Worried with the increasing cybercrime causing more economic harm than good in Nigeria, platforms and productivity services giant, Microsoft Nigeria has joined forces with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other industry stakeholders, to tackle the ugly trend.
With over N159 billion lost by Nigerians through online scam and identity theft between 2000 and 2013 as well as 2,175 websites defaced within the same period, in a cybersecurity capacity building workshop organised last week in Abuja between Microsoft and NSA, participants agreed that there was need for education and awareness intervention for security and law enforcement and other ICT regulatory agencies in Nigeria for enhancing the security of the country’s cyberspace so as to checkmate cybercrime promptly.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the National Security Adviser, Major Babagana Monguno, represented by Barrister. Isaac Idu, Director of Internal Security in the office said, “The cyberspace virtual global domain while dismantling barriers to commerce, is increasingly transforming our economy and security posture, creating opportunities for innovations and the means to improve general welfare of the citizens.
Since cybersecurity had taken the dimension of global phenomena which requires concerted efforts of both the private and public strategy to tame it, Major Monguno expressed happiness that Microsoft as a key partner is aligning itself with ONSA to provide a secure online space in the country as part of efforts to ensure security strategy to secure the cyber space.
Reiterating that the workshop was part of government’s renewed measures towards safeguarding the nation’s presence in cyberspace and ensuring protection of the national critical information infrastructure, Monguno explained that the Federal Government was determined to confront the threats in the Nigerian cyberspace, uphold and support the openness of the cyberspace as well as balance security with respect to privacy and fundamental rights.
In his address, the Managing Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Kabelo Makwane said the partnership on the cybersecurity capacity building workshop was borne out of the desire to support ONSA, Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs), to grow capacity with respect to global approaches to national cybersecurity strategy, addressing cybersecurity risks through amongst others computer emergency response Team (CERT) management, security and privacy of data in the cloud, cybersecurity forensics and audit skills, global policy and legal developments, cloud computing and its benefits, growing local data hosting capabilities, in line with the new Nigerian cybercrime law, the Cybercrime Act 2015.
According to Makwane, ONSA’s National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCSS) closely aligns with Microsoft’s ambition to provide a safe, secure and resilient online environment.
For the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Mr. Peter Jack, the agency had established the NITDA’s cert.NG centre to police the cyberspace.
He added that the agency is constantly involved in critical role in capacity building through the agency’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) centres established in 2014, adding, “We are also concerned and have started the Child Online Campaign. We believe strongly in multi stakeholders strategy, as we have worked closely with ONSA in formulating the national cyber-security policy formulation and documents”.
According to him, NITDA has also concluded plans to collaborate with ONSA to develop a framework aimed at addressing child online abuse in the country.
He said: “We wait eagerly to call all the stakeholders to have the Cybercrime Council inaugurated and then we can make progress.”
Noting that the time had come for multi-stakeholder’s strategy to combat all forms of cybercrimes and identity theft, Jack disclosed that of the 2,175 websites that had been defaced, 585 were actually government websites.
Meanwhile, conscious of the diversity of implications of the nation’s risk exposure in cyberspace, the Federal Government as a matter of urgency had put in place cohesive measures towards addressing the emerging risks effectively.
Development of the Nigeria’s National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy documents; Establishment of the Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act 2015; Establishment of the National Cyber Monitoring Centre, i.e. the Nigeria’s National Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT) Operation Center; Establishment of National Computer Forensics Lab for cybercrime investigations by all security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies and Establishment of effective collaboration mechanism with international cybersecurity organizations across the globe, among other are some of the measures put in place by the government to tackle the menace of cybercrime.

I’ve just met a fantastic boyfriend who is a good lover. The problem is that twice now, I’ve had a wee during sex. I’ve also noticed that this only happens whenever we have sex in the missionary position.
As you can imagine, it is really embarrassing. My man hasn’t noticed yet though I’m sure it’ll be a matter of time before he notices.
Susie, by e-mail.

Dear Susie,
Don’t be embarrassed and don’t panic! What is probably happening is that having sex in the missionary position is pressing on your bladder, forcing you to let go.
The answer is simple— don’t have sex in that position. Tell your man it stimulates you in the wrong way (which is perfectly true, although not in the way he might think!) and you’d prefer other positions.
When you’ve been going out for long, and are more relaxed with him, you can admit the truth if you like. For now, just avoid the problem.

I’ve been married to my husband for over 20 years and we have four lovely children. He’s always had series of affairs that I’ve lost count. I’ve stopped talking to him about them and when friends did, he told them smugly that he must be doing something right or I would have left.
He says his affairs are really for the sex and he would never leave me for another woman. Big deal!
I’m quite an attractive woman myself and still wear a size 14 dress. I have a good job and dress well and recently I started looking at other men the way my  husband might look at other women and wondered what it would be like to have sex with them. You know what?
My husband was right, you can have good sex without getting emotionally involved as I’ve since found out. I don’t know if he suspects anything, but lately he’s been showing signs of being jealous, why should he have all the fun?
Halimat, by e-mail.
Dear Halimat,
Are you really happy sleeping with another man who is probably also married? You tolerated your husband’s affairs because he assured you the women with whom he had his casual, uncaring sex meant nothing to him. Rather, he used them for sexual variety and to maintain his self-image as a stud who could pull the girls despite having a wife and four kids. Because you must have felt sure of your husband’s love, his affairs didn’t seem to be a threat to your marriage.
To a woman, who had always been faithful to her husband, you’re playing with fire by suddenly sleeping with another man in your middle age – you’re putting your pride, your self confidence and your commitment to the future of your marriage at stake. Your husband might suspect your infidelity, but what happens if any of your children finds out? Continue being the supportive wife and mother you’ve always been. Talk to your husband to slow down. Don’t worry; age would soon do that for him!

Ado-Ekiti- An Ado Ekiti Customary Court Friday dissolved an eleven-year-old marriage as result of facebook adultery.
In his judgment,  Joseph Ogunsemi held that it was clear from the available evidence before the jury that both parties are living apart, the union has broken down irretrievably.
The eleven year old union between a businessman, Muyiwa Owolabi (42) and his wife, Tinuola (40) had been undergoing a turbulence period when the wife became addicted to her serial boyfriends on facebook.
Muyiwa had filed a petition before the court accusing Tinuola of serial adultery and sexual escapades through the social media.
Tendering evidences to substantiate his claim, Muyiwa also accused her of lack of care for their two children, Folajimi (11) and Timilehin (7).
Muyiwa accused the respondent of using social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to connect with different men with whom she eloped. He tendered computer generated evidences of her conversation with lovers urging the court to dissolve the union.
A Nokia C3 phone with which the respondent was alleged to be communicating with her lovers was also tendered alongside printouts of pictures and text messages exchanged with the men in question.
But Tinuola, who denied any amorous relationship with the men she was alleged to be going out with, told the court that  Muyiwa was in the habit of beating, and starving her,  alleging that he seized her phone on “mere suspicion.”
She also told the court that the petitioner was not in good terms with her family urging the court to dissolve the union.
The court held that the issue of adultery was overwhelming given the evidence tendered by the petitioner.
On the issue of custody of the children, the court granted Muyiwa custody holding that from evidence adduced by the petitioner, he was adjudged to be in a better position to take care of the two children.
Citing Section 21 (1) of the Customary law of Ekiti State, Ogunsemi said the court is duty-bound to examine evidence of who would take care of the children better among the two parties most especially if the child(ren) in contention is/are yet to reach the age of eighteen.
The court also ruled that the respondent (Tinuola) cannot be denied access to the children as they will be free to spend part of their holidays with her while the petitioner must be put on notice.
In concluding the judgment, Ogunsemi held that any of the parties dissatisfied with the court verdict is free to file an appeal within 30 days of delivery of the judgment.

Innumerable actresses have had to share stories of their most embarrassing moments as celebrities, but none has come out to tell what they did to earn such embarrassments. Rising actress, Amaka Iruobe, is taking the first shot.
The Tinsel star recently revealed how she mistakenly hugged a stranger whom she thought was a close friend of hers, ending up embarrassing herself in the process.
“It’s actually a funny one. It was when I saw a guy that looked like my friend whom I haven’t seen for many years. I was so excited that I ran to hug him, but when he turned and faced me, it dawn on me that I had embarrassed myself because he wasn’t the person. Then it was too late. I have already hugged him,” she reminisced.
The rising actress who recently starred in a wave-making TV series “ Lies and Secrets” claimed being ignorant of the prevailing sexual harassment in the industry, insisting that “as I speak with you, I haven’t experienced it.” Talking about her ideal man, Iruobe said, “he must be a guy with a clean cut beards, sweet body, excellent style and one that possesses a sense of humor.

SHOULD the romance in a marriage stop after the birth of a few kids? Forget slaving to put  food on the table, pay the rent and put a substantial  sum of money aside for the kids education. The question is: When last did you give your wife a complete ‘MOT’, just as often as you do that priced car(s) of yours?
What brought on this thought-provoking poser is the recent experience Linda confessed she was elated she had. She just turned 40, but said sadly,she couldn’t remember the last time her husband made proper love to her.
“After almost 14 years of marriage” she continued, “I’d put on some weight especially when I had our fourth child. Dare, my husband, had gone bald and the most exciting thing we did was share the occasional take-away treats with the kids. Sex was virtually non-existent, just a quickie every other week.
“I was at a classmate’s 40th birthday party when a friend I hadn’t seen for years looked shocked to see me. ‘Why have you put on so much weight?’ She squealed, ‘you used to be a stunner. What happened to you?’
I felt a bit embarrassed. I had put on quite a lot of weight alright, what with the huge meals I shared with Dare, and scoffing the kids’ often left-overs so food wouldn’t be wasted. But did she have to be that blunt? Her criticism stayed with me for days. Friends I saw regularly couldn’t be as outspoken as she was for fear of hurting my feelings.
Thanks to her, I took a good look at myself in the mirror and didn’t like what I saw. I vowed to give myself a health over-haul before my birthday. So, I ditched all the stodgy food and cut down on the portions I eat.
I also started taking the staircase to my fourth floor office. At first it was hard but by the time my birthday loomed, the improvement was awesome. My critic of a friend had even visited, bringing me some cosmetic stuffs to ‘tone’ my skin and I’d bought lots more. Thanks to her, I now looked a million-dollars!
‘Only whenever I asked Dare how I looked, he’d just glowered and muttered ‘nice’ without even taking a proper look at me. I knew I looked and felt fantastic. If he didn’t appreciate the way I looked, maybe someone else would. A few days after my well-attended 40th birthday party, a friend invited me to a party.
Her elder brother just had a son after two girls and he was throwing the bash to ‘wet’ the head of the baby. His wife was still abroad and I reckoned it would be a ‘let it all hang out’ party now the cat was away. I didn’t let on to Dare that the wife was still expected or he might want to come to keep me in check.
As it was, he was super-glued to Super Sports, on the telly, drooling at the games. When I was dressed and ready to go, he was too relieved to be left alone to get on with his fun. But he really looked startled when he saw my outfit.
I quickly left to join my friend who was impatiently hooting the car horn and I had conveniently forgot to put on my wedding ring. A wedding ring is always a dampener if you want to have fun. Men would just assume you’re either single, divorced or widowed!
“The party was a lively one and in my group was this cocky television journalist happily controlling the flow of the conversation. I challenged his views from time to time and he took notice of me, with his eyes roaming all over my body. I flirted right back—it felt great to have a man’s attention after all these years of grumpy Dare.
When he asked me to dance, I jumped at the offer. We swayed slowly to the haunting music, our hips locked together with my body pressing into his firm chest. He was tall and in his 30s, and I was loving every minute with this hunk. My friend was watching with a big smile on her face—as if she was taking the credit for who I’d now turned out to be.
I was now slightly tipsy and as my hand rested on his tight bum, he pulled me closer to him and an electric shock went through me. His name was Ade and after we finished dancing, he got a bottle of wine and we talked some more.
He told me about a project he was into and offered to show me the progress he’d made if I could come with him to his car. Clinging onto what looked like my conquest, I let him lead me out of the party and smiled defiantly at the shocked look on my friend’s face.
“The car was a bit of a clap-trap. Not the most glamorous setting for betrayal but I was far too wound up to care. As soon as we got to the back seat where the supposed ‘project’ was we were all over each other. He pulled up my long kaftan and was on top of me, the car seats rough against my bare bum.
Unfortunately, his prowess didn’t actually match his big mouth. He wasn’t the gentlest of lovers and he pawed at my boobs like a bush man. But none of that mattered. This was purely about proving to myself I was desirable and I felt deliciously wanton and sexy!
When we returned to the party, nobody seemed to notice anything—except for my nosey-parker friend who just kept on giving me curious glances. Ade and I merely sat together afterwards but had very little to say to each other. We’d both got what we wanted and there was nothing else to say.
“On our way back home, my friend asked me what happened when we went out, and I told her. She wasn’t a prude but wanted to know if what I’d just done made me feel guilty. I told her it did, but not in the way she meant. I felt bad for not feeling guilty enough not to want to try it again.
For the first time in my marriage, I’d just cheated on my husband, had a wild romp with a complete stranger in a crummy car, yet I felt great! The only time I felt slightly guilty was when I let myself in and discovered Dare was already in the bedroom. I quickly had a rinse in the guest toilet before going to meet Dare.
“He didn’t even bother to ask if I’d had an enjoyable evening. Instead, he was boring me with details of the highlights of the games. I was furious and I’ve since resolved that the next time I’m invited to a party and I’m propositioned, there will be a good chance I’ll say yes, especially if Dare wouldn’t be coming.
I’m definitely not over the hill at 40 and I owe it to myself to find my own excitement anywhere and any time I can get it…” As you male readers read this, take a second look at your wife. When was the last time you rang her bell in spite of all the hints she gave you? A word is sufficient for the wise!

WHAT happens to ‘meaningful’ relationships in your middle-age? Is sex different now you’re older? According to Richard, now 50 and a divorcee; “I no longer believe I can sweep a woman up with the sheer physical power of sex and temporarily wash away our failures in a rain of sweat.
As a new relationship moves towards the physical, I find myself thinking: ‘I have been through this before, 1 thought I would survive it and I suppose I did, but only barely. I don’t want to do it again. I want to be in the water, very much, but I can’t bear to dive off that high cliff another time. No more swinging from the chandeliers!
“The women are older too, they open up more readily, they waste less time, they show their needs. Most of all, they read a man’s reluctance like a soothsayer looking through her crystal ball. We strain for the pleasures of new romance, but our ability to pretend is short-lived.
‘Let’s end this before it becomes toxic,’ suggested one smart lady after about five dates! What amazes me after a long decade away from the sexual market place is how different our public discourse of sexuality is from our actual experiences. Casual sex, ‘friends wrth benefits’ (where you bunk a close friend from time to time with no strings attached) all the arrangements meant to satisfy the libido without entangling the heart, are, for the most part, dull and awkward forms of sexuality. The small miracle for older people is that most of us still believe in love, and live for it, and sometimes, after a long wait, find it.”
Rachel, a sports enthusiast in her late 50s runs a thriving company and lives comfortably in her own home with her two sons. “I took several years off romance and sex after having had a moment of spiritual insight, born of intense pain – when 1 was in an unhealthy relationship with a man, my mind and sports, mainly golf, fell apart.
I happen to be a good golf player and most of the men I played with naturally flirted with me. They loved that I could help them with their game – and maybe provide them with a bit of loving too.
“After a while, I realise I did not feel safe or esteemed in these relationships. The last one left me with a pain in my being so severe that I made two decisions: one, I would have a sweet, romantic relationship with my vibrator, and two, I would play golf only with people who are as good as I am.
I have had great vibrators ever since I figured out that the phallic ones were based on the dreams of men, not on the anatomy of women. Twelve years ago, I bought a couple of vibrators and that was fine. But as menopause loomed, I bought my first bottle of Astroglide, a slinky lubricant women can use during sex after chemotherapy or menopause.
“I’d just split up with my last lover and my heart was so broken that I took the pledge that no more men who weren’t up to my standard would merit a second glance. I’d fmally hit rock bottom. After a life spent charming the pants off men, I just wanted a little peace of mind. I wanted for people to be kind to me. I wanted sexual leasure.
Of course I still fantasise about being with a man in bed, and at these times, I get out the vibrator and the Astroglide. I dated my cute vibrator exclusively for years.
“It was at this time my married women friends began to menton how rarely they had sex. It was not just them, or menopause. Their husbands didn’t want sex that often either, and the women felt both relieved and lonely. They sometimes faked orgasm because they were not aroused enough, and while they wanted the man to feel great about his prowess, they also wanted to get it over with so they could get the credit, the cuddling – and the nap!
So, whenever I travelled, I often get them boxes of vibrators, never failing to point to the faces of women on the boxes easing the stress of a frustrated sex life. I always bought them bottles of Astroglide too. It was heaven.
My sexua11y frustrated friends now “had the choice to be a sexy, juicy old lady when they grew up, whether or not they find a healthy partner. It’s so heartening to know tht today, so many people are using sex toys. Vibrators have helped some women have orgasms for the first time, and since women now expect sexual pleasures, it makes sense they would buy sex toys.
Vibrators are getting smaller these days and a box-load of them guarantees a lot of profit! Every woman should own at least one sex toy. It’s like buying a daring designer dress – you may not end up wearing it, but it’s there for when you want to try it!”

“Jesus is coming to have children”
Shiek Abdul Fatai Muhammed Buhari Inakoju is a Director, Religion and Operation, Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board. He speaks on the coming again of Jesus.
Islam as a religion believes in the second coming of Jesus Christ.  I believe in Jesus Christ as the messenger of Allah and as the son of Mary. (may the blessings of God be upon him).
The teachings of Prophet Mohammed (s.a.w) explains that Jesus Christ is coming this time to propagate the word of God and importantly to do things he was unable to do during his life time on earth due to the direction and assignment given to him by his Master, Allah.
But his second coming will give him the chance to marry and give birth to children.  The second coming of Jesus Christ signifies the end of time and there will be a great fight between him and Dajjai (anti Christ) and Christ will overcome.
Jesus will be buried in Medina
Alhaji Lateef Laguda is the Chairman, Ansar-ud-een Society of Nigeria, Festac Branch. He bares his mind on the issue of Jesus return.
“Christianity and Islam both hold to the firm conviction that Jesus Christ, who lived in the land of Israel nearly twenty centuries ago, was raised alive to heaven and will return to earth in the fulness of time.”
“It is universally accepted in the world of Islam that Jesus Christ will eventually return to earth. Jesus  will descend in the Middle East where he will destroy the Dajjal (Antichrist), that he will lead the whole world to embrace Islam, that he will marry and have children, and that he will die after forty years and be buried in Medina alongside the tombs of Muhammad, Abu Bakr and Umar.
The Qur’anic text invariably referred to in support of the doctrine that Jesus will return to earth towards the end of human history.”
“And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment): Therefore have no doubt about the (Hour) but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way. Surah 43.61”
“There are obviously key differences between Christian and Muslim beliefs regarding the return of Jesus from heaven but the fact is universally agreed on. Christians do not accept that he will come to live again as an ordinary human being on earth, least of all that he will die and be buried. Nevertheless, Jesus is coming the second time to make the ungodly believe in Allah.”
Jesus was not crusified— Alh Jamiu Adeyanju
“All Muslim believes in the coming back of Jesus before the Day of Resurrection. He will return to become a leader of the Muslim nation as has been revealed in the Quarn and Hadith of the Holy Prophet.”
“First, Allah made it clear in the Qran that every single soul shall died (according to Q62:8, 63:11 etc) and fully understood our Holy Book that surely Jesus as a living soul will die too but until he returns to this earth. While we (Muslim) believe that Jesus did not die; we strongly believe according to our Holy Book that he was raised up by Allah and would descend in time to come for other special assignment from Allah before he died.”
“Allah almighty says in the Quran:”And their saying (in boast): We killed the Messiah Jesus, the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah; but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the semblance of Jesus was put over another man (and they killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts with no (certainty of) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjectures”  Q4:157.”
“For a surely; they killed him not (i.e Jesus) but Allah raised him up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he is in the heaven), And Allah is Ever All-Powerful, All Wise”  Q4:158″
“I so much love a verse in the Bible that testified a word from Jesus about his coming back as well but was misconceived and misinterpreted by the claimed followers of Jesus.”
“Jesus said: “A little while and ye shall not see me; and again a little while, ye shall see me, because I go to God”  John 16:16
“Lastly, Our Holy prophet also told us about his coming back an Hadith Narrated by Abu Huraira (Ra): Allahs Messenger (s.a.w) said: “By Him (Allah) in whose Hands my soul is; Surely Jesus will shortly descend amongst you (Muslims) and will judge mankind justly by the law of the Quarn and will break the cross and kill the pigs and abolish the Jizya (Tax levied upon non-Muslims who are under the protection of a Muslim government), then there will be abundance of money and nobody will accept charitable gifts” (Sahih Al-Bukhari).”

UGHELLI—SOLDIERS have intercepted about 15 youths of Ndokwa ethnic nationality in Delta State who were going for a peaceful protest against an oil company at Ase Omoku community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state.
They accused the youths accosted at Ashaka of planning to raze the Independent Power Plant, IPP, project in Okpai.
A source, however, said that the soldiers found no dangerous weapons on the youths when they searched them.
Among those arrested were Nnamdi Uwai, Onowoma Dickson, Nnamdi Community, Valentine Uyabeme, Ijeegbunem Obi, Kelvin Nwadele, Kanayo Kukagha, Agriga Ossai, Dinma Kukaya, Nelson Mabeme, Chidi and Uche Mabeme.
Leader of the Coalition of Ndokwa Youth Leaders, Mr Alex Agha, who confirmed the arrest of the youths said, “They explained to the soldiers that they had no business with IPP and their mission was to Ase Omoku, where they were going for a peaceful protest, yet they were arrested.”
He said other members of the coalition who were earlier stopped by soldiers from going to Ase Omoku proceeded to Umuseti community, the headquarters of the oil firm, Sterling Global, to lodge their grievances and were received by the Base Manager of the company, Mr Mohan.
A source at the 222 Battalion, Agbarha-Otor, in Ughelli North Local Government Area, confirmed the arrest of the youths, but alleged that a youth leader sponsored them to disrupt activities of oil companies in the area and extort money for personal benefit.
He told one of our reporters that the military handed over the youths to the Police Area Command, Ughelli.

EVER since the release of election timetable for the Kogi governorship polls, aspirants of different political parties traversed the length and breadth of the state, scavenging for the golden votes of the electorates. From issues to vitriol and garrulous campaign, the election, no doubt, lived up to expectations.
Bookmakers had tipped the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as the stars of the contest. They are. But they failed to take the shine of the smaller parties in the race with the Labour Party, LP and Progressive People’s Alliance, PPA showing great potentials for the future. They campaigned as hard as the two major parties to engrave their ideals in the minds of Kogi voters.
Few days to the election, the major parties started throwing allegations of attempts at manipulating the process against one another. A handful of violent incidents were recorded and the atmosphere was charged ahead of a landmark election that would define the intent of the people of the state. As the election was under way, the then governorship candidate of the APC, late Prince Abubakar Audu expressed confidence in winning the polls, with his running mate, Hon. Abiodun Faleke sharing a similar sentiment at his Ekinrin Adde country home.
But the running mate to the PDP candidate and the Deputy Governor of the state, Arc. Abayomi Awoniyi, accused the APC of trying to rig the election. He called on the electorate and security agents to be vigilant enough to thwart the antics of “anti-democratic elements that are out to silence the voice of the masses”.
As results started trickling in, it became obvious that the APC was in the lead in majority of the local councils in the state. Areas that were hitherto the stronghold of the PDP were lost to the APC in a keenly contested election. Such councils include Kabba/Bunu and Igalamela/Odolu.
The cancellation of 91 polling units with over 49,000 votes momentarily paused the celebration of the APC. But hours later, the shocker surfaced: Prince Abubakar Audu died. And a melodrama was kicked off. A prophet promised to raise Audu from death, sparking wild celebration in Lokoja, the state capital. At that time, Kogi was going through an inconclusive election and an “uncertain” death.
The revelation by an unnamed member of the late politician’s family to the effect that their benefactor was poisoned by a “top political figure from the South West” threw up a twist in the already confused situation. Who killed Audu? To gain what? How did it happen? There were more questions than answers.
Then came the legal quagmire
As the dust of Audu’s death was settling down, the feathers of our constitution were ruffled by the unpreparedness of our law books for what is fast getting popular as the Audu Scenario. The constitution and the electoral law take care of death or withdrawal of a candidate before or after the conclusion of an election. They never envisaged the death of a candidate before the conclusion of a voting process.
Analysts are of the view that had the election results been declared and a winner emerged, his or her deputy would have been the beneficiary of the Audu Scenario.
The death of Audu opened old wounds emanating from the acrimonious primary that threw up the late politician in the first place. Despite the high wire intrigues against Prince Audu, he still emerged as the governorship candidate of the party. Like the cat with nine lives, the late Audu also survived the report of a high-power committee headed by Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, to look into the propriety of his candidacy. The committee recommended that the late politician be stripped off the party’s ticket for failure to comply with the guidelines governing the primaries. He would have been many times lucky but for death.
Since the demise of Audu, many legal opinions have emerged. While many favour the continuation of the polls with Audu’s running mate, Faleke, other informed legal opinion faulted the arrangement on the ground that Faleke didn’t go through any primary election.
In the course of the scrabble for the shoes of Audu, many names were thrown up, including but not limited to Isah Jibrin Echocho, a former Afribank chief, Mohammed Audu, the first son of Prince Abubakar Audu and Alhaji Yahaya Bello, a multimillionaire business mogul from Okene Local Council of the state.
The ethnic jingoism that had characterized the state from inception reared its ugly head again with the three major ethnic groups in the state laying claims to the governorship ticket. While Kogi West was building a wall of interest around Faleke on the ground that he holds a joint ticket with the late Prince Audu, Kogi Central leaders have quickly closed ranks behind one of their own, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on the ground that the transport czar came second in the party’s governorship primaries. The largest ethnic group of the tripod, the Igala people are making a case that Audu can only be replaced by another Igala.
As the contest creeps to the climax, the APC may settle for Bello, to be under a safe legal canopy. But the PDP is also believed to be doing everything legally possible to thwart the conduct of the supplementary election slated for December 5, 2015.
PDP believes that the election had already been won and lost, owing to the sudden demise of the candidate that had dragged the contest to a supplementary stage. The supplementary polls may need more legal supplements to hold as the PPA and the Democratic People’s Party, DPP are already in court to challenge the decision of INEC to go on with the polls.
However it goes, interesting times lie ahead in the Kogi scenario.