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Reflections on Nigeria’s Elections

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Kano Rerun Election

Aminu Ali.

The wanton disregard for democratic norms by our decadent and retrogressive ruling elites is increasingly becoming acute.

We are inextricably entangled in a quagmire of building democracy with anti-democratic political class.

It is obvious, at least to every discerning mind that our politicians are not willing to allow democratic principles to thrive.

For instance, in matters of election – which is one of the cardinal elements of democracy – we are embroiled in snakes and ladders: a step forward and another or two backward.

The progress made in reforming our electoral processes in 2015 has been brazenly reversed by our political class. Voter suppression, ballot snatching and stuffing, vote-buying, violence, militarization of polls, among other forms of irregularities and malpractices, have become the defining features of our elections.

The recent “elections” in Kano, Kogi and Bayelsa States were characterized by these terrible incidents.

Waste of resources

When I think of the enormous resources we invest to conduct “elections” and the sacrifice we make for that purpose I become worried.

For instance, according to the Daily Trust’s investigation, what INEC spent on 2019 general elections was more than what India spent to conduct its elections in 2014, “where 553.8 million people voted.”

We have spent hundreds of billions (in naira) to conduct elections since the return to civil rule.

Worse still, the billions, if not trillions, spent on campaigns, vote-buying, consultation fee to marabouts, ritualists, sorcerers and thugs are mostly stolen from the public treasury, since the contestants are either serving looters, ex-looters (with intention to resume their looting spree) or they are being sponsored by these looters.

Dividends of democracy denied

We have had six general elections since 1999, and during every campaign, our politicians make promises to address the same problems they promised to address in the preceding campaign.

Yet, these problems/challenges (poverty, unemployment, inequality, insecurity, corruption, poor access to healthcare services, falling standard of education, among others) have only worsened!

It’s also disturbing that during every election, lives and property are lost as a result of electoral violence, and businesses and schools are shut down for at least two to three days.

More worrisomely, with all the massive investment and sacrifices (of lives, property and school and business activities) made during elections, most Nigerians do not participate either because they have lost faith in our political elites or their franchise is being suppressed through violence or militarization of the polling centers. With this low participation, the legitimacy of the “elected” governments is, in my opinion, questionable, since democracy is supposedly a “government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

Otherwise, we have to revisit the definition of democracy.

Considering the points made above, one may be tempted to doubt whether the benefits we have gained from the six general elections held since1999 surpassed the cost incurred in conducting them. More fundamentally, we need to reflect on whether we can really get things right through this quadrennial ritual.

My worry is that “elections” in Nigeria always produce the same set of characters under the same or different (though the difference is just in nomenclature) platforms.

It’s quite unfortunate that our leadership recruitment processes have been monetized and bastardized, such that decent and principled people find leadership positions well-nigh inaccessible. Worse still, Nigerians lack the culture of civic engagement that is needed to check the excesses of our ruling elites.

We naively assume that by alternating between the ruling classes parties, we will one day have a crop of leaders who, out of sheer altruism, could get us out of our woes.

Or, maybe, we interminably await providential intervention to salvage us from the yoke of our misrulers.

We have to act

We are yet to recognize that as long as we cannot keep our leaders on their toes through organized resistance, we will never gain the dividends of democracy.

In other words, if we continue to remain acquiescent or consenting spectators, things will keep worsening before our eyes.

It is, therefore, necessary to begin serious conversations on how to initiate popular struggles in order to make our country better. Redeeming Nigeria from the unscrupulous political elites is difficult, but not impossible.

Therefore, the difficulty of this task shouldn’t deter us from the struggles for a political alternative.

The great African revolutionary and Marxist ideologue, Amilcar Cabral, aptly admonishes: “mask no difficulties, mistakes, failures. Claim no easy victories.”

Aminu Ali wrote from the Department of Sociology, Bayero University, Kano. He can be reached via email: aminuali@yahoo.com.

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Opinion

Kano bags National Council on Education award

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Yusha’u Hamza Kafinchiri, ANIPR

Kano state has been awarded best state in Nigeria by the National Council on Education (NCE) for its outstanding performance for submitting its report based on national policy.

Kano state government delegation led by state commissioner of Education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa received the award at the 68th NCE’s meeting held in Abuja.

Doguwa who received the award on behalf of the state government said it is a prestigious award for Kano being the most outstanding state in reporting based on national policy compliance.

This outstanding recognition is borne out of the State government’s commitment and the determination of his excellency the executive governor of Kano State Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf to prioritise education, having met the sector in disarray.

The government’s Commitment to provide high-quality education in the State through its reforms and partnership, has led to his excellency’s serious reforms within just one year of his administration.Ths include the review of the state 60 years old Kano state education law and 5 other obsolete education policies.

The event was passionately graced by the Minister of Education, Mal. Tahir Mamman and the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu. The permanent secretary FME, 36 state commissioners of education and captains of the industry.

The award highlights Kano State’s dedication to aligning its education policies with national standards. Through an update report of policy Implementation on which the state government received the award.

The administration of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has made an impactful significant stride in education and human capital development, by recognizing education as the backbone of the society.

The governor has already declared a state of emergency in the education sector and convened a multi billion naira recovery stimulus conference (education recovery conference) in which strategy is drawn for robust sector reform in collaboration with PLANE Nigeria and AREWA consultative forum

The ministry of education according to Doguwa is committed to continuing this excellent work, ensuring that pupils and students in the state receive the best possible education to thrive in their future endeavors.

Yusha’u Hamza Kafinchiri, ANIPR,
is a Director Monitoring and Evaluation,
Ministry of Education,
Kano State.

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Opinion

FG, Tinubu and Daily Trust’s faux pas on Samoa Agreement

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By Abdulaziz Abdulaziz

 

On Wednesday, October 2, the Daily Trust newspaper came out with the long overdue public apology to the Federal Government over its erroneous reporting of July 4, 2024, on the Samoa Agreement. It was a needful closure to a touchy controversy. It is a commendable gesture on part of the Media Trust management. It is not everyone that has the humility to admit wrongdoing. This has now settled the matter and brought to rubbles the scornful allegations contained in the story under reference.

The watery lead story of July 4, 2024 alleged that the Samoa Agreement, signed by the Federal Government (among other nations that constitute the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, also known as OACPS) with the European Union (EU) contained clauses that promote LGBTQ rights. To make it more salacious the story linked it to an imaginary $150 billion in benefits. Astonishingly, there is nowhere in the story evidence was provided to support both claims. There couldn’t have been as neither LGBTQ (or anything close to it) nor $150 billion was mentioned anywhere in the bulky multilateral document.

In its apology, Daily Trust said it agreed wholly with the verdict passed by the independent panel constituted by the Nigerian Media Complaint Commission (NMCC). The panel’s report released on September 23, 2024, following interrogation of the Federal Government’s complaint, was unequivocal. “The NMCC finds that the 403-page Samoa Agreement does not contain any clause that compels underdeveloped and developing nations to support the agitations by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community for recognition as a condition for getting financial and other supports from advanced nations. Indeed, there is no reference whatsoever in the agreement to the issue of LGBTQ.”

I was appalled by the story first as a professional, before anything else. My social media post on the day it was published harped on its lack of the rudimentary journalistic requirement, viz. evidence. It was a comment I could have made even if I were not in government. Frankly, it is still a wonder how that story passed the crucible of the Trust newsroom, where I had worked and knew the editorial rigour.

Expectedly, the story whipped up tempers. Tongues were set wagging, mostly in one direction and, because the story came from a medium trusted for its journalism, everyone –except for discerning professionals–took it to be the gospel truth. Fortunately, or not, the story came out on Thursday. For its socio-religious sensitivity, it instantly became the main topic of discussion everywhere, especially in the Muslim North. Our dear imams were enraged. I don’t blame them because, again, the story came from Trust!

As if the anger wasn’t enough, some opposition figures followed the fire with more tinder. They went about mobilizing some religious leaders overnight to come out hard on the government. The next day most of the imams went to the minbar writhing with anger armed only with the wrong information. They poured out invectives at a government they supported but which was now “courting calamity greater than the economic hardship” on its people, as one of them put it. President Tinubu, the administration and all of us working with it were anathematised for “selling out the country to promoters of LGBTQ”. There was nothing the government couldn’t do for money, it was said. The congregants left the mosques angrier.

In the ensuing days, professionals and media organisations, some of them known to be very critical of the current administration, came out to fault the reporting as lacking in merit. Those who gave outright verdicts against the Daily Trust story either through fact-checks or analyses include the BBC, PREMIUM TIMES, The Punch, Prof Farooq Kperogi, a Daily Trust columnist – Dr Suleiman A. Suleiman, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), among others. The expectation was for a clear and immediate retraction, as it was clear that the paper got it wrong. Bouyed by the emotional sermons and partisan support from some quarters, the paper held on despite acknowledging “lapses in our reporting”.

In the wake of the controversy, we went through great pains trying to explain why there was no wolf around the Samoa Agreement as the drafters of the Daily Trust story wanted Nigerians to believe. I asked: In what ways had the agreement altered provisions of the Nigerian laws on LGBTQ? What are the practical implications that indicate support? I got accursed, rather than answers. It was painful to see almost everyone, especially up North turn their back against reason choosing to go with the contorted story that failed to quote even a line from the agreement to support its claims.

Exasperating as it was, I don’t blame the clergy and the larger public for the harsh judgement. The blame lies squarely on the doorstep of Trust. And this is the purpose of this post-mortem piece. Journalistic powers are akin to those of a soldier with a gun. Releasing the trigger in the wrong direction could kill or maim the innocent, and no amount of apology or even reprimand of the culprit could cure the loss suffered by the innocent. This is why the old principle that says “if you’re in doubt, leave it out” is evergreen for journalism practice. As professionals, we know pretty well that rebuttal or retraction can never attain the mileage of the original. There are still multitudes out there that will not change opinions formed from the first story.

It is for this reason that responsible journalism is non-negotiable because as the great old Philip L. Graham, publisher of The Washington Post once said, “Journalism is the first rough draft of history.” That rough draft often has a way of sticking even if subsequent events invalidate its premise.

Yes, accountability journalism is a sine qua non for healthy democracy. However, as the legal maxim goes, he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. Accountability journalism is not a byword for stone-throwing because when all you do is throw stones you end up causing more harm than good. We must, at all times, ensure the sanctity of truth, fairness, and public good. As the celebrated American war reporter, Edward R. Murrow said, “[T]o be credible we must be truthful.”

As close with the bon mot from the grand Sardauna, Sir Ahmadu Bello, while admonishing the founding team of the New Nigerian Newspapers; “Tell the truth about us, tell us the truth about others”. We ask for no more.

Abdulaziz is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Print Media.

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Opinion

No Smoke Without Fire: Urgent Action Needed to Address FIRS’ Reckless Disruption of Healthcare in Kano

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An open letter to the presidency

There’s no smoke without fire” …Prompt action must be taken hook, line and sinker immediately.

Assalamu Alaikum, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon you.

To President Tinubu, Hon. Minister of Health, Stakeholders and all Health Practitioners of Nigeria.

I am bitterly compelled to write to you today regarding a disturbing incident that transpired at Best Choice Specialist Hospital in Kano city.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) actions at this private hospital have demonstrated a blatant disregard for human life.

Patients and parents have reported to Alfijir Newspaper that operatives of FIRS with officials, armed with guns, stormed the hospital, threatening and forcing them to vacate the premises.

The general plebeians already vulnerable due to illness, were left to wander the streets of Kano in search of alternative healthcare, only to find that many medical facilities were unavailable due to an ongoing doctors’ strike.

It is unacceptable that the FIRS dispute with the hospital should infringe upon citizens’ right to healthcare.

This conflict affects not only the hospital but the people who seek medical attention.

Best Choice Specialist Hospital is renowned for its philanthropic efforts and commitment to providing quality healthcare to the most vulnerable members of our society.

The hospital’s management has consistently demonstrated compassion and empathy, offering free medical services to those who cannot afford them.

Their selflessness has saved countless lives and alleviated suffering.

The hospital’s community outreach programs have provided vital healthcare services to rural areas, addressing pressing health concerns such as maternal and child mortality.

Their collaboration with local organizations has facilitated health education, disease prevention, and awareness campaigns.

Moreover, Best Choice Specialist Hospital has been at the forefront of disaster response, providing emergency medical care during times of crisis.

Their staff’s dedication and expertise have been instrumental in saving lives and mitigating the impact of devastating events.

We urge the leaders of our great nation and the Human Rights Commission to take immediate action against this abuse of power.

Furthermore, We also implore the FIRS to reconsider their approach, recognizing that their rights do not supersede those of others.

“If your own children were in need of medical care, would you not prioritize their well-being above all else?”

Solemnly we request all the stakeholders to intervene to prevent future incidents and ensure the hospital can continue its lifesaving work.

We await your prompt response and resolution on to this critical matter.

Sincerely,
Editor-in-Chief, Alfijir Online Newspaper.

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