The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • Afenifere can re-unite, says Falae

    Afenifere can re-unite, says Falae

    Afenifere chieftain Chief Olu Falae has said that the two factions of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group can still reconcile, if the terms of reconciliation are right and genuine. He said, at 74, he has no political ambition than the unity and progress of Yoruba and development of Nigeria in all ramifications.

    The two factions are led by the Acting Leader, Pa Rueben Fasoranti, and Pa Ayo Fasanmi, the deputy leader. Prominent members of the Fasoranti faction are Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi, Pa Falae, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, and Chief Supo Sonibare. In Fasanmi’s group are Chief Bisi Akande, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Pa Olabiyi Durojaye, Chief Michael Koleoso, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    The former Secretary to Federal Military Government (SFG) and Finance Minister said the division in the umbrella group has led to the marginalisation of Yoruba race. He spoke on national issues in his home town, Akure, Ondo State capital. However, he said reconciliation cannot be ruled out, if there is sincerity and commitment on the part of warring members.

    Falae stressed: “The interest of Yoruba race will be best served, if we work together. As long as we remain divided, the rest of Nigeria will see that division and they will exploit it and they will marginalise us, knowing that we will not be able to speak with one voice. If Afenifere says something, Afenifere Renewal Group will say something different. They will say Yoruba cannot agree, forget about them.

    “For the sake of our people, let us reconcile. The last attempt made to reconcile the two sides was at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan. It was at the instance of the ACN. Lere Adebayo, former Commissioner for Finance in Bola Ige Administration in Oyo State was the person sent to us. We said before then, there should be a joint committee to prepare the agenda.

    “We still count. Our people still respect us. Because we don’t have billions of naira, you don’t say that we don’t matter electorally and politically. In Yorubaland, in Ondo State in particular, credibility, integrity, track record and honest leadership still count.”

  • My ordeal, by Chime

    My ordeal, by Chime

    Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime spoke with reporters at the Government House, Enugu on his his health condition and long absence from the state. CHRIS OJI was there.

     

    What was your experience like when you were abroad for medical treatment?

    While I was away, I read so many embarrassing publications from the print media; most of them conflicting, almost all of them false and it was so embarrassing. You can write anything, provided it does not bother on defamation. I decided to call this meeting for me to clear the air. I noticed that that generated a lot of interest. Many people became interested and even, people who did not know about my existence. I came back. I got some texts messages from strange people, thanking God for my return. So, because of the interest, I felt there is need for us to come together in the hope that after today, we will put to to rest everything that bothered on rumour regarding my leave.

    Why were you absent from the state for a long time?

    In August or thereabout, I was privileged to be one of those nominated by the Nigeria Governors Forum to go to Germany to under study their federal system; a governor was picked from each of the six geo-political zones. I was nominated from the Southeast and we were led by our chairman, Rotimi Amaechi. I decided to go a little bit earlier through London to do my medicals because of what I will call lack of time. We don’t have time here. Got to London, did my medicals and was certified fit, was given a clean bill of health. I had a little growth on my neck that was not visible to anybody. I am a very observant person. I noticed it, showed it to my doctor. He touched it and said he did not think it was anything serious, but I should investigate it. I thought they would have seen it when they were doing the general scanning and screening, but nothing was found. So, I just singled it out and asked them to investigate it. I was referred to a doctor who after investigating it and asking me questions, of course, I told him, no pains, no symptoms, no disturbance from anywhere, said as far as he was concerned, there was nothing wrong with it, but he would also as a professional ask me to investigate it further, because I was almost running short of time. I made arrangements with them to help me get an appointment for closer examination of the growth. So, the following day, I left for Germany to join my colleagues. On that trip was my Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Jude Akubuilo, and my SSA Investment; they were already in Germany waiting for me. So, I joined them.

    After about a week, when they had set up the arrangement, I left Germany, went back to London and did the proper screening of that particular growth. They did biopsy and all that. So, in the process, it was discovered that the growth was cancerous. So, after further examination, it was discovered that the main tumour was behind my nose; it actually turned out to be what they called, nasopharyngeal cancer (cancer of the nose). At that stage, you know when people hear the word cancer, the first thing is to declare yourself dead before any assistance could come. They subjected me to further scanning to know if it had spread. Luckily, it hadn’t spread; it was just in those two areas – my nose and neck. They said the good news was that it was curable. That was when I became interested and they said, as soon as I was ready, they would commence treatment. Originally, we had planned to go from Germany to Lebanon on our way back to Nigeria, but I cancelled that trip, went back to Germany, informed my people I went with, came down to London with the commissioner. The SSA hadn’t the UK Visa then. He traveled back to Nigeria from Germany. In London, we made arrangement and agreed on when to come. So, we came back to Nigeria and within two weeks, I was able to make arrangements for transition. I wrote a letter to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, in accordance with the constitution, informing him of my decision to proceed on leave and, of course, sought his cooperation to work very well with the deputy governor, who would work as governor in my absence. Within the two weeks, we held two exco meetings; the last was held on Tuesday, the week I left. After the exco meeting, I told my exco members that I was proceeding on long vacation, which I wouldn’t know how long it would last to treat myself. That was the information they got and, of course, I told them to cooperate with the acting governor. The following day, I left for Abuja, which was a Wednesday and again attended the meeting of the governor’s forum, that night. Then ,Thursday morning, we had the National Economic Council meeting and the deputy governor was there to represent me. Got to London and settled in and the following day, Friday, I went to see the oncologist who had already made arrangements for treatments to begin and on Monday, I started treatment. I don’t think any of you has had such an experience.

    Cancer is a deadly disease and the cure is also deadly. The cure for cancer is not Panadol. the cure for cancer are not these drugs you buy off the counter. By the time you go through chemotherapy and radiotherapy, you will be a changed person. So, I started treatment; the treatment altogether lasted for 12 weeks. Throughout the period of my treatment, I was an out patient. I was never admitted in any hospital. All my treatments, I took as an out patient. During the period of treatment, I personally had challenges with the treatment because, like I said, except you see somebody that has taken that kind of treatment, it is not easy to imagine. So, when I started reading in the papers, how I went to India, how I died at so- so place, to us it was a kind of entertainment. Anytime we felt like being entertained, we called up the Nigerian papers and we will be laughing. So, it was a lot of entertainment to us, but what became worrisome was the deliberate and sustained attempt to undermine the government of Enugu State. Over the years, if you people have been following events, especially when we addressed our people, yes, we have invested a lot of money in infrastructure and other spheres of life, but I have always said that one thing we would like to leave behind is a workable system. That has always been topmost on our agenda because when we came in, yes, I was part of the last administration, but unfortunately, when we came in, there was no system in place, not even a bad one. So, we felt there was this need to have a system in place because that is the only way you can encourage continuity because in this place, a governor comes and he will want to chart his own course. But if you have a system in place, if a governor comes in, he will build on what is existing. This was a kind of opportunity to put to test the system we have put in. Everything kept on happening as if the governor was not on leave, nobody talked about strike, nobody talked about non- payment of salaries, no contractor agitated over payment of fees, everything and life continued to be normal. It was like we had increased activities in my absence and I can say that I can beat my chest to thank the deputy governor who led the team and who ensured that the system worked in my absence. I am happy that we have almost attained that height and when we will be leaving in a few years time, we will be glad we have built a system and it is a good thing to notice that we didn’t have problems, inspite of all attempts made by our brothers and sisters to undermine us. The government of Enugu State has come to stay, the system put in place by us has come to stay. The treatment officially ended on December 10 and, of course, when treatment ends, that is when the real thing starts. When I had commenced treatment, what my doctors said was that I should stay off office for six months; that was their recommendation. But by the first week of January, when we went to review my state, they were shocked at the recovery rate, they were happy with the recovery. The scan they did showed that the tumour and nose fluid had disappeared completely, not even a scar was left behind and I won’t like to use the expression that they have declared me cancer free, but that was exactly what happened. Cancer is cancer and one will be required to go there from time to time for check up to make sure it does not raise its ugly head again. But as things are now, they have succeeded in curing that disease that was detected in September last year. Coming to my staff, all attacks on them that they were hoarding information and all that was an unfair attack on them. First and foremost, they didn’t have all the information. All they knew was that I was going on vacation and I didn’t know it was the business of people to know what my activities will be when I am going on vacation. So, I decide to use the period of my vacation to take care of myself. I don’t see how it should concern anybody, I don’t see why we should owe anybody any apology. The important thing is complying with the law, making sure that, as governor of the state, you ensured that the ship of governance remained on course and not abandoning your people. So, all those unfair attacks I found a little bit mischievous and actually exposed ignorance of some of our people. I was officially discharged; not on admission, and I am still in the process of recovering. You wont expect to see me tomorrow running, but I am fitter now to resume duties. I am fit enough to ensure that government is on course with the assistance of my co-pilots.

    How come you did not let the people around you know you were traveling knowing that you are a public officer?

    The truth was that these people actually knew. I don’t think there is any public officer who goes on leave abroad to take care of health challenges. You are trying to compare it with Yar’Adua situation. It is unfortunate and wrong. Yar’Adua traveled sick, I didn’t travel sick. Cancer is something that you may have, and you look normal and act normal. I wasn’t grounded because of the sickness. I was the person that decided on when to attack it. I actually choose the period because I looked at the time table between now and the end of my tenure and I said that was the only window I had because, at the end of this year, we will be talking about local government elections. I decided on when to attack it. It was not easy for me spending Christmas in London. I was telling somebody the other day that, since I was born, except during the Nigerian war when everybody was forced out, that was the first time that I was spending four months outside Enugu. It never happened. Even when I was in school, even when I did my service. So, it wasn’t an easy thing to be away for four and half months, but it was in the interest of the people of Enugu State and also myself as well as the system we are trying to put in place to seek treatment at a time that will not adversely affect that system. It would have been more challenging to the system, if I had been away at the time of the local government elections. You can imagine what it could have looked like. That was actually what informed my decision to seek medical attention immediately. It was not an emergency at all. I decided to do it and thank God it is now past.

    The attacks against me started two weeks after I left. Some people had started writing nonsense; they were not interested in the truth. Going on vacation had nothing to do with my going to India and dying there. Why tell the nation that I was hurried into the plane and that I collapsed. I went to London as somebody fit and proper and unfortunately, they decided to handle the information the way they chose.

     

     

    Based on your experience, do you have any plan of establishing a cancer clinic at the government hospital? What is your message to the people of the state?

    Like I said earlier, this government is not about my person but what will be right and what will benefit Enugu people. Right from day one when we came in, I think it is in our four point agenda, we set out to build an ultra modern diagnostic centre. Unfortunately almost three years to the contract period, we were very badly disappointed by our contractor, I don’t like remembering that but happily we have been able to engage new contractors who are working day and night to ensure that we have such a diagnostic centre that will make provision for all these scanning machines. If we had it in place by the time I traveled, probably, I would have discovered the cancer in Enugu and not in London. So the important thing is to have this thing in place to know what your problem is. If you are properly diagnosed, you start looking for how to cure yourself. It is not just something Enugu state can do alone, but we want to provide the basic things. The entire infrastructure we are building is to attract investors and once they see a fertile ground they go there. We are praying that we will se an investor who can come here and establish a merger hospital. We will encourage such a venture. Enugu state as a government will not be ale to provide all that. For now we are providing Medicare, something that can sustain our people and we pray that someday we will get there.

    I will like to thank the people of Enugu state for their patient, their prayers and belief in the system and for being able to rebuff all attempts by enemies to drag the state down and cause trouble. I have to thank the people for being there for us. We will try to provide as much goodies as we are able to afford, we will continue to serve our people to the best of our ability, we will continue to use our resources the best way we can the best way it can serve our people, so that no matter where you are, you will feel the impact of governance. We will not like to leave this place and we will hear that community A or B did not benefit. By the time we leave government we will like to be having testimonies from even the remotest village in the state that it was this government that gave us light, it was this government that gave us road, it was this government that gave us water, there must be something you must be thankful to government for. That is our aim. So we are here to serve our people. We have two years to round off and the two years, we will use fully. We will work until 29th of May 2015 and we expect that whoever is coming in will be part of the PDP family.

    There were stories making the round like you said, people confused here and there. People expected you to speak when you came back. So why did you not speak on the day you came back, was it deliberate or part of the strategy?

    If you were at the airport you would not have asked the question. When the aircraft stopped, looking out through the window, I saw the acting governor with his wife, I saw our own local service chiefs, the commander Garrison, the police commissioner and all that. Everything looked orderly, immediately I alighted from the plane, those people disappeared. I had to stop that I won’t move an inch here until I see the acting governor and they made way for him, every where was chaos. That was how I saw him. So you expected me in that madness to start addressing press? Of course I entered my car and we came here and relaxed. There is no urgency. I am just doing this in the interest of people who have been misled. There was no opportunity to address the press.

    Now that you are back, have you written to the House of Assembly to tell them your back and when are you resuming duties?

    The problem we have is that it is like you prying into the affairs of your neighbour’s family. That was exactly what happened. It was a case of people trying to come into Enugu to find out how we run our domestic affairs. We were watching NTA from Uk, there was one person who felt agitated and doubted if the letter was written. He said if the letter was written, there will be record of it in the record of proceedings of the House of Assembly and how the approval was given and I laughed my head. Read your constitution, I don’t need the approval of the House of Assembly to go on leave. You are not required to write to the House of Assembly, you are required to write to the Speaker for his information, that you are proceeding on leave and once you are on leave, the Deputy automatically starts acting so that when he approaches the House of Assembly for the budget presentation, they don’t turn him back to say we don’t know you. That is the essence of the letter and I am expected that once I came back, I will write to him [speaker] for his information. The constitution is so clear. I am not seeking his approval to resume duties, the constitution is clear. And that is to say, I am back, incase anybody comes to you to ask of the governor. The simple answer to your question is yes, I have transmitted a letter to the House of Assembly, that I am back so that you wont have a situation where you will say we have two captains in one ship. So like you just come here now, you will notice that I did not address the deputy governor as acting governor. So we don’t have two captains in one ship so that my orderly will know whom to take instructions from. It is one ticket and once one person is away, the other person takes over. When the Deputy governor is away, I take over his duties, if he comes back, he resumes. To again answer part of your question, it is not true that governors don’t stay away for two weeks. The governor of Abia state stays at least one month every year outside. Infact under Obasanjo, there was one governor who was ruling from abroad. Some even ascribed the period to say I have stayed over 140 days and where this is from, I do not know. Some even said I have over stayed a time limit, it was not so in my letter. There was no question of time frame. I am back and I am back. But I will tell you frankly, may be not for any ailment or cancer but if I have the opportunity of doing this again, I will like to repeat it. I have no regret whatsoever, I believe I did the right thing and the comments you people dished out were based on either ignorance or people being just mischievous. I have no business telling you my story; it is not your business. The first colleague of ours that we lost in our first term, the governor of Yobe state, he died in the USA. Who knew about his problem until he died? You don’t make it so unattractive, the office of the governor. They are human beings who are entitled to some level of privacy. When I traveled to London in September, I did not travel with anybody, I went alone at least to tell you how stable and fit I was. I didn’t go even with my three year old son. My SSA on Investment joined me one week later. I didn’t travel with any human being; I was able to take care of myself. I don’t need security abroad. What you people did, I am sure will scare a lot of people who would want to be governor in the future. What ailment was not ascribed to me? There was a time they left ailment and said my son was arrested for money laundry and that when I went to bail him, I was arrested in place of my son.. so it is really sad but thank God all that is over.

     

     

     

  • Bayelsa’s new gospel of good governance

    Bayelsa’s new gospel of good governance

    In this article, FRANCIS AGBO examines the achievements of the Dickson Administration in the last one year.

    On Thursday, February 14, 2013, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson will be one year in office as the fourth executive governor of Bayelsa State. Dickson’s journey to the Creek Haven was rough and tortuous. He had an intolerant incumbent to contend with. First, the former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, in 2008, set up a kangaroo commission of enquiry to indict him, with the aim of making him unelectable, and a warrant of arrest was subsequently issued on him. When Sylva failed to cage Dickson, he moved to stop his re-election to the House of Representatives by sponsoring another candidate, Williams Ofoni. But Dickson prevailed against all odds. And then came the main battle to unseat Sylva after five years in office.

    Like the young David in the Bible, who led the Israelites to a battle against the Philistines, and used a mere sling to defeat Goliath of Gath, the dreaded warrior whose height was six cubits and a span, Dickson, fired by the conviction to deliver Bayelsans from the shackles of underdevelopment and oppression, went into a political war with a bare hand against Sylva. And despite Sylva’s deployment of the state resources to sit tight, the cop-turned lawyer floored Sylva from the very blast of whistle, and even at the Supreme Court. The rest, as they say, is history. Barely one year into his administration, the former federal legislator from Sagbama/ Ekeremor Constituency has redesigned the architecture of governance in the only Ijaw homogenous state. The testimonies of Bayelsans, especially from the masses, show clearly that they couldn’t have fared better. Yet, the governor, in his usual element, is not keen at rolling out the red carpet.

    Like the former leader of Singapore, Mr. Lee Kwan Yew, who turned around the fortunes of his country by leap-frogging Singapore from third world to first world, Dickson used the last one year to plan and hit the ground running, laying a solid foundation for the rapid development of Bayelsa State. Though his predecessor collected over N650 billion federal allocations (IGR and other grants not inclusive), Dickson inherited a hugely indebted state running into over N66 billion, with a bloated monthly wage bill of over N6billion, with staff morale at the lowest ebb. The staff audit conducted by the government showed that the bulk of the money went to ghost workers and ghost institutions. Governor Dickson has since brought sanity to public service by stopping the fraud and prosecuting the culprits.

    While taking his oath of office on February 14 last year, Dickson, popularly known as Contriman, because of his manifest connect with the grassroots and Ijaw cause, proclaimed free and compulsory education in the state. He promised to drastically trim the cost of governance, deliver developmental projects to the people and change the governance culture in the state through the enthronement of purposeful leadership that is anchored on justice, fairness, transparency and accountability. So far, the governor has walked the talk so much so that ordinary Bayelsans now call him the ‘‘talk and do governor.’’ The Dickson Administration has already constructed 41 roads, erected 18 buildings which include schools and a multi-million naira world class diagnostic centre as well as a door court house, which are to be commissioned on February 14. The administration has built an ultra- modern prison, completed and furnished the national headquarters of the Ijaw National Council, both of which have been put to use. There are other ongoing projects in the state, including the Deep Sea Port in Agger, Yenagoa Airport, the three senatorial roads, to mention but a few. The governor has promised to complete the Tower Hotel, Yenagoa and all the viable projects inherited from past administrations. Above all, there is peace, security and social justice in the once restive state, thanks to the huge investments in security and the financial autonomy granted the state judiciary by the Dickson’s administration.

    In the past, N1.685 billion was set aside monthly to run the Government House, Yenagoa, otherwise known as Creek Haven. But the Contriman has shown clearly that he is a leader of conviction and not convenience when he denied himself the luxury of living like a king. He cut Government house expenses to about N657,460,000 million, thereby saving over N1 billion for the hugely indebted state, while pensioners are smiling to the bank with over N500 million paid to them as gratuity.

    He has turned a hitherto recluse Bayelsa to a tourism and investment destination. The question those who may not have keenly followed his government may ask is, how did he achieve this feat? First, Governor Dickson invested heavily in security, outlawed kidnapping, secret cultism and all forms of criminalities hitherto used by politicians, especially incumbents, to oppress their opponents and drive away contractors from sites. Recently, Dickson prescribed death penalty for kidnappers. The governor also enacted the Compulsory Savings Law, Transparency and Accountability Law which made it mandatory for him to be prudent and accountable to the people. And with the savings regime, the state is fully prepared for the rainy day. This also implies that it will neither be indebted to businessmen nor be broke and investors are assured of great returns for their investments.

    Indeed, these measures coupled with the governor’s integrity and track record of service, helped to restore investors’ confidence in the state and that was the magic wand that made them to scramble for investment opportunities in Bayelsa.

    As Governor Dickson turns one year in office, he exudes six cardinal qualities, which make him stand tall in the comity of governors: integrity, uncommon courage, vision, conviction, service to mankind and fear of God. Indeed, it takes a man with the fear of God and audacity to sacrifice his comfort by cutting Creek Haven allocation, banned cultism and made it punishable by death with no option of fine.

    Similarly, it takes a man of conviction to honour late General Sani Abacha for creating Bayelsa State. Like the living legend, Chief Dan Agbese, posited in his column, the award came at a period in Nigerian history when identifying with the late general was like committing political hara-kiri. But Governor Dickson reputed for working according to his conscience immortalized the late General by naming an estate in the state capital after him and conferred Ijaw name on his first son, Mohammed.

    It takes a man with these qualities to declare a functional free and compulsory education in Bayelsa State. Before Dickson came to judgement in Creek Haven, no governor dared to implement free and compulsory education. The thinking, especially during the immediate past administration, was that, if education was free, there may not be enough money for the power elite to share.

    Today, the entire education sector has changed for the better. Government provides the following items free to pupils and students: textbooks, uniforms, sandals, bags, and writing materials. Government is also responsible for the payment of WAEC, NECO, and JAMB forms fees for students. Already, 400 primary schools and staff quarters for headmasters and principals are under construction across the state. Similarly, Dickson has spent over N3.1 billion, the first of its kind, on the education of indigent students of Ijaw nationality who are covered by the Bayelsa State Scholarship Scheme.

    Born on the 28th January, 1966 in the rustic riverine Toru- Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Nanaye Dickson of Orua, a descendant of the famous King Kpadia Royal House of Tarakiri Kingdom, Dickson is also a descendant of the renowned Obu warrior family of Orua, whose trademark are valour, bravery and honour Dickson attended Kolobiriowei Primary School, Toru-Orua from 1972 to 1978 where he got his First School Leaving Certificate and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Toru-Ebeni between 1978 to 1983 and obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC/GCE).

    Dickson joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1986 to raise money to further his education because his parents could no longer cater for his schooling. He gained admission in 1988 to the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt to study Law, graduating with LL.B (HONS.) in 1992. He proceeded in 1993 to earn his Bachelors of Law (B.L.HONS) from the Nigeria Law School, Lagos and was called to the Nigeria Bar the same year.

    He was Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1994, but withdrew his service to start legal practice in Port Harcourt where he worked with Serena David Dokubo & Co. He was an associate solicitor from 1994 to 1995 and moved to Aluko & Oyebode, a prominent Law firm in Lagos, in a similar position.

    In 1996, he founded Seriake Dickson & Coa Law Firm in Port Harcourt and later, Yenagoa. He was elected the pioneer Publicity Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Bayelsa State Chapter, a position he held from 1996 to 1998.

    In 1998, when all the bigwigs in Bayelsa were either in PDP or APP, (now ANPP), Dickson chose to pitch tent with the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and was elected its chairman between 1998 to 2000. He led the party to winning all the elections in Bayelsa West Senatorial District. Indeed, Bayelsa State was the only state the party recorded such victory outside the core Yoruba- speaking states. The party apparatchik rewarded him by elevating him to the post of National Legal Adviser between 2000 and 2002.

    He was elected National Legal Adviser of the foremost Pan-Ijaw socio-cultural and political group, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) from 2001 to 2003. He became a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Nigeria Bar Association between 2004 and 2006.

    The crisis in the defunct AD, coupled with his desire to help President Goodluck Jonathan, who was deputy governor at the time to succeed the former governor, Chief DSP Alamieyesiegha, made Dickson to join the PDP in 2005. He became the secretary of Jonathan’s political group, ‘Green Movement’, in 2006. Dickson was appointed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa State in 2006 by former Governor Jonathan, following the exit of Alamiesiegha.

    He was elected a member of the House of Representatives from the Sagbama/Ekeremor Constituency. Dickson served as the Chairman, House Committee on Justice. He was re-elected in 2011, but resigned after he was elected governor. In appreciation of his service to his community, Dickson was conferred with the prestigious title: Olokodau of Orua Kingdom.

    As a lawmaker, he sponsored so many critical bills, which have been passed into law and played a key role in the success recorded by the sixth National Assembly. But what is not often remembered about Dickson and for which he has not received sufficient encomium was his role in the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill at the National Assembly where he served as the Vice Chairman of the FOIB Harmonization Committee and his delivery of an entire senatorial district to AD in 1998 and 1999, as well as his amendment of the Evidence Act, the first ever since 1954.

    The lesson from Dickson’s story is that, if this man who did not see a moving vehicle until he was 18 years old could work so hard to be governor, then there are limitless opportunities for all Bayelsan youths, if they take advantage of the enabling environment created by this government. If Dickson sustains the tempo, Bayelsa will be one of the centres of attraction in Nigeria.

     

  • Rivers 2015: Who succeeds Amaechi?

    Rivers 2015: Who succeeds Amaechi?

    Ahead of the 2015 general elections, politicians have returned to the drawing board. Can the proposed All Progressives Congress (APC) dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State? BISI OLANIYI examines the intrigues and power-play by members of the ruling and opposition parties competing for the Government House, Port-Harcourt.

     

     

    The Brick House, Port-Harcourt, is an enviable seat of government. For 13 years, it has been occupied by the governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But the four political parties that have formed the All Progressives Party (APC) are now challenging the ruling party to a duel. Will power shift to the opposition in 2015?

    Following the birth of the new party, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have swung into action. They have been sensitising their members to the significance of the merger and its implications for the 2015 general elections in the state.

    However, governorship aspirants from the four parties will now the eyeing the number one seat under one party. Thus, the leadership of the new party may have to contend with a fairly large number of governorship aspirants.

    To the ACN, the merger would end misrule and disregard for the rule of law in Nigeria. The Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Jerry Needam, noted that ahead of the 2015 general elections, said the new party has ended one-party system in Nigeria.

    The politician also believed that APC will install a credible leadership and foster prudence and accountability in governance.

    “The merger will further bring about healthy political competition in Rivers State that will produce exceptional office holders and end PDP’s style of handpicking mediocres and political jobbers as government officials.

    “The merger family in Rivers State, which constitutes 75 per cent of the population of the state, shall swallow the inconsequential number of opportunists, who have been mismanaging the state’s economy,” he said.

    However, PDP chieftains disagreed with him. Its Publicity Secretary, Mr. George Ukwuoma-Nwogba, said that the ruling party had nothing to fear, in view of the impressive performance of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

    He went down memory lane, saying that mergers, alliances, and fusion of parties are not new. Ukwuoma-Nwogba said that efforts by the opposition to unseat the PDP have failed since the begining of this political dispensation.

    “PDP in Rivers State has nothing to fear because we are fully on the ground. Governor Amaechi has done very well and has given Rivers people the cause to be with the PDP. Jerry Needam should concern himself with and dispense his energy on the outcome of the merger, to know whether he will still survive as the publicity secretary of the APC or not, ” he added.

     

    Can APC produce a

    consensus candidate?

     

    With the merger, the opposition politicians in Rivers State are restrategising ahead of 2015. Sources said that they may be compelled to present a formidable front, especially with the “civil war” in the PDP, over who succeeds Amaechi, whose term of office expires in two year’s time.

    In the spirit of the merger, it is expected that many opposition aspirants would have to work together. The main opposition aspirants in the state; Dr. Abiye Sekibo of the ACN and his APGA counterpar, Sir Celestine Omehia, were “defeated” by Amaechi during the April 26, 2011 governorship election. Before the merger, they planned to contest in 2015.

    With the latest development, either Sekibo or Omehia, who is Amaechi’s cousin, will step down. Party sources said this is necessary so that other aspirants can be mobilised to support a consensus candidate.

    Amaechi’s deft moves

     

    Amaechi ‘s deft moves may also affect political calculations. Initially, the governor was said to be warming up for the senatorial contest in his native Rivers East Senatorial District. Sources said that Senator George Sekibo, who is representing the zone, is to be compensated with a key appointment, if he concedes the slot to him.

    The calculation may have now changed as the governor is said to be interested in becoming a running mate to a Northern presidential candidate. In fact, it is being speculated that if the Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, is running for President, Amaechi may emerge his running mate. This may ultimately pitch him against his Niger Delta kinsman, President Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking re-election in 2015. But, like many politicians would do, the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has denied the ambition.

    Already, Jonathan’s men are turning the heat on the governor. He has been accused by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, of poor performance, misuse of state funds and neglect of the infrastructure battle. But he promptly replied the minister, saying that he is a failed Niger Delta Affairs minister.

    Besides, Amaechi listed some of his achievements in roads.

     

    Can PDP retain power in Rivers?

     

    To many, PDP relies on Amaechi’s achievements to seek the renewal of the PDP’s tenancy in the State House. The party believes that he has briought honour to the state as its former House of Assembly Speaker, two-time governor and Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) chairman.

    Amaechi, observers believe, performed well during his first term, especially in education, health, agriculture and power sectors. But Rivers people now complain that he has relaxed. They said the governor has stopped his surprise routine inspection of projects. Others said that he has been distracted by the NGF assignment and national politics.

    Most of the roads rehabilitated, reconstructed or dualised in Rivers State are now bad, after about six months, especially in Port Harcourt. Contracts are executed by politicians through incompetent contractors, residents college.

    Although he has not said he plans to run for any office, the popuplar thinking is that Amaechi is concentrating on his 2015 ambition because he wants to be relevant politically in post-2015. This posture contrasts sharply with his earlier intention to return to his alma mater, the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), to take up a teaching appointment.

    Amaechi recently told his Ikwerre kinsmen to forget about the governorship in 2015, stressing that it would amount to selfishness. He explained that the position should be filled by another ethnic group, in the spirit of fairness and equity.

     

    Contenders and pretenders

     

    When the governor canvassed for power shift to another ethnic group, it was believed that he was sending a warning signal to the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, an Ikwerre from Rumuepirikom community, who is eyeing either the governorship or the senato- trial slots.

    Wike, a lawyer, was the Chief of Staff in the Rivers Government House. During the electioneering, he was the Director-General of the Amaechi Campaign Organisation in 2011, before becoming the Minister of State for Education on July 14, 2011.

    Wike was elected twice as the chairman of Obio/Akpor council. He was also the President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and a member of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Local Governments Forum (CLGF).

    In 2012, his wife, Eberechi Suzzette, was appointed a judge.

    Sekibo is also interested in succeeding Amaechi. But the governor is not supporting his ambition. This has led to a division in the party. Sekibo is said to be relying on his closeness to the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, who hails from Okrika, Rivers State, to get the PDP’s ticket. But the race will be tough for all aspirants.

    Another contender is the 42 year-old chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside. He is from Opobo, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area. He was Works Commissioner. Considering the upland/riverine dichotomy, which has often played a role in the emergence of the governorship candidate, he is said to be favoured by the party.

    Senator Magnus Abe, who represents Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, wants to make history as the first Ogoni man to rule the state, since it was created on May 27, 1967.

    Abe stood by Amaechi and remained loyal to him when things were tough for the former Speaker, before the Supreme Court ruled that he should be sworn in as the governor on October 25, 2007. Abe, who was a chieftain of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), was at that time the Information Commissioner in the Odili Administration. Between 1999 and 2003, he was the Minority Leader of the House of Assembly.

    Following his assumption of office, Amaechi appointed Abe as the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), the position he held before moving to the National Assembly.

    Observers say that if Abe, who hails from Bera, Ogoni, Gokana Local Government, emerges as the next governor, it may be a set back for the agitation for the creation of the Bori State by the people of Ogoni.

    Also in the race is the 2007 governorship candidate of the Action Congress (AC), Prince Tonye Princewill, who defected to the PDP after losing the election. He is very close to Amaechi.

    Princewill is the son of the paramount ruler of Kalabari Kingdom, King Theophilus Princewill, who is the former chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers. Since the state was created, no Kalabari person has been governor of Rivers State. But the prince said that he will break the jinx.

    Amaechi’s deputy, Tele Ikuru, an engineer, who hails from Ikuru, has been quiet on his 2015 ambition, but he may not be ruled out of the governorship or senatorial race.

     

  • Turnout of voters declining, says LASIEC

    Turnout of voters declining, says LASIEC

    Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has expressed worry over the decline in voter’s turn-out at council elections, saying that the trend is alarming.

    LASIEC Chairman Justice Fatai Adeyinka (rtd) urged political parties, civil societies, the media and other stakeholders to sensitise the people to the importance of grassroots elections in the state.

    Justice Adeyinka, who addressed a meeting of political party leaders in his office, said the commission would conduct a by-election at’ Ward A’ of the Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area on February 26. The councillorship seat became vacant, following the demise of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) councillor, Mr. Abayomi Akintokun, on September 3, last year. The chairman said the notice of the by-election had been published on February 7.

    The LASIEC boss lamented the low turn-out at previous council polls, urging the party leaders to mobilise Lagosians for subsequent elections.

    “I will like to draw your attention to the decline in voters turn-out in local government elections in Lagos State and other states of the Federation. This decline has been attributed to apathy and general lack of interest on the part of the electorate. The political parties, LASIEC and other stakeholders should individually and jointly take steps to arrest the alarming decline”.

    Justice Adeyinka said the electoral commission had embarked on rigorous civic education to sensitise stakeholders to the import of the grassroots elections, including the parties, security personnel, civil society groups and other government officials.

    He urged the stakeholders to encourage eligible voters to perform their civic responsibilities during the bye-election taking place at Ward A, Alayabiagba, Ajeromi/Ifelodun local government area.

    “The voting procedure of “open-secret-open”, by which accreditation will take place between 9 am and 3 pm will be used. There are 39 polling units in Ward A. Votes will be counted at each polling unit. The results from the 39 polling units will be collated at the collation centre. The total results will be announced at the collation centre by the Returning Officer. Eligible voters should conduct themselves in an orderly manner and shun violence and other vices that mar elections”, he said.

     

  • North ‘ll embrace APC

    North ‘ll embrace APC

    The Nasarawa State chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Bashir Jabiru, has said that the North will prefer the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the next general elections. He said the new party will dislodge the PDP, urging members to gird their loins.

    Jabiru said the excitement that greeted the birth of the ACP showed that Nigerians were tired of the PDP administration.

    He said the PDP government has become the greatest corrupter of society, stressing that theft and graft have continued unabated.

    Jabiru praised the efforts of the leadership of the four major political parties, which formed APC, for their courage, selfless service and foresight, assuring that the party will liberate Nigeria.

    The politician, who spoke on phone with our correspondent, said APC would provide credible leadership worthy of pride.

    Jamiru said that the manifesto of the party would soon be unveiled by the alliance leaders. He said the manifesto would reflect the progressive programmes for a rescue mission.

    Jabiru said APC would resolve unemployment, fight the infrastructure battle, improve education, defend the health sector and fight corruption.

    His words: “I want to commend the effort of the national leaders of the ACN, CPC, APGA and ANPP for seeing the need to set this nation free from the bondage of the PDP. It is now that we can now move forward and chase the PDP out of the Aso Villa in 2015.

    “PDP is using propaganda and they have nothing to offer this great nation and our coming together shows that people are no more comfortable with the present administration, which is full of corruption.

    “But, with the emergence of APC, our people should be assured that the party will take the nation to the destination by the time we assume office in 2015.

    “The good work our governor, Alhaji Al-makura, is doing here in Nasarawa State andwhat the governors of our party are doing in the Southwest and what Oshiomhole is doing in Edo, I am sure people have seen the progressiveness in the APC and they will be happy to give PDP a red card”.

     

  • ‘Aregbesola Administration on course’

    ‘Aregbesola Administration on course’

    Osun State Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Special Duties Mr. Stephen Kola-Balogun spoke with Musa Odoshimokhe on the rural development programmes of the Aregbesola Administration.

     

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the programmes of Osun State government as cosmetic. What is your reaction?

    It is really laughable. When the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power for seven and half years, it could not make an impact on the lives of the people. Look at it critically; what has the People Democratic Party (PDP) got to show as its achievements in office in all the years it ruled Osun State? Of course, seven years is a very long time for one to make impact. The current administration has not spent more than two and half years and the people of Osun are seeing the projects embarked upon by the government. Government has already carved out a standard that is no longer as usual. Placing the records side by side, what did PDP do in term of employment? What did they do in term of providing social benefit for the aged? What about the physically challenged? I can conveniently say that the Aregbesola Administration is in touch with these people. He shares in their pains, loves them and has evolved packages for them to meet their challenges. This is not a propaganda. It is what is on the ground and they are verifiable. These are facts that can be proved and both administrations could be compared in terms of performance. Osun is making progress and on a steady march; not even million of forces lined up by the PDP elements will distract the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). It is unfortunate that people are really trying to find out the achievement of the past government because it puts Osun in reverse for over seven and half years. There should be no basis to compare, as far as I am concerned. Having said that, I put the question to you, what has the past administration achieved in State of Osun?

    Political motives have been read into the Osun anthem, which is recited after the National Anthem. Why should government allow this?

    What the government is just trying to do is to create awareness and raise the consciousness of the people to arise and join in the building of the state. It is making State of Osun part and parcel of the developmental efforts. The government wants the people to believe in themselves and have a sense of belonging in their state and I think that is very important. I am not going to be hypocritical. When I came in as the commissioner in the state, it took a while to know the anthem and now it is part of me. I understand where the governor is coming from. Usually, when we have events, we start with the National Anthem and immediately we have it, we now recite the state anthem. I must say that every time we say the National Anthem, they actually respect it and stand still as it runs its course, but very few people recite the words. In other word, the National Anthem is there, but they don’t really understand the message. But immediately the Omoluabi Anthem comes up, you could see the difference; both educated and illiterates who sell pepper and palm wine in the market join in reciting it. They are filled with pride that they are part of Osun and love the clarion call to build the state. What the people have shown is that they identified withthe culture and in other words, it raises their enthusiasm and kindred spirits. Again, the governor has not said the anthem is competing with the National Anthem. The National Anthem always comes first, but what I have noticed is that very few people recite the words.

    How far has the administration gone in the implementation of its rural development programmes?

    What is government? It is for the people by the people and for the people and my governor is fully aware of that. He is happy when they surround him. He believes that power belongs to the people and he is quite aware that when you have the people, you don’t have problem. He wants them to be part of the progressive march and would do all that is necessary to assuage their problems. The governor wants to know what they are doing, what they want and what they want to achieve. And that is what the Aregbesola Administration is all about. He has set the goals and wants to know at every point in time whether the people are being carried along. He wants to ensure that no constraints hinder them from getting what they are supposed to have.

    Can ACN government sustain its tempo of achievements in the State of Osun in the coming years?

    We already have a template for that. Look at Lagos State. ACN has been in control of Lagos State since 1999 and now we are in 2013 and it is waxing stronger. The people in Lagos and Osun states have been good governance and they are very happy. In Osun, government is caring for all segments of society; the youth, elderly, culture, sports, health. Government believes in the infrastructural development and what ever political action that is needed to back them up would not be infringed upon. We are trying to bring government back to the people; we are trying to answer the yearnings of the people. In Osun, we are giving the people the things that would add value to their lives; we are bringing succour to families that have been denied opportunities to good life. And I can assure you that another mandate will be given to us in the State of Osun. The people love the governor.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘Merger will prevent one-party system’

    ‘Merger will prevent one-party system’

    Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, in this interview with   EMMANUEL OLADESU and JEREMIAH OKE,  explains the significance of the merger and implications for 2015 general elections. 

     

    How did the four political parties come about the name, All Progressive Congress (APC)?

    There is nothing unusual about that. I cannot tell you how we came about the name, but coming together is more important to us right from 2005. We made an effort between 2005 and 2006 that all opposition parties should come together before 2007, particularly the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and ANPP, but it didn’t work. We formed the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and went straight to form alliance with ANPP towards 2007 elections. That seemed to have threatened Obasanjo so much that he misbehaved in 2007 elections to the extent that the late President Yar ‘Adua came to say that the election that brought them to power was severely flawed.

    Unfortunately, ANPP joined the PDP in their Government of National Unity and that ended the alliance. In 2010, we tried again, but unfortunately, it could not materialise. Some groups joined AD to become the ACN. The ACN has been in the front seat to ensure that all opposition parties work together since that time. Towards the 2011 election, ACN and CPC negotiated the possibility of an alliance till almost a week to the elections, but it could not work. We were not happy; we felt very disappointed. This time around, we thought we started where we ended with the CPC. Fortunately, before we took off, the ANPP decided to come on board and we quickly set up a committee of ACN to start negotiation with them. The CPC set up its own committee and ANPP set up its own committee and we all accepted to work together. I think the APGA does not want to be left behind; that is why they also joined us. We rejoice over this and we have to celebrate it. The committee has not reported back to us, but we are happy so far that they are giving us a symbol of desirability of coming together of all the opposition parties. I think, the situation has been so well received by the country that, before long, we shall be able to establish this party properly and it will be the only progressive party that Africa will be able to witness and before long, PDP will stop calling itself the largest party inAfrica.

    What is the significant of the merger of the four parties?

    The significance of the merger is to prevent one-party system because one-party system is not good in a democracy. But at the rate we are going, PDP is using the electoral institutions and the police to foist one-party system on the country. Therefore, we think, if the opposition parties can come together and decide to form an alliance, it will prevent one-party system.

    How are we sure that there will not be tension between the four parties, if they perceive themselves as the senior or junior partners in the alliance?

    If the merger is the alliance of two political parties, you can be talking about senior and junior. But the merger, as we can see it now, is the alliance of four political parties. Ranking will be very difficult in this kind of situation. What we think is that progressives are progressives, no matter where they are, and we should move on because it may not be all the parties that are signing up now that will eventually come on board at the end of the day. We know for sure that more than 70 per cent of PDP will also be coming on board, as soon as the platform is properly laid.

    We learnt that ACN is trying to reconcile General Buhari (rtd) with his former party, ANPP. How far has the reconciliation gone?

    We have never attempted such a thing. General Buhari has never told us he was quarreling with ANPP; neither has ANPP told us that they were quarreling with General Buhari. General Buhari joined the ANPP and used the platform to contest for an election twice and, if he decided to form his own party, he did nothing wrong. But had it been when he formed the CPC and before too long, CPC is as big as ANPP, if not bigger than ANPP, I can say there is a quarrell. If you plant a seed, it can produce a fruit bigger than the original seed you planted. So, I don’t think they are quarreling with each other, but I think, in a democracy, we try to establish a policy and if it is not possible within the party, you can come out and try your own. Reality has dawned on us today that, unless we come together, there is no way we can be able to have enough strength to deal with the PDP.

    Now that the new party has been born, what is the fate of ACN, ANPP, CPC and APGA?

    That is the essence of it; it is a matter of sacrifice. We are going to surrender our certificates to the Independent Nigeria Electoral Commission (INEC) and we stop being called ACN. Also, CPC will surrender its own certificate and it will stop being called CPC. The ANPP will also surrender its own certificate to the INEC and they will stop calling themselves ANPP, while APGA will do the same and from there, a new party is born. And nobody will know himself as either ACN, ANPP, APGA or CPC; we will all be known as APC. So, all we need to do is to fine-tune and recognise that APC has been born. And no matter how you look at it, any funny name you may call it, it will cure any type of ache. Some people call it armoured personnel carrier, I will tell you, it is meant to destabiliee enemy at war. So, it depends on the way you look at it. To me, APC is a fighter; either a fighter of an ailment or fighter of war. This is a political war we are going to fight and APC will be handy in getting them down. The moment we fine-tune this platform, which we are building now, nobody will call himself ACN, CPC, ANPP, APGA again. We will all know ourselves as APC and there is going to be equality of membership.

    A section of APGA has said that it is not happy with the merger. What is your reaction to this?

    In any democracy, there is no way you won’t have a similar thing. Honestly, I was a little caught unaware because we never had prior discussion with the APGA, but because everybody sees the need for it. APGA is also a party of the winners and they don’t want to be left behind; that was why they jumped into the train. Though, it may be a shock to some of the members of the party, but we allow everybody to go back to their various parties and conduct a conference or a convention of their parties and announce to their members that they have adopted a new party and that they are happy with the new party.

    What form will the manifesto of the new party take?

    The manifesto committee is already working. It is going to reflect what we believe; general development of human being in Nigeria, general empowerment of the youths to destroy unemployment in the country and general development of the atmosphere. All these are what you can see in Lagos State today; neat houses everywhere, good houses everywhere. The welfare of the people will be much more better because the purpose of any government is to take care of the people. It is unlike what the PDP is doing. The purpose of government of PDP is sharing. They must share the money because all of them want to be rich in their party. So, they have changed government to market sharing. But in our own case, we are far different from them and that is why we call it All Progressive Congress. Progressive in our context means don’t govern for yourselves, but govern for the advantage of the generality of the people. That is the manifesto of the party for now.

    Do you envisage any hurdle from the INEC?

    There is no INEC hurdle other than giving them 90 day-notice that we are coming together before any election. We do that by attaching our name, logo, manifesto, our constitution and to abide by the rule of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. INEC does not have any choice in that matter than to accept and register us. We are coming onboard and, as soon as the platform is ready, INEC will ask us a question according to the law of the land and we will fill a form. That is the law; they don’t have a power on their own. INEC power is base on the law of Nigeria and we are going to create and develop the platform according to the law of Nigeria. So, when we act in accordance with the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, INEC has no option.

    How prepared is the new party to withstand any likely intimidation and harassment by the PDP?

    PDP is jittery already. PDP is in trouble already. PDP has been sleepless since we announced the new party. I listened to the national chairman of the party in bravado recently, that they are happy about that. I congratulate him for that courage. But with APC, 100 per cent votes in a state will not be possible again because all of us will defend our votes. I am sure we will all be everywhere in the country. Look at the party, look at the structure, and look at how it was formed. APC is everywhere in all the nooks and crannies of the country. It is not a tribal party; it is a national party. And the moment you have everybody in a party like that, voting wrongly with impunity will be checked.

    How is the party preparing for the challenge of party leadership composition at the federal and state levels?

    Currently, I am the national chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). If by tomorrow you ask me to be a local government auditor of the party, happily, I will take it because the post is not the issue, but the purpose is what we have to contribute to the making of the development of the people of Nigeria. So, I don’t think anybody will be dragging anything. In case you don’t know, we don’t pay salaries to officers, unlike the PDP. So, it makes it comfortable for us to adapt to any situation we find ourselves. As the national leader, if they ask you to go and do local government assignment, you quickly go and do it because no money is attached to it that will make you say you don’t want to leave the post. That was the way we were trained in the UPN and AD and that is the way we have been carrying on in the ACN. That same culture we are going to adopt in the APC We are not struggling for money. At our age, what money do you think I will be struggling for? So, I can assure you that there will be no power tussle in APC leadership.

    Observers are saying that the choice of the presidential candidate and his running mate could generate tension in the APC. How would this be resolved?

    That will not create problem because we are all having our eyes on the youths for most of our offices. Look at most of our people in the Senate and in the House of Representatives , even governors. They are all young people and I believe that this will be the the case in the APC. We will use the young ones so that they will be able to be the architect of their own future.

    PDP said that, by forming the APC, you are heating up the polity. How would you react to this allegation?

    If that is the way they see it, then, we are getting at them. They are becoming afraid. They are nervous. They heat is on them. They are already feeling the heat. I think I am proud about that. The opposition is giving them the heat.

    Can APC dislodge PDP in 2015?

    PDP is already dislodged. The people are angry with the PDP and that is why they are unable to move on. Do you see them doing anything? The economy is in shambles; they cannot even make roads, they can’t build infrastructure, they cannot make peace, and so, they are already in trouble. When you enter an examination hall, and all questions are difficult to answer, you know you have failed already. You look at question number one; it is difficult, two, beyond you, number three also beyond you. There in the examination hall, you have seen your result that you have failed. The paper we put before the PDP is to make peace and create peace for Nigeria, but it is too difficult for them, they can’t do it. Improve economy, they don’t know where to start. They don’t know how to do it. Education is in trouble. Unemployment is rising and many more crises in the country. So, they are confused. As all the oppositions are now together, it’s added more to their tension so, they are in trouble with the formation of APC.

    PDP is threatening to capture Lagos, Osun, Oyo and Ekiti in the next elections. What is your reaction?

    PDP is fond of boasting. I don’t comment on boasting because PDP lacks ideas and they believe that taking over is a matter of a boasting. Thank God, Nigerians are determined to dislodge them across the country. Tell me their stronghold; I don’t know where in the country that the PDP is strong. I only know that PDP is very strong in the INEC, they are very strong in the police, and they use the combination of the police and the security agents at elections. Apart from that, I don’t know where PDP is strong and I don’t see where somebody will come out in public and say he is proud of PDP, apart from the people who are stealing our oil money.

    What is your reaction to the centenary celebration of Nigeria’s amalgamation?

    Do we have anything to celebrate? Only the senseless people will be counting age. It is not how old you are now, it is how well. Nigeria is not healthy at 100. So, what are we celebrating? A country is supposed to live for thousands of years and, if it is not healthy at 100, we can call such a country a ‘sickle seller’. That means a country that may not live, and that is why APC is formed so that Nigeria will not be killed by the PDP. They love spending money and celebrating triviality. Centenary or how do you call it? To me, it is a celebration of triviality. So, there is nothing to celebrate in Nigeria yet.

    The ethnic nationalities have been clamoring for a Sovereign National Conference for years, but we are yet to see any action in this regard. Does it means that it will not hold in our life time?

    Honestly, I don’t believe in a Sovereign National Conferences, but I believe in conferences. You may not understand the difference. Let me tell you, in a Sovereign Conference, whatever you say is law. Whatever you say must be obeyed. So, how do you select people that will sit and decide those things? But I believe in conferences and that is what we have started. There are some fundamental issues that must be resolved before such conference can be held. I believe in conferences so that we can come together to solve those problems and decide on what to do so that no decision will be imposed on the people. Honestly, I don’t really support it.

    Now that the National Assembly is set to review the 1999 Constitution, what are your expectations?

    I don’t think the National Assembly will achieve much because the bases are just not there. I think what the National Assembly should do now is to look at how to strengthen the electoral system, particularly the registration of the electorate. Anything that will make the votes fraud-free is what should be done. In a country where the population is about 150 million, and we have voters registration of about 150million, we know something is wrong with that. So, I think if they make finger print of the registration biometric, we will have the kind of what we have in Ghana, where they did not finish the voting the same day and they started the following day. Until they make our registration biometric, the review of the constitution cannot take us to anywhere.

    Does the likelihood exist that the two factions of Afenifere will reconcile?

    I don’t know if Afenifere still exists, but I know of Afenifere Renewal Group. What I mean by that is that the Papa Afenifere is gone and it is gone forever, but the baby Afenifere is growing and that is what I expect in any society. When the elders are old, they encourage the youths to start putting themselves together so as to start where the elders ended. So, the Papa Afenifere is gone and gone forever, but the Afenifere Renewal Group is alive and becoming energetic. They have achieved what the Afenifere could not achieve, in terms of regional integration idea.

  • ‘PDP not afraid of APC’

    ‘PDP not afraid of APC’

    The chairman of the Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Capt. Tunji Shelle (rtd) has said that the party is not afraid of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He described the merger of the four political parties as a gang-up, adding that it may fizzle out before 2015.

    Shelle told our correspondent that the choice of the presidential candidate and running mate will divide the party and make the partners in the alliance to opt out of the merger.

    He also said that the proposed party may not be able to resolve the differences that may arive over the adoption of a logo, symbol, party constitution and ideology. Shelle said: “The merger is welcome, if the purpose is to develop Nigeria. But, if the purpose is to hijack power, it will fail. Nigeria is a big country. It is not when a party wins election that will make Nigeria great.

    “ACN, CPC, ANPP, and APGA are out for mischieve. PDP is a strong party that cannot be dislodged It is a national party with grassroots appeal. These are regional parties coming together. It is a gang-up that will collapse. It will be very tough for them. They cannot defeat PDP. We are not afraid of the merger”.

    The party leader also predicted leadership tussles in the new party, which he said, would result from personality differences.

    He said PDP would win more states in 2015, urging the APC leaders to set goals that can be achieved.

    Shelle added: “PDP has 23 states now. Others will join the fold. There are moles in the APC. Now, APGA is saying that it is not part of the new party. Many people will desert the party, ahead of 2015. Instead, PDP will continue to wax stronger and swallow the APC”.

  • Our plan for Niger Delta, by Orubebe

    Our plan for Niger Delta, by Orubebe

    Uneasy lies the head of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, at this critical time. Critics and perceived political foes have beamed a searchlight on his ministry and passed a vote of no confidence on him. Since the minister has political ambition, his associates said the criticisms are meant to ridicule him and abort his calculations, ahead of 2015. But for the minister, there is no weariness of the body and heart, despite the attacks.

    “The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is on course in bringing development to the Niger Delta. We are completing the East/West Road by December 2013. We are working on other 11 critical roads in the Niger Delta and we also have nine erosion projects going on”, Orubebe told reporters in Lagos.

    The minister has been under attack for allegedly awarding N99 billion contract. He was alleged to have inflated one of them from N1b to N12b. Critics also said that he acquired lands in Abuja and put up mansions on them. According to them, a company, Centraco, built one of the mansions for him. Others said that the politician is arrogant and haughty. When these allegations were reported by the media, Orubebe’s friends and associates bombarded him with phone calls.

    Since he entered politics in 1987, when he became a councillor, the minister has not experienced that volley of criticisms. Although he may have passed through some storm and stress as Director of Primary Education Board In Delta State, Special Adviser to the governor on Regional Planning and urban Development, and Minister of Special Duties and National Planning, this present assignment is more challenging. To Orubebe, these unfounded allegations are capable of scaring experienced and knowledgeable people from politics because they may not want their names to be dragged in the mud. “There have been a lot of negative stories about me in the media. When I reflect on how I have survived in the government, I regard it as a price to pay”, he said.

    The minister denied all the allegations with explanations backed by evidence. He said only N6b contract was awarded by his ministry, pointing out that N909m, and not N99 was paid. he also said that the ministry still owes N1.2b to three contractors.

    Orubebe shed light on the land he had acquired. He said he applied as a matter of right, like any other Nigerian, and paid the required fees. He denied erecting mansions on the land, stressing that no company has erected any structure for him on the land. He said, although the media has the duty of holding government officials accountable, they should not promote rumours that are spread maliciously to damage their reputation.

    The minister said he is passionate about the Niger Delta, contrary to the insinuation that he has performed poorly as minister responsible for the nine states. He recalled that, as minister of special duties, he had sold to the late President Umaru Yar’ Adua, the idea of going to the creeks to discuss with the authentic militants, not the commercial militants. He said he succeeded in arranging the meeting, which held at Campolo’s camp. “Against security advice, the Vice President then, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan also visited the creeks to address over 2,000 militants. It was the beginning of the amnesty programme. Oil production increased. We took a risk then. Nobody is making reference to that again”, he said.

    Critics have alleged that, under Orubebe, the East/West road has become a dream impossible. The minister disagreed, saying that the project has reached 53 percent completion. He lamented that Nigerians are not conversant with the method of releasing money for projects, following budgetary announcement. “The East/West road project was awarded in 2006 by President Obasanjo at N238b, following pressures by Niger Delta people that something must be done. We needed between N30b and N32 billion for mobilisation, but government released N1.2 b.

    “It would require one year for the design to be done, but contractors only came up with a baseline survey. When I became Minister of Niger Delta, we had to start all over again. Now, 36 out of 42 bridges and 756 out of 786 culverts have completed. It is 53 percent done. By December 2014, we will complete the project. Some contractors even said that they would deliver their parts of the project in may 2014”, he added.

    Niger Deltans have complained that flood has destroyed part of the road. Orubebe, who acknowledged the damage, said contractors are back on site. He disclosed that N120b has been earmarked for the road project. He said N70 billion would come from the federal government and N40b may be borrowed. Orubebe thanked President Jonathan for this kind gesture.

    “We are passionate about the Niger Delta and East/West Road. In addition, the ministry is setting up nine skill centres in the area. Three will be completed this year in Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. Youths would be trained in oil, gas and tourism. Each centre will admit 500 youths at a time. It has boarding facilities. Consultants will run them.

    “We are working on the other 11 critical roads in the Niger Delta and nine erosion projects. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the setting up of the Council for Niger Delta Development to meet once in a year. The Integrated Infrastructural Development Programme has already been developed. It will survive many governments to come. the NDDC Master Plan was put in place as a phylosophy and guide. It was funded by the UNDP. We have worked on the environmental mapping system. Even, if we leave, the people coming on board will work on the framework”, he stressed.

    Orubebe, in a voice laced with emotion, denied the allegation of corruption, ineptitude and arrogance. He said, as a church elder who also preach the word of God, he cannot engage in any act that would bring shame to the church. The minister explained that, with the procurement law in place, no minister can inflate a contract. “We only send proposals to the Bureau of Public Procurement for analysis and approval. The ministry must get a certificate of no objection to the FEC. The FEC awards the contracts”, he said.