Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of attempting to tarnish his image.

Bello, in a statement on Wednesday by his media team, said the EFCC is desperately trying to nail him in order to please some persons with interest in the case.

The statement, signed by the Director of the media team, Ohiare Michael, said the procedural errors and blunders already committed by the EFCC are enough evidence to prove the desperation of the anti-graft agency.

He said the EFCC, by its actions so far, has shown it is not fighting corruption, but rather executing a political vendetta against Bello.

Michael specifically questioned the disposition of the EFCC last Wednesday when the former governor voluntarily submitted himself to the agency but was not interrogated or detained after four hours, only for EFCC operatives to launch an attack on the Kogi Government Lodge at night.

He said, “If the EFCC was truly interested in prosecution and not a deal by some unknown persons to humiliate the former governor and probably harm him for political reasons, would the agency not have taken him in on that day with a view to arraigning him in court on the next adjourned date?

“Why turn a money laundering allegation into an embarrassment for the whole country ostensibly to massage the ego of some collaborators?

“We want Nigerians to help us ask: What exactly does the EFCC want from former Governor Yahaya Bello?”

“His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, will have his day in court. No one is contesting this. But it will be in line with the rule of law, not as prescribed by the EFCC.”

Michael charged the EFCC to stop dragging the name of President Bola Tinubu in the mud and face its core mandate of fighting corruption.

“The interesting thing is that the more the Commission issues press statements under tension, the more glaring this assertion becomes.

“It is, however, sad that an agency as important as the EFCC has now degenerated to the level of crafting press statements in rogue styles to satisfy the hirers of the gun.

“Even if he is striving hard to keep his shirt by satisfying some supposed benefactors, like some have insinuated, the EFCC Chairman must be reminded that we are a member of the global village.

“What the Commission should be doing now is self re-appraisal with a view to repairing whatever is left of its battered image and not still dragging the name of our President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the mud with practices that are completely alien to the fight against corruption the world over,” he added.

The media office stated that Yahaya Bello is not afraid to appear in court but the law must be fully obeyed by the EFCC.

“We want to reiterate that former Governor Yahaya Bello has acted like a democrat by subscribing to the rule of law and by approaching competent courts of jurisdiction to protect him. He is never afraid of facing justice, hence his submission to the trials at various courts.

“The laws allow for representation and he has constantly been represented by his lawyers. As a Nigerian, he has the right to explore all avenues within the rule of law to protect his fundamental human rights. The EFCC cannot dictate to him, or anyone for that matter, how to go about this.

“Right now, it seems the only task before the EFCC is to execute a desperate hatchet job of destroying the former governor’s reputation and defaming him for no justifiable reason.

“But the EFCC must enlighten itself on the fact that former Governor Yahaya Bello remains innocent of the trumped up charges against him until proven guilty by a competent court of jurisdiction.

“As we write, many informed Nigerians, at home and abroad, cannot still understand why an anti-graft agency, which had declared the former governor wanted, would beg him to go after four hours, after voluntarily presenting himself at the EFCC office.

“The most disturbing aspect of the whole saga is that officials of the same EFCC that said the former governor could not be interrogated or detained because he came with a sitting Governor, went to the official lodge of the same sitting governor, while he was there, shooting sporadically, to forcefully arrest a man that had previously been in their office for over four hours!

“No matter how much the EFCC tries to call an albino a white man for Nigerians in this case, the truth is gradually being uncovered.

“Former Governor Yahaya Bello will fight to the end on the lane of constitutionality and will not succumb to the baits and traps of an Agency that has shown bias, contempt and a clear attempt on his life.

“We want to put it on record here again that former Governor Yahaya Bello is a respecter of the rule of law. He had, only all along, sought the enforcement of his fundamental human rights like any other citizen is entitled to.

“On the other hand, the EFCC, despite being a creation of the law, has demonstrated gross disrespect for the rule of law.

“This is evident in the agency’s bullying, oppressive and reprehensible tactics of disregarding valid orders in cases relating to perceived enemies of their “sponsors or paymasters” and choosing to obey orders when they concern those in the good books of their godfathers.

The statement further accused the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, of using the office to fight a personal battle and, therefore, called on President Tinubu to investigate his actions.

“In this particular case, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has shown clearly that he is either fighting a personal battle for reasons he must explain sooner than later or striving so hard to keep the trust of certain enemies of former Governor Yahaya Bello, who might have given him an assignment that he must execute at all costs.

“We sympathise with the Commission in this very trying time of a badly battered image, as Nigerians have become more aware that the so-called fight against corruption is not only selective, but also one that could damage the noble intentions of our dynamic President with respect to the all-important fight against corruption, and more importantly, the overall wellbeing of Nigerians.

“We call on Mr. President to please order a thorough investigation into the EFCC-former Governor Yahaya Bello face-off, since inception, with a view to unravelling the real motives of the persecutors.

“The chronology of events since April this year will reveal clear bias, intimidation, oppression, and total disregard for the rule of law by the Commission.

“We stress again that as of the time of the initial siege on the former Governor’s residence in April, the EFCC had no business there because he had a valid court order restraining such action, which had not been vacated. The Commission cannot also provide proof of a formal invitation to him.

“To set the records straight, the Court of Appeal only vacated that order a few weeks ago, which prompted our principal to present himself at the EFCC headquarters on September 18, even while still pursuing the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

“If the EFCC was truly interested in prosecution and not a deal by some unknown persons to humiliate the former governor and probably harm him for political reasons, would the agency not have taken him in on that day with a view to arraigning him in court on the next adjourned date?

“In normal circumstances, the EFCC should not be the investigator and prosecutor at the same time. But the law allows it. It is, however, strange that the Commission has now assumed the position of the judge. We must remind them that this is Nigeria, and Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians.

“We implore the authorities to advise the EFCC Chairman to face his job as an investigator and refrain from allowing personal interests to continue to push him into avoidable blunders.

“The more the Commission issues controversial press statements on former Governor Yahaya Bello, the more the world is made to see the desperation to achieve an aim that is not clear yet. But the law is definitely stronger than their might.

“We salute the Kogi State House of Assembly for speaking up and we thank all Nigerians who have come to realize that there is more to this desperation by the EFCC to humiliate former Governor Yahaya Bello than they are telling the world,” the statement added.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has claimed that China could be taking over assets belonging to Nigeria.

The group gave the warning over an alleged Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU) signed between the Governor Peter Mbah-led government and Chinese companies.

They insisted that the MOU could lead to the seizure of Nigerian assets in the future if legal disputes over contentious land in Enugu are not properly resolved.

The rights group said it was deeply concerned that Mbah recently entered into agreements with some Chinese companies, allegedly giving away the ownership of ancestral lands in Ugwuaji Awkunanaw, despite ongoing litigation over the land.

Speaking via a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA warned that the governor was undermining the rule of law by signing away the land to foreign companies while legal cases were still pending.

The statement read in part, “Chinese companies could seize Nigerian assets internationally, such as embassy buildings in Beijing, if the court rulings favor the original landowners.

“The Enugu State Government should refrain from taking action on these lands until the legal disputes are resolved.

“If the governor proceeds with this transaction, Nigeria could face another embarrassing situation similar to that in Ogun State, where foreign companies confiscated Nigerian assets.

“Enugu State does not have any assets abroad, so it will be Nigeria’s international assets that will be at risk.”

HURIWA called on the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify whether the Nigerian President was aware of the MOU signed by the Enugu State Government with Chinese companies

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially presented the certificate of return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, following his victory in the Edo State governorship election.

The presentation took place at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, solidifying Okpebholo’s position as the elected governor.

Okpebholo emerged victorious in the election held on September 21, where he secured a total of 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) trailed in third place with 22,763 votes.

In this election, Okpebholo’s APC party made significant gains, winning in over 10 of the 18 local government areas, while the PDP managed to claim marginal victories in the remaining councils.

Notably, the APC dominated in two of the three critical senatorial districts within the state, reflecting a decisive shift in the political landscape of Edo.

Meanwhile, the PDP has rejected the results of the recent Edo State Governorship election, as declared by the INEC.

During a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Umar Damagum, expressed his party’s dissatisfaction with the outcome, asserting that the people of Edo State rightfully voted for the PDP’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and expect him to be announced as the governor-elect.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed hearing on the money laundering case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

Naija News reports that Nwite picked October 30, 2024, for the next sitting on the suit.

This comes after Bello approached the Supreme Court to file an appeal aimed at overturning the arrest warrant issued by the trial court on April 17.

During the proceedings, Bello’s attorney, A.M. Adoyi, highlighted that the matter of the defendant’s arraignment is currently under appeal at the Supreme Court. He expressed the desire to bring the court’s attention to the appeal, referencing an affidavit of record submitted on September 23.

Adoyi further stated that it would be prudent to await the Supreme Court’s ruling on the pending appeal before proceeding with the arraignment to avoid nullifying the appellant’s appeal or undermining the authority of the Supreme Court.

In contrast, Kemi Pinheiro, counsel for the EFCC and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, contended that the defence attorneys were treating the court as a venue for entertainment.

He noted that an appeal filed by the defendant regarding the method of service of the charges and the evidence presented to their counsel was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on August 28 of this year.

“The appellant shall not take any further step until he submits himself. But they took another step,” Pinheiro noted.

In opposing the Defendant’s applications, Pinheiro said, “they had three applications on this – two before your Lordship and one before the Supreme Court. I will now urge your Lordship to demonstrate audacity of coercive power on him.”

On the other hand, Counsel for Bello contended that the matter scheduled for today (Wednesday), specifically the arraignment, is currently under appeal at the Supreme Court by the defendant.

He requested that the court defer its proceedings until the Supreme Court renders its decision, emphasizing the importance of justice in this context.

Justice Emeka Nwite acknowledged the arguments put forth by the counsel and indicated that he would need to address the issues raised in due course.

He announced that he would adjourn the proceedings to deliberate on the matter.

Consequently, he set the next hearing for the 30th of October for both ruling and arraignment.

Last week, the former governor stated that he had complied with the Commission’s invitation, accompanied by Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, but claimed he was neither interrogated nor detained. The Commission, however, countered this assertion, maintaining that he remains a wanted individual.

The EFCC subsequently attempted to apprehend the ex-governor by surrounding the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja during the night of Wednesday last week, but the effort was unsuccessful.

An economist, Idika Kalu, has said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) knows the right policies to take to grow the country’s economy, but they are not doing it.
Idika Kalu stated this while speaking in an interview with Arise TV on the new interest rate raised by CBN, on Tuesday.

He noted that raising interest rates and, at the same time, removing subsidies that could help the citizens was wrong policy. He argued that Nigeria’s economy cannot grow with such a policy.

Kalu said, “You see, in governance, you can’t remove subsidy for the poor and at the same time increase taxes and interest rate. You don’t do that. So if you have high interest rates and have high taxes, you can’t build an economy by that means. What builds an economy is production. And the Central Bank knows that it has policies that it can tweak to get the economy on a productive trajectory.”

Speaking on what policies the CBN can take to grow the economy, Kalu continued, “First, you have the stock of money supply. They can manipulate that. The interest rate, that is what they are doing and they have been doing for over 20 years. You have volume of credit. You have management of the exchange rate. And you have what we call final expenditure. That is like mentioned ways and means of the Central Bank. You see, what the nation is suffering from is that we are not productive. And government has policies, economic policies, that should, I mean, for people in authority, that’s what should interest them.

“One, the first is your economic development policy. That’s very important. Price stability is the second policy. Then you have healthy balance of payments. You have creating employment opportunities. And of course, the development of the financial institutions. These are key policies of government.”

The Managing Director of GABS Financial Services explained that the current economic and monetary policies of CBN were responsible for no low growth in sectors of the economy.

“So whether it is the monetary authorities or the fiscal authorities, they should address these problems. So economic growth and development, there are two things. Economic growth is that maybe a sector is contributing to national income.

“But when you talk of economic development, it means the various sectors in the economy are simultaneously contributing to national income, housing, education, transport, health, all contributing. And that is what builds standard of living of individuals. And we are not doing that. We only have maybe the oil. Manufacturing sector is comatose. Nothing is happening. The agric sector, nothing is happening,” Kalu stated.

Speaking on how the capital market would react to CBN’s new interest rate, he explained that “there is an inverse relationship between interest rates and bond or stock market prices.

“So when interest rate goes up, stock market prices come down. And so before you take such sensitive decisions, you should know the implication or the ripple effect in other sectors like the capital market. It is the capital market that really builds a nation because they can mobilize long-dated funds for economic development.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, as a serial complainer.

The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, said Peter Obi cannot agree with the result of any election he loses or his supporters lose.

Morka, in an interview, on Tuesday, with Arise TV, explained that the Edo governorship election was free and fair.

“Now, first of all, Peter Obi is obviously, I think everyone who bothers with Nigeria’s politics knows that Peter Obi is a serial complainer. He will not accept the result of any election that is not in his favor or in favor of candidates that he supports. He has done that.

“Since the 2003 election, Peter Obi has been a consistent denial of that election and now he has a new pet project to deny the Edo election. We don’t reckon with Peter Obi because he wasn’t a candidate in Edo and he was not a voter. So whatever he thinks of that election is absolutely irrelevant. He can speak what he wants, that’s up to him,” he said.

Speaking on possible court case against the Edo governorship election result by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) governorship candidates, Asue Ighodalo and Olumide Akpata respectively, the APC spokesman stated that the party and its candidate, Governo-elect, Monday Okpebholo, are okay with the decision.

Morka argued that the two candidates have yet to prove there was manipulation of the election results in favour of the APC candidate.

“About those who were contestants in the election, I think that Olimude Akpata and Asue Ighodalo, they have legitimate interests in that election. So if they are not satisfied with the outcome of that election, they must do what they must do, which is to take this matter to court and go there to prove the allegations that they are bandying around right now because that’s what they are doing. They are simply throwing a lot of things, unsubstantiated allegations.

“When an election is done, psychologically people are wounded because you went into it to win. So when you don’t win, understandably you can be sore. But I think that I have not listened to any of them articulate or furnish any sort of reasonable evidence of all of the high sounding allegations that they make and it’s not enough to throw those things out there.

“When you get to court, it’s not about the headlines. You must break down the headlines into credible, realistic evidence before the courts to support your argument that you won the election or that there was some foul play or some manipulation as they allege. So we’re not bothered by that. When they go to court, we will of course meet them in court and also present our side of the story and that’s the beauty of democracy. He who alleges must prove,” Morka added.

President Bola Tinubu while delivering his speech at the 79th United Nations General Assembly Debate, drew the attention of world leaders to 21 issues.

Represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu reminded the world leaders of the urgency of ensuring poverty is addressed across the world. He also advised leaders to work towards addressing terrorism, armed conflict, inequality, and climate change among others.

As compiled by Shettima’s spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha, below are the 21 issues Nigeria presented to the world leaders.

1. The UN faces questions about its relevance and resilience in addressing global challenges.

2. The pillars of peace, sustainable development, and human rights are threatened by individual national priorities over collective needs.

3. Ongoing global challenges include terrorism, armed conflict, inequality, poverty, food crises, climate change, and others.

4. Nigeria celebrated 25 years of unbroken democratic rule, but unconstitutional changes of government in some African countries underscore democracy’s fragility.

5. The global debt burden undermines countries’ ability to meet citizens’ needs, while trade barriers and protectionist policies hinder prosperity.

6. Terrorism and violent extremism remain significant threats to peace and development.

7. Climate change is driving insecurity and poses challenges to sustainable development.

8. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict was highlighted, with a call for a two-state solution.

9. Nigeria supports UN Peacekeeping Operations and calls for support to operationalize the African Standby Force.

10. Reform of the UN Security Council is critical, with Africa deserving permanent representation.

11. Most developing countries are behind in achieving Sustainable Development Goals due to lack of resources and unsustainable external debt.

12. Nigeria calls for reform of the international financial architecture and promotion of a fair and inclusive multilateral trading system for developing countries.

13. The international community must strengthen cooperation to recover and return stolen assets and eradicate safe havens for illicit funds.

14. Nigeria advocates for comprehensive debt relief measures and fair international tax regimes.

15. Developing countries need debt relief and special concessions to enable sustainable development financing.

16. Natural gas is seen as central to addressing Africa’s energy challenges while transitioning to clean energy.

17. Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to climate action but emphasizes the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities.

18. The digital divide between Global South and North needs to be addressed, including regulating cryptocurrency trading.

19. Nigeria emphasizes the importance of youth and women’s advancement in national development and peace.

20. The country supports the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

21. Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism and active participation in the UN.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has stated that the results of the recent governorship election in Edo State demonstrates that technology alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s electoral problems.

He emphasized that the root of the issue lies in the mindset of the people, not just the tools used.

Jonathan pointed out that while technology has its benefits, it can still be manipulated by individuals with corrupt intentions.

According to him, a shift in attitude is needed among Nigerians, as many approach politics with a negative mindset.

Speaking at an event organized by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in Abuja to mark the International Day of Peace, Jonathan discussed the challenges facing Nigeria’s electoral system.

He stressed that the quest for power is a significant driver of conflict across Africa, with technology being unable to fully address these deeper issues.

Jonathan, who was honored as a Fellow of the IPCR during the event, making him the second person to receive this recognition after former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, reiterated that a corrupted electoral process could not be rectified by technology alone.

Reflecting on the aftermath of the Edo election, Jonathan expressed concern that tensions had escalated rather than subsided due to suspicions that the process was mishandled.

As the only Nigerian president to have peacefully transferred power to an opposition party after losing an election, Jonathan drew attention to the widespread conflicts across Africa, many of which stem from power struggles.

Jonathan said, “Here in Nigeria, we talk about technology. Without the human mind ready to do what is right, if we bring the technology, they will manipulate it.

“Actually, 10 top countries are in conflict globally. Three of them are in sub-Saharan Africa. And quite a number of countries around us, including us, are in one form of conflict or the other.

“And when you look at what causes conflict in Africa, most cases are struggle for leadership, contestation for power. And that is the main cause of conflict.

“Sometimes when you go through a society, and you can tell all kinds of stories. But by the time you do proper analysis, and dig deep, you know that most cause of conflict is leadership struggle. That is why I’m only worried about my country Nigeria.”

Jonathan also challenged the belief that politics is inherently dirty, clarifying that it’s the participants, not the system, that tarnish its image.

He referenced former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who similarly argued that politics only seems dirty because people bring their corrupt minds, hearts, and actions into the arena.

“People say politics is a dirty game. The way we play our politics is the way we want to play it.

“Remember (Olusegun) Obasanjo, the former president, recently made a statement that politics is not dirty but the people that play politics, come to play politics with their dirty minds, dirty hearts and dirty character.

“And that is why people say politics is dirty. And in that case, we must all begin to think differently. We must cultivate the culture of peace,” Jonathan explained.

The former president emphasized the importance of peace becoming a central part of African and Nigerian society, arguing that without this shift, the continent will continue to face political turmoil.

Jonathan stated, “Until we get to that level where we develop the culture of peace in this country, we will always have political conflicts in our election.

“And without us strengthening that effort, without us developing that culture of testing a nation peacefully, we will always be in conflict in Africa and in Nigeria.”

Galatasaray are working on securing the services of Nigerian star, Victor Osimhen permanently, despite previous reports suggesting that the Napoli loanee might leave the Turkish side during the winter transfer window.

There have been reports about certain clauses in Victor Osimhen’s contract with Galatasaray, allowing him to pursue a move to a top European club on a permanent deal in January.

Though Osimhen’s release clause has reportedly been reduced to €75 million, retaining him beyond the current season could pose a significant challenge for Galatasaray, given the continued interest from clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and Chelsea.

However, the deputy chairman of Galatasaray, Ibrahim Hatipoğlu, has dismissed rumours of the striker’s potential departure from the club in January, emphasizing that the side is committed to retaining Osimhen beyond this season.

In an interview with Turkish outlet NTVSpor, Hatipoğlu said the 25-year-old Nigeria international is contented at Galatasaray.

The football administrator said, “Osimhen’s departure in January is not under consideration. We are making plans for Osimhen to continue playing with us next season as well. Osimhen is dedicated to Galatasaray and demonstrates his commitment in every match.

“A player performs best where they are happy. Osimhen is under contract with us until the end of the season and is delighted to be at Galatasaray. Instead of speculating about his departure, we should focus on how he will contribute in the upcoming seasons. There’s no need to discuss his potential departure during the break.”

Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli during the final hours of the summer transfer window, resolving his prolonged summer transfer saga.

He has already contributed two assists in as many games for Galatasaray and is eager to secure his first goal for the club as they face PAOK in a Europa League match at 8 p.m. later today, September 25.

A battle on the electoral turf has just been won and lost in Edo state, Nigeria. Governor Godwin Obaseki was elected as Governor in 2016 on the platform of the All-Progressive Congress (APC) in that state. By 2019, he had fallen out of favour with the Godfather that brought him to power, former Nigerian Labour Congress President, and former Governor of Edo State for eight years (2008 – 2016), now Senator Adams Oshiomhole. In due course, Oshiomhole left the PDP and pitched his tent with the APC where he would later rise to the position of the National Chairman of the Party. In 2020, Obaseki crossed over to the Peoples’ Democratic Party and successfully upstaged his Godfather to get a second term in office.  His tenure in office ends on November 11, 2024. Hence, there has been a lead up to Gubernatorial elections in Edo State to mark the effective end of Obaseki’s tenure, the Nigerian Constitution providing for only two terms in office for Governors and the President. The Gubernatorial election to see Obaseki out of office and to determine the next occupant of the Osadebey Government House in Benin was held on Saturday, September 21, with 17 candidates and political parties on the ballot. 

We were eventually confronted with a three horse-way race involving boardroom guru and lawyer, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC and former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) as the leading contenders. The voting took place in 4, 519 polling units, in the state’s three Senatorial districts, with 35, 000 policemen in attendance along with 8, 000 other security agents – military, EFCC and the Civil Defence Corps. Total number of registered voters in the election was 2, 629, 025. Total number of 2, 249, 780 voters’ cards were collected.  It was a high stakes election as seen in the febrile drama that led to the election, with the incumbent Governor saying it was a do-or-die election in which the Federal Government was determined to rig in favour of the APC candidate, creating a Federal Might vs. The People’s might encounter. The PDP further alleged that the state police command and the state resident INEC commissioner were known associates of former Governor of Rivers State, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun pledged that the police were impartial and unbiased.  Wike did not help matters by boasting openly on live television that no Jupiter could change the police commissioner in Edo state and the INEC resident commissioner and that he, Wike would not endorse either Ighodalo or the PDP in Edo State. This is the same Wike who claims to be the political leader of the PDP in Rivers State, but he is currently an unabashed agent of the APC in deed and in words! No individual should be so brazen. 

Instructively, Obaseki, the PDP and their candidate refused to sign the Peace Accord that had been brokered by the National Peace Committee, a respectable body of eminent men and women led by Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah and others.   A Governorship debate that was organized for the candidates was boycotted by the PDP and APC. Only the candidate of the LP showed up to complain bitterly about the effrontery of the APC that offered to send Senator Adams Oshiomhole who was clearly not the candidate to stand in for Okpebholo. Similarly, Akpata condemned Ighodalo. There were fears about the possible outbreak of violence and the breakdown of law and order. Poll watchers and analysts pointed to a number of factors that could determine the September 21 election as follows: climate of fear and voter apathy, which could affect voter turn-out, manipulation of votes, violence and ballot snatching, vote buying or stomach infrastructure; voter suppression, current economic hardship, neutrality of otherwise of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies, the influence of key political actors especially Godfathers, Federal might and power of incumbency at both Federal and state levels.  When the battle was won and determined on September 21, against the background of a slew of allegations and mixed reactions, INEC on September 22, announced the results to the effect that Monday Okepbholo of the APC had been validly elected, with 291, 667 votes, winning in 11 Local Government Areas, Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, with 247, 274 votes with majority in 7 LGAs, and Olumide Akpata, of the LP with 22, 763 votes, without any majority in any LGA, not even in his own polling unit. APC leaders have been singing and dancing since then, claiming that God has blessed the words of their mouth, that the APC would triumph. The PDP leaders believe that they have been robbed. Gov. Obaseki calls this “a travesty and a tragedy”, a display of brute force and a violation of the people’s right to choose. He has however asked that the aggrieved should be calm and seek redress by following due process in expressing their grievances. Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate alleges that the Edo Election 2024, might be the worst ever in the history of this country. Akpata says the votes went to the highest bidder. Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the LP has said this was a case of “state capture”. 

My quick observation is that whatever happens hereafter, perhaps at the election petition tribunal and the courts, both Ighodalo and Akpata have put up a gallant and spirited challenge and there are more people in and out of Edo State who consider them the better candidates in the race. If the beauty of television advertisements alone could win elections, the tally would have gone to Olumide Akpata. If the ability to speak English grammar and a person’s pedigree mattered for anything in Nigerian politics, Ighodalo would have won. What we have just been confronted with in Edo state is the reality of Nigerian politics - where ideas, pedigree, brilliance - in the context of a webbed transactional politics that compromise and overwhelm every single factor in the process, do not matter. 

In 1999, shortly after the election that brought President Obasanjo and the PDP to power in Nigeria, election observers had reported that Nigerian politicians had devised many methods of election rigging, which some analysts identified in a well-publicized list. This led to talks about electoral reform and the need to clean up Nigeria’s elections to promote the common good. In 2003, and 2007, analysts had observed greater sophistication in the corrupt manipulation of election results across the country. It was so bad in 2007 that the Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration that came to power openly admitted that the elections were flawed, and insisted that the most urgent task before Nigeria was electoral reform. In 2015, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was a victim of his own insistence on the values of transparency, integrity and accountability in elections. The APC leaders who succeeded him could not care less. In 2021, it was a tough battle to get the amended Electoral Reform Bill of 2010 signed by President Buhari.  In fact, it was not signed for flimsy reasons.  In 2022, the National Assembly finally managed to smuggle in an Electoral Act 2022, under which the 2023 general elections were conducted.  But in real terms, nothing has changed since 1999. Civil society groups are still arguing for an Electoral Framework with the same old argument that the extant Electoral Act is defective. The first lesson of Edo Election 2024 is that nothing has changed in Nigerian politics. The political parties, the institutions, the politicians and the people have learnt nothing. The people quotient of Nigerian democracy is weak, poor, disconnected. Edo State has just confirmed our worst fears. There has been open, front-face evidence of vote-trading. On Saturday, September 21, politicians and agents offered to buy votes, with the cost now as high as N20, 000. It used to be cheaper to buy a vote, but we are made to understand that the high inflation in the land and economic hardship have both marked up asking prices. In Edo, they were selling votes as if they were trading bags of tomatoes. Ballots were snatched. Ballot papers were burnt. There were sporadic shootings if not an outright breakout of violence. Yiaga Africa, one of the many civil society observer groups that formed the Nigerian Situation Room observing the Edo election has reported that the biggest problem was the failure of integrity. 

The stakes were high. Edo 2024 was a revenge operation among the Godfathers and the political actors. It has been said that the loser in the election is not Asue Ighodalo (PDP) but Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent Governor, seen to be the main supporter of Ighodalo, and who had acquired a very powerful team of former allies turned “enemies”. These enemies were determined to teach him a lesson for alienating them. Asue Ighodalo probably chose the wrong party for as we see, there was nothing he could have done to please the likes of Adams Oshiomhole, the Godfather whom Obaseki turned against and embarrassed thoroughly and Philip Shuaibu, the Deputy Governor whom Obaseki despised and humiliated.  There were other anti-Obaseki political actors: Dan Orbih, Anselm Ojezua, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Kabiru Adjoto. Obaseki was also considered unfriendly to the exalted throne of the Omo N’Oba. In Edo state, anyone considered rude to the palace loses favour, even among the people. The Oba once had cause to admonish Obaseki publicly to remember that one day he would no longer be Governor and he should be guided accordingly. That moment has arrived! It is Ighodalo who has now paid the price of this undercurrent. Philip Shuaibu was on television yesterday boasting that he won his polling unit, his ward and his LGA for Monday Okpebholo, the best record in Edo State. He boasted that Obaseki was a non-politician that was brought from Lagos and made a Governor. Obaseki in this last election did not win his ward and LGA. He was outboxed, outthought, and bulldozed as Daniel Dubois did to Anthony Joshua at the IBF boxing match at the Wembley Stadium the very same day! In 2020, Obaseki boasted, while seeking a second term, that “Edo No Be Lagos” in a subtle reference to Tinubu’s promise that he would return Edo State to the APC. Over the weekend, the point would seem to have been made that “Edo is now Lagos” and we saw the APC chieftains dancing. Shuaibu says Obaseki has to come and beg the victors. That may not be an idle threat. 

The security agencies have been praised for overseeing a peaceful election in Edo State. But was it free and fair? Is the outcome fair to all parties concerned? It would have been scandalous for the security agencies to deploy a total of 43, 000 men, who could have been put to better use to fight banditry and terrorism, to an off-cycle election and we would have a breakdown of law and order. The architects of violence in Edo State had to moderate their madness perhaps because the security presence was intimidating, and oppressive. Edo State was like a war zone. Two days earlier, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa was on the ground to address his troops and the people, noting that he had express instructions from the President, Commander in Chief to enforce peace in Edo State. Elections should not be held with the gun pointed at the people’s heads. It should be a peaceful, civil event where the people make informed choices freely and without fear and pressure. Not surprisingly, voter turn-out in the Edo election was low, despite the people’s obvious enthusiasm. Election observers put the voter turn-out rate at 22.4% with a margin of error of +/- 1.6%, much lower than the 27% turn-out in the 2020 Edo Gubernatorial election. If this is a case of apathy, then it means the people in Edo as elsewhere, are beginning to lose faith in Nigeria’s electoral process.  

INEC, the electoral umpire has featured prominently in the various reports. The electoral umpire did well with BVAS and accreditation but voting processes did not start early. As at 8:30 am only about 17% of the voters had been accredited, by 11:51 am, about 64%. For an off-cycle election in just one state, this was not good enough. There were inconsistencies in the officially announced results, on IREV, the INEC portal. At some point, the political parties and their agents felt obliged to take over the collation process. Governor Adamu Fintiri of Adamawa state who was in Benin, as Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council for the Edo election, had to do his own collation and advise INEC not to delay the announcement of results in outstanding three LGAs. Fintiri had to explain that he had not broken any law – he merely announced what he found on the IREV portal. Nonetheless, INEC is the only body empowered by law to announce any results. But Fintiri insists that the Edo election was a rape of democracy and that the PDP candidate won. He says he weeps for Nigeria because “democracy is under attack”. The desperation of the various political personae casts doubts on the effectiveness of INEC in the Edo election. There is no denying it: there is still the urgent need to strengthen electoral institutions and address the challenge of reforms. Obviously, no amount of law can transform Nigeria’s elections unless the people themselves agree to change and the institutions function differently.

The Edo Gubernatorial election 2024 has taken place against the background of the fact that many Nigerians have been complaining about poor governance and hunger in Nigeria. In August, this class of Nigerians openly expressed their anger and they are threatening to do so again in October. In other climes, when people face economic hardship in the hands of a sitting government, they express themselves through the polls when they have the opportunity to do so. Nigeria is a strange country where a political party’s performance in power does not really matter, and hence, politicians get rewarded, regardless of how the people think or feel. It is therefore not for nothing that an APC chieftain has remarked that the outcome of the Edo election is an affirmation of the people’s confidence in President Tinubu’s economic reforms. It is possible in Nigerian politics to say anything when your party has won and has been declared winner. The standard rule in Nigerian politics is for you to work on your strategy so well, whether in a crooked manner or not, win and let the other party complain. Both PDP/Ighodalo and LP/Akpata may be talking to their lawyers right now but while they are spending more money paying lawyers, Monday Okpebholo would be sworn in on November 11, 2024. With the Federal Might behind him, and powerful Godfathers like Adams Oshiomhole, Nyesom Wike, Philip Shuaibu and the APC demolition machinery involved, it would be difficult to upturn the results announced on September 22.  It is called realpolitik.