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Tag: 2015

2015 TAN begins Rallies For Jonathan

A political group, Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria(TAN), said yesterday that it will begin rallies for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election from August 16.

The rally will take off in Awka, the Anambra State capital, and hold in other deep political zones.

The group’s Director of Public Communications and Strategy, Udenta O. Udenta, spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting in Awka. He said TAN was worried over “the almost near absence of coverage of President Jonathan’s very many achievements nationwide”.

He noted that the negative antics of the few traducers of the administration were unconscionably allowed to dominate the public pace.

Udenta urged Nigerians to carefully take a dispassionate look at Jonathan’s achievements.

Listing some of the achievements sector by sector, he said these included oil/gas, roads, agriculture, power, sports, railway, women/youth empowerment, housing, port reforms, electoral reforms, aviation, port reforms, automobile industry and the National Conference.

He said: “Membership cuts across the 36 states and political party affiliations in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), United Peoples Party (UPP) and others. Members are expected to be in Awka for the maiden mega rally.”

July 31, 2014
Lagos to sustain zero deficit budgets in 2015

Lagos State plans to achieve a zero deficit budget next year.

Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget Mr. Ben Akabueze spoke yesterday during the sixth budget consultative forum held at Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa.

He said the budget would maintain the same level as the 2014 budget.

Akabueze explained that the projected budget would entrench sustainable government expenditure.

He said the 2015 budget outlook for the state projected annual growth rate of 10 per cent would put the state’s GDP at over N19.992trillion by 2016.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Iyabowale Aluko, said the forum was organised to carry stakeholders along in the budget process.

She said besides enhancing better and effective communication and good understanding between the government and the citizens, it would also assist in identifying programmes and projects capable of impacting positively on the lives of citizens

“There is also this desire to ensure that the 2015 budget effectively identifies spending priorities in line with aggregate resources, the implementation of which would ultimately transform the living standard of the citizens,” she said.

July 31, 2014
2015: Cross River youths deplore campaign of calumny

A group under the aegis of Cross River Youths Initiative has frowned on what it described as the campaign of calumny against some political leaders by a faceless group, the Movement Against Third Slavery.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Akwaji Erunke, the group warned that it would no longer take kindly to the smear campaign going on against those who have laboured over the years to bring about stability in the polity of Cross River State.

Alluding particularly to the several insidious newspaper advertorials, which it noted were tantamount to causing angst among the unenlightened public, Cross River Youths Initiative said: “Our attention has been drawn to the ongoing campaign by a faceless and desperate group under the self-seeking and self-promoting banner of Movement Against Third Slavery, aimed at causing disaffection in the polity.

“We have watched carefully the activities of these disgruntled and misguided elements, who are bent on eking out a living by parroting the selfish agenda of their paymaster. While we are not against anyone nursing a political ambition, we are particularly concerned about the approach and methodology deployed in the pursuit of such aspiration.”

Warning that Cross Riverians are now wiser to be hoodwinked by money politics, which the youth group said, has acquired a dated appeal in the state politics, Erunke noted that “Cross River people can no longer be short-changed by the ongoing subterranean doling out of handouts by a certain fledgling desperate politician in a bid to buy their conscience.”

July 31, 2014
Rivers 2015: I am an aspirant – Dagogo-Jack

Recently, there was controversy over the sponsor of some posters announcing the candidacy of Reynolds Beks Dagogo-Jack in the 2015 governorship race in Rivers State. While the Abonnema-born technocrat and the Chairman of Presidential Task Force on Power denied being behind the posters, he told Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, in this interview that he is an aspirant in the forthcoming race although his ambition is secondary to the project of ensuring President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election. Excerpts

Where are strong speculations and even poster evidence that you are in the gubernatorial race in Rivers State. Is this true?

For the records I was just as surprised to see those unsolicited posters as anyone else. Indeed, I had to put out a disclaimer of sorts to forestall anyone capitalising on the act for political mischief. I also want to say that it is perfectly possible for some enthusiastic well wishers to do this as this is fast becoming part of our culture in politics. And to your question, yes, I am an aspirant waiting to progress to being a candidate for the guber race. Now, don’t forget that I still have a job to which I am fully committed. However, I can confirm to you that I am indeed an aspirant to the office of governor of Rivers State in the next election under the banner of the PDP. I was convinced to prepare for the race in order to enrich the field and provide both the political leadership and our party constituents in the state a wider range of qualified and capable options. You know the peculiarities of our state, being very strategic to the national economy. Our party cannot afford to make unforced tactical mistakes ahead of the main elections which we stand a very good chance of winning landslide. Rivers State remains a PDP state at all levels. Rivers people are waiting adamantly to massively vote PDP in all the elections, especially the presidential and the gubernatorial races. Believe me: all current pretensions to the contrary are mere grandstanding and shall fizzle out in due course.

What are your core political interests?

As they say, no permanent enemies in politics but only permanent interests. Even at that, you will agree with me that the interests are bound to be shifting based on the circumstances of the moment. For me, the principal and paramount political interest I have into the foreseeable future is not to do or be involved in any activity knowingly or unknowingly which can pose even the remotest threat to the re-election of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election. Every other political consideration must be fully subjected to this paramount goal. Once all plans, choices and actions fully align with this goal, any secondary interest can queue behind this. I totally believe in this and I have no apologies on this.

What motivated you to come out?

Like I said, my first motivation is to enrich the field, knowing that over the years I have received the level and quality of preparation required for a high public office, duty post such as the governorship of our state. On a more personal level, I am motivated to offer a credible alternative to the regime of conflict, suspicion and exclusion-based politics which have dominated our political landscape for over a decade now. It will surprise many to learn that the Rivers State GDP is larger than that of Gabon or Senegal. We have what it takes to perform as a country, yet we live like beggars in the midst of plenty because we allow ourselves to be misgoverned and misled. By far, my strongest motivation is my personal conviction that our President sincerely desires to leave enduring developmental achievements especially in the Niger Delta region in order to fully resolve the restiveness in the region and this can only be successfully delivered when the states are governed by adequately prepared, humble and well committed transformational leaders who would work to earn the trust and followership of the people. I strongly believe that if we get development right in the states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers we can create a momentum of economic opportunities which could cascade across the country with far reaching nationwide impact. In this sense therefore, I personally share the view that the decades of mismanagement of the economy of the oil bearing states has been not only a disservice to the people of the region but also to Nigeria as a whole. Don’t you wonder sometimes how, by some strange process we keep electing all sorts of desperately insecure people with largely unconcealed desire to use the office chiefly to acquire stupendous wealth just to overtake those who they consider previously ahead of them whilst doing everything they can to dismantle meritocracy and enthrone below-par mediocrity for their succession plan? I tell you, I am motivated to present myself as a committed agent of change who would see the state and our neighbours as a huge economic asset to be optimally exploited for the full benefit our people and Nigeria at large. The challenges shall be significant in view of decades of practicing wrong politics and to deliver this change shall require discipline, tenacity and exemplary leadership. It will require ability to set clear targets and secure the buy-in of critical stakeholders; it will require transparency and accountability in governance. It will require capacity to build consensus. It will require humility and a learning spirit.

From information available to us, the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, is also an aspirant and he has the state and PDP structures fully secured to his interest. So, how do you think you can compete fairly at the primaries under such a situation?

Yes, I have read and seen different groups filing out in newspapers and mini rallies either endorsing or calling on Mr. Wike for the ticket. Indeed there is even news of the state PDP chairman openly canvassing for him. Yet, I have yet to hear him say he is running so it will be improper to speculate too widely. Be that as it may, I can only adduce that going by the current brand of politics which have failed to serve the people for decades, I will not be surprised if indeed it is restless political jobbers, incurable dependants and hangers-on who are piling the pressure on him for what they can corner for themselves now and in the future. For me, I believe all prospective candidates for governorship should fully respect the fact that political interests are both interconnected and hierarchical. By this I mean we must first design a winning model for the President’s re-election and avoid placing our interests ahead of his own thereby putting his victory prospects under any undue and unnecessary stresses in the state. As members of the same political family, which has the sitting President, we must be ready to make any sacrifice required for his re-election. Unless subsequent events indicate differently, I want to give all interested candidates, including Mr. Wike when he declares publicly, the maximum benefit of doubt on this. Again, you know very well that the primaries are meant to be a family affair. I strongly believe that our party would conduct the primaries, produce a flag bearer and still remain united for the main election ahead.

Do you think rotation of key political offices should take precedence over the capacity of a candidate?

I do not think the two elements are mutually exclusive. We are 165 million people in Nigeria with around 5 million in the state. In the state, we have well known ethnic nationalities, which unfortunately denote our political groupings for now. I make bold to state that each of the groups are richly blessed with prepared and experienced leadership materials who most often get crowded out by the more desperate power mongers in our midst. To suggest that we should at this vulnerable stage of our political evolution pretend we do not know that once a particular group gets elected into power, it can manipulate the dynamics to perpetrate its kind in office on the basis of a jaundiced “capacity and qualification” argument is to my mind self serving and deceitful. No group has the monopoly of capacity and experience. The compelling arguments in favour of rotating executive offices amongst the constituent groupings is well known; chief of which is equity, fairness and trust, which are the irreducible requirements for sustainable peace and development. Now, if a group can’t trust others to govern over them, tell me what gives them the right to govern over others? It’s as fundamental as that. A time shall come when we shall transcend such proclivities and collapse the ethnic boundaries into better integrated social classes which shall then predicate our political process. Until then let honesty and integrity prevail please.

In this context, how do you explain the unprecedented and unimaginable victory of Fayose against the incumbent, even in his own electoral ward?

The Fayose victory shall remain a political case study for some time in the annals of contemporary history, yet I see the twin elements of capacity and equity at play here. Without doubt the incumbent governor took far more for granted than he should. Not taking anything away from Fayose, he seemed to have resonated well with mood of the people. On one hand he enjoyed an overflow of emotional redress from the injustice of his forced displacement by the Obasanjo government. In politics as in real life, it’s very unhelpful to compare oranges with apples.

We have heard a lot of people say that you are a well respected technocrat and that you are really not a politician; can you take on Amaechi’s (APC) candidate as well as the Education Minister? Can you?

Again, I want to really avoid being presented as the minister’s bitter rival for whatever reasons, because I am not. He is my younger brother. I have a lot of respect and admiration for him. He is a very strong politician and we both have a duty to work together and retain Rivers State as the PDP state it has always been. I repeat, it’s not so much about us as it is about our boss’s political calculations which guarantee a win-win for both of us who are the President’s aides. Talking of being a technocrat, I fail to see that as a liability in any way. Politics is a people and contact game which can be likened to football in its simplest form. An all defenders and no strikers line up can’t make a good team and vice versa. The potency of my candidacy is not anchored entirely on my skills, muscles and orientation, but its rather a coming together of several socio-political like minds and interests who share a common set of core values and have agreed to rally support behind a single point of leadership. The world is full of such examples where respected technocrats are invited to lead a change vanguard with the full support of the other forces to undertake phenomenal transformation of their nations especially in these times which need deep technocratic experience to navigate successfully in the global village. I am proud to associate myself with such great minds, including our President and his Vice who have discharged themselves very creditably in the political arena yet both came into public service from the technocrat side of our larger society.

What are your strengths as a candidate?

I am a very credible alternative which can be used to change the destructive direction of our politics to make significant improvements in all socio-economic indices, including health, education, industry, employment, agribusiness, quality of life, etc. Of course, I have other strengths but it’s a bit too early in the game to let them out of the bag.

But what do you think are your weaknesses as a candidate, if I may ask?

I’m not quite sure what you want to know but maybe my not being as desperate as I have seen other candidates conduct themselves? Now, if I know of any more weaknesses you can bet I will keep them to myself and try to overcome them before they hurt me and my project.

What specific values will you bring to the process as the governor of Rivers State?

Strong and clear vision; discipline and robust work ethics; transparency and accountability; I shall do everything in my power to restore peace and security to the state and set the state on the path of irreversible growth into being the destination of first choice by investors and tourists during my tenure .

If you become the PDP flag-bearer, how would you rate your chances against any APC candidate in Rivers State?

At this point in time, I have not the foggiest idea who the APC candidate would be? I told you Rivers State has no business with APC. I will always show respect to my opponent but I sincerely doubt it if the APC in Rivers State can boast of the kind of candidate line up from the PDP.

What do you make of the recent court judgement secured by the state chapter of the PDP to ensure that only the current State Executive Council can conduct all political activities including primaries for the next four years?

I think it’s immature and uncalled for. Taking a careful look at the actions and the mind boggling judgement that followed, what one sees are: One, inordinate ambition and greed necessitating such a pre-emptive action designed to predicate the results before the exam. It will not work. Two, total lack of confidence in and unmerited disrespect of the national leadership of the party; Three, an attempt to sow the seeds of party crises which can make us vulnerable in the general election; I strongly believe that a full investigation is proper and appropriate disciplinary action should be meted out to all parties involved in the procurement of this obviously kangaroo judgement.

So, when will you declare formally?

For now I remain fully loyal and committed to the official duty I am assigned to. For now I remain an aspirant conducting needed consultations, conferences, engagements, organising, etc. I believe declaration is essentially a formal public event announcing my candidacy and entry into the race and must be done the right way. As soon as my team and I are ready, I promise you guys will be the first to know.

July 27, 2014
Lagos 2015: Ambode’s unending political battles

Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports on the political battles currently being fought by Akin Ambode, one of the major aspirants for Lagos State governorship seat in 2015

The political camp of Akin Ambode, a leading governorship aspirant in Lagos State, remains agog with activities as his handlers battle criticism and opposition to his bid to succeed Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of the state in 2015. Following the wave of endorsements that trailed his declaration for the plum job, the former Accountant-General’s ambition has been generating discussions across the state.

In spite of his growing popularity within and outside his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ambode’s candidacy continues to receive serious knocks from some quarters within and outside his party as the 2015 governorship election draws nearer. Consequently, his handlers left with no breathing space in their bid to position him as the man for the job.

“In spite of funny attempts by a few persons to tar his aspiration with the brush of needless controversies, various groups, individuals and the youths are daily declaring their support for the young man’s aspiration, with the strong conviction that his quest to be governor is beyond just another ambition, but a selfless desire to serve.

“Ambode is the right man to take over the mantle of leadership of the state from Governor Babatunde Fashola come 2015. He is the best man for the job at a time like this. We are convinced that his is not just another ambition, but a selfless desire to serve the people of Lagos State,” Adeola Mejuyipin, one of the leaders of Team Forthright Lagos (TFL), said in Ikorodu at the weekend.

But Mejuyinpin and his co-travelers in TFL may not be speaking the minds of all Lagosians as some people have constantly argued that Ambode’s ambition is against the interests of known party men and women who have been nursing similar aspirations for years.

“His ambition is like a jolt from the blues. We have people who have been around in the party for years. It is not good to leave such people and follow a new entrant who just left public service not quite long,” Chief Adebari Saula, a chieftain of the ruling party in Kosofe Local Government posited.

Aside his not being a politician, how prepared is he for the herculean job of governing Lagos? He should allow those who have been planning for this for a long time to take the saddle,” Saula added.

Saula’s position is a reference to the fact that until two years ago, Ambode was buried in bureaucratic obscurity; hard to be seen, as he was just another civil servant earning his pay by serving the government. Analysts say not many people would have confidently pinned the toga of a “budding politician” on him back then.

But Mejuyinpin, who argued that Ambode has become a household name in the state and unarguably one of the leading aspirants in the 2015 gubernatorial race, disagreed vehemently with the APC chieftain’s position.

The young man, an entrepreneur who said he and many of his colleagues are grateful for the kind of leadership provided by Fashola since 2007, warned Lagosians against voting for “someone with just an ambition” as the next governor.

“Fashola had no ambition in 2003, so they say, but he had the genuine will to serve the people of Lagos selflessly. That will thrust him forward and today we can see the result of voting for a man with more than just an ambition,” argued Mejuyinpin.

Continuing, he said “Yes, he was a civil servant until recently but all the trappings of leadership were trailing him very early in life. Although he might not have set his mind on any particular political ambition, I have no doubt that even Ambode himself knew all along he was cut out for leadership. While all he wanted to do was put in his best as a civil servant and be remembered for good afterwards, fate had more in stock for him.

“So, against any personal ambition of his, as early as when he was in his mid- thirties, against all odds, he became the youngest Accountant-General of the state at the age of 37. And given his position as the chief custodian of the treasury, it was not long before his path crossed that of the then leaders of the state.

“This happened at a time the state government was bothered about the finances of the state on account of the political war he was waging against the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who through legal technicalities impounded the funds earmarked for the state’s local government councils following the controversy that trailed the creation of additional local councils in the state.

“Ambode became a quiet star in the eyes of those in government when he invented the financial system that helped the state survive those challenging times. It was as such inevitable that Ambode would be noticed and appreciated by leaders of the ruling party.

“So, it is easy to conclude that fate prepared Ambode for leadership. More so because after the enviable feat he performed with the finance of the state in those troubled days, he went ahead to perform other miracles within and outside his purview as the Accountant-General of the state.”

But it is not only the issue of being a new entrant that is standing on the way of the Epe-born politician. There have also been talks about his not having what it takes to govern a state like Lagos. According to those opposed to him, Lagos needs a man in the mould of Fashola to keep the state on the path of development.

“Lagos cannot afford anything short of another performer. With what Fashola has done in Lagos, it will be disastrous to elect an untested hand to take over from him,” Comrade Fola Ajayi of the Voters’ Vanguard, told The Nation.

Responding, an aide of the politician, Seni Abimbolu, said Ambode is the most tested of all those jostling to succeed Fashola today. According to him, this became evident in the submission of Governor Fashola about his ability, when it was time for him to bow out of active civil service.

Explaining further, Seeni said with lots of accolades for the retiring Ambode, Governor Fashola wrote: “I write on behalf of the people of Lagos to commend your high sense of dedication, selflessness and integrity which you brought to bear on the civil service. I wish to specifically remark that working closely with you has been of tremendous mutual benefit, particularly in the present administration.

“You have displayed high sense of professionalism and have been a good team player, guided by the philosophy of a true public officer, who must place himself last while rendering service to the public. We are convinced that your brilliance and zeal will make you excel in your future endeavours.”

“With Fashola virtually confirming his ability and preparedness through statements like the ones above, what more does Ambode need to convince the good people of Lagos that he possesses the leadership qualities to continue the great works embarked upon by Fashola?

“His vast experience in the civil service and long period spent in crucial positions would stand him in good stead in the prudent and efficient management of the state’s resources. The immense exposure and connections he garnered while in those positions, analysts argued will be of immense benefit to the people of the state if he is allowed to steer the ship of the state.

“I have also heard some people saying Ambode has the reach and capacity to attract new interests to the state with that critical paradigm shift in additional ideas to deepen our democracy and development aspirations as a state. And I willingly agree that he has the capacity to further reposition the state with prudent management of scarce resources,” the politician said.

On the rumour surrounding the authenticity of Ambode as an indigene of Epe, a sleepy town in the outskirt of Lagos, his aides said Lagosians should critically read between the lines by pondering on the following confirmation of the politician’s origin by no other person but the Olu-Ilara of Ilara, Oba Okunola Adesanya, one of the paramount rulers of Epe.

The Oba who said he has been on the throne for 54 years said; “The Ambode family had always been part and parcel of Epe. The Epes have always been looking for a Messiah and that indeed Akinwunmi Ambode fits it so perfectly to actualising this age long dream. He is the jewel of the people of Epe land and as an illustrious son of the land, who used his position as the Accountant- General of Lagos State to better the lot of the people of Epe.”

July 27, 2014
Delta 2015 and spectre of political violence

As the Delta governorship aspirants intensify strategies in the 2015 elections, OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE writes that the recent violent exchanges between political interests within the ruling PDP may be a foreboding of events.

As the 2015 Delta governorship election draws near, recent untoward events in the political arena have raised the spectre of violence as the fight to wrest political power within the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensifies.

The unfolding drama, undoubtedly, prompted Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to warn against any breach of the peace in the run-up to the 2015 Delta governorship election.

He appealed to aspiring politicians not to over-heat the system, adding that the state has remained peaceful and that he will ensure that it remained so.

He warned that it is his responsibility to “guide the 2015 electoral process in the state to a logical conclusion and in a peaceful manner.”

His words: “The race has started and I continue to appeal to the gladiators and those interested, we are not against any ambition .What we are against is over -heating the system as a result of personal ambition. This state has remained peaceful and we intend to ensure that it remains peaceful. My responsibility is to guide the 2015 process to a logical conclusion in a very peaceful manner.”

Delta State has a history of political violence. For instance, the 2011 Delta State legislative elections into Patani Constituency, involving ex-Commissioner of Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Mr. Raymos Guanah, of the Fresh Democratic Party and current Deputy Speaker, Basil Ganagana, of the PDP were marred by violence.

The violence consumed Sixtus Ganagana, 31, a brother and aide to Basil Ganagana. Sixtus Ganagana was assassinated at Ughelli metropolis in the presence of his wife and children.

Earlier in January 2011, a former Transition Committee Chairman of Patani Local Council, Mr. Paul Atie, was shot dead by some unidentified assailants.

Atie, who was the Director of Campaign for Raymos Guanah was gunned down a few metres away from a petrol retail outlet in Ughelli town by suspected assassins.

Speculation is rife that the two murders may have been politically motivated.

Mr. Basil Ganagana and Raymos Guanah, his opponent in the House of Assembly election had accused each other of assassination plots. Mr. Raymos Guanah was briefly arrested by the police.

Also on September 7, 2013, Delta State Commissioner for Education, (Basic and Secondary Education), Prof Patrick Muoboghare, was brutally attacked by irate youths from Uwheru community, Ughelli North during the inauguration of Uwheru Ward PDP executive members at the PDP secretariat.

He was accused by the youths of manipulating the executive list of the ward congress held in 2012.

Muoboghare was stabbed in his right arm and upper abdomen and left for dead in a pool of blood.

With local polls set for October 25th, Deltans are apprehensive of election violence, judging from the succession of violent confrontation within the ruling PDP in the state.

Analysts believe the local polls will provide ample opportunities for the two parties, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to test their strategies ahead of 2015 governorship race, as any political party that gains the upper hand stands a good chance at the gubernatorial polls.

Another incident last year foreboding violence, involved ex-Speaker Victor Ochei, who while on a familiarisation visit in his constituency reportedly escaped unhurt after a botched assassination attempt at Obomkpa community in Aniocha North Local Government Area.

The Nation gathered that an Improvised Explosive Devices (I.E.D.) exploded, critically injuring a female aide to one of the Speaker’s associates who is an indigene of the town (Obomkpa).

It was gathered that the canon exploded behind the seat reserved for Victor Ochei, while he was busy exchanging pleasantries with well wishers at the village square.

Senator Arthur Okowa’s campaign train also appears mired in controversy over shooting allegations in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area after his billboard was pulled down.

However, the victim, Sunny Okonye, after initially claiming that he was shot by persons associated with the Okowa Campaign Organisation repudiated his earlier claim.

Dogging the earlier allegation is the murder of Mr. Arthur Agbe in 2003 over a property in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area.

But Senator Okowa’s counsel, Peter Mrakpor, at a press briefing in Asaba recently, raised the alarm that the respected legislator’s life was in danger, adding that the allegations against Okowa were politically motivated by persons scared of his popularity.

His words: “Senator Okowa’s life is in danger because from the series of events that have been happening and the orchestrated newspaper attacks on him, there is a conspiracy to frame him for murder.”

Continuing, he said, “Senator Okowa’s life is in danger because there is conspiracy from the series of events that have been happening and the orchestrated newspaper attacks on him. This is not the first time, for

John Agbe, his son was killed 11 years ago over a piece of land in Agbor. The question we want to ask is whose building is on that lands.

It does not belong to Senator Okowa. Why do you now accuse him of fighting over a piece of land that does not belong to him? Ten years ago you accused him, the matter was investigated, and the Director of Public Prosecution came out with a report that it was a false allegation. He (Okowa) ran for the senatorial election, and there was no allegation. Then all of a sudden someone comes with an allegation of murder of his son ten years ago. This is orchestrated. The claimant is a driver in Ika South Local Government Council. So, we are saying let us inform the whole world that there is a conspiracy to not only defame him (Okowa) but to frame him. We are appealing to the press to take our message to Nigerians and let the police also swing into action that if nothing is done, an innocent man will be framed.”

Mr Akpor said his client has instituted legal action against one John Agbe , a driver working in Ika South Local Council in the sum of N20 billion for allegedly making libelous claims in a national newspaper linking his son’s death to his client.

In a writ of summons made available to The Nation, Peter Mrakpor said, Okowa is claiming “damages for libel in the issue of the Leadership Sunday Newspaper on 29th June 2014 in the sum of N20 billion”.

Okowa is also praying for a retraction of the publication and public apology. Senator Okowa is further asking for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant whether by himself and/or through his agent, proxies and privies from further writing, printing or circulating or causing to be written, printed or circulated or otherwise publishing of the claimant…”.

Akpor declaimed allegation that his client keeps a killer squad to further his political ambition, “as it is our client’s firm belief, that power is at the discretion of the Almighty God and He gives it to whomever He wishes”. He said his client “does not know the Agbe family, the location of the land at Ikpeazue Avenue/Upper Okobi Street in Boji-Boji, Owa, Delta State.”

But a more troubling event occurred July 11th when the wife of former PDP National Chairman, Ahmadu Alli, and Delta State PDP Chairman, Peter Nwaboshi, threw caution to the winds and engaged each other in physical combat.

The incident which occurred at the PDP Secretariat in Asaba at the formal hand -over ceremony of vehicles to PDP chairmen in the 25 local government areas in the state is not unconnected with the senatorial ambition of both political gladiators. Peter Nwaboshi and Mrs. Marian Alli are reportedly vying for the ticket on the platform of the PDP to represent Delta North Senatorial District at the upper legislative chambers.

But the question agitating the minds of many Deltans is whether the recent violent exchanges between political gladiators is not an omen that portends grave danger as the 2015 gubernatorial election looms?

July 27, 2014
2015: Presidency, PDP plot against Lamido

Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, appears determined to have a go at the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) come next year, but the Presidency is bent on cutting him to size, reports Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo

The postulation that the Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has an ace up his sleeves after declining to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last year now looks real after all.

For some time now, Lamido’s alleged ambition to have a go at the presidential ticket of the PDP has become a huge dilemma for the Presidency and national leaders of the party.

To infer that a palpable sense of unease currently reigns in the top echelon of the PDP over Lamido’s widely suspected presidential ambition would be an understatement.

Though the governor is yet to publicly declare his interest in the presidential contest, his body language hints at his positive disposition towards the idea.

In an interview with a national daily recently, Lamido, while not categorically stating his interest in the race, however declared that no law forbids him from taking a shot at the exalted seat on the platform of his party.

“I don’t see any crime being committed by people saying that I want to be the President of Nigeria, because it is not a personal office,” he had said, adding, “Every Nigerian should be able to aspire to that position, provided it is not based on the criteria of tribe, religion or culture. Anybody elected to that position should be a Nigerian president. Every Nigerian has the right to aspire to be the president of this country. Every Nigerian is a presidential material.

“You see, they tend to personalise the Presidency and therefore anybody who aspires to become the president is like committing a crime. That office is a national office for all Nigerians and, therefore, should not be appropriated. Anybody can be there.”

Speaking further on his political plans, Lamido declared, “By my political culture and belief as a Muslim, I would always allow God to be my guide; He has been there for you and me.”

This statement, as diplomatic as it was, is however being taken seriously by President Goodluck Jonathan’s strategists as the clearest indication that Lamido is set to challenge the President for the PDP’s 2015 presidential ticket.

Though Lamido’s aspiration looks dead on arrival, as Jonathan is, undoubtedly, the man to beat for the ticket, sources in the party believe that the governor’s aspiration will likely upset the party’s game plan of returning Jonathan unopposed or, in a worse-case scenario, run without any serious contender for the presidential ticket.

Indeed, there are palpable fears within the party that Lamido is acting out a script of a broader agenda to achieve a number of objectives, a few of which include to cause another round of crisis in the party close to the 2015 elections and most significantly to reinforce the undisguised plot to return power to the North next year.

As a source puts it, “It is no longer a hidden fact that the North wants the Presidency in 2015. And the only way to realise this plan is to cause maximum damage to the PDP, which is not looking back in presenting Jonathan as its presidential candidate.

“While President Jonathan is a sure bet for the PDP ticket, however, Sule Lamido’s failure in the primaries will cause a split within the party and this is what we want to avoid by all means. Any post-primary crisis will surely prove a huge distraction for the party before the general elections.

“Some northern elites will surely allege manipulation of the primary in favour of Jonathan and before you know it, the party will have a big crisis on its hands. Lamido’s decision to challenge the President appears to be the final phase to decimate the PDP.”

Options to stop Lamido

A few options are being considered by the President’s handlers to handle the Lamido challenge.

First, plans have been set afoot to prevail on the Jigawa governor to drop his ambition in the overall interest of the party.

Sources disclosed that influential traditional rulers in the North, who have the ears of the governor and prominent opinion leaders will be contracted to talk Lamido out of his presidential ambition.

But the major snag to this plan, say a source, is on who to enlist for this task, as there are strong suspicions on the disposition of most major Northern stakeholders to the President’s alleged second term ambition.

The likely threats of Lamido’s challenge to the Jonathan 2015 project, The Nation gathered, perhaps explained why some close advisers of the President supported the idea of picking the governor as Jonathan’s running mate for next year’s election.

The argument of this school of thought is that Lamido has more to bring to the table than the incumbent vice president, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, who despite his loyalty to his boss and also recording some successes in the recent poaching of some Northern APC leaders to the PDP, is still largely seen as lacking the requisite political stature to mobilise a broad-based support for the President in the northern region.

While chances are high that the President may retain Sambo in 2015, sources revealed that those opposed to his retention are not giving up in getting Jonathan to have a change of mind on the issue.

But Sambo also has its staunch backers in the President’s inner circle. This group, it is alleged, aver that dropping Sambo for Lamido, who is known for his fierce independent mindedness and loyalty to certain individuals known to be antagonistic of the President will be too much of a risk to take.

The Nation gathered that if the plan to pressure Lamido out of the presidential contest fails, the Option B will be to re-open the money laundering case involving the governor’s sons, Aminu and Mustapha.

About two years ago, Aminu was arrested at the Aminu Kano International Airport on his way to Cairo, Egypt, while allegedly in possession of about $50, 000, which he failed to declare to appropriate authorities.

Aminu was quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but was released a few days later. The two young men’s predicament was linked to their father’s political differences with the President, a charge that was dismissed by the Presidency.

“Don’t be surprised if this case involving Aminu and Mustapha is re-opened later this year to distract their father from his presidential campaign,” quips a source.

Lamido is however said to be unperturbed about the plot against him, but how far he can go to upset the apple cart in the PDP presidential contest remains to be seen.

July 27, 2014
NIGER 2015 QUALIFIER: Eaglets in Congo to win, says Amuneke

Nigeria’s Under-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets, will be going for nothing but victory when they face the Junior Leopards of Congo Democratic Republic in an African U-17 Championship (Niger 2015) qualifier on Saturday in Kinshasa.

This much was said by the team’s Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke (MON) after the Eaglets’ final training session yesterday, ahead of the match fixed for 3:30pm local time (3:30pm Nigerian time) at the Tata Raphael Stadium today.

” We are here to win and it is as simple as that but we know that the game will not be as simple as that,” said Amuneke who scored match-winning goals when Nigeria won the 1994 African Cup of Nations and Atlanta’96 Olympic Soccer Gold medal. “We have constantly told the boys that all what we had done in the past are now in the past and the moment of serious business is here for us.”

Keen followers of the Eaglets can readily predict the team’s line up after remarkably going 21 matches undefeated in regulation time (bar the penalty shoot-out loss to Benin at the WAFU B Tournament in Togo) fuelling suspicion that the 1994 African Footballer of the Year might stick to his reliables against Congo DR.

“The only difference between Saturday’s (today’s) match and the ones we played in the past is just the circumstance because this is one of the qualifiers for Niger,” he explained. “So it is important for us to win irrespective of what Congo will throw at us because we know Kinshasa is a difficult place to win matches.”

Typically, Amuneke refrained from picking any particular player as the joker for the match saying that all the 18 players on the trip are physically and psychologically ready for what is regarded within the rank of the team as ‘The Battle of Kinshasa.’

“Joker? I don’t have any joker for the match,” he bluntly said. “What we have is a team with a winning mentality and we have brought players we believe will do the job for us.”

July 26, 2014
Nobody can defeat Ajimobi, APC in 2015

The run up to the gubernatorial election in Oyo State in 2015 promises to be interesting as the major political parties gear up for the polls. The man to beat is the incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. But a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government, Mr Ladi Oluokun, says no matter the efforts of the opposition, the governor will get a second term. He spoke with TAYO JOHNSON in Ibadan.

When did you come to political limelight in the state?

I joined active partisan politics in 1998 and I was a strong party member of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD).Mark you, I have never cross-carpeted into any other party since I opted for partisan politics. I am a consistent individual who detest political prostitution. I joined partisan politics because I have been exposed to how it is being played in the western world. Politics is to serve the people and this is my aspiration which is to bring smiles to the faces of people who are suffering in the society. This prompted me to team up with the progressive elements who are passionate about changing the society for the better..

What is your focus in relation to development as Ibadan North East Local Government boss?

Let me first appreciate God the author and finisher of our faith. I also sincerely appreciate Governor Abiola Ajimobi and the people of Ibadan North East Local Government for giving me this wonderful opportunity to serve them. I hereby reiterate my pledge that I will not let the governor and my people down Looking back after over a month now in office, I would say that my people have been exceptionally wonderful in terms of support from them. They have cooperated with us in achieving all we have done. The journey has been so tough, rough and challenging. I give glory to God because of the cooperation and motivation as well as encouragement of the people of the council.

There is a proverb that says uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. What are the challenges of occupying this position?

In governance, the major challenge is fund. What we are getting from the federal government is far below what should be coming to us. We only rely on internally generated revenue and Governor Ajimobi has been great in that aspect because he doesn’t touch our money but he is always concerned about the development of the council. He has given us an example of prudent management of our resources and we prioritize all our activities We must, however, serve despite the little resources coming to us. We need to alleviate the sufferings of the people. We are following the good example of our governor.

How would you describe your working relationship with Governor Ajimobi?

It has been very cordial, exciting and challenging. When you are serving under a hard working Governor who knows his onions, you have to be on the alert. This is a governor who is passionate about changing the face of the state which he met as one of the dirtiest states in the country. You can now imagine how Ibadan the state capital has become one of the neatest cities in Africa. First, working with Senator Abiola Ajimobi for the development of Oyo State has been wonderful. I see the governor as somebody who puts God first in whatever he does. He also has the love of the people at heart.

Many developmental projects are going on in most parts of Oyo State. Ibadan North East Local Government is not an exception.ý He has put in place the establishment of Ajumose football viewing centres to reduce youth restiveness. In this local government council, the distribution of eight transformers to eight communities has become a reality; namely, Oranyan, Oje, Odejayi, Idi-Ape, Aderibigbe, Sunmade, Eru-Omu and Surulere, while three police stations that got generating sets are, Agodi, Agugu and Testing ground in Iwo-road.ý Also we have ongoing bridge construction at Ile-kunkun, Onipasan area among others, all within my two months in office.

The crisis in Oyo APC has taken a new turn with the defection of some of its key members to opposition parties, is this not going to affect APC in 2015?

Your question is indeed a funny one to those of us in the party. Some of the defectors have no electoral value. I am not saying all of them. They cannot win anything even in their wards .Some of those defectors have been made to see reasons that they would be regarded as prostitutes if they insisted on leaving the progressive party but we are still trying to persuade them on why they should remain with a winning team despite their weaknesses. But let me tell you, APC is not at all rattled with the movement of some of those members to the Accord Party or PDP, though it is clear that the few members who decamped from APC are the aggrieved. The process of bringing them back to the APC is on course and I can assure you that they will return to the party. History offers us a great lesson. When you look at the history of Oyo politics, there has never been a time that a new party won election. Even Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, who won election on the platform of LP utilised a lot of human resources from the Peoples Democratic Party. Even in families we do quarrel among our small members but later we will solve it amicably. Let me assure you that they will come back to where they truly belong.APC remains a party that would strengthen their weaknesses. What is important is tolerance of one another. The sacrifice which we are paying now will be highly rewarded later. So, my strong appeal to them is to come back home in the interest of their people in the state.

Former Governor Alao-Akala has recently joined the governorship race on the platform of PDP with other aspirants in the opposition party who have all boasted that they will win the governorship election in 2015. Is this not a threat to Governor Ajimobi’s re-election bid?

There is nobody that can defeat Governor Ajimobi in the next governorship election in the state. His achievements are unprecedented and unmatched by previous governments in the state. The first noticeable achievement of the incumbent government was restoration of peace to the state. He has brought an end to the era of brigandage and violence .Peace has been restored not only to the hitherto crisis-ridden transport union (NURTW) in the state but he has been sustaining the peace. The entire state is now peaceful bringing an end to the culture of violence. You can see the anti crime outfit called ‘’Operation Burst’’ which is being used to check mate the activities of criminals in the state .You would recall how many lives were lost because of avoidable scramble for power between factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). The governor ensured that government did not get itself involved in the affairs of the motor union.

Apart from this, roads have been widened and infrastructure generally given facelift. This was in the area of environmental beautification. The state has never had it so good. Ibadan the state capital has been completely changed and this is a credit to the foresight of this government.

As to the legislative arm of the government, you can see the harmonious relationship among the members. The executive and legislative arms have since his assumption of office, been collaborating with each other thus paving the way for all round development in the state. There is no unnecessary interference bythe executive with the legislature and the leadership of the House under the Speaker, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu, has been doing wonderfully well and deserves to be commended for achieving what men could not achieve. The achievements of Governor Ajimobi, honestly speaking qualified him for a second term with less campaigns .Frankly speaking,ý and without being sentimental, Neither Ladoja nor Alao-Akala should be allowed to return as governor of Oyo State because they would bastardise all the good things that this selfless and patriotic governor has put in place to sustain the Pace setting status of the state. Do you know how many speakers Oyo State had during Ladoja and Alao-Akala’s administrations? It was bickering and confusion all through with nothing concrete achieved in terms of law making and oversight functions of the House. Now, the difference is clear

Are you not aware of the popularity of Accord party in the state?

Ladoja’s Accord party is only popular in a tiny part of Ibadan and little is heard about it in other parts of the state. So, he is no threat to Ajimobi neither is Alao Akala who has not even been picked by PDP as its gubernatorial candidate.

What is the future of APC in Oyo and Nigeria as a whole, bearing in mind that you just lost Ekiti State to PDP?

Our future is bright and we are not going to give up but will keep progressing. What happened in Ekiti State was the militarization of the masses and a day light robbery of people’s mandate. Such will not repeat itself in Osun State. In Oyo State, APC is standing aright and no opposition party can shake our stand. The citizens of the state are very wise and they can see the wind of transformation blowing in all sectors in the state and they will not allow any party to come and destroy it. APC has come to rescue Nigeria from the abyss she had been flung into by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Believe you me, rescuing Nigeria was a mission that must be accomplished and the surest way of achieving this was through a merger of the opposition parties to beat PDP at the 2015 polls. We shall not be intimidated by PDP’s plan in 2015 but we shall continue to achieve our mission and vision by delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, not just on the pages of newspaper but by seeing it happening in concrete terms.

July 23, 2014
2015 Cup of Nations ticket: Babayaro banks on Enyeama

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Emmanuel Babayaro has continued to praise the heroic performances of Eagles stand-in Captain and first choice in goal Vincent Enyeama at the last World Cup in Brazil.

He has again tipped the Lillie Football Club of France star to again lead the Eagles to defend their crown in the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco next January.

He emphasised on the number of saves the former Enyimba International goalkeeper made in each of the four matches Nigeria played in Brazil before the team was ousted by France in the round of 16.

“I always ask my journalist friends and some group of people some questions any time they say we (Nigeria) tried at the last World Cup held in Brazil. I asked them did you see how many saves Enyeama made in the match against Argentina and other matches played at the World Cup? Imagine if it was a regular goalkeeper what the score would be.

“In each of the four matches the Eagles played at the World Cup Vincent Enyeama made not less than six (6) to eight (8), 100 per cent close saves,” Babayaro disclosed.

He, however, threw his weight behind the Lillie of France star to continue to lead the Eagles to future successes.

“Enyeama will surely continue from where he stopped at the Brazil 2014 World Cup and help the country get the ticket for the Africa Cup of Nations holding in Morocco next year,” the Atlanta Olympics gold medalist told Sportinglife.

July 21, 2014