The Sultan is the spiritual leader of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs. That photo, that Tinubu is proudly displaying, won’t go down well in the North! It is like Osinbajo sitting and Adeboye standing, while both of them are having a one-on-one conversation!

Anyway, let me conclude with somewhat of a parable.

Elections are very expensive in Nigeria. It’s not every time we will be paying for advert. Sometimes, we just buy free advert by deliberately shaking some predictable tables so that we will get an echo and the biggest media will carry stories that they’d have otherwise asked us to pay for.

If you don’t use this ogbon, you will just spend N1 billion, that you don’t have, buying up full-page ads in papers and 60 second slots on TV. Instead of wasting money and energy, just create a wave and surf it until you get your message across. #TableShaker

NEWS IN ‘SUPER TUESDAY’, ASPIRANTS NARROW TO OSINBAJO, TINUBU, FAYEMI, AMAECHI, UMAHI, LAWAN "If there would be any consensus, it has to be Bola Tinubu and it must meet the dictates of what the Electoral Act said must be done. All the aspirants must sign to agree, but you know that it is impossible. So, the former governor says that the only option is by allowing the delegates to decide."

Speaking too, Kehinde Bamigbetan described as fraudulent, sponsored newspaper advertisement of yesterday, which rated Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo as the candidate to beat, explaining that they were by no means near the reality on ground.

He said it was not possible for Lagos, Borno, Kano Kaduna and Katsina to vote against Tinubu, when the leadership of these states, had openly identified with Tinubu, stating that the sponsored advertisements were meant to divert attention.

Buttressing Ogala’s position, Bamigbetan said the report credited to Adamu that Lawan had been chosen as the consensus candidate was a pure indication of his hate for the north, saying Lawa was not nationally known to stand a chance to defeat the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

He noted that President Buhari had through one of his media aides, refuted the claims, as well as the APC NWC.

Nnamani Withdraws from Race, Akpanudoedehe Quits APC

Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, has pulled out of the

race to secure the presidential ticket of the APC. The former lawmaker announced his withdrawal during a meeting with journalists in Abuja, just as a former National Secretary of the defunct Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John Akpanudoedehe, has left the APC. According to Nnamani, he withdrew from the race because he has not had the opportunity to convince delegates on why he deserved the party’s presidential ticket.

“My faith in entering the race is that I will have the opportunity to present my credentials, achievements and ideas for the future of Nigeria. I had anticipated that the NWC would be more definite with plans and completed the screening on time to allow for meaningful consultations and campaigns. But that opportunity never came. The schedules were uncertain even until a few days before primary.

“In the present circumstances, it does not make any sense for me to continue in the race as I have not had the opportunity to market my profile and ideas to the delegates of our party in a manner that allows for deliberation and introspection.

“Therefore, I discontinue my aspiration and wish the party successful primary and unity of purpose so that we can win the 2023 general election.

“I will continue to engage with the party and its leadership to make sure that the ideas

and values that I cherish and propagate find strong footing in the party administration and in public leadership after election,” he said While commending APC northern governors for backing power shift to the south, Nnamani said recent events have shown that zoning the office of president to the south-east has been jettisoned.

“The events of recent days created the impression that zoning had been jettisoned in the APC. The vacillation of party leaders regarding zoning of the APC presidential ticket has not created clarity in the party and injures the confidence and faith of many in the south, particularly, the South-east, in the party.

“It has the implication of suggesting to many in the party, including myself, that the party will allow conveniences of the moment to override foundational issues of justice and fairness,” he submitted.

On his part, Akpanudoedehe made his decision known in a letter addressed to the Ward Chairman of Offot Ward 6, Uyo. His resignation may not be unconnected to the leadership crisis in the state chapter of the party, where the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, appeared to have edged out Akpanudoedehe, allegedly with the help of the help of the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdulahi Adamu.

State Congress of the APC held in October 2021, had recognised

Mr. Austin Ekanem as the winner and chairman of the Akwa Ibom APC State Executive. APC conducted State Congresses across the country on 16th October, 2021.

In Akwa Ibom, the Congress conducted by the Seven-member Banki Sheriff-led Election Committee, dispatched by Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Committee, produced Ekanem as chairman, having won the exercise, polling 1,278 votes.

However, in April 2022, Adamu inaugurated Mr. Stephen Ntukekpo as chairman of the party in Akwa Ibom State in defiance to a Court of Appeal order, asking parties to maintain Status quo.

Ntukepo is a member of a faction loyal to Akpabio, while Ekanem belongs to the faction loyal to Akpanudoedehe.

Akpanudoedehe, therefore, stated: "I write to notify you of my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), forthwith.

"Henceforth, I cease to be a member of the APC in my ward (ward 6 in Uyo LGA) or anywhere for that matter. I hereby relinquish all rights, which inured to me as a member of the APC, member of the National Advisory Council and member of National Caucus of the APC. "This decision to part ways with the APC, is a tough one, but leadership entails adherence to the wishes of the vast majority of associates, allies and supporters, who have shown fidelity overtime and have now witnessed the obduracy of the APC in handling

the candidates selection processes in Akwa Ibom State."

A’Court Stops APC from Using Statutory Delegates at Convention

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, has issued an order restraining the National Assembly from imposing statutory delegates at the ongoing convention of the APC. In a ruling, yesterday, Justice Haruna Tsammani, also restrained the enforcement of the judgement of a Federal High Court in Kano delivered on June 3, granting the enforcement of amended Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The ex parte application by the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, was moved

by A.A. Popoola and Karma Fagbemi, who pleaded with the appellate court to stay the execution of the judgment of the high court delivered by Justice A.M. Liman in suit number FHC/KN/ CS/137/2022 permitting Senator Mas'ud El-Jibrin Doguwa, Hon. Habila Sani, Hon. Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi, the Senate, the Speaker of House of Representatives and the Independent National Electoral Commission to enforce the amendment.

Justice Tsammani further ordered the service of processes of the order by substituted means against the parties in the matter and adjourned hearing of the motion on notice for stay of execution to June 9.

Adamu had contended that the Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act on statutory delegates participation in the primary, which

amendment was still pending Mr President's assent was not in conflict with Section 223 of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 and Article 20(iv) of the APC Constitution.

He further contended that the suit was filed in Kano on May 24 without joining of the Attorney General of the Federation as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation.

The party said its Constitution recognised two categories of statutory delegates, being elected and non-elected delegates.

Adamu Chases Journalists Out of APC Secretariat

National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdulahi Adamu, yesterday, chased journalists covering the activities of the party out of the secretariat.

Adamu's decision to chase out journalists might not be unconnected to the fallout of the crisis rocking the National Working Committee (NWC) a few hours to the party's presidential nomination convention.

One of the security personnel at the party secretariat, told journalists that Adamu was coming back for the NWC meeting and he didn't want to see anybody at the secretariat, including journalists.

"The chairman is coming back and he doesn't want to see anybody, here including journalists," he said.

The NWC meeting will still continue following a stalemate over the issue of consensus presidential candidate, ahead of the party's primary today.

TUESDAY JUNE 7, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

ECWA President Advises FG to Use Technology to Tackle Insecurity The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has appealed to the federal government(FG) to adopt modern technology to fight insecurity in the country.

The President of ECWA,Rev. Stephen Baba-Panya, made the appeal in statement in Jos yesterday.

Baba-Panya, who was reacting to the killing of some Catholic faithful at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church Owo, Ondo State, on Sunday, by yet to be identified gunmen, described the incident as sheer wickedness.

The cleric said that the killing was barbaric and well calculated attempt to truncate the existing peace in the state and the country in general.

“We received with great shock, pain and sorrow, the sad news of the gruesome attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, by bandits, leading to the deaths of over 50 innocent Christian worshippers including children.

“This attack is clearly a well calculated assault on the peace-loving people of the Owo Kingdom and the entire Christendom in Nigeria.

“It is barbaric, vile, wicked, Satanic, and a deliberate action to wipe out Christianity in the country.

”We, therefore, join all people of good conscience in Nigeria and around the world, to condemn this dastardly attack on innocent citizens in its entirety and in the strongest terms ”Clearly, there is the need to overhaul the security

architecture, and put in place a security system that is technology-driven, proactive, comprehensive and decisive,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the ECWA president, however, called on

Christians in Owo and Nigeria in general to remain calm, peaceful and law abiding, and enjoined security agencies to act fast and bring the perpetrators to book.

“We are calling on Christians to remain calm, watchful and fervent in prayer. We urge the

government as a matter of urgency, to act decisively to arrest and make perpetrators of all these evil acts to face the full wrath of the law. ”What Nigerians need at this time is peace, love, unity, hope and access to the basic necessities

of life and not death, sorrow, pain and hopelessness,” he said.

Baba-Panya prayed God to grant peace to the departed souls, console their families, the Catholic Church and the government and people of Ondo State.

ALL FOR GOOD RETIREMENT…

L-R: Chief Commercial Officer, Mixta Africa, Mrs. Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani; Chief Risk Officer, Mixta Africa, Mr. Pekun Ozolua; Chief Executive Officer, ARM Holding Company, Jumoke Ogundare, and Chief Executive Officer, Mixta Africa, Mr. Deji Alli, at the ARM/Mixta Gala and inauguration of retirement community in Lagos recently.

ETOP UKUTT

Gov Yahaya Condemns Renewed Police Arrest 14 Suspected Cultists, Recover Drugs in Lagos Odusanya, Sulayman Hundeyin. aged 32, were apprehended Hostilities in Gombe Communities Rebecca Ejifoma Odusanya, Alasela Olamilekan, According to the Police with large quantities of codeine,

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe

The Gombe State Governor, Mr. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has expressed deep concern over the renewed hostilities between the Lunguda and Waja speaking communities of Balanga Local Government Area of the state.

Yahaya sued for peace during his visit to the affected areas at Nyuwar and Gilengitu in company of heads of security agencies in the state yesterday, and warned for the umpteenth time that his administration would not spare any person or groups bent on instigating

violence and unleashing mayhem to achieve selfish desires.

He assured that the perpetrators of the violence would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, observed that “there is hardly any dividing line between the people of Lunguda and Waja in view of their long standing historical relationships covering critical areas like inter-marriages, cultural heritage and social ceremonies.”

Customs Seizes Smuggled Bottled Table Water, Others in Niger Laleye Dipo in Minna Some Nigerians now smuggle bottled table water into the country from France.

This shocking discovery was made when the Kogi/Niger State Customs Command displayed edible and nonedible items seized from smugglers in Minna yesterday.

Several cartons of the foreign made bottled water, as well as spaghettis, all edibles produced in the country were among the items seized within the last three months.

Officers of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested two leaders of rival cult gangs and 10 others for the incessant cult and gang wars happening in Agege and its environs.

The kingpins are Rasheed Abdulateef, popularly known as Adagun aged 25, and Abubakar Mohammed aka Yaba, aged 29.

Other suspects nabbed include: Daramola Idowu, Anjorin Lateef, Akeem

A 14-year-old Esther Bewaji of Silversands Hall School, Lekki, Lagos, has emerged as the overall winner of the third edition of Nigeria Info’s “I Beg To Differ” Student Debate competition after weeks of extensive debates socioeconomic and political issues of both national and global relevance.

The competition, which began in May 2022, attracted hundreds of applications from secondary school students in Lagos State between the ages of 13 and 17 years. This is in a bid to encourage

PRO, the arrest of the two rival gang leaders along with their gang members followed sustained and diligent intelligence gathering within Agege communities.

A rifle butt, police vest, pepper spray, a knife, machete, and hard drugs amongst others were said to be recovered from Adagun.

Meanwhile, two other suspects, Monday Okezie aged 36 and Oluwasegun Oladipupo

tramadol and Rohypnol.

While they have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Hundeyin confirmed that the duo were notorious for supplying hard drugs to the gangs.

He added: “The remainder of the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigations and eventual prosecution.”

2023: Iwuanyanwu Harps on Zoning Presidency to South-east Amby Uneze in Owerri

An elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has called on the various political parties in the country to keep faith with the zoning arrangement by giving the South East the opportunity to emerge as president in 2023.

Iwuanyanwu, who spoke in Owerri, said that it is politically expedient for all the fives zones in the country to support the South-east to produce the next president in 2023 general elections.

Other consumables seized include wines, ketchup, Basmati rice, tomato source, foreign parboiled rice, whipped cream and vegetable oil.

In addition, the command also seized 140 rolls of foreign rugs, 50 bales of second-hand clothing, 920 kegs of PMS, eight motorcycles and 200 pieces of used tyres.

Other items seized from smugglers include 101 units of exotic cars and other vehicles, Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano clothes, and consumables Gunmen have kidnapped the worth N755.3 million. mother of Kano Central Senatorial Candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Mr. A.A Zaura.

The aged mother of the politician, Mrs. Laure Mai Kunu,

Having contributed immensely in human capital development, socio- economic and political development as well as infrastructural development of the country, Iwuanyanwu said that Southeast supported the other zones in their bid to produce the president of this country and they all succeeded and wondered why it would be the turn of the South-east, that the clock would be reversed anti-clock wise.

He said that the founding fathers of the nation

maintained the tenets and principle of the regional system of North, East and West in the distribution of power sharing and advised that the system which is based on equity, fairness and accommodation should be maintained this time we have six zones in the country.

Iwuanyanwu, who is also the Chairman of Council of Elders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, called on the ruling party and other political parties that have not held their congresses to elect a South easterner as

their presidential candidates in the spirit of justice and fairness. He said that at the end of the congresses, Nigerians will elect who amongst them is the best candidate.

The philanthropist, who had at several meetings and fora maintained that it is the turn of South-east to produce the president of Nigeria in 2023 general elections, commented some patriotic Nigerians who have been supporting the clamour for Nigeria’s president of Igbo extraction.

Gunmen Abduct Mother of Senatorial Candidate in Kano

Fourteen-year-old Wins Nigeria Info’s Competition Ebiti Yusuf

Apelogun Elijah, Musa Mali, Moses Sunday, Isiaka Hassan, and Musa Thairu.

They were arrested in sting operations spanning two weeks led by the Commander RRS, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi.

“Their arrest is part of a series of efforts by the Lagos State Police Command to improve the security situation in Agege and the state at large,” says the State Police Spokesman, SP Benjamin

the educational development of Nigerian youths through a highlyinteractive platform that stimulates intellectual conversations around the complex socio-economic issues affecting the growth and development of the country.

The grand finale of the competition, which was broadcast live on Nigeria Info’s Hard Fact Show, had Esther Bewaji defeating Hameed Olarewaju, an SS2 student of Rainbow College Day School, Lekki, after debating on a socio-political topic which was entitled, “Nigerians Are Getting the Politicians they Deserve.”

was abducted in the early hours of yesterday.

The abdution was confirmed by the Chairman of Ungogo Local Government Area, Mr. Abdullahi Garba Ramat.

Ramat said that he was informed of the incident officially

by security agents that Kunu was kidnapped at her residence in Rangaza ward of Zaura village of the local government.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Police Command, SP. Haruna Abdullahi, also

confirmed to reporters that the incident happened around 2a.m. yesterday.

Abdullahi added that the command has mobilised its personnel with a view to rescuing the victim and arresting the suspects.

2022: Ex-acting Gov Threatens to Dump PDP over Alleged Imposition in Ekiti Victor OgunjeinAdoEkiti A Former Acting Governor and Chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Hon. Tunji Odeyemi, yesterday threatened to dump the party over an alleged plot to impose a candidate in the botched Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, where he was an aspirant.

Odeyemi, who is one of the aspirants that contested the Ekiti South Constituency 2 in the last primary, decried the manner with

which the party leadership was handling the disrupted shadow poll.

He explained that the exercise was disrupted midway and no results were announced, wondering why the party was suggesting that the name of an aspirant should be submitted to the national secretariat as the winner rather than conducting another poll.

“The name of one Jennifer Emiola from Omuo-Ekiti where the PDP picked its senatorial candidate had been submitted,” he said.

Odeyemi, therefore, wondered

why a candidate would be picked in an election that was marred with violence and no winner was declared.

He said that he has been consistent in loyalty and membership to PDP in the last 22 years, but going by the recent developments in the party, particularly in Ekiti, he may have no choice than to pitch his tent with another political party.

He stated that in the three local government areas that composed the federal constituency, namely

Ekiti East, Emure and Gbonyin, that only Gbonyin had been left out in the scheme of things.

He said: “The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the PDP, Mr. Kolapo Kolade, is from Emure, while the Senatorial Candidate, Mr. Biodun Olujimi, is from Ekiti East. So with these arrangements, the party cannot pick the House Representatives candidate from Ekiti East, leaving out Gbonyin Local Government out of the political equation.”

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TUESDAY JUNE 7, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Army Hands Over 706 Recovered Weapons from Bandits in Sokoto Onuminya Innocent InSokoto

The Force Commander Operation Hadarin Daji and General Officer Command 8 Division Sokoto, Maj General Uwem Bassey, said the command has recovered 706 small Arms and light weapons from the bandits and criminal elements within area of operation of Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi State.

Bassey stated this yesterday during a press briefing at parade ground 26 battalion

Giginya cantonment , Sokoto while handing over the small Arms and light weapons to the zonal coordinator , North West, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) .

He noted that the operational successes recorded by troops of operation Hadarin Daji from 2018 to May , 2022 has led to recovery of 706 small Arms and light weapons from the criminal elements .

He said the weapons comprises of 203 AK-47, 4 Automated fabricated rifles, 7 G3 rifles, 1 GPMG, 3 Sub machine gun .

Others are 1 light machine gun, 4 FN rifles , 410 Dane gun , 71 locally made pistols, 1 Rocket Propel Gronade RPG empty canister and 1 pump action.

He further disclosed that most of these weapons are recovered from Zamfara State which is the epic centre of banditry.

He added that that security is a business of all and thanked the

citizens who provided credible information that led to the success of the arms recovery.

Receiving the weapons the zonal coordinator of Northwest National Centre for the Control of Small Arms Air Vice Marshal Haruna Umar Mohammed Retrd appreciated the troops and implored the general public to always give necessary information to mop out illegal firearms in the in hands of criminals.

He urged the troops to sustain the tempo inorder to decisively

curtail the activities of criminal elements.

“I encourage the operation Hadarin Daji to step up the tide to ensure that we recover all firearms from the society knowing that we are moving forward election and we want everybody to be on same page he stated.

AVM Mohammed Retrd expressed optimism that more weapons would be recovered from the criminal elements as the general public and military will

collaborate in the fight against possession of unlawful firearms .

It has been recalled that Federal Government of Nigeria is determined to stop the senseless bloodletting and insecurity occasioned by Small Arms & Light Weapons (SALW) in circulation within the communities by mopping up all illicit weapons; as well as control the proliferation of all weapons in the holdings of all arms bearing agencies/ organisations in the country.

Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) have arrested a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and 18 other persons for alleged involvement in internet fraud activities during a sting operation in Lokoja, the Kogi State’s capital.

A statement issued in Ilorin

of Media of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, stated that “the suspects were smoked out of their hideouts by the eagle-eyed operatives of the EFCC over the weekend following credible intelligence on the fraudulent activities of the fraudsters in the state’s capital city and its environs.”

The suspects included a corps member serving in the Kogi State, Mr. Adamu

persons, namely Achimugu Nelson Ojonoka, Victor Atsumbe, Akoh Grace Samuel, Usman Abubakar Sadiq, Jacob Emmanuel, Solomon John, Christian Oyakhilome, Adesanya Adeolu Tosin, Uloko George Ojonugwa and Timothy Eleojo Moses.

Others are Negedu Joseph Onuchei, Usman Tenimu, Lukman Musa, Samuel Atadoga, Daniel Atekojo James,

Olarewaju John Olumide and Ademola Adegoke Daniel.

Upon arrest, a Lexus car, huge sum of money suspected to be proceeds of illegal activities, and different brands of phones, laptops and other incriminating materials were recovered from them.

The suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations.

Adopt Ecocide as International EFCC Arrests a Youth Corper, 18 Others for Internet Fraud in Kogi Crime, Environmentalist Urges Hammed Shittu in Ilorin yesterday signed by the Head Shuabu, and eighteen others Abdulrazaq Iko-ojo Ahnod,

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

A renowned environmentalist and Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, has harped on the need to adopt ecocide as an international crime to ensure accountability for heinous ecological crimes.

Ecocide is a destruction of the natural environment by deliberate or negligent human action.

In his speech to mark the 2022 World Environment Day, Bassey stated that humans must wake up from the futile dream that the earth can be recklessly exploited without dire consequences.

He stressed that this year’s World Environment Day theme would remind everyone of the need to understand that the generous gifts of nature must be handled with gratitude and care.

“We are living witnesses of the crimes committed in mining and oil fields as well as those committed in conflict zones. We must protect our biodiversity, reject species eroding genetic modifications of all sorts and support harmonious relationships with nature.

“As we celebrate the World Environment Day, we urge everyone to be eco-defenders, secure the environment and by this secure our well-being and that of future generations. Let us care for the earth as it is our mother, not our enemy.”

Speaking further, the environmentalist noted “the need to create transformative changes in our policies and choices to live sustainably in harmony with nature, with the full understanding that the planet is our only home and that her resources are finite.”

Umeh: APGA Leaders Intimidated Delegates to Vote against Me David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Senator Victor Umeh, has claimed that he lost the party’s senatorial primary election recently because of a conspiracy among party leaders.

Umeh, a former strong voice in APGA went into the contest for the Anambra Central Senatorial District’s ticket but

was defeated by Hon. Dozie Nwankwo, who is deemed to be his political son.

Umeh explained that “there was a clarion call for me to join this senatorial race. I consulted extensively and they gave me their nod, before I declared.

“The momentum was huge and those who didn’t want me there knew they would not be able to stop me easily and they resorted to all sorts of antics.

“I have heard some of them saying that the primary election was free and fair, but how can it be free and fair when important party leaders were intimidating delegates, calling them and telling them not to vote for me.

“Party leaders worked against me, and when they saw that that was not working, they resorted to sharing $1,000, $800 and

$600 to delegates. We know the state of the country’s economy, you won’t expect someone who is hungry to reject money or even be able to differentiate between the mission and vision of some people.”

Umeh said he was satisfied with the delegates as he got 151 votes and lost the primary election to Nwankwo by just 11 votes.

As the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) prepares to mark its 50th anniversary next year, its DirectorGeneral, Mrs Cecilia Gayya, has emphasised the need for capacity building to enhance productivity.

Gayya spoke. in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry, Lagos State.

According to NAN, the organisation, which began operations in 1973, will hit the 50-year mark in 2023.

Gayya advised chief executive officers (CEOs) of organisations not to relegate training of their personnel, “even in the face of economic challenges.”

She said that capacity building was critical to keep workers in tune with modern trends and enhance their relevance.

The DG said that untrained staff would not be able to give their best and could be left behind in the fast-changing world.

She said that ASCON had

continued to find ways to drive home the need for regular training and retraining of workers, given its importance.

“The thinking is that we need to hold a kind of national conference and have a theme on capacity building in Abuja.

“The board of ASCON has approved in principle that we work toward that so we can invite both our clients and other prospective clients to discuss the importance of capacity building

and what ASCON has to offer,’’ she said.

Gayya said that the advent of the internet had also created a window for self-development which should be encouraged where there are funding challenges.

She said that apart from the training of staff, ASCON had also continued to assist some state governments, agencies and private institutions in their employment processes.

Jehovah Witnesses Resume Public Appearances Don’t Relegate Training of Personnel, ASCON DG Tells CEOs Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt After over two years of carrying out their Bible teaching work virtually as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jehovah’s Witnesses will once again resume all forms of public witnessing with the exception of the door-to-door ministry.

According to the National Spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nigeria, Olusegun Eroyemi, this direction was received on May 31, 2022.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses are happy with the opportunity to once again share their message

of hope with their neighbours.

While phone witnessing is very helpful, it has obvious limitations that will now be cared for with the resumption of our public ministry,” he said.

He explained that Jehovah’s Witnesses resumed in-person meetings on April 1, 2022 but kept their public preaching on virtual platforms. “They will now be seen in public places, including parks, ports and streets; displaying their witnessing carts, and conducting Bible studies.

They will carry out their public witnessing in compliance with existing government guidelines on COVID-19,” he added.

Senator Ogba Emerges Ebonyi PDP Candidate Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki The Senator Representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial Zone, Senator Obinna Ogba, has been declared winner of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election held in Ebonyi State.

The National Working Committee of PDP had cancelled the governorship primary which elected Dr. Ifeanyi Odii and called for a fresh primary.

The Chairman of the Electoral

Panel, Mr. Chris Okolo, said Ogba scored a total of 253 votes to defeat other Aspirants.

According to him, the Member Representing Ishielu/ Ezza North Federal Constituency Mr. Edwin Nwonu, came a distant second with 110 votes while another Reps member, Dr. Sylvester Ogbaga, came third with 63 votes.

Okolo further stated that Mr. Fidelis Nwankwo garnered 44 votes; Mr. Chukwuma Nwazunku, representing Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal

constituency polled six votes; Mr. Austin Edeze got three votes; Senator Paulinus Igwenwagu got two votes while Mr. Augustine Nwazunku polled one vote respectively. The only Female Aspirant, Professor Adaeze Nwuzor, did not score any vote.

The electoral chairman further explained that 14 invalid ballots were recorded, adding that Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Odii, who boycotted the polls got one vote while Mr. Chris Usulor and Dr. Sunday Opoke abstained

from the gubernatorial primary election.

“Therefore, I, Mr Chris Okolo having been conferred with the power to chair this panel hereby declare Sen. Obinna Ogba winner, having polled the total highest number of valid votes and having met all the requirements for the election and he is hereby returned elected.n “The exercise was counted openly and witnessed by agents of the aspirants, leaders of the party present as well as security agents,” Okolo said.

Benue Economycapital, in Critical State, Says YPP Guber Candidate as a governorship is in a critical financial condition the state that his administration George Okoh in Makurdi Former Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Dr. Robert Orya, who emerged as the Benue State governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) has stated that the economic situation in state requires his intervention to remedy the situation using his financial expertise.

He noted that his emergence during the governorship primary election in Makurdi, the state

candidate would bring about economic transformation and security, which will be one of his priorities if elected into office next year.

The former managing director of NEXIM Bank pointed out that since 1999, successive leaderships in the state have borrowed so much from banks such that in 2023, there will be no room for incoming governor to borrow again.

He lamented that “Benue State

that requires an expert that understands how things work.

“It is unfortunate that the ‘big people’ in Benue State have formed the habit of throwing money they stole from the state coffers to youths to scramble over it while sitting in their comfort zone with their children drinking champagnes.”

The governorship hopeful, who said 2023 is a year of revolution without bearing guns and arrows, but with the use of PVCs, assured

would be youth-oriented with 70 percent of them occupying various positions while primary and secondary education will be free in the state.

While calling on women and youths to join his rescue mission drive from the hands of the political class, he noted that his administration would not accept food and donations from any quarters for the IDPs, rather he will return them to their ancestral homes.

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TUESDAY, J Ϳ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

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Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Iwobi, Dessers Want Nigerians to Put Wold Cup Failure Behind

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Nigeria and Everton forward, Alex Iwobi, has urged Nigerians to put behind them Super Eagles failure to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar and face the future with optimism.

Iwobi who played a key role in Everton averting drop from the English topflight league this season, agreed failing to qualify for Qatar 2022 was a heartbreak but Nigerians must move on.

Speaking at Super Eagles training in Abuja yesterday ahead of Thursday’s AFCON 2023 qualifier against Sierra Leone, he stressed that the three-time African champions were just unlucky to miss the ticket.

“I think we were unlucky because you can’t fault the effort of the boys (in the two-leg playoffs with Ghana). “It was a heart break that we missed the ticket but life must go on. We have to move on,” stressed Iwobi, who missed out on the World Cup playoffs against Ghana due

AHEAD AFCON 2023 QUALIFIER to his suspension at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.

With the rebuilding of the team under new Portuguese coach, Jose Peseiro, the Everton star believes Super Eagles are on track to regaining their place in global football.

“We played very well in the friendlies against Mexico and Ecuador (in USA), created chances, but we didn’t get the results,” he recalled.

“We’re now looking forward to the AFCON qualifiers beginning with Sierra Leone.

“I believe we will get it right at our home against Sierra Leone (who snatched a dramatic 4-4 draw in Benin City last year in a 2021 AFCON qualifier).”

Also speaking on the AFCON 2023 clash with Sierra Leone to be played behind closed doors at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, Genk forward, Cyriel Dessers, 27, said playing without

fans should not stop Eagles with winning.

“We have to perform, do the business even behind closed doors,” observed Dessers who was top scorer of this season’s

UEFA Europa Conference League while on loan at Dutch-side, Feyenoord.

This will be Dessers first home game for Nigeria since he opted to play for the Super Eagles ahead of Belgium two years ago.

“It would have been great

with the fans at the stadium, but that will not possible for this game.”

While promising to score goals for Eagles, he insisted he has no regrets opting to play for Nigeria rather than Belgium.

“I hope to score more goals and do everything for the team.

“I have no regrets I chose to play for Nigeria even though I was overlooked after my debut two years ago,” concludes Dessers who Feyenoord fans were ready to launch appeal fund to pay his €4million transfer fee to keep him in the Dutch team.

Back2Base Talent Hunt Programme Excites Mikel Femi Solaja Former Super Eagles Captain, John Mikel Obi has stressed that all is now set for the maiden edition of his Back2Base talent hunt programmes billed to commence on Thursday in Lagos.

Mikel while speaking at a press parley held in Lagos to herald the three-day talent hunt programme revealed that a lot has been put into the talent hunt programme.

The ex-Chelsea star said he and his Avianna & Harvey Entertainments team have been working round the clock to ensure the Back2Base talent hunt programme meets all the set objectives.

He said: “It is an opportunity for us to give back to the community, first of all, we have to realise that there is so much talent in this country waiting to be discovered. So with the Back2Base project, we are hoping to help showcase this talent.

“The first edition is starting

in Lagos but we hope we can take it around the country subsequently. It is going to be an exciting time for the Children not just in football but also in Basketball and Tennis.

Mikel noted that as a Youth Ambassador, he sees it as a duty to come up with innovations like this to help the young ones with opportunities that would bring smiles not just on their faces but also to their parents “This means a lot to me because I remember growing up as a child in Jos, I was only lucky to be discovered” He added: “Our target is not just to ship the talent we discover abroad but to even see how they can be of good use even from the domestic scene” As explained by CEO and Founder of Avianna & Harvey Entertainments, Ahmed Fadekemi both the Basketball and Football teams will be solely for the boys while the tennis will be for both boys and girls.

R-L: Assistant Coach Finidi George, Head Coach Jose Peseiro and Assistant Coach Salisu Yusuf plotting Super Eagles game plan during the international friendly with Mexico in USA . Now, Alex Iwobi is urging Nigerians to give this new team a chance to succeed after Eagles missed Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Ekevwo, Amusan Arrive Mauritius for 22nd African Athletics Championships Home-based stars depart Nigeria to join the team in the Indian Ocean Island Reigning African Games 100m and 100m hurdles champions, Raymond Ekevwo and Tobiloba Amusan have arrived in Mauritius for the 22nd African Athletics Championship starting on Wednesday.

Both athletes arrived Saturday after competing at the Irena Szewinska Memorial, a World Athletics Continental Gold Tour meet in Poland.

Ekevwo will be hoping to add the African Championship title to the African Games gold he won three years ago in Morocco thereby returning Nigeria to the top of the podium 12 long years after Olusoji Fasuba won in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The 23-year-old who ran 9.96secs to win the African Games gold in 2019 will also be hoping to run faster and break compatriot, Seun Ogunkoya's 9.94s Championship record set

in Dakar, Senegal in 1998.

Amusan on her part will be looking to successfully defend the title she won four years ago at home at the 21st edition of the championship in Asaba, Delta State.

The sprint hurdler will also be aiming at the 12.77s championship record set by compatriot, Glory Alozie in Dakar, Senegal in 1998.

If she succeeds, the 24-year-old would have broken three of the four records held by Alozie.

In 2019 Amusan ran 12.68s to break Alozie's African Games record and last year, she also dismantled the 12.44s African record her illustrious predecessor

set in 1998 when she ran 12.42s to win the sprint hurdles title at the Diamond League final.

Meanwhile, the home-based contingent departed Nigeria for Mauritius yesterday.

The championship is serving as preparations for both the World Athletics Championship in Oregon, USA next month and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham which will also begin towards the end of next month.

Nigeria placed third on the medals table at the 21st edition with nine gold, five silver and six bronze medals behind Kenya (11.6,2) and South Africa (9,14,8).

Mbappe Ranked World's Most Valuable Player

R-L: Research Coordinator, Niyi Beecroft; Former Super Eagles Captain, John Mikel Obi; Head PR, Ms. Fadekemi Ahmed; and Management Team Head, Mr. Dwayne during the formal presentation of Back2Base project in Lagos yesterday

Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Erling Haaland are the most valuable players in the world, according to research group CIES Football Observatory.

Mbappe, 23, who rejected a move to Real Madrid to stay at Paris St-German, tops the list with an estimated transfer value of 205.6m euros (£175.7m).

Real Madrid's Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr, who scored the winner in the Champions League final against Liverpool,

is second at £158.3m, with Norway's Manchester City-bound striker Haaland third (£130.4m).

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham (£114.1m) is the most valuable English player on the list in fifth place, ahead of England team-mate and Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden in sixth (£105.9m).

Premier League clubs dominate the list with 41 representatives in the top 100.

The CIES uses a range of

variables including a player's age, performances, economic value of their club and inflation to work out estimated transfer values.

France striker Mbappe signed a new three-year contact with PSG last month as he chose to stay in Paris rather than move to La Liga and Champions League winners Real Madrid.

The World Cup winner scored 28 goals in Ligue 1 to help PSG win the 2021-22 title.

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CAN to President Buhari

“We are once again reiterating our quest for a total overhauling of the security architecture and are asking President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the recycling of those criminals and terrorists in the name of de-radicalising programme. If the programme is not counterproductive, how come the criminals are always on the increase and nowhere is safe again?” --- Media Assistant to CAN President, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, reacting to the Owo Catholic Church invasion and killings by terrorists.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI Bloodbath in Owo: A Black Pentecost Sunday abati1990@gmail.com

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place/Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from Heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting/They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them/All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” – Holy Bible (NIV), Acts of the Apostles – 2:2

I

t was Pentecost Sunday on June 5, the day Christendom celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles as seen in Acts of the Apostles: 2:2 - but in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria, it was Black Sunday, as demons from nowhere descended on St. Francis Church, Owaluwa Street in that historic town. It was 12 noon.

The Mass for the day had just ended, but as the congregation filed out of the Church, they were confronted by a team of daredevil assailants who first detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) – so the Police Command says, before turning their guns on the hapless, unsuspecting worshippers.

In broad daylight, the House of God became a war zone and an abattoir. More than 38 persons including the aged, children, men and women were mowed down, massacred. It was a most heinous scene of mass murder. Church officials quickly shut the doors to the church, and began to work their phones as the massacre continued outside. The people were helpless. No help came.

It turned out that the police unit in the town did not have operational vehicles! By the time the madness was over, the floor of the church had turned crimson red. It was a gory sight of blood, tears and sorrow. St Francis Church is less than 200 metres away from the palace of the Olowo of Owo, the town’s traditional ruler. The dead and the injured were taken to the Federal Medical Centre and St. Louis Hospital, from where doctors sent out distress calls to the public, begging anyone with blood in his or her veins to rush down to donate blood, in order to save lives.

This happened a week after the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Bishop Samuel KaluUche and two others were abducted in Abia State.

They regained freedom only after paying a ransom of N100 million. On Saturday, June 4, at the Lugbe market in Abuja, a 30-year old member of a local vigilante group was killed for committing what was called “blasphemy”. The same day, gunmen invaded the home of a Catholic priest at St. Mary Immaculate Church in Aho Community, Owukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State. The priest was not at home at the time of the attack, so his cook was abducted. It would be recalled also that in May, Deborah Samuel, a 200 level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education was also lynched and set ablaze for blasphemy.

In the last two months alone, there have been reports of attacks on churches and abduction of priests and church-goers including Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Gidan Maikambo in the Kafur LGA of Katsina State – two reverend fathers and two boys, also at Saint Pius X Parish, Ikot Abasi Akpan in Akwa Ibom State – a catholic priest, and at Solid Rock Kingdom Church where the founder, clergyman John Okoriko was kidnapped.

Also, on March 28, over 100 persons travelling by train between Abuja and Kaduna were attacked by terrorists. Many died. Many were injured.

Over 60 persons were abducted. More than 70 days later, they are still in the custody of their terrorist-abductors. In the South East, violence has become routine – in Anambra, in particular, where an emergent group that goes by the name of UNKNOWN GUNMEN has developed a signature style of attacking Local Government headquarters, police stations, and army formations, in open defiance of the rule of law. They also decapitate their victims, after killing them. The North East, the hotbed of terror and insurgency for more than 12 years remains unsafe. The North West is not safe

St. Francis Church after the massacre either. Ethno-religious violence in the Middle Belt has reignited old animosities and sentiments. The South West which has been relatively safe in more contemporary times, has now been thrown into a regime of fear and confusion. Owo which had been a peaceful community, for example, has been robbed of its innocence forever. There are parts of the Northern flank of Yorubaland that are now regarded as the den of kidnappers. Fears have been expressed that there are sleeping cells of terrorists who have infiltrated every nook and cranny of Nigeria waiting to pounce and attack whenever their puppeteers give them orders them to do so.

These narratives as reported have been horrifying: whole families have been wiped out, a couple visiting family friends was slaughtered, dreams have been shattered, hope has been damaged.

What is happening in Nigeria? The Pope has prayed for the victims of the Owo massacre and for Nigeria. Yesterday, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Owo Local Government Area held a prayer session at the premises of St Francis Church, Owo and also held a protest over the “evil” occurrence. Owo Council CAN Chairman, Revd. Joshua Oladapo said: “This is a clarion call, to not only the Nigerian leaders but the international community that these incessant attacks on, most especially the Christian body, the peaceful communities in our nation, should not continue.” The point needs to be reiterated that nobody deserves to die or suffer the way Nigerians die, get killed, massacred, beheaded, displaced, assaulted, crushed, and endangered in a mindless manner that throws up a gory spectacle of man’s inhumanity. Human life is the cheapest commodity in Nigeria. Listening the other day, to an interview with Methodist Prelate, Samuel Kalu-Uche and his graphic description of his encounter with his abductors and their glittering, well-sharpened blades of death and the evil in their souls, was scary enough. Nigerians are taken like lamb to slaughter in the North, the East, the South and the West, because the state has failed the people.

The state stumbles and falters and the people pay the price for its inefficiency, incompetence and lack of will power to do good in the form of body bags and unending jeremiad. It is ironic that even those who visit mayhem on the land justify their actions on the grounds that they too are angry with government or politicians. There can be no justification, however, for the reign of evil that we have seen. Even the unborn is no longer guaranteed any dignity in Nigeria. In the March 28 attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train, two pregnant women were abducted along with others. One of them gave birth while in captivity.

The terrorists even invited their own doctors and midwives to attend to her! Terrorists in Nigeria run medical services and have access to medical

consultants. The woman and her child are still in that space. The other pregnant woman was released on “compassionate” grounds. Sad. While both Christians and Muslims have suffered the pain and misfortune of being Nigerian, living inside Nigeria – that would seem to be the collective burden we all share, in other words, the thingi-fication of our citizenship, it is curious that Christians, Catholics in particular are the main targets of the hoodlums wreaking havoc on the country. The Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to life (Section 33), right to the dignity of the human person (Section 34), the right to the freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Section 38) and the freedom of assembly and association (Section 40). In Borno, Anambra, Kaduna, Plateau, Sokoto and Owo, these rights are violated with utter impunity, and yet nothing happens until the same rights are violated again.

The pattern is poignantly familiar: some demons show up and inflict injury on our collective psyche, the Nigerian government at all levels, issues statements of condolences and commiseration, and prayers, threats are further pronounced to the effect that the perpetrators of the “heinous, evil, grievous, dastardly, callous, inhuman act will be brought to justice.” In fact, “the government will spare no effort and leave no stone unturned, and will make sure that all resources of state are deployed to address the security challenge in the country.” Everyone says more or less the same things. The vocabulary for addressing mindless killings is so limited that it now sounds like fancy semantics. After a few days, the government and the professional mourners move on with their lives. Nobody learns any lessons. Nobody makes any effort. Shortly after, another violent event occurs and we go through the same routine again, like a perpetual Mobius Strip, in a cyclical bind. If it is possible to even benefit from the misfortune, Nigerian politicians would take advantage of it.

Empathy is important. Politicians must identify with the people whose votes they believe would bring them to power. When the same people are in distress, leaders must stand up to help them. On Sunday, June 5, when the Owo massacre occurred, leaders of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Presidential aspirants on the platform of the party had been invited to a dinner with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, ahead of the party’s National Convention scheduled for June 6 – 9, 2022. The dinner could have been rescheduled. But it was not. It went ahead. The usual, standard argument is that the business of the state cannot be hampered by any adversity or that the Leviathan must refrain from showing fear or panic. Except that this could be an academic thing to say. The truth is that politicians

tend to consider their own matters more important than the people’s interests unless they can exploit the latter to promote the former.

Nonetheless, I consider the reaction of the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu to the Owo massacre noteworthy. He left the peppersoup and jollof rice that had been prepared for the dinner with the President at the Villa and rushed back to Ondo State, upon hearing that there was tragedy back home and in fact, in his home town and local government. Some other stomach-centred leader could have stayed back and give the excuse that it was better to have dinner with the President.

Akeredolu rushed home to share in the grief and lamentations of his people, and shed a tear or two.

More importantly, he struck the right notes when he told the people of Ondo state not to engage in any retaliatory attacks. Religion and ethnicity are combustible issues in Nigeria. A week earlier, it had been said that those who attacked the Methodist Prelate were Fulani. The Prelate even accused the Nigerian Army of complicity, an allegation that was promptly and robustly denied. It would have been disastrous for any responsible leader to encourage an ethnic labeling of what happened in Owo. It was such divisive politics that caused Nigeria’s civil war of 1967 -1970. With its current fragility, and the expansion of its centrifugal joints, Nigeria is in a delicate situation. It cannot afford another blow-out because it cannot survive it and that is why Nigerian leaders must begin to wear their thinking caps.

It was certainly not strange that the Governor and the people of Owo and Ondo State received so many political visitors on Monday, June 6, yesterday.

The timing was auspicious. It was the eve of the ruling party’s Presidential primary in Abuja, an event that had been thrown into confusion with the party Chairman’s alleged announcement of a consensus candidate who was diplomatically thrown back into the fray by the Presidency, disowning the deed, thus raising the stakes, in what would be a make or mar Presidential primary for the APC. Owo suddenly became a last minute PR space for the gladiators. Four Presidential aspirants abandoned their last minute campaigns and rushed to the town: Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and Ekiti Governor –Kayode Fayemi.. Amosun and Fayemi arrived together like twins – they have been twinning for a while in the public space- but Tinubu and Osinbajo arrived separately. Out of the lot, only Tinubu reportedly dropped “something” – a tidy, small change of N75 million – N50 million for the victims, and N25 million for the Church. Small change, yes, and you know why. But how come nobody else donated “something” as Nigerians would say? Osinbajo, Amosun and Fayemi could at least have donated blood at the Federal Medical Centre and St. Louis Hospital to help save lives.

Nobody from other political parties, not even the PDP, was on the guest list in Owo, at least not yet.

Those who visited have since returned to Abuja for the unfolding epic battle over the election of a Presidential standard bearer for their party. The APC clearly faces an existential dilemma. Even the delegates are bewildered.

Whatever the politicians of the APC decide today is their business. Those who win or lose do not deserve our tears or plaudits. It is not an accident that the APC holds its Presidential primary against the background of more bloodshed and pain in the land: it is a sad, graphic, reminder of the agony to which Nigerians have been subjected.

It is why the main subject of engagement by any presidential aspirant should be the security and welfare of the people, and their happiness.

Money - no amount of naira or dollars, can buy happiness for the people of Nigeria. But good, quality, responsible and responsive leadership can.

The man for the job of Nigerian President must be that person who can put an end to the reign of murder, impunity and madness and make this land, whole in pursuit of the common good.

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