The Association of Political Consultants Africa (APCA) has nominated Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, for the 2023 Democracy Award.

In a statement on Thursday, the organisation said the award recognises political leaders who have made significant strides in democratic leadership, development, and governance.

Temitope Lakisokun, APCA chairperson in Nigeria, said Sanwo-Olu has “demonstrated exceptional leadership by building the capacity of state secretaries and improving governance structures within Lagos state”.

She added that his efforts have set a benchmark for effective governance and democratic practices in Nigeria.

The award will be presented at the 7th Africa political summit & diamond awards billed for December 11-14 at Lux Marijani, Zanzibar in Tanzania.

Past recipients of the award include President Bola Tinubu, President William Ruto of Kenya and Abiy Ahmed, prime minister of Ethiopia.

Political leaders, consultants, and stakeholders from across the continent and beyond are expected at the event.

Last week, a video surfaced on various social media platforms, showing how a supposed member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Ikwechegh, emotionally, psychologically and physically assaulted a bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, who had come to deliver a parcel of snail to him, from a client.

In the said video, “Honourable” Alex Ikwechegh, representing Abia North and South at the House of Representative, was seen harassing, threatening and intimidating the less privileged driver, who despite all the shootings and threats to his life, remained calm.

Irked by what he described as the driver’s rude behaviour towards him, the federal lawmaker boasted that he could make the bolt driver dispear without trace and nothing would happen; he even went ahead to ask the driver to call the Inspector General of Police.

What was the driver’s offence? Simply because the lawmaker perceived him to be rude, hence his outburst to a fellow citizen whose social and economic status is at disparity with his. That is the system that we operate and run with, a dysfunctional one for that matter, where every political office holder and “very important personalities”, and the elites see themselves above the law and the law will not hold them accountable for their misdemeanours.

This is not the Nigeria we all yearn for, where intimidation, impunity reign above all other considerations, including constitutionAl provision which guarantees the right to human dignity. The country we all aspire to live as one nation-state and entity is where equity, justice, supersede all other considerations.

The driver’s encounter with the honourable is not a new phenomenon in the Nigerian socio-economic and political space. It cut across all spares of our national life, including private and public sectors. The phrase, “Do you know who I am” is a national lingo crept into the DNAs of most, if not all, Nigerians.

From the usual traffic jams in major cities and towns across the nation, to the shopping mall, down to the streets and filling stations, the spate of attacks on the less privileged Nigerians by these so-called influential elites clearly postulates the arrogance of personality among us, even when it is not needed, a typical Nigerian would want to show off and make the ordinary man feel intimidated.

Honourable Ikwechegh’s case only got to national prominence because of two major factors – his person and office he is occupying and the very fact that the bolt driver recorded the whole unpleasant event and posted it on social media, leading it to go viral.

Alex Ikwechegh has gone down into history as one of those Nigerians who has etched their names as one of the Intimidators, harassers and abusers of human rights and dignity. Sadly, what makes his actions and behaviour quite despicable is that he is of the youthful generation, a generation that has been clamouring for youths empowerment and inclusion in public governance.

The “Do you know who I am” croner has been ducked before a magistrate court in Abuja, for assault, leaving him to lick his wound of pride in disgrace and shame. At least, the bolt driver has shown that calmness and reasoning far outweighs the emotional outburst displayed by Alex Ikwechegh.

There are lessons – he has parted with a large sum of 500,000 Naira as bail funds, two sureties in like sum and I am certain, he will be asked to compensate the victim, Stephen Abuwatseya in financial terms. That is a learning curve for all those who think they can assault the less privileged and get away from it.

All these embarrassments were avoidable if the honourable had been honourable enough to control his emotional outburst, by just simply paying the gentle man bolt driver his professional fee

Emeka Monye Is A Journalist, Works With ARISE NEWS.

Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar in the department of ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre in Kaduna, has been released by her abductors.

Popoola was abducted on December 27, 2023 alongside her husband and nephew, at the senior staff quarters of the eye centre.

While her husband was released in March, following discussions with the abductors, Popoola and her nephew remained in captivity.

In August, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) embarked on a nationwide warning strike over the abduction.

In a statement on Thursday, Omoha Amobi, NARD spokesperson, announced that the doctor has been set free.

“The president, Nigerian Association Of Resident Doctors (NARD ) Dr. Osundara Tope Zenith is filled with immense joy and relief to inform you that Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, our dear colleague and resident doctor from national eye centre Kaduna, who was kidnapped and remained in captivity for more than ten months, has been released and reunited with her family,” the statement reads.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a role in ensuring her safe return.

“The unwavering support, prayers, and contributions of all members and well-wishers have been invaluable in this challenging time.

“Let us continue to support one another as we work towards a safer and more secure environment for all.”

TheCable understands that Popoola’s nephew has also been released.

There have been several abductions by gunmen in Nigeria in recent times.

Days ago, gunmen abducted Thomas Oyode, a reverend father who serves as rector of the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary, Ivhianokpodi, Etsako East LGA of Edo state.

The rector and other priests were observing their evening prayers and benediction on Sunday evening when the incident occurred.