Our debt is now officially higher than our GDP. Even though Mr. Peter Obi mentioned this when he said that the NNPC had not contributed any money to the federation account since January of this year, we were aware of this situation since last year, and J.P. Morgan downgraded the company as a result.
Many of us are aware that this will eventually touch home because we are no longer able to hide it.
What does that suggest? It denotes that our government’s debt is more than our income. Your salary is less than your costs since paying off debts is an expense, to put it simply.
Additionally, if this occurs, countries will continue to lend you money, but at a very high-interest rate because the likelihood of default is great.
Beyond payment default, investors would shun the country, and those who were already there would want to sell their belongings and depart. Hence, the pressure on dollars, which were yesterday sold at N650 to a dollar on the illicit market. Because of the naira’s volatility, any sane investor, including those holding that currency, wants to exchange it for US dollars.
Of course, times of recession or conflict frequently reflect this. In Northern Nigeria, a conflict has been going on. Then the fighting in Ukraine made things worse.
Unfortunately, we only have two undesirable choices: Governments typically raise borrowing in accordance with Keynesian theory to encourage growth and increase aggregate demand. To be clear, we’ll take out more loans!
If we choose to follow modern economic theory, which is what CBN may do, we will print additional money to pay our debts and fulfil our internal duties.
But if we don’t reduce waste, theft, and subsidies, as well as strengthen our capacity for production and revenue generation from foreign trade partners, we won’t be able to maintain this.
Now you understand why we must help Obi instead of AGBADO eaters who continue to favour consumption and theft by moving us from consumption to production and reducing waste.
The unfolding anarchy and violence in Nigeria are serious matters, and every attempt must be made to keep the public informed. A documentary that investigates and examines government failures while centering on victims and their families would have done that. Giving boastful, bloodthirsty criminals a global platform serves only two purposes. It provides free publicity for terror and enables the BBC to push viewership figures on social media – By Kadaria Ahmed
IT has simply gotten out of hand.
Journalists and now a global media organisation of repute, the BBC, which should know better, are becoming a tool for terrorists, even if unwittingly, by amplifying the faces, voices and stories of killers and marauders who are still operating with impunity across Nigeria.
The public interest argument seems to have been misunderstood, some may even say misrepresented, to enable sensationalist reporting that is very unlikely to be allowed on screens in the United Kingdom. By not upholding the same standards as they would in the UK, in their work in Nigeria, the BBC Africa Eye producers in their latest documentary titled ‘The Bandits Warlords of Zamfara’ have provided a global platform to terrorists and can be accused of becoming an accomplice to terror in the name of reporting it.
When Communications Professor at the University of Toronto, Mahmoud Eid, coined the term ‘Terroredia’, in his book ‘Exchanging Terrorism Oxygen for Media Airwaves’, he argues that there is now a ‘relationship between terrorists and media professionals in which acts of terrorism and media coverage are exchanged, influenced, and fuelled by one another.’ Since it was written seven years ago, it would appear the case Eid was trying to make is now quite self-evident, especially in Nigeria where increasingly, propaganda videos and statements by terror groups as well as features on terror leaders are finding their way into mainstream media. We can now easily identify, for example, the faces of the major kingpins responsible for the widespread kidnappings and killings that are occurring on a daily basis in the Northern part of Nigeria, no thanks to having their pictures and videos splashed all over the pages of newspapers and on our television screens almost as if they are Nollywood A-listers.
None of these has ‘helped’ Nigeria’s inept government, led by President Muhamadu Buhari, to find and arrest these blood-thirsty criminals. The ‘pressure’ has also not stopped the administration from playing ostrich and finding an effective way of tackling insecurity. These are some of the public interest arguments put forward by those defending the featuring of predatory criminals on national and now international media platforms.
The arguments also include an assertion that hearing from terrorists helps us better understand the conflicts and therefore come up with solutions. Under the guise of public interest, this is the argument that BBC Africa Eye seems to be presenting, to justify its decision to actively give copious screen time to self-confessed murderers and kidnappers, who are still actively involved in attacking communities, killing, kidnapping, pillaging and generally making life brutish and a living hell for the people of Nigeria’s North-western State of Zamfara and beyond.
The two promotional clips released for the documentary, The Bandits Warlords of Zamfara, feature a marauder who should remain nameless here, confirming that he was part of those who raided Jengebe Girls’ Secondary School in the state, abducting over 300 students with the attendant horror of these sorts of crimes normally entail, and releasing them, after the payment of ransom. Evidently, the BBC Africa Eye team also had no problem utilising footage that appears to have been shot by these self-confessed criminals because this makes it into the second trailer. No media of repute would take this decision because it is generally understood that these sorts of videos are recorded by terrorists for one thing only: propaganda.
Reports on the documentary in national newspapers also quote one of the featured criminals boasting that he only kills, and doesn’t kidnap for ransom. This is the nature of the program that the ‘reputable’ BBC Africa Eye is positioning as having a public interest imperative.
To be clear, the current state of insecurity and all that it entails is the fault of the Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, and he must be held responsible for the carnage and state of anarchy engulfing the nation. That does not however mean irresponsible reporting by the media, which as champion of interest of the common man, should not be challenged.
If terrorists were killing and kidnapping British citizens, especially young children, the BBC would not enable interviews by the perpetrators, particularly if they were still roaming footloose and fancy-free, without an iota of remorse for their crimes and also carrying out many more. The trauma to the psyche of the British public will be unbearable, and the BBC would not be willing to pay that price, or risk the legal consequences sure to ensue.
In the era of the Irish Republican Army, the IRA, for example, the group didn’t make it onto the airwaves of the BBC. Indeed, reporting of the activities of the political party seen as the political arm of the IRA, Sein Fein, was heavily censored. Every time they spoke, the BBC deleted their voices and replaced such with those of actors, in obedience to British Government directives which were put in place because the authorities believed publicity is like air for ‘terrorists’ groups, helping them to grow and thrive. And even though Sein Fein shared what many might argue is only an ideological position with the IRA, they were denied a presence on British airwaves in substantial ways.
Here in Nigeria, concerns about the impact the amplification of terrorists’ voices will have on victims, their families and the public appear to be a secondary consideration to the BBC’s insistence on hearing from the bandits’ first-hand accounts and justification for their murderous activities.
There is no good argument that can justify the damage this is doing to the public that includes the school girls in Jangebe, who can now in perpetuity, watch the story of their abductions from the mouth of their abductors and relive the attendant trauma of that horrible crime.
For all of these school girls, victims and their families, the BBC Africa Eye has confirmed their attackers’ invincibility. By documenting and handing over on a platter of gold one of the most respected media brands in the world to justify their actions, the BBC has iconised violent men leading marauding militias that are killing, abducting, maiming and leaving terror in their wake across large swathes of Nigeria and who are clearly neither sorry for their crime nor looking to stop anytime soon.
It is hard to see how this will not contribute to deepening fear, mistrust, hopelessness and damage to the national psyche while undoubtedly helping with recruitment, all ingredients that actively contribute to successful outcomes for terror groups.
The public’s right to know is a sacrosanct tenet of journalists who are not and should not be in the job of censoring news. Finding the balance between that and ensuring media platforms do not provide the oxygen of publicity for terrorists and criminals is not easy, but it is at these difficult junctures that good journalism needs to stand its ground.
Recognising the importance of getting it right globally, experts including those at the BBC have taken the trouble to develop guidelines for reporting difficult stories including stories of conflict and terrorism. The German Press Code, for example, says “in reporting actual and threatened acts of violence, the Press should carefully weigh the public’s interest in information against the interest of victims and other people involved. It should report on such incidents in an independent and authentic way, but not allow itself to be made the tool of criminals. Nor should it undertake independent attempts to mediate between criminals and the police. THERE MUST BE NO INTERVIEWS WITH PERPETRATORS DURING ACTS OF VIOLENCE.”
The German guidelines are unequivocal about not giving airtime to criminals involved in ongoing criminal activities and for very good reason. The BBC’s editorial guidelines are more watery, perhaps explaining why the BBC Africa Eye team is able to be cavalier about such a critical issue. But even these guidelines say “any proposal to approach an organisation (or an individual member of an organisation) designated a ‘terrorist group’ by the Home Secretary under the Terrorism Acts, and any proposal to approach individuals or organisations responsible for acts of terror, to participate in our output must be referred in advance to Director Editorial Policy and Standard and also any proposal to broadcast content made by perpetrators of a hijacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking or siege must be referred to a senior editorial figure.’’
The questions to answer therefore include: did senior people in London at the BBC fully understand that they were authorising the recording of terrorists who are still active and who between them have been responsible for the abduction, rape and killings of thousands of people including school children?
There are other questions.
When homeland terrorists committed the inconceivable crime of hacking British soldier Lee Rigby to death in May 2013, would the BBC have considered it in the public interest to interview these terrorists? To compare apples with apples, imagine that hero Rigby’s murderers were never held for their crimes, continued butchering people and collecting seven-figure ransoms, would the BBC dare to send reporters to film the murderers gloating about collecting ransom, and then hold Twitter Spaces and bask in views, clicks and likes?
The answer is NO. The BBC would never dare.
Why then is the BBC okay to fund, then publicise the glorification of practising murderers still butchering hundreds across Nigeria and the Chad Basin? How did this three-year disregard for African lives come about, and why is this acceptable?
By their own admission, the BBC Africa Eye producers claim their reporting occurred over three years. This is clearly well before the crime against the school girls in Jangebe occurred. These bandits and their factions commit cross-border crimes. Therefore, as a matter of urgent national and regional security, other questions which the BBC must answer publicly, in the actual interest of the public include:
In all these years it was conducting these ‘investigations’ of terrorists, did the BBC harbour information on potential criminal or actual crimes that happened and did the BBC withhold this information from the relevant African security authorities?
After the particular interviews in which the murderers admit their collection of ransoms, and committing acts of kidnap, did the BBC hand over any of these footage to the authorities, and do so in a timely manner?
What footage and information has the BBC handed over to law enforcement, since the publication of this documentary?
In covering a subset of criminals for three years, the BBC has brazenly admitted that it was shooting criminals before, during and after the commission of dastardly crimes that have destroyed generations present and unborn.
The BBC Africa Eye documentaries series have been designed specifically for release on social media platforms (Facebook and YouTube). Given the programme’s track record of dubious editorial decisions and accusations of unethical behaviour including by local reporters who worked with them, BBC managers in London should also explain if the decision to put this documentary out on social media was designed to ensure its producers are not held to the high global broadcast standards the BBC is known for and which are applicable to content broadcast within the UK?
When BBC Africa Eye did a story on drug addiction in Nigeria, there were attempts by a producer to sensationalise some of the reporting, to make it more gripping. On that occasion, he was working with a seasoned and brave journalist who pushed back.
When they did a story on Sex for Grades, the two reporters responsible for the story ended up trading blame on social media over sex for by-line allegations. Again, the producers didn’t come out smelling of roses.
An investigative report by them on a popular talk show host in Nigeria who is revered by millions saw the journalist who did that reporting fleeing his home together with his family as a result of threats to his life.
The BBC failed in its duty of care to this local journalist and in the end fellow journalists had to rally around to provide him with safe spaces.
In all, the team at BBC Africa Eye appears to be striving to do reporting that would be unacceptable in the UK for being unethical and transparently against public interest.
The problem is they have capitalised on the justified anger of the people and the inconceivable failure of the government, to once again resurrect the ugliest vestiges of colonialism, which one had hoped were long buried.
The unfolding anarchy and violence in Nigeria are serious matters, and every attempt must be made to keep the public informed. A documentary that investigates and examines government failures while centering victims and their families would have done that.
Giving boastful, bloodthirsty criminals a global platform serves only two purposes. It provides free publicity for terror and enables the BBC to push viewership figures on social media.
It does nothing for public service. Even if it does not realise it, the BBC’s reputation for stellar public service journalism is being damaged.
Black lives, their humanity and national security should matter more than clicks.
Hopefully, someone in London will take note.
**Kadaria Ahmed, a former Senior Producer at the BBC in London, is now CEO at Radio Now 95.3FM Lagos
Warning issued to shoppers after ticks spotted in town centre
A warning has been issued to shoppers after ticks were spotted in a town centre.
An anonymous poster shared information about the creatures on the Spotted Witney Facebook page, after pulling multiple ticks off their skin.
The poster said: “Just as a warning to people out and about in Witney town centre there have been ticks spotted in the market square.
“I myself pulled one off twice and was wearing a skirt.
Ticks are small, spider like creatures that feed on blood
“They don’t just go on bear skin they can go on your clothes too and work their way to your skin and they are very good at jumping.
“They can cause serious harm to humans and pets so please be careful thank you.”
Ticks are small, spider-like creatures which feed on the blood of birds and mammals, including humans.
Usually, ticks are found wherever there is wildlife, such as woodland or moorland and they are particularly common between March and October.
The creatures can carry Lyme disease
The bite of a tick is not usually painful and sometimes causes red lump to develop where you were bitten, however other symptoms include swelling, itchiness, bruising and blistering.
People should be aware though that some ticks carry the bacterial infection which causes Lyme disease in humans.
The NHS says ticks that may cause Lyme disease are found all over the UK, but high-risk places include grassy and wooded areas in southern and northern England and the Scottish Highlands.
–
This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.
You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk
…Says Ibim’s, exit is Inconsequential; Wihioka’s, a Good Omen for AP …expresses Confidence in Party’s Ability to Win 2023 Polls Remains Unshaken …Pleads with Members to Keep Faith with Party …Assures that Amaechi Will Come Out of the Troubling Time Stronger and Better
Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwumeka Eze has expressed a deep sense of loss over the recent resignations of three party bigwigs – Dr. Dawari George, Prince Tonye Princewil and Comrade. Celestine Akpobari, from the APC.
In a statement made available to media houses in Port Harcourt, Chief Eze described Dr. Dawari as a rare breed in the political space whose sound leadership mooring blended in godliness was a stabilizing influence in the 2015 and 2019 journeys to the firm establishment of progressive ideals in Rivers State.
On the other hand, Eze describes Prince Tonye Princewill’s inputs to the ideals of progressivism in the Rivers State politics can’t be overemphasized or undermined. Apart from contesting twice for the office of the Governor of Rivers State, he is a great Iroko so far the politics of Rivers State is concerned. Joined Amaechi while as the Governor of Rivers State to midwife the first and most successful Unity Government in Nigeria. A strong Ally of the Leader of APC in South South and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. As a principled man he resigned from the party due to the insensitivity towards national unity and conhension by the leadership of APC by imposing Muslim/Muslim ticket on the party, we will surely miss him.
The party Chief said he has remained in shock since the news of their exit from the party, noting that the three – Dawari, Princewil and Akpobari remain great assets whose wealth of expertise in leadership and politicking can not be undermined in the building and strengthening of a political structure.
“The news of the three of my great friends in APC, Dr. Dawari George, Prince Princewil Tonye and Celestine Akpobari leaving the party came to me as a huge shock. These three have proved capacity in most of the task assigned to them and for them to decide to leave at this period of time when we are planning to salvage Rivers State from the strong hands of Wike and all the evil forces that have held the State spell bound is most sad and unfortunate.”
The news of their departure will remain a sad one to me and those who have seen and observed them from a very close range as I will not relent in praying for their return back to the party as we do our best to put things right in the party.
Reacting to the resignation of a former Commissioner of Information and Communication and one time Ag. Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Seminitari, from the APC, Chief Eze described her exit as grossly footling, inconsequential and of no effect, noting that the former Commissioner was merely a nominal member with zero electoral value, scamping from one political camp to another seeking undue relevance.
He said her exit doesn’t affect the party in any way and wondered why her resignation should be a matter of public discourse in a time as critical as now, when there abounds issues of public concern to thrash.
On the exit of Elder Chidi Wihioka, a former Federal Lawmaker who represented Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency at the Red Chamber, Eze said his formal resignation is of no effect as he has never made any meaningful contribution for the progressive of the party rather he connived with the likes of Magnus Abe to sabotage every meaningful efforts at liberating Rivers State from the shackles of maladministration underage PDP.
“Chidi Wihioka has no political relevance and no electoral value. He rode to power as a federal lawmaker on the wings of Amaechi’s political relevance and nothing more. For him to formally leave APC calls for celebration because the party can now hive a sigh of relief. Wihioka was one of those who constituted themselves as clogs in the wheel of party’s progress.”
Further expressing his pains particularly over Princewill and Dawari’s exit, Eze said it is saddening that after it was agreed that power should shift to the Riverine Area after 24years of governance of Rivers State by the upland area through Sir. Peter Odili, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and currently by Gov. Nyesom Wike and given the wisdom of the leaders of APC to allocate their gubernatorial seat to the Riverine Area, it is shocking that most key leaders of the Riverine seem not happy with this plot to shift.
Accordingly, he said the Ogonis have been complaining that since the creation of the State, they have not occupied the seats of the Governor, Deputy Governor or Speaker of the State Assembly and to pacify them, the APC leadership allotted the seat of the Deputy Governor to the Ogonis. Therefore, it is saddening to hear that great pillars in the likes of Sir. Celestine Akpobari is resigning from a party that is committed to addressing the age-long political marginalization of the Ogonis.
Eze called on Rivers People and particularly party faithful not to grieve much over the happening, noting that more will resign after the constitution of the NDCC. He charged them to remain faithful to the ideals and visions of the party even when they hear news of similar nature.
The challenging times notwithstanding, Chief Eze expressed optimism that Pastor Tonye Cole who flies the flag of the party will make it in 2023 and salvage the State from its present horrible State where only one man has positioned himself as the Emperor of the State.
Eze commended Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the leader of APC in the South South region of the country for single handedly
keeping the party intact all these years not minding the plots both within and outside to destroy the party and his legacies in the State.
Eze encouraged the Presidential aspirant to live by the wonderful names with which God has blessed him with and remain steadfast in the pursuit of the greatness of Nigeria and Nigerians, assuring that God is working out something greater and better for him.
Eze reminded leaders and members of the APC, that Amaechi is just an individual and there is no way he can give appointments to everyone at the same time or continue to solve everyone’s problems singlehandedly. He noted that the challenge of the political family is the inability or refusal of some privileged fellows who have been empowered to extend helping hands to others as they continue to expect Amaechi to do everything by himself, even the little they are privileged to do. “This is nothing but wickedness” Eze lamented.
Eze further expressed disappointment that the APC led FG which Amaechi sacrificed his life to set up is doing nothing to help and some critical leaders of the party are finding joy in ensuring that Amaechi kisses the dust, unfortunately for them, Eze said, God is still on His throne and will surely intervene at the appropriate time.
Princewill the man they call Prince of Niger Delta Politics while explaining his reasons for resigning from APC states, “I can’t argue for equity in my state and defend inequity in my country. While I appreciate my leader, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and all his efforts, I cannot defend the decision of my party in fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket, especially at a time like this, against all protestations from well meaning Nigerians, across religious and political divides. It sets a very wrong precedent, it is totally insensitive and even if you win, will prove bad for good governance. Under these dire circumstances, I find no justification to still remain, in good conscience, a member of a political party that subordinates electoral victory, over the safety of lives and the peace of mind of its citizens.
Dr. Dawari George was a Lawmaker who represented Akuku Toru/ Asari Toru Federal Constituency, at the Federal House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015. He had earlier served as Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources under the golden administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi where he built sterling legacies in the sector.
Similarly, Celestine Akpobari, is a foremost Human and Environmental activist. He was Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Khana Local Government Area and Board Member of HYPREP.
The decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to nominate Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima as her presidential and vice presidential candidates respectively, has thrown the country into palpable political and ethno-religious tension; given that both candidates are of the Islamic faith, which has altered the established political tradition and further jeopardized the delicate structural balance of Nigeria.
Constitutional Requirements for the Office of President and Vice President
As the controversy rages on, this op-ed attempts to dissect the legal perspective and the implications of the same faith candidacies adopted by the APC. As a preliminary point, it should be noted that faith or religious identity of a candidate is not a prerequisite or a qualifying criterion for eligibility into elective offices. Thus, the issue is not whether Kashim Shettima is qualified to be the Vice President within the purview and contemplation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The office of Vice-President is established by Section 141 of the 1999 Constitution which states that “there shall be for the Federation a Vice-President”, while Section 142 (1) of the Constitution prescribes the process of nomination and election of Vice President as follows:“In any election to which the foregoing provisions of this part of this Chapter relate, a candidate for an election to the office of President shall not be deemed to be validly nominated unless he nominates another candidate as his associate from the same political party for his running for the office of President, who is to occupy the office Vice-President and that candidate shall be deemed to have been duly elected to the office of Vice-President who nominated him as such associate is duly elected as President in accordance with the provisions aforesaid.”
Regarding qualification and disqualification, Section 142 (2) read along with Section 131 of the Constitution states that the indices of qualification and disqualification applicable to the office of President shall apply to the office of the Vice-President. In other words, a person shall be qualified for election to the office of Vice-President if: (a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth; (b) he has attained the age of forty years; (c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; (d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.
From the foregoing, there is no doubt that Senator Kashim Shettima has met the constitutional requirements to be nominated as the Vice Presidential candidate of the APC.
Principle of Federal Character
As earlier cautioned, the real issue is not about qualification; the real question or issue is whether the decision by Tinubu and the APC to select and nominate Shettima as their Vice Presidential candidate despite being of the same faith with the Presidential Candidate is in conformity with the constitutional principle of federal character?
I will preface my attempt to answer the above question by drawing our attention to Section 10 of the Constitution which is construed by a jurisprudential school of thought as the provision that entrenches the secularity of the Nigerian state, by declaring emphatically that “the Government of the Federation and of a State shall not adopt any religion as State religion.”
In essence, while there is general consensus that Christianity and Islam are the ‘dominant’ religions in Nigeria, the Constitution forbids any act or omission which seek, tend or purport to elevate either religions as State religion. In discussing Muslim-Muslim ticket, or Christian-Muslim ticket, we should bear in mind that these religions are not the official religions of the Nigerian State and cannot be elevated as such having regard to the constitutional encumbrance in Section 10.
The federal character principle at the federal level is rooted in Section 14 (3) of the Constitution. For clarity, the provisions are reproduced verbatim infra:
“14(3) The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.”
From the above provisions, the composition of the Government of the Federation, and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria, promote national unity, and also command national loyalty, and ensure that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government.
Some commentators have contended that religion has nothing to do with the federal character principle and that in any event, elective offices are not subject to federal character. This argument is flawed and we shall illustrate this momentarily. Before exposing the flaws in this argument, there is a fundamental question that must be addressed and it goes thus: what is the federal character of Nigeria?
The word “character” can simply be defined as the attributes, traits, mannerisms, physical makeup, culture or personality of a person, society, nation or thing. The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) in its 1977 report, defined Federal Character as follows:
“The distinctive desire of the peoples of Nigeria to promote national unity, foster national loyalty and give every citizen of Nigeria a sense of belonging to the nation notwithstanding the diversities of ethnic, origin, culture, language or religion which may exist and which it is their desire to nourish, harness to the enrichment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
More concisely, Section 14 (3) of the Constitution reproduced supra is unequivocal on the purport of the federal character principle. The intention of the farmers of the Constitution is not in doubt. Federal character is intended to promote national unity, and also command national loyalty, and ensure that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government.
It is conceded that the federal character principle in Section 14 falls under the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in Chapter II of the Constitution which is non-justiciable. It is non-justiciable because it cannot ordinarily be enforced in a court of law. This is because, by virtue of Section 6 (6) (c) of the Constitution, the judicial powers of the courts shall not extern to any issue or question as to whether any act or omission by any authority or person is in conformity with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy set out in Chapter II of the Constitution. This position was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in the case of ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ONDO STATE V. ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION (2002) 9 NWLR (PT.772) 222.
However, there are instances where the principles enunciated and provided for in Chapter II will be justiciable. One of such instances is where the Constitution itself makes a principle in Chapter II justiciable. Another instance is where the National Assembly enacts a law to guarantee the justiciability of a given matter or item in Chapter II. See the case of AG Ondo State supra and Section 4 (2) read along with item 60 (a) Part 1 of the Second Schedule to the Constitution on the exclusive legislative power of the National Assembly to enact a law for the enforcement and justiciability of Chapter II.
I have already posited in this piece that Senator Shettima is constitutionally eligible to be nominated for election to the office of the Vice President. I also espoused that the gravamen of the argument is not about his constitutional qualification.
Has the APC Breached the Federal Character Principle?
The question begging for answer therefore is, has the APC in any shape or form contravened the Constitutional principle of federal character by opting for Muslim-Muslim Presidential Candidacies in defiance of federal character and the established political tradition practised since the birth of the Fourth Republic in 1999?
The answer to this poser is not a simplistic one. However, a community reading of the provisions of Sections 14, 15, 131 (c), 142 (2), 221, 222 (b) and 224 of the Constitution offers not only clarity, but a definitive answer on whether the Muslim-Muslim presidential candidacies adopted by the APC is inconsistent with the spirit and letters of the Nigerian Constitution, particularly as it relates to federal character. I shall now examine the said provisions in brevity.
Section 15 of Chapter II contains the Political Objectives of the country and subsection 2 thereof states that “…national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited.” Subsection 4 of Section 15 similarly states that “The State shall foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various peoples of the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties.”
By virtue of Section 221 of the Constitution, only a political party can canvass for votes for a candidate. The combined effect of Sections 131 (c) and 142 (2) of the Constitution makes it imperative for any person seeking the office of President and Vice President to belong to a political party and be sponsored by that political party. Section 222 (b) states that no association by whatever name called shall function as a political party unless “the membership of the association is open to every citizen of Nigeria irrespective of his place of origin, the circumstance of birth, sex, religion or ethnic grouping.”
Lastly, Section 224 of the Constitution provides that the Aims, Objectives and Programme of every political party must conform to the provisions of Chapter II of the Constitution. As earlier contended, Sections 14 (3) and 15 (2) and (4) of the Constitution falls under Chapter II. I also stated earlier that while Chapter II is not ordinarily justiciable, it becomes justiciable where the Constitution itself (in another provision) creates an exception for justiciability.
In the instant case, the APC as a political party has an obligation to conform to the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy in Chapter II of the Constitution, including the federal character principle under Section 14 and the political principles in Section 15 which mandates that “…national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited” and to also foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various peoples of the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties.
The next question that all Nigerians of good conscience must answer with honesty is: has the Muslim-Muslim presidential candidacies of the APC breached the federal character principle? Put differently, has the APC by nominating presidential and vice presidential candidates from the same faith promoted national integration, national unity and national loyalty or has it promoted disunity, sectional loyalty and disintegration?
From all that we have witnessed since Shettima’s nomination was made public, it should not be difficult to reach a conclusion that the APC has violated the federal character principle.
It amounts to intellectual duplicity to argue that religion is not an integral part of the federal character of Nigeria. In 2015, the APC rejected Muslim-Muslim ticket because it violated the federal character principle. If the APC no longer believes in federal character, the starting point should be for the Party to propose a Constitutional amendment to expunge federal character from the Constitution. Quota system should also be abrogated. Until this is done, it is mischievous and dubious for the APC to blatantly ignore the duty imposed on it by the Constitution to conform to federal character under the ridiculous pretext that it nominated Muslim-Muslim candidates based on “competence.”
Without federal character, Buhari would not be the President today. Bola Tinubu is the presidential candidate of the APC partly because of federal character. Zoning is a product of federal character. Those who seek to exclude religion from their interpretation of federal character are doing so dishonestly. If there is nothing wrong with Muslim-Muslim ticket, then there should be nothing wrong with Christian-Christian ticket, North-North ticket or East-East ticket. Politics and democracy have been said to be about numbers. But politics and democracy in a heterogeneous country like Nigeria must be deliberately tailored to foster a sense of inclusion and national integration. That is why the federal character principle is enshrined in the Constitution. Representation is an indispensable ingredient of democracy.
Those who keep retorting that Nigerians who are not comfortable with the decision of the APC should focus on their preferred political parties should reread the constitutional provisions enunciated above, including Section 224 which imposes a duty on all political parties to adhere to federal character. It smacks of arrogance and crass insensitivity to dismiss the legitimate views of those who are justifiably disenchanted by the destructive and dangerous politics of identity and exclusion that the APC has now fully embraced.
Conclusion
There is a reason why the framers of the Constitution made it mandatory for the membership of all political parties to be open to people of all religions. It is to ensure that all religions are treated fairly in the ‘distribution’ of leadership positions in the country. It is to ensure that a political party does not operate in a sectarian manner. It is to prevent a political party from projecting itself as a Muslim Brotherhood, or as a Christian Brotherhood, or as a brotherhood for African traditional worshippers.
Since the APC has chosen a sectarian and divisive path, it is left for the Nigerian electorates to determine whether the path chosen by the APC is in the best interest of Nigeria bearing in mind the existing mistrust in the country, and the multi-religious and multi-ethnic character of Nigeria and vote accordingly in 2023.
Given the unpardonable mismanagement of Nigeria’s diversity, and the grievous damage that President Buhari and the APC have inflicted on this country in the last seven years, one would have expected the APC to read and respect the mood of the nation and be circumspect, and not resort to desperate political gimmicks and divisiveness that will further polarize our country. Shamefully, the APC decided to remind us that allowing it to assume power in 2015 remains a tragic mistake of history.
Inibehe Effiong is a Lagos-based legal practitioner and human rights activist.
Email: inibehe.effiong@gmail.com
Culled from Thisday Newspapers.
I am 52 and my husband is five years older. Our sex life used to be average but, lately, he finds it difficult to sustain an erection – sometimes he can’t even get one, in the first place. As it is now, we have not had sex for months, though we both want to.
Is this normal for older men?
Feyi, by e-mail.
Dear Feyi,
Your husband is maybe suffering from what is known as erectile dysfunction, ED, which medical reports say affects one in 10 men. It was once thought to be a normal part of ageing, but physical conditions can also contribute.
Diabetes is a cause. Others include poor blood flow to the penis from furred-up nerve damage, drug abuse, medication, alcoholism, smoking, high cholesterol, diseases affecting erectile tissue and neurological and severe chronic diseases. Most importantly, Stress, lack of Finance, worry about sexual performance, depression and sexual boredom can be factors too.
At 57, your husband still has a lot of sexual mileage in him. His doctor can make sure there are no physical causes for his current impotence. Most men can be treated with tablets such as Viagra.
YUSUF ABUBAKAR GAMBO NARRATES HIS DREAMS
Arewa! You see that, Peter Obi? I don’t even like him. I may not like either his tribe; Igbo or his religion. When I think of the challenges of governing Nigeria, I would imagine a man of steel and toughness, not one with a feminine voice like Peter Obi.
After performing Tahajjud (Islamic night prayer), I followed up with deep meditations on Allah’s words. I went to sleep as I had done other nights. Never been involved in many revelations, so I consider each, a privilege not just because of its scarcity, but also for its symbolism.
On this night in a revelation, I was thrown into and abandoned in a deep well filled with scorpions by a violent mob.
Struggling to climb out under the heavy venomous scorpions’ attacks and losing hope, I heard that familiar but uniquely funny voice scream; hold unto my hand. Relief and tears. I could not believe it.
Who did I see trying to pull me out of the scorpions-infested well? Peter Obi! At this point, did I have to care he was someone I did not like? Who can resist life at the point of death? I woke up wondering what just happened.
I sat down and started thinking about what I have just seen in this revelation. Deep in my thoughts, I was imagining; If my beloved pregnant wife were to be in need of emergency healthcare in the middle of the night – trust Nigeria’s hospitals when they ask you to deposit 100k or no treatment, If I watched my wife dying and someone tapped at my back and offered to pay, would I reject such a gesture and watched my wife die because it was coming from someone I didn’t like? If that help came from Peter Obi and I rejected it, what would you do to me as your brother, father, son, in-law or friend?
After this incident, I vowed to rather vote for someone I don’t like but am very competent and honest than someone who I like, but steals from me and kills me.
After going through Peter Obi’s records and plans for Nigeria, we can only deceive ourselves if we think the North does not need help.
Are we going to say no because a good man we don’t like wants to save us? Let us be wise
It’s no longer news that tested political heavyweights; Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu are the respective presidential candidates of Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party and All Progressives Congress.
But the unprecedented scramble by Nigerians to register and get their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) is a new development.
While some activists and civil society groups have floated various initiatives to ramp up the PVC registration and collection campaign, others including clerics have deployed some mobilisation drives many perceive as strange.
Last week, the viral video of a Catholic priest who stopped parishioners without their PVCs from entering and observing the mass in his parish, emerged on social media and got tongues wagging.
“If you don’t have your PVC, don’t bother coming.
Because there is no way you have Christians filling up the church but only a handful of them go to vote during elections. So, it means our population and numbers mean nothing. So, we want Christians to take their responsibilities and roles seriously,” the priest could be heard saying in the video.
While nudging one’s disciples to take their civic responsibilities seriously and participate in the electoral process could be a patriotic act, some observers fear that in spite of the advocacies, there is no guarantee that the efforts will translate to anything on election day.
Motivation
Nonetheless, millions of Nigerians who have had a taste of the anguish that visited the country in the past seven years believe that the 2023 election is a divine opportunity to change the fortunes of the nation through the ballot.
Driven by one disaffection or the other, these citizens make up a huge chunk of the potential voters hustling in droves to collect the PVCs in belief that it is their power to hire good leaders to run the affairs of the nation after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure next year.
But dethroning the All Progressives Congress (APC) and blocking the return of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to power in 2023 does not look possible to those who are visualising victory at the 2023 presidential poll from the old prism.
Paradigm shift
On the contrary, there is a paradigm shift in the political consciousness of the youth which appears to find expression in the Peter Obi ‘phenomenon’ that is steadily sweeping through the country.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra state, commands a large fan base of young people which is growing exponentially. Some observers believe that if Peter Obi’s campaign is well harnessed, he could pull the Barack Obama effect of 2008 and shock Nigerians with the support of the youth.
When Obama first ran for president, Facebook and Twitter were less than five years in existence, relatively new, and considered “a thing for jobless youth” but his campaign properly harnessed the social media for youth mobilisation.
Many youths in the country, especially those under 30s who took part in the #EndSARS protests that reportedly claimed many lives in 2020, are not slowing down the PVC registration and collection drive.
‘Kingmakers’
These youths are said to be at least 65 per cent of Nigeria’s population,analysts argue that any serious presidential candidate in 2023 must find a way to connect with the youth in order to leverage their large number to victory at the polls.
According to data obtained from the UNDP, an estimated 4.5-5 million Nigerians turn 18 (the constitutional age of electoral franchise) each year, which translates to between 18-20 million potential ‘new voters’ from the 2019 general elections to the 2023 general elections.
This increase in the level of first-time voters also provides an opportunity for young people to determine the next set of leaders for the country through their participation in active citizenship.
The UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative, Mohamed Yahya, told Saturday Vanguard in Abuja: “Young Nigerians and women play a critical role in democracy as they can act as catalysts for social change and good governance simply by participating in the election process.
“Their enthusiasm, resilience, and creativity, however, needs to be harnessed, paired with the right platforms and opportunities for engagement, to help catalyze important changes in Nigeria’s political system.”
Missed opportunity in 2019
Although young people between the ages of 18-35 make up 51.1% of registered voters, it is nonetheless regrettable that more than half of these voters (54%) did not turn out to vote in the 2019 elections.
However, this missed opportunity for young people to shape governance in Nigeria can be reversed with a political mobilization strategy premised on innovation, inclusion, collaboration, consistency, and context-specific interventions.
“Nigerian youths have the numbers to determine elections, and more importantly, they can vote for good governance,” Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa also told Saturday Vanguard.
He also said that his organisation is one of the civil groups that have floated a project tagged #SixtyPercentOfUs, with a view to mobilising at least 60% of eligible young voters to register, collect their PVCs and actually vote in the 2023 elections.
“Our desire is not just to push for huge numbers of young people to come out and vote, but to also vote for issues and for candidates that will deliver the good governance they yearn for,” Itodo added.
The ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ends by 30th June 2022. This will enable the Commission to clean up the registration data, print the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and compile the register ahead of the 2023 General Elections.
In the course of the exercise, INEC is also addressing requests for transfer and replacement of lost or mutilated PVCs. Also, previously registered voters who had yet to collect their PVCs have the opportunities to do so.
Facts and figures
Data released by INEC indicate that some 10.2 million additional registrants have been captured in the ongoing CVR exercise. This brought the total number of registrants from 84,004,084 as of May 30, 2021 to about 94,200,000 one year on.
According to INEC, the student population on the Voter Register is about 24.6 million which translates to about 26.57 per cent and is the highest. Concomitantly, youths (18 – 34 years) constitutes 54,480,276 of the register and form the largest voting bloc of about 58 per cent.
The implication of this figure is that the Nigerian youths will decide the fate of new set of leaders to be voted into power come February 25, 2022.
Challenges
Unfortunately, should the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) fail to call off its ongoing strike before the Election Day and call students back to campus, voter turnout on campuses and around places where students live off campus will be very low.
Moreover, over 20 million uncollected PVCs are stashed in INEC’s vault awaiting pickup by their owners.
Beyond the figures, there has been a serious challenge with the collection of the PVCs as many who registered have yet to turn up for the collection of their cards.
Some reasons advanced for this development include the fact that the PVCs were not immediately printed after the registration coupled with the fact that collection is being done at the INEC Local Government Offices which are not close to where some of the registrants are domiciled.
To ease the pressure, the commission decentralised collection to the Registration Area level while some civil society groups have also introduced logistical interventions.
For instance, WeVote, a not-for-profit organisation, will be providing free bus services to convey people in parts of the FCT, Ogun and Ondo States to INEC offices to register and collect their PVC’s
Mr. Obinna Osisiogu, the convener of WeVote, said that the PVC Bus Drive Project will support at least 60 percent of eligible young voters to register, collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and vote in the 2023 elections.
“The project was initiated to eliminate the logistical barriers hindering some Nigerians, particularly those residing in rural areas from participating in the ongoing continuous voters’ registration exercise and collecting their PVCs thereafter.
“Why must the youths collect their PVC? Because that is their only visa to vote. No PVC, no vote. Non-collection shows young people are not serious about changing the nation,” Osisiogu told Saturday Vanguard.
Votes not social media posts matter
But many Nigerians, especially the youths are considered in some quarters as prayer warriors and social media activists who like to indulge in armchair criticisms but not carrying out their civil duties like voting on election days. They are vociferous social commentators good enough for lamentations about the deplorable state of things in the country.
In an interview with Our Correspondent in Abuja, INEC’s Deputy Director, Voter Education, Mrs Mary Nkem, stated that what these social media critics and prayer warriors do not know or choose to ignore is that INEC will not count their verbal exchanges, Facebook tirades, tweets or prayer points.
According to her, INEC will only count the votes. Thus, it is in their enlightened best interest to organise to participate in the electoral process than to continuously agonise.
“If the youths in this country would come out en masse to cast their votes, we will no longer be recording 15 or 20 percent voter turnout in our elections, because we know that the population of the youths alone can make a difference.
“The youths no longer visit social media, they basically live there today. Therefore, when you want to reach out to them, you must go to where you will meet them – social media.
“However, I would like to say that INEC does not conduct an election on social media nor do we count ballots on Twitter or Instagram.
“Our ballots are counted in the ballot box. It is only the ballot paper that enters into the ballot box that the Commission counts.
“So, what does that mean? It means that on election day people must go out to cast their votes. For you to be able to do so, you must be a registered voter and in possession of a PVC,” she said.
Insecurity
Quite unfortunately, while some of stakeholders are still persuading registered voters to go and collect their PVCs, some unscrupulous arsonists LGA offices in the Southeast have decided to burn down structures including INEC offices where unclaimed PVCs are kept.
This ugly development has more or less disenfranchised owners of these yet-to-be-collected PVCs unless there is any official intervention before the election.
In the same vein, the failure of some INEC officials to report in their offices, especially in some South-East states and the reports that some staff of the electoral umpire in Anambra state are charging N1,000 for voter registration, has set some Nigerians thinking that maybe someone wants to disenfranchise the them from participating in the 2023 general election.
INEC needs to urgently address this development, to correct the insinuations in some quarters that there is a plan to disenfranchise voters in some regions of Nigeria by making PVCS unavailable to them.
Extension of CVR exercise
Against this backdrop, the Coalition for Peter Obi, a public action committee for presidential candidate Peter Obi of Labour Party, sensing that INEC may not be able to cope with the demands of the registration before the election commences, is asking INEC to extend the registration period.
“The Electoral body should do everything possible to cater for thousands that are currently stranded trying to register in the various locations or in the alternative, expand its logistics and extend the deadline by six months. “Nigerians must be given the opportunity to freely express their civic rights at this critical time of our nation’s history what it calls a continuous voter registration. The more citizens that can be dragged into the voters’ dragnet, the more democracy shall be served,” Marcel Ngogbehei, the chairman of group, stated.
I am Rev. Fr. Vitus Borogo, I am a priest of the archdiocese of Kaduna, Nigeria. I am TIV by tribe and before my forceful exit from life, I was a chaplain at the polytechnic. It was on Saturday I decided to go and check my farm along Kaduna-kachia highway when, before my brother, I was attacked and killed. While my spirit was struggling to leave my mortal body, I saw the bandits take my brother away. I tried if I could use my newfound strength to save him from them, but anytime I try, my new personality fail me.
I was killed because I do not speak their language nor follow their religion. Furthermore, I was killed because the government of the state and the nation at the time I was killed cared nothing about the common man. I was killed because the state and the federal government cared more about religion than about common humanity. Furthermore, I was killed because the leaders of the present society have created a society of unequal (the Kings vs the servants). I was killed because my fellow human beings have decided to throw caution to the wind, and they now see their fellow human beings as animals and not as persons. Furthermore, I was killed because I resisted being treated like an animal. Even when I was taking my last breath, I begged that they should spare me, but they increased the run of bullets on me.
Now I am gone. I have reunited with my ‘confrères ‘who have experienced the same fate before me. I have met Fr Akete Joseph already. He was the one kept at the gate to welcome me. Fr Alphonsus Bello was sent to get some items for my welcome party. I am yet to see Fr John Bako, even though I asked my brothers here and nobody is telling me anything. I have met a lot of brother priests here who were victims of man’s inhumanity to man in your world. Later in the day, we shall have mass here, and we shall certainly pray for you. Someday, the story would be different down there, but you guys must be resolute in standing for the faith.
The coming days are very scary. From what we are seeing here, if you do not devise a means of protecting yourselves, you may find yourselves where I am without preparing for it. Those priests who are afraid of preaching the truth must know, that whether you talk or not, they would still come for you. Those lay faithful who sell us for “some penny” know, too, that when they are done with us the priests, they may put you into serious frustrations and suffering before they kill you. A lot of us who died brutally were betrayed by those who hate us. Be careful of those you disclose your whereabouts and plans. Yes, it is true that Judas Iscariot is dead long ago, but his descendants are many in our age. For you to live long, happy and safe, you must deal seriously with the enemy within. Those who have put ahead selfishness and greed, Until you convert them, or better still, handle them, you would never be safe. One thing you must know is that my kind of death was never and would never be without an insider.
Now that you have bid me farewell, know this, that I would never forget you at the altar of sacrifice. Soon I would be given my parish here to continue with my priestly ministry. I shall always pray for your safety. Take care of my mother very well. My friends, especially Fr Damina must not forget my mother. Visit her as often as you may have the time. Let her not miss me too much. Tell her God knows why he allowed me to die the way I did. Console my family and my kinsmen. Let me also thank my Archbishop for treating me as a worthy son. I saw when you struggled to pray before my corpse at the mortuary when you came to confirm if truly I passed on. Continue being a father and shepherd to the priests and people entrusted to you. I know the pains are too much, but God would soon wipe away your tears. To you the lay faithful, your priests are human beings and not animals. Those who treat them as human beings, may God bless you. Those who treat them as animals, remember, there is judgement. Until you all come here someday, I beg that you take care of yourselves. I have to rest now because the journey was long, and I need to rest to enjoy the party later.
I shall talk to you again, until then, I remain yours in Christ REV. FR. VITUS BOROGO
Dr George holds PhD in Political Economics and Development Studies with a special interest in things of God, where he is providing Spiritual and Financial Seed in his capacity as the President, Men Missionary Union Africa, Baptist Church.
The Administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi brought us together right from 2008 when he was appointed the Senior Special Assistant SSA to Dr. Dakuku Peterside who then was appointed the Commissioner of Works and later elevated to the office of the Commissioner for Energy & Natural Resources and a member of the State Executive Council. He is one fellow whose love towards me and my family knows no bounds.
He demonstrated this in various ways but profoundly in 2016 when I was admitted for major surgery at University College Hospital Ibadan in Oyo State but ran short of the funds needed for the surgery. I was contemplating on suspending the surgery not minding that the Doctors advised the contrary but on the very day of the surgery, I got a call from Dr George asking me, “Chief Eze, where are you?” I told him that I am at UCH Ibadan, and he replied, “I am in Ibadan for missionary work and would like to see you”. Furthermore, I don’t know whether to rejoice or cry, but I came to the conclusion that God in His infinite mercy towards me sent his Angel to Ibadan on this very day just to ensure that I survived this surgery and to the Glory of God alone, Dr George deposited to the hospital the actual amount of funds needed for the surgery without even been told the amount needed for the surgery.
Dr George Is Truly a Gift to Any Person that Crosses His Path
Happy
00 %
Sad
00 %
Excited
00 %
Sleepy
00 %
Angry
00 %
Surprise
00 %
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
