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  • Wait First: Did the Tribunal Dismiss Obi’s Drug Petition Against BAT?

    Wait First: Did the Tribunal Dismiss Obi’s Drug Petition Against BAT?

    On May 8, 2023, a Twitter user with the handle @Gen_Buhar claimed that Peter Obi’s drug petition against Bola Ahmed Tinubu had been dismissed. This tweet has been viewed over 74,000 times at the time of writing. 

    On Wait First, we divide claims into three categories. A valid claim is a fresh banana. A false claim is a burnt dodo. And a misleading claim is a cold zobo.

    So, is this claim valid?

    ALSO READ — Explainer: All the Petitions Filed Against BAT’s Presidency

    Background

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) of the All Progressive Congress (APC) winner of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023. INEC declared BAT the winner with 8,794,726 votes. However, several political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Action Peoples Party (APP), filed petitions challenging the election results.

    The pre-hearing of the presidential tribunal, which started on May 8, 2023, will address these petitions. Peter Obi filed a joint petition with his party raising five “prayers” against the declared winner, BAT, his running mate, the APC, and INEC.

    One of the petitions Obi and his party filed focuses on BAT’s eligibility in the concluded presidential election. Obi alleges that BAT was linked to drug trafficking by a US court. This then led to his forfeiture of $460,000 to the American government. He argues that, as a result, BAT is not qualified to contest the Nigerian presidency. 

    This fact check aims to see if the claim that a court has dismissed the drug petition is valid.

    Verification

    We looked into this claim with support from our partners, FactCheck Elections. Here’s what they found:

    “FactCheckElections findings revealed that the presidential elections tribunal commenced its pre-hearing on May 8, 2023, and made a sitting on the petition filed by Peter Obi and the Labour Party challenging the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.  

    Channels reported that the Justice Tsamani-led panel announced it would commence its pre-hearing session with three petitions. They are the petitions by Action Alliance (AA) marked: CA/PEPC/01/2023; Action Peoples Party (APP) marked: CA/PEPC/02/2023 and Peter Obi & Labour Party (LP) marked: CA/PEPC/03/2023.

    The Guardian reported the Tribunal on Monday dismissed the petition by the AA challenging the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the presidential election after the AA withdrew its petition at the Presidential Election Petition Court sitting in Abuja, prompting the dismissal. According to SaharaReporters, AA gave no reason for the withdrawal. 

    However, Premium Times, in its timed live update at the inaugural sitting, did not report the dismissal of any of Peter Obi’s petitions. The court announced an adjournment of the case till May 10, 2023. This was reported at around 1:00 p.m. on May 8, 2023. 

    No reputable news or media platform reported the news of the dismissal of any of Peter Obi’s petitions.”

    The case has been again adjourned to May 17, 2023, “to enable parties to harmonise their processes.”

    Verdict

    The claim that Peter Obi’s drug petition against BAT has been dismissed is false and, therefore, burnt dodo. Hearings on the matter will resume on May 17, 2023.

    Stephen Agwaibor

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    , , ,

  • Bloomberg Report Links Seyi Tinubu to ‘Fraud’ Property

    Bloomberg Report Links Seyi Tinubu to ‘Fraud’ Property

    These are not the best times for the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT). In an exclusive report by Bloomberg, it has been revealed that BAT’s son, 37-year-old Oluwaseyi Tinubu, has gotten himself in the mud by acquiring property linked with fraud.

    [Seyi Tinubu (L) with dad, Bola Tinubu (R) / Twitter]

    What’s the gist?

    According to corporate documents seen by Bloomberg, Oluwaseyi, a principal shareholder for Aranda Overseas Corp. —an offshore company— paid $10.8m to Deutsche Bank for a property in St. John’s Woods, north London, in late 2017. Buying property overseas is not in itself the issue. The trouble here is that the Nigerian government wanted to confiscate this particular one Seyi bought. Its former owner, Kolawole Aluko —an associate of former petroleum minister Dieziani Madueke— was suspected of having acquired it with proceeds from crime.

    In June 2016, a federal judge in  Abuja granted a request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to seize more than a dozen properties that Aluko owned in Nigeria and overseas, including the one in St. John’s Wood. That forfeiture order was still in effect when Seyi bought the house 16 months later.

    To provide a basic analogy, it’s like going to Computer Village in Ikeja to buy a phone. You have the option of buying from any of the registered phone dealers. Instead, you buy from a suspected thief the police are after, maybe because you think you’d get it cheap. But what complicates matters is you’re not just anybody — you’re the president-elect’s son. 

    Essentially, while Buhari’s government was, in the public eye, going after allegedly corrupt persons in the previous administration, behind the scenes, their properties were being reacquired in offshore deals. 

    Neither BAT’s, nor Seyi’s spokespersons responded to Bloomberg for comments. Aluko’s lawyer also declined, saying the matter was “sub judice”, i.e. a matter still in court and could not be discussed. Deutsche Bank also refused to comment. However, Bloomberg did note that this apartment was what BAT used to receive Buhari in August 2021 when the president came to visit. 


    ALSO READ:  What to Expect from a BAT Presidency

    What next?

    Whether the president-elect or his son will respond to these allegations in the coming days remains to be seen. But we cannot overlook that BAT’s list of scandals is piling up by the day. Carrying that kind of baggage not only bodes poorly for him but for the reputation of Nigeria — if he gets sworn in. With 27 days left till May 29, we wonder what other controversies BAT has for us.

    Stephen Agwaibor

    , , ,

  • South West Pensioners Demand 35% Increment From BAT

    South West Pensioners Demand 35% Increment From BAT

    During his presidential campaign, the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), famously promised, among other things, that “farmers will make more money“. While he’s yet to be sworn in, another group of people — pensioners — have come to cash in early on that promise. Because what’s good for the farmer is good for the pensioner.

    Pensioners in the South West of Nigeria under their union, the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), are demanding a 35% increase in their pensions. They’ve made this demand known to BAT and governors in the South West. 

    [Nigerian pensioners / The Cable]

    What’s the gist?

    At a meeting in Abeokuta on April 3, chairpersons and secretaries of NUP from Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Lagos and Ekiti states said they want BAT to “show them love”. The SW NUP zone’s public relations officer (PRO), Olusegun Abatan, said the outgoing president Muhammadu Buhari “has done quite a lot for pensioners.” 

    In December 2022, the National Pension Commission approved the increase of retirees’ monthly pension to take effect in February 2023. However, the NUP alleges that governors in the SW still owe retirees huge sums in pensions and gratuities.

    What else do pensioners want from BAT?

    An increase in pension isn’t all the pensioners are asking. They also want BAT to create a separate ministry dedicated to pension-related matters. 

    What’s the FG’s latest response concerning pensioners?

    On March 30, in an unprecedented turn of events, the federal government, through the director-general of the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) Emem Omokaro, said the FG would “create a portal to engage older persons who wish to continue offering services after retirement.” 

    The portal will go live this month, April. Omokaro said, “The aim of the collaboration is also to assist the centre to create an online portal that would engage older persons who are professionals in their different fields of endeavour to tap into their wealth of experiences.” There’s no rest for the wicked and the elderly.

    As seen from their Twitter responses, Nigerians have not taken this news kindly.

    With Buhari already set to leave office, the burden of responsibility on this matter falls on BAT. Will he create a new ministry for pensioners? Will he send retirees back to work to “make more money”? These are questions only time can answer.

    Stephen Agwaibor

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  • Explainer: All the Petitions Filed Against BAT’s Presidency

    Explainer: All the Petitions Filed Against BAT’s Presidency

    The presidential election may be done. But the outcome is far from concluded — going by the latest petitions filed at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja.

    In separate suits, four presidential candidates approached the tribunal on March 21, 2023, to nullify INEC’s declaration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), as the winner of the presidential election.

    In law, a person who presents a petition to a court is known as a petitioner. The person against whom the petition is filed is known as the respondent. The four petitioners in this suit are Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP); Solomon Okangbuan of Action Alliance (AA); and Chichi Ojei of the Allied People’s Movement (APM).

    Here’s what we know about the petitions.

    AA

    The AA’s petition called on the tribunal to void the election. It claimed its candidate, Hamza Al-Mustapha, was excluded by INEC.

    APM

    The APM petitioned that BAT, at the time of the election, was not qualified to contest the election under the provisions of sections 131(c) and 142 of the Constitution and section 35 of the Electoral Act 2022. 

    Section 131 of the Constitution deals with qualifications for the president’s office. Section 142 covers the nomination of the vice president. For Section 35 of the Electoral Act, it covers the invalidity of multiple nominations. The APM claims that Shettima’s nomination as running mate is invalid because he was already nominated for a senatorial seat.

    LP

    The LP spokesperson Yunusa Tanko describing its petition, said, “We are challenging the qualifications of the candidate that was declared the winner. We are also challenging the processes that led to his declaration as the winner, among others.”

    The LP’s 99-page petition asked the tribunal to grant it relief based on the following prayers, (prayers are what the petitioner wants the court to give them at the end of the case), the summary of which is: 

    1. BAT and his vice, Kashim Shettima, were not qualified to contest the election. The bases of this claim include BAT’s alleged links to narcotics. It also challenges Shettima’s running mate nomination while being the Borno Central constituency’s senatorial candidate.
    2. Following the first prayer, the second respondent, BAT, received “wasted votes” because he wasn’t qualified to contest;
    3. After removing these wasted votes, Obi scored a majority of votes and met the criteria of 25% of votes in two-thirds of the states in the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. According to INEC, Obi came third with 6,101,533 votes;
    4. Because BAT didn’t get 25% of votes in the FCT, he shouldn’t have been declared the winner;
    5. Alternatively, the court should disqualify BAT and order fresh elections in which BAT and Shettima will not participate;
    6. The certificate of return issued to BAT by INEC is null and void, and Obi should be declared the winner.

    The LP’s suit also claimed overvoting in ten states and faulted INEC for not uploading results directly from the polling units to IReV, which it claims contravenes the Electoral Act 2022.

    Depending on where you stand, the petition is either very solid — as Obi supporters claim—


    —or easily dismantled, as BAT supporters would argue. Either way, the presidential election tribunal has a busy few weeks ahead.

    PDP

    PDP’s petition listed INEC, Tinubu and APC as respondents. Essentially, the PDP is also asking the court to nullify BAT’s victory.


    Atiku, through his team of lawyers led by Mr Joe Kyari Gadzama, SAN, further argued that Tinubu’s election was invalid because of corrupt practices. Atiku applied for the withdrawal of the Certificate of Return issued to Tinubu by INEC because it was “invalid by reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022”.


    According to INEC, Atiku Abubakar came second, polling 6,984,520 votes. A date is yet to be set for when the petitions will be heard.

    How has the APC reacted?

    In a series of tweets this morning, the official spokesperson for the APC Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, said the issues raised in the petitions will be “busted by law lords.” 

    We will update you on how this plays out in the coming days. Meanwhile, follow us on our WhatsApp channel below to stay informed about happenings within Nigeria’s political space.

    Stephen Agwaibor

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  • APC’s Presidential Campaign Is In Full Swing. Where is Osinbajo?

    APC’s Presidential Campaign Is In Full Swing. Where is Osinbajo?

    On October 19, 2022, the All Progressives Congress (APC) launched the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). The council was chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari and included other APC heavyweights like the Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Minister for Works Babatunde Fashola and the Senate President Ahmed Lawan.

    One big name was missing from the list. The vice president and former protege of Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), Yemi Osinbajo. In June 2022, Osinbajo contested against BAT and 12 other aspirants at the APC Presidential primaries. BAT won with 1271 delegate votes ahead of Rotimi Amaechi, who finished second with 316 votes and Osinbajo, who finished a distant third with 235 votes.

    While the APC primaries were a coronation for BAT, Osinbajo didn’t leave without taking shots at his boss. Nigerians who followed the primaries will remember that speech.

    How have things played out since then?

    Campaigns have been going on since October, but neither Osinbajo nor several other contenders at the primaries have been seen with BAT on his campaign trail. Notable absentees include Rotimi Amaechi, Tunde Bakare and Rochas Okorocha. For Osinbajo, though, it has been a bit of a cat-and-mouse game.

    In October 2022, BAT speaking in Kano said he had forgiven Osinbajo which suggests there was some beef. However, both of them have subtly ignored each other. For instance, at the conclusion of the APC primaries, BAT saluted other APC members but skipped Osinbajo. He shook hands with him following the prompting of House Speaker Femi Gbajamiala.

    Osinbajo must have kept that snub in mind and retaliated a few months later. At the burial ceremony of the mother of Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, high-profile APC politicians were in attendance, including BAT. Osinbajo also ”forgot” him when paying respect to the dignitaries before acknowledging his “error”.

    On December 21, 2022, Osinbajo visited BAT in Abuja. It was the first time outside public functions that the duo met since his defeat at the primaries. The meeting was described as not being a political one but in the spirit of the Christmas season.

    Regardless, Osinbajo has continued to stay away from BAT’s campaign.

    So where are Osinbajo and the others?

    Osinbajo has mostly been ‘focused’ on his work, travelling for functions and heading Nigeria’s energy transition plan. Anything to keep him far away from BAT.

    He’s not alone, either. No one has heard from Rotimi Amaechi, who was Buhari’s campaign director-general for the 2015 and 2019 elections. There are rumblings that Amaechi has not been “treated fairly” by BAT.

    Fashola seems more concerned with inspecting and delivering road projects rather than votes for BAT. 

    Okorocha who was excluded from the PCC said he has “subtle ways of campaigning” for the party.

    Bakare still believes he’ll be Buhari’s successor or “number 16” following his prediction that he’d be Nigeria’s 16th president. We don’t know how, as he scored zero votes at the APC primaries, but one can never say never.

    Stephen Agwaibor

    , , , , , , ,

  • The Labour Party Is Tired of Tolerating BAT’s Disrespect

    The Labour Party Is Tired of Tolerating BAT’s Disrespect

    On December 1, 2022, the Labour Party (LP) held a press conference in Abuja to set off enough fireworks to go around. Among the issues raised, the party’s vice presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, called out the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its flag bearers, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) and Kashim Shettima.

    What did Datti say?

    Datti accused BAT of being “indecorous”. That’s a fancy way of saying the BAT lacks class. Here are his words: “A few days ago, the presidential candidate of the APC speaking in Delta State, and referring to our presidential candidate, said it was a disgrace to mention his name. While our candidate is quite comfortable with not being mentioned, it is most unpresidential, indecorous and disrespectful from the candidate who claims his turn at Nigerian Presidency.”

    Datti also had words for Shettima whom he congratulated for improving his dressing but scolded for bringing shame to his heritage. 

    The response was so scathing, it even referenced BAT’s alleged links with narcotics.

    “Little wonder that their vice presidential candidate has consistently put to shame the noble heritage of the great Bornu Empire, in his unguarded and uncultured public pronouncements, which expose his intellectual laziness and discomfort with empirical facts and arguments. 

    “Regular insults, which have now become his trademark, haven’t spared the current vice president whom he directed to go and sell ice cream, or the former vice president whom he described as a pure water seller, a noble venture which serves the populace better than a certain white substance.”

    What else did Datti say?

    Datti accused the APC of promoting falsehood and discrediting the candidacy of Peter Obi by spreading lies about the former governor demolishing mosques, deporting northerners and being against the production of oil in the North. 

    He also took digs at the government whom he accused of abandoning its responsibility to safeguard the lives of citizens. Datti referenced the recent assassination of Victoria Chintex, an LP women leader in Kaduna State. He also spoke against the alleged battery and arrest of a student, Aminu Mohammed, over a social media post directed at the first lady, Aisha Buhari.

    Has the APC responded?

    Not yet. The APC has most recently been on a campaign trail in Bayelsa State. But they’re probably cooking their response. If we know anything about the APC, it’s that they don’t believe in turning the other cheek.

    What should we expect?

    More fireworks, obviously. Nobody cares that we’re approaching the festive season as things will only get more intense with the February 2023 election looming. We only hope all the dogs in this fight reserve some respect for the peace accord they signed. Political banter is unavoidable but it should only be that — banter. Otherwise, Nigeria could be teetering on the brink of electoral violence. And we definitely don’t want that.

    Stephen Agwaibor

    , , , , ,

  • What BAT’s Tompolo Visit Tells Us About Nigerian Politics

    What BAT’s Tompolo Visit Tells Us About Nigerian Politics

    Unless you’re very new to Nigerian politics, Tompolo is a name that rings many bells. He’s been trending online since the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), visited him on November 25, 2022. 

    When a frontrunner for the presidency is showing up on your doorsteps then it’s clear you wield some clout. So we need to understand who Tompolo is, and why this visit is significant.

    Who’s Tompolo?

    Tompolo’s birth name is Government Ekpemupolo. That’s not a typo, his name is really Government so we aren’t shocked he grew up to become a government unto himself. Tompolo was born in 1971, to a royal family in Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom of Warri South Local Government Area in Delta state.

    In 1993, Tompolo dropped out of school to join a resistance group in the Niger Delta. He was a member of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and was later invited to join fellow militant Asari Dokubo’s Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF). He rose through the ranks to become a high commander at MEND and used his influence and wealth to fund the powerful militant group. 

    Tompolo led several raids against oil facilities in the Niger Delta, blew up pipelines and crippled Nigeria’s oil production in a bid to call the government’s attention to the degradation of the Niger Delta — by degrading the Niger Delta. There’s an expression for this kind of behaviour: “Cutting your nose to spite your face.” 

    Naturally, he caught the attention of the federal government. After negotiations with the administration of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2009, Tompolo and other groups agreed to lay down their arms in exchange for amnesty and cash. For the time, the destruction in the region ceased.

    Buhari goes after Tompolo

    After Yar’Adua’s death, Goodluck Jonathan took over as president and the Niger Delta was relatively stable. Jonathan’s loss in 2015 however, upset the status quo. Tompolo became a wanted man again. 

    Remember that Muhammadu Buhari campaigned to fight corruption to a standstill? Tompolo became a priority on his list as he was under a lucrative contract by the previous government to secure pipelines in the Niger Delta. In 2016, the EFCC declared him wanted over the illegal diversion of ₦34 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    In response to the court warrant for his arrest, Tompolo allegedly blew up more oil installations in the Niger Delta. The battle was on between Government and the federal government.

    Tompolo goes into hiding

    With the full force of the real government bearing down on him, Tompolo went into hiding. In 2016, the Nigerian army raided his village and arrested the traditional ruler. Tompolo cried out from hiding to deny responsibility for the attacks on oil facilities, and blamed another militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). 

    In July 2020, a federal high court dismissed all charges against Tompolo. He made his first public appearance after six years in October 2020.

    Why is BAT’s visit significant?

    The same man who was declared wanted under the administration of the APC has now become the beautiful bride. BAT’s campaigner, Festus Keyamo, who was the prosecutor in the case against Tompolo, embraced him warmly during the visit.

    The BAT also visited the traditional ruler of Gbaramatu. He bagged a chieftaincy title and promised the kingdom a deep sea port, university and industrial park.

    If Tompolo’s story points to anything, it’s that there are no permanent enemies in Nigerian politics, only permanent interests. Whether this visit will translate to sizable votes for Tinubu in the South-South remains to be seen. For now, let’s just sit back and watch Nigeria’s political drama unfold.

    Stephen Agwaibor

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  • What you should know about the children of BAT, Obi and Atiku

    What you should know about the children of BAT, Obi and Atiku

    All eyes are set on the 2023 presidential candidates in the race to become Nigeria’s next president and move into Aso Rock Villa. We’ve already profiled the candidates and profiled the wives of the top contenders. But what do we know about their children who could also follow them to Aso Rock Villa next year?

    Bola Tinubu — All Progressives Congress (APC)

    We know Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) has fathered at least six children. They are: Olajide Tinubu (late), Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, Seyi Tinubu, Zainab Tinubu, Habibat Tinubu and Olayinka Tinubu. 

    BAT with his wife and two daughters, Zainab and Habibat. [Daily Post]

    From all indications, only Folashade and Seyi are at the forefront of BAT’s campaign. Seyi, especially, has featured heavily on his father’s campaign trail, most recently in Kano where he led a one-million man march. 

    https://twitter.com/tvcnewsng/status/1594369342652964867

    Seyi describes himself as a serial entrepreneur and happens to have many powerful friends just like his dad.

    Seyi playing with the Oba of Lagos. [Twitter/@BolanleCole]

    With the way he’s moving, Seyi might get an appointment in his father’s administration if he wins. 

    Atiku Abubakar — Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)

    As the husband to a total of six wives over the years, Atiku Abubakar has fathered enough children to fill two football teams. As at last count, he’s fathered at least 30 children but we certainly won’t be listing all of them here. 

    Atiku with one of his wives and children. [DNB]

    In the book titled “Atiku – The Story of Atiku Abubakar”, he explains that his choice of polygamy was to expand his family having been born without siblings.

    We’re not aware of any of his children actively involved in his campaign though and who can blame them? The man is on his sixth run for the presidency since he started running back in 1993. If it was you, wouldn’t you be tired?

    Peter Obi — Labour Party (LP)

    Peter Obi of the Labour Party has two children: Gabriella Nwamaka Frances Obi and Gregory Oseloka Obi. As far as we know, Gabriella is a teacher based in Nigeria and Gregory is an actor based in the United Kingdom (UK). 

    Obi with his family and Archbishop Valerian Okeke [DNB]

    Like Atiku, we’re not aware of any of Obi’s children actively involved in his campaign. The one time he spoke of his children publicly was to say his son, who was almost 30, had no car. This caused some funny reactions online. 

    ALSO READ: One of These Women Is Nigeria’s Next First Lady

    Stephen Agwaibor

    , , ,

  • Embarrassing Moments from 2023 Presidential Candidates so Far

    Embarrassing Moments from 2023 Presidential Candidates so Far

    It’s the World Cup in a few days and while Nigeria won’t be taking part, there are no hard feelings as there’s enough drama at home to keep us occupied. With things getting intense ahead of the 2023 elections, we’ve seen presidential candidates buckle under pressure with twists and slips. 

    Being the troublemakers that we are, we’ve compiled the top four embarrassing moments  of the presidential campaigns so far.

    Atiku has his “emi lokan” moment

    We start with the unifier. Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had his first major gaffe at an interactive session on October 14, 2022. Addressing the Arewa Joint Committee, Atiku was asked what his plans were for the North. 

    We should have known he was up to no good when he turned up in sneakers. He took the mic, and the words that came from his mouth were in stark contrast to his goal of unifying Nigerians. 

    His words: “I think what the average northerner needs is someone who is from the North, and who also understands the other parts of Nigeria, and who has been able to build bridges across the rest of the country. This is what the northerner needs. He doesn’t need a Yoruba candidate, or an Igbo candidate. This is what the northerner needs.”

    Nigerians had interesting reactions to this online.

    BAT loves bad things

    Bola Tinubu (BAT) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is no stranger to controversies. If anything, he delights in them. At a summit in Kaduna, around the same time Atiku was pulling his “emi lokan” stunt, BAT reminded us that he’s the true king of comical errors. 

    In what was supposed to be a compliment to Nasir El-Rufai, BAT still found a way to throw a jab at him. He said: “I’m begging Nasiru El-Rufai not to run away for (an) additional degree. Your vision, creativity and resiliency in turning a rotten situation into a bad one is necessary at this critical time.”

    His spokesman called it a “slip of tongue”. But as you’ll find out soon, that would be one of several slips to come.

    Obi and his unverifiable facts

    Peter Obi (The Rock) of the Labour Party (LP) has no doubt captured a lot of supporters, building his Obidient army. And if there’s anything he is famous for, it is quoting statistics to back up his claims. However, not all rocks are solid, as Obi has shown us.

    His most prominent gaffe came in an interview on Channels TV. On July 25, 2022, he claimed that of the 150 players playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA), almost 100 are Nigerians. 

    You know how Obi always says “Go and verify”? Well, fact-checkers did and they found his claim to be untrue. Turns out that among the 109 international players registered for the league’s 2021-2022 season, only five — and not “almost 100” — are from Nigeria.

    The BAT strikes again

    BAT’s most recent gaffe places him head and shoulders above the presidential pack. At a rally on November 15, 2022, in Plateau state, the BAT lost track of his own political party when he asked God to “bless the PDAPC”. We checked, and there’s no party by that name. 

    Naturally, we have questions.

    And theories.

    And a winner.

    Are there any other moments you think we left out? Let us know in the comments.

    ALSO READ: Atiku Joins Tribal Olympics and BAT’s Lips Are Loose Again

    Stephen Agwaibor

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  • PDP Wants INEC to Disqualify Tinubu and Here’s Why

    PDP Wants INEC to Disqualify Tinubu and Here’s Why

    It has been rough days for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, aka BAT. Old allegations of his links to narcotics sprung up and forced his spokesman to go on TV to defend him. We wrote about that in our newsletter here. 

    While the BAT was still trying to get some breathing space, a documentary on his shady past was released, adding more fuel to the fire. Then the opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), released a strongly worded press release urging Nigerians not to vote for him. 

    These are tough times for the BAT and he might decide to hibernate till the storm passes.

    What did the PDP say? 

    The PDP had a lot to say. The party accused the APC of “creating tension and inducing violence”. It said that the APC, having realized they have an ineligible candidate for 2023, is choosing violence to frustrate the conduct of the 2023 elections. 

    It went on to reference BAT’s forfeiture of funds over links to drug-related offenses in the United States. The PDP warned Nigerians that a vote for the APC will ultimately be voided and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intervene.

    Why is this significant?

    The PDP cited section 137 (1d) of the Nigerian constitution which deals with grounds for disqualification. As pertaining to the BAT, they highlighted the following: 

    “A person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if he is under a sentence of death imposed by any competent court of law or tribunal in Nigeria or a sentence of imprisonment or fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud (by whatever name called) or for any other offence, imposed on him by any court or tribunal or substituted by a competent authority for any other sentence imposed on him by such a court or tribunal.”

    The PDP is saying that the BAT’s forfeiture in the US constitutes a fine imposed on him by a court. In this case, the Northern District of Illinois and as such, is disqualified.

    How could this play out?

    There has already been a fake report attributed to INEC saying it would look into it. While INEC has come out to debunk it, there’s no denying that it is under immense pressure to do something as the umpire.

    On the other hand, BAT’s camp says there’s no case and that the PDP’s statement is just that — a press statement.

    It is unlikely that INEC disqualifies the BAT given his high-ranking status in the APC. So just like the last election, the PDP might take up the matter in court if the BAT wins.

    Whether things will escalate to that is a question that can only be answered by February 2023. 

    So sit tight, it’s a long hard ride ahead.

    ALSO READ: Five Big Moments from the Presidential Town Hall

    Stephen Agwaibor

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  • Five Big Moments from the Presidential Town Hall

    Five Big Moments from the Presidential Town Hall

    On November 6, 2022, Nigerians were given another opportunity to scrutinise the presidential candidates. This time, at a town hall hosted by Arise TV in Abuja. 

    It’s no news that your usual suspect (read: BAT) and Atiku Abubakar did not show up but four major parties were represented in varying capacities — Rabiu Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP). Kola Abiola, the presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Redemption Party (PRP), and Ifeanyi Okowa, vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    If you are looking at the trends on Twitter and wondering what you missed, we’ve got you covered. 

    The BAT ghosts again

    In a country where almost nothing is predictable, like what value the naira will trade against the dollar tomorrow, or what country Buhari will zoom to next, you can be sure of one incontestable truth — Bola Tinubu, aka BAT, will not turn up for a presidential debate.

    And so like clockwork, the BAT was absent. It would have been bearable — even if not tenable — if the BAT was far away from the debate venue, like at his favourite London abode, or in his bullion home of Bourdillon.

    However, the BAT was in Abuja — the same city where the town hall was held. And while his mates were busy talking to Nigerians about their plans for the country, the BAT had more pressing matters to deal with — like the latest owambe in town.

    Later, his campaign team released a statement explaining why he couldn’t attend. We could explain the silliness of it, but it’s better to just show you.

    BAT doesn’t send you and he wants you to know it. His campaign team has already announced he will be your president whether you like it or not. Over to you, Nigerians.

    The rock is no longer playing with you

    Depending on who you ask, Obi’s (aka The Rock) performance was either meh, or excellent. 

    But that’s by the way. While Obi touched on different matters ranging from the economy to security, the most interesting soundbite came off the cuff. At different points during the town hall meeting, Obi was posed questions from Dino Melaye, spokesperson of the PDP. 

    But it appeared Dino the skitmaker eventually took his antics too far, prompting Obi to say “enough”.

    Obi often projects a calm mien, so to see him so visibly annoyed suggests that Dino rattled him. His supporters say he handled it well. We’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions.

    Okowa got a rough reception

    The early videos that came out at the start of the town hall meeting showed Okowa getting some tough love. The crowd present was pissed that his principal, Atiku Abubakar, failed to turn up for what was billed as a “presidential debate”. 

    https://twitter.com/KnightSirdam/status/1589331486779805696

    Okowa would later explain that it had been relayed to Arise TV ahead of schedule that the PDP would be sending a representative in Atiku’s stead. He said they didn’t object to it. Well, despite the initial gra gra, the show went on.

    Okowa didn’t seem shy to take on issues, sharing ideas on how to deal with stuff like insecurity. Besides defending the PDP’s legacy in government, he took a swipe at Kwankwaso, a former member of the PDP, and Obi who until May was a member of the PDP and the former running mate of Atiku in 2019.

    And he didn’t stop there. He fired more shots at Obi for prioritising saving when the economy was dire.

    It would have been smooth sailing for Okowa except that around the same time he was throwing punches offline, another story on him was doing the rounds online. Talk about timing.

    Kwankwaso won a lot of fans

    If anyone came out ahead, it was probably Kwankwaso. Most commentaries from across political divides seemed to suggest he handled himself well. 

    And despite Okowa carpeting him for being a former PDP member, he kind of held his own.

    Kwankwaso threw his own shots. 

    While speaking in support of Okowa over the absence of his principal, he disclosed that it was at least better to have someone turn up instead of one other candidate that didn’t send anyone at all. Ouch.

    But it was not all rosy. He claimed that he left no debt when he left his office. Maybe he didn’t think the fact-checkers would go and verify. But they did, and came back with their final verdict.

    Kola Abiola was a mixed bag

    To be fair, we loved his outfit. The blue senator and that red fila probably made him the best dressed of the four candidates.

    Still, he was the least popular of the mix.

    Abiola spoke eloquently. Unlike other candidates, he noted  that Nigeria already had adequate security infrastructure but it just failed in addressing gaps in manpower training. He also spoke on the economy, making the case for a market-driven one.

    Yet, not everyone was pleased with his performance.

    And like Kwankwaso, he also got a spanking from the fact-checkers.

    ALSO READ: Peter Obi Wants Your Shishi, and Other 2023 Campaign Lessons

    Stephen Agwaibor

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  • Why Afenifere Is Backing Both the BAT and the Rock for President

    Why Afenifere Is Backing Both the BAT and the Rock for President

    A lot can happen in a month — you could safely lose as much as 9kg, read as many as 20 books or make 10 trips to the moon. And if you’re a Nigerian, one month is enough time for one socio-political group to endorse two different candidates for the 2023 presidential election.

    On October 30, 2022, Afenifere, a Yoruba group, endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu. A respected leader of the group, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, announced the endorsement in Akure, Ondo State when the candidate visited him. But this wasn’t Afenifere’s first endorsement of a 2023 presidential election candidate.

    On September 26, 2022, another Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, threw his support behind the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.

    What do the separate endorsements mean?

    What’s clear from Afenifere’s endorsement competition is that the group is a house divided against itself. Just like political parties in Nigeria, Afenifere has factions that aren’t always in agreement.

    Even though Fasoranti stepped down as the group’s leader for Adebanjo in 2021, they’ve ended up on opposite ends of issues. In his response to Fasoranti’s endorsement of Tinubu, Adebanjo said the Obi endorsement is the real deal.

    Do these endorsements really matter?

    On one hand, politics is largely a game of numbers and interests which explains why politicians seek the support of individuals who hold influence over large groups of people. These individuals could be anyone from towering political figures to traditional rulers and religious leaders. 

    On the other hand, it’s difficult to measure the impact of these endorsements on elections in Nigeria. For example, former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, publicly endorsed Atiku Abubakar and described him as “President-to-be” for the 2019 presidential election, but we all know how that ended.

    Like the Afenifere, there are many more groups waiting to endorse candidates, whether organic or paid for. But the real question is how much do these endorsements affect real voters?

    ALSO READ: One of These 18 Candidates Is Nigeria’s Next President

    Stephen Agwaibor

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