The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has disclosed that his refusal to present his Certificate of Return to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, was not a sign of disrespect.

Aiyedatiwa, who won his reelection last Saturday, was presented his Certificate of Return on Wednesday, at the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja.

After the presentation, Aiyedatiwa led a delegation of Ondo party leadership to meet members of the APC National Working Committee at the party secretariat where they were warmly received.

However, both Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Adelami Olaide, refused to present their certificates to Ganduje as part of the protocol.

Shortly after his delegation met the party leadership, Aiyedatiwa told Saturday PUNCH that they deliberately didn’t present the certificates because they felt the honour should first go to President Bola Tinubu before the NWC.

He said, “I am supposed to first of all present the certificate to Mr President, the leader of this party. But he is not in town. That is why I cannot present the certificate to Mr Chairman first. So, it is not a case of being disrespectful.

“I just believe that is the right thing to do by presenting it to Mr President first of all before coming here. But since I am in Abuja, I had to come. I recognise the leadership that Ganduje has provided for this party at the national and even the state level. Since he took over as the chairman of this party, we have not lost any election.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has spoken out about the ongoing battle with corruption in Nigeria, describing it as a “great monster” that continues to hinder the nation’s progress. He expressed regret that, despite his efforts during his presidency, the pervasive issue of corruption prevented his initiatives from achieving their intended results.

Obasanjo made these comments on Friday while paying tribute at a ceremony marking the life of Justice Olayinka Ayoola (retd.), the former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), who passed away on August 20, 2024, at the age of 90. The memorial was held at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Agodi, in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

Reflecting on the challenges posed by corruption, Obasanjo noted, “Corruption is a significant and destructive force that continues to confront us as a nation. It is not that Justice Ayoola, or the ICPC, did not fulfill their roles; nor is it that I, as the one who appointed him, did not take the necessary actions. The problem lies in the overwhelming pressure exerted by this insidious cancer of corruption.”

The former president also took the opportunity to celebrate the life and contributions of Justice Ayoola, describing him as a remarkable individual. “Today, I stand before you to honor the life of this distinguished man, a great Nigerian, a great African, and a global figure, for the impact he made during his time with us.”

In her tribute, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, urged those in attendance to reflect on their own contributions to society. “We must ask ourselves: What role do we want to play in the world, and how will we be remembered when our time comes?” she said. “Justice Ayoola has left an indelible mark on history. His work has greatly enhanced Nigeria’s reputation, and we will deeply miss his presence. The legacy he leaves behind is one that we should all cherish and uphold.”

The ceremony was attended by several distinguished figures, including the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Hajo Sarki Bello; Justice Akintola Ladiran; Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima; Justices Ogunwumiju, Adamu Jauro, Chidiebere Uwa, and Habeeb Adewale Abiru, as well as other Justices of the Supreme Court. Notable attendees also included Dr. Emmanuel Olanrewaju Ayoola, Ambassador Godwin Adama, Dr. Wale Babalakin, and Mr. Folu Olamiti, former spokesperson for the ICPC.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced that Nigerians will be required to pay for the new multipurpose national identity cards, citing limited government revenue as the primary reason for the decision.

Speaking during a two-day roundtable meeting with journalists in Lagos, Peter Iwegbu, NIMC’s Head of Card Management Services, explained that the government cannot cover the production costs due to financial constraints.

“To ensure efficient distribution and avoid past issues, national identity cards will now be produced only for those who need them and are willing to pay,” Iwegbu stated. He highlighted that during previous efforts to provide free cards, over two million cards were produced but remained uncollected.

Lanre Yusuf, NIMC’s Director of Information Technology, described the free national ID card initiative as a failure. He noted that the new system would ensure a more streamlined process where individuals pay, select a pickup location, and collect their cards without delays.

“Past mistakes taught us that issuing free cards was inefficient. The new model ensures that only those who genuinely need the cards get them,” Yusuf said.

To address concerns about affordability, Yusuf added that the government has introduced programmes to assist underprivileged Nigerians who cannot afford the new ID cards but require them to access government services.

“This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equality, ensuring no one is left behind,” he said.

The NIMC’s new policy marks a significant shift in its approach to distributing national identity cards, prioritizing cost-effectiveness and accountability while introducing measures to support vulnerable populations.