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Category: Politics

Ekiti 2014: Can the opposition upset Fayemi?

As the race for this year’s governorship election draws nearer in Ekiti State, Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, takes a look at the state of the opposition parties in the state and reports that their vision of dislodging Fayemi seems to be a far cry

Ahead of the governorship election in Ekiti State later this year, political activities in the state is upbeat with the opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), seeking to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration led by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

The quest by the opposition parties to dislodge Fayemi, according to pundits, is expected, given that the governor’s original party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), only returned to the Ado-Ekiti Government House about four years ago, after nearly eight years in the cold.

The Alliance for Democracy (AD) had produced Niyi Adebayo as governor of the state in 1999. But the party lost in 2003 to Ayo Fayose of the PDP to commence an era of PDP’s domination of Ekiti political landscape. Even in 2007, in spite of Fayose’s failure to get re-elected, the PDP still found a way of getting its candidate, Segun Oni, into the Government House.

But in 2010, Fayemi, then of the defunct ACN, reclaimed his mandate through the courts to signal the return of the progressives to power in the state. And with his first term of four years gradually coming to an end, Fayemi has announced his desire to seek a second term while the opposition has also vowed to stop him.

Consequently, the stage appears set in Ekiti for what analyst called an interesting political drama. For Fayemi, his performance in the last four years will be a major reference point. For the opposition, their preparedness to offer the people of the state a better deal than Fayemi’s will be the issue.

Like in 2007, when the people of the state rejected the PDP and voted for the progressives en masse, the mood in Ekiti today, according to political analysts, is that of a people seeking to take their state to the next level. The implication of this is that the 2014 election is most likely to be about issues and not personalities.

“Ekiti is all wired up for the 2014 governorship election as we speak. The people are interested in what is about to happen. They see the next election as another opportunity to further take their destiny in their own hands. Just like they did in 20107, the people of Ekiti want to determine who will be their leader based on issues and not personalities.

“The beauty of the current situation is that our options are many and the people are willing to choose from the available options, the very best in the interest of the future of Ekiti State. The era of tele-guided and stage managed electoral process are over here. We ended that with our decision to reject dubious politicians in 2007,” Ayo Ariwi of the Ekiti Mandate Group (EMG), told The Nation.

There are also those who fear that the forthcoming election may turn violent. Their fear is premised on what analysts called the unusual desperation on the part of some politicians to change the current administration in the state at all cost.

Recently, senior citizens in the state, under the aegis of the Ekiti Council of Elders, cautioned politicians against setting the state on fire. The elders argued that with the way some politicians are going about their preparation for the 2014 election, the state is beginning to witness some unusual descent into violence.

“The election is still a few months away and we are already hearing of violent attacks and movement of arms and ammunitions into the state. It is our view that the politicians seeking to get political power on the strength of violence and illegality should give some thoughts to the effects of their actions on the overall wellbeing of the people they seek to rule.

“It should be noted that it is God that gives power. We call on relevant authorities to be prepared to protect the lives and properties of Ekiti people as we march towards this forthcoming election,” the council said.

The parties, the aspirants

The APC appears to have made up its mind to re-present Fayemi as its governorship candidate later this year. This decision seems to have doused all forms of agitation for the ticket within the party, especially with the exit of Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, the only person from the party to have declared intention to contest the party’s ticket with the governor.

Recently, the South-West interim Chairman of the party, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, endorsed Fayemi for a second term, declaring he has lived up to expectation.

“I know the person I will vote for in 2014. I, Richard Adeniyi Adebayo, will vote for Fayemi. I will go round Ekiti and mobilise and canvass for votes for him. My successor in office is John Kayode Fayemi. He is manifesting the vision of the progressives; the vision of those who love Ekiti”.

Also, the Ekiti State chapter of APC is not hiding its support for the governor’s candidacy. State Chairman, High Chief Jide Awe, recently reiterated the stance, which the party had earlier taken. Awe said the declaration, earlier made by former Governor Niyi Adebayo remains valid, adding that Fayemi has represented the party well in his first tenure as governor.

Awe said Fayemi has vigorously run the Government of Ekiti State in line with the people-oriented programmes of the ACN and has redefined governance, with all the key sectors of the state’s economy transformed. The party boss commended the governor for rescuing the state from the ruins of “recklessness” he met it.

“You have put the name of Ekiti positively in the mouth of people both in Nigeria and international communities. We are really proud of you. Your Excellency, politics has started already but I don’t want you to exercise any fear because we are solidly behind you.

But if the APC can be said to have found a way to resolve the issue of who will fly its banner, the same cannot be said of the opposition parties. The rancour currently being generated by attempts by the two leading opposition parties in the state, the PDP and the LP, to narrow down on their flag-bearers is confirming the position of pundits that they may be unable to upset Fayemi after all.

To douse the tension created by insinuations that one of the numerous aspirants seeking to get the ticket of the PDP in the state has been anointed by the presidency, the National Working Committee of the party recently said there was no anointed aspirant in the forthcoming governorship primaries of the party, assuring all aspirants of a level playing field.

The assurance was given by the national leadership of the party when it met with stakeholders from the Ekiti State chapter at the national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja. The meeting, which lasted for about an hour, was held behind closed door.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the national secretary of the party, Professor Adewale Oladipo, stated that the party had to address grey areas in the state party administration.

“We used the opportunity to listen to them on what is happening in the state. We have asked them to prepare for the 2014 governorship election. We have also assured them that there would be a level playing ground. Mr. President has not adopted anybody. He will not adopt anybody as a preferred candidate of PDP in Ekiti. The NWC will also not adopt anybody as candidate. Due process will be followed. The consensus committee is illegal and must be stopped. It is the duty of the national leadership to conduct primaries for candidate to emerge,” he said.

This assurance came to douse tension over controversy surrounding the alleged push for a consensus candidate, which has polarised the party in the state. It would be recalled that the Ekiti Renaissance Group had petitioned the PDP NWC on the activities of the state chairman, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, while some members of the State Working Committee also petitioned the national leadership of the party over alleged partisanship of the leadership.

But in spite of the assurance and many more afterwards, the internal crisis rocking the PDP in the state is yet to abate giving the impression that the party may not be united enough in its quest to dislodge Fayemi.

The LP is not faring better. Rather than be a blessing, the movement of Hon Bamidele into the party appears to have created a problem as it is tearing the party into factions. Few weeks back, there was chaos at the Ado-Ekiti office of the party as old members and loyalists of new entrants clashed over control of the party’s structure.

Bamidele was accused of selecting his cronies into sensitive positions, barely two weeks after he joined the party. To protest what they described as his attempt to take over the party, old LP members stormed the State Secretariat at Ajilosun, engaging one another in a free-for-all.

The party’s Secretary in Ado Local Government Area (LGA), Tayo Adedamola, accused Bamidele of bringing injustice into the party, which according to him, was against the LP’s motto. He said Bamidele was invited many times for discussion by party leaders, but he shunned them. He vowed that old members would not allow him to hijack the LP’s structure.

Adedamola said Bamidele was free to return to his former party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), if he could not abide by the LP’s rules. Also, an LP governorship aspirant, Mr. Olutayo Ogunyemi, alleged that Bamidele planned to hijack the party’s governorship ticket without following the laid down principles.

Ogunyemi said he had been on ground for long and would not “allow anyone to come from nowhere and use money to buy the conscience of party members”. He alleged that members of the Ekiti Bibiire Coalition (EBC), Bamidele’s campaign organisation, were after his life and urged security agencies to come to his help.

And in spite of several efforts to resolve the impasse, the political rivalry between Bamidele’s men and the old order within the LP is yet to abate, creating the impression that it will also be very difficult for the party to present a common front when it eventually goes to electoral war against the ruling party.

The odds against the opposition

Meanwhile, some close watchers of Ekiti politics are of the opinion that it will be difficult for the opposition in the state to stop Fayemi’s re-election bid citing his performance in office as reason for their submissions.

“Opposition is what makes politics interesting. We cannot all share the same thoughts. If there was no opposition, there possibly would be no development. If there were no such challenges, the party in government would be complacent and that could hamper development. So, the issues of Bamidele and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are keeping the government on its toes and now, we have a lot of development to campaign with. If the government had not performed, what would we have campaigned with? The development in all parts of Ekiti State is the reason everybody, including myself, want him to go for another term,” Adekunle Esan, a chieftain of the Egbe Omo Yoruba in the United States of America (USA) and Canada, said.

Esan, an indigene of the state, while rating those aspiring to unseat the governor, said Ekiti people will only reject Fayemi at the poll if they find someone with the likelihood of performing better.

“Bamidele served in the government of a former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, for eight years and also served for four years in that of incumbent Governor Babatunde Fashola. Today, he is a member of the House of Representatives. I know him and I doubt if Bamidele can perform better than this government is doing if he were in the saddle.

“We know his limitations. On the other hand, we know what Fayemi stands for. We know his democratic antecedents and he is just about completing his first four years in office. So, I think it is out of place for somebody from nowhere trying to rub shoulders with him because of some petty personal issues that don’t hold water in political arena,” he argued.

Similarly, workers in Ekiti State during the last Workers’ Day celebration, predicted a second term victory for Fayemi in the 2014 governorship election based on what it called his “laudable achievements” since assuming office.

The state TUC Chairman, Kolawole Olaiya, made the declaration in his address to workers at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, venue of the celebration, just as Fayemi advised any civil servant interested in politics to opt out of public service and declare his intention rather than compromising what he called “the hallowed position of trust”.

The TUC chairman stressed that the achievements of the Fayemi administration in the state are unprecedented. He pointed out that Fayemi’s regular payment of salaries, payment of minimum wage, as well as the restoration of vehicle, housing and other related loans, will win him re-election in the 2014 poll.

Olaiya said the TUC has identified many achievements recorded since Fayemi came to power, which included the Social Security Scheme for the aged, purchase and distribution of laptops to teachers and pupils in public schools and renovation of dilapidated public schools. The TUC boss also identified free health services, reconstruction of Ikogosi Warm Spring to a world class tourist centre, construction of 5-kilometre roads in the 16 council areas and merit-based appointment of permanent secretaries as achievements capable of securing the second term for Fayemi.

On his part, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayodeji Aluko, praised the job creation scheme of the Fayemi administration, which has helped reduce the involvement of youths in criminal activities. Aluko also appreciated the governor for approving the promotion and advancement of eligible officers recently carried out in the state civil service.

While thanking Fayemi for regular payment of workers’ salaries and improvement in the e-payment system, the NLC chief expressed hope that the 2012 and 2013 promotions will be carried out before the end of this year. The governor, in his address, also expressed the commitment of his administration to the restoration of the Teachers’ Peculiar Allowance as soon as it is possible for the state’s lean resources to accommodate it.

If the mood in Ekiti and the internal situations of the opposition parties in the state remain as they are now till the time the people will file out to decide who would man the ship of state in Ekiti for another four years, analyst are of the opinion that Fayemi and his ruling APC will be on their way back to the Government House in Ado-Ekiti for another term.

January 12, 2014
2015 : Akpabio should be neutral

Chief Victor Iyanam is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State. He served as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the state for two years under Governor Godswill Akpabio. In this interview with our correspondent, Kazeem Ibrahym, he speaks on the politics of the state. Excerpts:

If you are to assess the government of Governor Godswill Akpabio in the last six and half years, what would you say?

I was part of the government for two years. From 2007 to June 2009 but if I am to assess the government, I will say the government started out on a very bright note. The governor was very enthusiastic and almost all the physical projects that are ongoing now were initiated in the first two years, most of which I participated in the drafting of the contract. Almost all the roads, the Tropicana, 20th anniversary hospital and so many of the roads in some of the local government areas. As it is now, since I left government, four and half years ago, some of the projects are yet to be completed. Some of the projects include the Tropicana, which was a major project of government, then the 20th anniversary hospital and some of the roads. Some of them in major city centres are yet to be completed and then I will say most of them in the Oro Nation are yet to be completed. That is the five local government areas that make up the Oro. I know that some other people are also complaining that some of the roads in their areas too are yet to be completed. Another one was the Ibaka SeaPort that the government was so enthusiastic about. I read in the paper the other day that the Ibaka SeaPort, with all the consultancy government did, is not subsumed under the Federal Government initiative. So, what we are seeing now is that such a wonderful initiative, which could have moved faster with the state government, is now being placed under the federal government. We are no longer as happy as we would have been if the matter were to be conducted by the state government.

Then of course, there are some happy sights. When we came out at first, the Airport was a priority project. I am happy that the airport is functional and we are even flying to Isreal. The face of Uyo has changed. On the overall, we say that in terms of physical development, the government is not doing badly.

It is just one and half years left for Akpabio to leave. What do you think the government should focus on?

The government should focus on uncompleted projects, especially the 20th Anniversary Hospital because that was the only Akpabio’s initiative. That hospital project should be completed, the Tropicana project should be completed as originally conceived and then there are so many road projects, especially in Oro Nation. Those ones should be done. Right now, erosion has cut off part of Oro on the federal road. Just like the government was doing federal roads else where, they should go and complete the one in Oro Nation.

Secondly, what I want to say is that luckily for us, the governor is not contesting any election in 2015. So, there is no reason why we should fall under no governance because of election. The governor himself is not contesting any election, so that cannot be an excuse. It would have been different prior to 2011 because the governor was contesting election in 2011.

Who do think should be blamed for the under-development of Oro Nation?

That is not a difficult question to answer. The buck stops on the table of the governor. The governor went round the entire state, when I was in government, I can tell you that contracts were actually awarded for roads project in Oro Nation. If the contractor had done their job to the fullest extent of their contracts, no Oro person will be complaining of bad roads in Oro right now. If contractors in other places were supervised to the extent that they finished the contract they had in other areas of the state, why not use the same machinery to ensure that contracts in Oro are completed? When you award contract in Oro, is it the ordinary man on the street that should be disturbing the contractor as to when the job should be completed? No, it is not, it is the job of the government.

Contractors are complaining that they are not being funded. Is it Oro people that should contribute money for the contract, of course not, it is the government? So clearly, we cannot have government in place and start blaming another person for bad roads or for uncompleted projects. The government machinery should be employed fully to ensure that government projects everywhere are completed and if there are people to be punished or sanctioned for not doing their job, government should do so.

Are you now saying the people of Oro have not been fairly treated by this administration?

Clearly, Oro Nation has not been fairly treated by this administration. You just need to go to Oro to see things for yourself. There is no Oro patriot. Even the quietest of Oro person will speak out now that Oro has not been fairly treated. The other day, I was at Oron, I saw the half hearted attempt; they just put bitumen on the road without stone base. What do you expect of such a road when rain starts? Nothing is happening in Oron, it is a shame.

You were one of the Akwa Ibom PDP elders calling for an open contest for those aspiring for governorship in 2015 even as this contradicts the thinking of the governor that power should be zoned to Eket Senatorial District, how do you intend to achieve this?

The clamour that governorship should be zoned to Eket Senatorial District now is suspicious. Now, let me tell you how it is today. My father before me was part of an arrangement which ought to have been followed till now. We used to have an arrangement of the Ibibio, Annang and Oron. Nobody ever discussed senatorial district. The discussion was always about tripod. The tripod of Ibibio, Annang and Oron. In saying so, we were all mindful of the fact that there is no senatorial districts in Akwa Ibom state that do not have the Ibibio people. Infact, right now and since 2007, the Senators representing Akwa Ibom State are all Ibibios. We have Senator Aloysius Etok in Ikot, he is an Ibibio man. We have Senator Ita Enang, an Ibibio man from Uyo and Senator Helen Esuene, an Ibibio woman. Before her, we had Senator Eme Ekaette, an Ibibio woman too, before that we had Senator Udo Udoma, an Ibibio man. So, if we are going to say Senatorial District for governorship in Akwa Ibom State the elders at that time knew that we are running a risk of having Ibibios in perpetuity, so they said Ibibio, Annang and Oron. Now, in an attempt to distort an arrangement that would have guaranteed peace, people are now saying after part performance of the original agreement of Ibibio-Annang then when it is Oro turn, people are now saying Eket Senatorial District. Now, why it is suspicious? Even in the Eket Senatorial District, we seem to hear louder noise coming from Ibibio again in Eket Senatorial District. What do you think people like us from Oro Nation, who are thinking deep and seeing through what is going on, will believe? Do we sit by and support Eket Senatorial District, which will have no meaning for the Oro Nation?

Assuming Oro people allowed themselves to be tricked to accepting Eket Senatorial District and they lose out to somebody from Onna- Onna is for your information Ibibio; now, what will be the fate of Oro people? Clearly, if somebody comes out from Onna as governor, the deputy cannot even come from Uyo because Uyo is already Ibibio and so, the other senatorial district that is left will be Ikot Ekpene. Again where do you place Oro Nation?

Are you going to promise Oro Nation a position that doesn’t have any constitutional guarantee or recognition in terms of tenure? So, we cannot in all good conscience allow ourselves to be tricked into accepting senatorial district after we have played the tribal card all along.

Are you now saying instead of relying more on Senatorial District, the people should rely more on the tripod of Ibibio-Annang-Oron?

That was the original tripod. Oro people are charting their own destiny and saying, well, we are better off if you don’t want to specifically mention Oro as the beneficiary of the next governor of the state. We are better off in an open contest so that we can go and vote for who we like. Instead of deceiving us and making us accept Senatorial zoning and at the end of the day we lose out from that contest and have nothing for the next 24 years. It is better for Oro people to embrace an open contest and vote for who they like.

How do the Oro people intend to produce governors and senators now, given the fact that the last time an Oro man was in the senate was 30 years ago, when the late Senator Victor Akan occupied the seat?

Oro Nation has always been faithful to any agreement that we ever made with any of the other tribes from the old Cross River State till now. In 1979/80, Oro people aligned with the Ibibios and brought in Dr. Clement Isong, an Ibibio man from Onna to be governor. Now, when Oro was shortchanged in that government, Oro people cooperated with the other ethnic minorities like Efiks, Ogojas, Annangs, and brought in Senator Don Etiebet to be governor. Now what did we get for it? Oro was never satisfied with what we got because that was the same arrangement that was supposed to result eventually in an Oro person becoming governor at some point. Now, we cooperated with the Annangs but now it is different ball game all together. This state could have been called Akwa Ibibio state because of the predominance of the people of Ibibio in Akwa Ibom state. Now the scenario is no longer the same. There are no Ogojas here, there are no Efiks here again except an over whelming Ibibio majority. So, when we have an over whelming Ibibio majority in Akwa Ibom State like I have said elsewhere, my people say a tree that wants to survive must stand close to the colanut tree to survive. So my own view of it is that in Akwa Ibom State, the only way an Oro man can survive is by aligning with the Ibibios and there is good history behind it. In 1992 when we had a fresh taste of civil government in the state, we had Chief Akpan Isemin as the governor. We had an Oro man as the deputy governor. We had party chairman and all manners of appointments. My dad then was the chairman of the transition committee of Akpan Isemin’s government. That government lasted only for about two years. In 2003, we had Obong Victor Attah as governor. We had the speaker who was from Oro. We had the party chairman from Oro. These people had inputs in government while the deputy government was from Annang. Now can we say the same of an Annang man government? So where is Oro Nation? I am not talking for myself alone. I am raising this observation concerning Oro Nation. We don’t even have party chairman anymore and yet it was Oro Nation that brought about this government.

How?

The chairman of PDP then, Otu Ita Toyo, ensured that he was not under any pressure to throw out the ticket of Godswill Akpabio. The man is sitting quietly in Local Government Service Commission now. That is his reward and that came at the tail end of Akpabio’s first term or this term. Oro Nation has been humiliated over time and we are currently counting our losses. Now the road cut into two due to erosion and I can’t see the government spending N100million or N200million maximum in making sure that that road is fixed. People have lost their houses as a result of the erosion. What relief came to them? Oro is a defeated Nation right now.

During the last solemn assembly conducted by the state to usher in year 2014, the governor specifically told the mammoth crowd that converged at Ibom Hall Grounds that he would not discourage anyone from running for office in exercise of his constitutional rights but that justice must be done to Eket Senatorial District, is this statement not a pointer to the fact that Eket Senatorial District will produce the governor even when majority of the PDP elders are clamouring for an open contest?

To say that governorship going to Eket Senatorial District amounts to justice is again, with all due respect to my governor, suspicious. We are still not discussing Oro Nation, the third largest ethnic group in the state. What we should be discussing now is Oro Nation not Eket Senatorial District? Let us even look at the statistics, it is really true when my learned friend talked about justice. Let us see it. Ibibio people have about 17 local government areas, Annang people have about 8 local government areas, Oro has five local government area, so if you are going to talk about justice and equity, it means for instance for an Oro man to be governor with his five local government areas, he should wait for an Ibibio man to go three times because 17 divided by 5 means three times. I have been a lawyer for 28 years now so I know what equity means. You cannot share things equally between minority and majority. It is injustice because you are not taking note of their population or their spread.

Do you have a particular candidate in mind for the 2015 governorship election in the state?

I am looking at all the candidates. Since I am an Oro person, I feel that in the circumstance, my people will be better served by a candidate from Uyo Senatorial District. I am looking at possibilities and I hope we can manage to persuade former SSG Umana Umana to enter the race. There are so many politicians in history, including Shehu Shagari and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, they were all persuaded to participate. We hope we can persuade somebody like Umana Umana to show interest and actually contest in the election. I think such a person will be better for Oro Nation.

January 12, 2014
That budget abracadabra in Ondo

At the heart of every democratic culture is the accountability of the political leaders to the led majority. That is predicated on how judiciously the state’s resources are utilized for the people’s own benefits, in tandem with their most critical needs. Accountability is therefore, one core value that must be cultivated and nurtured to fruition, so that the vast majority of the citizenry would have value for the sacred trust they have invested in those who hold their destinies in their firm grip. What begins with the fanciful promises made during the electioneering campaigns by the political actors, especially the gubernatorial candidates should translate into concrete physical achievements after the winner takes the reins of office. Simply put, Nigerians desire and deserve good governance from their crop of political leaders.

Expectedly, the governor in concert with his team of top technocrats, commissioners and heads of departments and parastatals engage in the annual ritual of budgetary allocations to all the facets of the economy. They brainstorm to fashion out the most pressing and critical needs of the people and earmark financial figures to cater for them. These are budgetary estimates. They are usually based on projected revenue inflow from both the federation account and internally generated revenue, IGR. And to give a teeth to the figures, the law makers are expected to peruse the details, sector-by-sector and after crossing the‘t’s and dotting the ‘i’s pass the budgetary allocations as the subsequent year’s Appropriation Bill. In essence, it is an all-inclusive affair between the Executive and Legislative arms of government.

But what happens when the executive plays the philosopher king, assuming to be the only arm that knows where the shoe pinches the people most? What happens when those who are elected by the people to identify and articulate their aims and aspirations are left out of the dark in the scheme of budgetary formulation? What happens when those same lawmakers feel genuinely aggrieved that the performance of the previous Appropriation Bill, which they passed into an enabling law dipped as low as 30 per cent? The consequence is the drama of dark deceit that unfolded as the theatre of the absurd which took place only recently in the acclaimed Sunshine State-Ondo.

For the first time in the state’s chequered political history, the governor did the unusual-he presented the 2014 budget to only nine out of the 26 law makers. 16 stayed away. One was absent on account of illness. Interestingly, he is the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Fidelis Akunwolemiwa (Ondo East). Other notable absentees included his deputy, Akindele Adeniyi (Akure South) as well as the Chairman Houise Committee on Information, Oyebode Aladetan (Ilaje 1) and the Minority Leader, Apoebi Lubi. Something smells from the adder’s chamber!

All said, no quorum was formed. That is illegal, isn’t it? It is an affront on democratic values, a slap on the face of Ondo people and in total defiance to the rule of law. Should this politico-economic anomaly be allowed to go unquestioned, it portends danger for sustenance of democratic values. We cannot allow any form of despotism to hold sway under a democratic dispensation. Never!

For a government with 25, out of the 26 lawmakers belonging to the Labour Party, several of who absented themselves from the budget presentation speaks volumes about the governor’s dictatorial tendencies. It shows that there is a political disconnect and dysfunction between the leaders and the led majority. This calls to question the inclusiveness of the Mimiko-led administration. What is he trying to hide by not carrying the lawmakers who are the elected representatives along? Does this sad political development not lend increasing credence to the claim by the opposition party in the state, particularly the APC that his victory at the polls was pyrrhic and did not reflect the wishes of majority of the electorate? How do we explain a situation that the only South-Western state that has access to the 13 per cent derivation, being oil-producing state, can only boast of bore holes, market stalls and the over hyped healthcare delivery projects? Where are the good roads and the employment generating agricultural projects prevalent in the APC-controlled states? None of course.

However, Dr Olusegun Mimiko went ahead to present the state’s 2014 budget to the few members of the House of Assembly present for approval, with N92.319 and N69.681 billion earmarked for capital and recurrent expenditures respectively. An amount of N162billion is expected to be raked in as revenue in the fiscal year.

Presenting the budget estimates, the fifth in the series of the administration’s so called Caring Heart Budgets, Governor Mimiko boasted that in the last five years, his government had instituted some laudable initiatives, some of which have earned the state special recognition. But we cannot be fooled.

Though he expressed the desire of his administration to concentrate more effort on revenue generation to complete the ongoing projects, we cannot but ask him to explain why only 30 per cent performance was achieved. That certainly is not a pass mark, except in the political calculation of the Labour Party and that of the PDP that has tales of woe to tell the people. The lawmakers cannot be swayed by the tepid argument that the “the major objective of the 2014 is the consolidation of the modest gains of the last five years by delivery of most of the ongoing projects, especially those iconic projects like the mega schools, which were initiated in the last four years.”

To achieve the objectives, some policy guidelines such as “revitalising revenue generation drive, completing and delivery of ongoing projects, continuous provision of health facilities and re-invigoration of existing conventional health institutions and institutionalising structured maintenance programme for all public infrastructure in the state.”

In addition, is the promise to ignite industrial resurgence in the state by the provision of power through the completion and delivery of the Independent Power Project, IPP and projects that would expand the economic base of the state.

The question that bog the mind is that if the 2013 estimates that had N73.35billion as the recurrent expenditure and capital expenditure estimated at N77.65billion could not bring smiles on the faces of the people in terms of solid infrastructure, job creation and wealth generation, how would this be more caring except as another drain pipe to further feather some private pockets? A careful assessment of 2013 budget proposal, showed that it was N5billion lesser than the 2012 budget, which was N156billion.

Would the 2014 be a major breakthrough for the state in its public reforms agenda, even with the promise of accessing credit from the World Bank-assisted Public Sector Governance Reforms and Development Programme? What about the adoption of the International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) in the state? Would it deepen and institutionalise best practices in funds management and public governance in general if the people’s representatives saw no ray of light at the end of the previous year’s Appropriation Act? Especially as he said, this will no doubt involve the passage of several laws on public financial management?

We are therefore, calling on the lawmakers to look closely into the sum of N1.080 billion expected as draw down for the project in 2014. They should take him on his words that “ the details of this budget proposal are not just presented as Heads and Sub-Heads but new levels of disclosures have been incorporated to include classifications according to function, programmme, policy, objectives, source of fund and geographical spread,” This is more so as he claims that it would ensure transparency, accountability in addition to facilitating the ease of monitoring, especially when members of the Assembly are on oversight duties.

We should not lose sight that last year, he presented to the legislature, a budget of N151billion with a tag of: “A caring heart budget IV,” for the 2013 fiscal year. So far only few favoured hearts have been cared for and we do not want a repeat in 2014.

Now, wish-filled words must be matched with concrete action, not by an all-knowing demi-god but by the collective will of the good people of Ondo State through their elected representatives. Only then would the sun shine brightly on their wishes, dreams, desires, aims and aspirations, the very essence of democracy. Only a fool would be deceived twice and I am proud to say that we are not one. A stitch in time would certainly save nine.

January 12, 2014
Taraba: Umar under pressure over N20b bond

Acting Governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar, is under pressure over the state of the state’s financial health, following negative reactions of the people of the state and groups over the N20b bond facility the Taraba State government obtained recently from the United Bank of Africa (UBA).

During the week, a group, Save Taraba from Anarchy (STA), alleged that the bond facility confirmed fears that the financial state of the state may be under threat.

The group said “the desperation to collect the bond is an indication that the state is indeed broke.”

In a press statement read by Dr. Bulus Ahmadu, the group alleged that Umar may have collected the bonds for his 2015 ambition., adding, ” We are constrained to ask the appropriate agency to investigate the state’s coffers. Massive looting is going on in Taraba State and no one is asking questions. The state is broke. Projects have come to a halt and it is obvious that the state’s account is in the red. The bond Umar collected was once presented to Governor Suntai and he rejected it. Why is Umar collecting it now?”

January 11, 2014
Akwa Ibom Pdp endorses President for second term

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has dissociated itself from calls for the removal of the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

Its Chairman, Obong Paul Ekpo, said that the party only met to pass a vote of confidence on Governor Godswill Akpabio and endorse President Gooodluck Jonathan for a second term.

He maintained that, during the meeting, following a motion by Senator Ita Enang from Uyo Senatorial District and seconded by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Elder Udo Kerian, the party passed a vote of confidence on Akpabio for his outstanding performance.

Ekpo said: “We want President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, having creditably led this country, improved the economy, diversified economy from oil into agriculture, successfully privatised the power sector and unified the country, successfully handled the security challenges and brought Nigeria to the eye of the international community through diplomacy, to contest the 2015 election as the candidate.

He dismissed the allegation that the National Deputy Chairman of the Party, Chief Uche Secondus, who witnessed the meeting, was in the state for a sinister motive.

The purpose of the invitation, Ekpo maintained, “was to enable Chief Secondus meet our members and have a feel of our togetherness as a party in the State”.

Ekpo said: “The invitation paid off, as Chief Secondus commended the stakeholders for the high level of organisation and loyalty to the leadership of the party.

The chairman, who thanked members for their steadfastness and loyalty, stressed that the unity among the faithful was commendable and a major requirement for winning elections. He assured that the PDP in the state will stand tall in the 2015 elections.

January 10, 2014
Tambuwal: 48 garlands for people’s Speaker

Imam Imam extoils the virtues of the House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, who clocks 48 today.

Eulogising the life of any person, especially a respected leader, who has stood for the common good, is not easy. As the United States President Barrack Obama said while reading his tribute at the funeral of the great Nelson Mandela, it is hard to capture in words, not just the facts and the dates that make a life, but the essential truth of a person – their private joys and sorrows; the quiet moments and unique qualities that illuminate someone’s soul. How much harder to do so for a giant of history, who moved a nation toward justice, and in the process, millions around the world.

Though today marks the 48th birthday anniversary of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, penning down words to capture the essentials of the man who is today seen as the brightest spot in the Nigeria’s political firmament, is no mean task.

Tambuwal is the quintessential humble individual, who has defied the notion that politicians, especially of the Nigerian variety, can say the truth to the powers that be while still in power. By now, Nigerians have come to identify their number four citizen as a fearless representative, whose words and deeds are not at variance with the hopes and aspirations the men and women of his dear country.

The story of Tambuwal is the story of courage. His meteoric rise to the top of the Green Chamber of the National Assembly only reaffirmed his position as a master tactician in a discipline built on the philosophy of self respect, fair play, hard work and the spirit of give and take.

However, it’s not just in politics that Tambuwal made his mark. Trained at a very young age as a teacher and later as a lawyer; his commitment and doggedness as a moulder of the minds of the future generation and a servant in the temple of justice have served him well in his present endeavours. His performance as the Speaker of the House of Representatives has set the bar in governance. His intrepidity in the face of tough challenges has equally served as inspiration to his honourable colleagues. As many of them pointed out, it has emboldened them to go about their duties without fear, or favour.

For Tambuwal, seeing Nigeria rise to greatness is a task that must be accomplished. He has, at every available opportunity, reminded his colleagues of the need to promote democracy and respect human rights. These ideas stem from his belief that strong democracies are more likely to secure peace, deter aggression, expand markets, promote development, combat terrorism and crime, uphold rights of workers, avoid humanitarian crises, protect and improve the global environment, and protect human health.

The Speaker’s widely circulated opinions and discourses on good governance, public service, constitutional reform, youth and women empowerment and national development cannot be lost on genuine lovers of our country. He had on many occasions demonstrated his love for country above personal interest and taught others to do the same.

In all his conducts, Tambuwal has maintained the humble and truthful disposition universally associated with the descendants of Sheikh Uthman Dan Fodio. Na Shehu da gaskiya aka san ku is a euphimism known all in Hausa-speaking entities to mean people of trust, respect, integrity and love for humanity. No wonder, he was named Aminu – the trustworthy. In addition, he has demonstrated, high level of compassion for the less privileged. The case of Okikioluwa Olawuyi, the baby without skull, whom he helped to raise N10m to complete her surgery expenses in the USA, is a case in point.

Politically, following in the tradition of democratic inclusiveness, Tambuwal maintains social contacts with all Nigerians, irrespective of their political leanings. It accounts for why he is today visible in social gatherings of people of different ideologies, ethnic groupings and religious inclinations. While some ignorant few tend to interpret such contacts differently, Tambuwal is unfazed and has maintained the need to build bridges of unity and understanding among various peoples of Nigeria and beyond.

Not since independence have we seen a politician promote an ideology as fervently as the Speaker does. Tambuwal has promoted the concept of a strong dichotomy between politics and governance. To him, there is a marked difference between a candidate in an electoral contest on the platform of a political party and an elected official who has assumed a non-partisan responsibility and taken the oath to protect and preserve the constitution, to serve the people and the nation. While the former is not merely at liberty, but under a duty to be partisan, the latter must conduct himself in a manner worthy of the call to non-partisanship in governance. And whenever partisan interests conflict with national interest, it is partisan interests that must be sacrificed in the preservation of the national interest.

Tambuwal’s candor, nationalistic outlook, ability to make fair and inclusive decisions, maturity and his desire to interact freely and affectionately with all Nigerians has today earned him the confidence of his colleagues and all Nigerians. His strong stance on discipline, accountability, and truth, and his penchant desire to do things differently, has set the bar and becoming an example for elected office holders in the federation.

As he celebrates his birthday today, it is not just the intriguing narrative of how he was elected Speaker of the House that should resonate with political scientists. That experience should also serve as a reminder of the many profound achievements we could record, if we rise above the inhibiting considerations of tribe, region and religion.

At 48, Tambuwal’s youth points to a future of hope and possibilities. Besides, his apparent willingness not to be encumbered by the political exigencies or double-speak that had stunted our progress in the past is indeed inspiring. For him, what matters is the nation’s interest. Call that an unyielding idealism and you won’t be entirely wrong.

Tambuwal has, like Obama said of the great Madiba, showed us the power of action; of taking risks on behalf of our ideals. In the arc of his life, we see a man who earned his place in history through struggle and shrewdness; persistence and faith. He tells us what’s possible not just in the pages of dusty history books, but in our own lives as well.

To this trailblaizer of a lawyer, respected politician, accomplished leader and a trusted parliamentarian, I say a happy birthday.

• Imam is the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Speaker Tambuwal

January 10, 2014
‘Revenue shortfall may affect governance’

A group, the Coalition for Good Governance and Economic

Justice in Africa, has called on the government to brace up for a shorthfall in revenue, which could impact negatively on governance and the welfare of the opeople.

The group said that, if this year’s budget and the oil benchmark is not realistically projected, the shortage of funds may cripple governance.

Its Southwest Executive Director, Mr. Dada Akpeji, warned in a statement against over-dependence on oil as the source of income.

He said: “We have monitored closely the presentation of budgets by the various states in the country and the controversy surrounding the crude oil benchmark, the Federal Government’s unwillingness to agree to a new revenue formula and lack of remittance of revenue to the coffers of the Federal Government by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and come to the conclusion that a cash crunch is imminent, especially in states and local government areas”.

Akpeji urged other states emulate Edo State, which, he said, has anticipated this emergency by proposing an action plan capable of reducing its effects.

He said: Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s realistic action plan is the pivot to the success of his administration. The an analysis of his 2014 Appropriation Bill showed a thorough allocation of scarce resources. The N159.213 billion estimates before the House of Assembly Assembly will spur economic growth, create more profitable businesses and jobs and drive the economy more faster.” Akpeji warned that, “there is likely to be financial quagmire across the country as the federal allocation, which is the main source of budget financing, could no longer be relied on.”

He added: “Indications from the monthly Federal Accounts Allocation Committee meetings in Abuja last year portends fears of insolvency. Besides, the federal government’s lack of interest and unenthusiastic disposition to the proposed new revenue allocation formula is also capable of hampering budget execution.

“Furthermore, in view of the significance of crude to our revenue profile, crude price and output benchmarks must be realistically projected by the federal government, otherwise, the states and the third tier of government may not be able to meet their financial obligations in the pre-electioneering year.

“In addition to this is the non-remittance of revenue to the coffers of the Federal Government by the NNPC. If these trends continue in the pre-2015 election year, it will affect all aspects of cash flow such as salaries and wages, contractual agreements and obligations, handling of security challenges and smooth running of government at all levels.”

Akpeji said that Lagos and Rivers states may survive the cash crunch because of their strong internally generated revenue base.

He said: The good news however, is that, in Edo state, there is a governor who has always ensured prudent management of state resources, tightening leakages in the system, shoring up the state internally generated revenue, introducting of ICT, adequate planing , strategic thinking and instilling fiscal discipline in the system; this is the panacea for good governance and sustainable development.”

January 10, 2014
2015: Lagos PDP releases guidelines

Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman captain Tunji Shelle (rtd) yesterday asked members interested in the governorship in 2015 to declare their ambition.

He directed the aspirants to make their intentions known to the party leadership before kicking off their campaigns.

In a statement signed on his behalf by the Publicity Secretary, Mr. Taofeek Gani, the chairman promised to guarantee a level playing ground for the aspirants.

No fewer that 10 governorship aspirants have started mobilisation acros the pre-existing 20 local government areas. Prominent among them are Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Mr. Tunde Gbadamosi, Qudus Folami, Owolabi Salis, Chief Bode Oyedele, Mrs. Modupe Sasore, Mrs. Remi Adikwu-Bakare, and Dr. Ade Dosunmu.

For the first time in the history of the party, some chieftains are calling for the zoning of the slot to the Lagos East Senatorial District. However, party officials disclosed that the clamour will be ignored to avoid shitting the door against other aspirants.

Shelle asked the aspirants to forward their letters of intent and curriculum vitae to the party secretariat before declaring their aspiration publicly at any forum.

He said: “The Lagos PDP has announced to its members who are interested in elective offices to now make their intention known by formally approaching the party. This step is also deliberate. It is to regulate the influx of aspirants into the race and lobby of the aspirants. we want to provide a level playing ground for all contestants.

“The letter of intent is to be affixed with the aspirants’ curriculum vitae and addressed to the State Working Committee through the office of the chairman”.

January 10, 2014
Prest: Delta deserves better deal in 2015

Delta State politician Mr. Tosan Prest has declared his interest in the governorship race, urging all men of goodwill to support the push for change in the oil-rich state.

He said: “We cannot sacrifice merotocracy on the later of mediocrity. We want to be in the Government House and we are giving the assurance that we will not steal a kobo”.

The politician lamented that corruption has bastardised democratic governance, advising the voters to vote wisely for agents of change.

The 53 year-old aspirant said that he was motivated to contest the governorship because ‘one man, one vote’ been restored, adding that the people will decide the fate of the contenders.

Prest, the son of the First Republic politician, Chief Arthur Prest, told reporters in Lagos that he will fight corruption, if elected as the governor in 2015.

He said that the rich and the poor are now united in their clamour for change in the country because they face common threats.

Prest stressed: “The rich also clamour for change. They cannot travel freely to their home towns. Those in Abuja and Lagos fear to visit their cradles. They are afraid of being kidnapped”.

The politician was silent on his platform, although he is believed to be a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State.

Noting that Delta State deserves a better deal in 2015, he said that the first critical and strategic step is to show to the world that the government will not condone graft, if elected into the public office.

Prominent aspirants in the race in the PDP include the Chief of Staff, Captain Bosa Okunbor, Senator Okowa, Speaker of House of Assembly Hon. Victor Ochei and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Eldr Godsday Orubebe. They are in the race at a time indigenes of the Anioma extraction are agitating for power shift.

Prest said that he is eminently qualified to govern, based on his experience in the business world and grassroots politicking.

He promised to use the resources of the state judiciouskly for the betterment of the people.

January 9, 2014
Why we can’t return to PDP, by legislator

Hon. Yakubu Dogara is among the 37 members of the House of Representatives who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) The legislator from the Tafawa-Balewa/Bogoro/Das Constituency, Bauchi State, told Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi that the plan to declare the seats of the defectors vacant will fail.

What is your reaction to the new reconciliation mooted by the PDP?

I was in the House when Section 68 was introduced in the constitution. I know what we did and I am telling you that no Jupiter can declare my seat vacant. Take it or leave it, it’s just a joke which cannot be carried too far without very dare consequences.

In any case, I m not afraid of loosing my seat. That’s was why I took the plunge, inspite of the fact that my political mentors and the governor are still members of the PDP. From what I have seen and known, I have come to an inescapable conclusion that four more years for Jonathan as President and of or Governor Yuguda’s cronies in Government House Bauchi would spell doom for Nigeria and Bauchi State. I m more than prepared and ready to sacrifice everything including my seat to ensure positive and meaningful change at both levels.

What do you make of the threat by the PDP to declare your seats vacant?

It’s sad that the wine of impunity has drenched the soul of PDP. The leaders don’t care about the constitution or our laws anymore. Even, fantasies induced by hangover are thought implementable. That’s the depth of decay we have sunk into. The rule of law means nothing in the strange democracy we practice here. Take a look at Section 68(1)(g) of the constitution, which the party is referring to. The power to declare defecting members’ seat vacant is solely vested in the presiding officer, the Senate President or Speaker of the House, as the case may be. It’s in black and white.

Section 68 (1)(g) of the constitution does not mention the INEC, the ourts or any party for that matter. It’s a demonstration of crass ignorance for the PDP to have written to the INEC or even go to the courts to have defecting membe, the INEC swiftly replied that it lacked the constitutional powers to do so. Even, in these days of black market judgements, it will be near impossible for any sane judge to interpret Section 68(1)(g) of the constitution, which does not mention the court as conferring the powers to declare defecting members seat vacant on him. That will amount to judicial rascality of the highest order. Constitutionally speaking, it is rubbish to talk about the INEC or the courts declaring any members seat vacant. It’s just a childish threat borne out of ignorance.

If the PDP wants to achieve that, it can only run to the Speaker, who has the sole constitutional powers to declare a defecting member’s seat vacant. Unfortunately for the PDP, the powers the Speaker enjoys is heavily circumscribed by the provisions of Section 68(2) of the constitution, which provide that “the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives or a member shall first present evidence satisfactory to the House concerned that any of the provisions of that subsection has become applicable in respect of that member.” This mandatory test must be passed before the Speaker can declare a defecting member’s seat vacant.

The implication of that is that, for any evidence given by the Speaker or a member to be deemed satisfactory to the House, it must be passed by the resolution of the House supported by, at least, a simple majority. In a House dominated by the APC, there is no way the PDP can get the resolution to pass, even if it passes through the eye of the nidle. It doesn’t matter what the courts decide or what the PDP and the INEC do, it is the Speaker that has the powers and he can only exercise such powers after first giving “evidence satisfactory” to the House. It is absolutely impossible for the Speaker to give any evidence in that regard that will satisfy a House with the APC in majority. It’s no threat at all to members that have decamped and those that are about to decamp. Those pursuing this threat in courts and elsewhere know that they can’t achieve it. It just a tool to extort money from ignorant PDP stalwarts.

What informed the decision to obtain a restraining order from the court before defecting, in the light of what you know to be the import of Section 68 (1)(g) and Section 68 (2) of the constitution?

We felt it was the right thing to do, more especially when you are dealing with people who are desperately reckless and lawless. We knew the first wave of mass defection was going to come with shock waves capable of stripping some people of thier sanity. We needed the injunction to stop all the parties from taking any action, until we arrive at a lucid interval where all will realise that it’s a bad case. From the constitutional stand point, it is practically impossible to declare a member’s seat vacant on grounds of defection, unless he is defecting to a minority party.

Now that we are back to lucid interval, the second wave of mass defections is coming with a bang. The first one was operation “shock and awe”. The parties now know that nothing can be done about it and members who want to defect can now do so ,having discountenanced the empty threat by the PDP to have their seats declared vacant in the event that they defect. More so , the PDP has no moral and legal right to complain as it can not approbate and reprobate at the same time. Members of other polital parties in the House have hitherto defected to the PDP and were well received by the PDP. So, it cannot now complain that it’s own members have defected. What is good for the goose must be good for the gander.

The injunction wasn’t necessary at all. It was obtained for political convenience and for nothing more or else. I m glad it served its purpose very well.

As one of the 37 PDP members of the House of Representatives who recently defected to the APC, what informed that decision?

No one doubt the fact that these are days of gross darkness. Gross darkness of dearth of infrastructures, unbridled corruption, mass poverty, unemployment, insecurity and impunity. There has never been a time in our history, since the civil war, that our dear nation has been so divided. Ever wondered why we are shunned by advanced democracies and even recent democracies like South Africa treat us with venomous contempt reserved only for pariah states.

This is a nation that is blessed with potentials, but sadly, we are tottering precariously at the edge of a bottomless pit. We have failed to realise that our networth as a nation is solely dependent on the quality of networks we built. We equally failed to see that the association we keep determines our destination. In the midst of a prodigious company, vice reigns supreme while virtue is not appreciated and what you don’t appreciate will depreciate. That is where we are.

The founding fathers of the PDP had envisioned the ruins of dictatorship coming to live in a strong and united nation that would release its full potentials through credible leadership. Unfortunately, the party they laboured to built in the face of ominous threats to their lives was soon taken over by political opportunists or prodigal fathers, if you like, some of whom never shared in thier convictions. Instead of providing credible leadership, we got to a point where we could not even sustain the status quo. We need no seer to tell us that, without motion, we can’t make progress as aptly captured by Albert Einstein, who said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

Of course, all politics is local. At the constituency and state levels, there has been no progress in the last six years. The PDP leader in my state has shut down schools and hospitals he didn’t built while providing no tangible dividends of democracy in areas that have traditionally voted for the PDP. He has breached the constitution without been called to order by the national leadership of the PDP. We have simply failed the people. Nothing in the entire state to justify the six years allocations received by the PDP government. Even God says that he has not called us to serve him in vain, but the PDP is insisting that our people must serve it in vain.

Those calling for change or reform in the PDP are usually called names while sycophan, including founding members, have had cause to leave the party as a result. Leadership has become a tea party where sycophancy, ineptitude and incapacity are the credentials you must posses to come to the table. Personal interests and vested interests are promoted above the national interest. There is no way the PDP can reform itself from inside to provide credible leadership while it clings to power. It is the duty of all patriotic Nigerians to light the candle of change. So happy I lit my own candle the day I left the PDP. Our constant calls for chan; so we decided we had no option but to change ourselves. That was what happened.

Do you think that the APC can bring about credible leadership capable of driving meaningful change in this country?,

I do. Othwerwise, I won’t have joined the party. I see progressive- minded people in the party. If the PDP is swept out of office, it will be a major incentive for the APC to work hard for the people, knowing that, if Nigerians didn’t spare the PDP, they won’t spare the APC either if it fails to deliver. In any case, If APC wins and fails to bring about meaningful change, mark my words, I will exit politics altogether.

What is your justification for abandoning your friends and political benefactors in the PDP?

I don’t think any of my friends feels that way. I made it abundantly clear to them I was going to quit the party long before the defection took place. Most of my friends share my convictions just that they decided to stay in the PDP hoping against hope that they will precipitate the needed reforms from within the party. They have won my respect and admiration for that show of unparalleled determination to be resilient. I don’t envy the work before them, though.

What is your reaction to the politics of letter writing involving former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Jonathan?

I can understand President Obasanjo’s frustration because he is vicariously liable for all of the things he is accusing President Jonathan of. He acknowledged this by alluding to how he helped installed Jonathan as the President. As strong as the tone of the letter is, it still falls short of absolving him of that liability. He must do more.

Does that take away his moral right to hit at his godson as some have posited? May be, yes. But like all Nigerians, President Obasanjo is under a moral duty to say the truth, regardless of his own shortcomings. Now, if the truth is what matters, tell me, what aspect of President Obasanjo’s letter can be objectively faulted? I don’t believe President Obasanjo is that brazenly desperate to resort to inventing lies in order to make a case against the President.

On the part of the President, whoever advised him to join issues with President Obasanjo must have done him a great disservice. What strategic victory has the reply won for the President? For me, the reply amounted to saying that, because you were not better, you don’t have the right to complain that I am worse. It will take the super intelligent to make sense out of this kind of street approach. Hope many Nigerians are would understand that.

January 9, 2014