Politics

THE POLITICAL MORALITY OF 2023 ELECTION PART 2

Published

5 years ago

April 9, 2021

CUSTOMSGATE: $3 BILLION PROJECT RUNS INTO DISPUTE

THE POLITICAL MORALITY OF 2023 ELECTION PART 2.

Today is the 2nd stanza of my special focus on the political correctness of the 2023 Presidential election in Nigeria. I tried to focus on the chances of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s chances of winning the APC ticket in the face of mounting avalanche of multi-party opposition that may be lined up against him. The truth of the matter remains that it will amount to injustice against the Southeast geopolitical zone for the North or Southwest to produce the next president in 2023. It will be a POLITICAL IMMORALITY to deny the zone of this position.

The basic logic proving that the South East is next in line to produce the President of Nigeria in 2023 is predicated on the zoning within rotation principle which has been the convention since the return of Nigeria to democracy in 1999. Note that the principle has two parts: the first part is the rotation between North and South Nigeria. We saw it with Obasanjo/Falae, with Yar’Adua/Atiku/ Buhari, with Goodluck Jonathan vs Buhari in which Buhari won based on that same sentiment that power ought to shift North in 2015. Then in 2019 when it was Buhari and Atiku – all northerners in the 2 two main political parties, APC and PDP.

Power having stayed in the North for two straight terms of 8 years, by the same rotation principle, the power ought to move South in 2023.

The second part of the principle is zoning within the rotation. It simply means that power rotates also between the part of the country to produce the President of Nigeria. And since South-South and South West have both produced Nigerian President in this dispensation in the persons of Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, the principle in question leaves the South East as the only logical zone to produce the South Nigerian President.

In its wisdom and patriotic zeal, the PDP has allowed power to rotate between North and South and made it both a manifesto and a constitutional matter. What this means is that going by the party constitution, which outlays where its presidential candidate must come from between North and South Nigeria, the subsisting principle of rotation leaves PDP with no political party with an option. Those encouraging the political parties to violate this Convention such as Tinubu are unfairly bent on obliterating the interest of the southeast to produce the President of the Country based on zoning in rotation principle.

In fact, based on this principle of zoning within the rotation, both the North and the South aspirants cannot vie for the presidential ticket in the parties’ primaries or convention at the same time. One divide – either North or South – is barred since the express acclamation of one is an express exclusion of the other. In the case of 2023, northern aspirants cannot vie if they really love Nigeria in terms of equity and justice.

In the avalanche of well-qualified persons for Nigerian President of Igbo/South East extraction, I can easily single out 4, namely: Peter Obi, who has maintained visibility and is known to have integrity and strong on the economy. Though he is still reluctant to declare for President and seems to be still hiding in the shadows of Atiku. In the same PDP, I can also easily see Anyim Pius Anyim. He has played at the apex levels in both the Legislature and the Executive as Senate President and SGF. He is also a consummate politician and well-educated. I hope he doesn’t have a hard time explaining to Ndigbo what he did for them with such positions. The man I see in APC is Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a solid political trojan and thoroughbred, consummate politician, knowledgeable, and a team player. He has been governor and now a minister. Though some say he is too quiet and could be a weak President. I think Nigeria needs such a bridge builder now to reconnect North and South and inspire confidence in Nigeria and engender unity.

Nigerians may also look to the corporate world and there, Igbos qualified to govern Nigeria creditably and acquit themselves with distinction are also an avalanche. Top on the list should be Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, the President of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria. He may not be a politician but he is sufficiently political. I do not see the political lightning rod that rooted out former president Obasanjo to become Nigeria’s president in 1999 happening twice in our generation. It’s very rare for people to drop off from the sky or some obscure woodworks and handed power at any level of governance. Although power comes from God, one must have the interest to want to lead his State or country. I am also aware that the tide of choosing the Southeast as the zone to present the candidate for president in the 2023 elections is swimming against the Southeast going by the blemish Nnamdi Kanu and his Biafra protagonists have brought to the Southeast zone. Secondly, it’s an open secret in Nigeria that my IBO kinsmen and women have an absolute trust deficit with other zones because of the Biafra factor. However, the former president was elected president on the backdrop of the upsurge in a barrage of militancy in the Niger Delta region. Jonathan became president and nothing untoward shook Nigeria’s foundation because of the incessant threats from the Niger Delta militants. In the same light and under any circumstances, I suggest that all the political parties need to nominate persons of the Southeast extraction as Presidential candidates to ensure equity and justice in our polity and by extension, peace in the country. With the literal failure of our oft-touted security architecture culminating in the massive attack on the Imo State police and prisons infrastructure, some of my mischievous friends are pointing their 10 fingers at the government’s fifth columnists who are feverish about finding reasons to deny the zone of their perceived right to produce the next president in 2023. Or how else did the former IG of Police, Mohammed Adamu jumped to unrestrained conclusions that the dastardly attack was perpetrated by the IPOB? Such an audacious criminal act didn’t take hours to plan. It didn’t get executed in few hours. I come from Imo State and pretty well understand the limited topography of Owerri. Fact is, as usual with our intelligence-bankrupt security agencies, they were caught with their loose pants during the planning stage of attacks. The main spots of the attacks are touching distance to the government house, the official residence of the Governor, Hope Uzodinma, the DSS Headquarters, the army Headquarters in Obinze is less than 10 minutes from spots of attacks. With the security cobweb around the Police HQ and the Prisons facilities, the operations must last for hours to execute.

I Am compelled to say the above considering the swift response of the clueless former IG of police. Interestingly before we wrongfully conclude that the IPOB or ESN, may have been involved in the attack, let us ask ourselves some important questions.

* Is it possible that the attack may have been set up to prepare enough grounds to attack IPOB and ESN, by extension the southeasterners.

* If indeed the attack lasted as long as it’s being suggested, was the commissioner of police/governor not contacted within the period?

And if they were contacted, what were their reactions even calling for help from the Army at Obinze, which is about 10 minutes drive to the government house could have reduced the damage done. Does it mean that all the security men on duty left their phones at home while coming to work that night?

* How and where did the IG of police, generate all the evidence to conclude that it was the ESN and the IPOB that carried out the attack? If our intelligence gathering and response team failed to act within the long hours that the attack lasted, how comes that within few hours after the attack their investigations have already produced a conclusive report.

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Sahara Weekly

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Politics

Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee

Published

2 days ago

March 11, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Obasa Appointed to CPA African Executive Committee

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has been appointed as a Sub-National Representative to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African Executive Committee.

The announcement was formally conveyed through a letter from the CPA Africa Region, which was read on the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Mr. Olalekan Onafeko, on Tuesday, March 10. The appointment confirms Speaker Obasa’s three-year tenure, spanning 2026 to 2029.

Lawmakers took turns to congratulate Speaker Obasa, praising his devotion to parliamentary service and his consistent efforts to strengthen legislative practice. They described his appointment as a recognition of his hard work and a reflection of Lagos State’s growing influence within the Commonwealth. Members noted that his achievements continue to bring pride not only to Lagos but to Nigeria as a whole.

In his remarks, Speaker Obasa expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their support, urging them to remain steadfast in prioritizing the progress of the Assembly and to continue working collectively to advance the legislature. He further directed the Clerk to send a formal letter of appreciation to the CPA African Region for the honour bestowed upon him. “Let us always put the House of Assembly first and never relent in our efforts to move the legislature forward, ” Obasa concluded.

The CPA African Region plays a pivotal role in advancing the interests of African parliaments within the Commonwealth. It is widely recognized for promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, respect for human rights, democracy, and good governance across member nations.

Politics

TINUBU RENEWS TENURE OF THREE PERMANENT SECRETARIES

Published

6 days ago

March 7, 2026

Sahara Weekly

TINUBU RENEWS TENURE OF THREE PERMANENT SECRETARIES

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the renewal of tenure for three Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service, in line with existing public service regulations.

The approval was disclosed in a statement issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, indicating that the renewed appointments will take effect from April 27, 2026.

The affected officials include Kachallom Shangti Daju, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; Beatrice Jedy‑Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Justice; and Mary Ada Ogbe, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Regional Development.

According to the statement, the renewal represents a second and final four-year tenure for the officials, in accordance with the provisions of Public Service Rule 020909, which allows Permanent Secretaries an initial four-year term with the possibility of a second term based on satisfactory performance.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson‑Jack, congratulated the Permanent Secretaries on their reappointment and urged them to see the renewed mandate as a call to greater dedication and excellence in service delivery.

She further encouraged them to deploy their experience and professional expertise toward strengthening governance and advancing national development.

The statement was signed by Eno Olotu, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and dated March 6, 2026.

Politics

Governor Dauda Lawal’s Prompt Action Against Insecurity in Zamfara State Yielding Positive Result’ – GDL Media Force Fires Back at Critics

Published

1 week ago

March 4, 2026

Sahara Weekly

‘Governor Dauda Lawal’s Prompt Action Against Insecurity in Zamfara State Yielding Positive Result’ – GDL Media Force Fires Back at Critics

The attention of GDL Media Force and other well-meaning supporters of the Dauda Lawal-led administration has been drawn to a recent statement syndicated on social media by influencers from a group calling itself the Zamfara Good Governance Forum, which ludicrously attempted to portray the Governor’s security efforts as a “total failure.” This characterisation is not only divorced from reality. Still, it represents a desperate attempt by political opponents to rewrite history and undermine a Governor whose growing influence and performance clearly terrify them. It should be on record that in the whole of the North West region, Governor Dauda Lawal has tackled insecurity head-on with verifiable evidence that even those in the opposition have commended him for his huge investment in equipment that will further give security and armed forces an edge over those fueling insecurity in the country.

Since his assumption as Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Lawal has vowed that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, as well as the chief rescuer, an unprecedented commitment to tackling the security challenges that have plagued Zamfara for over a decade is his top priority and he is engaging it with much gusto. Unlike previous administrations, that engaged in shadowy deals with non-state actors, this Governor has chosen the path of transparency, capacity building, and decisive action. He was one of the Governors who openly declared that His administration would not negotiate with bandit rather his administration with fight them to a standstill and ensure they are cleared out.

In a bid to address the issues of insecurity with a well-planned arrival plan, he procured heavy Security Assets that even the Federal Government commended, him for. The recently procured and unveiled 25 units of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and an 80-meter endurance surveillance drone capable of covering 50 kilometres and operating continuously for eight hours. This represents the single largest state-government investment in security hardware in the history of Zamfara State.

The Defence Minister, during the inauguration ceremony, praised what he described as a clear demonstration of the Governor’s commitment to protecting lives and property, making the striking projection that “if we continue like this in the second term, Zamfara will look like Dubai”. This is not praise from a partisan source it is professional acknowledgement from the highest level of Nigeria’s defence establishment that Governor Lawal is doing something right.

Beyond heavy military hardware, the Governor has operationalised the Community Protection Guards in accordance with the law, providing them with 60 brand-new, well-equipped Hilux operational vehicles and specialised motorcycles to ensure swift response and effective first-responder services in difficult terrains. This is complemented by the distribution of 150 Hilux vehicles to mainstream security agencies including the Nigeria Police, DSS, and NSCDC, plus 20 Toyota Buffalo vehicles (both armoured and soft-body).

Perhaps most significantly, Governor Lawal established the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund, which provides a predictable, structured framework for logistical support to security forces. This moves the state away from the era of fragmented, reactive responses to a professional, sustainable security architecture.

When recent attacks occurred including the unfortunate February 19 incident in Anka LGA, Governor Lawal did not go into hiding or issue condolence statements from his office in Gusau. He immediately convened and personally presided over an emergency security meeting with all heads of security agencies at the Government House in Gusau, tasking them to urgently review the current security framework and implement coordinated countermeasures.

The Governor charged security chiefs to maintain “heightened vigilance, strengthened intelligence, and immediate, coordinated countermeasures” to ensure that criminal elements do not gain further ground. He also commiserated with affected communities and assured them of his administration’s full support both logistical and institutional. This is not the behaviour of a detached leader. This is the conduct of a Governor who understands that his primary constitutional responsibility is the protection of lives and property.

The public needs to understand the pedigree of those behind these allegations. The so-called “Zamfara Good Governance Forum” has a well-documented history of partisan attacks against Governor Lawal. A simple review of their previous statements reveals a pattern they have consistently attacked the Governor while remaining conspicuously silent during the administrations that presided over the worst years of banditry in the state. Interestingly, these attacks often coincide with political manoeuvres by the immediate past governor, Bello Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence. The Zamfara State Government has previously accused Matawalle of using federal security apparatus to intimidate opposition figures in the state. The current criticism fits a familiar pattern, when you cannot defeat a Governor politically or at the ballot box, you attempt to undermine him through sponsored propaganda spreading sheer falsehood to ensure the public turns their back on a performing Governor who is rebuilding the rot the Matawale-led administration caused.

These same critics who now demand a “security roadmap” conveniently ignore that Governor Lawal inherited a state that was virtually a failed entity where farmers could not access their lands, where markets were paralysed, and where government had lost all credibility through failed negotiations and ransom payments to bandits.

Critics also conveniently ignore a fundamental reality Governor Lawal is the only opposition governor in the entire North-West geopolitical zone. Since taking office in 2023, his administration has received no federal intervention funds beyond statutory allocations no special palliatives, and no enhanced security support that flows to states with ruling-party governors. Yet despite this political isolation, he has managed to fund security without resorting to new borrowing, while monthly servicing N1.2 billion in inherited debts from the Bello Matawalle-led administration. This is governance under siege fiscally constrained, politically isolated, yet still delivering.

Governor Dauda Lawal has never claimed that the battle against banditry is easy or that success will come overnight. What he has demonstrated is sincerity of purpose, strategic vision, and relentless commitment. From the Security Trust Fund to community protection guards, from armoured personnel carriers to surveillance drones, these are not the actions of a leader who has failed. The growing influence of Governor Lawal across the North-West clearly frightens those who benefited from the old order of insecurity. When banditry thrives, politicians who negotiate with criminals remain relevant. But when peace is restored through genuine security architecture, such elements become obsolete.

Zamfara State is on the path to lasting peace. The detractors may continue their campaign of falsehood, but the facts on the ground speak louder than their sponsored propaganda. Governor Dauda Lawal remains focused, undeterred, and absolutely committed to restoring full normalcy to every inch of Zamfara State. The people of Zamfara see the progress. The Federal Government acknowledges the investment. And history will remember who truly fought for the state’s liberation.

Signed: GDL Media Force Support Group
March 4, 2026
Abuja, Nigeria