The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • A party and its culture of intolerance

    A party and its culture of intolerance

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is baring its fangs. In a bid to weaken the Baraje faction, it has clamped down on activities of the splinter group, disrupting its meetings and intimidating its leadership. Now, critics are warning that the intolerance of opposition may grow in leaps and bounds, ahead of the 2015. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

    It is a repeat of the 2007 episode. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had dumped the ruling Peoples Party (PDP) for the Action Congress (AC). Before his defection, he was targeted for political liquidation. He became a nominal figure in the administration, with no role to perform. A kangaroo administrative panel was set up, with the pre-determined goal of indicting him. Abubakar only escaped the President’s hammer by running to the temple of justice.

    The former Vice President, who returned to the party after the 2007 elections, is on a familiar terrain. He and other aggrieved chieftains in the Baraje faction may soon face sanctions for splitting the party. Although the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has said that the members of the faction will not be dragged before the Umaru Dikko Disciplinary Committee, party sources said the National Working Committee (NWC) may soon wield the big stick.

    Two weeks after the Baraje faction kicked off its protest against perceived injustice in the party, its arrowheads were threatened with sanction. The factional Financial Secretary was forced to retrace his steps, following the threat by the Federal Government to revoke his contract with notable government agencies.

    The embattled National Chairman, Tukur, has also threatened fire and brimstone. Warning the faction against polarising the fold, he said, if the chieftains fail to retrace their steps, the PDP will crush the rebellion.

    However, the intimidation and harassment did not deter the seven governors-Alhaji Babangida Aliyu (Niger State), Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Alhaji Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Admiral Muritala Nyako (Adamawa), Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano), Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, and Mr. Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers)-from forging ahead with their onslaught against the party.

    The governors are popular in their states. As state leaders of the party, they command the loyalty of many members. The fear that the faction may pull off the rug from the Tukur’s feet may have led President Goodluck Jonathan to take some drastic steps to cling its wings. However, the Publicity Secretary of the faction, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze, has objected to the incessant intimidation, harassment and oppression. He said the aggrieved members have become endangered species, alleging that President Goodluck Jonathan has employed unconstitutional means to cripple them politically and economically.

    The President has declared war on the faction, in fragrant disregard for the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees fundamental human rights for citizens, he said.

    Eze stressed: “It has become necessary for us to cry out, in view of the war declared on the New Peoples Democratic Party and its members by certain agents and henchmen of the Goodluck Jonathan Administration, who have embarked on a mission to intimidate us, using various unconstitutional means to achieve their selfish goals”.

    Urging the President to act as a statesman, he said it is necessary to halt the activities of “the agents of confusion and enemies of democracy” bent on wrecking havoc on the nation.

    To many observers, the culture of intolerance by the PDP is worrisome. The Federal Government has been livid over the setting up of factional structures by the Baraje Group. Thus, its first move against the faction was to seal off its secretariat in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Eze protested the atrocity, saying that it violated the right of citizens to acquire property in any part of the country. The state offices of the faction were also sealed off.

    The National Secretary of the faction, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, lamented that these atrocities were committed, despite the subsisting case against Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and his National Working Committee (NWC).

    Three weeks ago, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA marked the sealed national secretariat for demolition on the excuse that it was originally approved as a residential building. But Eze, who suspected a foul play, said that the property had been used as the national secretariat of the National Democratic Party (NDP before the New PDP acquired it and the same FCTA kept mute. Thus, he accused the FCTA agents of over-zealousness.

    When the faction was denied access to the sealed building, its leaders opted for the the Adamawa State Lodge, Abuja. In a swift reaction, the building was also sealed off. The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, explained that the area is not for commercial activities.

    However, the private residences of the factional leaders were not spared. Kwakwanso’s property in Abuja was revoked by the minister. The same treatment was meted to Senator Aisha Al-Hassan from Taraba State, whose event centre, A-Park Gardens, which has been in operation for many years, was suddenly revoked by the FCTA. The property may even be demolished, if he refuses to dump the faction

    Also, the security details attached to former Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki and his Gombe State counterpart, Alhaji Danjuma Goje, have been withdrawn. Also, Alhaji Kawu Baraje has suffered the same fate. There are also speculations that he may be removed as the Chairman of the Railway Corporation by the President.

    Amaechi of Rivers State was the first victim of the Federal Government’s onslaught. He now operates without an Aide De Camp and a Chief Security Officer. Eze alleged that he was stripped of his security details to pave the way for his kidnapping or assassination, if it is difficult to remove him peacefully. Also,the police orderlies of the Rivers State Secretary to Government (SSG) and Amaechi’s Chief of Staff have also been withdrawn without any cogent reasons.

    The Baraje faction has also alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been incited against the aggrieved PDP chieftains. Eze said that Saraki and his former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva are victims. “We understand that the worst is yet to come as this unserious organ masquerading as an anti-graft agency would soon be unleashed on all our key members in both the Senate and House of Representatives in an operation code-named “Operation Coerce Them Back to Tukur”, he added.

    Eze also complained that the police, which have failed woefully to halt the menace of Boko Haram, kidnapping, assassination and other criminal acts, have received “a fresh mandate to frame up our members and term them criminals to keep them at bay”. He said the experiment has already started in Bayelsa, the home state of President Jonathan, where there is an opposition to his second term ambition.

    Eze said that the police is on the prowl in Bayelsa. He said theor first target was Chief Richard Kpodo, the state chairman of the Barage group. He was a member of the President Jonathan Campaign Team in 2011. The State Secretary, Sidi Godwill, was the Zonal Youth Leader of the PDP. The two chieftains can no longer visit Bayelsa State just because of politics, Eze said.

    The Baraje faction said that the crackdown on its members took a new and frightening dimension on October 26, when Tonye Okio, the Publicity Secretary of the New PDP in Bayelsa State, was arrested by the police in his Abuja residence and taken to Bayelsa for a possible trial.

    In Gombe, the leader of the faction, Hon. Mohammed Magaji Doho. a lawyer and former Commissioner of Water Resources, was arrested, along with 68 supporters. Eze said that no reason was given for the arrest by the police.

    Two days ago, Oyinlola was prevented from taking part in the Gold Federation election. When he made enquiries, he was told that it was an order from the above.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned the frivolous arrests, saying that government was violating the freedom of expression and assembly. Its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the Baraje faction has not commiited any offence to warrant the assault and clampdown.

    Eze agreed with him. He said: “This ruthless trampling on our fundamental human rights leaves no one in doubt that the Jonathan Administration is intolerant of opposing views. Nigerians can now see what we meant when we said that these people are not democrats. They are intent on turning our country into a banana republic where the rights of Nigerians no longer count. Nigerians should prepare for the worst because today, it is the New PDP, but tomorrow, it would certainly, be somebody else”.

    He appealed to the President “to be a statesman and call these dogs of war to order before they do irreversible damage to our dear country”.

    He added: “We also call on Nigerians to intensify prayers for us and our troubled nation even as we restate our resolve not to go back on our sacred duty to reform the PDP and contribute our quota towards the evolution of a truly democratic Nigeria where the rights of all citizens are respected irrespective of their political affiliations”.

     

  • Why power should shift in 2015, by Ikimi

    Why power should shift in 2015, by Ikimi

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Tom Ikimi yesterday spoke on why power should shift from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the progressives in 2015.

    He spoke in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State capital yesterday, during the visit of the APC leaders to Governor Rotimi Amaechi to woo him and his supporters to the progressives camp. The governor received the APC leaders at a well attended rally by his supporters. The APC chieftains in attendance include Gen Muhammadu Buhari, Aiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Ikimi and the party spokesman Alhaji Lai Muhammed.

    Ikimi said: “APC is like an aspirin, pandol and codeine to destroy all illness. We are in the Southsouth to tell the people that the APC is ready to raise a new generation of young leaders and hand over to them”.

    Echoing the former Foreign Minister, Buhari said nothing good can come out of the ruling party Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The former military leader, who recalled his interactions with prominent indigenes of Rivers State in the past, said that the state has produced many assets, including Prof. Tam David-West, who served under him as the Minister of Petroleum, when he was the military Head of State.

    He hailed Amaechi for his leadership qualities, which he said, manifested in his giant strides across the sectors. The former military leader noted that the governor has invested much resources in education and human capital development, adding that the efforts would not be in vain.

    Buhari also lauded Amaechi for his achievements in the health sector, saying that his intervention in the sector has impacted positivelyon the people.

    He spoke on the mission of the APC leaders to the state, saying that the country must be liberated from bad governance.

    Buhari said: “Nigeria is endowed. We must rescue Nigeria and position it for good governance. We must seize the opportunity to rebuild the country. We need to give education to our people. It is the best investment. I congratulate Amaechi for that”.

    “In 2015, there is going to be a great deal of hard work for Nigeria”, he added.

    The Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of Association of Local Government (ALGON) Hon Chimbiko Akarolo, reiterated members loyalty to the governor. He said: “On behalf of ALGON, we welcome the leaders of the APC. We have one leader in the governor. For this country to grow, something must give way. We must move to the path of patriotism and greatness. Wherever our governor is going, that is where we will all go.

    “The true people of Rivers are with the governor. The governor has transformed our lives. he has provided education and healthcare. We have no cause to doubt our governor. We believe in his vision, courage and sagacity”.

     

  • Anambra 2013: Stakeholders seek peaceful, credible poll

    Anambra 2013: Stakeholders seek peaceful, credible poll

    Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State, stakeholders are calling for a peaceful, credible election. AUGUSTINE AVWODE reports

    TWO weeks to the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State, the concern of stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, the electoral umpire, security agents and traditional rulers, is how to ensure a peaceful and credible election. At a sensitisation workshop, which was held at the Women Development Centre, Awka, the state capital, last week, the challenge formed the kernel of discussion.

    The workshop was organised by the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi. The event was chaired by former Foreign Affairs Minister Major General Ike Nwachukwu.

    Following the arrival of Anambra State Deputy Governor Mr Emeka Sibeudu, who represented Governor Peter Obi, the event kicked off at 10.30 a.m.

    Obi said the programme was organised to elicit the support of the people towards a peaceful exercise. He recalled that similar workshops were organised in Benin, the Edo State capital, in June, last year and Akure, the capital of Ondo State, in September, shortly before the governorship polls.

    He pleaded with the stakeholders, particularly party leaders, candidates and their supporters, to abide by the resolutions of the workshop.

    Obi noted that 23 political parties are participating in the election. This, he said, would afford the electorate wider opportunities to make their choice. Advising the candidates and parties against “do or die”politics, the special adviser only one candidate will win.

    “There is, no doubt, that the political environment in the state is presently charged. However, only one candidate can become the governor at a point in time. An election should not be a do-or-die affair. Therefore, there is need to eschew the policy of ‘I and me’, and ‘if I do not win, then, nobody else should,” he said.

    Obi listed the conditions for a transparent poll. He said honest balloting and counting must be take place and the resolution of electoral disputes and grievances should be resolved according to laid down guidelines.

    The politician called for a ‘level playing field’. He reiterated President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to credible elections, urging the people to shun malpractices. “We also recall Mr. President’s unprecedented request that no one should rig election for him, nor spill any blood for his sake in the name of electoral victory. I commend this attitude to you”, he added.

    Obi commended Governor Obi for the peaceful atmosphere in the state. He said it should be sustained in the interest of the transition. “Anambra State is known for great feats and expectations; we must not fail this time”, he said.

    In his opening remarks, Nwachukwu said the workshop provided another opportunity for stakeholders to ensure an orderly transfer of power. He urged them to agree on modalities for a peaceful and credible election and abide strictly by the mutual agreement.

    The retired General urged the people to redeem the image of the state and prove that it is not a haven for election riggers. “In this small hall today, there are men and women who will make Anambra people proud. I urge you to shun the beghaviours that are not complementary to democracy. I believe we can turn a new page in the history of Anambra politics and set the standard for the rest of the country to emulate”, he said.

    Governor Obi, who was represented by Sibeudu, enjoined all contestants to abide by electoral regulations, eschew politics of bitterness and avoid unruly behaviour. The government he promised, provide a level playing ground before, during and after the election. Obi said: “This state and the entire country belong to all of us. If we make any mistake, history will hold it against us and our children.”

    Aviation Minister,Princess Stella Oduah, who was the guest of honour, was represented by Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe. She said the election would be a test case for the 2014 and 2015 elections, urging the flag bearers shun politics of violence. Oduah added: “What happens in the Anambra governorship election will set a standard and tone for the 2015 elections. Anambra is significant for 2015. We have no choice, but to get it right. If we get it right, others will fall in place. Let’s compete in the absence of thuggery and violence. Let those who lose join the winner, who must be magnanimous in victory.”

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, was represented by the Federal Commissioner on Political Matters, Hajia Amina Zakari. He said the electoral umpire was ready for the exercise.

    Jega highlighted the provisions of the Electoral Act guiding the electoral process. He said the stakeholders must create the environment for the processes to succeed. “It is in this context that the relevance of this workshop becomes apparent. Accordingly, I urge participants to use this platform to renew their respective commitments to maintain a culture of tolerance, respect for rule of law, eschew violence, admonish supporters to conduct themselves peacefully, and to remember that political competition is not a war, but an avenue for people to peacefully express their choices in globally recognised democratic channels as enshrined in our laws.

    “These, I believe, are the indispensable minimum conduct we require for the conduct and success of the Anambra State governorship election. It is our collective duty and obligation, as voters, contestants, party agents, security officials and the commission staff to ensure that the process goes on smoothly without rancour and violence”, Jega said.

    The National Chairman of National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr Yunusa Tanko, emphasised the need for internal democracy and party supremacy. He said:“The political parties are the anchor of the process of democracy and they must be protected.” To ensure a violence-free and credible poll, he urged the parties to comply with the code of conduct released by the INEC and the political parties. he also advised them to embark on issue-oriented campaigns, instead of a campaign of calumny and blackmail.

    The guest speaker, Ambassador George Obiozor, expressed concern over the prevalence of flawed elections in the country. He said the trend must not be allowed to continue in the interest of democracy. “Never before have we had more elections decided by the courts than by the ballot boxes as we have today. Actually, some judgments came when the supposed winner has nearly completed his of office. Hence, today, we have forced staggered elections and off-season elections all over the country, including Anambra State.

    “In Nigeria, the electoral process has become a judicial exercise, at its best. Have the courts taken over the role of the electoral commission? In fact, sometimes, it seems disturbing as judges also take over the role of the electorate and announce the winners. Some of these take place under very suspicious environments.

    “All these rigmarole and electoral manoeuvrings occur because elections in Nigeria have not been based on strong institutionalised structures. Consequently, elections become vulnerable to manipulations and machinations mechanisms. We must strengthen the national electoral institutions to ensure and guarantee a successful electoral process.

    “We must be aware of the serious harm, failed or controversial elections can do to the national spirit, to the concept of democracy, and to national integrity, honour or international prestige or image. But above all, the greatest damage remains that bad elections produce a leadership, whose legitimacy and authority are questionable and whose power is often looked upon with suspicion and anger.

    “We must therefore, improve the legitimacy of the leadership through free and fair elections or risk leadership with power without authority or authority without legitimacy”, he said.

    A politician, Dr Udenta Udenta, urged the people to recognise the special importance and sensitivity of the state to the Igbo nation. “It is not just a frontier to the West, but also a frontier to the North,” he said, adding that external forces who do not want Anambra and Ndigbo to survive, were behind the instability in the state.

    “They are those, who do not believe that the civil war has ended. The challenge is for Anambra people to rise and prevent the external aggressors from destroying their homestead”, he said.

    The President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo Igariwey, urged the INEC and security agencies to rise to the occasion. He challenged Anambra people, whom he described as the flagship of the Igbo nation, to make Igbo people proud by ensuring a flawless election.

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, said, irrespective of the capacity of some politicians for mischief during election, the polls will be free and fair, if INEC and the security agencies do their jobs effectively. He promised that the APGA will mobilise its supporters, in line with the code of conduct. Umeh said: “Our people are determined to prove that Anambra people are wise.”

     

  • PDP: A game of reconciliation and sanction

    PDP: A game of reconciliation and sanction

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a seven-member disciplinary committee to look into the allegations of indiscipline against members. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines its implication on the reconciliation in the party.

     

     

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated a seven-man National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), amid speculations that the party was planning to sanction dissenting members. The committee headed by ailing Dr. Umar Dikko, according to Tukur, is mandated to review cases of indiscipline and infraction against the party and recommend appropriate sanctions. The NDC was set up by the National Working Committee (NWC), in line with Section 57 (1) of the PDP Constitution, which states that, subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be a Disciplinary Committee of the party at every level consisting of seven members with proven integrity, one of whom shall have a legal background”.

    One of the offences listed in Section 58 of the constitution is the factionalisation of the party under whatever guise.

    Analysts are wondering why the Tukur group has constituted the disciplinary committee when some prominent chieftains, including seven governors, are locked in battle with the leadership. Has Tukur group foreclosed peaceful reconciliation with the aggrieved members? Is it a final onslaught against the Baraje faction? Is Tukur on witch-hunting mission?

    These questions are critical. in view of the setback suffered by the ‘New PDP’ in its quest to remove Tukur and secure recognition as the authentic group. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that the National Working Committee (NWC)led by Tukur is legal. Thus, it denied Baraje faction of recognition. The INEC decision was contained in a letter addressed to the National Secretary of the ‘New PDP’, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. It was signed by the commission’s Acting Secretary, Mr. U.S. Usman. The letter stated that Tukur and other members of the NWC members were duly elected during the two conventions monitored by its officials.

    Also, the faction suffered another setback at the Federal High Court. The court stopped the Baraje faction from parading itself as the authentic party. Similarly, a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Oludotun Adefope-Okojie dismissed a suit by the Baraje group asking the court to restrain Tukur and other NWC members from further parading themselves as the officials of the PDP. The court said it had no power to assume jurisdiction over the matter.

    Observers are of the opinion that the setbacks suffered by the Baraje group have emboldened the Tukur group to now wield the big stick on the “rebels”. That was what prompted the inauguration of the disciplinary committee, they said.

    Basking in the euphoria of the judgments, Tukur said that, henceforth, members of the New PDP would be treated as criminals. He described the factional leaders as “enemies of the oneness and greatness of our party”. He threatened to remove “all persons elected on the platform of our great party at all levels, who identify with the new faction”.

    Frustrated by the failure of consultations and meetings to reconcile both sides, Tukur drew the battle line. He vowed that those attempting to subvert the leadership of the PDP will not escape sanction.

    “There is only one lawfully recognised PDP and I am firmly in-charge. The PDP has only one duly elected National Executive Committee (NEC) under my chairmanship. I wish therefore, to state with all emphasis that any group of persons, parading themselves as leaders of NEC or any other organ of our party, are impostors, and I urge all Nigerians, especially the security agencies and other institutions of democracy, to regard them as such”

    The remarks were the clearest indication that the Jonathan Administration, pressured by an internal party rebellion, has jettisoned peace efforts. It is now spoiling for war.

    Tukur threatened that all persons elected on the platform of PDP, who identify with the rebels, will forfeit their seats as required by law. This statement indicates that Tukur may request the INEC to declare the seat of the rebellious lawmakers vacant. But lawyers have pointed out that this may not be easy. They pointed out that the lawmakers can retain their seats, if they can prove that their old party is factionalised.

    Attempts to remove any of the seven governors loyal to the Baraje faction is also difficult. This is because the governors control majority of lawmakers in their respective Houses of Assembly. To impeach a governor requires two-third majority of the state legislators.

    The seven PDP aggrieved governors have demanded for the removal of Tukur as the chairman. The allegations against him include his failure to convey the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, at least four times in a year as stipulated in the party’s constitution. They also want President Jonathan to drop his ambition for re-election in 2015. The governors also demanded that the suspension slammed on the Deputy National Chairman Dr Sam Jaja, and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State without due process be lifted. They asked for the restoration of Adamawa State executive loyal to Governor Murtala Nyako, which that was dissolved by Tukur, who also hails from Adamawa.

    The seven governors are still adamant. Now, Governors Aliyu Babangida (Niger), Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Murtala Nyako (Adama-wa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) and AbduFatah Ahmed (Kwara) may be seek refuge in another party. So are their co-travellers- former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senator Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Senator Shaba Lafiagi (Kwara), Oyinlola (Osun) and Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Nassarawa).

    The peace efforts by Generals Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Olusegun Obasanjo have failed to resolve the crisis as suspicion became rife that they may have taken sides.

    As the battle rages, President Jonathan is consolidating his hold on the ruling party. Although he has not unfolded his second tern ambition, but there are indications that he will run again and he will get the ticket, if Tukur is the chairman. The national leadership of the party also has the power to appoint caretaker committees in states where the tenure of the executive has expired. Currently, Sokoto, Adamawa, Rivers and Kano party executives are not under the control of the governors. It is also believed that Kwara, Jigawa and Niger may follow suit. The implication is that the governors in the affected states may not have influence over the delegates to the presidential primaries. Observers contend that the leadership of the party may have jettisoned reconciliation with the breakaway group as it has resorted to a clamp down on the aggrieved members. The police aborted a meeting of the ‘G-7 Governors’ and the Baraje group. The meeting scheduled to hold at the Sokoto State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja at 8p.m last Sunday was stopped by policemen. However, the members regrouped at an undisclosed location and dispersed.

    A public affairs analyst, Bernard Briggs, described the action as the height of intolerance and desperation. According to him, the disruption of the Baraje group meeting is a breach of the fundamental right to associate freely. “In fact, using the police to stop the meeting was a flagrant abuse of power. This is a pointer of what we should expect before and after the 2015 elections from the Jonathan Administration, should it remain in power beyond 2015. We are heading towards dictatorship in this country”, he said.

    Two weeks ago, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) sealed off the office of the Baraje group in Asokoro District. The group relocated to Adamawa State Government Lodge as temporary office. it was also sealed on the orders of the FCT Minister, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, on the ground that the buildings are located in residential areas. The FCTA has also threatened to demolish the house acquired by the new-PDP for a secretariat. The minister said that the move violated the Land use Act.

    A lawyer, Razaq Badru, condemned the action of the minister, saying it violated the constitution, which guarantees the fundamental right of every Nigerian to acquire and own property in any part of the country. Badru advised noted that the same property was used as the national secretariat by the National Democratic Party (NDP) before the new-PDP acquired it.

    “At that time, the FCTA did not realise that the property owner violated the Land use Act, but now, it wants to demolish the building in a hurry, simply because the authorities perceive the new occupant to be anti-government”, he added.

    The spokesman for the Baraje faction, Mr. Chukwuemeka Eze, said: “The invidious crackdown has been extended to individual leaders of the new PDP. The legally acquired Abuja property of Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano state has been revoked by the tyrannical Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed.

    “The same treatment has been meted to Senator Aisha Al-Hassan from Taraba State, whose event centre, A-Park Gardens, which has been in operation all these years, has suddenly been revoked by the FCTA and slated to be demolished any time from now. Information available to us indicates that property in Abuja owned by other new PDP leaders may suffer the same fate.”

    Briggs urged the Baraje group to expect more of human rights abuse from the Presidency and Tukur because they are planning to stampede them out of the PDP. The Baraje faction, according to him, should discontinue reconciliation moves and seek refuge outside the ruling party, if it wants to be relevant in politics in 2015. He said the main target of the Umaru Dikko-led disciplinary committee is the Baraje faction.

    A member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said reconciliation is no longer feasible with the governors, adding that appropriate sanctions would be applied to the rebel governors, who had indicated their interest to join the opposition party.

     

     

  • Southwest: No consensus on national conference

    Southwest: No consensus on national conference

    The Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference held the second Southwest consultative meeting in Lagos last weekend to collate the views of stakeholders on the agenda for the dialogue. Various groups submitted memoranda on the national question. But there was lack of consensus on the desirability of the conference proposed by President Goodluck Jonathan, reports Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU.

     

     

     

    Since 1993, Southwest has led the agitation for a Sovereign National Conference (SNC). Efforts by the Lagos lawyer, the late Chief Alao Aka-Bashorun, to convoke the conference were truncated by the military. But when the historic 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola was annulled by former military President Ibrahim Babangida’s regime, the agitation assumed a new dimension.

    However, when President Good-luck Jonathan proposed to set up a national dialogue, stakeholders in the region were divided. The division manifested at the second consultative meeting organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference headed by Dr. Femi Okurounmu in Lagos. No fewer than 50 interest groups submitted memoranda at the meeting, which was held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island. But it was also evident that many pro-national conference advocates shunned the forum, owing to their lack of faith in the President.

    When the first Southwest Stakeholders’ Forum was held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, the Labour Party (LP) government mobilised traditional rulers and some opinion leaders for the meeting. However, the Lagos meeting was a wide departure. Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ekiti state governments boycotted the forum. The boycott was in consonance with the position of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the proposed conference.

    Lagos lawyer, 80-year old Dr. Tunji Braithwaite described those opposing the conference as unserious people, assuring that it will succeed. Also, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) founder Dr. Fredrick Fasehun suggested that the government and political parties should be excluded from the conference, since it is the “conference of the Nigerian people”.

    Other stakeholders disagreed with them, urging a strategic dialogue before the real dialogue. Apparently reflecting on the division over the representation at the conference, the Coordinator of the OPC, Otunba Gani Adam, warned against excluding the government and political parties from the process. “The parties will be throwing stones at the conference. They have the machinery to fight the conference”, he said, advising the Federal Government to make it an all-inclusive conference.

    The Southwest’s response has been seriously affected by the politics of antagonism in the region. The division in Afenifere came to the fore. At the NIIA, prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, led by Pa Rueben Fasoranti, and civil society groups filled the hall. However, prominent members of the Afenifere led by Deputy Leader Senator Ayo Fasanmi and APC leaders in the zone were absent. Also, unlike the Akure meeting, which was attended by traditional rulers, the monarchs from the five states did not attend.

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, who received the committee members at the State House, Marina, did not endorse the process. Although he acknowledged that a national debate is good, he pointed out that the reports of the previous conferences offered solutions to the national question. He urged the committee and the Presidency to tap from the past recommendations. In the governor’s view, the proposed conference is a waste of time and resources. Okurounmu disagreed. He said the 2005 Conference, of which he was a delegate, was undemocratic because government’s nominees were in the majority. Therefore, he said its report cannot be revisited. Although Okurounmu is bothered by the likely apathy in the Southwest, especially among the APC family, it is doubtful, if he can convince the APC leaders, who were his colleagues in the old Afenifere/Alliance for Democracy (AD), to change their minds. He has visited the party chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, but the former Osun State governor said that APC will not change its position.

    Even, among the representatives of groups that attended the meeting, there was no consensus on issues. Various organisations offered diverse opinions on critical issues, including the size of the delegates, eligibility of delegates, mode of selection, time frame and report ratification. For example, the Campaign for Democracy (CD) recommended a six month duration. Adams suggested that four months would be enough. The Committee of Indigenous Associations of Lagos State suggested six months. Observers however, agreed that the antagonistic ideas were normal.

    Anxious stakeholders temporarily converted the venue into a conference session by raising contentious issues that ordinarily should warrant a national conference. Okurounmu pleaded with them to wait till the conference, reminding them that he only had the mandate to collate ideas on the agenda and make recommendations to the President.

    The groups that submitted memoranda in Lagos include Yoruba National Assembly, Awori Descendants Union, Campaign for Democracy (CD), OPC, Southwest Consultative Council, Oke Ofun Development Council, Ndigbo Council and Coalition of Oodua Self-Determination Groups (COSEG).

     

    Yoruba Assembly

     

    The Convener of Yoruba Assembly, Gen. Alani Akinrinade declared at the meeting that a restrictive conference would be rejected, stressing that “no-go areas” are will not be entertained. In his view, all the issues, including the unity of Nigeria, is negotiable. Akinrinade submitted a 78-paged memoranda.

    The retired General proposed two bills. He said the first bill should give legitimacy to the conference. He said the second should ensure that, after the report has been ratified by the people, the National Assembly will now pass it into law. Akinrinade endorsed the 18 federating units proposed by the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO) in 2005. He suggested that ethnic nationalities should send delegates to the conference. The retired General insisted on referendum, stressing that it is counter-productive to submit the report of the conference to a National Assembly.

     

    Afenifere

     

    The pan-Yoruba group was represented by Mr. Yinka Odumakin. The group reiterated its support for the conference. But it maintained that it is dangerous to subject its recommendations to the National Assembly because many legislators were products of elections marred by apathy. Odumakin said that Afenifere believed in a referendum because sovereignty belongs to the people.

     

    OPC factions

     

    The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and Ndigbo Council said the conference should give room for self-determination and autonomy for the ethnic groups, if they desire them. Fasehun, said: “Any ethnic group that wants to opt out of the federation must have the opportunity to do so”. The OPC leader aligned with the Yoruba Assembly on the need to pass a bill in support of the conference. But he also stressed that, when the report is submitted to the National Assembly for inclusion in the constitution, the legislators have no right to tamper with it. He said the conference should be an all-inclusive conference of ethnic nationalities and social groups.

    However, Adams opposed the idea of putting the destiny of the conference in the hands of the federal legislators. He said that 80 percent of them do not support the conference, warning that “if we ask them to pass a bill the conference is dead on arrival”. The OPC Coordinator proposed a federation with a loose centre, six regions as federating units, devolution of powers, abolition of powers of emergency exercised by the centre, and payment of delegates by government. Adams also suggested that the national dialogue should have “sovereign decisions”.

     

    Ndigbo Council

     

    Echoing Fasehun, the representative of the Ndigbo Council, Dr. Uma Eleazu, said: “We should ask at the beginning of the conference whether we wantto stay together as a country. If the answer is no, that is the end of the conference. The Bible says that ‘can two work together, unless they agree?”

     

    Team of Nigerian Patriots

     

    This is not the popular “Patriots” led by Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN). This group is led by Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa. The former Alliance for Democracy (AD) Senate Leader spoke on the qualities of the delegates. He said, for Yoruba to be adequately represented, delegates on Yoruba platform should also come from Yoruba in Kogi, Kwara, Edo and Diaspora. “delegates should not be aeesmbled by the logic of money and political power”, he added. Akinfenwa also insisted on referendum for the validation of the conference report by simple majority.

     

    ARG, PRONACO, COSEG and ONAC

     

    The ARG suggested that 30 delegates should represent each administrative region. The group proposed 18 regions, adding that the conference should hold between March 1 and November 30 next year. ARG leader Hon. Olawale Oshun, said that “any ethnic group that does not agree to the conference’s outcome shall be free to seek its own sovereignty’. He added: “Since the conference will produce a new Constitution, we recommend that it be completed before 2015 elections, with a new Constitution to come into force latest by January 2, 2015. We recommend two tiers of conferencing: Administrative Regional Conferencing and the Pan-Nigeria Conferencing. Whatever is agreed at the Administrative Regional Conferencing will be the working document that the Administrative Regional Conference will present at the pan Nigeria Conference and that is what will be negotiated upon.”We are asking that each region should have the opportunity to decide who represents them and to that extent we are suggesting that representation from each region should not exceed 30 and we recommend that an additional 18 persons should be able to join the 30 people from each administrative zone so that at the end of it, we will have a total of 198. We also recommend that under no circumstance should any special interest group be considered, they are all members of the nationality and if they are interested in participating, they should be called from their nationality and within nine months the exercise should be completed”.

     

    Southwest Consultative Forum

     

    The Southwest Consultative Forum (SCF) said that mini-conferences should be held at the state, regional and national levels. The leader of the group, Dr Tunji Braithwaite, said that each local government should elect 10 representatives to the State Delegate Conference, each state in a region should send 10 elected representatives to the regional conference and each zone should send 60 delegates to the national conference. In addition to the 360 delegates, he proposed that non-voting 100 delegates should represent “technical or special interests”, including labour, judiciary, and other government agencies. “It is suggested that the ward consultations, local government conferences, state conferences, regional/zonal conferences and the national conference be held in 2014, and a national refrendum on the adoption of the new constitution be conducted before October 1, 2014, and coming into being on October 1, 2014, signifying the rebirth of Nigeria”, he added.

     

    Oke Ogun Development Council

     

    The group was represented by Real Admiral Amos Adedeji. The group suggested that representation at the conference should be based on local governments.

     

    Awori Descendants Union

     

    Former Lagos State House of Assembly member Hon. Bolwale Olasoji represented the group. The group called for a special status for Lagos State, a state indigenous character commission, the abolition of the Land Use Act, and equal representation by the ethnic nationalities.

     

    CD

     

    The leader of the group, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, warned that Nigeria may sink, if urgent steps are not taken. “Conference must have sovereign powers to make it a peoples’ conference”, she said. On the agenda for the conference, she said it should discuss the national question, especially the restructuring, national security, fiscal federalism, and human rights. Mrs. Odumakin suggested that foreign observers from the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) should serve as observers.

     

    Yoruba Unity Forum

     

    The group is led by Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi. It proposed 400 delegates to be drawn from the ethnic nationalities. The zones should be equally represented, but the Federal capital Territory (FCT) should be proportionally represented.

     

    EMIROAF

     

    The Secretarty-General of Ethnic Minority and Indigenous Rights Organisation of Africa (EMIROAF), Mr. Alfred Ilenre, urged the government to set up a conference of ethnic nationalities. Decisions at the conference, he said, should be by consensus. He said, in addition to the foreign observers, civil society groups can also serve as domestic monitors.

     

    ‘Nigeria O Possible Group’

     

    The group was represented by Mr. Gbenga Adesanya. Its suggestions include parliamentary system, a small government of six regions, abolition of state creation, full autonomy for councils and independent candidacy. Others are part-time legislature, amendment of the Land Use Act, self-sustaining university, citizenship rights, oil theft as treason, abolition of contract employment and the retention of the current centralised police structure.

     

  • ‘Conference committee should shun partisanship’

    ‘Conference committee should shun partisanship’

    In this prece, Otasowie Osazuwa contends that the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference may have compromised its credibility and fairness, judging by the controversy that trailed the ranconous stakeholders, meeting in Benin-City, the Edo State capital.

    When President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan announced his decision to convoke a national conference on October 1, 2013, the news was received with mixed feelings. For many, it should provide the long-awaited opportunity for the different ethnic nationalities to justify their continuous co-existence in an egalitarian Nigeria. In other words, they were convinced that the conference would provide the appropriate platform Nigerians need to address all the issues that seem to be threatening the unity of the people. Therefore, they had reasons to look forward to its convocation as it will surely provide the right atmosphere for the aggrieved to express their concerns with the hope that someone somewhere would listen to them and for once act right to save the country from one disastrous drift.

    Many were not so thrilled. Particularly for the fact that the country has had ten different conferences in the past, meant to address same issues without any meaningful result, they wonder how the proposed one will be different. Certainly, those were the views already on ground before members of the advisory committee on the proposed national conference made a cameo appearance in Benin City, Edo state capital to seek the opinion of the people of the South-South geo-political zone on Monday, 28 October, 2013. Senator Femi Okuruonmu, chairman of the committee made the point that the conference would address all issues, listen to all views without pre-judging anyone when the group paid a courtesy call on the state governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.

    Sadly, if what transpired at the Imaguero Colleague hall, venue of the event is anything to go by, there are indications that the conference may indeed, not be ready to listen to all Nigerians with different opinions. More or less, it goes a long way into proving that there may be a hidden agenda for the proposed conference, a reason for which stakeholders are convinced it may have died on arrival.

    Trouble began when, in the spirit of fair hearing, the Comrade Governor expressed his personal views about the proposed conference. It was to the effect that he has no faith that the conference outcome would be better than the others before it. While reiterating his misgivings, the governor was unambiguous about his readiness to eat the humble pie in the event of a successful outcome. “I want to make my own comments. They are my views and not the views of Edo State. It is not the view of any particular ethnic nationality. I think as a Nigerian, we all have a stake in this country and we have a duty to lay a solid foundation for the future of this country. I have a duty to be honest and truthful on the views and position that I canvass. My views are different. I asked the question, why are we having a national conference? I believe that anyone who convenes a meeting must be clear why he convened a meeting. I have had the opportunity to travel far and wide. You don’t assemble people and then ask them, what do we talk about? Whoever wishes to convene a meeting must be clear on what the issues are. When you have stated why the meeting was convened, you can then ask what should be added or deleted. When I was the NLC president, a former president convened a national conference. People from various states converged, money was spent and in the end I can’t remember what came out of that conference. It is a valid point to make that we failed before, we can make amend but it is important we learn from our history. I will be surprised if anything changes. As a leader, I have no business to mislead anyone. This conference will not be different from any previous conference…”

    Evidently, there is hardly any justification for anyone, let alone, a member of the presidential committee, to heckle him for airing his opinion. Indeed, some have argued that the governor should not have spoken the way he did for fears that his views can’t just be personal but a collective view of Edo people. The same people chose to forget that Nyiam, a member of the presidential advisory committee, represents the president. If they have not, they should be able to remind themselves that Nyiam’s action is not only a collective abuse on the people of Nigeria but also a slap on the integrity of Mr. President. The only good thing is that, so far, no rational observer has adjudged Nyiam’s reaction as proper even though he has attempted to justify it himself. For whatever it is worth, other members of the committee have given their verdict that his action is nothing but a sad commentary on the purpose for which they are touring the different geo-political zones. However, a closer examination of Nyiam, a retired army colonel with an odious pedigree, indicates that, acting the way he did simply proves the fact that he is on a familiar turf. For starters, Nyiam is the same man who almost gave millions of Nigerians a heart attack when he pushed a group of young Nigerian army officers into a coup with the ignoble aim of shredding the country into bits.

     

  • ‘House will not condone aviation scam’

    ‘House will not condone aviation scam’

    Hon.Jumoke Okoya-Thomas is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement. In this interview with Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, she blames the government for, according to her, deliberately weakening the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the enforcement of the Public Procurement law.

     

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA) said it has not done anything wrong. Could that be true, going by the provisions of the Public Procurement Law?

    Without being preemptive of the on-going hearing, I will say that is not correct because all agencies of government are aware of the Public Procurement law. I make bold to day that over 200 agencies were at our last interaction and were given the reviewed threshold. So, no one can claim not to be aware of the laws. So if anybody is doing the wrong thing on procurement, he is doing it intentionally..

    What we need to do as a government is to ensure that the punishments, as contained in the law is fully implemented to serve as deterrent. This is the only way to stop people from this impunity. Section 58 (5) of the Public Procurement Act states that ‘Any persons, who, while carrying out his duties as an officer of the Bureau or any procuring entity who contravenes any provision of this Act, commits an offense and is liable to a conviction of cumulative punishment of (a) a term of imprisonment of not less than five calendar years without any option of fines and (b) summary dismissal from government services’.

    I did not put this law there, but the will to implement it is key to sanity in this country and check excesses. Argument of lease purchase does not hold as long as they are going to pay with public funds and to say that NCAA is within the threshold makes it look like splitting the budget, which is another case on its own under the Procurement law.

    Why did the BPP and your committee fail to notice this scam before it gets to this stage?

    I am not surprised that the BPP said it was not aware of the procurement because it is at the end of the year, quarterly or sometimes bi-annually that they send the report to BPP, especially when the procurement is within the threshold of the Ministry. But in this particular instance, the procurement is well above the threshold. We are aware that people may want to circumvent things and that is why we have to circulate the update of threshold to all parastatals and Ministries when we met with all the Agemcies. They were all here, where we had an interactive session and we circulated the threshold so that on one would claim ignorant of the new threshold, policies and laws laid down for them to follow.

    Ordinarily, one would expect that anything beyond N100m would go to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to approve and the approval would then be forwarded to the BPP. The BPP will also relate between the Council and the agency and sometimes make adjustments and correct some aspects that have been presented to the President and likely to mislead him. Once all the grey areas are cleared, the agency issues Certificate of no objection regarding that particular procurement.

    I am however, surprised that a procurement of over N200 million was done within an agency without the approval of the FEC. Without wanting to preempt the outcome of the investigative hearing, and since it was not referred to our committee, we feel it is wise for us to await the outcome of the investigation.

    But your committee has a responsibility too…

    Our Committee has the responsibility to oversight BPP and since the core objective of of public procurement is to ascertain value for money, we have been having issues with the Ministry of Aviation and agencies under it for sometimes now.

    It might interest you to know that we have issued out not less than 12 invitations to the Minister of Aviation but she has not deemed it fit to respond even for once. She has always been giving us one excuse or the other. Apart from the fact that there are issues on the rehabilitation of airports around the country over issues of value for money which Nigerians are not getting, if she had taken her time to honour our invitation, maybe she would have been able to avoid this issue of threshold.

    What these heads of agencies don’t realise is that when we send out letters like that, it wasn’t to intimidate or witch-hunt them but to rub minds and enlighten them on the nitty gritty of the provisions of the Procurement laws. If she has been honoring our invitations, by now a lot of things would have been known to her and she would not be finding herself in this situation. When we invite these Ministers, my advise is that they should not see it as a personal thing but a way of forging a working relationship.

    There is no doubt that she has a case to answer with the BPP Committee

    Could the absence of a Board for the BPP be a contributory factor in this whole saga?

    The issue of the constitution of the Board of BPP is embarrassing as it has not been addressed till date. Sometimes, we need the cooperation of the executive. When we go out there, we want people to adhere to the provisions of the law. The impropriety that we are witnessing in this country is embarrassing to the nation. If you don’t take care of a particular aspect of the law but go ahead and implement another aspect means you do not wish the law, to succeed or be effective. The law must be implemented holistically for sanity to prevail in a nation. We have pushed for the implementation of that particular clause along the other parts they are implementing but they are not willing to apply that particular clause.

    We are pushing for the implementation of the Council of Board as contained in the Act but if they are not doing it, then they have their reasons, not that we are not doing anything about it. The job of the Board is to formulate policies for the agency and the DG is the Secretary of the Board but the idea is that more people will be able to contribute better than just one or two people especially when we are talking about trillions of Naira of appropriated funds..

    Can Nigerians be assured that your committee and the Bureau can check these excesses as both seem to lack the capacity to monitor government agencies?

    All we need is the political will to do what is constitutionally right. If you continue to call for meeting with a Minister but decides which Committee to honour, then there is a problem. In our case, the only thing we have not done concerning our invitations to the Minister of Aviation is issue a bench warrant of arrest and make her come before our Committee.

    Sometimes, you don’t want to heat up the polity by being cautious on some oft the information released to the public, but we have to learn to do things properly. What we are talking about is threshold but reports don’t get to us until the procurement is made, so what we do when it eventually gets to us is to check and make corrections. However, we are discussing with the House Leadership on how to get a certain software that would make our job of monitoring procurement procedures in our agencies that are more than 350. The software which costs millions of Naira can capture, monitor and show roll down all the agencies’ procurements to the last detail. That is a legacy we are desirous of leaving behind.

    Even the BPP can not capture all the agencies in this country because they do not have the technological capacity to do so, they do not have the software I am talking about. So, if we really want to beat corruption in our procurement sector, then we must have the will to put in place those things that are necessary to facilitate investigation, which I believe we are lacking. Ministry of Finance is able to do its work excellently just because they have the capacity and the facilities that simplify their job.

    I believe BPP needs assistance in that direction, but the point is, if the BPP is not aware of procurement going on in such places, and being the agency feeding us with information, then there is no way we, as a Committee can. If the BPP is not aware of such procurements, its because the agency involved has spent more than their threshold.

    What would you say about the protests for and against the actors?

    Protesting based on ethnicity would not augur well for this country but it is understandable that poverty is a contributory factor. Notwithstanding, our people should know realize that we have just this country to call our own and our conscience should always guide our action. A Minister in government is for the whole country, we should not sectionalize issues of national interest If we want to move forward and make sure things are done properly.

    Do you think the presidential panel would meet the expectations of Nigerians on this subject?

    I believe the panel is made of responsible people in our society and I am convinced they would not want to tarnish their image because they know that their integrity is at stake in this matter.

    The issue is in the public domain already and I am of the opinion that they would not let the expectations of Nigerians down on this matter. Since the executive has he power to set up the probe, while the House is conducting its own, we are all driving towards the same goal. I will not expect the presidential panel not to bring out a quality job.

     

  • ‘Why Edo is selling its property in Lagos’

    ‘Why Edo is selling its property in Lagos’

    The planned sale of the ‘Edo House’, the property of the Edo State government in Lagos, has generated controversy. Governor Adams Oshiomhole spoke with reporters in Benin-City, the state capital, on the transactions and other issues. Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia was there.

     

     

    Tempers are rising over the proposed sale of the Edo House by your administration.

    What informed this decision?

    I think that the whole essence of democracy is that people have the right to express support and people also have the right to condemn in the strongest term possible any matter of public interest for which they feel uncomfortable. That is what makes us an open society and we are prepared and ready to response to any question. First, Edo House has not been sold and it will not be sold secretly. Yes, we decided as a government at the level of the State Executive Council to look at the matter of Edo House and all issues around it and we came to the conclusion that it is in the interest of Edo State and, in particular, Edo Tax payers, that that property be put to the market in a very transparent manner. I emphasise this because governve been sold by previous government, including military and civilian, without the benefit of advertising it.

    If we wanted to have an underground transaction, to sell to ourselves or family, we will not need to advertise it. It is consistent with our commitment for transparency and accountability that we decided that, as a matter of obligation, we decided to advertise the house. However, having noticed some reactions, I thought that, giving an opportunity such as this, we put the matter to the public and more so, that it has not yet been sold, but our decision to sell it has not been revised, but we are willing to have an open mind and certainly, not an empty mind on this matter. I think I have a duty as your steward to share with you my conviction and reason why as the governor of Edo State, I approved of the decision to sell the house.

    What are the facts about Edo House, considering the stiff opposition from indigenes against the proposed sale?

    Edo House, as it is called, is located on a prime area, along with several states, which have similar properties in the same area. This was as a result of the fact that Lagos was the capital of Nigeria. Consequent upon the creation of Abuja, just as we are been summoned to Abuja from time to time, it was even more so during the military that governors had to go to Lagos for one meeting or the other. And of course, you need effective liaison between the state government and the Federal Government when Lagos was the capital of Nigeria. So, in order words, Edo House in Lagos was built to provide space for liaising services and secondly, to provide accommodation.

    In Edo House, we have what is called the governor’s chalet and the deputy governor’s chalet and other chalets to be used for government and non-government officials when they are in Lagos. As far as I know, that was the reason Edo House was built as at the time it was built. However, two things have happened. First, Lagos lost the status of being the capital of Nigeria when the capital was relocated to Abuja. Consequently, the issue of Lagos liaison between Edo State and the Federal Government can no longer take place in Lagos. Indeed, I am sure that many of you will know that the Federal Government has sold the Federal Secretariat and a lot of Federal Government properties in Lagos, although in some cases, in a controversial manner, but it has been sold.

    The 1,004 housing units, which used to house the National Assembly members, once Lagos lost it status as the capital and the parliament relocated to Abuja, the property was sold, and it remained sold to private companies because there was no need to maintain them when the parliament is no longer in Lagos. We can speak about several properties that have been sold. The state governments have sold their properties built for liaison purposes between those state and the former federal capital.

    We want to ensure that the investment we make is sensible and that you do not tie down money or asset that is performing so that the primary political purpose and even the social purpose is lost. The Edo House, before I assumed office, from records, showed that none of my predecessors stayed in that lounge. The governors and their deputies did not stay there because it has been in terrible shape and I can almost swear that, even if we decide to revise the decision, it is not likely to be used by my successors.

    What is your reaction to the argument that the property is commercially viable, contrary to the position of the state government?

    That again is not true and the answer is no. I have asked for all the evidence. My predecessor in government had contracted the management of Edo House to various estate agents. I confirmed recently that the managing agents have changed for six times and, from records, the last one was done by a commissioner under my government during my first tenure. Whether the agent has changed or not, the facts available are clear.

    The total annual estimated income, if and when it is paid in full by our agent, is put at N34 million, but even this amount was never realised in one year, certainly not since I assumed office and you all know how hard I have tried to collect every revenue available to the Edo State. But the record of my predecessors show that the return was even less as of that time. If we assume, without conceding, that we have been able to reaslise N34 million in 10 years, it will attract N340 million and, if you pay five per cent to the estate manager, your net would be N340 million in 10 years minus 10 per cent.

    In 20 years, it would be N620 million, in 0 years, we would have made N1. 36 billion. I want to imagine that we have seasoned estate managers. I also want to recall that, when I was the Chairman of the Nigeria Social Security Trust Fund, we were involved in acquiring real estate and I was told by the experts that, in trying to put value, whether it is viable to buy landed property, you are looking at a possibility of between 12 and 14 years. If you can’t recover your investment, it is not considered a viable asset.

    So, when I say that Edo House is not viable, it is because I believe, whether by reason of its location and what it might require to reposition it, it would be worth a couple of billions. I would be shocked certainly, if anybody tells me it would be less than that.

    Some people reason that it would be better to re-invest in it than outright sale?

    Yes, it is an option. We can decide to rebuild or renovate, but it would require more than half a billion naira to put the property in a rentable state to compete with other properties in that neighborhood. As your governor and steward, who has the privilege of collecting your taxes and putting those taxes into best use, the issue for me, is will it be in the interest of Edo people that I collect half a billion and take it to Lagos and re-invest it so that we can collect more rent? If we collect more rent, how many years? What is the commercial purpose?

    Don’t you think the Edo House represents a monument that needs to be preserved for children yet unborn?

    I have heard some people say that and I have tried to search for the meaning of the word monument in the Oxford Dictionary. Edo House is not one of our tourist attractions and there is no big history behind it. It does not depict our traditional value, neither was it designed by an architect that had in mind the peculiar Edo culture. And, if anybody says it represents our culture or it is a monument, then, I stand to be educated. A monument cannot be an asset that would be so bad that no body here would say he went to Lagos last week and stayed there. However, my first choice in arriving at the decision to sell, and this is in line with our commitment to raise revenue from any legitimate sources as we can in order to rebuild Edo State. Government, no matter how hard we try, never seem to get full value from property the way a private person would do. Some people have converted it to hotel and for short stay. I had to take your tax payers money to hire a senior lawyer and the case is running for, at least, three years now. As we speak, ejecting those tenants has not been possible and, if things go the way they are, the matter will be not be settled during my tenure. We are living painfully with an individual who is defrauding the Edo State government. For an individual property owner, there are many options to get rid of your tenants. For me, I am very clear of my mandate and obligation and it is to develop Edo State and not Lagos State because I am committed to divest in Lagos and re-invest in Edo. We are not set out to be collecting rent from rooms and parlous. When I was campaigning, I didn’t promise that I was going to build houses for rent because no government is about that.

    You just talked about divesting to re-invest the proceeds back to Edo State. What area of investment is your government considering?

    I believe Edo State needs a convention centre. It is my conviction. Edo State needs to be a tourist centre because we have a lot of historic centres to attract tourists in all the 18 local government areas. For Edo to truly become a tourist destination, there are certain infrastructure that must be put in place, not just a five star hotel, but one with convention facilities. In Edo, we have various hotels, but certainly, not a five-star hotel and we do not have any conference hall, you do not want to host any event where all the participants are scattered in different hotels and before now, in going round Benin City, I observed the location of the military hospital and I was told why and when it was built, but given today’s reality of Benin City, the military barrack is at Ekenwa and we have discussed with the military and they have given approval in principle to cede the place to us on the authority of the Chief of Army staff.

    The land can be put to better use for the good of Edo people. In selling Edo House, the proceed will be use to built a five-star hotel and we will subsequently privatise it in a transparent manner because experience has shown that government is not a good managers of business based on current reality, so that we do not owe it 100 per cent depending on who is coming into it with the government

    There are speculations that you have already sold the house to yourself

    One of my friends, who do not like me now, said that I took his land and gave it to a company to built a shopping mall and he alleged that I have sold the house 60 per cent to my self and 40 percent to what he described as a non- biological son. I m not an angel, but I am not a greedy person and I pray that I will never become so greedy that I want to become the owner of Edo State, and that is not in my prayers.

     

  • How far can Labour Party go in Southwest?

    How far can Labour Party go in Southwest?

    Aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Party (APC) chieftains in the Southwest are courting the Labour Party (LP) as part of their calculations for power in 2015, reports  MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE.

    The Labour Party (LP) came into existence in 2002. For five years, it was a nominal party on the register of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Although LP is perceived as a progressive party with a mass appeal, there is no evidence that workers have even embraced it as an exclusive political platform.

    However, in 2007, the party bounced into reckoning in Ondo State. The PDP defector, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who became its governorship candidate, defeated former Governor Olusegun Agagu. Since then, aggrieved politicians from the PDP have been seeking refuge in the minor party.

    As the polity prepares for 2015, LP appears to have become the alternative platform for politicians as ‘Plan B’. In Ekiti State, sources said that the supporters of the House of Representatives member, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, have opened talks with the LP leadership. The former Lagos State Information Commissioner has declared his interest in the governorship. But the coast is not clear in the ruling APC.

    In Ogun State, the former PDP chieftains loyal for former Governor Gbenga Daniel have defected to the LP from the mushroom party, the PPN. In Oyo, Osun, and Lagos states, LP also exists on paper. However, whenever crises his the major parties, LP’s prospects are boosted.

    However, for now, the success of the LP is limited to Ondo State. Apart from recovering its stolen mandate from the PDP, Mimiko won a re-election last year.

    From its poor showing in the 2007 parliamentary election, where it won a seat in the House of Representatives, LP now has two senators and seven members in the Lower House.

    Senator Ajayi Boroffice, who defected from the LP to the ACN, described LP as a child of necessity and product of political expediency. Boroffice said: “The party is a child of circumstance and people have actually said that it was not actually a party, but a platform created out of necessity for Mimiko to declare his intention to run as governor.”

    A similar circumstance shaped the destiny of the party in Ekiti in 2011. Politicians who were edged out of the parliamentary primaries in Ekiti PDP turned to the LP for survival. They were led by former Governor Ayo Fayose, who contested for the Senate in the Ekiti Central District. They however, crashed at the polls.

    On 2011, a section of the ACN backing Governor Babatunde Fashola for a second term, also gravitated to the direction of the LP, thinking that the governor may be edged out of the nomination process. Some commissioners, special advisers and other functionaries became emissaries between the LP and the governor’s camp. They were later relieved of their posts for disloyalty and anti-party activities.

    It appears that the Southwest has not treated the LP like a leper. Observers point out that it may have survived the broom revolution in Ondo State because the ACN and LP appear to be united in character. In fact, between 2007 and 2009, prominent ACN leaders fought for the restoration of Mimiko’s mandate in the court

    The game changed during the governorship poll in Ondo last year. The PDP tacitly supported the LP to prevent the growing influence of the ACN. The perception is that ‘Mimiko is LP in Akure and PDP in Abuja’. In fact, PDP leaders, including Chief Segun Adegoke, have said that the party was wooing the governor to retrace his steps.

    Sources said that, although Mimiko has not formally defected to the PDP, he is a close ally of President Goodluck Jonathan. The LP governor supported the President’s candidate for the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairmanship, Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, against Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who won the election.

    However, outside Ondo State, LP is in the cold. Before the 2011 rebellion in the ACN, there was a failed attempt to promote the LP in Lagos. Former Deputy Governor Olufemi Pedro ran to the party in frustration in 2007, following the emergence of Fashola as the AC governorship candidate. He contested as the governor, but without success. When he lost his deposit at the poll, he defected to the PDP after the election.

    Recently, it was speculated that Lagos politician Mr. Jimi Agbaje, who had rejected overtures from the PDP, was considering the option of defecting to the LP. His associates explained that his membership of the LP, if he eventually declares for the party, may not mock his antecedent as a progressive politician. Despite the electoral misfortune that has trailed his political career, Agbaje has fans among the masses.

    Ahead of 2015, LP is warming up. But it is not certain that it will eventually make a mark because it is a ‘fall back party”. In 2011, LP came third in Ogun State. Since then, nothing has been heard about its former governorship candidate, Rev. Jide Awosedo. When the APC chieftain, Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye, wanted to defect to the LP, his supporters faulted the calculation, saying that PDP was better.

    However, sources said that Daniel is working assiduously to re-build the party. His wife, Mrs. Olufunke Daniel, was the chief launcher at the party’s N100 million empowerment programme organised by the LP women’s wing.

    In Osun State, the LP has inaugurated a 10-man congress committee headed by Chief Daniel Afilaka to prepare the party for its forth coming congress this month. The chapter resolved to appeal to its national secretariat to lift the ban placed on some members for anti-party activities to heal the wounds within the party structure.

    Many chieftains are also worried about the protracted court case between the former chairman of the party, Comrade Rufus Oyatoro, and some chieftains. They said the matter should be settled out of court. The national leadership of the party has instituted a ‘Truth and Fact Finding Committee’ to listen to the grievances of the two parties in the dispute. The allegation against the former chairman is that he is hobnobbing with the APC.

    In Oyo State, LP is double dating. A section is supporting the Ajimobi Administration while another section is hobnobbing with the PDP. The acting chairman, Mr. Abdul Adepoju, said the party is the beautiful bride in the Oyo State politics. However, he said that LP is ready for the council polls. “We have put behind our political challenges and repositioned our party in all the 33 local government across the state”, Adepoju said.

    In Ekiti, a drama is unfolding. There is anxiety in the ruling party, following the personality clashes between Governor Kayode Fayemi and his compatriot, Bamidele. To many people, the governor has lived to expectation. Therefore, they believe that he deserves a second term. But Bamidele has said that he will slug it out with the governor, despite his endorsement by the party for a second term.

    Two months ago, Bamidele inaugurated his campaign organi-sation in Ado-Ekiti. He is also holding consultations with leaders across the 16 councils. The feelers suggest that the former commissioner cannot get the APC ticket.

    Bamidele’s posters, which have the logo of the LP on them, have caused some stir. The lawmaker said it is the handiwork of mischief makers within his party.

    He said: “It is an attempt by those who are conspiring against my vision and destiny to preempt and harass me into surrendering on my principled stance on issues.”

    The LP chairman, Mr. Gbenga Daramola, said the former commissioner was not yet a member of the party. But he quickly added that, if he defected to the party, he would be welcomed. “We wish to state unequivocally that he is at present not a member of the LP, let alone its governorship aspirant”, Daramola said.

    However, a party source said that Bamidele is on his way to the LP. He added: “The lawmaker has visited the APC chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, and the leader and his mentor, Asiwaju Tinubu. He informed Tinubu of his ambition. He gave some options. He said he would like to participate in a free and fair primaries. He said he would like to go to the LP to contest and win and later return to the APC. But they said that Tinubu told his boy that, if he leaves the APC, it meant the parting of ways between father and son. We don’t know whether the legislator is still reflecting on his mentor’s advice”.

  • 2015: New twists in Cross River guber race

    2015: New twists in Cross River guber race

    As the debate over the successor of the Cross River State’s governor, Liyel Imoke, takes the centre stage ahead 2015 elections, Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports on the new twists

    Months after Governor Liyel Imoke returned from an overseas trip to make a pronouncement on what was then a fierce media war over who should succeed him in 2015, uneasy calm still pervades the political scene in Cross River State, following the introduction of fresh twists into the argument for and against the zoning arrangement in the state ahead of the next governorship election.

    The governor had on his return from the United States of America when the succession argument was at its hottest, announced the determination of his government and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to ensure that the next governor of the state comes from the Northern Senatorial District in accordance with the zoning principle of the party.

    Imoke’s position, according to him way back then, was premised on the fact that the Cross Rivers North Senatorial District was yet to produce a governor in the current democratic dispensation.

    “The north should produce the next governor, as the south has had its fair share of the governorship in the person of Donald Duke in 1999 and 2003 and the central has had its turn in the emergence of my humble self as governor in 2007 and 2011,” he argued.

    His position was seen by many pundits as the final clarification needed to lay to rest the fierce battle over the zoning issue. This appeared to be the case for a while until recently when opponents of the zoning arrangement returned to the political scene with fresh argument after winning to their side new and prominent supporters within and outside Imoke’s camp.

    As at the last count, Imoke and his deputy, Mr. Efiok Cobham, are the latest to clash over their divergent preferences for which senatorial district should produce the next governor of the state.

    While Imoke is sticking to the choice of a successor from the north, Cobham, who before now had refused to oppose his boss on the issue, has publicly declared support for the Southern Senatorial District to have a go at the plum job.

    There is also the story of an alleged friction between the governor and his childhood friend-cum political ally of over two decades, Gershom Bassey, over the same issue.

    Bassey, who is the Chairman of the Cross River State Water Board and one of the leading politicians from the Southern Senatorial District is said to be in favour of his district having another shot at the governorship in 2015 ahead of the Northern Senatorial District in spite of the zoning arrangement being promoted by Imoke and the PDP leadership in the state.

    And the renewed battle over Imoke’s successor by the likes of Cobham and Bassey is not without a new argument. This time, they are not just pooh-poohing PDP’s zoning formula, they are saying there was a rotation accord that preceded and supersedes the much flaunted formula in the politics of Cross Rivers State.

    Speaking at different fora recently, Imoke and his deputy re-echoed their divergent opinions on power shift, with Imoke sticking with the Northern Senatorial District which is yet to produce a governor, while his deputy seeks power for his zone based on what he called the Calabar-Ogoja Accord.

    According to its proponents, the Calabar-Ogoja Accord was conceived in the Second Republic for political cooperation within the old Cross Rivers State in the face of Ibibio domination. This is the arrangement Cobhams and his people in the south want to rely upon to stop the emergence of the next governor from the north.

    “In the Second Republic, following the dominance of the Mainland of the then Cross Rivers State now in the politics of the state, politicians of Calabar and Ogoja extractions entered into an agreement for electoral cooperation so as to wrest power from the Ibibio. That Mainland is what is now Akwa Ibom State.

    “The political leaders of the two divides sat down and drew up the Calabar-Ogoja accord. And as a result of that pact, championed by the then Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas, former governor, Dr. Clement Isong, lost the NPN tickets for a second term bid.

    “In his place, Chief Donatus Etiebet, an Annang man, became the party’s standard bearer and went ahead to win the election proper. Unfortunately, the military struck in December 1983 and cut short his tenure.

    “Some people are saying the Calabar-Ogoja Accord died with the creation of Akwa Ibom State but I tell you our people are still pleased with the pact. Our understanding of Ogoja as a geopolitical zone is the fusion of Cross River Central and Cross River North Senatorial Districts. The zone embraces all Atam people and once an Atam man governs the state, at the expiration of his two-term tenure, power should automatically return to the Calabar axis in the spirit of the accord,” Joseph Ntiero, a leading Efik politician explained.

    It is on this accord that the renewed agitation for the next governor to come from the Southern Senatorial District is built. At a closed door meeting of the Southern Senatorial District convened by Cobham recently, it was re-iterated that power shift in the state should be based on the Calabar-Ogoja Accord.

    A seven-point communiqué he co-signed with Senator Florence Ita Giwa, Prof. Ivara Esu and 197 other prominent indigenes of the state recognised the existence of the three districts but argues that the spirit and essence of the Calabar-Ogoja Accord, which formed the basis of coming together of Cross River State, must always be respected in balancing and sharing of political positions and opportunities.

    Though Bassey was not one of the signatories to the communiqué, political observers say he may have directed the resuscitation of his campaign machineries in view of the renewed bid by his people to make another go at the governorship.

    Before Imoke’s declaration that his successor in 2015 will come from the Northern Senatorial Zone of the state, Bassey was seen by many as the Cross Rivers State governor-in-waiting.

    This was based on the story that Imoke, his predecessor, Donald Duke and Bassey, before the return of civil rule in 1999, allegedly formulated a blueprint, which contains a 24-year developmental roadmap for the state. The document also reportedly contains a political succession strategy whereby each of the three men will rule the state for two terms.

    With Duke having completed his terms in 2007 and Imoke presently running his course until 2015, Bassey was widely acknowledged as the heir-apparent just waiting to be crowned. But that assumption went with the wind after Imoke publicly announced that no southerner will have his blessing in 2015.

    But his rumoured renewed interest in the race will surely not be an easy one as the people of the Northern Senatorial District have vowed not to be swayed by the recourse to the Calabar -Ogoja Accord.

    “Today, they want us to go back to the Calabar-Ogoja Accord. This is laughable because when Chief Akpang Obi Odu challenged Governor Donald Duke’s re-election in 2003, citing the Calabar-Ogoja accord, prominent Efik politicians addressed the press repeatedly, saying the accord was dead and buried. Don’t also forget that Chief Odu hails from Mbube in Ogoja here,’ an Ogoja politician told The Nation while explaining why the renewed bid by the south to stop the northern senatorial district from producing the next governor should not be taken seriously.

    “They will fail again,” he said. “As long as the Governor and other PDP leaders remain committed to the idea of equity and justice, these politicians now going about with the story of Calabar-Ogoja Accord will not be able to deceive the people of Cross Rivers State for long,” he added.