All publications of Andy Okosun . Benin City , Nigeria

PEOPLE'S PERCEPTION OF JUSTICE IN THE PEPT CASE

The road forward for Nigeria's Supreme Court

By Andy Okosun, Special to the African World News:

Editor's Note: Considering the recent verdict of the special elections tribunal in Nigeria, which found plaintiffs Presidential candidates Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar did not succeed in proving their case of electoral malpractice in last February's poll, Okosun examines its implications for the Nigerian citizenry.

In the wake of Nigeria's 2023 general election, the nation finds itself at a crucial crossroads, grappling with a myriad of challenges including corruption, governance issues, insecurity, hunger, and criminal activities. Against this backdrop, the contested victory of Bola Tinubu in the presidential race has ignited a fervent debate about justice, transparency, and the future of the nation. The presidential election petition tribunal (PEPT), headed by Justice Haruna Tsammani, stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking redress in the face of alleged electoral malpractices.

Amidst these developments, a recent public poll conducted by Coach Andy Okosun, and powered by Intelligence Machines, sought to gauge the public's sentiment regarding the course that justice should take in the PEPT case. The poll posed a question central to the minds of Nigerians: "What is your idea of justice that you want the presidential election tribunal headed by Justice Haruna Tsammani to deliver?"

The options provided represented various paths that the tribunal could have taken to address the contentious outcome of the 2023 presidential election:

Uphold Bola Tinubu as president-elect, asserting that the election was free and fair.

Nullify the election and call for a re-run.

Disqualify Bola Tinubu and declare Atiku Abubakar as president-elect.

Disqualify Bola Tinubu and declare Peter Obi as president-elect.

Disqualify Bola Tinubu and call for a re-election.

So far, the tribunal has decided to uphold Tinubu's win.

Expressing uncertainty about the type of justice the election tribunal should deliver.

The poll results revealed a clear preference among the respondents. A substantial 85.7% of participants indicated that they believed the tribunal should disqualify Bola Tinubu and declare Peter Obi as the rightful president-elect. This resounding majority showcases the public's desire for change and a shift away from the current political trajectory.

Additionally, 14.3% of respondents favored an alternative path: disqualifying Bola Tinubu and calling for re-election. While this figure is smaller, it still demonstrates a segment of the population that sees the potential for a more equitable and transparent electoral process.

The poll results underscore the intense public scrutiny and desire for justice in the aftermath of the 2023 presidential election. They highlight a growing impetus for change, a yearning for leaders who will prioritize the nation's welfare above all else, and a demand for a more accountable political system.

As the presidential election petition tribunal navigated the complex landscape of the PEPT case, the voices of the people will undoubtedly continue to remain influential. Nigeria's democratic journey depends on the fair and just resolution of this legal challenge, (now to be marshalled out at the Supreme Court) as it holds the potential to redefine the nation's political landscape and set a precedent for future elections. The eyes of the nation are now fixed on the nation's highest court, awaiting a decision that will shape the course of Nigeria's future.

Addressing Climate Change in Nigeria's Evolving Economy

Introduction

Climate change continues to pose significant challenges to Nigeria's underdeveloped economy, affecting various aspects of the nation's environment and development. Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, wildfires, sea-level rise, drought, desertification, and biodiversity loss are among the pressing issues the country faces. Moreover, the emergence of epidemics like COVID-19 further highlights the complexity of these interrelated challenges. To effectively address these "super wicked" problems, Nigeria must consider evidence-based approaches adopted by robust economies with successful carbon efficiency and climate resilience. Learning from countries like Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and South Africa can provide valuable insights and serve as a starting point for designing domestic climate change mitigation strategies.

Establishing a Multi-Disciplinary Climate Change Mitigation Team:

The first step towards tackling climate change in Nigeria is to create a functional climate change mitigation team consisting of multi-disciplinary stakeholders. This team should be established through stakeholder analysis, mapping, and facilitation. By involving various experts, policymakers, and representatives from communities and industries, the team can generate locally relevant and credible knowledge that aligns with international climate efforts. This collaborative approach will ensure that the resulting policy document is legitimate, acceptable, and capable of driving climate action and poverty reduction.

Policy Priorities for Climate Change Mitigation:

In response to the urgent need for climate action, Nigeria can implement policy priorities identified in the World Bank Group's report titled "Time for Business Unusual." These policies can be rolled out over the next 3 to 6 months and focus on four key areas:

Phasing out Petroleum Subsidies: A significant step towards climate mitigation involves eliminating subsidies on petroleum products while implementing measures to protect vulnerable households from any inflationary impact. This move can free up resources for investment in renewable energy and other sustainable practices.

Inflation Reduction: Coordinating a mix of exchange rate, trade, monetary, and fiscal policies can help address inflationary pressures, making it easier to allocate resources to climate-friendly initiatives.

Renewable Energy Development: Investing in renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Integrating climate resilience measures into infrastructure development, urban planning, and disaster management can help mitigate the impact of extreme weather events.

Addressing Climate-Induced Flooding:

Climate change has contributed to excessive flooding in Nigeria, as highlighted in the National Security Strategy 2019. To combat this challenge, a comprehensive approach to flood management and risk reduction is essential. This may include investment in flood control infrastructure, early warning systems, and community-based adaptation measures.

Conclusion:

As Nigeria grapples with the effects of climate change on its economy and society, adopting evidence-based strategies and collaborating with multi-disciplinary stakeholders is crucial. Learning from successful climate action models in other nations and implementing urgent policy priorities can set the country on a path towards carbon efficiency, climate resilience, and sustainable development. By taking decisive action now, Nigeria can play a leading role in the fight against climate change and safeguard the future of its people and natural resources.

Bibliography:

The Royal Society. (2010, September). Climate change: a summary of the science. Retrieved from https://royalsociety.org/~/media/Royal_Society_Content/policy/publications/2010/4294972962.pdf

Winkler, H. (2018). Reducing inequality and carbon emissions: innovation of developmental pathways. South African Journal of Science, 114(11/12).

Nigeria Development Update (NDU) - World Bank Group. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/nigeria/publication/nigeria-development-update-ndu.

Mitigating the menace of climate change in Nigeria - TheCable. Retrieved from https://www.thecable.ng/mitigating-menace-climate-change-nigeria.

Africa can play a leading role in the fight against climate change. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/articles/africa-can-play-a-leading-role-in-the-fight-against-climate-change/.

Good Governance in Nigeria

Questionaire for all presidential aspirants to fill.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6giQywSBqFJWoTMB7KJsfUnTnKffk26IkdQUOgRMxuii2aA/viewform

We are independent monitor, evaluator, impact assessor, monitoring and evaluation knowledge engineers, corruption shooters, wicked problems solving practitioners, and grant proposal writers. We partner and collaborate with:

Federal and state governments, UNCAC - United Nations coalition against corruption, ICPC - To rid Nigeria of corruption through lawful enforcement and preventive measures, EFCC - Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Concerned Nigerians

We are working on an innovative project: “Implementing Good Governance in Nigeria from 2023 and beyond.” It aims to assist the eventual president elect to design, plan, implement, monitor, evaluate, learn and improve on governance; so as to improve governance rating from both local and international stakeholders.

We have worked out 6 areas of good governance in repsonse to the problem tree below. Aspirant's answers to the questionaire, in conjunction with their manifesto, will assist us to design: results frame work, logical framework analysis table, and a work plan to be shared after being elected.

This will be used as an entry point into the Nigeria Good Governance Fab Lab to effect learning and innovations for improved governance in Nigeria. We look forward to receiving responses from each presidential aspirant, and a viable new Nigeria.