The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • New PDP: Atiku’s ambition hangs in balance

    New PDP: Atiku’s ambition hangs in balance

    The recent setbacks suffered by the Abubakar Baraje-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has, once again, brought to the fore the dilemma being faced by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, to the realisation of his presidential ambition in the foreseeable future, writes Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo

    Former Nigeria’s number two citizen, Atiku Abubakar, has a very crucial decision to take in the next couple of weeks or months. And from all indications, whatever decision the Adamawa State-born politician eventually takes will, no doubt, significantly shape his political future both in the short and long term.

    Though a founding member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, Atiku’s return to the PDP after a brief sojourn in the defunct Action Congress (AC), on which ticket he contested and lost the presidential election in 2007, has been far from smooth sailing.

    The former vice president’s travails in the PDP predated the Jonathan Presidency with certain forces in the party reportedly bent on sidelining him in the scheme of things with a view to frustrating his presidential ambition.

    The deregistration of Atiku from the PDP during the administration of his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; the initial attempts to compel him to register at his ward rather than at the national level upon his return to PDP in 2009 and the de-listing of his name as a delegate to the last mini-convention of the party, in the opinion of many, are clear indications that the ex- vice president has become more of a fringe player in the party.

    PDP crisis and PDM as a fallback option

    The internal schism in PDP, leading to the formation of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) a few months ago by some aggrieved members including Atiku was initially viewed as a buffer zone for the former vice president to prove his political relevance once again.

    However, the recent setbacks suffered by the faction, including the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise it and a recent Federal High Court ruling, which affirmed the leadership of the mainstream PDP led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, which has necessitated a reappraisal of its strategies, is seen as a major setback for Atiku’s political aspiration ahead of 2015.

    Following the massive crackdown on members of the faction, which include the targeting of business interests and properties allegedly linked to its promoters, one of the leading figures in the nPDP, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had some days ago disclosed that the group is weighing four options on its next move.

    These are to join the major opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC); form a new political party; move enmasse into an unknown political party or remain in PDP.

    In the last few weeks, The Nation gathered that there has been flurry of meetings among the leaders of the nPDP to deliberate on the pros and cons of these four options.

    Just some days ago, Kwankwaso visited his Jigawa State counterpart, Sule Lamido, in what sources described as a follow-up meeting to the parley held between Atiku Abubakar and Lamido at the former’s residence in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

    Sources privy to the meetings revealed that the former vice President has unsuccessfully failed to convince the seven governors in the nPDP on the propriety of joining the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), with majority of the governors allegedly preferring to join APC for the singular reason that the party is well established with structures in almost all the 36 states in the country.

    Though he has stridently denied that he is the unseen face behind the registration of the PDM by INEC, sources disclosed the new party, with most of Atiku’s political associates as its leaders, may just be the final fall-back option for the ex-vice president in his quest for the nation’s number one seat.

    Huddles over PDM option

    For the seven ‘rebel’ governors, who have been up in arms against the Presidency and the leadership of the PDP, the likelihood of joining PDM, according to sources, has been foreclosed.

    Their reason for foreclosing PDM, some of them were said to have argued, is its lack of structures, as the party cannot boast of a single elected official both in the executive and the legislative arms of government. Sources further disclosed that against the backdrop of the governors thoughts about the PDM, the group may have also ruled out forming a new political party, as according to them, the time is rather too short to put the party on a sound footing before the 2015 general elections.

    Will PDM fuse into APC?

    The Nation reliably gathered that opinion is presently sharply divided among PDM leaders on whether or not to join the APC, even as majority of its members are allegedly backing this proposal.

    Proponents of this idea, according to sources, strongly believe that with the alliance between the nPDP, PDM and the APC, the PDP will be given a run for its money in the next general elections.

    But while APC leaders have been publicly wooing the G7 governors and their supporters to join the party, the same gesture, it was learnt, may not have been extended to PDM leaders, at least publicly.

    The former Vice President’s sudden return to PDP is being cited by many observers as another source of worry over Atiku’s real position. Atiku, it was gathered, is said to be aware that barring any unforeseen circumstances, his dream to make a third attempt at the Presidency may have gone up in smokes. Giving a perspective on Atiku’s dilemma, a source noted, “Regardless of the final decision by the G7 governors, who are the major promoters of the nPDP, the former vice president’s chances of contesting for the Presidency in 2015 is slim.”

    The source further raised these posers: “Assuming the G7 governors decide to form a new party, will they offer the presidential ticket to Atiku? And even if PDM and the G7 governors eventually join APC, does Atiku stand any chance in the battle for the party’s ticket? And finally, if Atiku decides to take his destiny in his hands by joining PDM, does the party have what it takes to make any appreciable showing in the 2015 elections?

    For the once powerful number two citizen, there is definitely no easy choice to make in his desire to rule his fatherland.

  • Akpabio, zoning and Akwa Ibom politics

    Akpabio, zoning and Akwa Ibom politics

    Zoning has become a very useful word in the Nigerian political lexicon. At national, regional, state and even local levels, offices are distributed with the aid of the zoning principle. It is regarded as a means of ensuring justice and equity in the polity. True, not everyone agrees with it. It is said to retard progress since merit is thus sacrifices, but in a multicultural setting like Nigeria where people are easily swayed by primordial consideration and ethnic line is the default point,

    In many parts of the country, the perceived injustice arising from monopoly of office by a group of people is causing social tension and threatening peace. Advocates of zoning are quick to dismiss the contention that zoning is a clog in the wheel of progress. They point out leaving contest open has never guaranteed that the best candidates emerge.

    In many states of the federation, 2015 is likely to open wounds again. In Kogi, since the state was created in 1991, the Igala dominant group has ensured that the Okun (Yoruba) and Ebira ethnic groups were kept off the governorship radar. Following the first election, the Igala used their numerical superiority to get Alhaji Abubakar Audu elected governor on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC). He was elected again in 1999 on APP platform and succeeded in 2003 by Alhahji Idris who, after two terms, got himself succeeded by Alhaji Idris Wada. Wada, at the next election, is likely to offer himself for reelection.

    In Oyo, it is largely Ibadan, except for the opening that came with the illegal impeachment of Chief Rashidi Ladoja that allowed his deputy, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala from Ogbomoso to have a one-term go at the office. In Kaduna, the minorities in the Southern district have always complained about marginalization. It took the appointment of their governor, Namadi Sambo as Vice President to allow his deputy move up the ladder. The situation is no different in Benue where the majority Tiv dominates the political scene. Since 1979, only the Tiv have supplied occupants of the Makurdi Government House. Aper Aku, Moses Adasu, Akume and Suswam are all from the stock, leaving the Idoma gasping and whining

    Akwa Ibom was created out of old Cross River State as response to the cry for justice by the peoples of the new state. The Ibibio, in particular, felt crowded out in the configuration in the old state. The Anang agreed and the Oron and others in the Eket senatorial district acceded to the request. It was believed that a new state would provide a level-playing field for all. But, no sooner was the state created that a new majority, and thus new overlords, emerge in the Ibibio. Akpan Isemin was first to mount the throne, then in 1999, it was the turn of Victor Attah. As Attah was stepping out of the stage, the clamour for someone of Anang extraction to step in became too loud to ignore, so, Attah wanted his son-in-law, Bob Ekarika, to succeed him. He didn’t quite succeed, but an Anang nonetheless was elected. Akpabio became not just the governor but assumed absolute power.

    His body language, at first indicated that he could be succeeded by another Ibibio from Uyo, but, the peoples of Eket have kicked. They have shouted and argued about a bid to exclude them from playing a major role in the politics of the state, despite the zone supplying almost all the crude oil that makes Akwa Ibom an oil producing state, and thus prosperous. Now, they are contending that it is not just about ethnic groups; it is about geo-political configuration. The Eket district is said to be the largest in terms of local government distribution.

    At first, the body language and lips of Governor Akpabio suggested that the contest within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would be thrown open, which would have been a clever way of suppressing the demand of the Eket people. A combination of Akpabio’s support, Uyo conspiracy and Anang indifference would have swayed the game in favour of Umana Umana, an Uyo man and a former strong man of the Akpabio administration.

    Now that Akpabio has thrown his weight behind justice and equity by backing the emergence of an Eket man (or woman), nerves are likely to be soothed. The Uyo senatorial district has been over compensated. It produced such military rulers as Sam Ewang and Idongesit Ikanga, in addition to the first two elected governors who ran the state for about 10 years. Akpabio, from the Ikot-Ekpene zone would, by 2015, have been there for eight years. Now, for equity, justice, fairness and peace, Eket should be allowed to pick a PDP candidate. The reality in other political parties will unravel as the election draws nearer.

    Other states, too, as soon as possible, especially where the incumbent has run a full race, should expand the bracket and draw others into the governance net.

  • Ohanaeze restates commitment to peaceful co-existence

    Ohanaeze restates commitment to peaceful co-existence

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo, South-West zone chapter, has restated its commitment to promote peace and harmonious relationship among all sections of the country.

    Towards this end, it declared that its members would not be used as an instrument for fighting perceived political opponents or for settling of personal scores.

    In a communique issued after its meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State, said, “We are going to be agents of change and harmony among Igbos and the people we are living in their land.”

    The group said that whoever is nursing the thought that he could use it to advance personal ambition should perish the thought because it is out to serve the overall interest of Ndigbo in line with the national body by ensuring harmonious relationship, peace and unity among the various Igbo groups in the South-West part of the country. It said that the Ohanaeze South West would identify with any group that identifies with the national body .

    The inauguration of the South-West executives would be held in Ekiti State on the 30th of November

    The meeting was held at the palace of the Onye Ndu Ndigbo (Igbo leader), in Oyo State, High Chief Aloy Obi and had a representative of the Oba of Benin among other distinguished personalities in attendance .

  • Obi has used public money for public good -Umeh

    Obi has used public money for public good -Umeh

    Chief Victor Umeh, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who met newsmen at an event where the Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese received from Governor Peter Obi, a cheque of N600 million for the rehabilitation of Anglican primary schools in the state, speaks on a wide range of issues. Emeka Odogwu was there.

    On how it all began

    It’s for me to express my profound joy to be part of this ceremony. I recall that it was sometime in November 2011 that we gathered here to perform that historic ceremony of handing schools over to the missions at this Women’s Development Centre. Everybody will agree that after nearly two years, we have now experienced a new rebirth in our educational sector in Anambra State. People have applauded the giant strides this government has made in the educational sector, courtesy of this strategic partnership with the churches.

    The sacrifices we made

    Mine as the chairman of APGA is to call on our people. We have listened to the governor mention mind boggling figures of monies that will be distributed for the good of our state in the next one month; several billions of naira. I want to tell you that this has been possible based on the sacrifice all of us have made for the good of our state. Apart from the exceptional, diligent, prudent management of resources and sourcing of these funds by the governor, we as a party, have also paid dearly for the good of the state.

    On the rift between him and Governor Obi

    You will recall that at a time, I disagreed with the governor. It was because as the chairman of the party, our party followers and members were grumbling because of the pain, but the governor had a different strategy. The savings and all he had done to make this possible for our people inflicted pain on our party members. I’m telling you the truth. But am telling you that the sacrifice was worth it; is for the common good of our people. I thank His Excellency for what he has done for our people.

    Like you know, this is election time, and it is important that I remind you that some people made sacrifices for this thing to be possible. The governor was focused on serving the people of Anambra State by using public money for the common good but people in politics always see it differently. Today, some people are going round wanting to exploit this situation to attempt to take our party members for they have money to give them. If the governor had released this money to us to engage the people in this election nobody will see our back. But he has strategically spent these funds and some people will be expecting that we will come around sharing money to compete with the other candidates that are sharing money today. We ask you to pay us back for the sacrifice we have made.

    On the gubernatorial election

    For this thing to continue, I am pleading with our people not to leave All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Please don’t abandon us in the election because somebody is giving you ten thousand, twenty thousand and all that; those things worth nothing. So, the election is coming and apart from the fact that I’m happy that an indigenous party, your own party, produced a governor like Obi who was able to do all these things, what he has done has given our party independence. We should not come back in the next weeks talking to our people to understand the message of APGA, we have done it at home, it has worked and it has amazed our opponents. So because we have taken the benefits of these laudable achievements you owe APGA your votes.

    From here, I will be going to Onitsha with his excellency to meet about 21,000 (twenty-one thousand) members of our party – the grassroots members, the ward officers, people we feel we have not done enough for them. We are going there to revive their dropping spirits; therefore, we beg you so that this job will continue. Governor Obi did not bring this money because he got them through statutory allocation, we have also made wise choices for people who will continue after him.

    On Obiano’s candidacy

    Our governorship candidate, Chief Willie Obiano is a Chartered Accountant, who has B.SC in Accounting, NBA in marketing, an Honorary Doctorate degree, a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. We also have made a strategic choice for Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkemakonam Okeke, who holds a B.SC degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, an MBA in Management and a PhD in Monetary Economics and a Senior Lecturer at UNIZIK, as well as a former commissioner in our government.

    There is no party seeking to contest this election with us who can afford this quality and balanced ticket. In both church and everything we have a good mix. So, we have to satisfy our people. So, I ask you with my knees, the traditional rulers, please when you go back, tell your subjects. This is not political time when people think that when somebody comes to give money then he is the best. I have told some religious leaders, when they bring money, you owe them a duty, you pray for them. Pray for them and bless them and let that not be the opportunity for directing our people politically. We are here for you and may God bless all of you.

    On uniqueness of Obi’s administration

    In other tribes there is no government that will be doling out money this way towards the end of its tenure. Today, about N1.5billion has been given to the churches for the mission primary schools.

    The state government primary schools will also get N2billion, all targeted at achieving the Millennium Development Goals in the educational sector. Before the next one month runs out, we would have spent close to N12billion in education, no government has been able to have this type of programme even when it mattered most.

    So, it goes to show you that the way an APGA government started here is the way it is finishing. There is no slow down in any sector. This is time for politics and you know that if we are looking to buying votes, with N1.5billion today our party would have been in the street; no other party will be campaigning again if we are looking for votes with money. But our government is dedicated towards serving the people. Our governor is more interested in the common good for our people.

    Advice to electorate

    So, it is for the people of Anambra State to reciprocate this gesture by supporting the party. That is the only thing we can get in return – their support, so that they can get sustainable development that they have experienced now. It is not about politics of propaganda, people coming to tell you they have money to give you today; this election is not all about money, it’s about what you can do for the people, we have done it for the people of Anambra State.

    In fact, we the party leaders are amazed by what Obi has done. Even in the health sector. In the next one month it will be the same average of doling out monies for intervention in all the critical sectors. So, we are very happy. And you know as the national chairman of the party, nobody can be happier than me. This is a time when government is being run aground at the twilight of their tenure, but people are getting it as they never got it before now. So, we are happy.

  • Ngige soars above odds

    Ngige soars above odds

    As the campaign for the November 16, 2013 governorship race in Anambra State enters its final, crucial stage, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, reports that Senator Chris Ngige, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, has garnered unrivaled support and endorsements

    From the first day Senator Chris Ngige emerged the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 16, 2013 governorship election in Anambra State, his opponents left no one in doubt he is the candidate to watch.

    As a former executive governor of the state, Ngige has many supporters and political enemies to contend with. So, other candidates and the other major political parties in the race are worried over his electoral value.

    Besides his personality and clout, Ngige’s political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is also a major source of worry for his opponents, according to informed stakeholders in Anambra State.

    APC, a product of a mega merger of opposition political parties, in a grand plot to dethrone the ruling People’s Democratic Party ( PDP) at the centre, was born strong and established. From the day it was registered as a political party, APC became the major opposition party, boasting of state governors from South-West, North and South-East zones, aside reasonable number of lawmakers at the National Assembly and many state assemblies.

    Emerging under such a platform, Ngige’s opponents in the Anambra State November 16, 2013 election understandably consider him the major threat that must be tackled.

    This being the case, he has been made to contain with several obstacles and criticisms.

    The hurdles:

    As would be expected, one of the issues his opponents have tried to use to blackmail Ngige ahead of the election is his political party, APC, which was described as a Yoruba or foreign political party in Igbo land.

    The former governor of Anambra State has stoutly disproved these allegations, pointing out that the party is not only a national party, jointly formed by progressives from every part of the country but also that he and many other Igbo politicians are foundation members of the party.

    Responding to that allegation, Ngige has told newsmen that it is a fallacy to claim that APC is a Yoruba party. He also said it is wrong to claim that APGA is an Igbo party, when it is the ruling party in only one out of the five South-East states.

    In an earlier interview long before his emergence as the APC candidate in the forth coming election, Ngige, who was a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party and had ruled Anambra State with the party’s ticket, had explained why he joined AC, when he left PDP, instead of APGA. According to him, “I couldn’t have gone to APGA, I went to court with APGA and like I gave you the history, they went to court and went up to the Court of Appeal and when they won the case, they felt they’ve conquered me and my supporters. The relationship between a conqueror and the conquered is that of servant and master. I never bothered to go there and all those persecuted joined forces to form AC. I, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, DSP Alameiyeishigha, so many of us, even though the group depleted along the way because not everybody has the heart for opposition politics.”

    Another arsenal his opponents has thrown his way include a recall of the Okija Shrine oath before he emerged the governor of the state on the ticket of the People’s Democratic Party in 2003. To cast a stain on his personality, his opponents had touted it as a proof that Ngige is desperate for power and as a result can do anything.

    Ngige, who faced all manners of attack from political godfathers when he was governor then, had not shied away from this issue.

    He has in various interviews in the past and in many fora, at the course of the current campaign, taken time to explain what happened then. In one of such interviews in the past, he said:

    “I have not been desperate for power. I have given you the history of my journey. Perhaps I did not add that if you go and look at my track record, I was a federal civil servant and I was trained as a medical doctor. First of all, a good medical doctor is a very patient person. He must be patient to take your history as you walk in as a patient. The doctor should obtain 90 per cent of his diagnosis from history taking, conservatively call it 70 per cent, then the others through physical examination and then tests. I am a well-trained doctor, I was trained when medicine was well taught and I am patient. I worked in the Ministry of Health. I practised in the clinic for 15 years before moving into administration. I did administration for five years before I left the service. I am not a hustler for power and more importantly, I started from the primaries of my party. I was a foundation member of the PDP, I was nominated to be a minister by Dr. Alex Ekwueme but Obasanjo refused because they fought a bitter primaries in Jos and I was in Ekwueme’s camp, so I was blacklisted. I was the assistant national secretary of the party before I came back to contest the primaries for Senate in 2002/2003, then I was begged by Chief Audu Ogbeh and others.

    “Even the Ubas came to beg me as a last resort. That they were my benefactors was because it was when they were begging me that I caved in to run. I gave conditions for going to run and the major condition was that I should be able to run the place unfettered and give good governance to my people in Anambra State. They were the people who breached the agreement by asking me to sign money for them; by asking me to allow them to appoint all the commissioners, special assistants, Aide de Camp, chief security officer and personal assistant. We had no such agreement.

    “They breached that agreement, so I said okay, if you breach the agreement, then there is no agreement anymore. On the way, they noticed some resentment from me that showed that I was no longer happy with the journey. They said they needed loyalty. So, one of them suggested it (Okija) and they now formed themselves into a cabal. One night they said, ‘If you don’t go with us to Okija shrine, we will shoot (you).’ It’s only a living general that can tell the history of a war. If I was shot dead, the story could have been distorted. I have to be alive to be telling you this story. I asked them, ‘What should I do?’ They said, ‘Let us go to Okija shrine and I said okay, let’s go.’ When we got there, I noticed they didn’t have guns, then I said I wasn’t going in. One of them said he could swear for me, I said go ahead, so he did it for me. But I did not believe in what they were doing because I am a staunch Catholic. I am a knight of the Catholic Church, so I never listened to what they were saying, they were just fooling themselves.”

    In the course of the campaigns, Ngige’s opponents had also blown some issues beyond proportion in a bid to discredit the APC governorship candidate. For example, as soon as he was declared a candidate, he was loudly held responsible for the alleged deportation of some Anambra State people from Lagos State to Onitsha. Given that Lagos is under an APC government, the campaign against Ngige has been that he is flying the flag of a party that hates Ndigbo.

    Like in the other issues raised, Ngige has taken time to explain what went wrong. He explained how he investigated the matter, how he met Governor Babatunde Fashola to ascertain what really happened. According to him, Anambra State government also had its own fault as it did not respond appropriately when it was officially informed of the impending relocation. Other states involved, according to him, including some South-West states and others states in other zones, responded by confirming that the people to be relocated from Lagos were indigenes of their states. They also made proper arrangements to receive their people but Anambra State Government, he said, mishandled the matter, thereby creating a situation that made the relocated people, most of who were neither Anambra indigenes nor Ndigbo at all, at Upper Iweka in Onitsha. That notwithstanding Ngige also stoutly condemned the way some Lagos State officials handled the matter by dumping the people by the roadside, and therefore impressed it on Fashola to apologise to Anambra State and to Ndigbo, which he did openly.

    Another issue that has been used by opponents against Ngige, in a bid to reduce his ever growing popularity, was the timing of his flag-off campaign in Onitsha, which coincided with the period of Ofala festival. This, according to reports, had angered the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Achebe. The Nation learnt however that the misunderstanding caused by that unfortunate development has since been resolved as Ngige is said to enjoy now, as has always been the case, a very warm relationship both with the Obi of Onitsha and his council.

    There is also the issue of zoning, which the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance had made a campaign factor. APGA is campaigning that it is the turn of Anambra North to produce a governor for the state. The party followed it up by presenting a candidate from the senatorial zone and have consistently told whoever would listen that Ngige is not from that zone.

    But from Ngige’s camp, and from other critics of APGA, the feeling is that besides the fact that Anambra State governor has never emerged through any zoning arrangement, zoning will only be genuine and acceptable if merit is considered and if the the people concerned are allowed to present their choice through a free and fair electoral process and not like the current situation where Governor Peter Obi of APGA allegedly imposed his candidate on the people.

    Besides, Ngige, a former executive governor of the state, whose development records are still being applauded, said he needed to go back to the Government House in Awka to complete the projects he could not complete when his government was caught short.

    His support base

    Even before Ngige finally declared interest and emerged APC candidate, representatives of 26 market associations in Anambra State under the aegis of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), paid him a solidarity visit and threw their weight behind his candidature in the November election.

    Citing what they described as “the senator’s track record as a former governor of the state, as well as his sterling performance as a senator in the National Assembly,” they said he deserved the support of ordinary citizens of the state as he has demonstrated his capacity and interest to fight their cause. In his response, Ngige had said: “Your visit to me today is a clear indication that the people of Anambra are not ingrates, that you do not forget one’s good actions. I remember that in my first stint as governor I did a lot for the markets and we achieved so much together, we built the necessary infrastructure, provided security, acceded to every of your welfare demands and ensured that you were neither harassed nor threatened in carrying out of your day to day activities.

    “Let me assure you that I will do more if voted into office come November 16, 2013. I will ensure that the basic needs of the trader in Anambra will be met by my administration, we will take a look at the system of levies and where necessary we will revisit.”

    Mr. Ikechukwu Okoye, a former Public Relations Officer of Electronics Onitsha, who responded on behalf of the delegates went further to highlight what he described as “the many achievements of the Ngige administration and how it touched the lives of the ordinary Anambra man and woman,” adding, “For this reason, we feel rest assured that the man in Senator Ngige has all it takes to govern Anambra State and deliver to the people the required dividends of democracy. Ngige has our votes.”

    Ngige’s popularity amongst traders has further been confirmed since he emerged APC’s candidate. When he visited major markets in Lagos, the crowd of Anambra and Igbo traders that trooped out to welcome him was, according to Onyeka Udochukwu, a trader in the popular Ladipo Spare Parts Market, “unbelievable.” Describing the visit, he said, “Young men and ladies of Anambra descent could not hide their love as they trooped out in tens of thousands, dancing and rejoicing over the return of their hero. We know Ngige and will travel home in mass to vote him in,” he said.

    Aside youths and women, who many believe constitute Ngige’s support base, recent events have confirmed the deep support he is enjoying from the clergy and the leaders of the Christian faith.

    For example, on October 19, 2013, when the APC candidate paid visit to the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, His Lordship Valerian Okeke and his Anglican counterpart, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Godwin Okpala, the reception was also significantly warm. Eye witnesses to the meeting said there was visible excitement as the top clergymen received Ngige, who, it would be recalled won elections in the area, Nnewi, in both the governorship election in 2003 and senatorial election in 2011.

    At Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral, Nnewi, Ngige solicited for the Bishop’s blessing which he got. He, in addition, got an overwhelming support and prayers of the parishioners.

    An eye witness account said, “The presence of the APC candidate at the Cathedral that day generated great excitement among the parishioners who, it seems, did not know beforehand that he would be there also. So, when they saw Ngige, the entire visinity erupted in joy. It took great effort for the former governor to leave the place.

    “Also, when he tried to exit the industrial town through Nkwo Nnewi triangle, so as to pay a courtesy visit on the Anglican Bishop of Nnewi, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Godwin Okpala at the Bishop’s Court, Ngige also reportedly ran into an already cheering crowd of admirers, including Nkwo Nnewi displaced traders, artisans and jobless youths at the quadrangle.

    ” They danced and cheeered so much that even the presence of security details attached to the Senator failed to deter them from demonstrating their deep love and support. They sang his campaign jingles with ease, dancing joyfully and rushed for his posters. Many hours after he left, many were still waving brooms, singing, “again, Ngige is our man,” The moon shall shine again” APC Save Our Sour Soul.”

    Endorsing APC candidate, Bishop Okpala said Ngige “proved himself as a good servant of the people when he was governor,” adding that he hopes he would perform better if voted into power again.

    Reiterating that Ngige worked well when he was governor, Bishop Okpala noted that if it is the will of God for him to return to power, it will come to pass.

    He also urged the masses to “vote for a candidate who would work for them and uplift the state.”

    Apart from the two Bishops, many other Christian leaders and influential Christian groups have openly endorsed Ngige’s candidacy. For example, the Pastoral Council of Nnobi Episcopal Region, Umuoji, Idemili Local Government Area recently prayed for his victory at the election.

    Rising from its meeting at Holy Family Catholic Church, Umuoji, the council prayed God to intervene and enable Ngige to emerge triumphant in election, reminding the APC candidate that a similar prayer was said for him during his senatorial election in which he emerged successful.

    The Episcopal Vicar of the Region, Rev. Fr. John Anosike, in his remark described Ngige as “a known lover of Anambra State, whose public service records are indelible in the minds of the people.”

    Ngige’s candidacy has also recieved blessings from numerous royal fathers, their council of elders and chiefs and other community leaders.

    For example, when he visited the palace of his Royal Majesty, Charles Ezeudogu, the Igwe of Ichida, in Aniocha Local Government Area, his reception was not only warm but his endorsement was done openly both by the monarch and his council of chiefs.

    This has consistently been the pattern whereever his campaign train sets its feet. For example, his visit to Obosi not only to campaign, but also to felicitate with the people of the community on the occasion of the Ofalla festival, was turned to some form of a political carnival.

    Eyewitnesses confirmed that the route leading to the mini stadium was filled with crowd of people, a development that made it difficult even for the campaign train to ply, as everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the APC candidate.”

    Ngige soars

    Given the overwhelming reception and acceptability of Ngige by the old and the young, the leaders and the people, wherever his campaign train has reached across Anambra State, close observers agree that the former governor and serving senator has not only soared above the mines his opponents have buried along his way to Awka Government House, but is poised to wear the crown.

    Time is however ticking steadily and everyone is holding his breath in great expectation ahead November 16, when the people of Anambra State will make their final statement.

  • Anambra 2013: Idemili leaders meet guber candidates

    Anambra 2013: Idemili leaders meet guber candidates

    Leaders of Idemili North and South Local Government Councils, under the umbrella of Nzuko Imeobi, a socio cultural organisation, will this weekend continue their meetings with political parties and their candidates as part of the consultations that will finally lead to the endorsement of a candidate, who, according to the group, “will carry the banner and represent the interests of the two local councils.”

    At least, they will hold discussions with three political parties this weekend where the leaders, according to the group, will present them with the expectations of the people. Last week, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), led by its National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh and the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Willy Obiano, had met with the Idemili leaders in Ogidi, where the people’s Charter of Demands was read and presented to them.

    At the meeting, which was held in the residence of the Leader of the Nzuko Imeobi, Chief Obiora Okonkwo, Umeh hailed the uniqueness of the document and noted that Idemili had always been a difficult terrain for APGA and that the party was looking forward to a fruitful working relationship with the leaders. Obiano promised to study the demands as he requested for the endorsement of the body.

    In an interview on Thursday, Okonkwo explained that, “we can only endorse a candidate at the end of our consultations. We are being careful about the endorsement now because we want to pick someone who will not only deliver on the Charter, but will be generally acceptable to the people. We have to go through this process because of what is at stake. We are meeting the candidates who have indicated interest to see us based on our recognized strengths, values and what will benefit the people. The voting population of the two councils is the largest in the state, and we are not unmindful of that.

    “During the 2013 Idemili celebration, we wrote to all the governorship candidates, inviting them to make an appearance. Only three parties, APGA, Labour Party (LP) and the People Democratic Party (PDP) met the terms outlined by the communities and had a presence at the venue.

    “Incidentally, the cultural event, which was to raise N150 million for the building of a skill acquisition centre was nearly turned into a mini political rally, but we insist that none of candidates got the nod of the Idemili people. We are still talking. We appreciate the involvement of even the parties and their candidates in the consultations. This is the hallmark of grassroots and participatory democracy for the benefit of Anambra.”

  • Anxiety, as Ajimobi picks new team

    Anxiety, as Ajimobi picks new team

    Expectations over the impending appointments into the Oyo State Executive Council and the constitution of new local government caretaker committees have heightened just as the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has kept everyone guessing, reports Remi Adelowo

    The decision by Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, to dissolve the State Executive Council (SEC) caught almost all his commissioners and other aides napping.

    Besides the commissioners, others who were relieved of their appointments included the governor’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Adeolu Akande, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Special Advisers (SAs), Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs).

    The governor, sources told The Nation, kept the decision so closely guarded that even his wife, Florence Ajimobi, who is unarguably his closest confidant, was allegedly unaware of the plan.

    On the Monday the governor personally announced the dissolution of the cabinet, he had waited patiently till the end of the weekly executive ouncil meeting before informing the commissioners and others present of his resolve to inject new blood into the administration in order to, in his words, “reinvigorate and reengineer” his team for the challenges ahead.

    While some of the appointees were shocked at the announcement, others simply took it in their strides. For this category of people, sources revealed that they were aware that the dissolution of the cabinet had long been in the offing and that the governor was waiting for an auspicious time before making the move.

    About two years ago, shortly before the burial of the governor’s mother, Alhaja Sikirat Ajimobi in Ibadan, the state capital, rumours were rife that the governor had concluded plans to dissolve the cabinet.

    However, that did not come to be. The Nation gathered that though the rumour was indeed not altogether unfounded, the governor shelved the plan for some strategic reasons.

    According to a source, “The governor was being careful not to do anything that will rupture the alliance deal he had with ex-Governor Rashidi Ladoja and the Accord Party (AP) in the state. Though the governor was under pressure from his party leaders not to work with Ladoja, he stuck to his guns, because he needed the support of every stakeholder in the state across party divides.”

    But no sooner had Ladoja embarked on strident criticisms of his administration that he began to see the urgent imperative of sacking the entire cabinet. He, however, delayed the decision following appeals from some influential stakeholders in the state.

    The former governor’s ceaseless antagonism towards the governor’s policies and actions finally forced the latter’s hand to relieve all the commissioners and other appointees nominated by Ladoja of their appointments some months ago.

    With AP members who were suspected of leaking sensitive and confidential information to their leader out of his government, the governor thought all was now well. He was wrong. A source told The Nation that rather than abate, the governor kept receiving more disturbing reports of some government officials engaging in acts capable of putting his administration into disrepute.

    As a source puts it, “Some of the commissioners were alleged to have been telling their friends and associates that the governor was not giving them enough independence to run the show in their respective ministries. They were also quoted to have accused the governor of treating their suggestions on government policies with contempt and that he (Ajimobi) acts like he knows it all.”

    The source added that it was at this point that the governor decided to send all his aides packing. He was also said to have deliberately kept his plan close to his chest to avoid any external pressure to rescind the decision.

    LG caretaker executives bite the dust

    That the governor has become very adept in springing surprises when least expected was further proven when a few days ago, he dissolved the caretaker committees running the 33 local government councils in the state.

    This move, just like the dissolution of the state executive council, caught many of the affected officials by surprise.

    Though there is the official explanation that the LG caretaker executives were removed due to the expiration of their six-months tenure, we gathered that accusations leveled against some of the caretaker chairmen include, among others, their failure to carry out the governor’s brief in their respective councils; alleged disloyalty, mismanagement of resources and frosty relationship with certain influential stakeholders in their councils.

    LG election still put on hold

    Despite calls by opposition parties in the state that local government elections should be conducted without delay, The Nation reliably gathered that the third tier of government will continue to be administered by unelected officials.

    Sometime ago, the AP leader in the state, Rashidi Ladoja, had cited the fear of defeat of the ruling defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) now All Progressives Congress as the reason the governor had refused to conduct the polls, while boasting that his party will record a landslide victory at the election.

    In its explanation for not conducting the polls, the state government had on several occasions cited legal encumbrances challenging the constitution of the State Independent Electoral Commission which preceded the advent of the administration as the major reason responsible for the decision to put the election in abeyance of sorts.

    New cabinet ready in few days

    About two weeks ago, the state governor disclosed that he will announce the composition of a new cabinet, which sources say may be announced any moment from now.

    In the last few weeks, the residences of influential Islamic leader and businessman, Alhaji Abdulazeez Arisekola Alao, and the Interim Chairman of the APC in the state, Chief Akin Oke, have been turned into a Mecca of sorts by politicians and other lobbyists who are desirous of making the list of the new cabinet.

    While the APC leadership has allegedly forwarded some names to the governor as the party’s list, Ajimobi has reportedly set a benchmark for his ‘dream cabinet’.

    The major considerations for the nominees include absolute loyalty to the governor; loyalty to the APC; experience and record of achievements, to mention but a few.

    It is not clear if the governor would reconsider reappointing some close relatives of opposition politicians, one of whom include Kafayat Adeojo, the erstwhile Commissioner for the Environment, who is the daughter of a PDP chieftain, Chief Yekini Adeojo.

    There are, however, strong feelers that the former Commissioner for Finance, Zaccheus Adelabu and his counterpart in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Princess Folasade Adeyemi, who is the daughter of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, may make the new cabinet.

    But as politicians and people in the state await with bated breath, the announcement of new commissioners and special advisers, what is certain, according to a source, is that the governor will fill his new cabinet with individuals who can perform and also be assets rather than a liabilities to his much speculated second term ambition.

  • Anambra: Don’t betray Ojukwu, monarch tells Obi

    Anambra: Don’t betray Ojukwu, monarch tells Obi

    A traditional monarch in Agulu, Anambra State, Chief Anthony Oguejiofor, has called on Governor Peter Obi of the state to desist from all intentions and actions that may lead him to betray the late Igbo leader and Ikemba of Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu.

    He said this on Thursday while speaking to journalists in Nnewi.

    Oguejiofor, who said he followed the political relationship between the governor and his late political godfather, Ojukwu very closely, said it is on record that Obi promised the late Igbo leader that the next governor of the state will come from the Nnewi zone.

    The Agulu monarch said by his recent utterances and actions, it is obvious that Obi is planning to betray the late Ojukwu. He then urged the governor to look back at the support and loyalty Ojukwu gave him while alive and retrace his step.

    “Obi promised Ojukwu that the next governor of Anambra after him will be produced by Nnewi zone. He said this several times while Ojukwu was alive and supporting him.

    It is not a good thing that he wants to betray his late political godfather now by reneging on that promise simply because Ojukwu is dead. It is on record that he made that promise.

    “My advice is that he should not defy Ojukwu because anybody who defies Ojukwu is defying the divinely ordained leader of Anambra,” he said.

    The traditional ruler also recalled how Obi ensured the removal of his former deputy, Dame Virgy Etiaba, who is from the Nnewi zone, from office.

    “You will remember that Virgy Etiaba, who we had projected for the governorship, based on the agreement between Obi and Ojukwu, was dropped by Obi as deputy,” he said.

  • Confab: PDP chieftains want able representation

    Confab: PDP chieftains want able representation

    Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State on Friday advised the Senator Femi Okurounmu -led Confab Advisory Committee on the mode of selection of persons to the proposed national dialogue.

    The politicians, who are also members of the Crystal Group, one of the prominent caucuses of the PDP in Lagos State, spoke during the public hearing of the committee at the National Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) last Friday.

    Leader of the group and former gubernatorial candidate in the state, Chief Mrs. Remi Adiukwu-Bakare, said the committee must see to it that only trusted and credible people are allowed to be part of the conference.

    Adiukwu-Bakare, who said the proposed conference will discuss salient issues that will help the continued existence and growth of the country, urged Nigerians to take advantage of the national dialogue by selecting only credible people to represent then and canvass their views at the conference.

    “For us at the Crystal Group, the conference offers an opportunity for us all to discuss Nigeria. By discussing Nigeria, I mean that it should be a platform to examine all the things that make us a country and see how we can further strengthen such ties.

    “This is why we said the committee must see to it that only trusted and credible people are allowed to be part of the conference.

    “Based on our expectation that the conference will discuss salient issues that will help the continued existence and growth of the country, we urge Nigerians to take advantage of the national dialogue by selecting only credible people to represent then and canvass their views at the conference.

    “This is one of our positions not just as chieftains and members of the PDP in Lagos State, but also as stakeholders, residents and indigenes of the state. It is also based on our nationalities as Nigerians,” she said.

  • How to ensure free and fair poll, by Ikeyina

    How to ensure free and fair poll, by Ikeyina

    The leader of ‘Anambra Unity Initiative’, Senator Ebenezer Ikeyina, reiterates his call for unity and peace in Anambra State as conditions for development and progress in the 34 year old state.

    As the governorship election in Anambra State draws near, tension is brewing and the atmosphere is charged. The various candidates jostle for attention with all manners of promises to the electorate. But, as it is more often the case with Nigerian politicians, promises are hardly kept and the electorate are the worse for it. They only come into the equation during the ritual of voting.

    However, a new group has emerged with a mandate to unite the entire Anambra State in the search for a credible, competent and God-fearing individuals with character and integrity to lead the Anambra people to the promised land. Events of the preceding years, which have made the state to be synonymous with political brigandage, thugery, and the glorification of historical banditry, sits like an open sore on the consciences of well meaning Anambra people.

    In search of a solution to the multifaceted problems, the ‘Anambra Unity Initiative’, a’k’a’ Integrity Group, was born. It is led by a Third Republic senator, who represented Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, and a former presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ebenezer Ikeyina. He is the Chairman of the Board Trustees.

    The core objective of this group is “to emerge as the vanguard of a people-based mainstream movement harnessed to the common will, motivated solely by the common good and determined to inject credibility and fair play into the political landscape of Ndi-Anambra with the 2013 governorship race as the crucial starting point”.

    Other aims and objectives of the group include, to assemble the community leaders, elders and the political class under one platform but not necessarily one political party as it would be lugubrious for the politicians to politicize a baleful and perennial issue like poverty, to ensure that major stakeholders in the Anambra project speak with one credible voice in all matters affecting our political future and to denounce violence, thuggery and use of unprintable words during campaign.

    Senator Ikeyina does not suffer fools gladly. As he punched the air with his fists to drive home the point that the unity of all Anambra people is non-negotiable, you can see his deep love for his home state. He has preached the unity of Anambra ‘adnauseam’ even as he stressed that the move is to prick our national conscience or whatever is left of its, to make us stop drifting and start thinking not only of the past injuries but of the practical possibilities for the present and future of our state, the nation and its various peoples.

    His crusade for open, transparent and credible elections are very well known and out there in the public domain. Not a man to shy away from confronting issues headlong, Senator Ikeyina in his usual brutal frankness declares “something must give way this time, Anambra must work, only the best is good for the state, we need a genuine leader that will transform the state and its people and make it the pride of the nation and envy of all”.

    The mission statement of the group could not have been more apt when it states that “the community leaders, elders and the political class of Anambra State desirous of promoting the interests of our people and conscious of the need for greater harmony and cooperation among our people and in pursuit of the goal of good governance met at Awka on Friday July 12, 2013 and decided to have an organisation where we shall meet to deliberate on and solve our socio-cultural, educational, economic and political problems. The membership is open to all Anambrarians, and the headquarters shall be at Awka”.

    Against the backdrop of failed promises even as the various gubernatorial aspirants outdo themselves in elaborate electioneering campaigns that have and continue to gulp hundreds of millions of naira, Senator Ikeyina posits that never again shall the Anambra people be taken for a ride. According to him, the days of deceit are over, the Anambra Unity Initiative will invite all the gubernatorial candidates to share their vision for Anambra with all Ndi-Anambra. In addition, anybody aspiring to the exalted office of the Governor of Anambra State must possess three key attributes namely character, competence and credibility. He declared with a point of finality “the emotional bank account of the Anambra people is in debit and so we are so distrustful of people who make promises and cannot keep them; it is therefore in our own enlightened self interest to vote in somebody who can deliver the dividends of democracy”.

    As part of the strategy to achieve this, the group has begun a process of sensitisation and mobilisation of all Anambra people to extract definite commitments from the aspirants and vote only for the candidate that meets their expectations. Lending credence to this assertion is the logo of the group depicted autonomous communities in the state will monitor every development with keen interest.

    Talking about integrity, there is no doubt that this attribute is also an essential ingredient for any leadership position and with a man like Senator Ikeyina, he wears it like a cloth but the question still remains, where is he going to find men and women of integrity in this onerous task of helping to rebuild Anambra State? Is there anybody with the kind of integrity among the gubernatorial aspirants that Ikeyina seeks?

    In his address at the inauguration of the Anambra Unity Initiative on Friday October 11, 2013, Prof. G.E.O. Ogum expressed similar sentiments and warned the organisation to guard tightly against the infiltration of the group by politicians with hidden agenda.

    Ikeyina, by his admission, has founds sons and daughters in whom he is well pleased to collaborate with in the Anambra Unity Initiative. With the like of Dr. Ben Eze agbogu as National Chairman/BOT Secretary, Chief Joseph I. Nwaukwu, First Vice-Chairman, Mr. Okoye Emmanuel, Second Vice-Chairman, Evangelist Joe Chiokwe, third Vice-Chairman, Chief Charles Nwobu, National Secretary, Mr. Peter Nwagu, National Publicity Secretary, and Mrs. Ebele Nzeakor, National Women Leader, the group has come to redefine the face of politics in Anambra State. The question though is, can it sustain the momentum and become a reference point in checkmating bad governance in Anambra State? Will it collaborate with other civil society organisations like Out Suwakwa Ndigbo, The Patriots, etc? There are just too many questions to ask. Only time will tell.