The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

‘Govt must tackle insecurity’

An Itsekiri leader, Chief (Mrs.) Rita Lori Ogbebor, has declared herself vindicated over over alleged abduction and kidnap of Judges in Delta State, suspecting that the case of kidnapping of Judges who were about to deliver vital judgment was more than meet the eye.

In a release, she reacted to a report about how kidnappers prevented Judge from sitting for two months, and in addition, demanded N20 million ransom.

According to the report, Justice Flora Azinge of Otor-Udu High Court, Delta state, “had not been able to sit for two months because kidnappers had asked her to pay a ransom of N20m or she would be abducted.”

The kidnappers were reported to have told the Judge that “many of her colleagues had paid similar monies, and that if she fails to comply, her life would be in danger,” and thus frightening the woman and preventing her from going to her court for two months.

“When a similar matter occurred in Delta State in August, I shouted myself hoarse, but nobody seemed to listen. Now, it is reacing epidemic proportion,” Ogbebor lamented, reminding that “when the Okereke people went to court against the government over a parcel of land, and an interlocutory injunction was to be delivered, the Judge was allegedly kidnapped on his way to court and the case has been a subject of incessant adjournment till date.”

Ogbebor, who cried foul and petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Nigeria Bar Association and the Police said nobody listened to her, expressing worry that the similar case was the lates one about Justice Flora Azinge.”

In the two cases, the Woman Leader suspected that all indications pointed to the fact that the Judges were either kidnapped or threatened to be kidnapped to stop them from giving judgement on the matter that concerned the plaintiffs and the State Government that was the defendant because according to her, the government is still erecting structures on the land in dispute between it and the Okere people.

She therefore asked rhetorically: “If a High Court Judge was prevented from doing his duties to the country, then, aren’t we heading for anarchy?” He added that “even when I threatened to go to court if nothing was done on the matter, mum, sadly is the word even with no indication that the matter is being investigated!”

Now that another Judge was being threatened and intimidated by kidnappers, to the pont of not being able to sit for two months, Ogbebor reasoned that “justice is being arrested and I am therefore vindicated.”

The visibly worried woman then asked: “When the government has taken the law into its hand, supported by the Joint Task Force, why should anybody risk his or her life by going to court?” regretting that “there is no guarantee of justice again in Delta State and the state is descending into anarchy,” just as she called on the relevant authorities to do the needful and expeditious too, before the centre can no longer hold and anarchy is let loose upon the world.

December 7, 2012
Council polls stir agitation in Kaduna

Last Saturday’s elections into the 23 local councils in Kaduna State have led to protests by supporters of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) who contend that the polls were rigged in favour of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). For two years, officials appointed by Governor Ibrahim Yakowa have run the councils and the alleged malpractices at the polls are threatening the fragile peace in parts of the state. TONY AKOWE reports.

TWENTY-ONE months after elected officials were sacked in the 23 local government councils of Kaduna State, grassroots democracy is being restored in the state. Caretaker committees were appointed to administer the councils in August last year, five months after the last set of elected officials had been sent packing. Indications that the councils could have elected leaders before the end of this year emerged shortly after the first anniversary of Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa when he asked the Caretaker Committee to compile a list of their achievements as well as revenue profile. Shortly after that order, the State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIEC), released a timetable for the election. Political parties immediately swung into action. But a clog on the wheel soon developed when the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) went to court trying to stop the conduct of the election. But the election went ahead as the courts refused to stop it.

However, the conduct of the election has been described by political observers as an exercise that left much to be desired and fell short of expectations of the people. Before then, the governor had made promises that the state would conduct the best local government elections in the country and available information suggested that the governor made available to the commission all that was required. However, election observers, political activists and opposition parties’ leaders said the first indication that things could go wrong emerged as pre-election publicity was very poor as not many people knew there was going to be elections last Saturday in the state.

The Nation gathered that in spite of that, there was training for all those involved in the process and many expected the election to further bring to the fore the rivalry between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the state.

However, the first sign that most of the local government areas in the state may go to the PDP began to emerge when only 53 chairmanship candidates were cleared to contest the election, with seven out of the eight seats in Southern Kaduna Senatorial District almost unopposed with the only contest in Sanga local government. Comfort Amwe, a former chairman of the local government defected from the ACN to the PDP but was denied the chairmanship ticket. She allegedly moved to sponsor a candidate for the election on the platform of the CPC.

Even though this could not be confirmed, the CPC candidate who many expected to emerge the winner lost the contest to the PDP, while the party was able to win only three councilorship seats out of the 10 wards.

However, the PDP had a near clean sweep of all the local government councils in the state, leaving only Kaduna North which incidentally is the home local government of Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo to the CPC. The CPC won all available seats in the local government, but lost in its main stronghold, Zaria. The CPC members in Zaria and surrounding local governments of Soba, Giwa and Sabon Gari staged a peaceful protest against the election results to the palace of the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, who despite his ill health, came out to address the protesters, commending them for the peaceful nature of their protest, while telling them to take their grievances to the Election Petitions Tribunal which has the sole right to adjudicate such issues.

Despite the protest in the three local government areas, the State Independent Electoral Commission believes that it has done well and has conducted a credible election. The SIEC Chairperson, Mrs Hannatu Biniyat, told newsmen that “we are confident that we have conducted free, fair and credible local government elections. We are confident that we have provided a level playing ground for all the candidates and the political parties to campaign and contest the election. From the inception of this journey, we have been honest and transparent with the people of Kaduna State and all the stakeholders in the electoral process regarding the preparations for the election, the prospects, the difficulties and the challenges.

“At each time, we called stakeholders meeting and explained the extent of the preparations and solicited the support of all and sundry towards the success of the election. I must say that we received the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders and the security agencies. We deployed sufficient electoral materials to all the polling units across the state. We deployed trained personnel to all the polling units both as presiding officers, supervisors and returning officers.

“Our commission has never claimed perfection. We cannot claim perfection as the process of organizing election involved massive deployment of personnel and materials. Infact, organizing election is a complex and intricate web and unless properly planned and managed can fall off the radar.

“Sometimes, delivery can fall short of projections but in the few polling units that had challenges, we rallied round quickly and made sure that the people exercised their franchise within the time allotted and prescribed for the exercise. We are confident that we remained within the ambit of the law and the constitution both before and during the elections. We will still remain resolute on the part o the rule of law and due process until all the post election issues are resolved”.

Local observers who monitored the election said they were satisfied with the conduct of the election despite the logistics challenges that almost mar its conduct. Spokesman of the observers, Danjuma Sarki said that despite the challenges of logistics and late arrival of materials, SIECOM conducted a peaceful election despite the tense security atmosphere in the state.

He admitted the late arrival of materials, saying, “there were logistics challenges in some local government areas, especially Kaduna North, Kaduna South and Chikun, pointing out that accreditation and voting in these local government areas started late because of late distribution of materials”. Also, Mr. Festus Okoye, National Coordinator of the Independent Election Monitoring Group, told The Nation that even though people have the right to protest, only a duly constituted Election Tribunal can upturn the election results already announced.

According to him, “while we recognise the right of people to protest if they perceived that their electoral preferences have been tampered with, we also appreciate the fact that these are very unusual times. A large majority of the populace are nervous and apprehensive given the complex and complicated security problems and challenges facing Kaduna state and the country.

“This complex security situation has led to slow economic growth, capital flight, slow down on new investments, migration and ethnic nationalities. This state of affairs therefore demands a high level of caution, rational thinking and discipline in the ventilation of grieviances.

“We therefore urge persons and parties that are aggrieved to consider the plight of persons already traumatized from the security challenges facing the state. they should have faith in the electoral process and the dispute resolution mechanism already in place. It is by so doing that peace and stability will have a pride of place”.

Okoye ,who had earlier cried out about poor logistics arrangement for the election, however, said that while the pre-election matters were well dealt with before the election, the major challenge was the distribution of electoral materials within the three local government within the metropolis. These challenges could eventually lead to cancellation of the election is Barnawa ward of Kaduna South local government area where it was evident that there was no election at all”.

Meanwhile, Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa has already inaugurated the newly elected council chairmen with a warning that the government will not condone their constant absenteesm from the councils and making the state capital their base rather than sitting back and fulfilling their electoral promises.

He told the chairmen that: “I expect you all to stay with your people at your respective local governments. You asked them for their votes and they gave you, and so I don’t expect you not to stay with them and listen to them. The just concluded elections wasn’t so much about who won or who lost, it is more on what development you are ready to impact on your councils. And because you are the closest tier of government to the people, you have a big burden on you not to disappoint them. Their eyes will be on you and my own eyes will also be on you.”

The elected chairmen are Idris Musa Alhassan (Birnin Gwari), Aliyu Waziri (Chikun), Kabiru Tsoho Yakawada (Giwa), Shehu Abubakar (Igabi), Alhassan Mohammed Datti (Ikara), Barrister Musa Yahaya Suleiman (Jaba), Dan Amos (Jama’a), Peter Agite (Kachia), Bala Isah Idris (Kaduna South) and Akuso Danjuma (Kagarko). Others are Ibrahim Gajere (Kajuru), Kumai Badu (Kaura), Shehu Usman Ibrahim (Kauru), Khalid Yelwa Kubau (Kubau), Alhaji Umar Ibrahim (Kudan), Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir Lazaru (Lere), Abdu Bala Gangara (Makarfi), Abubakar Mohammed Master (Sabon Gari), Emmaneul Adamu Dan Zaria (Sanga), Hon. Kawu Ibrahim Yakasai (Soba), Christopher Haruna (Zangon Kataf) and Hon. Lawal Balarabe (Zaria). Samaila Suleiman (Kaduna North) is the only chairman elected on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), while the remaining 23 local government councils were won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

December 6, 2012
Qualities of true Awoists, by Makinde

Professor Moses Akinola Makinde spoke with journalists on the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the establishment of the Obafemi Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance which he now heads. Sulaiman Salawudeen was there.

You are linked with the establishment of Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance. What is the aim of the centre?

The fact is that Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola is a true Awoist. He simply found me out and gave me the job. What he did was what Chief Awolowo would do: Seek out competent people and give them the job. The centre wants the legacies of Chief Awolowo re-enacted; that is what it is out to achieve in Osun State first and foremost, and in the old Western Region, including Edo and Delta. The centre’s name is Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance. Awolowo has a philosophy, ideology and you should know that Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is the only party with an ideology. You want to rule, you must have an idea what you want to do. Other political parties don’t have an idea of what they want to do! All they want to do is share positions and make money, and that is what I mean by “job for the boys.” If you have an idea, you search for people who would make the idea work and I mean a brilliant search.

In few months, what should Nigerians expect from the centre?

Everything depends on funding. We are waiting for a bill to be sent to the state House of Assembly for a law. Right now, we are not independent. The governor has been the one funding the activities. We will soon, later this month, hold our maiden lecture in which we want public figures to come and deliberate. Then early next year, we will follow exactly what we have in the blueprint. The centre will be having conferences and workshops. The conferences, will centre on the theme: Awolowo’s philosophy, ideology and good governance. We have an editorial committee which I will head and we will scrutinise all the papers and those that are good for publication, we will publish in the centre’s proceedings. We have a Journal for Awolowo’s Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance.

How are things turning up at the centre?

We are just starting. Right now, I am the Director General while Mr. Mustapha is the Head of Planning, Media and Linkage. We have a Secretary and an Administrative Secretary. Very soon, we will have other staff like the Director of Training who must have a doctorate degree. I am following the pattern of appointment which Awolowo laid down and of course which is what Aregbesola did by appointing me. I didn’t apply for this job. He said this is what I want to do, he gave me the name, of course I modified it and set up the centre. He said I should cost it and I said what about the buildings? He said I’ve got the buildings. So, I was searching for somebody who would be in charge of planning and so on. I was told that somebody who is very good in that area works in The Gambia. I contacted him and I wooed him and brought him here on October 1. When he was coming, he had a very good recommendation from the Nigerian High Commission in The Gambia. I saw a profile of what he had done and I said I must get this one. If I had wanted a job for the boys, I could have taken anyone and I have been talking with the governor that appointments at the centre is not job for the boys.

Despite your being an Ekiti man, how did you come by the job?

Chief Obafemi Awolowo surrounded himself with competent people. He went to every corner in search of people who were very competent, diligent and thorough. He was a diligent, thorough and competent person, so he would look for such people to work with him. Aregbesola’s appointment reminds me of what Chief Awolowo used to do. I am from Ekiti State, but I think I can work anywhere in Nigeria. In the United States, the President would go anywhere to search for competent hands. It’s not job for the boys who are your wife’s relatives or your friends or things like that. You don’t just want to give jobs to people because they are your friends, and if we keep on doing that, Nigeria will not make any progress. There is no reason why Mr. President should not look everywhere in the country and seek out somebody who is good for any job and give him the job, even if he is not a member of his party.

What have you done for Awolowo that qualified you for this job or were you just picked?

When Dr. Kayode Fayemi was a governorship candidate, he invited me to deliver a lecture because he knows the work I have done on Awo. In fact, I was late and they were all waiting for me. Aregbesola was there. There must have been some discussion among them about me. So, by the time Aregbesola was being sworn in as governor, he did something that made me say ah, this is Awo incarnate! In 1979, I was a member of the think-tank; Professor Sam Aluko was the chairman. In the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) anthem, there was something about egalitarianism and when Aregbesola spoke and he mentioned things about egalitarianism, it reminded me of those days. Then I decided that this is a good man, a man after my heart. I sent a text to congratulate him and for bringing back the Awo legacy to Osun State. I was so excited.

On this job, I just got the text that “I want you to put up a centre on Awo’s ideology for me in Osun State.” I said. well, that must be the most interesting job I have ever got because of my own interest in Awo, too, then I was still in the Obafemi Awolowo University on contract. I came up with the name and a blueprint and he said I should cost it. Then I said I don’t know anything about costing when building is involved. He said I should forget about buildings and I said that is alright. I gave him my publications on Awo. Awo as a Philosopher he said he was seeing it for the first time. Awo’s Last Conversation and others and he knew this is a man who had spent most of his time on Awolowo. There is no other Nigeria, who has got such a rigorous and engaging conversation with Chief Awolowo for three and half hours. Now they have published another one. Professor Osinbajo has even suggested that the book should be recommended for secondary schools because here, we do not know our heroes. We do not read about our heroes. They know about Chairman Mao, the Chinese hero; they know about Maoism. Here, people who never grew up when Awolowo was alive never knew Awolowo. And history is very important. In Nigeria, we know a lot about Winston Churchill, we know about the Victorian era but here we don’t know about our own heroes. I introduced the Awo philosophy in the United States. I introduced a course on Social Philosophy. When I was in the US as a scholar, they called for papers on Afro-American philosophy, on social and political philosophy. The Africans there mentioned Jomo Kenyatta, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Kwame Nkrumah, and Julius Nyerere and said they should write about them. When I got the invitation to present a paper, I wrote back to say what they gave me was intellectual bankruptcy of African political writers. I told them that more than all the people mentioned, the greatest and the most prolific Obafemi Awolowo, was not included. I said because Awolowo was never head of state, you left him out because al the people you have included had been Head of State. I said all these pople had not written anything compared to Awolowo and I said I am writing on Awolowo and they apologised to me. To really tell them I knew what I mean, I wrote to Chief Awolowo and he sent me two sets of his books, all his books. It arrived a day before I was to present the lecture and on the day I presented a box of the books to the community after my lecture. I gave it to the university. Already, I had established a course on Social and Political Philosophy in the university. I taught Awo, Nyerere and Awo has become a permanent feature there now. Maybe when the governor read all these things, he was convinced I could do the job and he had no doubt that this is the man that could do this job.

Awolowo was an international figure but fate had it that he was a Nigerian and he never really emerged as a head of state. Is Aregbesola not limiting him further by making it a state idea?

Somebody has to start something; all Nigerian governors cannot say they want to fund this. Anywhere in the world, ideas are initiated by one person and if they are good , he sells it to others and they will take it. What Aregbesola has done is to start the idea then others who are interested in what we are doing will join us. We expect that the parliamentarians, the civil servants and others who have come to the workshop and learn about ethics, social and political philosophy, discipline, transparency and good governance and learn to eliminate all the evils Awo called “negative emotions”; when we set out to eliminate all that, then we would have lived up to the philosophy of Awo and John Dewey. John Dewey is an American philosopher and he came up with “Learning by Doing.” We learn by doing. So, we expect that having learnt all these things, go and do it. After some years, any state that still remains corrupt, not transparent and still has not imbibed the ethics, I think the governor of such state himself should declare his state a failed state because it has refused to learn. If you are a reasonable person, tell me who does not like good ideas? Everything was developed through ideas, either of one man or a group. Einstein’s idea of Relativity that has shaped the whole world is an idea of one man. When Aregbesola gave the idea, I’m sure all the governors would like it.

What relationship would the institute have with some of the universities in the South West? Is it going to stand on its own or would affiliate with a university?

It will not be an affiliate of any university because by such, it would be under the control of such university. Rather we are going to have linkage. That is, we are going to have resource persons. Very soon, we will go to some vice chancellors and request that we want to teach ethics. As far as Ethics is concerned, we want them to learn Kantian Categorical Theory and Utilitarianism of Bentham and Mill, which brought out “the greatest good for the greatest number.” These theories would be taught by academics. Do you know Awolowo was a great academic? He was a great academic.

When you bring academics, they bring theory. How can we relate what they will bring to reality?

Philosophers often say that Africans are incapable of knowing what inconsistency means. I used to argue that this is not true. I used to attack them but now I agree with them because we are very inconsistent in our thought. That is why you have somebody in Party A today, tomorrow you find him in Party B. Today, he is in PDP, tomorrow ACN and the next day, Labour Party. That is inconsistency and that is not part of what Awolowo taught. If you are going to be an Awoist, you must be consistent. I want to say that if there is any person or politician who has been inconsistent, cut that person out. That person is not an Awoist. If people who are inconsistent are calling themselves Awoists, they are not and Awo himself will judge them.

But we have some personalities with that trait…

We have 150 million Nigerians. Such personalities are not Awoists because they are inconsistent.

But they claim that they are Awoists…

Yes. You can tell me that you are the Queen of England or the King of Idanre.

So, you are with the intent of re-shaping such people…

Yes, if they can come back to being consistent because they have no patience. Inconsistency in some cases exists because of economic reasons. If they don’t get money here, they get it there, and there are many of such people all over the country. Awolowo was the consistent type. I know that in 1979, NPN came to Awo to woo him; gave him plenty of money, but he refused. The other parties were bought and they said it was an ‘accord’. But they could not buy Awolowo, he refused to join them. Of course, it was an accord of folly because they dumped them later. We have to be consistent, it is very important. And we want to make this intellectual. I know many people in this country who have been very consistent. The younger brother of a presidential candidate was with me on the board of NAL Merchant Bank and he would say I have a brother who wants academics and intellectuals, and he will give them plenty of money. I knew many professors in Ife who were coming to our meetings because we were for the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and when they got plenty of money and went away. They became very big shots but that’s not my own style. So, if I want to be inconsistent, I could have been but I was always thinking of Chief Awolowo’s ideals.

You cannot be consistent if you are not disciplined. Awo said that you must be self-disciplined if you want to discipline others. You can’t call your commissioner and sack him because he embezzled money when you yourself are culpable. There are many ministers now; when they steal money, the President cannot sack them because if he does, he will be in trouble. You cannot discipline others unless you are self-disciplined.

December 6, 2012
PDP elders seek Hembe’s recall

Iorwase Hembe, the embattled House of Representatives member, representing Konshisha/Vandeikya Federal Constituency in Benue State, is facing another battle of his life as elders of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), want his seat declared vacant.

The elders from his federal constituency also want him recalled as they scheme for another by election. Reason: Hembe’s alleged engagement in anti-party activities.

Hembe, a former chairman, House Committee on Capital Market, recently had a running battle with the Director General of the Capital Market, Ms .Etteh,who accused him of corruption, an allegation wver which he is facing trial before an Abuja High Court on corruption charges.

In a four-page petition against Hembe, jointly signed by Engr. Edward Ujege, Dr. Mathias Byuan, Amb. Awuhe Ikyongo and 47 other PDP elders from Konshisha/Vandeikya federal constituency, addressed to state chairman of PDP in Makurdi, which was obtained exclusively by The Nation, the elders stated: “Hembe has violated the constitution of the PDP, Article 58 (1) (f)2012 as amended, which provides that the part shall have the power s to discipline any member who engages in anti-party activities, and section 68(1)(g) of the constitution as amended .

This section according to the PDP chieftain, provides that a person whose election into the House was sponsored by political party and has become a member of another political party before the expiration of the period, for which he was elected, shall vacate his seat.

They alleged further that Hembe, who was elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP, worked for Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as chairmanship and councillorship candidates respectively during the last local government polls in Benue State.

The petition further claimed that Hembe also organised a ACN rally in his Mbatser/Mbagusu council ward in Konshisha Local Government area on November 7, 2012 which was video-taped and attached to the petition against him to the State Working Committee (SWC) of the PDP.

The Nation gathered that very soon, the party in the state might raise a panel to investigate Hembe and push for deciplinary actions against him.

However, the state publicity of the PDP, Hon Godwin Ayihe refused to comment on the matter as he did not pick his call nor reply text messages sent to him by this correspondent.

Hembe’s phone lines were also switched off just as the security man at his NUJ Secondary School, Makurdi residence told our correspondent that he had gone to Abuja.

December 5, 2012
Yobe denies officials’ relocation

The Special Adviser to Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam on Press Affairs and Information, Abdullahi Bego, has said the alleged relocation of government officials to neighbouring states due to insecurity was unfounded.

Bego, who reacted to the statement credited to the Niger State governor, Dr. Babagida Aliyu, that insecurity was taking it toll on the Yobe State government affirmed that the situation was under control in the state.

He said: “We state categorically that no government official has relocated to Kano or Jigawa nor has anyone given up in Yobe State or anywhere in the country. As Muslims and Christians, we believe in the scriptural encouragement that ease will follow every hardship.”

The governor’s aide further remarked that security agencies were working hard to make the state safe with the co-operation of the citizens through vigilance. “This is even more so with the hard work of our security agencies and the vigilance of ordinary citizens.”

He further stated that the on-going fight to ensure peace and security in the state would be achieved because all hands were on deck to mitigate the situation. “The sacrifice that we make as individual and collectives and what we actually do as leaders and people in positions of authority.”

Expressing his concern for the insecurity in the North and the country that the Governor Ibrahim Gaidam administration remains faithful to its mandate and would continue undaunted to deliver on its mandate.

“It therefore came as a huge surprise that Governor Babangida Aliyu relying on a speculative reports from one newspaper, would speak of government institution taking flight out of the state.”

“I wasn’t very happy when I read in the papers that in Yobe State, the legislators and commissioners were moving to Jigawa. That means we are already giving up because if the government institution moved, it means those who are after us have defeated us and had taken over.”

The further expressed the belief that the Niger State governor should have contacted his counterpart on the issue before using a newspaper report to make such weighty comments.

“If Governor Aliyu was unable for whatever reason to contact Governor Gaidam, one would expect him to show circumspection using a newspaper report to make such weight comments.”

Governor Aliyu had said during the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation lecture series in Abuja that insecurity had forced top Yobe State government officials to relocate from Damaturu, the state capital to neibouring states.

“As chairman of the Northern Governor’s Forum and leader who continues to make a mark on the lives of the people, we hold Governor Aliyu in highest esteem and hope that this clarification will help inform his comment about Yobe State in the future,” Bego said.

December 5, 2012
Tambuwal and Sokoto 2015 calculations

Politics is in the air in Sokoto State and politicians are already showing their intentions for various offices. Correspondent ADAMU SULAIMAN writes on the soaring popularity of House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, who is perceived as a major governorship contender in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal was the cynosure of all eyes in Sokoto last week. He was among eminent Nigerians who received honorary doctorate degrees from the Usman Dan Fodio University, in the heart of the Caliphate. He shared the joy of the moment with Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko and his Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Ameachi. But it was as if the event was mainly organised for the number four citizen as his supporters stormed the venue, asking him to join the governorship race.

Tambuwal is a household name in the ‘Born to Rule’ state. Since he became Speaker, he has also brought honour to the state. Observers marvel at the cordial relations between him and Wamakko. It is a wide departure from the tension that usually characterised relations between politicians at the home front and ‘Abuja politicians’. His supporters want him to join the governorship race early, but mum is still the word from the eminent politician.

His rivals in the race are already on the field. They are the deputy governor, Alhaji Muktar Shagari, Senator Umaru Dahiru, Yusha’u Ahmed from the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Aliyu Yabo,an engineer, Yusuf Attahiru Yabo and Farouk Malami Yabo. They are all from the South Senatorial District. To analysts, the way the Governor Aliyu Wamakko waved at those hailing Tambuwal at the ceremony confirmed that there is a deal between the duo on succession.

It is an open secret that there are alignments and re-alignments going on. For example, former governorship contenders Senator Abubakar Umar Gada and Yusuf Suleiman are now in the camp of the governor. They have ended the hostilities and refrained from criticising Wamakko. A PDP source also said they may not be averse to Tambuwal’s candidature. Former NITT Chief Executive Mahe Dange and Ambassador Ladan Abdullahi Shuni, who anchored campaigns for the former governorship aspirants, are also backing the governor.

Also honoured at the occasion were Professor John Paden from the United States, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu and the pro-Chancellor, Alhaji Bilya Sanda.

According to the university’s management, Tambuwal was honoured with a doctorate degree in Law, for his contributions to the economic, social and political development of the country. Students were clapping as his citation was read by the university orator, Dr. Dahiru Argungu.

No fewer than 300 federal lawmakers accompanied the Speaker. Observers said the huge turnout attested to his popularity in the House and a vote of confidence in his leadership. Tambuwal’s deputy, Emeka Ihedioha, and other associates described him as a man of integrity worthy of the award.

Barely three weeks ago, the state was aglow for Tambuwal. He was in the capital to bag an award by the state government. But the university award was more significant because the Speaker is the first alumnus of the institution to occupy the number four seat.

Showering encomiums on Tambuwal, the Minority Leader, in the House of Representatives, Abdulrahman Sumaila from Takai/Sumaila federal constituency, Kano State, said he had justified the confidence reposed in him. “ He has combined the necessary ingredients of leadership in so many dimensions that is why we are proud of him as a tested democrat of repute”, he said.

The three senators from Sokoto State, Ahmed Maccido, Ibrahim Gobir and Umaru Dahiru, had nice things to say about the Speaker. They were present to spice the event that was also attended by the 11 representatives from the state.

However, the ceremony was not all about political ego. The visitor to the university, President Goodluck Jonathan, enjoined well-meaning Nigerians to assist the nation’s institutions. He urged the management of universities to judiciously use the N3 billion special intervention fund to intellectual excellence. The funds are to encourage performance, not misapplication.”

The President described universities as the bedrock of societal development, promising never to neglect them. “Federal government will continue to channel and focus its support on universities for standards both in character and learning”, added the President. Echoing him, National Universities Commission (NUC) chairman Professor Julius Okojie promised not to let the government down, assuring that the funds would be deployed to academic and developmental projects.

President Jonathan urged stakeholders to demonstrate commitment to supporting universities through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative by funding and generating revenue to sustain their activities.

He thanked the governments of the catchment areas; Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara states; for their unflinching support to the university. He urged the awardees to see the awards as a call to duty, adding that “it is a mark of a new beginning and journey for self actualisation and development of Nigeria”

Governor Ameachi, who responded on behalf of the awardees, announced the endowment of a chair in the English Department of the University. He, Wamakko and Tambawal also announced that they would jointly donate a hostel to ease accommodation problem. The governor hailed the rapid academic excellence recorded by Usman Danfodiyo University, stressing that it was an endorsement of government efforts and understanding towards tackling challenges in the education sector.

“It is a replication of the scholarly legacies bequeathed to the Sokoto caliphate and institution named after the late Sheikh Usmanu Danfodiyo”, he added.

Amaechi said the two major religions of Islam and Christianity preached and encouraged the seeking of knowledge by its followers, urging Nigerians to tap from these ideas for moral development. He urged the university management to sustain the tempo of academic standard. “We as leaders will not compromise good governance for the advancement of our people”, he assured.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Riskuwa Shehu, said the second generation university has been fulfilling its mandate of meeting the training needs of sister institutions and the public.

Professor Shehu listed the challenges confronting the institution. He said the university was devastated by the 2010 flood that damaged its roads, urging the government and public-spirited individuals to assist the institution.

The University Chancellor, Chief Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzor 11, said the institution had recorded remarkable achievements, adding that it met 68.9 percent criteria for programme accreditation by the NUC.

At the ceremony were Emirs of Gwandu, Yauri, Argungu and other numerous title holders. Senator Abdul Ningi, former President Shehu Shagari, Minister for Youth Development, Inuwa Abdulkadir, and Justice Aisha Dahiru also stepped out to be counted. Others included the Vice Chancellors of BUK, FUT Minna, ATBU Bauchi, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, and University of Ilorin.

December 5, 2012
My grouse with 1999 Constitution, by Rep

As unhealthy as the 1999 Constitution seems, two of its Sections – 147 and 192 – provide for the confirmation of the nomination of persons ministers of the federation or state commissioners by the respective legislators of the levels of government. However, it is mute over the procedures to be observed before the removal of the ministers or commissioners.

This awry development may cease to be the norm if the dimension being added to the ongoing efforts at rejiging the 1999 Constitution by Hon Bamidele Faparusi who represents Emure/Gbonyin/Ekiti East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives yields fruits.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) lawmaker is poised to present a Bill on the floor of the House for an act to amend the controversial Constitution to provide for the consent of the Senate/states’ Houses of Assembly for the removal of a minister or the commissioner of a state.

Giving a background to the issue in a chat with The Nation, Faparusi explained: “Legislators (Senate and states’ Houses of Assembly), in compliance with the provision of the appropriate sections of the constitution, do expend reasonable time and energy, screening and confirming or otherwise, nominees for the offices of the minister or the commissioner as the case may be, but they are not brought into the picture when it comes to the removal of such persons from the office – minister or commissioner.”

This situation, he contended, tends to leave the ministers and commissioners at the whims of the chief executive to the extent of firing any person whom he wishes to the detriment of the state “because he was appointed to serve the state and not the person or office of the chief executive.”

He spoke further, recalling: “Mr President, through a letter addressed to the Senate President, requested the confirmation of the Senate for the removal of the former acting Chairman of Federal Character Commission (FCC) in compliance with the provision of the FCC Act Cap F7 LFM 2004. The argument then was that since the legislator confirmed the nomination of the said person into office, it naturally holds that recourse should be had to the said legislature in the issues of his removal from the same office.

“The constitution as it stands now, does not provide for the consent of the legislature when it comes to the removal of a person from the office as a minister or commissioner. This is the thrust of the bill. It is hinged on two questions: Who is the ultimate employer of the minister of the federation or commissioner of the government of a state? Can the president or a governor independently appoint a person into office as minister or commissioner without recourse to the legislature? No. If so, it is absurd that the legislator is not resorted to when such a person is to be removed. This should not be allowed to persist.”

If the bill eventually sails through on its presentation soon, Faparusi argued, “it will be of immense benefit to Nigeria, and has the capacity to restore the confidence of the society in the leadership whereby any person appointed into office as minister of commission would owe his allegiance to the state and not to the person of the chief executive.”

December 5, 2012
LASEIC begins preparations for 2014 council polls

Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) Chairman Justice Fatai Adeyinka (rtd) has lamented voters’ apathy to local government elections in the state, warning that it could erode legitimacy, good governance and democracy.

He clarified that the low turnout in recent times had no connection with the agency’s preparation for the polls across the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

Adeyinka, who spoke at the Political Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the commission at Ikeja, recalled that the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria (FOSIECON) and other independent observers within and outside the country had applauded polls conducted by the commission. He was accompanied by other electoral officials , including Mr. Lekan Mabinuori, Mr. Adeoye Ogundipe, Mrs. Felicia Oriola, Mr. Tokunbo Amele, Mr. Ade Jeje and Mrs. Ronke Famakinwa.

At the meeting attended by representatives of political parties, Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola and former Lagos State National Conscience Party (NCP) chairman Afolabi Gbajumo delivered lectures titled: “Party politics, internal democracy and electoral peace”. Highlights of legal provisions guiding council polls were read out to the party leaders.

Adeyinka said LASIEC always made proper arrangements for logistics, transportation, security and distribution of electoral materials, adding that ballot boxes were customised and only political parties contesting elections had their logos printed on the customised ballot papers.

Adeyinka alluded to the adoption of the open secret system adopted for the polls, saying that plastic polling booths for voters to thumb print without other voters identifying the political parties being voted for by the electorate.

He however, lamented that post-election analysis showed that voters’ turn out was low in some areas, stressing that apathy marred the exercises in other places.

Adeyinka added: “LASIEC has observed a downward trend in the turnout of voters, particularly in the last three to four years. 781,363 voted out of 6.2 million registered voters in the 2011 local government election, which amounted to 12.78 percent, whereas in 2008, 1,054,971 voted out of 4.2 million registered voters, which amounted to 25.1 percent.

“This is a very dangerous trend which may have negative consequences on legitimacy, good governance and other components of democracy. Although democracy is not totally problem-free, it bequeathed to man his fundamental freedom of choice among political parties. What we see in some countries of the world today makes us to classify them as developed or advanced is mostly achieved through the strengthening of their democracy at the grassroots level, thus making development to evolve from the grassroots and rise up to the state and federal levels”.

Ogunmola spoke on electoral peace, saying that only free and fair elections can guarantee harmony and prevent electoral violence. He lamented that political parties have often abused the Electoral Act 2010, which empowers them to choose candidates for elections, assuring that the provision would be amended.

He added: “The task of delivering free, fair and credible elections is a collective responsibility and all of us must have a role to play in making it a reality. Credible elections are possible in Nigeria, but all of us must work together in ensuring that whatever needs to be done to bring about this objective is done”.

Gbajumo expressed worry about the lack of internal democracy in the political parties, urging stakeholders to moderate the tension between party democracy and internal democracy.

December 5, 2012
‘Jonathan remains PDP’s bride’

The United Progressive Party(UPP) has disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan will win the 2015 Presidential election without any threat from opposition parties despite the planned merger, which it said, would fail.

National Chairman of the UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, after the party’s first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, told newsmen that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not choose another candidate other than Jonathan for the 2015 election, warning that the PDP would lose power if it does so.

Okorie said: “The law guiding merger has made it impossible. That is why there has not been a successful merger in Nigeria and you cannot find it anywhere in the world. It is sheer deceit when you hear some political parties talking about the possibility of merger. The greatest risk any political party will take is to go into merger. The simple term is that the parties going into merger will hold national conventions separately and announce it that they are going into the arrangement. INEC will observe it and see that majority of members agreed with the plan. The first step is that the merging parties will return their certificates to INEC and wait for INEC to issue a certificate bearing the new name and that is the card.”

He spoke further: “UPP may be a new party but the players in UPP are not new. We are conversant with political party processes. For instance, PDP is stuck with President Goodluck Jonathan. Forget about those who think he will not run in 2015; he will. Those who think they will defeat Jonathan at the Eagle Square should go and have a rethink because they will not. If PDP gives Jonathan red card, that means they have given themselves red card. If PDP says they have no confidence in Jonathan, then the one they will bring will be worse.

“Do I need to ask Nigerians who the Presidential candidate of CPC is? No, because it has been zoned to an individual just like the PDP is zoned to an individual (Jonathan). So, this issue of merger has already failed because they have already understood that it is impossible.”

The UPP’s NEC also resolved to uphold the identity, characteristics and ideology of the party and that the party shall welcome, encourage and participate in political alliances with like-minded political parties for the promotion of democracy and electoral benefit to the allies without compromising the party’s identity, characteristics and ideology.

Other resolutions of the party read in part: “NEC has resolved to uphold the strictest sense of internal party democracy at all levels of the party’s organs and in dealing with members on all matters. NEC insists that only bona fide members of UPP shall have the prerogative to elect party officers at party congresses and to elect party flag bearers at party primary elections at all levels in accordance with the clear provisions of the party constitution registered with INEC.

“Our great party shall field candidates to contest all contestable elective positions at every election everywhere in Nigeria; that the UPP shall not countenance any proposal for merger with any political party either now or in the future and that the party at all levels shall endeavour at all time to observe the highest principle of credibility, responsibility, courage and boldness in all comments, reactions, input, and intervention in all political or social issues in Nigeria.”

The resolution further stated: “At any level in which we find ourselves in opposition, our criticism of government policies and actions shall be constructive without resorting to the abuse of persons and denigration of public office holders, and that the UPP shall constructively engage other political parties to ensure free and fair elections and promote the credibility of the electoral process. In this regard, the conduct of the INEC and its officers, as well as all agencies associated with the conduct of elections in Nigeria shall come under our close scrutiny at all times.

“The UPP shall mobilise other political parties and relevant stakeholders to canvass for the amendment of the Electoral Act and relevant provisions of the constitution to provide for electronic voting system with effect from 2015 general elections in Nigeria. The party supports further democratization of the process of Local Government election in Nigeria. In this regard, our great party supports the transfer of the responsibilities of the various states’ Independent Electoral Commission to INEC. In this way, the decision and timing of the conduct of Local Government election shall not be left at the whims and caprices of state governments and their political parties.”

“NEC,” the resolution further said, “upholds the principle of rotation of political offices and supports the principle of Federal Character in the appointment of public office holders as already enshrined in the 1999 Constitution without compromising merit. The party shall at all times promote the citizenship right of all Nigerians wherever they may be domiciled in the country, equity, justice and fair play.”

“The UPP shall immediately put all machinery in motion for effective participation and contest of the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria. In this regard, INEC has approved the zoning of the presidential slot of our great party for the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria to the South East geo-political zone. All aspirants from the Southeast geo-political zone wishing to contest for the office of the president in 2015 can to do so under the platform of our great party.”

UPP was registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on October 2, 2012 and was conveyed to the party through the commission on October 4, 2012.

December 4, 2012
‘Oshiomhole will sustain tempo in Edo’

Edo State Deputy Governor Dr Pius Odubu, in this interview with OSEMWENGIE BEN-OGBEMUDIA, reflects on the last governorship election in the state and why he and other politicians dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2006.

How has it been working with Governor Adams Oshiomhole?

They say the opposite attracts. So, we just blended very well and no matter the stoic picture you see of Mr Governor, he is a very simple human beings. It is very easy to get along with him; easy to work with because he believes in carrying everybody along. All of us have easy access to him, whether in the office or at home. So, whatever issues that were raised, you have direct access to him and you can discuss it with him. He is always engaging stakeholders in every issue, there will be arguments but at the end of the day consensus will be reached and that becomes the position of government. So, he is a wonderful human being, and very humorous as you know he is the one always referring me as a native doctor.

We operate as brothers, he is my senior, both in governance and in age, but we joke a lot. I accord him the maximum respect because he deserves it. He is a man that means well for the state, he is a man that is consumed with the passion to deliver to the good people of Edo State. And indeed, I am one of those that would lead the campaign to have him drafted to the national politics at the end of his tenure as Governor. Because if we have a man like him at the national level, Nigeria will surely benefit from him and we will move forward.

In the run-up to the 2007 general election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state was hit with a gale of defection and you were one of them. What happened then?

You know my tenure in the House of Representatives ended in 2007. Suddenly, there was this talk about registration. Before we knew what was happening, some of us who were perceived to be of particular tendencies were branded disloyal. So when that came up, we were de-registered. And we all gravitated to a new political party. Let me quickly clear the air here, I was a legislator at the national level, I did not operate at the state level. I was a member of the Federal House of Reps so my business was business of making laws at the national level so I cannot be tied to whatever happened at the state at that time.

Would you say the mass defection spelt doom for the PDP in the state?

Without mentioning names, some of us were dissatisfied with the way the party was being run in the state. And coupled with the fact that we were de-registered, we just decided to move on. It is always better to be a born-again democrat than to die an anti- democrat. What we did was to come together, as like minds, and worked together with other like minded progressives in the state ably championed by the Comrade Governor. And here we are, you can see what is happening today in the state and today it is clear that this crop of leadership means well for the people of the state. You can see the difference in terms of development, in all aspects of human endeavour and today, Edo State has become a reference point for achievement and performance by any governor in the country.

How did you come into politics?

Everybody is a politician in a way. I have always been very active in politics. For example, I was first the state legal adviser of Liberal Convention during the aborted Third Republic. When this dispensation came in 1999, I found myself in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and I was elected into the Federal House of Representatives in 1999. And I won the election as an unopposed candidate because after my nomination, Anthony Inye, who was the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate, stepped down for me. According to him, it was due to the respect he has for my father. My father is one of the pioneer politicians in the then Midwest region. So I was returned unopposed to the Federal House of Representatives.

And in 2003, I won the election and went back to the Federal House of Representatives. So, I was there for eight years. And towards the tail end of my second tenure there was this agitation in the state then, some of us were not too happy with what was happening to the PDP, so we decided to migrate to what is today called Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). And I was lucky to have been found worthy to be nominated as running mate to the Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

They rigged the election but with the doggedness of the Comrade Governor and the support of Edo people, we reclaimed our mandate. Then, again, we just won our second term in office and I thank God for every thing.

Which political battle has been most difficult for you since 1999?

I have fought so many political battles. This last election was my six election and by the special grace of God I have never lost a primary and I have always operated from the position of an under dog. May be because of my family background and my kind of person because they say if you humble yourself you shall be exalted. The most difficult for me was the last one, that is the one for the deputy governorship prior to the 2012 governorship election. It was difficult for me because I was unable to do anything. You are not supposed to contest for the position of the deputy governor. You are not supposed to run for the primary of the deputy governor but here I was being vilified. I was called a native doctor, called a ritualist, called a cultist and was even called a thief. But I could not reply because, who will I campaign to. For me that was the most difficult situation because we had a group of persons, who for one reason or another, wanted me out; hauling insults and abuses at me. I could not reply and I was just like a lame duck because you don’t campaign for a deputy governorship position, it is left for the governor and the party leadership to decide. For me it was a trying time and I thank my God for helping me through it. And I thank the people of Edo State for giving me the massive support. I did not even know that the people have that likeness for my person because I got overwhelming support from the length and breathe of Edo State through phone calls every day; hundreds of text message every day, people from the rural areas. They came to me that they are with me and praying for me that they applaud me for the continuous support and loyalty to the governor. That gave me hope and that was what sustained me through out that period. And I thank God that we have put that behind us now that is politics for you.

What do you think the people of the state expect from Mr Governor?

You will agree with me that Mr Governor has done the greatest good to the greatest number of persons in the shortest possible time. Before the Oshiomhole administration, like I said during the debate, Edo State was in coma and people were just watching for that day to come to give up on Edo State. Mr Governor came and he has touched every aspect of human life in the state. Today, I make bold to say that in every local government in the state, there is an ongoing project. You are also aware that thousands of classrooms have been rehabilitated and rebuilt. Before now, pupils use to sit in classrooms without roof, such that when it rains they are drenched. Before now, you have about four or five different classes in one room but today all that is history.

Before the Governor came on board, there was embargo on employment and indeed promotion. People were sacked. But today, the governor has not lifted the embargo on employment and promotion; he has employed thousands under the YES scheme. Under the Neighborhood Watch thousands of people have been employed too. And indeed teachers, doctors, nurses, Pharmacists, Accountants are being employed. As we speak, the Post Primary Education Board is in the process of employing five hundred science teachers here in Edo state. Pensioners now receive their salaries before other civil servants. We now have electricity, in my village we have trunk A road. Talking about water now, we have three dedicated Dando rigs one to each senatorial district. Before now, pipe born water was impossible in many parts of the state. Hospitals are being rebuilt or renovated and today we have a state of the art building currently going on at the Specialist hospital. You have seen markets, roads and many others. The Governor has touched human lives in many aspects and that is what he is going to continue to do. But I want to appeal to our people to continue to give support to the governor because times like this, in order to succeed, you must step on toes. Some powerful individuals few of them though, are not happy with what he is doing but he is being sustained by the prayers of everybody in the state and he is he remains undaunted and by the Special grace of God he will over come. I want to tell Edo people is that Mr Governor intends to consolidate on the gains recorded.

What are the major challenges?

The major challenge we have faced since we came in has been how to fund our projects. Yes Edo State is an oil producing state but it is very marginal. But like the Governor said, he did not come to lament, so he sat down and planned his strategy. There was this day that we slept at Government House having Exco meeting. We were fashioning out ways to look inward so as to generate money and that is how the formula of Internally Generated Revenue came about. When we came on board, the IGR was about N250million but today it hovers around N1.5billion, it got to N2.2billion at a point but it went down because of the subsidy issue. They said they have removed subsidy but that amounted to less funding for states. The Governor also decided that we must cut cost, we have blocked all leakages so as to save money. And if you look into our 2013 budget, provision for recurrent expenditure is about 1/3. We have 60 percent in favour of capital projects and 40 per cent for recurrent. So this shows that we are going to continue with the developmental projects.

December 4, 2012