Says We Won’t Relent To Bring Leadership That Nigerians Deserve

As Nigerians celebrate June 12, (Democracy day) today, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, on Sunday said that the country’s current politics tell a different story.

Unlike June 12, Nigeria’s democracy is deeply troubled and the nation’s destiny remains uncertain and precarious, Peter Obi said in a statement he sent to Vanguard.

He compared the democracy Nigerians enjoyed twenty-one years ago and what they practice today.

In his words: “Today is June 12, June 12 marked in our dear country as Democracy Day . It is a historic day that deserves to be celebrated.

“On that day in 1993, we the people of Nigeria stated our unreserved preference for true democracy. Though under military rule, we freely chose a transparent voting method. Our votes reflected our true choice as a people. Our choice on that day defied divisions of ethnicity, religion and region.

It is these qualities that added up to make June 12 special in our search for true democracy.

Our collective choice of late Chief M. K.O AbIola as a worthy leader for nation was saluted by Nigerians and governments and peoples across the world.

“Therefore, June 12 underpins our long collective journey to nationhood as a true democracy.

“However, the current state of our politics tells a different story . Our democracy is deeply troubled while our nation’s destiny remains uncertain and precarious .

“We remain a nation in search of solutions to too many basic problems. One of these is the search for a credible electoral system that would command the trust, confidence and belief of ALL Nigerians just like June 12 did.

“We should, therefore, use the commemoration of June 12 as an occasion to return to the true virtues of a truly democratic nation. We achieved that feat on June 12, 1993.

“In the spirit of June 12, therefore, we need to emplace an electoral system that commands the trust of the people. This is in recognition of the tenets and core values of democracy, which rests on respect for the wishes of the people as expressed in their ballots.

“Above all, government must respect and protect the institutions of the democratic state by respecting the social contract with the people by meeting their needs, obeying their wishes and fulfilling the responsibilities of responsible governance as contained in the constitution. A cardinal responsibility of government in this regard is respect for the rule off law.

“Regrettably, we are now in an era where these foundational pillars of democracy are undermind by prevalent impunity and pervasive violence and bloodletting.

“The trust deficit between the leaders and Nigerians continues to expand. The deficits of trust and efficiency in our last elections demonstrate this malady quite boldly.

“The challenge of June 12 and a dedicated Democracy Day is to inspire us to correct the errors of our recent elections. This is the surest way to restore the confidence of our people in the future of our nation and the promise of true democracy.

“I however urge us all not to lose faith in the inbuilt design of our democratic system to self-correct.

“Personally, I remain committed and convinced that a New Nigeria is POssible. Our aspiration for a nation of equity, justice, security and peace can hardly be utopia. We are a nation blessed richly with human and natural resources.

“What we lack, are selfless leaders who are committed to national interest, sustainable development and innovative thinking that offers every Nigerian irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social strata, the freedom of choice of abode, and protection lives, property and ordered liberties.

“These aspirations are real and achievable; and I hereby reiterate my promise to Nigerians that we will not relent in our fight to bring about a leadership that will accord them the priority they deserve.

“Let me, therefore, on behalf of Labour Party and the Obidient Movement across the globe wish all Nigerians a happy democracy day. -Peter Obi.”

Says Rep Who Called Nigeria Air Fraud Demanded Bribe From Me

Says Aircraft From Ethiopia Was Marketing Strategy

The immediate-past Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Senator Hadi Sirika, on Sunday, disclosed that the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, did not pay for the chartered Ethiopian Airline plane unveiled as ‘Nigeria Air’.

Sirika, who disclosed this while speaking on the controversial project on Arise News Channel, on Sunday, said the aircraft was brought by Ethiopian Airlines to demonstrate commitment to the ‘Nigeria Air’ project.

The former minister, however, clarified that only N3billion was released for the Nigeria Air project, and the funds were spent on consultancy services and office maintenance.

He refuted the allegation of spending N85 billion on the project, emphasising that only N5billion was budgeted and not all of the N3 billion released was expended in the last seven years.

He further stated that the N3 billion had not been fully expended before he left the office on May 29.
According to Sirika, the total money budgeted for the project since 2018 was N5billion, out of which N3billion was disbursed.

“From 2016 to 2023, all of the money voted and budgeted for Nigeria Air is N5billion. But all that was released was in the neighborhood of N3billion, not N85 billion, and not all of the N3 billion has been expended as of the time I left office. What has been done with the money is nothing but to get special advisory services, the AOC processes, salaries, consultative services, and the maintenance of the office in Abuja.

“No contract was awarded by Hadi Sirika, these are the things the money was used for. And there is the Freedom of Information Act, people can apply and get all the information about what the money has been used for. The N85 billion being mentioned is only in the imagination of the people carrying it about.”

The ex-minister, however, admitted that the Ethiopian aircraft that was showcased as the success of the project was chartered.

“The AOC owned by Ethiopian Airline is known to Nigeria and the NCAA. They are permitted to come in either with scheduled passengers, chattered or cargo. They have to come in under one of the 3. So, they came as chartered. Being chartered does not mean that anybody paid for anything. The government did not pay a dime for that aircraft to come in.

“Secondly, there was no revenue passenger in the aircraft because that would have been totally against the law and wouldn’t have been allowed. It was their own marketing strategy as equity partners. They came to do this unveiling on a special allowance called chartered and it does not mean that we paid for it. If anybody was to pay for it, it would have been the Ethiopian Airline, not the Nigerian government. No penny was paid,” the former Minister added.

During a hearing by the House of Representatives, Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, had declared the launch of Nigeria Air a fraud.

He had picked holes in the project, criticising the Federal Government for what he described as poor handling.

Nnaji said after careful evaluation of the matter, his committee was dissatisfied with the actions of Sirika.

“We are equally irked by the role played by Ethiopian Airlines in this whole process. It does not speak well of the excellent brotherly relationship existing between our two nations.”

“A careful review of the process indicates the exercise to be highly opaque, shrouded in secrecy, shoddy and capable of ridiculing and tarnishing the image of Nigeria before the international community,” he had said.

But speaking when he appeared on ARISE TV on Sunday, Sirika said the lawmaker approached him and asked for five percent shares of the airline for “him and his people”.

“On the issue of Hon Nnaji who called Nigeria Air launch a fraud, I will respond now. I will say exactly what I told him in private when we spoke.”

“Hon Nnaji asked me that I should give him 5% of Nigeria to carry him along with his people, and I said to him at that time, Honourable, a bidding process that has taken place, and some people won. So, I think you should go to those people and ask for the 5 percent.”

When Reuben Abati, anchor of the show, asked the former Minister to clarify if the lawmaker indeed asked for bribe for himself and other legislators, Sirika said, “Let’s be fair, Hon Nnaji didn’t say other members. He said he wants it for himself and his people. His people could his be his family, could be members and it could be leadership. I don’t know, but he insisted on 5%. I said that he should relax and approach the owners. That’s exactly what I told him.”

The former Minister also criticised Nnaji and the aviation committee for conducting what translated to a “predetermined hearing”.

‘I was a member of the House of Reps 20 years ago, and 10 years ago, I was a Senator. I know the workings of the National Assembly. He [Nnaji] called for public hearing. And right under the public hearing, he just turned the paper and read the riot act. The practice in the National Assembly is that after hearing people and the complain, you now go and sit down as a committee, discuss the issues, raise them, approach the whole house of reps and take position of the house plus leadership and come back and make your findings known, but not immediately you just read the riot Act out. It means is predetermined.”

A few months ago, the State Security Service (SSS) levelled grave allegations of terrorism financing, money laundering, and other economic crimes against Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). At the material time, the attempt by the SSS to arrest, investigate, and prosecute Mr. Emefiele was frustrated by the erstwhile Buhari administration. 

However, following the suspension of Mr. Emefiele as the Governor of the CBN by President Bola Tinubu, the SSS quizzed him in Lagos and flew him to Abuja yesterday. According to media reports, the investigation of the suspect by the SSS has commenced. Even though the SSS which initially denied the arrest has since turned round to admit that Mr. Emefiele is in its custody. 

In the case of Dr. Bukola SarakI v. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2018) 16 NWLR (pt. 1646) 433-434, the Supreme Court ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission lacks the vires to investigate and prosecute the appellant for the breach of the provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. It was for that principal reason that Senator Saraki was freed by the apex court.

In line with the principle of law enunciated by the apex court in Saraki's case the SSS lacks the power to investigate and prosecute Mr. Emefiele in respect of allegations of money laundering and other economic crimes. Therefore, after investigating the alleged involvement of Mr. Emefiele in terrorism financing the SSS should transfer him to the EFCC for the purpose of investigating the allegations of money laundering and allied offences. Otherwise, the investigation of the case will be bungled by the SSS!

Femi Falana SAN

A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, on Saturday expressed shock about the detention of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, by the State Security Service (SSS).

He said in a short statement that Mr Emefiele’s suspension was understandable, but added that the confirmation of SSS that the suspended CBN governor was in its custody “comes as a shock”.

Mr Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, wondered which roles SSS, a body primarily concerned with internal security of the country, would play in the case while agencies whose focus was relevant to the activities of the CBN were excluded.

“The suspension of the Governor of the CBN from office is not a surprise as his tenure was way beyond monetary policy. But confirmation by DSS that Governor Emefiele is in its custody comes as a shock.

“The statutory role of DSS is internal security, and I shudder to think what role DSS will play in this matter. The rule of law says it all – can the relevant agency responsible for Governor Ememfiele step forward, but this excludes the DSS, unless this has security implications,” the statement read.

Mr Emefiele was, on Saturday, taken into custody by Nigeria’s secret police, the SSS, hours after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from office.

“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is now in its custody for some investigative reasons,” Peter Afunanya, the spokesperson for the agency, said in a press statement he shared ,

Mr Afunanya did not provide details of when and how Mr Emefiele was arrested and where he is being kept. However, our correspondent learnt the banker was picked up from his home in Lagos and then flown to Abuja guarded by a detachment of operatives. He was then driven to the SSS’ headquarters in the Asokoro District of the nation’s capital where sources said he was being quizzed.

There were speculations Friday night that the SSS arrested Mr Emefiele shortly after he was suspended. But the law enforcement agency tweeted Saturday morning, saying the top banker was not in its custody.

It is unclear why the SSS is holding the embattled official. But the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said Friday that his office, the CBN, was under investigation.

The SSS and Mr Emefiele have had a turbulent relationship recently. Last year, the agency accused the governor of a barrage of offences.

The SSS secretly requested a court order in December to arrest him on allegations of “financing terrorism, fraudulent activities, and economic crimes of national security dimension.”

This request was, however, rejected by the Federal High Court in Abuja because the secret security unit failed to present sufficient evidence to justify issuing an arrest warrant against Mr Emefiele.

Mr Emefiele also faced criticism due to his controversial foray into partisan politics, which saw him contest for the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressive Congress. Although the governor tried to deny his involvement in partisan politics, support groups were calling for his emergence as flagbearer of the ruling party.

The governor’s unprecedented involvement in partisan politics attracted widespread condemnation, with experts expressing worries about the governor’s impartiality and the autonomy of the CBN.

Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) on Saturday, watched a video recording by Channels Television showing the Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Yakubu Mahmood, assuring Nigerians that there would be “no going back” on using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines to accredit voters and transmit scanned polling unit results in real time.

The TV station was subpoenaed to produce the live interviews granted by Mahmood and the electoral umpire’s spokesperson, Festus Okoye, regarding their assurance about the functionality of the BVAS for the 2023 election.

Counsel to INEC, President Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima and the All Progressives Congress, raised objections against the witness and the evidence sought to be admitted.

Ruling on their objections was, however, reserved till the final judgment, as the court gave the go ahead for the video clips to be played in open court.

Jubril Okutepa (SAN) who took charge of proceedings for the petitioners, sought leave of court to play videos regarding the election.

The first video that was played was when the INEC Chairman held a meeting with political party leaders and other stakeholders, saying “there is no going back on the deployment of BVAS for voter accreditation and real-time transmission of results on election day.”

The next was the live interview Channels Television had with Festus Okoye where he admitted that there were challenges during the presidential election.

He was seen saying the Commission issued a statement relating to the inability of presiding officers to upload results from BVAS to IRev, adding there were technical glitches.

Okoye added that those who had the knowledge about the technical glitches had made their own explanation to the Commission.

He added that the four leading political parties deployed over 100,000 party agents to the polling units and must have been given duplicate copies of the polling unit results sheet.

The other video that was played was when Tinubu announced Shettima as his running mate.

After the video evidence was played, INEC counsel, Oluwakemi Pineiro (SAN), said he had no question for the witness.

Counsel to Tinubu, Akin Olujimi (SAN), asked the journalist if the cameramen that recorded the video including the INEC Chairman were still alive.

The witness responded in the affirmative.

The court subsequently discharged the journalist from the testimony dock.

After the video exercise, Obi’s lawyer, Peter Afuba (SAN), then tendered Certified True Copies of more electoral documents from Benue State (EC40GBU).

The documents were objected to by the respondents, but the court admitted them as evidence.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over “the failure to probe the allegations that $2.1 billion and N3.1 trillion public funds of oil revenues and budgeted as fuel subsidy payments are missing and unaccounted for between 2016 and 2019.”

In a statement on Sunday, SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the suit followed the grim allegations documented by the Auditor-General of the Federation in the 2016 and 2019 annual reports that the public funds are missing.

SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Tinubu to promptly probe allegations that USD$2.1 billion and N3.1 trillion public funds are missing and unaccounted for between 2016 and 2019.”

In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1107/23 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the group also seeks “an order of mandamus to compel President Tinubu to direct the anti-corruption agencies to promptly probe fuel subsidy payments made by governments since the return of democracy in 1999, name and shame and prosecute suspected perpetrators, and to recover any proceeds of crimes.”

It also ants the court to compel President Tinubu to use any recovered proceeds of crime as palliatives to address the impact of the subsidy removal on poor Nigerians, and to put in place mechanisms for transparency and accountability in the oil sector.

“The allegations that US$2.1 billion and N3.1 trillion of public funds are missing and unaccounted amount to a fundamental breach of national anticorruption laws and the country’s international obligations including under the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party,” the statement read.

“The Tinubu government has constitutional and international legal obligations to get to the bottom of these allegations and ensure accountability for these serious crimes against the Nigerian people.”

According to SERAP, directing and compelling President Tinubu to promptly probe, name and shame and bring to justice the perpetrators and to recover any missing public funds would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.

“Allegations of corruption in fuel subsidy payments suggest that the poor have rarely benefited from the use and management of the payments,” the group stated.

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Ms Adelanke Aremo, Ms Valentina Adegoke, and Ayomide Johnson, read in part: “There will be no economic growth or sustainability without accountability for the human rights crimes.”

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

[ChannelsTV]

Retired General Ibrahim Babangida, a former military president, has tasked Nigerian leaders to explore the gains of the 12 June 1993 presidential election, toward deepening democracy in the country.

Mr Babangida spoke in Minna with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Nigeria’s democracy and the journey so far.

“The gains of June 12, 1993, presidential election have not been exploited by political leaders in succeeding elections in Nigeria.

“It was adjudged the freest and fairest election in Nigeria, yet politicians have blatantly ignored that beauty; the beauty of credible elections.
“Remember, it was an election Nigerians came out en mass to choose their leaders, irrespective of their cultural/traditional and religious affiliations,” he said.
The former president who spoke through his media aide, Kassim Afegbua, said that although Nigeria’s democracy had recorded some growth, there were still many grounds to be covered.

“There is thuggery in politics in Nigeria, too many litigations in Nigeria, too many issues that transparent elections ought to have addressed,” he said.
Mr Babangida decried increasing voter apathy in Nigeria’s election, attributing it to insincerity by the leaders resulting in a lack of trust by the electorate.

“June 12 should naturally encourage more voters to endorse democracy and election, but the turnout during our election is gradually declining.

“Right now there is voter apathy, that’s the more reason why something must be done to ensure mass participation in election,” he said.

He said that the country’s democracy had gotten more advanced with some achievements, urging Nigerian politicians to work toward making it better.

“Nigeria’s democracy is getting more and more older. Democracy has come to stay but despite the imperfections, we can still get our arts together to correct some of the issues and continue on that trajectory.

“It is a learning curve and a work in progress. Our leaders must continue to invest their time, energy and resources to deepen democracy and sustain democratic ideals,” he said.
NAN reports that the Supreme Military Council under the leadership of Mr Babangida annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the country.

(NAN)

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says Godswill Akpabio will make a “very competent” president of the senate.

Shettima spoke at a dinner organised by the Stability Group, Akpabio’s campaign platform, at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja on Saturday.

Last month, the All Progressives Congress (APC) nominated Akpabio for the position of senate president.

The decision created ripples within the party, with Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara, and Orji Uzor Kalu, the chief whip, insisting on vying for the position.

Supporters of Kalu and Yari have described the ruling party’s decision as an imposition while demanding independence of the legislature from the control of the executive.

Addressing the concern, Shettima said Tinubu and APC are backing the former Akwa Ibom governor for senate president because “he is from a very important zone”.

He said their stance is “in conformity with the plurality of our union” as a country.

“Senator Akpabio is very competent, and he has the capacity to lead the 10th national assembly,” the vice-president said.

“At the same time, he is from a very important zone, and he is also a man of Christian faith.

“So, in line with the constitution of our country and conformity with the plurality of our union, the party and, indeed, the president thought it fit to support him.”

Shettima said the APC needs to present itself as a party that embraces diverse religious and ethnic spread.

“My CSO is an Igbo man who had worked with me when I was governor. He has been a dedicated and loyal officer, even in the heat of the Boko Haram attacks in Borno,” he said.

The senate will elect its presiding officers for the 10th assembly on Tuesday.

[The Cable]

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has stated that his government would be left with no option than to revoke and re-award the Andoni section of the Ogoni/Opobo/Nkoro/Andoni Unity Road project.

He explained that this was because of the obvious failure of the contractor to deliver the project after several years.

The governor gave the hint while addressing newsmen during the inspection of the road project on Saturday.

He said the contract sum of the Andoni section of the road project has been fully paid to the contractors by the state government and expressed dissatisfaction with the negligence of the project.

He explained that one year ago, the state government held a meeting with Andoni opinion leaders and the contractors to work out modalities for smooth execution of the project and all agreeable contractual terms were met by the government but the contractors failed on their part.

Sir Fubara directed the Commissioner of Works to immediately commence the process of revocation of the project and re-awarding it to a serious contractor to complete the road project on schedule.

Fubara said; “In all the Twenty-Three Local Government Areas, we made a pledge to the people that security of lives and property would be our major assignment, and to ensure that every project initiated in the 23 LGAs that are ongoing would be completed”.

“Recall that the Ogoni/Opobo/Nkoro/Andoni unity road project was initiated by the Dr Peter Odili administration, the immediate past administration also executed major parts of the project.

“We made a promise to Andoni people that this road will be delivered, and I can tell you that I intend to deliver it within the first year of my administration,” he emphasised.

[Nigerian Tribune]

The Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara state on Friday matriculated 11,450 Students for the 2022/2023 academic session.

The matriculating students, according to the Rector of the institution, Dr. Kadiri Kamoru were admitted for National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) full-time and part-time courses in the Polytechnic.

Speaking at the event, the Rector admonished the newly admitted Students to pursue their course of study with determination, commitment, and discipline to be useful to the country.

Kadiri said that each of the Students has unique gifts, talents, perspectives, and experiences which Nigeria in particular, and the World desperately need to solve different problems.

He said, “I want you to note that primarily, the World needs you but more importantly; your country, Nigeria needs you. I strongly believe that each of you has unique gifts, talents, perspectives, and experiences that the World desperately needs. No matter what fields you pursue, you will soon realize that there are problems to solve, injustices to fight, and truths to discover.

“Your knowledge and potential will be required to unlock cures for diseases, create technologies that improve lives and develop the nation, and craft policies that promote freedom and justice. The possibilities are limitless.

“Therefore, I admonish you to pursue your goals with determination, commitment, and discipline. Believe in yourself. I am sure you are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable more than you imagine. When times get tough and challenges seem impossible, draw on your inner strength and perseverance and be rest assured that the Almighty God will help you as you strive to actualize your mission and vision towards achieving your goals in life”, he counseled.

He urged the students to make use of the Polytechnic’s facilities and equipment including the internet which he said is a rich source of information on any topic under the Sun.

“There are many Artificial Intelligence (AI) websites that can help you boost your career. I, therefore, urge you to maximize the advantages of social media and create a balance when using your smartphones, Computers, and tablets both for educational purposes as well as for socialization.”

The Rector also advised the new students to make use of the Polytechnic’s Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC) where they can be trained in all kinds of small-scale production like Soap- making, Cake-baking, Juice Making, fashion designing,
Computer repairs, phone repairs, auto diagnosis, etc.

Kadiri, however, warned the students from involving in anti-social groups, adding “You are therefore advised to shun all forms of violence, negative social media interactions, Cyberbullying, indecent dressing, prostitution, cultism, yahoo yahoo, and other fraud-related activities.

“The Polytechnic does not tolerate truancy, absenteeism, and other forms of social vices,” he warned.