The Lagos State Government wishes to put on record the patience and calmness of Lagosians following the controversy generated by the Naira shortage crisis.

The State Government has joined the dispute at the Supreme Court, which today adjourned the hearing of the matter till February 22. When the matter first came up on February 8, the apex court said the old notes remained legal tender.

That position has not changed. The State Government hereby warns those rejecting the old notes to desist from doing so or face prosecution. It is against the law to reject the old notes as doing so is contrary to the position of the Supreme Court.

Governor Sanwo- Olu urges Lagosians to remain law-abiding and shun mischief makers who may exploit this temporary situation to promote their anti-people agenda. He is confident that the Judiciary will resolve all the issues around the currency shortage crisis.

To cushion the effect of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive on the old notes, especially on the vulnerable among us, Lagos State has started the distribution of the food packs promised by the Governor. The 50% fares slash on all state transportation facilities continues, as directed by Mr Governor.

Nollywood actress, Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Lagos Zonal Command following her arrest for tampering with the redesigned Naira notes, an offense contrary to Section 21 (5) of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Act, 2007, according to the anti-graft agency.

Omoseyin was arrested by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Fraud Related Offences Commission, ICPC, on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 along Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, following intelligence report.

The 31-year-old was arrested after the video of her spraying and stepping on the newly redesigned Naira notes at a party surfaced online.

In the viral video, she was also seen flaunting wads of the new Naira notes.

The suspect was subsequently handed over to the EFCC on Thursday, February 2, 2023 for further investigations.

Items recovered from her at the point of arrest include a Range Rover and iPhone mobile devices.

The suspect will be charged to court once investigations have been concluded.

By Patrick Obia |

The 2022 Electoral Act in its section 84(12) warns that “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the Convention or Congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

The political appointees this section spells out include anyone holding a political office – ministers, commissioners, special advisers among others – must first resign their positions before they can be eligible to participate in the electoral process either as an aspirant or as a delegate.

Two of Governor Ben Ayade’s appointees – Eric Anderson and Oliver Orok , both Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, and Commissioner for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) respectively, have violated this section 84(12) of the act. They were among the 2,322 delegates during the All Progressives Congress, APC, 2022 National Convention.

The violation of this Act, and the failure of the commissioners to relinquish their positions before voting as delegates affects the integrity of the primaries. In addition, Governor Ayade contested for president in the primaries under the APC.

CrossRiverWatch can affirm that both commissioners were among the 54 national delegates and other stakeholders whom the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid a thank you visit at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar in June 2022.

The three delegates each were selected from the eighteen Local Government Areas of the State and Mr. Eric Anderson was one of the three selected from Calabar Municipal LGA while Oliver Orok was one of the three delegates picked from Calabar South LGA.

No Appointee Was A Delegate, APC Claims

Anderson and his colleague Orok did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

But the APC leadership in the state has continued to insist that no political appointee was a national delegate.

Speaking to CrossRiverWatch during a telephone interview, the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Erasmus Ekpang, denied that both commissioners violated the electoral act.

Erasmus said the party was not aware of any political appointee or commissioner that was a delegate. He argued that some of the appointees’ names were included in the list but later removed.

“To the best of my knowledge, there are no appointees that were a delegate,” he said. “They were initially included, and then when they got to know appointees were not supposed to be there, they removed them.”

He added that “I, myself, was supposed to be a delegate but my name was removed. So I’m not aware of any appointee that was a delegate.”

Documents obtained by CrossRiverWatch which carries APC’s ‘summary result sheet of elected delegates’ of 18th May 2022, has a total number of 20,541 voters; 66, 333 accredited voters, 66,333 total votes cast, 66,333 valid votes, and zero invalid votes.

The document has Eric Anderson, Emmanuel Bassey, and Maria Asumpta Offiong, all selected from Calabar Municipal Local Government Area. The result sheet is signed and dated 18th May 2022 by  Usman Magaji as the Chairman, Local Government Area Congress Committee while Emilia U. Okonji as Secretary, LGA Congress Committee.

Similarly, Mensan Offiong Bassey, Mrs. Majoerie Eyo Asuquo and Oliver Orok are the three delegates selected from Calabar South LGA. Also, the result sheet is signed and dated 18th May 2022 by Usman Magaji as the Chairman, Local Government Area Congress Committee while Emilia U. Okonji as Secretary LGA Congress Committee.

The summary results of elected delegates are as follows: the total number of voters,68, 732; number of accredited voters, 68, 784; number of votes cast, 68, 784; valid votes, 68,784; and zero invalid votes.

INEC Not Spotting Violation

 Concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s inability to sanction political parties and candidates flouting the electoral act have dominated public commentary, rasing questions on how prepared the electoral umpire is to conduct a free, fair, and credible election in 2023.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

However, Anthonia Nwobi, Head of Voter Education and Publicity of INEC in Cross River told CrossRiverWatch that it was not the duty of the commission to go through party’ delegate list for scrutiny, questioning if anyone has petitioned INEC.

 But a political analyst and social commentator, Richard Inoyo said it is more of party affairs in the selection of delegates but frowns against flouting section 84(12) and any other section of the electoral act, asking aggrieved members to seek redress.

“If there is any aggrieved aspirant at the primary of APC National Convention, it is up to the aspirant to approach the court of law and seek redress” Onoyo said. “At the end of the day, I don’t see how INEC will present the case against the candidate that emerged during the primary. That will mean INEC will be shooting itself on the foot because INEC representatives were invited and were present during the National Convention.

“There are indeed sections that might have been violated in respect to section 84(12) but if other aspirants within the party refuse to come forward with a case, then the result stands,” he added.

Stakeholders in the state chapter of APC had raised an alarm over the delegates list from the state when the party was preparing for the presidential convention.

Chief Francis Ekpenyong, who spoke on behalf of the Cross Rivers aggrieved “Authentic Adhoc National Delegates” had asked the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, to take more than personal interest in the list of party faithful from Cross Rivers State to be submitted by the State Chairman, Alphonsus Eba.

The aggrieved members had alleged that the list was doctored to favor perceived cronies of the Governor Ayade which included Eric Anderson, Oliver Orok, and Erasmus Ekpang, among others.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to “promptly cut the outrageous National Assembly budget of N228.1bn, including the N30.17bn severance payments and inauguration costs for members (the highest ever).”

SERAP urged them to “propose a refresh budget for the National Assembly that would reflect the current economic realities in the country, address the debt crisis, and prevent retrogressive economic measures.”

The National Assembly had increased its 2023 budget from N169bn proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari to N228.1bn. The approved budget shows an increase of about N59.1bn. The country’s budget of N21.83tn is based on a N10.49tn revenue, and N11.34tn deficit.

In the letter dated 14 January, 2023 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “It is a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office for the members of the National Assembly to increase their own budget at a time when some 133 million Nigerians are living in poverty.”

SERAP said, “Cutting the National Assembly budget would reduce the growing budget deficit, address the unsustainable debt burden, and serve the public interest.”

According to SERAP, “By increasing its own budget, the National Assembly has unjustifiably and disproportionately reduced the budget for UBEC. This is a travesty, especially given that Nigeria currently has over 20 million out-of-school children, and half of all poor people in the country are children.”

The letter, read in part: “Rather than exercising its oversight functions to check the persistent borrowing by President Muhammadu Buhari, and scrutinising the apparently unlawful overdrafts and loans obtained by the Federal Government from the Central Bank of Nigeria, the National Assembly is increasing its own budget.”

“This outrageous waste of public money would substantially increase the cost of governance, and exacerbate the debt crisis. It is unlawful, and unfair to the Nigerian people.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“The budget should reflect national development priorities, and not serve as a tool to satisfy the lifestyle of lawmakers or provide them with severance payments or parting gifts.”

“SERAP is concerned that the National Assembly budget of N228.1bn is higher than the statutory transfer to the Universal Basic Education Commission [UBEC] which is N103.3bn.”

“The increase in the National Assembly budget, including the unnecessary proposed spending of N30.17bn on ‘severance payments’ and ‘inauguration expenses’ is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

“It is unjustifiable and unreasonable for the National Assembly to arbitrarily increase its own budget when the Federal Government and many of the 36 states are clearly in debt distress or at high risk of debt distress.”

“The National Assembly budget of N228.1bn would increase the country’s borrowing and debt crisis. Growing debt burdens and debt repayment difficulties will have negative impacts on the ability of poor and vulnerable Nigerians to enjoy basic socio-economic rights.”

“Long-term unsustainable debt can be a barrier to the government’s ability to mobilize resources for human rights, and may lead to taxes and user fees that impact negatively on poor and vulnerable Nigerians.”

“The leadership and members of the National Assembly should properly discharge their constitutional and fiduciary duties to Nigerians by ensuring judicious spending of public funds, especially given the current economic and financial realities of Nigeria.”

“Cutting the budget would show that the National Assembly can discharge its constitutional responsibility of amplifying the voices of Nigerians. It will also show that the body is acting in the best interest of the people.”

“Nigerians have a right to honest and faithful performance by their public officials including lawmakers, as public officials owe a fiduciary duty to the general citizenry. All those who hold the strings of political power and power over spending of Nigeria’s commonwealth ought not to use their entrusted position for personal gain.

“SERAP also urges you to request President Muhammadu Buhari to present a fresh supplementary appropriation bill, which reflects the reduced National Assembly budget for the approval of the National Assembly.”

“Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] provides that, ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

“Under Section 16(1)(a)(b), the National Assembly has the obligations to ‘harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy’, and to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen.’”

“Nigeria has also ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which recognize legally enforceable economic and social rights, such as the rights to education, health, safe food and clean water, security, and shelter.”

By Aare Adebayo | 

In October 2016, the Nigerian government inaugurated the first of its proposed 37 mega solar power projects in the country at the University of Ibadan.

This project which was initiated in partnership with the German Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) was aimed at getting the university off the national grid.

The University of Ibadan’s solar power plant once operational, would generate 10 megawatts of renewable electricity for the institution. The power plants were expected to generate enough electricity for universities to enjoy 24 hours uninterrupted power supply through clean and renewable energy, and the University of Ibadan Solar Power project was billed to be the pilot for the first phase of the project.

If it had been executed, the project would have saved Nigeria’s premier University, an annual expenditure of over N100 million in electricity bills and contributed largely to the fight against climate change.

The project would also have served as a good opportunity for practical learning and research for students of various departments of the university’s faculties of technology and agriculture.

The former vice-chancellor of the University had in a 2016 interview said that the project completion time was estimated at six month

Development News Nigeria Investigation however reveals that six years after the launch, the project remains non-existent.

The move to power Nigeria’s tertiary institutions with solar power is a project of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under it ‘Energizing Education Programme’, EEP.

EEP is now in its second phase and according to details on the Rural Electrification Agency’s website, phase one of the project was expected to deliver 28.5 megawatts to nine federal universities and a teaching hospital.

On the current status of EEP Phase 1, the REA also noted that all project sites have received complete “mobilisation payment” and” full second payment” from the sovereign green bond fund and the federal government.

Interestingly, the agency’s website did not list University of Ibadan as one of the project sites for Phase 1. This is despite media coverage of the groundbreaking ceremony held in 2016. Universities listed for phase one are; Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi state; Bayero University, Kano state (BUK), Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Delta state; Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife and University of Lagos (UNILAG); Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra state; Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS); Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Gubi Campus, Bauchi.

There is also no mention of University of Ibadan for Phase two of the project.

Project Site Overtaken by Weeds

During a visit to the site of the project where the groundbreaking ceremony was held in October 2016, DNNigeria observed that the place has been taken over by weeds.

All the solar panels used during the inauguration were no longer there. The only indication that such a ceremony was held and that it was the project site is the plaque.

DNNigeria observed that a portion of the project site has become a dump site.

Procurement Violation

DNNigeria investigation also revealed that the project which was estimated at N5.4 billion was awarded in violation of the Public Procurement Act of 2007.

There was no budgetary provision for the contract and that violates section 16 (1b) of the procurement law. It states that “Subject to any exemption allowed by this Act, all public procurement shall be conducted based only on procurement plans supported by prior budgetary appropriations …”

Also, the company, Dantata Solar Limited was incorporated in 2016, the same year that the contract was awarded, contrary to a minimum of three years of operation with tax clearance that is required of any company for such contract.

Silence from Stakeholders

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the University of Ibadan, Adejoke Akinpelu bluntly refused to speak on the project.

Akinpelu later directed the reporter to the university’s Electrical Engineer Faloseyi Segun who declined to comment on the project.

The contractor Dantata Solar Limited, Rural Electrification Agency and Federal Ministry of Education did not respond to requests for comment.

This report is supported by Civic Media

By Ben Aroh, The Whistler |

Some politicians attempt to influence voters ahead of the 2023 general elections in many ways. They include asking voters to submit their Permanent Voters’ Cards, bank accounts, bank verification numbers, and even photographs. Against this background, the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, under its Justice, Development and Peace Commission, recently kick-started sensitisation programmes to check such tendencies and to build voting consciousness in the electorate.

Background

Between December 3, 2022, and February 4th, 2023, the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka would have toured the seven local government areas in Enugu North senatorial zone to sensitise the electorate on the dangers of selling their votes and to fully participate in the 2023 general elections. Contestants are to appear at selected venues on different days to interact with the electorate. The local government areas are Udenu, Isi-Uzo, Uzo-Uwani, Nsukka, Igboeze South, Igboeze North and Igbo-Etiti. The venues of the interactive sessions are designated Catholic churches. Candidates involved are those of the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and governorship.

Justification For The Initiative

The head of the public enlightenment unit of Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Rev Fr Dr Emeka Ngwoke, said the initiative is to fight vote-buying and to increase the voting consciousness of the electorate. In his words, “The power lies in the Permanent Voters’ Cards. When you sell your PVCs or give out the codes, you are simply saying that your interest can be ignored. It will certainly be ignored. Your most treasured possession in a democracy is the right to vote. Politicians are afraid of the votes. When votes are cast against them, they are in danger.

“It means a politician will do anything to get access to votes. Any group of people that do not want to be sidelined actively must be politically active. The opportunities come once in four years to make a stake that you have an input in public decisions. Political enlightenment in the diocese is a big business. A populace that is ignorant about how a society function is dangerous. Some of us wear the barge of political apathy as honour. We should have time for politics.”

THE WHISTLER reports that JDPC is a structural response to the Second Vatican Council appealing for the church’s involvement in the affairs and development of society. It is geared toward a positive change in the human condition, such as poverty, religious bigotry, election malpractices, diseases and injustice.

Position Of Political Parties/Contestants

Barr Hyginus Ugwu, the House of Representatives candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance for Udenu/Igboeze North Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections, commended the initiative, adding however that the sincerity of the interactions will determine the objectivity of the church in delving into politics.

According to him, “The outcome will determine the credibility of the meetings. If all the candidates are given a level playing field, the initiative is excellent. The failure of the Christian Association of Nigeria to do the right thing towards credible elections is what Catholic Diocese of Nsukka has come to fill the void. One would suspect insincerity when opinions of the electorate are being aggregated for ulterior motives.

“But I want the church to focus more on sensitising the electorate to resist vote-buying and manipulations. If the church can talk to its members and let them know that vote-buying is not good, it is okay. Not only the Catholic Church but other faith-based organisations and groups can also emulate it. The requests for NINs, BVNs, PVCs, account numbers and so on are an emerging e-vote-buying peculiar to Nigeria.”

Labour Party’s public relations officer, Enugu State, Ibuchukwu Ezike, said, “I thank the Catholic Church of Nsukka Diocese. It is a brilliant programme. But candidates should also submit their written manifestoes for references in future. Most politicians can talk, but immediately they win, it becomes a case of a monkey given water with a cup.

“We hardly ever have access to them after the elections until another four years. The church should also organise post-election town-hall meetings for the successful ones to assess their performances. Talking is absolutely different from action.”

For the APC state public relations officer, Mr Charles Solo-Ako, “It is a laudable initiative, and will help in ensuring credible elections in 2023.”

Position Of The Law

Barr Ken Ikeh is a constitutional lawyer. In his view, “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria forbids organizations that are not registered as political parties from behaving as if they are one. They include canvassing for votes, or behaving in a manner as if they have capacities to collect group votes for an individual.

“If they say they are sensitizing voters to ensure that there is no PVC transaction, that one will exonerate them. But behaving as if they are political parties to aggregate voters in the interest of a candidate is against the rule. Yes they invite candidates to interface with the electorate. Such invitations are optional. Everybody is not Catholic. What the diocese is doing has a limited impact. They are free to do what they are doing, but if someone feels otherwise, the person can go to court to seek injunction for its stoppage.”

The Position of INEC

The spokesman of INEC in Enugu State, Mr Pius Eze, told THE WHISTLER that the electoral body is not aware of such sensitization. According to him, “We are not aware of that. They are doing it out of their own volition to sensitise the electorate. It might be a way they think they can contribute to the success of the forthcoming elections.”

 Vote-Buyers’ Position

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Enugu, Chief Albert Okpe, said the church is doing a good job by sensitizing the electorate. Quoting him, “What you call vote-buying is simply a strategy of committing the electorate. Nobody is buying their votes. What we do is to lobby them. In the past, you give electorate food items and physical cash, among others, on the day of the elections. But the new Electoral Law forbids such. Presently, it is going digital.

“We collect phone numbers of the electorate and PVC data to be sure that such persons actually registered. Around the elections, they could easily be reached out to, and if the discussion goes on well, their accounts could be credited. It cuts across parties, and nothing is wrong with that.”

Views of Security Expert, Sociologist

Mr Cajetan Nnaji, a criminologist, said the measure is to beat security operatives who might oppose open-vote canvassing on election day. What politicians are adopting is e-lobbying. They will transfer funds to the electorate, believing that they would vote for them. What is glaring is that most political parties do that. So, it will become who does more, and who appeals to the electorate’s consciences the more. I doubt if INEC envisaged this level of vote influencing. And because security operatives at election venues wouldn’t demand banking transactions of the electorate, the strategy may do the magic.”

A sociologist, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuoke, said, “It shows that politicians are desperate, and this is a victory for democracy. We need more sensitization, which the Catholic Church has started. The electorate’s consciences will play a role because they may vote for the highest bidders. Some can also collect such money and choose to vote otherwise, which amounts to a moral burden. Let government agencies, pressure groups, and religious organizations step up voter education. The truth is that politicians have used poverty as a political weapon. The electorate is vulnerable. What the church is doing is civic. Henceforth, let election matters be included in our primary and secondary school curriculums.”

 Electorate React

An electorate at Ogrute in Igboeze North LGA of the state, James Apeh, said, “Many voters are yet to decide who to vote for. The political party on the lips of many is Labour, but anything can happen in the last minute. That is why other political parties now adopt this e-voting transaction.”

For Ifeoma Ozioko, “I will collect the money, but I know who to vote for. That one is personal. Nobody asked me of my BVN, it is only my bank account details, which I gave them. Nothing is wrong with that. The money they will share is what they looted from us.”

– This report is supported by Civic Media Lab

Ify Onyekwere | 

Tourism is one of the world’s fastest-growing industries. Advances in travel technology and a growing holiday culture have fueled this expansion. Although agriculture has been emphasized as the “providential industry,” tourism has the potential to attract significant foreign exchange earnings if revitalized.

Nigeria’s rich geographical landscape, which includes beaches, mountains, UNESCO-approved heritage centers, historical monuments, wildlife, and diverse culture, allows it to carve out a niche in the global tourism industry.

Tourist hotspots like the Yankari Games Reserves in Bauchi, the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba, the Obudu Mountain Resort in Cross Rivers, and other locations should never be neglected. It is interesting to note that the Trans Atlantic Centre in Kogi state is the building capacity for more than just a tourist center. The event honoring Nigerian culture to mark its fifth anniversary was graced by special guests Chief J.O. Omuya, Dr. Abdulrahman Musa Adeiza, Haija Ramatu Tasalla Shehu Atta, Alhaji Abu Imam, and His Royal Highness, Aliu Victor Onoreri of Onogwu amongst others.

According to the project lead, Mr. Muhammad, who is also a chartered procurer in charge of coordinating the anti-corruption group in Nigeria and the Africa Regional Coordinator of NGOs with headquarters in the United States, the Trans Atlantic Center’s 10-year project is grounded in the idea of “idea and commitment” and has a chain of advantages for businesses to explore and foreign investors to take advantage of. He stated that value-adding projects will always be a place for the celebration of the African continent and make it a better place for the rest of the world to reckon with while seeking suggestions to enhance the center’s delivery.

He noted that there was no turning back on the project, pointing to the concept of the project which encompasses research, recreation, and community development.

Dr. Abdulrahman Musa Adeiza, the event’s chairperson and a two-time president of the Ebira People’s Association who is presently a lecturer at the University of Abuja, on the event that took place on January 1, 2023, lauded the Trans Atlantic Centre’s founder’s initiatives and urged the Ebira community as well as the rest of the world to support community development projects in Africa like the Trans Atlantic Centre project mentioning the advantages it adds to the community and exposure it creates through development.

At the unveiling of four sections in the center, the Administrative Block was given the name Chief J.O. Omuya, the Children Amusement Park was given the name Alhaji Abu Imam, and the Conference Hall and Botanical Garden were given the names of Late Alhaji Ahmad Badamasuiy and Dr. Abdulrahman Musa Adeiza, respectively.