The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • ‘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 percent.

    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.

  • APGA will retain power in Anambra, says Obiano

    APGA will retain power in Anambra, says Obiano

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Willie Obiano, has said that the party will retain power and intensify its service delivery to the people.

    He spoke at the Idemili Day celebrations held at Nkpor. The area is believed to be the stronghold of his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Senator Chris Ngige.

    The ceremony was organised to raise funds for the building of a secretariat and a skill acquisition centre. But it became a rally that offered the plaform for Obiano and other candidates to shed light on his manifestos.

    Obiano was accompanied by the APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh. But the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, also stormed the ceremony with a large number of supporters.

    Despite the absence of Ngige, who hails from Alor, at the event, the community leaders still expressed support for his ambition to rule the state. They said that they would not sacrifice the son of the soil on the altar of politics.

    Senator Annie Okonkwo, who was the chief launcher, called for political tolerance among politicians to ensure a peaceful election on November 16. He donated N10 million to the worthy cause.

    Senator Okonkwo said the proposed centre will equip the youths with life changing skills and re-directing their energies from kidnapping, armed robbery and other vices.

    A community leader, Emeka Nwabueze, an engineer and Information Technology expert, implored the youths to shun evil and embrace value, virtue and hardwork.

    He urged them to emulate the governorship candidates by shunning avarice and graft.

    Nwabueze recalled that he attended Ogidi High School and rose from his humble begining to become an aide of former United States President George Bush.

    Obiano thanked the people for supporting APGA in the last seven years. He urged the people to retain the party in power by voting for him on November 16.

    He lauded the developmental programmes of the Obi Administration, assuring that the tempo will be sustained, if elected as his successor.

    Obiano described himself as the candidate to beat, adding that other contenders cannot beat his profile.

    He called for continuity, saying that APGA, the traditional party of the Igbo, will never renege on its promises to the people.

    Dignitaries at the ceremony also included Chief Obiaora Okonkwo, the leader of NzukoIdemili Association, Dr. Emma Emelumadu, who chaired the ceremony, and other prominent indigenes.

  • ‘Ngige has bright chance’

    ‘Ngige has bright chance’

    The Director of Finance, Ngige Campaign Organisation, Chief Okwudili Adogu, spoke on the preparation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 16 governorship election and the chance of the APC candidate, Senator Chris Ngige.

    Your background gives you away as a professional and businessman. Why politics?

    For a long time, I have been worried about the way things have been going in Nigeria, particularly in Anambra State. I just think that there are not enough people, enough decent people willing to step forward to get into politics and I decided that I can get involved and help solve our problems to the best of my ability.

    Didn’t people try to persuade you from joining what many call the murky waters of politics?

    Well, they did, but what people who say these things fail to acknowledge is that those countries like the UK, the US, where they, either send their children to school or go on holidays, or say India, where we now go in droves for medical treatment, did not become what they are overnight, but because of some honest people who offered service. It is important that we know that what caused our underdevelopment is that we have left governance to charlatans.

    Our politics is largely characterised by mud slinging, thuggery, intimidation and assassinations. Are you comfortable with these?

    It doesn’t bother me. Like Shakes- peare wrote ambition is made of sterner stuff, and I am much prepared to bear the brunt to deliver my people.

    Why the APC? Why not the APGA?

    Very good question. I have known Senator Chris Ngige for quite some time and it might interest you to know that, in his first outing as governor, he appointed me to serve in the Contracts Evaluation Committee, where I served as the Vice Chairman. Again, when you look at it, you will find out that amongast the candidates, Senator Ngige is the best of candidates. There is nobody in the field out there better qualified for the job than Senator Ngige. When I say qualified, I don’t mean academic qualifications alone, I am also talking about experience, political savvy, acceptability amongst the people, etc. So, my joining the APC is to contribute my quota, solid and staunch support for Senator Ngige.

    You are from Anaocha, Aguluzigbo to be precise, where Victor Umeh, the Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, also hails from. Don’t you think it is a suicide mission to politically dare the High Chief?

    Chief Victor Umeh is someone I respect and he is my friend, but there are many things, many problems that I have with the APGA government. Quite frankly, I have heard of the many achievements attributed of the Obi administration but honestly, I have not seen them and I think that they are very invisible. Even at that one would say that the Obi administration has not placed its priorities straight. For example, I know that the first duty of government is the security of life and property. As far as I am concerned, there is no security of life or property in this state. Life is on a stand still here and we cannot go on like this.

    But the Peter Obi Administration claims that it has done well. Are you disputing these facts?

    Yes, quite frankly, I think I will commend them. They are outstanding in one area, and that is propaganda. They have run a propaganda-based government akin to that which is only seen in warfare. I can tell you quite honestly, like I said before that there is an invisibility cloaking the achievements of this government

    What are the chances of your candidate, Senator Chris Ngige, in the election…

    Very bright. Let me say this. He is the best of candidates, in terms of educational background, academic qualification, administrative experience, political experience, political savvy. He is surely the candidate to beat. Now, I am not saying this because I am with Ngige, or had worked with Ngige. No, I am stating this because I have accessed the candidates independently and if I had seen a candidate better than Senator Ngige, I would have worked for him, but as for the best man, I will say its Senator Ngige. The job suits him well.

    But there are feelers out there that the APC is a Hausa- Fulani/Yoruba gang-up. what’s your reaction?

    Oh, that’s absolute rubbish! The APC is a national party, and as a national party it must have spread. However, if you even look at it, you will see that, Ndi Igbo even have more members in the Interim Council of the APC than any other ethnic group. so, where are those who allege that it is a gang up of the North and the Southwest, no, they are wrong. Ndi Igbo have nine members out of the twenty nine interim committee members, we have a Deputy Chairman, A Vice Chairman, a Woman Leader, The National Organising Secretary, the National Financial Secretary and the Deputy Youth Leader. These positions are not only prime positions, but they are also key positions in any political party. Now, Chris Ngige is an Igbo man and he has proven this, since his days as a governor where he stood for the Igbo cause before a belligerent Obasanjo. Is it now that he will change his nature? Will the development agenda for ndi Igbo or ndi Anambra be executed in the western or northern states, those carrying out such campiagns have nothing to offer, thus the reason for the whipping of ethnic sentiments.

    Senator Ngige is a former governor and now, he is a senator. Why does he want to return as governor?

    Oh, that’s an easy one and I will tell you why. Now, this is a man who when he was governor, had a vision of building quality roads across Anambra State, I mean roads that had the touch of quality, roads that were built to last and somewhere, somehow the courts asked him to leave for his successor. So, far, his successor largely failed to replicate the feat in roads and thus the need for Ngige to come back.

    You can see this also arising in other areas like security, water supply, employment, civil service welfare, agriculture etc. You will thus see the need for the man to come and finish of what he started.

    Look at Awka, our capital city. The UN Habitat report has described it as the worst capital city in the world. Look at Onitsha and Nnewi, if you are not bothered I think Senator Ngige is bothered, and therefore, there is a need for him to run and to finish such an agenda.

    As an APC chieftain can you kindly furnish us with what transpired between your party and the Obi of Onitsha as regards the purported rally in Onitsha…

    Well, what actually transpired wasn’t really an affront on the Obi or the people of Onitsha. From the information available to me, we actually had permission to go on with the rally, only that somewhere, there was a communication gap from the palace. But as I see it, we as a party regret such a situation and I know that we all hold the Obi of Onitsha in high esteem. we as Igbos would not desecrate a tradition as worthy as that of the Onitsha people. Senator Ngige is a worthy Igbo and I am quite sure that he would do nothing to rubbish our collective values and tradition.

    Your family background is quite an inspiring one, first your mum was a lawyer, the first female lawyer in the whole of the then Eastern Region and who was also to be a minister. Now can we ascribe your present foray into politics as an inspiration from your mother.

  • Why I returned to Labour Party, by ex-Ondo commissioner

    Why I returned to Labour Party, by ex-Ondo commissioner

    Former Ondo State Commissioner for Works Hon. Yele Omogunwa spoke with KAYODE ALFRED on his travails in politics and why he returned to the Labour Party (LP), despite his previous disagreement with Governor Segun Mimiko.

    What is the solution to the insurgency by the Boko Haram sect?

    I pity Mr. President on the issue. I believe the problem of Boko Haram predates the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. I understand that Mr. President set up a committee to dialogue with them. Are they really faceless people? Today, you hear that Shekau has been killed; tomorrow, a radio or video tape will surface debunking his death. Conflicting reports everywhere about who killed who, number of death and casualties and so on re being bandied everywhere. We even hear that they have inroads into our security system. So, dialogue is important to this matter whatever it will take to save the life of Nigeria and our children. Then if dialogue fails, we can explore military onslaught. Yes, we must face it.

    You were also a Commissioner of Works under the Governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo State before you resigned. What necessitated your resignation and how was your experience?

    The moment you can’t meet your aspirations, whether you are there or not, you are just wasting your time. I did not start my political career as the Commissioner for Works. I’ve been in the political system for over 25 years. I started from the grassroots. I was a Supervisory Counsellor for Education in Irele Local Government. I’ve been the Local Government Secretary. I was a chairman in that local government before I became Commissioner for Education under late Chief Adefarati, where I spent three and a half years or thereabouts. I have stint in three ministries. These ministries they are sharing in Ondo State today by three commissioners were overseen by me as one ministry; they are Ministries of Information, Youths, Sports Development and Culture. I managed them as Commissioner of Information, Youths, Sports Development and Culture. Then, there was a cabinet reshuffle and I was moved to the Ministry of Education, perhaps because of my background. The late Adefarati was awarded the best governor in education. This meant we were doing well in education. So, when the opportunity for elections into the Senate came, I saw it as a bigger platform to impact lives of more people. There was rule by the party (Labour Party) that if you want to contest for a political office, you must resign your present office. So I decided to run for the Senate and I resigned, more so that my local government has never had the opportunity of being represented by anybody in the Senate. Despite the fact that I knew that all odds were against me – I was not favoured – but because I had set my hands on the plough, I resigned my position as Commissioner for Works and as a member of Labour Party. I left my friend (Governor Mimiko). You know in politics, there are no permanent friends nor enemies but permanent interests. Yes, I left the party. Then, there were overtures; the governor was talking to me. “We’ve come a long way. We’ve suffered together. Why not come back and see what God will do.” After a while, precisely January 13, 2012, he came visiting me with two other people. I spoke my mind and we settled. You people say the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know. I know Governor Mimiko very well, his politics and style. So, I went back to the party, but with a condition that I would not want to be appointed a commissioner again.

    What is your assessment of party politics in Ondo State, especially in the light of the newly formed APC?

    The APC in Ondo State is still an underdog. There are three political parties of note in Ondo State; the PDP, the APC and the Labour Party, which is the biggest for now. APC is just coming on board. By my assessment, I don’t see them doing anything in Ondo State. The only difference in the ACN and the APC in Ondo State is just the change of name. It is still the same set of people. I don’t know, if they have gotten new converts, but there is no convert of note that I have learnt of. We know every individual from various communities who work magic. If none of these people have not joined the party, who will want to listen to you? Though it is too early to really say, but I don’t see as any strong opposition in APC as far as Ondo State is concerned.

    Then, I need to comment on the crises in the PDP at the national level. The crisis in the PDP should be arrested on time, lest they throw this country into turmoil. The Baraje-led PDP faction versus Tukur-led faction portends danger for the country, if allowed to degenerate. It is well and good, if the crises favour the opposition to take power, but military intervention will be a bad experience.

    What is your future ambition, as the party prepares for 2015?

    My political ambition is to remain a politician. In what capacity is what I have not made up my mind on because I’m not God. I lost my 2011 senatorial ambition because I had no godfather; I did not have the support of the governor. I mapped out a fantastic campaign strategy. I was going about campaigning. When it comes to grassroots politics, I think under a fair contest external hands within the two of us – myself and the incumbent Senator – it could have been a big fight. But he had the heart, the eye and the mind of the governor which I did not have. You know in our political setting, just the body language of the governor would tell the people where the pendulum would swing. Even my own people would say ‘He is the governor, we dare not criticise him’ as if the governor is God. That godfatherism I did not have then. I have been out of government for the past three and a half years; a senator is sitting, some people are in government and they have what it takes to contest elections but I have God. So, at the right time, God will show me the next step. Yes, governorship could come to the South or the North, but it will depend on some variables. Nobody knows the mind of the Governor. If I were him, I will work on a successor, so that he could keep the flag flying. But note that there are other parties too, even though Labour Party is the darling party in power now. But, if things are not done well, you know human beings.

  • ‘Conference without referendum is meaningless’

    Lawyer and social critic Dr. Theodore Okonkwo spoke with OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE on the November 16 Anambra State governorship election, national security and President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to forward the report of the proposed National Conference to the National Asssembly for ratification.

    What is your assessment of the electioneering in Anambra State?

    Really, it is a challenge. We have a 18 candidates. But there are three major candidates you cannot easily push away. Somebody like Senator Chris Ngige of the APC, Ifeanyi Ubah of LP, Willy Obiano of APGA, and the PDP, though they have crisis. These are the major contestants; they are no pushover. In Anambra, we want power to go to Anambra North and there is nothing wrong with that.

    But there is nothing like zoning in the constitution…

    Is there federal character in the constitution? And they say that federal character must be reflected equitably at federal, state and local government levels. There are things you call precedence, everything must not be written in the constitution. United Kingdom does not have a written constitution, but they operate one of the best democracies in the world. So, you don’t need to have everything written before you operate it. Equity demands it. Forget about legality; it is about equity, unity and peaceful coexistence of the people.

    What type of governor do you think Anambra needs at this point in time?

    We need somebody who will be financially prudent, humble and who is interested in human capacity development. We want a governor that will take security seriously. Since Peter Obi came to power, the challenges we had in security have reduced. Kidnapping is general, we have it everywhere in the country. The governor has been able to contain them within his human limitations because, once you are arrested your house will be demolished and he has been doing that. All of them have all ran away now to Delta State and some to Lagos. So, Anambra is no longer a haven to kidnappers. Of course, it is not possible to eradicate crime totally; you can only reduce or contain it.

    Do you have the confidence that INEC will conduct a free and fair election?

    The INEC led by Prof.Attahiru Jega have done it before and why will they not be able to do it again? The problem with Nigeria is that, if you are losing, you will start to cry foul. Why not go into the field and test your popularity and at the end, if you are dissatisfied go to the tribunal? The procedure is already there and we should not start throwing stones at the INEC, like what happened recently in INEC office in Anambra where some PDP officials were fighting. The problem is not INEC but with the politicians, if they can learn to play by the rules of the game there will not be any problem. So, the INEC is not the problem; they have done reasonably well and we should encourage them.

    What is your advice to the youths and electorate in Anambra State?

    The electorate should come out and vote massively on November 16. The youths should avoid violence and thuggery. It cannot lead us anywhere. We, the Igbos, have had our own share of violence from the civil war times and we do not want such again in Anambra state.

    The President recently raised a committee on the National Conference. What is your take on this?

    It is over due, whether you call it a confab or Sovereign National Conference. But the area I am not comfortable with is what the President said that the outcome of the confab will still be subject to ratification by the National Assembly. I disagree, otherwise, let them forget about it. Let whatever will be the outcome be implemented completely. Sovereignty belongs to the people and not the National Assembly. So, why call for a national conference and then, you go back to the National Assembly for ratification.

    Of course, you know what happens, if the outcome does not favor the North, the senators may not allow it to pass and same with the South. So, whatever the people will agree on at the national conference, let it not be subjected to any other litmus test. Let what the people say be implemented. Subjecting it to the National Assembly is political and that will be the end of it. Obasanjo tried something like this before and the National Assembly hijacked it and till today, nothing was done with it. So, whatever the people decide, let it be implemented. Also, political parties should not be involved in the confab; they should be left out of it, but all ethnic groups must be involved.

    But do you think the President is sincere? Why the sudden change of heart towards the conference ,which he has always spoken out against in the past?

    Jonathan is a democrat and that is the reason for the change. During the last general elections, Igbos agreed that they will not contest the Presidency, that shows you the kind of man he is, a true democrat and as a democrat, he listens.

    Instead of different tribes attacking each other and fighting, let us come together and discuss that problem. It will reduce the heat and tension on the polity. So, this step that the President has taken should be encouraged, but I repeat, let whatever is the outcome of the conference not be subjected to any other ratification by the National Assembly, but should be wholly implemented.

    What are the issues that you think should be discussed at the conference?

    There should be no no-go areas for discussion during the conference. The first issue should be, do we continue as a federating unit? If yes, then, let there be a true federation. The issue of everyday, governors are rushing to Abuja, that shouldn’t be so in a true federation. Let’s operate a true federation, but if we cannot operate a true federation, then, let’s have a confederation. In a true federation, my governor has no business going to Abuja every time.

    So, let their be true federation and let each of the federating units be autonomous, both financially and otherwise. Then, the issue of resource control, let the states control their own resources. If oil is found in a state, let that state control it.

    What they should be paying to the federal government is only royalties and taxes. The state of Wyoming and Texas in the US have oil, the American government does not control their oil. What they pay to the centre is royalties and taxes. But, here it is on the exclusive list. So what they should first do is to remove resource control and mineral development from the Exclusive List and place it in Concurrent List or even make it exclusive preserve of the states that produce all these minerals and then, pay taxes to the federal government. Then,you find out that the governors will stop rushing to Abuja. They will spend more time in their states attending to the needs of the people. Why should all the Commissioners of Finance converge in Abuja every month to share the revenue? It is not done. You do not need to go there and share the wealth of the country. Let there be a true federation in the country and then. there will be peace. The Federal Government is strangulating the federating units and there is need for a change.

    Recently, some governors said the President should not contest for a second tenure. What is your reaction?

    Well, let me, first of all, say that they are entitled to the freedom of expression and association. But, the insinuation that President Goodluck Jonathan should not contest is a falsehood. The constitution says that the man is entitled to contest. Let them go to court, if they are in doubt, instead of going to the print media to cause confusion and sponsor riot.

    They can go straight to the Supreme Court because it is a constitutional matter. So, they can go straight to the court for interpretation ,instead of trying to overheat the polity. But I think all this talk of 2015 is distracting the governors and the President. It is too early. Even, the President also stated this in his last media chat, that it is too early. They should allow our elected officers to concentrate on delivering the democracy dividends to the people first before issues of election and re-election.

    But will you say the President has done very well to deserve a second term?

    Yes, let me start with the issue of power. In the past, I used to run about 200 liters of diesel in a week, but now I run about 50 liters of diesel for about two to three weeks. That shows that there is improvement in the sector. Boko Haram is also being tackled. Let us not forget that these things have been there for a long time before he came in. So, he is trying his possible best to solve them. These things cannot be overcome in a day.

    The President is doing his best to resolve these problems within the environment and confinement of Nigerian politics. It is not easy to govern Nigeria, with its multi ethnicity nature and complexities in opinions and talks. Some are so parochial and so tribalistic that they believe that nothing good will come out from any other person, except from their own side and, when anything does not favour them, they will try to stir up confusion in the country. Nigeria was recently elected into the UN Security Council and that is another kudos and confirmation by the international community that Mr President is doing well.

  • What is Dikko Disciplinary Committee up to?

    What is Dikko Disciplinary Committee up to?

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has set up a disciplinary committee headed by Second Republic Transport Minister Dr. Umaru Dikko. But many stakeholders believe that what the party needs is reconciliation and not sanctions. Assistant Editor GBADE OGUNWALE reports.

    Ailing 77-year-old Dr Umaru Dikko, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Disciplinary Committee. His job is to investigate the allegations of indiscipline against party members and recommend the appropriate sanctions. The seven-member committee, which was inaugurated last week, is coming at a time the ruling party is desperate for peace and reconciliation with aggrieved and alienated members across the country. To make its job easier, the leadership of the PDP had exempted the seven “rebellious” governors, otherwise known as the G-7, from the committee’s brief.

    Also, leaders and members of the Abubakar Baraje faction, otherwise known as the New PDP, have also been excused from the committee. Their case is still pending before the Peace and Reconciliation Committee led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. A peace meeting between the breakaway group and the camp of President Goodluck Jonathan, which was scheduled for October 7, was put on hold. No new date has been fixed for the meeting. With these exceptions, the scope of the Dikko Committee appears narrowed down to a handful of cases across the various geo-political zones.

    The states where the committee may have a job to do are Kwara, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Rivers, Kano, Adamawa, Bayelsa and Lagos. Only a few days ago, a faction in the Kwara State chapter had approached the national leadership for sanctions against members of the New PDP. Former Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki, his successor, Abdulfatah Ahmed and former Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, are some of the leaders of the new PDP. A group led by the chairman of the Federal Character Commission, Professor Abdulraheem Oba, stormed the Abuja national secretariat, demanding for decisive action against Saraki and his loyalists. Specifically, the group sought to take over the party machinery from Saraki and his followers, describing them as “renegade members”. The PDP national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to wield the big stick, the group said that Saraki and his group have lost relevance. A chieftain Alhaji Salman Alada, said certain individuals who believe that nothing happens in Kwara politics without them will be brought to shame.

    “There cannot be two masters in the ship of PDP. The era of indiscipline is gone. Kwara State PDP will remain with the mainstream PDP. We apoligise for whatever might have happened. The new PDP is not known to any law. We want you to put on ground a strong disciplinary action to restore sanity because, if left undone, a lot of damage would be done by these renegades. We urge you to take steps to restore sanity in Kwara. The new PDP, as far as we can recognise in Kwara, is a party that has been constituted by proclamation and it is unknown to any democratic ideas or principles. If the people promoting that party are doing so on the excuse that they are trying to entrench democracy within the parent party, that is the wrong way to go. We on this delegation urge you, Mr. Chairman, that the time is now; not tomorrow. You must put on ground your strong foot of discipline to restore sanity in Kwara PDP”. Apparently referring to Saraki, Alada added: “People don’t know the true state of affairs in Kwara. Once they see one person, they think it’s Kwara. With the backing of the leadership of the party, Kwara must remain in the mainstream of the PDP”. Professor Oba also implored the National Working Committee (NWC) to ensure that any party chieftain in Kwara State, who identified with the Baraje faction, is brought to book. According to the him the PDP under Tukur’s leadership should not condone acts of indiscipline typified by the actions of Saraki, Baraje, Governor Ahmed and others who walked out on the party to join the breakaway faction. Tukur was however, tactical in his response to the group’s demands. He enjoined the delegation to align with the national leadership in the search for peace and reconciliation. According to the chairman, the leadership of the party would continue to push for total reconciliation with estranged members. Tukur insisted that the party would always be guided by the principle of consensus building.

    He said: “We believe in reconciliation without confrontation; restoring the party’s dignity without revenge, and also to build the party based on equity and justice”. Also in the delegation were Presidential Adviser on Ethics Mrs. Sarah Jubril; Senator, Suleiman Ajadi; former Transport Minister, Isa Bio; Mr. John Dara; Bode Ojomu. But, if the party is to be guided by the principle of reconciliation and consensus building, as enunciated by the chairman, then, what role is expected of the Dikko committee? Again, there is s subsisting national reconciliation committee chaired by the Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson. The Dickson committee was put in place by the leadership of the party, with the backing of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The committee had met with the factions in many states, to address their grievances. But, while the Dickson committee has been summoning stakeholders for reconciliatory meetings, the leadership of the party appears to be taking steps that tend to aggravate the existing cleavages. For instance, while the peace committee was still working, the NWC, on September 16, dissolved the executive committee of the Kano State chapter. A caretaker committee was constituted to replace the dissolved executive. The dissolution came shortly after the party received Mohammed, son of the late maximum ruler, General Sani Abacha, back into the PDP. Alhaji Alhassan Kafayos was named as the chairman of the caretaker committee, while Mr. Andrew Musa was appointed secretary.

    They were immediately sworn-in by the National Legal Adviser, Mr. Victor Kwom. The National Organising Secretary Abubakar Mustapha, said other members of the committee would be appointed in Kano during the week. But the other members that were co-opted into the caretaker committee had been on war the path with Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. Speaking at the inauguration, Tukur said the tenure of the dissolved exco had expired on August 15. According to him, the party observed the rules and provision of its constitution in setting up the caretaker committee. Tukur charged the committee members to ensure that they listen to the grievances of aggrieved members, with a view to addressing them. He told them that winning the Kano governorship election in 2015 is a task that must be accomplished.

    The committee was set up without any input from the Kano governor, lending credence to insinuations that the committee was a ploy to sideline Governor Kwankwaso in the running of the chapter. Speaking with journalists a few days after the committee was inaugurated, MohammedAbacha said he joined the PDP in 2010 and left the party for the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). He again left the CPC in 2010, owing to what he described as the lack of internal democracy in the CPC. Abacha added that he had held consultations with various PDP stakeholders, except the governor, who he promised to consult later. But the Baraje faction has never hidden it’s disdain for the peace efforts. According to the faction, Tukur is the obstacle to reconciliation.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Chief Chukwuemeka Eze, accused Tukur of creating crises in the various chapters and making half- hearted moves at reconciliation. Eze said Tukur had frustrated all efforts being made by President Goodluck Jonathan and other leaders to end crises in the party.

    Eze said: “The latest of the belligerent actions by the Tukur faction is the ill-advised move to take over the structures in the states controlled by the governors loyal to Baraje’s leadership. Mr. President should not be deceived by some party leaders, who are making him believe that he can do without us.

    “Most of these leaders cannot, under a properly organised free and fair elections, win their wards. It is obvious that no presidential election in Nigeria can be won without states like Rivers, Kano, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kwara, Niger and Kebbi states, which are under our control. Check the past general elections and you will see that some of these media-created PDP leaders have no followers in their states at the moment, talk less of making any impact come 2015″.

    The faction however, commended Jonathan and other party leaders for seeking amicable resolution of the crises and appealed to them not to relent in their determination to achieve results. According to Eze, what the PDP needs is not a disciplinary committee. Rather, the party, he said, is in dire need of internal democracy. He insisted that all the cases of disagreement and alleged anti-party activities by members were borne out of frustrations arising from the culture of impunity by the PDP under Tukur’s watch.

    Eze added: “We are asking that internal democracy be allowed to thrive within the party and that Tukur and his undemocratic gang should not see the party as their personal property in which they can wake up any day and fire whoever they dreamt about in their sleep. We will no longer condone such undemocratic reasoning and acts. We are adamant on achieving our aim of restoring democratic normalcy within the PDP as envisaged by the founding fathers of the party. This is a battle to which we have committed ourselves and there is no going back, until undemocratic elements within our party are flushed out as their acts have done much harm and brought much shame to our great party”.

    There is not much for the Dikko committee to do. In his acceptance speech after inauguration, the frail-looking Dikko was hardly audible. His movement from the ground floor to the second floor, the venue of the ceremony, was a labourous one. He was aided to his seat and it took some efforts before he could lower his frail frame into the seat. Going by the precarious situation in the PDP today, the Dikko Committee may as well be a window dressing. Analysts are of the opinion that, with the fragile state of party, any attempt by its leadership to hand down sanctions to aggrieved members may deepen the discontent in the ruling party.

     

  • Where’s Abuja Conference’s report?

    Where’s Abuja Conference’s report?

    Many stakeholders want the report of the 2005 National Political Reform Conference to be revisited as the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue headed by Senator Femi Okurounmu moves round the six geo-political zones, seeking contributions to the agenda of the national conference proposed by President Goodluck Jonathan. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

    The convocation of the National Political Reform Conference (NPRC) by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on February 21, 2005 would have been the most important achievement of the administration, if its report had not been sacrificed on the altar of the third term agenda.

    Despite the restrictions imposed on the conference headed by Justice Niki Tobi (rtd) by the “no-go areas” highlighted by the former President, the 19 committees produced a vital document, which attempted to proffer solutions to the national question. Although the members were not elected, many of the delegates were credible Nigerians from all walks of life. Apart from Tobi, other principal officers were the Depuy Chairman, Alhaji Sule Katagun, the Secretary, Dr. Mathew Kukah, the Joint Secretary, Prof. I-shaq Oloyede, the Deputy Secretary, (Administration and Finance), Nu’uman Dambatta, and the Deputy Secretary (Conference Proceedings), Mr. Akin Arikawe. But the groundwork was prepared by a pre-conference committee, which produced the blueprint. It was headed by former Kaduna State Governor Mohammed Makarfi.

    The conference restored hope to the troubled country. Although some Nigerians expressed reservations about it, the suspicion initially disappeared during the proceedings. The true picture of Nigeria as a country of diverse interests unfolded. But the ethnic tension did not lead to the collapse of the conference. Indisputably, many of the critical national issues addressed by the conference still stare the nation in the face.

    Among eminent Nigerians, who have called for the re-opening of the conference’s report, is the former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. The All Progressives Party (APC) leader noted that the only stain was the third term agenda, which, nevertheless, collapsed like a pack of cards. He said, if the report is revisited and implemented, Nigeria may discover the solution to its numerous problems.

    The report covered the recommendations of the 19 Standing Committees. The committees are: ‘The Economy , Social Infrastructure, Environment and Natural Resources, Revenue Allocation and Fiscal Federalism, National Security, Human Rights and Social Security, Judiciary and Legal Reforms, and Anti-Corruption. Others are Models and Structures of Government, Power Sharing, The Legislature, The Executive, Local Government, Public Service, Foreign Policy, New Sustainable Democratic Order, Political Parties and Electoral Progress, Civil Society, Labour, Trade Unions and Media, and Traditional Institutions and Culture.

    Today, the delegates also occupy strategic positions in the polity as governors, National Assembly members, ministers, commissioners and top party leaders. The members of the Report Writing Committee were Admiral Muritala Nyako, now governor of Adamawa State, Prof. Nur Alkali, Mr. Fidelis Oyakhilome, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, now governor of Katsina State, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), former Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Chief Olaiya Oni, former Education Minister, and John Dara. Others are Alfred Eghobamien Alfred (SAN), Ibrahim Lame, Mohammed Buba, Mrs. Franceesca Emmanuel, Prof. Awwal Yadudu, Mrs. Tawa Williams, an engineer, Danjuma Maina, Francis Doukpola, Ambassador Dapo Fafowora, Aminu Gurin, Ambassador B.A. Jidda, Dr. Kukah, now Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Prof. Oloyede, Dambatta, and Arikawe.

     

    Economy

     

    Today, the economy remains ini trouble. Had the conference’s report been implemented, may be, the government would have secured the impetus for the diversification of the economy. Not only did the report hammered on agricultural development, it also directed attention to the development of solid minerals, which would have become alternative revenue sources.

    The Economy Committee was headed by Prof. Adebayo Adedeji, former Chairman of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The committee recommended that oil companies should be compelled to add value to their activities by refining, rather than merely exporting crude. Also, it recommended that the states and local governments. in co-ordination with the oil bearing communities, should have a say in the development and utilisation of these resources. Also, it was recommended that the Federal Government should enact laws to compel government establishments at all levels to patronise made-in -Nigeria goods. Delegates called for the privatisation of the refineries and the setting up of a Nigeria Mineral Resources Trust Fund for the benefit of future generations.

     

    Revenue allocation and

    fiscal federalism:

     

    The conference recommended that the positions of the Accountant-General of the Federation and Accountant-General for the Federal Government should be separated, adding that a new official to be called the Director-General should be in charge of the collation, allocation and distribution of funds from the Federation Account. Thus, the role of the Accountant General of the Federation would be limited to the supervision of the funds of the Federal Government. Also, it was recommended that the Director-General (Federation Accounts) should function under the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). Delegates also suggested that the composition and membership of the RMAFC should be from the Federal Government, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “The state representatives would be nominated by the governors, subject to confirmation by the Senate”, added the report.

    Also, the conference made two important recommendations. It said that “bulk allocation should be made to states in respect of their local governments, irrespective of the number of the local governments in any particular state”. Also, it was suggested that “the derivation principle should be applicable to all revenues, except the Value Added Joint Tax (VAT), accruable to the Federation Account.

     

     

    State/ Local Government Account

     

    The conference recommended that the State/Local Government Joint Account should scrapped and replaced by a State Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (SRMAFC), with representative of the local government and a chairman appointed by the governor. All nominees must also be screened by the House of Assembly. The report may have enlisted on the side of true federalism, recognising only two tiers; the state and Federal Government. It stressed: “Local government affairs are the sole responsibility of states. Thus, the government of every state shall ensure their existence under a law, which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils. Consequently, Section 8(3) (4) of the 1999 Constitution are unnecessary, just as the listing of Local Government Areas in states in the First Schedule of the constitution should be removed”.

    Also, the conference recommended that the number of local governments in a state should not count as a criterion for revenue allocation.

     

    Judiciary

     

    To reflect the federal system of government, the delegates recommended that the constitution should be amended as follows: to provide that the salaries and other emoluments of the state judiciaries, both for judicial and non-judicial officers, should be charged to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the states; to provide that both capital and recurrent expenditures of the judiciaries at all levels be charged to the Consolidated Revenue Funds and Recurrent Expenditures; and to provide that these funds, together with the funds of the federal judiciary, be deducted at source and paid to the National Judicial Council for direct disbursement to the judiciaries.

    The report called for the separation of the office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. It said: “Recognising that political independence is too much to expect, and as the Attorney-General, by the nature of his duty, appears before judges in court, it is neater that he should have nothing to do with their appointments and any other affair concerning them. Consequently, and in line with previous recommendations, particularly the Judicial Panel on the Reform/Reorganisation of the Judiciary (kayode Eso Panel), there should be a complete separation of the offices of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice”.

    To ensure independence, it was also suggested that “the Attorney-General should not be a politician or a civil servant” and the office should be funded directly from the Consolidated Revenue Accounts of the Federation.

     

    National Security

     

    However, the conference failed to address the threat posed to the federal principle by the centralised police. It recommended that “ the present centralised police structure should remain, but be reformed to make it more effective and representative of the federal character of the country”.

     

    Citizenship and indigeneship

     

    According to the report, “the right of any Nigerian citizen to be resident or domicile in any part of Nigeria should be recognised”. The resident should also enjoy rights, privileges and facilities in the place of his choice, if his parent was born in the place, married to an indigene, has lived there continuously for not less than 18 years, and does not claim indigeneship status in any other community in the country. However, the resident should not harbour the motive of displacing or usurping the rights of the original native inhabitants if the affected area.

    On the social rights, the delegates said that “all Nigerians should be equally treated wherever they choose to reside”. Also, married women should enjoy the same rights and privileges as their spouses in their state.

     

    Immunity

     

    The conference recommended the retention of the immunity clause in the constitution. Thus, the President, Vice President, governors and their deputy are to be insulated from criminal proceedings.

     

    Corruption

     

    The report recommended that “any person convicted of corrupt practices should be stripped of any national award and barred from receiving any in the future and from becoming a director in any public company”. Remarkably, the report added: “Special courts should be set up for the prosecution of cases emanating from corrupt practice and such cases should not last more than 90 days”.

     

    Models and structures of

    government

     

    The conference affirmed faith in the federal system of government, although it also supported devolution of powers to the states to a certain degree. It recommended three levels of government-centre (Federal Government), states as federating units and local governments as grassroots units.

     

    Rotation of executive

    positions

     

    The conference recommended as follows: “The office of the President, governors and local, government chairmen should rotate in such a way that all the geo-political zones in the federation, states, and local governments, as the case may be, should have the chance to produce a President, governor or local government chairman, alternating between the Northern and Southern parts of the country and geo-political zones in the states and local governments, respectively. Because of the emotive nature of the rotation, it should not be included in the constitution. It should however, be given legal backing below the constitution to ensure that political parties are enjoined to apply the rotation principle in order to provide for equity and justice in putting forward people for electoral offices”.

     

    Power sharing

     

    The report is confusing in some aspects. While it recognised the states as the federating units and their supervisory roles over the councils, it also recommended financial autonomy for the local governments. The report recommended that the National Assembly should pass a legislation to ensure that the Presidency rotates between the North and South and among the six geo-political zones.

     

    Independent candidacy

     

    According to the report, “independent candidates should be free under the constitution to contest election into all public offices.

     

    Cost of governance

     

    The report recommended a reduction in the number of federal ministries to 18, nine ministries for states and reduction in the number of parastatals and commissions. It added: “There are too many special advisers, special assistants, and personal assistants in the Presidency, which at present, number about 90. They merely duplicate and perform the functions of the established civil service. Also, it recommended a cut in the overseas diplomatic and consular missions, frivolous travelling by officials with large contingents.

     

    Secularity of state

     

    The report recommended that religion should be separated from governance and no state should force religion on its subjects.

     

    Delegates

     

    Other prominent delegates at the conference include Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Alhaji Umaru Dikko, Prof. Joe Irukwu, Asiwaju Sunday Adewusi, Senator Mike Ajegbo, Princess Tejumade Alakija, Prince Bola Ajibola, Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN), Prof. Albert Ogbunshola, Dr. Joseph Wayas, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN), Mr. Dele Adesina (SAN), Prof. Attahiru Jega, Gen. OBM Haruna, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), Chief Godwin Agabi (SAN), Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Senator Sikiru Shitta-Bey, Arthur Nwankwo, Chief Solomon Lar, Alhai Shehu Musa, Bassey Asuquo, Senator Mahmud Waziri, Senator Stella Omu, Dr, Olusola Saraki, Dr. Lekan Are, Prof. Omotayo Olutoye, Dr, Haliru Bello, Chief Mathew Mbu, Dr, Shettima Mustapha, Chief Paul Unongo, Chief Barnabas Gemade, Dr, Kema Chikwe, Alhaji Usman Faruk, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Gen. Joshua Dongoyaro, Real Admiral Hamzat Sani, Chief Ason Bur, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, Mrs. Hellen Esuene, Alhaji Ibrahim Damcida, King Diete-Spiff, Sir George Kogbara, Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, Chief Edwin Clark, Admiral Mike Akhigbe, Chief S.K. Babalola, Senator Sola Akinyede, Senator Uba Ahmed, Justice Chikudifu Oputa, Dr, Christopher Abashiya, Alhaji Ibrahim Commaissie, Co,. Bello Kaliel, Gen. David Jemibewon, Gen. Oluwole Rotimi, Chief Olusola Oke, Admiral Akin Aduwo, Dr. Olu Alabi, Oba Sikiru Adetona, Senator Ayo Otegbola, Prof. Ade Ayoade, Hon. Dosu Oladipo, Chief Bayo Oyero, Chief Albert Horsfall, Commodore Jonah Jang, Dr, Adamu Fika, Gen. A,B. Mamman, Oba Olateru Olagbegi, Alhaji Sheu Usman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Prof. Kimson Okoko, Chief John Kolawole, Mrs. Zainab Maina, Chief Don Etiebet, Prince Segun Adesegun, Mrs. Iyabode Pam, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, Bishop Peter Adebiyi, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Yinka Ibidun, Dr. Ola kasim, Mr. Fola Adeola, Alhaji Iro Dan Musa, and Comrade Tony Nwoye.

  • Akwa Ibom 2015: Can Eket get it?

    Akwa Ibom 2015: Can Eket get it?

    Ahead of the 2015 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State, indigenes of Eket Senatorial District are agitating for powershift. Sunday Oguntola examines the prospects and obstacles against the project.

    For indigenes of Eket Senato-rial District in Akwa State, 2015 is a date with his tory. They believe the governorship race, which has attracted wide interests and ripples, offers the best opportunity for power shift. Since the state was created in 1987, no indigene of the zone has governed the oil-rich state. Yet, the zone has the highest concentration of oil wells.

    But the people of Uyo are also interested in the slot. Therefore, in 2015, the battle is between Uyo and Eket.

    The first civilian governor, the late Obong Akpan Isemin, won the race on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in 1991. He was from the Uyo senatorial district. But he did not last as the military took over power in 1993.

    In 1999, Obong Victor Attah, also from the Uyo Senatorial District, mounted the saddle. He served for two terms and handed over to the incumbent, Godswill Akpabio, who is the first governor from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

    The strict adherence to zoning in the state since its creation, though unwritten, spurred the indigenes of Eket district to believe it is their turn. They believe that power shift will be in the interest of fairness and equity, since they supported former occupants of the office from other districts.

     

    The case for zoning

     

    Eket’s leading lights have been campaigning for zoning of the governorship slot. They argue that it will give them a sense of belonging and engender peaceful coexistence. They allude to the observance of zoning in nearly all the states of the federation, especially at the national level.

    To the pioneer Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Bassey Essien, the agitation is not far-fetched because, in his view, the Eket district has been marginalised and neglected for decades. He said: “If the people of Eket senatorial district keep mute, sit down and expect power to return to them without struggling for it, it won’t happen.”

    Anny Asikpo, a Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) senatorial aspirant in the 2011 elections, is an indigene of Ikot Ekpene in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district. But he supports the campaign for Eket district to produce the next governor. The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain said: “As far as I am concerned and as far as honest and sincere people of Akwa Ibom state are concerned, the issue of zoning of the governorship seat to Eket Senatorial district in 2015 should not be a matter of debate, since what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.”

    Former Minister of Science and Technology Prof. Ita Ewa also believes it is the turn of Eket to produce the governor. He said: “The state is divided into three geo-political zones and, if the other two have taken their turns, then, the turn of Eket senatorial district in 2015 cannot be compromised.”

    He justified the position of the zone, especially in the face of the poor environmental conditions faced by the people while their natural wealth is being destroyed by the activities of multinational oil companies.

    Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (Southsouth) Chief Edet Nkpubre said: ‘’In politics, you don’t sit down and somebody bring the position of governor to your doorsteps. The people of Uyo will tell you whatever they want to justify their inclusion in the governorship race.

    “They will tell you there was no zoning because they are interested in the race. they will tell you they don’t believe in zoning now.  But for people who believe it is their right, it is their responsibility to justify their own claims to it.”

    He warned that depriving the zone of the governorship slot in 2015 could have grave consequences. ‘‘When you don’t do what is right, you are not going to bring peace and harmony for the state to develop,” Nkpubre said.

    According to him, “injustice will bring disharmony”. “When you do what is right to meet everybody’s expectation, then, there will be peace for the state to develop. There will be harmony among various ethnic groups making up Akwa Ibom state. It is the turn of Eket Senatorial District to produce the next governor.”

    Speaking at a one-day summit in Washington DC on the theme “Preparing leadership for the unity of Akwa Ibom state”, Senator Etang Umoye, said: “the 2015 gubernatorial election will be a big battle”.

    Governor Godswill Akpabio has come out publicly to declare support for the bid of Eket senatorial district to produce his successor. Akpabio is believed to have transformed the state, since he came to the office in 2007.

    Boisterous and daring, he rides on the crest of huge achievements, making him the indisputable power broker in the state. His free education policy and building of infrastructure, such as underground drainage, an electronic library, a brand new four-star hotel, a new Government House and offices, impressive road network across Uyo, the state capital, have consolidated his grip on the power structure.

    But All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftains, led by Senator John Akpanudoedehe, are ready to challenge Akpabio to a duel. To them, the state has not got the best in terms of amenities because it is a rich state.

    It is widely believed that whoever Akpabio supports will get the PDP ticket. Addressing the paramount rulers, the governor said: “I am committed to ensuring that Eket senatorial district takes over the governorship seat in 2015 for the peace and unity of the state.”

    The governor has said that he will hand over to a PDP successor. But, to the APC, this is wishful thinking.

    There are unconfirmed reports that Akpabio sacked the erstwhile Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umana Okon Umana, to pave the way for the emergence of an anointed candidate from the Eket district.

    There are rumbles around government circles that Akpabio’s support for Eket and the sack of Umana have effectively put paid to the ambition of his aides outside the zone to contest the governorship. Umana, many believe, was sacked for nursing a governorship ambition. The former SSG from Uyo senatorial district, which has the highest population in the state, is wealthy and influential.

    His critics say it would be absolutely impossible for Akpabio to teleguide a governor like Umana, considering his immense wealth and independent mind. The governor moved against the former SSG to clip his wings and clear the coast for a candidate from Eket. Who that candidate will be, for now, remains Akpabio’s joker.

  • My agenda for Anambra, by PPA candidate

    My agenda for Anambra, by PPA candidate

    Anambra State Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) governorship candidate Mr. Godwin Ezeemo has reiterated his resolve to transform the state. Unfolding his five-point agenda in Awka, the state capital, the politician said that he would fulfil his promise, if elected as governor on November 16.

    Ezeemo said the five-point agenda tagged ‘Shape Anambra’is an acronym for ‘Security, Health, Agriculture, Power and Education’. The manifestos, he said, was premised on the expectation of the people.

    Reiterating his determination to restore security, the PPA flag bearer said: “It will be practically impossible for any serious economic activity to thrive in any environment that is unsecure as we have witnessed recently in the Southeast and Anambra State, in particularly. We will through the availability of constant power supply deploy the state of the art and security equipment in all the nooks and crannies of Anambra state that will help each and every one of us monitor our individual collective security”.

    Ezeemo also promised to defend the health sector, saying that health is wealth. He said the hospitals will not be staved of funds, personnel and facilities. He added: “The health of the nation is the wealth of the nation. This is a very popular saying and what we have planned to do is to take Anambra to the level where everybody will have access to the basic primary health care.

    “What we call hospital is not the edifice, rather the equipment and medical personnel that will man the equipment and take care of patients. We will not condone a situation where the whole of Anambra State has only 21 medical doctors overseeing 21 local governments and 326 wards. “As a point of priority we shall ensure that each and every person living in Anambra state will have free access to a medical doctor each time the person has a health condition”.

    Ezeemo promised to promote agriculture and gainfully employ the jobless youths in agro-business ventures. He said that, as a prelude to taking the youths out of the streets, a sound foundation would be laid for agricultural and industrial revolution to solve the twin problems of unemployment and hunger, which in most cases, predispose the youths to crime.

    He stressed: “ Through massive agricultural and industrial development, we will not only feed the state, but also gainfully and meaningfully employ our youths. Presently, I am personally involved in farming and without sounding immodest, my farm, Orient Farms Ltd, has in its payroll over 1, 000 youths, who eke out a meaningful living out farming activities. My team will therefore, make agricultural development a focal point of our administration”.

    Lamenting the power outage in Anambra State, the politician said that it is a negative incentive to investment. However, hos he intends to resolve the matter is not clear because power is on the Exclusive List.

    Ezeemo said: “It is now common knowledge that electricity supply is the first condition for a successful industrial revolution. Over the years industries built in the Southeast and other parts of Nigeria by our founding fathers our industries have all died off while the ones that are surviving are comatose, due to the intractable problem of power supply.

    “Our private businessmen, including myself, are all groaning under the heavy weight on running our plants on diesel and this makes cost of locally manufactured goods higher than the imported ones. Every economic activity hinges on power even our comfortable existence e as human beings cannot be realized without constant power supply.

    “My administration will first and foremost ensure that we achieve steady power supply as a basis for every other economic activity to thrive in Anambra. As far as we are concerned, steady power supply is not negotiable in our scheme of things”.

    Ezeemo promised to boost education by introducing novel welfare packages for the teachers and motivating parents to send their wards to the public schools.

    Describing education as a right and not a privilege, he said his administration will developvocational and technical education to enable the students to acquire technical skills, which will make them to be self-reliant.

    Ezeemo said: “An uneducated generation is a wasted generation so goes the saying. I recall with nostalgia how as a youth I had uninterrupted flow of education and teachers were dedicated because their welfare was paramount to government.

    “What we have now is a different story where teachers are owed for months unpaid and students spend an average of seven years to acquire a four year degree programme. Beyond taking care of teachers we will also ensure that our students do not roam the streets when they should be in school studying.

    “We will ensure that any child of age in Anambra state does and should acquire universal basic education. It is a right and not a privilege. We will also incorporate technical and vocational studies in our school curriculum so that our children will become useful to themselves as technicians after their secondary education.

    “Most of the people that come from abroad that we call engineers are actually technicians and artisans. They did not go to universities but they are trained on the job and they are experts on it. When they come here, people call them engineers.

  • APGA will retain power in Anambra, says Umeh

    APGA will retain power in Anambra, says Umeh

    All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) National Chairman Chief Victor Umeh spoke with reporters on preparations for the November 16 poll, shortly after the party’s rally in Onitsha. AUGUSTINE AVWODE reports.

    Your party was involved in a protracted crisis. Will that not affect its chance at the governorship poll in Anambra State?

    There are bound to be disagreements one way or another, but the important thing is the ability of the people that are involved to close ranks and reconcile. I can tell you that the APGA came out of the disagreement much stronger in the sense that the things many people wished should never be possible again have become possible and became the tonic, which the party needed to defend itself against the opponents.

    So, I can tell you that there is a new spirit within the APGA that can best be described as wonderful. We were the original people that made the APGA what it was, what it still is, and there is no way people who laboured together to build an organisation, and along the line, some issues that were not well managed can be allowed to cause the organisation to disintegrate. It was a situation of rekindled hope in the party and everybody is ready to work for the party. Everybody is desperate to ensure that the party survives and the only way the party can prove that it can survive is by winning the election. So, we are very strong now and everywhere in the state, you can see it for yourself. From the rally that we have had today, it is the second in about nine days or so. The first one was wonderful and today’s rally was superb.

    There is the insinuation in some quarters that the candidate of the party is a green horn, politically. Don’t you think that can affect the chance of the party?

    There is nothing called green horn in a business like this. The people that are described as green horns may be very difficult to beat. I have said it before that, when you are a part of a society and have carried yourself very responsibly, at anytime, you can seek public office and the people will welcome you. Those who considered themselves as strong horses in the state have been losing elections. That some one has been part of a process for 20 years by being involved in the process will not guarantee you preference in the eyes of the people. If that were to be the situation, some people that have been in politics for 20 to 30 years must have become Presidents or governors. But that is not always the case.

    In the present case, we have capable people, who are also known in their communities and the careers they have had. Nobody is faulting them that they are not competent or knowledgeable or that they can not deliver the goods. The only thing they are saying is that they are not politicians. By that, they mean not being the itinerant type of politicians. They will say they are strangers in politics and so they should not be supported. Well, that is not a good argument. The people in question here are urbane, well educated, people who have had experience and exposure in their careers to run the affairs of the state. So, there is nothing like green horn in this exercise. Then, you have to also consider our platform in the election. Our party is entrenched in the Anambra State. We have been here, we have fought difficult battles and stood against tough opponents in the past and overcame them. So, that platform is still the platform of choice in Anambra State. Once we have people, who are found to be worthy, both in character and in learning, they can stand on the platform and overwhelm those who are old horses. Our candidates will defeat them in the coming election.

    Critics say that your candidates are cronies of the governor, who were propped up to hide his misdeeds in office?

    What I have always heard is that they were imposed; I have never heard this angle you mentioned. But those who are champions of the claim that our candidates are imposed are actually the ones that were imposed on others. People don’t accept their own limitations, but spin things around against people who are honest and hardworking. As for people who are saying that they are cronies, I don’t know how you can describe somebody who has worked in the bank for 23 years. Governor Obi never had any interest in the bank that is up to 12 years; so, you cannot call him his crony. This is a man who excelled in his career, retired without blemish. Is it the running mate that you will call his crony? Somebody who is a senior lecturer in a university, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and holds a PhD in Monetary Economics. How can he be a crony to Governor Obi? And for the allegation that they have been brought to cover his misdeeds, don’t they have access to information? Why are they not unmasking Obi’s misdeeds on the pages of newspapers, instead of threatening every time that it will be terrible when Obi leaves, they will expose this or that? That is just fishing in the bush to cover their shortcomings with propaganda. There is no such thing. They only exist within the figment of their imagination. In Nigeria, Obi is known to be the most prudent governor in this country. He is the only governor that has been adjudged to have managed resources very prudently and deploying them to the development of the state. So, what is he going to cover? Somebody ignorantly declared that Obi is spending N15billion local government fund every month. The whole of Anambra State gets about N3billion every month on local government; and the person spoke publicly, talking out of ignorance. Our people have appreciated Obi in the past seven and a half years, in the areas of infrastructure development, revamping our educational sector, our health sector and so on and so forth. So, where is the money that he is stealing? You cannot pursue development without money, anyway. If our people are surprised at the level of achievements Obi has recorded and they have been hailing him everywhere, where are those misdeeds that he is hiding? Many state governments are broke now. They cannot pay salaries. Yet, at the twilight of Obi Administration, he is injecting about N40billion in a final push to meet Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) projects. Instead of saying the man has performed, they keep living in the illusion that he has something to protect and that is why he is sponsoring A or B. There is no such thing. Obi is not afraid of anything.

    What about the issue of your candidate’s alleged double registration?

    I have read this story in the papers and I was amazed. The reason being that, those propagating the rumour are those who are afraid of the green horn in the election. They described him as green horn, yet they insinuate that he should be disqualified. If he were a green horn, why is his participation in the election a problem to them? Why do they want him disqualified at all cost? The people saying this thing are not officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The electoral body is the custodian of the voters register in Nigeria. They are the ones who will indicate whether Willie Obiano registered once or twice. What I heard was that Obiano was said to have registered in Lagos and that he also registered in Anambra State. The governorship election is taking place in Anambra State on November 16, not Lagos. The law is that nobody should vote twice in a constituency. Is Obiano going to vote in Lagos on November 16? The voters register has just been released; the soft copy to parties. Go and print it and see, if his name will appear twice in his ward. If his name appears twice, then, he can be said to have violated the laws. I can tell you authoritatively that his name will appear only once in the voter’s register that has just been released today. So, all this stories are peddled to create confusion by people who are afraid. They know he is the candidate to beat in the election and they will continue to look for straws to clutch onto to smear his name. Let them go and prepare because Obiano will defeat them at the election.

    You have often described the campaign as ‘Operation Osmosis’. What is Biology doing in politics?

    Of course, we have done two campaigns and you see people defecting into APGA. It is the strongest party in the state. In Biology, the stronger solution draws the weaker one. Last week, on October 7, we were overwhelmed by defectors from other parties. Our people, once they know where the prospect of somebody winning election is highest, they go there. That is the Osmosis in the campaign. We are drawing the people from the weaker parties. There are those who have been in the PDP for the past eifght years, idle and they say they cannot continue like that again. Today they are with APGA, because they know that their candidates stand no chance. And we are happy to receive them because they are all Anambra people. Not propaganda, today, the former Speaker of Old Anambra State House of Assembly, defected to APGA. He has been a very strong member of PDP. But he has changed his mind.