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2023 Presidential Poll Neither The Best Nor The Worst – Adeoye
A renowned political analyst, and media relations expert, Mr Yemi Adeoye has shared his thoughts on the recently held general elections in Nigeria, as well as the issue of cash crunch, and it’s effect on the presidential election, even as he also shared thoughts on the forthcoming Governorship election.
He disclosed this on Thursday, during a live interview on Channels Television, and monitored by our correspondent in Lagos.
According to him, the presidential election was the seventh election since the return of civil rule in 1999, and while it may not be the best, it certainly was not the worst, as some very notable progress has been recorded.
He went on to say that while there are some concerns about the negative happenings during the Presidential election, it is important to note that this is the first time the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is using the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for a national election, and as such, he believes that a 100 percent perfection rate is not to be expected.
Adeoye said “People are having mixed feelings and reactions about the election, but it is important to note that this is the seventh election that we will be having since the return of civil rule in 1999, and while it is not the best, it is certainly not the worst, and we have recorded some progress as a nation.
“It is not totally bad, but of course there are mixed feelings across, with regards to the developments during the presidential election, we believe that it is the first time INEC is using the BVAS, so some of us are not really expecting a 100 percent perfection to this, because it is being deployed for a national election for the first time.
Adeoye further encouraged Nigerians to remain patient and hopeful, acknowledging that this is the first time such a system has been implemented in the country. Despite the challenges that may arise, He is confident that the system will prove effective in the long run.
“I will have to appeal to Nigerians across board to let’s give the system a chance, and hopefully, we are going to get it right as we go along. It is the first time and much cannot be achieved at once.” He said.
Adeoye further went on to speak about the cash crunch and the availability of both the old and new currency in the governorship election which was initiated during the presidential election to aid reduction in vote buying.
when told that to some Civil Society Organizations, CSO, opined that the cash crunch had a positive effect in the reduction of vote buying.
Mr. Adeoye responded that “The naira redesign policy is part of the reason why we saw what looks like a voter apathy across Nigeria.
“During the last election, very few citizens came out to vote in spite of the huge collection of PVCs.
“This is still going to be a very sad point in our national history, because the policy was thoughtless. No matter how good or awesome it is, the timing was extremely wrong, and totally baseless at the time, because Nigeria is a cash economy, and not a credit economy.
“People live on cash to survive daily, so you can’t expect people to go out to the bank, queue up for five hours just to get 2,000 naira and then deploy that same effort to go and vote.
“People are angry, people are not happy, so that is the reason for the last voter apathy, and if the CBN can ramp up its actions, and make sure that banks, and ATMs are dispensing enough funds, both the old and new notes according to the supreme Court judgement, we should see an increase in voter turnout for the governorship elections across the nation.
“We must take note that since independence, it is the first time Nigerian’s are experiencing the buying of naira with naira. It’s okay to be queuing up for fuel, but not naira scarcity, it has never been experienced by Nigerians, and definitely it will take its toll.
it will have it’s negative effect on the turnout of the election, so we hope that the CBN would ramp up his activities and ensure that the banks and ATM are dispensing. Hopefully that would encourage people to turn out on the governorship election.” He enthused.
On Friday, November 22, 2024, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State.
The funeral, held at his residence in Umuanuka, Otolo Nnewi, was attended by a multitude of mourners, including political figures, business associates, and community members, all paying their final respects to the esteemed businessman and politician.
The burial proceedings commenced with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by condolence visits and other funeral activities. The ceremonies are scheduled to continue through the weekend, culminating in a Thanksgiving Mass and Outing Service on Sunday, November 24, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Otolo Nnewi.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Anambra Senator, Ubah, Dies In London
In light of security concerns, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week. This decision followed threats from separatist elements who vowed to attack those attending the burial. A circular from the state Ministry of Education directed school principals to inform parents and ensure students remained at home during this period.
The Anambra State Police Command addressed an incident that occurred on Wednesday night, clarifying that it was not related to the burial. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident involved security operatives mistakenly engaging police personnel, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The situation has since been brought under control.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from across the nation, with many acknowledging his significant contributions to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.
As the community of Nnewi and the nation at large bid farewell to Senator Ubah, his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and public servant continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on those he served and inspired.
The Enugu State Government has commended the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based leader of the proscribed separatist group, Autopilots.
Ekpa has been accused of orchestrating violence and chaos in Nigeria’s South East region.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government described Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has exploited the Igbo people while claiming to represent their interests.
RELATED NEWS: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations
“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa,” the statement read.
“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”
The state government accused Ekpa of sponsoring violent activities that have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of the region’s economic activities.
It stated that Ekpa’s actions were driven by personal greed and not genuine concern for the Igbo people.
Onyia said, “Ekpa is a murderer and fraudster who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.
“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra.”
The government emphasized its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged crimes to support his prosecution, whether in Finland or Nigeria.
“This arrest is in line with the demand of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region,” the statement added.
The government further criticized Ekpa for fostering a climate of fear and insecurity that has harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth of the Igbo people.
“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work,” Onyia said.
The Enugu State Government expressed optimism that Ekpa’s arrest would mark a turning point in the quest for peace and stability in the South East, urging residents to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region.
The COP29 presidency has unveiled an ambitious climate finance plan, calling on developed nations to provide $250 billion annually to developing countries by 2035.
The proposal, part of a broader initiative to mobilize $1.3 trillion from public and private sources each year, seeks to address the mounting challenges posed by climate change.
The five-page draft text, released on Friday, emphasizes the need for developed nations to lead the charge in financing climate action.
RELATED NEWS: COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations
According to the document, this financial commitment is seen as a critical step toward combating the climate crisis and fostering sustainable development globally.
“In this context, it is decided to set a goal in extension of the goal referred to in paragraph 53 of decision 1/CP.21, with developed country Parties taking the lead, to USD 250 billion per year by 2035 for developing country Parties for climate action,” the draft states.
The announcement follows the release of an earlier 10-page draft on Thursday, which drew significant criticism from Global South delegations.
Many expressed frustration that the document lacked clear financial commitments from wealthier nations, falling short of expectations to support adaptation and mitigation efforts.
“There is a clear need to address the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, especially given the diverse circumstances shaping national priorities,” a negotiator from a developing country delegation remarked.
The updated proposal aims to address some of these concerns by outlining more specific targets. However, skepticism remains among some negotiators, who feel the revisions still fail to adequately address their demands.
Meanwhile, developed countries have raised their own reservations about the proposed plan.
A European negotiator, speaking to Reuters, described the $250 billion annual target as unrealistic and criticized the lack of measures to expand the pool of contributing countries.
“No one is comfortable with the number because it’s high, and there’s almost nothing on broadening the contributor base,” the negotiator said.
The mixed reactions underscore the persistent divide between developed and developing nations in climate negotiations.
While the draft text aims to reconcile these differences, the gap between expectations and commitments remains a significant hurdle.
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