NEWS
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.
In a strong show of solidarity, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed support for the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) amid escalating tensions at the Oritsetimeyin oil rig.
The NUPENG has threatened a nationwide strike, protesting what it alleges was the forced eviction of workers from the oil rig by military personnel.
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In a statement on Friday, NLC President Joe Ajaero condemned the alleged use of military force, calling it a violation of workers’ rights and industrial relations principles.
The NLC’s statement emphasized that deploying armed personnel to resolve an industrial dispute undermines democracy and threatens workers’ rights to a safe and coercion-free workplace.
Ajaero said, “NLC stands in unequivocal solidarity with NUPENG. The use of the army in the Oritsetimeyin oil rig dispute is an abuse of state security that runs counter to the tenets of fair industrial relations. Militarizing workplaces contaminates our economy, potentially causing long-lasting harm.”
The dispute reportedly began when NUPENG accused the rig’s operators, Dutchford E&P and Selective Marine Services, of reneging on agreements reached through mediation led by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
According to NUPENG, these agreements included severance benefits and other protections for workers, which the companies allegedly ignored, opting instead to deploy military personnel to forcefully remove workers.
Ajaero urged Nigeria’s top military and security officials, including the National Security Adviser, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Federal Government, to intervene swiftly.
He emphasized that this matter remains strictly a labor issue, with no grounds for military involvement.
The NLC warned that it would take further action if such incidents persist, stressing that workers’ rights and workplace safety remain a priority.
Ajaero expressed that while the NLC appreciates the military’s role in national security, it should not be used to suppress workers’ demands.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri has signed the Water Supply and Sanitation Hygiene Services Law 2024, a measure aimed at addressing the state’s ongoing water scarcity.
The new law, signed on Thursday and announced by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, is designed to improve water regulation and sanitation services throughout the state.
It applies to key state agencies, including the Adamawa State Water Services Regulatory Commission and the Adamawa State Water Corporation.
This legislative action comes a week after former senator Ishaku Abbo, representing Adamawa Northern Zone, criticized the state government for prioritizing infrastructure projects like flyovers over essential resources such as water. “Flyovers are for car owners who are in the minority in the state. Flyovers are not bad, but water is more important for survival,” Abbo stated.
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The lack of accessible water in Adamawa has led to a sharp increase in prices, with residents in Yola, the state capital, paying up to N3000 for a truck of water. Some neighborhoods, like Bekaji, are experiencing such severe shortages that residents must book for water in advance, making it even more expensive than petrol in some areas.
Alongside the water law, Governor Fintiri signed several other bills, including the Adamawa State Health Supplies Management Agency Law 2024, which replaces the 1996 Essential Drugs Programme Edict, and the Teachers Service Commission Law 2024.
The latter dissolves the previous Adamawa State Teachers’ Service Commission. Additionally, updated laws were enacted for the Adamawa State College of Agriculture, Science and Technology in Ganye, as well as for the Adamawa State College of Nursing Sciences.
Governor Fintiri emphasised the importance of continued engagement to ensure the effective implementation of these new laws, hoping they will address pressing needs and foster sustainable development across Adamawa.
A tragic accident on Monday in Shuwarin town, Kiyawa Local Government Area, Jigawa State, resulted in multiple casualties and significant loss.
The lone accident involved a DAF vehicle with registration number NGU 498 XA, driven by 34-year-old Mohd Hassan from Potiskum LGA, Yobe State. The vehicle, carrying around 100 donkeys and passengers, was traveling from Yobe State to Enugu State.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn. Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Shiisu Lawan Adam, confirmed to Arewa PUNCH that two individuals—Innani Abubakar, a 45-year-old woman, and Kalifa Adamu, a 30-year-old man, both from Potiskum—lost their lives in the crash.
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The driver, Mohd Hassan, suffered severe injuries, including the loss of his left hand, and was taken to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in neighboring Kano State for medical treatment.
ASP Adam further reported that around 40 donkeys being transported in the vehicle died at the scene, which was particularly busy due to the local market day.
Sharing more details of the tragic event with Arewa PUNCH, ASP Adam explained that while the cause of the accident is still under investigation but preliminary evidence shows that speeding may have been a contributing factor.
As the investigation into the accident continues, the police have assured that measures will be taken to prevent similar accidents in the future.
However, the Jigawa Police Command has urged motorists to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such tragedies.
Our correspondent who visited the community reports that the residents have been mourning the losses occasioned by the accident.
Also lamenting the incident, Faruk Garba, another eyewitness revealed that it was very painful that such an accident happened in the area, especially, on Monday which is the market day of the town.
A community head, Malam Auwal Danbaba said that the driver may have lost control as he approached the market’s junction area.
“I Just heard the loud sound from my back. I was in shock and grief as I witnessed what just happened and all could muster to say was innalillahi wa’inna’ilaihi raji’un, when I turned back to see what just happened after seeing the trailer turn upside down.”
Malam Danbaba also said that “the incident underscored the importance of road safety measures, such as education and awareness campaigns, strict law enforcement, and improved infrastructure in the area because this is not the first time such a similar incident happened in the area.”
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