News
2024: A Time To Heal
The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) gives glory to God for his grace, mercy and preservation in 2023, a memorable year in Nigeria. In spite of political tension and uncertainty associated with general election, economic recession aggravated by the removal of fuel subsidy, devaluation of naira and insecurity across the nation, Nigerians were amazingly resilient, surmounted all odds and expressed abiding faith in the fatherland to build a nation bound in freedom, love and unity where peace and justice shall reign. This could be defined as patriotism at its finest.
The New Year provides us with yet another opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the higher pursuit of a better, greater, prosperous, equitable and decent democratic nation. It is time for individual and national healing of fractured and ruptured relationships caused by the 2023 general election and various communities’ conflicts bearing in mind that “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”.
No doubt, 2024 will usher us to a nation that encourages and takes pride in our ethnic diversity, our religious diversity, our cultural diversity – aware that out of this pluralistic heritage will come the strength, vitality and creativity that will make us great and will keep us great with good leadership and good governance as the great arsenal of democracy in Africa.
The tasks ahead are enormous and will require exceptional patriotism, political sagacity, leadership acumen and tenacity of purpose to combat insecurity, turnaround the economy, improve infrastructure, provide jobs, maintain social cohesion, boost the people’s standards of living and move the nation forward.
Leadership is a deep and heavy responsibility, accordingly, all elected public officers are mandated to discharge their constitutional duties without fear or favour and fulfill their campaign promises to the people without excuses. They are elected to solve problems for the good of the masses and not to make flimsy excuses of overwhelming baggage inherited from their predecessors.
It is in view of this that IPAC set up a Peer Review Mechanism to monitor the achievements of elected public officers in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people across the nation. As a major stakeholder in the democratic process, IPAC will continue to hold leaders at all levels of government accountable in the quest for a strong, virile, progressive and united nation.
Council demands free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive, acceptable and peaceful bye-elections and urges the Independent National Electoral Commission to provide a level playing field to all the political parties and their candidates participating in the upcoming polls. The commission should improve its performance in the general election and off-season governorship polls and ensure that electoral materials are adequate and functional particularly the BVAS and the IREV portal to avoid undue glitches that could mar the exercise.
The people’s vote must count and their mandates respected by all stakeholders in the electoral process. Election is the beauty of democracy. The ballot is sacrosanct. Eligible voters are urged to turn up en masse to exercise their franchise as we jointly deepen the nation’s democracy. The obvious flaws witnessed during the 2023 general election and the off season gubernatorial polls call for further electoral reform and amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 to address them. IPAC in collaboration with critical stakeholders will champion this to ensure credible elections in Nigeria.
The Judiciary is the beacon of hope to all aggrieved citizens. As the temple of justice, it should be firm and decisive in discharging its constitutional duties aware that all eyes are on it particularly on election disputes.
I highly appreciate leaders of political parties for the success of the 18th December, 2023 IPAC election monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in which I emerged as the National Chairman of the Council. It was indeed a free, fair, credible, transparent, peaceful and generally accepted election. The spirit of sportsmanship showed by contestants for various positions was an eloquent testimony of the maturity, unity and patriotism of party leaders in Nigeria.
I was humbled by the concession speech of the immediate past national chairman, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani who applauded the election as free, fair, credible and transparent and congratulated me stating that as party leaders and democrats, IPAC should always set an example in conducting a credible election. I commend the electoral committee led by Chief Dan Nwanyanwu for conducting the poll in accordance with the IPAC Code of Conduct and carried party leaders along during the exercise which was covered by the media.
I will justify the confidence reposed in me as the new national chairman of the Council. With your usual support and cooperation, we shall move IPAC to the next level. I promise to run an inclusive administration that will strengthen the Council and deepen democracy in Nigeria. The election is over, there is no Victor, no vanquished. It is a collective victory that will spur and motivate us to strengthen IPAC as the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria in the quest for a strong, virile, progressive, prosperous and equitable democratic nation.
IPAC commends the media for improved coverage of crucial national issues during the 2023 elections and Council activities. As the watchdog and tocsin of the nation, Nigerian media performed excellently in 2023. A grateful nation looks forward to more robust media engagements and incisive reports in 2024.
IPAC urges citizens to enter the New Year with pride, confidence and courage, and embark on great national deeds. Together, we will build a better future for our children.
Wishing you a Happy New Year!
YUSUF MAMMAN DANTALLE
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, IPAC
A former national chairman of the defunct Alliance National Party, Asiwaju Moshood Shittu, has urged opposition parties considering a merger to back former Kano State governor and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as their presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
Speaking at a press conference, Shittu, who previously served as the Director-General (North) of Kwankwaso’s presidential campaign council, emphasised that the opposition’s best chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lies in uniting behind Kwankwaso.
He described him as the only aspirant with the experience, credibility, and political reach necessary to lead the coalition to victory.
“Kwankwaso has the pedigree to carry the merger’s presidential flag to success,” Shittu said. “With his vast experience in governance, clean record, and strong political followership, he stands out as the best candidate.”
He highlighted Kwankwaso’s extensive public service record, including his roles as a former defence minister, special envoy to Darfur and Somalia, and a member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board.
Additionally, he recalled Kwankwaso’s tenure as deputy speaker during the short-lived Third Republic, his two terms as Kano State governor, and his leadership in national security and legislative affairs.
Shittu warned that failure to rally behind Kwankwaso could spell doom for the opposition’s merger efforts.
He dismissed other opposition candidates, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, as lacking the necessary moral and qualitative competence to defeat Tinubu in 2027.
“This is the time to act in order to save our nation,” he declared. “The opposition must prioritise credibility, competence, and proven leadership if it truly seeks to unseat the incumbent president.”
Kwankwaso, who placed fourth in the 2023 presidential election, remains a key figure in Nigeria’s political landscape. However, it is unclear whether he will accept the call to lead a potential opposition coalition.
The Federal High Court has dismissed reports that the newly assigned judge in the case of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has stepped down.
The FHC, in a statement signed by the Chief Registrar, Sulaiman Hassan, on Tuesday described the report as “false and misleading.”
A publication circulating on social media had claimed that Justice John Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, was the new judge in Kanu’s case and had withdrawn, citing the illegality of his arrest.
However, in the statement, the chief registrar said the claim was “entirely unfounded, fictitious, grossly mischievous, damaging in intent and should be disregarded in its entirety.”
“The attention of Management of the Federal High Court has been drawn, with great concern, to an online reportage as above captioned.
“The court unequivocally refutes the false and misleading report, alleging that the Honourable Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, OFR, has stepped down from Nnamdi Kanu’s case and made statements regarding the legality of his arrest,” the statement read.
According to Hassan, the true position is that the Justice Tsoho, in his capacity as Chief Judge, has reassigned Nnamdi Kanu’s case from Justice Binta Nyako to another (‘new’) Judge.
Hassan said, “The report referred to, is, therefore, totally spurious.
“The defence team should hence prepare to receive instructions regarding the case, as may be issued by the new judge.
“The Federal High Court strongly cautions against deliberate misinformation to mislead the public and erode confidence in the judicial system.
“We urge the general public to be wary and rely only on verified information from official court sources.
“The court remains steadfast in upholding justice through due process of the law.”
NAN reliably gathered, however, that the case between the Federal Government and Kanu had been reassigned to Justice James Omotosho, following Justice Nyako’s recusal (withdrawal).
NAN
The House of Representatives has ordered total shutdown of porn websites nationwide.
It directed the Nigerian Communications Commission to enforce the immediate shutdown of the websites in the country.
The House gave the directive during plenary on Tuesday.
The lawmakers suggested that the internet providers must block access under the new directive.
Member representing the Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal constituency, Dalhatu Tafoki, sponsored the motion, calling it a step to “protect societal values.”
He said, “I would like to move a motion for the need to block internet websites hosting pornographic content and sanction the internet service providers responsible for the posting. The House notes that cyber pornography is fast becoming a global problem, and no concrete steps have been taken to cut its phenomenon in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a highly religious country, and all the major religions in the country forbid nudity and obscenity in any form. Also note that countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have passed legislation that bans pornography in their domains.
“Renowned psychologists and sociologists around the world have issued stern warnings that there are psychological and sociological consequences for creating ponographic content.
“The immediate effects of doing ponographic content include a. promotion of adultery, prostitution, and other promiscuous behaviours, leading to addiction, escalation, and desensitisation, change of attitude towards oneself and family.”
The House adopted the motion and mandated its Committees on Communications and Legislative Compliance to ensure its implementation and report within four weeks for further legislative action.
The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abass, also warned that sanctions would be imposed on internet service providers that default while lawmakers put a voice vote in favour of the motion.