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Mystery of APC’s numerous presidential aspirants

by Leading Reporters May 8, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

By Tonnie Iredia

At this year’s anniversary of Press Freedom Day in Abuja where I served as guest speaker, I had asked Nigerian media professionals to endeavour to appreciate the efficacy of the theory of self-esteem. My argument was that no matter one’s situation in life, an eternal positive admonition is that one must strive continuously to position one’s self favourably so as to attract public respect.

The media cannot afford to despair and lament every year on the precarious position it occupies in world affairs in which its members are attacked if not killed for carrying out an approved societal mandate of public enlightenment. Many other institutions which attack the media do so partly because they see many young people in the media who appear to them as irritants while performing their duties. At the end of the lecture, there was the breaking news that more members of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) had joined dozens of others to pick up the party’s presidential nomination form at the cost of just N100million.

It looked like a mystery for the party which many have been blaming for the woes of the nation to present itself as the party to beat at next year’s presidential election by unveiling innumerable aspirants. A compelling posture for understanding the inexplicable strategy is to place it within the context of the theory of self-esteem which hypothesizes that those who aim high score high. Already, some Nigerians are now unconsciously preoccupied with looking out more at the possibility of the APC’s re-election instead of thinking of the deteriorating standard of living during its tenure. Indeed, some are beginning to buy the imagination that today’s woes would probably have been worse if another party was in charge.

Whoever designed the strategy must have also suggested to APC leaders to remain ebullient giving their members hope and asking more of them to declare to contest the 2023 presidential elections. So, while ordinary Nigerians appear hypnotized, APC members are enjoined to scorn lamentation as a basis for staying up there!!

Many more nominations may come because rumour-mongering is only a first step towards a declaration in the party. Goodluck Jonathan who had been nurtured by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP to serve as Deputy Governor and Governor of Bayelsa State before becoming Vice President and later President of Nigeria may still pick-up the APC form notwithstanding that the party had declared him clueless some 8 years ago. After all, Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele who had been rumoured along with Jonathan now has his own form. It is not even difficult to do because there are scores of Nigerians who are positioned to act as agents on the subject. And if care is not taken, some aspirants may surprisingly get more than one form each, depending on the number of support groups any aspirant enjoys. As disclosed on national television some three days ago, Godswill Akpabio the uncommon leader (wherever he serves) had to appeal to his admirers nationwide not to get an additional form for him. Therefore, there does not appear to be anything wrong with many more aspirants turning up because Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, popularly regarded as APC’s national leader and former governor Amosun of Ogun state have already declared that the more the merrier. In other words, the motivation of some Yoruba leaders to bring their aspirants together in a meeting was not to reduce the figure, but to put across some ethical codes on language and general disposition of the aspirants during campaigns.

Such brotherhood has already been shown by two Yoruba aspirants, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state who claim to have manifestoes which present them as ideological political twins. What one is proposing to do is same as the other’s aspiration. In other climes, such two aspirants would compare notes and agree on which of them should be put forward. Here in Nigeria, that is not the way to go. Instead, it is seen as better for both to contest and pray for anyone of them to be victorious. The additional gain of this approach is that it generates more revenue for the party just as it puts in the public domain, the strength of APC as a party with innumerable presidential aspirants.

What no one can take away from the APC is that each and every aspirant of the party is full of ideas. Unfortunately, not enough efforts have been made to get each ‘aspirant of ideas’ to put such ideas at the disposal of the party. The eloquence with which former governor Adams Oshiomhole explained how to deal with the unending strike by University teachers would no doubt have given a high score to the party if its officials and conciliator had the Oshiomhole therapy and power of persuasion. The teachers are still on strike and their students who have always been made to spend more years than makes sense to obtain a degree are now threatening that no matter the numerical strength of presidential aspirants, the 2023 elections may not hold if the strike is not resolved shortly. It seems logical to agree with our students, that it is more fulfilling to have good governance with education as a priority than to organize a smooth census of political aspirants.

Notwithstanding the outcome of the census, citizens and politicians of Southeast extraction have; on the basis of the need to create a sense of belongingness for all Nigerians, continued to call on political parties to consider an Igbo candidate as the next Nigerian president. However, it is noted that the APC has not stopped her census enumerators of aspirants from operating in the Southeast. At least one governor – Dave Umahi, 3 federal ministers – Ogbonnaya Onu, Chris Ngige and Emeka Nwajiuba along with 3 Senators – Oji Kalu, Rochas Okorocha and Ken Nnamani from the zone are already enumerated. But as far as a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Senator Victor Umeh, is concerned, South-West politicians jostling to occupy the presidency in 2023 are not helping the cause of one Nigeria. Umeh’s position is that it is premature for the presidency to return to the Southwest from where it began in 1999 when it is yet to go round the 3 major tripods of the Nigerian nation. This criticism must however recognize that even the leadership of the socio-cultural organization of Yoruba people – Afenifere, has severally made the same point.

The APC will do well to effectively manage its huge figure of presidential aspirants without allowing the process to end in imposition which will no doubt create political tension. Already, there are fears in some quarters that a withdrawal form which is expected to operate as a sworn affidavit may have been designed to meet such end. It would probably be difficult to expect persons who are required to sign sworn affidavits well before the day of primaries to believe that there were no premeditated intentions. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can be of help here if it ensures that the conduct of primaries irrespective of the chosen mode is transparent. She can do this by ensuring that all the rules of the game are adhered to. It is expected for instance that she would insist as promised on retrieving authentic political party membership registers.

In the area of voter education, the caution to voters at all levels is for them to look out for the best candidates. The hope is that on account of all the difficulties the nation has passed through in recent years, voters would prioritize good record of previous performance in determining who to vote for. It would not make sense for example to vote for candidates who as governors could neither pay workers’ salaries nor help to improve the living standards of their people. It is not difficult to identify them. Apart from eyewitness accounts, there are credible reports by reputable organizations such as UNICEF which has just released a list of 22 states in Nigeria which are facing malnutrition and food insecurity. It is obviously a better guide than the numerical strength of aspirants.
May 08, 2022

May 8, 2022 0 comments

US college offers course on pornography

by Leading Reporters April 25, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

The course description mentioned that as part of it students will watch porn together in class, and discuss the sexualisation of race, class and gender. However, the petition says that teachers and students watching pornography together in the classroom together creates an unsafe environment for students while normalising pornography in culture. Photograph:( Others )

Pornography depending on who you talk to is either the bane of society or an expression of sexuality, albeit in a perverse way. Whatever your opinion may be of it, we can all accept that porn exists and it is very easily available, readily accessible on the wonder that we call the internet.

You surely must’ve heard about the negative impacts of porn on a person’s psyche or the many problems that society finds in its easy accessibility. But have you heard of a college that offers pornography as a subject?

Look no further, because we bring you details of exactly that.

Westminster College, a private college in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States is offering a course titled “Gender 3000 – Porn” during its May term.

The May summer term at Westminster, according to ABC4, is designed to provide courses that are different from the norm every year, including this one. The course is an optional, elective course at Westminster, and is not mandatory for any student.

Pornography is a multi-billion dollar industry and this elective course includes a study of the industry “both as a cultural phenomenon that reflects and reinforces sexual inequalities (but holds the potential to challenge sexual and gender norms) and as an art form that requires serious contemplation.”

Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?

Utahns however are not very thrilled by it. A change.org petition created by Utah citizens is demanding that the course be removed. The petition says that “Pornography is devoid of educational value and has no place in the classroom.

The course description mentioned that as part of it students will watch porn together in class, and discuss the sexualisation of race, class and gender. However, the petition says that teachers and students watching pornography together in the classroom together creates an unsafe environment for students while normalising pornography in culture.

“This is not education. It makes me sick something like this offered. Im so disappointed that anything like this would be offered at an educational institution”, comments user Minta Valentine on the petition.

What do you think? Is the course something you may be interested in? Is it normalising deviant sexual behaviour or exploring the normalisation of the human body in all its forms? Let us know!

(With inputs from agencies)

April 25, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

World book and copyright day

by Leading Reporters April 24, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

Nigeria’s woes traced to poor reading culture by politicians

By Dennis Agbo

The Nigeria Publishers Association NPA, and the Nigeria Copyright Commission NCC, have blamed the leadership incapability’s in Nigeria on lack of reading by the political class.

The group and agency, however, identified some leaders whom they said do well in governance because they read books.They cited an example of a certain governor in South-West, whom they said reads and is reflected in his leadership.

“Low readership is the bane of educational and national development”

They also urged parents to always read their children to sleep, noting that books were the life wire of any country.

The group made the recommendations during a press conference to mark the 2022 World Book and Copyright Day in Enugu, on Saturday.

President of Nigeria Publishers Association Dr. Uchenna Anioke, speaking on the theme: ‘Read… So You Never Feel Alone,’ advised that whenever anyone begins to think that the world was a lonely place, such a person should get a book and read.

He proposed that every individual should read nothing less than one book per week.“Reading can be so much fun. Our leaders don’t read and that is why when you talk about economy, they mix things up. Only very few leaders read and those ones, when they speak, they speak from knowledge. Readers are leaders, but conversely, in Nigeria, leaders are not readers,”

Anioke said.He noted that intellectual theft was worse that armed robbery. He congratulated the Nigeria Senate for its recent amendment of the Copyright Act and urged the House of Representatives to pass the same amendment so as make book reading more attractive. Anioke also urged government at all levels to rehabilitate the public libraries described as antiquated, isolated, dilapidated and not updated with modern books.

Coordinator of South-South/South-East Directorate of the Nigeria Copyright Commission, Mrs Ngozi Okeke stated that NCC supports children with books to build their reading culture.

“We advise them to read one book a day. As a commission, we believe in catching the children young. That’s why we partner with other bodies and regulators to support the children’s reading culture,” Okeke said.

April 24, 2022 0 comments

Opinion Headlines

Is N100m for presidential nomination not prohibitive?

by Leading Reporters April 24, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

By Tonnie Iredia

It is futile to argue with some Nigerians on any matter in which they have an interest or which they have cause to suspect might favour them even if tangentially. All that those in doubt of this conclusion need to do is to watch people on television marshaling points in support of any subject. They forcefully leave no stone unturned.

Those who do this are usually talented in public speaking or are senior lawyers especially those who have firm knowledge not only of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution but the exact sections, subsections and schedules of relevant provisions. For instance, when the issue of defector-governors arose, they argued in support of the defectors eloquently sermonizing on the difference between law and morality adding that what matters is law. Those of us who often drew attention to the spirit of the law in querying unwholesome political behaviours were shocked a few days ago to see the pro-technicality analysts taking sides with us to condemn the decision of government to pardon convicted former governors Dariye and Nyame. It was as if no one remembered that our Constitution provides for state pardon. So, is it all about winning an argument or publicity consciousness?

Against this backdrop, my immediate reaction to the decision of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC to sell its nomination forms to presidential aspirants at the cost of One hundred million naira (N100m), was that it would not be difficult at all to find Nigerians who would instantly generate reasons to justify the apparent prohibitive cost. No surprises as the defences have since begun. To start with, there is already the argument that politics is capital intensive and that anyone who cannot raise the amount would not be strong enough to be President of the largest country in Africa. In fact, the argument that the funds can be raised with ease has already been proven. For example, two Abia state businessmen – Ukaegbu James and Nnanna Kalu have signified their intention to provide N200m to buy forms for two federal legislators, namely, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu. However, the public perception is that the two beneficiaries can afford to buy their own forms because as senators they are among the richest public office holders in the country

One candidate who is not likely to have any problem whatsoever in getting the form is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose supporters are now competing for who will be the first to raise the amount. As soon as the figure was announced, the Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023 reportedly raised the amount and announced that “we will be storming the secretariat soon to get the form for him.” On his part, the Director General of the Tinubu Support Organization (TSO) Aminu Suleiman said he had already signed a cheque for the amount rendering unnecessary, the previous pledge of N10m made by some youths under the aegis of the Tinubulate Nigeria Agenda (TINA). Senator Kabiru Gaya, Chairman of the Progressive Project (TPP), the umbrella organization of Osinbajo support groups had similarly vowed to purchase the nomination form for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. A pro-youth group, the North Central Coalition for Leadership (NCCL) had also planned to buy a form for another APC presidential aspirant, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state. It is therefore obvious that the strategy which all the aspirants used in getting different groups to earnestly beg them to show interest in next year’s presidential contest, would be deployed again to make the same support groups to announce their readiness to buy forms for their preferred aspirants. Such donors or perceived fronts are aiming to be the next set of cabals in the corridors of power come 2023.

A second argument put forward in support of the rather high figure of N100m is that the calculation took into account the current realities in which everything has increased. Petroleum products especially kerosene and diesel, foodstuffs, government loans, bandits’ attacks, ASUU strikes, petroleum subsidy, poverty etc. have all gone up astronomically. The fear in some quarters however is that the exorbitant cost of nomination forms for elections can be counter-productive. If nothing else, it will shut out some aspirants with good ideas which are greatly needed for national development. Politicians are probably the only ones comfortable with heavy expenses on politics and elections. Indeed, those of them in the legislature had earlier ensured that they legalized huge election expenses. In the new Electoral Act, they jacked up spending ceilings from between 150 to 400 per cent. Yet, nothing was done to halt the old order where political parties always breached the rule requiring them to disclose their electoral expenditures to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This brands the advocacy for high cost of nomination forms as self-serving.

Party leaders in particular are quite comfortable with the high cost of nomination forms because it gives them opportunity to generate ample funds for running their political parties. Putting it aptly, the new publicity secretary of the ruling party, Felix Morka had argued that Nigeria was yet to get to the level where party members would faithfully pay membership dues for running the party. It would therefore mean that the costs of nomination forms across board are that high because this is the ideal time for collecting revenues from elusive members. The truth therefore is that party leaders are anxious to secure huge party finances to put an end to the practice of going cap in hand to beg elected office holders to come to their rescue on a monthly basis. The situation could be worse where a party loses an election and would therefore have no elected office holders in their party to look up to for assistance.

The debate on whether the huge cost of nomination forms is prohibitive or not is fruitless because for quite some time nothing has shown that an increase in finances affects our people positively. Even the revenue from nomination forms could be squandered because some party members believe that the struggle for party offices is usually influenced by the desire of party leaders to help themselves to such funds. The same is true of government finances. Only last week, the House of Representatives’ Adhoc Committee investigating the state of the nation’s refineries had to raise an alarm over suspected sharp practices on the subject. The Committee is bothered that after allegedly spending $3.7 billion on repairs, none of the refineries has been restored to any level of functionality. Yet, neither the Minister of State for Petroleum Resource, Timipre Sylva nor the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari responded to calls by the Committee to throw light on the situation What the above narrative suggests is that instead of bickering over the cost of nomination forms, our civil society groups should rise up now to vote against non-performers. I

t is time to stop playing the victim and behaving as if citizens are hopeless and helpless the way Ekiti state pensioners projected themselves the other day. With an unpaid N37.8billion gratuities and pensions, Ekiti pensioners last Thursday began a prayer session seeking God’s face for swift intervention for the payment of their entitlements. If the pensioners come together to vote against the political party that placed them in their present predicament in the next governorship elections holding two months away, no state government would toy with them in the future. In other words, this is not a time to bother about the cost of nomination forms; it is also not the time for protests concerning poor governance, rather it is time to use the ballot to tell political leaders that they are elected to represent the people and not to turn them into objects instead of the subject of democracy. It is certainly not a time to beg leaders who previously failed to institute good governance to once more join the next race. Nigerians must take their nation’s destiny in their own hands.
April 24, 2022.

April 24, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Edo State Governorship: Which Way Forward For Esan People?

by Leading Reporters April 22, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

BY: Oseagah I. Solomon

From all indications and political calculations, the time for the Esan people to choose the next governor of Edo State who will run the affairs of the state at the expiration of the current governor’s term in office is now.

As a people, we cannot afford to fail in this tall order in choosing who will represent us and run the affairs of our dear Edo State when the current Governor, His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki cedes the position.

Since Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor’s brief shot at the Dennis Osadebe House as a governor, Esan has not thoroughly created and defined a political pathway that would see the emergence of another Esan man as the governor. This has been as a result of series of political miscalculation, sabotage, disunity and lack of political cohesion among key political stakeholders. These have perennially denied Esan the opportunity to be elected into the coveted position of a State Governor.

However, it’s high time for the Esan people to plan to succeed the current governor who, during his campaign has promised to do the needful in the spirit of equity and fairness. We either plan, unite and work to fetch this golden opportunity or we will yet fall again. The question then arises: What is the Esan deliberate structure on ground to have a seamless political outing at the expiration of Governor Godwin Obeseki’s tenure?

Where are the Esan Stakeholders and what are their plans for Governorship zoning in Esan Land?

I believe if we start early to put formidable structures on ground, we can avoid rancor, internal crises and destructive political miscalculation that can costs us the governorship shot.

Edo Central Senatorial District covers five local government areas which include Esan South-East, Igueben, Esan North East, Esan West, Esan Central.

Our political quest to grab the governorship position should be without rift among the Esan populace. We must purposefully create a window for a strong internal democratic structure that would be acceptable by all Esan in particular and Edolites in general. It is going to be a political structure where we are seen to be in the helm of the sail while other stakeholders are seen paddling with us.

The question here is how do we concretize and stir this vision to its fruitful shore. The time for Esan stakeholders, leaders, and representatives to come together and and create a political roadmap that would galvanise into political success is now. We have to agree on the methodology and all strategies must be laid out now. A stitch in time saves nine, they say.

Peace in our land and State!

April 22, 2022 0 comments

Exclusives

Gov. Wike financial largesse to churches for political support exposed: Anglican, Catholic, RCCG, Eckankar top list of beneficiaries

by Leading Reporters April 22, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

An unveiled financial records of Rivers State Government House account No. 1010610151 domiciled with Zenith Bank, Government House Rivers State has revealed how the governor of Rivers State and Presidential aspirant under the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Barr. Nyesom Wike recklessly doles out the state’s funds running into billions of Naira to churches in Rivers State for political supports.

Between 2016 and 2021, it is estimated that Governor Wike has doled out over Five Billion Naira to selected churches and societies in Rivers State without approval from the State House of Assembly. Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church, and Catholic Church top the list of beneficiaries of Wike’s financial largesse to orthodox churches. These gifts may have validated Wike’s declaration of Rivers State as a “Christian State”.

Wike had, during a crusade organized by the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Church in Port Harcourt, declared that Rivers is a Christian state. A declaration that incurred the wrath of Muslims and many Muslim groups both in Nigeria and overseas. His pro-Christian and anti-Islamic stand would definitely pitch him against the Muslim dominated North where the governor is currently touring, requesting for supports and votes in his presidential quest. Some Muslim stakeholders have always accused Wike of religious bigotry and sectionalism.

Investigation revealed that Wike is not a fan of Pentecostalism. However, available financial records revealed that Redeemed Christian Church received a large chunk of financial gift from Governor Wike. The money showered on churches by Wike is far much more than what has been deployed by the State Governor to develop human capital in Rivers State, according to financial records exclusively obtained by LeadingReporters.

Beneficiary-Churches, donations and dates:

The first religious organization to benefit from Governor Wike’s gift, upon being elected a Governor was Eckankar. Information gathered revealed that Governor Wike doled at the sum of N80,000,000 to Eckankar as donation to the society on 2^nd November, 2016. Christ Apostolic Church and St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Rumudaolu were gifted the sum of N100,000,000 and N70,000,000 on 22^nd November, 2016 respectively. On the other hand, Cathedral Church of St. Mathias Diobu was given the sum of N200,000,000 on the 20^th July, 2017, while St. Paul Nyemoni Lutheran Church received the sum of N30,000,000 from Wike same 20^th July, 2017.

Others include St. Gabriel’s Anglican Church Bolo which received the sum of N30,000,000 on 12^th September, 2017. Other beneficiaries include Anglican Church, Diocese of Niger Delta North which received in two tranches of N20,000,000 and N37,435,000 on 5^th February, 2018. Another N20,000,000 was given same day to the women wing of Anglican Communion Diocese of Niger Delta North. Wike also gifted a religious school Jesuit Memorial College via the school First bank account the sum of N100,000,000 and N60,000,000 as donation for Okrika Bible Project Fund Raising respectively on 18^th January, 2018.

Rivers Baptist Church received the sum of N80,000,000 from Governor Wike for their conference while Redeemed Christian Church Region 5 bagged the highest donation of N200,000,000 and another N40,000,000 on 18^th January, 2018. St. Anne’s Anglican Church Okujagu Rivers State via its First Bank Account received the sum of N30,000,000 from Governor Wike pro-church activities.

On 12^th November 2018, Rivers Baptist conference gulped the sum of N150,000,000 from the Rivers State Government Account while a total of N167,170,000 was gifted to different Christian religious organizations on 29^th September, 2018, according to findings by LeadingReporters.

The financial records revealed that Governor Wike gifted Bishop and Mrs Winston T. Iwo, via their GTbank account the sum of N10,000,000 and another N10,000,000 on 11^th January and 1^st November, 2019 respectively, while the Anglican Church Communion, Diocese of Niger Delta North was given the sum of N33,594,400 on the 1^st of October, 2019.

Recall that Governor Wike once declared Rivers State a Christian State, not minding the fact that Nigeria is a multi-religious country with Christianity and Islam as major religious sects in Nigeria. However, Governor Wike appointed three muslims in his cabinet an appointment many considered to be a political move to create the impression that Wike is not entirely anti-Islam. Recall that Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the Leader of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has consistently raised alarm against Governor Nyesom Wike’s anti-Muslim position, describing him to have been black-listed to hold any Federal position where Muslims are stakeholders.

April 22, 2022 0 comments

Opinion Headlines

Many have already missed the road to 2023

by Leading Reporters April 17, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

By Tonnie Iredia

The next general elections in Nigeria are less than a year away, yet it is still difficult to put a finger on its prospects. Many politicians and their supporters are making noise about 2023, but no one knows if they are on the right path. There are people whose dispositions and utterances give the impression that they are still in 2019 which the nation departed from close to four years ago. One of the common commentaries is that political parties should pick their presidential candidates from the zones that can win election.

Even if the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the originator of zoning is for the wrong reason no longer certain of the efficacy of the arrangement, I hope those supporting good candidates like Governor Aminu Tambuwal are influenced by his liberal mind and capacity to embrace innovation and not where is from. Those supporting anyone only because of his/her zone are travelling backwards beyond 2015.

If Nigeria must get out of its stunted growth and face brighter days, unnecessary attacks on aspirants should stop. The criticism that Atiku Abubakar is forever a contestant is irrelevant if he is qualified and competent. Those who say Asiwaju Bola Tinubu does not appear strong enough for the office of president should review his response that he is not seeking the office of a brick-layer that calls for physical strength.

Those who are visibly angry that someone has the courage to aspire to contest the 2023 election along with his ‘godfather’ should note that the contest is not reserved for godfathers. When Yemi Osinbajo acted as President in 2017, many who affirmed that he did excellently well are surprisingly against him now as if the man is only good as acting President. In any case, the godfather sentiments cannot be sustained in many parts of Nigeria where tradition behooves a man to be happy if his grandson surpasses his own achievements. Although Tinubu, the acclaimed godfather has publicly testified that he has no son old enough to aspire to be president, the godson is still under fire.

In some commentaries, people suggested that Osinbajo was already a loser for wearing black on the day he declared his interest in the 2023 contest. To such commentators of the stone age, black is meant for burial. One wonders what burial ceremonies are holding in courts everyday across the globe where black is the official colour. What the several criticisms against aspirants suggests is that the authors have missed their way to 2023.

In the new scheme of things, Nigerians who seek to hold political offices should be subjected to intense scrutiny but without being parochial. The only viable criticism against the Vice President was the one made by Prof Farooq Kperogi who felt Osinbajo was part of an RCCG plot for theocratic state capture. The prolific writer scored high by providing verifiable evidence in support of his allegation. Those who have points against any aspirant should do same.

Unfortunately, tangible criticisms which can strengthen democracy are palpably scanty while the media is replete with cosmetic issues of zero value. For example, to attack Rotimi Amaechi for making his declaration public at a crowded stadium under the guise of thanksgiving is no point because there is no standard place for declaration. The same is true of those attacking Nyesom Wike, Rivers state governor as too aggressive as if timidity is a more relevant virtue for political ambition. Going by the current state of the nation, an aggressive leader may be needed. While it is true that some aspirants can easily pass for jokers, it is uncharitable to add Peter Obi, former Anambra state governor to such a list simply because he does not ‘have a bullion van.’ What such contemptible attacks show is that not many are set to positively move to 2023 because it is hard to ignore the visible capability of Obi to manage a troubled economy. Having indicated his current preoccupation, attacks on Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele are superfluous

Mindful that a person coerced into an office is not likely to perform well because he could not have prepared for it, this column had earlier sought to identify the political aspirants who bought nomination forms themselves to contest the 2015 general elections. Findings showed that former Governor Godswill Akpabio’s nomination form was allegedly bought for him by some youths to represent the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. It was the Benue Youth in Diaspora Association (BYDA) that pledged to provide money to purchase the senatorial nomination form for former Governor Gabriel Suswam. Some other Youth leaders from Ado Local Government Area of Benue State allegedly besieged Senator David Mark’s home to put pressure on him to contest the Benue South Senatorial seat. Similarly, it was Enugu Professional Forum that kept pushing former Governor Sullivan Chime to contest his senatorial seat against Senator Ike Ekweremadu who was himself pressured by Enugu Concerned Professionals Worldwide.

The implication of this narrative is that the locomotive heading towards 2023 is the same one that has been conveying people to cajole politicians to contest elections since 1979 when a reluctant Shehu Shagari was persuaded to become President. Little wonder that the tricks have not changed. Misguided able-bodied Nigerians are still acting as fronts for old politicians, publicly begging them to show interest in elective positions. More than two years to the end of his first tenure, the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria were on the streets distracting President Jonathan with pleas to seek reelection. At other times such as now, unemployed youths argue that they had to put together the little they had to buy nomination forms for billionaire politicians. Whither the new Nigeria of our dreams?

Two weeks ago, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State formally announced his Presidential ambition naming two Nigerians that would help him coast to victory like M.K.O. Abiola did in 1993. First, he picked Senator Jonathan Zwingina former Director General of the Abiola Campaign Organization as his national coordinator. He then named Hafsat Abiola, daughter of the June 12 hero as the Director General of his campaign. A week later, Abiola’s eldest son, Kola, joined politics. With the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) which bears same name as MKO’s winning party, busy acting as the rejuvenated party to beat, the true representative of the legend is no longer clear more so as Kola declared under another platform – the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). What is clear is that no one has the MKO Abiola’s political spirit of a true patriot and humanitarian warrior who helped all and sundry. The man donated to every good cause unlike now that people donate only close to elections, competing with the trader money scheme.

Nigeria is thus far from the ideals of the past just as her movement ahead is retarded by lethargy in governance and political materialism. Declarations have remained patently promissory – a trend which can do Nigeria no good in 2023. What is needed now is not who can announce what he intends to do, instead all aspirants should be interrogated to explain how they intend to fulfil their electioneering promises. Indeed, when aspirants become candidates ample time must be spent on the details of how each promise would be fulfilled. No one should be allowed to evade election debate, so that each person’s capacity can be sufficiently visible for voters to make informed choices. The strategy, would nullify arguments such as that the true decadence of the nation was not clear when the promises were made.

Every elected candidate must recognize that he/she was voted in to solve problems and not to itemize challenges. In truth, Professor Kingsley Moghalu was a delight to watch on national television two days ago explaining that if elected he would ensure that facilities like good transportation are available before withdrawing on installmental basis, our unsustainable fuel subsidy. That is the narrative for 2023 and those who cannot cope must fall out of the race now.

April 17, 2022

April 17, 2022 0 comments

Headlines

Gov Rotimi Akeredolu Is Not Dead — Media Aide

by Leading Reporters April 17, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

The Ondo State Government has dispelled rumours that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has died.

Governor Akeredolu, left the country for Germany after the APC convention in March.

Releasing different videos showing Akeredolu dancing, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Richard Olatunde stated that it became imperative to fault the media reports.

The rumour about the Governor’s death became widespread on Saturday after a gossip blog posted that Akeredolu has passed on.

The governor who was seen dancing and singing was also observed in a joyous mood and full of praises to God for keeping him alive.

Akeredolu had officially written the State House of Assembly seeking consent before embarking on the annual leave.

April 17, 2022 0 comments

General General

Meet Mr. Fadeyibi “The Hitman from Transcorp Power Ltd” Doing the ruthless bidding of UBA Bank in AEDC

by Leading Reporters April 13, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

Electricity consumers from the Federal Capital Territory; Nasarawa, Niger, and Kogi States are in for rough times owing to a ruthless revenue drive being spearheaded by Mr. Adeoye Fadeyibi, on behalf of United Bank for Africa, UBA.

UBA is a major creditor to AEDC. Technically, UBA owns the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company AEDC as it stands now. This followed several loan defaults by the electricity distribution company via its UBA Account No. 1019269503.

An insider source said that Tony Elumelu routed for Fadeyibi after the later set up structures in Eko Electricity Distribution Company EKDC that saw revenue skyrocketing and operational costs and losses down. Fadeyi’s feat in Elumelu’s Transcorp Power Ltd, Ugbelli where he ramped up power generation of the company from its abysmal 164MW to 634MW within interval of 25 months was too glaring to be overlooked and needs to be replicated in AEDC, by Tony Elumelu’s estimates.

Other accounts the company maintains with UBA include AEDC Impress Funding Account No. 22174094498. This account has become a conduit through which billions of Naira were fleeced under the subheading – Operational impress. For instance, between October and December, 2018, a total of N1,579,015,000 was mopped into the account as imprest. UBA Account No 10176666012 is believed to be another suspicious account with which the erstwhile management of AEDC carried out their acts.

Other AEDC accounts with UBA include account no. 1019034680. This account, according to investigation was used to sweep funds which were later diverted to yet another UBA account No 1017547366.

Another interesting activity uncovered is a UBA Account No.1017681365, allotted to AEDC WAMBA, Nasarawa State. The account is shrouded in secrecy and may have been used as a veritable conduit for diversion of funds. AEDC Okene Area Office with UBA account numbers 1021027984 and 1017805387 are two of the many accounts of AEDC that were structured to be leveraged to soothe the stealing appetite of the erstwhile management of AEDC.

According to a discreet source, the former management played a conscious, pre-meditated role that paved way for UBA acquisition of AEDC.

Kabba AEDC Account No 1017805387 was another porous and specially structured account allegedly used in fleecing the Federal Government.

Mr. Fadeyibi prior to being drafted to AEDC by Tony Elumelu-led UBA worked as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Power Limited, Ugbelli. The company is owned by Tony Elumelu. Mr Fadeyibi career path has as well cut across Eko Electricity Distribution Company where he was the MD/CEC as well as General Electricity.

A discreet source who spoke to LeadingReporters on condition of anonymity said that Mr Fadeyibi is on a mission. A ruthless mission to bend all known rules in the bank’s bid to recover all the monies and loans AEDC owns UBA.

“His mission from his paymaster is clear – Bend all rules, squeeze all sources and get us all the money. Unfortunately, the consumers are the ones to be squeezed in a sector where regulators are in the pockets of the players. It is a pathetic situation”.

The electricity consumers with the capital territory and its neighboring states are in for a hard and sad time as the move by UBA would see them paying for more and getting less in terms of quality service.

“Money, revenue, more revenue and more profits are now the drive force in AEDC”

“The former guys were hired to play the role they played that paved way for UBA to take over AEDC. AEDC is one of the electricity distribution companies that has proved to be viable. UBA management has been eyeing the company and incessant loan was the best way to dive in”.

UBA continued to avail its loan spree to AEDC, targeting that a time would come when AEDC would not be able to meet its financial obligation to the bank, thereby paving way for outright ownership.

“Tony Elumelu understands the viability of AEDC, being someone whose company Transcorp Power Limited is a player in the power sector”. The source said.

April 13, 2022 0 comments

Exclusives

Insecurity: Group asks FG to probe Wike’s special “Rivers State Command Security Operations Account” domiciled with First Bank Lagos

by Leading Reporters April 10, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

A group, League of Patriots has asked the Federal Government and the Nigeria security and intelligence agencies to probe a suspicious account run by Governor Nyesom Wike code named “Rivers State Command Security Operations Account domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria, Lagos, Account No 2022409801. The group said that through its intensive Intel, it gathered that Wike maintains a suspicious account from where he is believed to fund activities that may jeopardize the security situation in the country and thus help him prosecute electoral violence.

The group’s spokesman, Okey Richmond, in a communiqué obtained exclusively by LeadingReporters said that suspicious financial activities on the account with transaction description of “In Favour of Election” suggests that Governor Wike is using State fund to carry out activities that may be at variance with the national security arrangement.

The group said that the time has come to place desperate politicians like Governor Nyesom Ezemuo Wike on surveillance going by his antecedent and his bloodthirsty quest for power.

“Prior to the emergence of this democratic dispensation, insecurity of this scale was absent in the polity. But what we are experiencing these days suggests to a large extent that insecurity are politics-induced and that politicians like Wike may not be free from funding activities that tend to devastate the polity for political gain.

The group promised to help the government at the federal level to expose all they know about Governor Wike financial activities that may expose huge perennial corruption in Rivers State.

“He made himself a demigod and runs the finances of the states as if it belongs to his family. This is time to account for the least money that accrued to Rivers State under Governor Nyesom Wike”. The communiqué read.

April 10, 2022 0 comments

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