My Blog

Category: Governance

  • Edo APC Governorship Candidate Emerges

    Edo APC Governorship Candidate Emerges

    Senator Monday Okpebholo has emerged as the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Edo State. 

    The re-run election, prompted by the inconclusive initial result, witnessed Okpebholo securing a notable 12,433 votes, surpassing 11 other aspirants in the race.

    The results were officially declared in Benin by the newly appointed Chairman of the election committee and Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu. 

    The announcement followed meticulous collation of results from all 18 Local Government Areas, solidifying Okpebholo’s position as the preferred candidate.

    Notably, Senator Okpebholo was among the three winners who emerged from last Saturday’s canceled shadow poll, further underscoring the significance of his victory.

    Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State was replaced by Otu, who, in line with APC’s indication, expressed his unavailability for the re-run election.

  • INEC Releases Report On 2023 General Elections

    INEC Releases Report On 2023 General Elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled a detailed report on the conduct of the 2023 general elections. 

    The statement, signed by Sam Olumekun, the national commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, revealed that the report was reviewed and approved for publication during the Commission’s weekly meeting on Thursday, February 22, 2024.

    In adherence to a tradition of transparency, INEC announced the release of the official report, a 526-page document organized into 13 chapters.

     Enriched with 60 tables, 14 boxes, and 10 graphs, the report offers a thorough analysis of key processes, achievements, and challenges of the 2023 General Election.

    Highlighting the election’s diversity in party representation, the report notes significant democratic progress.

    Gubernatorial races saw victories for four political parties, while seven parties secured senatorial seats, eight in federal constituencies, and nine in State legislatures, indicating a broad shift in political representation across Nigeria.

    The report emphasized the pivotal role of technological advancements, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), in enhancing electoral integrity and reducing fraud. 

    Addressing public concerns, it provided insights into the technical issues faced during the upload of polling unit results for the presidential election on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

    Logistics, security arrangements, staff recruitment and training, inclusivity measures, and the electoral framework are among the various aspects covered in the comprehensive report. 

    INEC encouraged the public to access the document on their website (www.inecnigeria.org) and social media platforms, welcoming feedback to shape future electoral reforms and improvements.

  • Former Kwara Governor Arraigned In Court For Fraud

    Former Kwara Governor Arraigned In Court For Fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought forward charges against the immediate past Kwara State Governor, Abdulfattah Ahmed. 

    Ahmed was arraigned on Friday at the Federal High Court in Ilorin, the state capital.

    The anti-graft agency alleged that Ahmed misappropriated the sum of N1,610,730,500.00, originally designated for the security and running costs of the state, to charter private jets during his tenure. 

    The charges include an alleged N10 billion fraud, with Ahmed facing a total of 12 counts.

    One of the counts accused Ahmed of converting N400 million from a N1 billion short-term loan received by the Kwara State Government from Ecobank Nigeria Limited. 

    The EFCC contended that this conversion was done fraudulently, diverting funds intended for ongoing state projects.

    The EFCC’s document stated, “Ahmed (while being the Governor of Kwara State) between 2015 and 2019 in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this honourable court used an aggregate sum of N1,610,730,500, property of Kwara State Government, meant for the security and running cost of the Government of Kwara State, to charter private jets through Travel Messengers Limited on different occasions for your local travels and which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust or theft.”

    Abdulfattah Ahmed, who served as the state finance commissioner during Dr. Bukola Saraki’s governorship, succeeded Saraki in office and governed Kwara from 2011 to 2019.

  • Botched 2023 Census: Court asks NPC to release detail spending

    Botched 2023 Census: Court asks NPC to release detail spending

    Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the National Population Commission (NPC) to release details of spendings on the aborted 2023 Population Census to an Abuja based lawyer, Opatola Victor within seven days.

    The judge declared that the refusal by the NPC to release the information or records of spendings on the aborted census as requested by the lawyer on March 30, 2023, was illegal and unconstitutional.

    On the strength of Section 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, (FOI) the court held that the refusal of the commission to provide the plaintiff with information on the companies that provided due diligence report on the technology to be deployed for the ill-fated census was a gross violation of the right of the plaintiff.

    The court, however, refused to grant N500,000 in favour of the plaintiff as he requested in the suit.

    In the judgment, the judge granted an order of mandamus compelling the NPC, its servants, agents privies and officials to furnish the lawyer with comprehensive and detailed information concerning the Quality Test Assurance Report on the devices and technology to be deployed for the postponed 2023 population census.

    Justice Ekwo rejected the claim by the defendant that bureaucracy and the absence of its executive chairman at the time was responsible for the refusal to make the requested records available to the plaintiff adding that the claim was untenable.

    The judge also dismissed the claim by the NPC that some of the requested information was classified which prompted the refusal to make the records available to the plaintiff, adding that from the definition of classified information, there was nothing secret on the issue of population census.

    Justice Ekwo also said that the position of the commission that the record sought by the plaintiff was already in the public domain was not tenable because the request of the plaintiff was on record at the disposal of the NPC and not the one in the public domain.

    The Abuja lawyer had in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/ 503/2023 prayed the court for an order that the refusal of the population commission to make the record of spendings on the aborted population census among others, available to him was a breech of his rights under Section 4 of the FOI Act 2012.

    He has prayed the court for an order of mandamus compelling the population commission to make the requested records of the aborted 2023 population census available to him in line with the provisions of the FOI Act.

    Although the plaintiff requested for a compensation of N500,000 for the breach of his rights by NPC under FOI, Justice Ekwo turned down the request on the grounds that the commission was not convicted for any offense.

  • Why We’re Pulling Out Of NLC Nationwide Protest – TUC

    Why We’re Pulling Out Of NLC Nationwide Protest – TUC

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has announced its decision not to partake in the upcoming two-day nationwide protest declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). 

    Vice President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, clarified that the NLC failed to involve the TUC in the decision-making process before unveiling the protest scheduled for February 27 and 28.

    Etim expressed disappointment, highlighting that the NLC and TUC had jointly issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, set to expire on February 22. 

    The customary practice would have been for both unions to collectively assess the situation and agree on the way forward.

    However, according to Etim, the NLC proceeded to unilaterally announce the protest without consensus.

    “We cannot join the protest because the decision was not taken collectively. It is very clear that by virtue of the letter, there is no way we can join the protest,” stated Etim, emphasizing the need for collective decision-making in matters of such magnitude. 

    The TUC is urging a harmonized approach to address the challenges outlined in the joint statement with the NLC.

  • President Tinubu Appoints  Kemi Nanna As Comptroller-general Of Nigeria Immigration Service 

    President Tinubu Appoints  Kemi Nanna As Comptroller-general Of Nigeria Immigration Service 

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of DCG Kemi Nanna Nandap to serve as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), effective from March 1, 2024.

    DCG Nandap takes over from Mrs. Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, whose term in office expires on February 29, 2024. 

    Before her appointment as Comptroller-General, Nandap was the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of the Migration Directorate of the Service.

    The President anticipates that the new Comptroller-General will deepen the ongoing reforms in the service and create a robust mechanism for efficient and dedicated service delivery to Nigerians, as well as strengthen the nation’s security through proactive and effective border security and migration management.

  • FG To Resume Trial Of IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu On Terrorism Charges

    FG To Resume Trial Of IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu On Terrorism Charges

    The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to recommence the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on terrorism charges.

    Following a Supreme Court judgment on December 15, 2023, permitting the continuation of the trial, proceedings are scheduled to resume on Monday, February 26.

    The trial will take place before Justice Binta Nyako at the Federal High Court in Abuja, as indicated in a notice viewed by reporters. 

    Notably, Kanu’s lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice have been duly notified.

    Efforts have also been made to ensure Kanu’s presence in court, with the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) contacted for this purpose. 

    Kanu has been in DSS custody since his arrest in Kenya on June 19, 2021, and subsequent extradition to Nigeria.

    Initially facing 15-count terrorism charges, Justice Binta Nyako dismissed eight of the charges during the trial. 

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja later overturned the entire terrorism case in October 2022, citing the unlawful rendition of Kanu by the Nigerian government from Kenya.

    However, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Garba Lawal on December 15, 2023, overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision, affirming the continuation of Kanu’s trial. 

    Despite acknowledging the irregularities in Kanu’s extradition, the Apex Court emphasized that such actions did not hinder the court’s authority to proceed with the trial, suggesting that the appropriate remedy for Kanu would be through a civil matter against the government.

  • Tinubu Orders Payment Of Aso Rock Electricity Debts

    Tinubu Orders Payment Of Aso Rock Electricity Debts

    President Bola Tinubu has instructed the immediate settlement of the electricity bills owed by the State House, Aso Rock, to The Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC). 

    In a press statement by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Tinubu emphasized clearing the total debt of N342,352,217.46 after reconciling accounts between the State House Management and AEDC. 

    Tinubu’s directive came after reconciling accounts between the State House Management and AEDC, resolving the discrepancy between the initially claimed N923 million debt and the actual outstanding bill of N342,352,217.46, as stated in a letter from AEDC management to the State House Permanent Secretary dated February 14, 2024. 

    The Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, ensured that the debt would be settled before the week’s end and urged other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to follow suit by reconciling their accounts with AEDC and paying their electricity bills. 

    Earlier, AEDC had issued a warning to disconnect electricity supply to the Presidential Villa and MDAs due to a combined debt of N47.1 billion, with the Presidential Villa alone owing N923,873,150. 

    The company set a 10-day deadline for debt payment to avoid disconnection and blackout from February 28, 2024, citing the necessity to publish debt details for long-standing services rendered.

  • Tinubu Makes New Appointment

    Tinubu Makes New Appointment

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ms. Hafsat Abubakar Bakari to serve as the Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

    Her appointment is pending confirmation by the Senate.

    Ms. Bakari is a lawyer and financial intelligence expert with years of experience in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF).

    Before her appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, she served as Deputy Director at the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, and was at different times the Head of the General Services Unit; Head of the Strategy and Reorientation Unit, and Head of the Board Secretariat of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The President anticipates that Ms. Bakare will bring her wealth of experience and expertise to full discharge in this critical role, especially in view of his administration’s war against illicit financial flows and other sharp practices currently prevalent in segments of the nation’s foreign exchange markets.

  • Vice President Shettima Reveals Those Behind Hardship, Hunger

    Vice President Kashim Shettima has pointed accusing fingers at politicians, saying they are behind the attempt to pull the nation backward.
    Shettima disclosed this at the Public Wealth Management Conference, in Abuja, Tuesday.

    Shettima said politicians who lost in the 2023 general election of plotting to throw Nigeria into anarchy, sabotaging the country by smuggling food out to other countries to trigger food price hikes.

    According to him, “Just three nights ago, 45 trucks of maize were caught being transported to neighbouring countries.

    Just in that Ilela axis, there are 32 illegal smuggling routes. And the moment those foodstuffs were intercepted, the price of maize came down by N10,000. It came down from N60,000 to N50,000.

    “So, there are forces that are hell-bent on undermining our nation, but this is the time for us to coalesce into a singular entity.

    “We have to make this country work. We have to move beyond politics. We are now in the face of governance.

    “Sadly, some of our countrymen are still in the political mode. They are the practitioners of violence, advocating that Nigeria should go the Lebanon way. But, Nigeria is greater than anyone of us here. Nigeria will weather the storm.

    “Forces are hell-bent on plunging this country into a state of anarchy. Those who could not get to power through the ballot box, instead for them to wait till 2027, are so desperate.”