FEATURES
Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, has asked the national assembly to reject any attempts to “cheat” the north with the proposed tax reform bills.
Kwankwaso spoke on Sunday at the convocation ceremony of Skyline University held at the Ammani Centre, Nassarawa GRA, Kano state.
Kwankwaso alleged that Lagos is “making a lot of efforts” to colonise the north.
The former governor accused the president, who hails from Lagos, of interfering in the emirship tussle in Kano.
“The Emir has just been installed at this difficult time in our country, especially in this part of the country, northern Nigeria,” he said.
“Today, we can see very clearly that there is a lot of effort from the Lagos axis to colonise this part of the country.
“Today, Lagos wouldn’t allow us to choose our Emir. Lagos has to come to the centre of Kano to put their own Emir.
“Today, we are aware that the Lagos young men are working so hard to impose and take away our taxes from Kano and this part of the country to Lagos.”
The Kano emirship is a subject of litigation.
Muhammadu Sanusi was reinstated as the Emir of Kano in May.
However, Aminu Bayero, who was removed to make way for Sanusi, has refused to step aside.
TAX REFORM BILLS
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections said many factory owners have been “forced” to relocate their headquarters to Lagos to make the south-west state claim “all the taxes”.
“We have seen the effort of some people to make the poor poorer and the rich richer. And I believe this is very dangerous for us,” Kwankwaso said.
“This part of the country today is suffering from a serious economic crunch, insecurity, poverty, hunger, and diseases.
“I believe this is not good for the cordial existence of our country. At this moment, I would like to call on all our national assembly members to keep their eyes open so that they don’t do anything that will cheat the people of northern Nigeria, especially here in Kano.
“We are witnesses to what happened during the first term of Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2003, where our members of the national assembly were bribed into collecting a huge sum of money to support onshore/offshore in the country.
“That law put a huge blow on our economy in northern Nigeria and all other states.”
BACKGROUND
On October 3, Tinubu asked the national assembly to consider and pass four tax reform bills.
The proposed legislations, which have sparked intense debate, include the Nigeria tax bill, the tax administration bill, and the joint revenue board establishment bill.
The president also asked the parliament to repeal the law establishing the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and replace it with the Nigeria Revenue Service.
On October 28, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) opposed the bills, arguing that the proposed legislation would harm the region’s interests.
The governors asked the national assembly to reject the bills, demanding equitable and fair implementation of national policies and programmes across all regions.
The national economic council (NEC) also asked Tinubu to withdraw the bills to give room for consultations.
On November 1, Tinubu said the bills would not be withdrawn from the national assembly, noting that the proposed laws are designed to improve the lives of Nigerians and optimise existing tax frameworks.
[TheCable]
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated Lucky Aiyedatiwa for winning the Ondo governorship election, commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and others who played critical roles in the successful conduct of the election.
Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of the state, was declared as the winner of the election around 2:30 pm on Sunday, defeating his closest rival Ajayi Agboola who flew the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s flag in the poll.
Minutes after the declaration, the APC said the victory was a testament that Aiyedatiwa’s policies were in alignment with the people’s wishes.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election,” APC spokesman Felix Morka said in a Sunday statement.
“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo state gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes, and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.
“With this renewed mandate, we are confident that you will build upon your accomplishments, and take the state to even greater heights of social and economic development for the benefit of the good people of Ondo state.”
The APC also thanked INEC and other stakeholders for their “professionalism and patriotism” in the conduct of the poll.
“We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for their professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of their constitutional roles during the election,” Morka said.
“We thank the Ondo electorate for their sustained and highly valued support of our great Party.”
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) must refrain from using the NBC Act and Nigeria Broadcasting Code to impose fines, threaten sanctions, or intimidate broadcast stations and independent media outlets across the country.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nicholas Oweibo declared that the NBC lacks the legal authority to unilaterally impose penalties, including fines, license suspensions, or any form of punishment on media organizations for disseminating diverse information on public-interest issues.
The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
The certified true copy of the judgment, dated June 13, 2024, was obtained last week.
The case was initiated after the NBC fined Trust TV, Multichoice Nigeria Limited, NTA-Startimes Limited, and TelcCom Satellite Limited N5 million each in 2022 for airing documentaries on terrorism.
The NBC alleged that the programs glorified banditry, undermined national security, and violated the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
Justice Oweibo addressed the objections raised by the NBC, affirming that SERAP and CJID had the legal standing (locus standi) to file the lawsuit.
He cited the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules of 2009, which prioritize public interest litigation and eliminate strict requirements for locus standi.
In his judgment, Justice Oweibo held that, “The issue of the locus standi of SERAP and CJID need to be resolved first being a threshold issue. It is trite that the Statement of Claim must disclose the Plaintiff’s interest sufficient to clothe him/her with the requisite capacity to sue.”
Justice Oweibo also stated that, “SERAP and CJID have been vested with locus standi. Looking at the provisions of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 and particularly the preambles to the Rules, the general requirement of locus standi has been done away with. SERAP and CJID are not meddlesome interlopers.
“I have looked at the affidavit in support of the suit, which in this case stands in place of a Statement of Claim. Considering the core mandates of SERAP and CJID and the affidavit in support of their suit, it is to be seen that this is a public interest case.”
The court ruled that NBC’s actions breached the constitutional rights to freedom of expression, access to information, media freedom, and fair hearing as enshrined in sections 22, 36, and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).
SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare said, “We urge the NBC to demonstrate its commitment to the rule of law by immediately obeying and respecting the judgment of the Court.
“We also urge President Bola Tinubu to direct the Ministry of Information and Culture, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the NBC to immediately disclose the details of the Twitter agreement, as ordered by the court.
“The immediate enforcement and implementation of the judgment will be a victory for the rule of law, freedom of expression and media freedom in Nigeria.”
The new terror group, Lukarawa, set up camps in 10 local government areas of Sokoto and Bauchi states before its operations became known to the public three weeks ago, Sunday PUNCH reports.
According to sources, members of the terror group initially established camps in some villages bordering Nigeria and Niger Republic, including Gwanaguano, Mulawa, Wassinya, and Turigaic communities.
They eventually infiltrated Nigeria and set up camps in different communities, especially in Gudu and Tangaza LGAs of Sokoto in 2018.
Some leaders of the group, according to credible sources, include Abu Khadijah, Abdulrahaman (Idi), Dadi Gumba, Muhammed Abu, Usman Shehu, Abu Yusuf, Musa Walia, Ibrahim Suyaka, Ba Sulhu, and Idris Taklakse.
Our correspondents learnt that they use Hausa, Fulfulde, and Arabic languages in their preaching while they name their camp, Darul Islam.
A source said, “Their ages are between 18 and 50 years. They have been attacking villages in Gudu, Tangaza, Illela, and other local governments to collect taxes, though they did not kill anyone until the recent Mera attack.
“They will count the number of cattle in their custody and calculate the tax based on the percentage which they will take from the cattle,” a community leader in Tangaza LG said.
A researcher with the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Dr Murtala Rufa’i, told Sunday PUNCH that the group had been planning to establish its caliphate for over 25 years.
He said though members of the group had camps in different communities in about 10 LGAs in Sokoto and Kebbi states, they did not stay in a particular place as they were always on the move.
“They are always on the move using their motorcycles. You can see them today in Bachaka or Kangiwa and see them tomorrow at Bachaka Tambo and the next day at Bachaka in Gudu. This makes it very difficult for our security operatives to locate them unless their paths cross,” the don added.
He disclosed that the group had between 1,500 and 1,800 followers, including clerics and youths in the Tangaza and Gudu axis, the ancestral home of the Lukarawa leaders.
Rufa’i said the group was dislodged by combined security agents around 2020, but later regrouped in December 2023.
“Since then, Lukarawa’s activities have spread to about 10 local government areas which include Tangaza, Gudu, Illela, Gwadabawa, Kware, Silame, Binji in Sokoto State and Augie and Kangiwa, Argungu, in Kebbi State,” he stated.
Lukarawa, according to the don, is a Malian-based group known in the Sahel as Jama’atu Muslimina with members cutting across different tribes and sects.
He identified the leader of the group as Ahmadu Kofa, whose ancestors were originally Nigerians from a community called Kofa under the old Kebbi empire.
Rufa’i said, “He is from Kofa. He has siblings like Ibrahim Kofa, Umar Kofa. They are presently in Mali, but their ancestors were Nigerians, from the Kebbi empire.
“Their parents and grandparents like Umar Kofa and Sa’idu Kofa had all acquired their religious knowledge in a place called Balle, the present headquarters of Gudu LGA of Sokoto.”
He noted that the group was luring locals with money, farm inputs, and pumping machines, adding that some of the people joined Lukarawa because of hunger.
Rufa’i described members of the group as criminals hiding under religion.
The don said some of the residents of the affected communities were afraid to report members of the Lukarawa because they threatened them.
“When they came back, they assembled the people of those areas and told them they were using drones to monitor them and their activities. They threatened to kill anyone who tried to report them. So, the locals are in perpetual fear. They don’t discuss their issue,” he stated.
Narrating his experience, a resident of Gongono in Tangaza LGA, who identified himself as Mainasara, confirmed the presence of Lukarawa in the area.
He said, “The Lukarawa people, a few days ago, abducted and killed one of our youths whom they accused of having a link with security operatives.”
Counter-terrorism centre allays fear
However, the National Counter-Terrorism Centre has estimated that Lukarawa had about 150 fighters, describing the group as insignificant.
The Centre attributed the group’s current recruitment drive to efforts aimed at increasing their numbers.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the National Coordinator of the centre, Major General Adamu Laka, downplayed fears surrounding the group’s presence, stating that the threat was not as severe as perceived.
Laka assured Nigerians that, with ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, the Lukarawa group would soon be eliminated as a security concern.
He also cautioned Nigerians against spreading fears in the minds of the populace about the group.
Laka said, “Their total number is not more than 150 to 200. However, they are looking for more people to join them, and Nigeria is resilient, that’s why the issue came up. They are looking for people to recruit.”
He also doused fears that the group might expand its activities beyond its current location, insisting they lacked the numerical strength.
Laka added that intelligence agencies were working tirelessly to deliver timely and actionable intelligence to prevent and counter threats the group poses.
Security experts call for decisive step
A security expert, Kabir Adamu, attributed the emergence of Lukarawa to a lack of intelligence and coordination by the security agencies.
He said security agencies should have taken note of the activities of the group and crushed it before now.
“This group, a couple of years ago, killed a member of our security forces. They attacked the Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State several times. So, they are not new. We should have taken note of developments in the Sahel region where we have seen terrorist groups taking strongholds across the Sahel.
“If we had taken note of that, we would have seen the steady progress and incursion of this group into what has been described as the littoral states, the states that share borders with the ocean,” he stated.
Adamu noted that security agencies should have planned to prevent the incursion of the terror group into Nigeria, warning that other new terror groups might have infiltrated the country as well.
He called on security agencies to implement the provisions of the national counterterrorism strategy.
What is missing in Nigeria’s security system, according to Adamu, is intelligence and coordination, stating that the agencies are more interested in operations.
Adamu added, “They’ve forgotten their role as coordinators. They should have galvanised us and made sure that every Nigerian understands the provisions of that national counterterrorism strategy and supports it.
“But the coordinators are more interested in operations than actually doing their work, which is the coordination of our national counterterrorism strategy.”
Also, a former director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, advised security agencies to take decisive steps and prevent the new group from forming alliances with bandits in the region.
He said, “The government should take decisive action to uproot them before they take root now that they are only in Sokoto and Bauchi states. They should not be allowed to ally with any bandit groups, because if that happens, it becomes a greater security challenge for the northwest and the country at large.
“The government should also call for support from the local populace and the society for necessary information, which is converted to intelligence to get the group uprooted.”
A retired brigadier general in the Nigerian Army, Bashir Adewinbi, attributed the presence of the terror group to the country’s porous borders and the compromise of some people.
Adewinbi said the porosity of Nigerian borders made it possible for criminals to infiltrate border communities to perpetrate evil.
He said, “Our borders are too porous; anybody can come from outside and do anything they like in Nigeria. It’s not supposed to be like that. They should fortify our borders, seriously. Any criminal can come in and organise whatever they like.
“The security agencies should first of all flush the terrorists out and make sure they don’t have freedom to operate. They should also monitor our borders.”
Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian President, has conferred Nigeria’s second-highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister.
Tinubu made the announcement during a bilateral meeting with the Indian leader at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President stated that the honour was “to signify our appreciation of India as Nigeria’s partner.”
Modi, who arrived in Abuja on Saturday evening, was received at the forecourt of the Villa at around 10:20 a.m. on Sunday.
Upon arrival, the Indian leader was welcomed with the Indian anthem, after which a Guard of Honour, mounted by a Brigade of Guards, rendered the Nigerian anthem and led the visiting PM in an inspection of the mounted parade.
This was followed by a 21-gun salute, after which Modi inspected the Guard of Honour.
Tinubu then led him into his office for closed-door talks.
Both leaders are expected to discuss and sign several bilateral agreements during their private meeting.
According to the Presidency, Tinubu and Modi will seek to further strengthen Nigeria-India ties during this visit.
“President Tinubu and Prime Minister Modi will aim to deepen Nigeria’s and India’s ties during their bilateral discussions.
“Both leaders will exchange signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to enhance collaboration in critical sectors,” the Presidency said on Saturday.
Modi’s visit is the first by an Indian PM since Dr Manmohan Singh’s state visit in 2007 when the two nations established a strategic partnership.
Details later…
At My Lowest, You Picked Me Up - Chidimma Adetshina Expresses Gratitude To Nigerians After Miss Universe Feat
AFOLABI
Nigeria's representative at the 73rd Miss Universe competition, Chidimma Adetshina, has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Nigerians and Africans for their unwavering support, which played a key role in her historic achievement at Miss Universe 2024.
During the final moments of the prestigious event at Arena CDMX in Mexico City on Sunday morning, a thrilling showdown unfolded between Adetshina and Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, as the two women vied for the coveted crown.
In the end, Miss Denmark, Theilvig, claimed the title, succeeding Miss Universe 2023, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua.
Following the competition, Adetshina took to Instagram to share her appreciation.
The beauty queen recalled how Nigerians supported her during her lowest, and how Africa as a continent taught her the power of unity in the pursuit of success.
She wrote, “To Nigeria: THANK YOU is not enough for all the support you’ve shown. You picked me up when I was at my lowest. I’ve never opened up much but I was ready to give up on my life but you became my strength. On days I never wanted to fight you gave me the strength to fight. I’m so grateful for each and everyone for walking this journey with me.
She also addressed the African continent, saying, “To Africa: thank you for showing your love and support. As much as I represent Nigeria, Africa fought for me. My voice, my story touched many and brought us together. This journey has taught me the power of Unity. I want us to live in a society where we can all accept and celebrate one another.”
Chidimma Adetshina concluded by emphasising that this moment marks the beginning of her journey, not its end.
Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike, the Nigerian indigenous rapper, who is popularly known as Phyno, has revealed why he raps in his native Igbo dialect.
He said he started his career rapping in English but later switched to Igbo because he wanted to offer something unique to the Western world.
Speaking in the latest episode of the ‘In My Opinion’ podcast, Phyno stated that his upbringing also influenced his decision to rap in Igbo language.
He said, “Growing up, I listened to emcees that were very lyrical like the Busta Rhymes, the Jay-Zs, the 2Pacs, the Biggies and the rest. I listened to everything. I had that Western influence in my music but then at some point in my life when I was still trying to find myself, I was rapping in English, too.
“But when I got to a point where I had to make a career out of this, I asked myself a simple question, “What am I going to sell to the world? If I go to the UK, will I sell English to them? They own English language.’ If I go to America right now, I am selling Igbo to them. That’s what it’s. So you have to sell something that they don’t have. I can’t come to your country and sell what you already have. But if I sell what you don’t have, it will be unique.
“I grew up in a highlife influenced neighbourhood. I make sure that I incorporate all the influences into my music and art. I have started wearing the Igbo traditional attire because I have to look different, I have to represent my culture.”
Kizz Daniel, the famous Afrobeats singer, has made a vow to quit music if anyone apart from Runtown comes forward to say they have ever written a song for him.
The singer had taken to his X handle to praise his colleague, Runtown, for being the first person to ever write a song for him.
“For the first time in my life , Person write song for me and na Runtown …… Sound God is not human,” he wrote.
An X user @KTwinBlog then took to the comment section to express doubt over Kizz Daniel’s claim.
“For the first….you sure?,” the user queried.
Responding, Daniel wrote, “Make any mofo come out say dem write for me I go stop music right now.”
While writing songs for artists is a global phenomenon, it’s still relatively overlooked in Nigeria due to fans’ assumption that artists who use songwriters are less talented.
Singer Davido has been constantly bashed for admitting that he uses songwriters.
Lukman Adeleye, the Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, was reportedly kidnapped by gunmen on Saturday while casting his vote at Ward 15 in Ibefun, Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State during the local government election in the state.
It was gathered that the abductors, believed to be military personnel, allegedly took Adeleye to the Ilese barracks.
PM News reports that the initial investigations suggest the arrest may have been orchestrated by a powerful individual.
The Director-General of Adeleye’s campaign organisation, Hon. Olujimi Oloja, confirmed that the lawmaker is in military custody.
He condemned the alleged military interference in the local government election, describing it as a direct attack on democratic principles.
“Despite our efforts to secure his release, officers at the barracks insist he will remain detained until the electoral process is concluded,” Oloja stated.
He assured the public of Adeleye’s safety and affirmed that steps were being taken to facilitate his release.
Oloja also denounced the use of intimidation and force during elections, calling such actions a violation of fundamental rights.
He highlighted Adeleye’s commitment to community development and education, adding that the lawmaker would address the public once released.
A prominent advocate for education, Adeleye has held various roles within the PDP, including serving as the Local Government Organising Secretary.
Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, has filed a N1.2 billion lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Assembly, accusing them of violating his fundamental rights.
Recall that Bobrisky has been in the eye of the storm since activist VeryDarkMan shared a purported audio conversation wherein he claimed to have paid some EFCC officials N15 million to drop money laundering charges against him.
Bobrisky was released on August 5, after he was sentenced to six months in prison on April 12 for abusing the naira.
In the purported recording, the crossdresser also claimed that his “godfather”, alongside Haliru Nababa, Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, ensured he served the six-month sentence in a private apartment and not in prison.
The crossdresser, however, denied the recording’s authenticity, threatening legal action against VeryDarkMan.
The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions resolved to probe the bribery allegation.
The House also invited VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky, Ola Olukoyode, EFCC chairman, and Nababa to appear before the committee.
Bobrisky, on Saturday, took to Instagram to share a court file dated October 10 prohibiting EFCC and National Assembly from harassing, detaining, or declaring him wanted.
He claimed, in the lawsuit, that EFCC invited him for investigation based on a hearsay WhatsApp phone call published by VeryDarkMan.
According to him, EFCC failed to investigate the authenticity of the recording, which led to his ridicule on social media, threats from unknown persons, and invasion of his privacy.
The crossdresser, in the document, is seeking N200 million from EFCC for psychotic trauma and N1 billion from the National Assembly for violating his right to a fair hearing.
“The sum of one billion against the 1st respondent being damages for unlawful attempt to violate the right to fair hearing of the applicant, violate his right from discrimination, violate his right to private and family life, right to privacy of his home and telephone conversations.
“The sum of two hundred million naira against the 2nd respondent being damages suffered, psychotically trauma, mental torture and criminal stigmatisation caused by the reckless report given by the 2nd respondent to the 1st respondent without any proper investigation and fair hearing stating that the doctored social media published audio by VeryDarkMan was true, having not carried out any formal and proper investigation by contacting WhatsApp and laying before the committee that the hearsay doctored evidence was confirmed to be true and authentic.
“The violation of the right of freedom of movement, right to privacy of his telecommunication, ” the document read in part.
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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigeria’s failing state status is evident due to “widespread corruption, poor leadership, and immorality”.
Kehinde Akinyemi, the special assistant on media to the former president, said Obasanjo spoke at the Chinua Achebe leadership forum held at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
In his keynote address at the forum titled ‘Leadership failure and state capture in Nigeria,’ Obasanjo said Nigeria is sinking into insecurity, division, and underdevelopment.
He described the situation in Nigeria as chaotic under “Baba-go-slow” and “Emilokan” reign.
“Emilokan” is a term popularised during President Bola Tinubu’s election campaign, when he said it was his turn to lead the country.
“As the world can see and understand, Nigeria’s situation is bad,” Akinyemi quoted Obasanjo to have said.
“The more the immorality and corruption of a nation, the more the nation sinks into chaos, insecurity, conflict, discord, division, disunity, depression, youth restiveness, confusion, violence, and underdevelopment.
“That’s the situation mostly in Nigeria in the reign of Baba-go-slow and Emilokan.
“The failing state status of Nigeria is confirmed and glaringly indicated, and manifested for every honest person to see.
“This is manifested for every honest person to see through the consequences of corruption, mediocrity, immorality, and other forms of iniquity. But yes, there is hope.”
The former president accused the political elite of engaging in what he called “state capture,” adding that they manipulate national policies and resources for personal gains.
“State capture is one of the most pervasive forms of corruption,” Obasanjo said.
“What is happening in Nigeria—right before our eyes—is state capture, where public institutions are subject to undue influence from vested interests.”
Obasanjo, while honouring Chinua Achebe, the late literary icon, acknowledged his enduring impact on Nigerian society and described him as “a great and distinguished Nigerian.”
Obasanjo: Chaos, insecurity, disunity, others have confirmed Nigeria’s failing status
Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria’s economy is on the path of growth on account of President Bola Tinubu’s policies and determination to transform it for all Nigerians.
This is just as former President Olusegun Obasanjo stated that Nigeria’s failing status has been confirmed through the consequences of the level of the country’s pervasive corruption, mediocrity, immorality, misconduct, mismanagement, perversion, injustice, incompetence, and all other forms of iniquity.
Shettima gave the assurance yesterday in Abuja during a one-day retreat for presidential aides and heads of units in his office.
He listed some of the improvements recorded so far including crude oil production hitting 1.8 million barrels per day, the launch of social welfare initiatives, including an innovative Student Loan Programme to enhance access to higher education, and a Consumer Credit Scheme to boost purchasing power and stimulate economic activity.
Other improvement programmes, according to the Vice President, include the unification of the foreign exchange market as a bold step toward creating a more transparent and efficient monetary system, adding that the administration had also embarked on ambitious infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways.
Addressing participants at the retreat, the vice president said: “President Bola Tinubu is determined to change the fortunes of the nation. We all want to bequeath to the younger generation a united and progressive country.
“Yes, the economy has and is experiencing challenges but we have turned the corner. As of now, we are producing 1.8 million barrels of oil per day. The economy is on an upward trajectory and I believe in the new year, the economy will grow in leaps and bounds,” he said.
Shettima urged all aides in the presidency to synergise more and work harder in helping the president to deliver on his mandate.
He said: “The country is greater than all of us. I urge you; to let’s work as a team and as a family.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Hassan Hadejia, said the retreat was planned to enable aides to synergise ideas to ensure seamless execution of tasks assigned to the office of the vice president.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, commended the efforts of aides in the office, especially on tasks bordering on strategic communication, stressing the need for improved collaboration across the presidency.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties, Dr Aliyu Moddibo Umar, implored the aides to avail the system of their “knowledge and expertise, be humble and focused on the tasks at hand,” adding that “we need to deliver on the difficult task ahead. The primary thing is just the work.”
Obasanjo: Chaos, Insecurity, Disunity, Others Have Confirmed Nigeria’s Failing Status
Meanwhile, Obasanjo has stated that Nigeria’s failing status has been confirmed through the consequences of the level of the country’s pervasive corruption, mediocrity, immorality, misconduct, mismanagement, perversion, injustice, incompetence, and all other forms of iniquity.
Delivering his keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum, Yale University New Haven Connecticut, USA, at the weekend, the former president further stated that the immorality and corruption have fueled chaos, insecurity, conflict, discord, division, disunity, depression, youth restiveness, confusion, violence, and underdevelopment.
According to a statement issued yesterday by Obasanjo’s Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former president said these ills manifested under “Baba-go-slow and Emilokan.”
“As the world can see and understand, Nigeria’s situation is bad,” Obasanjo said.
In his address titled, ‘Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria,’ Obasanjo said “The more the immorality and corruption of a nation, the more the nation sinks into chaos, insecurity, conflict, discord, division, disunity, depression, youth restiveness, confusion, violence, and underdevelopment.”
“That’s the situation mostly in Nigeria in the reign of ‘Baba-go-slow’ and Emilokan. The failing state status of Nigeria is confirmed and glaringly indicated and manifested for every honest person to see through the consequences of the level of our pervasive corruption, mediocrity, immorality, misconduct, mismanagement, perversion, injustice, incompetence, and all other forms of iniquity. But yes, there is hope.”
Obasanjo, who was in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but had a 25-minute recorded video address for the forum, noted that in a country like Singapore, “the government has also been responsive to the changing needs of its people and has invested heavily in areas such as healthcare, education, and social welfare.”
The former president, while quoting from a short, classic treatise published in 1983, called ‘The Trouble with Nigeria’ by Chinua Achebe, admitted that, “the trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character. There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership.”
He added: “In hindsight, this forty-one-year-old prescriptive analysis on the root causes of Nigeria’s leadership crisis is quite moderate and appropriate. It is at least not as desolate as the diagnosis provided by Robert Rotberg and John Campbell, two prominent US intellectuals – the latter a former United States ambassador to Nigeria to boot: “Nigeria has long teetered on the precipice of failure. Unable to keep its citizens safe and secure, Nigeria has become a fully failed state of critical geopolitical concern. Its failure matters because the peace and prosperity of Africa and preventing the spread of disorder and militancy around the globe depend on a stronger Nigeria.”
Citing the World Bank and Transparency International’s definition, Obasanjo described a state capture, “as one of the most pervasive forms of corruption, a situation where powerful individuals, institutions, companies, or groups within or outside a country use corruption to shape a nation’s policies, legal environment, and economy, to benefit their own private interests.
“State capture is not always overt and obvious. It can also arise from the more subtle close alignment of interests between specific business and political elites through family ties, friendships, and the intertwined ownership of economic assets.
“What is happening in Nigeria – right before our eyes – is state capture: The purchase of national assets by political elites – and their family members – at bargain prices; the allocation of national resources – minerals, land, and even human resources – to local, regional, and international actors. It must be prohibited and prevented through local and international laws.
“Public institutions such as the legislature, the executive, the judiciary, and regulatory agencies both at the federal and local levels are subject to capture. As such, state capture can broadly be understood as the disproportionate and unregulated influence of interest groups or decision-making processes, where special interest groups manage to bend state laws, policies, and regulations.
“They do so through practices such as illicit contributions paid by private interests to political parties, and for election campaigns, vote-buying, buying of presidential decrees or court decisions, as well as through illegitimate lobbying and revolving door appointments.
“The main risk of state capture is that decisions no longer take into consideration the public interest, but instead favour a specific special interest group or individual. “Laws, policies, and regulations are designed to benefit a specific interest group, oftentimes to the detriment of smaller firms and groups and society in general. State capture can seriously affect economic development, regulatory quality, the provision of public services, quality of education and health services, infrastructure decisions, and even the environment and public health,” Obasanjo explained.
On Achebe’s personality, Obasanjo hinted that the great author and writer has been known through “his work, and his values for as long as our nation has been in existence. He was a great and distinguished Nigerian.”
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has decried the trend of vote-buying during the Ondo governorship election.
In an interim statement on the election, the civil society organisation said its observers found that polling units opened early across the state.
Situation Room said election officials and materials arrived early in 97 percent of the polling units but noted that vote trading was persistent.
“This situation has continued unabatedly and heightened in this election. It is worrying that, despite the high presence of security personnel at the polling units, vote trading went on openly unchecked during the voting hours,” the statement reads.
The civil society group said a report from the Cleen Foundation observation hub revealed that security deployment for the election was adequate and proportionate to the number of polling units.
“Situation Room observers reported that security personnel arrived early at the polling units. The police, in particular, were present in 84% of the polling unit observed at the official opening hour of polls, i.e., 8:30am,” it said.
“Security personnel observed at the polling units were generally polite and professional. In polling unit 64, ward 1 of Odigbo LGA, the security personnel intervened just in time when thugs attempted to disrupt the voting process.
“However, a policeman was observed attempting to influence voters’ choice in polling unit 15, ward 3 of Irele LGA, which culminated in conflict between accredited party agents.
“Also, the Kimpact Development Initiative mid-day report indicates that two incidents of violence have so far been tracked, none of which resulted in disruption of vote except in polling unit 3, ward 5 in Idanre LGA, where party supporters reported fired gunshots at the polling unit.”
Situation Room urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and its guidelines concerning the collation of election results.
The organisation noted that collation of results has been a recurring challenge for INEC in recent off-cycle governorship elections.
“Situation Room welcomes the directive of the police authority that security of the collation centres will be headed by senior police officers, including assistant commissioners of police,” it said.
“We, therefore, expect a smooth and transparent collation process in this election. We commend the people of Ondo state for their peaceful conduct so far.”
Oluremi Tinubu, the first lady, has appealed to market women not to hike the prices of food items during the festive period.
In a statement, Busola Kukoyi, the senior special assistant on media to the first lady, said Oluremi spoke on Saturday in Abakakili, the capital of Ebonyi, while addressing women for their 2024 Women’s Day celebration.
Oluremi inaugurated the 3.1 kilometres runway at the Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo International Airport in Ebonyi.
The first lady commended Francis Nwifuru, the governor of Ebonyi, for completing the project, noting that the airport will usher in more socio-economic development for the state.
During an interactive session with traditional rulers in the state, Oluremi tasked them to lead their subjects in the right direction.
“Nigeria has everything it takes for us to be a great nation. We have to continue to bless this land, and I appeal to you, our traditional rulers, to lead in that regard,” she said.
“Let me go back to greet your governor. He has gone beyond the 35 percent in female appointments.
“His deputy governor is a woman; same for the secretary to the state government and many down the line.
“Now I want to announce that he has decided to empower 130 people with businesses with N1 million each as business recapitalisation grants.
“As RHI, we did not come empty-handed. We are donating a sum of N50 million, 20,000 wrappers, shoes, and bags to support businesses of women in that line, in this state.”
On his part, the governor thanked the first lady for the visit and the support received by the state through the renewed hope initiative.
He commended the women of the state for their contributions to the development of Ebonyi.