Opinion

DSS As New Attack Dog

Published

9 years ago

August 10, 2015

It is difficult to hazard a guess on the main reason
behind the current attack-dog image of the Department of State Services (DSS). Is it intended to portray an organization that has repositioned itself to key into President Muhammadu Buhari’s resolve to wage war on insecurity and corruption?
It can’t possibly be about insecurity, for, if it were, the organization would concentrate its energy on providing the much needed intelligence that is glaringly lacking in the Northeastern part of the country, where Boko Haram insurgents are running amok, killing defenseless Nigerians with renewed gusto, in manner that suggests the victory parade that began in the closing days of the Jonathan administration has since come to an abrupt end. Nor has it anything to do with the effort to fight corruption. That is the brief of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At first it was the duo of Sambo Dasuki and Gordon Obuah, the erstwhile national security adviser and chief security officer to former President, Goodluck Jonathan, respectively, who had a taste of the poisonous bite of the new attack dog, triggering a national outrage.
The agency has yet to tell Nigerians the outcome of its 10-hour siege on the home of Dasuki, which it said was occasioned by intelligence report that linked the retired army colonel with allegations of subversion. It has not made known its motive for detaining Obuah and causing unnecessary anxiety over his health. Now, it is the turn of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to suffer in the hands of the security agency. The question needs to be asked why the DSS is carrying on as if it has a mandate to hunt anybody that was associated with the former president and his party.
The two election tribunals for Akwa Ibom and Rivers states currently sitting in Abuja are supposed to listen to and determine petitions filed by candidates of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the April 11, 2015 governorship election. Ordinarily, the DSS should have no role to play in matters concerning the petitions and the work of the tribunals. But that has not been the case since the tribunals curiously and questionably relocated from states where the election took place to the federal capital – the only two cases in which tribunals are sitting outside the states where elections were held.
The DSS has assigned to itself the responsibility of assisting the APC in whatever way it deems practicable to achieve at the tribunals what it could not achieve at election venues in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states. This includes harassment and intimidation of not only PDP officials and witnesses that volunteer to give evidence at the tribunals, but also officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who were directly or remotely involved in elections in the two states.
Isn’t it curious that the DSS is beaming its searchlight on the two states where PDP has won since 1999, while ignoring northern states where under aged almajiris were seen on video voting at polling booths under the supervision of INEC officials, with security agencies, including the DSS itself, looking the other way? The overzealousness of the security agency in matters that have to do with the governorship election in the two states, which has caused quite some hoopla, gives the impression that there are only two governorship election tribunals in the country. How many people know that tribunals have sat to determine petitions relating to the same governorship election in Lagos and Imo states? How come we didn’t hear of the involvement of the DSS in those two sates which, coincidentally(?), are APC states? The objective is unquestionably to achieve a pre-determined outcome at the two tribunals sitting in Abuja.
Despite initial hiccups occasioned by non-functioning card readers, the 2015 general elections were universally acknowledged to be much better than previous elections in terms of freeness, fairness and inclusiveness. It was the reason Jonathan did the unusual and unexpected by conceding defeat and congratulating Buhari even when results were still being collated.
At his various meetings with President Barack Obama, Secretary of State, John Kerry, and other key officials during his official visit to the United States, President Buhari thanked the country for its support to Nigeria during the elections, which enabled it to have free and fair elections. At no time did the president say that elections were free all over Nigeria except in Rivers and Akwa Ibom. What the DSS is trying to do is to pressurize the election tribunals into proofing to the entire world that Buhari’s assessment, indeed, the assessment of the international community, was wrong.
Pray, what does the DSS hope to achieve? If the objective is to assist the APC in its quest to add the two states to the 19 states it ‘won’ on April 11, then the effort is a bill that lawmakers would describe as dead on arrival.
How could it be imagined that Akwa Ibom, for instance, which is traditionally conservative as evident in elections from post-independence Nigeria till date, would change inclination overnight because an aggrieved individual switched camps a few months to elections? When did the state become one that an individual can lead by the nose?
Let it be known that if elections were to be conducted 10 times in Akwa Ibom, PDP would win hands down. Governor Udom Emmanuel is a product of an administration that changed the course of the history of the state in a manner no previous administration had done. The people of the state voted for him because they know he will continue in the tradition of excellence that his predecessor established. There couldn’t have been a better successor to Akpabio.
President Buhari, who came into office with overwhelming goodwill, should call the director general of the DSS, who happens to be his kinsman, to order, before he destroys that goodwill so early in the morning.
Jimmy is a public affairs analyst based in Lagos

Idiongo Jimmy

Opinion

The Rantings Of Rivers ALGON

Published

9 hours ago

May 15, 2024

The Tide

For the first time in the last eight years , one can observe a moribund and toothless, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter trying to lull the people of Rivers State in believing that it exists, that it is versed and abreast with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), knowledgeable about subsisting judicial pronouncements on the Local government administration matters by courts of competent jurisdiction, and it has workers and. the people’s welfare at heart.
These wrong impressions can be deduced from the text of the Press Conference delivered by the Association last week.
Despite the window dressing and cosmetic posture that the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Rivers Sttate chapter wants to impress on the people and residents of Rivers State, it is crystal clear that workers at the Third Tier of Government have not fared well in the last eight years of the repressive and workers unfriendly immediate past administration in the State.
While workers at the State were fortunate to have a controversial minimum wage paid to them, local Government workers did not benefit from the N30,000 Minimum Wage which became a legal instrument about six years until March 2024, following a directive by the Executive Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to Local Government chairmen in the State to immediately implement the minimum wage, wage award and promote workers.
Where was.the Legal Adviser of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, whose statutory responsibility it was to advise the former Rivers State. Governor that it is an affront on the sensibilities of workers and fragrant.breach of extant law to not pay minimum wage to workers at.the 23 Local Government councils.
Civil servants at the State and Local Government councils were not promoted and did not benefit from the annual incremental credit for about ten years. The incremental credit is a paltry and very insignificant amount compared to the inputs of workers to drive implementation of government policies and programmes and what elective office holders take home within the comparable period.
I had expected a “concerned and workers-friendly ‘ Association of Local Government in the State to midwife the promotion of workers, implementation of Minimum wage and fulfill their statutory obligations to the workers and the people at the local government areas whose resources they hold in trust and on whose behest they are in power.
It therefore beats my imagination that Local Government Chairmen of ALGON, who are products of the ballot and not appointees of the former governor lost their “Executive” status and played the second fiddle role. Even when there was unconfirmed tampering of local government funds, they could not protest or raise an eye brow.
How the people who were cowardly and timid before the former administration in the State suddenly cultivated and imbibed the effrontry and temerity to hold a Press Conference attempting to disparage the performing and conscientious Sir Siminalayi Fubara-led administration leaves much to be desired and a bad taste in the mouth of all patriotic and truthful Rivers people.
I expected the self serving chairmen under the aegis of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria to brace up to the challenges of seeming derecognition and denial of their right of expression as elected chairmen by the former administration in the State.
While the ALGON has the legitimacy to contest violation of, or infringement on their interests, such protest should not be seen as selective. Between 1999 and 2003, the Association of Local Government of.Nigeria in Rivers State was vociferous and so alive to its onus that they rejected allocations that did not reflect the true figures of what the local government councils deserved from the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC). That was when ALGON was keen and committed to the essence of its formation. That was a real workers-friendly ALGON.
However, with the advent of crude and uncivilised godfatherism that circumvented real democratic processes for manipulative and coercive selection that ultimately produced unpopular candidates of the godfather, chairmen were reduced to puppets, playing subservient roles for their benefactors instead of protecting the interest and welfare of workers and the people of their local government areas, who they ought to represent.
Having therefore failed to speak up for workers and defend the welfare of the people of their local government areas, at a time they were oppressed, the association in my candid opinion does not have the moral justification to cry fowl against the present administration in Rivers State whose policies and programmes so far, reveal that the governor understands that the legitimacy of his administration is derived from the people, so he is accountable to them by putting in place infrastructure that will give fresh breath to a people who are recuperating from the suffocation of repressive and coercive governance.
Sir Siminalayi Fubara is today a messiah to workers in Rivers State. Local government. workers are .being paid minimum wage, promoted and duly placed at their appropriate levels after 10 years of no promotion.
Civil servants in the State are sure of receiving their pensions immediately after retirement from service which was a marked. departure from previous administration.
Rather than vilifying or demonising the present administration in the State, the Association of Local Government of.Nigeria, Rivers State should thank the Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for doing in less than one year what their grand master could not do for them and workers in eight years.
Remember, everyone will stand in the court of history and posterity to account for their actions and inactions in office.

Igbiki Benibo

Opinion

Kidnapping: Need For Govt To Address The Monster

Published

9 hours ago

May 15, 2024

The Tide

Kidnapping, a heinous crime, cannot be condoned in any circumstances. The situation in Nigeria, characterised by various security challenges, including the presence of militant groups and criminal organisations, requires a multifaceted approach to address its root causes.
A report by the Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, a security risk management and intelligence company based in Abuja, stated that at least 2,583 people were killed and 2,164 kidnapped in the first quarter of this year.
The record carries the number of killings and abductions across the country from January to March, indicating that 80 percent of the killings and 94 percent of the abductions occurred in the Northern part of Nigeria.
This report, however, varied with the position by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who said that the casualty figures were going down, the consulting firm’s report showed that an average of 28 persons were killed and 24 kidnapped.
The Nigerian government, through the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, during the maiden edition of the annual lecture series organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja, said the security situation was under control.
The casualty figures in zones, according to the data from the Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, revealed that out of the people killed during the period, 793 were from the North-West, 681 from the North-East and 596 from the North-Central. The casualties were recorded from bandits’ attacks, farmers/herders’ conflicts and communal clashes.
The South-West recorded 194 killings, the South-South, 161 people; and South-East, 158. The five states with the highest number of killings were Borno, 517; Benue, 313; Katsina, 252; Zamfara, 212 and Kaduna, 206. The data showed that out of the 2,164 persons abducted within the period, 1,297 were kidnapped in the North-West, 421 in the North-East, 330 in the North-Central, 30 in the South-West, 66 in the South-South and 20 in the South-East.
Kaduna State recorded the highest number of abductees with 546; Zamfara, 447; Borno, 340; Katsina, 252 and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 102. Experts hope that the present government under President Bola Tinubu will do the needful.
Firstly, addressing the socioeconomic factors that contribute to kidnapping is crucial. High unemployment rates, poverty, and lack of economic opportunities push individuals towards criminal activities. Investing in education, job creation programmes, and infrastructure development can help alleviate these issues and provide alternatives to crime.
Secondly, strengthening law enforcement and judicial systems is essential. Improving police training, equipping them with necessary resources, and enhancing collaboration between security agencies can help in apprehending criminals and ensuring justice for victims. Additionally, enhancing the efficiency of the judicial process and holding perpetrators accountable through swift and fair trials can deter future criminal activities.
Furthermore, enhancing intelligence gathering and surveillance capabilities can help in preempting kidnapping attempts and dismantling criminal networks. Cooperation between government agencies, intelligence services, and international partners can facilitate information sharing and coordination in combating organised crime.
Moreover, addressing corruption within the government and security forces is imperative. Corruption undermines efforts to combat crime by facilitating criminal activities and eroding public trust in institutions. Implementing anti-corruption measures, promoting transparency, and holding corrupt officials accountable can help in restoring trust and integrity within the system.
Community engagement and empowerment play a vital role in preventing kidnapping and other crimes. Building strong community relationships, fostering trust between residents and law enforcement agencies, and promoting community-based initiatives can help in identifying and addressing security threats at the grassroots level.
Finally, kidnapping in Nigeria is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. Addressing socioeconomic factors, strengthening law enforcement and judicial systems, enhancing intelligence capabilities, combating corruption, engaging communities, and promoting international cooperation are all crucial components in combating kidnapping and improving security in the country. However, it is important to remember that any strategy must prioritise human rights, the rule of law, and the protection of innocent lives.

Badamasi Junaidu
Junaidu writes from Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi.

Opinion

Local Government As Agent Of Nation Building

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2024

The Tide

Development is regarded as sequential changes or growths that occur in a society or country over time. It remains a product of good governance, which mostly lies in the hands of those at the helm of affairs at a particular time and process that led to the emergence of such leaders.
The local government is universally found in contemporary societies, both in the developed and developing countries. It is a vital political institution, such that modern politics and administration revolves around it. Today, most countries across the globe have adopted democratic system of government, being the government of the people, by the people and for the people. In these countries, governance is centered on three tiers with constitutional backing to aid rapid development. A country like Nigeria has three tiers of government, Federal, State and Local Governments. Each tier has constitutional roles, aimed at complementing each other. The mother of them, that is, the Federal Government, plays significant roles in nation building, and this is one of the reasons why citizens always look unto the presidency and participate actively during presidential elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It is an established fact that citizens also perform their civic responsibilities as expected during the governorship elections, while there is a lot of apathy during the chairmanship and councillorship elections, forgetting that without a solid foundation, the longevity of structure or building is in doubt.
Citizens’ nonchalant attitude to the process that produces public administrators at the grassroots is quite alarming, and this usually results into having the wrong peg in the right hole.
Findings revealed that voter apathy associated with local government council elections was due to non-performance of some previous elected administrators, lack of security of lives or property and lack of trust in States Independent Electoral Commission (SIECs). Others include introduction of caretaker committees to man the affairs of the councils, do-or-die approach of political soldiers to the council’s polls, interest of the incumbent governors, choice of political godfathers, influence of respected monarchs and many more. The local government is a tier of government that provides essential services to the public, such as health and safety, transportation, sanitation, environmental, and utilities.
Also, it is the tier of government that ensures grading of rural roads, management of basic schools, local markets, among others. Public administrators play a crucial role in the delivery of these services and the management of local government organisations. Some time ago, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, at the swearing-in ceremony of chairmen and vice chairmen of Nsit Ibom and Urue–Offong / Oruka Local Governments, compelled chairmen of the local government councils in the state to reside within their areas of jurisdiction for effective delivery on their mandate and development of rural areas.
Also, the ongoing campaign or demand for financial autonomy for local government by relevant stakeholders in the country further attests to how important this tier of government is in building a prosperous and self-sustained nation.
This development led to the conduct of local government council election in the 33 local government council areas of the state in 2021 by the current leadership of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), headed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju. About 30 percent of registered voters took part in the election, a result that further attest to the long-time nonchalant attitude of citizens and residents to local government council elections. According to records, the feat attained by the commission in terms of voter turnout was the highest in recent times.
No doubt, democracy provides opportunity for people to choose their leaders and enables citizens to make their opinions known to those in power, enjoy good governance and interface with the authorities, especially those at the grassroots.
Adegoke writes in from Ibadan, Oyo State.

By: Adedamola Adegoke