News

Nigeria’s Electoral Woes

Published

17 years ago

November 7, 2009

Nigeria has learnt nothing from its long and chequered train of electoral woes. Nigeria has a very unusually queer habit of ignoring its historical antecedents and facing the future blindly having learnt nothing from her past mistakes.
The first major crises that nearly tore Western Nigeria into shreds with spillover effects to other parts of Nigeria was resultant from a mismanaged election. In fact apart from the 1993 Federal elections, Nigeria has not conducted any credible, free and fair elections. But instead of etching his name in letters of gold in the annals of Nigeria’s history, the then Head of State General Ibrahim Badamosi Babaginda cancelled the most successful and the most popular election in Africa and passed on the winner, Chief M.K.O Abiola to Gen. Sani Abacha to arrest, incarcerate and waste. General Babangida’s reason for cancelling the election then was that many of his top army Generals did not support the Presidency of Chief M.K.O Abiola. What rubbish, what nonsense.
Elections all over the world are always contested with so much gusto and enthusiasm. Let us use this example from the United States of America and even our neighbouring Ghana to show Nigeria the way forward. The American Presidential Election of November 7, 1876 is still till date one of the most disputed elections in American history especially in the States of Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida and Oregon. All over America, the Democratic candidate Samuel J. Tilden won by more than a million popular votes but this was overturned by the Electoral Board (which was controlled by the Republican Party) in favour of R. B Hayes. The 1876 Presidential election dispute gave rise to a crisis, the like of which the United States had never seen. Many Democrats who felt that they had been cheated threatened “Tilden or war”. Congressman Henry Watterson from Kentucky even declared that an army of 100, 000 men was prepared to storm Washington if “Tilden was denied the Presidency.”
Since the American Constitution then was not explicit enough on how to resolve disputes from Electoral colleges, the Senate and the House of Reps voted to establish a Federal Electoral Commission Bill to tackle the existing crisis. And on January 29, 1877, President UIysses S. Grant signed the Electoral commission bill into law. The 15 members of the commission were made up of five Democrats, five Republicans and five Supreme Court Judges. None was appointed by the President.
Despite great opposition from the Democrat-controlled House of the Representatives, the new Electoral Commission voting on party lines (eight Republicans, seven democrats) awarded all 20 disputed electoral votes to the Republican candidate and thus R. B Hayes was sworn in as America’s 19t and most disputed President on March 5,1877. Most bitter democrats later referred to Rutherford B. Hayes as “Rutherfraud” “His fraudulence” and “His Accidency”. An extensive incursion into the American example is to demonstrate man’s ingenuity and ability to conquer his environment and solve his problems as pronounced by God Almighty.
But by far the greatest electoral frauds and manipulations occur more rampantly in African countries. There is really no African country that has not tasted of this bitter pill of electoral violence and crises at one time or the other in its history. Togo, Uganda, Rwanda, Benin, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and the most guilty apart from Nigeria. On the other hand also, there are only few countries in the world without electoral violence and crises. But most of these countries have overcome their electoral crises by either constitutional amendments’ or electoral bills, Americans solved the 1876 debacle by amending their constitution in just four days because it was an emergency. In Africa, Ghana and South Africa have had the best record of credible elections for some time now.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana is the official body responsible for all public elections in Ghana. It was established by the Electoral Commission Act of 1993. The seven founding members including its Chairman, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan are all still serving their 16 year on the commission. The members are not political appointees neither are they appointed by the Ghanaian President. Their independence is guaranteed by the Ghana Constitution of 1992.
Dr. Afari-Gyan who was invited last week by the Nigerian Democratic Institute and the Nigerian National Assembly to educate them on the way out of Nigeria’s permanent Electoral logjams advised managements of electoral bodies in Africa to “imbibe” transparency and openness to ensure true democracy in Africa.” He chided African politicians for taking elections as a do-or-die affair and that this desperate quest for power at all cost has placed the Electoral Commission in Africa in a difficult position before, during and after the conduct of elections.
He also encouraged and appealed to Civil Society Organisations or NonGovernmental Organisations to actively support and ally with the Electoral Bodies all over Africa. Ghana has a credible electoral body because Ghana has been able to reduce her tolerance level for corruption to zero, while Nigeria’s corruption level still stands at about 95 per cent. Nigeria encourages, pampers and rewards its corrupt officials while Ghana jails any official or even minister who is found guilty of corruption. Today, without mincing words or being sentimental Ghana, is Africa’s best model for democracy and strong democratic institutions.
By far the greatest area of difference between Nigeria and Ghana is the conduct and management of credible elections. While Ghana’s last two elections have been excellent, Nigeria’s last two elections are the worst in the annals of Nigeria’s electoral history, and in Africa as a whole. Nigeria has a litany of electoral woes and unsettled electoral petitions arising from the May 2007 elections.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State was lucky he got back two years of his stolen mandate. The Action Congress gubernatorial candidate for Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayerni is still challenging the incumbent governor before the Ado-Ekiti Election Petition Tribunal in the third year after the May 2007 election. Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has accused the incumbent governor of a stolen mandate and has given enough evidence to declare him the new governor of Osun State.
Hopefully the court will decide that. We all still remember how the Ekiti re-run election was rigged in the glare of television cameras. Comrade Adams Oshiornhole was lucky too; he got his stolen mandate from the avaricious People’s Democratic Party.
Various efforts to reverse electoral mismanagement and fraud have proved abortive as President Umaru Musa Yar Adua has bluntly refused to implement the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee recommendations.
Nanaghan is editor’s guest

Ben Nanaghan

News

Fubara Hails Team Rivers For Winning Tinubu Inter-Schools Debate Championship …Describes Victory As Great Feat For Rivers

Published

1 day ago

August 24, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has congratulated Team Rivers for emerging champions at the grand finale of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Inter-Senior Secondary Schools Debate Championship.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, described the students’ victory as “a great feat” and a clear demonstration of the intellectual capacity, brilliance, confidence, and preparedness of Rivers children to compete and excel at the national level.

The Tide reports that the finals of the Presidential Debate Championship held last Thursday at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Fubara commended the students for their eloquence, critical thinking, and teamwork, while also appreciating their teachers, coaches, and the Rivers State Ministry of Education for the guidance and support that led to the outstanding performance.

“This victory is a source of immense pride to all Rivers people. It shows that our investment in education and human capital development is yielding results. Our children have once again proven that they are among the best in the country.

“We are proud of you and we will continue to support programmes that build the minds of our young people,” he stated.

The governor assured that his administration would continue to create an enabling environment and provide necessary support for academic and extra-curricular activities in schools across the State to help the youths to excel in future competitions.

He further urged other students across the State to draw inspiration from Team Rivers and strive for excellence in all their endeavors.

Fubara expressed profound appreciation to the Grand Patron of the championship and Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her steadfast support and commitment to initiatives that promote education, youth development, and the empowerment of the Nigerian child.

?While congratulating Team Rivers for coming out on top, Fubara told the participants that they were all winners, irrespective of the outcome, stressing that their courage to stand before an audience and articulate their ideas demonstrated that the future of Nigeria remains intellectually vibrant and full of promise.

He also commended the organisers of the championship for creating a platform where young Nigerians could develop the confidence, discipline, critical thinking and communication skills required to participate meaningfully in national development.

?He reaffirmed the commitment of the State Government to supporting initiatives that advance academic excellence, innovation, discipline and opportunities for young people.

The governor dedicated an award presented to him to the people of Rivers State, the state’s education system, young Nigerians, and all those contributing to the development of the State.

?In his welcome address, the Chairman of the National Advisory Board, President’s Schools Debate, Hon. Usman Muhammed, said the championship was aimed at raising articulate, informed and responsible young Nigerians committed to democracy, good governance and nation-building.

?He commended the governor and the people of Rivers State for hosting the event, stressing that debate promotes critical thinking, tolerance and responsible citizenship.

?On his part, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor, explained that the essence of the championship was to train and develop youth, especially students, on how to get to leadership positions, saying it takes a sound mind to be able to come out to speak publicly and come to defend the opinion in a public setting.

?The Tide reports that while Team Rivers came first, Team Kwara emerged second, while Team Sokoto took the third position.

News

Fubara Unveils Reconstructed Buguma-Degema-Abonnema Road

Published

1 day ago

August 24, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has unveiled the reconstructed Buguma-Degema-Abonnema Road, a major transport corridor linking communities across the Asari-Toru, Degema, and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas of the State.

The project, a 19.79 kilometre road was executed by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, brings to an end the nightmares of man-hour losses and insecurity associated with the route.

The long stretch of the road was in a very deplorable condition before the Fubara administration awarded the contract for its rehabilitation in September 2024.

Fubara disclosed that the completion of the project in record time was a fulfillment of a personal commitment made after witnessing the severe degradation of the road during a previous visit to the area.

“It is a road that you must pass if you’re going to Abonnema. It is a road that because of its state, a lot of evil activities was taking place there. But to the glory of God today, I don’t think those negative acts can even be imagined or be carried out along that corridor again.

“I made a promise to myself that day that even if it is remaining one week, we must make sure that we fix this road. Today, to the glory of God, the road has been fixed.

“I am happy that today, we are all here gathered happily that this particular dream has come to reality,” he said.

The governor reiterated that his desire for the State is not just about embarking on projects but in doing those things that will touch the lives of the people positively.

He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to complete the Trans-Kalabari Highway, another major road project linking several coastal communities in the State.

He expressed appreciation to the people for their love and cooperation especially for allowing the contractors to do their jobs without hitches.

“You have shown me so much love. Nobody can take that away. One particular project that cannot be denied is the Trans- Kalabari Road that we are doing. I want to beg you that if I cannot meet all you requests today, don’t worry, my successor will continue from where I will stop,” he said.

Special Guest of Honour, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema Kingdom, King Desrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel, who officially commissioned the project, commended the state government for its rapid infrastructure development, noted that the rehabilitation of the roa has drastically improved travel time, safety and the living conditions of the people.

“In the past, for you to leave any of our communities to Port Harcourt, you must, as a matter of fact, go into a one-day fasting and prayers the previous day. Otherwise, you are not sure you will get to your destination.

“Today, I can leave my palace in Abonnema by 10:00 AM, and I will be wherever I want to be in Port Harcourt before 11:00 AM,” the royal father said.

King Bob-Manuel stated that the reconstructed road would not only enable the local fishermen to transport their catch directly to urban markets in Port Harcourt for better profit margins, but will open the riverine communities to new investments.

News

Tinubu Appoints Enitan As New Head Of Federal Civil Service

Published

1 day ago

August 24, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan as the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective August 27, 2026.

Enitan succeeds Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who will retire soon from the Federal Civil Service upon attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

Mr Enitan, from Osun State, is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.

He has served as Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, working at the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President. He is currently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education.

Enitan, according to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, brings considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the Federal Civil Service works to his new responsibility.

Tinubu expressed his profound appreciation to Mrs Walson-Jack for her distinguished service to the nation and for the reforms, impact and innovations witnessed in the Civil Service during her tenure.

“The President wishes her a fulfilling and successful life after service and conveys the nation’s gratitude for her years of dedicated and impactful public service,” the statement added.

Tinubu charged the incoming Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to consolidate on the reforms and innovations already underway, deepen professionalism and efficiency across the service, and build a more effective and responsive Civil Service capable of delivering on the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The President further urged Enitan to lead a Civil Service that is professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.

Enitan was born on December 12, 1966. He had his secondary education at Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife. He later attended the University of Lagos and graduated in 1988 with a B.Sc. in Finance and Banking.

In 2015, Enitan obtained an M.Sc. in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Keffi.