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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.
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.
Popular singer, Daniel Anidugbe, also known as Kizz Daniel, has announced that he would be going on sabbatical after his next EP.
The singer said he would not release any song till 2026, after his upcoming EP, ‘Uncle K’, drops on November 29, 2024.
“After this I no dey drop anything again until 2026,” he wrote on his X handle on Friday.
Following the announcement, fans have been pleading with him not to embark on sabbatical, saying they would miss his music.
Kizz Daniel has established himself as the one of the most consistent artistes in Nigeria since his debut in 2016 with the hit song, ‘Woju’.
He has released five studio albums and dozens of hit songs since gaining prominence.
[Leadership]
Says Nigeria under ‘state capture’
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigeria is speedily becoming a bad case under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, who he referred to as Emilokan and “Baba-go-slow”.
He said chaos, insecurity, conflict, discord, division, disunity, depression, youth restiveness, confusion, violence, and underdevelopment have become permanent occurrences in this dispensation.
The former President, who said this while delivering his keynote address at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum, Yale University New Haven Connecticut, USA, said Nigeria currently suffers from state capture.
Obasanjo spoke on the theme: Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria.
His words: ”As we can see and understand, Nigeria’s situation is bad. 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.’’
CORRUPTION
The former president further described 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 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”, he said.
“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”.
He, however, quoted Chinua Achebe’s ‘The Trouble with Nigeria,’ saying: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian character. There is nothing wrong with Nigerian land, climate, water, 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.”
Obasanjo 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,’ they argue. ‘Unable to keep its citizens safe and secure, Nigeria has become a 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.”
More...
The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele yesterday shed further light on the Federal Government’s four tax reform bills now before the National Assembly ,and said it was partly to empower Nigerian youths to play a key role in the digital economy space.
Changes to the income tax laws ,he said on his X handle @taiwooyedele,were to facilitate remote work opportunities for Nigerians in Nigeria within the global business process outsourcing.
He listed the other objectives of the tax reforms as follows:
*Zero rated VAT and other incentives to promote exports in goods, services, and intellectual property.
*Tax exemptions for small businesses with annual turnover of N50 million or less including withholding tax, value added tax, and 0% corporate income tax rate.
*Exemption from PAYE (personal income tax) for minimum wage earners and reduced tax burden for over 90% of all workers in the private and public sectors.
*VAT at 0% for food, education, healthcare, and exemption for rent, public transportation, fuel products, and renewable energy. These items constitute an average of 82% of household consumption and nearly 100% for low income households to ameliorate the rising cost of living for the masses.
*Introduction of the Tax Ombudsman to advocate for an improved tax system and protect vulnerable taxpayers.
*Reduction of corporate income tax rate from 30% to 25% over the next 2 years and elimination of earmarked taxes on companies to be replaced with a harmonised single levy at a reduced rate.
*Elimination of minimum tax on loss-making companies and those with low profit margins.
*Grant of input VAT credit to businesses on assets and services to improve investment competitiveness and reduce the cost of goods and services.
*Redesign of the personal income tax brackets and rates, VAT and capital gains tax to be progressive while protecting the poor.
*Changes to permit the payment of taxes on foreign currency denominated transactions in naira to reduce the pressure on the exchange rate and simplify compliance for businesses.
*Proposal to repeal over 50 nuisance taxes and levies, and harmonise the remaining taxes to a single digit.
*Introduce an equitable basis for VAT revenue sharing to ensure that states without many headquarter companies are fairly treated and rewarded for their economic contributions.
*Rationalisation of tax incentives to reduce uncertainty and provide a level playing field for all investors.
*A new National Fiscal Policy to set the framework for fair taxation, responsible borrowing, and sustainable spending.
The National Economic Council (NEC) had recommended to President Bola Tinubu the withdrawal of the bills to enable wider consultation.
But the President said the bills would not be withdrawn.
He said the National Assembly should allow the generality of Nigerians make their inputs during public hearings of the bills.
[TheNation]
Popular Nigerian singer, Oluwajuwonlo Iledare, better known as Jaywon, has explained why he apologised to a fellow artiste Onyinkansola Aderigbigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, after being accused of mocking her for not receiving a Grammy nomination.
Speaking with Sunday Scoop, Jaywon clarified his intentions, saying, “I felt it was important to address the situation. My motivation behind the apology was to acknowledge any misunderstandings and to show support for her talent. The music industry can sometimes be competitive, but I believe in uplifting one another. You know how fans can be funny sometimes. Most importantly, in this industry, we should focus on collaboration and respect rather than rivalry. We all have our journeys, and it’s essential to celebrate each other’s successes.”
When asked what makes his Evergreen album resonate with fans, Jaywon said, “I believe the album’s appeal comes from its timeless themes of love, resilience, and personal growth. These are emotions and experiences that everyone can relate to at different points in their lives. The melodies and lyrics are also relatable, which makes it something fans can always come back to.”
Offering advice to young artistes on navigating success and fame, Jaywon remarked, “They should stay true to themselves and their vision. Success and fame can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember why you started making music in the first place. It’s also crucial to embrace both the highs and lows, as they are all part of the journey. Surround yourself with a supportive team and take time to focus on your craft. Don’t get too caught up in the noise of the industry; instead, prioritise your mental health and well-being.”
[Punch]
Amid the rising wave of inflation gripping the country, no fewer than 15 Northern states spent an approximate sum of N45bn on different poverty alleviation programmes in the first six months of 2024, an investigation by Sunday PUNCH has revealed.
On Friday, the National Bureau of Statistics reported that Nigeria’s inflation rate surged to 33.88 per cent in October 2024, up from 32.70 per cent in September.
In January, the country’s inflation rate was 29.90 per cent, indicating that it had increased by 13 per cent within the first 10 months of the year.
The effect is felt in most of the northern states, a region that reportedly has the highest poverty rate in the country.
In April 2024, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, decried the high level of poverty in Northern Nigeria, especially the North West.
According to him, the region had the highest poverty rate in the country, with a national average of 40.1 per cent as of 2019.
Delivering a paper, titled “Navigating the Maze: Addressing Multi-Dimensional Insecurity Challenges in Northern Nigeria,” at the combined convocation lecture of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Ribadu identified Sokoto as the worst-hit in the region.
The Multidimensional Poverty Index Survey launched by the NBS for the 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2022 also confirmed the high rate of poverty in Northern Nigeria.
The survey indicated that 65 per cent (86 million people) of the 63 per cent (133 million people) poor individuals in Nigeria reside in the North.
It stated that 91 per cent of people in Sokoto State are poor while listing the proportion of multidimensionally poor for other northern states as Jigawa (83.3), Zamfara (82.70), Yobe (81.70), Bauchi (81.30), Kebbi (79.10), Katsina (77.50), Gombe (77.40), Kano (68.80), Taraba (65.10), Borno (64.0), Niger (61.60), and Adamawa (59.90).
An investigation by Sunday PUNCH showed that about 15 of the 19 states in the North spent the sum of N45,323,220,202 on several programmes to reduce poverty in the region between January and June 2024.
The states are Zamfara, Yobe, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa, Gombe, Borno, Bauchi, and Adamawa.
The figures were derived from an analysis of the budget implementation reports of the states, obtained from the Open Nigerian States, a BudgIT-backed website serving as a repository for government budget data.
The performance report is prepared quarterly and issued within four weeks of each quarter’s end.
During the same period, the states received over N325bn in grants and aid from various financial institutions across the globe.
But despite getting financial aid worth N5.3bn, there was no record that Kano State spent any amount on poverty alleviation programmes in the first half of the year, though about 68.8 per cent of the population of the state lived below the national poverty line.
Zamfara State, with an 82 per cent poor population, spent only N1.3m on poverty alleviation programmes, despite getting N52.8bn in grants alone during the period under review.
For Yobe State, another high poverty rate, N16bn was on poverty alleviation programmes, though it received N53bn in grants.
For other northern states, Plateau spent N3.6bn, Niger N280m, Nasarawa N94m, Kwara N583m, Kogi N14bn, Kebbi N54m, Katsina N16m, Kaduna N13m, Jigawa N6bn, Gombe spent N1.8bn, Borno N3.2bn, Bauchi N850m, and Adamawa N839m to tackle poverty in their states during the period under review.
*INEC postpones collation to 12 noon
*… uploads over 92% of results
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state and the candidate of the All Progressive Congress is leading in all the 15 local governments so far declared by INEC.
How i spent 10 years in jail without trial for bank robbery i heard about in court - Adeshina
He won the two local government announced when collation began at 5 a.m. The are Akure North and Okitipupa.
Akure North
APC – 14451
PDP – 5787
Registered Voters – 87293
Accredited Voters – 21608
Total Valid Votes – 20942
Rejected Votes – 648
Total Votes Cast – 21590
Okitipupa
AAPC – 26,811
PDP – 10,233
Total Registered Voters – 126,021
Valid Votes – 37,597
Rejected Votes – 858
Accredited voters – 38,814
Total Votes cast – 38,455
Collation postponed
After the announcement of the two local government area, the collation was adjourned till 12 noon, today.
The remaining local government areas yet to be announced are Ese Odo, Ilaje and Odigbo
Earlier…
The collation officer, Prof Olayemi Akinwunmi, said that the collation of the remaining five council areas will resume by 5 am today (Sunday).
Prof Akinwunmi, who announced the recess, said it is to allow for the arrival of results from the remaining local governments.
According to him “We have five more local governments but we are going to take our recess now until 5 am to receive some receive from Akure North, Okitipupa and Odigbo, then Ilaje and Eseodo. We resume 5 am for these local governments,”
Meanwhile, suspected thugs reportedly fired gunshots sporadically at Ofosu in ldanre Local Government Area to scare voters.
Sources said the thugs stormed the village early, yesterday, before the commencement of the election, firing gunshots.
The incident, it was learnt, caused panic, forcing people to stay indoors to avoid being hit by stray bullets.
A community leader, who spoke to newsmen, said: “We don’t know who they were but they were firing gunshots into the air in some parts of the village since morning. Ofosu is an Ondo village close to Benin in Edo State. There is no casualty, but people in the village are staying indoors.”
APC sent thugs to Idanre —Akingbaso
Reacting to the incident, deputy governorship candidate of the PDP, Mr Festus Akingbaso, expressed concerns over the alleged infiltration of some villages in Idanre by hoodlums.
Akingbaso, who spoke shortly after casting his vote at Imikan Ward 02, Unit 008, Idanre, commended INEC for the timely arrival of voting materials.
He, however, alleged: “Information reaching me is that the majority of the villages are filled with thugs allegedly brought in by the APC.
“At the moment, all the villages are occupied with thugs. Villages like Ofosu, Omifunfun and Ala are occupied.
“There is a place called Igbepo where suspected thugs are in their numbers in Idanre Local Government Area.
“An incident happened in Ofosun where suspected thugs broke into the house of a party member to prevent him from voting. We were informed that there were plans not to allow people in the villages to vote. I have reported the matter to the DPO and DSS.”
APC reacts
Reacting, Ondo APC spokesperson, Mr Steve Otaloro, absolved his party of involvement in any crime and demanded a thorough investigation into the allegations.
Otaloro said: “I am in APC situation room right now. The person you mentioned is the deputy governorship candidate to Agboola Ajayi of the PDP. And if you recall PDP had a press conference two days ago alleging that the kind of violence that happened in that place was by APC.”
When contacted, Police spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, said the incident had not been reported to the state police command.
DSS nabs suspected vote trader
However, operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, yesterday, arrested a suspected vote trader with bags of money.
The suspect was arrested with bags of money at Ward 4, Polling Unit 007 outside St. Stephen’s Primary School in Akure, Ondo State.
He was apprehended with two bags of money meant to induce voters.
Speaking on the matter, a former lawmaker, who represented Akoko North East Local Government in the state House of Assembly, Mr Rasheed Olalekan, confirmed that there was vote buying.
Olalekan, who spoke at Ward 01, unit 10, Ikare-Akoko, said: “There was no case of snatching of ballot boxes like we used to experience in previous elections. They were buying votes for N15,000 per vote and you know PDP doesn’t have such money. PDP can’t even offer N2,000.”
On the conduct of the election, he said:”The turnout was impressive.”
No fewer than 30 military checkpoints were mounted from Akure to Oke- Agbe, in Akoko North West area of the state.
Also, in Ondo Central Senatorial District, security agencies including the Army, police and NSCDC mounted rock blocks to frisk commuters plying areas.
Some travellers coming into Ondo State through Ile-Oluji-Oke-Igbo and Boluwaduro areas were prevented from gaining entry.
Exercise peaceful
Although the exercise was peaceful and orderly in some areas, vote trading was openly done by the major parties.
The large turnout of voters in the Northern senatorial districts was a sequel to the cash inducements given to them by the party’s agents.
However, reports from both the central and southern senatorial districts showed that the turnout of voters was low.
Voters were given between N25,000 and N30,000 each with party leaders storming polling units with cash to induce voters.
INEC officials arrived early with voting materials while BVAS worked perfected in many of the polling units visited in the four council areas in Akoko, Owo, Akure South, Idanre and Ondo West council areas.
Journalists were delayed for hours by some military personnel, who insisted that they needed orders from above before allowing them passage despite showing them the INEC accreditation.
l’m satisfied — Aiyedatiwa
Commenting on the exercise, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who is the candidate of the APC, said he was satisfied with the conduct of the election.
Aiyedatiwa, who spoke after casting his vote at Polling Unit 5, Ugbo Ward 4, in Ilaje Local Government Area at 8:50 a.m, expressed optimism about the seamless conduct of the process.
The governor commended the organisation and efficiency at polling stations, noting that the process was both orderly and transparent.
Aiyedatiwa said: “Election was encouraging to see the exercise going smoothly here. I am hopeful that this is reflective of the experience across the state.”
He commended security agencies for their effective handling of potential threats during the exercise, stating that Ondo State is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.
He said:”We have consistently conducted peaceful elections over the years, and I am confident this one will be no different.”
The governor also commended INEC, expressing confidence in the transparency of the process.
Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the timely arrival of officials at his polling unit, but he stated he could not confirm the situation in other locations.
Poll was peaceful —Interior Minister, Tunji-Ojo
On his part, Interior Minister, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, lauded INEC for conducting a peaceful and credible governorship election in Ondo State.
Tunji- Ojo told newsmen after casting his vote at Ward 03, unit 17 Court Hall/Igafo/Araoye in Akoko North West council area of the state.
He also commended INEC officials for arriving early for the exercise.
He said: “INEC has been fantastic so far. I got calls as early as 7am that they were already in the polling unit. The preparedness seems to be top-notch.
“Akoko North-West is never a troublesome place. In the 2023 elections, there was no cancellation of any polling unit. In the 2024 by-election, there was none; in 2019, there was none.
“We are peaceful people. We believe in democratic tenets. We allow people to come and cast their votes. We allow people to decide.’’
Rep Ehindero lauds INEC
Also, the lawmaker representing Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency, Mr lfe Ehindero, expressed satisfaction with the orderly conduct of the voting process.
Ehindero commended INEC for ensuring a smooth and transparent election after casting his vote at Oyin/Oge Ward 4, Unit 2, Oyin Akoko in Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency.
He expressed confidence in the APC and its candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to deliver impactful leadership and sustained development for the state.
He said:”We are here to build a better future for our people. I am optimistic about the choice Ondo State is making today. I encourage everyone to remain peaceful, cooperative, and vigilant throughout the process.”
Ajayi expresses disappointment
But PDP candidate, Ajayi, expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process.
Ajayi spoke after voting at his Apoi Ward 11, Unit 004 at RCM Idumado Quarters Kiribo in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.
He said: “The system has been compromised. Sadly, INEC can’t conduct elections well in one state. BVAS isn’t working, it took about 10 minutes to capture me.
“I think it is deliberate on the part of INEC and the REC, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola and we’ve said this several times that the woman can’t be fair.
“I have had a series of complaints from across the state, people are complaining about vote buying. It is a very shameful exercise.”
PSC Records Incidents of Vote-Buying
The Police Service Commission (PSC) said on Saturday that it’s monitors recorded some instances of vote buying at some polling centres during the Ondo State governorship election.
Recall that the PSC deployed staff to monitor the conduct of police officers in line with its constitutional mandate of checking and ensuring there was no Police misconduct during elections.
A statement by PSC issued by its spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani however lamented that vote buying reared it’s ugly head at the Ondo election.
He said “There were, however, reports of pockets of vote buying in some voting centres, which have become a recurring issue in elections in the country”
While commending security personnel deployed for the election in the state, he said, The PSC expressed its satisfaction with the performance of the security personnel who policed the Ondo State governorship election held today !Saturday.
“The Commission staff monitors reported that the security officers, particularly the police, arrived at voting centres on time and fulfilled their constitutional responsibility of securing the election space.
“The Commission monitors noted that the police officers were polite and civil but firm in the conduct of their electoral duties.
“DIG Sylvester Abiodun Alabi, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Force CID and who oversaw the security management of the election, ensured a seamless deployment of security personnel, with Commissioners of Police in charge of all the Local Government Areas.
“He was assisted by other senior police officers, including the AIG Zone 7, AIG Benneth Igwe, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, CP Abayomi Oladipo Peter, and Olatunji Disu, CP of the Federal Capital Territory.
“PSC monitors reported that the election security was generally credible and above average and has received commendation from the Civil Society Situation Room.
“Members of the Situation Room also commended the Commission for its proactive oversight of police conduct during elections.”
On its part, Police Service Commission, PSC, said it recorded some instances of vote buying at some polling centres.
A statement by PSC issued by its spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, lamented that vote buying was a factor during the exercise.
He said: “There were, however, reports of pockets of vote buying in some voting centres, which have become a recurring issue in elections in the country”
Speaking on the conduct of the election, two observer groups, Yiaga Africa and CDD-EAC, in their preliminary reports decried vote-trading.
Yiaga Africa said it deployed 300 stationary observers to 300 polling units across the 18 LGAs, noting that there was widespread vote-buying.
In its preliminary report, Messrs Ezenwa Nwagwu and Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes for Yiaga Africa, said the election began “calmly and orderly, demonstrating citizens’ interest in participating peacefully.”
It, however, commended operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) for “apprehending an individual allegedly involved in vote trading at the St. Stephen Polling Unit in Ward 4, Akure.”
The report reads: “As Yiaga Africa reported in its pre-election statement, the lead-up to the elections was relatively peaceful. On election day, the process began calmly and orderly, demonstrating citizens’ interest in participating peacefully.
“Yiaga Africa observed widespread occurrence of vote buying across several polling units, which is becoming a permanent feature of our electoral process. We strongly condemn this practice, as it contributes to electoral corruption and political inequality.’’
Observers
On its part, the CDD Election Analysis Centre, CDD-EAC said the election was fraught with irregularities such as voter inducement in some council areas.
In a statement by its Lead, CDD-EAC Observation Mission Ondo, and Director, CDD-West Africa, Professor Victor Adetula and Dr Dauda Garuba, they lamented that vote trading was prevalent in some areas like Okitipupa and Odigbo council areas.
The group said: “CDD-EAC notes a lot of instances of vote buying In Okitipupa LGA, Ward 09, Unit 003 (Irowa, Ilutitun 3), voters were solicited for their votes, with APC allegedly offering N10,000 per voter and PDP N3,000. In Odigbo LGA, Ward 01, Unit 001 (Oja Baale, Agbabu), reports of vote-buying were noted, with APC allegedly offering N10,000 and PDP N3,000 per voter.’’
[Vanguard]