Oil marketers have projected that the pump price of petrol could rise above N700 per litre in Northern Nigeria starting from July.

The National Controller Operations, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mike Osatuyi, told The PUNCH on Wednesday that prices could rise to above N700 in the north once independent marketers start importing products from July.

He said while those living in the northern states could pay as much as N700 and above for one litre of petrol, those outside Lagos should expect to pay around N610, as residents in Lagos would pay about N600 per litre.

“What I am seeing is around N600 and above, depending on the exchange rate, the current crude price at the international market and the landing cost. Those in Lagos will pay around N600, those outside Lagos around N600 plus, while those in the north would be paying anything from N700 and above,” he said.

The downstream sector currently awaits fresh petroleum products as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority continues to licence operators willing to get involved in the importation business.

The Executive Secretary, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Olufemi Adewole, told The PUNCH on Tuesday that the NMDPRA was currently licensing more importers.

He said arrangements were on full speed for fresh products from July, adding that prices of products would depend on market fundamentals.

“Where do countries like Ghana, Benin, and Cameroun get their products from? Is it not from Nigeria?,” he asked, making reference to products being smuggled from Nigeria to neighbouring countries.

“Prices of products will depend on market fundamentals, and as we speak, the Nigeria Customs Service is delaying some AGO (diesel) vessels because of the 7.5 per cent VAT.

“And don’t forget, any cost incurred by marketers would be added to landing cost, and then to the pump price. The marketer would also have to add profit because they must make profit,” he said.

A former chairman of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, and Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of 11 Plc, Tunji Oyebanji, during a chat on Monday, said consumers should expect new pump prices close to that of diesel, and those of neigbouring African countries that also import petrol.

Checks by The PUNCH showed that as of June 19, the price of one litre of petrol in Ghana, Cameroun, Benin was already above N800 per litre.

Petrol currently sells for around N495 and above in Nigeria, with diesel price approaching N800 per litre.

“The truth now is that if you look at the prices of other West African countries that also import petrol, then, you will have an idea of what the price will likely be once companies start importing. So, if the price we have now is not anywhere close to theirs, then, we are not yet there. Another indicator should be the current price of diesel,” he said.

Oyebanji, however, added that the price could also be reduced depending on the exchange rate.

“The bottom line is that there will be an adjustment in price. Yes, it may go up now, it could also drop depending on the exchange rate. But the good thing is that products would be everywhere, and if you see that yours is more expensive than those of the filling stations around you, you will be forced to bring down prices so customers can come and buy. There would be healthy competition which is good for the market,” he said.

Earlier in a chat with The PUNCH, Osatuyi had described the current price of petrol as a “transitional price”, adding that marketers were expecting a roadmap from the Federal Government following subsidy removal.

“We are expecting the roadmap from the Federal Government following the meeting with labour. Labour has said they are giving the government two months to come up with the roadmap. We are also expecting the roadmap on how to deepen the use of Compressed Natural Gas.

“Already, three marketers have been confirmed to start bringing in products starting from July. That’s when we would know the real price of products because it would definitely increase. This current price is just a transitional price,” he said.

Following the Federal Government’s official statement on deregulation of the downstream market since May 29, prices of petrol have since shot up above N490/litre at stations belonging to the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, and above N500 at IPMAN stations across the country.

Chairman, IPMAN Satellite Depot, told The PUNCH that marketers were still loading products at the government-regulated price of N496 per litre.

“There are currently products in the country and we are loading at a government price of N496.50 per litre. But because of the new forex policy of the central bank, the naira has shot up to around N765/$1. Until new products start coming in, we won’t know the exact extent to which the new policy would affect our business,” he said.

Oyebanji also hinted that depot owners are now resorting to both local and foreign loans to finance importation.

“It’s not like we are just getting importation licenses. We have been licensed but we stopped importing because it was no longer profitable.

“Now, everybody is trying to see what we can do. Some people will raise money and borrow from abroad, while others will borrow from local banks. It’s not just three companies that would be importing; many companies are currently running around to start bringing in products. But we won’t be shouting about it on the pages of newspapers,” he said.

The development comes on the heels of a report by Reuters that since Nigeria scrapped fuel subsidy, black market fuel vendors and commercial drivers in Cameroon, Benin and Togo had seen their businesses collapse due to low supplies and high prices.

“In Cotonou, the commercial capital of Benin which is about 60km from Nigeria, queues have been building up at official petrol stations and some have been unable to meet the sudden surge in demand, especially from ‘zemidjan’, the local word for motorcycle-taxis.

“Before, we were selling about 2,000 litres per day, but now we’re selling up to 7,000 litres per day,” said a worker at the JNP fuel station who gave his first name, Janvier. He had just turned away four customers because supplies had run out.

In Benin and Togo, small nations to the west of Nigeria, contraband fuel vendors have lost both supplies and customers, while formerly sleepy official petrol stations are suddenly busy, Reuters reported.

At Hilacondji, a border crossing between Togo and Benin, some black market fuel stalls were shut, while at others vendors waited among rows of empty plastic jerricans for potential deliveries.

The report stated that one Ayi Hilla, who had been making a living from selling contraband fuel for 10 years, said many black marketers had gone into fishing or other small businesses.

Energy expert, Bala Zaka, criticised the Federal Government for deregulating the downstream sector.

“When I was explaining what deregulation means right before May 29, many people didn’t understand. Nigeria’s economy is too weak for deregulation. Where is the Dangote refinery? Has it started refining since it was commissioned?

“’Just look at what has happened to the naira. It has been devalued and approaching N900 at the black market. Very soon, we won’t be able to afford the basic things of life because even before you drive from your house to Kara on the Ibadan/Oshodi Expressway, your tank would have drained to half already.

“Now, if you try to challenge oil marketers, they can sue you. The likes of IPMAN, MOMAN are after profit maximisation and not after the wellbeing of the masses. But if people like us talk it would look like we are kicking against the government. The minimum wage can’t even buy a bag of rice. I have never been in support of full deregulation,” he said.

A professor of Economics at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Tella Sheriffdeen, advised the government to activate local refining.

“Actually, since the exchange rate is now determined by market forces, depreciation of naira will make oil prices go up. Government has to be hard on oil importers to make sure they are not colluding with economic parasites who will want to jack up prices to force the government to bring back subsidies.

“Secondly, the government must insist on domestic productivity by the refineries and Dangote. It’s just that the government should have plan B to make fuel available by all means,” he said.

[Punch]

The Federal Government has approved the discontinuation of budgetary allocations to professional bodies and councils effective December 31, 2023

The new directive was disclosed in a letter obtained by THE WHISTLER on Wednesday.

It was addressed to the Registrar /Chief Executive Officer, Optometrist and Dispensing Opticians Board

The letter dated June 27, 2023, was issued from the Budget office of the federation and signed by the Director General, Akabueze Ben.

The letter is titled, “Discontinuation of Funding of Professional Bodies and Councils From 2024 Budget, In Line With The Decisions Of The Presidential Committee On Salaries.”

It further stated that the institutions were now regarded as self-funded organisations and will henceforth be fully responsible for their personnel, overhead and capital expenditures.

The letter partly read, “I wish to inform you that, the Presidential Committee on Salaries, at its 13th meeting, approved the discontinuation of budgetary allocation to Professional Bodies/Councils effective December 31, 2026.

“The purpose of this letter, therefore, is to inform you that, in compliance with PCS’s directive, this Office will no longer make: budgetary provisions to your Institution with effect from the above-stated date, and you will be regarded as a self-funded organisation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, you will be required, effective December 31, 2026, to be fully responsible for your personnel, overhead and capital expenditures.Please accept the assurance of my best regards.”

Further findings revealed that at least 25 professional bodies and councils under the Ministry of Trade and Investment, the Ministry of Information and Communication, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Mines and Steel, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Works and Housing, and the Ministry of Environment will be affected by the new development.

They include the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, the Computer Registration Council, the Librarians Registration Council, the National Education Research and Development Council, the Mass Literacy Council, the National Examination Council and the West African Examination Council (Local and International) under the Ministry of Education.

Under the Ministry of Health, the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria will be affected.

Others include the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, the Nigeria Press Council, the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geosciences, the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Survey Council of Nigeria, the Legal Aid Council, and the Council of Legal Education among others.

The Federal Government spent N1.24 trillion servicing debt in the first quarter of this year, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO) report.

The figures show that between January and March, Nigeria spent N874.13billion servicing domestic debt, and $801.36m (N368.87billion) servicing external debt, bringing the total amount spent on debt serving in the period to N1.24trillion.

In the last quarter of 2022, Nigeria spent N406.77billion on domestic debt servicing obligations and $312.27million (N143.74billion) on external debt servicing, bringing the total to N550.51billion.

From the DMO figures it shows that the federal government’s debt obligations grew by 55.71 percent between the last quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023.

The DMO used the CBN exchange rate of $1=N460.3 to convert the external debt servicing components to Naira.

For domestic debt servicing obligations in the first quarter of 2023, the federal government paid N56,466,385,798.05 as interest on Nigeria Treasury Bills (NTBs); N723,957,871,169.59 interest on FGN bonds; N8,167,315,068.49 as rentals on Sukuk; N622,808,510.21 as interest on FGN Savings Bond and N84,915,150,796.00 on Promissory notes.

According to the DMO, “FGN Bonds and NTBs that matured during the quarter were refinanced and the reported figures excluded Sinking Fund Charges of the sum of N180,446,143.00 in respect of (IRO) Treasury Bonds managed by the CBN.

Regarding external obligations: Multilateral bodies were paid $214,459,449.33; Bilateral entities $136,474,716.28 and for Commercial papers, $450,428,973.15.

The Federal Government is projected to spend 82 percent of its revenue on interest payments this year, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF’s projections showed a slight improvement in the percentage of government revenue used for interest payments, with interest payment expected to decline from 96.3 percent in 2022 to 82 percent in 2023.

The unveiling of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ministerial list is unarguably one of the most keenly awaited developments in the country, not only by Nigerians at home, but in the diaspora.

There are indications that the ministerial list would be unveiled after the holiday on Thursday.

The ministerial list, which will contain the names of the individuals listed by the president to lead various ministries, is a critical component of the President’s vision for the country, and the expectations of Nigerians are indeed very high.

Nigerians say that they are expecting a new cabinet capable to tackle insecurity, corruption, and bring economic development. They say Nigeria needs competent individuals with a track record of success in their respective fields to drive progress and development.

Many of them that spoke to DAILY POST, say that they are hopeful that President Tinubu’s choices will reflect Nigeria’s diversity and inclusivity, and that the new ministers will be able to tackle the many challenges facing the country.

One of the respondents, Segun Awosanya, an institutional reforms advocate, popularly known as Segalinks, said that he’s been impressed by the decisiveness exhibited by the Tinubu administration.

According to Awosanya, a rights activist and founder of the Social Intervention Advocacy Foundation (SIAF), Nigeria’s next set of ministers must possess qualities like competence, experience, integrity, vision, teamwork, innovativeness and ability to communicate.

He said, “There are several qualities that one can consider as critical for the ministers in a developing economy like Nigeria and under the new administration of Ahmed Bola Tinubu, some of which include- competence. The ministers should be very competent in their areas of responsibility, possessing the skills, knowledge and experience required to perform their duties effectively, not about cronyism, or religion.

“Number two is experience. Ministers who have experience working in government or in the relevant sectors that will enable them to understand the challenges facing the country and develop appropriate policies to address them.

“The job of a minister is not as commanding as one would think. A minister is a visionary, somebody who carries the vision of the administration into a sector which he has been appointed to guide the bureaucrats. The permanent secretaries and other officials in the ministry will always be there, but they need a visionary in that sector, to guide them, and even create impactful reforms.

“So the experience to do that is very essential. Ministers are not people who share money, in fact, they don’t even touch money and they should be there to feather their own nests.

“Another important factor is Integrity. Our ministers must have high moral character and have a track record of honesty, transparency and accountability. If you bring somebody, simply because the person funded your election, you will ruin the beliefs, trusts, hearts and minds that have been won during the elections.

“Bringing in people with questionable characters dampens the morale of the people. If you want to destroy any country, you divide the country and Nigeria is already divided. So the job is half done. The situation is that any little thing can throw the country into chaos. So the government should be very wary in making certain decisions.

“The next is that the ministers must have a clear vision for the country and be able to articulate the roadmap for achieving development goals based on the vision of the commander in chief.

“They must have digested the policy, plans and programs of Mr. President enough to break it down into crucibles, that are swallow-able enough for the bureaucrats to create their tactics and roadmap through which they will deliver that promise to Nigerians.

“The president cannot be all over the place. It is the minister that would carry that vision to specific areas and ensure that the people are reached based on the promises created.

“Five, is team work. It is very essential because we would like to have a scenario where the ministers would see themselves as part of a whole and work with synergy towards achieving a common goal.

“The sixth is results-oriented. Nigerians need result oriented ministers, not people looking for where to resign. They should be focused on achieving results and be willing to be held accountable for their performance.

“Seven is innovation. President Tinubu must not recruit deadwoods, or people wearing agbada, bragging that they own the government. We want ministers that are open to new ideas and be willing to embrace innovative approaches to addressing challenges facing the country. Without innovation, we’re not going anywhere. So if there are no innovative people in the list of ministers, then they should better look at their list again.

“The last for me is communication. Our next ministers should be effective communicators. They must be able to articulate policies and engage with the public stakeholders and the media.

“Ministers must not keep malice with the people. Because every time there’s a gap, you will leave room for mischievous people to fill it with gossip and lies, and you will start reacting.

“Nobody wants a reactive government; we want a proactive government which will have the trust of the people, and which will make us see the essence of our coming together.”

Another respondent, Prince Saviour Iche, national president of the Association of Micro Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (AMEN), also urged President Tinubu to appoint experienced technocrats to sensitive positions.

“Government should appoint someone with a business background that would listen to manufacturers’ complaints as the minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, and not bring in a lawyer or engineer to head the ministry,” he said.

Also, Alhaji Rasheed Awofeso, a social worker of the Child and Community Response Initiative (CCRI) said he expects a ministerial list that would be composed of capable personalities, brimming with ideas on how to tackle the myriad of challenges facing Nigerians.

“One of the major challenges facing Nigeria is insecurity,” he told DAILY POST.

“The country has been grappling with the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast for over a decade, which has led to the displacement of millions of people and the loss of thousands of lives.

“In addition, banditry and communal clashes have been on the rise in other parts of the country, leading to further loss of lives and property.

“The expectations of Nigerians are that the new ministers will have the necessary expertise and experience to address these security challenges and bring lasting peace to the country. There is also a hope that the new cabinet will be able to tackle corruption, which has been a major issue in Nigeria for decades.

“Another major expectation is that the new ministers will be able to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty. Nigeria’s economy has been recovering from a recession, and there is a need for the government to take steps to ensure sustained economic growth and development.

“There is also a need to address issues of infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and agriculture. These are all areas that require urgent attention, and Nigerians are hoping that the new ministers will be able to make significant progress in these areas,” Awofeso added.

The removal of subsidy and the devaluation of the naira, are a few of the policies that have increased the cost of living.

And on that backdrop, Chamberlain Etukudoh, a director at the Youth Alive Foundation (YAF), lamented the harsh effect of some of these policies on the Nigerian youths.

He then stressed on the need for the government to give priority in appointing the best hands in youth-related portfolios like the ministries of human affairs and youths/sports to cushion the effect of the hard times on the youths.

“Nigerians are already at a boiling point. This is because unemployment and underemployment would continue to spike in a few months’ time if nothing is done. So I expect the government to prioritise key ministries like Humanitarian Affairs and Youths/Sport to harness and tackle some of the challenges the youths are facing”.

Oluwaseun Ogedengbe, an Akure based actor and activist had this to say: “I am not too happy with this government, because we all know that they are operating on a stolen mandate and I pray the judiciary doesn’t get compromised.

“I pray they rule in the fear of God and in the interest of the many masses and youths that came out to vote on February 25. However, since we have a country to run, I would want the President to consider competence in making his appointment.

“One of the problems of the Nigeria government system is putting round pegs in square holes; the last government made sensitive appointments that were strange to Nigerians. For example, what is the background of the people that served as youth and sports ministers, even the education minister knows little or nothing in the portfolio he got.

“We don’t want to see people holding three portfolios when he can’t do one job. Buhari gave a lawyer sensitive portfolios like power, works and housing. There are ministries that should be manned by technocrats. This government must not make that mistake,” he said.

[DailyPost]

An altercation between Osun State governor Ademola Adeleke and a former Senate spokesman Ajibola Basiru almost marred Eid prayers by Muslim faithful in Osogbo, the state capital.

The faceoff started when Basiru declined to vacate the front row of the mats arranged at the Prayer ground at Oke-Baale.

The former Senate spokesman claimed that the incident was orchestrated by an official of the government to embarrass him.

But Adeleke’s spokesman Olawale Rasheed explained that the presence of some people, who he said, were armed within the praying ground, when the governor arrived, is an attempt on the governor’s life.

The Nation gathered that when Basiru was informed that where he sat was meant for the governor, he moved to another mat in front.

The attempt to relocate Basiru led to an arguement which was ongoing at the time of the Governor Adeleke’s arrival.

On sighting the rowdy scene, Adeleke returned to his car. Some minutes after, he came back only to see Basiru still in the front row.

Ostensibly angered by that, Adeleke left without praying.

Some of the worshippers resisted them and forced the gate open.

The prayer were observed by Basiru and other prominent indigenes of Osogbo

After the prayers, Basiru explained that he neither saw Adeleke at the Eid nor his advance and protocol team. He added that there were no indications that any seat was reserved for the governor.

He said: “What happened was that by tradition, there is a way the sitting arrangement of the Muslim community leaders and the government are done at the Eid. The Muslim community leaders are under the auspices of Asiwaju of Musulumi of Yoruba Land. So, we had gone there for the arrangement of seats, but shockingly before our arrival, one Muniru Raji had already put someone in the place we arranged.

“Muniru Raji insulted me and in the process, worshippers surrounded me to prevent him from assaulting me. I don’t know whether the governor came to Eid at all because I was surrounded by people. I later stood up and did my prayers.

“After the prayer, some policemen said their Commissioner wanted to see me and I told him that I will see him together with the Muslim community leaders that I went with in the same vehicle. But they insisted that they must pull me out of the car which we all resisted. We queried if they have any warrant of arrest, and we explained the situation to them, that it was some overzealous supporters of the governor that caused the embarrassing situation.”

However, Adeleke who appealed for calm, directed immediate arrest of those involved in the incident.

He said: I am safe by the special grace of God. I have directed security agencies to arrest those behind the incident and get them to face the wrath of the law.

“The government particularly notes with shock and surprise, the role played by former Senator Ajibola Bashiru who took over the space reserved for the governor at the prayer ground. All efforts to get the former Senator to vacate the space proved abortive.”

He alleged that “PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) members who agitated for respect for the Office of the Governor were beaten up.”

At the Dodan Barracks Prayer round in Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, felicitated Muslims over the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

He urged Nigerians to unite behind President Bola Tinubu in his determination to make the country better.

“It is our duty to pray for our leaders. We must pray for our President that God should help him to succeed in the task before him,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Ondo State Council of Obas yesterday gathered to pray for the quick recovery of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The first prayer session of the Christians was led by the Olujigba of Ijigba, Oba Luyi Rotimi.

Oba Rotimi asked God to grant the governor a quick recovery so that he can continue the good work he is doing. The royal father said God has proven he could heal the sick irrespective of the cause and kind of illness.

Prayer in the African traditional way was offered by Abodi of Ikale, Oba G.B Faduyile. He said Governor Akeredolu was a pride to the state and the country at large.

Deji Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, described Governor Akeredolu as ‘a fearless leader’ who had done so much for the state in terms of security and infrastructure.

Oba Aladetoyinbo said what they could do, at critical times like this, is to pray for him to recover urgently. He also cautioned against ‘unnecessary uproars’ by persons who want to use the governor’s absence to settle political issues.

He warned political actors not to plunge the state into any unnecessary and avoidable upheaval. “Rather than cause unnecessary tension, the politicians should come together and pray for the governor and the state to seek the good of the land,” he added.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has promoted 7,000 men across various ranks and departments, as approved by its Board.

A statement by the Acting Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Kure, noted that the promotion was contained in a letter by the Secretary of the Immigration, Civil Defence, Correctional and Fire Service Board, Alhaji Jafaru Ahmed.

It reads: “The promoted officers and men include both senior officers who sat for the regular exams, and junior staff who were upgraded after acquiring additional qualifications.”

Acting-Comptroller General, Mrs. Wuraola Adepoju, also approved the appointment of former spokesman of the NIS, Tony Akuneme, as Comptroller of FCT Command. Comptroller Joseph Dada is now the Principal Staff Officer to the Comptroller-General. Dada was, until his recent appointment, the Comptroller in charge of Marine Border Corps in the Service Headquarters.

The statement added that 12 Comptrollers were recently redeployed.

The CG urged the officers and men to put the image of the Service above personal interests as it remained a foremost agency for international visitors. She promised to prioritise personnel welfare, asserting that henceforth, promotion would be based strictly on seniority, hard work and dedication to duty.

In a recent statement, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff (COS) to President Bola Tinubu, emphasised the immense challenges faced by Nigeria and the crucial role that divine intervention plays in addressing them. Gbajabiamila asserted that the burden of leading the nation is too great for any ordinary individual to bear without the assistance of a higher power.

Gbajabiamila, following the observance of the Eid al-Adha prayer in Lagos, urged Nigerians to consistently keep Tinubu in their prayers.

The former speaker of the House of Representatives addressed the current state of affairs in Nigeria, acknowledging the challenges that the nation is currently facing. However, amidst these difficulties, the former speaker expressed a sense of hope and confidence in Nigeria's ability to overcome these obstacles and emerge stronger.

In the midst of adversity, Nigeria remains steadfast in its determination to overcome the challenges that lie ahead. In a heartfelt plea, Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, emphasised the crucial role that prayer plays in supporting the President. "What the president requires from each and every one of us, both today and tomorrow, is our unwavering prayer," Gbajabiamila passionately expressed.

The burden of Nigeria is one that surpasses the capabilities of an average individual, requiring divine intervention from Almighty Allah.

In a remarkable display of divine support, it becomes abundantly clear that the presence of Almighty Allah is firmly aligned with our esteemed president. In a remarkable display of selflessness, he has taken it upon himself to bear the burden on behalf of another.

In a recent statement, prominent Nigerian politician, Tinubu, emphasised the imperative for Nigerians to make "sacrifices" in order to foster the prosperity of the nation.

In a recent statement, the president emphasised the belief that Allah, the divine entity, would not impose unbearable burdens on the nation. Furthermore, the president urged Nigerians to foster a harmonious coexistence, devoid of tribalism, and instead embrace a shared sense of joy.

Shortly after his investiture as the new Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, proclaimed that he felt like a tiger ready to chase away criminals in the country. Despite the jeers he received from those who wondered if he has a multiple personality disorder, the man’s point is well-understood. It is that feeling of exhilaration that accompanies being imbued with administrative political powers. Besides, through both physical and metaphysical means, humans have always sought to extend the limits of their abilities by appropriating the attributes of animals. So, I will take him up on his metaphor to ask him what kind of tiger he plans to be in office: a paper tiger or Tiger Woods? Only one of those options has made a historical impact and Egbetokun must quickly clarify his choices to himself now that the duty to secure justice for another Nigerian over supposed blasphemy calls on him.

On Sunday, a mob accused and killed a butcher, Usman Buda. The unfortunate incident was eerily reminiscent of the lynching of Deborah Samuel in that same town just a year ago. Her vile murderers were so confident they put their own faces on video. The police responded to the attendant public outrage by arresting and charging two suspects, Bilyaminu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunci, to court. For a moment, it seemed justice would prevail and those who carry out such crimes would have their privilege undercut. Unfortunately, that never happened. Last month, Aliyu and Hukunci were freed because, according to court documents, the police prosecutors absconded from the trial.

Their cowardly retraction from confronting the fanatics that killed Samuel was worse. By starting what they could not finish, the police emboldened those who would kill again over such spuriousness. If Egbetokun’s immanent raging beast raring to go all out against those who diminish our citizenry wants to proclaim his tigritude, he should consider revisiting Samuel’s case. If Egbetokun does not want to end up as another tiger in a gilded cage that cannot bare its claws, he should stand up for Buda too. These two cases afford him a chance to stand up to the cowards who take lives cheaply because they have been nurtured to believe they can determine who should live or die.

If there is anything Buda’s case should teach the faux liberals who, in the wake of Samuel’s killing, urged us to “respect other people’s religious beliefs,” it is that one can never try enough to please those who have arrogated the power over one’s life to themselves. All it takes to kill you is their wanting to kill you. They will do it because they know that no law in Nigeria restrains them. Sorry, some laws proscribe lynching, but those who should enforce it will rather avoid it. To confront lynching incidents is to challenge the nation’s ideological fault lines cracked by the compounding of regional and religious identities.

You know how badly the police have been cowed when an alleged lawyer blackmailed them into arresting Mubarak Bala for his atheistic views and they capitulated. Imagine a world where a random guy with a law degree has the effrontery to petition the police and demand they clamp down on someone’s rights to freedom of thought and expression. The police not only ran this petitioner’s errand, but they also disobeyed the court order that mandated them to release Bala. Ideally, the police should have set the petitioner and his cohort straight by pointing out to them an atheist has the democratic right to proclaim his non-belief the same way they proclaim their beliefs, but no, they were too fearful of mob action.

Nigeria has had one too many instances of people taking religious offence and ascribing the power to mete out violence to themselves. These people have neither understanding nor respect for other people’s democratic freedoms. Nigeria, unfortunately, condones their barbarism. Those who try to downplay religious killings by pointing out that they are no different from the regular violence one can experience on the streets in Nigeria willfully forget that this crime is unique because of politics. Lynching in the name of God is a crime indulged by people in high places who cannot risk their political capital. We were all here when a presidential candidate who initially condemned the killing of Deborah eventually withdrew his sympathies. Some loose-nuts-and-bolts-in-the-head threatened they would not vote for him in the elections for daring to speak out against their barbarism, and he backtracked.

That pattern of refraining from the path of justice so as not to offend the voting mob has been consistent. Some religious and political agents who condemned the lynching of Buda could not just bring themselves to hit the nail on the right part of the head. For instance, Sokoto governor Ahmed Aliyu issued a press release where he asked the people to be calm and law-abiding. He said, “I want to call on the people of Sokoto State to avoid taking laws into their hands, instead, report any alleged crime or blasphemy to the appropriate quarters for necessary action. Our religion does not encourage taking laws into one’s hand, so let us try to be good followers of our religion.”

An Islamic rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern of Sokoto went as far as condemning the lynching of Buda but still upheld the erroneous idea that something called “blasphemy” is punishable. They said, “Islam does not allow people to do what they like or take laws into their hands as they deem fit. It is only the courts (Shariah and common law courts) that have powers to execute offenders after proving them guilty through fair trial.”

The question for both the governor and MURIC is the law under reference here. Which law are these maniacs taking into their dirty hands? They are sheer murderers, simple. By construing their crime as “taking the law into their hands,” you make it seem they have a legitimate grouse that only needed appropriate channelling. Look, the whole idea of blasphemy might have made sense in medieval times, but it has no basis to stand in our modern times. Some religious laws were designed for an era when people’s eyes were still on their knees, and they are no longer tenable in the 21st century. You cannot kill people because their (ir)religious views offend you. The best you can do is to obey religious laws for yourself as a private individual. For instance, if a butcher says things you consider a negation of what you believe, your freedom to respond accordingly could go as far as dissociation. While you are free to never buy meat from them forever, you cannot coerce their beliefs without violating their inalienable right to thought and expression.

Nigeria should have long taken charge against blasphemy accusations and the concomitant vigilantism. They should have disallowed even Sharia courts from pronouncing death sentences for it (or for any reason). These acts are unconstitutional, negate democratic tenets, and outrightly barbaric. They cannot stand. Those that killed Buda and others did not “take any law into their hands” because there is no law proscribing blasphemy anyone is constitutionally bound to obey.

If the IG is serious about displaying some savagery against Nigeria’s enemies, this is his opportunity. This case is his chance to inscribe the integrity of the law because it is about belief—not just in God or any supernatural being—but in Nigeria as a political entity. This is ultimately about belief in democracy, the rule of law, and the rights of citizenship which it grants. If those who killed Buda are—once again—allowed to get away with their crime, you would have legitimised their conflicting vision of the ruling order of the nation.