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The sight was not just bewildering it was also shocking. Dateline was Thursday, May 29, 2003. Venue was Aso Rock Presidential Villa. It was the cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate the second term victory and second swearing-in ceremony of then President Matthew Okikiolakan Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo. Joining Obasanjo to cut the celebration cake were two governors and some party leaders of the supposed opposition All Peoples Party, APP (which later became All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, before a faction of it morphed into General Muhammadu Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change, CPC.
By this time, the only other opposition party, the Alliance for Democracy, AD, had lost all but one of its six governors in the South-West geo-political zone, which was its stronghold. Apart from Governor Bola Tinubu of Lagos State, who survived through his grit, determination and an insider dealing of a leader of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the other five bit the political dust. Adebayo Adefarati of Ondo State, Lam Adeshina of Oyo State, Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti State, Segun Osoba of Ogun State, and Bisi Akande of Osun State, all lost the governorship election of that year. Through subterfuge, reliance on ethno-cultural bias, alleged manipulation of election results, and strategic deception, Obasanjo was able to bulldoze his way through and get PDP to take over the five states.
In fact, according to a February 25, 2004 Report extracted from the 2001-2009 Archive of the US State Department, “the elections (of 2003) also resulted in the ruling PDP winning 70 percent of the seats in the national legislature and 75 percent of the state governorship.” That was how strong the PDP was.
Prior to the bizarre events of May 2003, and under the guise of forming a Government of National Unity, GNU, Obasanjo, upon assuming office in 1999, rewarded the National Chairman of the APP, Senator Mahmud Waziri, with appointment as his Presidential Adviser on Inter-Party Affairs. Meanwhile, Obasanjo had two other Presidential Advisers on National Assembly Matters and another one on Political Affairs. So, what was the brief of Waziri, if not to use him as an instrument of destabilisation of the APP?
In that same 1999, for AD, Obasanjo reached for and appointed one of the leaders of Afenifere and AD, late Chief James Ajibola Idowu Ige (Bola Ige), SAN, as minister of power. He then grabbed Dupe Adelaja, daughter of Afenifere and National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, Leader, Pa Abraham Aderibigbe Adesanya, and appointed her as Minister of State, Defence. All these happened between 1999 and 2003.
So, how did these two opposition parties disappear from the political firmament – or as they would love to delude themselves, become a shapeless shadow? It is because those who are supposed to be in the opposition are afflicted with a cocktail of malaise that renders them both toothless and irrelevant over time. This report has codified them into 10.
QUOTES
The spirit of Mammon is in bed with many Nigerian politicians. Money is like an elixir for the politician because the primary reason why many of them go into politics is to make money
Due to the fickle and fluid state of affairs, many do not have the stamina to stand against the might of the ruling party. Blackmail, intimidation, abuse of court processes and other such unholy acts are used to whip opposition politicians in line
Because of loss of faith in the ability of the EMB to be above board, opposition politicians seek shelter in the ruling party where they are almost always certain to win and return to office
Deep-seated uncertainty
In his seminal work of February, 2002, titled: ‘Viable Party System As Basis Of Democracy’, Professor Omo Omoruyi of the famed Centre for Democratic Studies, CDS, pricked the conscience. He posited: “The notion of the deep-seated uncertainty (about Nigeria) has to do with the relationship between the past, the present and the future. When it affects a country, it can be a severe crisis. This is the problem in Nigeria today. I shall try to apply the concept of deep-seated uncertainty to three areas of Nigerian political life: The lingering political problems; the declining faith in the political order; and the notion of winners and losers.”
Socio-economic contradictions
In the course of doing this report, it was discovered that the social and economic contradictions inherent in Nigeria’s political sphere make it difficult, if not impossible, for opposition to thrive with a view to making the progressive change that should dominate conversations before and after the fact.
In a political system that is neo-patrimonial and largely based on links of connections and patronage between political stakeholders and stockholders, delinking abhorrent behavioural instincts from activities on the political terrain becomes difficult.
This report may not be able to dig deeper into the theoretical underpinning of competitive party behaviours. But there are the Vote-seeking parties; Office-seeking parties; and Policy-seeking parties. Unfortunately for Nigerians, it does not appear that any of the parties in operation today fits the policy-seeking model. As has been proved since 1999, the parties align with the office-seeking model but stretches it further by asphyxiating the political space
What is worse, Professor Omoruyi insists that the now common refrain of ‘THERE IS NO VACANCY IN ASO ROCK’, a statement which was introduced into Nigeria’s politics by PDP and now a hackneyed phrase for the APC, is abhorrent to party politics.
According to Omoruyi, what Nigerians should appreciate is that democracy is anchored on the feeling or faith under three conditions: “That there would be another election; That the winner is not the winner for all time; and That the loser is not the loser for all time.
“Consequently,” he continued, “democracy abhors the expression which can only mean one of two things or both, which are: there would not be a free and fair nomination process within the ruling party; and that there would not be a free and fair election process in 2003.”
Therefore, he concluded, “the meaning of both would be the following: That the two processes would be massively rigged to achieve the predetermined ends; that the President’s men are at work to implement a programme directed at the two ends; that the process of choosing party offices within the ruling party would be applied to achieve the same ends; that the process of divide and rule would be implemented to deal with other parties; that the electoral law coming out of the National Assembly on the next election would be such as to as to achieve the predetermined ends; and that the use of “faked” security reports as an argument to determine the schedule of elections in 2002 for the local government must be seen within the context of the two ends.”
Voters inducement
It has also been suggested that political parties do clinch power through the inducement of a section of the voting public and will go to great lengths to equally induce leaders of the opposition not to ‘disturb’ its grip on power. Late Dr. Wahab Dosunmu, Second Republic Minister of Housing blazed the ignominious trail of jumping from AD to PDP.
Asked about the possible implications of his move, he simply said people should go to court and test the provisions of the law. He was soon followed by Oluseye Ogunlewe also from AD to PDP and was rewarded with a ministerial post. Once there was no challenge to these two, the floodgate was opened. Even the attempt to stem the tide, rendering vacant seats of legislators who jump ship without conditions precedent by law, is yet to bear the desired dividend because of the convoluted and up-and-down judicial pronouncements coming from the courts.
So, Vanguard has carefully codified into10 the reasons parties that are supposed to play the role of opposition end up becoming toothless.
1.Greed of political actors
Exploring the etymology of the word greed is unnecessary here. A simple look at your average politician and his ways signposts him as a greedy fellow. Defined as “intense and selfish for something, especially wealth, power or food,” the politician who finds himself on the losing side craves that which he lost but does so without scruples. As if possessed by the spirit of avarice, it is about him and what he can get. That is why a politician who espoused all the virtuous concepts of RIGHT, becomes a legislator and jumps ship from his party to another party, (usually the ruling party) so as to partake in the privileges and benefits of being part of the same.
2.Role of money
The spirit of Mammon is in bed with many Nigerian politicians. Money is like an elixir for the politician because the primary reason why many of them go into politics is to make money. You can be in opposition and earn respect but you can not be in opposition and make money. It is even more difficult in a culture of winner-takes-all. Because he has nothing truly strategic to offer his constituents, he must explore all avenues of making money so that he can begin to stockpile palliatives that he would distribute. Instead of engaging critical thinking and availing his constituents visible dividends of democracy in the area of infrastructural development in education, health and other areas, many want the money. Sometimes, the money is not even used to palliate the constituents, it is to engage in sartorial flamboyance and acquisition of properties and choice cars. You can not make money as an opposition politician, so you jump ship. Labour Party, LP, which, according to the results of the House of Representatives elections of February last year, won 35 seats, now has 17 seats – 18 Reps have joined APC.
3.Pressure from constituents
Because a people deserve the type of leaders they get, constituents and followers are also complicit in this craze to defect to the ruling party. In an environment where poverty has been so weaponised, many followers of politicians also want to ‘belong’ – that is, they want to be where the action is happening. Seeing members of the ruling party being serenaded with palliatives, constituents sometimes pile pressure on their political leaders who are ready and willing to jump ship not necessarily to better the lot of the followers but to satisfy a desire that had been latent and looking for an avenue to blossom.
4.Fear of losing political relevance
After every election, politicians take stock, scan the environment and seek to make the most of their new office. For people who lack scruples but find themselves in opposition, they weigh their options. Members of the ruling party are almost always the news makers – mostly, for the wrong reasons. The opposition candidates enjoy a season of honeymoon in the limelight but soon fizzle out because of the toxic nature of the political space. Political correctness then becomes the order of the day. That way opposition politicians would not be seen to be attempting to upturn the applecart. The less forceful he or she is in the House of Representatives or Senate or State House of Assembly, the higher the chances of becoming a committee chair or a vice chairman. It is the fear of losing relevance that ends up making some opposition politicians engage political correctness as a standard practice. This leads to waffling and double speak. But the polity is structured in a manner that embraces idiocy, sycophancy and praise-singing hence politicians fear losing relevance and would go to any length to remain ‘relevant’, including keeping silent in the face of oppression
5.AGIP political orientation
Some politicians, since 1999, have become known as AGIP (And Government In Power) politicians. From AD, to PDP, APP, ANPP, ACN, ACD, CPC, LP, some politicians have traversed all the parties listed. For them, any party that clinches the federal power becomes a nestling place for them. It is not about what they want to offer the people but what they can get by being on the winning side. Politicians like that do not stay in opposition to fight for something other than self. To wait and expect something constructive or meaningful from such individuals would be like waiting for Godot.
6.Absence of a second address
Some politicians who may have trained in one profession or the other have never practiced for a day. Seeing politics as a sure means of acquiring wealth and power, they jumped in either through ancestry or patrimonial connection or success-by-association. Having become so comfortable with feeding fat on the largesse of the government, they have no other means of livelihood than to be addressed as honourables or distinguished.
The world of the unknown outside politics and public office would make such politicians do just about anything to continue to benefit, including jumping from the opposition to the ruling party. They have no job other than politics.
7.Lack of sustainable party structure
Whereas we can blame the individuals as being responsible for the weakness of the opposition, it should be understood that the political parties themselves act as mere Special Purpose Vehicles, SPVs, to acquire power either as vote-seeking or office-seeking parties. Having a sustainable party structure is not the same as having an organogram that outlines offices and schedules. It is about having an entity that is firm and grounded on norms and values that ideas are hoisted on. It is also about adherence to organisational protocol. It is this lack of accountable structure that leads to the collapse of the opposition parties. It is this same absence of sustainable party structure that makes an individual or just a handful of them to hijack the affairs of a political party and threaten to destroy it, even while already in bed with the ruling party.
8.Absence of internal party democracy
Stemming from the above, there is a discount of internal democracy in political parties in Nigeria. It is an affliction and it runs through all the parties. The consequence of this is that politicians of quintessential persona who espouse virtues of decency and uprightness are thrown aside for others who have the means or connection. Even party constitution and electoral guidelines put together by the parties are not adhered to. This leads to the emergence of candidates who do not have serious bonding to the parties, hence they easily migrate to the ruling party once they win elections. In fact, some politicians in ruling parties, having lost tickets, buy their way into opposition parties, clinch tickets, win elections and jump right back to the ruling party, thereby weakening the base of the so-called opposition.
9.State capture by ruling party leaders
Another major contributing factor to the weakening of the opposition is the issue of state capture by the ruling party operatives. What happens is that every aspect of government and its institutions is compromised to work for and be subservient to the ruling party. The judiciary, legislature, intelligence services, senior civil servants, et al become malleable to the dictates of the ruling party or what is known as the cabal around the presidency. Because of the fickle and fluid state of affairs, many do not have the stamina to stand against the might of the ruling party. Blackmail, intimidation, abuse of court processes and other such unholy acts are used to whip opposition politicians in line. This asphyxiates the political space where the opposition wants to play and, therefore, renders discombobulate, whatever meaningful attempts at raising the bar of opposition against the ruling party.
10.Loss of faith electoral umpire
The biggest elephant in the room is the electoral umpire and its shenanigans. Were the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, above board in its functions, politicians generally (and not just opposition) would be confident in their capacity to mobilise, go into the field and contest without fear of being rigged out. The February 25, 2004 Report extracted from the 2001-2009 Archive of the US State Department, that said “the elections (of 2003) also resulted in the ruling PDP winning 70 percent of the seats in the national legislature and 75 percent of the state governorship,” was a mere reference to the power of rigging carried out by the PDP with the connivance of INEC. Today’s APC and INEC are in bed, just as PDP was. But nothing lasts forever. Because of the electoral process that condones cheating, use of money to compromise officials and might of the ruling party to rig at will in collusion with the election management body, opposition politicians drift to the ruling party where they are sure to exploit the benefits of bandwagon. Because of loss of faith in the ability of the EMB to be above board, opposition politicians seek shelter in the ruling party where they are almost always certain to win and return to office. As a former chairman of APC unashamedly once said, “once you join our party, all sins are forgiven.”
The Amotekun Corps has mobilised over 2,000 personnel to flush out bandits and other criminals operating in forests in the South-West region.
Ogun and Osun states top the list with targeted 1,000 recruits each, while Oyo recruited 480 men last October as part of efforts to curtail the influx of bandits.
The state commanders of the corps confirmed to The PUNCH on Tuesday that more men would soon be recruited to strengthen the South-West Security Network and enhance its operations against bandits, kidnappers and other hoodlums hibernating in South-West forests and reserves.
The targeted operation follows reports of increased kidnapping incidents and other illicit activities by bandits from the Sahel countries and other shady characters.
The National Bureau of Statistics revealed in a survey last December that Nigerians paid a total of N2.23tn as ransom between May 2023 and April 2024.
According to the NBS’s Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey report, an estimated 51.89 million crime incidents were recorded across Nigerian households in the reference period.
The survey indicated that the South-West recorded 6.9m crime incidences during the period.
The North-West region had the highest incidence of crime, with 14.4m cases reported, followed by the North-Central region with 8.8m incidents.
To bolster security in the southwest, the Ondo State Amotekun Corps Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, explained that “Amotekun rangers” had been deployed in the forests to evict the bandits.
Adeleye, who is also the Chairman of the Amotekun Commanders in the southwest, stated, “The Amotekun rangers are in the forest already to flush out the bandits who may want to use our forests as hideouts. Like I do say, no room for bandits in Ondo State.”
He, however, sought more support for the corps in terms of weapons and other security hardware.
‘’What they provided for us is what we are using and that is what we will continue to use. Automatic weapons are on the exclusive list and we will not go near there.
“I would also say we want technology for tracking the location of the criminals and other gadgets to enhance our operational capability and improve intelligence gathering. These are the major areas where we would want to improve upon.”
The Ogun Amotekun Corps Commander, Brig-Gen. Alade Adedigba (retd.), disclosed that his men, numbering over 1,000, had been given the marching orders to move against bandits occupying forests in the state.
Adedigba announced plans to recruit more men, adding that Governor Dapo Abiodun has also given a directive that an additional 1,000 operatives should be recruited to further boost the efficiency of the security outfit.
Speaking with one of our correspondents on Tuesday, the commander said, “Our current strength is over 1,000 and the governor on Saturday has also given a directive that an additional 1,000 officers should be recruited.
“All of these steps are geared towards strengthening the corps and make it much more responsive and combat any form of insecurity.”
The Corps Commander in Osun, Adekunle Omoyele, said the organisation would soon recruit about 1,000 new operatives in addition to the 320 men operating across the state.
Omoyele, who commended the state government for empowering Amotekun to prosecute offenders, said the corps personnel should be allowed to bear sophisticated weapons “since those criminals they would be contending with are also carrying dangerous arms.”
He noted, “We currently have 320 personnel but we plan to recruit 1,000 more. The process will commence soon. Our men will soon go for training and be properly placed to earn salaries, according to the civil service scale.
“We are interested in carrying sophisticated arms. The government should come up with a law that will grant us that opportunity,” Omoyele further said.
Commandant, Oyo Amotekun, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd.), in a conversation with The PUNCH, said the state, last October, recruited, trained and deployed 480 forest rangers.
The forest rangers, he said, had been trained and deployed to 25 local government areas of the state with a specific task to address kidnapping, banditry and other illegal activities in forests across the state.
Olayinka said Amotekun, in conjunction with Community-Based Security Oriented Groups, had stepped up border patrols.
He added that the community-based groups, traditional and opinion leaders have been tasked with surveillance and intelligence-gathering tasks, particularly those around settlements and the state’s forests.
“All the security agencies within the state, including the military, have been mobilised by Governor Seyi Makinde to be on red alert to respond appropriately to any threats. More resources mobilised include community-based security-oriented groups for surveillance and intelligence-gathering tasks.
“Furthermore, border patrol activities have been stepped up by my operatives, in conjunction with CBAG, as well as sensitisation efforts by the traditional and opinion leaders, particularly around settlements at the fridges of our forest resources is on the upwards trajectory,” Olayanju said.
The commanders of Amotekun across the southwest states also spoke on the desire to have their personnel equipped with sophisticated arms to deal with banditry and other forms of criminality.
Speaking, Olayanju said the Oyo Amotekun had consistently sought such approval for its personnel, adding that authorities kept responding that such approval would require amendments to the laws of the country.
“The state had been seeking approval for Amotekun operatives to use sophisticated weapons since 2023 and recently a reminder on the issue was activated and tabled before the appropriate superior authority. However, I’m aware it’s a constitutional issue that would require amendments to the LFRN,” Olayanju said.
Commenting on the need for sophisticated arms by the corps, the Ekiti commander of the corps, Brig. Gen. Olu Adewa (retd), noted, “It is part of the Act which established the Amotekun that they can bear light arms. So, from the outset, the corps has always operated that way.”
Adewa revealed plans to recruit more personnel for the security outfit of the state government.
Adewa said, “They (state government) said they would recruit. We are waiting, we are eager, we are on it. This will be made public.”
Disclosing that the outfit had a little over 300 personnel, the commander said the threat perception and the financial capacity of the southwest states would determine the operations of the corps in each state.
He said, “Amotekun in Ekiti State is barely 300. The threat perception or threat level, the purse and the land mass of the different states are different. These are the factors.”
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration had done a lot to keep Ekiti communities and people safe.
Olatunbosun said, “We are doing a lot and we will continue to do a lot. We are investing in technology to prevent crime anywhere in the state.
‘’The state government has also ensured collaboration among the conventional security agencies and the local arm to work together to ensure the safety of lives and property.”
He touted the deployment of Agro Rangers and Peace Corps as a game-changer in the state’s security strategy.
He stated, “The establishment of the Agro Rangers to join the Amotekun and the Peace Corps that we have as the local detachment of our security to collaborate with the conventional ones is also part of the move.
‘’They understand the terrain, they understand the environment and the nooks and crannies of the state and that has helped.
“We have equally established a security committee that involves both the traditional rulers and the leadership of the local councils, which involves all security networks. We have done that to make Ekiti a safer place for everybody.’’
Speaking further, the commissioner noted that the governor had also secured the support of the military and police at the federal level.
He added, “Mr Governor went ahead to meet with the security chiefs at the national level to get their support, which has assisted in a way with the deployment of the military in some strategic places in Ekiti State.
“Apart from that, we have established a task force of security that we have deployed in some of our farm cluster areas where we have our farm settlements across Ekiti ie Emure/Ise axis, Iyemero/Ayede axis, Oke Ako axis, Erio/Aramoko axis, Ikere/Igbara Odo axis etc, we have ensured that we have established a task force patrolling those places.
“The cluster farming, the agricultural revolution and mechanised farming that we are involved in have equally made it impossible for anybody to have a hiding place in Ekiti.
“We are clearing more farms, which have made those areas a no-go area for anybody willing to operate in the dark, either bandits, kidnappers or their likes,” the commissioner stated.
THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate in the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, yesterday, called their witnesses to justify their claim that the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the election, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, did not win the election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Led in evidence by PDP counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, one of the witnesses, Kennedy Osifo, tendered agents’ copies of the election results for 76 polling units in Ward II of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the state, where he alleged four electoral irregularities.
He told the tribunal that irregularities were observed when the agents’ copies were examined alongside the certified true copies of the results of BVAS accreditation report obtained from the INEC’s IREV portal, and that the discrepancies had been highlighted in his witness statement on oath, which he urged the tribunal to adopt in evidence in the case.
Osifo said he was the PDP local government collation officer in the poll and alleged that the INEC relied on incorrect scores to announce the final result of the election.
When cross-examined, Osifo said his testimonies were based strictly on the two documents and not on contacts with the agents.
On his part, Adebayo Ogedegbe told the tribunal of irregularities in 45 units across Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state and claimed to be the party collation officer for the local government, testified that the INEC computed incorrect scores that negated the records in the certified true copies.
For Owan West Local Government Area, Lucky Aroye, tendered agents’ copies of results in nine units where he said overvoting took place.
Aroye said there were no prior recordings of sensitive materials in seven units of the local government area, urging the tribunal to adopt his statement on oath as evidence in the case.
Meanwhile, Kalu Agabi, SAN, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN and Ijala, SAN, counsel to the INEC, Okpebholo and the APC respectively objected the admissibility of the tendered documents, but reserved their grounds to the final written addresses.
Justice Wilfred Kpochi, the Chairman of the tribunal in his ruling, said the documents were provisionally admitted in evidence.
The first petitioner’s witness from Ikpoba-Okha testified that he was neither an agent at any of the polling units or wards nor directly involved in the election process but that his role was limited to observing and personally examining the results in a “situation room.”
The PW2 from Akoko-Edo council said he was not a polling unit or ward agent but coordinated all the results from 241 polling units and 10 wards in a single day.
Under cross-examination, PW1 admitted that the sensitive BIVAS materials were not available for inspection in the situation room.
The tribunal adjourned till today for continuation of hearing.
The 28-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the standout players for Fulham in the highly competitive Premier League, contributing significantly to the team’s efforts on the pitch.
Iwobi has been in exceptional form this season, netting seven goals and providing three assists for Marco Silva’s side. This marks Iwobi’s most prolific campaign in the English top flight since he began his professional journey with Arsenal a decade ago, highlighting his development and growth as a player.
In a recent interview with Lagos Talks FM, Okocha shared his pride in Iwobi’s achievements, affectionately referring to him as his nephew. He remarked, “I am very happy with him (Iwobi) and his progress.”
Notably, Iwobi has been a consistent presence in the Fulham squad, featuring in all 22 of their Premier League matches this season, demonstrating both his fitness and reliability.
Meanwhile, Washington Egor has been appointed as the new head coach of Ikorodu City Academy. The announcement of Egor’s appointment was made official by the club on Tuesday, signalling a new chapter for the academy.
Egor, a rising coach in the football scene, will be supported by Emmanuel Otupe as his assistant.
In his first statements as head coach, Egor expressed his eagerness to make a meaningful impact at the Lagos-based club. “I’m delighted to work with the Oga Boys,” Egor stated in an interview with Ikorodu City Academy media. He also mentioned that he has been closely following the development and progression of the team, indicating his familiarity with the club’s dynamics.
Egor emphasized his commitment to the team’s success, saying, “I’m dedicated and ready to continue the good work with the help of the Almighty God and the support of the Management.”
Under his leadership, Ikorodu City Academy will compete in the Nationwide League One, where Egor aims to foster talent and drive the team towards achieving greater heights.
[NaijaNews]
Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of University Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) have raised the alarm that tertiary health hospitals are facing threats of becoming empty as doctors, nurses and other skilled health workers leave in droves due to poor remuneration.
They lamented that despite the federal government investment in health infrastructure, the trend has continued unabated and affecting healthcare delivery in the country.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Professor Wasiu Adeyemo and the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Jesse Abiodun and others raised the alarm at the 2025 budget defence session before the House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions.
LUTH CMD, Professor Adeyemo, informed the committee that the rate at which medical workers are leaving the country is alarming, hence the need to act fast to address the situation.
He said, “People resign, retire not even retirement, resignation almost every day. Yes. In the next one or two years, we are going to have all our hospitals empty. We need to do something about remuneration of all the health care workers.
“Otherwise, government is putting a lot of money in infrastructure, and we are going to have empty hospitals. The major reason why people leave is for economic reasons. Consultants are earning less than $1,000”.
Giving details of the Hospital’s 2024 budget performance, the CMD informed that, they had a total budget of N19.2 billion out of which personnel has N13.57 billio and a total overhead of N33.2 million.
He added, “In terms of performance and utilization total overhead was 100 percent as of December. For the total personnel, 91 percent performance but for the capital project 45 percent. So outstanding is 55 percent. November and December are released today we would cover maybe about 85 percent”.
Prof. Adeyemo while responding to an observation by members of the committee on personnel performance said that the hospital had 95 percent personnel performance because of payment of benefits and other activities due to resignation and retirements in the year.
The CMD added, “For the proposal for 2025, a total budget of 32.7 billion, out of which a total overhead which is better than that of last year. Personnel is 20.3. I think it’s 13 last year”.
Similarly, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Abiodun, lamented the delay in the release of budgeted funds to the hospital which he said had adversely affected its operations.
Giving the details of UCH’s 2024 budget, he said it has a capital appropriation of N5,593,110,394. He however informed that only 38 percent of the funds was released leaving a balance of 72 percent left.
He said, “We have the 72% left. Yes, we actually were among the last people to be batched for payment, and the payment started coming in actually in this December. We were able to even utilize this 38 percent because we had already done the cash plan before the release.
“For 2025, we are proposing N4,387,763,661 for capital. This is a bit less than what we had in 2024. And that’s because of this envelope system, what we’re given, we have to work with it.
“The overhead, we have N690,006,464 only. There’s a bit of increase over that of 2024 because of the outrageous bills we are getting from Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company”.
In his remark earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Health Institutions, Hon. Patrick Umoh, charged the CMDs of University Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) to be thorough in their presentations in order to provide a clear picture of their situations.
He said, “The reality is that you must extract the proposal made by Mr. President as it affects your medical centre. It should be part of your budget, your presentation. The report of the 2024 budget performance and 2025 budget proposal is given provisional approval for now”.
Hon. Umeh lamented the precarious situation facing tertiary health institutions in the country.
The chairman ruled that while committee could not attend to all the health institutions on the same day, it would collect all their correspondences and submissions from the outstanding teaching hospitals to work on for further deliberations.
[DailyTrust]
The Nigerian Senate has suspended the 2025 budget defence for the Officemof Auditor General for the Federation
The development may result to zero allocation to the OAGF as the Senate has earlier scheduled Wednesday 22nd January, 2025 as deadline for budget defences to pave way for Committee on Appropriation to harmonise reports from various Committes.
Chairman of Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Ahmed Wadada sent the Auditor General, S.K Chira and his team packing due to ill-preparation and lack of diligent handling of his documents.
Chira appeared before the Commutree unprepared and could not answer questions posed to him concerning the 2024 budget performance his office.
Anger stirred up as a copy of budget documents being read by the Auditor General was different from copies made available to the Committee members.
But allying fears of missing the budget chances, Wadada told the press after the Committee meeting that: “It is left for the Auditor General for the Federation to go get prepared and return, even in two hours now that he has been told that Wednesday is the deadline.
“He is the Auditoe General auditing government agencies, Senate Public Accounts Committee is statutorily empowered to audit his office.
[DailyPost]
Members of the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Regional Development on Tuesday questioned the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, over alleged lopsidedness in the Ministry’s 2024 budget.
The queries were raised when the Minister, accompanied by the Minister of State, Uba Maigari, appeared before the committee to defend the 2024 budget performance and present the 2025 proposal.
Lawmakers pointed out that the Ministry’s budget disproportionately favored Edo State, with 70% of the 2024 projects allocated to the state, to the detriment of other states meant to benefit from its projects.
The committee also criticized the Ministry’s failure to adhere to the federal character principle in the distribution of projects.
During the session, Hon. Matthew Nwogu of the House of Representatives demanded an explanation for the concentration of projects in Edo State.
“Mr. Minister, tell us why most of these 2024 budget projects are situated in Edo State,” Nwogu asked, expressing concern over the exclusion of other states under the Ministry’s purview.
Similarly, another member, Hon. Chinedu Ogar questioned why 70% of the proposed 2025 projects were also allocated to Edo State.
“Honorable Minister, I am happy that you are a product of the National Assembly. However, my constituents are unhappy with this budget because it negates the constitutional principle of federal character. About 70% of your projects are located in Edo State. Why?” Ogar queried.
In response to the heated discussions, Chairman of the House Committee on Regional Development, Eugene Okechukwu, called for the matter to be discussed in an executive session, and the committee dissolved into a closed-door meeting with the Minister.
Earlier, the Minister presented the 2024 budget performance, revealing that N20 billion was allocated for the Ministry’s capital budget.
He said of this amount, N2 billion was earmarked for zonal intervention projects by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, who is from Edo State.
The Minister said that the Ministry’s total 2025 budget proposal stands at N28.9 billion, comprising N24 billion for capital projects, N2.7 billion for personnel costs, and N1.6 billion for overhead.
He explained that N2 billion of this amount was also reserved for zonal intervention projects for the House Leader.
He lamented that the funds allocated to the Ministry were insufficient to address the developmental needs of the five regional commissions under its mandate.
“The amount allocated to the Ministry for Regional Development is inadequate to meet the development needs of the regions,” the Minister said.
He highlighted challenges such as abandoned projects, delays in project completion, and contractor noncompliance due to price variations caused by limited funding.
The Minister detailed the scale of challenges facing the Ministry, noting that projects initially requiring N5 billion for completion now demand up to N70 billion due to inflation and delayed funding.
“When we took over, the first assignment I gave was to assess ongoing projects. It was alarming to find that projects requiring N5 billion or less had escalated to N70 billion. Contractors have since refused to return to sites until their debts are paid,” he said.
He emphasized the need for increased funding to address these challenges and deliver on President Bola Tinubu’s mandate for regional development.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba, described the transformation of the former Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs into the Ministry of Regional Development as a landmark decision.
He commended the Federal Government for expanding the Ministry’s mandate to include regional development across the entire country while still prioritizing the Niger Delta.
“This broader scope reflects a commitment to inclusive national development, addressing inequalities, and fostering economic empowerment across all regions,” Ipinsagba stated.
Chairman, House Committee Eugene Okechukwu urged the Ministry to ensure equitable distribution of projects among states and regions, cautioning against favoritism.
“A situation where some states benefit more than others will cause disaffection and undermine the President’s vision for regional development,” he warned.
He commended President Tinubu for creating the Ministry of Regional Development and pledged the support of both Senate and House Committees to ensure the Ministry is adequately funded.
“The only way the Ministry can achieve its mandate is through equitable project distribution and adequate funding. We are here to support you in delivering on your objectives,” Okechukwu concluded.
[TheNation]
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria has opposed the proposed increase in the Value Added Tax rate, as outlined in the Federal Government’s Tax Reform Bills, warning that the move could worsen the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
The Federal Government had proposed a phased VAT hike from the current 7.5% to 10%, 12.5%, and ultimately 15%, a move the TUC described as ill-timed and detrimental to the welfare of citizens already grappling with inflation, unemployment, and a soaring cost of living.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, following the union’s National Executive Council meeting held on November 26, 2024, TUC President Festus Osifo said maintaining the VAT rate at 7.5 per cent was crucial to safeguarding Nigerians from additional financial pressure.
“Allowing the Value Added Tax rate to remain at 7.5 per cent is in the best interest of the nation. Increasing it now would impose an additional burden on households and businesses already struggling with economic challenges,” Osifo said.
He added, “With inflation, unemployment, and the cost of living on the rise, higher taxes could stifle economic growth and erode consumer purchasing power.”
The TUC called for a review of the tax exemption threshold, urging the government to raise it from N800,000 to N2.5 million per annum to ease the financial strain on low-income earners.
“This measure would increase disposable income, stimulate economic activity, and provide relief to struggling Nigerians,” Osifo explained.
He said, “The threshold for tax exemptions should be increased to N2,500,000 per annum. This adjustment would offer much-needed relief to low-income earners, enabling them to cope with the current economic challenges.”
The TUC also expressed reservations about the proposed transfer of royalty collection from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), citing risks of revenue losses and inefficiencies.
“Royalty determination and reconciliation require specialised technical expertise in oil and gas operations, which the NUPRC possesses but the NRS lacks. This shift could result in inaccurate assessments, enforcement challenges, and reduced investor confidence,” Osifo warned.
The union commended the government’s decision to retain the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, describing their roles as pivotal to the country’s education and technological advancement.
“These institutions have significantly contributed to improving tertiary education and fostering homegrown technologies. Their continued existence is vital for sustained progress in education, technology, and national development,” Osifo said.
Osifo called on the Federal Government to adopt tax policies that prioritise the welfare of citizens and promote equitable economic growth.
“As discussions on the Tax Reform Bill continue, it is our hope that the focus will remain on fostering economic growth and improving living conditions for all Nigerians,” he said.
The TUC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for policies that enhance the well-being of Nigerians, emphasising that proactive and citizen-centred reforms reflect true leadership.
[Punch]
Nigerian disc jockey, Nonso Temisan Ajufo, known professionally as DJ Big N, has recounted a near-death robbery attack during a visit to South Africa.
In a post via instagram page on Tuesday, DJ Big N said he was attacked alongside an acquaintance, and his personal belongings worth $114k were stolen from him.
He described the night as his worst and most teachable experience of life, attributing his survival to divine intervention and his mother’s prayers.
The post read, “On Sunday, January 12th, a night out turned into both the worst and most teachable experience of my life. I went out with some friends to a fancy lounge in Johannesburg, SA. From there I decided to head to another club with another acquaintance. On the way, at a traffic light, we were ambushed by two cars carrying six armed men with automatic rifles.
“In the chaos, I tried to escape but got shot in the leg. One of the robbers put the rifle to my head and demanded my watch, which I struggled to remove, along with my chain and other jewelry. Bleeding heavily, I managed to get back to the car, and the driver rushed me to the nearest hospital. The bullet had passed through my leg, narrowly missing a major artery and bone. Doctors described this as miraculous, calling me “lucky.” I credit my survival to divine intervention and my mother’s prayers.
“The experience changed my perspective on life. I lost over $114k worth of valuables that day, but I realized material possessions mean nothing. Life is fragile, and validation is meaningless. God gave me another chance, and I’m committed to living more authentically and appreciating life without unnecessary stress.
“This event restored my focus and reminded me of what truly matters. I am Nonso Temisan Ajufo, also known as Big N, and this is my truth. I met so many wonderful people in SA, and went to so many beautiful places…. and like any other country, there would be bad eggs that paint the nation bad.
“South Africa ?? …. I Visit, I Don’t Judge. P.S (I stopped using the crutches 2 days right after, I’m way better now).”
In a surprising turn of events, notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji has reportedly released all individuals held captive by his group.
This was disclosed by Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counter-terrorism and insurgency expert, on Tuesday.
The development comes amid heightened military operations aimed at capturing the fugitive and dismantling his network in Zamfara State and surrounding regions.
Makama said Turji’s decision to “free the captives is linked to the intense pressure mounted by the Nigerian Armed Forces under Operation Hadarin Daji and Operation Forest Sanity.”
Recent airstrikes and ground offensives targeting his hideouts in Fakai, Shinkafi, and surrounding areas have significantly weakened his group, forcing them into retreat.
Makama added: “The release of the captives is being seen as a strategic move by Turji to avoid further escalation or a direct confrontation with security forces who have been closing in on him.
“The troops have vowed to get him whether dead or Alive.”
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PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with Governor Sim Fubara of State Rivers State and the leaders of Ogoniland at the presidential Villa Abuja.
Governor Fubara arrived with Senator Lee Maeba and among the delegation were Senators Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Chief Victor Giadom, Chief Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii, Leedom Mitee, as well as Senators Bennett Birabi Barry. Mpigi and Joe Poroma.
Also present is the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, the Minister of Environment, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abba, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Although the agenda of the meeting was not made public, it may not be unconnected to the Ogoni clean-up and the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
Recall that a coalition of civil society organisations had demanded an allocation of $1 trillion from the Federal Government for the cleanup of the Niger Delta and compensation for the loss of livelihoods, before the resumption of crude oil production in Ogoniland.
The demands were tabled in a statement signed by the organisations including Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), while expressing concerns over the Nigerian government’s reported plans to resume oil production in the community.
The group described the move as a disregard for environmental justice
The statement highlighted the historical environmental degradation caused by oil activities in Ogoniland, documented in the 2011 UNEP report, which revealed widespread pollution of land, water, and air.
The group expressed disappointment that the government has yet to fully implement the UNEP recommendations or prioritize the cleanup of the region.
[Vanguard]
The Association of Mobile Money & Bank Agents in Nigeria has said its members may have no option but to increase service charges.
Ogungbayi Ganiyu, the National Public Relations Officer at AMMBAN, disclosed this in an interview with DAILY POST on Monday.
His comments followed the Federal Government’s 50 percent telecommunications services tariff hike approval.
Reacting, Ganiyu said AMMBAN members’ businesses are centered around telecom services, especially data, and hence would be most impacted.
He, however, noted that POS operators may want to bear the cost of the increased telecoms tariff.
“The telecom tariff hike will impact the operations of our members. I am afraid this may also have a multiplier effect on service charges.
“We have not sat down and looked at the latest tariff hike,” he stated.
DAILY POST reports that the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers on Monday vowed to drag the federal government to court over the 50 percent telecoms tariff hike.
Recall that the last time telecoms tariffs were increased was in 2013.
The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation, and Safety Corps otherwise known as So-Safe Corps has apprehended 54-year-old Adelani Oriyomi at a burial ground in Kere, Obada-Oko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, while allegedly attempting to exhume a human skull.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Tuesday by the Commander of So-Safe Corps, Soji Ganzallo, through the office of the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Corps, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf.
Ganzallo said, “At about 2:35 a.m. on January 21, 2025, officers of the So-Safe Corps on routine patrol observed suspicious activity on a parcel of land behind a church.
“The suspect, identified as 54-year-old Adelani Oriyomi, was spotted trying to hide.
“Once the coast seemed clear, he resumed digging the tomb to allegedly retrieve a human skull. However, the officers returned to the scene, apprehending him before he could escape.”
The statement revealed that the suspect, a resident of Kere, Obada-Oko in Ewekoro Local Government Area, confessed to the crime during interrogation.
He was said to have admitted that on January 18, 2025, he had exhumed a skull from a tomb on a plot of land behind his residence.
Oriyomi reportedly confessed that he was attempting to retrieve another skull to complete the number required for a money ritual preparation known as ‘Osole’ when he was caught.
The suspect was also said to have confessed to being a serial offender, having sold nearly ten skulls in the past.
Oriyomi, during the interrogation, also explained that he had previously been arrested for similar offences committed at Ado-Odo and served two years of imprisonment and a further six years and nine months at the Oba Correctional Centre following another conviction in Obada-Oko.
Ganzallo confirmed that the suspect and the recovered exhibit—a fully dried human skull—have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Obada Divisional Headquarters, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The So-Safe Corps Commander urged community leaders to thoroughly screen tenants and visitors to prevent harbouring undesirable individuals.
He emphasised that such vigilance could ensure 70% of home security, with the remaining 30% relying on alertness to external threats.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has implored the United States to reconsider its withdrawal from the global health body.
After his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump signed an executive order kick-starting the process of pulling the country out of the WHO.
The order said the US was withdrawing “due to the organization’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states”.
The executive order also said WHO required “unfairly onerous payments” from the US that are disproportionate to the sums provided “by other larger countries such as China”.
In a statement on Tuesday, the WHO expressed regret over the move, saying the US has participated in shaping and governing the organisation’s work since joining in 1948.
The organisation said for over seven decades, it has, alongside the US, saved countless lives and protected Americans and other nationals from health threats.
“Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO,” the statement reads.
“With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. This work continues.
“We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”
[TheCable]