RealTrump: Before you people put Iran in trouble and later start crying, let me tell you about what happened in 1981.
At the time, Sadam Hussein, President of IRAQ was threatening to bomb Israel with nuclear weapons back.
Israel cannot just wait and sit while he threatens them, so they hatched a plan to fok him up.
They sent 8 modifies F16s. The plans couldn't carry enough fuel, so they fabricated a bigger tank so d plan can carry enough fuel into and out of Iraq. These jets were then escorted by 6 F15 fighters. The F15 was in case Kasala burst, they can engage Iraqi jets in air to air combat.
These planes were piloted by men who swore to die on the mission.
They flew those jets at just around 200m above ground across the desert to avoid radar. For perspective, a typical plane on international route flies at around 10,000m.
Israel went into Iraq, bombed their nuclear reactors n left with zero resistance.
Today, Israel has 39 F35 jets with almost 200 F16s. The best fighter jet Iran has are 24 Russian Mig-29...a 40 year old relic by today's standards
My question is, do you think Israel can repeat what they did in 1981?
Iran with all their noise, have zero combat experience relative to Isreal.
The nuclear power they are shouting about, Israel most likely has double of it but they will never ever admit they have nuclear. This smart denial has meant nobody can come to inspect what they are doing, since kuku claim they don't have nuclear.
"We do not have nuclear weapons, but if we have to use nuclear weapons, we will use them" Golda Meir (Former Isreali leader)
If it was this woman that was still Prime Minister, n not Natanyahu, everywhere go don scatter.
My guts tell me the world powers are telling Israel not to attack in public, but in private, they are showing them exactly where all Iran's nuclear reactors n oil installations are, n urging them to strike.
Before you people push Iran with your mouth, know exactly what you are getting into. Peace
Bookhub: Palestine arabs is gradually being wipe out of the earth surface,and all Arab nations are watching and pretending like nothing happened only Iran a non Arab nation is making bold moves, i believed the memory of the six days war and the yum Kippur war still lives in their head they learnt a bitter lesson,each time they attack Israel they always loose land,in 1967 Egypt lost Sinai peninsula,Jordan lost the west bank and Syria lost the Golan heights,only Egypt regained sanai peninsula after a bloody war in 1973,Golan heights and west bank are gone forever,Israel is not a joking nation ,you do anyhow you see anyhow.
Bookhub: Palestine arabs is gradually being wipe out of the earth surface,and all Arab nations are watching and pretending like nothing happened only Iran a non Arab nation is making bold moves, i believed the memory of the six days war and the yum Kippur war still lives in their head they learnt a bitter lesson,each time they attack Israel they always loose land,in 1967 Egypt lost Sinai peninsula,Jordan lost the west bank and Syria lost the Golan heights,only Egypt regained sanai peninsula after a bloody war in 1973,Golan heights and west bank are gone forever,Israel is not a joking nation ,you do anyhow you see anyhow.
Oga, Egypt didn't reclaim the Sinai during the yom kippur war rather Israeli willingly gave it out to them during the time of menechem begin as the prime minister in the early 80's after the peace accord treaty was signed.Ariel Sharon as a minister then was in charge of the the evacuation plans and he asked the Egyptian govt to pay for all the infrastructures but the declined and Sharon being a stubborn fellow bulldozed everything down.
No, it isn’t a win win for the West. If the Cowardly gang of 30+ Countries are not so scared of Iran, they should move their fleet towards the Strait of Hormuz and bomb Iran rather than flexing their muscles with defenseless Yemen’s Houthis.
Not that I give a fvck about what happens between the 2 warring blocs (Axis of Evil & Axis of Resistance) but I hate hypocrisy from people like you.
If any sensible person or entity wants to tackle a problem, you deal with the said problem from its roots, and not just by attacking its leaves or branches.
If the West is telling us that the Yemen’s Houthis are being propped & funded by Iran, why not concentrate your forces on Iran to eradicate the problem once & for all, rather than chasing shadows - bombing helpless civilians in Yemen?
Muammar Gaddafi did not do 15% of what Iran is “allegedly” doing before the gang of 30 Countries invaded & killed him.
Trump killed Qasem Soleimani in 2020 and dared the Iranians to respond to his cowardly crime at the Baghdad Airport which killed Soleimani.
Guess what? The Iranians called his bluff and responded with severity, raining down ballistic missiles on 2 of her bases in Iraq – and Trump went silent for HOURS, with not so much as a tweet.
The Mainstream Media went into overdrive and denied any casualties were recorded.
Alas, Attached is the result of Iran’s retaliatory attacks on 2 of Amerikas bases in Iraq.
Those who do not know Amerika’s penchant for BLATANT LIES & PROPAGANDA are the Secondary School Children on Nairaland always posting nonsense to garner “useless likes”
Even the Pentagon knows that the day Amerika and her cowardly gang of 30+ Countries (called NATO) attacks Iran is the day NY, WA, IL, CA, TX & VA will be leveled & turned into radioactive dusts, including all her vassal states in Europe.
As always, for countless Billions of Dollars, Amerika can only send her army against illiterate savages armed with coconuts.
rinzaugustine: RIP to hamas…You don’t mess with Israel because they don’t forgive or forget terror on their soil and they don’t read the New Testament. They read Old Testament which is patterned after mosaic laws of an eye for an eye. Na Israelis calm German people body, after waging WW1, Germans waged another war against the world- WW2 but their greatest undoing was killing jews. A lot of youngsters supporting Palestine today have never heard of the most powerful secret intelligence agency in the world which is Israeli mossad Aliya bet’. They smuggled out more than 6m jews from Europe to America during the world war and today they control most of the big businesses in US. Mossad went further to track, bring to trial and had sentenced to death all hitler’s henchman who participated in Jewish genocide, the last being Adolph heischmac who was tracked to Argentina inspite of the fact he did plastic surgery that changed his face, was tried in Nuremberg and executed courtesy of mossad - Go and read night the novel that won Elie Wiesel Nobel prize in literature for non fiction. During the 1973 Olympics Palestines killed almost the entire Jewish team but Israel mossad put together one of the deadliest strike forces ever known in human history led by Abner Levi. The Palestines that did the killings were all mowed down one after the other. They were killed all over Europe. One became an ambassador in Germany and was killed by a telephone bomb- the last one ran to an Arab country and they gave him the highest security in the country to avoid dying that was around 1975 but Abner and his men was able to break the immigration, country and hotel security to get him- they just told him “Munich 72” and he started crying before Abner killed him with a silencer gun- read the black September a non fiction which also have a movie adaptation that won the academy awards. In 1977 Idi Amin kept boasting he will deal with Jews that when the Palestines hijacked an Airplane going from Tel Aviv to London no nation in Middle East agreed to allow them land when they heard they were Jewish hostages but the foolish Amin agreed to allow them land in Uganda. Mossad coordinated a rescue mission never seen any where in the world- headed by Colonel Joseph Netanyahu- elder brother to the current prime minister Benjamin who was also part of the squad . They rescued the entire Israeli hostages of more than 200 people but Joseph was shot at the back by a dying Ugandan soldier and eventually died in Israel- Read the Non fictional book “Raid at Entebbe” which also has an award winning movie adaptation , that time they called themselves PLO while today they call themselves hamas so Israelis are not a stranger to these kind of crises
Dennisbulkan: Because if they do, by allowing them run away from their home to another country as refugees that would be the last time they see their home as Israeli land grabbers would not allow them return just like they did Nakba. I recommend you read about Nakba if you're genuinely interested & appreciate historical facts. The best way to keep Israel's hands off Gaza now is to not allow exodus of refugees out of gaza. It's bad but they have to sit it out if they want to keep Gaza.
Oga the Nakba u are talking about was as a result of greed by the Palestinians.The Balfour declaration presented a two a two state solution on their but the Arabs rejected it
patriotic007: I used to support Palestine growing up until I did my own unbiased research and found out that Israel is not the bad guys after all. Before 1948 the UN offered Isreal and Palestine the two state solution. Two countries living peacefully side by side building their futures. Israel agreed but Palestine refused the offer and started attacking Israel brutally until Israel understood the game and also took up arms to defend themselves. Palestine has always thought the only solution to the whole land issue was to wipe out Israel and they went into war in 1948 thinking it would be possible to do it. Israel defeated Palestine and it's Arabs friends and Israel got their country. Israel quickly started building a very prosperous and technologically advanced nation and gradually the two state solution started vanishing. Now Palestine are now begging for the same two state solution that they where given free before 1948. They are begging for a two state solution not because they want peace with Israel but because they have now realized that the only way to defeat Israel is to have a country that has a very formidable military that can wipe out Isreal . Palestine want the two state solution inorder to build an army and weapons to drive Israel into the sea and Israel knows this hence the continued expansion of Israel and it's settlements. Palestine can never live in peace with Israel and to them the only way to have peace is for Israel to be wiped out completely. For this reason the world must never allow Palestine to have its own state because it will lead to a massacre that will make the Holo look like a child's play.
PublicHealthNig: The United States and Canada are grappling with shortages of doctors and pharmacists in certain regions and specialties. These shortages were attributed to various factors, including population growth, an aging population, the retirement of medical professionals, geographic disparities, specialty imbalances, and immigration and visa policies. The growing demand for healthcare services due to population growth and the increasing healthcare needs of aging populations contributed to the strain on the existing workforce.
According to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the United States is projected to face a significant physician shortage in the coming years, with potentially up to 124,000 fewer physicians than needed by the year 2034. This projection is a result of various factors that contribute to the widening gap between the demand for physicians and the available supply.
Canada is also facing challenges with a shortage of physicians, and the situation is expected to worsen significantly in the coming years. Federal data indicates that within just five years, by 2028, Canada could experience a deficit of around 44,000 doctors, with family doctors and general practitioners being particularly affected, accounting for over 30,000 of the projected shortage.
Both countries are also experiencing shortages of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in certain regions and settings. To address these shortages, efforts are being made on multiple fronts. Increasing enrollment in medical schools and offering incentives for more students to pursue primary care or specialties with shortages aimed to bolster the supply of doctors. Recruitment programs are being implemented to attract and retain medical professionals in underserved areas, particularly rural and remote regions. More recently both countries have made changes to make the recruitment of medical professionals from other countries and facilitating their immigration was considered to help fill the gaps in the healthcare workforce.
United States
US Foreign medical graduates (FMGs) who wish to practice medicine in the United States must go through a rigorous process to meet the country's high medical standards and licensing requirements. The Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) plays a crucial role in assessing FMGs' qualifications and determining their readiness to enter US graduate medical education (GME) as residents or fellows.
To begin their medical career in the US, FMGs must have completed four years of healthcare education in an accredited medical school listed under the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) by the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER). Additionally, they must pass the US Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) and obtain ECFMG certification.
The USMLE comprises three steps: Step 1, Step 2 (CK and CS), and Step 3. These exams evaluate the examinee's ability to apply medical knowledge, principles, and concepts in solving medical problems and providing patient care. The exams are designed to test practical skills and the application of medical concepts, rather than solely testing memory.
To become ECFMG-certified, FMGs must pass Step 1 and Step 2 (CK and CS) exams. After obtaining ECFMG certification, they can apply for a residency or fellowship program in a US healthcare facility. Some states may require FMGs to complete all three steps before applying for residency, while others may consider Step 1 and Step 2 scores along with a powerful application letter.
Following successful completion of the USMLE series and ECFMG certification, FMGs can begin the application process for residency programs. They may spend 3-8 years in a residency or fellowship program, depending on their chosen medical specialty. Residency programs are paid positions, and FMGs receive a monthly salary for their services in a US healthcare facility.
Becoming a certified pharmacist in the United States as a foreign-trained professional involves a multistep process overseen by the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC), a committee of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Eligibility requires candidates to have graduated from an approved pharmacy program in their home jurisdiction, hold a valid license, and demonstrate fluency in English. The application process includes submitting documentation of education, licensing, and taking the NABP TOEFL test to establish language proficiency. After successful verification, candidates must pass the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE), a comprehensive exam covering various pharmacy-related topics. Passing the FPGEE establishes eligibility for licensing, but actual licensing requirements vary by state, and candidates may need to fulfill additional criteria, such as additional exams, background checks, and ethical conduct agreements.
Foreign-trained pharmacists seeking to work in the US should thoroughly follow the FPGEC's guidelines and state-specific licensing procedures to ensure a smooth transition into the profession. The FPGEC plays a crucial role in evaluating the candidates' qualifications, ensuring their knowledge and training are comparable to US-trained pharmacists. The comprehensive FPGEE examination assesses the candidates' competency in clinical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, administrative and behavioral topics, and basic biomedical sciences. Obtaining a license to practice pharmacy in the US requires fulfilling each state's unique licensing criteria, which may include further exams and background checks. It is essential for candidates to research and contact the state boards of pharmacy in the states they plan to work to understand specific requirements and ensure compliance with licensing regulations. While the process may be demanding, it guarantees that foreign-trained pharmacists meet the high standards necessary to provide safe and effective healthcare services in the United States.
Many states in the US have created new schemes and programs that makes it possible for foreign trained doctors and pharmacists to be licensed and practice freely within their states.
Canada
As Canada faces a shortage of physicians, it has implemented various immigration pathways to attract international medical professionals. Physicians can immigrate to Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry programs. Additionally, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) allow provinces and territories to nominate physicians for permanent residence based on regional labor market needs, with some provinces having specific streams dedicated to helping physicians immigrate.
Before physicians can practice in Canada, they must have their qualifications recognized by the Medical Council of Canada (MCC). The MCC grants the qualification known as the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) to medical graduates who have met certain criteria, including passing the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I and Part 2, and completing at least 12 months of acceptable postgraduate training.
To achieve full licensure to practice anywhere in Canada, family physicians must meet specific requirements, including having a medical degree from a recognized medical school, being a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada, completing an appropriate postgraduate training program, and achieving certification from relevant medical authorities.
While foreign-trained physicians can start practicing with a provisional license, the licensure requirements may vary among provinces. The MCC offers a credential verification service through PhysiciansApply.ca, helping medical students and graduates navigate the process of becoming licensed physicians in Canada.
One of the challenges faced by internationally-educated physicians immigrating to Canada is the limited availability of residency spots. Expanding the capacity of hospital and university networks, adding educators and assessors, and increasing residency spaces in the medical system are seen as potential solutions to this bottleneck.
Efforts are also being made to streamline credential recognition for internationally-trained physicians and international medical graduates. For instance, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) is planning to implement a three-month program to recognize foreign credentials of physicians in the province.
Foreign pharmacy graduates who want to become licensed pharmacists in Canada must follow a series of procedures set by the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC). The first step is to have their pharmacy degree evaluated by the PEBC to ensure it meets Canadian standards. This evaluation requires submitting various documents, including the application form, identification, immigration record, university degree certificate, transcript, and licensing statement. Once the document evaluation is completed, candidates can proceed to the next steps.
The next steps involve passing two exams conducted by the PEBC: the Evaluating Exam and the Qualifying Exam. The Evaluating Exam assesses if the candidate's program of study is comparable to Canadian standards, and the Qualifying Exam consists of two parts: a multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Passing these exams grants the candidate the "Certificate of Qualification" from the PEBC.
After obtaining the PEBC certification, candidates must choose the province in which they want to practice and fulfill additional requirements set by that province's regulatory body. These requirements often include completing a language proficiency exam (e.g., TOEFL or IELTS), practical training in the pharmacy (studentship and internship), and passing a Jurisprudence exam to demonstrate knowledge of pharmacy-related laws and regulations in the province. Once all the requirements are met, candidates can apply for a pharmacist license in the desired province and start their career as a licensed pharmacist in Canada.
Earning Potential Of Internationally-Trained Doctors And Pharmacists in the US and Canada
The earning potential of internationally-trained doctors and pharmacists in the US and Canada can vary significantly depending on various factors such as the specific location, type of employment, level of experience, and specialization. Generally, doctors and pharmacists in both countries can earn competitive salaries due to the critical nature of their roles in the healthcare system.
Internationally-Trained Doctors in the US: In the US, internationally-trained doctors may need to go through a series of exams and residency programs to practice independently. Once they obtain the necessary certifications and licenses, their earnings can vary widely. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for physicians and surgeons was around $208,000. However, this can vary significantly depending on the medical specialty, with some specialists earning significantly more.
Internationally-Trained Pharmacists in the US: For internationally-trained pharmacists in the US, the earnings can also vary depending on factors such as the state, type of pharmacy (hospital, retail, etc.), and experience. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for pharmacists in the US was about $128,000.
Internationally-Trained Doctors in Canada: In Canada, the earnings of internationally-trained doctors can vary depending on the province and the specific healthcare system. According to data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the average gross clinical payment per physician in Canada was around $350,000. However, this average can be higher or lower depending on factors such as the type of practice and location.
Internationally-Trained Pharmacists in Canada: For internationally-trained pharmacists in Canada, the earnings can also vary depending on the province and the specific practice setting. According to data from the Job Bank of the Government of Canada, the median wage for pharmacists in Canada was around $97,000.
It is important to note that these figures are general averages, and actual earnings can vary widely based on individual circumstances. Additionally, salaries can change over time due to factors such as inflation and changes in the healthcare industry.
FacilitatorLekk: Emeifele's crimes were against national security...the protests in Benin against currency withdrawal, could have spread, that could have caused anarchy in Nigeria, all because of a dumb, selfish policy of withdrawing currency, a policy with no benefit for economy or Nigerians.
why is DSS not charging him for what u have just said?why are they capitalising on the possession of one barrel Barretta?
oshonwambada: His name is sabinus anene from Anambra State and his office is located at nkwegu plaza behind benue link motor park area 3 Abuja.He has been on the run since last year after defrauding Chigozie,udensi and Dan the sum of 7.1 million naira.The police is seriously looking for him.His phone numbers are 08062687268,09029252976.
Sometime October last year when Abuja picked him up but he jumped bail til date.pls anyone with useful information on how to get this old criminal should help.
His name is sabinus anene from Anambra State and his office is located at nkwegu plaza behind benue link motor park area 3 Abuja.He has been on the run since last year after defrauding Chigozie,udensi and Dan the sum of 7.1 million naira.The police is seriously looking for him.His phone numbers are 08062687268,09029252976.
Tunjingwu: Hurray!! It's our centenary celebration.Methodist college uzuakoli is one of the foremost schools in Nigeria.The alma mater of many great personalities like the former nddc chairman Onyema Ugochukwu,prof Anezi Okoro(author of one week one trouble),former prelate of the Methodist church Nigeria Sunday Nbang and many other personalities.
A college built by Methodist missionaries who were given a hitherto evil forest but rather than run away,they developed it to what is now known as Methodist college uzuakoli. The school sits on a large expanse of land and has every facility a college can muster.
The chapel (I often call ancient and modern) can compete with any cathedral in the world. The laboratories while we were there had the best of equipments and the sports facilities top notch.I remember the big football pitch,the hockey field which we sometimes play football on,the volleyball field near the refectory and the field in front of the castle.
The castle housing four different houses,all connected to one another is a masterpiece.This building raised sometime in 1923 can compete with any modern building today.Strong as gibralter and still glowing.
I have this feeling of nostalgia when I remember obioha, extension and azi.
Azi is the name of a stream.This stream is the purest water I have ever tasted and always as cold as an ice,hence AZI.
There is another wonder stream in the college..hot and cold.These are two different streams that joint together at some point.One of the streams is always hotter than the other,hence the name.
The school we were told also houses the Ojukwu bunker.This is where the Biafran warlord takes a nap at the heat of the war.
It will really be a delight to reconnect with old friends again at the centenary.Friends likeOkey Ezeala,ikechukwu Nnochiri,Uzoma Obialor,Kanu Collins, Sunday Nwakanma and lots of others
Ala okpoo ..here we come.
I can see that u are 1999 set cos I know almost the names u just mentioned.You didn't mention ogbunachara stream
Chimambu: As the oldest secondary school in Igboland (not DMGS but as some have said) and the 3rd/4th east of the Niger, Methodist College Uzuakoli are in their centennial year. We are planning a great event at the end of the year which will showcase the 100 years of excellence of the College.
Obasanjo is not in that picture , there are many people who were in the army then that are still alive , Mohamedu buhari , TY danjuma abdulsalami abubakar etc
the last three u mentioned weren't in the army as far back as 1959.Obasanjo was just commissioned along side nzeogwu and co in same 1959 but it all depends on when the photi was taken within the year
stop misleading the public with old video . This video was done in 2017 when uhuru Kenyatta second term election was nullified by the Kenya's supreme court
TONYE001: Will answer your question from my experience - will be 9 years in marriage in 4 months.
I really don't think of marriage as a special thing. Maybe it's because I handle everyone with utmost respect. I have always compared having a spouse with having a roommate. If my roommate wants me to go elsewhere with him and I don't want to, I just tell him, politely. This is simple and basic human conversation.
I won't advise you see marriage as one major issue. It'll only give you too much of headache. Love your husband, respect him (like you should respect other humans), care for him like you would others, support him.. Of course, he should be prioritized.
I don't know if I've successfully passed my message. Just tell hubby, tell him your reasons .. Of course, politely.
Good luck, and may God continue to bless and prosper your home.
Stop hanging around your people daily with the excuse of unical. I feel ashamed of you.
I may not know you but I'm ashamed.
I have a few questions for you though.
1. Why not forget about this naija certificate?
2. Why not learn a skill like blogging or affiliate marketing that pays.
3. Why let this woman believe that unical is the reason you aren't successful in life?
You mean there is now an acceptable excuse for failure?
4. U are making matters worse by blaming the system.
5. Ur attitude let's me know that u will be a dad or mother that shifts blame and tell his kids why he didn't make it in life.
6. Why not turn the situation around. Last time I checked, nobody gives a damn if unical passed you . Nobody cares. Nobody cares about what where u school from.
Nobody cares bro. But alas, you have relaxed for four years. I pity u.
I don't have any job for you. Even if I do, this attitude of blaming something as a reason why you have not progress is a BIG turn off.
My suggestion 1. Get out of your mother's presence and think fast. Calabar is a good place. Think of what to do even if u don't have certificate. 2. Learn online skill. For free on YouTube. I can't suggest any because I sense u like to give excuses.
Pity that woman and wipe her tears. Meanwhile, ur certificate issue can be resolved by prayers to God.
My two cents
No one is interested in ur long essay cos u didn't say anything.
Promotion arrears is to be added. That is to tell you that, workers sill be happy even more than before. If you dont hav any meaningful thing to say, go and sleep.
You don't have to respond to attention seekers pls
highchief1: I get u o.thank God u said Europeans.u know we and them are not the same.Bros I started making money early in life.I know what I went through.Before I thought spiritually if you are not chasing anyone then nobody will be chasing u.I almost died.Africa is not Europe.bro if ur doing well be careful.Why do u think our rich men don’t eat or drink outside.Do Europeans envy?envy starts and ends with Africa.
Wise saying bro. You are talking out of experience and indomie generation can't comprehend
Sunmolar: An unwrinkled face is not good for a resounding slap. So it is somewhat indelicate for a lawyer who ought to be grounded in the ethics of the law profession to publicly criticize the opinions of other senior lawyers, who are revered to be authorities in their fields.
Afe Babalola, Gboyega Awomolo, Wole Olanipekun, J. B. Daudu, Lateef Fagbemi, Kanu Agabi, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, J. K. Gadzama, E. C. Ukala, Yunus Ustaz Usman, Adeniyi Akintola, Emeka Ngige, Chris Uche, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, Mike Ozekhome, Dele Adesina, J. S. Okutepa, Mahmud Magaji, Dayo Akinlaja, Ahmed Raji, Femi Falana, A. Mustapha, Ebun-Adegboruwa, and many hosts legends of the inner bar are jurists who have become oracles of constitutional law and whose opinions carry weight and speak volumes. For some of these oracles of law, their names have refused to leave the pages of our law reports.
And when they lend their respected voices to public issues, their words are taken as gospel by laymen who lack the qualification and the intellectual rigour to interrogate their opinions. So, to laymen, the opinions of these senior lawyers are Yeah and Amen!
However, this electioneering season has been an eye opening one for some of us. It has been a season of unraveling and miracles as to how some legal professionals have, either by deliberate action or absence of proper research, interpret one of the simplest provisions in our Constitution as regards election to the office of the President and requirements of the candidate for that highest public office in the land.
We have seen those that should know and those who have held exalted and enviable positions hold curious opinions on Constitutional issues that embarrass our industry and harass ones intellect.
For some of them, politics have been mixed with law in order to please certain quarters of the political class. But this is a dangerous mix. There is politics, and there is law. While they can sometimes intersect, they should not be muddled up when discussing pertinent legal issues that affect the nationhood of the country and the collective development of her citizens.
A number of emergency analysts of the law we have never heard of, or are known for being passive about crucial National issues suddenly appeared to become public figure in interpreting the laws in our Constitution as if they are a collection of formal and informal texts in an English textbook compiled for letter writing.
It is quiet even disturbing when some of my professional colleagues across border were analysing those colloquial interpretations here on one occasion of our group interactions. I must confess that I felt uncomfortable with many of their comments.
As I write this, I find myself grappling with the question: when is politics taken too far? This question has far reaching ramifications, because a honest answer to it will reveal that some senior lawyers give certain legal opinions they do not even believe in just because they have been tainted by politics. It is the common man on the streets that suffers this dangerous game of deliberate obfuscation and misinterpretation of our laws.
Lawyers cannot frown at the attitude of people flouting court orders and still be the ones selling the law of the land for a token on the altar of political standing. Deliberately misinterpretation of the law by a lawyer is a mockery of our Constitution and the legal profession and such character has a way of turning to hunt its maker.
It is therefore incumbent upon some of us who understand that the primary role of lawyers as ministers in the temple of justice is first and foremost the attainment of justice. And justice cannot be attained without truth.
Consequently, amidst the brouhaha surrounding the interpretation of section 134(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the multifarious explanations given by public commentators and senior lawyers alike, it is important to set the record straight and state the true position of the law, devoid of emotion and political chicanery.
The provisions of Section 134(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly sub-paragraph (b) thereof have generated so much fuss and controversy in the past few days, especially after the conclusion and announcement of the winner of the recently concluded presidential elections.
Basically, there are two opposing sides in the arguments the above section has spawned: those who argue that for a candidate to be declared winner, he must get 25% of the votes cast in FCT (asides meeting other Constitutional criteria) and those who contend that a candidate need not poll 25% of the votes cast in FCT to be declared winner, so far as he meets other Constitutional requirements.
For the sake of clarity, Section 134(2) provides that:
(2) A candidate for an election to the office of the President shall be deemed to have been duly elected where, there being more than two candidates for the election –
(a) he has the highest number of votes cast at the election; and
(b) he has not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the States in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Even though the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (FCT) is not a State properly so called, the Constitution has clothed it with the toga of a State. In other words, the FCT is treated like a State, and all the powers of a Governor in a State is vested in the Minister of the FCT. While the Houses of Assembly of the 36 States of the Federation legislate for each State respectively, the National Assembly makes laws for the FCT. Furthermore, while the States have their respective Local Government Areas, the FCT has Area Councils.
Pursuant to the above, Section 299 of the Constitution expressly provides that the provisions of the Constitution shall apply to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja as if it were one of the States of the Federation. Section 299 of the Constitution has received the judicial imprimatur of the full panel of the Supreme Court in FAWEHINMI & ORS v. BABANGIDA & ORS (2003) LPELR-1255 (SC).
Hence, each time the draftsman intends to refer to the 36 States and FCT in the Constitution, it says “all the States in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (FCT)”, bearing in mind that the FCT has also been clothed with the toga of a State.
Having made the above clarification, the “and” as used by the draftsman between “all the States of the Federation” and “the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja” in sub-paragraph (b) of Section 134(2) of the Constitution cannot be interpreted to mean that what applies to other States is inapplicable to FCT. Rather, it means that the FCT is on the same pedestal as the States of the Federation, even though it’s not a State properly so called.
So, the intention of the draftsman as regards Section 134(2)(b) of the Constitution is that, the candidate, in addition to having the highest number of votes cast at the election, must also poll not less than one quarter (25%) of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the States in the Federation (36 States) and the FCT (a State kind of), thereby making it 25% of votes cast in at least 2/3 of 37 States. 2/3 of 37 is 24.6.
Drawing from the reasoning of the erudite jurist, Otutu Andrews Obaseki, JSC (of blessed memory), in the landmark decision of the full panel of the Supreme Court in AWOLOWO v. SHAGARI & ORS (1979) LPELR-653(SC), there’s nothing like 24.6 States, for a State is a geographical setting incapable of being divided.
Borrowing a leaf from the revered jurist, the construction that two-thirds of 37 States in the Federation (FCT inclusive) is 24.6 States may be correct in the abstract but in relation to the Constitution, it is impracticable. Where there are two possible meanings conveyed by the words of a statute or the Constitution, it is the most reasonable one that should be adopted. Where the other meaning leads to absurdity or evinces internal contradiction, that meaning should be dropped for the first as the legislature never intends to be absurd or contradictory.
The word 'each' in the sub-section (2)(b) of Section 134 qualifies a whole State and not a fraction of a State and to interpret it otherwise is to overlook the disharmony between the word "each" and the fraction "two thirds". Two-thirds of thirty-seven (37), to avoid any disharmony, gives 25.
As a way of covering the base, the second school of thought contend that for a candidate to be declared winner, he must score 25% in the FCT (asides meeting other Constitutional requirements). If one agrees with this view, then it logically follows that if a candidate wins the entire 36 states of the Federation and polls the majority number of votes cast, if he fails to get 25% in FCT, then he cannot be declared winner. This cannot be the intendment of the draftsman, as the FCT cannot hold the entire nation to ransom.
So, once a candidate severally polls at least 25% of votes cast in at least 25 states, whether inclusive of FCT or not, he’s won the election so long he also has the majority of the votes cast all over the Federation.
The issue under reference has been before the Supreme Court, in 2003 in the case of Buhari Vs Obasanjo (2003) All NLR 168, the apex court in the land prophesied and held that if there’s any issue on the provision of Section 134(2), they’ll toe the part that accords with common sense. They further undertook that the court is bound to adopt a construction which is just, reasonable and sensible.
For the sake of emphasis, the operative words are "just, reasonable and sensible."
This then begets the question: is it just, reasonable and sensible to argue that a candidate who, for instance, won 36 States of the Federation and also polled the highest number of votes cast at an election but failed to score 25% of the votes cast in FCT, Abuja cannot be deemed the winner of the election? I think not. That would not be just, reasonable and sensible.
In Bakari v. Ogundipe (2021) 5 NWLR (Pt.1768) 1, the supreme Court held that by virtue of section 299(a) (b) of the Constitution, the provisions of the Constitution shall apply to the FCT, Abuja as if it were one of the States of the Federation.
If that is the case, why then would the FCT, Abuja be placed on so high a pedestal, like some lawyers have done, that it now supersedes other States of the Federation?
Buttressing further, If the provisions of the Constitution are to apply to FCT, Abuja as if it were one of the States of the Federation, then surely it cannot be ranked above other States of the Federation.
To steelman our arguments above, in Baba-Panya v. President, FRN (2018) 15 NWLR (Pt. 1643) 423, the Court held that the FCT, Abuja is to be treated like a State and it is not superior or inferior to any state in the Federation.
As a corollary, it would then be unjust, unreasonable and insensible to argue that scoring 25% of the votes cast in the FCT, Abuja is a mandatory Constitutional requirement, when no other State or even the entire States of the Federation enjoy this preferential treatment.
A reasonable, just and sensible interpretation of section 134(2) would then be that scoring 25% of the votes cast in the FCT, Abuja is like scoring 25% in any other State of the Federation.
Foreign Affairs / Re: Israeli War Cabinet: No Going Back On Attack On Iran In Clear & Decisive Manner by oshonwambada: 9:54pm On Apr 16
