Category: Politics

Rauf Aregbesola, who takes the rather simple, unconventional prefix of Ogbeni (Mr), in the midst of fellow Gubernatorial Excellencies, insists his main preoccupation, two years into his four-year tenure, is to develop his Osun people, after a rather long and parched period of virtual non-governance.

“If you had followed my inauguration speech and read our Green Book with our six-point agenda,” he told a quad of senior journalists in a rather informal chat, “that would be very clear.”

The chat was informal not because it held in Governor Aregbesola’s private home, but because of the governor’s rather informal, almost offhand style.

It indeed held at the Governor’s Office, the white-coated one-storey twin-building named Bola Ige House, after the late Chief Bola Ige, former governor of old Oyo State (now Oyo and Osun states), in whom obviously the current Osun governor is well pleased.

Indeed, a giant mural on the outside walls of the building, which proclaims them as “Our Heroes”, features the four-some of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Ige, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Adebisi Akande, Aregbesola’s predecessor in office (1999-2003), and architect of the brown-and-redbrick set of bungalows that make up the futuristic State of Osun Secretariat, Abere, which has received wide acclaim, as a lasting contribution to the development of Osun, by the Adebisi Akande Government.

Bola Ige House nestles on a hill, overlooking a landscaped valley, which harbours the dainty, set of bungalows with green roofs.

“There is no doubt,” the governor resumed, as he settled down to the session with his guests, that Friday late afternoon after the jumat prayers, “Our mission is to run a people-focused government.  Our activities are targeted at improving the lot of the majority.”

He was wearing an off-white, three-piece traditional Yoruba wear with a cap to match, complete with a pair of sandals, which he slipped on and off on the Persian rug with red patterns, as the interview, which often turned into animated debates, continued.  The half-sphere room is sparsely but tastefully furnished.

If improving the lot of the majority were its target, why did the Aregbesola administration begin with a rebranding process, which must have cost so much money, when it could have launched into projects that had direct link with the people’s welfare?

“It is not totally true that the rebranding process was our first programme – O’YES [Osun Youth Employment Scheme] was.  But I will tell you why the rebranding programme was imperative.”

He explained that O’YES was to fulfil a campaign promise to employ 20, 000 youths in the first 100 days of his government, stressing that that pledge was driven by Osun’s mass youth unemployment, and its attendant helplessness and near-hopelessness.

“We got 256, 000 applications.  That confirmed that the job situation was dire.  But at the end, we engaged the 20, 000 we promised.  I don’t think any government had ever done that before us.  But you must appreciate that O’YES is not conventional work.  It is rather volunteer work, which is not common here.  That was why the rebranding process was necessary – indeed, imperative.”

Delving into what he termed the “infrastructure of the mind”, Governor Aregbesola said as things stood on 26 November 2010, when he took office, governance was paralysed and the people were demoralised, near hopeless, sceptical and even cynical.  A massive reorientation programme, he reasoned, was therefore necessary.

That reorientation need gave birth to the rebranding process – forging an Osun identity the people could identify with, be proud of, and that would fire their imagination.  That, he added, came with the State of Osun official crest, a slight modification of the crest of the old Western Region, a glorious era under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which feat his government intended to repeat.

Core to this era, he continued, was what he called the Omoluabi [decent and well-bred] spirit of honesty, honour and hard work, which he regretted had all but vanished with the reign of “political mainstreamers” who had rigged elections and fraudulently taken power.

“Osun was in an ethical mess.  We badly needed rebranding to re-develop the human consciousness of our people, so that they could appreciate the infrastructure transformation to come.  We needed to re-orient them, so that they would ‘own’ the roads and other public infrastructure to come, and take full charge of them, so that they don’t decay.  The rebranding,” he declared, “was an ethical revolution, after so many years of serious doubt that government was still there.  I am happy to inform you that we are getting results.”

Having rebranded, the governor launched his agricultural programme which goal, he said, was aimed at massive food production but structured to create jobs for young and modern farmers as well as help traditional farmers to increase their crop yield and income.

“O’REAP – Osun Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Programme,” the governor enthused, “is the fountain head of our agricultural policy.”

The cardinal parts of O’REAP are O’Beef (the part that tackles livestock and animal husbandry) and O’BOPS (Osun Broiler Outgrower Scheme) to boost poultry.  Ticking them off his fingers, Governor Aregbesola said his government had committed more than N1 billion to support farmer cooperatives in input loans, cleared over 1,765 hectares of land for farm cultivation, built what he called the “largest commercial apiary in sub-Sahara Africa” to boost honey production, supported two farmer cooperatives group to cultivate a 17 kilometre stretch of maize, supported 2, 000 farmers to plant 1.3 million plantain suckers to produce plantain flour, a local staple known as elubo-ogede, supported another 220 farmer cooperatives  to run O’BOP to give egg, chicken and other poultry products, a systematic jab in the arm, aside from supporting another farmer cooperative a 400-acre cluster yam farm, to produce elubo, the popular yam flour.

Governor Aregbesola said an integral part of his agricultural policy was to avail the Osun people with balanced diet, pointing out that his government is currently supporting a farmer cooperative at Kuta-Ikoyi, in the Ola Oluwa Local Government of the state, to cultivate a 500-acre vegetable farm cluster that would feed the state and export its excess to neighbouring states, partnering the private sector to build a 78.8 capacity cattle ranch at Oloba, Iwo, with two additional ranches at Ede and Ejigbo to follow, aside from modern, hygienic but commercial abattoirs planned for Osogbo, Iwo and Ilesa.

The governor’s eyes glinted with new excitement as he launched into his education policy, insisting that his claim that the people were the cornerstone of his policy these past two years could not have been better validated.

“What we have spent on primary school grant in one year is more than what [former governor] Oyinlola spent in four years.  From N7.4 million in four years, we now spend N424 million as grant yearly.  The secondary school equivalent is N427 million, up from N117 million, in Oyinlola’s four years.  Even tertiary bursary awards:  from N32 million, we now pay N270 million as bursary,” he said.

Apart from school running grants and bursaries, the governor further explained, the O’Meal break-time daily feeding programme serves primary 1-3 pupils “nutritious” mid-day meal, with a captured population of 155, 000 kids.  Also, plans are at completion stage to hand the 750, 000-strong primary and secondary school pupil population free school uniforms.  Since the State of Osun-sponsored Omoluabi Garment Factory would produce the uniforms locally, the education policy dovetails into the policy to create youth employment.

“We have reduced school fees into our university and other higher institutions by 30 percent – and do you know,” he asked, “Among the 98 UNIOSUN [Osun State University] medical students we sent on training to Ukraine is even a Cameroonian?”

Why? His guests wanted to know.

“Well,” returned the governor, “he was admitted to read medicine in our university.  We couldn’t in all good conscience drop him while sending out the others, could we?  Besides,” he added, “the most important thing here is that our government does not discriminate against anyone – not foreigners, not fellow Nigerians.  Wherever they might come from, as long as they live in our state, it is our duty to take care of them.”

Announcing that UNIOSUN medical school had been phased out for now for lack of facilities (adding that the Ukraine clinical training was as a result of that), the governor thought its establishment was superfluous in the first instance, since the Ladoke Akintola University of Science and Technology, jointly owned by Osun and Oyo states, had a medical school.

He said his government had been working on new school building blocks: 50 for elementary school, 31 for middle school and 31 for high schools, the three categories schools in the State of Osun had been divided.

So, he was asked, what his government had done on roads – to which the governor responded with a beam, wrinkles forming around the outer edges of his two eyes, as his face dissolved into a wide smile, as if to announce that roads and physical infrastructure were his forte.

“As I speak, we are rehabilitating 21 Osogbo township roads, 15 roads in Ilesa, 14 others in Ede and 20 inter-city roads with a cumulative distance of 319 kilometres,” he disclosed.

Key to the government’s road programme is a one-kilometre radius urban renewal programme for each of the nine major towns in Osun – Osogbo, Ilesa, Ikirun, Iwo, Ede, Ejigbo, Ila, Ife and Ikire.  Also in the works, the governor added, are select roads in six zones in the state totalling 74.1 kilometres, dualisation  of Osogbo-Kwara boundary road, a 185-kilometre beautification of Osun-Oyo boundary at Asejire and Osun-Ondo boundary at Owena.  Another road project is the dualisation of the Gbongan-Orile Owu-Ijebu Igbo Road, a 74-kilometre highway stretch that would bypass Ibadan and connect Osun to Lagos.

“By June 2013, we expect most, if not all of the roads, to be delivered,” the governor disclosed.

Governor Aregbesola said though much attention was being given to the youth and working population in terms of government programmes, elderly citizens were not neglected, as 1, 600 Osun elders of 65 years and above, without support from kith and kin, receive a monthly stipend of N10, 000.

How were the lucky 1, 600 picked?  “O, we gave them a form to fill.  We structured the form such that it is easy to know, from the responses, those who are most vulnerable.  It is these people that the programme covers,” he explains, adding that more classes could be covered in the future, funds permitting.  He also said this class of elders also received home medical treatment, with Osun paramedical volunteers linking up with them.

How has the government raised money for these projects, since Osun is 34 out of 36 states in revenue allocation?

“What we did was reengineer our financing so much so that we now have a credit rating of Bb (Agusto and Co) and BBB (Global Credit Rating, GCR) from credit agencies.  Indeed, we have managed to turn around an insolvent state, to one which can frugally manage its lean resources.”

And how did the government do that?  The governor responded, again ticking off each deed on his fingers: “We recovered N800 million worth hidden investments for the state, we saved N900 million by negotiating a concessionary debt waiver for the state, and we have increased our Internally Generated Revenue from N300 milliion to N700 million.”

The governor said as part of the financial infrastructure to develop the state, Osun has set up the Omoluabi Conservation Fund with a N4.2 billion reserve, aside from setting up the Osun Debt Management Office.

Two years on, is the governor satisfied with his team’s performance?

“Satisfied? No, I’m not.  But I think we are on course.  We certainly can and we will do better.”

Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, is currently fighting many battles to save his administration and political career, reports Dare Odufowokan

Although he would be quick to tell all who care to listen that he does not expect his adversaries to see anything good in what he is doing in the state, there is no doubt that the governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada, and his handlers are worried over the seemingly unending controversies that have dogged his steps since his assumption of office.

In fact, sources close to Kogi Government House have confirmed to The Nation that there is an ongoing move, championed by a former senator in the state, to repackage the governor’s image. The ultimate aim, according to the sources, is to eliminate the controversy toga hanging around the governor’s neck like a political identity of some sort.

This move may have become necessary following the recent hornet’s nest stirred by the Kogi helmsman when he allegedly urged politicians in the North Central zone to commence preparation aimed at producing the President of the country in 2015.

Expectdly, the statement, which was perceived to be in defiance to President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attracted nationwide reaction, dragging Wada’s name into yet another controversy at a time when his alleged involvement in the impeachment of the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, was still topical.

According to reports, the governor had called on  the North Central zone of the party to start planning for the 2015 general election. His statement was interpreted to mean a call on the region to put forward a candidate for the presidency.

For this, he appeared to have attracted the wrath of the very top echelon of the party. In a swift reaction, the PDP national leadership countered Wada’s alleged directive, urging the governor to concentrate on how to deliver dividends of democracy to his people while asking its members to stay away from the politics of 2015 for now.

“The national executive committee has taken a decisive direction on this matter. Our decision is that we will focus on achieving results, on performing our duties, on delivering on the mandate, on the promises we made to the electorates and this is the directive that the national chairman has given to all elected and appointed representatives of the party.

“Kogi is one state that we directed to ensure that the performance of the governor should win us election again. The governor should focus his energy, his attention on ensuring that his people are satisfied with his performance in office. That should be his priority at this point and not 2015.

“We don’t want any distraction at this point and nobody should deviate from what we are doing. This is not time for politics, this is time for performance,” PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh,  said.

Sources within the party said Wada, who had to hurriedly visit both the national secretariat of the party and the Presidency twice during the week, is currently battling to prove that his statement was misunderstood by reporters.

“He was in Abuja twice this week all in a bid to explain himself to the party and our leaders. The statement really added to his many troubles and our fear now is that it may prove the elders who were in Abuja last week to report him to the party right.

“If this happens, the governor may lose the confidence and support of the leadership of the party in his struggle to remain in office. This is one thing we cannot allow to happen,” an aide of the governor said on Thursday.

It would be recalled that some elders and political leaders from the state recently appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, to arrest what they called “serious drift in the state or risk the sudden death of the party in the state.”

The stakeholders in a statement, said Governor Wada lacked the ability to lead the state. The elders canvassed an urgent intervention in the many crises within the PDP in the state by both the Presidency and the PDP NEC.

The statement was signed by Senator Alex Kadiri, Senator Mohammed Ohiare, former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, and former acting governor, Clarence Olafemi, former state PDP Chairman, John Odawun, Air Vice-Marshal Salihu Atawodi (retd.) and Dr. Adinoyi Ojo-Onukaba.

Reacting, an embattled Wada had said apart from contesting the PDP primaries with him, many of these people were those he referred to as “Abuja politicians”, who he said might not be in the know of what was happening in the state.

“The people that made the comments were the people who contested the governorship primaries with me, which I won and later became the governor. Some of them still harbour that animosity against me and because of that, they will not find anything good in what I’m doing in the state.

“It is unfortunate that they have refused to allow the reconciliation we did in the state to work and are still carrying on as if we are in election year. I won’t join issues with them, but instead I shall allow my work to speak for me and at the end of my tenure, the people will be the judge and not a few opponents who could not win primaries,” he said.

But reliable sources at the national secretariat of the party said the PDP leadership is taking the elders’ allegation against the governor very seriously. A panel of enquiry, it was learnt, has been instituted to investigate the claims of the petitioners with a view to arresting the ugly situations in Kogi State ahead of the 2015 general election.

“The truth of the matter is that the issues raised by the elders are being examined on their merit. The party is not about to take side with the governor’s alleged adversaries but it is also not ready to sweep the observation of eminent citizens and party leaders under the carpet.

“And given the place of Kogi State in the news in recent times, it is our view that the allegations by the elders is worth examining. For all we care, it may just be the compass that will point the direction we need to move so as to resolve the crisis in Kogi PDP,” a national official of the party said during the week.

Way back in October, Wada’s name was on every lip when the Kogi State House of Assembly had sensationally impeached its Speaker, Abdullahi Bello. The deputy speaker, and 10 other principal officers were also removed from office. The impeachment was carried out by the group of ‘progressive’ legislators headed by Comrade Friday Sani (member representing Igalamela/Odolu).

It was alleged that the ‘progressives’ were doing the bidding of the incumbent governor who had never hidden his disdain for the embattled leadership of the legislature in the state.

The number of lawmakers who sat on that day is still not clear. While the lawmakers claimed they had the constitutionally required majority- 17 lawmakers- the speaker has rejected the claim, describing it as “illegal and unacceptable;” saying he has the support of 13 of the 25 members of the Kogi parliament.

Barely 24 hours after the  impeachment, the speaker’s camp published a statement signed by 13 lawmakers denouncing the impeachment and describing it as illegal. They dared the pro-impeachment lawmakers to publish the names of those who attended the impeachment sitting, saying they were a minority and could not be more than 12.

Putting the entire blame for the trouble in Kogi at the feet of the governor, former Kogi Federal lawmaker, Dino Melaiye, said Wada is the mastermind of the Kogi assembly crisis.

Melaiye alleged that the governor paid the 12 members, who sat for the impeachment, in order to divide the House and stop the lawmakers from carrying out oversight functions meant to investigate the performance of the government.

“He (the governor) called them and gave them money not to undertake the oversight, but 13 of them refused to accept the money. The 12 that accepted decided to use a ‘Made in Taiwan’ mace to remove the 13 members,” Melaiye said.

And while he is battling to stave off the allegations of the elders and the G-13 lawmakers, the governor is constantly reminded of the uncertain nature of his reign by the regular court appearances he has to make in defence of his mandate.

Wada’s emergence as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the primaries last year is being contested in court by two chieftains of the party, Jibrin Isah (also known as Echocho) and Oyebode Makinde.

The bone of contention has to do with determining which of the two primaries,  won by Echocho and Wada respectively, enjoys the status of legitimacy.

Worried by the development, Wada had recently visited the PDP national secretariat to seek the intervention of the party in the dispute between him and Echocho. But the latter would have nothing of the planned political solution.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Phrank Shuaibu, Echocho appealed to the PDP to allow natural justice and rule of law to prevail. He said that reconciliation shall not be “at the expense of justice, fairness and the rule of law.”

Echocho’s argument is that the primaries that gave him the ticket was in line with Section 178(2) of the 1999 Constitution and 25(8) of Electoral Act 2010 as amended and should have been respected by the party and INEC during the last gubernatorial election in Kogi State.

Echocho is therefore asking for an order setting aside Wada’s swearing in and for an order directing INEC to conduct a fresh election pursuant to the January 27 judgment of the Supreme Court.

He also wants a declaration that INEC, which is an institution established by the Constitution, is under a duty to obey and comply with decision of the Supreme Court delivered on January 27, 2012.

He also wants the court to declare that the purported election to the office of Governor of Kogi State held by the defendant during the pendency of its appeal at the Supreme Court in Appeal SC/357/2011 and which purportedly produced the 2nd defendant as Governor-elect of Kogi State was unconceivable, unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

With the current scenario within the ruling PDP in Kogi state, coupled with Governor Wada’s alleged gaffe on the 2015 presidential contest, there is no doubt that his has indeed become a troubled reign.

Paul Odili is a top aide to Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, serving as the Manager Communication, Government House, Asaba. In this interview with Okungbowa Aiwerie, he speaks on the development efforts of the present administration, the contentious issue of state police and other issues.

What will be the fate of several  ongoing projects embarked upon by Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan at the expiration of his tenure, given the chronic lack of continuity in governance in Nigeria , specifically Warri Industrial Park, Koko Free Trade zone, IPP project, and Asaba Airport?

The fate of these projects is such that I expect and the governor has made the point that he will take these projects to an irreversible level that the next administration will see the need to continue to final delivery of these projects. These projects are of such magnitude and importance that even if nobody said anything, a new administration will definitely see the wisdom with its full implementation, so I honestly do not entertain any of the doubts you have expressed. I also think that Deltans themselves would continue to monitor the progress of work in these projects, after all the vision behind it is for the economic growth and development of the state and to that extent it is important that they keep a close eye in what is happening. In fact, I also think Deltans already see these projects as part of their landscape and for good reason are looking forward to its completion.

Some have criticised the pace of infrastructure development in the state despite massive infusion of funds by government; the Ughelli/Asaba dualisation project being a case in point. How do you justify this state of affairs?

It is not my intention to join issues with anyone over the infrastructure development of the state, we are in a democracy and diverse opinions are bound to occur. That is one. But I do not also think it is fair to query government over the pace of work as such. Some projects have moved quickly in so short a time, despite massive budgetary cost that would have weighed it down. I give you a specific example, which is the Asaba international airport, which by design and implementation is a huge project and which I doubt the ability of many state governments to undertake and complete in so short a time of about four years in these harsh economic times. But we did it. Now, these your critics will not view the Asaba airport and its completion as heartwarming, no, rather they will point at the one that did not catch up with the timeframe. I want to also say that any serious project manager will tell you that project delays are not strange in project management. Some issues not previously anticipated might arise and until you sort that out, you cannot move forward. And usually in planning a project, you plan for possible lag time in your output and schedule and hope that the best circumstances prevail. These are typical steps that are taken. The other point is that  Governor Uduaghan has said repeatedly that he is committed to these projects and will do the best he can to complete them and the ones that cannot be completed in his time will be at a stage the next administration will have no difficulty finishing. Some people forget that his administration in line with continuity of government inherited projects, which has been completed. I believe Delta is perhaps one of the few places in Nigeria where you do not see abandoned projects littered all over the place.

What would you consider the greatest challenge to execution of government progammes?

Government programmes have a couple reasons that hinder it ranging from capacity issues, to implementation challenges and then the funding bit. I think by and large the biggest challenge is funds. Shortfall in funding projection has not helped. It has forced government to sometimes slow down on the pace of work. I talked about output and schedule earlier; funding is one big factor that interferes with delivery schedule.

Uduaghan has served on international bodies aimed at addressing climate change, but very little is being done in the state to ameliorate the deleterious effect of climate change; for example, there is no deliberate government policy to promote the culture of tree planting? Why is this so?

Governor Uduaghan’s profile as a vibrant environmental activist is not in doubt. Long before the issue of climate change became a subject of popular discussion in Nigeria, he had been campaigning about it and has made it a strong policy objective of his administration to combat climate change, which is why he has linkages and contacts all over the place, so he has full understanding of climate change and climate related issues.

Can you justify the partial banning of commercial motorcyclists, considering the high rate of unemployment and poverty in the state? What policies have government put in place to cushion the ill effects of the ban?

I think across the state, Governor Uduaghan is praised the most for a couple of things but one in particular is the transportation system in the state. Long before the ban of commercial motorcyclists came into effect, the administration had introduced public air-conditioned buses in every nook and corner to resounding effect. Market women and everyone not privileged had the opportunity to move around in comfort. These buses, known as yori yori in my area for instance, are the most preferred means of movement. You can’t blame the people, everyone likes a good thing. In addition, it is cheap and has greatly impacted in cushioning poverty. In truth, apart from food; the other major daily cost outflow in every home is transportation. So, when it is provided cheaply, then you are empowering the people and easing their burden.On the commercial motorcycle, it became extremely necessary to ban it. One, public safety issue is a major factor, security is another one. From what we know, they were used by criminals to gather intelligence on their targets and as getaway means. Now this government cannot be accused on this ban of commercial motorcycle as being insensitive to the plight of the people. It took several steps, which is paying off. The administration approved the purchase of thousands of tri-cycles, which was sold at completely knocked down prices. The market prices of the tri-cycle are between N 350,000- N400, 000.00 but Governor Uduaghan directed that it be sold at N 150,000.00. And these tri-cycles were sold through commercial motorcycle unions. They were expected to organise themselves and procured these things for their members.

We also intervened by releasing hundreds of big Marcopolo buses and small buses that are now used to cover the gap and to ensure that our people move in safety and in comfort.

Actually, I have received so many calls and text messages commending the administration for the courage and for its humanness in ensuring that there are palliatives. Not many states have similar model and the story is different.

Despite approvals by federal government for KFTZ, work is yet to commence on the project. What is stalling the project?

KFTZ is not being stalled. Projects of that magnitude have phases and these phases have several dependencies that have to be properly harmonised before actual physical work begins. Unless that bit is sorted out, you might begin tomorrow only to stop and then having to reverse course and cost. The reality of project management is in planning you do your studies properly to avoid surprises that may cause unpleasant delays.

Despite the illegality of transition committee to run local government council, the governor has gone ahead to constitute one, what informed government’s decision?

Governor Uduaghan has not violated any law and can therefore not be queried for failing on his part to adhere to rule of law. In constituting the transition committees, the House of Assembly, which under the Constitution regulates the running of the local government, passed enabling act, empowering the governor to act and he has done so within the ambit of the law. Any opinion to the contrary should be ignored.

The governor is a strident advocate of state police despite the weight of public opinion against it. How do you react?

Governor Uduaghan’s posture on state policy represents the progressive wing that wants to reduce crime and introduce a more efficient approach to combate crime and bring under control the challenge of insecurity that has plagued the country. Governor Uduaghan’s posture is in line with what is obtained in federal systems, the type we have copied. You cannot describe governors as chief security officers of their states and they cannot hire and fire police officers. Within the Nigeria Governors Forum where this issue was vigorously debated and decided, it is obvious that a division happened along the way. However, from what I know, Governor Uduaghan’s posture is widely embraced here and is fully endorsed by our people. It is not an unpopular position. We want state police.

From all indications, President Goodluck Jonathan will soon declare his intention to run for a second term in 2015. The big poser, however, is: will the president pick his deputy, Namadi Mohammed Sambo, to run with him again on the PDP ticket? Remi Adelowo reports that the matter is generating ripples in  the North and across the nation.

On the surface, President Goodluck Jonathan appears not too keen about having another term in office come 2015. But among his key aides, nothing short of another four years, post-2015 for their principal would be good enough.

In the last few months, members of the president’s kitchen cabinet have been quietly working on several options aimed at securing a consensus for the president’s candidacy, findings by The Nation have revealed.

And determined not to take anything for granted, sources disclosed that trusted Presidency aides are working strenuously behind-the-scene to enlist the support of influential religious, traditional and political leaders for the Jonathan-for-2015 project. “No effort will be spared in this regard,” said a source privy to the unfolding plot.

The source added that the Presidency has identified major power blocs that could scuttle the second term project and has consequently mapped out strategies to win, divide or in the worse case scenario outwit these groups in the ensuing power play.

Plot to divide northern governors

The Nation reliably gathered that while security reports before the president indicate that almost all the northern governors serving their second term in office are interested in contesting for the presidency in 2015, a plot has been hatched to encourage more governors in the north to contest for the position, thereby dividing their rank and whittling down their collective bargaining power.

VP Sambo’s candidacy

Another option allegedly being considered by the president is picking an influential northern governor as his running mate in 2015, in place of the incumbent vice-president, Architect Namadi Sambo, who as a first term Governor of Kaduna State, was surprisingly chosen by the president in 2010 ahead of more experienced politicians in the north.

The case against him

For the hawks in the president’s kitchen cabinet, the vice-president has outlived the purpose for which he was picked two years ago.

According to sources, the president allegedly settled for Sambo, as he was seen as not too entrenched in northern politics, and so lacks the muscle and influence that could make him too ambitious to ‘rock the boat’. The choice of Sambo came as a surprise to the man himself, as he was reportedly campaigning for his then predecessor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, to be made the VP.

While it is incontestable that Sambo, so far, has enjoyed a cordial working relationship with his boss, there is the feeling among some aides of the president that the VP has allegedly not done enough to rally the ‘core north’ behind the president, a development which has created a serious opposition by key northern stakeholders against the present administration.

The VP’s case is not helped by the fact that some northern leaders sometime last week met at a secret location in Kaduna and resolved to impress it on the president that one of the conditions he must fulfill before they could back his (Jonathan ) second term ambition is to dump Sambo for a more ‘acceptable candidate’.

The Lamido card:

Not a few Nigerians were surprised when, about three weeks ago, the President paid a two-day official visit to Jigawa State.

The reason may not be unconnected with rumours of an alleged crisis of confidence between the president and the governor over the latter’s alleged presidential ambition for 2015. Weeks before the president’s visit to the North West state, a report was credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo allegedly promoting the pairing of Governors Sule Lamido and Rotimi Amaechi for the PDP presidential ticket in 2015.

That report, though denied by the former president, allegedly ruffled the Presidency top shots, who decided to keep the two governors under close watch.

Lamido too, according to another report, had allegedly started to distance himself from the seat of power, following strong suspicions that he is being closely monitored. One report had further claimed that the governor had a few months ago, allegedly declined to travel with the president on a state visit to Mozambique on the alleged excuse that he was to travel as part of the advance party, while another  governor, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, travelled with the president in the same presidential aircraft.

But right now, the two men may have found a common ground to work together. “The governor (Lamido) seems disposed to being the next vice-president and could use his extensive political links in the president’s favour,” said a source in the PDP.