21022019 - ‘UNLAWFUL ORDERS’: Withdraw your statement, Army chief tells Atiku

C 

M 

Y 

K 

OLU FASAN 

STATE OF THE NATION 

Poll shifts in 

Nigeria: It's 

abject state 

failure 

32 

How I paid 

$30,000 into 

Onnoghen’s 

domiciliary 

account 

— Agi, SAN 

9 

Saraki, Attah 

commend 

Udom over 

Ibom Air 12 

Stock Market: Bulls defy political uncertainty 

19 

VOL. 26: NO. 63749 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019 

•Buhari 

Anybody who 

decides to 

snatch boxes or 

lead thugs to 

disturb the 

election, maybe 

that would be 

the last 

unlawful action 

you would 

take. I have 

given the 

military and 

police the order 

to be ruthless. 

•Atiku 

‘UNLAWFUL ORDERS’: 

I want to 

direct this 

message to our 

military 

commanders 

and officers. 

You know that 

the military 

commanders 

and officers are 

not bound to 

execute orders 

that are 

manifestly 

unlawful. 

•Buratai 

Polls: FG 

declares Friday 

public holiday, 

•Says PDP candidate trying to incite Army against constituted authority excludes 

•Obey orders, be loyal 100 per cent or resign, Buratai tells officers, soldiers banks 10 

•Don’t politicise military, PDP warns, adds Buhari lacks powers to deploy soldiers for election 

•Leave politics, tackle insurgency, Atiku replies COAS 

•FEC backs Buhari's order on ballot box snatchers 

Mr & Mrs 

Continues on Page 5 

35 14 

6 

It is 

unfortunate to 

hear persons 

who are 

aspiring to 

rule this 

country again 

inciting the 

army to 

disobedience....I 

request such 

persons to 

withdraw this 

inciting 

statement. 

Withdraw your statement, 

Army chief tells Atiku 

By Kingsley Omonobi, Joseph Erunke & Dirisu Yakubu 

ABUJA — Chief of 

Army Staff, Lt. 

General Tukur 

Buhari declines 

assent to 

NOSDRA 

amendment 

bill 

8 

Buratai, yesterday, asked 

the presidential candidate 

of the Peoples Democratic 

Police deploy 

7,000 

personnel to 

monitor 

elections in 

Benue 

Party, PDP, and former Vice 

President, Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar, to withdraw his 

statement asking the Army 

to disobey the president's 

directive to be ruthless on 

ballot box snatchers. 

Speaking at a meeting he 

Polls: Buhari, APC 

bent on armtwisting 

security, 

INEC to compromise 

process —PDP 

held with Principal Staff 

Officers, General Officers 

Herdsmen kill 

16 in Agatu, 

Benue 

COLUMNISTS AMAECHI 40 ADAMOLEKUN 46 GAMBO DORI 17

2 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019 — 3


vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews 

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019 — 5 

POCKET CARTOON 

PREPARING FOR POLLS—Some INEC officials sorting out some sensitive 

materials for the rescheduled 2019 presidential and National Assembly 

elections at the Central Bank office in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: NAN. 

Withdraw your statement, Army 

chief tells Atiku 

Continues from Page 1 

Commanding and Brigade 

Commanders ahead of the 

polls billed to commence 

this Saturday, Buratai 

warned politicians and 

their supporters against 

testing the will of the army, 

insisting that those found 

to have violated the law, 

will be treated in line with 

President Buhari’s 

directive. 

At an emergency caucus 

meeting of the All 

Progressives Congress 

(APC) in Abuja last 

Monday, the President 

warned that anyone who 

foments trouble, especially 

by carrying ballot boxes, 

would be doing so at the 

“expense of his life.” 

”Anybody who decides to 

snatch boxes or lead thugs 

to disturb the election, 

maybe that would be the 

last unlawful action you 

would take. I have given the 

military and police the order 

to be ruthless. 

”I am going to warn 

anybody who thinks he 

would lead a body of thugs 

in his locality to snatch 

boxes or to disturb the 

voting system; he would do 

it at the expense of his/her 

own life,” the president 

said. 

Reacting to the President's 

orders, PDP Presidential 

Candidate, Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar, speaking at the 

84th emergency meeting of 

the PDP national executive 

council, said Buhari was not 

involved in the struggle for 

democracy in Nigeria. 

“I want to direct this 

message to our military 

commanders and officers. 

You know that the military 

commanders and officers 

are not bound to execute 

orders that are manifestly 

unlawful,” Atiku said. 

“This is the law, this is the 

tradition in the military; so 

if you are a professional 

military officer and soldier 

and also a policeman, you 

are not bound to execute an 

order that is manifestly 

unlawful, no matter who 

issues that order.” 

Atiku's statement 

unfortunate — 

COAS 

Buratai, who said that 

Atiku’s statement was 

unfortunate given that he 

was in the highest level of 

government in the country 

before and knew fully that 

the Nigerian Army in 

particular and the military 

in general are meant to 

obey the orders of the 

Commander-In-Chief of 

the Nigerian Armed Forces 

to the latter, said they will 

treat Buhari’s latest order 

with exception. 

Alhaji Abubakar 

however, fired back at the 

Army Chief, urging him to 

channel his energy to 

tackling insurgency in 

some parts of the country 

rather than dabbling into 

partisan realm. 

On its part, the PDP 

warned Buratai not to drag 

officers and men of the 

military into the murky 

waters of partisan politics, 

adding that President 

Buhari lacks the powers to 

deploy the military for 

election purposes, as there 

is a subsisting judgement 

of the Court of Appeal, 

which on February 15, 

2015, held that the 

President has no powers to 

deploy soldiers in the 

conduct of elections. 

FEC backs 

Buhari’s 

directives 

This came as the Federal 

Executive Council, FEC, 

yesterday, backed 


directives to security 

agencies to be ruthless with 

ballot box snatchers in the 

coming polls. 

Briefing State House 

correspondents after the 

weekly FEC presided over 

by the President at the 

Council Chamber, 

Presidential Villa, Abuja, 

Minister of Information and 

Culture, Alhaji Lai 

Mohammed said: 

“Absolutely. I mean if you 

want to intimidate voters to 

steal the mandate of the 

people, you should be able 

to face the wrath of the 

law.” 

Speaking at a meeting he 

held with the Principal Staff 

Officers, General Officers 

Commanding and Brigade 

Commanders ahead of the 

polls billed to commence 

this Saturday, Buratai 

warned politicians and 

their supporters against 

testing the will of the army, 

insisting that those found 

to have violated the law, 

will be treated in line with 


directive. 

Although, he did not 

categorically mention the 

former Vice President’s 

name, his description of the 

subject of his address 

pointed to the PDP 

presidential candidate. 

His words: “It is 

unfortunate to hear persons 

who are aspiring to rule this 

country again inciting the 

army to disobedience. We 

have consistently stated our 

position in the political 

dispensation to remain 

neutral and apolitical. 

“However, direct and 

public incitement of the 

Nigerian Military against 

democracy and constituted 

civil authority will not be 

tolerated. I request such 

persons to withdraw this 

inciting statement. Let me 

re-emphasize loud and 

clear that the Nigerian 

Army is a professional 

army.” 

Turning to the Army 

personnel, Buratai 

said:”The foundation of 

military professionalism is 

discipline and without 

discipline an army cannot 

stand. One of our core 

values is loyalty to 

constituted authority. 

“Loyalty must be 100 per 

cent. I shall leave you in 

no doubt as to our resolve 

to bequeath a 

professionally responsive 

army to Nigeria and 

Nigerians.” 

The army chief disclosed 

that personnel attached to 

retired Army Generals, 

especially those who have 

become politicians will be 

withdrawn just as he said 

no political actors will be 

allowed Army escort. 

“Should any officer or 

soldier have doubts as to 

his loyalty to the Nigerian 

State as presently 

constituted, such a person 

has up to February 22, 2019 

to resign. There is no room 

for indiscipline or 

disobedience to lawful 

orders in the Nigerian 

Army today. 

“I want to remind all here 

present that the act of 

electoral thuggery, 

snatching of ballot boxes, 

Continues on Page 41 

By Bose Adelaja, Ebun Sessou, Yinka 

Latona, Sophia Ogu & 

Chiamaka Uba 

ELECTIONS: Do you think postponement'll guarantee free, fair exercise? (4) 

APC government has 

failed Nigerians. I 

don’t think there will be 

election on February 23 

2019 again. 

Everybody is calling on 

the INEC chairman, Prof. 

Mahmood Yakubu to 

step down. 

He knows that all that is 

playing out is a game by 

the ruling party and he 

is just trying to keep 

quiet. 

Mr.Waheed Kareem 

Worker 

Yes, I believe there will 

be free and fair 

election. No matter what 

anybody does, I believe 

the Independent 

National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, is 

capable of conducting a 

credible election this 

year. Nigerians should 

be rest assured that 

election will hold and it 

will be free and fair. 

Mr. Jimoh Saheed 

Businessman 

hen the goal post 

Wis changed at the 

last minute, the credibility 

of the process is irrevocably 

compromised. The 

Independent National 

Electoral Commission 

,INEC, postponed the 

election in a way that 

discredits their claim of 

impartiality. I doubt if the 

election would have 

been postponed if it was 

going to favour the ruling 

party. Mr. Fasipe 

Oluyemi, 

Communication strategist 

I 

assume the elections 

will be free and fair 

because if INEC does not 

encounter any 

challenge. It was 

difficult to postpone an 

election Nigeria spent so 

much resources on. 

Without cogent reasons, 

the election would not 

have been postponed. 

Without challenges the 

polls would be free and 

fair. 

Mr Omobola 

Adenuga, Engineer 

With the current 

situation, the 

election will not be free 

and fair. W-In a free and 

fair contest, Atiku will 

win but with the help of 

the armed forces and 

INEC, the election will 

be rigged in favour of 

the APC and the UK and 

PDP supporters will not 

accept the result which 

might lead to the 

election being declared 

inconclusive. 

Mr. Ogelenya Moses 

Student 

According to INEC, 

a last minute 

review of its logistics and 

operational plans 

necessitated the 

election postponment. 

Obviously, INEC is not 

telling Nigerians the 

whole truth about the 

postponement. 

And that, itself raises a 

big question on the 

prospects of a free and 

fair exercise next week. 

Miss Abiodun 

Omolara, Student

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019 

Vigilantes kill 

okadaman for 

riding against 

traffic 

By Paul Olayemi 

& Perez Brisibe 

SAPELE—THE alleged 

killing of an okadaman 

reportedly ridding against traffic 

by vigilante men in Sapele, 

Delta State on Tuesday, caused 

pandemonium yesterday in the 

town, just as an operative of the 

Delta State Traffic Management 

Authority, DESTMA, narrowly 

escaped death same day. 

A source, who pleaded 

anonymity, told Vanguard that 

the commercial motorcycle rider, 

Abubakar, was flagged down in 

Amukpe area of the town by the 

vigilante members, who alleged 

he was riding against traffic. 

An eyewitness said: “They 

were about six in number and 

were demanding money from 

him, but the okada rider stood 

his ground, saying he had no 

money.” 

The argument was said to 

have resulted in a fracas, while 

the passenger he was carrying 

dashed to the nearest military 

check point to inform the 

military men on duty. 

He continued: “But before 

they got there, he was already 

beaten comatose by the 

vigilante men, who had fled the 

scene. 

“Men of the Nigerian Army 

rushed the unconscious okada 

rider to hospital, but we learned 

he died at about 7p.m. and 

since then policemen have not 

stopped haunting for the 

vigilante men.” 

An emergency meeting 

between the community and 

Arewa leaders in that axis was 

said to have been quickly 

arranged to calm fray nerves, 

especially the ones from 

Northern extraction. 

At press time, the Police could 

not be reached to confirm the 

story but a source at the 

Sapele Police Station, said: 

“Though I heard something 

like that, we have not been 

properly briefed.” 

Also on Tuesday, an 

operative of DESTMA 

narrowly escaped death after 

he was shot at. 

Confirming the attack, 

DESTMA Ughelli Zonal 

Head, Desmond Adu, said the 

matter had been reported at 

the Ughelli ‘A’ Division Police 

Station, adding that 

“DESTMA is not certain if the 

incident is connected with the 

ongoing cult clashes in the 

town.” 

Giving the name of the 

victim as Adausi Oyedenefa, 

the DESTMA zonal head 

said: “At about 10a.m, one of 

my officers was at his market 

beat and while he was there 

controlling vehicles to ease 

traffic, two boys dressed in 

black on motorcycle, accosted 

him, brought out a gun, shot at 

him and immediately sped off.” 

Herdsmen kill 16 in Agatu 

By Peter Duru 

MAKURDI—NO fewer than 16 

persons, including children 

were, yesterday, killed in an early 

morning attack on Ebete village, 

Usha ward in Agatu Local 

Government Area of Benue State by 

herdsmen. 

Vanguard gathered that the armed 

invaders stormed the fishing 

settlement at about 1a.m. and in less 

than 30 minutes 13 Agatu fishermen, 

including children and three Jukum 

hunters, who reside in the 

community, were gunned down. 

An eyewitness, Daddy Seni, who 

narrowly escaped death but lost his 

father and siblings in the attack, said 

he left his father at Ebete and was 

heading to Aloko community few 

minutes before the attack. 

Seni said: “Immediately I left Ebete 

for Aloko at about 1a.m. in the course 

of fishing, which is where we earn 

our livelihood, I received a call from 

my father asking me to turn back that 

part of our community, Ebete, was 

under attack by armed herdsmen. 

“He told me he had been shot by 

herdsmen who were shooting at 

anything on sight. 

“I rushed back with my canoe and 

almost ran into the armed herdsmen. 

But I was able to hide myself in the 

bush and clearly saw and heard them 

speak their language while they 

pulled out of the scene, though I could 

not ascertain their number. 

“I later located my father and saw 

where he was lying in a pool of his 

blood. I made effort to take him to the 

hospital, but he said I should look for 

my siblings because they were also 

shot. 

“At that point, my dying father urged 

me not to bother about them because 

they obviously would not make it to 

the hospital. 

“He asked me to run for my dear 

life and alert others about the attack. 

Shortly after, he died. That was when 

I could move him.” 

Semi said his three siblings did not 

make it alive. 

Contacted, Acting Chairman of 

Agatu Local Government Area, Mr. 

Alhaji Oyigocho, who visited the 

community alongside security 

personnel, lamented the massacre but 

appealed for calm, advising his 

people to allow law enforcement 

agencies take control of the situation. 

He said: “Among the 16 victims of 

the cold-blooded murder by 

By Daud Olatunji 

ABEOKUTA—A 70-year-old 

cleric, Rev. Isaac Newton-Wusu, 

has been dragged before an Ogun 

State High Court sitting in Isabo, 

Abeokuta, for allegedly raping some 

students of Stephen Centre 

International School in Abeokuta. 

Newton-Wusu, who is also the 

Director of the school, was accused 

of raping and assaulting some 

students aged between 12 and 16 

years. 

The reverend, who was arraigned 

on a five- count charge bothering on 

rape, indecent assault, among others 

contrary and punishable under 

Sections 358, 359,360, respectively, of 

herdsmen, three were Jukum 

hunters, who were hunting 

when they met their untimely 

death while two other hunters, 

who sustained bullet wounds, 

have been moved to a nearby 

hospital.” 

Also, Commander of the joint 

military operation in the state, 

code-named Operation Whirl 

Stroke, Major General Adeyemi 

Yekini, said said: “I received a 

report this afternoon (yesterday) 

that some people were killed in 

Agatu by suspected armed 

bandits. I am not sure of the 

number of casualty yet. 

“We have sent a patrol team 

to the general area where the 

incident happened. The location 

where it happened, although is 

in Benue, but it can better be 

the Criminal Code, Vol. 1, 

Revised Law of Ogun State, 

2016. 

He, however, pleaded not 

guilty to the charges. 

In the charge sheet, the 

Reverend was alleged to have 

forcefully raped one of the 

victims on four different 

occasions sometime in 2010 at 

his office in Abeokuta. 

The allegation against the 

septuagenarian also include 

assault on some of the female 

students in the school by 

allegedly ripping off their 

underwears and forcefully 

having carnal knowledge of 

them. 

accessed through Loko in 

Nasarawa State. 

“We are already sending a 

patrol team there to verify what 

really happened.” 

...as troops, herdsmen 

clash in Makurdi 

Meanwhile, the state 

Chairman of Myetti Allah 

Cattle Breeders Association, 

MACBAN, Haruna Ibi, 

yesterday, alleged that two of 

their members were killed and 

burnt by soldiers at the Adeke 

area of Makurdi town after a 

gun battle. 

However, leader of the joint 

military patrol team of 

Operation Whirl Stroke, Flight 

Lieutenant Abubakar 

Mohammed, whose team 

70-yr-old cleric accused of raping minors in Ogun 

However, when the case was 

presented at High Court 6 in 

Abeokuta, the defence counsel, 

Samuel Nwaji, appealed to the 

court to grant the Reverend 

bail. 

Nwaji stressed that 

Newton-Wusu should be 

granted bail on selfrecognition, 

promising that 

the accused would not flee 

after his freedom. 

He maintained that the 

court should admit the 

defendant on bail on liberal 

terms. 

In his counter-argument, 

the state counsel, Solomon 

Mareh, insisted that the 

patrolled the Adeke surrounding 

area where the incident 

supposedly happened, 

acknowledged the exchange of 

gunfire with the herders in the 

area, but denied knowledge of the 

killing or burning of corpses. 

Corroborating the troop patrol 

leader, the Force Commander, 

Major General Yekini, lamented 

that his men had repeatedly 

encountered herdsmen in the 

state, who usually opened fire on 

the troops. 

But Chairman of MACBAN, 

who was in company of his 

officials, claimed that the bodies 

of the victims had been recovered 

from the scene of the incident. 

On his part, Ardo of Otukpo, 

Risku Mohammed, said the 

deceased were members of his 

branch, stressing that they were 

with their cattle at about 12 noon 

when they ran into the soldiers. 

One of the tents in the fishing community where the herdsmen killed 16. 

Reverend is not who the defence 

counsel described him to be. 

Mareh claimed the defendant 

has a penchant for tampering 

with witnesses. 

He also maintained that the bail 

should be granted to the 

defendant judiciously and 

judicially. 

The judge, Justice Solomon 

Olugbemi, granted the defendant 

N5 million bail with two sureties 

who must have tax clearance of 

three years and reside within the 

jurisdiction of the court. 

Justice Olugbemi also 

adjourned the case till April 4 for 

hearing of the preliminary 

objection of the suit.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019—7 

3 more killed in raging Benin cult war 

By Gabriel Enogholase 

BENIN—NO fewer than three 

persons were allegedly killed 

between Tuesday night and the 

early hours of yesterday in cultrelated 

clashes in Benin city, Edo 

State capital. 

The new development coming 

on the heels of the alleged killings 

of eight persons in different 

locations in Benin, weekend, was 

confirmed by the Edo State Police 

Command. 

According to the spokesman of 

the state Police Command, Chidi 

Nwabuzor, a 19-year-old boy, 

Godspower Edobor, was killed at 

By Dennis Agbo 

A 

lecturer in the school of 

Medical Sciences, University 

of Nigeria Teaching Hospital 

Enugu, Dr. Jones Nwosu, has 

dragged a corporate dealer in 

electrical appliances, Benny 

Brothers Nigeria limited to court 

for selling a defective refrigerator 

to him and reneged on the 

warranty of the product. 

The matter which has been in 

the Enugu Magistrate court since 

2017, however, suffered setback 

when it came up for cross 

examination of defence witness as 

the applicant was served a notice 

by the defendant’s counsel to join 

the manufacturer of the defective 

Omozeghian street, off Okhoro 

road, in the early hours of 

yesterday. 

It was, however, gathered that 

two others were killed at different 

locations in Benin metropolis. 

The PPRO said several arrests 

have been made in connection with 

the killings although he did not 

specify the number of persons in 

police custody. 

He said: “Killings from clashes 

by rival cult groups have continued 

unabated in Edo State. The 

renewed clashes between the cult 

groups have claimed several lives 

and the Police is aware of it and 

adequate security measures have 

refrigerator, Skyrun, alongside one 

Emeka, a sales representative of 

the manufacturing firm. 

Counsel to the lecturer, Mr. 

Chijioke Eze, however sought for 

adjournment of the matter to enable 

him file a counter affidavit opposing 

the motion, on the ground that he 

was served in court. 

Eze, who argued that his client, 

was not privy to the contract with 

Skyrun since the said product was 

purchased from Benny Brothers, 

also contended that it was a 2017 

matter which ought to have been 

dispensed with. 

He posited that , “filling such 

application at this time is in bad 

faith with intent to cause delay and 

further frustrate the plight of the 

been put in place. 

“Just yesterday, there was a 

joint security raiding of criminal 

hideouts and black spots. This 

raiding is geared towards 

making the state free of cult 

killings. 

“So far, we have recorded 

incidents where lives were 

lost. One was at Odemwingie 

Hotel, around Upper 

Sakponba. And this 

morning(yesterday), we heard 

of a boy of 19 years, who was 

killed around Okhoro area. 

“Several deaths have been 

recorded, but I cannot give you 

the exact number now.” 

Lecturer sues firm over 

defective refrigerator 

Navy foils vandals attempt to 

export 35,000 litres stolen petrol 

By Evelyn Usman 

Awooden boat with outboard 

engines and 1,400 jerry cans 

of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) 

all valued at N20 million was 

intercepted by operatives of the 

Nigerian Navy Ship NNS 

Beecroft, Apapa, Lagos 

The Commander, Nigerian Navy 

Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Rear 

Adm. Okon Eyo, who made the 

disclosure while speaking to 

journalists at the command in 

Apapa, Lagos, said 27 empty 

drums were also intercepted, 

adding that the vandals on 

sighting naval men fled and 

abandoned the products. 

Eyo, who was represented by 

the Executive Officer, NNS 

BEECROFT, Capt. Paul Dogara, 

said “The NNS BEECROFT, 

based on intelligence, arrested a 

Cotonou boat at Akaraba sea side 

area of Atlas Cove, Lagos, at about 

01:00 hours on Feb. 8. 

“The Cotonou boat has 1,400 

jerry cans of 25 litres of suspected 

PMS, 27 empty drums and 5 x 

7SHP outboard engines. 

“The estimated suspected stolen 

PMS is 35,000 litres valued at 

about N5,075,000 only while the 

Cotonou boat and the outboard 

engines are valued at about N15 

million. 

“The total sum of the arrested 

boat with its contents is N20, 

075,000 only,” he said. 

He noted that Atlas Cove was 

central to reception and distribution 

of refined petroleum products to 

other Nigerian National Petroleum 

Corporation (NNPC) depots at 


TWO suspected robbers, Hafiz 

Omidokun (29) and Peter 

Babalola (27), were arrested 

yesterday, at Iyana-Ilogbo area in 

Ogun State for allegedly robbing 

two policewomen. 

It was learned that the women 

were driving from Ifo to Sango Otta 

and on getting to Iyana-Ilogbo 

area, the two suspects suddenly 

double crossed them with a 

motorcycle and held them hostage 

with a locally made pistol. 

After collecting their bags and 

phones, the suspects were about 

to climb back their motorcycle when 

the two women officers engaged 

then in a fight and raised alarm. 

Having sensed danger, the 

suspects took to their heels while 

the women officers with the help 

of passers-by gave pursued them. 

plaintiff, as the defendant has 

been in custody of the product 

since 2017 till date and has 

refused to remedy the situation 

hence we are in court.” 

He added that his client 

discovered that the 

refrigerator was faulty since 

January 2016 when he 

bought it and promptly 

reported to the seller same 

day. 

He said: “It drips water and it 

electrocutes. My client has no 

deal with Skyrun, since he did 

not buy anything from them.” 

The presiding magistrate, 

Chief Magistrate A. P. Amalu, 

adjourned the matter till March 

4, for further argument on it. 

Mosimi, Ore, Ibadan and 

Shagamu areas. 

“Consequently, the facility has 

become very attractive to 

vandals, petroleum thieves and 

pirates. This arrest represents 

a major achievement on our 

constitutional mandate.” 

2 nabbed while robbing 

policewomen in Ogun 

Realising that they were about 

to be caught, the suspects made 

an attempt to snatch another 

motorcycle for the purpose of 

using it to escape, but they were 

apprehended. 

But for the quick arrival of the 

DPO Sango Division, CSP 

Oyedele Nasirudeen, who had 

earlier received the distress call, 

the suspects would have been 

lynched. 

Recovered from them were 

one locally made pistol, one 

expended cartridge and a 

motorcycle. 

Spokesperson, DSP Abimbola 

Oyeyemi, said the 

Commissioner of Police, Ahmed 

Iliyasu, has ordered the 

immediate transfer of the 

suspects to Special Anti- 

Robbery Squad, SARS, for 

discreet investigation. 

... with Emma'nKen (08163121378) 

Anthony Joshua is like: 

Jarell Miller you pushed me? 

Ijebu blow for you on June 1 

When you have a son that 

can sell your toothbrush 

Dreaming of diamond when I'm 

still paying for our wedding cake?

8—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019 

VISIT: From left, Minister of State for African Affairs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ahmad 

Qattan; Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Adnan Mahmoud Bostaji; President 

Muhammadu Buhari, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, during a visit of 

Special Envoy of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the 

President at State House, Abuja, yesterday. 

Polls: Deployment of sensitive materials 

ends today— INEC 

I NDEPENDENT 


Commission, INEC, 

yesterday, said it will complete 

the deployment of sensitive 

election materials to the 

nation’s 774 local government 

areas for the Saturday 

elections by today. 

INEC Chairman, Prof. 

Mahmood Yakubu, while 

addressing newsmen, 

yesterday, in Abuja said the 

commission was making 

good progress on logistics for 

the rescheduled elections. 

He said: “I briefed you on 

Tuesday that having moved 

the sensitive materials to the 

36 states and the Federal 

Capital Territory, the forward 

deployment to the 774 local 

government areas 

nationwide will commence 

today (Wednesday February 

20) and be concluded on 

Thursday February 21 

(today). 

“Already, 10 states of 

Adamawa, Anambra, Benue, 

Ekiti, Jigawa, Katsina, Osun, 

Ogun, Oyo and Taraba have 

commenced the movement of 

materials to local government 

areas today (yesterday). 

“Other states will do so and 

conclude tomorrow (today). 

We will give a full rendition 

of movement to local 

government areas across all 

states of the federation 

tomorrow (today). 

“We have been making 

good progress on logistics. 

Similarly, all other 

arrangements for the 

movement of personnel from 

the local government areas to 

the wards are on course. We 

will fully brief you tomorrow 

at 3 p.m.” 

Completes 

configuration of 

card readers 

Yakubu also disclosed that 

the commission had achieved 

100 per cent completion of the 

configuration of the Smart 

Card Readers for the 

elections. 

He said: “The Card Readers 

were introduced in the 2015 

general election to facilitate 

the accreditation of voters 

using the PVCs. They are 

configured to specific polling 

units and only open for use 

at 8 a.m. on election day. 

“They automatically shut 

down by 10 p.m. in order to 

forestall any illegal use before 

the appointed time of 

elections. I am pleased to 

report that we have now 

achieved 100 per cent 

completion of the 

configuration. We are good to 

go on this score.” 

He added that INEC state 

offices had fully complied 

with the directive to invite 

stakeholders to the Central 

Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to 

examine the retrieved 

materials deployed last week 

and to witness their 

distributions to local 

government areas. 

Yakubu said the 

commission had made 

specific arrangement on 

deployment and security of 

election materials and 

personnel in the riverine 

areas to ensure that elections 

also start on time there. 

“We have made elaborate 

arrangement with boat 

owners as well as the security 

forces that would accompany 

our materials and personnel.” 

Payment for 

ad-hoc staff 

Clarifying on payment for 

its ad-hoc staff, Presiding 

Officers and Assistant 

Presiding Officers, Yakubu 

said N17,500 comprised of 

N4,500 for training per head, 

N9,000 for honorarium and 

N4,000 for deployment 

would be paid for the first 

election. 

“For the second election 

because training is not 

involved they will get 

N13,000.” 

He also promised that 

information on Permanent 

Voter Cards collected and 

uncollected would be 

available tomorrow (today). 

Yakubu added that the 

commission was working to 

improve the condition of the 

members of National Youth 

Service Corps, NYSC, that 

would be participating in the 

elections. 

Buhari declines assent to NOSDRA 

Amendment Bill 

By Henry Umoru 

A 

B U J A — 

INDICATIONS 

have emerged that a fresh 

face-off looms between the 

Executive and the 

Legislature as the 

lawmakers resume plenary 

February 26, following the 

refusal of President 

Muhammadu Buhari to 

sign into law, National Oil 

Spill Detection and 

Response Agency, 

NOSDRA, Amendment 

Bill passed by the National 

Assembly and forwarded to 

him for assent. 

Buhari in a letter to the 

Senate and dated January 

17, 2019, which was 

sighted, yesterday, by 

Vanguard, said he refused 

to sign the bill into law 

because it would 

undermine the functions of 

the Minister of Petroleum 

Resources. 

The NOSDRA Bill is 

designed to curb oil 

spillages as well as tackle 

environmental 

degradation, especially in 

the oil-rich Niger Delta of 

the country, just as it would 

also make oil companies 

operating in the region to 

obey the laws. 

If signed into law, 

NOSDRA Amendment Bill 

also addresses all 

restrictions and ambiguity 

in the agency’s mandate, 

helps ensure that there was 

no ambivalence in the 

agencies mandate, and 

gives the agency the 

requisite capacity to 

regulate the activities of the 

operators as it affects the 

environment. 

Buhari’s letter read: 

“Pursuant to Section 58(4) 

of Constitution of the 

Federal Republic of Nigeria 

1999 (as amended), I hereby 

convey to the Senate, my 

decision, on January 17, 

2019 to decline Presidential 

Assent to the National Oil 

Spill Detection and 

Response Agency 

(Amendment) Bill 2018 

recently passed by the 

National Assembly. 

“I am declining assent to 

the bill because: The bill, in 

a number of important 

sections undermines the 

powers of the Honourable 

Minister of Petroleum 

Resources and the 

functions and 

responsibilities of the 

Ministry of Petroleum 

Resources. The sections in 

this regard include: Section 

3, Section 6(1) a-f, (2-5), 

Section 7(A) and 7(B), 

Section 8, Section 9 and 

Section 11. 

“The bill seeks to enable 

NOSDRA to function as 

technical regulator in the 

issuance of guidelines and 

standards for the oil and 

gas industry, which is a 

responsibility already 

embedded in the Ministry 

of Petroleum Resources 

under the Petroleum Act. 

“Section 8 of the bill 

imposes a new charge on 

the industry of 0.5 per cent 

of operations funds of oil 

companies for the 

enforcement of the 

environmental legislations 

in, the petroleum sector. 

"This imposition is an 

additional burden to the 

industry particularly given 

that it is unclear what 

'operations funds' means for 

the purpose of applying 

the provision of the Bill.” 

Polls: FG cautions int’l 

community on interference 

By Victoria 

Ojeme 

THE Federal Government, 

yesterday, advised 

members of international 

community to respect the 

sovereignty of Nigeria by not 

doing anything that will 

suggest interference in 

Nigeria’s electoral process as 

the country goes to the 

rescheduled Presidential 

and National Assembly polls 

on Saturday. 

Foreign Affairs Minister, 

Geoffrey Onyeama, gave the 

advice during an interactive 

session with members of the 

diplomatic corps in Abuja. 

He said while Nigeria 

welcomes partnership and 

support from the 

international community, the 

country will not allow its 

sovereignty to be 

compromised, neither would 

it allow any nation to dictate 

to it since it does not interfere 

in the internal affairs of other 

countries. 

He said: “We welcome 

very much your 

engagement, we appreciate 

your support, we 

acknowledge how important 

your engagement for us in 

2015 helped us to deliver 

probably one of the most free 

and credible elections we 

have had in this country for 

a very long time. 

“But we have cause to be 

concerned with the way the 

engagement has been 

communicated, because at 

the end of the day, we are a 

sovereign country. The line 

should not be crossed from 

exalting us, and wanting this 

exercise to succeed and really 

be democratic process to 

dictating to us and getting 

to the nitty gritty of how we 

run the country.” 

Snatching ballot box treason, 

punishable by death —Keyamo 

SPOKESMAN of Buhari 

Campaign Organisation, 

Festus Keyamo, has said 

snatching of ballot box can be 

charged as treason or 

treasonable felony, which he 

said is punishable by death. 

Keyamo, in an attempt to 

defend President 

Muhammadu Buhari’s 

position on making ballot box 

snatchers pay with their lives, 

said those quoting the 

Electoral Act were ignorant. 

He said: “I have listened to 

so many uninformed 

comments since yesterday, 

and comments that are laced 

with heavy politics, but let me 

tell you straight away that 

there is no spin to put to the 

statement of the president, 

there is no need to repackage 

it. 

“What the president said is 

INEC’s readiness for credible 

elections doubtful —EPF 

By Dirisu 

Yakubu 

ABUJA—AHEAD of 

Saturday’s 

Presidential and National 

Assembly elections, a 

pressure group, Eastern 

Peoples Front, EPF, has 

expressed reservation over 

the capacity and readiness 

of Independent National 

Electoral Commission, 

INEC, to deliver 

transparent elections. 

In a statement by its 

national coordinator, Ken 

Emechebe, in Abuja, he 

said: “We are surprised 

about the polls’ shift within 

less than 24 hours after 

Professor Mahmood 

Yakubu reportedly assured 

the country that there will 

be no suspension. This, to 

100 per cent correct, 100 per 

cent defensible, and I will 

urge him to repeat it over and 

over again. 

“The president said 

whoever leads a band of 

thugs to go and snatch ballot 

boxes will pay dearly for it 

with his life. That is a correct 

statement of the law, because 

if you look at the definition of 

thugs, a thug is a murderer, 

a thug is a robber, a thug is a 

vicious person. 

“The law is that when you 

are found at the scene of a 

crime, committing violence 

that will put the life of people 

in danger, you can be shot 

dead on the spot.” 

Keyamo added that every 

lawyer knows that ballot box 

snatchers can be shot, and the 

security agencies will be 

justified by the firearm act. 

us suggests foul play 

capable of disrupting free, 

fair and credible elections. 

“We also think that when 

an independent body such 

as INEC, which has all that 

it asked for to run the 

election fails, there is a need 

to probe and ascertain what 

truly happened. When did 

INEC discover it had such 

sundry logistics challenges 

and could not go on with 

the elections? 

“The resolve of all the 

leaders of the various 

ethnic nationalities has not 

changed with this 

rescheduling. Ndigbo 

across Nigeria, should 

maintain maximum 

calmness and return to the 

polling stations to vote in 

Atiku and Obi.”


How I paid $30,000 into Onnoghen’s 

domiciliary account —Agi 

•Notes: 'Real reason AGF, cabal are after me' 

By Joseph 

Erunke 

ABUJA—AS contro 

versy continues to 

trail the suspension of 

Chief Justice of Nigeria, 

CJN, Justice Walter 

Onnoghen, by President 

Muhammadu Buhari, 

on order of Code of Conduct 

Tribunal, CCT, a 

lawyer and former Peoples 

Democratic Party, 

PDP, governorship aspirant 

in Cross River State, 

Mr Joe Agi, SAN, has 

claimed he deposited 

$30,000 for Onnoghen. 

He also claimed that Attorney 

General of the 

Federation, Mallam 

Abubakar Malami, SAN, 

and those he described as 

a cabal were after him 

because he (Agi) did not 

only expose them but secured 

the refund of the 

fraudulent deduction of 

$3.18 billion from local 

governments account by 

the Federal Government 

in the Paris Club fund. 

He said in a statement: 

”In 2009, I brought to his 

knowledge that he can 

open a domiciliary account 

instead of travelling 

with cash from Nigeria 

to abroad on seminars, 

holidays, conferences 

or medical trips. 

“My Lord, Justice 

Onnoghen said he had no 

idea since opening of foreign 

account was forbidden 

for public officers. I 

informed him that domiciliary 

account is not a foreign 

bank account as it is 

opened and operated 

within the local banks in 

Nigeria. 

“It was on this note that 

I went to my banker, 

Standard Chartered 

Bank, and obtained Account 

Opening Forms for 

him as a friend and senior 

brother. 

“He completed the 

forms and I refereed him. 

He gave me $30,000, being 

left over of his allowances 

for overseas seminars, 

holidays, conferences 

or medical trips to 

deposit for him as the first 

deposit. This, I did in 

2009, that is 10 years ago. 

After that he operated the 

account himself without 

me paying even a cent 

into that account till date. 

“Now, 10 years after, I 

am again being vilified 

and accused of giving Justice 

Onnoghen bribe. If I 

may ask, bribe for which 

case? In the Supreme 

Court panel they sit in 

five or seven persons, was 

the $30,000 for the five or 

seven justices? And for 

which case? 

"This is another huge 

joke aimed at vilifying my 

person by the same cabal 

who are hell bent on tarnishing 

my image as an 

aftermath of the exposure 

of the Paris Club fraud. 

“Is it a crime for judges 

to have friends or acquaintances? 

I challenge 

the Attorney General, 

Malami, SAN and EFCC 

to come forward with their 

proof that the $30,000 

Onnoghen sent me to deposit 

for him 10 years ago 

was as a result of bribery. 

“I challenge them to 

come out openly on the 

real reason why they are 

out to tarnish my image. 

They should be bold 

enough to open up rather 

than hiding under the 

guise of fight against corruption 

as a smokescreen 

to lunch a smear campaign 

against my person. 

“The government 

should be sincere and serious 

about fighting corruption 

and not being engaged 

in the deliberate 

destruction of the names 

of its citizens whom they 

perceive as enemies. 

“Which Nigerian alive 

today can say he has 

not benefited from the 

Paris Club Refund? Yet, 

Joe Agi, SAN, who is 

the face of Paris Club 

refund is being 

hounded and haunted 

instead of being celebrated. 

God save us. 

“Let it be known that 

very prominent people 

in the present government 

have corruptly 

and fraudulently taken 

the legal fees due to me 

from the Paris Club Refund 

and the EFCC has 

seen nothing wrong 

with it.” 

Only act of 

God can stop 

Feb 23 

elections 

—INEC 

By Victoria 

Ojeme 

A 

B U J A — 

INDEPENDENT 



Chairman, Prof. Mahmood 

Yakubu, yesterday, said only 

an ‘act of God’ can stop the 

conduct of the rescheduled 

presidential and National 

Assembly elections slated for 

February 23. 

Yakubu stated this in Abuja 

while addressing a cross 

section of the diplomatic 

community and 

international election 

monitoring groups in 

Nigeria, for the general 

election. 

The briefing, which was 

organised by Ministry of 

Foreign Affairs in 

conjunction with INEC was 

aimed at engaging with 

friends and partners of 

Nigeria on the rescheduled 

elections. 

Yakubu, who was 

represented by an INEC 

National Commissioner, Dr 

Mustapha Lecky, said the 

commission had put in place 

everything possible to 

ensure the elections hold on 

Saturday. 

The INEC boss said the 

commission had no reason 

to feel that anything would 

stop the conduct of the 

election on February 23. 

He said “We have no 

reason to believe that 

anything except an act of 

God." 

Polls: FG orders payment of 

February salary 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 


Saturday’s 


Assembly elections, the 

Federal Government has 

directed immediate 

payment of February salary 

to workers. 

Briefing State House 

correspondents after the 

weekly Federal Executive 

Council, FEC, meeting 

presided by President 

Buhari at the Presidential 

Villa, Abuja, Minister of 

Information and Culture, 

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, 

said payment of February 

salary started on Tuesday to 

assist workers to go and 

vote. 

According to him, “on the 

part of the Federal 

Government also, we 

decided that to make it easy 

for those who will want to 

go back to vote, salary 

payment started on 

Tuesday as opposed to the 

normal 25th of every 

month. This is just to ease 

the burden of people who 

want to go back and cast 

their vote.” 

Speaking on the 

postponement of the 

elections in relation to the 

reaction of certain 

organisations to cushion 

effect of the shift, 

Mohammed said National 

Union of Road Transport 

Workers, Aero Contractors 

and Arik Air had slashed 

their prices to encourage 

voters return to their 

various stations to vote. 

Buhari agrees to cut crude 

oil production output 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

A BUJA—PRESIDENT 


yesterday, said the Federal 

Government had made efforts 

in reducing Nigeria’s crude 

oil production output in line 

with Saudi Arabia’s initiative 

to shore up prices at the 

international market. 

Buhari disclosed this when 

he received Special Envoy of 

King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, 

Custodian of the Two Holy 

Mosques and Minister of 

State for African Affairs of the 

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 

Mr. Ahmad Qattan, at the 

Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

In a statement by Senior 

Special Assistant to the 

President on Media and 

Publicity, Mallam Garba 

Shehu, Buhari pledged the 

cooperation of Nigeria to 

efforts to reduce oil output to 

attract higher prices in the 

global market. 

He said as a responsible 

member of Organisation of 

Petroleum Exporting 

Countries, OPEC, Nigeria 

was willing to go along with 

the Saudi initiative in limiting 

output so that prices would 

go up. 

The President said output 

cuts had always been difficult 

for Nigeria considering the 

country’s peculiar 

circumstances of large 

population, huge expanse of 

land and state of underdevelopment, 

adding, “I wish 

we can produce more.” 

The special envoy said he 

had brought special greetings 

from King Salman and the 

Crown Prince, and expressed 

their best wishes for Nigeria 

as the country goes into 

general elections. 

Qattan said the important 

reason for which King 

Salman sent him was to make 

a request on President 

Buhari to ensure Nigeria’s 

compliance with quotas 

assigned in January by 

exiting previous exemption 

from output cuts. 

He said his country had 

reduced its output by 1.4 

million barrels per day to 

ensure that prices went up, 

stressing however, that Saudi 

Arabia alone cannot bring 

stability to the oil market and 

shore up prices. 

Buhari'll get 80% of votes 

—Ita Enang 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 


Saturday’s Presidential 

election, Senior Special 

Assistant to the President on 

National Assembly Matters, 

Senator Ita Enang, has 

expressed confidence that 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari will win about 80 

percent of the votes. 

Speaking to State House 

correspondents, yesterday, 

National Assembly 

Presidential Liaison Officer 

noted that his confidence was 

based on the achievements of 

the Buhari’s administration; 

the vigorous campaigns of 

his party, All Progressives 

Congress, APC, and the 

president’s fair treatment to 

all parts of the country. 

According to him, “from the 

campaigns on the field, all 

the fillers we had, the support 

we have from the East, West, 

South, North and all parts of 

Nigeria and the words of the 

president, the capacity of the 

campaign team and 

campaign machinery, the 

intellectual and intelligent 

words, words that hold and 

convince Nigerians that 

President Buhari is the best 

person to go for a second term 

as president."

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019 

BODY BAG COMMENT: Falana 

seeks visa ban on el-Rufai 

L rights AGOS—HUMAN 

lawyer, Mr. 

Femi Falana, SAN, 

yesterday, flayed 

Governor Nasir el-Rufai 

of Kaduna State, who he 

said confirmed that the 

general elections will be a 

do or die affair. 

Responding to el-Rufai’s 

“body bag” threat, Falana 

said the prosecution of the 

governor will commence as 

soon as his tenure is over. 

He asked the 

international community 

that has promised to impose 

visa ban on those inciting 

violence to make an 

example of the governor. 

Falana was speaking at 

the secretariat of the 

Committee for the Defence 

of Human Rights, during a 

memorial event in honour 

of Beko Ransome-Kuti, the 

human rights activist who 

died 13 years ago. 

He said: “Last week, Mr. 

Nasiru El Rufai, the 

Governor of Kaduna State 

threatened that foreign 

election observers and 

monitors who interfere in 

the 2019 general elections 

would return to their 

countries in body bags because 

nobody will come to 

Nigeria and tell us how to 

run our country. 

“The threat to attack and 

kill foreign election 

observers in Nigeria 

constitutes an infraction of 

the Electoral Act, 2010 and 

the Penal Code but because 

Governor el-Rufai currently 

enjoys immunity his trial 

and prosecution for the 

offence will have to await 

the end of his tenure. 

“The western countries 

that have threatened to place 

travel restrictions on 

members of the ruling class 

who incite violence or 

interfere in the electoral 

process should not hesitate 

to make an example of the 

governor without any further 

delay. 

“The Special Prosecutor of 

the International Criminal 

Court, who has also warned 

against any form of electoral 

violence in the country, is 

urged to hold Governor el- 

Rufai responsible if foreign 

observers and monitors are 

killed during the 2019 

general election.'' 

N754M FRAUD: EFCC 

promised not to prosecute 

me, witness tells court 

By Henry Ojelu 

L AGOS—EKENE 

Nwakuche, a former 

co defendant to embattled 

former Director General of 

the Nigerian Maritime 

Administration and Safety 

Agency, NIMASA, Patrick 

Akpobolokemi, in an N754 

million theft case, 

yesterday, told an Ikeja 

High Court that the 

Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission, 

EFCC, promised not to 

charge him to court. 

Nwakuche and 

Akpobolokemi were 

charged alongside Ezekiel 

Agaba, Governor Juan, 

Vincent Udoye, 

Adegboyega Olopoenia 

and a company — Gama 

Marine Nigeria Ltd by the 

EFCC for fraud. 

However during the trial, 

Nwakuche alongside two 

other defendants flipped 

and agreed to testify against 

his former boss, Ezekiel 

Agaba. 

At Wednesday’s 

proceeding during cross 

examination by the 2nd 

defendant’s counsel, Edoka 

Onyeke, Nwakuche told 

the court that his boss, 

Agaba, was beside him at 

the EFCC office when he 

was writing his statement. 

Nwakuche said: “My boss 

was beside me at the EFCC 

office while I was writing 

my statement. He was 

telling what to say. The 

EFCC promised not to 

charge me to court 

alongside my boss.” 

FG declares Friday public 

holiday, excludes bankers 

THE Federal Gov 

ernment has declared 

Friday, February 

22, 2019, as a public holiday, 

in preparation for 

the February 23 presidential 

and parliamentary 

elections. 

The Ministry of Interior 

a statement, yesterday, 

however, excluded 

bankers and those offering 

essential services 

across the nation. 

“The Federal Government 

declares Friday, 

February 22, 2019 as 

work-free day. Those providing 

essential duties 

and bankers are excluded. 

“The work-free day is to 

enable citizens return to 

their poling units for the 

reschedule Presidential 

& National Assembly 

elections. 

“Security agencies 

have been directed to 

ensure safety of lives and 

property before, during 

and after the general 

election,” the statement 

added. 

MEETING: From left; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; National Leader, All Progressives Congress 

(APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; APC Chairman, Lagos State, Alhaji Babatude Balogun; Lagos State APC 

governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, 

during a stakeholders meeting of the party, at Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday. 

SHOOT-AT-SIGHT ORDER: I stand with 

Buhari on ballot box snatching — TINUBU 

By Olasunkanmi 

Akoni 

LLeader AGOS—NATIONAL 

of the All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC, and former Governor 

of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola 

Tinubu, yesterday, backed 


Buhari’s directive to security 

operatives to “deal 

ruthlessly” with anyone 

who snatches ballot boxes 

during the rescheduled 

general elections. 

Tinubu said this at a 

stakeholders’ meeting held 

at the APC Secretariat, 

Acme, Ogba in Lagos. 

He said: “We all heard 


Buhari’s directive on 

political thuggery, ballot 

boxes snatching, and 

violence to the security 

personnel. He is the 

Commander-in-Chief of the 

Armed Forces, I’m not. 

“Women, please warn 

your children, brothers not 

to cause any form of trouble 

on election day as the 

security operatives will be 

ruthless against such act. It 

will do everyone good to 

obey than to disobey. 

“I stand with President 

Muhammadu Buhari on his 

statement on ballot box 

snatching. 

“Ballot box snatching is 

similar to robbery, and even 

worse, hence, it must be 

condemned by everybody. 

We must not allow it. 

Anybody caught snatching 

ballot boxes must be 

ruthlessly dealt with.” 

“It’s done in our best 

interest to protect our 

nation’s democracy from 

being truncated by enemies 

of progress. 

“Let your permanent 

voter’s card be your army, 

we must go out and elect 

Buhari and our other 

candidates on Saturday, 

February 23 and 

subsequently, governorship 

candidates and state House 

of Assembly. 

“If you (members) have 

any problem at all go and 

see the leaders of the party 

in your council and wards.” 

On chances of APC in 

S’W, middle belt 

Expressing confidence 

that the APC will defeat the 

Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP, in the elections, 

Tinubu said: “We (APC) 

will defeat the PDP at the 

general polls. They don’t 

have our strength in the 

NCAA threatens to sanction debtor 

telecom operators 

By Lawani Mikairu 

L Nigerian 

AGOS—THE 

Civil 

Aviation Authority, NCAA, 

yesterday, threatened to 

sanction telecom operators 

over N1 billion naira debt 

owed the agency over the 

years. 

Despite several warning 

letters, the operators have 

allegedly refused to pay 

their outstanding debts. 

According to the Nigerian 

Civil Aviation Regulations 

(Nig.CARs) Part 12.1.7.1.11, 

‘the Aviation Height 

Clearance, AHC, shall 

remain in force for a period 

of one year when it shall be 

due for renewal unless 

suspended or cancelled by 

the authority. Similarly, the 

holder of an AHC certificate 

shall ensure proper records 

of AHC granted to it and the 

renewal of the AHC at least 

30 days to the expiry date. 

Confirming this 

development, General 

Manager, Public Affairs, 

NCAA, Mr. Sam 

Adurogboye, said NCAA 

had held a meeting with the 

operators, through its 

umbrella body, Association 

of 

Licensed 

Telecommunications 

operators of Nigeria, 

ALTON. 

He warned that those with 

outstanding payments were 

asked to pay without further 

delay to avoid sanction 

Adurogboye said: “Under 

the Nigerian Civil Aviation 

South West and Middle 

Belt, so how are they going 

to defeat us (APC)? It is 

absolutely, impossible. Take 

your PVCs, go and vote for 

APC and we will win. “ 

Reacting to the elections 

postponement, Tinubu said 

INEC, should be pardoned 

for throwing the nation into 

confusion provoked by the 

late announcement, 

Authority (Establishment) 

Act, Section 7(1) (n), the 

NCAA was empowered to 

prohibit and regulate the 

installation of any 

structure, which by virtue 

of its height or position 

was considered to 

endanger the safety of air 

navigation. Pursuant to 

the above provision, NCAA 

required an Aviation 

Height Clearance (AHC) 

approval for every high-rise 

structure, mast, tower 

LAGOS—THE Lagos 

State All Progressives 

Congress, APC, 

governorship candidate, 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has 

said the welfare of 

Lagosians has nothing to 

do with politics, but 

everything to do with 

service to humanity. 

Sanwo-Olu said this, 

yesterday, at Shomolu Local 

Government secretariat 

while flagging off the 

BOSKOH Medical 

Mission in partnership 

with Professionals for 

Humanity, PROFOH, 

International, a Houston, 

USA-based organisation 

made of doctors, nurses, 

health workers and 

volunteers from across 

the world. 

stressing that “nobody is 

above error.” 

He also appealed to Igbo 

in Lagos to vote for APC 

saying: “We do not 

discriminate against 

paying of WAEC’s fees, 

NECO and even up to 

tertiary institutions. So this 

is a payback time for APC. 

Wherever one resides in the 

country is your state.” 

installation, irrespective of 

the height and location.” 

He also said it was the 

warning from NCAA that 

prompted a call for a 

meeting by ALTON in 

order to resolve certain 

perceived grey areas. Part 

of the grey areas, according 

to him, were that AHC 

should be a one-off 

exercise, no renewals and 

structures for AHC should 

be selective, stressing that 

not all high-rise masts were 

deemed to endanger air 

navigation. 

Lagosians’ welfare is beyond 

politics — SANWO-OLU 

By Agbonkhese 

Oboh 

He said: “It is not just election 

campaign, as we do not 

ask about party affiliations, 

PVCs, tribe or state of origin. 

Welfare is beyond politics, 

but all about service to humanity. 

“BOSKOH/PROFOH 

medical mission is a step up 

from Sonwo Cares, an 

outreach to all local 

government areas in Lagos 

while on my campaign trail, 

which is focused on basic 

health checks: dental, eye, 

cervical cancer and how to 

manage and do test for 

breast cancer. 

“However, we realised 

that a lot of people haven’t 

been able to access regular 

health care, hence, the 

collaboration, because 

while on the campaign 

trail, we can also help 

government clear 

backlogs of surgeries.”



Attah, Saraki commend 

Emmanuel over Ibom Airline 

By Chioma 

Onuegbu 

U YO—FORMER 

Governor of Akwa 

Ibom State Obong Victor 

Attah and the Senate 

President, Bukola Saraki 

have commended 

Governor Udom 

Emmanuel’s stride in the 

aviation sector. 

The duo gave the 

commendation yesterday 

during the launching of 

Ibom Airline at the Victor 

Attah International Airport 

Uyo. 

In his remarks, Attah 

said: “I thank God that we 

have Governor Udom 

Emmanuel who has 

deemed it necessary to 

execute the project we 

Ward structure: Itsekiri nation 

urges INEC to comply with 

Appeal Court judgement 

By Jimitota 

Onoyume 

ITSEKIRI 

ethnic 

nationality has called on 

the Independent National 


INEC, to comply with an 

Appeal Court judgment in 

suit No CA/B/482M/18 

directing it to revert to the 

10— ward structure in Warri 

South Local Government 

Area of Delta State. 

A statement yesterday by 

the apex Itsekiri body, 

Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, 

ILOT, signed by its 

Chairman Chief Edward 

Ekpoko and the Public 

Relations Officer, Chief 

started years ago. I was 

accused of running the 

government like a 

business but I am happy 

that Udom Emmanuel is 

running the government 

like a business. 

“Today we have in front 

of us the beginning of 

something that will bring 

economic development to 

the state. " 

Unveiling the two 

Aircraft, Saraki, said: 

“Today, we celebrate 

leadership, we celebrate 

the good things that can 

come out of Nigeria, we 

celebrate the audacity of 

hope. The governor has 

created an environment 

for people to have jobs. We 

are proud of you in the 

PDP family.” 

Tony Ede, said: “We 

hereby condemn INEC’s 

illegal 

and 

unconstitutional act of redelineation 

of the 10 

wards in Warri South 

Local Government Area in 

1998 to 12 by merging 

some existing wards and 

at the same time breaking 

others into smaller units; 

and its refusal to obey 

orders of competent courts 

directing it to revert to 10 

wards since 2006. The 

recent Court of Appeal 

decision in Suit No. CA/ 

B/482M/18 delivered 

since October 23, 2018, on 

the same issue is still being 

ignored by INEC." 

I’m still in race for Reps —Nwajiuba 

CANDIDATE of Accord 

Party, AP, for the House 

of Representatives seat for 

Okigwe South federal 

constituency in Imo State, 

Emeka Nwajiuba, has 

insisted that he remains a 

candidate in the general 

election, as he was not 

affected by a court ruling 

baring the All Progressive 

Congress, APC, candidate 

from taking part in the 

election. 

Nwajiuba in a statement 

by Dr. Emerenini, Director 

General of his Campaign 

Organisation, yesterday, 

said: "I have vigorously 

prosecuted my 

campaign with the sole 

aim of winning and providing 

effective representation 

to the people of my 

constituency without 

external manipulation, 

“Therefore, I cannot suffer 

any disability arising from 

the court ruling, in respect 

of primaries conducted by 

the APC." 

PANDEF lampoons Buhari over order on ballot 

box snatchers ...says shoot on sight order is jungle justice 

By Emma Amaize 

WARRI—PAN Niger 

Delta Forum, 

PANDEF, has described 


Buhari’s directive to the 

Army to shoot on sight 

anyone found snatching 

ballot boxes during the 

elections as a call for jungle 

justice. 

The South-South body in 

a statement by its National 

Secretary, Dr. Alfred 

Mulade, urging Niger 

Deltans to vote for Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

presidential candidate, 

C’River: A-Court refuses to stop Usani as APC 

gov candidate 

By Ike 

Uchechukwu 

CALABAR —The Court 

of Appeal sitting in 

Calabar, Cross River State, 

yesterday, refused an oral 

application by the faction of 

the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, in Cross 

River State a stay of 

execution of a Federal 

High Court judgment 

recognizing the state 

executive committee of the 

party led by Ntufam John. 

The Appeal Court 

presided over by Justice M. 

Owoade ordered parties to 

maintain status quo 

pending the determination 

of the appeal by that faction 

of the party led by Sir John 

Ochala against the 

judgment of the Federal 

High Court. 

The court also ordered 

that the applicant shall file 

notice of appeal in this court 

not later than two days from 

today. 

The order reads: “The 

applicant shall file notice of 

appeal in this court not later 

than two days from today.” 

The Federal High Court 

had on February 11, 2019 

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on 

next tomorrow’s polls, said: 

“PANDEF also strongly 

objects to the reported 

directive by President 

Muhammadu Buhari 

asking the Army to shoot 

anyone found snatching 

ballot boxes during the 

rescheduled elections.” 

“This directive by Mr. 

President is quite 

unfortunate, condemnable 

and unacceptable as it is 

capable of being 

manipulated against 

innocent voters by 

overzealous political 

given judgment in the suit 

with number FHC/CA/CS/ 

73/2018, in which the court 

recognized the Etim John 

led leadership of the party 

as the authentic leadership 

of the party in the state. 

The court also directed the 



INEC, to recognise the list 

of candidates presented by 

the Etim John led 

leadership in the 

forthcoming election. 

Among those on the list 

as presented by the Etim 

John faction of the party 

include the Minister of 

Niger Delta affairs, Pastor 

Usani Usani who is their 

governorship candidate. 

Others are Prince Bassey 

Otu, senatorial candidate, 

Cross River South, Chief 

Akin Rickettes, senatorial 

candidate Cross River 

Central and Chief Ugba 

Murphy, Senatorial 

candidate, Cross River 

North. 

A list of House of 

Representatives candidates 

was also presented to 

INEC. 

Bayelsa’ll give 90% to PDP —Dickson 

By Samuel 

Oyadongha 

Y ENAGOA—BAYELSA 

State Governor, Mr. 

Seriake Dickson has said 

the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, will secure not 

less than ninety per cent of 

the total vote cast in the 


Assembly elections in the 

state. 

Dickson stated this 

yesterday at a meeting with 

stakeholders and 

candidates of the PDP in 

Bayelsa East and Central 

Senatorial Districts in 

Yenagoa. 

The governor said the 

opponents. 

“It is a call for jungle 

justice. Snatching of ballot 

boxes is a violation of the 

laws of the land, and the 

law should take its full 

course, and not to call for 

jungle justice.” 

PANDEF urged the 

people of the South-South 

to “turn out en masse on 

Saturday and remain 

irrevocably committed to 

casting their votes for Alhaji 

Atiku Abubakar of the PDP 

in tandem with his 

overwhelming national 

endorsement by the 

•As Alaibe urges Bayelsans to vote en masse 

support the people 

demonstrated for the PDP 

during its recent 

community to community 

campaigns confirmed that 

the PDP is the leading 

party in Bayelsa. 

His words: “It is 

unfortunate that the 

elections were postponed. 

But we know that it is only 

a postponement of the 

doomsday for the APC. 

This state is PDP, and the 

entire Ijawland will vote the 

PDP in spite of all the 

threats and what some 

people are doing." 

In a related 

development, Chief Timi 

Alaibe, a chieftain of the 

LAUNCHING: 

President of the Senate, 

Bukola Saraki, Governor 

of Akwa Ibom State, 

Udom Emmanuel, 

Speaker of the Akwa 

Ibom House of 

Assembly, Onofiok Luke, 

former Governor Victor 

Attah and other 

dignitaries inside Ibom 

aircraft after the formal 

launch of the airline in 

Uyo yesterday. 

Nigerian Elders and Leaders 

Forum.” 

He said the Forum, 

comprising Afenifere 

(South-West); Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo (South-East); 

PANDEF (South-South); 

Middle Belt Forum 

(Middle Belt); and the 

Northern Elders Forum 

(North) chose Atiku for his 

“demonstrated willingness 

and capacity to drive the 

much desired restructuring 

of this country, along the 

lines of fiscal federalism, 

equity, justice, security and 

sanctity of lives and 

property.” 

PDP said, yesterday, In 

Bayelsa State that every 

member of the party 

contesting for any position 

whatsoever must be given 

clear, incontestable victory 

to demonstrate the strength 

of the party in the state and 

in appreciation of the efforts 

and the steps so far taken 

by GovernorDickson and 

the leadership of the PDP 

in ensuring the success of 

all their candidates. 

He said: “While others 

are planning to rig, we are 

planning to go out in our 

numbers and vote 

massively for all our 

candidates."


Security agencies tapping, bugging opposition 

leaders’ phone calls, CUPP alleges 

By Joseph 

Erunke 

A BUJA—COALITION 

of United Political 

Parties, CUPP, yesterday, 

accused the nation’s security 

and intelligence agencies of 

not only tapping but aslo 

bugging telephone calls of 

opposition leaders. 

The coalition alleged that 

Nigerian Army, Nigeria 

Police, Department of State 

Services, DSS, among 

others, were recording 

telephone calls, conversation 

and locations to feed the 

ruling All Progressives 

Congress, APC,on the 

opposition strategies ahead 

of the general election. 

CUPP, in a statement by its 

first national spokesman, 

Ikenga Ugochinyere, 

directed member-political 

parties to “use Wi-Fi 

network to power their 

whatsapp than the use 

telecommunications means, 

which they easily have 

access to.” 

The statement read: “We 

wish to express our shock 

and disappointment with All 

Progressives Congress and 

unscrupulous security 

agencies that we discovered 

are tapping our leaders' calls 

and leaking our electoral 

strategy. 

"The opposition has 

uncovered constant tapping 

of our calls and location 

marking by the outgoing 

APC, using DSS. We are 

utterly disgusted with this 

shameless act. This 

administration has proven 

that nothing is sacred to 

them anymore. 

“The 

APC-led 

administration is officially 

raving mad. Behaving like 

lunatics and throwing 

caution to the winds. They 

invaded our democracy, 

gradually turning it to 

tyranny. They have tried to 

take over our judiciary, 

restrict freedom of speech, 

expression and movement. 

Polls: INEC recruits 20,000 

ad-hoc staff in Jigawa 

By Aliyu 

Dangida 

D 

U T S E — 

INDEPENDENT 


Commission, INEC, in 

Jigawa State has recruited 

no fewer than 9,970 ad-hoc 

staff for the presidential and 


elections scheduled for 

Saturday. 

Speaking with newsmen, 

Resident Electoral 

Commissioner, REC, in the 

state, Dr. Mahmoud Isah, 

said arrangement had been 

concluded for the delivery 

of sensitive materials 

across the 27 local 

government areas, of the 

state after taking them from 

the custody of Central Bank 

of Nigeria, CBN, Dutse 

office. 

He explained that the 

sensitive materials would 

be accompanied by a 

combined team of security 

personnel and handed over 

to electoral officers, 

adding: “We assured voters 

that sensitive materials will 

be ready to avoid delay in 

casting their votes on the 

election day.” 

The REC stated that the 

postponement of last 

Saturday elections had not 

in any way tampered with 

their arrangement of 

financial cost, noting that 

the only thing the 

commission did was to 

ensure that sensitive 

materials were kept under 

tight security, that was why 

they were moved to CBN 

Dutse for safe keeping. 

According to him, the 

commission has configured 

card readers and provided 

325 extra in case of any 

technical fault, adding: "We 

have confidence in our card 

readers as they are serviced 

and we have extra in case 

of any eventuality.” 

Now they are invading the 

privacy of opposition leaders, 

by recording opposition calls, 

making their locations and 

endangering the lives of 

opposition leaders. 

“We urge our members to 

please abandon phone 

conversations and use 

physical meetings or the 

involved in Tuesday's clash 

between supporters of Kwara 

South Senatorial candidate of 

All Progressives Congress, 

APC, Lola Ashiru, and his 


PDP, counterpart, Senator 

Rafiu Ibrahim. 

Four persons were 

allegedly killed and scores of 

supporters injured during the 

clash. 

The two major political 

parties in the state have 

been trading casualty 

fugures of their supporters 

over the incident in Ojoku, 

Oyun Local Government 

Area of the state. 

Spokesman of the 

command, Ajayi Okasanmi, 

who confirmed the arrest of 

six suspects in an interview 

with Vanguard, warned that 

political thuggery would not 

be tolerated in the state, 

noting that anyone caught, 

no matter how highly 

placed, would be dealt with 

according to the law. 

Chairman of PDP in the 

state, Kola Shittu, had in a 

statement condemned the 

attack on its members and 

supporters in Ojoku, by 

thugs allegedly loyal to 

Kwara South senatorial 

candidate of APC, Lola 

Ashiru. 

Similarly, APC in a 

statement by its state Publicity 

Secretary, Folaranmi Aro, 

social media known as 

whatsapp, which the 

messages and calls are now 

secured with end-to-end 

encryption. 

“We also urge our 

members to use Wi-Fi 

network to power their 

whatsapp than the use 

telecommunications means 

which they easily have 

access to." 

claimed that two of their 

supporters were killed while 

many sustained severe 

injuries. 

Meanwhile, spokesman of 

the state police command, 

Ajayi Okasanmi, said: 

”Manhunt for the remaining 

fleeing suspects has since 

begun, while discreet 

investigation of the incident 

is ongoing. 

”For the umpteenth time, 

the command is restating its 

commitment to the safety of 

lives and property of the 

people of Kwara State. While 

warning sternly that 

hooliganism, thuggery, 

unlawful possession of 

firearms and other dangerous 

weapons will be met with 

superior forces and suspects 

arrested will be made to face 

the full wrath of the law." 

...nab 950 alleged political thugs in Kano 

By Abdulmumin 

Murtala 

KANO — KANO 

State Police 

Command has arrested 

no fewer than 950 

political thugs across the 

state in a mop up 

operation against 

thuggery in the state. 

Speaking to Vanguard, 

the state’s Commissioner 

of Police, Wakili 

Muhammad, said: “The 

command has so far 

Kwara ACPN suspends 

national chairman, adopts 

Atiku, Saraki, Atunwa 

By Demola 

Akinyemi 

ILORIN— Kwara State 

chapter of Allied Congress 

Party of Nigeria, ACPN, has 

dissociated itself from the 

adoption of President 

Muhammadu Buhari as the 

presidential candidate, saying 

it has suspended its national 

chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu 

Galadima.. 

The ACPN chairman in the 

state, Kuti Kayode, announced 

the suspension of Galadima 

at a news conference in Ilorin. 

Kuti claimed that the 

national chairman of the party 

took unilateral decision in 

adopting Buhari of All 

Progressives Congress, APC, 

as the official presidential 

candidate of their party. 

He also announced the 

decision of ACPN members in 

the state to pitch their tent with 

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 

apprehended no fewer 

than 950 suspected 

political thugs, locally 

referred to as Yan Daba, 

for allegedly attacking 

residents of Kano 

metropolis within the last 

nine days.” 

Mohammed said most of 

the suspects were 

arrested in different parts 

of the city for attacking 

residents with dangerous 

weapons as many of them 

were also caught with 

suspected illicit drugs. 

in the forthcoming general 

election. 

He said: “The Kwara State 

chapter, which is the 

stronghold of ACPN in the 

country, has decided to pitch 

its tent with Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP. We 

adopt the presidential 

candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar; Razak Atunwa as 

Kwara State governor; Dr 

Bukola Saraki as Senator 

representing Kwara Central 

and all other PDP candidates 

in the state. 

"Furthermore, our 

candidates are willing to work 

with the PDP candidates 

across the board. We have 

held meetings with our 

members across the 16 local 

government areas of the state 

and they are on the same page 

with us in our decision to 

adopt all PDP candidates for 

elective offices in the general 

election.“ 

Wamakko condoles families 

of slain APC chair 

BURIAL: From left, Mrs Yetunde Ariyo, daughter; Mr Tokunboh 

C 

Ariyo, Bunmi Ayo Faluyi, daughter and Registrar, University of HAIRMAN of 

Ibadan, and Bayo Faweya, during the burial service for High Chief Northern Senators 

Felix Ojo Faweya, the Oloro of Emure Ekiti and Father of the Forum, Senator Aliyu 

Registrar of the University of Ibadan at Sacred Heart Catholic Wamakko, has condoled 

Church, Emure-Ekiti. Photo: Dare Fasube 

the family of the Chairman 

of All Progressives 

Police arrest 6 over attack on Kwara 

Congress, APC, in Bakale 

Ward, Yabo Local 

Government of Sokoto 

APC, PDP senatorial candidates 

State, Alhaji Sani Bakale, 

who wasassassinated by 

By Demola 

some yet to be identified 

Akinyemi 

persons recently. 

This is contained in a 

ILORIN— KWARA State 

statement signed by his 

Police Command, 

Special Assistant on Media 

yesterday, said it has arrested 

and Publicity, Bashir Mani, 

and issued to newsmen in 

six suspected thugs allegedly 

Sokoto, yesterday. 

Wamakko, who 

represents Sokoto North 

senatorial district, 

described the act as 

ungodly 

He prayed for the repose 

of the soul of the deceased 

APC leader, whom he said 

had diligently worked to 

ensure its success and 

growth. 

Wamakko has also 

condoled the family of the 

late District Head of Tureta, 

Alhaji Garba Muhammad 

Kaka II, who died recently 

at the age of 61. 

INEC assures electorate of 

credible polls in Bauchi 

By Charles 

Agwam 

B 

A U C H I — 

INDEPENDENT 



Bauchi office has said all 

sensitive materials required 

for the rescheduled 


Assembly elections are 

ready for distribution. 

Acting Head of 

Department, Voter 

Education and Publicity of 

the commission in Bauchi 

State, Ahmad Waziri, 

spoke in Bauchi, yesterday, 

while assuring electorate of 

credible polls. 

Waziri said INEC in the 

state was sorting out 

materials for proper 

distribution to all the 20 

local government areas of 

the state. 

He assured that the 

According to him, of the 

number, 750 had been 

remanded in prisons 

pending the completion 

of their trial by the courts 

as they were already 

being prosecuted 

He warned parents to 

look after their children as 

his command would not 

take it easy with anyone 

trying to disrupt peace or 

intimidate the public in 

the guise of political 

thuggery.

14 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019 

Buhariawaits confirmation of 

Mbam as RMAFC Chairman, 

30 others as Commissioners 

By Henry Umoru 

A 

B U J A — 

PRESIDENT 

Muhammadu Buhari is 

awaiting the confirmation 

of Elias Mbam as the 

Chairman, Revenue 

Mobilization Allocation and 

Fiscal Commission, 

RMAFC. 

Buhari had in a letter 

dated 25th January, 

addressed to the Senate 

President , also sent 30 

other names for screening 

as Commissioners of the 

Commission. 

The letter is titled, 

“Request for confirmation of 

appointment of chairman 

and. commissioners for the 

Revenue Mobilization, 

Allocation and Fiscal 

Commission.'' 

According to Buhari; “In 

accordance with the 

provision of Section 154(1) 

of Constitution of the 

Federal Republic of Nigeria 

1999 (as amended), I write 

to forward to the Senate for 

confirmation, the 

underlisted names of thirty 

(30) nominees as Chairman 

and Commissioners of the 

Revenue Mobilisation 

Allocation and Fiscal 

Commission. Their 

Curriculum Vitaes are 

attached herewith.” 

Some of the names sent 

as Commissioners for the 

Commission, include: 

Chris Alozie Akomas, Abia; 

Ayang Sunday Okon, 

Akwa Ibom; Chima Philip 

Okafor, Anambra; Prof. Isa 

B. Mohammed, Bauchi; 

Samuel Adaa Maagbe, 

Benue; Ntufam Eyo NSA 

Whiley, Cross River; 

Andrew Ogheneovo 

Agbaga, Delta and Patrick 

Nworu Mgbebu, Ebonyi. 

Others are Victor 

Ebiogbe, Edo; Amujo Philip 

Ajayi, Ekiti; Mrs Maria 

Chinyere Aniobi, Enugu; 

Hon. Musa Tanko Abari, 

FCT; Mohammed Kabeer 

Usman, Gombe; Alhaji 

Ahmed Mahmoud Gumel, 

Jigawa, among others. 

The letter would be read 

on the floor of the Senate 

when the Senators 

resume from the 


Assembly break, February, 

26, 2019. 

Recalled that President 

Muhammadu Buhari had 

in July 2016, approved 

the re-appointment of 

Elias Mbam as Chairman, 

RMAFC after his first 

tenure that ended in 

November 2015. 

A former Finance 

Minister of State from 

Ebonyi State, like his 

predecessor, Hamman 

Tukur, who had served twoterm 

tenure, Mbam is also 

an electrical engineer. 

SAVANNAH SUGAR: FG concludes 

verification, set to pay former 

workers 

By Michael Eboh 

FORMER workers of 

Savannah Sugar 

Company Limited, 

SSCL, will soon be paid 

the balance of their 

terminal benefits, 17 

years after their 

disengagement from the 

service of the company, 

as the Federal 

Government, yesterday, 

in Abuja said it has 

concluded the 

verification exercise of 

the former workers. 

The workers were 

disengaged in 2002 

when the company was 

privatized by the Federal 

Government. 

In a statement, Pension 

T r a n s i t i o n a l 

A r r a n g e m e n t 

Directorate, PTAD, stated 

that during the 

verification exercise, 

which took place 

between February 4 

and February 13, 2019, 

in Jimeta – Yola, 

Adamawa State, a total 

of 1,621 ex-workers and 

Next of Kins, NoKs, who 

presented themselves for 

the exercise, were 

successfully verified and 

their biometrics captured. 

According to PTAD, a 

total of 1,290 ex-workers 

and 331 NoKs turned out 

for the nine-day exercise. 

Executive Secretary of 

PTAD, Sharon Ikeazor, 

disclosed that the 

verification was for the 

payment of the balance 

of the one-off terminal 

benefits paid to them by 

the Bureau of Public 

Enterprises, BPE, in 

2002 at the time of 

privatization. 

She said, “The 

verification of SSCL 

brings the total number 

of defunct/privatised 

agencies verified by 

PTAD to eight, 

including Delta Steel 

Company, DSC, NITEL/ 

Mtel, NICON Insurance 

Plc, New Nigeria 

Newspapers and 

Nigeria Reinsurance. 

The Directorate has 

assured 

that 

preparations for the 

verification of all other 

treasury funded 

parastatals, including 

defunct/privatised 

agencies, has been 

completed and will 

commence shortly across 

the country.” 

POLLS: Buhari, APC bent on arm-twisting 

security, INEC to compromise process — PDP 

By Dirisu Yakubu 

A BUJA—WITH 

barely two days to 

the Presidential election, 

the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, has raised 

fresh concerns over 

alleged plans by the 

Presidency and the All 


APC, to hijack the nation’s 

security agencies and the 


Electoral Commission to 

manipulate the polls in 

favour of President 

Muhammadu Buhari. 

At a briefing in Abuja, 

yesterday, National 

Publicity Secretary of the 

PDP, Kola Ologbodiyan, 

said “the Buhari-led 

Presidency and APC have 

been breathing down on 

the chairman of INEC, 

Professor Mahmood 

Yakubu, in a desperate 

and feverish bid to 

consolidate their control of 

the operations of the 

commission and execute 

its rigging plot. The PDP 

stands with Nigerians in 

directly rejecting this latest 

arm-twisting of security 

agencies as well as the 

nefarious plots to use APC 

members as INEC 

Election Officers. 

“It is now clearer that the 

Election Day killing order 

issued by President Buhari 

is designed to clamp-down 

and even kill patriotic 

Nigerians who will want to 

confront and stop the APC 

from executing their 

rigging plots on the day of 

election. 

At a meeting held in 

Buhari Presidency/APC 

situation room in the 

Presidential Villa last night 

(Tuesday), Resident 

Electoral Commissioners, 

RECs were directed to issue 

result sheets to APC agents 

to falsify and declare results 

in favour of the APC. 

“Intelligence at our 

disposal reveals that the 

INEC Chairman has 

succumbed to back 

channel bullying by the 

Presidency and the APC 

to accede to their demand 

to replace Electoral 

Group endorses Atiku, Obi 

By Rotimi Agbana 

AHEAD 

of 

Saturday’s 

Presidential election, 

Creative Industry Group, 

a coalition of stakeholders 

in the entertainment 

industry has endorsed the 


PDP Presidential 

candidate, Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar, his running 

mate, Peter Obi and Lagos 

State PDP gubernatorial 

candidate, Jimi Agbaje. 

Speaking on why the 

group decided to endorse 

Atiku, veteran dancehall 

musician, Felix Duke 

Osagie, Chairman of the 

group noted that Atiku 

provided the best 

strategies and solutions to 

the numerous challenges 

facing the creative sector. 

Felix also noted that 

Atiku had stated that his 

policy objectives would 

focus on demonstrating 

the potential of the 

entertainment and 

creative industry in 

Nigeria, including the 

promotion of both 

Nollywood and 

Kannywood movie 

industries. 

Officers, EOs, in various 

critical states with APC 

agents who will 

vehemently execute 


rigging plans in the 

February 23, Presidential 

election. 

“Also, our party has full 

details of how the 

Department of State 

Services, DSS, has been 

interfering with operations 

of critical departments of 

INEC, including the 

Information and 

Communication 

Technology, ICT, 

department, to do APC 

bidding. 

“The PDP also has 

details of the meeting last 

night (Tuesday) by 

President Buhari, some 

APC northern governor 

and Service Chiefs 

whereupon pressure was 

mounted on the Service 

Chiefs in connection with 

the APC rigging plans.” 

The party alleged that 

Professor Yakubu has 

been threatened so much 

that he has accepted to 

do the bidding of the 

ruling party to accept its 

members to act as ad-hoc 

staff during the polls. 

“We alert Nigerians 

that the INEC chairman 

has been intimidated 

with threat of 

‘Onnoghen’s treatment’ 

to accept a list of APC 

members and agents and 

post them to serve as EOs 

in various states 

including Kano, Kaduna, 

Rivers, Bauchi, Akwa- 

Ibom, Zamfara, Benue, 

Sokoto, Lagos, Plateau, 

Taraba, Borno, Adamawa, 

Kogi, Delta, Ebonyi 

among others. 

Chrisland varsity gets 100% 

accreditation from NUC 

BARELY 

threeyears-old, 

the Ogun 

State-based Chrisland 

University, has been 

given full accreditation by 

the National University 

Commission, NUC. 

Established in 2015 

with two Colleges; 

College of Arts/ 

Management/Social 

Sciences & College of 

Natural/Applied Sciences, 

the high flying institution, 

obtained full accreditation of 

its nine programmes. 

The fully residential 

school, has two campuses 

located in Abeokuta and 

Owode, both in Ogun 

State. 

A statement by the 

management said : “This is 

a rare feat for a young 

VISIT: From right: 

Chairman, Musical 

Copyright Society, 

Nigeria (MCSN), 

Orits Williki, 

exchanging 

pleasantries with the 

DG, Nigerian 

C o p y r i g h t 

Commission (NCC), 

John Asein and CEO, 

MCSN, Mayo 

Ayilaran during 

MCSN’s courtesy visit 

to the corporate 

headquarters of NCC 

in Abuja. 

university like ours. It was 

our first time of 

undergoing accreditation. 

Our scores range from 72 

to 97% with most 

programmes scoring 87% 

and above. They are as 

follows: Criminology & 

Security studies: 72.3%, 

Computer science: 76.7%, 

Microbiology: 84.1%, 

Biochemistry: 87.1%, 

Economics: 87.7%, Political 

science: 89.4%, Accounting: 

89.8%, Business 

Administration: 89.9% and 

Psychology: 97%.” 

The statement added; 

“We are still admitting for 

2018/2019 for those with 

WAEC and JAMB 

application for 2019/2020 

for those in secondary 

schools.”

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019—15 

Imo APC in fresh battle for presidential favour 

By Chinonso 

Alozie 

OWERRI—AHEAD of 

Saturday's 

presidential and national 

assembly elections, leaders 

of factions of Imo State All 


APC, have begun another 

round of battle in order to 

get support of the 

presidency. 

The new line of battle 

involves accusing each 

other of working for main 

opposition presidential 

candidate, Atiku 

Abubarkar. 

Vanguard gathered 

yesterday in Owerri that 

accusations and counteraccusations 

have been 

employed to weaken 

opponents in the same 

political party ahead of 

Saturday’s presidential and 

national assembly 

elections. 

First to fire the shot was 

the Imo State Governor, 

Rochas Okorocha, who 

openly accused the 

governorship candidate of 

his party, APC, Senator 

Hope Uzodinma of working 

for the Presidential 

candidate of the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP. 

Atiku Abubakar. 

Responding, Uzodinma 

described Okorocha as 

claiming to be a member of 

APC but engaging in a 

clandestine deal with Atiku, 

adding that Okorocha 

should leave the party 

rather than plan to destroy 

it. 

Okorocha through his 

Chief Press Secretary, Sam 

Onwuemeodo, claimed 

that ”Chief Uzodinma and 

his motley supporters have 

openly canvassed supports 

for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar 

of the PDP and the party’s 

candidates for the national 

assembly elections and 

have also been working 

secretly with the PDP 

chieftains in the state for 

that purpose, claiming that 

he has decided to toe that 

line to get back at President 

Buhari and Governor 

Rochas Okorocha for not 

supporting his 

candidature." 

You're drowning man, 

Uzodinma tells 

Okorocha 

However, Senator Hope 

Uzodinma through his 

Director of Media and 

Publicity, Declan 

Emelumba, said: “The 

claim by Governor Rochas 

Okorocha that the APC 

governorship candidate in 

Imo state Senator Hope 

Uzodimma is working for 

the PDP for Saturday’s 

election is fatuous, 

malicious and a clear 

evidence that the governor, 

like a drowning man, is out 

to cause maximum 

disaffection within the APC 

family." 

Atiku Campaign angry over Obiano’s memo 

to Anambra workers While challenging 

•No such memo —Obiano 

By Vincent 

Ujumadu 

AWKA—A 

MEMO 

allegedly sent to the 

administration department 

of the Anambra State Post 

Primary Schools Service 

Commission, PPSSC, to 

supply information about 

teachers and civil servants 

in the state ahead of 

Saturday’s presidential 

election, is causing disquiet 

in the Atiku/Obi Campaign 

Council. 

The Director-General of 

Atiku/Obi Campaign 

Organization in Anambra 

State, Dr. Harry Oranezi, 

who expressed the worry, 

said the directive was 

indicative of a rigging plan, 

warning Governor Willie 

Obiano against acts 

capable of undermining 

the election and the 

electoral law. 

However, Governor 

Obiano, who spoke 

through the Commissioner 

for Information and Public 

Enlightenment, Don 

Adinuba said there was no 

iota of truth in the 

allegation. 

Oranezi, who addressed 

reporters in Awka said: 

“Among many acts of the 

governor included threats 

of dismissal of Anambra 

civil servants that do not 

vote for President 

Muhammadu Buhari, the 

candidate of APC. 

“The governor directed 

that text messages be sent 

to civil servants in the state. 

The text message read: 

‘Please submit a return on 

these details of staff in your 

school to Admin. 

Department of PPSSC 

Awka zonal office as 

directed by the Executive 

Governor of Anambra State, 

namely, 1, Name; 2, Voting 

Ward and 3.Polling Unit. 

“Return to be submitted 

before close of work on 20/ 

02/19. Please acknowledge 

receipt of this information.” 

According to Oranezi, the 

signal was sent to 

secondary school principals 

throughout the state, while 

a similar signal was sent to 

other civil servants in the 

state. 

Governor Obiano to explain 

to the public and Anambra 

people the purpose of those 

signals, he urged Anambra 

civil servants not to yield to 

the threats and acts of 

intimidation; reminding 

them that they were "better 

off disregarding the 

governor, than to suffer four 

more years of deprivation, 

hardship and lack of vision 

under APC administration." 

Fake INEC result sheet: Arrest 

Ogah, Ubani now —Abia govt 

By Levinus 

Nwabughiogu 

ABUJA—ABIA State 

government has 

called for the immediate 

release of citizens Felix 

Obisike and Gauis Nnadi, 

the two N-Power 

beneficiaries in Abia State 

who were arrested by the 

Directorate of State 

Services, DSS on a 

spurious claim of being in 

possession of result sheet 

of the Independent 


Commission, INEC for the 

postponed February 16 


Assembly elections. 

The government, 

instead, called for the arrest 

and prosecution of the 

candidate for All 


Polls postponement: Again, 

UNN reschedules 45th 

matriculation ceremony 

By Ikechukwu 

Odu 

NSUKKA—The 45th 

matriculation 

ceremony of the University 

of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, 

has again been postponed 

due to the rescheduling of 

the general election by the 



INEC, to the 23rd of 

February, 2019 which 

coincided with the date of 

APC, in the state, Uche 

Ogah and the former 

secretary of Nigerian Bar 

Association, NBA, 

Monday Ubani who it 

alleged, fabricated, 

circulated and planted the 

fake result sheet on the 

citizens to score cheap 

political points. 

The state government 

alleged that the N-Power 

beneficiaries were lured into 

the campaign 

headquarters of Ogah in 

Umuahia, the state capital 

through a purported 

meeting of all the 

beneficiaries in the state, 

from where they planted 

the sheet on Obisike, 

tortured him and made him 

to admit the possession of 

the sensitive document 

under duress. 

the ceremony. 

In a statement made 

public by the head of Public 

Relations and Information 

unit of the institution, 

Omekun Okun, the 

ceremony would now hold 

on the 16th of March, 

2019, adding that the 

postponement is sequel to 

the rescheduling of the 

general election to 

23rdFebruary, 2019, the 

same day the ceremony 

was to hold. 

However, Adinuba, the 

Commissioner for 

Information urged the 

people to disregard the 

rumour, adding that the 

governor had consistently 

been directing Anambra 

electorate to vote for 

candidates of All 

Progressive Grand 

Alliance, APGA, in all 

elections. 

Enugu pensioners jubilate 

over payment of gratuities 

By Chinedu Adonu 

E NUGU—A 

delegation of 

pensioners of Enugu 

State, who have 

benefitted from the 

monthly N100 million 

approved by the 

administration of 

Governor Ifeanyi 

Ugwuanyi for payment of 

arrears of gratuities from 

May 2018, yesterday 

paid a thank-you visit to 

the governor "for 

rescuing them in their 

time of need." 

The elated 

beneficiaries, who 

described gratuity as "the 

life-wire of every retiree", 

in an address presented 

by the state chairman of 

the Nigeria Union of 

Pensioners, NUP, 

Comrade Damian 

Udeani, praised God for 

using Ugwuanyi to do 

good things for the 

people. 

They said they could 

not thank the governor 

enough for reviving the 

payment of gratuities in 

Enugu State, disclosing 

that •"over the years, 

before Your Excellency 

came on board, pensioners 

have been denied this life 

rejuvenating benefit". 

According to them, "many 

pensioners have passed on 

without getting it. But now, 

Your Excellency has 

gladdened the hearts of 

pensioners in Enugu State 

with the revival of payment 

of gratuities". 

Reiterating their firm 

support for Ugwuanyi's reelection, 

the jubilant 

pensioners also 

appreciated the governor 

for paying their pensions as 

at when due, saying "our 

families and our friends will 

pray and do our part to see 

that you continue in office." 

According to the address 

presented by the State 

Chairman of Trade Union 

Congress, TUC, of Nigeria, 

Igbokwe Chukwuma 

Igbokwe, on behalf of the 

committee supervising the 

payment of the fund, more 

than 600 retirees have been 

paid their gratuity 

amounting to over N700 

million, while outstanding 

gratuities from January 

2009 to March 2010 have 

so far been cleared.


MEETING: From left— Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Mr Shina Olukolu; Resident Electoral 

Commissioner, Oyo State, Mr Mutiu Agboke, Commander, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, 

Oyo State, Dr Oyedokun Adewoye; Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mr Dukyoon John; representative 

of the G.O. C, Major Ibsoye Briggs, at the stakeholders meeting of Oyo State INEC on the forthcoming 

general elections in Ibadan. Photo: NAN. 

Senate: I'm not aware of court order stopping 

Uduaghan from contesting —Delta REC 

By Festus Ahon 

Aspeculation SABA—AGAINST 

in some 

quarters, Delta Resident 

Electoral Commissioner, 

REC, Dr. Cyril Omorogbe, 

yesterday said he was not 

aware of any court 

judgment stopping the 

Delta South Senatorial 

candidate of the All 


APC, Dr Emmanuel 

Accident victims: LASG hands over 200 first aid 

kits to LASTMA 

By Monsuru 

Olowoopejo 

LAGOS—TO reduce 

the number of deaths recorded 

at accident scene, 

Lagos State Government 

has handed over 200 

medical kits to officers of the 

State Traffic Management 

Authority, LASTMA. 

The State Government 

argued that to reduce 

causalities, the first 

responders at accident 

scene, LASTMA, must be 

equipped to give victims 

quick treatment that would 

save life. 

Senior Special Assistant, 

SSA to the Governor on 

Health Matters, Dr. Sola 

Pitan, who handed over the 

200 first Aid boxes to Chief 

Executive Officer of 

LASTMA, Mr Chris 

Olakpe and the General 

Manager, Olawale Musa, 

yesterday, stressed that the 

equipments conform to 

international standard on 

emergency response. 

He said: “With these 

boxes, LASTMA officers are 

empowered and able to 

swiftly assist in saving the 

lives of accident victims 

from the jaw of death, while 

awaiting the arrival of the 

ambulance.” 

The SSA explained that 

to aide proper use of the 

box, no fewer than 1,100 

LASTMA officers were 

trained on scene safety 

management and calling 

for help strategy at accident 

scene. 

“Also, they were trained 

on use of personal protec- 

Uduaghan from contesting 

the Saturday senatorial 

election. 

Omorogbe who stated this 

chatting with journalists in 

his office in Asaba, said his 

office in Asaba does not 

handle such legal issues 

but can only act after 

receiving a formal directive 

from the national 

headquarters of INEC in 

Abuja. 

Hear him; "In Asaba we 

tive equipment, control of 

bleeding and management 

of victims with fractures 

and cardiopulmonary resuscitation 

at accident 

Polls: I'll make Delta better than 

Dubai —Dikadi 

ASABA—THE Peoples 

Redemption Party, PRP, 

governorship candidate, 

Delta State, Lucky Dikadi, 

has promised to provide 

good leadership and in turn 

make the state better than 

Dubai if elected into office. 

Dikadi stated this while 

fielding questions from 

newsman in Asaba, 

yesterday. 

According to him, Delta 

State need true and quality 

By Alemma Aliu 

BENIN 

CITY—A 

community leader 

(Odionwere) of 

Iguobazuwa, in Ovia South 

West local government area 

of Edo state, Chief Sunday 

Omokaro, has appealed to 

politicians to avoid 

misleading representation 

and should always stick to 

the truth of their desire to 

genuinely serve the people. 

He stated this to deny 

reports in some local media 

that he has endorsed the 

don't actually handle most 

of those judgements, it is 

actually done in Abuja. I am 

particularly aware of one in 

Warri area where the 

judgment was in ten wards 

that now became twelve 

wards, and it wanted us to 

revert back to ten wards. 

"This information came 

last week, and it was not 

the best time to address it. 

So we were able to 

scenes.” 

Pitan noted that the idea 

was in line with Ambode’s 

vision of ensuring all first 

responders at emergency 

leadership, adding that 

despite the abundance of 

crude oil and other natural 

resources, the state has not 

fared better under 

successive governments. 

The governorship 

hopeful said that leaders of 

the state over the years, 

have been self-serving at 

the detriment of the masses, 

stressing that he would 

make the difference for the 

betterment of the people if 

postpone it till after the 

election for discussion. 

"In terms of the number of 

court judgments, I have 

never taken the time to start 

counting them. I am aware 

of the judgment for Ethiope 

Federal constituency but I 

will not talk on it until I get 

something from the 

commission in terms of a 

formal letter telling us what 

it is". 

scene were equipped with 

necessary skill set and tools 

to save accident victims that 

were in dire need of their 

intervention. 

given the mandate. 

“This is why I have come 

to salvage my people from 

unwarranted poverty. I am 

in the race to positively 

impact on the lives of 

Deltans” he said. 

While saying that 

through creative thinking, 

a person can achieve what 

he wants, he would leave a 

legacy of high standard after 

first term if elected into 

office. 

Community leader denies endorsing 

Edo PDP candidate 


PDP, candidate for the Ovia 

Federal Constituency, Ms. 

Omosede Igbinedion, 

against that of the All 


APC, Mr Dennis Idahosa. 

Omokaro said he was a 

father to all and has been 

fair by receiving every 

candidate that had come to 

seek his blessings. 

According to him, "At no 

time did I endorse the 

PDP’s candidate, 

Omosede, nor asked my 

subjects, the people of 

Iguobazuwa, not to vote for 

the APC candidate, 

Idahosa, who accidentally 

hails from Iguobazuwa. 

"Knowing fully that we 

have a son in the race, I 

have been open and fair to 

all, by welcoming them to 

Iguobazuwa, and not 

restricting it to our son, 

Idahosa, alone. 

"I am not only disappointed 

with the news being 

aired on local Television 

Station about the purported 

endorsement or the fact that 

I have asked my people to 

vote against our son, I am 

highly embarrassed as well. 

W/Africa Crude: Nigeria April 

programmes expected, tenders in focus 

Nigerian programmes for April loading had yet 

to emerge on Wednesday and were expected 

on Thursday, traders said, as Indian refiners 

issued buy tenders which could mop up a March 

overhang. 

Some 15 Nigerian cargoes remain from the 

March programme, which traders said was in line 

with some previous months. 

Nigerian differentials stayed steady at a premium 

of around $1.85 above dated Brent. 

China’s Unipec made a sell offer of Angolan grades 

Sangos at a premium of 80 cents to dated Brent 

for loading on April 12-13 and Nemba at $1.30 for 

loading on March 4-5, trimming down from earlier 

offers of $1.00 and $1.50 respectively. 

South Africa targets record output 

despite headwinds 

German carmaker Volkswagen’s South African 

unit expects to produce a record number of 

vehicles this year despite a sluggish domestic 

economy, power outages and looming talks with 

unions, its managing director said. 

Volkswagen Group South Africa manufactured 

126,463 vehicles in 2018, but will ramp up output 

to 161,900 vehicles this year with 108,000 destined 

for export, Thomas Schaefer told journalists late 

on Tuesday. 

“2018 was the best year in Volkswagen South 

Africa’s existence in many ways,” Schaefer said. 

Boosted by the popularity of its Vivo and Polo 

models, VW was the South African leader in 

passenger vehicles last year with a nearly 20 

percent market share, he said. 

But 2019 will present major challenges to the 

South African auto industry as a whole. 

U.S. stocks mixed; treasuries, dollar 

decline 

U 

.S. stocks were mixed in thin trading, while 

Treasuries and the dollar fell as investors 

awaited hints on the direction of interest rates 

from the Federal Reserve and any clarity on 

trade.The S&P 500 struggled for footing ahead of 

the release of the Fed’s meeting 

minutes Wednesday afternoon that will give a 

peak into the thinking behind the central bank’s 

big decision last month to pause rate hikes. CVS 

Health Corp. plunged after the company said its 

results would be dragged down by rising costs 

and its recent takeover, weighing on health-care 

shares. The 10-year Treasury yield rose above 2.64 

percent, while the dollar fell against major 

currencies as American and Chinese officials work 

in Washington this week to resolve a trade war 

that’s set to ramp up on March 1. West Texas crude 

oil pushed above $56 a barrel. 

Tunisia central bank chief says raising 

rates not enough to curb inflation 

Tunisia’s central bank chief said on Wednesday 

that raising interest rates was not enough to 

curb inflation and other measures were needed. 

The bank raised it key interest rate to 7.75 percent 

from 6.75 percent on Tuesday to combat high 

inflation, the third such hike in the past 12 months. 

Governor Marouane Abassi told reporters the 

current account deficit hit record high in 2018, 

reaching 11.2 percent of GDP. 

Zimbabwe scraps bond note, U.S. dollar 

peg - central bank 

Zimbabwe on Wednesday abandoned a peg that was 

supposed to ensure its quasi-currency bond note 

would trade at parity with the U.S. dollar, Central Bank 

Governor John Mangudya said. 

Zimbabwe began introducing bond notes to eleviate 

chronic cash shortages in 2016. Over time the bond 

notes have devalued against the U.S. dollar on the street, 

despite being officially pegged to the value of the 

greenback.

How I missed the event 

IT was a typical February 

afternoon on Wednesday, last 

week, when I set out from Abuja 

to attend an event holding in the 

Unguwar Dosa centre of Yasim 

El-Rufa’i Foundation, Kaduna. A 

pall of white, harmattan mist was 

hovering when I drove towards 

Dutsen-Alhaji settlement to take 

the right turn and run on the 

more direct route that would link 

up through Bwari with Jere on 

the main Abuja- Kaduna 

expressway. It was a warm 

afternoon, traffic was 

surprisingly light for that time of 

the day, and even the gridlock at 

Dutsen-Alhaji market seemed 

abated. I thought, probably this 

indicates that Abuja is being 

depleted of its citizens going 

away to cast their votes in the 


Assembly Elections, coming up 

at the weekend. 

Relieved at leaving behind those 

twists and turns on the road, 

before Bwari, I swished the 

windows of my car down to 

savour the crisp breeze of the 

time, while darting appreciative 

glances at those picturesque 

rolling hills that hug the stretch 

of the road. In time I had hit Jere 

Junction and was on the express 

way to Kaduna. A glance at my 

car radio told me that I was 

running late for the event and 

could barely make a late 

appearance. 

I drove on, ruminating over the 

countless invitations I have had 

over the past many months in my 

mail urging me to visit the Yasim 

El-Rufa’i Foundation. Now that 

there was a window in my 

schedule I was determined to pay 

a visit and hopefully observe a 

programme holding that day. 

The programme, dubbed, From 

Kaduna with Love, was a creative 

art event, which for me, would 

have been a good introduction to 

what the Foundation was all 

about. I have already learnt that 

it is an outfit Hadiza Isma El- 

Rufa’i runs in that part of Kaduna 

town to encourage creative 

writing among the youth. 

I have not been privileged to meet 

the lady yet but I had to take a 

closer look at her activities when 

a mutual friend introduced me 

to the novel she wrote, An 

Abundance of Scorpions. I read 

the novel and found it 

fascinating. It is easy to read with 

characters and a story line rooted 

in the northern traditions and 

cultures. The novel tells the story 

of a young lady, Tambaya, who 

suffered the tragedy of losing her 

husband, Yakubu, and her only 

daughter, Fatima, in a motor 

Ambush marketing, the Nigeria IP laws 

and the future 

By Rockson Igelige 

AMBUSH marketing is a phrase 

coined to amplify a brand which 

connects itself to a particular event without 

paying any sponsorship fees to be an 

official sponsor.This was best 

demonstrated in the case of Usain Bolt at 

the 2016 Olympic in Rio Brazil where he 

kissed his Puma shoe after winning the 

100 metres dash. Nike, the sportswear 

giant, was the Official Olympics sponsor 

and a rival to Puma in the sportswear 

business. This is a clear case of ambush 

marketing. And it is this creativity and 

innovation being employed by the 

proponents of ambush marketing that has 

made our intellectual property laws in the 

different countries helpless in matters 

relating to ambush marketing. 

The existence and manifestation of this 

phenomenon at global sporting events has 

become emboldened and deeply rooted so 

much so that legal experts are working 

around the clock to curtail this menace 

by devising other ways outside the known 

traditional intellectual property laws. But 

in Nigeria, it is a strange practice and 

malady that is still unknown despite the 

fact that we have hosted global sporting 

events like the Junior World Cup and 

African Cup of Nations in the past. It may 

interest us to note that one of the conditions 

of FIFA for awarding countries the right 

to host the World Cup deals with how 

ambush marketing can be tackled 

through the instrumentality of the law 

outside the known traditional intellectual 

property laws that have become deficient 

in this sphere. The existing traditional 

intellectual property laws of most 

countries, including the ones of Nigeria, 

tackle issues relating to the unauthorised 

use of a registered trade mark, logo or 

slogan, use of a copy of any artistic work 

protected by copyright or a deliberate 

misleading of the public. 

Cases of ambush marketing that have 

dominated sporting events in the last few 

years have thrown up a big challenge, 

thereby making mockery of the existing 

traditional intellectual property laws in 

place globally. Although frantic efforts 

have been made to curtail ambush 

marketing at the global level by using the 

existing traditional intellectual property 

laws, the limited number of case law on 

the subject outside this jurisdiction has 

proven that the existing institutional and 

legal framework are inadequate in the task 

of curtailing the practice. The traditional 

intellectual property and unfair trade laws 

In Nigeria, it is a strange 

practice and malady that is 

still unknown despite the 

fact that we have hosted 

global sporting events like 

the Junior World Cup 

cannot guarantee any protection because 

of the creativity of ambush marketers who 

know the wordings of the laws well enough 

not to breach them. Not even the 

intellectual property law plus that was 

initiated as a complementary effort has 

been able to address this lacuna. 

The few cases against ambush marketing 

that were successful even though their 

claims were founded on traditional 

intellectual property laws were those 

brought under laws on the appropriation 

of trademarks or breach of copyright. A 

good example of this is the case of Arsenal 

Football Club and Matthew Reed. In this 

case, Arsenal Football Club filed an 

action against Reed for selling club 

merchandise without a license from the 

club. The merchandise had the club logo, 

which was trademark protected, on it. 

accident. What followed were the 

tribulations of the widow to 

rebuild her life in the face of 

mounting difficulties. She 

became a widow without any 

support and had to move to Accra 

in Ghana to live with Aminu, her 

brother. Much as she had looked 

forward to starting afresh in 

Ghana, she couldn’t secure a job. 

To worsen matters she had 

difficulties living with her 

brother’s wife, who made it clear 

she didn’t want to share the house 

with her. She moved back to 

Nigeria to work in an Abuja 

orphanage where she was 

involved in more adventures 

Dusk was not far away 

as I neared the Kaduna 

toll gate. And as 

Unguwar Dosa is on 

the opposite side of my 

entry point, and would 

require considerable 

amount of time to 

reach, I concluded 

that, I couldn’t make it 

before finally finding her niche. 

It is an interesting novel written 

in the traditions of the Bronte 

Sisters whose books, readers will 

recall, depicted social conditions 

in England of the early 19th 

Century. Hadiza is obviously 

enamoured to the more famous 

sister of the three, Charlotte 

(1816-55) who wrote Jane Eyre. 

I observe that in her own novel 

Hadiza had also the courage to 

take on the issue of women 

inheritance under Islamic Law, 

though she skilfully skirts around 

it probably to avoid offence. 

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019 —17 

17 

Ever since reading the novel and 

the invitations that followed, I 

committed myself to visit the 

Unguwar Dosa creative writing 

centre to see what they are doing 

and hope to draw lessons to share 

with our readers. The story of the 

creative centre is entirely a 

narrative of its own. Many 

readers will recall that Hadiza 

tragically lost her grown up 

daughter, Yasmin, in 2011. The 

Foundation that now bears her 

name was to immortalise her, 

particularly the passion she had 

during her lifetime for creative 

writing. I have followed the 

successes of the centre in their 

website, which is quite active. 

They are involved in a number of 

activities that are I suppose 

centred around creativity and 

creative writing. Even the 

location of the centre in that 

densely populated part of 

Kaduna is an indication of what 

the promoters wish to achieve - a 

dispersal of knowledge among 

the less privileged. 

I drove on. The road stretches on 

with the traffic becoming denser. 

Of course, on the Jere axis, the 

one thought that fills the mind 

was the fear of kidnappers, that 

were known to have the audacity 

to strike on hapless travellers 

even in daytime. However, the 

ubiquitous spread of security men 

that day on the road was a source 

of confidence. But as one neared 

Kaduna, after the km 60 post, 

another source of concern 

emerged. The road that was 

rehabilitated just two years ago 

is failing in many parts. Many 

will recall that the road was 

refurbished with all fanfare when 

Nnamdi Azikwe Airport Abuja 

was closed for a considerable 

period in 2017. Kaduna Airport 

was to be used to take the Abuja 

Reed’s argument that he used the logo as 

a mere badge of allegiance was rejected 

by the Court. 

The ambush marketing cases that event 

owners and official sponsors find most 

challenging are those related to intrusion 

and association, given the fact that these 

practices fall outside the ambit of 

traditional intellectual property laws. The 

New Zealand “Ring Ring” case is a typical 

example of how imaginative ambush 

marketers can be in order to avoid 

breaching the laws; though upon close 

examination “Ring Ring” was found to be 

a clear reference to the Olympic ring 

symbol. Pepsi’ use of NBL team`s home 

town instead of the team names themselves 

was done to avoid breaching trademarked 

names. The two instances cited above 

(Ring Ring case and Pepsi) show that 

traditional intellectual property laws are 

like a toothless bulldog in any fight against 

ambush marketing. There is need for farreaching 

legislation that would be a more 

effective weapon for tackling all aspects 

of ambush marketing. 

The reason(s) for ambush marketing is not 

farfetched. Global sport events like the 

Olympics and the World Cup have become 

battle grounds where marketers try every 

trick in their kitty in their bid to convince 

consumers of the desirability, if not 

usefulness, of the products or brands they 

promote. The reason marketers pull out 

all the stunts at these events is plain 

enough: they constitute the two largest 

global sporting events with mammoth 

broadcast reach, thus providing 

marketers the most advantageous 

occasion for advertising their products to 

consumers. The 2008 Beijing Olympics is 

a good example of the audience reach of 

the Olympic Games. It is on record that 

the games were beamed to a live audience 

of over 4.7 billion or 70 percent of the 

World population. 

The tussle by different brands to outdo 

each other at major sporting events like 

the Olympics or World Cup is linked to 

the commercialisation of these events, 

with particular regard to corporate 

sponsorship. Sport sponsorship is an 

air traffic but the road from 

Abuja leading to Kaduna was in 

a sorry condition thus attracting 

the quick attention of the 

government to sort it out. The 

road was patched up in good time 

for the purpose. 

Now, the road is getting back to 

that sorry state, as the pot holes 

have re-emerged with impunity 

virtually all the way to Kaduna. 

It is understandable when one 

considers the kinds of heavy duty 

vehicles carrying immense 

haulage on the road. On that day, 

I counted many long vehicles 

carrying petroleum products, 

some were conveying bags of 

cement, and many others just had 

bags of agricultural products but 

all acting individually or in 

concert as if they owned the road 

to themselves. It is a pity that our 

roads are so clogged but this is 

because our rail transport system 

is yet to reach the next level of 

carrying large haulage. Our 

roads will continue to suffer such 

quick depreciation unless the 

railway lines are fixed up. 

That evening such long, heavy 

duty, vehicles were many on the 

road and as they were not 

amenable to potholes they 

became sluggish with a long 

queue of other vehicles trailing 

behind them, inevitably 

travelling at snail speed. I could 

see that the pace on the road 

would make it difficult for me to 

reach my destination in time. 

And so it was. Dusk was not far 

away as I neared the Kaduna toll 

gate. And as Unguwar Dosa is on 

the opposite side of my entry 

point, and would require 

considerable amount of time to 

reach, I concluded that, I couldn’t 

make it. 

May be another time. God 

willing. 

attractive area for both companies and 

event organisers from the perspective that 

they provide the most coveted room for 

selling their brands to a wide audience. 

There is also the additional benefit of a 

boost to the image of a company for 

identifying with the event and the real 

sport heroes. The sole aim of sport event 

organisers is to maximise income, and 

corporate sponsorship is a very effective 

means of achieving this goal. 

Sponsorship takes different shapes and 

shades. It can be in the form of official 

sponsorship of the main event, or of 

athletes, or even a team. In most cases, 

companies that lose their bid to secure the 

status of official sponsor of the main event 

would opt for identifying with a particular 

team or athlete for a chance to showcase 

their brand to spectators’ sponsors. It is 

this interplay of differing forms of 

sponsorship that gave birth to the phrase, 

ambush marketing. While event owners 

and official sponsors see ambush 

marketing as detrimental to sporting 

events, those who engage in it see their 

action as squarely within the ambit of the 

relevant laws. But no doubt, if the activities 

of these ambush marketers are left 

unchecked, they could lead to dire 

consequence such that sponsorship of 

major events like the Olympics and the 

World Cup would be difficult to secure. 

From the above analysis, can we 

comfortably say that the Nigeria 

intellectual property laws can curb this 

menace? Before we proceed, we must note 

that the Nigeria legal system evolved from 

the United Kingdom, and by extension our 

intellectual property laws are almost the 

same as that of the United Kingdom. And 

the lacuna in both countries’ laws are to a 

reasonable extent cemented by the 

international treaties that they are 

signatory to. While the Copyrights, Patents 

and Design Act, 1988 is the regulatory 

legal framework for intellectual property 

matters in the United Kingdom, the 

Nigerian Copyrights Act, 2004 is the one 

in Nigeria. Continues online 

*Mr. Igelige, an entertainment lawyer, 

wrote from Oleh, Delta State.


IN a country like Nigeria in which 

democracy has not been allowed to 

grow unimpeded, the electoral 

umpire – the Independent National 

Electoral Commission, INEC, – is 

regularly treated like a dumpsite 

when major elections are afoot. 

In addition to its own internal 

contradictions, the INEC is made to 

carry the perceived malfeasances of 

political contenders. The two major 

political parties – the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, and the People’s 

Democratic Party, PDP, – have, 

expectedly, been accusing it of 

colluding with their opponents to 

“rig” the general elections. 

Some of the accusations range from 

colluding with evil politicians to 

reconfigure the Smart Card Readers 

to favour their opponents, 

unsubstantiated allegations of INEC 

officials meeting with opponents at 

home and abroad, allowing 

opponents to supply ad-hoc staff, pre- 

INEC must stand firm for Nigeria 

informing their opponents of major 

decisions, manipulating the voters’ 

register to favour opponents, 

planning to undersupply stronghold 

areas of unfavoured parties and 

candidates; and what have you. 

But, Nigerians are not hoodwinked. 

Some of these accusers are the very 

ones pussyfooting in the night trying 

to get the INEC officials, ad-hoc staff 

and security agents to rig the elections 

for them. They accuse the INEC and 

their opponents of perpetrating the 

same offences they are planning to 

commit. They cry in the day and tiptoe 

in the night, like thieves. 

We acknowledge some of the 

patriotic efforts that the INEC had 

made in efforts to give Nigeria free 

and fair elections in 2019. These 

include: fronting the efforts to pass 

the 2018 Electoral Amendment Bill, 

which would have permitted the 

compulsory transmission of election 

results from polling units to the 

national headquarters of the 

Commission, strategies to curtail 

vote-buying and last week, the 

decision to shift the elections rather 

than stagger them as has been 

alleged. 

In spite of these gallant efforts, the 

INEC must remain firm and vigilant 

because of the presence of 

compromised elements within and 

without, involved in the execution of 

these elections. If the powers that be 

had respected the need to make INEC 

totally devoid of the presence of these 

compromised elements the true 

independence of the current Board of 

the Commission would have been 

better guaranteed. 

Despite shortcomings on the part of 

the electoral umpire and machnations 

of desparate politicians, most 

Nigerians at this juncture still retain 

hope that INEC, its flaws 

notwithstanding, is run by men and 

women of character. The trust reposed 

in these men and women must not be 

betrayed. INEC must creditably 

deliver for Nigerians. 

History beckons on Professor 

Yakubu’s INEC. It must not perform 

below the standards set by Prof 

Attahiru Jega’s INEC in 2015. 

By Folake Alli 

EVENTS in the recent past within the 

Nigeria political space have glaringly 

shown that Nigerian women are still 

considered unequal to the male folk in terms 

of participation in politics. It is a fact that the 

development of democracy in any country 

requires the active participation of all adults 

above a threshold age irrespective of gender. 

This is an integral and fundamental 

requirement of modern day democratic 

governance. It is expected that both men and 

women should have equal and inalienable 

rights to fully participate in all aspects and at 

all levels of the political process. However, the 

reality in the African continent and a few other 

third world countries have shown that women 

face several challenges and insurmountable 

hurdles that hinder full and active political 

participation. 

From the historical perspective in Nigeria, 

the Clifford Constitution of 1922 

disenfranchised women and limited the 

participation of adult males strictly to the 

wealthy and the bourgeoisie. The Richard 

Constitution of 1946 simply reduced the 

property qualifications for enfranchisement. 

The Macpherson Constitution removed 

property qualification, but restricted the 

electorate to only adult males who pay their 

taxes. It was not until the promulgation of the 

Constitution of 1979 that the right to vote and 

be voted for was extended to all Nigerian adults 

18 years and above irrespective of gender. 

Section 42(1) of the Federal Republic of 

Nigeria Constitution of 1979 provides, “A 

citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, 

ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or 

political opinion shall not, by reason only that 

he is such a person be subjected to any form of 

discrimination.” This provision was a most 

welcome development and the political space 

was open to women to actively vote and be 

voted for as candidates in elections at all levels 

of governance. However, it is sad to note that 

since this Constitution was promulgated, 

women have not been given enough 

opportunities by their male counterparts to 

actively participate or even appointed in 

appreciable numbers into prominent positions 

at all levels of governance. What are the factors 

responsible for low female participation in 

politics in Nigeria and how would it be 

possible (looking forward) to ensure and 

guarantee improved participation? 

There are apparently many factors that 

hinder women from actively participating in 

politics. The major factor responsible is their 

sedentary lifestyle. This is most applicable to 

the predominantly domestic female 

housewives, who are compelled by 

circumstance, not necessarily by choice to 

remain at home to tend to the needs of their 

families. In fact, women are perceived to 

belong to the home and incapable of making 

sound political decisions. Some contend that 

it is undesirable and unbecoming of women to 

physically expose themselves to boisterous 

political activities such as campaigning and 

participation at political rallies, which on 

several occasions could become rough and 

violent. Other relevant factors are lack of 

finance, cultural and religious barriers inherent 

in the Nigerian social factors. Scholars have 

expressed the view that gender relations have 

made it difficult for one half of the female 

population to make significant contributions 

to development. Although women constitute 

almost sixty percent of the population, they 

are regrettably relegated to the background in 

almost all facets of life except childbirth. 

In Nigeria, women suffer systematic 

disadvantages and discrimination, which is 

further magnified due to the fact that the vast 

majority reside in the rural areas and the 

villages. However, in 1957, during the preindependence 

era, a couple of female political 

activists emerged. This includes Mrs. 

OPINION 

Politics and the marginalisation of women 

Margaret Ekpo, Mrs. Janet Mokelu and 

Ms.Young, who were members of the Eastern 

House of Assembly. The late Mrs. 

Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a very 

popular Egba political activist who fought 

tirelessly for the emancipation of the Egba 

women and by extension the rights of women 

in Yorubaland and the Western Region of 

Nigeria. Hajiya Gambo Sawaba waged a 

tireless fierce battle for the political and cultural 

emancipation of women in Northern Nigeria. 

Women must 

ensure political 

relevance at all 

times 

It was during the era of President Badamasi 

Babangida, IBB, that marked a turning point 

in the history of female emancipation and 

relevance of the women folks within the context 

of the political history. Hajiya Maryam 

Babangida institutionalised the Office of the 

First Lady and launched the “Better Life For 

Rural Women Programme.” This programme 

was very successful and afforded a large 

number of women the opportunity to actively 

participate and contribute their quota to 

national development. Among other women 

who have made indelible mark in politics was 

Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Minister 

of Finance, who was seconded from the World 

Bank. Also, late Mrs. Dora Akinyuli, the former 

Director General of the Nigerian food and drug 

control and administration agency, NAFDAC, 

performed creditably well in the fight against 

adulterated pharmaceutical products, which 

effort was globally acclaimed. In the recent 

past, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, the former Federal 

Minister of Education, a human rights activist 

and politician. Until recently, she was a 

candidate for the presidential elections. Also 

Alhaja Lateefat Okunnu, the first female 

deputy governor in Nigeria. 

It is a fact that since 1979, there has been a 

commendable increase in the number of 

women actively participating in politics, but 

there is still under participation and parity of 

representation relative to their voting strength 

and compared to their male counterparts. The 

right of democratic participation is an 

entitlement conferred on all citizens by law. In 

Nigeria till date, there are less than 30 percent 

of women holding political offices from the 

Federal, State, Local government’s to the ward 

levels. It is important to note that recently in 

Liberia, Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was elected 

as the first African female President and had a 

very successful tenure. 

As a way forward, it is very important for 

women to actively participate in politics. 

Recently, some of the political parties waived 

the cost of nomination forms for women 

aspiring to political offices in order to 

encourage more women to contest elections. 

Women must also remove the “toga” of gender 

stereotypes deeply rooted in culture and 

religious beliefs to enable them compete with 

men. The female activists must ensure the 

immediate implementation of the Gender 

Policy that provides that they are given a 

minimum of 35 percent in appointments. The 

media at all levels should henceforth desist 

from gender stereotyping of women as objects 

of pleasure and support active participation 

of women in politics. 

Also, educational institutions should 

eliminate gender stereotypes from their 

curriculums and families should encourage 

social interactions between boys and girls in 

order to instill in the young ladies a sense of 

equality with their male counterparts. The 

struggle to turn the tide and guarantee political 

participation of more women and thereby 

bridge the marginalisation gap is a continuous 

battle. 

* Ms. Alli, a public affairs analyst, wrote 

from Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 , 2019 — 19 

From left, Mojisola Bakare, Divisional Head, Client Coverage and Wealth, Sterling Bank Plc; Abubakar Suleiman, Managing 

Director/CEO, Sterling Bank Plc; Mr. Olumide Bolumole, Head, Listing Business Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange 

(NSE); Justina Lewa, Company Secretary, Sterling Bank Plc and Enabruke Oju, Capital Management, Sterling Bank Plc 

during the listing of Sterling Investment Management SPV Plc N32,899,000,000 bond at the Exchange. 

STOCK MARKET 

Bulls defy political uncertainty 

... But analysts see profit taking by tomorrow 

By Peter Egwuatu 

The Nigerian equity 

market yesterday consolidated 

the gains recorded on Tuesday, thus 

defying the political risk associated with 

the postponement of the national 

elections as the bench mark index, 

Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE All 

Share Index, went up by 0.64 percent 

to close at 32,614.06 points. 

Analysts have attributed the upsurge 

in the market to some of the positive 

corporate earnings for the audited 

financial year 2018 being released to 

the market as gains in bellwether stocks 

such as Nigerian Breweries, NB 

(+10.0 percent ), Zenith Bank (+1.8 

percent ) and Guaranty Trust Bank, 

GTBank (+0.8 percent) boosted the 

bench mark index. 

Consequently, market capitalisation 

increased by N77.5 billion to settle at 

N12.2trillion while Year-to-Date, YtD, 

gain stood at 3.8 percent. 

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING 

US DOLLAR 

POUNDS 

EURO 

FRANC 

YEN 

CFA 

WAUA 

RENMINBI 

RIYAL 

SDR 

DANISH 

RAND 

$96.90 -0.30 

2,302.00 -38.00 

$13.26 -0.09 

$65.96 -0.49 

$55.68 -0.41 

305.8 306.3 306.8 

395.0019 395.6477 396.2936 

345.0953 345.6596 346.2238 

303.9761 304.4732 304.9702 

2.7607 2.7652 2.7697 

0.5061 0.5161 0.5261 

422.9233 423.6148 424.3063 

45.1903 45.2647 45.339 

81.5358 81.6691 81.8024 

424.0223 424.7156 425.4089 

46.2353 46.3109 46.3865 

. 21.5662 21.6015 21.6367 

CBN Exchange rate as at 20/02/2019 

Activity level also strengthened as 

volume and value traded advanced 22.4 

percent and 35.6 percent to 442.8 million 

units and N5.6billion respectively. The 

top traded stocks by volume were 

Sterling Bank (105.8million units), 

GTBank (37.4million units) and 

UBA (33.0million units), while 

GTBank (N1.4billion), Nestle Nigeria 

(N1.2billionn) and Zenith Bank 

(N434.0million) led the top traded by 

value. 

Performance across sectors was bullish 

as four of five indices closed in the green. 

The Consumer Goods and Insurance 

indices led gainers, up 1.4 percent and 

1.2 percent respectively, following 

buying interests in NB, Dangote Flour, 

Prestige Assurance and Law Union & 

Rock Insurance. 

The Oil & Gas index and Banking 

index trailed, up 1.0 percent and 0.8 

percent respectively on the back of gains 

in Mobil Oil, Eterna Oil, Zenith Bank 

and GTBank. 

On the flip side, sell pressures in 

Dangote Cement (-0.1 percent) led to a 

2 bases points (bps) decline in the 

Industrial Goods index. 

Investor sentiment as measured by 

market breadth strengthened as 26 

stocks advanced against 16 decliners. 

The best performing stocks were NB 

(+10.0 percent ), Caverton (+9.3 

percent ) and Jaiz Bank (+8.9 percent 

), while Gold Insurance (-9.4 percent 

), Custodian & Allied Insurance (-6.9 

percent ) and African Prudential (- 

4.6 percent ) led laggards. 

However, analysts at Afrinvest 

Research said: “Following two 

consecutive sessions of positive 

performance, we do not rule out the 

possibility of profit taking in subsequent 

sessions this week.” 

SEC changes rule on filing consent letters, 

executed offer document 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

In a bid to accommodate 

changes made to the terms 

of a proposed transaction prior to 

approval, the Securities and 

Exchange Commission 

(SEC) has introduced 

changes in the methods 

of filing consent letters, 

the execution of offer 

documents and the 

execution and issuance 

of consent letters by 

issuers and all issuing 

houses. 

The Commission 

disclosed this yesterday, 

in a notice sent to all 

issuers and issuing 

houses, saying that the 

changes went into effect 

on February 18, 2019. 

The notice stated: 

“Further to deliberations 

with the Association of 

Issuing Houses of 

Nigeria (AIHN) and in 

a bid to accommodate 

changes which may be 

made to the terms of a 

proposed transaction 

prior to approval, the 

Commission resolved to 

introduce some flexibility to the 

timing for filing consent letters 

with the Commission. “With effect 

from the effective date, consent 

letters of every person who 

consents to be named in the offer 

document or other document(s) 

in connection with a proposed 

offer, may now be filed either at 

the initial stage of a transaction 

or at the point of filing executed 

offer documents. 

“In giving effect to the 

foregoing, Issuing Houses are to 

note the following: The flexibility 

does not serve as an exemption 

to the complete filing directive of 

the Commission; This directive 

does not permit filing of consent 

letters in batches; All consent 

letters are expected to be filed in 

one complete batch at the initial 

point of filing the transaction or 

at the point of filing the executed 

offer documents; “All issuers and 

Issuing Houses are to note that 

Filing of consent letters at the 

point of filing executed offer 

documents will not preclude the 

identification of deficiencies 

which may delay the approval of 

the transaction. 

NAICOM approves first micro insurance company to run 

state business 

By Cynthia Alo 

In a move to deepen 

insurance penetration and 

acceptance in the country, the National 

Insurance Commission, NAICOM, 

has approved GOXI Microinsurance 

Company Limited to operate as a State 

Composite Micro-insurer . 

It will be recalled that among the 

requirements of the micro-insurance 

guidelines released by NAICOM last 

year a State Composite Microinsurer’s 

minimum capital base is 

N100 million, while the general 

business is N60 million and Life, 

N40million . 

The company is also expected to 

operate in any one state of the 

federation and this has made Goxi 

Micro Insurance Company Limited 

the first to start micro insurance 

operation in the country. 

In a statement released by the 

Commission’s Head of Corporate 

Communication, Salami Rasaaq, Goxi 

Sterling Bank’s 

N33bn bond 

listing to 

enhance trading 

in secondary 

market 

— Suleiman 

By Peter Egwuatu 

Sterling Bank Plc has 

disclosed that the listing 

of its N32.9 billion bond in both 

FMDQ platform and Nigerian 

Stock Exchange, NSE will 

enhance trading in the 

secondary market. 

The bond which is unsecured 

with a tenor of seven years at a 

fixed rate of 16. 50 percent, is 

part of a N65 billion Debt 

Issuance Programme of the 

bank to enable it finance its 

new business strategy and 

digital banking. 

Speaking at the listing, 

Managing Director, Sterling 

Bank Plc, Mr. Abubakar 

Suleiman, commended the 

investors for raising the fund 

indicating a their confidence in 

the bank. 

He stated: “We are currently 

investing in financial inclusion 

in line with the Central Bank 

of Nigeria, CBN, objective. We 

have also committed resources 

in technology, education, 

health and so on to improve the 

wellbeing of the people.” 

He added that the success of 

the bond reflected the 

increasing appetite of local 

institutional investors for long 

term debt instruments, 

remarking that they are happy 

with the very strong outcome 

which shows investors’ 

confidence in Sterling Bank Plc 

and further strengthens and 

diversifies our corporate 

funding strategy. 

In his comments, Mr. Niyi 

Omojola, Partner, Head of 

Investment Banking, Constant 

Capital Partners Limited said: 

“Constant Capital, the lead 

issuing house in this 

transaction, crafted a unique 

and innovative investment 

structure which enabled the 

Sterling SPV Bond share in the 

same investment grade rating 

as Sterling Bank Plc, thereby 

enlarging the range of 

potential investors in the 

bond. 

is expected to operate in Lagos state 

alone. 

The statement reads: “In its drive 

to ensure insurance market 

development through enhanced 

access points for insurance services 

in Nigeria, The National Insurance 

Commission has granted approval to 

GOXI Microinsurance Company 

Limited to operate as a State 

Composite Microinsurance 

Company transacting Life and 

General Micro insurance Business in 

Lagos State only.





Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019 — A1

A2—Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019













30— Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019 

By Henry Ojelu 

Mrs. Titilola 

Akinlawon, SAN, in this interview, 

shares her views on several 

critical issues 

confronting the 

country's justice 

system. 

Excerpts: 

Due to the sensitive nature of 

divorce cases especially when it 

involves children, some persons 

have advocated for close door 

proceeding in handling such 

matters. Do you agree? 

Prior to the creation of family courts, 

there have been situations where 

some judges have had to adjourn 

matters to chambers at some point 

to handle sensitive aspects of 

divorce proceedings. It is not 

always in all situations that court 

proceedings are held in open court. 

When it concerns children, the 

courts have always tried to protect 

them. More often than not, you will 

find out that courts don’t name 

children when divorce proceedings 

involve them. I have handled 

several divorce cases and in each 

of the cases, I have always said 

that I am the lawyer to the children 

because they are innocent of 

whatever rancour that their parents 

are involved in. I am always 

fighting at compulsory conferences 

that the children must be protected. 

It doesn’t matter whether it is the 

father or mother that I represent; 

my primary concern is about who 

is in a better position to care for the 

children. With compulsory 

conference, we really don’t have a 

lot of issues again in open court. 

I have a case ongoing now that 

the judge keeps sending us back 

for compulsory conference. The 

judge insisted we must agree 

before coming to her. The idea is 

that once parties are able to agree 

and file their report of compulsory 

conference, there will not be any 

issue of disclosing any sensitive 

thing in the open court. 

So you don’t think there is a need 

for reform with regards to how 

divorce matters are handled? 

The truth is that most of those nasty 

divorce things you read in the 

papers are basically from the 

customary courts. With customary 

court, anything goes. They really 

don’t have rules that govern them. 

Maybe in that situation, we can 

be talking about reform to say that 

when it relates to family issues, this 

is the way it should be handled. 

In the superior courts of record, the 

rules are there- you agree at 

compulsory conference on custody, 

maintenance, access etc. It is only 

in the event that parties cannot 

agree that the judge would have 

to determine the case in the best 

interest of the children. Maybe we 

can come up with rules for 

customary courts to guide them, 

that when it involves children, they 

should observe certain procedure. 

Some state judiciaries are making 

reforms to the Civil Procedure 

Rules to make Alternative 

Disputes 

Resolution, ADR compulsory. 

What is your reaction to this? 

It is not all cases that can go for 

ADR because there are some cases 

that ADR cannot handle. Even in 

civil cases, there are fraud issues 

which the ADR cannot handle. 

There are civil suits that have 

elements of crime which the ADR 

cannot handle, but for those cases 

which ADR can handle, I totally 

subscribe to it. For instance, I had 

a defamation suit against a 

colleague and the mediator told us 

that this is an ADR case. Initially, I 

thought the ADR cannot resolve 

08152060944 

Appointment of judges should not be all-comers affair 

— Akinlawon, SAN 

the matter but I was really 

impressed with the way the 

mediator handled the matter. The 

mediator played a big role in 

resolving the matter. The matter 

was filed in July 2018 and by 

January 2019, it has already been 

resolved. I didn’t even spend any 

money apart from filing the 

process. Going to the Lagos Multi- 

Door Court House is free. The truth 

is that life is about compromise. We 

just have to find a way to 

compromise. I think that if ADR 

can work, it would be better for 

everybody. 

But the issue here is about the 

compulsoriness of the process... 

The point here is that if they make 

it compulsory for you to go for 

ADR, it is not compulsory for you 

to agree or settle the matter. The 

rule says this is the way they are 

going to do this case; you can 

decide to carry your case 

somewhere else. You are not 

compelled to file the case there. 

You find a way to wrap it round 

another jurisdiction and take it 

elsewhere. You have the right to 

choose not to agree with ADR. I 

know the new rule in Lagos has 

made it kind of compelling on you 

to agree that if you don’t agree and 

you go to court and lose, you will 

be demnified in cost. That, I think, 

may be taking away the right of 

the litigant but what is important 

is for you to ventilate your right. It 

may be the rule to insist that people 

go to arbitration or mediation, but 

the rules cannot force you to sign. 

Even when you sign, you can still 

withdraw it. 

Presently, it is almost impossible 

to execute court judgments 

against the police and other 

security agencies. Why is this so 

and how can it be tackled? 

I have had that experience. I have 

had a case of a man whose child 

was killed by stray bullet from a 

policeman. We sued the police and 

got some few millions for him but 

till date, we have not been able to 

enforce that judgment. The rule 

that says you have to obtain the 

Attorney- General’s permission 

before you can levy execution need 

to be looked into. It is contrary to 

the right of a person who has been 

violated. If that provision is taken 

off from the Sheriff and Civil 

Process Act, it will be very good. If 

that is done, then people can attach 

the account of the police in the 

Central Bank in execution of their 

judgment. Another problem which 

we have not thought about is the 

Treasury Single Account, TSA. 

Now, all the monies are lumped 

together so it is difficult to separate 

what belongs to any particular 

government agency. All of these 

things are matters which I think 

Legislators at the prompting of 

lawyers and the Nigerian Bar 

Association, NBA, should try and 

amend so that we can be able to 

enforce judgments against 

government agencies. This issue 

is really a pathetic one but my 

advice for most people is always 

to walk away from the police. 

Don’t ever give them any 

opportunity to violate your right 

because they know how difficult it 

would be for you to get justice. It is 

bad but that is the reality as of 

today. You take them to court, you 

get an empty judgment. 

This appears to be a hopeless 

situation? 

I think it is a societal problem. It is 

the image that the police have cut. 

Nobody respects the police here. 

Because they know that they have 

no respect, they have to wield their 

powers to make you understand 

•Akinlawon, SAN 

that they are the law. It is like a 

circle. I look at them with disdain 

and so much disrespect. So they 

need to get at me and say 'okay, 

you don’t like us, we will show you'. 

Because they can’t arrest me, they 

will arrest my driver and want to 

compel me to come and beg them. 

They can just arrest you and when 

they get to the station, they would 

just frame any allegation against 

you. Until the time when the society 

itself is ready to address all the ills 

in the society, the police will 

continue to do what they are doing. 

The society has completely lost its 

moral values. Everybody believes 

that they can do whatever they like 

and if the police arrive, it is just a 

function of giving them money. The 

impunity in the society is so 

horrible. We do not have respect 

for the law. We do not obey the 

rules. Unless and until we all 

resolve that we have to change, 

Nigeria cannot move. 

At what point do we start this 

change? 

Like I said, unless and until we 

resolve to change, Nigeria cannot 

move. What we are talking about 

will remain. The regeneration has 

to start from the home. When I was 

growing up, I always woke up to 

meet my mother cooking. But now, 

how many mothers are at home to 

cook? They would have left home 

by 5:00am. They will not come back 

until 10:00pm. When do they see 

their children and impact moral 

values into them? Everybody now 

worships at the altar of money. 

Everybody is racing after money. 

Everybody wants money at all cost 

because nobody will respect 

anybody that does not have 

money. Even in churches, you 

must be a rich man for you to be 

able to sit in the front row. So we 

all have to have a complete moral 

rebirth. Until we decide that money 

is not our god, we are not going 

anywhere. 

The rule that says 

you have to obtain 

the Attorney- 

General’s 

permission before 

you can levy 

execution need to be 

looked into 

Cases of rape of young children 

appear to be on the increase now. 

Why is this so? 

The truth is that it is not as if it is 

just happening. It has always been 

happening way back but there was 

no social media to amplify it. It is 

the advent of social media that has 

brought it to the fore. It may not 

have been rampant as it is now, 

but there were cases of fathers 

sleeping with their daughters and 

the mother will know and not say 

anything because of shame. They 

cover up because they don’t want 

the shame. But you see, with the 

advent of social media, everybody 

is now aware. For me as a 

Christian, I believe that we are at 

the end-time and all these things 

must happen. That is what my 

Bible tells me that there will be too 

many horrible things. 

I think we are at that stage where the 

antichrist is coming very soon so he 

has to throw his demons into the society 

and afflict people. 

How do you explain that a man 

would rape his sister’s six-monthold 

baby? It doesn’t follow common 

sense. What enjoyment can that 

give? So, it is not normal. We put 

things that are not normal in the Paranormal. 

This is why I believe that it is the 

prelude to the advent of the antichrist. 

Do you believe that things can get 

better in this country? 

I cannot imagine that things will 

get better. How will it get better? Who 

will make it better? Is it the mother 

that is not at home to nurture the 

child in a way that will make the 

society better? Are we getting better 

as a people? Do we have welfare for 

our people? Look at Federal 

Government officials going around 

markets and giving women trader 

moni. How long will that last? It is 

not going to ameliorate their 

problems. How much is a cup of rice? 

I just can’t see any way out of it. 

The only thing that keeps me going 

is my faith in God because there is 

nothing impossible for God. So I 

won’t say things cannot change in 

Nigeria. But from my personal 

perspective, I cannot see it. 

Politicians still wield enormous 

influence in the appointment of 

judges in the country, how can this 

be completely curbed? 

You see, my people say that when 

you are brought up right, there is 

nothing that can make you change. 

If you are well brought up, nothing 

can influence you to change. The 

problem now is that people who are 

incompetent are now appointed as 

judges. When a judge is 

incompetent, does not understand the law, 

cannot apply the law, then he or she has to be 

influenced one way or the other either for 

money or something else. Before now, nobody 

applies to become a judge. It is a serving 

judge that will see you and recommend that 

this person has the quality to become a judge. 

Then the person will be invited and 

considered. Judges were respected back then. 

Those days, you never see judges at parties. 

They didn’t belong to social clubs. But now, 

the reverse is the case. The bottom line for me 

is the quality of people who are appointed as 

judges. There are so many judges that are 

good, but the few that are bad, are giving the 

good ones a bad name. I think that the way 

and manner judges are appointed should be 

changed. It should not be an all-comers affair. 

It should be the very best of the very best that 

should go to the bench. It should be the best 

of us that should be there. 

What should be the ideal process for selecting 

judges? 

I personally know people around me who 

are good. But the truth is that they will not 

accept the offer to become judges because 

they know that he who pays the piper dictates 

the tune. The good ones will not go there. 

Those who will not compromise will 

not go there because of the way the 

system operates. I honestly believe 

that we should go back to what it used 

to be. Those who are good and are 

already there should identify and 

recommend those who they think 

should become judges. 

One of the common features of 

courtrooms back then is the 

robustness of argument and 

advocacy among lawyers; we no 

longer see that in court. Why? 

It is not the fault of lawyers but the 

rules. The rules say you file written 

address so you don’t argue again. 

All you do is go to court and adopt 

your written address believing that 

the judge will read and consider both 

sides. Sometimes maybe they don’t 

even read it. 

The quality of lawyers these days is 

becoming a major problem to the 

legal system. Why? 

Are lawyers not part of the society? 

We cannot divorce lawyers from the 

society. It is a general malaise in 

Nigeria. Where is the value in 

anything? Where is the quality in 

anything? Here you see a child that 

will go to the university and does not 

understand what the lecturer is 

saying but will come out with a first 

class. The situation is so horrible that 

we don’t know where we are going 

in this country. 

So where should the inspiration for 

a better Nigeria come from? 

Every day, I tell lawyers in my 

chambers that I feel sorry for them 

because I have had the robustness 

of legal practice. I have enjoyed every 

moment of legal practice. I really pity 

them. Imagine appearing before a 

judge that does not even understand 

the law. Look at the society, you want 

to do right and everybody will abuse 

you. I can’t see hope anywhere. 

Some persons have suggested 

revolution as a way out of our 

present challenge. Do you agree 

with that suggestion? 

My take is that there may be 

revolution in Nigeria and when that 

happens, you and I may not be 

spared. I am afraid that it is going to 

happen one day. All it takes is one 

incident. It is true that we are resilient 

people and we endure a lot, but I 

can tell you that the signs are already 

there. When the president went to 

Ogun State to campaign and 

introduced the Governorship 

candidate of his party, the people 

threw sachet water at him. That is 

telling us something. People are 

getting fed up. You can only push 

people so far. Once they get to the 

wall, they will turn back. The poverty 

in the land is palpable. May God 

save Nigeria. 

C 

M 

Y 

K



N 

“ OTHING is certain in 

Nigeria until it happens”, 

a top British business leader 

once said at a London 

conference. That was a damning 

indictment of Nigeria’s 

reputation for predictability and 

certainty. But that reputation 

suffered a further damaging 

blow last week when the 

Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, cancelled 

the February 16 Presidential and 

National Assembly elections just 

a few hours before voting started. 

A day earlier, INEC officials 

denied rumours of an impending 

postponement. Yet, in the middle 

of the night, at 2.30am, INEC 

chairman, Professor Mahmood 

Yakubu, issued a terse statement 

cancelling polls, due to start at 

8am. “The Commission has come 

to the conclusion that 

proceeding with the elections as 

scheduled is no longer feasible”, 

he said blithely, with a blasé 

attitude! 

Of course, as the Socio- 

Economic Rights and 

Accountability Project, SERAP, 

pointed out last week, 

“postponement of general 

elections has become a recurring 

feature of Nigeria’s electoral 

process”. In 2011, INEC 

postponed the National 

Assembly polls for two days even 

after voting had started. The 

Commission’s then chairman, 

Professor Attahiru Jega, blamed 

the postponement on “an 

emergency”, namely “late arrival 

of result sheets in many parts of 

the country”. In 2015, federal 

elections were postponed for six 

weeks on the ground of security 

challenges in the North East. 

Given that only 14 out of 

Poll shifts in Nigeria: It’s 

abject state failure 

Nigeria’s 774 local governments 

were affected, the elections could 

have proceeded in the rest of the 

country. But INEC was under 

enormous pressure, including 

from the military, to postpone the 

polls. 

This time, however, the 

problems are not security 

challenges or political 

interference, according to INEC, 

although the opposition parties 

allege skulduggery by the 

incumbent. Let’s take INEC’s 

word for it. So, what were the 

problems? Well, Professor 

Yakubu said the elections were 

postponed because of “logistical 

challenges”. First, he said the 

Commission was sued or joined 

on over 640 court cases and had 

40 court orders to drop or add 

candidates. Then, he blamed 

“the recent bad weather” for 

preventing INEC from “flying 

election materials” to certain 

locations, having instead to “rely 

on slow-moving long haulage 

vehicles”. Finally, he said INEC 

“faced attempts to sabotage its 

preparation” with the burning of 

its offices in Anambra, Abia and 

Plateau states. As a result of 

these factors, said the INEC 

chairman, “proceeding with the 

elections as scheduled is no 

longer feasible”. 

All the problems cited by 

INEC for postponing the 

elections are so 

rudimentary they can 

only happen in a country 

that lacks basic State 

capacity, defined as the 

ability of a government 

to get things done 

effectively 

How shameful that these 

reasons can be given for 

postponing a general election in 

Nigeria. Such challenges are 

symptoms of significant 

institutional failure, associated 

with countries that have severely 

weak state capacity. Take the 

issue of legal challenges. If a 

nation’s electoral law cannot 

accommodate isolated legal 

actions without causing major 

disruptions to the electoral 

process, then the law is not fit for 

purpose. Furthermore, it’s a 

serious failure of state capacity 

that an electoral body cannot 

print new ballot papers speedily, 

if necessary, without disrupting 

scheduled national polls. 

INEC had four years and a huge 

budget, estimated to be N189bn, 

to prepare for the elections, and 

it kept assuring Nigerians of its 

preparedness. Thus, to say just a 

few hours to long-scheduled 

elections that “following a 

careful review of 

implementation of its logistics 

and operational plans”, INEC 

couldn’t continue with the polls 

as scheduled was a national 

disgrace. The so-called 

“logistical challenges” were 

excuses for appalling 

incompetence. Why, for instance, 

would “bad weather” disrupt the 

distribution of election 

materials? Elsewhere, guided by 

weather forecasts, the electoral 

body would make adequate 

contingency plans. Similarly, one 

must wonder why INEC offices 

were not maximally protected, 

close to elections, to prevent 

arsonists from reaching them. 

All the problems cited by INEC 

for postponing the elections are 

so rudimentary they can only 

happen in a country that lacks 

basic State capacity, defined as 

the ability of a government to get 

things done effectively. Of 

course, Nigeria’s poor rankings 

on relevant international 

indexes show that it lacks the 

capability for effective 

governance. For instance, in the 

2018 Government Effectiveness 

Index, which captures 

perceptions of the quality of 

public and civil services, Nigeria 

ranks 162 out of 193, scoring - 

0.96 points. The Brookings 

Institute’s Index of State 

Weaknesses also put Nigeria at 

the bottom quintile. Bureaucratic 

incompetence, corruption and 

the politicisation of state 

institutions are major obstacles 

to government effectiveness in 

Nigeria. Truth is, Nigeria is 

chronically and acutely 

institutionally weak, hence it 

can’t do basic things that most 

other developing countries, even 

poorer ones, take for granted – 

like conducting hitch-free 

elections! 

But the capacity failure comes 

with very huge costs. For 

instance, several analysts have 

highlighted the economic impact 

of the postponement, with some 

citing potential losses of between 

$9bn to $10bn. The political costs 

are also significant, especially 

with potential voter apathy. 

Unwisely, INEC initially 

stopped parties from 

campaigning following the 

postponement, which, coupled 

with the disappointment over the 

poll shift, could dampen voter 

enthusiasm and turn-out for the 

rescheduled elections. Then, of 

course, the postponement has 

done further harm to Nigeria’s 

already battered international 

image, with damaging effects on 

investors’ confidence. 

Nigeria must become an 

effective State, a capable State. 

Without that, it would continue 

to suffer huge embarrassment 

from institutional failures, such 

as its perennial poll 

postponement. 

By Oludayo Tade 

POST colonial realities in Nigeria and 

the ascendancy and sustenance of 

political merchants in corridors of power 

have sustained the reproduction of similar 

faults and errors. In the area of election 

shifting, it has progressed from weeks to 

month and the latest one came like a thief 

in the night. It was similar to inviting people 

for wedding ceremonies with the bride and 

groom only sending text messages to inform 

guests at the venue that the wedding had 

been shifted because the officiating pastor 

cited unfulfilled rites. 

I won’t talk about the investment losses of 

Nigerians who had planned to make some 

profits from selling goods on February 16 

or the billions of naira spent by political 

parties on agents, accommodation and 

security. Let me not mention also university 

lecturers who were mobilised as collation 

and returning officers. They left for their 

assigned locations on Friday to enable them 

have free movement because INEC could 

not get sufficient election duty pass for them. 

What about the National Corps members, 

the future leaders who historically have been 

treated badly? Their inhumane treatment 

as worthless bodies perhaps confirms the 

proposed name change of NYSC to ‘Now 

Your Suffering Continues’. With Nigeria’s 

insistent that her young deserves slavish 

existence with low quality and zoo-like 

hostels, glorified Hooverville as NYSC 

camps and rough sleeping while on national 

duties, how do you expect them to put Nigeria 

first? What about those who postpone their 

wedding and other social engagements or 

suspended their lives because of February 

16 and March 2 and have been forced to do 

it again on February 23 and March 9? 

Consider migration costs and losses; think 

about the implication of a shut-down 

Saturday economy in Nigeria. As usual, no 

one is guilty, no one is punished. The 

worthless treatment of Nigeria and 

Nigerians is to continue. 

The tall order on Ballot box snatchers 

As we all prepare to move past the 

inefficiencies and failures of state 

bureaucracies and technocrats, following the 

declaration of the ‘maradonic’ INEC 

chairman to fix his ‘logistic’ problems within 

a week, the converted democrat and 

President of our Federal Republic reportedly 

ordered security agencies to be ruthless with 

ballot box snatchers. He would also extend 

the ruthlessness to ‘local champions’ who 

think they can lead thugs to disrupt elections. 

Rather than impress it on law enforcement 

agents to ensure that the treatment of 

electoral offenders must follow the 

provisions contained in the electoral Act, 

Mr. President would prefer to borrow the 

caustic tongue of the man in Khaki. 

Consulting thesaurus, ‘ruthless’ also means 

‘cold-blooded’, ‘merciless’, brutal, cruel, 

callous, pitiless, unfeeling, hard-nosed to 

mention but a few. It is not only the order of 

Mr. President that is scary, the acumen of 

the security to properly interpret and/or 

convert this order in dealing with the ‘saints’ 

and ‘sinners’ remains a greater fear. 

Perceived enemies of the incumbent may 

face ruthless treatments. Areas where the 

incumbent's party are unpopular may 

witness hardnosed security men designed to 

unleash cruel treatment to law-abiding civil 

populace. The ruthless treatment of voters 

in Ekiti and Osun in 2018 is still fresh. 

Experience with Nigeria’s 20-year old 

democracy has shown that ex-military men 

and their relatives in power are likely to 

reference constitution in their dealings with 

the people. During the Obasanjo era, official 

pronouncement declared the reign of the ‘do 

or die’ politics. The declaration had 

untoward consequences on hapless 

Nigerians and many became victims of 

ruthless ideological State apparatuses. In 

2015, the national leader of the ruling 

broom party in the southwest was most 

popular for His ‘rig and roast’ threat. There 

was another leader who feels no one should 

question him: after all, he is the ‘constituted 

authority.’ He treats people without 

reference to law but wants people to 

reverence him in relation to what the 

constitution bestowed upon him. Recall the 

‘go and die’ pronouncement on that poor 

woman on the street by a former labour 

leader and Governor in faraway Edo state, 

and now Chairman of the 4+4=8 party? 

Mr. President needs to know that such 

pronouncement further emboldens the 

already dreaded security agencies in 

Nigeria. Our security men are daily accused 

of human rights abuses. Trigger happy 

Our security men are daily 

accused of human rights 

abuses. Trigger happy police, 

army, customs and 

immigration people are 

killing for pittance. An 

executive order legitimises 

official cruelty and brutality 

police, army, customs and immigration 

people are killing for pittance. An executive 

order legitimises official cruelty and 

brutality. Furthermore, the directive paves 

way for the extortion and exploitation of 

voters at the slightest opportunity by the 

security during the coming polls. Snatching 

ballot boxes is a criminal offence and there 

is administration of criminal justice that 

must be followed. We have languished too 

much in the wilderness of slavery that those 

in power see their pronouncement only from 

their own point of view without concern for 

the spiral and multiple interpretations to 

which it can be reconstructed. Did the 

President order ruthless treatment to the 

thugs who unleashed terror during the 

declaration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 

Lagos state? Virtually all politicians have 

contracted thugs in their campaign. They 

move side by side with law enforcers and 

never get arrested. They smoke Indian hemp 

while the law enforcers look the other way. 

These principalities are allowed to live with 

us because they are useful for the parasitic 

elite in power. Local warriors and 

intimidators are contracted by politicians 

to terrorise under the watchful eyes of law 

enforcers. Even when they are arrested, a 

phone call gets them back on the streets 

where they continue to reign supreme. 

Mr. President must learn to talk within 

the spirit and letter of constitution; not 

outside of them. 

No doubt, the postponement of the polls 

has affected both the ruling and main 

opposition parties in their victory 

calculations. They are now more desperate 

than before and will continue to utter 

accusation and counter accusation. These 

are signs that both are not certain of victory. 

All actors must therefore watch their 

tongues. Security agencies are already 

known for brutality. While INEC must 

ensure that the processes leading to the 

outcome remain clean, free and fair, the 

security agents must not do the bidding of 

candidates. They must protect Nigerians 

who come out to legitimately cast their 

votes. We must treat all persons mobilised 

to participate in the elections as humans 

and not slaves. This is how they will be 

shielded from infiltration. If Mr. President 

wins, the next level is to use the constitution 

which he is finding difficult to work with. If 

it is Atiku, Nigeria must work again by 

upholding the rule of law, and fundamental 

human rights of citizens. 

We need ahead one who would not worsen 

the situation from “do or die” or “snatch 

and die” politics. We want a peaceful 

atmosphere for people to speak with their 

votes. 

*Dr. Tade, a sociologist wrote from 

dotad2003@yahoo.com


FOR OKOWA: Director General, Team Hilary for Okowa, Engr. Dan Ossai (front row, 2nd right), 

and others at a sensitisation meeting with members of Progressives Forum at Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local 

Government Area, Delta State. 

Buhari shoot-on-sight order is 

call for violence—Onuesoke 

By Ephraim Oseji 

APeoples Democratic 

Party, PDP chieftain, 

Chief Sunny Onuesoke, 

has described President 

Muhammadu Buhari's 

declaration that death await 

anyone who snatches ballot 

boxes during the February 

23 presidential and 


elections, as a call for 

violence. 

Speaking to newsmen in 

Warri, Delta State, 

Onuesoke said as 

President, giving orders to 

a trigger-happy security 

operative to shoot electoral 

By Samuel 

Oyadongha 

Y ENAGOA—THE 

Labour Party 

candidate for Bayelsa East 

senatorial district, Bayelsa 

State, Mr. Iniruo Wills, 

yesterday said the 

postponement of elections 

had severe effects on lessdominant 

parties and their 

candidates. 

In a statement in 

Yenagoa, he noted that the 

shift in polls date was 

capable of crippling 

credible candidates, such as 

him, seeking alternative 

platforms to serve the 

people. 

Wills, a former 

Commissioner for 

Information and 

Environment, said it was 

frustrating to raise 

additional funds for smaller 

parties and candidates for 

the rescheduled polls, 

adding that the shift was 

capable of sabotaging 

candidates that cannot 

afford additional funds for 

welfare of their agents on 

election day. 

His words: “To subject 

millions of voters, 


offenders on sight could be 

very catastrophic and 

should be described as a 

call for war. 

He argued that such 

order could lead to serial 

extra-judicial killings of 

innocent Nigerians, as 

overzealous security agents 

could take laws into their 

hands by shooting anyone 

they have issues with and 

then arrange for ballot 

boxes to justify their actions. 

According to him, “what 

people should understand 

is that everybody is a 

potential ballot box snatcher 

in the hands of biased 

trigger-happy soldiers and 


INEC, ad hoc staff, who 

had travelled long distances 

to their polling units, and 

candidates who had 

already mobilised their 

supporters to a last minute 

somersault is a huge 

disappointment. 

“The shift smacks of a 

poorly-disguised attempt to 

weaken credible 

candidates and alternative 

platforms, thereby paving 

the way for retention in 

power of the same ruling 

or traditional political 

policemen. 

“They will be all too 

willing to kill anyone, who 

stands in the way of any 

rigging done by the party 

they support. People are 

behaving as if our military 

and Police Force are 

neutral; assume that at your 

peril. 

“I don’t support ballot 

snatching . I only condemn 

the death punishment 

Buhari issued for offenders. 

It is despicable and callous. 

“The President’s 

comment is clearly 

unconstitutional. Section 

33(1) of the Constitution 

guarantees the right to life. 

‘Polls shift frustrating smaller parties’ 

By Gab Ejuwa 

THE President of Isoko 

Integrity Coalition for 

Good Governance, IICGG, 

Mr. Oke Eru, yesterday, 

urged the electorate to 

continue to support All 


APC, candidates in the 

rescheduled polls. 

In a statement in Asaba, 

Delta State, the leadership 

of the socio-political group, 

enjoined the electorate 

across the state not to be 

disenchanted by last 

Saturday’s postponement 

parties who have failed our 

people. 

“These politicians have 

become unpopular, but 

have unlimited illegal and 

criminal access to public 

funds through the state and 

federal governments that 

they control. 

“We are concerned about 

the knock-on effect the 

postponement could have 

on voters’ attitude and the 

duplication of costs for 

credible candidates and 

parties. 

“We, therefore, appeal to 

of the Presidential and 

National Assembly polls, 

but to turn out en masse this 

Saturday to carry out their 

civic responsibilities. 

Eru counselled Deltans to 

ensure the defeat of all the 

candidates of Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, to 

prevent what he called 

“PDP’s day-dream of 

returning for a second 

round of impunity and 

squandermania,” by 

voting massively for 


Buhari on Saturday. 

For National Assembly 

So, life can only be 

terminated in accordance 

with due process of law. 

“No patriotic Nigerian 

will support ballot 

snatching, ballot stuffing et 

al. However, what a leader 

is expected to do in this 

kind of situation is to warn 

the generality moderately 

and possibly by saying that 

security agencies will deal 

appropriately with anybody 

found disorganising the 

electoral process. 

“This utterance of 

shooting on sight will give 

the impression to the 

outside world that we have 

a military junta.” 

Nigerians to respond to the 

shock with a resolve to turn 

out en masse on the 

rescheduled date to vote for 

the most trusted and 

credible candidates, 

regardless of political party 

affiliation.” 

He appealed to his 

supporters in Bayelsa East, 

comprising Ogbia, Nembe 

and Brass Local Government 

areas of the state, to 

remain unshaken in their 

resolve to reclaim their 

destinies and vote a credible 

candidate like him. 

IICGG backs Buhari, Uduaghan, Onowakpo 

polls, Eru charged the 

electorate in Delta South 

senatorial district to vote 

massively for APC’s 

candidate, Dr. Emmanuel 

Uduaghan, and APC 

candidate for Isoko North 

and Isoko South Federal 

Constituency, Mr. Joel 

Onowakpo. 

He said: “The re-election 

of Buhari will make him 

consolidate in the area of 

fighting corruption, 

security, agriculture and 

provision of social 

infrastructure all over the 

country.” 

I'm on rescue mission— Mariere 


A SABA—PEOPLES 

Democratic Party, 

PDP, House of 

Representatives 

candidate for Ughelli 

North, Ughelli South 

and Udu federal 

constituency, Mr. 

Samuel Mariere, has 

promised to ensure that 

the Urhobo have a voice 

in the National 

Assembly, when elected. 

The lawmaker, who 

said Urhobo nation was 

under siege, spoke at 

Evwreni, Ughelli North 

Local Government Area 

of the state, while 

rounding off his 

campaign rally across the 

constituency. 

Mariere, a two-term 

member of Delta State 

House of Assembly 

representing Ughelli 

North Constituency I, 

said he was on a rescue 

mission, promising to 

By Jimitota 

Onoyume 

W ARRI—URHOBO 

Youths Assembly, 

UYA, has called for the 

re-election of President 


saying it was pleased 

with several 

appointments of Urhobo 

sons by the Buhari 

administration. 

The group, in a 

communique by its 

National President, Mr. 

Jude Akpore, also 

promised to provide 

more grassroots support 

for Olorogun Otega 

Emerhor as a leader of 

All Progressives 

Congress, APC, in Delta 

State. 

They said re-election of 

Buhari will bring about 

more infrastructure 

development to Urhobo 

areas in the state, 

By Emem Idio 

Y ENAGOA—THE 

Atiku Domestic 

Voters Structure, DOVO, 

a support group of the 

Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, presidential 

candidate, Abubakar 

Atiku, has commended 

African Democratic 

Congress, ADC, 

senatorial candidate for 

Bayelsa East, Senator 

Nimi Barigha-Amange, 

for endorsing Atiku. 

Bayelsa State 

Coordinator of DOVO, 

Mr. Endurance Deboh, 

who commended 

Senator Barigha- 

provide quality 

representation to the 

people. 

He said Ughelli North, 

South and Udu were the 

heart land of Urhobo 

people, adding that out of 

the 24 kingdoms that make 

the Urhobo nation, 14 are 

from his federal 

constituency. 

Mariere explained that 

the constituency has not 

been well represented for 

a long time, hence the 

need for a voice with a 

legal background in the 

National Assembly, even 

as he pointed out that the 

constituency is the largest 

and highest oil-producing 

area in the state. 

The PDP House of 

Representatives candidate 

said the constituency must 

rightfully be placed in the 

politics of Nigeria, not just 

Delta State, maintaining 

that the constituency has 

a voting strength of about 

450,00 registered voters. 

...as Urhobo youths back Buhari 

commending the 

President for development 

so far in the state. 

He said: “Urhobo youths 

with over 500,000 votes are 

very pleased with Buhari's 

appointment of Urhobo 

indigene in several places 

and we believe that with 

greater vote support, the 

Urhobo will get more 

lucrative positions in the 

next dispensation. 

“The gathering also 

reviewed the state of 

infrastructure in 

Urhoboland and thanked 

the President for ongoing 

projects at the Federal 

University of Petroleum 

Resources, Effurun; Ewu- 

Agbor-Abraka-Eku- 

Amukpe Road project; the 

massive transformation 

ongoing at Petroleum 

Training Institute, PTI, and 

Ajaokuta-Agbor-Aladja 

Rail Project, which are all 

commendable.” 

Pro-Atiku group hails Bayelsa ADC 

candidate over endorsement 

Amange for his display of 

courage and disposition, 

described him as a true 

democrat and man with a 

large heart. 

Barigha-Amange, a 

founding member of PDP 

and close ally of former 

President Goodluck 

Jonathan was in the 

Senate between 2007 and 

2011. 

Deboh said: “We are 

elated by the swelling 

support 

and 

endorsements for the PDP 

presidential candidate, 

Abubakar Atiku. This latest 

endorsement is a 

testimony to Atiku's wide 

acceptability.”

34—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019 

APC chieftain murdered 

in Imo 

By Chidi 

Nwaopara 

OWERRI—A chieftain 

of All Progressives 

Congress, APC, identified 

as Ifeanyi Ozoemena, has 

been murdered in Ngor 

Okpala local council area 

of Imo State, by 

unidentified gunmen, said 

to have operated in a sports 

utility vehicle, SUV. 

Vanguard gathered that 

the deceased was the APC 

chairman of Logara/ 

Umuohiagu Ward and was 

murdered Tuesday night by 

suspected political thugs. 

Vice chairman of Logara 

Development Union, LDU, 

Chief Martin Opara 

confirmed the incident, 

saying that “the community 

is shocked and has never 

witnessed this type of 

political killing before.” 

He urged security 

agencies to fish out 

Ozoemena's killers without 

any delay. 

Opara said that the Ezein-Council, 

in conjunction 

with the community’s 

town union had met and 

sent a delegation to Divisional 

Police Officer, DPO, 

requesting that the 

masterminds should be 

arrested without delay. 

“This killing is strange to 

our community. We have 

met with the Eze-in- 

Council and have sent a 

delegation to the DPO 

requesting that the killers 

be arrested immediately,” 

he said. 

When contacted, the 

State Commissioner of 

Police, CP, Mr. Dasuki 

Galadanchi confirmed the 

killing, pointing out that 

the police had evacuated 

the corpse. 

According to 

Galadanchi, “the gunmen 

who killed the APC 

chieftain operated in an 

SUV jeep, stressing that 

“investigation is on. 

“We have visited the 

crime scene and we have 

evacuated the corpse. We 

have done the preliminary 

investigations, including 

taking of photographs." 

Why we’re backing Buhari 

—Imo OMPALAN 

By Emmanuel 

Elebeke 

THE Imo State caucus 

of the Oil and Solid 

Mineral Producing Area 

Landlords Association of 

Nigeria, OMPALAN, says 

it is backing the re-election 

bid of President 


because of the confidence 

oil producing communities 

have in him, especially in 

the areas of refusing to 

renew the oil bloc licenses 

given to the tiny elite class 

at the detriment of the 

owners of the lands, who 

bear painful environmental 

impacts. 

The group met at the 

country home of the 

association’s national 

leader, Bishop Udo Azogu 

at Oguta and unanimously 

adopted President Buhari 

to complete his second 

term in office. 

According to a statement 

made available to 

Vanguard, Azogu told 

senior officers of the 

association present at the 

meeting that President 

Buhari is a righteous leader 

Traders protest incessant burglary at 

Onitsha markets 

N NEWI—HUMAN, 

vehicular movements 

and trading activities were 

yesterday grounded for 

over two hours along Niger 

Street, Fegge Onitsha, 

following protest by over 

150 traders of City of God 

Plaza, Fegge Onitsha, who 

shut the market in protest 

against the break-in and 

carting away of over N4 

million from one of the 

shops in the market. 

Hundreds of stranded 

traders crossing River 

Atiku’ll offer S-East quicker route to presidency 

—CUPP chieftain 

By Nwabueze 

Okonkwo 

O NITSHA—NDIGBO 

have been called 

upon to support the 

candidacy of Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar and his running 

mate, Peter Obi, to fast-track 

the much desired Igbo 

president. 

Secretary of Igbo Reawakening 

Forum, IRF, 

Anambra State chapter, 

Chief Amechi Ayalogu, 

who made the call in 

Delta monarch canvasses support for Ahwinahwi 

By Simon 

Adewale 

THE Esama of Ukepidi 

kingdom, Olorogun 

Oviri Okwagbe has urged 

the people of Ughelli North, 

Ughelli South and Udu 

constituency to come out en 

masse and cast their votes 

for the Social Democratic 

Party, SDP, candidate, 

Chief Solomon Ahwinahwi 

to pilot the affairs of the 

constituency in the Federal 

House of Representatives. 

who has come to deliver 

the Country from a tiny but, 

powerful corrupt elite 

class. 

“Oil producing 

communities cannot trust 

their oily lands in the 

hands of rampaging and 

overzealous bureaucrats 

who are working against 

the interest of Nigeria to 

privatize the nation’s cash 

cow - the NNPC and take 

over their ancestral lands. 

“The meeting also 

addressed President 

Buhari’s spirited effort to 

stop militancy and 

diversion of huge 

palliative programmes by 

state governors which has 

kept oil-bearing 

communities stunted." 

Azogu insisted that 

Buhari has no reliable 

substitute currently and 

urged his members and 

the entire good people of 

Imo State to deliver for 

Buhari massively, while 

voting for the candidates 

of their choice in other 

elections such as 

governorship, National 

Assembly and others. 

While addressing a 

crowd of supporters in 

Ughelli, Delta state, Chief 

Oviri Okwagbe said that 

Chief Solomon Ahwinahwi 

has touched the lives of 

Deltans through his 

empowerment 

programmes and projects 

he has embarked on and 

completed in the 

constituency during his 

tenure when he was 

representing the 

constituents at the federal 

By Chimaobi 

Nwaiwu 

Obi leads 

campaign to 

Obosi, Nkpor, 

Ihiala, Nnewi 

THE 

Atiku/Obi 

campaign, determined 

to make good use of the 

remaining days for 

campaign, was busy 

yesterday, crisscrossing the 

state, convincing voters on 

the need to vote for Alhaji 

Abubakar Atiku. 

Obi who walked around 

markets on foot with his 

followers, visiting the major 

markets in those cities as 

well as passing through 

streets, appealed to 

voters to be part of the new 

“dawn sweeping across the 

country like harmattan fire, 

the dawn of Atiku 

presidency” 

Obi lamented the 

absence of FG in towns 

visited. 

level. 

Okwagbe added that 

during the wake of the 

aftermath of commnual 

clashes between Aladja in 

Udu Local Government 

Area and Ogbe- Ijoh in 

Warri South West, the 

member representing 

Ughelli North/ Ughelli 

South and Udu Federal 

Constituency, Chief 

Solomon Ahwinahwi 

donated food items and 

relief materials to victims. 

Niger to transact 

businesses in Onitsha 

Main Market and other 

surrounding markets, 

through Niger Street, 

particularly those from 

Delta and Edo States, were 

prevented from free entry 

and exit by the protesting 

traders. 

The traders displayed 

various placards with 

inscriptions indicating their 

disappointment with the 

management of the Plaza 

and the security they are 

providing for the traders in 

the plaza. 

Spokesmen for the 

Onitsha yesterday, shortly 

after a meeting of key 

stakeholders of Coalition of 

United Political Parties, 

CUPP, advised Ndigbo not 

to make a grievous mistake 

that will turn out to be 

detrimental to the future of 

Igbo race. 

Ayalogu who is also a 

Board of Trustees, BoT 

traders, Mr. Chukwudi 

Nwolisa and Elochukwu 

Ajima, alleged that the 

Tuesday night break-in and 

stealing from the shop was 

the third since last year 

without any arrest made by 

the security employed in 

the market. 

Nwolisa said: “The shop 

broken into as you can see 

has three big padlocks, but 

the thieves took time to cut 

each padlock before they 

opened the shop and 

carted away the money 

they came for. 

“We closed our shops 

today to show our 

grievance and call on 

Anambra State government 

to assist us with security of 

member of Mass Action 

Joint Alliance, MAJA party, 

regretted that Ndigbo 

remained the most 

marginalised ethnic group 

in the country, despite the 

enormous contributions of 

the race to the socioeconomic 

development of 

Nigeria. 

He stated that Nigeria 

could only achieve its 

potentials if only Ndigbo 

were given their rightful 

the Plaza that has over 150 

shops paying all forms of 

tax to the government; 

otherwise we will continue 

to cry here." 

Owner of the burgled 

shop, Mr. Ifedi Onyekachi, 

a mini bank operator and 

agent to traders, attached 

to one of the old generation 

banks, said that “N4.2 

million was carted away 

from the shop by the 

robbers." 

Divisional Police Officer 

in charge of Fegge Police 

Division, Mr Rabiu Garba 

said the traders have not 

reported the incident to his 

station, but rather a similar 

incident reported to the 

station was that of Titanic 

Plaza. 

position in the country, even 

as he called on all ethnic 

groups to see Ndigbo as 

partners in progress and 

support them in the quest 

to have a Nigeria president 

of Igbo extraction. 

Ayalogu commended 

Atiku for showing regards 

to Ndigbo by picking Peter 

Obi as his running mate, 

describing the move as the 

"shortest and most realistic 

route to Igbo presidency."

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019—35 

Police deploy 7,000 personnel 

to monitor elections in Benue 

By Peter Duru 

M AKURDI—BENUE 

State Police 

Command will deploy 

7,000 personnel to monitor 

proceedings and provide 

security in weekend’s 


Assembly elections across 

the state. 

State Commissioner of 

Police, Mr. Omololu Bishi, 

made the disclosure 

yesterday, shortly before 

parading 15 suspects 

arrested by the Command 

in different parts of the state 

for robbery, cultism and 

kidnapping, in Makurdi. 

He said apart from the 

7,000 Police personnel, the 

Force would also be 

complemented by sistersecurity 

agencies who 

would draft in their 

personnel to assist the 

Police in the onerous 

assignment. 

Bishi said: “We know how 

critical our responsibilities 

are in ensuring that the 

election is crisis free and 

credible, so we already 

have all hands on deck to 

achieve that. 

“We will be working 

closely with other sistersecurity 

agencies to ensure 

the elections go without 

hitches in the collective 

interest of all Nigerians.” 

Meanwhile, the new 

Assistant Inspector General 

of Police in charge of Zone 

4 Command Makurdi, 

covering Benue, Plateau 

and Nasarawa states, Mr. 

Chris Ezike, has taken over 

the Command. 

Ezike, the immediate past 

Commissioner of Police in 

Abia State, identified 

security during the election 

within the zone as his priority, 

promising to engage 

stakeholders on the need 

for a peaceful, violence-free 

and credible election. 

Also, Benue State Police 

Command now has Deputy 

Superintendent Sewuese 

Anene as its Public 

Relations Officer. 

She took over from DSP 

Moses Yamu, who has 

been transferred to Akwa 

Ibom State. 

MEETING: From left—National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondus; the 

party's presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu 

Dogara, during PDP's stakeholders town hall meeting in Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO:Olu Ajayi. 

Atiku says Buhari's not in charge, insists on sale of refineries 

By Ben Agande 

K ADUNA—THE 

presidential 

candidate of Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, 

yesterday, restated that 


Buhari was not in charge 

of affairs, saying his 

government would not be 

run by a cabal. 

He spoke in Kaduna 

while interacting with 

stakeholders from the 23 

local government areas of 

the state at the Trade Fair 

Complex. 

According to him, PDP 

would not tolerate any form 

of ballot snatching and 

would not indulge in any 

act whatsoever against the 

electoral law, but declared 

that the order to kill any 

ballot box snatcher was 

undemocratic. 

While insisting that he 

would sell off Nigerian 

S OUTH-SOUTH 

Coordinator, 

Technical Committee in the 

Office of the Special Adviser 

on Youth and Support 

Groups to Atiku Abubakar, 

Rev. Chukwudi Eke, has 

called on the government 

national Petroleum 

Corporation, NNPC, 

refineries for more 

development, Atiku 

said his decision was 

informed by the fact that 

at the moment, only very 

few Nigerians were 

benefiting from the 

operations of the national 

By Onozore Dania 

THE Federal High 

Court in Asaba, Delta 

State, has ordered the 



INEC, and All Progressives 

Party, APC, to recognise 

John Agoda as the House 

of Representatives 

candidate for Ethiope 

federal constituency. 

The court, presided over 

by Justice T. B. Adegoke, 

ordered the electoral 

assets at the expense of 

the Nigerian people. 

He reiterated his 

position that if elected as 

President, 40 percent of 

his cabinet would be 

youth, saying “the women 

will be given their due 

and will not be relegated 

to the kitchen, while the 

Court orders INEC to recognise 

Agoda as APC candidate for Ethiope 

Eke calls for peaceful polls 

and people of Nigeria to 

ensure peaceful and 

credible elections. 

Eke, in a statement in 

Asaba, Delta State, said 

electing a new Nigerian 

President, national and 

state legislators must not 

umpire to replace the name 

of Chief Solomon Edoja 

with that of Agoda, who the 

court held polled the 

highest number of votes 

cast during the party’s 

primaries. 

Agoda had dragged his 

party, APC, INEC and 

Edoja before the court, 

insisting that by virtue of 

Sections 31 and 87 of the 

Electoral Act and APC’s 

guideline, he was the valid 

House of Representatives 

candidate of the party, 

be a do-or-die affair and 

argued that it was the 

duty of the Federal 

Government and 



INEC, to organise peaceful 

and credible elections. 

physically challenged will 

be carried along 

accordingly.” 

On his part, National 

Chairman of PDP, Prince 

Uche Secondus, told the 

state stakeholders to resist 

every form of provocation to 

warrant postponement of 

election in the state. 

having won the primaries. 

He also sought an order 

of the court declaring him 

as the rightful candidate of 

the party, having polled the 

highest number of votes 

cast in the party’s 

primaries, as well as an 

order compelling INEC to 

issue him a certificate of 

return. 

In his judgment, Justice 

Adegoke upheld the 

argument of the plaintiff and 

ordered APC to forward his 

name to INEC. He 

subsequently ordered 

INEC to issue the plaintiff 

a certificate of return. 

He also gave a perpetual 

injunction restraining 

INEC from accepting Edoja 

or any other person other 

than Agoda as APC’s 

candidate for Ehiope federal 

constituency in the general 

election. 

We'll work with IGP, CP 

on Amachree—Rivers govt 

RIVERS 

State 

Government will 

interface with the 

Inspector General of 

Police and the Rivers State 

Police Commissioner to 

produce the sacked 

Factional Rivers State 

APC Chairman, Ojukaye 

Flag Amachree in court 

for his murder trial. 

Addressing journalists 

after Rivers State High 

Court, Port Harcourt, 

presided over by Justice 

J. N. Akpughunum, 

yesterday, adjourned the 

murder trial of Amachree, 

counsel to Rivers State 

Government, Chief 

Godwin Obla (SAN) said 

the interface has become 

necessary because of 

Amachree's refusal to 

appear in court. 

Obla noted that the state 

THE Campaign for the 

Defence of the 

Human Right, CDHR, 

Akwa Ibom State Chapter, 

has blamed Nigerian 

politicians for their 

desperation and 

precipitating of electoral 

violence that contributed 

to the postponement of 

the 2019 general elections 

by the Independent 


Commission, INEC, last 

Saturday. 

CDHR, in a statement 

by Pius Philip Ntuen, 

Chairman CDHR, Akwa 

Ibom State, condemned in 

totality every case of 

insecurity, brigandage 

and violence associated 

with any individuals or 

groups in Akwa Ibom 

State resulting in creating 

Edo IDPs fear disenfranchisement 

REGISTERED voters 

in the internallydisplaced 

persons, IDPs 

camp in Uhogua, Ovia 

North-East Local 

Government Area of Edo 

State, have expressed 

fears that they may end 

up disenfranchised in the 

forthcoming elections. 

Some of them, who 

spoke on condition of 

anonymity, said their fears 

were based on the fact 

that despite the fact that 

over 500 of them are 

registered as voters, no 

official of the Independent 


Commission, INEC, has 

deemed it necessary to let 

them know where their 

polling unit would be or 

if their names are even on 

the voters’ register. 

One of them said: “It a 

big concern that INEC 

officials, having 

prosecution team will use 

the gap between now and 

the next adjourned date 

to interface with Inspector 

General of Police (IGP), 

Muhammed Adamu and 

the Commissioner of 

Police in Rivers State, 

Usman Belel to request 

that they strictly comply 

with the order of the Court 

and produce the 

defendant, Ojukaye Flag 

Amachree on the next 

adjourned date. 

Obla emphasised that if 

the accused person is not 

produced on the next 

adjourned date, there are 

legal processes to compel 

the IGP and the 

Commissioner of Police in 

Rivers State to produce 

the accused person on 

March 18, the next 

adjourned date. 

CDHR blames elections' 

postponement on politicians 

tension, friction, suspicion 

and acrimony capable of 

undermining the 

atmosphere for a free and 

fair elections, especially 

the alleged burning of 

INEC buses and killing of 

innocent persons in Obot 

Akara Local Government 

Area of the state. 

The CDHR implored 

relevant security agencies 

in Akwa Ibom State to 

ensure peace and order 

that can guarantee 

violence-free elections in 

the state while keeping 

up to its constitutional and 

legal duty/responsibility of 

arresting and prosecuting 

any person or group 

intending to disrupt the 

peace of the state during 

the elections and 

thereafter. 

registered most of us, 

have not deemed it fit to 

let us know if our names 

are on the voters’ list or if 

we will be entitled to have 

polling booth in our 

premises.” 

INEC responds 

However, Mrs. Justina 

Obamogie, Public 

Relations Officer of INEC 

in Edo State, allayed fears 

that the IDPs would be 

disenfranchised. She 

assured that just like 

other registered voters, 

they would freely 

exercising their 

franchise. 

Supporting her claim, 

the INEC Director, Voters 

Education and Publicity, 

Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, 

affirmed that none of the 

registered voters in the 

IDPs camp in Uhogua 

would be disenfranchised.

36 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FABRUARY 21, 2019


BIRTHDAY: Celebrant, Mrs. Florence Oseragbaje and her husband, A.B. Oseragbaje, 

Chairman, Presidential Appolo Hotel (sitting, middle) flanked by her children, during a 

special thanksgiving and luncheon party to mark her 70th birthday at Chinis Restaurant, 

GRA, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday. Photos: Lamidi Bamidele. 

POLLS: Don’t use military to intimidate 

Nigerians — AARE ADAMS 

By Dapo Akinrefon 

LAGOS—THE Aare 

Ona Kakanfo of 

Yorubaland, Iba Gani 

Adams, yesterday, 

appealed to President 

Muhammadu Buhari not 

to use the military 

architectures to intimidate 

Nigerians from exercising 

their franchise. 

In a statement by his 

Special Assistant on 

Media, Kehinde 

Aderemi, Aare Adams 

noted that the use of 

military during the 

elections is arbitrary, 

describing it as a ploy to 

undermine Nigeria’s 

democracy. 

He said: “We are not in a 

banana republic, whereby 

the Federal Government 

will, strategically, foist the 

military on us during 

elections. I agree there are 

security challenges across 

the country; however, 

nobody can use that as a 

ploy to use military to 

undermine our democracy. 

What we are experiencing, 

since last Saturday, is not 

too good for us as a nation, 

because some politicians 

have perfected their plans 

to truncate this democracy 

through the back door. The 

whole world is watching 

us. Many of us put our lives 

on the line for us to have 

this democracy. Many 

people lost their lives for us 

to have this democracy. 

Our democracy came with 

a lot of sacrifices. In a 

civilized clime, the police 

and the civil defence are 

usually used to monitor 

elections, while the military 

is used during wars. The 

coming election is not a 

war, so why the directives 

to use military to monitor 

election processes? 

This is scary and their 

presence will definitely lead 

to chaos. This election 

should be peaceful, free 

and fair. We don’t want 

bloodbath, however, with 

this development, I have a 

feeling that many 

Nigerians will be 

disenfranchised and that 

can taint Nigeria’s image 

and it will also send a 

wrong signal to the 

POLLS: Reject corrupt leaders, 

CACOL urges Nigerians 

By Olayinka Ajayi 

LAGOS—AHEAD of 

Saturday’s 


Assembly elections, the 

Centre for Anti-Corruption 

and Open Leadership, 

CACOL, yesterday, urged 

Nigerians to resist corrupt 

leaders or parties that want 

to induce them via votebuying. 

CACAOL Executive 

chairman, Mr. Debo 

Adeniran, made the call at 

a public lecture organised 

by the group. 

Adeniran said: 

“Corruption in Nigeria 

started from the grassroots 

and these corrupt leaders 

put our dear nation into the 

decadence we find 

ourselves in. So, there is 

need to enlighten our 

youths not to make 

corrupt leaders their rolemodels. 

Let’s not leave 

Nigeria’s condition to 

fate. With our votes and 

in unity we can defeat 

corruption. Let’s fight it 

with all we have.” 

Adeniran further urged 

participants to 

restrategize their antigraft 

fight by voting out 

corrupt elements, saying: 

“A united people cannot be 

defeated. Unless we 

salvage our system, we 

cannot make formidable 

impact. If we don’t impose 

maximum punishment on 

those destroying our land, 

corrupt people will 

continue to reign.'' 

international community.” 

Adams, however, urged 

I’ve no case with EFCC, 

says Ogun Rep member 


A member BEOKUTA—A 

of the 

House of Representatives 

from Abeokuta North/ 

Obafemi-Owode/Odeda 

federal constituency in 

Ogun State, Mr. Kazzim 

Mikail has dismissed what 

he described as a mere 

allegation, the report that 

some members of his 

constituency have reported 

him to the Economic and 

Financial Crimes 

Commission, EFCC. 

Kazzim said the 

allegation against him 

is baseless and cannot 

Nigerians not to be 

intimidated by the 

activities of the military, 

saying election is not a 

do-or-die affair. 

HIJAB: MSSN drags Ogun govt 

to court 

A BEOKUTA—THE 

Muslim Students 

Society of Nigeria, MSSN, 

has filed a fresh case at the 

Ogun State High Court 

asking the court to order the 

state government to allow 

the use of hijab by female 

Muslim students in public 

primary and secondary 

schools in the state. 

The case was filed by the 

Amir of MSSN in Ogun 

State, Saheed Amisu on 

behalf of female students in 

these schools. 

Also joined, as 

respondents, are the state’s 

Attorney-General and 

Justice Commissioner, 

Education Commissioner, 

All Nigeria Conference of 

Principals of Secondary 

Schools, ANCOPS, and 

Association of Head 

Teachers of Primary Schools 

in Nigeria, AOPSHON in 

Ogun State. 

The MSSN suit was 

mentioned for first hearing 

on Tuesday before the 

judge, Bamgbose Alabi. 

The applicants are 

seeking for an order “to 

Celebrant, Mrs. Florence Oseragbaje (right) with Mrs Rita Amuka. 

hold water. 

‘Micky’ as he is popularly 

called was reported to 

have been dragged before 

the EFCC, however, 

described the petitioners as 

‘offshore constituents’ 

arguing that no genuine 

member of the constituency 

will put up such allegation 

against his person. 

He said: “All these 

allegations are untrue, 

people need to go back and 

ask questions from the 

Ministry, go after the 

contractors before coming to 

the constituency to confirm 

whether the projects have 

been done or not.” 

enforce and secure the 

enforcement of the 

fundamental rights of 

female Muslim students in 

public primary and 

secondary schools in Ogun 

State under Sections 38 and 

42 of the Constitution of the 

Federal Republic of 

Nigeria (as amended).” 

MSSN is also praying 

for a declaration that the 

“use of Islamically 

prescribed head cover 

called Hijab by the 

students forms parts of 

their fundamental rights 

to freedom of religion, 

conscience and thought 

as contained in Section 

38 of the Constitution).” 

Tension over ex-militants’ 

influx into Ondo 

By Dayo Johnson 

AKURE—THE 

All 

Progressives 

Congress, APC, House of 

Representatives candidate 

for Ilaje Ese-odo Federal 

Constituency in Ondo State, 

Mr. Donald Ojogo has 

raised the alarm over the 

influx of former militants 

from Delta and Edo states 

into the state to disrupt the 

elections. 

Ojogo, in a statement in 

Akure, alleged that “these 

former militants are being 

propped, groomed and 

financed by a former Niger 

Delta warlord.” 

He also alleged that “ a 

meeting convened by the 

said former militant leader, 

ostensibly with the aim of 

disrupting the election or 

destroying results 

unfavorable to the PDP is 

ongoing in Lagos.” 

Ojogo said: “I am 

constrained to alert the 

general public, especially 

By Ola Ajayi 

Iunder BADAN—WOMEN, 

the aegis of the 

Unique Women Fellowship 

International, numbering 

about 24,000 across the 

country are weighing the 

option of boycotting the 


Assembly election fixed for 

Saturday saying the recent 

comments by President 


could be an excuse for 

trigger-happy security 

agents to unleash terror on 

innocent citizens. 

INEC distributes sensitive 

election materials to Kwara LGAs 

THE 

Independent 


Commission (INEC) in 

Kwara, has distributed all 

sensitive election materials 

to all the 16 local 

government areas ahead of 

Saturday’s general 

elections in the state. 

Reports have it that the 

distribution of the materials 

law enforcement and 

security agencies about the 

activities of some 

unscrupulous elements 

who have made an 

untoward influx into the 

Riverine Areas of Ondo 

State from neighbouring 

states of Delta and Edo. 

“But for the divine 

intervention occasioned by 

the postponement of the 

February 16 poll, hired 

thugs, cultists and 

elements 

who 

understandably, were ex 

militants in black dresses, 

had positioned themselves 

in strategic creeks across 

Arogbo-Ijaw Kingdom in 

speed boats belonging to 

disengaged security 

company. 

“It is pertinent to say here 

that at least three of such 

miscreants who offered 

themselves out as thugs 

are currently under arrest 

in Akwa Ibom State on the 

suspicion that they had 

gone there to disrupt 

elections. 

24,000 women consider boycott 

of polls over insecurity 

took place at the Central 

Bank of Nigeria (CBN), 

Ilorin on Wednesday. 

The distribution was 

supervised by the Resident 

Electoral Commissioner 

(REC), Malam Garba 

Attahiru-Madami in the 

presence of representatives 

of political parties and 

Security agencies. 

While pleading with 

President Buhari to 

apologise and reassure 

Nigerians that his intention 

was for the interest of the 

country, the women led by 

Mrs. Omowumi Popoola, 

said: “While we abhor and 

condemn electoral 

malpractices and any 

unlawful acts such as ballot 

box snatching and any form 

of hooliganism, and while 

we understand the need 

for President to be firm in 

driving home his point, we 

are alarmed concerning 

measures he is seeking to 

employ to enforce them. 

“It is our belief that the 

President’s statement is 

extreme and we fear it 

may be a catalyst for police 

brutality on civilians on 

February 23 and 

throughout the election 

period.” 

“As mothers, our initial 

reaction was to decide to sit 

at home on days of election, 

together with our children, 

so as to avoid falling victims 

of what looks like shoot at



By Ebunoluwa Sessou 

Princess Vicky Haastrup is the 

Executive Director, E and L 

Consortium, in this interview, she 

speaks on the role of women in 

technology and why every woman 

should explore technology in all 

ramifications to boost their self esteem 

and make them relevant in 

life. 

Recently, Managing Director, 

International Monetary Fund, 

IMF, Christine Lagarde said during 

its annual general meeting 

that 26 million women would lose 

jobs to technology. What would 

be your reaction to that? 

I do not expect that statement 

should be directed only to women 

as both genders work in offices and 

are professionals in their own 

fields. Therefore, I do not know 

why she thought more women 

would be affected as a result of automation 

on technology, I totally 

disagree. 

I think it should actually affect 

both genders - men and women, 

so I do not know whether I want to 

agree to her submission. There are 

other places where women can 

work, not necessarily in an office. 

There are other things to do that 

would put food on the table. 

Women are practically seen in all 

spheres of life. For instance, 

women open restaurants and because 

it is one of the fastest growing 

businesses in Nigeria, I have 

seen many graduates who ventured 

into the restaurant business. 

I also know children of influential 

Nigerians after studying abroad, 

still came to Nigeria to start a restaurant 

business. One of them is a 

daughter to my friend who despite 

her degrees from America; still ventured 

into food and healthy business. 

She is making more than she 

would have made if she was working 

in an office. 

I believe that such statement 

would pose challenges to women 

in Nigeria especially as it came 

from the IMF president. But, if I 

may suggest, women should take 

the statement as an instrument to 

strengthen them in all areas of life. 

Women should rise up to the occasion 

and I think deeply that all 

they need to do is become innovative 

and creative in whatever they 

find themselves. I am actually 

proud of young people today especially 

women. Some of them are 

in higher institutions doing business. 

These people are not bothered 

that government cannot create 

jobs for them, rather they are 

creative and innovative. I have encountered 

young ladies that are 

into fragrance and cosmetics, I can 

categorically tell you that they have 

raised the standard to an appreciable 

level. You could customise and 

get any fragrance you want, they 

are creative, women would need 

to sit down and be creative, and 

think of what they can do which 

the society needs. As much as they 

are producing the same product, 

it cannot be presented the same 

way. 

In Nigeria, fashion and styles 

have been raised to the standard 

that it can no longer be relegated. 

Any woman who is taking on such 

profession should know that creativity 

is the only feature that would 

make her stand out. So, Nigerian 

women should have the tenacity 

because they really do not need to 

work in an office before becoming 

celebrities. 

Do you see technology as a barrier 

to women as it serves as key 

to promote their businesses? 

I only see it as added advantage, 

we talk about twitter, Instagram, 

Women and Tech: Exploring 

technology, critical to 

women’s world —Haastrup 

Facebook among others. Those are part of technology 

and they are the platforms to showcase 

your products. Today, social media has become 

a negative influence such that people do not 

use it for the purpose for which it was created. 

Women should explore the positive aspect of 

social media so as to move their lives toward. 

There are people who are into hair and styles 

and they have taken it to another level. They 

also showcase their products on Instagram and 

connect to people who patronise them. For instance, 

there was a London-based Nigerian 

woman who got her customers through 

Instagram. I believe you can stay at home as a 

woman and make money, advertise your goods 

on Instagram or other platforms. I bought a 

nice chin-chin from a woman via social media. 

This lady works in an Oil and Gas company. 

Women need to be educated before they 

would thrive in their businesses. So education 

adds value to creativity. That is why I said 

women should possess holy anger. Like I had 

earlier stated, I do not believe men should only 

be responsible to put food on the table. Both 

women and men should be. Women should 

be helpers to men. But, if their husbands are 

not able to put food on the table, nothing stops 

them from doing so. Creativity is our sense of 

entrepreneurship. All we need to do is to get 

up and do something. There are so many opportunities 

to explore and the good thing about 

Nigeria is that it possesses the population 

strength in the whole of Africa. That is why 

Nigeria is very strategic economically and politically 

compared to other countries of the 

world. Nobody jokes with Nigeria. America as 

well as European countries do not joke with 

Nigeria. It is because of our capacity. It is a 

game of numbers. Women in Nigeria should 

key into this, it is a great opportunity and I 

deeply think that we can explore the opportunities. 

One last question; when is the foundation 

for women and young girls expected to kick 

off? 

Very soon. I am very passionate about women 

having their rightful place in the country - in 

politics, economy and otherwise. Women need 

to occupy positions of authority because they 

have not been fairly treated. There are lots of 

discrimination against women and that does 

not make us happy. I believe this is the time for 

women to rise up to the occasion, we need to 

let them know that we have the capacity to do 

the right thing and do it better, we have the 

intelligence, strength and what it takes to make 

Nigeria a better place 

Until women are awake to reality, things’ll 

not be done rightly——Tobun 

A member, Lagos State House of Assembly 

representing Epe Constituency 2, Mr. Abiodun 

Tobun, Lawmaker 1, in this interview speaks 

on why women find it difficult to make headway 

in decision-making in the country. 

Are you aware that a lot of women are going 

to lose their jobs to technology; maybe 

because of the fact that they are not knowledgeable 

about it? 

I am not aware. 

*Princess Vicky Haastrup...Nigeria is very strategic 

economically and politically compared to other 

countries of the world 

fore, until Nigerian 

women realise that they 

are duty bound to take 

responsibility, they 

would not be able to 

assert authority. 

Meaning that, this 

might stall the vision 

of parity against 

them? 

Some women are 

canvassing for gender 

parity and emancipation, 

saying they want 

women to have full recognition 

but they are 

lagging behind because 

they are not doing 

things rightly. 

But these people are 

being muscled out of 

the system ... 

No, they are not being 

muscled out by 

men, rather they 

ganged up against one 

another. Women do not 

trust that they can get 

things right. And until, 

they understand the 

guidelines naturally, 

they will not be able to 

get the best out of them. 

I believe they still need 

to align with men of 

substance so as to gain 

confidence and reclaim 

their rightful positions. 

Until they have confidence, 

they might not 

be able to fight for 

women emancipation. 

They should leave paperwork 

and face reality. 

...Perhaps, they do 

not have enough 

money like their male 

counterparts? 

What stops women 

from possessing 

enough money if that 

would make them win? 

But, if they are given 

...Back to Nigeria, are you optmistic that 

women would take their rightful place, especially 

when it comes to power in the nearest 

future? 

Power is not served at-lar-carte. There is a 

statement that says, women can do better than 

men. And that is to say, they have to struggle 

and fight for their rights. Power will not be given 

to them on a platter of gold. 

Unfortunately, women are their own enemies 

when it comes to supporting themselves. They 

are never there to support their fellow women 

and in the process, become their own enemies. 

When it comes to election, women would not 

vote for their fellow women. When it comes to 

corruption, they are excessively corrupt. Theremoney 

to spend, they would rather 

keep it because they believe they 

are good managers. Women should 

change their orientation. 

I am not happy because most of 

my children are women and they 

are expected to get to the pinnacle 

of their career. 

When it comes to entrepreneurship, 

women are so good, they 

are out there, they are doing massively 

well, they can turn anything 

around, are you saying on this 

note that women are not doing 

their best? 

Women are highly intelligent, 

what I see as challenge is their inability 

to take the right decision at 

the right time. Secondly, their inability 

to bring human face to issues 

when the need arises, they 

are easily manipulated. 

Women must take the bull by 

the horn—-Stakeholders 

Using technology as a means to 

promote business has been identified 

as major instrument in business 

and entrepreneurial environment. 

But, this is contrary to the view 

of the Managing Director of the 

International Monetary Fund, 

IMF, Christine Lagarde, when she 

spoke recently on the premise that 

about 26 million women might lose 

their jobs to technology. 

The big question, therefore is, 

how will technology affect women 

in business negatively? What are 

the critical areas women can explore 

to make technology work 

positively for them in business? 

How do women explore technological 

opportunities around them 

to promote their businesses and 

help their entrepreneurial lifestyle? 

A survey carried out by guidant 

financial revealed that the latest 

numbers regarding women in 

business can’t be ignored. There 

are 9.1 million woman-owned 

businesses nationwide, employing 

7.9 million employees and generating 

$1.4 trillion in sales, according 

to the National Association of 

Women Business Owners. While 

these numbers are encouraging for 

female entrepreneurs, there’s still 

more to learn about who these 

women in business are, what factors 

are driving their businesses 

forward and the biggest challenges 

they face. 

Against this background, WO 

went round the metropolis to feel 

the pulse of women. It was revealed 

that 51 per cent of female 

under the age of 50 are business 

owners compared to 44 per cent of 

men. 

And as much as possible, women 

engage in both formal and informal 

businesses. But in reality, the 

vast majority of women entrepreneurs 

are not found in formal businesses, 

but in informal, survivaloriented 

income generation activities. 

They have limited opportunities 

to increase profitability, and 

limited choice in the activities they 

carry out. 

Some business women do not 

care about technology rather, they 

prefer to do their businesses the 

way they know best. 

Women are implored to make use 

of the opportunity and to take the 

bull by the horn. Speaking with 

WO, a businesswoman along 

Okokomaiko, Mrs. Bisi Olatunde 

said: “The use of technology has 

helped my business positively. I 

do some businesses on social network 

using either Whatsapp, 

Facebook or Instagram ; it is an 

opportunity to socialise with people 

as well as promoting my business.” 

I believe it is important for 

women to familiarise themselves 

with technology in order to follow 

the global trend, it is also used for 

communication especially with the 

use of social media platforms which 

allows anyone to advertise his or 

her business. Technology should 

not only be used for business but 

for day- to-day lifestyle. 

On her part, Mrs Pleasant, a 

businesswoman in Orile told WO 

how she had to undergo training 

in order to meet up with her business 

target. “I went through computer 

training for a period of time 

just to step up my business. I believe 

it is necessary for women to 

learn how to make use of technology 

as it helps them in fulfilling 

some responsibilities at home. 

With the Google app for example, 

you could help your child out with 

an assignment, it also helps you 

in securing good jobs.” 

Mrs Loveth, an entrepreneur in 

Jakande Estate, Isolo advised 

women to take technology very seriously. 

“The level of civilisation is 

high and I believe at a time we 

wouldn’t need to write with our 

hands so everyone is advised to 

learn how to make use of technological 

devices.” Also Madam 

Chidimma, a civil servant called 

on every woman to take the opportunity 

to learn technology and 

not hesitate as it is a wise decision. 

Meanwhile, some told WO that 

they have little or no knowledge 

of technology. Mrs Ngozi Patricia, 

a teacher, said: “I am not good with 

computers; I feel it does not affect 

me much because the business I 

do has to do with hand-based 

skills. Nevertheless, I think every 

woman should learn how to make 

use of it.” 

Likewise, Miss Victoria, an entrepreneur, 

said: “I am not educated 

so I do not have any knowledge 

of it, but it’s good we learn to 

make use of it.” 

Mrs Faith, a trader, said: “I am 

not so good with computers but I 

am willing to learn. It’s just that I 

have not been able to create time 

for it but I encourage women to 

embrace technology.” 

C 

M 

Y 

K


“ 

THESE are the times 

that try men's souls” 

was Thomas Paine’s magnum 

opus in the winter 

of 1776. 

Americans were fighting 

the war of independence 

against the British, 

who had superior firepower 

and 

TRIBUTE 

the troops led 

by George Washington 

were dispirited, in retreat, 

and on the verge of disintegration. 

In stepped Paine, an 

English-born American 

political activist and philosopher, 

with his series 

of essays titled The Crisis. 

“The summer soldier 

and the sunshine patriot 

will, in this crisis, shrink 

from the service of their 

country; but he that stands 

by it now, deserves the 

love and thanks of man 

and woman,” he wrote. 

“Tyranny, like hell, is not 

easily conquered; yet we 

have this consolation with 

us, that the harder the 

conflict, the more glorious 

the triumph. What we obtain 

too cheap, we esteem 

too lightly: it is dearness 

only that gives everything 

its value. 

“Heaven knows how to 

put a proper price upon 

its goods; and it would be 

strange indeed if so celestial 

an article as freedom 

should not be highly 

rated.” 

It was an inspiring essay. 

Washington ordered 

all the troops to read it. 

And America vanquished 

Britain. 

Though the circumstances 

may be different, 

in a sense, as it was for 

Americans then, so it is for 

Nigerians today. The 

souls of Nigerian men, 

women and children are 

put on trial by a contrived 

political crisis. 

We have no Paine to rally 

the troop against the 

tyranny which stalks the 

land. 

The yearning for Paine 

is informed by the frightening 

desperation of politicians. 

When desperation 

is emptied into the 

toxic well of ego, disaster 

looms large. 

The sudden postponement 

of the presidential 

and National Assembly 

elections by the Independent 


Commission, INEC, last 

week has put President 

Muhammadu Buhari and 

the All Progressives Congress, 

APC, in a very foul 

mood. 

They have the right to 

be angry just like all of us. 

But it gets scary if that 

angry president is one 

who started fracturing the 

guardrails of his office by 

his indifference and even 

contempt for the rule of law 

and respect for human 

Buhari’s death threat matters 

rights from his very first 

day in office. 

A lot has been said and 

written on the postponement. 

Only the INEC 

Chairman, Mahmood 

Yakubu, will tell Nigerians 

what happened and I 

guess we have to wait a 

little longer. 

But it was portentous for 

Buhari to fly off the handle 

the way he did at the APC 

caucus meeting on Monday 

where he disclosed 

that he had directed “the 

police and the military to 

be ruthless” with those 

who snatch ballot boxes. 

Warning that anybody 

who disturbed the election 

would do so at the expense 

of his life was beyond the 

pale for a president of a 

country governed by the 

rule of law. 

It is disheartening that 

some Nigerians support 

his bloodcurdling solution 

to infractions adequately 

taken care of by our laws. 

Which, perhaps, explains 

why APC national 

leader, Bola Tinubu, opted 

for damage control by 

claiming that Buhari was 

misinterpreted. 

“No president will give 

an order that his own citizens 

should be shot summarily, 

No! No, it’s okay; 

emotions are running high 

these days. Any individual, 

including myself, can 

be misinterpreted,” Tinubu 

quibbled. 

He added: “Buhari is a 

law-abiding person and he 

understands categorically 

and clearly what the rule 

of law is and the lives of 

individual citizens that he 

is in that office to protect.” 

It is doubtful if Buhari 

truly understands. But 

Nigerians are not shocked 

because his penchant for 

incendiary rhetoric is legendary. 

In 2011, as candidate of 

the Congress for Progressive 

Change, CPC, he told 

his supporters in Hausa 

thus: “Ku fita ku yi zabe. 

Ku Kasa, ku tsare, ku raka 

ku tsaya. Duk wanda bai 

yarda ba, ku halaka 

shi”(First, you must register, 

come out and vote. 

You guard, protect, escort 

to the collation centre and 

you wait until the result 

is counted. Anyone who 

stops you, kill them). 

His statement was 

blamed for the violence 

Warning that 

anybody who 

disturbed the 

election would 

do so at the 

expense of his 

life was beyond 

the pale for a 

president of a 

country governed 

by the 

rule of law 

that claimed over 800 

lives, including 10 National 

Youth Service 

Corps, NYSC, members. 

Buhari never condemned 

the killings. Instead, 

he doubled down 

on May 14, 2012 when 

he warned of another 

bloodbath in 2015. 

“God willing, by 2015, 

something will happen. 

They either conduct a 

free and fair election or 

they go a very disgraceful 

way,” he told members 

of the CPC from Niger 

State, who paid him a 

courtesy visit in Kaduna, 

“If what happened in 

2011 should again happen 

in 2015, by the grace 

of God, the dog and the 

baboon would all be 

soaked in blood,’’ he added. 

Believing that he won 

the 2011 poll on the platform 

of his ultra-conservative, 

provincial CPC 

was hallucination taken 

too far. But that is the 

essential Buhari. The 

only election that is ever 

free and fair is the one he 

wins. 

Many Nigerians believe 

that if Goodluck 

Jonathan had been declared 

winner of the 2015 

poll, whether rightly or 

wrongly, the 2011 bloodbath 

would have been a 

child’s play; hence the 

sigh of relief when he 

conceded defeat even 

before the final results 

were announced. 

So, when Buhari treads 

a familiar violence curve 

as he did on Monday by 

issuing a political fatwa, 

Nigerians must pay attention. 

But must we always 

give in to threats of 

violence and mayhem? 

Besides, Nigeria’s democracy 

is a product of 

law, which has taken care 

of electoral infractions 

such as ballot box snatching. 

Section 129 (4) of the 

2010 Electoral Act (as 

amended), states that: 

“Any person who snatches 

or destroys any election 

material commits an 

offence and is liable on 

conviction to 24 months 

imprisonment.” 

Section 131 (1) goes 

further to state that those 

who threaten directly or 

indirectly to make use of 

force or violence are “liable 

on conviction to a 

fine of N1,000,000 or imprisonment 

for a term of 

three years.” 

While it is possible that 

Buhari is not even aware 

of the law, that does not 

explain his proclivity to 

violence. 

Taking a cue from him, 

the Chief of Army Staff, 

Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, 

on Wednesday told principal 

staff officers, general 

officers commanding, 

and directors that 

those who seek to undermine 

democracy by interfering 

in the electoral 

process must be seen as 

“enemies of Nigeria and 

dealt with appropriately”. 

Yet, he did not define 

what interference in this 

circumstance means. 

When the “body bag” 

threat of Kaduna State 

Governor, Nasiru el-Rufai, 

is thrown into the mix, 

it becomes clear that 

some people are preparing 

for war, not election. 

That is desperation taken 

too far. 

I doubt if Nigerians are 

cowed by such pugnaciousness. 

Suffice it to say 

that military officers need 

to be reminded that the 

world is watching and the 

International Criminal 

Court, ICC, is real. In the 

new world order, there 

are consequences for 

egregious actions. 

Beyond all these, there 

is need for soul-searching. 

This is the 21st century 

and we are called upon 

to elect those who will 

superintend over the affairs 

of the country in the 

next four years. That is 

no rocket science. It is a 

civic duty, which other 

countries, including African 

countries, do effortlessly. 

But in Nigeria, it is war, 

literally. Borders are 

shut, schools and businesses 

are shuttered, 

movements are restricted 

and soldiers are drafted 

onto the streets. 

There is need for introspection. 

We can neither 

conduct free and fair 

elections nor credible 

census. Yet, we claim to 

be the giant of Africa. 

These are indeed times 

that try our souls as Nigerians. 

Though we don’t 

have a Paine to rally the 

troops, his seminal essay 

points the way. 

As we go back to the 

polls on Saturday, we 

should not only remember 

that “tyranny, like hell, 

is not easily conquered”, 

but also that “the harder 

the conflict, the more glorious 

the triumph”.

Withdraw your statement, 

Army chief tells Atiku 

Continues from Page 5 

illegal possession of 

election materials and 

similar crimes are intended 

to mar an election and 

create deliberate avenues 

for post-election violence 

and mayhem. 

“Such actions can also 

become more damaging 

when they are widespread, 

leading to destruction of 

lives and properties. 

Incidences of this nature in 

previous elections are often 

planned and orchestrated 

by politicians and the 

Nigerian Army has hitherto 

been very cautious in its 

approach. 

“However, this time 

around the Nigerian Army 

will adopt a proactive 

posture that ensures that 

similar incidences do not 

even arise. 

“Accordingly, in addition 

to my earlier directives to 

you in the last Operations 

Conference, I wish to lay 

emphasis on the following 

actions that all 

commanders are to abide 

by. Commanders must deal 

decisively with any 

electoral crime or action that 

would be inimical to 

national security. 

“Commanders are to 

ensure that they and their 

personnel do not hobnob 

with politicians at any 

level. In this regard, there 

will be no military escort for 

any politician and all 

Nigerian Army personnel 

are to stay clear of retired 

military officers especially 

those who are now 

politicians until after the 

elections. 

“Commanders are to 

conduct extensive patrols 

within their AORs. They 

must ensure that all flash 

points within the area are 

dominated. 

“Commanders must, in 

conjunction with the 

Nigerian Police Force 

enforce the restriction on 

movement within their 

AORs. All vehicles must be 

searched and suspicious 

persons or vehicles 

arrested/impounded and 

later handed over to the 

NPF. 

“Commanders must 

ensure they key into the NA 

Elections Security 

NAIRA WATCH 

Naira up to N362.04/$ in I&E 

window 

vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews 

Monitoring Situation Room 

to send and receive near 

real-time information on 

events, as they occur in 

their areas of 

responsibilities. 

“I have laid emphasis on 

these few points to remind 

everyone that these are 

delicate times and the NA 

must support Nigeria’s 

march towards enduring 

democracy. In the course of 

the conference, I will expect 

every one of you to 

comment on your 

preparations for the 

elections as it affects your 

various areas of 

responsibilities. 

“Our role in support of 

democracy cannot be 

overemphasized; hence all 

hands must be on deck to 

ensure we have a 

successful outing for the 

next elections.” 

He thanked the president 

for what he called “his 

invaluable support to the 

Nigerian Army towards 

ensuring success in our 

various operations. 

“The Nigerian Army must 

remain totally committed to 

the defence of the 

Constitution of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria. 

Remember that the 

Nigerian Army must 

continue to remain 

apolitical, professional and 

responsive in the discharge 

of its constitutional roles,” 

he further stressed. 

Why we’re 

meeting again, by 

COAS 

The Chief of Army Staff 

reminded the army officers 

that the meeting was called 

to review strategies 

adopted two weeks ago 

towards the conduct of 

general election which he 

noted, was later postponed. 

“You will all recall that just 

two weeks ago, we all met 

here for an Operations 

Conference that was held 

to strategize on the 

Nigerian Army’s roles 

during the 2019 General 

Elections, which was earlier 

planned to commence 

from Feb 16. 

“Unfortunately, the 

election did not hold as 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

The naira yesterday appreciated to N362.04 per 

dollar in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) 

window as a result of a 37 percent increase in the 

volume of dollars traded. 

Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative 

exchange rate for the window dropped to N362.04 

per dollar from N362.20 per dollar on Tuesday 

translating to 16 kobo appreciation of the naira. 

The volume of dollars traded on the window rose 

by 37 percent to $545.06million from $397.32 million 

on Tuesday. 

However, the naira, yesterday, was stable at N359 

per dollar in the parallel market. 

planned and has been 

postponed to hold on 

February 23 and March 9. 

This shift in date has 

necessitated a need to 

review some of the 

decisions taken at the last 

conference and also to 

reiterate some of the 

directives passed to you in 

light of the postponement 

of the elections. 

“I wish to first remind all 

of you that the unity of 

Nigeria is not negotiable. 

Hence those who seek to 

undermine our democracy 

by interfering in our 

electoral process must be 

seen as enemies of Nigeria 

and dealt with 

appropriately. 

“Our role is aptly 

captured in the 1999 

Constitution of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria (as 

amended) and we must 

defend Nigeria’s territorial 

integrity as well as act in 

aid of civil authority when 

called upon to do so. 

“Therefore, commanders 

must work with all 

stakeholders, interest 

groups and agencies to 

avert any act by any 

individual, groups or 

entities that seek to 

undermine our democratic 

process. 

“As expected, Nigerians 

have expressed general 

disappointment with the 

postponement of the 

elections. The 

postponement has also 

increased apprehension in 

the populace and the 


with regards to safety of 

voters and the electoral 

materials. 

“It is therefore, vital that 

the Nigerian Army 

alongside other security 

agencies rise up to the 

challenge of ensuring a 

peaceful outcome to this 

general election so as to 

give confidence to Nigerian 

citizens and to reassure the 


about our electoral process. 

“In light of this, I am 

pleased with the smooth 

activation of Operation Safe 

Conduct and the success of 

Operation Egwu Eke III. In 

addition, the recent 

launching of the Nigerian 

Army Situation Room for 

Elections Security 

Monitoring, will also 

ensure we have real time 

feedback from the field. 

“As we engage in these 

operations, we must 

remember that the army 

remains apolitical to ensure 

that no negative aspersion 

is cast on the Nigerian 

Army before, during or 

after the elections.” 

Atiku to COAS: 

Leave politics, 

tackle insurgency 

On his part, Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar through the 

spokesman of the PDP 

Campaign Council, Kassim 

Afegbua, said: “The Chief 

of Army Staff should be 

guided appropriately by 

relevant international 

protocols and conventions 

coupled with other 

domestic extant laws 

relating to the conduct of 

elections which do not 

prescribe any role 

whatsoever for the military. 

“The military should 

devote its time and energy 

on the battle against 

insurgency across the 

country instead of blowing 

hot air where there is none 

just to create panic in the 

minds of Nigerians. 

“It will be good to notify 

the COAS that Nigerians 

will remain resolute before, 

during and after the 

elections in defence of their 

constitutional rights to vote 

and be voted for without let 

or hindrance. We have 

since alerted our supporters 

to be law-abiding and 

conduct themselves within 

the labyrinth of the law 

during the election and 

voting process. This 

country is so dear to us, 

hence we will caution 

against any attempt to 

plunge it into avoidable 

crisis.” 

Don’t politicise 

our military, PDP 

warns Buratai 

The PDP in a statement 

signed by its spokesman, 

Kola Ologbondiyan 

yesterday, enjoined 

General Buratai to be 

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 2019 —41 

NEWS HOTLINES 

018773962, 

08052867058 

EL-Zakzaky protest—Members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria protesting over continued detention 

of their leader, Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN. 

guided by the provisions 

of the laws in his utterances 

especially as they relate to 

democracy. 

He said, “General Buratai 

is counselled to note that 

the loyalty of the military is 

to the state and that the 

President lacks the powers, 

under our laws, to deploy 

soldiers for the conduct of 

election. 

“The PDP states that Atiku 

Abubakar spoke on the side 

of the law and wishes of 

Nigerians and cannot be 

intimidated by any body no 

matter how highly placed. 

“Our party urges General 

Buratai to concentrate on 

his very demanding 

assignment of protecting 

the territorial integrity of our 

nation and ending 

insurgency rather than 

dabbling into partisan 

politics at the risk of our 

national cohesion. 

“It is imperative to state 

that by trying to drag the 

military to participate in the 

February 23 Presidential 

election, President Buhari 

plots to suspend our 

constitution, assume the 

position of an emperor, 

trigger unrest, subvert our 

electoral process and derail 

our democracy. 

Buhari lacks 

powers to deploy 

soldiers for 

election — PDP 

“The party directs 

President Buhari to the 

judgment of the Federal 

High Court, Lagos on 

March 23, 2015, wherein 

the court, presided over by 

Justice Ibrahim Buba, 

directly outlawed the 

deployment of troops in the 

conduct of elections in our 

country. 

“President Buhari should 

also avail himself of the 

subsisting judgement of the 

Court of Appeal, which on 

February 15, 2015, held that 

the President has no 

powers to deploy soldiers 

in the conduct of elections. 

“The PDP further 

counsels President Buhari 

and General Buratai to end 

their rationalizing of 

military option, as the courts 

have summarily 

dismissed their 

arguments that soldiers 

are needed to guarantee 

peaceful elections.” 

“It may interest 

President Buhari to know 

that the judgement was 

sequel to a suit by the 

APC Leader in the House 

of Representatives, Femi 

Gbajabiamila, seeking a 

declaration that 

deployment of soldiers 

during elections is illegal 

and unconstitutional. 

“In case, President 

Buhari is not aware, as 

usual, that the court 

directly held that “the 

Armed Forces have no 

role in elections” and if 

soldiers must vote, they 

must do so in their 

barracks. 

“The time has come for 

us to establish the culture 

of democratic rule in the 

country and to start to do 

the right thing 

particularly when it has 

to do with dealing with 

the electoral process, 

which is one of the pillars 

of democracy. 

“In spite of the 

behaviour of the political 

class, we should by all 

means try to keep armed 

personnel and military 

from being a part and 

parcel of the electoral 

process. 

“The state is obligated 

to confine the military to 

their very demanding 

assignment, especially in 

this time of insurgencies 

by keeping them out of 

elections’, the court held. 

“The priming of the 

military ahead of the 

election, therefore, 

heightens the fear of plots 

by the APC to plunge our 

nation into crisis and use 

security forces to 

subjugate Nigerians, 

seeing that President 

Buhari has no chance of 

winning the February 23 

Presidential election. 

“The PDP therefore, 

cautions President Buhari 

not to allow his 

desperation to push him 

to corrupt the patriotism 

of our military and use 

them against innocent 

Nigerians, whose only 

demand is for a free, fair 

and credible election.”

42 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2019 

INEC stands on S-Court 

ruling on Rivers 

By Our Reporter 

The agitation by the Rivers State 

chapter of the All Progressives 

Congress, APC to be enlisted in this 

weekend's ballot may have come to 

an end with the final decision of the 

commission not to heed a last minute 

petition by the APC. 

A petition filed by the Rivers State 

chapter of the party caused the commission 

to enter into a meeting early 

yesterday. 

The commission, however, remained 

unmoved and resolved not to 

enlist the APC in all elections in the 

state. 

Speaking to newsmen on the outcome 

of the commission's deliberation, 

INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood 

Yakubu said: 

Yakubu said, "As for APC in Rivers, 

I think the Supreme Court has 

made a number of pronouncements 

on that matter and for that reason, 

the commission has taken its decision 

going by the judgement of the 

Supreme Court. 

"And in our constitution, the Supreme 

Court is the last hunt for result 

for any citizen. And their must 

be an end for litigation as lawyers 

may say and once the Supreme Court 

makes a pronouncement, all agencies 

and authorities in the Federal Republic 

of Nigeria, abide by the judgement 

of the Supreme Court. 

"And so, the commission as a law 

abiding institution, will always abide 

by the judgement of courts so that is 

the situation for Rivers State. There's 

nowhere else to go. We'll go by the 

judgement of all courts, but when it 

comes to the Supreme Court, that is 

the end of all litigation." 

Only INEC can recruit 

ad-hoc staff -A-Ibom REC 

By Samson Echenim 

Resident Electoral Commissioner, 

Akwa-Ibom State, Mike Igini, has refuted 

allegations of electoral malpractices 

against him, saying it is the sole responsibility 

of the Independent Electoral 

Commission, INEC, not political groups 

to determine who are recruited as ad-hoc 

staff. 

In a statement, yesterday, titled, "Allegations 

of collusion wholly incorrect and 

untrue," he maintained that the process 

of recruiting, training and deploying adhoc 

staff was made transparently clear 

to all stakeholders, with their sources 

well known to all Nigerians from National 

Youth Service Corps, NYSC, federal 

MDAs and federal universities. 

"How they were selected and trained 

was shared with all parties in Akwa-Ibom 

State, where INEC invited all parties 

and gave them the list to examine and 

state any objections they have. After that 

was done, no party raised any objections 

in the presence of over 30 media organisations," 

Igini stated. 

On the allegation of holding private 

meetings with some people, he said this 

•Ameachi 

Next level is Promised Land, 

don't go back to Egypt - Ilori 

Dayo Johnson Akure 

THE National Chairman of the 

Door-to-Door Campaign of the All 

Progressives Congress, Presidential 

Campaign, Mr. Bola Ilori yesterday 

pleaded with Nigerians not to go 

back to Egypt as they go to the polls 

on Saturday. 

Addressing youths in Akure, the 

Ondo state capital, Ilori said Nigerians 

should instead move to the promise 

land by reelecting President 

Muhammadu Buhari. 

"God used Moses to take the Israelites 

from Egypt, he first led them 

into the wilderness, not five star hotel 

o. Some people complained about 

hardships in the wilderness and 

was totally incorrect, stressing that since 

resuming duty in Akwa-Ibom State he 

had made the deliberate social sacrifice 

of never stepping into the home of any 

resident of the state to obviate such accusations. 

"So I cannot have held meetings with 

people privately that I do not know," he 

said. 

He continued: "On the suggestion that 

I delivered all uncollected Permanent 

Voter's Cards, PVCs, to the state government, 

again this is false and groundless. 

In point of fact, when some PVCs were 

damaged I ensured that the Commission 

reproduced them so that the affected 

voters will not be disenfranchised and 

also received and delivered 33,077 

PVCS for distribution. 

"As a public servant I am mindful of the 

burdens of my task as an Electoral Manager, 

that in a very adversarial contest 

where political groups seek asymmetrical 

advantages over others, they may be 

tempted to descend to some unethical 

conduct. However, it is generally accepted 

that they ought to restrain themselves 

from such conduct guided by the 

provisions of the Electoral Act. 

•Wike 

made another God to lead them back 

to Egypt, thereby unwittingly turned 

a journey of 40 days to 40yrs. 

"Eventually Moses led them out of 

the wilderness and handed them over 

to a Joshua that led them to the promise 

land. 

"It is clear that Nigeria has left 

PDP's Egypt through Buhari, but currently 

in a wilderness and the Moses 

is laying a solid foundation for a 

Joshua to get Nigerians to the promise 

land. 

"The Next Level is not to go back 

to Egypt but to move to the promise 

land and we shall get there". 

The Ex-Osun Commissioner for 

Regional Integration highlighted different 

achievement of APC led federal 

government ranging from huge 

infrastructural development, social 

investment programmes and far 

reaching reforms in other areas of the 

economy. 

Ilori appealed to the people to cast 

their ballot for the party that centered 

its policies towards a better tomorrow. 

By Gabriel Ewepu 

ABUJA - AHEAD of February 23 

presidential polls as rescheduled 

by the Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, an election 

observer, YIAGA AFRICA, Wednesday, 

disclosed readiness to deploy its 

observers to the 36 states and the 

Federal Capital Territory, FCT, for 

coverage of the voting process. 

This was made known by the Executive 

Director, YIAGA AFRICA, 

Samson Itodo, while speaking on assessing 

logistics deployment by 

INEC at a media conference on 

Thursday February 23, 2019. 

According to Itodo YIAGA AFRI- 

CA's Watching The Vote, WTV, re- 

Kogi under 

siege, PDP 

leaders cry out 

By Dirisu Yakubu and 

Boluwaji Obahopo 

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has 

again come under attack over his alleged 

resort to brute force in his dealing with rivals 

and stakeholders in the state as the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP yesterday accused 

him of breeding fake police men for 

election purposes. 

Led by former governor of the state, 

Ibrahim Idris, the party chieftains while 

briefing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, said 

despite crying out repeatedly in the past, the 

situation is getting worse in Kogi even as 

they called on the federal government to rescue 

the state from what it called a gradual 

slip into anarchy. 

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Kogi state 

chairman of the PDP, Sam Uhuotu claimed 

that the party has some of its members 

through state sponspored violence, amongst 

sundry atrocities. 

"For the umpteenth time, the Kogi State 

Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party 

(PDP) is once again constrained to cry out to 

the security forces, the Nigerian public and 

the international community that we are still 

under siege. Indeed, the situation has deteriorated 

and is dangerously slipping into 

total anarchy. 

The incidences of intimidation, brutality 

and unprovoked disruption of political meetings 

and gatherings have not abated but in 

fact, has worsened with ferocious intensity 

spreading across the state, as we move towards 

the general elections. 

"The acts of intimidation and unleashing 

of terror by the APC have become increasingly 

brazen, reckless, monstrous and ominously 

dangerous. We believe that this sordid 

and unwarranted situation of a statesponsored 

violence would have been effectively 

contained if the security agencies had 

heeded to our cry and indeed the cry of all 

Kogi indigenes to confront and check this 

monster, Uhuotu said. 

The assertions were also reiterated in 

Lokoja the state capital by the Lokoja branch 

of the PDP which accused the Resident Electoral 

Commissioner, Prof. James Apam of conniving 

with the state government to substitute 

ad-hoc staff for preferred acolytes of the 

APC. 

The PDP has also asked for the transfer of 

the state's commissioner of police Hakeem 

Busari for alleged bias. 

The party in a statement signed by the 

Chairman of PDP in the council area, Mr. 

Idris Lokoja, also accused the REC of giving 

out the unclaimed PVC of the local government 

area to the ruling APC, describing his 

actions thus far as working to rig the elections 

just as was done in last year's rerun 

election of Lokoja/Kogi federal constituency. 

But the State governor, Bello through his 

Director General, Media and Publicity, 

Kingsley Fanwo described the PDP allegations 

as falsehood. 

YIAGA set to deploy observers 

across states - Itodo 

mains committed to the elections and 

inform Nigerians on the credibility 

of the elections INEC will conduct. 

He said: "YIAGA AFRICA's Watching 

The Vote, WTV, remains committed 

to deploying its observers for the 

Presidential elections and will make 

an informed assessment of the process 

and independently verify official 

election results as announced by the 

Independent National Electoral Commission, 

INEC. 

"YIAGA AFRICA Watching The Vote 

(WTV) also to hold a press conference 

on WTV Observation of the logistics 

deployment by the Electoral Commission 

ahead of the February 23rd, 

Presidential elections and other 

emerging issues."

VANGUARD, THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2019 — 43 

Edo Senate Races: 

Down to the wire 

By Gabriel Enogholase, Benin 

In a state where no political party is said to be 

in complete domination, it is no surprise that 

the three Senate races in Edo State is exciting 

the political atmosphere in the state. That is 

despite the fact that the state is not conducting a 

governorship election following the conclusion 

of all cases against the incumbent, Governor 

Godwin Obaseki. 

The two major political parties in the contests 

in all three senatorial districts are the All 

Progressives Congress, APC which is blessed 

with having the national chairman of the party, 

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole from the state and 

the incumbent governor, Mr. Obaseki in its fold. 

The party is, however, seriously challenged 

by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which has 

a strong following in all three senatorial districts. 

The Action Democratic Party, ADP also has a 

presence especially in Edo South Senatorial 

district. 

The most prominent candidates for the race 

in Edo South are Senator Matthew Urhoghide 

(PDP) Patrick Obahiagbon (APC) and Dr. Owie 

of the ADP. 

In Edo Central Senatorial zone, while the PDP 

is fielding Senator Clifford Ordia, Mr. John 

Inegbedion, a former Finance Commissioner in 

the State is the flag bearer of the APC. And in 

Edo North, the incumbent Senator, Francis 

Alimikhena (APC), is slugging it out with Hon 

Abubakar Momoh, (PDP), a former two term 

member of the House of Representatives. 

In Edo South Senatorial zone, nobody gave 

Senator Matthew Urhoghide any chance to 

succeed, having been denied several political 

opportunities of representing his people in the 

past. 

That was until 2015 when forces and 

circumstances aggravated towards the former 

president of the University of Benin Students 

Union government. 

After three years in the Senate, 

During his three years in the Senate, he has 

attracted over 600 physical projects to his 

constituency including bridges and culverts 

across rivers and streams, boreholes, roads 

construction, maternity/heath centres, 

transformers, solar street lighting systems, town/ 

multipurpose halls and award of scholarships 

to 268 beneficiaries in secondary and institutions 

of higher learning. 

He has also facilitated training of over 3,753 

youths and women and empowerment 

programmes for various stakeholders in the 

constituency. 

However, his principal opponent, 

Obahiagbon is no pushover who besides his 

enchanting verbosity has to his credit quality 

representation in the past as a two term member 

of the Edo State House of Assembly, member 

of the House of Representatives before he was 

appointed Chief of Staff to former Governor 

Adams Oshiomhole. With his experience in the 

Edo State House of Assembly and House of 

Representatives, he will give Senator 

Urhoghide a run for his money. 

However, despite getting into his strides in 

the governance of the state Governor Obaseki’s 

capacity to sell Obahiagbon would be 

challenged by increasing agitation against the 

policies of the APC at the federal level. 

In Edo Central Senatorial zone, the 

incumbent, Senator Clifford Ordia is buoyed by 

the persistence of the constituency with the PDP 

which has won all Senate elections in the 

constituency since 1999. 

He is also helped by the fact that the APC has 

presented a green horn in the politics of the state. 

While the performance of Governor Obaseki 

may swing some votes in his favour, the odds of 

the APC overturning the domination of the PDP 

would be a serious challenge. 

In Edo North Senatorial zone, the incumbent, 

Senator Alimikhena with the support of the 

National Chairman of the APC, Comrade 

Oshiomhole will square it out with Hon Momoh 

of the PDP in what promises to be a titanic battle. 

While Senator Alimikhena will rely on his 

incumbency, Hon Momoh has continued to 

flaunt his performance in the House of 

Representatives where he attracted several 

projects across the three local government 

councils in Etsako Federal Constituency. 

The contest like in the South and Central will 

go down to the wire. 

•Urhoghide, PDP 

By Emmanuel Aziken, 

Political Editor 

The People’s Democracy Party’s response 

to President Muhammadu Buhari’s 

comments on ballot box snatchers and 

thugs has exposed the party’s reliance on 

rigging the Buhari Media Organisation has 

said. 

The group in a statement signed by Niyi 

Akinsiju and Cassidy Madueke, its 

Chairman and Secretary respectively 

stated that the PDP had deliberately 

•Alimikhena, APC 

PDP’s criticism of Shoot at 

Sight order flayed by BMO 

Oshiomhole did 

not plant me in 

Delta – State REC 


ASABA-DELTA State Resident Electoral 

Commissioner, Cyril Omorogbe, yesterday 

dismissed insinuations that he was planted to rig 

the elections for the All Progressives Congress, APC, 

asserting he had never met the national chairman 

of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, contrary 

to the claims of some political actors. 

Omorogbe made the clarification in response to 

questions about his relationship with Oshiomhole 

and whether he was planted by the APC national 

chairman during a news briefing yesterday. 

“I have never met Oshiomhole. I left Edo State 

over 30 years ago, I have never seen Adams 

Oshiomhole before,” he said. 

“I am not here to side any party, I am to run a free 

and fair election. I don’t really answer to anyone, I 

will definitely do my best, my doors are open”. 

On the speculation that some of the sensitive 

materials have leaked into the hands of some 

politicians before the postponement, he said; “the 

materials never left the CBN and they have been 

there. We only went to CBN to ascertain what the 

shortfall was and know what to request from 

Abuja”. 

He also dismissed as false insinuations that the 

commission deployed gatemen and unlettered 

persons as adhoc staff from Edo State as part of 

plans to rig the elections for a particular political 

party. 

He nevertheless disclosed that the commission 

was yet to receive all materials saying: “Right now 

we have not received all the items that we needed 

but I believe that we probably get them today or 

tomorrow. If the materials are not here by 2pm on 

Friday, then we have a problem on our hands”. 

misinterpreted the statement of the 

president claiming that it was calling for 

violence, knowing full well it was not. 

The BMO said in response to the 

comments of the president that had drawn 

serious flak from the PDP, civil society and 

the Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC. 

“The People’s Democratic Party knew 

exactly what the President was talking 

about, but chose to deliberately 

misinterpret the President. Anyone who 

has no plan to rig the elections has no need 

to fear the consequences of the actions of 

ballot snatchers and thugs on the day of 

elections.” 

“But being that the PDP had already put 

on its roadmap and strategy, ballot 

snatching and thuggery, especially in 

strongholds of President Buhari, it is 

worried that the lives of those it has 

engaged to thwart Nigeria’s elections can 

no longer be guaranteed.” 

“President Buhari understands the need 

for peaceful elections in order for people to 

exercise their franchise, any person who 

intends to make this peace impossible 

would be dealt with ruthlessly.” 

NIP presidential candidate 

steps down for Atiku 

- Says he would run more inclusive government 

By Emmanuel Aziken 

The presidential candidate of the National 

Interest Party (NIP), Ms. Eunice Atuejide 

yesterday announced her withdrawal from the 

weekend election and endorsement of Atiku 

Abubakar, the PDP candidate. 

While she chided the PDP’s 16 year record 

in government, the 39 year-old former 

presidential candidate, however, said that the 

APC administration of President 

Muhammadu Buhari had done “a much 

worse job from 2015 to 2019”. 

In a statement made available to newsmen, 

she said: “To my mind, the political party 

platform is not the real issue nonetheless, it’s 

either Alhaji Atiku Abubakar under the PDP 

or President Buhari under the APC this time. 

I make bold to state unequivocally that I stand 

with Atiku under the PDP this time,” she said. 

“I believe strongly that a Nigeria led by 

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar will drastically reduce 

INECometre 

Presidential election 

result to be 

declared latest 

Wednesday 

By Omeiza Ajayi 

ABUJA: The winner of the 

presidential election would be 

known latest next Wednesday, the 

chairman of the Independent National 

Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. 

Mahmood Yakubu declared yesterday. 

He also revealed that the 

commission had configured 100% of 

the card readers to be used for the 

presidential and National Assembly 

election this weekend. 

He also disclosed that the movement 

of materials from the states to the local 

governments commenced in ten states 

yesterday. The remaining 26 states are 

to commence today. 

Briefing newsmen in Abuja 

yesterday, he said: 

“At yesterday’s briefing, we reported 

that we achieved 95% configuration of 

the Smart Card Readers SCR 

nationwide. 

“We have been making good 

progress on logistics. Similarly, all 

other arrangements for the movement 

of personnel from the LGAs to the 

Wards are on course. We will fully brief 

you tomorrow at 3pm”, he stated. 

Declaration of Results 

Yakubu said the commission was 

working to ensure that it does not keep 

Nigerians waiting for days without 

declaring the results, saying the time 

limit would not exceed what obtained 

in 2015. 

“Even though this time around we 

have more presidential candidates 

than in 2015, we have more registered 

voters than we had in 2015, the size of 

the result sheet is bigger than we had 

in 2015, but we are committed to 

concluding the process for the 

Presidential elections roughly about 

the same time that we concluded the 

2015 general elections. We will do 

whatever we can to ensure that we 

speedily conclude the process but we 

won’t sacrifice accuracy for speed”, he 

declared. 

Ten States where materials 

have been moved to LGAs 

Adamawa Anambra 

Benue Ekiti 

Jigawa Katsina 

Osun Ogun 

Oyo Taraba 

the suffering we 

have all endured 

under the 

President Buhari 

l e d 

maladministration. 

“I believe we •Eunice Atuejide 

will come out of 

the bottom pile of all human development 

indices, particularly the crown of being the 

poverty capital of the world. 

“I strongly believe more competent 

Nigerians will be brought together from 

different places of origin, religions, creeds, 

genders, ages, backgrounds etc. to form the 

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar led government. 

“And I believe he would select that 

government to include the best Nigerians 

from every corner of the country,” she added.



South-East PDP and Peter Obi 

phenomenon 

By Okey Enekwe 

INITIALLY, I was worried that 

our people in the South-East 

would not support Atiku’s running 

mate and our brother, former 

Governor of Anambra State, Mr. 

Peter “The Rock” Obi. I am delighted 

that despite all odds, the South-East 

People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has 

reaffirmed its strong support for the 

candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar 

and Mr. Peter Obi. Beyond that, the 

party warned those intent on 

sabotaging their efforts to beware of 

the wrath of the people. This was 

welcome relief as sabotage from 

home is always disastrous. 

In expressing their support for the 

Atiku-Obi ticket, the South-East 

zonal chairman of the party, Deacon 

Austin Umahi declared that: “The 

South-East PDP will aggressively 

give all their support to the victory of 

the party in the South-East. Alhaji 

Abubakar has verifiable records. Mr. 

Peter Obi’s performance in Anambra 

State is there for everybody to see. 

Nobody is more qualified than both 

of them among other presidential 

candidates. Hold me by my words. 

You will now see a different dance 

step that will tell other parties that 

they have no place in the South-East. 

Every stakeholder must go and 

deliver his polling booth”. 

Peter Obi is loved by Ndigbo and 

God has remembered Ndigbo for 

the actualization of restructuring 

and end to marginalization. We can 

count on Peter on this because he has 

the ears of his principal, Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar. As Ohanaeze Ndigbo and 

Igbos at large desire restructuring, 

they will get it from Atiku and Obi. 

Restriction 

of parties 

On reflection Atiku’s choice of Obi 

was wise because none of our other 

politicians would have been able to 

attract the full confidence and 

support of millions of Ndigbo in the 

South-East and elsewhere. Obi has 

won the hearts of many PDP 

members who were said to be against 

him before now. For instance, at the 

interdenominational service of the 

PDP at Emmaus House, Awka over 

20,000 Anambrarians from the 21 

local government areas and beyond 

were in attendance to express their 

solidarity with Peter Obi. As many 

watched, an initially PDP affair 

attracted many more people than 

really expected; some from other 

political parties. Indeed that outing 

summed up Mr. Peter Obi as a 

phenomenon that should not be 

confined within the restriction of 

parties. Everyone at the event 

admitted that Nigeria is in trouble 

and needs a consummate and tested 

manager like Mr. Peter Obi to work 

with a confirmed leader like Atiku 

Abubakar to restore it on the path of 

progress and development. 

Mr. Oseloka Obaze, PDP’s flagbearer 

in 2018 Anambra 

governorship election was very 

emphatic when he said that only the 

likes of Peter Obi in position of 

authority can redefine the country 

for the better. In his words, “We live 

in times of fracture and fear for the 

national interest and our collective 

march for the future of the people of 

the state. We are here because the 

ruling APC has ruined the country. 

Nigeria needs a purposive and tested 

leadership, capable of confronting 

the problems of our time - 

unemployment, acute hunger, 

mindless borrowing, and fractured 

economy, among others. We are here 

to receive a leader, Mr. Peter Obi who 

has the capacity to restore Nigeria 

to its past glory”. 

On his part, Senator Ben Obi, 

former running mate of 

Muhammadu Buhari was disgusted 

on the rate of killings in the country 

and said that the only way to stop the 

atrocities and misgovernment going 

on in Nigeria is by voting out the 

APC and voting in the PDP joint ticket 

of Atiku and Obi. Reviewing Obi past 

services, he affirmed that Obi had 

all the qualities necessary to help 

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to restore the 

glory of Nigeria. 

The chairman of the PDP in 

Anambra State, Chief Ndubisi 

Nwobu, Obuka Awka recalled the 

unfulfilled promises of the ruling 

APC, and concluded it is time to vote 

out APC since not one of those 

Delta liberation and the next level: The Buhari in Ogboru 

V 

By Gab Ejuwa 

ISION and determination 

are necessary ingredients to 

success in life. These two virtues 

are celebrated and adopted all 

over the world because they are 

responsible for a host of 

developments from one human 

society to the other. In Africa, our 

cultural heritage attests 

articulately to the primacy of these 

two primordial values. It is in the 

bid to drive home this salient 

human reality that one of our 

African proverbs affirms that “it is 

not only the fox that races in leaps 

and bounds that arrives at its 

destination, but also the snail, 

ultimately, despite its slow speed.” 

What matters here is the vision 

and determination to arrive home 

in the end in spite of the inbuilt 

strength of the individuals 

involved. In affirmation of this, the 

scriptures confirm that “the race 

is not for the swift nor the battle to 

the strong.…but time and chance 

happen to them all". 

Wisdom and 

inspiration 

Certainly, the above rang true in 

the celebrated political case of 

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th 

President of the United States of 

America. He was one of the 

greatest men in the land in his time. 

It is on historical record that he 

lost out in almost all the elections 

he contested for in his life and as if 

this was not traumatically 

castrating enough, even in his 

business and personal dealings as 

a result of which not surprisingly 

though, the famous word of 

wisdom and inspiration arose that 

"the dignity of man is not in never 

falling, but rising each time he 

falls". 

Coming closer home, 

Muhammadu Buhari our 

president, who despite losing out 

in three previous elections, kept 

faith with his vision and 

determination, and became the 

president. Buhari is certainly on fire 

imbued with the desire to wire the 

nation higher. This is the liberation 

into the next level of meaningful 

and positive change. 

In comparison, it is mostly 

instructive that vision and its 

attendant determination should 

and must work for Great Ogboru 

in his long running strategic 

enterprise to call the shots at the 

•Mr. Peter Obi 

promises was delivered. He 

appealed to Ndigbo to deliver Peter 

Obi for Atiku in South-East as their 

bargain for the 2019 general 

elections. 

In attendance with his wife, 

Margaret at the reception, Peter Obi 

assured Nigerians that his primary 

mission was to assist the party’s 

Delta State Government house this 

year. To start with, the visionary 

man Chief Ovedje Ogboru has 

come too long a time to miss out 

on his noble quest. Besides, he is a 

beloved son of his people and too 

connected to the political power 

grid to be shoved aside, being a 

bona fide member of the ruling All 

Progressives Congress, APC. This 

is apart from the fact that he has 

successfully proved himself to be 

a capable manager of both human 

and material resources. 

Going by exemplifying 

precedents, there is a Buhari in 

Ogboru in the sense of an ardent 

capacity builder and 

revolutionary who bluntly refuses 

to say die until he has lovingly 

cradled the object of his perennial 

quest and personal revolution. The 

simple justification lies in the fact 

that humanity and human 

experiences are the same 

everywhere. The same natural and 

human laws apply everywhere on 

the globe. 

One of such laws is that of 

sacrifice or paying the price. It is a 

philosophical fact that life is ready 

to give those who know exactly 

presidential candidate, Alhaji 

Atiku Abubakar, in restoring 

sanity to the country; where 

unemployment would be 

tackled, jobs created, 

infrastructure provided and the 

economy rebuilt. He also 

dispelled rumours that some 

leaders of the party in the South- 

East zone were working against 

the party in the forthcoming 

presidential election; insisting 

that they were all working as one 

family. His words: “Let me tell 

you all that we in the PDP in the 

South-East are working as one 

family, and when the votes are 

turned in, you will all see it”. 

The Bishop of Awka Diocese, 

Anglican Communion, Bishop Alex 

Ibezim, who led other church leaders 

to the interdenominational service 

prayed for Obi and his wife, 

Margaret, against any form of 

attacks as the elections draw near. 

He described Peter Obi as a servantleader, 

noting that only servantleaders 

can salvage Nigeria: “Our 

what they want, provided they are 

ready to insist and pay the price. 

To say that Ogboru has paid the 

price is to strive to systematically 

discover the obvious. 

That was why on the eventful 

Thursday, January 17, 2019 when 

the campaign train of President 

Muhmmadu Buhari came 

Chief Ovedje 

Ogboru has come 

too long a time 

to miss out on 

his noble quest 

through the portals of the Warri 

Township Stadium appropriately 

themed: Liberation of Delta for the 

Next Level, APC chieftains, 

brilliantly attired in their 

contrastive colours designed for 

the occasion, their party's symbol 

of brooms gracing the historic 

occasion, gave Delta State a day 

Omo Agege and the Urhobo voice 

By Felix Eshalomi construction of primary 

AS politicians across sects healthcare centre at Omarovwe; 

brace up and put finishing construction of solar water supply 

touches to their campaigns in scheme at main market in Uvwie, 

readiness of the presidential and Ewu, Ebo and Abraka; 

National Assembly elections come empowerment of constituents with 

February 16, 2019, it is time for motorbikes, tricycles amongst 

Deltans and Delta State to others. Senator Ovie Omo-Agege 

separate the chaff from the wheat; walks his talks. 

the boys from the men; mere In terms of resource generation 

talkers from doers and emptiness in Delta State, particularly in Delta 

from content. In all these, Ovie is central senatorial district, Ovie 

our choice for he stands as an Omo-Agege sets the pace as the 

exception to the regular politician. iron-head ferociously fighting to 

The fact that Omo-Agege is a open resource banks/outlets for the 

dogged fighter is no longer news, good people of Delta Central 

neither is the fact that he is a ‘talk through its river ports. What many 

and do man’ any news. Omo- politicians/representatives in the 

Agege promised to work for past failed to achieve, or rather 

Deltans and his senatorial district, plainly put, what others before him 

and in the short period of four had gone and simply neglected/ 

years rather than banter about ignored, 

excuses; he successfully lobbied Ovie Omo-Agege has personally 

and got funding for the taken up. Omo-Agege 

dualization of Sapele-Ewu road, championed the facilitation of the 

sections 1 & 2; spearheaded the Okwagbe River port with his 

construction and supply of solarpowered 

water supply schemes at show that he is a man ever 

senatorial influence. This goes to 

Ughelli main market; Agbarho burdened and passionately laced 

and Orogun, Abraka etc; kickstarted 

and oversaw the better Delta central 

with the thoughts and interest of a 

senatorial 

country needs servant-leaders; 

leaders who can serve selflessly. We 

lack leaders like Nehemiah. 

Nehemiah served in the king’s 

palace, but didn’t take pay for the 

work he did. We need leaders like 

that but they are fast disappearing 

in Nigeria. We must pray to God to 

give us God-fearing leaders through 

this election. Nehemiah was 

comfortable in the king’s palace, but 

he was more concerned about the 

welfare of the people of Jerusalem. 

Nigeria is characterised by war, 

hunger, and all manner of afflictions. 

All politicians here must know that 

and work to redeem the country.” 

The momentous event established 

that Obi is at home in Anambra State 

and South-East at large against 

pockets of opposition from people 

who even benefited from him. The 

South-East is solidly in support of 

the Atiku/Obi ticket and the election 

results shall confirm this fact. 

•Enekwe, a former Chairman, of 

Orumba North LGA, Anambra State, 

wrote from Awka. 

to remember for a long time. 

One of the highlights of the 

landmark occasion was President 

Muhammadu Buhari delivering 

the party's flag to the 

gubernatorial flag bearer, Chief 

Great Ovedje Ogboru, amidst 

other APC chieftains like Mr 

Adams Oshiomhole (APC 

National Chairman), Dr. 

Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta State 

ex-Governor and APC Senatorial 

candidate of Warri South) and 

APC Chairman of Delta State, 

Prophet Benjamen Erue and 

Senator Omo-Agege, APC 

Senatorial candidate of Delta 

Central. 

The vision and determination of 

Great Ogboru to come on board 

has never waned, and now is the 

time to liberate Delta State from 

the grip of political hawks 

hovering over the heartbeat of the 

nation. Like Buhari, Great Ogboru 

with the power of the masses will 

achieve this long-sought feat this 

time for the betterness of his people, 

give him your support and usher a 

new dawn in Delta State. 

•Ejuwa, a public affairs 

commentator wrote from Lagos 

district and a worthier Delta State. 

Not being an ‘O yes’ member of 

the Senate, he ensured that 

‘Urhobo’ peoples voice was heard 

through his ever agile 

representation and championed 

the passage of several bills and 

Acts of the National Assembly such 

as the Court of Appeal 

(Amendment) Bill 2016. 

Document Accounts Bill, 2016; A 

Bill for an Act to prohibit seasonal 

harassment in educational 

institutions and for matters 

connected therewith 2016, 

Chartered Institute of Shipping of 

Nigeria (Establishment, etc) Bill, 

2018 etc. A man who has shown by 

‘works’ and not by ‘talk’ that the 

Senate house is not a retirement 

home but a channel of unlimited 

advocacy for the embetterment of 

any constituency with a 

representative at the house. Omo- 

Agege has fearlessly stood tall with 

the strength of the good Urhobo 

people whose interests he 

represents. 

•Mr. Eshalomi, a lawyer, wrote 

from Lagos.


INEC failed Nigeria and Nigerians 

By Yemi Adamolekun 

Prof Mahmood Yakubu 

should not resign nor be 

removed. He has to deliver 

free, fair and credible elections 

to Nigerians as his way 

of compensating us for the 

disappointment and pain 

caused. The support he has 

received from his colleagues 

in the ECOWAS Network of 

Electoral Commissions 

(ECONEC) should provide 

a much needed confidence 

boost in the days ahead. 

When the dust is settled, it 

is of utmost urgency that we 

stop playing games with 

electoral reform if we do not 

want a repeat of this in 2023. 

There were a few tweets 

about a possible postponement. 

The last two general 

elections had been postponed, 

so it would not have 

been out of the ordinary. 

However, the INEC Chairman 

had assured and reassured 

Nigerians that the 

elections would not be postponed. 

Election dates were 

announced over a year ago; 

the Commission had all the 

money it requested and it 

met regularly with 

stakeholders. At no point 

did the Chairman tell Nigerians 

there were challenges 

that were out of his control; 

but there were challenges 

and Nigerians were kept in 

the dark. 

Yes, Nigeria’s general 

elections are a logistical 

challenge, but this can NOT 

be news! Managing 84 million 

registered voters; 

120,000 polling units; 1 million 

ad-hoc staff; over 400 

million ballot papers across 

36 states and a federal capital 

territory covering almost 

1 million sqm terrain of land 

and water with motor-able 

and non motor-able roads is 

not easy. Nevertheless, the 

Commission had registered 

citizens under the same conditions, 

and conducted two 

general elections in the last 

eight years, so the challenges 

should have been 

embedded in the planning. 

The logistical challenge of 

flying from Lagos to Abuja 

to arrive on time for a meeting 

on the day all the airlines 

decide to be erratic is 

well known to anyone who 

uses our airports. Therefore, 

INEC can NOT feign ignorance 

of the “sheer logistics” 

of conducting an election 

across our country with a 

record 91 political parties 

and deep suspicions of each 

other and government institutions. 

Furthermore, February is 

harmattan and Abuja’s skies 

are notoriously bad. Elections 

were postponed by 6 

weeks in 2015 so the Commission 

did not have to deal 

with weather issues. Again, 

this should have been 

factored into the logistics. 

There should have been the 

plan; the back up to the 

plan; the back up to the 

back up plan and for good 

measure, another back up 

plan! While the Chairman 

included bad weather as 

one of the reasons that 

caused the postponement, 

the Minister of State for 

Transportation and the Nigerian 

Airspace Management 

Agency (NAMA) disagreed 

that bad weather disrupted 

any flights. 

Go / No Go 

In announcing the post- 

Commission, we 

take full responsibility 

for what 

happened and 

we regret any inconvenience 

our 

decision might 

have caused.” 

However, this 

is not good 

enough. The 

Commission 

should not be allowed 

to hide 

under taking 

collective responsibility. 

While the buck 

stops at the 

Chairman’s table, 

he is first 

amongst 12 

other National 

Commissioners 

Prof. Mahmood Yakub INEC Chairman 

State 

and there are 37 

Resident 

ponement, the INEC Chairman 

said, “Following a 

careful review of the implementation 

of its logistics 

and operational plan, and 

the determination to conduct 

free, fair, and credible 

elections, the commission 

came to the conclusion that 

proceeding with the elections 

as scheduled is no 

longer feasible.” 

INEC can NOT wait till 6 

hours or even 48 hours before 

polls to tell the world 

that it’s not ready. It’s Go/No 

Go time MUST be at least 1 

week before polls to minimize 

cost and heartache. 

That the Chairman thought 

it was ok to tell the world 

that the Commission didn’t 

know till the night before 

that it could not start elections 

at 8am boggles the 

mind. In hindsight, that the 

media, domestic and foreign 

observers and civil society 

organisations did not 

notice the challenges of the 

Commission shows the 

heavy price we have paid for 

trusting the Commission 

enough to take its assurances 

at face value. As 

Ayisha Osori suggested, 

“We need strict protocols 

that allows for outside readiness 

assessment at least 2 

weeks before elections and 

if INEC is not, the trigger for 

postponement happens. 

Our experience means we 

cannot rely on INEC’s self 

assessment of preparedness. 

It’s costing us too 

much.” 

By Wednesday, February 

13th, it is said that some staff 

of the Commission knew 

that elections on Saturday 

could not happen simply 

based on their previous experiences. 

Materials were 

not at their designated locations, 

but the Commission 

was still telling the world it 

was ready. By Friday 

evening when the Commission 

convened an emergency 

meeting, between the 

staff at the airport and those 

who could read the signs, 

the suspicions of a delayed 

election were more or less 

confirmed, and some media 

platforms went to press 

with the news. 

Who is to blame? 

In the Chairman’s remarks 

at the Stakeholders 

meeting held Saturday afternoon, 

the Commission 

took full responsibility for 

the postponement, reassuring 

the world that there was 

no political interference. In 

his words, “As Chairman of 

INEC, and on behalf of the 

Electoral Commissioners 

(RECs), in addition to the 

civil service staff of the 

Commission. Who knew 

what; when and why was no 

action taken until almost 6 

hours to the opening of 

polls? 

In October 2018, the Commission 

had issued a press 

release informing the public 

of a reshuffle within the 

Commission. Amina Zakari 

had been moved from Electoral 

Operations & Logistics 

to Health & Welfare. Okey 

Ibeanu was made head of 

the Electoral Operations & 

Logistics Committee. In 

January 2019 at a public 

event, two ad-hoc committees 

were inaugurated, one 

of which is the 17-member 

Electoral Logistics Ad-Hoc 

Committee headed by retired 

Air Vice Marshall 

Ahmed Mu’azu. The Committee 

was split from the 

standing Committee to reduce 

the volume of work. It 

had two other National 

Commissioners, Directors 

of the Commission and representatives 

from some government 

agencies which include 

the Central Bank of 

Nigeria (CBN), Federal Airports 

Authority of Nigeria 

INEC can 

NOT wait till 6 

hours or even 

48 hours before 

polls to 

tell the world 

that it’s not 

ready 

(FAAN), Immigration Service, 

and the Nigeria Police. 

A full investigation into 

what went wrong is expected 

after the elections. 

An apology 

In 2011 when Prof 

Attahiru Jega postponed the 

elections mid-stream, he 

said, “I apologise to Nigerians, 

it is a major lapse, the 

late arrival of result sheets. 

I take responsibility that this 

has happened. We take responsibility. 

Under normal 

circumstances, this 

shouldn’t have happened.” 

Fast forward 2019, the 

statement announcing the 

postponement in the early 

hours of Saturday morning 

did not have an apology. 

In his remarks to 

stakeholders, the Chairman 

enumerated the pains and 

challenges of INEC, including 

the recent fires with little 

consideration of the 

pains of Nigerians at home 

and abroad. He chose to use 

the formal, “we regret any 

inconvenience caused.” 

When he was told during 

the engagement session 

that he had not apologized 

to Nigerians, he referred us 

to that line in his remarks. 

The reminder should have 

indicated that it was not 

considered an apology. 

Some political parties 

asked who will reimburse 

the costs they incur. Citizens 

are asking a similar question 

and an organization is 

instituting a class action 

lawsuit against the Commission. 

All Nigerians lost 

money as it is our collective 

resources that INEC 

spends. Domestic and international 

observers had deployed 

teams across the 

country; media platforms 

had deployed reporters. For 

the weddings and other social 

events disrupted; travel 

expenses incurred; those 

who flew in from outside the 

country to vote and commercial 

losses, not to talk of the 

emotional distress, Prof 

Mahmood Yakubu and the 

Commission owe Nigerians 

a simple apology, not a 

catch-all phrase. 

Matters arising 

The Commission’s response 

to the challenges 

citizens experienced picking 

up their permanent voter’s 

cards (PVCs) should 

have been an indication not 

only of the level of preparedness 

but also the Commission’s 

disposition to being 

considerate of Nigerians. 

The Commission consistently 

focused on the people 

that had not picked up 

their PVCs rather than the 

ones who wanted to vote but 

were told to come back after 

the elections, as their 

cards were not ready. Of 

great concern are the accusations 

against the staff of 

the Commission of hoarding 

PVCs - like the recent arrest 

in Abia - or selectively giving 

out cards based on ethnicity 

as a means of voter 

suppression. These allegations 

must be investigated. 

In the crisis of postponing 

the elections, INEC’s ad-hoc 

staff were left in limbo and 

we will not forget in a hurry 

pictures of youth corpers 

sleeping in an open field. 

Nigeria is a very challenging 

place to be a young person 

and the Commission 

should make deliberate 

overtures towards the youth 

corpers to renew their hope 

that Nigeria is worth serving. 

Lastly, it took the Commission 

over 48 hours to respond 

to the call by civil society 

organizations and political 

parties that it had 

misread Section 99 of the 

Electoral Act which states 

the period of campaigning 

as ending 24 hours before 

election day. Again, slow 

response; time lost. 

We will go to the polls on 

Saturday, February 23rd 

and Saturday, March 9th. 

INEC, please, make us 

proud. 

‘Yemi Adamolekun is 

the Executive Director 

of Enough is Enough 

Nigeria. 

CARABAO CUP FINAL 

Arrizabalaga doubtful 

to face City 

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa 

Arrizabalaga is in 

danger of missing the 

Carabao Cup final with 

Manchester City on Sunday 

because of a hamstring injury. 

The Spaniard is one of three 

players - along with Pedro and 

Davide Zappacosta - who are 

rated doubtful for Thursday's 

Europa League game with 

Malmo at Stamford Bridge. 

Kepa is also a concern for the 

Aaron Ramsey has returned 

to full training ahead of a 

potential return to action in 

Arsenal's Europa League 

second leg against BATE 

Borisov. 

Ramsey, who will join 

Juventus in the summer, has not 

played since the defeat to 

Manchester City on February 3 

because of a knee problem. 

Although he has not started a 

Wembley final, with Blues boss 

Maurizio Sarri admitting he is 

hopeful but not convinced he 

will be available for selection. 

"We have some problems at 

the moment," said Sarri. 

"We have Zappacosta with 

fever, we have Pedro with a very 

strong stomach ache, and then 

we have a problem with Kepa, 

with his hamstring." 

Asked whether he thought 

Kepa would be fit for Sunday's 

match against City, he added: 

"I hope so. I am not sure at the 

moment, but I hope so." 

Ramsey returns to full 

Arsenal training 

Anorthosis to appeal points 

deduction over Uzoho 

Cypriot club Anorthosis 

Famagusta have 

confirmed they will appeal 

against a nine-point 

deduction imposed by the 

country’s FA for fielding 

Nigeria goalkeeper Francis 

Uzoho. 

The Cypriot Football 

Association (CFA) punished 

Anorthosis following a 

complaint by Apollon 

Limassol: they claimed that 

Uzoho, in his debut for 

Anorthosis, played with an 

invalid health certificate in a 

match on February 2 which 

the Nigerian’s team won 1-0. 

The result was overturned 

to a 3-0 win for Apollon and 

Uzoho’s club had a further six 

points deducted as a punitive 

measure. 

The Nigerian shot-stopper, 

20, was also handed a onematch 

suspension and a fine 

of •1,000, ruling him out of the 

final match of the Cypriot 

regular season. He has 

already sat out two matches 

since his disputed debut. 

Onyekuru, 

Kayode target 

Europa League 

progress 

Two Nigerian strikers enter 

this week’s UEFA Europa 

League matches with defiant 

targets to overcome their 

respective hosts to reach the 

next stage, as tight away games 

await Henry Onyekuru with 

Galatasaray of Turkey and 

Olarewaju Kayode at Shakhtar 

Donetsk of Ukraine. 

While Onyekuru will line out 

for Gala versus Benfica of 

Portugal, and Kayode will be in 

Germany to confront Eintracht 

Frankfurt, but both strikers are 

optimistic of qualifying on away 

terrain. 

Ironically, Onyekuru’s team 

lost the first leg 2-1 at home, but 

the Super Eagles rookie 

believes the Turkish Super Lig 

outfit can turn things round at 

Estadio da Luz in Lisbon and 

send the 2013 finalists packing. 

Onyekuru fired: “If they can 

score two goals in Turkey then I 

believe we can also score two 

or more goals in their home. 

Premier League game since 

January, the midfielder could be 

brought in as the Gunners look 

to arrest a 1-0 first-leg deficit at 

the Emirates today. 

Striker Alexandre Lacazette 

is suspended after being sent off 

in Borisov, while Danny 

Welbeck (ankle), Rob Holding 

(knee) and Hector Bellerin 

(knee) all remain out after 

surgery. 

However, the club has a 

released a statement in which 

they confirm a request for the 

CFA to postpone its final 

regular league game while an 

appeal is lodged. 

Mikel named in 

Championship 

team of the 

week 

John Mikel Obi has been 

named in the current 

Championship Team of The 

Week after starring in 

Middlesbrough's 1-0 win over 

Blackburn Rovers on Sunday. 

The Nigeria captain has 

endeared himself to Boro fans 

who have labelled him the 

African Zidane on the back of 

his imperious displays since 

transferring to the club last 

month. 

The Premier league, Europa 

and UEFA Champions league 

winner with Chelsea has 

played four league games for 

Tony Pulis' side who are fifth 

in the table with 54 points 

after 32 matches. Making the 

cut alongside the Nigerian are 

Morecambe's 

Mark 

Halstead, Notts County's Sam 

Stubbs and Ben Barclay, 

Preston North End's Ben 

Davies, MK Dons' Jake 

Hesketh. 

Ighalo sets 

mind on March 

1 derby against 

SIPG 

Shanghai 

Greenland 

Shenhua of China striker, 

Odion Jude Ighalo has set his 

mind fully on getting his debut 

with the club when the season 

opens on March 1st, with a derby 

versus Shanghai SIPG. 

Although Ighalo admitted it 

promises to be a tough match, 

considering that SIPG won the 

Chinese Super League title last 

season, the Super Eagles star is 

bracing himself for a sterling 

outing. 

Ighalo recounted that he has 

an uncanny record of scoring 

against SIPG, as was enacted 

during his days with relegated 

Changchun Yatai, such that he 

is optimistic he would be able to 

start well against same team.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, FABRUARY 21, 2019 — 47 

Victor Moses, Okaka named 

among top 10 overpaid players 

Chelsea-owned winger 

Victor Moses and 

Watford loanee Stefano 

Okaka have been named among 

the top 10 overpaid players in the 

English Premier League based on 

minutes played in the 2018-2019 

season. 

Moses was paid £66,346 for 

every minute he spent on the pitch 

prior to his loan move to 

Fenerbahce. 

The former Nigeria international 

logged 26 minutes in total in 

matches against Huddersfield and 

Liverpool this term and is the 

seventh most overpaid player in 

the top flight. 

Nigeria-eligible striker Okaka 

is tenth on the list, with Watford 

paying him £33,409 per minute. 

It is claimed Moses takes home 

75,000 pounds per week at 

Chelsea while the Hornets man, 

who played 22 minutes before he 

was loaned out to Udinese, 

Osaze: African 

players prefer 

“Juju men” to 

doctors 

Former Super Eagles striker, 

Osaze Peter Odemwingie 

said most African players would 

rather consult “juju priests” than 

visit medical doctors when they 

are in need. 

According to the Edo-born 

striker, players believe that juju 

men are more effective. 

''No, just at least 70% of players 

believe in it. They think that some 

kind of salve will save them. This 

is more suggestion. 

Brainwashing goes,” he told 

championat.com. 

The former West Brom player 

disclosed that he consulted a local 

healer when he too was injured. 

''I had a fall in training, I also 

hurt my shoulder and broke my 

arm. I was afraid to tell my mom 

so they took me to the local juju 

man. 

''They poured hot water to relax 

their muscles. Somehow they 

returned the hand to the place, 

while I yelled, they twisted some 

small sticks. There was a rite with 

a chicken. 

''I came home, my mother saw 

the hand: "Broke?". I answer: 

"Yes." I was taken to a regular 

hospital, anesthesia was done, 

they put the plaster on. All is well 

in the end. '' 

•Osaze 

•Moses 

pockets £35,000 a week. 

Crystal Palace duo Pape Souare 

and Scott Dann, Tottenham 

Hotspur’s Georges-Kevin 

N’koudou, Chelsea defenders 

Anthony Joshua dropped his 

usual calm, amenable 

demeanour and promised to knock 

Jarrell Miller 'the f*** out' during their 

heated first press conference in New 

York. 

World heavyweight champion 

Joshua fights Miller at Madison 

Square Garden on June 1, and the Brit 

was given a fiery welcome to the city 

as Brooklyn native 'Big Baby' Miller 

pushed Joshua and hurled foul 

language at him. 

•Agbo 

Rangers 

coach, Agbo 

dies 

Former Enugu Rangers coach, 

Chukwuma Agbo has died 

after a brief illness. 

The coach who was a coach of 

the Super Sand Eagles, according 

to a family source, died on 

Wednesday morning after taking 

ill for two days. 

“Yet another painful loss! We 

are sad to hear of the passing of 

Assistant Coach of our Beach 

Soccer National team, the Super 

Sand Eagles, Chukwuma Agbo. 

Our prayers are with his family at 

this time. May his soul rest in 

peace,” said the Nigeria Football 

Federation on its twitter handle. 

Agbo's last job was with Delta 

Force, from which he resigned 

after the Delta State sponsored 

club failed to gain promotion 

from the national league to the 

Nigeria Professional Football 

league. 

Gary Cahill and Davide 

Zappacosta are the top five 

highest paid players in the 

Premier League per minute of 

action in that order. 

Sarri vows not to return 

Kante to defensive midfield 

MAURIZIO SARRI SAYS he 

will not return N’Golo Kante 

to his natural defensive midfield role 

because the Frenchman cannot move 

the ball quickly enough. 

The 27-year-old has been used in 

a more advanced position since the 

Italian took over last summer, with 

Jorginho taking the deeper spot in 

midfield. 

The former Leicester star has been 

a key figure for the Blues this season, 

scoring four times in 35 appearances 

in all competitions, but Chelsea’s 

recent dip in form has prompted 

concerns at Stamford Bridge. 

The coach has come under pressure 

amid their recent dip in form. Since 

late-January, Sarri’s side have 

Joshua promises to KO Miller after 

American called him 'Uncle Tom' 

Before the press conference started, 

the Briton jumped off the stage and 

gesticulated at a heckler in the crowd, 

before being ushered back by his 

team. 

After the early theatrics and lengthy 

introductions, Miller was the first to 

speak. After a lengthy speech about 

his upbringing, family and religion, 

AJ took the microphone - and his 

mask had truly slipped. 

Joshua said: 'Unbelievable acting, 

I nearly had a tear in my eye, f***ing 

hell. Thank you so much for having 

me. Miller's a little b****, I'm going to 

knock him the f*** out, he punches like 

a fairy.' 

Miller cut in and called Joshua an 

'Uncle Tom', a racially charged term 

for black people who give up or hide 

their ethnic traits and practices in order 

to be accepted into the mainstream. 

Joshua has behaved with 

impeccable restraint in the cauldron 

of the fight game since leaving behind 

his troubled past and going on to win 

Olympic gold and four of the 

heavyweight belts. 

His reaction in New York suggests 

that for once an opponent has got under 

his skin. 

He constantly referred to himself as 

the 'landlord', in New York to collect 

Miller's 'rent', in reference to his box 

office status compared to the lesser 

known Miller. 

Joshua said: 'Jarrell can't beat me, 

not even on his best day. In terms of 

promotion, I'm the champion, he's the 

challenger, this is the first time he's 

headlining a show. I'm the landlord, 

I'm collecting the rent.' 

Miller retorted that Joshua had not 

fought decent opposition to this point, 

claiming that he was dodging Fury and 

Deontay Wilder, and that he wanted 

to fight Dillian Whyte first for easy 

money. 

•ROMAN 

•Sarri 

•Okaka 

•Kante 

He said: 'He fought nobody for the 

belt, he beat Klitchko after he spent 

two years out of the ring, he beat 

nobody. He's made of baby-s***. 

'He beat Povetkin, Klitschko with 

ring rust, he's done stuff, but he ain't 

beating me. I'm not playing a role'. 

Miller then stood up and left the 

stage first, leaving Joshua to field 

questions alone. The Watford-born 

fighter, rather than talking up the clash, 

denegrated his opponent's abilities. 

suffered defeats to Arsenal, 

Bournemouth and Manchester City 

in the Premier League and crashed 

out of the FA Cup with a loss to 

Manchester United on Monday. 

According to reports, the club have 

given Sarri three games to save his 

job, making the second-leg of their 

Europa League tie with Malmo on 

Thursday a crucial clash before they 

face Manchester City in the Carabao 

Cup final. 

As he looks for a way to salvage 

his side’s season, Sarri was asked if 

his insistence on playing Kante out 

of his natural role could be harming 

his side, the Italian explained the 

France star does not have the right 

characteristics to play there in his 

style. 

“In that position, I want a player 

able to move the ball very fast,” he 

said at a press conference. ”This is 

not the best characteristic of N’Golo. 

N’Golo is very useful for us, but this 

one is not his best characteristic.” 

When it was pointed out that the 

midfielder has won a World Cup 

and two Premier League titles, 

Sarri replied: ”But in another 

system.” 

Sarri’s tactics have recently been 

criticised by fans, who voiced their 

disliking of them in song during 

the loss to United, but the 60-yearold 

is sticking to his system. 

Fellaini: No regrets quitting United 

Marouane Fellaini has no regrets 

about quitting Manchester 

United for a new career in China and 

believes he left Old Trafford as a 

'respected player'. 

The big Belgian midfielder joined 

Shandong Luneng at the start of this 

month in a £10.4million deal, ending a 

five-and-a-half-year stay at United. 

After watching his new club beat 

Hanoi in the Asian Champions League 

from the stands on Tuesday with his 

twin brother Mansour, Fellaini was 

asked how happy he was with the 

move on a scale of one to 10. 

'Er, 10 out of 10. Isn't that clear?' he 

replied. 'I went to Shandong Luneng 

now because they were interested for 

years already. And I felt ready for a new 

challenge, a new culture, a new life. 

'Okay, I'm only 31 years old. But I 

signed for three years. Afterwards I'm 

34, then it would be too late to go to 

China. 

'I could have joined a top European 

club and been important there for two 

more years, that would have been no 

problem. But after 10 years and 350 

games in England, I felt ready for this 

step. I'm happy with my choice. 

'I'm already a professional for more 

than 12 years and everything went fine. 

I made my own choices and don't regret 

Only good 

results can save 

my Chelsea job 

— Sarri 

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri said 

winning matches is the "only 

solution" as he faced questions about 

his future. 

The Blues were knocked out of the 

FA Cup by Manchester United on 

Monday and have dropped to sixth in 

the league after three straight away 

defeats. 

After Thursday's Europa League 

second leg against Malmo, they face 

•Fellaini 

•BOSS 

anything. I played at Standard (Liege), 

the biggest club in Belgium and won 

titles there. I went as a record transfer 

to the Premier League and opened 

doors to England for other Belgian 

players. 

'At Everton I did well and at United I 

won some cups and a Europa League. 

The only thing missing is a Premier 

League title, that's true. 

'But I don't dream anymore about a 

comeback to European top football. But 

maybe a comeback to Belgium, why 

not?' 

Manchester City in Sunday's Carabao 

Cup final. 

"I have to think that I will be the 

manager of Chelsea for a long time, 

otherwise I cannot work," said Sarri. 

The 60-year-old Italian said he has 

not spoken to club owner Roman 

Abramovich or director of football 

Marina Granovskaia this week. 

"We need to win three, four matches 

in a row. It's the only solution," said 

Sarri. 

"I can understand very well the 

frustration of our fans because they are 

used to winning. Now we are in 

trouble, so I can understand very well. 

"There isn't another way. We can only 

have good performances and results."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

Sudoku 

FRIDAY’S ANSWER 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

THURSDAY’S SOLUTION 

How to Play Sudoku 

ACROSS 

1 Wonderful (10) 

7 First letters (8) 

8 Cab (4) 

9 Wet thoroughly (4) 

10 Erudite (7) 

12 Amused (11) 

14 Bunch of flowers (7) 

16 Second-hand (4) 

19 The Orient (4) 

20 Broken down, worn 

out (8) 

21 Dramatist (10) 

DOWN 

1 Collieries (5) 

2 Withdraw (7) 

3 Dutch cheese (4) 

4 Nevada city famed for 

casinos (3,5) 

5 Express in speech (5) 

6 Stretch out (6) 

11 Amiable (8) 

12 Self-centred person (6) 

13 Savings (4,3) 

15 Game bird (5) 

17 Float along (5) 

18 Mark left by wound (4) 

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two 

of the same number). 

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines 

from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine 

blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no 

number can appear twice in any block, column or row. 

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or 

multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. 

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri-Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Hotline: 

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news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: EZE ANABA. Phone: 01-4548355. All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

21022019 - ‘UNLAWFUL ORDERS’: Withdraw your statement, Army chief tells Atiku

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