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In pomp and pageantry, the entire residents of Okulogba Street in Akenpai community, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, trooped came out in their numbers to celebrate one of their own policeman Sentome Obi who had displayed integrity by rejecting a $17,000 bribe offered by a suspect involved in organ harvesting.

Since the rare display of uncommon feat of integrity by the officer, there has been one celebration after another.

He was honoured at the federal level, the state government, Bayelsa State, where he hails from, was not left out, and of course, the Akenpai community, where he grew up , also took its turn to jubilate and celebrate him for being a role model and source of inspiration to other public servants in the country..

The celebration took the air on Sunday when tenants, landlords and well-wishers rolled out their drums to make him an idol of mentorship to the younger generation in the community and the entire state in general.

The residents of Okulogba presented a walking stick, a hat and cash donation to Sonteme, who the governor of the state, Senator Douye Diri, described as an indigene of the state who has brought dignity and pride to the force and Bayelsa..

Bishop Steven Overy said the walking stick represents the famous staff of Moses in the Bible, praying that the staff will help him along the way as he pursues his mission in life

He said that the hat will cover him from danger, while the cash donation will serve as fuel for his journey through life.

Speaking shortly after the celebration, the chairman of Okulogba Street, Mr. Andrew Akpere said: ‘He has made us proud, not just as a street but as a community and state. We are celebrating him because he has used his policing job to provide security for us several times.’

Also, the woman chief of Akenpai, Joan Wilson, said: ‘I give gratitude to the street for honouring our brother. We are grateful to God that our son was able to reject the temptation to take a bribe in order not to destroy another person’s life.’

Another resident, Mr. Promise Sorgwe, said: ‘it is not easy for a man to reject such an amount to save the life of another human. It is good that the government celebrated him, so that it will encourage other police.’

Responding, Obi who got promoted by the police and rewarded with a brand new car and a three bedroom flat by the Bayelsa State government, expressed gratitude to the IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, the Akenpai community and Okulogba street for the honour.

and prayed that as they celebrated with him, celebration will not cease in their lifetime.

It will be recalled that CSP Obi, who heads the Financial and Cybercrime Unit at the zone 16 Command, Yenagoa earned a national acclaim as a result of his rejection of a $17,000 bribe from a crime suspect.

As a reward for his honesty and dedication to duty , Governor Diri, at a reception on July 23 announced a three bedroom flat apartment and a car reward to the gallant policeman.

CSP Obi was also honoured by the Force with Inspector General of police Integrity and police officer of the year Award for 2024.

And for his special promotion, Obi had been promoted from the rank of Superintendent of police to Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP)

THE World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the World Bank, have warned that Nigeria’s weak infrastructure and regulatory gaps could prevent the country from unlocking the potentials of the billion dollar digital economy.

According to them, weak broadband infrastructure and regulatory gaps may stymie the country’s potential to ride the digital wave.Nigeria.

The WTO’s stern warning came via a new report jointly carried out by its Secretariat and the World Bank, released under the Digital Trade for Africa project.

The report, assessed Nigeria alongside five other countries; Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda and identified opportunities and challenges in building competitive digital trade systems.

The report praised Nigeria for progress in expanding digital infrastructure, but warned that internet access remains highly uneven, particularly between urban and rural areas.

According to the WTO report: ‘Expanding fibre optic infrastructure and enhancing last-mile connectivity are crucial to bridging Nigeria’s urban-rural divide and fostering a more inclusive digital economy and strengthening competition in the telecommunications sector could further drive affordability and service quality for consumers and businesses.’

The Digital Trade For Africa joint project, co-authored by Antonia Carzaniga from the WTO and Nigorakhon Sadikova and Martín Molinuevo from the World Bank, highlighted the central role of Nigeria’s services sector, particularly digitally delivered services, in driving economic growth.

‘Between 2019 and 2021, Nigeria’s exports of digitally delivered services experienced sharp fluctuations, with financial and insurance services showing notable declines. However, since 2021 exports across all major service sectors have grown steadily, signaling Nigeria’s increasing integration into global digital markets,’

While Nigeria continues to lag behind Ghana in digital trade, the report found that it has outperformed several other ECOWAS countries, underscoring the strength of its long-term potential.

Nigeria has undertaken important international commitments in digital trade. It ratified the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, TFA, and made General Agreement on Trade in Services, GATS, commitments in sectors such as telecommunications.

It is also a participant in two ongoing WTO rule-making initiatives: The Agreement on Electronic Commerce, which ‘aims to foster an enabling environment for cross-border digital trade.’Nigeria Tech JobsTelecom Equipment Sales

The Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement, designed ‘to improve the investment and business climate, making it easier for investors in all sectors of the economy, including digital trade, to operate and expand.’

But the report cautioned that Nigeria has ‘not bound its trade regime for other key digital trade-enabling services, such as computer, distribution, or postal services,’ and has ‘not eliminated tariffs on information technology goods under the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement, ITA.’

On the regulatory front, it informed that Nigeria has taken meaningful steps in data protection and cybersecurity, which the report described as ‘particularly valuable given the nascent nature of the country’s digital sector.’

As Professor Mahmood Yakubu commences the final process of disengagement from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), KUNLE ODEREMI writes on his trajectories at the commission, the burden of his likely successor and other issues.

After 10 years of being in the saddle, Professor Mahmood Yakubu began the journey to a final exit as the national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His handing over to a lawyer, May Agbamuche-Mbu, as the Acting National Chairman of the commission is as dramatic as the exit of Professor Yakubu has engaged most stakeholders in the political circle.

Appointed in 2015 and reappointed in 2020, Yakubu oversaw the conduct of two general elections-in 2019 and 2023-and several off-cycle governorship and legislative polls. Yakubu’s departure comes amid ongoing calls for electoral reforms and debates over constitutional amendments to strengthen INEC’s independence and operational efficiency.

Professor Yakubu was appointed the chairman of INEC by late former President Muhammadu Buhari on October 21, 2015, taking over from Amina Bala Zakari, who had served in an acting capacity after the expiration of the substantive chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega. Yakubu secured a second term of five years in October 2020.

Prior to the sudden leadership change at the commission, there had been much frenzy about who succeeds Yakubu as INEC chairman in the last few weeks. The issue had apparently overshadowed preparations for the governorship election coming up in Anambra State on November 8. The poll is not just crucial and significant for the political parties that will be fielding candidates but also for the INEC as it coincides with the period Professor Yakubu is expected to bow out of office on November 9, having been inaugurated on that date five years ago. Thus, while the countdown to his leaving the position ebbed, the political space was abuzz with permutations, projections and debates on the trajectories of Yakubu while in the saddle, and the burden of his successor. The consequences include a preponderance of expectations and interests from different political circles over who becomes the next substantive INEC boss.

Yiaga Africa, a civil society organisation, convened a special session in Abuja last week to examine the nation’s electoral system vis-à-vis the gradual march towards the 2027 elections. Its appraisals centred on the gains and legacies of the commission, as well as suggestions on areas that need improvement and legislative action, though INEC had also forwarded about 37 new proposals to reposition the Nigerian electoral system. Former President Goodluck Jonathan and other prominent persons also held a special programme on the electoral system to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day. Similarly, the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), led by Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, lent its voice to the projections.

At the launching of the national movement for electoral reform at the occasion, the chairman underscored the need for dialogue on constitutional and Electoral Act amendments that will deepen and strengthen the nation’s democratic process. He acknowledged that each election cycle has its peculiar challenges that require constitutional and electoral act amendments. This, he added, is in consonance with global best practices as there is no perfect electoral process. ‘We will keep reviewing and reforming the nation’s democratic process till we get it right and take our rightful place as the great arsenal of democracy in Africa,’ he assured. He said a revised Electoral Act before the 2027 elections will consolidate on the gains so far. ‘In conclusion, IPAC believes that for democracy to work, all tiers of government have a critical role to play and therefore must collaborate,’ he said.

Era of Reforms

His 10-year tenure is underlined by some discernible transformative actions during which he took pragmatic initiatives that have had immediate and far-reaching implications and impact on INEC. Some strategic reforms brought about innovation that strengthened the nation’s electoral institution, especially against the backdrop of the 2007 flawed general election that warranted the setting up of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Panel.

During his tenure, Professor Yakubu ensured leadership and institutional stability. His two-term appointment-the first INEC chairman in history to serve two consecutive terms-embodied continuity and stability. He also superintended the largest number of elections ever conducted in Nigeria, including two general elections (2019 and 2023), 19 governorship polls, hundreds of bye-elections, and three FCT council elections. He is also credited with building enduring institutional memory, commissioning policy papers and reviews, and initiating Nigeria’s first election museum to preserve the nation’s democratic history.

Other stakeholders give Professor Yakubu credit for strengthening electoral administration, regularising election dates, creating certainty and predictability for citizens, parties and observers, as well as expanding polling units for the first time in 25 years-from 119,974 to 176,846-widening voter access and reducing congestion. Coupled with this is what other vested interests in the electoral system described as Yakubu’s footprint: the modernised election infrastructure, building of state collation centres across the federation, and initiating the commission’s new headquarters in Abuja. He also introduced the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC)-a sophisticated hub tracking more than 1,000 indicators to ensure timely planning and coordination.

In the area of technology, his stint at INEC delivered the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), replacing discredited manual processes with fingerprint and facial recognition; creating the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) that allows Nigerians to view polling unit results live, strengthening transparency and public confidence; and modernising voter registration through IVED and ABIS, eliminating 2.7 million fraudulent registrations. INEC also launched digital portals for candidate nomination, party agent registration, observer accreditation and media access, while becoming the first election body in Africa to establish an Artificial Intelligence Division and embrace the future of election management.

One of the innovations under his leadership was designed to expand the voter roll. It institutionalised Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) from 2017, giving citizens year-round opportunities to register. This development added more than 23 million new voters across two national elections. His tenure also introduced online pre-registration portals, empowering citizens to transfer, update or replace their voter cards with ease and publishing detailed voter demographics by age, gender, occupation and disability, setting a new standard for transparency.

The partnership of INEC with the National Assembly was also instructive, partly evident in the enactment of the Electoral Act 2022, heralding electronic transmission of results and stricter party regulations. The commission produced comprehensive guidelines and manuals, giving consistency to the conduct of elections, while streamlining the number of political parties through the de-registration of 74 underperforming ones.

Due to popular demand, INEC established the Department of Gender and Inclusivity to give structure and voice to representation; created reserved quota slots for women in senior management, breaking long-standing barriers; and introduced assistive voting devices-from Braille ballots to magnifying lenses-ensuring no Nigerian is left behind. Available records also showed that INEC created and implemented legal frameworks for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to vote, safeguarding rights even in times of crisis, and employed persons with disabilities.

As a way of deepening engagement with stakeholders, the commission institutionalised quarterly consultations with political parties, civil society, security agencies and the media, introduced a Code of Conduct for security personnel on election duty ensuring professionalism in the field, strengthened partnerships with traditional rulers, faith leaders and the National Peace Committee, embedding peace into the electoral process, and enhanced communication through INEC News Online, daily press briefings and far-reaching voter education campaigns.

At the diplomacy and regional leadership level, INEC resuscitated and led ECONEC (ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions), positioning Nigeria as a hub of electoral thought leadership; championed solidarity and peer-learning missions across West Africa, providing technical, material and moral support to sister commissions; and was honoured by Liberia’s National Electoral Commission (2023) for outstanding contribution to electoral development. Yakubu represented Nigeria at global forums from Washington to Berlin, London to Nairobi, amplifying Nigeria’s democratic profile worldwide.

On staff development and welfare, INEC introduced merit-based promotions and gender quotas for directors, rewarding excellence; recorded five INEC staff being elevated to the enviable status of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); rolled out welfare packages including hazard allowances, bonuses, medical aid and funeral grants; built an INEC Crèche (2024) for nursing mothers, supporting staff with young families; and instituted long service awards and staff recognition nights, honouring the backbone of INEC’s success-its people.

Stakeholders speak on new choice as INEC boss

While the nation awaits President Bola Tinubu to nominate a substantive successor to Yakubu, a cross-section of experts and elders have spoken on the core responsibilities posed by the ongoing change of guard at the commission. Professor Anthony Kila noted that the commission must explore the opportunities available through technology seamlessly, saying: ‘The next INEC chairman needs to deal with the issue of credibility. He or she needs to build an INEC that people trust and is perceived as truly independent and capable. The INEC of the future also needs to solve its thorny relationship with technology.’

The Leader of the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives and legal practitioner, Dr Wunmi Bewaji, also believes there is no perfect electoral process because of political exigencies. He believes the nation’s electoral system remains a work in progress, hence his position that whoever takes over as the next INEC boss has a herculean task ahead. ‘Professor Yakubu has done exceptionally well. His successor’s immediate burden will be to deliver a free, fair and credible 2027 General Election within the framework of the enabling laws. He or she would be required to pay utmost fidelity to the Constitution and the Electoral Act; to serve with integrity and honesty as Professor Yakubu did; to maintain INEC’s mandatory core values of independence, non-partisanship and impartiality; and to ensure the ballot box remains the immutable fulcrum of our multiparty democracy.’

Comrade Niyi Okunniyi, the Secretary-General of The Patriots, a body of elder statesmen and leaders of thought under the leadership of former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, also shared his position on how the next INEC boss could further raise the bar after Yakubu’s exit. Okunniyi said: ‘His real burden will be how to ensure that presidential election results are compulsorily and perfectly transmitted on INEC’s portal (IReV) in real time from every polling unit.’ He advised the commission to act decisively to ensure credible elections in 2027, no matter whose ox is gored.

However, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Northern Consultative Forum (NCF), Mr Anthony Z. Sani, gave a deeper insight into what he perceived as curious during certain electoral contests in the past before offering suggestions that should be incorporated into the nation’s electoral system in the next dispensation. ‘The burden of who succeeds Professor Mahmood Yakubu as INEC chairman is how to make Nigerian voters have faith in the electoral umpire. I say so because despite the conduct of the 2023 elections, which saw Bola Tinubu lose Lagos State, President Buhari lose Katsina State and many sitting governors lose their senatorial bids, many Nigerians still question the integrity of the elections. Many Nigerians do not believe elections conducted by INEC are free and fair or that results reflect the votes cast.

‘The loss of faith may account for the low turnout to vote. INEC may consider making voting compulsory for all voting-age Nigerians. Australia did that and improved turnout for elections substantially. The other burden is to reduce cost of elections and stop the bandwagon effect by conducting all elections on the same day, reminiscent of what Kenya does. Lastly, in order to enthrone democratic practice at the local level, state electoral commissions should be expunged from the constitution and INEC should conduct all elections on the same day,’ he said.

Similarly, a leader of the body of statesmen and professionals called The Yoruba Initiatives, Chief Femi Aluko Alate, is displeased that the president of the country is empowered to pick who heads INEC. He perceives the arrangement as contrary to the principles of fairness, transparency and independence of a body that should be an unbiased umpire. ‘As far as it’s only the president that has the prerogative to nominate his successor and seek approval from a highly partisan Senate, the chairman will definitely suffer from credibility problems throughout his tenure. He will have to continually prove he is truly independent. He who pays the piper dictates the tune. The president remains an interested person if he is a contestant. Will he nominate an antagonist? Maybe a body of retired Supreme Court justices put up by the NJC should do the nomination and forward the name to the Senate for approval,’ Chief Aluko Alate said.

Stakeholders list tasks ahead

Before now, several civil society organisations, including Yiaga Africa, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre and others, had proposed 37 recommendations as priority areas as the National Assembly worked on another phase of electoral reforms. Tagged Citizens’ Memorandum on Electoral Reforms, the proposals aim to address the longstanding challenges the nation’s electoral framework has been facing, as well as restore public confidence in the electoral system to tackle voter apathy, among other issues.

The memorandum focuses on three core pillars of the electoral legal framework for the conduct of elections: the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Elections. ‘Our recommendations have been carefully divided into two parts: Part I offers twenty-one (21) recommendations for constitutional alterations. These proposals aim to strengthen the independence of INEC, improve the processes for electoral adjudication, and refine key constitutional provisions to ensure fairness, transparency and inclusivity in our electoral process. Part II presents sixteen (16) proposals for amending the Electoral Act 2022. These proposals address the inadequacies, complexities and ambiguities that have hindered the efficient application of the Act. Our aim is to reposition the electoral legal framework against the backdrop of recent landmark judicial decisions that offer pathways for reform and to make the Act more reflective of our evolving electoral needs,’ it stated.

Another advocacy group that has shown more than a passing interest in the next leadership of INEC is the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). It wants President Bola Tinubu, who is vested with the power to appoint the INEC chair, to make the right choice through a more open process. ‘The selection and appointment process for Mr Yakubu’s replacement cannot and should not be a closed shop. A transparent and accountable process would serve legitimate public interests,’ the group said.

Since its establishment in 2016, BAD has steadily positioned itself as a player in Africa’s evolving financial services sector, focusing on widening access to credit and economic resources for individuals and small businesses.

Founded by Engr. Tayo Ogunleye, an investment banking professional with a background in engineering, the organisation began with the goal of improving financial inclusion in underserved communities. Nearly a decade later, the company has developed into a network providing services such as micro-lending, investment banking, and business advisory across several African markets.

Analysts note that BETHSAIDA’s operations have been particularly visible in the areas of small-scale lending and community-based economic interventions. While data on exact outreach is not publicly available, anecdotal evidence and community engagement reports suggest that the organisation has facilitated access to capital for entrepreneurs who might otherwise remain excluded from traditional financial systems.

At the helm, Engr. Tayo Ogunleye continues to serve as Group Chief Executive, guiding the company’s strategic direction amid a broader push for financial democratisation on the continent. His leadership has been credited with steering the company’s involvement in both private and semi-public sector initiatives geared toward financial access.

The company is a member of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and maintains affiliations with national employer groups such as NECA (Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association). These associations are seen by observers as part of the company’s strategy to remain active in policy-influencing platforms and business development networks.

While BETHSAIDA’s long-term impact is still being measured, its consistent presence in the financial inclusion space, especially within emerging economies in Africa, marks it as one of several local organisations seeking to fill the financing gap left by mainstream banks.

Engr. Ogunleye, who has often spoken publicly about the intersection of finance and development, is increasingly viewed as part of a new generation of financial leaders focused on regional economic participation, rather than solely profit-driven growth.

The Niger State Ministry of Works and Infrastructural Development has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and effective use of public funds in the implementation of the 2026 budget.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hassan Baba Estu, stated this on Tuesday during the presentation of the Ministry’s 2026 budget screening at the Niger State Planning Commission in Minna.

According to him, the 2026 budget proposal represents an exercise in promoting good governance by ensuring that every kobo allocated is expended in line with the government’s development priorities.

He explained that once the budget is passed, the ministry would implement it strictly in accordance with the approved projects and sound financial management practices.

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director of Public Buildings, Salihu Muhammad Wanigi, noted that the Ministry’s 2025 capital budget implementation faced significant challenges.

Wanigi identified the timely release of funds as the major constraint affecting several civil engineering works and public building projects across the state.

He noted that civil engineering projects, which constitute the largest portion of the ministry’s capital budget, recorded an implementation rate of 15.4 per cent during the 2025 fiscal year.

In contrast, he emphasised that the public buildings sector achieved only 0.39 per cent, indicating serious difficulties in accessing funds for project execution.

Wanigi further disclosed that the Ministry’s overall capital budget utilisation stood at 14.57 per cent, a figure he described as ‘a critical reflection of funding challenges that slowed down the pace of infrastructural development.’

He, however, expressed optimism that with improved funding mechanisms in 2026, the ministry would deliver better results in road construction, public building maintenance, and other infrastructural development initiatives.

Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Planning Commission, Hajiya Aishatu Teni Usman, commended the Ministry of Works for its detailed budget presentation.

She appealed to all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in the state to remove non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from their budget proposals to ensure proper alignment with government priorities.

Hajiya Aishatu Teni urged all MDAs to ensure that funds released for projects are utilised strictly for their intended purposes, promoting accountability and efficiency in service delivery.

She further welcomed the ministry’s team to the 2026 budget proposal exercise, encouraging them to remain steadfast in their efforts toward the state’s infrastructural transformation.

Meanwhile, those who accompanied the Permanent Secretary to the presentation included Gambo Alhaji Adamu, Director of Administration, Alhaji Aliyu Umar, Director of Finance; Farouk Umar Audi, Managing Director, Nigoroma; QS Ashiya Alfa, Acting Director DPRs; QS Solomon Baba, Director of Quantity Surveying, and Engr Nasiru Ibrahim, Deputy Director of Engineering Services.

Others were Comrade Ismaila Saba Favu, Information Officer, ESV Fatima Babababu, Assistant Director, Lands, and Mallam Haruna Aliyu Kagara, Staff Officer.

THE massive crowds that welcomed him to the Town Hall Meetings/Citizens’ Engagement in preparation for the 2026 Budget and the attendant excitement told the story and they were both visible to the blind and audible to the deaf. These are tell-tale indications that the people of Ekiti State are truly in love with Governor Biodun Oyebanji and they are ready to reward him with a new term in office if his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), fields him as its candidate for the June 20, 2026 governorship election. From 24th to 25th of September, 2025, across the three senatorial districts- Ekiti South, Ekiti North and Ekiti Central- the Governor once again reached out to the people in the grassroots to ask for their requests in terms of projects and other forms of empowerment to be incorporated into the 2026 Budget as it is his usual practice every year. Apart from asking for the requests of the communities, Oyebanji used the opportunity of the forum to give account on how his administration had spent their resources that accrued to the state on projects and also shed more light on the policy thrust of his administration. At Ise Ekiti, where Oyebanji met communities from the six local government areas of Ekiti South Senatorial District; Otun Ekiti where he interfaced with communities from the five local government areas of Ekiti North and Ijero Ekiti where he interacted with communities from Ekiti Central, the consensus was that the Governor has done well and he deserves a re-election.

In all the three locations, it was a carnival of approval and more endorsement for a Governor who had worked hard in the last three years to scale up the development of Ekiti in virtually all key sectors and the hard work to ensure an Ekiti the founding fathers envisaged is still on the full throttle. Through the town hall meetings, Oyebanji has involved the citizenry in running the affairs of the state; he has positively engaged them in contributing to the making of decisions that affect them; through the interactive forum, the views and the opinions of the people have counted. Rather than being ensconced in his cosy office in Ado Ekiti and ram policies and projects down the throats of the citizens, Oyebanji has taken governance to the people in their natural habitats, in their places of residence and the people feel wanted, feel loved and feel appreciated. Why won’t they root for him to continue? These appreciative people include traditional rulers, their chiefs, community leaders, religious leaders, labour leaders, youth organizations, student bodies, civil servants, market women, artisans, people living with disabilities, retirees, transporters and the ordinary men and women on the streets.

During the tour, they were given voice to speak and to interact with their Governor who directly felt their pulse. He raptly listened to them, fixed his gaze on them, conscientiously took down notes by himself as they spoke, made a sense of what they were saying and accurately and sincerely provided the answers they needed. The interface served as a festival of appreciation of what the previous budgets (2022, 2023 and 2024) had achieved and a means of charting a direction and seeking the opinion of the people on the projects that are of priority to them. The Ekiti publics really showed gratitude to Oyebanji and pointed to projects they had advocated in the previous projects which had been executed, completed and inaugurated for public use and for the benefit of this present and coming generations.

Such projects include neighbourhood, community, rural, township and state roads, general hospitals and community health centers, primary and secondary schools, electricity, potable water, civic centres, town halls and palaces, security posts and installations, farm settlements and clusters for commercial agriculture etc. It offered an opportunity to review ongoing projects and policies, suggestions on collaboration between local governments, local council development areas and the state government on governance, security and boosting of the grassroots economy. The forum also gave the locals the opportunity of celebrating the highest budget transparency rating received by Ekiti under the watch of Oyebanji from BudgIT, which rated the state as number one in Nigeria for Quarter 2, an award it has scooped for six times in a row. This is an indication that Ekiti is in safe hands and that is why the communities also demanded continuity of the Oyebanji administration from 2026 to 2030. There was a consensus that the governor has so far used the mandate he received in 2022 to better their lots.

Ahead of the APC governorship primary slated for October 27, 2025 and the governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026, the communities have spoken loud and clear in support of an Oyebanji candidacy. The citizens’ engagement/town hall meetings was a referendum for Oyebanji’s continuity for sustained development of Ekiti State and they are ready to speak with their votes to make it a reality.

His first wife was married for him by the whole community. Everybody contributed one thing or the other, from encouragement to tubers of yam and cowries for the bride price. He was ripe and ready but the number of people working against Toosa were many. The beautiful girl he wanted was wanted by a dozen and one other men. Well, that wa normal, even. It was the wicked elders and envious youths running him down that was the big problem

Toosa too wants a wife, in which world?

Don’t mind him, his butterfly wants to fly like a bird.

Does he have what it takes?

Can he feed a woman and take care of her needs.

He must think being able to sleep with a woman is all it takes to be a husband.

I heard his small hut is even leaking.

Ah, does he want the poor girl to be swept away by flood during rainy season?

He is too young.

No, he is too old.

It is not his turn.

Because the evil voices were loud and cacophonous, it felt like the naysayers were many. But no, they were a few, really, just loud and strident. Those who wanted Toosa married were more and they eventually won. They mustered courage and resources and the wedding took place, followed by 16 years of marriage. In the very presence of Toosa’s enemies, Toosa became a father of six and his slim bride became robust and rounded in all the right places. The enemies’ eyes bulged in envy and disbelief. Yes. Then one day, the marriage ended. Toosa’s wife left him.

Fight for her.

Threaten her parents.

Take thugs and waylay her before she reaches her father’s compound.

Let your labourers go and destroy her father’s compound.

How can you let her go after 16 years? Will you now be sweeping your compound and cooking for yourself?

But Toosa just sat there and said: Let her go. If she is truly mine, she would not leave me. I don’t want anybody to be injured or killed just to keep my wife. No, let her go.

It was a really dark and lonely moment for him. And for years he lived his wife-less life without groaning. Until his friends started showing up and telling him about a particular woman who had everything a woman should have: beauty, brain, good manners and she came from a rich and influential family. Of course, Toosa resisted. He had grown accustomed to living his life on his terms, no pressure, no nagging, no in-law troubles. But eventually, he agreed to go and look at the woman and what he saw was a mouth-watering total package. It was a sneak peek but the backside of that woman when she walked past had Toosa rubbing his palms together and smacking his lips. Indeed, the image of the backside of Aponbepore (fair like palm oil) kept Toosa tossing and turning all night . By morning he was ready to do anything to get this beautiful woman. That was when his friends cleared their throats and told him the Balogun (the leader of all the warriors )of their town was also interested in Aponbepore. Toosa gasped and this song came to his mind. Don’t ask me how.

E ma na omo Balogun

Bi e ba na omo Balogun

Idagiri a w’olu

Ese giri a w’ode

Translation

Do not beat Balogun’s child

If you beat Balogun’s child

It will lead to confusion

It will precipitate running helter skelter

Skip several years to today’s Nigeria.

There is a Nigerian Toosa who does not just want to beat Balogun’s son, he wants to ‘snatch’ Balogun’s woman instead of looking further afield for his new wife. Here is a shy personable gentleman that the whole community had to rally round to get his first and former wife. Why does he think he can swing this hard task of ‘snatching’ a reigning Balogun’s woman?

Okay, Balogun has not paid the fine lady’s bride price but the bebe (waist beads), according to the grapevine, was bought by Balogun. That is a deep investment, seriously. Toosa’s friends are many and so are his foes posing as friends. They know Balogun will fight whoever contends with him for anything, woman or war, and he is a warrior. This good man with good reputation could lose to Balogun and people will forget Toosa’s reputation as a meek and mild man and start talking about the ‘man who took on a fight he knew he could not win, a man who Balogun battered like a snake not fit for the soup pot (ejo aije), a man whose beloved is now in Balogun’s bed, making babies every year.’

Abomination. It should not be, must not be and by the grace of the ancestors, will not be.

Backing up a little, what exactly is my point here?

That song from Ebenezer Obey’s album has been playing on my mind too for about three days now. So, I asked my mind, why are you dancing to this particular song, please. My mind replied, ‘I am not dancing to the song, I am thinking of the song.’ My forehead furrowed. There must be a message in there that my mind is trying to impress on me. I shook my head, smiled as it cleared. My mind must have discovered my wrapped thought about former President Goodluck Jonathan and all the talk about him throwing his hat in the presidential race ring come 2027.

Don’t misunderstand me. I like Jonathan’s hat. I just don’t like it in any ring. For me, the man has won all the belts there is to be won. He has proved that when God is on your side, it does not matter how long you go shoeless, you will eventually sit on a horse. The Jonathan story has shown that when you are standing on the shoulder of the God of all gods and godfathers, you will arrive your divine destination, no matter how many stumbling blocks are mounted on your path. The cabals won’t matter. Indeed, they will bow or fall or do both when you arrive.

We have not forgotten how Dr Jonathan became President, have we? He was Vice President to President Yar’ Adua, remember, the good President who came into office ill? The road was rough for all of us until the storm was calmed by death and something called ‘Doctrine of Necessity’. The nation’s already uneven lines went further jagged. The Federal Executive Council was polarized. There was high drama. After all the muffled noise and whispers of conspiracy, the mantle of leadership fell on Goodluck Jonathan. And it wasn’t the first time too. Way back in faraway Yenagoa, the shoeless boy had become a university don and later a Deputy Governor in Bayelsa State. Then fate showed up for him and his boss, DSP Alamieyeseigha did something bad and had to leave town in the dead of the night (dramatic details are available in different versions). That was how a man went to bed as Deputy Governor and was woken up to be sworn in as a Governor.

I like former President Jonathan. Most Nigerians will forever applaud his courage in the face of defeat, defeat as sitting President at a presidential polls his government fully funded too. Who was not shocked? It was so un-Nigerian thing to do. Come on, Jonathan could have had himself declared winner. What would have happened? Maybe three days or so of blood, gore and innocent lives cut short. There would have been noise, plenty of noise but it would all have eventually died down and the President would have done his second term whether we liked it or not. Not Jonathan. He walked the path of honour home. He wanted peace. He wanted no part in human sacrifice and bloody electoral victory. To the chagrin of his party and followers, Jonathan gave everything up. The world clapped, called him a good man, unusual politician and he became star speaker at international political events.

It was also the beginning of the end of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its 16-year reign. I am not sure that party can ever forgive Jonathan. The number of politicians who are still seething with rage, reeling in pain of aborted ambitions is huge.

In 2027, the Presidential boxing ring can do with four serious hats. That would make the sitting government sit straighter up. But Jonathan’s hat should not be there. Why? One, those who betrayed him that other time are still very much around, greedier, meaner and more ferocious. They are within his party PDP and in other parties pretending to be born-again now. They are not. Two, the merchants of candidates and election retailers are waiting for that hat to land in the ring. He should remember those who collected millions of naira for all kinds of things including prayers on mountains and in holy lands so Jonathan could win. They will convince him, assure him and then trade him. Three, when PDP had 22 governors, he lost the election, how does he want to reach the states and grassroots now that almost all the governors have done deals, made pacts to secure their second terms? Four, this is Nigeria where politicking, campaigning and elections are heavily monetized. This girl has been directly close to two election day spending and trust me, it is eye-popping. Where will all that funds come from? Five, is Jonathan even sure that those courting him are not working for APC, somehow? With politicians, nothing is as it seems. Six, an Abuja Federal High Court has been approached to issue a perpetual injunction restraining Dr Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election and also barring INEC from listing him as a candidate. Ah, court matters in this season is both time-wasting and money-guzzling.

And finally to my own personal point, I want to forever remember Jonathan as the one clean President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who chose decency over office, refused to do human sacrifice to get a second term. I do not want to remember him as the Nigerian President who was defeated twice, first as incumbent President and then former president by the same political party. It will pain me too much.