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BIG STORY

Lagos 2027: Early Promptings Of Idiocy — By Shola Oyeyipo

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There have been subtle projections for the Lagos state governorship election in 2027. Unfortunately, these early promptings seem to lack the requisite intellectual rigour for the dynamic politics and leadership demands of the state of acquatic splendour. Shola Oyeyipo writes.

A general build-up to the 2027 national elections can no longer be dismissed as “too early” again, given the current provisions of the nation’s electoral laws. By the letters of these laws, elected officials can hardly savour two years at a stretch to deliver on their promises, before campaign distractions commence.

Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), state that elections shall hold not earlier than one hundred and fifty (150) days and not later than thirty (30) days before the expiration of the term of office of` the last holder of that office.

By these provisions, the electoral commission, INEC, is empowered by Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 to issue Notice for the elections not later than 360 days before the date of the elections.

Once this is done, governance takes the back stage and politics becomes the in-thing. Thus, if anyone is starting to project for the next bout of election, it may be considered part of the build-up, albeit an unlawful indulgence at this time.

Yet, the recent balloon trials about the likely turn that the Lagos governorship might take were not only poor attempts at simulating anything, they failed to show a grasp of the issues that might dominate political discourse at this time.

In one of those efforts, the failure to credit the president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, with deserving political intelligence by expressly tipping his son, Seyi, as a likely choice for the Lagos governorship,  was one idiotic undertaking loaded with absolute baloney.

Excuse qualification for a bit as a different debate on its own, no other more serious political considerations, including religion and geopolitical factors spared a thought for him.

How a president, who would be battling to return to office, would willfully set his empire on fire, is unlikely his disposition, even though a renowned risk-taking political juggernaut.

It’s no doubt a delicate wager and there’s no debating the fact that no politician worth his salt would travel, not just on such a highway to nowhere, but obstreperously stoke a fire that would consume all that he already has in the bag.

That said, the qualification debate can now step forward. However, anyone looks at this, what has Seyi done that would make his father push him forward for the Lagos governorship?

Take a quick review of the profiles of everyone who had governed Lagos, starting from his father and say to yourself which of them he comes close to, including Akinwunmi Ambode, who was not allowed to seek re-election?

The Yoruba will readily ask anyone with poor reasoning to smell his own words and tell how badly it stinks. Perhaps, those pushing this agenda should read over their garbage and tell themselves how that is feasible with all the variables waiting to determine the next choice for Lagos.

Curiously, the other leg to the early promptings and their tawdry delivery was the veiled move to put down some names, while making others appear impossible choices.

It is true and arguable that the Senator representing Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru, is a good material for Lagos. From the halls of many banks to the red chamber, it is hard to dismiss or downplay his eligibility, suitability and capacity.

He fits the bill in all ramifications and has earned a constant mention in the race for the Lagos governorship, even before he went to the senate. These notwithstanding, he, too, would battle other factors, although determined by the “owner” of Lagos, when the time comes. His choice is therefore not a given yet.

Interestingly, one name that is gradually creeping into the mix, and which a majority of the Lagos politicians are coming to terms with as seemingly fitting the bill and picture of Tinubu’s unusual choice for governor is the current Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.

Whatever analysis anyone is doing now that does not yield a deserving space to Alausa is probably clowning for want of what to write. He may appear unnoticed and unpopular for now, many observers from Lagos already see his redeployment from junior minister at the Ministry of Health to Education as instructive.

This development, they now argue, was not only to properly position and prepare him for the Lagos challenge, they are convinced that the ministry would start to get more votes as part of design to empower and put him on a stronger footing ahead of the decision to either draft him into the race or empower him.

For an average politician, his nomination to the cabinet was not a surprise. The duo of Tinubu and Alausa had come a long way since their days in the United States. While the latter was said to have done a lot in service for the former back in the day, Tinubu has not had the opportunity to compensate him. The time to do so is now.

Unfortunately, there’s one more name that is already being mentioned, sadly in talk-down tone and that is the current Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat – a man of class and distinction.

While no one can emerge Lagos governor without the blessing of the president, except, of course, God personally steps in, Hamzat is one material that both the political class and the ordinary citizens of the state have continued to tip as Lagos’ best bet. Their reasons suit all logics.

 

First, as the current deputy governor, who would have run the state with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for eight years by 2027, it would make transition easy. The fact that he understands the development agenda of the state as an active player cancels out many “ifs”.

In addition, he satisfies practically all political considerations as far as the race to the Lagos governorship is concerned. Smart, sound and very intelligent, he is also hands-on, so much that his choice would naturally relieve the president of any worry back home while the battle for his reelection rages across the nation.

His knowledge of Lagos, development politics, issues and the management of the political class puts him miles ahead of everyone else. This also explains while those conversant with these facts but want someone else have continued to use his strengths against him, insinuating that the president would not field a man, who seems solid in everything.

By implications, the move is intended to set him up for failure and make him lose favour before the president. Indeed, some have also openly sung to him that anyone who overtly or subtly indicates interest in the governorship never gets it, citing the president’s style as constant in this decision.

However, while it may appear that the president has always gambled with his choice of the Lagos governor, and has always been lucky to end up with good hands, including Ambode, his inadequacies nonetheless, political dynamics also demand a review of strategy for results that are in sync with current realities.

At the end of the day, the only person who will determine the next governor of Lagos state is God through the instrumentality of the people.

The same God has also placed in President Tinubu, the power and influence to choose right on behalf of the people again in 2027, without downplaying the prevailing factors, both in the state and his own election.

But the choice candidate must have the right character, temper, knowledge and capacity to do the job. After all, this is Lagos.

In the final analysis, the early promptings are not completely out of place and may help stoke real conversations ahead of the Lagos 2027 poll. However, pandering to obvious idiocy in order to flesh up weak analyses is counterproductive, even to their own idea of who the cap fits.

BIG STORY

UBA And Mastercard Introduce Debit Card With Benefits And Discounts To Commemorate UBA’s 75th Anniversary

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Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has collaborated with Mastercard to launch a commemorative debit card in celebration of UBA’s 75th anniversary.

This collaboration aims to honor UBA’s long-standing customer relationships and enhance their banking experience with a range of offers and discounts across multiple platforms.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who spoke at the unveiling, highlighted that the card comes loaded with certain benefits aimed at rewarding customers, including limited 25% off purchases on Jumia and USD75 cashback on transactions made through AliExpress.

He added that this initiative symbolizes the shared vision between UBA and Mastercard towards empowering Africans by enhancing customer experience through secure and convenient transactions.

“This new card represents the deepening of our relationship and our shared mission to empower millions of Nigerians and Africans, by providing them with access to secure transactions and new opportunities across the continent,” Alawuba said.

The GMD also disclosed the bank’s plans to unveil similar products across all its subsidiaries. “We are proud of this collaboration, and we are confident that Mastercard’s role in Africa will only grow stronger in the coming years,” he added.

Mark Elliott, Division President for Africa, Mastercard, expressed his appreciation for the UBA collaboration, emphasising its significance in supporting Africa’s digital economy. “We are excited to collaborate with UBA to celebrate this milestone and bring more value to customers across Africa. This commemorative card is more than just a product; it reflects our commitment to advancing financial inclusion and supporting Africans in accessing secure, convenient and impactful financial solutions.”

Elliott highlighted the immense opportunities within the African payment ecosystem and shared that Mastercard is eager to explore new opportunities with UBA. “Together with UBA, we are focused on delivering innovation that meet the evolving needs of the region, empowering individuals, and promoting digital growth across the continent,” he stated.

The launch of the commemorative debit card represents a significant step in UBA and Mastercard’s shared journey towards financial empowerment and innovation across Africa.

 

About United Bank for Africa

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

 

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

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BIG STORY

19 Of 38 Directors Fail Permanent Secretary Examination

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Nineteen Directors have failed the Permanent Secretary written examinations conducted in Abuja on Monday.

They were among the 38 eligible candidates who sat for the three-stage selection process to fill the vacancies for the retiring permanent secretaries from Abia, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Rivers States.

The Head of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Eno Olotu, said in a statement on Tuesday that the 19 candidates still in the race will on Wednesday proceed to the second stage of the exercise, which will test their competence in the use of “Information Communication and Technology (ICT)” in conducting government business.

The Office of the Head of Service of the Federation usually follows an established tradition of carrying out a rigorous three-stage exercise that ensures that only the very best among the directors on Grade Level 17 are appointed permanent secretaries and equipped with appropriate and relevant skills to improve and sustain effective delivery of services.

The statement further noted that the successful candidates would then proceed to the final stage, where they would be grilled by a carefully constituted panel of top bureaucrats and representatives of the organised private sector, on Friday, November 15.

Olotu extended the goodwill of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, to all the 38 candidates and appreciated the continued support of the Nigerian public in entrenching “meritocracy” in career progression in the Civil Service.

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BIG STORY

Autonomy: FG, Governors, Local Government Chairmen Sign Implementation Agreement

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The Committee on Local Government Autonomy, set up by the Federal Government, has concluded its meetings and signed the technical document, which is expected to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu soon.

The National President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Hakeem Ambali, made this known in an interview (with The PUNCH) on Tuesday.

In May, the Federal Government, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, filed a lawsuit to challenge the governors’ authority to receive and withhold federal allocations meant for Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The suit sought to prevent state governors from unilaterally dissolving democratically elected local government councils and establishing caretaker committees.

The AGF argued that the constitution mandated a democratically elected local government system and did not allow alternative governance structures.

On July 11, 2024, the Supreme Court gave a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of the 774 LGs in the country, noting that governors could no longer control funds meant for the councils.

The seven-member Supreme Court panel, led by Justice Garba Lawal, ruled that it was illegal and unconstitutional for governors to manage and withhold LG funds.

The apex court also directed the Accountant-General of the Federation to pay LG allocations directly to their accounts, as it declared the non-remittance of funds by the 36 states unconstitutional.

Also, on August 20, the Federal Government instituted a 10-member inter-ministerial committee to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.

The committee members include the Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Attorney-General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Minister of Budget & Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu; Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein; and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso.

Others are the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mrs Lydia Jafiya; the Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation & Fiscal Commission, Mohammed Shehu; and representatives of state governors and the local governments.

The committee’s primary goal is to ensure that local governments are granted full autonomy, allowing them to function effectively without interference from state governments.

Speaking to our correspondent on Tuesday, Ambali said, “The committee has held its final meeting and we have signed the technical document which will be transmitted to Mr President so by November end. It is expected that states will receive their allocations from FAAC. Also, I can tell you that the President is eager to receive that document. The committee worked within the time frame that was provided.”

Meanwhile, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) has expressed fears about the capacity of LGs to pay the N70,000 new minimum wage to primary school teachers.

The NUT’s apprehension is based on the failure of the councils to implement the former N30,000 minimum wage.

Findings by our correspondent show that some LG workers in Nasarawa, Enugu, Zamfara, Borno, Yobe, and Kogi states, among others, have remained on the N18,000 minimum wage, which was approved in 2011.

However, the inability of the councils to implement the minimum wage has been blamed on the failure of the government to fully implement LG autonomy.

Data obtained from the NUT revealed that teachers in LG primary schools were not paid the former minimum wage.

In Enugu State, for instance, LG workers were exempted from benefiting from the minimum wage, even though state workers enjoyed the salary.

Also, Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Kogi, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, Imo, and Gombe States did not implement the old minimum wage for teachers at both state and local levels.

Confirming this, the General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Dr. Mike Ene, said, “I can tell you that some states didn’t even implement the N18,000 minimum wage for teachers at the local level. Some governors refused to pay, stating that the teachers are under the employment of the local governments.

“There should be no form of segregation when it comes to the implementation of the minimum wage. We all go to the same market. There is no specific market for local government workers. However, we commend all the governors who have come out to say that the minimum wage will be implemented across the board.

“Also, the NLC has vowed to shake the country by December should state governments fail to implement the minimum wage, so I can tell you that the move by the NLC will force things into play.”

But NULGE president Ambali assured that the minimum wage would be implemented across the board when the LG autonomy commences.

“Over the years, governors have had one excuse, and that is the fact that they always claimed that LGs are autonomous so they can’t negotiate minimum wage on behalf of LG workers. But the truth is that LGs were never autonomous during those periods.

“However, during the negotiation of the new minimum wage, the President brought in representatives of ALGON (Association of Local Governments of Nigeria) to also negotiate, and with the LG autonomy coming into play, that will be settled. The NLC has also given an ultimatum of December for all states as regards the payment of the minimum wage,” he added.

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