News
No one in Nigerian history has run for president more times than Atiku Abubakar. The top prize has eluded him on each occasion.
In February, the former vice-president will make his sixth attempt as Nigerians choose a replacement for outgoing president Muhammadu Buhari. This time, political aides and analysts say, the complicated electoral maths of Africa’s largest economy may count in his favour.
“It is a life-long ambition and as long as I’m alive and strong and healthy, I will continue pursuing it,” Abubakar told the Financial Times at his suite in one of Lagos’s most luxurious hotels after a campaign rally. But he quickly suggested this would be his final act: “I’ve come to the last stage now. I don’t think after this I will run again.”
Amid a throng of jubilant supporters in the hotel lobby, a long-serving Abubakar aide sketched out his 76-year-old boss’s route to victory.
Abubakar, he said, would give his opponents a close run in their southern strongholds and take advantage of Buhari’s absence on the ballot for the first time since 1999 to win the vote-rich north by a wide margin.
The election will pit Abubakar, of the opposition People’s Democratic party (PDP), against Bola Tinubu, of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and Peter Obi, of the small Labour party, who has emerged as the first credible third-party candidate since Nigeria’s return to democracy 23 years ago. A recent poll of registered voters in rural communities in 12 of the 36 states put Obi ahead.
Amaka Anku, Africa director at the Eurasia consultancy, said Abubakar had advantages that could work in his favour. “Atiku is a household name and being well-known across the north and being a northerner, given the structure of Nigeria’s voter rolls, is a major selling point,” she said.
But his success is not guaranteed. Voters may have become “jaded” by his repeated attempts at the presidency, she said.
A 2010 US Senate committee report linking Abubakar to the transfer of $40mn in “suspect funds” to America has deepened voters’ suspicion about his rectitude. He denies wrongdoing.
Abubakar’s party has also been unsettled by internal divisions since he emerged as candidate in May. Five governors, including the governor of the oil-rich Rivers state, say his candidacy solidifies northern control of the party and have demanded the resignation of party chair Iyorchia Ayu, a northerner, to rebalance power with its southern base.
Whoever wins in February faces a tough in-tray. More than 8,000 people have been killed since the start of this year by violent groups, such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province. Inflation has soared to more than 21 per cent, the naira currency has plummeted to record lows, and unemployment is at 33 per cent.
Abubakar styles himself as a pro-business candidate, promising the privatisation of the state-owned oil company and a “restructuring” of Nigeria to devolve more power to the states. “We will look into [previous] constitutional reform reports, update them and work with the governors, national assembly and state assemblies to amend the constitution to reflect the type of federation we want,” he said.
Oil was key to turning the economy around, he said. Years of under-investment in infrastructure and large-scale theft have depressed oil production. In a year where oil-producing nations have recorded significant revenue boosts, Nigeria produces a little over 1mn barrels a day of crude, far below its Opec daily quota of 1.8mn barrels. The country is set to spend $9bn on fuel subsidies this year, and previous presidents have shied away from reform.
“I will remove fuel subsidy,” he told the Financial Times. “Within the first 100 days in office, we should be able to make a decision.” He also promised to provide a “road-map” on how the money saved will be spent.
Attempts at privatising NNPC, the state-owned oil company whose shares are owned by the federal government, were muddled, he said. “I will have to study the so-called privatisation and see how we can review it and make sure that it conforms with our expectations which is realising as much revenue as possible.”
He also pledged to reform Nigeria’s multiple exchange rates with “a unified exchange rate or a maximum of two” in conjunction with the central bank. Some $10bn would be allocated to small and medium-sized enterprises to create jobs, money he claimed would be raised by the privatisation of state-owned refineries and savings from fuel subsidies.
With a public debt of $103bn, he said he would have “to approach our creditors to see how we can renegotiate and reschedule repayments”. He also plans to cut down on public sector expenditure, which he described as “expenditure not in favour of development”.
On crime and security, Abubakar said he would increase the number of police officers and other security service personnel and “train and equip them better”. He is also considering introducing state policing, a departure from Nigeria’s centralised force.
He said he planned to form a government of national unity that would include opposition politicians. When pressed if there could be a job for Obi, his running mate in 2019, he responded: “Why not?” Asked in what capacity, he said: “Let’s win the elections before thinking of roles people can play.”
Abubakar is still stung by his 2019 defeat, an election many expected would be a close race but ended with Buhari’s re-election by almost 4mn votes, extending his margin of victory from the previous poll.
Abubakar claimed the vote was stolen: “All well-informed sources believe I was rigged out,” he said. He added that this election would be harder to manipulate because of reforms, including the electronic transmission of results, by the electoral commission that have been deployed in recent gubernatorial elections.
Abubakar also said he had received personal assurances from Buhari that the polls would be free. “I’ve gotten a commitment from the president personally, because I sat down with him twice, that even if it is the only legacy he will leave, he will make sure he conducts free, fair and credible polls.”
A federal high court sitting in Abuja has declined an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest and detain Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
In declining the motion ex parte — filed by an applicant in the absence of the respondent — JT Tsoho, the chief judge, said the secret police did not provide any concrete evidence to substantiate its claims that Emefiele was involved in terrorism financing and economic crimes.
Sources at the high court revealed that the judge said he should have been taken into confidence if there was any evidence to back the allegations in the application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022.
“The honourable judge also wondered why the name of the respondent was given simply as ‘Godwin Emefiele’ without a material disclosure that he is the same person as the CBN governor, a highly ranking public official who occupies an extremely sensitive position,” the source said.
The court said such an application should have been accompanied with the presidential approval because of the grave implications for the Nigerian economy if the CBN governor is arrested and detained.
There are suggestions that the bid to arrest Emefiele might be political given the impact the redesign of the Naira and limit on cash withdrawals might have on vote-buying in the 2023 elections.
A number of politicians have complained that the naira redesign is targeted at them but President Muhammadu Buhari has given his full backing to Emefiele over the policy.
On Monday, a group of civil society organisations raised the alarm that there was a plot to frame Emefiele for terrorism and remove him from office.
DON’T BE USED TO UNDERMINE OUR INVESTIGATIONS, DSS WARNS
Meanwhile, DSS has warned Nigerians against being used to “undermine” its investigations.
In a statement issued on Monday, Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, said the service will not be distracted by those seeking to use “propaganda” to undermine its lawful investigations.
Afunanya said one of the duties of the DSS is the “investigation of matters of national security dimension. It has always discharged this responsibility in the overall interest of Nigerian citizens”.
“As such, the Service will continue to disseminate actionable intelligence to the relevant authorities devoid of any sentiment,” the statement reads.
“While professionally discharging its mandate, the DSS pledges to remain focused and unbiased. It will not, by any means, succumb to propaganda, intimidation and the desperation of hirelings to undermine it.
“It will also not give room to the use of falsehood and deceit to misdirect public understanding and perceptions of issues of national importance.
“Given not to join issues, the Service warns those on a wild goose chase to be mindful of their actions. Similarly, it urges members of the public to disregard the vituperations and rantings of misguided elements and not allow themselves to be used as instruments of destabilisation.
“Notably, these elements should remember the famous axiom that ‘you will only deceive some people, some of the time, but not all people, all the time’.
“To put it succinctly, the Service will not be distracted by persons and/or groups from carrying out its duties to the Nation, citizens, and, President and Commander-in-Chief.”
Afunanya asked Nigerians to “avoid being used to thwart or undermine the Service and its lawful investigations as those who wish to act in the breach will be dealt with in accordance with the law”.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, convicted Doyin Okupe, for money laundering.
Okupe is the director-general of Peter Obi’s Labour (LP) presidential campaign council.
He was also a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Delivering the judgment on Monday, the judge, Ijeoma Ojukwu, held that Okupe was guilty of contravening sections 16(1)&(2) of the Money Laundering Act, for receiving cash payments without going through a bank, in excess of the threshold statutorily allowed.
But Ojukwu had stood down proceedings till 1:45 p.m. to enable Mr Okupe to call witnesses to testify about his character.
Thereafter, the court proceeded to sentence Mr Okupe.
Background
In January 2019, the EFCC arraigned Okupe alongside two companies – Value Trust Investment Ltd and Abrahams Telecoms Ltd, over allegations of N702 million fraud.
He was charged with 59 counts bordering on “money laundering and criminal diversion of funds” to the tune of N702 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which was headed by Sambo Dasuki.
While closing its case, an EFCC witness, Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Administration and Finance at the ONSA, said in 2012, he was directed to make a payment of N50 million to him.”
He further said he was also directed by the ONSA ”to be paying N10 million monthly to Okupe for over two years”, which he said was reduced to a monthly N5 million towards the end of 2014 due to paucity of funds.
Also, Salisu recalled paying another N50 million in cash to Okupe on the orders of Dasuki, who equally faces charges at the Federal and FCT High Courts in Abuja.
Salisu told the court that “sometime in 2012, Okupe came to the Office of the National Security Adviser, and after their discussion, I was directed to make a payment of N50 million to him.”
According to him, “Okupe provided his account details, where I paid the amount into the bank account of Value Trust Investment.”
Ojukwu, the presiding judge, sentenced Okupe to two years in prison on each of the counts.
However, the sentence is to run concurrently.
Additionally, the judge said the convict is at liberty to pay a N500,000 fine on each of the counts — totalling N13 million.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate for Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade, has described the Appeal Court ruling validating his candidacy as victory for the party.
Akinlade in a statement thanked Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State for his sincere love and support during the period.
He dedicated the victory at the Appeal Court to Almighty God, all those that contested the primaries with him and loyal party members.
Akinlade said, “The first hurdle has been crossed. With unity of purpose and togetherness, our victory at the general election is certain by God’s grace.
“I appeal to all and sundry to let us forget whatever misgivings, and let us work together as a team and member of the same political family.
“If by an act of omission or commission, I have wronged anyone, kindly forgive, as perfection belongs to Almighty God alone.
“My return to the Green Chambers, as a ranking member of the parliament, by God’s grace, will guarantee more dividends of democracy, empowerment, developmental projects, and most importantly more employment opportunities for our teeming youths.
“I implore us all to go out and campaign for all the Candidates of our great party, APC, in the forthcoming General Elections. We should join hands to defeat the opposition at the polls.
As always, I remain humble, passionate, and committed to the progress and prosperity of my people in Ogun West. I will continue to make you proud", Akinlade said.
NORTHERN ELECTORATES ALLEGEDLY SELLING THEIR VOTERS CARDS TO POLITICIANS, NORTHERN ELDERS REVEAL WHY
Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has said millions of northerners who have obtained their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) are selling them to politicians for less than N2,000.
A statement yesterday by the Director Publicity and Advocacy of NEF, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the electorate and especially women, were being deceived to sell their PVCs for less than N2,000, an action he described as a ploy to disenfranchise some Nigerians in the North.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had said politicians were buying PVCs from registered voters to harvest their Voter Identification Numbers (VIN) ahead of the elections
NEF said irrespective of which party or candidate they support, northerners must vote in next year’s election, as “this is the only way our region can reverse its current fortunes and circumstances.”
Part of the statement reads, the “Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed what the public has been aware of in the last few weeks. This is the widespread and targeted buying of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in many parts of the North and a few other parts of Nigeria.
“Northern Elders Forum (NEF) had followed this worrying phenomenon, advising community leaders and major stakeholders on the dangers of disenfranchising large numbers of citizens. We have also undertaken our own investigations, which prompted this public warning.
“Thousands, or possibly even millions of northern voters, particularly women, are being made to surrender their PVCs for a pittance, in most instances not more than N2000.
“In some instances, they are told their cards will be returned to them after they are processed for additional payments as poverty relief. No cards are returned.
“Our investigations suggest that this is an aggressive and blatant voter suppression attempt to reduce the voting power of the North.”
Nigeria has no plans to issue Eurobonds in 2023 unless market conditions improve as bond prices are too high for African countries, Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed said on Wednesday.
Nigeria, Africa's biggest economy, has been raising debt to fund infrastructure and boost a fragile economy battling high inflation. It sold a $1.25 billion Eurobonds this year, marking its eighth outing on international debt markets.
Ahmed said Nigeria will focus on concessionary loans from the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, African Development Bank and others for external loans, Ahmed told Reuters in Abuja after a cabinet meeting.
"Our external borrowing sources are very much open at multilateral institutions ... and our focus is on those loans unless we have no option because loan processes are very long," she said.
"The prices of bonds are too high now in most African countries. No one is going near there now. We hope 2023 will bring about some improvement," she said.
At 1400 GMT, Nigeria's 2051 Eurobond US65412JAT07=TE was trading with a yield of 12.096%, according to Tradeweb data, compared with a yield of 8.25% when it was issued last year. The yield on its 2032 bond was 11.98%.
The Whistleblower Policy, which encourages Nigerians to disclose information on fraud, looted government funds, and financial misconduct has lost momentum, according to Zainab Ahmad, Minister of Finance.
Under the policy launched in 2016, whistleblowers earn from 2.5% to 5% from the funds recovered by the government.
Speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, the minister said a draft bill was introduced to save the policy.
“The ministry of finance, budget and national planning presented a number of memos today. The first is the draft whistleblower bill for 2022. This memo has been reviewed by council and approved with a provision to ensure alignment with the Evidence Act.
“The purpose of operationalising and putting in place a whistleblower bill is to strengthen the fight against corruption and to also enable protection for whistleblowers that provide information for use by government.
“As you know since 2016, the council had approved the setting up of the presidential initiative of continuous audit (PICA). PICA has been working in partnership with EFCC, ICPC, DSS, NFIU as well as the office of the attorney-general of the federation.
“We noticed that the whistleblower policy response has lost momentum. We embarked on engagements in the six geo-political zones and one of the main outcome that we found is that people are concerned about their safety as a result of providing information. So this bill is critical to ensure the effectiveness of the retention of the whistle policy.”
...wants others to follow suit to allow a PDP govt in the State.
The People's Democratic Party, PDP House of Representatives candidate vying to represent Abeokuta South Federal Constituency at the green Chambers of the national assembly, Chief Toyin Amuzu has applauded Chief Segun Seriki and other members of the Bamgbose group in the party, for embracing peace and doing away with litigations or any obstacle that could jeopardize the chances of winning the 2023 elections by the PDP in the State.
Chief Toyin Amuzu who stated this was reacting to Prince Segun Seriki's statement titled, "THE TIME FOR PURPOSEFUL UNIFICATION OF OGUN PDP IS NOW" announcing an end to all litigations from the Bamgbose group, said the PDP in Ogun State is now one.
The content of the letter partly reads that "an interactive meeting of party elders, exco members and candidates that emerged under the Bamgbose led state exco was held today 5th December 2022 where the position of unification for electoral victory was discussed and resolved to enable the emergence of the widely sort after change into a PDP government by the good people of Ogun state.
"Consequently, we hereby decide to discontinue all litigations in which my people and I are involved forthwith. We shall therefore recognise all PDP candidates as declared by the National Working Committee, NWC of our great party and work assiduously for their victory. Therefore, the constructive engagement with the Ogun state PDP gubernatorial candidate, Hon(Dr) Oladipupo Adebutu, which through some emissaries; he also had been desirous of, has thereafter been promptly initiated. Our decision is sincerely aimed at ensuring that PDP as a close-knitted political family that we are, should win this war to liberate the good people of Ogun state from current avoidable public administration adversity into enhanced socioeconomic emancipation and progressive governance. We seek not to be part of anything that would ever make Ogun PDP loose again, as it is in victory therein lies benefits for all and sundry."
The letter was coming some days after various court verdicts had affirmed all candidates of the PDP put forward by its National body which produced Chief Ladi Adebutu as the gubernatorial candidate, with Chief Olumide Aderinokun and Chief Toyin Amuzu as the Ogun Central Senatorial candidate and House of Representatives candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency respectively.
Chief Toyin Amuzu said the Bamgbose group had taken a right decision to allow peace for the benefit of the people, saying "it is now clear that Ogun PDP is one and ready to send the ruling party away having failed to impact positively on the lives of the people.
He enjoined other genuine members of the Party to embrace peace and work with the PDP rescue team who are ready to improve the lives of the people and enhance the development of various communities.
Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation has announced an extension of the resumption date for the Abuja-Kaduna rail services.
Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, disclosed this to newsmen in Kaduna on Sunday on an inspection tour to assess the state of readiness of the Abuja-Kaduna rail services before the commencement of operations.
He however did not give a specific date for the resumption but noted that it will not be more than one week.
According to the minister, FG has introduced a new system of purchasing tickets, which he said is the beginning of security checks which will enable the government ascertain who boards the train at every point in time.
It would be recalled that the FG last week announced that the Abuja-Kaduna rail services would resume operations on November 28, 2022.
The Abuja-Kaduna train service was temporarily halted eight months ago when terrorists planted explosives that derailed the train AK-9 while on its last lap from Abuja to Kaduna.
The terrorist had killed nine and abducted over 60 passengers, all of whom have been released.
Immediate past Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola has disclosed that his administration is leaving behind for the incoming government a total sum of N14billion cash in the State’s coffers.
Oyetola also revealed that his government had successfully paid N97billion from the total debt inherited in 2018 when he assumed office.
He disclosed that his administration didn’t borrow a dime anywhere in the world to finance the economy of the State, saying he successfully kept faith and maintained fidelity with his electoral promises since the assumption of office.
The former Governor made the disclosure in his farewell statement to the people of the State, indicating the expiration of his first term in office.
Oyetola was sworn in on 27th November, 2018 taking over from his predecessor, former Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
The results of the last governorship election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) favoured Senator Ademola Adeleke, a decision that is already being challenged by Oyetola and his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Osogbo.
Oyetola in his address, averred that his administration has put Osun’s economy on a surer footing through the myriad people-centred and masses-focused projects timely and promptly implemented to make life worthwhile for the people of the State.
According to him, Osun under his watch has been stable economically as manifested in the astronomical increment in the GDP of the State since he assumed office.
“As I step aside today following the conclusion of the four-year tenure you freely gave me, I thank God and I thank you for your support, cooperation and prayers over the years.
“I recall how the journey began four years ago; how by your belief in me and your conviction in the plans and programmes of our Party, you exercised your right to vote for me.
“As we draw the curtains on this first tenure, we are convinced that we neither reneged on our promise nor disappointed you. We kept faith with you and maintained fidelity with our electoral promises. It was our wish to continue to serve you but we are constrained by the outcomes of the July 16 Governorship election which we are already challenging in court.
“As a law-abiding citizen and government, we are stepping aside to allow the law take its course.
“However, we look forward to continue to serve you in no distant future. We have absolute trust in God that we shall be back soon, as we have implicit trust and confidence in the Judiciary to do justice in the case before it.
“We are confident that this period of temporary political eclipse shall pass. The sun shall shine again, brighter and warmer and the sustainable development and participatory governance that we enthroned, which have been applauded by local and international organizations, shall be restored and put on a surer and better footing.
“There can be no substitute to people-oriented and development-savvy governance in a democracy. The tap roots of the unprecedented good governance, inclusive and participatory governance that we introduced, which delivered massive equitable projects and programmes are too strong to be uprooted.
“As we end our first term, rest assured that Osun is more stable economically than we met it in 2018 and it remained the most peaceful state in the country under our leadership.
“For four years, we did not take any bank loan facility. But we benefitted from the N3billion monthly intervention from the federal Government to all the States for six months to cushion the effect of deductions of budget support facility and salary bailout accessed by the previous administration, just as we have paid N97 billion from the total debt we inherited in 2018.
“We are leaving behind cash of over N14 billion. In addition to the N14 billion cash, another N8 billion is being expected between December and January from our performance in SFTAS and the IGR. Also, another Seventy-Two million Dollars will come to the State soon from RAMP 3, NG-CARES, Nigeria for Women Project and Ease of Doing Business. These are earned, based on performance. And we have indeed performed to earn them. It was part of the same performance that earned us the award of Best Governor on Efficiency of Public Expenditure and TOP Performer on Domestic Revenue Mobilisation by the World Bank’s States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability, SFTAS, recently.
“We have gone this length to let you know that Osun under our leadership was sustainable. It was done through fiscal discipline and personal sacrifices.
“On behalf of our team, I appeal to you all to continue to be law abiding and to work assiduously to build the Osun of our dream. Together, we shall continue to mend the broken walls of our dear State and restore her glory for our collective good and that of posterity. Thank you all and may God continue to bless Osun,” Oyetola added.
More...
..orders reversal of State's name, freezing of accounts, first appointments
The newly inaugurated Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has frozen all government accounts in the state.
Adeleke directed this in his first executive order upon inauguration on Sunday.
Adeleke, in his speech delivered at the inauguration, alleged that the erstwhile governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola, carried out some actions “maliciously” after he (Adeleke) won the July 16 governorship election, including “hurried” employments without provisions to sustain them.
He claimed these actions were roadblocks channeled at making things difficult for his administration.
Adeleke also reversed the state name from ‘State of Osun’ to ‘Osun State’, saying the former was alien to the constitution.
“My Good People of Osun, since you elected me as your governor on the July 16, 2022, which the Independent National Electoral Commission announced on July 17, 2022, the former Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, maliciously started putting road blocks to make things difficult and almost impossible for the new administration to serve you.
“Mass employment were carried out without budgetary provisions for salary payments for the new employees; even when the state was struggling to pay salaries and deliver other services. Various hurried and criminally backdated contracts were awarded and again without budgetary provisions.
“Appointments of several Obas were hurriedly done without following due process, just to mention a few.
“All efforts to get the governor set up a Transition Committee and submit hand-over notes in line with best practices proved abortive.
“It is therefore my desire to ask for your patience and understanding to give my administration a few weeks to review and sort out all the actions and malicious confusions which the immediate past administration has created since July 17, 2022. Those actions were indeed vindictive measures against the people of Osun State for voting them out of office,” Adeleke said.
Giving new orders, he said, “Consequently, I hereby issue the following directives which will be backed up with appropriate Executive orders:
“Immediate freezing of all government accounts in banks and other financial institutions;
“Immediate establishment of a panel to carry out an inventory and recover all government asset.
“An immediate establishment of a panel to review all appointments and major decisions of the immediate past administration taken after July 17, 2022.
“An immediate reversal to the constitutionally recognised name of our state, ‘Osun State’. All government insignia, correspondences and signages should henceforth reflect Osun State rather than State of Osun which is unknown to the Nigerian constitution.”
Adeleke in his speech, also said he would correct injustices of past administrations.
In a related development, the new governor announced his first appointments after inauguration on Sunday.
Adeleke appointed Kazeem Akinleye as his Chief of Staff.
The governor also announced the appointment of ex-chairman, Osogbo Local Government, Teslim Igbalaye, as Secretary to the State Government.
A statement signed by the governor also announced the appointment of Olawale Rasheed as his spokesperson.
“The appointments take immediate effect,” the statement partly read.
A governorship hopeful of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election in Ogun State, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, has accused the state Governor, Dapo Abiodun of hijacking the annual Akesan Day celebration of Iperuland and turning it into a political rally.
Adebutu made the allegation while addressing journalists at the festival in Iperu on Sunday.
Adebutu who said Abiodun would be sent packing after next year’s election, said the state would witness “good governance and enjoy peace.”
Adebutu said: “In the next six months comfort shall return to the people of Iperuland and the entire Ogun people, we shall have security, we shall have good governance, we shall have peace in our State and shall have a system that is all embracing.”
Adebutu also said, “Turning the festival into a political rally has deprived the people of Iperu a benefiting Akesan day celebration.
“Before today, we have always had a nonpartisan activity, but you can see the folly of today’s activity. Somebody because of your little mindlessness has turned it into a partisan event. This occasion is an Iperu event, but it has been turned into a campaign event for one person and it has been dragged into a campaign movement for one person.
“This is meant to be for Iperu and for Iperu indigenes as a whole, but somebody has dragged it into one person single event and if that is the case, we can leave him to go and do his thing and the rest of Iperu will go and do our thing, one person can not be the entire Iperuland.”
Both Adebutu and Abiodun are prominent indigenes of Iperu in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.
While Abiodun is a Prince of Iperu, Adebutu is a high chief, the Seriki of Lopere of Akesanland, a title which makes him one of the kingmakers in Iperu.
Akesan Day is an annual festival where sons and daughters, including well-wishers of the town, converge for the celebration.
But this year’s celebration witnessed a new twist as both Abiodun and Adebutu held separate celebrations at different locations in the town.
The number of inmates in the various custodial centres across the country rose by 18,805 between 2015 and 2022, a document by the Ministry of Interior has shown.
The report titled, ‘A documentation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration scorecard (2015–2023)’, shows that in 2015, there were 56,704 inmates, but so far in 2022, the figure has increased to 75,509.
The report states that out of this figure, 52,710 inmates, representing 69.8 per cent, were awaiting trial. The figure comprised 51,481 males and 1,229 females. Similarly, it noted that 3,145 inmates, comprising 3,084 males and 61 females, were on death row.
“The Corrections Information Management System, which captures the records and biometrics of every inmate in the custodial centres to facilitate quick dispensation of justice, has so far been deployed in all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory,” the document stated.
The ministry, which oversees the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Service Board, noted in the document that there had been massive infrastructural upgrades across the custodial centres.
“A total of 112 new custodial centres have been built, 20 new cells have been added in prisons where space allows, and old cells have been renovated to improve living conditions in most custodial facilities,” it added.
It said in partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria, there were about 420 inmates running degree and postgraduate degree programmes, while about 100 inmates had been enrolled for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination and that of the National Examination Council, in addition to adult literacy classes.
Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has directed selected passport offices across the country to work on Saturdays in order to clear backlog of passport applications.
The NIS said this on Saturday in a statement by Tony Akuneme, its public relations officer.
Akuneme said Isa Jere, comptroller-general, gave the directive to enable the service reduce the backlog ocassioned by the 2020 and 2021 prolonged lockdown due to the Covid pandemic.
“The C-G has directed that passport offices across the country with high volume of pending applications to work on Saturdays,” the statement reads.
“The period for this exercise is expected to be every Saturday commencing from December 3, 2022 to January 28, 2023 between the period of 10 am to 2 pm.
“This is to enhance our service delivery to our esteemed clients.
“The Saturdays proceding the Christmas and New Year holidays are exempted.”
According to the statement, Jere also approved the deployment of the passport controller in Ekiti to Jigawa, while the one in Ondo was moved to the NIS zonal office in Ibadan.
The NIS spokesman said going forward, the comptroller-general will hold passport officials accountable for any acts of indiscipline by officials under their watch.
He added that the CG has resolved to make passport services available and stress-free to the public, especially during the festive season.