Feature/OPED
DTHA 2023 and Aspirant’s Quest for New Order
By Jerome-Mario Chijioke Utomi
At the same time as Delta State has in the past six to seven years recorded what analysts refer to as ‘flashes of infrastructural developments’ mostly centred on urban and rural road constructions, reconstructions and upgrades, there exists also an accompanying fear in some quarters that right now, the state is in a period of great vulnerability.
This veiled challenge is predicated on a tripod of realities:
For some, the state’s legislative arm, contrary to the provisions and dictates of the principle of separation of power, has ‘notoriously’ become toothless bulldogs that neither challenge the so-called settled public policy related answers nor provides answers to the nagging socioeconomic questions in the state; a verity that is largely reputed for serial inabilities to effectively represent their people, provide a voice to the voiceless or come up with bills/policies that will improve the life chances of Deltans.
To others, Deltans have in sequence failed to question these lawmakers for their glaring inabilities as demanded by the instrumentality of participatory democracy and election of leaders; forgetting that those who make the law and those who question the law perform similar responsibility, for it is in questioning that we discover if we are using power or power is using us.
And for the rest, it is the failure of the media in the state to study the various propositions presented in the past by the government – such failure to inform the people accordingly results in situations where the state government persuades Deltans to endorse and applaud policies that are harmful to their interests.
To assist Deltans in ending this sordid narrative which partly explains why the state is currently groping, politically divided and confused, ascertain why our current representatives at the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) behave the way they do, uncover the politics that laid the groundwork for these atrocities, how it was designed and insisted upon, and most importantly proffer a roadmap as to how the political and democratic health and vitality of the state could be restored particularly as the nation braces up for the 2023 general election, this author sought conversations with some political stakeholders in the state made up of politicians in both the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the major opposition party in the state, the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Whereas, all the comments remain validly important and appreciated, my conversation with Festus Ofume, lawyer, a two-term President of the Nigerian/Canadian Association and aspirant for the 2023 Delta State House of Assembly, remains outstanding.
On that day, at that time and in that place, aside from underlining that the office of a lawmaker is primarily and constitutionally meant to project laws that will change policies that affect the lives of the people and not actually to award contracts or pick contracts from the government, I also watched him use analysis and well-crafted arguments to demonstrate among other concerns how the absence of requisite qualification by representatives and money politics set the stage for the failings/failures that presently dot democratic representation in the state and deprives the people of their democratic dividends.
More than anything else, his antidotes and call for a shift in political paradigm, if adopted, will save and serve the interest of not just Delta state but the nation as a whole.
Take, as an illustration, the issue of poor representation, he captured it this way; you see the major reason why that happens is that most of the people that have represented Ika are not qualified to be there. In one way or the other, they bought those positions. They bought that office from their political party and having spent so much in getting that position when they get to the office, the first thing they look into is how to recoup the money that they have used.
He stressed that it is not about what the present representatives in the House are doing wrong.
Rather, it is about the fact that the rudiment of enacting laws is best understood by those who are trained in that field and not by getting into the legislative arm and then learning from the scratch or learning from the fact you have been there once, second and on. We are looking out for people with very high pedigrees, people that have what it takes to give quality representation.
He, therefore, advised the people to elect someone who is going there to serve and not somebody who is going there to act as the conqueror and take the people who have voted for him as the conquered people.
They should elect as representatives those who will not be doing constituency projects not based on personal conviction but based on the need assessment. Someone who will identify that there are gaps in the constituency and those gaps need to be filled. That is a kind of representation that the people must expect.
On how to end the ‘culture’ of money politics, he has this to say; we have started when the money bags are hoping that on the day of the election they will bring out money to share. We have started way before them eating into the minds of the people; eating into the conscience of the people-educating them that for a long time, they have sold their birthrights on the altar of N2,000 0r N3,000 on the election day. And I tell you that these people are beginning to see the light. In short, they have seen the light.
Continuing, he said; let me tell you something; if I have spent three years making friends with you, coming from Abuja on every occasion that you call in for, coming around, being with you, washing plates with you, building a tent with you, and on the day of the election, I tell you that this is your friend that you have to work and vote for, I don’t think that if a politician comes that day with N10,000, you will sacrifice what we have built in the past three years on the altar of N10,000.
This is the kind of politics that we should expect; politics that is devoid of money. Let the people understand that this is where we are going. We are gaining grounds not because we are dishing out money to the people but because we are able to tell them, and convince them that we have what it takes to give the representation that will mirror what we have in the developed countries – the western world.
We are not looking out for one rich man to come and sponsor us or to come and sponsor me. We are convincing people and we are gaining ground. We are taking Ika South as a case study and as a pilot project. It will happen and thereafter, there will be a turnaround situation in Nigeria where the issue of money politics will be buried completely, he concluded.
Delta and of course the nation as a whole must, in my view, not allow Ofume’s suggestions to go with political winds.
Jerome Utomi is the Programme Coordinator (Media and Public Policy) at Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), Lagos. He can be reached via [email protected]/08032725374
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.
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