Category: Politics

In this interview with Nicholas Kalu in Calabar, Mr. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, legal practitioner and Secretary of Cross River State Elders Forum of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), expresses concern over the level of corruption in Nigeria amid suffering of the masses and warned that except something is done quickly, a revolution would be inevitable. Excerpts

What is your opinion on the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan’s anti-corruption war and the probe of the rot in the petroleum sector?

Our people have a saying that the fish starts rotting from the head! This President has shown a tendency of endorsing corruption. Let me give you three clear examples. As Vice President under Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Dr. Jonathan publicly declared his assets because his boss did so. Let us not also forget that as Governor of Katsina State from 1999-2007, late President Yar’adua publicly declared his assets. This is called transparency and is undertaken by leaders with integrity, who lead by example. When President Jonathan was elected as incumbent in 2011, he blatantly refused to publicly declare his assets. What do you call this attitude?

Secondly, the monumental corruption in the petroleum industry: In other climes, the Minister of Petroleum Resources should have resigned or be sacked! Thirdly, despite allegation that Dr. Doyin Okupe, Mr. President’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, duped Benue State Government in excess of N800,000,000.00, Mr. President has not deemed it fit to relieve him of his duties. What further proof do you need?

Within the past three years, under the watch of Dr. Jonathan, the cancer of corruption has permeated every fibre of our national life. The Judiciary, the Legislature, the Executive, our educational system, even the National Honours Awards, the entire system has been turned on its head. Primitive accumulation of wealth, unsubstantiated and unmerited wealth is today the number one priority of most Nigerians.

The promotion of ethnic and sectional interests above the national interest is vigorously pursued by the conservative wing of the Nigeria ruling elite. The intention is to deceive the unwary Nigerians into believing that they are truly defending their interest, but when it comes to looting our collective patrimony, these brigands bond together irrespective of their ethnic groups, section or language!

A political and social revolution is imminent. All the objective conditions are here. You may have noticed that the reactionaries ruling Nigeria today are themselves clamouring for change or what they call reforms. You may also have noticed that these reforms are unending. It is a fundamental condition of a revolution that the ruling elite should no longer be able to rule without a change.

Secondly, when the hunger, deprivation, economic hardship of the masses has grown more acute than usual as we have noticed recently, you know a revolution is imminent.

The third signal is when as you may have noticed, there is a considerable increase in the social and political activism of the masses who may without any complain allow themselves to be robbed silly in peacetime but in turbulent times and times of crisis such as this, they are drawn both by the circumstances of the crisis and by the progressive left of the political elite into an independent historical action.

What is your assessment of PDP leadership of the country since 1999?

The PDP is a collection of very cynical reactionaries bonded together by the simple desire to control the wealth of Nigeria for their own self-interest. The PDP seeks to control and indeed controls power not for the sake of rendering services to the nation but for purely mercantilist reasons beneficial only to themselves.

The monumental wealth accruing to the nation under the PDP watch since 1999 has been swallowed up by monumental corruption. That is why nothing substantial has happened in the past 13 years. In 13 years of PDP leadership, no new federal road has been built and maintaining existing roads is an uphill task. No new refineries have been developed.

When the military handed over power in 1999, our power generation capacity was over 3000 kilowatts, it remains the same today despite trillions of Naira sunk into wasteful integrated power plants system. By the way, where is Elumelu Report on the power sector scam? More than 10 former PDP governors are supposed to be standing trial for corruption. It took only the British Court to jail James Ibori who was completely exonerated by Nigerian Courts. What has happened to all the high profile anti-corruption cases? If a nation fails to set the right standard of reward for achievements and punishment for crimes and other deviant conducts, how do you expect proper fundamentals to be passed from generation to generation?

The existing railway lines have not been extended or updated to meet modern railway system in the world. No new airports has been built, the Federal Government since 1999 has not built any new university.

Let us come back to Cross River State. What would be your assessment of the present administration in the state?

The present administration is playing the “blind-man’s-buff” with the destiny of Cross River State. We are the butt of jokes in the committee of states in Nigeria. Under the present administration, we have lost Bakassi, lost our 76 oil wells to Akwa Ibom State, lost our access to the sea; we are now a land-locked state. This government is not pursuing educational enlightenment of Cross Riverians because education in public schools is not free. The only state university, CRUTECH, has just recently upped its fees by more than 70 percent.

This government is certainly not interested in providing prosperity to Cross Riverians. No employment has been generated in the past five years. There is no deliberate policy of economic empowerment of Cross Riverians except a few self-serving acolytes, praise-singers and hirelings of this government. I want you to take a census of businesses in Cross River State and tell me the percentage of participation of Cross Riverians: Almost zero. That is why the economy of Cross River State is controlled by non-Cross Riverians.

What would be your take on the clamour for state police?

This is a prelude to disaster. Whoever proposes state police force at this time has no love for Nigeria. The idea is not a bad one but the time is not ripe. Our level of maturity and our democratic experience cannot sustain a state police at this time.

As Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan celebrates his 58th birthday, Sam Egburonu reports that some groups are making moves aimed at permanently reconciling him with his political opponents

As Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, marks his 58th birthday, some concerned leaders and advocates of peace and democracy in the state have harped on the need to use this auspicious occasion to promote peace and harmony in the state.

Recently, the state has come under serious verbal attack over alleged state of insecurity among other allegations, portraying the Uduaghan-led government as lagging behind.

But the People’s Movement, a nascent advocacy group on good governance and transparency on Thursday in Lagos congratulated the governor and called on his political opponents in the state to join hands with him to ensure greater development and progress.

The group also advised Chief Great Ogboru, the governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP) in the 2011 governorship election in Delta State and other members of the party to support Uduaghan, pointing out that since the apex court would not reverse its decision, it would be better to collaborate with Uduaghan for the general interest of the state and the people.

“This is the time to bury the hatchet and to join hands with the governor to move the state forward,” the group said.

A statement from the group said groups of prominent Deltans, committed to the rapid development of the state, will hold discussion soon with concerned leaders, intellectuals and stakeholders to fashion out a template for the development of the state.

The group reflected on the five years of the Uduaghan administration and declared that the state was in a promising direction.

“ We are confident that the measures Governor Uduaghan has initiated are measures in the right direction” the Director of Communications, Mrs. Ibifuro Tatua said in a statement issued in Lagos.

Debunking criticisms that the state government has failed to tackle the problem of insecurity, the group observed that security is a major problem in Nigeria and not just Delta State. It also debunked the insinuation that Delta State has the highest number of kidnap cases.

“His Excellency is winning the war against kidnappers and other criminals”, the group said, adding, “It is against this background arising from serious security challenges that Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan decided to put in place strategies towards addressing security challenges in the state’, the statement said.

It added that Uduaghan’s administration had set up special courts dedicated to trying offenders of these crimes, in addition to acquiring communication gadgets to assist law enforcement agencies to track down the criminals.

On the menace of flood , the group said the problem is not peculiar to Delta alone, pointing out, “It’s all over Nigeria and indeed, all over the world”.

According to statement, Uduaghan has carried out massive work in terms of clearing of drainages and removing structures obstructing natural waterways before the flood, complaining about the behavior of some people, who intentionally dump refuse in drainages and gutters as well as those who build their houses or fences on a water channel .

The group therefore appealed to the people to support the governor, warning some people it described as enemies of the state to desist from their activities. “Such people should think of what they can do to help their people at any level rather than allowing themselves to be used as agents of darkness and destruction,” it advised.

Alleging that criticism against the government may have been informed by refusal to share the state resources, It also urged greedy politicians, godfathers, thugs and youths waiting for the current governor to share state funds with them to forget the idea, adding that the governor is committed to the utilization of such funds for the growth of the state and the people.

The ‘war’ did not start of recent. It actually dated back to the vigorous campaign period that preceded the election of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Left to most of the northern governors elected on the platform of the party, Tukur’s chairmanship ambition would have been dead on arrival.

The Genesis:

In fairness to Tukur, he campaigned harder than any of the other aspirants for national chairmanship seat. During one of his whistle stop visits to a PDP governor in one of the northern states, the governor was alleged to have sounded out Tukur on the possibility of the emergence of a new president of northern extraction in 2015.

According to sources, Tukur allegedly responded that having a northern president in 2015 all depended on the disposition of President Goodluck Jonathan, who despite denials in official quarters, is believed to be interested in seeking re-election.

Though shocked by Tukur’s response, the governor, who is rumoured to be nursing a presidential ambition in 2015, smartly masked his displeasure, but quickly wished Tukur the best of luck in his aspiration.

It was not long before words went round on what transpired between the then national chairmanship aspirant and the governor. In a spate of few weeks, Tukur had gone round almost all the states selling his credentials and eligibility for the position. But contrary to his expectations that his candidature would be given an open endorsement, most of the governors in the north remained non-committal.

According to findings, the northern governors in several of their private discussions resolved to scuttle Tukur’s ambition and back another candidate from the North-East where Tukur also hails from.

The Bauchi declaration and its aftermath

The arrowhead of the hurriedly packaged summit was the Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda. In a deft move, he succeeded in convincing his counterparts in the other North-East states on the importance of attending the parley.

By the time the powerful backers of Tukur got wind of the game plan that was afoot, it was already too late. Tukur’s chairmanship aspiration was torn into shreds and, in his place, another aspirant, Dr. Musa Babayo Shehu, was endorsed as the North-East candidate for the PDP national chairmanship seat.

Sources disclosed that it was a stunned President Jonathan, who quickly summoned a meeting with northern governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The sole agenda of the meeting was a review of the Bauchi meeting and its implications for the unity of the party.

Knowing full well that the governors largely hold the ace on who becomes what in the party, the president allegedly pleaded that Tukur should be supported, while also subtly reminding the governors that as the sitting president and national leader of the party, his preferred candidate should be given a smooth sail at the convention.

Though not pleased with the president’s intervention, the governors, however, made a u-turn from their earlier position and decided to back Tukur.

In deference to the president’s wish, the governors allegedly instructed the other aspirants for the seat, including Babayo Shehu and the former Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to late President Umaru Yar’Adua, Senator Abba Aji, to step down for Tukur.

Despite his election as the National Chairman, sources said it was clear to Tukur that he may not enjoy the full confidence of some of the PDP northern governors, thus the beginning of a cat and mouse relationship between the two parties.

Tukur’s other ‘sins’

Some days after he assumed office at the Wadata House headquarters of the party, Tukur, through his spokesman, announced the appointment of key aides to assist him in the discharge of his duties.

Two key appointments were that of Alhaji Habu Fari and Chief Osaro Onaiwu, as Chiefs of Staff and Protocol respectively.

Fari, said to be the first ever Chief of Staff at the PDP headquarters, moved to assert his authority. The first person he clashed with was the National Secretary of the party, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who reportedly complained that some of the correspondences he sent to Tukur were either blocked or delayed.

Oyinlola, it was gathered, also allegedly frowned at a situation where correspondences, which should emanate directly from Tukur to his office, were usually signed by Fari.

The Nation gathered that like Oyinlola, some PDP governors also allegedly complained bitterly about alleged shabby treatment from Tukur, who despite scheduled appointments with governors, usually direct Fari to act on his (Tukur’s) behalf. “He (Tukur) relates with the governors like a school principal to his pupils,” said a source who is an insider in the party.

Final parting of ways?

The governors were not happy with their national chairman, and they craved for an opportunity to get back at him.

That opportunity presented itself when Tukur launched his biography, The Global Villager, in Abuja. According to sources, the president, all the governors and senators elected on the platform of the PDP were duly invited to the event.

Surprisingly however, while the president came to honour Tukur, the governors with the exception of Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, shunned the occasion and did not send representatives, despite indications that many of them were in Abuja on that very day.

Although Orji tried to rationalise the absence of his colleagues, the import of the governors’ action was not lost on discerning observers of the power play in the ruling party.

The scheming for 2015

With unconfirmed reports indicating that almost all the PDP governors running their second term in office are interested in the presidency come 2015, sources revealed that with Tukur still holding sway as the party’s boss, the chances of a northerner being elected or picked as the PDP presidential candidate may be rather slim.

For the governors, Tukur is no more than the president’s stooge, who will work for the alleged second term of Jonathan, contrary to the position of the northern political elites that a northerner should succeed Jonathan in 2015.

At a one-day interactive session in Lagos, stakeholders highlight the role of editors in the ongoing constitution amendment process which will assist Nigerians to truly own the constitution. Augustine Avwode reports 

The ongoing constitution amendment process imposes obligations on editors. This was the consensus of stakeholders at a one-day dialogue with editors in Lagos this week. With last Thursday’s public hearing by the Senate Committee on the amendment in Abuja and similar hearing planned for the six geo-political zones in the months ahead, the process leading to the amendment of the constitution has begun.

With 231 memos on several vexed issues already submitted to the Senate Committee, the UNDP’s Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity designed the dialogue to mobilize the Nigerian editors for the task of re-awakening the media to its critical responsibility of promoting public awareness and active participation in the amendment process.

In her welcome address, the UNDP country director Mrs Ade Letkoetje acknowledged the critical role of the media. Said she: “The media plays a critical role in keeping citizens engaged in governance, and a healthy political process requires pluralism and open communication by providing a vibrant and free environment for communication.

“ The government and the people of Nigeria have identified the amendement of the constitution as a national priority to strengthen their democracy and the UNDP, through its Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) project is proud to support the process. We are dedicate to deepening democracy in Nigeria”, she noted.

According to her: “Editors are critical media constituents. We also recognize the role of the media in raising the level of awareness and the enlightenment of the public, the broadening of civic participation in the democratic process will be realised as your work has the capacity to inspire more Nigerians to participate in the amendment process, contribute ideas into the review and assist Nigerians to take ownership of their nation’s constitution.

“It is, therefore, critical that editors make the constitution amendment process a top priority for national discussion and debate in public and private media so that all Nigerians can effectively engage in the process. I urge you in your role as gatekeepers, to advocate for the inclusion of issues that address the needs of Nigerians and to keep the issue of the constitution amendment on the front burner”, she advised.

National President, Nigeria Guild of Editors Mr Gbenga Adefaye in his remark described the dialogue as a “great opportunity” saying, “if we have a good constitution and a free press, the country will be the better”.

Adefaye said the media was the biggest victim when Nigeria was ruled by means other than democracy and that was why the media fought for the enthronement of democracy and therefore, it is incumbent on the media to make the present democratic experience work properly. He, however, challenged those present to read the constitution so as to fully appreciate the enormity of the challenge before the media in the process of amending the constitution.

He raised a poser on the plight of many Nigerians, who after spending many years in a particular area in a country that is 52 years old, are still regarded as “squatters” in their own country.

“There are issues in the country that require our attention. Therefore, we cannot just sit back and not take the amendment serious. Then, again, I think it is very important that we put in the constitution, expressly, the freedom of the press. These are just some of the many germane issues at hand,” he stated.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke, who was represented by Mrs Stella Abumeren, noted that the organizers of the programme must have taken into consideration the pivotal role of the editor in nation building, hence the theme of the dialogue “The editor and the Constitution amendment process”.

The minister said the 1999 Constitution, as the ground norm of all the laws in the country, provides the basis for all other laws and that is why any law that is inconsistent with the constitution shall remain void to the extent of its inconsistency. This, he said, makes the business of amending the constitution a very serious business.

He pointed out that Chapter 2, Section 31 of the Constitution imposes a duty and obligation on the media in shaping the consciousness of the nation and so empowers it to at all times hold the government accountable to the people.

The minister stressed that an editor’s action can “contribute meaningfully to the development of the society or serve as a catalyst for chaos”. He advised that such powers should be deployed for the stability and progress of the nation.

“As the Fourth Estate of the realm, you are critical stakeholders not only to hold but also to help government to be accountable to the people. And one way of doing this is by creating necessary awareness in the ongoing amendment process. ”, he stated.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, while thanking the UNDP and everyone present, noted that all the Presidency needed was a partnership with the media. He stated that the process of a constitutional amendment is not only dynamic but also an evolutionary one.

Abati told the gathering: “For me, what I consider critical is to draw attention to what the constitution amendment process is not. Many people have continued to insist that the amendment process is a President Goodluck Jonathan’s process. It is not! It is not the duty of the executive to amend the constitution; it is the duty of the National assembly and the Nigerian people to do that.”

He spoke further: “But that there are people who believe that the whole idea is about President Jonathan is unbelievable. And that is why we believe that the media is very key in this assignment. People believe what they read and hear. They rely on you for information and direction and for Nigerians in particular, the media has always played a very important role and being in the fore front of the making of the Nigerian nation and the Nigeria state. That is why as journalists, we hold a major responsibility to set the agenda correctly to ensure that Nigerians are the ones who determine what will come out of the entire process”.

The dialogue had two sessions. While Mr Tony Iredia was the chairman of the first session, the Editor of The Guardian Martins Oloja chaired the afternoon session. The first paper was presented by the Executive Director, Human Rights Monitor Festus Okoye who examined “The Nigeria Constitution: The journey so far” and the second paper by Director of the International Press Centre Mr Lanre Arogundade.

At the end of the day, it was generally agreed that editors should take more than just a passing interest in the constitution amendment process and assist Nigerians to be proud of the outcome of the process and fully claim ownership of the constitution.

Deputy Director, Department of State Security Service (SSS), Mr Isaac Idu, has said elective positions should be made less attractive so as to attract those who will deliver dividends of democracy to the citizens.

Speaking through a paper he presented at the Security Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) at Event Centre, Agidingbi, Lagos, Idu noted that when elective offices become less attractive the do or die syndrome in the polity will be minimised.

He said only adequate political education would throw up a mature electorate and candidates, and with that, the security situation will improve.

In his words: “It is pertinent to state that during the election proper, adequate security is required by stakeholders including those vying for various positions, electoral materials, observers and press men.”

He said election violence erupt after the exercise which may be due to wrong perception due to the act of those vested with electoral responsibilities which may likely deny the winner his victory.

“They would, therefore, mobilise to antagonise the release of the result, which they think would pre-empt whatever would not be in their favour. Consequently, protection after the election is very important.”

The SSS boss remarked that protection should be extended to the winning candidate after election. “The loser, who does not have the spirit of sportsmanship, may be pushed to the point of wanting to eliminate the winner.”

LASIEC chairman, Justice Afolabi Abdulfatai equally maintained that the role of security operatives is very important and could be regarded as the life wire of an election process.

According to him, “A guaranteed security of lives and property, which is inherent in a democracy is what can make a democratic government receive popularity.”

As the much-awaited governorship election in Ondo State comes up tomorrow, the three major political parties in the state – the Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN], the ruling Labour Party [LP] and the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] – are set to lock horns in a bid to clinch power at the Alagbaka Government House. Damisi Ojo examines the chances of the parties in the three senatorial zones.

IT was perhaps strategic as the candidates of the leading political parties in the race to take over power in Ondo State picked their candidates from different senatorial districts. The ruling LP decided to give a second term ticket to the incumbent governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who hails from Ondo town in the Central Senatorial District.

ACN fields Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), a legal luminary from Owo, the home town of the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin, in the North, while the PDP, whose government was sacked by the Appeal Court in 2009, picked the former National Legal Adviser of the party, Chief Olusola Oke, as its flag bearer. He is from Ilaje local council of the South Senatorial District. dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the incumbent has a renewed mandate to represent the Labour Party (LP).

Each party is entrenched in at least one district.

Dynamics of power in the North

The long agitations of the people of the northern district to produce the next governor drove them away from the LP and into the warm embrace of the ACN. Most prominent politicians from the six local government areas have decided to back ACN whose candidate, Akeredolu, is from the district.

The party’s profile improved after the 2011 general elections, following the defection into it by notable politicians from the LP and PDP.

Among eminent politicians in the district who defected to ACN are, a serving Senator, Ajayi Boroffice, the State Chairman of LP, Dr. Olaiya Oni, former Commissioner in Mimiko’s government, Prince Sola Amodeni, Hon. Saka Lawal, who was a former governorship aspirant of ACN but left after Akeredolu was picked, among others

As a demonstration of ACN popularity in the district, majority of aspirants who showed interest in flying the party’s flag are from the North. It is also instructive that the two governors who have been produced by the progressive party in the past, were also from the district. Chief Adekunle Ajasin who was governor in the Second Republic was from Owo, while Chief Adebayo Adefarati who was handed the charge of the state in 1999 was from Akoko.

Despite the defection of a few politicians who could not realise their ambition on the ACN platform, the party remains relevant in the district.

Boroffice has directed his supporters to work for Akeredolu and ACN to ensure a change in the pendulum and ensure that the the major opposition party takes over.

Another politician who has considerable followership in Akoko area, Prince Solagbade Amodeni, has also thrown his weight behind Akeredolu. Amodeni, who served under Mimiko as a commissioner and also as a chairman of Akoko South East was, for two terms, known to be elections’ decider in the area. History has it that Amodeni has never lost any election in his community, Ipesi Akoko.

Apart from the open support of the Akoko for the ACN, due to what they have described as total neglect by the LP administration, many indigenes of Owo who were known to be staunch members of PDP and LP have decided to back the candidacy of Akeredolu, their kinsman. One of such politicians is Dr. Bode Ayorinde who is the Pro-Chancellor of Achievers University, Owo. Ayorinde was an aspirant for Owo/Ose federal constituency on the platform of LP.

Another politician working for the success of ACN in Owo is a businessman, and a chieftain of the party, Chief Femi Adekanmbi. Adekanmbi was a member of LP but left after he was dropped for the incumbent lawmaker representing Owo/Ose federal constituency, Hon. Olorunda Omosule. In order to test his popularity, Adekanmbi joined the ACN and was picked as the party’s candidate but lost at the poll to Omosule who had the full backing of the ruling party.

However, the ruling LP and PDP may also pull some weight due to some prominent politicians who still remain loyal to them. For instance, the former State Chairman, Olaiya Oni, and his political son, Saka Lawal, who were known as election strategists, decided to leave the ACN following the emergence of Akeredolu and for the reason that an Akoko was not endorsed by the ACN national leadership as flag bearer.

Oni and Saka were lured by PDP chieftains to their fold with a promise that Saka, who was a Special Adviser to Mimiko would be picked as his running mate and by 2017 power would return to the northern district.

Also, former Minister for Defence, Tokunbo Kayode, two former State House of Assembly Speakers, Victor Olabimtan and Taofeek Abdulsalam, are politicians whose influences in the zone cannot be easily dismissed.

Olabimtan who was one of the PDP governorship aspirants is from Supare in Akoko South West and he has never lost election to any political party in the town, despite the fact that the present Deputy Governor, Alli Olanusi is from the same community.

However, it is not clear, if the three immediate past National Assembly lawmakers, Senator Bode Olajumoke and a former House of Representatives lawmaker representing Owo/Ose federal constituency, Dr. Lad Ojomo and Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, who represented Akoko North East/West in the lower chamber will work for the PDP in the October 20, poll. Despite the reconciliation meeting organised by the leadership of the party, the three leaders from the northern part of the state have refused to shore up support for Oke and his running mate.

When former President Olusegun Obasanjo stormed Akure, the state capital with some national leaders of PDP for a rally to endorse their party candidate, Oke, the three men stayed away.

At the event, Obasanjo appealed to the aggrieved members to sheathe their swords and work for the party. He described those who working against the party as dishonest people.

In Owo, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, a chieftain of PDP, was one of the aggrieved members of the party who had publicly declared his intention to work for Oke, who has been described as his political son.

Fawase hails from the same town as the ACN candidate, Akeredolu. As part of his commitment to PDP, Fasawe who was a close political associate of Obasanjo, has been working to strengthen PDP in Owo.

In the LP camp, the party may be relying on the incumbent Deputy Governor, Alli Olanusi, Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, Emiola Dare, and a former governorship aspirant of ACN, Dr. Olu Agunloye, who recently returned to LP after he failed in his ambition to emerge as the governorship candidate of the party. Agunloye retraced his step to the LP that he had earlier dumped when leaders of that party decided to drop him for Prof. Ajayi Boroffice as candidate for the senatorial seat last year.

Agunloye who pursued his governorship ambition through a political platform, Omoluwabi, left for LP after he was not picked as flag bearer for tomorow’s election. It would be recalled that Olanusi has always been a strong voice in Ondo State politics. The deputy governor, who was a former state chairman of PDP, left the party with some prominent members following a political disagreement between him and former Governor Olusegun Mimiko. Olanusi was among political stakeholders who always kicked against second term ambition of any governor in the state.

In the northern district, it is not in dispute that ACN will secure majority votes because various factors are working in its favour.

Battle for soul of the South

Ondo South is a determinant factor on the chances of any governorship candidate in the gubernatorial election because of the calibre of politicians and the political value of the area. In recent times, the area has produced sons and daughters that occupy various political posts like Federal Ministers, Deputy Governors, Senators, Federal Commissioners, Presidential aides, and ambassadors. Between 1991 and 1993, Dr. Olusegun Agagu from Okitipupa Local Government was elected the deputy governor of the state under Bamidele Olumilua’s administration. Also, between 1999 and 2003, the late Afolabi Iyantan also from Okitipupa Local Government was the deputy governor during the late Chief Adefarati’s government. In 1999, Dr Agagu who contested the governorship election against Adefarati was after his defeat appointed as a Federal Minster of various ministries under Chief Olusegun Obasanjos’government, a position he occupied until 2003 when he later came back to contest against Adefarati.

Oke is from the Ilaje area of the district. He was at a time Chairman of the interventionist agency, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission [OSOPADEC]; he was also a commissioner representing the State on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission [NDDC].

This may influence votes in favour of PDP, but ACN will not be a push over because Akeredolu’s mother is from Ese-Odo, while his running mate, Dr. Paul Akintelure is a prominent Ikale who had contested the senatorial seat on the platform of ACN.

Not only this, ACN could spring surprises at the election from the district with the active support of the former OSOPADEC Chairman, Chief Wale Omojuwa, Mr. Femi Johnson, the Ilaje Elders’ Forum leader, Hon. Kele Bolodeoku, ACN Women Leader Modupe Johnson, Wale Akinterinwa and Chief Diran Iyantan.

The former governor Dr. Olusegun Agagu is an Ikale man like Akintelure, he is strong politically in the area and could use his popularity and influence to attract votes for Oke.

Other prominent politicians like Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku, Mrs. Oladunni Odu, Eddy Olafeso, John Ola Mafo, Senator Hosea Ehinlanwo and a few others are still in the PDP.

Already, people in the riverine area who are aggrieved by the neglect of the area by Mimiko’s administration may seize the opportunity to protest against Mimiko.

The ruling LP parades the likes of Hon. Sola Ebiseni, the embattled OSOPADEC Chairman, Debo Ajimuda, Oyekan Arije, Banji Okuomo, Akin Sowore, the NDDC Commissioner from the state, Dele Omogbehin, former NDDC representative and Dr. Benson Enikuomehin.

The election in the district would be very close, especially between the PDP and ACN.

Central: Power of population

Because of the dwindling popularity of the LP, unlike in 2007, many prominent politicians in Ondo Central, particularly Akure South/North Federal constituency, have dumped the ruling party for either the ACN or PDP. For example, in ACN, a political big wig in the district who was a former commissioner and chieftain of the PDP, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, has never lost his wards in Akure North since he joined politics.

He joined ACN as a governorship aspirant, but because of the zoning formula which did not favour Ondo central, the leadership of ACN has given him the arduous task of coordinating tomorrow’s election for ACN. Alasoadura is a grassroots politician who exerts a lot of influence.

Another notable politician in Akure South is the lawmaker representing Akure North/South federal constituency, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde. He recently defected from the ruling LP at the floor of the House of Representatives to join ACN ‘Abena’ as he is popularly called by his admirers is expected to deliver for ACN.

Within the same constituency, there are others like the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) under Adefarati, Chief Wunmi Adegbonmire, a prominent Akure, and a follower of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He has been so committed to the cause of ACN and leads its Elders Forum. Another politician and former Commissioner for Information in the Adefarati administration, Prince Olu Adegboro, is mobilising his people for ACN.

Others in the progressive party within the district are Chief Akin Olokunboro, a member of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic . Dr. Akerele Adu, an Ijare politician of note in Ifedore local government, was a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources. He commands respect in his community.

There is also Prof. Olu Aderounmu, a former provost of the Ondo State College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, Ade Adetimehin, the Director of ACN Campaign Organisation in the district is from Idanre. He, apart from being the Treasurer of CAN, is assigned to head the Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the party.

In Ondo West, the home of the incumbent, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko also another reasoned politician and Special Adviser to Osun state Governor, Hon. Bola Ilori.

He was a former Chairman of Alimosho local government in Lagos state, a former senior special.Arrivant to Governor Mimiko and a mass mobiliser for ACN in Ondo State and particularly Ondo West. Also in Ondo West, the former PDP State Women’s Leader, Mrs Folake Akinjoko-Omojuwa is now a chieftain of ACN, who is ready to tackle the governor in his ward.

In spite of the internal crisis occasioned by factionalisation, PDP leaders and followers in the Central district are ready to regain the seat they lost to Governor Mimiko and LP in February 2009 following the verdict of Appeal Court in Benin .

Although, it has been suggested that Mimiko is behind the wrangling in the PDP, a faction led by Mr. Akin Olowookere has publicly resolved not to work for the victory of its candidate, Chief Olusola Oke. Notable politicians like Prof. Olu Agbi, Chief Segun Adegoke and others are against the Ebenezer Alabi executive commitee of the party. The present PDP leadership in the state is being supported by former governor Olusegun Agagu. However, in the Central District, the former deputy governor to Agagu, Chief Omolade Oluwateru, who is now the present Nigeria ’s Ambassador to Uganda is working with the Alabi committee to ensure Oke’s victory

Other PDP top shots in the politics of Ondo Central are the immediate past Chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Tayo Dairo, Dele Osakuade from Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore local government. Others like Prof. Olu Agbi, Senator Gbenga Ogunniya from Ondo West, Ademola Adegoroye and Segun Adegoke who still claim they are in PDP but are believed to be working for Mimiko.

The LP and its candidate, Governor Mimiko, in spite of the criticism of the administration still enjoys the confidence of the elite that supports the bid to retain the seat beyond February 2013.

The ruling Party still relies on few chieftains in the party like Commissioner for Works from Ilara Mokin and Chief Gboye Adegbenro, his counterpart from the same Ifedore Local Government.

Abiodun Adesida, the former member, House of Representatives, who recently decamped from PDP to LP, Mr. Sanya Oyinsan, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, Chief of Staff Kola Ademujimi and Yele Ogundipe, a Mimiko kinsman, who is the Commissioner for Finance.

Ondo Central is very crucial to the three major political parties and the contenders, Mimiko, Akeredolu and Oke because it has the largest votes.

In 24 hours, the ultimate judge of the process, the electorate, will decide to whom the mandate would be handed. For now, all an analyst could do is watch closely as politicians do their battle. But the ACN and its candidate appear to be doing well as strong challengers to the incumbent administration.