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S&P Report: Pipeline Closures, Maintenance Drag Nigeria's Oil Output to New Low Between March 3 and April 1, production curtailment pushed the country's total loss to 5.545 million barrels Political risks may worsen ahead of elections in early 2023, says Platts Analytics Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Nigeria’s crude oil output has plunged to new low in recent weeks hit by pipeline closures

and maintenance at major fields, an S&P Global industry report has indicated.

A senior official from the country’s oil ministry told S&P

Global Commodity Insights the fields that feeds two major exports grade — Bonny Light and Qua Iboe — were down on maintenance in May but output was “gradually

returning”.

THISDAY recently reported how with over 3.65 million barrels of crude oil shut-in at the Bonny Terminal during the March/April

productions circle, Nigeria's total losses, month-on-month rose by over 300 per cent.

An analysis of the figures from the Nigerian National Petroleum

Company (NNPC) indicated that the huge loss was due to a force majeure on the critical line which Continued on page 39

Local Content: NCDMB, NAICOM Unveil Insurance Services Guidelines for Oil Industry... Page 8 Tuesday 14 June, 2022 Vol 27. No 9926. Price: N250

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APC Has Collapsed Every Aspect of Nigeria, Atiku Laments, Urges Nigerians to Vote Out Ruling Party... Page 8

Buhari to Abdulsalami: Nigeria Owes You a Debt of Gratitude Celebrates ex-leader at 80, says he’s always putting nation’s interest first Lawan, Atiku, others pay tributes to former military ruler Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, while celebrating

with former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on his 80thbirthday, said the. Country owed him a

debt of gratitude for always putting Nigeria and her citizens first.

The president, in a release by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina,

joined family members, friends and associates of the former Head of State in celebrating the milestone, taking into full cognisance the historic roles he

has played in the unity and President Atiku Abubakar and the peace of Nigeria, and in laying Alumni Association of the 41st the building blocks of democracy. Regular Course of the Nigerian Also, the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; former ViceContinued on page 39

Three Days to Deadline, Parties in Last Minute Consultations for Running Mates Tinubu working on options, asks for more time Okowa, Wike top preference as opposition party is almost done Obi, Kwankwaso still consulting Abdulsalami peace committee doubts credible polls in 2023 Chuks Okocha, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi With deadline for the submission of names of presidential candidates and their running mates three days away, the leaderships of some of the main political parties – the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) – are already in some last minute consultations over the choice of their vice-presidential candidates which must be submitted to the electoral body by Friday The parties had recently elected their presidential candidates, weeks apart at different locations and times.

PDP elected former ViceContinued on page 39

ADEKUNLE OJORA IS 90...

Members of the Saraki and Ojora families, including former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; his wife, Barrister Toyin Ojora-Saraki; and wife of the celebrant, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, at the 90th Birthday Celebration of Otunba Adekunle Ojora, in Ikoyi, Lagos State...yesterday

Peter Obi: Over 100 Million Nigerians Living in Poverty... Page 5

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

NEWS

MARKING DEMOCRACY DAY...

L-R: Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (Rtd); SGF Boss Mustapha; APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu; Special Envoy to Lake Chad, Amb. Babagana Kingibe; Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed; Former President Goodluck Jonathan; President Muhammadu Buhari; Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; Speaker , House of representative , Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Speaker Admed Idris Wase; Chief of Staff to the President , Professor Ibrahim Gambari; FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello; and Dean of Diplomatic community and High Commissioner of Cameroon Amb. Salaheddine Abbas, at the 2022 Democracy Day Celebration held at the Eagles Square, Abuja….yesterday.

PHOTO: GODWIN OMOIGUI

Peter Obi: Over 100 Million Nigerians Living in Poverty Says country lacks quality leadership Labour Party’s presidential candidate’s support group flays alleged intimidation of Igbos at registration centres Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday declared that over 100 million Nigerians were living in poverty, saying the situation was responsible for the rising insecurity in the country.

According to the LP presidential candidate, the inability of the current government to handle challenges facing Nigeria has painted the country as a failed state.

Obi spoke yesterday during a one-day International Colloquium forum with the theme: "What do Nigerians Want?" held virtual that was organised by Christ Church,

in Port Harcourt.

According to the former Governor of Anambra State, "Over the years what we see as a country is training people into poverty. The consequence is that we have 100 million people today living in poverty. There is no way you will have 100 million people living in poverty and you will not have crisis.

“We have more people living in poverty than China and Egypt combined, a population of about 2.5 billion. There is no where you won't have these crises we are going through. The number of people that supposed to be working in Nigeria is 120 million, but today only 40 million are gainfully employed in

Nigeria. We have 80 million people who are supposed to be working not working.

"The consequence is that we have a state but it is unproductive.

Nigeria as a country is unproductive because when we talk about 80 million people that are not working, about 70 per cent are youths in their productive age doing nothing with so much tendencies.

"So, the country is not doing anything, all the country is doing today is sharing. Everybody is looking for what to share, even when what we are sharing is finished which is why we have the large crisis till date".

Speaking on security, Obi expressed sadness that the govern-

Nigeria Targets 920 Jobs as Local Production of Military, Paramilitary Uniforms Begins Next Year James Emejo in Abuja The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) yesterday hinted that the country would start local production of uniforms for its military and paramilitary personnel from January 2023.

The move was expected to create over 920 employment opportunities for Nigerians.

The initiative is a joint venture Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and Sur Corporate Wear to create the Sur Corporate Wear Nig. Limited.

The DICON Sur collaboration which would span a concession period of 20 years, would be responsible for producing uniforms for the army, navy, air force, police, civil defense and other military and paramilitary organisations.

In a meeting at the instance of the ICRC, the commission’s acting Director-General, Mr. Michael Ohiani had charged all stakeholders in the project to resolve all issues that were hindering the completion of the factory and report back to the commission in one week.

However, at the rescheduled meeting chaired by the Director

of the Contract Compliance Department (CCD) in the ICRC, Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, stakeholders were further urged to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated time frame.

Ewalefoh said that the project remained important to the country as it will curb capital flight, create over 920 jobs and will also be a thing of pride for the nation to produce its own uniforms.

He added that the DICON Sur joint venture was also expected to begin to source all its raw materials from within Nigeria in the course of operation.

The ICRC director explained: “The fact that we produce our military and paramilitary uniforms locally is a pride to all of us. It is a pride that we all must uphold.

Sudan is producing their own military kits and I know DICON can do it if they have the right support.”

In a statement by the commission’s acting Head, Media and Publicity, Manji Yarling, Ewalefoh, however, assured all stakeholders that the ICRC as part of its regulatory function will liaise with all the relevant government agencies to fast-track the ongoing process of securing approval for off-takers when production begins

in January.

He said going forward, the ICRC through its Contract Compliance Department (CCD) will make the DICON Sure Project a priority and as such monitor, its progress until it is completed.

He also pledged that the commission would continue to intervene to make PPP projects operate smoothly in the country.

Also, speaking at the interactive session, the Managing Director of Sur Corporate Wear Nigeria Limited, Burhan Can Karabulut, commended the management of ICRC for intervening and ensuring that the project was hitch-free.

He noted that following the intervention of the ICRC and the meeting of stakeholders that ensued, the investor had agreed to release funds for the completion of the project.

He said that the company had so far taken the project to 68 per cent completion, adding that the remaining funds for the project will be released soon so as to meet the completion goal.

“If the work resumes in July, it is assumed that we can start commissioning as of January, but this January, the commissioning will not be 100 per cent production,” he added.

ment was no longer in control of the nation's territory, adding that the nation was being led by gangsters whose target is to loot the country's treasury for personal gain.

"We are no longer in control of our economy. We have to deal with the issue of security. Why do we have a security problem? Is very shameful. Is curating the effect of leadership failure over the years?

"I have to stop the bleeding.

You are going to borrow money but there had to be a law that all borrowed money will be for investment. We had to move from sharing formula to production formula.

"If we get it right and start borrowing for investment, that is where we start. When we start pulling people out of poverty. The more they pull people out of poverty, the more they reduce criminality.

"We need to start doing proper investment in security. Nigeria is lacking leadership. We have one situation where our system has been criminalised by gangsters who call themselves leaders and that is why we see desperation by people who want to run the government. It is remaining for us to carry gun and shoot people because we want to serve them", Obi added.

Earlier, Dr. Victoria Ekhomu,

spoke on the State of Insecurity in Nigeria, while Prof Oyelowo Oyewo and Ifiesimama Sekibo respectively spoke on "Restructuring and True Federalism in Nigeria" and "The Economy Nigeria Needs to Break Forth."

Peter Obi Group Flays Alleged Igbo Intimidation at Registration Centres Meanwhile, the Peter Obi Support Network (POSN) has condemned the alleged intimidation of people of south-east origin at some voter registration centres in Lagos State.

The group also described as unacceptable, the prevention of voters’ registration exercises in some parts of Imo State.

POSN stated these while reacting to series of viral videos of unbelievable intimidation of adults, who had peacefully attempted to contribute their civic quota to the democratic process of obtaining their PVCs. The group therefore called on security agencies, to collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to tame the ugly trend.

The POSN statement was signed by the spokesperson, Sani Saeed Altukry.

The group further implored INEC to distribute more equipment

and personnel to the allocated registration centres in Lagos State particularly and other states of the federation that require same urgent attention to effectively register all adults, who desire to exercise their civic rights in 2023 and beyond.

Part of the statement read: "We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the intimidation and violence evidently meted out to the people from the south-east origin resident in Lagos State, who went to exercise their fundamental rights of getting registered as voters to be eligible to perform their simple civic duty of voting during elections in Nigeria.

"Few weeks ago, similar incidents were reported about people being chased out of a registration centre in Imo State by those alleged to be armed bandits.

"These developments in our democratic polity are extremely worrying and should be of great concern to our security agencies.

"We commend INEC for establishing emergency registration centres in Enugu, Lagos and other locations, which has given eligible youths the opportunity to register while we continue to call for extension of the registration deadline beyond June 30 so as not to disenfranchise millions of eligible Nigerians who are willing to exercise their civic duties.”

JAMB Tackles ASUU President over Unfair Comment Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has knocked the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, over a statement credited to the latter on the issue of admission into higher education institutions in the country.

The Prof. Ishaq Oloyede-led JAMB, in a statement, said contrary to the erroneous belief of the ASUU President, the JAMB does not conduct admission for institutions but rather regulates the process.

The statement signed by the Head, Public Affairs and Protocol of JAMB, Dr. Fabian Benjamin

explained: “The attention of JAMB has been drawn to the ill-informed statement made by the rattled President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke.

"He betrayed his acute ignorance of the admission process into tertiary institutions in the country when he appeared on a programme of one of the radio stations in Abuja on Saturday, 11th June 2022.

“The ASUU President had made this unfortunate blunder in his laborious effort to curry favour with the public when he unimaginatively said, ‘…Admissions are being done by JAMB and sent to you. Vice-Chancellors don’t know how the admissions are done.’

It added: “It is highly repre-

hensible for an academic, albeit a researcher of such high standing, not to have the slightest idea of how candidates are admitted or to be ill-prepared for such a public forum. It is thus obvious that the problem bedeviling the educational sector is actually deeper than we had imagined.

“We challenge the Professor to present one Vice-Chancellor of University, Rector of Polytechnic or Provost of any college of education with even one candidate that has not been recommended by the institution but admitted in the last five years.

“The Board promises the Professor one million naira if he can substantiate his falsehood with even one proof.”

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NEWS

THUMBS UP FOR DEMOCRACY...

L-R: Minister of Special Duties, Sen George Akume; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, and Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, during Democracy Day celebration at the PHOTO: SUYNDAY AGHAEZE Eagle Square, Abuja…yesterday

Global GDP May Slump to 5%, Says Okonjo-Iweala, Harps on Multilateral Trade Oluchi Chibuzor The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has warned that real global gross domestic product (GDP) might fall to five percent if the world economy decouples into self-contained trading blocs.

In view of this, members were urged at the opening session of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, to demonstrate that the body could deliver for the international community and the people it serves.

She pointed out that the world was grappling with uncertainty and crises on multiple fronts.

In her opening speech to the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12), Okonjo-Iweala stressed that over the next few days members would, “have a chance to show the world that the WTO can step up to the plate.”

She said striking agreements in Geneva, “will enhance the ability of all members to respond to people's aspirations at home

— aspirations for food, for health, for security, for better jobs, higher living standards, and a sustainable environment on land, in the oceans, and in our atmosphere.”

While stressing the value of the multilateral trading system as a global public good which over the past 75 years had delivered more prosperity than every international economic order that came before it, Okonjo-Iweala noted that at a time when the multilateral system was seemingly fragile, “This is the time to invest in it, not to retreat; this is the time to summon the much-needed political will to show that the WTO can be part of the solution to the multiple crises of the global commons we face.

Now, more than ever, the world needs WTO members to come together and deliver.”

Citing WTO economists' estimates of real global GDP lowering by about five per cent if the world economy decouples into self-contained trading blocs, Okonjo-Iweala noted the substantial costs for governments and constituents in a scenario where

MultiChoice Appoints Ayo Ajala as Chief Operating Officer MultiChoice Nigeria has appointed Ayo Ajala as the Chief Operating Officer of the company.

Prior to his appointment, he worked in the Human Resources department from 2004 and became the head in 2012, where he championed the robust transformation of the Finance, Customer Value Management (CVM) and Sales divisions, amongst others, and built a strong talent bench in MultiChoice Nigeria.

A statement yesterday explained that as the Chief Operating Officer for MultiChoice Nigeria, “he would oversee customer functions and the business operations of the Nigeria business and ensure that processes and systems are sufficiently robust to support the company's growth.”

“A self-proclaimed people champion, Ajala’s knack for understanding people and focusing their strengths where is most suitable, is a critical aspect of his success story, even as he continued to gain cogent and extensive experience in Human Resource Management in

particular and the multi-dimensional requirements of business operations on a wider spectrum.

“Ajala rose to become Regional HRBP (Nigeria, West & Central Africa) in 2016, and in 2018, was the HR Director, MultiChoice Nigeria.

By 2019, he had demonstrated extensive track record in leading and molding people and consequently, rose to become the Group Executive Head, HR, MultiChoice Africa Holdings (MAH).

“He holds a bachelor's degree in Engineering from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, an MBA from the University of Sunderland and a certificate in Human Resources Development from the Edinburgh Business School,” it added.

He also completed the Vision Achievement Program with the Pacific Institute and the Harvard Business Program with Naspers Group and recently completed the Senior Leadership Program at the Duke Business School (Fuqua School of Business)

WTO members are unable to deliver results and where they allow, or even embrace, economic and regulatory fragmentation.

“To put this in perspective, the financial crisis of 2008-09 is estimated to have lowered rich countries' long-run potential output by 3.5 per cent. And the five per cent estimate represents just the start of the economic damage.

Additional losses would come from reduced scale economies, transition costs for businesses and workers, disorderly resource allocation, and financial distress,” she stated.

She maintained also that trade decoupling would entrench the development setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, making it much harder for poor countries to catch up with richer ones.

“This would be a world of

diminished opportunities, even greater political anger and social unrest, and intense migratory pressures as people leave in search of better lives elsewhere."

Okonjo-Iweala urged members to avoid allowing geopolitical tensions to spill over into the work at the WTO as the consequences for the multilateral trading system would be severe.

She expressed optimism that, “with the requisite political will, we can tackle the negotiations in front of us, endorse the declarations, and take the decisions that will show the world that the WTO is part of the solution to the world's pressing problems.”

Various thematic sessions would take place during the Ministerial Conference to respond to ongoing emergencies, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic and the

food crisis, she said.

Ministers would also have the opportunity to engage in other thematic sessions on fisheries, agriculture, WTO reform, and the e-commerce work programme and moratorium.

However, speaking at the sideline of the conference at WTO-International Trade Centre (ITC) joint event titled “Unlocking Trade for Women’s Empowerment and Sustainable Development”, the former Nigeria minister of finance said WTO members must step up work to ensure that trade and trade rules better serve women amid disruptions posed by multiple crises.

“We need to deepen and diversify supply networks and bring more countries and communities from the economic margins to the mainstream. In

this process, which I think of as re-globalization, women have to be at the centre,” DG Okonjo-Iweala said in her opening remarks at the event.

She believed that, “Unlocking trade for women's empowerment and sustainable development is not just the right thing to do. It's an economic issue. It's a social issue. It is the key issue,” noting potential increases in global output, wages and employment when the gender divide is addressed.

“A strong and effective WTO is critical for these women, which is one more reason why delivering results at MC12 this week is so important. We want to make sure that people know that the WTO is about people. It's not only about rules — it's about rules that help people,” she said.

Court Orders Lagos, Sanwo-Olu to Account for N10bn COVID-19 Funds Wale Igbintade A Federal High Court, in Lagos has granted an order of mandamus compelling Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State government to immediately provide information on breakdown of expenses and expenditures on the N10 billion COVID-19 Intervention Funds released to the State by the Federal government.

Justice Tijjani Ringim made the order while delivering ruling in an ex parte application with a verifying affidavit in support deposed to by an Executive Director of Coalition for Good Governance in Nigeria, Olukoya Ogungbeje, but argued by and moved by Michael Ogunjobi.

The court further declared that the refusal of the governor and the Lagos State government to furnish the applicant with necessary information on the breakdown of expenses and expenditures on the N10 billion COVID-19 Intervention Funds released to them by the federal government of Nigeria and other sundry donations without a written notice to the applicant was a flagrant violation of the provisions of the Freedom of information Act. The judge also gave an order convicting Sanwo-Olu and the state government, as defaulting officers to pay the fine of N10 million, for wrongful denial of access to information to the lawyer.

The court however ordered the applicant, Olukoya Ogungbeje to file a written undertaking as to cost in the event that it turns out that the orders granted above ought not to have been granted.

The applicant had made the request in a suit marked FHC/ CS/L/1082/2020, brought pursuant to Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 7(4)(5) and 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011; Order 34 Rules 1, 2, 3, 4 of Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules and under the Inherent jurisdiction of the court.

In a verifying affidavit in support of the application, he stated that sometimes between December 2019 and February 2020, the COVID-19 engulfed and plagued several countries including Nigeria, and that concerted and commendable efforts were made by governments of many countries including the Federal Government of Nigeria to stem the tide of COVID-19 killer virus.

The applicant stated that on account of the above, sometimes in March 2020, the federal government of Nigeria released the sum of N10 billion to the first and second respondents in a bid to provide palliatives and to fight the Corona virus pandemic in Lagos State.

He stated that other sundry donations were also made by corporate organisations and wellmeaning individuals to the first

and second respondents in a bid to provide palliative for residents of Lagos State as part of the measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the State.

Ogungbeje stated that on July 13, 2020, Doctors in Lagos State under the auspices of Medical Guild embarked on a warning strike based on issues ranging from non-payment of allowances, welfare packages and other sundry issues in connection with services rendered in relation to the COVID-19 incidence.

He added that during the strike embarked upon by doctors in Lagos State, a number of Nigerian Citizens resident in Lagos including himself found it difficult to access government-owned hospitals in Lagos State.

The applicant further stated that palliatives distributed by the first and second respondents to residents of Lagos State were grossly insufficient and inadequate to justify the huge intervention funds released to them by the federal government of Nigeria and corporate organisations.

He further stated that as a result of the above, he wrote a request application dated July 17, 2020 to the first and second respondents, demanding for information and breakdown on how the N10 billion COVID-19 Intervention funds was spent.

The applicant stated that the

respondents bluntly refused and failed to furnish him with information he required.

He averred that since July 27, 2020 till date the respondents have failed to comply with his demand application as provided in the Freedom of Information Act, and submitted that they have wilfully breached and flouted the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. He stated that the respondents also refused and neglected to carry out their official and statutory responsibilities in the spirit of accountability and transparency on the matter despite his request application to that effect.

He stated that the respondents being public officials in position of public trust were under obligation under the law to oblige him with the information as requested and give a written reason for denial if any.

He also stated that he filed the application to seek legal redress on account of the respondents’ refusal to oblige and provide information on the expenses, expenditures and or spending on the COVID-19 intervention funds received by them.

The lawyer stated that he approached the court to seek redress on the wrongful act and illegal action of the respondents in the spirit of accountability, transparency and good governance and that it would serve the interest of justice to grant his application.

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NEWS

20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION...

L-R: Former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel; Elepe of Epe-Sagamu, Oba Adewale Osiberu; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, during the 20 years celebration anniversary of the monarch in Sagamu... yesterday

Local Content: NCDMB, NAICOM Unveil Insurance Services Guidelines for Oil Industry Peter Uzoho The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) have signed insurance services guideline which would oblige the oil and gas industry to patronise local

insurance operators in order to stimulate economic activities.

The guidelines would also address loopholes that had been identified while implementing the provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, particularly sections 49 and 50,

which deals with insurance of oil and gas activities.

The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote, and the Commissioner for Insurance, NAICOM, Mr. Sunday Thomas, signed the guidelines recently on behalf of their organisations in Yenagoa.

In his remarks, Wabote stated

that the provisions of sections 49 and 50 of the NOGICD Act require all operators engaged in any form of activity or project in the oil and gas industry to insure all insurable risks related to its oil and gas business with an insurance company, through an insurance broker registered in Nigeria.

APC Has Collapsed Every Aspect of Nigeria, Atiku Laments, Urges Nigerians to Vote Out Ruling Party The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has called on Nigerians to, “collapse the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)” in the 2023 general elections by voting the party out, saying the APC has “collapsed the state of our nation.”

In series of Tweets yesterday via his official handle, Atiku lamented the collapse of the national grid.

The national electricity grid in Nigeria had collapsed on Sunday, even as a handful of power Distribution Companies (Discos) apologised to the customers in their various franchise areas.

Owing to this, Atiku, who

argued that other sectors in the economy had also collapsed, called on Nigerians to vote out the APC. “The darkness that has enveloped the nation in the last couple of days with the collapse of the national grid is a metaphor for the collapsing state of our nation: collapsing unity, collapsing security, collapsing economy, collapsing education, collapsing well-being and collapsing value of human life and dignity.

“My expectation is that Nigerians will collapse the ruling APC in kind via the ballot and enthrone a viable pathway for the New Nigeria of our dreams that will be united and stable, prosperous and awash with opportunities; secured and inclusive.

As One, we can get it done.”

Power distributors across the country, including the Eko, Kaduna and Abuja companies in messages sent to consumers, had said they had not been able to receive bulk electricity from the national suppliers.

THISDAY reported that the latest incident was about the fourth publicly announced collapse in recent times and occurred at about 6.49pm on Sunday, throwing the nation into total darkness.

The Abuja Disco which oversees Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states, had appealed to its customers for understanding as it was working with stakeholders to fix the problem.

“Please be informed that the

current power outage is due to a system failure from the national grid. The system collapsed at about 6.49 pm today 12th June, 2022, causing the outage currently being experienced.

“We appeal for your understanding as all stakeholders are working hard to restore normal supply,” it had stated.

On its part, Kaduna Disco also attributed the blackout to lack of supply, assuring its customers that power would be restored as soon as possible.

Also, Eko Disco had stated that it regretted the inconvenience to its customers, asking them to bear with the company as the issues were being sorted out.

Equity Demands Presidency Goes Back North in 2023, Says PDP Chieftain Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and founding member of the party, Chief Ejiofor Onyia has argued that equity and justice required that the position of president goes back to northern Nigeria in 2023.

Onyia argued that southern Nigeria had occupied the presidency longer than north since the restoration of democratic rule in 1999, saying it does not defy logic nor amount to perpetuating a section of the country to ask that a northern element should succeed President Muhammadu Buhari next year.

While lamenting that the precarious situation the country found itself today under the Buhari’s administration, especially in the area of insecurity, would have been avoided if former President Goodluck Jonathan had not insisted on contesting the presidency in 2015, thereby giving room for the

then opposition party to dislodge the PDP at the centre.

Specifically, Onyia who is a former governorship aspirant in Delta State, told THISDAY that Jonathan gifted Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) the presidency in 2015 and should take the blame for the sorry state of the nation.

He stressed that the president the country needs today was an experienced and truly patriotic hand who would be able to stamp his authority firmly in the land, particularly in the insecurity-torn north, so as to pull Nigeria back from the precipice because the situation is very dicey presently.

Onyia said it was against this backdrop that he had advised the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, to rethink his decision to quit the PDP in order to have a shot at the presidency on the platform of another party, saying that Obi, who was the running mate to Atiku Abubakar in

2019, could not salvage the country as it is today. He alleged that the Buhari’s administration has grievously messed up the country especially the poor handling of security in the north.

Specifically, Onyia pointed out that although a bright presidential prospect, Obi might be overwhelmed and consumed by the high level of insecurity in the country today if elected president.

The best bet would be for the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to pick an Igbo or someone from the south-east geopolitical zone as his running mate and then make Peter Obi the Finance and Economic Planning Minister preparatory to the eventual emergence of a president of Igbo or south-east extraction, he argued.

On the possible choice of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as running mate to the PDP presidential candidate, Onyia said although he was eminently qualified as

an Anioma of Igbo descent, his choice might be hinged on his acceptance by leaders of the South-east geopolitical zone simply because Delta State falls within the south-south zone.

Onyia said that he would wish for a credible technocrat with strong local and international connections, someone according to him who is like Ngozi OkonjoIweala, as vice-president in an Atiku Abubakar-led government.

According to him, such arrangements would enable the president to focus more on fixing the serious security challenges while the vicepresident would help tie up the loose ends of the economy.

Onyia, who once served in the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), also faulted claims by the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the role he played in the formation of the defunct Action Congress which later became the Action Congress of Nigeria.

He stressed further that the Act provides that where an operator seeks to place an insurable risk offshore, a written approval of NAICOM must first be sought and obtained and that NAICOM before the issuance of the approval must ascertain that local capacity has been fully exhausted.

Wabote reiterated that the insurance guideline would strengthen the board’s local content drive and ensure that a greater portion of the spend in the insurance industry as it relates to oil and gas activities in Nigeria was retained in-country.

“The insurance guideline being launched today was developed by the two regulatory bodies to ensure that government’s intention of promoting insurance services within the country is achieved so as to capture significant financial spend under oil and gas insurance services in country," Wabote said.

The NCDMB chief also said the collaboration between the board and NAICOM would further ensure the successful implementation of the Insurance Guidelines and every other activity that would lead to the attainment of the objectives of

the NOGICD Act, 2010 as well as 70 percent Nigerian Content by 2027 under the board’s 10-Year Strategic Roadmap.

He added that other details of the guidelines would be released at the Nigerian Content Seminar at the 2022 Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference scheduled for July 2022.

In his comments, Thomas, charged all stakeholders engaged in any form of business, operations or contract in the Nigerian oil and gas industry to ensure compliance with the relevant laws and compliance with the insurance guidelines.

He expressed optimism that the partnership between NCDMB and NAICOM would realise the benefits of increased local content, in-country value retention, job creation and employment generation and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth amongst other.

While appreciating the efforts of the NCDMB, the NAICOM commissioner pledged his agency’s commitment to create an enabling environment that would consistently enhance increased capacity of the Insurance Institutions both financially and technically.

Insecurity: Anambra Community Declares 'Operation Know Your Tenants' David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Uke community of Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State has commenced what it termed, 'operation know your tenants'.

This came on the heels of the fight against criminal gangs in the state, especially as it was believed that some of the criminal elements in the state were non-natives.

In a statement by the Publicity Secretary of Uke Development Union (UDU), Mr. Ubaka Onwuanibe, which was made available to journalists in Awka, the community said it was now compulsory for all houses, shops, land owners to ensure the identity and occupation of those they rent their houses, shops or landed property to.

Onwuanibe said: "It is with every sense of responsibility that UDU Executive Council reassures of total commitment to ensuring safety and security of life and property in Ukeland.

"It is also imperative to sound a serious note of warning to every household in Ukeland to be very

mindful of strangers being admitted and accepted as tenants in their shops, stores, houses and compounds.

"In no distant time, format of such admittance and accommodation shall be made available to all village chairmen and strict adherence to the guidelines therein is expected.

"It is pertinent at this juncture to remind ourselves again of the need for all hands to be on deck in everything concerning security in Ukeland."

While speaking about the recent kidnap and rescue of an indigene, Mr. Chukwudiebube Okeakpu Modu, the UDU leadership thanked its president general, Mr. Peter Chukwunweike and the monarch of the community, HRH Charles Chuma Agbala, for the synergy that moved security agents to act promptly.

"The effective working relationship and support from the Police and DSS authorities at Ogidi made it possible to unravel the seemingly mysterious circumstance surrounding the incident," Onwuanibe said.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 14, 2022

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POLITICS

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

Legislative Business in Low Ebb As National Assembly Resumes Today The business of lawmaking and other statutory functions of the National Assembly members who are resuming for a fresh legislative session today might suffer a great deal as the federal legislators are set to tackle issues that would affect the running of their chambers, and personal political interests, reports Sunday Aborisade

Omo-Agege

Abaribe

Yahaya Abdullahi

Wase

T

he Senate adjourned plenary on Wednesday, April 26 to June 7, to enable the senators to participate fin the Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship, and State Houses of Assembly primaries.

The outgoing Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) moved the motion for adjournment and was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Shuaibu Lau (Taraba North).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had in a Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Elections released on 26th February, 2022, directed political parties to conduct their primaries for the nomination of candidates from the 4th April to 3rd of June, 2022.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, before the close of plenary on April 26, explained that the decision to adjourn plenary was to enable the lawmakers, to participate fully in activities and processes leading to the conduct of party primaries for the various elective positions ahead of the 2023 general elections.

He had said, “Processing of forms for House of Representatives and Senate has started and we are expected to submit our completed forms on Friday, April 29.

“We have some of our colleagues here who are going for governorship seats of their states.

“It is very important that we participate in the process that affects us directly, as well as those that do not affect us directly - that is the State Houses of Assembly, Governorship and Presidential.

“Consequently, we have to adjourn to enable us to participate fully in all these activities because we are supposed to be active participants. So, I wish all of us the best of luck.

“For the Presidential candidates, we are four (who are contesting) and we pray that one of

us will emerge as the candidate of the ruling party.”

The federal parliament could not resume on June 3 following the extension granted the political parties to conclude their primary elections. Hence the management of the legislative institution fixed a fresh resumption for June 13.

However, with the conclusion of the primary election by the political parties, some principal officers and ranking lawmakers who failed to pick the tickets of their political parties had to defect to other parties thereby, automatically losing their positions in the chambers.

For instance, the Senate would resume legislative activities this morning without the Majority Leader and his counterpart in the Minority caucus.

The Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi

who was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress and the Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, also elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, had both defected.

Abdullahi, who is representing the Kebbi North Senatorial District had joined the PDP while Abaribe representing Abia South, also defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Abdullahi and Abaribe jumped ship following their inability to secure the governorship tickets of their former parties.

While Abdullahi is expected to return to the Senate as a PDP member, Abaribe would henceforth be the only member of APGA in the red chamber.

The development has automatically made the two principal officers to lose their positions.

Members of the APC and PDP caucuses are therefore expected to nominate their replacements to their respective parties immediately.

The leadership of their parties would then write the red chamber about their preferred

Abdullahi and Abaribe jumped ship following their inability to secure the governorship tickets of their former parties.

While Abdullahi is expected to return to the Senate as a PDP member, Abaribe would henceforth be the only member of APGA in the red chamber. The development has automatically made the two principal officers to lose their positions. Members of the APC and PDP caucuses are therefore expected to nominate their replacements to their respective parties immediately.

The leadership of their parties would then write the red chamber about their preferred choices.

choices.

The Deputy Senate Leader, Professor Ajayi Boroffice, to automatically assume the position of his former boss but this would not be possible because of the existing zoning arrangements in the upper chamber.

The same zoning arrangement affected the office of the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Shuaibu Lau from Taraba North.

He would have assumed the position of the Minority Leader but for the geopolitical zoning.

The permutations have however, thrown up the consideration of Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, from Kebbi South, as Abdullahi’s replacement.

Similarly, Senator Uche Ekwunife, a ranking lawmaker from Anambra Central, is being considered as a replacement for Abaribe.

It is therefore expected that the leadership of the APC and PDP would formally write the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, this week on the matter while Boroffice and Lau would step into the positions in acting capacities.

The Senate President and his deputy, Ovie Omo-Agege are expected to be extremely engaged with their ambitions as they settle down for legislative businesses today.

Lawan who lost his bid to become the presidential candidate of the APC to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is also said to be eying either the senatorial ticket of his constituency or be be considered as the running mate to Tinubu.

Omo-Agege on the other hand, is vigorously campaigning to be the governor of Delta State, having secured his party’s ticket in the just concluded APC primaries.

The same thing would also affect other members who are chairmen of the various committees.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 14, 2022

POLITICS

As FG Marks 2022 Democracy Day with Glamour...

Deji Elumoye writes that the Federal Government rolled out the drums to celebrate 2022 Democracy Day In Abuja

L-R: Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig Gen Mohammed Takuti Usman; House Speaker, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan; FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello; President Muhammadu Buhari (sitting); APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad; SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha; Former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Minister of Defence, Brig Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd) during Democracy Day Celebration at the Eagle Square, Abuja PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE

I

n 2018, the federal government took a decisive step to move Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12. The government had stated then that it took that step as a mark of honour for Bashorun M.K.O Abiola whose election as President on June 12, 1993 was annulled by the military. Abiola was thereafter given post humous award while government pronounced that June 12 of every year will now be celebrated as Democracy Day. 2022 was not an exception as Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, last week reeled out various programmes lined up by the Federal Government to mark the 2022 Democracy Day in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The activities included Jumat service on Friday at the Abuja Central mosque which was attended by President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan and the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), among other top dignitaries.

On Sunday, which was June 12, which was the Democracy Day saw President Muhammadu Buhari addressing the nation as early as 7am to commemorate the day which was the 29th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by late business mogul, Bashorun M K O Abiola but annulled by the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.

During the 11-minute broadcast, the President talked about the forthcoming 2023 general elections and promised a credible and fair elections in the country.

He also said this year’s Democracy Day will be the last to be celebrated by him as President saying by next June, a new President would have taken over from him.

His words: “Fellow Nigerians this is my last Democracy Day speech as your President. By June 12th, 2023, exactly one year from today, you will already have a new President. I remain committed and determined to ensure that the new President is elected through a peaceful and transparent process.

“It is important for all of us to remember that June 12th, 2023 will be exactly 30 years from the 1993 Presidential elections. In honour and memory of one of our national heroes for democracy, Chief M.K.O Abiola, GCFR, we must all work together to ensure this transition is done in a peaceful manner. I am hopeful that

we can achieve this. The signs so far are positive.”

The President also charged Nigerians, especially those who would be involved in electoral campaigns, to ensure that the process is sustained in maturity, devoid of the ‘do-or-die’ spirit.

While assuring Nigerians that his successor will emerge through a peaceful and transparent process, he, however, charged politicians and their followers to run their campaigns with a high sense of maturity and dignity, which had been sustained throughout the various parties’ primaries.

He said: “As we move into the general election campaign season, we must sustain this mature attitude to campaigning and ultimately, voting. We must never see it as a ‘do or die’ affair. We must all remember democracy is about the will of the majority.

There must be winners and losers.

“I will therefore take this opportunity on this very special day to ask all candidates to continue running issue-focused campaigns and to treat opponents with dig-

nity. As leaders, you must all showcase high character and never forget that the world is watching us and Africa looks up to Nigeria to provide example in governance. The tone you set at the top will surely be replicated in your followers.

“For the voters, I am pleased to inform you that in the last sevenyears, our government across all tiers, has made significant investments to reform and enhance our electoral laws, systems, and processes to safeguard your votes”.

President Buhari did not fail to comment on the security challenges facing the nation and assured that everything was being done to tackle the problem.

He said: “I know many of us are concerned with the rise in insecurity due to terrorist activities in parts of the country. As a government, we are working hard to contain and address these challenges. And ensure that the 2023 general elections are safe and secure for all Nigerians.

“To achieve this however, we must all contribute. It is not the job of government alone. I ask all citizens to support and cooperate with our security agencies by reporting any suspicious characters and activities to law enforcement agencies. We can only have a safe country if we are able to prevent crime not after the crime has been committed”.

That same Sunday, a church service was

The ceremony featured performances by the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Police. The Nigerian Army Female Corps also performed a combat display followed by traditional dance performance from the six geo-political zones.

The President, who was the Special Guest of Honour, inspected the guards, and was followed by a military/ police march past in slow and quick time. To round off the ceremony, there was a combined silent drill display by the armed forces and police, a playlet performance before the advancing of the parade in review order.

held in Abuja which had in attendance the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha who stood in for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was away on official assignment to Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Samson Ayokunle.

Osinbajo in a message read on his behalf during the church service by SGF charged Nigerians to embrace democracy with a view to strengthening national unity and building social cohesion.

The Vice President declared that “democracy works because the values of justice, equality, fairness and inclusion, which underpin democratic governance, are also at the heart of our Christian faith” According to him, “Democracy works, all the more so in a heterogeneous union like ours, through negotiations and compromises carried out in good faith. And each year brings us closer to a more perfect union, a more mature democracy.

He said the commemoration provides “opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a people. It invites sobriety and gratitude” “It allows us to remember the decades characterized by a lack of freedom, suspicion and uncertainty, and calls to mind the prayers, faith and courageous actions that brought us to a turning point in 1999, one accompanied by hope and promise”.

The Democracy Day celebration was rounded off on Monday, June 13 which was a public holiday to mark the event with President Buhari inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

The ceremony featured performances by the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Police.

The Nigerian Army Female Corps also performed a combat display followed by traditional dance performance from the six geo-political zones.

The President, who was the Special Guest of Honour, inspected the guards, and was followed by a military/police march past in slow and quick time.

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

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

2023 CAMPAIGN WATCH SAMUEL AJAYI

E-mail: yemielegance@gmail.com

Mobile: 08033083367

L–R: President Muhammadu Buhari, winner of the APC 2023 presidential primary, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu

Tinubu’s Dilemma of Choosing Running Mate

A

fter an acrimonious battle that left virtually all the contenders politically bruised and financially drained, the All Progressives Congress, APC, finally held its presidential primaries last week and former governor of Lagos State and the self-proclaimed National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, picked the ticket.

For the APC, it was the night of the long knives in Abuja as the aspirants tried to outdo and outspend each other.

The party leadership too was not left out in the massive intrigues that accompanied the exercise. To the shock of the aspirants, especially those from the South who felt the ticket should come to one of them, the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, had announced the name of the current Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, as the consensus candidate. It was a big shock to the aspirants.

But it was just part of the bigger plot to not only stop Tinubu but for the powers that be in the presidency to keep the ticket in the North. These powers included the cabal in the presidency who did not want Osinbajo over his handling of certain state matters when he held fort for Buhari during his numerous medical trips abroad.

Adamu was said to have met with other party executives who vehemently refused to toe his line. They not only refused to buy into the Lawan plot, they reached to northern governors who quickly met and agreed that the ticket must go to the South. After their meeting, they were said to have headed to the presidential villa to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari so they could present their position to him. However, sensing that they might not be able to see the president on time, they leaked their signed communiqué to the media and it was to the effect that they would want the party’s presidential ticket to go to the South.

Sources told THISDAY that the northern governors had the support of the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, who was also said to be rooting for one of the southern aspirants. When the Lawan kite would not fly, and the aspirants, especially Tinubu, would not accede to the idea of consensus, the decision was finally taken that that every aspirant would have to test his popularity with the delegates. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was said to have spent hours with the President, who reportedly told him at the last minute that he would have to go for voting like other aspirants.

However, northern governors’ rooting for a southern standard-bearer was not all for altruistic reasons as now the scheming to be running mate to Tinubu has started in earnest and the thorny issue of religion has reared its

Peter Obi (middle) with members of Labour Party ugly head yet again. Tinubu who picked the ticket is from the South but he is a Muslim. It is still fresh in our memory that he himself lost the battle to be Buhari’s running mate in 2015 because the leaders of the party thought, and correctly so, that a Muslim-Muslim ticket could never go down well with voters from the southern

part of the country. Now, the party is back to where it was in 2015: the possibility of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

The dilemma of Candidate Tinubu is that most of the northern governors who supported him want to be his running mate.

Leading the battle for the vice-presidential slot is the current governor of Kaduna

“I don’t think we should be looking at religion.

We want to develop this country. When I get onto a plane, I don’t ask the religion of the pilot. When I go to the hospital, I don’t ask for the doctor’s religion. I just want to get well. I just want to get to my destination when on an aircraft. The way the media and many irresponsible people try to inject religion into politics and governance is sad and pathetic and will not take us anywhere.”

State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. Not left out is the governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, and his Jigawa State counterpart, Mohammed Badaru.

And suddenly, El-Rufai has realised that religion should not be an issue whenever the nation is looking for leaders and he also blamed the media for playing up the issue of religion too much. Hear him: I don’t think we should be looking at religion.

We want to develop this country. When I get onto a plane, I don’t ask the religion of the pilot. When I go to the hospital, I don’t ask for the doctor’s religion. I just want to get well. I just want to get to my destination when on an aircraft. The way the media and many irresponsible people try to inject religion into politics and governance is sad and pathetic and will not take us anywhere.”

Yet, El-Rufai was one of those who felt a Muslim-Muslim ticket would not fly for the APC in 2015.

To demonstrate the extremes of position this issue of Tinubu’s running mate has created in the North, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal, said Tinubu should not listen to those who said a Muslim-Muslim ticket is no big deal.

“I have lived among the Christians and I know that among the Christians, the question

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022

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2023 CAMPAIGN WATCH

Staying Close With 2023

L–R: Biodun Oyebanji, Bisi Kolawole and Segun Oni of a Muslim-Muslim ticket is a no-go area.

It is dead on arrival. Buhari himself, even at that time, had to drop this present presidential candidate (Tinubu) because of the tension of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. And we have not seen anything in the country that has changed significantly to allow that to happen.

On the contrary, it has worsened. The religious divide has increased. Tribal divisions have increased. Regional divisions have increased.

So, it would be a good thing if APC would settle for a Muslim-Christian ticket because we know (that the) PDP, that is what they would do.”

Reports have it that Tinubu would pick his running mate tomorrow with Kano governor, Ganduje, Kebbi governor, Bagudu, and former Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, being front runners. They are all Muslims. If Tinubu picks any of them, then he will have a lot of explanation to do for his southern Christian supporters. That is for sure.

Ekiti 2022: As APC and SDP Biker, PDP’s Implosion Haunts Fayose

This weekend, June 18 precisely, the governorship election in Ekiti will be held.

It is going to be a three-horse race between former Governor Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Bisi Kolawole, of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The peaceful atmosphere that has characterised the campaign was shattered by the violence that occurred in Itaji-Ekiti, in Oye Local Government area of the state last Saturday. Itaji is just a few kilometres from Isan-Ekiti, the hometown of the outgoing governor, Kayode Fayemi. Trouble started when some members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, were going for a rally in support of APC’s Oyebanji and they ran into a rally being organised by SDP members in support of Segun Oni. By the time the dust cleared, at least, one person had been confirmed dead.

The violence continued in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday before military officers, who were deployed to the state ahead of the election, nipped it in the bud.

From all indications, the APC seems to have resolved the acrimony that greeted the emergence of Biodun Oyebanji. He was the anointed candidate of Governor Fayemi and the conduct of the primaries, which many admitted fell short of required standards, generated a lot of bad blood within the party. Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who contested the ticket with Oyebanji expressed his displeasure but chose not to go to court nor leave the party.

He had since picked the senatorial ticket of the party for Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

The party, for reasons best known to Governor Fayemi and some of his henchmen, did not give tickets to over 20 serving members of the state House of Assembly who were elected on the platform of the APC. In fact, only one House of Representatives member would be returning. Sources said it was part of the plan to ensure that Fayemi retains control over the party and its structure after he might have left office.

As it stands, the battle would be between APC’s Oyebanji and SDP’s Segun Oni. Oni has gained a lot of ground and those who are rooting for him are mainly PDP members who felt Fayose cheated him out of the ticket and joined him when he ported to SDP. And the way it is, Fayose seems to be comfortable being just a partaker in the election of June 18.

Governor Gboyega Oyetola (left) and Ademola Adeleke

Analysts and political watchers in the state believe that Fayose’s determination to have full control over the party has not really helped the party in the build-up to the election. For instance, Senator Biodun Olujimi, the most senior member of the party holding an elective position, is not on the same page with Fayose who usually claims he is the father of the party in the state.

For instance, former deputy governor, Professor Olusola Eleka, withdrew from the race for the PDP ticket for the Ekiti South Senatorial seat; claiming that after Fayose had endorsed him and raised up his hand, he also encouraged another contestant from his (Eleka’s) hometown of Ikere-Ekiti to obtain form for the same senatorial seat.

In Ekiti Central Federal Constituency I, Fayose’s son, Rogba, picked the party’s ticket while his former media aide, Lere Olayinka, picked the ticket for Ekiti Central Constituency II. Rumours making the rounds then indicated that the ticket Rogba got might be withdrawn and given to one Alhaji Ajijola who had already picked the party’s ticket for Ekiti Central Senatorial District. The plan then was that since Fayose was never in reckoning for the PDP presidential ticket (he obtained the form), he could exploit the option of candidate substitution in July and take the ticket from Ajijola and give him the House of Representatives ticket which his son, Rogba, is currently holding.

Though this has not happened yet.

Fayose, from all indications, does not want to lose a fraction of the control of the party in the state. He always wants to be the reference point of the party in the state and this has ostracised so many party leaders in the state.

“If you are not in Fayose’s camp in the state, then you cannot get anything.

He runs the party like a personal estate.

Even during exco meetings, he simply gives orders. That is why I am afraid for my party ahead of the governorship election,” Olusola Arogbodo, a staunch member of the party in the state, told THISDAY on phone. Arogbodo, who recently resigned as a member of the party’s governorship campaign council in the state, said he doubts if any state branch of the party is managed the way Fayose manages PDP in Ekiti.

As the election draws closer, perhaps, Fayose will pull through against the odds and help the party back to power in the state. But from all indications, he does not only have the APC to beat, but

also internal implosions with the PDP to deal with.

Obi’s Labour Party Challenge is Headache for PDP

Shortly before the presidential primaries of the People’s Democratic Party, former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and arguably the strongest Southeast contender for the ticket, decamped from the PDP citing massive monetisation of the exercise and vowing not to be part of what he described as a charade.

Almost immediately, Obi moved to the Labour Party and after some furore last week, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has confirmed Obi as the presidential candidate of the party.

Even the staunchest of PDP supporters cannot deny the fact that the Obi presidential challenge is going to be a nightmare for the party. In the first instance, ethnic emotions have gone so high since Obi moved to the Labour party and picked the party’s ticket. Many Igbo have been thronging centres where Permanent Voter Card, PVC, is being obtained to either renew or get theirs. In fact, some churches are said to be using it as a criterion to be allowed to participate in church activities.

On social media, Obi is gaining a lot of support, especially among young Nigerians who seem to be tired of APC and PDP. Many of them have vowed that they would rather ‘waste’ their votes on Obi than voting either Atiku or Tinubu of PDP and APC respectively. The movement seems to have become bigger than Obi himself and that is where PDP must be naturally worried.

Since 1999, the PDP has always taken votes from the Southeast for granted. The zone has never failed to vote for the party massively. Since 2015, the ruling APC has not been able to make inroads into the zone. In fact, the two governors from the zone who are on the APC platform did not come via popular elections. Governor Dave Umahi of Abia State was elected on the platform of the PDP but later decamped to the APC. Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo State was a product of a Supreme Court pronouncement. The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has been winning Anambra State in the last three governorship elections while Enugu and Ebonyi States are firmly with PDP. However, if Obi maintains the momentum, then PDP might be in trouble in the Southeast. From all indications, votes from the zone might be shared this time, with Obi taking a larger chunk

“On social media, Obi is gaining a lot of support, especially among young Nigerians who seem to be tired of APC and PDP. Many of them have vowed that they would rather ‘waste’ their votes on Obi than voting either Atiku or Tinubu of PDP and APC respectively.

The movement seems to have become bigger than Obi himself and that is where PDP must be naturally worried.”

of it, leaving the PDP scrambling for votes from other zones.

In the Southwest, traditional PDP supporters, especially the younger ones, are rooting for Obi. And that is another bad news for the PDP. Many of those who have steadfastly stood with the PDP are now moving with the Obi political train with many of them claiming that their support for Atiku in 2019 was because he picked Obi as his running mate.

Can Obi win the election? That is not likely but he will surely play the role of a spoiler for the PDP. This seems to be the most likely scenario and the greatest beneficiary would be a certain former Lagos State governor who picked the APC presidential ticket last week.

Osun 2022: Will Adeleke Pull Through This Time?

Even President Muhammadu Buhari, perhaps in a moment of faux pas, admitted that his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, did not win the 2018 governorship election in Osun State. He said the party had to use “remote control” to win the election which produced the incumbent, Adegboyega Oyetola, as the governor.

The election was practically done and dusted and the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Senator Ademola Adeleke, was coasting home to victory until the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared the election as being inconclusive and ordered a by-election in Ile-Ife. In fact, in less than four Wards. With intimidation that had arguably never been seen in the state, the ruling APC was able to pull through and Oyetola of the APC polled 254,698 to Adeleke’s 254,354 votes.

On July 16 this year, Oyetola would attempt to renew his mandate. That he has performed beyond average is practically not debatable; especially in the area of workers’ welfare and recalibration of the state’s education system which the former governor, Rauf Aregbesola, nearly ran aground due to his strange policies and actions. Oyetola has also discharged himself well in the area of industrialisation and engendering social harmony.

Beyond all these, however, the ghost of the electoral abracadabra that brought him to office in 2018 has refused to rest. And now that Adeleke has picked the PDP ticket again, it is a case of deja vu. There were questions over Adeleke’s eligibility but this has been settled by the courts and now, the stage is set for the election.

Ahead of the election, Oyetola and his estranged former boss, Aregbesola, seem to have made up while some Yoruba leaders were said to have weighed in on the acrimony between Aregbesola and his own former principal, Bola Tinubu, who Aregbesola took to the cleaner’s in a viral video. Aregbesola’s candidate for the party’s ticket, Lasun Yusuf, was trounced in the primary election and Aregbesola felt Tinubu was behind it. However, at least on the surface, the two have made up.

However, that might not translate into electoral victory for the party going by internal intrigues that might still be playing out beneath the surface. Adeleke has public sympathy no doubt but it remains to be seen if the sympathy would play any role in July.

It is one election the ruling APC would never want to lose. Adeleke has promised to match them in spending and the contest promises to be interesting in the weeks and days ahead.

And that is why the question remains: will Adeleke be lucky this time around and get the mandate to govern the state?

20

TUESDAY, ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

Why Am I Supporting Atiku Abubakar?

T

his question was posed to me on Facebook by a follower, who wondered why I, a Christian Southerner, would support Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a Muslim Northerner.

He was peeved with me for betraying (as he claimed) my brother, Peter Obi, for an ‘aboki’ (to use his word).

It is so sad that Nigeria has lost its innocence, but we did not always behave and believe like this, and my family and I grew up and thrived in that innocent Nigeria, which I want to bequeath to my children.

My father, the late Justice Jean Omokri, went to Sokoto in 1974, the year of my birth, as a young corps member of the National Youth Service Corps. he was 24 years old.

After serving at the ministry of justice in Sokoto, he was retained there and rose to become the Director of Public Prosecution of the entire state in 1979. By 1986, he was appointed as the youngest judge in Nigeria, as at that time, again in Sokoto.

He remained in the old Sokoto state until a slot opened up for the Northwest in the Court of Appeal in 2004, whereupon the entire seven states of the Northwest nominated my father, a Christian and husband of a pastor, to fill THEIR slot in the nation’s highest court for governorship election cases then.

So, my family and I are beneficiaries of one Nigeria in the truest forms of the word.

And the funniest thing is that my late father was the man who restored Peter Obi’s mandate to him after Peter Obi’s fellow Southern Christian brother took it from him.

Now, my question is this: If the Northwest did not nominate my late father to that post, would he have been in a position to do what he did for Peter Obi on March 15, 2006?

So, I do not have the luxury of thinking and acting like others who only see Nigeria through the eyes of religion. If Nigeria were like the United States, and I wanted to contest for Governor, I would have been able to contest in Sokoto!

So, I am blind to region and religion based on my family conditioning. My support for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is purely on ideological grounds.

He personifies the brand of politics I have believed in from my childhood, which can be summarised as secular, free market-based and privatization-led.

He believes in meritocracy and wants to restructure Nigeria.

And most of all, he is a lover of education, who has spent his own funds to establish the American

that the government used to employ at those same plants. Additionally, the product is now plentiful and affordable.

The same thing will happen if we privatise the NNPC. Productivity will increase, corruption will decrease, and availability of petroleum products that will not destroy your vehicles will also increase!

And amongst the candidates that have so far emerged, nobody is more prepared to be President than Atiku Abubakar. He is the man with the plan of how he can man the wheel. Where is Bola Tinubu’s plan?

Even if he had a plan, which he does not, Tinubu, like Buhari, his echo, will be distracted by his very obvious health issues and I am not prepared to spend the next four years staging #HarassTinubuOutofLondon protests. We need a leader who will not be encumbered by ill health.

The task ahead is demanding. Our nation has gone from the third fastest-growing economy in the world on May 29, 2015, according to CNNMoney, to the world headquarters for extreme poverty today, according to the World Economic Forum. Surely, the party that put us here cannot be the same party that will raise us up.

Einstein said you need a higher level of intelligence to solve a problem than the level of intelligence that caused the problem you are trying to solve. Bola Tinubu and his evil twin, Muhammadu Buhari, caused the problem. They cannot be the solution when they are the problem!

Abubakar University of Nigeria, Yola, which is one of the best private universities in Africa, as well as the first American-style university in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Through that institution, he gave scholarships to hundreds of indigent students, including some of the #ChibokGirls.

What that tells me is that he loves education and would fund ASUU. And I am very passionate about education, because I see it as the only vehicle through which Nigeria can go from third world to first world in a generation.

I also support him because he is INDEPENDENTLY wealthy. He co-founded INTELS, one of the largest oil and gas, and ports services firms in Africa, in the 80s. And before he got into government, INTELS was already worth almost a billion dollars (it is worth much more today).

Of course he has been accused by his political

opponents, but then, that is what political opponents do. They accuse. However, consider that Atiku Abubakar is the most investigated politician in Nigeria, yet, NOTHING untoward was found against him. Accusation can come from political opponents. But an accusation is not a fact!

People say he is going to privatise the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. To those people, I ask, do you have regular fuel today? Do you have good unadulterated fuel today?

The reason for that is because the government is not good at running businesses. And we know because Nigerians used to have scarcity of cement.

But that all ended in 2002. You know why? Because Atiku Abubakar pushed for the privatisation of the nation’s previously public cement factories.

Today, Dangote, who bought those plants, now employs five times the number of people in them,

Reno’s Nuggets If you have ever cooked rice and beans in the same pot, you would know that the rice cooks long before the beans. Yet, beans are more nutritious.

Don’t feel threatened by anyone because they succeeded ahead of you. Yours will still come.

And it may be bigger! So, stop pointing at other people’s success and complaining because all your friends made it before you. You are on a different timetable from them. If an elephant and a rabbit get pregnant on the same day, the rabbit will deliver FIRST. But the elephant will deliver BEST. Oprah Winfrey became a billionaire before Dangote. But today, Dangote is worth 5 times Oprah’s net worth. It is not how FAST. It is how FAR! #FreeLeahSharibu #RenosNuggets

Ekiti Guber Poll: IG Deploys Police Amada Four helicopters, four APCs, drones, special forces, K-9 others DIG Kokumo to lead operations, to be assisted by four AIGs, three CPs, PMF Commanders, force intelligence Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, weekend, ordered the mobilisation and deployment of comprising conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Unit (EOD), Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), Interpol, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Force Public Relations Department (FPRD), as well as police medical teams in a bid to guarantee free, fair, credible and acceptable election in Ekiti State.

In addition, five Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) for patrol as well as four helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) otherwise known as drone for aerial surveillance amongst other unique operational capabilities.

Force Headquarters said adequate police personnel, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), technical capabilities of the police airwing, the force marine, mounted troops, K-9 Section, and other operational assets were also deployed for the Ekiti State Gubernatorial Elections slated for 18th June, 2022.

Also, selected seasoned strategic commanders from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and above were deployed for effective supervision of security personnel and operations in the election.

A statement by Force Headquarters said the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) who is the supervisory DIG for the South-West

Geo-Political Zone, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, was deployed to Ekiti State as the coordinator of the security component for the election.

DIG Kokumo is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the operation order evolved from the election security threat assessment to ensure a peaceful and conducive environment devoid of violence and to guarantee law abiding citizens of secured freedom to perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation.

DIG Kokumo will be assisted by four Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), three Commissioners of Police (CPs), five Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and 18 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs). The senior officers are to coordinate human and other operational deployments in the three Senatorial Districts, 16 Local Government Areas and the 2445 polling units in Ekiti State.

The statement said the IG "noted that the force had carried out these necessary operational deployments as part of actions aimed at creating a conducive and enabling environment that will guarantee the peaceful and proper conduct of the election in Ekiti State".

The IG further noted that the personnel, comprising conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Unit (EOD), Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Force Public Relations Department (FPRD), as well as police medical teams will be on ground

to guarantee free, fair, credible and acceptable election.

In addition, five Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) for patrol as well as four helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for aerial surveillance amongst other unique operational capabilities.

The IG reassured the nation and the international community that

the force is adequately prepared for the gubernatorial election in Ekiti State which is scheduled to hold on June 18, 2022.

He reiterated that the force would do everything within its powers to work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all stakeholders to protect democratic values, provide level playing field for

all political actors, ensure adequate protection of voters, INEC officials, equipment, accredited observers, both domestic and international, and other key players in Ekiti State.

"The IG, therefore, admonished the good people of Ekiti State to be law-abiding and comply with the restriction of movement order which will be announced by the

Commissioner of Police as and when due.

"The IGP equally calls on the Good people of Ekiti State to come out en masse and exercise their franchise as adequate security has been emplaced by the Police and other security agencies to protect them before, during and after the election", it said.

Gombe Celebrates Democracy Day, Unveils Ultra- modern School Segun Awofadeji in Gombe Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has inaugurated the Alabura Model Primary and Junior Secondary Schools, Kumbiya- Kumbiya in the state capital that was conceived and executed by the present administration in the state.

The inauguration of the twin complex named after a famous educationist, Malam Alabura S. Kudi, brought to an end the unpleasant history of the KumbiyaKumbiya Community as the only ward without a government learning facility in the entire state.

The Alabura Model School is an edifice of two blocks of 18 classrooms each, totalling 36 classrooms, two offices, 2 staff rooms and 2 Computer rooms (e-Library) fully furnished and well equipped with modern facilities.

In addition, the school has sporting facilities, water supply and good access roads to enhance total learning for the pupils and students.

Speaking at the ceremony yesterday, Yahaya described the commissioning of the school, on the day of the 2022 edition of democracy day celebration as part of the dividends of democracy to the people.

He recalled that, "By providence, the foundation of this School was laid on 12th June 2021 and it is being commissioned in exactly a year to commemorate the 3rd year of our administration."

Yahaya recalled that since coming into office his administration was confronted with the challenge of high number of out-of-school children, dilapidated structures and facilities in primary and secondary schools.

It was for this reason, the governor said his administration wasted no time in declaring a state of emergency in the education sector which he said had since led to the total overhauling of the system.

"We were able to improve on enrolment figures significantly, renovated more than 400 class-

rooms and constructed over 200 new ones.

“We also ensured the provision of learning and teaching materials and recently approved the engagement of 1,000 teachers through the state teachers service commission to boost the human resource capacity in our schools," he added.

He remarked that his administration is currently constructing five senior secondary schools as well as improving the standard of other junior model schools in the state.

He observed that the provision of quality education was a task that must not be left in the hands of government alone and therefore called on the citizens of the state to rededicate themselves to nation building by remaining united to confront the problems confronting the state and the country with total commitment.

"We must always remember that the task of nation-building is a collective responsibility. Government is always ready to partner with organisations and individuals who

are prepared to assist in providing quality education to our citizens.

“In this regards, prominent sons of kumbiya Kumbiya have in consultation with government have constituted a special committee that would collaborate with the relevant authorities in proving necessary oversight to the school."

On the country's democracy day celebration, Yahaya praised the 23 years of uninterrupted democratic governance in Nigeria which he described as the longest period of civilian rule since independence.

Speaking earlier, the State Commissioner of Education, Dauda Batari Zambuk hailed the governor over the school project.

The Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Hon. Babaji Babadidi said the construction of the Alabura model Primary and Junior Secondary School was a promise fulfilled to the people of Kumbiya Kumbiya community which was the only ward in the State without any form of Government learning institution.

121

T H I S D AY TUESDAY JUNE June 14, 2022 Tuesday 14, 2022 Vol 27. No 9928 TR

See page 22 THE MUSLIM/MUSLIM TICKET FEMI FANI-KAYODE supports a Muslim/Muslim ticket as long as it is a Muslim that has a track record of religious tolerance See page 22 NENTAWE YILWATDA AND THE PLATEAU VISION STEPHEN D. KWANDE canvasses support for the APC candidate to ensure victory at the polls See page 27 BETWEEN PETER OBI AND ATIKU ABUBAKAR Atiku represents a stronger unifying force, reckons OZI NWADIKE

See page 27 EDITORIAL THE CRISIS OF UNEMPLOYMENT

See page 28

& RE A S O

N

opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

GOVERNING VIOLENCE IN AFRICA The governance of violence is a major challenge in Africa, contends OKELLO OCULI

UT H

PAUL NWABUIKWU writes that Buhari now seems incapable of wielding power effectively

WHY TINUBU’S VICTORY IS BUHARI’S DEFEAT In politics everywhere, one of the most important indices for measuring how much UHDO LQÁXHQFH D OHDGHU SRVVHVVHV LV KLV DELOLW\ WR LQÁXHQFH WKH SURFHVV WKDW GHWHUPLQHV KLV successor.

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At the state level, it is common for governors WR URXWLQHO\ VHOHFW RQH RI WKHLU SOLDEOH PLQLRQV and proceed to foist him on the hapless electorate as “the choice of the people”. $JDLQVW WKLV EDFNJURXQG WKH HPHUJHQFH RI IRUPHU /DJRV JRYHUQRU %ROD $KPHG 7LQXEX WZR ZHHNV DJR LQ $EXMD DV WKH SUHVLGHQWLDO candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was solidly against the run of play.

7KH RXWFRPH RI WKH HYHQW ZDV QRW MXVW WKH FRURQDWLRQ RI 7LQXEX DV D PDVWHU RI UHDOSROLWLN and one of the most successful godfathers LQ 1LJHULD·V KLVWRU\ EXW DOVR WKH UHVRXQGLQJ defeat of a sitting president who could not GHOLYHU RQH RI WKH PRVW EDVLF WHVWDPHQWV RI power in the Nigerian system.

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Buhari’s failure is a clear contrast from the record of the only other Nigerian leader to FRPSOHWH WZR WHUPV 2OXVHJXQ 2EDVDQMR ² who singlehandedly picked Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, a reticent sickly governor and largely unknown quantity, and made him president.

The eventual outcome of the APC convention LV VLJQLÀFDQW EHFDXVH 0XKDPPDGX %XKDUL GLGQ·W ZDQW 7LQXEX WR UHSODFH KLP DV $3& candidate and ultimately, next occupant of Aso Rock. It was clear from the trend of events EHIRUH WKH HYHQW DQG WKH IUHQ]LHG ODVW PLQXWH politicking. Based on the signals coming out RI WKH 9LOOD PRVW SXQGLWV GLG QRW VHH 7LQXEX·V victory coming. When Senate President $KPHG /DZDQ IURP <REH 6WDWH LQ WKH 1RUWK

(DVW ZDV WURWWHG RXW LQ WKH ÀQDO KRXUV DV ´%XKDUL·V FKRLFHµ LW ZDV VHHQ E\ PDQ\ DV WKH ÀQDO QDLO LQ WKH FR΀Q RI 7LQXEX·V DPELWLRQ The North East and South East are the only zones out of the six that have not produced a civilian president so far and so it seemed like D VPDUW JHRSROLWLFDO VWUDWHJ\ 7R IXUWKHU ERRVW his perceived chances, Lawan was the choice of the President’s close relative and powerful VHQLRU PHPEHU RI WKH ´FDEDOµ 0DPPDQ Daura.

But as things turned out, Lawan made KDUGO\ D GHQW RQ WKH 7LQXEX EHKHPRWK ZKLFK crushed all opposition on its way to a landslide YLFWRU\ +LV ÀQDO YRWH WDOO\ ² ² ZDV RYHU quadruple the votes of Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi who was second. The scale of his victory at the APC convention despite not EHLQJ WKH SUHVLGHQW·V FKRLFH XQGHUVFRUHV WKH weakness of Buhari within his own party.

7KH SUH &RQYHQWLRQ RSSRVLWLRQ WR 7LQXEX ZDV XQGHUVWDQGDEOH $PRQJ RWKHU LVVXHV KH was considered too rich and too powerful to EH WUXVWHG ZLWK SRZHU ,W ZDV D FRQFOXVLRQ WKDW 7LQXEX ZKR UXWKOHVVO\ FRQWUROV /DJRV SROLWLFV ZRXOG KDYH DSSUHFLDWHG ,Q WKH JUXEE\ tradition of Nigeria’s politics, a loyal lackey is always seen as a safer option. But in the end,

The outcome of the event was not just the coronation of Tinubu as a master of realpolitik and one of the most successful godfathers in Nigeria’s history but also the resounding defeat of a sitting president who could not deliver one of the most basic testaments of power in the Nigerian system

the opinion of Buhari and those opposed to 7LQXEX GLG QRW PDWWHU $V 7LQXEX KDQGV VKDNLQJ OLIWHG WKH SDUW\·V ÁDJ KLJK DIWHU KLV ODQGVOLGH YLFWRU\ the Buhari myth of toughness was heading in the other direction. The president’s strong JULS RQ SRZHU ZDV R΀FLDOO\ RYHU %XKDUL·V PRVW SRZHUIXO GD\V DV SUHVLGHQW DUH EHKLQG KLP DQG WKHUH LV DEVROXWHO\ QRWKLQJ KH FDQ GR DERXW LW 7LQXEX KDG EHDWHQ KLP ERWK ZLWKLQ his political stronghold in the far north as well as the other power centres of the APC party.

The routing was comprehensive.

How did this happen?

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1R GRXEW WKHUH DUH RWKHU LPSRUWDQW LPPHGLDWH IDFWRUV WKDW FRQWULEXWHG WR 7LQXEX·V victory. The decision of the northern governors WR LJQRUH WKH SUHVLGHQW DQG WKH FDEDO DQG EDFN D VRXWKHUQ FDQGLGDWH ZDV FULWLFDO 6R ZDV 7LQXEX·V HDUO\ VWDUW DQG KLV IRUPLGDEOH SROLWLFDO QHWZRUN VXSSRUWHG E\ WKH ODUJHVW ZDU FKHVW LQ 1LJHULDQ SROLWLFV DQG JXDUDQWHHG E\ D EODQN FKHTXH IURP WKH /DJRV WUHDVXU\ 1R other candidate could compete.

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Outside his narrow inner circle, the president does not have much personal goodwill. His taciturn style, a perception of ODFN RI HPSDWK\ D ZLGHVSUHDG EHOLHI WKDW KH GRHV QRW FDUH PXFK DERXW KLV WURRSV LQFOXGLQJ those who supported him at great personal FRVW PD\ GRJ KLV ÀQDO \HDUV LQ JRYHUQPHQW and his retirement years which, according to a QRUWKHUQ IULHQG ZLOO EH YHU\ ORQHO\ %XKDUL HQMR\V WKH FHUHPRQLDO DVSHFWV RI SRZHU WKH SRPS DQG SHUNV RI R΀FH EXW ODFNV the personal touch and charisma to inspire OR\DOW\ EH\RQG WKH FDOO RI GXW\ LQ KLV ODVW GD\V LQ R΀FH +H PD\ QRW EH DEOH WR FRXQW RQ WKH loyalty of the many unhappy “godsons” who EHOLHYHG WKH\ KDG SUHVLGHQWLDO HQGRUVHPHQW IRU WKHLU DVSLUDWLRQV EHIRUH WKH FRQYHQWLRQ Every leader recreates his govt in his own LPDJH %XKDUL LV D UDWKHU VWLͿ HYHQ VK\ PDQ with few real friends so his government has EHHQ TXLWH DQ LQVXODU RQH $QG WKDW LQVXODULW\ and the depleted ranks of trusted associates is WKH UHDVRQ 7LQXEX ZKR LV KLV H[DFW RSSRVLWH LV today the APC candidate.

Nwabuikwu is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

2 22

T H I S D AY

FEMI FANI-KAYODE supports a Muslim/Muslim ticket as long as it is a Muslim that has a track record of religious tolerance

The governance of violence is a major challenge in Africa, contends OKELLO OCULI

GOVERNING VIOLENCE IN AFRICA The horrendous gun violence inside and outside St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, South West Nigeria has aroused diverse characterisations. Some SHUVRQV VDZ LW DV D ¶·6DFULÀFH·· E\ SROLWLFLDQV contesting for the presidency of the All Progressives Congress (APC) - due on June 7h, 2022. Albinos are killed for success in business. Shedding blood would bring

political triumph.

Others blamed foreign Intelligence agencies who saw opportunity to incite inter-religious chaos across Nigeria as enraged Christians surge forth in revenge. The Buhari government has EUXLVHG ÀQDQFLDO DSSHWLWHV WKDW ZLVKHG WR win contracts awarded to China for the construction of railways, bridges and other infrastructure.

His rebuking President Quattara of Cote d’Ivoire for elongating his tenure; not openly criticising Russian intrusion into Mali, Central African Republic and Chad would annoy business executives used to playing lucrative games in West Africa.

These lines of thought meet on governing violence; a subject in which Japan’s record is instructive. A combination of very cold weather, periodic earthquakes which have killed thousands of people; religious beliefs ZKLFK HPSKDVLVH VHOI VDFULÀFH DQG LQWHQVLYH discipline, have forced the Japanese to govern violence. Lethal cold imposes discipline on the mind. The violence in utter loss of certainty aroused by an earth tremor teaches the value of calm discipline, dialogue with fate and nature. $ -DSDQHVH ÀOP RQ /29( ZKLFK , VDZ in Oslo, Norway’s capital showed a young man having a farewell dinner with a girl IULHQG FDOPO\ FXW RͿ KLV OLWWOH ÀQJHU ZUDS it in a napkin and hand it over to the girl to keep as his pledge to her. They were very calm. Snow was falling outside as a witness.

In daily life Japanese do a lot of bowing to each other as part of conversation. It is a form of ‘Soft Violence’. Japanese managers of companies are aware of the burden in this ritual. As relief, corporate executives drink much alcohol together till late at night.

Toyota Company evolved the ritual of getting its management relieve stress by lining up near a railway line and SHOUT to the fullest at a rolling train. Young women are trained with skill for building relaxation in an exhausted executive. Upward moving executives are expected to sing for superiors and peers as they socialize. A common song is the latest hit on the music map.

‘Soft Violence’ has also been channelled into both extraordinary forms of barbarism; and skill in manufacturing and creating

TUESDAY JUNE 14, 2022

consumer goods…

The genocidal violence which in 1959 and 1994 had Hutus hack to death thousands of Tutsi countrymen, women and children, indicated compulsive rejection of underlying Soft Violence in social relations.

Some observers reported incidences of Tutsi elites getting up from a common pot of beer, standing on backs of Hutus and splashing urine on them.

The seemingly insane barbarism exploded periodically showed the failure in this governance of both Soft and Hard Violence in past relations in Rwanda and Burundi.

These were regimes of permanent insecurity by a minority group who assume WKDW FRQVWDQW KXPLOLDWLRQ RI WKRVH GLͿHUHQW IURP WKHP LV WKH PRVW HͿHFWLYH ZD\ RI protecting their power and enjoyments.

Fidel Castro, a son of big land owner and a student in a prestigious Law Faculty in &XED ZDV RͿHQGHG E\ GHJUDGLQJ DWWLWXGH RI $PHULFDQ 0DÀRVR WR &XEDQ JLUOV GULYHQ into prostitution by poverty. He took up arms to end that contempt. Inequality in land drew rural poor into joining his struggle to end their hunger.

The NUER (in South Sudan), the

It is imperative to borrow from Japan’s example of creativity turning their ‘soft violence’ into a tool for economic and political governance, as a power stronger than guns in hands of individuals and ethnic groups BALANTE (in GUINEA BISSAU) and SOMALI, in contrast, reject expressions of ‘soft violence’. An insult is instantly challenged. If the clash leads to bloodshed it must be countered with bloodshed. The dignity of the individual is paramount. The NUER resent being bossed by the majority DINKA. The ‘’balanced respect’’ can easily tip into anarchy.

A notable response in managing soft violence against African-Americans and Asians is the emerging publication of SORY BOOKS FOR CHILDREN in which all races, colours, ethnic symbols are included.

A computer artist in Central African Republic is creating computer games which enable African youths to explore and learn about African achievements in history to overcome inferiority complexes induced by Euro-American racist lies.

Protecting ‘Balanced Respect’ in Somalia and South Sudan has led to 30 years of violence and failure to sustain a central government authority.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo unequal access to guns has resulted in over 120 militia groups terrorising communities to supply valuable minerals to suppliers of guns.

Prof Oculi writes from Abuja

THE MUSLIM/MUSLIM TICKET $ KLJK UDQNLQJ DQG UHVSHFWHG R΀FLDO RI WKH Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) came to see me two days ago and expressed concern about my disposition towards a Muslim/ Muslim ticket.

He informed me about CAN’s vehement opposition to such a ticket and said that the leadership of the organisation watched my interview on Channels Television where it appeared that I was not on all fours with them.

They felt this was very unlike me because they know how much I revere my faith and how much I respect CAN and its leadership and how I am usually in agreement with them on all issues.

It was a mark of honor to me that they thought me worthy of sending someone to get an explanation and after thanking him for that we spoke for no less than two hours.

At the end of it all I believe the person understood my position better and promised to convey it to the leadership of CAN. Permit me to share some of the points I made to him here for the record.

7KH ÀUVW ZDV DV IROORZV It is perceived by many in the APC that a Muslim/Muslim ticket may be the winning formula in the coming election. They believe that it would be politically expedient to take advantage of that and present such a ticket.

It is perceived by others in the APC that a Muslim/Muslim ticket will be a direct challenge to the Christian community in Nigeria and it may jeopardise the chances of our party in the coming election.

I hold the latter view but I have said that if our candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, insists on a Muslim/Muslim ticket, I and many others shall stand by him and attempt to defend it as long as his running mate is not an extremist who will undermine the interests of the Christian community.

In this matter we must not allow ourselves to be guided by emotion but rather by our obligation to support our candidate and party, the quest and desire to win the coming presidential election at all costs, political expediency and by what the British call ‘real politik’.

And neither is it in any way a betrayal of our values or our Christian faith to take this position because Muslim/Muslim ticket or no Muslim/Muslim ticket we will not sit by idly and allow ANYONE or any GOVERNMENT to undermine our faith or our people.

If Asiwaju decides on a Muslim/Muslim ticket we shall either swim with him or sink with him and, whichever way, given the experience of Atiku Abubakar and the certainty that the PDP will give its Vice Presidential ticket to a Christian, it will be a KDUG ÀJKW I say this because there are over 100 million Christians in this country who feel passionately about their faith and who believe that they MUST be protected and represented at the highest level.

Those that wish them away, dismiss their concerns and say they do not care about how they feel do so at their own peril.

No matter what the candidate decides he must allay their fears and carry them along because the fear and concerns about islamisation, rightly or wrongly, are very real.

7KH VHFRQG SRLQW LV DV IROORZV The success or lack of it of a Muslim/ Muslim ticket will depend largely on WHO

the Muslim Vice Presidential candidate will be.

If it is a Muslim that has a track record of killing, persecuting, denigrating, hating, undermining, marginalising or working against Christians in ANY shape or form, I and millions of Christians all over this country will oppose it decisively and aggressively regardless of the consequences because we will not allow anyone to destroy the Church, intimidate or persecute our people or mess with our faith.

However if it is a Muslim that has shown love and displayed sensitivity to the Christian community over the years and who we believe we can trust, I and millions of other Christians will support it.

It is left to those of us that are Christians to let the faithful know who is who and who they can trust amongst the Muslims in the knowledge that not all Muslims are bad and not all Christians are good.

There are indeed good and bad people on both sides of the religious divide. The truth is that in an ideal world religion and faith should not determine who our candidates and their running mates ought to be and when it comes to matters of governance I agree with those that say that in this day and age we should not bring religion into it.

Yet sadly this is not an ideal world and in the Nigerian context we must recognise the fact that given our history and our bitter experiences over the last few years, religion IS a factor that cannot be ignored or wished away and this is more so today than at any other time in our history.

In all that we do we must factor in the fears of both Muslims and Christians when it comes to presidential tickets and elections and we must allay those fears.

For example if you insist on a Christian/ Christian ticket for whatever reason at least give me Christians that will protect the Muslims and if you insist on a Muslim/ Muslim ticket at least give me Muslims that will protect Christians.

Apart from that you must also commit to giving the leadership of the Senate and the House of Reps and the position of the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) to members of the faith that does not enjoy representation at the Presidential or Vice-Presidential level.

These are just some of the things that can allay our fears.

And interestingly that is what is practised in Lebanon and what is known as the “Lebanese model”. They rotate the positions of power and leadership on the basis of religious faith and between Christians and Muslims and this has led to a certain degree of peace and harmony since the end of their civil war which lasted from 1975 till 1990.

Whichever way we must tread with caution and care about the issue of religion and we must not act as if it is no big deal because it will play a decisive role in the outcome of the election and in the running of the campaign.

We must also endeavour to put Nigeria ÀUVW DQG QRW WR\ ZLWK DQ\WKLQJ WKDW ZLOO divide us on religious or ethnic grounds.

Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Aviation

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STEPHEN D. KWANDE canvasses support for the APC candidate to ensure victory at the polls

NENTAWE YILWATDA AND THE PLATEAU VISION Before the emergence of Dr. Nentawe Yiltwada as the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State, other eminent contestants ZHUH DOVR LQ WKH UDFH IRU /LWWOH 5D\ ÀHOG 0RVW RI WKHP DUH IURP WKH FHQWUDO ]RQH of the state which is generally believed to be the zone to produce the governor of the state. This rotation as agreed by politicians is to give some semblance of equity as politicians jostle for political R΀FHV 7KHUHIRUH ULJKW QRZ LW WXUQV out to favour the central zone of the VWDWH ZKLFK FRPSULVHV 0DQJX %RNNRV Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam.

This understanding which is irrespective of political party seems to be binding on all, in the state. So far, this arrangement has been generally

upheld except in 2015 when the then governor of the state, Da Jonah Jang failed in his attempt to disregard it.

It was vehemently resisted by the electorate with the trumping of the then governor’s candidate and this has taught politicians in the state a valuable lesson.

The outcome of the APC governorship primary which produced Dr. Yilwatda did not come without resentment from some contestants who lost out. Some aspirants staged a walkout as the event got underway, alleging a skewed process in favour of the eventual winner. Little wonder that when the result eventually came out, aggrieved aspirants believed that the winner, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda was a government-backed candidate.

Even the Deputy Governor who was a co-aspirant staged a walkout too.

0\ SRVLWLRQ RQ WKH PDWWHU LV QRW intended to stir further debate or conversation since the primary has come and gone but to steer a course of action towards healing the wounds for a peaceful, progressive Plateau State.

The task before all the former aspirants is to move on. They should be able to chart the path of reconciliation if the party is to capture and retain power in the state. Though the task before them LV KHUFXOHDQ WKH\ FDQQRW DͿRUG WR JR WR the polls with a divided house.

Even if the governor had interest in who emerged as the party’s standard bearer, it is only human that one should be interested in one’s successor for the sake of continuity.

Some have gone to argue that former governor Jang attempted to impose a successor but was resisted. True, but

WKH VFHQDULRV DUH GLͿHUHQW -DQJ GLG not respect the zoning formula of the state. He brought someone eminently TXDOLÀHG EXW WKDW ZDV DJDLQVW WKH sentiment then because the person he brought came from his clan. This was the crux of the matter and Plateau resisted it. If he had brought someone from the Southern zone in accordance with the principle of rotation, the story ZRXOG KDYH EHHQ GLͿHUHQW The primary election which was held peacefully merely produced what I call ´ÀUVW DPRQJ HTXDOVµ $OO WKH DVSLUDQWV as l mentioned earlier are eminently TXDOLÀHG WR JRYHUQ WKH VWDWH +RZHYHU what worked in favour of Dr. Nentawe was that he had won the hearts of many in the state with impeccable achievements. He had everything working for him. His accomplishments at an early age placed him head and shoulders above many of his peers and accorded him the recognition he now enjoys.

I have interacted with many people and l have not seen or heard anything untoward about his character. Even if there is any, not being infallible as anyone else, it is apparently not enough to make anyone lose sleep.

The central message here is that the whole APC family should rally round the winner and ensure victory at the polls.

Plateau is a unique state and we must remember that a house divided against itself will not stand. It will be in the interest of all APC members to sheathe their sword and work for victory. With due respect to the former aspirants, it is good to show grace in defeat while the winner shows magnanimity in victory.

The act of magnanimity will start the process of healing. It entails meeting all co-aspirants, and discussing how to move the party forward for the purpose of winning the next election.

'U 1HQWDZH·V SHUVRQDOLW\ SURÀOH carriage have earned him some quantum of respect in the eyes of the delegates hence his emergence. I implore him to urge his supporters to calm down and embrace all constructive criticism. They should also exhibit maturity as the MRXUQH\ WR /LWWOH 5D\ÀHOG JHWV XQGHUZD\ The sky is your limit if you and \RXU WHDP VKRZ JUDFH 0DQ\ SHRSOH KDYH DOUHDG\ WHVWLÀHG WR WKH VWUHQJWK of your character, your humility, resourcefulness, your vision. Plateau will be expecting so much from you.

Our former and present governors have worked to the best of their ability and we expect you to build on what they have done.

Surely, you will have overwhelming support from the people of Plateau State. We are already enamored of your blue print, your vision and mission.

The security challenges facing the state can be addressed with the right frame of mind. And your success will be determined by the caliber of people around you. The right people will help \RX PDNH WKH GLͿHUHQFH DV WKH HOHFWLRQ approaches.

Kwande writes from Abuja

Atiku represents a stronger unifying force, reckons OZI NWADIKE

BETWEEN PETER OBI AND ATIKU ABUBAKAR Between Governor Peter Obi and Vice President Atiku Abubakar, it’s one or the other.

You can’t have both. Shrug as you may, it’s not an easy choice to make. Let me tell you why.

‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is understanding,’ - Proverbs 9:10, King James Version. As a 32 years old grappling with meaning, my journey has taken me across many philosophies and ideas.In the last one year or so, Jordan B. Peterson, a Canadian clinical psychologist and professor emeritus at the University of Toronto has caught my keen attention. The New York Times calls him ‘the PRVW LQÁXHQWLDO SXEOLF LQWHOOHFWXDO LQ WKH ZRUOG right now’. Though I suspect our views on

them ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be WKH ÀUVW WR WKURZ D VWRQH DW KHU·« ‘Woman, where are they, has no man condemned you?’ ‘No one Sir’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin’ - John 8: 1-11, New International Version. The truth is that Atiku Abubakar’s record has been bastardized. , ZRXOG FRQFHGH WKDW LW·V DOVR UHÁHFWLYH RI KLV failings as a candidate.

This is a man who came from extremely humble background with no name UHFRJQLWLRQ ZKR DWWDLQHG D ODZ GLSORPD LQ WKH V VHUYHG PHULWRULRXVO\ LQ WKH 1LJHULD Customs and employs tens of thousands of people in legitimate businesses across real

politics and cultural issues are apart (I identify as a progressive), Peterson, through his books and VSHHFKHV RͿHUV SURIRXQG OLIH DGYLFH URRWHG LQ stoicism, ancient wisdom, psychology, religion and mythology.

His ideas surrounding the meaning of life helps young people to sort out their lives and improve their wellbeing. In one of his talks, Peterson uses the above biblical verse as an analogy to make the point about recognizing the all-powerful nature of reality. The world is not going to bend over for you. The world doesn’t care about your feelings, who are you?

Like how dare you? In other words, to thrive in the world, you have to chin-up and be a man and stop whining like a child. There is no clear path to victory for either Obi or Atiku if both of them are on the ballot come Saturday, 25th )HEUXDU\ , PHDQ WKLV LV VHULRXV VWXͿ LW·V not microblogging during free time. Obi and $WLNX ZLOO ÀJXUDWLYHO\ VHOI LPPRODWH HDFK RWKHU DQG FOHDU WKH SDWK IRU D GLͿHUHQW FDQGLGDWH Our reality is that Nigeria is a complex and an intensely polarized, along tribal and religious lines. You can’t wish it away with childish tantrums especially when your competitor’s strategy is tested and tried – divide and conquer.

As urban middle class young people with access to smartphones and the internet acquire QHZ IROORZHUV E\ SURSSLQJ XS WKH HͿDEOH 0U Obi’s campaign on social media, you have a sense that it is not tempered with a dose of the ultimate reality of some sort of coalescing at some point with the Atiku campaign.

Governor Obi will face an uphill task to take down the electoral colossus and behemoth that is the All Progressives Congress. Vice President $WLNX RQ WKH RWKHU KDQG RͿHUV D FOHDUHU HOHFWRUDO path to victory with a vibrant Obi coalition.

Compromises will have to be made.

We cannot allow our passion to become RXU KXEULV QR PDWWHU ZKDW WKH ÀUVW WLPH LQ their-lives political campaigners on social media yammer on about,‘Teacher this woman was caught in adultery’… When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to

estate, oil and gas, maritime, agriculture and HGXFDWLRQ DQG ZKR GURYH WKH ZKHHOV RI WKH widely acclaimed golden era of reforms under President Olusegun Obasanjo. , ÀQG LW DOPRVW VKRFNLQJ WKDW KH GRHVQ·W JHW his due accolades. A true democrat who was hounded and exiled by General Sani Abacha.

The protégé of the larger-than-life Shehu Yar’Adua. I agree he needs to better explain himself on allegations of money laundering in the United States of America.

What is not in doubt is that Atiku was a very wealthy businessman before he became Vice President in 1999. Establishing a trust to manage one’s business interests while in SROLWLFDO R΀FH DQG ZLULQJ PRQLHV WR RQH·V ZLIH is not the earth shattering scandal you think it is. I mean even Governor Obi, who is reported to have made his fortune from importation of fast selling goods (to the detriment of Nigerian jobs and factories?) was implicated in the 3DQGRUD SDSHUV RI RZQLQJ RͿVKRUH DFFRXQWV I am not absolving Atiku or Obi of any blame. The ideal is that we should always hold our political leaders to the highest ethical standards. The wise prevails through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength. Surely you need guidance to wage war and victory is won through many advisers – Proverbs 24: 5-6, New International Version.

Between vice President Atiku and Governor Obi there is mutual respect. Obi refers to him as ‘my leader’. Atiku’s courageous tapping of Obi as his vice President nominee in the 2019 elections, even at the risk of attracting the ire of party bigwigs from the South-East, is continued testament to Atiku’s legendary eye for talent. On policy it is hard to separate the two men, as they both share a vision of a prosperous private sector-led economy.

Nwadike is a lawyer and Executive Director of ‘People For Atiku’

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EDITORIAL

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

THE CRISIS OF UNEMPLOYMENT Whoever emerges as the next President has his job well cut out

W

ith the emergence of the presidential candidates of the leading political parties in the country, one of the issues that will task them is the growing unemployment, especially among young Nigerians. According to the latest Labour Force report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), unemployment among young Nigerians (15- 34 years) is the highest in the country, with 22 million or 42.5 per cent of the 30m youths in the labour force not meaningfully engaged, while the national unemployment rate stood at 33.3 per cent as of December 2020.

Two years ago, the World Bank reported that Nigeria was currently undergoing the worst unemployment crisis in its history. Sadly, the situation has only since worsened. Titled, ‘Of Roads Less Travelled: Assessing the Potential for Migration to Provide Overseas Jobs for Nigeria’s Youth’, the report particularly raised the alarm over the nation’s expanding working-age population combined with scarce domestic employment opportunities amid dwindling resources.

This, according to the report, was creating high rates of unemployment, particularly for youth.

The bank particularly noted that the socio-economic challenges facing the country in the last 10 years have led to an astronomical increase in the number of Nigerian citizens seeking asylum and refugee status in other countries. A combination of rising unemployment, ERRPLQJ GHPRJUDSK\ DQG XQIXOÀ OOHG DVSLUDWLRQV according to the World Bank, result in increasing pressure on young Nigerians to migrate in search of gainful employment overseas. When you juxtapose the report against the background that there has been an 80 per cent drop in foreign direct investment, it is obvious that we have a serious challenge on our hands.

Already, insecurity has driven away many multinationals to pitch tent in neigbouring countries like Ghana while targeting Nigeria’s large market. Several businesses have also cut back following the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising cost of doing business in the country. Meanwhile, the

81(03/2<0(17

demand for young Nigerian graduates in both the United States and United Kingdom has increased. Nigerians are seen as aggressive, hardworking, achievement motivated among third world immigrants. The UK has adjusted its immigration policies, now allowing new Nigerian graduates a two-year window to work in the UK after graduation.

Taken together, these situations are increasing domestic unemployment and driving emigration. The situation is worse for those who live in rural communities. The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has harped on how insurgency deny farmers access to agricultural inputs in the area. But the problem is not restricted to the Northeast. In virtually all parts of the country, many farmers cannot access their farms because of insecurity. This has started manifesting in the rising cost of food across the country. Despite the claims by government R΀ FLDOV WKH PXFK WRXWHG HFRQRPLF JURZWK KDV QRW JHQHUDWHG VX΀ FLHQW HPSOR\PHQW QRU KDV LW DGGUHVVHG the growing gap between the rich and the poor. What makes the situation more worrisome is that the prospects of turning around the situation looks bleak given the mismanagement of the oil sector and cascading value of the Naira.

While states and local governments seek oil rents and jeopardise internally generated revenue, successive national governments have also not adequately used oil revenue to lift the ordinary Nigerians out of poverty.

Rather, and in addition to rent-seeking, these revenues have served as slush funds and continue to enrich a few corporations and individuals over the masses. The high rate of out-of-school children and poor output in the education sector also contribute to deepening the challenge of unemployment as the nation continues to churn out a crop of uncompetitive youth in a world driven by technology.

Now that the presidential candidates have emerged in the parties, we hope they will get their teams together to À QG HQGXULQJ VROXWLRQ WR WKLV FKXUQLQJ SUREOHP

The high rate of out-of-school children and poor output in the education sector also contribute to deepening the challenge of unemployment as the nation continues to churn out a crop of uncompetitive youth in a world driven by technology 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 MUO AROH AS VP FOR ATIKU ABUBAKAR ?

Barring any last minute change of mind, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may appoint a legal luminary, Barr. Okey Muo Aroh, Ike Abatete, as the running mate of its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for the forthcoming 2023 presidential election. I consider this a welcome development having known Okey Muo Aroh way back in the days as a local government chairman in Anambra State.

Aroh, a consummate political strategist, is a founding member of PDP where he later served as a member of State Executive Council and a member of several boards and parastatal in both the private and public sector. He serves the party as an elected member of the PDP National Executive Committee for two consecutive terms. He has been an ardent supporter of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar since 1999 and he moderated the last two PDP presidential campaigns as the Master of Ceremonies.

I think that with the latest clamour for a vice-presidential candidate from the South East region to assuage the feeling of Ndi Igbo after the “coup” pulled against them in the zoning quagmire, Okey Muo Aroh is the man of the moment for PDP vice presidential candidacy. Who is Okey Muo Aroh?

A legal practitioner and a chartered arbitrator and mediator, Arthur had his early education at the prestigious Denis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Onitsha and Notre Dame High School Abatete where he graduated Grade One with Distinction. He went to University of Nigeria Enugu Campus and roundHG RͿ KLV OHJDO WUDLQLQJ DW WKH 1LJHULD /DZ VFKRRO Victoria Island, Lagos. He did his mandatory National Youth Service in the ancient city of Kano in 1984 where he built a strong network of political and business associates.

A consummate political strategist who has been in-

volved in party formation and management traversing the NPP, NPN era to the military era of UNCP, GDM, NCPCN, CNC to the two-party era of NRC and SDP. He is a founding member of the PDP and was one of those whose election as local govt chairman propelled the formation of PDP. He has served as a local government chairman, member of state executive council, member of several boards and parastatal in both private and public sector.

An elected member of the PDP National Executive Committee for two consecutive terms, Aroh has been serving the party as Chairman in many Electoral and Appeal Committees. He is a quintessential strategic communicator with incredible oratorical skills and incomparable language power.

Callistus Ugochukwu, Onitsha, Anambra State

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QUOTABLES ‘I don’t think the business of governance, has to do with religion….This fixation of Nigerians with religion, instead of competence, capacity and capability, is quite sad and pathetic. When I get into a plane, I don’t ask for the religion of the Pilot; when I go to hospital, I don’t ask for the religion of the Doctor, I just want to get well.’ -Nasiru El Rufai, Governor, Kaduna State

‘Gone are the days when religion did not play a key factor in Nigerian politics, because of what this current government has turned religion to. A lot of Nigerians who would not be perturbed about religion, now discuss Christian or Muslim.’ - Liborous Oshoma, Legal Practitioner, Lagos

LAWYER

NBA-NEC Creates Additional Branches, Responds to MULAN Page V

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

III THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022

Lessons from the APC, PDP Primaries I'm sure that Nigerians, at least, I know that I have, learnt several lessons from the recently concluded PDP and APC Party Primaries.

Here are a few lessons that I learnt.

Lesson 1: Cash is King Firstly, that ‘Cash is King'! Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022 (EA) which criminalises bribery and corruption in the nomination of candidates and elections, was definitely observed in the breach during the recently concluded Primaries, if we go by the mind boggling amounts that Nigerians have heard were involved in determining who would be the flag bearers of both parties. Aside from Section 88 of the EA which has increased the amounts that Politicians can spend for their different campaigns to the millions and billions thereby excluding the common capable man from running in elections, the obscene display was also ignited and encouraged by the two main political parties, APC and PDP, who started off by selling the forms for Presidential aspirants at the exorbitant amounts of N100 million & N40 million respectively. Our democracy seems to have regressed from the 1990s, as it is now heavily monetised - ‘Government of the Politicians, by the highest bidder, for a few’. Nigerians are not seeing the dividends of democracy. In fact, our political system has regressed from a democracy in 1999, to what I have christened an ‘ElectoPlutocracy’, a combination of an Electocracy where people merely vote, but don’t really play a part in decision-making, because governance and decision-making is concentrated in the hands of government and politicians, contrary to Sections 1(2) & 14(2)(a) & (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the Constitution); and a Plutocracy, which is a “government by the wealthy” or a society governed by a monied ruling class, and in our own case, a class in which many cannot account for their wealth.

Lesson 2: The Igbo Question The truth they say, is bitter; but, the second lesson I learnt is that, the Igbos do not seem to be committed to the cause of enthroning a South East President. The reason for my assertion is that, the same thing that transpired in the PDP Primaries, happened again in that of the APC. Even before the Primaries, Senator Orji Kalu had come out to support Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, citing the excuse that if the APC wasn't going to zone the Presidency specifically to the South East, then he would support Lawan who hails from the North East (a zone that has also not yet had a bite of the Presidential cherry in the Fourth Republic). Why didn't he support other South East aspirants like Ogbonnaya Onu or David Umahi who continued in the race, instead? There were 285 or so South East Delegates; David Umahi secured 38 votes, Emeka Nwajiuba, 1 and Ogbonnaya Onu, 1. Assuming that those who voted for them were from the South East, that is only 40 Delegates out of 285; who did the other 245 Delegates vote for? Even South East aspirant, Uju Ohanenye stepped down for South West aspirant, Senator Bola Tinubu, and not a fellow South East aspirant.

In a democratic setting, the way to push an agenda is through commitment, lobbying and voting. If the South East Delegates decided to forego the cause of their people for a South East President and sell their votes to the highest bidder, no one else but them can be blamed for the outcome.

Undoubtedly, cash was more important to the South East Delegates and their Principals, than any zonal cause or aspiration. It is also amazing that some still feel justified asking the PDP to select someone from the South East as Vice Presidential candidate, having sold out on the Presidential ticket!

The attempt by some to compare the micro-zoning of the Nigerian Presidency to the South West in 1999 to the situation of the South East, is like comparing apples

back in University ages ago. Yet, no one seems particularly disturbed about that.

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

The

Advocate “Do we not have a mixed religious ticket now? A Muslim/Christian ticket, with a Pastor as our Vice President? What has this mixed ticket done, to douse the religious tension in the country? Nothing. If anything, religious bigotry and tension, is at its worst” to oranges. The truth of the matter is that, the reason that the South West got the slot in 1999 was because late Chief M.K.O. Abiola GCFR not only won the Presidential election of June 12, 1993, was denied his mandate by the military junta at the time, he also paid the ultimate price, losing his life in detention under extremely questionable circumstances, having been detained in inhumane conditions (solitary confinement) for four years until his death on July 7, 1998. It was certainly not because anybody chose to serve power to the South West ‘a la carte’. And, while no one denies that the South East and the North East have not yet produced Presidents in this Fourth Republic, the difference with the South West situation and theirs must be emphasised - it was not a case of turn by turn, for the South West.

Lesson 3: Consensus Candidate The meaning or use of the doctrine of a consensus candidate in Nigerian politics, is to push the candidature of an aspirant who may be largely unpopular with the majority and would not stand a chance of winning a nomination, but who is the choice of a few who can be considered as the “powers that be” - Imposition.

The Collins Dictionary defines consensus as “general or widespread agreement”. See the case of Isa v CPC & Ors 2013 LPELR-22376 (CA), where the Court of Appeal held that a political party should not be allowed to violate or breach its own guidelines and constitution and foist excesses and

arbitrariness on a member of the party, as we saw the APC leadership try to do by attempting to foist the Senate President on the Party as its consensus candidate and flag bearer, contrary to the provisions of Section 84 (9)-(11) of the EA. Lesson 4: Disunity of the Southern Zones The onslaught of aspirants from the various Southern zones and the inability to settle on one consensus candidate, shows that there is disunity, not just inter but intra-Southern zones. The Northerners, on the other hand, besides the ones who were in the minority (and ended up being inconsequential anyway, since the total number of votes they scored were not up to 200 and less than one-tenth of the total votes), and refused to align with the majority, spoke with one voice in support of power shifting the South.

The sooner the South learns that a divided house cannot stand, the better for them to be more of a force to be reckoned with.

Lesson 5: Interest of Politicians The way the Politicians prepared for the Primaries with such gusto and aplomb, shows that they are more interested in perpetuating themselves in power than actual governance. For example, if a fraction of what was used to pay for APC forms (close to N20 billion according to a news report I read) was disbursed to ASUU, the children would have been

The New Debate: Religion The new debate that has arisen consequent upon the outcome of the APC Primaries, is the ethnicity and religion of the Presidential tickets of 2023. That of the PDP is more clear cut, as it will be easy to choose a Southern Christian as the Vice Presidential candidate. That of the APC seems to be a bit more tricky because the flag bearer is a Southern Muslim, and some claim that the ‘powers that be’ in the North would prefer a Northern Muslim candidate as Vice President, which means a ‘Muslim/ Muslim’ ticket (in Nigerian parlance).

Section 130 of the Constitution which provides for the qualifications for election as President makes no mention of religion, nor does Section 137 disqualify a Presidential candidate by reason of his/her religious beliefs (also applicable to the Vice President by virtue of Section 142(2) of the Constitution). Section 142(1) of the Constitution which provides for the nomination of a Vice Presidential candidate, only stipulates that such candidate must be from the same political party as the Presidential candidate, and makes no mention of religion, let alone that both candidates must be of different religions.

Bearing in mind that one can only conclude from the provision of Section 10 of the Constitution, that Nigeria is a secular nation where all are free to practice their own religions (also see Sections 38 & 40 of the Constitution), it is a pity that we have been reduced to a situation where candidates are determined by ethnicity and religion, instead of capacity. What Nigerians should be interested in apart from capacity, focus and integrity, is candidates who are not religious bigots - whether Christian or Muslim; candidates who keep their religion personal, and are not afraid to uphold the relevant sections of the Constitution in that regard, including Sections 10, 38 & 42 of the Constitution, with deep respect for the rule of law. Unfortunately, this is no longer so; today, in governance, Nigerians are concerned about a balance between the two major religions, Christianity and Islam.

But, was it not under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a Southern Christian, that Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima of Zamfara State declared Sharia, contrary to Section 10 of the Constitution and was left to get away with it? That unconstitutional declaration, should have been challenged in court. Was it not during the Obasanjo administration, that the other Northern Governors then followed suit? They instituted a body of civil and criminal law, when the Sharia Courts, like Customary Courts, are only endowed with a measure of civil jurisdiction by the Constitution. Do we not have a mixed religious ticket now? A Muslim/ Christian ticket, with a Pastor as our Vice President? What has this mixed ticket done, to douse the religious tension in the country?

Nothing. If anything, religious bigotry and tension, is at its worst. If we had strong institutions, no one would particularly care less about the religious beliefs of political office holders.

Or maybe it’s just the false sense of comfort and security that people derive from having a mixed Presidential ticket, even if it’s in name only? Because, the Christian Association of Nigeria, NAIREC, his Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto - they have done more to douse religious tension in the country and promote religious tolerance, than any Christian or Muslim politician in Government. But, I guess one can say that the optics of the religious balance may be more desirable and soothing, even if it adds no real value.

Be that as it may, I cannot say I do not understand the unwillingness to take the risk of having a single religion ticket, in today’s Nigeria. My dear colleagues, kindly, share your views on this crucial issue. Thank you.

IV LAW REPORT

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Case of Defilement of Child Below 11: Proof by Prosecution Facts On 26th November, 2013, the victim’s mother was at home with her sixteen-month-old daughter. She needed to take her bath, hence, she took the victim to the Appellant’s room for care. When the mother finished taking her bath, the victim approached her mother, pointing to her pant and saying “see, see”. The mother checked her pant and discovered blood on it. She quickly rushed the daughter to the health centre, where it was confirmed that the daughter was defiled. Given the situation, the mother made a report at the Police Station, following which the Appellant was arrested.

The victim’s mother informed the Police that on the day of the incident, she was at home alone with her daughter and the Appellant, thereby, suggesting that only the Appellant could have defiled her daughter.

The Appellant was charged before the High Court of Lagos State on a one-count Charge of defilement of a 16-month-old baby left in his care when the mother went to take a shower, contrary to Section 137 of the Criminal Code, Ch. 17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State. At the trial, the Respondent tendered in evidence, the Statement of the Victim’s mother (P1), the diaper stained with blood (P2), the victim’s pant (P3), condom (P4), camera (P5), medical report (P6), syringe (P7), and statement of the Appellant (P8). Four witnesses were called by the Prosecution, while the Appellant testified in his defence. Exhibit P6, the medical examination report of the victim admitted in evidence, revealed that the victim reported at the hospital within 48 hours of the incident, with bruises on or around her vagina and a ruptured hymen which was broken and bridged.

The Appellant, who testified that the victim’s mother is his sister, stated that he was in the room alone with the victim when the incident occurred, though his girlfriend and a house help (PW 4) also lived in the house. He denied defiling the child, and stated in his defence that his girlfriend noticed the child crying a day before the incident, when the mother took her across the street.

The trial court found the Appellant guilty of the offence charged. He was convicted, and sentenced to twenty-five years imprisonment.

On appeal to the Court of Appeal, the appellate court confirmed the conviction and sentencing by the trial court. The Appellant further appealed to the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination The following issues were considered by the court in its determination of the appeal: 1. Whether the Court of Appeal was right in upholding the judgement of the trial court without making a pronouncement on the failure of the Investigating Police Officer to investigate the Appellant’s defence that the crime had been committed by someone else the day before, when the baby was heard crying uncontrollably from their neighbour’s house.

2. Whether the Court of Appeal was right in holding that the contradictions in Prosecution witnesses’ case were not fundamental enough to vitiate the conviction and sentence.

3. Whether the Court of Appeal was right in holding that the Prosecution witnesses were not confronted with the contradictions in their statements made to the Police.

Arguments Counsel for the Appellant argued that courts below were wrong to have held that the Prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, in spite of the failure to investigate and resolve the defence of the Appellant that the offence was committed the previous day.

He cited various authorities in support of his position, including ORJI v STATE (2008) 10 NWLR (Pt. 1094) 31. He submitted further that the courts below did not resolve

Honourable Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, JSC In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 8th day of April, 2022 Before Their Lordships Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun John Inyang Okoro Abdu Aboki Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa Justices, Supreme Court SC.667/2020 Between Maduabuchi Onwuta

Appellant And

The State of Lagos

Respondent

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, JSC) the contradictions in the evidence of the victim’s mother (PW1) and the House help (PW4), which evidence relates to the defence of the Appellant and therefore, fatal to the case of the prosecution.

Responding to the submissions, counsel submitted for the Respondent that result of the medical examination was neither controverted nor challenged, and so, it should be taken as accepted by the Appellant and relied on by the court as credible evidence – MAGAJI v NIGERIAN ARMY (2008) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1089) 338.

He argued that the Prosecution presented cogent and credible evidence, which point directly at the Appellant as the person who committed the offence. The Appellant was fixed at the scene of the crime, thereby destroying the defence of alibi put forward.

Counsel urged the court not to interfere with the concurrent findings of the courts below, when there is no miscarriage of justice or perversity – BELLO v FRN (2018) LPELR-44465(SC).

Court’s Judgement and Rationale The court prefaced the determination of the case by reiterating that the Prosecution can

“…..the Prosecution must establish the essential elements of the offence – (a) that the accused/appellant had sex with the child who was under the age of eleven years; (b) that there was penetration into the vault of the vagina; (c) the evidence of the child must be corroborated”

rely on any of the following for establishing the guilt of the Defendant: - (1) confessional statement of the Defendant; (2) direct eyewitness account of a witness(es); and (3) circumstantial evidence. The foregoing is a follow-up of the principle in the criminal justice system, that an accused person is presumed innocent until the prosecution establishes his guilt. Nevertheless, the notion of proof beyond reasonable doubt, is not the same as proof beyond all shadow of doubt or proof to the hilt. Once the guilt of the accused person is established with compelling and conclusive evidence, a degree of compulsion, consistent with a high level of probability, the requirement is satisfied – AYINDE v STATE (2019) LPELR-47835(SC).

The Appellant was charged with defilement. The law is settled that, to establish the offence of defilement of a girl under the age of eleven years, the Prosecution must establish the essential elements of the offence – (a) that the accused/appellant had sex with the child who was under the age of eleven years; (b) that there was penetration into the vault of the vagina; (c) the evidence of the child must be corroborated. The elements for defilement is the same as rape, save that for defilement, it is immaterial whether the act was done with or without the consent of the child.

This is the well laid down position of the law, that a girl under the age of eleven is a child, and so is not capable of consenting to sex. The court would hold that she did not consent, even if she did consent - BONIFACE ADONIKE v THE STATE (2015) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1458)

237 at 284-285. Counsel for the Appellant, did not dispute the fact that the victim was defiled. The evidence before the trial court and the medical report, clearly support this position. The law is trite that, a court is duty bound to act on credible evidence where it is unchallenged and uncontroverted OFORLETE v THE STATE (2007) 7 SCNJ 162 at 179, 183 and 184.

Further, the Appellant contended he did not defile the victim, as she was seen crying the day before the incident when she was taken to a neighbour across the street. Under cross-examination however, the Appellant admitted that he was not at home the day before, when the baby was said to be crying.

He also admitted under cross-examination that he was in the room alone with the baby, and he was not aware there was blood stain on her pant. The argument by counsel for the Appellant that he could not have known if there was blood stain as the baby was wearing diaper, amounts to giving evidence in counsel’s brief. This does not have a legal force. A final written address, no matter how brilliantly couched, cannot take the place of evidence. Also, ethically, counsel is not expected to double as witness in a case. Doing this would run contrary to Rule 20 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2007.

LAWALI v STATE (2019) LPELR-46405.

On the contention of counsel that the lower court did not make pronouncement on the failure of the Investigating Police Officer to investigate the defence that the baby was crying a day before the incident, the Supreme Court adjudged the defence as illogical. The court held that an uncontrollable cry would not go on beyond the day in a victim so tender, without the mother taking notice and having the situation addressed. It is also inconceivable for the mother of a child who would have been so violated to give such child to the Appellant the next day, without addressing the reason for the inconsolable crying.

Regarding the argument that there were contradictions in the evidence of the prosecution, the court held that in certain cases, circumstantial evidence may be more powerful than direct evidence, which proves or disproves a fact directly - STATE v SUNDAY (2019) LPELR-46943(SC). In this instance, the victim was in the care of the Appellant who was alone with her in the room, as the girlfriend was running an errand.

He was the only male at home with the victim.

It is the law that before any contradiction can be established between the evidence of a witness and his previous statement, the specific portion of the previous statement sought to contradict the witness’ evidence must be brought to the attention of the witness for his explanation – OLAOYE v STATE (2018) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1621) 281 at 309. The prosecution witnesses in this case, were not confronted with the perceived contradictions. Whatever contradiction remotely seen, did not remove the Appellant from the scene of crime where the victim was defiled. For contradiction to affect the case of the prosecution, it must be substantial and go to the root of the matter. It is not every minor contradiction in evidence that matters; for a court to disbelieve a witness, his contradiction in his evidence must be material.

The court held that, the Appellant was not able to surmount the hurdle which would impel the Supreme Court to interfere with the concurrent findings of facts of the two courts below.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation Professor Bankole Sodipo, SAN with Daniel Ozoma for the Appellant.

E.R.Agu, Assistant Director, Lagos Ministry of Justice; F. Pius-Anyiador, Assistant Chief State Counsel; O.O. Osunsanya, Assistant Chief State Counsel for the Respondent.

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

V

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

L-R: Members of the NBA Ikeja Branch Law Week Planning Committee, Akinyemi Adetunji, Olabenwonie Adedji, Ms Adedoyin L-R: NBA General Secretary, Joyce Oduah, NBA President, Olumide Akpata Sobiye, Mr Kayode Agbadejobi and Mrs Folake Jegede. and 1st Vice President, John Aikpokpo Martins

NBA Ikeja Law Week Commences Today Activities marking the 2022 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch kicked off with a Press Conference at the Bar Centre and Jumat Prayers immediately after that.

There was also a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at Archbishop Vinning Memorial Ikeja GRA. There was a cocktail sponsored by Pinheiro LP yesterday, while the main events of the Law Week commenced today Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN will lead the show case session this morning, with a discussion on the topic: “Democratic Nigeria: Have Our Lives Really Changed?’’ Mr Femi Falana, SAN and Mr. Y.C. Maikyau, SAN will discuss the topic at the Marriot Hotel, 122 Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, at 9am.

“Arbitration Clauses and the Role of our Courts: The Need for Judicial Intervention’’ by Mrs FunkeAdekoya, SAN, Mr Tunde Busari, SAN and Chief Layi Babatunde, SAN, will follow at Marriot Hotel at 12:30pm.

Wednesday, June 15, 2022 will feature “The Bar and Bench: A Relationship that Should Never Die” with Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, Hon. Justice Faji, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Hon. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN; Chief Joe -Kyari Gadzama OFR, SAN, Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN and Dr Muiz Banire, SAN amongst others.

The Variety Night will be at the Bar Centre, by the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja, off Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja, GRA, Lagos.

There will also be the Alao

NBA-NEC Creates Additional Branches, Responds to MULAN The National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has approved the splitting of the NBA Abuja Branch popularly known as Unity Bar, and the creation of a new Branch in Lagos.

Abuja Branch was retained, while two additional branches were created. The new Branches are Bwari Branch, Abuja Branch, Nyanya Branch, Gwagwalada Branch and Garki Branch.

“Two more branches were created in addition to Abuja, Bwari and Gwagwalada.

The main faction of the old Abuja Branch was retained, as Abuja Branch. The second faction is now Garki, and a third was created to give an NBA forum in Nyanya the status of a Branch.”

The decision was made at the ongoing NEC meeting which commenced on 8th of June in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital and ended on June 9, 2022.

According to the NBA President, Olumide Akpata, the additional Branches were created to solve the lingering crisis in Abuja.

On the other hand, Nyanya Branch and Surulere Branches were created out of Abuja and Lagos Branches, for easy administration as a result of the large population of Lawyers in those Branches.

Meanwhile, the Conference fees for 2021 was retained, and Chimamanda Adichie was approved as Keynote Speaker for the 2022 AGC. In 2021 fees for Young Lawyers were N15,000 or N7,500 for physical or virtual. Late registration however, was N45, 000.

Lawyers of 6-10 years post call paid N22,500, while Senior Advocates of Nigeria paid N190, 000.

One of the aspirants for the 2022 NBA Elections, Felix Chukwuma Ashimole, was chased out of the venue and the NBA-NEC also responded to Muslim Lawyers Association, MULAN. The NBA NEC stated that condemning Deborah for blasphemy against the Prophet when she has not been tried by a court and found guilty, negates the presumption of innocence that we Lawyers preach.

Aka Bashorun Memorial Lecture.

Hon. Justice I.T. Muhammed CFR will deliver the lecture on “The Allegation of Corruption in

the Legal Profession: Who is to Blame?” Former NBA President, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN and Mr Yemi Candide-Johnson,

SAN will discuss this topic.

Friday, June17 will feature “Opportunities for Young Lawyers in Law: Bridging

the Gap”. Discussants are Seni Adio, SAN; Bode Olanipekun, SAN, Kunle Adegoke, SAN and Faruq Abbas.

Funke Akindele, 236 Others Lose Suit Challenging Covid-19 Conviction Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has struck out a suit by popular actress, Funke Akindale alias Jenifa, her husband Abdul Rasheed Bello, and 236 others seeking to set aside their conviction.

Justice Aluko held that the suit disclosed no reasonable cause of action, and was also incompetent.

Akindele and her husband plus their guests numbering 236, were convicted on April 6, 2020 by the Lagos State Magistrate Court in Ogba, days after they held a crowded house birthday party contrary to Lagos State’s social distancing order.

But, a Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, approached the court, challenging the constitutionality of the Lagos State Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020 pursuant to which Akindele, her husband and 236 other residents were convicted and

sentenced.

Joint Respondents in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/588/2020 are the Lagos State Government, Attorney-General of Lagos State, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and the Inspector-General of Police.

Ogungbeje also sought, among others, an order compelling the Respondents jointly and severally, to tender a public apology in three widely read newspaper publications to persons/Nigerians arrested, arraigned, tried, convicted and sentenced.

But, the Lagos State Government and the AG opposed him through their counsel, a Deputy Director, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Mr Adebayo Haroun.

The 1st and 2nd Respondent filed a notice of preliminary objection against the suit, on July 10, 2020.

According to them, Section 8 of the Quarantine Act, 2004 allows the Governor to make the regulations, where the

President of Nigeria had not made such regulations. They contended that the Regulation was made for public safety, public good and protection, which is larger and far greater than that of an individual such as the Applicant.

In his judgement delivered on June 2, 2022, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the court agreed in part with the Government.

Justice Aluko observed that the regulations disclosed in its preamble that the Governor made the regulations by virtue of the powers conferred on him by the Lagos State Public Health Law of Lagos State, 2015, and in particular Section 8 of the Quarantine Act, and that Section 8 provides that if regulations under Section 4 of the Act were not made by the President, power to make such regulations may be exercised by the Governor in respect of his State.

He held that: “This means

that the regulations made by the Governor on the 27/3/2020 is valid within the context of Section 8 of the Quarantine Act, having been made at a time when the President had not made his own regulations.

The Lagos State Infectious Disease (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020 is therefore, a subsidiary legislation validly made pursuant to Section 8 of the Quarantine Act. “Contrary to the argument of the Applicant, Section 17 of the Regulations actually created certain offences ranging from failure to comply with the restriction order, prohibition or doing anything contrary to the provisions of the Regulations.

“Section 17 (2) of the Regulations provides that any person who contravenes the provisions of the Regulations shall be liable under the Quarantine Act, Public Health Law of the State, and any other existing law to fine or imprisonment or both, in

NAJUC Condemns Illegal Detention and Harassment of Journalist The National Association of Judiciary Correspondents, NAJUC, has condemned the unlawful harassment and detention of its members, especially that of the Publisher of Royal Times Magazine, Ranti Alaba Thomas, by men of the Nigeria Police, Lagos Command.

Mr Thomas, now released, was kept in a Police underground detention camp for four days without any trace by members of his family and colleagues.

In a statement jointly signed by its Chairmen, Lagos and Ikeja, Mr Peter Fowoyo and Wahab Akinlade, the Association said the detention of Mr Thomas by security operatives was illegal and unconstitutional, thereby violating his right to freedom of expression guaranteed under the Constitution.

The Journalists have a con-

stitutional obligation to report issues of interest to the public, and should not be barred or harassed in the course of such reportorial duties the statement said.

The Association urged men of the Nigeria Police as well as Government officials, to uphold democratic principles and refrain from abusive use of power, while at the same time calling on the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to investigate the maltreatment and illegal detention of Mr Thomas for four days without valid reasons.

Families and friends of the Publisher of Royal Times Magazine were thrown into confusion on June 3, 2022, when he was cruelly abducted at gun point by men of Nigeria Police, who kept him incommunicado

for 72 hours.

Immediately after the powerdrunk Policemen abducted Mr Thomas, his cellphone was taken away from him and his sim card was also removed, making it difficult for sister security agencies to track him down, the statement further added.

According to information, the NAJUC members gathered from family sources that, Ranti Thomas left his office on Friday on an invite to meet someone who called him on his cellphone but didn’t return until Monday.

However, his colleagues reached out to relevant security agencies, and were told that his telephone was switched off, and was last active on Friday when he was abducted at gunpoint.

“On Monday evening, the NAJUC Chairman of the Ikeja Branch, Wahab Akinlade,

received a call from an unknown caller who identified himself as a Police Inspector from the State Command, asking him to report at the Tracking Unit to secure his bail.

“The Chairman, accompanied by other colleagues, reported at the said unit to see their missing colleague looking sick in the custody of the same Police authority that was reported to for search hunt.

It will be remembered Justice Chizoba Orji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, sitting at Maitama on Tuesday of last week also ordered six Judiciary correspondents to be detained for over two hours, for what she called unlawful coverage of her court proceedings.

#upjudicialsalaries

“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.” Sebastine Hon, SAN

VI

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

COVER

Nigeria: A Cash and Carry Democracy

In what may go down in the nation’s political history as the most monetised Presidential election primaries, both the ruling party, APC, and the main opposition party, PDP, conducted primaries which produced their presidential flag bearers. The question on the lips of many is, who outspent who? PDP or APC? What does the law say about political spending? Should there be a more reasonable ceiling in the amount spent on primaries and campaigns, as it is done in other climes? Norrison Quakers, SAN, Uju Peace Okeke, Jide Ojo and Dr Sam Amadi in this discourse, examine the issues which flowed from the recently concluded party primaries of the political parties, preparatory to the 2023 general elections Nigeria’s Democracy and Votes for Sale Norrison Quakers, SAN, FCArb Introduction his year has been quite eventful in the political landscape of our polity, for reasons not unconnected with the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

The question of the Electoral Act amendments with the several court pronouncements/appeals has left some uncertainty, in view of the timeline the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is constrained to work with. Likewise, the extension of the deadline for the Primary Election of political parties after pressure was mounted on INEC, gave room for scepticism on the part of electorate on the true independence of INEC. This, coupled with the fact that the Central Bank of Nigeria, that previously stored sensitive electoral materials, is now being questioned as to its neutrality due to the Presidential ambition of its Governor; the issue of his eligibility was eventually submitted for the court to determine.

T

Corrupt Delegates Many have nursed the hope that the monetisation of Nigerian demozcracy witnessed in previous elections, would not be the case with the 2023 elections. Regrettably, their hope has been deflated

by the humongous size of corrupt practices that greeted the recently concluded Primary Elections of political parties, with series of reports of bribery of Delegates at the Primary Elections/Swapping of List of Delegates.

This can be directly linked to the high cost of Nomination Forms for elective offices of the Political Parties, shutting out the patriotic individuals lacking the financial wherewithal to participate, whilst allowing people with questionable sources of income to have a smooth sail.

The position of ‘Delegates’ of the Political Parties have been monetised, with various allegations of substitution of List of Delegates and bribery of Delegates at the Primary Election of Political Parties, in the face of the nagging issue of whether Section 84(8)of the Electoral Act 2022 (EA) can be interpreted to have excluded ‘statutory delegates’ from voting at the convention, congress or meeting of the Political Parties by virtue of Section 223 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). Section 84(8) of the EA provides that delegates to vote at the indirect primaries and national convention of political parties to elect candidates for elections, shall be those democratically elected for that purpose only. Of note, Article 20(iv)(c) of the Constitution of the Ruling Party - All Progressive Congress (APC) allows Statutory Delegates to vote at convention, congress or meeting.

Ordinarily, Delegates are meant to be the

“….we must take steps to save the electoral process from the virus of illegality, credibility problems and absurdity….a political system built on bribe for votes, is definitely designed to assassinate the concept of democracy”

voice of members of the Political Parties they represent. On disenfranchisement, the dictionary meaning of the word is a deprivation of a franchise, of a legal right, or of some privilege or immunity; most especially a deprivation of the right to vote. The Supreme Court has held in several cases that, where a petitioner alleges disenfranchisement of voters, he must prove his case through the testimony of the disenfranchised voters, polling unit by polling unit and ward by ward. Ucha v Elechi (2012) 13 NWLR (Pt. 1317) 330.

In Huth v Clarke (1890) 25 Q.B.D. 391 the following observation on ‘Delegates’ which appears to be opposite, was made by Lord Coleridge, C.J., at page 394: "But delegation does not imply a denudation of power and authority... The word 'delegation' implies that powers are committed to another person or body, which are as a rule, always subject to resumption by the power delegating and many examples of this might be given.

Unless, therefore, it is controlled by statute, the delegating power can at any time resume its authority".

The state of affairs with the recently concluded Primary Elections of Political Parties, confirms that Delegates are not the voice of members of the Political Parties they represent. Admittedly, the position of law is settled, as aptly captured in Chinwo v Owhonda (2008) 3 NWLR (Pt. 1074) 341 wherein it was held that where an individual elects to and subscribes to the membership of an association, in the exercise of his constitutional right under Sections 39 and 40 of 1999 Constitution which guarantee freedom of thought, assembly, association, etc, he is bound by the internal rules and regulations of the association.

Hence, the act/choice made by Delegates at Primary Elections, will bind the members of the Political Parties they represent; this is buttressed by the fact that, there is a rebuttable presumption that the result of an election

declared by a Returning officer is authentic until proved otherwise in court or at an election tribunal: Omoboriowo v Ajasin (1984) 15 NSCC 81 at 97-98; Nwobodo v Onoh (1984) 1 SC at 52-53.

Nonetheless, nowhere else is the need to do substantial justice greater than in election petition, for the court is not only concerned with the rights of the parties inter se, but the wider interest and rights of the constituents who have exercised their franchise at the polls. Per Suleiman Galadima JSC in Ikpeazu v Otti & Ors (2016) LPELR-40055 (SC) (Pp 56-56 Paras C-E).

Consequently, aggrieved members of political parties can challenge any person falsely holding himself out as a ‘Delegate’, without having their mandate to so act. It will be interesting to see this, in expanding the frontiers of our democracy.

Other Matters Arising It is regrettable that allegations of issuance of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to underage persons and aliens, compromising of Delegates’ List, payment of Delegates in exchange for votes (this entails huge sums since several aspirants jostle for each of those tickets, whilst bribing delegates in foreign currency), complaints of inaccessibility of voting centres, amongst others, still characterise the election season today. More interesting is permutations over the possibility of Muslim-Muslim ticket for the Presidency, South East aspirants in the major political parties not being given the desired spotlight, extension of deadline for PVC Registration, amongst others.

The Presidency There has been stiff competition by political parties, towards finding a Messiah to replace His Excellency Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) who has served as President of Nigeria since 2015.

The recent Primaries of the APC came with its theatrics, with many believing that the National Leader of the APC, Jagaban of Borgu, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had been thrown under the bus by his allies, only for him to rise against

VII COVER

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Nigeria: A Cash and Carry Democracy all odds as the Flag Bearer of the Ruling party. #OBIdient is trending on various social media platforms for Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) candidate; likewise the stalwarts of the Waziri Adamawa- the Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON, are not left out, even as he has recently released his economic agenda guiding principle.

There is also Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), amongst others.

Already, INEC has fixed June 17th, 2022 as the deadline for Presidential candidates to name their running mates. The future of our fatherland, is to be determined by the choices we make today definitely.

Conclusion Various shortcomings of the electoral process in Nigeria, have been identified. In all of this, the electorate has been keenly following. To avoid apathy of voters; there is the need to convince voters that indeed, their votes will count. This is the hallmark of democracy.

There is no gainsaying that ours is a #Sorosoke Generation, hence to avoid resort by voters to ‘Street Revolution’ as opposed to ‘Ballot Revolution’, we must take steps to save the electoral process from the virus of illegality, credibility problems and absurdity. The future of our children should never be mortgaged; a political system built on bribe for votes, is definitely designed to assassinate the concept of democracy.

Norrison Ibinabo Quakers, SAN, Constitutional and Commercial Lawyer, Lagos

Democracy or Plutocracy: Which Way Nigeria?

Uju Peace Okeke Introduction Plutocracy is a government controlled directly or indirectly by the wealthy. Democracy, on the other hand, is a system of government where citizens select leaders through competitive elections and hold them accountable for their actions, thereby indirectly making laws and policies. Democracy is preferred, because it aids development and fosters unity. Nigeria practises democracy. As if to clear all doubts, the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides categorically in Section 14 (1) that Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy.

Democracy is not just an end, but also a means to an end; thus, it involves a process which includes election, political party system, etc.

The Constitution created the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the election management body, to see to free and fair elections. As political parties remain a major platform for political representation, it authorises the National Assembly in Section 228 to make laws for internal democracy within political parties and empowers INEC to enforce the law.

Following this, the National Assembly enacted the Electoral Act (as amended) in which it, among other provisions, limits election expenses for the various political offices.

The Electoral Act The 2022 Electoral Act, in Section 88 raised the respective expenditure ceilings. For instance, now, a Presidential candidate can spend N5 billion (formerly N1 billion), Governorship candidates can spend N1 billion (formerly N200 million), Senatorial candidates, N100 million (formerly N40 million), while House of Representatives candidate can spend N70 million (formerly N20 million). For membership of the State Assembly and local government chairmanship, they can spend N30 million (formerly N10 million), while Councillorship candidates can spend N5 million (formerly N1 million).

One of the reasons for this increment, is that candidates usually spend more than what is provided in the law. However, this reason is not tenable, because most citizens live below the poverty line as the minimum wage is N30,000 monthly, and even some States are still unable to pay it. It follows that a greater number of Nigerians cannot afford to contest elections, questioning the beneficiaries of this law. This means that people may be forced to borrow money to finance this expensive

Norrison Quakers, SAN

venture, and when they get there, will as a matter of urgency, repay the money plus interest. The National Assembly, by this act, is commercialising political representation. This runs afoul of Section 13 of the Constitution which mandates all organs of government, authorities and persons to conform to the observance of Chapter II - Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy. This chapter includes the provision in Section 14 (1) having social justice as one of the two principles on which Nigeria is based, while (2) (c) insists on the ensuring the participation of Nigerians in government.

In the light of this raised ceiling, how many Nigerians will be able to participate? Where then lies the social justice? The practical implication of this provision of the Electoral Act, offends Section 42 of the Constitution which guarantees equality, as only a few people, particularly males, can afford to fund their desire for political representation. This is especially so, as poverty wears the face of a woman. It further violates Section 34 of the Constitution on the right to dignity, which simply means the right to be treated like a human being. This is evident in deliberate act of denying most Nigerians equal opportunity for political representation.

Section 1 of the Constitution (as amended) is emphatic that the Constitution is supreme while (3) insists that any law that is inconsistent with it shall be void to the extent of its inconsistency. Apparently, the practical implication of this law, strongly suggests it cares less about the provisions of Constitution. Whether this is a case of legislative lawlessness, is a topic for another day. It is a no-brainer that where the cost for political representation is reduced to the barest minimum, more Nigerians will get involved, offering the voters a wider array of choices and a chance at getting it right.

Is this Democracy?

A good democracy is a broadly legitimated regime that completely satisfies the citizens, who must enjoy a moderate level of liberty and equality. While ours is legitimated as we have the laws, pertinent questions remain, are Nigerians satisfied and do they enjoy moderate level of equality especially as it relates to political representation? Unfortunately, most Nigerians cannot honestly answer these questions in the affirmative, because Sections 65/66/, 106/107 and 131/177 which provide for candidacy qualifications for National and State Houses of Assembly, as well as President

“….. most citizens live below the poverty line as the minimum wage is N30,000 monthly….It follows that a greater number of Nigerians cannot afford to contest elections, questioning the beneficiaries of this law”

Uju Peace Okeke

and Governor mention age, education and citizenship. These qualifications take our equality into consideration, and suggest that any qualified and devoted Nigerian can contest in elections, but the reverse is the case, as the monetary qualification under the Electoral Act discriminatorily excludes a large number of Nigerians.

The enabling environment of political representation is unfriendly, as the cost is outrageous. Nigerians were shocked to their marrow, to observe political party nomination forms selling for as much as N100 million.

As if that was not bad enough, delegates shamelessly received payments in Dollars.

In fact, it was a heavy rain of Dollars, as delegates received in one day annual salaries of workers even in developed climes, setting a dangerous precedent. This wicked act, occurred in the face of massive hunger in the country. Nigeria uses Naira, yet the system allowed delegates to openly earn in Dollars, which has the effect of further devaluing the Naira. This reprehensible act was done by elites, who ought to know better. Sadly, they promise to make Nigeria great and better the lot of Nigerians, yet the very first step of sharing Dollars is an attempt at destroying the economy. What kind of development are they promising? How can an average qualified Nigerian who has the zeal to better the country, afford the cost of the election nomination forms and paying delegates, when he or she has not as much as earned close to these amounts? It seems these offices are reserved solely for the wealthy, who may not have any interest in improving the country.

Of course, this will result in the enactment of policies that favour only the wealthy, when they get there.

It is worthy of note that, delegates of different tribes and genders received this money aimed at influencing their decisions.

In fact, social media was awash with what they did with the money. One of the delegates from the North shared the money received which was close to N20 million, with the poor in his State. While some laud him for the seemingly magnanimous gesture, the question remains, should the money have been given and received? Can a right result emanate from a wrong act? The law as posited in the locus classicus case of UAC v MCFOY is that, one does not put something on nothing because it lacks the leg to stand.

Can the delegates truthfully tell Nigerians that their votes were free and fair, and not influenced by the Greek gifts? It is not just appalling, but the fact that Nigerians are yet to read that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating these matters is worrisome. Shouldn’t EFCC be beaming its powerful searchlight on politicians and political activities, especially in the light of recent happenings?

The motto of Nigeria according to Section 15(1) of the Constitution is ‘Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress’. Buttressing this,

(5) provides ‘the State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power’, if these are not acts of corruption, one wonders what are. Recent happenings are even embarrassment to the word ‘corruption’.

Again, Nigerians are yet to read of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a body set up principally to fight corruption, talk about investigating the source of humongous amounts seen and heard of, as it pertains to the election. However, the worst of all this, is that many Nigerians discuss this ocean of Dollars, that is threatening the future of unborn generations, with glee, sad that they are not part of the delegates. This is proof of misplaced priorities; the National Orientation Agency must as a matter of urgency, step up its work which is clearly cut out now, especially in view of the second stanza of our national anthem ‘…direct our noble cause, guide our leaders right, help our youths the truth to know…’. This is of course, assuming that its priorities are still intact.

The Constitution Section 24 of the Constitution makes it the duty of every citizen to abide by this Constitution, respect its ideals and its institutions. This applies to the law makers, political office aspirants, political party delegates, institutions and the entire Nigerian citizens. If the welfare of the people is a primary purpose of government, how do the recent acts benefit Nigerians? How come the institutions set up to ensure that all comply with the Constitution, are seemingly mute? Is it a question of ill preparedness, unwillingness or connivance?

Majority of Nigerians are brave, intelligent, innovative and knowledgeable. They should condemn the system which watches and does nothing, as the Constitution is being desecrated.

Courageously call out all the aspirants and delegates who shamelessly influenced and benefited from the Dollar rain, in an attempt to sell the country to the highest bidder. Do they have the power?

Yes, as Section 14(a) of the Constitution provides that ‘sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority’ this is very important because if the grundnorm, the foundation upon which the country is built is destroyed, where will the aspiring leaders, so called delegates and indeed, entire Nigerians be?

Conclusion Nevertheless, being that democracy is a bargain between the government and the governed, if Nigerians are tired of practising democracy and will rather opt for plutocracy, they should through their representatives at the National Assembly, amend the Constitution, rather than by their inaction, allow this boloney through the backdoor.

Silence in this case, is not golden, but destructive, cowardly and I dare say, an indictment.

Uju Peace Okeke, Voulunteer, Centre for Mmadu on Human Rights (C4M) cont'd on page VIII

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COVER Nigeria: A Cash and Carry Democracy cont'd from page VII

Obscene Monetisation of Nigeria’s Politics Jide Ojo Introduction Politics everywhere is a money guzzler. It is a very capital intensive project, for those who dare to venture into it. Actually, unless you dare to contest election, you can be in politics as mere hanger-on and bench-warmer, only attending meetings and volunteering as vote canvassers to contestants during elections. But, once you declare your aspiration to contest for any political office both within the party structure or in a general election, the dynamics change.

Constituents, acquaintances, friends and family will turn your house and office to a “Mecca” where they can get freebies. The moment you become aspirant, everybody believes you have tons of cash to give out, and they will be readily available to cash out on you.

The preparation for the seventh general election in this Fourth Republic which started on May 29, 1999, has commenced in earnest with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announcing February 25 and March 11, 2023 as the new dates for the polls. Being a rule based exercise, INEC reeled out the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for 2023 General Election on Saturday, February 26, 2022. Some of the key activities and their dates of implementation are as follows: Publication of Notice of Election – Monday 28th February 2022; Conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them – Monday, 4th April 2022 to Thursday, 9th June 2022; Submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online portal for Presidential and National Assembly election – 9.00am on Friday, 10th June 2022 to 6.00pm on Friday, 17th June 2022; Submission of nomination forms to INEC via the online nomination portal for Governorship and State Assembly elections – 9.00am on Friday, 1st July 2022 to 6.00pm on Friday, 15th July 2022; Commencement of Campaigns by political parties for Presidential and National Assembly election – Wednesday, 28th September 2022.

Other activities include: Commencement of Campaigns by political parties for Governorship and State Assembly elections – Wednesday, 12th October 2022; Last day of campaign by political parties for Presidential and National Assembly elections — midnight on Thursday, 23rd February 2023; Last day of campaign by political parties for Governorship and State Assembly elections — midnight on Thursday, 9th March 2023; Presidential and National Assembly elections – Saturday, February 25, 2023; and Governorship and State House of Assembly elections – Saturday, March 11, 2023.

2022 Party Primaries in Focus Party primaries are the processes by which political parties nominate their standard bearers or candidates. It starts from announcements of dates for the purchase of Expression of Interests and Nomination Forms, screening of aspirants, and conduct of primaries for the cleared aspirants.

For the 2022 exercise, it held from April 4 – June 9. Even though there is a 2 months’ window to conduct the primaries, most of the political parties conducted the intra-party elections in the last two weeks. Before a political party can conduct its primary, it has to give INEC 21 days’ notice according to Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 (the Act), submit soft and hard copy of its membership register to INEC at least 30 days to the party primary according to Section 77 (3) of the Act, and also submit list of its elected delegates to INEC at least seven days to the party primary.

Section 84(2) says “The procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various elective positions shall be by direct, indirect primaries or consensus”. For the benefits of readers, for Direct Primary, all members of the party are involved in the election of the party’s

Jide Ojo

standard bearer. This election takes place at Ward Level according to Section 84(4) of the Act. Thereafter, special Conventions or Congresses shall be held to ratify the candidate with the highest number of votes at designated centres at the National, State, Senatorial, Federal and State Constituencies, as the case may be.

For the Indirect Primary, it is an electoral college system, where elected and or statutory delegates vote to pick the party’s candidate.

According to Section 84(8) of the Act “A political party that adopts the system of indirect primaries for the choice of its candidate shall clearly outline in its constitution and rules the procedure for the democratic election of delegates to vote at the convention, congress or meeting”. As per the third mode of party primary known as Consensus, the Act in Section 84(9) says “A political party that adopts a consensus candidate shall secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position, indicating their voluntary withdrawal from the race and their endorsement of the consensus candidate”.

Abuse of Indirect Primary In the just concluded party primaries, most political parties chose Indirect Primary as their mode of candidate nomination. The rationale behind this being that, many of the political parties do not have credible membership register. Most of them also do not even have the members. According to INEC sources, there is a political party with just 1,500 members nationwide. Indirect primary is also less cumbersome, and cheaper for the political parties to conduct. This is because unlike direct primaries which takes place at Ward Level (there are 8,809 Wards in Nigeria), Indirect Primary takes place at one chosen location. While many of them may have preferred a consensus mode, the fact that other aspirants have to withdraw in writing and also endorse the consensus candidate makes it dicey, especially if there are many aspirants.

On the flip side, as good as Indirect Primary is, it is prone to corruption, inducement and gross abuse. What transpired in the last couple of weeks in the dominant political parties, vis All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) attest to

“One of the delegates from the North shared the money received which was close to N20 million, with the poor in his State…..Shouldn’t EFCC be beaming its powerful searchlight on politicians and political activities, especially in the light of recent happenings?”

this. Using the presidential primaries of these two political parties as a case study, it clearly showed that the winners of their presidential tickets were the highest bidders. Corruption started with the election of delegates. In many instances, there were no elections.

Power brokers simply wrote the names of their loyalists and passed it on to their party headquarters, who themselves sent it to INEC. In fact, there was a purported court order asking that Akwa Ibom delegates should not be accredited to vote at the just concluded APC presidential primary in Abuja.

There were myriads of media reports of heavy inducements of delegates of the PDP and APC, during their May 28 – 29 and June 6 – 8, 2022 presidential primaries respectively.

On May 28, 2022 a presidential aspirant under the umbrella of PDP, Mohammed HayatuDeen stepped down from the race, describing the primary election contest as “obscenely monetised”. The Punch newspaper on June 2, 2022 reported that a People’s Democratic Party national delegate from Kaduna State, Tanko Sabo, donated over N12 million he got from the party’s presidential primary to the less-privileged in the Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna. According to him, he made a promise to his constituents to give back whatever monetary benefits he got at the PDP primary, if elected as a delegate.

The Peoples Gazette newspaper in its June 7, 2022 edition reported that delegates from Adamawa and Ogun disclosed to it that they allegedly received cash gifts from the newly elected APC presidential standard bearer. At least five delegates from both States claimed in The Gazette in separate interviews, that they were offered American banknotes to support two frontline South West aspirants. The delegates provided information under anonymity, to avoid being accused of anti-party conduct that could carry severe disciplinary measures. Despite its widespread manifestation, law enforcement authorities have had little success with cash-for-vote schemes during primary and general polls, because they are difficult to establish. A politician may deploy hundreds of agents via proxies to give money to delegates or voters, but, disavow involvement in case of arrest or public humiliation.

In case anyone thinks this inducement of delegates is limited to the supposed big political parties, there was a tweet from Dr Ope Banwo on June 9, 2022 about youths receiving money from an ADC aspirant who had no vision or manifesto. Makes you wonder if youths are really different from the old school.”

What Does the Law Say About Bribery and Inducement in Electoral Process?

Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022 criminalises the offence of bribery and conspiracy, and says anyone who commits the offence is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of #500,000 or imprisonment for a term of

12 months or both. Section 127 of the Act talks about “Undue Influence” and says “A person who — (a) corruptly by his or herself or by any other person at any time after the date of an election has been announced, directly or indirectly gives or provides or pays money to or for any person for the purpose of corruptly influencing that person or any other person to vote or refrain from voting at such election, or on account of such person or any other person having voted or refrained from voting at such election; or (b) being a voter, corruptly accepts or takes money or any other inducement during any of the period stated in paragraph (a), commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of 100,000 or imprisonment for a term of 12 months or both.”

Section 88(2) – (7) also pegs campaign finance ceilings. For instance, presidential candidates are not to spend more than N5 billion on their campaigns.

Impact of Obscene Monetisation of Nigeria’s Politics There’s no gainsaying that turning Nigeria’s politics to a bazaar will promote corruption, and impacts negatively on good governance. These aspirants and candidates shelling out huge amounts to ‘buy’ their way into elective political offices, are not ‘Father Christmas’. They see politics as investment, from which they hope to reap bountifully.

When they finally succeed in buying their way into office, their main pre-occupation will be to recoup their political investment. Thus, campaign promises, nay dividends of democracy, are kept in abeyance. This high monetisation of politics also means that people of noble ideas and ideals but little financial means, will find it difficult to get elected into office.

Way Forward There are a number of steps to take, if we are to sanitise the electoral process. Despite the obscene amounts allegedly spent by the standard bearers of APC and PDP to emerge victorious, the argument can be made that they were not yet candidates as they are aspirants until nominated, and the ceiling on campaign expenses affects only candidates.

There’s therefore, need to factor what they spend as aspirants and even pre and post-election litigation, as part of their campaign finance. This will need further amendment of the Act. It has been suggested that political parties should henceforth, bear the responsibility of logistics for delegates, ranging from their transportation, accommodation and feeding, rather than leaving such to party moneybags who trade with them. It is also here suggested that, Political Parties should be the ones to pay for the services of Polling Agents, rather than passing the bill to candidates. There are 176,846 Polling Units now, if an agent is to be paid N10,000 each for their services on election day, the amount payable to them is gargantuan.

There is also the need to criminalise third party spending on behalf of aspirants and candidates.

Many clever politicians are contesting elections using phantom groups and surrogates to spend on their behalf, so that such expenses are not traceable to them. We saw this recently when cont'd on page IX

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COVER Nigeria: A Cash and Carry Democracy cont'd from page VIII

many of the aspirants claimed their friends or associates bought their nomination forms. Instead of anti-corruption agents going to the venue of party congresses and conventions to arrest those who would be inducing delegates or voters, they should carry out sting operations at hotels and Governors’ lodges, where the sharing of the money to delegates takes place. Above all, there is need for Government to double down on poverty and unemployment. Otherwise, in the next round of elections, contest to be delegates will be fiercer than those of party standard bearers.

Jide Ojo, Development Consultant and Public Affairs Analyst

Regulating Against Monetised Elections Dr Sam Amadi It is no longer news that the Nigerian electoral process is monetised. And this is in dollars. The urban legend is how the various electing primaries of the political parties, including the smaller and newer political parties, have been so monetised that votes were traded freely for dollars. One of the stories is that some aspirants of the ruling APC and the leading opposition, the PDP, paid as much as $50,000 for one delegate. Some have to pay as many as 500 delegates to ensure victory.

One funny but tragic urban legend is that one of the ‘lucky’ delegates went straight to an auto market to buy a new car. Another delegate was humanitarian enough to donate the entire proceed of being a delegate to the poor in his community, in imitation of Robbin Hood. Social media has another story of a distraught aspirant to paid delegates N2m and got only two votes going about with hunters to recover his money from the untrustworthy delegates.

If Greg Pallast, the author of ‘The Best Democracy Money Can Buy’, monitored the primary elections in Nigeria, perhaps, he would have been inspired to write a sequel in the form of the worst democracy money can buy. The monetisation of the primary in this unbridled manner points to further degeneration of Nigeria’s hybrid democracy. It damages the prospect of democracy consolidation in terms of what Robert Dahl, in his book, Polyarchy: Participation and Opposition (1971, Yale University Press page 1), called “the quality of being completely or almost completely responsive to all its citizens”.

If delegates sell their votes, it means the outcome they produce through the exchange will not reflect their preferences and will rather hurt the notion of democracy conceived as a process of self-expression and self-determination. Furthermore, sell of votes by delegates means that those who pay for the votes are not bound be responsive to the needs of the delegates. This circles back to failure of democracy to yield its dividends.

Delegates are representatives of party members.

Based on Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act, 2022, delegates to any elective primary or convention in Nigeria must be democratically elected. Their election carries the responsibility to represent party members in choosing the candidates of their parties.

They are not trustees of party members in that they been chosen by party members to apply their reason to make the best choice on their behalf. If they transact based on pecuniary interests, then they are betraying the trusteeship. But beyond the abuse of trust relationship, they are damaging the prospect of electoral democracy translating into dividends of democracy, whether defined in terms of socioeconomic and political goods or in terms of conflict avoidance and dispute settlement.

Why Care Much About Selling and Buying of Votes?

Nigeria have developed a cottage industry around votes buying at election. This phenomenon came to national prominence in the 2017 Anambra gubernatorial elections when candidates were alleged to engage in open buying of votes. Ever since, as we close down some of the loopholes in the electoral process, desperate candidates have perfected the art of paying voters to vote for them.

In 2023 electoral circle, we have seen the trend move to primaries. We expect a heightened efforts

Dr Sam Amadi

to buy votes in the general elections in 2023.

Now that the technology of electoral malpractice is centred around buying votes of both delegates and the electorates, how should the regulatory institutions react? What can be done to effectively constrain this trend? Should the election management body and financial regulators take this negative trend serious and what should be the basis and extent of their interventions?

What should be the basis of serious regulatory intervention against the dollarisation of Nigerian electoral process? Ideally, regulators intervene in the private market where there is a market failure. Market failure occurs when the costs of market transactions cannot be fully covered by the price such that there are negative or positive externalities. In this respect, public regulators should allow delegates and electorates decide howsoever who they want to vote. They are permitted to make stupid decisions as long as those decisions are not forced on them. That is democracy. But where such decision is made through inducement, then notwithstanding the outcome of the process, there is a market failure, and the regulator should intervene. The free market of democracy fails when electoral outcomes are not the free expression of the people’s preferences. When that happens, the only way to cure the deficit of democracy is through regulatory interventions that restore agency to voters, whether as delegate for the choice of party candidates or as electorates in the general election. This necessity becomes more pressing in democracies that do not make provisions for independent candidacy, like Nigeria’s.

It remains to ask how the electoral management body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and financial regulators like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) can intervene to restore the stability and credibility of the electoral market. What legal framework exist for such intervention?

First, Section 225 of the Constitution regulates political finance and mandates political parties in Nigeria to report to INEC about the state of its finances. Subsection 2 requires the parties to submit to INEC details of the source and analysis of its funds and other assets. Subsection 3 prohibits a Nigerian political party from receiving and keeping any fund from a foreign source. Subsection 5 authorises INEC to make subsidiary regulation on political financing and expenditures.

Section 225 provides adequate and effective legal framework for INEC to intervene to regulate political financing, especially campaign financing.

This constitutional framework is reinforced by the electoral law in prohibiting foreign funds for elections and authorising INEC to inspect election expenses, limit how much can be spent for election purposes and determine

“there is need for Government to double down on poverty and unemployment. Otherwise, in the next round of elections, contest to be delegates will be fiercer than those of party standard bearers”

how it can be spent and the process for bookkeeping and reporting (Sections 86-90).

This is an ample provision to deal with the scourge of illicit use of money in elections.

Interestingly, INEC has never triggered these provisions of the law. This failure to exercise regulatory powers is tied to failure of the election management body in Nigeria to properly conceptualise its statutory mandate.

It focuses so much resource on transactional activities and next to nothing on the more important regulatory activities.

The failure of INEC to fully execute its regulatory responsibilities has led to calls for creation of other agencies to carry out such regulatory activities while INEC focuses on purely transactional aspects of elections. This was the recommendation of the Justice Uwais Committee. The report of the committee was not implemented. INEC is perhaps waking to its regulatory duties. But it is still far from the level required to effectively regulate electoral democracy. INEC needs to develop administrative law resources to be able to regulate the monetisation of elections in Nigeria. These resources are necessary for the commission to act as a quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial body.

It starts with rule making. INEC has not effectively exercised its rule-making powers.

Apart from the Electoral Guidelines that it issues as part of the commencement of electoral process, it ought to issue more guidance to political parties on how to implement the constitutional and legal requirements of free, fair, and credible elections. The constitution and the electoral law require the parties to be effectively regulated so as to ensure the democratic rights of citizens to decide who rules over the republic. As the US Supreme Court in California Democratic Party v Jones (530 U.S. 567 (2000) put it, “Representative democracy in any populous unit of governance is unimaginable without the ability of citizens to come together in promoting amongst the electorates candidates who espouse their political views”. In this case, the court struck down a state ballot system where voters can vote in the primary of a party which they are not members.

Justice Anthony Scalia argues that whereas the processes that the parties use to select their candidates are not public affairs, states should still regulate them as long as such regulation of party behaviour is within the terms provided in the constitution. In our own case, Section 225 of the Constitution authorises such regulation.

The ‘How-to’ of Effective Regulation of Campaign Finance: The real challenge is effectiveness. How will INEC be able to regulate against buying of delegates and electorates? What can it do to reduce illicit use of money and even money laundering by aspirants and party leaders?

The first line of control is rule making. INEC should issue comprehensive guidelines on various aspects of campaign financing. Such guidelines should provide a requirement for all aspirants to keep the books on all funds received and spent in their aspirations. It will also have a requirement of monthly

reporting of all incomes and expenditures by aspirants, candidates, and political parties. Such reports should be published by the parties in the websites as well and made available to the public. INEC should encourage public scrutiny of such reports as an incentive to ensure accurate reporting. As authorised by the new electoral law, INEC should be willing to impose punishments against leaders of the parties and their candidates for failure to follow such guidelines on financial report.

This is one aspect of regulatory work that Nigerian regulators are reluctant to engage because it requires a lot of desk work. The heart of regulation is accurate understanding of a social problem and ability to change such problematic behaviour through imposition of intelligent and effective controls that reduce or obliterate such social pathology. During the last conventions of the main parties, officers of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission flocked to the venues of the convention in vain efforts to intercept bribe money. Of course, the buying and selling of votes of the delegates have completed before delegates arrive at the convention venue. In spite of doubts about the readiness of the financial regulator to stop such fraudulent practice, the major constraints is their lack of understanding of administrative law procedures and the weakness resources of regulation at their disposal.

If the INEC and EFCC work together to develop a comprehensive bookkeeping and reporting obligations which commence even before the aspirants take the first step towards becoming candidates, then they would be in a position to control the incentives to engage in free buying and selling of votes. The role of such rules is to increase the cost of detection and possible punishment. Except there are obligations to keep proper books and report comprehensively, there may be no footprints for regulatory enforcement. So, INEC is totally remise if it engages in deterrent actions against monetisation of elections without comprehensive rule making that increases the costs of aspirants, candidates and parties engaging in such acts.

Conclusion Electoral democracy is based on the notion that citizens are equal and free and should not be governed except by those they have chosen for the purpose.

The heart of political equality is self-determination.

In the classical rendition of the doctrine of political equality, when citizens obey the law, they are obeying themselves. Although many political scholars have tried to ridicule this notion of equality of all citizens and the circular notion that by obeying a law I am obeying myself, the idea of electoral democracy has flourished across the world.

This ideal of democracy fractures if the people make the choice of leaders under manipulation or coercion. If candidates freely buy the votes of citizens in primary or general elections, they undermine the freedom of choice at the heart of democracy.

When this happens, state institutions are entitled to breach the wall of separation between public and private and intervene to restore the environment for freedom of choice by citizen. This is the basis for intense regulation of campaign finance to ensure level playing field, transparent transactions and free expression and accurate aggregation of citizens’ preferences. It is time to do this to save our democracy from becoming the worst democracy money can buy.

Dr Sam Amadi

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

Owo Massacre: Forensics, Investigation, Prosecution and Adjudication This interesting and informative article by Learned Senior Advocate, Adeniji Kazeem, discusses the unfortunate attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, which occurred on June 5, 2022, and how to go about conducting a modern-day forensic investigation in an incident such as this, in order to apprehend the perpetrators of this horrific crime in which many were killed and injured. He emphasises the importance of an up-to-date well-equipped Forensics/DNA Laboratory, like the Lagos State DNA Forensic Laboratory which was destroyed during the #EndSARS Protest by miscreants, in crime solving

Adeniji Kazeem, SAN

St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State

Background n 5th June, 2022, Nigerians shockingly learnt of a dastardly attack by yet to be identified gunmen on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, in Ondo State killing and wounding several people. The gunmen allegedly came with automatic rifles and explosives, with which they launched an unprovoked attack on worshippers. To date, the security agencies have made no arrests, but the Federal Government has blamed ISWAP a known terrorist organisation for the heinous attack.

One of the many pictures and videos from the sad incident, shows the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, security operatives and several people in the Church walking around the Church which had become a crime scene after the attack.

press and media who have an interest in what's going on inside the cordon). And, contamination can also occur because of changes to weather conditions, so it is important to protect the scene from weather conditions which might damage it after the crime has occurred.

The visit by the Governor of Ondo State and other persons to the Church should have been restricted, because the Church and its environs had become a crime scene following the attack.

In addition, eyewitnesses and people within the vicinity would also be thoroughly interviewed. This may provide valuable information about things like the number of attackers, their physical descriptions, the vehicles they may have come to the crime scene with (having the vehicle registration details may help trace the attackers) or their means of transportation. Sketches of suspects would also be drawn by Police sketch artists based on eyewitness descriptions, and they would be publicised for members of the public to be on the lookout.

The first and foremost reason to protect the crime scene, is to prevent contamination of the scene and any evidence on the scene.

The scene can be contaminated by people (including all those who "officially" attend the scene, as well as the curious public, press and media who have an interest in what's going on inside the cordon). And contamination can also occur because of changes to weather conditions, so it is important too to protect the scene from weather conditions which might damage

O

Investigation & Forensics In most developed jurisdictions, following such an attack, the first thing the security services are required to do is to secure the location of the attack, which would have been immediately designated a crime scene.

The scene would usually be cordoned off with Police crime scene tape, and restricted to only authorised personnel.

The first and foremost reason to protect the crime scene, is to prevent the contamination of the scene and any evidence found there.

The crime scene can be contaminated by people (including all those who "officially" attend the scene, as well as the curious public,

“The criminal justice administration system in Nigeria needs urgent overhaul, and very serious investment in manpower, training, technology, science, and equipment. Unfortunately, there is not sufficient commitment and continuity to these issues in most of the State Governments and the Federal Government. Any decent Forensic laboratory will cost billions of Naira to set up and function and must be run as public service to fight crime….”

the scene after the crime has occurred.

The visit by the Governor of Ondo State and other persons to the Church should have been restricted, because the Church and its environs had become a crime scene following the attack.

It would also have been expected that the Nigeria Police or the relevant security agencies would have protected the crime scene, and deployed crime scene investigators (CSI) to the location to gather evidence which would have been likely left behind by the attackers.

In forensic science, Edmond Locard who was a famous French criminologist laid down the principle which holds that the perpetrator of a crime will bring something into the crime scene and leave with something from it, and that both can be used as forensic evidence for investigation prosecution and adjudication. It is for this reason, that protection and analysis of gathered evidence from a crime scene is so important.

The CSI will almost certainly need to wear personal protective clothing (PPE) such as a scene suit, over shoes, and gloves, both to reduce the possibility that they might themselves contaminate the scene (by shedding hairs on to the scene for example) and to protect themselves from potentially hazardous substances (such as the powders or chemicals they use at the scene of crime). I did not see any evidence from the pictures or video, that such PPE equipment were deployed by the Police or other persons visiting the crime scene.

If properly investigated the Owo attack crime scene could reveal the following important non-exhaustive list of forensic evidence: a. there would likely have been shell casings from the weapons used by the attackers, which could have fingerprints that can be traced. b. the bullets can be matched by ballisticians to weapons used by the attackers. c. there could be shoe prints that could determine footwear worn by the attackers. d. there could have been fingerprints left that can be matched to fingerprints in a data base (America has AFIS which is the Automated Fingerprint identification system). e. there could have been blood, hair or

any other biological substance from which DNA can be extracted and matched to samples in a DNA data base (America has CODIS which is the Combined DNA Index System). f. if explosives were used, there would be explosive residue from which forensic evidence can be extracted and analysed for signature.

Prosecution & Adjudication If the above forensic evidence is properly collected and analysed by the security services, it could lead to the swift apprehension of the perpetrators of this crime. Unfortunately, I am not certain that Nigeria has a fully functional updated fingerprint data base. There is no DNA data base, because the Lagos State DNA Forensic Laboratory that was on the verge of creating and populating the data base was destroyed by misguided miscreants during the #EndSARS riot. In the same vein, the crime scene investigation collaboration between the DNA laboratory and the Police was also truncated by the riot.

If the attackers are apprehended, then Prosecutors will need to a make a case from the forensic evidence gathered. The forensic evidence will need to be tied to the attackers to place them at the crime scene, in addition to any statements or confessions that they may make. The evidence gathered and analysed by the forensic investigators will need to be meticulously charted and documented in the Prosecutors’ proof of evidence, to build an unassailable case against the suspects. The beauty of forensic evidence is that if properly used by the Prosecutor, it will build a watertight case and make adjudication and conviction by the Court easier.

Conclusion The criminal justice administration system in Nigeria needs urgent overhaul, and very serious investment in manpower, training, technology, science, and equipment. Unfortunately, there is not sufficient commitment and continuity to these issues in most of the State Governments and the Federal Government. Any decent Forensic laboratory will cost billions of Naira to set up and function and must be run as public service to fight crime, and not necessarily as a profit centre.

It is only when key decision makers begin to re-order our priorities and spend the required funds on criminal justice administration, that the next “Owo” can be possibly prevented.

Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, former AttorneyGeneral & Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 14, 2022

IMAGES

XI Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R: Executive Director, Mr. Raheem Olabode; Group Managing Director, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; and former Director, Mr. Tunde Dabiri, all of CMC Connect (Perception Managers), during the unveiling of the 30th anniversary logo of the company in Lagos…recently

L-R: Lagos-based artists, Nengi Omuku and Temitayo Ogunbiyi; and Athens-based (Greece) artist, Chioma Ebinama, at the preview of a group presentation ‘The Company She Keeps’, showing at Tiwani Contemporary in Lagos...recently

L-R: Northern Consensus Movement, Dr. Awwal Abdullahi; National President of Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Hassan Yusuf; and National Secretary of MACBAN, Baba Othman Ngdzarma, during the press conference on their National Security Summit in Abuja...recently PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN

L-R: Lead Partner, Infusion Lawyers, Senator Ihenyen; Principal, BBO Solicitors, Buki Ogunsakin; Senior Reporter, Techpoint Africa, Emmanuel Paul; Founder of Blockchain Nigerian User Group, Chimezie Chuta; and Growth Manager, Nairaex, Yomi Bilewomo, at the Nairaex sponsored Techpoint Africa Blockchain Summit in Lagos...recently

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Healthgarde International, Nneka Lovelyn Nwarueze; awardee, Debbie Idoko; and Chief Operations Officer, Healthgarde International, Lovelyn Bassey, during the company’s Awards Dinner held in Abuja...recently

L-R: Former acting Managing Director, Bank of industry (BoI), the Aare Bobagunwa, Dr. Waheed Olagunju; the Alapomu of Apomu, Oba Afolabi Adenekan; Yeye Aare Bobagunwa, Hajia Mobolaji Olagunju; and former General Manager, Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB), Alhaji Abubakar Olasewere, during their investitures by the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, in Offa, Kwara State...recently

L-R: Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Ekpe-Nta Bassey; Deputy General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mrs. Amina Abubakar; acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN), Mrs. Faithful A. Hope-Ivbaze; Chairman, League of Airport and Aviation Correspondent (LAAC), Mr. Olusegun Koiki; Deputy General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mrs. Christabel Eromosele; and Principal Corporate Affairs Officer, FAAN, Mr. Eta Niji, during the familiarisation visit of the acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Hope-Ivbaze, to the secretariat of League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents at the airport in Lagos...recently

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 14, 2022

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT World Environment Day: Gas, Cleaner Fossil Fuel, Can Power Nigeria’s Economy Bennett Oghifo

Sulphur Oxides and soot.

W

Switching to Gas Utilising renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, will alleviate these issues, but it will take time to deploy these technologies at the scale required to replace fossil fuels, while some countries and regions may not have the necessary renewable resources to move to a 100% renewable scenario in the medium term.

Switching to lower carbon fossil fuels such as LNG and LPG will play a significant role during the energy transition in providing low carbon, secure energy, especially in developing nations and regions with little existing energy infrastructure.

The compelling economic, social, and environmental arguments behind increasing LPG’s uptake as part of the global energy transition are: Transport - LPG offers a lower emissions to diesel that is well suited to power vehicles and elicits both environmental and financial benefits.

Cooking - LPG can also play a role within the domestic sphere, offering a lower carbon fuel for household cooking.

Industry and LPG - Tackling the emissions produced by these sectors would make substantial inroads in reducing emissions and, without a shift in the types of fuels industry and commerce are utilising, it is unlikely that any carbon targets will be met.

Flexibility - LPG is a flexible solution which can serve to satisfy the energy needs of even the most remote communities, with little centralised infrastructure required. The flexibility of this source is epitomised by recent proposals to use LPG as a fuel source in Qatar to enable them to meet the increased power demand anticipated during the 2022 world cup when there will be a near 50% temporary increase in population.

Low Emission - the carbon footprint of LPG is 20% lower than that of heating oil, and 50% lower than coal. Consuming this fuel in highly efficient gas-transition technologies such as LPG hybrid heat pumps or LPG gas-absorption heat pumps, can lower emissions even further.

Thus, LPG is an ideal fuel to support a renewables-dominated grid, as it is easily stored, does not degrade over time, requires no heating or complex filtration to keep the fuel in a usable condition, and does not constantly boil off.

While natural gas is one of the cleanest fossil fuels, its availability depends on being close to the supporting infrastructure. In many regions there is no existing natural gas infrastructure, and distance or volume demand make it uneconomic to expand any existing infrastructure to serve every potential customer. Traditionally these ‘off gas grid’ customers have been served by small, decentralised base load power plants operating on fuel oils, such as diesel or Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), as these fuels can be readily transported by truck or train. However, fuel oils are ‘high carbon’ fuels, releasing significant CO2 when combusted, as well as large amounts of the other pollutants mentioned earlier.

A study conducted by the World LPG Association in 2019 on the role of LPG in support of Energy Transition reveals that LPG is a much cleaner burning fuel that can immediately reduce carbon emissions by 20% compared to HFO, as well as reducing other pollutants by 90% or more.

The ability to use LPG in high efficiency power plants not only reduces the carbon footprint of power generation, but also makes electricity more affordable. The volumes of LPG consumed for power generation, even for a small power plant can also improve the affordability of LPG for other uses, such as cooking, and help a local domestic fuel market to develop, reducing air pollution and deforestation.

orld Environment Day is marked all over the world for more than a day. Actually, events are lined up weeklong, and this week, events to celebrate the environment in the 2022 WED are in progress globally, including in Nigeria.

The WED is celebrated annually to recognise the carrying capacity of the Earth. Humanity needs the environment to survive and not the other way round, according to scientists.

So naturally, the theme of this year’s World Environment Day is dedicated to the value of the Earth. There is “Only one Earth”. The point is “In the universe are billions of galaxies, In our galaxy are billions of planets, But there is #OnlyOneEarth. Let’s take care of it,” the United Nations stated.

Earth faces a triple planetary emergency: the climate is heating up too quickly for people for nature to adapt; habitat loss and other pressures mean an estimated 1 million species are threatened with extinction; pollution continues to poison our air, land and water, UN said.

The way out of this dilemma is to transform economies and societies to make them inclusive, fair and more connected with nature. “We must shift from harming the planet to healing it. The good news is the solutions and the technology exist and are increasingly affordable. #OnlyOneEarth is the campaign for World Environment Day 2022. It calls for collective, transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet,” the UN stated.

Time is running out, and nature is in emergency mode. To keep global warming below 1.5°C this century, we must halve annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Without action, exposure to air pollution beyond safe guidelines will increase by 50 per cent within the decade and plastic waste flowing into aquatic ecosystems will nearly triple by 2040.

“We need urgent action to address these pressing issues, making ‘Only One Earth’ and its focus on living sustainably in harmony with nature, as pertinent as ever.”

At the core of it all is energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables and since Nigeria’s main stay is crude oil and all its derivatives, it is important for the government and Nigerians to pay keen attention to global demands and policies.

The federal government is negotiating to be allowed to transition gradually from the use of crude oil products to power the nation’s economy to gas, though a fossil fuel, but it is a lot cleaner and is abundant in the country.

The government promised the world it would have net-zero emission by 2050, but that before then gas should be used as transition energy.

The Energy Transition is imminent. Countries are slowly making the switch to renewable energy that has no carbon footprint and is healthy for the environment.

Renewables will still need the support of fossil fuels. Gas is the cleanest fossil fuel, and gas has been described as the transitional fuel or the bridging fuel. Increased utilisation of LPG reduces the use of firewood which is derived from trees, and the more trees are cut, the more the nation is exposed to the dangers of desertification.

Gas is clean energy and supports the aspiration to protect mother earth. Clean energy is essential for today’s society, driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for people around the world. But today, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) works report, there are still close to 770 million Africans without access to electricity, four billion who cook using solid fuels such as charcoal, and hundreds of millions for whom access to electricity is either unreliable due to lack of generating capacity and infrastructure, or an unaffordable luxury.

So, how can Nigeria address the “Energy Trilemma” – Environment, Affordability and Security of Supply – and achieve the UN’s goal to provide clean, affordable energy to all?

The primary focus, right now, should be on the future of clean energy transition; how it impacts on Industrial Development and how LPG can play a role as an affordable transition

Buhari

energy driver for industrial growth.

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) states that it continues to deliver on its vision of helping to build a better Nigeria by catalyzing the transition of domestic cooking fuel from the usual biomass and wood to LPG. Nigeria LNG remains a major influencer in the sector. It has dedicated all its LPG production to the market, helping to raise the total consumption, according to the company’s officials.

“We are fully committed to delivering cleaner energy and to protecting our citizens and the environment from the hazards of smoke inhalation while cooking with firewood and other sources of fuel which on record accounts for over 100,000 deaths in Nigeria, mainly women and children just trying to put food on the table.

We are set to reverse this trend and to change the narrative with LPG, in addition to helping Nigeria preserve Forex from Kerosene importation and reducing deforestation.

What then do we need to do?

The federal government has taken some positive steps to make doing business in Nigeria easier. Among these steps include issuance of Visa on Arrival, changes in processes of registration of companies and the update to the Companies and Allied Matters Act. On 29th March, President Buhari announced “The Decade of Gas”, an initiative designed to ensure Africa’s biggest oil producer can take advantage of the global energy transition.

The ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative saw the unveiling of a range of projects, including the 614kms-long AjaokutaKaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline at a cost of $2.8 billion to connect the eastern, western, and northern regions of the country, and the construction of NLNG Train 7. Policy changes, such as gas flare commercialisation and the codification of the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network, are

in addition to these projects. All of these will generally have a salubrious effect on other sectors of the economy.

However, there is still a lot to do for us to attract investment in the gas sector, particularly for LPG development. Deepen the Natural Gas Policies (Gas Utilisation and Monetisation); Elaborate Fiscal Reforms (NAGFRA - Natural Gas Fiscal Reform Act); Gas Master Plan- implementation considering current realities; Implementation of the PIA for investors’ confidence; Incentives – Tax holidays, Duty waivers, Pioneer status etc.; Government Guarantees & Assurances – To boost Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the gas sector; Strengthen the legal system so that commercial cases are dispensed with expeditiously; Sanctity of Agreements – Complying with the terms and conditions of international business agreements.

The Energy Transition push means that there might not always be a use or market for our oil and gas. However, the fact that it is a transition and not just a magical flip of a switch means that as a country Nigeria still has “a window of opportunity we must utilise to position us for a world beyond fossil fuels. Whilst we work hard at capturing the external opportunities that remain, there is an even more important part of the story we must begin to pay more attention to. That is how to directly apply gas to the industrialisation and development of Nigeria’s economy.

Nigeria LNG posits that as the country goes through a global reset occasioned by the COVID-19 Pandemic, now is a good time to push beyond the long-drawn conversations and get to action. As a company, the company states that it understands how critical this is: “We will continue to play our role as a pace setter and leader in helping to actualise the full potentials of gas monetisation in Nigeria in keeping with our vision of being “a globally competitive LNG company, helping to build a better Nigeria.

“Nigeria has ridden on the back of oil for more than 50 years. It is time to fly on the wings of gas!”

According to the 2020 Statistical Review of World Energy conducted by BP, about 60% of global energy is still produced from coal or fuel oils, with high CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, along with other pollutants harmful to the environment and human health, such as

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) continues to deliver on its vision of helping to build a better Nigeria by catalyzing the transition of domestic cooking fuel from the usual biomass and wood to LPG. Nigeria LNG remains a major influencer in the sector. It has dedicated all its LPG production to the market, helping to raise the total consumption

Nigeria and the Paris Pledge According to the 2020 Carbon Brief report, Nigeria has the largest economy and population of any country in Africa. It is expected to overtake China to become the world’s second most populous country after India by the end of the century. It was the world’s 17th biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in 2015, the second highest in Africa after South Africa.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

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

08056356325

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Report: Nigeria, Other African Countries’ Energy Demand to Grow 30% by 2040

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Although richer nations continue to push for the abandonment of fossil fuels, the demand for energy in Africa will grow by at least 30 per cent in Nigeria and other African countries, as against 10 per cent in other parts of the world, a report

by McKinsey and Company has revealed.

McKinsey, a global management consulting firm in the report

tagged: “The Future of African Oil And Gas: Positioning for the Energy Transition,” stated that a number of Africa’s oil producers are highly exposed to the global energy transition, as their economies depend on oil and gas revenues.

It added that oil reserves in Africa both cost more to produce and are, on average, more carbonintensive than oil and gas from other regions, a development that could pose serious difficulty for

the continent in the nearest future.

“McKinsey modelling estimates that African energy demand in 2040 could be around 30 per cent higher than it is today, compared with a 10 per cent increase in global energy demand,” it stated.

Last month, the federal government stated that Sub-Saharan Africa could require as much as $60 billion to access reliable fuels for electricity and clean cooking facilities between now and 2030.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, noted that an annual investment of around $35 billion could bring electricity access to 759 million Africans who currently lack it, adding that another $25 billion a year could help 2.6 billion people globally to access clean cooking by 2030.

The minister stressed that Nigeria has pproximately 208.62 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of proven gas valued at over $803.9 trillion

and potential upside of 600TCF of gas, the most extensive in Africa, and in the top 10 globally.

He insisted that despite the pressure from rich countries, there must be multiple pathways to the energy transition in order to ensure that no country is left behind in the process of achieving net-zero by 2060.

Sylva said that around 900 million people are without access to clean cooking in Africa; and in

32 countries more than 75 per cent of the population is without access to clean cooking with the world’s 20 least-electrified countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

But McKinsey said its current trajectory energy transition scenario suggests that global oil demand could peak by 2027, while global gas demand could peak by 2040, especially if leading countries achieve Continued on page 31

FG Raises N2.28trn Bonds, $4bn Eurobonds to Bridge 2022 Budget Deficit Kayode Tokede In its move to bridge the 2022 budget gap, the federal government has raised N2.28 trillion FGN bonds/Saving Bonds in the domestic market and $4billion Eurobond in the five months of 2022 on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).

The FGN Bonds/Saving issued by the federal government reached

a new milestone in May 2022, as a total of N1.4trillion was raised in the domestic market.

In April, a total of N297billion FGN bond/Saving bonds was raised and N417.57billion raised in March 2022.

The total amount raised was N483.11 million in February and in January; the government of Nigeria raised a combined N171.47 billion and $4 billion Eurobond.

The Exchange in January announced the listing of the FGN $4billion Eurobonds on its platform and it was issued in three tranches as follows: 6.125% FGN SEP 2028 worth $1.25billion; 7.375% FGN SEP 2033 worth $1.5billion and 8.25% FGN SEP 2051 worth $1.25billion NGX had explained that it continued to thrive as a multi-asset securities exchange providing access to a diversified range of assets

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N23,000–N25,000

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N22,000-N25,000

50KG

PLATEAU (JOS)

N23,500-N25,000

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KWARA N24,000–N27,000

50KG

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50KG

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SOKOTO N11,500–N13,000 EDO

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including equities, fixed income, Exchange Traded Products (ETPs).

The former President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), Mr. Emeka Madubuike in a chat with THISDAY had said the intensive listing of federal government bonds implies that the capital market favours the economy.

According to him: “The stock market has witnessed improve-

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ment over the years and it has favoured the nation’s economy. This has impacted on the government listings its bonds on the Exchange.

For so long stakeholders have been clamouring on the government utilizing the capital market as a long-term source for funds.

“Government is always the largest spender and when the government starts raising money through the capital market, of

course, it brings about capital formation.”

He maintained that stakeholders would continue to canvas the government’s utilization of the capital market to finance the infrastructural deficit in the country.

“By doing so, we will then have a capital market that is a catalyst for economic development. The Continued on page 30

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N720,000 – N740,000

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N8,500

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

OPEC+ Output Up After Two-month Decline as Quota Shortfall Grows Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Crude oil production from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its Russia-led allies rebounded modestly in May from a steep drop in April but remained well short of its collective quotas, according to the latest Platts survey by S&P Global Commodity insights.

OPEC’s 13 members pumped 28.62 million bpd in May, down 180,000 bpd from April, including major losses in Nigeria and Libya, while nine other countries partnering with the producer group added 13.08 million bpd, a rise of 300,000 bpd, led by gains in Russia and Kazakhstan.

That was a net 120,000 bpd gain in the month by the entire OPEC+

alliance, but still highlighted the group’s continuing struggles with sanctions and unplanned outages.

But with production quotas rising monthly under the OPEC+ agreement, the group under-produced its target by 2.616 million bpd, with compliance at a lofty 182.5 per cent, according to S&P Global calculations.

Russia, targeted by western

Exports of Russian crude have remained resilient in the face of the sanctions, with some buyers eager to snap up discounted cargoes.

But analysts expect production to contract sharply in the months ahead, as the EU implements a ban on almost all seaborne Russian oil imports by year-end.

With Russia impaired, OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia has over

sanctions since its invasion of Ukraine in late February, has been the biggest contributor to the alliance’s shortfalls, as its production has fallen significantly from pre-war levels.

However it was able to regain some footing in May, boosting output by 150,000 bpd to 9.29 million bpd, compared to its quota of 10.549 million bpd.

the past few months reclaimed its mantle as the group’s leading producer, pumping 10.45 million bpd in April, though that is below its quota of 10.549 million bpd.

The world’s largest crude exporter saw its shipments down in the month, though some volumes were shunted into inventories and refinery runs were strong, market sources said.

EAN Aviation Becomes Airbus Helicopters Distributor in W’Africa Airbus Helicopters Company has signed a partnership with EAN Aviation Limited (EAN), making EAN a distributor for Airbus Helicopters in West Africa.

This strategic partnership between Airbus Helicopters and EAN Aviation Limited focuses on the West African civilian market, excluding the Military.

In essence, civil customers in Nigeria can now contract directly with EAN Aviation Limited who will be offering sales, servicing and support for helicopters in the West African region.

Chief Executive Officer of EAN Aviation Limited, Segun Demuren, said EAN has been at the forefront of Business Aviation development in Nigeria for over a decade Also, the strategic partnership with Airbus and EAN is the 7th of its kind globally. Nigeria, with the largest population in Africa and the largest GDP, offers substantial growth potential in domestic travel for Airbus Helicopters with EAN firmly positioned, as seasoned experts in the Nigerian and West African region to drive value creation.

Demuren said the company looks forward to leveraging its impressive network, in-depth market understanding to grow the helicopter services industry and to add value to Airbus Helicopters activity in the West African region by deepening connectivity and operational efficiency.

He further said Nigeria for example have 32 airports but 774 local governments that helicopters can access.

“We are glad to be affiliated with a brand that has gained the trust of millions of people, based on their decades of experience and millions of flight hours”, he said.

Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Airbus Helicopters, Arnaud Montalvo said safety remains at the heart of everything the company does, adding that the team strives to meet the highest safety levels, “and will provide servicing and support to ensure the safe operation of all their aircraft and products in the West African region, which we know is very important to our clients.”

Head, Global Sales, Global Trade Review (GTR), Mr. Ed Virtue and the Divisional Head, Transaction Banking, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Rolayo Akhigbe, during the GTR West Africa Conference on Trade Facilitation, supported by FCMB, held in Lagos… recently

Barkindo Laments Contradictions in Global Push for Cleaner Fuels Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Deputy Business Editor Chinedu Eze Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) KayodeTokede(CapitalMarkets) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr Sanusi Barkindo, has bemoaned the contradictions in the world’s richest countries’ call for more oil production and at the same time stopping investment in the sector.

In a keynote address at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Washington DC, United States, the Nigerianborn OPEC chief insisted that

the world needed to ensure that energy remains affordable for all.

In addition, the outgoing Secretary General stated that there was the need to transition to a more inclusive, fair, and equitable world in which every person has access to energy as referenced in UN Sustainable Development Goal 7.

While admitting that countries should reduce emissions, however he maintained that oil has a role to play in each

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reason why you find a lot of borrowing coming from outside of the country.

“Out of these borrowings, a significant part of it could come from the capital market. A lot of people have argued that our capital market is not deep enough but we

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25CL LAGOS N20,000-N25000 25CL

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have found out that such argument does not hold water. It is the same market that carried banking sector consolidation. The issue is that managers of our economy must begin to look inwards.

“Other economies went through a 2008 global economic

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25CL

IMO

N21,000–N24,500

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N17,000–N20,000 N19500- N25000

meltdown. They recovered using macroeconomy policies to ensure there are local activities. If there is no local activity, how do you expect your market to move?

“For me, it is good the government is listing but it is still a drop in the ocean for me. If the market

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both producers and consumers, particularly given the huge investment drop of 30 per cent seen in 2020.

“More energy, more investments are required. However, we also hear conflicting statements on these issues as exhibited most recently by the G7 Ministers of Climate, Energy and the Environment.

“They called for oil and gas producing countries, including reference to OPEC, to play a key role in ensuring stable and sustainable global energy

supplies, but at the same time committed themselves to end financing for most overseas fossil fuel projects by the end of 2022. I think there is a saying in English: ‘you can’t have your cake and eat it.’

“To put it simply: if investments are not made globally, if the capital does not flow, and at the same time if consumers are still demanding the product, we could see further major energy insecurity in various forms,” he argued.

FG RAISES N2.28TRN BONDS, $4BN EUROBONDS TO BRIDGE 2022 BUDGET DEFICIT

FOOD NAME OF COMMODITY

part of the process.

He reiterated that to put energy demand growth in some context, OPEC continues to see global energy demand rising by 28 per cent in the period by 2045, clearly requiring huge investments.

In the same vein, he repeated that the oil industry alone, the OPEC World Oil Outlook sees required investments totalling $11.8 trillion through to 2045.

Barkindo said that these investments are essential for

25KG LAGOS

N9,500

40KG DELTA

N17000

PRICE

pickup, then you will find out that corporate companies will show interest to list on the Exchange.

“However, when you have an economy with many uncertainties, the corporate listing is expected not to show interest listing. The macroeconomy situation does

not favour production and ease of doing business.

“There are three factors that affect the market- inflation, exchange and interest rates. If all these things are not favourable, you can’t have corporate companies come to raise money.”

T O D AY

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

ONIONS

100KG

IBADAN

N25,000

100KG

KANO

N10,000

100KG

BENUE

N27,000

100KG GOMBE

N12,000

100KG DELTA

N21,000

100KG LAGOS

N25,000

100KG ENUGU

N15,000

100KG

N29,000

ABIA

NAME OF COMMODITY

MAIZE

LOCATION

PRICE

100KG JIGAWA

N9000

100KG ENUGU

N24000

100KG DELTA

N15000

100KG ABIA

N14000

50KG LAGOS

N13500

SIZE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022

31

BUSINESSWORLD

AGRICULTURE

Attaining Self-sufficiency in Food Production Gilbert Ekugbe writes on the need for economic managers to target real actors in the nation’s agricultural sector for Nigeria to attain self-sufficiency in food production.

T

he agricultural sector is arguably one sector that has enjoyed various forms of financial interventions from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over the years. Needless to say, the sector deserves all the intervention and attention due to the huge role it plays in human existence. Besides, globally, agri-food systems are failing due to climate change, Russia-Ukraine crisis, COVID-19 and many more. Moreover, farmers still have to grapple with infrastructural challenges such as poor storage facilities, lack of quality seeds, adequate funding, absence of mechanisation, post-harvest losses and insecurity in Nigeria.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s agriculture sector grew by 3.58 per cent (yearon-year) in the 4th quarter of 2021, an increase of 2.36 percentage points from the preceding quarter, which recorded a growth rate of 1.22 per cent. The sector contributed 26.84 per cent to overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in real terms in Q4 2021, lower than the contribution in the fourth quarter of 2020 and lower than the third quarter of 2021, which stood at 26.95 per cent and 29.94 per cent respectively.

Ordinarily, with a large arable area of land suitable for agriculture, the sector should be able to contribute about 56 to 57 per cent to the GDP if given the necessary support by the federal government where even countries with less arable lands are recording very high contributions to the sector on a yearly basis.

The CBN and the FMAWR jointly ensure that the scheme is implemented successfully. This is achieved through the Project Steering Committee (PSC) comprising the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources (Chairman), the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance and Commercial Farmers, respectively and the Programme Coordinator of the Commercial Agriculture Development Programme. The day-to-day implementation of the Scheme is undertaken by a Technical Implementation Committee (TIC) made up of the Director of Development Finance Department, CBN as the Chairman, Head of Agricultural Credit Support Division, CBN and a Consulting Group as members, and the Programme Coordinator of the Commercial Agriculture Development Programme of the federal government as the secretary.

CACS is operated in two tranches of N100 billion each. The 1st phase of the tranche ran from May to December, 2009, while the 2nd tranche commenced in February, 2010.

ANCHOR BORROWERS PROGRAMME

AGRIC SECTOR INTERVENTIONS

The sector has been a beneficiary of CBN’s interventions since the early 70s. It is disheartening that despite different efforts from the apex bank for over 50 years, the sector’s contribution to GDP leaves much to be desired. Undoubtedly, Nigeria has the capacity to be the food basket on the continent, but unfortunately, has continued to depend on food importation, which has kept the country’s food import bill growing by 45 per cent to $2.71billion (N1.12 trillion) in 12 months, according to latest report by CBN. The CBN report on sectoral utilisation of foreign exchange, available on its website, showed that the federal government spent $2.71billion on food imports from January to December 2021.

In 2020, the federal government spent $1.87 billion on food imports, showing an increase of 44.92 per cent or $840million in one year.

AGRICULTURAL CREDIT GUARANTEE

The ACGSF was established by Decree No. 20 of 1977, and started operations in April, 1978. Its original share capital and paid-up capital were N100 million and N85.6 million, respectively. The federal government holds 60 per cent and apex bank, 40 per cent of the shares.

The capital base of the scheme was increased to N3 billion in March 2001. The fund guarantees credit facilities extended to farmers by banks up to 75 per cent of the amount in default net of any security realized.

The Fund is managed by the CBN, which handles the day-to-day operations of the scheme.

The guidelines stipulate the eligible enterprises for which guarantees could be issued under the Scheme.

Between 1978 and 1989 when the government stipulated lending quotas for banks under the scheme, there was consistent increase in the lending portfolios of banks to agriculture, but after the deregulation of the financial system, banks started shying away by reducing their loans to the sector due to the perceived risk.

AGRICULTURAL CREDIT SUPPORT

The ACSS is an initiative of the federal government and the CBN with the active support and participation of the Bankers Committee. The scheme has a prescribed fund of N50 billion. It was introduced to enable farmers exploit the untapped potentials of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, reduce inflation, lower the cost of agricultural production (i. e. food items), generate surplus for export, increase Nigeria’s foreign earnings as well as diversify its

revenue base. At national level, the scheme operates through a Central Implementation Committee (CIC) while at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and state levels, the scheme operates through State Implementation Committees (SICs) instituted to ensure that the objectives of the scheme is realised without hindrance.

To access loans under ACSS, applicants, who are made up of practicing farmers and agro-allied entrepreneurs with means, are encouraged to approach their banks for loan through the respective state chapters of farmers associations and SICs. However, large-scale farmers are allowed under the scheme to apply directly to the banks in accordance with the guidelines.

ACSS funds are disbursed to farmers and agro-allied entrepreneurs at a single-digit interest rate of 8.0 percent. At the commencement of the project support, banks will grant loans to qualified applicants at 14.0 per cent interest rate. Applicants who pay back their facilities on schedule are to enjoy a rebate of 6.0 per cent, thus reducing the effective rate of interest to be paid by farmers to 8.0 per cent.

COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE CREDIT

As part of its developmental role, the CBN in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (FMA&WR) established the Commercial Agriculture Credit

Scheme (CACS) in 2009 to provide finance for the country’s agricultural value chain (production, processing, storage and marketing). The intention was that increased production arising from the intervention would moderate inflationary pressures and assist the bank to achieve its goal of price stability in the country.

The primary objectives of the scheme are to fast-track the development of the agricultural sector of the Nigerian economy by providing credit facilities to large-scale commercial farmers at a single digit interest rate; enhance national food security by increasing food supply and effecting lower agricultural produce and products prices, thereby promoting low food inflation; reduce the cost of credit in agricultural production to enable farmers exploit the untapped potentials of the sector; and increase output, generate employment, diversify Nigeria’s revenue base, raise the level of foreign exchange earnings and provide input for manufacturing and processing on a sustainable basis.

The scheme, which is a sub component of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Commercial Agriculture Development Programme (CADP), is financed through a N200 billion Bond raised by the Debt Management Office (DMO). Loans to eligible entities under the scheme are disbursed at a maximum interest of 9 percent. The subsidy arising from this stipulated rate and the market rate on all loans granted, and the administrative expenses of the Scheme are borne by the CBN.

The CBN, in line with its developmental function, established the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).

The programme, which was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 17, 2015, was intended to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and small holder farmers (SHFs) of the required key agricultural commodities.

The thrust of the ABP is provision of farm inputs in kind and cash (for farm labour) to small holder farmers to boost production of these commodities, stabilise inputs supply to agro processors and address the country’s negative balance of payments on food.

The prograrrme evolved from the consultations with stakeholders comprising FMARD, state governors, millers of agricultural produce, and smallholder farmers to boost agricultural production and non-oil exports in the face of unpredictable crude oil prices and its resultant effect on the revenue profile of Nigeria. The objective of the scheme according to the apex bank is to create economic linkage between smallholder farmers and reputable large-scale processors with a view to increasing agricultural output and significant improving capacity utilisation of processors. Other objectives include: Increase banks’ financing to the agricultural sector, reduce agricultural commodity importation and conserve external reserves, increase capacity utilisation of agricultural firms and create new generation of farmers/entrepreneurs and employment, deepen the cashless policy and financial inclusion.

WHY INTERVENTIONS FAILED

Though these interventions are good on paper, but the political will to have them implemented has been lacking. So, the lack of effective implementation mechanism has continued to plague the agro sector’s development.

For this reason, stakeholders in the agricultural sector have continued to drum their complaints on the need for the federal government to take proactive measures to bring these initiatives to light. These include the development of a new Agricultural Promotion Policy (APP) to replace the defunct APP that expired two years ago.

In a chat with THISDAY, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr. Kabir Ibrahim, attributed the failed agricultural policies to poor implementation and lack of transparency on the part of the people given the responsibility to discharge the responsibilities. He said corruption is also a serious cankerworm that Nigeria must tackle headlong to achieve any form of agricultural sector development.

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

REPORT: NIGERIA, OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES’ ENERGY DEMAND TO GROW 30% BY 2040 their net-zero commitments through targeted policies.

“Under this ‘achieved commitments’ scenario, global oil demand could peak as soon as 2024, while global gas demand could peak around 2030, ”it added.

The report added that more than half of African oil and gas producing countries rely on oil and gas exports for more than 50 per cent of their total export revenues.

This trend, it said, creates several considerations for African oil and gas producing countries that are highly dependent on global capital pools to fund their hydrocarbon projects and maintain their oil and gas operations.

“African oil and gas assets are on average 15 to 20 per cent more costly

to develop and operate and 70 to 80 per cent more carbon intensive than global oil and gas assets,” it stressed.

According to McKinsey, as global capital pools for hydrocarbon projects begin to reduce, the cost of oil and gas production in Africa is expected to rise, making African oil and gas projects potentially even less competitive in global markets.

“Under McKinsey’s achieved commitments energy transition scenario, the replacement of approximately 60 per cent of Africa’s current oil production could become uncompetitive by 2040.

“As oil majors shift toward lower-emission basins, Africa’s oil-producing countries could

find themselves deprioritised for further development and facing an increased risk of stranded assets with significant oil and gas reserves remaining untapped,” it added.

It projected that this could put further pressure on government spending and impact development priorities as more than half of African oil and gas producing countries rely on oil and gas exports for more than 50 per cent of their total export revenues.

In Nigeria, for example, it said that petroleum exports make up more than 85 per cent of the government’s total export revenues.

It listed Nigeria and Angola as examples of countries that have

both lower oil-resource resilience and economies that are heavily reliant on the production of oil and gas, stressing that countries in this archetype could consider implementing levers to strengthen the cost competitiveness of their resources, such as optimising fiscal terms.

“These countries could further strengthen the resilience of their resources by considering initiatives to decarbonise their existing oil and gas operations and encouraging investment in lower-carbon energy infrastructure such as gas pipelines,” it added.

To weather the headwinds, McKinsey advised national governments to explore optimising their fiscal regimes to improve their

resources position on the resource supply curve like Nigeria recently did with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

As Africa’s demand for energy increases, the need for projects that boost energy supply on the continent will likely rise, it noted, saying that to ensure bankability, these infrastructure projects would need to incorporate decarbonisation or carbon offset levers.

“McKinsey analysis suggests that despite having the largest proven gas reserves on the continent, Nigeria could find itself in a situation in which gas demand outstrips gas supply by 2030 by at least 3 billion cubic feet per day.

“This presents a potential op-

portunity for investment in gas infrastructure such as gas pipelines, gas processing facilities, and coastal LNG regasification to connect currently stranded gas reserves onshore and offshore with domestic industrial, commercial, and power demand centres,” it said.

McKinsey added that increasing on-grid electrification could also help to displace more carbonintensive decentralised power sources, with estimates that there is between 40 and 60 gigawatts of installed capacity of diesel and petrol generators in Nigeria, generating approximately 33 metric tons of CO2-equivalent (MTCO2e) each year—12 per cent of Nigeria’s total emissions.

32

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Reviewing Manufacturing Sector’s Performance after COVID-19 Devastation The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Economic Review ascribed the good showing of manufacturing sector in 2021 to palliative measures by government to salvage the sector from the effect of COVID-19 pandemic, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

H

ow did the Nigerian manufacturing sector fare in 2021? This is the question the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria’s (MAN) Economic Review for the second half of 2021 provided answers to.

According to MAN’s economic review, year 2021 provided the opportunity to redress the staggering negative impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the industrial sector, which strongly rebounded in 2021 following the continuous containment of the pandemic and the opening of global economies.

It said that the Nigerian manufacturing sector growth increased from -2.85 percent in 2020 to 3.37 percent in 2021.

The positive performance recorded in the manufacturing sector in year 2021 was attributed “to the palliative measures imposed by government to salvage the sector from the effect of COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, to improve and reposition the manufacturing sector and restore it back as the engine of growth, there is need to maintain those policies and formulate others that will encourage investments especially on the stability of exchange rate, development of local raw materials, protection of lives and properties among others.”

The highlights of the MAN’s economic review showed that capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector increased to 58.9 per cent in 2021 higher than the 49.5 per cent average it recorded in 2020. Also, the value of manufacturing sector production output increased to N7.03 trillion in 2021 from N4.42 trillion that was attained in 2020.

The review also showed that unsold inventory of finished products in the sector declined to N439.46 billion in 2021 when compared to the N577.61 billion recorded in 2020. The decline in inventory in the period under review was attributed to the recovering aggregate consumption following the gradual rebounding of economic activities as COVID-19 pandemic receded.

MANUFACTURING CAPACITY UTILISATION

MAN said that “capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector increased to 59.0 percent in the second half of 2021 from 53.7 percent recorded in the corresponding half of 2020; thus, indicating 5.3 percentage points increase over the period. It increased by 6.6 percentage point when compared with 52.4 percent recorded in the preceding half. Capacity utilization in the sector averaged 58.9 percent in 2021 from 49.5 percent average of 2020.”

The review attributed the increase in manufacturing capacity utilisation to the lifting of economic and social restrictions meant to contain COVID-19 pandemic and the full rebounding of economic activities globally and in Nigeria within the period.

Another factor that contributed to the increase

in capacity utilisation was the entrance of five new paper mills that are recycling waste papers to produce cartons. Moreover, the capacity utiisation in the manufacturing sector was buoyed by the BUA Group that established a cement factory in Sokoko and the commencement of a new African Glass Limited factory that produced glass products.

Yet, not all segments of the manufacturing sector witnessed improved capacity utilization in 2022. One of them is the non-metalic mineral segment. According to the report, “manufacturing activities in the non-metallic minerals sub-sector have been persistently low following the exclusion of some of the veritable raw materials for glass production that are imported from the official foreign exchange window.

“The situation was worsened by the limited availability and high cost of prospecting for local raw materials in the country. Therefore, capacity utilisation in the sub-sector averaged 49.5 per cent in 2021 as against 49.9 per cent of the 2020.”

that investment in the manufacturing sector increased in the second half of 2021 to N73.18 billion from N56.44 billion recorded in the corresponding half of 2020, which indicated N16.74 billion or 29.7 percent increase over the period. It however, increased by N70.96 billion or 49.3 percent when compared with N144.14 billion recorded in the first half of 2021.

MAN economic review noted that investment in the manufacturing has been recovering gradually following the return of economic activities as the issues of COVID-19 pandemic are continuously resolved.

It said: “In the last one year significant investment has been recorded in the pulp, paper, printing and publishing sub-sector with the establishment of five new paper mills that are into recycling of waste papers to produce cartons. There is also the new BUA Group cement factory in Sokoko and the new African Glass Limited factory that produced glass products.”

MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION VALUE

MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT

The MAN’s economic review also showed that the output of the manufacturing sector increased to N3.73 trillion in second half of 2021 from N2.36 trillion recorded in the corresponding second half of 2020, which represented an increase by 58.1 per cent. Production value in the sector totaled N7.03 trillion in 2021 as against N4.42 trillion recorded in 2020.

Total production in the non-Metallic sector increased to N624.36 billion from N139.68 billion of 2020. Also, production value in paper segment increased to N67.28 billion in the second half of 2021 from N64.56 billion recorded in the same half in 2020 and N75.44 billion in the preceding half. Production value in the sector stood at N142.72 billion in 2021 as against N125.11 billion of 2020.

But the production value in the Food, Beverages and Tobacco sub-sector declined marginally to N1.201 trillion in the second half of 2021 from N1.204 trillion recorded in the same half of 2020; thus, indicating N0.003 trillion or 0.25 percent decline over the period. It also declined by N0.19 trillion or13.7 percent when compared with N1.39 trillion achieved in the preceding half.

However, production value in in the Chemical and Pharmaceutical sub-sector totaled N631.52 billion in 2021 as against N610.47 billion in 2020.

MANUFACTURING INVESTMENTS

The report stated that manufacturing investment was N217.22 billion in 2021 as against N118.52 billion in 2020. It said

The review showed that manufacturing job also rebounded following the gradual return of economic activities in the sector after a year onslaught brought

by COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. For instance, the total net employment in the sector in 2021 after adjusting for job losses was 11,659 while net job losses in 2020 was 3257.

“The total historical cumulative jobs in the manufacturing sector were estimated at 1,671,441 by the end of 2021 based on surveys conducted since 2013. A total of 8508 jobs were created in the sector in the second half of 2021 as against 3,451 jobs recorded in the corresponding half of 2020 and 7,602 job created in the preceding half,” the review said.

ELECTRIC SUPPLY TO INDUSTRIES

The report said that in the second half of 2021 daily electricity supply to the manufacturing sector averaged 11 against 12 hours in the corresponding period of 2020. However, daily power outage for the second half of 2021 averaged 3 times as against 4 times of the same half in 2020 and 3 times recorded in the preceding half.

The MAN said that it is important that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) would continue to drive the electricity sector by ensuring the effective and beneficial implementation of On-grid/Off-grid, Mini-grid, and eligible customer initiatives.

MAN said that data collected in the

survey of this report showed that electricity supply from the national grid improved in the second half of 2021. It highlighted that average daily supply of electricity has been stable at 11 hours and power outage, three times per day respectively.

The relative stable supply of electricity consequently caused expenditure on alternative energy to decline to N71.22 billion in 2021 from N81.91 billion of the 2020.

According to the report “expenditure on alternative energy source reduced to N45.0 4 billion in the second half of 2021, from N57.75 billion recorded in the corresponding half of 2020.

“This indicated N12.71 billion, or 22.0 per cent, decline over the period. However, it increased by N12.86 billion or 40.0 percent when compared with N32.18 billion of the first half of 2021.”

LOCAL SOURCING OF RAW MATERIALS

However, local sourcing of raw materials dropped to 52.4 per cent in 2021 lower than the 57.5 per cent it achieved in 2020. However, a sectorial group analysis showed significant adjustment in the utilisation of local raw materials across the groups. For instance, in the Food, Beverage and Tobacco group utilisation of local raw materials averaged 68.5 percent in 20201 as against 68.3 percent of 2020.

But local raw materials utilisation in the wood and wood product sectoral group decreased in average to 54.5 percent in 2021 as against 60.9 percent in 2020.

Similarly, local raw materials utilisation in the Chemical and Pharmaceutical sector fell to an average of 46.5 per cent in 2021 against 52.8 percent average for 2020. It also declined in the Non-Metallic Minerals products group to 50 percent in 2021 against 63.2 percent recorded in 2020.

In similar manner, local sourcing of raw materials in the Basic Metal, Iron & Steel group declined to 50.5 percent in 2021 from 65.5 percent recorded in 2020.

RECOMMENDATION

However, notwithstanding the improve performance of the manufacturing sector during the year, it is still far beyond its potential growth and contribution to national output due to an almost innumerable challenges confronting the sector.

It said: “Following direct feedback from manufacturers, we recommend first and foremost that government should create plausible incentives for investment in the development of raw materials locally through the backward integration and resource based industrialisation initiates. We recognise an urgent need for investment and production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) in the country; this should be adequately incentivised to encourage significant private investments.”

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022

33

BUSINESSWORLD

OIL & GAS

Good Tidings for Nigeria’s LPG Sector The efforts being made by some Nigerian companies to increase the fleet of vessels dedicated to bringing Liquefied Petroleum Gas into the country and other African nations will markedly enhance the product’s availability in the country. Also, it will also boost the current push by the government for cleaner fuel adoption through the “Decade of Gas” agenda and attract more investments in complex areas of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, writes Peter Uzoho

T

he Nigerian Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) market is set to witness improvements in the supply of the product, popularly known as cooking gas, which had been in short supply for decades despite the abundant gas resources in the country.

Last Monday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and its partner, Sahara Group, announced that they had taken delivery of two 23,000 cubic meters (CMB) LPG carrier vessel from the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) in Ulsan, South Korea.

In the same week, Wednesday, precisely, another indigenous shipping company, Temile Development Company, signed a dual contract with the same HMD, a foremost global manufacturer of mid-sized carriers, for the construction of new 23,000CBM LPG carrier vessel.

The contract also involved the Nigerian Shipping Management Limited, a shipping subsidiary of the Nigeria LNG Limited, which was contracted to supervise the construction of the vessel to ensure it meets specifications and international standards.

With the two developments, it will not be out of place to say that the country’s LPG sector is set to witness remarkable relief as these vessels, when operational, will help to ramp up the supply of cooking gas in Nigeria.

Marketers and consumers of LPG in the country have been groaning and lamenting the scarcity of the product and its rising cost both at the international market and at the retail outlets since 2020.

Inadequate number of LPG vessels owned and managed by Nigerian companies had been fingered as part of the factors responsible for the insufficient supply of the product to Nigerian market.

Nigeria’s daily LPG consumption is 1.2 million metric tonnes (MT) with 750,000mt, representing 60 per cent imported by oil marketing companies and 450,000mt, representing 40 per cent supplied in-country by the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.

The federal government plans to increase the country’s LPG consumption to 5 million MT by 2025, banking on several initiatives and opportunities including an increase in the number of LPG carrier vessels owned by indigenous firms and chartered to Nigerian companies as well.

NNPC VESSELS DELIVERED

NNPC and Sahara Group had on Monday last week taken delivery of two 23,000 LPG vessels at the HMD Shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea.

The new vessels, MT BARUMK and MT SAPET, THISDAY learnt, had increased NNPC and Sahara Group’s investment to over $300 million, approaching the JV’s $1 billion gas infrastructure commitment by 2026.

The fleet previously comprised MT Sahara Gas and MT Africa Gas and all the four vessels were built by HMD. Announcing the Sahara development in a statement, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, to have said that the two companies had plans to add another 10 vessels in the next 10 years to enhance Africa’s transition to cleaner fuels.

According to the statement, WAGL Energy

Limited, the joint venture (JV) company between NNPC and Oceanbed, a Sahara Group company, were driving NNPC’s five-year $1 billion investment plan announced in 2021 to accelerate the decade of gas and energy transition agenda over the period.

Speaking at a large crowd of representatives at the shipyard when the vessels were being taken by the NNPC and Sahara, Kyari disclosed that three additional new vessels were being finalised.

“We have a target of delivering 10 vessels over the next 10 years. The NNPC and our partners stand out with integrity in our energy transition quest and our commitment environmental sustainability is unwavering,” the GMD said.

Kyari, according to the statement, said the vessels were critical to driving the federal government’s commitment to the domestication of gas in Nigeria through several initiatives and increasing seamless supply in compliance with the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The initiatives, including the LPG Penetration Framework and LPG Expansion Plan were geared towards encouraging the use of gas in households, power generation, auto-gas and industrial applications in order to attain five million metric tonnes of LPG consumption by 2025.

“This is another epoch-making achievement for the NNPC and Sahara Group, and we remain firmly committed to delivering more formidable gas projects for the benefit of Nigeria and the entire sub-region,” Kyari stated.

The partners explained that MT BARUMK and MT SAPET were WAGL and Sahara Group’s injection into the JV and that WAGL was shoring up its gas fleet and terminal infrastructureb Sahara Group has continued to make remarkable progress in the construction of over 120,000 metric tonnes of storage facilities in 11 African countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, and Zambia, among others.

Executive Director, Sahara Group, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, said with the new vessels, NNPC and Sahara were set to promote and lead Africa’s march towards energy transition.

“WAGL has successfully operated two mid-sized LPG Carriers MT Africa Gas and MT Sahara Gas in the region in keeping with global standards, delivering over six million CBM of LPG across West Africa. With the new vessels we are set to promote and lead Africa’s march towards energy transition,” Shonubi said.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea, Ali Magashi, who represented the federal government, noted that Buhari deserved commendation for the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which he said, would reposition the NNPC to explore more projects with partners like Sahara Group.

The partners also explained that the name of one of the vessels, ‘BARUMK’, was derived from the combination of the name and initials

of the late NNPC GMD, Dr. Maikanti Baru, in memory of his immense support towards gas development in Nigeria.

The other vessel, ‘SAPET’, was named after the Sahara – Petroci -the Ivorian National Oil Company’s JV LPG Company, SAPET Energy SA, which is currently constructing the phase one of a 12,000MT LPG storage facility in Abidjan, with expansion plans to achieve 30,000MT in phase two.

The JV, the statement further explained, emerged from WAGL’s trading relationship with PETROCI, dating back to 2014.

In Cote D’Ivoire, Sahara said it has invested over $405 million since 2014 into facilitating the supply of LPG to give over 26 million Ivorians access to safe and reliable access to the product.

LPG is the fastest growing petroleum product in sub-Sahara African over the last decade, with forecasts indicating that LPG will grow at 7 per cent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the next 15 years.

It has been projected that increased uptake of LPG will reduce net Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and pressure on forest reserves, thereby increasing environmental sustainability.

TEMILE’S NEW VESSEL

While the news about NNPC and Sahara Group’s acquisition of new LPG vessels was yet to settle, another indigenous firm, Temile Development Company announced last Wednesday that it had signed a dual contract with the same HMD for the construction of its second 23,000CMB LPG/NH3/VCM carrier vesVESSE Also as part of the dual contract, Temile awarded the NSML, the shipping arm of the Nigerian LNG Limited, the supervision of the building of the facility.

NSML is an integrated maritime services company providing a wide range of top-notch maritime and shipping services including training, manning, fleet management and consultancy services.

The dual contract award took place at the signing ceremony held at the World Gas Conference (WGC 2022) in Daegu, South Korea.

Temile is a 100 per cent wholly owned Nigerian company which five years ago began its marine and offshore operations, with a vision to revolutionise the shipping business in Nigeria. The company’s fleet comprises of 16 offshore vessels, acquired within the last 10 years.

The new carrier would boost the company’s effort in servicing an on-going time charter LPG contract with NLNG. The LPG carrier vessel is the second that is being constructed by the Temile Development Company and is a sequel to the first vessel which was delivered in 2020 currently chartered to Nigeria LNG Limited for domestic LPG supply.

The first LPG vessel delivered in 2020 and the newly awarded were part of a two-vesselbuilding project valued at over $120 million

which was earlier signed in 2018.

The news confirmed THISDAY’s report last Tuesday that the Nigerian firm was going to sign an agreement with the South Korea shipbuilder for the construction of the second vessel.

The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote, had given the hint while speaking at the just-concluded Nigerian Content Midstream and Downstream Summit in Lagos.

He had said that the agreement signing for the vessel construction between the two companies would be one of the key highlights of the World Gas Conference holding at the week in South Korea.

He added that the vessel owned by a local indigenous company would further enhance the supply capability of the LPG across the country.

He explained that the agreement for the first vessel was signed in 2018 and that the vessel was delivered in 2020, noting that agreement for the second vessel was a sign of self-propelled growth for Nigerian indigenous companies in the midstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.

“As you may be aware, the World Gas Conference is holding this week in South Korea. One of the key highlights at the event is the signing of the agreement construct the 2nd LPG Vessel owned by a local indigenous company to further enhance the supply capability of the LPG across the country.

“Agreement for the first vessel was signed in 2018 and the vessel was delivered in 2020. I am pleased to note that agreement for the second vessel is being executed which is a sign of selfpropelled growth for our indigenous companies in the midstream and downstream sectors of the industry”, Wabote had stated.

However, in a statement issued after the contract signing ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of Temile Development Co, Alfred Temile, said the new carrier vessel to be constructed was a high-end specification vessel which has been designed by NSML in accordance with bespoke requirements using HMD’s highly efficient eco-design.

Temile said the new LPG carrier was expected for delivery on July 26, 2023 at HMD in Ulsan, Korea, adding that the development demonstrates the company’s commitment and support to the Nigerian Local Content Act and establishes their confidence in local capacity to deliver international acceptable standards.

He said: “We are delighted to execute the construction of our new LPG carrier with HMD, bringing onboard NSML to supervise the construction.

As an indigenous company, this demonstrates our commitment and support to the Nigerian Local Content Act and as well establishes our confidence in local capacity to deliver international acceptable standards.

“Working with HMD again makes us feel in very safe hands as we are confident that this ecodesign/cleaner fuel vessel shall be constructed in line with international best practices and industrial regulations thereby creating a space for the vessel in the international gas supply value chain.

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

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

L-R: Country Rep. Pula Advisors, Mr Chukwuma Kalu; Country Director Heifer International, Mr Rufus Idris; the Permanent Secretary, Benue State Ministry of Agriculture (representing the Commissioner), Mrs Hembadoon Kun; Head Regional Tech Services, Leadway Assurance, Mr Ayoola Fatona and Vice President, Olam Group, Mr Regi George at the Heifer, Leadway, Pula and Olam Farmers Insurance Claim Pay-Out Ceremony in Makurdi… recently

Scientists Unveil New Technology to Address Cassava Mosaic Disease-2 Gilbert Ekugbe Researchers haves successfully mapped the genome of African cassava, using the TME 204 variety resistant to Cassava Mosaic Disease-2 (CMD-2), which is a significant milestone that would help to advance the breeding of new cassava varieties with greater accuracy.

The move is apt considering that cassava is a vital staple root crop, and almost a billion people worldwide depend on it for food and raw materials.

In Africa, the crop is a major source of livelihood for smallholder farmers and a plug for food security owing to its ability to withstand a wide array of environmental

conditions. However, because cassava farming is constrained by weeds, pests, and viral diseases, breeders are concentrating on developing improved varieties.

“The genome has a very high quality and accuracy, and the haplotypes of the heterozygous genome have been resolved with high confidence. It is now definitively the gold standard genome for African cassava.

Our work has revealed several new and interesting features of the cassava genome that will be of importance for breeders and cassava scientists,” said the Principal Scientist of the Research Team, Prof Wilhelm Gruissem, of the Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Plant Biology, Swiss

Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETH Zurich).

The work has been published in the Oxford Academics journal GIGA Science Press titled “The Haplotype-resolved Chromosome Pairs of a Heterozygous Diploid African Cassava Cultivar Reveal Novel Pan-genome and Allelespecific Transcriptome Features.”

Other researchers in the team included Weihong Qi, Yi-Wen Lim, Andrea Patrignani, Pascal Schläpfer, Anna Bratus-Neuenschwander, Simon Grüter, Christelle Chanez, Nathalie Rodde, Elisa Prat, Sonia Vautrin, Margaux-Alison Fustier, Diogo Pratas, and Ralph Schlapbach.

A genome is the complete set of genes or genetic material present

in an organism. It included all hereditary instructions for creating and maintaining life, reproduction inclusive. Scientists use genome sequencing to find genes much easier and faster and understand how the genes work together for an organism’s growth and development.

Conventionally, cassava breeders rely on phenotypic features of mature plants, as is typical for clonally propagated crops. This is a major drawback as it takes up to six years to produce enough planting material for multi-location trials. The heterozygous nature of the crop and parental lines used to generate new segregating progenies make it difficult to identify parents with good breeding values.

OSGoF, NAF to Collaborate in Production of Large-scale Map of Nigeria Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation (OSGoF) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have agreed to collaborate towards the production of a large scale map of the country.

Speaking during a visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja, the Surveyor General of the Federation (SGoF), Abudulganiyu

Adebomehin noted that with the map, government could take quick decisions on governance and administration as well as various parts of the territorial area that makes up Nigeria.

He pointed out that the various advantages of a large-scale map include the development of a smart city where vehicles could be put on roads without drivers (auto vehicles), quick estimation of the population of the people, and estimation of revenue drive.

According to him, it will also be possible, to at a glance see everything thing within an area in the map, which according to him has become a very useful tool of decision-making for political leaders and policymakers.

While thanking Amao for his commitment towards safeguarding the country’s territorial area and advancement of activities of NAF, said the office could produce various maps that could help NAF in their many operations.

In his response, Air Chief thanked the SGoF for extending a hand of fellowship that emphasises the sort of synergy needed among agencies of the federal government for a common goal.

He expressed interest for the production of forest maps that could enhance operations and charts that could also help in the navigation of aircrafts because of mountains, hills, installations especially at the airports that may constitute obstacles.

Pinnacle Targets 1bn Litres Petroleum Products Storage Capacity Peter Uzoho Nigeria’s largest oil marketing company, Pinnacle Oil & Gas Limited has said it is in the process of expanding its petroleum products storage capacity to 1 billion litres from the current 300 million litres.

The company said it has gotten the necessary regulatory approvals and has done the design for the project and now at the process of construction.

The petroleum marketing company has its storage facilities at the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos.

The Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle and Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, Mr. Peter Mbah, disclosed this in an exclusive chat with THISDAY, saying the company has the largest storage facility in the country and prides itself as the leader in the industry both in market share and volume of product storage.

“We started with a 300 million litre capacity which is poised to be increased to over a billion litre. That design is already done, the approval got, we are just in the process of implementation

now,” Mbah said.

He said Pinnacle currently controls 23 per cent of the market share in the petroleum marketing industry in Nigeria with plans to increase it upon completion of its second subsea mooring facility.

Mbah said in a bid to eliminate a major operational challenge in the industry, which was multiple handling of cargoes, characterised with inefficiency in cost and time, through a disruptive innovation, the company in 2011, embarked on building an offshore mooring facility described as Single Point Mooring system (SPM) and the

Conventional Point Mooring system (CPM).

The intake facility, according to him, is like a port in the middle of the sea, with a network of subsea pipeline of about 40km connecting to the terminal and the manifold end of the vessel. Mbah infomed that the company operationalised one of the mooring facilities, the CPM, in March 2021, 10 years after getting the first concession, adding that by September the same year, Pinnacle’s vision to become the market leaders by market share and volume became real.

Ikeja Electric: 34,000 Newly Metered Customers Fail to Make First Recharge Six Months After Peter Uzoho Ikeja Electric Plc has lamented that about 30 per cent of its customers metered under the Phase Zero of the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), amounting to 34,000, were yet to recharge their prepaid meters six months after the completion of the exercise.

The Head, Prepaid Revenue Management and Metering, Ikeja Electric, Mr. Morenikeji Amosun, disclosed this to journalists in Lagos.

The programme was launched in October 2020 starting with the phase zero, with the target to meter one million electricity customers nationwide, and was aimed at closing the metering gap in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

Amosun said Ikeja Electric was allocated 106, 000 meters under the programme, but that the company was able to install 111,703 prepaid meters for customers because many of them requested for single phase meters.

He said out of the metered customers, about 34,000 of them representing 30 per cent of those who benefited from the exercise, which ended in December 2021, had not recharged their prepaid meters till date.

He said the company’s investigations had revealed that some of the customers bypassed their prepaid meters during the process of installation, which was a criminal offence.

He maintained that some others might have probably travelled during the period, hence there was no need for them to recharge the meters while some customers claimed that they had no money to recharge the meters.

Amosun, however, said customers involved in bypassing meters would be charged to court and prosecuted, adding that the distribution company (Disco) was also working on retrieving the prepaid meters from some customers who deliberately refused to recharge for non-performance.

Airtel Raises Awareness on Recycling, Healthy Disposal of E-wastes Emma Okonji Airtel Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable environmental management and healthy disposal, recycling, and repurposing of electronic wastes.

Commenting on the company’s commemoration of the 2022 World Environment Day, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Surendran Chemmenkotil, said: “The Airtel Nigeria’s ambition is to address and minimize the impact of its operations on the environment as this is critical for the world we live in. Airtel is committed to raising awareness about climate/ environmental stewardship amongst employees and to work together as a team towards the delivery of its sustainability goals.”

Chemmenkotil added: “I have asked all my colleagues to bring to the office any electronic items from their homes that are old and no-longer of any use to them – so that Airtel can then prove its position as a technology company, that consistently explores sustainable ways of reusing, repurposing, recycling, and disposing of e-waste from our network and

offices.

“We are committed to our overarching Airtel Africa Sustainability strategy, and we will continue to implement these plans relentlessly at the local level.”

In response to the CEO’s call, employees of the telco came to the office on Monday, 6th June with electronic wastes, which they deposited at designated areas across offices nationwide.

The e-wastes will be collected by a credible e-wastes partner for the purpose of recycling, repurposing, and responsible disposal.

As part of the awareness programme, an awareness session was held at the company’s headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos on Monday, 6th June, with employees in regional offices connecting virtually.

During the session, employees were urged to contribute in their respective individual capacities to the advancement of sustainable environmental management, reduction of environmental footprint in respect of call to action on climate change initiatives and to reduce activities that have negative impact on Health and the Environment.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022

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This Week In Tech 08097710984

nosakhare.alekhuogie@thisdaylive.com

Nosa

Alekhuogie

Tech Top 5 News CBN to Introduce USSD Code to Strengthen eNaira s part of its plan to strengthen the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said it has plans to introduce the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data(USSD) code.

The Deputy Governor, CBN, Kingsley Obiora, made this known at the IMF African Department Speakers Series.

Obiora said introducing the USSD code became necessary to improve financial inclusion in the country and ensure people without smartphones could still transact on the eNaira platform.

“In terms of financial inclusion, we are almost at 70 per cent; that still leaves us with about 30 per cent of our population out of the financial system, and we believe the CBDC can help reduce that number even more.

A lot of people might not have smartphones, but that is the next step of our improvement in the CBDC, to introduce the USSD code, so those that do not have smartphones can still transact,” stated Obiora.

He further stated that the CBDC would provide enormous benefits to Nigeria, which is why the CBN opted to implement it.

The CBN deputy governor said that the barrier to entry on the CBDC platform was low, making it possible for everyone with a Bank Verification Number (BVN) to be onboarded into the eNaira platform in a few minutes.

He mentioned the value of the country’s digital payments grew from $324 billion in 2008 to about $2.4 trillion presently, adding that Nigerians were now used to digital payments.

A

E-commerce in Africa to Rake in $46.1bn by 2025 E-commerce has kept proving its viability on the continent, with a customer base growing yearly.

According to StockApps.com, the e-commerce market in Africa is set to reach annual revenue of $46.1 billion by 2025.

An editor at StockApps.com, Vyom Chaudhary, said with smartphones and internet technologies becoming increasingly accessible in Africa, the continent has become a lucrative market for the e-commerce industry.

“Africa is shaping up to be the next hotbed for internet-based businesses. As smartphones and the internet become more prevalent in African countries, the population has started to shift towards online shopping,” he said.

“In the last couple of years, the pandemic has also helped the e-commerce industry, like everywhere else on the globe.”

One can also expect the recent surge in growth to slow down in the coming years.

In 2021, the African e-commerce industry brought in $28 billion in revenue. Compared to $21.4 billion in 2020, the 2021 figure represented a 31 per cent annual increase.

As per the report, the annual growth rate is expected to decline to nine per cent by 2025 gradually.

In 2022, the African e-commerce industry has been predicted to produce $33.3 billion in revenue, following an increase of 19 per cent. Next year, the industry will grow by 14.7 per cent to $ 38.2 billion. In 2024, the annual growth rate will drop to 11 per cent, with $42.3 billion in revenue. In 2025, the annual revenue will reach $46.1 billion on the back of a nine per cent annual increase.

According to Chaudhary, the growth in the African e-commerce industry is primarily down to the expanding e-commerce user base on the continent.

“In 2017, only 138.9 million people shopped online in Africa. This figure is expected to get up to 519.8 million in 2024, at a compound annual growth rate of 17.9 per cent. Furthermore, the e-commerce penetration in the African population in 2024 is expected

Tech Personality of The Week KEMISOLA BOLARINWA

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his week’s tech personality is the Founder and CEO of Nextwear Technology, Kemisola Bolarinwa.

Nextwear Technology is the first wearable technology startup in Nigeria.

It is a hardware company that designs and develops technology worn close to the body by embedding programmable electronics and sensors on clothing to solve societal issues such as health and communications. They created the smart bra for early breast cancer detection.

Bolarinwa is also a robotics engineer.

She has created and sells smart security necklaces that use GPS to track family members and alert families when the wearer feels they are in danger.

She said this innovation is being converted to smartwatches to be gender-inclusive and can send pictures of the environment where family members are in the case of danger since the device has a panic button.

Bolarinwa is also an advocate for girls and works to bridge the gender gap in Africa by encouraging girls and women to seek STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) – based education and employment opportunities.

She was one of the 2022 international awards recipients of Origo International Awards, Canada. to be 40 per cent. Therefore, there is significant room for further growth in the African e-commerce industry,” he concluded.

Nigeria’s Klasha Receives Additional $2.1m Seed Round Nigerian fintech startup, Klasha has announced that it has received a $2.1 million investment to complete a $4.5 million seed round it started last year.

One of its new investors is American Express Ventures, the investment arm for American Express (Amex), one of the world’s top four credit card networks, making this a first-time investment in an African-focused startup.

With this latest move, Amex joins Visa and Mastercard, which have been in Africa’s fintech scene since 2018. The company known for transforming cross-border African commerce has said it intends to use the funds to expand into five more African countries in 2022, re-launch its consumer app – KlashaCart – to allow African consumers to shop online from eligible international merchants and make businesses expand into a market full of energised customers.

Klasha’s core check-out technology benefits consumers and merchants. It allows African consumers to pay international online merchants in African currencies like naira and shillings, using bank cards or mobile money at check-out and then have their goods shipped to the continent.

“Given the fragmented cross-border commerce infrastructure on the continent, it is imperative for customers in Africa to access the global e-commerce economy seamlessly and without friction,” said founder and CEO Klasha, Jessica Anuna.

“Our latest funding will allow more businesses to seamlessly tap into the

African market through our API while simultaneously giving African consumers the same access to the global e-commerce economy as experienced internationally,” Anuna concluded.

Africa’s Tech Sector to Record $712bn Growth by 2050 It is projected that Africa’s technology sector will record an exponential growth estimated at $712 billion by 2050.

In a report by Endeavor Nigeria, the growth is accelerated by strong market fundamentals and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report, ‘The Inflection Point: Africa’s digital economy is poised to take off’, highlighted key events in the continent’s technology ecosystem from the last few years, identified patterns, and offers a roadmap to navigate the opportunities emerging successfully.

Africa’s digital economy is large and growing, with an estimated market size of $115 billion and is expected to reach $712 billion by 2050. By 2050, Africa will be home to a third of the world’s young people, and the continent is urbanising faster than other regions, according to the report.

Additionally, one in six of the world’s internet users will be in Africa in 2025. The COVID-19 pandemic is also driving digitisation on the continent and encouraging more Africans to engage in digital activity. As a result of these dynamics, more investors are paying attention to the potential of African technology.

Between January 2020 and December 2021, funding for African digital startups grew two times faster than global rates.

Proven exit paths are also emerging for early investors with the increase in

mega-rounds, liquidity events, and unicorns.

“The combination of these events has primed Africa’s technology landscape for success.

However, there remains a ‘white space’ for investors to consider. Due to the quantum of deals in the $1million to $5 million range in the last year (600), relative to the $5million to $50 million range (~150),” added the report.

It is unlikely there will be sufficient supply in the market as companies from the $1 million to $5 million range graduate to larger ticket sizes.

Apple to Allow Users Edit, Unsend iMessage Apple recently announced that its latest iPhone software would let its users edit messages already sent in its message’s app and unsend iMessages.

At its annual developers’ conference, apple said the upcoming iPhone software update, iOS 16, will include options to unsend texts in iMessage, a change that has long been requested. There will also be an option to mark threads as unread to come back to them later.

Apple has confirmed the options will be available for 30 days after sending and both features are only available for 15 minutes after the messages were originally sent.

MacRumors first reported in March 2020 that Apple was indeed working on a way to let you delete iMessages. The report said both the sender and the recipient of the text would be notified if a message was deleted.

Editing and deleting have long been features of other messaging services, including WhatsApp. However, Apple did not say when the new iOS update would roll out but explained that the update is already in the hands of developers willing to install an initial beta, while a public beta program is set to begin next month.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 14, 2022

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 07010510430

Anxiety over Nuisance Posed but Okada Operators in Abuja From Dei-Dei market to Galadimawa community and many parts of the FCT, there is so much anxiety about the proclivity of commercial motorcycle operators for lawlessness, recklessness and violence, Olawale Ajimotokan, Kingsley Nweze and King Akan report

The market after the riot

C

ommercial motorcyclists, otherwise known in the local parlance as Okada have somehow become an anathema in the consciousness of the public. This is due to their excesses and penchant to unleash mayhem on innocent people at the slightest provocation, in stack defiance of extant law.

It appears the authorities are helpless in taming this menace even though since 2006, the Federal Capital Territory Administration has outlawed the operation of Okada from the Abuja metropolis by restricting them to inside estates and the satellite towns.

Section 42(1) of the Road Traffic Act of the FCT is very clear about the operation of commercial motorcycles. It says permit should not be granted for them to operate.

But the contrary is the case as an army of jobless youths and people displaced by insecurity across many parts of the north as well as immigrants from neigbouring countries now see commercial motorcycles as a leeway to escape from economic hardship.

Their characteristic reckless struggle for space on the major highways of Abuja with vehicles has either caused accidents leading to the death of many commuters or sustenance of lifetime injuries by others.

However, what has become a worrisome trend to authorities of recent is the predisposition of the Okada operators to escalate violence, affray and riot that disrupt public peace and order.

Lives and highly valued assets have also been lost in some of the violence sparked by Okada fracas.

The clashes at Dei-Dei International Market on May 18 where five persons died and goods valued at billions of naira were burned and the disturbance at Same Global Estate in Dakwo, Galadimawa on May 29 where the commercial motorcyclists set ablaze the estate’s security gate, are fresh reminders.

Some accounts said the Dei-Dei market incident occurred when a woman fell off a bike and was crushed to death by a trailer on the main road close to the market, all due to the alleged recklessness of an Okada driver.

After the demise, the Okada boys insisted on recovery of their bike while the angry crowd refused.

In a fit of anger, the mob consisting purely of concerned citizens burnt the motorbike to the chagrin of the commercial bike riders who later mobilised by attacking and burning shops in the market.

From accounts gathered, the market traders, who suffered from the attacks, were not even aware of this incident as they were in the shops carrying out their businesses. The Okada riders in turn, who happen to live in

Burnt industrial machines settlements behind and around the market, deemed it justifiable to set the market ablaze, loot shops and attack the traders, who were merely victims of circumstance roped into the crisis because it happened in front of their market.

Monday Gabriel, a carpenter, whose shop was razed in the arson, had kept some materials he salvaged from the fire behind a shop opposite his shop (now in ashes), and to his surprise when he came to get the materials, they were gone. His worry was the customer was waiting for him in another shop to collect the job.

“When the crisis broke out we thought it was a joke because the main incident happened along the main road. We did not expect that the hoodlums would enter the market because it was not the residents of the market that burnt the Okada, he said”.

“But before we knew what was happening, the Okada people went to gather themselves and started burning some shops. They said they won't accept it as far as their Okadas were burnt, they must revenge. They were throwing stones and before we knew it they started setting shops ablaze.

"Unfortunately, my shop was one of them and some of my goods and the jobs I had done were burnt. I lost about N2 million worth of goods in this singular act. I wrote to the union and they agreed to forward our issues to the federal government”.

He appealed to the government to come to the rescue of the traders by providing adequate security and compensation for their loss.

“We still need government assistance indirectly because the security agents in form of vigilante we have here are employed by the timber market itself. Government needs to support us to recover what we

have lost. We are presently like people that lost their homes because it is what we make from the market we use to feed our family. So we are appealing to the Federal Government to assist us so we can start all over,” Gabriel lamented.

Another trader who lost his goods to the crisis was Kenneth Oluchukwu of the cutting machine factory line.

“My loss is more than N2 million. I lost my pallet for blocks which is used to carry blocks and slice and I have more than two thousand of them. Each cost N30,000 which is about six hundred thousand that got burnt down here.

“I am a family man with four children. I pay N50,000 per term as school fees for my children at school. Now how do I pay for their fees now?” Oluchukwu bemoaned.

The Executive Chairman, Dei-Dei International Timber Traders Association Abuja (DITTA), Mr. Chibuzor Ekesiy, said the estimated cost of the losses recorded in terms of properties and goods was over N1.5 billion.

When quizzed on the incident and measures taken to control any the chaos within the market on the day, he stated that: “When the hoodlums began to set the market ablaze, we immediately called on fire service and the police and they came but not adequately. Two police men were on ground and they couldn't do anything.

“We also called the army and their boss said they were having a meeting that they would send two trucks of soldiers which we later saw one. The civil defence was not there, the fire service when we called them they were not there. At a point when I called them again after pressurising them continuously they said that they could not penetrate the road, that the mob had blocked the road from Dei-Dei junction, that we should call on Saburi people which I called before I called Kubwa.

“Later when I called them again they said they don't have security that I should provide them security and I don't know how I can provide security to fire service. We tried to see if we could use the soldiers that were here to see if we can go and escort them in but the soldiers were busy trying to repel the attack

Their characteristic reckless struggle for space on the major highways of Abuja with vehicles has either caused accidents leading to the death of many commuters or sustenance of lifetime injuries by others

which was too much,” Ekesiy said.

Speaking on the measures the association was taking to ensure safety of life and properties, he said: “Like I told them when I met the market security the other day and the FCT Minister, we need external assistance in the area of security.

The government should help us. We have our security operatives in the system who are there on a daily basis; day and night but when that type of invasion comes, they have very little to do because the mob came with weapons”.

He commended the FCT Minister, whom he said promised to beef up security in the market.

“Honestly we appreciate his efforts. His swift attention to the matter came that Wednesday night. He was there and that was when he closed the market. His intervention helped us enjoy relative peace within the period the market was closed.

"We appreciate his efforts and we thank him and thank God that he has reopened the market again. You can see activities in the market are bubbling, so we are happy he did that but every other measure, we have pleaded with them to see if they can assist us to provide security”.

Ekesiy also stressed the need by the FCT to compensate the victims who were injured, whose shops were burnt and those unable to do business due to the closure of the market.

He also offered some words of encouragement and advice to the traders, people of FCT and Nigerians in general saying they should remain calm and peaceful stressing they cannot conduct business successfully without a peaceful atmosphere and environment.

Speaking with the Chairman Okada Riders, Dei-Dei junction, Ibrahim Abdullahi, he revealed that their members have been cautioned and advised to desist from violence or confrontations with members of the public.

“We are controlling our people and we have told them henceforth anything that happens they should not take matters into their hands but seek the attention of the police. Also we are attending to complaints and resolving issues of the public,” Abdulahi said.

Few days after the mayhem at Dei-Dei there was also a reported fracas at Galadimawa after Okada riders attacked the estate in reprisal for the killing of two of their members by a motorist, who reportedly ran into the estate to escape a lynching.

Afterwards, a retinue of Okada riders, bearing cudgels and other dangerous items, arrived at the scene to attack the estate.

Continued on page 37

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 14, 2022

FEATURES

What is left of Dei-Dei Market after the fracas ignited by Okada riders The Estate Manager, Same Global Estate, Mr Adebisi Adelowo, confirmed the onslaught on the estate by the Okada riders. He said they vandalised the estate’s gate and pelted residents with stones. He said the gate-house manning the estate security was torched during the violence.

However, he denied as “misleading” a report that two houses were burned by the Okada operators in the estate that was commissioned in 2003 and that has about 680 families.

“What they burned was only the gate at the security post. They wanted to burn the house by setting fire on the security gate but we put it off. They tried to burn the house but we quenched the fire.

“The hit and run incident happened outside our estate. It was just that we have a police station here and that partly caused the problem.

When the crisis was escalated by the Okada operators, the motorist involved in the crisis, simply because they saw the Police sign board, started running into the estate because they felt the Police could offer them protection.

In fact, that has been happening to us since we opened the police post,” Adelowo said.

He insisted the driver that crushed the two Okada riders was not their resident, adding the Police had already removed the car from the estate.

“The Police have already taken the car. They are the one tracking the person, we are not the one. And they have not told us if they have caught the person because the person is not our resident. We don’t have any issue with Okada people because Okada ensured that they took the car out of our estate, that day. But our grouse is how they just came and damaged our property,” he said.

He added that the Police had also evaluated the cost of damages at the estate during the fracas and the houses affected. He said the Okada pelted stones at houses, breaking glasses and damaging air conditioners.

“They used stones to smash some people’s glasses, their air conditioners. But we are working on our own to take accurate inventory of what was damaged”.

He also said several residents were injured during the fracas, while showing the bruises inflicted on him and some other residents present during the interview.

“They were hauling stones from outside.

Fire fighters came and put off the fire. The Police and the Army really tried for us. The Commissioner of Police and DPO Galadimawa, DPO of Lugbe, DPO TradeMore, DPO of Apo, almost five DPOs came here because of the problem, even the DSS. We thank God everything is okay,” Adelowo said.

However, the Director, Director Directorate

Security post of Global Estates, Galadimawa that was burnt by Okada operators during the attack on the estate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) popularly called VIO, Abdulateef Bello has in the light of the Dei-Dei and Galadimawa fracas said that

the Okada problem in the FCT requires a multi-sectorial solution given the operators were becoming a public nuisance.

“It is important to know is that the FCTA

However, what has become a worrisome trend to authorities of recent is the predisposition of the Okada operators to escalate violence, affray and riot that disrupt public peace and order

has ordered the ban on the Use of Okada in the FCT since 2006 and equally regulated their use within certain areas by restricting them to only the estates and suburbs because they have constituted themselves into nuisance and their conduct is becoming lawless. And then it is not just the responsibility of the DRTS, I think it is beyond DRTS- I think the approach should now be multi-sectorial in regulating their activities because of all manner of criminalities they commit in the FCT. It should be the responsibility of all the security agencies to now come together to monitor, regulate and control the activities of the motorcyclists,” Bello said.

He said the Directorate had arrested well over 1,600 motorcycles that were impounded for riding on the highways.

He added that although Okada is banned with the Federal Capital City, there will continue to be problem with their operation as well as those of social miscreants as long as there are shanties within and around the FCC. Meanwhile the FCT Police Command has convened a meeting of the command with chairmen of the association of commercial motorcycle associations in Abuja.The meeting followed the invasion of Global Estates by motorcyclists in the FCT. The FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Sunday Babaji, said the move was designed to contain incessant attacks by the groups on residents and destruction of property.

Speaking in an interview with THISDAY, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mrs Josephine Adeh, said the move was designed to contain the situation.

"Since the incident, the Police Commissioner, Mr Sunday Babaji, has convened a meeting with the motorcyclists. The meeting is yet to hold but he will meet with all the chairmen of the Okada associations in Abuja to see how to tackle the issue", she said.

The command also assured residents that normalcy was restored to the affected area.

"The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Babaji Sunday, was on the ground with a heavy deployment of operatives for an on-the-spot assessment. It is imperative to equally state that contrary to information filtering about, no house was burnt", it said.

The CP assured residents of the command's commitment to the safety of lives and property within the FCT under his watch while urging well-meaning members of the public to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses without the fear of harassment and molestation while urging them to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the police.

38

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022

TRIBUTE

Lucius Nwosu: Tribute to a Dogged, Selfless Environmental Lawyer Alex Enumah

H

e came. He saw. He conquered.

Those words are a befitting epitaph for the legal luminary and environmentalist Lucius Ezeakammadu Nwosu (SAN).

He brought many joys to Niger Delta communities. But for the late Nwosu, many communities in the Niger Delta would have been wiped out by environmental degradation occasioned by oil companies’ operations.

The late Nwosu was a rare gem. He championed environmental causes even to his personal cross. Having a father who worked for Shell Petroleum Development Company and one who himself worked with the oil giant while as a secondary school student, one would have expected that the fiery lawyer would have, upon graduation from university, sought a juicy position in any of the major oil companies but, rather chose to be on the other side in other to fight the rising issue of environmental and oil pollution in the Niger Delta region.

Although the light may be said to have dimmed for one of Nigeria’s respected environmental rights lawyers and philanthropists, no doubt the late senior lawyer left his marks on the sand of times.

He hailed from Udo Ezihinitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. He attended St. Nicholas Primary School, Oro-Evo, Woji, Port Harcourt, Rivers State from 1958 to 1961, All Saints Primary School, Udo, Ezinihitte Mbaise from 1962 to 1963, Mater Miseri Cordae Primary School, Rumoamasi, Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt, Rivers State from 1964 to 1965. He was also at Our Lady Lourdes Secondary School, Ozuoba, Port Harcourt, Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori-Ogoni, from 1966 to 1967 and Government College Umuahia, Abia State.

Barrister Nwosu began working while he was a secondary school student, employed as a contract staff in the Land and Legal Department of the Shell British Petroleum Company of Nigeria Limited in 1973 and in the Hydrocarbon Division of the Federal Ministry of Mines and Power, Port Harcourt from October 1975 to September 1976.

After secondary school, he engaged in personal studies. He obtained his GCE ‘A’ Level and proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, where he studied law from 1976 to 1980. He did his law school programme at the Nigerian Law school Victoria Island, Lagos. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in July 1981.

After qualifying as a lawyer, Nwosu commenced his legal practice as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the law firm of D. A Akintoye & Co, Ilorin, Kwara State from 1981 to 1982. From August 1982 to 1986, he delved into rigorous legal practice, starting as a junior counsel at Sotonye-Denton West & Co. In August 1986, he established the law firm of Lucius E. Nwosu & Partners with the firm’s range of practice and expertise spanning tortuous hydrocarbon environmental law, bankruptcy, conversion of landed hereditaments, oil and gas law, energy, corporate law and real estate.

Like any Port Harcourt boy, Nwosu loved the city but was enraged by the misfortune that oil brought to his birth’s otherwise “garden city” of his birth. To his chagrin, there were no gardens left in Port Harcourt; instead, soothing now falls from the skies on everything from its polluted environment. Proximity to this environmental anomaly and tragedy compelled Lucius Nwosu to act rather than flee. From then on, he devoted his legal mind to fighting for environmental justice for the helpless people of the oil-rich Niger Delta.

Barrister Nwosu was married to Dr. (Mrs.) Chinelo J. Nwosu and the union is blessed with five children. His hobbies included boating and travelling.

As one of Nigeria’s foremost environmental law specialists and practitioners, Nwosu applied his brilliance, doggedness, perseverance, and selflessness to offer excellent legal services to his various clients, particularly the Niger-Delta communities. He waged many battles against environmental degradation and pollution, battles through which he often obtained reprieve for communities in the oil-producing regions of Nigeria.

Characteristically he often worked for these communities on a contingency basis. He disliked placing a burden on his clients by demand-

Nwosu ing professional fees before rendering his outstanding professional services.

Amongst his remarkable cases to his credit were the SPDC vs Farah (1995)3 NWLR Pt.382, where he contributed significantly to jurisprudence in the area of heads of claim in compensation matters; and consolidated suit number FHC/PH/CS/84 & 85/94: Chief T. Edamkue vs SPDC, in which he contributed significantly to jurisprudence in the area of representative actions and heads of claim in compensation matters recovered damages in torts arising from the spillage of crude hydrocarbon from the polluter for the Duboro and the Baen communities of Ogoni land. The decision of the Federal High Court was upheld by the Supreme Court and reported as SPDC vs Edamkue (2009) LPELR- 3048(SC).

There were also the consolidated suit numbers FHC/CA/CS/30/98 and FHC/CA/31/98: Chief (Hon.) Simeon Monokpo & ANOR vs Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited & ANOR, where he contributed significantly to jurisprudence in trial proceedings in Civil Litigation and recovered damages in torts arising from the spillage of crude hydrocarbon from the polluter for his Ogoni and Ikot Abasi Clients. The decision of the Federal High Court was appealed to the Supreme Court (SC/20/2001), where the apex court ordered a trial de novo. The suits (subsequently renumbered as FHC/UY/CS/57 & 58/2004) were settled out of court as the polluter preferred not to face Nwosu in a fresh trial.

There was also suit number FHC/PH/ CS/248/98 – His Majesty, Chief (Dr.) Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff & 7 ORS vs Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited & Mobil Incorporation of USA, where he obtained a judgment from the Federal High Court and eventually recovered damages in torts arising from the spillage of crude hydrocarbon from the polluter for the peoples of Twon Brass in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

There many other significant cases he won.

List of Significant Cases Won by Lucius Ezeakammadu Nwosu (SAN) 1. Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/354/98: HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, SOE ARONG & 16 ORS. vs. MOBIL PRODUCING NIGERIA UNLIMITED & MOBIL INCORPORATION OF USA where he also obtained Judgment from the Federal High Court and eventually recovered damages in torts arising from the spillage of crude hydrocarbon from the polluter for the people of Andoni/ Ngo Clan of Rivers State.

2. Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/353/98: CHIEF M. O. JACK WILSON PEPPLE & 3 ORS vs. MOBIL PRODUCING NIGERIA UNLIMITED & MOBIL INCORPORATION OF USA for where he obtained Judgment from the Federal High Court and eventually recovered damages in torts arising from the spillage of crude hydrocarbon from the polluter for the Amanyanabo of Bonny in Council, Chiefs, Elders and people of Bonny Kingdom of Rivers State.

3. Suit No. FHC/PH/CP/11/2000 – SIR KOLOINDI ANISO & ORS. (for themselves and on behalf of the entire people of Odi Community in the Kolokuma/ Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa State) vs. THE PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-INCHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA & 3 ORS. Here Lucius E. Nwosu, SAN leading his learned brothers, R. A. LawalRabanna, SAN and I. A. Adedipe, SAN recovered compensation from the Federal Government for the Odi community who were massacred and their community destroyed following military operations targeted at “militants”.

4. Suit No: PHC/1950/2007: DAGOGO WILLIAM BROWN & ORS. vs. SPDC where Lucius represented the Chiefs, Elders and entire members of Buoye Omuso Brown Major House of Finima and on behalf of His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William

Dappa-Pepple, (perekule XI) The Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny, The Bonny Chiefs Council, Elders and the entire peoples of Grand Bonny and successfully got Judgment from the Rivers State High Court setting aside a Certificate of Occupancy illegally obtained by Shell over a section of the Bonny land which they have been using for their Oil Terminal operations.

Shell’s Appeals from this decision through the Court of Appeals right up to the Supreme Court were dismissed and ownership of the said land reverted to the respective Bonny people.

5. Suit No. PHC/1198/2005: SPDC VS. AMADI. In this case, Lucius E. Nwosu, SAN also got Judgment from the Rivers State High Court setting aside a Certificate of Occupancy illegally obtained by Shell over a section of the Rumucheta and Rumukwurukuru Families of Mbgesilaru Town, Okporo, Port Harcourt land which Shell uses for their Residential Area along Aba road, Port Harcourt. Shell’s Appeals from this decision through the Court of Appeals right up to the Supreme Court were dismissed and ownership of the said lands reverted to the Rumucheta and Rumukwurukuru Families of Mbgesilaru Town, Okporo, Port Harcourt.

6. Suit No. PHC/321/2006: PRINCE RAY ELEWA & ANOR. VS SPDC. Here Lucius similarly got Judgment from the Rivers State High Court setting aside a Certificate of Occupancy illegally obtained by Shell over a section of the Rumuibekwe Family land which Shell uses for their Residential Area along Aba Road, Port Harcourt. Shell’s Appeals from this decision through the Courts were dismissed and ownership of the said land reverted to the Rumuibekwe people.

7. Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/434 /2012: HRH SIR (DR.) BENSON MH EGWENRE, JP (ORUK XV) VS. SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA LIMITED & SHELL INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION BV. In this suit, Lucius successfully represented the Ataba Community in the Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State at the Federal High Court, obtained Judgment against Shell and her parent companies whereupon they opted to have the matter settled and the Plaintiff’s environment which they polluted, cleaned-up.

8. Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/435/2012: CHIEF PATRICK POROBUNU & ORS. vs. SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA LIMITED & SHELL INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION BV. In this suit, Lucius successfully represented the members of the Gan Zorkpa Kindred of Tekuru Island, Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State at the Federal High Court, obtained Judgment against Shell and her parent companies whereupon they opted to have the matter settled and the Plaintiff’s environment which they polluted, cleaned-up.

9. Suit No. FHCAB/CS/774/2011: FEDERAL INLAND REVENUE vs. NNPC & 4 Ors. In this suit, Lucius successfully represented the Federal Inland Revenue Service and Nigeria as a whole, where the International Oil Companies (IOC) sought through unconstitutional foreign Arbitrations, reliefs to “Stop NNPC from Lifting its Share of Oil from Nigeria’s wells till the IOCs had lifted enough Oil to cover unsanctioned back taxes, and a combined claim of Ten Billion Eighty Five Million United States Dollars ( $10.85 Billion USD).”

10. Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/231/2001: CHIEF ISAAC OSARO AGBARA & ORS. vs. THE SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA LIMITED & ORS. – The Ejama people’s claims for environmental pollution and remediation in this suit lasted for 30 years in various Courts in Nigeria including four Appeals to the Supreme Court by Shell and her parent companies. Lucius succeeded in obtaining compensation for the Ejama people in 2021 following the 2010 Judgment of the Federal High Court in their favour. This suit further demonstrated his long-staying abilities in the conduct of cases.

11. Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/54/2012: HRH OBONG (DR.) EFFIONG B. ARCHIANGA (JP) & 9 ORS. vs NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION & 2 ORS. – Here, Lucius obtained the Judgment of the Federal High Court at the suit of the Ibeno Clan in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State people for the colossal crude hydrocarbon spills from Mobil’s facilities which devastated their homestead. The matter is on Appeal.

39

TUESDAY, ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THIRTY-NINE THREE DAYS TO DEADLINE, PARTIES IN LAST MINUTE CONSULTATIONS FOR RUNNING MATES President Atiku Abubakar at its presidential primaries held at the National Stadium some three weeks ago, the APC, last week, elected a former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, at its special convention, held at the Eagles Square; LP elected Obi its candidate in Asaba, Delta State, while Kwakwaso was elected NNPP candidate the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

However, while the APC is said to be considering a choice presidential running mate from the North East part of the country, being a part of the north yet to produce the nation’s president, the party remains divided on the vexed issue of religion. But party stalwarts concede, it remains the decision of the candidate even though some believe the candidate should depart from that venture.

At the same time, the PDP might have narrowed down its choice of candidate to between the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his counterpart from Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who also contested the PDP presidential primaries and came second.

Interestingly, Wike has been lobby for the position, The PDP is expected to name its candidate anytime soon.

On their parts, Obi and Kwankwaso were allegedly still consulting, according to insiders, and this is in addition to the suspicion that both men might be considering working together, if things get to a head.

This, nonetheless, the National Peace Committee, led by a former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd), who just turned 80 years, has expressed fear that the 2023 general election may not meet the expectations of Nigerians of a free, transparent and credible electoral process.

Thus, barring any further changes, while the vice-presidential candidates of both the PDP and the APC are likely to come from the South-south and the North

East geopolitical zones respectively, those of Obi and Kwankwaso are not known yet.

A special committee set up by the stakeholders of the PDP, THISDAY gathered, had settled for Okowa and Wike.

National Vice Chairman of the PDP, South-south zone, Dan Orbih, Wike' s man Friday, was said to be in the push for Wike to be nominated vice-presidential candidate from Rivers State.

But, he was allegedly being opposed by some stakeholders from the same zone, who argued that the Delta State governor, was not aligned during the campaigns, more so, that he had earlier yielded his senatorial seat in Delta north to a former member of the House of Representatives, Ned Nwoko.

Yet, the special committee has said its duty stopped at shortlisting credible and capable hands, but not to impose a candidate on Atiku.

"Ours is to recommend and not to impose a vice-presidential candidate on Atiku," a source on the committee hinted.

The source said what had been going for Wike was his financial war chest that could support the Atiku campaigns, explaining that money would certainly play a vital role in the 2023 general election.

According to him, the two governors would be presented to Atiku Abubakar today for him to make his final choice and present to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on Wednesday.

The source explained further that, "What we are doing is to ensure a hitch-free choice on Atiku and avoid what happened in 2019."

Consequently, the committee has recommended that the office of the Senate President should be zoned to the North West, should the PDP win majority seats in the Senate at the general election.

Also, it recommended that the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives be zoned to the South East, if the PDP wins

S&P REPORT: PIPELINE CLOSURES, MAINTENANCE DRAG NIGERIA'S OIL OUTPUT TO NEW LOW supplies a substantial part of the country's export.

Overall, between March 3 and April 1, the production curtailment pushed the country's total loss to 5.545 million barrels of crude for the month as opposed to 1.69 million barrels previously.

Force majeure refers to a clause in contracts that allows both parties to walk out of the contract when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties happens.

At the time, the 1.69 million barrels’ losses, although huge, was seen as a major improvement on the January 2022 high of 7.5 million barrels lost to the phenomenon, a development that has negatively impacted the country's capacity to export the commodity.

Nigeria has for over a year been unable to meet the production quota allocated to it by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) due to losses to facilities' breakdown, vandalism and outright sabotage as well as community issues.

The country’s upstream petroleum sector has also struggled in the last one year, due to deteriorating facilities occasioned by waning investment as well as oil theft.

Since this year, the NNPC has failed to remit its statutory funding of the Federation Account, a joint pool collectively operated by the federal, state and local governments despite the rising international prices of oil.

But Bonny which lost the highest amount of oil for the period, according to the THISDAY review, was followed by Odudu terminal which experienced a whopping 937,663 barrels leakage due to what the NNPC described as maintenance work.

But the challenge appeared to have worsened in May as the S&P reported quoted other industry sources as saying that the Nembe Creek and Trans Forcados pipelines had repeatedly come under sabotage, and flow through

the lines had been sporadic in the past month.

“Africa’s largest oil producer has had to deal with a barrage of security, operational and technical problems at its key oil infrastructure since early 2021,” it stated.

Although OPEC is yet to release its production figures for May, S&P stated that crude and condensate production in May fell 14 per cent month on month to 1.279 million barrels per day, quoting data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

That was the lowest in more than three decades, according to estimates from S&P Global.

Nigeria has seen its crude and condensate production drop to almost half its production capacity of around 2.2 million bpd.

A majority of key oil fields, terminals and facilities have been experiencing teething problems and a recent resurgence in attacks on oil facilities have exacerbated the situation.

Rising pipeline sabotage and insecurity in the Niger Delta are also hampering the growth outlook for Africa’s largest oil producer.

In a recent note, Platts Analytics said it expected Nigerian crude supply to rise to 1.5 million bpd from the fourth quarter of 2022 from 1.4 million bpd in April.

“Political risks may worsen ahead of elections in early 2023,” Platts Analytics said.

“Production has averaged about 300,000 bpd below its OPEC+ quota since mid-2021 due to technical outages, theft and sabotage and force majeure,” it added.

The declining oil production comes at a difficult time for Nigeria, which is also fighting a wave of divestments from international oil companies.

The government has had lofty targets to boost exploration and production and increase oil reserves and output to 40 billion barrels and 3 million bpd, respectively, by the mid-2020s. Those targets have started to look unachievable.

majority seats in the lower chamber.

Further to the recommendations, top ministerial positions should be reserved for either of the two governors short-listed for the vicepresidential slot, depending on who between the two Atiku Abubakar settles for as his running mate.

In the APC, multiple sources in the party said, Tinubu has asked for more time to choose his running mate, even though some APC leaders were said to be keen on the party’s position on religion.

THISDAY gathered yesterday that the APC governors and other relevant stakeholders agreed that Tinubu's running mate should come from the North East, but not certain, if it would be a MuslimMuslim ticket or Muslim-Christian ticket.

"The views of the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam el-Rufai for a Muslim Muslim presidential ticket as was the case in Kaduna State is a recipe for crisis in a modern Nigeria. That it happened in the days of Chief MKO Abiola with Babagana Kingibe does not mean that it can happen in the present day Nigeria," a staunch party source said.

The source further explained that the Christian stakeholders of APC from the North East have capable hands in the persons of the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Boss Mustapha, who is from Adamawa State.

Conversely, he noted further that, “Boss Mustapha is a Christian and worships with the Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG) and there is also the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara from Bauchi State.”

The source stated that the governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, is from the North Central, where the party’s National Chairman, Senator Adamu Abdullahi, is from and therefore, automatically ruled him out.

In the same manner, the source said if the APC maintained its majority in the National Assembly, the Senate President is expected to come from the South East and the North West to produce the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The source, however, reiterated that the North Central has been ruled out, because of Adamu.

APC National Stakeholders Kick Against Muslim-Muslim Ticket

The APC National Stakeholders have kicked against the purported Muslim-Muslim ticket being mulled by the party leadership.

The Convener, Mr. Aliyu Audu, while addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, said the country was deeply divided within the

fault lines of ethnicity and religion, saying the ruling party could not afford to jettison those sensibilities in critical decision-making.

Against this background, the group noted that APC must be guided by such sensibilities in the selection of its vice-presidential candidate, even as it recalled that the unity of the country was put to test a few weeks ago, when certain interests were divided as to which of the regions between the north and the south should produce the next president of Nigeria.

While noting that some interests wanted the north to pick the ticket, others advocated that the APC should pick her standard bearer from the south in the spirit of nationalism, justice and fairness.

It stressed that while the debate raged, governors and leaders of thoughts from the northern region heeded the call for a southern presidency by declaring their support and also stood their ground.

The group pointed out that with their insistence and strong support, a southern candidate in the person of Senator Bola Tinubu, emerged as the candidate of the APC, and therefore, commended members of the Northern Governors’ Forum, who ensured that it came to pass, by proving themselves to be true heroes of democracy.

It noted that having successfully crossed the hurdle of producing a presidential candidate from the southern region, the bone of contention now lies in which of the two dominant faiths would produce the vice-presidential candidate.

"There have been arguments that vice-presidential candidate, which is primed to come from the north must be of the Christian faith, while some others have argued that for the APC to stand the chance of winning the 2023 presidential election, the vice must be a Christian, since the South has already produced a Muslim as the Presidential candidate.

"APC National Stakeholders is deeply concerned about the raging controversy, which has heated the polity in the last few days. While we are conscious of the fact that religion should not be a determining factor in the our leadership selection process, the peculiar circumstance the nation found herself calls for reflection in the decisions we take, so long as they bother on our national lives.”

The group insisted that northern APC has in its fold capable individuals from the Christian faith with proven track record that could deliver just like anyone from the other faith and called on the party to narrow its search for the vice-presidential candidate of

the party to a northern Christian, saying doing this would ensure national inclusion, help to manage our differences and promote national unity.

Wike Best Option to Atiku, Says Arewa Youths Advocate

As the search for a presidential running mate to the candidate of the opposition PDP, Atiku Abubakar, thickens, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has been identified as the best choice for the number two office considering his acceptability across the country.

The assertion was made by a political pressure group, Arewa Youth Advocates For Peace and Unity Initiatives, in a press release signed by its National President, Sani Mohammed, copies of which was made available to journalists in Bauchi, yesterday.

The group stated that, "We deem it fit to be partners of progress, peace building agents to ensure that youths are fully and adequately sensitised through media Platforms, to further ensure that youths contributes positively to the development of our only country Nigeria, for peaceful elections come 2023.

"It is on this premise, that after an extensive consultations within different youths groups and relevant stakeholders in the North, and the conduct of opinion polls using different online platforms/ physical methods on Atiku/Wike Presidency 2023, the results proved successful and the ticket will give PDP decisive victory.

"Furthermore, as the presidential candidate and former VicePresident of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON intensifies search for his running mate in the forthcoming presidential election, he should put it at the back of his mind especially, now that he is leading a unifying campaign that Nigeria is ethnically heterogeneous and culturally pluralistic.

"The Political practice has since 1979 is either a president from the North and Vice President from the South or otherwise. Atiku Abubakar, a Northerner will be considering different names as a choice of his running mate, though it is his sole responsibility, but demography and other factors should guide him to avoid mistakes of the past.

"However, there are many eminently qualified Nigerians from the South to be nominated as Atiku's running mate but as it stands, Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyeson Wike, stands as one among many to complement the PDP ticket to ensure Victory," the group posited.

Abdulsalami Peace Committee Doubts Credible Poll in 2023

The National Peace Committee led by a former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd), has expressed fear that the forthcoming 2023 general election could meet the expectations of Nigerians for a free, transparent and credible electoral process.

The committee's reservations came just as it urged all the people taking part in the Ekiti State governorship election to follow due process and conduct themselves with civility and patriotism.

The NPC also said a peace accord would be signed by the various political parties and stakeholders on Wednesday, at the Amazing Grace Events Hall, Ikokun, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

In a statement signed by the former Head of State, the peace committee said, “judging from the experience at the recent party primaries, where politicians monetised the entire process, the hope of ordinary Nigerians that their interest and aspirations will be reflected in the outcome of the 2023 general election may be lost "We are aware that the 2023 election may not be the best – as can be attested to by the monetisation of the process, the acrimonious conduct of the recent party primaries, and the elevation of the ‘delegate position’ over and above the welfare of ordinary Nigerians," the committee said.

On the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State, the Peace Committee urged the contenders to follow due process, conduct themselves with civility and patriotism, even as it advised the youths not to make themselves pawns in the chessboard of the political class "They should not take the laws into their hands – no matter the grievances they may hold against individuals, against the state, or against electoral bodies or security agencies.

"The youths must realise that the security, stability, and future of Nigeria remains their common patrimony. They must make themselves available to become ambassadors of peace, retaining hope in Nigeria and support the democratic process in Ekiti State, and Nigeria in general," it said.

Similarly, the committee said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the political candidates in the Ekiti governorship elections should know that the eyes of Nigerians, and indeed the world, were on them.

"The conduct and peaceful Continued on page 41

BUHARI TO ABDULSALAMI: NIGERIA OWES YOU A DEBT OF GRATITUDE Defence Academy (NDA), amongst otherts, saluted Abubakar on his 80th birthday.

However, Buhari, in his message stated: “The President believed the nation owes General Abubakar debt of gratitude for always putting the interest of the country and its citizens first, and working for the greater good of Nigeria and a better Africa.”

While praying that the Almighty God would continually bless the him with good health, strength and wisdom, he noted the meritorious service of the former Chief of Defence Staff, sacrificing for the country and African continent by participating in peace missions and negotiating for the upholding of democracy across the continent.

President Buhari further extolled the humility and humanity of the Army General, who chose the noble path by ensuring transition to democratic government in 1999, and midwifed a peaceful handover process in 2015.

Lawan, who joined members of the family, friends and associates of the elder statesman in celebrating this milestone, wrote: "I felicitate former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, as he turns 80 today.

"It is worth special gratitude and thanksgiving to Allah that the General has reached this milestone

in good health of body and mind, and with his place firmly secured in the history of this great country.

"The elder statesman will always be celebrated for his role in birthing Democracy and for tirelessly promoting peace and stability in Nigeria through his platform, the National Peace Committee."

Atiku, in a statement in Abuja, said the former Head of State demonstrated great patriotism and commitment to unity and democracy by keep faithfully to his transition timetable in 1999.

According to him, Abdulsalami has also committed himself to the promotion of unity and democracy since leaving office by involving himself in peace building efforts in the country.

"As you celebrate your 80th birthday today (Monday), I'm excited to say that my interactions with you have always been fruitful, because I see in you a great fountain of inspiration and a reservoir of wisdom and knowledge," Atiku extolled the general.

The former Vice president, in a statement from his media office, also noted that Abdulsalami's contributions to creating a culture of politics without bitterness, would always be appreciated

by Nigerians.

"Keeping a promise is one of

the greatest signs of a great leader.

General Abdulsalami has met that criterion. I'm proud to associate with such a great and patriotic Nigerian. May Allah grant the General more good health and longer life to continue to serve humanity," he added.

Officers of the 41st Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), on their part, described the former head of state as a "fine gentleman officer of the finest cut," hailing Abubakar as an accomplished general and seasoned statesman of repute.

In a statement by the President and the Publicity Secretary of the Association, Lancelot Anyanya and Faruq Baba-Inna, the association stated that the continued existence of the organisation was traceable to Abudusalami and other officers.

The group said the 33 years of the organisation as an alumni association was due to the excellent work done by the then Brigadier Abdulsalami Abubakar and other very fine senior officers, when he chaired the Armed Forces Selection Board for 41 Regular Course.

The statement further added that it was by divine providence that Abubakar became the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), to preside over the convocation and formal commissioning ceremonies as officers of the Nigerian Armed

Forces on behalf of the then Head of State, Commanderin-Chief, adding that through the providential circumstances, he rose to become the nation's Commander-in-Chief.

"The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 41st Regular Course Alumni Association warmly and heartily felicitates with a fine Gentleman Officer of the finest cut, accomplished general and seasoned statesman on the auspicious occasion of his 80th birthday on 13th June 2022.

"We note that the basis of our connection and continuing relationship as an alumni association is traceable to the excellent work done by the then Brigadier Abdulsalami Abubakar and other very fine senior officers, as Chairman of the Armed Forces Selection Board for 41 Regular Course about this time 33years ago.

"By divine providence, Maj Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) presided over our convocation and formal commissioning ceremonies as officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces on behalf of the then Head of State, Commander-in-Chief.

"The senior citizen in providential circumstances became our Commander-in-Chief from which service platform our country's current democratic dispensation was birth," it said.

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TUESDAY, ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

MARKING DEMOCRACY DAY...

All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola AhmedTinubu, and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, at the 23rd Democracy Day celebration at Eagles Square, Abuja...yesterday

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamiala, greeting Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of APC presidential candidate, at the 23rd Democracy Day Celebration in Abuja...yesterday

Zulum Visits Logumani, Approves 500 Resettlement Houses

Borno State Governor, Banagana Umara Zulum has visited Logumani, a community in Ngala Local Government Area.

According to a statement, Zulum traveled by road early morning from Maiduguri and returned at night.

Zulum, during the visit, approved the construction of 500 resettlement houses to accommodate returnees.

Logumani residents were displaced as a result of the activities of Boko Haram insurgents for over seven years.

“The governor also announced support for residents of Logumani to enable them rebuild their homes, destroyed by insurgents.

“Zulum further directed the State Rural Water Supply Agency (RUWASA) to construct a new deep aquifer borehole that will address

water needs of returning IDPs. “Also during the visit, the governor interacted with residents of Logumani, who are taking refuge in Dikwa town and discussed modalities of returning them back to their ancestral homes,” it added.

Before Sunday’s trip, Zulum undertook a similar one to Kirawa town in Gwoza Local Government Area on Saturday.

In Kirawa, the governor had supervised the resettlement of over 2,500 households.

Before Kirawa, Zulum had paid similar visits to dozens of communities in northern, central and the southern parts of Borno State.

The visits mostly focused on building, supervising or allocating newly built resettlement houses, distributing cash and food aid and supplying agricultural packs to

Oyebanji Demands Justice for Dead Member as Oni Decries Planned Kidnap of Loyalists Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Barely five days to the governorship election in Ekiti State, the Biodun Oyebanji Campaign Organisation, on Monday, demanded justice for All Progressives Congress (APC) members, who were victims of violence allegedly unleashed by thugs working for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Saturday at Itaji-Ekiti.

The Organisation reiterated its call for the arrest, investigation and prosecution of some SDP hoodlums who have been identified as masterminds of the attack.

In a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, the Campaign, said the attack launched by those it referred to as SDP miscreants was unacceptable in a civilised world and antithetical to ethos of democracy.

The Oyebanji Campaign gave the name of the APC member killed as Tope Ajayi, saying the deceased died as a result of gun shot wound he received during the attack while on a road show organised to canvass support for his party's governorship flag bearer, in Itaji Ekiti.

It condemned the alleged resort

to violence by the SDP supporters, saying killing and maiming lawabiding citizens was not a noble way to win governorship election in a politically sophisticated state like Ekiti "We want to use this medium to reiterate our call to the Police to arrest all the SDP goons, who carried out the attack on our campaign train on Saturday that led to the death of our party member, Tope Ajayi and left many others seriously injured.

"We urge the Police to invite the SDP members and other hoodlums to state all they know about the attack and heartless bloodshed and unimaginable orgy of violence they perpetrated at Itaji Ekiti.

"The blood of Tope Ajayi is crying for justice and everything legally possible must be done to bring his killers to justice. The SDP and its bloodthirsty henchmen are jittery, they are already sensing defeat on Saturday and that was why they resorted to violence.

"How can they commit such a heinous act and expect us to keep quiet. We won't keep quiet until justice is done to the deceased and the injured. That is the debt we owe these victims of the SDP bestiality and savagery," the statement stated.

farmers.

“At most places he visited, Zulum regularly held meetings with military commanders, volunteers, council chairmen and resident traditional heads and community leaders to review

security situations and deploy strengthening measures where necessary.

“The governor’s latest trip to Logumani comprised of the member representing Ngala at the state assembly, Mustapha Dalatu,

and that of Dikwa, Zakariya Dikwa.

“It also included former commissioner of Agriculture and APC’s candidate for a house representatives seat, Engr. Bukar Talba and heads of relevant establishments

of government involved with construction and reconstruction, provision of water, livelihoods and general human empowerment.

“Zulum returned after nearly 12 hours of the humanitarian trip to Logumani,” it added.

Four Soldiers Collapse as Military Parade, Cultural Display Highlight 2022 Democracy Day Celebration Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Four soldiers were provided emergency medical attention after they collapsed from exhaustion during the 2022 Democracy Day celebration held yesterday at Eagle Square, Abuja.

The soldiers were among the 450 guards drawn from the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Air Force and the Nigeria Police for the exercise. Paramedics randomly stretched away the soldiers to the improvised medical emergency

hut at the venue after the soldiers collapsed from suspected fatigue caused by rigors of the exercise and long hours spent under the scorching sun.

However, the incident did not blight the excitement of the Democracy Day which was a harvest of military parade and rich cultural display.

Dignitaries, including top ranking political leaders, members of the judiciary, the diplomatic corps, the service chiefs, who led other senior military officers, invited guests and

members of the society graced the occasion. The Presidential Parade was led by the Commander of the 7th Guards Battalion, Lt Col Sadiq Yusuf Hassan, who mounted an 800 kg weighing horse, named GMB that was donated to the Nigeria Army in 2015.

After the arrival of all the ministers, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Justice of the Federation, the Senate President, Speaker of House of Representatives and former President Goodluck Jonathan,

Akpabio Reacts to Ekpoudom’s Claim He’s Authentic APC Candidate for A’Ibom Senate Seat Okon Bassey in Uyo

Immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has debunked claims by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Udom Ekpoudom rtd, that he was the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Akwa Ibom North West (Ikot Ekpene) senatorial district.

Akpabio, in a statement, argued that Ekpoudom couldn't lay claims to the senatorial ticket, when he never took part in both the cancelled primary and the reordered primary, and therefore reasoned that nobody would buy Ekpoudom's fake, illegal and non-existing APC Senatorial ticket.

Akpabio’s reaction was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Jackson Udom, issued Sunday night.

"Ordinarily, we wouldn't have dignified this falsehood with a response, but because the

unsuspecting members of the party and supporters of Senator Godswill Akpabio, could be misled by this tissue of lies, we therefore, decided to put the record straight,” he said.

Akpabio posited that Ekpoudom, was a bonafide and committed member of the Senator John James Akpanudoedehe Support Group, led by Mr Austin Ekanem, saying contraption was not recognised by law.

Akpabio equally added that, even the national leadership of the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as the leadership of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the APC were not aware of the claim, it was still an impossible feat.

"Therefore, that contraption that purportedly conducted the senatorial primary, where Udom Ekpoudom, was allegedly declared a 'winner', is not known to law and he couldn't have been said to have won the party's ticket, because you

cannot build nothing on nothing.

"The authentic party leadership of the party in the state is led by Obong Stephen Leo Ntukekpo. He is recognised by the INEC and the law and the national leadership of the party and based on that, all actions taken by him on the conduct of the party primaries at all levels, are known to law and remains the accepted position of the national leadership of the APC and the INEC. "The Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District primary, as directed by the national leadership of the party all over the country was conducted on 28th May, 2022, and not on the 27th May, that the Udoedehe contraption purportedly conducted its phantom primary. For even claiming to have conducted its primary on the 27th instead of 28th May, 2022, indicates the fact that their purported primary, was not done as provided for by the APC approved schedule.”

President Muhammadu Buhari arrived at the Eagle Square at about 10.12 a.m. and was welcome by the parade commander with a National Salute.

The president’s arrival was preceded by an advance party of bag pipers led by Maj Thompson Abayomi and five outriders on power bikes fitted with sirens.

The riders displayed stunts on the event ground to the admiration of the crowd.

After Buhari reviewed the parade, the troops began the Slow March past at about 10.27 a.m. in a show of compliment to the President before transiting to Quick Time march at 10.48 a.m., earning plaudits from the crowd.

In addition, for the first time there was a Combat March display by the Nigerian Army Women’s Corps that was established in 2018 and a Combined Silent Display by the Armed Forces and Police that broke into various sequences.

Cultural troops displaying the nation’s rich culture and its diversity also added colour to the day. They ranged from the horsemen signifying royalty and the Maliki dancers from the Northeast, the Adamma masquerades from the South-east, the Kalabari and Owigri dancers from the South-south, the Akoko dancers from the south-west, the Kpingi dancers from Benue and Fulani Saru dancers from the north-west.

A combo of the Armed Forces, the Police, Silent Drill and Cultural troupe led by Maj Abayomi Toriola also performed before Buhari signed the anniversary register at 11.59 a.m. The celebration ended with a review order of the parade after the President granted the parade commander’s permission to march out the troop at 12.03 p.m.

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TUESDAY, ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

MOST INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY COMPANY OF THE YEAR...

L-R: Commercial Director Sub-Sahara Africa Meta, Enitan Denloye; Corporate Communications Manager, Anglophone West Africa, Oluwasola Obagbemi, and Managing Director, THISDAY, Eniola Bello, at the presentation of ‘The Most Innovative Technology Company of the Year’ at the Gage Awards 2022 held in Lagos... recently

First Lady Launches N15bn Naval Officers' Wives Hospital in FCT Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari yesterday laid the foundation stone for a 200-bed Children and Women's Hospital estimated to cost N15 billion.

The hospital project, located at Plot 345, Galadimawa District, Abuja and sited on a 2.1 hectares of land is expected to

cater for respiratory diseases, chronic disease, eye challenge, genitourinary, among other health complications.

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, Mrs. Buhari said when completed, the hospital would cater for the health care needs of women and children in Nigeria.

She said the statistics on health care needs particularly as it relates

to women and children required urgent intervention.

"Nigeria grapples with a growing population amid dwindling resources to revamp health care need in Nigeria. This project is key to Mr. president's desire to ensure that every Nigerian especially women and children in the face of dwindling resources," she said.

THREE DAYS TO DEADLINE, PARTIES IN LAST MINUTE CONSULTATIONS FOR RUNNING MATES outcome of the Ekiti State off-cycle elections will put to test all the claims of reforms and strategic policy implementations of the last four years.

"We expect that a level playing field should be provided for all contestants – irrespective of the party under which they are contesting. We call on INEC and the security agencies not only to be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties but also to be seen to be so," it added.

CAN Youths Advise Tinubu to Pick Northern Christian as Running mate

The youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has advised the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to pick a Christian northerner as a running mate.

The group gave the advice at a press conference in Abuja yesterday.

Speaking at the press conference, National Chairman of the association, Belusochukwu Enwere, said in a country like Nigeria, it would be unfair to field a Christian/Christian or a Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket, adding that the idea of a Muslim/Muslim ticket was a slap on Christiandom.

"The call for a Muslim-Muslim ticket by certain individuals is callous and deceptive, a move with a sinister agenda. It is a true definition of bigotry. It is a slap on the entire Christiandom; a ploy to distabilise the nation.

"This is an insult; it devalues

and dehumanises millions of Christians. Any political party that fields a Muslim /Muslim ticket or Christian/Christian ticket should know that it will lose the election,” the group stated.

It added that it would amount to unholy action to insinuate that there was no competent Northern Christian that could be in a position of trust.

"Does it imply that northern Christians are not regarded as northerners?” the Christian group, asked, adding that for the unity and togetherness of the country, the north should support a Christian as vice-presidential candidate to Tinubu.

"If we claim that we are together and the north is united - as the northerners make us to believe, then, they should have no reason to reject a northerner because he or she is a Christian.

“There is no other time better than for northern brothers to prove to us that they are one.

In the spirit of ethno-religious balancing and to foster integration and national unity amongst all tribes and religion, Nigeria needs oneness and togetherness,” the group explained.

Insecurity May Affect 2023 Elections, Group Warns

The Campaign for Democracy (CD), a human rights advocacy in Niger State, has expressed fears that the insecurity situation in parts of the state and the country, if not checked, could impede the smooth conduct of the 2023 general election.

Chairman of CD in the state, Abdullahi Jabi, said in Minna at the event to mark this year’s Democracy Day that fears of attacks by insurgents could also lead to voter apathy.

"CD wants to say emphatically that in the area of security, Nigerians are passing through turbulent times with security challenges, food insecurity, disruption of goods, socio-economic challenges, poverty and hunger.

"It is my opinion that insecurity if not properly checked and addressed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, it may likely affect the conduct of the 2023 general election due to voter apathy and massive migration of people to safer areas to avoid danger and risks to their lives," Jabi declared.

He, however, counseled INEC to ensure it provides peaceful environment and build the confidence of the electorate for them to participate in the election.

Chairman of the occasion and Board of Trustees Chairman of CD, North Central Zone, Mr. Murtala Ibrahim Agboola, in an address congratulated all the registered political parties for the peaceful conduct of their primaries, especially, the presidential primaries.

This, he said showed that, “our democracy is maturing and on course."

Agboola appealed to politicians and party members to, as the nation approaches the 2023 general election, go about their campaigns and debates with decorum, devoid of character assassination and mudslinging.

Mrs Buhari, who was represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, disclosed that she would ensure that the project was delivered before the end of the Buhari-led administration next year.

"The federal government will continue to intervene to ensure quality health delivery which it has demonstrated with the revitalisation of primary health center in the country," she said.

Speaking earlier, Wife of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Hajiya

Nana Aisha Gambo, said the naval officers' spouses muted the idea of having a hospital due to the high maternal mortality rate in the country.

She said Nigeria contributed 10 per cent of global deaths among pregnant mothers, representing a maternal mortality rate of 576 deaths per one hundred thousand live births, which is the fourth highest rate in the world. ''Indeed, the uncomfortable state of health of a reasonable population of Nigerian women

and children are known to all of us. In fact, the recent UNICEF statistics gives a good account of this assertion. ''Sadly, it further suggests that about 262,000 babies die at birth in Nigeria annually, which is the second highest national figure in the world. ''Because we are involved, it is not surprising that we are losing our women and children daily due to inadequate medical care and particularly insufficient mother and child hospitals.''

Owo Killings: Catholic Church Fixes Victims’ Burial for Friday Lagos declares three-day mourning

Fidelis David in Akure The Catholic Diocese of Ondo State, has fixed Friday, June 17, 2022, for the mass burial of the victims, who lost their lives in the Sunday June 5 terrorists attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo. This is as the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has directed that all flags should fly at half-mast in the state as part of the resolution of South-west governors to mourn victims of the attack.

THISDAY had reported that 40 persons out of the 127 involved in the attack were killed, leaving 61 survivors currently on admission in different hospitals and 26 already discharged.

Director of Social Communication of the Diocese of Ondo, Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikwu, confirmed the development to Journalists on Monday.

According the director, the mass burial would take place at a new cemetery at Emure Road, Owo. “The mass burial would take place at the new cemetery of the church on Friday in Owo," he said, even as he maintained

that the number of the deceased remained 40.

It was gathered that some of the injured victims were still receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Center and the St. Louis Catholic Church both in Owo and some other private hospitals in the state.

As of the time of filling this report, no one had been arrested in connection to the dastardly act as the security agencies were still on the trail of the suspected terrorists .

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, while briefing State House Correspondents last Thursday, after National Security Council meeting in Abuja, identified ISWAP as responsible for the Owo attack.

Although ISWAP has yet to claim responsibility, the minister said security agencies, particularly, the police, had been directed to apprehend the perpetrators, adding that the attack has no ethnic-religious connection.

Meanwhile, the Lagos governor has said the directive was for three days to mourn the victims of the St. Francis Catholic Church terrorist attack.

The decision to mourn the victims came at a Southwest

Governors' June 10 virtual meeting, which reviewed the security situation in the region.

The communique issued after the meeting was signed by Governors Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo; Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Gboyega Oyetola, Osun; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun; Seyi Makinde, Oyo and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.

“The governors condemned in very strong terms the horrendous crime perpetrated by terrorists against the people and residents of Owo, Ondo State and, by extension, the peace-loving people of the South-West.”

The meeting recommended an increase in the scope of surveillance of the activities of undocumented settlers by security agencies in all the States.

“The Governors, as Chief Security Officers, resolved to continue to assist the security agencies in crisis management and intelligence gathering at all times.”

Sanwo-Olu urged, however, Lagos residents and visitors to remain law-abiding and vigilant as the government was doing everything to ensure that peace continues to prevail in the State.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022

FOCUS Will a Muslim-Muslim Ticket Sink Tinubu’s ‘Life-long Ambition’?

In a seeming dilemma that speaks to a larger nationhood quandary, the All Progressives Congress presidential standard-bearer Bola Ahmed Tinubu mulls a Muslim-Muslim ticket - projected to generate a high-octane controversy that may derail his “life-long ambition,” writes Louis Achi

I

n 48 hours or so, the presidential candidate of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in consultation with relevant party hierarchs, is expected to name his running mate for the 2023 presidential election. The Friday deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for this purpose leaves little wiggle room. Tinubu’s emergence as APC presidential standard-bearer has an important backstory.

It could be recalled that Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State was a key arrowhead alongside Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State - of the 14 Northern governors of All Progressive Congress (APC) extraction who insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor must come from the South. Governor Yahya Bello of Kogi State had excused himself from this pressure group’s meeting with the President because he rejected the resolution made by the governors - reducing their rank to 13.

Those in attendance include Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, Aminu Masari of Katsina, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Abubakar Bello of Niger, Yahaya Inuwa of Gombe, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna and AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara.

Significantly, Governor Nasir El-Rufai is perceived to revel in strategic ambiguity.

According to organizational communication expert Eric Eisenberg strategic ambiguity enables an executive, individual or organisation to express itself - its mission and goals - in a way that allows “the freedom to alter operations which have become maladaptive over time.”

It helps operatives understand the need to find balance between being highly specific or overly vague in what they stand for and how they want to be perceived.

An astute as well as cerebral politician, El-Rufai knows the difference between being ambiguous and being strategic about his ambiguity. By nimbly guiding the crucial Northern pressure group to fundamentally birth the Tinubu candidacy and which has deservedly drawn plaudits from important stakeholders, El-Rufai has apparently moved to part two of his sophisticated script. And this is a Muslism-Muslim ticket push for APC’s presidential contest - which he is on the shortlist!

With eyes locked on winning his last-ditch effort at clinching the presidency, Tinubu’s dilemma in choosing a running mate flow from the nation’s combustible ethno-religious configuration. More, a critical fact that is hardly a secret is that for Northern Nigeria, life without political power represents an existential threat - rightly or wrongly. This quirky belief has largely shaped the national journey and troubled history right down to the operative constitution. Tinged with religion, this fundamentally flawed concept again looms very large in the impending 2023 general elections.

At a very critical period in the nation’s history, the choice before Tinubu is stark.

But many believe that the APC presidential candidate as well as the party’s priority is how it could defeat PDP’s lurking Atiku Abubakar and win the presidency next year. What are the implications of Tinubu picking a fellow Muslim as a running mate, a scenario MKO Abiola successfully pulled in 1993?

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress, APC presidenital candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu against heeding to pressures on a Muslim-Muslim ticket saying it won’t fly. CAN National President Dr Samson Ayokunle, who gave the warning on Sunday in Abuja, said such a step would be disastrous for the nation.

According to him, “While I congratulate the candidates, I must sound this warning, please do not fly a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

It would not fly. It will not stand. Rather, it would set the nation against each other. If you embrace equity, fairness and justice, the Nigerian electorate will reward you with their

position of the Senate President would go to the South-East and North-West would produce the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Cut to the bone, Tinubu presidential ambition hangs on a delicate balance and may pivot on the choice of deputy he makes ahead of the contest.

TRACKING BACK…

Tinubu votes at the polls and they will give you their support.”

For the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Yola, Most Reverend Stephen Mamza, the APC should be cautioned against adopting a defective Muslim-Muslim ticket in the forthcoming presidential election. Mamza said besides such a presidential ticket being dead on arrival, it would serve to further widen current divisions in the country along religious lines.

The Catholic priest also said he was compelled, out of patriotic zeal, to wade into the debate over the dilemma Tinubu had found himself and described the arguments being advanced from some quarters in support of the idea of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, for the APC presidential standard bearer as “disheartening.”

In his view, the “Nigeria of 1993, during the time of Abiola and Kingibe, was completely different from Nigeria of today, heading into the 2023 elections,” adding that a Muslim-Muslim ticket was discriminatory and that it would further fuel exclusion, which was unhelpful, because everybody needs to be carried along.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on its part advised Tinubu to consult the ‘Noble Dozen’, before picking a running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

The Islamic group explained that ‘Noble Dozen’ is the name it gave to the twelve Northern governors who insisted that the

South should be given the opportunity to produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor. MURIC made the suggestion in a recent statement signed by its director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola.

“We will like to advise that apart from ensuring that the position of vice president in 2023 goes to the North, Senator Tinubu should consult the ‘Noble Dozen’,” the group said.

Although a Muslim-Muslim ticket will signal a major put-down for Nigeria’s Christians, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai who is interested in the vice president slot had said that the issue of religion would not be a criterium in determining the running mate of the APC’s presidential candidate. El-Rufai runs a Muslim-Muslim ticket in Kaduna State which is seen as having a half Christian and half Muslim demography.

Sources revealed that the APC governors and other stakeholders had agreed that the North-East zone should produce the vice-presidential candidate of the party.

According to the report, those who are being tipped for the slot include the Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu; a former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima; the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong who is North-Central zone.

It was gleaned that while the NorthEast may produce the running mate, the

“We will like to advise that apart from ensuring that the position of vice president in 2023 goes to the North, Senator Tinubu should consult the ‘Noble Dozen’.”

It could be recalled that Tinubu whose political career began in 1992 when he was elected to the Nigerian Senate, represented the Lagos West Constituency in the short-lived Third Republic. After the results of the June 12, 1993, presidential election were annulled, Tinubu became a founding member of the pro-democracy National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which mobilized support for the restoration of democracy and recognition of the June 12 results. He went into exile in 1994 and returned to the country in 1998 after the death of military dictator Sani Abacha, which ushered in a transition to civilian rule.

In the run-up to the 1999 elections, Tinubu was a protégé of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) leaders Abraham Adesanya and Ayo Adebanjo.

He won the AD primaries for the Lagos State gubernatorial elections in competition with Funsho Williams and Dr. Wahab Dosunmu, a former Minister of Works and Housing. In April 1999, he stood for the governorship election on the AD ticket and won.

With the birth of the Fourth Republic, Tinubu was elected governor of Lagos State on the platform of the Action Congress. He remained governor between May 29, 1999 and May 29, 2007 and grew so much in influence to become the most influential member of the party and a prominent aristocrat as the Asiwaju of Lagos, a title given to him by HRM the Oba of Lagos.

Tinubu, alongside his new deputy, Femi Pedro, won re-election in April 2003. All other states in the South-West fell to the Peoples Democratic Party contrived political tsunami.

Through his tenacity and uncommon focus in guiding the reversal of electoral impunity across a wide swath of the nation’s political landscape at the period, he reaffirmed the enduring fact that, indeed, justice is the first condition of democracy. He revamped the progressives’ vanguard and compelled the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party to revise its gratuitous assumptions – especially in the Awoist enclave – and to ponder its future.

Tinubu patiently and resolutely choreographed the retrieval of the stolen gubernatorial mandates in Ekiti and Osun states, He demonstrated that injustice can only stand when stakeholders refuse to challenge it. His feat in no small way personified 2010 and will be recorded by history as having the most lasting significance.

Is yesterday’s Tinubu same as today’s? Big question!

A NEW NIGERIA… If Tinubu successfully demonstrated that justice is the first condition of democracy and construction of a new Nigeria years back, can he stand his ground and reaffirm that position by rejecting the party pressure to pick a same faith running mate?

Today, many Nigerians are uncertain of their values, their leadership and their safety. This diminished confidence and lack of certainty arguably flow from poor management of the nation’s diversity and negative perceptions spawned by the governance trajectory in the past almost eight years, vis-a-vis the promises.

Within this period, the social contract between the ruled and the rulers has been broken in many fundamental ways. Clearly, the stakes are extremely high, and the APC ought to be mindful that failure to achieve balance in its choice of a presidential running mate through a well-reasoned and faith-sensitive choice may imperil its chance of victory.

It is against this backdrop that Nigerians and APC stakeholders are taking more than a passing interest in the process playing out within the political party which must be concluded by Friday.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022

43

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

UK Records 104 More Cases of Monkeypox, Mostly in Men British health officials have detected another 104 cases of monkeypox in England in what has become the biggest outbreak beyond Africa of the normally rare disease.

The UK’s Health Security Agency said Monday there were now 470 cases of monkeypox across the country, with the vast majority in gay or bisexual men. Scientists warn that anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, is susceptible to catching monkeypox if they are in close, physical contact with an infected person or their clothing or bed sheets.

According to UK data, 99 per cent of the cases so far have been in men and most are in London.

In May, a leading adviser to the World Health Organization said the monkeypox outbreak in Europe and beyond was likely spread by sex at two recent raves in Spain and Belgium.

Last week, WHO said 1,285 cases of monkeypox had been reported from 28 countries where monkeypox was not known to be endemic. No deaths have been reported outside of Africa. After the UK, the biggest cases have been reported in Spain, Germany and Canada.

WHO said many people in the outbreak have “atypical features” of the disease, making it more difficult for doctors to diagnose. The UN health agency also said while close contact can spread monkeypox, “it is not clear what role sexual bodily fluids, including semen and vaginal fluids, play in the transmission.”

Meanwhile, countries in Africa have reported more than 1,500 suspected cases, including 72 deaths from eight countries. Monkeypox is considered endemic in Central and West Africa.

Trump Warned 2020 Election Fraud Claims False: Officials Former US Attorney General William Barr and numerous other White House and political aides to then-President Donald Trump say they repeatedly told him that his allegations of fraud in the 2020 election were baseless and that he had lost reelection, even as Trump repeatedly claimed he was cheated out of a second White House term.

Barr, in videotaped testimony shown Monday by the House of Representatives panel investigating last year’s January 6 riot at the US Capitol, told lawmakers that many of Trump’s claims of election irregularities were “completely bogus and silly.”

“I told the president the claims of fraud were bullshit,” Barr recalled telling the president at one of several White House meetings he had with him before resigning in late 2020.

“He was indignant about that,” Barr recalled.

But Barr said he left the meeting thinking, “He’s become detached from reality if he really believes” he was defrauded out of reelection.

To this day, Trump claims that he legitimately won two years ago and that Democrat Joe Biden became president through fraudulent vote counts in several states where recount after a recount showed Biden had narrowly defeated him, and that any minor irregularities uncovered would not have been enough to upend the outcome.

“Obviously he lost the election,” Barr said of Trump. “There was zero base of evidence sufficient to overturn the election.”.

Russian Forces Push into Centre of Ukraine’s Sievierodonetsk A Ukrainian official said Russian troops have pushed into the centre of the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk and continue to shell a chemical plant sheltering hundreds of soldiers and civilians.

Regional governor Serhiy Haidai said Monday on Telegram that Russian troops control about 70 per cent of the city and

have pushed Ukrainian forces from the city’s centre.

He said the city’s Azot chemical plant, where hundreds of civilians are sheltering, is being “heavily shelled.”

Haidai said about 500 civilians remain on the grounds of the plant and that Ukraine’s military is trying to get them to safety.

Russia says all bridges to the city have been destroyed. Ukrainian officials say there is still another way out of the city but that the route is heavily damaged.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his forces and those from Russia are fighting for “literally every meter” in Sievierodonetsk while pleading to international partners that Ukraine “needs modern missile defence systems.”

In his latest nightly video message, Zelenskyy said Russia’s “key tactical goal” has not changed, with Russian forces also pushing toward Lysychansk, Bakhmut, Slovyansk, to the west and southwest of Sievierodonetsk.

Zelenskyy’s adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, tweeted Monday that “to end the war, we need heavy weapons parity.” He listed several categories of weapons, including 1,000 howitzers, 300 multiple launch rocket systems, 500 tanks, 2,000 armoured vehicles and 1,000 drones.

Malaysia to End Mandatory Death Sentences Rights groups say they welcome the Malaysian government’s announcement to end mandatory death sentencing but question whether lawmakers will follow through, having seen similar plans in the past fall flat.

Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, the minister for law in the office of the prime minister, said in a statement Friday that the death penalty for the 11 crimes that now make the sentence mandatory would instead be meted out at the court’s discretion.

He said the cabinet also agreed to study alternative sentences for those crimes, including rape and murder.

Malaysia’s parliament will still have to pass amendments to several laws to make the cabinet’s pledge a reality. Wan Junaidi did not indicate when the government would propose the requisite legislation.

The law minister did not answer multiple messages asking for comments.

Dobby Chew, the executive coordinator of the Malaysia-based Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network, told VOA he was glad to hear of the government’s plans but still “very cautious” about raising his hopes for change, having heard it before.

In 2018 the government of then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced plans to do away with the death sentence

altogether.

Ailing Ex-Military Ruler Musharraf to Return to Pakistan Officials in Pakistan are making arrangements to allow the country’s ailing former military leader Pervez Musharraf to return home from self-imposed exile, highly placed government sources said Monday.

An air ambulance will bring Musharraf back from a Dubai hospital in line with the consent of his family and doctors, the sources told VOA. The exact date of arrival in Pakistan for the 79-year-old retired four-star general was not immediately disclosed.

The sources said that the country’s powerful military institution “stands fully behind” the decision to facilitate the repatriation of its former chief.

Musharraf’s family tweeted on Friday that he had been hospitalized for the last three weeks “due to a complication of his ailment.” According to the statement, the former dictator has been suffering from amyloidosis, a chronic metabolic disease in which abnormal proteins build up and damage organs such as the heart, kidney and liver.

On Saturday, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, a vocal critic of Musharraf, said the general should face “no obstacle” to returning home because of his ill health.

“Past events should not be allowed to stand in the way. May Allah help him recover so he can spend his remaining life with dignity,” Asif tweeted.

On Twitter, Musharaf’s family wrote: “Going through a difficult stage where recovery is not possible and organs are malfunctioning. Pray for ease in his daily living. The family refuted media reports that Musharaf was on a ventilator.”

Musharraf has been living in the United Arab Emirates since 2016 when he was allowed to travel abroad on bail for medical treatment. He was being tried on treason charges in a Pakistani court at the time.

The general seized power in a bloodless military coup in 1999, ousting the thenelected government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

India, China Growing Markets for Shunned Russian Oi India and other Asian nations are becoming an increasingly vital source of oil revenues for Moscow despite strong pressure from the US not to increase their purchases, as the European Union and other allies cut off energy imports from Russia in line with sanctions over its war on Ukraine.

Such sales are boosting Russian export

revenues when Washington and its allies are trying to limit financial flows supporting Moscow’s war effort.

India, an oil-hungry country of 1.4 billion people, has guzzled nearly 60 million barrels of Russian oil in 2022 so far, compared with 12 million barrels in all of 2021, according to commodity data firm Kpler. Shipments to other Asian countries, like China, have also increased in recent months but to a lesser extent.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Sri Lanka’s prime minister said he might be compelled to buy more oil from Russia as he hunts desperately for fuel to keep the country running amid a dire economic crisis.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Saturday said he would first look to other sources but would be open to buying more crude from Moscow. In late May, Sri Lanka bought a 90,000-metric-ton (99,000-ton) shipment of Russian crude to restart its only refinery.

COVID-19 Deadlier During Pregnancy: Report Pregnancy puts women at higher risk of severe medical complications or death from COVID-19, according to a new study of more than 1,300 women in sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers argue that vaccinating pregnant women against the coronavirus should be made a priority across the region, where most countries do not yet recommend vaccination during pregnancy.

Multiple studies have already shown that COVID-19 is more dangerous to pregnant women than to those who are not pregnant. But most of the women in these studies lived in Europe, North America or Asia. Until now, little data was available from Africa.

“Africa is not Europe, is not the USA,” said Jean Nachega, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and lead author of the new study. “We should not just rely on data coming from the US, Europe or China to try to understand COVID on the continent.”

Populations in Africa are typically younger than those in Europe, North America and East Asia. But certain infectious diseases like HIV, malaria and tuberculosis (TB), as well as noninfectious diseases such as sickle cell anemia, are more common there.

Those conditions can make it harder for the body to fight off infections.

In the study, published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, Nachega and his colleagues from the AFREhealth research network analyzed health records from 1,315 women treated at hospitals in six countries in subSaharan Africa between March 2020 and March 2021. Roughly a third were pregnant and had tested positive for the coronavirus. Another third were pregnant and had tested negative, and the other third were not pregnant and had tested positive. The researchers tested how pregnancy, infection with the coronavirus, and conditions such as HIV, TB, malaria and sickle cell anaemia affected a woman’s likelihood of severe disease or death.

The findings were grim. Pregnant women who were hospitalised in sub-Saharan Africa were five times more likely to die in the hospital if they tested positive for the coronavirus. And being pregnant doubled the odds that a woman admitted to a hospital with COVID-19 would die.

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Police Confirm Three Missionaries’ Abduction in Kogi The Police in Kogi yesterday confirmed the abduction of three missionaries by gunmen suspected to be kidnapers.

According to the police, the abducted missionaries are Evangelist Peter Adigidzi, Pastor Mike Baba and Pastor Sunday Abah, all working with Child Evangelical Fellowship (CEF) and are residents of Lokoja.

State Commissioner of Police Edward Egbuka, who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja, said they got a report from the Children Evangelism Ministry that three of its missionaries were on Friday abducted.

“We are aware of the unfortunate and worrisome incident and have taken drastic measures to track down the suspected abductors to rescue the clerics,” Egbuka said.

According to him, the police tactical team had been deployed to strategic places in search of the victims and to arrest of the kidnapers to face the wrath of the law.

The Kogi Coordinator of

Children Evangelism Ministry, Evangelist Charles Esho, explained that the victims were on an assignment at Ejule Community in Ofu Local Government Area of

the state when the incident occurred.

Esho appealed to the security operatives to assist in searching and rescuing the missionaries to unite them

with their family members.

“As a ministry, we are passionately appealing to the security operatives to do something drastic to rescue the clerics from their abductors.

“We are all worried over the safety of the abducted brothers as we don’t know where they (abductors) have taken them to as up till this moment there’s no word from

them,” he said.

The clergyman called for prayers for the safety and divine rescue of the victims within the shortest possible time.

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ON THEIR MINDS…

L-R: Founder/CEO, GreenHub Africa Foundation, Mr. Henry Bassey; Chairman, GreenHub Africa Foundation, Prof. Obas John Ebohon; United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, and United Nations National Information Officer, Dr. Seyi Soremekun, during the UN-GreenHub Africa Foundation World Environment Day 2022 event and the Launch of Climate Action Superheroes at the UN House, Abuja… recently

Kwara Anglican Communion Christians Kick against Demolition of Kaduna Varsity Chapel Demands End to Kidnapping, Killings in Nigeria John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Kwara Province of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has condemned the kidnap of one of its Bishops, Rt. Rev. Oluseye Aderogba, Bishop of Jebba Diocese.

Arch Bishop of the Province, The Most Rev. Israel Amoo, made the call in a signed statement in Ilorin yesterday.

He decried the incessant killings, abduction and outright kidnap of innocent Nigerians in the country.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in

Oyo State to work towards the immediate and unconditional release of the kidnapped Bishop.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bishop was kidnapped with his wife and driver while returning to Jebba from an Episcopal engagement at Yewa area in Ogun State.

“The primary duty of government is securing lives and properties, the alarming rate of kidnapping and other criminal activities in Nigeria is worrisome.

“We implore the President and all the people in charge of the nation’s security architecture to stem the unfortunate tide.

Fayemi Swears in 14 Perm Secs, Harps on Professionalism, Competence Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, yesterday sworn in 14 Permanent Secretaries in the State Civil Service, with a charge to them to make professionalism and value addition the key words in the discharge of their duties.

Fayemi said public service requires competent administrators that are well equipped in responding to contemporary challenges confronting the world and the nation.

The newly inaugurated Permanent Secretaries are: Engr Johnson Oluwole Adeola; Mrs Taiwo Modupe Akinbolawa; Mr Babatunde Patrick Adesola; Mrs Omotola Kikelomo Faseluka; Mr Tajudeen Gbenga Adejumo; Mr. Emmanuel Babatunde Jegede.

Others are Mr Oluwadare Julius Jolumo; Mrs. Oyeyemi Oyenike Kayode-Ojo; Mrs. Mercy Bosede Adaran; Dr Olasunkanmi O. Alabi; Mr. Michael O. Omolayo; Mr. Adeyinka Victor Arogundade; Mr. Aderemi Oladele Ogunsemoyin; Mrs. Olusola Adeluyi-Femi.

Moghalu Resigns from ADC after Losing Presidential Ticket A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and a presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kingsley Moghalu, has resigned his membership of the political party.

Moghalu announced his decision to leave the party in a letter dated June 13, 2022, that was addressed the National Chairman of ADC, Okey Nwosu.

Moghalu had last week lost the party’s presidential ticket to the founder of Roots Television, Dumebi Kachikwu. Kachikwu had scored 978 votes to defeat the former Deputy CBN Governor

who came second in the election with 589 votes.

However, in the letter, Moghalu said his leaving the party was as a result of the poor conduct of the presidential primary.

“I am writing to hand in my resignation from my membership of the African Democratic Congress, effective immediately.

I have resigned because the process and conduct of the party’s presidential primary on June 8, 2022 at Abeokuta revealed a fundamental clash of values between me and your leadership of the party.

The Christian Community in the main campus of the Kaduna State University (KASU), Kaduna, has kicked against the demolition of the only chapel being constructed in the university.

In a statement yesterday in Kaduna, the community, under the umbrella of Christian Community on Campus (CCC), said the demolition of the church building under construction, was

“one injustice too many.”

The authorities of the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA), had on June 6, 2022, demolished the project on the grounds that the structure violated extant laws.

The Director General of KASUPDA, Mr. Ismail Dikko, had while defending the demolition in a statement last Friday, said the Kaduna State Executive Council had earlier given a directive that all public

and institutions must submit relevant documents before erecting new structures within their premises.

However, the statement jointly signed by Dr. Ishaya Auta and Dr. Emmanuel Monday, Coordinator and Secretary of CCC, challenged the KASUPDA DG to produce evidence of other structures in the university which were approved by his agency.

“KASU has a Directorate of Physical Planning that oversees the construction of all buildings/

structures. The university has over a hundred structures without building permit from KASUPDA. “So why is the case of the KASU Chapel different?

“Is KASUPDA trying to usurp the powers of the Directorate of Physical planning in KASU? “We challenge the DG of KASUPDA to publish the building permits of all structures in Kaduna State University in the spirit of fairness and equity”, the CCC stated.

2023: CSOs Urge FG to Declare PublicOlasupo Holiday for Voters Registration A coalition of Civil Society Skills For All Initiative. said that the aim to employees to find time and Organisations (CSOs) yesterday called on the federal government to declare public holiday for Nigerians to partake in the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR), ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

The CSOs are : Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, Connected Development, Raising New Voices and Webfala Digital

Others are :Building Block for Peace Foundation, Kimpact Development Initiative,Aspillos Foundation and SING Nigeria.

Project Director of Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, M.r Abideen Olasupo, who spoke on behalf of the coalition at a news conference in Abuja said that the group initiated the YVote Naija project.

of the project was to enhance civic participation in the electoral process ahead of the next elections.

“We call on the federal government to declare a public holiday as a National Day of Action to encourage people to get registered.

“We urged private organisations to give days off

register or even facilitate their logistics from the office to the nearest registration centres.

“In exactly 17 days, June 30, the CVR will be suspended by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clean up its data and print Permanent Voters Card (PVC) ahead of the 2023 general elections.

NSCDC Destroys Five Illegal Refineries, Arrests Three Alleged Owners The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dislodged and destroyed five illegal refineries at Obodo community in Warri North, Delta.

NSCDC Spokesman, Mr. Olusola Odumosu, stated

yesterday in Abuja that based on intelligence report, two suspected male owners and a female owner of the refineries were arrested.

He stated that two other persons were also arrested during the operation while

other collaborators fled.

Odumosu added that the five suspects were assisting the NSCDC in its investigation.

He stated that the illegal refineries operators produced adulterated petroleum products and distributed same to

unsuspecting users.

He stated also that Mr Brah Samson, Squad Commander of the Commandant General’s Special Anti-Vandal Monitoring Unit, who led the arrest team, already promised to hunt down the fleeing suspects,

Commercial Drivers Protest High Cost of Diesel in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Commuters in Edo State were for several hours stranded yesterday as commercial drivers protested the high cost of diesel in the state.

The bus drivers blocked several entry and exit points into that state, restricting other commercial drivers from carrying passengers while cars were made to bear green

leaves to show solidarity to the course of the drivers.

One of the drivers who simple gave his name as Tony said that they have endured enough suffering and wanted the government to do something about the high cost of diesel.

He said they were buying diesel for N180,00 (One Hundred and Eighty Naira) at the inception of Buhari’s

administration but that it now cost over N800,00.

“We, the drivers are suffering in this country, Imagine that we were buying diesel for N180,00 when Buhari become the president. Today, it goes for more than N800.00.

“Go to Uwelu Spare Parts Market and see how much even second hand spare parts cost.

The problem is that after buying diesel, you have to settle the

owner of the bus, before you can think of what to go home with to take care of your family, we cannot continue this way,” Tony said.

Also, another driver, who gave his name as Mr. Osarobo Idahosa, said that the cost of diesel and spare parts have risen to the level drivers could no longer bear and were left without any other option than to protest.

Traditional Ruler of Kupaland in Kogi is Dead The Maiyaki (Estu) of Kupa His Royal Highness Alhaji Mohammadu Kabir Isah has died. Until his death on Sunday June 12, Isah was the vice chairman of Lokoja Traditional Council and the Custodian of

Kupa land.

According to the statement from the family, late Alhaji Isah reigned as the traditional ruler of Kupaland between 2nd October, 1979 and 12th June 2022.

“He was a respected traditional

ruler in Nupe Land and a close adviser to Emir of Bida, Etsu Nupe. He is survived by wives, children and grandchildren, nephews and grandnephews amongst whom is Ambassador Adamu Isa, Pharm Dauda Kabir

Isa, Mal. Umar Kabir Isa, Hauwa Isa, Hajara Isa, Mal. Abdulmalik Suleiman among others. He was buried in Abuja Kupa, Lokoja LGA according to islamic rites witnessed by a mammoth crowd,” the statement added.

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June 12: Nigeria Must Return to Federalism System, Says NADECO Chief Funmi Ogundare Elder statesman and former National Secretary-General of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), ChiefAyo Opadokun, and the Convener of June 12 Democracy Movement, Mr. Wale Okunniyi, yesterday called for the country’s return to democratic system of government, saying it will enable ethnic nationality in Nigeria to utilise their resources to serve their people for progress and development.

The duo, who were guests on The Morning Show of ARISE News Channel, said anything short of that would amount to chasing shadows.

In his submission, Opadokun expressed concern that the hopes and aspirations of the June 12, 1993 election was frustrated by the military, their surrogates and loyalists who have taken charge of the political and economic space of Nigeria, adding that though the country operates a civilian or democratic system of government, it does not seem

to be running as one.

He said: “This is a deliberate slap on the face of those of us whom God used to fight for the campaign to call the military back to the barracks. There are

so many regionalism going on in the country today. Most of the current actors were hand in glove with the military, and are still pursuing the military agenda. That is why people

like me are pained as to the consequence of Nigeria remaining an underdeveloped country 61 years after independence. That a country with its human and natural endowments that have

exported crude oil for at least 20 years at an average price of $100, and two million barrels of oil, cannot boast of any commensurate social services, including education, medical care, food and housing.”

Opadokun said: “The agenda of the crop of politicians that we have now, are not genuine, they are only dancing around the grave of Chief MKO Abiola, the martyr of democracy.

ACCION MFB MARKS 15TH ANNIVERSARY…

L-R: Pioneer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Accion Micro Finance Bank (MFB), Mrs. Bunmi Lawson; CEO, Mr.Taiwo Joda; Chairman, Mr. John Fischer; pioneer Chairman, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan, and Vice Chairman, Dr. Olusegun Aina, during the inauguration of the head office building and marking of 15th anniversary of Accion MFB in Lagos.

ETOP UKUT

Delta Inferno: Omo-Agege Judge’s Medical Appointment Stalls Hearing of Ogun Obaship Tussle Describes Tanker Driver as Hero James Sowole in Abeokuta

Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, has described Ejiro Otarigho, a driver, who drove a burning tanker from danger zone to avert what could have been a tragic fire incident in Agbarho, Delta as a hero.

The commendation is contained in a statement issued in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the incident which took place at the weekend, happened when the tanker driver drove the truck from a densely populated area to Agbarho River where it was completely razed.

Omo-Agege who doubles as the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress

(APC) in Delta, described Otarigho as a hero for his gallantry.

He said that but for Otarigho’s courage, a major fire disaster which would have claimed several lives and property in his senatorial district.

Agbarho, a community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state, is in Delta Central Senatorial District, where the lawmaker represents at the National Assembly.

He said: “By your action, you have saved a lot of our people who could have died from this accident. It is not everyone that will have the courage to do what you just did.

2023: Vote Only Credible Leaders, Northern Groups Caution

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has strongly advised Nigerians, especially northerners, to vote for credible leaders at all levels irrespective of their political parties during the 2023 elections.

The Chairman Board of Trustees of the CNG, Mr. Nastura Ashraf, gave the advice yesterday during a press conference in Kano.

Ashraf said that the CNG has noted that the politics of the country has taken a

new dimension of deceiving electorates not to waste their votes by voting for political parties that are not the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, there are credible candidates to be elected in other political parties who are better than those in APC and PDP, adding that Nigerians should not be hoodwinked into voting for only the two major political parties in the 2023 elections and beyond.

Property Worth Thousands of Naira Razed in Kwara Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Property worth thousands of naira were lost yesterday in fire outbreak that occurred at Odogun Lagba Compound in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

During the incident, two out of the four bedrooms flat were gutted by the inferno.

It was learnt that the inferno was said to have been caused by the power surge that occurred in one of the flat bedrooms.

The development, it was further gathered, prompted

the men of the fire service in Offa to move to the scene of the incident.

When contacted, the state Fire Service Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hassan Adekunle, who confirmed the incident, said: “It was one Mr. Taofiq who quickly summoned the Fire Brigade to the scene of the inferno at about 10:06hrs today (Monday).

“However, firemen were able to eliminate the ravaging fire on time. And out of the four flats in the building (each flat containing two bedrooms), only two bedrooms were affected.”

The medical appointment of Justice Nasiru Agbelu of the Ogun State High Court, Sagamu Division, has stalled the hearing in the suit filed by the Amororo Ruling Family of Ipara Remo against the selection and installation of Onipara Remo, Oba Taiwo Taiwo.

The suit, scheduled for hearing last Wednesday, was adjourned until October 6, as the Judge told all parties in all suits listed for the day that he

could not do much on the day, because he had an important medical appointment for 10 a.m.

At the last court sitting on the matter, the Amororo family had rejected overtures of out-of-court settlement over the matter as disclosed by the 11th defendant, Oba Taiwo Taiwo, through his lawyer, Olatunji Ayanlaja (SAN).

The Amororo Ruling House represented by Madam Adetimeyin Gbowowa, Prince Fatai Adeniji Sonola, Prince Muyiwa Adeyemi, and Prince Haruna Adewale

had dragged the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Afolabi Afuape; the state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, and kingmakers at Ipara Remo to court over an alleged imposition of Oba Taiwo on the ancient town.

Others dragged to court were the Secretary to Remo North Local Government Area; Olori Emo of Ipara Remo, Adekunle Ayoka; Oluwo of Ipara Remo,

Oluwole Sorionola; the acting Olotu Iwarefa of Ipara Remo, Adeyemi Opadipe; the acting Apena of Ipara Remo, Chief Odubayo Ojeleye; Asipa Emo of Ipara-Remo, Owolabi Opadipe, and Balogun of Ipara-Remo, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi.

The Amororo family in a suit number: HCS/90/2021, claimed that Oba Taiwo is not a member of Amororo Ruling House, and therefore not entitled to have participated in the nomination exercise of the Onipara of Ipara.

Group Trains Youths on Human Rights, Access to Justice in Enugu

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

At least 20 youths have been trained by the Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE) on methods to seek justice as well as defending incidences of human rights violations and abuses by security agencies in the country.

The training, which was held yesterday in Enugu, was organised in collaboration with Youth Empowerment Solutions Project Initiative (YES-P), and the Centre for Health Education and Vulnerable Support (CHEVS),

powered by VOICE. Speaking during the training, the Founder of the CSAAE, Godswill Agbagwa, said the programme was conceived to address unfair treatment meted out on young people by some security agencies.

According to him, “I am very concerned about the way young people are treated in this country, especially by the police. With the recent #EndSARS protest, we think that it is time to start speaking up for the young people against police brutality.”

Agbagwa noted that he had received a lot of complaints from young people who have been arrested illegally by the police and detained for several months or years at the detention centres without trial.

He added: “If some of these people were convicted, they probably would have been docked for six months. But they have been in detention for six years; four years or five years. And one begins to wonder why the justice system should be so unfair to young people.”

In his address, the Enugu State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Manfred Nzekwe, urged the youths to rise up and challenge human rights violations perpetrated against them.

Nzekwe, who was represented by the Director, Administration and Human Resource of the Ministry, Sunny Okafor, said the future of the country lies in the hands of the younger generation, hence, they must work hard to change the fortunes of the country positively.

Primaries: Ohanaeze Youths Ask South-east APC, PDP Delegates to Quit Igbo Land Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has declared political war on Igbo delegates who voted against aspirants from South-east at the just-concluded presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), asking them to quit Igbo land.

National President of OYC, Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, who spoke in Owerri, Imo

State, yesterday after the council’s meeting, said the group x-rayed the height of betrayal and sabotage by what it referred to as “a few microscopic political elements to enslave the present and future generations of Igbo extraction, the council resolved that lgbo land is not a habitable for all these enemies of Ndigbo.”

He lamented how South-east delegates sold the future of their

children and unborn generation in the course of the recently concluded primary elections of the leading parties in the country.

He said: “We therefore give PDP and APC delegates in 2022 presidential, apart from 14 PDP delegates from Ebonyi, 38 APC delegates from Ebonyi and one APC delegate vote that came from Imo State voted by Prof.

Chinwe Obaji, all the others

should vacate from Igbo land within 72 hours.”

“It is a clear betrayal and historical sabotage for delegates whom we assigned to go and vote Southeast aspirants, went to Eagle Square Abuja and sold the future of our children. This is a typical breach of trust and they have shown that they can’t be trusted with leadership mandates in Igbo Land,” he added.

2023: PDP Prayed against Tinubu’s Emergence, Says Senator Onor Bassey Inyang in Calabar The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Senator Sandy Onor, has stated that his party had prayed against the emergence of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Making the disclosure while

speaking at a press conference in Calabar, the state capital, Onor said the PDP hoped that the absence of Tinubu on the ballot would make victory at the 2023 presidential election easier for his party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

“The emergence of Tinubu is what we didn’t want to happen. But, somehow, the APC advised itself and they

have brought him,” Onor said.

Onor said the presidential election would be a tough two horse race between Tinubu of the APC and Atiku of the PDP, and those they choose as running mates would have a lot to do with the decision of the electorate.

Speaking elaborately on the presidential candidacy of both parties, Onor, who currently represents Cross

River Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, said: “It’s going to be an interesting battle, but a lot still has to fall in place for us to be in a position to hazard reasonable guesses as to who will eventually win.

“First of all, the choice of their deputies will be strategic and critical. Tinubu is a southern Muslim; will he bring a northern Christian?

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Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

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Ruthless Eagles Maul São Tomé & Principe 10-0 to Go Two Points Clear of G’Bissau

Nigeria’s 63-Year record erased Osimhen’s four goals equal Rashidi Yekini feat

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Super Eagles have redeemed their image in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a 10-0 mauling of hapless Sao Tome & Principe in Agadir,

A F C O N 2 0 2 3 Q UA L I F I E R S Morocco.

The victory has moved Eagles to the top of Group A on six points. Guinea Bissau who were

held 2-2 by Sierra Leone in the other game yesterday are second on four points. The Leone Stars are third on one point with São

Tomé who are yet to get any point fourth.

Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, scored four out of the 10 goals to equal Rashidi Yekini’s feat in the 7-1 defeat of Burkina Faso in 1991.

It also erased the 10-1 recorded by the then Green Eagles secured against the then Dahomey (now Republic of Benin) in 1959 in Kwame Nkruma Cup. After a not too convincing win over the Leone Stars in Abuja last Thursday, Super Eagles promised to redeem their image with minnow São Tomé & Principe with plenty goals.

True to their promise, Osimhen kicked off the goals rush barely 10 minutes into the game played on a lush green turf far better than the Abuja stadium. The Napoli front man connected home with a header a cross from Moses Simon from the left. Simon was Captain of the day in the absence of Ahmed Musa and William Troost-Ekong on pitch in that first half.

Osimhen and Simon were again involved in Nigeria’s second goal on 28 minutes with Moses Simon now the scorer and Osimhen the provider.

With clock ticking to half time break, Terem Moffi, scored his first Super Eagles goal when he eliminated his marker inside the box before he fired past Eba Viegas in goal post for São Tomé.

Osimhen headed home his

second goal of the day three minutes on return from the break in in the 48th minute thanks to a cross from the right

by Ademola Lookman.

In the 55th minute, Oghenekaro Etebo made it 5-0 for the Eagles when he curled a free kick from the edge of the box.

On the hour, Moffi got his brace when he slotted home a low cross from inside the box

by Zaidu Sanusi.

Four minutes later, Lookman made it 7-0 when he fired home after Moffi had been thwarted by the Sao Tome goalkeeper.

Osimhen completed his hattrick a minute later he got to the end of a through ball before he stabbed beyond the opposing shot stopper.

He then netted his fourth goal in the 84th minute in a repeat move.

The Napoli striker has now scored 15 goals for Nigeria.

He later struck the post in the closing moments of the encounter.

Substitute Emmanuel Dennis wrapped up the routing in stoppage time when he scored from the penalty spot after he had been brought down inside the box.

Ola Aina to Miss G’Bissau Tie in Sept

NEW GOALS KING...

Victor Osimhen (top) scored four out of the ten goals Super Eagles recorded against São Tomé & Principe yesterday in AFCON 2023 qualifier in Morocco

Okowa Hails Team Nigeria Performance at African Athletics Championships Says future very bright for track & field in Nigeria The President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa, has said that the performance of Team Nigeria at the just concluded 22nd African Athletics Championship in Mauritius has given him cause for optimism.

Team Nigeria won a total of 11 medals made up of five gold, three silver and three bronze medals to finish third on the medals table.

“We have every reason to celebrate because the project we started just under a year ago is already bearing fruits,” said an elated Okowa.

The AFN president stressed that the federation's investment in the youth and junior athletes are paying off handsomely.

“Most of our top athletes who have been doing great things in the American collegiate

circuit were not in Mauritius due to school commitments but we have been able to show our strength in depth,” added Okowa who believes the outing in Mauritius has added to the rising profile of the sport in the world.

“When we decided to take the largest contingent of athletes to the World U20 Championship in Nairobi last year, we knew we had to start that investment in our youth and junior athletes.

“I am not only delighted we came up with our best performance in the history of the championship, I am equally thrilled with the geometrical improvement in some of the athletes. Some of them have achieved world class standards.

Okowa said the AFN will continue to invest in the youth

and junior athletes as well as provide the right environment for the elite athletes to thrive.

He is also thrilled by the feat achieved by Oyesade Olatoye who made history by winning the country's first ever gold medal in the women's Hammer throw.

“Sade has now qualified for the World championship in Oregon, USA and this she achieved with her performance in Mauritius.

Chukwuebuka (Enekwechi) also set a new championship record in the men's Shot Put. I was told it was the only competition record set at the event in Mauritius.

“This year alone, a few Nigerian records, some of them deemed untouchable have been broken by athletes who competed at the World

U20 Championship last year.

“Favour Ofili ran 21.96s, the first sub 22 seconds outdoors to set a new Nigeria 200m record while Ezekiel Nathaniel who grew from a 51seconds runner over the 400m hurdles improved to 49 seconds in Nairobi and has now broken Henry Amike's 35-year-old 48.50s national record. And the boy is only 18 years and could be the first Nigerian to run a sub-48 seconds in the event.”

Okowa believes the federation has been able to achieve so much in about a year due to the huge support it has received from the Sports Ministry, particularly the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare.

“His appointment in 2019 has been a breath of fresh air for sports in Nigeria,” concludes Okowa.

When Nigeria host Guinea Bissau in September in the Match day 3 of the Africa Cup of Nations, hardworking defender, Ola Aina will not be in action.

The Torino defender has been cautioned twice in the series and will miss the next match.

As per Article 42 42.1 which applies to both the qualifying and final tournament, “a player who receives two cautions shall be automatically suspended from playing the following match.”

Aina was cautioned in the 73rd minute of the game with Sierra Leone in Abuja and was again booked in the 58th minute by the referee in the match against Sao Tome and Principe.

He will however be eligible for the Match-day 4 fixture which is away in Guinea Bissau.

Other Nigerian players on caution list include; goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and Oghenekaro Etebo who both obtained yellow cards in the home game with Sierra Leone in Abuja.

Egbe: I Am Ready to Help on Abuja Stadium Turf Nigeria’s leading stadium construction expert, Ebi Egbe, has declared that he is ready to help out in solving the problems of the turf of the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

Egbe said all that the turf needs is the touch of an expert who understands the pyrotechnics of what a modern stadium turf should look like.

He stated that whatever money that is pumped into the turf would go down the drain if it is not handled by a thorough-breed professional groundsman.

“This is my sector and I know what I am talking about.

Nigerians were not happy with what they saw of the pitch when Super Eagles played Sierra Leone last Thursday.

“It is sad that the pitch is that way after all the money pumped into it by Alhaji Aliko Dangote. I am ready to help

as a patriotic Nigerian and I have always said my company Monimichelle is ready to partner both states and federal government to eradicate bad pitches in the country.

“The pitches we have done in the country are there for people to see. From Aba, to Lagos, Katsina , Makurdi, Awka, Yenagoa and Remo what we have done are there and our job speaks for us. I don’t compromise quality and as a nation, we should have the best of pitches in Abuja and Lagos,” observed the turf expert.

Egbe said Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, has done well by getting Dangote and Chief Adebutu Kessington (Baba Ijebu) to renovate the stadiums in Lagos and Abuja but was quick to add that he (Dare) must move now to ensure that these business moguls are impressed with the jobs done.

47

TUESDAY, ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

SPORTS

Heartbreaks for Peru as Australia Pick Ticket in Shootouts Costa Rica, New Zealand to meet for last World Cup slot today Duro Ikhazuagbe inDoha Late Monday night, Peru’s dream of reaching the finals were shattered in a nail-biting penalty shootouts against Australia as the Socceroos sneaked into Qatar 2022 World Cup with 5-4 victory at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Doha.

Regulation and extra time deadlocked goalless for the game to drag into penalty shootouts.

But with barely minutes for the added time to end for the shootout, Australia Coach, Graham Arnold, brought in Sydney FC keeper, Andrew Redmayne to replace Mat Ryan for his third cap.

That gamble proved decisive as Redmayne who danced on the line for each kick in a bid to confuse the Peruvians, ended up making Luis Advincula to hit the post while also saving Alex Valera's final penalty kick for Peru.

The South Americans who came to Doha in their thousands electrified the Ahmad bin Ali

QATAR 2022 PLAYOFFS Stadium in Al Rayyan with their drummings and singing.

They gave 100 per cent support to their team but ended up not making it as the 31st team to qualify for Qatar 2022.

Speaking at the post match conference, Redmayne insisted he was not the hero of the night but the glory of qualification goes to the entire team.

“I'm no hero, I just played my role like everyone did tonight,” observed the goalkeeper who some of the Peruvians called a ‘kangaroo’ due to his unorthodox manner of dancing on the goal line.

He however admitted that he had perfected his tactics in training in the eventuality of the game dragging into shootouts.

"This idea was floated preselection that this might eventuate in these kind of circumstances and for the two or three weeks we've

been here (in Qatar), I've kind of had that in my mind," Redmayne revealed.

"I've been working on a few things in training but at the end of the day it's a flip of the coin, it's either right or left.”

Despite the game played in excess of 30C, the main bowl of the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium gave winter feelings to the thousands of fans inside the facility. The air conditioned cooling system installed in all the stadiums to host the World Cup matches in Qatar, worked as planned. At some point, some of the traveling fans on both sides had to bring out their jackets to keep warm from the cooling effect.

Today at the same venue, Costa Rica will be aiming to qualify for a third successive World Cup as well as pick the last 32nd slot to complete the Qatar 2022 list of

countries for the global football fiesta. They have New Zealand to contend with.

The match pits the fourth- placed finishers in the CONCACAF qualifying group (Costa Rica) against the top team in the Oceania confederation (New Zealand) and the winners will play in Group E at the finals in Qatar along with Germany, Japan and Spain.

Costa Rica reached the quarterfinals in Brazil eight years ago and having had substantially more competitive matches over the last four years will be favourites to advance.

Since the last World Cup, they have played 30 competitive games compared with five for New Zealand which have all been against low-ranked Pacific island nations.

"Costa Rica have played a lot together and have a lot of caps," said New Zealand coach Danny Hay, whose side played Peru and Oman in warm-up matches

over the last week.

"We don’t really get enough opportunity to test ourselves against top quality opposition."

Hay admitted the behind closed doors draw with Oman on Friday was not the greatest performance by his team.

"But that said, I think everybody's got half an eye, if not a full eye, if not two eyes on Costa Rica,” he added.

Costa Rica defender Francisco Calvo warned his side will need to be wary of complacency.

"We have to be focused for the

90 minutes, because they shoot from wherever they can. We’ll have to defend to the death and keep Chris Wood under control," he told reporters here in Doha.

Newcastle United striker Wood is the Kiwis’ key attacker.

New Zealand, who competed at the 1982 and 2010 World Cups and lost out in playoffs for the two last tournaments, have concerns over the fitness of captain Winston Reid but Hay said he expected the former West Ham United central defender to play.

Arsenal Land Marquinhos from Sao Paulo Arsenal have confirmed the signing of 19-year-old Brazilian forward Marquinhos from Sao Paulo.

The Gunners said the Brazil Under-17 international has joined the Premier League club on a long-term contract.

The Sao Paulo youth product made his first-team debut as an 18-year-old last July before helping them win the regional Campeonato Paulista in 2021.

"He is still very young, so he

is a player for the future," said Arsenal's technical director Edu. He scored four goals in 41 appearances for Sao Paulo and has also represented Brazil at Under-16 level.

"Marquinhos was a player we had been watching for a while," Edu added.

"We look forward to him now joining us for pre-season, making his new home, and continuing to grow and develop with us."

Man City Complete Haaland’s Signing

Australian players and officials mobbed Redmayne in celebration of his heroic in the shootouts with Peru in Doha, Qatar...last night

Anthony Joshua Rejects Mega Deal, Opts for Oleksandr Usyk Rematch in August Anthony Joshua has turned his back on Sky Sports to sign a lucrative deal with streaming service DAZN, as the heavyweight prepares for his crucial rematch against Oleksandr Usyk this summer.

Joshua has fought on Sky Sports for the entirety of his career, with his promoter Eddie Hearn previously having an exclusive deal with the broadcaster to stage his fights.

But the Matchroom Boxing chief has since negotiated a £100million-per-year deal with DAZN that has seen him bring his entire stable on board.

Joshua had a separate contract to show his fights exclusively on Sky Sports, but that expired after his first fight against Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September - and the heavyweight has now defected to DAZN. The Watford-born star has been the subject of a bidding war ever since, but he has now pledged his allegiance to Hearn's new project with DAZN, starting with his next fight with Usyk - slated to be held in August in Saudi Arabia.

Sky Sports initially felt confident of re-signing Joshua as early as last month, with DAZN even feeling they had lost the race to sign him.

But now the popular app has taken the driver's seat after a 'sudden swing', and shared their announcement on Monday afternoon.

Speaking about the partnership, Joshua said: “I am entering a new phase in my career with a new training environment, new coaches and now a new broadcaster.

Negotiations at this level take time so I am pleased to have it all wrapped up and now I can fully focus on giving the fans and DAZN what they want, knockouts in the glamour division.

“I've been working with DAZN and following its progress for a long time. We have enjoyed a really successful partnership in the US for many years and I know the team and understand the passion and drive of the business.

“DAZN's vision and passion to innovate is what attracted me to the partnership. They are leading the digital landscape in sport and the future of sports broadcasting.

I am really looking forward to a long and successful partnership.”

While Eddie Hearn added: 'We have been successfully working in partnership with DAZN for many years now and this new announcement with Anthony Joshua emphasises why they

continue to set the standard for the future of sports broadcasting.

“We have a shared vision with DAZN to make it the unrivalled home of boxing for fans across the world. Now with Anthony joining the team the stage is set to do even more together and we are looking forward to getting started.”

Sky Sports have had a number of highlights with AJ - undoubtedly the top one being his sensational victory over Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium in 2017 watched by more than 1.5million people on pay-per-view.

Fans also watched him wrestle his world titles back from Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia in 2019 on the channel which saw him become a two-time world champion.

Joshua has been with Matchroom Sport for all 26 of his professional fights and signed a life-time contract with the promotional company last September after Hearn's guidance led him to become one of the world's top fighters.

AJ said at the time: 'We've built some great foundations over the years and I appreciate Matchroom – the company, the team, the family business.

“That's kind of what drew me towards you guys as well, the

integrity that the Hearns have when it comes to boxing and business.

“I've felt comfortable during my years as a boxer and I always felt that the business outside of sport is harder than the actual fighting due to the history and some of the problems that some fighters have had.

“So, to be with Matchroom Sport has been a blessing for myself, my family and my team.

“Outside of that, what Matchroom Sport have done is created an environment for boxing fans.

“The shows that we have managed to put on have been phenomenal. When I walk out to fight, I look around and I'm like, 'mate, this is unbelievable'.

“From where we began, to the middle of the journey, the foundations we have created are phenomenal and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

“In my humble opinion, what better place to be than Matchroom Boxing?

“I have heard that my signature was hot property. I'm happy where I am. A handshake is good enough for me, but the signature solidifies it and I'm happy where my signature is.”

Erling Haaland announced yesterday that he is "in the right place to fulfil his ambitions" after completing a £51.2m transfer to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund.

The 21-year-old scored 86 goals in 89 games for Dortmund and arrives at the Premier League champions as one of world football's most coveted forwards.

He has signed a five-year deal until 2027 and will join the club on 1 July.

An agreement was reached for the Norway international in May after City activated the player's release clause.

"This is a proud day for me and my family," said Haaland, the son of former City captain Alf-Inge, who played for the club between 2000 and 2003.

"I have always watched City and have loved doing so in recent seasons. You can't help but admire their style of play - it's exciting and they create a lot of chances, which is perfect for a player like me," he added.

"There are so many world-class players in this squad and Pep (Guardiola) is one of the greatest managers of all-time, so I believe I am in the right place to fulfil my ambitions.

"I want to score goals, win trophies, and improve as a footballer and I am confident I can do that here. This is a great

TRANSFER move for me, and I can't wait to get started in pre-season."

City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: "Haaland is a huge talent and has been one of the best strikers in Europe over the last few seasons.

"His goalscoring record is exceptional and his performances at Borussia Dortmund and in the Champions League in particular have proved he can succeed at the highest level.

"Erling has everything we want in a striker, and we are certain he will excel in this squad and this system."

The deal ends the club's hunt for a successor to club-record goalscorer Sergio Aguero, who joined Barcelona on a free transfer in June 2021.

The Argentine's departure prompted City's summer-long and ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of Tottenham and England forward Harry Kane.

La Liga clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona were also keen to sign Haaland before he opted to join Guardiola's English champions.

Haaland has scored 92 league goals in 121 appearances in total in spells at Molde, Red Bull Salzburg and Dortmund.

Last year he became the youngest player to reach 20 Champions League goals.

Erling Haaland... has joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

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Price: N250

MISSILE

NLC to Political Parties

“With the repositioning of the Labour Party for workers, youths, students, women, traders, farmers, professionals, disabled persons, the unemployed and the downtrodden, the LP has become the albatross of other political parties who have become jittery and are devising conspiracy theories to distract the LP from mobilizing for sweeping victory in 2023” --- NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, throwing the congress’ weight behind LP’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI June 12, 1993, Running Mates and 2023 Y abati1990@gmail.com

esterday, Nigeria declared a public holiday, and marked the 29th anniversary of June 12, 1993, the day Nigerians trooped out en masse to elect Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, a South Westerner, a Yoruba man, as President of Nigeria. On that day, Nigerians discounted primordial sentiments and ignored the centrifugal forces at the heart of the Nigerian question. For the first time since the first legislative election was held in Nigeria under the Clifford Constitution in 1922, the usual divisive factors of religion, geography and ethnicity, did not matter. Abiola was a Yoruba man. He won convincingly in more than the two-thirds of the states required by the Constitution. He even beat his main opponent, Bashir Tofa, of the then National Republican Convention (NRC) not just in the pre-election debate and campaigns, with his wit, humour, knowledge, stature and charisma, he went ahead to trounce Tofa in his own ward and state in Kano.

It is instructive that Bashir Tofa has remained a footnote in Nigerian history since then. He was no match for Abiola and has not even been able to match him in death.

Abiola did something unusual. He presented before Nigerians, a Muslim-Muslim ticket. His running mate was Baba Gana Kingibe, another Muslim, a Northerner. Nigerians didn’t bother about that. They wanted change. They wanted progress. They sought freedom from the shackles of military tyranny. Abiola preached a message of hope. Since the January 1966 coup led by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, truncating the liberation from colonial rule, Nigeria found itself in the grips of corrosive, corrupt, and obnoxious military rule.

There was a brief spell of civilian rule between 1979 and 1983, but the military seized power again, at a time when strong-man, military rulership was the mode in most African countries. In the 1990s, a wave of democratization eventually took hold in the global arena and Nigeria feeding on this, under General Ibrahim Babangida, launched a political transition programme that became an exercise in trickery and deception.

This also was the season of glasnost and perestroika, a big unraveling and the end of the Cold War and the beginning of transformations across the globe. Nigeria got caught in that cauldron of change. MKO Abiola, as events happened, won the election. But he was denied victory on June 24, 1993, with the annulment of the election.

General Ibrahim Babangida, IBB as he is also known, was the head of the military junta that committed this perfidy, this subversion of the people’s will, and although he has claimed that he was not alone and that his hands were tied, the event of June 12, 1993, an election won by a man he considered his friend, will remain a day in infamy as a symbol of betrayal, insincerity and political suicide of the first rank. It must be remembered that Abiola’s victory would have marked a second liberation for Nigerians, liberation from the shackles of military tyranny, even if now in retrospect, nobody can say definitively how that denied Presidency would have turned out. It was all a matter of justice, democracy and the people’s sovereignty. It is therefore poetic justice that June 12 has remained a major signpost in Nigerian history. It is also remarkable that President Muhammadu Buhari is the one who decided to move Democracy Day from May 29, the traditional day for handing over of batons in the nation’s calendar, every four years, to June 12, to remind all Nigerians of the significance of that date. This will form a major substance of Buhari’s legacy, at the level of simple commonsense, if not any heavy substance.

What endures is the symbolism and martyrdom of MKO Abiola, and what Buhari has done is to take that phenomenon to an appropriate location in national memory in a country where it is ever so convenient to forget. For the benefit of those who may have forgotten, Nigeria became a pariah nation. The international community

The late MKO Abiola turned against Nigeria. Civil society groups rose against the Nigerian government. The green passport became a source of embarrassment in all parts of the world. It was a difficult season to be a Nigerian. The media, the church, and progressives of all hues took to the streets and stood at the barricades to demand an end to military rule and the restoration of Abiola’s mandate. IBB, now known as the Maradona, stepped aside. An interim government led by Chief Ernest Shonekan, better described by the Yoruba phrase “fidihe” government took over, but that government lasted only 83 days. It was eventually booted out by the dark-goggled General Sani Abacha, who imposed a reign of terror on the country. Journalists were murdered. Where the husbands could not be found, their wives and new babies – Dapo Olorunyomi’s new born baby for example, were targeted by “the wereys” that had taken over Nigeria. MKO Abiola stood firm. He had the support of committed democrats and progressives from every part of Nigeria. He led the struggle with courage and resolve at great personal risk. On July 11, 1994, he made the Epetedo Declaration.

It was a statement of defiance, bravery and heroism. He eventually paid for that with his life.

What Buhari has done in this part of Nigerian history by declaring June 12 - Democracy Day, is to deal a mortal blow to the revisionist attempt to reduce June 12 to a Yoruba struggle. It was not. It was a pan-Nigerian attempt to save Nigeria. The beneficiaries of the martyrdom and the heroism of others have not necessarily been the right persons. Joe Igbokwe has written an instructive book in this regard titled “Heroes of Democracy.”

There is also June 12: The Struggle for Power in Nigeria by Abraham Oshoko. Other books of interest would be those by direct participants in the saga including The Struggle for June 12

by Frank Kokori; The Tale of June 12 by Omo Omoruyi, Clapping with One Hand: June 12 and The Crisis of A Nation by Olawale Oshun; and Humphrey Nwosu’s Laying the Foundation for Nigeria’s Democracy: My Account of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election and its Annulment.

Nwosu was the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) that conducted the 1993 elections. The June 12 crisis destroyed his career in the public arena.

June 12, 1993, this year is being commemorated

at an auspicious moment. The Party primaries have been concluded. Presidential standard bearers have emerged. It is no longer the season of military rule – Nigerians have since said “Never Again” to that but old anxieties have not disappeared.

In 2014/2015, Nigerians thought they wanted change. They asked for it. The only change they got was the change of personalities, and the worsening of the Nigerian condition. Eight years later, nobody can boast that the Buhari administration has been able to change anything or inspire hope. Rather, Nigerians are looking back to the past in anger. Many even thought former President Goodluck Jonathan should return to rescue the country that he handed over to the exceptionally clueless gang that took over from him. That has not happened, and I hope all the noisemakers who thought that was even possible in the first place would be humble enough to think twice. Where then, are we, as a country?

We are preparing for the 2023 general elections.

We have 17 or 18 Presidential candidates. INEC, the electoral umpire has set a deadline of June 17 for the uploading of names and affidavits on the INEC Nomination Portal. The INEC Chairman, Yakubu Mahmood has announced the relevant conditions and guidelines. As of the time of this writing, only the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has announced its Presidential running mate; by this time next week, all running mates at the Presidential level would have been announced.

Given the nature, structure and circumstances of Nigerian politics, the 2023 process has already been reduced to a two-horse race, between the PDP and the APC. Some commentators argue that attention should be paid to the Peter Obi phenomenon. Quite rightly so. He was a two-time Governor in Anambra State under the platform of APGA. He later switched to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In 2019, he was chosen as running mate to Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. In 2023, he declared interest to run on his own on the platform of the PDP. He has since gone to the Labour Party (LP) where his major challengers have turned out to be his own Igbo kinsmen, Callistus Okafor and co, at a time when Ndigbo, having been denied a top spot placement in the PDP and APC needed a platform of their own to project the idea of an Igbo Presidency.

There are about five Igbos as standard bearers in the 2023 process: Dumebi Kachikwu (Delta Igbo- ADC)..Peter Umeadi (APGA), Peter Obi (Labour Party), Okwudili Nwa-Anyadike (NRM) and Dan Iwuanyanwu (ZLP) but Ndigbo is not talking about their own. They are talking about a meeting to decide who to choose between Atiku (PDP) and Bola Tinubu (APC). Peter Obi is clearly the frontrunner among the Igbos on the list. He enjoys massive support among young people of Nigeria, particularly from the South. They call him Obi-Bangladesh, Obi-China because of the transformative ideas that he espouses. But he is at best, probably a man ahead of his time. Social media does not win elections. On the practical field of play, Peter Obi does not have Atiku’s or Tinubu’s kind of money in an election that is already a cash and carry affair. On that list of standard bearers, there is also Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), a man who is defined by Kano politics and his own politics of personality. Kwankwaso’s best bet is Kano, not Nigeria.

There is also Lateef Kola Abiola, the first son of Bashorun MKO Abiola, as flagbearer of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). My suspicion is that LKA is just showing face, but his effort is noteworthy: The son who wants to redeem his father’s legacy! Omoyele Sowore (AAC) wants to take Nigeria back to the people who truly own it, but the established rent-collectors, “the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places that seek bribes and demand 10 percent, those that seek to keep the country divided permanently..., the tribalists, the nepotists, those that make the country look big

for nothing before international circles, those that have corrupted our society and put the Nigerian calendar back by their words and deeds” will not allow him. They did not allow Awolowo.

They did not allow Abiola. They will certainly not allow Obi, Sowore or anyone who sounds like they want change.

This is why the two prominent figures we are left with are Atiku and Tinubu. The duo offers us, same of the same. They have both been promising change, progress and development. They are both not in a position to change anything. They won’t. Nigeria is in a difficult place, confronted with the equivalent of a Hobson’s choice. It is also perhaps why the major argument today is the choice of a running mate for Atiku and Tinubu. Ordinarily, a Vice President occupies “an awkward office” as US Vice President Walter Mondale once argued. Thomas Marshall, Woodrow Wilson’s Vice President for eight years said “The only business of the Vice President is to ring the White House every morning and ask - what is the state of the health of the President?” The Vice President of Nigeria does not even have as much power as the VP in the United States who has a voting slot in the event of a tie in Congress. Nigeria’s VP is a creation of Section 141 of the 1999 Constitution. He is a member of the Executive Council of the Federation, also, the National Security Council, Chairman of the National Economic Council, and a number of parastatals including the National Boundary Commission. His real and relative power however depends upon the duties delegated to him by the President who within the purview of Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution is a monarch, regardless of Section 141 of the Constitution. The value of the Vice President is provided for strictly with regard to the obvious purposes of ethnic and geographical balance, federal character, inclusion and willy-nilly, as a spare tyre in the event of the President’s travel on holiday, death, permanent incapacity, removal from office, or resignation as defined in Sections 143 – 146 of the Constitution.

This matter is so important that after the conclusion of the party primaries on Thursday, June 9, 2022, the main task is now the announcement of running mates by the Presidential candidates.

Everything is tied to this ahead of the June 17 deadline that has been announced by INEC. The focus is on the two main candidates: Atiku and Tinubu. For Atiku, the task is probably easier. His choice is limited to a Southern running mate of Christian extraction. He cannot choose a Muslim.

He cannot choose a Northerner. To do so would be suicidal. In the last week, his choice has also been narrowed down to two names: Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State and runner-up to Atiku in the PDP presidential primary, and Ifeanyi Okowa, former Senator and Governor of Delta State. Both are Christians. Of the two, Wike is Atiku’s best bet. He may come across as brash and intemperate, unlike the more urbane Okowa, but Atiku does not need an “ice cream seller” or “a tomato seller” who cannot win massive votes. Wike has built for himself a broad network of influence across Nigeria that can help the PDP. He has strong administrative experience: Chief of Staff, Minister of State and two-term Governor, and enough financial war-chest that can shock even Elon Musk. Okowa has issues even in his own home state. He has very little name recognition. Atiku can choose Wike and tame him to learn how to be sober.

Tinubu has a bigger challenge. He wants to win. He and Atiku are on the last mile with their ambitions. It is now or never for them. Whereas it would be easy for Atiku to narrow down his choice for a VP, for Tinubu, it is a different ball game. We understand he is better off with a Muslim from the North, preferably from the North East. There are good and bad Muslims.

If Tinubu must pick a Muslim running mate, as has been argued, his best choice is Kashim Shettima, former Governor of Borno State.

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