The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Nigeria will survive this tempest

    Nigeria will survive this tempest

    By Fredrick Nwabufo

    SIR: Nigeria is at a tempestuous crossroads. It will be a failed attempt at casuistry to play down the multi-pronged encumbrances the country is contending with. All is not well. It appears when attention is turned to one problem, another irritation materialises angling for notice. Nigeria has never been this tried and tested by in situ tribulations since the return of democracy in 1999.

    Troubling times. While the country is still held in solitary grief by the violent pursuits of Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers, another deadly insurgency rises, like the sun on its most vexed day, in the southeast. Nigeria is at war on all fronts. The country is like the biblical Israel hedged about by hostile neighbours. However, Nigeria’s case is quite peculiar. Those assaulting the nation are not aliens but citizens born and raised in the country.

    One of the most fragile defence operations to prosecute is that involving the state and its citizens — because in this case the adversary is an insider who blends with the civil population. Also, there are limitations in the application of force in dealing with internal crisis. A government must not be seen to be ruthless against its own people. It is must be seen to be measured in its response to internal threats. An escalation of state force could tick off the alarm of humanitarian agencies and wary citizens. So, it is a tough call dealing with internal conflicts.

    We cannot excuse our own role in this cataclysm. Years of directionless, insensitive, duplicitous and reactionary leadership from the 1960s to date led us down this primrose path. It will be uncharitable to stack up the blame for the parlous state of things on any single Nigerian leader. All the leaders, past and present, have a sizeable share in the blame pile.

    For example, we cannot excuse the disingenuity of those who poisoned Nigeria’s federal structure by abrogating regionalism and foisting a unitary system on the country in the 1960s. We cannot obviate the duplicity of those who created states to be unequal and who carved out portions of the country in a quest for vengeance and native politics in the late 60s; 70s, 80s and 90s. States were not created out of economic viability but for concerns by the prevailing insular interests.

    We cannot also dismiss the underhandedness of those who infected the federal civil service with the virus of corruption and who polluted the political system with the introduction of the presidential system of the government in the 1970s.

    And of course, we cannot consign to oblivion those who palmed off a military document to the nation as constitution in 1999. It took years of cancerous growth and attrition decay to get us here. There is enough blame to go around.

    Nigeria is like a beat-up Danfo at which different drivers take turns. Each driver comes with his own manual and cannibalises the vehicle without care for the passengers on it. The drivers leave with a part of the jalopy at every turn until nothing but the carcass is left. The leaderships over the years have butchered and cut up the country so violently that it will take an outlier to do the healing.

    Really, it is puzzling that some brilliant minds who pontificate on leadership find themselves in government but end up going against everything they once preached. And when they are out of government they return to their pastime of attacking another government and retailing ‘’sound ideas’’. There must be something in government that addles the mind.

    But, Nigeria is not a lost cause. It is salvageable. It will need an outlier to retool the country. The good news is there are many outliers who can provide leadership for the country. Leaders are not in short supply here. There is a need for mass mobilisation of consciences and citizens’ engagement on electoral choices ahead of the 2023 elections. We end up with mediocre leaders because the followership is equally deficient, divided, corrupt, and vacuous.  The task to save Nigeria must not be left to a select group – everyone must put their hands on the wheel.

    Yes, Nigeria needs leadership. A surgeon-leader to perform life-saving debulking; it needs an architect-leader to redesign the structure; it needs a mechanic-leader to rework the engines, and it needs a physician to heal the divided country. It needs an outlier – not messiah.

    Nigeria survived a civil war; it survived militancy; it survived many civil unrests and riots, it will survive this current crisis.

    • Fredrick Nwabufo, fredricknwabufo@yahoo.com

  • The president and medical tourism

    The president and medical tourism

    By Bashir Babagana Mustapha

    SIR: The recent medical tourism embarked upon by President Muhammadu Buhari has expectedly generated lot of uproar among the citizenry. It has stoked fresh debates not just on the status of the nation’s healthcare system, but also about the penchant by our political leaders to seek medical treatment for even minor ailments.

    This is certainly not be the first time President Muhammadu Buhari would undertake such trips. Yet, he must have surprised not a few Nigerians who had thought that the nation had finally closed that chapter when the president will opt for treatment in foreign shores. As it is, many may have finally lost hope on the possible revival of the nation’s health sector under the president’s watch.

    Coincidentally, this is also happening at a time the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, has chosen to embark on strike. And while it may not be constitutionally wrong for the president to travel out of the country for medical reasons, a decision to receive his treatment locally would have raised hopes that the system is actually improving, offering citizens the assurance that things are looking up.

    Understandably, the decay in the nation’s health sector is at the root of the problem. Even here, the expectation is that the president on whose head lies the burden of fixing the situation would at least be seen to offer the citizens hope that things are being done about the deplorable state of the sector.

    We all know that things are difficult. Today, people are faced with unprecedented hunger, insecurity across all states of the federation.

    The questions running in the minds of ordinary Nigerians is – who will bring succor to the health sector, since it appears that the president himself lacks confidence in our healthcare system and our medical practitioners? Does that mean the existing health facilities are meant to cater to the healthcare needs of the ordinary Nigerians only – perhaps on account of their poor standard or what?

    Does the latest development not negate the president’s campaign promise about ending medical tourism? One recalls that the president promised to establish well-equipped, world-class health care facilities if elected.  Why has this not happened?  For how long will the current practice of medical tourism continue?

    If there is anything that the ubiquitous malady of COVID-19 pandemic has taught us, it is how each country should look inwards in the quest to protect their people. This is one lesson that appears to have been lost to our politicians who still look for any available opportunity to hop on the plane for foreign medical check-ups. this

    It’s high time we wake up from our deep slumber and bring about the much-desired development for the betterment of our country.

    • Bashir Babagana Mustapha, University of Maiduguri.
  • Terrorism funders

    Terrorism funders

    Editorial

    When the new Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, promised recently: “I believe that before the rains come you will have witnessed a downward trend in the violence across the country,” little did the average citizen know that the presidency had in its possession a breaking news to announce. Shehu Garba’s statement: “There are a number of people who are currently under arrest, bureaux de change are facilitating money to terrorists. We have already concluded with the UAE on Nigerians who are transferring money to Boko Haram terrorists and this also happens domestically…I tell you that by the time we conclude this investigation, the shocking details will surprise many Nigerians”, constitutes a significant national news.

    Shocked and excited are Nigerians likely to be about the news from the presidency and the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) that the same pool of people funding Boko Haram are also fuelling banditry and kidnapping in the country. Although it is premature to jump in the air about the end news, it is, however, salutary once the government acts on it immediately.

    The announcement from the presidency is encouraging, as belated as it might seem to victims of terrorism and kidnapping. Citizens’ demand for such intelligence is as old as the launch of Boko Haram terrorism. For example, Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, shortly after the bombing of the UN building in Abuja in 2011, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to use all security and intelligence networks at his disposal to unmask the sponsors of the sect.

    And ever since, the media has been emphasising the importance of intelligence in the anti-terror fight. And since six Nigerians were convicted in Abu Dhabi in 2018 for illegal remittance in 2017 of $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria in support of the terrorist group, the call for hardnosed investigation into internal and international sources of funds for terrorism became more strident.

    It is, therefore, significant that the Federal Government has in 2021 successfully followed up on the signal from the UAE trial that sent two Nigerians to life imprisonment, and four to 10 years in jail for illegal remittances to Boko Haram.

    But there are concerns about this important revelation from the presidency that the government ought to pay immediate attention to. How wise is the release of partial information about a very sensitive national threat at a time that investigation is still in progress, especially when no specific names are available to the public? Though the news that those behind Boko Haram are also behind bandits and kidnappers, and perhaps, herdsmen’s violence against farmers may not be particularly strange, citizens are still likely to wonder why the presidency would release such shocking news without identifying any of the people under arrest. With the most important detail about the ongoing investigation — identities of citizens in conspiracy with terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers — still under wraps,  it is crucial for the government to complete the investigation before the news becomes a fertile source of distractions, speculations, and rumour mongering.

    The trauma created by Boko Haram in the past 11 years and tragedy caused for thousands of victims of banditry, kidnapping, and herders’ violence against farmers must be too harrowing for hitherto hidden supporters of agents of destabilization of the country to remain in the dark any day longer. Similarly, the addition of kidnapping and banditry to the list of challenges being funded by invisible agents cannot but continue to worry citizens, should the important investigation become stretched inordinately.

    While congratulating the intelligence services for finding a major missing link in the growth of various forms of terrorism in the country, we urge the Federal Government to complete the ongoing investigation into funding of terrorism and other forms of crim inality, to enable it prosecute such enemies of the nation.

  • As Amotekun operations begin in Ogun

    As Amotekun operations begin in Ogun

    By Bolu Adeosun

    To say the very least, Nigeria is currently at a crossroads security-wise. Only this week, hoodlums invaded the fortress housing the Imo State police command and the Owerri Correctional Centre, setting buildings and vehicles ablaze and freeing inmates. Going by reports, policemen in the southeast geopolitical zone are afraid to put on their uniforms, and attacks on police and military formations are heightening in the South-south, Northwest, Northeast and North-central zones. The North is groaning under the weight of banditry and kidnapping while the Southwest has become the site of ceaseless rampage by nomadic herdsmen who abduct, rape, mutilate and butcher people at will, particularly on farmlands.

    Food insecurity worsens by the day as life becomes nastier, shorter and more brutish. It is therefore trite noting that the reality of the moment has made it imperative for states to look inwards in terms of security network, most especially in the Southwest.

    These are indeed terrible times. At no time in history have the Yoruba witnessed the murderous influx of blood-thirsty herdsmen like the moment. Farmlands have become what the Yoruba call erujeje (palpable fear); they are sites of tragedy. The criminal herders have done a lot of havoc to the psyche of our people; they have made loss of life and property routine. From Oke Ogun to Yewa to Akoko, the story has been the same: every part of the Southwest has felt the pangs of these marauders. Given the kind of constitution that the country operates, restoring normalcy is a big challenge to the chief executive of each state. The unitary constitution that the country currently operates gives states no latitude over the security situation in their domains. It is a fact that military and paramilitary personnel all take instructions from their headquarters in Abuja and not from the governors who are dubiously tagged chief security officers of their respective states. It is a regular complaint that most of the people posted by the police to man specific areas are not familiar with the terrain. Security summersaults are thus routine.

    The foregoing explains why the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun, an initiative by the leadership of the Southwest states, has come to stay. Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State last week while inaugurating the state branch of the outfit, Governor Dapo Abiodun placed the Amotekun phenomenon in perspective. He recalled that at the Southwest Security Summit held on June 25, 2019, in Ibadan, the governments of the six southwest states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti agreed to establish a security outfit to be named Amotekun. The objective of the governors and leaders of the Southwest was the critical need to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in the states, especially with a truly indigenous security agency that understands the terrain. Abiodun therefore submitted that the establishment of the security outfit was part of a holistic approach to addressing insecurity in the Southwest geopolitical zone.

    As he noted, the operatives of the security outfit had been carefully selected and trained to secure lives and properties, while the state government had provided the outfit with vehicles, motorcycles, communication gadgets, technical back-ups and the political will for an effective take-off and efficient operation.

    The governor indeed harped on a very crucial point, namely that the provision of equipment and recruitment of personnel would be a continuous exercise, as the government expected superlative performance from the operatives.

    His words: “Your role is primarily to prevent crime. You are to do this through systematic intelligence gathering and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, especially the security network agencies of other states. Let me at this juncture reiterate and say unequivocally that no part of Ogun will be a safe haven for criminals and criminality in whatever form or guise.”

    Also speaking on the occasion, the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, commended Prince Abiodun on the inauguration, saying that the outfit was set up to complement the work of existing security agencies. Soyinka urged the operatives to be professional in their duties, adding that they must not tamper with the fundamental human rights of citizens. Also speaking, the Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo, noted that the major assignment of any government is to provide adequate security. The Alake lauded Governor Abiodun’s efforts, urging the security outfit to collaborate effectively with other security agencies.

    With Amotekun on board the security train in Ogun, the landscape is expected to change dramatically. With proper linkage with communities and community heads and regular provision of information by the people, criminals will be in for a raw deal in the days ahead. There will of course be the regular attacks from the media mouthpieces of nomadic bloodlust, but it will be in vain. The Amotekun operatives should go about their duties with patriotic fervor and godly demeanour and end the banditry recently witnessed in parts of Yewaland and other places. They should stop the menace of people, including Kabiyesis, being kidnapped and rubbished. In any case, Governor Abiodun’s choice of a retired Commissioner of Police as head of the Ogun outfit shows the importance he attaches to the security of life and property, and the peace and prosperity of the Ogun populace. And also worthy of applause is the quality of people recruited into the outfit, and the equipment provided for them to excel in their admittedly daunting duties. But that can be no surprise given the governor’s record of heavy investment in security agencies in the state in terms of telecommunications, vehicular and other logistic support.

    Happily, the Ogun Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, has promised that the police would work closely with the Amotekun outfit in the area of sharing information and joint operations to send criminals out of the state.

    • Adeosun sent this piece from Mowe, Ogun State.
  • Bella Shmurda queries religious beliefs

    Bella Shmurda queries religious beliefs

    By Adeniyi Adewoyin

    Rave of the moment music act, Bella Shmurda has queried religious beliefs in Nigeria in a series of tweets.

    In what seemed like a rant, the Dagbana republic artist expressed his take on religious celebration while questioning the need to celebrate Easter.

    The musician urged Africans to practice their traditional religion as against Christianity and Islam.

    “Why Easter Sunday, why are we not practicing our religion? Later you go say wan person be gay or lesbian. Your father for church nko? How him Dey take ease him sexual urge? Ahbi him no be human being nii?”, he tweeted.

    Continuing, he tweeted, “Don’t forget Christianity was a jew man tradition, Islam was Arabian tradition, what’s our tradition and where is it? Make sure you hold on to your belief firmly.”

    The singer also accused colonial masters of making Africans ignore their language and culture saying, “They taught us how to read and write their own language! Our own language is now vernacular to us. They made it easier for themselves to fool our fathers! Their language is our official language. Now we’re enslaving ourselves.”

    “Can your parents afford education in the school your pastors built? Independence or sell out. Why sign a treaty for Independence? They transacted business and call it independence. Same people that wrote Thou shall not steal, came to our land and steal from us! They said to love your brothers as your Neighbor or yourself.. why did they take their brothers and neighbors as slaves?

    “Why would pastors accept foreign religion and still use black power, No you can’t do the two E go spoil”.

    Bella Shmurda became popular for his viral song, ‘CashApp’.

  • Don Jazzy: Music deprived me of marriage, love

    Don Jazzy: Music deprived me of marriage, love

    By Gbenga Bada

    Mavins’ record boss and music producer, Don Jazzy has revealed reasons for remaining single after being in the public eye for over a decade.

    In an Instagram post, the former co-owner of defunct Mo’Hits records explained how music had deprived him of settling down to enjoy marital bliss.  “Music became priority instead of my family,” Don Jazzy remarked.

    Explaining how his love and passion for making music ended his two-year marriage, Don Jazzy expressed guilt and regret for failing to keep his marriage and leaving his ex-wife, whom he referred to as a wonderful soul he loved.

    “For so long everyone keeps asking me when am I getting married? Well the truth is almost 18 years ago I was 20 and I got married to my best friend Michelle @yarnstaswitch and it was beautiful. I loved love and I loved marriage. Michelle is soooo beautiful inside and outside with such a soft heart. But then me being so young and full of dreams I went and fucked it up cos I was giving all my time to my Music. We got divorced when I was 22 and it hurt. I am still very much in love with my music and I wouldn’t want to marry another and fuck it up again. So I’m taking my time. Why am I just saying this now?”

    The hit creator also hinted at why he decided to open up on his failed marriage and how his love for music had deprived him of love. “I really like to keep my relationships private actually. Past or present. But I was watching the bounce interview with Ebuka which is almost like a tell-all interview, and I felt bad skipping this huge part of my life. So yeah make una no vex o.”

  • Will APGA’s dominance end in November?

    Will APGA’s dominance end in November?

    The two major opposition parties in Anambra State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) have been boasting that they are going to take over the state on November 6 when it goes to poll for the election of the next governor. Southeast Bureau Chief NWANOSIKE ONU looks at the performance of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state over the years and how it is likely to fare at the polls

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has been in power in Anambra State for close to 16 years. Since the former Governor Peter Obi regained his mandate, from Dr Chris Ngige of the then Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in 2006, no other party has been able to dislodge the APGA.

    Members of the party will always be quick to remind anyone that wants to hear that the APGA is more than just a party, but a “movement” in Anambra State. That appears to be the true position of APGA in Anambra, the only state it controls in the country. The PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been making attempts in the past to take over the control of the state but have find it difficult to dislodge the APGA during elections.

    As the race to pick Governor Willie Obiano’s successor begins, the question is, will the APGA continue its dominance come November 6, 2021, when the people of Anambra will go to the polls to vote for the candidate of their choice? As far as the two major opposition parties in the state, the PDP and the APC are concerned, this year’s governorship election will be the end of the APGA in Anambra.

    But, will the APGA fold its arms and allow such to happen? Observers believe that is not likely. The ruling party, nevertheless, has many rivers to cross to win the contest. Many stakeholders are not happy with the Obiano-led administration, even though it had executed some gigantic projects in the last seven and half years.  Not only that; the governor has been nicknamed “alert -25’ (the day workers receive salaries across the state).  How he manages that when many governors owe their workers, marvels even the opposition.

    But, the major problem facing the APGA today is the allegation of “fraud” hanging over the neck of the party’s leadership as far as the Imo State governorship election and those of the state House of Assembly and the National Assembly in Anambra during the last general elections.

    Many of its members still bear grudges against the leadership over what transpired during the last general elections and have vowed to work against the party in the governorship election scheduled to hold on November 6.

    Besides, the allegation that Governor Obiano is scheming to ensure that former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof Charles Soludo becomes the party’s consensus candidate is also a source of discord within the fold.

    Soludo, a first class brain in every ramification, possesses what it takes to govern Anambra and the entire country. Yet, some APGA members and, indeed, opposition see him as a “boss man” who would too independent to manipulate.

    Though, the party has other aspirants eyeing the ticket, but the fact that Soludo has the backing of Governor Obiano has almost made him the sole candidate. Other aspirants include Sir Damian Okolo from Nnewi; Chief Akachukwu Nwankpo from Okija; and Chukwuma Umeorji. They would surely give Soludo a challenge for the ticket.

    Nevertheless, Soludo who has over 25 support groups all over the state drumming support for him, as well as the backing of that of members of the state executive committee, he is likely to secure the APGA ticket.

    Even at that, Sir Damian Okolo told The Nation there is no cause for alarm because “everything would end at the primary”.

    But, the National Chairman, Dr Ike Oye, The Nation learnt, is not following the footsteps of Obiano in endorsing Soludo as a sole candidate. This, according to him, is not healthy for the party. He said every aspirant of the party has equal opportunity of securing the APGA ticket.

    Many stakeholders believe that anyone that gets the party’s ticket is as good as being the next governor because of the incumbency factor.

    The ruling party does not have political heavyweights like the opposition parties, but what goes for them is the general belief or moving spirit that “this is our own” or “nkea bu nke anyi”, as it usually uttered in Igbo.

    A chieftain of the party, who did not want to be quoted told The Nation in Awka that Obiano would be the last APGA governor, if the party insists on endorsing Soludo as a consensus candidate. He said: “They pretend that everyone likes Soludo, but we make things happen in APGA. The man in question is arrogant and pompous. He sees himself as the only educated person in the state.

    “The stakeholders have started putting their heads together; we are not going to listen to the governor. Whatever decisions our national chairman takes, that is what we are going to do.”

    For comrade Obi Ochije, anybody who sees the APGA as a party going down in Anambra must be a joker. He said: “The three legacy projects Obiano’s government has done will tell you that the party means well for the people. The airport is no longer for cargo alone; it will also cater for passengers. Take a look at the International Conference Centre in Awka and the Stadium also in Awka. Didn’t we have governors here before him?

    “We know what the opposition parties are capable of doing during elections. But, we are equal to the task. All their plans will never work. If they want us to continue with the APGA, then let the governor use his number six. But, you can take it to the bank, Obiano is likely to be the last APGA governor.”

    Speaking with The Nation, the APGA State Chairman, Sir Norbert Obi debunked the claim that any of the aspirants would be adopted as a consensus candidate of the party. He said the major problem with some people is listening to opposition, who according to him, have been looking for ways to destabilize the APGA.

    Obi, expressed confidence that his party would win the November governorship election as it has done in the past. He described the claims by the APC and the PDP that they would take o over Anambra State as ‘factory noise’.

    “We don’t believe in noise-making, what happened in 2017 will repeat itself again in Anambra State. Forget the opposition and watch what will happen on November 6. The APGA is no longer a political party, but a movement. It moves like a tsunami. Those party members who are talking about working against us will disappoint you at the end. We are intact.”

    Also, Sir Jude Emecheta, who is the Managing Director Anambra Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSAA), told The Nation that the style of Obiano’s leadership has brought APGA closer to the people than ever before.  He said anyone who is thinking that the party will lose the November governorship election must be a dreamer.

    Emecheta said: “You said APGA going, going…; going to where? A party that is as solid as a rock. Those who want the end of APGA is the opposition and we know them. This great party has come to stay in Anambra and it will be difficult for other parties to dislodge it. Obiano is a trusted leader. Our national chairman is a ‘lion’ who fights to the end. We may not have ‘money-men’ like other parties, but the masses are our own money-men.”

    Anambra election has always been tough, more than any other state in the country because of the number of influential persons the state parades and the November 6 governorship election is not likely to be an exception. The election is eight months away, yet the atmosphere is already charged between three political parties and perhaps.

  • APC and its permutations in Anambra

    APC and its permutations in Anambra

    With the array of aspirants’ on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party appears serious in its bid to take over Anambra State during the governorship election. Southeast Bureau Chief NWANOSIKE ONU looks at the chances of the party in the contest

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has not made much impact in Anambra State since it was registered as a political party in 2013. Yet, it parades an array of bigwigs in the state. Some analysts believe that it will take some time before the party will be accepted, not only in Anambra, but the entire Igboland.

    However, Nze Modestus Umenzekwe, a chieftain of the party, has dismissed such a notion. He believes the APC has good followership in the state and the Southeast in general.

    Umenzekwe said the reason the APC is not doing well in Anambra is because of the selfishness of the leaders. He said the party leaders have this attitude of “it must be me”, which he said, keeps drawing the APC back; instead of progressing.

    As the state prepares to go to the polls in November, is the APC ready to cause a major upset? Chief Denis Ngene, an APC chieftain, told The Nation that the people have started identifying with the party. He said the APC will make waves in Anambra this year because of the quality of aspirants queuing up to contest the governorship on its platform. The aspirants are Senator Andy Uba, Dr Chidozie Nwankwo, Chief Johnbosco Onunkwo, Geoff Onyejegbu and Azuka Okwuosa. There is also Chief George Moghalu, who is the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Inland Waterways (NIWA) and a new entrant to the race, Maxwell Okoye.

    Besides, the APC parades other intimidating names on its membership list such as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige; two-term House of Representatives member and the last governorship candidate of the APC, Dr Tony Nwoye; Chief Kodilinye Okelekwe; and Senator Emma Anosike.

    But, they usually do not work as a team for the party’s interest. There has been a lingering accusation of gang up against each other whenever it is electioneering period.

    Earlier in the year, APC leaders in the Southeast, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma came to Anambra to solve the above problem. Uzodimma described the November 6 governorship election as a must-win for the party.

    The governor said it is unfortunate that the party has been playing second fiddle in the state’s politics for a long time, despite the calibre of people that make up the party. He, however, assured aspirants eyeing the governorship seat that there would be a level-playing field during the primary because the party has no anointed candidate. He urged the aspirants to build a good relationship with the people in their constituencies and not look up to the party leadership to influence their votes.

    Uzodimma said whoever the people gives the ticket would be the party’s flag bearer. He said: “The APC cannot continue to be opposition in the state. We must be ready to take the initiative to win in November. But, it can only be possible if we’re united. It is the desire for peace and unity in the party that brought us here, for the sole purpose of reconciling the different groups.

    “We know all of them that prefer to work alone. Our main job is to reconcile all of them. When we achieve this, it will help us in strengthening the party ahead of the registration exercise, the congress and convention and the election proper.

    “Peace in the party will also help us organise a credible primary that will produce the party’s flag bearer. A transparent primary will guarantee they rally round to support the winner.

    “Let me make it very clear for the people of Southeast that November election is a must-win for the APC. The Southeast must mobilise forces known and unknown to ensure that the election is won for the APC.”

    But, how ready is the APC for the November governorship election? The Caretaker Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike told The Nation that the party is 100 per cent ready. Nevertheless, his major headache remains the disunity among members and the lack of funding from the stakeholders. It was the same scenario that played out during the 2017 governorship when Governor Obiano secured his second term mandate.

    It was a fact that virtually all the stakeholders worked against Nwoye, who was the party’s candidate in that election. The same stakeholders who worked against Nwoye’s candidature are still on the prowl.

    But, many of them have sworn that they would accept whoever emerges as the party’s flag bearer. Observers believe that five of the aspirants are serious contenders. They are Senator Uba, Dr Nwankwo, Chief Moghalu, Chief Onunkwo and Okoye. Okoye is not leaving anything to chance. Since he joined the race, there have been speculations that he is being sponsored by some party bigwigs. Okoye, who is President Muhammadu Buhari’s Director, Political Affairs for the Southeast, has been touted as one of the top contenders for the ticket because he is expected to give PDP and APGA a real fight during the election. Okoye has debunked the claims that he is being sponsored by party bigwigs in Abuja. He called on the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to conduct a free, fair and credible primary.

    He said: “The only way APC will defeat the ruling APGA and the major opposition party, the PDP, is for the party to conduct a transparent primary.”

    Okoye said he was in the race to provide answers to the leadership question in Anambra, assuring the party that he would serve the people above himself, if given the opportunity to lead.

    He said soon, the structures of the PDP and that the APGA would collapse into the APC structures in the state.

    Among the five front-runners, Uba appears to be more experienced than the others; having contested the position in 2007 and was declared the winner by INEC. However, he was later removed by the Supreme Court after 17 days, following the case instituted by Peter Obi against his declaration by INEC.

    Besides, Uba served as a two-term senator, representing Anambra South before he lost his third term bid in 2019 to Senator Ifeanyi Ubah who contested on the platform of the Youth Progressives Party (YPP).

    Moghalu has also acquired some experience in that regard. He once contested the Anambra governorship seat on the platform of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP). The managing director of NIWA is not a neophyte in the political arena and should be watched closely too.

    Nwankwo, the chief executive officer of Witchtech Group, is equally adequately prepared for the battle ahead. If given the ticket, he has all it takes to prosecute the governorship election, according to him.

    Speaking with The Nation, Nwankwo said: “Just watch. You will see that the APC will form the next government in Awka. I don’t say things that don’t happen. Going forward, there will be a change in the ruling party. Just watch and see.”

  • PDP: A divided house

    PDP: A divided house

    Going by the zoning that has subsisted over the years, many believe it is the turn of Anambra South to produce Governor Willie Obiano’s successor when he vacates office on March 17, next year. But, chieftains of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), which has not hidden its intention of recapturing the state it lost 16 years ago, appear divided over the matter. Southeast BureauChief NWANOSIKE ONU reports

    Anambra State appears to be peculiar when it comes to politics. The state, for instance, arguably parades the highest number of wealthy and influential men in the land. As the state marches towards another governorship election in November, this is the time to display their wealth and influence in politics.

    In less than ten months, the electorate will be exercising their franchise again to elect a successor for Governor Willie Obiano, who was elected in 2014 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).  Obiano will vacate office on March 17, 2022, after serving his two tenures.

    The PDP, for instance, has been angling to take back the state it lost to the APGA almost 16 years ago. Similarly, the APC, with the array of political heavyweights in its fold, has equally been trying to put up a fight in the key Southeast state.

    Ahead of the PDP primary, scheduled to take place on June 26, some formidable aspirants have already lined up for the party’s ticket. The date is in line with the guidelines released recently by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Though, about 11 persons have declared interest to vie for the party’s ticket, only about six or seven of them are seen as serious contenders. They are, Chris Azubogu who currently represents Nnewi North/Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly; Dr Obiora Okonkwo, the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines; Dr Winston Udeh, a lawyer and surveyor; Godwin Ezeemo, the Chairman of Orient Group of Companies; Valentine Ozigbo, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Transcorp Nigeria; and Dr Godwin Maduka; a medical practitioner based in the United States.

    For example, Udeh, who is also based abroad, has been trying to curry the favour of party fateful to gain their support or cooperation. While making his intention known to the party recently, he donated 21 Toyota Sienna vehicles to the chapter. The Nation also gathered that he has concluded arrangements to bring over 20 vehicles again for all the members of the party’s exco in Anambra State, led by Sir Ndubuisi Nwobu.

    Another contender, Ezeemo, actually kick-started the donation of vehicles to the party, when he gave Nwobu and his executive a brand new Hummer bus last year. Since then, the PDP has continued to harvest vehicles and other incentives from those trying to get the party’s ticket.

    The battle for the party’s ticket promises to be a tough one. Nwobu and other party stakeholders believe the party is ready for the stiff competition ahead.

    The PDP is consulting widely for strategies to recapture the state it lost 16 years ago during the November governorship election. But, the major stumbling block towards realising its dream is the issue of zoning.

    Besides, some of its chieftains are unrelenting in making sure that the present exco is removed, to create a level-playing ground for all the aspirants during the primary.

    Such chieftains see the commanding influence of the former Governor Peter Obi, who was the vice-presidential candidate of the party during the last general elections, as a slap on their faces.

    The Nation gathered that some of the party heavyweights like Senator Joy Emodi, Chief Chris Uba, Chief Mike Nwakalor, Prof. ABC Nwosu among others are being shoved aside by some who think they own the party.

    One of the chieftains from the Anambra Central senatorial zone, who pleaded for anonymity, said “if they don’t carry such people along, what we are doing is balderdash”. He added: “Let me give you an example, you cannot win any election in Anambra North without Senator Joy Emodi and Chief Nwakalor of Nteje. These two are political oracles in the area.

    “Anybody that says he or she can do it without Emodi is a dreamer. She is a woman of substance, class and a bulldozer. Not only that; she has the means also. So, forget those who think they have arrived on the political scene of Anambra State. If our party wants to get it right, the time is now to bring everyone together and chart a way forward. Otherwise, their efforts will come to nothing.”

    Obi, who insisted on zoning when he was bowing out as governor on the platform of APGA, has made it clear that the PDP ticket is going to an aspirant from Anambra South. The ruling APGA also holds the same position on zoning.

    Anambra South senatorial zone comprises seven local government areas. They are Aguata, Ekwusigo, Ihiala, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Orumba North and Orumba South.

    Among the top contenders for the PDP ticket from the zone are Azubogu from Nnewi, Ozigbo from Aguata, Maduka from Orumba South, Ezeemo from Aguata and Dr Udeh from Orumba North.

    Many top party chieftains, however, have sympathy for Dr Okonkwo, who is from Anambra Central. How they are going to engineer his emergence amidst the zoning question remains to be seen.

    Senator Uche Ekwunife, who represents Anambra Central at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, is also interested in running. But, she is caught in the zoning conundrum; she is originally from Aguata, Anambra South, but married to a man from Anambra Central. Interestingly, in all her political life she has been representing her husband’s constituency in Anambra Central.

    She equally has another hurdle, which may work against her in securing the PDP ticket; her gender. Observers believe it will be impossible for Anambra to choose a woman as its next governor.

    Be that as it may, the zoning arrangement is a big dilemma for the party ahead of the June 26 primary.

    The Nation gathered that it would be difficult to tell an aspirant like Okonkwo to step down after he has heavily invested in the party. Most of the PDP juggernauts in the three senatorial districts are said to be rooting for Okonkwo and Azubogu.

    Other stakeholders, including members of the state exco, are silent on the zoning because of personal interests. The state chairman, Nwobu, told The Nation that the party has not taken any decision on that. “We are still making consultations,” he added.

    However, he insisted that the major priority of his executive is to avoid rancour in the party, by organising a free, fair and credible primary in June.

    A chieftain from Anambra Central, Sir Chris Chikwelu, said the priority of the party is to produce a candidate that is capable of winning the election in November and not zoning. He told The Nation that every governorship aspirant on the party’s platform should be given his or her inalienable rights to vie for the ticket and that nobody should be disenfranchised on the altar of zoning.

    Chikwelu said the party executive has not zoned the ticket to any particular district, “because in a democracy, people should be allowed to exercise their rights”. He said zoning is an internal arrangement of each political party, and that it appears to have been foisted on the state by the last administration.

    Chikwelu, who is popularly known as “ichele”, said what the PDP needs is somebody with the capacity, influence and character to win the election in November.

    He added: “Anambra State has suffered untold hardship in the hands of the present administration, ranging from the abandonment of projects to insecurity, kidnapping, rape, child trafficking among others. The issue of zoning should not arise and it is likely to throw up mediocrity into the system. Let them allow everyone who has come out to contest for fairness and equity.”

    From what is playing out already, the PDP may not get it right through zoning. Analysts believe the party would be playing into the hands of the ruling APGA and the APC, if it decides to stick to zoning in choosing its flag bearer for the November 6 governorship election.

     

  • 19 erring employers pay N553m penalties, contributions

    19 erring employers pay N553m penalties, contributions

    By Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

    Nineteen employers who failed to remit pension contributions promptly have been forced to pay contributions and penalties of N553 million in fourth quarter of last year.

    The National Pension Commission made this known in a report obtained by The Nation.

    The Director-General of commission, Mrs Aisha Dahir-Umar, stated that the payment was made following the issuance of demand notices to defaulting employers whose pension liabilities had been established by the Recovery Agents (RAs) appointed by the commission.

    She said the cash, representing principal contributions of N382.4 million and penalties of N170.5 million, were recovered from the defaulting employers during the quarter under review.

    In the same vein, she said the commission refunded pension contributions to Military personnel and state security agencies employees who were exempted from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

    She said during the quarter under review, the commission  approved the refund of N2.78 billion to 50 personnel of the military and other security agencies.

    On the tranfer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund’s (NSITF) members’ contributions to their Retirement Saving Account (RSA), she said: “The commission received transfer applications on behalf of 190 NSITF contributors and granted approval for transfer of the sum of N188.97 million to their RSAs during the quarter under review.

    “During the quarter under review, the commission granted approval for payment of monthly pensions in the sum of N62.2 million to 3,628 NSITF pensioners,” she added.

    She also said: “The pension industry recorded a net marginal growth of 0.72 per cent, representing 66,704 in schemes membership during the quarter under review, rising from 9.20 million contributors as at the end of the preceding quarter to 9.27 million as at Q4 2020.

    “The growth in the industry membership was driven by the RSA Scheme, which had an increase of 68,749 registered contributors. However, membership of the Closed Pension Fund Administrator (CPFA) schemes declined by 2,045 to 14,926 while the Approved Existing Schemes (AESs) membership remained unchanged at 40,951 as at Q4 2020.

    “The total pension contributions remitted to the RSAs in the fourth quarter of 2020 stood at N167.74 billion. Out of this total, the public sector accounted for N86.93 billion or 51.81 per cent while the private sector contributed N80.81 billion or 48.18 per cent.

    “The cumulative pension contributions received from both the public and private sectors from inception to the end of the fourth quarter of 2020, therefore, amounted to N6.70 trillion, up from the N6.54 trillion as at the end of the third quarter 2020, representing a growth of 2.45 per cent.”