₦airaland Forum

X-Ray of Mohammed Haruna's Effectiveness as Chief Image Maker for INEC

By Edwin Uhara

Though he has been around as one of the National Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but since his deployment to serve as Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna has proved that he is not only a refined gentleman, but a thorough-bred media guru whose weekly columns before his current stint with the commission were noted for shaping and influencing public policies and discussions.

These qualities were recently brought to bear when INEC had issues with some political parties as well as the current court order to deregister some parties.

Despite all the tantrums thrown at the commission by these parties and their supporters, Mallam Haruna's calm and candour in defending the integrity of the commission is endearing.

He not only defended the commission's policies to the admiration of everyone, but he guided himself with the codified ethics of the profession without resorting to mudslinging or creating unnecessary mumbojumbo.

He adhered to the ethics of the Fourth Estate of the Realm by adopting Social Responsibility Press Theory which is the best communication model prescribed for developing democracies like ours.

For the sake of my readers, Social Responsibility Press theory is one of the normative press theories that allows free press without any censorship but at the same time suggests that the contents of the press should be discussed in public panel and media should accept any obligation thereof.

In other words, this theory is saying that the media should be free but must be responsible by effectively servicing the socio-political, economic and other needs of the society.

In the modern society filled with many digital media outlets, this theory is critical for combatting fake news, misinformation, sensationalism, yellow-journalism, news imbalance and distortion.

It also acts as a catalyst for demanding transparency, fact-checking and ethical coverage of sensitive issues like elections and court related matters.

Accordingly, I have watched the measured responses and copy-fitted reactions Mr. Haruna has been using in the cause of doing his job.

He does not engage in hypotheticals but deals with facts.

He craft INEC messages in ways all segments of the society can easily understand.

He does not allow his personality or pedigree to influence the essence of his message.

He does not lace his messages with innuendos and assumptions but straight to the facts.

He makes INEC the centerpiece of his media relations by ensuring that facts dominates rumors in the free market place of ideas.

Apart from the fact that he is a well respected and reverend senior colleague in the pen profession, his open door policy is very remarkable.

In most professional online forums where members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists analyse issues before we release them to the reading public, Mallam Haruna's approval rating is very high.

Besides the high regard we all have for him, I have never seen any professional journalist talking bad about him or his duties which are all pluses for him.

Born on September 22, 1951, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna is a veteran journalist and administrator who started his career with the New Nigerian Newspaper between 1976 and 1989 where he rose from being a reporter to becoming the managing director of the company.

He also co-founded Citizen News Magazine and worked as a prominent political columnist while also writing columns for other notable national dailies and weeklies.

Prior to his current national assignment with INEC, Mallam Haruna had served as the Chief Press Secretary to former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar between 1998 and 1999 as well as senior lecturer in the Department of Mass communication at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 2008 to 2014.

In his capacity as the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC) of the commission, Mallam Haruna is the chief image maker for INEC responsible for defending it's electoral guidelines, election timetables and responding to data-related investigations among others.

As things stands today, Mallam Haruna is on top of his job and is ever willing and committed to breaking new grounds as we gradually approach the 2027 general elections.

Comrade Edwin Uhara is a United Nations-trained Negotiator and Public Policy Analyst.

Press Release

June 12: Uhara Congratulate Nigerians over their Sacrifice for Democracy

As the nation celebrates this year's Democracy Day anniversary, a Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress and United Nations-trained Negotiator, Comrade Edwin Uhara has congratulated Nigerians for the sacrifice they made by ensuring that democracy did not only return to Nigeria in 1999 but has become part of our neo-culture.

Uhara disclosed this in a statement released to newsmen in Enugu on Friday to mark this year's Democracy Day anniversary.

He noted that democracy is no longer an experiment in Nigeria but a reality that has come to stay despite some shortcomings.

"Our democracy is a constant work in progress which still requires the collaborative effort of all Nigerians irrespective of party affiliations."

Uhara further disclosed that democracy is not all about periodic elections but also about strengthening democratic institutions which are the bedrocks for democracy to strive.

Whether it was the fight against third-term agenda or the fight against anti-democratic forces, Nigerians have shown their preference to democracy over all other forms of government.

Accordingly, next year's general elections will serve as another litmus test concerning our avowed commitment to democratic ethos and I believe that Nigeria will once again make our democratic allies and the international community proud because our democratic flame remains unquenchable.

So far so good, the process has been very impressive with the outcome of the various primary elections of the various political parties held so far.

In the same vein, no journalist or media organisation has been harassed or manhandled on account of what they wrote or published so far and I encourage Nigerians as well as other relevant authorities to keep up with this tempo.

While I congratulate Nigerians for this year's Democracy Day anniversary, I also enjoin them to give all their best in the defence of our fledgling democracy.

Signed:

Comrade Edwin Uhara,
Former Member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and United Nations-trained Negotiator

With the implementation of China’s Zero-Tariff policy for products from 53 African countries, including Nigeria, here is an opportunity to further boost Nigeria’s agricultural exports to China.

China’s Chamber of Commerce of import & export of foodstuffs… is organizing China International Sesame Conference & China International Peanut Conference 2026 in Qingdao from August 23-25, 2026. It is China’s only international event dedicated to sesame and peanut, serving as a pivotal platform for global sesame and peanut industry stakeholders, including producers, traders, processors, and policymakers, to exchange insights, showcase achievements, and explore opportunities for business partnership.

Nigeria being one of the world’s major producers of sesame and peanut, holds an important position in the Chinese market. Interested persons, especially young entrepreneurs, are encouraged to participate. Check out the website https://cccfna.org.cn or email zhangjun@cccfna.org.cn or contact Mr Zhang Jun, +86-18813189552.

#CFNA
#ChinaZeroTariff
#NigerianEmbassyBeijing

meobizy:
How many children did Babangida father? Google says four. I do not believe it. Most likely those are his “official children.” There is no way he will waste the Islamic opportunity of marrying four wives.

Why can't you be polite for once in your utterance?

Let's address the issue raised and not unnecessary political arguments.

Peace be with you!

Press Release

Uhara Hails Aisha Babangida at 56

A United Nations-trained Negotiator and Public Policy Analyst, Comrade Edwin Uhara has praised Africa's humanitarian leader and former First Daughter of the nation, Her Excellency, Erelu Aisha Ibrahim Babangida on the occasion of her 56th birthday anniversary.

In a statement released to newsmen in Enugu on Monday, Uhara described Aisha Babangida as a rare personality who don't want to be served but chose to serve humanity with greatest sense of humility and kindness.

Noting that she has demonstrated that power do not change people, but truly reveals who they are.

All over Africa, her humanitarian gestures of real transformative services to the downtrodden, lower and middle class citizens and underserved communities speak volumes.

She not only feed the poor, but also empowers them with practical skills, tools and resources needed to add meaning to their lives.

Quoting Mother Theresa, Uhara said that Aisha has proven that unless life is lived for others, it is not worth living.

Through her numerous humanitarian organizations like the Better Life Program for the African Rural Woman, Women Enterprise Alliance, Egwafin Micro-finance Bank, Tasnim Foundation, The Aisha Babangida Leadership Foundation and many others, she has been able to touch lives in many positive ways.

Many are now breadwinners of their respective families because of her benevolence.

Therefore, as she add one to her years on earth, I am wishing her Allah's guidance, wisdom and protection, Amin Ya Rabi.

Signed:

Comrade Edwin Uhara,
United Nations-trained Negotiator and Public Policy Analyst

Best man for the job is Richard Lamai

Richard Lamai: A Credible Alternative for Etsako People

By Edwin Uhara

Politics has often been described as a game of who gets what, when and how he uses what he got to advance the cause of the people.

But sadly enough, this is not what some politicians believe. Instead, they believe in the definition of politics given by an English Poet, Alexander Pope who defined politics as the madness of many for the benefit of few.

This is the definition of politics that some of our leaders have been practicing over the years.

If Alexander Pope was to be alive up till this moment, he would have been called the Nostradamus of our time because practically everything he said is what is playing out in our country.

We have leaders who only remember the masses during election times and after elections, they ghost up.

So, when you have leaders who are so closed and disconnected from the people, then there is the need for a credible alternative.

However, such alternative must not come from a green horn but from a tested, trusted and reliable alternative who understands the system but did not allow the dark side of the system to define him.

I'm talking about no other person but our own Aristocratic leader and the scion of the late Senator Ekpemoriri A. Lamai, Chief Richard Lamai, a man who has helped many to become governors, senators and ministers in this country.

Richard Lamai will make a good leader if given the opportunity by the good people of Etsako Federal Constituency to represent them in the House of Representatives next year.

I worked for him when he was the Chief of Staff to late Chief Edwin Clark during former President Good luck Jonathan's Administration and I witnessed how he used his access to power to promote good governance at all levels.

While I don't want to mention names, I know many leaders in this country who wouldn't have become governors, senators and ministers if not for the support they enjoyed from Chief Lamai.

So, it will be easier to start attracting federal presence to Etsako land if elected in to the Green Chamber next year because he already understand the dynamics of power.

This is why he made the following promise in his manifesto;

"I, Chief Richard Lamai, am deeply committed to serving the good People of Etsako Federal Constituency of Edo State with integrity, passion and dedication."

"I am offering myself to represent our people in the House of Representatives because I believe Etsako deserve purposeful leadership, measurable development and a stronger voice at the national level."

Accordingly, if given the mandate, I pledge to do the following things for my people.

1. Champion Economic Growth: I will attract investments, create jobs and support local industries to expand and strengthen our local economy.

2. Improve Infrastructure: I will facilitate the construction of roads, healthcare facilities and schools to improve the quality of life across our communities.

3. Empower Youth and Women: I will promote skills acquisition and development, scholarships and entrepreneurship opportunities to unlock the potential of our young people and women.

4. Enhance Security: I will work closely with relevant security agencies and stakeholders to support peace, safety and stability in our communities.

5. Promote Agriculture: I will support farmers with improved resources and initiatives that will increase productivity and strengthen food security.

6. Advocate for Federal Projects: I will ensure equitable attraction and execution of federal projects and deployment of funds across the three Etsako Federal Constituency areas.

7. Foster Unity: I will bridge divisions, promote inclusivity and ensure that every community and group is represented and valued.

I will lead with transparency, accountability and consistent engagement with the people while community voices will directly shape my priorities and legislative actions.

I will work closely with traditional leaders, youth groups and stakeholders to deliver sustainable development to our people.

Together, we can build a stronger, more united and prosperous Etsako Federal Constituency.

I humbly seek your support and nomination to serve as your representative in the Green Chamber next.

Comrade Edwin Uhara is a Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress

Press Release

World Press Freedom Day: Uhara Calls for More Supports for Journalists

As the world celebrates this year's World Press Freedom Day, a United Nations-trained Negotiator and former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Comrade Edwin Uhara has called for more supports to media workers.

Uhara made this known in a statement released to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday to mark this year's World Press Freedom Day.

He said, self-censorship has grown by more than 60 percent and is mostly driven by fear of reprisals, online harassment, judicial intimidation and economic pressure.

Noting that media workers stick out their lives for the good of the society but the main users of their contents are not showing commensurate support to their welfare.

Supporting this argument, Uhara who is also a journalist by training said, we can have the press without the government but we cannot have the government without the press.

Adding that since the media has been recognized as the Fourth Estate of the Realm after the Legislative, Executive and the Judicial Arms of Government, the media should be accorded the proper rights and privileges it deserve.

He called for proper protection of all media workers since they have dangerously become cheap targets by terrorist organizations as well as victims of information manipulation; including the use of Artificial Intelligence by malicious actors.

Uhara also urged journalists to properly deploy the 'Agenda Setting Theory' of the media as the nation is about to enter the electioneering campaign season for next year's general elections.

Signed:

Comrade Edwin Uhara,
United Nations-trained Negotiator and former Member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council

Happy birthday Dr. Yakubu

Ewelesuo:
Press Release:

APC Chieftain Praises Tanimu Yakubu at 65

A United Nations-trained Negotiator and Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Comrade Edwin Uhara has praised the Director -General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu on the occasion of his 65th birthday anniversary.

In a statement released to newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday, the party stalwart said Dr. Yakubu is not only an economic guru but also an astute administrator who knows how to translate policies into realities.

Adding that he is not only advising on economic matters but also coordinating the fiscal policies of the nation which include but not limited to preparing executive budget, overseeing budget implementation and monitoring; as well as maintaining fiscal discipline and providing frameworks for annual budgeting processes among others.

Since his appointment, Dr. Yakubu has refused to be bogged down by bureaucratic bottlenecks but has embarked on what is now known as 'Economic Activism' where he normally educate Nigerians on the economic policies and direction of the Federal Government through his series of articles in different national dailies.

He has also strengthened the existing cooperation among government agencies, ministries and departments thereby ensuring that appropriations are implemented in the best interest of the nation.

Born on April 30th, 1961, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu started his academic pursuit in Nigeria where he was the founding president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) before heading to acquire MBA in Finance from Wagner College in New York, United States of America.

Upon his return to Nigeria, Dr. Yakubu worked in a number of private-sector institutions like Icon Limited and the Afri-Projects Consortium where he was the Chief Economist and Principal Investment Adviser.

As Commissioner of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning in Katsina State between 1999 and 2002, Dr. Yakubu ensured that the state had the highest capital expenditure votes over recurrent expenditure ratio making it the first state to achieve such feat in Nigeria.

He has also served as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank between 2003 and 2007 where he engineered the first mortgage-backed securitization policy in Sub Saharan Africa.

As Chief Economic Adviser and Deputy Chief of Staff to a former Nigerian President as well as member of the National Economic Management team between 2007 and 2010, Dr. Yakubu crafted many far reaching policies and recommendations that persuaded the Federal Government to set up Nigeria’s first Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) under it's parent body -- the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

He was also among the six key Federal Government officials who worked behind the scene to end the Niger Delta crisis; a development that led to a major boost of the country’s crude oil output.

In 2019, Dr. Yakubu passed the Fiduciary Awareness Certification Test (FACT) of Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS) thereby making him a certified guru in corporate governance.

Before his current stint as Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, he had served as a non-executive director of Oando PLC.

Therefore, as you celebrate your birthday, I am wishing you Allah's guidance, wisdom and protection.

Signed:

Comrade Edwin Uhara,
United Nations-trained Negotiator and former Member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council

Press Release:

APC Chieftain Praises Tanimu Yakubu at 65

A United Nations-trained Negotiator and Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Comrade Edwin Uhara has praised the Director -General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu on the occasion of his 65th birthday anniversary.

In a statement released to newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday, the party stalwart said Dr. Yakubu is not only an economic guru but also an astute administrator who knows how to translate policies into realities.

Adding that he is not only advising on economic matters but also coordinating the fiscal policies of the nation which include but not limited to preparing executive budget, overseeing budget implementation and monitoring; as well as maintaining fiscal discipline and providing frameworks for annual budgeting processes among others.

Since his appointment, Dr. Yakubu has refused to be bogged down by bureaucratic bottlenecks but has embarked on what is now known as 'Economic Activism' where he normally educate Nigerians on the economic policies and direction of the Federal Government through his series of articles in different national dailies.

He has also strengthened the existing cooperation among government agencies, ministries and departments thereby ensuring that appropriations are implemented in the best interest of the nation.

Born on April 30th, 1961, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu started his academic pursuit in Nigeria where he was the founding president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) before heading to acquire MBA in Finance from Wagner College in New York, United States of America.

Upon his return to Nigeria, Dr. Yakubu worked in a number of private-sector institutions like Icon Limited and the Afri-Projects Consortium where he was the Chief Economist and Principal Investment Adviser.

As Commissioner of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning in Katsina State between 1999 and 2002, Dr. Yakubu ensured that the state had the highest capital expenditure votes over recurrent expenditure ratio making it the first state to achieve such feat in Nigeria.

He has also served as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank between 2003 and 2007 where he engineered the first mortgage-backed securitization policy in Sub Saharan Africa.

As Chief Economic Adviser and Deputy Chief of Staff to a former Nigerian President as well as member of the National Economic Management team between 2007 and 2010, Dr. Yakubu crafted many far reaching policies and recommendations that persuaded the Federal Government to set up Nigeria’s first Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) under it's parent body -- the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

He was also among the six key Federal Government officials who worked behind the scene to end the Niger Delta crisis; a development that led to a major boost of the country’s crude oil output.

In 2019, Dr. Yakubu passed the Fiduciary Awareness Certification Test (FACT) of Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS) thereby making him a certified guru in corporate governance.

Before his current stint as Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, he had served as a non-executive director of Oando PLC.

Therefore, as you celebrate your birthday, I am wishing you Allah's guidance, wisdom and protection.

Signed:

Comrade Edwin Uhara,
United Nations-trained Negotiator and former Member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council

Press Statement:

Easter: Uhara Urge Christians to Renew Their Trust in God, Says There is Light at the End of the Tunnel

A Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress and United Nations-trained Negotiator, Comrade Edwin Uhara has called on Christians to renew their trust in God while believing Him for better days.

Uhara stated this in his Easter Message titled: "The Dry Bone Shall Rise Again" which was released to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday.

He said, just as the grave could not stop the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, so shall no force on earth can stop Nigeria from taking it's rightful place in the comity of nations.

Quoting Psalm 127:1 Uhara said, Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who builds it and unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

Urging Christians to make God the pillar of their lives with faith, love and hope, Uhara explained that faith makes all things possible, love makes all things easy while hope makes all things work.

He said, Christianity is a religion of belief adding that believers must also learn to take leap of faith even where there is enough evidence to disbelieve because the things which are seen where not made of the things which are visible.

While calling on believers to always pray for their leaders, the party stalwart also urged political leaders to always seek the face of God genuinely before taking some radical decisions that affects the people because the heart of a king is like the channel of water in the hands of the Lord which He turns to wherever He wishes.

He concluded by urging Christians to always reflect the virtues of Christ and not religion in all they do.

Happy Easter beloved brothers and sisters!

Signed:

Comrade Edwin Uhara,
United Nations-trained Negotiator,
And former Member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council

Tasks Before the Re-elected APC National Chairman

By Edwin Uhara

There is no doubt that the national convention of our great party, the ruling All Progressives Congress has come and gone with the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda retained as the National Chairman of the party.

I congratulate him and the new members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party even as I enjoin them to brace up for the challenging tasks ahead.

However, it is important that I point out that the new NWC members are not going to enjoy any honey moon because the time frame for the conduct of party primaries are too short and as a result, the leadership must role-up it's sleeves and hit the ground running because there is no time for a walk in the park this moment.

In this regard, it is important that the party adopts both proactive and reactive strategies in handling the post-primary election crisis which will most likely erupt.

I'm not a pessimist, but the new party leadership must anticipate crisis emanating from some states over conflicts of interest and make arrangements on how to strike a balance between the interests of longstanding members and the interest of new members who now enjoys the attention of the party.

This is where the proactive strategy will work perfect for the overall interest of the party.

The second strategy is that, the leadership must embark on genuine reconciliation immediately after the primary elections are over in order to establish modus vivendi within the party structure across states.

If this second aspect is not properly handled, anything can happen because politicians always go to where their nest would be feathered.

The Presidential Primary would not be an issue because the President would be given the automatic ticket of the party.

Next time when our party delegates will be coming back to Abuja would be to ratify the automatic ticket that would be given to Mr. President.

So, at the presidential level, the leadership will have a field day because there would not be much trouble in this regard but it will most definitely not be like that at the state level.

This is where the challenge lies and it requires high level negotiation abilities and conflicts resolution skills to overcome it.

Such challenge did not arise in Anambra, Ondo and other states that recently witnessed gubernatorial primaries because it's a staggered primary with minimal interests.

This area is one of the most neglected aspects that led to the downfall of the former ruling party -- the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 Presidential Election.

A lot of analysts focused on the immediate cause of PDP failure but refused to look at the remote cause which I want to highlight in this piece because I was part of the process.

Towards the end of 2014, the PDP conducted the worst party primary which it carried over to 2015 general election year.

Initially, the party encouraged interested members to buy the nomination and expression of interest forms at very high prices and promised that it would give every member a level playing ground.

But during primaries, the party went against its own rules and the leadership carried on as if nothing happened.

Because these aggrieved party members commanded huge followership among the electorates they decided to protest under the auspices of PDP Aspirants Forum (PAF) which I was one of it's national spokespersons.

PAF wanted to engage the party leadership to amicably find lasting solution to the crisis but some hardliners within the party hierarchy who thought that the election would be business as usual frustrated every of our moves until we decided to go public.

Because our members refused to participate in partisan activities, their non participation started showing bad and dangerous signals for all the candidates including President Good luck Jonathan.

First, public opinion began to go against the candidates. Second, the electorates began to pelt the President with pebbles and sachet waters.

Third, blame and counter blames started creping in to the campaign train.

While all these were happening, General Buhari who was the candidate of the APC soared high as he became the main beneficiary of the internal party wrangling.

The Presidency and the PDP refused to recognize the political reality in the country and as well underestimated their main challenger, General Muhammadu Buhari and his party without knowing that APC had covertly engaged the services of AKPD which was the political consultancy firm owned by David Axelrod, President Obama’s Chief Campaign Strategist for 2008 and 2012 United States Presidential Elections.

Because Mr. Axelrod had the ear of President Obama, he was able to turn the heart of Mr. Obama against President Jonathan.

Accordingly, Obama mobilized David Cameron who was then the UK Prime Minister and other allies to work against Jonathan's re-election.

When the Presidency saw the danger ahead, they decided to reach out to PAF by sending the Deputy Director-General of the Jonathan/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organization, Professor Tunde Adeniran and the traditional ruler of Jonathan's community in Ogbia, King Asara A. Asara to the group.

Professor Adeniran urged PAF members not to allow what some persons had done to cause them to leave the party or work against it during polls; noting that they were some party members on the campaign train who did not want President Jonathan reelected.

While speaking on behalf of the President, the Traditional Ruler of Akipelai Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Chief Asara A. Asara, appealed to PAF members not to leave the party saying, “President Jonathan was deeply worried over the way and manner the last primaries were conducted, but, because the automatic ticket granted him by the party was yet to be ratified as at the time the various primaries were conducted, he was very helpless in intervening in the matter. He assured them that the President would soon meet with them.

On March 2nd, 2015 President Jonathan finally invited PAF members at the Presidential Villa but most of our members refused to attend.

Some members who honoured the invitation observed that everyone was already in the panic mode.

This was when the Director -General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Amodu Ali told us that the battle was not against Buhari but against the American Government.

Trying to justify his claim, Senator Ali said that Mr. Obama was angry with President Jonathan because he refused to allow same sex marriage to be made official in Nigeria but this narrative fell on deaf ears because the PDP had already lost the sympathy of many Nigerians.

For example, instead of running their campaigns on issues, the party decided to focus on Buhari making him the campaign issue.

So, after the popular Abuja peace accord, President Obama started sending his then Secretary of State, Senator John Kerry to Nigeria often and often signaling danger over any plot to rig the election.

After much filibustering, PAF dissected everything within the context of truth and observed that even if we decided to support the PDP, public opinion had already gone against the party.

For example, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu who was one of the governorship aspirants for Delta State said that elections were not yet conducted but some of the beneficiaries of the kangaroo primaries had started carrying themselves as if they had won the election already.

Other members like the Governorship Aspirant for Lagos State, Chief Babatunde Badamasi, Rivers State, Hon. Gabriel Pidomson, Benue State, Mrs. Rosaline Ada Chenge, Imo State, late Chief Bethel Amadi, the Senatorial Aspirant for Edo North, Chief Richard Lamai, Adamawa, Mallam Isa Tambaran, Anambra, Barrister Chike Madueke, House of Representative Aspirants like Hon. Pat Asadu, Lady Irene Ottih, Chief Mrs. Olivia Agbajo and over 150 Aspirants for various State House of Assemblies spoke in similar direction.

It was at this point that Buhari saw the opportunity and sent a high powered delegation to PAF members. Though he has been sending Senator Dino Melaye who was one of his campaign spokespersons to the group.

So, while some defected to APC including myself to support Buhari, others remained in PDP but to work against it during polls which in the end, Buhari gave PDP a very hard blow with a crushing defeat.

Ever since then, the PDP has never recovered from the Buhari blow and from the look of things, they will have no option than to adopt our President as it's presidential candidate for next year's election.

So, with the benefits of hindsight, insight and foresight, I write this piece to arrest things before there go out of hands.

Once again,
Congratulations to our Chairman and members of the National Working Committee of the party.


Comrade Edwin Uhara is a Political Operative, Public Policy Analyst and former Member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

He can be reached via email: edwinuhara@rocketmail.com

Lalasticala Mynd94

Press Release


Uhara Hails Ambassador Ugwuanyi at 62

A Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Comrade Edwin Uhara has congratulated the Nigerian Ambassador-Designate to Greece and immediate past Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi (CON) on the occasion of his 62nd birthday anniversary.

In a statement released to newsmen in Enugu on Friday, the party stalwart said, Ambassador Ugwuanyi widely known as Gburugburu is a charismatic politician by disposition and a diplomat by calling.

Noting that, as Governor in Enugu, he promoted integrated developments across the state with special focus on opening up rural communities with construction of virgin roads in areas once forgotten by previous administrations.

Citing the Amuri/Agbani road project abandoned by successive administrations for more than 16 years, Uhara stressed that Ugwuanyi not only completed the project but ensured that all the 260 electoral wards in the state got facelifts both in the area of youth empowerment, rural electrification, healthcare--infrastructure, education, access to the information superhighway - ICT among others.

Uhara added that even with the double assaults of the economic meltdown and COVID-19 pandemic on the state, Ugwuanyi with his grace of 'Midas Touch' and economic ingenuity was able to turn the economic fortunes of the state around without borrowing a dime from anywhere or mortgaging the future of the state.

He further added that one remarkable fact that Ndi-Enugu will continue to appreciate Ugwuanyi in years to come was his extraordinary ability to ensure that Enugu State was added on the list of oil producing states in December, 2022 by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) as a result of crude oil discovery in the Anambra River Basin 1, 2 and 3 field.

Based on that singular feat, arrangements are now in top gear for the state to start receiving it's share of the 13 percent derivation formula.

This is what visionary leadership could bring to a state rich in history but whose citizenry were conditioned to live in the memory of the past.

Even as governor on the PDP platform then, Ugwuanyi ran his government on progressive ideologies, leaving no one behind irrespective of party affiliations.

I remember during his re-election bid in 2019, the then governorship candidate of APC in the state, Senator Ayogu Eze was making strong case in Abuja that the then Commissioner of Police and Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state be transferred to other states some days to the election but as a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the Directorate of Security and Intelligence, I was part of the crack team sent to the state for a covert operation.

On getting to the state, I noticed that Ugwuanyi was extremely popular that even the state chapter of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) had already endorsed him.

So, I filed a report back to Abuja telling them the truth. I told them that even if the Resident Electoral Commissioner and the Commissioner of Police were transfered, Ugwuanyi will still win his re-election because all the civil society organizations, market women and even religious bodies were fully supporting his re-election bid.

In the end, a status quo was maintained and election was conducted which the ex-governor won convincingly.

Ugwuanyi scored 449,935 votes representing 95.54 percent of the valid votes cast while Ayogu Eze scored 10,423 votes representing 2.21 percent of the valid votes.

This is a political success which no first term governor going for a second term ever achieved in the history of Enugu State politics.

Accordingly, before he left office, Enugu State was rated as one of the most peaceful states in the country because of his level-headed approach to security matters.

Undoubtedly, these are the intangible assets and qualities Ambassador Ugwuanyi would be exporting on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Hellenic Republic of Greece, where democracy originated from.

Therefore, on behalf of the political family of Ambassador Ugwuanyi, I am saying happy birthday to our own Socrates-- the Philosopher King.

Signed:

Comrade Edwin Uhara,
Former Member, APC Presidential Campaign Council and former National President of Young Nigerians for Change.

Happy birthday Sir.

God bless

Press Release

APC Chieftain Felicitates Ambassador Dambazau at 72

As the Nigerian Ambassador-Designate to the People's Republic of China and former Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd) celebrates his 72nd birthday anniversary, a public policy analyst and Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Comrade Edwin Uhara has praised the elder statesman, saying he is a blessing to the nation.

Uhara made this known is his birthday message to the Ambassador which was released to newsmen in Enugu on Saturday.

Recalling the patriotic role played by the former Chief of Army Staff during the constitutional crisis of 2010 which warranted the first constitutional amendment and the inclusion of 'Doctrine of Necessity ' in to the amended constitution, Uhara noted that the envoy deserve to be celebrated for keeping the 'khaki boys' in the barracks and for refusing all the enticements to truncate our democracy when the nation was at a crossroad.

Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., Uhara said 'The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

General Dambazau took side with democracy not because it was convenient at that material time but because of his unyielding believe that democracy remains the best system of government that allows the minority to have their say while the majority have their way.

Adding that Dambazau is a bulwark of our democracy and since journalism is the first draft of history, future historians will surely accord him his due place in the annals of history.

The party chieftain noted that as Minister of Interior, Gen. Dambazau introduced many far reaching reforms and policies which won the peace after winning the war against Boko Haram.

"He spearheaded the establishment of the first ever operational border patrol base to effectively police the country’s vast and expansive borders that were hitherto porous and unmanned."

This was the most cost effective way of policing our borders since there were no adequate funds to erect walls across the country’s 5,000 kilometre borders that are extensive and porous.

He retooled and re-equipped the Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Prisons Service now known as the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps which were the five paramilitary agencies under his watch before a separate ministry was created for the Nigerian Police Force in 2019.

He promoted a friendly business climate in line with the Ease of Doing Business policy of the then administration by establishing the E-Citibiz Call Centre which was to ensure that the Citizenship and Business Department of the Ministry were electronically configured and automated to ease the delivery of services to Nigerians.

As Nigeria's Ambassador-Designate to the People's Republic of China, I have not doubt that the elder statesman and scholar will strengthen the existing bilateral trade agreement and other memorandum of understanding between Abuja and Beijing especially now that the trade volume between the two countries have risen from $18.9 billion in 2024 to $24.9 billion in 2025.

Happy Birthday Your Excellency Sir!

Signed:

Comrade Edwin Uhara,
Former Member, APC Presidential
Campaign Council and Public Policy Analyst.

Happy International Women's Day to all women

Press Release:

International Women's Day: Uhara Calls on Leaders to Walk the Talk on Equal Rights for Women

As the world celebrates this year's International Women's Day, a United Nations-trained Negotiator and Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Comrade Edwin Uhara has called on leaders in all stratas of influence to walk the talk on equal rights and justice for women and girls irrespective of class and status.

This was made known in a goodwill message sent to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday to mark the United Nations special day.

Uhara noted that though some progress have been made 31 years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action which was an all-encompassing global policy framework for gender equality and women's empowerment but also added that more efforts should be made because only two women have been democratically elected as Presidents in Africa with the first being Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who served as President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018 and the second being Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah who was sworn-in as President of Namibia on March 21, 2025.

Others who became Presidents after the death or resignation of their predecessors are;

Samia Suluhu Hassan who assumed office in 2021 as President of Tanzania following the death of her predecessor, late John Magufuli.

Sahle-Work Zewde who was appointed to serve as the first female president of Ethiopia from 2018 to 2024 following the resignation of her predecessor, Mulatu Teshome.

Joyce Banda who served as president of Malawi from 2012 to 2014 following the death of her boss, late President Bingu Wa Mutharika.

And Ameenah Gurib-Fakim who was appointed to serve as president of Mauritius from 2015 to 2018 when her predecessor, Kailash Purryag resigned from office.

Like my professional colleague and renowned rights activist, Gloria Steinem once said, "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights"

This was the intellectual idea that shaped my worldview in 2013 when I started championing the cause for gender equality as then National President of Young Nigerians for Change with many publications in Nigeria, United Kingdom and other countries.

In 2015 and 2019, I was part of the team that tirelessly worked to make late Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan the first democratically elected female governor in Nigeria.

In 2016, I mobilized many African news organizations to support the first female Prime Minister of New Zealand and Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, (UNDP) Rt. Hon. Helen Elizabeth Clark to become the first female United Nations Secretary-General.

Though we did not succeed because the former Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Guterres emerged as United Nations Secretary-General but the then Nigerian Minister of Environment, Amina J. Muhammed was appointed as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

And as Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, "A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions."

Now is the time for leaders to walk the talk on equal rights and justice for all; not only on the political fronts but in all frontiers because according to the United Nations statistics, 'women have only 64 per cent of the legal rights that men hold worldwide in fundamental areas of life, including work, money, safety, family, property, mobility, business and retirement."

With the theme for this year's International Women’s Day #IWD2026 being “Rights, Justice and Action for all Women and Girls”, there is an urgent need for action to dismantle all barriers to equal justice, discriminatory laws, weak legal protections and harmful practices and social norms that erode the rights of women and girls in our societies.

Also, based on the adjusted electoral timetable for political activities as recently released by the nation's electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission which indicated that primary elections for all political parties in the country will be starting by April 23rd and will end by May 30th, I call on the the leadership of the various political parties to allocate certain elective positions of their parties to women because the political destiny of many politicians in Africa is still in the hands of strongmen and not strong institutions.

Signed:

Comrade Edwin Uhara,
United Nations-trained Negotiator and former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council

It has come to my notice that someone or group of persons attempted using my phone number to create an Opay Account.

However, the Opay company sent me this text: "You're applying for an OPay instant card and your verification code is... Please provide this code to the OPay merchant to continue the process."

Let me state categorically that I did not apply for Opay card and does not even have an account with the Opay.

While I don't know how far these folks have gone in their scheme, I am using this medium to appeal to Nigerians and relevant institutions to help me to frustrate the perpetrators of this financial crime in anyway possible to avoid using my phone number to dupe unsuspecting Nigerians while incrementing myself for something I do not know.


Thanks and God bless!

Comrade Edwin Uhara

thisisit:
WHAT DANBAZZUA DID TO JONATHAN .. MAY HE DO IT TO TINUBU
WHAT DANBAZZUA IS DOING IN KADUNA AGAINST NIGERIA .. MAY IT MANIFEST ON TINUBU

My friend, don't tell lies against people simply because you don't like their person.

Press Release:

APC Chieftain, Comrade Uhara Hails Tinubu over Dambazau's Ambassadorial Nomination

A Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress and former member of the Presidential Campaign Council, Comrade Edwin Uhara has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the Ambassadorial Nomination of the former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Interior, Retired Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau.

In a statement released to newsmen in Enugu on Thursday, the party stalwart said General Dambazau is a foreign policy wonk who knows how to promote and defend the country's national interest in foreign land without causing diplomatic row.

Noting that apart from his academic qualification as International Relations expert, the 'Baraden Kano' is also a seasoned administrator with deep knowledge and understanding of the workings in the diplomatic circle.

Mr. President made no mistake in the choice of General Dambazau who has been a party loyalist and financier.

Comrade Uhara urged Nigerians to continue support the policies and programmes of Mr. President as he strives to Renew the Hope of Nigerians.

Signed:

Comrade Edwin Uhara,
United Nations-trained Negotiator
And Former Member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council

Campaign for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in Africa

By Edwin Uhara

The increasing rate of violence against women and girls have become source of concerns lately. We read it in the news everyday and we sometimes witness or experience it in our neighborhoods.

There is no day that passes without reported case of violence against women in our news channels.

The situation has become so prevalent that if you do a content analysis of our dailies from January to December, one will come to terms with the fact that no hour passes without a different woman somewhere in a different location facing a different case related to violence, intimidation, bullying, sexual harassment, cyber stalking or any form of these abuses.

This necessitated why the United Nations designated November 25 every year as International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women; a day to raise awareness on the dangers associated with this evil practices.

This year's campaign focuses on the digital realm with the theme: "Digital Violence is Real Violence."

According to report, "Violence against women on online platforms is, today, a serious and rapidly growing threat that seeks to silence the voices of many women—especially those with a strong public and digital presence in fields such as politics, activism, or journalism."

It further stated that, "Digital violence is a form of violence on the rise due to weak technological regulation and a lack of legal recognition of this type of aggression."

In some countries, the impunity of digital platforms; new and fast-evolving forms of abuse using Artificial Intelligence AI, movements opposing gender equality, the anonymity of perpetrators and the limited support for digital victims has made the situation worst.

The report added that "These acts don’t just happen online. They often lead to offline violence in real life (IRL), such as coercion, physical abuse, and even femicide – killing of women and girls. The harm can be long-lasting and affect survivors over a prolonged period of time."

A case in point was how the life of a promising young lady in Nigeria, Cynthia Okosogu was abruptly brought to an end in 2012 by men of the under-world who lured her to their den using the Facebook.

Digital violence targets women more than men, across all walks of life especially those with public or online visibility – such as activists, journalists, women in politics, human rights defenders, and young women - the report added.

Noting that, digital violence manifest itself in the following but not limited forms; Image-based abuse/ non-consensual sharing of intimate images – often called revenge porn or leaked nudes.

Cyberbullying, trolling, and online threats.
Online harassment and sexual harassment.

AI-generated deepfakes such as sexually explicit images, deepfake pornography, and digitally manipulated images, videos or audio.

Hate speech and disinformation on social media platforms.

Doxxing – publishing private information.

Online stalking or surveillance/tracking to monitor someone’s activities.

Online grooming and sexual exploitation.

Catfishing and impersonation.
Misogynistic comments on networks like manosphere, incel forums etc.

The report concluded that,
38% of women have experienced online violence and 85% have witnessed digital violence against others.

Misinformation and defamation are the most prevalent forms of online violence against women as 67% of women and girls who have experienced digital violence reported this tactic.

90 – 95% of all online deepfakes are non-consensual pornographic images with around 90 per cent of these depicting women.

73% of women journalists reported experiencing online violence.

Fewer than 40% of countries have laws protecting women from cyber harassment or cyber stalking. This leaves 44% of the world’s women and girls representing 1.8 billion – without access to legal protection.

Adding that the impact is even worse for women facing intersecting forms of discrimination, including race, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

"Almost one in three women have been subjected to physical or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life.

This view is corolated in another UN- report quoted in an article entitled " The Rising Tide of Femicide in Nigeria: A Silent War Against Women," written by Valeria Ogide.

The author asserted that "every 10 minutes, a woman is killed which is a sobering statistic that underscores the global crisis of gender-based violence."

The article further stated that "In 2023, Africa bore the highest burden of intimate partner and family-related femicide in the world, with over 21,700 women tragically losing their lives.

"In Nigeria, femicide continues to be an issue that is frequently under-reported, normalised, or dismissed" - The article suggested.

"Over 401 women reportedly died as a result of sexual and gender-based violence in 2022 alone."

Tragically, women have become items that can be used to express negative emotions at will without fearing the consequences.

In a related development, a release by Oxfam entitled: "SAY ENOUGH TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS IN NIGERIA" reported that "Widespread harmful traditional practices still exist, including widow abuse, early and forced marriage, and female genital mutilation/cutting FGM/C."

It is estimated that 27% of women aged between 15 to 49 years have undergone some form of female genital mutilation/cutting while single women (divorced, separated or widowed) experience higher risk across all zones in Nigeria which is about (44%).

Sadly enough, the Nigerian multiple indicator cluster (MICS) report of 2011 revealed that 46% of Nigerian women believe that a husband has a right to hit or beat them for at least one reason."

This is unacceptable as there should be #NoExcuse for any form of abuse; online abuse or offline abuse as the case may be.

The organization further explained that "Violence against women and girls is rooted in unequal power relations that are further reinforced by social and gender norms that normalize and justify violence against women, including rape."

The increasing incidents of rape against women and girls speak to underlying social norms that make it acceptable for men to feel entitled to women’s bodies without their consent - This is outrightly unacceptable.

While I commend countries with strong legal frameworks that protect the rights and privileges of women and girls from abuse, those without such legal frameworks should endeavor to enact such law because when a woman or a girl's right is abused on account of her gender, what it simply means, is that the right of the entire human race is abused.

There should be no justification or #NoExcuse for any form of abuse at all, let alone abusing the right of women and girls.

It not enough to raise awareness against this scourge on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women alone, but sustainable mechanism should be put in place to guarantee the safety of those who works in the field of raising the awareness as well as defending their rights when overpowered by repressive regime anywhere.

If all hands must be on deck from now, I believe the issue of violence against women will drastically be reduced by the year- 2030.

Comrade Edwin Uhara is A UN-trained Negotiator and Rights Campaigner based in Abuja, Nigeria.

He can be reached via edwinuhara@rocketmail.com

https://peoplesdailyng.com/campaign-for-the-elimination-of-violence-against-women-in-africa/

Data Depletion, Nigerian Consumers and the FCCPC's Silent Intervention

By Edwin Uhara

The various telecommunication companies in the country have come under intensed pressure from the Nigerian consumers over rapid depletion of mobile data services despite the high cost of purchasing mobile data; with some accusing some of the regulatory agencies of not doing their jobs properly.

Apart from Nigerians, I have personally experienced such unsatisfactory service in recent times until I came across various online campaign materials against telecom service providers and some regulatory agencies like the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission who have all been accused of doing nothing while the unhealthy practices continued in the telecoms industry.

"According to report, telecom subscribers are sending emails and direct messages to the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, demanding an investigation into what they describe as unexplained data consumption."

In the midst of such accusation, operators insist that there is no mechanism for reducing customers’ data, arguing instead that rising consumption is due to users behaviour, particularly the shift from 3G and 4G to 5G and increased video streaming habit.

Such controversy comes on the hills of the recent intervention by the Nigerian Senate urging the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to engage operators on reviewing data and internet-related service costs.

While data consumption issues have remained a pressing concern in recent times, the situation became more pronounced since the implementation of new tariff by service providers.

"The report however added that many subscribers who shared screenshots of emails sent to regulators on social media remained unconvinced, arguing that the problem lies in the operators’ billing systems rather than their usage habits."

"It added that data prices are too high these days. Every Nigerian should report the operators to NCC, FCCPC, and send them thousands of emails; otherwise, this price hike won’t stop,” one of the customers said."

“Not only has data become more expensive, but it also seemed to deplete faster than before. This is unacceptable,” another user complained."

Nigeria’s internet consumption crossed the one million terabyte mark for the first time in January 2025, highlighting the surging demand for internet services and Nigeria’s increasing dependence on digital connectivity.

To be very honest, I have followed the activities of the FCCPC for a very long time now, and I have also written extensively about the commission's activities to place me in a better position to know what the agency is doing to stop exploitative practices in the country.

During the nationwide food crisis last year, the commission was in the forefront of the war against exploitative practices with many raids against some manufacturers who were caught in the shabby practice.

We also remember the open confrontation between the commission and a minister last year over some unhealthy practices involving a popular airline operator in the country.

And most recently, the commission is in court over some issues involving multiChoice company, the parent company of DStv and Gotv over some of it's billing systems.

Like the situation in the telecoms industry, the price hike by multiChoice saw DStv Compact move from ₦15,700 to ₦19,000. Compact Plus from ₦25,000 to ₦30,000. Premium from ₦37,000 to ₦44,500, and GOtv Supa Plus from ₦15,700 to ₦16,800.

Following the new price regime, the FCCPC directed MultiChoice to suspend the increase pending regulatory review, but the company went ahead with the price adjustment, leading to the legal dispute now before Justice James Omotosho.

I can go on to name many of the battles against exploitative practices the FCCPC addressed last year, but will not do so because I don't want this article to be viewed as a public relations material by my readers.

However, I managed to get across to a staff of the FCCPC who do not want his name in print over data depletion which Nigerians are complaining about but he told me that the commission is already addressing the concerns raised by Nigerians and promised that the outcome of such investigation would soon be made public.

Therefore, I appeal to Nigerians to exercise more patience as the issue is been addressed.

Comrade Edwin Uhara is A Public Affairs Commentator.

He writes from Abuja

Quodseverismete:
I chop you chop syndrome. Nobody is shameless like Nigerian politicians, they are in APC today they praise the party and butt lick the thief thief leaders tomorrow they defect to another and begin to talk thrash. Sycophants

You are wrong

Public Statement:

APC Chieftain - Uhara Hails Tinubu over SEDC Inauguration

An APC chieftain and former member of the party's Presidential Campaign Council, Comrade Edwin Uhara has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for inaugurating the Board and Management of the Southeast Development Commission ably by Dr. Emeka Wogu and Mr. Mark C. Okoye on Tuesday.

In a thank you message released to journalists in Abuja, the party stalwart said President Tinubu has wiped away tears from the eyes of Ndi-Igbo after many years of endless wait for the manifestation of the 3R's of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation promised the region after the civil war.

Saying the time has come for the Renewed Hope agenda of the present administration to be felt among our people.

The party chieftain expressed confidence in the ability of the board and management team of the commission to drive home the agenda of the new commission and put smiles on the faces of our people.

He also thanked the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu for sponsoring the bill for the creation of the commission and using his position as the highest ranking political office holder from the region to facilitate presidential assent to the bill as well as ensuring it's take off.

He assured that Ndi-Igbo will reciprocate the gesture when the time comes.

Mr. Uhara called on all stakeholders in the region to throw their supports behind the assembled team of the commission so as to ensure rapid development of zone.

Signed:

Comrade Edwin Uhara,
UN-trained Negotiator and former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council

Press Release

Stop Distracting SEDC Appointees - APC Chieftain Warn Detractors

Following the power tussle emanating from the appointment of some credible individuals into the board and management of the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress and former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Comrade Edwin Uhara has advised those fanning the embers of discords and disunity within the party to desist from doing so in the best interest of the Southeast region.

In a statement released to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, the party stalwart said, those questioning the qualifications and the appropriateness of the various appointees should perish such idea because it looks childish and very ridiculous to be raising dust over the credentials of the former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and two times member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka as well as other appointees like the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Emeka Wogu among others.

Advising that stakeholders in the region should put their differences aside and work together to develop a workable blueprint for the rapid development of the Southeast region instead of allowing power play and unnecessary bickering to ruin the interest of the party.

He reminded members of the party in the region to remember that the main essence of creating the commission is to develop the Southeast zone and not to breed angers and acrimony among stakeholders.

Adding that the appointment did not only reflect the principles of the Federal Character but also gave a sense of belonging to every state in the Southeast region as well as the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The appointees are; Hon. Mark C. Okoye, Managing Director (MD) (Anambra); Dr. Emeka Wogu, Board Chairman (Abia); Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs (Anambra); Hon. Toby Okechukwu, Executive Director, Projects (Enugu); Mr. Anthony Agbo, Executive Director, Infrastructure (Ebonyi) ; Dr. Clifford Ogbede, Executive Director, Agriculture (Imo); Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, Executive Director, Finance (Abia); Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah (Enugu); Hon. Okey Ezenwa (Anambra); Chief Hyacinth Ikpor (Ebony); Mr. Chidi Echeazu (Anambra) and Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu (Imo).

Those representating the six geopolitical zones are; Nasiru Usman (North West); Hamman Adamu AG Kumo (North East); Edward David Onoja (North Central); Orure Kufre Inima (South South); Daniel Akwari (South East) and Joke Adebayo (South West).

Comrade Uhara added that instead of creating unnecessary crisis, stakeholders should work with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu to ensure that the N341.27 billion appropriated for the commission in 2025 budget is passed in to law so that the region will start feeling the positive impacts of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.

Signed:

Comrade Edwin Uhara,
APC Chieftain and former member of the Presidential Campaign Council

Good night

We must support FCCPC this Yuletide season

N

Keyamo's Unministerial Remarks Against FCCPC

By Edwin Uhara

I read the comment attributed to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo over the faceoff between the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the management of Air Peace with keen interest.

The minister while reacting to FCCPC press release over it's decision to investigate the alleged exploitation of consumers by Air Peace said, FCCPC acted 'carelessly.'

His words: “I think it was a very careless statement – I say that with all apology – by the agency, making such a statement without consulting the core agency involved in regulation, which is the NCAA."

”The power to regulate these airlines and for the airlines to inform about their price increase and all of that is domiciled in the NCAA; that is the core agency."

“They should have contacted the NCAA for them to look at the books, which we have been doing, so we would have given them facts. But to single out a few airlines that we are struggling to expose to the world for them to get more enhanced capacity, it was a bit careless."

With all due respect to Mr. Keyamo, I must admit that the learned gentleman acted more like a business CEO than a Minister of the Federal Republic whose main job is to supervise policy implementation in his ministry in accordance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.

Suffix to say that the same Act of the Parliament which empowered the NCAA to regulate activities of airlines also empowered the FCCPC to protect Nigerian Consumers.

In the case of Air Peace, it was never a case about business regulation but a case of exploitative practice and the agency saddled with such responsibility is the FCCPC and not the NCAA. So, the idea of contacting the NCAA before doing it's job is immaterial.

If it were a case of misunderstanding between the FCCPC and the NCAA, I would have agreed with the Honourable Minister that FCCPC ought to have contacted the NCAA before issuing such public statement because there are all serving one body which is the Federal Government but it was not so.

Instead, it was a misunderstanding between a government agency and a business organisation.

We must understand that the FCCPC derived it's power from the act of the Parliament which empowered it to
protect consumers' rights and interests; which include addressing consumer complaints, investigating grievances, and ensuring that businesses adhere to fair and ethical practices."

The FCCPC is also empowered by the Act to take legal action against companies that infringe on consumer rights or engage in fraudulent activities.

In this regard, the FCCPC recently investigated and issued multi-million dollar fines against the British-American Tobacco, Meta and Coca-Cola companies on allegations of breach of consumer protection rights.

In the same vein, the FCCPC is empowered to enforce compliance with consumer protection laws and other practices which impugned on consumer rights.

It does this thorough regular monitoring of market practices and ensuring compliance as well as intervening where necessary to address violations.

According to the Punch Newspaper Editorial of December 5, 2024 titled: "Banks, Telcos: FCCPC Must Enforce Consumer Rights," the paper said: " The aviation sector presents another glaring example of regulatory shortcomings."

"Air Peace’s reported fare hikes are exploitative and unjustifiable. The National Civil Aviation Authority has failed to curb such practices, leaving passengers vulnerable to price gouging."

"The FCCPC investigations could signal a turning point. By enforcing reforms and imposing meaningful penalties on violators, the commission can set a precedent for corporate responsibility... The eforts can restore public confidence in Nigeria’s corporate and regulatory systems. This opportunity to champion consumer rights must not be squandered.

Nonetheless, why must Air Peace be an exception whereas there are other companies like Guaranty Trust Bank, MTN Nigeria, and Air Peace that are been investigated.

The essence of the investigation was to address widespread allegations of unfair treatment, negligence, and inadequate consumer protection mechanisms.

According to FCCPC, " The inquiry into Air Peace’s pricing practices stems from allegations of unjustified fare increases on advance bookings for certain domestic routes, lack of transparency in pricing structures and practices that potentially contravene consumer rights and fair competition principles."

Therefore, I believe the public remark by Mr. Keyamo is unministerial because he has all access to the leadership of FCCPC to seek clarifications instead of creating the impression that there is lack of coordination within the system.

Besides, to whom you can whisper to, there is no need to shout because the faceoff is not between FCCPC and NCAA.

In conclusion, both the FCCPC and the NCAA as well as other regulatory bodies in the country should be encouraged to do their jobs without trying to obfuscate their lawful activities.


Comrade Edwin Uhara is a public policy analyst.

Reach him via edwinuhara@rocketmail.com

Prices of goods must come down

Ni

Between the FCCPC and the Market Cartels

By Edwin Uhara

At a recent event in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, Mr. Olatunji Bello revealed that the commission had discovered cartels responsible for the exorbitant prices of goods and services, especially in the foodstuff industry.

Cartel is an association of manufacturers or suppliers with the purpose of maintaining prices at a high level and restricting competition.

Their goal is to maximize profit without giving a damn to how the final consumer feels or the general economic conditions of the nation.

According to Mr. Bello, cartels operate like a mafia organization and they currently dominate the packaging and poultry industry.

His words: "They operate in a mafia-like fashion such that if you choose to leave one of them to check the price of the other, before you would reach the next factory, the first seller would have tipped off the second seller to quote the same price ... They had succeeded in frustrating the efforts of the government to make prices affordable for the masses of the country."

For example, "The small poultry owners used to sell a day-old chick for between N480 and N590 and they still made a profit. But not after the arrival of two big players in the market. I choose to withhold their names at this point."

"The big players brought in big money and expanded the market and expectedly they were soon in a position to control 80 to 90 percent of the poultry market in the city.”

"They used their clout and financial muscle to hijack the local poultry farmers association and now dictated that a day-old chick be sold at N1,350 in a curious reversal of the law of the economy of scale which otherwise stipulates that the more you produce, the less the unit price.”

He further explained that in the last one year, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has supported poultry farmers with broilers, vitamins, feeds and cash through various interventions across the nation’s six geopolitical zones but despite these, prices of poultry products have continued to skyrocket.

For instance, starter mash which sold for N11,000 in October 2023 rose to N14,000 in January this year, N16,500 in March, N21,500 in July and N23,500 in October.

He also added that the high prices of drinks in recyclable packs were substantially caused by “unfair pricing dictated by a cartel in the packaging sector.

“The cartel in the packaging sector consists of five big players who are in the business of importing and providing local manufacturers with packaging materials he said.

In lieu of the foregoing, a 50cl of Fanta in a plastic container that used to sell for between N150 and N200 now go for between N450 and N500.

He further stated that in a bid to cushion the harsh effects of the ongoing economic reforms by the Federal Government, President Bola Tinubu has introduced a number relief measures such as the removal of tariff on food imports, VAT on pharmaceuticals and medical devices, tax waivers for businesses and public transportation as well as provide easy credit for the conversion of vehicles from petrol to Compressed Natural Gas, CNG.

Therefore, it is only fair that our businessmen and businesswomen and traders share such gains with consumers in form of reduced prices."

The revelation came on the heels of the latest report by the National Bureau of Statistics which indicated that the headline inflation rate for the month of October was 33.88% relative to that of September which stood at 32.70%.

The report showed that the headline inflation rate increased by 1.18% points when compared to that of September this year.

On a year-on-year basis, the report added that the headline inflation rate was 6.55% points higher than the rate recorded in October 2023 which was 27.33%.

Also, the urban inflation rate in September 2024 was 2.67 percent, reflecting a 0.28 percentage point increase compared to 2.39 percent in August 2024; while the rural inflation rate stood at 2.39 per cent in September 2024, up by 0.33 percentage points from 2.06 per cent recorded in August 2024.

In a related development, the investigations by the Daily Trust Newspaper has shown that the prices of building materials have also hit the rooftop, resulting to over 100 per cent hike within one year.

Cement prices moved from over N4,000 to N8,800 per bag, representing a 100 per cent increase.

Blocks in the block industry that used to sell for N250 each last year, now sell for between N550 and N600 depending on the size.

Iron rods which ranges from 10mm to 16mm, that used to sell for N800,000 per ton in 2023, now sell for N1,600,000 per ton depending on the brand.

The cost of paints has also gone up as a big rubber, which hitherto cost between N23,000 and N25,000, is now between N46,000 and N50,000.

The situation in the building sector has made a lot of persons to express doubt about the possibility of meeting the targets of affordable housing for all as contained in the Social Development Goal number 11:1 which deals with safe and affordable housing.

According to a real estate developer, Musa Ibrahim, he said: "With the current rise in the prices of building materials, affordable housing for all will remain a mirage until the government takes a deliberate action to crash prices."

"It is even becoming worrying now that not only housing is affected but also rents as landlords wake up to increase rent at will, citing high cost of building materials.

Nigerians have endured unnecessary inflation of prices of goods and services for the larger part of the year, but now need a relief as we gradually approach the Yuletide season.

While price control is not on the cards of the FCCPC, the cartels responsible for the outrageous prices of goods and services should know that certain sections of the act establishing the FCCPC also empowered it to publish offenders.

Therefore, now is the time to take advantage of the grace provided by FCCPC in the spirit of democracy”, instead of enforcing the laws which prescribed stiff penalties, ranging from heavy fine to jail terms.

Comrade Edwin Uhara is A Public Affairs Commentator.
edwinuhara@rocketmail.com