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Category: Politics

Why we must renegotiate the basis of our corporate existence –Sen. Ehigie Uzamere

Godwin Ehigie Uzamere is a senator of the Federal Republic. He is a two-time senator representing Edo South Senatorial Zone. Uzamere was first elected senator on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in 2007 but in 2011, he was later reelected on the ticket of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Uzamere who is the Senate Committee Chairman on Foreign and Local Debts, in this interview with Assistant Editor, LINUS OBOGO, spoke on Nigeria’s spiraling debt profile, barely six years after it met her debt obligations to the Paris and London Clubs. He also spoke on the need for a national dialogue in the light of the raging insurgency in the North , Edo politics and sundry issues Excerpts:

How would you evaluate the state of emergency in the three affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, given that opinions still appear divided along party lines on the propriety or otherwise of the imposition?

Personally, I was happy with the declaration of the state of emergency in the three northern states. And I must state clearly here that my position has nothing to do with that of my party. What President Goodluck Jonathan did was to give a human face to the imposition of the state of emergency, unlike what we had during former President Olusegun Obasanjo where existing political structures were shortchanged.

By invoking the provision of Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, to impose a state of emergency, he was careful not to have tampered with or dissolved the existing political structure on ground in the affected states. For me, he should be commended for that.

As to whether I supported it, I will say yes I did, to the extent that so long as it would bring about relief or respite to the people in the affected states and by extension, to the entire northern states including Abuja. The situation we find ourselves is a terrible one. But the President was kind enough to have set up a committee to consider the prospect of an amnesty. This did not seem to be yielding fruit and he probably ran out of patience.

That being said, the declaration was timely. I know that my party, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, was not in support the imposition. But the views I have expressed remain my personal opinion as an individual and not that of my party.

As a country, we will be 100 years next year and we have come to a point where we must ask ourselves: do we need to reexamine some of the factors which brought us together? Do we need to go back and renegotiate the basis of our existence? It is very important and we must not shy away from it, if we must continue as one.

We were cobbled together by our colonial masters and if the factors that made that necessary are no longer necessary, we need to discuss the terms and conditions for our continuous existence as a country.

Personally, I support the indissolubility of Nigeria. But this cannot not be, when our young men and women are being slaughtered like cows by a few misguided elements. Before the imposition of the state emergency, a pastor of my church told of a man who was pursued to his house by suspected members of Boko Haram. On getting to the house, he could not be found, but they met his son. He was asked to produce his father, but when the young man could not do that, he was slaughtered. The elderly man was watching from the ceiling, where he was hiding how his son was being butchered. Three days later, this same was in church. That showed the old man’s faith in God and also that not even the killing of his son by Boko Haram members was enough to break his spirit and relationship with his creator.

Also, my son’s former roommate in the Customs Service, an Igbo man, was travelling from Maiduguri down to the south. And along the way, they ran into the Boko Haram elements. All the occupants in the bus were asked to get down identify themselves by their religion. Sadly, all the Christians including my son’s roommate were ordered out and slaughtered like goats. This was a young man who had graduated seven years from the university but without a job until he was recruited into the Customs and posted to Maiduguri.

Given the aforementioned horrific scenario, is this how we are going to watch while young and vibrant innocent lives are being wasted in the name of religion or politics? This was where this country was headed until President Jonathan had to embark on this last resort. They say they want every Nigeria to be a Moslem, no problem. But how possible is that? So, we must sit down together and negotiate whether or not we all want to be Moslems. For those of us who do not want to be Moslems, we can decide to allow them have a different country where everyone will practise his religion unmolested. So, I do not fault the action of President Jonathan at all in imposing a state of emergency.

Should the President have acted otherwise by being sweeping in his imposition of emergency rule?

I do not agree that he should have acted otherwise. He acted prudently by allowing the democratic institutions to remain. He was patient enough and that is why he should be allowed to experiment with the measure. He acted within the bounds of constitutional powers allowed him.

The story of our upstream subsector of oil and gas is well documented- one of graft and inefficiency. As a member of the Senate Committee on Upstream Petroleum, what effort is your committee making to curb the menace of corruption commonly associated with the sector?

Sincerely, I think this question should go to the chairman of the committee. What I can say is that as a member, the PIB which is before the Senate, with about three or four committees brought together under the chairmanship of Upstream Petroleum, Senator Paul Paulker, we are positive that once the bill is passed, it will correct inherent corruption as well as associated anomalies in the sector.

The politics of Edo state assumed a new hue with the advent of Governor Adams Oshiomhole on the state’s political landscape. How do you ensure the state does not recede into the hitherto dark days of political fiefdom when he vacates office in 2016?

As we speak, the comrade was voted in last year, 2012, and was sworn in in November of same year. It is not even a year yet and so we should not be talking about when he is leaving office. Let us pray to God to grant him wisdom to be able to steer the ship of the state in the right direction and sustain this tempo of development and popularity he has brought to the state.

There is no doubt that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has given us a new hope and a new face as far as the politics of Edo State is concerned. Before now, nobody had a voice in the politics of the state unless you were sponsored by one or two leaders from the state.

Governor Oshiomhole is a wind of change God gave to Edo people. He came like a bolt out of the blue and said let the people lead. Today, you can see a bus driver driving into Edo Government House to offer his advice to the governor. That is how he has democratised and simplified governance in the state.

How to sustain this is through good governance and so far, he has been exhibiting this. He is being likened to former Governor Samuel Ogbemudia and late Governor Ambrose Ali whom everyone has continued to sing their praises. Definitely, Governor Oshiomhole is going to leave a legacy of good governance and unparallel achievements.

He has giving voice to the voiceless and hopes to those who thought that until they knew a certain godfather, they would never get elected into any political office in the state and at the centre.

Will it then be proper to conclude that we may have heard the last on the politics of godfatherism in Edo politics?

Well, I cannot predict tomorrow because I am not God. But all I know and all I can say is that there is awareness today in Edo politics all across the three senatorial districts where votes count. Hitherto, elections were conducted and results of such elections were written and released from one man’s house. But thank God, Oshiomhole emerged and saved us from the embarrassment.

As a former PDP senator who won an election into the senate at a time results were ordered written by one man, how would compare where you came from and where you are now with regards to party ethos?

I will not comment on where I came from and where I am now because an election has been won by me on the platform of the ACN, and I am representing the entire Edo South Senatorial District, irrespective of party affiliation. Whether one is ACN, the PDP or the Labour Party, I offer everyone representation. Of course, this is not an election year where we have to castigate one another. As a slogan, I believe that there is no animosity, no quarrel and no bitterness once voting is over.

As Chairman of Senate Committee on Foreign and Domestic Debts, how would you react to Nigeria’s current debt profile of over US$6 billion, barely six years that former President Olusegun Obasanjo ensured the country was free of any debt overhang? And how disturbed are you by this new trend?

It is true that former President Obasanjo exited Nigeria from the Paris Club. But we were not entirely free of debts as Nigerians will want to believe. Again, governance in any country of the world is associated with borrowing because there are situations that may confront a country that you cannot help but resort to external facilities to address them. So from time to time, government of any country, both developed and underdeveloped will need external facilities to solve some of its pressing needs. Therefore, Nigeria cannot be an exception. Every country borrows.

What we have noticed is that Nigeria is borrowing and it is doing so at a very alarming rate. That being said, let me clarify here that we are still below the 40 per cent borrowing threshold. Nigerians need not be disturbed about that. For Nigeria’s debt profile to pose a threat to the economy, it has to be above the 40 per cent threshold. And currently, we are far below that. We are not even up to 20 per cent.

But why would Nigeria borrow at such alarming rate, despite its huge foreign earnings from crude oil sales? Is that the way countries like Saudi Arabia, Venezuela borrow to sustain their economies?

You are right. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela may not be borrowing because they know how to manage proceeds from their crude oil sales. But same cannot be said of Nigeria which is also a rich oil producing country.

The problem with Nigeria is management and that of leadership. We are praying that God should give to Nigeria such selfless leaders who will manage key areas of our economy. In that way, we can navigate ourselves out of our current quagmire. This country needs selfless leaders.

Borrowing, as we speak is ongoing and our debt profile is on the increase.

Of course, just as we are borrowing, we are also paying. For instance, in the 2013 appropriation bill, about US$500million was appropriated for the servicing of foreign loans.

How much oversight does your committee exercise over foreign borrowings by the federal government?

What is currently before the senate is the 2012 and 2014 borrowing plan which is about US$9 billion over the next two years. We have alerted the Ministry of Finance to furnish us with details of what and how much is going to the different sectors of the economy as well as the ministries and agencies.

It is when we are armed with these details that the senate can then ask the different committees to monitor what is going to each ministry and agencies. For instance, the housing sector is going to get about US$300 million for its experimental housing scheme. So, the committees in both chambers should be able to play oversight functions to ensure that the allocations are appropriately applied in line with target goals.

Some of the foreign loans Nigeria has obtained fall within what is called concessionary loan which interest rate is not more than two per cent with a 20 to 40-year moratorium.

The challenge of our committee currently is to ensure that every loan collected or obtained is attached to projects.

We have also sensitised other standing committees in the National Assembly of the need to ensure that all the loans from the executive which are before them and requiring their approval are attached to specific projects. This is to enable the committees to follow up with their oversight role.

On the domestic borrowing, the committee is working hard to limit the rate at which government goes to the bond market so that the private sector is not snuffed out or shut out from accessing the bond or capital market.

One major problem or challenge with our debt management is the Fiscal responsibility Act or fiscal autonomy which allows even the other tiers of government to access foreign loan facilities. Recently, the Akwa Ibom State Government went to borrow from one of the foreign banks to refinance a loan they had previously borrowed from one of the banks abroad.

This is so because the Federal Government has no strict control over the states as a result of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

How verifiable are these debts?

Of course, they are verifiable from the Ministry of Finance, the Debt Management Office as well as the various MDAs.

June 29, 2013
Fashola: The making of an actualiser

Eyes were not on the tall, slim lawyer when he joined the Tinubu Administration in 2003 as the Chief of Staff. He had filled the gap left behind by his predecessor, the shrewd and vocal politician from Kwara State, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. He resumed quietly, became a powerful and influential executive member and yet, succeeded in evading partisan politics.

The apolitical aide was loyal and faithful. He resumed work early and closed late. In the office, he was said to have deliberately behaved as a recluse. He was firm and focused. In addition, he was meticulous and incorruptible. Before he embarked on any course of action, he would weigh, first and foremost, the legal implications. Then, he would be less inflexible-completely adamant. Then, his boss would nod affirmatively.

At work, Babatunde Raji Fashola impressed the two-term governor, Senator Bola Tinubu. Four years later, he was catapulted from the back to the front seat. No fewer than 14 Action Congress (AC) chieftains nursed the ambition to succeed him. The party leader had likened them to the many children of the biblical Jesse, who competed for the Hebrew crown, but were not anointed by Prophet Samuel, who eventually discovered David. “The candidate is the SAN with a sound mind; Babatunde Fashola the actualiser”, intoned the master strategist, Asiwaju Tinubu, who eventually handed the baton to him.

To observers, the young technocrat was just fulfilling his destiny. Despite his huge administrative experience, Fashola started to learn the hard political ropes. Necessity compelled him to start appearing in Agbada, waving like politicians, dancing to the talking drums, mounting the rostrum at rallies, holding strategic electoral meetings with diverse stakeholders and entertaining worries about the electoral economy and scheming by the opposition.

During the governorship debate, he had an edge. As a member of the cabinet of talents and key participant in the development of the blue-print, he knew where to continue after Tinubu’s exit. His former boss, mentor and political leader had laid the solid foundation upon, which he has continued to build. Five years after, Tinubu, who exuded happiness about making the right choice, declared at his 60th birthday ceremony in Lagos that he had no regret handing over to the able lieutenant.

It is an understatement. Many people-governors, ministers, diplomats- have attested to the fact that BRF is a model governor. He is not afraid to take decisions, no matter how controversial, if the action is either in the short or long term interest of the state. As the governor of the most populous state, which has been aptly described as a mini-Nigeria, Fashola, like his predecessor, has continued to shoulder heavy national and continental responsibilities.

Politically, Fashola has his strengths and weaknesses. He is a professional in politics. He is an administrator. He has brought honour to his party, political leader and the state because of his achievements. But stakeholders have not rated him high as a consummate politician with an uncanny capacity for the rough game of politics. Also, only providence will determine his next political role after his exit from the Alausa Secretariat in 2015.

Fashola also has certain constraints to contend with. Indigenes who are not ready to make sacrifice for development are not cooperating with him. It is ironical that the people who demanded for new roads decided to sue the government for encroaching on their land when the contractors arrived on the sites to commence construction works.

Between 1999 and 2007, Tinubu Administration acquired an enviable reputation for its people – oriented programmes in all the sectors. Through his exemplary character, courage and commitment to public welfare, he left behind worthy legacies. In post – Tinubu era, the beat goes on. At its inception, the Fashola Administration was described as a government of continuity. Now, the governor has lived up to the billing as the best man for the job.

Governor Fashola inherited a massive dosage of responsibilities. Governing a complex, plural polity and mega city posses a lot of challenges, especially in the area of re-orientating and empowering the people for full realisation of their potentials for development. On daily basis, the population is soaring, with the attendant pressure on the infrastructural facilities. All the sectors – education, health, social services – continue to yearn for improved attention.

In other climes, Lagos, the former Federal Capital Territory, should have acquired a special status. But, despite the fact that the state is the commercial headquarters, no additional penny has accrued to it from the power – loaded, distant Federal Government. However, Fashola has remained undaunted, in spite of the predictable and unpredictable constraints. As he forged ahead, he stood before the mirror of history, using the progressive manifestos of Action Congress Nigeria(ACN) as the compass to navigate into the future.

Remarkably, he stuck to the 10-point agenda which his processor bequeathed. The result is the endless delivery of dividends of democracy. Through good governance, accountability, transparency and zero tolerance for graft, Fashola Administration set the standard for others to emulate. Even, the members of the opposition could not withhold respect for his transformational activities. Like King Solomon of old, the fame of the performer grew beyond the shores. As many state governors visit the state to learn useful lessons on prudent management, Lagos became a big Academy for Good Governance, with Fashola as the tutor.

The first decisive action of the administration was to clear the melting point, Oshodi, of its peculiar mess. For almost 25 years, no administration could do that. It was a no-go area. Traffic rule was restored, hoodlums were sent packing and sanity returned. At that point, it was clear that the governor meant business. Every hundred days, the governor tenders his stewardship and showcases his achievements as the servant of the people. There is no sector that has not been revived.

Fashola Administration has aggressively embarked on massive infrastructural renewal and job creation through various policies and programmes across the sectors. The projects include road, public transportation, health, rural development, education, security, tourism, housing, agriculture, youths and sports and poverty alleviation.

The first priority was the radical upgrading of the infrastructure in the state. Lagos needed more roads, bridges and highways. These were necessary to stimulate sustainable economic growth. To achieve this, Fashola turned the state to a huge construction site. Prominent among them is the dualised Isheri – Olofin – Iba – LASU road. The coast is put at N6.28 billion. Commuters along the chaotic Mile 2 – Badagry Expressway have hailed the project because it has eased the traffic situation. Also, the Ajah – Badore Road, in Eti osa local government has been completed

Worthy of mention is the expansion and modernisation of the Lekki – Epe Expressway. It is the first public – private ownership road project in the Sub – Saharan Africa. Previously, the first phase of the 49.4 kilometre Lagos Infrastructure Project (LIP), along the two kilometer stretch of the Ozumba Mbadiwe Waterfront, has completed. It is reputed for having a vehicular traffic in excess of 80,000 daily. Now, the people of Ikorodu will start enjoying a new road as from next year. The most populous sub-zone in the state is Alimoso. There, Fashola government decided to construct 13 major roads. They more satisfied the yearning of the people for infrastructure development. In the past, their traditional rulers complained that development was only restricted to the Island.

Also, along Eti- Osa/Lekki – Ajiwe/Ajah – Ogbomo – Ikate, the administration has over 21 road projects to its credit. In Cosmpolitan Surulere, the people have savoured 15 major roads. They include the network of roads within the guardant of Eric Moore and Bode Thomas. Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere, was also rehabilitated. On the Island, government has upgraded and expanded 45 milometre roads, stretching across Boudillon, Alexander, Gerard and Osborne. It was consistent with the Ikoyi Model City plan.

Others include the upgrading and reconstruction of five major roads in Lagos Island to High Street status i.e. Brook (125m), Odunlami (212m), Martins (176m), Campbell and Adeniji Adele (134m) as part of the implementation of the third phase of the Lagos Central Business District Project; the upgrading of the 45km Ago – Palace way extension, Okota – Isolo, and construction of Okota – Itire overhead link bridge/road, about 998.5m, to ease traffic snarls and enhance mobility between communities in Apapa, Amuwo, Mushin, Surulere, Oshodi/Isolo and Alimoso areas, and the construction of Adetokunbo Ademola Street extension and Victoria Island, Phase II, to improve traffic connectivity and complement the Lekki – Epe expressway.Lagos Mainland, including Muritala Mohammed Way (5.0km), Herbert Macaulay (5.973m) and Oyingbo/Ido (1350m). Also, there have been construction of pedestrian bridges at Sanya bus stop,

However, the most laudable is the award of design contract for the transformation of Lagos – Badagry Expressway into a 10 lane international highway, complete with pedestrian walkways, Bus Rapid Transit light rail tracts, pipe ducts and dramage channels.

Owing to large scale human traffic and economic activities, Lagos environment is exposed to abuse. This has implications for ecological balance, public health and human development. To ensure environmental sustainability and promote well being, Fashola Administration took some revolutionary steps.

Under the “Operation Green Lagos,” the government embarked on aggressive greening and beautification of open spaces, decrepit loops, verges and medians. Now, there are luxuriant vegetation and aesthetically appealing sites across the state’s strategic neighbourhood.

Notable beautiful sites are Alausa, Ikeja Secretariat, its environs, old Lagos State Toll Gate, Oworonsoki Interchange, Lagos – Marina Water front, Ojota Curve, Simpson Street, Adeniji Adele Interchange and Ikoyi.

Government also embarked on the social rehabilitation and economic empowerment of the Area Boys. They were hired for the beautification and landscaping. This included in them the dignity of labour. In the interim, they earned a living.

Remarkably, the Olusosun land filled was upgraded. Three access roads were constructed to tackle the Oregun perennial traffic. Eight deodorizers were also installed to eliminate pollution, thereby enhancing air quality and public health of the adjoining neighbourhoods.

In addition, 240 waste collection trucks and three Tana giant land fill compactors were procured for efficient management of wastes at land fills. It was the first in Africa. In over 2,000 locations, Dino bins were introduced, illegal dump sites were evacuated at 10 locations. The more was to foster waste disposal and environmental culture. The dumb sites were located at Obele Oniwala in Surulere, Oba Ogunji Street, Agege, Opebi, Ikeja, Aba, Eti Osa and Festac Gate, Amuwo. The government also established the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and built seven mini-fire stations in seven locations, including Palm Shopping Mall, Lekki, Simpson Street, Ojo – Alaba market, Ikotun, Oriade and Apapa Dockyard.

Rescue equipment were purchased to rescue victims of fire disasters during emergencies for improved response to distress calls, four fire stations in Alausa, Isolo, Ikeja and Agege were rehabilitated while 250 fire officers were recruited.

Transportation in Lagos State is usually chaotic. This is because six million passengers hustle daily between Lagos Mainland and Island. The mini buses that convey them are regulated. The drivers are not trained. Lagos has the highest vehicular density of 222 vehicles per kilometer. Motorised transportation accounts for more than 90 per cent of passenger and freight traffic.To maintain a clean break from the past, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport rolled out 100 high capacity blue buses on March 17, 2008. The exercise signaled the launch of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Again, it is first in Black Africa.The next level is the Lagos Urban Transport Project (LUTP), assisted by the World Bank on segregated lanes to ease intra-city road traffic and enhance commuters welfare.

The contract for the design of the proposed ultra-modern Lagos Light Rail Mass transit System was awarded. Lagosians are full of nostalgia, because the same project was frustrated by the military intervention in politics when it was initiated by former Governor Lateef Jakande in the Second Republic.

June 28, 2013
APC will provide better leadership, says Igbokwe

THE Publicity Secretary of the Lagos State Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), Joe Igbokwe, has said that the new mega party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), will provide effective leadership for the country.

In a statement in Lagos, Igbokwe noted that Nigerians have been asking sundry questions about what impact the APC would make, when it is registered. He assured that the country will certainly make progress under the party.

He said: “Some Nigerians are asking what the new party can do to restore the dignity of Nigeria. As we move close to 2015 Presidential elections, political watchers are asking to know the difference between APC and PDP. A lot of questions are coming to the political desks of APC throughout the country: is this party different from PDP? Are the progenitors not the same Nigerians we know? What does this party have in store for 150 million Nigerians? Can this new party make a difference? Can it fill in the gap in Nigeria’s political landscape? Can APC have the courage and the political will to fight the dreaded monster in Nigeria called corruption?

“Nigerians want change and APC is ready to provide the long-awaited change. But the change is not going to come easy knowing the antics of the ruling party and their criminal disposition when it comes to electoral issues. To them, every presidential election is a do or die affair, a fight to finish, and the mother of all battles.

Igbokwe asked Nigerians reclaim the country from the hand of pretenders.

He added: “It is left for Nigerians to fight to reclaim their God-given country from pretenders and to all intents and purposes this is not going to be easy. This is a struggle for the soul of Nigeria, a struggle for economic, social and political freedom, a struggle to reclaim our rights to life. It is now or never. Yes, we can!

“Well, APC may not have all the answers to these very strong questions posed above, but the truth of the matter remains that things will never be the same again. One thing is clear: Nigeria is not making progress in the midst of plenty. Nigeria is not making progress in the age of success. APC believes that investment funds must be retrieved from the pockets of few corrupt Nigerians and the money ploughed back to the economy to create jobs”.

Igbokwe hinted that the party would invest massively in education as a panacea to poverty.

He stressed: “APC leaders know that the only way to fight poverty is through massive investment in qualitative education. I can go on and on but APC cannot do everything in one fell swoop. Please take notice that this is not the manifesto of APC. After the formal registration, the party will sell its manifesto to Nigerians, and I know that it may not be too far from what I have said above.

“Nigeria’s problems are well known for a long time in this country, dating back to the early 90s. For over 20 years we have been dancing around our problems without addressing them frontally and today we have gone full circle. The problems have magnified to become an octopus.

June 28, 2013
2015 behind Rivers’ crisis, says commissioner

Rivers State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Chuma Chinye spoke with CLARICE AZUATALAM in Port Harcourt on why President Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of State for Education, are fighting Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Many people have expressed disappointment over the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) election of May 24. What is your reaction?

My first take is that there is hope for Nigeria, that we will be able to conduct free and fair elections. But, that hope wavers in the face of the rather disappointing reaction of the other 16 governors, who participated in that election. It is worrisome because it is reflective of the general tendency of the Nigerian politician not to accept the outcome of election results.

I watched with amazement Governor Godswill Akpabio saying that Governor Amaechi practically forced them to hold the election. If you look at their sizes, Amaechi doesn’t quite look like the biggest or strongest. He is certainly by no means the oldest. He is younger than most of them.

They went there and in spite of the mischief they had in mind, they blundered by allowing the election to hold in the first place. Once the election held, the minimum they should have shown by way of integrity as leaders in Nigeria was to accept the outcome and congratulate the winner. Therefore, it was shameful that in spite of the fact that they participated in the election, the results were clear, the election was free and fair, they turned round and began to manipulate and turn things around in a way that is not good for the future of Nigerian politics.

What do you think is the cause of the crisis in the state?

It is simple. Those who think that they mean well for the President, but are actually selfish and ambitious individuals, are busy stoking the fire of another civil war in Rivers State simply because they think or they accuse Governor Amaechi of having the ambition to be the Vice President to somebody.

In my study of the history of the world, I have not seen or heard or read where somebody was running for the office of Vice President before the Presidential nominations have taken place. I think that it is idiotic and I say this with all sense of responsibility, it is idiotic for anybody to begin to fight a man because he is perceived to have a vice – presidential ambition, when in fact, all you need to do is to tackle the man that you think has the presidential ambition. Because, if you tackle the man that has the vice-presidential ambition, he can only become a vice-president if only there is a president.

Has it always been like this?

No. I have the privilege of working as the Director of Finance and Administration in the PDP campaign office in Rivers State in the 2011 elections and I know the charge that the Governor gave to myself and the then DG, the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, to deliver PDP and ensure that the votes that we garner for President Jonathan will be the one that will surpass everyone in every part of Nigeria and we delivered.

If the governor did not love his President, he would not go the extent that we went to ensure that the highest votes that the President had came from the Southsouth. It is on account of the number of votes that we delivered to the President that he conceded a second ministerial slot to Rivers State. That second slot is the one occupied by Wike. If this was a governor that hated the President or did not want him, he wouldn’t go to the extent he went.

Therefore, if I may go back to what I was saying earlier on, if you begin to destroy Rivers State because Amaechi is perceived to have a vice presidential ambition, are we saying that we prefer the offices we want to occupy to the people of Rivers State?

Are we saying that, because of 2015, we should first destroy all the good works that Governor Amaechi has done in Rivers State? If you want to occupy a house, do you set it on fire first? Those who want to be governors in 2015 should wait. when the time comes they can seek office. But it is the highest form of disservice to Rivers people, to any person whosoever, to begin to damage Rivers State simply because they want to take it over.

Is there a plot to remove the governor?

It is quite clear that there is a plot to remove Governor Amaechi from office now. For those who are behind this plot, have they asked themselves some questions, the voice that comes from heaven, have you examined yourself? Are they saying that the works that Amaechi is doing is not good enough for him to complete his second tenure?

I read Chief E.K. Clark saying that the President is entitled to run for office, but he turned round to say that Amaechi is not entitled to aspire to be the Vice president because the Southsouth only deserves a President. Now, this President is not a President of the Southsouth; he is the President of Nigeria. Amaechi is the Governor of Rivers State. If the President has a right, so does Amaechi.

Interestingly, neither the President nor Amaechi has said that they want to run for anything. But now, Rivers people are returning to the days of carrying their hands up to walk simply because people around the President think that Amaechi must be stopped at all costs. Stopped from being what?

Critics have said that, if he is really as good as he is saying, he shouldn’t be in PDP. How do you react to that?

My answer to them is that the right place for this kind of futuristic leader to be is in PDP. Because, if you look back, look at your Bible, the world got so bad, God Himself got so worried and wondered what He should do about the world. He decided to come and be part of the world. To see what we see, to feel what we feel, faced the temptations and the challenges that we face and in spite of those challenges, to stand firm and make a change. The changes that Amaechi is making in PDP are there for all to see.

It didn’t start today. To become governor he effected changes which led to constitutional amendments. Before the constitutional amendments, his stand led to the historical Supreme Court judgment. Today, he is still standing by these virtues, by these truths. My fear for him is that he is probably ahead of his time.

The governor has expressed fear for his safety. Do you share his anxiety, too?

In 2007, on AIT programme, Focus Nigeria, on the issue of whether they were right to substitute Amaechi or not, I told the coordinator that they had the chance. And that what they needed to have done was to have killed him. But because they could not and change his name, once the 66 days elapsed, there was nothing they could do. Today, I also say that the mistake they have made is that they have failed to take him out. But since they haven’t done so and the man is alive, if they try to kill him now, Nigerians will rise. They are trying to remove him from office. It will not work because Nigerians and Rivers people will rise. But like I said, I have my fears and these fears are that leaders like him usually are ahead of their time and when you are ahead of your time they try to extinguish your candle.

There is a man in Cross River State who was governor, Donald Duke. He came ahead of his time, stood for what is right. Where is he? They have pushed him aside. Nigeria has a habit of extinguishing its lights. Those persons who are most outstanding are usually pushed aside. Governor Amaechi has something to add to the national leadership of Nigeria, whether he is vice president, whether he is President, whether he is senator, whatever it is, he has served Rivers State and Nigeria for close to 16 years. The experiences and the candour and the integrity he has brought into public office should not be allowed to waste because some persons are ambitious. His fate should not become like that of Nasir El’Rufai. Nasir El’Rufai has something to add to Nigeria, whether you like him or you don’t like him.

I lived in Abuja when he was the minister and I go to Abuja. I still have a property in Abuja and I see the difference. I am not criticising the present minister. But quite frankly, there is a difference. I have met El’Rufai; he has something to add.

Nuhu Ribadu has something to add to Nigeria. Where is he? These men are on the sidelines why? Because they are like Governor Amaechi.

I must say that if Amaechi has any ambition to move from the state level to the federal level into any office, I will stand by him. And I will stand by him not because I am his Commissioner but because having worked with him, I know that he means well. I have never met a public officer who means better for his people like Governor Amaechi and I have related with quite a number of them. In my lifetime I have served as Special Assistant to all kinds of people, including ministers and I have never seen one like Governor Amaechi.

June 28, 2013
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.

June 28, 2013
Will Houses of Assembly get financial autonomy?

Will the proposal for the financial autonomy for the Houses of Assembly see the light of the day as the National Assembly is set to review the 1999 Constitution? ONYEDI OJIABOR writes on the controversy surrounding the proposal.

As the Senate resumes for plenary session one of the items on the agenda is the report of its committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution.

Expectedly, the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) have continued to attract mixed reactions.

Intense lobbying by interest groups, geo-political zones and political blocs is in top gear. While some stakeholders have given their nod to most of the recommendations, others have picked holes in some of the recommendations.

The recommendations covers the devolution of powers, creation of more states, recognition of the six geo-political zones in the constitution, constitutional role for traditional rulers, and local government.

The need to expung the Land Use Act, the National Youth Serve Corps Act, and the Public Complaints Commission Act from the Constitution, and the National Security Agencies Act, fiscal federalism, amendment of provisions relating to amendment of the Constitution and boundary adjustment are other areas the committee covered in its report.

The Immunity Clause, Nigerian Police, judicial reforms, rotation of executive offices, gender and special groups, mayoral status for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) , residency and indigene provisions and autonomy for state assemblies also received the attention of the committee.

The opinions differ sharply on most of the recommendations of the committee. However, one recommendation which appears to have received maximum support is the proposal for financial autonomy to the State Houses of Assembly.

Section 121, which deals with creation of first line charge for certain bodies and offices at the state level said, states that: “To engender accountability and efficient service delivery, a provision is made for State Houses of Assembly, State Independent Electoral Commissions, Auditor-General of the State and the Attorney-General of a State to get their funding directly from the State Consolidated Revenue Fund.”

Instructively, the Constitution Review Committee decided to revisit the issue of financial autonomy to state assemblies, maybe to give the state assemblies a second chance to gain their independence.

During the last amendment of the Constitution, there was a proposal to ensure that the State Houses of Assembly get their funding directly through first line charge.

The two chambers of the National Assembly adopted the clause after due deliberation of the need to strengthen the workings of the state assemblies.

The aim was essentially to give the legislative arm in the states some level of financial independence and empower them to serve their people better.

The clause was applauded by most Nigerians who saw financial autonomy to state assemblies as a move to deepen the principle of separation of powers at the state level.

Rather than seize the opportunity with both hands, it was bungled by the same people the clause was designed to empower.

Some governors were said to have mobilised and recruited members of their state assemblies into willing tools to shoot down the clause.

The clause required the support of the two-third of the state assemblies to pass the law.

The implication is that 24 out of the 36 Houses of Assembly must support the clause to pass. Curiously, only 23 State Houses of Assembly supported it. It failed to the perpetual shame of those who opposed freedom. State Houses of Assemblies gained notoriety by this singular act of voting to remain in bondage.

As most issues in the country, the true story of state assemblies that voted to remain under the jackboot of their governors is not known.

The only thing known is that a certain State House of Assembly in the North West geo-political zone, which had already endorsed the clause, rushed to the National Assembly, a day before the consideration of returns from state assemblies, to withdraw its endorsement.

The governor of the particular state was said to have threatened to “deal” with the speaker of the House if he failed to withdraw the endorsement of the clause. It was laughable you may say.

But this is Nigeria , the wonder land, where the unthinkable and absurd happen; a place where a show of shame is glibly glossed over.

Observers have been asking what went wrong. Ever seen a slave granted unconditional freedom on a platter of gold, who rather than embrace his independence, prefers to be in chains. Another opportunity for the state assemblies to free themselves from the apron string of state governors has come calling.

The National Assembly has once again come to the rescue by unanimously proposing financial autonomy for state assemblies in the ongoing constitution amendment. Will the state assemblies take the opportunity? Will they choose to remain the official rubber stamp of the governors at the expense of the electorate? Will they through some bogus and spurious vote, elect to act ignominiously like they did during the previous constitution review exercise? These are the questions begging for answers? Only time will tell.

Already, the State Assemblies Speakers Forum has thrown its weight behind the clause.

The Forum stated its position at the Asaba retreat and during the zonal hearing on Constitution amendment. There are indications that the Forum has constituted a lobby group to prevail on the National Assembly to ensure that the clause sails through.

The Forum has assured Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora that it will no longer be business as usual. Opportunity, they say, comes but once. For the state assemblies, they have a second chance. Second chance to say, yes we concur to be free from being manipulated by governors.

If feelers from the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Ude Oko-Chukwu, are any thing to go by, the state assemblies may have woken from their deep slumber.

Oko-Chukwu was reported to have assured that the State House of Assembly would vote in favour of financial and political autonomy of state assemblies as proposed by the National Assembly.

He was also quoted to have said that Abia House of Assembly is favourably disposed to other areas of amendment such as granting first line charge to the state electoral commissions, auditor-general of the state and Attorney General of the state. Before now, these are no go areas for State Houses of Assemblies.

Oko-Chukwu was reported to have spoken when members of the State Accountability and Voice Initiative visited the House in Umuahia, the State capital.

He agreed that these were vital areas to the development and growth of democracy as such autonomy would strengthen democratic institutions.

The speaker gave insight into why the first attempt to grant financial autonomy to State Houses of Assembly failed.

For him, the first attempt failed because the state assemblies felt they were not properly carried along by the National Assembly in the exercise.

But he added that the House he presides over, voted for financial autonomy of state assemblies because they realised its importance and the need to vote in favour of the clause.

Will the recalcitrant state assemblies take a cue from Abia State House of Assembly and others like it?

While presenting the report of the committee, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said constitution review is a continuous process and has been on the front burner of national discourse since 1999.

“This has been so, especially after the last National Assembly successfully passed three sets of alterations to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

“It is in this light that the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution adopted an incremental approach to constitutional changes.

“Previous alterations have undoubtedly deepened our democratic ethos by confronting outstanding problems and addressing glaring omissions. At the same time those alterations have generated momentum for continuing review,” Ekweremadu said.

The purpose of the exercise, he said, is to remove contradictions and ambiguities, supply omissions, and make the Constitution more practical and relevant to the needs of Nigerians in the twenty-first century.

The members of the review committee, he added, were at all times motivated by what is best for Nigeria .

June 27, 2013
Group kickoff new media campaign for good governance

The Executive Director, Enough is Enough, Yemi Adamolekun has called on civil society groups to explore the use of social media platform for improve governance, transparency and accountability in Nigeria.

Adamolekun made this known at a press conference organized at the Launch of Project and Campaign toward the 2015 General Election in Nigeria held last week at NECA office, Alausa, Lagos.

The project which is anchored on Register, Select, Vote and Protect your Vote is in conjunction with conjunction with Kudirat Initiative For Democracy (KIND), Community Life Project and Reclaim Nigeria.

According to her, the need to leverage on social media tool and information which will be help enable more Nigerians to be are aware of their right and responsibilities as citizens to ensure that our elected and appointed officials are accountable to the people the serve is imperative”,

She said that the electoral process is at the heart of our work and we have spent the last two years building social media tools and networks to deepen youth engagement in governance.

She said that only constructive engagement on a platform of knowledge in an atmosphere of mutual respect can bring about enduring positive change and development in Nigeria.

She asserted that the new media is a powerful tool for socio-economic and political change and government and other institutes responsible to the well being of its citizens cannot ignore.

“There are approximately five million Nigerians on facebook. If each person reaches and influences five people based on the information they are exposed to, that 25 million people more aware. Imagine the ripple effect”, she said.

Adamolekun opined that with the current state of the nation, 2015 will be an important milestone in Nigeria’s history. As such, we are focused on organising the youth vote to be effective and transformational and also want to communicate numbers that the youth vote must count.”

She added that the technology tools to be showcased include: Revoda, the election monitoring mobile app launched in 2011 as well as the crowd sourcing platform, shineyoureye.org and all activities that are anchored on its official election campaign: Register, Select, Vote and Protect Your Vote which was launched in 2010.

“We will share experience and knowledge of tools used around the world and explores possibilities for adaptation, particularly pertaining to key governance issues such as budget tracking and security.

She opined that government cannot afford to ignore new media as it has made it easier for citizens to make their voices heard and force government official to response.

“We need to leverage on the tool and information to ensure that more Nigerians are aware of their right and responsibilities as citizens to ensure that our elected and appointed officials are accountable to the people the serve”, she said.

In her words, The Executive Director of Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, Mrs. Amy Odekunle whose participation is to mobilize women and the girl child for the campaign said Women must be part of the conversation as that would help further drive home their demand for a better world.

She said ‘although we have been training women and the girl to be self reliance and productive, but they must also be involve in the socio-economic agenda of our country as their lives and the lives of their children depend on in for survival”

On his own part, A Representative from Community life Project, Mr. Chuks, said that civil engagement must be grassroots oriented if truly Nigerians will be included in the effort to demand transparency and accountability in governance.

June 26, 2013
Adedibu: Five years after

The ‘strong man of Ibadan politics’, Chief Lamidi Adedibu, passed on five years ago. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU writes on Oyo State politics in the post – Adedibu era.

On Tuesday, June 11, 2013, family friends, and political associates of the late Ibadan politician, Chief Ariyibi Lamidi Adedibu gathered at his expansive Molete home. It was to mark the fifth anniversary of the demise of the late People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Oyo State. When he died in 2008 at the age of 81, Adedibu was not only a dominant figure on the political terrain, he had also distinguished himself as a grassroots man, a national party leader, acknowledged party mobiliser and a charismatic leader of the rural poor.

Apart from the fact that his political importance was widely acknowledged by politicians seeking elective positions, the impression created in some quarters was that of a man promoted violence and thuggery, an opportunist, and a very ambitious politician with a price.

Chief Adedibu’s 57 years of overwhelming influence in Oyo politics earned him many titles such as the “Alaafin Molete” “Field Marshal,” “Adedibully,” “Dry Fish;” “Controller of Politics in Oyo,” “the Ashipa of Ibadanland,” “the Exponent of Amala politics”, “The only Father of the PDP,” and “the Garrison Commander of Ibadan politics.”

But all that have gone with the politician, whose death was received with sadness and joy .

Though enthroned by the late Adedibu, the former Oyo State Governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, shortly after the death of the politician, felt he could not carry on with the reign of terror that had taken over the state . He began a gradual withdrawal from the Adedibu political dynasty, a move which led to the subtle disarming of armed gangsters of the “garrison commander.” He could be said to have succeeded to a large extent before he was voted out of power in 2011. But Akala lacked the political will to rid the state of thuggery, brigandage, and violence since he was a product of the system.

Morally, many argued that Akala was biting more than he could chew. The move by Akala to withdraw himself from a system of which he was a sole beneficiary, created a big crack in the PDP and the Adedibu’s political family. In no time, disaffection, bitterness and acrimony erupted within the ranks of party faithful and loyalists as many became aggrieved and marginalised .While some were said to have been pacified with huge sums of money by Akala, others fell out of the party and chose to pitch their tent with the ACN and Accord Party. The widow of Adedibu, Alhaja Bose, and the vestige of the political family that remained with Molete on the other hand, felt betrayed.

Many of the political office holders, who Adedibu single-handed put in office, deserted the family. As the saying goes, the centre could no longer hold and everything fell apart. The once bustling Molete home of the “great leader,” and “strong man of Ibadan politics” has since lost its boisterous character; it is now more like a grave yard. Adedibu’s home, formerly known as “Mecca”, the place is now deserted, leaving the widow and few family members to occupy the vast estate.

In his days, brigandage and thuggery held the state by the juggler. Many lost their lives and property, while others were raped, maimed and incapacitated . Though, Oyo State Police Command always mobilized its highest intelligent agents to dismantle the Ibadan ruffians, an end to political thuggery in Oyo State was not in sight. Security became a nightmare. The state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) became an arm of the state government under the administration of Alao-Akala in his bid to secure a second term in office. it grew worse when the NURTW split into two factions. While Alhaji Lateef Akinsola a.k.a. Tokyo led one faction, the other was led by Alhaji Lateef Salako a.k.a. Eleweomo.

There was a growing need for good governance, infrastructural development, security of lives and property in the state. The residents, outcry for security and peace grew. And this was demonstrated through the ballot box in the April, 2011, governorship election. It enthroned the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) flagbearer, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi.

His election ushered in a fresh air of security in the state. Shortly after his swearing-in, Governor Ajimobi inaugurated the state security outfit code-named Operation Burst. The governor identified two critical areas that needed urgent attention. security and infrastructure development. It was no longer business as usual. Many things began to fall in place as sanity was restored in governance. Political thuggery , brigandage, and violence were banished. And a new Oyo State emerged .

Since Adedibu’s demise, there are many repairs that have been carried out: Restoration of security of lives and property, inauguration of the Oyo State Youth Empowerment Scheme (O-YES) , beautification of Molete bridge, a place hitherto famous as heaven for thugs and social miscreants, the beautification of Iwo bridge, formerly reputed as the battle ground for factions of NURTW , construction of the Mokola bridge, the longest bridge in the state, and massive urban renewal , just to mention a few .

Many political thugs, who made their living from violence, have now been disarmed and rehabilitated into the good life. Now, peace, sanity and good governance reign in the state.

As family , friends, and well wishers celebrate the fifth anniversary of the late politician, the people of the state also joined in the celebration. But, a celebration of peace, good governance , serene environment and massive urban renewal.

The political phase, which the late Adedibu represented, whether good or ugly live for posterity.

Chief Lamidi Adedibu, the “Alaafin Molete” and “the Garrison Commander of Ibadan politics” was born into the Olupoyi chieftaincy ruling house at Oja-Oba, Ibadan, on October 24, 1927. He attended Mapo Elementary Primary School, Ibadan, and Ibadan High School. He served as Publicity Secretary to the defunct Action Group (AG) in the colonial period and later became the Chairman of Youth Wing of the party in Ibadan. In May 1956, Adedibu contested election into the Western Regional House of Assembly on the platform of the Action Group in Ibadan East Constituency and lost. In 1976, he was elected a councilor into Ibadan Municipal Government. After the failed campaign for the late General Sanni Abacha for life President, Adedibu later pitched his tent with the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) during the advent of democratic rule in1999. He regained the control of Oyo politics in 2003 with the emergence of Senator Ladoja who, he sponsored against the AD government of Alhaji Lam Adesina.

June 26, 2013
Aregbesola: Warming up for 2014

Many indigenes and groups have endorsed Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola for a second term, owing to his performance in office in the last three years. On the live television programme, ‘Ogbeni Till Daybreak’, last Friday, the governor reviewed his achievements and hinted about his intention to seek re-nomination. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

Six years ago, the people of Osun State voted for change. But the votes did not count for three years. From the ballot box, the liberation struggle shifted to the court room. The legal fireworks that ensued underscored the determination of the progressive politicians to halt the plot by the conservative bloc to drag the State of Living Springs to doom. Indisputably, it was the temple of justice that saved the state from electoral terrorism and retrogression.

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Governor Aregbesola inherited a state almost in ruin. The period between 2003 and 2010 was remarkable for pain and fear. Oyinlola Administration was full of tension. It was an administration swimming in the pool of legitimacy crisis. Peace has deserted the state. Instead of borrowing a lead from the Aregbesola and his party manifestos, and working assiduously to the progress of the three senatorial districts, the key functionaries were only targeting the ACN family for liquidation. Some of them were hounded into detention. Some lost their lives. The symbol of the struggle was declared wanted. It was falsely alleged that he threw bombs at Osogbo, the capital. At the yearly ‘Oroki Day’, he escaped death harrowingly when state agents pounced on his vehicle and supporters.

However, when his mandate was restored, reality dawned on Aregbesola that the struggle had just started. The euphoria that greeted that change of baton withered immediately in the face of the mounting challenges. The critical sectors were on their knees. Osun, which has the largest number of towns in the country, is one of the poorest states. But that misery had been compounded by the opulence of the interlopers. To clear the Augean table was non-negotiable. For the modern-day Oranmiyan, governance could not be a tea party.

The governor had to live by example. His Spartan lifestyle became an advantage. His first step was to embarked on value engineering. One of the critical elements was the strategic reduction of the cost of governance. It smacked of self-sacrifice and denial to shun contentiousness, which the public office may inadvertently permit. Deliberately, he delayed the setting up of the cabinet of talents and other political appointments. After six months, the state had N30 billion in its coffers. Aregbesola also blocked the financial loopholes. Corruption became a punishable offence. The inflation of contract cost became a thing of the past. Since the governor only came to serve and not to pillage the treasury, it was evident that only decent people who shared his vision could cope with his style and move at his pace.

Many doubted him when he promised to create 20,000 jobs in his first hundred days. Few believed him when he said that it was time to fight the infrastructure battle. Also, his intervention in the education and health sectors has rekindled the memory of Ige and Akande era. His ethical and moral crusades have sensitised the people to the value of virtue (Omoluabi). Many believe that the fruits would be savoured beyond his tenure. Not only has Osun become a huge construction site, the prudent management of scare resources have assisted in the erection of lasting legacies in the state in the last three years.

These achievements have been lauded by many indigenes and groups who are now agitating for continuity beyond 2014. Statesmen, professionals, traditional rulers and other observers have submitted that there has been a clean break from the sordid past. But these feats have also be dismissed by the detractors, opponents, and critics, particularly in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a camouflage and window dressing. Returning the salvo, the governor, who hinted about his intention to extend his service beyond next year, challenged them to a duel. “We enjoy the confidence of our people and we will defeat our opponents. We represent our people and there is no cause for fear”, he said.

Aregbesola rendered the account of stewardship at the weekend during the quarterly live television programme, ‘Ogbeni Till Daybreak’, at the Osun Centre for Arts and Culture, Osogbo. The event was between 10 pm and 5.50 am. He was accompanied by his deputy, Otunba Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, who doubles as the Education Commissioner. The Secretary to Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Chief of Staff Gboyega Oyetola, Senator Babajide Omoworare from Ife/Ijesa District, state legislators, special advisers, traditional rulers, and party chieftains witnessed the programme.

It was a joint review of the ACN government by the governor and the people. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. As Aregbesola got kudos for the jobs well done, the unfinished business of his administration was also laid bare. To analysts, he cannot afford to rest on his oars. Various callers brought into the governor’s attention the problems of their towns and villages. The response to questions on the activities of the administration was not a one-man show. Judging by the specific nature of the enquiry, the governor would ask the commissioner, permanent secretary, director or head of parastatal to make clarification.

The Commissioner for Information, Hon. Sunday Akere, who welcomed the people to the event, said that the essence of the programmes was to give opportunities to the indigenes to participate in governance. The unusual governor is administering the State of Osun in an unusual manner”, he said. He called on the people not to relent in supporting the administration to achieve more progress. The governor promised to sustain the platform, which has offered unlimited opportunities for interaction and exchange of ideas between the government and people.

Aregbesola reflected on the epic revolution in the education sector through the introduction of the ‘Opon Imo’. He explained that the goal was to ensure the democratisation of education. The governor also said that the move would guarantee access to digital technology. “Never again will anybody be denied access to total learning”, he said, stressing that education, which should be total, qualitative and functional, should be the birthright of the youths.

The brain behind the tablet of knowledge is Kabiru, son of the governor. The governor had initially concealed this, until the ACN National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, heaped praises on him for donating his talent and service during its inauguration. Since then, critics have alleged that he got the contract from his father. However, the younger Aregbesola only donated his skill and knowledge of informatics free of charge. The governor explained with pride and fondness that, his son, who opted for informatics instead of medicine in a university in Cuba, has added value to his administration. “He is not the contractor”, he emphasised. It was another eye opener. Experts in the hall noted that it is now instructive that children should be allowed to pursue courses of study based on interest and competence, and not on parental wish or pressure.

Apart from the allegation of personalisation of power, which the governor vehemently denied, the PDP has also accused him of incurring heavy debt. He dismissed the critics as economic illiterates. “The issue is not about debt, but what we are doing with the loans”, he said. Aregbesola explained that when the soft-term loans were used for long term projects without any bearing on the social welfare, gap existed between expectation and reality. That debilitating effects, he pointed out, have been corrected by seeking for facilities to re-finance them, stop the project and embark on progressives programmes for development. The timeframe is then, used to process access to the capital market, he added. delving into statistics, the governor said that the state receives N3.6 billion monthly from the Federation Account, although periodically, money comes from the excess crude. Workers’ salaries would gulp N2.6 billion. Thus, if the debt profile is assessed against the financial status of the state, there is no cause for alarm because, as the governor put it, it is within the limit of N30 billion.

To underscore the administration’s commitment to proper financial management, the governor said that the state has paid the May salary for workers without receiving the April allocation. To those who thought that Aregbesola has not done well by refusing to distribute state money to party chieftains, he said that his camp of progressives are keen on service to the people, and not the appropriation of the resources for development. “To that extent, they are carried along. They (PDP) believes in appropriating. That is not the essence of government”, he stressed.

In Osun State, the federal roads have become the governor’s burden. The people have been complaining to Aregbesola, who is within reach, instead of the distant Federal Government. The governor said that he could not ignore the demand for the reconstruction of the roads. Whether the Federal Government refunds the money for the construction or not, he said that his administration would not look back.

However, Aregbesola clarified that the proposed MKO Abiola Airport, which is located between Ido-Osun and Ede, is being done by the state government. He quickly added that “it must be approved by the Federal Government”. The governor also clarified that the Federal Government’s approval does not affect its ownership. The contract, which is handled by Aerological Engineering Limited, is expected to gulp N4,5 billion. The project is also expected to be completed in February, next year. The governor said that the project will generate employment opportunities.

Recently, it was reported in the social media that the governor slapped his deputy, Mrs. Laoye Tomori. He expressed sadness over the fabrication, saying that “I and my loyal deputy have never quarreled before”. The governor said that, even at domestic level, he has never beaten his children, a duty he has allowed her wife, Sherifat, to perform. Besides, Aregbesola said that it would have been discourteous of him to descend so low to beat a woman and somebody who is older than him. “My deputy is a woman. She is older than me. How can I beat an elderly person”, he queried?

Aregbesola said that he would not be distracted by the enemies of the state and the people. He promised to focus on the developmental activities that have earned him the respect of the indigenes. One of them is the robust agricultural programmes, which has revolutionalised the sector. From these farms, government has been buying free eggs and meat for the pupils under the ‘O-Meal’ scheme. Mrs. Laoye-Tomori said the government is feeding 300,000 pupils daily, adding that this has led to increased enrolment. “The foods are from the state. 15,000 fowls are killed daily. They are from poultries in the state. We used 5,000 kilograms of fish to feed the children, in addition with 8,400 crates of egg weekly”, she said.

On the controversy over the ownership of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, which board is being chaired by Prof. Wole Soyinka, the governor cleared the air. He said that the centre belongs to the state, and not the former governor. The case is in the court.

A caller from Owena complained that erosion was threatening the border town. His claim was not affirmed. The Special Adviser on Environment, Comrade Bola Ilori, explained that people being threatened by erosion are violators of the law who built their houses on the canals and swampy areas. He urged the people to be environment-friendly. Government, he said, will not condone such violation.

On the local government allocation, Aregbesola said that his administration has not oppressed the local governments by starving them of funds. “We have allocation committee and the Head of Personnel Management are members. We look at the allocation to the state and local government and decide. We devote the money to capital projects, especially the roads in the local governments”, he added. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Oluwadamilare, also explained that the activities of the committee are transparent.

Aregbesola maintained that he has served the state loyally. He said that his party will retain power in the next year election. To him, the PDP has been bragging in this season of electioneering. He said they would be judged by the electorate in 2015. He predicted success for the proposed party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). “Victory everywhere”, he said, when asked about the prospects of the APC and his expectation. “The strength of the ACN is the Southwest, CPC the Northwest and ANPP the Northeast. We will come together and there will be victory”, he added.

June 26, 2013
‘APC will rule Enugu in 2015’

Former Enugu State Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate Okey Ezea is now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on the prospects of the the new party and other partian issues.

What is the solution to insecurity in the country?

The security situation in Nigeria has become a very big challenge to all of us. I guess the primary purpose of government is to provide security for life and property. And it is becoming clearer everyday that this is becoming difficult to achieve. in most parts of Nigeria, the story is the same.

Part of the problem really, is that we have a unitary police system for a federal polity. It therefore become virtually impossible for the police to do their job effectively in a situation where somebody from Katsina State is the officer in charge of patrol and guard in one little village in Nsukka. He neither understand the locality nor the language and nuisances of the people. Criminals can stand before him to plot the next criminal activities without him knowing because he does not understand their language.

Therefore, we believe we should have a compromise between the federal police and the locality. I understand the fears of the people that if you set up a state police command, the governors would turn it into instrument of oppression and victimization of the opponents. So, how can we set up a police system that no one can abuse. And I must tell you, even the Federal government abuses the use of police because I am a victim. And there is no way Nigeria can grow like this.

So, the starting point for Nigeria to tackle insecurity effectively is to have free fair and credible elections.

I want to emphasise that the issue of corruption of the judicial process is much more a grievous offence than armed robbery. This is because once you have somebody in office who is not to be in that office, the chain consequence would be much more than somebody coming to rub you of millions of naira. We are talking of life of a people. The life of a nation. Therefore, if we have authentic leaders, these leaders would go to the parliament and make sure they make laws that are for the betterment of the Nigerian society not for their individual self or for their individual party.

You find out sometimes that laws that come out of the National Assembly or State Houses of Assembly are laws that promote the narrow interest of political parties in charge of that area or the narrow interest of the governor or narrow interest of the President. Then, where are we going from here. It is a much more complex problem that we need to tackle from foundation. And what is the foundation? It is free and fair election.

True federalism is part of what I am talking about. There is no true federalism in Nigeria. And of course, true federalism cannot even be sustained without having these institutions owing their allegiance to the state and not to any incumbent President or governors.

Why are you still in court over 2011 governorship election in Enugu State?

I want to hope that the Court of Appeal would do the right thing in Enugu State by declaring me governor, because we have a new leadership in the judiciary now. And we want to think that the court of Appeal would do the right thing because the law is straight forward on my matter.

The issue is very simple. It is that the Electoral Act, Section 8 (7) says that before any candidate would emerge for any election under Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), the party must conduct free and fair primaries either directly or indirectly. And before the party conducts the primaries, under Section 8 (5) (1), the party must give INEC, 21 days notice. In Enugu State the PDP primaries were fixed for January 9, 2011. Or the 7th, the primaries in Enugu were cancelled or suspended. Then, all of a sudden, on the 11th of January, three days later, it was announced that Chime has emerged the PDP candidate for the election without any primaries and without any notice.

Unsatisfied with the development, I went to the Labour Party and got nominated duly as its governorship candidate. I went through the election and scored the majority of the valid votes. Mark my words, the majority of the valid votes. I mean the legal votes. The votes scored by Silvan and his PDP were illegal votes, they were invalid, null and void and therefore should be of no effect based on the fact that they did not go through the primaries.

Therefore, without the PDP votes, I won the election. I got 25 per cent vote cast in 2/3 of local governments of the 17 local governments in Enugu State. So, the important constitutional provision there is that you should score 25% of the total votes cast in not less than 2/3 of the local governments in the state. And I achieved that. Therefore if the court of Appeal should do what is proper, I should have long been declared the winner of the governorship election in Enugu State in 2011. But they are foot dragging. It is taking four years to finish a particular court case! I wonder what is happening!

So, we thought that in 2011, the court would say either PDP was not supposed to contest that election and do the right thing in which case the PDP would have no governorship candidate or in 2015 there will be free and fair election. And if that happens, the progressives would win. I mean all the progressives under the banner of All Progressives Congress (APC). All other parties have merged and APC Enugu unit is very strong. We hope that, if election is free in 2015, the progressives would win Enugu State.

What are the issues that will shape the elections in 2015?

Well, if there is governorship election at all, issues that will shape 2015 contest in Enugu State would be between those who want change and those who want the status quo. It will be between those who want election to be held and those who want to impose people on others as leaders. But, I think that with the new image INEC is exhibiting that they would conduct a free and fair election, things may be different. But as I had said, the security apparatus in Enugu State are always being used against non PDP members. In 2011, a platoon of soldiers was drafted to my father’s compound to keep me at house arrest on the day of the election.

June 25, 2013