Politics

By Aisar Fagge

On Monday, 22nd May, 2023 President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the Dangote oil refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria. Many African leaders, envoys and dignitaries from various parts of the world attended the event.

As the Vanguard newspaper reported, the essence of building the refinery is to “help Nigeria achieve self-sufficiency in refined products and even have surplus for export.” This is a huge win for Dangote as a businessman, Lagos State for its revenue and perhaps Africa for its image at international stage.

However, many Nigerians are asking, didn’t Nigerian leaders feel any shame to attend an event of an entrepreneur who built a refinery but a whole government of the leading economy in Africa cannot? 

Historically, Nigeria has four refineries: Old Port Harcourt refinery commissioned in 1965, Warri refinery established in1978, Kaduna Refinery commissioned in 1980 and New Port Harcourt refinery commissioned in 1989. However, for the past 20 years, these refineries had a poor record of operation before they ran out of steam.

Nowadays, none of the refineries works because we institutionalise corruption. Every new govt will come with the promise that Kaduna or Port-Harcourt, or Warri refinery will soon commence production, but no drop of oil will be refined. And yet, government continue paying these ghost workers who produce nothing.

The question Nigerians keep asking is, if one man can build a refinery from scratch, why does a government with all its resources fail to rehabilitate its four refineries, sack all those ghost workers, appoint new MDs, stabilise them, refine our crude oil, use the trillions of the so-called subsidy to develop education, health, agric, security, infrastructure, etc.?

Some people would argue that in today’s world, the government has no business in businesses; it should only provide an enabling environment for such private investors to thrive through competition. So, they say the government should only focus on governance, policies and regulation of private investment.

Those people will cite the US and other developed countries without public refineries. But what of the Saudi ARAMCO and other Gulf countries like UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, etc? They all own and control their refineries. Look at their development index and look at where we are languishing. Even this Dangote’s refinery is greeted with mixed reactions. Some people argue that his refinery will make little or no difference at all since it is not ours. But only time will tell about that.

Though I’m not an economist, I think transforming Nigeria into an entirely capital state will not produce the desired result, considering our current development and peculiarities. A country with weak institutions should first believe in strengthening those institutions before thinking of borrowing a Western economic model.

So, I believe the Nigerian government must provide and guarantee its citizens’ basic needs – education, security, electricity, and health before anything else. Citizens of an oil-rich country, such as Nigeria, don’t deserve this suffering we’re in. We deserve more.

We pray for the success of Alhaji Aliko Dangote. He achieved this feat against many odds. However, for Nigeria to attract more investors, more must be done at all levels.

Aisar Fagge wrote from Kano. He can be contacted via aisarsalihu86@gmail.com.

By UUzair Adam Imam

A Northern Nigerian group, Democratic Watch Initiative, has written a letter to the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu demanding his immediate intervention in the process of selecting leadership of the 10th National Assembly, saying that he should allow democracy to take charge in the process.

The group in a letter addressed to the president-elect and signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Sunusi Umar, said they write the letter to forestall the drift toward greater regional distrust in Nigeria, breach of constitutional democracy, due process of leadership succession through elections and rancor in the 10th Assembly.

They alerted the president-elect to the consequences of falling for the trap of a brewing cabal out to reverse the populist tendencies of his government by whatever means and tactics, saying that his administration should disregard the cabal as they are there to destroy his chances of working perfectly for the country.

The full text of the letter reads below:

His Excellency,
President-elect,
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Sir,

FALL-OUT OF AREWA HOUSE, KADUNA COLLOQUIUM
We humbly write you with a heart full of praises to the Almighty God for seeing us through a hectic journey to the dawn of a new era promised by your emergence as Nigeria’s next President.

Compelled by the emerging trends in the polity arising from the intervention of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress regarding the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, we convened a one-day colloquium of critical stakeholders at the Arewa House, Kaduna.

After deeply analyzing the situation and assessing cost of the potential complications and unforeseen consequences of the intended intervention of the NWC, the colloquium decided to take the bold but necessary step to address this letter to you in decent patriotism and love of our country, fellow citizens and sustainable democracy.

The letter, Your Excellency, aims to forestall the drift toward greater regional distrust in Nigeria, breach of constitutional democracy, due process of leadership succession through elections and rancor in the 10th Assembly.

This representation is also to alert you to the consequences of falling for the trap of a brewing cabal out to reverse the populist tendencies of your government by whatever means and tactics.

Firstly, we wish to invite your attention, as a renowned committed democrat, to the necessity for inclusive participation, respect for statutory autonomy of such organs of government as the legislature as the only basis for sustainable constitutional democracy.

Constitutional democracy as the antithesis of arbitrary rule, allows all citizens, rather than favored individuals or groups, have the right and opportunity to participate.

This informs our conviction that only a leadership of the National Assembly independently and willingly produced by the members themselves, for themselves, can douse the rising regional tensions and foster strong understanding and cooperation among the elected members.

We are of the view therefore, that the current attempt to impose leaders on people of undoubtful maturity, and proven experience, elected to represent their various constituencies in the incoming 10th National Assembly, amounts to an encroachment on the sanctity of the legislature, subversion of popular will and a negation of the democratic principle of separation of powers between executive, the legislature and the Judiciary.

We find it curious that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, itself a product of democratic election and which subjected its presidential ticket contest to elections, should now be the same party attempting to manipulate the system to one of selection and imposition.

Having come this far Sir, we feel duty-bound to call your attention  to be vigilant as to the political opportunists that are bound to swarm around you with the intent of forming another cabal who are behind this scheme aiming to pitch you against your traditional political friends and sections of the country.

Everyone must be aware by now that those pursuing this undemocratic, unconstitutional and unrealistic agenda are not your friends; they are people who did not vote for you nor in anyway supported your emergence as APC candidate nor your eventual victory at the February polls.

What they are doing about the National Assembly leadership is to test the ground for a wider political agenda that aims to diminish your personal populist tendencies and those anticipated in your government.

Your Excellency may recall the incredible promises he made to the North during electioneering at the Arewa House talk show organized by the Northern leaders and elders. No one expects however that you will give to the North what it does not deserve, what we are demanding is a free environment for the exercise of franchise as the only solution to the pervasive communal distrust that is more accentuated in the North.

We believe a free election of leaders of the National Assembly by its own members would put to end the already brewing concerns of marginalization and fear of domination of other geopolitical zones in the North by others.

We submit therefore that if North despite the immense contribution it made towards the victory of the APC at the Presidential election at the expense of fellow candidates from the region does not deserve to be rewarded with the position it rightly demands in the National Assembly, there should be no justification to deny the the right to stand election to the same post.

We finally call Your Excellency to reclaim the people’s confidence in your untainted democratic credentials and  commitment to entrenching sustainable democracy, restoring the glory of governance, reclaiming the sanctity of constitutionalism and respect for rule of law by  maintaining the balanced and matured neutrality you are famous for.

We are confident that Your Excellency is endowed with ample experience and diplomatic wherewithal to cope with whatever  National Assembly leadership may emerge through due democratic process.

Finally Sir, while we repose an enduring faith in your ability and will to change the situation in the country for the better, we pray the Almighty God to increase you in wisdom to be able to accomplish your good intentions for the country.

We pray God to bestow you improved health, protect and guide you as you embark on the task of transforming a country and repositioning the people’s life around security, the economy and social safety.

Yours Faithfully,
 
Sunusi Umar PhD
National Coordinator 

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

As the presidency of Nigeria outgoing President, Muhammadu Buhari is gradually coming to an end, the president is seemingly busy with constitutional functions he would be performing for the last time.

The President, who was elected for the first time in 2015 was re-elected for a second term in 2019. Due to the two terms limit set by the Nigerian constitution, the president will hand over to his successor on May 29, 2023.

On Wednesday, he presided over the Valedictory Federal Executive Council Meeting. It is the last one he would be presiding over as president of the world’s most populous black nation.

His media aide, Buhari Sallau, made this known on his Facebook page as he shared photos from the meeting.

During the FEC meeting, Buhari also swore in the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission Board and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presented the Health Care Reform Committee Report to Buhari and the FEC at the Statehouse, Abuja.

By Mukhtar Jarmajo

In a democratic system, individuals have the right to associate with any political party of their choice. This right is enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, and it guarantees the freedom of political association to every citizen of the country.

Recently, there have been efforts to call back Halliru Dauda Jika, a former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi state, who left the party to pitch his tent with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) ahead of the 2023 general elections. Reliable sources close to Jika said he decamped from the APC because he felt he deserved the party’s governorship ticket, having funded the party since 2019.

However, it should be noted that the call-back efforts are unnecessary and uncalled for since the person in question has the constitutional right to be in any political party he so desires. Jika has the right to leave the APC and join another party, just as he now has the right to rejoin the party as an ordinary member.

It is crucial to understand that political parties are voluntary associations individuals join based on their beliefs, ideologies, and interests. Therefore, deciding to join or leave a political party is a personal choice everyone should respect.

The call-back movement seems driven by people who were likely his supporters while in the APC. However, if these people genuinely believe in the ideology of the APC, then they should work towards strengthening the party by promoting its values and ideals.

All should respect the constitutional right to political association, and call-back movements should cease, especially when they are unnecessary and uncalled for. Instead, political parties should focus on strengthening their values and ideals, and individuals should be free to join or leave any party without fear of persecution or intimidation.

Jarmajo wrote from Wuse Zone 2, Abuja. 

By Aliyu Nuhu

First; Nigeria does not generate enough electricity to support industries and sustain growth. When leaders talk of addressing poverty and unemployment they forget the single factor holding Nigerian economy down. With 3000-5000mw of electricity, the story of Nigeria will always be associated with darkness.

Second; Nigeria is still unable to employ its youths, about 90% of them finish schools and are sitting at home or roaming streets and committing crimes. The number is alarming.

Three; Industries are either closing down due to insecurity, absence of forex to import critical spare parts or electricity.

Four; Thousands of Nigerians are losing their jobs. MTN and some banks are still retrenching. Only government is employing and doing it selectively for sons and daughters of the elites, politicians and government officials. Government can’t employ everyone. As long as the private sector is not employing, unemployment will always be high in Nigeria.

Five; Start up businesses die due to failure of banks to give them loans. No Nigerian bank gives any form of loan at all.

Six; Big and small industries are being killed by multiple taxation. There are more than 20 different taxes that companies pay in Nigeria.

Seven; Some states are taxing companies for broad band satellite receivers, something that is vital to their operations, especially banks. Other states are imposing tax on boreholes even as the governments fail to provide pipe borne water to factories.

Eight; Agricultural goods in transit, including livestocks are subjected to all manner of extortion by police, LG officials, VIO, FRSC and security forces. Once a truck or car is loaded with goods, it is fair game to security agencies. Nigeria is becoming an impossible nation to move goods, capital and equipment. No nation develops without free movement of labour and capital. In the northern part of the country, insecurity has ensured that most farmers don’t go to farms due to activities of bandits and Boko Haram.

Nine; Despite efforts to build roads, rail, bridges, power plants and other social and economic infrastructure, it is becoming clear that the government will finish its two terms leaving Nigeria with the same tragedy of uncompleted and abandoned projects.

Ten; Nigerian businessmen are being rewarded for investing abroad. In other words the government rewards them for exporting Nigerian jobs to other African countries. Dangote has been building factories outside Nigeria in the name of diversifying his risks. Government should take a cue from what Donald Trump did in America. He rewarded those that built factories in US and punished those that built factories outside the United States. He slashed taxes on American companies to encourage them employ Americans.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State is currently under investigation over alleged N70 billion fraud, says the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Abdurrashid Bawa, the EFCC Chairman, disclosed about the development on Thursaday during a press briefing.

Our reporters gathered Matawalle and Bawa have recently engaged in a battle of words and Matawalle had leveled allegations against Bawa and dared the commission to go after members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet.

However, the anti-graft agency chairman urged Nigerians not to be swayed by the Matawalle’s recent outburst.

In his response through the Director of Public Affairs of the commission, Osita Nwajah, Bawa added that “It is intriguing that Matawalle would want to take on the role of a supervisor, who tells the EFCC whom to investigate.

“Is this a case of a “’thief’’ saying he must not be touched until other ‘’thieves’’ are caught?

“Unfortunately, it is not within Matawalle’s remit to dictate to the EFCC whom to arrest, when and where. Suspects in the custody of the Commission cut across all sectors and social class.

“The qualification to get a space in the Commission’s detention facility, is to commit a crime. It does not matter whether you are a priest , Imam, Governor or minister.

“Currently, a former minister of power is in the custody of the EFCC over a N22billion corruption allegation. That conveniently did not attract Matawalle’s attention,” Nwajah said.
 

• NewsDesk

As Nigeria approaches May 29, the inauguration date of a new administration, newly elected lawmakers and politicians have intensified the lobby game. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights group, has also joined the debate. Though a Muslim group, MURIC wants the Senate presidency to go to a Christian from the South. The group has therefore called on all Muslims vying for the post to withdraw.

This was made known in a statement issued on Thursday, May 18, 2023, by the Executive Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads:

“As the clock ticks away for the 29^th May inauguration date of the Bola Tinubu administration, elected lawmakers and politicians have intensified the lobby game. We have seen how the different geo-political zones, as well as individual politicians and stakeholders, have demanded key positions in the National Assembly.

“Chief among those positions is the Senate presidency as it is the Number 3 position in the country after the president and vice president. As a major stakeholder in the affairs of Nigeria, we have followed with keen interest the imbroglio, which greeted the Muslim-Muslim ticket and how it ended in Nigeria having a Muslim President-Elect and a Muslim Vice President-Elect.

“In view of this outcome and considering the multi-religious character of our dear country, Nigeria, it is our considered opinion that the post of senate president should go to a Southern Christian. Nigeria needs the cooperation of both Muslims and Christians because only such collaboration can engender peace and development.

“Although we are a Muslim group, we believe very strongly that Muslims should not take all the top posts despite being the undisputed majority group in the country. Muslims must be ready to share power with their Christian compatriots. Politics is a game of give and take, and Nigerian Muslims must play it right.

“We must all be ready to demonstrate a willingness to work together as a people in spite of our religious differences. Afterall, there is no Muslim electricity supply, no Christian roads, no Muslim public transport system and no Christian naira. Our problems are identical, and whatever affects our country affects both Muslims and Christians together.

“A good example is COVID-19. Hunger knows no Muslim, and malaria knows no Christian. Poverty is common among the adherents of both faiths. Let us, therefore, share what belongs to all with love and find solutions to our common problems together.

“MURIC, therefore, calls on all Muslim candidates vying for the position of the senate president to withdraw in order to allow Christian candidates from the South to have a free hand in the competition (preferably the South-South because the South East has occupied the post on several occasions).

“In addition, MURIC tips any suitable candidate from the North West for the post of deputy senate president in view of the fact that the zone gave the largest number of votes to the party and the candidate that won the election.” 

By Amir Sa’ad Ribadu

The 2023 election cycle has introduced quite a handful of female politicians ranging from the candidates themselves to the wives of candidates. Some female politicians have garnered massive publicity and relevance within their states, while others have become national figures and inspirations to women all over Nigeria.

One such woman is the wife of Katsina state Governor-elect Hajiya Fatima Dikko Radda, whose sudden emergence in the Katsina state political scene has made her an inspiration to women and a political force to reckon with in Katsina.

Before her emergence into the scene as a result of her husband’s success at the Katsina APC primaries sometime in May 2022, Hajiya Fatima, fondly known in Katsina as Zinariya is only known for her philanthropy, passion for educating the girl-child and healthcare delivery by a few beneficiaries of her foundation, PAC-F. PAC-F, which she founded a few years back, has kept her busy. In a recent interview, Hajiya Fatima attributed her passion for philanthropy, which birthed PAC-F, to her late mother.

In another interview in December, she told reporters how she intends to support her husband’s policy, especially in eradicating poverty and improving the healthcare and educational environment for the Katsina girl child.

It is therefore not surprising when she was seen campaigning so vigorously that she is said to have taken her husband’s message personally to 146 wards out of the 361 wards in Katsina, which is unprecedented for the wife of any guber candidate in any state in the North.

Her campaigns mainly centred around her husband’s policy document. Also, they focused on her passion for helping the girl child and supporting her husband in making healthcare delivery accessible to all in Katsina, especially women.

She seems to have been accepted by women and young people in Kastina because most can relate with her, owing to her age, ability to understand and proffer solutions, and natural propensity for generosity. Her acceptance is evident through the crowd she gathers every time she’s at a campaign rally or even in her house when she’s around Katsina.

Her Batagarawa low-cost home has become a popular destination for many who need assistance for medical purposes or daily needs. Her humility, they say, is akin to that of the carpenter of Nazareth.

Her youthful determination and willingness to contribute to her husband, Dr Dikko Radda’s campaign, could be seen in how passionately she reached out to the electorates in Katsina villages. She travelled through the length and breadth of Katsina’s Funtua Zone, a zone marred by insecurity and violence, and on many occasions, some members of her entourage have opted to stay back, but not Zinariya. This is because she was determined to witness first-hand the situation of the typical Katsina family in the villages where insecurity and poverty are rife.

It is, therefore, not surprising to see youth and women rally around her, chanting slogans of hers and her husband’s whenever she is around. This and many more reasons are why Katsina is said to be lucky to have a youthful, energetic, and passionate Governor in Dr Dikko Radda, who shares precisely the same qualities as his wife, Zinariya Fatima Dikko Radda.

Amir Sa’ad Ribadu writes from Libreville Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja. He can be contacted via mrribadu@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has proposed a 20 to 50 years development plan to help address the menacing underdevelopment issue in Nigeria.

Bisi Akande, Pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), disclosed this on Sunday in a public lecture in Ondo.

Akande, who is also a former governor of Osun State, lamented that the failure of successive governments to have a development plan for critical sectors of the economy is responsible for the country’s underdevelopment.

He stated, “We fail to plan and, yet, we are surprised that we fail in almost all sectors as we are all lapsing into generations of plan-less hypocrites.

“I can assure you that was not what we inherited. In this same country, we used to have five years capital development plans and seven years capital development plans. Now we only plan for the immediate next election.

“We thank God that this time around; Nigerians have elected a leader who has planned for a long time to be our President.

“Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is a well-known person to Baba Fasoranti, and he is also an inheritor of the Awoist legacy of planning and integrity.

“Therefore, it is right and necessary to expect a 20 or 50 years master plan for Nigeria from President Tinubu which would transform this blessed country into a great one,” Akande added.

By Mansur Hassan, PhD

The Kano State government, under the administration of HE Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje spent eight years without offering employment opportunities to the state’s youth, only to make such opportunities available after losing the 2023 election. The added insult to injury is that these opportunities are being sold for exorbitant prices, ranging from N50,000 to N100,000.

This kind of behavior is not only unethical but also unacceptable in a society that aspires to be just and fair. Employment opportunities should be based on merit and offered to those who are most qualified for the job, not to those who can afford to pay for them.

The fact that such opportunities are being sold at all is evidence of a corrupt and dysfunctional system that is failing to serve the interests of the people.

It is particularly troubling that this situation has arisen in Kano State which happens to be a home to a large population of young people who are in dire need of meaningful employment. Youth unemployment has been a major challenge in Nigeria, and Kano State is no exception.

It is estimated that over 50% of the state’s youth are unemployed or underemployed, a situation that is fueling poverty, social unrest, and other negative outcomes.

The failure of governments at all levels to address this issue during their eight-year tenure of the current dispensation is a clear indication of the lack of concern from the outgoing administration of APC for the well-being of the state’s youth.

Instead of investing in job creation and skills development programs, they chose to focus on other priorities, leaving the youth to languish in poverty and hopelessness. This is a failure of leadership, and it should not be tolerated.

It is also alarming that the situation is unlikely to change, as the person who is widely believed to be responsible for this state of affairs, Governor Ganduje, is not expected to change his ways.

The fact that he is accused of being behind the sale of employment opportunities further underscores his lack of concern for the welfare of the people. It is clear that he has lost touch with the realities on the ground and is more interested in consolidating his power than in serving the interests of the people.

In conclusion, the situation in Kano State is a sad reminder of the many challenges that Nigeria is facing as a country. Youth unemployment is a major issue, and it requires urgent and sustained action by the government and other stakeholders.

The sale of employment opportunities is a symptom of a deeper malaise that is undermining the country’s development and progress. It is time for all Nigerians to demand better from their leaders and to work towards building a more just and equitable society.

Mansur Hassan, PhD is a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, Yusuf Maitama Sule University
He can be reached via mhassan@yumsuk.edu.ng