Politics
‘What The Campaigns Should Be About’
One month into the official commence0-ment of political campaigns ahead of the 2023 general elections in the country (according to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s, timetable of activities, Campaigns started on Wednesday, September 28, 2022) well-meaning Nigerians across all spectrums of the society have not ceased to express concern about the general disposition of partisan political actors in their engagements with the electorate.
Among the things that have continued to be a source of worry to the generality of Nigerians are the near absence of issues-based campaigns, the lack of civility and sensitivity in the language adopted in discourse and the unsavoury tone employed in distilling the issues.
The preachment of the individuals and groups that continue to send a note of caution to the political class insist that political contestations must not be engaged in desperation and undue regard for the unity, stability and general wellbeing of the country and the citizenry.
The import of the various and varied interventions of those calling for restraint is that the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians and the indesolubility of the corporate existence of the nation need not be sacrificed on the altar of individual, partisan or sectional quest for political relevance.
Speaking at the Eighth Biennial National Convention of the Catholic Social Forum of Nigeria in Abuja, pen ultimate weekend, the Chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference Nigeria Committee on Laity Affairs, Bishop John Ayah, called for civility in the prosecution of the campaigns.
Bishop Ayah, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Uyo Diocese, encouraged Nigerians, including Christians, to actively participate in the electoral process but cautioned against unguarded utterances and violence during the campaigns.
The cleric who expressed optimism about the success of the 2023 general elections said Nigerians were, more than ever, determined to exercise their franchise but hoped that they would not be scared and discouraged by the politicians through the introduction of violence and intemperate language.
“I don’t see voter apathy this season, for what I see, compared to the previous years, I anticipate a lot more people. I pray that people don’t go violent to discourage those that what to vote. I trust there’s going to be civility and people won’t distort the process”, he said.
Only last week, the Chief Executive Officer of Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, cautioned members and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to focus on issues-based campaigns rather than criticising and castigating candidates of other parties.
Addressing a group of APC members under the aegis of National Integrity Movement (ANIM) who conferred a matronship status on her in Abuja, the NEPAD boss said it was important to be guided by the vow that President Muhammadu Buhari made to the 2022 UN General Assembly to ensure that the 2023 general elections are credible and free of violence.
“Our party should lead by example by conducting a violence-free sensitisation, campaigns and elections, just as the president had vowed to the UN General Assembly, where he promised the world to conduct free, fair and credible elections. So, as members of the APC and Nigerians, we should help him to realise that mandate.
“We must refrain from bringing down any character of persons of our country. It is not the best way to go because at the end of the day, when the elections are over, what you have said during the electioneering campaigns would be used to judge your country, not our party.
“When a leader emerges, he emerges for the country, not for the party. We must be able to work harmoniously so that we can (be able to) deliver the next leader for our country.
Let’s join hands and work for the Africa and Nigeria we all desire to have. So, let us go out and make sure we discuss issues-based campaign”, she said.
In an exclusive interview with The Tide in his office in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev Minaibi Dagogo-Jack, appealed to politicians to approach the campaigns, bearing in mind the prevailing social and economic conditions in the country.
He said it was important for politicians to be decent and civil in their utterances and general comportment throughout the campaigns so as not to ignite unnecessary confrontations that could precipitate undesirable consequences.
The state PFN boss urged the candidates and their supporters to address themselves strictly to burning national issues and refuse to engage in tendencies that could destabilise the electoral process and as well affect the nation’s quest for a sustainable democratic culture that guarantees peace and prosperity in the country through free, fair and credible election of leaders by the electorate.
“As a religious leader, I urge politicians to do their campaigning decently. They should remember that our women are suffering; they should remember that our youths are not employed; they should remember that our universities have produced heaps of graduates that are asking questions; they should remember that the youths are no more lazy as they called them (they’re now asking questions, and reasonable ones, today); they should remember that things are happening that the Youths do not like; children are suffering and crying, school fees are not paid; the hospitals are not working and those who are sick can’t go to the hospital and get adequate treatment.
“I am speaking to their conscience that things are getting worse by the day. We, the church, we are concerned. They should speak about their character, who they are, how they fear God, their honesty and their truthfulness.
“They should speak about their competence, the quality of their performance in previous positions they held. They should remember their capacity you may have character, you may be competent, but do you have the capacity?
“They should only talk to people about their capacity; talk to people about your competence; talk to the electorate about your character- your ability for efficient transformation; your ability to communicate your vision to diverse people; they should talk about their policies”, he said.
He emphasised the need for politicians to refrain from provocative behaviours and utterances as the harsh social and economic realities in the country have made Nigerians, especially the youths, increasingly impatient and easily provoked to aggression.
He admonished, “Talk to people about your character, your competence, your capacity and policies and stop abusing others, stop discussing others. We are in very precarious times and people get agitated and angry with the slightest provocation”.
The cleric said even though the church has been praying for peace, stability and general wellbeing of the country and its citizens, it is indispensable for leaders and aspiring leaders to be deliberate in putting up exemplary conduct, comments and comportment for the country to experience the desired socio-economic and political transformation.
He added that God Himself will deal harshly with politicians who have purposed to be treacherous with Nigerians, warning that dire consequences await them.
“Politicians tell lies a lot. God will punish those who go there for selfish aim. God will shock them. So, my advice to them is decency in their campaign process, orderliness in their campaign process and also in governance.
“The churches have been praying but one man’s sin can affect the nation. Let them fear God. Some people make promises they know they cannot keep. They should remember that Nigeria is today the poverty capital of the world, so we cannot continue to do the same thing the same way and expect a change”, he admonished.
On the part of the electorate, Rev Dagogo-Jack, who was a one time Governorship Candidate in Rivers State, charged Nigerians not to decide their choice leaders on the basis of party affiliations but rather vote according to their convictions about persons that they think have the right credentials to tackle the country’s challenges.
To this end, he advised the electorate to keenly listen to the candidates and resist the temptation to be swayed by monetary and other inducements.
“Let me tell the people, nobody should vote political party; don’t do your vote based on political party; do your own vote based on the person, the character of the person, the competence of the person, the capacity of the person, the policies that are being told you. And don’t forget to consider whether the person has the wherewithal to carry out these policies that are being campaigned about.
“I do believe that, with what God is doing in the country at present, what is going to happen in 2023 will be quite different from what has been happening.
The people they campaign to should listen to them carefully, they should not consider the money and the cheap Ankara wrappers they give to them. We need transformation, we need revival and with our own change in attitude, revival is assured”, he said.
The Christian cleric reiterated that the PFN had not shifted grounds on its earlier stand against same faith ticket, arguing that the Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not further the cause of justice, fairness and inclusion in a plural society like Nigeria that is still grappling with the teething challenges of nation-building.
He said, “We sounded our opinion and we stand by it; we’re not shying away from that resolution. We still say ‘No’ to Muslim/Muslim ticket, ‘No’ to Christian/Christian ticket, ‘No’ to same faith ticket.”
The PFN chairman disclosed that “In Rivers State, we are going to point our hand at one of the (governorship) candidates who we feel has the character; who we feel has the competence; who we feel has the capacity; who we feel has the policies that are good enough to cause sustainable development in Rivers State.
“We are looking at a candidate that has the fear of God in him, that will not disrespect the church, that will not treat the church leaders and the church with great disdain. PFN will point our hand at that particular person”
He said that the Christian community in the state was poised to be actively involved in the process of deciding who becomes the next governor as well as National Assembly and state legislators in Rivers State, adding that his organisation was prepared to mobilise its members to achieve set goals.
While disclosing that the various candidates of the political parties that are contesting the 2023 general elections in Rivers State had already been scheduled to interface and interact with the PFN from Tuesday, November 8 to Thursday, November 10, 2022, he averred that the political sensitisation efforts of his body of believers had achieved appreciable success, with most members now in possession of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“Don’t forget that after the elections we shall be interested in good governance. It’s not going to be business as usual. We’re going to talk to government when they’re doing wrong and we’re going to encourage government when they’re doing right”, he said, pointing out that the church would no longer restrict itself to only praying for the political leaders but would make its voice heard as well, going forward.
Indeed, invaluable as character, competence, capacity and sound policies of individual candidates may be for the electorate to decide where to apply their ink stained thumbs, the conscientious election of a truly popular candidate through a free, fair, transparent and credible process will not be of significant value until the people assumed the added responsibility of making elected functionaries of government deliver on their campaign promises.
By: Opaka Dokubo
Politics
Senegal: Faye Set To Become Youngest Elected African President As Rival Concedes Defeat
Senegalese politician, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, (44), is set to become the youngest elected leader on the African continent.
While Faye’s main rival, Amadou Ba, from the ruling coalition had said a run-off might happen to determine the winner, at least five of the 19 candidates in the race had issued statements to congratulate Faye as of early Monday.
“For our part, and considering the feedback of the results from our team of experts, we are certain that, in the worst case scenario, we will go to a run-off,” Ba, a former Senegalese Prime Minister, had said.
But as Faye’s lead got wider, Ba called to concede victory in Sunday’s presidential elections, BBC quoted a government official to have said.
Faye’s lead had spurred his followers to troop out in celebration on the streets of the capital, Dakar, on Sunday.
Reports revealed that millions took part in a peaceful day of voting to elect Senegal’s fifth president after three years of unprecedented political turbulence that triggered violent anti-government protests and bolstered support for the opposition.
Faye is a Senegalese politician and a former tax inspector, who also served as the General Secretary of dissolved PASTEF.
He contested the highest political position in the West African country in place of disqualified candidate Ousmane Sonko.
Senegalese voters had a choice among 19 contenders to replace Sall, who is stepping down after a second term marred by unrest over the prosecution of opposition leader Sonko.
The incumbent was not on the ballot for the first time in Senegal’s history. His ruling coalition picked Ba, 62, as its candidate.
In a country of over 18 million people, 7.3 million people were registered to vote, and about 71 percent voter turnout was recorded, Senegal’s State TV reported.
Politics
Writing Judgment For Presidential Election Tribunal Allegation, FG Arraigns One
The Federal Government has arraigned one Chike Ibezim for allegedly defaming Babatunde Fashola, former Minister of Works and Housing.
Ibezim is one of three individuals who alleged that Fashola had written the judgments of the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) that dismissed the petitions by the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ibezim was arraigned on Monday before a federal high court in Abuja on a six-count charge.
The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/434/2023, borders on criminal conspiracy, cyberstalking, and defamation, among others.
The matter is before Bolaji Olajuwon and has been adjourned till April 15 for continuation of trial.
Count one of the charges reads: “That you Ibezim Chike Victor, male with Jackson Udeh, Nnamdi Emmanuel Ibezim and Reportera.ng (body corporate) now at large on or about 05/08/2023 at Abuja, did commit an illegal Act to wit: criminal conspiracy; when you jointly agreed to publish a defamatory statement of false allegations in your online social media, the reportera.ng news, against His Excellency Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, CON, without justification, you thereby commit offence punishable under Section 27(1)(b) of the Cyber-crime Prohibition, Prevention Act 2015.”
However, Fashola said the allegation was “baseless and defamatory”.
The former minister described those behind the allegations as “agents of destabilisation”.
Politics
Soludo’s Performance Assessment, APGA Tackles LP Chieftain
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has faulted a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Valentine Ozigbo, over his comments that the performance of Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, after two years in office, was “not impressive.”
Mr Ozigbo, who was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2021 Anambra State governorship election, now a chieftain of the LP, stated during an interactive session with journalists last weekend that he was not impressed about Governor Soludo’s performance and has therefore decided to contest the 2025 governorship election in the state.
He said, “We have seen the leadership of Soludo in two years, and some of you may be impressed, but I am not. After the last election in 2021, I called and wished him well and moved on, and we have never spoken again. My decision was to assess him after two years, and having seen it, I am not impressed, and I want to start holding him accountable.
“I am here to share my thoughts with you, what I think, and no matter how you see what he (Soludo) is doing, you will be more proud when I mount the saddle.
“We need to change the narrative and look for a way to survive. We must fight to rescue Anambra. I am a non-transactional politician. I have several things I can do, but my worry is how we can recover the state and put her on the path of development.
“Zoning is a good thing. But it must be combined with competence to make sense. Don’t pick a renegade just because he is from a certain zone, and don’t pick the best, when you know you can pick one that is better.”
Mr Ozigbo said further, “I respect zoning, and I will be making a case for a single term of four years. Anyone who sees what Alex Otti is doing in Abia State will know that four years is enough time to do a lot of work.
“I will honour that principle of zoning, and I will not need anyone’s push or prompting to do otherwise. I will be ready to do an agreement and do an undertaking that I will do just one term. I also wish to tell you that Peter Obi has been consistent that a southerner who emerges will only do one term.
“It is a settled matter that I intend to run for just one term. I intend to keep faith with the agreement.”
But reacting to the development in a telephone interview with The Tide’s source on Monday, APGA spokesman, Tony Olisa-Mbeki, dismissed Mr Ozigbo’s utterances, insisting he has nothing to offer the people of the state.
Mr Olisa-Mbeki said, “He is a political stooge. What could he possibly bring in? Last I checked, he only managed Transcorp Hotel. Is that a qualification to be a governor in Anambra State? Soludo runs an inclusive government in Anambra; that is why he holds town hall meetings with different sectors. What other approach to governance is Ozigbo talking about?
“Anambra State governance is not for learners like Ozigbo. Ozigbo can’t even give a good lecture; he would be better suited working as a PA to any governor. Ozigbo’s aspirations in the previous gubernatorial contest in Anambra found him trailing in third place under the banner of the PDP, despite the staunch endorsement from former APGA governor, Peter Obi.
“That alone should tell him that APGA is like an apostle’s creed to Ndi Anambra. However, what reforms could Ozigbo propose? Anambra State, under Governor Soludo’s leadership, is a testament to political and socio-economic ingenuity.”
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