Public Affairs Analyst

THE 2011 General Elections are over with local and international acclamation to the electoral commission. The elections were not flawless; however, Nigerians and foreign witnesses are unanimous that the just concluded polls were held in substantial compliance with the nation’s electoral laws. It is too early to pre-empt the political parties on the veracity of the election expenses they will submit to INEC in the next 6 months. But then, is six months not too long? I should think three months after the polls is okay, more so as candidates, who spend the bulk of the campaign money, are not yet under obligation to submit election expenses report. This post election period, two major things must happen. The first is for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rise up to its constitutional duty to enforce political finance provisions as contained in the statutes viz. the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) as well as the Political Party Finan...

Congratulations dear compatriots on the success of our fourth successive elections in the Fourth Republic. The polls have been adjudged as freer, fairer and more credible than all the previous general elections including the widely acclaimed June 12, 1993 polls. This calls for back-slapping and felicitations. However, it is important to know that the 2011 General Elections have not ended. Indeed, we have only concluded the second in a three dimensional process. We are done with the pre-election and the Election Day phases. The third and final phase is the post-election period which we are currently in. This post-election period is when various democratic institutions involved in the electoral process carry out stock-taking or reflection on lessons learnt; it is the time when reforms are initiated and preparations commence for the next general elections. Most importantly, the post-election phase is when election dispute resolution (EDR) takes place. Simply put, the ball is now in the co...

On Thursday, April 28, 2011, Central Bank of Nigeria issued a circular titled “Industry Policy on Retail Cash Collection and Lodgement”. In the circular the CBN put a cap on the amount an individual can withdraw from his or her account at N150, 000 while corporate organisations can only withdraw maximum of N1 million in a day. The apex bank also stipulated penalties for contravention of the new monetary policy. Most of the reactions to the new policy have been on cash withdrawal with deafening silence on cash lodgement. I think CBN needs to clarify the position of the circular on cash lodgement. Is there a ceiling as well on cash lodgement? If there is, is it same as placed on retail cash collection? On the new cash withdrawal limit, I think it is a noble idea, if faithfully implemented. It has the potential to enhance transparency and accountability in the banking industry as well as curb corruption, money laundry and terrorism financing. It will enable CBN to channel the huge resour...

Opinions are diverse on the outcome of the just-concluded April 2011 general election. While the winners will score the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) high, losers are quick to point out that the election is flawed as the previous polls. Going by the view of international and local media and observers as well as the average electorate, 2011 general election is an improvement on the previous polls held in Nigeria. There is also a near unanimity that it is not yet a perfect election and that there are many areas crying out for attention. As an accredited observer who witnessed the elections in many parts of Nigeria (Lagos, Ogun, FCT, Niger and Bayelsa), I should say the election is a watershed and an epochal event in Nigeria’s political history. For the harsh critics who see nothing good in the April polls, it is important to let them know that as a nation we have done well for ourselves, particularly given the time constraints and the very inclement political environme...