THE scenario has various strands of familiarity. I mean the military coup of Wednesday, August 30, 2023 that removed Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba. An elected African dictator in a well-fortified Presidential Palace finds his palace has become his prison. It is like the fish realising that the water it is swimming in is boiling. The Praetorian Guards who swore an oath to defend him even if it means losing their lives, are the same arrow head of the coup. The coup leader is, of course, the Head of the Presidential Republican Guard who only yesterday saluted the President, and today, he is the Head of State with the President as his Prisoner-in-Chief.

 The new Head of State, His Excellency, General Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema, is of course the cousin of the deposed President. Former President Bongo and his late father, Omar Bongo, had ruled the country for 56 years, now his cousin takes over to continue the extended family line. Meanwhile, the masses who are impoverished in a country so rich, take to the streets in celebration of Bongo’s ouster. In fact, their newest boss is carried on the streets being tossed into the air. One dictator goes, another comes; heads of state come and go, but the Presidential Palace remains to welcome its latest tenant.

It is difficult at this time to say why the coup was executed, but suffice it to say, Bongo, who is now wailing in his presidential prison, is sick, has had at least a stroke which makes it difficult for him to even stand, has obviously over-stayed his welcome in office, and is a serial election rigger. It is inconceivable that a man who claims to have secured 64.27 per cent of the votes on the eve of the coup, has nobody to stand up for him. So rather than appeal to the two thirds of the nation’s voters who allegedly gave him a renewed seven-year presidential mandate, he appeals to his foreign friends to make loud “noise” on his behalf.

Macias Nguema had ruled the country without any challenge by declaring he is God. In 1993, Mbasogo also declared himself as God. Then in July 2003, about a quarter of a century after his coup, state radio informed the populace that President Mbasogo was now the “country’s God…with all power over men and things”. You will consider this lunacy, but there are many African leaders that are on the verge of lunacy otherwise, how can a man steal so much like Mobutu Seseseko did in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bongo in Gabon, that people wonder who was richer, the President or the country?

The reaction of the international community was also predictable: condemnation of the coup. The European Union went further to say its foreign ministers meeting Spain would discuss the Gabonese coup and a similar one on July 26, in Niger to fashion out a response. What exactly is their business?  This is the same club whose members colonised Africa, are exploiting it, making development virtually impossible, and coups on the continent, attractive.

The African Union, AU, which like most of Europe refused to condemn the coup in Chad, has condemned the one in Gabon. Perhaps what the AU and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, need to do is not so much to bemoan the spate of military coups in Africa which include those of Egypt, Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, Niger and now, Gabon, but to take steps to stop new ones. First, it will be wishful thinking that there would be no new coups on the continent, and it will be myopic not to see that some countries may be ripe for coups.  Who would be surprised if a coup uproots Cameroun’s Paul Biya who has been in power for 41 years, is visibly sick, would not allow open elections, represses opposition, throws perceived enemies into prison and is grossly incompetent as a leader?

I will not be surprised if a coup removes Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire who was imposed as President by the bayonets of French soldiers on December 4, 2010. After the constitutional two terms in office, he changed the constitution to give  himself a third term, killed dozens of his countrymen who protested his coup against the country’s constitution, and awarded himself 94 per cent of the October 2020 votes. I will not be shocked  if Oatara’s side- kick, Macky Sall of Senegal who was forced to back down from attempts to impose himself as the unconstitutional third term President only after shedding the blood of the innocent, leads his country to the  coup path. If this were to happen, a main regret I will have is that Senegal, the only country in West Africa that has never been ruled by the military, would have joined the coup circle. 

We may shout against coups, but democracy would be unsustainable if it does not translate to dividends for the people and does not lead to development. It is only if it does, and the people can assert their sovereignty over all powers, that the citizenry would be willing to defend democracy if it comes under attack. To me, the main challenge the AU has is to re-assess a system of democracy which emphasises elections that are almost always flawed, in which the winner takes all, the poor is repressed, minorities are grinded into the dust and the people have no power or sovereignty over those in government. Serious peoples have their own system of democracy that takes into consideration their culture and tradition, peculiarities and interests. 

We need a democratic system in which the power of the state cannot subjugate the power of the people. We need to work out and build an African Democracy just as Europeans and their North American  first cousins established Western Democracy and the Chinese conceptualised their democracy or socialism with “Chinese characteristics”. We should not forget the 1962 admonition of President John Fitzgerald  Kennedy that: “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”

—Says his economic reforms ‘re anchored on ease of business, collaboration

As Nigerians continue to witness economic hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday assured that with patience and determination, he will succeed.

The President said the “bitter pill” must be administered to an ailing nation and economy to build a better future for the country.

Speaking with members of the Board and Management of the Nigeria Economic Support Group, NESG, in Abuja President Tinubu reaffirmed his support for a robust public-private sector partnership to grow the economy, saying that his administration’s sustained, bold and coordinated reforms are anchored on a “strong adherence to accountability and transparency.”

The President reiterated his unequivocal resolve to fully implement the eight priority reform areas under the Renewed Hope Agenda within the next three years.

He emphasized that Nigeria is blessed with rich human and natural resources, in addition to deficit opportunities, which can quickly be leveraged into new prosperity, calling for the urgent exploitation of Nigeria’s diversity for collective gain, with an eye on new think tanks in the agricultural sector and the establishment of a commodity exchange.

According to him, “We have gone through the past. I will not look back. The focus of my horse and my race remains forward-looking. We have an abundance of knowledge and untapped mineral resources, and an agricultural sector that is God-given, but we tend to shy away from taking those gigantic steps that will result in prosperity for our people. We are not exploiting our diversity for prosperity, we are at each other’s throats, arguing about unnecessary things, instead of thinking and doing for our people. “

The President noted that he was elected on a “no excuses” platform for renewed hope and that he will not accept excuses from anyone in his government as they set out to deliver on his agenda.

“Looking backwards is retrogressive for any reformer. Looking forward can give you the leaps that will propel you in the right direction. We need think tanks in the agricultural sector. I don’t see why Nigeria will be so blessed with good soil and not have a commodity exchange. I don’t see why we have not been able to interrogate our real estate sector and propel it.

“I don’t see why we have not used consumer credit to build the purchasing power of our people and the capacity of our very own manufacturing sector,” the President assessed.

While commending the NESG for believing in the reforms of his administration, the President said the “bitter pill” must be administered to an ailing nation and economy to build a better future for the country.

“I am here and I believe we can do it together. No single person succeeds alone. The world is dynamic. We are confronted with climate change and other challenges, but somewhere in the eye of the storm, there is a quiet and peaceful corner for those who can toil well. With patience and determination, we will succeed,” the President assured.

The Chairman of NESG, Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf, welcomed the economic reforms announced by the Tinubu administration, specifically with respect to fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange rate harmonization, food security and palliatives to sub-national governments.

The NESG Chairman pledged that the NESG would work with the newly inaugurated cabinet to achieve the eight-point agenda of the administration.

“Your track record in the effective implementation of bold economic reforms as the Governor of Lagos leaves those of us in the private sector without doubt that you will achieve much greater feats as our nation’s president,” the NESG Chairman confided.

He used the occasion of the courtesy visit to formally request the President to declare open the NESG Summit in October, as well as to direct Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to partner with them and participate fully at the Summit as part of efforts to ramp up local and foreign direct investment in Nigeria.

Norway on Thursday announced it was closing its embassy in Mali, citing the “security situation” that developed after the ruling junta ordered out foreign troops helping it fight jihadists.

“The decision to close the embassy in Bamako was taken following an assessment of whether it is possible to safeguard Norwegian interests in Mali given the security situation in the country,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

“Since the two military coups in 2020 and 2021, the political situation in Mali has been volatile.

“The military-led transitional government has terminated its security cooperation with France and the UN. When the UN mission ends, it will become more difficult to maintain normal diplomatic activity in the country.”

France, Mali’s former colonial power and ally in the jihadist struggle, fell out with the junta after it wove close ties with the Kremlin, bringing in paramilitaries that Paris says are Wagner mercenaries.

The 13,000-member UN peacekeeping force MINUSMA, which first deployed to Mali in 2013, is to leave the country by the end of the year at the junta’s request.

Norway’s embassy in Bamako also represents the country’s interests in Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger and Chad.

The ministry said it was looking at options for how to replace the embassy’s role and provide substitute services during the closure.

The junta has promised to restore civilian rule after free elections that it says will be held by February 2024.

The embassy closure does not affect Norway’s aid to the Sahel, which last year amounted to more than $100 million, the ministry said.

By September 26, the Nigerian Senate, headed by Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, will resume the real business of legislation and lawmaking that would signpost what to expect in the first four years of the Tinubu administration. Before the Senate went on their last recess from plenary proceedings, it was pre-occupied with the screening of those who will synthesise and crystallise the policy direction of the country- the Ministers of the Federal Republic.

Forty-eight ministers were nominated for legislative scrutiny, but only forty-five got the nod to be sworn in as President Tinubu’s wise men and women. On Monday, August 28, the inaugural Federal Executive Council meeting held to set the tone for a constructive take-off of government, in line with the expectations of the people. President Tinubu unveiled his eight point agenda, which in his own estimation, will deepen governance, enhance livelihood, and also help in pursuing some major targets to cushion the present economic hardship in the country. His eight point agenda, part of which are rule of law, anti-corruption, economic growth, food security and job creation, are expected to breathe new life into the country, according to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. These beautiful and laudable agenda albeit, require legislative support to generate the needed impetus in the course of implementation.  

Rule of law for example, deserves further interrogation; both in theory and practice; and the greater need to deepen this agendum will boost investors confidence in our economy. Many times, our laws are not respected: There are many judgments and court verdicts that have still not been enforced. Many times these judgments are ridiculed with the orgy of a stay of execution, which  lingers on for such a long time that it then kills the morale of the litigant who is in search of justice. The legislature therefore, as a matter of necessity, should deliberately and consciously enact laws that would help the average investor get justice in the event of a disagreement, without going through an almost unending circus route. The slow administration of justice in Nigeria and its seeming never ending span of litigations, are inimical to a clear cut effort at changing the narrative, in our shared commitment to lifting the country from its present economic setbacks. Also, some of our laws need retooling, to suit the contemporary age; artificial intelligence, emotional Intelligence, and the digital economy are becoming handy attractions the world over. We must reform our legal system to accommodate these, and other new dynamics in the adjudication of justice. The National Assembly must therefore be intelligent in dealing with this agendum, so as to be proactive in its thought-process in trying to inject new laws into our body of laws. The Senate President, who is a lawyer, can deploy his legal background to stimulating public discourse that would help define new paradigms in our collective effort to improving on what presently obtains.  

It is not in doubt that the three arms of government must, as a matter of essence, build and sustain synergies that would show a new and robust symbiotic relationship  anchored on cooperation, solidarity, and mutuality. They must see a greater need for an even-handed approach, even in facing contending issues and challenges; serving with a deeper sense of patriotism and nationalism, to build confederal cohesion in order to eliminate the current polarisation and apathy across the country. Tempers are high currently, because of the hardship in the land, occasioned by existential threats; and this cannot be left to linger for too long. The poverty level and its pain is excruciating; serving as a constant reminder that all is not well. The unemployment rate, a worrisome index tells of this pain. The legislature must therefore think outside the box by provoking a public spirited discourse that would yield ground for therapeutic laws and legislations to heal the wounds in the land. The current perception of the National Assembly as a drain pipe, is borne out of the parlous state of affairs in the country.

 Under a presidential system of government, those bogus and seemingly large coterie of aides are understandably and instructively desirable, but a clearer explanation of the actions of the legislature is required, to get the buy-in of the citizenry. The needless hoopla which the two million naira allowance to the senator has generated would have been avoided if the people clearly understood how expensive a presidential system of government is, and that allowances paid to lawmakers are statutory incentives captured in the laws. The salaries and wages of lawmakers are defined and fixed by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) having factored in all the variables and templates to that effect. 

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has not at all done badly in his first two months of presiding over the Senate. The seamless screening of the ministers lends credence to Akpabio’s understanding of party loyalty and the executive and legislative cooperation that is needed to foster its constructive  and pragmatic engagement. The 45 ministers cleared have since been sworn-in, and the President has given a marching order to them to generate ideas, create initiatives and open new vista of opportunities that would be supportive of the concerted efforts at rescuing the country from its present doldrums. As I have said publicly before, it still bears repeating that all hands must be on deck to get the ship of state sailing in the right direction for the benefit of a greater majority of Nigerians. Things like the issue of tax reforms is very important. The tax laws deserve some examination to bring them up to speed with government’s goal of making tax payment flexible and revenue-driven, while blocking short-cuts and sharp practices.

In Kaduna State, tax payment is effectively conducted using a single code system. Such a unified approach to tax payment helps to check the negotiated and dubious transactions by the tax officers. The Tax Reform Committee set up by government is already making effort in that direction; but they also need to collaborate with the National Assembly to alter the existing laws to accommodate new approaches to tax payment. 

It is good news to hear government talk about its planned collaboration with the National Assembly, and the Senate President talking about cooperation with the Executive Arm of government, to drive lofty initiatives that would impact meaningfully on the wellbeing of our people. Indeed, the three arms of government should come up with reforms that would strengthen the governance structure, and design a new work culture and ethics that would stimulate genuine and enthusiastic involvement in service and governance. Such reforms and synergies would help each arm create a buffer zone where ideas could be distilled and cross pollinated. It is hoped that the Senate under Godswill Akpabio, would see the bigger picture of a country in these challenging times, rise to the occasion in a more holistic manner; without dishonesty and dubiety, for the benefit of us all today, and for posterity. Lawmaking is not just a healthy process of generating rules and regulations for the good governance of the country, it is an indulgence that is at the heart of responsible governance with knack for justice, rule of law and for the good of ALL the people. Every healthy society encourages her citizens through national orientation and attitudinal renewal to participate fully in how they are governed. By Deepening democracy, the rule of law and due process are also strengthened. The National Assembly should encourage serious advocacy in synthesising legislations and its enactments for citizens buy-in. An informed society, understanding the rationale for government’s decisions, is usually ready to show cooperation in its implementation mechanism. 

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has shown a remarkable understanding of what the issues are, and his conduct thus far has shown the shape of things to come. His interventions show a mastery of legislative procedure in the way and manner befitting of his office. Cheerful, constructive; yet soft, able to lighten the burden of work with regular quips, all make Akpabio a delight anyday. His loyalty to the Nigerian state is not at all in doubt, and his respect for the Tinubu-led presidency is palpable. We need him to take discussions further though; he needs to use his talents to win back the confidence of the public and to eliminate the perception of the National Assembly being a rubber stamp. The previous Senate, under Senator Ahmed Lawan, was seen as more of a see-no-evil, do-no-evil, kind of institution. It was a dogmatic Senate that was given to the whims of former President Buhari. That Senate never saw anything wrong with Buhari or his ways. We heard that President Tinubu, during the inaugural meeting of the Federal Executive Council, told the ministers that he is open to correction, and is ready to learn more from any one who has a superior or different argument or position from his. That declaration has opened a window for more legislative interrogation of governmental policies without being adversarial. A critical examination of scenarios and issues will yield ground for enriching the governance process. The Senate must lead the chart in this aspect to win back the hearts of the citizenry. 

Finally, the public believe that the financial transactions in the National Assembly are opaque; the reason why soundbites of anything associated with finances, are often temper-raising. Senator Akpabio has already set the tone on the path of transparency, by publicly declaring that the senators should expect their allowances which are statutorily guaranteed. This, some of the senators didn’t like. Openness and transparency are some of the ingredients needed to win public confidence, and is a veritable tool for injecting a new thought process into the lawmaking business. Lawmaking anywhere in the world is no tea party. The job is tasking and it is expected and welcome that the Assembly members will be remunerated; but people want to know. We know that taking action on bills, resolutions, amendments, motions, nominations, and dealing with lobbyists are all quite tasking; doing this job is how the members distinguish themselves. This Senate must show that its members are worth their salt and run away from the rubber stamp perception currently being held. As the Senate prepares to resume, a brand new “uncommon” transformation is expected, a typical Akpabio’s utility-driven leadership that will rally round the country for optimum service delivery. We need something “different”, something profound, in line with Akpabio’s record of performance.

Afegbua is a former Commissioner for Information, Edo State

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Joint Task Force Team have impounded over 400 commercial motorcycles for traffic violations in the Federal Capital City (FCC).

The seizure followed the combing of strategic spots that the okada operators use as their routes for operations, like Kpaduma II, Asokoro extension, Galadimawa by Primary School, Gudu market, Kabusa junction, and Apo mechanic.

Speaking before crushing of the impounded motorcycles at Area 1, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Garba Haruna said the exercise was a sign that the law on the okada ban was still enforced.

“FCT residents are aware that motorcycles had been banned from entering the Federal Capital City since 2006, crushing of the okada is to show a signal that the city centre is not an area for them to operate.

“There are designated areas for them to operate, that is the suburbs of FCT, so the recalcitrant type will learn from this exercise. We don’t want to see any motorcycles in the city centre,” Haruna said.

On his part, the Director FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Abdulateef Bello said the new Minister of FC, Nyesom Wike has given the Directorate a marching order to ensure commercial motorcyclists and Keke NAPEP operators are taken off Abuja roads.

He explained that even though the DRTS has been working hard to sustain the ban on okada riders within Abuja metropolis since it was put in place in 2006, the recalcitrant operators keep returning to the roads.

According to him, the Administration had declared zero tolerance for illegal activities and would ensure the effort is sustained under the new administration.

The Nigerian Army says bandits and some other criminals operating in the North West and North Central regions of the country are adopting some of the tactics being used by terrorists to wreck havoc in the country.

It said it was evident in their usage of the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which were aimed at sending shivers down the spines of law-abiding citizens, insisting that all their tactics would be deplored no matter how hard they try.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, stated this at Army Headquarters, Abuja on Thursday while receiving the Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov.

The Army Chief, however, said the service was ready to collaborate with the organisation to restore peace to troubled parts of the country, saying both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches would be employed to end the adversaries.

The senior military officer specifically sought the support of the UN and other organs of the organisation on the deradicalisation programme for the repentant terrorists.

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov promised that his organisation would build Nigeria’s capacity to detect, investigate and prosecute terrorism-related offences.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has given reasons why he believes it is impossible for President Bola Tinubu to lose at the election petition tribunal.

Wike who supported Tinubu who was the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 presidential election said he believes God supports what they did during the election and won’t turn against them.

He added that the lawyers are also doing their work at the tribunal and he believes the outcome will not be against President Tinubu.

Naija News reports the former Rivers State Governor made the submission during an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday.

Also during the interview, Wike maintained that he and others with him did the right thing in not supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the presidential election, Atiku Abubakar.

He reiterated that they did what they did in the interest of justice and fairness.

According to Wike, it is regrettable that Atiku refused to acknowledge he made a mistake and seek forgiveness before and after the elections.

Four former presidential candidates in the 2023 general elections have pleaded with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to include them in his ‘Government of National Competence’.

Naija News reports that the opposition presidential candidates met with the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, on Thursday, begging for inclusion in the administration of President Tinubu.

Some of the presidential candidates who met with Ganduje at the National Secretariat of the party included those of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Action Democratic Party (ADP), National Rescue Movement )NRM) Action Peoples Party, APP, among others.

The presidential candidate of NRM, Felix Osakwe, who spoke on behalf of the Forum of Concerned Presidential Candidates, said they are for the peace and development of Nigeria, hence their refusal to challenge Tinubu’s victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).

Recall that Tinubu, before his swearing-in as President, called for a Government of National Unity and would go beyond that to establish a ‘Government of National Competence’.