President Muhammadu Buhari went sober in the United States of America, where he thanked God for having done so much for him which gave him reason to ask Him to give him strength to forgive those who hurt him.
The President, who addressed Nigerians professionals living in the US, declared… “I prayed so hard for God to make me President. I ran in 2003, 2007, 2011, and in 2015, He did. God has been very good to me, so I can’t complain. If I feel hurt by anybody, I ask God to help me forgive. He has done so much for me.” Buhari, who narrated the sordid economic situation he inherited from his predecessor, said however that he is not complaining, adding: “I can’t complain, since I prayed for the job. In the military, I rose from 2nd Lieutenant to Major-General. I was military governor in 1975 over a state that is now six states. I was head of state, got detained for three years, and headed the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), which had N53 billion of that time in Nigerian banks. “After 16 years of a different party in government, no party will come and have things easy. It’s human.”
The President appealed to Nigerian professionals in America and in Daiaspora generally to render helping hands to his government to succeed in revamping the ailing economy.
“We need quality hands to run Nigeria, and we will utilize them. I will like to welcome you home when it’s time. But I’ll like you to be ready.”
The professionals, made up of top flight aeronautics engineers, physicians, I.T experts, a Judge, a top policewoman, entrepreneurs, an Import Specialist at Customs and Border Protection, professors, two straight A students, and many others have converged from different parts of the United States of America in New York to meet with the President.
The parley provided President Buhari opportunity to bring them up to speed on how and why Nigeria got into trouble, with an assurance that with all hands on deck, including the best brains in the Diaspora, the country would bounce back in the shortest possible time. All the Nigerian professionals pledged to contribute their quota towards re-launching their fatherland to a new dawn. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has, for the first time since he assumed power in 2015, identified the treasury looters who are now facing various corruption charges as those responsible for the resurgence of Niger Delta Militants that have been blowing up oil installations to sabotage the economy. He said: “those who stole Nigeria dry are not happy. They recruited the militants against us in the Niger Delta, and began to sabotage oil infrastructure. “We lose millions of barrels per day, at a time when every dollar we can earn, counts.” President Buhari, who spoke today when he had a meeting with various Nigerian professionals living in the United States of America, regretted that despite the huge money earned from oil when the going was good for Nigeria, very little was done to make the country great. “It is a disgrace that a minimum of 27 states, out of 36 that we have in Nigeria, can’t pay salaries. President Buhari narrated how Nigeria got to the present sorry state of the economy, saying: “we got into trouble as a country, because we did not save for the rainy day. For example, between 1999 and 2015, when we produced an average of 2.1 million barrels of oil per day, and oil prices stood at an average of $100 per barrel, we did not save, neither did we develop infrastructure. Suddenly, when we came in 2015, oil prices fell to about 30 dollars per barrel.
“I asked; where are the savings? There were none. Where are the railways? The roads? Power? None. I further asked; what did we do with billions of dollars that we made over the years? They said we bought food. Food with billions of dollars? I did not believe, and still do not believe.
“In most parts of Nigeria, we eat what we grow. People in the South eat tubers, those in the North eat grains, which they plant, and those constitute over 60 per cent of what we eat. So, where did the billions of dollars go? We did a lot of damage to ourselves by not developing infrastructure when we had the money.”
Buhari regretted also that the immediate past leader made nonsense of the nation’s once bubbling military, especially in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents.
“Talking of our military, they earned respect serving in places like Burma, Zaire, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra-Leone, and then, suddenly, that same military could no longer secure 14 out of 774 local governments in the country. Insurgents had seized them, calling them some sort of caliphate, and planting their flags there; till we came, and scattered them.
“We raised the morale of our military, changed the leadership, re-equipped and retrained them; USA, Britain, and some other countries helped us, and today, the pride of our military is restored.
“Boko Haram ran riot, killing innocent people in churches, mosques, markets, schools, motor parks, and so on. And they would then shout Allahu Akbar. But if they truly knew Allah, they would not do such evil. Neither Islam, nor any other religion I know of, advocates hurting the innocent. But they shed innocent blood, killed people in their thousands. Now, we have dealt with that insurgency, and subverted their recruitment base.” [myad]
I had heard quite a lot about Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi state from a couple of friends before my last visit sometime last week. I must confess that I was caught in awe. Yankari Game Reserve is a breath-taking place. I could argue that it’s one of the most beautiful places in Nigeria. From Katsina where I went with my family for the Eid celebrations on the invitation of the Emir of Katsina, we proceeded to Kano and linked Bauchi which happened to be a very smooth ride. And guess what? I drove without any human guide. My only guide was my phone using google maps. Quite strange I know. Even the military men on the road were quite astonished at my guts. Driving all alone with my wife and two children without any guide. The parting word from them is “be careful” and my response was always “I am a Nigerian.” The ride from Bauchi to the gate of the reserve was also hassle-free. I totally enjoyed all the formalities and documentation at the gate on safety issues and the do’s and don’ts especially by the security personnel on duty. They were very professional, and that in itself gave me some form of assurance that we were going to enjoy our stay. The distance from the main gate to the resort itself was about 42 kilometers. I mean 42 kilometers with nature’s beauty and serenity. I could sense the excitement on the faces of my kids as we embarked on the trip to the resort itself. You are driving in the middle of the forest, and you meet a lot of animals like monkeys, baboons, bears, colorful birds that I haven’t seen in my life before and many others. It’s more like they are welcoming you to the resort if you ask me. I was also really impressed with the various signs on the road leading to the resort. And behold we were right at the gate of the resort. It was a huge shock. And I could see the light in the eyes of my wife and kids. Again, the security men welcomed us warmly and also was another round of checks, documentation and cautions on the dos and don’ts at the resort. Especially with the baboons. The warning was, “don’t attempt to give them food; else they might ruin your stay by always wanting to get more food from you. They can even grab your bag open to take food or snatch your lunch box right from your hand.” It was a funny experience on the side of the baboons. They are more like area boys. And they are everywhere amazingly. The reception was professional. I was very impressed, likewise my wife. Our guide welcomed us warmly and took us around the various accommodations available, even though we had called earlier to book reservations. There was still that flexibility. At some point, we were all engulfed with the natural habitat, so much so that we were basking in the euphoria of our temporary home for a couple of days. Yankari can’t be compared to anywhere I have visited in most of the African countries and even Western nations that I have visited. It’s such a huge place that covers an area of about 2,244 square kilometers. The attractions are too many at the resort. But for me, it was the natural warm water springs. It was so clean that even if you dropped a pin, you could see it. The wikki spring has a constant temperature of 31.1 °C through the year during both day and night. In one of my sojourns, my family and I spent over 10 hours in the spring, because of the warmth and relaxing nature. I thought I was on another planet. I was left in awe with the ambiance. I was also carried away with the hugeness of the place and how it has been effectively managed since 1st December 1962 when it was opened to the public. Yankari was upgraded to a national park in 1991 and managed by the National Parks Service until 2006 when responsibility for the management of the reserve was handed back to Bauchi State Government and managed by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Bauchi State
I was made to understand that the reserve is home to over 50 species of mammal including African bush elephant, olive baboon, patas monkey, Tantalus monkey, roan antelope, western hartebeest, West African lion, African buffalo, waterbuck, bushbuck, and hippopotamus. And over 350 species of birds. According to the 2015 Annual report prepared by the Wildlife Conservative Society (WSC), Yankari Game Reserve contains the largest surviving elephant population in Nigeria, and one of the largest remaining in West Africa. The Yankari Game Reserve is such an interesting place regarding infrastructures, road network, the quality of service, the safety measures in place, the professionalism of the staff and on the whole in location and ambiance. In my opinion, this place is fantastic and could be a huge revenue earner for the Nigerian government if enough publicity could be accorded the place as a number one tourist destination in Africa. It is indeed the tourist destination of choice in Africa because, in all of my travels around the African continent, I haven’t come across such beauty to behold in all of my trips. This is quite commendable and more can be done. There was also a humorous side to the whole experience. It’s the experience with the baboons. You are always advised to keep your doors and windows shut at all times because the baboons move around checking for doors that are open, and once they find one, they open and search for food. And if your window is left open, the parent baboons would allow their kids to go inside through the window to get food. I experienced this once, and it was just so hilarious. [myad]
Delta State Police Command have sounded a note of warning to members of the outlawed Indigeneous People of Biafra (IPOB) not to try their resolve to quell any form of illegal gathering and procession anywhere, against the backdrop of the planned protest slated for tomorrow, Friday.
The State’s Pofficer, Celestina Kalu. A Suprintendent of Police (SP) said in a statement that the command is ready to deal ruthlessly with any person or group that attempts to cause breach of peace for whatever reason.
“Intelligence report reaching Delta State Police Command indicates that members of the out lawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) plan to embark on a protest on Friday, 23rd September, 2016.
“The Command wishes to warn IPOB members to stay clear of Delta State as the state does not subscribe to such an agenda.”
Kalu said that the state Police Command and it’s personnel have been fully briefed on the Strategy of Operation (SOP) and rules of engagement and have been deployed and briefed to deal ruthlessly with any person or group of persons who attempts to cause the breach of peace for whatever reason. [myad]
The Federal and 36 state governments has agreed that one of the ways to generate immediate larger injection of fund into the economy that is now in recession is through asset sales as earlier suggested by the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. This is even as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress, as well as other individuals have kicked against such plan. Rising from a meeting today at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Management Team (EMT) working on plan to generate immediate larger injection of fund into the economy through asset sales, advance payment of license renewals, infrastructure concessioning and the use of recovered funds to reduce funding gaps. The NEC, made up of the 36 state governors and other relevant stakeholders, is also happy with the implementation of Fiscal Stimulus/Budget Priorities, fast-track procedures through legislation and implementation of Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) of the budget, meaningful diversification of the economy and cut down on importation. In general, members of the NEC expressed support for the plans and proposals of the Federal Government to steer the country out of recession. They acknowledged the current economic challenges and difficulties, even as they endorsed the work of the President’s Economic Management Team and specifically commended the Budget & Planning and Finance Ministers. The Vice President is the Chairman of the Council, which advises the President on economic affairs of the federation and in particular on measures necessary for the coordination of the economic planning in the country. NEC is composed of Governors of all 36 states of the federation, and the Central Bank Governor. Here are the Highlights of the Meeting as presented to the media by the governors of Kebbi of Kebbi, Oyo States and Deputy governor of Ogun state after the meeting that lasted over four hours. A. PRESENTATION ON STATE OF THE ECONOMY BY HONOURABLE MINISTER OF BUDGET AND NATIONAL PLANNING Highlights of the presentation: Economy is currently in recession Dependence on a Single Commodity (Crude Oil) whose price we do not control is a major factor Oil price collapsed to less than $30 per barrel in Q1 2016 and market expectations are that it will stay lower for longer However, this crisis is an opportunity to restructure and reset the economy Measures for Economic Revitalisation: The President’s Economic Management Team (EMT) working on plan to generate immediate larger injection of fund into the economy through: Asset sales Advance payment of license renewals Infrastructure concessioning Use of recovered funds etc to reduce funding gaps Implementation of Fiscal Stimulus/Budget Priorities Fast-track procedures through legislation and implementation of Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) of the budget Meaningful diversification of the economy and cut down importation *RESPONSE TO THE PRESENTATION AND GENERAL COMMENTS Council members in response commended the Economic Management Team and generally welcomed the presentation and expressed support for the plan to steer the nation out of recession Under AOB, Council members expressed confidence in and unanimously commended the EMT and both the Budget & National Planning and Finance Ministers for the presentations to the Council, praising their efforts, competence and capabilities. B1. PRESENTATION OF DRAFT REGULATIONS ON LAND USE ACT, 2013 BY THE PRESIDENTIAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON LAND REFORM (PTCLR) The PTCLR presented to Council draft regulations on Land Use Act 2013 which seeks to make provisions to Streamline mortgage transactions and clearly delineate the rights, duties and obligations of a mortgage Other aspects of the draft are: Conditions for disposal of proceeds of sale and subsequent mortgages and implied terms of a mortgage Rights of redemption and remedies and issues on mortgage by companies Power of Assignment by mortgage and right of transfer and application of insurance money by the receiver B2 PRESENTATION ON PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP) INITIATIVES ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING BY HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FINANCE Highlights of presentation among others: Target of N1billion fund to operate PPP (N500 billion initial) to create a blended pool of long term funds to intervene in housing development finance and mortgage provision Funds aims to deliver family housing priced from as low as N2.5 million up to N18 million delivered in a ready to occupy condition with essential services (water and power connected) The delivery target is 400,000 to 500,000 housing units per annum The ultimate aim of the programme is to channel funds from savers to borrowers, so that builders have the required capital to construct and prospective buyers can access credit to purchase The fund will attract low cost local and international capital, including from domestic pension and insurance funds, FG funding, as well as contributions from State Governments and other agencies. Roles of the States State to designate a liaison with whom Family Homes Fund can interface Expedite building plan approval process and security of land title Invest in enabling infrastructure e.g. Federal roads Other benefits among others are: Improved urban planning and development Employment generation and skills enhancement Expansion of tax base C1 REPORT ON EXCESS CRUDE PROCEEDS Honourable Minister of Finance reported to Council that the balance in Excess Crude Account is USD 2.453 billion as at September 20, 2016. C2 PRESENTATION ON BEST OPTIONS FOR MANAGING FLOATING FOREX POLICY INTRODUCED BY CBN: A JOINT PRESENTATION BY CBN/HM FINANCE Highlights CBN introduced cautious Monetary Policy orientation as dictated by consumer price and exchange rate Adoption of policy tightening measures for flexible forex rate to address persistent pressures occasioned by scarcity and speculative demands Improving market dynamics by CBN Interventions to States in the area of salaries and in commercial agriculture The presentation also noted the following: Controlling inflation is key to stabilising other macroeconomic indices and the current stance of monetary policy is expected to continue to help lock-in inflation expectations C3 UPDATE ON BUDGET SUPPORT LOAN FACILITY Honourable Minister of Finance reported to Council that N50 billion has so far been disbursed to state governments, and the facility is ongoing. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change during which time he called for aid in the revival of Lake Chard basin.
The president, after signing the agreement today, Thursday, assured that Nigeria is commited to a global effort to reverse the effects of the negative trend.
The President, who was addressing the opening of the meeting on “Taking Climate Action for Sustainable Development’’ in New York, expressed Nigeria’s commitment to reducing “Green House Gas Emissions unconditionally by 20 per cent and conditionally by 45 per cent.”
This he said, is in line with Nigeria’s “Nationally Determined Contributions.”
Buhari described the signing as historic, even as he expressed confidence that with support from development partners, Nigeria would meet the above targets.
The resident pledged to ensure the ratification of the Paris Agreement before the 22nd Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Marrakesh, Morocco in November 2016.
He said that it is to demonstrate his personal dedication to the process of implementing the Agreement that he will be hosting the side event on Taking Climate Action Towards Sustainable Development.
President Buhari, who said he was privileged to have been part of the Paris Agreement, expressed appreciation to what he called “the genuine efforts by President Francois Hollande of France in drawing global attention to reviving the Lake Chad Basin.”
He also lauded him for galvanizing the political will that led to the global consensus in reaching the Paris Agreement. The President said Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Agreement was articulated through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) “that strive to build a climate resilient society across the diverse terrain of Nigeria.
“We have instituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change to govern implementation of my country’s NDCs, thereby ensuring a strong cross-sectoral approach, coherence and synergy for Climate Action.’’
President Buhari confessed that implementing the Roadmap will not be easy in the face of dwindling national revenues, but that both internal and external resources would be mobilized to meet Nigeria’s targets.
He said that the 2017 Budget would reflect Nigeria’s efforts to accord priority to realizing its NDCs.
“In addition, we are set to launch our first ever Green Bonds in the first quarter of 2017 to fund a pipeline of projects all targeted at reducing emissions towards a greener economy.”
Buhari called for global support to transit to a low-carbon climate resilient economy, reminding industrialized nations “to play their role and deliver on their commitments on access to climate finance and technology transfer and help with capacity-building.
“Expectations are high for their leaders to deliver 100 billion dollars per year by 2020 in support of developing countries to take climate action, thus keeping the promise to billions of people.” President Buhari called on the international community to give special recognition to the plight of Lake Chad and support our effort to resuscitate the livelihoods of over five million people in the region.
“This will reinforce our efforts to reintegrate the thousands of Boko Haram victims and returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).”
According to the President, the Niger Delta region is a unique biodiversity rich in coastal environment that is highly prone to adverse environmental changes.
He said these changes were occasioned by climate change, such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, exacerbated by poverty and many decades of oil pollution leading to loss of livelihoods and ecosystems.
He added however, that “through an integrated approach, implementation of the NDCs, and our efforts to clean up Ogoniland, we will improve livelihoods, protect the environment and take climate action, and ensure the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” President Buhari thanked the Presidents of Chad, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo and Niger for attending the event. The meeting was co-hosted by Nigeria and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The meeting was one of the Side Events of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA71). [myad]
Former Nigeria Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Oyeabo Ihejirika, has asked the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court to compel Nduka Obaigbena, Leaders and Company Limited, and Stephen Davis, an Australian to jointly pay him the sum of N100 Billion for linking him to Boko Haram sect.
Ihejirika sued Obaigbina and his company which is publishing ThisDay newspapers, Leaders and Company Limited as well as the Austrarian who claimed to be a hostage negotiator working for the release of Nigerian women taken hostage by the Boko Haram sect at Chibok, Borno in 2014.
The former army boss is claiming N100 billion for damages from the defendants for defamation in the interview granted by Davis to Arise TV and the published in ThisDay. He also asked for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further defamatory comments concerning him.
Ihejirika wants the defendants to publish a full retraction and apology in the front page of ThisDay Newspaper for the said false and libellous publication
Ihejirika who was cross examined by counsel to the defendants, Frank Chude, said that Boko Haram insurgents are terrorists and the Nigerian Army is fighting the group.
On whether his duties as a General is of public consumption, Ihejirika said he was a public figure and issues related to him were for public consumption.
The former COAS said he did not have personal issues with Boko Haram but fought them as terrorists even as he admitted that he had heard about the tape of the interview and his name was not mentioned.
Ihejirika said that he was the only Chief of Army Staff that retired in January 2014 as mentioned in the tape.
He also said he had never granted ThisDay Newspaper any interview but read the said publication when his attention was drawn to it.
His Counsel, A.B. Anachebe (SAN), had raised objection that his client would not answer the question by the defence if the story published in ThisDay Newspaper about Ihejirika was true.
Anachabe said that the question and false publication was the reason why they were in court
Justice Valentine Ashi adjourned the case till Nov. 2 and Nov. 3 for continuation of cross examination and defence.
Davis granted Arise TV, interview and it was aired in Abuja and published by newspapers, including ThisDay Newspaper and media houses in 2014.
He told his interviewers that a former Chief of Army Staff who retired in January 2014 was actually sacked by the president because he was a sponsor of the Boko Haram sect.
Davis also said that he got his source from a Boko Haram senior commander who named the sponsors. .
Organized Labour in Nigeria, including the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have risen against those who have been calling for the sale of national assets, describing them as enemies of Nigeria.
The NLC specifically called on Nigerians to resist the planned sale of the nation’s shareholdings in the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas and other national assets.
The President of the TUC, Mr. Bala Kaigama, and the Acting Secretary General of the congress, Mr. Simeso Amachree, said in a statement today, Thursday that the suggestion for the sale of the national assets was also disgraceful. They asked the governments to drop the planned move to sell the national assets in order to avoid incurring the wrath of workers.
The unionists reminded those calling for the sale of the national assets that the country had lost over four million jobs since the beginning of this administration which promised to create three million jobs every year.
“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria warns those calling for the sale of national shareholdings in Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Company Ltd and concession of the country’s airports to drop the idea if they do not want to incur the wrath of workers. Those suggestions are disgraceful and portray them as enemies of the state.
“In case those canvassing for the sale have forgotten, it is imperative that they realise that this administration promised to create a minimum of three million jobs yearly. Unfortunately, instead of generating more jobs, no less than four million jobs have been lost in the last one and half years, a development that has led to serious security issues.” The statement read in part.
Also, the President of the NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, said in a statement that Nigerians must resist the surreptitious moves by some businessmen and the political class to acquire the remaining national assets which he said should be preserved in the interest of future generations.
He said the NLC is prepared to join forces with other progressive movements in the country to resist the current moves to plunder the nation’s assets, adding that it is in the interest of generations of Nigerians for the existing investments to be developed by investing in profitable areas.
Wabba said the NLC is totally opposed to the recent calls by Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for the sale of national assets to get the country out of recession.
“The recent call by Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the sale of the national share holdings in the NLNG and the suggestion by the Senate President that the shares, along with other sovereign assets in the oil and aviation sectors, should be sold as a way of stemming the current economic recession are unacceptable to us at the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“Investments in the LNLG and joint venture oil upstream operations are profitable and represent potential sources of revenue into the future.
“Inter-generational considerations require that we build on these existing investments by identifying other profitable endeavours to invest in. What we need is to leverage on the stream of potential earnings from these investments in seeking to turn around the economy.
“We, therefore, call on Nigerians to resist these new schemings by those waiting and wishing to lap up these lucrative national assets. We need to preserve these assets for our children and future generations.
“On our part, we are ready, in partnership with other progressive and nationalist forces in our country, to resist the further attempt to plunder our common patrimony.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has regretted that treasury looters have denied people, especially I the developing countries, the enjoyment of their national wealth and resources needed for development.
The President, who spoke in New York at the High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, said that one of the ways to help such countries is for their development partners to join in the fight against corruption by returning ill-gotten financial assets and halting future illicit financial flows to their countries.
He said that such collective action “will guarantee a stronger international defence of the right to development,” even as he cautioned that non-repatriation of illicit financial assets could impinge on the determination of States to achieve an all-inclusive 2030 sustainable development.
President Buhari called on the United Nations to remain vocal and active in addressing the negative impact of non-repatriation of illicit financial assets on their countries of origin: “as soon as stolen assets are legally established, they should swiftly be repatriated.”
The President, while welcoming the commemoration of three decades of the Declaration on the Right to Development, which he observed, coincides with the first anniversary of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, said “it reminds us all of the essence of development and provides us with the opportunity to reaffirm commitments to converting this right into the policies and operational activities of relevant actors at the national, regional and international levels.”
President Buhari said that as a developing country, Nigeria considers the Right to Development an inalienable right of fundamental importance, stressing that at the national level, his administration has been making strenuous efforts to ensure that the right to development is at the centre of all development initiatives.
While reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Charter and other international conventions that uphold the Right to Development, he also drew the attention of the international community to the urgent need to address the lop-sided terms of trade between Developed and Developing Countries which have impacted negatively on the capacity of many Developing Countries to embark on development programmes for the benefit of their peoples.
“Nigeria is convinced that the Right to Development is a shared responsibility considering the growing inequality and poverty resulting from climate change impact, natural disasters, violent extremism, social unrest and deprivation,” the President said.
“The Right to Development must be promoted and protected like all other rights. Its universality and interdependence are indisputable,” he declared. [myad]
If the governorship election, earlier scheduled for September10, 2016, had not been shifted to September 28, by now, the good people of Edo State would have been celebrating the emergence of a brand new Governor; and, I am not in doubt as to what the verdict would have been. Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu would have become the custodian of the people’s sacred mandate. As a grassroots politician, Ize-Iyamu has galvanized massive support across the State. He is seen more as the face of the liberation movement than the candidate of a political party in the rescheduled election. Through him, the people would have realised their much-desired freedom from the shackles of deceptive administration, foisted on them by the outgoing Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
However, in spite of the poll shift, deliberately orchestrated by the Governor, in concert with some security agents, when he saw the writing on the wall, the people’s verdict, according to credible reports and feelers, remains sacrosanct. They will now declare it on September 28 or any other time the election is rescheduled to hold. For them, the election provides a veritable opportunity to reprimand Oshiomhole for the propaganda of the last four years.
The day of reckoning has finally come. The comrade Governor has pathetically realised that deception has an expiry date. Governance by divide and rule has lost its efficacy. He is now faced with a worsening credibility crisis. The shift in the date of the election, rather than mitigate what would have been his initial electoral damage, has reportedly worsened his situation. The postponement has backfired and this is very obvious. The consequential collateral damage will manifest on September 28.
That I have, so far, refrained from mentioning the names of political parties in this piece is deliberate. I am convinced that the governorship election in Edo is not about political parties or party affiliations. It is a statewide consciousness to test the people’s will against the will of a man who has transformed from a comrade to the ultimate godfather in his party and now wants to extend his suzerainty to the entire State by plotting to install his proxy – Godwin Obaseki – as his successor. His plan is sardonically self-serving. A vote for Obaseki is already dubbed as a vote for a neo-godfather.
Indeed, Oshiomhole wants an Obaseki who would cover his odious tracks, contrary to his claim of continuity of performance. This is discounting Obaseki’s electoral value and self-worth. The people are now much more enlightened. They say they do not want a puppeteer who will sustain his master’s continuity of divide and rule. They easily cite the massive development in the Governor’s village (Iyamho) at the expense of so many towns and villages across the State. To a very large extent, the comrade Governor’s credibility problem is self-inflicted. It is his personal tragedy that he had chosen to be a clannish and nepotistic Governor.
Annoyingly, he always turns round to point fingers of guilt at elders in the State who are politically opposed to him, making them butts of abuses and verbal attacks, blaming them for all imaginable setbacks that the State has witnessed in the past. It is indisputable that Oshiomhole does not have respect for elders. He has terribly fouled the air of the culture of respect in Edo state; and, he has now extended his lack of respect to the sacred area of tradition by insisting that the governorship election should be shifted to coincide with some post-coronation activities of the revered Oba of Benin.
The actual coronation should have been on September 26, 2016. The election is on September 28. From September 27 after the coronation, community and village heads in Edo South would have been expected to leave their domains to visit the Oba of Benin in his palace to pay homage. But those movements to express royal solidarity would certainly have beeen affected by the pre-election, election and post-election activities. Indeed, it was because of Oshiomhole’s obstinacy on the September 28 date that the Benin Kingdom would now have to wait till October 20 to coronate the new Oba. The new date is now confirmed. The Governor made fine tradition to buckle in the face of crude politics.
But, there were reports in the social media, after the postponement, that the Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu, a true and courageous Benin son, told Oshiomhole that his decision to have INEC pick September 28 was capable of undermining age-long traditions. Dr Odubu was reportedly upbraided by Oshiomhole for talking about tradition when his political fortune was under real threat. Oshiomhole does not care about tradition, yet he wants to benefit and make political capital out of royal endorsements by traditional rulers for his candidate.
Oshiomhole is desperate and ready to go to the extreme to install his successor. But well-meaning Nigerians should counsel him not to plunge Edo State into avoidable crisis through his manipulative conduct. Edo people are peace-loving. It was bad enough that the Governor, through his schemes, prompted security agencies to dubiously and negatively profile Edo State as a safe haven for militants and terrorists of the Boko Haram hue. Is it not curious that the security advice came on the heels of a hitch-free mega rally, organised for his candidate with President Muhammadu Buhari in attendance?
In the run-up to the September 28 election, the Governor has resorted to several questionable antics aimed at subverting the will of the people. He has allegedly directed that Electoral Officers in the State should be deployed and replaced with those from some States controlled by his party. The INEC has reportedly rebutted this insinuation. He has also been alleged to have made moves to have INEC replace National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members already trained for the election with his party members. The reason for the move is that the Youth Corps members will pass out on September 26. The electoral body has also said it would not succumb to the push. These gambits are capable of inflaming destructive passion.
Perhaps, the real concern is the recruitment and planned deployment of vicious thugs to disrupt and undermine the integrity of the electoral process. Leading politicians and opposing political camps have accused one another of complicity in this. The Governor, who has been in power in the State for about eight years, has so much explanation to make as regards the prevalence of thugs on the political turf in the State. His claim that the other camp had registered 8,000 militants is dubious and unjustifiable. The simple and logical argument is that with state machinery at his disposal, Oshiomhole is better positioned to recruit and fund thugs for political ends. He is said to have sustained a lucrative recruitment scheme since stepping in the saddle as Governor and has given official protection to known thugs, including the notorious Osakpanmwan (alias No Molest) who once assaulted a prince of the Benin monarch.
Further validation: during the Akoko-Edo House of Assembly rerun election in August 2009, there were media reports that twenty seven thugs wielding AK-47 rifles, who were allegedly recruited from Kogi by the then Action Congress (AC), the Governor’s party, were arrested in Igarra by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of election operations and taken to Abuja on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police. They were reportedly paraded with their rifles by the Police and charged to court. Upon their release to their sureties, Nigerians would want to know why the matter has since “died.” The thugs and their sureties are still at large while the exhibits (Ak-47 rifles) are being detained by the Police. It is all the outcome of the manipulative conduct of a desperate Governor even as a member of the opposition party. One can, then, imagine the extent he will go now that his party controls the government at the centre.
This and other pranks are what the Police, in particular, and other security agencies should work assiduously to avert on September 28. The Police should be allowed to do their job. Oshiomhole should not use his position as the Chief Security Officer of the State to manipulate and coerce the Police to do his bidding. I pray that the INEC will provide a level play field by conducting the election in accordance with the guidelines as contained in its books.
Finally, I hope that President Muhammadu Buhari, who is a beneficiary of a free and fair presidential election in 2015, will not throw partisan bias into the mix. After a series of inconclusive elections by INEC under his presidency, this should be an opportunity for the Commission to justify the postponement of Edo governorship election by making the election a model worthy of replication in future exercises. This will, no doubt, enhance the election management profile of Buhari’s government.
Mr Ojeifo, Editor-in-Chief of The Congresswatch magazine, sent this piece from Abuja. [myad]
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President Muhammadu Buhari has, for the first time since he assumed power in 2015, identified the treasury looters who are now facing various corruption charges as those responsible for the resurgence of Niger Delta Militants that have been blowing up oil installations to sabotage the economy.
I had heard quite a lot about Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi state from a couple of friends before my last visit sometime last week. I must confess that I was caught in awe. Yankari Game Reserve is a breath-taking place. I could argue that it’s one of the most beautiful places in Nigeria.
I was made to understand that the reserve is home to over 50 species of mammal including African bush elephant, olive baboon, patas monkey, Tantalus monkey, roan antelope, western hartebeest, West African lion, African buffalo, waterbuck, bushbuck, and hippopotamus. And over 350 species of birds. According to the 2015 Annual report prepared by the Wildlife Conservative Society (WSC), Yankari Game Reserve contains the largest surviving elephant population in Nigeria, and one of the largest remaining in West Africa.
