The LEAD Project Foundation

Electoral Authoritarianism is the greatest threat to democracy in Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:32:00 +0000

"There is a deliberate attempt by the ruling APC Party to exclude significant political opponents from the ballot box, utilising the capture of INEC and state institutions. INEC's rush to validate the Wike-faction during the PDP convention is evidence that it functions as a parastatal of the ruling APC party. If the people do not rise to take their country back, democracy will come to an end. The one thing the APC ruling party does not want to see is the people's votes, given the high misery index it has imposed"-Professor Pat Utomi. Renowned Political Economist. Video: Youtube.

Nigeria's Independent Electoral Commission-INEC's recent decision to delist Principal Officers of the opposition ADC Party in Nigeria from the INEC's portal, has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the 2027 Presidential and General elections in Nigeria. The opposition ADC party has accused the election management body of yielding to government manipulation to diminish the chances of opposition participation in the next elections. According to Channels TV; the party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the electoral body of yielding to political pressure. He alleged that INEC's position was influenced by a government unsettled by the ADC's growing influence, despite what he described as sustained efforts to weaken opposition parties and impose a one-party system. "We reject INEC's interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling. We knew that INEC was being pressured by a government that has become jittery from the ADC's rising momentum, even in the face of its relentless assault on all opposition parties". He described INEC's statement as inconsistent, arguing that it contradicts both facts and logic. Similarly, Punch newspaper, reported that former Presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party-PDP, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, also criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission for seeking to undermine the integrity of elections in Nigeria by helping the ruling party to erase electoral competition. Reacting in a statement, Hayatu-Deen warned that Nigeria's democracy risks serious erosion if the integrity of the electoral process is undermined. He expressed deep concerns about what he described as 'shrinking democratic space, cautioning that measures capable of excluding legitimate political participation could erode public trust in elections. "When a commission charged with protecting participation instead restricts it, we must ask: in whose interest does it act?, referring specifically to INEC's recent move to revalidate the national voters register and its decision not to engage with or receive correspondence from the opposition ADC party led by David Mark. He warned that such actions carry serious consequences for democracy.

"Any action that potentially disenfranchises voters or prevents a political party from fielding candidates strikes at the core of democratic rights. Democracy is not merely a calendar of elections. It is a covenant, one that demands equal access, transparent rules, and the unshakable confidence of citizens that the process is fair". He cautioned that once public confidence is weakened, the damage extends far beyond a single election. "Once that confidence is undermined, the legitimacy of every outcome that follows is called into question. Nigeria cannot afford that erosion. Weaken the institutions, and you weaken the nation's capacity to heal itself". He warned that democratic decline often occurs quietly. "The gradual erosion of democratic norms is rarely dramatic. It announces itself in quiet exclusions and in institutions that bend just enough to serve power. But the consequences, when they fully arrive, are often devastating". He urged those in authority to act with restraint and fidelity to the rule of law, and urged Nigerians across political divides to remain vigilant. "The preservation of our democracy of our democracy is not the work of any single party or person, it is a shared responsibility". Incumbents fixation to erase electoral competition is a recipe for disaster, unfortunately this is a hard lesson to learn.

Uche Okeke.

Voter apathy remains a major threat to Nigeria's democracy, says INEC

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 11:21:00 +0000

"Voter turnout in Nigeria fell from over 60 percent in 2003 to below 30 percent in 2026" -INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN). Photo: Google.

The Chairman of Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission-INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan has disclosed that there is lack of motivation and insufficient voter education in Nigeria. According to Channels TV; the commission noted that voter turnout in Nigeria fell from over sixty-percent in 2003 to below thirty-percent recently, blaming low motivation and poor voter education. Speaking at the launch of newly updated voter education manuals as part of the efforts to tackle voter apathy and boost participation ahead of the 2027 general elections, INEC's Information and Voter Education Committee Chairman, Mohammed Haruna, expressed concern over the steady decline in voter turnout since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999. He cited data from recent elections indicating a growing participation gap, where a small proportion of the population determines leadership outcomes for the majority. While reaffirming that the Electoral Act 2026 has strengthened transparency through improved legal frameworks and electronic processes, he stressed that legislation alone cannot address voter disengagement. In his words; "An indifferent electorate is a democracy in retreat". He called for sustained investment in civic education to rebuild public trust and participation.

The launch of the updated voter education manual is in collaboration with national and international partners, including the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI). The newly unveiled materials include a revised National Voter Education Manual and a Youth-focused Civic and Voter Education Manual designed to promote informed civic engagement, particularly among young Nigerians. INEC's Information and Voter Education Committee Chairman, Mohammed Haruna, explained that the manuals were developed in partnership with KDI to improve citizens understanding of the electoral process and encourage greater participation. The Team Leader of KDI, Mr. Bukola Idowu, described the initiative as a strategic intervention rather than a routine document launch. He said the revised manuel reflects current electoral laws, technological advancements, and evolving patterns of political participation, while the youth focused version is tailored to engage young people as 'voters, educators and agents of change'. INEC's Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, said the mannual had been comprehensively revised to align with the Electoral Act 2026. She highlighted key updates, including provisions on *party primaries, *campaign finance regulations, *electoral offences and continued deployment of *technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). She said, the updated manual is structured into eleven -(11) modules and incorporates global best practices, alongside expanded digital engagement strategies aimed at reaching Nigeria's increasingly tech-savvy population.

The LEAD Project Foundation is actively involved in Civic and Voter Education Activities in Nigeria and acts as a platform for strengthening democratic processes involving community engagement efforts.

Click on this link to read more about our activities: The LEAD Project Foundation- About Us

Elections In Africa is no more than a ritual confirmation of power

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:41:00 +0000

"Africa is increasingly home to partly free states; regimes that hold regular elections but constrain oppoition, civil society and the media"- Freedom House. Photo: Google.

African elections are now different from other regions. These trends of 'electoral authoritarianism' is worrying concerns for future of democracy in Africa. Voters no longer go to polls to choose their favoured candidates, but instead to 'confirm who they think already has power'. Incumbents are relentless harrasing credible candidates to weaken their chances to participate in elections. Incumbents fixation on disqualifying opposition candidates by using bureaucratic, procedural and legal mechanisms to erase competition is a very bad omen for democracy in Africa. "Opposition figures are jailed, disqualified on technicalities, or barred from registering in the first place. The result is an election that looks proceedurally sound but is substantially hollow..., when competition has already been hollowed out and institutional trust eroded, there are few democratic shock absorbers left to contain crisis"-The Idea Letters.

What motivates voters to turn out on election day if this ugly trend continues? This is what we need to find out as Nigeria prepares for presidential and general elections in January 2027.

Elections in Nigeria are now routine events to favour the incumbents

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:15:00 +0000

"Critics will always talk and give you names. When they accused me of killing the opposition, I didn't have a gun. I could have even issued myself a licence, since I have the authority"-President Bola Tinubu, reacting to allegations that his administration is weakening opposition parties or plotting to impose a one-party system in Nigeria. Photo: Google.

The quality of an election often depends on the political will of the authorities. 'If the incentive to retain power outweighs the commitment to the process, the quality of the election will inevitably suffer'. There is growing distrust towards the electoral conduct in Nigeria. Citizens, opposition political parties and candidates are becoming less trusting of elections in Nigeria. According to Businessday Nigeria newspaper, "Nigeria's democracy is approaching a defining test, not of electoral participation but of electoral credibility. The question confronting the country ahead of the 2027 general elections is no longer whether Nigerians will vote but whether citizens will continue to believe that voting meaningfully determines political power. At stake is not simply the outcome of future elections but the endurance of public trust in democratic institutions themselves". Elections must be free from manipulations to truly represent public will. "While elections are vital, their effectiveness depends on addressing inherent flaws to truly reflect societal will". If rich people buy elections or elections are manipulated to favour the incumbent using state resources, citizens will struggle to accept the results as legitimate. Elections are fundamental to a healthy democracy and must not been seen as routine events or mere formality for incumbents. Uche Okeke. My View.

Key election stakeholders in the election process and their significance

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 15:10:00 +0000

What are key election stakeholders?

Voters, Candidates/Political Parties, Election Management Bodies, Media, Civil Society and Citizen Observers and International Observers.

Voters:

Voters are central for the electoral process, as their will is the source of political power. By voting, they exercise their right to take part in the government of their country, that is guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There are a number of principles that apply to voters. First of all, everybody who is eligible to cast a vote should be able to do so. Moreover, each voter should have only one vote and each vote should have ab approximately equal power. These two considerations together make for the principle of universal and equal suffrage. Any limitation to the eligibility to vote needs to be clearly justified and proportionate. Voters should be able to cast their votes freely-this means without intimidation. The vote should also be secret and cast in a way that does not allow to trace it back to the voter. These principles together would allow voters to express their true preferences.

Media:

The media have a dual role to play during an election. Media are responsible for providing voters with adequate information about the election process so that they may make an informed choice at the ballot box. At the same time, journalists should act as "watchdogs" during an election process, to guarantee that elections are held in compliance with international standards and national legislation, and should report in case they discover any violations. State media have a particular responsibility for providing balanced information during the election process, and should guarantee equitable access and coverage to each competitor. At the same time, journalists and media must be afforded the necessary freedoms for carrying out their duties, and should not fear any retribution for reporting accurately on the election process.

Candidates/Political Parties:

Candidates and political parties are important actors in any election, as they are the ones competing for political power and who have the most "at stake". Candidates and political parties must have a level playing field during the registration process and campaign so as to compete on an equal basis. However, candidates and political parties also have responsibilities to treat one another with respect, compete by rules of fair play and refrain from any kind of hate speech or other incitement during the election campaign. Political parties sometimes sign voluntary codes of conduct, pledging to follow an agreed set of guidelines for ensuring a fair and clean campaign and election. On election day, candidates and political parties regularly send their representatives as "party poll-watchers" in the polling stations. Poll-watchers, also referred to as party or candidate agents, monitor the activities of election officials during voting and counting to ensure that procedures are correctly followed and to protect the votes of their supporters.

Election Management Bodies:

Election Management Bodies are those institutions that prepare and conduct the election process. Often known as "election commissions". Election Management Bodies operate at all levels-the national level, regional level and local level to administer the election process..., Regardless of how members are appointed, election management bodies must carry out elections in an impartial and independent manner-without influence from either political party or state interests.

The Judiciary:

The Judiciary may be responsible for hearing election complaints and appeals.

The Police

The police are usually tasked to provide security for transfer of materials and election day operations. Such state institutions can also be considered as election stakeholders as they take on responsibilities for the conduct of democratic elections.

Civil Society and Citizen Observers:

The broad set of non-governmental actors known as "civil society" have a responsibility to protect the interests of ordinary citizens and promote the conduct of democratic elections. Often civil society groups conduct voter and civic education campaigns around elections to educate and motivate citizens about voting as well as about broader concepts of democracy, government and citizenship. Civil society organizations often conduct citizen non-partisan observation efforts, deploying observers to polling stations on election day in an attempt to protect the interests of citizens and offer a neutral assessment of the election process. Citizen observers are a useful source of information for international observers and can provide them with important information. However, the mandates for citizen and international observation are distinct and should always be kept separate.

International Observers:

International observers have their own important role to play in elections and are also therefore among the "election stakeholders". International observers also have responsibilities to abide by the national legislation of the host country and the code of conduct at all times.

Source: OSCE/ODIHR

Has Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered on his 'Renewed Hope Agenda? - Poverty and Corruption

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:13:00 +0000

President Tinubu Signs Controversial Electoral Bill into law with Ruling Party Majority, surrounded by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Principal Officers Of The Senate and House of Representatives. Photo: Google

As Nigeria is getting ready for the next Presidential elections in January 2026, Al jazeera's Mehdi Hasan goes head-to-head with Daniel Bwala, President Tinubu's once 'staunch critic-turned-special Adviser on Media and Policy Communications, on the administration's record in office and where he stands on his past accusations against his current boss. "Nigeria's Bola Tinubu was elected on promises to tackle the nation's widespread violence and address two of its root causes: Poverty and corruption. But with the country going to the polls next year, has President Bola Tinubu delivered on his 'Renewed Hope Agenda?" Click on this link to watch full video: Nigeria: 'Renewed Hope' or Hoplessness?

Nigeria Politicians are not prepared to risk 'open elections'

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 18:27:00 +0000

"Nigeria still possesses an opportunity to act before the next electoral cycle entrenches existing distrust. Electoral law should clearly define the legal status of electronic transmission, specifying when manual processes may be invoked and subjecting such exceptions to transparent and independently reviewable criteria. Real -time public access to electoral data should become standard practice because transparency loses much of its value when delayed"-Businessday Nigeria. Photo: Google.

Nigeria;s Senate decision to decline making real-time electronic transmission of results mandatory has created doubts over credible elections in 2027. Despite justification and reassurance from the government, the opposition and civil society groups have accused the government of bias and pursuing only reforms that make electoral victory easier for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) Party with their legislative majorities. Real-time electronic transmission of results is a forward thinking choice and a necessity in the modern era. It offers an innovative practical solution rather than relying on outdated methods employed by election institutions to manipulate election outcomes in favour of the ruling party. The opposition ADC-Party has condemned President Tinubu's assent to the controversial Electoral Act and accused him of signing "death warrant of credible elections". The opposition ADC-Party said, "the extraordinary haste with which the amendment was passed and signed confirmed widespread suspicion that the government harboured deep-seethed doubts about submitting itself to a truly transparent and competitive process..., by refusing to slow down, listen, and meaningfully engage the concerns of the citizens, President Tinubu and the APC-led National Assembly have shown that they are afraid of what the Nigerian People will do to them in a free and fair election, and they have reacted by demonstrating outright disregard for the very citizens whose mandate sustains their democratic authority"(Businessday NG). Opposition political parties in Nigeria have rejected the Electoral Act 2026, calling it 'Anti-Democratic.' Meanwhile, the new Independent National Electoral Comission(INEC), Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan says 'no election anywhere in the world is flawless'. According to Businessday NG, he acknowledged that while perfection may be unattainable, public expectations of the commission remain high and there must be no room for avoidable errors in the conduct of elections. Political leaders seek to manipulate electoral process and influence election outcomes. This erodes citizen trust in elections and creates conditions for conflict and instability. Uche Okeke.

Incumbents in Nigeria are always afraid of competitive elections

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 12:38:00 +0000

"It's amazing how much panic one honest man can spread among a multitude of hypocrites"- Thomas Sowell.

As Nigeria prepares for Presidential elections in January 2027, one of the strongest challengers, H. E . Peter Obi is systematically being bullied with political violence by the ruling party to undermine his chances of participating in the elections. According to The Idea Letters; "Blocking your stongest challengers from contesting the vote is not a new electoral tactic by the incumbents". In July 2025, Governor Monday Okpebholo surprised the nation by warning former Labour Party Presidential candidate, H.E. Peter Obi against visiting his Edo State for political events and declared that anything that happened to him, "he will take it". Barely seven months after such threatening remarks, suspected political thugs attacked H.E. Peter Obi and his party supporters in Benin City, the Edo State Capital during a pre-election political engagement. According to Punch Newspaper, H.E. Peter Obi and his political associates escaped unhurt, but their vehicles were riddled with bullets, windshields smashed. the ADC's party leader in Edo State, Odigie-Oyegun's gate reportedly 'bore the scars of gunfire'. The ADC secretariat in the state was left in disarray-"furniture overturned, injuries claimed, chaos reigning". Similarly, the ruling party Governors of Benue and Akwa-Ibom states had also threatened H. E. Peter Obi against visiting their states without their permission for political events vowing not to guarantee his safety. Last week, H.E. Peter Obi told his supporters in a political event that "the ruling federal government of Nigeria does not want him to be a candidate of any political party in Nigeria", this should be a huge cause for concern. Lawful contestation is inalienable right, not the prerogative of the incumbent. Elections are crucial to achieving better democratic governance and contestation is a very essential part of this process, so seeking to undermine it or diminish wide range of individuals, groups and political parties from contesting elections is tyrannical and a recipe for disaster. Elections provide the only opportunity for citizens to choose effective leadership in a democracy by guaranteeing- 'contestation, deliberation, participation and electoral justice'.

Furthermore, the former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), Chief, Ralph Nwosu, has also accused President Bola Tinubu's administration of trying to use Government institutions as weapons against opposition. He said this in an interview with Arise TV News on Thursday 26 February 2026. He called for responsible governance, prioritizing citizens' welfare and a halt to unnecessary political conflict, noting that the African Democratic Congress-ADC is actively 'avoiding causing tension in the country'. The future of Nigeria depends on the next elections. Today, the challenge of supporting democracy and elections has increased around the world, so key stakeholders must become vigilant, resist and pressure incumbents who seek to destabilise their countries by using political violence to make future electoral victories easier. "When competition has already been hollowed out and institutional trust eroded, there are few democratic shock absorbers left to contain crisis"-The Idea Letters. Incumbent fixation to erase competition is a very bad omen for democracy. Uche Okeke lives in London.

Is Nigeria's Electoral System Ready For 2027 Elections?

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:49:00 +0000

2025 CONFAB: Constitution Amendment Cannot Solve Nigeria's Problems - Oz...

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:47:00 +0000

No Matter the Amendments, Current Nigerian Constitution Cannot Take Us F...

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 17:39:00 +0000

Renowned constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate Of Nigeria, Professor Mike Ozekhome, has renewed calls for the complete replacement of Nigeria's 1999 dictatorship era constitution, describing it as an "illegitimate document" incapable of addressing the country's challenges. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television News, Professor Ozekhome dismissed ongoing constitutional amendment efforts as futile, insisting that no amount of tweaking can fix what he described as fundamentally flawed foundation. In his words; "the issue is not about amending the constitution. A bad, illegitimate document that never proceeded from the people through a popular plebiscite or referendum can never be the product of the people. I have said it again and again, that even one million amendments to the present constitution cannot solve it..., we are still talking about constitutional amendment when we should be talking about introducing a brand new constitution that reflects our diversity as a nation, reflects our multi-religious, linguistic inclination". Furthermore, he said, the current constitution lacks legitimacy and moral authority because it was imposed by the military without the conscent of the Nigerian people. He concluded , that the country needs a complete constitutional reset to cleanse itself of its structural ailments. It cannot take us forward because, one it operates a unitary system of government, all the provisions, not a federal system of government. Two, it dispossesses the people of their economic, social, political and cultural rights. Three, it is too heavy, on the side of wastages and leakages which makes Nigeria today use about 70% to 80% of our national resources to service recurrent expenditure and public debts, leaving only 20% to 30% for capital expenditure. "No nation can grow like that. We are not going to grow like that. So, when we are talking about a constitution like this being amended, you are really pursuing shadows where you should pursue substance. Unless Nigeria discards its current constitution in favour of a truly people-driven document that reflects its ethnic, cultural and religious diversity, it will remain stuck in a cycle of dysfunction and stagnation. No doubt, a new constitution that has the will of the whole society is one sure way to guarantee peace and development in Nigeria, unfortunately, there is no commitment from the political elite to make it happen. This is Nigeria's true dilemma. Uche Okeke.

Natasha Delays Senate Return, Cites Legal Advice

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 17:37:00 +0000

Benue Killings: Full Scale Genocidal Invasion, Land Grabbing Campaign - ...

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 17:33:00 +0000

Exclusive Interview: Peter Obi On 2027 Race, Coalition, Issues With Tinu...

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 17:32:00 +0000

HE Peter Obi remains the Coalition’s only Saving Grace if given the opportunity to lead

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:47:00 +0000

Atiku, Peter Obi. El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi. Photo: Google Images

A failing government needs a replacement. People are attracted to change if it would improve their lives, however, people will resist change if it would create more misery and chaos. The truth is, the real purpose of the coalition will be defeated if its leaders are unable to rise above personal ambitions and embrace the most credible and competent leader to lead the change people genuinely believe in. Everyone knows that the leaders of the so called coalition have absolutely nothing to offer other than power grabs because they have been around for decades and uninterested in the idea of True Federalism nor flourishing democracy that will check the numerous ills of the monstrous Unitary System of government in Nigeria and guarantee sense of belonging and citizens wellbeing. HE Peter Obi represents the new future people want and deserves the opportunity to lead the country especially now that it’s the turn of the Southern part of the country. His popularity in the last presidential election demonstrates widespread support and acceptance. No doubt, people should be very vigilant about power sharks who will create more havoc than good given their past dirty politics using the coalition as a cloak for their political agenda. The Presidency has described the coalition as “a desperate alliance lacking in ideology and driven solely by personal ambition” , this should be a constant reminder and opportunity to prove itself as a better political idea seeking service of the country rather than power at all costs and an attempt to disrupt the North/South rotation mechanism in Nigeria aimed at addressing sectional domination and fostering national unity which has become part of the country’s political culture over the past 23- years of the fragile democracy. The coalition leaders should be able to make essential sacrifices if they are truly committed to the unity and development of the country. “Anyone going against rotational presidency between the North and the South must understand there would be devastating consequences”-Clem Aguiyi. HE Peter Obi has all it takes to lead a new Nigeria for growth and stability and the people wouldn’t want to see him play second fiddle to anyone’. Uche Okeke, My View.

Senator Natasha’s Attack Behaviour won’t change Nigeria’s dominant male power structure overnight

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:55:00 +0000

“Our position is clear, the judgement of the honourable court did not contain any express order setting aside or nullifying the six-month suspension”- Paul Dauda, Senate Legal Counsel., challenging claims by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan suggesting that a federal high court order has directed her recall from suspension from legislative functions. I think understanding the different forms and motivations behind attacks on the political power structure is crucial for analysing political dynamics, preventing violence and promoting democratic stability. Senator Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan needs to revisit her power lessons to learn when to stop if she doesn’t want to put her political career on the line. Admiring antagonistic and aggressive politics won’t hasten a return to work and will only add to the unease. Unnecessary media obsession to entertain cheering crowd , profiteering groups and political commentary hasn’t helped her. The female Senator should simply comply with the recent high court ruling and seek genuine reconciliation with the Senate and its leadership to ensure a smooth return to work. Seeking to attack the power structure is never a winning strategy. Oby Ndukwe , a human rights advocate said Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan manipulated Nigerians to believe her lies and ignorantly join her sinister plot to bring down the Senate President, this may not be fair from the truth, having failed to back up her claims with evidence. As it stands, there’s no sexual harassment charges in any court against the Senate President, so one wonders what the embattled Senator really wants. No doubt, this is no longer about political representation. Attacks on the political power structure can destabilise governments, leading to civil unrest or regime change, so the state is not expected to treat such actors who challenge their beliefs and authority with kids gloves. “ Political leaders play outsized roles in shaping public opinion, their words and actions can condone or stoke aggression and violence among their supporters, just as easily as they can quell them…, When leaders cross the line into anti-democratic or violent behaviour, they must be held accountable”- Journal of Democracy. Ultimately, this may be the most important lesson Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will learn in this dreary struggle against the male power structure in Nigeria. Justice Binta-Nyako described her suspension as “excessive” but observed that the constitution failed to specify the maximum period that a lawmaker could be suspended from office. She recognised that the Senate has the power to punish any of its members who erred and this has emboldened the Senate to re-tighten its disciplinary measures against erring members. We will recall that the Senate said, the female Senator was suspended for gross misconduct , unruly behaviour and violation of Senate Standing Rules, basically her persistent attack behaviour has simply vindicated the Senate and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has learned nothing. Uche Okeke, My View. Follow this blog for Free Thinking Opinion and Insights to Inspire Change.

Nigeria needs a radical change from Unitary Government to True Federalism - Uche Okeke

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:46:00 +0000

The monstrous unitary system is not working and can’t fix itself. The evidence of failure is laid bare for all to see. Everything is crumbling, including the institutions . The politicians have lost touch , only interested in profiting from the dysfunction. Political revolution is not imminent due to successful political divisions along ethnic lines , religion, etc. There is killings everywhere, all we hear is ‘ we must learn to live together or perish together’ according to Shettima , the Vice President of Nigeria. “The constitution does not confer any powers on the units. It is the Central Government that delegates certain powers to the units on its own accord. The units are therefore, subordinate agents of the centre. The powers enjoyed by them are the gifts of the centre and as such these can be taken back at any moment. The units are thus not autonomous and independent in any way. The concept of freedom of speech and expression always remains at a low priority, that’s why most of the principles of unitary government are much similar to that of dictatorship system of government”- Shivaji College. “ A unitary state is the opposite of a federation, where governmental powers and responsibilities are divided and guaranteed by the constitution. In a unitary state, the political subdivisions must carry out the directives of the central government but have no power to act on their own”-Robert Longley. The unitary system ignores local needs, slow to develop resources needed to respond to development and arising situations. Unitary governments tend to focus on foreign affairs while keeping domestic needs on the back burner. The Unitary system encourages abuse of power as evidenced in Nigeria. In unitary states a single person or legislative body holds most, if not all governmental power. , History has shown that power when placed in too few hands is easily abused. In Nigeria, the unitary system of government encourages ethnic domination and threatens coexistence. In the current government , the heads of all top key eight agencies in Nigeria are filled by President Tinubu’s kinsmen; including Central Bank, NNPC, Police, Army, Customs Service, Intelligence Agency, EFCC- Anti-Corruption, Revenue Service and other key ministries, just as former President Mohammad Bihari’s administration. Furthermore, the unitary system of government in Nigeria seeks to endanger indigenous population and states rights. The persistent killings of indigenous peoples in Nigeria by foreign land grabbers in their own land is an affront to dignity and justice. According to the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, “We have come to a point in Nigeria, where every community must defend itself. I will not, however, support lawlessness, but we can’t afford to go to sleep”. The Unitary government retains the power to restrict or withdraw the powers of the states at anytime as we have just witnessed in oil rich Rivers State where elected governor was suspended without provocation and replaced with unelected Military Sole Administrator. The Unitary System of Government in Nigeria institutionalised corruption and enabled corruption. Everyone knows that corruption is the greatest threat to development and “it is a key cause of declining democracy, instability and human rights violations”

Nigeria must adopt True Federalism to address its peculiar circumstances and needs. In the words of Former Governor Achike Udenwa of Imo State, “You can’t govern this country from a unitary system, it can’t work. We talk about Federal Republic of Nigeria, there is nothing federal about what we have been practicing since the army took over in 1966. What we have been running is unitary system and it has not worked, it is the root of our problems. A centralised system, call it, the security system, call it the economic system, call it anything. If you go to the report of the 2014 Confab, you will see the items on the Executive list have been reduced, and sent down to the Concurrent list. The only thing a country will leave on the Exclusive lists are Defence, Foreign Affairs, Currency and just few things that should be there, all other things go to the Concurrent list so that States can look after themselves, and we can even judge somebody’s performance because he has all the latitudes and people can see what the person at the helm of affairs is able to do, with all the powers around him. Our present system is very contradictory, it is not a federal system at all, we are just answering Federal Republic of Nigeria in name” . Nigeria’s Unitary System of Government does not hold any further promise of progress. Whether Political leaders listen or not, Nigeria needs True Federalism to kickstart growth and sustain its diversity. The monstrous unitary system of government can’t fix the country- only a radical change offers a way forward. Uche Okeke, is the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation, he lives in London, United Kingdom. Read this blog often for Free-thinking opinion on Socio-Economic and Political Issues in Nigeria and the World, Insights and Inspiring advice to help drive change.

Benue killings: Full Scale Genocidal, Land Grabbing Campaign- Tor Tiv

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:17:00 +0000

The killings in Benue State and other states in Nigeria is simply expansionist agenda of a particular tribe enabled by the monstrous unitary system of government, despite its coloration. Only a radical change to True Federalism offers a way forward. According to the Traditional Ruler, of Benue, “We’re facing calculated genocidal invasion by Herder Terrorists. We do have grave concerns about the misinformation and misrepresentation of the security crisis in Benue State. Your Excellency, it’s not herders-farmers clashes, it’s not communal clashes, it’s not reprisal attacks or skirmishes. It is this misinformation that has led to suggestions such as’remain tolerant, negotiate for peace, learn to live with your neighbours. What we are dealing with here is a calculated, well planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land grabbing campaign by header terrorists and bandits, which has been going on for decades and is worsening every year. Wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment, so, we are dealing with something far more sinister than we think about. It’s not learning to live with your neighbours, it is dealing with war”. Laolu Akande, a Political Analyst; said, what shocks everyone is “No arrest or Persecution carried out”, In his words; “there is a reign of impunity”. Professor Joy Ezeilo a human rights lawyer and former United Nations envoy described the killings as “horrific and inhumane” and called on the government to prioritise the protection of citizens, She condemned the recent attack in Benue State that left more than 100 people dead and said “ Enough is enough”, demanding a thorough investigation, swift justice, and humanitarian support for displaced persons . She concluded that “nowhere is safe for Nigerian Citizens”. Find out more about the killings in Benue state Nigeria. Benue Killings

Retract Sexual Harassment Allegation Against Akpabio, Olisa Agbakoba Tel...

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 11:00:00 +0000

What's at issue is whether Senator Natasha Akpoti 'realistically' have a case

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 12:25:00 +0000

"Personally, I don't deal much in theory. I have to deal with facts..., Unfortunately, the law has nothing to do with justice, it's merely a method for dispute resolution"-Michael Crichton.

I think people should be objective and open to critical reasoning instead of allowing emotions to becloud their judgement on sensitive issues of sexual harassment. Harassment is not in the eyes of the beholder, especially when it involves a Senator who is highly placed and presumably more free to act. Dr Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the former President of the Nigeria Bar Association has described the allegation against the Senate President as "clearly false and unsubstantiated", demanding a retraction by the female Senator. According to Dr Agbakoba who is also the Senate President's lawyer, Senator Natasha Agboti-Uduaghan has failed to clarify contradictions in her sexual harassment allegations on 8 December 2023 and her exaltation of Senator Akpabio on her Social Media accounts on 9 December 2023, the day after she alleged he sexually harassed her. In his words, "Rather than clarify this contradiction, you deleted the social media posts, which to us is extremely concerning. No matter what was said about Senator Akpabio, the duty to prove the allegation rests with the female politician"

No doubt, deleting such sensitive social media posts shows some degree of dishonesty which will definitely not help her harassment allegations. Those posts clearly shows she was a willing participant in all the events . The courts distinguish between behaviour that is voluntary and behaviour that is welcome. And there isn't any record, or any witnesses. It will be very difficult to get any Senator to testify against the Senate President. Without any witness and documentary evidence, it's her word against his, in addition to establishing her motives for the claims. Making a profane or , 'scatological' joke is not sexual harassment, even though a listener may find it offensive. Discrimination on the basis of gender does not arise here. She's not the only female Senator in the Senate and research has shown that sexual harassment is not of gendered nature. Ancillary evidence of harassment- She was suspended not fired and the Senate President does not have the power to hire and fire a fellow Senator. Her suspension is based on Senate rules which guides the business of the Senate, so hostile working environment may not fly. "A harassment claim brings up the entire performance of an employee. If there is dereliction, even a very old or minor dereliction, it may be used to dismiss the claim. I had one client who worked for a company for ten years. But the company was able to demonstrate that the employee had lied on the original application form, and the case was dismissed. The employee was fired"- Michael Crichton. It’s on public record that Reno Omokiri has established compensation claims for false harassment allegations, this may also affect her recent allegations against the Senate President. The truth is, this scandal is damaging to all parties, no matter the outcome. Poisoned future relations will not be good for the business of the Senate and their future political careers. We 're all just human, nobody is perfect. They say, it's natural for a man to lose control when it comes to beautiful women. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan needs to accept this reality and get on with it. How come we're all so convinced that Senator Akpabio must have done something when it's not proven? She may be seeking to bringdown the Senate President and she is going to hurt her-self much more. Perhaps, this 'ruthless demeanor' that we are seeing, is "calculated, manipulative attitude by an individual who will do anything-anything at all-to get ahead, to make a name for herself at the expense of others, who will savage the reputation of anyone who stands in their path..,It simply won't work-it hasn't worked. That's all"-Michael Crichton. We are not wishing away harassment, but ridiculous harassment claim is a senseless distraction to governance. The proper thing to do is to get it resolved quickly and quietly to the satisfaction of everyone involved. Unnecessary media publicity isn't going to do her any good at all.

Uche Okeke lives in London. Visit this blog regularly as we seek to communicate the truth and uphold the values that matter most

Satrical Apology letter does not prove harassment claims

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 12:17:00 +0000

"I now realise the catastrophic consequences of my actions- legislation delayed, tempers flared, and the tragic bruising of egos so large they require their own postcodes. For this disruption to the natural order of "quid pro quo", I bow my head in fictional shame. Please find it in your magnanimous heart-somewhere buried deep beneath layers of entitlement to forgive this stubborn woman who mistakenly believed that her seat in the Senate was earned through elections, not erections"- Senator Natasha Akpoti.

Harassment is a big mess for everyone. Investigations of sexual harassment goes beyond conventional rhetoric and gossipy social media craziness. No one is flawless. Sexual harassment claims don't exist in theory, but facts. Change behaviour remains the only solution. Sexual harassment claims often have this quality-people feeling angry and wronged, and they think they have the rights that they simply don't have. In the absence of witnesses or corroborating evidence, that isn't going to be an easy story to sell to a jury. According to Michael Crichton; "Even in the most clear-cut situations-the most extreme and outrageous situations-sexual harassment is notoriously difficult to prove. Most cases occur behind closed doors, with no witnesses. It's one person's word against another's. In that circumstance, where there is no clear-cut corroborating evidence, there is often a prejudice against the man" .

Whether people believe Senator Natsha Akpoti-Uduaghan or not is not at issue. What's at issue is whether she realistically have a case, and therefore what she should do in her circumstances. Many harassment complaints are made without the requisite elements and many findings of harassment are made without understanding the core principles. The fact that a co-worker takes offence does not mean harassment has occurred. Conflict and accusations do not equate to harassment. Sadly, harassment allegations are increasingly serving as a weapon of office politics, so the improper weaponisation of harassment is as much the fault. "The improper weaponisation of harassment is as much the fault of employers who misunderstand it as of those employees who deliberately and in bad faith invoke it"-Howard Levitt. Her accusation makes no sense if she's unable to prove it, unless she is using it as a convenient way to destroy the Senate President as he claimed , having denied the allegations.

Ofcourse, this will be irresponsible and ruthlessness. I think the important thing is to get this resolved quietly. Everybody is already clear on what's going to happen. Mediation is invariably to the benefit of all the parties. That will be best for everyone. Everyone has been distracted by this scandal, it should not be allowed to continue. There is no reason to assume he's wrong and she's right. In the words of Michael Crichton, "It's not clear what happened. It's not clear who did what to whom. So far, society's tend to focus on the problems of the victim, not the problems of the accused. But the accused has problems, too. A harassment claim is a weapon, and there are no good defences against it. Anybody can use the weapon-and lots of people have. It's going to continue for a while" . If I were the female Senator, I would ignore profiteers, seek mediation and get back to work rather than seeking to attack the power structure to make a name for herself. The problem is always power. They say, ' fear nutures the power structure', so one wonders why choosing such a potentially dangerous route, unless she's up-to something which we are yet to find out. We all have to wait and see. If it backfires, she has nobody to blame but herself.

Uche Okeke lives in London

Sexual Harassment Claim is Distracting the Senate from Governance, says Agbakoba

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:38:00 +0000

"The widespread coverage has damaged our client's reputation locally and internationally. We are happy to allow you a reasonable time to clarify the contradictions that we have referred, while our client reserves the right to all legal options"-Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Former President of the Nigeria Bar Association-NBA.

Dr Olisa Agbakoba, who was the former President of the Nigeria Bar Association and lead counsel for Nigeria's Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said, the sexual harassment allegation against the Senate President by the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly has significant contradictions and failed international threshold, adding that she needs to provide more facts to make her case credible and more compelling. Dr Olisa Agbakoba stated this at a media briefing in Lagos State where he admonished media practitioners to maintain a balanced approach in reporting and handling of harassment complaints. According to Punch Newspapaper, he said he was interested in finding out the truth about the allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President. "Allegations of sexual harassment is a serious matter that deserves careful handling. We acknowledge the difficulty faced by anyone making such an allegation and the importance of treating all parties with dignity. I have three daughters and so, understand the gravity of sexual harassment. I am ready to meet with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and her lawyers on the issue. Sexual harassment allegations, particularly in governance institutions, require careful handling not only for the parties involved but also for the integrity of our democratic institutions" He cautioned that the matter be resolved through institutional processes rather than media channels, emphasising the importance of comittment to transparency and justice.In his own words, "sexual harassment is serious, also is presumption of innocence. Let the fact lead, not sentiment"

Dr Olisa Agbakoba noted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's local and international engagements have highlighted global concerns but contradictions in her claims and subsequent behaviour are very conflicting. The timeline and dates are so contradictory. He pointed out that while Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed sexual harassment occured on 8 December 2023 ,which was her birthday and that of the Senate President on December 9, on the other hand she praised Senator Akpabio who she alleged sexually harassed her on December 9, 2023. "Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan who made a serious allegation turned to her instagram to also eulogise Senator Akpabio and spoke highly of the birthday event she attended in Uyo, AkwaiIbom state. "The juxtaposition of these two events, an alleged traumatic harassment followed by voluntary, public expression of admiration requires careful consideration" He acknowledged that harassment could be verbal or behavioural but doubted any absolute physical act in respect of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President. He strongly advised that people should ignore social media advice as they are not 'court-usuable'

In the wprds of Michael Crichton; "Sexual harassment is a very powerful accusation, the most powerful accusation anyone could make. It tarnishes any man, no matter how frivolous the accusation. You are presummed guilty until proven innocent. A harassment claim can also be a weapon and lots of people use it" Combatting sexual harassment in the workplace and beyound is possible.There is urgent need for awareness to create a safe and respectful environment in the workplace and society. Best Practice- It can also be very distressing for someone to be accused of sexual harassment. It's a very serious matter for them too. We should make sure that we offer the same kind of support that we would for someone who's made the complaint. Follow this blog regularly for fresh insights and fearless thinking. Everyone, a change maker !

Uche Okeke .

Sexual Harassment Claim in Nigeria's Senate, When, When Will It End?

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 16:11:00 +0000

Allegations of Sexual harassment by a female Senator in Nigeria against the Senate President which he has already denied, has really generated a lot of reactions due to wide publicity. Sexual harassment claim is a very sensitive issue which pose a lot of risk to everyone. It throws up a lot of things especially in Politics and notoriously difficult to prove. A harassment claim can also be a weapon and anybody can use the weapon and lots of people use it. I think the most important thing is to get it resolved quietly and quickly now that the awareness is raised. Mediation or Pressing Charges whichever option that brings fairness and justice and prevent political problems. No doubt , the Senate is not a birth-right, neither is it a place where people are free to act without restraint. What matters is to do the right thing by following the right process of peaceful resolution rather than aggressive ambitions. No one is flawless. Change behaviour is for everyone. "Power is neither male nor female''-Kathrine Graham. Follow this blog regularly as we intend to help people to see the perspective from both sides of this problem and gain more understanding rather than being stuck in a particular perspective. There is urgent need for awareness and education to help people embrace change behaviour programmes and best practices to make the workplace and society a better place. Heating the polity and creating more divisions is not the solution to the persistent challenges of harassment. A lot is at stake here. The LEAD Project Foundation seeks to help build awareness of the need for change and balanced media reporting of harassment scandal . Uche Okeke is the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation.

We Shall Continue to Fight For Democracy-Genuine Democracy in Nigeria, Says Peter Obi

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 15:14:00 +0000

"National Assembly Proved That Nigeria Lacks Democracy"-H.E Peter Obi,

Labour Party Presidential Candidate In 2023 Election in Nigeria .Photo: Google.

Mr Peter Obi who was the former Presidential candidate for the Labour Party in Nigeria has criticised the approval and endorsement of the recent state of emergency declared in Nigeria's Oil Rich Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which suspended the elected Governor and legislators and replaced them with a Military administrator in a supposedly democratic government. In a very strong statement, H.E. Peter Obi said this singular vote clearly demonstrated that democracy, in its true sense does not exist in Nigeria and blamed lack of proper opposition in the country's democractic experiments. In his words, 'functional opposition is lacking and democracy cannot thrive in a such clime'. He emphasized that opposition is a critical pillar of any democratic system because it ensures that the right things are done, holds the ruling party accountable and offers alternative viewpoints. However, he noted that an effective opposition can only exist within a system that supports proportional representation- an approach practiced in countries like South Africa and Indonesia.

In Nigeria our Senate which comprises 109 seats would be more reflective of electoral realities with APC ruling party holding 44 seats, the opposition PDP holding 33 seats and the Labour Party 27 seats. Ideally the House of Representatives should mirror this balance with approximately 144- APC party members, 108- PDP members and 90- Labour Party members. But this is far from the case. He concluded that the absence of laws restricting party defection allows politicians to freely switch allegiances without consequence. This not only weakens the opposition but also makes a mockery of the electorate's will and undermines the intergrity of our democratic institutions.]According to H.E Peter Obi. 'what is left is not a genuine democratic system but one that is transactional. compromised, and in many respects, resembles organised criminality'. Unless Nigeria urgently implements essential reforms to entrench true democratic principle, enforce party discipline, and ensure fair representation, the country's democracy will remain fragile and dysfunctional.

Other Opposition Political leaders in Nigeria have also condemned the Emergency Rule Declaration in the Oil- Rich Rivers State and called on the government to reverse the suspension of the elected Governor and the legislators. However, Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's special Adviser on Information and Strategy dismissed the opposition figures as distraction, accused them of prioritising personal ambitions over national progress and describing them as "disgruntled and sore losers frustrated by their defeat in the 2023 election"s. In his words; President Tinubu is focused on governance to build a prosperous country and he is on the way to achieving it. They are not Politicians after the Public Good. It's all about their selfish-interests, they are disgruntled. The Government Spokesman emphasized that the president has achieved a lot with just two-months to his term with many solid achievements to showcase amidst intractable problems which are being tackled headlong.

Read The LEAD Project Foundation's blog often to be properly informed about significant events and changes in Nigeria's Political landscape. The State narratives always dominate the headlines, the focus should be to get ordinary people properly informed. Democracy requires plurality of opinions to deliver its ultimate goal of freedom.

Uche Okeke is the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation.

Nigeria's 2023 election eroded voters' trust, says EU observers

noreply@blogger.com (Uche Okeke) — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 22:10:00 +0000

"In the lead-up to the 2023 general elections, Nigerian citizens demonstrated a clear commitment to the democratic process. That said, the election exposed enduring systemic weaknesses and therefore signal a need for further legal and operational reforms to enhance transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability"-said Chief Observer Barry Andrews, Member of the European Parliament. Photo: Google.

The European Union Observers who monitored Nigeria's 2023 elections have confirmed what we all know. According to the findings of EU-EOM observers, election day was marked by late deployment and opening while polling procedures were not always followed. Polling staff struggled to complete result forms, which were not posted publicly in most polling units observed. The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV) were perceived as an important step to ensure the integrity and credibility of the elections. However, uploading of the results using the BVAS did not work as expected and presidential election result forms started to appear on the portal very late on election day, raising concerns.

The EU-EOM concluded that "shortcomings in law and electoral administration hindered the conduct of well-run and inclusive elections and damaged trust in INEC". The EU-EOM is offering 23 recommendations for consideration by the Nigerian authorities

Click on this link to read the full report: EU-EOM Nigeria 2023Final Report