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Tag: Obono-Obla

  • OPINION: DUAL TRANSMISSION AND THE LAW: WHAT PETER OBI SAID, WHAT THE ELECTORAL ACT 2026 SAYS, AND WHAT WE MUST NOT MISCONSTRUE

    OPINION: DUAL TRANSMISSION AND THE LAW: WHAT PETER OBI SAID, WHAT THE ELECTORAL ACT 2026 SAYS, AND WHAT WE MUST NOT MISCONSTRUE

    By Okoi Obono-obla

    On Thursday last week, Mr Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, told Arise TV that his team will establish a system to independently transmit polling unit results to its situation room in 2027.

    “We will have even a dual transmission so that as it’s going to the proper designated INEC portal, it’s also being transmitted where the people can see it,” he said. He clarified: “All we are saying is that this time around, we will make sure that in every polling unit, we must have a system that transmits to our own situation room the correct results.”

    The statement caused alarm. It should not have, legally. Politically, it should teach us a lesson.

    What is the normal practice?  Since 1999, the Nigerian electoral process has always contemplated that polling agents of candidates are furnished with duplicate copies of Form EC8A after counting and announcement at the polling unit. Those copies are transmitted or conveyed to ward, local government, state and national collation centres — not as official results, but as party records for verification.

    Every serious party does this. It is called Parallel Vote Tabulation. It is not illegal. It is a safeguard.

    What does the Electoral Act 2026 say?

    The Electoral Act 2026 strengthens what was previously an administrative practice:

    Section 47 gives statutory recognition to BVAS.
    Section 60(3) gives statutory recognition to IReV and mandatorily requires electronic transmission of Form EC8A to the portal.
    Section 60(6) creates criminal liability for any presiding officer who wilfully frustrates that transmission.
    Section 74 and Section 125 stiffen penalties. A returning or collation officer who intentionally collates or announces a false result now faces not less than 10 years imprisonment without option of fine. Any person who announces or publishes a false result knowing it to be false commits an offence.

    The law remains: only INEC can collate and declare. A candidate can compile for verification; he cannot compile and declare as official.

    Why the alarm over Obi then?  The alarm is not legal; it is political and contextual.

    First, language. The phrase “dual transmission” in the context of Section 60(3) which now makes transmission to IReV mandatory by law, was easily misconstrued as intention to create a parallel IReV and to declare a parallel result. That would be an offence under Section 125.

    Second, history. The failure of IReV in 2023 made party collation central to election petitions. Any talk of independent compilation is now read as preparation to dispute 2027.

    Third, INEC’s monopoly. INEC must constantly remind Nigerians that only it can declare, lest supporters confuse a party situation room figure for the official result.

    The real danger: Misinformation and volatility

    Here lies my concern, and why I think politicians must fine-tune their language.

    We are in an era of 30-second clips, of X, Facebook, Threads and WhatsApp broadcasts. When a leader says “we will compile our results,” the full context is lost. Gullible supporters hear “our candidate will declare his own result.” In a country as volatile as ours, with deep distrust and history of post-election violence, that loose phrasing can make youths take the law into their hands at collation centres.

    Social media has made fake news travel faster than Section 60(3) can transmit EC8A. We also now have “fake laws” — citizens quoting repealed provisions or inventing provisions that do not exist in the 2026 Act.

    A leader must be precise. There is a world of difference between:  “We will have dual transmission and compile our own results” — which sounds like usurpation of INEC; and “Our agents shall, as permitted by law, obtain duplicate copies of EC8A at polling units and transmit same to our situation room for verification against IReV as published by INEC” — which is lawful and responsible.

    The first incites; the second educates.

    What a candidate can and cannot do.  Under the Electoral Act 2026, a candidate can:  Deploy agents to all 176,846 polling units.
    Collect duplicate EC8A.
    Transmit same to his situation room.
    Verify against IReV.
    Use discrepancies to file a petition under Section 138.

    A candidate cannot:  Collate and declare the official result.  Publish his compiled figure as the official result.  Instruct supporters to treat his situation room as the authentic collation centre.

    Peter Obi’s suggestion, as clarified, falls within what a candidate can do. But he caused the alarm because he raised a normal administrative practice as a political innovation, using language that the street can misread.

    In 2027, the election will be won not just by BVAS and IReV, but by responsible communication. Politicians must not play to the gallery and send wrong signals to their gullible supporters to take the law into their hands. When chaos erupts from such careless use of language, everyone will be affected.

    As my people say, when it rains, it does not fall on one man’s roof alone — including those who never prayed for rain in the first place.

  • 2027: Obono-Obla Warns APC Against Imposed Candidates in Abi/Yakurr

    2027: Obono-Obla Warns APC Against Imposed Candidates in Abi/Yakurr

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar

    Former presidential aide, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has cautioned the ruling All Progressives Congress against imposing candidates in the Abi/Yakurr political bloc ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that wide consultations and internal democracy remain critical to the party’s success.

    Obono-Obla, who served as Special Assistant on Prosecution to former President Muhammadu Buhari, said the party risks political backlash if it abandons competitive primaries and grassroots engagement in favour of unpopular consensus arrangements.

    He argued that the APC must carefully manage the selection of candidates for both the Yakurr I State Constituency and the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency by consulting critical stakeholders across the affected communities.

    According to him, if the party opts for consensus candidates in Yakurr I State Constituency, consultations must involve stakeholders from Ntan, Epenti, Idomi, Ajere, Bikobiko, Ijiman and Ijom to avoid alienating grassroots supporters.

    The former presidential aide further stressed that the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency, comprising Abi and Yakurr Local Government Areas, requires a balanced political arrangement that reflects the interests of the Bahumono, Agbo, Igbo Imbana and Yakurr ethnic blocs.

    He warned that any perceived imbalance or marginalisation in the candidate selection process could trigger political consequences capable of weakening the APC’s electoral fortunes in the area.

    Obono-Obla also pointed to the growing strength of opposition parties within the constituency, noting the presence of influential figures in the ADC and NDC, as well as what he described as a formidable opposition structure being assembled by the PDP ahead of the polls.

    He maintained that shutting out credible aspirants through unilateral decisions by party officials would amount to a serious political miscalculation, especially in a constituency he described as politically sophisticated and highly competitive.

    The former aide concluded by urging the APC leadership in Cross River State to prioritise consultation, justice, inclusiveness and fairness in its nomination process, warning that failure to do so could erode public confidence in the party and strengthen opposition forces in the constituency.

  • Why I Should Be the Next National Secretary of APC – Chief Okoi Obono-Obla:

    Why I Should Be the Next National Secretary of APC – Chief Okoi Obono-Obla:

    Chief Okoi Obono-Obla is former Personal Assistant to Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari as well as former chairman of Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property. He is a senior legal practitioner and a traditional chief in Yakurr LGA of Cross River State.

    As the All Progressives Congress prepares for its National Convention in March 2026, our party stands at a defining moment. The challenges of governance, internal cohesion, and public trust demand not just political will, but seasoned leadership at the Secretariat. I present myself for consideration as National Secretary of our great party, not merely as a candidate, but as a custodian of integrity, experience, and vision.

    For 35 years, I have practiced law across the full spectrum of Nigeria’s legal system—from the lowest courts to the Supreme Court. This journey has given me a rare depth of institutional memory and a mastery of compliance, dispute resolution, and constitutional safeguards. As National Secretary, this legal foundation will ensure that APC’s operations remain firmly within the bounds of law, protecting our party from avoidable crises and litigation.

    Beyond the courtroom, I have served Nigeria at the highest levels of governance. As Special Assistant to the President and to the Attorney General, I learned firsthand the delicate balance between politics and policy. As Acting Secretary of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, I worked to strengthen justice delivery nationwide. And as Nigeria’s anti-corruption czar, I championed transparency and accountability—values that must anchor our party’s future.

    I am also a writer, author, and commentator on national and international affairs. These skills will enable me to articulate APC’s vision with clarity, to communicate effectively with our members, and to project our party as a thought leader in Nigerian democracy. In an era where perception shapes politics, the ability to frame our narrative is as vital as the ability to manage our structures.

    My role as a traditional ruler adds another dimension. It grounds me in Nigeria’s cultural realities and gives me grassroots legitimacy. I understand the pulse of our communities, the importance of inclusivity, and the need to bridge modern governance with traditional institutions. This is the kind of leadership that unites rather than divides.

    Equally significant is my history with the APC itself. I was Secretary of the defunct CPC Merger Committee and Co-Secretary of the Joint Inter-Party Merger Committee that negotiated the formation of the APC in 2013. I was there at the inception, helping to craft the framework that brought together diverse political traditions into one formidable party. This experience gives me not only institutional memory but also a deep understanding of the compromises, vision, and unity that birthed APC. It uniquely positions me to safeguard that legacy and strengthen the Secretariat as the engine room of our party.

    Finally, my prior service as National Legal Adviser and Deputy National Secretary of a registered political party equips me with direct experience in party administration. I know the mechanics of Secretariat work, the importance of record-keeping, and the necessity of internal democracy. I am prepared to professionalize APC’s Secretariat, making it a model of efficiency, transparency, and continuity.

    The National Secretary is not just a record keeper; he is the backbone of the party. With my blend of legal expertise, governance experience, anti-corruption leadership, intellectual authority, cultural legitimacy, and foundational role in the creation of APC, I am ready to transform our Secretariat into a hub of credibility and strategic impact.

    As we gather in March 2026, I ask my fellow party members to look beyond politics as usual and embrace a vision of professionalism, integrity, and inclusivity. Together, we can strengthen APC as the true custodian of Nigeria’s democratic future.

  • Obono-Obla Blasts ‘Sad Decline’ of APC in Cross River

    Obono-Obla Blasts ‘Sad Decline’ of APC in Cross River

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter

    Former Special Assistant to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on Prosecution, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has launched a scathing attack on the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, declaring that the party has “degenerated” into the same crisis-ridden state that destroyed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before its 2021 implosion.

    In a strongly worded statement, Obono-Obla lamented that the APC in the state has been infected by what he described as “the worst kind of political virus,” leaving it weakened by internal strife, opportunism and deepening divisions.

    He warned that the ruling party risks repeating the fate that befell the PDP in Cross River between 1999 and 2021, culminating in a mass exodus that reshaped the state’s political landscape.

    According to him, while the APC’s decision to open its doors to defectors was not inherently wrong, poor management of the process has fueled the simmering crisis now threatening the party’s cohesion.

    The former presidential aide recalled the sacrifices made by early opposition figures before the APC’s national victory in 2015, alleging that many endured harassment, victimisation and suppression of their democratic rights under the old order.

    “Those of us who fought valiantly to bring the party to its shores are now treated with ignominy, contempt and scorn,” he said, claiming that loyal foundation members have been sidelined and marginalised.

    Obono-Obla, who said he served as a national officer in one of the legacy parties that merged to form the APC in 2013, expressed shock that he was not recognised as a stakeholder during last week’s APC Local Government Congress in Yakurr.

    He noted that he resigned from the National Executive Committee of his former party to facilitate the 2013 merger and also served as Co-Secretary of the umbrella committee that negotiated the APC’s formation.

    Describing his exclusion from ward-level consideration in Ijiman Town, Ugep Urban, as a “sad commentary,” Obono-Obla warned that the APC in Cross River now stands at a dangerous crossroads.

    He urged the party to urgently rediscover its founding ideals and accord due recognition to loyal members who sacrificed for its emergence, stressing that failure to do so could trigger a repeat of the PDP’s collapse in the state.

  • My Ordeal in Police Custody – Chief Obono-Obla

    Last week, former personal assistant on prosecution to Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla was arrested in Ugep in Yakurr LGA by policemen and detained at the state Police command in Calabar over a petition by a lawmaker, representing Yakurr State constituency, Cyril Omini. In this piece, the traditional chief and senior legal expert, recounts his sordid experience…
    My Ordeal in Police Custody

    By Chief Okoi Obono-Obla

    On Thursday, 19th February 2026, I was walking to my grand uncle’s house at Bikobiko Town in Ugep Urban, Yakurr Local Government Area, to meet Chief Ubi Itam Ettah, who had invited me for a discussion concerning the APC Ward congresses that had taken place in Ugep the previous day.
    Suddenly, I saw five vehicles approaching. Three of them were painted in the colors of the Nigeria Police Force, while the other two were Hilux vehicles without police markings.
    More than ten police officers emerged and, in loud voices, ordered me to enter one of the vehicles. I asked who they were and what I had done, but they commanded me to keep quiet.
    I told them I am a Traditional Ruler and that they should not treat me in such a shabby and horrible manner. Instead, they shoved me violently and bundled me into the vehicle. I was sandwiched between two armed police officers, and one of them ordered me to bring out my hands, after which he handcuffed me. They drove off to an undisclosed destination.
    It was only halfway through the journey that I realized they were probably heading to Calabar. At Akamkpa Local Government Area, they stopped to ease themselves. I requested permission to ease myself as well, but they refused, saying I would have to wait until we reached Calabar. I was compelled to hold myself throughout the three-hour journey, despite the fact that I take high blood pressure medication which requires frequent urination.
    Most importantly, prior to 19th February 2026, the Nigeria Police Force had never invited me—whether verbally, by phone call, or by SMS—to report to the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State, or to any other police officer in the country concerning the matter for which they abducted me.
    Their actions were carried out in a Gestapo-like manner, reminiscent of Germany during the Third Reich or Nigeria under military rule.
    Upon arrival at the SCID State Police Headquarters, Diamond Hill, Calabar, I was informed that Cyril James Omini, a Member of the Cross River State House of Assembly from my hometown, had petitioned against me over a matter already before the Court since 2020.
    The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Kwali – Gwagwalada, Abuja, had previously ordered the Inspector General of Police on the matter having withdrawn the Charge against me not to bring any other charge or similar charge without the leave of the Court, the Court having dismissed the charge.
    I was detained from about 11:30 a.m. on 19th February 2026 until about 5:00 p.m. on 20th February 2026.
    Conclusion: This experience was not only humiliating but also deeply troubling, as it disregarded both my traditional status and my fundamental rights. It remains a stark reminder of the need for justice, fairness, and respect for human dignity in the enforcement of law.
  • Not in good frame of mind to speak about my husband’s arrest – Obono-Obla’s wife tells journalists 

    Not in good frame of mind to speak about my husband’s arrest – Obono-Obla’s wife tells journalists 

    By BANNERNEWS Reporter
    The wife of social critic and lawyer, Mrs Justina Obono-Obla has told journalists that she was not in the good frame of mind to talk about the arrest of Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla.
    Obono-Obla, a former presidential aide to President Muhammadu Buhari was whisked away from his home in Ijiman community where he is a traditional ruler on Thursday morning.
    She however volunteered that his arrest may be connected with a petition, stating that her concentration first was to have him taken on bail.
     Ijiman youths have been agitated over his arrest since Thursday morning, demanding to know his whereabouts and what led to his arrest.
    But one Mr Iwara Michael, a social media user stated that Obono-Obla was arrested by security agencies led by a Deputy Commissioner of Police.
    But PRO of the state Police command, Eitiokpa Sunday Akata denied knowledge of the arrest.
    In an interview, chairman of Nigeran Bar Association, NBA, in Calabar, Enome J. amatey, Esq said they did not know which agency of government or who whisked their senior colleague away.
     Amatey said, “We’ve heard about his arrest. Unfortunately, we don’t know which agency arrested him. The circumstances are hazy.
    “We only hope for the best, and that his rights will be respected. We hope that he’ll be given fair opportunity to defend himself, access to fair representation.
    “We hope that he’s not held unjustly beyond constitutionally allowed period.”
    He assured that NBA will get full briefing of the facts surrounding his arrest. We’ll ascertain which agency arrested him. If need be, we’ll cause members of our human rights committee to wade into it.”
    There are suspicions that his arrest may be politically motivated, given the fact that Obono-Obla has been social activist and political critic.
  • Decentralising Security: Lessons from Cross River and Edo:

    Decentralising Security: Lessons from Cross River and Edo:

    By Okoi Obono-Obla

    Security in Nigeria is fundamentally a local issue, best addressed through collaborative partnerships between Local Government Areas and their respective state governments. Yet, because many do not fully grasp how federalism works, there is a persistent assumption that the President in Abuja should be directly involved in maintaining local security in communities hundreds of kilometres away. This misconception has led to over-centralisation, politicking, and the weaponisation of insecurity.

    To correct this, policing in Nigeria must be decentralised. It should be removed from the exclusive legislative list and placed on the concurrent list, thereby empowering both states and local governments to take ownership of their security challenges. Such an arrangement would ensure that responses are swift, tailored, and effective.

    The experience of Cross River State under Governor Bassey Otu Edet provides a compelling case study. Before his administration, kidnapping had become a serious and fundamental security and social issue, with Calabar alone recording more than 20 cases daily. The turning point came with the appointment of a retired General as the State Security Adviser and the government’s massive investment in security infrastructure. This strategic approach reduced kidnapping incidents to the barest minimum, restoring calm and stability across the state.

    The Cross River model demonstrates that effective security is best achieved through localised solutions rather than waiting for Abuja. States like Edo should emulate this approach instead of relying on federal intervention, which often becomes bogged down in politics.

    When viewed against the broader African context, Nigeria’s kidnapping statistics reveal an important perspective:

    – Nigeria recorded 3,012 kidnappings between January 2024 and April 2025.
    – Cameroon, particularly in its Anglophone regions, documented about 450 ransom kidnappings in 2023, more than double the 200 cases reported in 2022.
    – South Africa faces a far more severe crisis, with 17,000 kidnapping cases reported in 2024 alone, marking a 260% increase over the past decade.

    These figures show that while Nigeria’s kidnapping problem is serious and requires urgent reforms, it is comparatively less severe than in South Africa, where kidnappings have become a national epidemic, or Cameroon, where conflict-driven abductions are escalating.

    Conclusion:
    Nigeria’s federal structure demands that states take ownership of their security challenges. By decentralising policing and empowering state governments to act decisively, communities can be better protected, and the cycle of insecurity can be broken. The Cross River State example proves that with strong leadership and investment, localised security solutions can succeed. It is time for other states, especially Edo, to follow suit.