Opinion I Who's Imo Next Executive Governor?

WHO IS IMO NEXT EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR?

        

By Fred Doc Nwaozor

 

The last time I checked, it had conspicuously become compelling for the above question to be tendered before our presence owing to the way and manner everyone has been thriving in recent times.

         

If your thought is as good as mine, then you would wholly agree with me that, at the moment, no other language is understood across Imo State and Nigeria at large, except the language of politics bordering on who becomes what as we approaches the next interregnum.

         

Taking Imo for instance, the most or greatest political position in the state remains the governorship seat. Invariably, whosoever occupies the said post is constitutionally recognized and addressed by all and sundry as the number one citizen of the Eastern Heartland.

          

Little wonder, every discerning mindset looks forward to assuming the position at all cost. And presently, countless Imolites are doggedly aspiring to become an eligible occupant of the position which is domiciled in the state’s seat of power known as the Douglas House.

          

Today, you would hardly see anyone concentrating on any other business, activity or consignment except involving in discussions that have to do with who becomes the next executive governor of the state. Even in various offices situated in any formal setting, every staff is usually seen indulging him/herself in political talks surrounding on who should be the next number one citizen of the state.

         

It suffices to say that the above topic is not unconnected with the current happenings across the length and breadth of the ancient state. At such a time like this, it has become imperative to ask ourselves this question towards ensuring that we do not make any iota of mistake at the fast approaching polls.

         

But, before we answer the question at hand, it would be very vital to equally consider some other pertinent issues. We need to comprehend that tendering the apt answer to the enquiry requires an absolute consideration of some facts, which could be tagged as inevitable.

         

In view of this, we need to adequately take into cognizance that in choosing someone to serve as a governor from every available aspirants, the issue of service must not be swept under the carpet.

        

When I mentioned ‘service’, I meant the ability to serve others; the ability to see yourself as a steward. One of the qualities of a good and sound leader is the act of seeing him/herself as a servant, not a superior. A rational leader must be willing to see himself as an ‘errand boy’.

         

So, if you must choose someone to function as the executive governor of the state, we must be ready to consider the person’s readiness to operate as a servant. In other words, humility ought not to be ignored in such case. It takes only a humble individual to properly serve the general public irrespective of the circumstance.

         

Another issue we mustn’t take for granted is the aspirant’s background or antecedents. It would be a sin and irrational to select an unknown person to serve as the governor of the state. Hence, in making such decision, you shouldn’t forget the need to dig properly towards ascertaining the main root of the aspirant.

        

We need to know and understand what he has been able to achieve in the past, and the means through which he actualized the goal. Therefore, means and goal are in question here. Accomplishing a certain lofty aim is one thing, but the means through which such motive was accomplished is another factor that shouldn’t be overlooked.

          

In the present Nigerian society, many are noted as prosperous and successful individuals. And such persons are being celebrated by everyone who understands what it means to submerge all odds toward emerging a successful person. But as we celebrate, it is equally noteworthy to comprehend that becoming prosperous through dubious avenue does not pay, hence should be condemned by anyone who means well for himself and the society he belongs.

         

Against this backdrop, ascertaining the antecedents of any of these numerous aspirants must include his achievements in life and the avenue through which such was recorded. Taking closer look at this factor would save us from any lamentable situation after the emergence of the chosen one as the governor of the state.

         

So, as we are so keen in choosing among these countless guber aspirants who to succeed Governor Rochas Okorocha, there are factors that must not be compromised in the process. We need to note that any attempt to ignore such unavoidable factors is liable to causing us an untold situation that we shall live to remember.

        

The question before us remains; who is Imo next executive governor? For such a question to be aptly attended to, we are expected not to be biased in any way. In other words, we must jettison anything that would make our mindsets to function one-sided. It suffices to say that the question can only be answered by discerning mindsets.

        

Whether we like it or not, the point is that we must not shy away from attending to such a question at such a critical time like this. It’s worthy of note that, paying an attention to the enquiry would enable us not to make any silly mistake come 2019.

         

At this juncture, I urge us to think wisely before tendering the answer to the above question. A word, they say, is enough for the wise. Think about it!   

Comrade Nwaozor, a policy analyst & rights activist,

is National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

___________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

  

Analysis I On Nigeria-China Swap Deal

ON NIGERIA-CHINA SWAP DEAL

By Fred Nwaozor

Two years ago, Nigeria and China under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari, graciously entered into a 2.5 billion dollar worth currency swap deal.

         

It’s noteworthy that a currency swap deal allows two institutions to easily exchange payments in one local currency for equivalent amounts in order to facilitate bilateral settlements and provide liquidity support to financial markets.

        

Recently, the Godwin Emefelie-led Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Yi Gang-led People’s Bank of China (PBC) commenced the execution of the $2.5bn currency swap deal. The bilateral pact will allow both sides to swap a total of 15 billion Renminbi (RMB) for 720 billion naira, or vice-versa, in the next three years.

         

The business relation, whose duration can be extended by mutual consent, makes Nigeria to become about the fourth country on the African continent to have such deal with China, following Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

         

It’s worthy of note that the transaction is primarily aimed at providing adequate local currency liquidity for Nigeria and Chinese industrialists and other businesses towards reducing their hurdles in the search for a third currency such as the US dollar, Euro or Pounds sterling, as the case might be.

         

The CBN’s Acting Director on Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okorafor explained that, henceforth, the Chinese businesses would get naira liquidity and the Nigerian businesses would, in reciprocation, acquire RMB liquidity under the agreement.

          

According to him, the deal would improve the speed, convenience and volume of transactions between both countries. It would equally assist them in their foreign exchange reserves management, enhance financial stability and promote broader economic cooperation among them.

          

Mr. Okorafor further highlighted that the bilateral pact “will make it easier for Nigerian small and medium enterprises and cottage industries to import raw materials, spare-parts and machines. To facilitate their imports, they can get RMB facility from Nigerian banks without being exposed to the difficulties of seeking other scarce foreign currencies”.

          

It’s imperative to acknowledge that an economic deal of this kind is usually accompanied with numerous merits. The swap pact as it stands has the potential of boosting the Nigeria’s foreign reserve, thus assuring the stability of the country’s foreign exchange market.

         

Similarly, the deal is liable to elevate the outlook of the country’s currency, Naira in the international sphere. It will in the process hold the naira in high repute in the global market, because the currency will be made available in the Chinese apex bank and other financial institutions domiciled therein.

         

Hence, it will make the businessmen resident in China, not just Chinese nationals, to assess the naira with ease while transacting with their Nigerian counterparts.      

         

We, however, needn’t sweep the likely demerits of the deal under the carpet. The bilateral policy might in the long run instigate us to demand more from China. This foreseen negative effect, which will consequently intensify importation, ought to be a factor of great worry to any concerned Nigerian considering what the implications would entail.

        

Just like my candid analysis on the recent move by the United Kingdom (UK). It’s not anymore news that recently the UK’s Export Finance Agency disclosed its intent to add naira to its list of pre-approved currencies, allowing it to provide financing for transactions with Nigerian businesses dominated in the local currency. The policy was summarily targeted to accept naira as a legal tender in the British market.

         

Policies of such, though have the tendency of boosting the naira in the international sphere can pose more harm as the journey progresses. It is obvious that Nigeria has little, or perhaps nothing, to offer to China as regards exportation.

         

On the other hand, acknowledging that China is presently one of the leading global economies in the area of technology, it isn’t sceptical that the Asian country has absolutely a lot to offer to Nigeria while discussing importation.

        

The above assertion is the reason we shouldn’t jubilate in haste regarding the bilateral relation. Although the CBN has assured Nigerians that the 2015 ban on 41 commodities in regard to foreign exchange remains sacrosanct hence the swap deal wouldn’t make Nigeria emerge a dumping ground for the Chinese products, it’s pertinent to notify the apex bank that if apt measure isn’t taken, the assurance will hold no water in the nearest future.

         

We aren’t unaware that the parallel market otherwise known as black market, which is apparently harboured in the Nigeria’s foreign exchange sector, is on a daily basis gaining momentum in the country. In view of this, the importers domiciled in the country can still have their way via the assistance of the unscrupulous currency speculators.

        

Since it’s not equally false that our various borders are still porous, it’s an indication that if the RMB is eventually assessed by the importers through any available channel within their reach, the goods and services from the Chinese markets can easily be smuggled into the country.

         

As we celebrate this milestone, it’s crucial to enjoin the Buhari-led government to concentrate more on diversifying the country’s economy as we were earlier promised to enable China have more to request from Nigeria, so that, the bilateral deal wouldn’t lead to an imbalanced transactions cum benefits. Think about it!  

                      

Comrade Nwaozor, policy analyst & rights activist, is

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

______________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Follow me: @mediambassador

TechDeck I E-Voting And Nigeria's Electoral System

E-VOTING AND NIGERIA’S ELECTORAL SYSTEM

By Fred Doc Nwaozor

         

The e-voting otherwise known as electronic voting is a kind of voting that involves using electronic system to cast and count votes usually with the aid of an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).

          

It is of two main types: the one physically supervised by representatives of the electoral umpire and the remote e-voting whereby votes are cast via the internet from any location. The former requires the EVM whilst the latter could be done with one’s personal computer.

          

The merits of e-voting cannot be overemphasized. It enables vote to be cast with ease. It increases the speed of voting. It is cost effective; in other words, it tremendously reduces the cost of conducting an election by engaging only a few electoral officials rather than in the case of manual voting system that requires much manpower.

          

It can provide an improved accessibility for the electorate that are physically challenged, thereby enabling them to participate actively at the polls. It’s transparent because it can easily be observed by anyone present at the polling unit. It helps to reduce human error to a great extent. It makes the election results to be announced faster than expected, thus building trust.

           

Among all, e-voting is auditable with the assistance of Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). The EVM prints a paper receipt each time a vote is cast electronically. This makes it easy to perform recounts and audits because one can compare the electronic count with the paper count. Owing to the overall gains and effects of electronic voting, it increases turnout and engagement among the electorate.

           

On Saturday, 12^th May 2018, Kaduna State under the watch of Governor Nasir El-rufai made history by conducting its Local Government (LG) polls with the aid of e-voting system as planned by the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM).

           

It was, however, reported that some of the EVMs malfunctioned in some polling units while some were made away by hoodlums to unknown destinations. The machine error was blamed on various factors such as power supply, technical hitches and ignorance on the part of the operators.

         

Gov. El-rufai testified that human error was recorded during the exercise, though claimed that the EVMs performed perfectly as anticipated. In his statewide address while being interviewed by newsmen after the polls, he said “Only human error was recorded. All the electronic voting machines functioned perfectly. We shall investigate the cause of the human error.”

          

The outcome of the LG polls in their totality signifies that we still have a long way to go as regards electronic voting. It was gathered that some of the EVMs malfunctioned even as the governor claimed that they all performed excellently. The diverse reactions trailing the functionality of the EVMs used at the polls are good reasons to note that the system isn’t yet ripe for the practice.

          

We have equally learnt that some of the EVMs were carted away by thugs in the process. This particular loophole implies that adequate security wasn’t on ground to safeguard the polling units and the sensitive materials, or perhaps the security personnel compromised their obligations.

          

The above revelation raises another room for great worry as regards the quest for deployment of the e-voting pattern in the Nigeria’s electoral system, hence the need to critically look into it.

          

It was further alleged that the returning officers in charge of the various LGAs vanished into thin air after concluding the elections. It’s imperative to acknowledge that the so-called returning officers have a thousand and one questions to answer if the required investigations must be carried out by the concerned authority as well as towards averting such embarrassment in the future.

          

As I appreciate Gov. El-rufai for giving us the prototype of how the e-voting would look like if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) eventually adopts it for the Nigeria’s political sphere, it’s my pleasure to notify the commission that if well prepared, the country can really get it right.

          

Since we have observed lapses bordering on ignorance in the use of tech devices, thuggery and insecurity, there’s absolutely no need to suggest to the INEC on what needs to be done towards ensuring that the e-voting system is aptly implemented for future elections.

          

Since time is apparently against the INEC regarding the fast approaching 2019 polls, Nigeria as a country ought to right now consider making use of the e-voting system during the 2023 general elections.

          

The commission must hold the bull by the horn with a view to ensuring that the needful is done without further procrastination. As the world is already engulfed in technologies and every facet of the global community gradually becoming digitally-inclined, the electoral umpire needn’t shy away from taking into cognizance that it’s time the Nigerian state inculcated e-voting into its electoral mechanism.

           

Hence, I want to believe that the recently passed Electoral Act, as amended, by the National Assembly (NASS) recognizes the e-voting pattern. A separate section needs to painstakingly highlight the clauses that would guarantee the sustainability of the policy. If it doesn’t, there’s still need for further amendment in earnest.    

           

On its part, the INEC needs to consequently set up a special unit to be manned by qualified and uncompromising tech experts that would see to the apt implementation cum sustenance of the measure.

         

Above all, it’s noteworthy that the said unit can’t perform as expected if it fails to continually extend hand of fellowship to the cognoscenti. Think about it!    

Comrade Nwaozor, tech expert, policy analyst & rights activist, is 

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador