Bricache Intelligence

  By Dr. Oniovokukor Bright When evaluating Nigeria ’s development, it’s easy to focus on individual politicians or leaders. However, this approach overlooks a crucial factor: the system . A functional system that delivers results depends not only on having the right people but also on doing the right things consistently. The Limitations of Personality-Driven Politics In Nigeria, political discourse often revolves around prominent figures, with citizens praising or criticizing leaders based on personal charisma, regional identity, or campaign promises.  While individual leaders can undoubtedly influence a country’s direction, they are not the sole determinants of progress. A system that relies heavily on personalities rather than institutions leads to inconsistent governance where progress depends on the tenure of specific leaders rather than on sustained policies and practices. The Power of Systems A system encompasses the rules, regulations, and institutions tha...

The ongoing recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan presents a crucial test of the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) integrity. INEC's integrity has been questioned in the past, and this recall process will be a significant milestone for Nigeria's democracy. The Recall Process Recalling a Senator or House of Representatives member in Nigeria involves a multi-step process: Step 1: Petition: More than half of the registered voters in the Senator's or House of Representatives member's constituency must sign a petition, alleging their loss of confidence in the member. Step 2: Submission to INEC: The petition is submitted to the Chairman of INEC. Step 3: Verification: INEC verifies the signatures on the petition to ensure they meet the required threshold. Step 4: Notification: If the petition is valid, INEC notifies the Senator or House of Representatives member. Step 5: Public Notice: INEC issues a public notice stating the date, time, and loc...

Fresh concerns have emerged over the declaration of a state of emergency, with a video surfacing on social media showing former President Olusegun Obasanjo accusing House of Representatives members of collecting bribes to support the declaration. Various groups and stakeholders have widely condemned the state of emergency, with the South-South Zone of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room releasing a press statement criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's action. The accusation raises questions about the oversight function of federal legislators, who are supposed to protect the Constitution and the interests of all Nigerians, not just a select few. As condemnation grows and citizens express their discontent, it is expected that a President who respects democracy and the rule of law would reconsider the decision in the best interest of the people.   In the video a perceived House of Representatives member was trying to debunk the claim, but given former President Obasan...

 The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, a coalition of over 200 civil society organizations dedicated to promoting credible elections and governance in Nigeria, has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. This move has raised critical concerns about the limits of executive power and the protection of democratic institutions in Nigeria. The South-South Zone of the Situation Room issued the statement from Benin City, signed by Dr. Jude Obasanmi, the South-South Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Bright Oniovokukor from the Indomitable Youths Organization, and other stakeholders. The group expressed strong reservations about the President's decision, which appears to exceed his constitutional authority and undermine the principles of federalism. They argued that the President's declaration contravenes the Nigerian Constitution, undermining federalism and the separation of powers. The suspension of elected officials and impos...

  FINAL EPISODE PRESS RELEASE Stakeholders have continued to meet and interact on the  Rally for Peaceful Election  platform. The interactive sessions focused on  Emerging Threats to Peace before, during and after the 2023 General Elections in South-South Region, Nigeria.  We had ten (10) weekly episodes from 19 th  January – 23 rd  March, 2023. We sincerely appreciate the discussants that were majorly drawn from the South-South States in addition to those outside the region and in diaspora. The 10 episodes held availed participants the opportunity to analyze many issues before and briefly after the elections across the South-South Zone in particular and the Country in general. However, we are quite aware that many post-election issues have arisen, many more may arise and the standpoint still remains that peace is the only way to peace.      In the course of our discussions, we were able to identify some of the threats that emerged...

  PRESS RELEASE   Stakeholders have continued to meet and interact on the Rally for Peaceful Election platform. We focused on Emerging Threats to Peace in 2023 General Elections, South-South, Nigeria. We had six (6) episodes before the Presidential and National Assembly elections with discussants drawn from the following States Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Edo States. Our focus remained peace before, during and after the elections. During the 7 th episode, we had the opportunity to analyze the elections that held on February 25 th , 2023 across the country. We observed that some of the emerging threats identified during the course of discussion came bare. Some of these threats included but not limited to effect of poor voters education, intimidation of various forms, inability to locate new polling units, inability of eligible voters to get their PVC, poor logistic arrangement, sabotaging the BVAS etc. We must commend Nigerians for their peaceful conduct de...

IMMEDIATE RELEASE   We have come to terms to understand that the only way to peace is peace and it is the responsibility of everyone to contribute their quota towards this peace. We have recognized the key actors in the 2023 General Elections to include but no,     t limited to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Law Enforcement Agents (LEA), the Political Parties and their Candidates, the Civil Society Actors, the Citizens/Masses/ Intending Voters, the Journalists and other Media Agents, The Private Business Sector and the Religious/Traditional institutions. On a one hour weekly basis, Stakeholders have been meeting and interacting on the Rally for Peaceful Election platform. The focus was on Emerging Threats to Peace in 2023 General Elections, South-South, Nigeria. We have had six (6) episodes with discussants drawn from the following States so far Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Edo while the next week episode will focus on Rivers Stat...

  EPISODE 3 ON THURSDAY 2ND FEBRUARY, 2023 (10AM - 11AM) Discussion: Emerging Threats To Peace in 2023 General Elections, South-South, Nigeria. State in Focus: Bayelsa   Introduction: The only way to peace is peace and it is the responsibility of everyone to contribute their quota towards peace. Bayelsa is located in the South-South Region of Nigeria with a larger portion being on water (70%) and the remaining (30%) land; it has eight (8) local government areas. The key actors in the 2023 General Elections were identified as:   1.       Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 2.       The Law Enforcement Agents (LEA) 3.       The Political Parties and their Candidates 4.       The Civil Society Actors 5.       The Citizens/Masses/ Intending Voters 6.       The Journalists and other Media Agent...