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Ghana, Liberia, Senegal’s Elections Better Than Nigeria’s – Jonathan

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…. Says technology brought more crises

…INEC’s independence still a problem – Jega

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has criticised the role of electoral bodies and the judiciary in shaping the democratic process in West Africa.

Speaking at a conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary often contribute to electoral shortcomings in Nigeria and the wider region.

The conference, organised by Yiaga Africa, focused on democratic elections in West Africa.

Jonathan insisted that electoral reforms in Nigeria must be comprehensive to address systemic flaws affecting both national and subnational polls.

“If elections must be done properly, then the judiciary must always play their role,” Jonathan said.

“A corrupt environment encourages corruption. If INEC and the judiciary do not act decisively, politicians will exploit the system to win by any means necessary.”

Jonathan acknowledged that while some West African nations have held credible elections, others have struggled with violence, allegations of fraud, and institutional weaknesses.

He cited Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, where the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the Results Viewing Portal (IReV) aimed to improve transparency.

However, logistical failures, violence, and technical glitches undermined public confidence.

Similarly, Sierra Leone’s 2023 elections, which incorporated biometric voter registration, were overshadowed by accusations of voter intimidation and ethnic tensions.

By contrast, Ghana’s general elections—despite limited use of technology—were deemed peaceful and transparent, thanks to strong electoral and security institutions.

Liberia also witnessed a smooth transition of power, with incumbent President George Weah conceding defeat to opposition candidate Joseph Boakai.

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Senegal, despite pre-election tensions and opposition arrests, conducted a largely peaceful poll that resulted in the election of Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

Jonathan noted that technology can enhance electoral credibility but is not a cure-all.

He pointed out that while biometric systems and real-time results transmission improved transparency in some cases, they also triggered disputes in others, such as Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

“This development underscores the place of the human element in deepening democracy,” he said.

“Technology, no matter how sophisticated, cannot ensure credible elections without the commitment of authorities and citizens to do the right thing.”

He stressed that independent electoral commissions and impartial security forces are essential for credible elections.

“The success or failure of any election lies in the hands of two critical agencies: the electoral management body and the police,” he added.

Former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, also spoke at the conference, questioning the independence of Nigeria’s electoral commission.

He warned that electoral management bodies in West Africa face growing challenges, including political interference, weak legal frameworks, and security threats.

Jega highlighted identity politics as a major problem in West African democracies, contributing to voter manipulation and political instability. He linked the rise of coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger to public disillusionment with civilian governance.

“The struggle for power among reckless elites, lacking consensus and self-interest, has undermined democracy in the region,” Jega said.

“If these challenges are not addressed, we may see further democratic backsliding.”

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Mohbad Death: Primeboy, Nurse Faces Trial As Court Clears Naira Marley, Sam Larry

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February 25, 2025

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A magistrate court in Sabo, Yaba, Lagos has acquitted popular musician Naira Marley in relation to the death of Mohbad, his former signee.

In a ruling on Tuesday, Ejiro Kubenji, the magistrate, said Naira Marley had no case to answer based on the legal advice issued by the directorate of public prosecution (DPP) in Lagos.

The court also freed music promoter Sam Larry (Samson Balogun), Owodunni ‘Primeboy’ Ibrahim and Mohbad’s former manager Opere Babatunde.

However, the DPP announced that it will prosecute Feyisayo Ogedengbe, the auxiliary nurse who treated Mohbad, and Ayobami Sadiq, one of Mohbad’s friends, for reckless and negligent acts contrary to Section 251 (e) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

On September 12, 2023, Mohbad died under mysterious circumstances. His demise stirred up controversies on social media with several calls and cries for justice from colleagues and fans.

In October 2023, Marley and Larry were arrested over allegations that they were involved in the death of Mohbad.

They were released on bail in November same year after spending over five weeks in detention.

The Lagos police earlier declared Ogedengbe the auxiliary nurse who injected Mohbad, as “the prime suspect” in the singer’s death.

Mohbad died after receiving an injection administered by the auxiliary nurse.

Idowu Owohunwa, the Lagos state police commissioner, said Ogedengbe “administered multiple and highly potent injections which triggered an immediate reaction that eventually occasioned the death of Mohbad”.

The commissioner said the injections, consisting of tetanus toxoid, paracetamol, and ceftriaxone injection (IV) were administered at Mohbad’s residence.

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Natasha Files N100bn Sexual Harassment Suit Against Akpabio

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February 25, 2025

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio for allegedly defaming her and for sexual harassment.

The suit was filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, and Akpabio and his senior legislative aide, Mfon Patrick, were listed as second and third defendants.

In the suit, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her lawyer, Victor Giwa, referred to Akpabio’s words published by his aide on his Facebook page with the title, “Is local content committee of the Senate Natasha’s birthright?” where he stated that the claimant thought being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the Chambers.

The lawyer alleged that the statement on Akpoti-Uduaghan was defamatory, provocative, and disparaging and lowered her dignity in the eyes of her colleagues and right-thinking public members.

“A declaration that the words ‘it ‘is bottled anger by the Kogi Lawmaker, who knows nothing about legislative rules. She thinks being a lawmaker is all about pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits to the Chambers’ used and written by the 3rd defendant at the prompting of the 1st and 2nd defendants is defamatory and intended to cause public opprobrium and disaffection towards the claimant by members of the public,” her reliefs partly read.

Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the court to restrain the defendants or associates from publishing defamatory words against her on any platform.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, whether acting by themselves or through their agents, privies, assigns, or associates, from further publishing or caused to be published the said defamatory words herein stated or any other similar publications about the claimant on the social media platform or in any other manner, which is capable of defaming the claimant,” she stated.

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She urged the court to order the defendants to pay her ₦100 billion as damages and ₦300m as litigation costs.

“An order for payment of the sum of ₦100,000,000,000 as general damages. An order for payment of the sum of ₦300,000,000.00 only as cost of action,” she said.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan recently voiced her concern after her seat was reassigned due to a reshuffle. She resisted the relocation, which led to a clash between her and the Senate president.

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Naira crude sale reduces FX risks, transaction costs – Tinubu

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February 25, 2025

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The Federal Government said the introduction of the sale of crude oil in Naira was a strategic move to enhance operational efficiency of local refineries by reducing foreign exchange risks and transaction costs.

President Bola Tinubu made this known on Tuesday, while officially declaring the eight edition of the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2025) open in Abuja.

The 2025 summit has its theme as “Bridging Continents: Connecting Investors Worldwide with Africa’s Energy Potential”.

Represent by Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of State for Finance, Tinubu said the move had also fostered a stronger and more stable domestic market.

“In order to ensure that the local refineries are very competitive, thereby lowering the cost of the retail price of petroleum products for our populace, we introduced the sale of crude oil in Naira.

“By denominating crude sales in Naira, we are supporting the local currency and creating a more resilient economy.

“This initiative is expected to result in more affordable petroleum products for our citizens, ultimately improving their standard of living and stimulating economic growth.

“This is also going to alleviate the effects of the fuel subsidy removal,” the President said.

He said in 2025, the country had continued witnessing a renaissance in the oil and gas sector, characterised by transformative initiatives and significant milestones.

He said for close to two years, his administration had remained resolute in driving reforms and milestones in Nigeria’s energy sector and the economy at large.

He said these reforms, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and Forex liberalisation which were two main reforms of the administration in the first year had liberalised the economy, making it an investment destination of choice.

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Highlighting some key achievements that positioned the economy as a global energy powerhouse, he said Nigeria’s selection as a host country for the headquarters of the African Energy Bank was a historic milestone in the sector.

He said the achievement reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s energy landscape and commitment to driving sustainable development across the continent.

“By securing this prestigious institution, we have positioned Nigeria as the hub for energy financing, fostering investment, innovation and job creation.

“This milestone underscores our dedication to energy security, economic growth and regional cooperation, ensuring a brighter, more prosperous future for all Nigerians and Africans.

“We have also issued far-reaching executive orders that have seen a return of investment into our oil and gas sector.

“In the upstream sector, we have witnessed increased crude oil production owing to strategic interventions in security, development and investment incentives,” the President said.

He said the inauguration of the Presidential Executive Order on Oil and Gas Sector Reforms also streamlined processes, fast-tracked licensing rounds and encouraged indigenous participation that were fostering local content development.

“We have seen increasing investment announcements and innovative ways to support the oil and gas sector and we are open to receiving more of such exciting announcements,” he added.

Tinubu, while expressing determination towards completion and operationalisation of key gas infrastructures, including the Ajaokuta Kaduna Kano Gas Pipeline Project, said it would strengthen the capacity to supply clean energy to industries and households.

He said the implementation of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI) was also transforming the transportation sector, reducing dependence on one single source of fuel, which used to be fuel.

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According to him, the administration is currently implementing series of comprehensive reforms in the fiscal and tax policies aim to create more business-friendly environment and attract both local and international investments.

He said by simplifying the tax regulations, offering incentives and ensuring a more transparent and predictable fiscal framework, the reforms aimed to remove barriers to entry and support the growth of businesses in Nigeria.

These measures, he said would not only make it easier for companies to invest and operate in the country, but also to stimulate economic development, growth and prosperity of our nation.

He said with the coming on stream of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, the country had more refining capacity to process crude and also deliver these products at a cheaper cost to Nigerians.

“We are actively developing a hydrogen policy to attract investors and integrate hydrogen in our energy mix,” he said.(NAN)

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