Author: The Nation

In this piece, Ayo Baje highlights the conditions that will guarantee free and fair governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states on November 16.

THE question on the lips of many observers ahead of the November 16 governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states is how well and impartial the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be in its handling of the two contests. Less than two weeks to the elections, the major parties are intensifying their campaigns amidst fear of violence and rigging.

From all indications, the contest in the two is likely to be a two-horse race between the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). For instance, in Kogi State, the incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello is the candidate of the APC, while Musa Wada of the flag bearer of the PDP. In Bayelsa, it is a straight fight between Lyon Pereworimini of the APC and Senator Diri Duoye of the PDP.

In their campaigns, the two parties have been trading accusations bothering on alleged attempts at vote buying, arms build-up and threats of the use of political thugs to cow opponents. Such insinuations are not new; elections in recent times have been characterized by vote-buying and intimidation of political opponents. But, for democratic ethos to be sustained and indeed strengthened, observers believe the people’s votes must count.

INEC has its statutory functions well spelt out in Section15, Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Same is also spelt out in Section 2 of the Electoral Act 2010. The subsisting laws empower INEC to conduct elections into elective political offices. These include executive offices such as that of the president, vice president, governors and their deputies. Also listed are elections into legislative offices such as the Senate and House of Representatives.

Incidentally, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu started his tenure as INEC chairman with the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa, which were declared inconclusive. Following the feats achieved by his predecessor in office, Prof. Attahiru Jega, further improvements in the conduct of elections was expected from Prof. Yakubu. But, controversy has continued to dog some of the elections conducted under his watch. Thus, with the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa, the Yakubu-led INEC has the golden opportunity to redeem its image.

For instance, INEC recently met with the top hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to map out strategies on how to ensure free and fair and peaceful elections in the two states. Both representatives of the NPF and the NSCDC, Kabir Quarzo and Peter Maigeri respectively, have given their assurance to that effect.

Read Also: Kogi 2019: PDP campaign council demands CP’s removal

Similarly, INEC has held its quarterly meeting with political parties to review their performances during the previous elections and to come up with strategies to deal with some challenges identified. Aside from the governorship election, a senatorial election is also scheduled to hold in Kogi West senatorial district, following the recent tribunal nullification of the election of Senator Dino Melaye. Prof. Yakubu said conducting the two polls at the same will help to reduce cost.

After the INEC Chairman’s meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners in Bayelsa and Kogi, Monday Tom and James Apam, there have been assurances that the forthcoming elections will be hitch-free.

Some political affairs analysts believe that under Jega there were some significant improvements. They cite the computerization of the electoral system, the coding of ballot papers, ballot boxes and polling units. Its conduct of governorship polls in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states recorded increasingly fair elections. But it is not yet Uhuru.

For instance, the often delayed updating of the voter register and the distribution of the much-needed permanent voter cards, PVC have been widely criticised. Still, some flaws persist.

There is voter apathy, as was reported with evidence in several states during the recent general elections. Also, the way and manner candidates go about their smear campaigns, couched with outright insults and innuendoes, after signing peace pacts, leaves much to be desired. Mass voter education should be an on-going exercise.

But the real concern is the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Amendment Bill into law. Without it, the wishes of the voters may not be fully expressed. Another critical issue is the desperation of politicians to win and hang on to power at all costs, not to serve the people but because of the mouth-watering apparatchiks of political office.

Prof. Olu Aboluwoye, Chairman, Sunshine Integrity Group (SIG), is a supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State. In this interview with DAMISI OJO, the university don says the detractors of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) cannot stop his second term ambition.

The recent interview granted by the former deputy governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi against Governor Akeredolu and his administration has been generating reactions in the state.What is your reaction to the development?

Frankly speaking, political activities of former deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi in the last  20 years in Ondo State have become a major piece of materials for researchers. Not a few observers of political events in the Sunshine State have been wondering why the former deputy governor is always interested in pulling down democratic government legally put in place by majority of voters in the state.

At a time political observers expect the self-styled leader of Akokoland to be grooming young men and women for purposeful leadership positions with the sole aim of contributing to the development of their fatherland,  Alhaji Ali Olanusi has found pleasure in dissipating energy to mislead, misinform,  brainwash and instigate peaceful members of the public against the democratically elected government.

How do you mean?

The people of Ondo State are yet to forget how Alhaji Ali Olanusi betrayed former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu. It was a common knowledge to discerning minds that Alhaji Olanusi surreptitiously gave a spurious pledge to support the administration of the late Dr. Agagu to bring the dividends of good governance to the door steps of the people of the state. But surprisingly, it was not long after the Agagu government kicked off that supporters and admirers of the administration of the late governor realised that Alhaji Olanusi was never  to be taken seriously.

Alhaji Ali Olanusi, without any iota of provocation, chose to be totally blind to Agagu’s transformational agenda and began to recruit people to plan the downfall of Agagu’s government. The former deputy governor, found an ally in Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who was then a minister under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to rubbish, malign and eventually bring down Agagu’s government.

The conspiracy between Alhaji Ali Olanusi and Mimiko soon landed them at the Alagbaka Government House as deputy governor and governor respectfully, following their perceived manipulation of the judiciary that culminated in the sacking of Agagu’s government by the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, the Edo State capital.

Like a structure erected on a false foundation, the pseudo relationship between Mimiko and Alhaji Ali Olanusi soon became suspect. Mimiko forgot to appreciate the sense in elders’ wise saying that “no matter how long a log stays in water, it cannot become a crocodile.’ Mimiko forgot to realise that attempts to bend a dry fish would always be an exercise in futility. He failed to realise that one could only dine and wine with  Alhaji Ali Olanusi with a long spoon, as the pseudo relationship between them became completely battered and ruined.

Unlike the late Dr. Agagu who treated Alhaji Ali Olanusi with kid gloves, Dr. Mimiko could not, under any guise, find any reason why he should overlook him.

What step did ex-Governor Mimiko took against Olanusi then?

He quickly initiated moves to humiliate Olanusi.Within a few days, Mimiko showed Alhaji Ali Olanusi the way out to his Akokoland home through an impeachment process described as unlawful by the competent court of law.

But, the humiliating impeachment did  not go down well with the current Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who supported all the moves to vacate it. Like an helper-angel sent to the former deputy governor whom Akeredolu often respectfully refers to as Pa Ali Olanusi, Akeredolu rehabilitated him and paid about N140,000,000 Mimiko owed him. Akeredolu also ensured that Pa Ali Olanusi was given a membership of the Board of Trustee of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja just to take away the garment of humiliations put on the former deputy governor by Mimiko.It should be noted that Akeredolu rehabilitated and dressed Pa Ali Olanusi in a garment of honour.

But, thereafter?

No serious minded fellow was surprised recently when Olanusi went out to throw mud at Governor Akeredolu who political observers have  described as the former deputy governor’s political messiah.

What is the your advice to the people?

On behalf of the good development-desiring people of Ondo State, Sunshine Integrity Group, and lovers of progressive politics and progress across the country and beyond, Akeredolu should be undeterred in his manifest and demonstrative commitment to develop the land and people of Ondo State. As we build more capacity, network and collaboration across all the major constructively reliable divides, we call on the dear people of the State to be wary of all self-serving and seeking individuals who would want to mislead them at all costs.

Like the saying goes, the future offers more great possibilities in the agenda of building a new virile all-inclusive Ondo State.

Former Imo State Governor and Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Rochas Okorocha, was in Kano last weekend for a wedding ceremony. He also used the opportunity to confer with the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11, and Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. He spoke with reporters on the crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other partisan issues. KOLADE ADEYEMI was there.

What is your mission to Kano?

I am in Kano to see Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, a friend of mine and a longtime colleague. We both attended a wedding at the Emir’s Palace which also gave me the opportunity to meet with the Emir of Kano to exchange pleasantries.

There has been clamour for a president of Igbo extraction in 2023. As a major stakeholder, what is your opinion on it?

I don’t think there is anything called Igbo presidency in Nigeria. We don’t have such nomenclature. What we have is Nigeria presidency. So, you can’t have an Igbo presidency. What you should now be asking should be, prospects of a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction 2023. If that is the question you are asking, I will tell you that the Southeast is part and parcel of this country. It is possible to have a Nigeria president from the Igbo extraction and there is nothing wrong for people from other ethnic groups contesting. We have come to a very crucial moment in our nation’s political history. I want to say that the sentiment of where you come from should not determine the position you are holding in this country. Rather, we should start thinking about people who have something up-stairs; and who can afford to sustain democracy and development in this country. We have a lot of them in Igbo land, so you cannot just be a president, because you want to be a president. You want to be a president because you can guarantee security; and you can bring about harmonious co-relationship among the various ethnic groups. You can put food on table of Nigerians and also create job for the youths. This is what should be the criteria of politics in Nigeria, and not where you come from. Over the years, we have been in this situation of where you come from to determine what position you hold and that has not produced the best of results. So, we must be thinking of people who have the capacity and capability of handling the affairs of this nation and make it the giant of Africa that it should be. If it is on that note, then, I agree with everybody that we need a president that is for all Nigerians.

Why do you think people use the nomenclature ‘Igbo presidency’?

You see, the other challenge you have is that most of the time, we have allowed primordial sentiments to control the political atmosphere of this country and that has not yielded a positive result. At this point in time, let us look for credible people be it local government chairman, state and federal lawmakers, we need credible people to occupy political positions.

You must have been following the protracted feud between the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, and Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki. What does such crisis portend for the APC?

Well, a political party should be a group of people who share common political interests and beliefs. A party should be made of people who pursue a common goal or common objective for the good of the common man. That will be my understanding of a political party, but any political party that is full of internal crisis is no longer a political party in the real sense of it. The crisis shows that the party does not have a common ideology. If the ideology is one and you believe in one thing, there should be no reason for disagreement at that level. You might have a minor disagreement, but when it comes to the issue of do-or-die, it is no longer a political party. So, let us see what we can do in this country to redefine what we mean by internal democracy. This is why people have options; this is why we don’t believe in one party system. We must have different political parties and identify the one that is in line with your vision, the one that is line with your political belief. What has been our challenge in Nigeria is that we don’t really have a common vision and common ideology for our political parties. So, it is just what we call Agidi and Goro combination. People come with different beliefs, meet up in one place and form a political party. So, until we have such a political party that is more like a family in their belief, then we are still growing our democracy. Talking about what is happening in Edo State, it is unfortunate but a true political party cannot work against itself. So, I want to advise that they reconcile and relax their differences. The truth is that a party that is divided can never stand.

Some political pundits have expressed the fear that the APC may implode. Do you entertain such fears?

Well, I have said this earlier, the APC is a party that we hurriedly put together when we were governors, because we felt that the government at the centre at that time was not living up to expectation and we wanted to make sure that we brought about change at that time. That is why we came together and formed the APC and we ensured that the party got power in 2015. That was how it was then and we achieved that. Right now, I think we should continue with the same pace that we started with in 2015 election, but that isn’t seem to be the case. President Muhammadu Buhari gave character to the APC. He brought his integrity to bear on the party. He made the party what it is in the northern part of the country and the masses of the North saw him as a true leader, and we all rode on that to achieve that victory. But, after the credibility Buhari brought into this party. There seem to be no alternative in the same manner that will drive this party to 2023 victory. This is why I expressed my concern that if we are not very careful, the APC might go with Buhari in 2023 and that will be a very unfortunate for the founding fathers of the APC. The party needs to show purposeful leadership and character.

Why does insecurity still persist?

Indeed, it is worrisome that what started like a mere security challenge has taken a different dimension. It is unfortunate that we are getting deeper into the problem which ought not to be. There are many factors that could lead to the present security situation. Most people argue that poverty and insecurity are twin brothers. Illiteracy also plays its own ugly role. People seem not to understand their environment and what they need to do. Nigeria is not the only country where you have insecurity. It seems to be a global issue, because insecurity is everywhere in the world. The only thing left for now is to change our style, because it is as if we have adopted a bad method of fighting crime and it is giving results in arithmetic progression, we need to change to a style that will give us result in a geometrical progression. We need to eradicate insurgency as quickly as possible. So, we need to change our style. So, time has come for us to bring about new ideas to tackle security challenges in the country.

What is your take on the border closure by the Federal Government?

Well, the border closure has become a very serious issue. But what I don’t know is whether we are achieving results on the intention for border closure, because we have more than 3000 entry points into the country. If we close the border, what have we done with some other bushes that surround Cotonou, Cameroon and other places? I think border closure means that we should begin to look inwards on better ways to feed ourselves. By creating that kind of atmosphere, people will now begin to understand why we should be self-reliant and ensure food security. Any time you see us eat a bag of rice produced in China, it simply means that you have created jobs for people in China, while we are here as a consuming nation.  So, whether we want to face this now or later, we must pay this price, either by this generation or the generation to come. To say so means that there is nothing wrong in encouraging local production. What I consider a dangerous trend is that if you travel from Sokoto to Kano, Lagos, Owerri, Ogun and Ondo and see any smoke coming out from the roof, that smoke is not a smoke for production, it is a smoke for consumption. It is either the smoke for pepper soup or smoke for fried fish or smoke for jollof rice. This nation for too long has been a consuming nation and not a productive nation.

This also has made our own problems more worrisome, because we are not economically independent. We depend on other countries for virtually everything that we eat and use; and that is not good for our youths and the generation yet unborn. So, border closure is a creation of awareness for us to begin to consume what we produce. So, we should take more practical approach in ensuring that we encourage the youths and the people to look inwards and produce those things that we import.