Sentry

So much has been said about the alleged delay of Southeast governors to set up a regional security outfit to contain rising insecurity in the zone. Critics say they created the vacuum that enabled the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to establish its security outfit called the Eastern Security Network (ESN), thus creating unnecessary tension and loss of lives.

They also claim governors were unable to do what their counterparts in the Southwest have done because of personal or political interests.

What such critics don’t know is that the delay may have been because of personal disagreements more than suspected external pressure on them. Sentry learnt, for instance, that at one recent meeting in Enugu, two governors sharply disagreed over the type of security outfit that would be good for the zone.

Sources say one of them was so upset with the idea the other advanced that he confronted him personally as the two made to leave the venue of the meeting.

The other governor, also angry at his colleague’s expressed views, did not hide his feelings.

As our source puts it, “it was a bitter encounter. Their Excellences exchanged very hot words before they left. I cannot tell you what they said to each other, but it amounted to shouting at one another. It was all about their different views on the type of regional security outfit that would serve our area better. While one wanted something novel, the other said what he had in his state was working and should be adopted by all in the region.”

But now that General Obi Umahi (retd), leader of the Southeast Security Committee, has said all is set to flag-off the much-awaited regional security outfit, it remains to be seen if the governors have fully resolved their differences.

Sentry

If reports reaching Sentry from are anything to go by, then Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has been under intense pressure over his position that north to south cattle movement should be banned by the Federal Government. But sources say he’s unwilling to change his position.

The governor while canvassing enactment of a law to ban movement of cattle from the North to other parts of the country said this would resolve incessant clashes between farmers and herders.

Ganduje who made the call in Daura, Katsina, after he and other APC governors met with President Muhammadu Buhari, emphasised that banning the movement of herders from the North to other parts of the country will also address the challenge of cattle rustling.

Read Also; Ganduje: ban open grazing to end farmers-herders feuds

Sentry gathered that some prominent individuals and groups in the north had promptly condemned the governor’s position, claiming the timing was wrong given what they called the unlawful activities of Sunday Igboho in the Southwest as regards farmers/herders clashes in Yorubaland.

The social media, especially among northern users, is also chock full with condemnation and anger over Ganduje’s position, with many accusing him of siding with anti-Fulani activists.

But sources close to the governor say he is unmoved and insists his suggestions remain the best in the interest of everybody.

“Go and read his submissions. He is suggesting a permanent solution to the problem and some people are complaining, and you ask me if he is worried. Over what? He is not moved. He is building RUGA here in Kano. If herdsmen continue to go to Lagos and Saki, who will stay in the RUGA here? That is just the simple explanation you need,” a close ally of the governor told Sentry on Wednesday.

Sentry

If APC’s interim national leadership hoped to douse the crisis rocking the Kwara State chapter with the removal of Hon. Bashir Bolarinwa as the chairman, then it obviously got its permutations wrong.

Reports reaching Sentry from Ilorin, indicate that fresh troubles are brewing within the party. In fact, the purported sack of the chairman is creating problems anew.

While party leaders in Abuja are quick to tell you that the issues in Kwara are being resolved by the North-Central zonal leadership led by Governor Sani Bello of Niger State, inside sources say no fresh effort has been made to end the crisis.

“The plan is to force the APC in Kwara to accept Abdullai Samari, the governor’s choice as the new chairman of the party and forget about Bolarinwa. The governor is enjoying the support of the national caretaker committee. But I can tell you for free that the plot will fail. The Niger State governor and his colleagues in the zonal leadership are just buying time and trying to convince those they can reach to support the governor’s choice,” a source said.

But it appears Bolarinwa’s camp are not about to let go easily as members of the state executive caretaker committee continue to reject his removal. They have reportedly told Samari he cannot lead the APC in Kwara.

On the other hand, the governor is telling whoever cares to listen that Samari remains the only APC chairman known to him, setting the stage for a prolonged crisis.

These rumblings are coming when APC is about to register new members and revalidate the membership of old ones. The grapevine says the exercise may expose how bad the O’toge revolution has turned.

Sentry

Mischief-makers are having a field day discussing what they described as the ‘final return’ of former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This started after all seven lawmakers elected under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the state decamped to APC during the plenary on Thursday at the House of Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo while reading their letters of defection, stated that the lawmakers in their correspondences, noted that they took the decision after due consultation with their leaders and constituents. The legislators are Amosun Yusuf, Modupe Mujota, Musefiu Lamidi, Ajayi Bolanle, Ganiyu Oyedeji, Ajibola Sikiratu and Ademola Adeniran.

It would be recalled that Amosun, then as governor and APC senatorial candidate, ordered the lawmakers and all his allies and supporters to dump APC and join APM, following the failure of his preferred candidate to pick the ruling party’s gubernatorial ticket.

They have remained in APM ever since while Amosun stayed in APC. Thus, many see their return as confirmation the former governor is ready to play the politics of the ruling party henceforth.

With the defection, the 26 membership house now consists of 22 APC lawmakers, three African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a member from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Sentry

The zonal chairmanship ambition of Dr. Eddy Olafeso in the Southwest zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is receiving more boost daily.

Olafeso, who enjoys the support of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, reportedly just bagged the endorsement of some prominent leaders in Oyo State like Chief Nureni Akanbi, Alhaji Bisi Olopoeyan, and Femi Babalola, in spite of alleged objection to his choice by Governor Seyi Makinde.

Reliable sources say former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has also thrown his weight behind Fayose’s desire to have Olafeso returned as head of the party in the zone. Oyinlola heads the reconciliatory committee recently constituted by the governor’s faction of the PDP.

Other notable chieftains of Oyo PDP said to be shifting support to Olafeso include Aranse Basiru, Dele Adigun, Baba Sunday Alabi, Alhaji Azeez Ajinowo, Malam Yusuf Akinyemi among others.

Makinde and Chief Olabode George have not hidden their objection to Fayose’s scheme to install Olafeso as zonal chairman. This, sources claim, is at the heart of the tussle between the governor and Fayose.

But recent developments have left observers of the ongoing intrigues within the opposition party wondering whether Makinde and his faction are losing grip in the struggle for the soul of the PDP in the Southwest. Or how else can one explain the daily show of support for Olafeso by notable chieftains of the party, hitherto believed to be in governor’s camp?

Sentry

Although the Chairman of the Caretaker/ Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Mai Mala Buni, has been talking tough, promising to sanctions members who sabotage the forthcoming membership registration/revalidation exercise in any way, feelers emanating from some parts of the country indicate that the registration may not pass without some drama.

Sentry gathered that Buni’s statement was in reaction to plans by individuals and groups within APC to prevent perceived ‘opponents’ from being registered during the nationwide exercise.

“Let me make it abundantly clear that the party would not condone any act of sabotage of denying anyone or group of persons from registering. The party would deal decisively with anyone or group who attempted hijacking the exercise. Everyone must be allowed and given the chance to register. The party has adequate back up materials to ensure a successful exercise and no one is disenfranchised,” Buni said.

But he may have to do more than just talk if he truly desires that his warning be taken to heart. Sources tell Sentry that many leaders and their groups are planning to prevent members of rival tendencies within the party in their various states from being registered.

There are also those who want to ensure that their own loyalists form the majority of registered members in their domain. They intend to manipulate the exercise to their own advantage. Here’s hoping Buni and his men can walk their talk.