'How democracies die: what history reveals about our future' by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt

Sometimes democracy dies with a bang. A coup d'état that brings down the government. A march on the capital, as martial law is declared and the state media is taken over. This is the way it usually happens in films and television programmes. Quickly and forcefully. But more often, democracies die slowly. In plain sight, at the hands of elected officials. Through the gradual erosion of political norms and institutions, as detailed in the new book by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt – How democracies die: what history reveals about our future. The authors argue that history does not repeat itself, it rhymes. By examining history and looking at the patterns we can find the rhymes that signpost creeping authoritarianism – the threats to the checks and balances that are supposed to prevent the election of demagogues. For Levitsky and Ziblatt, "democratic backsliding today begins at the ballot box." The four main indicators to look out for are: Rejection of (or weak commitment to) the democratic rules of the game Denial of the legitimacy of political opponents Toleration or encouragement of violence Readiness to curtail the civil liberties of opponents, including the media Levitsky and Ziblatt provide examples from history of how to act in cases like this. Sometimes you have to work with people you are ideologically opposed to in order to preserve democratic ideals, as was the case in Belgium and Finland in the 1930s, we are told. Given the current political climate, the global rise in populist extremist parties and hyper-nationalism, this book is a timely reminder that democracies do not always die in darkness. Sometimes they die with the lights on, by people elected through democratic means. But by examining history we can gain insight into measures each of us can take to protect our democratic rights. "Protecting our democracy requires more than fright and outrage. We must be humble and bold. We must learn from other countries to see the warning signs, and recognise the false alarms (…) and we must see how citizens have risen to meet the great democratic crises of the past, overcoming their own deep-seated divisions to avert breakdown." If you would like to read this book it is available at the Council Library and can be requested via Eureka. About the authors: Steven Levitsky is Professor of Government at Harvard University. His research and teaching focus on political parties, democracy and authoritarianism and weak and informal institutions in Latin America and across the developing world. He is the author of two books: Competitive Authoritarianism and Informal Institutions and Democracy. Daniel Ziblatt, also Professor of Government at Harvard University, is a leading authority on contemporary Europe and democracy and authoritarianism in Europe from the 19th century to the present. He is the author of Structuring the State and Conservative Political Parties and the Birth of Modern Democracy in Europe. This publication does not necessarily represent the positions, policies or opinions of the Council of the European Union or the European Council. The contents are the sole responsibility of the authors. The Council library is located in the Justus Lipsius building, at JL 02 GH, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175, 1048 Brussels (Froissart entrance) – opening hours Monday to Friday 10.00 – 16.00. It is open to all staff of the Council of the European Union and the European Council, trainees, permanent representations of member states, staff of other EU institutions and bodies, and researchers and students upon request. Access to some library holdings may be restricted to on-site consultation.

EXCLUSIVE: Senator Stella Oduah Abandons Claims Of Having Degrees, NYSC Certificate, Submits Secondary School-leaving Certificate With Only 2 Passes In Recent Affidavit To Electoral Body, INEC

From the latest affidavit submitted by Oduah to INEC on June 24, 2022, the senator who had claimed to have degrees and the National Youth Service Corps certificate, submitted a senior secondary school leaving certificate with only two passes. BY SAHARAREPORTERS, A former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah has altered some of the personal information she submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2022 from the one submitted in 2018. From the latest affidavit submitted by Oduah to INEC on June 24, 2022, the senator who had claimed to have degrees and the National Youth Service Corps certificate, submitted a senior secondary school leaving certificate with only two passes. The National Youth Service Corps had disclosed that Senator Oduah, representing Anambra North in the National Assembly, did not complete the mandatory one-year NYSC programme. This was disclosed in a letter, marked NYSC/DHQ/PPRU/783/Vol III. The letter was in response to an inquiry made by a group known as the Concerned Anambra North PDP Stakeholders. The group had written to the NYSC, alleging that some officials of the agency colluded with Oduah to bury the truth. The NYSC responded through a letter by the Director-General of the programme, which was signed on his behalf by the Director of Press and Public Relations. The agency said Oduah commenced her NYSC programme in 1982 but absconded. Oduah swiftly reacted in the letter addressed to the Director-General, NYSC and titled, “48 Hours Notice to Retract Your Statement as Contained in Your Letter Dated 24th May 2022 Ref No. NYSC/DHQ/PPRU/783/VOL 111”. In the letter signed by Ezennia Nonso Chukwudebe, Director, Media and Publicity for Oduah, the senator described the statement made by the NYSC as reckless. She gave NYSC “48 hours to retract your statement failing which legal actions shall be commenced against you.” Meanwhile, in a signed affidavit Oduah submitted to INEC on October 18, 2018, ahead of the 2019 general elections, exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters on Sunday, the lawmaker claimed she has a BSc in Business Administration and attended St. Paul’s College Lawrenceville, Virginia, USA from 1978-1982. In the document, she noted that she attended St John’s Primary School, Odoakpu, Onitsha, Anambra from 1969 – 1973 and Zixton Secondary School, Ozubulu, Anambra State from 1973 -1978. But in the recent affidavit in support of personal particulars submitted to the electoral body, INEC, on June 14, 2022, Oduah has carefully abandoned claims that she has a BSc in Business Administration and attended St. Paul’s College Lawrenceville, Virginia, USA from 1978-1982. The lawmaker only claimed she attended primary and secondary schools, obtaining just FSLC (First School Leaving Certificate) and GCE (General Certificate of Education) in 1973 and 1978 respectively. Nothing was filled in the space for higher qualifications. Oduah attached a copy of her GCE result issued in June 1978 in which she only had passes in Mathematics and Commerce, which were the two subjects recorded for her on the Ordinary Level, West African Examinations Council GCE for June 1978. A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Casmir I. Ajulu, had called on Oduah to withdraw from the 2023 senatorial race following the certificate forgery allegation against her. Ajulu, who is a founding member and convener of PDP in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State asked Oduah to emulate former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun. Adeosun resigned in 2018 after the allegation that she tendered a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate as part of her credentials. SaharaReporters had reported that the lawmaker representing Anambra North Senatorial zone did not complete her National Youth Service. The Director-General of the NYSC had said though Oduah was mobilised for the national service in 1982/83 and deployed to Lagos State, she absconded after the orientation and never completed the service. In a statement obtained by SaharaReporters, Ajulu said all relevant documents of the Senator would be forwarded to the National Working Committee of the PDP together with an affidavit verifying the facts contained therein for necessary action. He had said, “From the afore-stated facts, it is not in doubt that Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah committed fraud by claiming that she completed her service year and was issued with NYSC discharge Certificate. She also committed perjury by deposing an affidavit to the effect that she lost her original NYSC discharge Certificate. “By the extant provision of the law, she is estopped from occupying any public office having not participated or obtained exemption letter from the NYSC and having deposed affidavit to the effect that she graduated from a foreign higher Institution with B.Sc. (Business Administration).”

Crude oil theft in Nigeria is “organized crime” – Chevron Nigeria CEO by Chike Olisah

Crude oil theft in Nigeria is organized crime and should be differentiated completely from host community issues. This is according to the Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria/Mid Africa Business Unit, Richard Kennedy who said this in a panel session held at the recently concluded NOG Conference in Abuja. Mr. Kennedy made this remark when he was asked to comment on the host community provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act. Crude Oil Theft is Organized Crime Mr. Kennedy emphasized the need not to confuse the agitations of host communities of oil-producing areas with the spate of crude oil theft being carried out in the area. “From my experience, the issue with crude oil theft should not be confused with host community issues. It is much much much bigger than that. It is completely different from host community issues. Quite frankly it is organized crime.” He also revealed that the level of theft is costing Nigeria millions of dollars daily in lost revenue which could have helped solve our fiscal challenges. “The volume of crude that is being stolen is well beyond comprehension. You can see some of the figures in the press, maybe it’s about 100,000 barrels per day at $100 per barrel and that’s $10 million per day that is being stolen. And NNPC owns 60% while taxes of 85% are paid so it’s a huge loss for the country.” The Group CEO of Oanda, Wale Tinubu also weighed in on the issue at the oil and has summit revealing about 20% of Nigeria’s daily crude production is lost to oil theft. “There has been a 43% reduction in our production from March 2020 to May 2022. We lose almost 20% of our daily crude production to oil thieves and pipeline vandals and 20,000 barrels a day of oil is lost to oil theft. Basically some three million barrels on average yearly is lost to oil theft and pipeline vandalism.” Challenges with oil theft Nigeria has been experiencing some of the worst crude oil theft in its history with millions of dollars lost daily. Several allegations have been made against the ability of security agencies to guard the pipelines. Some have even alleged the complicity of security agencies in the spate of pip theft being experienced. Recently the Chairman of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Gbenga Komolafe, revealed that only about 132 million barrels of the 141 million barrels of oil produced in the first quarter of 2022 were received at export terminals. Komolafe said, “This indicates that over nine million barrels of oil have been lost to crude theft…this equates to a loss of government revenue of approximately $1 billion…in just one quarter,” He added, “This trend poses an existential threat to the oil and gas sector and, by extension, to the Nigerian economy if left unchecked.” Theft of crude oil grew from 103,000 barrels per day in 2021 to 108,000 barrels per day on average in the first quarter of 2022, according to Komolafe.

Japan's longest-serving prime minister Shinzo Abe shot dead - by Abiolapaul

Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe died in hospital on Friday, local media reported, hours after being shot at a political campaign event in an attack condemned as “absolutely unforgivable”. Citing a senior member of Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party, national broadcaster NHK said “former prime minister Abe died at a hospital in Kashihara city, Nara, where he was receiving medical treatment. He was 67.” The death was also reported by other broadcasters as well as the Japanese news agencies Jiji and Kyodo. The assassination of the country’s best-known politician comes despite Japan’s strict gun laws and with campaigning underway ahead of upper house elections on Sunday. Earlier Prime Minister Fumio Kishida abandoned the campaign trail and flew to Tokyo by helicopter where he addressed reporters in a voice that wavered with emotion. “Former prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot in Nara and I have been informed he is in a very grave condition,” he said. “I pray that former prime minister Abe will survive,” he added, condemning “a barbaric act during election campaigning, which is the foundation of democracy.” “It is absolutely unforgivable. I condemn this act in the strongest terms.” The attack came before noon in the country’s western region of Nara, where Abe, 67, had been delivering a stump speech with security present, but spectators able to approach him easily. Footage broadcast by NHK showed him standing on a stage when a man dressed in a grey shirt and brown trousers begins approaching from behind, before drawing something from a bag and firing. At least two shots appear to be fired, each producing a cloud of smoke. As spectators and reporters ducked, a man was shown being tackled to the ground by security. He was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, reports said. Local media identified the man as 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, citing police sources, with several media outlets describing him as a former member of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, the country’s navy. He was wielding a weapon described by local media as a “handmade gun”, and NHK said he told police after his arrest that he “targeted Abe with the intention of killing him”. ‘A Large Bang’ Witnesses at the scene described shock as the political event turned into chaos. “The first shot sounded like a toy bazooka,” a woman told NHK. “He didn’t fall and there was a large bang. The second shot was more visible, you could see the spark and smoke,” she added. “After the second shot, people surrounded him and gave him cardiac massage.” Abe was bleeding from the neck, witnesses said and photographs showed. He was reportedly initially responsive but subsequently lost consciousness. Officials from the local chapter of Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party said there had been no threats before the incident and that his speech had been announced publicly. Kishida said “no decision” had been made on the election, though several parties announced their senior members would halt campaigning in the wake of the attack. The attack prompted international shock. “This is a very, very sad moment,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at a G20 meeting in Bali, saying the United States was “deeply saddened and deeply concerned”. Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha was “very shocked” at Abe’s shooting, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply distressed” by the news. ‘Profoundly Sad And Shocking’ Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, held office in 2006 for one year and again from 2012 to 2020 when he was forced to step down due to the debilitating bowel condition ulcerative colitis. He is a hawkish conservative who pushed for the revision of Japan’s pacifist constitution to recognise the country’s military and has stayed a prominent political figure even after his resignation. Japan has some of the world’s toughest gun-control laws, and annual deaths from firearms in the country of 125 million people are regularly in single figures. Getting a gun licence is a long and complicated process for Japanese citizens, who must first get a recommendation from a shooting association and then undergo strict police checks. Japan has seen “nothing like this for well over 50 to 60 years”, Corey Wallace, an assistant professor at Kanagawa University who focuses on Japanese politics, told AFP. He said the last similar incident was likely the 1960 assassination of Inejiro Asanuma, the leader of the Japan Socialist Party, who was stabbed by a right-wing youth. “But two days before an election, of a (man) who is so prominent… it’s really profoundly sad and shocking.” He noted, too, that Japanese politicians and voters are used to a personal and close-up style of campaigning. “This could really change.”

BREAKING: FG releases identities of 69 fleeing terrorists - by Abiolapaul

The authorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) have released the photographs of 69 inmates, including Boko Haram insurgents and others who escaped from the Kuje Medium Custodial Centre on Tuesday following attacks on the facility by insurgents. But the names of Hamisu Wadume, the notorious kidnap kingpin from Taraba and Boko Haram Commander, Al Barnawi were not in the list. The NCoS authorities were silent on them. Wadume was being detained in connection with the killing of three members of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in a special operation led by embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari. The list which carries the names and photographs of the wanted terrorists and other inmates was the first to be issued by the Service through the office of the Public Relations Officer, Umar Abubakar. It could not be ascertained if the names and faces were that of some Commanders of the insurgents or members of their families. But the NCoS only indicated that they are wanted Boko Haram insurgents and inmates who escaped from the custodial centre on Tuesday night. Amongst the names are Abdulkareem Musa, Abdulsalami Adamu, Abubakar A Habibu, Abubakar M Sadiq, Abubakar Mohammed, Akibu Musa Danjuma, Amodu Omale Salihu, Ismaila Idris Abdullahi. Others are Suleiman Zacharia, Sunday Micheal, Baluye Modu, Adamu Hagola, Ibrahim Musa, Auwal Abubakar, Muktar Umar and Musa Umar, amongst others.

Boris Johnson resigns as British Prime Minister

Embattled UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson agrees to resign Prime Minister Boris Johnson has agreed to resign, his office said Thursday, ending an unprecedented political crisis over his future that has paralyzed Britain's government. An official in Johnson's Downing Street office confirmed the prime minister would announce his resignation later. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not yet been made. Johnson had rebuffed calls by his Cabinet to step down in the wake of ethics scandals. He gave in after more than 40 ministers quit his government and told him to go. It was not immediately clear whether Johnson would stay in office while the Conservative Party chooses a new leader, who will replace him as prime minister. Minutes before the news broke, Treasury chief Nadhim Zahawi called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign just 36 hours after Johnson put him in the job, while another newly appointed Cabinet minister quit her post. Zahawi said Johnson knew "the right thing to do" was to "go now." Zahawi was appointed late Tuesday to replace Rishi Sunak, who resigned saying he could no longer support Johnson after a series of ethics scandals. Education Secretary Michelle Donelan, who was also appointed on Tuesday following the resignation of her predecessor, announced her resignation Thursday morning. Johnson had rejected clamors for his resignation, digging in his heels even as dozens of officials quit and previously loyal allies urge him to go after yet another scandal engulfed his leadership. A group of Johnson's most trusted Cabinet ministers visited him at his office in Downing Street Wednesday, telling him to stand down after losing the trust of his party. But Johnson instead opted to fight for his political career and fired one of the Cabinet officials, Michael Gove, British media reported. It is rare for a prime minister to cling on to office in the face of this much pressure from his Cabinet colleagues. The Guardian's frontpage on Thursday called him "Desperate, deluded." "He's breached the trust that was put in him. He needs to recognise that he no longer has the moral authority to lead. And for him, it's over," Scottish National Party leader Ian Blackford told The Associated Press. Johnson, 58, was known for his knack for wiggling out of tight spots. He remained in power despite allegations that he was too close to party donors, that he protected supporters from bullying and corruption allegations, and that he misled Parliament and was dishonest to the public about government office parties that broke pandemic lockdown rules. But recent disclosures that Johnson knew about sexual misconduct allegations against Chris Pincher, a Conservative lawmaker, before he promoted the man to a senior position turned out to be the last straw. Last week, Pincher resigned as deputy chief whip after complaints he groped two men at a private club. That triggered a series of reports about past allegations leveled against Pincher - and shifting explanations from the government about what Johnson knew when he tapped him for a senior job enforcing party discipline. Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Treasury chief Rishi Sunak resigned within minutes of each other Wednesday over the scandal. The two Cabinet heavyweights were responsible for tackling two of the biggest issues facing Britain - the cost-of-living crisis and COVID-19. Javid captured the mood of many lawmakers when he said Johnson's actions threaten to undermine the integrity of the Conservative Party and the British government. "At some point we have to conclude that enough is enough," he told fellow lawmakers Wednesday. "I believe that point is now."

UK, U.S. Caution Citizens In Nigeria, Declare Parts Of Abuja, 19 States ‘No Go Areas’

U.S. says crimes in Nigeria are endemic throughout the country The United States Embassy in Nigeria has warned its citizens in Nigeria against travelling to some areas of the nation’s capital Abuja just as the United Kingdom (UK) has declared 19 States of the federation as “no go areas” for its citizens resident in the country. The States include Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. The States in which citizens of Western nations should be cautious in travelling to include Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State, Abia and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, and Taraba. The new travelling adversary came amid the Boko Haram terrorists’ sack of the Kuje Medium Security Prison where they freed hundreds of inmates including all their 64 terror comrades being held in the prison. The US Embassy, in a statement titled ‘Abuja FCT prison break near the airport on July 5, 2022,’ described crimes in Nigeria as endemic throughout the country. According to the Embassy: “On the night of July 5, 2022, an attack on Kuje Prison freed a large portion of the estimated 1,000 prisoners. The prison lies approximately 27 miles southwest of the Central Business District. “An increase in crime is expected in and around Abuja. It is recommended that U.S. citizens should maintain a high state of personal security awareness for the next two weeks and avoid unnecessary travel on the airport road. “Crime is endemic throughout Nigeria and tends to spike after dark. Avoiding locations and situations that increase the likelihood of being victimized is the best defence. Avoid displays of valuables and limit nighttime activity. “Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack –including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is focused on unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as: “High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.), hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists, places of worship, schools, parks, shopping malls and markets and public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights). “Actions to take: Be aware of your surroundings, Keep a low profile, carry proper identification, monitor local media for updates, review your personal security plans, always drive with your windows rolled up and the doors locked, and avoid large gatherings and protests, review alternative travel routes in case of unexpected protests or unrest, exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests, always keep the doors to your residence locked, even when at home.”