By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
  • Home
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    United Nations
    4th International Conference On Financing For Development Delivers Renewed Hope And Action For Sustainable Development
    3 months ago
    The African Development Bank and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) scale up drive for sustainable urbanization in Africa
    AfDB, UN-Habitat Scale Up Drive For Sustainable Urbanisation In Africa
    3 months ago
    UN
    North Africa: Green Climate Fund Approves Record $300m For FAO-designed Projects In Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, The Sahel
    3 months ago
    UNICEF
    How Wars Across Middle East, North Africa Affecting Children – UNICEF
    3 months ago
    UNDP
    UN Development Programme Welcomes Historic Deal On Sustainable Development Even Amidst Global Turmoil
    3 months ago
  • Africa
    Africa
    Show More
    Top News
    President Ruto Rallies Kenyans To Move Nation Forward
    3 years ago
    Tanzania: United Nations Steps Up Efforts To Build Climate Resilience
    2 years ago
    Amnesty
    Stop Crackdown On Opposition, Amnesty Warns Tanzanian Govt
    2 years ago
    Latest News
     South Africa’s Think 20: Experts Address How Africa Can Bridge Digital Divide And Achieving Financial Inclusion
    1 week ago
    U.S. Africa Command Commander Visits West Africa, Underscores Partnership In Addressing Evolving Terrorism Threat
    2 weeks ago
    West Africa Regional Preparatory Workshop For COP30 On Climate Change Opens In Dakar
    2 weeks ago
    Systemic Racism Against Africans And People Of African Descent In Criminal Justice Systems Is Pervasive
    2 weeks ago
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    Tinubu’s Ambition Suffers Setback, As Coalition Of APC Groups Shift Support To Atiku/Okowa Presidency 2023
    3 years ago
    PAN Chief Congratulates Akwa Ibom Governor-Elect, Says He’s Inspiration To Persons Living With Albinism 
    3 years ago
    Rejected Nominees: Lagos Assembly Action Was In Order, Obasa Declares
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    EU, ADC Parley: Calls for Electoral Reforms To Guarantee Free, Fair, Credible Polls In Nigeria
    2 days ago
    NSC Chairman To Engage With Youth And Sports Stakeholders At The Nest Centre
    2 months ago
    Edo District Bye-election: SDP Candidate, Hon. Isidahomhen Promises To Pursue Best Interest Of Esanland 
    2 months ago
    PHOTOS: Vinod Obasa Takes Oath Of Office
    2 months ago
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
    News
    Show More
    Top News
    Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Begins Construction Of First Flyover In Akure
    2 years ago
    Celebration Of Life: Reverend Adewumi Jegede Of Later House Of God Assembly Buried Amid Pomp
    1 year ago
    Pa Abdulfatah Amoo Ayanwale
    Pa Ayanwale Dies At 76, Fidau Prayers Holds 8 August
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Anambra Traditional Ruler For Burial 9 October
    3 days ago
    Lagos Hosts Eko Skills Development Initiative For Youths
    5 days ago
    October 1: Nationhood Must Translate Into Better Living Conditions For Nigerians, CAPPA Tells FG
    6 days ago
    EX-APC Chairman Sad Over Bandit Killings In Oke-Ode And Other Parts Of Kwara 
    1 week ago
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
    Entertainment
    Show More
    Top News
    Keep Up With Gripping Story Of ‘The Rishantes’ Showing On GOtv 
    3 years ago
    DStv Media Sales – MIPAN Conference Explores Role Of Video Content In Building Brand Loyalty
    2 years ago
    Sporting Lagos Beat Remo Stars To Emerge Naija Super 8 Champions
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    GOtv Stream vs. Traditional TV: Why Viewers Are Loving the Flexibility
    2 weeks ago
    Securing Africa’s Digital Future: Entertainment in Safe Hands
    2 weeks ago
    BBNaija S10: Joanna, Mide, and Isabella Clash as Denari and Tracy Exit the House
    3 weeks ago
    Akamai Adaptive Media Player 2: Bitmovin And Akamai Set New Streaming Standard
    4 weeks ago
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    NCC, NICO To Leverage Telecom Channels To Promote Nigerian Cultural Heritage
    1 year ago
    LENT 2023: Nigerians Knocking On Heaven’s Door By Bishop Emmanuel Badejo
    3 years ago
    Happiness
    Eight Ways To Stay Happier In 2025, According To Science
    9 months ago
    Latest News
    Ambassador Raffy Bello Greets Imperial Majesty, Ooni Enitan-Ogunwusi, As Olojo Festival Begins In Ile-Ife
    2 weeks ago
    Preserving African Culture: Polaris Bank , Chivita, And Danone Support CIKDAS’ Youth Literary Initiative
    1 month ago
    Nigeria, Switzerland Takes Major Steps Towards Repatriation Of Artifacts And Cultural Cooperation
    1 month ago
    Archbishop Ugorji Hails St. Helen’s Choir As One of the Best Choirs in Owerri Archdiocese
    1 month ago
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
    BusinessShow More
    Unity Bank Shareholders Approve Merger With Providus Bank
    1 week ago
    Yomi Joseph Digital Pr Launches 360° Marketing Solutions To Transform Brands Into Industry Leaders
    2 weeks ago
    Gov Abiodun Showcases Ogun Investment Opportunities At AfCFTA In Algeria
    4 weeks ago
    Intra-African Trade Fair
    Nigeria To Host Intra-African Trade Fair In 2027
    4 weeks ago
    Bank of Agriculture
    How Nigeria-Brazil Pact Will Boost Agricultural Investment, Food Security – BOA
    1 month ago
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    South Africa’s Cannabis Growers In Pondoland Left Behind By Legalisation Plans
    3 years ago
    WHO
    WHO Expands Health Services Support For Vulnerable Populations In Nigeria’s Northeast
    3 years ago
    trachoma
    WHO Commends Benin, Mali For Eliminating Trachoma As Public Health Problem
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    2025 World Pharmacist Day: Lagos Takes Healthcare To Ikorodu Communities
    7 days ago
    World Heart Day: Adopt Healthy Food Policies, CAPPA Tasks FG, States
    1 week ago
    Lagos Takes Fight Against HIV To Communities
    1 week ago
    Nigeria’s Health Financing: Lessons From Canada’s $32.5bn Tobacco Settlement
    2 weeks ago
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Reading: Prof Nnenna Oti: How Buhari Loves Them By Femi Adesina
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
Aa
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
  • Politics
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Health
  • More
Search
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
  • Health
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Independent News Express > Blog > Opinion > Prof Nnenna Oti: How Buhari Loves Them By Femi Adesina
Opinion

Prof Nnenna Oti: How Buhari Loves Them By Femi Adesina

Last updated: 2023/04/06 at 9:08 PM
3 years ago
Share
SHARE

There’s a striking similitude between what happened in the gubernatorial election in Ekiti State in 2009, and Abia State in 2023. And two women were at the center of it all, talking Christianity and conscience. But the denouement of the events were in sharp contrast.

Engineer Segun Oni of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Dr Kayode Fayemi of the Action Congress (AC) were squaring up to become Governor in a keenly contested race. Only one local government area, Ido Osi, would determine the victor.

Fayemi was leading with over 10,000 votes, when suddenly the PDP manufactured about 16,000 from Ido Osi. Holy Moses! People screamed blue murder. Daylight robbery. But PDP claimed it was where their candidate hailed from, so the votes were genuine.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Then entered Madam Ayoka Adebayo, the 74-year-old Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC). Despite threats, coercion, intimidation and other sleight of hand, she said a resounding no. She stood her ground, and told the country:

“My conscience as a Christian will not allow me to further participate in this process.”

She reportedly first resigned, but was summoned to Abuja to meet the then Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Maurice Iwu. Only God knows what went down, but Madam Ayoka’s Christian conscience could no longer stand, and she returned to Ado Ekiti to announce Oni of PDP as winner of the election. She had admitted the rogue figures from Ido Osi local government area, and it took a legal battle for Fayemi of AC to regain his purloined mandate months later.

Now see what happened in Abia State at last month’s gubernatorial election. Alex Otti of Labour Party was comfortably leading Okey Ahiwe of the PDP, when final results came from Obingwa local government area. The figures brought were so outrageous that Otti of Labour Party would have been easily knocked off his perch. Jumping Jehoshaphat! Robbery at dawn.

The people said no. Labour Party cried foul. But the decision was with the REC, Prof Nnenna Oti (not a relation of the Labour Party’s candidate. She hails from Ebonyi State).

Prof Oti is Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), drafted into the election business like her counterparts round the country. What would she do? Another Christian conscience about to be torpedoed? All eyes were on Abia State and her REC. Collation was suspended, and the results were taken to Abuja for review by National office of INEC.

But Prof Oti had made her position clear in the unfolding saga. She said: “I shall stand squarely and unapologetically on these principles. The people’s votes and mandate shall stand. The pastor and the mother in me will not permit me to do anything that will adversely affect the future of our children.” Impressive. Inspiring.

Hours turned to days, as INEC in Abuja scrutinized the figures from Obingwa with a magnifying glass. At the end, rogue votes were weeded out, and genuine ones admitted. And Prof Oti declared Otti as winner. He scored 175, 467 votes, compared to 88,529 scored by Ahiwe of the PDP. And to think that truth would have been murdered on the altar of those fake votes from Obingwa. And the supposed winner and his party would have gone to church a week later for thanksgiving. Simply astounding.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people, says the Good Book. What if Abia didn’t have a REC of sterling conviction like Prof Oti? An impostor would have been parading as Governor-elect in the State now.

During a hero’s welcome she received at FUTO on return home, Prof Oti said: “I have never in my life participated in an election. But duty came calling. I made enquiries from Abuja, and I said ‘if I perish, I perish.’

“They came with their threats, they came with their money, they came with their intimidation, I remained unshakable.

“I didn’t start today. I stand here before God and Jesus Christ. I have never defrauded anyone. Under me, votes must count, under me, the people’s mandate must be upheld.”

This position by the erudite professor, a First Class graduate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, reminds me of the challenge the biblical Samuel gave to the people of Israel, as he anointed a king to rule over them: “Witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken; or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? Or of whom have I taken a ransom to blind my eyes? And I will restore it to you” (1 Samuel 12:3). How I wish more Nigerian public office holders can confidently say this.


President Buhari loves people like Prof Oti. That was how he found integrity in Prof Dora Akunyili (May God rest her soul), and he brought her into national limelight through the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) that he headed then. Many other people has he also appointed into positions, simply because they showed capacity, coupled with integrity. That is what he wants for our country.

Prof Oti has been applauded and appreciated for her courage, fairness and integrity. But that is just the beginning. Something tells me that she will still further be garlanded. May God give us more of her type. Amen and amen.

*Adesina is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari

You Might Also Like

Nigeria’s Health Financing: Lessons From Canada’s $32.5bn Tobacco Settlement

Nepal Bloodshed: Of Nigeria’s Big Masquerades And Gọntọ By Festus Adedayo

Maintaining African Neutrality In Ukraine Crisis

How schemers In The Presidency And Information Ministry Misled Tinubu To Remove Pedro As NTA DG And Recall Dembos

Makinde’s Rising Profile: Can Oyo Governor Lead PDP’s 2027 Presidential Charge?

TAGGED: Prof Nnenna Oti
INadminNG April 6, 2023 April 6, 2023
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Telegram Email Print
Previous Article FC Bayern Youth Cup Nigeria 2023 Opens Registration
Next Article Lagos SWAN Celebrates Members With Easter/Ramadan Palliative
about us

Independent News Express (iNews Express), a publication of 4Ds Nigeria Limited, is birthed out of the desires of the founding fathers to report News as it is.

We value Professionalism, Excellence, Service, Creativity and Integrity.

The Company

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy

Quick Links

  • Advertise with us
  • Newsletters
  • Deal

Categories

Find Us on Socials

© Independent News Express. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?