The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • Is anti-corruption war on course?

    A wild applause greeted the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. But 10 years after, corruption is still soaring in the nation. Although the commission cannot be described as a tooth-less bull dog, its impact has not been greatly felt by the stakeholders.

    Corruption is on the increase in public life. The list is endless-electoral crimes, civil service pension fund scam, police pension controversy, fuel subsidy fraud, House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee scandal. Critics have argued that it is relatively easier to prosecute and jail people who stole N2 million than to invite for questioning big fish, who allegedly made away with billions. Thus, the slow progression of the anti-crime battle has eroded public confidence.

    Before the EFCC was established, development experts, who had established a linkage between graft in high places and failure of governance, warned that the country may continue to wallow in poverty and squalour, unless the bad eggs in the corridor of power are edged out.

    EFCC moved swiftly to track down the corrupt politicians and public officials, who have looted the treasury and enriched themselves to the detriment of other citizens. A searchlight was beamed on governors, ministers, National Assembly, boards and parastatals, civil service and private sectors, and others who were previously insulated from public scrutiny.

    However, politicians have devised a means of hiding under constitutional technicalities to escape justice. Also, EFCC had not achieved much when the Federal Government manipulated the process and turned it into an agent of intimidation and victimisation of perceived political opponents.

    To the right activists, the anti-corruption war had gone awry. A university teacher, Prof. Niyi Osundare, who had reflected on the anti-graft war, observed that a corruption-compliant ruler cannot rule a corrupt-free country. Another scholar, Prof. Itsey Sagay (SAN), expressed worry about the high tolerance for corruption by institutions set up to nip graft in the bud. He said corruption is a devastating quagmire, adding that Nigeria is hopeless because members of the National Assembly investigating corrupt charges against public officials are also taking bribes.

    “N16 billion was expended on power, but it ended with the probe of contracts involving the chairman of committee that was probing the scam. The chairmen and members of the committee probing the SEC and fuel subsidy are now under investigation. We are in a situation where we have to find a policeman to police the police. Corruption is destroying the country’s chance of development,” Sagay stressed..

    Many have also expressed worry over the perception of corruption and corrupt leaders by the society. Osundare lamented that the former Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Chairman, Chief Bode George, was accompanied to the court when he was standing trial by drummers and praise-singers. After serving a two-year jail for corruption, he was also welcomed back with funfair. Apart from frowning at the red carpet reception, Osundare said clerics mocked religion when a church service was held for him in Lagos. “All these make Nigeria a moral desert, political jungle and haven for criminals”, he said.

    If the war had been fought according to the law, the university don said the sectors would have witnessed renewal. “All the disasters, road accidents, Dana Air crash, Boko Haram violence; these clusters of calamities are traceable to corruption. Corruption killed the railway system, which would have reduced the pressure on the roads.

    “Why is the Nigerian road full of” tokunbo” cars and airspace racketing “tokunbo” planes. Where are previous reports? All we have is investigation without an end, recommendation without implementation and reports that are dumped”.

    To the university teacher, President Goodluck Jonathan has also failed to lead by example. He faulted the President’s position on declaration of asset, stressing that his “I don’t give a damn attitude” to matters of probity and transparency was condemnable. “How did the Permanent Secretaries have houses in Abuja, Lagos and their villages. These were the boys we taught in the universities. We know their tricks”, he added.

    But why is the EFCC unable to adequately discharge its duties with maximum results? A right activist, Debo Adeniran, leader of the Coalition against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), said: “What we have noticed is that the number of convictions being recorded in courts by these specialised agencies is not commensurate with the number of cases they have in court”.

    Last year, EFCC and ICPC claimed that they had over 1,500 cases waiting to be determined in courts. Out of this figure, not less than 65 are cases involving politically exposed persons; governors, ministers and others. “Our worry is why are these cases stalled in courts”, said Adeniran.

    The new EFCC chairman, Ibrahim Larmode, has reiterated the commission’s determination to prove skeptics that it is a tooth-less bulldog. Many think that the bravado lack basis, owing to certain impediments.

    His predecessor, Farida Waziri, who had explained the constraints to reporters in Lagos, painted an awful picture of the anti-corruption process. She big suspects, have often delayed the litigation process. “Their counsel ask for frivolous adjournments to buy more time. They tender medical reports before courts and get permission to travel abroad, thereby wasting the time of the court and EFCC”.

    The former EFCC boss also condemned the culture of worshipping the corrupt officials standing trial by followers, who accompany them to the court with pomp. “They alight from their posh cars and wave at the crowd of supporters as if they are heroes worthy of emulation”, she complained, stressing that the process has indulged them. The only way out, said Farida, is to set up special courts for the speedy trial of criminal suspects who are ruining the economy.

    Many analysts have also objected to the plea bargaining, which has provided an escape route for fraudsters. Another human right activist, Lanre Suraj, complained that privileged suspects, who stole public money, are treated with kid gloves, unlike ordinary men, who stole five tubers of yam and ends up in 12-month jail.

    His colleague, Ayodele Akele, former governorship candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), agreed with him. “They steal a huge sum and pay back a little in the name of plea bargaining. If somebody steals a handset, he is jailed for six months or a year. Why not jail corrupt politicians? This is double standard”, he said. In his opinion, plea bargaining for political and economic fraudsters must be removed, if it cannot be extended to the poor.

    On many occasions, ICPC and EFCC have said that many Nigerians lack an in-depth understanding of the operations of the agencies. They have argued that the agencies were not sep up to prosecute erring politicians and civil servants alone. Their mandates, they clarified, also extended to going after corrupt employees in private organisations.

    Right groups which have never disputed this however, have another axe to grind with the agencies. A Lagos lawyer, Supo Ojo, berated EFCC for sensationalise its complaints against suspects. He said, once a person is arrested by the EFCC, the public perception of him as thief may never be erased. “EFCC is heavy in the media. It is light in concrete performance of its statutory functions”, he said.

    Ojo supported Farida’s call for a special court to try corrupt leaders. Justifying the call, he alleged that the judiciary is an accomplice in attempts by politicians to evade justice. “A special court will give EFCC teeth. The present system is faulty and not much can be done. There are constraints like perpetual injunctions. we need dedicated courts and special legislations and sanctions must be heavy”, he stressed.

    It is believed by many that the anti-graft war mirrors the stance of the federal government. Thus, Akele urged President Jonathan to give EFCC a free hand to operate so that it will not be a toothless bull dog

    Adeniran also urged the federal government to give the anti-corruption agencies a free hand to do their job without any influence or interference from the Presidency and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

    A House of Representatives member Abike Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians to make use of the Freedom of Information Act. “Nigerians now have access to pubic accounts and they can demand for accountability. They can raise questions”, she said.

    A cleris and politician, Pastor Tunde Bakare, urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of radical reformation. He also enjoined them to study how corrupt-free countries like Sweden , Denmark, Switzerland, Australia, Canada and Georgia conquered the cankerworm

     

  • Umar playing religious card in Taraba, says Bwacha

    Umar playing religious card in Taraba, says Bwacha

    Senate Committee on Agriculture Chairman Emmanuel Bwacha represents Taraba South District in the Senate. He spoke with Assistant Editor Onyedi Ojiabor on the protracted crises between Governor Danbaba Suntai and his deputy, Alhaji Garba Umar.

     

     

    Legislators from Taraba State recently held a meeting on the crisis in the state in Abuja. Why were you not there?

    I was not there because I cannot be associated with illegality. At this level of my legislative experience, I don’t want to condescend so low to behave as if I were a local government counselor.

    With due respect to my colleagues, they veered into a territory that does not belong to them. First, there is no law backing what they did. It was a total illegality. It is a nullity, it does not make sense. In a civilised society nobody is expected to do what they did.

    You cannot just wake up and ask a governor, who is protected by the law of the country, to proceed on a sick leave. This is a governor who has just been discharged from a hospital in the United States, and he was asked to come home and stay with his family, stay with his associates, so that he can have full recovery.

    Now, for you to wake up and say you are passing a resolution that he should go back for treatment, that sounds ridiculous. It is as ridiculous as it is bizarre. It is never heard of any where. That was why you did not see me there because I cannot ridicule myself.

    Those who addressed the press spoke on the platform of Taraba State National Assembly caucus…

    That is not true. I’m a serving senator. How many senators are from Taraba State? Three. How many were there. Only one. Does that answer your question? How many House of Representatives members are from Taraba State? Six. How many were there? So, does that reflect our larger view?

    This is the opinion of a few people who are unconscious of situation that the state is in, and what the law says. It is either they chose to ignore what the law says or they are ignorant. Among these two things, one must be happening. It is either they know and refused to say the truth and chose to go with an unpopular view, either informed by sentiment or primordial and very negative sentiment or they don’t know.

    But these are stakeholders from Taraba State…

    I know they are elected people. Don’t elected people blunder?

    How many elected people have blundered in this country? From Independence, how many elected people have behaved as if they did not even go to school? I’ telling you what the law says. It is very clear, the provision is incontestable. The House of Assembly has limitations. So, the power of the House of Assembly or the National Assembly is not in contest but it does not include advising a governor to go for treatment. Is that the function of the parliament? There are processes through which you determine a governor who is sick. The Sections are there Sections 189 and 190 of the Constitution are there for you to seek clarification. If you say, well the governor is sick, fine. You will implore or deploy the necessary legislative instruments to drive home your points. You don’t go and stand in the street and make a press statement asking the governor to proceed on leave. That sounds very ridiculous.

    You are aware that the state is boiling. What is the way out of the crisis?

    We need to undersdtand onre thing first. This is a man, a deputy governor, who never contested election with the governor. The deputy governor, who contested election with the governor was impeached. The governor in his own magnanimity went and brought this man from nowhere because he came from the same local government with the deputy governor who was impeached. It is in the governor’s policy that where he removed a public officer he prefers to patronize the people from those areas and he brought him. Also mindful of the fact that his deputy was a Moslem and he needs to bring a Moslem.That is to tell you the type of person Suntai is. He believes in every Nigerian, and trusts that every Nigerian should behave normal.

    Otherwise, the way the deputy governor has poisoned the minds of our Moslem brothers, if Suntai had brought a Christian to be his deputy at that time, heavens wouldn’t have fallen because it wasn’t an election.

    But, here you see a convergence of morality and law. The governor is protected by law. He went on treatment, was involved in rare air crash, very uncommon. He belonged to three percent globally in the history of aviation industry three per cent that an aircraft will fall from the sky and nobody dies there. That is amazing grace and mercy of God. He returned from the hospital, the hospital authorities told him go back and recuperate finally at home. And he is coming back home to meet a hostile deputy governor. This world is not our home. Certainly we are here on pilgrimage. And in a market place you will meet all kinds of characters, the good, the bad and the ugly. Certainly, this is not an exception of the ugly scenario.

    I am still asking you the way out of the situation …

    The way out of the situation, except if the deputy governor has refused that he is no longer the deputy governor; the way out is simple, the deputy governor was a deputy governor when he was brought in. Your principal here returned, you revert to your position of a deputy governor. But the deputy governor is refusing to revert back to his position as deputy governor. He wants to assert himself. What sort of heartlessness is this? Why can’t be patient for God’s sake? Has he for gotten so soon how he joined the governor? He was barely two weeks old in the government when the governor had the accident. Has he thrown morality to the dust bin that he flies all over the place visiting traditional rulers in the north telling them lies? He wants to assert himself as the governor. Does he know that there is one God that rules over the affairs of men? Let me tell you, the deputy governor remains the deputy governor, Suntai remains the governor. Suntai has just been discharged from the hospital. Suntai is also known to be somebody who is not economical with power. Ask about him, the deputy governor that was impeached, when he was there the man was virtually the governor because Suntai has no crave for primitive accumulation that you see around. He delegates power to the deputy and the deputy acts as if he were the governor.

    Why is the deputy governor refusing to accept the position he was before? Must he be substantive governor before he begins to act? If you know that this is your principal that brought you and if loyalty is there, you can go to him. Suntai doesn’t necessarily want to come around and start jumping around as if he wants to play football. He can delegate power to his deputy to represent him any where. What are Nigerians talking about?

    There are talks of religion and ethnicity in the whole affairs…

    It is true that there is politics of ethnicity across the country. It is also true that they do politics of religion. The deputy governor is holding on to politics of religion to recruit sympathisers from outside of Taraba. That is exactly what he is doing.

    Now, he is telling the world that Taraba people don’t want a Moslem to be governor. If God wants him to be governor, no man can stop him. If he is a true Moslem, he should know this. He knows that God would have killed Danbaba (Suntai) at the scene of the accident. Yero in Kaduna is now governor. Was Yakowa not involved in air crash? Yakowa is dead because that is how God wants it? His deputy is now governor. God that preserved the governor’s life at the scene of the accident; is the God no longer there?

    Some observers say what is unfolding in your state is the politics of 2015

    I don’t know about that because I’m a Christian. I practice true Christianity in the sense that I do not do so much projections about the future. If any thing else, I submit to the will of God and allow the Holy Spirit to lead me. First and foremost, nobody can stay here and begin to talk about 2015 when he doesn’t even know what is the situation in the world. Would the world still be the same in 2015? How close are you to your God? Do you know that the world is in the rapture mood? People are so crazy and wild about power and they forget that any moment from now, the rapture can take place. People don’t bother about this. What will happen in 2015 can only be determined by God, especially in Taraba. That has always been the scenario by the way. That God decides who emerges governor. Suntai never contested to be governor. Go and ask. The popular ones eventually don’t end up being the governor. That is how God treats Taraba. That is our own natural gift from God. It is not by might, it is not by money, it is not by connection. God, in His own way, will just bring up somebody He wants. So, people should stop wasting their time. I will also advise even Suntai loyalist, I’m very close to Suntai, I also know that I’m not expected to fight his fight, why because God that preserved him is there to do the fighting for him.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • 12 jostle for Senate in Delta Central

    12 jostle for Senate in Delta Central

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) aspirants are jostling for the Senate in the Delta Central District. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines their strengths and weaknesses.

    The 12 senatorial aspirants are household names in Delta State. They are more popular in their senatorial district, Delta Central, because of their involvement in community work, track record of excellence in their professions and philanthropic activities. Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not fixed a date for the bye-election, the campaigns are intense.

    The seat became vacant on June 30,following the death of the charismatic politician, Senator Pius Ewherido, who represented the zone on the platform of the PDP. He was the only DPP senator out of 109 senators. The deceased hailed from the Urhobo ethnic group. In fact, Urhobo constitute the Delta Central District. Therefore, the election is an Urhobo affair. Ewherido’s kinsmen believed that he was a good representative of the race and district in the Upper Chamber. Thus, his death was mourned by them during the valedictory session organised by the Urhobo Progressives Congress (UPC).

    Apart from the DPP, which is working assiduously to retain the seat, the PDP and APC are also not relenting in their efforts to fill the slot. They parade good credential. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has told the PDP aspirants to go to the field to canvass for support, promising to be neutral. The aspirants from the DPP include Mr. Ede Dafinone, Chief Richard Odibo and Chief Napoleon Gbinije. The senatorial election is very important to the DPP. If it retains the seat, it will be a boost to the career of its leader, Chief Great Ogboru, a veteran governorship candidate. He has managed to keep his support base intact, despite the vicissitudes of politics.

    The PDP aspirants are Chief Ighoyota Amori, Chief Ovie Omo-Agege, Chief Emmanuel Aguriav-wodo, Chief Fred Majemote, Mr. Solomon Edoja, Mr. Andrew Oru and Chief Maxmiller Orido. It has been painful to the PDP chieftains in the Central District that the seat had eluded them since 2011. Therefore, they are putting in more efforts to win the slot. However, post-primary crisis may polarise their ranks. For now, there are two APC aspirants. They are Chief O’tega Emerho and Mr. Festus Keyamo. More aspirants may still emerge.

     

    Amori

    He is one of the respected leaders of UPC. He is an experienced politician. Between 1999 and 2007, Amori was the Commissioner for Education in the state. The UPC leader is currently the Political Adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. His peers are Seantor Ifeanyi Okowa and Senator James Manager. In 2011, he was a strong contender for the seat in the PDP. But the opportunity slipped away because Ewherido got the peoples’ support. It has been Amori’s ambition to be a Senator, but his ambitionnhas divided his ethnic group again. Some have approached him and appealed to him to jettison the aspiration. But the consummate politician has said that he will not withdraw from the race. He explained that those interested in the race had been advised to come for the UPC’s assessment. Amori exuded confidence, saying that he will win at the PDP primaries.

    UPC is a powerful and influential group and sources said that the association may support the PDP during the poll, based on mutual conditions. However, the unions’ Youth leader, Jaro Egbo, said that it may be difficult to market the Special Adviser. He warned that a situation whereby five Urhobo are in the race in the PDP may breed acrimony, adding that an unpopular candidate may emerge, owing to vote split. He said, if the PDP fails to put its house in order, APC or DPP may snatch victory.

     

    Omo-Agege

    Omo-Agege is a former Commissioner for Special Duties and Secretary to Government. He emerged as the SSG when he lost the PDP primaries to Uduaghan. Under former Governor James Ibori, he was an Executive Assistant. In Delta, it is common knowledge that Obarisi Omo-Agege has governorship ambition. But the Urhobo elders may have drafted him into the race.

    The politician has a solid background in ethnic politics, his late father, Justice James Omo-Agege, being the brain behind the creation of new wards in Urhoboland. He was a community patriot when he was alive. His son continued in his shoes as a defender of the race. In fact, he used his connection to influence many projects in the district as a close ally of Ibori. While declaring his ambition in an advertorial, he said he had joined the race to serve his people.

    But there are some people who feel that Omo-Agege is an inconsistent and desperate politician. They recalled that he had defected to the defunct Action Congress (AC) to fight for the governorship in 2011, but failed. Following that political misfortune, he retraced his steps. His followers were confused. Some of them went back, but some remained in the opposition. The AC family was pained by his exit. They felt that he should have continued to build the party and position himself for future electoral onslaught.

     

    Aguriavwodo

    He is a rich politician. The former House of Representatives member had served as the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission. During his tenure, he facilitated the siting of many projects to the Urhobo communities. The feeling among his supporters is that he should be compensated with the seat.

     

    Majemite

    He is a veteran senatorial contender. The former Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development vied for the position in 2003, but lost to the more experienced Olorogun Felix Ibru. Currently, he is one of the governor’s political advisers. Ten years ago, he had indicated interest in the race. He has the structure and networks. But the former UPC leader, the late Chief Benjamin Okumagba, prevailed on him to step down for Ibru. Justifying his ambition, Majemite said: “I know the needs of our people. As a lawyer, I know the law making process. I am going there to position the Urhobo in the main stream of Nigerian politics and give them a voice in the Senate”. Some PDP leaders, who are pushing for a consensus candidacy have Majemite in mind. However, it appears that the aspirants will have to slug it out at the primaries.

     

    Keyamo

    Lagos lawyer Keyamo is a civil rights activist and anti-corruption crusader. He learned law and activism at the feet of the legendary luminary, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN). He is bold and brave. Few months ago, he had joined the governorship race. He said that he was on a rescue mission. However, Keyamo unfolded his senatorial ambition, following Ewherido’s death. He said he would radicalise the Senate, if voted as a senator. Recently, the lawyer claimed that he had been endorsed by party men. His rival disputed it. He has a hurdle to cross, which is the primaries. He is new in politics, although he claimed that he now has a solid structure. If he wins the race, he will face PDP and DPP candidates at the poll. Many agree that, if Keyamo becomes a senator, he will be an outstanding legislator in the Upper Chamber.

     

    Edoja

    Edoja is a member of the House of Representatives. He is a former Adviser on Inter-Party Relations and Commissioner for Special Duties. A great urhobo son, he is popular among the youths and market women.

     

    Dafinone

    He is the son of the great Urhobo leader, Senator David dafinone. He lost the tocket to the deceased politician in the DPP in 2011. Dafinone is an accomplished accountant and businessman like his illustrious father. Recently, a group of elders endorsed the board guru, claiming that he understood the problems and needs of the district.

     

    Odibo

    Odibo is a grassroots politician. He is versed in Delta politics. The politician has worked for the success of governors, senators, House of Representatives members and council chairmen. He is very active on the field as a strategist.

     

    Gbinije

    He is a former federal legislator under the PDP. But in 2007, he left the party after losing the primaries to Joyce Overah. Since then, the businessman has been a member of the DPP.

     

    Emerhor

    The banker and insurance magnate is a force to be reckon with in the race. Since registration of the APC, he has been up and doing, mobilising support and wooing many people into the fold. He is experienced, matured and accommodating to party members.

  • Battle for National Secretary splits Lagos, Osun PDP

    Battle for National Secretary splits Lagos, Osun PDP

     

    Crisis is brewing between the Lagos and Osun states Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the choice of the Acting National Secretary. Efforts by the Southwest Caretaker Committee led by the Acting Zonal Chairman, Mr. Deji Doherty, to broker peace between the two warring chapters have not succeeded. PDP stakeholders in the zone fear that the acrimony may affect unity and reconciliation efforts in the region.

    The Osun State PDP Chairman, Mr. Gani Olaoluwa, had criticised the Lagos leaders of the party for hijacking the slot, claiming that it was zoned to his state. Party chieftains also alleged that the Lagos PDP leader, Commodore Bode George (rtd) influenced the appointment of Dr. Remi Akitoye from Lagos as the Acting Secretary, in replacement for Gen. Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who was shoved aside from the National Executive Committee (NEC) last year.

    Olaoluwa said that Osun State should have produced the Acting Secretary because the former Secretary hails from the state. He therefore, called for the removal of Akitoye to pave the way for the emergence of another chieftain from Osun to occupy the office. He said the move will foster fairness, justice and harmony in the zone.

    Ahead of last year’s disputed national convention, the position of the National Vice Chairman (Southwest) was zoned to Ekiti State. The position of the Secretary was zoned to Osun. The National Auditor was zoned to Ogun. Former Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni emerged as the Vice Chairman. Oyinlola became the Secretary. But following complaints by some Southwest PDP chieftains, Oni was removed. Oyinlola was also removed from office in controversial circumstances. Although the electoral commission did not void his election, unlike other 16 national officers, the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has refused to reinstate him. His case on the issue is still in court, although he has now emerged as the national Secretary of the Kawu Baraje’s faction. Reflecting on his removal, the former Osun State governor said he lost his seat because he is an associate of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Three months ago, when reality dawned on the Southwest PDP that Oyinlola may not be reinstated, the stakeholders endorsed Prof. Wole Oladipo, a chieftain from Osun, for the position. In fact, five states-Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo and Ogun-had agreed to elect him as the Secretary at the recent convention. Lagos PDP officers shunned the zonal meeting at Ibadan, Oyo State, where the decision was taken. But the election into the office did not hold due to the protracted litigation arising from Oyinlola’s removal. Therefore, the National Working Committee (NWC) asked Akitoye to continue as the Acting Secretary.

    Olaoluwa said that, based on the zoning principle, Akitoye is not eligible for the position. “It is inappropriate”, he said, adding that Osun had been short-changed.

    However, Lagos PDP has fired back, saying that the call for Akitoye’s removal was belated and borne out of mischief. The Publicity Secretary, Mr. Taofik Gani, berated Olaoluwa for parochialism and faulted the choice of Oladipo for the position by the Southwest congress. He said the claim that the former university don was endorsed for the position was false and unacceptable to the Lagos chapter. He also said that Olaoluwa has failed to understand the provisions of the PDP Constitution on the filling of vacant positions in the INEC.

    Gani cited Section 13(5) and 14(5) of the PDP Constitution to buttress his argument, submitting that Akitoye’s choice complied with the law. He said the alternate recommendation by Olaoluwa could undermine the Southwest PDP. The Publicity Secretary stressed: “Section 14(5) states that, where a vacancy occurs on any of the offices of the party, the committee shall appoint a substitute from the zone where the officer originates, pending the conduct if the election to fill the vacancy.

    “The provision of Section 14(5) is unequivocal that a consequential substitute can only come from the zone and not reduced to the state. It is thus unintelligent to argue that the Acting National Secretary must emerge from Osun State per se. Moreover, Lagos State is even better strategically positioned to be preferred above Osun State because, unlike Osun State, Lagos State delivered victory to the party in the last presidential election”.

    Gani urged Olaoluwa to concentrate his efforts on how to reconcile the PDP factions in Osun, instead of acting against the wish of the party. He said: “We are convinced that the National Chairman of the PDP is comfortable with the services and support of the current Acting National Secretary”.

     

  • ‘ KWASIEC released fake results’

    ‘ KWASIEC released fake results’

    All Progressives Congress (APC)chairmanship candidate for the Offa Local Government re-run election Saheed Popoola spoke with AUGUSTINE AVWODE on the controversy that has trailed the election.

    How would you describe the experience you have just had? For me as a person, it is a very bad experience. But the fact really is that it is not even as bad for me as it is for Nigeria. Without mincing words I would say this kind of development is not good at all for our democracy. And it is in this regard that I believe that we all need to pray a lot for this country and the democracy we say we are practicing now.

    Were the results announced at the various polling booths?

    Yes, they were announced at the polling booths. All the results were declared there and then. We have 86 polling booths in Ofa Local Government and the results were declared at each and every unit and everybody heard the results, copied them and kept them in their possession. At the collation centre of each ward, results were declared, at the centre that is, the local government secretariat, the results were already collated and were ready for announcement but the Returning Officer absconded. So they carried the results to Ilorin. But instead of the Returning Officer to announce the results in Ilorin, it was the chairman of Kwara State Independent national Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) that announced the results and you just wonder, who really, is the Returning Officer for the election is. As at now, nobody knows. I want to tell you sincerely that the election was peaceful, and there was no problem at all throughout the period of the election. So, nothing could have warranted the announcement of the results from Ilorin, instead of the spot where the election took place at Offa. The results KWASIEC released are false and bogus.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state have appealed to those who are bitter and planning peaceful protests to shelve the idea and go to court. How do you react to the advice?

    The reason why he said that, I guess, is because he knows the truth; that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the election. He knows the truth but does not know how to say it. The fact is that he has the original results collated from the polling booths to the wards to the council levels. He has the original results with him and there is not counter result anywhere, not even with those people that are announcing the rubbish. But the CP and the state Director of the SSS, they have the authentic results. And since we have been declaring and announcing this result, they have not come out to fault it or say this is a contrary result. It has not happened. The only thing they have is the bogus results they have announced. And we told them that the APC got 11, 500 plus in the election and that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) man, Mr Olanipekun got 4, 600. But curiously, they announced 35,000 for the PDP and 20,500 for me. And we are asking them, where is the breakdown of the results, nobody has it. And nobody knows. It is that bad.

    The results by KWASIEC show a very wide margin of about 30,000 votes. How do you see this?

    What they are trying to do is to be smart by half. They don’t know how to rig. If you want to rig, you do that from the cradle; you don’t rig from the head down to the bottom. That shows that they are not politically sagacious or are they perfect riggers. How can you just go and announce the results of an election in which 56,000 people voted? How long do you think it will take that number of people to cast their votes? For goodness sake, the election lasted for only four hours. Accreditation started by 8 pm and lasted till 12 pm. Then voting began till 4 pm and it was over. The question is how long does it take one person to vote? That is the question KWASIEC must be ready to answer. They will have to tell the world how it was possible for 56000 people to vote within four hours in 86 polling booths. So can see that they are very dumb and they are not calculated riggers. That is their headache anyway. We are hitting them hard now by telling the whole world. Apart from the fact that they don’t know what they are doing, we want to expose their folly and diabolical intentions. We owe it a duty to save the nations democracy from the hand of those who want to hijack it for their selfish agenda. We all must keep in view the fact that 2015 is just by the corner.

    Are you going to heed the advice of the CP by exploring the legal option?

    The CP is not in a position to advise us on what to do. We know what to do and when to do it and where to do it. Even before the election we were in court in a pre-election matter. As I speak with you now, that matter is in the Court of Appeal, and we believe that we would get our judgment at the Court of Appeal. When the Tribunal was constituted, though we have our reservations about it but we would still go before it. We are going to do that because we are law abiding citizens of the state and the nation.

    What would be your appeal to the people at home?

    We are a peace loving people; I will appeal to them to remain peaceful. If APC supporters were not to be a set of peaceful people, you could have heard of violence in the area long before now. We are the cheated party, bet we try to call our people together and appeal to them to exercise restraint. We are more than them, they know that. In the event of any violence, it will be so bad for them because we outnumber significantly. And the question to ask is why would anyone resort to violence, because of election? I have been chairman before for two years. We love our people, we love our community and we will continue to champion their cause and come 2015, we are going to take over the state.

     

  • 2015: ‘It’s turn of Nasarawa North to produce governor’

    2015: ‘It’s turn of Nasarawa North to produce governor’

    Former House of Representatives member Usman Isah Ambaka spoke with BUKOLA AMUSAN on the zoning principle in Nasarawa State and other partisan issues.

    How would you assess the recent development in Nasarawa State?

    There have been good political developments in the state. I say this because people are becoming more conscientised. They want to know and enforce their political rights. Their consciousness of what to expect from the government has also grown. Where the government is going wrong and where the government need to sit up. So, as far as that aspect is concerned, Nasarawa State is developing, especially, in the areas of physical infrastructure. In short, we are beginning to see the dividends of democracy in the state, unlike what obtained in the past. What I am saying is that the the present government has scored a pass mark as far as physical development is concerned.

    This is the era of politicking, are you satisfied with the zoning structure in the state ?

    I want to believe that the zoning arrangement is about to be thwarted or violated because of the quest of the incumbent governor to go for a second term. I believe the concept of zoning is what is sustaining the system nationally. So, in Nasarawa State, the Nasarawa South West Senatorial District produced the first democratically elected governor in the person of Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu now a sitting Senator. He served for two terms from 1999 to 2007 without any rancour and without any struggle. It then shifted to Nasarawa South in 2007. Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma from Nasarawa South emerged as the Governor without any struggle because we believe we ought to respect the zoning arrangement so that stability will be ensured and development can be guaranteed.

    He was supposed to have come back for a second term from 2011 to date but unfortunately something happened somewhere and he was edged out and we have the incumbent governor who is also from the same zone but from a different party, the CPC. Normally, for the spirit of oneness and for the spirit of democracy and the principle of zoning, we believe that zone has finished its own turn. We now bring it to Nasarawa North which is already waiting for the incumbent governor to finish his term so that it can take over. But now that the governor wants to come back again, it would mean a violation of the zoning policy in the state. We are, however, saying that there is the need to respect the principle of zoning and respect that gentleman’s agreement. We are saying that we should allow Nasarawa North to produce the next governor of the state in the spirit of fairness and equity. Our argument is that Nasarawa South has finished their term, irrespective of the party, whether its PDP, APGA or whatever, they have done their two terms.

    If he wants to come back again it means Nasarawa South would rule the state for 12 years. That is total violation of the principle of zoning and the spirit of living together.

    I am from Nasarawa North, and if I don’t speak out now posterity will judge me. I am a stakeholder and I feel this thing has to be corrected. Anybody can come from Nasarawa North and be the governor, but all I want is that the zoning arrangement should be respected. That is why I am appealing to the incumbent governor and all the stakeholders in Nasarawa State to consider and reconsider the second term ambition of the incumbent governor to cede power to Nasarawa North. Let the North produce the next governor irrespective of the party.

    Has the governor publicly declared his intention to re-contest?

    It is obvious that he is coming back and because I know its not as easy as it is for you to just relinquish such a lucrative position. It takes a whole lot, a man of his words and a man that is not given to power. There are indicators and from what I see from his body language, he is sure to seek a re-election. I am a politician and I have been in the system. There are some things somebody will do that will tell you that he is still interested in coming back. The way things are going it has become apparent that he wants to contest. But whatever it is, he has the right to contest, being an indigene of the state. But we are appealing, that it is not right for him to contest again because of this zoning arrangement on the ground.

    If other zones have not relinquished the position he wouldn’t have the opportunity to contest, or rather, he would have contested with people from other zones. But because of the respect we have for that arrangement we allowed him to contest, and that is why we produced him today. So, he should as a gentleman, also respect that arrangement and give the next slot to Nasarawa North. That is my appeal to him and that is my appeal to all stakeholders in Nasarawa State. All those that have the yearnings of Nasarawa State at heart, all those that will want to see development in Nasarawa State, should allow this zoning principle to get to certain level. By the time we are fully matured and developed, all the advanced democracies of the world observe zoning in principle, so why can’t we adopt same? I am appealing to his Excellency and all the stakeholders in Nasarawa State to consider Nasarawa North and now is the time for us to do it.

    Are the stakeholders in Nasarawa North Senatorial District just sitting down and expecting the next ticket to be handed to them or they are also negotiating with the other senatorial districts?

    No, the Nasarawa North Senatorial District is not just folding its arms and waiting. There are three dimensions of leadership. There are some leadership positions that you get while sitting in your room, there are some you have to go out and get, and there are some you have to fight to get. So, these dimensions of leadership is what is applicable now in Nasarawa State in the zone. There are some that believe that if it is our time, it will come our way. That the governor and the people of Nasarawa South ,will feel it is right to give it to Nasarawa North. Some believe that we have to stand up and work for it while some believe we have to fight for it. But I believe in the principle that if leadership is not given to me, I will fight for it and that is why I am speaking, not on behalf of Nasarawa North, but as a native of Nasarawa North. If others feel they should fold their arms and wait, then so be it. But I believe that I have to struggle for whatever I want and for whatever is right for me. But I am not struggling for myself but for the sake of posterity. Even if this is not achieved now, it will be on record in history that one Hon Ambaka spoke out.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered four more partiesd, what does this portend for democracy in the country?

    It is one of the beautiful things that have happened to this country. We have been having oppositions upon oppositions unlike the first republic where the parties had their stronghold in the regions. Apart from that period, we have never had a situation whereby there has been one credible opposition like the emergence of the APC. This registration will bring back the dignity of Nigerians as far as democracy is concerned. APC as a party we believe will check the excesses as well as the propensities of the ruling PDP and put it on its toes. No leadership is strong, if it does not have constructive opposition. The situation now is that it is either APC takes over the government and the PDP becomes the opposition or APC will remain a leach on the PDP to ensure that the party stays away from iniquities.

    But it’s has been argued in some quarters that the emergence of APC could be likened to pouring an old wine in a new bottle, do you have a contrary opinion?

    Whatever their definition, the bottom line and most fundamental thing is that three different opposition parties agreed to collapse into one. Of course, it could be same old wine, but the perception is different. The new branding would give it a new focus and it will keep the ruling PDP on its toe. The fact that there are some people out there watching it and expect them to right the wrongs. Yes, it could be old wine in a new bottle ,but all we want to achieve is to check the excesses of the ruling party and ensure that things are done right.

     

  • Presidency’s plot to checkmate Kwankwaso, Aliyu

    Presidency’s plot to checkmate Kwankwaso, Aliyu

    Though final reconciliatory talks with aggrieved PDP governors are scheduled for today, the Presidency, while not foreclosing a truce with the party’s new faction’s arrowheads,  is considering other options, reports Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo

    It was one move that caught almost every member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) napping.

    For the ministers who were relieved of their jobs by President Goodluck Jonathan, the announcement of their sack by the president himself shortly after the weekly deliberations ended was as shocking as it was unexpected-at least on that fateful day.

    The Nation gathered that the decision to fire the affected ministers was decided at a strategy meeting held on Tuesday night (a day before the FEC meeting).

    Present at the meeting were the president, his trusted aide, Oronto Douglas the Chief of Staff to Jonathan, Mike Ogiadhome and two other persons whose identity could not be confirmed.

    At the end of the almost three hour meeting, nine ministers, including Professor Ruqqayatu Rufai (Education) Olugbenga Ashiru (Ogun) Shamsudeen Usman (National Planning); Amma Pepple (Rivers) Hadiza Mailafa (Environment); Ita Ewa (Science and Technology) Olusola Obada (Defence) Zainab Kuchi (Power) and Tijani Bukar (Borno), were relived of their plum jobs.

    A source privy to the meeting told The Nation that beyond the reason of alleged non-performance by the former ministers, their sack may also not be unconnected to the president’s firm resolve to adopt a counter-offensive against the arrowheads of ‘rebel’ governors who have set up another faction of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Abubakar Kawu Baraje.

    The source added that after a careful appraisal of the current crisis bedevilling the party, the meeting allegedly reached a consensus that the nine ministers cannot fit into the plot to serve as foot soldiers of the president in some states considered as ‘strategic’ by the president’s kitchen cabinet. These states include Kano, Jigawa, Niger and Kwara.

    Na’Abba may checkmate Kwankwaso

    The sack of Dr. Shamsideen Usman, who hails from Kano as the Minister of National Planning was a big surprise to his former colleagues in the FEC.

    Just some days ago, the former minister, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), received commendation from the president over how he successfully formulated a strategic masterplan for the nation’s economy. Usman has also been credited with the initiative of the formulation of the performance benchmark set for each minister about one year ago.

    And so, it was assumed that his job was safe. But sources say Usman had to go to realise the short term political objectives of the president, who is alleged to be interested in securing a second term in office come 2015.

    With Usman out of the way, there are unconfirmed speculations that the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, is highly favoured to fill the Kano State slot.

    “Usman did quite well, no doubt, but what the president needs now are politically grounded individuals who can project his interests at these challenging times,”said a source.

    Some days ago, Na’Abba in company of some stakeholders in the Kano State chapter of the PDP had visited the party’s national headquarters in Abuja to lodge a protest against the incumbent state executive council, which tenure they reportedly argued, had since lapsed.

    They further urged the national leadership of the party to constitute a new council to oversee the affairs of the party in the North West state.

    Sources say by this action, Na’Abba was allegedly acting a script of some powerful forces, which are said to be uncomfortable with the strangle-like hold of Governor Kwankwaso on Kano PDP.

    In the calculations of these forces, the former speaker fits the bill of a tough politician who can give Kwankwaso a run for his money in the unfolding battle for the soul of Kano PDP.

    Another factor that is working in Na’Abba’s favour is his no-love-lost relationship with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo while he served as the nation’s number four citizen. The former president is considered as Kwankwaso’s political mentor.

    Besides considering appointing Na’Abba as minister, plans are also afoot to dissolve the Kano State council of PDP, which members are loyalists of Kwankwaso and set up an interim council that will work for the president’s interests.

    Jigawa’s peculiar case

    But unlike in Kano where the Presidency has found willing members of the party to challenge the governor’s authority, the situation is a bit complicated in Jigawa State.

    As at the time of filing this report, the Presidency is reportedly still searching for a popular politician who can carry out its bidding in the state. But the situtation, it was gathered, is not helped by the fact that practically the entire members of the PDP in the state, including elected state and federal officials are solidly in support of the state governor, Sule Lamido.

    Apart from Rufai, who was removed as minister a few days ago, the other minister from the state is Senator Kabiru Taminu Turaki in charge of Special Duties portfolio. He is also the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Conflicts.

    Aside being preoccupied with his latter assignment, Taminu, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in the thinking of the president’s strategists, lacks the stature to ruffle Lamido’s political feathers. But the Presidency, according to sources, is reportedly hopeful that it will soon come up with a strategy to neutralise Lamido’s alleged larger-than-life image in Jigawa.

    Why Abdullahi was retained and Abdulrahman Oba’s option

    One minister whose retention was not surprising is Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi. That the Minister of Sports and the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) has performed well above average is not in dispute.

    Abdullahi was nominated as minister by the former governor of Kwara State and now a senator, Dr. Bukola Saraki, whose relationship with the Presidency has been far from cordial.

    The Presidency’s grouse against Saraki is his role in the new PDP and his alleged backing for the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, despite several entreaties to him to dump the governor.

    Also, Saraki’s protégé, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, is among the G7 governors opposed to the president.

    And because of Saraki’s disposition to the Presidency, not a few people had assumed that Abdullahi may be given the boot by the, president. The Nation however gathered that Abdullahi’s deft handling of his relationship with Saraki and not his performance as minister may have saved him his job.

    Sources claimed that the search on who will take on Saraki’s dominance of Kwara politics may have been narrowed down to Professor Abdulrahman Oba, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, who currently chairs the Federal Character Commission (FCC), whose relationship with Saraki has been frosty in recent times.

    Can Gana deliver Niger for Jonathan?

    In recent times, former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, has been a regular visitor of the president.

    Gana, who was the chairman of the PDP mini convention, which held few weeks ago, has been a staunch ally of Jonathan in spite of his state governor, Babangida Aliyu’s ‘rebellious’ stance against the president.

    There are unconfirmed speculations that Gana may be handed the brief to deliver the state’s support for the president as the 2015 elections approaches and to counter the gameplan of the governor’s camp.

    But can Gana deliver Niger State, which boasts two former Nigerian leaders, General Ibrahim Babangia and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, whose body languages lately suggest that they may not be huge fans of the president currently.

    But on a final analysis, it remans to be seen how the Presidency will hijack the party structures from these governors whose support are key for the president to realise his speculated second term agenda.

  • Ondo PDP pledges support for Tukur

    Damisi Ojo in Akure, Ondo State, unveils the power game in the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Even before the split at the national level of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Ondo state chapter had been embroiled in crisis before the last year’s governorship election declared in favour of Dr Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP).

    The rift emanated from  its  factional  group led by Professor Olu Agbi that dragged the State Executive Committee of the party, led by former local government chairman, Hon .Ebenezer Alabi, to court.

    Agbi’s group reportedly worked for the victory of Mimiko as against  its party’s candidate,Chief Olusola Oke.This development affected the fortunes of PDP in securing victory at the poll because of the visible crack within the party.

    However, at the end of the day, Justice C.T Ajama dismissed the suit filed by Agbi’s faction and upheld the election of Alabi’s led State Party Executive Committee [SEC].

    The SEC said efforts of those it called ‘’disgruntled ‘’ members who had engaged in surreptitious collaboration with Dr Mimiko to cripple the activities of PDP had been nailed permanently with the court’s judgement in favour of the State Executive Committee.

    The suit was dismissed on the ground of incompetence,while the writ of summon, according to the presiding Judge, was grossly defective because the names of the parties to the suit were not signed.

    With this development, Ondo PDP officials said the state chapter is still officially united under the national leadership led by the embattled Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

    Its state publicity secretary, Wale Ozogoro, though described the present imbroglio that has engulfed the party immediately after the National Mini Convention as unfortunate, stressed that it calls for sober reflection.

    But he quickly pointed out that  the party has enough ability and zeal to combat any crisis that may come to fore as a result of this convention, noting that PDP is a big family where such is unavoidable.

    His words ‘’We have witnessed serious crisis than what is presently rearing its ugly head and shall soon go the way of others. The internal mechanism of the party is up and running and we will tackle all the differences and nip all in the bud.

    According to him, Ondo PDP as a chapter, remains committed to the aspiration and belief of the founding fathers of its great party and the leadership as well as the transformation agenda of President, Dr. Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan.

    This official position suggests that the  Ondo state chapter of PDP is solidly behind the leadership of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and its national executives.

    The party commended the efforts of  its national leaders  in trying to resolve this seeming differences.

    It however appealed to all  aggrieved parties to see reasons with  the leaders that are making frantic efforts at making peace return to the fold, saying ‘’PDP in Ondo state remains a united entity and indivisible front, making unequalled stride in developing the nation.

  • Nine ministers sacked, what next?

    There was nothing strange in the action taken by President Goodluck Jonathan last Wednesday. He acted within his powers as the Chief Executive. He is expected to set targets and has a duty to constantly review same. Whoever he feels is surplus to requirement has to go. The reshuffle that saw nine ministers sacked was nothing new.

    Indeed, before he wielded the big stick, many Nigerians had called for such a move. We had complained aloud that the cabinet lacked sparkle; that many of the helmsmen (and women) were too lethargic and it appeared they lacked commitment to the country. So, a response to the yearnings of the people ought to have been well received.

    But, was it? If not, why wasn’t it? The political environment had suggested that the President did not act in consonance with the demands of the people. Actually, leaving Diezani Allison-Madueke in office was enough proof that Jonathan has no regard for the country and its people. The performance of the woman had shown her as undeserving of handling the trust of the critical Petroleum industry. She has merely been fumbling and stumbling along since she was planted in the ministry. She only enjoys the confidence of those who have held down the Nigerian economy.

    Following the massive, popular protests against the hike in the prices of petroleum products last year, the minister was quick to set up panels to review practices. She made sure she appointed men in whom the people repose some trust. But, since then, nothing has changed. The panels were meant to buy time and then continue doing business as usual.

    Frankly, I am not a fan of any of the sacked ministers. Why would I hold the brief of Madam Ruqqayatu Rufai? She was touted as the best appointment ever made for the education ministry at entry into the government. She came highly recommended by her education and experience. She had worked as a Professor of Education at Bayero University, Kano, and was the Jigawa State Commissioner for Education under Governor Sule Lamido. But, no one at her exit could point at any concrete policy input from the minister. Even at the level of mere implementation, she had floundered. She just made up the number in the executive council and was an addition to the number of ministers who had presided at the ministry. So, really, we should be rejoicing at her exit.

    But, was she removed for incompetence? The facts suggest otherwise. A President genuinely concerned about the state of affairs would have shown that he intends walking in a different direction. What do we have? The man who wakes up daily dreaming and plotting what to do to hurt Governor Amaechi is now placed in charge. Nyesom Wike who has been more of the Minister coordinating assault on Amaechi now oversees affairs of the ministry. Before the reshuffle, Wike was the second-in-command at the ministry. Under his watch, the Universal Basic Education scheme has virtually collapsed. It could be argued that Wike is merely standing in until another substantive minister is appointed. However, his utterances suggest otherwise. He has started belching orders and indicating that he was sent on a mission that he intends to accomplish.

    How else could one explain the sack of Dr. Shamsideen Usman? Again, I do not think highly of his service to the country. He has been permanently in government. But, the sack negates a recent commitment of the President to keep him for as long as he is in the saddle. The President had presented Usman as one of the shining stars of his administration. He rated him the best minister to have taken charge at the National Planning ministry. Yet, he is now out.

    Was Ama Pepple sacked because she opted to play the role of a mediator between the President and the Rivers State governor? Did the matronly Obada lose her position in Defence because of her loyalty to Oyinlola? And, was Maku put in charge because he has what it takes to handle the sensitive sector? In any case, how could the symbol of incompetence frown at a mere demonstration of ineptitude?

    We may not have the full story yet. But, what is clear to me is that the ship of state may not remain stable on the high sea until 2015. Unfortunately, President Jonathan has opted too early in the day to shun governance and shuffle his feet in the ring. It is a bad omen. It suggests that things could further degenerate in the next few months. All the energy that should be concentrated on resolving the power crisis, build consensus to confront the Boko Haram monster and wage war against infrastructure decay is now being funneled into smoking out imaginary enemies. Opponents of the President’s dream and puerile schemes are now being treated as enemies of the state.

    All men of goodwill should rise now and check the slip. The reshuffle was merely to advance the selfish interest of Jonathan. It is not about Nigeria and her people. God save our country.

  • Awo’s 1963 imprisonment: Lessons for PDP, Jonathan

    Awo’s 1963 imprisonment: Lessons for PDP, Jonathan

    Assistant Editor, ‘Dare Odufowokan, covered the 50th remembrance lecture of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s imprisonment and reports

    As family and friends of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, remembered the incarceration of the former Western Region Premier, exactly 50 years ago last Wednesday, some of his disciples gathered in Lagos to revisit the events that led to the much criticised sentencing of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) founder and presidential aspirant.

    Five decades after his incarceration on alleged trumped up charges of treasonable felony, his disciples and close watchers of events in the country, still reflect on the incident as a watershed in the history of Nigeria. They believe that Awolowo’s imprisonment marked the beginning of forceful repression of the opposition by governments in the country.

    “Unfortunately, today, exactly fifty years after that inglorious mistake on our part as a country, our leaders are yet to learn from it. Today, we still find a situation where a President is using the machineries of state to clamp down on perceived political enemies.

    We are currently in a situation where the security of an incumbent governor is withdrawn because he has political differences with the President. A serving senator is being hounded by security agencies because he disagrees with the President.

    Peoples’ homes and offices are being sealed off because they are not in agreement with the ruling camp. This is saddening. When the ruling party sent Awolowo to prison in 1963, the whole world condemned it as intolerance of the opposition; the southwest went up in flame and the politics of Nigeria has never been the same again.

    It is important for our current crop of leaders to learn from that incident and avoid what can return the country to the part of violence,” Chief Olorunfunmi Basorun, former Secretary to the State Government in Lagos State, who chaired the programme, warned.

    The event, which was put together by The Factor Media, publishers of Factor Magazine, had the national legal adviser of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Dr. Muiz Banire, as the guest lecturer.

    Banire, while calling on government functionaries at the federal level to desist from bickering and face the business of government, lamented the high level of ignorance that has overtaken the youths in Nigeria despite the monumental legacy of education bequeathed to the country by the towering intellectual leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    “Awo’s desire to serve Nigeria made him to resign his premiership position in Western Nigeria in 1959 at a time when he had two more years in office as his election in 1956 gave him a five-year term till 1961. He left the office of Premier and vacated his seat in the House of Assembly to partake in the federal parliament election.

    He ended up being the leader of the opposition at the centre as the feat he had achieved in the West, coupled with the lofty dreams of transferring all these to the entire nation, could not appeal to the largely uninformed voters in the north whose arithmetic of election did not go beyond what was dictated by the then prevalent feudal structure,” Banire said.

    He went further to explain that Awolowo was prevented from repeating the feat he attained as the leader of the Western Region at the federal level by the ruling Northern Peoples Congress and its allies in the West.

    “The need to gag Awolowo and his supporters, which Akintola and his northern allies believed was the only way to seize complete control of the Western Region, matured in the imprisonment of Awo. The trial of Awo began on November 5, 1962, having been detained without bail in Broad Street prisons in Lagos since November 2, 1962 and having been under restriction of movement since May 29, 1962.

    His colleagues were equally restricted with Adegbenro to be in Osogbo while Awolowo was to be in Ikenne,  Enahoro to be in Uromi. On the same day, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, who was also the Governor of the Western Region, was to be forcefully ejected by the police upon an order of the Administrator. Twenty five other members of Awolowo’s party were also placed under restriction.

    The scheme to ensure Awolowo was jailed together with his colleagues led to a quick promulgation of an Act empowering the Minister of Internal Affairs to refuse the entry of any foreign expert, including Commonwealth lawyers. The English lawyers briefed by Awolowo were not allowed right of entry and therefore could not take up his brief.

    On September 11, 1963, Awo and his 28 colleagues were sent to different terms of imprisonments. Awo’s allocutus was a prediction of danger for the country which ultimately came to pass,” Banire recalled.

    While warning the leadership of the country to heed lessons from the shameful trial of Awolowo by the powers that be, through the instrumentality of the judiciary, Banire regretted that Judges are still allowing themselves to be used to suppress the opposition 50 years after Justice Sowemimo allegedly allowed himself to be used to send Awolowo to an unjust prison term.

    “It is a clear suggestion that the days and years of Judges’ clandestine relationship with government in power have been long in Nigeria. It did not start today. Even when the matter went on appeal to the Supreme Court, presided over by Sir Adetokunbo Ademola in whom Awolowo expressed great lack of confidence and likelihood of bias, the ultimate final decision was the dismissal of Awo’s appeal,” Banire said.

    In his own remark at the event, another disciple of the late sage and former deputy governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, assured the people that although tyrants in power may once in a while succeed in gagging progressives in opposition, they usually don’t get away with their evil for long.

    “When they got Awolowo into prison along with his men, Akintola felt on top of the world, thinking he was in total political control of the Western Region. He condemned Awolowo and enjoyed all the peps of office but he remained unsecured as the peoples’ anger could be felt by him and his allies.

    They also went ahead to rig the 1964 election in favour of Akintola and the NPC. Crisis erupted in the region. Houses were burnt and many supporters of Akintola were killed. This was the situation until January 1966 when the army struck. The consequence was the assassination of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Tafawa Balewa, Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh and Chief S.L Akintola, all collaborators against Awolowo,” Ogunleye said.

    Hon. Japhet Odesanya, convener of the memorial lecture and publisher of Factor Magazine urged President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling PDP to return the country to the path of peace.

    “Today we recall how the country started its journey towards the anarchy that led to the first coup and counter coup. Today, we remember how Awolowo’s traducers used the powers of state to hound him into jail. Today, we are talking about the repercussions of that singular act of suppression.

    Still today, we have a situation that is very similar to that on our hand. State governors are being hounded for expressing their views. The judiciary is allowing itself to be used to gag the opposition. These are signs that our President and the ruling party need to take a cue from the incarceration of Awolowo in 1963 if Nigeria is to escape a return to anarchy,” he cautioned.

    Other dignitaries who graced the event include Cardinal James Omolaja Odumbaku, an APC leader, Alhaji Moshood Owokoodu, Hon, Funmi Tejuosho, Hon. Ladi Balogun, Hon. Sinai Agunbiade, Hon. Sunmi Odesanya and Hon. Olatunde Adepitan.