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On Wednesday night, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, claimed that he is facing pressure to leave Nigeria.

In a statement, Obi accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and various government agencies of attempting to divert attention from the shortcomings in this year’s elections by attacking his character.

READ ALSO: NCC Refutes Phone Tracking and Leakage Allegations in Obi/Oyedepo Call Controversy

The former governor of Anambra State also addressed the issue of a viral audio recording that purportedly featured him speaking with Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, urging the religious leader to support his presidential aspirations in order to secure victory for Christians in Nigeria’s “religious war.”

Obi dismissed the alleged audio as fraudulent.

“The present attempts by the APC as a Party, and the APC Led-government through some government officials and agencies to divert our attention from our blatantly stolen mandate is unfortunate and sad,” Obi said.

“These have come and continued to manifest in different ways, such as the malicious accusation of the Minister of Information, Mr Lai Mohammed, the circulation of a fake doctored audio call, and a pressure on me to leave the country.

“Let me reiterate that the audio call being circulated is fake, and at no time throughout the campaign and now did I ever say, think, or even imply that the 2023 election is, or was a religious war.”

READ ALSO: Monetary tightening and increasing risks cause Nigeria’s capital inflow to falter

He appealed to Nigerians and the international community to intervene and pressure the APC to halt their assaults.

Furthermore, he emphasized his dedication and determination to lawfully and peacefully reclaim the people’s mandate.

• Timi Frank criticizes DSS as Buhari seeks Senate’s approval for Data Protection Bill.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) refutes claims of telephone tracking and leakage made against it in the media.

According to Reuben Muoka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, the commission has been receiving numerous inquiries from the media regarding allegations of telephone tracking and leakage made by some individuals and groups on social and traditional media.

NCC denies these allegations completely and states that it is not authorized under the Nigerian Communication Act (NCA) 2003 and other relevant laws to track or leak telephone conversations of anyone. The commission further states that it has reported these serious allegations to appropriate security agencies for investigation and necessary action.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the commission denies these allegations and advises the public to disregard them,” it added.

READ ALSO: 2023 Polls: Accusations of Treason Fly Between FG and Obi

Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has criticized the leakage of a conversation between the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church Worldwide.

Frank, who is from Bayelsa, released a statement yesterday in which he called the act highly unprofessional and partisan, allegedly perpetrated by the Department of State Services (DSS).

He suggested that the DSS has become an intelligence arm of the APC and urged a complete overhaul of the security organization. Frank also urged the DSS to restore the lost confidence of Nigerians in its leadership by taking action.

He said: “It is worrisome when the most sophisticated security agency in the country descends into the arena of politics to favour the ruling party.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, requesting that the Nigerian Data Protection Bill be considered and approved by the Senate. The President’s letter, which was read on the floor of the red chamber, cites Section 58 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. The Nigerian Data Protection Bill aims to provide a legal framework for the safeguarding of personal information and the creation of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission, which will regulate laws concerning personal information.

READ ALSO: Afenifere, Ohanaeze and Arewa Youths Unite Against Interim Government Scheme

In addition to this, the President has also written separate letters to the Senate requesting the approval of Abdul Abubakar’s re-appointment as a Non-Executive Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for a second and final term, and the establishment of the Nigeria Police Force College Training School and Institution.

Furthermore, President Buhari has sought the Senate’s approval for the reimbursement of Plateau and Borno states, in the amounts of N6.6 billion and N3.8 billion, respectively, for road projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government. The reimbursement is to be made through the issuance of promissory notes.

 

After being embroiled in a controversy over a leaked conversation with Dr. David Oyedepo, Founder and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, found himself under scrutiny again when the Federal Government accused him of treason. This accusation came weeks after the ruling party’s candidate, Bola Tinubu, won the presidential election.

The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, spoke to journalists in Washington D.C. about the government’s position on the matter. Mohammed accused Obi of inciting violence over the election outcome, which he deemed to be a treasonable offense. Obi, who finished third in the election, along with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who finished second, is currently challenging the results in court.

While both Obi and Atiku have urged their supporters to avoid violence, Mohammed believes that seeking redress in court and inciting violence is unacceptable. Mohammed is currently engaging with international media organizations and think-tanks about the 2023 polls. He has already spoken to the Washington Post, Voice of America, Associated Press, and Foreign Policy Magazine. “Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti-Ahmed, cannot be threatening Nigerians that if the President-elect, Tinubu, is sworn in on May 29, it will be the end of democracy in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Afenifere, Ohanaeze and Arewa Youths Unite Against Interim Government Scheme

“This is treason. You cannot be inviting insurrection, and this is what they are doing. Obi’s statement is that of a desperate person, he is not a democrat that he claimed to be. A democrat should not believe in democracy only when he wins election,” he said.

According to him, neither Obi nor Atiku have a pathway to victory in challenging the election results because they did not meet the constitutional requirements necessary to be declared president.

“The Constitution has stringent criteria for anybody who wants to be president of the country. Not only must he have the plurality of votes cast in an election, he must also have scored one-quarter of votes cast in at least 25 states.

“Only the President-elect met the criteria by scoring 8.79 million votes and having one-quarter of all the votes cast in 29 states of the federation. Atiku came second with 6.9 million votes, but was only able to make one-quarter of the votes cast in 21 states, while Obi came third with 5.8 million votes, but won only one-quarter of the votes cast in 15 states.

“You cannot win an election in a poll where you came a distant third position and failed to meet constitutional requirements. Obi, while complaining of fraud, has not disowned his victory in Lagos,” he said.

Mohammed explained that his purpose for being in the U.S. was to counteract the negative narratives that were being spread by the opposition and naysayers about the election.

He revealed that the opposition, who lost in the election, was making allegations of fraud and demanding the election be cancelled and an interim government be formed.

In response to this, Obi stated: “I have never discussed or encouraged anyone to undermine the Nigerian state; I have never sponsored or preached any action against the Nigerian state. Those initiating these actions have increasingly used their official positions and agents to make false allegations against me.

“I am on record as always, advocating peace and issue-based campaign and never campaigned based on ethnicity or religion. I am committed to due process, and presently seeking redress in the court.

“I urge those engaged in this de-marketing process to stop presenting Nigeria in such bad light. Our future generations deserve a new Nigeria, where they can live a secure and decent life like their counterparts in other climes. It is possible.”

Additionally, he stated that the current strategy of demarketing and slanderous campaigns against him by certain government and political party representatives would negatively portray Nigeria to the world.

He said: “It is most unfortunate that these consistent efforts to portray me quite contrary to what I am and my core values, is coming from such high quarters. Minister Lai accusing me of stoking insurrection is malicious and fictitious.”

Furthermore, the National Chairman of LP, Comrade Julius Abure, criticized the Minister of Information and advised him to refrain from misinforming the international community about the political situation in Nigeria. He suggested that Mohammed should instead reprimand the spokespersons of the ruling party.

READ ALSO: Soyinka Advocates Southeast Presidency for Civil War Healing

“Our presidential candidate is a peaceful and law-abiding person. Despite the fact that the election was provocatively rigged, he decided to be peaceful and toe the part of justice. In spite of all pressures from our supporters to move into the street to protest the outcome of the general election and to reclaim the mandate freely given to our candidate by the people, he has decided to calm the nerves in other to give the judicial process a chance.

“The presidential candidate of LP is the only candidate whose campaign  was issue-based. In spite of all provocation, it was LP and its candidates that were attacked in Lagos, Rivers and other states, but we have continued to promote peace. Therefore, for the Minister of Information to be admonishing our presidential candidate, was done in bad fate.”

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), a civil rights advocacy group, expressed disagreement with Mohammed’s warning that Obi would be committing treason if he continues to challenge the supposed victory of President-elect Tinubu.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group stated that such a warning is unfounded since a President-elect does not hold any constitutional powers, authority, or duties on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Chapter 4 of the Constitution guarantees every citizen of Nigeria, including Obi, the fundamental freedoms, including freedom to associate with everyone and to exercise his freedom of speech.

“We are urging Mohammed to stop overheating the polity because there is no law that says persons who feel cheated in an election should sit indoors.

“President-elect is simply someone on rehearsal and hasn’t yet been conferred with any legal powers exercisable by a sitting President. And even a citizen President can be thoroughly criticised by the people of Nigeria, who owns the sovereignty of Nigeria,” HURIWA said.

 

In a week that has been described as a dust storm, leading groups from the three major geopolitical zones in Nigeria have issued strong statements condemning an interim government, which has crept into national discourse, a report by The Guardian stated. The Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa groups all joined voices in condemnation of the plot, which was uncovered by the Department of State Services (DSS) last Wednesday.

According to the DSS, some key players are plotting to install an interim government and prevent President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu from being inaugurated as president. The Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-political organization, has warned against any action that could jeopardize the handing over of power to elected officers on May 29.

Mr. Jare Ajayi, the embattled National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, issued a statement yesterday, purportedly on behalf of the group. In the statement, he expressed concern about the steps being taken that could be prejudicial to the swearing-in of the winners of the just concluded general elections.

Ajayi highlighted attempts to rubbish the outcome of the elections, especially the presidential election that held on February 25, as well as the resuscitation of calls for the formation of an interim government. He also noted protests or rallies being conducted, especially in Abuja and America, against the result of the said election.

Afenifere is worried about the untoward development because of how it is gaining currency in the country and even outside the shores of the land. Ajayi reminded those fanning the embers of non-inauguration of elected officers to be aware that the monster being courted would affect not only the presidency to be headed by the winner of the election, Tinubu.

READ ALSO: Pro-democracy Group Protests Against Opposition’s Plot to Undermine Nigerian Democracy

“The disruption will affect all other tiers of government as well as governors at the state level, lawmakers at the national and state levels, and perhaps, the local councils.

“There is, therefore, the need to exercise a lot of caution. The laws of the land created avenues to seek redress when we are aggrieved. We enjoin those who may not be satisfied with the outcome of the concluded elections to seek redress through the established channels and not through any other means. It is also important to let members of the public realise that anything short of following due process, particularly, in the swearing-in of winners of the just concluded elections, constitutes grave dangers for the country. This must not be accepted or encouraged at all because of its dire consequences,” the group said.

Ajayi, in addition, urged the judiciary not to entertain any cases that may be brought to derail the hard-earned civil rule, and consequently, scuttle Nigeria’s democracy. However, when asked to clarify the statement, the leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, said that Ajayi has no authority to issue statements on behalf of the organization, as he had been suspended, as announced in a previous communiqué.

Adebanjo went on to urge the public, particularly the media, to disregard any statements made by Ajayi on behalf of the group. Similarly, the Chidi Ibeh-led faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo released a statement yesterday, asserting that the Ndigbo will not participate in any conspiracy to install an interim government. Instead, they are making arrangements to attend the inauguration of Tinubu on May 29.

In a statement released in Abakaliki, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, challenged the DSS to arrest those behind the interim government scheme and ensure that they are brought to justice “those unpatriotic elements of destruction did not derail our democracy,” adding that their evil intent to forestall the smooth transition of power have hit the rock.

He emphasized that the Ndigbo not only denounce the demand for an interim government but also demands that the President-elect be inaugurated by May 29th. He also pointed out that the Ndigbo have been a marginalized group in Nigeria and have been endangered and “never again will Igbos be used as sacrificial lambs as we were used in 1993 during the Abiola saga, where a lot of Igbos were bullied, maimed, killed and their property looted.”

According to the statement: “Ndigbo will never recognise any interim government or be part of the evil scheme, as the clamour for an interim government is unconstitutional, satanic and atrocious, and those behind the call are only trying to plunge the country into avoidable political crises and make the Igbos scapegoats as Nigerians witnessed in 1993.

“The proponents of an interim government are already setting the stage through systematic burning of Igbo populated markets in Lagos (President-elect’s state) and Borno (Vice President-elect’s state) and promotion of hate campaigns against the Igbo. These are castles built on quicksand.

READ ALSO: Editorial: Strengthening Inspection of Election Materials to Deepen Poll Credibility

“Igbos are wiser and sophisticated now and we will continue to support the President-elect and ask him to commence the healing process tour from the Southeast by releasing IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu and incorporate the Southeast into the Government of National President (GNU) by giving the President of the Senate to the people of the region.

“Ndigbo will participate fully in all pre-inauguration and swearing-in ceremonies of the President-elect on May 29 and caution all of those who are working behind the scenes for the enthronement of an illegitimate interim government to use the courts to vent their resentments and grievances.

“We are satisfied that Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have explored the legal options to recover their mandates and challenging the outcomes of presidential election in court is better than restraining a smooth transition of power. We will not allow unpatriotic monsters to truncate our hard-earned democracy,” the group said.

A Northern group, Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA), has voiced its strong opposition to the suggestion of an interim government in Nigeria. On Monday, the group issued a statement through its Speaker, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, stating that such calls were not in the country’s best interests and could result in increased instability and political uncertainty.

The group maintained that there was no need for such calls as the recently held elections were fair and credible.

To him, “as a youth organisation committed to the unity and progress of Nigeria, we are deeply concerned about the recent calls for an interim government to take over from the current administration. We believe that such a move would be unconstitutional and could set a dangerous precedent for our democracy.

“We are of the view that since the general elections were largely fair and credible due to the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and winners have emerged, there is nothing that should warrant calls for the formation of an Interim National Government (ING).

“We believe that supporting the transition programme of the present government while taking advantage of the courts to seek redress is the best way to ensure political stability and continuity in Nigeria.

“We also urge all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and work towards finding solutions to the challenges facing our nation because it is only by working together that we can build a strong, united, and prosperous Nigeria for all.

“AYA strongly opposes any move to enforce an interim government in Nigeria. We call on all Nigerians to support the current administration and Tinubu, and work towards a better future for our nation,” he said.

In related news, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has proposed that the speedy handling of presidential election petitions is a crucial strategy against the possibility of an interim government.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Agbakoba urged all Nigerians to reject any secret plans that might be in place to derail the country’s democratic system. In a subsequent statement on Friday, the senior advocate suggested that an interim government would be unnecessary if the petitions are heard and resolved before May 29th.

“The tension around the call for an interim government is that the presidential election petition may not conclude before the inauguration of a new president on May 29, but it’s very possible to conclude these petitions, provided the court systems are very proactive.

“Under arbitration matters, procedural orders and or directions issue peremptorily to resolve sometimes very complex jurisdictional and procedural issues. The presidential election tribunals are urged to adapt the procedures very familiar with speedy conclusion of arbitration matters.”

Agbakoba identified three critical issues in the presidential election petitions that, he believes, can be resolved through the implementation of procedural orders and directions.

READ ALSO: Soyinka Advocates Southeast Presidency for Civil War Healing

“The first is the interpretation of Section 134 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as to whether securing 25 per cent of votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is compulsory to be a president.

“Secondly, is a candidate permitted to stand for presidential or vice presidential election when he is at the same time a senatorial candidate?

“The third point is the issue relating to the qualification of candidates to stand for presidential election.

“If the petitions were arbitration proceedings, an arbitrator may issue a procedural order directed to counsel to address all complex disputes and the arbitral tribunal will deliver what is called a partial final award,” Agbakoba said.

“In the case of the presidential election tribunal, including the Supreme Court, they can also direct procedural orders with very short timelines given to counsel, to address the complex jurisdictional issues raised in the petitions and the tribunal/supreme court will then issue final summary judgment as appropriate.

“We strongly believe that between the tribunal and Supreme Court, the petitions can be resolved within seven days from today. This will cool the temperature in Nigeria on the issue of interim government etc.

“The speed proposed here requires a radical departure from our present judicial policy where case management plays a very limited role in judicial outcomes. Case management is the spirit and driving force of modern adjudication. Speed of justice is the mantra that our judiciary must proclaim very loudly. This is needed in the presidential petition proceedings urgently,” he said in the statement.

The time limit prescribed by law for the hearing and delivery of judgment on an election petition is 180 days from the date of filing the petition. Similarly, an appeal arising from the decision of an election tribunal or court must be heard and concluded within 60 days from the date of the tribunal’s judgment.

Source: The Guardian