Category: Politics

Less than three years after Otunba Gbenga Daniel stepped down as Ogun State governor after serving his two terms in office, his disguised attempts to stay politically relevant in a state he called the shots for eight years has not come easy, reports Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo

Typical of an average Nigerian politician, ex-Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, is desperate to remain relevant in the polity of the state and by extension the South-West region.

Elected for two terms as governor in 2003 and 2007 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Daniel’s iron-like grip on the party structures in the state began to loosen shortly before the 2011 general elections. To say he has not recovered from that setback till date is like stating the obvious.

With the combined forces of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and Prince Buruji Kashamu, the former governor’s spirited attempts to anoint a successor using the PDP platform was thwarted, with the then governor hurriedly floating another party, Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) under which platform his anointed candidate, Nasir Gboyega Isiaka, ran for the 2011 governorship election.

From the day he stepped down as governor until recently, Daniel literally sojourned in political obscurity, with many of his political associates at a loss of his political direction.

Sources alleged that plans by the former governor to stage a comeback to the PDP was frustrated by the Buruji Kashamu camp, which has assumed full control of Ogun PDP, amidst unconfirmed reports that Daniel allegedly tried to lobby the Presidency and the PDP national headquarters to influence his take-over of the state chapter of the party.

When that move proved unsuccessful, The Nation gathered that Daniel entered into discussions with the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, on the likelihood of joining the latter’s Labour Party (LP).

Though it could not be confirmed who initiated the talks, sources disclosed that some months ago, a decision was finally reached between both parties that Daniel should defect to LP, with the party structures in Ogun State handed over to him.

A few days ago, the national headquarters of the party formally announced Daniel as the Leader of the party in the State, a development The Nation learnt is currently generating bad blood among old and new members of Ogun LP.

According to sources, certain members of the party loyal to a governorship aspirant, Mr. Abiodun Akinlade, are kicking against this move vehemently. These members are alleging that the party’s national leaders, with this decision, have breached an earlier agreement with Akinlade to provide a level playing field for all members of the party.

Akinlade, a member of the House of Representatives from Yewa Federal Constituency, defected to LP some months ago from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) alongside four members of the state House of Assembly, including Remi Hassan (Odogbolu Constituency); Adijat Oladipo (Ifo Constituency); John Obafemi (Remo North) and Samson Onademuren (Ijebu North Constituency).

Their defection followed several months of discussions between the lawmakers and the LP National Chairman, Dan Nwanyanwu, who allegedly made a commitment that Akinlade will be handed the party’s 2015 governorship ticket.

But with Daniel coming into the picture now, it appears that the center could no longer hold for the Ogun LP, as indications have emerged that two contending forces, loyal to Daniel and Akinlade will be battling for the soul of the party ahead the next general elections.

It would be recalled that Akinlade with the other state lawmakers and Daniel were former members of the PDP prior to the 2011 general elections. But following disagreements with the ex-governor over the latter’s refusal to support the lawmakers’ return to their respective seats, they defected to the defunct ACN where they were not only handed the party’s tickets, but went ahead to win the general elections.

From all indications, Daniel’s leadership position in LP will be to the advantage of his protégé, Gboyega Isiaka, who is allegedly still interested in the governorship.

What then becomes of Akinlade’s governorship ambition? A source close to the federal lawmaker who is serving a third term in the National Assembly, disclosed that the young politician is not contemplating dumping LP, as he is confident of winning the party’s governorship ticket.

The alleged hard-line posture of Akinlade and Isiaka, both of whom hail from the Yewa division not to step down for each other for the LP governorship ticket, analysts contend, will negatively affect the zone’s quest to produce the governor in the next dispensation for the first time since the creation of the state in 1976.

As Ndigbo fine tune their strategies in preparation for the 2014 Constitution Conference and the 2015 general elections, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, reports on the region’s agenda and new strategies in the Nigerian power game

As Nigeria prepares for next year’s National Conference and the 2015 general election, the fate of Ndigbo in the Nigerian political equation has become a source of concern both to Igbo leaders themselves and to other Nigerians.

This is because, at the birth of Nigeria in 1960, the Igbo race unarguably occupied prime leadership position in the country’s socio- economic and political life.

Today, while some analysts contain that the Igbo, both in the South-East zone and the neighbouring states in the South-South zone, can still lay claims to being part of the power equation in the country, others make jest of such claims, insisting that the race may have become the underdog in the country’s power chess game.

Worried by the situation, Igbo leaders have been holding series of meetings in a desperate bid to re-strategize, restore the political might of the race and protect the interests of the people in the Nigerian project.

In the last three months or so, the meetings have been more regular and the issues discussed more far reaching, according to our sources.

For example, on November 14, 2013, the Igbo Leaders of Thought, led by Prof. Ben Nwabueze, met in Enugu to deliberate on some urgent political issues. Barely a month after, on December 12, 2013, the group met again in Enugu to approve what it described as “the Igbo position to the National Conference.”

Present at the meeting were Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Prof. Felix Oragwu, Prof. Micheal Echeruo, Prof. Ben Obumselu, Prof Elo Amucheazi, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi, Chief Nduka Eya, Senator Offia Nwali, Prof. Uche Azikiwe (the wife of Nigeria’s first president, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe), Senator Ben Obi, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Senator Anyim Udeh, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, Arch. Bishop Anthony Obinna, Arch. Bishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, Lady Kate Ezeoffor, Mrs. Maria Okwor, Dr. Igwe Aja Nwachukwu, Chief Olisa Agbakoba.

Others include Prof. Lawrence Ocho, Evang. Elliot Uko, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Dr. Chidi Osuagwu, Rev. Ukandu Ucheya, Chief Emechi Onyia, Engr. Obi Thompson, Prince Emeka Onyesoh and others.

The Nation investigation confirmed that the December meeting and the final approvals came after three committees, set up by the group, submitted lengthy reports on the views and aspirations of the various areas and interest groups within the zone.

One of the top members of the elders forum, confided in The Nation during the week that the resolutions passed at the December 12 meeting “were not exhaustive as we still have some issues we are yet to agreed on. Right now, as we go home for Christmas, we will continue with the ongoing consultations. We have already agreed to meet again on January 6, 2014,” he said.

The Igbo Leaders of Thought is not the only group in the region that is worried and has taken it upon itself to seek ways of preparing the region both for 2014 Constitutional Conference and for the 2015 general election.

On December 5, 2013, for example, the South-East Development Association (SEPDA) organised an Igbo Political Summit in Enugu, where some participants lamented what they described as “exit of Ndigbo from the mainstream Nigerian politics.”

The National Chairman of SEPDA, Chief Sam Egwu, had explained clearly that the aim of the summit was “to harmonise a common and strong voice at the confab,” and “to draw a road map for the 2015 general elections.”

According to the former governor of Ebonyi State, “We want to come together so that we can have a common voice on issues concerning our zone at the forthcoming national conference.

“We do not want a situation where the zone will have divided opinions. Other zones are working tirelessly over this issue so, we want to harmonise the position of the South-East,” he said.

Admitting initial difficulties in harmonising the position of Ndigbo so far, the President of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Igariwe, lamented at the summit, what he described as “the lack of cooperation among some Igbo leaders over the conference.”

Dignitaries who graced the summit included former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chekwas Okorie, and former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba.

The place of Ndigbo in today’s politics

At the return of democratic governance in 1999, the five Igbo states of South-East (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo) and the South-South states of Rivers and Delta, where we also have Ndigbo, were governed by People’s Democratic Party ( PDP).

Today, so much have changed. Out of the five South-East states, two are ruled by opposition political parties. They are Imo State, currently ruled by an All Progressives Congress (APC) governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and Anambra State, ruled by Mr. Peter Obi of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The rest are ruled by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Also, out of the two neighbouring South-South states, Rivers, is now governed by Rotimi Amaechi of APC, leaving PDP with only Delta.

Current signals confirm that more South-East states may wholly or partly change their flags in favour of the opposition parties in the near future.

The root cause of the emerging political scenerio, according to insiders, is an alleged dissatisfaction of Igbo commoners with PDP leadership, who feel marginalised and have, as a result, organised an underground pressure on Igbo leaders to seek new avenues of making the region more relevant.

Our investigation however confirmed that not all accept the allegation of marginalisation of Ndigbo by PDP. People who oppose that allegation point at the appointment of prominent Igbo sons and daughters in key federal government positions since 1999 till date.

Responding rather angrily to such arguments, Chief Nkemdirim Uzoukwu, a legal practitioner in Abia, told The Nation: “We accept that some important federal offices are currently occupied by Ndigbo, but you and I know the limits of appointed officials in the real power game. Come and see our streets, see our cities, compare them to what you have else where. Here, there are no federal or state government industries or basic facilities and you say we are not marginalised? Go to Akwa Ibom, go to Port-Harcourt, go to Owerri or Lagos and you said we should not seek change? You also claim we are the current political beautiful bride, or whatever you called it, but we know that tag for what it is, an insult to Ndigbo. Look, we are one leg of the tripartite pillars of Nigerian politics and anything less than that is a concrete manifestation of degeneration. We need not be appeased with high sounding but empty offices. We must hold real power. So, about being somebody’s fragile, beautiful bride, it is an insult to us as a major federating unit.”

Explaining how Ndigbo lost out and what must be done to rectify the situation, National Chairman and founder of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie said at the last Igbo Summit in Enugu that the Igbo political elite must be united to produce the next President of Nigeria in 2015.

He said “The conspiracy against Igbo political relevance in Nigeria found eloquent expression in the obnoxious provisions of the 1999 Constitution imposed on the country by the government of Abdulsalami Abubakar Military Junta. The effect of this wicked and lopsided Constitution is that Igbo marginalization became a matter of state policy and the denial of Igboman to ever contest the Presidency of Nigeria was entrenched.

“That is why our illustrious and highly qualified sons like Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chief Arthur Nzeribe, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onuh, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezoke, etc who aspired to become the Presidential Candidates of their political parties were shoved aside with ignominy”, he said.

Okorie added that Ndigbo would always unite politically when there is a platform they control its machinery pointing out that the newness of NPP and APGA in the second and third republics ensured their failure to make it alone “because of the apparent lack of large financial war-chest.”

Ndigbo and the politics of Nigerian presidency

More than in any other areas, it seems majority of Ndigbo, who allege marginalisation say so because of the region’s inability to produce the country’s president after the civil war. To them, the rest of the country may have conspired to ensure that an Igbo would not hold the supreme power in the near future.

Some observers however dismiss such claims. They rather blame the politics of Igbo leaders. One of such critics, Mr Muyiwa Ayodele said on Friday in Lagos that the Igbo may have postponed their chances of producing the country’s president further by openly supporting President Goodluck Jonathan as a group. “After Jonathan, how can Ndigbo insist on producing the next president given that Jonathan is from Bayelsa State, their neighbour,” he asked? He therefore posited that the decision of leaders like Governor Okorocha, Senator Chris Ngige, Prince Apugo and Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, to dare the PDP establishment is necessary to give Ndigbo a better prospect in the near future.

In fact, call for Nigerian president of Igbo extraction dates back to 1998, when many reasoned that Dr. Alex Ekwueme, as the father figure among the foundation members of the PDP, should be the first presidential candidate of the party. High wired intrigues denied him the chance and since then, it seems the chances are becoming more remote within the PDP.

Whether the problem rests with the political choices of the Igbo leaders or whether it is a well coordinated conspiracy against the race is a fact that needs to be ascertained and settled before 2015 elections.

Umana Okon Umana’s interest to succeed Godswill Akpabio as governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2015 has further complicated the political intrigues in the South-South state, reports Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan

The “will-he” or “won’t-he” is yet to come to an end. But associates and close aides of immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Akwa Ibom State, Umana Okon Umana, will swore that he has said enough to the effect that he will be contesting the 2015 governorship election in the state. However, the former commissioner for finance is yet to have an official declaration ceremony.

The expectation is, according to his associates is because Umana’s resume is quite impressive. He was in the service of Akwa Ibom State Government for about two decades. Since 1999, the ex-SSG was Director of Budget, Permanent Secretary and Commissioner, all in the Ministry of Finance.

And since 2007, when Godswill Akpabio was sworn in as the governor, Umana served as the Secretary to the Government till last August when he fell out with Akpabio, allegedly over his 2015 gubernatorial ambition.

Now, he wants to succeed Akpabio as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Speaking with The Nation recently, a close associate of the former SSG and President of the Akwa Ibom Stakeholders’ Group (ASHG), Ekenam Udo, recounted the several years of preparation embarked upon by Umana Umana in his determination to take Akwa Ibom to the next level.

“With the right kind of leadership, the great state of Akwa Ibom can only become greater. This is the belief with which Umana Okon Umana embarked on this political journey over a decade ago. He spent years preparing himself for the service of the state.

“He is the best man for the job now and we, the stakeholders, cannot afford to allow him dump his aspiration for whatever reason. Those asking him to jettison the ambition to govern Akwa Ibom are the enemies of the state who want the state to remain where it is.

“I can tell you categorically that he is still very much in the race and he is contesting to win. We are aware of the blackmails and plots to stop him at all cost but we are also aware of his readiness to go all the way,” Udo said.

Asked why he is so sure Umana has not backed out of the race, Udo recalled that last August, while celebrating his birthday, the former SSG has urged all his political associates and allies to remain steadfast and unrelenting in the march to 2015.

“He told us not to be deterred. He said the march towards 2015 is still on. He said he will not succumb to blackmail and urged us not to do so too. That was just in August. And if you move around the state, you will see that his political machineries are still running and active,” he added.

An aide of the former SSG, who is a former council boss in the state, while preferring anonymity, said his boss is not out of the governorship race as being speculated in some quarters.

“We are baffled that the government is pushing this falsehood and spreading numerous other bad propaganda against the person of Umana Okon Umana. However, I can assure you that he is undeterred by all the attempts to stop him. He is forging ahead.”

But the problem is that Akpabio does not want Umana to succeed him. The situation is further compounded by the refusal of Umana to accept the Governor’s opinion on the 2015 gubernatorial election.

While Akpabio goes everywhere spreading the gospel of zoning as a criterion for the 2015 governorship ticket of his party, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umana and his people are calling for the best man, irrespective of his zone, to be allowed to fly the banner of the party.

Although the Governor has never made his reason or reasons for not supporting Umana publicly, aside his allusion to the zoning debacle, it is common knowledge that he has made quite a number of efforts to push his former SSG away from contention for the plum job by drafting him for a number of federal government appointments that would have taken him away from the state.

The governor once sought the appointment of Umana as an ambassador. On another occasion, the governor allegedly made an offer of appointment as the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Corporation (NDDC), to Umana. Umana reportedly turned down all the offers, choosing instead to contest the governorship against Akpabio’s opinion.

The face-off between the duo climaxed with Umana’s exit from the government. While some say the governor fired him to truncate his gubernatorial ambition, others claim Umana resigned in pursuit of his governorship dream.

And in spite of one or two reconciliation efforts that followed that incident; the embrace between Akpabio and Umana at the latter’s residence in Uyo and the “we-are-back-together” declaration by the duo, close observers of the politics of the state insist the erstwhile friends are still bent on pursuing their different agenda ahead of the 2015 poll.

Sources said for Akpabio, the issue is not as much about zoning or any other factor as it is about ensuring that a politically amenable person succeeds him as governor. And in the governor’s calculation, Umana does not in any way fit into such description.

“The governor would prefer a politically unknown person as his successor. Already, there are talks that he is grooming the new SSG, Udom Emmanuel, for the job.

You will agree with me that very little is known of Emmanuel’s political background apart from the fact that he hails from Onna Local Government Area in Eket Senatorial District of the state. He was, until his appointment, an Executive Director on the Board of Zenith Bank PLC.

This is the type of person the governor and his allies want as against an Umana who shared a long political relationship with Akpabio and is regarded as one of the major stabilisation factors in the politics of the state. His coming from the major ethnic group in the state is also seen as a threat to Akpabio’s hope of retaining control on the politics of the state beyond 2015,” a source said.

Perhaps in line with the above alleged plan to foist Emmanuel on the state, Akpabio recently declared support for the zoning arrangement in the state. Consequently, he and the ruling PDP in the state will support the clamour by the Eket Senatorial Zone to produce the next governor of the state.

This development may hinder Umana from prosecuting his gubernatorial ambition successfully on the platform of the ruling party as he is from the Uyo Senatorial District of the state.

But the decision of the governor to support zoning has attracted widespread opposition across the state. Those opposing the governor have vowed to ensure that all aspirants, irrespective of their zones, are allowed to participate in the primaries of the ruling party.

The Akwa Ibom Progressive Forum, a socio-political group recently argued that zoning promotes mediocrity.

“I do not think zoning exists in Akwa Ibom. The herculean task of turning a mere pedestrian Akwa Ibom State to an investment destination and a state of choice within six years by Governor Godswill Akpabio’s administration needed not be truncated by an untested hand.

“Zoning promotes mediocrity and we should avoid it. If we had zoning, people like John Akpan Udoedeghe and Engineer Frank Okon would not have contested against Akpabio years back,” the group argued.

But pundits say it will be very difficult for him to defeat the governor’s candidate in a party primary even if he scales the zoning hurdle and participates in the primaries.

However, some analysts are of the opinion that the former SSG still stands a fair share of emerging as the next governor of the state against all odds just like Akpabio defied all opposition to his ambition, including that of the then governor, Obong Victor Attah, to clinch the job.

The permutation however is that Umana will have to move out of the PDP for him to achieve his aim of governing the state.

“Except he leaves the PDP, Umana stands no chance of emerging the governor in 2015. His chance of winning on the platform of the PDP is zero. He stands no chance of even clinching the gubernatorial ticket of the party,” Rufus Akpanobio of the South-South Consultative Forum (SSCF) said.

According to Akpanobio, the issue of zoning is not a factor that can stop Umana’s ambition if he takes the right political decision.

“I am very conversant with the politics of this state and we know our people’s electoral behavior. Aside from the fact that the people of the state are used to voting for known names as against newcomers, Umana is at a very serious advantage should he dump the PDP and square up against an unknown name in the general election.

Umana is from the largest zone of the state. Uyo has the highest population figures too. If he should come up against an unknown politician from the Eket zone, with good political strategies, he stands a good chance of flooring his opponent,” he said.

Asked which other political party will be suited for Umana’s aspiration, Akpanobio said the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the best option for the embattled former SSG.

“Although he would have to battle the likes of John Udoedeghe for the ticket, Umana would do well to join the APC in furtherance of his ambition. The parties that fused into the APC, especially the ACN, have always maintained some form of presence in the state over the years.

“With the strength of his political machinery, if Umanah succeeds in warding off challenges and he picks the ticket of the APC, he is sure to give Akpabio and the PDP a good run for their money in the 2015 governorship election,” he added.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) recently stormed Osun State to drum support for the Aregbesola Administration and present the party to the people at the City Stadium, Osogbo, the state capital. Correspondent ADESOJI ADENIYI writes on the thrills and frills of the ceremony.

The crowd was huge. People came from 30 local governments to welcome the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The event revealed Governor Rauf Aregbesola as a crowd puller. As the party leaders stormed the City Stadium, Osogbo, for the mobilisation programme, brooms, the symbol of the progressive party, filled the air. The leaders went back with the impression that Osun State is a permanent stronghold of the APC in the Southwest.

The APC National Mobilisation Committee decided to kick off its nation-wide mobilisation from Osun State for obvious reasons. Next year, Aregbesola is expected to renew his mandate for another four years at the governorship election. The leaders came to build support for the governor. But the people spared them the hurdle as they turned the carnival-like event into an endorsement ceremony for the hardworking governor.

Led by the Osun State APC Interim Chairman, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi, the party faithful promised to remain faithful to the progressive cause.

The Committee Chairman, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, could not hide his feelings. He congratulated the governor and the people. He observed that Aregbesola’s performance had simplified their assignment, noting that his second term had been sealed.

In the mood of joy were other party leaders during the popularity walk round the major streets of the state capital. Chief Audu Ogbeh, former Minister of Federal Capital Territory Mallam el-Rufai, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former Yobe State Governor Bukar Ibrahim, Prince Tony Momoh, and APC Interim National Youth Leader Lado Suleja were impressed by what they saw.

Turning to Arebesola, Okorocha noted that only a leader that is well loved by the people can gather that kind of crowd at a short notice.

Speakers at the ceremony pondered on the proposed elections, warning the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against repeating the ‘Anambra mistake’. They also warned the PDP against manipulating the governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun states to avoid the wrath of the electorate.

Okorocha, who had visited the state in the past, praised the governor for changing the face of Osogbo. He acknowledged the developmental strides of the administration, especially the dualisation of major roads.

He noted that indigenes, whose houses were affected by the road expansion and rehabilitation, still cheered the APC leaders. Okorocha said that it was an evidence that they were satisfied with the urban renewal programme. Urging the people to support Aregbesola, he said giving him a second term will enable him to consolidate on his achievements.

Ogbeh was in the same frame of mind. He said progressives in power have made a lot of difference in their states. The elder statesman lamented that they have not been able to replicate these feats at the federal level. However, Ogbeh said that 2015 will be a different year. “progressives will rule this country”, he said.

Describing Aregbesola as a symbol of development and progress, Ogbeh urged the people to support him aspiration for continuity.

The former Peoples democratic party (PDP) National Chairman recalled that he had predicted the explosion in the ruling party eight years ago. “The party is already sinking now. People are hungry and they are still being asked to wait for transformation,” he fumed.

Ogbeh said that Aregbesola has worked hard to make the people earn a living, urging them to support his bid for a second term.

Osoba, who had lived in Osogbo when he was young, lauded the governor’s commitment to the welfare of the state. He said the evidence of rapid transformation has attested to his devotion to the vision of the illustrious founding fathers, especially the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

el- Rufai applauded the people for their resilience. He charged them to register and vote massively for the APC next year, promising that the party will not disappoint them. The former minister advised Aregbesola to sustain the tempo o achievements recorded by his administration in the last three years. He said the people-friendly achievements ate worthy of celebration.

Senator Abbah observed the people have not voted for the governor in vain. He said Aregbesola has confirmed that only a progressive government can change the society. He added: “The conservative government has failed and all of us must pushed out the PDP at all levels in Nigeria. Change at the centre is the only solution to Nigeria’s problems”.

Mommoh, a prince of Auchi, said, by 2015, the PDP will become an opposition party, adding that the party is jittery, ahead of the polls. He urged the people to defend their votes to prevent another case of stolen mandate.

Fani-Kayode, who hails from Osun State, warned the PDP led-Federal Government against infiltrating the Southwest geo-political zone with its rigging machinery. The son of the former Western Region’s Deputy Premier, the late Chief Remi Fani-Kayode, said that eyes are also on the electoral commission. He said: “The rigging style used during the last Anambra State governorship election would not be allowed in Osun and Ekiti states next year. When the Federal Government did it in Yorubaland in 1964 and 1966, the government at the centre fell. The same scenario was repeated in Ondo State in 1983 during the contest between Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Omoboriowo and the Federal Government fell as well.

“In 1993, during the Chief MKO Abiola election, the rigging was introduced with the connivance of the military and the government at the centre fell. So, this time around, the progressives have decided to come together and the decision to come together to form a formidable party is not just a tea party. So, we warn that rigging should not be repeated in the Yorubaland to foist unpopular government on the people.”

An excited Aregbesola, who commended APC national leaders for the visit, declared that Osun State is a no-go area for the PDP. The governor commended the people for their support, he came into office.

He also expressed gratitude to the people for weathering the storm with his government, assuring them of more dividends of democracy.

Aregbesola said: “For seven and half years, the people of Osun State have been subjected to serious humiliation. But, within three years of our government, we have tried to restore the people’s hope in many ways with our programmes and policies.

“So, no amount of threat by the opposition party in the state can intimidate us. With God on our side, no rigging in the 2014 Osun governorship election will succeed. Our party, the APC, will take over power in 2015 in Nigeria. So, whoever that is yet to register should do so when the voters registration exercise commences.”

The governor, who urged the electorate not to be intimated against using their electoral power effectively, said the APC was committed to making Nigeria a progressive nation. He said gone were the days when incompetent people will be given the opportunity to rule the country.