SAN

By Chibuike Nwabuko

ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – As Anambra State heads to the polls next weekend in one of Nigeria’s off-cycle governorship elections, the November 8 contest is shaping up to be more than just another vote, it’s being seen as a defining moment for the state’s future.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who disclosed this on Sunday on his X handle, said beyond the routine of electing a new governor, the election presents a rare opportunity to break the cycle of poor governance and resist what many describe as the ruling All Progressives Congress’ (APC) “habit of snatching and running away with the people’s mandate.”

Supporters are rallying behind the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket of Nwosu Chima John and Nwobu Geoffrey Ndubisi, touting them as the team to usher in a new era of prosperity, transparency, and economic stability for Anambra.

The poll also places the spotlight on the electoral umpire, led by Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, with observers calling on the commission to prove its impartiality and reaffirm Nigerians’ confidence in the integrity of the ballot.

“The time has come for Ndi Anambra to take ownership of their destiny and vote for true change,” said ADC supporters, urging registered voters not only to cast their ballots but also to mobilize massive support across the state.

With a rich political and cultural history, Anambra once again stands at the crossroads — and many believe this election could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s democratic journey, one driven by peace, stability, and lasting prosperity under the ADC.

— AA

ABUJA- Prof. Maxwell Gidado, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Professor of Constitutional Law, says that restructuring Nigeria will make sense if properly understood and implemented.

Gidado said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

The legal expert was reacting to his recent lecture at the Nasarawa State University 53rd lecture titled: “ Nigeria’s Unitary- Federalism and the Restructuring Debate: Perspectives from the Jurisprudence of Constitutionalism.

He disclosed that the Nigerian system of government currently in practice is a centralised system, but not a federal system as contained in the constitution.

According to him, this is different from the federal system that is being practiced in other climes such as the U.S, India and Canada.

“In this system of government in Nigeria, we have a big powerful central government which controls virtually all the affairs of the state.

“Example, the amount of resources given to state government, approves the amenities to be put in place by the state, as well as the ability of the state to generate power among others,’’ he said.

Gidado said that the state government requires the approval of the Federal Government to carry out any project, and may not go ahead with any project if denied by it.

He said this is usually the case even if the project is much needed by the state, which is not supposed to be so.

“But now Nigerians think that the government might be run in a different way, which is smoother and more transparent than the present system.

“There is urgent need to decentralise this present federal system and vest more powers on the state government,’’ he said.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria stated that the state governments should control all the internal affairs of the country, like power generation, education sector, roads construction and maintenance.

He further mentioned internal securities, such as state police, resource control, internal revenue generation among others, while the federal government deal with other things of international interest.

Gidado said the federal government should focus on foreign policy, defence and economy.

“A Nigeria beyond oil, once considered as a myth, is fast becoming a reality. The current reality in the global demand for and price of oil give credence to this fact,’’he said.

He said that experts across the globe have predicted the imminent end of the glorious era of fossil fuel as the main stay of national economies.

He said as the United Kingdom and France plan to ban diesel and petrol cars by 2040, analysts predicted that oil demand will drop significantly post 2025, when battery powered cars will go mainstream.

The legal luminary disclosed that according to International Energy Agency (IEA), China, the world’s biggest car market is contemplating a similar move, which would have a significant impact on oil demand.

“Other countries considering the ban are India, which is looking at 2030, Norway, 2025 and at least ten other countries.

Gidado noted that analysis points to the frightening fact the future of nations whose economies are predominantly run on oil revenues is bleak, except they diversify and engage aggressively on non-oil ventures.

“Unfortunately, Nigeria habitually depends on oil as a major source of revenue for her economy.

“Nigeria is most endowed agriculturally. Its tomatoes, carrots, cabbages, cucumbers, tubers, grains, livestock and dairy, feed the majority of Nigerians in spite of its huge reserves of unexploited export potentials.

“In a restructured Nigeria, with the right agricultural policies, it will be one of the richest countries in the world,’’ Gidado said. (NAN)

ABUJA- A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mohammed Ndarani, says granting state pardons to convicted public officeholders would undermine Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight.

Mr Ndarami, in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Abuja, said granting officeholders state pardons undermines the EFCC, ICPC, courts, and the police.

“This puts the integrity of our institutions in jeopardy. It damages the integrity and reputation of our courts, the nation’s anti-corruption stance, and undermines democratic institutions and the rule of law,” said Mr Ndarami.

The legal practitioner aligned himself with the views of Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), advising that constitutional provisions for state pardon should exclude convicted political office holders.

Mr Ndarami said state pardon to corrupt politicians leaves one impression: the person granting the pardon and the person getting it are birds of the same feather.

“The pardoner is preparing the ground for himself to be taken lightly for what funds he will also loot. It shows queerly that all thieving politicians are above the law.

“Once this perception sinks into the mind of the public, their trust and confidence in the government and governance or their policies will slacken and plummet,” said Mr Ndarami.

The legal practitioner decried that Nigerian politicians were perceived as “liars, thieves and deceivers.”

“The people can hardly understand why someone given power by the people would loot and steal the state coffers dry and be simply allowed to get off the hook. It gives the unshakeable impression that the government does not give care about the welfare of the masses,” he said.

The senior lawyer equally noted that state pardon has caused systematic and symbolic destruction of Nigeria’s image in the comity of nations.

“In 2020, former British Prime Minister David Cameron called Nigeria, ‘fantastically corrupt’ because of our actions and inactions.

“Much of this can be traced to the now odious grant of state pardon. This is responsible for the abrasive and shockingly inhumane treatment meted out to Nigerian nationals at airports the world over,” Mr Ndarami.

He noted that granting state pardon to corrupt politicians, stopping, withdrawing their trials or pardoning their convictions and restoring the looted or corruptly acquired funds and properties negatively impacts democracy.

Mr Ndarami noted that withdrawing this pardon would gradually restore the people’s trust and confidence in political officeholders, and improve the rule of law and democratic ideals.

(NAN)

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has hit out at Federal Capital Terrritory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike, calling him a frustrated politician.

Mohammed was reacting to Wike’s threat to “put fire” in the states of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors for showing solidarity to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Recalls that the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, PDP-GF, had earlier berated the minister for making the threat.

Reacting to Wike’s threat while receiving members of the PDP National Working Committee in Bauchi on Tuesday, Mohammed described Wike as a frustrated politician.

He also stated that disagreements within the party are never personal and should not be misunderstood.

Dismissing Wike’s threat, the governor assured that Bauchi is strong enough to handle any challenges.

Mohammed downplayed the comments made by his “frustrated” friend, reaffirming their personal relationship and his commitment to leadership.

“When we argue, it’s never personal, and no one should misunderstand that. We are united; this is not a splinter group.

“As you can see, we are united in Bauchi. No one can set Bauchi on fire. Bauchi has enough water to put out any fire. My friend who made that comment is simply frustrated. Perhaps I said something that upset him, but it’s not personal.

“My friend remains my friend, my work is my work, and leadership remains leadership,” he said.

The governor also reiterated the need for party members to unite in order to prevent the collapse of the PDP, which he credited for being responsible for “most of the developments in the country”.

In his remarks, the National Legal Advisor of the PDP, Kamaldeen Ajibade Adeyemi, SAN, reassured the governor of the NWC’s support

“We believe it is important to stand with you and to let you know that whatever steps the Governors’ Forum takes, we, as the National Working Committee, will always be ready to implement them,” he said.