The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

Ikorodu supports state police

Ikorodu Federal Constituency last Saturday expressed support for the establishment of state police by the Federal Government to complement the effort of the Nigeria Police Force. The people also supported the idea of maintaining the status-quo on tenure elongation. They insisted that the four year term is enough for any serious government to carry out enough projects for the good of the people.

On the State local Government Joint Account, they called for the removal of Section 162 (6) which provides for tt. They claimed that if the money is given to the local government councils directly from the Federal Government, they will be able to carry out more projects without waiting for financial approval from the state government.

They also voted in support of financial autonomy for the state House of Assembly like the National Assembly so as to carry out its assignment effectively. The people also took their stand on the vexed issue of indigenes and settlers. They maintained that settling in an area does not mean that such person has a right to contest for an election in the area since such a person cannot be regarded as an indigene. This was after several explanations by the chairman of the occasion Chief Babatunde Benson to the people to consider non-indigenes who have been with them for a while as indigenes. He urged them to learn from the way the people in the western world are granting foreigners who stay in their land the status of indigene after many years of staying with them. But his plea could not sway people.

Speaking on the issue of electoral reforms, they voted positively to amend the constitution to reverse the time bye-elections will be conducted if need be, and time limit for the determination of election petitions.

Immunity for top political office holders while still in office was believed by the people of the constituency to be encouraging corruption. They voted against section 308 of 1999 Constitution that provides for immunity for the President, Vice-President, governor and deputy governor while in office.. They implore the National Assembly to amend that aspect of the constitution for transparency.

The representative of the constituency Honorable Abike Dabiri Arewa assured the attendees that the National Assembly will do all it could to ensure that the constitution review reflects the true wish of the people on the issues brought forward across the country. She stressed further that the House will still need to compile the template across the six geo-political zones and deliberate on the outcome before preparing the amendment of the constitution.

The constituency was well represented by its delegates from the different locality in Ikorodu metropolis and its environs which held at the Ikorodu West Local Government secretariat multi-purpose hall.

November 14, 2012
Anambra North stakes claim to number one seat

Attention is now focused on Anambra State as the next governorship election draws near. The northern senatorial district appears poised to make a strong case to clinch the number one seat, for the first time. Who are those in the race? How qualified are they? NWANOSIKE ONU, in this report, presents the governorship hopefuls from the zone.

Before now, there had been insinuation in the state that the people of Anambra North did not have what it would take to govern the state like the other two senatorial zones – Central and South – in terms of human resources.

Since the creation of the state from the old Anambra in 1991 by the Ibrahim Babangida military administration, the zone has not produced any governor; rather, it has held two separate positions of deputy governor.

The first deputy governor that came out of the place was the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)’s South East chairman, Dr. Chudi Nwike in the early 90s, and later, Prince Chinedu Emeka, who was Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju’s deputy.

As a result, the senatorial zone has come up with many programmes including forming several associations to sensitise the people of the state that what some people want to do is to continue the marginalisation of the area in politics.

There is what the people call Omabala Union led by Hon. Justice Paul Obidigwe (rtd), former Chief Judge of Anambra State; the Anambra North Peoples Assembly with notable members from the state and the Igboadagbe Peoples Forum, led by Chief Chikaodi Anarah.

According to Justice Obidigwe, “to say that the people of the area do not have people is to call a dog a bad name to hang it; this time around, our people will play an important role in the governance of this state.

“I do not know what those who ruled Anambra State have that we do not have. We should be given the chance to rule this state; we have a good number of materials to be governor of this state”.

“We have Prof. Ilochi Okafor (SAN), Prof Onuorah Nwuneli, Prof. Augustine Egboatu, Senator Emma Anosike, Prince Chinedu Emeka, Prince John Emeka, Dr Chudi Nwike”.

Apart from these names, there are others who had before now made their marks either in banking, business, academics or public service like Dr Alex Obiogbolu, Dr Chike Obidigbo, Sir Paul Odenigbo, Dr. Okechukwu Umeano and Willie Obianyo among others.

Anambra State governor, whose second tenure elapses March 2014, Mr. Peter Obi, has repeatedly made it clear that the person who will succeed him must be from the north zone.

He is of the view that equity is equality since no person in the history of the state has served as governor from the zone.

Anambra Central that has the incumbent, Obi, has produced two governors of the state, while the South has equally had its fair share of four.

The promise gladdened the heart of the traditional ruler of Onitsha and Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council in the state, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe.

Since the pronouncement by Obi, the idea has not gone down well with people from other zones especially, those clamouring to succeed him and it equally made the contenders to start working extra-hard.

However, from the North Senatorial zone, some names have come to the fore as possible governorship hopeful for the seat in 2014.

They are Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, Sen. Emma Anosike, Willie Obianyo, Dr. Okechukwu Obiano and Sir Paul Odenigbo.

Besides these names, there are others believed to be eyeing Obi’s position; these are the current secretary to the state government, Oselloka Obaze and his younger brother and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dubem Obaze.

Chike Obidigbo

Dr. Chike Obidigbo was born in Umunya, Oyi Local Government area and currently, Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in the South East geopolitical zone.

Not only that, he established Hardis and Dromedas Limited, based in Enugu, Ebonyi and Umunya with a work force of over 1,000.

Obidigbo is of the opinion that despite the efforts of those who had governed the state since its creation, Anambra is still bedeviled with numerous socio-economic challenges.

From the opinions of the people from the zone, Obidigbo has a proven and verifiable track record of leadership and he is likely to proffer practical solutions to problems in the areas of youth empowerment, education, the economy, road network and health delivery among others.

Some of the people who spoke with The Nation in the state on the intention of Obidigbo, described him as a sincere person who, according to them, had been involved in charity works for many years in the state.

Paul Odenigbo

An articulate aristocrat, who was the immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Odenigbo’s humility and steadfastness, have got him almost every comfort.

A man born in Ayamelum local government area, Odenigbo has tasted it all from the financial to administrative positions, where he had distinguished himself.

Obi brought him into his cabinet in 2006 to advise him on local government and chieftaincy matters but later elevated him to the position of SSG, the position, he held till August, 2012.

The Nation gathered that virtually all the political egg heads in Anambra North are rooting for Odenigbo, and from rumours making the rounds, he may equally draw the attention of Obi’s All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA.)

Willie Obianyo

An ex-banker from Aguleri in Anambra East Council area, William Obianyo was once an Executive Director in Fidelity Bank Plc and has a strong affinity with Obi.

It is believed that he is the anointed man of Obi, though, without enough experience in politics like Senator Emma Anosike and Alex Obiogbolu.

Though popular in his domain and the corridors of financial institutions in the country, the odd against him is that he may have many people to contend with in his choice of party, APGA. Moreover, he needs more introduction in the political cycles in the state than the others.

Okey Umeano

A medical practitioner from Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government area, Dr. Okey Umeano has been an active participant in Anambra politics and one of the founders of APGA.

Currently, the state chairman of United Progressive Party, (UPP) and one-time National Assembly member in 1992, he moved the joint sitting motion on the termination of military regime in Nigeria on the 5th of May, 1993.

Most people believe that he has all it takes to rule the state, but the major problem he is likely to face is making his new party a popular one in the state.

Sen. Emma Anosike

The only problem he is facing in his zone now is his acceptance of being Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s deputy during the 2010 governorship election in the state, when the north zone had decided that no person from the zone should accept anything less than governorship ticket in any party.

Apart from that issue, Anosike has been a political juggernaut in Anambra State and has what it takes to win the race for his people.

A strong member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with also strong affiliation in other parties, he once represented the zone at the senate before he was removed by the tribunal. He was also a member of the House of Representatives.

The sure joker for Anosike to enjoy the support of his people will be his doggedness and political sagacity, coupled with his love for the less-privileged, widows, and empowerment of the youth.

Alex Obiogbolu

His humility and political awareness have really endeared him to the people of the state, though, not an Omabala man but hails from Onitsha, Dr Alex Obiogbolu is one of the people of Anambra State who has what it takes to lead the state to the promised land.

Most people in the state refer to him as “calculator.” Their main reason: His ability at solving every problem with his brain. But the only handicap he seems to have now is not about money, but the kind of party he belongs to.

His party, the PDP has been swimming in crisis in the state for many years, but to him, all hope appears not lost as the party is being repositioned by the current state chairman, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi and his lieutenants.

Apart from those mentioned, the people of Omabala, nay North Senatorial zone have vowed to end the marginalisation of their zone in the Anambra political cycles and as a result, they are ready to fight anybody individually and collectively.

As the development stands, with the support of Obi and his foot soldiers, political analysts believe that the time to end the logjam and perceived marginalisation of the Anambra North people is now. How the game plays out eventually, time will tell.

November 14, 2012
Taraba divided over governor’s fate

In what is reminiscent of the dark days when the late President Umaru Yar’Adua was flown to a Saudi Hospital, thus creating a vacuum in the presidency, the accident that sent Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai to a German hospital for treatment is creating tension in the state. Correspondent FANEN IHYNGO captures the general mood among politicians and government officials in the state.

The plane crash involving Taraba State Governor Danbaba Suntai and some of his aides has been pushed into the political arena in the state.

If Suntai survives, he would come back to serve or rule a deeply divided state.

Suntai was on Thursday, October 25, involved in an crash, in a plane flown by him. Also on board the ill-fated Cessna 208 aircraft were his Aide de Camp (ADC) Dasat Iliya, the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Timo Dangana and his Chief Detail, Joel Dan. They all survived the mishap, but sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The governor is said to be recovering and this should be good news. But in Taraba, it is bad news to a host of people. While millions of Nigerians are praying for the governor’s speedy recovery, many Taraba people have been found to behave in a way suggesting that they are more comfortable with the current state of affairs. The crash has shown that the state is gravely divided against itself. What is the governor’s sin? “Politics”, said an analyst.

When the accident occurred, it was first reported that the governor had died. It was appalling to learn that while some people were agonising, others publicly celebrated the news..

Investigation reveals that the polarisation is deepening by the day. On Monday, a group of people protested in Jalingo, demanding the where abouts of the governor.

Sources even alleged that not a few political allies of Deputy Governor Alhaji Garba Umar had gone a step further to congratulate him over his boss’ accident, expressing optimism that the deputy governor will soon wear the governor’s crown.

Although, Umar who was only sworn in on October 5, to replace impeached Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi, has said he will never wish his boss dead.

“It has been my prayers that he recovers speedily”, he told journalists at a press briefing while reacting to gossips that a repeat of what happened when the late President Umaru YarAdua was flown to Saudi Arabia was in the making in the state.

But, importantly, what does the law say? Following the Yar’Adua incident that compelled the National Assembly to invoke the doctrine of neccesity as an ingenious way out of the constitutional logjam, the legislators, in 2010, amended the constitution to introduce an automatic take over by deputy governrs in acting capacity in the event that, for any reason, the governor is absent from his desk for three weeks.

section 190 of the constitution, as amended, provides that 21 days is enough to invoke the section in the event that the chief executive at the state level fails to transmit to the House of Assembly a letter transferring power to his deputy in the interim. The same applies at the federal level in case the President fails to adhere to the provision of the amended section 145 of the Constitution.

Before the ill-fated incident, there were already growing concerns as to why the governor had chosen to be flying aircrafts by himself. A pharmacist, Suntai also holds a Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL) which he obtained in 2010, after attending the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria, Kaduna State. He successfully flew the Caravan Cessna plane to obtain his licence. Since then, he has been embarking on solo flights in his leisure or official trips.

But, given the risks involved, his opponents had argued that it was unwise of him to take the task of running a state and flying an aircraft at the same time; he should have employed the services of a pilot, they argued. Suntai’s opponents had also accused him of dedicating more time to flying than governance, especially as the road network in Taraba State is still largely underdeveloped. Even now that his condition is between life and death, many are still criticising him, wondering why the chief executive loved running around in a plane at the least opportunity when 90 per cent of Taraba masses were trekking and grappling with the vicious cycle of poverty.

The governor himself had once admitted that flying, to him, was more of a “passion.” Many had actually predicted the disaster before it finally occurredy..

When it occurred, the scientific or methodical reason was that, while approaching the Yola Airport for landing, Suntai lost contact with the Control Tower and the aircraft disappeared on the radar. His subsequent efforts to ascend with the aircraft failed. Whether it was a hi-tech problem or a blunder on his part, the biggest question many have been asking is, “why must the governor be flying himself?”.

Another issue is that the governor’s aides were flown abroad for treatment only after grim criticisms and protests from the victims’ families and other concerned Nigerians. Critics had challenged why the governor was treated “as a god while his subjects as dispensables” in an unfortunate accident which left all their mortal bodies injured. “What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander”, they held.

Before the crash, it was an open secret that Suntai was serving a politically polarised State, split into at least six factional groups. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on whose platform Suntai won his first and second terms, is fragmented. The state civil service is divided into two camps, with some aligning with the governor’s opponents. Then, there is religious division.

Suntai is a Christian, but because of the combination of his names, many take him for a Muslim faithful. Since the creation of the state on August 27, 1991, the Muslims have only played the second fiddle. There is no gainsaying that the Muslims are clamouring for a Muslim governor. The Christians, who believe they have the numerical edge over their Muslim brothers, have also been scheming how Suntai would successfully hand over the baton of power to another Christian in 2015.

Last but not the least is ethnic politics. Taraba is made up of so many ethnic groups, with a total population of about 2.4 million. appointments are sometimes made to reflect ethnic diversity, rather than the state’s geo-political zones and or the individual’s experience. For instance, a Jukun governorship aspirant for 2015 believes the poll would be his, so also feels a Kuteb, a Kona, Fulani, Chamba, Wurukun oran Ichen.

The state has been ruled by only two ethnic groups,: by former Jolly Nyame, a Mumuye, and Suntai of Chamba extraction. Already, the political atmosphere in Taraba is charged, with allegations that Suntai was grooming another Mumuye to succeed him when he bows out in 2015. Amid these disputations, the days ahead are really uncertain in the aftermath of the governor’s plane crash. Power abhors vacuum. If Suntai does not survive or survives with incapacitation, his deputy, a Muslim would be constitutionally sworn in as governor. If his time to recover takes too long, Umar would also be sworn as acting governor. This has been the proverbial dry meat for the people of Taraba these days as no discussion has been complete without a mention of the injured governor’s condition and what it holds for the state.

If Umar takes charge, by freak of fate, as one analyst simply puts it: “the political direction will change”.

November 14, 2012
Trust fund for oil bearing communities

Last Saturday, the people of Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency at a public hearing held at the BB Hotel, Warri, reviewed sections of the constitution guiding revenue allocation and the electoral system. The lead position that evetually led to the resolutions was presented by former Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Ziakede Aginighan.

Aginighan canvassed an amendment to Section 162 (2), which provides for 13 per cent derivation as a principle in the allocation of revenue from the Federation Account. He called for the establishment of a trust fund for oil producing communities into which the 13 per cent derivation provided for by the constitution would be paid. According to him, this will free the communities from the whims and caprices of state governors who use the fund for the development of areas other than those from which the resource is found.

“From 1999 when the Constitution came into effect, 13 per cent of oil mineral and gas revenue accruing to the Federation has been paid to the oil mineral and gas producing states in proportion to the quantum of oil and gas produced. It has been observed most of the States that have benefited from this constitutional provision have not recognised derivation in the disbursement of the funds they have received. The oil mineral and gas bearing communities have been at the mercy of powerful state governors, most of whom utilise the larger portion of derivation funds for areas that do not suffer environmental devastation arising from oil exploration and exploitation activities. Aginighan then went on to specifically ask for an amendment to reflect this thinking.

“The funds accruing to any state as derivation in respect of any natural resource shall be paid into a Trust Fund for the Natural Resources Producing Areas in each state. The Trust Fund shall have a Board of Trustees made up of representatives of the various natural resources bearing communities in each state appointed by the President upon confirmation by the Senate.

“The funds accruing to each state natural resources Trust Fund shall be utilised for the development of the various communities from which the resources are derived based on their respective priorities”, he stated.

Aginighan faulted the electoral system for not making provision for tracking “those who snatch ballot boxes and ballot papers for thumb-printing in private homes, those who sell and buy result sheets, those who announce election results when there was no voting.” He warned that until that was done, Nigeria will “only produce elected leaders who have legality without legitimacy in the occupation of the various leadership positions in the country.”

November 14, 2012
‘No going back on LG financial autonomy’

Member representing Anaocha/Dunukofia/Njikoka Federal Constituency of Anambra State, Honourable Uche Ekwunife has said the National Assembly will pursue financial autonomy for the local government system in the country in the ongoing constitution review.

Hon Ekwunife who is the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Environment spoke while briefing her constituents in the United Kingdom, UK.

She said in a statement at the weekend that the National Assembly would ensure that the local government system gets financial autonomy to be able to meet the challenges facing it.

“There is no going back on the financial autonomy for local government system because it will among other things bring development to the grassroots and the rural dwellers will feel the impact of democratic governance which President Goodluck Jonathan Transformation Agenda is all abouth”

On the outcome of the Presidential Election in US, Ekwunife urged Nigerians to learn lessons from the US’ election, adding that the country and its leaders should be more interested in issues concerning governance instead of engaging in campaigns of calumny.

“I want our leaders and politicians to learn lesson from President Brack Obama and his closet rival, Mitt Romney who engaged each other on campaign of issues and not what is obtainable in our democracy where our politicians engage each other in campaigns of character assassination”

November 13, 2012
Why I withdrew Ogboru’s case, by SAN

Sebastine Tar Hon is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He is also an author of four law books, including ‘Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence in Nigeria,’ which helped in resolving the impasse over Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s acting presidency status when the late President Umaru Yar’Adua was flown abroad for medical attention. He speaks in this interview, on the ongoing constitution review and reacts to allegations by Chief Great Ogboru of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) in Delta State that he compromised his interest. BISI OLANIYI reports.

In view of the views of hte Nigeria Bar Association on the Constituion review process, how would you want the 1999 Con-stitution amended?

I want them to focus more on the judiciary and the rule of law. Section 285, Sub-Sections 5, 6 and 7 should be amended. The sections limit the timeline within which tribunals and courts of justice should deliver judgments in election matters. Currently, tribunals must deliver judgments within 180 days, from the time of filing of the petitions. The Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court are to deliver judgment within 60 days from the time of filing of the appeals.

In so much as we agree that the extension was noble, the Supreme Court has now said that anything outside those days, count us out. So, it is for the National Assembly to amend those sections and put provisos, stating that provided that if a judgment is delivered after those number of days, a court hearing such an appeal, can make certain orders.

The second vital area is to state as one of the functions of the National Judicial Council (NJC), because it is not expressly stated, should originate budgetary proposal for the state High Courts, Sharia Courts of Appeal and Customary Courts of Appeal in the states and the FCT (Federal Capital Territory), in case of capital expenditure, to be presented to the National Assembly and budgeted upon. Once that is budgeted upon, the courts will access the funds from the NJC. Without that, state Chief Judges are pawns in the hands of state governors. Whatever they want, they do to them and the Chief Judges cannot stand up to them, in present day Nigeria.

You have been accused by Chief Great Ogboru, the 2011 governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) in Delta State, of compromising his interest because you withdrew his application at the Supreme Court. How will you react to the allegations?

I went to Lagos in April 2012 for a matter at the High Court, Ikeja. After the matter, Chief Great Ogboru called me and said somebody gave him my number over a matter he had at the Supreme Court. We arranged and when he met. He told me the Supreme Court has dismissed his appeal and he wanted me to apply that the Supreme Court should set aside the judgment.

I told him that the Supreme Court hardly overrules itself, after delivering a judgment. He persisted and I told him that I would think about it.

Luckily for me, I stumbled over an authority. A decision of the Supreme Court reported in 2011: Dingyadi against INEC, where the apex court overruled itself in a particular decision it gave, not that it set aside its previous decision, which was given in another matter. So, I felt encouraged. When Great Ogboru called me to give him feedback, I told him, with the authority, we could boldly approach the Supreme Court.

In the course of my research too, I came across an authority: Adegoke Motors against Adesanya, reported in 1989, where the Supreme Court stated that if any counsel felt that the apex court had made an error in judgment, the counsel should be bold enough to approach the Supreme Court to overrule itself.

So, that was the basis for accepting the brief…

Based on these two authorities, I filed an application to have the decision overturned. In essence, I was asking the Supreme Court to sit back and determine the appeal or refer it back to the Court of Appeal. If they said that the judgment of the Court of Appeal was a nullity, I told them that it was not proper, with due respect, to say that the appeal that made them to make the pronouncement was a nullity. It was on that basis that I accepted to file the application at the Supreme Court.

When the matter came up at the Supreme Court, I indicated openly, which can be verified from the records of the Supreme Court, that I was ready to move my own application to have the Supreme Court overrule itself or set aside its judgment.

When I made the statement, counsel on the other side/opposing counsel, consisting of WoleOlanipekun (SAN), who was leading Alex Izinyon and a great number of other lawyers, said they had filed some preliminary objections to the application, on the issue of jurisdiction. The presiding Justice of the Supreme Court asked me, whether on the basis of the objections, if I was going to withdraw, but I said no. I will not want to mention the Justice’s name. Another counsel from Afe Babalola’s Chambers, who is also a SAN, led the team for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a young lady led the team for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The opposing counsel all said they had preliminary objections.

So, you then withdrew the application…

The presiding justice asked me again, whether in view of the objections, I was still ready to go on with my application and I responded in the affirmative. To show you the resolve, I had to move the application.

The Supreme Court then said in view of the fact that I was served that morning, the matter would be adjourned till November 8, which was done. Immediately after the adjournment, the Supreme Court asked me the nature of my application. Of course, the justices had known, but they wanted to take me to task and I knew. I told them that it was an application I wanted them, with due respect, to overturn their previous decision. That was where trouble started.

How?

The justices of the Supreme Court told me that I was bringing the apex court on collision course with politicians and ridiculing the judiciary. They said they had read all that I had filed, including the ones filed the previous Friday and they had come to the conclusion that nothing on earth would make them grant the application. There is electronic evidence to back what I have said.

At that point, it was only responsible and reasonable for me to withdraw the application. That was exactly what I did.

It has been alleged that it was predetermined.

If I had a predetermined intention not to move the application, why did I prepare and file a reply on points of law on the Friday just before the Monday that the matter was to come up? If I had anything to hide, why did I insist on that same day that Chief Ogboru put up appearance in court on the day I was to move the application? Why did I have to worry myself telling the Supreme Court, ab initio, that I had an application and was ready to move it?

Again, why did I reject the first offer by the Supreme Court that I should withdraw the application? Was it not suicidal and bad practice when the Supreme Court raised grave allegations against me, for me to have allowed even one more second to pass without openly showing the Supreme Court that I was not that character they were describing me to be?

How did your client react to the withdrawal?

He called and abused me. He said a lot of wrong things about me. He accused me of compromising his brief. He called me a fraud and unprintable names. I kept my cool till today. He said I compromised his brief. I told him nothing of such happened. Before I could say anything, they had flooded the Internet with those allegations, accusing me of unprofessional conduct and even had the effrontery of writing to the Supreme Court that they had engaged another lawyer and that my conduct was gross misconduct, but I said no. This is a man or a group talking out of ignorance.

What did he expect you to do at that point?

I do not know what Chief Ogboru expected me to do at that point. I practise my law before the Supreme Court and not before any other person. It is the Supreme Court of Nigeria that made me a SAN and also called me to the Nigerian Bar. If the Supreme Court is directly accusing me of ridiculing it or bringing it on collision course with politicians, where am I going to practise my law? if I am thrown out of the Bar or disrobed as a SAN? What respect do I have again?

If you go to the Internet, they said it was a predetermined position. I challenge them to go and obtain the records from the Supreme Court. When I went to the Supreme Court, I announced my appearance, and others also announced their appearance. After that, I told the Supreme Court that I was ready to move the application.

Was Ogboru or any of his associates present in court, to be consulted, before withdrawing the application?

My client was not in court. We met the previous Friday and I told him, while preparing the last set of papers, to be in court on Monday, He said his deputy would be in court. I learnt that the deputy was on the way, when the matter was withdrawn. Chief Ogboru sent his associates and some lawyers to court. I consulted one of the lawyers he sent, who told me not to withdraw, but I said no, I was not going to seek adjournment again, since the Supreme Court had made its position known.

At that point, consultation was no longer necessary. It was no longer a fact. An application is based purely on law. I did my best, which my client described as the best that he has ever seen and the Supreme Court said it was not enough. There was no need to go again and consult.

The matter came up at the Supreme Court on Monday. On Friday, we were together in my chambers in Abuja and he saw all that I prepared and he described it as excellent. He said my posture was also excellent. I then went to court. The Supreme Court said it was an academic exercise, that the application would not be granted. At that point, what other consultation would I have made? It is more reasonable to terminate the matter at that stage, than to prolong the evil day.

Will it be correct to say that you actually compromised in the matter? Couldn’t you have simply withdrawn your apperance?

How could I have done that? Since I started practice, this is the first time any client of mine is feeling dissatisfied, not to talk of alleging that I collected money from opposing camp to compromise his brief.

As an authority, as an author of four law books: Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence in Nigeria Law of Evidence in Nigeria, Substantive and Procedural Civil Procedure in Nigeria, Federal High Court, State High Courts and FCT Abuja High Courts, Volume 1, Hon’s Law of Evidence in Nigeria, God has given me the grace to become a SAN at my age, won’t I be the greatest fool, if I compromise myself? I am a reference point, both nationally and internationally. I just have to bring out my person, so that Nigerians and everybody will know that these allegations are useless, baseless and capricious. Why should Great Ogboru’s matter be different? In short, I regret accepting that brief. If he goes beyond this point, I will fight him legally.

November 13, 2012
Anambra North stakes claim to number one seat

Attention is now focused on Anambra State as the next governorship election draws near. The northern senatorial district appears poised to make a strong case to clinch the number one seat, for the first time. Who are those in the race? How qualified are they? NWANOSIKE ONU, in this report, presents the governorship hopefuls from the zone.

Before now, there had been insinuation in the state that the people of Anambra North did not have what it would take to govern the state like the other two senatorial zones – Central and South – in terms of human resources.

Since the creation of the state from the old Anambra in 1991 by the Ibrahim Babangida military administration, the zone has not produced any governor; rather, it has held two separate positions of deputy governor.

The first deputy governor that came out of the place was the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)’s South East chairman, Dr. Chudi Nwike in the early 90s, and later, Prince Chinedu Emeka, who was Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju’s deputy.

As a result, the senatorial zone has come up with many programmes including forming several associations to sensitise the people of the state that what some people want to do is to continue the marginalisation of the area in politics.

There is what the people call Omabala Union led by Hon. Justice Paul Obidigwe (rtd), former Chief Judge of Anambra State; the Anambra North Peoples Assembly with notable members from the state and the Igboadagbe Peoples Forum, led by Chief Chikaodi Anarah.

According to Justice Obidigwe, “to say that the people of the area do not have people is to call a dog a bad name to hang it; this time around, our people will play an important role in the governance of this state.

“I do not know what those who ruled Anambra State have that we do not have. We should be given the chance to rule this state; we have a good number of materials to be governor of this state”.

“We have Prof. Ilochi Okafor (SAN), Prof Onuorah Nwuneli, Prof. Augustine Egboatu, Senator Emma Anosike, Prince Chinedu Emeka, Prince John Emeka, Dr Chudi Nwike”.

Apart from these names, there are others who had before now made their marks either in banking, business, academics or public service like Dr Alex Obiogbolu, Dr Chike Obidigbo, Sir Paul Odenigbo, Dr. Okechukwu Umeano and Willie Obianyo among others.

Anambra State governor, whose second tenure elapses March 2014, Mr. Peter Obi, has repeatedly made it clear that the person who will succeed him must be from the north zone.

He is of the view that equity is equality since no person in the history of the state has served as governor from the zone.

Anambra Central that has the incumbent, Obi, has produced two governors of the state, while the South has equally had its fair share of four.

The promise gladdened the heart of the traditional ruler of Onitsha and Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council in the state, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe.

Since the pronouncement by Obi, the idea has not gone down well with people from other zones especially, those clamouring to succeed him and it equally made the contenders to start working extra-hard.

However, from the North Senatorial zone, some names have come to the fore as possible governorship hopeful for the seat in 2014.

They are Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, Sen. Emma Anosike, Willie Obianyo, Dr. Okechukwu Obiano and Sir Paul Odenigbo.

Besides these names, there are others believed to be eyeing Obi’s position; these are the current secretary to the state government, Oselloka Obaze and his younger brother and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dubem Obaze.

Chike Obidigbo

Dr. Chike Obidigbo was born in Umunya, Oyi Local Government area and currently, Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in the South East geopolitical zone.

Not only that, he established Hardis and Dromedas Limited, based in Enugu, Ebonyi and Umunya with a work force of over 1,000.

Obidigbo is of the opinion that despite the efforts of those who had governed the state since its creation, Anambra is still bedeviled with numerous socio-economic challenges.

From the opinions of the people from the zone, Obidigbo has a proven and verifiable track record of leadership and he is likely to proffer practical solutions to problems in the areas of youth empowerment, education, the economy, road network and health delivery among others.

Some of the people who spoke with The Nation in the state on the intention of Obidigbo, described him as a sincere person who, according to them, had been involved in charity works for many years in the state.

Paul Odenigbo

An articulate aristocrat, who was the immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Odenigbo’s humility and steadfastness, have got him almost every comfort.

A man born in Ayamelum local government area, Odenigbo has tasted it all from the financial to administrative positions, where he had distinguished himself.

Obi brought him into his cabinet in 2006 to advise him on local government and chieftaincy matters but later elevated him to the position of SSG, the position, he held till August, 2012.

The Nation gathered that virtually all the political egg heads in Anambra North are rooting for Odenigbo, and from rumours making the rounds, he may equally draw the attention of Obi’s All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA.)

Willie Obianyo

An ex-banker from Aguleri in Anambra East Council area, William Obianyo was once an Executive Director in Fidelity Bank Plc and has a strong affinity with Obi.

It is believed that he is the anointed man of Obi, though, without enough experience in politics like Senator Emma Anosike and Alex Obiogbolu.

Though popular in his domain and the corridors of financial institutions in the country, the odd against him is that he may have many people to contend with in his choice of party, APGA. Moreover, he needs more introduction in the political cycles in the state than the others.

Okey Umeano

A medical practitioner from Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government area, Dr. Okey Umeano has been an active participant in Anambra politics and one of the founders of APGA.

Currently, the state chairman of United Progressive Party, (UPP) and one-time National Assembly member in 1992, he moved the joint sitting motion on the termination of military regime in Nigeria on the 5th of May, 1993.

Most people believe that he has all it takes to rule the state, but the major problem he is likely to face is making his new party a popular one in the state.

Sen. Emma Anosike

The only problem he is facing in his zone now is his acceptance of being Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s deputy during the 2010 governorship election in the state, when the north zone had decided that no person from the zone should accept anything less than governorship ticket in any party.

Apart from that issue, Anosike has been a political juggernaut in Anambra State and has what it takes to win the race for his people.

A strong member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with also strong affiliation in other parties, he once represented the zone at the senate before he was removed by the tribunal. He was also a member of the House of Representatives.

The sure joker for Anosike to enjoy the support of his people will be his doggedness and political sagacity, coupled with his love for the less-privileged, widows, and empowerment of the youth.

Alex Obiogbolu

His humility and political awareness have really endeared him to the people of the state, though, not an Omabala man but hails from Onitsha, Dr Alex Obiogbolu is one of the people of Anambra State who has what it takes to lead the state to the promised land.

Most people in the state refer to him as “calculator.” Their main reason: His ability at solving every problem with his brain. But the only handicap he seems to have now is not about money, but the kind of party he belongs to.

His party, the PDP has been swimming in crisis in the state for many years, but to him, all hope appears not lost as the party is being repositioned by the current state chairman, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi and his lieutenants.

Apart from those mentioned, the people of Omabala, nay North Senatorial zone have vowed to end the marginalisation of their zone in the Anambra political cycles and as a result, they are ready to fight anybody individually and collectively.

As the development stands, with the support of Obi and his foot soldiers, political analysts believe that the time to end the logjam and perceived marginalisation of the Anambra North people is now. How the game plays out eventually, time will tell.

November 13, 2012
Oyo politics after Lam Adesina

Progressives in Oyo State were bereaved yesterday. A big elephant departed from the forest and the wild forest became void. Mourners assembled in Felele, in the heart of Ibadan, the political capital of the Southwest, to bid farewell to a political megastar whose exit has created a vacuum. Who succeeds Lam Onaolapo Adesina as the arrowhead of the dedicated progressive bloc in the Pacesetter State?

The former Oyo State governor became the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leader by merit, experience and seniority. Since 2001, he had played the role to the best of his ability as a dependable leader of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He was a strong fighter for justice, a versatile mobiliser, organiser and inspirational leader. His leadership style was endearing to the men of the old order an d new converts. Lam believed in the political labour for the masses and his incorruptible nature jollied well with his perspective on service to the people without expecting reward.

This must be challenging to his survivors in the fold. Lam’s lieutenants in the crusade for a better Oyo State include Governor Abiola Ajimobi, the Oke-Ogun leader, Chief Michael Koleoso, who served as Secretary to Government under his administration between 1999 and 2003, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, former Deputy Governor Iyiola Oladokun, and Dr. Bayo Adewusi. The onus is now on these leaders to keep the political family intact and prevent strife and rancour capable of destabilising the fold.

Lam’s life and times were instructive. From the first day he placed his hand on the progressive plough, he did not look back. The consummate politician and associate of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was consistent to the end. Yesterday, the foremost educationist, administrator and political colossus, died a hero and fulfilled leader.

He was an oak tree offering shades to the devoted progressive bloc in Oyo State in post-Ige era. In Ibadan, his cradle, he was a household name as far back as the seventies. For an average Ibadan man, the first step towards active political life was Ibadan irredentism. Having established himself as a patriot in the metropolis, Lam, as he was fondly by his radical compatriots, gained more popularity as a radical activist in the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). Throughout his career as a teacher, principal and unionist, he was always advancing the cause of teachers in the old Western State and later, Oyo State.

Lam had his tutelage in politics under Awo. He was among the Ibadan youths who fell in love with ‘Awoism’ as a political creed at the prime when key leaders of the city opposed the former Premier of the defunct Western Region. It was a paradox. While Awo ruled the Southwest from Ibadan, the political headquarter, majority of the Ibadan indigenes were follower of the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC) led by the late strongman, Adegoke Adelabu. Few youths, including Lamidi Adedibu, Yinusa Ogundeji, and Lam defiled the populist ‘Penkelemeesi’ and served as Action Group (AG) field workers under the guardianship of Chiefs Durosaro, Moyosore Aboderin, Adisa Akinloye, Chief S. O. Lanlehin and Canon Emmanuel Alayande, who facilitated an alliance between Ibadan Peoples Party and AG.

Lam was among the party youths who endured the tribulation, following the onslaught on the power that be against Awo’s disciples, after the split in the AG. But he refused to jump the boat. He was among the dependable allies who welcomed the sage from prison. Immediately, he also became a member of the Committee of Friends, which later transformed into the Unity of Nigeria (UPN) led by Awo. Lam had declared interest in the chairmanship of the Ibadan Municipal Council. But Ibadan leaders decided otherwise. He was advised to pick the House of Representatives form. On the UPN platform, he was elected as a member of the Lower Chamber. Some of his UPN colleagues in the House were Prince Oluyole Olusi, the late Chief Debo Akande (SAN), the late Sir Dele Ige, the late Akanni Suarau, Alhaji Rasheed Shitta-Bey and Prof. Opeyemi Ola.

In parliament, Lam was not a bench warmer. He was very vocal and spoke from the UPN perspective on the floor. As a regular columnist in ‘The Nigerian Tribune’, he was also a respected national commentator and critic of the inept Second Republic Federal Government. In later years, he reflected on his parliamentary years while contributing to the debate on Senate/Representatives superiority. Lam declared that both chambers had equal status. The 1983 coup aborted his career as a federal legislator. But throughout the military regimes, he fired salvos at the interlopers from his Felele, Ibadan hope, drawing attention to the negative effects of illegitimate rule. Lam later became a chieftain of the Afenifere and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). He was at the forefront of the massive protest against Abacha Administration in Ibadan in 1998. On that fateful date, he was ‘captured’ by soldiers struggling to quell the protest and hounded in detention. When rights activists pressed for his release, Former Military Governor Ahmed Usman declared that Lam was ‘a ;prisoner of war’.

Ironically, the prisoner of war later emerged as Usman’s distant successor. Lam was a founding leader of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He was nominated by the party leaders to run for governorship. He won the governorship along with his compatriots; Bola Tinubu (Lagos), Bisi Akande (Osun), Segun Osoba (Ogun), Adebayo Adefarati (Ondo) and Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti). But when Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) emerged as President, Lam cried out, saying ‘eemo wolu o’ (strange spirit had invaded governance). Asked to substantiate his claim, he warned that Obasanjo’s Presidency would not profit the nation.

Lam’s AD was a child of circumstances. At infancy, it was certain that the party would face perilous times. Unable to resolve the crisis that broke out over the feud between its two presidential aspirants; Ige and Olu Falae, the party, and Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group that gave birth to it, was eventually polarised. The party also somersaulted by allowing its key leaders, including Lam and Osoba to become campaign agents for Obasanjo’s second term. When the 2003 electoral earthquake swept across the poll-confident Southwest, only Tinubu’s Lagos survived the onslaught. The defeat further escalated the crisis in Afenifere, with Lam pitching his tent with Ayo Fasanmi’s faction.

It took another eight years for Lam’s followers to recover from the heat. By the time his group, which had become the dominant force in Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State, won the liberation war, it was evident that Lam could not fully bounce back as a strongman. His son even lost his bid for a seat in the House of Representatives. ACN could only escape the Peoples democratic Party (PDP) hammer because a faction of the conservative party had gone to encamp in the Accord Party (AP) led by Lam’s successor as governor, Chief Rashidi Ladoja.

Before he was assailed by illness, Lam was a gerontocratic monitor of Ajimobi Administration. He was acclaimed leader of the progressive fold in the state, working in concert with ACN Governor Abiola Ajimobi to erect lasting legacies. He was an advocate of true federalism, restructuring of the polity, state police and parliamentary system. But he left behind a crisis-ridden Afenifere, a trembling Yoruba nation agitating for regional integration and autonomy, a country in perpetual drift, and a big progressive camp in disarray and scattered across many ;parties.

Lam’s exit has created a vacuum. The void can only be filled by men of experience. They are not in short supply in Oyo State. The only tribute his survivors, including Ajimobi, Chief Michael Koleoso, Babalaje of Oke-Ogun, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Iyiola Oladokun, can pay to him is to ensure that there is unity, understanding, cohesion and harmony among the members of the political family left behind by the indefatigable ideologue and father figure.

November 12, 2012
The man Lam: His life, times, struggles

The eventful but appreciably exemplary political odyssey of Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina, a former Governor of Oyo State, ended yesterday. To the shock of many who had expected him to continue to play the role of a leading figure in Oyo State politics, he breathed his last at the St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, after a fairly protracted illness. Fondly called ‘Lam’ by his admirers, he was aged 73. Prior to his governance of the state between 1999 and 2003, he had been a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly in the Second Republic . And until his demise, he was the leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State . He was seen as one of the strong pillars that bonded the party’s members together.

Born January 20, 1939, the late Adesina was also an educator before his sojourn in politics, which eventually culminated in his election as the state’s number-one citizen on 29 May 1999 . He had been elected on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) which metamorphosed into the Action Congress (AC) and ultimately, the ACN.

He attended Loyola College , Ibadan and later studied at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from1961 to 1963 before he later attended the University of Ibadan in 1971. He worked in private educational institutions before entering politics and eventually throwing his cap into the political ring.

The first indication that he would gfo a long way in the political arena came in the 70s when he ran a regular column in the Nigerian Tribune. Despite the military’s hold on power and being a teacher, he found means of criticising the successive military administrations.

Shortly after the civil war, it was time for Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the political elite of the South West to plot the way forward, especially with the promise that the civilians would be brought back to the scene in 1974. he was thus a prominent member of the Committee of Friends put together by the late Chief Awolowo.

In the Second Republic , he sought and secured a seat at the House of Representatives. When the military dismissed politicians from the stage in 1983, Adesina resumed his socio-political activism. He was a prominent leader of the Social Democratic Party in Oyo State in the aborted Third Republic and his total support for the party’s presidential candidate whose victory was annulled led to his detention. The military declared him a Prisoner of War for his activities as a leader of the resistance movement, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that spearheaded the campaign against the annulment. He distinguished himself in the trenches and emerged a commander of the political army in the Southwest sector.

The late Adesina enjoyed the reputation of being a major sponsor of the incumbent Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi in his successful election into the Senate to represent Oyo South in 2003. But the father-son relationship between them soon went on sabbatical as they later fell apart. Ajimobi pitched his tent with the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

However, as it is often said, no permanent enmity in politics, their differences later gave way for a refreshed order – a reunion.

In October 2009, the two were friends again and thus, both became leaders of the AC in Oyo State . The truce, it was learnt, was brokered by the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

With the death of the widely-acclaimed strongman of Oyo politics, Alhaji Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu, not a few had tipped the late Adesina to be his ready successor for his experience and roles in the politics of the state, especially in recent times. More importantly, he had turned the rallying point in ACN’s affairs in the state.

However, all was not a bed of roses for him as at one time or the other, he had to swim in troubled waters of awry political developments. Perhaps of particular mention was when he stepped on toes at the dawn of Ajimobi’s current administration. The late ex-governor was quoted as saying that he would “prevail on Ajimobi not to probe” his predecessor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala over the “k-legged” way he allegedly ran the affairs of the state while in the saddle.

To many an observer who had been disenchanted with the Alao-Akala-led administration, the late Adesina was playing a spokesman of the flamboyant ex-governor that many love to hate. But to the man, his intention was borne out of his love for the people of the state and his conviction that Ajimobi needed not dissipate energy on such a “distraction”, instead of focusing his total attention on genuinely moving the state forward within a short period.

With the guidance of his like, so far, the people of the state are already inhaling a refreshing air of a new order under Ajimobi.

As the politician was interred in his Felele home yesterday, it goes without saying that members of his party, and indeed, the people of his state would miss a politician who believed that politics must be a tool of change in the fortunes of the majority.

November 12, 2012
Oyo won’t be the same again, says legislator

The Chief Whip of Oyo State House of Assembly Hon.

Abiodun Adigun Hammed has described the death of the former governor of Oyo state as a great loss to the Yoruba race, the state and the entire nation.

He said the former governor, as an activist, politician and ace columnist contributed greatly to the development of Oyo State when it was committed to his charge.

Adigun who spoke on telephone with our correspondent said “Lam Adesina was a great politician who has contributed immensely to national development. One of his great achievements before was in ensuring that the state was brought back to the progressive fold after the disaster of 2003. So we are all going to miss him.

“He was among of the people who worked with the Papa Awolowo and Chief Bola Ige during their time to ensure that the nation remained united.”

Hammeed said the followers now have the challenge of keeping the flag flying.

He said “alongside other leaders, those who served as governors of the Southwest at the same time as the late Alhaji Lam Adesina should do everything to ensure that the flag of progressive politics is kept flying and that the region does not return to the dark age.

November 12, 2012