GROpinion
Fayose – 1, EFCC – 0…How?
By Abimbola Adelakun (Punch Newspapers)
Given the gragra of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over their invitation of the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, one would have thought that the moment he arrived at their office, they would lay him on the floor and flog him with a horsewhip. As things have unfolded so far, it turned out that the invitation was more of routine questioning. They might genuinely have a dossier on him, but it is doubtful his case has been neatly investigated, sealed watertight, and ready for prosecution in a short time. His Tuesday appearance in their office is the fanfare that precedes almost all the EFCC cases that eventually go cold. Ideally, when an organisation that investigates crimes invites you for a “chat” as the EFCC did, it means their homework is complete and without a good lawyer accompanying you on that journey, you are as good as gone.
In Nigeria, such invitations have so lacked administrative efficacy that politicians manipulate the summonses to their benefit. They turn what should be a serious process into a pilgrimage; their journey to and through martyrdom. You do not get to brand yourself an “opposition politician” in Nigeria until the EFCC sends for you. Their attitude is helping politicians construct the persona of victimisation. Recall that earlier this year, shortly after the Peoples Democratic Party lost the election in Ekiti, the EFCC posted a tweet where they suggested they would be going after Fayose. The timing of the tweet, its vengeful and flippant tone, combined with the rancorous aftermath of the Ekiti election, all made the EFCC invitation to him suspect. Is this about justice or about repressing the politician who has become the All Progressives Congress’ nemesis?
Fayose’s theatrics at the EFCC office are a joker, and he could pull that card on them because they do not take themselves seriously enough. Fayose arrived at their headquarters wearing a black T-shirt with an inscription: “EFCC, I am here.” That level of boldness was already a touchdown. He was accompanied to the EFCC office by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and the former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode. Before, Fayose’s visit, he claimed he had moved to Abuja to counteract any impression the EFCC might have that he was running out of Nigeria. He told reporters that if he had stayed in Lagos, they might imagine he was trying to escape the country. By going to Abuja, he won a major PR victory on their back. Fayose’s action is now going to be a devised formula for other politicians summoned by the EFCC. The strategy will be to stupefy the EFCC by taking the battle to their turf.
Here is one thing to remember as we criticise Fayose: He did not invent this drama, he only infuses it with his own brand of crass politicking and madness. What he did with the EFCC on Tuesday was similar to what Bola Tinubu also did in 2011 when he was tried in Abuja for allegedly operating foreign accounts while he was Governor of Lagos State. Tinubu was accompanied by three South-West governors whose presence not only helped to make light of the accusations of corruption, his party — the then ACN — also claimed that they were being victimised by the “repressive PDP government” because of their opposition politics. In 2014 too, when the current Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai, was invited to the DSS office to be questioned for some inflammatory comments he had reportedly made, he too went there with aplomb. El-Rufai was driven by then Rivers State Governor (why always Rivers!), Chibuike Amaechi (who is now Buhari’s Minister of Transportation), and a then serving senator, Chris Ngige (now Minister of Labour). They too alleged that el-Rufai’s invitation was a ploy by the PDP government to silence their activities as opposition politicians. Today, they are the party in power, and the old script of intimidating the opposition is still being re-enacted. We are stuck in this same rut, cycling passionately to nowhere.
The difference now is that Fayose refuses to play the victim in the conventional way. He is neither acting meek nor intimidated; instead, he is showing himself as deranged. His intended audience will construe his action as bravery, a brash display of manly strength; the very kind one needs to survive the excesses of the Nigerian madhouse. Fayose will be cast as the hero; a roughly hewn Robin Hood who robs the Nigerian political class of some of their hypocritical pretence so that the poor and downtrodden can feel better about their disempowerment.
If there is any lesson for us in Fayose’s EFCC drama, it is that we urgently need our institutions to be apolitical and their activities divested from the politics, or the perceived politics, of the ruling party. Our bureaucracies regularly function as an extension of the President’s mood. When Olusegun Obasanjo was in power, it was not a coincidence that most of those who were hounded by the EFCC were his political enemies. The same is almost true for every government that has been in control since then. When the PDP was in office, the APC was the victim of repressive state power. Now that their positions have flipped, the PDP is the new victim. Tomorrow, if the PDP gets back to Abuja, the APC will be the victim. For how long do state institutions want to suffer credibility issues when they should be cultivated into efficacious, autonomous and respected organisations?
One final point: Lately, at the nation’s Independence Day Gala Night in Abuja, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo turned the occasion into an opportunity to diss his fellow politicians. The one he said about the Osun State PDP governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, convinced me that their party still lacks reflexivity. Osinbajo was quoted to have said, “Yet another very important politician insists, and still insists that the most important attribute for leadership is dancing, and boy could he dance! And for those who think that that is ridiculous at least 200,000 people voted for him in a particular election.”
Come on, if not for the high-handedness of the APC, Adeleke would have disgraced them properly in that election. The same is likely true for Ekiti State election. If it was truly free and fair, the APC would be out in the cold by now. If Osinbajo paid better attention to things, he would find it was not “ridiculous” that more than 200,000 people voted for a man who should be considered a clown; better suited for entertaining children at birthday parties than for a serious leadership position. Yet, it bears thinking: When voters throw their votes in the direction of candidates who hardly come with a little more than their proclivity for showiness, those people see through the mess and want their realities to align.
They are tired of the insufferable yet suffocating self-righteousness of the APC that purports to fight corruption while it perpetuates the same; a band of leaders that feed their impoverished populace with promises and propaganda; the lovers and venerators of soul-crushing poverty. People look at the noise the APC makes about the PDP’s corruption and they cannot reconcile it with the acts of the APC; they cannot understand while the EFCC will put up a tweet threatening Fayose that they were coming for him while they are deaf and dumb on the videos of Abdullahi Ganduje allegedly caught on video receiving bribes.
When you have a polity where crime and punishment are mediated by which political camp a politician belongs to, you should not blame people for casting their votes for those who do not pearl clutch nor pretend that there is anything ennobling about leadership process in Nigeria. There is nothing “ridiculous” about people who are forced to choose between odious choices passing over the pretender for the drama queens.
[Note, this article was first published by the Punch Newspapers]
GROpinion
Insecurity In Zamfara – Hold Lawal Accountable, Not Matawalle
Writes Nasiru Aliyu, Media Advisor to the Hon. Minister
The recent protest organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Akida Forum raises significant questions about political motivations and accountability.
Led by Musa Mahmoud the APC AKIDA group staged a demonstration at the Abuja headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS), demanding an investigation into the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, amid allegations linking him to banditry in the state.
The protest, predominantly featuring hired women and youths from Abuja, was framed as a response to escalating security concerns in Zamfara.
However, the underlying motives appear to be rooted in political rivalry rather than genuine concern for public safety.
The leader of the APC Akida Forum Tijjani Ramallan claims that Governor Dauda Lawal has accused Matawalle of collusion with bandits, suggesting that such ties have perpetuated the insecurity plaguing the region.
A critical point overlooked by Mahmoud and his supporters is that Matawalle is no longer the executive governor of Zamfara.
The current governor, Dauda Lawal, now holds the title of the state’s chief security officer, and therefore, he bears the primary responsibility for addressing the security crisis.
Instead of engaging in a blame game, Lawal should focus on implementing effective strategies to combat the rampant insecurity and provide the dividends of democracy to the people of Zamfara state.
The animosity towards Matawalle seems to stem from his previous role as the Director General of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign in the Northwest, where he played a pivotal role in securing significant electoral support for the current president.
This success has reportedly fueled envy among some political figures like Tijjani Ramallan, including Musa Mahmoud and others who may feel threatened by Matawalle’s rising profile.
It is noteworthy that allegations against Matawalle have been investigated by the National Security Adviser’s office, which found no evidence to support claims of his involvement in banditry.
This investigation contributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to retain Matawalle in his ministerial position, where he has reportedly managed security matters in the Northwest with professionalism.
Adding to the complexity of this situation, a Kano High Court recently issued a restraining order against Governor Lawal and others, prohibiting them from continuing their smear campaign against Matawalle. This legal development underscores the court’s recognition of the potential harm caused by unfounded allegations and the need for accountability in political discourse and the state government has found an ally in APC AKIDA led by Tijjani Ramallan.
Despite the court’s intervention, Governor Lawal continues to leverage media platforms to tarnish Matawalle’s reputation, linking him to banditry and corruption without substantiating evidence.
Such tactics appear to be desperate attempts to undermine Matawalle’s credibility, likely motivated by Lawal’s desire to solidify his political standing.
The ongoing campaign against Matawalle by Lawal and his associates raises serious concerns about the integrity of political discourse in Zamfara.
It is imperative for the public to remain vigilant against misleading narratives and to recognize the broader implications of such political maneuvers.
The Kano High Court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of due process and the need for responsible governance.
In conclusion, the focus of accountability in Zamfara should shift towards Governor Dauda Lawal, who now holds the reins of security in the state.
Instead of casting blame on former officials, Lawal must take ownership of the security situation and work towards tangible solutions that prioritize the safety and well-being of the people of Zamfara.
Furthermore, since Matawalle operational visit to sokoto led to the elimination of Bandit leader Halilu Sububu who is alleged to have died with the treasure of the sponsors of banditry in zamfara state, the pain propelled them to further embark on campaign of calumny.
The recent activities of some individuals with one Davids Iyida attempting to sabotage the MoMo Payment Service Bank project intended to benefit, especially Enugu Ezike people, have raised significant concern and outrage within the community.
Such actions aimed at undermining a project with immense potential to uplift and empower the people of Enugu Ezike can only be described as malicious.
The MoMo PSB project is designed to bring financial services closer to the people of Enugu Ezike, facilitating easier access to banking and financial transactions.
This project is expected to create jobs, stimulate local businesses, and provide a much-needed boost to the local economy. In a region where such opportunities are rare, the MoMo PSB project represents a beacon of hope for many residents.
It is particularly baffling and disheartening to witness a member of the community collaborate with outsiders to hinder the progress of their own people.
The reasons behind such alliances remain unclear, but the impact of these actions is evident and deeply troubling. Working to obstruct the project is not only delaying progress but also actively working against the welfare and advancement of Enugu Ezike.
The efforts to destroy Kingsley Ifeanyi Adonu’s good intention, despite all the positive contributions he has made, are nothing short of wickedness.
Adonu, a visionary entrepreneur and the leading MTN Partner in the South East, has dedicated significant resources and efforts to bring the MoMo Payment Service Bank project to fruition.
His vision for the community includes economic growth, financial inclusion, and overall development. Attacking his vision is an attack on the progress and future of Enugu Ezike.
The question that lingers in the minds of many is: Why sabotaging our own benefits? In a time when unity and collective effort are paramount for the community’s advancement, such actions of sabotage are counterproductive and harmful. The community needs all hands on deck to drive development and improve the quality of life for its residents. Internal conflicts and malicious actions only serve to set back these efforts.
Despite the challenges and the malicious attempts to derail the project, it is important to reaffirm that S Mobile Group vision for establishing a MoMo Payment Service Bank in Enugu Ezike will prevail.
The community stands behind this vision, recognizing the immense benefits it promises to bring. Efforts to hinder progress will ultimately fail in the face of collective determination and support.
The actions of these ungrateful individuals, aimed at sabotaging the MoMo PSB project, are grave disservice to the community of Enugu Ezike.
In a time when progress and development are desperately needed, such malicious activities are deeply regrettable.
However, the vision and determination of Kingsley Ifeanyi Adonu and the community’s support ensure that the project will succeed, bringing much-needed growth and prosperity to Enugu Ezike.
Let it be known that no amount of sabotage can dim the light of progress and unity.
Nwodo, a public commentator writes from Enugu State
Columnists
Cybersecurity in 2024: Towards Ever Greater Sophistication of Tactics
Writer: CHESTER WISNIEWSKI, Director Global Field CTO, Sophos
With 2024 fast approaching, what are the results for 2023 and what are the developments in the threat landscape for this new year?
The year 2023 was marked by persistence in the tactics of cybercriminals, with the predominance of ransomware, the exploitation of vulnerabilities, theft of credentials and even attacks targeting the supply chain. The common point in all his attacks is their formidable effectiveness.
It is therefore essential to ask what trends will persist in 2024 and what strategies businesses should adopt to deal with these future cyber threats.
Between persistent trends and evolving cybercrime tactics
In 2024, the threat landscape is not expected to change radically, particularly with regard to attack typologies and criminal tactics and procedures.
Criminal groups still primarily focus their attention on financial gains and ransomware remains their weapon of choice. These cybercriminals tend to take the easy way out by opportunistically attacking unpatched security vulnerabilities.
The recent Citrix Bleed attack demonstrated the agility of cybercriminals when it comes to quickly and effectively exploiting these new vulnerabilities.
However, once patches are applied to these vulnerabilities, cyberattackers tend to revert to more common strategies of stealing credentials or, failing that, cookies or session cookies, which, while slightly slower, constitute always a proven means that allows them to penetrate within a system.
In 2024, however, we should expect increased sophistication in defense evasion tactics, particularly due to the generalization of certain technologies such as multi-factor authentication. These attacks will combine malicious proxy servers, social engineering techniques and repeated authentication request attacks or “fatigue attacks”.
AI and regulations will continue to shape cybersecurity
In 2024, the development of AI will have a positive impact on the efficiency of IT teams and security teams by enabling them to strengthen defenses and work more efficiently, including through the processing of vast volumes of data in the aim of detecting anomalies. It should make it possible to respond more quickly in the event of an incident.
Indeed, analysis of attacks in 2023 showed a shortening of the time between network penetration and the triggering of a final attack – using malware or ransomware. The need for rapid detection and response tools to prevent costly incidents is therefore essential.
Finally, regulatory developments could have a major influence on measures taken against ransomware. The need to take more substantial measures could push some states to penalize the payment of ransoms, which would represent a brake on malicious actors and change the perspective of companies in the event of an attack.
Other stricter legislation, such as the implementation of the European NIS2 Directive, is also expected to force companies to take additional measures, particularly regarding their abilities to collect data sets.
To protect themselves against increasingly rapid, effective and costly attacks, companies will need to strengthen their defenses by equipping themselves with tools that allow them to detect and respond to incidents more quickly.
The worsening cybersecurity talent shortage does not appear to be as serious as some studies claim. On the contrary, companies have implemented more lax hiring criteria and more open-mindedness in the recruitment process.
From this perspective, to guarantee their survival in a constantly evolving threat landscape, companies have every interest in establishing partnerships with cybersecurity experts whose main mission is to make the hyperconnected world safer, to advise and assist them. in setting up effective defenses.
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