Opinion
PEPT: AFTER ALL THE KNOWN EVIDENCE
By Ussiju Medaner
I am going to start today’s piece by referring to the same facts I had submitted immediately after the 2023 General elections. It is unfortunate and demeaning that political parties and aspirants who after losing at the elections would descend so low in a condescending manner to fabricate and weaponise varieties of falsehoods to maintain holds on their support bases in the name of contesting the presidential election at the tribunal. I still find it ridiculous the grounds upon which both the candidates of PDP and the Labour Party, that came 2nd and 3rd respectively at the poll, are contesting the outcome of the election.
We must know for certain that Nigeria as a country is walking on a very tightrope; so delicate that we could break at any time if we do not consciously redress our decisions to collapse the nation. It is also obvious from the actions of the two major opposition parties that they do not care if the country burns in the aftermath of their coming predictable losses at the presidential poll. The level of intimidation and blackmail against the system by the two main opposition candidates who are moneybags, arguably has never been witnessed in the history of this nation. And to what end is a reasonable question.
The ENDSARS of a few years ago easily come back to mind; and from many respected quarters, it has been suggested that the nationwide protests were orchestrated by some political elements as a prerequisite to create a self-profiting political atmosphere in the 2023 election season, without caring about what the disturbance would do to the sanctity of the soul of the country and its overall unity. While we have not yet survived the undertone of the attacks and the disturbance, we become more divided along regional lines till today and this played out effectively in the nature of campaigns and divisions that characterised the pre-election campaigns, and the post-election outbursts.
The same is about to reenact itself. The opposition has gone ahead once again to weaponise their share of the population for a possible rebellion against the system in the event they lose again at the presidential tribunal. A loss that is more than certain. In a gangster manner and gang up, we are seeing what would appear to many as a coincidence but which in reality is part of an orchestrated plan to set the streets, and the public up against the state and the entire nation, and possibly influence the judgement at PEPT. Suddenly, NLC wants a two-day warning strike colliding with the day of the tribunal judgement. As the Yoruba people would say, the witch cried yesterday, and the child died today, Who would not know it is the witch that killed the child! The opposition is getting the people ready for an uprising after the judgment.
At the same time, they are heating the system as they subtly invite the military to upset the system with a takeover. It is unfortunate that the same people, who till a few months ago were lovers of democracy, would suddenly wish the death of the same for the same country they want to rule democratically.
We had, in March 2023, arguably, the most intensive elections in the history of Nigeria; we had an election where the unbelievable happened and happened repeatedly. The ruling party lost in all its major strongholds to the opposition. APC lost the home state of the president, Lagos to the Labour Party candidate; the ruling party lost Kaduna, Kano and Katsina, the home state of the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, to the opposition. We had an election where sitting governors contested elections and lost to unknown political elements. We had an election in FCT where a four-time serial loser won against a very formidable Philip Aduda, the candidate of PDP and the then-sitting FCT Senator. We had an election where a commercial bike rider won the Kaduna South House of Representatives seat against both the veteran candidates of the PDP and APC. The upset was regular and evenly distributed across the country.
Yet, the opposition, especially the Labour Party supporters would persist in crying of rigging. I have asked myself for an umpteenth time; if APC were to rig the election, wouldn’t it be in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna and Katsina? Did the party rig to lose in Lagos and all the other mentioned states? APC went ahead to win the election despite the upset because it was able to come second in most of these states and as a result of the division that plagued the once formidable PDP that led to the fragmentation of its votes.
Immediately after the polls, the unexpected gang-up began; the family of the divided parties, once again, reunited to fight their common foe. PDP, LP, and NNPP wanted the election process halted. What are their reasons? APC rigged and manipulated the elections, yet, the Labour Party beat the ruling party in Lagos, PDP beat the ruling party in the former president’s home state of Katsina, and APC lost Kano to NNPP and lost Kaduna to PDP. According to them, APC was only leading in 12 states, PDP was leading in 12 states, and the Labour Party was also leading in 12 states, and yet only APC rigged to win the states it won but the elections were free and fair in states where the opposition won. What hypocrisy and crop of bad losers!
Interestingly, the losses became a blessing in disguise for the ruling party; APC’s loss in Lagos and all those other critical places have put to rest all the election rigging conspiracy theories against the party, especially from all the rational thinking persons and groups. Or how does a party-perfect rigging to lose its bases and strongholds?
Before the election, we have told them that elections are not done on social media. We told them the real voters would be surfacing to vote on Election Day. They could not imagine where the APC figures came from. They assume in their irrationality of self-affliction that all Nigerians are emotionally attached to their religions and ethnicities to the point of flying with the conspiracies they branded and sold out.
It was impossible for both PDP and LP to contest the facts of the election figures; by the figures, they lost and they knew all along. Yet, they would proceed to the tribunal for reasons best known to them. What are the needless bases they went to the tribunal? Perhaps, to save face.
They claimed the president did not attend and graduated from Chicago State University as claimed. Even when the university repeatedly and with evidence, declared the president was their student and the same suit had appeared in the past in favour of the president, the opposition is still infusing false hopes to their supporters to await victory on the back of this rather weak propaganda.
They also went ahead and claimed the president was convicted of a drug-related case in the US where he forfeited some sum of money they claimed was proceeds of crime. These people intentionally altered the facts of the matter to suit their preferred rhetoric. While the US document states an indictment from the accusation and allegation and not a conviction, they intentionally concluded and fed their uninformed followers with the lies they want them to run with. In the United States, when a person is indicted, it only means they will be given formal notice that they are believed to have committed a crime and therefore, an explanation will be required by way of defence. Now, even when the United States DOJ, FBI, and DEA have all cleared the president of wrongdoings and confirmed he was never charged and convicted of any criminal acts in the US, they will still not hear it but would prefer to sustain their pitiable delusions.
Peter Obi and his party won only one governorship race and lost woefully in all the states of the North West and North East would insist he is the rightful winner of the election because he won FCT and the seating president did not have 25% of the vote cast in FCT.
Long before now, in several litigations, the Supreme Court has affirmed that FCT by law is the 37th state of the Federation and that it holds no special election outcome-deciding status. Yet, they will insist FCT has more voting rights than all the other states. Peter Obi whose claim of having evidence and witnesses across the nation to testify at the tribunal could barely present eleven or so witnesses after several weeks for an election that took place in over 176,000 polling units. Isn’t it a joke carried too far?
They also insist the president should be disqualified because his running mate, the vice president, was not validly nominated. Yet, after courts of competent jurisdiction have declared that Shettima was adequately nominated, they would still not hear it.
Atiku Abubakar insisted the result must be transmitted via iRev and BVAS for it to be legally admissible, yet they all know that the Electoral Act empowers INEC to determine the mode of transmission of results as it so pleases. Already, we all know what the Supreme Court says about that in the Osun governorship election petition. So, the PDP candidate has no hope on this rather shaky ground.
These were the same reasons Atiku and Obi presented before the tribunal and have been promising their one-way supporters to expect victory at the tribunal. Well, these people know what they are doing; they are oiling and maintaining their support bases for 2027, while the Obidients and the Atiku supporters would likely get themselves killed defending the lies they were fed with.
Shouldn’t we learn from Donald Trump’s continuous fabrication of election rigging lies in the 2020 election and the current situation of things for him and all those who were helping him to propagate the lies? Many today are already convicted and in jail, several are on their way and Trump himself has over 90 indictments and very probable convictions and jail terms in months to come.
GOD BLESS THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
History was made again today at the National Assembly Service Commission NASC as the newly appointed as Executive Chairman,Dr Saviour Enyiekere and his Commissioners, was sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential villa to signify the beginning of another five years journey for the new management of the Commission.
Dr Enyiekere who was appointed along with his 12 commissioners representing the six geopolitical zones on 20th, February, 2025, assumed duty on 5th, May, 2025 few months after their appointment after been taking oath office.
He took the oath of office as the sixth National Assembly Service Commission Chairman since the inception of the Commission over four decades ago .
Until his appointment, Enyiekere, an environmental specialist, was the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President and had played a leading and strategic roles in the last 19 months before his elevation.
Soon after he took the oath office along with his commissioners , he assumed duty and was hosted by management and staff of the National Assembly Service Commission NASC and by extension, the National Assembly management led by Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana, the new Clerk to the National Assembly CNA.
Fresh and determined to make a difference,While acknowledging the audience along with his new commissioners , he described today’s occasion as unique with the date falling to 5/5/2025, stating his determination to work with all stakeholders at the NASC and NASS.
He eulogised the outgone leadership of the commission and also paid a glowing trubutes to the deceased ones , acknowledging their unique performance and contributions to the development of the commission in all areas.
Enyiekere who solicited for the cooperation of the management, staff and staff union , promised to prioritize the welfare and well-being of staff of the commission.
The New Executive Chairman , National Assembly Service Commission NASC, Dr Saviour Enyiekere also promised to work harmoniously with the management of the commission , staff, and members of Parliamentary Staff Association PASAN.
Dr Saviour who attracted a conference hall that was filled to capacity bare his mind of carrying all and sundry along in his new administration .
Assertive, young and brilliant to manage the affairs of the commission, he promised to promote and sustain the legacies of management and previous leadership saying their contributions was indelible on the sands of time.
He used the opportunity to appreciate Nigeria’s President and reiterated his commitment along with his commissioners to promote and protect the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, with full support the leadership of the National Assembly under Senator Godswill Akpabio and Rt Honourable Tajudeen Abbas, lauding them for a job well-done and careful selection of the new Chairman and members/commissioners of the commission.
While describing the new responsibility as hectic and challenging, , saying with prayers , God will see us through.
Dr Saviour Enyiekere who promised to keep intact the good records of NASC management and the staff union , so as to ensure harmonious working relationship going forward.
During the handing over ceremony, The Secretary to the Commission, Mr
Lucky U. Ikharo, while presenting the handover documents to the new NASC boss, pledged the total commitment of the NASC Management towards the effective performance of the Commission’s assignment.
Speaking further during the handing and talking over ceremony at the Commission’s Conference Room, the new NASC boss told officials of the National Assembly Service that his leadership would emphasise the welfare of the workers of the Service, harmonious working relationship and productivity.
The new Chairman and his commissioners anxious to make a difference asked all stakeholders to extend their fellowship, admonition and possibly corrections.
Dr Saviour , a grassroot politician , with indepth experience in civil and political exposure, promised to make a difference without further delay .
The entire National Assembly Service Commission NASC bounced back to life after three months since the exit of the former Executive Chairman , National Assembly Service Commission NASC, Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE.
Highlights of the occasion included group photograph, media interview and interactions with the management and staff of both the National Assembly Service Commission NASC, National Assembly leadership led by Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana along with the new commissioners.
With his assumption of duty and his promises, no doubt a new dawn has encapsulated and heralded the National Assembly Service Commission NASC and his leadership.
In a goodwill message, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Barrister Kamoru Ogunlana, assured the new Commission of the full co-operation of the National Assembly Management towards achieving success. He, however, pleaded with the Commission to carry the National Assembly Management along on key decision-making.
The Honourable Commissioners that reported to duty alongside the Chairman include: Mr. Hanmation Mark Tersoo and Mr. Salisu Umar Agboola-Balogun (North-Central); Alhaji Lawan Maina Mahmud and Aminu Ibrahim Malle (North-East); Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi and Hon Yusuf A. Tabuka (North-West), Chief Festus Ifesinachi Odii (South-East), Mary Samuel Ekpenyong and Mr Patrick Giwa (South-South), Mrs Taiwo Olukemi Oluga and Ipesa-Balogun, Afeez (South-West, with
The Honourable Commissioners that reported to duty alongside the Chairman include: Mr. Hanmation Mark Tersoo and Mr. Salisu Umar Agboola-Balogun (North-Central); Alhaji Lawan Maina Mahmud and Aminu Ibrahim Malle (North-East); Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi and Hon Yusuf A. Tabuka (North-West), Chief Festus Ifesinachi Odii (South-East), Mary Samuel Ekpenyong and Mr Patrick Giwa (South-South), Mrs Taiwo Olukemi Oluga and Ipesa-Balogun, Afeez (South-West), with Festus Ifesinachi Odii not yet resume from the South-East .
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
By Capt. Caleb Danladi Bako
The global shipping industry is the lifeblood of international trade, with nearly 90% of goods transported by sea. Behind this vast network of commerce are the seafarers professionals whose dedication keeps the world’s economy afloat. Yet, while the focus often falls on operational efficiency, safety, and environmental concerns, an equally critical aspect remains largely in the shadows: the mental health and wellbeing of those who spend months away from home, isolated and often battling invisible struggles.
Having worked both at sea and now within the maritime industry ashore, we have witnessed firsthand the emotional challenges faced by seafarers. Life at sea is often romanticized, but the reality is far more complex. Prolonged isolation, communication barriers, high-pressure environments, and the unpredictability of life at sea contribute to a unique mental health crisis that has, for too long, gone unspoken.
A seafarer’s life revolves around routines, watches, and operations that leave little room for personal downtime. The absence of family support systems limited recreational facilities, and minimal mental health resources onboard amplify feelings of loneliness and helplessness. Recent studies, including those by the Mission to Seafarers and the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), reveal alarming rates of depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation among crew members. These findings highlight a pressing need for the industry to prioritize mental health with the same seriousness as physical safety.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed and intensified these struggles. Hundreds of thousands of seafarers were stranded aboard ships, unable to disembark for months beyond their contracts. Crew change crises turned ships into floating prisons, exacerbating feelings of abandonment and mental exhaustion.
Though some shipping companies have since introduced mental health initiatives such as access to tele-counselling and mental wellness apps, these measures are still the exception rather than the norm.
Mental health challenges at sea are not merely personal struggles; they can have direct safety implications. Fatigue, anxiety, and depression diminish focus and decision-making ability, increasing the risk of accidents. Thus, protecting seafarers’ wellbeing is not only a moral obligation but a safety imperative for the entire industry.
As industry experts and former seafarers, we believe urgent cultural change is required. Shipping companies must move beyond token programs to embed mental health care into the fabric of maritime operations.
Practical steps include mandatory mental health training, confidential support systems, improved internet connectivity for family contact, regular shore leave, and destigmatization of seeking help.
It is time to bring the untold struggles of seafarers into the light. By acknowledging their mental health needs and committing resources to support them, we honor not only their critical role in global trade but their fundamental humanity.
Capt. Caleb Danladi Bako
Maritime expert and Academic Researcher
E-mail: Caleb.Danladi@plymouth.ac.uk, dancb2k@yahoo.com
Phone: +2348064218253
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
In line with the decade of action , realizing SDGs 2020-2030 agenda, the mission and vision of government agencies, parastatals and departments must be in tandem with the present realities.
Therefore, efforts by the Financial Reporting Council, FRC to implement the already reviewed annual fee due for over two years cannot be over emphasized.
The challenges posed and identified by Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), as the umbrella body of companies operating in Nigeria may be normal and usual resistance to positive changes, posed by such bodies in the development, improvement and payment of dues across board.
But , irrespective of that , FRC under the leadership of Dr Rabiu Onaolapo Olowo has developed a new template, innovations and initiatives to drive the new council in line with not only the economic indices and realities in the country, but global requirements.
This is in accordance with the zeal to generate more revenues, increased revenue generation for remittances into the federation account to enable government meet up it’s obligations, through internal mechanism and revenue drive .
With the global standards and realities, FRC cannot be operating under the cocoon of archaic policies and programs, leaving behind the modern and modest standards of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), among others requirements.
Penultimate, the experience of the council towards payment of dues and remittances had been lackadaisical and laced with various resistances , litigations and sharp practices, particularly before the new fee reviewed under the guise of many anomalies, which MAN had overlooked .
Therefore, as the administrative head charged with controls and regulations, The Financial Reporting Council, FRC cannot be seen to be underpinned between new evolution and old order , as a government agency under an act amended , the singular decisions to review its activities is encumbered as an independent entity.
Experience have showed that some publicly traded companies, listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), continue to underreport the claims and litigation section of their annual reports, This is despite the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC)’s pledge to curb this before now.
The companies, published their 2023 audited financial reports at various times in 2024. However, each report contained figures lower than what was earlier revealed in a 2023 report.
According to the reports, the companies claimed cases against them in court amounted to huge amount .
“There are certain lawsuits pending against the companies in various courts of law. The total contingent liabilities in respect of pending litigations as at 31 December 2023 is ₦7.42 billion.”
“Some companies had the highest reported figure for claims and litigation of some companies in 2023. They stated that the cases against them amounted to N1.008 trillion claims. However, by June 30, 2024, the figure had become zero.”
This is at variance with FRC position, were many companies were underreporting their claims.
Since litigations may not stand the taste of time as adopted by previous leadership, the best solution is to effect an administrative decision beyond stagnating the activities of the new council and effect a new lease of life into the organization, through the enactment of the new regulations, reviews and controls.
“Not disclosing these claims in their annual reports for over a decade violates the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), hence the new leadership envisaged in its new position and decision.”
“Despite the FRC’s vocal commitment to addressing inaccurate financial reporting, it was revealed that partial compliance two years later.”
“The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are a set of accounting standards introduced to govern how particular types of transactions and events should be reported in financial statements. They were developed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).”
“This IASB has a set of accounting standards that guide certain aspects of financial reporting.”
“IAS 37 is a standard for accounting for and disclosing provisions, contingent liabilities and assets.”
It describes contingent liabilities as “possible obligations whose existence will be confirmed by uncertain future events that are not wholly within the control of the entity”.
“An example is litigation against the entity when it is uncertain whether the entity has committed an act of wrongdoing and when it is not probable that settlement will be needed,” it states.
“A contingent liability is not recognised in the statement of financial position. However, unless the possibility of an outflow of economic resources is remote (distant), a contingent liability is disclosed in the notes.”
“Going by this provision, all defendants in the suit had contingent liabilities of at least N1.2 trillion each.”
“It is important to highlight that companies in business either have assets or liabilities. Assets add to the financial health of the company while liabilities are losses. ‘Contingent’ is a term that refers to something that is subject to probability or chance, and just as there are contingent liabilities, there are contingent assets.”
“Some companies were taking advantage of an exploitable gap in the IAS37 to operate .”
Interestingly, Council generally observed an exploitable gap in disclosure requirements as per IAS 37: ”
Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, especially as it relates to Contingent Liabilities. Paragraph 92 of IAS 37 which states that ‘In extremely rare cases, disclosures of some or all of the information required by paragraph 84-89 can be expected to prejudice seriously the position of the entity in a dispute with other parties on the subject matter of the provision, contingent liability or contingent asset.”
” In such cases, an entity need not disclose the information, but shall disclose the general nature of the dispute, together with the fact that, and reason why, the information has not been disclosed’ is instructive in this regard. This implies that entities are not compelled to disclose number of claims and financial implications thereon as such information has the potential to prejudice their position in disputes with other parties.”
“In the course of the reports, some companies declared huge amount of N11.3 trillion in contingent liabilities in its 2023 annual report; the highest it had ever declared since 2014.”
However , to achieve the global SDGs 2020-2030 agenda with Nigeria playing a leading position, the ongoing sharp practices, inactions, anti government and anti council policies by companies in the area of declaration of transparent and accountable financial reports , that is in tandem with the global standards and practices must be adhered to, in line with the intention of the new management and leadership under Dr Rabiu Onaolapo Olowo as the Executive Secretary, Chief Executive Officer ES CEO of Financial Reporting Council, FRC.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.