Electoral Act nothing to worry about – Ahmad Lawan
Senate majority leader Ahmad Lawan has backed President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, saying there was nothing to worry about.
Ahmad-Lawan Lawan said in Abuja, that the Electoral Act (2010) was good enough for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.
He said the President’s decision should not be misinterpreted, adding that it was done in the interest of the country.
That the President declined assent to the bill was no big deal.
“We can still use the Electoral Act, 2010, that was used in 2015 general elections.
“This is to allay the fears of the citizens, who might think that the 2019 elections would not be well conducted without the amendment.
“What we need to do is to look at the few lapses, especially in terms of administration which does not need any legal backing.
“INEC conducted a very good election in 2015 with the existing act.
“So, I believe that we can use that and nobody should start thinking that the elections will not be free and fair.
“The 2015 elections were free, fair and transparent. All over the world, we were commended for conducting such a credible election.
“It is not like the current act is so defective that we cannot use it, ” he said.
The leader said the bill could be worked on, to be used in elections beyond 2019.
He pointed out that: “If we cannot use the current amendments in 2019, who says we cannot use it in the 2023 elections and elections in between 2019 and 2023.
“So, national interest is of utmost importance and not the noise been made by some people. So, there is no reason for worry or agitation.”
Lawan said the President, as an elder statesman, had the interest of the country at heart and his action should not be misconstrued to mean selfishness.
According to him, the President cares for the masses, the progress, stability and development of the country and would not take any decision that would impact on the nation negatively.
“The President believes in due process and as such he will do anything possible to ensure that our election processes are transparent.
“For me, Mr President took his time with his advisers to study the bill before coming up with the decision.
“We are all working in the interest of the nation and as such nobody should claim to be more patriotic than the President.
“The President has his track records. This is a President that his whole life has been devoted to public good.
“He has never shown selfishness or done anything to enhance his personal status.
“All he does is for Nigeria to be better. So, I want to say that he cannot be forced to sign something as important as the electoral bill,” Lawan said. (NAN)
Electoral Act nothing to worry about – Ahmad Lawan
Senate majority leader Ahmad Lawan has backed President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, saying there was nothing to worry about.
Ahmad-Lawan Lawan said in Abuja, that the Electoral Act (2010) was good enough for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.
He said the President’s decision should not be misinterpreted, adding that it was done in the interest of the country.
“That the President declined assent to the bill was no big deal.
“We can still use the Electoral Act, 2010, that was used in 2015 general elections.
“This is to allay the fears of the citizens, who might think that the 2019 elections would not be well conducted without the amendment.
“What we need to do is to look at the few lapses, especially in terms of administration which does not need any legal backing.
“INEC conducted a very good election in 2015 with the existing act.
“So, I believe that we can use that and nobody should start thinking that the elections will not be free and fair.
“The 2015 elections were free, fair and transparent. All over the world, we were commended for conducting such a credible election.
“It is not like the current act is so defective that we cannot use it, ” he said.
The leader said the bill could be worked on, to be used in elections beyond 2019.
He pointed out that: “If we cannot use the current amendments in 2019, who says we cannot use it in the 2023 elections and elections in between 2019 and 2023.
“So, national interest is of utmost importance and not the noise been made by some people. So, there is no reason for worry or agitation.”
Lawan said the President, as an elder statesman, had the interest of the country at heart and his action should not be misconstrued to mean selfishness.
According to him, the President cares for the masses, the progress, stability and development of the country and would not take any decision that would impact on the nation negatively.
“The President believes in due process and as such he will do anything possible to ensure that our election processes are transparent.
“For me, Mr President took his time with his advisers to study the bill before coming up with the decision.
“We are all working in the interest of the nation and as such nobody should claim to be more patriotic than the President.
“The President has his track records. This is a President that his whole life has been devoted to public good.
“He has never shown selfishness or done anything to enhance his personal status.
“All he does is for Nigeria to be better. So, I want to say that he cannot be forced to sign something as important as the electoral bill,” Lawan said. (NAN)
Electoral Act nothing to worry about – Ahmad Lawan
Senate majority leader Ahmad Lawan has backed President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, saying there was nothing to worry about.
Ahmad-Lawan Lawan said in Abuja, that the Electoral Act (2010) was good enough for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.
He said the President’s decision should not be misinterpreted, adding that it was done in the interest of the country.
“That the President declined assent to the bill was no big deal.
“We can still use the Electoral Act, 2010, that was used in 2015 general elections.
“This is to allay the fears of the citizens, who might think that the 2019 elections would not be well conducted without the amendment.
“What we need to do is to look at the few lapses, especially in terms of administration which does not need any legal backing.
“INEC conducted a very good election in 2015 with the existing act.
“So, I believe that we can use that and nobody should start thinking that the elections will not be free and fair.
“The 2015 elections were free, fair and transparent. All over the world, we were commended for conducting such a credible election.
“It is not like the current act is so defective that we cannot use it, ” he said.
The leader said the bill could be worked on, to be used in elections beyond 2019.
He pointed out that: “If we cannot use the current amendments in 2019, who says we cannot use it in the 2023 elections and elections in between 2019 and 2023.
“So, national interest is of utmost importance and not the noise been made by some people. So, there is no reason for worry or agitation.”
Lawan said the President, as an elder statesman, had the interest of the country at heart and his action should not be misconstrued to mean selfishness.
According to him, the President cares for the masses, the progress, stability and development of the country and would not take any decision that would impact on the nation negatively.
“The President believes in due process and as such he will do anything possible to ensure that our election processes are transparent.
“For me, Mr President took his time with his advisers to study the bill before coming up with the decision.
“We are all working in the interest of the nation and as such nobody should claim to be more patriotic than the President.
“The President has his track records. This is a President that his whole life has been devoted to public good.
“He has never shown selfishness or done anything to enhance his personal status.
“All he does is for Nigeria to be better. So, I want to say that he cannot be forced to sign something as important as the electoral bill,” Lawan said. (NAN)
Subsidy debts: FG to pay oil marketers N236bn next Friday
The Federal Government, Saturday, said it would pay oil marketers N236 billion next Friday, being first tranche of the outstanding N348 billion subsidy claims owed members of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, MOMAN, and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association, DAPPMA. Speaking after a meeting with officials of petroleum product marketers in Abuja, Chief Operating Officer, Downstream of the NNPC, Mr. Henry Ikem-Obih, disclosed that the remaining portion of the claims would be paid in 2019, after a meeting between the oil marketers and the Federal Ministry of Finance, that would be scheduled sometimes in 2019. Cross section of officials during the meeting between the Federal Government and oil marketers at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida He said, “We agreed that after the first tranche is paid, the marketers would form a committee to work on details of how the next tranche will be paid in 2019 and the last tranche in 2020. Government is fully committed to pay the first tranche as promised and will be paid through promissory note that would be issued by the Debt Management Office, DMO.” He declared that the Federal Government had insisted on making the payments through promissory notes, which was equivalent to cash and can be liquidated almost immediately. Ikem-Obih said the decision to pay through promissory notes was based on the need to manage cash injection into the economy, noting that injecting cash of that magnitude into the economy might affect the country negatively. The NNPC downstream boss said the mode of settlement had been agreed between the Federal Government and the oil marketers since 2017, adding that the decision was not new. He noted that the Federal Government had decided to pay the money to the oil marketers in full and had directed that there would be no deductions from the marketers’ account to settle debts owed government. Ikem-Obih said, “Some oil marketing companies, DAPPMA and MOMAN members are indebted to Federal Government agencies, like the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, but the government had directed that the debts should not be deducted from the payments. This is because if we do, most of the marketers would be left without a dime.” Explaining the disparity between the N800 billion claimed by the oil marketers and the N348 billion approved by the National Assembly, the downstream chief executive said the debt position of all the marketers to the government where considered and agreed upon as at June 30, 2018 and presented to the National Assembly for approval, which after consideration of the debts, approved the sum of N348 billion. He assured Nigerians that the NNPC was fully ready to ensure stable supply of petroleum products during the Yuletide period and beyond, stating that presently, the corporation has over 2.8 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, which would last the country for 55 days while 90,000 metric tonnes of diesel, imported by the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, PPMC, and NNPC Retail, would arrive the country in the next couple of days. Ikem-Obih declared that all MOMAN, DAPPMA and IPMAN had assured the Federal Government that their facilities would be available throughout the festive period, while all the NNPC depots across the country and its 618 retail outlets would also be dispensing the products. He also disclosed that in addition to the imported fuel stock, the countries refineries would also be contributing to fuel supply, adding that Warri Refinery had returned to production last Thursday, while Port Harcourt refineries are about to resume production. Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of A.A. Rano Limited, Alhaji Aliyu Sa’id dissociated the company from the planned shutdown by DAPPMA and MOMAN, stating that the timing was wrong. He said oil marketers should not be seen to be sabotaging the efforts of government in ensuring stable fuel supply during the Yuletide season and beyond. Speaking in the same vein, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of A.Y.M. Shafa, Mr. Ahmad Abdullahi, declared that at this time that the country is going through series of challenges, security and financial, any attempt to worsen the plight of Nigerians would be seen as an attempt to put the country in chaos. He urged other oil marketers to support the Federal Government and trust the decisions of the government as it concerns settlement of the outstanding claims. On his part, Group Managing Director of Obat Oil and Gas, Prince Akinfemiwa Akinruntun, said the company is ready to support the government by loading the products on a 24 hours basis, noting that the NNPC had been supportive of oil marketers over the years. He noted that national interest supersedes his personal interest, hence, he would urge Nigerians to avoid panic buying, as efforts would be geared towards ensuring stability in petroleum products supply.
Why we suspended licensing of 26GHz, 38GHz, 42GHz frequency bands —NCC Emmanuel Elebeke ABUJA—The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Danbatta says the Commission took the decision to suspend the licensing of some of the potential frequency bands of 26GHz, 38GHz and 42Ghz to ensure that Nigeria is not caught napping when the frequency bands are eventually harmonised for 5G deployment in region 1 by standardization bodies. Prof Umar Garba Danbatta Danbatta made the revelation at the stakeholders consultative forum organised by the NCC on 5G readiness and High Altitude Platform Station Technologies, HAPS held in Abuja. He explained that though, the 5G framework is still being defined by the ITU, the Commission had to take the bull by the horn to ensure Nigeria’s readiness for the imminent 5G evolution by putting in place necessary regulatory frameworks so as to flow in the wave of the trend. According to him, the Commission decided to organise the forum in order to gather relevant inputs to be considered in developing regulatory framework in preparation for 5G and HAPS technologies
Appeal Court dismisses Evans’ fundamental right enforcement suit
THE Court of Appeal, Lagos division, yesterday, trashed an appeal filed by suspected billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike also known as Evans, against the ruling of a Federal High Court, in Lagos which dismissed his Fundamental Right Enforcement suit for lack of merit. Evans Justice A.U. Ogakwu, while dismissing Evans’ appeal, said: “The appeal lacks merit and is, hereby, dismissed with no order of cost.” Evans, during his arrest and detention, had approached a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, to challenge his arrest and detention beyond the time allowed by law, his continued detention without trial or being arraigned before a court of law within the time allowed by law and his subjection to media trial by the Police.
Why Osun governorship tribunal was moved to Abuja – Appeal Court The police, represented by Mr. Emmanuel Eze, a Police Inspector from State Intelligence and Criminal Investigation Department, SICID, Panti, Lagos, filed and argued the respondent’s counter affidavit and written address, while Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje argued the plaintiff’s motion. Delivering judgment on Evans’ Fundamental Right Enforcement application at the lower court, the trial judge, Justice Abdulazeez Anka, had on January 16, 2018, dismissed the Fundamental Right Enforcement suit on the grounds that the suit lacked merit. Dissatisfied, with the ruling of Justice Anka, Onwuamadike, the appellant filed a notice of appeal before the Court of Appeal by virtue of a Notice of Appeal dated January 29, 2018 and filed at the court on the same date. The parties, in the suit, argued and adopted motion on October 25, 2018. Delivering judgment in an abridged judgment, yesterday, Justice A. U. Ogakwu, who read the lead judgment said: “The appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed with no order as to cost.”
2019: Refrain From Inciting Campaigns, Abdulsalami Tells Politicians
Kaduna—Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), has called on politicians to work towards ensuring peaceful conduct of the 2019 elections by refraining from inciting campaigns. He made the appeal at the launch of the book on the late governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa. The book is entitled, “Yakowa: A Dream Deferred,” written by Reuben Buhari, Yakowa’s spokesman. •Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, retd Abdulsalami noted that politicians had a very critical role in the sustenance of peace in the country. He said: “Politicians and their political parties hold the key to the creation of an environment that could foster free, fair and credible elections. “May I urge all of us, especially the politicians, to continue to jealously guard the peace of our dear country. I urge us to refrain from political campaigns laced with religious or ethnic peculiarities, rather concentrate on issue-based campaigns.”
The former head of state, who noted that it was time for younger Nigerians to begin to serve the country, said: “One of the essence of life is to mentor the young ones and see them grow and that is why in the wisdom of the National Assembly and the President, a bill was passed and signed into law, the Not Too Young to Run bill, to enable the young ones contest. BCO condemns peddlers of fake news on Buhari, Jibril “If I come back as President at 77, what can I do? I can’t even work properly.” He eulogised the late governor of Kaduna State for his leadership qualities and urged the younger generations to learn from his virtues. “I thank you all who have taken time to come here. I pray that all the good things that have been said and would be said about our late brother will serve as an inspiration to our upcoming leaders.”
Governor Nasir el-Rufai who claimed he was not invited by the author of the book but sent a senior counsellor, Samaila Yakawada, to represent him, said he was working hard to complete the infrastructure started by the late Yakowa. “His excellency, Mallam Nasir el-rufai was not invited by the organisers, but asked me to represent him here. He said he is working to complete infrastructures left behind by previous administrations”. Governor El-rufai announced a donation of N2 million tom launch the book.
Ekiti NUT backs prohibition of unauthorised fees in schools
ADO-EKITI—THE Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, in Ekiti State, yesterday, backed the state government over the prohibition of unauthorized fees by head teachers and principals of public schools. The union also commended the government for paying the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, registration fees for students in public secondary schools in the state.
The Chairman of NUT, Ekiti State Wing, Mr. Samuel Olugbesan, who led other executive members on a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi in his office in Ado Ekiti, explained that their visit was to open up channel of communication on ways to further improve the quality and standard of education in Ekiti. Olugbesan said: “NUT wholeheartedly supports the government position on certain issues as it concerns the running of schools in Ekiti State through Executive Order 001. It is a right step in right direction.
Why ASUU strike shouldn’t be the last option -Parents
Three weeks running and still counting, stakeholders have lamented the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, over the failure of the Federal Government to implement the agreement it entered with it. While some stakeholders are in full support of the strike, many want ASUU to seek alternatives in driving home their demands. On the other hand, students whose education has been disrupted as a result are calling on the Federal Government and ASUU to settle whatever needed to be settled and call off the strike.
Speaking on the proclivity of ASUU to embark on strikes, Mrs Helen Essien said the strike was a ploy to hamper the education of the poor. “This ASUU strike is meaningless and hurts the wrong target. The politicians’ children are either schooling abroad or settled in private universities all over Nigeria. Of what use is it disrupting the academics of the children of the same people you seek to fight for?”
ASUU strike
Mrs Essien, a legal practitioner added ” Have their strikes ever yielded anything for the students apart from payment of some backlog of lecturers’ emoluments? Let’s be truthful, is anything worth disrupting the children’s school calendar at every turn of events? No one is answering. ASUU and NUPENG are becoming birds of a feather with regard to strikes. Teachers and learners and parents who bear the burden of extra year school fees, also matter. Strike should be the last option not a first option. If this strike lasts 6 months, tell us the effect on our children. That’s the cost.”
Corroborating Mrs Essien’s concerns, Mr Oruebor Amaechi noted that ” For using strike to drive home their demands, it’s either ASUU lacks common sense or they choose to derail even their own children’s future. Few of them can even afford tuition fees of Nigerian private universities and few can afford sending their children abroad for studies, so in the end the effect of their struggle is on their own children. They should adopt another means”.
According to Ogunse Adeyemo, ”It’s a needless strike action. Check their antecedents in the past twenty years or thereabout. It has always been to achieve their personal benefits and improve their well being. There is little or no difference between them and politicians. They should reconsider their approach. Strike is not popular anymore”.
Mr Solomon wondered ” Of what importance is a school calendar without necessary teaching/learning facilities? Of what importance is a school calendar if teachers who will teach or operate the calendar are not paid? Why do we make it look as if it is only the learners that matter in a school system? Blame the government not the teachers. Refusing to pay lecturers, refusing to provide them with essential tools to teach with and yet asking them not to demand for those things by legal means is just like beating a child and asking the child not to cry. Its simply wickedness.
”Are you aware that our tertiary institutions could have become so terrible, if not for more funding for infrastructural improvement from Education Tax Fund (ETF)? This was a brainchild of ASUU and effected by government through struggle. Through it some people have been able to go for postgraduate trainings at foreign universities. The masses out there are tired of your strikes and I daresay bored. ASUU needs to convince us that this time around this strike will be the ultimate solution’, another respondent said.’
On his part, Mr Gabriel Dedeke explained ”I know there is apathy towards academia anytime they go on strike but let me tell you one of the things that ASUU struggles have achieved. It has prevented the government from suddenly jerking up school fees in our public universities. If not for ASUU, state governments who own state universities could have charged N400,000 plus and the Federal Government would have eventually done the same thing. That is what resulted in this strike, because someone in the government negotiating team, insisted that students in government universities will have to pay higher school fees which ASUU resisted .
”If this fight is not to the benefit of students and their parents, then I don’t know which will be and what is the cost of doing nothing? Why do you think they will not succeed in preventing the hike? Are you saying ASUU should sit down and look until public universities become as costly as the private ones? In fact, it is because ASUU didn’t sidon look, that a lot of people can still send their children to the university”, he said.
REV. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the spiritual director of the Adoration Catholic Prayer Ministry, in Emene, Enugu State, is in the news again. Yes, you guessed right. For the very wrong reason. Mbaka The man loves hugging the limelight with relish. He is a religious showboat who never allows any opportunity to prove that he is also a political godfather slip by. And that is the crux of the matter. The man, who like the good shepherd, should be busy taking care of his flock is busy in the political arena, throwing pebbles into already muddied political waters. He gets carried away by the appellation of “fiery priest”. He sees himself in the mould of the prophets of old – Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel. On Sunday, Mbaka upped his game, insulting President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, predicting doom for both men in the 2019 presidential polls.
Their crime? They refused to play the role scripted by the self-professed political godfather in religious robes. Fr. Mbaka turned the occasion of the 2018 harvest and bazaar of his church at his adoration ground into a forum for dispensing political favours and predictions based on the fatness of his victims’ wallets and their willingness to bequeath a significant chunk to his church. Political favours and predictions He predicted political doom for Buhari claiming that after their prayers on adoration altar made him president, he refused to do a project for his ministry. He narrated how his ministry’s prayers saved Buhari from death in 2015 and said anybody with the president’s ears should warn him that no one cheats God, ominously predicting a possible relapse if he does not show gratitude. Turning his attention to Atiku, Mbaka said if the PDP presidential candidate does not come personally to the adoration ground to execute a project, he would be disgraced. But it was his very condescending treatment to Mr. Peter Obi, the PDP vice-presidential candidate, who unlike Buhari and Atiku, was physically present at the adoration ground, that irked many.
He poured his worst venom on the former governor I will come back to that shortly. First, let me declare my Christian bona fides. I am a Catholic. After half a century in my earthly peregrination, it is too late for me to seek God outside the Catholic fold. I will die a Catholic. Like most Catholics, I didn’t become one by choice, I was born into the faith. My mother, a retired school teacher, who remains a doctrinaire Catholic, raised us to believe that priests are infallible and beyond reproach. Till date, she hardly disagrees, not to talk of criticising a priest. On the few occasions she did, she will first of all beg God for forgiveness for daring to call out an ordained man of God. She is that fervent. So, I grew up adoring priests. Though I am not half as zealous as my mother and as someone not given to the faith-induced proselytisation that rules the religious world, I still revere priests and overlook the foibles of some of them.
But Mbaka’s unprovoked attack on Obi, former Anambra State governor, a Catholic, who graced the occasion despite his very tight political schedules was way outside the bounds of acceptable behaviour. The language Mbaka used was beyond the pale. “If Atiku continued on the same trajectory, he and his running mate would end in shame,” Mbaka told his highly embarrassed guest, haranguing him for not doing anything for his church, after warning him of the consequences of being stingy. Obi’s crime was that he refused to be inveigled into publicly announcing his donation at the bazaar. Rather than assuaging him, Obi’s promise that he would get back to the church and let them know how he would help make an enraged Mbaka fly off the handle. “You can be promising and doing for them in Anambra in your capacity and what God has done for you as governor, God hates stinginess. What I am saying is not to please you, but what will save your life. Otherwise, you and Atiku will fail,” he scolded the former governor. “Governors of Ebonyi and Enugu made donations without announcing at the altar, your own is taking time, the way you and Atiku are moving will end in shame,” he ranted.
Mbaka’s behaviour was not only disgraceful but disgusting. This is not the way of priests of the Catholic Church I know. What saved the day was that Obi, whose younger brother is a priest and elder sister a nun, was very dignified all through what must have been a very harrowing experience. He kept a straight face and even smiled. It was good that he did not succumb to the blackmail of this man in cassock. But many questions have concentrated my mind since I watched the video of the priest’s disgraceful tantrum. What did Mbaka actually think he was doing? Speaking truth to power? Did he think his outburst was a proof of his fearlessness? How can a Catholic priest descend so low to extort money publicly from politicians in return for favourable prophesies? Is it true he made Buhari president in 2015? How? Fr. Mbaka thinks he is smart. That is why he would fix his ministry’s harvest and bazaar, invite all manner of politicians seeking public office – Christians and Muslims – and put them on the spot. Truth be told, the priest has no right to do what he did to Obi on Sunday. He does not enjoy the privilege of ex-cathedra whether on matters of faith and morals or even politics. His pronouncements are slanderous and priests are warned seriously against slander.
Decorum and reticence are the hallmarks of priesthood. When did the apostolic tradition of self-denial become an anathema? No priest should use the pulpit of the altar or even the singular privilege of being a priest to bully, blackmail and insult others to achieve selfish ends. Blackmailing people to make generous donations willy-nilly in exchange for conjured prophesies is fraud. God can never be burlesqued. Mbaka is behaving like the Nza bird in Igbo folklore that overfed itself and challenged its personal god (Chi) to a duel. He is beginning to take himself too seriously. He has become arrogant, proud and cocky. He must watch it. He claims to be Nigeria’s ultimate political kingmaker. Politicians who go on pilgrimage to his adoration centre feed this monstrous self-importance ego.
I WAS recently interviewed by the Financial Times and quoted in its special feature on Nigeria as saying that restructuring “is the defining issue in Nigerian politics” and that “if it is not done, it will never go away”. I have long held that view. In my maiden article for this column, I concluded that:”Without restructuring this country, it will remain on a treadmill, stuck perpetually in the poverty and fragility traps!” Truth is, Nigeria is dysfunctional, deeply divided, with strong schismatic tendencies. It’s a country sitting on a ticking time bomb.
But why is Nigeria in such a dire state? Some blame leadership, some followership. Both are right. But, in truth, this country’s problems are more structural. They stem from its birth defects– the way it was “cobbled together”– and its flawed governance structure. As everyone knows, centuries before Nigeria was created, the different nationalities – the Yoruba, the Igbo, the Hausa/Fulani etc – had lived in their territories, almost independent of one another, each with a distinct history, culture and language. But in the mid-1880s, George Goldie, a buccaneering British businessman came with his “Maxim guns” and beat the different nationalities into total surrender.
Nigeria- map
Having defeated them, he constituted their territories into the Northern and Southern Protectorates. Goldie ran these protectorates until 1900 when he handed them over to the British government. Fredrick Lugard then took over the two protectorates and, in 1914, merged them together to form one country and called it Nigeria! Of course, neither Nigeria’s creation nor its name resulted from negotiations with, or explicit consent of, the nationalities that now form the country.
Each of the nationalities could easily have been an independent country. Had the British wanted, they could have constituted the Yoruba, the Igbo, the Hausa/Fulani, the Middle Belt and the Niger Delta into independent nations. But they did not. They wanted Nigeria to be a regional power, according a colonial official. Fair enough! But here’s the rub. If you want to keep different nationalities, each with a strong national pride, together in one country, you must make sure they enjoy equal status and feel the fullest autonomy of nationhood within a federal structure. As I told the Financial Times, “the idea you can have a federal structure with a very powerful centre and weak regions is a non-starter”.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nigeria’s pre-eminent federalist, wrote in The People’s Republic, published in 1968, that every multilingual or multi-national country “must either have a federal constitution, disintegrate or be perennially afflicted with disharmony and instability.” He said he came to that view after studying the constitutions of virtually all countries in the world. Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, offered a similar view a few years ago when he said: “From my over 30 years’ experience of governance in over 50 Commonwealth countries, I believe that, given its history and pluralistic character, a truer federalism is a sine qua non for Nigeria’s achievement of its development potentials and enduring political stability”.
The British themselves recognised that reality. For instance, they withdrew the Macpherson Constitution of 1951 because it overcentralised governance in Nigeria, and created the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954, which shifted power from the centre to the regions. The 1963 Constitution devolved even more power to the regions, enabling strong and effective regional governments. Then, of course, as we all know, the military came and reversed everything, creating a powerful centre and weak sub-national units.
Of course, Chief Awolowo was right. Any multinational country that is not based on a true federal structure would either disintegrate or be perennially afflicted with disharmony and instability. Which is why most multilingual or multinational states – India, Canada, Australia, South Africa, etc – have strong regional or provincial governments. But Nigeria’s centralised political system turns its sub-national units into vassals of a super-powerful federal government and fails to ensure that the different nationalities enjoy equal status and fair material treatment. Is it any surprise, therefore, that Nigeria is perennially afflicted with disharmony and instability?
Some say, blithely, that God created Nigeria. Fine! But no nation was more God’s creation than Israel. Yet, it split into two – Israel and Judah – because of disunity. Think of modern examples of God-created countries that disintegrated. Truth is, any union of nations must be perfected. Restructuring will perfect Nigeria’s imperfect union.
But restructuring Nigeria isn’t just about stability and unity. It’s also about administrative consolidation and economic efficiency. Surely, Nigeria cannot afford the multiplicity of government administrative structures, with a behemothic federal government and 36 state governments. Furthermore, the logic of economic efficiency, economies of scale and competitive federalismsupportsrationalising governance in Nigeria. The weak state structure should be replaced with fewer but strong regional governments.
Given the political, administrative and economic imperatives, I believe that Nigeria should return to regionalism. As I told the Financial Times, Nigeria should build on the current six geopolitical zones, create between eight and 12 regional governments from them and devolve considerable powers to the regions.
Nigeria can’t be stable or prosper without restructuring, without an enduring political settlement. It’s an imperative and the issue won’t go away!
I WAS recently interviewed by the Financial Times and quoted in its special feature on Nigeria as saying that restructuring “is the defining issue in Nigerian politics” and that “if it is not done, it will never go away”. I have long held that view. In my maiden article for this column, I concluded that:”Without restructuring this country, it will remain on a treadmill, stuck perpetually in the poverty and fragility traps!” Truth is, Nigeria is dysfunctional, deeply divided, with strong schismatic tendencies. It’s a country sitting on a ticking time bomb.
But why is Nigeria in such a dire state? Some blame leadership, some followership. Both are right. But, in truth, this country’s problems are more structural. They stem from its birth defects– the way it was “cobbled together”– and its flawed governance structure. As everyone knows, centuries before Nigeria was created, the different nationalities – the Yoruba, the Igbo, the Hausa/Fulani etc – had lived in their territories, almost independent of one another, each with a distinct history, culture and language. But in the mid-1880s, George Goldie, a buccaneering British businessman came with his “Maxim guns” and beat the different nationalities into total surrender.
Nigeria- map
Having defeated them, he constituted their territories into the Northern and Southern Protectorates. Goldie ran these protectorates until 1900 when he handed them over to the British government. Fredrick Lugard then took over the two protectorates and, in 1914, merged them together to form one country and called it Nigeria! Of course, neither Nigeria’s creation nor its name resulted from negotiations with, or explicit consent of, the nationalities that now form the country.
Each of the nationalities could easily have been an independent country. Had the British wanted, they could have constituted the Yoruba, the Igbo, the Hausa/Fulani, the Middle Belt and the Niger Delta into independent nations. But they did not. They wanted Nigeria to be a regional power, according a colonial official. Fair enough! But here’s the rub. If you want to keep different nationalities, each with a strong national pride, together in one country, you must make sure they enjoy equal status and feel the fullest autonomy of nationhood within a federal structure. As I told the Financial Times, “the idea you can have a federal structure with a very powerful centre and weak regions is a non-starter”.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nigeria’s pre-eminent federalist, wrote in The People’s Republic, published in 1968, that every multilingual or multi-national country “must either have a federal constitution, disintegrate or be perennially afflicted with disharmony and instability.” He said he came to that view after studying the constitutions of virtually all countries in the world. Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, offered a similar view a few years ago when he said: “From my over 30 years’ experience of governance in over 50 Commonwealth countries, I believe that, given its history and pluralistic character, a truer federalism is a sine qua non for Nigeria’s achievement of its development potentials and enduring political stability”.
The British themselves recognised that reality. For instance, they withdrew the Macpherson Constitution of 1951 because it overcentralised governance in Nigeria, and created the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954, which shifted power from the centre to the regions. The 1963 Constitution devolved even more power to the regions, enabling strong and effective regional governments. Then, of course, as we all know, the military came and reversed everything, creating a powerful centre and weak sub-national units.
Of course, Chief Awolowo was right. Any multinational country that is not based on a true federal structure would either disintegrate or be perennially afflicted with disharmony and instability. Which is why most multilingual or multinational states – India, Canada, Australia, South Africa, etc – have strong regional or provincial governments. But Nigeria’s centralised political system turns its sub-national units into vassals of a super-powerful federal government and fails to ensure that the different nationalities enjoy equal status and fair material treatment. Is it any surprise, therefore, that Nigeria is perennially afflicted with disharmony and instability?
Some say, blithely, that God created Nigeria. Fine! But no nation was more God’s creation than Israel. Yet, it split into two – Israel and Judah – because of disunity. Think of modern examples of God-created countries that disintegrated. Truth is, any union of nations must be perfected. Restructuring will perfect Nigeria’s imperfect union.
But restructuring Nigeria isn’t just about stability and unity. It’s also about administrative consolidation and economic efficiency. Surely, Nigeria cannot afford the multiplicity of government administrative structures, with a behemothic federal government and 36 state governments. Furthermore, the logic of economic efficiency, economies of scale and competitive federalismsupportsrationalising governance in Nigeria. The weak state structure should be replaced with fewer but strong regional governments.
Given the political, administrative and economic imperatives, I believe that Nigeria should return to regionalism. As I told the Financial Times, Nigeria should build on the current six geopolitical zones, create between eight and 12 regional governments from them and devolve considerable powers to the regions.
Nigeria can’t be stable or prosper without restructuring, without an enduring political settlement. It’s an imperative and the issue won’t go away!
2 powerful people frustrate Buhari’s efforts to perform – Aisha
ABUJA – WIFE of the President, Dr. Aisha Buhari, Wedneday lamented that two powerful personalities have constituted themselves as a cog in the wheel of speedy development of the country Buhari, who spoke at a conference organized by Project 4+4 in Abuja, however, did not mention the names of the powerful persons. The event was also attended by the wife of the Vice President Dolapo Osinbajo. Aisha Buhari The First Lady explained that the government had achieved a lot but could have achieved more or even achieved all it had in one year but for two people in government who will never allow things to move fast. The President’s wife said that she was disappointed in men who rather than fight these two men will go to them in the night begging for favour. Accoding to persecondnews.com Mrs.
Buhari, who urged Nigerian women to rise and fight, said: ”I have realized that Senator Babafemi Ojodu, Special Adviser, political, to the President, and Dr. Hajo Sani, and wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Osinbajo, are not comfortable with my saying this and want me to confine myself to my prepared speech but we must say the truth.” The President’s wife insisted that the powerful duo were retrogressive elements preventing the government from moving forward. APC reconciles aggrieved factions in Kwara The First Lady, known for her frank talk when it comes to issues concerning her husband’s administration, had in October 2016, told the BBC in an interview, that her husband was being held hostage by a cabal. “The president does not know 45 out of 50, for example, of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years. “Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position,” she had said.
The First Lady had also threatened not to vote for Buhari, saying “he is yet to tell me, but I have decided as his wife, that if things continue like this up to 2019, I will not go out and campaign again and ask any woman to vote like I did before. I will never do it again”. Also, Mrs. Buhari, on Monday, October 9, 2017, condemned the management of Aso Rock clinic, adding that the health center didn’t have the facilities to treat patients. According to her, she had to visit a private clinic after she found out the Aso Rock clinic’s X-Ray machine was not working. In her outburst on the APC primaries, she said: “It is disheartening to note that some aspirants used their hard earned money to purchase nomination forms, got screened, cleared and campaigned vigorously yet found their names omitted on Election Day, these forms were bought at exorbitant prices. Irregular Migration: Edo Govt, EU say “Coordination Matrix’’ a step in right direction ”Many others contested and yet had their result delayed. Fully knowing that AUTOMATIC tickets have been given to other people. ”All Progressives Congress being a party which cardinal principle is change and headed by a comrade/ activist whose main concern is for the common man, yet, such impunity could take place under its watch.
Meanwhile, Mrs Aisha Buhari had earlier appealed to women to ensure the return of the, All Progressives Congress, APC, administration in 2019. She observed that during the last election, women participated fully in the voting process and ensured that APC was elected. According to her, that is why the government of President Buhari came up with social investment programmes targeted at them and their children in order to engage them and reduce the level of poverty among them. The First Lady in a statement by her Director of Information, Suleiman Haruna called on them to spread the good news of the accomplishments of this administration. She said women had been at the receiving end of the struggles of men, especially soldiers who had been fighting insurgency and called on government to ensure speedy release of their entitlements, so their families do not suffer. She commended the political group for organizing the Summit and setting the tone for other Buhari support groups as 2019 election campaign period opens. Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, speaking at the event, commended women for providing a permanent support base for the APC and said they remain ambassadors of the party wherever they find themselves. She called on them to continue to support the party, saying continuation of the party in 2019 meant a better Nigeria for them and their children.
ABUJA-The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has boasted that votes from the South West region of Nigeria belong to it.
It also said that its South West Presidential Zonal rally scheduled for Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, today will enable it deepen consultation with leaders of the zone in the consensus to dislodge the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2019 general elections. The PDP Presidential campaign Organization, PPCO, in a statement signed by the Director, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Wednesday, said the geo-political zone is too sophisticated and educationally exposed to allow “certificate forgers, incompetent leaders and fraudulent elements to brazenly continue to sit over their affairs, especially with arrogant show of disdain and official intimidation.”
The statement read: “The South West Presidential Zonal rally is another major step in galvanizing the people of the zone in their long-standing aspiration to rally with a new President to liberate their political and economic fortunes from the stranglehold of APC’s oppressive and exploitative oligarchy. “The PPCO notes that the South West zone has already embraced its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, because of his proven capacity, transparency and all-inclusive stance, which the region requires to move forward and realize its full potentials that have been retarded by the Muhammadu Buhari incompetent, oppressive, corrupt and divisive administration. “The South West holds a leading position in many critical sectors and will no longer allow a modern day expansionist to continue to sequester and dominate the economy of the people, while making maximum enrichment for himself and a few acolytes at the detriment of majority of the citizenry.
“This APC expansionist and his cronies have looted the resources of the South West and made life miserable for the people through forceful territorial occupation, direct stealing of public funds, annexing of public property and income generating institutions; multiple taxation, which proceeds are directed to private purses, as well as harsh financial regulations, which have crippled many businesses, particularly in the Southwest. “The South West people are very resourceful, industrious and creative group and can therefore not thrive under a lack lustre, visionless, inept and corrupt Buhari administration.” The council cautioned the people not to get carried away by the stipends being given to traders by the APC barely few months to the general elections.
“Curiously, the administration is now trying to turn the people into beggars by mischievously diverting trillions of naira from the social benefit funds appropriated by the National Assembly while handing out a miserable N10,000 to traders, instead of giving them their due benefits from the scheme. “The people of the South-west have therefore collectively agreed that their liberation time could not have come at a better time than this when the entire nation is rallying behind our candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the all-inclusive mission to rescue our nation from the shackles of President Buhari’s misrule and return her to good governance, national cohesion and economic prosperity, ” it added.
Ex-governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose was involved in an auto accident at Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
Mr. Lere Olayinka his media aide disclosed this via tweeter on Wednesday. His words, “Immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose was involved in auto accident on 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos few minutes ago. He is in stable condition as I write while he is receiving medical attention.
Ailing journalist detained 30 days in hospital over unpaid bills
Mr. Chibuike Osuji, a journalist with The Source Magazine, is being detained at a private hospital on Ijesha road, Lagos, over his inability to pay the hospital bills.
As at yesterday, Osuji, had spent one month at Funto hospital. His ailment which started as ulcer, during which it was discovered he was bleeding internally, has defiled all medical treatment at Funto hospital, where he was rushed to on three occasions. Mothers’agony: We were shocked to learn our children have diabetes He has therefore, appealed to Nigerians to assist him financially in order to get adequate treatment either in the country or outside. He lamented that he had spent close to one Million naira, through borrowing and support from crime reporters and friends, without getting well. Osuji who looked a shadow of his old self is unable to walk without the aid of crutches. Speaking with some Crime Reporters during a visit at the hospital, a pale looking Osuji explained that ” it started as a mere malaria and typhoid fever and I was treated. Later, I was diagnosed of chronic Ulcer. I became weak and my stool was dark. Doctors discovered blood dripping inside my system. By the time they checked my blood level, it had dropped to 12%. The more they transfused blood in me, the more it kept dripping out. They managed to stop the flow and I was discharged in August. But three weeks after I was discharged, I was brought back unconscious because I fell down when going to check on my power generating set. In the process, I had a deep cut on the head which led to another drop in my blood count. Reps to stop Health Ministry from importing, distributing equipment to hospitals ” This time around, the hospital conducted another test on me and gave me a referral letter to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), for a PSA scan and other tests to ascertain the real cause of the problem. “But I can not go because I have exhausted my money and all avenue to raise funds is impossible because I have been confined here due to my inability to pay for the accumulated bills. Though I am still undergoing treatment here but the pace has dropped because the more they treatment, the more the bill accumulates”. The ailing prolific writer therefore urged Nigerians to come to his rescue through donations that would enable him clear the outstanding medical bills at Funto hospital, conduct the required comprehensive test at LUTH and treat himself. Osuji can be reached on 08035569661, while donations can be made into his account: 6237381300 , Fidelity Bank.
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