The Lumine News

Category: Opinion

  • David Umahi: How Defection Invalidates His Certificate Of Return BY FIRST BABA ISA

    David Umahi: How Defection Invalidates His Certificate Of Return BY FIRST BABA ISA

    DAVID UMAHI: HOW DEFECTION INVALIDATES HIS CERTIFICATE OF RETURN

    Find attached the Certificate of Return issued to David Umahi before he was sworn in as Governor.

    Get any certificate of any Governor in Nigeria, or any elected official, let’s have this conversation; please, constantly look at the Certificate of Return as we progress.

    Section 75 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010, states that “A sealed Certificate of Return at an election in a prescribed form shall be issued within 7 days to every candidate who has won an election under this Act.” See section 72 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

    Without a Certificate of Return there is no evidence that a candidate won an election and he cannot be sworn into office. A Certificate of Return is the gold medal of an election; without it, you can’t lay claim to be a winner.

    Now, let’s look at the Certificate of Return issued to Umahi.

    It says: “I hereby certify that Nweze David Umahi of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been elected to the office of Governor of Ebonyi State…”

    Did you see that?

    “Nweze David Umahi of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)…”

    Let’s look at the meaning of the proposition or the word “of”.

    “Of” is used in expressing the relationship between a part and a whole.

    So, the Certificate of Return made it abundantly clear that Nweze David Umahi (is a part) OF Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (the whole)…” One cannot exist without the other in governing Ebonyi State. That’s why the Federal Government led by President Buhari is known as the APC Government. This is how it is all over the world that practise partisan democracy.

    You can never divorce your government from your political party. In fact, the president or governor is the leader of his political party at the Federal or State, respectively.

    When the people voted for you, it was your party’s manifesto, aims, objectives and proposed plans that they voted for. They saw the manifestoes of other political parties but chose yours. You are expected to implement your party’s manifesto as Governor. You can’t convince people to vote for one manifesto and then turn round to defect and adopt another one they rejected at the polls. That’s criminally dishonest.

    Back to the Certificate of Return, a new one has not and cannot be issued to David Umahi after his defection. The only Certificate of Return he holds that empowers him to be Governor of Ebonyi State, is the one that reads: “Nweze David Umahi of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)…”

    You cannot hold a Certificate of Return that says you are of the PDP, while you have declared publicly that you have left the PDP. By this singular action, you have invalidated the Certificate of Return, the only document that gives you the power to be Governor.

    As long as David Umahi maintains he has left the PDP, and as long as the only Certificate of Return issued to him by INEC states that: “I hereby certify that Nweze David Umahi of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been elected to the office of Governor of Ebonyi State…”, Umahi cannot continue to be Governor.

    He might be righteous but he has destroyed his foundation. And as the Psalmist lamented in Psalm 11:3, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

    This applies to other Governors, like Ben Ayade of Cross River State, who have also decamped but holding Certificates of Return carrying the name of another political party.

    – By Firsts Baba Isa (FBI)

  • Is This The End Of David Umahi As Governor? BY FIRST BABA ISA

    Is This The End Of David Umahi As Governor? BY FIRST BABA ISA

    IS THIS END OF DAVID UMAHI AS GOVERNOR?

    We know the facts already. We have read several legal commentaries already. Even if you are not a lawyer, you should be well versed already with the facts and law of this particular case.

    It seems to me that many lawyers are already so certain that the Supreme Court will throw away the judgment of the Federal High Court ordering Governor David Umahi and his deputy to vacate their offices immediately for defecting from the PDP, the party that sponsored them to become Governor and Deputy, to the ruling APC.

    Well, I’m not so sure, and I will point out why, presently.

    1. First, most of the legal commentaries I have read tend to ignore the Supreme Court decision in Yahaya Bello’s case, or at best just gloss over it. But the Supreme Court will certainly not gloss over this decision. Here, the Supreme Court made it abundantly clear that votes belong to a political party. In fact, this principle was so forcefully enunciated that Faleke, the late Audu’s running mate was not allowed to inherit the votes; even when Falake argued strenuously that the votes belonged to the late Audu and himself as candidate and running mate in that election.

    2. The present case has nothing to do with Amechi’s case, a case which has been overtaken by the amendment of the Electoral Act 2010. The Yahaya Bello’s case was decided in 2016 when the Amechi’s scenario was no longer applicable. So, don’t mix up the two. The Supreme Court decided in 2016 that votes belonged to a political party when the Electoral Act was already amended and without recourse to the Amechi’s case. So, the Bello’s case is still good and reliable precedent for the Umahi’s case. I expect the Supreme Court, when it finally gets there, to look at it.

    3. In the case of NWANKWO & ANOR v. INEC & ORS (2019) LPELR-48862(CA) the Court of Appeal held that:
    “… It is trite that it is only a natural person that can be lawfully declared and returned as a winner of an election. The Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) only contemplates the declaration and return of a candidate in an election and not a political party”.

    I agree. But I don’t see how this negates the principle that votes belong to a Political Party. A political party cannot be declared Governor but a natural person nominated by a Political Party will be.

    4. A political party cannot win election as Governor without a natural person and a natural person cannot win election without a political party. It is a political marriage solemnised by the constitution. You cannot forcefully divorce yourself from the marriage and still want to enjoy benefits accruing therefrom. This is the reasoning of the trial judge and it makes a lot of sense.

    Section 177 (c) of the Constitution states clearly that one of the requirements for being qualified to be elected Governor is that a person must be “a member of A political party and is sponsored by THAT political party.”

    You must be sponsored by a political party. “A POLITICAL PARTY”. Not all political parties. So, it is reasonable that once you leave that POLITICAL PARTY that sponsored you to become Governor, you have lost a key aspect of your qualification as Governor and you cannot be properly so called anymore.

    5. A very very heavy weather has been made of the case of AG, Federation v. Atiku Abubakar (2007) 10 NWLR (Pt.1041) 1, 29. But in this case, the issue of who owns the votes cast in an election never came up. This is a new issue and those who think the Supreme Court will blindly follow its decision in AG, Federation v. Atiku Abubakar, might be in for a rude shock.

    This time around, the Supreme Court will not just be looking at the issue of the legality of an elected member of the Executive defecting or cross carpeting but the issue of who owns the votes cast in an election will come to the fore; and if the Supreme Court holds that votes belong to a political party, as they held in the Yahaya Bello’s case, the Law Lords will very likely come to a different conclusion than the one held in Atiku Abubakar’s case; after all, the court held in this same case that defecting is “is painful, unconscionable, and immoral…”

    – By Firsts Baba Isa (FBI)

    The views expressed in this article are strictly that of the author, First Baba Isa Esq and does not represent TheLumineNews or the organization the author works for.

  • Happy International Women’s Day To Women That Are Doing Their Best To Ensure The Bias Is Broken.

    Happy International Women’s Day To Women That Are Doing Their Best To Ensure The Bias Is Broken.

    Happy International Women’s Day celebration to every woman out there who is doing so much to ensuring the bias is broken.

    Today I join Nigerian women across the states and in diaspora to speak in respect to gender balance and political correctness.

    Over the years women like Margaret Thatcher, Fumilayo Kuti, Margaret Ekpo and a lot of other heroeins played very sensitive roles in leadership and also fought for women emancipation, we must not allow their fight go to ruins.

    Leadership failures or successes are not gender bias, men as well as women have failed and still failing in different sectors, therefore we cannot continue to fenging ignorance, we must seek for capable hands as both gender has its best foot that should have a stake in the corridors of power.
    We must not continue to jettison the role of women in politics, governance and leadership.

    Let’s support women and give them the chance and opportunities to bring to the table of economic development the attributes they’ve applied in home building and sustainability.

    Our country will remain underdeveloped as long as we continue to underrate, undermine, relegate women and juxtapose her capabilities on the altar of Patriarchy.

    We can’t win this war without you our fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, uncles etc. y’all have daughters, mothers, sisters, wives, Aunties.
    Please speak with us and call the Senate to do the right thing.

    Let’s break this jinx and bias together.
    I am Ambassador Odenke Ibiang
    House of Assembly Aspirant 2023

    I Celebrate these women, they impress and inspire me to do more by their work and resilience.

  • Ogoja/Yala Bye-election: Ogoja Has Totally Rejected APC, Bekwarra is aggrieved, Obanliku is unhappy, Obudu And Yala Cannot Secure Ayade A Return To The Senate – Ntamu

    Ogoja/Yala Bye-election: Ogoja Has Totally Rejected APC, Bekwarra is aggrieved, Obanliku is unhappy, Obudu And Yala Cannot Secure Ayade A Return To The Senate – Ntamu

    OGOJA/YALA BYE ELECTION AS A LITMUS TEST.

    The much anticipated Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency bye election has finally come and gone. The uncertainties surrounding the outcome, whether the result as announced by INEC is final or there may be a redress at the Election Petition Tribunal is left for the future.

    The election may have been concluded and a winner declared by INEC, but a good look at some facts and figures may leave us with a different impression other than the earlier assumption that the party who emerged winner determines the overall outcome of the 2023 election.

    From what was declared by INEC, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Jude Ngaji scored a total of 22,778(52.5%) to beat his closest rival, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Hon. Mike Usibe who scored 20,590(47.5%). The percentage margin between the candidates is just (5.05%).

    Judging by the fact that the candidate of the APC is a very popular personality and someone who is contesting for the second time in less than four years, 5.05% is rather a margin too insignificant to celebrate, especially by a ruling party. The implication of this is that, only Chief Jude Ngaji who currently enjoys goodwill across parties can win any election for the ruling party.

    Again, it is on record that Ogoja/Yala currently constitute over 65% of the state appointees in Northern Senatorial District, with Yala LGA dominating in some key strategic appointments. Having people such as; the former DG of Due Process, now APC Chairman, the sacked senator, returned as SUBEB Chairman, CRUTECH Vice Chancellor and other high profile appointees all from Yala. One would ordinarily have expected a landslide margin, but the reality at hand is rather shocking.

    The most recent appointment which was released on the eve of the bye election numbering up to 93 appointees had Ogoja/Yala topping the list as always. Some of us expected the new appointees to show appreciation by harvesting adequate votes. But the lean margin of 5.05% is a clear indication that the Governor’s concentration of his appointment in his preferred location has not yielded bountifully.

    In 2023, APC members in places like Bekwarra must brace up for a tough time. As currently constituted, Bekwarra sits at the lowest rung on the list of appointees.With just two Commissioners, a Senior Special Adviser and other appointees of Bekwarra origin occupying the basest offices. It is clear that Bekwarra has not been in the reckoning of Ben Ayade’s Government. Glaringly, Ayade has scant regard or disdain for Bekwarra, same place he has claimed his grandmother hails from all in attempt to scam the people into aligning with him politically.

    The marginalisation of Bekwarra people continues when he left Bekwarra out without any viable industry, except the reported groundnut milling oil factory, which he has been trying grudgingly to complete. With this stark reality, Bekwarra would have no option than to seek a new realignment as the 2023 general election beckons, with Ayade believed to be seeking a return to the senate.

    This is why the just concluded House of Representatives bye election is an eye opener. From the outcome of the election Ogoja has totally rejected APC, Bekwarra is aggrieved, Obanliku is unhappy. Consequently, Obudu and Yala cannot secure him a return to the senate.

    The Nigerian Police Force whose contribution in intimidating electorate largely influenced the actualisation of the lean margin of 5.05% won’t afford the luxury of sending over 5000 officers to each Local Government of Cross River State in 2023. And because it would be a general election, the possibility of having a police helicopter hovering over of every Local Government is very much unlikely.

    Those planning to hide under state powers and the security for intimidation as recorded at many instances across Ogoja and Yala would be disappointed.

    If the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency bye election was a litmus test, then APC and Governor Ayade have their work cut out for them.

    Equally, the trouncing of the APC by the PDP in Akpabuyo State bye election sums up the acceptability deficit of the power of the party in the state.

    Agaji Adie Ntamu (SAT)
    Is a Strategic Media Consultant,
    and a Seasoned Teacher.

     

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the author, Agaji Adie Ntamu and does not represent TheLumineNews or the organization the author works for.

  • #FBIRandomThoughts – The Wike Alliance With CRS PDP And The APC Obscurantism

    #FBIRandomThoughts – The Wike Alliance With CRS PDP And The APC Obscurantism

     

    One of the weapons of politics is obscurantism and obfuscation. This is the deliberate repainting of lies to look like truth and of truth to look like lies; the doctoring of facts and midwiving of half truths. If you are not very careful, you will be profoundly misled.

    For instance, take Governor Wike’s support for the PDP in Cross River State. The man is a PDP Governor, there is nothing strange in his support for his party and party members anywhere and anytime. He is showing this massive support for his party and friends in Cross River State.

    We have seen him show this support in several fora. Just yesterday, he was in Calabar for the PDP Rally. The mercantile obscurantists in APC have gone into full gear trying hard to sell us a spinned yarn. They are telling the PDP to be ashamed that their support is coming from outside the state.

    Ahn, ahn. Is politics no longer about building bridges and alliances? The first deployment of King Solomon’s wisdom was that he built alliances: 1 Kings 5:12 says, “The Lord gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant.”

    I heard that Governor Ayade considers himself to be among the wisest men in the world, I don’t know about that and I won’t argue that with him or anyone; however the Governor has proven that his unique kind of wisdom doesn’t incorporate building political alliances. His political wisdom is clearly different from that of Solomon, this is why he woke up one day and found himself in the PDP Political Wilderness and had to run out of the party.

    As a PDP Governor, he had no friends, refused to attend party functions or functions of the Governors Forum and he ended up with the ugly record of the being the first sitting Governor in the recent political history of Cross River State to have the party structures taken away from him while he rode alone in his long and loud convoy.

    Today, he is in APC, with little or no difference: no friends, no alliances and his horde of political hallelujah boys are daring to laugh at a group of politicians building bridges and alliances. Dry joke.

    Even the kings of Isreal asked fellow kings for help. 2 Chronicles 28:16 says, “At that time King Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria for help.” Kings David, Solomon and others build alliances, asked and received help when the situation warrants it. This didn’t make them slaves to these kings. This is why the picture of master-servant or slave the APC is trying to paint between Wike and Cross River State PDP is pathetic.

    But it is not just pathetic, it is irony. When Wike came to Calabar we didn’t see anyone bowing or prostrating to him; but we all remember the picture of a man who prostrated and worshipped Governor Ayade at the UJ Esuene stadium when the said man was purportedly elected the APC State Chairman. Pray, tell, which party has a god and master and which one has a friend and supporter?

    Don’t let anyone fool you, building alliances is always a political masterstroke. The friendship between Governor Wike of Rivers State and the stalwarts of the PDP in Cross River State is a masterstroke. Of course, the APC knows this, that’s why they can’t sleep well. The thing dey pepper them for body.

    To succeed, build alliances; at times even with enemies. The Isrealites did this. Judges 3:13 “And he gathered to himself the sons of Ammon and Amalek; and he went and defeated Israel, and they possessed the city of the palm trees.”

    – By First Baba Isa (FBI)

  • Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency Bye-election – 21 Reasons Why I Be Voting For Mike Usibe BY FIRST BABA ISA

    Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency Bye-election – 21 Reasons Why I Be Voting For Mike Usibe BY FIRST BABA ISA

     

    I will group the next set of reasons under a category I call “Qualification, Competence, Experience and Positioning”:

    REASON 2
    Legislating is serious business. It will, therefore, be immoral to vote for anyone to represent us in the Green Chambers who is not well schooled. Usibe ticked this box. With a Masters degree in Economics, he has the requisite learning to impact legislating in the House of Representatives.

    REASON 3.
    His learning, both in school and in life, has impacted his personality. I will be voting for him because I consider him worthy in learning and character to represent us well in the Green Chambers; and most importantly to handle our complaints and criticism maturely.

    REASON 4.
    Hon Mike Usibe is accessible and even tempered. He has been tested in this regard. You don’t want a representative who is inaccessible and is easily prone to anger. We don’t want someone who will go there and shut the people out. We don’t want someone who will come to us a lamb and then transform into a lion after the elections. We are tired of such politicians. We want someone we can talk to… And we can #TalkToMike

    REASON 5.
    Hon Usibe’s experience as a Local Government Chairman will come in handy as a legislator. He has first hand knowledge of the abundant opportunities loaded at the grassroots that a well-timed, well crafted legislation will activate for our collective good. Though we have had good legislators without this experience, if I have my way, being a local government chairman should be a prerequisite for aspiring to be legislator.

    REASON 6.
    Added to his experience as a Local Government Chairman, he has also served as a Commissioner. This is a plus.

    REASON 7.
    Hon Usibe worked as an accountant and revenue officer in the state civil service where he rose to the directorate cadre, even winning an award as the best director, finance and supplies. Any one with such a rich work experience will bring it to impact on legislation.

    REASON 8.
    Hon Usibe lives among us, in Ogoja/Yala. He is not a foreign politician who lives in Abuja, Lagos or even Calabar; who remembers us only when they need our votes. No. Usibe lives among us, knows us, we know him; he understands our strengths and weaknesses… And can truly represent us.

    REASON 9.
    From my keen interactions with the aspirations of the candidates for Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency by-election, I see clearly that Hon Mike Usibe’s understanding of the task of representing us is: top notch legislation, attracting/influencing human and infrastructural development to his constituents.

    A candidate with these “Qualification, Competence, Experience and Positioning” should represent us at the Green Chambers.

    Keep a date with me as we discuss the other reasons.

    Click link to REASON 1 – https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10161724406684408&id=725834407
    suffragiumus, Usibe!

    #JoinTheUsibeConversation

    – By Firsts Baba Isa (FBI)

  • Love In Politics: Do Not Allow Anyone Deceive You Into Dying For A Political Cause; It’s Not Worth It BY FR PETER OBELE ABUE

    Love In Politics: Do Not Allow Anyone Deceive You Into Dying For A Political Cause; It’s Not Worth It BY FR PETER OBELE ABUE

    LOVE IN POLITICS
    In this era of political wranglings, we are reminded that fighting with a brother or sister is not worth comparing with the bond that once existed over the years. Love is meant to last forever, whearas political position will come and go. Do not allow anyone deceive you into dying for a political cause; it’s not worth it. It is more important that you live peacefully with your neighbour in this world than with rancor, inherit a title that will pass away. Be careful and don’t allow yourself be fooled by someone else. Love is being able to sit down with a brother or sister after a fight to say: “I know I have wronged you. Please, I need your forgiveness. I also feel offended but I am ready to lay down my anger because what we share together is stronger and more important than what we are fighting for.”

    It is this type of love that Christ demands from his disciples: unselfish, disinterested, and unconditional love even of enemies. He said, “love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Lk. 6: 27-28). We are called to exhibit this kind of love to our blood relatives, our political opponents, those we have offended, and those who have offended us. David noticed that Saul, his mortal enemy, was within his reach. His ally and admonisher, Abishai even admonished him saying: “God has delivered your enemy into your grasp this day, lets nail him to the ground with one thrust.” David, however out of Love was able to use his common sense to say to his adviser: “Do not touch him” (cf. 1 Sam. 26ff).

    Much of the rancor we experience with each other is often as a result of listening to bas advice or the evil influence of our supporters. Do not harm anyone just because you are on opposite sides of the political divide. Pay no heed to any adviser who encourages you to kill or hate your neighbour simply because of a quarrel or an argument. This type of love is true and it is what Christ expects of us. After all, Love is not only when you have to be nice to close friends and family. If love was meant for only those who love us, what differentiates us from people of the world who love their friends and hate their enemies. Just like gold in a fiery furnace, the beauty of true love shines through the fiery furnace of our disputes and misunderstanding.Real love entails forgiveness of your opponent(s) who are in disagreements with you.

    There is time for everything. A time to hate and a time to love. Nothing on this earth is worth dying for. If its politics, play your own part and move on, for life goes on. Remember your family and those who will depend on you now and in the near future. Go the extra mile, think of the meaning of love and reconsider that fight you are planning with your so-called opponent. It is not worth it. The Lord says: “for if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?” (Luke 6: 32ff). Our love must truly extend to our enemies if it must have true meaning. Paul reminds us that if we truly believe in the new body that we shall receive after death, then we cannot hate or do wrong to each other in this world and think it is okay. If we believe that one day we shall all sit down together in the house of our Father then we can as well start practising that Love here on earth by the way we reconcile with our enemies (1Cor. 15:45ff).

    The future hope that binds us together is stronger than any earthly positions that divide us. Elections will come and go, positions will come and go, but our actions and their effects would linger for much longer. It does not seem right that brothers and sisters who have been best of friends or community builders together for long or even blood family members should separate and become mortal enemies because of elections. Charity, they say, begins at home. If you must love your neighbour, begin by loving yourself, your life, your sanity, and avoid whatever will bring you a headache.

  • Seeds Of Violence: Ogoja/Yala Bye-election BY First BABA ISA

    Seeds Of Violence: Ogoja/Yala Bye-election BY First BABA ISA

    SEEDS OF VIOLENCE – OGOJA/YALA BY-ELECTION

    The police is right now preventing the PDP from holding a rally on a private property. Read that again: I say, private property.

    The police has no powers to do this. The police don’t even have the powers to grant or refuse approval to hold rallies. People who keep applying to the police to get this approval keep sustaining the illegal impression that the police has such powers. They don’t.

    Yesterday, a purported APC over N200m-budget for the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency By-election hit social media. I didn’t comment on that because as a lawyer, I love direct and incontrovertible evidence but there is something also known as circumstantial evidence.

    Millions were budgeted to bribe the police in that budget and today the police has been deployed to carry out a grossly illegal assignment. Are you thinking what I am thinking? It takes a lot, including money, to deploy the police like that. If that budget is real, then the owners of that budget truly has the money to fund illegality. Can the police be used against those who has such election budgetary provisions for them? If no, then who is using the police right now? There is something known as circumstantial evidence.

    Now, to the crux of the matter.

    Whoever or whatever is making the police act this way should be called to order immediately. By this act, the very institution saddled with the responsibility to tame violence is being used by politicians to sow seeds of violence; and when these seeds are allowed to blossom, Cross River State will be the worst for it. This is a state that is yet to recover from the #EndSARS protests that later snowballed into Covid19 palliatives looting.

    It’s like the Governor has forgotten the tears he shed for peace to return. We all wept with him. We don’t want a repeat. The Governor is the Choirmaster of politics with ethics and the humanity mantra. It’s time for him to walk his talk.

    We can do this politics and hold elections without harassment, intimidation and violence. No one has the right to tell a political party where to hold their rally or flag off their campaign.

    Some APC members say it is foolishness to flag off the PDP campaign for Ogoja/Yala By-election in Calabar. Then why are you worried? Why are you afraid? Why not allow them to do their “foolishness” and then bank on it to win the by-elections? Why are you using the police to prevent a “foolishness” that is not illegal?

    Stop supporting this, and just dismissing it with “it’s politics”. These seeds of violence you are sowing or encouraging in the name of politics, will swallow you up tomorrow.

    – By First Baba Isa (FBI)

     

  • Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency Bye-election: 21 Reasons Why I Be Voting For Mike Usibe BY FIRST BABA ISA

    Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency Bye-election: 21 Reasons Why I Be Voting For Mike Usibe BY FIRST BABA ISA

     

    REASON 1 – ZONING

    I do this whenever there is an election. I share my thoughts about the candidates I will be voting for, for certain offices. Many persons have reached out to me in the past to say I swayed them to vote one way or the other. I love it. I hope to sway more with this latest round of conversation. 😄

    But seriously, this is something I enjoy doing. I also enjoy the conversation around this. I also enjoy the naivety or deliberate obscurantism of folks who come to say things like “social media don’t win elections; there is no polling booth on social media”. Yet, Governors and other politicians appoint hundreds of aides on social media, open and maintain social media channels.

    Some of these folks who want to belittle these conversations we have on social media are even SA’s and PA’s to a Governor on Social media. Very ironic, right? Well, we know they are not sincere because they only attempt to belittle or ridicule these conversations when it doesn’t align with their political stance.

    Social media is important. These conversations work. Let’s have them.

    Now, back to the first reason that will make me vote for Hon Mike Usibe to represent me and the good people of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency; it is zoning and inclusion.

    A few days ago I shared my thoughts on the concept of zoning and inclusion as the very bedrock of democracy. I said it is ideal but I also warned against it’s usage by mercantile politicians who use it as a weapon of deceit and aggrandisement.

    In my own words, my resolve on zoning is: “I have, therefore, resolve to promote this as much as I can but not to split unnecessary hairs about it. I will always consider it but I will not put it first in my consideration for choosing someone for an elective position.”

    So, whenever I see the concept of zoning or inclusion happening truly by chance or by design, I will jump on board. This is what is happening now. I don’t think Mike Usibe emerged as a candidate for this election based on any deliberate zoning arrangement by the PDP or anyone, but I’m happy that his emergence resonates with the idea of inclusive democracy.

    Since 1999, an Ukelle man or woman has never represented us either in the Senate or House of Representatives; Mike Usibe is an opportunity to give them a chance to represent us and lead us in this democratic conversation at that level. All lovers of democracy and inclusiveness can’t miss this chance.

    But effective representation at the House of Representatives or any elective office for that matter goes beyond zoning, tribal or ethnic inclusiveness. If that is all Usibe is bringing to the table then he is not worth our time. But this is not all. There are 20 other reasons why we should vote for Mike Usibe.

    Keep a date with me as we discuss other reasons; the more important ones.

    suffragiumus, Usibe!

    #JoinTheUsibeConversation

    – By Firsts Baba Isa (FBI)

  • How To Help An Activist: This Happen To Me Always BY FIRST BABA ISA

    How To Help An Activist: This Happen To Me Always BY FIRST BABA ISA

    HOW TO HELP AN ACTIVIST

    This happens to me always.

    Whenever I take up a case that goes public I get several calls and texts asking me “please how can I help?” Of course I usually say nothing to such questions.

    I don’t say anything not because I don’t need help, financial help. I do. Most Human Rights activists, if not all, need financial enablement to execute their causes. Infact, and sadly so, I have abandoned several cases I took up for poor clients because I couldn’t foot the bills.

    I have abandoned cases of persons I believe are innocent who are rotting in jails. One that really breaks my heart happens last week. A young chap who is serving a life sentence in Port Harcourt prison got my number and called from prison (yes, it’s possible). I took up the matter but… Flight to PH… And… Became issues. No money. No budget. Justice is capital intensive.

    So why then don’t I answer questions like “what can I do to help?” I don’t for three reasons. All those who asked this question (especially in the Federal Government Girls College, Calabar Saga) or its variant should please take note.

    1. Most people who ask this question don’t really want to give you shishi. They are just having an emotional ejaculation and ventilating their anger. They want that feel-good feeling that at least they tried to help. And I don’t want to burst their bubble by telling them, yes I need some sort of financial help. They will end up not giving a dime and start feeling guilty of sins they have not committed.

    So I allow them have their moment of “Im-with-you-on-this-just-name-the-amount-and-I-will-send-it”. This set of people will usually turn on you and accuse you of extortion and all manner of things if you take their bait and ask them for money.

    2. Though I have never received a dime from anyone to execute a human right case or pursue a legal issue of public interest, my instinct tells me that if someone really wants to help they won’t ask too many questions or even wait for you to provide lengthy answers. They might just need a hint or a brief request and they will give their assistance. “Send me your account details” and “what can I do to help?” or “if you need anything let me know”, takes the same effort to type or say na.

    3. The most important reason borders on ethics. I cannot take up public interest cases and use that premise to raise money. That is unethical and grossly unprofessional and my opponents and detractors can make mince meat of me on this account. You will be shocked at the number of persons waiting and watching for an activist to make a slip so that they can ridicule and embarrass him. In this business of fighting for justice, I have come to realize that public goodwill is better than public money. That’s why activists must be extra careful.

    I will rather, and sadly so, watch someone face the firing squad than raise money to activate the judicial process for him. I will rather dump a case and join the client to weep for lack of justice than ask for monetary contributions from the public to pursue the matter. It’s not pride, it’s ethics. I can raise money to do charity or philanthropy but not legal work per se.

    But how can those who really want to help, help?

    They are those who ask this question because they really want to help but don’t know how. To members of this group. Let me give you a clue. Empower the activist.

    You don’t really have to wait until you see him pursuing a matter of public interest. You already know what the activist does why not give him links and referrals that will breastfeed his bank account? You know for every penny you help him make, a large chunk will go into helping him fight for the masses.

    Why not make him that lawyer that prepares your documents (MoU’s, deeds, contracts, wills, company and NGO registration, juicy litigation, etc)? Some activists have books and other projects that will fetch them money when executed; help them bring such projects to birth.

    It is demonic to always remember an activist when a public interest case without a budget arises but when you want to buy or sell land or prepare a document for an oil deal you don’t remember the lawyer activist. Who are you empowering? I have seen other activists raise funds, but for the lawyer activist nothing is more unethical.

    And this is not just about lawyers. Once you locate an activist, try to locate his workshop or line of business and patronize him. That’s how you put money in his pocket to do what he is doing without turning him into some sort of ass licking beggar.

    Now you know how to support an activist financially. Give him money without waiting for him to beg. Contribute if he is raising funds. Patronize his area of expertise or trade.

    As for those of us activists, those who stake their lives fighting for others, those who take up causes of public interests, let’s lift up our heads to the heavens where all help comes from. Let’s avoid the allure of filthy lucre. Let’s do what we can do with all we have always… God will do the rest.

    Aluta Continua. Victoria Ascerta. Yogejulnor.

    Firsts Baba Isa is a Legal Practitioner,
    07037162029