A former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, Saturday challenged Nigerian youths not to leave the country to “those who are messing it up.” He told them to hold their future in their hands, with a firm belief that “today is their day”, as against the famous cliché that “youths are the leaders of tomorrow.” Obasanjo spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at an event tagged: “OBJ @85 Free Keke Programme,” where 85 tricycles (keke) were distributed to beneficiaries as part of the activities marking the former president’s 85th birthday. The tricycles were donated through the Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), with beneficiaries drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. In his remarks, Obasanjo said that despite many challenges confronting Nigeria, there are “opportunities” and asked the younger generation to take advantage of them. He also charged them to roll up their sleeves and make necessary contributions towards addressing the challenges of the country. He said, “If the youth leave things to those who are messing it up, and who are saying they are the leaders of tomorrow, they will never have that tomorrow.” The chairperson of the centre, Dr Bisi Kolapo, implored the youth to emulate Obasanjo’s passion and commitment in an effort to build the “Nigeria of our dreams.” Kolapo also warned them against corruption and greed, saying it would be difficult to fight the menace if they became culprits.

  Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, says delegates from the south-east “traded their votes” in the just-concluded presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Bola Tinubu, former Lagos governor, was declared winner of the primary on Wednesday after he secured 1,271 votes. Tinubu had contested against 13 other presidential hopefuls — including Umahi, who polled 38 votes. Speaking on Saturday at his hometown, Uburu, during the maiden matriculation ceremony of the King David University of Medical Sciences, Umahi said his focus, henceforth, would be on Ebonyi and not on the Igbo in general.   “I had a series of meetings with the party’s chairmen in the five states of the zone in the company of its national vice-chairman. I implored the delegates that the issue was not about me, but the mood of the Igbo in the nation. I implored that they should vote for any south-east aspirant, so that when the votes are counted, we would not be missing,” NAN quoted him as saying. “We would have made a strong statement in the process that the Igbo are eminently qualified with due capacity to lead the country. “They will come later to preach about Igbo unity and its agenda but henceforth, the only agenda I know is the Ebonyi agenda. This shows that even if we have equal number of local government areas and delegates such as other zones, we would still trade our votes.   “We are currently regarded as people who can sell anything but they should remember that anyone who betrays his brother will lose the trust of those who gained from the betrayal. “There was no sort of lobbying I did not receive, but I maintained that it was about bringing the marginalisation of the Igbo to the fore. “You (Ebonyi delegates) have made yourselves reference points of steadfastness in the country and when people are seeking trustworthy people, they will come for you. “I have lost total confidence in the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-cultural organisation, and will openly confront anyone who challenges the Ebonyi agenda.”

  Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to presidential candidates ahead of the February 2023 presidential election, urging them to “urgently publish details of your assets and liabilities, and to publicly commit to rejecting vote buying and electoral bribery before and during the elections.” SERAP said: “While there is no constitutional requirement for presidential candidates to publish their assets and liabilities before elections, doing so would show that you can stand up for transparency in assets declaration by public officers if elected.” In the open letter dated 11 June 2022 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The public office is a public trust. As such, the voters deserve to hear from presidential candidates regarding what they will do about issues of public interest, particularly with respect to integrity, selflessness, openness, accountability, human rights, and the rule of law if elected.” SERAP said, “As you and your parties prepare for presidential election campaigns, we hope that you will seize the opportunity to show your commitment to addressing these fundamental issues of public interest by immediately publishing details of your assets and rejecting vote buying, intimidation and harassment.” The letter, read in part, “Publicly committing to these issues will also show the voters that if elected you would act solely to protect the public interest; and avoid placing yourself under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence you in the discharge of your constitutional duties.” “It would also show that you would be accountable to the public for your actions and submit yourself to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.” “Your public commitment to these issues will also demonstrate to the voters that if elected you would act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner, and that you would not withhold information from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.” “Now is the time to show the voters that it will be no business as usual, and to make a public commitment on issues that if addressed would strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption and human rights records, and improve access of Nigerians to public goods and services.” “SERAP also urges you to publicly commit to probing the spending of security votes since the return of democracy in 1999, and widely publishing details of spending of security votes; finding the missing N11 trillion meant to provide regular electricity supply for Nigerians; as well as obeying court orders and the rule of law if elected.” “Widely publishing your assets before the elections would also show your principled stand on transparency and accountability in the management of the country’s resources.” “Making asset declarations open would ensure that leaders do not abuse their powers for personal gain and allow civil society to hold leaders to account. If leaders are seen to live beyond their means, an asset declaration can be a starting point for investigations.” “The practice of vote buying and electoral bribery by politicians have characterised elections in the country for many years, preventing political equality and fair electoral competition. Yet, no body politic worthy of being called a democracy entrusts the selection of leaders to a process of auction or barter.” “Vote buying amounts to undue influence and improper electoral influence. When politicians buy votes, they reinforce social subjugation and do long-term damage to poor voters.” “Public officials rarely publish their asset declarations submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau, contrary to the principles of transparency and accountability, and other international standards.” “Impunity for corruption and grave human rights violations is widely prevalent in Nigeria, as perpetrators are rarely brought to justice. Successive governments, including the government of President Muhammadu Buhari have persistently failed to obey court orders and the rule of law, thereby eroding the citizens’ trust in the judiciary, and violating Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.” “N11 trillion meant to provide regular electricity supply has been allegedly squandered by governments since 1999. Many unimplemented reports of corruption in the electricity sector continue to gather dust on the shelves while suspected perpetrators continue to profit from their crimes. Socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians continue to pay the price for corruption in the electricity sector.” “Successive governments and state governors have persistently failed to explain to Nigerians how they spend security votes meant to ensure the security and welfare of Nigerians. In fact, the misuse and embezzlement of public funds in the name of security votes is widely recognized as a major cause of the ongoing security challenges in several parts of the country.” “Please let us know if you and your political party are willing to commit to some or all of the issues outlined in this letter.” Presidential candidates for Nigeria’s general elections in 2023 include: Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP); Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of All Progressive Congress (APC); Mr Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP); Mr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); and Professor Peter Umeadi of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). Others include: Prince Malik Ado-Ibrahim of Young Progressive Party (YPP); Omoyele Sowore of Africa Action Congress (AAC); Prince Adewole Adebayo of Social Democratic Party (SDP); Mr Kola Abiola of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP); Professor Christopher Imumulen of Accord Party (AP); Dumebi Kachikwu of African Democratic Congress (ADC); and Yusuf Mamman Dan Talle of Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

  It is important to ensure a peaceful transition of power in 2023 in honour of the late M.K.O. Abiola, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Sunday. The President gave the charge to Nigerians in his nationwide broadcast to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day. Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, he appealed to the electorate to ensure that Abiola’s sacrifices and that of other heroes of democracy were not allowed to go in vain. “It is important for all of us to remember that June 12, 2023 will be exactly 30 years from the 1993 presidential elections,” President Buhari stated. “In honour and memory of one of our national heroes of democracy, Chief M.K.O Abiola, GCFR, we must all work together to ensure this transition is done in a peaceful manner. I am hopeful that we can achieve this.”   According to the President, the signs so far are positive, especially with the primaries recently conducted by all registered political parties to select their candidates for the 2023 general elections. He stated that the primaries were peaceful and orderly, saying those who won were magnanimous in their victories. President Buhari added that while those who lost were gracious in defeat, the aggrieved ones opted to seek judicial justice as opposed to jungle justice. Another positive that came from the party primaries, he said, was the significant increase in the rate of participation by women and youth across all parties. The President who said he was very pleased to see the development believes it augurs well for the future and shows the level of maturity the nation’s democracy has achieved in the last 23 years. “I followed the party primaries closely from the state level to the presidential level; I was very impressed to see across all the political parties that most candidates ran issue-based campaigns. The language and tone throughout were on the whole measured and controlled,” the President remarked. “By June 12, 2023, exactly one year from today, you will already have a new President. I remain committed and determined to ensure that the new President is elected through a peaceful and transparent process.”   Read the full text of the President’s broadcast below: ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF COMMEMORATION AND CELEBRATION OF DEMOCRACY DAY 12TH JUNE, 2022 Fellow Nigerians, Today, June The 12th, marks another Democracy Day anniversary and an occasion to celebrate the freedom and unity of our Nation. 2. From 1999, we consistently celebrated Democracy Day to mark the end of military rule and the return of power and control into the hands of those freely elected by the people. On this day, Nigerians recommit themselves to ensuring we protect and preserve the ideals of democracy. 3. In 2018, we moved Democracy Day from 29th of May to the 12th of June. This change was to remind all Nigerians of one free election after which the presumed winner along with Nigerians were denied their rights and their choice. 4. On June 12th, 1993, Nigerians saw the best in our citizens as we all went out to vote peacefully. By June 24th, 1993, we also saw the worst of our leadership as the elections were annulled. 5. We must never forget the sacrifices of the heroes of Nigeria’s democracy during 1993. Their patriotism and peaceful struggle should guide our actions especially when it comes to electing our leaders and holding them accountable, now and in future. 6. Fellow Nigerians this is my last Democracy Day speech as your President. By June 12th, 2023, exactly one year from today, you will already have a new President. I remain committed and determined to ensure that the new President is elected through a peaceful and transparent process. 7. It is important for all of us to remember that June 12th, 2023 will be exactly 30 years from the 1993 Presidential elections. In honour and memory of one of our national heroes for democracy, Chief M.K.O Abiola, GCFR, we must all work together to ensure this transition is done in a peaceful manner. 8. I am hopeful that we can achieve this. The signs so far are positive. Recently, all registered political parties conducted primaries to select their candidates for the 2023 general elections. 9. These primaries were peaceful and orderly. Those who won were magnanimous in their victories. Those who lost were gracious in defeat. And those aggrieved opted to seek judicial justice as opposed to jungle justice. 10. I followed the party primaries closely from the state level to the Presidential level. I was very impressed to see across all the political parties that, most candidates ran issue-based campaigns. The language and tone throughout were on the whole measured and controlled. 11. Another positive that came from the 2022 party primaries was the significant increase in women and youth particularly across all parties. I was very pleased to see this development. This augurs well for the future. These trends clearly show the level of maturity our democracy has achieved in the last 23 years. 12. As we move into the general election campaign season, we must sustain this mature attitude to campaigning and ultimately, voting. We must never see it as a “do or die” affair. We must all remember democracy is about the will of the majority. There must be winners and losers. 13. I will therefore take this opportunity on this very special day to ask all candidates to continue running issue-focused campaigns and to treat opponents with dignity. As leaders, you must all showcase high character and never forget that the world is watching us and Africa looks up to Nigeria to provide example in governance. The tone you set at the top will surely be replicated in your followers. 14. For the voters, I am pleased to inform you that in the last 7 years, our government across all tiers, has made significant investments to