The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • Politics of endorsement:Obi of Onitsha factor

    Politics of endorsement:Obi of Onitsha factor

    The emerging politics of endorsement in Anambra State has placed the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, as one of the most critical factors in the November 16 governorship election. Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, who digs into the background of the traditional ruler wonders if he can safeguard the neutrality of the ancient stool.

    The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, is, no doubt, one of the most influential traditional rulers in the South-East geo-political zone and in Nigeria in general.

    In his state, Anambra, his political relevance, according to our investigations, is further punctuated not only by the awe in which the ancient throne is viewed in Onitsha and its environs but also because of the sheer population advantage the Onitsha commercial city presents.

      Igwe Achebe’s influence, we learnt, also derives from the wide connections he made in the corporate, political and social circles even before he ascended the throne.

    So, as the campaign for the November 16, 2013 governorship election gathers momentum, each of the leading candidates and their political parties are desperately jostling for his public endorsement and support. This, we learnt, has somehow put the traditional ruler and his council in a fix, as they allegedly dread over-politicisation of the ancient throne ahead of the governorship election.

    One of the elders of Onitsha, who confirmed that top state government officials and leaders of the contending political parties are piling up pressure on the traditional council of Onitsha, said in confidence that the matter has reached a stage that the council, even the Obi himself cannot but play a part in the decision for the next governor of the state.

    “Traditional elders, who as custodians of our culture and tradition and would have loved to remain neutral as fathers, are being dragged to come out in the open to endorse a political party or candidate. This is a hard knot to crack, but I can only tell you that even the Agbogidi, our father, His Majesty, is being pressured to take a stand in the public, but our gods are awake and will guide the throne,” he said guardedly.

    Politics of endorsement

    To confirm his political relevance in the forthcoming election, virtually all the candidates have made overtures to get Obi of Onitsha’s public endorsement.

    This had been ongoing even before the final emergence of the current candidates.

    The heat, we learnt, was felt more within the All Progressives Grand Alliance, where most of the heavyweights that contested during the primaries ran to the Obi of Onitsha for the traditional blessing.

    By then, it was alleged that the traditional ruler held both the knife and the yam.

    So, before the news filtered out that the sudden resignation of the Obi of Onitsha as the Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers was as a result of alleged disagreement between him and Governor Peter Obi over the choice of the governorship candidate of APGA, the Obi of Onitsha’s council had laboured hard to disprove allegations of direct involvement in the politics of 2013 governorship election in Anambra.

    It was reported that the governor had asked the revered traditional ruler to help shop for an acceptable governorship candidate from Anambra North Senatorial District.

    But before the Igwe would get somebody, Obi had announced his choice. Insiders said Igwe Achebe felt slighted and decided to leave office as the chairman of traditional council.

    Although both the Obi of Onitsha and governor Obi had since denied this, the full details of these reports, especially the reason for the resignation, is on record that it was after the reported resignation that visits to the Igwe for endorsement and open blessing peaked or at least became a public show.

    Added to it has been political intrigues, described by some as “cheap blackmail” by each of the major political parties. It is on record also that in most of the allegations and counter allegations, the name of the traditional stool and the person of the Agbogidi, have been roped in, thus exposing the dilemma the traditional stool and the Igwe are left to cope with.

    The peak

    The drama that has so far been built around the Obi of Onitsha in the ongoing political campaigns may be said to have peaked the upper weekend, when the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Anambra State, held its first campaign rally in Onitsha.

    Falling within the week of the Obi of Onitsha’s Ofala celebration, Senator Chris Ngige’s political opponents cried to high heavens that he had desecrated the land and disrespected the traditional ruler.

    It was consequently reported that Igwe Achebe had expressed surprise that the APC and its governorship candidate, Senator Ngige, could launch their governorship campaign in Onitsha the same day he was celebrating his Ofala festival despite the one-year notice given to that effect.

    He was quoted in the reports as saying: “Today, a political party has chosen to launch its campaign for governorship in Onitsha at the same time the Ofala is going on despite the one-year notice we gave to them. If anybody defiles the land, the land shall defile the person.”

    Ngige was accused of holding the rally without taking permission from the Obi of Onitsha.

    But Hon Uche Okonkwo –Okom, former member, Anambra State House of Assembly and Director in the Chris Ngige Campaign Organisation, and several others, including Ngige himself, have since denied the impression created by the cries of their opponents.

    While Ngige emphasised that he never intended and will never disrespect the Obi of Onitsha, Okonkwo-Okom said, “I communicated the Igwe in my capacity as Director of Operations and got a text approval… Those who are using the name of our revered traditional ruler, who extended all courtesies to me and my principal, are out to make mischief, and to take away the attention of an upbeat Anambra State from the gains pf a successful rally, attended by close to 120,000 dedicated supporters who willingly gave out their funds for Ngige to be the next governor.”

    Okonkwo also said, “I contacted the Igwe on October 5, 2013 to intimate him with our programme and to request a visit to his palace by Ngige and governors attending the rally and he gladly approved.”

    A text message response, Okonkwo reportedly displayed, which allegedly came from Igwe Alfred Achebe himself, read in part: ‘Sorry I was not in a position to talk last night .Indeed his Excellency Dr Ngige and the governors are very welcome. To ensure proper protocol, please advise the number coming and the names if possible.”

    Fear for the throne:

    As the election date draws nearer, observers are saying that the ancient traditional stool in Onitsha must be sheltered from partisan politics. The elder, who spoke to us in confidence, said, “every one of us is worried at the desperation of the politicians but we have confidence in the ability of the Agbogidi to weather the storm and preserve the neutrality of the ancient stool. We believe he will do so because of who he is.”

    Can Igwe Achebe cope?

    A direct descendant of Ezearoli, official records say lgwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe was born in Onitsha on May 14, 1941, being the first child of Akunne Anthony Chinwuba, and Chukwuebuka Winifred Ogbenyeanu Achebe.

    With a degree in  Chemistry from Standford University in California, USA, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Columbia University in New York, the young Prince Achebe then,  started corporate life in the United States at a very humble level.

    He returned to Nigeria in 1972 to begin a robust career with the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria. For over 30 years, he worked and held positions in several strategic departments in the multinational company, including Human Resources, Operations, External Relations, General Management and international Representation/Reputation Management.

    It is said that while there, he set a record achievement that has remained unequalled in the company as he was appointed to the Board of Directors of Shell Nigeria barely nine years after joining the company.

    After his retirement, the company sought a way of retaining his services. He was therefore transferred to Shell International in London, where he served as “ambassador at large” for Shell Nigeria with the title of Senior Corporate Adviser. He maintained this globally strategic position until his coronation as the 21st Obi of Onitsha.

    Some reports confirmed that the position of Senior Advisor “brought him in close working contact with international figures in politics, business, the academia and civil society.”

    Aside corporate clout, which he garnered in his days in Shell and after, it seems his political connections in Nigeria owes so much to his nomination in 1979 to the maiden set of the Senior Executive Course of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Jos. A source said in that privileged set were some of the most powerful political godfathers that have dominated Nigeria’s political chess game in the last two to three decades.

    Given this background and the awesome powers an Obi of Onitsha commands traditionally, there is the belief that Igwe Achebe can still shield the stool from the turbulent political waters ahead of the November election. How far he can go remains to be seen as the D- day draws nearer.

  • Anambra indigenes in US hail Ubah

    Anambra indigenes in US hail Ubah

    Barely one week after the public address to Anambra State indigenes in far away United States of America by Prince Willie Obiano, the governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the November 16 governorship election, so much has happened in the camps of the two candidates.

    Strategic reports from Ubah’s group showed, for example, that the Labour Party’s candidate has won more supporters from Anambra State indigenes in the United States since then. “Many of our brothers and sisters in the states, who wrote off Ubah before are now coming to the Labour Party candidate to pledge their loyalty,” one of the reports said.

    Inside sources also said that the about-turn is informed by the fact that after listening to Ubah’s address, they came to believe he has brighter chances in the forthcoming election than they thought before.

    It must be recalled that out of about 23 candidates contesting the gubernatorial election in Anambra State scheduled for November 16, 2013; only two ( Ubah and Obiano) appeared at the annual convention of Anambra State Association in United States of America (ASA-USA) which took place in Tampa, Florida from October 10, 2013 to October 12, 2013.

    The two candidates actually appeared and addressed the gathering on their visions, as well as responded to questions presented to them. It was intended to be an opportunity for the candidates to showcase their plans for the state, if elected into office.

    The Anambra State government sent a large contingent to the convention apparently to witness the ceremony in which the association gave an award to Anambra State Governor, Mr.  Peter Obi, during the convention.

    Obi also addressed the gathering on the achievements of his eight years in office.

    Immediately after his speech, Obiano and Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah squared up in a very hot debate.

    With information about the candidates in the public domain, it was supposed to be a no-contest between the super-banker and fiscal manager (Willie Obiano), and wealthy businessman, (Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah).

    Most of the people at the event confessed that lot of them, prior to the debate, did not give Ubah candidacy any form of chance.

    The National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, took his time to do a wonderful introduction of his candidate, Chief Willie Obiano and his very impressive and intimidating financial and banking profile.

    The National Chairman of Labour Party, Barrister Dan Nwanyanwu, also did a fairly good job introducing his candidate, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, a businessman.

    However, when the candidates were handed micro-phones to speak on issues facing Anambra State and its people and to respond to questions on their plans and policies towards solving those problems, the debate turned out to be a fight revealed many hidden truths as Ubah, contrary to some misconceptions, exhibited an impressive knowledge of the issues, the common-sense approach on plans, solutions and policies.

    His presentation, his composure, eye contact, emotional demeanour, appropriately well-measured gestures, delivery of points after points, common-sense solutions one after another were very impressive.

    He laid out his vision and plans for handling grave development issues facing the state: total transparency and accountability; reduction of crime, generation of power supply, clear plans to turn the state into an industrial hub, massive industrialisation (four factories in each local government areas) to create jobs and cut down crimes, creation of wealth; aggressive development of grassroots democracy through conduct of wards and local government elections; simplified credit loans for start-up, small businesses, massive investment in education, health, facilities and infrastructures: roads, water, sanitation, etc. He also laid out his numerous charity efforts helping the less privileged in the society through his foundation.

    He also addressed misinformation and smear campaign against his education, businesses and partnership ventures with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    At the end of the debate, Ubah came across not just as a shrewd and bold debater, but as a person that passionately believes in his ability to make a change.

    So, in a clever bid to help the APGA candidate during the debate, Governor Peter Obi, who was sitting amongst the audience in the hall, attempted to join the debate, arguing that Ubah made a false accusation about his government which he wants a chance to correct. But Ubah’s team strongly resisted the governor’s attempt to join the debate. Tempers flared up, Governor Peter Obi attempted to stage a walk-out, but was persuaded to stay on.

    From the debate, another revelation was that Ubah, notwithstanding preconceived impressions, if voted into power, may likely introduce innovative and courageous administrative changes. For example, he said, as a governor, he will leave his deputy to handle administrative and ceremonial functions, while he will concentrate on working to attract big industries and businesses which will create wealth and jobs in the state.

    With Ubah’s charisma and motivation, with just a little fine-tuning, and if his team could adopt American style campaign approach by taking his message directly to the masses back home, Ubah has an absolutely good chance at winning a free and fair election in Anambra State, Nigeria.

    – Ezekwena, who led his organisation’s team to Tampa, Florida, the venue of the debate,  is the Executive Director of Africans In America, Inc.

  • PDP crisis: Hurdles before G7 Governors

    The group of seven aggrieved governors (G7) who are major promoters of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) may be inching closer towards bidding the ruling party goodbye. However, they have a few hurdles to cross, Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo report.

    A few days ago, the Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, was his usual blunt self.

    Receiving a delegation of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by the party’s National Vice Chairman (North East), Umar Duhu, at his official residence in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Nyako dropped the hint that he, alongside his colleagues might soon dump the PDP for the ‘warm embrace of the APC because there is so much injustice in the PDP.’

    Speaking through his Director of Press, the governor expressed his desire and those of his colleagues to join the opposition APC as “soon as the situation in the PDP becomes unbearable.”

    In the last few months since the crisis in the PDP blew open, speculations have been rife that the ‘rebel’ governors are contemplating joining the APC to further their political interests ahead the 2015 general elections.

    Sometime ago, one of the G7 governors, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State, played host to two national leaders of the APC in Kano, Chief Bisi Akande, the interim National Chairman and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    Though the outcome of the meeting was not made public, sources disclosed that the visit may not be unconnected to ongoing attempts by APC leaders to woo leading lights of the nPDP to join the major opposition party.

    Nyako’s statement, informed sources contend, gave a clear signal that it was only a matter of time before the bulk of the nPDP members move to APC.

    The Nation gathered that inspite of the two meetings held so far between President Goodluck Jonathan and the G7 governors, restating their commitment to restoring peace in the PDP, recent actions of some forces loyal to the President that were targeted at the aggrieved governors, have made the quest for peace in the PDP appear seemingly a hopeless case.

    The first was the sealing off of the temporary headquarters of the nPDP located at the Adamawa State Governor’s Lodge in the highbrow Asokoro area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had cited alleged contravention of the Abuja Masterplan as the main reason behind his action, even as critics fingered the Presidency as the brain behind FCTA’s decision.

    And in less than 24hours later, the FCTA allegedly revoked the sale of a property belonging to the Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in the Maitama area of the FCT.

    Kwankwaso reportedly acquired the property sometime in 2004 during the sale of several Federal Government-owned properties to top government officials.

    This clampdown, according to sources, is just the beginning of several others that will follow in the next few months on the interests directly or indirectly linked to the G7 governors and other top members of the nPDP.

    Further investigations revealed that the Presidency is currently using the opportunity of the postponement of its reconciliatory talks with the G7 governors to compile an accurate dossier of the alleged business interests of members of nPDP with a view to wielding the big hammer on such interests, particularly those benefitting from government patronage.

    Another source, however, give a different view on the issue. He said, “The Presidency’s action (clampdown on nPDP) is a deliberate strategy to weaken the resolve of the G7 governors and their supporters before their next meeting. That way, the G7 governors will be negotiating from a position of weakness.”

    But from all indications, it appears the ‘rebel’ governors are not ready to chicken out in their battle against the President.

    However, sources say there is an alleged division among the governors over the propriety of moving to APC at this point in time.

    It was gathered that while Nyako, Kwankwaso and their Niger, Sokoto and Rivers States counterparts, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Aliyu Wammako and Rotimi Amaechi respectively are favourably disposed to pitching their political tents with APC, the game plan of the Kwara State helmsman, Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, are still unclear.

    Lamido, it would be recalled, had indicated his resolve to remain in PDP notwithstanding its seemingly intractable crisis, Ahmed’s decision, according to findings, is predicated on the final position taken by his political mentor and predeccessor, Senator Bukola Saraki.

    There are unconfirmed reports that Saraki was ready to strike a deal with the Presidency and the mainstream PDP in order to ward off the incessant assault on him by anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police.

    A national daily had two weeks ago reported that the former Kwara State governor may be arraigned in court by the EFCC over his alleged role in the collapse of the defunct Societe Generale Bank and alleged financial malfeasance while in office as governor from 2003 to 2011.

    But a source close to Saraki dismissed reports of the serving senator allegedly pleading with the Presidency for a soft landing as hogwash. The source asked, “The EFCC and SFU have been investigating Saraki for months now, but have they found anything against him?”

    Then he added, “Saraki is too principled to beg anybody. Everyone knows that his travails with EFCC and SFU cannot be divorced from his politics.”

    NASS members wary of new platform

    Another major hurdle the G7 governors have to contend with is how to convince the entire members of the nPDP to embrace APC. This is coming against the backdrop of reports that some members of the faction in the Senate and the House of Representatives are prepared to sheath their swords and reintegrate themselves back into the mainstream PDP.

    These lawmakers, it was learnt, believe that their ambition to return to the National Assembly in 2015 can only be achieved if they remain with the PDP rather than ‘leave certainty for uncertainty’ by joining a new political platform.

    The Atiku dilemma

    The political interest of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, most especially his undisguised ambition to have another shot at the Presidency in 2015, is another source of concern for promoters of the nPDP.

    Sources say the likelihood of Abubakar joining APC to realise his 2015 ambition is remote due to his alleged crisis of confidence with some APC leaders, with the newly registered Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) already being touted as a fall- back option for the ex-VP.

    Clash of interests in APC

    The G7 governors are also allegedly worried over how their interests and those of their supporters will be ‘adequately accomodated’ in the APC when they decide to join the party.

    Several posers will suffice here: In Adamawa State, how will the APC leaders reconcile the interests of foundation members like the former governorship candidate of the defunct CPC, Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) with Nyako’s?

    Can Shekarau, another national leader of APC, work in tandem with his political rival, Kwankwaso, in Kano State? Who will control the party structures in the state?

    Will Saraki be handed the control of the party in Kwara? And where does that leave Dele Belgore, the defunct ACN 2011 governorship candidate, who is still nursing an ambition to recontest for the exalted seat in 2015?

    How these posers are addressed satisfactorily will, no doubt, shape the colouration of political activities in the country in the next few weeks and months.

  • Niger: Zoning and the battle for Aliyu’s job

    Niger: Zoning and the battle for Aliyu’s job

    Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports on the quest for the chief executive seat in Niger State ahead 2015

    In 1998, the three senatorial districts in Niger State agreed to put in place a zoning formula to be adhered to in determining who becomes governor of the state. Consequently, all three zones unanimously agreed that the Niger South Senatorial District should produce the governor in 1999.

    That decision to concede the governorship ticket to the Nupe speaking area of the state in 1998, according to reliable sources, was taken in realisation of the fact that at the time, the zone was yet to produce a chief executive since the creation of the state in 1976.

    The result of this agreement was the emergence of Alhaji Abdukadir Kure, an engineer and retired civil servant and former Director, Engineering Services, Federal Capital Development Authority, as the Executive Governor of Niger State in 1999. Kure ruled the state for eight years as he got re-elected in 2003.

    In 2007, with the three zones having had a shot each at the governorship and in line with the 1998 zoning agreement, the three zones conceded the governorship slot to Niger East Senatorial District. The decision, sources said, was based on the fact that the zone was the first to produce a civilian governor for the state.

    The favoured zone, made up of three Emirate Councils, namely Suleja, Minna and Kagara, now had no fewer than ten eligible aspirants who battled one another for the plum job.

    The only aspirant to show interest from outside the Eastern zone, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) gubernatorial candidate in 2003, Engineer Mustapha Bello, who hails from Niger North Zone, was talked out of the race by founding fathers of the zoning agreement.

    At the end of proceeding in May 2007, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu from the Eastern Senatorial District emerged as the governor of the state. He too got mandates to rule the state for eight years following his re-election in 2011.

    2015 and the zoning issue

    As the date for the 2015 governorship draws nearer with Governor Aliyu ineligible for another term, political circles in the state have been agog with news of several aspirants getting ready to do battle for the plum job.

    Expectedly, there are talks about the 1998 zoning agreement. But unlike in 2007 when all stakeholders allegedly agreed it should be adhered to, there are indications that some forces are working for the abolition of the agreement.

    Even as Aliyu and the leadership of the ruling party say zoning in the PDP for the 2015 governorship election “is sacrosanct and binding in the selection and fielding of candidates,’ some members of the party are kicking against the decision with a number of them ready to enter the governorship race in defiance to the agreement.

    Speaking during the week when the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk, paid him a visit to mark the Eid- el-Kabir celebrations, the governor advised those faulting the zoning arrangement to put the peace and stability of the state ahead of their personal interests.

    He said that the PDP would adhere to the zoning policy during the selection process for the 2015 election in the state because it had ensured balancing and stability in political arrangement since 1999. He vowed to resist any attempt to change it.

    The governor said that those clamouring for non-adherence to the zoning policy for 2015, were doing so for their ethnic and selfish interests.

    The Nation learnt that some politicians from Niger South Senatorial District, relying on the numerical strength of the zone, are poised to disregard the political arrangement of rotating the governorship seats among the three senatorial districts of Niger South, Niger East and Niger North.

    To give bite to this suspicion, the former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Social Democratic Party [SDP] in Niger State, Dr Mustapha Abdulsalam, from Lapai in the Southern Senatorial District, made known his intention to contest the PDP governorship primaries.

    He even inaugurated an Advisory Stakeholders’ Committee with the argument that the ‘gentleman’ arrangement of the PDP was neither in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria nor that of the party.

    He stated, “I’m in the race to serve the people of Niger State and irrespective of the zoning, I’m coming out for the primary election’’.

    According to him, the leadership of the party in the state should throw open the primaries of the party for members to pick the flag bearer of the party in the coming elections in the state.

    He added “after all, the so-called zoning or gentleman arrangement was not followed by the national body of the party”.

    The speculated entry of Muhammed Babangida, son of former military ruler, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, into the race is another indication of attempts to dump the zoning arrangement. Earlier in 2011, Muhammed was one aspirant who made a show of wanting to contest against Aliyu’s re-election.

    Although the Babangida’s ancestral home is in Wushishi, many believe they are more at home in Minna than anywhere else. Thus, his aspiration is seen as an attempt by some politicians in the eastern senatorial district to make another dash for the governorship at the expense of the northern senatorial district favoured by the zoning formula.

    Already, Governor Aliyu has berated the activities of those trying to lure Mohammed Babangida to contest. He described them as political jobbers.

    Aliyu, who chided his critics from Wushishi, stated that Mohammed is from Niger East whereas the governorship position has been zoned to Niger North ahead of 2015 elections. He said the campaign for Mohammed Babangida was inconsequential.

    Contenders from the north

    One of the leading candidates for the state’s governorship elections in 2015 is its Deputy Governor, Honourable Ahmed Musa Ibeto, who is from the northern senatorial zone of the state. A former member of the House of Representatives and one time chief of protocol in the state, he, is seen as the senatorial districts leading public office holder.

    Apart from Ibeto, other notable aspirants from the Kontagora axis of the state include Muazu Mohammed Bawa, the state’s Commissioner of Finance and Abubakar Sani Bello (Habu), former Commissioner of Commerce and son of retired Colonel Sani Bello and son-in-law of former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    Others said to be keenly interested in taking over from Aliyu in 2015 are Aminu Yusuf, the secretary of the state’s PDP and Mustapha Bello, former Minister of Commerce, younger brother of Col Bello and current Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council.

    Also said to be warming up for the contest are Ibrahim Ahmed Matani, a former head of service and currently Commissioner of Agriculture, three time senator, former DIG Nuhu Aliyu and Abubakar Sa’idu, chairman of Wushishi Local Government and son-in-law of state’s governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu.

    All the above named aspirants, save for Abubakar Sani Bello, are jostling for the governorship ticket of the ruling PDP. The large number of PDP aspirants, pundits say, is based on the belief in some political circles that Niger State will remain in the hands of the ruling party beyond 2015.

    The APC challenge

    But there are strong indications that victory in the 2015 electoral battle may not be PDP’s for the asking. The rising profile of the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state is one reason why observers of the politics of Niger State are cautious in determining how the election will go.

    Also, for years now, Kontagora, the zone expected to produce the next governor of the state going by the zoning arrangement, has been an opposition territory. Currently led by an opposition senator, the zone in 2011, voted massively for the Congress for Progressive Change in the general election.

    With the merger of progressive parties into the APC, pundits are of the opinion that the PDP will be given a run for its money by the opposition party in 2015. Already, an array of aspirants are jostling to fly the banner of the party in the struggle for who succeeds Aliyu.

    Among those said to be gunning for the ticket for now are Ibrahim Musa, the zone’s senator, Ibrahim Bako Shettima from Bida, the Congress for Progressive Change’s (CPC’s) governorship candidate in the 2011 elections, David Umaru from Minna, the All Nigeria Peoples Party’s governorship candidate in 2007 and 2011, and Bello Jr. from Kontagora.

    Bello Jr. defected to the CPC before the APC merger, following his falling out a long time ago with the state governor over issues of policy.

    Because Zones A and B have had their turn in governing the state, many strategists favour Bello Jr. as the man that may emerge as APC’s flag bearer in the state should the party decide to abide by the zoning arrangement of 1998.

    The permutations are still an ongoing game.

  • ‘Ubah will tackle insecurity’

    ‘Ubah will tackle insecurity’

    Prince Emeka Eze is the running mate to the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the November 16 Anambra State governorship election, Dr. Infeanyi Ubah. He spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on the party’s preparation for the poll.

    What are the issues that will shape the governorship election?

    Well, in this race, there are four major political parties on the field. We have the Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). In all these platforms, Dr. Parick Ifeanyi Ubah and my humble self are on the platform of the Labour Party. Prior to this time, I was in the PDP. But the reason why I have not continued with the PDP is because we need to make a change in Anambra State. And the time has come for us to create a breaking point where we turn the virtues of Anambra State to become positive, so that the people of the state would benefit from governance. At this point, Anambrarians look upon the government as thieves and as people who are not tactful. And definitely, the only political party that can deliver, based on positive and veritable party manifesto, is the Labour Party. And as you can see, other political parties are falling apart; they are in shambles. There is intense altercation, internal wrangling, court processes, which are unending. You cannot build Anambra State from a position of war, altercation, and indefinite court processes. Anambra State can only be built from a position of peace and tranquility. That is what Labour Party brings to the table. And that is why we are there to make a change.

    What is the prospect of the Labour Party at the poll ?

    It speaks for itself. First and foremost, the grace of God is heavily over the ticket of Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah. The hand of God has manifested all over by making sure that the path to victory is clear. While other political parties are tearing themselves apart, we are touching the lives of Anambrarians. We are touching the lives of voters. We are doing so many things for them and they are appreciating it. And there is, no doubt, that we have been on the field campaigning for a very long time. And there’s no other way you can send your message to the people, apart from campaigning. When you are in the court fighting and abusing one another on the pages of newspapers, the type of message you send to the voters is that you are not ready for the election. But we have sent our manifesto, the things we want to do for Anambra State, to the voters. How we want to alleviate poverty and how we want to develop Anambra State. These are the virtues going positively for us. And those virtues are keeping us in the lead and we will continue to maintain that lead till the election day.

    The major problems affecting Anambra are unemployment and insecurity. How do you intend to slove them, if elected?

    The first thing we want to do in Anambra State is to create comfort. And for us to create comfort, there are three entities in creating comfort. The first is to provide security and to make sure that the life of our people and their property, their wealth, are safe. The second is to create jobs. That is why we are going to embark on industrial revolution. The third is to make sure that there is sufficient food for Anambrarians to keep them well and healthy. The first thing in our eight-point agenda is combating insecurity. And we want to do that in a way that would create positive gains. We have heard other candidates talk about how they are going to fight crime. But to tell you the honest truth, it will not work.

    All it will do is to amplify insecurity in Anambra State. But the innovative techniques we are going to bring on board will douse the psychological tension of insecurity and clear all the insecurity parameters in Anambra State. We have a two methods of challenging it. We have the human coefficient and the structural coefficient. In the human coefficient, we want to train security agencies and the training would be continuous, so that they would be abreast. They would have the knowledge of new technologies and techniques in combating crime. And we are going to do that within Anambra State, even if it means brining experts and people who are versed in impacting training on special weapons and tactics and rapid response techniques. Second, we are going to review in Anambra State the salary scale of the security agencies because Anambra has been tagged as one of the high crime zones or flash points in the country. And you cannot expect a policeman working in a flash point to be earning the same emolument as the other working in a quiet sector. So, we are going to add something to the police package to encourage them and let them know they have come here for an assignment. In our team of rapid response policemen are policemen specially trained in special weapon and anti-crime tactics. These people are going to combat crime at any time of the day and at any place in Anambra State.

    They are going to be on the road 24 hours searching for crime, seeking for criminals and being equipped to flush them out. We are also going to give them a special package for that round the clock duty that they are going to be doing. Now, we are also going to introduce an incentive package, which will come in quarterly and at times, half yearly for police officers that have shown remarkable performance and professionalism in fighting. So, we will have that gift or that incentive package, which would be detailed for a group of police officers or officer or security agent that has excelled above others. This will endear other security agents to try and also become exemplary and to perform in a professional manner so that they can have a chance of winning that incentive package. Apart from that, we are going to develop community policing whereby, in every square metre of any community, we will have a minimum of two community policing agents, who are civilians living within the community that have been trained on how to detect crime and how to inform security agencies to come and assist to apprehend criminals. So, they would live among our people, but they would be trained intensely on how to dig out criminal tendencies living within the community.

    What are other measures, especially medical insurance?

    We are going to introduce a special medical insurance package that takes care of the health of security agents and their families. Before now, be equipped and manned by trained personnel, who will have the eye of detecting crime and also narrowing, if a security man gets shut in the field, he has to take care of himself. So, it has created a withdrawal effect that, once police and security agents are in the field and they hear a gun shut from a criminal or an armed robber, they tend to run away because nobody wants to take a bullet knowing that you are going to run the cost of treating yourself. So, that medical insurance package will ensure that security agents, who have been traumatised in the line of duty, will get treated free of charge as well as taking care of their families. So, they don’t have anything to worry regarding the health and welfare of their dependants. So, these are the things we are going to do to create encouragement and create sufficient enabling factor for these security agents to bring out themselves to secure Anambra State. On the structural component, we are going to introduce vehicular instruments-pickup trucks, bullet proof cars and armoured personnel carrier to fight crime. We are going to ensure that any police or security agent in the field has full protection by wearing a low sarvica helmet and body armour. This will reduce the trauma incidence of security agents who have gone out to the field to fight crime.

    Other things we are going to do is that we are going to provide them with every accessory for fighting crime, which will include special weapons, special crime detection equipment, infra red equipment for fighting crime in the night, and high beam long distance searchlight. We are also going to have two special helicopters that would be patrolling the area view of Anambra State to monitor criminal tendencies and suspicious movements from the air. Most importantly, we are going to institute a forensic laboratory, which will be the first of its kind to carter for the whole of the southeast and southsouth. The forensic laboratory would be equipped and manned by trained personnel who will have the eye of detecting crime and also narrowing down the cost of some sort of crimes. Finally, we are going to use innovative, modern telecommunication equipment. The telecommunication equipment is a phone.

    The phone is going to be a wonder phone, which would do every single thing your normal mobile phone would do-make calls, send out text, receive all sorts of messages, but it will have a dedicated security button. What we call the alert button, which, if you are in a situation where you feel that you are being harassed or there is an intending attack on yourself, you press the alert button or the security switch. That switch would send out alert signal to every security agents in that sector. And it will not only send out that signal that somebody is under red alert, but it would instruct every security agent to move towards the area that that alert button was ignited.

  • 2015: Alao-Akala warms up for governorship

    2015: Alao-Akala warms up for governorship

    Former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala is warming up for the 2015 governorship election.

    However, his camp is divided over the ambition. While some of his supporters want him to contest for the Senate, others are supporting his bid for the Agodi Government House.

    Alao-Akala became the governor in 2007, following a bitter intra-party feud in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was defeated in the 2011 election by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    Party sources said that the Ogbomoso-born politician is reaching out to his former boss, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, who is the leader of the opposition Accord Party (AP). His calculation is that, if the PDP and AP combine forces in 2015, they may give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) a challenge.

    “Alao-Akala is trying to strike a deal with Ladoja. He wants to bounce back as the governor, but it is difficult. He is capitalising on the broken relationship between the APC and AP to woo Ladoja, who has forgiven him for his collaboration with the late Chief Lamidi Adedibu to remove him from office.

    “He has proposed his candidature to Ladoja and conceded over poitions to him. He wants Ladoja to nominate his running mate and other LP chieftains for critical positions. His calculation is that, with Ogbomoso and environs behind him, he only needs the AP support to bounce back”, said the source.

    Ladoja has not given any response. Although he welcomed the proposed collaboration, he said he would table the proposal before the AP stakeholders.

    However, the source said that many PDP chieftains from Oyo North District have suggested to the former governor to seek election into the Senate. They reasoned that Ajimobi’s performance is an obstacle to Alao-Akala’s governorship ambition. They also said that Ibadan people will not abandon their son, in preference for him.

  • Gale of endorsements for Aregbesola

    Gale of endorsements for Aregbesola

    Apart from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), many groups and associations have endorsed Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola for a second time. ADESOJI ADENIYI and MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE write on the rising profile of the governor, despite the stiff opposition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other defractors.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbsola will next month celebrate his third year in office. But many stakeholders have already endorsed him for a second term in carnival-like rallies.

    The next governorship poll will hold in the state next year. The members of the political, social and cultural groups that have endorsed him believe that, if he sustains the current tempo of development, Osun State will be a reference point in the country.

    Some traditional rulers have openly identified with the administration because the governor constructed new roads in their domains. Professional groups, who have observed that Aregbesola is constitutionally entitled to a second term, submitted that his scorecard will be an added advantage.

    Some individuals and groups have also placed adverts, urging the governor to sek a second term. Continuity, they said, would guarantee more dividends of democracy for the rural dwellers.

    The strindent appeals to Aregbesoal to seek another term by the stakeholders motivated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to endorse the governor for a seond term. Justifying decision in Osogbo, the state caopital, Elder Lowo Adebiyi, the acting chairman, said: “Aregbesola is the pride of the party and indeed, the progressive family in Nigeria”.

    So far, the governor has no challenger in the APC. Observers also argue that his profile is intimidating to the governorship aspirants in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is now polarised by the consensus option for picking a candidate for the proposed poll, the resuscitated Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), which has been disowned by the Awoists, the fragile Alliance for Democracy (AD), and Labour Party (LP), which is a weak platform.

    Apart from his performance, many believe that Aregbesola has consolidated his political structure and become a rallying point for the progressives in the state. Across the towns and villages, the voters explained that, in 2011, they voted for the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) federal and state parliamentary candidates because of the confidence they had in the governor. For instance, no member of the House of Assembly, including the Speaker, could lay claim to winning the election without the governor’s support.

    Also, party chieftains believe that Aregbesola’s influence transcends Osun State. The Southwest APC, which perceives him as a man of great talents and initiatives, have often tapped from his experience as a leader in the region. During the last governorship election in Ondo State. He was a pillar of support for the ACN candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN). At the campaigns and rallies, he mobilise support for the progressive family, urging them to remember their past labours in the vineyards of the proscribed Action Group (AG) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    Aregbesola is also at the vanguard of regional integration. In the struggle for true federalism and regionalism, he has been a steady voice. Although the APC national leaders have not reacted to the multiple endorsement, it is doubtful, if any party chieftain would come out to struggle for the ticket with the governor next year. As a party chieftain put it, “no one stays in the front of a moving train”.

    Three years ago, it was an uphill task. The ruling PDP had declared that no vacancy existed in the Bola Ige House. Aregbesoal’s mandate had been stolen in 2007. Unperturbed by the threat to decree him out of existence, he persisted, full of hope for a brighter future. His army did not waiver in spirit. His victory at the Appeal Court heralded a new dawn. “Had he not reclaimed his stolen mandate, the state would have lost the opportunity to benefit from his PDP in the state saw him more of a threat than anyone because of his brilliance,vision, his sense of mission and discipline”, said Senator Mudashiru Hussain.

    The deputy governor, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, described him as a focussed leader, stressing that he had set a standard for future leaders. Even, some opposition politicians have confessed that Osun State is better and happier under Aregbesola Administration.

    But the governor is not carried away by the activities of praise singers. He said when such praises get into the heads of unsuspecting leaders, they begin to misbehave because they may see themselves as gods.

    Recently, President of the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, endorsed him for a second term ambition. Also, the civil servants, under the aegis of Trade Union Congress, the people of Ikirun, the state lawmakers and federal legislators called aspire to serve beyond 2014. Many civil, socio-political and non-governmental organisations, including ‘De Raufs’, the Peoples Welfare League, the council chairmen, women and youths have signified their intention to join his campaign train.

    The endorsement of Aregbesola by both the Ooni and the TUC took place in Ile-Ife, when the governor paid a courtesy visit to Oba Sijuwade. The monarch said his open endorsement was informed by his appreciation for his developmental projects across the state. He said Aregbesola deserves a second term in office, considering his lofty achievements.

    Also, the chairman of the TUC, Comrade Francis Adetunji, said: “There has not been a governor in Osun State, who demonstrated much love for workers in the state as Aregbesola has done. We are grateful to the governor and he can count on our support. We shall support him to rule the state for the second term.“

    The senator representing Osun Central District, Prof. Sola Adeyeye, said Osun is lucky to have Aregbesola as governor. He said the people have not voted for him him vain, urging them to continue to support him.The ‘Forum of Legislators’ said Aregbesola’s stride in the past three years is visible, adding that the visionary leader is a blessing to the state. “His preoccupation is the welfare and well-being of the general populace”, it added.

    At the programme, Aregbesola explained his policy and programmes. He said he had a pact to serve creditably and loyally, promising never to let the people down.

    His foot-soldiers are at work on the field. They are not leaving anything to chance. Also, the people and groups, apart from endorsing him for second term, are mobilizing support for him, ahead of the 2014 poll. Many of them move about in cars branded in Aregbesola’s name. Others have printed handbills and leaflets to sell his candidacy at the poll. Many are urging him to announce that he would run for the second term.

    At his Ife/Ijesa home front, the support is overwhelming. But two aspirants on the platform of the PDP from this district. The former Chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Iyiola Omisore, and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Defense, Hon. Wole Oke, are struggling for the PDP ticket. Omisore was defeated by Senator Babajide Omoworare, who hails from from Ile-Ife like him. Others PDP aspirants are former Minister of Youth Development Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, and forme Secretary to Government (SSG), Alhaji Fatai Akinbade. The UPN aspirant is the former Head of Service, Mr. Segun Akinwusi. But how far they can go in 2014? Time will tell.

  • PDP rigged Delta Central poll, says Dafinone

    PDP rigged Delta Central poll, says Dafinone

    Delta Central Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) senatorial candidate Chief Ede Dafinone has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rigged the recent election for its candidate, Chief Emmanuel Agwariavado.

    “There was no election, as defined by our laws. The scale of impunity, assault, molestations and violence by the PDP thugs and cultists and the supposed security agents was just unimaginable. The lopsided and partisan involvement of state security in supporting the PDP and the brazen use of thugs to unleash violence and mayhem on our party members and the electorate is unprecedented”, he told reporters in Asaba, the state capital.

    The politician expressed worry over the fate of the electoral commission, saying that the confidence of the people in the agency is waning.

    He said: “The PDP and the government have sent, in no uncertain terms, a strong message that the security apparatus of this nation will foist the PDP on the nation at every cost. As was demonstrated in Urhoboland, security forces and the government will turn a blind eye to open violence and crimes against citizens and a section of the electorate perceived to be supporting other parties outside the PDP”.

    The DPP candidate complained that his agents were shot and maimed, thereby making eligible workers to panic.

    He said the electoral officers INEC and youth corps members, who served as ad hoc polling oficers refused to conduct the election in many polling centres, adding that the outcome of the election was predetermined.

    Dafinone added: “Security personnel openly flogged and beat up our agents and supporters everywhere without justification. Violent bias was used as a tool to coerce our supporters to abandon polling stations. Because in various communities security personnel watched, allowed, participated in and supervised the hijacking of ballot boxes and other election materials by PDP thugs and government officials, the so-called election was rigged with clear government approval.

    “Since the INEC did not release or issue out election result sheets and other sensitive election materials in most places, but ‘results’ somehow managed to emerged in favour of the PDP, we are able to say that the so-called results were made to suit the PDP. even before any election.

    “Since few electoral materials appeared as late as 3.30p.m in the few places where a few INEC officials managed to reach, we are able to say that our people were deliberately excluded from the election since accreditation was meant to end by 12 noon. There was just no election as defined by our laws and common sense”.

    Dafinone said, although a perfect election is impossible, Nigerians expected improvements on past performances.

    He added: “This is just not the case here. What we had was resort to brute force to suppress the will of the people of Delta Central. Yes, it is often said that politicians tend to find faults to justify unsuccessful outcomes of the electoral bids. Ours is just clearly different. We did not lose an election. There has to be an election before we talk about winners and losers.

    “This is a clear case of naked criminality; not an election. It is a clear case of the government imposing Chief Emmanuel Agwariavwodo on Delta Central in the same manner and style he was imposed on his party. This is impossible with a truly independent INEC. Herein lies a clear and imminent danger for our democracy. Therefore, we reject whatever result announced by INEC as it is not a true reflection of the democratic will of our people. We call for an outright cancellation of the said election and any fake result arising from same.

    This is a clear case of naked criminality; not an election. It is a clear case of the government imposing Chief Emmanuel Agwariavwodo on Delta Central in the same manner and style he was imposed on his party. This is impossible with a truly independent INEC.”

  • ‘Why Southwest PDP endorsed Jonathan for second term’

    ‘Why Southwest PDP endorsed Jonathan for second term’

    Former Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee Chairman Chief Ishola Filani spoke with Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN on the protracted crises in the ruling party, reconciliation efforts in the troubled state chapters and other partisan issues.

    Why is reconciliation of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) factions in the Southwest zone difficult?

    It is not true that we have factions of the PDP in the Southwest. Take, for instance, what is happening in Ekiti has nothing to do with factions, but members or groups angling for governorship ticket. There is a difference between faction and contention. The only problem in Ekiti is that the party’s state executive wanted to force consensus and the aspirants are kicking against it. Their argument is that consensus cannot be embarked upon by a third party. All the problems in Ekiti State chapter have been solved. So, faction does not exist in Ekiti.

    Osun state chapter has been peaceful all along. As regards Oyo, what is happening there has to do with people fighting for positions. There are those contending for senatorial ticket in Oyo North Senatorial District, then the Ibadan people are fighting over the party’s governorship ticket. Very many of the Ibadan people want to be governor or senator. All this fight over positions is healthy. If a group of people within the party come together to promote their interest, you can’t call that a faction.

    In Ondo, there is no problem and that is why we allow their executive to remain. The rift between the late Dr Olusegun Agagu and Senator Bode Olajumoke factions has been settled. I must mention here that Senator Olajumoke, Chief Sola Oke, the state chairman and Otunba Fasawe played key role in bringing the party together. Similarly, in Oyo State, the likes of Senator Lekan Balogun, Alhaji Hashim Gbolarumi, Ms Jumoke Akinjide, Otunba Alao-Akala and Senator Teslim Folarin have come together to work for the party’s interest in the state. All of them must be praised for their efforts.

    What about Ogun and Lagos?

    In Ogun State, everybody is satisfied with the court judgment; they are working together. There was a big rally in Abeokuta last Tuesday.

    In Lagos, the three groups namely: the Establishment, the Union and Non-Align are working together. If people belong to different groups in pursuit of their political ambition, does mean they are quarrelling? They are working together. All of us in the Southwest are working together. Good enough, we have capable hands running the party, since we have resigned as members of the care-taker committee.

    Concerning Osun, the issue of National Secretary has been resolved. The court ruled that Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola should be replaced by a valid nominee, pending the outcome of his appeal. That was the judgment. As a care-taker committee that believes in the rule of law, we upheld the court ruling. Oyinlola asked for s stay of execution, which the court refused to grant him. It was on the basis of this development that the care-taker committee conveyed a special zonal congress held in Ibadan in July. Since the position of National Secretary was zoned to Osun state, we asked the chapter to nominate a replacement for Oyinlola and that was how Prof, Wale Oladipo emerged. His appointment followed democratic process. We have made a return to court that its order had been carried out on the replacement of Oyinlola. In all we did, that is, filling the vacant position and reconciliation, we were guided by the rule of law.

    I can assure you there is peace in the Southwest PDP. Political scene is like a football pitch, where you cannot avoid physical contact. It is not every physical contact that the referee declares foul. So, also in politics, there are contentious issues. Politics is about winning elections and in the process of wanting to fight and winning elections; issues of contentions arise between parties and individuals. You cannot say because, in trying to follow the democratic process, there is conflict. There is no conflict in the Southwest PDP. All that is happening is that people are expressing their interest for elective office particularly in Ekiti and Osun States where governorship elections are due in 2014.

    Why did the Southwest PDP zone endorse President Goodluck Jonathan for second term?

    One thing that must be noted is that the caretaker committee, in conjunction with state chairmen, who have been the pillars of our success and some of our leaders, took the decision. The endorsement was conceived by the caretaker committee. I had to discuss with our leaders across board in the six states of the Southwest at a stakeholders meeting where President Jonathan was unanimously endorsed. The endorsement was based on the improvement that his administration has made, since he became President.

    If you go into the area of electricity, you will see that a lot is being done in privatising power sector. It is our belief that it is only true privatisation that power supply will be stable. We have seen what happened in telecommunication sector where privatisation has improved telephone services in the country. If you look at Aviation sector, you will discover that a lot of improvement is being made, particularly in the development of infrastructure in all the airports across the country. Mark you, there is difference between the management of airlines owned by individuals and corporate bodies that is responsible for plane crash and provision of infrastructure, which is the responsibility of the Federal government.

    A lot of investments are being carried out by foreigners in Nigeria, thereby improving our economy. Nigeria is the a singular country that has become the toast of foreign investors in Africa.

    In the education sector, even though we still require improvement for quality education, infrastructure for the development of higher education is being laid by the Jonathan Administration. It established new nine federal universities two years ago, and another three were added last year. These are commendable efforts towards improving education sector.

    We observed that he is laying a good foundation for a better and greater Nigeria. By the time all this gestures by government starts germinating, Nigeria would have become a better place for all of us to live.

    One thing we note about him is that he is a quiet worker, not a noise maker. His contention is to build a better Nigeria for future, thus laying foundation for greater Nigeria.

    Of course, a lot is being done by Jonathan’s government to improve and modernise agriculture. Agric has turned scientific now for people to practice, given the facilities and services being introduced by the government to revolutionise the sector. As a result, a lot of people are returning to the farm. When we put all this together, we believe such a man should be given the opportunity of another four years to carry out these reforms and more so, when he is constitutionally qualified to run for second term. Being the first zone to make the endorsement, it is our hope that other zones will follow suit to have him unanimously adopted as our party’s standard bearer in 2015.

    The protracted PDP crisis is affecting governance at all tiers of government. Is quick resolution of the crisis in sight?

    The aggrieved members are expressing their dissatisfaction, but the manner of their expression appears wrong. They are asking the national chairman of our party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to resign. They are also saying that President Jonathan should not run for second term. They want to stall democratic process to satisfy their parochial interest. Alhaji Tukur emerged as chairman through democratic process. To remove the chairman from office there are constitutional procedure to follow and not the whims and caprices of individuals or group. Asking him to resign is undemocratic and unconstitutional. The constitution allows the President to run two terms. How can a group deprive him of his right? It is not possible.

    I like the way the President and the party leadership are handling the matter. They are treating it as a family matter and they are succeeding. It is only in PDP that internal democracy reins and due process are followed. There is no command structure in PDP. We are operating as a democratic party. In the PDP, every member is free to express his view. We are lucky we have a patient President and an astute party chairman. Both of them have brought maturity to bear in handling the situation. It is hoped that our brothers will see reason and sheath their swords.

    Would PDP adopt consensus in picking its gubernatorial candidates in 2015?

    People misconstrued Mr President’s advice when some party leaders from Southwest visited him. He said consensus candidates would be better, if possible, to avoid the post-primary rancour and crisis that used to take a lot of time to resolve at the expense of field work. It is a good advice, if it is practicable. Aspirants can come up with a consensus candidate among themselves. Where it fails, democratic process through primaries comes in. We would not allow third party to impose candidates under the guise of consensus.

    It has been alleged that you are being sponsored by prominent party stalwarts in the Southwest for the office of National Vice Chairman to rubbish the influence of Chief Bode George. What is your reaction?

    I am not being sponsored by anybody to rubbish anyone. Based on what we were able to achieve in the caretaker committee within five or six months, a lot of people believe that, if we continue to remain in office, it will be to the betterment of the party. That is why we are heeding the advice. It is their observation and advice that is motivating me to contest for the National Vice Chairmanship of our great party.

    What are the chances of the PDP in the Southwest in 2015 general elections?

    There are a lot of chances for the PDP in the Southwest, provided we take advantage of the situation on ground. We are greater in population than the opposition parties put together. Our problem has been our inability to harness our strength and counter the propaganda of the opposition. Having started organising ourselves properly through leadership restructuring, proper mobilisation and putting in place propaganda machinery that will match that of the All Progressives Congress (APC), we shall definitely capture the Southwest.

    One thing we are lucky about is that people are tired of the lies of the APC in all the states they govern in the Southwest. For example, Lagos people are complaining of excessive taxation. In other states, the statutory allocation is no longer sufficient to execute the few projects they claim to be undertaking. They have therefore, resorted to borrowing and have perpetually put generation unborn into the bondage of repayment of loans.

    When is the special congress of the PDP Southwest Zone postponed on the eve of the mini-national congress holding?

    Former National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Mr Segun Oni and the ex-Financial Secretary of the zone, Mr Ireti Oniyide, deceived the party to say that there was a court injunction stopping the congress. Our party has respect for the rule of law and that was why we decided to postpone the congress. At the last hearing, the Judge categorically stated that at no time was any injunction given by the court to stop the congress. A new date is now being expected to be fixed by the National Working Committee (NWC) of our party for the congress. The congress will help to put the Southwest in a strong position to contend for the governorship election in Ekiti and Osun states in 2014.

    What is your assessment of President Jonathan’s performance?

    He is doing well. He is a humble and determined person, who does not believe in flamboyance. That is why some people are under assessing him. But when you look at what he has been able to achieve and his developmental programmes, you will note that he is a very good leader.

    Like a teacher that he was, his goal was to ensure positive dividends and that is why we in the Southwest are supporting him for a second term to enable him carry out fully all that he has planned for Nigeria. In addition to our physical support for him, we are also praying for his success.

  • Pitfalls of fiscal federalism

    Pitfalls of fiscal federalism

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi reflected on the proposed review of the revenue allocation formula in Ibadan, the state capital, at the opening ceremony of the two-day Southwest sensitisation on revenue sharing.

    The Southwest Geo-political zone has always been identified with strategic planning, focused development and methodical care for the future endeavours of its people. The enduring developmental impacts of our forebears in government were predicated on their intense passion for the socio-economic welfare of the people, as well as their development of marshal plans for the future of their people.
    In spite of the series of political challenges and geographical re-adjustments over the years, the Southwest remains the hub of progressive politics. As we all know, the hallmark of progressive politics is to proffer antidotes to the menace of mass poverty. Progressive leaders, vision-driven and passionate about the future of their people, are fired by the zeal to always prosecute causes that engender socio-economic emancipation of the downtrodden and the common man in their governmental environment.
    We are not oblivious of the fact that the Revenue allocation formula being employed for the distribution of our national resources among the federating units took its premise from the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are also aware that the formula took its essence from the modification orders which came about as a result of the Supreme Court Judgment of April 2002 in the case between the Federal Government and the 36 states.
    However, it is becoming evident by the day that the current fiscal structure which favours the Federal Government with 52.68 per cent of the total national revenue is at variance with, and certainly not in consonance with the reality of responsibilities of the other tiers of government.
    Cries against this inequitable distribution have been strident among federalism experts and nationalists. Yet, there is no respite at the moment. Efforts, severally and individually, had in the past been made to make the federalist avowal of the Nigerian Constitution to reflect its fiscal disposition accordingly.  However, this desired result and effect have been elusive.
    The effort of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to use the power conferred on it by the constitution to review the revenue formula and principles in operation is commendable. It could not have been done at a better time, in order to have our fiscal regime conform with changing realities.
    Without prejudice to the would-be report of RMFAC, after this exercise, the realities of the contemporary challenges at the grassroots level would, no doubt, be unassailable to all. I am convinced that the challenges would force out the unison of opinion of all stakeholders that there is an urgent need for an equitable and a more acceptable revenue allocation formula. A formula that will be directed towards the economic imperatives of the nation, further its oneness and eschew unfairness among the various tiers of government, is no doubt a sine qua non for an equitable nation.
    Oyo State Government, like other States in this zone, would make her own presentation in the cause of this 2-Day sensitization programme. It would not be different from the corpus of agitations for fiscal equity. As articulated by federalists and as witnessed by us in the administration of our respective tiers, the responsibility of governance, both at the state and local government levels, have become so enormous but frustrating for the operators. This has been necessitated by inadequacy of resources.
    One sole incubus implicated in this is the primary responsibilities of states and local governments that is being unnecessarily competed with by the Federal Government.  Since the states and local governments are positioned strategically to identify the critical needs of the people at these levels of governance, duplication of efforts on the concurrent list should be reviewed, so as to allow each tier of government to concentrate on areas that will better touch the lives of the governed.
    Since the inception of this administration in Oyo State, efforts are daily being made to put human faces imprints on all the socio-economic welfare programmes and policies implemented by government, with a view to bringing governance and its essence closer to the people.  This we started by advocating a style of governance and politics that is devoid of subterfuge and violence which we inherited, but rather a focus on development.  We have spared nothing to ensure that security is not compromised as only peace can engender development.  Earlier in the life of this administration, a joint security outfit named Operation Burst, comprising all the security agencies in the state, was launched and, by now, its tentacles have spread to all the geo-political zones of the state.  What we have now in Oyo State is a rest from the hitherto disorder and violence that stuck to us and our well-advertised pedigree like a leech.
    The state government is also hosting foreign investors more than ever before and yet almost on daily basis, new proposals are received to do business with the serene and peaceful New Oyo State.  Just recently, a Canadian team signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state to invest over $1 billion in agriculture in our state. This could not have been possible in the hitherto atmosphere of brigandage and disorder.  The attraction is also the massive infrastructural rehabilitation and construction being embarked upon throughout the length and breadth of the state.
    Investment in the future of our teeming youths has also evolved several youth empowerment programmes.  Apart from the initial 20,000 youths employed by us almost two years ago, many more youth have passed through our skill acquisition centres.  Both the education and health sectors of the State are also witnessing a revolution of massive rehabilitation and infrastructural development that is aimed at bringing back the old glory of the Western Region.
    While this is not a forum for blowing the trumpet of achievements of this administration in the state, driving round the capital city, Ibadan and our major cities will confirm that, like our forebears, we are driven by a vision to bring the condition of living of our people to the acceptable standard for humans in the world.
    This forum is premising its gathering on the last presidential debate organised by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), where the President had promised to present whatever are the views of the general public on the subject of the proposed review of revenue allocation formula to the National Assembly, as would be submitted through the report of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission.  This has given a hope that the age-long yearnings and aspirations of the federating units of this nation, in term of availability of resources for the respective responsibilities of governance, would soon be met.
    This is also the forum for all stakeholders to lend their voices to the desired devolvement of more financial resources from the center to the states and local governments.  There is no doubt that some of the issues that would lead to the realization of this dream would require constitutional amendments.  Necessary steps should therefore be taken to correct the present imbalance and unfair distribution of our financial resources.  Both the existing vertical and horizontal allocation formula should be discussed for review.
    Apart from the vertical method which has favoured the Federal Government with 52.68 per cent of total revenue, the seven indices currently in use for the horizontal formula deserve particular attention. It is hoped that indices of general concern like equality and population (including density) is reviewed upward.
    I wish to particularly point out that the issue of crises of population, for example, should be given a proper attention as one of the relevant determining factors for revenue allocation.  For instance, the last census figures which controversially puts Oyo State at 5.6 million is grossly understated and this might have been responsible for the unfair treatment meted to the state in terms of allocation from the Federation Account.  In reality, the population of Oyo State is close to seven million, with a high range of density.
    It must also be mentioned that Oyo State has deposits of minerals in commercial quantities, with the Federal Government undertaking mining activities in the various parts of the state, albeit without the state benefiting from the 13 per cent derivation due to states where mining activities are taking place.
    I know that the South Western zone will have a coordinated view on this subject matter by the end of this sitting.  I wish to assure the commission that the six states in this region will do everything possible to ensure that the objective of this sensitization exercise is realised.  Our hope will then be for justice to be done.
    Once again, I thank the chairman and commissioners of the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) for bringing hope that will improve the economic future of all the federating units of this Country through this conference.