The Nation Newspaper

Category: Opinion

When gender partnership aids development

By Nnedinso Ogaziechi

Leadership has always been a collaborative effort between the leader and the led. Problems of development come when a particular gender attempts to do a solo job. In all creeds and cultures, the gender question is never a competitive sport but a complimentary one. It is evidently strange however that in most developing countries especially Nigeria, there is no gender parity in the political space.

Nothing illustrates the idea of gender disparity than the existence and flourishing of Women Leaders in Nigerian political parties. In a very funny way, there is no male equivalent of this group which sort of appears very funny because it then illustrates the fact that in the political house, women are not in the main living room literally. They are confined to a situation where they are mainly empowered to cheer the men to electoral success.

The irony of the Nigerian political demographics is that women constitute at least half if not more of the voting population but are often systemically consigned to the fringes of political party events in a twenty first century world. The men often feel that women can only dance and clap and vote for them.

Even though a former President Obasanjo broke the seeming jinx by appointing the first female finance, Transport, Trade and Investment and into key ministries, the gender parity has not been achieved both in appointive and elective positions. Consequently, the RoundTable Conversation tends to see the nexus between the lack of gender parity especially at the legislative arms at both state and federal levels and the poverty in the land. The men are seemingly overburdened and in some instances less competent men in comparison to women take up both elective and appointive positions.

Read Also: Letter to PMB: COVID-19 and women’s leadership

The RoundTable Conversation is therefore pleased that the push and shove by various individuals, development agencies women groups are lobbying and creating more awareness towards increasing the number of women in the legislative houses across party lines. It is a progressive move in a country like Nigeria with the lowest global, continental and sub-regional ratio of women in parliament.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) women have for some time now intensified their lobby to get at least 108 female representatives to the National Assembly ahead of the 2023 general elections. They are working with all stake holders to achieve this objective in a country with just seven female senators out of 109 members and a paltry 11 females in the House of Representatives with 360 members.

In all democracies, the voice of the people is in their representatives. It is not surprising that most bills sponsored by the few women in both houses of the National Assembly and even states do not see the light of day as democracy is about numbers. It would be to the benefit of national development to have at least a reasonable percentage of women in the legislative houses. It is very sad that most states do not have even one woman in their state houses of assembly.

The RoundTable Conversation caught up with Hon. Stella Okotete the APC National Women Representative Caretaker Committee who said that in the last twelve months, the party leadership has been working very hard to create more visibility for women in the party and also organizing mentorship sessions for women between the ages of 18-35. The leadership is also working hard to create awareness at the grassroots level so that more women can access leadership at the wards, local governments and National Working Committees.

To Okotete, with the massive awareness campaigns more women would be involved in party administrations more than ever before and more people even in the cities would begin to understand that no one would come and offer you political posts if you do not step out and join political parties. Most women want to participate but have no ideas how to go about it. The Progressive Young Women Forum floated by the party is especially focused on enlightenment and empowerment for the young women who feel they have the call to offer service. The Forum has some holistic approach that would make a great difference. The forum would, as women are created to do, nurture these young ones and assist them find their feet politically. The young women would be mentored by older politicians who they now have a platform to understudy and in turn become mentors to others. The projection will have a chain effect that would be beneficial to democratic progress as is seen in other world democracies.

To Hon. Okotete, the APC women are not just working alone for better gender parity, most other parties and women affairs ministry seem to agree that together, more can be achieved as the lobbying is multifaceted. The amendment of the constitution is one aspect the whole groups are seeking the help of the National Assembly because it is important certain needs of the women are backed by the constitution.

The aim of all the moves by the APC and other groups is basically for national growth because leadership is more productive when the best hands are chosen across genders. Luckily most of the men are realizing the value of shared leadership because some of them are supportive of their spouses and daughters taking part in politics. The governors have also agreed to the 35% affirmative action but women must equally be on ground and ready to present themselves to claim that percentage for a start.

So the APC Women are ready to assist qualified women to access leadership through various efforts especially for those who are capable but financially challenged. More women are being encouraged to be more politically involved at the party administration levels. Women must realize that politics is people-based and the people must know you so they can vote for you. We also lobby the party leadership to give the women a percentage of the capital budget so they too can be empowered to sort out some financial issues and be very effective politically without being beggarly from the men

Happily the efforts are paying off as the idea is gaining momentum across the country with many women winning positions and influencing changes. We just pray other parties can join in helping more women too.

The RoundTable Conversation sat with Hon. Iquo Inyang Minima, a lawyer, real estate developer and an experienced politician who represented her Ikono/Ini federal constituency of Akwa Ibom state between 1999-2007. As a member of the APC Women Lobby group for the increased number of women at the National assembly, she is coming with a vast experience about what is achievable when a woman has a voice in the political space especially at the legislative level.

Coming from an constituency that lacked quality representation and a pathetic absence of infrastructure, she ventured into politics and her constituency is better for it. Before her, her constituency had no good roads, no water, electricity and no state airport. So she was happy to have gone to the House of Reps. and as one of the tripods of legislative duties – lobbying for your constituency, she was able to achieve most of her goals through effective lobbying for her community.

The climax and most fulfilling was the Akwa Ibom Airport that the license was granted during the time of Isa Yuguda as Minister of Aviation. It was the hallmark of a coalition of forces especially the former governors of the state, Obong Victor Attah and Godswill Akpabio. It is a thing of joy to see some infrastructure that your people need but never had springing up through your efforts and easing the stress of life and adding socio-economic value.

To her, more women should be allowed to raise their voices at the legislative houses because they always bring with them the building and nurturing spirit that many men lack but access power all the same. To Hon. Iquo women must be out there and they need to be approachable role models and mentors. Most of the younger ones feel that certain things are unachievable because of their backgrounds and must be mentored and educated.

So to her, intelligence is evenly distributed and as such all children must be given educational opportunities so that their talents can be horned and they will in turn contribute to the development of the country. More female politicians are needed to mentor the younger ladies and that is what the women in APC are doing with the party leadership. Nigerian politics must be able to accommodate more partnership in leadership between men and women if Nigeria must make progress.

To her, the older female politician must be in a position to bring up more women who have leadership qualities through formal and informal education to help them be up to date politically learning and adjusting their minds to the leadership possibilities for national growth. Investing in the education of younger girls is one area that more women have to look at because education empowers so even if you cannot attract any infrastructure, you can assist even if it’s one girl to get an education because an educated girl is an asset to the nation.

The major handicap to women in the pursuit of political offices is finance so women groups like ours are aware and working towards finding ways to financially assist women who are capable and ready for partisan politics. As older politicians, we get women to have more financial muscle through the groups where we expose them to opportunities to get financial stability. Women are part of the human capital needed to contribute to development and Nigerians must know that and help women in all areas.

The dialogue continues…

July 10, 2021
When will IBB come clean on June 12 ?

By Igboeli Arinze

Last two weeks or thereabout marked 28 years since Nigerians voted in that historic election of 1993, last week’s Wednesday being the 23rd of June, 2021 will also make it another 28 years since that election was annulled by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babaginda. So on one hand we have a historic feat achieved by millions of Nigerians who defied ethnicity and religion to cast their votes for a man they felt was fit enough to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the other hand we see how one man with a hardscrabble heritage, for whatsoever reason or set of reasons with one stroke of his pen, annulled the wishes of millions of Nigerians and set the nation backwards by several decades.

Years have gone now, but for the struggles for democracy by Nigerians and the early attempts by elected Governors from the SouthWest in 1999 to accord June 12 its real place in history , the recent recognition of June 12 by President Muhammadu Buhari as the nation’s democracy day as well as his recognition of the fact that Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was as good as an elected President, June 12 may have slipped into selective oblivion as a day like every other day, its sacred symbolism lost upon coming generations who may now never agree that once upon a time, Nigerians voted a president and his running mate from the same religion, that a Bashir Tofa , who was the other candidate would lose his home state of Kano to Abiola as well as Anambra State, both feats seemed to be impossible before then.

That election was exactly a watershed in Nigeria’s history but like all things wrong with this country, it was unfairly annulled and the man who made the promise to return Nigeria unto democracy’s shores returned Nigeria to the turbulent waters even after sighting such shores, notwithstanding the fact that Nigerians like sea sick passengers were already weary of such a tenuous voyage.

With one stroke of the pen, wielded in mischief perhaps, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida wrote his name into the annals of infamy; it mattered not that he had run one of the friendliest of military regimes in the history of military rule, it mattered not that he had courted the academia, the political class , big business , the media and even foreign nations with his ideas, policies , style of leadership and programmes. He had simply danced to surugede music without understanding that such a dance was one for the spirits.

Read Also: IBB and the ghost of June 12

Till today, no major reason or reasons may have been given for the annulment of the June 12 elections. Now, acts carried out by statesmen are most times better understood when those personalities behind such acts tell it all, they not only help generations in understanding reasons for such actions but they also give account of other personalities who’s actions or inactions may have fueled such.

So when will IBB tell his June 12 story? When will he give us a graphic replay of the actions that culminated in the brazen act of such an annulment? We are tired of rehashing the Siloun’s and Omoruyi’s, we are tired of the mysteries surrounding such an annulment. Was IBB really threatened by a group of officers that they would kill him and Abiola should he go ahead and recognize the election? Who were the officers? What were their grievances? IBB should also explain to Nigerians why he had to kowtow to the desires of a cabal? Likewise, it is obvious that his annulment of June 12 had a civilian commingling of sorts, who were these civilians? He should mention them.

IBB whether he likes it or not owes Nigerians such an explanation, he owes those who lost loved ones, their means of livelihood and the many who were harassed by the regime that followed, a contraption made possible by IBB’s shambolic handling of June 12!

The arguments that with the recognition of June 12 by President Muhammadu Buhari, June 12 has been given a befitting closure is in error, Nigerians deserve to know why things went awry and why her best experiment yet with democracy hit the rocks.

President Muhammadu Buhari didn’t annul June 12, he was neither in power nor in good terms with the junta then to have influenced the annulment, why then should his recognition of Abiola and the June 12 mandate bring such a closure? Yes it may have partially healed the wounds but what about the lessons for generations unborn, me thinks that until IBB writes on these things, Nigerians may continue to grovel in the dark . Now this may suit his Evil Genius facade but it will bear him no good as a statesman to keep such knowledge to himself and the grave!

July 3, 2021
We aren’t as different as some think
By Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim

In the contest for power and resources in history, people always try to outdo each other by creating divisions around race, ethnicity, or faith. People do this to enlist group support for otherwise private agenda or whip support for personal disappointment or loss, as it presently is. Sometimes when faith and ethnicity are the same, demagogue explores doctrinaire differences as it was in Europe in the 17th century, where European kings fought a 30 years’ war dividing themselves into Catholics or protestants between 1618 and 1648.

Europe never emerged significantly as a powerhouse until it overcame that era of darkness, only then was it able to march into renaissance (Enlightenment), Industrial Revolution and Democracy. Ethnically and religiously homogeneous Somalia, whose war lords divided it along clans, has yet to escape from the ruins and darkness of her own division. Rwanda to the contrary is matching forward, having buried the Ghost of hatred, making development a focus.

When I was a young student both at A’ levels and the University, it was our aspiration to seek the unity of all of Africa into one country in the manner America as espoused by Kwame Nkrumah (the first Prime Minister of Ghana), and Sekou Toure (the first President of Guinea), and other great Nationalists. Some of our mentors in Nigeria, such as Alao-Aka Bashorun, worked as Pan Africanist in drafting the constitutions of many newly independent African countries, in a clime when Nigeria’s Justice Akinola Aguda served as Chief Justice of Botswana. We saw all Africans as same, and we perceived any attack on any group of Africans as an attack on the rest of us. It was in that spirit that on January 6, 1988, Rotimi Ewebiyi, Olaitan Oyerinde, Chris Ayaze, Sylvester Odion, and my humble self-all students of the University of Lagos-were arrested and detained after the massive protest we staged alongside Nigerian workers and students, following Prime Minister Thatcher of Britain’s visit. We were protesting in Nigeria against her pro-apartheid policy in South Africa.

Where we are coming from is of course very far from where we are now, where people are demonstrating to break Nigeria. In the days of yore, it was unimaginable for us that there will come a time that advocacy will become fervent that we break Nigeria into separate countries. Nigeria, which we considered then as one of the small 52 States of Africa-just the size of California. Everything from farming practices, pastoralist Vs farmers, differences in dressing, climate and land are being thrown in the discus to magnify our differences. The methods are even regrettably pedestrian, in what seem to be an argument that it is needless to save the unity of the country. Tragically, those who have held high offices in Nigeria at one point are stoking the current embers of disunity. The truth, very stubborn truth, is that we are the same people, more than the magnifying glasses of separatists want us to see.

Nigeria may have diverse languages, but the cultures of most Nigerian ethnic groups are the same, pointing to the same roots in distant history and here is why. The Cosmogony, religious rights, history and cultures of most Nigerians (Pre-colonial and Pre-Arabic influence) are largely the same, despite diversity in language. The African American scholar, Chancellor Williams has already done justice to this question in his seminar work “The destruction of African civilization: Great issue of a Race.”. Williams explained that two major factors account for why Africa, though account for less than 3% of global trade, is home to the highest numbers of languages and dialects in the world, but same culture. These factors are first, the migration that occurred in prehistoric times because of the dry up (desertification) of the areas of the Sahara, which was home to a previously thriving culture and life.

The second was forced migration, owing to various wars of conquest, according to Professor Williams. When people flee, they go in small bands in different directions, carrying the memory of their cultures and cosmogony, but often lose their original languages as they travel far. In Nigeria, it is possible to decipher a definite relationship in the pre-colonial and pre-Arabically influenced cultures of western and Northern Nigeria. These are presumed to be cultures whose ruling classes migrated from Meriotic Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt. The same practices in the Hausa Bori cult of worship, exists in the Sango(Yoruba) cult of worship. Similarly, the same practices are found in the Amadioha worship circle amongst the Igbos, who, though, are associated with the Bantustan stock. The details of these assumptions should have by now been a subject of a detail study in archaeology, history, linguistics, using modern technology of historical reconstruction.

Cheikh Anta Diop, who I consider the most outstanding African scholar (historian, physicist, Archaeologist and Chemist) has done some pioneer work on this subject and planned a perspective for historical reconstruction of Africa cultures which establishes that Africans are essentially the same people, not different people and can live together and must ever break from been sliced into tiny groups for easy conquest. This was his preoccupation with his books. “Cultural unity of Africa”, “Africa pre-colonial”, “The African origin of civilization, myth or reality”, “Civilization or Barbarism”. And last, “The Economic and Cultural basis for a Federated African State”. I recommend these important works for advocates of separatism, who constantly repeat the false doctrine that “we are different people we cannot live together, let everyone go their ways”.

Africans everywhere are of the same ancestry, all human beings are of the same ancestry, and so says the Bible in Act of Apostle, 17:26; “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for dwelling on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;” Let us resolve our economic and political challenges in Nigeria in the political turf. Let us keep ethnic division and religious bigotry out of it. Ethno-religious confrontation are conflicts no one can ever win, as all are always losers in that field.

Nigeria is a beautiful country, the most formidable promise of the African people. It started well at independence and her people had learnt to live together peacefully well until the setback of the civil war triggered by the 1966 military coup. The fantastic testament of our peaceful co-existence and integration includes such occasions as when the mainly Christian voters of Gboko elected a Kanuri Muslim man, Abubakar Imam, to represent them in the Northern State Assembly. It includes when Chief Obafemi Awolowo campaigned for Ernest Ikoli, an Ijaw man in the Lagos elections, against a fellow Ijebu man, Akinsanya. In the early 1960’s right to the Seventies (‘70’s), Easterners like Kalu Anya served in Borno Judiciary, as well as justice Olagunju a Yoruba man from Offa, who trained many Jurists in the Sokoto Division.

Today’s setbacks are not conclusive evidence of our inability to live together, but challenges we must overcome, as even the most advanced countries of the world such as United States of America, United Kingdom, Spain, and France still grapple with issues of identity.

Nigerians up till today are still more tolerant of each other than the separatist’s propaganda want us to believe. Even as we write, the only seat allocated to Kebbi State at the Supreme Court is occupied by a Jurist originally from Delta State, who practiced in the old Sokoto State and married from Argungu, Justice Amina Adamu Augie. Kebbi people do not regard her as a foreigner but a loyal daughter of Kebbi. It is time to talk a little more about the prime point in our journey to National integration rather than our low points. Nigerians can live together peacefully and in prosperity once we regain our minds to do some of the right things, including decentralizing more powers to the States and Local Government; electing focused leaders with clear vision for economic and social development with character and antecedents that show they can deliver on promises; and embarking immediately on a policy of national reconciliation and inclusiveness. These are what Nigeria needs, not division!
- Olawepo-Hashim, businessman, politician is a former presidential candidate .
July 3, 2021
Intra-party democracy as panacea to gender equity

By Nnedinso Ogaziechi

The political philosophers who fashioned out the democratic system seem to have understood human nature very well. They know that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely and they created the three arms of government, the executive, judiciary and the legislature.

Of the three arms, the legislature somewhat stands on a pedestal due to the unique functions that it is saddled with in a democracy; law-making, oversight functions and being representatives of the people. It is for this reason that the military that often interrupts democratic governments first suspends the legislative arm and replace them with the military ruling councils of any nomenclature they want. The executive and judiciary seem not to have suffered the same setbacks.

In Nigerian democratic experiences, the executive often appears to be too powerful and the legislative arm often suffer too much loses in terms of getting the democratic processes to function without interferences. The executive at both federal and state levels seem to monopolize power in ways that often derail democracy. In Nigeria, the President and governors seem too powerful and this is why most lovers of democracy are clamoring for the devolution of power and restructuring of the country.

Democracy is a game of numbers and that means that the gender representation in all tiers of government must have a level of balance for democracy to flourish. This is one of the fundamental problems of Nigerian democracy. There is a monopoly of power by the men at all levels. At all levels we see the crass abuse of power by the executive either at party levels or after inauguration. We have seen the tokenism that has been women participation in Nigerian politics. The legislative arm is where laws are made do not have enough women due to executive interferences at state levels as they often insist on determining who gets what.

There have been dire consequences as Nigeria ranks globally, continentally and sub-regionally lowest in women representation in parliament.

The RoundTable Conversation has been researching into this very huge problem as a way of discussing the Nigerian political problem – the lack of a balanced inclusiveness of women in politics. We spoke to Hon. Kate Raymond Mamuno, a retired civil servant and the only female in the Adamawa House of Assembly who also chairs the House Committee on Finance, Appropriation and Budget and the Committee on Women Affairs.

In her years in the civil service, she had observed the problems of women and development in her constituency and the fact that some cultural and religious nuances empowered men to exclude women in leadership at all levels. Having done her bit in the civil service she believed that venturing into politics could give women a louder voice. She had the first female senator from the North East, Senator Grace Bent as a mentor who she learnt a lot and got huge encouragement and support from.

To Mamuno, times have changed from the parochial ideas of the past that implied that women are only good for domestic duties and child bearing. To her women must be ready to go out there and fight to access power as men would not offer that on any platter. It is left for women to collaborate with men in ways that can be mutually beneficial because men and women can only complement and not compete with each other for development to happen.

She believes that politicians in Nigeria must learn to work together and women especially must team up to achieve better political visibility and relevance. Women must begin to work as a team and that is why she believes that the formation of the Adamawa Women in Politics both at home and in Abuja can help galvanize efforts for an increased presence of women in politics. Women are in a better position to understand and work on issues that affect women and the youths. This is because when you empower a woman, you empower a nation because they invariably reinvests in their homes and children.

To her, having a voice for women in the legislature is priceless because all the gender based violence and prejudices must be talked about by those wearing the shoe and who know where it pinches. Women in the country must be politically alert because even working with men who understand the issues cannot be overemphasized. She acknowledges that some men actually support women in the field. The governor of her state, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has been supportive in approving the financial resources needed to facilitate the projects that can help the female population and youths.

Hon. Kate believes women must know their rights. Nobody should take women for granted but help them to know and demand their rights so that things like violence of any type, child marriages and illiteracy can be eradicated and there would be development. It is a pride to be a woman and every woman should be validated to realize that they have potentials. Many good men are always ready to support women but women must first know their rights. We must all ensure that more women come up and are equipped for nation-building through enlightenment and advocacy. We as women must take responsibility for the development of our nation.

Princess Adekemi Adewunmi is an educationist, entrepreneur and experienced politician who has been in the field since 1998. She has seen and experienced the good, the bad and ugly of Nigerian politics and is in a good stead to analyze the issues and proffer what in her evaluation are ways to solve the lack of gender parity in Nigerian politics. Having contested to represent her Ekiti constituency at the Federal House of Representatives in 2019 after many previous attempts were seemingly sabotaged, she believes that the dysfunctional system in the Nigerian political field that has stalled development in the nation is not a natural disaster that is beyond Nigerians to solve.

She believes that many politicians in Nigeria do not have the interest of the people at heart and when a public officer does not understand that leadership is about helping the people to have a better life, the whole system suffers. As someone who got startled by her research findings about the Nigeria political system even before independence as part of her Master’s degree thesis, she believes that we must all as Nigerians make a conscious decision to create a better country for our children and impact positively on the people..

She believes that at the core of our political problem across the country is the pursuit of power for its own sake by most politicians. There is a big disconnect between the intensions of most politicians and the rhetoric they mouth at campaigns and internal party operations. To Princess Adenike, the people and their welfare must be the guiding principle of anyone seeking political power. The fact that Nigeria is the poverty capital of the world given how blessed with both material resources and human capital is an eloquent testimony that many political players are not there to give service to the people.

As one who has gone through the political crucible, there is a preponderance of politicians with zero altruistic intent. Her research was an eye opener to her and she felt she can only contribute by being a participant but as a woman, the Nigerian political environment needs a lot of reorientation and re-evaluation for us to make progress. She believes that there must be internal party democracy that provides a level playing field to everyone who wants to contest and the beauty of democracy is the fairness of allowing the people to choose their leadership.

She believes that people at the grassroots know genuine individuals whose pedigree guides their actions and so even if charlatans decide to influence them or induce them with material gifts, they would always choose those they have faith in to serve them diligently and honestly. Gender has nothing to do with service deliver and she is sad that most male politicians display a nauseous entitlement mentality even when they have nothing to offer the people repeatedly across different electoral periods.

She believes that women hold the key to how they should be treated by the men in politics but everyone must show a sense of patriotism to the nation by making sure that all the shenanigans that all political parties tolerate from most male politicians must be checked if we must move out of the poverty capital of the world position. Leadership is a serious business and is not about gender. Women leaders are making waves around the globe in admirable ways so why not Nigeria? We must all begin to dismantle all the divisive factors like ethnicity, religion and gender.

To her, many older female politicians have set good examples in the ways they have fought for gender parity in the Nigerian political space. Women like Iyom Josephine Anenih, Hajia Maina and Grace Bent are some of the mentors she believes have worked so hard for women’s voices to be heard. They are the ones she says she is learning resilience and courage from and she feels Nigerian women need more of such women for an impactful participation in politics.

Adenike believes that greed by some men she describes as ‘political businessmen’ in politics is ruining the country because they are just in politics for the political expediencies. Until the national and party constitutions and not abuse of power by the men begin to guide political party primaries to choose party candidates, our democracy cannot grow and our children would inherit a shambolic country if we continue this way.

Women must take their spaces in the political field and refuse to be intimidated because democracy is about the people and their choices. People that have consistently played selfish politics must be flushed out with rule of law and pursuit of equity and fairness. Women must refuse to be blackmailed and frustrated out by incompetent men. There are female politicians too that display the Stockholm Syndrome but time will weed them out. . They often lack the zeal to mentor other women and easily forget that power is very ephemeral. They never think of legacies to leave.

The dialogue continues…

July 3, 2021
Bello: An embodiment of loyalty @ 60

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Deputy Editor

At 60, life still goes on for Tunji Bello, political scientist, journalist, humanist, lawyer, politician, administrator and faithful and highly dependable disciple of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The eminent journalist and Lagos State Commissioner for Enviroment will be locked in sober reflection today as he celebrates his six decades of existence.

It can be said with justification that Bello may have silently achieved what others who are a century old are still striving for. He is, to say the least, politically relevant; in the enduring court of his highly esteemed political leader, in the entrenched ruling party at state level, in the dynamic government midwifed by the formidable platform, and in the progressive family at large.

There may be no elaborate ceremony. Bello will be bombarded with felicitations from far and near; from family and friends, fans, associates, media practitioners, top political leaders and statesmen.

At the nucleus family level, the celebrator, his wife, Prof. Ibiyemi, and promising children will raise up their hands in supplication to the Almighty Allah, the sole giver of life, for sound health, fruitful existence, fulfillment, and a meaningful opportunity to be on the fast lane to self-actualisation.

Expectedly, Bello may convert the moment into a veritable opportunity to assess the journey so far and make realistic projections for the future.

The picnics that may follow tonight will be a low key event. Generally, the major feature of the birthday is thanksgiving to God.

What Bello is celebrating, in a moral sense, is not only a fairly long earthly journey, but also the worth of existence; the import and impact of character, either as a journalist, lawyer, technocrat, consultant, media administrator or political actor. Put succinctly, it is what Yoruba would call virtue or “Omoluabi.”

Thus, the achievement of media valour, and its accompanying fame and influence; his meteoric political rise, as it were, his career progression as a public servant and ultimate capacity for sustaining a high public image have their foundation in his subscription to a life of virtue, principle, hardwork, integrity, honour and dignity.

Bello is a product of a home of culture and etiquette. Since he cherished that good background, he resolved early in life never to tarnish the good name and reputation of his father’s household. At the University of Ibadan, his school mates recall his campus profile; a humble, focused, serious minded and goal oriented social science student.

Read Also: For Sam Omatseye at 60

But, he was also a moderate campus socialite and a charismatic figure in student unionism. Bello was politically conscious. He never sat on the sideline. He appreciated the import of leadership. Therefore, he contested and won election as Union Government Vice President on merit, following consultations with the various segments of the studentry and mobilisation of liberation-conscious activists in those glorious days of ideological student unionism.

It is therefore, evident that the student-political scientist and emerging pro-democracy crusader was involved in the efforts that set the stage for strong activism that heralded the collective struggle that culminated in the delimitarisation process and enthronement of civil rule.

Bello also obtained a Masters Degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, Akoka, in 1987.

Little did he know that he was heading for journalism. An encounter with the business mogul, the legendary Aare Ona Kakanfo Moshood Abiola, was the defining moment. He was later to serve as Personal Assistant to the businessman-turned politician. Instead of the initial plan for a banking career, Abiola steered Bello into journalism. The starting point was The Concord newspaper, where he learned at the feet of thorough bred professionals and mentors, including Uduak Ezzien, Ben Onyeacholum, Duro Onabule and the highly cerebral Editor Dele Alake, who later became Lagos State Information and Strategy Commissioner.

He was a features Writer. later, an Assistant Features Editor. Through dint of hardwork and devotion to professional excellence, Bello rose through the ranks in the crowded newsroom, becoming the Political Editor at 27. Much confidence and trust were reposed in him by his superiors. Later, he became the Sunday Editor. He was once a Staff Writer with St. Petersburg Times, Florida and the US and World Report, Washington DC, United States.

His strength as a writer, then and even now, lies in his power of ideas. Self-confident, brave and bold, he spoke truth to power through his pen. His weapons of incisive wit, knowledge of the polity, credible sources, courage and resilience were professionally deployed as he oozed out highly objective stories, features and analysis on contemporary political issues that shaped the polity in the late eighties, nineties and in the first decade of this millennium.

In the course of his career as a journalist, he never compromised the ethics of his profession.

Bello, in the course of his career, mentored many reporters who later became editors. In that customary mad house called the newsroom, he was never a bully. He was credited with a good listening ability, calmness and sound judgement.

A progressive journalist, Bello became a moulder of opinion who commanded respect beyond the bar of journalism and politics. He also cultivated the high and the mighty through his social skills, loyalty, candour and decency. He never used his pen and position in the media to pull down people, but to uphold the truth and build the nation.

As the Chairman of Editorial Board of Thisday Newspaper, Bello also deployed his experience to the newspaper’s effort at shaping public opinion and contributing to national development. The offer underscored the management’s belief in his exposure, depth, versatility and professionalism.

Despite the media workload and busy schedules, the political scientist still managed to pursue a degree in Law. The feat attended to his focus,time management and devotion to a life time ambition to be counted among the members of the Learned Profession.

Bello’s media activities as an admirer of Senator Bola Tinubu, who became governor of Lagos State in 1999, were noticeable. He was among the young technocrats from diverse fields who offered support to the administration in certain technical areas where they willingly deployed their expertise. From the media angle, his capacity to deliver on strategic tasks with enthusiasm, speed and precision could not be glossed over. It may have been a major attraction which culminated in the decision to invite him to join the administration in 2003.

As Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Bello became an environmentalist and urban renewal curator. It is a highly technical and sensitive ministry which only a workaholic can effectively handle. On his shoulders rested the responsibility for environmental sanitation and curtailing the threats of erosion and dislocation in a metropolis reputed for indiscriminate refuse disposal.

After serving as Environment Commissioner, his next point of call was the Signage Agency, which he turned around. In 2015, he became the Secretary to Government. Two years ago, he returned to the Environment Ministry for the unfinished business.

The hunt for talent led to the discovery of the journalist who has made great impact in public service. As a member of the Executive Council, fondly called the cabinet of talents, Bello commanded respect for his experience and credibility. At council meetings, he is agood debater; highly constructive, frank and sincere. His colleagues in the council perceive him as an asset, a stabiliser, barometer, a link among the progressive administrations, and a witness to the tradition of continuity that has made Lagos the epic progressive centre.

He had warmed himself to his leader by sheer fidelity. With time, he graduated from being an aide to a confidant, a close adviser, an associate and a permanent member of the Inner Circle. It may also be important to emphasise that as an important member of the Bourdilon Court, Bello has never offered Ahitophelian counsels to the great leader.

As a long standing member of the State Executive Council, Bello has contributed immensely to the implementation of the 24-year Development Plan designed by the Tinubu administration to catapult the state to the horizon of progress and prosperity.

He is also successful at the homefront. A man of excellent gait and commanding presence, Bello is highly personable; a lady’s delight. But, the lot fell on the eminent scholar and Lagos State University (LASU) Acting Vice Chancellor to hook him. The marriage of the love birds is another contribution to the cause of monogamy in the modern world.

July 1, 2021
Young women, mentorship and political delusion

By Nnedinso Ogaziechi

There is sometimes an unspoken conflict of interest in the heads of many young women. They want to seize the momentum for gender rights advocacy across the globe but often feel that education and technology are all they need to catch up with the men’s monopoly in leadership. However, most tend to forget that even voting rights and other rights that women have fought for across the globe are all often credited to women who most times were illiterates but understood how politics and leadership work.

Age and leadership are not synonyms but age and experience often help to navigate the political turf. What this means therefore is that the mentorship processes are required for rookies of both genders to understudy the older more experienced politicians to have a headway. The male politicians have fared very well in the mentorship of younger men. It does not matter that in some sectors they are derogatorily referred to as ‘godfathers’. That does not negate the fact that democratic processes need a lot of strategies from the party platforms for success to be recorded.

The Roundtable Conversation tried to research the paucity of female equivalence of ‘godmothers’ in the Nigerian political environment. A few female politicians came up with some revelations. One problem is the fact that there are too few women in Nigerian politics. There are fewer older female politicians than men given the socio-cultural and religious reasons known to everyone. However, some of these older women are ready to mentor the younger women who want to actively take part in politics but some are not so keen.

There is however a snag, unlike the older ones, most of the millennials tend to mistake their digital expertise with political shrewdness. Unlike their male counterparts, they assume that the older women in politics cannot take them into apprenticeship. They feel that the gender advocacy themes can empower them to access leadership at the political level. Whether this is practicable remains to be seen.

The Roundtable conversation spoke to Dr. Bilikisu Magoro, the CEO of Bilmor Tech Vocational Center, a Development Consultant and Gender/human Rights advocate and an experienced woman in issues of historical importance about women in leadership. As one working with the ELECT-HER group and other mentorship groups that she actively contributes to, she believes the younger generation of women are learning but they must be ready to soak in the wisdom that goes into political strategizing that the men have been succeeding with.

There has to be more attentiveness from the younger women and they must take a cue from the men who always do what can be described as political apprenticeship. This helps in grooming the men and no matter how accomplished they are in other fields, they submit to the wisdom of the older men in politics. It does not mean that they would jettison their knowledge and ideas but there are political steps young women must learn from the older ones. It often has nothing to do with your educational qualifications. Leadership at the political level in a democracy has many processes that must be learnt and who best to pass on these strategies than the older women politicians?

To Bilikisu, the men are more steadfast in understudying their mentors (oga in local parlance) working with them and learning the ropes. She has however noticed that most young women just want to jump into the field and participate and that to a large extent is one reason women are not doing too well in terms of numbers. You cannot succeed like that because experience in politics matters.

Politics is a practical thing and it is not about theories, you must learn under someone, contribute your ideas and arm yourself with the strategies that work in your democratic settings. The younger women seem to be unrealistic in feeling that understudying older female politicians willing to mentor them means servitude in any form.

On the contrary, we can see older male politicians even as former heads of governments, heads of ministries or agencies would always respect their male mentors, often respectfully calling them ‘my oga’. The older and middle aged female politicians tend to recognize more the roles of the mentors in the field. Someone like Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti and Margaret Ekpo are still honoured today for their trailblazing efforts but it does seem the millennials feel that the internet and technology are all they need to close the gender gap in politics. That could be fallacious.

Politics needs a groundwork that only understudying older ones can achieve. You can achieve visibility better by associating with more visible and experienced politicians. That does not amount to servitude. When you are seen together very often, the law of association helps. You have to pay your dues before you learn. No, the men cannot give up powers just because you are internet savvy. You must know enough to wade through the murky waters. I personally had to understudy some women politicians of repute and I respectfully acknowledge their assistance and support in my growth politically.

More women have to be ready to humble themselves to learn because politics is not a walk in the park, there must be a deliberate acknowledgment of those before you as you will be history someday too. If the young women continue to act like they know it all, the political space would continue to be dominated by men who often choose to stoop and conquer so they must change their mindset. There is no alternative to mentoring and it is not a Nigerian thing, it is a global phenomenon.

The Roundtable had a chat with Hon. Pwasato Amos, the Vice Chairperson of Demsa Local Government of Adamawa state. She benefited from the mentorship of the first female Senator from Adamawa state in North East Nigeria, Senator Grace Bent. Pwasato says the fact that Senator Grace Bent became the first female Senator from the North East was a huge encouragement to her and other younger women in the constituency and most of them have succeeded in getting into politics through her mentorship. Some have gone into the State House of Assembly and some in other areas of the political space, especially local government administration, drawing them closer to the grassroots.

To her, it has been as challenging as it has been a learning experience but she feels that cannot be a source of discouragement. Most of the men are very supportive and that is the support the women need to contribute to leadership. She believes that the trail blazed by Senator Bent has been helpful because before her, it was mainly an all men affair. Her mentorship has been both practical and psychological because all the young women who are not even close to her believe they too can go into politics and be successful.

The advantage of staying strong and showing determination as a woman in politics is very encouraging to younger women and that is one thing that Senator Bent was able to inspire. She also went out her way to encourage and galvanize the young women in the state to form a closer bond to help them encourage each other. She believes a closer relationship with fellow women politicians can help more women get to leadership positions around the country.

Even with the challenges in politics women are good leaders because women know the problems they have and it can take more women getting into leadership to help solve those problems. As someone who has benefitted from mentorship, Pwasato believes that one can only learn by association and getting into the practical programs through your political parties. She too hopes to mentor other women too.

Just like male politicians, the women can also make changes by mentoring younger ones and the younger ones too must be ready to learn. It is not enough to want to get into politics, one must learn from the older ones whose experiences cannot be jettisoned at all because politics is not like online classes where you can be in your home and take classes and exams and pass. Communication is important and interaction in politics cannot be replaced with isolation.

The Roundtable Conversation believes that gender parity in politics is still a long way off but the younger generation of women must avoid the pitfalls to the aspirations they might have. Being internet savvy cannot guarantee political spaces. Leadership, experience and strategic planning are all very important to achieving results. All over the world, most of the women that have attained success in politics recount their journeys and obviously they all had mentors either as individuals or groups. Series of talk-shops and advocacy seminars are good but they are not the magic wands needed for full political participation.

Democracy is about political parties and the people. Staying aloof and reveling in mere rhetoric cannot guarantee political power . Politics is about interactions and that is not limited to voters alone. The wisdom of the older politicians, especially women willing to mentor the younger ones cannot be derived from modern gadgets because the sociology of politics is unique to every nation. The Roundtable Conversation feels now is the time to also learn from the men, political apprenticeship works. Young women must take the challenge seriously.

The dialogue continues…

June 26, 2021
Igboland isn’t a dot, it’s not landlocked
By Aloy Ejimakor

It’s often said that a lie told so many times, if unchallenged, may – in course of time – begin to pass for the truth. One of such is the terrible lie, institutionally purveyed since the end of the civil war, to the effect that Igboland is landlocked or has no access to the sea. Just recently, President Muhammadu Buhari not only implied the same but he went further to derisively describe Igboland as a “dot in a circle”, using IPOB as a metaphor.

The purpose of this essay, therefore, is to debunk this lie with some simple historical and topographical evidence that are even in plain view, if you care to dig or do some basic physical explorations of your own.

Suffice it to say that it is a profound tragedy that entire generations of the immediate post-war Igbos never bordered to check but seemingly accepted this brazen institutional falsehood, largely intended to taunt the Igbo and put them down. A few that knew it to be false just didn’t care anymore.

And that History was constructively banned since the end of the Civil War made it worse, plus the fact that most people don’t take physical Geography (or even adventure) that serious anymore, otherwise they would have discovered that Abia, Imo and Anambra States have varying short-distance paths to the Atlantic through Imo, Azumiri and Niger Rivers.

It’s not really rocket science, as you can easily confirm this if you know how to read (or plot) Google Earth; or you conquer your fear of swamp snakes and walk through these areas on foot.

There are also many other hardly explored waterways and slithering tributaries, including the remote reaches of Oguta Lake and Urashi River at Oseakwa (Ihiala) that meandered through Igbo-delta wetlands to the Southeastern ends of the Atlantic waterfront.

These rivers have varying lengths of short navigational paths to the Atlantic, and in some cases, are far shorter nautically (and even on footpath) than the Port Harcourt, Calabar and Ibaka seaports are to their side of the Atlantic.

Many of these pathways, including particularly the ones from the outer reaches of Imo and Azumiri Rivers terminate at the Atlantic at no more than 15 to 30 Nautical miles to the beachhead. To put it in lay language, one nautical mile equals 1.8 kilometers.

Thus, the contiguity of Southeast (not even the greater Igboland) to the Atlantic is nautically less than the Atlantic is to the seaports in Calabar, Onne, Ibaka, Lagos and Portharcourt. If you discount the territories unfairly excised from Igboland during State creations and the damnable boundary adjustments, it will be far less.

To be sure, Ikwerre land or Igweocha which bears the greater portions of the Portharcourt seaport was dredged up to 50 miles to the Atlantic front through the Bonny River. Onne seaport was dredged up to 60 miles to the Atlantic and Calabar seaport was dredged some 45 nautical miles to the Atlantic. Ibaka seaport is about 30 nautical miles to the Atlantic and the Lagos seaports dredged up to about 50 nautical miles to the Atlantic.

Compare all these to Obuaku in Abia State, which is only 25 nautical miles to the Atlantic from the confluence of Imo and Azumiri Rivers, of which Azumiri, on its separate merits, lies not more than 30 nautical miles to the Atlantic beachfront. The less obvious one is the little-known Oseakwa (Urashi) in Ihiala (Anambra State) which is mere 18 nauticals to the Atlantic, all with its 65 feet of natural depth, unarguably comparable to no other River in Nigeria.

Additionally, what is geopolitically known as Igboland today is far smaller than what it was and legally supposed to be. As far back as 1856, Baikie – one of the earliest and credible Geographers of ancient Nigeria, had this to say – “Igbo homeland, extends east and west, from the Old Kalabar river to the banks of the Kwora, Niger River, and possesses also some territory at Aboh, an Igbo clan, to the west-ward of the latter stream. On the north it borders on Igara, Igala and A’kpoto, and it is separated from the sea only by petty tribes, all of which trace their origin to this great race” (Baikie, William Balfour, published with a sanction of Her Majesty’s Government in 1856).

But with that infamous post-War abandoned property policy and the egregious institutional injustices in boundary adjustments, coupled with the widespread anti-Igbo gerrymandering, Igbos physically and psychologically lost political hold of their vested ancestral lands, all to the point of not caring anymore about their historical contiguity to the Atlantic, which their ancestors beheld and called ‘Oshimiri’ – The Great Sea.

The psychological beat-down and gang-up got so bad and institutional that some of the descendants of these Igbo ancestors (nearest to the Atlantic and now lying outside Southeast) are no longer sure whether they are Igbo or not.

The worst injustice was in 1976 when the Justice Nasir Boundary Adjustment Commission made a serious and targeted agenda of carving out core Igboland territories into some neighboring States of the South-South. But they didn’t quite make an absolute success of it. They missed the southernmost Southeast lands that possess Rivers that meandered through slices of Igbo-friendly South-South territories and ended up at the Atlantic, thus unwittingly (and luckily) placing Igboland and its right of access to the sea under the canons and realms of customary international law.

As it stands, international law of the sea guarantees Igboland (whether it remains Nigerian territory or not) unhindered access to the nearest sea (in this case: the Atlantic) peacefully through any of the various short-distance rivers, waterways and tributaries that originated from Igboland but ultimately washed into the Atlantic through contiguous South-south territories.

For avoidance of doubt, there’s particularly the Obuaku confluence in Ukwa West (Abia State) that flows through greater Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State before expanding out and washing into the near-reaches of the Atlantic. And the River Niger which ultimately joined the Atlantic through a vast network of hardly explored creeks and mangrove swamps that abut the Bight of Biafra (officially corrupted to Bight of Bonny, after the War).

Nigeria is subject to the International Law of the Sea and is therefore bound to abide by its provisions, should the need arise in a scenario of persistent sovereign oppression of the Igbo as an identifiable (and protected) indigenous group within Nigeria. The others are the United Nations Treaty of the Sea and the African Union Treaties and Conventions on the Sea, including particularly the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which Nigeria ratified and domesticated in 1983.

The pertinent provisions are mostly embedded in the copious protections relating to the collective economic and commercial rights of indigenous peoples lying within a Treaty nation. Ndigbo are undoubtedly an indigenous people presently lying within Nigeria.

So, international law will surely come into play should a belligerent or legal conflict arise out of Nigeria’s oppressive institutional resistance to granting a seaport to Igboland – an issue so fundamental and compelling that it bears the fulcrum of what is agitating the Igbo to the point of seeking an alternative to Nigeria.
- Ejimakor, a lawyer, writes from Owerri
June 20, 2021
T.B. Joshua: There was a man I knew

By Chief Femi Fani-Kayode

There was a man I knew who helped a former Head of State’s wife gain access to her husband whilst the latter was in detention and when his life was in danger, even though he had never met him.

There was a man I knew who gave $100,000 USD to a leading traditional ruler who was in need and wanted to go on a trip to America with his delegation, even though he had never met him.

There was a man I knew who bought a beautiful jeep for a former Nigerian/British football star who spent much of the time in his Church.

There was a man I knew who stood by the family of a leading SAN when the latter was kidnapped even though they had never met.

There was a man I knew who stood by the family of a former Minister of Aviation when the latter was in detention even though they had never met.

There was a man I knew who fed more poor people and paid the school fees of more young people than all the other men of God in Nigeria put together.

There was a man I knew who read about how the entire family of a young boy from Delta state was wiped out by assasins whilst the boy himself was left for dead with a cut throat but who took the boy into his Church, treated him in hospital, counselled him, sent him to school, took care of all his needs and raised him as his own son.

There was a man I knew who gave shelter to the homeless, food to the hungry, clothes to the naked and spiritual and physical succour to the needy more than any other.

There was a man I knew who counselled and led millions of people all over the world to give their lives to Christ and become born again.

There was a man I knew who filled football stadiums in South America, the Far East, Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and indeed all over the world with his remarkable soul-winning and earth-shaking crusades.

There was a man I knew who gave scholarships to thousands of young people to study all over the world and who took care of thousands of widows and orphans.

There was a man I knew who footed the bills of many cancer patients and those that suffered from other terminal illnesses.

There was a man I knew who hated injustice and persecution with a passion and who helped and supported the vulnerable, the weak, the persecuted, the oppressed and the misrepresented and maligned more than any other.

There was a man I knew who set up the most popular and powerful satellite television station on the African continent to propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and to display His glorious and remarkable healing and loving power.

There was a man I knew who was a real patriot, who loved his country Nigeria, who loved his continent Africa and who loved the Church more than any other.

There was a man I knew who flew more refugees from foreign lands back home to Nigeria and fed and gave them jobs more than any other.

There was a man I kew who never responded to his detractors and critics and who preached nothing but love and forgiveness.

There was a man I knew who was gifted in the prophetic, who worked many miracles in the name the Lord and who always gave God the glory.

There was a man I knew whose Church attracted 6 out of every 10 foreigners that come to Nigeria.

There was a man I knew who was better known and more loved and respected than any other Nigerian living or dead in the nations of the world.

There was a man I knew who prayed into power and counselled many world leaders and Presidents than any other.

There was a man I knew who was more comfortable in the company of the poor than he was in the company of the rich.

There was a man I knew who suffered more persecution and tragedy than any other man of God in Nigeria without ever complaining.

There was a man I knew who derived more joy in giving than receiving and whose charitable works and humility was second to none.

There was a man I knew who preferred to build prayer retreats with beautiful trees, beautiful animals and beautiful flowers than private universities.

There was a man I knew who inspired more than any other, who always made time for those in despair, pain and anguish, who always allayed the fears of those he counselled and who offered the best advice that anyone could ever hope for.

There was a man I knew who believed that kindness to even the cruel and loving even the unlovable was the duty of every follower of Christ.

There was a man I knew who never forgot his roots and who took pleasure in telling others about his humble beginnings.

There was a man I knew who never judged others, who prayed for his enemies, who loved those that hated him and who helped as many Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists as he did Christians.

There was a man I knew who was closer to being an angel than any other person that I have ever met before in my entire life.

That man’s name was Temitope Balogun Joshua the founder of The Synagogue Church of All Nations.

He was a great Prophet of the Living God whose remarkable ministry and extraordinary works shook the entire world and brought solace and hope to several generations.

He passed on a few days ago and we God glory for his life. Until the end of time he shall be remembered and celebrated for being the kind-hearted, loving, caring and generous soul that he was.

He was one of God’s ‘end-time’ Generals and his fruits and works speak for him.

Godspeed and fare thee well brother and please rest in peace. You ran your course, you fought a good fight, you did us proud and you earned your crown.

We will never forget you and the impact you made in our respective lives.

We shall meet again at the marriage feast of the Lamb and until then we shall hold on to your words and remember your counsel.

We shall be strong and bold in all things and at all times and we shall keep our flag of compassion, courage, honor and faith flying.

This is not the end but only the beginning of our journey into eternity.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy power? For even in the grave, Jesus is Lord!

I close with David’s famous words when he learnt apart the passing of King Saul and his friend Jonathan.

He said,

“Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph…How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. How are the mighty fallen and the weapons of war perished!”- 2 Samuel 1: 20, 25-27.

I weep at your passing my brother TB.

Adieu and shalom great Prophet of the Living God and great son of Nigeria.

June 20, 2021
Edo PDP: The cost of victory

By Emmanuel Oladesu

Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be in a fix. The party is waging an inexplicable war against itself. Chieftains are at loggerheads. Why should an opposition party that has now become a ruling party not make use of its new status to fortify the structure, strengthen its membership and forge cohesion?

Although the chapter reclaimed power last year, it lost its peace afterwards. Utterly divided, Edo PDP is finding it difficult to manage its electoral feat. It is enveloped by strife and rancour. What should ordinarily unite the party has turned out to be a divisive factor.

The new party symbol is Governor Godwin Obaseki, who a few days ago savoured the rally held in his honour for his triumph at the court. The event amounted to a decoy to give an impression of unity. But, there is mutual suspicion between him and other PDP leaders.

The polarisation revolves around the founding members who lacked electoral assets to give the chapter victory and newcomers or defectors who had resources to swing the pendulum of victory.

Obaseki became the automatic leader of a party he did not fully understand. Neither did the party understand him. The two camps were only united by the determination to wrest power from APC of Comrade Adam Oshiomhole and Pastor Osage Ize-Iyamu.

PDP chieftains hailed Obaseki’s defection. Yet, he was perceived as a stranger who should give many concessions to old party members who nurtured the platform. Ironically, the activities of the governor had previously weakened the PDP when he was an APC governor.

The governor worked hard to retain control. It would have been impossible without the cooperation of Edo PDP leaders. But, he may now need to work harder to restore peace and harmony to the vehicle he rode to power.

The thinking is that the chapter has been donated to the governor. In another breath, there is the pervading feeling that certain conditions were momentarily fulfilled before the emergency parley was consummated in desperation.

At issue is Obaseki’s style. He was prepared for the election. He won, despite the hurdles. The governor invested much in the electioneering in terms of emotion, energy and huge financial resources. No State House is for the poor and stingy.

After winning, Edo started recording a lull in state administration. The government never took off fully after the swearing in for a second term. Six months after, there is no Executive Council in place. It exco is at half, made up of the governor, Deputy Governor, SSG and Chief of Staff. Impatient stalwarts who had endured the pains of being in opposition for 12 years demanded returns on their political investment. The gap is being filled by political figures; top civil servants, although the Body of Permanent Secretaries cannot replace the exco. This has generated discord.

Obaseki’s former godfather-turned tormentor, Comrade Oshiomhole, and his main rival at the poll, Pastor Ize-Iyamu, have congratulated him for defeating them in court. The governor said he only read it on social media. That means they must come physically, armed with congratulatory letters, to do obeisance at the Government House.

Obaseki re-echoed his disdain for godfatherism, a factor that played a crucial role in his ascendancy as governor in 2016. He is telling the world that he will not play the role of a godfather in 2024 when his second term will expire. Unmindful of the fact that he had already conquered, he has decided to continue the fight. To observers, the governor’s reaction to Oshiomhole’s and Ize-Iyamu’s post-litigation submission smacked of vendetta.

Also, Obaseki has ruled out reconciliation with the pro-Oshiomhole House of Assembly members, who “deserted.” These lawmakers opted for a choice that had boxed them into a corner. They have suffered a lot in political isolation. In the House, they have become persona non grata, although they were legitimately elected by their constituents. The solution lies with the judiciary, the arbiter, Obaseki has maintained. The implication is that both the ruling party and the entire state are divided. The House of Assembly is made up of a fraction of lawmakers. This also smacked of a lack of certain political skills on the part of the chief executive.

Having eaten humble pie, a political solution should have been explored to resolve the House of Assembly crisis to end the mutual bitterness.

Two weeks ago, a section of the party challenged the governor to a duel. They were like ants before the powerful governor. Many chieftains had complained that they were left in the cold after the election, due to the delay in setting up the exco. They earnestly wanted political benefits for releasing their platform for an outsider in his period of distress. They never understood the language of pre-election compensation or systematic ‘pay-off.’ They also protested that Obasekj was not carrying them along in state administration.

Why are the party chieftains lacking the skill to constructively engage their new leader and pour out their feelings to him in an atmosphere of brotherhood. Why are they failing to realise that they need to make some adjustments to the style of the governor, who they did not know much about when they agreed to work with him? Why the mutual bullying in Edo PDP?

It appears there is no love lost between the governor and the party chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, in particular. Were certain partisan promises not fulfilled by the governor? Is the chairman expecting more that the governor can politically concede?

Last month, the aggrieved chairman had reported the governor to the National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Chairman Uche Seconds. But, can Seconds tame Obaseki? At a time, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike alleged that some top party leaders had become tax or rent collectors.

Aziegbemi accused Obaseki of attempting to dissolve the executive committees of the party at the ward, local government and state levels.

It was said that the governor wanted dissolution to permit harmonisation and guarantee accommodation for defectors from the APC.

The harmonisation canvassed by Aziegbemj was that Deputy Governor Philip Shuaibu should step down for an old PDP member to take his place. The governor and his deputy kicked. Maybe, because it was not part of the pre-election agreement.

Last week, the chairman was shoved aside by the State Working Committee(SWC). The suspension was sudden. Only a few discerning PDP stalwarts could see the handwriting on the wall. The allegations against him are weighty. They include gross misconduct, fueling tension, promoting disunity and bringing the party into disrepute. These infractions were determined, based on the perception and judgment of the party leader, who expected total loyalty from party officers.

The suspension has further polarised the divided PDP chapter. The publicity secretary, Chris Nehikhare, announced the suspension, saying that a panel made up of some party officers has been set up to probe the allegations.

To underscore the polarisation and the escalated crisis, the youth leader, Ehis Destiny, disputed the suspension, saying that it was unwarranted.

The governor will surely have an upper hand. No party member can match his awesome power, influence, personal structure in the party, and resources at his disposal.

Giving an insight into the reason for the crisis, Destiny said: “Some powers that be, who believe that PDP in Edo is their private and personal estate, have tried to hijack the administration of the party in the state, even when they know what they are doing is wrong.”

Who will now forge unity in the Edo Chapter? Maybe, the National Reconciliation Committee, led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

But, will the warring gladiators listen to the panel?

June 19, 2021
President Buhari immortalize Chuba Okadigbo
By Igboeli Arinze

I decided!

I decided!!

To join the ANPP, to chase out those people (Obasanjo and Atiku) from Aso Rock”

Chuba Okadigbo – In his acceptance speech to be running mate to Muhammadu Buhari of the then ANPP.

Last week, September the 25th, 2019 marked 15 years since one of this nation’s most cerebral cum colourful politicians left this part of the earth to join his ancestors after contributing immensely to the political dialectics of Nigerian politics. Chuba Okadigbo was simply one of Nigeria’s finest politicians and much as we his admirers will continue to remember him it is also pertinent to call on President Muhammadu Buhari and other powers that be, particularly of the SouthEast region to honor this man by way of immortalizing him that his legacies may be more solidified for future generations to learn from.

It beats me as an avowed supporter of President Buhari( I am not ashamed to state this) that five years after realizing a dream that did not begin in 2014 but in the early timelines of January the 5th 2003, that Buhari is yet to immortalize Okadigbo, who made sacrifice upon sacrifice and even paid the supreme sacrifice with his life!

Perhaps, has President Buhari forgotten that he, Okadigbo left the almighty PDP to the ANPP in the hope of becoming its presidential candidate, however, when he saw the wild spread waves of Buharimania, he quickly did his “political arithmetic” and decided to join forces with Buhari, giving colour and weight to a ticket that would may have lacked the luster expected to dislodge an incumbent in power.

People also do not know that Okadigbo would have being the All Progressives Grand Alliance’s first Presidential Candidate, but turned it down for ANPP’s ticket, perhaps given its national outlook as against an APGA that was deemed as a party NdiIgbo. It was when Okadigbo declined the ticket that Emeka Ojukwu came into its billing, the rest is history. Now, had an Okadigbo settler for a regional party as APGA, Muhammadu Buhari would have settled for another running mate and I am not mincing words, none would have given that ticket the panache and flair that it attracted in 2015, I dare state and stand to be corrected, that even the Buhari/ Osibanjo ticket did not possess half the flair, the Buhari/Okadigbo ticket had.

Even looking at it from another angle, what if an Okadigbo had decided to challenge the alleged railroading of the Buhari ticket, as a former SA Political to Shehu Shagari and Senate President in the fourth republic he would have surely possessed the much needed clout to assail the Buhari ticket, even President Obasanjo may have offered him a deal to woo him back to the PDP’s fold( One must remember that our politics then and as now still has the attributes of what Sunday Afolabi, a one time Deputy Governor of old Oyo State and minister for internal affairs described as an “Invitation to come and eat”, Okadigbo would have shunned the ANPP for a place at the “dining table”. Even more so, he could have moved to another party and still held his own against both Buhari’s ANPP and the PDP, dividing further the ANPP’s strength in 2003.

One is not calling for Chuba’s immortalization only on his contributions to the Buhari project, nay; like it or not Chuba’s contributions to the nation’s politics speaks volumes, his prowess as an academician and intellectual remains second to none in the annals of our history, his participation in politics was of a nationalist bent and one who firmly believed in the unity of this country, instances abound in which he would have transmuted into an ethnic bigot, but no, he was to die with the view that an attachment to tribe made one’s learning worthless.

As Senate President, Chuba gave the Nigerian Senate it’s finest form of leadership, the Senate under him was no longer the rubber stamp that Obasanjo preferred, the Senate resonated some form of legislative independence and sought to brandish a lofty intellectual outlook for the National Assembly.

Chuba built bridges, was a man of culture and had a large heart, a number of people today are at life’s heights because he invested in them, a number of them he did not have blood or family ties with.

Even the SouthEast leaders are guilty of neglecting Okadigbo’s legacies, most guilty is the governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano. Thus whilst we cast stones at Buhari, we are callously reminded by the grim fact that “Charity must begin at home”.

Finally, let me recall here one of Chuba’s prophecies that foretold Buhari’s coming

“The Estabilishement might not allow us to Rule Now, but be that as it may, on a very good day, at the appointed time, Buhari will rule Nigeria. What I do not know, is whether I will be around when that happens. But even if am not there, (Chuba turned to Buhari) please Muhammadu, move on and fear not! The vultures will gather against you, but you know what we stand for. Be strong and continue for you shall overcome!”

Chuba again turned to Buhari, “It Will Not Be Long!”
- This piece was earlier written in 2019
June 19, 2021