The Edo State governorship election took place last week with concerns over the conduct of the exercise in many quarters.
The same week, the comic movie in Kogi State continued with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives and former Governor Yayaha Bello as the dramatist personae.
These and three other stories we tracked last week dominated public discourse in the country during the period.
1. Edo governorship election charade
On September 21, the Edo State governorship election took place across the 18 local government areas to determine the next occupant of the Osadebey House in Benin City.
In his message to the people of the state ahead of the election, President Bola Tinubu urged all stakeholders in the poll to act peacefully and sportingly.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the president urged the parties and their candidates as well as the institutions managing the election to respect the democratic process and the will of the people.
The statement read: “The President implores the governorship candidates, political parties, and supporters to respect the democratic process and the people’s will. He believes in the voters’ ability to make informed decisions about their future leaders.”
Why it matters
The irregularities that marred the conduct of last weekend’s election in Edo suggest that Nigerians will continue to lag behind the rest of the world in the leadership recruitment process.
The resentments trailing the conduct of the election highlight the need for total reform of the country’s electoral processes to achieve polls that are acceptable to all.
The development also reinforced the call for enactment of legislation that will pave the way for the cleansing of the system, including the prosecution of those undermining the democratic process and values for personal gains.
2. EFCC and Yahaya Bello’s fresh drama
The drama between the EFCC and the ex-governor continued on September 18 after the commission’s operatives laid siege in the Kogi Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, to arrest the latter.
This came a few hours after the Director of Bello’s Media Team, Ohiare Michael, said in a statement his principal had honoured the EFCC’s invitation months after he was declared wanted for alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
Michael confirmed the EFCC operatives’ invasion of the government lodge in another statement issued the same day.
He said: “It has come to our notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello. They were shooting sporadically.”
Why it matters
The issue surrounding the former governor confirms the widely-held assertion that everyone irrespective of status is equal before the law.
The development also reinforces the call for the strengthening of the anti-graft agencies to carry out their functions effectively when the need arises and prevent public office holders from abusing their positions.
The EFCC, in particular, should wean itself of the usual practice of subjecting suspects to media trial and strive to discharge the burden of proof on cases, including the ones that concern Bello and his stewardship in Kogi State.
3. LP crisis festers
The Labour Party’s internal crisis took a fresh twist on September 19 after the party’s national leadership accused the duo of the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, of betrayal.
READ ALSO:QuickRead: Parties to sign peace accord in Edo. Four other stories we tracked and why they matter
In a statement issued in Abuja, the LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, recalled that the party welcomed Obi and others with open arms when they were denied tickets in their former parties.
He said: “Many of these men who are holding several political offices but suddenly turned warriors today, seeking the head of Julius Abure to be served on a platter, were rolling on the floors, begging for tickets. Some couldn’t even afford to pay for the nomination forms.”
Why it matters
The frequent crisis in the Labour Party is indicative of a party built on a shaky foundation and may ultimately lead to its demise if left unresolved.
The in-fighting as a whole indicates a deeper problem that may not bode well for the ahead of the next general election.
4. Abdulsalami urges FG to address economic hardship
Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), on September 18 appealed to the Federal Government to address the economic hardship in the country.
Abdusalami, who made the call when the leadership of Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights led by Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Jabi, visited him in his hilltop residence in Minna, Niger State, said the hardship was getting out of hand.
He said: “Everybody is crying about this hardship and it seems to be getting out of control.
“People cannot afford three square meals; the issue of transportation, the hike in fuel, the hike in school fees for the children, and the lack of funds in everybody’s pocket is making life difficult for everybody.”
Why it matters
Like others before him, the ex-military ruler may have spoken the minds of Nigerians regarding current realities in the country under President Tinubu’s watch.
This is indeed a wake-up call to the current administration to quickly fix the problems as dissatisfaction grows daily over its poor handling of the country’s socio-economic challenges.
5. Bandits kill in Kaduna churches
Bandits on September 15 attacked two churches at Bakinpah-Maro Community in the Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State and killed three persons.
They also abducted at least 20 persons, including a pastor, Bernard Gajera, during services at the ECWA and Catholic Churches in the area.
The spokesman for the state police command, Mansir Hassan, confirmed the incident to journalists in Kaduna.
“Police and other security agencies are on the trail of the fleeing bandits. We will surely bring the perpetrators to book,” the spokesman added.
Why it matters
The daily attacks on soft targets by criminals illustrate the current state of Nigeria where people can no longer sleep with their eyes closed.
The ugly situation now requires all manners of solutions, including the adoption of state police or the use of foreign mercenaries to check the criminals who presently look unstoppable in their push for a jihadist state in Nigeria.
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