By Angela Atabo

Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) says a major contributor to Africa’s rising public debt is the unprecedented influx of private lenders flooding developing economies looking for higher returns outside advanced economies.

Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director, CISLAC, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday organised in collaboration with Christian Aid Nigeria on the Increasing Role of Private Creditors in Nigeria’s Debt Crisis and its Human Costs.

He said Nigeria’s debt was growing and increasingly putting the country in a precarious situation, adding that it had significant implications for human rights.

Rafsanjani said the situation also had implications on education, health, climate change, mitigation and adaption and these called for a collective action to address the debt crisis.

He said the past decade had seen the largest, fattest and most broad-based increase in debt in emerging and developing countries over the past 50 years.

He said the total debt in these areas has risen by 54 per cent points of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to a holistic peak of almost 170 per cent of GDP in 2028.

“A major contributor to this increased public debt level is the unprecedented influx of private lenders flooding developing economies as they look for higher returns outside advanced economies.

“This is sequel to the global financial crisis of 2008.
“According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigeria’s total public debt stock as of June 30, 2022 was N42.84trillion.

“It is instructive to recall that Nigeria’s debt service cost presently outweighs its revenue with clear signs of economic dangers ahead,” he said.

Rafsanjani said with refusal of private creditors to embrace debt relief initiatives, the Nigerian government would continue to spend a significant part of its budget to service loans.

He said this would come under stringent conditions including high interest rates, adding that it would drastically reduce due commitment to more critical socio-economic sectors like health and education.

Rafsanjani said in the Nigerian context, about 90 per cent revenue was devoted to debt serving at the expense of development projects.

He said the group was concerned with the lack of vigorous scrutiny and attention by lawmakers in granting requests for loans without reflecting the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the greater implication for the nation economic state.

He said that the Nigerian legislators had the constitutional and legislative mandate to approve loan request only on the basis of public interest and should put this clause as a prerequisite to any approvals they might want to give.

Rafsanjani said the group had inaugurated a research product centred on revealing and challenging role of private creditors in hindering peoples recoveries to enhance the urgency with which the international community should address sovereign debt crisis.(NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Naomi Sharang

Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, the National Coordinator, Project 774 for Tinubu/Shettima, says the All Progressives Congress (APC) will sustain President Muhammadu Buhari’s legacies beyond 2023.

He stated this at the inauguration of the rehabilitated New Bussa Township Stadium in Borgu Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger on Tuesday.

Abdullahi, also Senate Deputy Whip, described Buhari as a patriotic leader whose leadership skills must be sustained by the party.

He said that the Project 774 was one of the support groups of the Tinubu/Shettima for the Feb. 25 presidential election.

The lawmaker who represents Niger North Senatorial District said that there was no crisis among the party members adding that the party was intact.

“Our party is intact. We are working very hard to deliver our party because of the good work our father President Muhammadu Buhari has being doing.

“He is working very hard and patriotically so and that is why he needs his legacy to be sustained.

“And that is why he said that as a democrat, he is going to allow democratic process to take place, that is leadership and that is how our presidential candidate emerged,”

Abdullahi said.
He added ”As we are going to the national election, we believe as the president of this country, his duty is to make sure there is credible election.

“We were asked for credible election, and we are going to anchor our victory on credible election. And that is why we are working very hard.”

Abdullahi said that project 774 was one out of so many other thousand support groups working assiduously across the country to galvanise support for Tinubu/ Shettima.

“Tinubu and Shettima have been tried, they have been tested and trusted. So there is no doubt about their capacity, they have the character, they have the capability and capacity to deliver on their promises,” he said.

Abdullahi described the extension of the deadline for naira swap as a welcome development, urging all Nigerians to use the extension period to do the needful.

“Let them not wait until the last day again, then they come out in large number and say oh.

“The National Assembly had moved a motion to ask for extension so there is no any conflict in our concern.

“The concern we are showing is about Nigerians. I believe it’s a phase and it’s a sacrifice we must all make to make our country better.

“But what we are saying is that it should be done with human face. And our president is a listening president, he has heard the cry of Nigerians and their is an extension,” he said.

The lawmaker blamed the current fuel scarcity in the country on petroleum marketers.

“Mr President is not in charge of fuel. It is Nigerians, Nigerians are the fuel marketers.

“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd has said there is fuel,” he said.

Abdullahi expressed optimism that Local Government Autonomy would be passed by some of the state houses of assembly who were yet to forward their resolutions on the Constitution Alteration Bills.

“I’m still very hopeful that local government autonomy will be given.

“It is not a rejection yet because we still have some states that have not returned the bills.

“Out of the 27 that have returned, some of the bills were accepted and out of the ones that are outstanding it is possible that we make the number.

“I’m calling on Nigerians to tell all the their States Houses of Assembly, those that have not returned the bills to the national assembly to do the needful because when we develop the local government, then we are developing Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki

Campaign

By Femi Ogunshola

Prof. Wale Sulaiman, the Kwara South Social Democratic Party (SDP) Senatorial candidate, has expressed readiness to meet with his constituents resident in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Feb 2.

The senatorial candidate said this in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

He said the meeting became necessary to acquaint the people of his manifestoes ahead of the February general lections.

Sulaiman said that he had earlier met with the people of his constituency living in Lagos State to show support for his candidacy and tell them about his aspiration to become their representative at the red chamber.

The Professor of neurosurgeon and spinal surgery said he wanted to become their senator because of his passion for development, while promising the people of the district a better deal if elected.

Sulaiman promised to change the face of development in the senatorial district by showing example from previous representation.

He expressed worry over the level of under-development in the district, adding that it was akin to poor leadership recruitment.

He said his coming out as the candidate of SDP would change the face of representation in the district, while calling on Kwara South living in Abuja to attend the meeting.

According to him, I have heard series of complain from my people in Kwara south how as soon as they elect their senator they become a total stranger to them.

He said, “I have the expertise to attract jobs for my people and provide workable healthcare, and education, I will be the people’s senator, who constituents can access without recourse to undue protocol. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

ODF/IAA

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Prof. Abdulraheem, Kwara NNPP governorship candidate

By Razak Owolabi

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

His foray into Kwara politics is not fortuitous; the foundation seems to have been laid as an administrator and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Ilorin, which till now has one of the highest, if not the highest, rate of subscription by Nigerian students and applicants through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Emeritus Prof. Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, also the holder of the chieftaincy title, Talba of Ilorin, has brought excitement and vibrancy to the Kwara State governorship race since Tuesday, June 28, 2022, when he became the governorship candidate on the platform of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

Oba is seen as a very formidable candidate whose entry is putting candidates of other political parties on their toes, thus waking them from their deep sleep due to his superior yet intimidating credentials and strategic leadership prowess.

He is popularly referred to in the state as Ọ̀rẹ́ Mẹ̀kúnù or Abokin Talakawa (A friend of the poor masses) due to his close affinity to the people at the grassroots level.

The NNPP governorship candidate was also a former Sole Administrator of the Kwara State College of Education Oro, Chairman of Governing Council of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin and the third Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission.

He was also the Chairman Governing Council, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

Oba was the Initiator and Coordinator of the Ilorin Aviation College Committee, Chairman Political Transition Committee 2003, Chairman Implementation Committee, Muhammad Kamaldeen University, Ilorin and Member, JAMB Governing Board.

These experiences mostly in the public service are evidence that Oba is a versatile manager of human and capital resources.

As a chieftaincy title holder, the Talba is also a grassroot leader who is always at home with

rural dwellers and the youth population in Kwara State.

His campaign train has been moving steadily from one part of the state to another, communicating the credentials, capabilities and inspiring vision of the illustrious son of the soil to the people that matter most, Nigerians at the grassroots level.

Undoubtedly, Oba has garnered a lot of experience in service to humanity, an attribute a Governor of any Nigerian state should possess.

The Kwara NNPP governorship candidate has been visiting traditional rulers and their subjects at the grassroots level to carry them along and appeal for their support.

Among the rulers so far visited include the Chairman of Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari and the Oloffa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi.

Others are, Olukotun of Ikotun, Oba AbdulRasaq Abioye, Olojoku of Ojoku, Oba AbdulRasaq Afolabi, Onira of Ira, Oba Abdulwahab Oyetoro, Elerin of Erin Ile, Oba Abdulganiyu Ajibola and Olota of Ilota, Alhaji Mohammed Olarewaju.

Owa Lobo of Obbo-Ile, Oba Adebayo Rufus Olusegun and Olosi of Osi, Oba Salihu Abdulkareem Adasofegbe, also hosted the NNPP governorship candidate in their palaces.

Other traditional rulers he visited included, Alofa of Ilofa, Oba Samuel Dada. Olusin of Isanlu Isin, Oba Solomon Oloyede, Emir of Ilesha Baruba, Prof. Halidu Abubakar and Olola of Olla, Prof. Billy Olajide.

His love for the people at the grassroots must have informed his flagging off his gubernatorial campaign at Okuta in Baruten Local government area, very far from Ilorin, the state capital.

As expected, he paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler, the Emir of Okuta, Alhaji Idris Abubakar.

At the Emir’s palace, Oba reiterated that one of the first things he will do in office is to re-establish local government authority by conducting the local government election immediately, not later than six months after the general elections.

The governorship candidate also promised to provide functional and quality education and invest in agriculture if elected as the governor.

“There is no doubt that Kwara State is in dire need of a change of effective leadership and good governance; my experience in the public service will bring about the needed transformation,” he said.

Oba alleged that the present APC-led administration in the state has performed below the people’s expectations, and he expressed the urgent need to replace it with an NNPP government.

He asserted that an NNPP government would bring the desired change to the people of Kwara, who are still yearning for fresh air regarding socio-economic development, especially at the grassroots level.

In his response, the Emir lauded the NNPP for flagging off its campaign in his local government area.

He wished the gubernatorial candidate and his team well at the elections.

Talking of qualities of a good leader, the NNPP governorship candidate says such a person must separate falsehood from the truth while following the latter.

Oba added that a good leader must always have his ears to the ground to gauge the pulse of the people he governs so that his programmes and policies will always include their inputs.

When asked about his chance of success in his quest to become the next governor of Kwara despite the strong presence of PDP and the ruling APC candidates, the NNPP candidate expressed maximum optimism about winning the election.

Oba also disagreed with the misconception that the NNPP is a new party that may not go far in the country’s political terrain.

“NNPP is not as new as you may want to think. It’s been registered almost the same time as PDP was registered.

“Throughout the years, it’s been contesting elections through various candidates all over Nigeria. In some states, they won; in some, they lost.

“Most importantly, it’s been contesting elections in Nigeria. In Kwara, NNPP may be coming to the scene late, but it doesn’t diminish its potential as a party that will win the governorship in 2023,” he said.

According to Oba, the character and social standing of those contesting elections are factors that matter, not the time a party is formed.

“They, the credible candidates, are the ones to bring recognition to the party as desired,” he said.

While speaking at a debate for governorship candidates in Kwara recently, Oba promised to make the education of Kwara people his priority.

Coming from a background of solid educational achievements, this should not be a surprise to any keen observer.

Oba, who completed his doctorate studies at the University of Kent, UK, has been a teacher and lecturer with many years of experience.

As an accomplished scholar and administrator, he has enjoyed a glorious career in the teaching profession, from the elementary classroom teacher to the professorial chair at the university.

He also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees of Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Sheffield, respectively.

“An uneducated population is a doomed population. So the first people I am going to partner with are the teachers,” he told the audience at the debate organised by the Kwara State council of Nigeria Labour Congress.

“I will leverage technology as I did at the University of Ilorin to make Kwara State the knowledge hub for the world and, in the process, provide employment for the teeming youths,” Oba said.

The NNPP governorship candidate also assured the organised labour unions that he would work with them with honesty and sincerity.

At a town hall meeting with the people of Oyun local government, in Erin Ile, the Talba promised to bring the government down to the grassroots through local government autonomy.

He also urged youths in the area to participate fully in politics, leveraging their energy, passion and technology competence to achieve inclusive, sustainable development through the ballot box.

Oba was given a warm reception at the palace of Elerin of Erin Ile by the chiefs though the traditional ruler himself was not around.

The chiefs prayed for Talba’s victory while giving testimonies of his achievements in their community, Kwara State and Nigeria at large.

On his campaign visit to Offa, another prominent town, the emeritus professor assured the people of Offa Local Government of his support if voted as the next Kwara Governor.

He said that based on his consultation with different groups in the community, if elected, his administration would address many of the challenges facing the ancient town.

The former Vice Chancellor urged his supporters to get their permanent voters’ cards while thanking them for the show of love accorded him.

The State Chairman of NNPP, AbdulRasaq Abdulsalam, described Prof. Oba as an honest man who would deliver on all his promises.

Oba did not just believe in hard work; he is a prayer warrior and religious person who believes in the power of Almighty God.

Towards this end, he led NNPP candidates in Kwara in December 2022 in a prayer session with notable Islamic clerics praying for the candidate’s success in the 2023 general elections.

They also prayed for the success of the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Musa Kwankwaso.

Oba expressed confidence in the party’s victory in the elections, saying the party is ready to take over power in Kwara and Nigeria in general.

“Insha Allah, we are doing everything possible to achieve success. This is because we have confidence in Allah, and when you have confidence in Allah, you will achieve success,” he said.

While assessing the level of preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the elections, the NNPP governorship candidate hailed the commission for “their impartiality” and the introduction of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) in the electoral process.

Oba however, condemned the relentless attacks on INEC facilities across the country.

Speaking on vote buying, he urged Nigerian electorates to resist the vice, saying that it must be stopped as it was not giving credibility and authenticity to the country’s elections.

“Vote buying is another disease we must cure,” the governorship candidate emphasised.

Keen observers of the Kwara political landscape are unanimous that with the emergence of Oba in the race for Government House, a new sheriff is indeed in town to take over affairs in the “State of Harmony”.

With his campaign slogan of “Ìrọ̀rùn dé” (Comfort is here), Oba is seen by many as the genuine bringer of the social, economic and political reliefs the people of Kwara have long been yearning for. (NANFeatures)

**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

By Adeyemi Adeleye

The PDP and APC in Lagos State have disagreed over the alleged attacks on the campaign train of the PDP Governorship Candidate, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), in the Surulere Local Government Area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adediran’s campaign train had been reportedly attacked by political thugs in Badagry, Ikorodu, Agege, Kosofe and Surulere, leaving some of his followers wounded and vehicles smashed.

It was also reported that the attack on Friday in Surulere was the third attack in succession where suspected hoodlums were said to have fired guns and destroyed some of the campaign vehicles in Adediran’s convoy.

Subsequently, the Lagos State PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Hakeem Amode, in statement on Saturday, described the Surulere attack on Adediran’s team as “repugnant to the deepening of democracy in Lagos“.

Amode, who is also the Chairman, Media, and Publicity, JandorFunke 2023 Governorship Campaign, said that the attacks were “clear evidence of APC high-handedness and imperialism rule”.

According to him, the alleged APC sponsored thugs in Surulere LGA unleashed violence on persons and groups of people in the area ahead of the scheduled visitation of the PDP gubernatorial candidate to the ward on Thursday and Friday.

He explained that the visit was in continuation of Adediran’s tour of the 245 wards in the state.

Amode said: “The hoodlums went to the Baale of Ojuoluwa in Empire area of the LGA to threaten him not to receive the entourage who was billed to pay him a courtesy visit.

“The gates leading to the entire Empire area was locked and vehicular movement around the area disrupted.

“In the same vein, the canopy and chairs arranged at Iponri Housing Estate was violently destroyed by APC killer-thugs who were armed with dangerous weapons, including guns, and many of our members who were making the arrangements were wounded in the ensuing fracas.

“The same set of the APC-sponsored thugs mobilised themselves to Soloki Street, Aguda ,where Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran went to observe Jumat prayers, welding dangerous weapons, destroying vehicles in the entourage and violently smashing one of the campaign vehicles.

“They also vandalised the campaign vehicles of our House of Representatives Candidates, Hon. Soyinka, who is a sitting member of the House of Representatives.

The PDP spokesman added that the political thugs also went ahead to vandalise the PDP Secretariat at No. 2 Shittu Street, Aguda, during which several members of our party sustained various degrees of injury.

He said that a similar incident also occurred on Teniola Street where members of the community, who were waiting to receive the entourage of Adediran’s entourage, were dispersed and many also wounded during the attack.

“We are once again using this opportunity to appeal to the President and Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammad Buhari, to use his good offices to stem the undemocratic practice of APC in Lagos State, against opposition parties.

“This is to ensure that the desire of the president to leave a legacy of credible elections is not truncated on the altar of selfishness and entitlement by the ruling party in the state.

“We are also using this opportunity to call on the Inspector General of Police to rise to the occasion and provide adequate security for all and sundry to enable them to exercise their franchise in the coming elections,” he said.

Amode also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure no intimidation and harassment undermined its efforts towards organising credible elections, especially in Lagos State.

He appealed to all members of party to remain resolute and focused, saying the PDP leadership and candidates would not be cowed by thugs.

“We urge every loyal member to see the violence display as a show of a bad loser party who has nothing to offer the people of the state and would do anything to continue squandering our commonwealth in the state.

“We urge the ruling party to focus on writing their handle-over notes because their time is up in governing the state.

“Our party PDP and the people of the state will no longer tolerate their misrule beyond 2023,” Amode said.

Meanwhile, in a swift reaction, Mr Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, said in a statement that Adediran rather unleashed terror on innocent residents and three people reportedly killed in the course of his campaign in Surulere.

“The incident left in its wake several injured victims and three people reportedly died.

“We condemn in strong terms the unwarranted and unprovoked resort to violence on the citizens of the state in the name of electioneering campaign.

“In broad daylight, Jandor’s thugs fired guns at their hapless victims who ran for dear lives,” he said.

According to Oladejo, Lagos cherishes its enviable status as the safest state in the country, a result of long running and painstaking investment in security.

He said that APC viewed the attack as a ploy to instill fear in the hearts of would-be voters as we count down to the elections.

He added: “It’s pathetic to note that a candidate seeking to govern the state could be seen actively promoting violence to disrupt the peace of the citizens.

“The PDP and its candidate have been busy in the past few days, have been crying in the media that their posters were being torn. Unknown to the public, he (Adediran) perfected his evil plans which manifested at his rally.

“While we can imagine the untold misery and frustration that his faltering campaign might have visited on him, it ought not to result in the thirst for the blood of potential voters,“ he said.

The APC spokesman called on the law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident, bring the culprits to book and beef security across the state in order to forestall a re-occurrence.

He urged residents to remain calm and law abiding as the state government remained irrevocably committed to its onerous duty of ensuring the safety of lives and property of all and sundry. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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By Angela Atabo

The Labour Party Youth chapter on Friday called for one-week holiday for students to collect their Permanent Voters Card(PVC) ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The Acting Youth Leader ,Kennedy Ahanotu ,made the call while addressing newsmen in Abuja.

Ahanotu also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the closure of the PVC collection date for 14 days to the elections .

He said that the gesture would enable the youth in school to travel to the various places they registered to collect their PVCs to participate in the coming elections.

“Today the youth in Nigeria want to take part in taking back their country by contributing towards the New Nigerian agenda via the ballot, and they must not be disfranchised .

“This because many belief that a better Nigeria is possible with Mr Peter Obi and Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed.

“Given the above narratives and the need to have a free, fair, credible and all-inclusive elections in 2023; I hereby categorically state that it will be highly unacceptable for such number of citizens to be denied the opportunity to cast their votes due to academic calendar.”

Ahanotu, therefore ,called on the Federal Government, Academic Staff Unions of Universities (ASUU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), National University Commission (NUC), State Governments and other Private university owners .

The call , he said, was to give one-week holiday for students in higher Institutions to go home and collect their PVCs given the INEC deadline.

He said that the LP youth also called on the Federal Government to give automatic one week holiday for students to travel for the general elections holding on Feb. 25 .

Ahanotu said the LP youth group was also concerned about the numerous targeted violent attacks on the party’s Youth Leaders, Women Leaders and Obidients across the country .

He said that this was especially in Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu State s among others, adding that it was therefore very vital for his office to address news men .

According to him , it has become highly necessary to passionately demand from the Nigeria Police to arrest and bring to book those individuals who are perpetrating evil on fellow citizens alongside their sponsors.

The youth leader said that recently one of its youth leaders in Lagos was brutally attacked for pasting a campaign poster.

He also recalled that the LP women leader in Kaduna was murdered in cold blood with the injured husband now amputated putting the young children under an uncertain future.

” Hence there is an urgent need for the Police and law enforcement agents to brace up as the election approaches in protection of our innocent citizens to avoid chaos, total breakdown of law and order across the country.

“Finally , I urge all Nigerian youths and students to maintain peace ,Nigeria belongs to all of us, and no Nigerian is more Nigerian than others.

” A Nigerian in Lagos is a Nigeria whether Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba or other tribes. We must take back our country with our PVCs come 25th February, 2023. ”

Ahanotu called on Nigerian youths to vote for someone with competence, capacity, and character they can trust who is passionate about their future and someone whose political track record and antecedents reflected modern day democratic leadership.

He said that without fear of contradiction such character is found in the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate Mr Peter Obi and the Vice Presidential Candidate Sen Datti Baba-Ahmed.(NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Angela Atabo

The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) on Friday called on the Federal Government to address the lingering fuel scarcity, ahead of General Elections for smooth logistics delivery.

The WADEMOS team made the call in Abuja at the end of its solidarity mission to Nigeria, ahead of the General Elections.

Mr Kojo Asante, the Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement, Ghana Centre for Democratic Development who spoke on behalf of the WADEMOS team,said the mission was in recognition of the shared democratic values by people across the ECOWAS sub-region.

Asante said the call became imperative for the government to tackle the fuel shortage to mitigate the effect it could have on the election.

He said that this was because it has the tendency of increasing voter apathy and turnout particularly for voters who would travel long distances to their polling stations.

He added that it also has implication for the movement of security personnel and patrol teams that would be deployed to provide security for the election.

Asqnte said that following initial debriefing by CDD-West Africa on developments around the elections, the mission met with an array of election stakeholders in Nigeria.

He said that some major observations by the mission and thereby made some recommendations.

“Major concerns were raised on the collection and issuance of PVCs, also, any large-scale malfunctioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) on election day could cause anxiety and panic among voters .

“Observations have been made about multiple security concerns that could significantly threaten the smooth conduct of the elections.

“Another issue of concern is around the deployment of materials and logistics ahead of the election; this fear is exacerbated by the current long-running incidence of fuel scarcity in the country.

“We strongly note the postponement of previous elections in Nigeria, partly due to logistical concerns,” he said.

Asante said that the WADEMOS team also noted some key issues in the media which included cyber bullying, hate speech and misinformation.

He said that the Peace Accord endorsed by all political parties and presidential candidates had been blatantly violated by political actors who chosed to use insults, hate speech and personality attacks on opponents instead of focusing on campaign issues.

He said that to this end,WADEMOS made some recommendations urging the government to resist the temptation to abuse incumbency in its administration of the election and avoid election violence.

He also called on the government to ensure increased participation of women in politics and governance through affirmative polices and programs.

Asante urged INEC to provide clarity on the electoral law which stipulated that the winner of the presidential race should attain majority of total votes and 25 per cent of votes in at least two-thirds of states in Nigeria and the FCT.

He said this was against the backdrop of multiple interpretations assigned to the law and expected competitiveness around the 2023 presidential race.

He called on INEC to consider further expanding the deadline for distribution of PVCs and also expedite the disbursement of the cards to all registered voters to avoid disenfranchising voters due to the proposed “No Verification No Vote” requirement for the election.

He said there should be commitment on the part of security agencies toward ensuring that known hotpots of violence and conflicts were prioritised for adequate security coverage and interventions ahead of the election and on election day.

Asante said security agencies should be properly equipped and adequately resourced to provide security for the election.

He added that security agents should respect and protect the rights of citizens especially media, voters, election staff and observers in general before, during and after the election.

He advised political leaders and parties to go about their political campaigns with a very high degree of responsibility towards ensuring that the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process was guaranteed.

He urged political parties and their candidates to eschew violence and avoid all forms of incitement as tools for mobilising and canvasing for votes among their supporters.

Asante called on CSOs to leverage on cooperation among themselves and with state institutions to champion participation and inclusion during the elections.

He urged the media to be on high alert to intercept and counter any instances of disinformation and misinformation particularly on the day of election and be apolitical and prone to the sensitivities surrounding this election in its reportage.

He urged ECOWAS, the AU and the international community to continue to monitor proceedings in the lead-up to the elections and maintain their support for a free, credible and fair elections in Nigeria.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

By Abdul Hassan

The Committee of Friends and Associates of Dr Danladi Bako, Co-Director, Strategic Communications, APC presidential campaign council, for bagging a Doctorate degree at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that Bako is among the graduates to be robbed on Saturday at the Institution’s 42nd convocation ceremony and Diamond Jubilee graduating the 2018/2019 and 2020/2021 sets of graduands.

Bako, a veteran broadcast journalist and former Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission is among the 826 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates.

He will be robbed at the ceremony and will be awarded a Doctorate degree in Development Communication which he completed in 2019.

But due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Academic Staff of Universities Union (ASUU) strike then, the authorities deferred the convocation ceremony to a later date, which will now take place on Saturday.

Among the honorary doctorate degree (Honoris causa) recipients will be the former Military Governor of Kano State, retired Col. Sani Bello and the current Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed.

Gov. Nasir El- Rufai of Kaduna State and Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Nuhu Bamalli are Chairman of the occasion and Father or the day, respectively.

A statement from Bashir Rabe-Mani, issued on behalf of the committee congratulated Bako, who is also the Kogunan Sokoto and a former Sokoto State Commissioner for Information on the remarkable achievement.

Rabe-Mani said this was coming 45 years after Bako bagged his Bachelor’s degree in English in 1978 from the same institution. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani