The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

Abia 2015: group adopts Anyim for governor

A group, the New Abia Movement, has adopted Dr. Nyerere Anyim for the 2015 governorship election in Abia State.

Speaking at the end of its meeting held in Aba, the chairman of the group, Mr. Onyebuchi Okorie, said that Anyim is the best aspirant.

He said that the APGA chieftain possessed the wherewithal and administrative qualities to effect the desired change in the state.

Stressing the need for a private sector governor, Okorie said: “We have assessed several aspirants for the position, but found Chief Nyerere Anyim fit to govern Abia state. He is a private sector person who boasts of a track record of achievements in all the endeavours he has found himself. So, we are of the view that private persons should be given the chance to govern the state.

“We have tried core politicians but they have continued to disappoint us. So, Anyim fits the bill. It is not a partisan thing. We carried out our survey on people of all political parties. We call on the people of the state to support his ambition in 2015.”

The group berated the PDP’s style of leadership stressing thatit has ruined the country.

The group expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would provide Nigerians the opportunity to experience a new style of leadership.

“We have lost faith in the PDP, they have been in power for years but the people have continued to wallow in abject poverty in the midst of wealth. It is clear that the salvation of Abia state and the country cannot come from the party.

“We are hopeful that the registration processes going on between INEC and APC will not be delayed. APC will give Abians and Nigerians the opportunity to taste good governance and enjoy the dividend of democracy to the fullest.” the group stated.

July 1, 2013
Wike stirs Rivers guber race

As the 2015 governorship ambition of Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, further deepens the political tension, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, takes a fresh look at the Rivers State’s political situation and reports that it may require unforeseen intervention to resolve the riddle

Since things fell apart between Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, observers, who have been following the political footpaths of the minister, especially his growing friendship with the country’s first family, have speculated on his future political roles in Rivers.

Although such observers argued clearly that Wike would most likely be one of Mr. President’s jokers in his alleged bid to control the politics of the oil-rich South-South state, not many reckon with the pace the 2015 governorship tussle in the state is going. What was easily discernible right from the onset was that Wike has won the heart of President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan.

Even some insiders in the People’s Democratic Party in the state, who relied on the once cosy relationship between Wike and Amaechi, when they served as political children of former governor Peter Odili, had insisted that the face-off between Amaechi and Wike would be resolved eventually and that it would never degenerate to an open political battle between the governor and the minister.

To this set of people, according to Mr. Wuzo Chume, a grassroots political leader, the belief was that the governor and Wike would soon be reconciled by the elders.

Chume told The Nation in Port-Harcourt recently that those of them who doubted the suggestion that the battle line was already drawn, however, got the message during the well attended recent wedding of a member of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Evans Bipi and Rhoda Sika. At that wedding, attended by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Chume recalled, “we were all shocked when the First Lady not only praised the roles allegedly played by the minister to high heavens but also described him as the uniting force in Rivers politics.”

The President’s wife, who was the mother of the day at the event, said it was Wike that made it possible “for various groups in the state to unite.”

For example, Chume recalled, ” Mrs Jonathan pointed out that her presence and that of former governors of the state at the event was made possible by the minister.”

Mrs Jonathan had said, “I grew up in Rivers State, but I have never seen a gathering of the movers and shakers of this state (Rivers) in this way. When I say I love Wike, people don’t understand. If not for him, I would not have this opportunity to be here.

“It is good to be good. Both Rivers and Bayelsa are one because Bayelsa was created out of the old Rivers State and nobody can separate the two states. But the people must come together in peace and speak with one voice.

“Wike has brought us together and let us thank him and I doff my hat for him (Wike) and I thank Rivers people too,” she said.

The referred former governors of the state, who attended the wedding with Dame Jonathan, The Nation learnt, were Dr. Peter Odili, Chief Rufus Ada George and Celestine Omehia.

After that public endorsement by the First Lady, at the time the President and Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, were embroiled in serious political battles for the soul of Rivers State politics, it has become easier to guess where Wike would fit into in the complex political chessboard.

So, when recently, an Abuja High Court sacked Chief Godpower Ake-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) executive in Rivers State, and enthroned Chief Felix Obuah and Walter Ibibia Opuene as the authentic state Chairman and Secretary respectively, it became more obvious, even to sceptics that the battle line has finally been drawn and that Wike is poised to stand up at the centre of the political theatre of Rivers to dare his erstwhile political associate, Governor Amaechi.

It is common knowledge that Obuah and Opuene, known loyalists of Wike, have been associated with endless political battles with Amaechi over the control of the state’s party structure before the 2015 general elections. Their ascension to the throne therefore means the ascension of their godfather in the running of PDP in the state. This will however depend on how Amaechi, the governor, would play the political chess.

It would be recalled that the Court ruling came following a suit instituted by Felix Obuah who claimed that he and Opuene were both duly elected as Chairman and Secretary respectively at the State congress held in March, 2012 by a committee set up by the headquarters of the party.

Part of the reliefs, claimed by the appellants, all of which the Court granted, include “an order directing the party headquarters to swear them in as Chairman and Secretary respectively and all others duly elected into the State committee at the authentic State congress held on the 17th of March 2012.”

The court also granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the party from appointing Chief Ake or any other person instead of Obuah and Opuene as Chairman and Secretary of Rivers State PDP.

As members of Odili’s political structure, then known as the ‘ Restoration team,” Wike and Amaechi had fought on a common side some complex political battles and had shared the benefits that accrued from their earlier victories.

It could be recalled that after the 1999 general elections in Rivers State,

Amaechi, who won the Ikwerre constituency seat in the State House of Assembly election, was nominated as the Speaker, while Wike became the Chairman of the rich Obio Akpor Local Government Council.

At that point, they were both considered as some of the most favoured of Odili’s political children.

Their political relationship was to deepen from 2007 when Amaechi suffered grave political injustice as he was blatantly denied PDP governorship ticket to contest the 2007 gubernatorial election under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In a high wired political mechanization, Amaechi’s cousin, Celestine Omehia, was brought in to replace him.

Till date, this unfortunate incident has been identified as the political manipulation that helped to destroy the once united and powerful Odili’s restoration team.

While many members of the family showed Amaechi their back at that point, Wike was one of the few that remained faithful to Amaechi, his political soulmate then. So, when, in a twist of fate, Amaechi regained his mandate as governor of the state, Wike emerged his strongest political ally, serving as his most powerful Chief of Staff.

The Nation’s checks however showed that this blossoming political relationship was first punctured by Amaechi and Wike’s alleged common interests in the Rivers South Senatorial District’s seat at the National Assembly come 2015.

Sources said Wike had at a time approached Amaechi to seek his permission to contest for the legislative seat. The governor was alleged to have initially consented to that idea, but suddenly changed his mind. Their relationship, according to insiders changed dramatically as soon as Amaechi told Wike he (Amaechi) was equally interested in the senatorial seat ahead 2015.

An associate of Amaechi, who refused to be identified, explained however that the matter is beyond an interest in a senatorial seat. He told The Nation that Wike is simply “interested in being used by the Presidency because it also served his interest. He is desperate to govern Rivers State without taking into cognizance the effect of the current rancour on the state.”

Reactions of Amaechi associates confirm claims that they were strongly rattled both by the Court’s rulings and Wike’s recent utterances that he would contest for the governorship seat of the state in 2015.

For example, Rivers State government, through its Commissioner for Information, Ibim Semenatari, described the judgment as “an abuse of Court processes and a rape on judicial process.”

Other associates of Amaechi alleged that it was judicial robbery. Chairman of the Rivers Caucus in the House of Representatives, Asita Honorable, who addressed the press conference on behalf of its members, said they would explore all available legal means to reverse the judgment.

The Publicity Secretary of the outgoing executives, George Okwuoma Nwogba, was also quoted as saying they would appeal the judgment.

Also, local government chairmen elected on the platform of PDP in the State have vowed not to recognize or work with Obuah-led Rivers PDP Executives. The council chairmen under the aegis of Association of Local Government Council of Nigeria, ALGON, said at a press conference in Port Harcourt that it would not accept or condone any illegal executive council foisted upon them. The association through its Chairman, Chimbiko Akarolo, described the decision of the Abuja High Court as a “bad luck to democracy in Rivers State and Nigeria”.

With this kind of sentiment, the political texture of Rivers State is becoming more worrisome and complicated by the day, even as Amaechi and President Jonathan’s battle for the soul of Nigerian Governors Forum also remains unresolved.

This explains the concern expressed by citizens over the political fortunes of the state ahead of 2015. With Wike now reportedly announcing his determination to contest the governorship race under the platform of PDP, notwithstanding the fact that such ambition will puncture what has been described as existing zoning structure, it appears the Rivers State’s political puzzle may still require some unforeseen interventions to be resolved.

June 30, 2013
No rest for Nigerian political elders

Starting from tomorrow in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, eminent elder statesmen, Professor Ben Nwabueze and Alhaji Maitama Sule will be leading a host of other elderly Nigerians at a national political Summit on the future of Nigeria, tagged Uyo 2013.

The summit is a continuation of a series of dialogue which started in Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotel on Friday May 27th 2011 followed by a major assembly at Port Harcourt Presidential Hotel on August 26th and 27th 2011 and a national parley hosted by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, on December 7th 2012 in Abuja as well as the National Dialogue held at Sheraton Hotels, Lagos, in September 2012.

Senior citizens expected to brainstorm on the many problems of Nigeria at the summit include Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Alhaji Gambo Jimeta, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, Prof Itse Sagay, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, Dr Federick Fasheun, HRM Alfred Diete -Spiff, Alhaji Isyaku Rabiu, Dr Arthur Nwankwo, Dr Baba Omojola, amongst several others.

Good as the idea of the summit is, the question remains: ‘When will these elders be allowed to rest and enjoy their old age in real retirement?

June 30, 2013
Anambra LG poll: A twist in the tale

Before now, one major allegation against Gov Peter Obi of Anambra was his alleged refusal to conduct local council election. After much ado, the state’s electoral commission announced that election into the councils will be held in October 2013.

That was when another twist was introduced into the matter by the very opposition that has been at the fore front of the agitation for council poll. This time, Obi is being accused of planning to hold a hurried election and he must be stopped.

Leading those complaining about the planned election is a gubernatorial aspirant, Chief Udo Udeogaranya, who has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, to prevail on Governor Peter Obi not to rush into conducting local council polls.

The arguement this time is that given the time-frame, no political party can come up with credible candidates for the various elective offices.

Pray, what should Governor Obi do to satisfy the opposition in Anambra over this issue of council election?

June 30, 2013
2015: What role for Sule Lamido?

Governor Sule Lamido’s future political role ahead 2015 presidential election is a puzzle that has continued to elicit wide interests, reports Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan

Since former President Olusegun Obasanjo voiced his conviction that Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, is capable of leading Nigeria in 2015, a lot of debates have been generated over the possibility of Lamido emerging as a frontline presidential aspirant in the build up to the next general election.

The statement has also led to series of permutations and calculations concerning the chances of the Birnin-Kudu-born politician, who, according to close associates, is under intense pressure to join the 2015 presidential race.

Obsanjo had, at a summit organised by the state government to mark this year’s edition of Democracy Day, said, “You can help somebody to get a job but you can’t help him to do it. If somebody cannot do the job, we have Sule Lamido, who is competent to do the job.

“There is a general need to change Nigeria from the land of opportunity to the land of actuality Nigerians need by giving emphasis to education, infrastructure, social security and human development. Some people are saying one person cannot make a change, this is rubbish, if you have a competent person who knows where he is going to, he can make changes along with his team that would impact on the lives of Nigerians as we have seen it in Jigawa State,” Obasanjo said.

The emergence of the governor as a factor in the 2015 race did not, however, start with Obasanjo’s declaration. As early as June 2012, long before the former President’s declaration, politicians and various interest groups had been calling on Lamido to throw his hat into the ring for the presidential race.

The State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Salisu Mahmud, said Lamido’s activities and performance as governor is responsible for the confidence reposed in him by Obasanjo and a lot of other Nigerians within and outside the PDP.

“Long before now, we have been receiving different groups of people from all over the country on a daily basis in Jigawa State to express their support for Governor Lamido to contest the presidential election in 2015. It is a confirmation of what we are saying about his leadership here and we are happy with this development,” Mahmud said.

But the PDP boss was quick to add that the governor is yet to tell him, or anyone at that, of his decision to contest the presidency.

“I want to remind you that Governor Lamido has never ever told anybody that he has interest in the presidency. The future of Nigeria is in the hands of Nigerians, but if my great party agrees to field him as its candidate and he too agrees to contest, we will do everything possible to actualise the dreams of having Governor Lamido as the president,” he said.

As far back as the first day of this year, lawmakers in the state House of Assembly announced their resolve to support the presidential aspiration of the governor should he decide to seek the exalted office in 2015.

Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Adamu Ahmed Sarawa, made known the position of the House towards the purported interest of Governor Sule Lamido to contest as President of Nigeria in 2015, saying the House is behind the governor on that.

Sarawa made the statement while commenting on the 2013 budget proposal presented to the House by Governor Lamido at the state Assembly Complex.

He said the governor has received about 43 awards of recognition for his development efforts while former and present political leaders and traditional rulers are praying for Allah to make him the next president, come 2015.

He said it is in that light that the Jigawa House of Assembly has thrown its weight behind the governor and are “100 percent in support of this call by prominent Nigerians.

“Some people refer to us as rubber stamp and all that, but I want to assure you that the House is only trying to demonstrate its appreciation on the way and manner the executive is performing its duties with probity and accountability. The efforts of Governor Sule Lamido in terms of physical and human development are clear to all,” the Speaker added.

Perhaps because the governor is yet to publicly declare his next line of political action, there are those who strongly believe Lamido may not be contesting the presidency come 2015. Instead, they said the astute politician will be leading the opposition against President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.

According to a close associate of the governor, Lamido will not be insisting on the presidency for himself in 2015 but will be at the forefront of the agitation for the emergence of a northerner as the next president of the country.

“Currently, I can tell you that he is part of a group of PDP governors working together to ensure a northerner emerges the president in 2015. That is his main political occupation now. He believes it is now the turn of the north to produce the president and he is committed to seeing that happen.

“We believe that the only thing to assuage our feeling for a northern Presidency is to ensure that we are part of the discussion to present a consensus presidential candidate, not necessarily a governor. We are open to all possibilities concerning the emergence of a northerner as president. So is Governor Lamido. His idea is that it doesn’t have to be him. No doubt, he is a good material for the presidency but he is not adamant about it,” the associate said on condition of anonymity.

Investigation by The Nation revealed that the governor’s political family is being re-engineered in preparation for the 2015 general election. A two-time presidential aspirant, Lamido’s political base transcends Jigawa State or even the northern part of the country.

Recently, the south-west chapter of the erstwhile defunct Sule Lamido Support Group (SULASUG) was re-launched in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. The co-ordinator of the group, Adeleke Eribake, said the group is being resuscitated to join the call on the Jigawa Governor to join the presidential race.

“You will recall that the SULASUG was formed in 1998 to press the late General Sani Abacha into releasing Lamido from detention. Now, we feel it is time to join those calling on him to declare his interest in the presidency. That is why we are resuscitating the group. We are sure he will run and if that happens, Nigerians will support him,” Eribake said.

Eribake also added that a lot of other pro-Lamido organisations are daily springing up to prepare the ground for the eventual declaration of interest by the Jigawa helmsman.

“Already, there is plan underway for a summit where all pro-Lamido groups will meet and streamline our activities into a synergy that will ensure the actualisation of our aspirations which is to see Lamido emerge as the next president of the country. The summit is billed to take place in Abuja later in the year. For now, we are busy sensitising Nigerians across the country to join the call on Lamido to contest the presidency,” he said.

Lamido emerged on the nation’s political scene as a federal lawmaker on the platform of the late Mallam Aminu Kano’s People’s Redemption Party [PRP] in the Second Republic. He later became the National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party [SDP] during the Third Republic.

And when General Sani Abacha unfolded plans to return Nigeria to democratic path, Lamido pitched his tent with the Social Progressive Party [SPP], and became the National Secretary of the new party. He was imprisoned in 1998 by Abacha for criticising Abacha’s plan to remain in office indefinitely.

On the return of democracy in 1998, Lamido became a member of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP]. He contested for governorship position of Jigawa State in the 1999 elections and narrowly lost to the All Peoples Party [APP] candidate, Saminu Turaki.

He was in 1999 appointed by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo as Foreign Affairs Minister. In April 2007, Lamido contested and won the governorship election in Jigawa State. He is currently on the last lap of his second term as governor of the northwest state.

In spite of the discourses over his political future, Lamido is yet to give any inkling of what he intends to do. Apart from instances of his presidential posters appearing on the streets of major cities across the country in recent times, no political activities traceable to the Jigawa State boss suggests the role he intends to play in the politics of 2015.

And with just a little more than a year to the commencement of the general elections, and given his profile as a leading politician amongst the two-term governors of the north, as well as the unending agitation of the zone to produce the president in 2015, pundits continue to bandy Lamido’s name as a determining factor in the forthcoming presidential race.

“Whichever role Sule Lamido chooses to play in 2015, he is one politician that cannot be ignored. I can bet you that even if he fails to gun for the presidential ticket, he will be one of the major factors that will determine where the pendulum will swing,” Alhaji Taofeek Alawiye, former national youth leader of the PSP, told The Nation.

June 30, 2013
Obasanjo splits S’West PDP ahead of mini – convention

As various interest groups prepare to field their favoured candidates for the Peoples Democratic Party’s special convention, Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports that former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s interest is poised to divide the South-West chapter of the party

As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepares for a special national convention to replace about 20 of its national officers, who vacated their positions last week, strong indication has emerged that the southwest chapter of the party may be heading for another round of crises over the vacant positions.

Checks by The Nation revealed that moves by two former governors, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Engineer Segun Oni of Osun and Ekiti states respectively, to return to the National Working Committee of the PDP, may be at the root of the new crisis rocking the party in the zone.

“We are in a quandary over what to do with the office of national secretary, following the declaration of former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, that the office was not vacant. He is a chieftain of the party from the southwest and a former governor at that. His grievances cannot just be ignored.

“There is also the issue of Segun Oni. He is lobbying to be returned to the NWC through the instrumentality of the special congress. He was the Vice Chairman for the southwest before the court ruled otherwise. He has his own people and he must also be heard if lasting peace is to be achieved in the party,” a chieftain of the party told The Nation.

But beyond the aspirations of the two ex-governors, sources within the party said the confusion within the PDP in the zone is caused largely by the insistence of some party leaders that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s interest must be collectively protected by the party ahead of the special convention.

“The issue goes beyond Oyinlola and Oni. The real bone of contention has to do with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. A good number of us believe we must not look the other way while some people try to rubbish him within the party. He remains the leader of the PDP in this zone.

“The special convention, as far as we are concerned, is an opportunity to show him we are not against his leadership. We can only do this by returning his men into the NWC at the special convention. We are the leaders of the party and delegates to the convention. Other delegates are our supporters. If we want to honour Obasanjo, we can do it democratically and legally this time,” Hon. Jide Fatunkasi, an executive committee member of the party in Ado Ekiti, said.

The Nation learnt that a strong agitation has been mounted by loyalists of the former President that Oyinlola, Oni and other Obasanjo nominees who were kicked out of the NWC by the court should be returned as elected members from the southwest.

But a section of party chieftains, led by former Governor Ayo Fayose and Chief Buruji Kashamu, are strongly opposed to the plan. According to sources, those opposed to the idea are clamouring that fresh nominations should be made for election into the vacant offices.

“It is true that there is a proposal for party leaders to work for the return of Obasanjo’s loyalists. Those championing it are hinging it on the need for the zone to show solidarity for the former president during the special convention. But a good number of us are opposed to the idea.

“We have already shown solidarity to Baba when we installed him as the grand patron of the party in the zone,” a chieftain of the party in Osun State said.

It would be recalled that in what political observers called a conciliatory move by the Chief Ishola Filani-led zonal caretaker committee of the party, a stakeholders’ forum held in Lagos last week endorsed Obasanjo as the Grand Patron of the PDP in the southwest.

Other party chieftains like Shuaibu Oyedokun, Bode George, Yekini Adeojo, Bode Olajumoke, Jubril Martins-Kuye, Ebenezer Babatope, amongst others, were named as the party’s patrons.

Meanwhile, as arguments and counter arguments raged in the southwest, Chairman of the Special Convention Committee slated for July 20, 2013, Professor Jerry Gana, declared during the week that there must be fresh nominations for all the positions declared vacant.

His declaration further fuelled the crisis in the zone as the pro-Obasanjo factions of the party across the six states of the zone vowed to resist any attempt to replace their displaced men in the NWC.

Consequently, Oyinlola in a letter addressed to the Professor Gana committee submitted that his office was not affected by the INEC report, which frowned at the emergence of certain officers of the party through voice votes as against conduct of proper elections, as stipulated in the party guidelines for congresses and conventions.

Prince Oyinlola further warned the convention committee not to conduct any election to fill his position, as he noted that the judgment of Justice Abdul Kafarati, which removed him from office, was now subject of litigation at the Appeal Court.

But further investigations also revealed that the present leadership of the party in the zone is determined to replace the former Osun State governor and other loyalists of ex-President Obasanjo, irrespective of the threat of fresh intra-party crisis afterwards.

Sources said Oyinlola may be replaced in the NWC with the former organising secretary of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, whose candidacy for the strategic office was being pushed by some party chieftains led by Chiefs Bode George and Buruji Kashamu.

On his part, ex-Governor Segun Oni has vowed to contest for the position of Vice Chairman at the special convention against all odds. He is banking on his popularity amongst the various states’ executive committee members to return to his former position. “Segun Oni will not be cowed. He will contest at the special convention. We are aware of plots to stop some people from returning to the NWC even if the party members want them. But we are not deterred. This is a democracy and we are ready to test our popularity. What we will not condone is any attempt to deny us victory,” an associate of the former Ekiti State governor said.

June 30, 2013
Are we now ready for the 2015 elections?

Each time I spare some thought for the next general elections due any time from December next year, I shiver. It really does not appear to me that we have moved from the point we were in 2011. The Electoral Act remains the same and there has been no real change in the shape and structure of the Electoral Commission.

The question to ask, therefore, is whether there is any legitimate ground to expect that there could be improvement in the conduct of the next general elections. General Goodluck Jonathan remains the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed and Electoral Forces, Professor Attahiru Jega has been chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) since 2010 and thus handled all the preparations for 2011. He is supported largely by the same men who handled the polls at the federal, state and local levels and personnel capacity is not known to have been built up. Most unfortunately, the ruling class has ensured that the people remain somewhat lukewarm towards the process, thus allowing for mindless manipulations.

Perhaps I should remind Professor Jega who appeared at his appointment to have a vision and excited hope that the electoral register remains essentially the same. The promise to weed out all fake entries and get culprits arrested and tried has remained just that. There is enough incentive to rig shamelessly again.

I am afraid that we cannot have free and fair elections when Resident Electoral Commissioners still owe their appointments to the President and those who participated very actively in politics in some states have been rewarded with such selection. How many security men who perverted the process in the past have been brought to book? How many of Jega’s men who misbehaved have been shown the exit door? How many Nigerians would nod in support of the claim that there is now in place a game-changing plan to ensure that only those with the mandate of the people are allowed to handle public trust?

Earlier this year, the Edo electorate was called out to renew or terminate the tenancy of Adams Oshiomhole. As usual, INEC could not arrive at the correct formula to deliver a transparently clean election. As usual, despite the election taking place in only one state and being conducted by INEC staff, the hitches were heart rending. Materials failed to arrive promptly at the polling stations and security lapses were glaring. Tension was high.

Soon, the notice of poll for the governorship election in Anambra would be published. What are the stakeholders doing to ensure that it portends good for the 2015 general elections? What are the political parties doing to promote demonstration of internal democracy? And, what is INEC doing to clean up its act in monitoring the process? Already, the judiciary has all but erased the gains of the previous exercises. Just when we were about shouting hurrah that impunity would never rear its ugly head in the selection of candidates by the parties, the courts, especially the Supreme Court, have ruled that no one could inquire into the process throwing up candidates even when the extant rules are violently violated.

This, in my layman’s opinion, is the implication of the ruling on the Timipre Sylva case and Eseme Eyiboh’s challenge of the charade of the selection process in his federal constituency. Eyiboh, a cerebral and responsible representative of the Eket people and former chairman of the House committee on public affairs, had contended that the primary conducted in Uyo for the PDP candidate was invidious and offended relevant sections of the constitution, Electoral Act and PDP constitution and guidelines.

As many analysts have pointed out, the happenings in the Nigerian Governors Forum are indeed ominous. If an election by just 36 men could end up so hotly disputed, why should anyone expect that such men would exhibit maturity in leading the battle charge of their parties in the various states in 2015? The President has told his party leaders and members that he would not accept the delivery of anything less than 23 states in 2015. That is instructive. He has refused to recognize Rotimi Amaechi as chairman of the NGF despite the clear explanation offered by members of his party who voted for the Rivers State governor. It is childish that the President of Nigeria in 2013 could condone his security details brusquely preventing a state governor from exchanging pleasantries with him. What actually is happening? Is this Nigeria or a banana republic? Why are the aviation agencies being used to hound and harass only governors deemed opposed to Jonathan’s 2015 agenda?

It is 14 years since the return to civil rule, but little progress has been made.

May the good Lord help Nigeria .

June 30, 2013
Anti-terrorism law: Why we overruled Uduaghan – Delta Speaker

Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, in this inteview with Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo, speaks on his two years on the saddle, zoning and his political ambition for 2015.

What is your assessment of Delta State House of Assembly in the last two years?

In my candid opinion, the performance has been satisfactory. In the last two years, I have seen vibrancy due to very robust arguments emanating from the floor; I have seen deep thinking from my colleagues; I have also seen that people are now becoming more conscious of what is happening around them, which has a direct consequence on their constituents. In the 5th Assembly particularly, I have observed during plenary and other committee assignments, we have a crop of new members who are very willing to learn and have really lived up to their responsibilities. I don’t want to be immodest, but I believe this assembly has done satisfactorily well.

Not a few people have described the House you lead as the most vibrant in the country. Is this a self-styled title?

If it is self-styled, why is it that other Houses of Assembly are not referring to themselves as such? It is a product of what emanates from the hallowed chambers. When you listen to arguments and debates on the floor, it vibrates the very essence of the topic under discussion. When you see the passion with which those arguments are canvassed, you see vibrancy from the members. There are days when we spend hours checking out four dictionaries to look for the several meanings of just one word. This is not for lazy people. Being vibrant could mean to be meticulous, hardworking, robust and articulate, but everything depends on the perspective you choose to interpret it.

The House seems to enjoy a cordial relationship with the executive arm, but critics opine that the House has more or less become a rubberstamp. How do you react to this?

Delta State House of Assembly is not a rubberstamp! Unfortunately, what the public wants to see or what their description of a vibrant House ought to be is a House that is always at loggerheads with the executive. Fighting one another is not the reason why we are sent here by our people. The essence of being here is to take their cause to the appropriate authority and formulate laws that will impact positively on their well being. And if that is the essence, fighting the executive is akin to just playing to the gallery. In this House, we have discovered ways and means to deal with our issues. Of course, sometimes, we’ve had issues with the executive, but the beauty of it is that we don’t make a public show of it.

What are the major challenges you have faced in the House and as the Speaker?

Challenges abound from one’s constituent, from my colleagues and even the job itself. This is because you are not just a political head of an arm of government; you are also an administrative head. There are times you have to deal with your constituents, most of whom do not know the very essence of why you are elected. As far as they are concerned, you are the one they can reach and so, you must do things that ordinarily are the job of the executive. But when you explain this, you come across as someone not willing to help or that you are just being wicked. That, in itself, is a challenge. On the other hand, within the House, this is the first time in the history of this assembly where you have proper minority; members who were elected on the platform of opposition parties. And so far, we have succeeded in keeping everybody together. It takes the grace of God and a lot of wisdom. Today, you cannot know, if you are not told, that this is a multi-party House.

Would you say your ability to achieve this is because you started out in the House as an opposition member?

Well, that gave me some experience, no doubt. But then, I was the only one. But now, we have many opposition members. So, managing them is quite an issue, but somehow we’ve been able to instil confidence and carry everybody along. Even when we have differences, we discuss them, though sometimes it gets really heated; tempers would flare but in all of these, we always find a common ground.

Does it get at you sometimes when people misunderstand your motives or appreciate your efforts?

It does, but unfortunately I can’t show it. In leadership, you are not allowed to express how you feel, painfully though. Sometimes in my closet, I weep inside my heart. But my consolation is that in the course of time, posterity will prove you right or wrong. However, I am lucky in the sense that in this House, we have been able to build trust and confidence amongst the members. And in all our dealings, we’ve been quite transparent. Everything is tabled and so every member knows what is going on.

You preside over a House with three former speakers as members. Do you consider this as a plus?

For me, it’s a plus. My deputy is a former Speaker and two other members. We are, should I say, course mates. It’s just a case of being the first amongst equals. They have been bastion of support, because sometimes they advise me on issues and so for me, it’s more of a blessing than anything else.

Sometime ago, the House passed the Anti Terrorism law by overriding the governor who refused to assent to it. Are you under any pressure to amend some controversial aspects of the law?

Surprisingly no! I am amused when people say the law is controversial. It is not controversial. A law is to be passed. The governor as a person has his opinion on how he perceives the law. And he feels strongly about it, but in spite of how he feels, he operates under a democratic set up where the constitution is supreme. And the constitution clearly says that if he does not sign and he communicates his reasons to us, two things are likely to happen. You either agree with him, or you disagree. If you agree with him, that law is dead. But if you disagree, you can pass the law so long as you follow the constitutional procedures, which the House did. As a medical doctor, the governor did not support the death penalty, but the 28 members of the House said no. And as a presiding officer, I will rule in line with what they said. For the demolition aspect, it’s because we needed to go the extra mile so that landlords will know the kind of people living in their houses.

What was it like for you some years ago being the only member of the opposition?

People tend to see being in the opposition as when everybody is going right, you go left. I make bold to say that political parties are not built on the basis of ideology. As a member of UNPP then, I didn’t have to oppose for the fun of it. But at the end of the day, they (PDP) wooed me and I moved to the PDP.

How do you cope with your very demanding schedule?

It’s just the grace of God. The major challenge I have is that 24hours is not even enough for me now. I need more time, but how do I manufacture that? I hardly sleep for more than four of five hours at a stretch. Except you choose to be irresponsible, you must meet the needs of my 28 bosses in the House. Anytime they call me, I must answer them, otherwise they throw me out. I’m just a servant to them. The only time I have to relax is when I sit down to read newspapers or hear some funny gossips that make me laugh. That helps me somehow.

What is the urge for you to keep acquiring degrees in different disciplines?

I believe knowledge is power and another motive for me is to keep exploring new grounds. Learning is interesting and very enriching.

What has been in public office deprived you of?

I’m a young man and there are certain things I love to do that I can’t do.

Like buying roasted corn on the road?

How did you know? It’s actually boiled corn I like. I really do miss that, and also going out without the security men following you around. But on the serious side, I don’t have the time to sit with my children like other parents. The only time I switch off my phone is when I’m inside an aircraft. Public office comes with a lot of pain that people don’t see out there. But my belief is that for anything good to come your way, something has to give.

What is your take on the agitation for power to shift to Delta North in 2015?

Equity and fairness would only beckon on Deltans to give Delta North a chance in 2015. As a Delta Northerner, I support it. But basically, I believe merit should be the hallmark.

Where are you headed politically in the next dispensation?

That is in God’s hands.

June 30, 2013
Orji has passion for road construction in Abia

Kingsley Mgbeahuruike, Abia State Commissioner for Works in the dissolved cabinet of Governor Theodore Orji, in this interview with AGAMNETOCHI ONOH gives a summary of the achievements of his ministry and the legacy projects of the governor

Can you begin with the track record of your achievements till date?

While in Governor Theodore Orji’s administration, I crossed 52 roads and the tempo is still upbeat; the excitement and enthusiasm that go with road construction in Abia State is like no other. A few examples will suffice: currently, we have been in ‘operation clean up Aba roads’. We are counting 16 roads and beyond. As I am talking to you we have finished the domestic access roads inclusive of Brass Road, Junction Road down to Nwala; we have finished the Nwagba Street and the longest one-Nnamdi Azikiwe Road, as well as Milverton; Ngwa Road by the time of this publication would have been delivered. We are already in Port Harcourt Road. We are at Ogbor Hill from Opobo Junction to Isam. We have finished Umuoba Road from Obikabia Junction to the bridge. These completed roads are ready for commissioning by the governor.

The worrisome Uruka Road that connects Umuahia to Aba is being tackled and will be ready in one month. We have started the Ekeagbara Road and the governor was very impressed when he visited the site. Hopefully, the road will be ready before the rains start. But we have done the major job there. In the next two weeks, we will get the road to total asphalting to the NNPC depot at Osisoma.

What about the Geometric Access Road in Aba?

Many people don’t know about this Geometric Access Road and I think I have to talk a little bit about it. By December, we went there with the governor of Anambra State and the former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, the owner of the power station told the governor that the place was going to be commissioned by February and there was no access road leading to it. The governor promised to deliver before the date of commissioning, a 1.5 kilometre road to the plant all the way from the main road close to it. This road was completed and delivered by the first week of February. That road is very important because Geometric is the very first private power station in this country. Of course you know the importance of the Geometric Power Plant, which is now ready to power Aba and Nnewi into fully commercialised and industrial zones.

How were you able to facilitate construction work at the Enugu-Port Harcourt Express Road?

You must give kudos to Governor Theodore Orji on the remarkable progress that is currently on going on the reconstruction of the expressway. The Port Harcourt – Enugu Express Road until now was the worst federal highway in this country. The governor sent me to the minister several times, and we visited him three times with the governor and some prominent Abia citizens; today we can comfortably say that that express road is virtually passable because you will be impressed by the work that has been done. We usually challenged the minister and the federal government by carrying out maintenance work on the road to make it passable during the rainy season. And they promised us they would do a follow up and as I am talking to you a great job is being carried out on that road.

What about the surrounding communities?

All the senatorial zones have been fully accommodated in Governor Orji’s road construction projects. Again, a few examples suffice. As I earlier stressed, we are doing a road in Isiala Ngwa North from Ntigha Junction to Obikabia Road. We have done 17 kilometres of asphalt till date. Our intention is to join that road from Ntigha to Obikabia Junction such that if you are driving or travelling from Mbawsi to Umuahia, you could have the choice of using either side of the road with a diversion from Umuahia to Ntigha Road around Mbawsi and from Ogbor Hill, you can make a quick entry into Ikot Ekpene. The road network stretches along in a web of interconnections among these communities and local governments. I can only accommodate a few for brevity sake.

Are the people of Aba happy at these on-going changes in road reconstruction?

The response has been laudable. Each time the governor is in town, the citizens would be waving at him with appellations and joyful singing. When we got to Ngwa Road recently it was all songs coming from the market women. A carrot seller confessed her carrots often decayed for lack of patronage since buyers had no access road to her store. Now she sings a different song. These days, she said, business is brisk, all thanks to the new access road. This is the typical mood of the people this time around such that anytime T. A. Orji is in Aba, the greeting becomes tumultuous, with the citizens hailing him and shouting “Imela onyeisi, Imela onyeisi,” or “thank you governor.”

How solid are these roads and their drainages, if any?

The old roads you knew are not anything comparable to what you knew in the past. A select and competitive number of contractors as well as constant supervision with sanctions for poor quality delivery ensure we get value for our money. Quality asphalting goes round the roads in the state capital including Umuwaya that was once problematic as well as the other roads under construction

How were you able to contain some of the recalcitrant residents of Aba on this issue of illegal structures on the drainage systems?

We started with the demolition of these illegal structures, mostly junks along the Port Harcourt Road with the assistance of our special task force. There is a special task force, an environmental task force, that is doing that. And the governor now has another special team made up of four people – the Commissioner for Works, the chairman of ASOPADEC, the Commissioner for Agriculture and the Senior Special Assistant on Security. One of the best things you can notice in Aba now is that immediately you get to Osisioma Park, down to Alaoji Motor Spare Parts shed, a clean median environment shows up.

Have you taken inventory of the total number of roads that need the attention of your ministry in Aba?

That was my first assignment as Works Commissioner. I moved from Arochukwu to the end of Ukwa, to know the roads that the military had delivered, the ones that needed to be taken care of, aggregating some roads under a major area of concentration in the four major towns of Abia State – Arochukwu, Ohafia, Umuahia and Aba. We have all the roads in those areas and even streets on my table, including those that were initially left out because of the involvement of the NDDC.

What’s your game plan for Arochukwu?

Arochukwu Local Government has the largest chunk of roads we are doing. We are doing a twenty -nine kilometre road for Arochuwu people. Our experience on the Arochukwu-Ohafia road made us take a policy of not undertaking any road construction during the rainy season. Because the rains washed off the roads we tried to work on. So we resorted to straffing. You need to go back there and see what we are doing. We have not done much though. The governor insists that we tell the people the truth. This is not the period when you’ve done one kilometre of a road while claiming to have delivered 10.

But we have a major road that is on going from Ndi Oji Abam to Ndi Okereke through Ihiechiowa. It is being handled by an Arochukwu son, a very competent contractor. We are close to the bridge after the federal government stopped construction work and was unable to take it further four years after.

There is also this very impressive road we are doing now from Abiriba Junction to Etitiama Nkporo. We have done half of that road, which is about 30 kilometres. The road is now accessible.

How is the state government tackling the issue of dangerous bridges like the one between Arochukwu and Ndi Oji Abam Road and the Abam-Bende Road. How far has the reconstruction gone?

That’s the bridge am talking about. The Ndi Oji Abam-Ndi Okereke Road now under construction would lead to this bridge. The people that built that bridge that had the first contract did a shabby job. They decided to re-route the river, but unfortunately it was not successful. So, we are building a new bridge, that is why the road construction has to wait for now. The governor has been there and we are mobilising the contractor to get on with the job. When completed, it would be easier to drive to Arochukwu.

Then the Omenuko Bridge, a dangerous and narrow passageway, is a federal government project awarded to Nigercat. Our governor has been pleading with the company to go on site and save us from further loss of lives.

June 30, 2013
Zoning under threat

Zoning of political offices, especially the governorship seat, which insiders said has served as stabilising force in the polity, is currently under threat as it is being challenged by ambitious aspirants in some states, reports Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo

The Delta scenario Until very recently, the name of Elder Godsday Orubebe, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, was not mentioned as one of the governorship hopefuls in Delta State.

But that is not the case again, as the minister, in several newspaper interviews lately, revealed that he may throw his hat into the ring.

Opposition to his alleged ambition notwithstanding, the minister, according to sources, has been on a consultation drive, preparatory to quitting the Federal Executive Council (FEC) later this year to concentrate fully on his campaign.

In the political history of the state, only the Delta North senatorial zone is yet to produce the governor, with the Central and South respectively having taken their turns.

In the aborted Third Republic, Chief Felix Ibru from the Delta Central ruled the state from 1999 to 1993. From 1999 to 2007, Chief James Ibori also from Delta Central presided over the state, while the incumbent governor will be completing his second term in 2015.

The agitation for power shift to Delta North in 2015 explains the high number of governorship aspirants in the zone.

While this debate on power shift rages on, The Nation gathered that the position of Uduaghan on the issue is not known even to his closest aides and associates.

But whatever may be the case; the governor’s support for any aspirant will go a long way in determining the outcome of the race.

The Anambra case

As it is in Delta State, so it is in the South-East state of Anambra, where the people of North senatorial zone are calling for power shift to the area.

This call is, however, not receiving general support, as governorship aspirants from other zones are arguing that merit and competence should be the watchword in determining who becomes the governor of the state next year.

For instance, the senator representing Anambra Central, Dr. Chris Ngige, who is rumoured to be warming up to reclaim the seat he vacated in 2006, has on several occasions argued that zoning has never been used to elect past governors in the state, since, according to him, aspirants from all the senatorial zones have contested for the seat in the past.

Sources revealed that Ngige’s alleged ambition is causing jitters in the camps of other aspirants due to his charisma and popularity across the state.

Rivers State situation

In the last few months, the Minister of State for Education, Nyesome Wike, has been very busy on two fronts.

While his brief as the minister of state in charge of basic and secondary education has been quite challenging, Wike has also been fully engaged in his war of supremacy with his state governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, for the control of Rivers State politics, with the latter seemingly taking more of Wike’s time in recent times.

In a reported statement that finally confirmed speculations of his 2015 ambition, Wike, some days ago, was alleged to have expressed his intention to contest the Rivers State governorship election in the next dispensation.

If he makes good his statement and eventually enters the race, the implication, according to political watchers, is the ‘death’ of the unwritten zoning policy for the governorship seat in the state.

Like the incumbent governor, who will be completing his two terms of eight years in office by 2015, Wike hails from the Ikwerre tribe of Rivers.

The Enugu scenario

The recent declaration by Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, that it was the turn of the North senatorial zone (Nsukka) to rule the state in 2015 has not gone down well in the camp of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who is allegedly interested in succeeding Chime.

Ekweremadu hails from Enugu West, a zone that had produced the governor in the person of Chime’s predecessor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani.

It remains to be seen if the Deputy Senate President will go against the unwritten zoning policy or align with the aspiration of the Enugu North for the 2015 governorship race.

If the zoning policy is jettisoned in Anambra, Delta, Enugu and Rivers States on the altar of political expediency, there are fears that other states may take a cue from this in the choice of candidates for elective offices.

It would be recalled that the nomination of President Goodluck Jonathan as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2011 presidential election ruptured the zoning policy of the party.

But in spite of the stiff opposition from Northern politicians, the president coasted home to victory at the polls.

The election of Hon. Aminu Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House of Representatives contrary to the wish of the leadership, which zoned the position to the South West, was another sore point in the zoning policy of the PDP.

The big question is: will the PDP throw away its zoning policy in its choice of candidates for elective positions in 2015? The answer to this poser will be provided when the primaries to elect its governorship candidates are concluded early in 2015.

June 30, 2013