Sentry 

Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, remember him? He was Minister of Education under former President Goodluck Jonthan as well as a two-term governor of Kano State. Mallam, as he is fondly called, was one of the candidates who aspired to become president at the 2011 Nigerian general elections.

He was a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but today a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and senator. No need to tell you that he enjoyed (some people say he still enjoys) a cult-like followership in Kano, especially among the talakawa.

But since joining Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s APC and picking a senate seat, he appears to have been maintaining a low profile, considering his political weight and visibility before he left the PDP in September 2018.

Expectedly, many are wondering why lawmaker representing Kano Central Senatorial district has been so reticent. Sentry can now reveal he’s merely behaving true to type.

A close ally of his said: “His decision to maintain a low political profile is borne out of wisdom. He is a very wise and humble politician. He understands that in a state, the governor is the leader and he is giving Ganduje all the space and support he needs to act as the leader of APC in Kano. He is still very popular but as a former governor of the state, he is wise and experienced enough to yield the space for the current governor to lead.”

Sentry 

It is no longer news that the much-hyped instant messaging and financial transaction app, Crowwe, belonging to young businessman and former All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, was removed from Google Playstore for alleged policy violation.

But there appears to be more turbulence down the road for the would-be tech executive.

Barely 48 hours after the axe fell on Crowwe, Garba suffered another blow as his handle on the Facebook-owned social networking service, Instagram, was deleted last Wednesday.

Sentry learnt the controversial politician’s travails may not be unconnected with the many face-offs he had over the Twitter ban by the Federal Government. An unrelenting defender of the ban, Garba’s is unsparing of people who oppose the ban and has been very strong in his condemnation of those dragging President Muhammadu Buhari over the matter.

In one of his numerous arguments on Instagram, Garba said “Twitter as an “insurrectionist tool that has long ceased to be a social media platform of freedom of expression. Twitter is not a social media app. It is aiding and abetting Nnamdi Kanu and his terrorist IPOB commanders to be able to destroy the Nigerian space.”

While it should be noted that Garba has been unrepentant with his hard stance against Twitter, which of course attracted a lot of backlash, it was gathered that multiple users may have reported him for violations and indiscretions.

Sentry 

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is not a happy man as we speak. Sentry gathered that the incessant attacks on communities and towns in the Ibarapa area of the state is the major headache he’s currently battling.

Beyond worries that the insecurity in the area is getting out of hand, the governor is daily reminded that his performance in office may be judged by how he handles the Ibarapa situation.

“This is worrying him to no end. He is displeased that as much as he is trying to save the situation, recent developments and the realities on ground are not helping his case. He is the governor, yes, but what more can he do than he is doing in the circumstance? But his critics are not ready to hear this,’ a source said.

During a recent visit to the area, the governor gave an inkling of his frustration when he said: “I urge you to give me that chance to make the issue of insecurity here become a thing of the past. Don’t take laws into your hands. I believe there are certain things we put in place, which we think would work; but unfortunately, they did not work. Please, give me some time, everything will be resolved. Please, give us the opportunity to resolve this and make this place better for you,” he said.

Sentry 

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Professor Placid Njoku, is definitely walking on slippery political grounds these days and it appears he knows.

For the second time in a matter of weeks, an attempt was made during the week to bring him to public ridicule, or confrontation with his boss, Governor Hope Uzodinma.

When the rumour of Njoku’s alleged resignation from the government broke, not a few people were stunned, given what many see as the very cordial relationship between him and the governor. But the news spread really fast like the one before it a week earlier.

Tale bearers had before the latest smear attempt on the scholar-turned-politician, gone to town with news of a festering disagreement between Njoku and Uzodinma. They even added that the assembly may soon move against him.

The deputy governor has since denied his purported resignation as a tale being peddled by those hell-bent on destabilizing the Imo government.

Well, once again, the prof, as he’s fondly called has escaped another smear campaign, but what many are yearning to know is the identity of those trying to ‘bully’ him.

One concerned person recently enquired from Sentry: “Are the people after Njoku within or outside the government?” This is one question still searching for an answer.

Sentry 

Who advised Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, to travel abroad amid the insecurity rocking his state – especially with the kidnap of pupils of Salihu Tanko Islamic School in Rafi Local Government?

Bandits had invaded the school on Sunday evening in their numbers on motorcycles and abducted pupils. Efforts to rescue the children have been on since then.

But when news broke during the week that the governor left for a trip abroad, all hell was let loose with parents of the children and others within and outside the state, chastising Bello for travelling while bandits are still holding the kids.

Some prominent personalities have added their voices to the expression of disappointment over the governor’s alleged trip. “If truly the governor left the state after the kidnap of those helpless children, it is unfortunate,” a former zonal official of the ruling party said in Abuja on Thursday.

In a statement, Mary Noel-Berje, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, stated that Bello assured the state of the rescue and safe return of the students. Confirming stories making the round, she added that the governor is expected back in the country “within the shortest period”.

That hasn’t stopped the opposition and other stakeholders from wondering why Bello chose a time like this to stay away from the state.

Sentry 

Very reliable sources in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, said during the week that Governor Ben Ayade is not joking when he said he will turn the state into an All Progressives Congress (APC) fortress in the shortest time possible.

“Ayade believes in his new party, the APC and he is very serious about making it the party of the people of the state in no time. He is working hard at achieving that feat,” a top politician in the state told Sentry.

In addition, it was gathered that the governor has made it clear to all his aides, associates, and all other appointed and elected officials that he intends to have only APC members in his administration.

“While he is appreciating those who daily join him in his new party, he is frowning at those who are still foot-dragging,” the source said.

Some observers of the politics of the state even claimed that the governor is prepared to sack all those unwilling to join his new party from his administration. They claim that the recent firing of some commissioners and Special Advisers was the first step in that direction

Ayade sacked four Commissioners and five Special Advisers during the week. They are Asu Okang, Commissioner for Information, Donatus Etim of the Climate Change Ministry, Rita Ayim, Commissioner for Women Affairs, and Mike Usibe who was also the Commissioner for New Cities Development.

If feelers are to be taken serious, more appointees of the government, within and outside the cabinet, will still be excused from the administration if they fail to make swift their decision on whether to port into the governor’s new vehicle or not.

Sentry

 

ON Thursday, exactly six months after his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi, left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers State finally bid the opposition party farewell and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor’s defection didn’t come as a surprise as talk about his possible exit had been rife.

But that is not the news here. What is new is Sentry understands Prince Uche Secondus, national chairman of PDP, may pay for Ayade’s exit from his party with his position.

Following Ayade’s departure to APC, sources within the party claim many PDP leaders and chieftains are blaming for frustrating the governor out of the party.

Ayade had repeatedly complained about alleged maltreatment by the Secondus-led National Working Committee (NWC).

Similarly, many party leaders, including serving and former governors, had urged Secondus to ensure that Ayade was not forced out of the PDP. Although the national chairman eventually made moves to placate the Cross River governor, it appeared his moves came a little too late. Now, Sentry learnt he has lost many of his die-hard supporters in the party ahead of an elective national convention.

Read Also: We won’t follow Ayade to APC – C/River N/Assembly members

 

Ayade announced his departure from the opposition PDP on Thursday while hosting six APC governors who visited him in Calabar, the state capital.

The visiting governors were Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti.

Now, it is left to be seen how Secondus will shake off the fresh hostilities occasioned by the development and successfully retain his position.

Wabba: Who will bell the cat?

 

DURING the week, the Kaduna State Government declared President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba and some other leaders of the union wanted over the just suspended five-day warning strike which grounded socioeconomic activities in the state. Governor Nasir El- Rufai announced the move on his Twitter handle on Tuesday morning.

The governor said the labour leaders were declared wanted for economic sabotage and attacks on public infrastructure under Kaduna’s Miscellaneous Offences Act. He asked anyone who knew the whereabouts of Wabba and others to report to the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice. He assured such informants that they would be handsomely rewarded.

But Sentry gathered that Wabba remained in Kaduna, the state capital all through the period El-Rufai was looking for him. It was even gathered that he held meetings with law enforcement agencies and met with some representatives of the Federal Government during the period in review. Yet, he wasn’t arrested and taken to the governor in exchange for the ‘handsome reward.’

When Sentry asked why this was so, the common response was a popular rhetorical question – who will bell the cat? Anyway, the Federal Government has waded into the matter and called for dialogue. Now, the hunter and the hunted will seat at a table and talk.

Sentry

 

LAST Wednesday, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, dissolved his cabinet, relieving 20 of his 28 commissioners of their duties. He said the dissolution became necessary to re-jig and reenergize the system for maximum productivity.

But inside sources told Sentry that the move was part of the governor’s efforts towards ensuring peace and strengthening the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

It was gathered that following widespread consultations within and outside the state, the governor was of the opinion that he needs a new cabinet so as to allow for more input from other stakeholders within and outside the ruling party. This informed the retention of some of commissioners.

“The governor has a great team. He appreciates all of them and will still be happy to give them opportunities. But there is a great need to open our arms and welcome diverse opinions in the administration of our dear state,” an aide to the governor told Sentry on Thursday.

The ministries whose commissioners were retained are Finance, Science and Technology, Health, Works, Information, Youths and Sports, Women Affairs and Tourism. We hear that majority of those dropped may not make their way back into the cabinet as the governor is very willing to allow the party, APC chieftains and other interests make suggestions on how the cabinet should be re-jigged.

Read Also: IPOB’s fatwa on Uzodinma

 

Edo: Why the  cookies are crumbling

 

DURING the week, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) practically declared war on Governor Godwin Obaseki when it reported him to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). It pointedly called for the resignation of Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu as part of a power-sharing agreement.

The PDP in Edo also called out some of the governor’s men, accusing them of trying to hijack the party through the back door. “Chief Osaro Idah, Chief Charles Idahosa, Chief Henry Tenebe, Senator Ehigie Uzamere and Mr Theo Okoh are the key culprits here. Edo State PDP will not be cowed into any illegalities by the state government,” the party stated.

What the party didn’t say is that the said power sharing arrangement was reached before the last governorship election in the state. Sentry gathered that Obaseki’s camp may have agreed to an arrangement that will see Shuaibu quitting the deputy governorship seat shortly after the election for a nominee of PDP leaders to replace him.

Party sources claim the whole face-off between the two camps is largely about the refusal of Obaseki and his men to abide by the said agreement. But some of the governor’s men are insisting that although there were talks in such direction during the electioneering process, there was no concrete agreement on the matter.

“Obaseki will never agree to sacrifice his deputy. We didn’t have such agreement,” the source said.

Many, within and outside the state, are watching the unfolding drama with bated breath.

Sentry 

Senator Dino Melaye’s tweet urging people to always seek to improve themselves educationally has stirred the hornet’s nest on Twitter with some of his followers lashing out at both the Kogi-born politician as well as the political class.

Of recent, Melaye has posted more motivational tweets than political messages on his social media handles, leading many to dub him a ‘coach.’

So, last Tuesday, when the former Kogi West senator tweeted that “It is better to have a degree that you don’t need than need a degree you don’t have. Please go to school as no time is too late,” it came as one of his now common motivations for those following him.

Read Also; Buhari should speak to Nigerians over insecurity — Melaye

While readers promptly responded appreciatively to his charge, the party soon turned rowdy as more and more respondents started taking on him and the political class over what they described as the bastardization of education and academic certificates in the country.

One wrote: “And after graduation, one gets educated with no job. What’s the need for the degree? You people should better create jobs for those that went to school if you support education.”

Another simply said: “I hear you. What about those of us who cannot afford to pay school fees?

Arinze Chukwuneta with @ArinzeChukwune4 posted: “Going to school isn’t the problem sir. A lot of youths out there are unemployed, and you people are still advising us to go and spend more money.”

From Dr. Tijani Lukman Adebisi, it was a blow below the belt for the former senator. Going sarcastic, he tweeted: “Even if it will take many years to pass a geography course, just try to get a certificate and not so bad to get at the eve of Senate waivers – let my people go!”