Urhobo News

The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to “stop using the NBC Act and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code to impose fines, threaten to impose sanctions, harass and intimidate the broadcast stations and other independent media houses in the country.”

The court declared that “the NBC and its agents lack the legal power and authority to impose penalty unlawfully and unilaterally, including fines, suspension, withdrawal of license or any form of punishment whatsoever on independent media houses for promoting access to diverse information on issues of public importance.”

The judgment was delivered in June by Hon. Justice Nicholas Oweibo following a lawsuit brought by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID). The certified true copy of the judgment was obtained last Friday.

The suit followed the decision by the NBC in 2022 to impose a fine of N5 million each on Trust TV, Multichoice Nigeria Limited, NTA-Startimes Limited and TelcCom Satellite Limited, over their documentaries on terrorism in the country.

The NBC claimed that the documentaries “glorify the activities of bandits, undermine national security in Nigeria, and contravene the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.”

In his judgment, Justice Oweibo held that, “The issue of the locus standi of SERAP and CJID need to be resolved first being a threshold issue. It is trite that the Statement of Claim must disclose the Plaintiff’s interest sufficient to clothe him/her with the requisite capacity to sue.”

Justice Oweibo also stated that, “SERAP and CJID have been vested with locus standi. Looking at the provisions of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 and particularly the preambles to the Rules, the general requirement of locus standi has been done away with. SERAP and CJID are not meddlesome interlopers.”

According to Justice Oweibo, “I have looked at the affidavit in support of the suit, which in this case stands in place of a Statement of Claim. Considering the core mandates of SERAP and CJID and the affidavit in support of their suit, it is to be seen that this is a public interest case.”

Justice Oweibo dismissed the objections raised by the NBC’s counsel and upheld SERAP’s and CJID’s arguments. Consequently, the court entered judgment in favour of SERAP and CJID and against the NBC.

Justice Oweibo’s judgment, dated 13 June, 2024, read in part: “This is an action alleging breach of the fundamental rights of SERAP and CJID to freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom and fair hearing guaranteed under sections 22, 36 and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].”

The court also granted the following reliefs:

A DECLARATION is hereby made that the act of the Defendants imposing a fine of Five Million Naira each on the independent media houses is unlawful, inconsistent with, and amounts to a breach of the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and therefore a violation of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom;

A DECLARATION is hereby made that the use of the Broadcasting Code by the NBC to impose sanctions on the independent media houses for an alleged infractions without recourse to the court constitutes an infringement on the provisions of sections 6[1] & [6][b] and 36[1] of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 and Articles 1 and 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party;

A DECLARATION is hereby made that the provisions of the National Broadcasting Commission Act and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code which are arbitrarily being used by the Defendants to sanction, harass, intimidate and restrict the independent media houses are inconsistent and incompatible with sections 36[1], 39 and 22 of the Nigerian Constitution, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and are null and void to the extent of their inconsistency and incompatibility;

A DECLARATION is hereby made that the Defendants lack the legal power and authority to impose penalty unlawfully and unilaterally, including fines, suspension, withdrawal of license or any form of punishment whatsoever on the independent media houses for promoting access to diverse opinions and information on issues of public importance;

AN ORDER OF COURT is hereby made setting aside the fine of Five Million Naira imposed by the Defendants, through the 3rd Defendant, each on Trust TV, Multichoice Nigeria Limited, TelCom Satellite Limited (TSTV) and NTA-Startimes Limited for televising the documentary by the British Broadcasting Corporation “BBC Africa Eye” titled “Bandits Warlords of Zamfara”;

AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION is hereby made restraining the Defendants or any other authority, persons or group of persons from unlawfully shutting down, imposing fine, suspension, withdrawal of license or doing anything whatsoever to harass and intimidate or impose criminal punishment on the independent media houses or any of Nigeria’s journalists and media houses for promoting access to diverse information on issues of public importance

SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare said, “We urge the NBC to demonstrate its commitment to the rule of law by immediately obeying and respecting the judgment of the Court.”

“We also urge President Bola Tinubu to direct the Ministry of Information and Culture, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the NBC to immediately disclose the details of the Twitter agreement, as ordered by the court.”

“The immediate enforcement and implementation of the judgment will be a victory for the rule of law, freedom of expression and media freedom in Nigeria.”

SERAP and CJID had in August 2022 filed a lawsuit against former president Muhammadu Buhari, former minister of information and culture Mr Lai Mohammed and the NBC, asking the court for “a declaration that the imposition of fines on the media houses is unlawful and amounts to a breach of legality, necessity, proportionality principles.”

In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1486/2022, SERAP and CJID sought “an order setting aside the arbitrary and illegal fines of N5 million and any other penal sanction unilaterally imposed by the NBC on these media houses simply for carrying out their constitutional duties.”

The suit, read in part: “It is inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] to invoke the grounds of ‘glorifying terrorism and banditry’ as justifications for suppressing access to information of legitimate public interest that does not harm national security.”

“The documentaries by the independent media houses are in the public interest, and punishing the media houses simply for raising public awareness about these issues would have a disproportionate and chilling effect on their work, and on the work of other journalists and Nigerians.”

“The action by the NBC and Mr Lai Mohammed is arbitrary, illegal, and unconstitutional, as it is contrary to section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, and international human rights treaties including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria has ratified.”

“A fine is a criminal sanction and only the court is empowered by the Constitution to impose it. Fine imposed by regulatory agencies like the NBC without recourse to the courts is unfair, illegal, and unconstitutional.”

“Imposing any fine whatsoever without due process of law is arbitrary, as it contravenes the principles of nemo judex in causa sua which literally means one cannot be a judge in his own cause and audi alteram partem which means no one should be condemned unheard.”

“Article 19 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights establishes the right to freedom of opinion without interference. Article 19(2) establishes Nigeria’s obligations to respect ‘the right to freedom of expression,’ which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information, regardless of frontiers.”

“Under article 19(3), restrictions on the right to freedom of expression must be ‘provided by law’, and necessary ‘for respect of the rights or reputations of others’ or ‘for the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health and morals’”

“Although article 19(3) recognizes ‘national security’ as a legitimate aim, the Human Rights Council, the body charged with monitoring implementation of the Covenant, has stressed ‘the need to ensure that the invocation of national security is not used unjustifiably or arbitrarily to restrict the right to freedom of opinion and expression.’”

“The requirement of necessity also implies an assessment of the proportionality of the grounds, with the aim of ensuring that the excuse of ‘glorifying terrorism and banditry’ and ‘national security’ are not used as a pretext to unduly intrude upon the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.”

Kolawole Oluwadare

SERAP Deputy Director

17/11/2024

Lagos, Nigeria

Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org

Twitter: @SERAPNigeria

Website: www.serap-nigeria.org

For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202

PRESS RELEASE

ONDO ELECTION: SANWO-OLU CONGRATULATES AIYEDATIWA FOR LANDSLIDE VICTORY

• Hails electorates, INEC, security agencies, campaign council

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for Ondo State Governorship Election and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the party’s candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his victory in yesterday’s gubernatorial election.

Governor Sanwo-Olu in a congratulatory message he personally signed and issued in Akure on Sunday, shortly after Aiyedatiwa was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commended the people of Ondo State for their unflinching support and continued belief in the ruling party, APC.

He said the work of the campaign council was made a lot easier by the good job the late immediate past Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, had done, which has been built on by his successor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for the people of Ondo State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also expressed his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for providing the right leadership and charting the right direction to follow for Nigeria’s social-economic transformation.

He said: “I want to thank the good people of Ondo State for their unflinching support and continued belief in our great party, the All Progressives Congress, APC! This belief and support for our party have been demonstrated a number of times, including the past Governorship elections, the Local Government elections and the Presidential election that ushered in the Renewed Hope team of our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“As progressives, you have stood by us through difficult times, and now, the good times are here because you came out in numbers yesterday, defying the hot scorching sun, and waited on the queues for hours to cast your ballot for our candidate, your Governor, Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami.

“As always, you roundly rejected those other political parties that represent nothing but retrogression, and you voted for progress. For this, we say thank you.”

Speaking on the collective responsibility and contributions of APC members to the party’s victory, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the results of the governorship election showed that all members of the Campaign Council and other subcommittees worked assiduously to achieve success.

He said: “As the Chairman of the National Campaign Council of our great party, APC, for the Ondo Governorship election, it is humbling for me to see that the task given to us by our party, under the able leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, to ensure that we came out victorious was executed to the letter, and the results have shown that all members of the Campaign Council and other subcommittees worked assiduously to achieve success.

“But I must state at this juncture that our work was made a lot easier by the good job that His Excellency, the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, had done, which has been built on by his successor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for the people of Ondo State. As the saying goes, you can’t build something on nothing! We only came here to build layers on the structure provided by Governor Aiyedatiwa and his team.

“It should be noted, however, that the winning streak of the APC in past months at various elections is a manifestation of the great strides that our leader, the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is making in his Renewed Hope Agenda of reshaping our economy and putting the country’s socio-political system in the right direction. Our people can see this, and the massive support will further boost the party’s energy to continue her economic recovery efforts.

“As the South West Zonal Coordinator, I want to assure you that the All Progressives Congress will not break the party’s winning streak in the South West of Nigeria. After all, our zone is the home of the progressive elements in Nigeria’s political landscape. We will win more states to our fold in due course.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for living up to their commitments.

He said: “I would like to thank our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for providing us with the right leadership and charting the right direction for us to follow as we work towards the country’s social-economic transformation. To the National Working Committee, NWC, of our party, led by the Chairman, His Excellency Abdullahi Ganduje, my colleague Governors, the various committee leaders and members, volunteers, and election support staff, we say thank you.

“This appreciation will not end without the mention of the local campaign committee led by the Lucky man himself, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo APC chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, party leaders, and all those that played one role or another in ensuring that we came home with the trophy in yesterday’s election. We say thank you all.

“In conclusion, we must appreciate and thank the security services for the good job they did. Yesterday’s election is an example of Nigeria’s Can-Do spirit! The peaceful nature of the poll should now be a pattern in future elections in Nigeria. We must also commend the election umpires, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for living up to their commitments. And to the gentlemen of the press, you have done well.”

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY

17 NOVEMBER 2024

November 18, 2024

House’ll scrutinise Tax Reform Bills in Nigerians’ best interest – Speaker Abbas

…says Reps yet to take a position on proposals

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, has stated that the House would consider the Tax Reform Bills presented to the National Assembly by the Executive arm of the Federal Government “thoughtfully” and in the best interest of Nigerians.

The Speaker made this known in Abuja on Monday at ‘The People’s House Interactive Session on Tax Reform Bills’ organised by the House, which had the relevant stakeholders from the public and private sectors in attendance.

Some stakeholders present were the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele; the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Zach Adedeji; the Director General of the Budget Office, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu, and a host of others.

Speaker Abbas stated that the controversies surrounding the bills “are a reflection of their importance,” adding that such debates are “healthy and necessary in a democracy.”

He added that the session was to channel those discussions into productive outcomes, stressing that it is critical that the House listens to diverse perspectives, asks probing questions, and seeks clarity on any unclear provisions.

The Speaker said: “Let me be clear: the House has not yet taken a definitive position on these bills. Our role is to scrutinise them thoroughly, ensuring they align with the best interests of our constituents and the nation at large. We owe this duty to Nigerians.”

The Speaker explained that the bills represent critical proposals from the executive to expand Nigeria’s tax base, improve compliance, and establish sustainable revenue streams for the nation’s development.

He further explained that the Tax Reform Bills aim to diversify the country’s revenue base, promote equity, and foster an enabling environment for investment and innovation.

“However, as representatives of the people, we must approach these reforms thoughtfully, understanding their potential implications for every segment of society.

“Taxes should be fair, transparent, and justifiable, balancing the need for public revenue with the burdens they impose on individuals and businesses,” the Speaker said.

Speaker Abbas noted that the purpose of the session was to provide members of the House with “a comprehensive understanding of the proposed bills.”

He added: “It is designed to deepen our appreciation of their provisions, commence constructive dialogue on contentious or controversial areas, and build the consensus necessary to produce versions of the bills that align with the interests of the executive, the legislature, sub-national governments, and the Nigerian people.

“Importantly, this session will help us identify areas needing amendment, clarification, or improvement and consider the compatibility of these bills with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and other extant laws.”

Speaker Abbas noted that tax reforms are a cornerstone of the 10th House’s Legislative Agenda “because of their central role in achieving sustainable economic growth and development.”

The Speaker stated that in every modern state, taxes are the bedrock of public revenue, providing the resources required to deliver education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.

“Yet, Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy, struggles with a tax-to-GDP ratio of just 6 percent—far below the global average and the World Bank’s minimum benchmark of 15 per cent for sustainable development.

“This is a challenge we must address if we are to reduce our reliance on debt financing, ensure fiscal stability, and secure our future as a nation,” he said.

Giving an overview of the four tax reforms bills, the chairman of the presidential committee, Mr. Oyedele, said there was nothing to fear in the proposals as they are in the best interest of Nigeria, especially states and local governments.

Signed:

Musa Abdullahi Krishi

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Press Statement from the Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives

November 18, 2024

Ondo election: Speaker Abbas congratulates Governor Aiyedatiwa

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, has congratulated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on his victory in the Ondo State governorship election held on Saturday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Sunday, declared Governor Aiyedaiwa, candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the poll.

The Speaker noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s landslide victory at the Ondo poll has further confirmed the APC’s popularity.

Speaker Abbas, who also noted that the APC has continued to wax stronger under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, said the people of Ondo State have renewed their hope with their votes for Governor Aiyedatiwa.

While wishing Governor Aiyedaiwa a successful tenure, the Speaker expressed his confidence in the governor to make life better for Ondo people with good governance and dividends of democracy.

Signed:

Musa Abdullahi Krishi

Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

2024 International Students’ Day Celebration.

Education A Best Legacy.

As this year’s celebration will focus on Academic Excellence for Sustainable Development, which is in commemoration of the 2024 International Students’ Day, our office ( The Presidency, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement), under my leadership celebrates the invaluable contributions of Nigerian students to national development.

This year’s theme, as adopted by my office “Celebrating Academic Excellence for Sustainable Development,” underscores the vital role education plays in shaping a prosperous and sustainable future.

We seize this occasion to commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering commitment to education and youth development, as demonstrated by the following groundbreaking achievements in the education sector:

• Establishment of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, providing financial support to deserving students to ensure access to quality education.

• Removal of tertiary institutions’ staff salaries from the IPPIS, allowing for a more efficient and autonomous payroll system as well as end the incessant industrial action by staff unions.

• Reversal of the 30% deduction from institutions’ Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), ensuring that institutions have more resources to invest in academic and infrastructural development.

• Approval of CNG-powered buses for national student bodies, reducing transportation challenges and supporting environmentally friendly initiatives.

To further celebrate excellence in education, the following awards and recognitions have been approved for this year 2024 through my office in collaboration with Petroleum Technology Development fund PTDF, National information Development Agency NITDA, NELFUND, Zenith Bank, Brisco among others, to be announce on Wednesday 20th November 2024 at Merit House Maitama Abuja, the venue for this year’s International Students’ Day celebration:

Honoring the best graduating tertiary institution students from each geopolitical zone with postgraduate scholarship awards and cash prizes.

Cash prizes for the best-performing students in the 2022/2023 Law School Abuja, 2024 Common Entrance Examination, Junior WAEC, NECO, and JAMB, highlighting the importance of academic excellence at all levels.

These initiatives are a testament to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his steadfast dedication to recognizing and rewarding academic achievements.

We enjoin all Nigerian students to remain diligent, resilient, and committed to their studies, as this administration is determined to celebrate and empower the leaders of tomorrow.

On behalf of the Federal Government, we congratulate all Nigerian students on this year’s International Students’ Day. Your brilliance and determination are shaping a brighter future for Nigeria, and we stand firmly by you in your educational journey.

Signed:

Hon. Comr. Asefon Sunday Dayo GCNS

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement

REMARKS OF THE RT. HON. ABBAS TAJUDEEN, GCON, SPEAKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AT ‘THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE INTERACTIVE SESSION ON TAX REFORM BILLS’ HELD ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024 AT THE TEMPORARY CHAMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMPLEX, ABUJA

[Protocol]

It is my pleasure to welcome you to this interactive session on the tax reform bills before the House of Representatives. These bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill. They represent critical proposals from the executive to expand Nigeria’s tax base, improve compliance, and establish sustainable revenue streams for our nation’s development.

2. The purpose of this session is to provide Honourable Members with a comprehensive understanding of the proposed bills. It is designed to deepen our appreciation of their provisions, commence constructive dialogue on contentious or controversial areas, and build the consensus necessary to produce versions of the bills that align with the interests of the executive, the legislature, sub-national governments, and the Nigerian people. Importantly, this session will help us identify areas needing amendment, clarification, or improvement and consider the compatibility of these bills with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and other extant laws.
3. Tax reforms are a cornerstone of our House Legislative Agenda because of their central role in achieving sustainable economic growth and development. In every modern state, taxes are the bedrock of public revenue, providing the resources required to deliver education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security. Yet, Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy, struggles with a tax-to-GDP ratio of just 6 percent—far below the global average and the World Bank’s minimum benchmark of 15 percent for sustainable development. This is a challenge we must address if we are to reduce our reliance on debt financing, ensure fiscal stability, and secure our future as a nation.
4. The proposed tax reform bills aim to diversify our revenue base, promote equity, and foster an enabling environment for investment and innovation. However, as representatives of the people, we must approach these reforms thoughtfully, understanding their potential implications for every segment of society. Taxes should be fair, transparent, and justifiable, balancing the need for public revenue with the burdens they impose on individuals and businesses.
5. Honourable colleagues, pre-legislative scrutiny is a well-established practice in many parliaments worldwide. It allows lawmakers to thoroughly review proposed legislation, address ambiguities, and ensure alignment with constitutional provisions before formal consideration. This interactive session exemplifies this approach, providing us the opportunity to engage with experts, stakeholders, and each other in a collaborative setting to better appreciate the implications of the bills.
6. The controversies surrounding these bills—whether in the media, civil society, or among governance stakeholders—are a reflection of their importance. Such debates are healthy and necessary in a democracy, and this session aims to channel those discussions into productive outcomes. It is critical that we listen to diverse perspectives, ask probing questions, and seek clarity on any unclear provisions.
7. Let me be clear: the House has not yet taken a definitive position on these bills. Our role is to scrutinise them thoroughly, ensuring they align with the best interests of our constituents and the nation at large. We owe this duty to Nigerians.
8. I extend my gratitude to the Presidential Committee on Tax Reforms and Federal Inland Revenue for their work in presenting these proposals and to our partners, including YIAGA Africa, BudgIT, and the dedicated consultants and academics who have provided invaluable guidance. Their efforts will help us navigate the complexities of these reforms.
9. Honourable colleagues, I urge you to approach this session with an open but critical mind. Familiarise yourselves with the bills, engage actively, and raise any concerns or questions you may have. Together, let us seize this opportunity to shape a tax system that serves the best interests of all Nigerians.
10. With these remarks, it is my pleasure to formally declare this interactive session open.
11. Thank you, and I wish us all fruitful deliberations.

November 17, 2024

Ondo 2024 Governorship Election, a Sham- PDP

… Says It’s Reviewing Outcome of Poll.

The Peoples Democratic Party and indeed all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and across the world have just witnessed the worst election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The November 16, 2024 Governorship election in Ondo State runs short of all expectations and requirements of a free, fair and credible election as it witnessed the height of electoral swindle, deceit and manipulation by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This election witnessed widespread election merchandising, monetization and barefaced vote buying by the APC and its apparatus in government to suppress the genuine aspiration of the people.

This devious practice by the APC was rampant and pervasive because the APC have utterly impoverished Nigerians and turned poverty into a weapon of mass subjugation which enabled it to manipulate the election and its outcome.

We call the attention of all Nigerians and the International Community to this reprehensible practice by the APC as widely witnessed in the November 16, 2024 Governorship election in Ondo State and we demand that a serious action be taken to stem such if Nigeria’s democracy must survive.

In the meantime, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP will be having a more detailed review of the election and its outcome and take appropriate action in the defence of our Democracy.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba

National Publicity Secretary

STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT

FORMER PRESIDENT OBASANJO WAS NOT AN IDEAL LEADER TO EMULATE

In a recent display of his characteristic self-importance, former President Olusegun Obasanjo once again took to the public stage to bestow his unsolicited wisdom on leadership and governance in Nigeria. From his lofty perch, he blamed those who served after his tenure for the nation’s myriad challenges.

Unfortunately, the former leader’s habit of casting aspersions on every subsequent administration has devolved into a recurring pastime, overshadowing the expectation of an elder statesman to join a constructive dialogue on attaining national progress.

In his latest critique of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he pejoratively called ‘Baba Go Slow’ and President Bola Tinubu, who he tagged ‘Emilokan’, Chief Obasanjo used the platform provided by Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University to unfurl his latest treatise on leadership and public morality. He also used the forum to write off Nigeria as a failing country.

The irony of Chief Obasanjo using the platform that celebrates Achebe to sermonise on the ideals of good governance, statecraft, economic management, and corruption should be apparent to discerning minds. When he was alive, Chinua Achebe was a universally acclaimed moral, cultural and literary icon with scant regard for Obasanjo.

It is on record that Professor Achebe rejected the third highest national honour bestowed on him by the Obasanjo-led administration in 2004 on the grounds of the prevalence of abuse of power, corruption, poor leadership, and, in particular, state-sponsored brigandage endorsed by Chief Obasanjo in Achebe’s home state of Anambra. In Anambra, the former president actively supported the abduction of a sitting governor, Dr Chris Ngige, by non-state actors led by Chris Uba, a younger brother of Obasanjo’s senior aide.

In rejecting the 2004 national honour by the Obasanjo administration, Achebe declared: “Nigeria’s condition today under your watch is…too dangerous for silence. I must register my disappointment and protest by declining to accept the high honour awarded me in the 2004 honours list.”

Brazen illegality and assault on the Constitution of Nigeria reached a disturbing height under the leadership of Chief Obasanjo. During Obasanjo’s era,  the unconstitutional impeachment of four governors who belonged to his party occurred. The governors impeached by minority members of the Houses of Assembly were Joshua Dariye of Plateau, Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo, Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa. A man under whose watch all of these egregious infractions occurred should certainly not be the one to give any lecture on leadership and corruption. He should not be taken seriously as he reeks of profound hypocrisy of the worst form.

Former President Obasanjo has continuously pumped himself up as the economic wizard of Nigeria. But a reality check showed he was nothing of such. He left unresolved many, if not all, of the problems of Nigeria, which he itemised in his lecture. He even recently admitted that his government made a mistake by not focussing on gas development, as the Tinubu administration does today. All oil and gas players know that Nigeria has more gas than oil. The only positive of the Obasanjo era was fiscal and monetary policy management buoyed by a consistent rise in crude oil prices throughout his eight-year tenure. This rise in crude oil prices started in 2000 and peaked in 2013 when it reached over 100 dollars per barrel before a decline in 2014, which set the oil-dependent economy downward. The current economic crisis the All Progressives Congress administrations have been battling since 2015 is the product of the poor choices in economic management made by Obasanjo and the two successors from his party. Obasanjo prides his government on paying the $15 billion debt owed to the Paris Club. Still, it was not a wise decision as it was done when the country’s critical economic infrastructure across sectors was in shambles.

While oil receipts brought money into the country, Obasanjo failed to fix the deplorable federal roads or expand the national road network. He did not repair the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Lagos-Abeokuta road leading to his hometown in Abeokuta, the Otta-Idiroko road, and many others.

His administration also should have paid more serious attention to universities and polytechnics. In a joint vote of no confidence in our tertiary institutions, Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku Abubakar, sought to profit from their weaknesses by establishing their private universities. As a sitting President, Chief Obasanjo abused his office to advance personal interest against the spirit and letters of our constitution when he corralled leading businessmen, women and government contractors to donate billions of naira for his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and Resorts in Abeokuta and his Bell University in Otta.

After wasting billions of naira on a failed third-term project in 2007, Chief Obasanjo hurriedly organised a sham electoral process that would go down in history as the most fraudulent election held in Nigeria since 1960. The beneficiary of the sham election, Umaru Yar’adua, admitted that the election was seriously flawed and, as Justice Muhammed Uwais’s panel recommended, worked towards electoral reforms. It is hypocrisy writ large when a man who presided over the worst election in Nigeria demands the sack of the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

For eight years, the Obasanjo administration made no significant investment in security by modernising the Armed Forces. He did not redesign the national security architecture or change the military doctrine. The most critical investment in our armed forces, especially the military, since the administration of President Shehu Shagari in 1980 was made by the APC-led administration of President Buhari from 2015-2023. When President Buhari assumed office in 2015, the Air Force had fewer than three serviceable fighter jets, and the Navy barely had one serviceable vessel. Within eight years, President Buhari acquired over 40 new fighter jets of different capabilities, including 12 Tucano jets. He also acquired naval ships to strengthen the Navy. The APC administration of Buhari developed the air wings of the Army and Navy and changed the entire Armed Forces into one of the most potent fighting forces in the world.

President Tinubu has continued to sustain the same support and funding to the military and other security agencies. It is the reason the country is winning in the multi-pronged fight against Boko Haram terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other perpetrators of violent crimes. In the last year, over 400 terror and bandit kingpins have been eliminated, and thousands of Nigerians have been freed from their abductors. The insecurity that engulfed Nigeria started under the Obasanjo administration with militancy and kidnapping of expatriate oil workers in the Niger Delta, which later became a festering wound from which the nation has not recovered. Boko Haram, which became a violent movement in 2009,  began its build-up under Obasanjo’s regime.

On matters of integrity, honesty, and morality in public leadership, Chief Obasanjo is certainly not a paragon of virtue for anyone to model after. Nigerians can still remember the messy public spat between Chief Obasanjo and his then-vice president, Atiku Abubakar, over PTDF money that led to a Senate Public Hearing in 2004. The sordid details of the public hearing included unsettling evidence of how Obasanjo instructed his Vice President to buy Sport Utility Vehicles for his mistresses with PTDF funds. There was also the Halliburton bribe scandal, which the US Congress probe revealed. Bribe payments were made to the highest political authorities at the Villa while Obasanjo was in charge.

Nigerians will also remember how the Obasanjo administration invested $16 billion on electricity, which left the country in utter darkness. The colossal amount spent on power was so embarrassing that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Obasanjo’s successor,  ordered a probe. Similarly, Obasanjo’s privatisation programme was scandalous. It did not deliver real value for the country. His administration cheaply sold national assets to cronies who stripped the assets of the state-owned enterprises. A case in point was the aluminium smelter company ALSCON in Ikot-Abasi, Akwa-Ibom State, built by the military government at the princely sum of $ 3.2 billion. It was sold for 130 million dollars. Obasanjo also sank money into Turn Around Maintenance of our refineries, which never worked, leading to the massive importation of refined petroleum products.

Such was the miasma of corruption under Obasanjo that the former governor of Abia, Orji Uzor Kalu, his party member, petitioned the EFCC, accusing Obasanjo of gross abuse of office.

If Chief Obasanjo had addressed the many problems he critiqued in his poorly written Yale lecture when he ruled Nigeria for eight years, President Buhari and President Tinubu would have had a much lighter burden of fixing the country.

While the Tinubu administration diligently works to overcome the country’s economic challenges, it would be better and more advisable for former President Obasanjo to temper his self-righteousness in his public discussions regarding our nation’s temporary difficulties. Instead, his remaining years would be better spent reflecting on the missed opportunities during his own time in leadership, both as military head of state and civilian president.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

November 18, 2024

STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT

PRESIDENT TINUBU APPROVES RESTRUCTURING OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

President Bola Tinubu has re-designated the positions of two recently appointed officials in the State House media and communications team to enhance efficiency within the government’s communication machinery.

The restructuring is as follows:

1. Mr. Sunday Dare – hitherto Special Adviser on Public Communication and National Orientation is now Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications.
2. Mr. Daniel Bwala – announced last week as Special Adviser, Media and Public Communication, is now special adviser Policy Communication.

These appointments, along with the existing role of Special Adviser, Information and Strategy , underscore that there is no single individual spokesperson for the Presidency.

Instead, all the three Special Advisers will collectively serve as spokespersons for the government.

This approach aims to ensure effective and consistent communication of government policies, decisions, and engagements.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information and Strategy)

November 18, 2024

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

AT THE G20 SUMMIT IN BRAZIL, PRESIDENT TINUBU ENDORSES THE LAUNCH OF THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE AGAINST HUNGER AND POVERTY

President Bola Tinubu has hailed the creation of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, championed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil.

Tinubu described the alliance as pivotal in the global fight against hunger and poverty.

He made this statement on Monday at the 19th G20 Leaders Summit opening session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

He lauded the initiative and described it as the right step to address one of the world’s most significant challenges.

“This bold and visionary step underscores Brazil’s leadership in addressing one of the most urgent and persistent challenges facing our world today.

“The creation of this Alliance marks a significant milestone in our global efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty, and it also sends a powerful message of solidarity to vulnerable populations around the globe.

“By fostering collaboration between governments, international organisations, and civil society, this initiative offers a comprehensive approach not only to addressing immediate needs but also tackling the structural causes of hunger and poverty,” he said.

President Tinubu compared this global initiative to one of the eight priority areas he outlined at his inauguration 18 months ago, expressing Nigeria’s eagerness to adopt international best practices to advance its economic development.

According to President Tinubu, Nigeria’s endorsement of the declaration of commitment to join the Global Alliance is a significant step in its efforts to address hunger and poverty by leveraging international cooperation and resources to bolster domestic strategies.

He added that by supporting the initiative, Nigeria also demonstrates a solid commitment to realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1, which focuses on eradicating poverty, and SDG 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger.

“These goals are at the core of Nigeria’s development agenda, and the Alliance offers a platform to accelerate progress towards them.

“By collaborating with international partners, Nigeria aims to leverage best practices, innovative solutions, and financial support to enhance its efforts to combat poverty and hunger. The endorsement reinforces Nigeria’s role as a key player in global efforts to promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life for all its citizens,” President Tinubu said.

President Tinubu emphasised the urgent need for the United Nations Security Council reform to ensure its continued relevance in global interventions.

He reiterated Nigeria’s readiness and capability to represent Africa within this elite.

He called on the G20 to champion this noble ideal, having admitted the African Union as a group member.

Tinubu said,  “ The Security Council should expand its permanent and non-permanent member categories to reflect the world’s diversity and plurality. Africa deserves priority in this.

“The Security Council should expand its permanent and non-permanent member categories to reflect the world’s diversity and plurality better.

“Africa deserves priority in this process, and two permanent seats should be allocated to it with equal rights and responsibilities. Nigeria stands ready and willing to serve as a representative of Africa in this capacity.”

In the statement read on his behalf by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, President Tinubu noted that the G20 now wears a toga of a forward-looking international institution that upholds reform-minded multilateralism.

He especially commended the decision by the G20 to grant permanent membership to the African Union and for its consistency in sustaining the tradition of inviting guest countries to join the group.

This broad participation, he said, allows the opportunity for more inclusive and effective discussions to address shared global challenges.

“Some permanent members of the Council have shown promising signs of support for this process, which is a positive development. We welcome this shift in attitude and call for a faster pace to the long overdue change.

“The world faces various challenges, including extreme poverty, inequality, climate change, terrorism, and global conflicts.

“These issues are exacerbated by longstanding inequities in the global governance system, which have led to unsustainable sovereign debt and distortions in access to capital markets, trade imbalances, unfair representations and hindered development in the Global South.

“It is our responsibility to find pragmatic solutions to fix these imbalances.

“Particularly pressing is global taxation, which profoundly impacts developing countries.

“The current international tax system, largely shaped by the interests of more affluent nations, often leaves developing countries at a disadvantage, especially in taxing digital economies.

“This systemic imbalance has led to significant revenue losses, hampering our efforts towards sustainable development and economic self-reliance,” the Nigerian leader said.

President Tinubu highlighted that Nigeria, alongside other African Group member states, championed a historic initiative at the United Nations: calling for a framework Convention on Tax to establish a more equitable and inclusive global tax system.

He urged the G20 to heed the call by countries, especially those of the global South, to reform the international financial architecture.

“Multilateral institutions must be revamped to bridge the gap between the Global North and South. This is the path for the future and one the G20 must champion. Nigeria is committed to being part of that future through active participation in the G20 and our steadfast support for achieving SDG 2030 targets,” the President added.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(information & Strategy)

November 19, 202