Feature/OPED
Anambra PDP Candidate, Peter Obi and Return of godfatherism in Anambra Politics
By Ibekwe Ozuigbo
One dreaded monster all Anambrarians are united in condemning is political godfatherism in the state.
This is a monster that has denied the state its rightful place in the country. It is a phenomenon that concentrates power, state resources and machineries in the hands of one man. States where godfatherism still exists in Nigeria are next in the lines of poverty stricken states in Nigeria.
That Anambra State is godfathers-free state in Nigeria today is as a result of prayers and sacrifices made to God by all Anambrarians.
When godfatherism reared its monstrous heads in Anambra State in 1999 and 2003, we saw how workers’ salaries were not paid for over a year, we saw how schools in the states all went on strike as well as how pensioners were dying before their time without any hope of redemption or a better future.
We also saw how government institutions were destroyed, especially Government House in Awka and the State Broadcasting Station among other vital state agencies. All these acts of terror were unleashed on the state in protest for the continuous milking of the state resources by dubious few who thought that sovereignty belongs to them instead of the people.
While political godfatherism had field day in the state, Ndi-Anambra embarked on serious prayers to God for the liberation of the state from the forces of darkness that held sway in the state.
In what looked like an answered prayer, on March 16, 2006, the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu quashed the election of Dr Chris Ngige, who was imposed on the state by some godfathers.
Reacting, Dr Ngige said the ruling was an attempt by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to unseat him because of a dispute with PDP godfathers who sponsored his election with money.
With the coming of Mr Peter Obi, the state heaved a sigh of relief; not because Mr Obi was outstanding in his performances nor because he was a rocket scientist, but simply because God used the judiciary to end godfatherism in Anambra State with Peter Obi being the first beneficiary.
But, in demonstrating what many commentators describes as ”African Malaise,” Mr Obi is now trying to make himself the new political godfather of Anambra State politics through the PDP candidate, Mr Oseleka Obaze.
Let me educate my readers with relevant examples of what I mean by ”African Malaise.” President Yoweri Museveni was involved in a rebellion against the government of the despotic and maximum ruler of Uganda, former President Idi Amin. Museveni was then seen by the West as the new generation of African leaders who will depart from old method of sit-tightism and godfatherism in African politics, but, like Mr Obi of Anambra State, little did anybody know that Mr Museveni would turn himself to a despotic leader where political godfatherism and sit-tightism in Africa reigns. Yoweri Museveni is the travesty of democracy in the continent.
Just like Mr Peter Obi and his godson, Mr Oseleka Obaze had planned to do in Anambra State if they mistakenly win, Yoweri Museveni weakened all state institutions in Uganda and perpetuated himself as the life president of the country. His wife was appointed a cabinet Minister, his son is a General in the Ugandan Army. His friends and cronies are all in his government holding strategic positions while impoverishing the people of Uganda was their goal.
The same thing can be said of President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. This is exactly what Mr Peter Obi wants to achieve in Anambra State politics using Mr Oseleka Obaze. The only difference is that while the likes of Yoweri Museveni and Robert Mugabe are in the forefront facing the heat of their actions, Mr Peter Obi who is very crooked in all his schemings wants the puppet PDP candidate, Mr Oseleka Obaze to be holding the cow with many blames while he milks the cow from his air conditioned mansions.
What this means, is that, Mr Obi will answer an undeserved good name and be in the good book of the people as a saint he claims to be, while Mr Oseleka Obaze gets stoned in Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka.
This is what he tried to do with Gov. Willie Obiano when he demanded for N7 billion from the Governor at the expense of development in the state.
Anambra State is not on the list of states that enjoys 13 percent derivation formula. So, the N7 billion demanded from Obiano is the state’s Federal Allocation for about four months.
What this connotes is that, Anambra State workers will not get their salaries at the end of every month and pensioners will have to die before their time over endless wait.
This is the same Peter Obi who said education was not meant for the poor when he was governor of the state. As a result, he increased school fees by 150 percent. In the entire Southeast region, Anambra State under Peter Obi was the first state where poor university students started paying N150, 000 school fees for state own universities.
Throughout his tenor as governor of Anambra State, there was no local government election in the State, whereas local government allocations were released as at when due.
Crooked Peter Obi claimed he managed Anambra State resources very well, but under his heels the state was nowhere to be found in the economic ratings of Nigeria, instead it is under governor Willie Obiano that Anambra State was ranked as the fourth largest economy in Nigeria.
Therefore, a vote for Oseleka Obaze is a vote for Peter Obi’s third term agenda for the impoverishment of Anambra State.
Ibekwe Ozuruigbo writes from Abuja and can be contacted via [email protected].
Editor’s Note: This article is purely the writer’s opinion and not Business Post’s.
By Luke Kyohere
The global payments landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation. New technologies coupled with the rising demand for seamless, secure, and efficient transactions has spurred on an exciting new era of innovation and growth. With 2025 fast approaching, here are important trends that will shape the future of payments:
1. The rise of real-time payments
Until recently, real-time payments have been used in Africa for cross-border mobile money payments, but less so for traditional payments. We are seeing companies like Mastercard investing in this area, as well as central banks in Africa putting focus on this.
2. Cashless payments will increase
In 2025, we will see the continued acceleration of cashless payments across Africa. B2B payments in particular will also increase. Digital payments began between individuals but are now becoming commonplace for larger corporate transactions.
3. Digital currency will hit mainstream
In the cryptocurrency space, we will see an increase in the use of stablecoins like United States Digital Currency (USDC) and Tether (USDT) which are linked to US dollars. These will come to replace traditional cryptocurrencies as their price point is more stable. This year, many countries will begin preparing for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), government-backed digital currencies which use blockchain.
The increased uptake of digital currencies reflects the maturity of distributed ledger technology and improved API availability.
4. Increased government oversight
As adoption of digital currencies will increase, governments will also put more focus into monitoring these flows. In particular, this will centre on companies and banks rather than individuals. The goal of this will be to control and occasionally curb runaway foreign exchange (FX) rates.
5. Business leaders buy into AI technology
In 2025, we will see many business leaders buying into AI through respected providers relying on well-researched platforms and huge data sets. Most companies don’t have the budget to invest in their own research and development in AI, so many are now opting to ‘buy’ into the technology rather than ‘build’ it themselves. Moreover, many businesses are concerned about the risks associated with data ownership and accuracy so buying software is another way to avoid this risk.
6. Continued AI Adoption in Payments
In payments, the proliferation of AI will continue to improve user experience and increase security. To detect fraud, AI is used to track patterns and payment flows in real-time. If unusual activity is detected, the technology can be used to flag or even block payments which may be fraudulent.
When it comes to user experience, we will also see AI being used to improve the interface design of payment platforms. The technology will also increasingly be used for translation for international payment platforms.
7. Rise of Super Apps
To get more from their platforms, mobile network operators are building comprehensive service platforms, integrating multiple payment experiences into a single app. This reflects the shift of many users moving from text-based services to mobile apps. Rather than offering a single service, super apps are packing many other services into a single app. For example, apps which may have previously been used primarily for lending, now have options for saving and paying bills.
8. Business strategy shift
Recent major technological changes will force business leaders to focus on much shorter prediction and reaction cycles. Because the rate of change has been unprecedented in the past year, this will force decision-makers to adapt quickly, be decisive and nimble.
As the payments space evolves, businesses, banks, and governments must continually embrace innovation, collaboration, and prioritise customer needs. These efforts build a more inclusive, secure, and efficient payment system that supports local to global economic growth – enabling true financial inclusion across borders.
Luke Kyohere is the Group Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Onafriq
In a heartfelt statement released today, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has extended its warmest congratulations to Ghana’s President-Elect, emphasizing the importance of learning from Ghana’s recent electoral success as Nigeria gears up for its 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, the CNPP highlighted the need for Nigeria to reclaim its status as a leader in democratic governance in Africa.
“The recent victory of Ghana’s President-Elect is a testament to the maturity and resilience of Ghana’s democracy,” the CNPP stated. “As we celebrate this achievement, we must reflect on the lessons that Nigeria can learn from our West African neighbour.”
The CNPP’s message underscored the significance of free, fair, and credible elections, a standard that Ghana has set and one that Nigeria has previously achieved under former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. “It is high time for Nigeria to reclaim its position as a beacon of democracy in Africa,” the CNPP asserted, calling for a renewed commitment to the electoral process.
Central to CNPP’s message is the insistence that “the will of the people must be supreme in Nigeria’s electoral processes.” The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria CNPP emphasized the necessity of an electoral system that genuinely reflects the wishes of the Nigerian populace. “We must strive to create an environment where elections are free from manipulation, violence, and intimidation,” the CNPP urged, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take decisive action to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The CNPP also expressed concern over premature declarations regarding the 2027 elections, stating, “It is disheartening to note that some individuals are already announcing that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027. This kind of statement not only undermines the democratic principles that our nation holds dear but also distracts from the pressing need for the current administration to earn the trust of the electorate.”
The CNPP viewed the upcoming elections as a pivotal moment for Nigeria. “The 2027 general elections present a unique opportunity for Nigeria to reclaim its position as a leader in democratic governance in Africa,” it remarked. The body called on all stakeholders — including the executive, legislature, judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and civil society organisations — to collaborate in ensuring that elections are transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people.
As the most populous African country prepares for the 2027 elections, the CNPP urged all Nigerians to remain vigilant and committed to democratic principles. “We must work together to ensure that our elections are free from violence, intimidation, and manipulation,” the statement stated, reaffirming the CNPP’s commitment to promoting a peaceful and credible electoral process.
In conclusion, the CNPP congratulated the President-Elect of Ghana and the Ghanaian people on their remarkable achievements.
“We look forward to learning from their experience and working together to strengthen democracy in our region,” the CNPP concluded.
By Kenechukwu Aguolu
The proposed tax reform, involving four tax bills introduced by the Federal Government, has received significant criticism. Notably, it was rejected by the Governors’ Forum but was still forwarded to the National Assembly. Unlike the various bold economic decisions made by this government, concessions will likely need to be made on these tax reforms, which involve legislative amendments and therefore cannot be imposed by the executive. This article highlights the purposes of taxation, the qualities of a good tax system, and some of the implications of the proposed tax reforms.
One of the major purposes of taxation is to generate revenue for the government to finance its activities. A good tax system should raise sufficient revenue for the government to fund its operations, and support economic and infrastructural development. For any country to achieve meaningful progress, its tax-to-GDP ratio should be at least 15%. Currently, Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio is less than 11%. The proposed tax reforms aim to increase this ratio to 18% within the next three years.
A good tax system should also promote income redistribution and equality by implementing progressive tax policies. In line with this, the proposed tax reforms favour low-income earners. For example, individuals earning less than one million naira annually are exempted from personal income tax. Additionally, essential goods and services such as food, accommodation, and transportation, which constitute a significant portion of household consumption for low- and middle-income groups, are to be exempted from VAT.
In addition to equality, a good tax system should ensure equity and fairness, a key area of contention surrounding the proposed reforms. If implemented, the amendments to the Value Added Tax could lead to a significant reduction in the federal allocation for some states; impairing their ability to finance government operations and development projects. The VAT amendments should be holistically revisited to promote fairness and national unity.
The establishment of a single agency to collect government taxes, the Nigeria Revenue Service, could reduce loopholes that have previously resulted in revenue losses, provided proper controls are put in place. It is logically easier to monitor revenue collection by one agency than by multiple agencies. However, this is not a magical solution. With automation, revenue collection can be seamless whether it is managed by one agency or several, as long as monitoring and accountability measures are implemented effectively.
The proposed tax reforms by the Federal Government are well-intentioned. However, all concerns raised by Nigerians should be looked into, and concessions should be made where necessary. Policies are more effective when they are adapted to suit the unique characteristics of a nation, rather than adopted wholesale. A good tax system should aim to raise sufficient revenue, ensure equitable income distribution, and promote equality, equity, and fairness.
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism8 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking6 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN