The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • Retrace your steps, Fasanmi urges Bamidele

    Retrace your steps, Fasanmi urges Bamidele

    Second Republic Senator Ayo Fasanmi yesterday lamented the crack in the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC), warning the House of Representatives member, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, to retrace his steps to the party.

    Bamidele, who represents Irepodun/Ifelodun Constituency in the House, recently defected to the Labour Party (LP), where he hopes to contest for the governorship next year. He was one of the leaders of the party in the state before his defection.

    Fasanmi, who reflected on history, advised the federal legislator to ponder on the fate of prominent politicians, who left their political families for other camps, based on temporary political challenges.

    He also advised him to learn from the political career of the famous Ekiti son, the late Chief Akinwole Omoboriowo, who deserted his leader, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in a bid to dislodge former Ondo State Governor Adekunle Ajasin from power. Fasanmi recalled that Omoboriowo, despite his popularity, never bounced back into reckoning after he left the proscribed Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

    The elder statesman said that past experience should instruct ambitious young men and women to think deeply and peep into the future before taking far-reaching decisions that have implications for their political future, their political groups, and the welfare of the state they hope to govern.

    Fasanmi, who spoke with our correspondent on phone, said: “The defection of Bamidele from the APC is most unfortunate. It is an unfortunate incident. He is a boy I know very well. Well, he is a man now. I first saw him in 1994, when I was a member of the Constitutional Conference Commission set up by the late military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha. I have followed his career since then.

    “I am disappointed. This is an unfortunate situation. As an elder statesman, I will advice Fayemi (Governor Kayode) not to be diverted. The APC is on a sound footing. Fayemi is doing well as the governor of Ekiti State. The APC is on course in Ekiti”.

    Fasanmi recalled that the parting of ways between Awolowo and Omoboriowo was painful to many Ekiti patriots, who equally loved the former deputy governor. He said that history is merely repeating itself as Bamidele will be seen to be parting ways with his leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    He added: “There were Awolowo and Akintola. There were Ajasin and Omoboriowo. Now, there are Fayemi and Bamidele. But this should not be so in Yorubaland. We should learn from the past”.

    The veteran politician noted that Bamidele’s career in the progressive fold under the Tinubu’s tutelage has been impressive, adding that he had climbed the ladders of leadership and fame as a key functionary of government in Lagos State.

    He said that it is risky for a promising politician like Bamidele to desert the party he had jointly nurtured with compatriots and seek refuge in another, where some people may perceive him as a stranger. Recalling Awo’s advice to his disciples, he said: “It is better to discuss and disagree in your party and fight for your interest there, but if it appears that you can’t have your way, you should jettison your personal interest and subscribe to the collective interest, where accommodation would be found for your interest. In the progressive camp, where service to the people is the watchword, you cannot be a loser”.

    Fasanmi, who described the LP chieftain as a competent and vibrant person, warned that a progressive politician may lose relevance outside his original political family.

    He added: “The question people are asking is: what does Bamidele want? I understand that he has served as a party officer, special adviser, commissioner for two terms. Now, he is in the House of Representatives. He who the god will destroy will first make mad. This should not happen to Bamidele. That is why I want him to retrace his steps. His grievances can still be addressed within the progressives family. I like him so much. So, I want him to learn from history”.

  • ‘Bayelsa is on course’

    ‘Bayelsa is on course’

    The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayesa State, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, spoke with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE on the activities of the administration and challenges of governance.

    How has it been managing the governor’s image? I think it has been an experience to work in the government at this level and it’s still stretching. Every day comes with different issues, small or big. We keep learning the peculiar intricacies of how government works and the communication management. Having said that, I think actually, the starting point is to commend our governor for assembling a crack team, very competent and professional.

    You’ll realize that the governor has the gift of spotting talents and using them to deliver the best results. This is not limited to the media. If you look closely, you’ll find a similar situation in the choice of people in other departments and agencies of government. Again, the governor is media savvy. He understands the workings of the media and the important role the media could play in any government.

    I think he laid a good foundation by first getting the right people and giving them the right support. I think we have to reckon with his intellectual disposition too and his curiosity to know himself without waiting to be briefed. The media team knows too well that they have both an intellectual and a strategist as a boss. And so, it is expected that working with him, you have to be at your best all the time.

    Does he find time to check what the newspapers are saying?

    Here is a governor who wakes up as early as 3 am every day to read all the newspapers online and the social media sites. So, tell me who are you, as a media aide working with him without striving to keep pace with him. More importantly is also the good deeds of the government.

    In spite of all these, however, I should let you know that information management in any government is usually hectic for obvious reasons. There is so much cynicism and distrust for the government. If you look at it critically, may be, the people may have a point here, which is a function of their past experiences. If a government promised A,B,C and failed to deliver on them, then, there’s a problem; there is the tendency for the people to believe successive governments may do same.

    So, it takes time and demonstrated integrity to overcome this as an issue we have had to contend with. As media aides to Governor Dickson, we are always on our toes. As I noted earlier, it is particularly difficult when you have to manage our kind of public here. We have a very virile public that is always probing every move and decision of the government. Too often, they can be goaded by some desperate and mischievous politicians.

    Do you have to constantly explain to the public government action?

    These politicians often take the advantage of their gullibility to sell lies and steer up needless rumours mostly against the government of the day. That’s our experience here.That’s why you hear of terrible rumours making the rounds in Bayelsa. But I’m happy to tell you that we are winning the war against rumour mongering. Thanks to Governor Dickson for the measures he has put in place to address the rumour malaise. The Bayelsa Information Management Committee set up by the governor is doing a fantastic job in this regard. Still, integrity in government is key here; doing what you promised you will do.

    I would like to refer you to the governor’s inaugural speech, when he said he will not play politics with security and development. Although that speech generally inspired hope, yet, others felt it was the usual sweet talk by politicians. You see, they never knew that Governor Dickson is not someone you can describe as your conventional politician. He meant what he says and, if you now relate what he said in that inaugural speech with what’s on the ground in the state today, you can appreciate the fact that the governor has matched words with action. Security has been effectively restored the various sectors of the state economy are on course.

    The first thing you must understand is that Governor Dickson is not frivolous about governance and indeed, any issues for that matter. If you have followed him and his restoration government, you will see a pattern, a consistency that has defined the administration. The governor doesn’t like doing things half-heartedly. If anything is being done, it has gone through a thorough process and planning and decision taken which will be followed to a logical end.

    How far has the administration delivered on its restoration agenda ?

    The ‘Restoration Agenda’ is a vision and I can confidently tell you the implementation is progressing steadily. The vision is to lay a solid foundation for rapid socio-economic development of Bayelsa State. I think we should commend Governor Dickson for keeping his words on security, which was basic to any proper and effective implementation of the whole agenda. Now, everybody takes security for granted ,compared to the situation we met on the ground.

    It is a remarkable achievement. After securing the state, then, other things have since followed; tackling the challenge of diversifying the economy of the state, whereby we can have major alternatives to oil and gas.The attention now is on tourism and agriculture without neglecting other areas in need of attention. Basic to the realization of dthe iversification is the provision of infrastructure like good roads, power, rail lines, airport and such other infrastructure that can help the cause of the government’s economic focus. In this regard, a lot has been done by the Restoration government.

    Already, a rail line is being constructed to link Yenagoa to Brass and to Agge, where we have a deep seaport. The establishment of the Bayelsa Development Investment Corporation (BIDC) is also of particular great importance which will help the state government to maximize its economic potentials in the future. For those who can see the implication of this economic enabler, the future is really great for Bayelsa State economically and of course it is in the best interest of the people.

    This is expected to arrest youth unemployment…

    There will be many good jobs in due course, good pay and enhanced living standard as government actualises the combined efforts in the diversification of the state economy.

  • Flawed poll and crisis of legitimacy

    Flawed poll and crisis of legitimacy

    Controversy has continued to trail the flawed Anambra State governorship election. Can the poll result pass a test of credibility and legitimacy? Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the implications for democracy. 

    When the people of Anambra State trooped out for the recent governorship poll, little did they guess that the exercise will generate a controversial result. At the close of poll, the election was inconclusive. Three out of the four main parties rejected the results. The supplementary election organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was boycotted by the aggrieved stakeholders. Local and foreign observers described the election as a sham.

    The state had been polarised by the competition for power by the flag bearers and parties. Now, the poll result has further divided the state. To many people, the next government may be enveloped in a crisis of legitimacy, owing to the controversial election that catapulted it into power.

    Contrary to the assurance by the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, the poll was bungled by the electoral officers. The late arrival of polling materials, the omission of names from the voter’s register, the late arrival of polling officers for duty, and shortage of result sheets marred the exercise.

    Jega confirmed the irregularities, to the consternation of stakeholders. “We regretted that the commission ended up shattering the expectations of Nigerians. There were many matters arising in the conduct of the election. And, there is no doubt that the INEC’s operational performance in that election has not met with the expectations of Nigerians. We regret shattering the expectations of Nigerians, but we did our best under very difficult circumstances to have free and fair election”, he said.

    Following Jega’s remarks, many expected the umpire to order a fresh election. The protesting parties said that that was the only option, adding that it would restore public confidence. But Jega frittered that opportunity when he said: “The situation does not merit the cancellation of the election as being canvassed by some parties. Instead, the INEC would hold supplementary election in areas where results were cancelled.” Despite protests by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) about the flawed poll, Jega was adamant.

    The supplementary election, which Jega thought would be a remedy, was marred by voter’s apathy. The turnout was very low. For instance, at Anyaeji, Ward 9, Onitsha North, only 54 out of 484 registered voters were accredited to vote; at Ward 6, Fegge, Onitsha South, only 20 out of 12,000 voters were accredited; at the Nkpor Junction Polling Unit, Idemili North, 26 voters were accredited to vote, out of the 372 registered voters.

    According to the results by the INEC, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Chief Willie Obiano, polled 174, 710. The PDP, APC and LP got 94, 956; 92, 300 and 37, 446 respectively. In the supplementary election of November 30, Obiano polled 5,468 while Ngige polled 3,663. Nwoye scored 2,744. The final results released by the commission showed that Obiano polled 180,000 178. Nwoye, who came second, got 97,200 votes. Ngige came third with 95, 963 votes and Ubah polled 37, 495 votes.

    Criticisms trailed the supplementary election in 212 electoral wards where 113,113 voters could not vote on November 16 and where the elections were cancelled. Despite the boycott by the PDP, APC and LP, the APGA was able to score a little over 5,000, out of over 113,000 votes.

    Out of 1.8 million registered voters, only 442,000 were able to cast their votes. Over 1.3 million eligible voters were disenfranchised. The implication, according to analysts, is that the result was based on minority votes.

    The low turn out for the supplementary election cast a big question mark on its credibility. The apathy, in the opinion of APC leaders, stemmed from the disappointment of the voters during the November 16, election. They said that the outcome of the poll had been pre-determined by the INEC and its collaborators.

    A community leader from Umoji, Idemili North Local Government Area, Mr. Michael Obi, said that the people shunned the supplementary election because they believe that it was meaningless. “INEC had refused to cancel the election of November 16. So, nothing would change. If INEC had accepted that it made errors and has apologised, what remains is for them to conduct a fresh one.

    “I am not saying that a certain candidate must win or lose. Anybody who is losing should lose gallantly. We do not accept a situation where it appeared to us that the vote had been manipulated to favour one candidate from outset and they were trying to use the supplementary election to validate and legitimate the flawed election”, Obi said.

    Following the report by observers that the main and supplementary elections were severely flawed, can the two exercise produce a legitimate result?

    A lawyer, Ajibola Bashir, said that “what happened in Anambra was not an election, but a coronation”. “It is mere imposition of an agreed candidate between the Federal government and the INEC. In a situation where many voters were disenfranchised, the result can never reflect the popular choice of the people”, he added.

    Bashir said the behaviour of the INEC officials portends danger for the sustenance of democratic rule. “The situation where the INEC decided to disenfranchise the majority of the voting population by manipulating voters’ register is a proof that democracy has totally being compromised. The fact that the security operatives were used to support the manipulation of the election creates fear about future elections in Nigeria. The minimum standard for a genuine democratic election is that all eligible voters should have the opportunity to exercise their franchise. But in Anambra, the process was manipulated by the INEC, whereby the overwhelming majority of the people were denied the right to exercise their franchise,” he said.

    Lagos lawyer Jiti Ogunye questioned the legality of the supplementary election. He said there is no room or provision for it in the Electoral Act and the constitution. According to him, under the Electoral Act, there are four types of election. These are a general election, a bye election, a fresh election or rerun election, and a run-off (second ballot or third ballot).

    “It is our submission that Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, only contemplates the postponement of a scheduled election before the arrival of the date appointed for the conduct of the election on any of the three grounds: the postponement must be before or ahead of the date earlier appointed, not during or after; the postponement of an election date; the appointment of a new date for the postponed election must be done pari passu. Under the section, an indefinite postponement is not envisaged or permissible.

    “This section is therefore, not a statutory authority for the now familiar absurdity in Nigeria’s electoral system, called supplementary election. There is no legal backing in the Electoral Act or the constitution for this travesty of electoral practice,” Ogunye said.

    A legal luminary, Yusuf Ali, advised the aggrieved parties to approach the court. “It would be ideal for those aggrieved to allow the court to make pronouncement on the election”, he said. cautioned against speculations, saying that the facts are not before the public.

    His colleague, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), shared this view. He said only the tribunal can rule on electoral issues. “Whatever comment anyone makes is mere academic exercise. The aggrieved should seek redress at the tribunal”, he said.

    Social critic Bernard Briggs said the Anambra election result is illegitimate, stressing that the poll was neither free nor fair. “It is not a true reflection of the people’s choice. The result was awarded to the APGA by in anticipation of Anambra support for the PDP in 2015. The only regret I have is the collusion with the government by the INEC to undermine the electorate. The chaos has dampened the hope of improving the voting system, ahead of general elections in 2015″, he said.

    Briggs added: “Electoral malpractices in Anambra State have become a recurring decimal. The incumbent governor was re-elected in 2010 in an election characterised of vote-buying and ballot box theft. Only 300,000 people cast their ballots out of 1.8 million voters. Obi received almost 98,000 votes, about five per cent of the total registered voters”.

    The social critic said that the pattern of fraud is not new. “It is a deliberate attempt to deny the Anambra people the right to exercise their right to freely elect a governor of their choice”, he maintained.

    Fears have been expressed by Nigerians about INEC’s competence as the polity prepares for 2015 elections. If the commission could not conduct a free and fair election in one state, how can it perform the task in 32 states simultaneously in 2015?, many have asked. To ensure a hitch-free exercise in Anambra, the commission had mobilised security apparatus, 21 electoral commissioners and many ad hoc polling officers. Yet, the exercise was marred by irregularities.

    Irked by the INEC’s performance, Briggs said that, if a credible poll could not be conducted in one state, despite the concentration of human and material resources, more dangers loom in the future. He therefore, called for electoral reforms to avert the danger.

    Many observers support this line of thought. They said that the commission, political parties and civil society groups should embrace the reform as a joint responsibility.

    “This is very important. Elections are features of democracy. When it is not free and fair, the government that emerges from the poll cannot be legitimate”, Briggs said.

  • Will Kuku contest Ondo governorship in 2016?

    Will Kuku contest Ondo governorship in 2016?

    His position as the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Head of the Amnesty Office has, undoubtedly, taken the profile of Hon. Kingsley Kuku to a new level. A major force in the Niger Delta, there are talks in certain circles within the zone that the Ondo State-born politician should give the 2016 Ondo State governorship election a shot. If he eventually throws his hat into the ring, Kuku will certainly be on a familiar terrain.

    From 1999 to 2003, he was the only PDP member in the Ondo State House of Assembly which was dominated by the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD).

  • 2015: ‘Nobody is trying to take over power from Ibibio’

    Elder Sam Ikon is the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. In this interview with Correspondent Kazeem Ibrahym, he explains that Governor Godswill Akpabio has treated the Ibibios well in his government saying if Akpabio was a tribalist, the state would not have the SSG as Ibibio, deputy governor as Ibibio, speaker as Ibibio and even certain strategic ministries manned by the Ibibios.

    How would you assess the performance of Governor Godswill Akpabio in the last six years?

    I am totally satisfied with the performance of the governor. I have known him since, when we were in Lagos. All these people came to know him as a politician; and one inconsistent threat on his Excellency is that he is a detribalised person and he genuinely loves people.

    This has translated into his love for the people of this state as seen in his candid efforts in transforming the state. It is my belief that what we need to do is to celebrate this man.

    So, I am very satisfied with the governor and his actions, but speaking in my capacity as a Speaker, I want to say that the House is totally satisfied with the actions of his Excellency, the governor.

    He has fully implemented the appropriation bills; he has maintained the limits on the capital and recurrent expenditure ratios, which in the average for over six years has not changed a lot with more than 80 per cent capital and less than 20 per cent recurrent.

    Like this year over 82 per cent of the budget figure was set aside for capital expenditure. This accounts for the transformation because more funds are allowed for the development of infrastructure across the state.

    I want to repeat myself that there is no campaign of calumny against the governor that will succeed. We are resolutely behind him, we are satisfied with his genuine efforts at transforming our state, blocking leakages, enthroning accountability, fiscal discipline, and prudence into the governance of our state.

    Recently, the House passed a supplementary budget of N70 billion as presented by Governor Godswill Akpabio to the Assembly, why the passage?

    When we say we are satisfied we are not just making statements, it can be empirically verified. For instance, as we speak, the state has inaugurated some additional projects and in line with the policies of this administration to stay within the law, he is sending supplementary budget to accommodate new projects he intends to proceed with. Ordinarily they would have gone ahead to do the projects and hide them under next year projects, but we have a governor that respects the rule of law and respects due process, and that is why he has sent the supplementary budget. If you look at the details of the supplementary budget, you will see that most of them are projects that were not captured in the 2013 budget.

    The initiative is to give it a legal framework, legal funding for them to come to bare. So, when we say we are satisfied, we look at the budget, we review the budget quarterly; at least, we did our half year mark in July, by the end of this month, we will have done the third quarter appraisal alongside the supplementary budget that was sent to the House.

    I can tell you that as at the half year mark, we were completely satisfied with the implementation of the 2013 appropriation.

    The House does not just sit back to make pronouncement. As I speak with you now, the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs have moved round the state. The intention of the House is to ensure that the local governments produce some levels of activities that add values to the lives of our people.

    We know about SURE-P Funds as well as statutory allocation and so on, we want to see what are on grounds.

    So, we are pro-active about what we are doing. Only a few months back before we proceeded on recess, as a House, we went round most of the key projects and say look, ‘Look we cannot just sit down and budget for projects. We did that in December. We went out to see the extent of the jobs so far. And you will be shocked that we came back dazed in most cases.

    Recently you visited Ibibio Elders Forum, what do you hope to achieve through such visit?

    First and foremost you must remember that I am Ibibio son and suddenly I began reading certain things that do not quite reflect the character of our people. We are loving people; these things do not also reflect the position and the person of the governor that I have known.

    If you recall, there were series of publications and write-ups insinuating tribalism to cast the governor on the light of a tribalist. And I felt it was wrong, rather than rush to the press to counter those things; I rather started by meeting my elders, asking what the problem was.

    The outcome has been very revealing and interesting. There were cases of misinformation and there were cases of malicious falsehood against the person of the governor.

    I must say that the outcome has been very satisfying because we had the opportunity to hear the true story, to hear the problem.

    Even though people have tried to make insinuations about my intention, I felt I owe my generation; I owe my people and my country a duty to stand up for an individual that I know very well being misrepresented.

    The governor of this state is very fair to my tribe. Ibibios have been properly placed even beyond the expectation of us as a people in his administration, and if we keep quiet and sit down and watch the kind of fair-play being maligned and then we look the other way; today is his turn, tomorrow it could be our turn to be maligned, is that when we will start getting angry, when we did not stand up for the truth when the truth offered itself.

    So, I went round with an open mind to find out what was the issue and also to explain what I knew and what I know. I want to thank my elders, my brothers and sisters, who have clearly seen the truth.

    If Akpabio was a tribalist, we would not have the SSG Ibibio, deputy governor Ibibio, speaker Ibibio: certain strategic ministries of this government are manned by Ibibio.

    And you will recall that the immediate past SSG was the engine room who had absolute power and advantages, he was not limited and the present SSG too is given a very free hand; his ideas are allowed to fertilise into oiling the uncommon transformation wheel.

    So, is it suddenly this same man is now said to be a tribalist overnight. You don’t need to go very far to realise that this is clearly a case of mischief and misrepresentation.

    Non-performance of the local government administrators is a source of worry to many, what is the House doing to ensure that those at the grassroots enjoy dividends of democracy?

    Let me start from the issue of local governments. I want to say that local governments are the closest units of governments. We are committed to ensuring that the interest of the people prevails. That is why I am telling you that the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has commenced tour of the state to see what the local governments are doing. I want to assure you that we will be very factual, no influences as it is our avowed commitment to ensure that the people are not short-changed.

    So, the committee will do its work and bring a report to the House and we will not hesitate to recommend measures that will ensure that the people get their due.

    Governor Godswill Akpabio is doing everything possible to ensure the comfort of every citizen of the state. At the local government level, we expect that synergy to continue.

    Is the political space going to be open to other aspirants as the governor is bending towards making the new SSG Udom Emmanuel next governor of the state? Has the position of governor been shifted to Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District?

    For me, it is part of the blackmail that the governor wants to install the new SSG as the next governor of the state.

    All that the governor has said is for equity, justice, and fairness, the governorship position should go to Akwa Ibom South.

    Even upon that he did not make it as a standing rule. He said he would consult through the 10 federal constituencies of Akwa Ibom State. And it is sad that in a democracy, suddenly people started signing documents that it is proper to consult people. What is the fear?

    If you have a different position, you wait until they come to that federal constituency, you can air you views. This is a democracy where people are free to say their minds, not in a dictatorship.

    So, consulting with people is not a wrong thing. It gives you the feeling of a majority. Everybody cannot toll the same line; that is the truth, but the majority will have the opportunity to say how they think it should go.

    And for him to even offer to consult round the 10 constituencies shows his genuine intention for a level playing field. He is not going round the 10 constituencies to present a candidate; he is going round to find out what you want, how you want us to move forward from here?

    What is your political future going to be like in 2015?

    Since I have done two terms here, and you know how difficult it is to even do two terms, I will be seeking to move to higher legislature. That will be properly communicated once the cap is removed for aspiration and campaign.

    I intend to remain a legislature.

    How would you assess President Goodluck Jonathan transformation agenda?

    When you look at the data released by this administration you will see marked improvement in various sectors. Like when he gave mid-term report, it was an amazing revelation of most of his achievements. You must also understand that it is easier to appreciate development at state level than it is in the federal level.

    For the past 12 years we have been having PDP government in Akwa Ibom State, sometimes we have 100 per cent PDP in our legislature and in the local governments; now we are having a mega party collision, APC. Is PDP going to have a crack?

    Nothing can stop the PDP from winning in Akwa Ibom State. It is difficult to uproot a government that has put its tentacle in place: what are these tentacles? They are projects.

  • Fresh trouble for Tukur

    Fresh trouble for Tukur

    National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who has been fighting a prolonged battle to save his party may have fresh troubles at home as some big players in Adamawa State chapter of the party gang up to challenge his alleged role in his son’s governorship ambition, reports Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan

    The National Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, may be the victim of a series of meetings by critical stakeholders of the party in Adamawa State to discuss how the gubernatorial flag-bearer of the party for the 2015 general election should emerge.

    Reliable party sources say the meetings were called at the instance of some party elders and were meant, among others, to allay growing fears among party chieftains, especially gubernatorial aspirants, that the PDP gubernatorial primary would be tailored towards the emergence of a particular aspirant.

    The elders were said to have decided on the move following the defection of Governor Murtala Nyako’s faction of the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “This is not the first time such a meeting will happen within the party in Adamawa State, but this time, the meeting got to discuss the very fear of the aspirants which is the aspiration of Hon. Awwal Tukur, first son of the national chairman of the party, for the governorship in 2015.

    Four meetings have been held to discuss the issue in recent times. The exit of Governor Nyako’s camp from the PDP has given fillip to the demand for a party structure that will take care of the interest of every party member.

    The aspirants want to be assured that Tukur will not impose his son in 2015. Many of them are toying with the idea of moving to other parties to pursue their gubernatorial aspiration if the new party leadership is not in a position to give them assurances on the matter.

    “This was why elders of the party waded into the matter and summoned the meetings to prevent further exit of party chieftains and aspirants,” a source said.

    According to sources at the meeting, the stakeholders may have resolved to move against any plan by Tukur to influence the emergence of Awwal as the party’s flag-bearer in 2015.

    Prominent leaders of the party in the state, who are said to be part of the decision, include Senator Jubril Aminu, Amb. Wiberforce Juta, Gen. Tony Hannaniya, Dr. Idi Hong, Sen. Grace Jackson Bent, Retired Commodore Dan Suleiman, Sen. Bello Tukur, Alh. Adamu Modibbo, Dr. Umar Ardo, amongst others.

    The decision to move against Tukur, according to sources, followed a recent statement credited to the PDP boss that his son is entitled to the governorship of Adamawa State.

    Responding to criticism that he is openly promoting his son’s gubernatorial aspiration, Tukur reportedly said his son had been in politics long before he became the national chairman of the ruling party and saw nothing morally wrong with his support for his son’s ambition.

    “You are talking about my son. He was in politics before I became the chairman. He was in the House of Representatives before I became the chairman. I leave my son to be what he wants to be. I cheer him up if he is looking for leadership, why not?

    “Whoever they want should be their leader. I am not interested if he is my son or she is my daughter. If you are my son or my daughter, so what? Those who are governors, are they not sons of some individuals? If they are daughters, are they from the tree? They are sons and daughters of some persons. If he says he wants to be governor, I will clap for him,” the PDP boss reportedly said.

    The statement allegedly re-ignited the suspicion that Awwal would be imposed on the party by the national leadership of the party as the gubernatorial candidate in 2015, forcing stakeholders to take the decision to kick against such move by the Tukurs.

    “The situation now is such that Awwal’s ambition has become a problem for his father. Nobody is ready to look at his eligibility and suitability for the job anymore. The mere fact that there is suspicion that his father is behind his ambition has created a moral problem for him.

    This is also likely to cause a face-off between the national chairman and some leaders of the party in Adamawa State. Given the many crises within the party at the national level and in many states nationwide, this is not a good development at all,” our source added.

    Findings by The Nation howver revealed that in a bid to present a united front in the looming battle against the Tukurs, the stakeholders may also adopt a leading gubernatorial aspirant, Dr Umar Ardo, as a consensus candidate for the 2015 governorship race.

    It was gathered that the idea of a consensus candidate came up during one of the meetings and Ardo’s name was bandied by the majority of party chieftains and other stakeholders present.

    “The issue of a consensus candidate came up when someone raised the issue of how the high number of aspirants may help Tukur to swing victory in his son’s way. It was suggested that some of the aspirants should be advised to quit the race so that the party will be united in its quest to resist imposition.

    Although the idea is still being discussed, there are indications that many of the party chieftains and elders will line up behind Ardo. This followed a recent shower of encomiums on the governorship aspirants by party leaders for what they described as his “gallant opposition” to Governor Murtala Nyako before the latter decamped to the APC.

    The commendations came at an elders and stakeholders meeting with the newly elected state and local government executives of the party in the Dougire House of Prof. Jibril Aminu in Yola.

    Prof. Aminu, who chaired the meeting, commended the efforts of Dr. Ardo, saying that he worked and fought more than “all of us here” to get the PDP where it is today in the state.

    He described Ardo as the party’s pillar in the state, adding that Dr Ardo has contributed immensely to the struggle to liberate the party with finances, logistics, legal battles, strategy and other needed support, “without which we would not have achieved much” and advised politicians to look out for leaders from among the likes of Dr. Ardo.

    Other party chieftains like Dan Suleiman, Juta, Hannaniya, Hong, Sen. Bent, Sen. Tukur and Modibbo, also praised Ardo for his unflinching commitment to the cause of the party and the state.

    Political analysts are of the opinion that should the stakeholders stick to their gun in the choice of candidate, the national chairman, who is allegedly not a fan of Ardo, may soon be embroiled in another round of intra party squabbles within his home state.

    “Even if Tukur backs out of his allegd plot to make his son governor, he is likely to oppose the choice of Ardo and this will once again pitch him against the stakeholders,” a source said.

  • ‘Nigeria’s future must be addressed at roundtable’

    ‘Nigeria’s future must be addressed at roundtable’

    Comrade Abba Moro, Minister of Interrior was recently in Benue for a social engagement. In this encounter with journalists, he spoke on issues of politics, his ministry and many more. Uja Emmanuel was there for The Nation.

    Would you give an update on your ministry’s efforts aimed at decongesting Nigerian prisons?

    Well, the major problem we have had with Nigerian prisons has been this perennial problem of prison congestion. And various efforts have been under taken to address the issue of prison congestion in Nigeria. But unfortunately, these efforts have been mere scratches on the surface and they have not gone far enough to address the main issue of prison congestion. Today, in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan, we have attempted to confront this menace headlong.

    As at today, I can tell you that out of 54,000 prisoners in Nigeria prisons, 37,000 of them, representing over 70 percent, are awaiting trial and most of them are on issues that ordinarily, if we had adjusted our judicial system, the issues would have been addressed long ago and the people either convicted or let off the hook for long.

    I am afraid, some of these persons have spent longer number of years in the prison than ordinarily they would have spent if they had been allowed access to justice and have been tried and either convicted or released. And so, today, we are trying to address the issue from the basic roots.

    Is there any synergy between you and some countries in trying to achieve this feat? This is because we learnt there have been contemplations to bring home close to a thousand Nigerian prisoners in other countries for trial?

    I think you are referring to Britain specifically. At the moment we have five hundred and forty Nigerians in various British prisons. Also, we have a bilateral agreement with Britain on prisoner transfer which is awaiting implementation as a result of some legal hindrances that are being addressed by the National Assembly now. We hope that by the time these encumbrances of the law in Nigeria, especially the one that has to do with prisoner consent, are addressed by the National Assembly, then the implementation should start.

    But before then, it became necessary, based on part of agreement that we have reached with the British government that joint efforts be made between the government of UK and Nigeria to address the problem of reasonable accommodation for prisoners that are likely going to be transferred from British and other European countries to Nigeria. So, today, in conjunction with the British government, we have been able to construct two blocks of prison cells in Ikoyi Prisons and work is at advanced stage towards the completion of the prison in Illorin. At Ikoyi Prison, work is also at advanced stage in completing the watch tower in that prison. So, in essence, it is true that we are working in conjunction with some foreign countries in order to improve the prison conditions in Nigeria.

    Again, it is of public knowledge that your ministry has embarked on the construction of para-military villages across the country. How far have you gone with that project?

    Yes, it is about six months now since Mr. President graciously laid the foundation for the construction of para-military villages across the country. As at today, about thirty states of the federation have allocated lands for the para-military villages and we are working on the remaining states. Of course, FCT has granted and that is where Mr. President laid the foundation.

    So, for easy mobilisation and cohesion of actions, we embarked on this construction of these para-military villages with the hope that where officers and men of the various agencies in the Ministry of Interior especially the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps are accommodated in a common place, then mobilization for emergencies becomes a lot easier than if they are scattered in various places within the work place.

    It is alleged at certain quarters that current cases of violence in the country is a calculated attack on leadership. How would you react to this?

    There is no doubt that when issues like this occur, especially, the sectarian crisis in the North East that has no definable cause that is demonstrated by the leadership of that sect, the tendency is for people to jump into the inevitable conclusion that it is the leadership, the head of the state, that is being attacked.

    When you put one and two together, coinciding with the period of this crisis in Nigeria, which aggravated immediately after the 2011 election that was disputed by some politicians, there is this tendency to extrapolate the reason to the level of characterizing it as an attack on the ship of the state. That it is the result of the utterances of the leadership of some political parties, especially presidential candidates of political parties that they will make the country ungovernable for the ruling party and the leadership of the country that has created this impression that people are holding so high.

    Especially that Boko Haram sect and its members have not demonstrated enough courage, like other militant organisations, to come out openly t identify themselves as the leaders and members of the sectarian group and openly canvassing the reasons they are attacking the state. I think that while one may not conclusively say that this is a direct attack on the leadership of the country, all issues, circumstances point to that direction.

    You are a Nigerian from Benue State and an Idoma in particular, do you think we need dialogue now?

    Well, let me take you down the memory lane. By whatever name that you call it the issue of dialogue, the issue of sovereign conference, the issue of constitutional conference have been on the front banner of national discourse for sometime. Nigerians upon the institutionalization of the 1999 Constitution have always clamoured for a political frame work and its grand norm that is anchored on the ‘we the people of Nigeria.’ This is because there has been this general feeling that the constitution as it is today was the hang over of military dictatorship to Nigeria and that the average Nigerian did not make sufficient input into the constitution that is the ground norm of rulership in Nigeria .

    So, from whatever angle you look at it, either coming from the South-West of Nigeria, from civil society organisations, from political activists and lawyers of some repute, there has been this call for some sort of conference that will accommodate some sections of Nigeria to discuss the future of Nigeria. The need for Nigeria as one cohesive, indivisible country should be addressed by Nigerians at a round table.

    Considering what just happened in the Anambra State governorship election, do you foresee INEC delivering in 2015?

    Let me say that the Anambra situation is an isolated situation that cannot be an iron cast barometer for measuring what will happen in Nigeria in 2015. Anambra State was there in 2007, in 2011 and elections were conducted by INEC in Nigeria successfully. In fact, the 2011 election was adjudged as the fairest and the freest election that we have ever had in Nigeria. So, today, I think that people who are using Anambra State and the elections that have come out of it now as a basis for instilling fear in the minds of Nigerians about the political prospects of Nigeria in 2015 are not good students of history.

    I can tell you that from 1999, and I think up to date, and I stand to be corrected, Anambra State has not been able to successfully conduct a local government election. since the inception of this democracy,

    Anambra State has had to do with caretaker committees in the local governments.

    As far as I know, from 1999 to 2007, local governments in Anambra State were administered by Caretaker Committees appointed by the governor. And I can tell you that I was once a participant in one of the elections; congresses of Peoples Democratic Party for the mere conduct of ward and local government congresses for the PDP in Anambra State and it came inconclusive. And so, I think that INEC is just a little unfortunate in the present circumstances

  • Confusion in South-West PDP over ministerial nominees, 2015 polls

    Confusion in South-West PDP over ministerial nominees, 2015 polls

    Of the six zonal chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the South West zone appears to be the most crisis-prone if the controversies over the list of new ministerial nominees and the 2015 governorship election are anything to go by, reports Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency appear to be losing patience with its South-West zonal chapter over the seeming intractable crisis that has bedeviled the party in the last couple of years, The Nation has reliably gathered.

    The latest crisis confronting the party in the zone, it was learnt, is not unconnected to the list of ministerial nominees sent to the Presidency; its inability to elect a substantive National Vice Chairman almost four months after the party’s national convention held in Abuja, and the dearth of viable candidates to fly the party’s flag for the 2015 governorship election.

    Sources disclosed that while other zones across the country have reached a consensus on the list of new ministerial nominees sent to the Presidency, a couple of weeks ago, chieftains of the South-West PDP are still allegedly engaged in a war of attrition over who should fill the zone’s slot, which became vacant following the sacking of Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru as the Minister of Foreign Affairs by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The battle on who gets the slot, according to sources, is fiercer between the Lagos, Ogun and Osun states chapters of the party, as leading figures in each of these states have been allegedly engaged in an extensive underground lobbying in order to swing the pendulum in their favour.

    What has further compounded the issue is based on an unconfirmed report that Jonathan has not yet made up his mind on who is to be picked out of the 18 nominees comprising of three names each from the six South-West states that was sent to the Presidency.

    For instance, the Lagos and Osun states chapters of the party sometime ago, engaged in a war of words over the suitability of its nominees, with each chapter putting up arguments over which state should produce the new minister from the zone.

    While a chieftain of the party in Lagos State, Chief Olabode George, has been allegedly canvassing for a member of the party in the state to be appointed as minister, the Osun State chapter is also throwing up reasons why its alleged nominee, Chief Olu Adeniji, who is currently the Chairman of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), should replace Ambassador Ashiru in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    Election of National Vice Chairman still uncertain

    With no substantive National Vice Chairman to pilot the affairs of the party in the zone and fight for its interests at the national level, the South-West PDP is heavily paying the price of disunity much to the displeasure of concerned party members.

    Some months ago, following the expiration of the tenure of the interim executives of the zone, led by Chief Ishola Filani, five of the six chapters of the party in the South-West namely Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Ondo, resolved to elect Filani as the substantive boss of the party in the zone.

    This decision, it was learnt, was opposed by Chief Olabode George, who allegedly lobbied a powerful aide of the President to prevail on the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to suspend the election of the National Vice Chairman for the South-West indefinitely.

    Sources alleged that having come to the conclusion that his anointed candidate for the position had no chance against Filani, George allegedly convinced the national headquarters of the party to put in place another interim executive that would pilot the affairs of the party.

    However, this arrangement which brought in Engineer Adedeji Doherty as the interim National Vice Chairman rather than foster stability for the party in the zone has become an albatross of sorts.

    Though known to be a committed party man, many members are alleging that Doherty lacks the stature to unify the party, which has been torn apart as a result of mutual distrust among its key stakeholders.

    The battle for 2015 governorship tickets

    Just some months away to the 2014 governorship election in Osun and Ekiti states, the PDP, despite its open bravado that it was set to dislodge the All Progressives Congress-led administrations in the states, is strewn in an internal crisis, particularly among its governorship aspirants.

    In Osun, about ten aspirants have indicated their interests in the governorship race. They include Chief Iyiola Omisore; a former Minister for Youth Development, Olasunkanmi Akinlabi and the former National Vice Chairman of the party in the South-West, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, to mention but a few. Another name being widely touted is that of a former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, who unconfirmed reports have it, may dump the PDP for the Labour Party (LP) to pursue his governorship aspiration.

    Many observers are eagerly looking forward to how the Osun PDP will pick its 2015 governorship ticket, even as there are strong indications that many of the aspirants may not work with Omisore, who allegedly controls the party structures and may likely clinch the governorship ticket.

    The case of Oyo State is even more complicated. The reported interest of a former governor of the state, Adebayo Alao-Akala, to return to the seat he vacated in 2011 is generating ripples within the party.

    Until recently, Akala was allegedly gearing up to contest for the Oyo North senatorial seat presently being occupied by Hosea Agboola.

    What prompted the change of mind is not clear yet, but The Nation gathered that Akala’s ambition may further polarise the party down the line, as he is known not to be on good terms with other party stakeholders including the former Senate Leader and also a governorship aspirant, Teslim Folarin, Senator Lekan Balogun, Wole Oyelese, amongst others.

    But in spite of this seeming obstacle, the former governor is allegedly not looking back. Just a few days ago, his scheduled visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, apparently on a fence mending mission was cancelled at the last minute at the instance of the monarch.

    In the run-up to the 2011 general elections, Akala and Oba Adeyemi fell apart, a factor many argue, contributed largely to the latter’s loss at the polls. In the four local governments within Oyo, Akala lost to the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Abiola Ajimobi, who eventually won the governorship contest.

    Ekiti State not different

    Arguably the state with the longest list of governorship aspirants in the South-West PDP, the scenario in Ekiti State is also quite unpredictable.

    The recent endorsement of a former deputy governor of the state, Chief Abiodun Aluko, by some stakeholders of the party has not gone down well with other aspirants, including Mr. Ayo Fayose, Dayo Adeyeye, Gbenga Aluko and others.

    The larger than life image of the Minister for Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade, who is also allegedly interested in the 2015 governorship is also another issue that will likely crop up when the PDP primaries get under way.

    Ogun State, a bit stable

    Though no notable member of the Ogun PDP has declared his intention to challenge the incumbent governor, Ibikunle Amosun, at the polls, what is not in doubt, however, is that whoever gets the endorsement of the party’s major financier, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has a good chance of clinching the party’s ticket.

    But the nonchalant disposition of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to the affairs of the party is giving some members a cause for concern. Having lost out in the control of the party both at the state and national levels, the former President, many fear, may work against the interests of the party when the chips are down.

    Jonathan’s pact with Mimiko

    How true is the rumoured pact between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko?

    This is the big question being asked among members of the South-West PDP, many of whom are alleging that the Presidency may have decided to hand-over the speculated re-election campaign of the President in the zone to Mimiko.

    The President’s decision, according to sources, is allegedly premised on the notion that major leaders of the PDP in the South-West cannot be relied upon to deliver the goods in 2015.

    Due to the numerous challenges confronting it at the moment, the South-West no doubt has a lot on its plate ahead the 2015 general elections.

  • JKF: One great term deserves another

    JKF: One great term deserves another

    “Others say it cannot be done. But go ahead and do it!
    That is the stuff history makers are made of.” Anonymous

    The most memorable moments of life’s varied encounters sometimes come without a force or fanfare. But as events unfold years later, we come to recognize their landmark nature and what truly defined them. Such was my first chanced meeting with the former governor of Lagos state, the icon of democracy, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It remains an unforgettable scenario which was replicated later with the current, highly resourceful governor of Ekiti state, the ‘Land of Honour’, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi.

    For the former, waves of nostalgia feather me back to 1993.One can still vividly recall that I was just settling down at the Guardian Newspaper under the tutelage of one of Nigeria’s finest sub-editors of his generation, Mr.Gbenga Omotosho. It was during one of the most turbulent periods of the nation’s chequered political history with the crude and callous annulment of the June 12 presidential election, adjudged to have been freely and fairly won by Chief M.K.O Abiola (of blessed memory).

    It was on my assignment to cover the post-election crisis that trailed the aforementioned annulment by the famed military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, IBB when I first encountered the Asiwaju, one of the pillars of the struggle to actualize that mandate. Back then however, his compelling political pedigree and persona were yet to unfold like the colourful flower’s petals to the sun’s glorious rays before he slipped into exile, to the United States during the Abacha regime’s dreaded military dictatorship.

    Still, he was elected and sworn in as the governor of Lagos state, the Centre of Excellence, in 1999. I elected to watch his government from a distance. That was, until the charm of his then Chief Press Secretary, Mr.Segun Ayobolu, drew the attention of notable journalists to his government. Coincidentally, media missiles were then flying all over the political sphere; mostly to ascertain what form and shape his government would take as the take-off itself was up against the clouds precisely in the first six months. But it was not long before he exhibited a master stroke with the whirlwind of a media tour.

    On that momentous occasion, he looked relaxed with a wan smile playing around his lips as he gave details of his master plan to institute enduring structures in Lagos State. Good enough for his administration some six months later, his promises had started bearing fruits. What with massive infrastructural development in the critical areas of road construction, education, primary healthcare delivery and the transport sector. With them came free eye screening project, LASTMA and LAMATA just to name a few. The rest, as they say is history.

    Incidentally, a similar scenario was about playing itself out in my encounter with the current governor of Ekiti state, JKF. First, was the opportunity for me to gain from his fecund mind as one enjoyed reading his thematically relevant and thought-provoking essays in the African Guardian where he had worked briefly. That was before one’s professional ship of journalism safely berthed there. Subsequently, I got more acquainted with him when he became a major fighter in the pro-democracy group. That was during the desperate struggle to find answers and validate the June 12, 1993 election impasse.

    Worthy of note was the fact that he was the brain behind the immensely popular Radio Kudirat that sent shivers down the spine of late General Abacha’s military monstrosity. All because of the implicit trust the western world reposed in him, JKF became the dependable link between it and the pro-democracy activists. It is on record that twice he was offered huge sums of money in hard currency, surreptitiously to play the Judas and thwart the collective will of Nigerians and twice he rejected the lure of the lucre which he considered evil.

    On this score, I had no hesitation in throwing my weight behind him when he took the bold decision to throw his hat into the gubernatorial ring of his state. But in a similar vein to the encounter with the Asiwaju, I waited, patiently for two years to critically assess the political situation in Ekiti state if he would match words with action. Specifically, in line with the promises he had made during the electioneering campaign and the well articulated 8-point Agenda.

    Now, some three years on JKF has indeed, walked the talk; making my generation proud to be associated with a performer-per-excellence. In a paradigm shift from the average Nigerian politician angling for power only for self aggrandizement, he has directed the tool of governance to be more people-oriented. From massive infrastructural development through truly free education and human capacity development policy to modernizing agriculture, health care services, industrial development to opening up the beautiful tourists attractions for the entire world to see and gender equality, JKF has become the agent of change.

    He made history as the first governor in Nigeria to sign into law the Freedom of Information (FoI) Law on Monday, July 4, 2011.This was to set the template to ensure that government business is conducted with the desired probity and accountability.

    In the area of infrastructural development there are various road construction going on in towns, villages down to the remotest settlements parts of the state. This was attested to during his recent tour across the local governments to commission one project or the other. Not too long ago he commissioned ten major roads totaling 103 km in fulfillment of the promise to make the state accessible by motorable roads by 2014.

    To exhibit the human face nature of his administration, it is a notable fact that Ekiti state is also the first in the country to practically demonstrate a welfare scheme for the aged as the indigent elders are receiving N5,000 monthly. Only recently,the Federal Government keyed into it by expanding the programme to reach selected women in the state. After one year of receiving the stipend they could be offered soft loans to start their businesses. This is commendable and should be emulated by other state governments in the country.

    His imprint in the area of education would remain an enduring legacy.Said he: “The entirety of the programme is about quantitative and quality education from primary to secondary schools. And this is all encompassing involving the students, the teachers, the parents, the corporate and civil organizations and the public. It also involves good infrastructure, the conducive environment and every other value that can aid development in the sector. So, in Ekiti state, no student is asked to pay a kobo as school or whatever fee.”

    Similarly he stated that: “Many dilapidated school buildings which had not been touched for 40 years are being demolished and rebuilt with work at completion stage in various public schools.”

    Not left out is the health sector. For instance, he has commissioned a health centre at Ido Ile and a Skills Acquisition Centre at Iropora Ekiti which were carried out under the State Community and Social Development Agency. There is a regular health monitoring of the citizens through medical check ups which are free in addition to the cancer centre built in memory of the late deputy governor of the state.

    The governor also commissioned five water treatment plants at Ipole Iloro, Efon, Ido Ile, Okemesi and Mary Hill Ado Ekiti as part of people-oriented projects scheduled to mark the second anniversary of his administration. The aim is geared towards providing potable water to at least 80 per cent of the state population by 2014.In a complementary gesture, all the four dams in the state would become functional as a bulk of the 2013 budget is to be earmarked for the delivery of potable water.

    To up the ante in the tourism sector,the popular Ikogosi Warm Spring has been upgraded with requisite infrastructural development to make it a tourist’s haven, as some cultural festivals are being rejuvenated to enhance the industry.

    To boost the capacity of the power sector, the people of Odo Uro, a communtiy in Iyin Ekiti are delighted as the governor commissioned a rural electrification project. The work done involved about 0.1km Inter Town Connection (ITC), 1.8km Township Distribution Network (TDN), a 300KVA transformer and street lighting.

    Indeed, if leadership entails the unfailing elements of vision, the uncommon capacity to identify the most pressing needs of the led majority and provide them, the courage to do the right thing at the right time and of course, being a beacon bearer to show the people the way out of the long, dark tunnel of poverty and apathy, Governor Kayode Fayemi is an epitome of it all. Having proven his mettle so far, one great term deserves another.

  • Lawmaker seeks better governance at grassroots

    A member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Samson Onademuren, on Tuesday in Lagos said there was an urgent need for public office holders at the grassroots level to improve service delivery to the people who voted them into office.

    Onademuren told The Nation that there was more to be done to improve the quality of service, policy making and good governance in the country, especially at the local government level.

    “The local governments are the closest to the people. For the people who voted us all into office to feel the impact of the government as much as expected, governance at the grassroots must be up and doing in the area of service delivery and policy formulation,” he said.

    The lawmaker pointed out that politicians, more than any other people, would benefit from the efficiencies and improved service from the government to the people at the grassroots.

    “If the people feel the impact of government in their everyday lives, they will be happy. In turn, the people will show appreciation to politicians by supporting and re-electing us,” he said.

    He urged elected public office holders to always remember that the only reason they are in office is to protect the interest of the people.

    “If we do this always, we will find ourselves striving, not to please ourselves, but to ensure that the people we represent get the very best of dividends of democracy during our tenure,” he added.