The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sentry

  • A candidate’s nightmare scenarios

    A candidate’s nightmare scenarios

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, must be wandering whether the forces of hell have been unleashed against his aspiration.

    He had barely had time to savour his victory the party’s primaries when all-out war broke out between him and his closest rival, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. If he thought this was one storm in a teacup that would soon subside, he was mistaken.

    His emissaries have been severally rebuffed and it has taken a pow-wow in foreign land to procure the semblance of a truce. But it might just be the peace of the graveyard given the comments of Wike since his return from talks with multiple parties in London.

    Ordinarily, the opposition party would fancy its chances given the challenges faced by the incumbent administration over the economy and insecurity. Despite these troubles, the ruling party continues to maintain relative harmony, while the PDP swims in turmoil from week to week.

    As if Atiku’s Wike woes are not bad enough, he has to worry about what Peter Obi and his Labour Party could do to his chances in the Southeast. Even those who don’t give the former Anambra State governor a snowball chance in hell at winning the presidency, acknowledge that he could peel away sufficient votes from PDP to  cripple the former VP’s bid.

    Part of the thinking in the main opposition for foisting another Northern candidate on the party when the incumbent who is from the same region would have served eight years office, is that ethnic and regional sentiments would favour it in the game of numbers. Never mind zoning, just do whatever it takes to win.

    Well, they didn’t factor into their calculations a certain Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The former Kano State governor sensing he couldn’t win the PDP ticket quickly went to set up camp where he would be king of the hill. Given his strength in his home state, his New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is likely to, again, rubbish whatever arithmetic Atiku was calculating on regarding Kano’s massive votes.

    Even in his home Northeast zone, things are not going too well. The candidate couldn’t have imagined that APC would home in on the vote-rich Borno State for its running mate. Now it is a reality he has to contend with that with Kashim Shettima on the ticket, he can kiss the state goodbye.

    The Southwest is home territory for the APC candidate, Bola Tinubu. Realistically, Atiku knows his salvation doesn’t lie here.

    So, North, South, East and West, the pathway to the presidently is closing for the opposition candidate unless he can come up with a Houdini trick fast.

  • Dariye: From prison to NASS?

    Dariye: From prison to NASS?

    If feelers reaching Sentry from Jos, the capital of Plateau State are to be taken seriously, Joshua Dariye, a former governor of the state, who has just been released from Kuje prison in Abuja following a presidential pardon, may be resuming at the National Assembly as a Senator of the federal republic in 2023.

    Some sources are claiming that the convicted former governor is currently considering accepting the invitation of one of the nation’s political parties to pick its senatorial ticket in his home district for the 2023 general elections.

    Checks made by Sentry revealed that the Labour Party (LP) in Plateau State may be the party in question.  It was gathered that barely three days after he returned home from serving a jail term for corruption, Dariye was allegedly beckoned upon by the leadership of the party to come join its fold and run for a senate seat on its platform in 2023.

    Dariye, who was serving a 10-year jail term for N1.126 billion fraud, was recently granted presidential pardon following which he was released after about four years in prison.

    Sentry learnt that the former governor was yet to accept or reject the offer. “He is still consulting. Once he’s done doing that, he will make his intention known,” a source said. Sentry awaits the outcome of this all-important consultation.

     

    Garlands for home boy

    ACCOLADES are raining on Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Ogun West Senatorial District. He added a year during the week and the unusual way he celebrated his new age has sent tongues wagging.

    Some members of the Ogun State House of Assembly from the Ogun West Senatorial District today joined others to eulogise the man that is now famous for his ‘West to West’ political adventure for always striving to put a smile on the faces of Ogun West people.

    The members, including Honourables Jemili Akingbade, Musefiu Lamidi, Bolanle Ajayi, Wahab Haruna, and Adegoke Adeyanju, gave the commendation in their separate submissions under personal explanations at the plenary presided over by Speaker Olakunle Oluomo at the Assembly Complex, Oke- Mosan, Abeokuta.

    They described Senator Adeola as a worthy ambassador and experienced legislator, explaining that the empowerment programmes which cut across the senatorial district were an indication that the Senatorial candidate would do well if elected as Senator in the state.

    The lawmakers acknowledged the people-oriented programme which included the donation of four 18-seater buses to the Market women, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), League of Imams and Council of Baales.

    Other interventions, according to them, were 19 transformers to boost rural electrification project and 1,500 desks and chairs for schools to complement the infrastructural efforts of the present administration in the state.

  • When cleric, herbalist friend met desperate politician

    When cleric, herbalist friend met desperate politician

    A desperate politician who was seeking the House of Representatives ticket of one of the two leading political parties in Ekiti State has been taught a bitter lesson by an Islamic cleric and his conniving friend, who is a herbalist.

    After losing more than N24million to the two conmen in his desperation to emerge candidate of his party, the politician who is also a prince, told friends and relatives that he has learnt to always trust in God and not man going forward.

    Sentry learnt that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the ‘alfa’ and his friend, for allegedly defrauding our man.

    Sources in Ekiti say the conmen told the aspirant that upon payment of an agreed amount, he should go home and await the ticket of the party, which was to be given to him on a platter of gold. Sacrifices and special prayers were carried out to ensure the success of his political bid.

    But the prince lost the ticket to another aspirant. That was when he realised he had been conned. He ran to the EFCC with a petition and the two men were arrested in July in Ado-Ekiti.

    While admitting that he collected the money from our ‘Honourable’, the suspect said it was used to buy black, brown and white cows, rams, lavender perfume, rings, among other items, to carry out sacrifices at different times. He also claimed to have consulted another herbalist before he was arrested.

    Explaining why their client didn’t get the ticket, the alfa said: “Our own is to pray and do the necessary sacrifices, which we did, and to leave the rest to God. However, along the line, the zoning for the Reps seat was changed. We don’t have power over zoning.”

    While the conmen are still with the detectives, ‘Honourable’ is back home licking his wound.

  • Kano: What next for Little?

    Kano: What next for Little?

    Last May, Muhammad Al-Amin Little, veteran governorship aspirant in Kano State, lost the race for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket. Since then, supporters of the popular politician have been waiting to be told his next plan. But mum has been the word from Little.

    Little was a soccer star in the late 70s before he ventured into politics and amassed a cult-like followership. He lost the 2003 All Peoples Party (APP) ticket to Malam Ibrahim Shekarau. He contested the governorship on the platform of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) same year but lost to Shekarau. He oscillated between PDP and APC for many years and was touted as a possible deputy to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje when the incumbent resigned in 2019. But he was not named.

    Same year, he was shot by bandits on his farm along Birnin Gwari area of the state, and that impacted negatively on his guber aspiration. He lost the race to another aspirant. Earlier this year, he appeared at PDP headquarters in Abuja where he picked the intent form.

    With his loss at the primary, observers fear Little may not run again. But now there are rumours he’s set to pick the ticket of another party. His supporters are waiting to hear from the horse’s mouth.

  • APC and the clues from Ogun Central

    APC and the clues from Ogun Central

    Feelers reaching Sentry from the rocky terrains of Ogun Central Senatorial District of Ogun State suggest that Governor Dapo Abiodun and the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) need to urgently run a feasibility check on the party’s chances in the 2023 senatorial election.

    The rumour mill is agog with tales of how the party’s candidate in the forthcoming election is daily falling out with some leading members of the party in the area.

    To start with, there were grumbling here and there when the former Chief of staff to the Governor, Shuaibu Salisu, emerged in Ogun Central as APC senatorial candidate. He polled 301 out of 370 votes defeating, Faniyi Hamzat, who scored 62; former senator, Gbenga Obadara, polled two votes; Olatorera Majekodunmi also scored two; and Biodun Sanyaolu scored zero, to emerge as flag-bearer.

    Read Also; Dapo Abiodun’s blast from the past

    Allegations of imposition trailed the exercise for weeks but eventually died down as none of the defeated aspirants made much fuss. Shuaibu is hoping to succeed the incumbent Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who is not on good terms with Abiodun and the state APC leadership.

    There are growing fears that supporters of Amosun in the district are plotting Shuaibu’s defeat as they allegedly plan to work for an opposition party’s candidate.

    Leading pro-Amosun APC members across the district have not hidden their disdain for the choice of Shuaibu as the next senator. They claim he is ‘too small’ politically for the job.

    While some frontline chieftains are complaining that the candidate is not visible among party loyalists, others are worried that he is not ‘spending’ money as required for an election as crucial as the one he is contesting.

    This is why Abiodun and the party need to quickly go and see what is happening in Abeokuta and its environs so that they will not be regaled later with political stories that touch the heart.

  • Lagos PDP and Akindele’s 20 million followers

    Lagos PDP and Akindele’s 20 million followers

    Nollywood actress and Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy governorship candidate, Funke Akindele, is currently trending on various platforms following her boast that she has 20 million followers on social media.

    The actress is being dragged by many social media users who are asking her to tell them how her virtual followership will transcend to votes that will help PDP win the governorship election.

    Akindele, during an interview on Channels Television, boastfully spoke about her huge number of followers on social media and added for emphasis that the PDP governorship candidate, Jide Adediran, also known as Jandor, has a good number of supporters. She went on to predict victory for the party owing to their combined fan base on and offline.

    The Ikorodu-born Nollywood star turned politician said her over followers on social media would support her party to emerge as the winner. She said her social media presence was one big thing she was bringing to the table. When asked if politics is played on social media, Funke remembered to add that she also has some supporters offline too. Her statement has been attracting jibes from Nigerians.

    Many of them have pity for PDP and Jandor for relying on Funke’s 20 million social media voters to win governorship elections. “Elections are not won on Twitter. This one must be a learner,” one Facebook user wrote.

    Many commentators also accused Akindele of always sitting on the fence when serious issues are being discussed on social media. “Coming from someone who has never taken a social stand on any issues…… the invoice is here,” a social media user by the name 11_enigma wrote.

    “She stands for nothing. Now she wants social media followers to stand up for her. Na so? No be so,” another commentator, Sola Oduntan, said while intimatesecretsqueen wrote: “I follow you on Instagram doesn’t mean I will come and vote for your party.”

    Official_omoiyamoji wrote: “Aunty Funke, don’t forget all your fans on social media are not from Lagos and not staying Lagos but regardless I wish u all the very best.”

    And Bosun Jejeloye, another Facebook user, said: “many of your social media fans are not going to vote for you. PDP better plan how to win election and not rely on this one.”

     

  • Ogun: Is Akinlade now an ‘orphan’?

    Ogun: Is Akinlade now an ‘orphan’?

    These are not the best of times for Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, embattled former governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) who dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last week.

    The move was amidst reports he is billed to be nominated running mate of Ladi Adebutu, the party’s governorship candidate.

    The defection of Akinlade, well known loyalist of former governor Ibikunle Amosun, raised eyebrows as people wondered if he had the former governor’s approval to dump APC.

    Read Also: Abiodun: forging unity in Ogun APC

    Those who wondered didn’t have to wait long. A couple of days after, Amosun, current Senator representing Ogun Central, denounced the defectors as he warned Akinlade and other loyalists who have dumped APC not to use his name or political structure for negotiation on another platform.

    He denied sanctioning the defections while explaining that he was committed to his friendship to President Muhammadu Buhari and the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. While people were still wondering where Amosun’s intervention leaves Akinlade politically, the leadership of the state APC issued a statement saying he won’t be missed.

    To further compound the confusion in which Akinlade and his co-travellers may have found themselves, feelers from PDP indicate that the Ipokia-born politician may not get the deputy governorship ticket of his new party.

    Sentry can confirm that some groups within the opposition party are kicking against any plot to hand the newcomer, the prized running mate slot.

  • Rivers: Tonye Cole carries his cross

    Rivers: Tonye Cole carries his cross

    If what Sentry is hearing about the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is anything to go by, then the governorship candidate of the party for the 2023 elections, Tonye Cole, is no longer sleeping with his two eyes closed. Simply put, the man has decided to carry his cross.

    Feelers from the candidate’s camp indicate he has been worried about the defection of prominent chieftains of the party to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Read Also; Crisis brews in Rivers APC as Dawari George dumps Amaechi 

    Chief Dawari George, a former commissioner, dumped APC during the week. Earlier, another bigwig, Golden Chioma, bade the party farewell in similar manner.

    These developments sent shock waves through Cole’s camp and got the APC candidate really worried. “Our principal is worried and he is not resting on his oars to stem the tide of defections. Currently, he is going round to talk to aggrieved party leaders and members irrespective of their faction. He has realized that he has a good opportunity to unite everybody, and he wants to do just that,” a close ally told Sentry on Friday.

    It was also gathered that Cole, as part of efforts to ensure his house is in order ahead of the election, is making overtures to Senator Magnus Abe and other APC chieftains in his faction. Will he succeed with his moves? Time will tell.

  • 2023: Lagos PDP and Jenifa’s mixed bag

    2023: Lagos PDP and Jenifa’s mixed bag

    Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State are currently cracking their heads on how best to handle a situation dropped on their laps by happenings in the life of award-winning Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele-Bello, also known as Jenifa.

    Announcement on social media by Abdulrasheed Bello aka JJC Skillz, Jenifa’s husband, that they’ve been separated for three months, appears to be altering 2023 permutations within the opposition party.

    During the week, it was reported that Akindele-Bello had been listed as one of the potential running mates to PDP’s gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Olajide Adediran aka Jandor.

    Read Also: Banky W wins Lagos PDP Reps primary rerun

    Expectedly, the news elicited mixed reactions. While some applauded the decision of the party to look the way of the thespian, others knocked the idea, saying Jenifa was undeserving of such mention.

    Sentry, however, discovered that Jenifa might be the preferred choice of Jandor. According to sources, he already told some party leaders he will settle for Akindele for some reasons which include the fact that the actress hails from Ikorodu in the eastern part of the state. Another reason was Adeniran’s desire to reap votes from ‘Soro Soke’ groups across the state.

    “Jandor believes Jenifa has ties with many youth groups that staged the #EndSARS protests and as such her presence on the ticket will guarantee support, funding and votes to PDP by members and patrons of the various groups during the 2023 elections,” one said.

    But with the actress now trending negatively following her husband’s revelations, party elders are worried about her choice and are working hard to convince Jandor to look elsewhere for a running mate, the source added.

  • Forty eight hours and more after PDP dared OBJ

    Forty eight hours and more after PDP dared OBJ

    Last Tuesday, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), through its Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, threatened to expose former President Olusegun Obasanjo if he didn’t clarify his comment about his former deputy Atiku Abubakar within 48 hours.

    The ultimatum given the ‘Ebora Owu’ expired last Thursday and not a few Nigerians are disappointed that neither PDP nor Jibrin has said a word about exposing the former president as promised.

    Read Also: Obasanjo and his ‘touch of madness’

    Obasanjo had the previous weekend said he made a mistake when he picked his running mate ahead of the 1999 presidential election. Atiku, who is now presidential candidate of PDP, was Vice President from 1999 to 2007. The former president added that God saved him from the ‘genuine mistake’ he made when he selected his deputy.

    Reacting to the statement, Jibrin warned Obasanjo to clarify his comment to avoid being exposed, saying PDP would tell Nigerians who Obasanjo really.

    But long after the deadline Obasanjo has neither clarified his statement nor debunked it, yet mum has been the word from Jibrin and PDP. Sentry even gathered from party sources that the BoT Chariman was scolded by a number of prominent chieftains for daring the Balogun of Owu at a crucial time like this. As it is, OBJ may have nothing to fear as neither PDP nor Jibrin appear ready to challenge him to a fight just yet.