The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • More petitions on the way

    More petitions on the way

    Following National Judicial Council’s recommendation for compulsory retirement of Hon. Justice C. E. Archibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos, and Hon. Justice T.D. Naron of the Plateau State High Court, after its investigations, there are fears in the bench that more petitions against many other judges are on the way.

    The NJC, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, took the decision on Wednesday at its emergency meeting held in Abuja.

    Ripples gathered that many aggrieved politicians, who had lost one case or the other in rather controversial circumstanstances, besides hailing the council’’ ruling, have approached their counsels to scrutinize evidence available to them, with the view of firing fresh petitions to the judicial council

     

  • APGA crisis deepens

    APGA crisis deepens

    Former Acting National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alli-ance (APGA), Mallam Sadeeq Masalla has declared support for Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s faction.. Masalla said he was making sacrifice to safe the party from crisis.

    Masalla was APGA’s acting national chairman appointed by the factional National Working Committee (NWC) on July 16, last year to battle the faction led by the party’s former chairman, Chief Victor Umeh.

    He was conspicuously absent at last week’s national caucus meeting in Abuja, where Maxi Okwu and Alhaji Sanni Shinkafi were elected as acting national chairman and acting national secretary, respectively . Masalla denounced the caucus meeting, which produced the new leaders for the party, describing it as illegal and unconstitutional.

  • ‘Anybody contesting with Fayemi is on his own’

    ‘Anybody contesting with Fayemi is on his own’

    House of Representatives member Hon. Bimbo Daramola spoke with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE on the endorsement of Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi for a second term  and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)’s preparation for the next year’s governorship election. 

    What is your reaction to the formation of APC?

    I believe that it is healthy for democracy. I equally believe it is a credible thing to do and it is the panacea to the problem of democracy in Nigeria. If you don’t have a vibrant opposition, if you don’t have people that can keep government on its toes, the dictatorship of one man will take over the polity. When you have a credible opposition, which seeks to do the will of the people or try to be the conscience of the people and the barometer for good governance, then, you will know there is a balance and those who rule will not toy with the fate of the people.

    What are your fears for the party?

    My fears would be that people go into such enterprises with different motives.If the motive behind it is not pecuniary, if it is not driven by personal aspiration, if it not driven by ambition that is blind and if the people remain by this popular call to salvage the country, the merger will succeed.

    What is your reaction to the endorsement of Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi for a second term?

    It is the most exhilarating thing to think about. I am not saying this because I have known Dr. Fayemi since 1978. Hee is qualified. My assessment is based on the records before us. The Bible itself makes allusion to performance and looking at the tract records of the governor, those who have endorsed him have not mistaken. I am not a pushover by every standard. By the grace of God, though I am not a rich man I am very comfortable. But I will not be deluded by my comfort zone and begin to feel that because I am a member of the House of Representatives on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria in Ekiti State and close my eyes to the reality of the fact that three million people also deserve good life. Dr. Fayemi has ensured that the people have good standard of living. This is why I believe he is fit for another term. But have you also heard that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has endorsed him? If you say that the party has endorsed him because he is a member of ACN, is CAN part of the ACN? The governor has done well and the people are supporting him, irrespective of party affiliations.

    But, don’t you think the endorsement of the governor is too hasty?

    The Yorubas have a popular adage which says ‘the eyes that would subsist till old age do not start bringing mucus when one is still very young.’ We have seen two years of his first term and we are in the position to foretell what will happen in two years. When people begin to seek a second term, they do so based on their achievements. You don’t seek second term without the basis for it. When we adopted Kayode Fayemi, we did that because we had strong reasons for it. You are talking about schools, roads, industrialisation, about the man who is reviving the economy of the state. What else do you want? We knew where we were before Fayemi became the governor. We know where we are now.We did not endorse him because we are partisan; we endorsed him because we have seen the strong reasons for doing so. We won’t go to 2014 election without reason for it that is why this man deserves another term. This is a crucial moment in our history where the people would rise and say never again will politicians who have failed us rule again in Ekitiland. Every politician that had taken the people for granted, this is the time for Ekiti people to tell them that we won’t elect you anymore.

    Now that Opeyemi Bamidele is interested in the race, what happens?

    I am not aware that he is challenging him. If he is challenging him, let him come out. He is entitled to pursue whatever ambition he wants to pursue. Ambition is legitimate, but it becomes illegitimate when it runs contrary to the bigger picture. If your ambition runs against the will of the people, then, it becomes illegitimate. You are not coming to rule yourself; you are coming to rule three million people. It is a mandate that does not belong to one man and no man can appropriate leadership. Leadership is given and conferred by followership. That must be fully noted.

    Will this clash of personality not affect the party in the election?

    A lot of people have spoken about why we need to be very careful and all of that. I know Bamidele. He is a very good material to become the governor, but the Bible also says that every visionary has his appointed time. If you have a vision that stands against the position of party members, then, the vision will be truncated. It is going to be dead abinitio. The reason I said this is that the man has not called me to say look, Bimbo I want to run. He has not called anybody out of the six of us who represent Ekiti State at the House of Representatives to intimate us of his plans. He has not called the three senators and he has not called anybody. But the battle is not in the closet; it is going to take place on the street of Ekiti and we are warming up for it.

    What is responsible for the clash of interests?

    I know they were friends and I think they are still friends. I am not aware of the details of their relationship and would not like to comment on that. Whatever relationship that exists between Dr. Fayemi and Opeyemi Bamidele, that is left to them. They could also have issues, but you don’t bring the fate of three million people into jeopardy because your friendship is threatened. There is a bigger picture. The fate of the innocent three million people who need the good things of life is very important. This I think cannot be compromised and that is the bigger picture we are talking about.

    The supporters of Opeyemi Bamidele claimed they have been marginalised in the party in Ekiti State…

    Again, I am not aware of that. Let me tell you something. What happened in Ekiti State is historic. This government was born out of adversity; generically the supporters of Opeyemi Bamidele would ordinarily be the supporters of Fayemi. I do not think it would be fair for anybody to short-change anybody or anybody’s interest. I don’t think it is right, but I have not seen that. Are you saying all my supporters are well treated in the party? You see, you cannot micro manage or micro evaluate situation, if everybody is claiming that their supporters are marginalised. How logical can that be? The bigger picture is what we are talking about and when you begin to put this ambition against the bigger picture, then, it is going against the people’s stance.

    Could this clash be likened to the fact that when Dr. Kayode was battling to get his mandate at the tribunal and court, Bamidele was oiling his machinery for the 2011 governorship race?

    In politics, a lot of people would say a lot of things. People conjecture different things; they imagined things. Let me say that I did not catch Opeyemi Bamidele hand’s down. I did not see him saying, if Fayemi does not win in the Court of Appeal, I am going to run. I have not seen that, but the truth of the matter is that, whatever will make the labour of our heroes past go to be in vain, I am against it. Mama Ogundamisi, a 75 years old woman, who was shot. She was fighting to ensure that justice was done. Fayemi does not represent himself alone; he represents the collective aspiration for better life. It is incumbent on Dr. Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State, to ensure that his government lives to the aspiration of the people who lost their limbs, the guys who were shot, the guys who had bruises, the blood that was shed for the ultimate realisation of the dream. No ambition should be greater than a single blood that was shed. Let me also say and remind us that, when the old women, the octogenarian and nonagenarian alike protested, half naked on the streets of Ado Ekiti, they did not do so because of Fayemi. They said enough was enough. That is why I say whoever works against Fayemi is working against the will of the people and the curses of those old women would be on him.

    Is reconciliation not possible between Fayemi and Bamidele?

    I am not aware there is warfare the truth of the matter is that whoever has ambition today and ambition is legitimate. But when it runs against the will of the people it becomes illegitimate and every illegitimate ambition will dies prematurely.

    The election of 2014 by the grace of God will not be determined in Wadata Plaza. The election of 2014 in Ekiti State is basically going to be decided by the people. One million and one Mopol will not stop the people. Remember when the mandate was stolen we demonstrated that enough was enough and we got our mandate back. It took us three and half long tortuous years to come to this point and this government has demonstrated very clearly that we also understand this is a product of the sweat of the people. This, he has done by giving them good roads. Go to Ekiti and check the roads, go to Ekiti and see schools, go to Ekiti not less than 33,000 computers are given out. Teachers are getting computers, students are getting computers, and this is by the special arrangement of the government. It took a governor like Dr. Fayemi to bring Samsung, an international brand to Ekiti State.

  • ‘I have invested much in PDP’

    ‘I have invested much in PDP’

     Chief Orji  Kalu was Abia State governor from 1999 to 2007. He defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to form the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA). His recent return to the PDP has stirred controversy. He spoke with Assistant Editor LINUS OBOGO partisan issues. 

    Your return to the PDP has generated controversy. Why is it so?

    In any democratic environment, you don’t have to deprive a bona fide citizen of a given country the freedom of association. In this particular case, it is my desire to associate with a party of my choice. My belief is that those people who stood against my return do not understand democratic ethos.

    I also believe that they don’t understand that party politics is different from party ownership. Some people think that a political party is their personal business. They think that governance is their personal business. No, it is everybody’s business. I pity them because this is why Africa is in trouble. I think it is a great mistake on their part. I played a lot of roles in establishing this party. We must come back and re-galvanize our party for a better future. And that is why I am here. They cannot stop me. They should be members of a party and I am a member of this party. We will move ahead because there is always the need for reconciliation at every level. This will make us to appreciate one another. There is every reason for people to find ways to live together. It is very important for growth and development. If lion and lamb can lie together, we should do better as human beings. The party is big enough for everybody.

    At what time did you decide to return to the PDP?

    I had discussions with Dr. Nwodo four months before he became the chairman of the party. We discussed as friends because I have known him for a very long time. I played a leading role for him to become the first national secretary of the party. We have played complimentary roles in each other’s day-to-day existence as human beings. He is still alive. You can ask him. He is still my friend and a very close one at that. I did not ask him what happened up till today. I just thought it was the appropriate time destined by God for me to go back to the party.

    But why is it that your return is generating so much controversy?

    Because many people have been living in falsehood. They knew that the truth would be brought to open for the people of Abia to see and hear by my return. A party needs enlargement on regular basis and no reasonable leader would do anything to stifle its enlargement. It must grow. However, I leave everything in the hands of God. Let God be the arbiter. Let God be the judge. I believe that Abia, from today, would never be the same again.

    But the Abia State PDP chairman has said that you are are yet to be re-admitted into the party? Is it that you have not met the requirements?

    I have fulfilled all the requirements. Let me tell you the truth. On January 17, the state broadcasting corporation said that those people have been suspended. You are a journalist, you can investigate it. You can even ask your correspondent living in Abia. On the 18th, they said that they have resigned since January 10. This is contradictory. What on earth would make Igbere Ward A and B party officials to resign without any reason? They said they resigned en mass; not just one person. What would have warranted about 26 to 30 party officials to just resign without reason? You can see the naked fallacy. Even then, I bear no grudges against them. I want peace to reign in Abia. Let them be and let other people be. They don’t own this party. They were in the ANPP before. I brought all of them to the party. I want them to be civil and give peace a chance. If they want to leave the party, they are free to do so. This is the party that we suffered to establish on the principles of truth. So, I don’t see any reason why any of them should challenge my coming back.

    Some people have said that you were desperate to return to the PDP. What is your reaction?

    Even, if it is desperation, and so what? Can anybody tell me what I want to do? Can you tell me who to associate with? I am a Nigerian and I am entitled to it. That is the issue. The issue is not what anybody thinks. It is what I think that is the issue. I did not even leave PDP. I was a two-term governor on the platform of PDP. In a civilized clime, how can you say this when I was not a governor of PPA, ACN or any other party? If there is desperation, and so what? This is what I wanted to do and I have done it.

    You founded PPA out of conviction and fervent belief that PDP…..

    No! No!! No!!! I founded that party just to prove a point and when I proved that point, the two governors left. I was deregistered in PDP by Obasanjo along with the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Boni Haruna, and others. All of them have gone back. What is wrong about my going back? It is because I am a political force to be reckoned with. If I am not a force, they would have said let him enter and take a seat. So, I have come back to the party for good and I owe no apologies to anybody. Its nobody’s business. It is my business. As a Nigerian, I am protected by all sections of the constitution that deal with the freedom of association. What becomes of PPA?

    It is a political party. I left it two years ago. I left all the political parties two and half years ago and I am back to PDP. And we are going to do everything possible to rebrand the party.

    Rebrand a party that is in total confusion; a party that could not hold its BoT election and the NWC cannot even meet?

    This is the reason why we are coming back to take over our party and rebrand it. All the people running our party at all levels have been tenants who are pushing away the landlords. If you check all of them, they have come from ANPP to PDP and it is not a new thing. It is a process of learning that the founding fathers of the party have decided to come back together, stand as one and reposition the party.

    How much of your successor did you really know?

    I don’t know much about him.

    And you went ahead to make him the governor?

    Yes. Even when I appointed him the Chief of Staff. If first met him in Mark Agwuogbu’s house in Umuahia.

    Do you regret making him governor?

    No. Because that was what God wanted. But I apologise to Abia people from the bottom of my heart.

    How true is the allegation that the structures you actually put on ground, while leaving the State House, was to facilitate the impeachment of the governor for your younger brother to take over?

    It is not true. There was nothing like that. He wanted me to make my brother his deputy. But I was the one who said no. Even when he made my brother his chief of staff, I opposed it. You can go and ask him. I have been in the public for, at least, three decades doing businesses and nobody has had cause to accuse me of broken agreement, infidelity or doubt my words. Nobody has had cause not to trust me. That is how it ought to be. We must build trust and mutual respect in everything we do.

    It has been alleged that, when you were the governor, the state and PDP were like personal estates of yours and your mother. How would you react to it?

    Do you believe that?

    Well, it is an allegation and I am putting it to you?

    No! No!! My mother never got involved in the governance of Abia State.

    Why was she called Madam Excellency?

    Those people who were addressing her that way were sycophants, bootlickers seeking favour. My mother never slept in the Government House. Everything my mother got, she worked for it on her own. So, all these talks about my mother and the governance of Abia State are cheap blackmails. My mother did not enjoy such privileges, although I have a lot of respect for her, my father and all my family. But, if there is a conflict of interest between me and my family over the state’s affairs, the state will prevail because the laws of the land must prevail. So, all those allegations are cheap blackmail. They say my mother was living in Government House. You have The Nation’s correspondent in Abia, you can ask him. My mother never slept in Government House. I can’t even remember the day my mother spent two hours in Government House. Would I because I am the governor, abandoned my mother? I gave the party, PDP, the first 500 million they used in 1998. They were all afraid of putting down money to finance the party, fearing that the military will not handover. But I single handedly gave the party N500 million to start. I brought the first campaign money that Obasanjo used. So, how come today, they are all billionaires? It is because today, the system does not have the apparatus to checkmate the politicians and ask fundamental questions on their acquisitions, how they acquired wealth. And that is what we are trying to do now. We want to ask how this or that politician got money to buy houses in Victoria Island, in Maitama, Asokoro, in London? How did they get the money when they came into government as paupers? I own a house in London, which I bought in 1992 and it is still there. I own a house in Victoria Island and am still living in that house till date. My house in Abuja, I bought it in February 1996. So, you see, going into politics has done so much harm to me. I lost in a bank I owned 70 per cent share because of politics. I lost 80 per cent in another bank. I lost my airline, I lost Abstel Offshore contract of almost 500 million US dollars. I lost all because of politics. What prize have I not paid? There is no politician living in Nigeria that has paid a prize in defence of democracy like I did in Nigeria. I defended democracy. Without people like me, there would be no democracy. The Third term agenda would have been a success without people like me. I lost my businesses.

    Do you regret going into politics?

    I have no regrets. The problem is that it is just that Nigerians lack the courage to speak the truth. Or they have no courage to face the fact. What I don’t like is sycophancy. You can ask my school mates. I have not changed, I hate sycophancy. I am simple and open-minded. I have never put a barricade between the haves and the haves not. Never. So, I don’t know what they are talking about. Some people don’t want to work hard for their money. They think that the easiest way out is politics. All the companies I own, I don’t interfere in their administration. So, why should I interfere in the political administration of the state?

    What has been the relationship between you and Obasanjo?

    I had nothing personal against Obasanjo. I have a lot of respect for his person. He loves this country and he says it. However, he did not also adhere to what he ought to have done. The democratic practice was for the people. The democracy was for the rich. And I have said it again and again, that I have nothing personal against Obasanjo. I fought him purely on principles, to represent my people, the Igbo, creditably, and by extension, to represent the Nigerian masses to the best. The first was the Port Harcourt-Enugu Expressway. The road is still the same till tomorrow. The second was the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway as well as the Niger Bridge, Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road. Those were my quarrels with him. I have never begged him for anything. When he stopped all governors from going to Atiku’s house, I told him in his presence that he cannot choose who my friends are. I will go to the Vice President’s house, whether he likes it or not. I told him in clear terms. So, I am surprised that, instead of Nigerians admiring the character of truth and honesty, they choose to like sycophancy.

    What type of leaders do you think Nigeria needs?

    Leaders who will think about the people and not of their pockets. Leaders who are guided by truth and who don’t like sycophancy.They should not think that the Arab-Spring cannot come to Nigeria. It is not true. Nigerians would wake up one day in anger and make the leaders accountable. All elections should be held in one day and rigging should be stopped. It would be better for INEC to hold all the elections in one day.

    So, have you settled with Obasanjo?

    Well, I have not seen him since I left government. Possibly, one day, there would be room for us to make up. He was my boss. He is like a father. Once a boss is always a boss. Once a father is always a father. We had disagreements when we were in office and we could become the best of friends after. So, there is always room for reconciliation, which is what I am telling all the Igbo, the Njikibo, to continue working to foster harmony. The Njikibo is a cultural association of Igbo people. We should continue to make peace with those who are aggrieved.

  • My vision for Southwest PDP, by Filani

    My vision for Southwest PDP, by Filani

    The Chairman of the Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) management committee, Chief Ishola Filani, has unfolded his

    agenda, saying that the reconciliation will be his major priority.

    The party leader also said that he has the mandate to reposition the party for the challenges of governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states.

    He dismissed the insinuation that the zonal executive was sacked to spite former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Filani, who spoke with our correspondent on phone, said the former President is critical to reconciliation and progress of the party.

    Defending the step taken by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) on the affirmation of Bayo Dayo as the Ogun State chairman and sacking of the zonal leadership, he said the goal was to uphold the rule of law and due process.

    Filani said: “The entire idea is to obey the order of the court. That is the only path taken by the NWC. There was a subsisting order of the court dossolving the exco and we were appointed. The idea is not to get rid of the Obasanjo boys. There is nothing like that. Obasanjo is a Yoruba leader, a Nigerian leader. No Yoruba has attained the level he has attained in Nigeria and internationally. The PDP always acknoledges him as a leader.

    “There was nothing targetted at Obasanjo. He is a resourceful leader. He was the first person I called when I was notified about this assignment. I went to himand we had a good discussion”.

    The zonal leader said the media has created problems for the PDP by peddling falsehood and exaggerating its problems. He said the PDP leadership is committed to righting the wrongs in the party in the interest of democracy.

    He stressed: “We want to reposition our party and return the Southwest to the mainstream of the Nigerian politics. We are not a regional party. We are a national party. We are even strong in the Diaspora. We lost Osun and Ekiti wrongly. We want to reorganise the party in the Southwest. We are more than the ACN in Yorubaland. We have more PDP electorate in this zone. We want a strong party leadership for the party in the region”

    Fulani said reconciliation would entail making sacrifices and promoting the collective interest, urging party chieftains to put the party first.

    He added: “We will reconcile. There are issues. The press is creating problems for the PDP. We need reconciliation. We should be ready for the governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states. We are a civilised party. We will resolve our differences in a methodical manner”.

  • When will peace return to Ogun PDP?

    When will peace return to Ogun PDP?

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has recognised Chief Bayo Dayo as the chairman in Ogun State. But the faction supported by former President Olusegun Obasanjo is kicking against the directive. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the new twist to the protracted crises rocking the troubled chapter.

     

    Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a precarious future. Beset by protracted internal crises, the refusal of its leaders to close ranks has become its albatross. Although the national leadership of the party has now affirmed Chief Bayo Dayo as the authentic state chairman, this has not gone down well with the factional leader, Senator Dipo Odujinrin, who has the backing of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    The PDP national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, explained that the party decided to follow the rule of law by adhering strictly to the constitution and court ruling on the protracted leadership tussle in the Gateway State. He said since the court ruled that Dayo is the chairman, he had to abide by the judgment. Hailing the decision, Dayo, an engineer, said that the state executive committee had been strengthened to restore the lost glory of the party. However, Obasanjo’s faction frowned at the decision, saying that Tukur was bent on destroying Ogun PDP. “If they want to destroy the party, let them go ahead. Let them continue”, said the factional secretary, Mr. Dapo Adeyemi, who also chided the National Working Committee (NWC) for its aloofness to the welfare of the chapter.

    Observers contend that the crisis in Ogun State PDP has been fuelled by the parting of ways by President Goodluck Jonathan and Gen. Obasanjo. Thus, Obasanjo’s camp believes that Tukur is acting Jonathan’s script. Sources said that the President, who has never underrated Obasanjo, is taking some decisive steps, ahead of 2015. One of the strategies being adopted, added the source, is to pull the rug off the General’s feet by attracting to himself aggrieved party men who have scores to settle with Obasanjo, particularly in the Southwest. The national leadership’s support for Dayo-led executive may have drastically reduced Obasanjo’s influence in the party.

    As Dayo’s group converged on Ijebu-Igbo to celebrate victory, Obasanjo’s men also gathered at Abeokuta to plot their survival. Feathers have been ruffled. The retired general was rattled by the prospect of diminishing influence in his home state. It was a double tragedy as his supporters who were members ofnthe national executive committee, including Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Mr. Segun Oni and Mr. Bode Mustapher, were dethroned. Owing to ego, the crisis ultimately escalated as they could not reconcile themselves to the reality. Although Dayo, who is being backed by the billionaire businessman, Prince Kashamu Buruji, said that his team was ready for reconciliation, other members of the executive committee doubted the readiness of the other faction to respond positively to the olive branch. Instructively, neither of the two factions can take PDP to victory in an atmosphere of disunity.

    The tragedy that hit the Ogun PDP was contemplated. The leaders ignored the warning signal due to over confidence. As party leaders were neck-deep in prolonged internal feud, endless personality clashes and protracted bickering, party structures were weakened by rancour, making some members to desert the boat, ahead of 2011 polls. Party leaders who basked in the imaginary euphoria of an elusive power of incumbency woke up on poll day to lick their self-inflicted wounds. Apart from losing power to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at the general elections, the warring factions built on its abysmal performance at the post-May 29 local government elections. Unable to move on after their shocking defeat at the general elections, the aggrieved chieftains, who started to trade blames, also and penciled down themselves for political liquidation.

    Ogun PDP obviously went into the general and council elections as a divided house, which was destined to fall. The intra-party squabbles created strains and distractions. Initially, two factions led by Obasanjo and former Governor Gbenga Daniel were at war. As the two groups flexed muscles, parallel lists of candidates were submitted to the electoral commission. But the Federal High Court presided over by Abdul Kafarati rejected the list presented by Daniel’s group, pointing out that the faction had ceased to exist following the setting up of the Harmonised State Executive Committee led by Dayo Soremi, a member of Obasanjo’s faction.

    That ruling infuriated the former governor. In reaction, his followers dumped PDP and encamped in the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), which, ultimately, could not fly during the parliamentary and governorship elections. Both Adetunji Olurin, retired General, and Gboyega Isiaka, governorship candidates of PDP and PPN, were defeated by the ACN candidate, Senator Ibikunle Amosu.

    The party was engulfed in controversy during the electioneering. Criticisms have trailed the activities of the Harmonised Committee before, during and after the elections. Some party members called for an investigation into the allegations of sales of tickets of candidates on its list. The supporters of the House of Representatives member, David Salako, Abiodun Oni and Adegboyega Salami were more vociferous in this regard. They fingered the hand of a prominent Ijebu-born businessman and hotelier in the act. However, Soremi washed his hands clean of any political vice, saying that his committee was clean.

    Observers pointed out that Dayo’s team was born in the period of crisis. Two congresses produced two chairmen; Dayo and Odujinrin, but Dayo claimed that the congress that produced him as the chairman followed the due process. He sought reconciliation with the Odujirin faction. When it was evident that the faction was not ready to sheathe its sword, he went to the court. Although a High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, ruled that Dayo was the authentic chairman, the ruling failed to restore peace and unity. Dayo, the embattled chairman has achieved victory, but he is still incapacitated because his group cannot do without the two factions waging war against his leadership.

    Buruji, who took exception to Obasanjo’s meddlesomeness in local affairs, instead of intensifying his national and continental roles, said that if Obasanjo had been neutral, the two factions would have gone to him to broker reconciliation. But the former President is the pillar of support for one of the factions.

    Last year, the leadership crisis escalated as policemen sealed off its state secretariat. The chairman and other party officers were denied access to the office. They cried foul, saying that certain powerful forces were disturbing the peace of the party. They urged the national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to revive the party from its comma. Dayo warned against the violation of the court judgment.

    “ We are fighting against the lack of internal democracy and imposition of candidates at party congresses. No party can grow when it lacks internal democracy”, said the chairman, who appealed to Tukur to call Obasanjo and his group to order.

    The first leg of the reconciliation was successful. Daniel’s group resolved to parley with Dayo’s team. The grouse of Daniel’s followers was that they were not given a fair treatment by Obasanjo and his group. They alleged that they were denied participation at the congress that produced Olurin as the flag bearer. But the former chairman, Dayo Soremi also alleged that Daniel was involved in anti-party activities by joining forces with another party, thereby robbing PDP of victory at the governorship poll.

    To Buruji, reconciliation and peace have remained elusive because Obasanjo is unwilling to embrace truce. “Pa Obasanjo should have been in a better position to reconcile us as his children, but he is now entrenched in local politics, instead of calling the shots as a father-figure and national leader”, he maintained. In the same vein, Dayo alleged that the former national secretary, Oyinlola, was being influenced to order the sealing off of the party secretariat. He said the national secretary exceeded the limit of his constitutional responsibilities. The chairman said Oyinlola was trying to impose on the chapter the names of those who had been jailed for contempt of court as caretaker committee members. He also said that members of the party were injured and consequently vowed never to condone imposition of unpopular candidates.

    Party chieftain are of the view that the crisis had taken its toll on the party. Yet, there is no end in sight for the logjam. Since 2011, party followers have been shifting their allegiance to the ruling ACN. They feared that they would be left in the cold. For almost a year, party activities have paralysed and meetings at the wards and local governments were suspended in many areas. More time and energy have been spent on litigations than party mobilisation, organisation and management. Also, Obasanjo has not reconciled himself with life outside the Aso Villa. Apparently, he did not expect the kind of challenge he got from party chieftains who trembled before him when he was the President. Some said that the change of guard would not affect Obasanjo like other leaders in the state because the governor, Amosun, hails from Owu, Obasanjo’s town.

    After the 2011 elections, there were brain storming sessions. Party leaders were united by collective political threat. Efforts to reconcile, first and foremost, Obasanjo and Daniel, were mooted. But there was a setback. The former President and Board of Trustees (BOT) chairman suggested that Olurin, former Military Administrator of Ekiti, should be the leader and arrowhead of the party. The suggestion did not go down well with many members. Some said Olurin was new in the party and that he was not endowed with rich political experience. Others said that he lacked structure and he may not command acceptance, loyalty and respect among party members and followers. “Obasanjo insisted on his proposal”, Kashamu recalled, lamenting that the crisis deepened due to lack of consensus on the choice of an arrowhead.

    Some leaders also proposed an all-inclusive, participatory approach to party administration. They maintained that imposition was old fashioned, stressing that members would have a sense of participation, belonging and self-worth, if they are given opportunity to choose their ward, local government and state leaders at properly constituted congresses. Other party leaders even pleaded with Obasanjo to be the guardian of the process.

    Past reconciliation efforts also failed because many PDP leaders were not ready for peace. When the former Southwest leader, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, waded into the protracted feud by setting up the transition committee headed by Mustapha to conduct fresh congresses, the decision sparked off emotion. The former chairman, Soremt cried out, claiming that his tenure had not expired. He went to the court, praying the court to ensure that his powers and functions were not be usurped. A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos ruled that only the Soremi-led executive had the powers to conduct congresses. The current chairman, Dayo, claimed that the judgment was not appealed before the March congress. He recalled that the congress was even monitored by the national leaders, INEC and security agencies. He said the bone of contention was that party members were not ready to endorse the chairmanship aspirant supported by Obasanjo.

    On May 2, the court also re-affirmed that Dayo was the authentic chairman. The presiding judge warned the national leadership against sidelining him. On June 19, another Ogun State High Court sitting in Ilaro, Yewa Division, also affirmed the same position. Dayo’s counsel, Ajibola Oluyede, complained that certain PDP leaders were bent on wrecking the party in Ogun State by imposing an unelected leadership. “When people resist peaceful change, they are looking for violence. If the institution of democracy is swept aside, anarchy will occur”, he warned.

    At Ijebu-Igbo, Dayo waved the olive branch again. “No victor, no vanquished”, he said, urging warring members to close ranks. He understood that he could not succeed as leader, if the chapter is still factionalised. He tried to pacify Obasanjo, saying that he is the father of all. He urged . He enjoined the party chieftains and supporters to go back to their wards and local governments to rebuild the party.

    So far, his appeal seem to have fallen on deaf ears. The court verdict has failed to halt the crisis and douse the intra-party tension. There is no evidence that the Odujirin faction is ready to forget the past. Tukur has said that he will only recognise Dayo as the authentic chairman. But the other faction appears to have ignored his directive. The puzzle is: when will peace return to Ogun PDP?

     

  • How to tackle insecurity, by CPC chieftain

    How to tackle insecurity, by CPC chieftain

    A chieftain of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Lagos State, Otunba Niyi Raheem, has expressed concern over the insecurity in the country. He asked President Goodluck Jonathan to set up a national emergency line similar to the “999” of the United States of America.

    Raheem, a former House of Representatives candidate in Agege Constituency, said that no country can make progress in the absence of security.

    He said: “It is important for our security wellbeing that such a number should be localised so that people can have access to emergency and law enforcement agencies. It will help in pre-empting crimes before committal and assist in tracking criminals. It is not a bad idea to try the special number”.

    Raheem also described security as a joint responsibility, urging the people to cooperate with the government to nip it in the bud. He advised the youths to shun violence, stressing that it is counter-productive.

    The politician appealed to the perpetrators of dastardly acts to desist from wrecking havoc. He said: “Growth, progress and development of any nation are only possible in an atmosphere of peace.”

     

     

  • ‘APGA set for transformation’

    ‘APGA set for transformation’

    The Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Maxi Okwu, has unfolded his vision for the party,

    saying that it will become the indisputable “third leg” of the party system.

    Okwu, a former national leader of the Citizens Popular Party and Convener of Save Enugu Group (SEG), said he would embark on what he described as the “three Rs”, which are reconciliation, rapprochement and reintegration.

    He stressed: “What we intend to do is to ensure that, through the three Rs, we will move APGA from its present parlous state to a level where, as a party, it will constitute the third leg of the Nigerian political life.

    “Nigerian politics has been built on a tripod since the days of the pre- independence period. Let me concede that, if you take the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as one leg and the proposed All Progressives Congress (APC) as the second leg, APGA will be the third leg. This is my vision for now.”

  • ‘Jonathan has right to re-contest’

    ‘Jonathan has right to re-contest’

    In this interview, Igwe Patrick Eze of Amala, Enugu State, speaks with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE on the eligibility of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term and other issues.

     

    What is the way out of insecurity in the country?

    The issue of insecurity has continued to stare us in the face. The impression is that the future is bleak, if adequate measures are not taking to curb the menace. Insecurity is a big threat to the people of this country and sadly, there is no solution on sight. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was correct in his observation when he laid the blame for insecurity on President Goodluck Jonathan for not doing what he ought to do as the Commander-In-Chief.

    When something starts to attack you on the leg and you allow it to climb up to your neck, the consequences of the attack will certainly be more destructive. This is the way I look at the situation. It is very unfortunate that, for many years now, the people of this country have always been vulnerable to security lapses.

    In the days of Buhari/Idiagbon Regime, people lost their lives for drug trafficking and politicians, media practitioners and civil society leaders were not secured because of the implementation of Decree 2. During the Babangida Regime, people like Dele Giwa died under questionable circumstance and corruption was the order of the day. Fraudsters dented the image of the country. During the Abacha Regime, prominent people like members of the NADECO ran abroad because they were not secured. Kudirat Abiola lost her life.

    The administration of Abdusalami Abubakar supervised the transition to civil rule programs. But the problem continued when Obasanjo came. The fight between Umueri and Aguleri, the crisis in Odi and Zakibiam that attracted military action against civilians were regrettable. Again, the rise of Niger Delta militants and assassination of Bola Ige, Harry Marshal, Alfred Dikibo and others were a huge sign of insecurity.

    When Yar’Adua came, Boko Haram emerged to terrorise the people in the North. It has continued under Jonathan Administration. So, on this note, it is justifiable to blame the problem of insecurity and corruption on the people at the helms of affairs. It is very unfortunate and, if we can’t find a lasting solution, one day, we will have to change the name Nigeria to the Federal Republic of Insecurity and Corruption.

    Observers have attributed the lingering insecurity to the struggle for power between the North and President Goodluck Jonathan. What is your view?

    Yes, I agree. People in some parts of the country believe that the Presidency is their birth right. Thus, they want to monopolise it. Nigeria is made up of different groups. Each group, either from East, West, North or South, has the right to occupy the office of the President. Now, we are talking about centenary celebration because Nigeria will soon clock 100 years. What we should take note of is that, as we celebrate 100 years, there is a part of the country called the Igbo that has not produced the President, yet they are not making trouble. This is why we are saying that an Igbo man will certainly take over from Jonathan in 2019.

    The North is agitating for power shift. Can they stop Jonathan’s second term bid?

    In my own view, Nigerians should better allow Jonathan to continue. Why? Because Jonathan cannot afford to disappoint Nigeria under the circumstance of having their mandate and good will for a second term in office. He would rather work harder to reciprocate and justify the people’s benevolence and massive trust in him. If we say, let us try another President, the person will likely come up with a different agenda that will certainly push him to seek fresh eight years from 2015 to 2023. Let’s challenge Jonathan with another mandate and see how far he can go.

    I am not a praise singer, but I can observe that Jonathan Administration is addressing the teething problems of electricity, bad roads and unemployment. I don’t see the magic another person could do to achieve better things.

    The opposition is accusing Jonathan Administration of incompetence and shallow commitment to the anti-corruption war. Don’t you think that this will work against him during the election?

    Corruption has been a big problem in this country for nearly 40 years. Corruption has led to the collapse of many government establishments. Some industries established by government like Sun rise Floor Mill, Enugu, Avop Oil Mill Nachi, Nkalagu Cement Factory, Enugu State have collapsed because of corruption. Go to Onitsha ,we have Premier Breweries. It is no more. Golden Guinea Breweries, Umuahia, Pal Breweries Oko, and Aba Textile are no more as a result of corruption. So, my own view is that people should join hands with government to fight corruption by putting the interest of the country above selfish interest.

    Can the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeat PDP?

    If Jonathan Administration can fix roads, fix electricity and create jobs, no amount of merger will stop him from being re-elected. He will even defeat those involved in the merger in their respective wards. If Jonathan can fix the Second Niger Bridge, fix Southeast Road and accord the Igbo more federal presence, the Igbo will, as usual, vote for him massively.

    Nigeria is celebrating its 100 years of existence. What is your view?

    To celebrate is normal in life. Besides, such a big celebration by a big country like Nigeria would end up providing jobs for the people. I learnt they are going to build what they call ‘Centenary Village’. The building project and other things they will do will certainly provide jobs for people. At the end of the day, you find out that the centenary exercise will put food on the table of people. So, I totally disagree with those who say that it is a waste.

    Traditional rulers are agitating for constitutional roles. What is your view?

    There are different categories of traditional rulers and I’m sure that those making the suggestion are aware of that. In Enugu State, the government is carrying us along. We were given brand new cars to enhance our roles in the state.

    The issue of granting more powers depends on the capability of government. If the government can allocate certain amount of money for rulers through the budget, let them do it.

     

  • ‘No room for one-party system’

    ‘No room for one-party system’

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson spoke with BISI OLANIYI on the achievements of his administration in the last one year and other national issues.

     

    How has it been since you assumed the reins as governor on February 14, last year?

    It has been wonderful, exciting and exerting. But I enjoy every bit of it. I enjoy the challenges. More than before, I come face to face with the problems of our people. I have also seen their resilience and their endless possibilities.

    There are indications that President Goodluck Jonathan is interested in a second term. What is your reaction?

    Any talk about 2015 is a distraction. It is premature and in any case, the President has not said he is going to contest. Will I support President Jonathan, if he decides to contest? That can be taken for granted. I cannot speak about the relationship that the President has with individual governors, but what I know generally is that President Jonathan has excellent relationship, not just with the Southsouth governors, not just with me and Governor Akpabio, but with all the governors. The President is the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    How can the protracted crisis in the PDP be resolved?

    Politics is the act of reconciling differences. Politics, by its very nature, particularly within the context of a democracy, engenders discontent; other times wisdom and ambition. All of these are legitimate. That is the very nature of politics. For a major and indeed, the biggest political party in the country, which has been in power for a long time now, people should not be surprised that once in a while, there are differences of opinion. That is normal in a political party. Even in the small political parties, they have differences. The PDP remains very strong. I do not think there is any major cause for worry.

    Why are PDP leaders jittery because of the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the major opposition parties?

    We have not seen APC in place. It is still a proposal. With my background of active involvement in opposition politics, before I came into PDP, it is a welcome development. This country needs virile opposition parties. No political party should be allowed to control and dominate the political space in any country or any society. This view is not the conventional Nigerian political view, but I am not a conventional Nigerian politician.

    Democracy should be a marketplace of ideas. Political parties should be the instrument of contest. I personally welcome the alternative that is being proposed, but there is a difference between the proposal and the reality of having a political party on the ground. I look forward to seeing the APC emerge as a formidable alternative. I welcome it. That is the right thing to do and the country will be happier for it. But the leaders of the APC should do more than they are talking.

    The PDP is not threatened. We have more governors. We have the Federal Government that is doing well, but Nigerians need a viable opposition to propose alternative viewpoints and ideas.

    Many National Assembly members and other politicians who worked against you during the last election attended your first anniversary. What is the secret?

    It is not a feat that I should attribute to myself. That is the spirit of the new Bayelsa. I have been a consensus builder. Politics is the act of building consensus. Political leaders are our fountains of wisdom. Building consensus and breaking down barriers are essential. Differences of opinion must be respected.

    Anybody can be a governor. Whoever emerges after the election, it is expected that the people will support the person. That people who did not support me are coming around, I thank them very well. That is the right thing to do. That is the feeling of the new Bayelsa. We are building an all-inclusive system. We are all stakeholders.

    My stake in this state is not bigger than their own. It is just that I am the custodian of the collective stakes. I do not see myself as having a superior stake. With that mindset, it makes it easy for me to consult them. Their views are taken into consideration. Where I disagree, everybody knows me. I will tell them plainly.

    Even, when we agree and disagree, we should do so in the best interest of our people. Once you have that at the back of your mind, it makes things easy. So, I want to thank them for coming around. We hope to build consensus and a united Bayelsa.

    Your administration has just put in place a law that recommends death penalty for kidnapping. Will you have the political will to sign kidnappers’ death warrants?

    I hope my political will won’t be tested. We do not want any kidnapping in Bayelsa. The rate of kidnapping in the state has recently dropped. Criminality has dropped in Bayelsa State. Even one incident of kidnapping is too much. That is one thing we do not want to hear.

    We want to maintain safety on the waterways in Bayelsa. We are making serious investments, most of which we will unfold shortly. The capacity we have and the mindset we are encouraging in this state, anybody that comes to Bayelsa to commit crime cannot go free.

    Our response time for distress calls is about three minutes in Yenagoa and its environs, which is commendable. But we want to extend that all over Bayelsa, particularly along the waterways, which are very difficult to police.

    We are going forward and we hope that criminality will be a thing of the past. For kidnapping and related offences, in respect of which I have assented to the law, we hope that people will listen and stay away from kidnapping. Bayelsa State is a no-go-area, as far as kidnapping and related violent offences are concerned. Anybody who tests our will, will face the full wrath of the law.

    Are your administration’s development projects meeting the expectation of the people of the state?

    We are being commended for restoring the lost glory of Bayelsa State. I thank everybody for their support and encouragement, but it is not yet Uhuru. Bayelsa is still a far cry from where I will like it to be. Are we there yet? Certainly no. But what I know is that we have used the last one year laying a foundation. We will build on it.

    Talking about projects and programmes that are close to my heart, people are quite familiar with my priorities. The most challenging problem of our time is that of human capacity development. That is education.

    Today, as I finish the interview, I will be going to inspect the Teacher Training Institute that I have started. We have programmes and projects that are of human capacity development. Scholarships, building of new schools, building of schools for vocational training and others are very particular to me.

    There are also infrastructure projects that are on-going and we must open up the economy. You cannot do so without infrastructure. You cannot also rule out our investment in agriculture and tourism. There is so much to be done. In all these, investment in human capacity building is very important. Development comes first, but human being is the most important resource. No investment in that sector is too much or misplaced.

    The devastating floods of 2012 greatly affected Bayelsa State, leading to loss of lives and property. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has just asked Nigerians to expect more floods this year. How prepared is your administration?

    It is a wake-up call. Good that the warning came quite early. It is a clarion call for people, especially those at the helm of affairs, to be proactive. Last year, the flood was terrible, but the effects would have been far worse, particularly in Yenagoa City, but for our timely intervention in opening up the various water courses that had been blocked over the years.

    Some people did not understand it initially. They thought it was highhandedness, when houses were broken and other structures or things were pulled down. Later, when the floods came, that Yenagoa City was not evacuated was because of the proactive steps taken by the Bayelsa State government. So, the flood warning should be taken seriously.

    I intend, next week, to empanel a technical committee to address the issue and come up with an immediate plan of action. How that will be, I do not know. But something has to be done. We will take steps, within our powers and available resources, to ensure that we lighten the burden for our people.

    During your first anniversary, you inaugurated the Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC), whose Advisory Board you are chairing, with Ambassador Lawrence Ekpebu as your deputy. What was the motivation?

    While I was campaigning, I knew clearly that the economy was a major challenge and we needed to address the economy. In Bayelsa, you do not have manufacturing companies. The economy is completely dependent on government. That affects the people’s attitude, the political culture, our IGR (Internally Generated Revenue) status and other things.

    So, I know that in going forward, there is the need to expand the base of the economy. I am not a businessman. I may not even be, but I know that there are outstanding business people and people who had played critical roles in various sectors of our economy over the years from Bayelsa State. I knew that I was going to empanel the team made up of financial experts to look at the various ways by which our economy can be diversified, because in this state, we know that oil and gas resources are wasted assets.

    If you visit Oloibiri, which is just five to ten minutes drive from here (Government House, Yenagoa), you will see what we mean. Most states probably do not know that oil wells get dried up. We know that in Bayelsa, because of Oloibiri and other oil wells that are now dry. Therefore, there is the need to begin to expand the base of our economy, as much as we can, to prepare for the days without oil.

    I do not feel we are running economies that are sustainable. Any economy that depends on revenue allocation from the Federal Government is not a sustainable economy. There are very few state economies that are sustainable in this country, especially Lagos, with the capacity to generate enough revenue to fund their services and development. I want Bayelsa to begin on that note, to self sufficiency.

    Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation will also place the economy of Bayelsa S tate on the world map. Which is why the BDIC has already set up its international headquarters in London and the African regional headquarters in South Africa. These are major economic centres. So, that we can key-in the pool of investments outside and also attract capital, local and foreign, and human resources to manage it.

    I want to thank the leaders of Bayelsa and elders who volunteered to be part of it and many Bayelsans, within and outside Nigeria, who are going to serve on the board, as honourary members.

    Top managing directors of banks in Nigeria, top businessmen in this country and outside have aslready indicated their willingness to join the board, because they have seen the sincerity of our vision and they have seen the clarity of the vision and they agreed to be part of it. We want them to turn Bayelsa to a new Dubai. The new Dubai of Nigeria. The new Dubai of Africa and it is possible. If they did it in Dubai, why can’t we do it in Bayelsa and other parts of Nigeria?

    How transparent is your administration’s transparency initiative, in view of your promise of placing emphasis on transparency and accountability?

    Everything I promised, we have tried to fulfil. Transparency has become a cornerstone of our government. We feel that, that is the right way to go. Democracy is all about openness and recognising the rights of the people to participate and know.

    Our transparency programme is on course. Every month, I address the state and I explain the details of their income and expenditure. To show how seriously we take the matter, we have even by the law, made it an impeachable offence and gross misconduct, if a governor fails to do so for three months consecutively. That law has also placed a burden, a responsibility and duty on the part of local government chairmen, to also do so at the local government level.

    We may not be there yet, but we have started a system by which the rights of the people to know about what resources they have and how these resources are managed are respected and critical to going forward.

    Are you not afraid of disclosing the figures?

    No. I am not afraid. It is the right of the people to know. The resources of the state are not the personal property of any governor. That is part of the issues I have with the council chairmen. The resources that go to the local governments cannot be treated as pocket money of the chairmen and the cabal in the local government areas that want to feed fat on public revenue.

    People must learn to work. If I as governor or anybody in my government want to do anything, want to be a business person, you will have to resign, to go and be a businessman. The government is to address the problems of the people. Government’s resources are to be channeled to solving the problems of the state and transparency is the right of every people to expect and it is the duty of every government to offer.

    What is your advice to the youths of Bayelsa State ?

    I have told them that I am not the governor because I am the best among them in Bayelsa. Probably, even the least. Going by my background and how it has pleased God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, to elevate me, with the support of the people of this state to the position of governor, I have always said that if I, who started from the humble beginning as a recruit constable, could get to this level and occupy the other offices, I do not think God is through yet with me.

    The young people of Bayelsa State, the young people of Niger Delta and the young people of Nigeria should take a cue, to know that if they work hard and play by the rules, have confidence in them-improvement and respect constituted authorities, respect the laws and the norms of our society and work hard to educate themselves, empower themselves and dream big dreams and the sky is their limit.

    President Goodluck Jonathan has also told the story of how he started. The son of a canoe carver, but today he is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He started by going to school without shoes.

    It is not just my personal story or the story of the President. The important thing is that the young people in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta and Nigeria should learn that the idea of having to have everything overnight does not pay. Cultism, getting involved in drug abuse and getting involved in other forms of criminality do not pay.