Opinion

Between Fights, Sanctions And Lawmakers

Published

15 years ago

July 19, 2010

The presidential system of government the world over is made up of the executive, legislature and the judiciary, with some even advocating the press as the fourth and Nigeria is no exception.

The introduction of this system of government, no doubt, is to enable the various units function independently of the other but in actual fact, their functions complement each other to achieve a common goal.

Of course, if there is a disconnect in the function of any of them, there is bound to be negative consequences which send the wrong signal to those whose interest these various organs are meant to represent.

When President Olusegun Obasanjo assumed office as president in 1999, one ugly trend which has characterised the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives has been the various incidences of fights among members of the lower chamber.

Since then, the media, especially in Nigeria has been awash with various headlines, announcing the show of shame which the so-called honourable members exhibit on the floor just to show Nigerians that apart from making laws, they could as well exchange blows without shame.

Come to think of it, most of the fights which occur in the House happen not because of issues that would benefit the people of the country, rather, because of their personal interests.

For example, in August 1999, the House rose one day without an adjournment as members used their fists rather than their voices to decide a motion.

The argument was over whether or not the Federal Government should relocate four parastatals of the Ministry of Transport, namely, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Authority (NMA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) back to Lagos from where they were moved to Abuja in 1997.

As deliberations on the matter were ongoing, observers and members of the press present were taken aback as the House degenerated into chaos, and twice the then Deputy Speaker, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, who presided in the absence of Speaker, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, had to escape through the back door, leaving in desperation, the symbol of authority, the mace behind even as several irate members gave him a hot chase.

Of course, with his colleagues left behind to exchange blows following his escape without a motion for adjournment, the House dispersed with the stalemate hanging as it were.

Again on October 31, 2000, Nigerians woke to be confronted with the news that riotous acts had marred the activities of the House of Representatives as the lawmakers exchanged blows with one another over an alleged N4 million bribe meant to facilitate the impeachment of then Speaker, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’Abba.

The fight lasted for more than 30 minutes, and led to the stabbing of one of the members with cloths torn into shreds. Many others sustained bruises. It was also reported that seven members, five from the North and two others allegedly signed for N500,000 each for the action, and that attempts to calm the House after the ugly incident proved abortive as some members who christened themselves “anti-Na’Abba” boldly walked of the chamber demanding that Na’Abba step aside for probe. They had also vowed that no proceeding would be allowed in the House until their objective has been achieved.

Also on November 2, 2000, the House members throw out by 182 votes to 76 a motion calling for the probe of House leadership resulting in a free-for-all fight.

Trouble allegedly started when the lower chamber of the National Assembly mandated its Ethics and Privileges Committee to investigate the allegation that the executive under President Olusegun Obasanjo had made available the sum of N500,000 to each member to induce them to remove Speaker Na’Abba. Some N4 million cash was tendered in the House as exhibit on that fateful day.

Expectedly, however, Presidential spokesman to President Obasanjo then, Dr. Doyin Okupe in reaction to the allegation, dismissed it as “cheap blackmail and melodrama”.

But in another twist, chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, National Ethics and Values then, Mr. Adams Jagaba told the House that he had evidence that the executive tried to induce some of the members with money to remove the speaker. Said he: “We gathered that the source of money is the president, channelled through the Presidential Liaison Officer (PLO) of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Esther Uduchi. Each member was given N500,000. “I want to tender the money as exhibit”.

Jagaba presented six bags popularly called “Ghana must go” before exhibiting their contents (N4 million) on the table bearing the mace, claiming that the money came from former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and former governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili.

Jagaba claimed that the money was received by Hons Yinkas Balminas, Dan-chuda Lawal, Bello Yaro, Josiah Gokun, Jubril Babangida and Mohammed Arzika, who in turn handed the money to him.

Speaking on the issue then, the deputy leader of the House, Mr. Mao Ohuabunwa expressed shock at the development, and advised members that “It would be better for all of us to carry our bags and go home. How did this money come about?”.

To make matters worse, attempts by Jagaba to further clarify the issues led to pandemonium as pro and anti-Na’Abba members began to exchange hot blows from 10.30 a.m. – 12.25p.m. of that fateful day, as the speaker completely lost control of the House which gave room to a rowdy session.

Another incident was the drama of the contract scam in September, 2007, during the tenure of Nigeria’s first female Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Patricia Etteh.

On September 20, 2007, confusion and fracas had marred the sitting of the House of Representatives panel which investigated the contract award for the renovation of the Speaker’s (Etteh) official residence in Abuja.

It all began when Hon. Patricia Etteh was called to the witness box by the chairman of the panel investigating the matter, David Idoko. As Etteh made her way to the witness box, some members of the House who were loyal to her gave her a standing ovation.

Angered by the development, other lawmakers pushing for the probe let out invectives which eventually led to fisticuffs between the camps loyal to Etteh and those opposed to the award of the contract. In the midst of the confusion, security men led Etteh away from the over-crowded hearing room which led the panel to adjourn sitting abruptly without letting the people know what was next on its agenda.

The aforementioned incidents are by no means exhaustive, yet it would not be fair if the latest one that happened in June, 2010 is not given a mention.

On June 29, 2010, members of the lower chamber of the National Assembly engaged themselves, in a free-for-all fight.

The immediate cause of the fight among some of members was a motion which was moved to seek the invocation of Order 5(i) Sub Rule, 2 and 3 under matters of privilege in the House Rules with the aim of suspending some members for alleged misconduct.

However, the rest is history. But for how long would Nigerians continue to pretend that the conduct of our elected representatives, especially at the lower house should be their business and not that of other Nigerians?

I think that members of the National Assembly, including the Senate, states and local government assemblies who continue to relegate law making to the background, and engage in frivolous fights be sanctioned. In the final analysis, I suggest that each time this ugly incident occurs in the various houses across the land, those concerned should be sanctioned and the people of Nigeria made to know and understand that, at least, action has been taken so that those who really deserve to be called honourables are separated from the rest.

Opinion

Gridlock at the Gates

Published

1 day ago

October 13, 2025

The Tide

Quote:” City planners have long warned against overloading central arteries with industrial traffic. Port Harcourt, being a commercial hub, must observe those cautions. Let this Government House corridor not become a permanent choke point.”

It was midmorning when the rumbles began. From the direction of the factory opposite Government House, a long convoy of heavy trailers edged slowly into the already congested artery. Drivers, helpless, contended with idle cars, impatient motorbikes and pedestrians hawking wares. The gridlock that ensued was inevitable and dangerous. That stretch of road has long struggled with traffic, even under normal circumstances. But when trailers laden with goods destined for that factory arrived in the heart of the city, the resulting chaos tests the limits of road safety and civic order. What should have been a routine delivery turned into a spectacle of stalled vehicles, honking horns and frustrated commuters.Commuters arriving from the east and west found themselves at the mercy of fate. Buses squeezed past gaps, sometimes brushing mirrors.

Motorcyclists always audacious darted between trailers and cars, risking life for a few extra seconds. Pedestrians, navigating narrow sidewalks, were sometimes forced onto the road. A mother clutching her child crossed dozens of vehicles to reach a bus stop. An office worker, already late, dashed between vehicles narrowly avoiding being clipped by a reversing trailer. A delivery van, stuck mid?way, belched smoke as its engine laboured. It was a microcosm of urban mayhem. The danger is not hypothetical. One trailer, reversing without adequate sight, could crush small vehicles behind it. A sudden jerk of an overloaded container might dislodge cargo. A pedestrian stepping from between cars is invisible to a trailer’s blind spots. In the event of fire or medical emergency, blocked lanes could turn a crisis into tragedy.Residents in nearby quarters — the civil servants’ neighbourhood, local shops, offices stood to suffer the most. Their streets are collateral damage.

The hum of commerce is stifled, delivery schedules disrupted, lives endangered. In moments like these, city planning is revealed naked its flaws exposed for all to see.One elderly man, waiting for a bus, remarked: “All I need is ten minutes to reach my office. But today, I cannot even cross to the bus stop safely.”His voice quivered, not from fear alone, but from frustration. Others muttered about lack of traffic control, absence of escorts, poor coordination.It is tempting to blame just the truck drivers. But the problem is deeper. The timing of deliveries, the route choice, the lack of alternative access roads, and the absence of coordinated traffic management all conspire to produce this mess. Government House being the focal point only magnifies the stakes.We know this area in Rivers State is sensitive, high profile. Government officials, dignitaries and official vehicles traverse that corridor many times a day.

To see trailers lumbering past security parlours, squeezing past guard booths, is to court risk both symbolic and physical. At least twice this year, small collisions have occurred there a trailer striking a road divider, another brushing a sedan. Thankfully injuries were minor. But next time, the outcome may not be so forgiving. The margin for error is shrinking. What can be done? The first step is scheduling. Heavy trailers should not come at peak hours. Late-night or early?morning slots, when traffic is minimal, should be mandated. This simple shift would relieve the burden on daytime traffic. Second, alternative access. If the factory had a back entrance or service road away from the main artery, trailers could avoid the central route entirely. Even a temporary bypass could serve until permanent measures are built. Third, coordination with traffic authorities. The state’s traffic management agency must be looped in — to provide escorts, clear pathways, regulate entry and exit times. Without their presence, chaos reigns.

Fourth, strict enforcement. Trailers that defy timing orders or block lanes should attract penalties. Fines, impoundment, or delays could discourage reckless scheduling. Consistency here matters. Fifth, signage and awareness. Drivers, residents and commercial operators alike must know the restrictions. Clear signs, public announcements and coordination with the factory management will help. No one should claim ignorance. Sixth, advance notice. Residents and road users deserve alerts when heavy traffic is expected. That way they can plan alternate routes and minimize exposure to danger. Seventh, standing zones. Designated holding areas for trailers — safe zones where they can queue without entering the congested corridor. This would prevent multiple trailers crowding into the central route at once. If these measures are ignored, the dangers worsen. A panic situation — say a health emergency in that neighborhood — could be fatally delayed by gridlock. Fire engines or ambulances might be unable to manoeuvre. Lives would hang in the balance.

Insurance costs will rise. Businesses fronting the road may suffer loss of customers. The reputation of city management will take a hit. And worst of all, a tragic accident might claim an innocent life. We can end this madness but only if the will is firm and immediate. Rivers State government must act. The factory management too must show responsibility, coordinating delivery times and ensuring their drivers comply. A committee comprising traffic authorities, local government, factory management and community representatives should be formed, tasked with drawing a traffic relief plan, fast. Sit?downs, surveys, consultations — done in days, not months. In the interim, emergency measures can help. Temporary traffic diversions, rope-off lanes, manual marshals guiding trailers, police presence all can ease the burden while long-term plans are prepared. Community vigilance is critical. Residents and road users must report blocking trailers, reckless driving, and violations to authorities. If the populace insists on accountability, officials are more likely to act.

City planners have long warned against overloading central arteries with industrial traffic. Port Harcourt, being a commercial hub, must observe those cautions. Let this Government House corridor not become a permanent choke point.The tragedy of inaction is that the problem compounds. Tonight’s chaos seeds tomorrow’s delay; next week’s near?miss becomes a crash. If we let the problem persist, we court disaster. This is more than a traffic story. It’s about governance, foresight, respect for human life. It’s about restoring order in a city that cries out daily for planning and discipline. Let no more trailers barge freely into this corridor. Let us refuse to accept gridlock as normal. Let Rivers State reclaim its roads, its safety, its dignity. It is time to end this once and for all.

By: By King Onunwor

Opinion

Beyond Recapitalization Of Banks

Published

1 day ago

October 13, 2025

The Tide

Quote:” Whereas Nigerian banks have seen their real capital eroded by inflation and currency depreciation, the most immediate and positive outcome expected from the recapitalisation is enhanced financial stability”

When the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on April 1, 2024, set a 24-month timeline for banking sector recapitalization, reactions ranged from optimism to skepticism. Now, with barely two quarters to the deadline of March 31, 2026, the heat on the sector is getting to feverish pitch. The new benchmark now requires banks with international operating licenses to shore-up capital bases to N500 billion, up from the previous ?25 billion minimum, while those with national operating licenses are required to up-grade to N200 billion, and regional banks to N50 billion minimum. Realistically, having been over two decades since the last recapitalization exercise which happened under Professor Charles Soludo as the CBN Governor, the current exercise is long over-due. The delay highlights a level of laxity on the side of financial regulators.

Coming more than two decades later, the current recapitalization appears push-driven by inflation, naira depreciation, or by the sheer dream for a $1 trillion economy, rather than a calculation borne by foresight. The exercise might also expose weak governance structures, as shareholders and foreign partners demand greater transparency and accountability before committing funds. But if implemented transparently, it could rejuvenate Nigeria’s banking sector and lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth. The success of the recapitalisation drive will depend upon policy consistency, regulatory clarity, and fairness. Since the last exercise in 2004 the Nigerian economy has changed both in size and dynamics, with most banks having assumed heavier financial undertakings locally and internationally, and some having expanded operations into off-shore frontiers. In 2004, Nigeria’s GDP was estimated at $135.8 billion.

Today the estimate stands at $477 billion, and is being projected to hit $1 trillion by 2030. In the face of a devalued currency, the dynamics of present-day transactions present newer levels of risk exposures, for which banks need to be adequately fortified. The increased volume of transactions following relative economic growth since 2004, require that Nigerian banks be recapitalized even in trillions of Naira in order not to be tossed off-balance. Adequate recapitalization would strengthen the banks to higher resilience against financial shocks, while enabling them to expand lending capacities to an economy starved by cash. Thankfully, 14 banks are confirmed to have hit their required threshold targets, thus are in positions to dominate the industry going forward. These include First Bank, Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), United Bank for Africa (UBA), Stanbic IBTC, Fidelity Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, Wema Bank, Sterling Bank, Union Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Standard Chartered Bank, and Citibank Nigeria.

Whereas Nigerian banks have seen their real capital eroded by inflation and currency depreciation, the most immediate and positive outcome expected from the recapitalisation is enhanced financial stability. What was once a ?25 billion minimum capital base in 2004 now holds far less value in dollar terms. By compelling banks to raise fresh capital, the CBN would be reshaping the institutions to withstand global financial headwinds, manage credit risks more effectively, and maintain public confidence in the banking system. Another major benefit could be increased lending capacity. Stronger capital bases would enable banks to fund large-scale infrastructure projects, support manufacturing, agriculture, and the digital economy, and provide long-term financing that Nigeria’s development urgently needs. With Nigeria aspiring to become a trillion-dollar economy, its banks must have balance sheets robust enough to support both government and private sector investment at scale.

Besides, recapitalization is a key stress-test exercise that weeds-out weaker financial institutions to ensure that only the fittest operate in the economy. Evidently, the last exercise in 2004 transformed the sector, after merger and acquisition activities reduced the number of banks from a staggering, but ineffective 89, to 25 strong, better-capitalised banks. Followed by other reforms, the occurrence of distressed banks got drastically reduced. Before then, bank distresses got depositors stranded when they could not access their hard-earned savings. But painfully, not all outcomes would be rosy from the present consolidation exercise. In a sluggish economy and tight global capital market, raising new funds will be a daunting challenge. Even as many of the banks, who have turned to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) to issue new shares, reported good investor appetites, smaller banks with limited shareholder backings are not as lucky.

This is triggering waves of acquisition and takeover fevers, reminiscent of the 2004 era. As already being witnessed, struggling tier-2 banks which are unlikely to raise sufficient capital from the market, would consider mergers and acquisitions as the only realistic paths to survival. As insider sources reveal, the dire situation is already reshaping boardroom strategies, as may engage financial advisers and investment banks for possible deals. And as the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) sold its 34 per cent stake in Unity Bank to Providus Bank weeks ago, the fate of the former is set for acquisition by the latter, while peers like Polaris Bank, Keystone Bank, and SunTrust Bank, may go in similar directions in the rush-up to the deadline.However, other risks remain. Poorly executed mergers could lead to integration challenges, governance conflicts, and cultural clashes that may hurt the system.

While consolidation can bring efficiency and innovation, it could also lead to job losses and reduced competition, especially if regional banks are swallowed by larger, urban-based institutions. The CBN must therefore ensure that the recapitalisation process does not stifle diversity within the financial ecosystem.If successfully managed, recapitalisation could usher-in a competitive, and development-oriented banking industry, that sends strong signals to international investors that Nigeria is serious about financial reforms and economic resilience. A more stable, liquid, and well-capitalised banking system for Nigeria, will not only strengthen domestic confidence but could also attract foreign direct investment and international partnerships.But if plagued by politics, favoritism, or poor timing, it could become a missed opportunity, that leaves the economy burdened with fewer, yet not necessarily stronger, banks.

By: Joseph Nwankwor

Opinion

Dark Side Of Digital Distractions

Published

1 week ago

October 6, 2025

The Tide

Quote:”The next time you find yourself at the scene of an accident, remember that there are real people involved, with real stories and real struggles. And there’s a real opportunity for you to make a difference”.

Accident happens in an instant, but its impact can last lifelong. When the sounds of screeching tires and crunching metal fill the air, it’s human nature to turn and look. But what drives us to gaze upon the wreckage, to slow down and stare at the scene of an accident? Is it morbid curiosity, a desire for a thrill, or something more complex? In the moments following a crash, a strange and fascinating dynamic unfolds – one that reveals as much about us as it does about the accident itself. In this story I am about to tell, we explore the intriguing and often uncomfortable world of accident scenes and the people drawn to them, where the lines between tragedy and attraction blur. The story goes thus: As the flames from the remains of the vehicle filled the air, a crowd began to form on the sidewalk. Some people gathered out of concern, others out of curiosity. A few stood frozen, their eyes fixed on the wrecked vehicle on fire.

On the floor lied my dad who looked physically fine and ignored by the onlookers whose only attention was the vehicle burning and the people inside of it screaming for help. Maria, a nurse on her way home from work, rushed towards the scene to offer assistance. “I saw the whole thing happen,” she said, her voice shaking. “I had to help.” Meanwhile, a group of teenagers snapped photos and videos with their phones. “It’s gonna be all over social media,” one of them exclaimed. An elderly woman, her eyes welling up with tears, muttered a prayer under her breath. “It’s just so tragic,” she said, shaking her head. “Those poor people.” A young professional, sipping on a coffee, gazed at the scene with a mix of fascination and disgust. “I don’t know why I’m staring,” he admitted. “It’s like I can’t look away.” There was no emergency team around but onlookers continued to gather. Some were drawn in by a desire to help, others by a morbid fascination.

Some were moved to prayer, others to social media posts. But all were united in their shared gaze, a reminder of our shared humanity. All attention was brought back to the only survivor when he was about to take his last breath and was rushed to a nearby hospital and offered medical attention where they discovered he had been bleeding internally and lost so much blood. That single thought of taking him down to a hospital saved a soul, the soul of my father! That help rendered has provided a chance for me to still have a father today. Accidents are a rare moment when our private lives intersect with public space. Usually, our personal struggles and tragedies play out behind closed doors, invisible to the outside world. But when an accident occurs, the private becomes public, and we’re drawn to the spectacle like moths to a flame.

We’re drawn to them because they represent a primal fear, a reminder of our own mortality. But we’re also repelled by them, because they confront us with the harsh realities of life. In the end, our fascination with accidents is a reflection of our own humanity – our fears, our vulnerabilities, and our deep-seated desire to connect with others. So, the next time you find yourself at the scene of an accident, remember that you have the power to make a difference. Instead of just rubbernecking, take a moment to do the following: Offer assistance if you’re able; call emergency services if no one else has; provide support and comfort to those affected; and share your own experience and insights to help others.Together, we can create a culture of care and compassion, where accidents are not just spectacles to be gawked at, but opportunities to connect with others and make a positive impact.

The next time you find yourself at the scene of an accident, remember that there are real people involved, with real stories and real struggles. And there’s a real opportunity for you to make a difference. By offering assistance, support and compassion, you can help turn a moment of tragedy into a moment of connection and community. You can help break down the barriers that separate us and build bridges of understanding and empathy. So let’s make a pact to approach accident scenes with kindness, compassion and care. Let’s make a pact to see the humanity in each other, even in the midst of chaos and destruction. Together, we can create a world that’s more compassionate, more empathetic, and more connected.

Olorunfemi is a Mass Communication student of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Kogi State.

By: Favour O. Olorunfemi