The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • Group protests against President

    The United Nigeria Group has called for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan for breaching his oath of office.

    Addressing reporters at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, the chairman of the group, Comrade Isa Tijani, said the action of the President was capable of truncating democracy. He said the group would lead a protest march to the National Assembly.

    He said that the offences committed by the President include the abuse of power, endangering democracy, reneging from the oath of office to protect and uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and complicity to truncate the rule of law and other atrocities.

    The group explained that the protest had to be postponed because of the fasting period. “Our Muslims compatriots complained about fasting and combining it with demonstration that may require a lengthy trekking will not augur well.

    “The National Assembly will commence a recess on, which makes it difficult for them to do anything on it, until they return. Should we embark on it, we may risk sweeping such a burning issue under the carpet.

    “The various stakeholders have expressed concern with lack of contact in time and as such asked for little more time to ensure wider contact and consultations,” he said.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘Southsouth leaders should not separate Jonathan, Amaechi’

    ‘Southsouth leaders should not separate Jonathan, Amaechi’

    Dr Chris Ekpenyong, an engineer, who at 28, was the youngest member of the old Cross River State House of Assembly, was deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State between 1999 and 2005. Ekpenyong spoke to reporters on the crisis in Rivers State and other national issues. OLUKOREDE YISHAU was there.

     

     

    2015 is getting close and the Nigerian political space seems to be experiencing some heat because of it. Is this good for our democracy?

    Well, it depends on how your look at it or from which point you are coming from. No heat is good for anybody. So, the heat generated by 2015 cannot be good for our polity. But, don’t also forget that the heat is all about politics. Politics comes with heat. I’ve experienced some myself. Such heats do not necessary burn down the nation. It has a way of cooling itself. We have had more scourching heats before. When it naturally cools, nobody remembers. So, these ones will certainly pass away. But never forget, there must be heat or else it is not politics, especially election politics. The problem is that the people are the furnace feeling the heat the more. Nobody is talking about development again. Some people, especially those with duties to perform for the people. They have left their duty post to concentrate more on heating up the polity in the name of the politics of 2015. This is not good for our democracy. That is why I think people should resign their appointments before venturing for elective offices; say one year to the time.

    One of the areas feeling political heat now is Rivers State. A lot has happened there. Recently, the Southsouth leaders called on Governor Rotimi Amaechi to leave the PDP and have also taken a swipe at Northern Governors for visiting him. Are they right?

    There are no rights or wrongs in politics – only interest. It is in the interest of those leaders to make their demand. So for them, it is okay. But we in the party are talking about reconciliation. How can reconciliation come when they talk like that? The leadership of the Southsouth People’s Assembly (SSPA) is not the leadership of the Southsouth PDP, and should be careful not to conflict its role. By elementary definition, the SSPA is supposed to be non-partisan; for all people of the Southsouth; of every state, of every tribe and of every party affiliation. So why would they ask Governor Amaechi to leave the PDP? He is serving a suspension for which the PDP has set up a committee to probe him. Once the committee is through, it is the party, based on the recommendation that will decide his future in the party. I am sad our leaders do not know how to draw a line between their political interest and the general interest of the people. In the SSPA, most of the people there were not in the PDP as at 2003. So, they can’t claim to be more PDP than President Jonathan who has been in the party since 1998. We are talking of reconciliation in the party. That is the way they should follow. Most of them are leaders we respect. We see them as elder statesmen and fathers and they should act like one. They should ensure Amaechi sits with the President to discuss and settle the issue so that the people of the Southsouth can take a common front into 2015. I believe they are just misunderstanding Amaechi. They need to sit with him, understand his position in the crisis and get him to understand our position as a people as well. They are the ones allowing Northern and Southwest governors and politicians to take advantage of the crisis and ‘play’ politics with it. They are the ones who see Amaechi as an enemy. When everybody brands you an enemy, you welcome anybody that says he is your friend. All of us need friends. Who among them would allow a minority in the House of Assembly to unseat him? In going to the Assembly, Amaechi was only safeguarding his position. Else, the kind of system we operate, he would have been gone by now and nothing will happen. I am talking from experience. So, I can safely say it was in defence of his governorship that he went there. If he didn’t go, the five people would have impeached him that day and nothing will happen. Remember, the five sat with police protection for others to join them. So, the governor decided to go with his security aides to help the other 27 who were disadvantaged security wise to make them sit. I am not defending him. I am saying how we live in this country and why we do the things we do. We need our leaders to create a different system of doing things for us. Yet, they keep repeating the same old system making it impossible to do right. See the person the party has mandated to reconcile the ‘warring’ people, Governor Dickson. When did he join PDP? From his utterances, he is an interested party in the saga. What is wrong with people like Dr Alex Ekweume, Prof Jerry Gana, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, several others who are neutral and will be respected across the nation?

    Do you think the President should go back in 2015 since the current crisis is certainty about his intention to re-contest?

    I am an ardent supporter of the President. He is my friend. He is my brother. He has a fair chance to get back because a lot of us want him back, especially those of us from the Southsouth. But truth be told, he needs to re-position his strategic political machinery to achieve results. The people manning the machine are making strategic mistakes every day and the President keeps being on the receiving end. He needs to re-strategies. He needs to leave politics and concentrate on service delivery, on power, infrastructural development, education, health and other areas. Let these things deliver 2015 for him. As a Southsouth person, I am not happy that Mr. President has done four years and the East West Road has not been completed and commissioned. As an Akwa Ibom person, I am not happy that my governor has spent his time and resources to support the President yet we do not have heavy federal presence in terms of projects and appointments. When the Good Governance Media Tour Team came, I am sure over 95 per cent of projects they inspected, appraised and applauded were Governor Akpabio’s projects. That is not fair to us. I am not happy that the SSPA is not pushing and dialoguing with others for the revenue allocation formula to be changed. Recently, my governor advocated for a 50 per cent allocation to oil-bearing states. Have they taken this up? It is not about us producing a President. It is about us gaining from producing the President. I hope Mr. President is listening. Let the people around him give him space to think of how to make Nigerians love and desire him and 2015 will be a walk over for him.

     

  • Bamidele on service lane at 50

    Bamidele on service lane at 50

    In this piece, Ahmed Salami writes on the political activities of the House of Representatives member, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, who clocks 50 this week.

     

    AFTER the glorious revolution of 1688, John Locke affirmed that the ‘power of the Crown lies in the consent of its subjects’. By the foregoing axiom, a politician can only be popular among the masses or wield enormous influence, if his political philosophy and belief are in tandem with that of his people.

    This aptly applies to what this member of House of Representatives, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele connotes in Ekiti politics.

    He is popular, musters immense influence among the masses and his beliefs, particularly in politics , are always in consonance with the yearnings and aspirations of Ekiti masses.

    The popularity did not come the normal way others used to acquire theirs by using the power of money to buy people’s conscience through ill-gotten wealth, but his was through strong and uncommon ties with traditional rulers, Okada Riders, market men and women, politicians alike, widows, widowers, vulnerables and all other strata of the society.

    This political enigma, who made a foray into politics in far away Lagos in 2000, had left indelible marks in the hearts of humanities and sand of time.

    He was born to Mr and Mrs Bamidele on July 29, 1963 at Iyin Ekiti. As fondly obtainable among accomplished Africans, 50 years is treated specially and by this, the whole world would be expecting that this astute politician would roll out drum in celebration.

    Bamidele, the Chairman of the House Committee on Budget and Research, who is also vying for the coveted seat of governorship in Ekiti in 2014, had while unveiling his intention to contest for the plum seat in Ado Ekiti recently said he had decided to shelve the idea of throwing a big party to commemorate his birthday based on the increasing level of poverty among Ekiti masses.

    This vanguard of political emancipation , who has taken the masses as the source of his strength, averred that he cannot be celebrating while his people wallow in poverty. But whether he throws a big party or not, Bamidele has a golden and positive history about his name and contributions to the Nigeria nation in his five decades on the face of earth.

    In practical terms, he was not born with silver spoon in his mouth. To put it directly, he was not even born with any spoon at all , which automatically foreclosed any categorization of whether he was born with a wooden or golden spoon. But he had been able to prove that he was born with brain that was more precious than any silver on the face of earth by his gestures and charisma.

    History will never forget him for his scintillating contributions as a former President, National Association of Nigerian Students, who fought the military Juntas to standstill during the dark days of successive despotic regimes in Nigeria.

    His contributions as a member of the fierce National Democratic Coalition that abraded the seemingly rocky posture of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and the dark-goggled Sanni Abacha regimes , not for selfish or conceited motives, but for the enthronement of democracy that would bring the needed sigh of hope for all Nigerians.

    Added to the foregoing contributions in Lagos State, where he reigned like the biblical Joseph , was his service as Special Assistant , Political Affairs, Special Adviser and Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development through the instrumentality of the enigmatic leadership of the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who has become his mentor, father and greatest benefactor today. The same goes to ever performing Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, under which Hon he served as Commissioner for Information and Strategy

    At the homefront, Ekiti, Hon Bamidele, in the last two years in the National Assembly, has put smiles on the faces of his constituents in Ado/Irepodun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency. He pioneered robust and prosperous representation at the Federal level in Ekiti. He was the first to forfeit his salary as a member of National Assembly for the upkeep of the poor masses, which had never happened in the history of the State. The first tranch of money that accrued was over N8.1 million.

    Again, during the struggle for the reclamation of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s stolen mandate in Ekiti, he played a prominent role. He stood by his party, Action Congress of Nigeria and repositioned it to have the necessary stamina a vibrant opposition party should possess.

    He decided to throw his 50th birthday celebration overboard, not because he is broke or he has run out of cash, but a person don’t become a leader by virtue of age, but by providence and behaviour. As a front-liner in Ekiti politics, he was able to gauge people’s minds and align with the prevailing situations of his people at all times. This is how a good leader should act.

    His sense of generosity among the masses is so huge that his political acronym, MOB , has become a household name in Ekiti. To attest to this, as a legislator, representing only two local governments, he had been spreading the dividends of democracy to his people in other councils as a way of palliating their sufferings.

    As a member of the House of Committee on Education, he has co-sponsored a bill for an Act to further amend universities and polytechnics miscellaneous provisions Act 1993 to increase the retirement age of academic staff in the professional cadre and non-academic staff and other matters connected therewith. He had also had imprints in the passage of over 20 bills into laws and had moved more than 10 motions within the two years.

    Even, in his immediate constituency, he had facilitated more than 33 projects to the towns and villages in his quest to wrestle poverty and make people live in abundance.

    The aggregate of all these gestures had made it difficult for anyone to eclipse the name MOB or wreck him politically in Ekiti . Let me at this stage borrow one of the Newspapers’ headlines credited to the vociferous former Governor Ayodele Fayose, ‘I am an institution in Ekiti politics, suspending me from PDP is like suspending the whole party in Ekiti. So, any attempt to muzzle Hon. Bamidele in Ekiti, will not only result to nought, but is practically tantamount to suspending political philanthropy and qualitative representation in our dear state.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Rivers crisis may snowball into national crisis, says group

    Rivers crisis may snowball into national crisis, says group

    A group, ‘Asiwaju Total Loyalty Team,’ has warned that the protracted Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis in Rivers State may snowball into a national crisis, urging the two sides to sheathe their swords.

    The group described the political war as a slap on democracy and constitutionalism, noting that that rascality is peculiar to the PDP.

    Its leader, Alhaji Oluwatoyin Balogun, condemned the posture of the PDP leaders on the crisis, adding that the problem was being fueled from the Presidency.

    In a statement in Lagos, Balogun chided the PDP for its cruelty, brigandage, and impunity, wondering what would have happened, if Governor Rotimi Amaechi is from another party.

    He queried: “What has Amaechi done to deserve this punishment? Should he allowed himself to be tossed around without raising an eyebrow? Is it a sin that a governor should protect the interest of the state he was elected to govern? Should he keep quiet when the oil fields were taken away from his state to Bayelsa State?

    Balogun pointed out that President Goodluck Jonathan has continued in the footsteps of his benefactor, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, who fueled similar crises in Oyo, Plateau and Bayelsa states, when he ruled the country.

    He added: “We take a total exception to the President’s position on the Rivers State saga that he has no hand in the show of shame. This is totally misleading. The public needed not to be told where the accusing fingers should be directed”.

    Balogun condemned the biased role played by the police in the crisis. He said: “The unpatriotic conduct of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, should be condemned in its totality. The police chief should not only be removed as suggested by the House of Representatives. Nigeria is so sophisticated to be made a laughing stock by Mbu and his likes in Abuja. What played out in the Rivers State House of Assembly complex is an insult to democracy”.

  • Crisis takes toll on Rivers

    Crisis takes toll on Rivers

    The protracted political crisis in Rivers State is taking its toll on goverance in the state, reports Correspondent BISI OLANIYI.

    Rivers State is fondly called the “Treasure Base of the Nation”. Before October 26, 2007, when Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was inaugurated as the governor of the oil- rich state, investors were relocating from the state because of insecurity.

    Militants and soldiers were always at war, leading to loss of lives and property. In Port Harcourt, the state capital, residents were made to raise their hands, while walking the streets. Amaechi tackled the security challenge as a priority. Soon, peace returned and investors began to move into the state on a daily basis. But all that has since changed the crisis in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has begun to take its toll on the state.

    The political crisis involves President Goodluck Jonathan; his wife, Dame Patience; Governor Amaechi; the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike; and the Rivers State factional Chairman of the PDP, Chief Felix Obuah; among others.

    Shortly after his 2007 inauguration, Amaechi, following the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), an declared emergency in the education sector. He took the over the primary education sector from the local government councils. This was followed by massive infrastructure development across the 23 local government areas.

    Governor Amaechi said he met over 1000 primary schools that were in disrepair. He embarked on the construction of 750 model primary schools. All the model primary schools are 14-classroom blocks, ICT enabled, each with a sickbay, library and adequate water and sanitation. The contracts for 500 schools were awarded. 264 have been completed and 100 commissioned.

    Model secondary schools are also being constructed and furnished. Many universities cannot match the facilities. Students have been admitted at the Ambassador Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School in Eleme. Five others are expected to start operations this year.

    The old secondary schools are being renovated. A new Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) is to be built at the Greater Port Harcourt City, Amaechi said more student will enjoy scholarship.

    However, the crisis generated by his re-election as the chairmen of the NGF and the political crisis, in Rivers PDP have made it impossible for him to concentrate on development projects.

    In his New Year message, Amaechi said: “When we took over the mantle of leadership on October 26, 2007, it was clear that we needed to immediately intervene to save our state from collapse.

    “We inherited a near comatose education sector, our health infrastructure had broken down, power remained a major challenge, despite our huge investments in that sector and our road infrastructure was in dire need of urgent intervention.

    “The challenges of militancy and its attendant insecurity had brought our economy to a standstill. Businesses had fled and our once-thriving economy was worse than a shadow of its old self.

    “We make bold to say that we have not relented. Our development approach this year will balance competing needs against the social and economic challenges that we face. We are going to employ better strategies for governance by laying the foundation for a future that we can be proud of.”

    In the health sector, Amaechi Administration took over the provision of the primary healthcare infrastructure from the local government councils. 120 new primary health care centres were built, equipped and 130 old ones renovated, while all the 250 primary health care centres are fully functional across the 23 councils. Each has a medical doctor.

    The governor admitted failure in the power sector. In his words: “We had promised to deliver on 24-hour power supply by the end of 2012. Unfortunately, we could not meet the deadline, as we still need the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to hook us up and grant us the requisite permission to distribute.”

    Over 250 roads and 34 bridges, are at various stages of completion. Amaechi said on January 1, this year, that all the roads in D-Line and the old Port Harcourt Township, popularly called Town, have been awarded for reconstruction. They will have with underground drains, walkways and streetlights.

    The Rivers State government is also dualising the Federal Government road, the Airport-Isiokpo-Omerelu Road, up to the boundary with Imo State, while a new road project, the Trans-Kalabari Road, has been awarded to Lubrik Construction Company.

    The administration has also focused on agriculture with the twin purposes of ensuring food security and creating employment for the people. The government has continued to maintain that its demonstration project, the Songhai Farm, has done well.

    The banana project is on course; with over 300 persons already employed. Life has returned to its Risonpalm, with about 3000 people also employed.

    However, the governor has been distracted from governance by the crises. It started on April 15, 2013 when Justice Ishaq Bello of the Abuja High Court, sacked the Chief Godspower Ake-led executive of the PDP.

    The Chief Felix Obuah-led executive, according to the court, was duly-elected at the Rivers State congress of the PDP, which took place on March 17, 2012 at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt.

    In the Rivers House of Assembly, five of the 32 lawmakers; Michael Okechukwu Chinda (Obio/Akpor II constituency), Kelechi Godspower Nwogu (Omuma), Evans Bipi (Ogu/Bolo), Martins Amewhule (Obio/Akpor I) and Victor Ihunwo (Port Harcourt III) are loyal to Wike, a two-time chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

    On April 22, the 27 pro-Amaechi lawmakers suspended the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Prince Timothy Nsirim; his deputy, Solomon Eke; and all the 17 councillors.

    A seven-member caretaker committee headed by Chikordi David Dike was screened the legislator on April 23 and inaugurated on the same day by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), George Feyii. But they could not function effectively. The police sealed off the council secretariat on “order from above.” The court order.

    Obuah asked Amaechi to recall the suspended Obio/Akpor officials, but the governor insisted that it was the responsibility of the lawmakers, who were investigating the allegations of misappropriation of funds and corruption against them.

    The 27 lawmakers were eventually suspended from the PDP on April 29. Also, Amaechi was suspended from the ruling party by the National Working Committee (NWC) for anti-party activities. Last week, Obuah’s group recommended his explusion.

    Amaechi, an Ikwerre from Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area, and Wike, also an Ikwerre from Rumuepirikom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, have been at loggerheads over 2015.

    Wike, an ex-Chief of Staff, was the Director-General of Amaechi Campaign Organisation in 2011. He is alleged to be eyeing the governorship in 2015. But Amaechi has said it would not be proper, since there are other ethnic groups in the state.

    Sixty three days after the lawmakers adjourned sine die, they reconvened on July 9. The five anti-Amaechi lawmakers attempted to impeach the Speaker, Otelemaba Dan Amachree. It led to fracas. Evans Bipi of Ogu/Bolo constituency was “elected as the factional Speaker.” But Governor Amaechi stormed the hallowed chambers of the Assembly and stopped the illegality.

    In the ensuing confusion, the leader of the Rivers House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, a lawyer, who represents Emohua Constituency, used a fake mace procured by the anti-Amaechi lawmakers to hit Chinda on the head. He is still receiving treatment in a London hospital.

    When Bipi and the other four lawmakers him attempted to sit on July 10, the House of Assembly complex was sealed off by the police. In the course of dispersing the protesting supporters of Amaechi and Wike, tear gas canisters were fired into the Government House.

    The members of the House of Representatives eventually took over the functions of the Rivers House of Assembly to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

    Rivers State Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu declared Lloyd wanted on July 17 for attempted murder, conspiracy, wounding and wilful damage. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, also invited Lloyd; the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Amaechi, Debeware Semeikumo and the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Tony Iwelu.

    The festering crisis is seriously taking a toll on development projects in the state. The militants cultists, kidnappers and armed robbers are staging a come-back, leading to an increase in the crime rate.

    Amaechi does not have enough time to supervise the ongoing projects, like before. In the past he would drive himself to the project sites to put contractors on their toes. The NGF chairman is really distracted and travels very often these days, either to consult on how to ensure peace in the state or for NGF matters.

    The mono-rail in Port Harcourt township is no longer getting any attention. The roads in the state capital are going bad, with craters in some areas. Work is also yet to start on the new Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) at the Greater Port Harcourt City.

    Contrary to Amaechi’s promise, the contractor, Lubrik Construction Company, is yet to mobilise to site for the strategic Trans-Kalabari Road.

    The Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said that Amaechi is committed to the transformation agenda.

    The Publicity Secretary of the Obuah-led faction of the PDP, Samuel Nwanosike, however, declared that the NGF chairman has lost focus, and must apologise to the people and resign.

    Bright Amewhule, has President-General of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), which has Wike as the grand patron, declared that Amaechi’s vice-presidential ambition and his hot temper, made him not to listen to advice, thereby confronting President Jonathan. He said the governor would regret it.

    Amewhule said that the people, will massively vote for President Jonathan in 2015.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers governor, David Iyofor, said his boss has remained focused and adequately monitoring numerous ongoing projects across the state, while frowning on destructive criticisms and insisted that Amaechi had not been confronting President Jonathan.

    The earlier the political crisis in Rivers State is resolved, the better for the people, who deserve good governance rather than regularly enduring tear gas from soldiers and policemen. The state must not return to the era of militancy. For the state, a stitch in time can save nine.

  • ‘PDP is in disarray in many states’

    ‘PDP is in disarray in many states’

    House of Representatives member Hon. Dakuku Peterside is the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream). He spoke with BISI OLANIYI in Port Harcourt on the crisis rocking the state and other partisan issues.

    What is responsible for the deepening crisis in Rivers State, especially, within the ruling PDP?

    There is a problem between certain persons in the Presidency and the Government of Rivers State. The problem is not between Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of State for Education and the Rivers governor. The problem is not between Chief Felix Obuah, the Rivers State PDP chairman and the Governor of Rivers State.

    The problem is in two dimensions. There is a perception by some persons that Governor Rotimi Amaechi wants to aspire to the office of the vice-president and I describe that as nonsensical. Do people contest for office of the VP? The answer is no.

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said consistently, continuously and persistently that he is not aspiring to the office of the VP. Those persons, who are saying Governor Amaechi wants to run for office of VP, are doing everything to strangle him economically and by extension, strangle the people of Rivers State.

    There have been attempts to appropriate the oil wells belonging to Rivers State to neighbouring states. An economic strategy to weaken Governor Amaechi, who is perceived to have interest to aspire to the office of the VP.

    Some persons in Rivers state, who are not comfortable with the revolution Governor Amaechi is championing, especially changing the strategy of governance, from elite-driven governance to grassroots-driven governance.

    The revolution has led to the proliferation of roads that you can see everywhere, modern primary and secondary schools and primary healthcare centres everywhere. These are resources that would have ended in the pockets of some members of the elite class, if he had followed the conventional way of running government in this clime.

    But GovernorAmaechi has dared to be different. Some persons are uncomfortable with that and they consistently say they are not being consulted in running government. To them, the lack of consultation means they are no longer giving the opportunity to share the resources of Rivers State.

    What is the implication of the crisis for the PDP, as we move towards 2015?

    If you say the PDP in Rivers State is in disarray, are we not sure the party in Nigeria is in disarray? President Goodluck Jonathan has admitted that the PDP in Nigeria is in disarray and he has decided that he will lead the team that will reconcile everybody, so that we can have a united PDP that can win elections.

    It is in acknowledgment of the fact that the PDP is in disarray, that made the Chairman of the Board of Trustee (BoT) of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, to lead a team that went from state to state, trying to reconcile different factions in the party. So, it is not just in Rivers State. PDP in the country is in disarray.

    I am also aware that the PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, not long ago, set up a committee made up of five governors and a few other persons, to try to resolve the conflicting forces in PDP, that have torn the party into shreds. If the PDP in the country is in disarray, it is only natural that the PDP in Rivers State will be in disarray, since the larger body is in disarray.

    On the implication for 2015, if there is no sincere and definite programme to reconcile everybody, your guess is as good as mine. The party will go into the elections and lose. If the party is in disarray, won’t it lose?

    If Governor Amaechi leaves the PDP, will you join him?

    I will join him. I did not say I may. I will. Governor Amaechi is still a member of the PDP as we speak. In politics, as in many other engagements, you have a team. It is worse in politics. In my team, Governor Amaechi is the leader. We all subscribe to his leadership. Once he makes up his mind to leave, the entire team would have sat back and I am part of the team that would sit back and all of us would agree that our team needs to leave, because whatever is happening in the PDP or any other party does not represent our vision or our aspiration or would not provide us the conducive platform, to achieve the changes we want to bring about.

    For him Amaechi to make the decision public, that means all of us, we would have sat inside at a table. Governor Amaechi will not just wake up and say he is leaving the PDP. I know him. He will never do it. We all must sit as a team and make the decision. The day we make the decision, everybody who belongs to that political family will leave. As we speak, we are members of the PDP.

    Would you contest as Rivers governor in 2015?

    Only God can say who will contest in 2015.

    The Rivers State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Felix Obuah, said that the era of zoning had passed in the state. What is your take on this?

    I try to avoid discussing politics. I have been restraining myself from taking issue with Chief Felix Obuah, because I feel he has his conscience to deal with. If his conscience acquits him, good for him. If he can stand before God and defend his actions, good for him. For everything we do, I know we will give account to God. For every word we alter, every action we take, we will give account to God. It is very often wished away and people say it is politics.

    The issue of whether there is zoning or not, as an individual, I do not believe in zoning. I know that in our society, since we are multi-ethnic and we have not come out of the ethnic colouration in doing things, we must accommodate all sets of people. We cannot develop at the same pace. We need to give everybody some sense of belonging.

    The Nigerian constitution, in recognition of this, you find that you must have ministers from all the states of the country. That is zoning. Nigerian constitution acknowledges the fact that offices must be shared, to reflect all components of the federation. That again, is an acknowledgment of zoning.

    When Obuah says there is no zoning, I do not understand the context in which he is saying there is no zoning. If he is referring to the governorship of Rivers state, I will rather refer you to the responses so far.

    Justice Peter Akere (rtd), who leads pan-Ogoni Forum, has disagreed with Obuah. A group in Kalabari part of the state has also disagreed with him. An Okrika group has also responded that Obuah does not know what he is talking about. Pan-Ijaw National Assembly issued a statement, saying Obuah is speaking for himself and himself alone. He is not speaking for Rivers people and he is not speaking for PDP.

    The reasonable inference to draw from all these comments made by the people and groups is that what Obuah is saying is out of tune with the present reality in Rivers State. What he is saying does not represent the views of the average Rivers people, who desire that our people should be united and that the basis for unity should be equity, justice and fairness.

    So, Obuah represents himself alone. He is not speaking for any Rivers man and his opinion is certainly not popular.

    How will you describe the face-off between Governor Amaechi and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu?

    The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, has gone out of the contemplation of the law or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the discharge of his duties. He has been abusing the governor , calling him names and describing the governor as a dictator and a tyrant, this is most unfortunate.

    The commissioner of police is first a public servant. He is on oath to serve the people of Nigeria. He is an agent of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP). The IGP is appointed by the President, on the advice of the Nigeria Police Service Commission, of whom the governor is a member.

    The contemplation of the Constitution in Section 215, Subsection 4 is that the commissioner of police shall take directives from the governor and in this case the Governor of Rivers State. Any commissioner of police shall, it is mandatory; it is not optional; he should take directives from the governor of a state. The intention is that there is no dispute in the relationship between the governor and the Commissioner of Police. The governor is the superior officer of the state and the commissioner of police should take directives from the governor.

    Besides, the governor is elected and holds the mandate of Rivers State people. Anytime Mbu Joseph Mbu insults the Governor of Rivers State, he is insulting the whole of the people of Rivers State. Anytime he abuses the Governor of Rivers State, he is abusing the entire people of Rivers State.

    The duty of the commissioner of police i is to help in ensuring the safety of lives and property. If the man, who is supposed to secure us, is abusing us, should he still remain in our midst? The answer is no.

    We do not need anybody to convince us that Mbu Joseph Mbu is enmeshed in political developments in Rivers State. I will advise the IGP, the Police Service Commission, the Nigeria Police Council and indeed the President of the country, to as a matter of urgency, withdrawal Mbu from Rivers State, so that we can enjoy peace again in Rivers State.

    Since the commissioner of police has got involved in the internal politics of Rivers State, we have had rising cases of kidnap, politically-sponsored violence and other criminal activities. I am pleading with President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria Police Council, the Police Service Commission and the IGP to please move Mbu Joseph Mbu out of Rivers state, as a matter of urgency, if you want peace and the economy of Rivers State to thrive.

    What is happening to the Rivers State Government-owned, but grounded jet?

    The joint committee of the House of Representatives on Justice and Aviation, in its report, cleared Rivers State of any wrongdoing and asked that the aircraft be released to Rivers State. That Rivers State did no wrong, in the acquisition of the aircraft. Clearly, the aircraft is owned by the Rivers State government and operating within the confines and the contemplation of the law.

    It is still a committee report. It was tabled before the floor of the House. The proper thing to do, is for the House in plenary, to look at the report and come out with a position. Unfortunately, we proceeded on two-week end of legislative year break, which is done all over the world. We are just resuming.

    Till the Honourable members of the House sit and look at the report, we cannot say what next.

    What is happening to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the National Assembly?

    The PIB has passed through second reading, both in the House of Representatives and the Senate. PIB will eventually be passed into law or an Act of the National Assembly, if not by the last quarter of this year or by the first quarter of next year.

  • The battle for Jang’s job

    The battle for Jang’s job

    Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, unveils the major aspirants scheming to occupy Plateau State Government House in 2015

    The Rayfield Government House, Jos, Plateau State, is one of the most attractive governors’ lodges in the country. Every four years, there is always an array of gubernatorial aspirants gunning to move into the palatial edifice. The race towards succeeding incumbent Governor Jonah Jang in 2015 is no exception.

    Since the country’s return to popular democracy in 1999, the state has been under the control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But with the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the nation’s political scene, political observers say the race to Rayfield House in 2015 is no longer a PDP affair.

    The zoning question:

    Aside the quest by the opposition to dislodge PDP from Rayfield House, one other reason analysts are predicting a serious political battle ahead of the 2015 governorship election in Plateau State is the burning issue of zoning, which is already heating up the polity.

    As it is, by the time Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau would be rounding up his second term in May 2015, the three senatorial zones in the state would have all had their turns at the Government House.

    Chief Solomon Lar and Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun, from Langtang North and Shendam respectively in the Southern senatorial zone of the state had, at previous times, in the second and third republics respectively, been governors of the state.

    While Lar served a full term of four years and was in the third month of the second tenure when the military seized power in 1983, Tapgun, who served as one of the governors under the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, was in office for a short period of barely over a year.

    Senator Joshua Dariye, who hails from Bokkos Local Government Area, in the Central senatorial zone, was elected governor upon the country’s return to civil rule in April 1999. He ruled for two terms of four years each.

    The incumbent governor, Jang, is from Jos South Local Government in the Northern Senatorial Zone of the state. He is in his second four-year term, having been first elected in 2007.

    With all stakeholders agreeing that the position had gone round the three senatorial zones, there are arguments over what format should be adopted in deciding where the next governor should come from.

    While a majority of the people are in support of the retention of zoning, the question of which zone should take the first shot in the new dispensation is tearing the ruling party apart as the 2015 governorship election draws nearer by the day.

    Rumpus within PDP:

    Analysts are of the opinion that the looming political showdown is to be expected, given the current state of things within the ruling party. Ahead of the next gubernatorial election, there is serious disquiet among chieftains of the PDP over the control of the party structure in the state.

    Some prominent party bigwigs are angry with Jang over the way and manner the last state congress of the party was conducted. Several efforts by the national leadership of the party to resolve the crisis had proved abortive as the aggrieved politicians vowed to teach the governor a political lesson in 2015.

    There are also issues left unresolved concerning appointments into various positions, both within the state and at the federal levels. This is largely between the governor and party elders who are angry that appointments within the party tended to favour the youths and that it rendered some of the elders, including allies and associates of Jang, politically redundant.

    Perhaps as a result of the impasse within the party, many aspirants, both young and elderly, have declared their interest in the governorship ticket of the ruling PDP. The crowded race, analysts argued, may lead to the emergence of a controversial governorship candidate for the party.

    Leading the pack of PDP aspirants, according to party sources, is the deputy governor, Ignatius Longjan. An elderly politician who hails from Quan Pan Local Government Area of the state, Longjan, sources claim, is in the race without the support of his boss.

    Though he left the PDP to the Labour Party and later to the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) in 2011, sources said he has since returned to the PDP and is warming up to contest in 2015.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Shedrack Best, who hails from the Central Zone, is one other PDP chieftain who wants to occupy Rayfield House after Jang. His ambition, sources say, is already causing disaffection between him and the deputy governor.

    “Though it is not clear how the governor is reacting to the SSG’s governorship ambition, Prof. Best appears to have the tacit support of some party elders. This is evident in the way some party chieftains have been talking about him in recent times,” a party source said.

    Senator Victor Lar is one of the young politicians jostling for Jang’s job within the ruling PDP. He defected to the PDP from the ANPP in the build up to the 2011 elections and won the senatorial seat for the Plateau South Senatorial Zone, by defeating heavy weights like John Shagaya and Jeremiah Useni.

    Another contender for the plum job from the fold of the ruling party is Senator Gyang Pwajok. A former Chief of Staff to Governor Jang, he won election into the senate after the death of the late Senator Gyang Dantong.

    Other aspirants within the ruling PDP include the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. John Dabwan from Mangu South Constituency, Dr. Haruna Dabin from Plateau Central, who is currently the PDP state chairman, Mr. Hezekiah Dimka, a retired Commissioner of Police and Yiljap Abraham, the current commissioner for information in the state.

    In the rival APC, formidable aspirants are daily emerging, owing largely to the coming together of about four political parties in the state as occasioned by the merger agreement.

    Analysts say with the fusion of the like-minded political parties, the opposition in the state appears to be waxing stronger ahead of the 2015 governorship contest. Furthermore, it appears most opposition politicians are ready to set aside political differences and work together to displace the ruling PDP.

    Opposition aspirants already jostling to lay claims to the governorship tickets, according to reliable sources, include Hon. Lumumba Adeh, a former House of Representatives member and former aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who left the PDP when he lost the ticket in the primaries and has been a prominent member of the opposition in the state; Chris Giwa, a popular philanthropist who has been a constant figure in the politics of the state since the Dariye era, as well as Jimmy Cheto, a former director in the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCTA).

    There are also indications that former Governor Joshua Dariye, currently a serving Senator on the platform of the Labour Party, is planning to join the APC in pursuit of his determination to see to the defeat of his former party, the PDP, in 2015.

  • Anambra 2013: Game of cash, guts and intrigues

    Anambra 2013: Game of cash, guts and intrigues

    As the electoral umpire blows the take-off whistle for the governorship race in Anambra State, Associate Editor,
    Sam Egburonu, reports that desperate political godfathers are poised to turn it to a delicate game of cash, guts and reckless intrigues

    It is not certain if in recent times any governorship election in Nigeria has paraded the large number of desperate aspirants likely to be recorded in this year’s election in Anambra State.

    Even before July 7, 2013, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) finally released the guidelines for the election, over 20 of such aspirants, had been linked to some of the leading political parties, especially the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Between Monday, July 8, 2013 and now, more aspirants, some of who were hitherto believed to be indifferent, had dusted up their structures and have joined the long queue.

    Anambra State office of INEC, which released the election guidelines, had said the governorship election is scheduled to hold on November 16, 2013.

    So, the stage is set for the epic political battle to succeed Governor Peter Obi, whose eight-year tenure will terminate on March 17, 2014.

    The thrills:

    It began long before the recent directives, but with the latest development, Anambra State is on fire, literarily speaking. From Onitsha to Awka and from Oyi to Iheala, the political tempo has been energised as politicians move into the grassroots to mobilise support.

    The Nation’s investigation of the cause of the noted high spirits have revealed that besides such minor explanations openly advanced, like the recent leadership crisis in APGA and PDP’s sworn oath not to let go again, the old political godfathers in the state, angling to rediscover relevance are poised to engage the new lords, most of who are alleged to be extremely wealthy and equally desperate to hijack political power in Anambra State.

    Although the August 18 flag off of campaigns is still over two weeks away, stakeholders have discreetly commenced campaigns. A source, describing the quality of campaigns so far, told The Nation that even the date of the governorship election has become an issue.

    This is because the governorship election, scheduled for November 16, 2013, coincided with the birthday of Nigeria’s first president and the late Owelle of Onitsha, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who hailed from the state.

    Ozo Udeme Uzodike in a chat with The Nation alleged that it was an unnamed aspirant that is trying to make an issue of this date.

    According to him, “This aspirant and his party, afraid of the gains APGA has continued to make by exploiting Ojukwu’s links, are trying to introduce Nnamdi Azikiwe’s factor with the desperate hope that it would counter the Ojukwu sentiment.”

    As a result of this scheme, it is now being discussed at the grassroots that INEC deliberately chose Zik’s birthday for the election as a way of honouring the late statesman. Already, some of the aspirants are either reinventing Zik’s fashion sense in a bid to pass off as his political children or are reeling out their plans on how to achieve, in Anambra, most of  Zik’s noble dreams for Nigeria and Africa.

    Another likely reason for the high spirit in the state today is the curiosity arising from APGA’s current puzzle. Both aspirants and supporters are eager to know how the leadership of the party will resolve the puzzle before the election.

    This feeling is because, although the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu has resolved the issue of the leadership of the party in favour of Chief Victor Umeh by declaring that he remains the national chairman of the party, it is not certain if Chief Maxi Okwu’s group, which was sponsored by Governor Peter Obi, has accepted not to work against the party.

    While Umeh was quoted as saying shortly after the Court of Appeal judgment that “party restructuring would begin in earnest to place APGA in a proper position” before the governorship polls, it remains to be seen how that could be done within the timeframe, especially since the Okwu camp is reported as planning to proceed  to the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling.

    This challenge notwithstanding, many aspirants are vying for APGA’s ticket. They include the incumbent Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Oseloka Obaze, the former SSG, Chief Chidi Odenigbo, former president of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, Prince Chinned Idigo, Mr. Nnamdi Ekweozor, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife

    For the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, the big names expected to make the difference include Senator Andy Uba, who was governor for 17 days in 2007 before the Supreme Court stopped him, Prof. Charles Soludo who was the party’s candidate in 2010, Senator Emma Anosike who was running mate to Soludo in the 2010 contest, Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, who had vied for the position in the last three exercises, a Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on technical matters, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, Dr. Obinna Uzor, an old face in the race, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke, Chief Tony Nwoye who, as state chairman of the party, garnered mass support and Dr. Alex Obiogbolu.

    The major parties in the race:

    The major political parties that are likely to contest the election include, the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) which have fused into All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Others include, the African Democratic Congress, Progressives Peoples Alliance, (PPA), Social Democratic Party, SDP, Kowa Party, United Progressives Party, (UPP), Peoples Progressives Party of Nigeria, Accord Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Labour Party and Advance Congress of Democrats, among others.

    People’s Democratic Party

    PDP has dominated the politics of the state since 1999. Its candidates,  Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Dr Chris Ngige won elections as the governors from 1999 to 2003 and from 2003 to 2006 respectively. Its candidates have also won key electoral positions at the Senate and House of Representatives. It is on record that over the years,  PDP produced the majority members in Anambra State House of Assembly.

    The party’s fortunes, however, started a downward journey  after some godfathers in the party organised the abortive attempt to forcefully remove Chris Ngige from office. This decline facilitated the emergence of Peter Obi and APGA in the state. Since then, the party is yet to reclaim power in the state.

    All Progressives Grand Alliance

    The ruling party has held power in the state since 2006 when Obi took over power as governor then.

    In 2010, APGA under the control and leadership of Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu and Chief Victor Umeh, the National Chairman, retained power as Obi won a reelection.

    Today, with Ojukwu’s exit and the face-off between Obi and Umeh, it remains to be seen the effect on the fortunes of the party.

    All Progressives Congress

    With the merger and fusion of ACN, ANPP, CPC and some members of APGA into APC, this new party is obviously formidable enough to vie for Obi’s seat.

    This will easily manifest if influential members of the merger in the state, like Senator Ngige, Chief Godwin Ezeemo and Senator Annie Okonkwo, work together to achieve the common goal.

    Some of the aspirants:

    Some of the noted aspirants include Sen. Andy Uba, Dr Chris Ngige, former governor and ACN Senator who is being touted as the likely APC candidate, Chief (Mrs) Uche Ekwunife, an APGA member of the House of Representatives. She is fighting for the ticket of APGA. There is also Professor Chukwuma Soludo,he is also eyeing the PDP ticket, Dr Alex Obiogbolu is another key PDP ticket hopeful, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu also a contender for the PDP ticket and Senator Emma Anosike also of the PDP.

    The new entrants in the race include, Dr Ifeanyi Uba, recently linked to the Labour Party, Chief Godwin Ezeemo of ACN, Mr Oseloka Obaze,the current Secretary to Anambra State Government, Chief Chike Obidigbo, Chinedu Idigo,Chief Emma Nweke, Paul Odenigbo, Pat Obianwu and Dr Ifeanyi Hygers of the CPC.

    Dr. Chris Ngige:

    Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige, a serving senator and chieftain of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), is a former governor of Anambra State, who left office after three years as a result of a court’s ruling on the election that brought him to power in 2003.

    In spite of the circumstances that led to his exit from the Awka Government House, Ngige, according to our findings, remains one of the single most popular politicians in Anambra State till date.

    This, according to a source, was because of his mass appeal, punctuated more concretely by the way he opened up virtually all the areas in Anambra State through road construction. He also won mass appeal because of his historic battle with political godfathers.

    While these factors will still count for Ngige, his major challenge may be funding as most of his rivals are very wealthy and may resort to use of money to win support and votes.

    Since Ngige left office as governor, he has never hidden his interest to return to the Government House. In 2010 governorship election, he came third. He therefore contested the senatorial seat in 2011 and won by defeating Prof. Dora Akunyili, the former NAFDAC boss and former Minister of Information and Communication.

    If he contests this year’s election, Ngige will be a major candidate to beat, primarily because of his soaring image.

    Senator Andy Uba:

    Senator Andy Uba, like Dr. Chris Ngige, is a former governor of Anambra State, who left office as a result of a court’s ruling on the election that brought him to power. Unlike Ngige, who served for three years and made impact before his exit, Uba was sacked by the courts two weeks after he was sworn in. Today, he is the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District.

    Before his short stay at Awka Government House, Uba served as a powerful Personal Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Though he contested the Anambra governorship election in 2010 on the ticket of Labour Party and lost, Uba’s strength remains what insiders call his grip of the structure of PDP in Anambra State, his deep pocket and alleged generosity.

    If these factors combine to give him the PDP ticket, there is still fear if he can win the election proper. This fear draws from the image his family has continued to contend with since his brother, Chris Uba’s political battle with Ngige. Many still blame the family for the flawed election that gave Ngige victory before the court sacked him and for most of the political fracas of that era, including the notorious kidnapping of Ngige, who was a sitting governor then.

    Senator Annie Okonkwo

    Senator Annie Okonkwo, who represented Anambra Central Senatorial District in the past on the ticket of PDP, has emerged a leader of All Progressives Congress, (APC).

    Although Okonkwo may not have declared interest, there are suggestions, based on his known previous interests and attempts, that he may contest for the office again.

    But the puzzle seems to be the presence of Senator Chris Ngige, from his local government area and senatorial zone, in the same APC. It remains to be seen what the game plan would be.

    Prof. Chukwuma Soludo

    Erudite former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, who hails from Aniocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, is not a new face in Anambra State’s governorship race.

    He lost the same election in 2010, to Governor Obi.

    Insiders in PDP allege that the controversy over his emergence as PDP candidate in the last governorship election may still pose as an obstacle for Soludo, as some powerful forces in the party are yet to forgive him. So, if he is interested in governing Anambra, his first major obstacle is to secure PDP’s ticket.

    Hon. Uche Ekwunife:

    Another well discussed aspirant to Awka Government House is the flamboyant member of House of Representatives, Hon. Uche Ekwunife. She is not entirely new in the race as she participated in 2010 as a candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA). She lost that election.

    Ifeanyi Ubah

    Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, believed to be very wealthy, is one of the most talked about aspirants to succeed Obi.

    Although it is not certain today, which political party the boss of Capital Oil will ride on to fulfill his ambition, it is obvious that his entrance into the race has raised the stakes, as he is alleged to have voted unheard of sums of money to daze any political opponent and grab the ticket of any political party of choice.

    Although money has traditionally played a major role in the politics of Anambra State, it remains to be seen how far this strategy will take Ubah today.

    Dr. Chike Obidigbo

    One of the major selling points for the candidacy of Dr. Chike Obidigbo from Umunya, in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State is the debate that it is the turn of Anambra North to produce a governor for the state.

    Obidigbo is also said to be a respected industrialist in Nigeria.

    Prince John Emeka

    Former Minister of Water Transport, Prince John Emeka from Mmiata Anam, in Anambra West Local Government Area, is another aspirant alleged to be banking on the call for Anambra North to produce the next governor of the state. Recently, he summoned a meeting of political stakeholders in the area, to intimate than of his desire to seek their mandate.

    Factors that may determine the results

    Except other last minute issues arise to turn the table, some of the factors that are likely to determine Obi’s successor may include but not limited to:

    Zoning:

    In spite of criticisms against the outgoing governor, Peter Obi, one political masterstroke he had made, which may turn out to be a major factor in this election, is the promise to zone the governorship to Anambra North Senatorial zone.

    It is alleged that the zone has not produced the state’s number one executive and must be allowed to do so now. Of course, critics of this claim has denied existence of zoning in Anambra and had emphasised the need for merit instead of zoning.

    How this factor will play out remains to be seen.

    The ruling party factor

    The recent leadership crisis in All Progressives Grand Alliance is a major factor in this election. This is so because, as the ruling party, APGA is supposed to be near unbeatable, but the division, before the resolution by the appeal court may be easily exploited by the opponents to snatch victory from APGA.

  • Yerima dares underage marriage opponents

    Though many Nigerians, especially women rights activists, today hate his face as a result of his controversial role in the planned underage marriage bill, it has been confirmed that Senator Ahmed Yerima is not bothered at all. Sources say the senator has been mobilising support from amongst conservative Muslim clerics and elders, alleging that opposition against early marriage amounts to opposition against Islam.

    Yerima, whose popularity or notoriety, as the case may be, peaked when, as the governor of Zamfara State, he championed Sharia Law, snubbing every opposition. Yerima is therefore walking a familiar ground. The question is, will he win again?

  • Will Senate adopt its committee’s report on Rivers?

    Will Senate adopt its committee’s report on Rivers?

    The committee set up by the senate to probe the political crisis in Rivers State, headed by Senator Kabiru Gaya, has since submitted its report. Two of its recommendations, according to sources, include the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mbu Joseph, and the take-over of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the National Assembly, amongst others. Sources say a highwire lobbying has started to make the senate either adopt the report or jettison it. But findings revealed that the senate may adopt the report in line with the stance of the House of Representatives