Some in Africa are celebrating the coups. Many are fed up and desperate for change, analysts say
AdminAfter mutinous soldiers in Gabon announced they had deposed the country’s president, many residents danced in the streets and declared themselves free from the presidential family’s 55-year rule. It’s becoming a familiar scene in West and Central Africa, which has recorded eight coups since 2020.
“It is an expression of the popular dissatisfaction,” said Hermann Ngoulou in the Gabonese capital of Libreville. “The country has been experiencing a deep crisis on all levels due to bad governance, the rising cost of food (and) the high cost of living.”
There have been about 100 documented coups across Africa since the 1950s. This resurgence of military takeovers is often prompted by diminishing democratic dividends, according to analysts.
In Gabon, the coup occurred shortly after the president was declared the winner of the election from which international observers, for the first time, had been barred.
That’s not unusual in a region where elections are often alleged to be flawed, longtime leaders pursue the extension or elimination of term limits, and civic space is eroded by misgovernance, said Tiseke Kasambala, the director of Africa programs at the Washington-based Freedom House watchdog group.
In the end, the result is “widespread resentment and frustration amongst citizens,” she said.
At least 27, or half, of the 54 countries in Africa are among the 30 least developed in the world, according to the latest United Nations Human Development Index. Most are in West and Central Africa, often endowed with natural resources whose rich profits are little seen by everyday citizens.
The failure of leaders to significantly improve the lives of their populations has left people frustrated and desperate, said Remi Adekoya, a politics lecturer at the University of York.
“Africans do not think the idea of military rule is great; it is the disappointment in what is supposed to be a democratic rule that is causing people, if not openly support military dictatorship, to not be against it,” Adekoya said. “The leaders who are supposed to be democrats are not abiding by the rules of democracy … and people are wondering, what is in this system for me?”
Research network Afrobarometer's 2023 surveys found that the number of people supporting democracy and elections in Africa has fallen. Only 68% of respondents across 34 countries preferred democracy to any other system of government, down from 73% a decade ago.
“A significant correlation” was established between the number of Africans reporting substantial corruption in the presidential office and dissatisfaction with democracy.
Most respondents believed elections are “an imperfect but essential tool for choosing their leaders,” the study noted.
On Aug. 26, as Gabonese went to the polls, authorities cut off the internet. As service returned in the hours after the coup, the president used it as a megaphone to the world, sharing a video in which he called on friends of Gabon to “make noise” for his restoration.
International sanctions imposed to reverse coups in Africa have often failed, resulting instead in more hardship for populations already struggling with high rates of poverty and hunger.
Niger was the world’s third-least-developed country before the coup there in July, and has 4.3 million people in need of humanitarian aid, according to the U.N. Sanctions aimed at reversing that coup resulted in “serious socio-economic crises” for Niger’s residents, the head of West Africa’s regional ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, told reporters recently in Nigeria.
Even as frustration grows against what some describe as “electoral coups” that keep longtime leaders in power, analysts warn that military regimes are never the answer, and efforts to intervene should be aimed at entrenching democracies.
“If a country requires reforms before elections, then the best way to support these reforms must be seriously considered, even if the protagonists include military coup leaders,” wrote Ornella Moderan, head of the Institute for Security Studies Sahel program.
The mutinous soldiers in Gabon claim to have taken power in the interest of the people — a familiar line in past coups elsewhere.
Militaries have sometimes been encouraged by what appears to be popular support, Adekoya said. “What is most encouraging for any would-be coup plotter today is the reaction of the crowd to the coups, the fact that on many streets in these countries, people are coming out to celebrate them,” he said.
But military regimes have not proven to be a better alternative for good governance.
In Mali, where soldiers have been in power since 2020, the Islamic State group almost doubled the territory they control in less than a year, according to U.N. experts. And in Burkina Faso, which recorded two coups in 2020, economic growth slowed to 2.5% in 2022 following a robust 6.9% the year before.
In other places like Chad, military regimes have been accused of clamping down on dissidents, sometimes resulting in extrajudicial killings.
African countries run by regimes have experienced “a breakdown in the rule of law, an increase in arbitrary arrests and detentions, bans on peaceful protests and impunity for human rights violations committed by military forces,” said Kasambala with Freedom House.
Still, some of the regimes are supported because of “intrusive” external forces, she said, citing former French colonies such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso where “perceived French interference in the affairs of government and what is seen as the propping up of authoritarian rulers has generated widespread anti-French sentiment.”
In the end, Africans weary of decades of misrule are not asking for much, Adekoya said.
“People are just asking for some slight improvements to their fortunes, some slight sense of security, and free and fair elections,” he said. “Once you have the majority of people feeling ‘the system is not working for me,’ then that system is in trouble.”
[news.yahoo]
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has condemned the planned demolition of illegal structures in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had vowed to demolish all illegal buildings and structures, as part of efforts to restore the Abuja Master Plan. He also threatened to revoke lands that were allocated, but not developed and reclaim uncompleted buildings that had become a safe haven for criminals.
Wike vowed not to spare anyone, irrespective of status, who had distorted the master plan, encroached the green areas and would also ban motorcycle and tricycle operators, open grazing, roadside markets in the FCT.
However, speaking at the NLC National Symposium in Abuja on Thursday, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said the planned demolition was a war against the poor and a violation of their human rights.
Ajaero, who Spoke on the theme, “Nigerian Economy and the Crisis of Survival: Robbing the Poor to Pay the Rich”, urged Wike to halt his plans unless there were alternative shelters for the affected poor.
“The new attack by Wike to drive the poor out of Abuja, it’s a war where they tell you that you build in a place that is not part of the master plan, the master plan is only known to them.
“The NLC is saying that those structures are not illegal, those structures should be made legal unless there is alternative to them.
“There is no area they map out, either quarter plot or half plot for the poor to build in Abuja and when the poor manage to get small shelter, it’s been demolished on daily basis. It is a war against the poor.
“The number of people Adolf Hitler killed under a gas chamber will be a child play for people who will die because of shock over demolition”, Ajaero added.
[TheWill]
The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State in the 2023 election, Magnus Ngei Abe, has appealed to his supporters to stop lobbying for any appointment for him in the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
According to him, the President should be allowed to form his government with those who can help him serve the people of Nigeria better.
Naija News reports that Abe, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, said he could not be fighting with the president’s appointees while declaring support for him at the same time.
Abe’s reaction, as gathered by this platform, follows agitation on why the President didn’t consider him for a ministerial position, instead of picking the former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike.
While urging his supporters and agitators to stop crumbling over the situation, Abe said, “Please, if anybody is lobbying for appointment, go and lobby for yourself, do not lobby for any appointment for me on any platform.
“I withdrew my case against the elections in Rivers state, I have congratulated the President’s appointees, including the minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and I genuinely wish them well.
“I am not, and I cannot be seen to be fighting with the President’s appointees while supporting the President.
“Anyone who claims to be with me should follow my steps and cease all hostilities against politicians who are in the APC or working with the APC government.
“The President is my father, and I have confidence in his ability to help Nigeria economically, which is why I supported him, and I will continue to support him.
“Let us give him space and time. By the grace of God, Nigeria will be better for us all, not only for those with positions in Government.
“Bile, bitterness, Unforgiveness and anger have never been part of my politics.
“Progress, prosperity and service are what we have always preached and talked about; it is time to practice what we preach with or without appointment.
“No matter what happens today, the sun will always rise again tomorrow morning; those who find favour before God will live to see the glory of another sunrise.”
Read the full statement below;
MY ADMONITION TO ALL THE RISING CONCERNS OPINIONATED ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND VARIOUS ONLINE PLATFORMS FROM WELL-WISHERS AS WELL AS DERIDERS
”Please, can we tone down all these aggression. We have always supported President Tinubu, and we will continue to support the President.
”Let us all allow the President to form his government and bring in those he needs to help him serve the people of Nigeria.
”I withdrew my case against the elections in Rivers state, I have congratulated the President’s appointees, including the minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and I genuinely wish them well.
”I am not, and I cannot be seen to be fighting with the President’s appointees while supporting the President.
”Anyone who claims to be with me should follow my steps and cease all hostilities against politicians who are in the APC or working with the APC government.
”Appointments, as we have all now confirmed, are not made on platforms, and appointment is not the only benefit from supporting the government.
”Please, if anybody is lobbying for appointment, go and lobby for yourself, do not lobby for any appointment for me on any platform.
”The President is my father, and I have confidence in his ability to help Nigeria economically, which is why I supported him, and I will continue to support him.
”Let us give him space and time.
”By the grace of God, Nigeria will be better for us all, not only for those with positions in Government.
”Bile, bitterness, Unforgiveness and anger have never been part of my politics.
”Progress, prosperity and service are what we have always preached and talked about. It is time to practice what we preach with or without an appointment.
”No matter what happens today, the sun will always rise again tomorrow morning; those who find favour before God will live to see the glory of another sunrise.”
Magnus Abe
[NaijaNews]
Tingo Group Announces Completion of Investigation Into Allegations Made Against the Company in Short-Seller Report and Issues its Response
AdminTingo Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: TIO) (“Tingo” or the “Company”), a profitable and fast growing fintech, agri-fintech and food company, today announced it has completed the investigation of the allegations made by short seller Hindenburg Research (“Hindenburg”), that relate directly to the Company and its businesses.
At the direction of the Company’s independent directors, independent counsel investigated certain of the Hindenburg allegations and provided the independent directors with an interim report summarizing evidence it had reviewed, along with items requiring further investigation. The Company’s outside counsel then conducted its own investigation into the allegations, which included following up on the items identified by independent counsel. Based on the Company’s outside counsel’s investigation and further investigative work of its own, the Company has concluded it can now provide the following response to the allegations in the Hindenburg report:
- Agri-Fintech Holdings, Inc. Resignation of Director: Christophe Charlier was a co-Chairman of OTC-listed company, Agri-Fintech Holdings, Inc., which sold Tingo Mobile Limited to the Company on November 30, 2022. Mr. Charlier has never been a member of the Company’s Board of Directors, nor has he been involved in the management of the Company. In his resignation letter, which was filed with the SEC, Mr. Charlier complained only of a lack of communication and teamwork at Agri-Fintech Holdings.
- Tingo Foods Revenue and Operating Margin: The revenue reported by Tingo Foods in Q1 2023 and its operating margin of 24.8 % has been confirmed.
- Tingo Foods Business Relationships: During the period from September 2022 to March 31, 2023, Tingo Foods purchased its raw crops from two organizations in Nigeria, including the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (“AFAN”), which delivered the crops to third-party food processors. Tingo Foods then sold the processed food to several large wholesalers in Nigeria.
- Food Processing Facility: The construction of the Tingo Foods processing facility in Nigeria is well underway, with food and beverage processing operations expected to commence in Q2 2024. The images and renderings used for the Foods Processing Facility’s groundbreaking ceremony in February 2023 and in early presentational materials were stock images provided by an external marketing company, whereas specific renderings of the actual facility are currently being utilized. The Company has contracts in place with the construction company for the project and with Evtec Energy Plc and TAE Power Solutions Limited for the construction of a solar power plant to power the processing facility. Evtec Energy Plc is a special purpose vehicle for the project, whereas TAE Power Solutions Limited is a part of a multinational group that has been trading for more than 25 years.
- Tingo Foods Sale of Inventory: The inventory held by Tingo Foods at the time it was purchased by the Company in February 2023 was sold to a customer on March 20, 2023, the proceeds for which were received on June 29, 2023.
- Tingo Mobile Business Relationships with Farming Organizations: Tingo Mobile leases mobile phones to four co-operatives and farming organizations: the Kebbi (Dala) Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (“Kebbi”), the Ailoje Royal Farms Multi-Purpose Cooperative (“Ailoje”), the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (“AFAN”), and the Ashanti Investment Trust (“Ashanti”). The two farming cooperatives referenced in the Hindenburg report were Kebbi and Ailoje, to which Tingo Mobile has leased 4.5 million and 4.844 million phones respectively. The relationships with all the co-operatives and farming organizations have been confirmed.
- Mobile License: Tingo Mobile does not directly provide airtime and data services on the phones it leases to customers, or through its Nwassa platform. Such services are currently provided by a third-party vendor. Tingo Mobile therefore does not require a Mobile License from the Nigerian Communications Commission. This arrangement allows Tingo Mobile’s customers to choose the best network provider for their location from Airtel, MTN, 9 Mobile and Globacom. Tingo Mobile earns a commission on the airtime and data services purchased by its customers, which it receives from its vendor, and which were previously received from Airtel.
- Tingo Mobile’s Phone Suppliers: Since 2020, Tingo Mobile has purchased mobile phones from two suppliers: UGC Technologies Limited, with which it has had a contractual relationship since December 2020, and Bullitt Mobile, with which it has had a distribution agreement since February 2022.
Hindenburg contacted a company called UGC Mobile Technologies in the U.S., not Tingo Mobile’s supplier, UGC Technologies Limited, which has offices in Africa and China. Tingo Mobile has purchased almost all its mobile phones from UGC Technologies Limited to date, with only a small purchase of 1,000 units of Caterpillar branded phones from Bullitt Mobile in 2022.
- Tingo Mobile’s Taxes: On April 7, 2023, Tingo Mobile paid in full to the Nigeria Federal Inland Revenue Service (“FIRS”) its corporate income tax (“CIT”) and Tertiary Education Tax (“EDT”) for the fiscal year 2022.
- Tingo Mobile Ghana: The Company’s recently established operations in Ghana are currently conducted exclusively through its trade agreement with the Ashanti Investment Trust. The Company leases mobile telephones to individuals introduced through the Ashanti Investment Trust and such customers also have access to Nwassa. The sim cards, airtime and data are sold to customers through a third-party vendor, as a result of which Tingo Mobile is not required to have a license with the National Communications Authority in Ghana. Tingo Mobile does not currently deal with or accept any new customers other than through its relationship with the Ashanti Investment Trust, it is however preparing to further expand the company’s business in Ghana and is currently recruiting a workforce and building a website to assist in facilitating this.
- TingoPay: Tingo Mobile entered into a partnership with Visa on September 27, 2021, subsequent to which it has hosted several joint events with Visa, and it also launched a beta version of TingoPay with Visa on February 14, 2023. Prior to contracting with Visa, Tingo Mobile entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Stanbic Bank, dated November 17, 2020, and work was undertaken by the parties to develop an integrated e-wallet solution. After a disagreement over the Tingo Mobile press release in April 2021, the partnership with Stanbic Bank ceased and Tingo Mobile instead entered into the partnership and e-wallet integration with Visa.
- Tingo Mobile’s NWASSA Platform: The Nwassa USSD platform is pre-loaded on the Tingo Mobile phones that are leased to the cooperatives and their farmers. Other individuals that have their own mobile phone can also register on the Nwassa USSD platform and conduct transactions on the platform. The Nwassa platform can be used by farmers to purchase items such as farming inputs, insurance, micro-loans, or additional airtime. The transactions made through Nwassa are processed by a third-party payment processing company owned by an American multi-national fintech company, which collects a commission payment on behalf of Tingo Mobile on each transaction and remits the commissions to its bank account. Tingo Mobile has confirmed its Q1 2023 reported revenue from the NWASSA platform.
- Tingo DMCC: Tingo DMCC is the Company’s new agricultural export business. As of June 30, 2023, Tingo DMCC had conducted three export sales transactions totaling $348 million with customers located in neighboring countries within Africa. Tingo DMCC currently conducts its business through its direct contacts and sales leads. It is, however, in the process of developing a separate website for use in the future.
- Financial Statement Errors: The “errors” identified by Hindenburg in Tingo Group’s financial statements and MD&A in its year-end 2022 Form 10-K and Q1 2023 Form 10-Q were typographical errors that were obvious to the reader from the remainder of the numbers and other information.
All the information required to be disclosed relating to Certain Relationships and Related Transactions (including the acquisition of Tingo Mobile on November 30, 2022), and Director Independence, was included in the Form 10-K.
While the Company’s cash-flow statement inadvertently labeled an increase in trade receivables as a decrease, the numbers themselves were correct. The discrepancies Hindenburg identified between the change in receivables reported on the balance sheet and change in receivables reported in the cash flow statement reflect Hindenburg’s misunderstanding of the numbers and the relevant U.S. GAAP accounting standards, including in relation to how the business combinations that closed during the relevant accounting periods impacted the numbers. In both cases, the “difference” resulted from non-cash adjustments related mainly to the Company’s acquisition of Tingo Mobile in Q4 2022 and its acquisition of Tingo Foods in Q1 2023, all of which were correct.
- Independent Auditors: The engagement with Brightman Almagor Zohar & Co., a firm in the Deloitte Global Network, was after consideration of the relevant factors regarding the location of auditors. Such factors included that the Company does not have any operations in the U.S., and the consolidation process and preparation for the group’s financial statement and SEC filings is performed by the Company’s finance function in Israel.
- Bank Balances: Bank statements were obtained directly from the banks used by Tingo Mobile and Tingo Foods, and interviews with the banks were conducted over video conference calls. The bank balances of each company were confirmed at several dates, including at the Quarter End dates of March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, and as late as August 3, 2023, which reconciled and agreed to each company’s accounting records and financial statements.
Tingo Mobile earns interest only on funds held in a fixed deposit account. Due to its cash needs from time to time, Tingo Mobile is unable to encumber a large portion of its funds in a fixed-deposit account that would earn interest.
Having concluded the investigation into the allegations made by Hindenburg against the Company and its businesses, which was deemed to be the highest priority, the Company and its outside counsel will now proceed to investigate Hindenburg’s allegations against the founder of Tingo Mobile and Tingo Foods, Dozy Mmobuosi.
About Tingo Group
Tingo Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: TIO) is a global Fintech and Agri-Fintech group of companies with operations in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Tingo Group’s wholly owned subsidiary, Tingo Mobile, is a leading Agri-Fintech company operating in Africa, with a comprehensive portfolio of innovative products, including a ‘device as a service’ smartphone and a value-added service platform. As part of its globalization strategy, Tingo Mobile has recently begun to expand internationally and entered into trade partnerships that are contracted to increase the number of subscribed farmers from 9.3 million in 2022 to more than 32 million, providing them with access to services including, among others, the Nwassa ‘seed-to-sale’ marketplace platform, insurance, micro-finance, and mobile phone and data top-up. Tingo Group’s other Tingo business verticals include: TingoPay, a SuperApp in partnership with Visa, that is currently in beta version, offering a wide range of B2C and B2B services including payment services, an e-wallet, foreign exchange and merchant services; Tingo Foods, a food processing business that processes raw foods into finished products such as rice, groundnut oil, nut products, wheat, millet and maize; and Tingo DMCC, a commodity trading platform and agricultural commodities export business based out of the Dubai Multi Commodities Center. In addition to its Tingo business verticals, Tingo Group also holds and operates an insurance brokerage platform business in China; and Magpie Securities, a regulated finance services Fintech business operating out of Hong Kong and Singapore. For more information visit tingogroup.com.
Disclaimer
The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management and the Company’s board of director’s view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed and identified in public filings made with the SEC by the Company and: (i) the results of the independent review; (ii) the risk of restatement of the Company’s previously reported financial statements or the identification of one or more material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting; (iii) costs relating to the independent review, which are likely to be material; (iv) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company, including as may result from the independent review and (v) the ability to meet stock exchange continued listing standards. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.
Rwanda President, Paul Kagame, who doubles as the Commander-in-Chief of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), on Wednesday, approved the retirement of 95 military generals and senior officers as well as 930 junior soldiers.
Top on the list of retirees is General James Kabarebe, the country’s former Minister of Defence and Chief of Defense Staff.
Those affected were disclosed in a statement published on the Rwanda Defense Force’s official website on Wednesday.
The announcement came amid recent military coups in Niger Republic and Gabon.
Until his retirement, General Kabarebe served as the special advisor to the president on security.
Local media reports that some of those retired had attained the retirement age of 65 while others were indicted in some misconduct.
“The president has also approved the retirement of 83 senior officers, 06 junior officers and 86 senior NCOS, 678 end of contract and 160 medical discharges,” the statement partly read.
Prior to their retirement, the Ugandan president promoted a number of lieutenant colonels to the rank of colonels and brigade commanders.
Although the statement did not categorically state the reasons behind the retirement of over 600 military officers, the president had in previous weeks addressed opinion leaders on the need to keep the country united.
“Our history has been an example of how destructive division can be. We have also seen that it is our unity that has led to our country’s transformation. We have people who lost their family members, others who have family members who are perpetrators, everyone has suffered the consequences of division. The only solution to this is unity. We cannot accept to return to the destructive practice of division. That would be self destruction.” President Kagame said.
Reacting to the development, some users on X (formerly Twitter) claimed it was a coup prevention strategy while others commended the soldiers for serving the nation for over three decades.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed concern over the recent coup d’état in Gabon, saying he is watching closely while consulting with member states of the African Union.
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this on Wednesday to State House Correspondent in Abuja.
The Nigerian Presidency warned against the seizure of power by the gun.
‘’President Bola Tinubu is watching closely with deep concern for the country’s social-political stability and at the seeming autocratic contention spreading across different regions of our beloved continent.
‘’The president as a man who has made significant sacrifices in his life in the course of advancing and defending democracy believes that power belongs in the hands of Africa’s great people and not in the barrel of a loaded gun,’’ he said.
The junta had ousted the President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba, accusing him of treason.
The Arewa Economic Forum (AEF) has accused President Bola Tinubu of what it termed ‘Yorubanisation’ and ‘Lagoslisation’ of his appointments.
The Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Ibrahim Dandakata, who expressed the displeasure of the Forum lamented that the North, which significantly contributed to the enthronement of the Tinubu government, is being left out in the Finance and ICT sectors which are crucial to economic development.
Dandakata spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at a press conference organized by the Forum to register its discontent over the seeming nepotism in some of the President’s appointments.
He added that both the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Folashodun Shonubi, are from the southwest.
The Group alleged that many of the appointments of Heads of strategic government agencies in Finance and ICT are from the southwest and also of the Lagos axis.
He said, “As you may be aware, Finance and Information Communication Technology (ICT) are crucial to the economic eldorado that the President envisions for Nigeria.
“While the Federal Ministry of Finance manages the finances of the Federation, including controlling and monitoring federal revenues and expenditures, the Federal Ministry of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy develops a knowledge-based economy and facilitates the development of the ICT industry towards increasing its contribution to GDP.
“The two ministries play greater roles in facilitating businesses, e-commerce, job creation, empowerment and increased efficiency and productivity, which are vital for economic growth and prosperity.
“The importance of Finance and ICT sectors are such that we must be circumspect in the kind of decisions we make in those sectors.
“As a patriotic, refined statesman who won a credible, national mandate on February 25, 2023, President Bola Tinubu has a duty to not only be fair to all parts of the country but also to be seen to be fair to all parts.
“We have observed that the Minister of Finance and the Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, and the Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Folashodun Shonubi, are both from the southwest though we admit that they are eminently qualified for their respective positions.
“The Minister of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, is from the southwest and even the Chairman of Senate Committee on ICT, Senator Afolabi Salisu, and that of House of Representatives, Hon. Adedeji Olajide Odidiomo, are also from the southwest.”
The Forum’s Chairman further alleged that some Chief Executive Officers of some key government agencies and parastatals, who were northerners are gradually being replaced with Lagosians and there is the fear that more may be replaced.
“It must be added that even some agencies in the Finance and ICT sectors whose chief executives were removed like the Customs and NIMC were replaced by people from the Southwest.
“There is even confusion on the recent appointment of Engr Bisoye Coker-Odusote from Lagos as acting DG NIMC, after Engr Aliyu Abubakar Aziz was asked to go on retirement leave.
“The presidential directive stated that after acting for three months, Coker-Odusote would then immediately resume as substantive DG for a full tenure.
“This is curious and unprecedented. If the President could not allow the most senior director in the Commission to act for some time, he should have instructed Madam Coker-Odusote to resume her four-year tenure immediately instead of making her enjoy extra three months. This is capable of setting a bad precedent in public service appointments.”
While commending the President for retaining some performing chief executive officers of leading agencies in Economy and Technology like Bello Hassan of NDIC and Kashifu Inuwa of NITDA, the Forum said it believes that more competent, qualified and experienced technocrats from the North can also be appointed to head crucial sectors of the economy.
He added, “There is however palpable fear that more Northerners may be recommended for removal and their replacements may take a similar pattern.
“We are afraid to state that a situation whereby the appointees in crucial economic sectors are not only from the southwest but also connected to the Lagos axis suggests a deliberate ‘Yorubanisation’ and ‘Lagoslisation’ of the polity.
“It is not too late for Mr. President to turn the corner and do the needful in upcoming appointments and crucial decisions.
“We believe firmly that this President means well for our dear nation but he and his lieutenants need to understand optics as perception is reality.
“We urge Mr. President not to yield to sectional pressure for parochial appointments and patronage on the critical sectors of our economy.”
In his appointments, changes and replacements, the Forum called on the President to be wary of actions that can send a wrong signal on his true intentions or the agenda of some of his key lieutenants.
“We expect President Tinubu to be fair, just and equitable in his decisions not only because the Northerners overwhelmingly voted for him but because that is the right thing to do,” he added.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dared his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, to suspend him declaring he has not seen who is capable of suspending him.
The former Rivers State Governor stated this while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, a day after the All Progressives Congress, APC, under which he’s a minister named him as a member of the party’s governorship campaign council for Bayelsa State.
The APC however said it would produce another list declaring the composition of the council as announced by its National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, as not authentic, in a statement by its spokesman, Felix Morka.
The spokesman of the party told THE WHISTLER on Wednesday that another list would be announced Thursday.
The PDP had earlier named Wike as a member of its Bayelsa State Campaign Council.
Some members of the party told THE WHISTLER on Thursday that Wike deserved suspension or expulsion for anti-party activities but blamed the acting National Chairman of the party for the poor direction the party was headed.
But speaking against the demand for his suspension, Wike said, “The person who will suspend me is when I couldn’t produce a governor, three senators, Assembly members. I have not seen that person. Nobody will do it”
He however made it clear that, “I am not working for APC. I am working for Tinubu who has trust in me to help him deliver the renewed hope agenda.”
No fewer than 84 loyalists of the former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, have been expelled from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State for anti-party activities.
They were expelled for accepting political appointments by Governor Ademola Adeleke, including as Commissioners and members of the Osun State and Local Government Caretaker Committees.
THE WHISTLER gathered that the party may also take disciplinary action against Aregbesola who disclosed in an interview on Tuesday that he deliberately worked against APC’s bid in the state’s 2022 governorship election.
The current Osun State Commissioner for Political Affairs and Inter-Governmental Relations, Biyi Odunlade and Rasaq Salinsile who was appointed by Governor Adeleke as Chairman, Osun Teaching Service Commission, were among those that were expelled from the party.
The Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, announced the party members’ expulsion in a news release.
“Following complaints of anti-party activities, the State Executive Committee of the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) constituted a Disciplinary Committee to investigate the allegations against some members.
“This disciplinary measure came in response to the allegations of misconduct and actions that embarrassed and brought the party to disrepute. The Disciplinary Committee undertook a thorough and impartial review of the allegations and the findings were carefully deliberated upon by the State Executive Committee.
“After a comprehensive assessment of the evidence and consideration of the committee’s recommendations, the State Executive Committee has taken the difficult yet necessary step of expelling the members.
“Among the expelled are: Akibu Olaiya – Iwo LG, Yekeen Ajoke Nafisat – Iwo LG, Wakeel Mutaleeb Adekunle – Iwo East LCDA, Olufunke Akano – Iwo East LCDA, Olatunji Idowu Ajoke- Iwo West LCDA, Ajala Abayomi – Ayedire LG, Adegboyega Semiu Adeniyi – Ayedire LG, Sabitu Rofiat Omolayo – Ayedire South LCDA, Oladeji Ismail – Ayedire South LCDA, Tajudeen Akanbi – Olaoluwa LG, Oyediran Quasim – Olaoluwa LG, Ajetunmobi Moshood – Olaoluwa South LCDA, Akintoye Opeyemi – Irewole LG, Akerele Sunday – Irewole LG, Pastor Peter Olaawo – Irewole LCDA, Orisatola Surajudeen A. – Irewole LCDA, Shariat O. Olaniyi – Ayedaade LG, Akeem Olodude – Ayedaade LG, Raji Sikiru – Ayedaade South LCDA, Isaac Adeyemi Aderinoye – Ayedaade South LCDA, Oyedeji Tawab O. – Osogbo LG, Aderemi Tajudeen – Osogbo LG, Kamoru Afusat Bolanle – Osogbo South LCDA, Ibrahim Mumini Tunde – Osogbo South LCDA, Olayinka Musiliu Shina – Osogbo West LCDA, Adewumi Ademola Taofeeq – Osogbo West LCDA, Ajala Oladiran – Olorunda LG, Abiola Omotosho – Olorunda LG, Ganiyu Aliu O. – Olorunda North LCDA, Lawal Olalekan – Olorunda North LCDA and Ganiyu Adebayo A. – Olorunda Area Council
“Afolabi Olaniyi Olatunde – Olorunda Area Council, Serifat Olayiwola – Ifelodun LG, Olawale Morufu Adebukola – Ifelodun LG, Ajibade Olatunji Ganiyu – Ifelodun North LCDA, Oladunjoye Rasheed Taye – Ifelodun North LCDA, Wale Agboola – Ifelodun Area Council, Sulaiman Akeem – Ifelodun Area Council, Odetayo Olubunmi – Odo Otin LG, Agboola Dayo Remilekun – Odo Otin LG, David Ajiboso – Odo Otin North LCDA, Ajala Richard Folashade – Odo Otin North LCDA, Ogunkanmi Adekunle – Odo Otin South LCDA, Adepoju Kabiru – Odo Otin South LCDA, Fadunmola Fatai A. – Boluwaduro LG, Aina Olusola – Boluwaduro LG, Oyekanmi Hajarat Adenike – Boluwaduro East LCDA, Adewumi O. Olufemi – Boluwaduro East LCDA, Teniola Alaba – Ilesa East LG, Muraina Fatai Olusegun – Ilesa East LG, Alaka Bode Olakunle – Ilesa North East LCDA, Ojediran Folasade Kehinde – Ilesa North East LCDA, Raji Azeez – Ilesa West LG, Afolayan Kafayat – Ilesa West LG, Kabir Ademola Hameed – Ilesa West Central LCDA and Kazeem Kafayat – Ilesa West Central LCDA
Also, “Agunlejika Adejuyigbe – Atakumosa West LG, Ogundele Sesan Opeyemi – Atakumosa West LG, Omidiji Olaolu – Atakumosa West LCDA, Adejare Israel – Atakumosa West LCDA, Oni Abiodun – Ife Central LG, Ismail Busayo Alabelewe – Ife Central LG, Chief Titus Awofesobi – Ife Central West LCDA, Alhaji Akeem Oyeleye – Ife Central West LCDA, Alhaji Omisakin Bisi – Ife East LG, Ogunrinola Sayo – Ife East LG, Oyewole Rafiu – Ife Ooye LCDA, Adefioye Adegboyega – Ife Ooye LCDA, Sangolade Olawale – Ife East Area Office, Adekunle Toyin Asabi – Ife East Area Office, Adeyeye Yinusa O. – Oriade LG, Mathew Olamuyiwa Samuel – Oriade LG, Samson Fakinyede Oladipo – Oriade South LCDA, Oyediran Mikail – Oriade South LCDA, Lamidi Oyeyemi – Obokun LG, Dare Adarayaki- Obokun LG, Oluseyi Oyinloye – Obokun LCDA, Ogundele Ogunsanmi – Obokun LCDA, Ismail Elewedi – Ejigbo Central LCDA, Yekeen Adewale – Oyebisi Ejigbo South LCDA, Muraina Atanda Adeleke – Ejigbo South LCDA, Alhaja Temilade Olokungboye Halid – Osogbo West LCDA, Comrade Biyi Odunlade – Ife Central LGA and Hon. Rasak Salinsile – Iwo LGA.”
He enjoined members of the party to remain focused on the party’s goals and continue working together to serve the interests of the State.
Governor Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party defeated the then incumbent, Gboyega Oyetola, who ran on the platform of the APC.
Oyetola failed both at the tribunal and Supreme Court to have Adeleke’s victory overturned.
Appeal court orders Senator Abbo to pay N50 million damages for assaulting woman in Abuja adult toy shop
AdminThe Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has affirmed the N50 million damages that was awarded against Senator Elisha Abbo for assaulting a lady, Ms. Osimibibra Warmate, in a sex toy shop in Abuja.
A High Court of Federal Capital Territory had ordered the lawmaker who represented Adamawa North, to pay damages over the incident that occurred in 2019.
Dissatisfied with the verdict, Senator Abbo approached the appellate court to set aside the judgement.
However, the appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel led by Justice Jamilu Tukur, dismissed the appeal.
The panel said it found no reason to dislodge the verdict the high court delivered on September 29, 2020, following a fundamental right enforcement suit that was lodged by Ms. Warmate.
The appellate court held that trial Justice Samira Bature was right in upholding Ms. Warmate’s case and awarding damages against the lawmaker.
It dismissed the Appellant’s argument that the suit that led to the damages that was awarded against him, was not properly commenced.
While also dismissing Senator Abbo’s contention that he was denied fair hearing, the appellate court faulted his argument that Ms. Warmate’s claim that he slapped her, pulled her hair and dragged her out of the sex toy shop, was only a case of simple assault and not rights violation.
The court, aside from upholding the N50m damages, equally awarded another N500, 000 in favour of Ms. Warmate, even as it resolved all five issues that were raised in the appeal, against the Appellant.
In its lead judgement that was delivered Danlami Senchi, the appellate court held that Senator Abbo’s appeal marked: CA/ABJ/945/2020, was bereft of any merit.
“The decision of the trial court in the award of N50m against the Appellant and in favour of the Respondent was proper,” Justice Senchi held, adding that going by the quality of evidence that was presented by Ms Warmate, including a medical report and video recordings of the incident, the decision of the trial court could not be tampered with.
“The conduct of the Appellant is sufficiently outrageous to merit the punishment as the facts of the case disclosed flagrant disobedience of the law, especially that the Appellant is an elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the court held.
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The Gabon military junta has announced the head of the Republican Guards, Colonel Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, as the new leader of the country after ending the 55-year rule of the Bongo family.
On Wednesday, August 30, the military announced that it had taken over power from Ali Bongo Ondimba, citing a degraded social atmosphere that, according to them, can lead to chaos in the future.
They also said the August 26 presidential election in the country was fraudulently conducted.
The country’s electoral commission had announced at midnight on Tuesday that incumbent, Ali Bongo, won 64.27% votes with the opposition candidate Ondo Ossa scoring 30%.
According to a report by Cameroon News Agency, Col. Nguema’s position as the leader of the Republican Guards was to protect the president.
The coup on Wednesday shows that the Gabonese military has had enough of the irregularities going on in the country.
In April 2020, Colonel Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema took over the head of the Republican Guard, an elite Army corps responsible for protecting the head of state, replacing General Grégoire Kouna, a cousin of Ali Bongo Ondimba.
Gambia has been ruled by the same family for more than 55 out of its 63 years since independence from France in 1960.
Bongo, 64, took over when his father Omar died in 2009 after nearly 42 years in power.
Bongo senior, who took office in 1967, had the reputation of a kleptocrat — one of the richest men in the world, with a fortune derived from Gabon’s oil wealth.
The event in Gabon comes a month after members of the Presidential Guards staged a coup against the then President of Niger Republic in West Africa, Mohammed Bazoum, and placed him under House arrest since then.
Ali Bongo Ondimba is also being placed under house arrest at The Residence, the official home of the Gabonese President, while his wife and son were being held in unknown locations.
The joint task force of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) has arrested MV Ofuoma, an oil vessel, and 10 crew members conveying “illegally refined petroleum products” in Rivers state.
John Siyanbade, the component commander of the task force, said MV Ofuoma was arrested on August 15 at Abuloma jetty in Port Harcourt by the Nigerian Navy ship, Pathfinder.
Speaking at the site on behalf of Olusegun Ferreira, a rear admiral, Siyanbade said the vessel was used as a storage facility for illegally refined petroleum products.
“The vessel was receiving product suspected to be illegally refined AGO from a dugout wooden boat alongside it,” he said.
“As it was intercepted by OPDS, about 20,000 litres of the product have already been transferred from the dugout boat to the vessel. Currently, we have about 35,000 litres still remaining on board.
“The operation was conducted by troops of the JTF Operation Delta Safe Headquarters.”
Siyanbade said the 10 suspects intercepted comprise both the crew on board the vessel and those on the boat.
“The suspects have given credible information about where they source the product from; operation is ongoing to deactivate the illegal refining site in the area, and the operation will be for some time,” the commander said.
He added that the task force would not relent in its efforts to eradicate crude oil theft and other forms of illegality in the region.
Siyanbade advised individuals involved to seek legitimate means of livelihood before they are apprehended.
The Ogun State Government in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency NPHCDA, has put necessary measures in place at ensuring effective health care delivery is available for the people of Intoji village, Orile-itesi community in Odeda Local Government Area of the state.
The facility which is fully funded by the NPHCDA will bring succour to the residents of the village and its environs, as all necessary equipment and machineries needed have been put in place.
Commissioner Designate, Ministry of Health, Dr. Tomi Coker revealed this during the commissioning of the newly built facility, saying that the government had put in place basic health care provision to run the facility.
Coker, in a statement made available to newsmen by Mrs. Fatimah Alatishe, Press Officer, PHCDB, further stated that health insurance will be provided for the venerable who would be registered at the center, saying that the facility will run 24hr services as government has provided nurses and resident doctor to attend to patients to ensure quality health care is provided.
Dr. Coker, while advising residents to make good use of the facility for proper care and management of their health, said "my plea is that people should come and make use of the facility, as the more we utilize it, the more resources will be drawn to the center, the vision of the governor is to bring quality and affordable health care to the doorstep of the people, so we are aligning with that".
In her welcome address, the Chairman, Odeda Local Government, Hon. Funmilayo Adeyemo, appreciated the State Government and the NPHCDA for the project, saying it would ease the health care access of the residents in the village, imploring the residents to make judicious use of the facility.
In their goodwill messages, the member representing Odeda State constituency at the state House of Assembly, Hon. Daisi Elemide, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Kayode Oladehinde, State coordinator, NPHCDA, Dr Victoria Adebiyi, and the Olu of Orile-itesi, Oba Adeniyi Emulu commended the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for the re-appointment of the commissioner designate, and his efforts on delivering quality health care services, by bringing affordable and adequate healthcare to their doorstep.
They appreciated Dr. Tomi Coker for facilitating the project to the community, saying that she has demonstrated a good indigeneship of Odeda Local Government, urging the people to reciprocate the gesture by making good use of the facility by protecting and patronizing the PHC.
Responding on behalf of the community, Mr Adebayo Wasiu expressed their gratitude to the National Primary Health Care Agency, the state government and the commissioner designate for giving them such a massive facility to take care of their health needs, promising to put it to good use and protect it adequately.
Controversies have continued to trail Nigeria’s 4.1 per cent unemployment figure amid economic hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal and the foreign exchange crisis.
DAILY POST recalls that the National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday last week disclosed in its recent Nigeria Labour Force Survey that the country’s unemployment rate is 5.6 per cent for Q4 2022 and 4.1 per cent Q1 2023 using the revised International Labour Organization methodology.
The recent figure is coming after two years of being without unemployment figures. The last time the National Bureau of Statistics released labour data was in 2020, when it stood at 33.3 per cent.
In perspective, the 4.1 per cent unemployment rate means that only four of every 100 Nigerians are unemployed.
For some Nigerians, the figure ignited a utopic feeling because the 4.1 unemployment rate seems not to match reality.
Assessing NBS’ 4.1% unemployment rate
The announcement of a 4.1 per cent unemployment rate in Q1 2023 has been greeted with mixed reactions Nationwide.
The figure sharply contrasted with the last official data of 33.3 per cent for Q4 2020, disclosed in March 2021.
NBS explained that it arrived at the figure by adopting new International Labour Organization guidelines.
Accordingly, the report noted employed persons grew from 73.6 per cent in Q4 2022 to 76.7 per cent in Q1 2023.
Meanwhile, the figure stated that Nigerians in paid employment dropped from 13.4 in Q4 2022 to 11.8 per cent in Q1 2023. Also, informal employment dropped from 93.5 per cent in Q4 2022 to 92.6 per cent in Q1 2023.
The NBS stressed that the difference between the old and new Methodology constitutes the term’ unemployment’. While the old Methodology says any population working below 20 hours or did not work but searching and available in the reference week, the new format sees unemployment as not being in employment, actively searching and available (did nothing for pay or profit).
However, many Nigerians, like the Director of the Institute of Capital Market Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof Uche Uwaleke, said the new Methodology does not reflect Nigeria’s economic realities.
Uwaleke’s perspective resonates heavily with the proportion of Nigerians living below the poverty line.
A similar argument was advanced by the Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Eze Onyekpere.
According to him, the unemployment reported rate is incongruent with the economic challenges a significant percentage of the population faces.
Also, Muda Yusuf, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Public Enterprises, said the NBS needs to review the Methodology adopted for the report.
“It is difficult to accept the recently released unemployment report by the NBS.
“The Methodology needs to be reviewed to reflect our realities. 4.1 per cent unemployment rate in this part of the world is as good as full employment. Empirical evidence abounds of many young people, especially the educated ones, who practically have nothing to do.”
The Nigeria Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2022, released by NBS in November last year, showed that 133 million Nigerians are poor out of an estimated population of over 223 million.
Experts contend that the economic misery caused by the rising inflation, which stood at 24.08 per cent in July, the fuel subsidy removal hardship and the foreign exchange crisis, leaves much to be desired from the 4.1 per cent unemployment rate.
Figure not in tune with Nigeria’s reality – Experts
Speaking with DAILY POST, a popular economist and the former President and Chairman of the Council of Chartered Institute of Bankers, Prof Segun Ajibola said the new Methodology used by NBS is irrelevant to Nigeria.
According to him, combating poverty is critical to employment.
He said the NBS playing around with figures of the unemployment rate will not solve the problem of poverty in Nigeria.
“Economists look at unemployment in different ways, about eight different types, but usually when the subject matter comes up, most people think of open unemployment, those who are not engaged at all.
“Unless the figure is attached to a specific aspect of unemployment, the figure will be misleading. At times, you have complications in discussing unemployment.
“But generally, unemployment has some attachment to poverty. It is believed you are employed if you are fully engaged and earning a living wage. So, if you are fully engaged and still do not earn a living wage, you will still suffer from poverty.
“The new Methodology by ILO is not relevant to us in this part of the world. What is important to us is for labour to be fully skilled to earn a living wage.
“If you look at our environment, can you say out of 100 Nigerians, only four are unemployed? Playing around with figures will not solve the problem of poverty”, he stated.
Also, Idakolo Gbolade, Chief Executive Officer of SD & D Capital Management, said the technique used by NBS to arrive at the 4.1 unemployment rate in Q1 2023 is likened to living in a fool’s paradise.
He noted that the figure is not in tune with reality.
Gbolade said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu needs to ensure that various policies towards reviving Nigeria’s economy are properly implemented.
“The new technique NBS uses is like living in a fool’s paradise. This is not in tune with reality when statistics clearly show the poverty rate is about 70 per cent. The poverty rate is directly proportional to unemployment, so the statistics used to arrive at the Q1 2023 unemployment figure are unrealistic.
“The 4.1 per cent unemployment rate is a good place for Nigeria; however, a lot needs to be done in key sectors of our economy like agriculture, energy, manufacturing and SMEs to create an enabling environment for employment opportunities for our teeming youth.
“The Bola Tinubu government needs to ensure that various policies announced in the agricultural sector, manufacturing and SMEs are properly implemented to lift our economy”, he stated.
In contrast, an accounting and financial development Don at Lead City University, Ibadan, Prof Godwin Oyedokun, said there is no need to disbelieve the unemployment figure.
“If we can believe the inflation data, we just believe this because they use the same system. The real unemployment in Nigeria is not as we often define it.
“You are employed as long as you are engaged by making a profit or wage. The fuel subsidy removal did not lead to unemployment but shrunk the purchasing power of Nigeria.
“The euphoria of fuel subsidy removal may not be as claimed because many Nigerians continue their economic activities. People will rather adjust their consumption patterns. Unemployment and poverty differ, but one can lead to the other,” he said.
[DailyPost]