N.Peter Times News Politics

20/04/2024

https://www.facebook.com/100059396147148/posts/820636706592860/?mibextid=5N0WYUVeg6tIdfMR

19/04/2024

Yesterday's incumbents are today's formers,

Today's incumbents will be tomorrow's formers.

The Yesterday's Kogi state emperor is hiding today,

May we always be humble in power,as nothing last forever.

POWER IS transcient.

Only God lives for ever.

25/01/2024

NEWSPAPER HEADLINES FOR THURSDAY 25TH JANUARY, 2024.

seeks US support on G20, UN security council slots.

meets Tinubu, pledges $45m security fund for Nigeria, others.

begins private visit to France Wednesday.

moves to boost local production of syringes, others.

denies plans to relocate FCT to Lagos.

#‘Lagos boys’ misleading Tinubu to relocate CBN departments, FAAN – Ndume.

NNPCL, NIMASA to Niger Delta, APC chieftain urges Tinubu.

to fall in 2024 — Cardoso.

revenue trapped in commercial banks – RMFAC chair.

lambast Wike for downplaying abduction epidemic.

bang caused by exploded waste bin, not bomb – Police.

promotes FCT CP, 13 others to AIG.

raid Kebbi terrorists’ hideout, free kidnapped victims.

#1,935 repentant terrorists released back into communities – DHQ.

haven’t received senators’ December salaries – Kaduna bombing victims.

kill 30 in fresh Plateau attack.

: Two killed, many injured in fresh herdsmen attack on Agatu.

insecurity remains our cardinal agenda — Shettima.

targeting 77% increase in IGR – Edun.

war against corruption, key to good governance in Nigeria — ICPC Chairman.

25/01/2024

24/01/2024

Wahala be like bicycle!

Yul Edochie's new online church has continued to generate reactions hours after he how his ministry service would go weekly.

Reacting, a female netizen suggested the reason the actor opted for YouTube and not a physical ministry.

24/01/2024

Seyi Makinde presents report on Ibadan explosion to Tinubu.

24/01/2024

Governor Mutfwang Declares 24-Hour Curfew In Plateau LG.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has declared a 24-hour curfew on the Mangu Local Government Area of the state with immediate effect.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere.

He said the decision followed the deteriorating security situation in the area.

The statement read in the part, “Governor Mutfwang took the decision after consultations with the relevant security agencies.

“He stated that only persons on essential duties are allowed to move within the local government area until further notice.

“He urged all citizens, especially residents of Mangu Local Government Area, to comply with the directive and assist the security personnel by providing reliable information to restore peace and order in the area.

“He lamented that some people are still determined to create an atmosphere of insecurity in the state, despite the government’s efforts to end the activities of terrorist elements.

23/01/2024

Building collapse: Abia govt to set up standard materials testing lab.

As a proactive effort to avoid incidents of building collapse, Abia State Executive Council, has approved the setting up of Standard Materials Testing Laboratory in Umuahia.

Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen after the Exco meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, said the measure had become necessary following the incessant cases of building collapse in parts of the country.

He said that no responsible Government would fold its arms while the lives of its citizens are endangered greedy merchants.

“This government is trying to ensure that such instances do not occur in our state. The lab may include where they test materials for road construction. It will also provide a platform for a research for those who want to carry out research in such areas.”

Elucidating on the Standard Materials Testing Laboratory, the General Manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Mr Kingsley Agomuo, explained that the initiative was not targeted against developers but meant to save them from dubious contractors who might decide to execute their projects with substandard materials.

“This is also going to assist us to ensure that every building, road construction including bridges meet the required standards.

” You are also aware that the use of substandard materials is the order of the day, so with this, it’s going to be pretty difficult for you to start any construction work and get any approval at any stage without subjecting the materials you are going to use through this laboratory”

Mr Agumuo, who said that the lab would also be set up in other parts of the state added that “it has the capacity to handle soil test , reinforcement of rods ,aggregate materials and asphalt.”

Meanwhile, the State Government has directed the immediate dismantling of all illegal gates at different streets within Umuahia and Aba metropolis.

The illegal gates according to the Information Commissioner, are obstructing free access to the affected streets, hence the decision of Government to remove them to allow unrestricted access to every part of the state at any time.

These illegal gates impede movements in times of emergencies. The streets and areas where these gates exist , the people there will be pleaded with to do the needful to provide access. If they don’t do so , Government will enforce compliance.

The Commissioner further said that Government had directed the removal of attachments in the cities as they deface the aesthetic look of the cities.

“If you look round the city, you will see a lot of buildings that bear extensions in front. These attachments have been converted to shops and government is frowning at that. Going forward , we want buildings to remain buildings, if you have commercial building, it will serve that purpose, if you have residential building , let them serve that purpose .

We expect those involved to take their time to do the needful and remove these stalls. After that government will enforce the it.”

23/01/2024

Action taken!

Due to rising insecurity, the Mangu local govt in Plateau state has been placed under a 24-hour curfew.

This comes after Gov Mutfwang gave the declaration on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

23/01/2024

https://punchng.com/ondo-poll-apc-aspirants-absent-at-meeting-with-aiyedatiwa/?amp

23/01/2024

https://punchng.com/ex-minister-backs-apc-for-reducing-edo-gov-aspirants-to-six/?amp

The APC slated the primary where its candidate would emerge for February 17, 2024.

23/01/2024

Nigerians had chance to vote wisely, they deserve Tinubu’s chaos - Amaechi.

23/01/2024

Insecurity: FCT Lacks Equipment To Track Criminals - Wike.

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Monday said that inadequate equipment and operational vehicles were hampering ongoing war against banditry and kidnappings in FCT.

Mr Wike, who said this during a media chat with journalists in Abuja, also blamed the recent surge in kidnappings in some border communities of the FCT to lack of equipment to track criminals.

He, however, assured residents that the security challenges would soon be addressed following the approval for emergency procurement by President Bola Tinubu.

He said that the approval was for procurement of digital tracking tools and operational vehicles to help halt kidnappers in their tracks.

“So many facilities were not provided and vehicles for the security agencies are not there.

“You cannot believe that equipment to track criminals are not there and when anything happens, security agencies go back to the Office of the National Security Adviser or to the Force Headquarters.

“That is not the way it is supposed to be,” minister said.

23/01/2024

Amaechi to youths: Don’t relocate… you can become a minister overnight in Nigeria.

16/01/2024

Kidnapping: Wike fiddles with Rivers politics while Abuja burns.

A few years ago, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, was perceived as the safest city anyone could wish to live in. The headquarters of all the security establishments are located in the seat of power and this confers an aura of invincibility on the city and also gives the residents a sense of peace and safety.

However, the situation has deteriorated in the last five years with all manners of criminality pervading the once idyllic boulevards of the city. Robberies, kidnappings, car-snatching and even murders are now commonplace. Strolling on the streets by any resident is now considered a big risk.

Residents who expected the situation to improve with the appointment of the former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as the FCT minister are struggling to come to terms with the worsening security situation in the nation’s seat of power.

Not only has the security crisis worsened, but bandits have reportedly moved their camps to the surrounding forests and are abducting the residents from their homes. Abductors confidently demand millions in ransom while running rings around the security agencies.

The FCT Police Command in a recent statement acknowledged the rising abductions but disagreed with the number of reported victims.

Meanwhile, Wike appears to have been distracted by his ongoing squabble with his successor in Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara. While the minister is fighting tooth and nail over the Rivers State ‘’political structure’’ he claimed to have built, bandits, kidnappers, one-chance robbers, and other hoodlums are cashing out big from their criminal enterprise in Abuja.

Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project indicate that 83 persons were killed and 146 individuals kidnapped between June and December 2023 in the country.

ACLED collects real-time data on the locations, dates, actors, fatalities, and types of all reported political violence and protests around the world.

The latest incident is the abduction of six sisters and their father in the Bwari Area Council of the FCT by bandits on January 13, 2024. The killing of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, one of the girls, has generated anger among Nigerians. The sisters were among the 23 others abducted by the bandits who reportedly killed a policeman and injured another one during the attack.

One Folorunsho Ariyo was killed alongside Nabeeha by the hoodlums and their corpses and two other unidentified bodies were reportedly dumped around a former military checkpoint behind Idah Junction along the Bwari-Jere SCC Road in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The gunmen had released the girls’ father with an instruction to raise N60m ransom before January 12. Two days later, the hoodlums killed Nabeeha, the eldest of the siblings, and two other victims.

They also jacked up the ransom to N100m after the bereaved father of the murdered girl informed them they were able to raise about N30m. Nabeeha, who was murdered in cold blood, was a 400-level student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

While Nabeeha was not lucky, many others who survived their ordeal in the camp of their abductors would not forget the trauma they went true. On January 7, at about 7:30pm, about 11 persons, including a mother and four children, were kidnapped in the Sagwari Estate Layout, in the Dutse-Alhaji axis of the FCT by gunmen reportedly dressed in military uniforms. The kidnappers were said to have raided two compounds and a hotel where they snatched the receptionist and the barman.

On December 18, 2023, gunmen kidnapped a Nigerian musician, Adeyinka Adeboye, also known as Boyebest, and his crew members, after a performance, demanding a ransom of N10mn each for their release. Also, the President of the Abuja Newspaper Distributors’ Association, John Emmanuel, was kidnapped in a ‘one-chance’ vehicle in the Giri area on December 12. His family and associates coughed out some millions of naira to secure his release.

The dare-devil bandits similarly attacked the Zone 5 segment of the Kubwa Extension 2 Relocation Estate along Arab Road on December 10 where they abducted a woman and her three children, including a six-month-old baby, after shooting indiscriminately, causing pandemonium in the area. Four days earlier, unknown gunmen snatched two landlords in the Asokoro Extension area, demanding N20m ransom for their victims.

In its December 2023 Nigeria Security Report, Beacon Intel, a publication of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, said the FCT recorded the highest number of kidnaps in the North-Central region, with 75 people taken hostage.

Commenting on the latest incident, the Nigeria Police Force, through its official X handle, , said it was “diligently coordinating efforts” to apprehend the kidnappers and rescue the victims.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, read, “In the wake of the abduction of six young girls in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, it is vital to state that the police force has already initiated a comprehensive plan of action. The force headquarters is diligently coordinating efforts to address this and prevent any further occurrence, as all hands are on deck to rescue the victims.

“The NPF is actively engaging and contacting individuals crucial to the rescue operations and investigation. The objective is not only to bring perpetrators to justice but also to intensify efforts in rescue operations for victims still in captivity.”

Reacting to the killing of Nabeeha in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday night, former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, said he had spoken with the father of Nabeeha over the other kidnapped girls.

“Inna lil Laahi wa inna ilaiHi Raajiun! I just read about the killing of our daughter Nabeeha (400 level, ABU). I also spoke with her father about the remaining five of our kidnapped daughters. May Allah forgive her, rescue others & bring absolute peace to Nigeria,” he said.

He disclosed that his associate offered to pay N50mn to facilitate the release of the girls.

In another X post, Pantami said, “I am personally not in support of paying ransom to criminals. However, since it became clear, that we lost our daughter Nabeeha yesterday (Saturday), and the five remaining daughters have been threatened, as I spoke with the father on the matter yesterday and today.

“Furthermore, I spoke with a friend and a brother who offered to pay the remaining 50 million Naira of the 60m immediately.”

He lamented the failure of the security agencies to crack down on criminals through the various digital and technological equipment and facilities acquired by the government.

Meanwhile, outraged Nigerians have condemned the insecurity in Abuja and the failure of the authorities to justify their appointments. They also expressed their intention to support the family in raising the ransom.

Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, on his official X handle, said the country’s security architecture should be rejigged while calling for security agencies to step up actions to rescue the other victims.

“This is yet another reminder that kidnappers and bandits are operating unhindered in our country. The security architecture needs to be rejigged to the extent that it stems from the free rein of criminal elements and guarantees the safety of lives and property.

“The security agencies should step up action to rescue the rest who are still in the custody of the kidnappers. I pray Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort the family. -AA ”, his tweet read.

Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sanni, also lent his voice to the issue in a post on his X handle , stating, “The gruesome murder of Nabeeha Al-kadriyar is a condemnable act of evil before our very eyes. Her death was an avoidable tragedy.

“The perpetrators must be brought to justice. The deterioration of security within the Federal Capital should be a matter of urgent concern to our security services. May her soul rest in peace. Amin.”

16/01/2024

14 states spends N21bn on foreign trips despite zero FDI.

Despite spending at least N21.04bn on foreign trips in the last three years, 14 state governments have failed to attract any form of foreign investments into the domains.

The states in question are Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara. Between 2021 and the third quarter of 2023, these states failed to attract any of the $14.85bn that foreign investors channelled into Nigeria.

Between 2021 and 2023, Bauchi spent N3.81bn on foreign trips without having anything to show for it. Bayelsa spent N1.99bn, Benue spent N1.33bn, Borno spent N1.73bn, Cross River spent N663.16m, Ebonyi spent N1.01bn, Edo spent N1.77bn, Gombe spent N32.09m, Imo spent N541.23m, Jigawa spent N1.10bn, Nasarawa spent N541.26m, Taraba spent N2.52bn, Yobe spent N1.24bn, and Zamfara spent N2.77bn.

The figures for foreign trips were extracted from state budget performance reports sourced from Open Nigerian States. Many of the states didn’t have their full budget performance reports with some only having for two quarters in some instances.

Kebbi did not also receive any foreign direct investments in the period under review but there was no data on the amount the state spent on foreign related trips hence its exclusion from this report.

The lack of foreign investments in these states coincides with a general fall in investments into the country due to insecurity and other issues.

The World Bank opined, “Net FDI inflows are negative, reflecting net withdrawals of equity by foreign investors. FDI and FPI flows into Nigeria do not compare favourably with similar economies of the world, reflecting difficulties with FX availability, security concerns, and other structural challenges in recent years.”

A couple of states in this report including Zamfara, Jigawa, and Nasarawa have been plagued by banditry in recent years. In Zamfara for instance, banditry has become the order of the day with almost 14 local government areas of the state occupied by bandits, according to report.

At the time of the report, more than 70 per cent of farmlands in the states were abandoned by farmers in the state due to fear of bandits’ attacks.

In 2022, the Managing Director, Zamfara State Investment Cooperation, Dr Anas Hamisu Lawal, disclosed that insecurity was responsible for the non-attraction of investments into the state.

Lawal said, “The first question they always ask is the security situation in the state.”

He added, “They are willing to invest whenever the security situation improves.”

That same year, the Benue State Commissioner for Finance, David Olofu, told newsmen, “It is obvious that insecurity prevented many states from attracting investors in 2021. How many investors did the Federal Government attract?

“How will investors come even when citizens are not safe? How will investors come when citizens cannot themselves invest in their place?”

In 2022, Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said the state would prioritise technology, agriculture entertainment, and others to attract more investors into the state.

The state is yet to record any foreign investments in three years, according to data from the NBS.

In 2021, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, revealed that the state governor, Douye Diri, was leveraging his foreign trip to woo investors to boost the economy of the state.

He said, “We believe that we have procedures, and the governor deserves the attention he deserves to give to investors so that investors are brought to our state as no system that is not interacting with any other system can be very effective. What makes an economy a viable economy is the external investment into the economy.”

The state has yet to record any foreign investments.

Commenting on the lack of foreign investments in these states, a professor of Economics and Public Policy at the University of Uyo, Akpan Ekpo, recently said, “They are not importing capital for two reasons. First, they don’t have potential investors who will do that. Secondly, there is insecurity in the country. Those things are not fertile ground for investments.”

An ECOWAS Common Investment Market consultant, Professor Jonathan Aremu, added, “It’s simple. It’s because they don’t have attractive factors. The factors that attract foreign investment are not available in those states. One thing about investment is that it is crisis shy. Investment doesn’t go to places where there are crises. Why? Because investors want stability and predictability in their investments, particularly, having returns on their investments.”

11/01/2024

CBN Sacks Boards Of Union, Keystone, Polaris And Titan Banks.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has sacked the boards of Union Bank, Polaris Bank, Keystone Bank and Titan Trust Bank.

The boards of directors and chief executives of the banks were invited to a meeting on Wednesday, January 10 where they were addressed for 30 minutes each by the apex bank’s Deputy Governor in charge of Financial System Stability, Phillip Ikeazor.

Three other governors formed the panel that addressed the bank executives. They include the Deputy Governor in charge of Operations, Emem Usoro, the Deputy Governor in charge of Economic Policy, Muhammad Abdullahi and the Deputy Governor in charge of Corporate Services, Bala Bello.

This followed the recent report of the Special Investigator on Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Related entities, Jim Obazee.

11/01/2024

https://fb.watch/pvgpfPEyaD/

11/01/2024

Conflict between Betta Edu and Halima Shehu exposed fraud in humanitarian ministry – Sources.

A new report has revealed how a conflict between Betta Edu and Halima Shehu within Nigeria’s Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry brought to light alleged fraudulent activities.

According to insider sources, the recent suspension of Shehu, the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) CEO, over allegations of siphoning a substantial N40 billion from the agency’s funds, kickstarted controversy.

The rift was said to be a power struggle between Minister Edu and Shehu due to disagreements over operational control and financial oversight.

Sources revealed that Edu, suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, made unauthorized withdrawals from NSIPA’s accounts without Shehu’s consent, leading to a breakdown in their working relationship.

In response, Shehu purportedly took drastic measures by relocating the remaining funds from accounts accessible to Edu to those under her control.

She reportedly disclosed the actions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when the anti-graft commission was probing her.

“Typically, the minister is a signatory to the NSIPA account, but she makes withdrawals without letting the NSIPA head know,” the source said.

06/12/2023

FG budgeted N5bn for student loan, planned to spend N15bn on VP residence; It's shocking - Peter Obi.

03/12/2023

APC chieftain, Mr. Williams Dakwom, has explained the pattern that will guide the Supreme Court's judgment in the Kano governorship disputes.

Speaking on Governor Yusuf's and Gawuna's case, Mr. Dakwom said:

"Let our people have confidence in the judiciary. It happened to the APC in 2019, in Zamfara state, we lost all positions to the PDP, we did not cause chaos."

01/12/2023

How I made female children eligible to inherit property in Abia – Ikpeazu.

The immediate past Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, yesterday, said that he signed a law making it mandatory for female children to inherit their fathers’ property and own community land.

He said his passion for women development came from his wife who was instrumental to the enactment of a law empowering female children to inherit land and other property in Abia state by his government.

According to him, the law allows the female children to be allocated land as against the customs and traditions which made it difficult for them to own land in their communities.

“Today in Abia State, female children can now inherit their fathers’ property. Now it’s an offence for female children not to be allocated land. The female children can now inherit their fathers’ property” he noted.

Governor Ikpeazu, who spoke on the sideline of Gender and Inclusion Summit, organised by the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) of Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in Abuja, also recalled that he signed a law against the discrimination of disabled persons.

This, he said made it compulsory for all houses in Abia State to be designed with ramps to enable the disabled easy access.
With this development, he said women in Abia State can now have free access to farmlands and use them as collateral to collect loans for any business of their choice, contrary to old practice in the state.

Other speakers at the event lent their voices in calling for domestication of the law across the 36 states of the country and FCT.

Earlier, chairman of Policy Innovation Centre (PIC), Mr Udeme Ufot said, “that the Gender and Inclusion Summit encompasses women, men, children, youth, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable population.”

Ufot noted that Nigeria has one of the largest population of youth in the world —— about 70 per cent of the population is under 35 years old.

“The median age of youth in Nigeria is 18.1 years and 42 per cent are under the age of 15. The size and youthfulness of the Nigerian population offers great potential for innovation, technological advancement and economic development.

“For this potential to be harnessed, strategic investments in health, education, infrastructural development and job creation is critical while leveraging technology to deliver sustainable development at scale.”

“I must commend the efforts of the current government in providing platforms for youth such as the recently-launched initiative to train 3 million tech talents by the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy.

“We have a collective responsibility to develop inclusive approaches to address barriers to quality education, job and internship opportunities, and access to health services for Nigeria’s burgeoning youth population” he added.

01/12/2023

I Will Probe FCTA N8.9 Billion Staff Salary - Wike.

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Friday, November 24, expressed shock over the N8.9 billion monthly salaries of FCT Administration staff.

Wike disclosed that he would despite resistance embark on staff auditing to confirm the figure.

The minister who spoke during a live broadcast in his office also said FCTA has 38 thousand staff.

Wike also disclosed that the issue of insecurity in the territory will be tackled without fear or favour

He said President Bola Tinubu would commission several projects within the FCT in the shortest possible time.

01/12/2023

🙏MY PRAYER FOR YOUR DECEMBER 🙏

Hallelujah!!! You made it to this 12th month of 2023. So, we pray for you and your family:

> This December shall be your best December ever!
You will live to see many more months of December in good health and prosperity in the name of Jesus Christ 🙏 Amen.

> On all aspects of life you shall remain lifted in Jesus' name 🙏 Amen

> Your source of supply and provisions will never run dry even in the midst of scarcity rather you will experience abundance in Jesus' name 🙏 Amen.

> The Lord will hasten to bring forth your miracles in Jesus' name 🙏 Amen.

> Be ready for extraordinary encounters that will result to greater testimonies in the name of Jesus Christ 🙏 Amen

Welcome to DECEMBER 2023

24/11/2023

https://www.facebook.com/jerryuchechukwu.ezeii/videos/366213475769895/

20/11/2023

Aisha Yesufu knocks Gov. Otti for spending N927m on refreshments, allowances, others.

Social critic and human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu has knocked Governor Alex Otti of Abia State over the amount the government claimed it spent within three months on refreshments and meals, settlement of honorarium, allowances, and welfare packages.

Yesufu warned that business as usual in governance could never be the way to go.

The admonition followed the Abia State budget performance report indicating that the government spent a whopping N927 million within three months on refreshments and meals, settlement of honorarium, allowances and welfare packages for the eggheads.

The report titled “Abia State Third Quarter (July – September) 2023 Budget Performance” was posted on the state government’s website.

“This Q3 and Year to date performance is assessed against the revised 2023 Budget that covers the Original Budget plus an Amendment Virement sum of N22,263,269,900 as summarised below,” it read.

In the report, the Otti-led government claimed it spent N223,389,889.84 on refreshments and meals while N305,400,000.00 was spent on honorarium and sitting allowances for government officials within July and September 2023.

The government also claimed it spent N397,520,734.00 on welfare packages.

Also in the report, the government claimed N252.4m was used to run the Deputy Governor’s office for 3 months.

However, in a post on her social media platform X on Monday, Aisha Yesufu asked why the government would spend almost a billion on food and welfare in 3 months.

She wrote, “Business as usual can never be the way to go. It must be business unusual. Expenditure must be reduced to the barest minimum.

Almost a billion on food and welfare in 3 months? get organizations like to help keep you on your toes and monitor your spending and what to cut down on.

this is not good at all.”

20/11/2023

Western-style democracy not suitable for Africa — Obasanjo.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said on Monday that Western liberal democracy is unsuitable for Africa and seems not to be working for Nigeria and other African countries.

According to the former president, western democracy as it is being practiced in Nigeria and other African countries, should be re-examined or moderated.

He stated that this is because it has not delivered on good governance and progressive development for the continent.

Obasanjo spoke at the high-level consultation on Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy in Africa held at the Green Resort Legacy, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

Obasanjo said that the time has come to be brutal with the truth and face the reality that Western democracy is not delivering on expectations and should therefore be tinkered with in such a way that it will be able to take care of our peculiarities as Africans.

The former president said that the snag with liberal democracy lies in the fact that it wasn’t homegrown and never took into account African history and multicultural complexities, among other peculiarities.

He further explained that the Western style of democracy failed in Africa because it did not take into account the views of the majority of the people.

He described Western Liberal Democracy as a “government of a few people over all the people or population, and these few people are representatives of only some of the people and not full representatives of all the people. Invariably, the majority of the people are wittingly or unwittingly kept out.”

He advocated for what he termed “Afro democracy” in place of Western liberal democracy.

According to him, African countries have no business operating a system of government in which they have no hands in its “definition and design.

Obasanjo said, “The weakness and failure of liberal democracy as it is practised stem from its history, content, context, and practice.

“Once you move from all the people to representatives of the people, you start to encounter troubles and problems. For those who define it as the rule of the majority, should the minority be ignored, neglected, and excluded?

“In short, we have a system of government in which we have no hands to define and design, and we continue with it even when we know that it is not working for us.

“Those who brought it to us are now questioning the rightness of their invention, its deliverability, and its relevance today without reform.

“The essence of any system of government is the welfare and well-being of the people—all the people.

“Here, we must interrogate the performance of democracy in the West when it originated from and with us, the inheritors of what we are left with by our colonial powers.

“We are here to stop being foolish and stupid. Can we look inward and outward to see what in our country, culture, tradition, practice, and living over the years that we can learn from, adopt, and adapt with practices everywhere for a changed system of government that will service our purpose better and deliver?

“We have to think outside the box and then act with our new thinking. You are invited here to examine clinically the practice of liberal democracy, identify its shortcomings for our society, and bring forth ideas and recommendations that can serve our purpose better, knowing human beings for what we are and going by our experiences and the experiences of others.

“We are here to think as leaders of thought in academia and leaders of thought with some experience in politics.”