Amaechi made this statement during a two-day event in Abuja, themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity.”

The event, organized by several governance and democracy-focused institutions, brought together key stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s political and economic landscape.

While speaking on the “Impact of Democracy on the National Economy”, Amaechi highlighted the deepening economic inequality in Nigeria.

He lamented that the country now operates a “two-class system”, where individuals are either extremely wealthy or struggling in poverty, with no middle class to balance the divide.

“The last time we had the middle class was under President Olusegun Obasanjo. He created an economy that generated jobs. Even though some argued it was a shaky middle class that disappeared at the end of every month when salaries were paid, at least we had a middle class.

“Now, it’s either you are rich or you are poor. If social housing and investments in agriculture had been implemented alongside subsidy removal, people would not feel the impact as harshly as they do now,” Amaechi stated.

He further criticized economic policies that failed to cushion the impact of subsidy removal, stressing that social housing and agricultural investments could have softened the economic hardships faced by many Nigerians.

[NaijaNews]

Microsoft (MSFT.O) has expanded its artificial intelligence offerings by making Chinese startup DeepSeek’s R1 AI model available on its Azure cloud computing platform and GitHub

This move marks a significant addition to Microsoft’s existing catalog of over 1,800 AI models available to developers.

“The AI model will be available in the model catalog on the platforms and will join more than 1,800 models that Microsoft is offering,” Microsoft stated.

DeepSeek’s R1 model, launched just last week, promises a more cost-effective and data-efficient alternative to existing AI assistants. Developers can now access the model on both Azure and GitHub, making it an attractive option for those seeking more affordable and resource-efficient solutions.

DeepSeek gains traction 

DeepSeek’s AI assistant, by Monday, had surpassed the U.S.-based ChatGPT in downloads on Apple’s App Store, triggering a wave of concern among tech stock investors.

• This development also comes at a time when Microsoft is working to reduce its dependence on OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT. Last month, reports indicated that Microsoft had been focusing on adding internal and third-party AI models to power its flagship Microsoft 365 Copilot product.

“Microsoft has been looking to reduce its dependence on ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has been working to add internal and third-party AI models to power its flagship AI product Microsoft 365 Copilot,” according to Reuters.

• To further address concerns around privacy and data-sharing, Microsoft has announced that customers will soon be able to run the R1 model locally on their Copilot+ PCs.

This feature is expected to alleviate concerns regarding data sharing and privacy risks associated with cloud-based models.

Data concerns  

While DeepSeek’s R1 model has garnered attention, its ties to China have raised questions about its potential adoption in the U.S.

• The company has confirmed that it stores user information on servers located in China, which could present a challenge for U.S. users concerned about data security.

“DeepSeek has said it stores user information in servers in China, which could be a sticking point in its U.S. adoption,” the company stated.

• Meanwhile, both Microsoft and OpenAI are investigating whether data from OpenAI’s technology was accessed improperly by a group associated with DeepSeek.

Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor and technology partner, flagged the suspicious activity to OpenAI.

“If confirmed, such actions could constitute a violation of OpenAI’s terms of service or an attempt to bypass restrictions on data usage,” Bloomberg quoted the sources.

• Following this, OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT Gov, a tailored version of ChatGPT for U.S. government agencies to boost efficiency and productivity. It is designed to address complex public sector challenges in areas like health, infrastructure, and national security. Agencies can host ChatGPT Gov on Microsoft Azure, ensuring compliance with security and privacy standards.

Key features include GPT-4o, custom GPTs, and an admin console for managing users. Since 2024, over 90,000 users across government agencies have utilized ChatGPT for tasks like research, translation, and administrative support. OpenAI aims to enhance government services and foster public trust in AI technology.

[Nairametrics]

Elder Statesman, Pa Bisi Akande, has opened up on the conversation he had with President Bola Tinubu in the buildup to the 2023 election.

During an interview with media personality, Edmund Obilo, Akande has revealed different details of Tinubu’s emergence as the leader of the country.

He further said though Tinubu has grown as a political strategist, he was very ignorant about the politics of Nigeria before his emergence as president.

“He may have known a lot about the politics of Lagos and America, but he was very ignorant about the politics of Nigeria. Now that he is president, I don’t know how much he has learned”, he stated.

Contrary to widespread opinion that Tinubu’s lifelong ambition was to rule the country, Akande said he played a major role in getting him to contest.

The elder statesman said the president was initially not excited about the project and often quarrelled with those who suggested the idea.

According to him, “When I met him, he cited financial constraints and personal doubts. He said, Baba, do you have money? If I had the kind of money that people have to be president, I would rank with Dangote”.

He said Tinubu’s attitude troubled the sponsors who pleaded for his intervention before he convinced him about the bigger picture.

“They said there was trouble that he (Tinubu) was fighting anybody who tried to convince him about the presidency and so I went to Lagos and met him.

“I told him, ‘We don’t want you to be president because of you. You are unimportant in this matter.

“But in Yoruba tradition, when you want to worship the deity, you take the fattest animal or the biggest yam. Yoruba wants to be president, and you are the one we have now. It is to sacrifice you so that we can have a president, not for you to be anything”, he stated.

Akande said his comment jolted Tinubu who looked at him like a sick fellow.

He said Tinubu however complained about his leg (arthritis).

“He later asked me that Baba, you now say I should run. What about this, my leg and I assured him to go and treat it that it will heal in six months.”

[DailyTrust]

Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has vowed to restore government authority in the eastern part of the country, which has been overrun by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.

Tshisekedi made the vow in a televised address on Wednesday night.

The group has seized control of the key city of Goma and is advancing southward, threatening to capture more territory.

Tshisekedi announced a “vigorous and coordinated response” against the rebels, whom he labeled “terrorists,” and criticized the international community for its lack of action in addressing the escalating security crisis.

He called on all Congolese citizens to support the army’s efforts to regain control of the region, promising that the country would not succumb to “humiliation” and would triumph in the face of the rebel onslaught.

The ongoing conflict, which has displaced over 500,000 people, has significantly worsened the humanitarian situation.

Goma has been left without electricity and water, and food shortages are rampant, according to the United Nations.

While President Tshisekedi snubbed a virtual summit convened by East African leaders, including Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, the summit called for a peaceful resolution and urged the Congolese government to engage directly with all armed groups, including the M23.

Tshisekedi has consistently refused direct dialogue with the rebels, preferring to speak with Rwanda.

Tshisekedi also expressed gratitude for the South African Development Community (SADC) peacekeepers and UN forces who have died in the conflict.

Thirteen South African peacekeepers were killed in Goma, escalating tensions between South Africa and Rwanda.

In response to a statement by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa accusing Rwanda of involvement in the deaths, Kagame warned of potential confrontation, rejecting claims of a distorted narrative.

As M23 continues to make gains, reports indicate that the group is heading towards Bukavu, DR Congo’s second-largest city.

The Congolese army has set up a defense line, though the rebels have faced little resistance so far. Meanwhile, Angola has called for urgent talks between the Congolese and Rwandan leaders, with efforts to resume peace discussions under the East African Community framework.

International calls for Rwanda to withdraw its forces from DR Congo have intensified, with countries such as the United States, the European Union, and China urging the withdrawal.

Both the UN and DR Congo have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, while Rwanda has denied the claims, suggesting that Congolese militias are attempting to overthrow the Rwandan government.

The ongoing conflict has prompted significant international pressure, with countries like the UK and Germany threatening to cut aid to Rwanda in response to the violence.

The UK has put £32 million of bilateral aid under review, and Germany has canceled planned aid talks with Rwanda.

[DailyPost]

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has accused former Kaduna Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, of pursuing a “vengeance mission” rather than acting out of patriotism in his recent criticisms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. 

Bwala made the assertion in a response to El-Rufai’s earlier post on his verified X handle, @BwalaDaniel, on Thursday.  

Bwala, while expressing admiration for El-Rufai, questioned the motive behind the former Governor’s statements and actions.

He said:  “My worry however is the motive behind your statements and actions; they are not borne out of patriotism, but need for vengeance. The opposition sees that singular element of vengeance as a veritable tool for your recruitment.”  

The presidential aide also reminded El-Rufai of their shared history within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting they played significant roles in Tinubu’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 elections. 

Bwala emphasized that his support for Tinubu predates the recent political developments, stating, “with respect, I am not a latter-day Asiwaju supporter. We both played our roles in his emergence as the candidate of the party ahead of the 2023 elections.”  

He further highlighted the ideological differences within the party during its formative years, recalling that while El-Rufai was from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) faction of the APC, he (Bwala) was from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) faction. 

“Before then, whilst you were from the CPC extraction of APC, I was from the ACN, which explains why I worked with Comrade Oshiomhole when he chaired the party amongst other things to protect the interest of Asiwaju, whom at the time you people vowed to retire from politics,” Bwala stated.  

Bwala urged El-Rufai to abandon what he described as “melodramatic activities” and return to the APC to resolve any grievances he may have. 

“I still think you don’t need all these melodramatic activities or a vengeance mission. Come back and resolve whatever you think is your grievances like a dignified man that you are,” he advised.  

The presidential aide also reaffirmed the APC’s position as the dominant political party in Nigeria, describing it as “the only organized party with identifiable structures across the country.” 

He added: “So if you are looking for any symbol of democracy, it is still in your party.”  

In a heartfelt appeal, Bwala called on El-Rufai to return to the fold, saying, “please senior, come home; you have toiled all nights.”  

The exchange between the two prominent APC figures has sparked reactions from political observers with many speculating on the implications of El-Rufai’s criticisms for the ruling party’s unity. 

The Chief Executive Officer of EeZee Conceptz, Ezekiel Onyedikachi popularly known as EeZeeTee has dispelled what he described as a deliberate attempt by gospel music artist Mercy Chinwo to destroy his record label with lies and emotional blackmail saying that no real child of God destroys another with lies.

In a video shared on multiple media platforms on Tuesday, Mercy Chinwo accused EeZeeTee of threatening to destroy her career and subject her to servitude during her period with his label.

Reacting to some of the allegations made by Chinwo, EeZeeTee stated that it was sad that someone who claims to be a child of God and also a gospel artist would descend so low as to want to destroy another person with lies.

He said: “It’s heartbreaking that you can go to this extent to tarnish the credibility or tarnish the image of someone. You had promised that you would destroy my reputation and the organization. Well done.
When you’re done achieving it, I hope you get a crown in heaven.

“I mean, all of those extreme words, extreme usage of words just to make it look like, I mean, it is stupidity for us not to allow you go for an event because every time you go for a meeting and you’re blessed, we share in that blessing.

“How would we sabotage our investment? We need to be a little more intelligent with the narratives we’re presenting. We do not, in the desperation to damage the reputation of someone, begin to now put ourselves in a critical light, especially to those who are very logical in reasoning and can pull one or two.

“The question is this, are we going to carry strife in our hearts, bitterness in our hearts, resentment in our hearts and go everywhere, you know, acting like we’re doing ministry and kingdom?

” How does it feel to think that because I’m portraying and pushing out, you know, reconciliation and peace, it means that I am weak? What would you say to someone whom you say is more like a boss, more like a father to you, that you have now got contact, you deal with me?

“God has helped us with this office and we’re privileged to come in here neither by association nor by marriage. This is God’s calling and anybody who says, I will deal with you and I will kill you, is not contending with me but with God who has called me. Same with her. I can never boast to say, ‘I made you, I’ll kill you,’ I didn’t make you.

“I was privileged to have housed the platform where you found expression and this cannot be discredited. Let me ask you a question. What is the profit or crown given to a child of God who sees another one go down? It is not what anyone should be proud of.

“I think that we are at the point where we should be truthful and sincere. There is a consistency of lies and pretence. What do you expect of someone who can perfectly imitate the voice of a child and it sounds so real like she’s a child? She’s a fantastic actress.

‘Keep acting, keep crying. They pray with these songs a lot. So they can’t believe that somebody who is singing worship to God can lie.

“We understand all of that. But the truth is constant. No matter how far lies run, it takes just one truth to catch up with it.

“This is an attack on the body of Christ. Only a stupid person would by their hand destroy what God has helped them to be.”

The Real Issue
EeZeeTee further stated the real issue between him and Mercy Chinwo was about reconciling their accounts which he had made several attempts to resolve even through some respectable men of God but that his peaceful gestures were misconstrued as weakness and sign of guilt.

He said: “For more than two years, there’s been quite a lot of challenges and disputes behind the scenes. I had not felt or seen the need to come out to discredit any of my artists. I feel it’s stupid to put down your products. It doesn’t make any sense.

“Why would you want to sabotage your investment? Only stupid people will destroy what God has used them to build. But when it got to a point where it became a gross dimension of intimidation, my life being at risk, still for the love of the body of Christ, I made efforts to see how this would be resolved.

” I met a pastor of mine who is Apostle Eugene Ogwu. I was a baby drummer from his church, Abundant Life Evangelical Mission in Port Harcourt, regarding this matter. We had a meeting with Mommy Ezekiel, the wife of our father, Christian Pentecostal Mission, regarding this matter.

“I was privileged to meet Bishop Humphrey Erumaka regarding this matter. I also went to meet Bishop Mike Okonkwo, our big daddy, regarding this.

“But what did I hear? He’s running everywhere to meet these people. Now he’s very scared. What is he scared of? Why is he running around? And I’m like, well, the Bible says we should follow peace with all men.

“This is a prescription of the scripture. Let us deal with these issues internally. It makes no sense that we would choose to wash our dirty linen outside.

“But every time I put forward my approach towards a peaceful resolution, it was communicated like weakness. It looked like this guy was a weak person. Until I heard a statement that made me sad.

When one of the pastors said to me, stop bothering about the body of Christ. We will deal with you and the body of Christ will be okay. Then I knew that it was a scripted, orchestrated conspiracy and witch-hunting.

“I don’t have issues with people wanting to open their labels. I mean, we have thousands of talents all over within the Christian space. But you need not put one down for yours to go up.”

On the allegation that he was the person who first took the matter to court, EeZeeTee said: ” Around March, all my accounts were frozen.
I couldn’t trace where it was coming from. Until somehow, I got confidential information that it was a few sets of persons who were doing this. They didn’t want the public to know. Because it had been planned to look like the law enforcement agencies were investigating on their own.

“That was kept private. They tried to cover it, but it was revealed. This is a document that shows the petition that was written.

“I mean, she has come out to say that I went to court first. It beats my imagination how one would deny a document, deny her signature on every page of the document, and also deny the living witnesses to the execution of that document. This person we’re talking about is someone who is a fantastic actress. She has a lot of strength with, you know, portraying a victim personality to the world.

“Talent is beautiful, but talent is not enough. How do you say I took you to court? When did the court come in? The dates are there. So look at the dates when the petition was written.

“I was kept in Ilorin, not in Lagos. Why Ilorin? That’s a completely different state out of the place of competent jurisdiction. And then I was detained for nine days.

“Why did I stay that long? Because I needed to write on the statement what they wanted me to write. And I have to negotiate. The same catalogue that they are saying is not the battle.

“It’s not about the catalogue. The same thing was the reason I was detained for nine days. When I came out of detention, I didn’t go public.

“I didn’t bother to talk about it. I didn’t want to come outside to give an impression, to say these ladies who sing about Jesus everywhere.”

On allegation of refusing audit
Reacting to the allegation that he refused to allow an audit of his business dealing with Mercy Chinwo, EeZeeTee said: “I have never been opposed to a financial audit. Never. All I have just said is, let’s have a neutral, unbiased entity. Professional who understands all of the navigations within the ecosystem of the music industry.

“At least the modus operandi within that ecosystem. I want this audit to happen. Because that’s the only way I would also be vindicated.

“But we also need to check your books. You can’t go to equity when your hands are not clean. Check our books. And then we check your books. And whoever is owing would balance of themselves. Whether you like it or not, obligation is an obligation.

I can’t bully a bully
On Mercy Chinwo’s allegation of being bullied, EeZee Tee said: “Regarding the allegation of a bully and all of that, anyone who knows this person we’re talking about will know that you cannot bully a bully. You can find out from her roots, you can find out who she’s been, and those who work with her closely.

“This is just an attempt to assassinate the character of someone. Let’s not go away from the real thing. If you say you’re a true child of God, and I am the one that is the problem, and I have financial fraud as you have called it, can you tell the public that you’re willing to subject your accounts to an audit, by an independent audit? Let’s make these things easy.

“We are willing to bring out our books. All the other artists, she said, refuse to comply with audits. The audit they carried out was based on the documents we made available.

“If there was anything that was done by the label that you didn’t like, you go to courts, the courts will order us to come. We will bring our books.

“There are no courts that will order us to bring the books that we will not bring. We’ll bring our books and whoever is owing who would pay up.”

On paternity allegation
On the allegation by Mercy Chinwo that he was behind the partnership rumours of her child, EeZeeTee said: “It beats my imagination that in all of this, as sensitive as a case of a paternity saga, that’s what you want to use to put false allegations on my head.

“I hope you have enough evidence to prove that allegation that you have made because it is totally disappointing.”

There was a time when childhood was filled with innocence, creativity, and make-believe games. One of the most cherished of these was the playful act of pretending to be husband and wife. Children in school playgrounds, village squares, and backyards would assign roles with giddy excitement. The “husband” would return from an imaginary day at work, welcomed by a “wife” who had been busy cooking sand and leaves, serving up make-believe meals on bottle caps. Other friends played the roles of “neighbors” and “children,” adding fun and flair to the pretend family setting.

These childhood games, innocent as they were, reflected the values ingrained in children by their families and communities. They subtly taught responsibility, caregiving, and cooperation. But perhaps, for some Nigerian celebrities, this childhood game of playing husband and wife never truly ended. Given the rate at which marriages in the entertainment industry crash, one cannot help but wonder: Are some of them still experiencing the hangover of various child’s play marriage they engaged in when they were children? Do they see marriage as a game rather than a lifelong commitment?

Marriage, a sacred institution rooted in love, patience, and commitment, seems to have been reduced to a mere spectacle in the Nigerian entertainment industry. For some celebrities, tying the knot is treated with as much seriousness as signing an endorsement deal or starring in a blockbuster movie. The glitz and glamour of their wedding ceremonies are often headline-worthy, filled with opulence, designer outfits, and guest lists featuring the crème de la crème of society. But barely before the wedding flowers wither, the unions start to crumble, and divorce announcements flood social media like a poorly scripted reality TV show.

Take, for instance, actress Tonto Dikeh and her infamous split from Olakunle Churchill. Their relationship, once celebrated with extravagant public displays of affection, soon turned into a messy social media battle filled with accusations and counter-accusations. Similarly, Nollywood star Chika Ike’s short-lived marriage and the controversial break-up of actress Mercy Aigbe from her husband Lanre Gentry further paint a picture of celebrity unions that often seem built on shaky foundations.

Music stars are not exempt either. Tiwa Savage’s marriage to Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun crashed amidst public drama and allegations, despite the glamorous wedding they had in Dubai. More recently, Paul Okoye of P-Square and his wife Anita ended their long-time union, leaving many fans disappointed.

Currently making headlines on both the landscapes of conventional media and social media is that of Twoface Idibia’s public announcement of his intention to divorce his wife, Annie Idibia. Without a doubt, his announcement has set social media abuzz, making it one of the top trending topics. Fans and entertainment enthusiasts are reacting with shock and speculation, as the celebrity couple has had a history of publicized ups and downs in their marriage. While some express sympathy for Annie, others debate the possible reasons behind the decision, reigniting discussions on celebrity relationships and their challenges.

At this juncture, it is germane to ask, “Why are celebrity marriages crumbling?” The answer to the foregoing cannot be farfetched as several factors contribute to the seemingly endless cycle of celebrity marriages ending in divorce. Such factors, no doubt, cut across the fairy tale syndrome, the pressure to put on a show, the social media factor, the “Easy Exit” mindset, and infidelity and trust issues.

Explanatorily put, not a few celebrities; over the years, perhaps conditioned by the fantasy world of movies, music videos, and social media, enter marriage with unrealistic expectations. They believe in fairy tale endings where love alone is enough to sustain a marriage, forgetting that successful unions require compromise, effort, and commitment.

In a similar vein, in the entertainment industry, image is everything. Many celebrity weddings are more about branding than genuine commitment. The elaborate ceremonies and expensive rings often serve as marketing tools to enhance a star’s brand, rather than a reflection of true partnership.

Also in a similar vein, marriage in the digital age comes with its unique set of challenges. Celebrity couples often feel pressured to project an image of perfection online. However, the same platform that offers them adoration quickly turns into a battleground when things go south. Dirty linens are washed in public, and fans become judges and jurors, sometimes exacerbating marital conflicts.

Analyzed from another perspective, it is germane to opine that unlike in the past, where marriage was considered a lifelong journey with inevitable ups and downs, many celebrities today treat it as something disposable. The concept of “till death do us part” has been replaced with “till social media controversy do us part.” With the prevalence of divorce, leaving a marriage seems to have become as easy as leaving a movie set after filming.

Also, with fame comes attention, and with attention comes temptation. Many celebrity marriages are rocked by allegations of infidelity, leading to breakdowns in trust. The flashy lifestyle, constant travel, and interactions with fans and colleagues often create opportunities for cheating, making it difficult for many celebrity unions to withstand the pressure.

Be that as it may, there are lessons to learn from failed celebrity marriages. In fact, it is high time celebrities, and society at large, relearned the true essence of marriage. Beyond the spectacle of lavish weddings, marriage requires maturity, patience, and commitment. There are key lessons to be drawn from the failed marriages of Nigerian entertainers, and one of the lessons is that marriage should be built on substance, not spectacle.

In fact, the focus should shift from extravagant weddings to solid foundations. A wedding lasts a day, but marriage is meant to last a lifetime. Love, mutual respect, and compatibility should be prioritized over superficial displays of wealth and status.

In a similar vein, it is high time celebrities learnt how to keep personal matters private. This is as social media has been the downfall of many celebrity marriages. In fact, personal disputes should be handled privately, not turned into online drama for public consumption. The fewer the eyes prying into a couple’s affairs, the better the chances of resolving conflicts amicably.

Again, celebrities should seek counseling and guidance from counselors whenever their marriages are experiencing hiccups.  This is because marriage is not an easy journey, and seeking professional counseling should not be seen as a sign of weakness. Celebrities, like anyone else, should invest in pre-marital and post-marital counseling to navigate the inevitable challenges of marriage.

In a similar vein, celebrities whose marriages are passing through hiccups should understand that love alone is not enough. While love is a beautiful foundation, it is not enough to sustain a marriage. Trust, commitment, compromise, and shared values play a critical role in ensuring longevity in any relationship.

In fact, it is time for some Nigerian celebrities to grow up.  Without resort to denigrating anyone in this context, the childhood game of playing husband and wife was fun while it lasted, but adulthood demands a different level of responsibility. Nigerian celebrities need to realize that marriage is not a performance or a role to be played for the cameras—it is a lifelong commitment that requires dedication, sacrifice, and maturity.

Until many of them let go of the lingering hangover from their childhood role-playing, the cycle of extravagant weddings followed by messy divorces will continue. Perhaps it is time for some serious introspection, because, at the end of the day, marriage is not child’s play.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai on Thursday noted that if he were still in the President Bola Tinubu-led government, his stance on remarks about the administration would remain unchanged.

This was in his response to the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala.

El-Rufai had described the state of governance and opposition in the country as a “national emergency” at a national conference in Abuja on strengthening democracy in Nigeria on Monday.

The former governor also lamented the lack of internal democracy and active party structures within the All Progressives Congress, saying, “I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show.’

In its response, the ruling APC knocked El-Rufai, as it accused him of treachery over how he had been dragging the Federal Government and the ruling party recently.

This prompted Bwala’s question to the APC chieftain via his X handle, saying, “My Senior brother if you were to be in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position?

“History is replete with examples. It is a government you participated in its formation, that you now want to unseat. Haba Mallam, a Ji soron Allah mana.”

On Thursday, the former governor, via his X handle, asserted his stance, as he called out “latter-day converts” to the Tinubu administration for insisting he wanted to serve as a minister in the current government.

“Good morning, #BwalaDaniel, I was cabinet minister 22 years ago and was clear to Asiwaju that I was not interested in any position in his future government. The pathetic manner all of you latter-day converts to the Tinubu government make an issue of something that I never wanted in the first place is perhaps a reflection of the level of your moral flexibility.

“If I had remained in the Tinubu government, I will say or do the same on the tragedy within a party I was a founder, and the government that emerged from it – first in private sessions with those concerned, and then go public if no remedial actions are taken. Go and check my public service record from 1998.

“I am only responding to you because I still think you are a decent person who may need a job, and not in the class of Wendell Simlin and that Kaduna pretender that our voters retired in 2019 – these clowns are political mercenaries that receive humongous monthly stipends from the security vote to be the first to jump on X and other platforms to defend everything the Asiwaju government does or fails to do, no matter how indefensible it may be.

“Enjoy your special adviser position, my brother, but remember that allegiance to God and country comes first in the human scale of accountability, before any person or authority.”

[Punch]

Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s penchant for self-promotional, cock and bull stories that are as deceitful as they are unconvincing, is legendary. His appetite for far-fetched and fanciful tales of highly dubious validity is out of this world. It was, therefore, not surprising that he was in his elements on Saturday, January 25, when he claimed that he now lives off rentals from one of his two houses in Kaduna.

To be sure, in a country where even local government chairmen live ostentatiously and own multiple properties here and abroad, Buhari’s three houses – two in Kaduna and one in Daura – should positively count for him, assuming that is true. But who owns the house he stays in the United Kingdom? Has he any house in Niger Republic, where he warned Nigerians he would relocate to after his presidency if anyone dares trouble him? Who owns the property where his wife, Aisha, luxuriates in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? Buhari’s incredulous claim that one of his Kaduna houses is rented out, providing him with funds for his upkeep beggars belief. That means that after his two-term presidency, he now relies on one of his houses in Kaduna to raise money for feeding. Speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting at the Presidential Banquet Hall of the Katsina Government House, Buhari said, “After my eight years as a civil president, I have only three houses; one in Daura and two in Kaduna. I have given one out for renting where I get money for feeding.” It was a subtle campaign, carefully nuanced to sustain the Buhari incorruptibility myth.

Nigerians are incensed and understandably so. Prof Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), poignantly captured their accusatory mood: “Someone should please tell @MBuhari that he is no longer running for the office of Messiah and, therefore, no longer has any need to keep lying about his earthly acquisitions,” Odinkalu tweeted. Even with his barely disguised disgust, Odinkalu was more charitable than some others. A former Nigerian ambassador to one of the Southern African countries under Buhari wrote: “Does this man have any brain cells left? How can he deceive himself so badly that he even says this nonsense in public?”

So, does Buhari believe his own lies? Yes, he does. That is why he keeps repeating them. But this particular cock and bull story is so outlandish. Buahri is not an ordinary Nigerian. He was not only a General of the Nigerian Army, but also a military head of state and elected president. Nigerian military top-brass retire with mouth-watering emoluments, which have even been further enhanced by President Bola Tinubu. According to the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers and Enlisted Personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces, which Tinubu signed on December 14, 2024, the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs are entitled to a bulletproof SUV or its equivalent, Peugeot 508 or an equivalent vehicle as backup to be replaced every four years and maintained by the military; five domestic aides (two service cooks, two stewards and one civilian gardener); an Aide-de-Camp/security officer, special assistant, personal assistant and standard guard (nine soldiers); three service drivers; one service orderly, escorts and free medical cover in Nigeria and abroad.

 Though Buhari was retired as a Major General at the age of 43 on August 27, 1985 after spending only 23 years in the military (1962-1985), he was the head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for 20 months. So, he is entitled to the same benefits accruing to the CDS and service chiefs who were under his command. Besides, the upkeep of former presidents is statutory as stated in the “Remuneration of former Presidents and Heads of State Act 1999,” which provided for the remuneration and perquisites of office of former heads of state and former vice presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Act which also specifies the allowances to be paid to family members of deceased former presidents and heads of State, explicitly states: “The Federal Government of Nigeria shall in its annual budget make provision for the remuneration of former Heads of State and former Vice-Presidents.”

Buhari is entitled to all these benefits. In fact, unlike former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was not in the military, Buhari enjoys bounteous retirement benefits as a former military top brass and ex-president. So, simply put, once again, Buhari lied. And that raises a very fundamental question. Does he believe in his own lies? Apparently he does, which explains why he continues to make these bogus claims. Some people have also wondered why it was necessary for him to tell this cock and bull story, so hare-brained that it only elicited incredulous gasps from Nigerians. For him, the cock and bull stories have become habitual, a way of life. But more importantly, he persists in telling these fibs because they serve his purpose. These far-fetched, howbeit self-promotional cock and bull stories define the Buhari essence. He has profiteered from his lies and at 82 years, it is too late in the day to change. People don’t learnt how to be left-handed in old age.

On October 16, 2014, Buhari formally declared his ambition to run for the presidency once again, blasting the then Jonathan-led PDP administration of leading the country towards the precipice. He purchased the N25 million APC presidential nomination form with a purported bank loan. Did Buhari use Aso Rock as collateral for the loan and when did he pay back? Buhari lamented what he called the “high cost” of the nomination form. Yet, under his watch, the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) fixed the cost of its presidential expression of interest and nomination forms at N100 million in 2023, a proof of his hypocrisy. The N25 million cock and bull bank loan story was a deliberate ploy to create the impression that he was different from the pack of Nigerian leaders by not enriching himself while he was in public office.

Yet, this same man became president and refused to fulfil his promise of public declaration of assets, a task which his predecessor, Umaru Yar’Adua, easily accomplished even without making such promise on the hustings. Buhari’s latest cock and bull story of sustaining himself out of office with the rent he collects from his Kaduna property is another ploy to wheedle the unwary and sustain the lie that he did not enrich himself corruptly. But how could Buhari be a Mr Clean when his administration has been adjudged one of the most corrupt in Nigeria’s post-independence history? And this verdict was given not by the opposition but chieftains of the ruling APC who succeeded him. How could Buhari be a saint when most, if not all his lieutenants, including personal aides and ministers are being tried for massive corruption? 

But can anyone blame Buhari for this insulting holier-than-thou hubris? In any country other than the banana republics of Africa, including Nigeria, Buhari will be busy accounting for his wretched eight-year stewardship, a record he should be ashamed of. And if he is held to account, he will not be insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians with his cock and bull stories. On August 17, 2023, I wrote an article, Why Buhari must be put on trial, where I stated, emphatically, that elsewhere, presidents are called upon to give account of their stewardship and those found wanting are punished. It is even more so in the case of Buhari because even if no criminal charges are brought against him – I don’t see why not having presided over a criminal enterprise in the name of governance – he should be put on trial… for not doing his job well enough and ruining Nigeria, literally.

Any claim by Tinubu of fighting corruption that excludes holding Buhari to account is a hoax. This perpetual immunity which Aso Rock tenancy confers on former presidents is the reason why corruption festers and why Buhari waxes lyrical about his incorruptibility with his cock and bull stories, which every Nigerian knows is a scam.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) appears to be a victim of polarised perception. While the Bureau may not have engineered it, dilemmas in message reception are a cause. This crisis comes when individuals or entities act innocently, reeling out information they consider reasonable or expertly cultivated but lacking control over how it is received. The control is open to many vagaries. The vagaries are uncertain, turning positive or negative, popular or unpopular. The sender can be celebratory when popular but disillusioned when otherwise, depending on self-esteem or zeal to power on.

Sometimes, a sender strikes believability with a category or categories of audiences, while others will remain brickwalls, completely untrusting of the information. The ultimate wish of most senders of information, especially in public spaces, is for the message to resonate with as many people as possible or with the critical mass of the audience in segments. The NBS is caught between this balancing act of perception and credibility, considering the body’s status as the pivot of national data collection and as the provider of valuable figures for development planning.

NBS figures will likely be caught in a politically polarised nation like Nigeria, not because the organisation is lacking in quality expertise, making it look like a quasi-research and development outfit, or because its research processes are not compliant with international best practices, enhanced by its regular collaboration with multilateral organisations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, The United Nations Development Organisation (UNDP), amongst others but because it just had to experience its portion of cynics, and its city of critics.

Statistics are data or computations largely emerging from a painstaking process of applying techniques to unearth realities, gain insights into a phenomenon and leverage it for development. It is a social scientific route to quantitative knowledge production, moving away from a prosaic, descriptive pattern for visualising realities and essences in figurative, illustrative and graphical patterns. Though they might be fraught with limitations, these are usually not enough to obfuscate the benefit, provided methods are reasonably chosen, mixed and dutifully executed, and in so far as analysis is also evidence-driven, fact-based and rigorous.

The NBS is saddled with these responsibilities on behalf of Nigeria, investigating Gross Domestic Product (GDP), trade and industry, trade statistics, population and demographics, financial and monetary data, labour and employment, social and welfare data, transportation and infrastructure, prices and cost of living,  agriculture,  energy and environment, crime and security, information and communication technology, and special surveys and reports, comprising data on health, education, and child welfare, multiple indicator cluster surveys and data on poverty and social welfare. Objectivity and freedom from values are the expected characteristics of the outcomes.

But why do people disbelieve or become unkind in remarks on the NBS figures? First is the possible disparity between reality and data, which should not be the case if research is to be trusted. Second is the more significant problem of trust in government and its agencies, resulting from past failures and the government’s persistent inability to deliver on promises. The third is suspicion of political influence, which can hardly be the case given the body’s practices, including partnerships with global agencies. Fourth is illiteracy preventing people from appreciating the process of gathering statistics; fifth is past disappointments arising from gross misrepresentation of facts.

However, there are many more reasons why NBS should be believed. Some of these are the fact that its investigations often go through third-party validation, in addition to scientific techniques, with some being modern tools and applications for research. NBS has also improved the practice of leveraging digital tools and engendering increased transparency with public access to its methods and datasets. These should prove openness and confidence in its productions.

It should also be remembered that NBS is regularly audited, while the bourgeoning public interest in its figures should necessarily be a guardrail for right conduct. Again, the organisation’s outputs often align with those of autonomous agencies, where its benchmarks are comparative. Importantly, mistrusting the NBS data appears a recipe for chaotic planning, considering its relevance to decision-making and business planning.

The establishment is to announce a new GDP for the country. This is coming after the landmark modification in the nation’s labour force figures, which replaced the methodology for calculating it. The organisation’s helmsman, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, has argued that the Rebasing is a vital exercise that ensures our economic indicators are current and accurate reflections of the financial realities on the ground”

He continued “As economies evolve, new industries emerge, and consumption patterns shift” The outcome of all these is that statistics will capture the changes, including the expansion of the digital economy, the input from the Marine and Blue economy, Pension Funds, and addition from the creative industry.  Moreover, Prince Adeniran said “Rebasing our GDP and CPI allows us to align with these transformations, providing a more precise and relevant picture of Nigeria’s economic landscape. This process is foundational to informed policymaking, strategic planning, and effective governance”

The NBS chief is not done yet “It is one exercise the NBS conducts with significant importance and professionalism. The rebasing exercise is designed to ensure that our economic indicators accurately reflect the current structure of our economy, incorporating new and emerging sectors, updating our consumption baskets, and refining our data collection methods. This is our responsibility as the official producer of data in Nigeria.”

Well said, but how much will the populace trust this heartfelt declaration? English statistician and scientist Francis Galton once said, “Statistics are the only tools by which an opening can be cut through the formidable thicket of difficulties that bars the path of those who pursue the Science of Man.”  Statistics, a United Nations (UN) document stressed “exists to provide information to the general public, governments, business and research communities in the economic, demographic, social and environmental fields. This information is essential for evidence-based decision-making, for mutual knowledge and trade” Because of this, another sage added, statistics should not be regarded as “opinions; (but) the unbiased record of a nation’s reality.” Need I say more?

Adeniyi is a professor of mass communication and dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, Baze University, Abuja.