The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • ‘Jonathan should go in 2015’

    ‘Jonathan should go in 2015’

    Presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He spoke with Kolade Adeyemi on the Jonathan Administration, national Security and 2015 general elections.

    Are you an active member of the All Pro-gressives Congress (APC)?

    I am active in the sense that I am a member of the party, but not an executive member. Because of my age and experience, I am comfortable to play the role of an elder statesman.

    What is your appraisal of the political situation?

    The political situation requires serious prayers, not just the political situation, but the country itself, so that we can have direction to enable us scale the hurdles that are ahead of us, so as to be able to do what is right for the country and for the people and emerge successful. The bottom line is that we have numerous problems and we need to seriously think about these problems and find ways to overcome them and do the right thing for the country. So, I think that is the situation for now.

    What is the way out of the problems

    Well, you see, the purpose of government is three-fold. one is to harness the resources of the country in the best and most efficient way and to use these resources to foster development, peace and security of the people of the country and to ensure that the rule of law prevails. These are the cardinal duties of any responsible government, while it has three tiers, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary and each of the tiers has their roles in the government. So, when we say government, it doesn’t just mean the Presidency. They are tied together. It involves the legislature, the judiciary and the executive. Government, as we are aware, secures the resources of the country, either through taxation or through the exploration of mineral resources or other engagements that it has to embark on. However, making the laws is the responsibility of the National Assembly and ensuring that the laws are complied with is the duty of the judiciary. so, government is the unity of the three tiers. In that respect, we have a government and each tier of government plays its role. We have to make progress and all stakeholders have to play their roles in the best way possible.

    As an elder statesman, what are your recommendations on the way forward?

    Well, the way forward from my perception is for us to first of all ensure that we have a credible election in 2015 and to accept the outcome of the election, as long as we unanimously agree that it is credible. Whoever that will win the election needs to be supported. each of the political parties to the 2015 elections should field credible candidates, who would at the close of the day do this country proud. We must avoid corrupt people and those who are not transparent or decent. This category of candidates must be avoided and the electorate must also elect the right candidates. Once, we have the right candidates in place, we can begin to steer the ship of state in the right direction. so, that is the most important thing. Unless we do that, we will never have the kind of government we are yearning for; government that will be corrupt-free, government that will regard each and every Nigerian as equal citizens and give him or her the opportunity to do whatever he or she would do to advance their lives in accordance with the laws of the land, as well as to advance the lives of their communities in the country in general. Once, we can have that, and we have done away with corruption, we can thumb our chest and say that we are on the right track to real development that this country deserves.

    As the 2015 general elections draw near, do you subscribe to the emergence of a consensus candidate?

    Well, it depends on the party and what the party’s constitution says? consensus candidature is always good but it has to be a genuine consensus. but, if it cannot be a consensus to a minority group, that kind of consensus will never be successful or see the light of the day because it will definitely create factions within the party and, once we have factions within the party that feels strongly that it has been wronged, the success in the forthcoming elections would be questionable. So, it will be genuine, if it is just, then, we have consensus, but the next line says where that kind of consensus cannot be achieved in primary elections, where people cannot agree on a particular candidate, whereby the vast majority of those stakeholders cannot agree on a particular aspirant, then, there must be primaries. That has always been the condition. In the APC, that is the condition. Consensus is preferred but, justice would be better done, if primaries are conducted.

    Are you satisfied with President Goodluck Jonathan’s style of leadership?

    Nobody is satisfied with President Goodluck Jonathan’s style of leadership because it’s not even a style. I cannot define his style of leadership, in terms of the appropriate definition of leadership. He is absent from leadership. He has knowingly or unknowingly abandoned that part of his elected role to some elements, who will never help him. He has people around him, who misadvise him and are doing the wrong thing and he doesn’t seem to have control over them. For example, look at all these ministers that have done wrong, it has taken him so long to decide what to do with them. In some other countries, who know what they are doing, even the President does not need to act because the minister knows what to do, it’s just to resign. As long as you have done something which has been exposed, which is against the public interest, that minister on his own knows that he does not need to be told but just resign. But in Nigeria, that never happens. They stay put and the President allows them to continue. Look at what happened with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Abba Moro, and look at what is also happening now with the recruitment exercise in the Immigration. It seems that the President is supporting them; they say he is a friend of this and a friend of that, who is so strategic. all these show that either the President is not aware or is absent of his responsibilities or that he is irrelevant. That is the impression that the President gives to so many people, not only in Nigeria, but even abroad.

    Now that the President has set up the National Conference, are you confident that the outcome will take Nigeria to another level of development?

    It will not take Nigeria to anywhere, it will be discussions, they will discuss and earn their N4 million per month and will write their report, which would be jettisoned, just as other reports. As I was telling some body in an interview what you would have done, which would even be much better was just to appoint some 50 wise men and women into a committee, retrieve all the previous reports and conferences that have been held. Let the wise men review and consolidate them into one single report and hand it over to the National Assembly. That would have been a better thing to do, so that the National Assembly that have the responsibility to amend the constitution and make other laws will look at these consolidated or synchronised report and take action.

    This conference has no legal authority to do anything. Nobody elected them. they are only nominated people. some of them are very good people but they have no authority as the only authority they have is from the President but not from people like you and me. Once they talk, the talk is compiled in paper. Then, we have lost N7 billion in binding the report would lying somewhere where nobody will remember it. I heard that a former governor is suggesting that we should be given more time to do this work, that two more years should be extended, so that the tenure of the President and all the governors and the legislature should be extended by two years. But, this is even a criminal suggestion. It is criminal to suggest that the constitutional provision should be suspended. by who, by what kind of law, by what kind of fiat would you suggest that a constitutional provision, which says that the President has only a four-year term?

    This is a criminal act that he was suggesting that the country should undertake, which can’t happen. You cannot alter the constitution to achieve that purpose. So, right from the beginning, some people are flying a kite, showing that they are a hidden agenda to all these. If we not careful, these can cause seriousness problem, even to the democracy. People would not just accept some people to do whatever they like to do with this country. This country is big and it been existing together within 100 years and some people are attempting to destroy it. This cannot be acceptable. So, anybody who is trying to introduce some sabotage amendment or action would be resisted.

    The insurgency in some parts of the North has been threatening the corporate existence and unity of the country. What do you think is the solution?

    As I earlier told you, the purpose of the government is to ensure the security of lives and property of its citizens and the incumbent government is not performing that role. So, this is a very serious issue. It’s not just insurgency as every section of this country has it’s peculiar problem. In the North, there is this problem of insurgency. In some places, it’s the problem of kidnapping, while in some other places, it’s the problem of highway robbery and in some other places, it’s the problem of resources. In some places, it is the problem of restlessness. There is no single part of the country that is grappling with one problem or the other. Every section of the country has its own peculiar problem and we have to act as Nigerians and not look at other peoples problem, but look at our problems collectively and say look we have all these problems here and there, how do we resolve them.

    Whatever happens to the Northeast happens to the entire country and whatever happens to the Southeast happens to us here. so, we have to see ourselves as Nigerians. We should not insist that this is the problem of the North East or this is the problem of the South East but say that these are the problems that Nigeria have. Once we consider that is our collective problem, then we can collectively find sit down and see the best way to solve them but as long as we insist that a particular problem is some other people’s problem and not ours, then the problems cannot be amicably resolved. If you say that it is Armed Forces that would resolve the problem, these Armed Forces are not from space, they are Nigerians. So, how can you tell a military commander, who is from the South East, knowing that he would probably be killed in order to solve his problem. So, these problems are our problems wherever they occur and we have to see them as such because that is what makes us Nigerians, not just Easterners or South Easterners or North Westerners and so on.

     

    As INEC prepares for the 2015 general elections, what is your advice for the conduct of a successful election? And do you have confidence in INEC?

    I have confidence in the Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega but he can only perform his duties if he is given the right equipment and resources to do it. If he is denied or given the resources late, then he cannot do the job. Also, if people are trying to sabotage him because they do not want him to do the right thing here and there, then we cannot have it. So it’s not just INEC alone, it is the government and the people that have to cooperate and support INEC to conduct the right and acceptable election but if we fail to support INEC and if the government fails to support them, then how can they perform their function. Nobody can perform his functions satisfactorily, no matter his good intentions and experience if he is not given the right tools and support to perform their role. So, we should not be having the impression that INEC cannot perform the job. Let’s give what they require and see whether they cannot perform its role or not.

    What do you feel about recent political tour engaged by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan?

    Well, you see, this is a very grey area in my opinion, especially for politicians. You see, politics is a daily thing. It depends on how you define a campaign rally, or a meeting, or a gathering of politicians and so on; because you can meet in a room with everybody there and you talk. Then who knows whether that can be defined as a campaign or rally or whether it has to be in the open or not. So some people have to define what it is—even when people gather, even if it is in the open, whether it is just a gathering because you are present or it is campaign rally. I think people have to analyze what he said and what is done in the places to determine whether it is really a campaign rally or not. It is not for me to really determine because I do not know what exactly happened. All I know is that he been addressing some people to be welcomed into his party; now if the occasion is just for that, then that is a campaign rally, then if it is another occasion and this just happen, it is a minor aspect of the gathering; then, of course, it is subject to interpretation.

    People who know the law and who can separate between what the president does in a public should be in the best position to analyze what he says. You know he is the president, wherever he goes, people go, wherever he is stands, people gather. So, whatever he will say will be political. So, it depends on those who can really analyze the situation, the speech and the type of gathering and where it is—you know, to pick points and conclude whether this is a campaign rally or whether it is not. I cannot be sure to tell you that I know the definition of whether this is a campaign rally or not.

     

  • Taraba 2015: PDP has no consensus candidate

    Taraba 2015: PDP has no consensus candidate

    The Southern Taraba Stake-holders Forum (STSF) has denied reports that Mr. David Sabo Kente has been endorsed by the zone as its consensus candidate for the 2015 governorship election.

    The Northern and Central zones have produced governors Jolly Nyame and Danbaba Suntai. But, the Southern Zone has not ruled Taraba, since its creation from the defunct Gongola State about 25 years ago.

    The zone is agitating for power shsift next year and the stakeholders have been assessing the aspirants, with a view to adopting one of them as the consensus candidate. The acting governor, Garba Umar, is from the North Nyame, who ruled for 10 years is also from the North.

    The spokesman of the forum, James Abe Nwunuji, in a statement, said: “The news making the rounds that David Sabo Kente is our consensus candidate is fraudulent, deceptive and a distorted fact sponsored to mislead the people of Taraba South and the general public.

    “What is true is that Kente hails from Taraba South where we are negotiating that the 2015 governorship slot should rotate to.

    “It is also true that the Taraba North and Central districts have produced governors, who have served for 18 years while the South District has not.

    “Kente is eminently qualified to contest and become governor of the state. But, he has not been chosen to represent our interest.

    “We want to make it clear that we have not endorsed a consensus candidate yet.

    “We are still assessing our aspirants to ensure that we must come out with a consensus candidate in the interest of the entire zone.”

    The forum also warned politicians from the zone to stop calling on former Defence Minister Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma to support Kente’s “dubious endorsement.”

    According to the forum, when Danjuma was approached to pick a candidate, said he would support whoever emerges as the consensus candidate.

    Nwunujin added: “In the report, Mr. Jibrin Anfani said Kente was chosen after a careful examination of all the aspirants from the zone. He should point out any other aspirant from Taraba south [apart from Kente] who was there.

    “Was there any PDP exco member or traditional ruler there? Was there any local government chairman, House of Assembly members, House of representative member or our senator there?

    “If Kente says he was endorsed by Taraba south, who are the stakeholders that endorsed him, or doesn’t he know the [real] stakeholders of the zone?”

    The forum said the issue of consensus candidate for Taraba south is not a Wukari affair, but a collective agenda involving all the stakeholders from the five local government areas; Ibi, Wukari, Donga, Takum, Ussa and Yangtu areas.

    The forum said it is not against Kente or any aspirant.

     

     

     

  • ‘Youths are marginalised by the old politicians’

    ‘Youths are marginalised by the old politicians’

    Social crusade and youth development expert Samuel J. Samuel, spoke with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE on the danger of marginalising the youths in politics and how older politicians can mentor the younger generation in the march of development.

    HOW can the youths contribute meaningfully to nation-building and development?

    I used to see Nigeria as a place where we would have development than it is now. As it were, some of us were passionate about change and took part in mobilising all the resources to making this country great. We want to see how we could make use of the resources at our disposal, to develop areas where many would think it is impossible to thread. For instance, I chose to go into agriculture, industry and become non- partisan in politics for obvious reasons. We want a situation where there is equity, progress and justice. Our fear now is that, with what is going on, something needs to be done to salvage the country. We need to talk more and, if you take a look at our past and compare it to the present, those ruling this country when I was in my 10s, 20s are still the same people ruling us at present. The people who were ministers, presidents and governors are still the same people who want to come back to power. Then I ask myself, is there anything that I had done wrong or have not done enough to deserve the position these same people are contesting for, having been there many years back?

    You think the older politicians should take the blame?

    Today, the question that is in the heart of every youth of Nigeria is that what if every old man in his 60s, 70s and above fall sick or incapacitated today? Are they saying that among the youths we cannot find leaders? If you look at Nigeria, most of those who are clamouring to come back are the same old brigade. People like General Yakubu Gowon rtd, General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), even Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, keep featuring. I want to say that, among these people, it is only General Ibrahim Babangida that was in his 40s when he ruled the country. Our ministers, governors, commissioners were in their 20s and 30s. But, if you take a critical look, most of those who were governors, ministers and those who want to be president are the same people who have been there yesterday in similar capacity. It is time for Nigerian youths to be more involved and I think one of the key challenges of the Nigerian youths is that it appears that we have given up. If you look back to 20 years ago, Nigerian youths were very vocal. They were very strong and very active in social justice. Where are we today? We now have poverty everywhere, poverty of ideology and poverty of the mind. And when you talk of corruption, people think that it is for people who only steal money. Now, how do we ensure a country with lots of opportunity to bounce back? We have rich farmlands, resources to match the industry, but there are no jobs. Today, if you place an advertisement for one vacant position, a minimum 50,000 applicants would apply.

    If good foundation has not been laid by the elders, how can the youth follow their footstep?

    The foundation of everything is very fundamental to the development of the society. The fact that every Nigerian is born into Nigeria and he or she affirms that this is my country, serves us to an extent. But,I want to say that Nigeria of today was not like that of 70s and 80s when things were a little bit better. That was when the morale of people were stronger, when patriotism was great. But, that has changed the configuration of Nigeria. Today, a lot of people want to leave Nigeria. Those who are not running out of Nigeria cannot even entrust the welfare of Nigerians with the country. I must say something is wrong with the trust level, morale level of Nigerians. And if I may ask, why do everybody wants to be in government in Nigeria? Today, a bank Managing Director or other chief executives want to end up as a governor. People attribute the urge to be in government to the fact that they want to cut their share of the national cake. Some say it is corruption, but it goes beyond that. It goes to the level of the corruption of the mind. We also agree that there is no social justice, but, if you look at some of these things, they are actually created by the people. Social justice, equity is worth for the asking. I work in this environment some 40 years ago. Now, I want to be in government. Is it because I no longer trust myself, the system and I feel that I am the only one who can do it? And, if I don’t know, other person cannot do it? I think that is another manifestation of poverty of the mind. Poverty of the mind is what we need to address. I must say that people are working, not because they want to work. They are working because they want to live. That is why things are so tight and tough. The banking industry today, they have lots of people with target. Today, you have a young banker who tries to meet the target placed at his shoulder.

    At what point did this gap set in between the youth and the older generation?

    This gap came in as a result of military rule. But, I think it is almost a decade and half now since the democratic system came back. We have not seen anything being done to return us back to where we used to be. If you look at it, even in the military days, we still have some active social movements or some active engagements. But, after that period, what has happened? We have democracy in Nigeria now and, if am correct, it is going to 15 years. Are we saying 15 years is not enough for us to get things back? Basically, that is the reason and we need to go back to where we should be.

    How will the country get out of this mirage?

    I think what we need to do is that we need to engage more in developmental argument. You need to have different level of social group. We have the elite, the middle class and, of course, the poor or lower class. I have seen Nigeria create more billionaires. There is a need for us to create a forum that will ensure that there is a balance. But, I don’t also think we have a problem with old people ruling the country. but, does that means that the old people cannot encourage the youth? If I was in power some 20 and 40 years ago, I expect my child to assume that same position or the one better than that.

    Older politicians are saying that the youths lack experience…

    I believe that the experience the youths have is a reflection of the one they were given. And that is what the youths sleep and wake up with. The challenge that goes with this type of comments, they have that comment coming regularly. I believe the leaders should challenge the youths. I think the youths are not actually hearing them. I have not actually heard any youth coming up to say oh, I can do it. But, of course, we have youths who came into power and have performed well. We have someone like Governor Babatunde Fashola, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal , Governor Donald Duke and others. They have been very exemplary and dynamic. We cannot say youths have not been forthcoming. the argument for me is a challenge. Again, I also want to disagree because, if we say, we don’t have the experience, they cannot be right. But, whatever experience the youths have is what was given. I believe we have enough of experienced hands. if we don’t give them the chance, we will not even know the stuff we have in them. The youth needs to wake up and begin to ask more questions. We need to wake up be more active in asking questions.

    The youths are indulging in social vices and they may take this to the corridor of power…

    I think Nigeria is a country of over 160 million people. If one or two are bad, do we say we do not have them in Nigeria? I don’t like to concentrate most of the time on the weaknesses of Nigeria and the Nigerian people. I will like to concentrate on the best part of Nigeria and the best of it. Like I said the youth is a product of the elderly, and the youth cannot do worst. Today, the e-governance is in place, what this simply means is that I don’t need to see you before I do my transaction face to face with anybody. Will there be corruption, if you don’t know my face? Who will implement it. The youths, of course. The age we are now, it has got to that level of economic development and it does not cost so much. And I think that is what will bring about the change.

    The youths are recruited as thugs during election. What can be done?

    It is simple and that is the reason why I think some of the youths that are privileged should be more active in carrying this campaign of change to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. It is impossible for any youth that is actively engaged to be employed as a thug. I want to believe that the youths are allowed to waste. They are called upon whenever odd things are happening. That is why they are creating a society where you have youths that are easily recruited for the odd jobs. So, the youths should start engaging in things that will help the society more. And, if we do that, I believe that we will have the kind of things that will help the society. For example, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. But, we have to work on that.

    Is there any way the youth can be reorganised to effect political change?

    People talk so much about the change that we have seen in the world recently. And they are wondering whether this could happen in Nigeria or not? This is the reason it happens in countries where it happens. It is because the youths were actually empowered. In Nigeria, can we mobilise? The reason why it is very difficult in Nigeria is because it is expensive. But, I think the Nigerian youths can mobilise and that is why the youths should empower themselves. That is where they need to get it right and the first source of empowerment is education. We have Boko Haram, the Niger Delta crisis with the youths making up the numbers. We have all kinds of things going on Nigeria. This is because the youths have not been properly engaged. All the things you see are all about mobilisation. If people can mobilise the people for this kind of cause, I believe that we can also mobilise for a country that will get the youths to be more engaged in all the kinds of things that they want. The question is, do the people actually know what they want? Are we actually getting it right? If you know that, in your father’s house there are many mansions, then, you will not sleep under the tree. Everybody in Nigeria, whether you like it or not, is a politician. we may not directly be involved in politics or card carrying member of any political party. I think everybody in Nigeria who is of age, should be more engaged in participatory development.

    What is your perception of the on-going national conference?

    If you allow me, I really don’t want to talk about it. I do believe that it is worth it for people to go and sit down to talk. This is not the first time they are talking. They have always been talking and I think there are differences that we do have, which need to be ironed out. But I still believe that there are easier ways, we can achieve some of these things. But, I hope and pray that the national conference will come out with results. I do hope that whatever comes out of the national conference is subjected back the people’s support. And, of course, if we agree on the outcome, let pray it is implemented. I still believe that there are capable people there that have been brought together. I do believe that they will represent Nigeria and I think that this is another opportunity for youths in Nigeria. And by now they should be throwing up questions on the outcome they are looking forward to. And if we get more of that, it will also help this national conference for the future of Nigeria.

  • The ‘common man’ finds his voice

    The ‘common man’ finds his voice

    The sixth Bola Tinubu Colloquium, which took place in Lagos at the weekend to mark the 62nd birthday of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, provided an opportunity for ordinary Nigerians to articulate some of the country’s daunting challenges and how to get the country out of its present socio-econoic doldrums. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI reports.

    The plight of citizens living in the midst of the insurgency that most Nigerians read about on the pages of the newspaper is pathetic. Take the case of this man, for instance. One fateful evening, members of the Boko Haram insurgency group came to the home of a lecturer at the University of Maiduguri in their numbers to assassinate him. But, fortunately for him, he was not at home. Realising that they were bent on killing him, the lecturer, simply identified as Mallam Aji, fled from his home and took refuge elsewhere in the city, leaving his wife to take care of things. But when the group visited a second time and did not find the man at home, they concluded that the wife was shielding him. They killed her. “Now, I am saddled with the responsibility of caring for our children. I have to play the role of a father and a mother,” he told the audience at the Sixth Bola Tinubu Colloquium in Lagos last Saturday.

    People in Aji’s category live in fear on a daily basis.

    A different set of problems confront Alhaji Nasiru Bala Daudawa, who holds a first degree in agricultural economics and a masters in international relations and diplomacy. At the colloquium, he catalogued the woes of farmers in Katsina State, particularly and the nation in general. He said the fertilizer distribution programme of the federal government was not working effectively as Nigerians are made to believe and that despite the fact that agriculture employs about 70 per cent of the population, “we still have challenges due to policies that are lopsided,”

    His words: “We are faced with fertilizer adulteration and the amount of fertilizer we receive is always inadequate. They only send two bags and we have to buy the rest in the open market, where it is often mixed with sand and a 40 kilogrammes (kg) bag of the product is passed off as a 50 kg bag.” Besides, Daudawa said farmers have challenges accessing loans and that they lack access to the 167 million or so consumers in the country due to storage and transportation problems.

    He added that his community in Faskari Local Government Area is equally faced with the challenges of cattle rustling. He said farmers in the entire North-west geo-political zone have to cope daily with armed criminals coming to steal their cattle and that if something is not done about this, Nigeria may have another Boko Haram on its hands.

    Ali and Daudawa are two of the ordinary Nigerians who spoke at the 2014 Bola Tinubu Colloquium, bringing home to the audience the realities of the challenges of survival confronting Nigerians from various walks of life. The annual Bola Tinubu Colloquium was an idea conceived by close friends and associates of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State. It was conceived as a platform for discourse on the salient issues of national importance. It takes place annually on March 29, to mark the birthday of a man who has been very outspoken about the downward slide of the country in many respects. Unlike the previous years, when prominent personalities were the lead discussants, the 2014 edition, which took place under the theme, “The Summit of the Common Man”, featured ordinary Nigerians.

    Others who spoke include Ron Mgbatogu, a 68-year-old retiree and veteran broadcaster from Anambra State. He unloaded his frustration about the plight of pensioners. After working for almost 40 years in the public and private sectors, Mgbatogu is entitled to retirement benefits, but he does not get it when it is due. There are delays in payment due to bureaucratic bottlenecks. Most times, he travels risky and long distances to the pension office, only to realise that there is no money for him.

    Said Mgbatogu: “How can government take my taxes for 40 years, yet it feels no obligation for me. If there were no religious organisations, folks like me would remain endangered species. I am a homeless man, totally homeless. I have a roof over my head, but I have no place to call a home.”

    The veteran broadcaster’s plight highlights the challenges facing retirees in a country where there is no social security.

    Elizabeth Unah, a 48-year-old widow from Ebonyi State, spoke about how widows are left to cater for their children, without support from any quarters, the moment their breadwinner is no more. Mrs. Unah, who lost her husband in a fire in 2009, feeds her six children and foots the bil for their education , because her husband left nothing behind for the family.

    Chief Eric Dooh, a 45-year old fisherman and native of Goi community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, lost his source of livelihood, following crude oil pollution, which poisoned the water and killed the fishes. Like other members of the Niger Delta community, Dooh and his family have no access to clean water to drink. The irony is that the government has turned a deaf ear to the plight of people living in oil-producing areas of the Niger Delta, which remains the goose that lays the golden egg that sustains the Nigerian economy.

    Also included in the group of common Nigerians who mounted the podium to vent their frustration on the system that is depriving them of the opportunities to fully realise their potentials in life are Emmanuel Ekpemeze, a 23-year blind student, and Soprinye Victor, a 25-year old unemployed graduate. Miss Victor, a 2010 graduate Niger Delta University, perhaps embodies the disappointment of 47.8 million actively searching for jobs, but unable to find a place of productive engagement. She had so much expectation of being gainfully employed after her youth service. But so far, the efforts of the Chemical Engineering graduate to secure a job have proved abortive. Her attempt to equally start a business has not been successful.

    “I am standing here not because I am a Bayelsan. But I am speaking on behalf of the youths of this country,” she said, adding that the country has all it takes to be rich under various circumstances. Unemployment, particularly among the youth, is perhaps the biggest problem in Nigeria today. It is said that 20.3 million Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 35 are unemployed and that 54 per cent of Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 60 are actively looking for a job, but cannot find one.

    Indeed, as emphasised at the colloquium last Saturday, the challenges facing the common man in Nigeria are varied, but they all point to one thing: the failure of government to address issues pertainining to the security and welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

    It was also an evening of frank discourse. For instance, the proverbial question that is being asked in Nigeria for a long time, “Who is a common man?” re-echoed at the sixth Bola Tinubu Colloquium last Saturday. The Attorney-General of Lagos, Ade Ipaye, who anchored the programme, said the common man is usually defined as “that undistinguished commoner, lacking rank, distinction or special attribute.” But he added that “when we look at it closely, it is the ordinary Nigerians, uncommon in their respective ways”. Mgbatogu, the veteran broadcaster, was enthused that finally somebody has hit the nail on the head about his situation. “It took the 62nd birthday of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to situate me as a common man. I thank you very much for that sir,” he noted jocularly.

    However, it was when Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State mounted the podium that he elevated the discourse about the common man to a higher level. Fashola said the so-called common man is the biggest stakeholder in Nigeria because he pays his taxes diligently. Indeed, he said the common man, as the biggest investor in the country, has the right to determine the way the country should be run through his vote. But the governor lamented that it is ironical that the common man has not yet recognized that he or she is the biggest investor in the country. Fashola noted that the story of the common man that was told at the gathering suggested that the top job in the country would be a difficult one for that person that emerges as President in 2015. He inferred that the ruling party at the centre was playing politics with religion. He challenged Nigerians to ponder over the problems confronting them wisely and decide who he wants to give the top job.

    Speaking in the same vein, the celebrant advised Nigerians to use their votes to determine the fate of the country beyond 2015. Earlier, Governor Fashola had informed the audience that Tinubu came from the rank of the common man. His words: “The leader we are celebrating today comes from a humble background. He used to live in a flat somewhere in Aguda, Surulere, Lagos, which got flooded and at a different time he was a disc jokey. That is perhaps why he has always identified with the common man and fights for the common man.” Similarly, the chairman of the Sixth Bola Tinubu Colloquium, the Most Reverend (Dr.) Ephrain Adebola Ademowo, described Tinubu is a consummate politician, a master strategist, defender of the oppressed, detribalized Nigerian, a libertarian par excellence and a rare gift to humanity.

    The first Bola Tinubu Colloquium was held on March 29, 2009. The theme, ‘Every Vote Must Count’, was inspired by the country’s preparation for the 2011 general elections, against the backdrop of lessons learnt from the conduct and outcomes of the 2007 elections. The discussants were Professor Yemi Osibajo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN; Chief Charles Edosonwan, SAN; Mr. Kola Awodein, SAN; and Mr. Tunji Bello. The lead discussant, Mr. David Kangah of the Ghana Electoral Commission submitted that Nigeria must strive to inculcate a culture of democratic practice in its people, as well as safeguard the electoral process with adequate legal and institutional framework with proper checks and balances that would prevent manipulation by ruling parties. A major outcome of the first colloquium was the inauguration of the Coalition of Democrats foe Electoral Reform (CODER).

    The theme of the second colloquium was ‘This House Must Stand! Pulling Nigeria from the Brink’’ and the lead discussant was renowned economist and innovator, Dr. Hernando de Soto. He spoke on extra legality as it affects world economies and human rights. Other discussants at the occasion include Mrs. Maryam Uwais, MFR; Mr. Femi Falana, SAN; Mr. Babatunde Ahonsi and Ms Ijeoma Nwogwugwu.

    The third colloquium addressed the pertinent question, ‘Nigeria: Why isn’t it Working?’ The fourth one, which took place under theme, ‘Looking Back, Thinking Ahead’, was in response to the need to review the successes and failures of the Asiwaju administration and its successor towards articulating the lessons learnt in drafting a direction for the future. The fifth colloquium, on the other hand, sought to create a platform for broad-based political movement for true national transformation. A major part of the strategy for achieving this, was to bring some new and younger voices to the table, to interrogate and propose ways by which the political space can be more inclusive, especially how the increasingly cynical youth can become involved in the national movement to save Nigeria.

  • Group pledges support for APC, Amosun

    A group, ‘The Ark Group’, has been set up in Ogun State to drum support for the second term ambition of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

    The group, which consists of professionals from diverse fields, also promised to support the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections.

    In a statement in Ijebu-Ode, its co-ordinator, Mr. Gbolade Oduwole, promised to mobilise financial support for the party, ahead of the polls. He also said that members of the group will be actively involved in voter’s mobilisation and other sensitisation programmes.

    At its inaugural meeting in Ijebu Ode last week, the group reviewed the activities of the political parties. It expressed satisfaction with the on-going infrastructural renewal programme of the Amosun Administration.

    Oduwole said: “Our view is that our state has never had it so good when compared with the eight years of the PDP-led administration.

    “We seize this opportunity to warn our people not to allow themselves to be fooled by the reactionaries gathering in other parties.

    “The APC has proven that it has what it takes to take our people to a higher level of development that all patriotic citizens envision for our state”.

  • ‘I have unfinished job in Ekiti’

    ‘I have unfinished job in Ekiti’

    Ekiti State All Progres-sives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Governor Kayode Fayemi has kicked off his campaign for a second term, with a colourful rally in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. Apart from giving an account of his stewardship, the governor unfolded his plans for the state. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the frills and thrills of the event and the peoples’ passion for continuity.

    Brooms filled the air at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti. As from sunrise, the venue was aglow with festivities. Itinerant drummers ushered in party leaders to the campaign ground, singing and dancing. Traditional rulers, accompanied by chiefs and palace attendants, took their seats. It was as if the monarchs were attending another ‘pelupelu’, the famed Ekiti confederation meeting of yore. Party faithful, who adorned customised t-shirts of various colours and fez caps, were in ecstasy. Many supporters came in lorry loads from the 16 local governments. It was not a rented crowd and there was no thuggery.

    The progressive governors were impressed by the orderliness. As they drove into Ado-Ekiti, Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State), Abdulazeez yari (Zamfara), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abiola Ajimobi, (Oyo), Kwara State Deputy Governor Peter Shakira, and former Governor Modu Sheriff (Bornu) savoured the warm hospitality of the natives who cheered them. “If Dr. Kayode has not performed, they will not welcome us this way”, said Nyako, attesting to the popularity of the governor among his people.

    Also at the rally were former Ekiti State Governor Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Senator Ajayi Boroffice from Ondo State, Senator Ayo Adeseun from Oyo State, Senator Jide Omoworare from Osun State, Senator Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central), Osun State Secretary to Government Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly Dr. Wale Omirin, APC Interim Women Leader Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, House of Representatives members Oyetunde Ojo and Bimbo Daramola, the Chairman of Fayemi Campaign Organisation and the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief Folasade Tinubu-Ojo. Towards the end of the rally, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola joined his colleagues. His presence electrified the stadium.

    Fayemi, accompanied by his wife, Erelu Bisi, a woman activist, and the deputy governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, a princess of Ado-Ekiti, stormed the stadium around noon. The bespectacled governor was holding his broom in right hand. He appeared in his trademark ‘Awo cap’, a reminder of the glorious past, which Ekiti is yearning for. Beaming an infectious smile, the governor exuded confidence of a promise keeper. As a professional in politics and prudent administrator, he had achievements to reel out. Having tendered his stewardship, he asked for another tenure of four years to serve with diligence.

    “Look at the streets and see what we have done. Three and half years ago, I made some promises at my inauguration. I have fulfilled my eight-point agenda”, Fayemi said. “The reward for hard work is more work. The work of development in Ekiti has not been completed. We must continue to fight against poverty and want in Ekiti. I have laid the foundation. We should now build on it”, he added.

    Four musicians-Elemure Olgunyemi, Buga, Adewale Ayuba and Olamide-entertained the crowd. Actors and actresses, who appreciated the achievements of the activist-governor, came to drum support for his candidature. One of them, Olaiya Igwe from Egbaland, Ogun State, extolled Fayemi’s virtues, saying that he has not disappointed Ekiti, Southwest and Nigeria. “The APC governors have one thing in common. They are developing their states. Unlike those in the other party, they believe in progress. In Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ekiti, they are making a lot of difference”, he said, urging the people to sustain the progressive tradition.

    The actor also pointed out that Fayemi is committed to both the living and the dead in his state. He said while the governor is providing amenities for the living, he is immortalising the memory of departed legends. In particular, he said the entertainment industry is happy that he had honoured the late Chief Kola Ogunmola from Okemesi Ekiti, who passed on 40 years ago, in recognition of his contribution to the industry. “The spirit of Ogunmola, thr father of Peju and Yomi Ogunmola, who died 40 years ago, is praying for Fayemi”, Igwe said.

    Traditional rulers applauded the administration for restoring peace and security. “Monarchs are no more abused and threatened with deposition in Ekitiland. We don’t have a noisemaker as governor. Yet, his works speak for him’, said a traditional ruler. An old woman, who was led into the stadium by two of his grandchildren, said: “This governor has not let hunger kill us. He finds time to remember us. I am old and cannot work again. But, he sends salary to me every month”.

    Ekiti State APC Interim Chairman, Chief Jide Awe, who welcomed the dignitaries and party supporters, described Fayemi as a 21st century administrator and scholar, stressing that he will had an edge at the poll. He lamented that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains are threatening fire and brimestone, instead of engaging in a campaign of ideas and issues. “Some people need the combined forces of Rusia and America to win. But, what do the people of Ekiti want? The people of Ekiti will vote for us. No matter the threat and intimidation, Ekiti will move forward to elect Dr. Kayode Fayemi for a second term. Go in peace, Vote for the APC. APC will rule Ekiti again in 2014”, he said.

    Adebayo, who ruled the state between 1999 and 2003, observed that Ekiti are now vigilant, warning that rigging will lead to chaos. He told the crowd that the PDP candidate is unfit for the State House. “I read in the newspapers that the PDP is bringing a man of questionable character to rule us. APC is presenting a scholar with a doctorate degree. But, they are presenting a man with dubious credential”, he fumed.

    The former governor took exception to the remark by the PDP candidate, Ayo Fayose, that he chased him out of office in 2003 and installed Fayemi in 2010. “In 2003, the PDP stole the governorship. We are in 2014. Ekiti will never accept thieves and charlatans to rule us again. We are campaigning, but their candidate is in court facing EFCC charges. They said Adebayo is a gentleman and he didn’t fight. This is a different time. If I am tempted, I will fight. Ekiti was under darkness. Today, Fayemi has brought light”, Adebayo said, urging the people to troop out on June 21 to vote for the APC.

    Sheriff, who was the first to speak among the APC national leaders, hailed Fayemi’s achievements, saying that he is a working and performing governor. The former Bornu governor enjoined the people to give him another four years to serve meritoriously. “From what I can see, the people of Ekiti have already decided. They are only waiting for the time to vote. They have said that they are behind fayemi to run for the governor. I have seen changes in Ekitki State. I congratulate him for performance. We are behind him for the second term”, he added.

    Endorsing Fayemi, Wamakko, said the Ekiti governor has projected the APC as a credible platform by his commitment to democracy and transparency. “APC is about the unity of Nigeria. It is about performance and transparency. We are for a governor who can develop his state and people. We will continue to work for national unity. Our diversity will remain our strength. We want leaders who can accept responsibility. One of the rare leaders who must be supported and endorsed is Fayemi. It is the choice of Ekiti and we endorse your choice”, he said.

    Nyako, former Chief of Naval Staff, applauded Fayemi for serving Ekiti without blemish and wished him a landslide victory at the poll. “Governance is being transformed in Nigeria and Governor Kayode is a great contributor. He needs your vote to give you his best”, he said.

    The Adamawa governor added: “The record of the governor in Ekiti State speaks for itself. He is a good leader, who is committed to good governance. He has run a transparent administration. Governor Kayode is one of the most serious governors we have in the country. He cares for his people and he cares for all Nigerians. I am here to appreciate the qualities of Governor Kayode. You should give him another chance. He will take Ekiti to a greater height”.

    Yari renewed the agitation for the sanctity of the ballot box, saying that, beginning from Ekiti, the APC will demand for ‘one man, one vote’. He said electoral malpractices will not be acceptable. “We were in Washington recently where these things were discussed. You knew about it. It is a challenge to Jega. Ekiti is the starting point. We will only accept one man, one vote”, he maointained.

    The Sokoto governor described Fayemi as “a colleague and associate in progress”, who has subscribed to the APC’s vision for change, a new Nigeria, transparency and accountability. “I am not surprised by this huge gathering. Ekiti people appreciate what Fayemi has done in the last three and half years”, he added. Urging them to let the governor down, he said that Fayemi will always live up to expectation. Yari, who expressed delight at the huge crowd, asked: “Are you ready to vote for JKF for a second term?.” The crowd responded with a thunderous yes.

    Owelle Okorocha gave the longest speech and it was not boring. He started by chanting the mobilisation slogan of activist youths. “Great Nigerian youths”, he shouted, waving his broom as the youths gave the expected response. The APC Governors’ Forum Chairman said, since the people have a choice to make, they should endorse the APC at the poll. “The name, PDP, is a failure. You know the meaning of PDP? Peoples Deceiving People, People Destroying People, Papa Deceiving Pinkin.

    “In 12 years of the PDP, there is nothing to show. Look at what happened in Abuja. Our youths are dying. Look at the nation; the people are suffering. That is why we are bringing change. Fayemi’s victory at the next election has been signed, sealed and delivered. Fayemi has the people. He has worked for the people. In four years, he has made every sacrifice to move Ekiti forward”.

    Amid his speech, he paused to ask a question. “How many of you will vote for Dr. kayode Fayemi? Raise up your hands”, he requested. All the people raised up their hands. Then, he added: “Kayode will work for you. Like trhe Sokoto governor has said, Kayode is unique. If he contests elections in other states, he will win. So, Ekiti is privileged to have this young, handsome, articulate person as the governor”.

    Okorocha gave a “marching order” to Ndigbo in Ekiti to queue behind the APC aspirant. He said that he gave the order in his capacity as the “Owelle”. The Imo governor also addressed the Hausa community in a flawless Hausa language.

    Amosun, who spoke after him, said that moment of truth has come in Ekiti. He urged the people never to go back to that dark era when the state was enveloped in tension. Amosun observed that since Fayemi has served them loyally, he deserves a second term. “There is a deliberate and courageous attempt to serve the people of Ekiti. Things that were not possible before are now possible-roads, schools, security scheme for old people. You should not allow the PDP to take us backward into that bad era.

    “All the people, multi-nationals, international agencies and our people agree that Fayemi has performed. All the PDP wants is to rig. Are you going to allow them? You should resist rigging. It is one man, one vote. One man, one vote should count. Give Fayemi another four years that will bring development and advancement to the people”, he said.

    Shakira, who represented Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, urged the people of Ekiti to live up to their character and antecedents on poll day. “You have a history of development and progress in the Southwest. You should sustain the tempo”, he added.

    Ajimobi described Ekiti as state of scholars and intellectuals. “In a town of scholars, who should be the governor? Who should rule a state of intelligence? Who should rule a state of civilisation? Who should rule a state of character? Who should rule a state of development? Do you want to be ruled by thugs? Ekiti is now different. You should use brilliant people to run the government”, he said.

    An excited Fayemi thanked the people for turning up at the campaign with the resolve and determination to push for continuity. He clarified that he is still an aspirant, until the selection process is completed according the party guidelines. He addressed the crowd in Yoruba and English. “As I entered this place, I became calm”, he said, hailing the crowd.

    Fayemi said that his priority is the development of Ekiti, Southwest and Nigeria. He appraised the activities of his administration, saying that he has fulfilled his campaign promises to voters. “Our teachers are the mist catered for in the country. Our students are now doing well in their WASC examinations. We knew how the result was like before. We knew how our roads looked like three years ago. Our roads are now motorable and befitting. Our farmers have seen a farmer-friendly government”, he said.

    The governor reminded the people of their cherished history. He described Ekiti as a state of intellectuals, who had struggled to get to where they are today in Nigeria. He said, having overcome the hurdles of the past, the state should not regress backward. “The election is not about Fayemi alone. It is about Ekiti. We don’t want to go back to where we were coming from. We don’t want to go back to that period of crisis. We don’t want people answering EFCC charges in court to rule us”, he said.

    The governor said that he will not let the people down, if his mandate is renewed. He promised a prudent administration that will deepen development in Ekitiland. He said there will be no room for theft and graft, adding that the unfinished business will be tackled with resolve and sense of duty in his second term. “Our government will not steal Ekiti money. We will use the money to develop Ekiti. we will vote to have peace. We will vote to have development. We will vote to have employment. We will vote to have the god things of life”, he stressed.

  • How Mark sustains his influence on power

    How Mark sustains his influence on power

    The role played by Senate President David Mark in maintaining the stranglehold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on power in recent times suggests that he is one of the pillars that sustain the ruling party. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI examines how the Benue State-born politician has succeeded in steering the Senate above trouble waters, where others failed.

    He is a smooth operator, but the growing influence of Senate President David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark has been very much evident in recent times, following the crisis that rocked the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the centre. Mark stood out like a rock in a surging sea throughout the crisis, making him one of President Goodluck Jonathan’s most reliable allies. For this reason, he is one man the President cannot afford to disappoint and he uses his influence on the President once in a while. For instance, following the tragic aptitude and fitness test conducted by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), which claimed the lives of about 17 applicants, Interior Minister Abba Moro would have been relived of his job, but for the intervention of Mark. Moro, who hails from Benue State just like the Senate President, had quickly reached out to the well-respected man who nominated him for the ministerial position, to plead with President Jonathan who was said to be livid with the minister over the tardiness in conducting the ill-fated test. Mark’s influence within the Senate and in the polity generally, it is said, has grown over the years, marking him out from his predecessors.

    Before his emerged on the scene as President of the Nigerian Senate, on June 6, 2007, that office was widely seen as a minefield of banana peels. This is owing to the fact that previous occupants of that office since the advent of the Fourth Republic were not able to meander through without stepping on the peels. But Mark, retired army general, former governor, former minister of communications and one of the Babangida boys at the height of military rule in the country, has had an unassailable run since he came into the scene. Somehow he commands a lot of respect from his fellow senators. After his first term in 2007, he returned in 2011, and does not look like somebody whose job is threatened in any way.

    Against this background, the question that has been on the lips of many Nigerians for a long time is: what is Mark’s staying power? The consensus of respondents is that Mark has a good understanding of Nigerian politics. He displays a good political sagacity in the way he handles the affairs of the upper chamber of the National Assembly. In the view of Monday Ubani, a Lagos-based legal practitioner and chairman of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Ikeja Chapter, Mark adopts a populist political method in his dealings with fellow Senators particularly and politicians generally. His words: “He reaches out to them, by making sure that they do not have reasons to grumble. In other words, he carries them along and makes that everyone is properly settled, including financial inducements. Political leaders have problems within the Nigerian set up, when they eat alone. As long as he shares whatever accrues to the upper chamber equitably among all the members, there would be no complains from any angle.” In the absence of any reason for agitation, his position has never been threatened.

    Another respondent who does not want to be named puts it this way: “David Mark’s reputation as a man of the people is well known in the National Assembly. I think he is a better mixer, compared to previous occupants of that position. He is a guy who understands the importance of human relations in dealing with people.” He is of the view that Mark humbles himself, by not allowing his exalted position to get to his head. “Let’s not forget that he was a good student while he was at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), he was a good soldier and an accomplished administrator,” he added.

    The overriding factor, according to observers, is that Mark appears to understand the mindset of his colleagues. He is believed to be wealthy. Being a former governor, minister and one of Babangida’s close associates during the military era, money is not his problem this time around. In this regard, he ensures a constant flow of Ghana-must-go bags. Besides, he does not deny or delay the privileges meant for his colleagues. These include constituency allowance, furniture allowance, choice houses, contracts and overseas trips and estacodes. He knows that many of them are hardly interested in the business of lawmaking, which explains why the chamber is always near empty at every session. As a result, he does not pay attention to absentee members. After all, better an empty house than a house full of traitors.

    Besides, the incumbent Senate President knows that a cordial relationship with the Presidency is critical and crucial for his survival. In Ubani’s opinion, Mark has protected the president very well. “In doing this, he has been very careful not to be seen as being neither subservient nor belligerent. He has been playing a role you could describe as very reconciliatory; he panders to the Presidency when it is necessary and to the house when this is called for,” he explained. In that regard, the legal practitioner believes the Senate President has been able to strike a balance between the two sides and this has helped in no small way in protecting his political party, the PDP.

    Indeed, the way he handled the recent face-off on the floor of the upper chamber over the recent defection from the PDP to the APC has also earned him respect from both sides. Everyone expected the issue to cause a big uproar in the Senate, but somehow he doused the tension, without ruffling feathers. Ubani noted that the fourth term legislator refused to pander to the whims of former PDP Senators who say they have decamped to APC, and wanted him to announce that development on the floor of the Senate, by telling them that the matter is in court. He added: “He also refused to pander to the interest of some members of his political party who wanted the defectors to be sanctioned. At the end of the day, no one could accuse him of being used to further the interest of any of the two major political parties. But, overall, he succeeded in protecting the interest of the PDP, through the matured way he handled the matter.”

    He also portrays himself as a statesman, by ensuring that he is seen to be vocal on all national and international issues. For instance, condemns the insecurity in the land when Boko Haram insurgents strike. On the other hand, he calls the bluff of foreign powers when they become overbearing, as they sometimes do when it comes to issues like gay marriage.

    A brief recap of the tenure of his predecessors is imperative, to better appreciate what Mark has achieved in that regard. At the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999, Senator Evans (or is it Evan?) Enwerem set the tone for other occupants of that coveted office under the Olusegun Obasanjo era, when he stepped on the infamous banana peels and his reign was short-lived. His albatross was the allegation of falsification of his name. But there was more to his fall. He was investigated for the crime of corruption. But the controversy as to whether the senator’s real name was Evan or Evans soon became the subject of intense media attention. He was removed from office on November 18, 1999. He survived for just eight months.

    After him, the cerebral and bombastic Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, came on board. His tempestuous reign as Senate President also did not last long. Okadigbo, who was usually hailed with his traditional title, the Oyi of Oyi, was known for his opposition to his own political party, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the time. But it was his cat and mouse relationship with the former President Olusegun Obasanjo that became his greatest undoing. He was charged with corruption and removed from office in August 2000. He spent less than a year as Senate President. Incidentally, Okadigbo was actively involved in the removal of Enwerem.

    There was also Anyim Pius Anyim, the Ebonyi State-born politician who occupies the office of Secretary to the Government of the federation at present. He became the Senate President in August 2000 after the removal of Okadigbo. As Senate President, his attempt to impeach Obasanjo failed. He, however, did not seek re-election in the 2003, knowing that his opposition to Obasanjo would cost him a re-election. The reign of Adolphus Wabara, who became the Senate President in 2003, also ended in acrimony. Like those before him, allegations of corruption brought about his downfall. In April 2005, he resigned following allegations that he collected a bribe from the then Minister of Education, Prof. Fabian Osuji, to facilitate the passage of his annual budget. Although Wabara’s charges were eventually dropped, the damage had been done. It was all part of the game plan. He had to go. Senator Ken Nnamani completed the vicious cycle of banana peels the Senate presidency had become until Mark made a grand entry in 2007.

  • Conference delegates decry marginalisation of Yoruba in Kogi

    The six delegates to the National Conference from the Okun Yoruba area of Kogi State have expressed concern over the neglect of their communities by successive administrations.

    The delegates spoke in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at a dinner organised for them by the Okun Development Association.

    Former Minister of Industries and President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Chief Kola Jamodu, who spoke on their behalf, said the neglect of infrastructure in the Okun and Oworo areas were unacceptable.

    The delegate resolved to work with their colleagues from other parts of the country to seek solutions to the problems

    Okun delegates are retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Raphael Osanaiye, former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Chief Bayo Ojo, (SAN), Ambassador John Kayode Sinkaiye, former Deputy Chief of Staff to the President Prince Olusola Akanmode and Dr. Femi Obayori of the Lagos State University.

    Jamodu said the delegates were conservant with the demands of the Okun people, which are contained in their position paper on the conference.

    In his goodwill message, the deputy governor of Kogi State, Chief Yomi Awoniyi, expressed satisfaction that Okunland was being represented at the conference by credible delegates. He said the delegates will pursue the interests of the Yoruba in Kogi State.

    The President of Okun Development Association, Ambassador Babatunde Fadumiyo, urged the delegates to agitate for the creation of Okun State and the relocation of the Okun’s political boundary from the Northcentral to the Southwest geo-political zone.

    Former Minister of Health and the Convener of Okun Think-Tank Prof. Eyitayo Lambo said it was by divine favour that Okun, with five local government areas, has six delegates at the conference.

    He implored the delegates to work as a team to advance the cause of Okun people, regardless of which platform brought them to the conference.

     

  • Chime and politics of forced endorsement

    Chime and politics of forced endorsement

    Whose who understand power within the context of democracy know, as Chinua Achebe pens in one of his classics, the “Arrow of God”, that their power is “no more than the power of a child over a goat that was said to be his”. On the day the goat is killed or sold, it would know the rightful owner. That power belongs to the people.

    In the novel, Ezeulu is the chief priest of Ulu, the deity of Umuaro. Although he knows that he is “merely a watchman” for the gods, he is obsessed with the immensity of his powers over the lunar year and crop, hence the people. Describing Ezeulu, his main antagonist, Nwaka, says: “A man who carries a deity is not a king. He is there to perform its ritual and to carry sacrifice to it. But …Ezeulu… wants to be king, priest, diviner, all.”

    Ezeulu is also a character of pathos. Those whom the gods want to kill, they first make mad. Thus, looking at the chain of events surrounding this tragic hero, I sometimes wonder if the gods themselves did not deliberately goad their chief priest to destruction, perhaps to punish him and/or teach mortals some lessons in the vanity of power.

    Yet, whichever it is, the storyline of Umuaro and Ezeulu playing out in Enugu politics ahead of the 2015 general election does not show that mortals have learnt a thing. The forced endorsements and political impunity being perpetrated by the Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, and his kitchen cabinet is just like an Ezeulu testing his powers against the will of the people, and perhaps the gods.

    Let us rewind to 2013. Governor Chime overreached himself when he decreed that all federal lawmakers from Enugu State doing second tenure and upwards must retire in 2015. This naturally drew public ire as it was generally considered unconstitutional, arrogant, dictatorial, and illogical. Illogical in the sense that Chime, who is completing the maximum two terms as governor, would have certainly gone for a third, and even more terms had the constitution permitted. But he does not see the need for himself to retire. Instead, he wants them swept away to create space for himself and his cronies to retire to the NASS. This is unjust, selfish, and grossly undemocratic.

    Consequently, to assert himself, just like Ezeulu, Chime, working in consonance with Engr. Vita Abba, the State Chairman of the PDP in Enugu, who himself has a governorship ambition, has literally brought the Enugu PDP and the state in general under unnecessary tension through his endorsement project. Worse still, they go about it childishly because rather than give Chime any edge, the gale of compelled and fraudulent endorsements expose him as jittery, insecure, unloved, and lacking in true followership. Otherwise, why would a sitting governor be so panicky about his senatorial ambition as to be literarily chasing local council chairmen and party executives about and threatening them to endorse him and his chief of staff?

    This has also come with a lot of impunities. For visiting former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani and Chime’s godfather who recently rejoined the PDP, several ward chairmen and executives were suspended because the governor’s Chief of Staff, Ifeoma Nwobodo, is running for the senatorial seat, which Nnamani is also eyeing. For reasoning against the hasty endorsements, for resisting the attempt to force PDP chairmen in the five LGAs of Enugu West Senatorial District to sign a document purportedly zoning the senatorial seat from Greater Awgu (Chief Ekweremadu’s area) to Udi/Ezeagu (Chime’s area), the party chairman in his native Udi LGA, Uchenna Ogbodo, has not been allowed to function. For advising against sponsoring a newspaper advertorial against Chief Ike Ekweremadu by the Awgu LGA chapter of the governor’s college of political sycophants, a Permanent Secretary in Enugu State, Barrister Eze O. Eze, was unceremoniously demoted to a Director. These so-called stakeholders are given money to place adverts announcing purported endorsements of Chime by LG party executives without even consulting the executives concerned. That was why courageous LG party executives have equally been issuing statements/advertorials denying the whole rubbish. And one hopes that the anti-graft agencies are noting government’s misappropriated spending on this charade.

    Meanwhile, the future of our youths and health of our people are also put at risk as the state government has descended on the Ikeoha Foundation, Ekweremadu’s NGO. The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chris Okoro, has ordered secondary school principals not to release their students to participate in the 2014 edition of Ikeoha Quiz Competition, which has promoted competitive learning for over a decade in the senatorial district. Winning schools – up to the second runner up – receive instructional and science equipment, while overall winning students who gain admission into higher institutions of learning have always received half a million naira each.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr. George Eze, has also stopped the distribution of 20,000 units of anti-malarial drugs acquired by the Ikeoha Foundation to assist health centres in the area to fight the malaria scourge, the highest killer and bane of infants, nursing and pregnant mothers. All in the name of politics!

    The question now is, after all the “yeye” endorsements, what next? Have Chime, Ifeoma Nwobodo and co become PDP flag bearers for the next election? Has that precluded those interested in the seats Chime and company are gunning for from contesting? Has that made them Senators? No. So, this overheating of the Enugu polity serves nothing except the awful showcasing of power drunkenness, foolery, and abundance of poor strategists and bad cooks in Chime’s kitchen cabinet.

    Chime is undoubtedly the governor of Enugu State. But that does not confer on him the powers to expropriate the rights of the Enugu PDP faithful and Enugu people to elect leaders of their choice in a free and fair party primary and general election, respectively. The constitutional powers of the governor and the state party chairman are not more than that power which a child has over a goat said to be his. Their role is to ensure the welfare of the goat, not to sell or kill it.

    This, Chime has failed to appreciate. He has neither lived humbly like a man whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits nor has he shown gratitude/respect to those the gods used to elevate him. Thus, when one considers his rising impunities and controversies, I sometimes wonder if the gods are not deliberately goading him on the path of self destruction – like Ezeulu. Otherwise, why should a governor be so excessive and reckless with power, arrogating unto himself powers over the destinies of men?

    A man who stands against the voice of the people and will of the gods should observe the anus of the proud dog who tried to put off the furnace with his puny fart. Consider Ezeulu who eventually loses everything that is important to him – his family, his religion, his community (which abandons him), his favourite son (Obika), and ultimately, his sanity. The villagers have no sympathy for him because, to them, their god had taken sides with them against his headstrong and ambitious priest, thereby upholding the wisdom of their ancestors – that no man, however great, was greater than his people.

    — Nicholas Ozor wrote in from Awgu, Enugu State

  • Voting mode heat, threats and other matters

    In this review, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, reports that the 2014 National Conference kicks off deliberations with unexpected drama, threats and many more.

    Being the first week of actual deliberation at the 2014 National Conference, many Nigerians had not expected much drama and controversy. So many issues, bothering on procedure and appointment of various levels of leadership at the conference still needed to be resolved and were, according to analysts,  not too critical to elicit much heat and disagreement. They were wrong for the week turned out to feature so much heat.

    It began with the debate on the voting mode, plus other issues arising from the inaugural speech of President Goodluck Jonathan, the previous week, which re- opened debate on the possibility of subjecting the decisions of the conference to a referendum.

    When the conference chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, asked delegates to contribute to the voting mode debate, the heat commenced, especially as the Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Mustapha, took over the stage, with a long speech that literarily put fire on the conference.

    Threat of a walk out…

    Observers say the high point of this week’s deliberations at the confab remains the drama that trailed Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Mustapha’s threat to walk out on the conference with other northern delegates. Mustapha, nominated for the conference on the platform of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, said he and other delegates from the north may walk out if pushed to the wall over unresolved mode of voting. The royal father made the threat immediately the delegates settled for the day’s business.

    The conference chairman, Justice Idris Kutigi, had called for comments on whether the conference would call for memoranda from the public on its assignment when Mustapha sidetracked the issue to throw the bombshell.

    He said: “I just want to sound a note of warning and that is why I requested to be given time to speak before the start of business today,

    “The note of warning I want to sound is that we should not take a cue from the so-called civilised people of western countries because they are always after their own interest and they can use anything – coercion, force and other means to protect their interest.

    “Listening to the debates and the behaviour of some delegates here, it really beats my imagination how a gathering of people like us will behave like the way we are behaving.

    “Mr. President delivered his address here and he laid down what we are supposed to discuss, but many people here, sorry to say, especially some elder statesmen who claimed to be strong loyalists of Mr. President…”

    “But, unfortunately, these people are in the forefront to contradict what Mr. President said. At the rate we are going, in the long run, this conference may not achieve its purpose…”

    “In the long run, if we are not careful, this conference will flop – God forbid. And if it flops, the resultant effect can not be predicted by anyone of us here.

    “If something happens and the country disintegrates – God forbid – many of those who are shouting their heads off will have nowhere to go.

    “I and the people of Adamawa – and many others – have somewhere to go. I am the Lamido of Adamawa and my kingdom transcends Nigeria and Cameroon…

    “Unless you want to disobey the President, then you can do whatever you want and if we are pushed to the wall, we will easily walk out of this conference,” he said.

    Outrage follows

    Both delegates and other Nigerians, have, throughout the week expressed outrage over the statement by Mustapha. Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, for example, said he was not surprised by the threat. Mr. Ayo Opadokun reminded the monarch that his territory was in Nigeria on the magnanimity of the Nigerian people in the first place.

    Former Governor of Borno State Mohammed Goni also said that the traditional ruler could not have meant the statement the way it was perceived, while Mrs. Daisy Danjuma urged Nigerians to be patient and await the outcome of the conference.

    Sir Ajayi, an elder statesman, who is representing the Southwest geo-political zone on the platform of socio-political/cultural and ethnic nationality groups, said he was not surprised by the pronouncement of the monarch.

    He said: “I am not particularly surprised because since 1947, until our independence, the northern leaders have always been threatening secession or walking out and the British people always begged them and giving them what they want.

    “For instance, the first general conference held in Ibadan in 1950, the North came with four demands and if not granted they would walk our.

    “The demands were parity of the membership of the House of Representatives with the South; that is, whatever bill they brought to the House they will win because the North controls the House.

    “Secondly, they want the revenue of the country to be shared on per capital basis, because they have been given the impression that they were more in number than the people of the South put together.

    “Three, they said the boundary between the North and the South should not be adjusted, that is Ilorin, Kabba and other towns, on that axis would continue to be part of the North.

    “Lastly, they want Lagos to cease to be part of Nigeria. Little, by little the North got all they demanded for, which became, the undoing of Nigeria because that was what led to the first military coup.

    “The reality is that, and which is very worrrisome, is the statement and then the attitude of the chairman, who failed to stop him making comments on a subject that was not on the table.

    Ayo Opadokun said the statement was uncalled for, as Adamawa is in Nigeria on the magnanimity of the people of Nigerians.

    He said: “It’s an unfortunate statement because we should be talking about issues that bring us together and not the ones that separate us.

    “It’s even more unfortunate because his comment was not on what was on the debate as at that time. Even when the Chairman called him to order, he continued to make that damaging statement.

    “Saying that he has a place to go should the country disintegrate, he must be reminded that his living in Nigeria was at the instance of the good people of Nigeria, spearheaded by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who fought Cameroon to the United Nations.

    “I believe this conference is going to achieve the desired result for this country, but not at the expense of our rights to be happy staying together. In other words, we would not allow anyone to impose conditions on us.

    “We can persuade people, persuade ourselves because there is a lot of joy living together. But, if your coming together will cause some injustice, people will resist.”

    Goni however expressed belief that Lamido could not have meant the statement the way it was perceived.

    According to him, the threat could be a reaction to the helplessness experienced by his subjects over security challenges and the seeming inability of Federal and state governments to stem the insurgencies.

    He also doubted that the threat would be carried out because to convince others would be impossible.

    His words: “I don’t think it is strongly meant because, in his view, he knew it can not be binding on other people. I want to believe that the statement was made as a result of pressure of the lingering security challenges being faced by the people of his area.

    “You know, this is a place where killings occur almost on daily basis and the frustration of seeing that government efforts have not been able to stop the killings.

    “In other words, I see it as just a statement made on the spur of the moment. I don’t think he meant it. Moreover, we have been together in this country and since the Constitution Conference of 1979, which I attended and subsequent ones, it has always been made clear that the unity of this country can not be compromised.”

    The coming of the conference arbitrators

    The confusion, punctuated by attempts to shout down the Mustapher, forced the conference to adjourn plenary to tackle the controversial mode of voting.

    Later, the Deputy Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, announced a 49-member list of delegates, mainly elders, selected to resolve the problem.

    It is of note that until the end of the week, even the list of the wisemen itself became another issue of disagreement amongst delegates, since some of them, epecially the younger, more radical delegates, were not comfortable with the list.

    Before adjournment on Tuesday, the delegates mandated the chairman to consult with leaders of delegations to reach a consensus on the thorny question of whether the conference would decide issues by three-quarters majority or two-thirds majority, if consensus on an issue fails.

    By Wednesday , the conference could not agree on this issue.

    Instead, the controversy threw up a North/South divide, as most of the Northern delegates demande for three-quarters majority, while most of the Southern delegates want two-thirds majority as the mode of voting.

    For most of the week, the behind-the-door meetings to resolve the voting pattern dominated the political discuss.