The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

2015: SUCCESSION BATTLES STATE BY STATE (2)

Nigeria is once again entangled in the knotty issue of a fast approaching general election as the 2015 polls draw nearer by the day. Across the country, politicians and political parties are getting ready to slug it out for the available elective positions that will go up for grabs during the general elections.

Of the positions that will up for contest in 2015, the governorship seats at the various state levels are those that promise to throw up a lot of dust. From one state to the other, across the six geo-political zones of the country, aspirants, incumbents, regular contenders and new entrants alike have been criss-crossing the length and breadth of their respective states to announce their readiness to take up the jobs of ruling their states for the next four years post 2015.

Save for states like Anambra, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo and Edo that will not be voting to elect new governors next year, all other states of the federation are currently gripped by the fever of the looming gubernatorial elections.

Political alignments and re-alignments have become the order of the day in the past few months. Tales of defecting politicians and political groups are all over the place as gubernatorial aspirants search for the very best platforms upon which to fly their governorship kites. While some are leaving their parties, some others are moving into those parties being abandoned.

Political parties are also re-strategising and repositioning their electioneering machineries; all in various bids to ensure that they put up good showings at the forthcoming gubernatorial contests. Stories of parties merging to form more formidable alliances, as well as the formation of outrightly new ones are parts of what we get to hear about daily as the 2015 date draws nearer.

In some states, two-term governors who are not qualified to seek another term in office come 2015 are publicly endorsing zones or districts that would produce the next governors of their states in the name of zoning. In others, incumbent governors are getting the nods of the ruling parties to seek fresh terms. But in all these states, there are determined aspirants vowing to topple the apple carts and prove pundits wrong.

Campaign stickers prepared by different support groups now adorn many vehicles in the states. Posters and banners are also part of the media announcing the arrival of another era of political contests across the country. In some instances, billboards are even tell tale signs of what is trending in the country today politically. The streets of the various capital cities say it all.

Ask their supporters and they will tell you that the aspirations of their principals could not have come at more appropriate times; but their critics have different opinions about such aspirants. In this edition, our correspondents take cursory looks at how some states are faring as politicians prepare for the 2015 governorship elections.

May 18, 2014
Lagos 2015: Fowler good to succeed Fashola, says group

Immediate past boss of the Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) Babatunde Williams Fowler, is being urged to throw his hat into the ring and contest the 2015 governorship election in the state on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The Lagos Development Advocacy Group, (LDAG), during a brief press conference to encourage the man whom they believe is the rightful candidate for the seat of power in Lagos, said Fowler has all it takes to continue the good works of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola

According to Olayemi Olukunle, coordinator of the group, the search for competence, capability and character to sustain the state beyond federal allocation, has brought them in contact with Fowler, whom they believe will fit into the policy of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress, (APC). He also noted that although Mr. Fowler has not made his intention known, they believe that pressure from Lagosians and those who believe in his leadership abilities will ensure that he accepts the challenge and lead the state come 2015.

LDAG said, “The concern, agitation and scheming for a successor for our inexorable Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, who is completing his second term in office in May 2015, is genuine and needs to be carefully engaged. As we all have observed in recent times, pundits, commentators and even faithful party members have engaged in several analysis and debates on what should qualify any true breed Lagosian for the exalted seat of the Lagos State Governor. Some of the issues that kept coming up are senatorial zoning, religious affiliation and many other sectarian and primordial considerations deliberately orchestrated in favour of some individuals eyeing the seat.

“After rigorous, conscientious search and consideration amongst the prospective candidates and other public officers, we found Mr. Babatunde Williams Fowler, BWF as the most qualified in this regard and hereby make a clarion call for him to join the race for the exalted position on the platform of All Progressive Congress, APC which he belongs to”.

The group added that Fowler being a Christian is another plus for him as this settles the ongoing agitation for a Christian Governor for the state in 2015. “The next agenda for our great state should focus on how to look inward and be self-sustaining through creative and decent wealth creation. The great development architecture drawn by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Lagos State being presently actualised must be sustained. This is premised on the concise need for leadership that has the capacity for wealth creation and ability to provide sustainable fund raising opportunity that will support the ongoing massive development in the State. This is a clarion call to the indefatigable man of great candour, the brain behind the growing Internal Generating Revenue, IGR, of Lagos state, which now stands at over N15 billion monthly from the N700 million in 1999 .

“Only a man that has been at the driving seat of our prosperity can drive the State through this onerous development agenda for self-sustenance in view of the over dwindling and inconsistent revenue allocation from the Federal Government . We make bold to say that ‘managing is not as tasking as funds generation’ and as such, we found this gentleman’s credentials unsurpassed in the search for who occupies the exalted position at a time when the agenda is to make Lagos self-sustaining. This notable Lagosian also satisfies all the other considerations that titled in support of equity. He is a Christian and Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) and on eligibility based on Senatorial zoning, BWF is eminently qualified to represent Lagos East on the basis of the ‘residencey rule’ which has been the applicable and normal practice in the politics of Lagos state from time immemorial.

“This rule has been applied many times in the past, example was in 1999 when our national leader Asiwaju was eligible to run for the office of the Governor of Lagos state from Lagos West and Senator Tokunbo Akuyomi too moved from Lagos Central senatorial District to West to book a second term in the Senate, Only recently the Speaker of Lagos state House of Assembly, Ikuforiji also in the second term ran from Lagos West.

“It is worthy to note that BWF has satisfied this residency rule having lived in Lagos East for well over 10 solid years, with strong affiliation and generous contributions towards the development of the community.

“All these and many more qualify him to represent the APC at the general elections come 2015”.

May 18, 2014
2015: APC, PDP, LP battle in Ogun

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has his work cut out in the battle to win a second term next year.

At the last count, about 10 aspirants cutting across three major political parties are interested in taking over from him come next year.

Amosun and the battle within APC

In the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), some major stakeholders are allegedly working to scuttle the governor’s second term bid.

This development is a fall-out of the acrimonious ward, local government and state congress of the APC in which the governor’s loyalists had a clean sweep of party positions.

But another group loyal to a former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, would have none of this. The group’s displeasure may have struck the right chord in the relevant quarters, as the national leadership of the APC has put on hold the inauguration of the Ogun State executive of the party, which was earlier scheduled to take place about two weeks ago.

Regardless of how the contentious issues are resolved between the two groups fighting for the soul of the party, sources revealed that some stakeholders in the party are rooting for a fresh candidate to replace Amosun as the party’s 2015 governorship candidate.

A businessman, Mr. Remi Bakare, who was alleged to be Osoba’s preferred candidate in 2011 before the national leaders of the party settled for Amosun, has already indicated his intention to challenge Amosun for the APC ticket.

From Ogun Central like the incumbent governor, Bakare has reportedly told his associates that he is determined to go the whole hog in the race for the APC governorship ticket.

Another rumoured aspirant from Ogun Central in the APC is Mr. Fola Tajudeen Adeola, the pioneer Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, whose posters indicating his alleged intention to contest the governorship election in 2015 surfaced in some parts of Abeokuta, the state capital, mid last year.

Adeola, who is the former Vice Presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and currently a member at the ongoing National Conference, has however not formally indicated his interest in the exalted seat.

Other aspirants in contention

Abiodun Akinlade, the beautiful bride

A third term member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, has emerged as the most formidable aspirant from the Yewa axis that is yet to produce the governor since the creation of the State.

Elected into the National Assembly in 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he was re-elected in 2007 but defected to the defunct ACN in 2011 on which platform he contested again and won by a landslide.

In the last few months, Akinlade, who was allegedly chosen as the defunct ACN’s governorship candidate in 2011 before power brokers in the party later opted for Amosun, has been under intense pressure to vie for the position again.

The Nation reliably gathered that Akinlade has become a beautiful bride of sorts, as some Ogun APC leaders who are opposed to Amosun are urging him to contest the party’s governorship ticket.

The PDP and the Presidency are also allegedly dangling the offer of the party’s governorship ticket before Akinlade, but sources say the Chairman, Science and Technology Committee of the Lower House is taking his time before deciding his next move.

At a series of meeting convened by the national leaders of the Labour Party (LP), Akinlade last year, had allegedly been promised the governorship ticket of the party but the defection of the immediate past governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to LP from the PDP appears to have put that plan in jeopardy.

A grass root politician who enjoys a cult-like followership in Ogun West senatorial zone, Akinlade, who is married to an Abeokuta indigene, is perceived by the governor’s camp as a man that must be checkmated in the race for the Oke Mosan Government House in 2015.

The governor, it was gathered, is said to be uncomfortable that half of the members of the state House of Assembly are allegedly loyal to Akinlade. Since the contest for the ACN 2011 governorship ticket was decided, the governor’s relationship with the federal lawmaker has been frosty at best.

Sarafa Ishola

The former Minister of Mines and Steel, according to reports, is currently putting structures in place to contest for the PDP governorship primary.

Ishola, who also served as the Secretary to the Ogun State Government during the first term of ex-Governor Daniel, is yet to publicly state his intention, but sources close to him say his declaration may happen sooner than later.

Dimeji Bankole

No sooner was he discharged and acquitted of corruption charges by a Federal High Court in Abuja that certain forces in Ogun PDP began to call on the former Speaker of the House of Representatives to throw his hat into the governorship ring.

Though the former lawmaker is not averse to the idea, but he was reported to have told his supporters, that achieving unity in the party is an urgent task that must first be addressed.

Kayode Amusan

A two term member of the House of Representatives, Kayode Amusan, has not hidden his intention to unseat Gov. Amosun in 2015.

But first, he has to win the PDP ticket. Does he stand a chance? Not many stakeholders in the PDP rate him high. His failed third attempt to return to the House of Representatives following his defeat to Olumide Osoba, eldest son of APC leader, Aremo Ousegun Osoba, is still fresh in the minds of many people in the State.

Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka

He is a close political associate of ex-Governor Daniel.

From the Yewa zone, Isiaka contested for the same seat in 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) and may get Daniel’s nod again, this time for the LP 2015 governorship ticket.

Sina Kawonise

He is also a close ally of Daniel. From Ogun East senatorial zone, Kawonise, who served as Commissioner for Information under Daniel, is vying for the LP ticket with Isiaka.

May 18, 2014
Adamawa: Intrigues as Nyako battles PDP heavyweights

Until the resignation of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on January 16, 2014, his eldest son, Awwal Tukur, was seen as the man to beat for the party’s 2015 governorship ticket.

But this initial calculation may have been altered following the recent defection of two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa and Engr. Marcus Gundiri, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following irreconcilable differences with the state governor, Murtala Nyako, over the control of APC structures in the North East state.

The refusal of the Deputy Governor, Bala James Ngilari, to join the APC alongside Nyako, has further upped the ante in the battle for the 2015 governorship ticket.

Gundiri, who posted an impressive showing at the 2011 governorship election, coming a close second to Nyako, cited his alleged exclusion and that of his supporters in the running of the APC as the main factor responsible for his defection to the PDP.

But sources in the State aver that Gundiri’s governorship ambition and the realisation that Nyako may not support him largely informed his decision to join the PDP.

The issue of ambition, sources said, may have also compelled Ngilari to stay put in the PDP. Powerful forces in the Presidency and the national headquarters of the PDP are alleged to have promised Ngilari the governorship ticket.

Who wins the PDP ticket?

Though his father may no longer be in charge of PDP, sources disclosed that Awwal, a former member of the House of Representatives has resolved to forge ahead with his governorship ambition.

A source told The Nation that the defection of Gundiri and Ngilari’s governorship ambition would not in any way threaten the younger Tukur’s chances at the PDP primaries.

The confidence in the younger Tukur’s camp may not be unconnected to a promise Alhaji Bamanga Tukur allegedly extracted from President Goodluck Jonathan to support his son’s 2015 governorship ambition.

Another factor working in Awwal Tukur’s favour, according to sources, is the control of the Adamawa PDP executive committee by people unquestionably loyal to his father.

Before Nyako’s defection to the APC, the state PDP had two factions, with one led by Alhaji Mijinyawa Kugama, which is loyal to the governor, while the other faction led by Chief Joel Madaki is loyal to Tukur.

According to a party member, there are fears that Ngilari, who is believed to have wormed his way into the good books of President Goodluck Jonathan, has allegedly vowed not to step down for Tukur or any other candidate.

Ngilari’s confidence of clinching the PDP ticket allegedly stems from positive feelers he has reportedly received from some close aides of the president that he is the anointed candidate of the powers that be.

With an alleged plan afoot to make Ngilari the PDP leader in Adamawa State, forces loyal to Bamanga Tukur are allegedly not disposed to embracing the deputy governor’s leadership.

How to handle Gundiri’s ambition is also another knotty issue agitating the minds of PDP leaders in the State and at the national level, as his decision to join the party was based on an alleged assurance he got that a level playing field will be provided for all governorship aspirants irrespective of their years in the party.

Gundiri, according to a source, believes he stands a good chance to emerge as the PDP flag bearer. In the 2011 governorship election, the then defunct ACN candidate polled 260,405 votes to emerge second behind Nyako who got 302, 986 votes.

The Marwa challenge

The former Military Administrator of Lagos and Borno States recently defected to the PDP from APC in move that was not totally unexpected.

The retired Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army was one of the founding members of the APC in Adamawa State, but Governor Nyako’s defection to the party changed the equation, with the governor emerging as the new leader of the party in the State.

Marwa contested for the governorship seat in 2011 on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) coming a distant third with 107, 564 votes.

The soft spoken Harvard University-trained soldier-turned politician, The, is still very much interested in the governorship and may throw his hat into the ring again.

While it remains unclear what promises Marwa allegedly extracted from PDP leaders before his defection to the party, what remains uncertain is the fact that the battle for the 2015 PDP governorship ticket may create a bad blood when the battle is finally won and lost.

Who is Nyako’s anointed candidate?

In sharp contrast to the scenario playing out in the PDP on the governorship ticket, the situation in the All Progressives Congress (APC) still appears very hazy.

Up till this moment, no candidate has emerged as the frontrunner, even as there are unconfirmed speculations that the state governor, Murtala Nyako, is secretly backing a dark horse to succeed him.

Sometime ago, the governor’s eldest son, Abdulaziz, was propped up by some of the governor’s supporters and associates to run for the 2015, but the plan may have been jettisoned based on the likely ripples it might create in the party.

While the governor has kept his succession plan close to his chest, there are strong indications that another major stakeholder of the party in the State, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will certainly have a major say in who succeeds Nyako in 2015.

May 18, 2014
Kogi: Opposition squares up to PDP

Kogi State governor, Idris Wada has a testy battle ahead. It is the battle to retain his seat and win reelection. Wada has fought a long way to come this far. First was the battle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its governorship ticket. His challenger, Jibril Isah, popularly known as Echocho, won the initial ticket. But forces in the party led by immediate past governor, Ibrahim Idris, conducted a fresh primary won by Wada.

Echocho, rich and popular, was irked. He took the case to court and fought tooth and nail. He pursued the case to the Supreme Court, which affirmed Wada’s candidacy on February 21. Though the governor won at the apex court, he has tougher battles ahead of his reelection bid in 2015.

His main challenge will be galvanising every PDP member to support his ambition. His victory in 2011 at the poll and the Supreme Court’s affirmation of his candidacy has fragmented the party. The PDP in Kogi today has so many disgruntled and disenchanted members.

The unending Echocho’s aura

Leading the pack is Echocho, who won the January 9 2011 primary of the PDP at the Lokoja Township stadium. He was set to represent the party at the April 26, 2011 general election until the Appeal Court ruled that the tenure of five governors including Kogi had not expired. This forced the postponement of the gubernatorial election in the state and four others.

Rather than sticking with its elected candidate, the PDP went ahead to conduct a fresh primary on December 3 2011, where Wada emerged. Echocho is particularly bitter he was ditched for Wada after winning the initial primary. Several reconciliation attempts from the National Secretariat of the PDP to assuage him have failed, fuelling talks that he might be bidding time to take his pound of flesh.

He is popular at the grassroots and said to be generous, but fiercely independent-minded. Sources said his independent streak was a major reason why the godfathers dumped him for Wada. But his influence in the party has remained unwavering. Many members keep flooding to his side, a development said to have been so because of Wada’s inability to ‘empower’ them.

Many party chieftains, it is learnt, are feeling alienated by Wada and have vowed to work against his second term bid. In contrast, they keep finding listening ears in Echocho and comforting shoulders from him. Aware of his unflinching supports within the PDP, the governor last February appealed to Echocho not to leave the party. He called on him and other disgruntled members to work with him in moving the state forward.

The long judicial battle to affirm his candidacy, many said, has drained the governor’s armory. It also left the party bloodied and weakened. The perceived non-performance has further compounded his many battles on the road to reelection. Besides, sources said he has fallen out with his political godfather and predecessor, Ibrahim Idris. Without Idris’ support base and Echocho’s threat within the party, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Wada to wriggle his way in the PDP.

APC’s house-cleaning

While the PDP continues to battle with internal bickering, the All Progressive Congress (APC) keeps consolidating. The battle of wits that followed the merger of the former three parties has become a thing of the past in the party. Chieftains, stakeholders and members are closing ranks, determined to chase the PDP out of power come 2015.

Former governor Abubakar Audu has jettisoned any governorship ambition, making it possible for a fresh breath of liberty to blow in the party. Audu, who confirmed this to reporters in his country home recently, said: “I have no ambition for 2015 or 2020, but I have ambition for the state to grow. I want to be a very relevant political leader to guide and support elected leaders to achieve good governance”.

He explained he remained in politics not to look for money or contest for elective positions, but to be the mouthpiece of the less privileged, saying that as a father, he must give everybody the opportunity to develop.

Dismissing any leadership tussle within APC in the state, Audu said: “As one of the founding fathers of APC, I am a natural leader of the party both at the state and national level and I am not contesting leadership of the party with anybody”.

The APC was factionalised with one group said to be loyal to Audu. The arrowhead of Audu’s powerful group is the interim Chairman of the Kogi APC, Mr. Haddy Ameto. The other faction was led by a chieftain, Mr. James Ochile with Alhaji Muhammed Kassim said to be the arrowhead. But the party has been undergoing realignment, leading to dismantling of splinter groups.

Speaking recently, Ameto said: “There is no faction again. I am the chairman of the party and I know that there is no faction. Whatever the kind of misgiving people may have, the congresses will settle it. That is for anybody who thinks that there are factions but to me, we do not have factions”.

This new-found synergy, observers say, will stand the party in good stead to displace Wada come 2015. Thankfully, the governorship poll will take place several months after the State and National Assembly elections. Mindful of this, sources said the APC has mandated his governorship aspirants to ensure victory at their wards and constituencies to stand them in good stead.

Feelers said Ochile is leading the party’s governorship race though many other candidates are expected to declare intention as the election draws closer. Some party chieftains, it was learnt, are also speaking with Echocho to consider working with the APC. Their thinking, it was argued, is with a formidable, popular candidate like him, it won’t be difficult to galvanise popular support for the APC.

Ameto was in a confident mood when he spoke with reporters on APC’s chances. He said: “We are strategising and we are going to defeat PDP roundly at all levels in 2015. They cannot defeat us in any election because PDP has not recorded any achievement in this state.

“There were protests at the local government councils because of non-payment of staff salaries. In a local council they even boxed themselves. When APC comes on board, we would ensure that council funds are not tampered with”.

Kogi State PDP Chairman, Hassan Salau, dismissed such talks as empty threats. According to him: “Aside from the bond that the state government recently took to be used for infrastructural development, I do not think that the state is owing. APC cannot defeat PDP because APC is not organised. An ‘iroko’ tree is superior to a mahogany tree. PDP is an iroko tree’’.

For now, Wada seems to be facing high hurdles to his reelection. With a divided party, an estranged godfather and a united opposition, it is hard to see how he would work his way back to the State House.

May 18, 2014
Akwa Ibom 2015: Akpabio’s battles against mounting odds

As fresh crises appears to be tearing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State apart following mounting opposition to an alleged plot by Governor Godswill Akpabio to foist the current Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, on the party as its gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 general elections, observers of the politics of the state are of the opinion that the governor may be in for the political battle of his life.

Amidst growing disquiet within the party over the alleged gubernatorial ambition of the SSG, opposition parties in the state, led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) are closing ranks ahead of the 2015 general elections. Sources within the parties claim several meetings have been held under the auspices of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) to discuss how to dislodge the PDP from the government house in 2015.

And if the crisis within his party and the growing strength of the opposition is not enough problem, the festering face-off between the governor and the immediate past SSG, Umana Okon Umana, who was allegedly removed from office on the excuse that he caused distraction in governance by working towards his 2015 governorship aspiration, is another clog in the wheel of the ruling party.

Party sources said the leadership of the party is worried by the feud between the two erstwhile political allies as it is perceived as a dangerous development capable of adversely affecting the party at the next general elections. Several efforts to address the issue have proved abortive.

Another issue that is threatening the victory of Akpabio and his party in 2015 is the agitation for and against zoning. While the governor has openly expressed his preference for zoning, notable leaders of the party in the state are up in arms against the policy.

To underscore the seriousness of the threat posed by this agitations, a group of notable party chieftains led by Chief Don Etiebet, recently told the national leadership of the party that the ruling party may lose Akwa Ibom State in the 2015 general elections if the ongoing governorship zoning crisis is not quickly nipped.

The leaders said majority of the people of the state are kicking against the zoning arrangement favoured by the state leadership of the party. They also accused the party leadership in the state of implementing the script written by Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Operating under the aegis of the PDP stakeholders/elders, the aggrieved chieftains said they will not accept the zoning arrangement as proposed. A member of the PDP stakeholders in the state who spoke with newsmen in Abuja, said the decision on zoning was unpopular in Akwa Ibom much as it was undemocratic.

According to them, the state governor did not carry members of the PDP along on the issue of zoning of the governorship slot in the state to Eket senatorial district. The allegations against Akpabio are contained in a petition filed by about 60 elders of the party before the national secretariat of the PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP Board of Trustees, saying the zoning should be stopped.

The stakeholders told the PDP national officials that the party runs the risk of experiencing a disastrous outing during the 2015 general elections if they fail to resolve the problem of factionalisation caused by the state governor in the party.

They alleged also that the state governor had been showing desperation to keep a stranglehold on PDP in the state, adding that Akpabio and his henchmen unilaterally relocated the PDP state secretariat to the private residence of one of his brothers, Barr Ibanga Akpabio from its original location at 149, Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo.

The Nation learnt that moves by the opposition to unite and wrestle power from PDP started after Governor Rotimi Amaechi successfully reconciled Senator John Udoedehe and Group Captain Sam Ewang (rtd), the two arrowheads of opposition politics in the state.

And to send signals to the PDP that it would not be business as usual in 2015, a number of aspirants are being touted as possible APC candidates in the election. Aside Udoedehe and Ewang, there is Samuel Udonsek, a medical doctor based in Port Harcourt, River State. He is from Eket Local Government Area in Eket Senatorial District. He contested the governorship in 2003 and 2007 and lost. Again, he has declared his intention to contest the governorship in 2015.

Although he returned to the PDP recently, party sources are saying Udonsek, who had always been in the opposition party in previous elections, my soon find his way back to the APC where he may emerge as the candidate.

Another potential opposition candidate is Micheal Okpo Onofiok, a businessman from the Oron axis of the state. His aspiration may have arisen from the sentiment in some quarters that it is the turn of the Oron nation to produce the next governor of the state. The Oron nation is the third largest ethnic group in Akwa Ibom state and her people believe that it is the third leg of the tripod in the state. They believe that power sharing should be on that basis and not on senatorial districts.

Although it has been widely rumored before now that the governor may have brought Udom into his cabinet to prepare him as a successor, trouble started when some chieftains of the party accused the SSG of campaigning to be elected as governor while still in office.

The chieftains alleged that the governor is working clandestinely with the leadership of the party in the state on a plot to endorse the candidature of the SSG as the PDP governorship flag bearer in the 2015 general election which they described as against internal democracy.

It was also alleged that while the governor orchestrated the ouster of the immediate past SSG, Umana Okon Umana, from office on the excuse that he caused distraction in governance by working towards his 2015 governorship aspiration, he is looking the other way now as his new SSG’s governorship campaign efforts grows bigger and bolder by the day.

Speaking on the crisis threatening to tear the state chapter of the PDP apart, a chieftain of the party, Edward Ekah, who is also the leader of the Coalition for Good Governance (CCG), said by his actions, the state governor has shown that he is not to be trusted to allow for a level playing in the political battle to choose who flies the party’s banner in 2015.

“The current issue which some of you have chosen to call a fresh crisis has to do with the glaring political activities of the current SSG while still in office. These are obvious campaign activities showcasing his interest in the 2015 governorship race. One would expect that he would have been cautioned by the Governor or removed.

We are saying this not because we think it is wrong for him to play politics while in office but because we believe there is a precedence. You will recall that up till this moment, the only excuse given for the sudden sack of Umana Umana from office to pave way for the emergence of Udom as SSG was that he distracted governance with his political activities.

The same government that said that is not only condoning same activities by the new SSG but in fact, promoting them. To us, this is double standard and undemocratic. If Umana cannot stay in office as SSG and aspire to be governor, we think Udom shouldn’t do the same. With this singular act, Governor Akpabio has shown that he will not allow for a free and fair contest for the party’s gubernatorial ticket in 2015.

This is why we are calling on party elders to speak out against this undemocratic norm before it is too late to tame these people,” Ekah said.

It would be recalled that on July 31st, 2013, Akpabio, administered oath of office on Udom as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG), to replace Umana, who was said to have officially resigned a day earlier, in order to pursue his 2015 governorship ambition in the state. Udom, until the appointment was Executive Director of Zenith Bank Plc.

Before his announced voluntary resignation from office, Umana and the Governor had being at loggerhead over what sources claim was the former’s gubernatorial ambition. It was claimed that the Governor, who before then had been in support of Umana’s ambition to succeed him had developed cold feet about the project following his resolve to back someone from Eket for the job.

The development created bad blood between the two erstwhile friends and political allies of many years. Soon, the bad blood grew into rivalry that soon gave birth to altercations. In no time, pressure was allegedly mounted on the former SSG to quit the administration or risk being thrown out. His governorship ambition was described as a distraction for the administration.

After weeks of holding out and vowing not to abandon his governorship ambition, even after the Governor reportedly nominated him as the Managing Director of the NDDC, Umana’s resignation was announced by the government and Udom, who hails from Eket district of the state, was appointed to replace him.

Administering the oath of office to the new SSG at the state banquet hall, Uyo, Akpabio noted that both Emmanuel and Umana posed intimidating credentials needed to run the state. He said the changes were in response of meeting the demands and challenges of the uncommon transformation of the state.

“Today as you witness the change in the office of the SSG of Akwa Ibom State, you must remember that change is part of life and to sustain the momentum of what we are doing,” he admonished. The governor praised the immediate past SSG for his meritorious service to the state, saying: “Mr Umana Okon Umana, goes down in history as the longest SSG in the state.”

“Umana, to me is a brother and not just a friend. He has displayed exceptional competence in the discharge of his official duties and contributed significantly right from the former regime of Obong Victor Attah to the present administration now name as a state of uncommon transformation.”

Noting the credentials of the new SSG, the governor said he would bring very strong skills in the discharge of his duties. He also charged the new SSG to avoid any form of distraction while still serving the people of the state in his current position.

But some party sources said hardly had Udom settled down in his new position before posters and flyers announcing his governorship ambition flooded the state. “Campaign offices and vehicles with heralding his ambition are also all over the state as we speak,” Ekah added.

Also, the governor has been accused of being personally involved in the ongoing struggle to ensure the emergence of Udom as the next governor of the oil-rich state in the 2015 .

According to a Edidiong Akpan, a chieftain of the party, “I heard that the Governor recently said he will spare no cash in ensuring that Udom becomes the governor in 2015. I was told the governor made the declaration at the inauguration of a 31-member steering committee which he set up to coordinate the campaign of Udom Emmanuel across the state.

“By the inauguration of the Campaign Steering Committee, which membership is drawn from the 31 local government areas of the state, the governor as far as I am concerned, is telling us where his interest lies ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state.

“Information reaching us indicates that governor Akpabio is bent on making Udom Emmanuel, who has been his long-time business partner, and whom he recently appointed as the Secretary to the AkwaIbom State Government (SSG), the governor of the state in 2015.

“However, I can tell you that the governor’s decisions have not gone down well with most of our leaders in the PDP. And I know that most other political stakeholders in the state are ready to confront the undemocratic plot with stiff rejection. This is why you can see that the governor is having a running battle with interested parties who feel that such an imposition may not augur well for the growth of the party in the state.

Recently, we formed a coalition in our resolve to resist the attempt of the governor to foist his stooge on the people. This is the reason for the current tension within the party. If Ukpabio could sack Umana for having govrnorship ambition, we think he should not be supporting Udom to promote his own ambition with tax payers’ money,” Akpan said.

May 18, 2014
Benue guber: Battle for Suswam’s job hots up

Who succeeds Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam? That is the question political stakeholders in the state are working towards unravelling? The race to that succession has kicked off with many intrigues and uncertainties. On the front burner is the agitation for power shift. There is also the supremacy contest between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC), which is putting up impressive inroads in the state.

Can power really shift?

The agitations for power shift to the Idoma-dominated Benue-South district otherwise known as Zone C have become louder. Since the creation of the state in 38 years ago, the governorship position has never been occupied by any person of Idoma extraction. The tribe occupies nine local governments in the state with the Igede-speaking people as minority in the senatorial district.

All the governors have been from the Tiv group, which boasts of over 75 percent of the state’s population. Benue North-East produced Suswam, while Benue North Central had its shot with former governor, George Akume.

The first civilian governor, Aper Aku, was a Tiv while his deputy, Sule Iyaji, hailed from present day, Kogi State. They ruled from 1979 and 1983 Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu, also a Tiv, ruled the state from 1992 – 1993 before the republic was thwarted. His deputy, Yakubu Agada, hailed from Ogbadigbo in Zone C. Suswam’s deputy, Steven Lawani, is from the Idoma-dominated Zone C.

The Idomas have been vociferously clamouring for power shift, saying they have never had the opportunity to rule the state. The agitation appears logical. Zone A senatorial district, which comprises Sankera, Jerchira and Kwande ancestral bloc produced Aku, Adasu, Akume and Suswam. But the Tiv of Zone B including Masev, Ihiarev, Nongov Development Association popularly known as (MINDA), asked to be allowed to complete the circle. MINDA occupies four council wards in Makurdi, Guma, Gwer west and Gwer east.

The Idoma nation seems to have no choice because it lacks the numerical strength to produce a governor. This ethnic configuration will certainly shape the outcome of the 2015 governorship poll in Benue. Second Republic Minister, Paul Unongo believes the Idoma can become governor provided there is enough negotiation.

He said: “There is no reason why Idomas’ can’t govern Benue State. It is not where you come from that matters but the heart. In my candid judgment, there is no problem that cannot be sorted out by fairness and discussion. We inter-marry. So, it is possible for Idoma to become governor. I mean one who will not ridicule the Tiv people”.

Suswam’s senatorial ambition divides PDP

Feelers indicate that Suswam’s ambition to represent Benue North-East in the Senate has further complicated the governorship race. The governor has to edge out former National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Barnabas Gemade, to fulfill his ambition, a task that appears not only Herculean but also tough. Suswam will be aiming to defeat Gemade and also install his successor, two political battles of significant implications. He is therefore keeping his anointed candidate to his chest, a development that has thrown up the race wide open. In the PDP, the race is dividing the party with many aides of the governor also throwing their hearts it.

The APC is also posing serious challenges. The party’s chieftains have closed ranks and resolved to push the PDP out of power. The party’s chieftains in the State led by Senate Minority leader, George Akume; Senator Daniel Saror, Gen. Indyar Garba and Usman Abubakar aka Young Alhaji, among others are determined to give the PDP a run for its money during the poll. Observers say the party might just win the race based on its growing influence and the division within the PDP.

MINDA’s aspirants strategise

To actualise their plan, aspirants from the MINDA axis have formed the MINDA Governorship Aspirants (MGA). The group, insiders said, is established to pick a consensus candidate among them so as to improve their chances of bagging the governorship slot. They agreed to support whoever emerges from the group to protect the interests of the MINDA region.

Some candidates, who have indicated interest in the race from the MINDA’s axis include: Felix Atume immediate past registrar of Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN); Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom, Terhemem Tarzoor, Dr Ugim Aliegba and Chairman House Committee of FCT, Barrister Emmanuel Jime.

Others are: Commissioner for Lands and Survey, John Tondo; Permanent Secretary, Government House Administration Dr Tivlumun Nyitse and a university don, Prof. David Ker.

From the Idoma-speaking axis, the aspirants are: Minister for Interior, Comrade Abah Moro; Former Minister of State for Niger Delta, Hon. Sam Ode; the deputy governor, Chief Stephen Lawani; Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Dr Mathias Oyigeya; a board member of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Harris Ogbole.

There is also the former Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Micheal Kaase Aondoakaa and Director General of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr. Paul Orhii though both are said to be weighing their option before joining the race.

Those who have declared their intentions are Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Alex Adum and the immediate past Permanent Secretary in the Local Government Pensions Board, Prince Andy Uwouku.

ASSESSING THE ASPIRANTS

Chief Stephen Lawani

The current deputy governor has never hidden his interest to succeed his principal. He has set up structures across the state to ensure that power shift to Zone C. He is chasing history and working hard to break the jinx. But can he? He is the leading light of the clamour for power shift, an Idoma-man that many Tiv will be comfortable with.

But observers believe Suswam will not support him for the race though they are close. Besides, he is from the minority axis without sufficient numerical strength. Also, no deputy has ever succeeded in taking over in the state, another jinx that Lawani will be hoping to break.

The political leader of the Idoma nation, Senate President, David Mark, is rumoured to be indisposed to his candidature. That is besides the many hurdles he has to cross from fellow Idoma in the race. Will the PDP take a gamble on someone from the minority and give him its ticket?

Barrister Emmanuel Jime

The former speaker is no pushover in the race. The two-time House of Representatives member increased his chances when he defected to the APC. He is from the MINDA’s axis, which many Tiv are willing to support. The 52-year-old’s performances and contributions in the House have endeared him to the electorate. Many believe he has bright chances of winning the race, all things being equal.

Samuel Ode

Many believe that if there is one man the governor supports, it is Ode. The former Minister of State for the Niger Delta was a Special Adviser to Suswam before he was appointed a minister. He served the governor diligently, leaving his marks on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs

He is perceived as a grass root mobiliser and generous politician, a development that makes him hugely popular. But he is also from the Idoma axis, which might count against him such the politics of numerical strength come to play. But his mother a Tiv and he is more seen as a Tiv than an Idoma man.

Michael Aondoakaa

Armed with a heavy war chest, the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General’s posters emerged last year in major streets of Markudi. Though he denied knowledge of the posters, observers said it was to test the waters and sample public opinion.

Aondoakaa is seen as too detached and not a core politician. He is also not considered a grass root man. Besides, many people in the state believe he did not do much for them while serving as minister from 2007-2010 before he was sacked. It is difficult to see how the PDP will give him its ticket.

Dr Eugene Aliegba

Many in the Government House are said to be disposed to the former Commissioner for Environment in Suswam’s cabinet. Aliegba is also believed to consider himself favoured.

Engr. Felix Atume

The former registrar of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) is from the MINDA’s axis. He is said to be backed by the state PDP chairman, Dr. Agbo Emmanuel who is his engineer colleague.

Hingah Biem,

The retired Permanent Secretary allegedly sponsored by the elder brother to the governor, Dr. Terkula Suswam.

Comrade Abba Moro

The minister is reportedly the anointed candidate of Senator David Mark, a fellow Idoma. It is being said that Mark saved him from being fired following the immigration recruitment tragedy because of the negative impact it will have on his governorship ambition.

But many believe he is not on ground and is merely backing on Mark to win the race for him.

May 18, 2014
Cross River: Uncertain race for Imoke’s job

Following the refusal of Governor Liyel Imoke of the state to openly throw his weight behind a particular aspirant in the race for the ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election in Cross Rivers State, and the subtle but determined resolve of the opposition in the state to work towards victory in the said election, political analysts say the electoral battle in the state appears shrouded in uncertainty.

Although Imoke has announced his support for the northern zone of the state to produce the next governor, he has remained silent on which of the numerous aspirants from the zone he would be backing. Not even his body language is suggestive of the slightest inclination towards the aspiration of any individual.

Speaking on the matter during a media parley recently, Imoke reminded his listeners that Cross River has three Senatorial Districts. “Two senatorial districts have produced by the grace of God, governors. One has not. Would it be fair for us not to allow the other senatorial district a governor? Will it be fair?

“This is a just a question of simple fairness. Just like we had president from the North, then, South West, now from South South, there is no big deal. It is a natural sequence. That is why I support it openly. Some people have been asking ‘oga keep quiet over this matter. This is not how to do’. I say I don’t know how to deal with what is honest, sincere, correct and right.”

And in a move that suggests that the leadership of the party in the state may be thinking in the same direction as the Governor, the party recently de-emphasised the position of the governor.

According to a release by the party, the Southern Senatorial District had Donald Duke as governor from May 1999 to May 2007 and at the moment; Imoke from the Central Senatorial District is in charge of affairs in the state. So, in its view, Imoke was right in stating his support for the emergence of his successor from the Northern Zone of the state.

Already, there is a fierce fight amongst chieftains of the PDP for the control of the party from the wards to state levels. But for the leadership provided by the governor, this development, party sources claim, would have plunged the PDP into a serious crises.

“The way some people are going about their aspirations, they care less if the party disintegrates. If not for the way Governor Liyel Imoke has being intervening to stall crises in the party, Cross Rivers PDP would by now be in the worst crises that is unimaginable,” a chieftain of the party told The Nation.

Aspirants who are currently jostling to fit the bill include Mr. Goddy Agba, the General Manager Crude, NNPC, Professor Ben Ayade, the Senator representing the Northern Senatorial District, Mr. John Odey, former Minster of Environment, Mr Larry Odey, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr. Fidel Egoro, Deputy State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Mr Tanko Ashong, Legal Adviser NEMA, Mr. Legor Idagbo, Commissioner for Works and Mr. Fidel Ugbo, the serving Secretary of National Planning Commission.

Odey, a former Acting Governor and now Speaker of the House of Assembly in Cross River State, had remained behind the scene until recently when he suddenly announced his interest in the governorship. Sources say he is counting on the very healthy relationship he enjoys with Imoke and some powerful PDP leaders at the national level, to work in his favour.

The Speaker, who represents Yala State Constituency in the state Assembly, said he is the most qualified aspirant for Imoke’s job. He is seeking to contest on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said he is vying because, according to him, PDP caucus in the state has unanimously zoned the 2015 governorship slot to his zone, the Northern Senatorial District of the state.

Describing himself as the most qualified candidate, Odey told journalists recently: “I have been the acting governor of the state for three months when the Appeal Court nullified the mandate of Gov. Liyel Imoke in 2012. Haven’t been the acting governor, and currently serving as Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, I have the capacity, experience and pedigree to contest the 2015 in the state.

“I have been in the umbrella party for a long time now and at that level, I am not lacking any quality not to contest the polls’’, he said. On his agenda, Odey said: “My primary motivation for the race is to promote educational and economic development of the state and to serve the good people of Cross River with dignity, transparency, and accountability.

“Cross River is blessed with natural and human resources, with the support of all stakeholders; we can move the state to a greater height. The choice of the people matters most in politics, your opponents do not really matter, anyone who thinks he has something good to offer the people can as well run for the polls,’’ he said.

But pundits say it may not be an easy ride for the Speaker. According to watchers of the politics of the state, unless the Speaker gets the backing of the powerful blocs within the state, he is not much of a political heavyweight to go it all alone with or without some stakeholders.

“In spite of his pedigreee politically, Odey is not that strong to say he will be governor on his own merit. We know those who can say such in the politics of Cross Rivers state,” a party chieftain said.

Another aspirant willing to stake his money and popularity in the uncertain contest is Jeddy Agba, the outgoing General Manager Crude, NNPC. According to reliable sources, there is a lot of talk about the frenzy within his political camp.

Agba reportedly sent in his resignation letter to the management of the corporation few weeks back. His disengagement from NNPC according to insiders’ report, is expected to take effect in a couple of months. “He is resigning so as to concentrate all his energy on his governorship ambition,” a source said.

Sources in Calabar, the state capital said Agba is putting a lot of energy and resources into his campaign effort with regular visits to the state in recent weeks. According to reports, the politician, hoping to take advantage of the zoning arrangement with the ruling party as announced by the Governor, is reaching out to party leaders and members across the divisions of the state.

“Agba is not taking the contest with kids glove. He appears to be ready for the political dog fight that is sure to trail the contest for the party’s ticket ahead of the 2015 general election. He is fast popularizing himself among the politicians. This is easy because he has a large political war chest and he is ray to use all available resources to see his ambition through.

As party leaders, we are open to all the aspirants and ready to listen to them all. That is what you are witnessing. The fact that Agba is going round the party leaders and telling them of his ambition is not enough for his people to claim that he has our endorsement. Even if he doles out money to politicians as they claim he is doing, the party will still allow the people to decide who they want,” a chieftain of the party said.

But in a move that many say may halt Agba’s aspiration, the Chairman of the PDP in the state, Ntufam John Okon, said the NNPC topshot is not a member of the ruling party.

“Let me use this opportunity to make this clear that Gody Agba is not a member of our party. He is a civil servant and our party rules are there on how the number of years you spend before you can contest elections in our party. I just want this to be made clear because, you brought it. I have never said it before. So if anybody wants to do anything let him go ahead, All I am, saying is that don’t use the name of PDP.

“You know they are some people who want to ruin other people’s chances, trying to make PDP disqualified them run to another party. We are too intelligent for that kind of game. We have not authorised anybody to start campaigning to protect the party because we are going to win. Those who are looking for tribunal should stay clear because they would not make us to be disqualified or enter any controversy. As for Jedy Agba, let us wait for him to resign and come. But as for now, I know he is not our member,”

Reacting to reports that Agba claimed to be a card carrying member of the PDP, Ntufam said the membership card of the party is not too difficult to procure.

“PDP card is printed everywhere. If you want the PDP card you can pick it anywhere. You can go to a printing press and pick it but is that how you become a member of the party? Let him prove that he is a member. You must make sure the card is also incorporated in the register. Jedy Agba is not a member of the party. If he likes let him print 20 cards, he is not a member,” he reiterated.

In a related development, a group, Cross River State Youths Forum, (CRSYF) recently threatened to take legal action against Senator Ben Ayade, if he refuses to run as Governor of Cross River State in the 2015 governorship race. Sources however say Ayade is hoping to announce his aspiration soon.

The President of the group, Comrade Joseph Ishajie who made the disclosure during an interactive session with journalists in Calabar, berated politicians against making unguarded utterances that the old Ogoja (the North) has no credible candidate, neither do they ever speak in one voice in matters as this.

He said, “We the youths of Cross River are out to give our total support to Senator Ayade and urge him to hasten up and declare to run for the governorship seat zoned to his area. And if he fails to contest, we will compel him by mobilising over one million youths to his house at Obudu. Surely, when he sees such action, he would be forced to declare. It is on record that he has empowered the youths more than any of his predecessors. He has recommended youths for jobs, sent some abroad for training and given financial assistance running into millions of naira for entrepreneurship scheme,” Ishajie added.

May 18, 2014
Ekiti: Why Fayemi deserves victory

In deciding to write this, I was fully conscious of the risk I ran. I knew many would query the professionalism of calling an election about one month ahead. Others would just say: “Ha. What do you expect”. Even those who do not know me would say, “no wonder, we knew all along where he was headed”.

It really does not matter what anyone thinks or says. It is clear to me that the Ekiti election is too important to be ignored at this stage. I must point out that I am not even pretending to have the crystal ball here. Not in this piece. What I am doing here is explaining why no other person deserves to take up the task of serving as governor of the state.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi who has been in the saddle for four years deserves to continue because he has fulfilled his pledges to the people. Over and beyond the nuts and bolts, bread and butter, he promised to restore value and virtue to the state and its governance. This he has done and it is acknowledged by all wise and wonderful Ekiti people. He fought hard to retrieve his stolen mandate. For more than three years, he moved from one court room to another to prove his contention that he was the rightful winner of the people’s mandate. At last, he triumphed and was installed October 2010.

But, like the gentleman that he is, he was quick to put the struggle behind him by concentrating on the task at hand. Witch-hunt did not appeal to him. And, that succeeded in calming frayed nerves and putting an end to the orgy of violence that had seized the state and become the norm. At a point, it appeared more an illusion to imagine an Ekiti where violence was not the essence of governance. But, a focused Fayemi rolled up his sleeves and achieved what had been considered impossible.

Second, there is no Ekiti town or community yet to feel the impact of governance. Ekiti money has been spent on the people. The elderly have not been abandoned and left to the vagary of hunger. They are fed and made to feel like the human beings that they are. Roads have been extended to every town and community and the people now contribute to budget making. This is a development that all lovers of democracy in this country should not ignore. All other governments should be taught that there can be no rulers without the ruled.

Anyone who was in Ekiti before 2007 and by 2010 and has been away since would find it difficult to locate the old landmarks today. All thanks to the urban renewal programme of the Fayemi administration. What about the legacy projects- the Civic Centre, Pavilion, the ultra-modern Government House and the Funmi Olayinka Cancer Centre? It is simply unbelievable that Ekiti, with the paltry income available for recurrent and capital expenditure, could put up such structures in such a record time. Ekiti money has really worked for the people.

What about the schools? What about hospitals? Then, the economy. With Fayemi, the Ekiti economy is not stupid, neither is it dumb. The future is looking brighter than the past. Tourism is being positioned to generate enough to fund the Ekiti Project. Agriculture is being accorded the pride of place, and investors are being wooed into a state where a decent man rules, and decent institutions and processes are being put in place.

Unlike many observers and commentators, I have taken time to visit the renovated schools. The results could not be denied by anyone. At first misunderstood by teachers when he chose to reform the system, they have since seen Fayemi’s sincerity and keyed into the vision. He is now regarded as the messiah long awaited. That is what selfless leadership does.

Another four years of Dr. Fayemi in office will do Ekiti a world of good. It would enable the man of history fully transform the state. He has promised to industrialise ekiti and supply potable water to all the people. He said it in 2007 and 2010 and did it. Now, he has said it again. He deserves our confidence.

Were I registered a voter in Ekiti State, there would be no prize guessing who would get my single vote. Fayemi has earned it. The people would not only do well to resoundingly return him to office on June 21; they should do all in their power to frustrate those who may be planning to steal the votes. Those who once mismanaged the economy, elevated state violence to an ideology and have little to offer by ways of ideas and character have no business plying their trade in a state like Ekiti. They should be permanently cashiered and allowed enough time to answer to EFCC charges.

This is my vote, the only one that I am entitled to and I leave no one wondering what I think of the candidates. For me, it is Fayemi all the way.

May 18, 2014
The National Conference: Participation to what end?

When I was informed of my membership of the National Conference, alias Confab, two thoughts hit me: the constitutionality of the Conference and participation to what end?

The constitutionality of the conference has been justifiably questioned. We have elected Parliaments, both at the State and Federal levels constitutionally put together, so what qualifies the National Conference to sit over matters affecting the State. This school of thought posits that the conference is illegal, without constitutional backing and therefore unnecessary.

I must say as a lawyer, I found this line of thought very persuasive from the legal point of view.

Question however is, is the National Conference all about law and legality? Was it set up to resolve issues from a legal perspective?

That Nigeria is a country not defined in terms of values, nationality, nationhood and feelings of one people is not in doubt. We often have expressed and it is getting louder by the day, what Nigeria means to us, our family, ethnic groups, etc. is very disconnected terms fed by feelings of alienation. The raw truth is that we are a nation only in name, as our loyalty lies either with our various ethnic groups or some other affiliation but hardly with the entity known as Nigeria.

There is a need to talk. Nigeria must go back and redefine or renegotiate our values, nationhood, etc. and these cannot be achieved within the confines of the laws. This is probably why Nigerians have always clamored for a conference, a Sovereign National Conference, that will discuss all that is Nigeria, agree to agree or to disagree, but at least come out with a feeling of being heard, or listened to. A sense of belonging or accommodation as the case maybe. This probably informs why the President in his Inaugural speech to the Conference spoke of decisions based on consensus.

The question of legality or legal backing for the Conference therefore, while it makes for a persuasive argument, in my opinion becomes shaky against the exigencies and the needs of the people that these laws were made for.

Even at that, a school of thought cites Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as coating the President with the powers to set up the National Conference.

Scholars have relied heavily on the (b) part of the law to justify the legality of the Conference by making the case that executive powers vested in the President by the Constitution, extend to matters of executing the Constitution, to all matters which the National Assembly, for the time being, has powers to legislate on. The National Conference is cited as one of these.

Notwithstanding the merits or demerits of either of these arguments, I am of the opinion that this is a matter that goes to the roots of our feelings of being together as a nation, one that Nigerians have long clamored for, and to that extent, making it happen for our people is the most important thing, if only to reflect deeply on our “union” as a nation.

Granted this is not a Sovereign National Conference, yet it is a conference that is put together to discuss EVERYTHING wrong with Nigeria save for a break up. It is as close to a Sovereign National Conference, as a conference can be. The reason Nigerians have always demanded and prayed for a Sovereign National Conference is essentially to discuss most of the same issues now discussed: devolution of power, resource control, as well as mode and type of governance, in all terms, to be TOTAL and ACCEPTABLE to Nigerians.

This issue of term totally acceptable to Nigerians is the reason for the first real heated argument at the conference. The question of voting on recommendations was what percentage of votes would be required for an agreement on issues.

While some delegates favored the global standards of 2/3 as the acceptable percentage in settling an issue, most Delegates, including me, were for 75% or 3/4 of total delegates in coming to an agreement on decisions.

The thinking of most of us on the issue of 75% stems from the fact that if we are talking consensus, taking everybody along and enhancing the feeling of inclusiveness, then we should step to as near a position as possible of consensus. If we were to settle for 2/3 which the National Assembly uses in resolving issues, then we might as well leave these issues to the National Assembly! Our role is principally to jaw jaw in a unique way to provide the nation with recommendations which most Nigerians would identify with, and not just a small majority of Nigerians.

Of course in resolving the above issue, passions were raised and abusive words exchanged etc. This to my mind merely exhibited the sincerity of purpose Delegates came with. You can hardly agree on such sensitive issues without passions being stirred especially if people are sincere in terms of emotions. 70% was eventually settled on.

There is also the thinking that the National Conference, will go nowhere in terms of the recommendations coming to fruition and also the unnerving but highly palpable suspicion that it has been put together to actualize a President-Jonathan agenda and nothing else.

Again these are all valid concerns. We have seen three past conferences of this nature with their recommendations purportedly chilling in the trash basket. Why should this be any different? So why engage in it when it most probably will yield nothing?

Firstly, on the issue of a President Jonathan agenda. If the President truly has an agenda, then he did not go about it smartly. It is extremely difficult to bring together 492 persons for three months, allow them set their rules and discuss everything for this period and imagine you can control the entire chain of events.

The delegates at the conference are being closely watched by Nigerians, putting some form of citizen pressure on us; the press is covering the entire proceedings live, with the dynamics of conversations and alliance building going on, some form of freedom is perceived; and believe me, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan cannot control this body for long, if at all he is controlling it.

If his thinking is to control and set an agenda, he might very well have opened up a Pandora’s box, over which he has no control. This conference cannot be guided or controlled. History has shown this to be the case. Ask Obasanjo and his third term project, which he mistakenly threw to the parliament. From that moment on, he lost control. I guess he regrets that to this day (or with the benefit of hindsight, maybe not. Who is to say?).

Given the rather frosty relationship between the National Conference and the National Assembly, will the National Assembly be minded to allow the issue of a Referendum in the amended constitution see the light of the day? Even if the National parliament successfully inserts a clause on Referendum, can the state Parliaments come to the table to also agree on the same? Even if they all do, what about the issue of time? Remember we have just about 9 months to the next elections.

The above are the challenges. Yet assuming these challenges are all successfully navigated, how will the resolutions and recommendations of the conference be tabled to Nigerians and by which body?

Be that as it may, my conviction and thoughts are that, with so much money being spent on the conference, with the conference being the most representative in the annals of our nation, with citizens pressure and media attention, we may well come away with the most acceptable recommendations to Nigerians and it will be a huge shame to have all these wasted.

This is therefore appealing that we collectively lobby our Senators, Representatives and Assembly members to insert the clause on referendum in the amended constitution, for the possibility of eventually giving some teeth to the Conference’s resolutions.

It is my considered opinion that it is wiser and more probative to engage with and contribute to the Conference. Staying away owing to the assumed eventual failure or whatever other reasons may lead to regret if the conference’ resolutions eventually see the light of the day, and we failed to add some value or quality to it, though the opportunity was presented.

Mom, a Kaduna based lawyer is a delegate at the national Conference.

May 18, 2014