The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2015

  • ‘Saraki dynasty ’ll survive beyond 2015’

    ‘Saraki dynasty ’ll survive beyond 2015’

     Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed spoke with reporters in Lagos, shortly after the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries on the potency of the Saraki dynasty, his achievements in the last three and half years, preparations for next elections and issues that will shape the contest. EMMANUEL OLADESU was there. 

    Were you surprised about the outcome of your party’s national convention?

    No, because I have looked at the APC as having come at a time that Nigeria needs to be rescued and the disposition of those who formed the APC has shown one clear thing: that we are all putting collective interest over and above self interest. So, to that extent, I saw everybody’s disposition for a free and fair election. I knew that with the way things were going and with the kind of feelers that we were getting across the country, I knew the exercise was going to be free and fair. I knew that people are very conscious of the problem that Nigeria is facing today and the most critical ones being insecurity and corruption. Truly, looking back into history, we judge people by what they have done. Of those people who came out to contest, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari has the highest credential in the areas of anti-corruption and to a large extent in tackling insecurity. So, by and large, I knew these would play a critical role in deciding who wins the contest and they were indeed critical. The emergence of Buhari is just in tandem with our mindset.

    Would fielding Buhari against President Jonathan again not constitute a serious gamble for the APC?

    We are not taking a gamble in the sense that if we consider the issues that are bothering Nigerians at the moment is insecurity. It is getting to frightening dimensions. Unfortunately, the progress made by the current leadership has not suggested that it is committed towards tackling the menace. We are all witnesses to different bombings in various parts of the country.

    Insurgency is not new to Nigeria and we are all witnesses as to how it was handled in the past. We saw how it was handled by Buhari when he was Head of State; he was able to manage the Chadians. We are also witnesses to his anti-corruption crusade, which unfortunately was not allowed to stay.

    So, for us, we think Nigerians will vote according to their conscience, particularly since the economy is not doing as much as it should. The areas that have propelled the current growth that we are talking about are the service sectors, but it is not touching the lives of the majority of Nigerians. Unfortunately, it has not been able to rejuvenate the middle class that the Obasanjo administration attempted to bring back. So, the disappearance of the middle class has put much more pressure on the current system such that more Nigerians feel the pain of deprivation now. Social deprivation, economic deprivation and security deprivation is truly felt now. I am sure that Nigerians will consider these factors, if we truly desire change. We need to do it differently from the way we are doing it now.

    We try to judge people by antecedence. He (Buhari) has done it before, he can do it again. Why are we so convinced about his desire and capacity to do it at his age? He did not accummulate wealth when he was at the helm of affairs and I don’t think he is interested in acummulating wealth now. He said it clearly that he doesn’t have money to give to anybody other than making himself available for service.

    How are you preparing to defend yourself, given the President’s assertion that the PDP would recover its stolen mandate in Kwara?

    The political system in Kwara had been hinged on a structure which has allowed us to play an inclusive system. The structure is largely built on contributions from every nook and cranny of the state. The choice of who gets nominated, the way and manner in which people get nominated and most importantly in driving the need of the people into an encapsulated desire for growth and development. I want to let you know that we have that structure in Kwara APC, which has always delivered. So, the next election is not going to be an exception because the same structure has delivered goods and services to the people, the same structure has allowed for inclusiveness, the same structure has allowed people who ordinarily would never have thought of ascending to levels of position — myself inclusive — to ascend into political offices. So, for us, this same structure is still at play and will continue to get itself running the affairs of Kwara. We are happy that the structure has a leadership in Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki who has strengthened the inclusive process of arriving at decisions that are generally acceptable to the majority of the people.

    So, we are using that structure alongside with our developmental programmes that we have outlined, especially taking the most critical area of Nigeria’s problems today, which is youth unemployment. We have recorded a lot of milestones in reducing youth unemployment. We have created programmes despite our lean resources to let youths see that they are the leaders of tomorrow. For instance, this has led us to setting up one of the best international vocational centres.

    We have also supported the health systems. We have not only raised infrastructure, we have also widened access through the community health insurance. I am happy to let you know that we received an award just recently in Paris, France, for having one of the most successful community health insurance schemes in the world, not just in Africa or Nigeria. The award was designed to be looked at from a broad perspective, not just a Kwara perspective. So, with all these on ground and with our understanding of our peoples’ needs, having been very close to them, we are truly positioned to carry on to the next level in terms of growth and development.

    So, for us, the 2015 election will usher us into a second term, God willing to broaden what we have been doing since 2011 in terms of infrastructure, human capital development and the economy.

    So, you don’t see the President’s assertion as a threat?

    We have never seen them as a threat because it is all about platforms and ability to deliver goods and services to the people which we have demonstrated. Those are just mere pronouncements. What really matters is the issue of being able to articulate resources and to meet the needs of the people which we are currently doing and which we hope to upscale, God willing in the second term.

    How have you been able to manage the successor–predecessor crisis in Kwara , to the extent that you and Senator Bukola Saraki have have maintained cordial relations? Is it true that the structure is established around a family?

    It is an inclusive process, which allows for inputs from all stakeholders. It is not taken as a family affair, as if restricted to a single family. The family is in 16 local governments of the state. So, when we refer to the structure as a family thing, it is for stakeholders. Bukola Saraki is an exceptional leader who has defined his leadership through inclusiveness, through strategic and methodical design of how he wants to see everybody’s inputs galvanised into a working process for the common interest. To that extent, he has approached governance from the normal way you expect to see good business run. Strategically, you look at your strengths, your weaknesses, your opportunities and your threats.

    Also, in getting any system to run it has to be given an inclusive outlook. Governance can be successful anywhere in the world if you allow for inclusive process; if you allow for stakeholders’ input. It is the same structure that Bukola Saraki ran his eight year government, which I was part and parcel of. I was positioned as the commissioner for finance and got the understanding of how resources are collated and they are methodically and optimally allocated to areas of need.

    Having been well positioned in that administration, it was only sensible for me to use that process to develop an upscale of service delivery to the people. And that is exactly what we are doing. We have never driven the system from an individual’s angle; we have always driven the system from a collective inclusive process. That is the secret of our relationship; people don’t seem to realise this. He is not a dictator; he is an inclusive person and he has allowed everybody to create inputs into evolving the process that will be suitable to everybody and on account of that, I have also imbibed that system to drive governance in Kwara. So, rather than seeing differences, we are seeing strength, we are seeing understanding in driving good governance, we are seeing understanding in delivering goods and services and we are seeing understanding in carrying everybody along as stakeholders.

  • APC and 2015 battle

    APC and 2015 battle

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has achieved a major breakthrough, following the success of its maiden presidential primaries. Will the party sustain the tempo? EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the obstacles it has overcome, its prospects at the polls and challenges on its way to 2015.

    PDP’s failed prediction

    When the legacy parties mooted the idea of a mega party, the ruling party described it as a joke. Olisa Metuh, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Publicity Secretary predicted doom for the opposition. He said the proposed fusion would hit the rock, owing to the protracted differences among their leaders. Others expressed the same feeling, saying that the “gang-up” would collapse like a pack of cards. So far, the prediction has not come to fulfillment.

    To the consternation of the PDP leadership, the APC held a free, fair, peaceful and successful presidential primaries at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos last week. With the emergence of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as its flag bearer, the state is set for an epic battle between the opposition party and the PDP, on which platform President Goodluck Jonathan is seeking re-election.

     

    Post-convention challenges

    Despite the success, many APC chieftains acknowledged that the party has to overcome three hurdles. The first is the challenge of picking a running mate from any of the Southern states. Another is the challenge of reconciliation among chieftains at the state level, who are aggrieved over the outcome of governorship and parliamentary primaries. The third is the challenge of sustaining the tempo till next year’s elections.

    But, former Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje spoke on the greatest hurdle for the party. Urging the party faithful to gird their loins, he said power shift is only possible when there is free and fair elections. He said: “The APC is determined to take over the governance of our country. Our member should be battle ready. They should not be intimidated and cowed. We must be courageous to defend our votes like the people of Osun. What the people of Osun did should be replicated. People are yearning for change. They are fed up with poverty, insurgency and everything about the PDP. We must police the votes.”

     

    Thorny road to primaries

    The road to the presidential primaries was laced with difficulties. But, the party leaders made sacrifices. When the merger of the parties was being consummated, many were skeptic. In Nigeria, opposition alliances have never seen the light of the day. The reason is that their leaders have always elevated personal agenda above the national interest.

    However, the birth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) marked a clean break from the past. The leaders of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (APC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) agreed to fuse into a strong progressive platform. Later, aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and chieftains joined the fold. The ANPP Chairman, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, his CPC and ACN counterparts-Prince Tony Momoh and Chief Bisi Akande- surrendered  their leadership of the parties.

     

    Litmus test

    The first test was the adoption of the name, logo, symbol and constitution. Up came a rival political association, which claimed that the APC stole its logo. But, the party survived the registration hurdle and forged ahead to enlarge its coast. There were minor disagreements when the interim leadership was set up. But, many chieftains showed understanding.

    But, a big crisis trailed the maiden national convention of the APC in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Three chieftains-Chief Tom Ikimi, Chief Timpreye Sylva and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-vied for the national chairmanship. The odd favoured the former Edo State governor. Ikimi was bitter. He complained that he was marginalised and edged out of the contest. He defected to the PDP. His defection did not affect the party.

    Shortly before the convention, the defection of PDP governors created new challenges. The governors of Sokoto, Kano and Kwara states became the automatic leaders of the party in their respective states. Old rivalries were resumed. Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, who had scores to settle with Governor Aliyu Wamakko, could not accept the governor’s leadership. In protest, he hurried left the party for the PDP, claiming that he was not carried along during the negotiation with the governor.

    In kano, former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, who had scores to settle with Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, also rejected his leadership. He also defected to the PDP. In Kwara, former APC leader Dele Belgore (SAN) said he could not work with Senator Bukola Saraki. He too defected to the PDP.  For a different reason, the governor of Borno State, Senator Modu Sheriff, left the APC for the PDP.

    But, the APC continued to wax stronger. Although it lost the governorship election in Ekiti State in controversial circumstance, the party fought to retain Osun State. It has also enlarged its coast in Enugu, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers State.

    Ahead of the presidential primaries, there were other challenges that confronted the party. Some people canvassed consensus, saying that a shadow poll could unleash post-primary crisis. But, the party settled for democratic primaries, which it conducted successfully.

    A committee was set up to pave the way for a credible selection process. It was led by Chief Ogbonnaya Onu. The former Abia State governor, who reflected on the activities of the committee, reported to the delegates at the convention that the APC is lucky to have seasoned politicians as presidential aspirants. He said they were ready to make sacrifice. In fact, the five aspirants-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Kwankwaso, Owelle Rochas Okorocha signed an undertaking to abide by the outcome of the primaries, whether they win or lose.

    There was also controversy over the choice of venue. Some people raised an eyebrow when  Lagos was chosen as the venue. They thought that the national assignment should hold in abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). But, the National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, doused the tension when he explained that the APC could not hold the exercise in Abuja because it had earlier postponed it. When it was postponed, the PDP also rented the same venue. Since the PDP may hold its own primaries barely two days after, it could disturb the preparations by the ruling party. So, the arrangement for the Eagle Square was cancelled.

    Another controversy revolved around the composition of delegates. According to the guidelines, only elected council functionaries could participate as statutory delegates. But, in some states, elected council chairmen and councillors are not in place. To avoid trouble, the constitution was followed. The  caretaker committee chairmen and former council chairmen were not included in the list as statutory delegates.

    Reflecting on how the party passed the litmus test, Odigie-Oyegun said the party has made history. He thanked the aspirants and other party leaders for making it possible. He said: “You have made history. Our enemies predicted all manners of doom. Who is going to be doomed now? The aspirants are gallant contestants. In my almost 30 years of politics, I have not seen a wonderful thing like this.”

     

    Tinubu’s admonition

    At the convention, there was no error of judgment. Ahead of the shadow pill, the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, sent a twitter message to delegates, urging them to vote wisely. He said: “Make this APC convention one that will be forever remembered at the moment Nigeria turned from failure to move forward its finest destiny. You came, not just as party members from your particular states or communities. You came here as representatives of a new Nigeria. We cannot afford th squander this moment.”

    Tinubu added: “A special energy is in the air.. We have attended party conventions before, but this is different. We are in a period of compound crises. We are here to pick a candidate that will rescue Nigeria. The voice of change is unique and inspiring. This voice will lead us to victory. It is the voice of the people in the cities, towns and on the farms. It is the voice of the young and the old in the North, South; the voice of Christians and Muslims. It is about the future.

    “In this convention, the history of our nation is to be re-written. Giving the challenges facing our county and that our party represents the last chance to avert national failure, we cannot afford to bungle the opportunity. We must rise over personal and parochial interest. The convention will demonstrate that only the APC has shown the capacity to govern the country in the spirit of democracy because it is the party of the time. The APC is the cure. Help is on the way. No more despair. The APC has better manifestos. If we choose well, we will hear the trumpet of victory. Nigeria will change for better. Enough of broken promises.

     

    Clamour for chamge

    The Planning Committee Chairman, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said the maiden presidential primaries was organised to showcase the difference between the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).  He described the APC as the product of the first successful merger of opposition parties in the country, adding that it is the first time opposition politicians will fight for federal power at the centre under a united platform. The former Ekiti State governor noted that the five aspirants are fit to rule Nigeria, adding that, apart from their competence, they have demonstrated a high degree of loyalty and commitment free and fair primaries.

    Noting that the shadow election is a major step towards next year’s elections. he said: “We will move forward from this event to fulfill all other formalities and commence an issue-based campaign of progressive and agenda-setting critiques aimed at reducing our land and its people. We will address the moral deficit that has led us to the breakdown of our value system, causing hydra-headed symptoms such as corruption, crass incompetence and ethno-religious bigotry. ‘These maladies have kept our nation under-developed, in spite of our vast resources. We shall reach out to the critical mass of people who believe change is possible. We will move on from here to win the presidential election in 2015.”

    The host governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), charged the delegates to vote for the best man for the job, warning against the consequence of missing the opportunity to make the right choice. He said the Jonathan Administration has broken its promises to Nigeria, advising the people to replace the dysfunctional government with a functional administration in 2015.

    Oyegun, who described the contest as a historic event, shed light on the party’s manifestos, which encompasses security, good governance, human capital development, social security for the aged, commitment to credible elections and a robust foreign policy. The former Edo State governor said any of the aspirants, who may emerge as the flag bearer, is ready to implement them, if the party wins next year’s elections.

    Oyegun added: “Nigeria has suffered a ruinous mismanagement under the PDP. Nigerians are fed up with the PDP and look up to the APC for a new Nigeria of our dream. Change is imminent. I and you can see it and feel it. The five aspirants are competent, But, all of them have resolved to provide the leadership needed by the country.”

    The national chairman congratulated the aspirants, urging them to go into the contest, where only one will be elected, but all of them would be winners. He added: ‘They are winners because they have resolved to support the winner morally and financially. To revive Nigeria, every one of us must be on board. They are winners because they live Nigeria and the party more than their individual aspirations.”

    Urging delegates to vote with a sense of responsibility, he added: “Vote in accordance with your consent, knowing that the votes you cast will change the future of Nigeria, your future and the future of the unborn generation. The PDP has no agenda for Nigeria beyond prolonging its bad rule.

    Test for two-party system:

    Elder statesman Onu said: “History is being made in our great country. For 16 years, only one party has been ruling us. The problem they inherited, they have not resolved them. Nigeria has been suffering. The time for change has come. The APC is the vehicle for that change.  With the APC in government, we will secure our country. The six largest producer of oil is importing petroleum resources.

    “The difference between the APC and the PDP is the difference between life and death.. Nigeria has to make a choice. The time to make a choice has come. The APC controls 14 states, including the two populous states of Kano and Lagos. The PDP is presenting just a candidate. But, in the APC, we believe in the constitution of Nigeria that whosoever believes in contesting for the Presidency should be given the opportunity. As the Chairman of the Presidential Election Committee, I can assure you that the five aspirants are competent people.”

     

    APC and the future

    House of Representatives Speaker Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, whose entry into the venue was hailed by delegates, said: ‘We are set to make history. I thanked the legacy parties for their sacrifices. We are presenting to Nigerians the most credible alternative ti what we have in Abuja. The APC is the party for today, the party for tomorrow and the party for the future. I call on Nigerians to vote out the incompetent and malfunctioning administration that we have in Abuja. today. It is desirable to have a Nigeria we can call our own.

    ‘Some parts of the country are being taken over by the Biko Haram. The APC will arrest the situation immediately we come to office. The greatest challenge before us after the primaries is to win the presidential election. I urge Nigerians to support  the APC candidate. We must salvage our democracy and our nation.

    Ogbeh, who welcomed Gemade, his political foe in Benue State, to the event, said the delegates are the taproots of democracy in a party that promotes robust debate and dissent. He queried: “Who among us is so blind that cannot see disaster coming? who is dumb and cannot hear the sounds of bombings. Who is sick in mind that cannot see the crisis of the youth unemployment, the lack of hope and the lack of accommodation? “

    He added: “We have become a sad, miserable country. Economic policies have closed the door to growth.  We have become a sad, miserable country of importers of tomatoes, pencils and erasers, and toothpicks. Oil is now at 65 per barrel. It is because of the desire to halt these that you are here. Don’t be influenced by anything, except your conscience. pray before voting and vote wisely. Be prepared for change to come.”

    APC Women leader Hajia Ramatu said: “We are here to show that we believe in one man one vote. Before we cast our votes, we must reflect on the future of our country and the challenges we face. Our choice today will determine the fate of the APC. Remember the future of yourchildren before you cast your votes. we desire a better life.”

    Former Vice President Abubakar highlighted the challenges confronting the country. He said: “Nigerias want change because they are fed up with the PDP government; a regime of insecurity; they are tired of unemployment. We are paying for electricity and getting darkness and killing industries. They are tired the PDP mathematic where 16 is greater than 18 and seven is greater than 18. They are tired of the abuse of power; tired of the siege on the parliament and the tear gassing the Speaker. They are tired of the humiliation of the police and the army that has won laurels in the past and now a huge joke  in the beer parlour. They are tired of bad roads, collapsed school system and failure in examinations. I  pray that you will give me the opportunity to lead our party to lead the change.”

     

     Buhari’s promise

    Buhari presented a humble mien, castigating the tendency to monetise the exercise. The former military Head of State said that he had no dollar to share to delegates. The crowd applauded his frankness and sincerity as they clapped for him. Many people delegates believe that, if he wins, he will run a transparent government that will re-invigorate the anti-graft war.

    Urging delegates to vote for a man of integrity, he said: “Change and the hope of Nigerians are with you. We seek a new Nigeria. I place myself before you to elect me as your standard bearer. Personal ambition does not drive me. I have much to offer in this time of multiple crises. I am ready to lead Nigeria. I do not have any dollar to give to you to get your votes. The position is not for sale. If i have the dollar, I will not offer it to you.

    Burahi chided the Federal Government for creating more problems for Nigeria. He said: “Instead of ending problems, the PDP is multiplying the problems. I have led our nation  before. To solve our problem, we need a leader who has integrity, strength and abiding commitment to change.  I have always tried to place myself to the service of Nigeria. I rely on my army pensions. I have no company that benefits from the government. I am a simple man who wants to serve Nigeria.

    “I want to fight corruption. This is not a time for continuity. Failure and incompetence do not deserve continuity, but change. I will honestly govern Nigeria in accordance with the constitution and the rule of law. I will promote tolerance among the ethnic and religious divides. I will have a good foreign policy. I will select the best Nigerians to serve in my government.”

    Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso was hailed by members of his group, the kwankwasinya as he mounted the rostrum. He described himself as an experienced politician, recalling that he was a civil servant in Kano State for 17 years, member of the House of Representatives and Deputy Speaker, delegate to the 1994 Constitution Conference, Minister of Defence, Special Envoy to Dafur and performer in office.

    The governor, who promised to replicate his achievements in education, health care, and rural development, said he will restore security and fight corruption, if elected as the President.

    Nda-Isaiah said: “The APC has a divine responsibility to win the next presidential election to rescue our country. To win, we must go to the contest with our best. Nigeria needs a fresh face to lead it to change..”

    Firing salvos at the Federal Government, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha said: “There is nothing wrong with the Head of State. But, something is wrong with the state of the head. Political power can only be justified when it is used for the welfare of the common man.”

  • Akwa Ibom 2015: Group hails Emmanuel’s emergence

    Akwa Ibom 2015: Group hails Emmanuel’s emergence

    A socio-political group, the Akwa Ibom Consolidation Initiative, has hailed the election of Mr. Udom Emmanuel as the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Akwa Ibom governorship race, saying it is a reflection of the wish of the people. Emmanuel is the immediate past Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government.

    In a press statement issued in Lagos, the group’s coordinator, Mr. Udoh Ekwere noted that the outcome of the primaries, which took place at the Uyo township stadium, is a reflection of the wishes of the people.

    Emmanuel polled 1,201 votes and was declared winner by the chairman of the election panel, Bola Oyebowale.

    Ekwere noted that as a technocrat with leadership and managerial skills, Emmanuel is unarguably the best candidate to sustain the tempo of developmental strides of Governor Godswill Akpabio in the state.

    “We believe that the choice of Udom Emmanuel by the Akwa Ibom PDP delegates is indeed in line with the wishes of the people. Emmanuel is a technocrat and we believe that he is capable of continuing the good work of our out-going governor,” he said.

    Ekwere appealed to the aspirants who lost at the primaries to work together with the PDP flag bearer to ensure the success of the party in next year’s election.

  • ‘There’s no need to postpone 2015 elections’

    ‘There’s no need to postpone 2015 elections’

    Babatunde Bamtale is a civil rights activist and the chairman of Concerned Group of Nigeria (CGN), Alimosho, Lagos State chapter. The non-governmental organisation has been mobilising people to turn out enmass to exercise their franchise during the general elections next year. In this interview with ADEOLA OGUNLADE, Bamtale speaks about what inspired the group to embark on the exercise, its activities in Lagos State and other issues.

    What informed the formation of this group?

    Well, the Concerned Group of Nigeria (CGN) is a newly-established group founded with the vision of ensuring that Nigerians enjoy their fundamental human rights. It was founded to stand as a voice for the voiceless, to ensure total accountability from the elected persons to the electorates. Nigerians need to demand accountability. They should let their conscience decide who they vote for, because whoever they vote for must respect them; it is wrong for political leaders to ignore those who vote for them. They should give them account periodically, after being elected into offices. That is why CGN was established to enlighten the electorates on some of these things. This is to ensure that they don’t make mistakes.  CGN was also established to promote true federalism, because that is what can help our nascent democracy to grow.

    Who are your main targets?

    Our targets are the people at the grassroots; the idea is to carry them along, with regards to happenings in the urban world. This is because many of them are ignorant. When they see any politician coming to give them half bag of rice, they would jump at it and begin to vote for such a person. But, after the person is voted into office, he would turn his back against them. We are not promoting stomach infrastructure here; we want them to vote for a reliable person that will deliver and put real infrastructure in place which generations yet unborn would benefit from. Because if they vote for someone that is sharing money or rice or garri, they will suffer it in the next four years; they would pay for it and their children would also suffer. We are educating people to vote for people that can teach them to fish, rather than giving them fish.

    What other reason do you have for interacting with the people at the grassroots?

    We also want to reach the artisans, some of whom lack real information about what is going on in the country. We want to serve as intermediary between them and the government because there are so many gaps in terms of communication and we want to bridge this. That is why the Eko Initiative was also established in the first instance. To educate them to choose the right candidates that we feel would serve them better as we have also been studying events in the state and in the country at large.

    Who do you think is the right person for Lagos State?

    For the past 16 years, it has been a particular group of people ruling the state and it appears this group of people has seen it as their legitimate right to rule the state forever. That is why we at CGN are advocating for change. We want Lagosians to embrace change by voting an opposition party; let’s give change a chance. CGN group has gone deep to know the mind of the people and they have spoken with one voice that they need someone that can fill the gaps on ground and  this is the person we believe has the understanding of Lagosians and their wellbeing is paramount in his heart. He is compassionate about the people at the grassroots and we believe that he is the solution to their problems.

    But, Lagosians believe that Governor Babatunde Fashola has done a lot. How do you want to convince them that the PDP will do more?

    Personally, I am so depressed that for over 16 years a particular group of people have been ruling the state and all what they do is pretend that they are for the masses. It is high time Lagosians started asserting their rights. The state has been governed by Muslims since the time of Lateef Jakande in 1979; no Christian has ruled till date. So, we need a God-fearing person, and that is why we are bringing a Christian on board. These are the things CGN is opening people’s eyes to, so that they won’t be enslaved for ever. If you go to the grassroots, the people are really clamouring for change. They are tired of being enslaved by a single entity. They want to be liberated from the grip of pretenders and their anti-masses policy.

    How do you intend to achieve your goal?

    By educating the people to choose the right candidate we believe we are alleviating their sufferings and that we are solving their problems as well.  That is why we are appealing to the delegates to vote for the right candidates at the primaries. They need to know the mind of people; they need to choose the right candidate that people are clamouring for; we have carried out researches at the grassroots and we know the minds of people. We believe if the right candidate emerges, there is no two ways about it, he would be able to compete favourably with the ruling party and become the next Governor of Lagos State.

    What is your view about the poor distribution of Permanent Voters Card (PVC), especially in Alimosho which has the largest population in Lagos?

    That is one of the things CGN is also doing; we have sent text messages through our organization to all Lagosians, especially those from Alimosho that their voter’s card would be ready on November 28, 2014. Information has been passed across to them to go out and collect their PVCs at the centre where they registered in 2011.

    People believe that due to the security situation in the country that the election should not hold. What is your take on this?

    What I want Nigerians to know is that terrorism cannot be stopped in a day; it can only be reduced to the barest minimum. Check out the developed countries, they are also facing with terrorists attacks; it is everywhere. But, the people in power know the best thing to do; the most important thing is to have a transparent government. We should also go back to true federalism. I don’t believe that terrorism should stop our election in 2015, because if we do so, it means we are giving the perpetrators of this insurgency more power; it means they have achieved their goals. As time goes on, the insurgency will be totally eradicated. There is no way one will not have bad eggs in the government, even Jesus Christ in the Bible had a bad egg among his disciples. These are the people sabotaging government’s efforts, but we shall get to the root of the matter soon. Many people are saying the election will break Nigeria, I don’t believe Nigeria will break up after 2015 election. This is because the country has been through so many crises in the past and yet we are still together. So, this particular one will not make any difference.

  • 2015: How far can Jonathan go in Southwest?

    2015: How far can Jonathan go in Southwest?

    President Goodluck Jonathan would need all the votes he can get in the southern part of the country to stand a chance of winning next year’s presidential election. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN x-rays his chances in the Southwest, which may turn out to be the President’s Achilles’ heels in the South. 

    The Southwest geo-political zone is probably the only part of the South where President Goodluck Jonathan would experience an uphill task in his bid to secure a second term during next year’s general elections. Against this background, Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been making frantic efforts to woo the people of the region, to ensure the party’s victory at the first balloting.

    Indeed, the PDP and its strategists in the Presidency are believed to be jittery over the realisation that losing the Southwest might cost them the presidential election. Similarly, the party is also apprehensive over its fate in the Northwest and Northeast zones.

    The PDP’s calculation, according to analysts, is that if the President defeats the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southwest and secures 25 per cent in all the states in the Northwest and Northeast, he could avoid the second ballot.

    In 2011, Jonathan polled 2,786,410 votes from the Southwest, the stronghold of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which is one of the opposition parties that metamorphosed into the APC. Despite the fact that the ACN fielded a presidential candidate, Jonathan came first in all the Southwest states, except Osun. A breakdown of the figure shows that he polled the highest vote of 1,281,688 in Lagos State; 487,758 in Oyo; 309,170 in Ogun; 135,009 in Ekiti; 387,376 in Ondo and 188,409 in Osun.

    Realising that he had neglected the zone, President Jonathan embarked on an image-laundering tour of the region, which climaxed at an event in Ile-Ife, Osun State, dubbed the Yoruba Progress Summit, where the President pledged that he would take proper care of the Yoruba, if re-elected next year. Jonathan said at the summit, which was held at the Oduduwa Hall of the institution, described the Southwest as a key part of Nigeria that his administration must work with.

    The summit was organised by the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), which is made up of some members of the Afenifere and Yoruba elders sympathetic to Jonathan’s administration. The President had earlier in the year  visited some traditional rulers in the zone, to seek their endorsement for his re-election bid.

    The question now is: on the day of election, how would Jonathan fare in the Southwest, which is an APC stronghold? Analysts are of the opinion that the factor working against Jonathan’s interest in the region is the perceived marginalisation of the zone under his administration. They argue that it will be difficult for Jonathan to replicate his 2011 feat in the Southwest, including Ekiti and Ondo states, which are governed by the PDP. The analysts are of the view that in spite of the massive support Jonathan received from the people of the Southwest in 2011, his administration  has not done much for the region.

    To a pan-Yoruba movement, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG),  it is too late for President Jonathan to woo the Yoruba nation to back his re-election bid. The ARG Publicity Secretary, Kunle Famoriyo, described the summit organised by the YUF in Ile-Ife as an after-thought and a futile effort to sneak the President into Yoruba land through the backdoor.

    Famoriyo said: “For the past five years under his administration, the Yoruba people have been deliberately marginalised and skewed out of national reckoning, especially in terms of key appointments and opportunity to partake in key sectors of the economy.”We are surprised that President Jonathan believes the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, over which he has no control, is enough to atone for the deliberate marginalisation in key appointments, over which he has control.”

    The ARG scribe dismissed the summit by saying that it was conveyed by the people who are falsely parading themselves as leaders of the Yoruba people. “Those Yoruba persons posing as Yoruba leaders know that leadership in Yoruba land resides in treasured virtues of Omoluwabi and Afenifere philosophy, not necessarily in persons. Yoruba people know their leaders.

    “We dare say that more than any so-called leader at that event (Yoruba Progress Summit), those students who braved all the odds to tell Mr. President the truth, are the true leaders; irrespective of their origins. We salute the courage of those students who spoke truth in the face of oppression and we enjoin every Nigerian to replicate their courageous act,” the ARG spokesman argued.

    Civil Rights activist Moshood Erubami castigated President Jonathan for what he described as total neglect of the Southwest. Erubami said: “No real Yoruba man or woman who supports a pan-Yoruba political and developmental agenda will vote for Jonathan in the coming election, because the Southwest has not gained anything from his administration.

    The civil rights activist argued: “There is no tangible thing President has done since he took over from the late President Yar’Adua to warrant his being given a ticket to re-contest the election. Obviously, most of those who constitute the Yoruba elders in the current move to pacify the race to vote for him are enemies of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo during his lifetime and obviously it has continued after his death.

    “The frequent visits of these elders to the seat of power and the toothy smile usually on their faces when coming out of Aso Rock says it all that they are not true Awoists. Most of the Afenifere leaders in the group asking for Jonathan’s re-election are those who felt betrayed by the consistent Awoists who populate the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “We cannot therefore put the destinies of the Yoruba race in the hands of the present flock of the Yoruba elders who are friends of Jonathan, using crass opportunism to stay alive and think the task of restoring the Yoruba nation to its pride of place can be achieved. The task of bringing the race to its desirable height is too vital to be left in the hands of political jobbers. For real development to be achieved, these elders must first be rejected, displaced and replaced.”

    Curiously, the leaders of YUF rooting for Jonathan’s second term had earlier expressed disappointment over what they described as systematic marginalisation of the Southwest in federal appointments. For instance, a chieftain of the Afenifere who is also a leader of the YUF, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, confirmed that the Yoruba leaders had made representation to the President over the perceived marginalisation of Southwest by his administration.

    Okunrounmu said: “We (Yoruba leaders) had met with Jonathan to complain about the marginalisation of the Yoruba, but he has not done anything about it.  So, we have decided to pay him another visit. We have already made our intention known to the Presidency. We are now waiting for the President to give us an appointment.

    “We have the details of the situation which we intend to present to the President. It is as if the Southwest has been excised from the country. If you look at all the top political positions and appointments in the country, it is not hard to see that Southwest has been marginalised in this administration.”

    Another chieftain of the Afenifere, Chief Olu Falae, alleged that the President’s pattern of appointments with no consideration for the Yoruba suggests that he does not appreciate their contribution to his emergence as the President.

    Falae pointed out that the Yoruba were sidelined in appointments and control of political offices. He listed the topmost positions as that of the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of House of Representatives, Chief Justice of the Federation, Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Court of Appeal, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, National Security Adviser and Head of Service of the Federation.

    The former Secretary to the Federal Government argued that none of these offices was being occupied by a Yoruba, stressing that the absence of Yoruba in the power hierarchy had adversely affected the zone.

    Another Yoruba elder decried the Yoruba marginalisation by the Jonathan administration. He said: “the relegation of the Yoruba is not just in higher hierarchy of government but also in agencies, parastatals, and corporations. A situation where the total appointments for the entire Southwest fall short of those of certain states elsewhere in the country suggests either a deliberate effort to ignite ethnic resentment or a glaring outcome of total collapse of coordination in the machinery and records of government. Available data indicate that the Yoruba have lost more than half of their appointive positions since the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua. For instance, eight general managers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were sacked in October 2012, six of whom were Yoruba.

    Public affairs analyst, Bisi Akintunde said President Jonathan should not expect bulk vote from the Southwest in 2015. He said what happened in 2011 will not play out this time around. “Jonathan got sympathy votes in the Southwest not because of the PDP but because he came from the minority group that had never ruled this country. The same Jonathan has squandered that opportunity and relegated the Southwest to the background in the scheme of things.

    “Despite the goodwill the people of the Southwest accorded him in 2011, what did they benefit from his government? Jonathan should not be misled by the self-serving leaders of the PDP in the Southwest that the Yoruba would vote for him in 2015. The so-called leaders lack electoral value; some of them cannot win in their wards.”

    He described the Southwest as the traditional home of the progressives. “I don’t see a situation where by the Yoruba would for any reason this time around abandon the APC, which was co-founded by their leaders and other like minds across the country. Besides, the politics of the Southwest is based on principle and peoples interest,” he added.

    Akintunde said: “Whoever bothers to study the pattern of reaction of the electorate in the Southwest would agree that the zone is inhabited by independent-minded people, whose reactions to political issues are determined by several factors, including high-level of education and political sophistry and obviously reactions to matters pertaining to their political leaders and environment.”

    Former PDP National Vice Chairman in the Southwest, Senator Yinka Omilani aligned himself with the position of the Yoruba elders, who are insisting that President Jonathan has marginalised the region. He said: “I share their view. We don’t deserve it at all. The people of the Southwest voted massively for Jonathan in 2011. It is a general cake that has to be shared among those who contributed to the baking of the cake.

    “We went to Abuja on this issue. All the PDP governors and leaders were there to confront President Jonathan. He promised to rectify the anomaly after 2015 elections. Apart from the ministerial appointment, which is constitutional, what have we gained from Jonathan’s regime so far? We have nothing to show for the massive support he got from Southwest in 2011.”

  • Cleric warns against 2015

    The Founder/General Overseer, Imole Ayo Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Adalemo in Ogun State, Primate Dr. Peter O. Omoleye, has advised Nigerians to shun violence in 2015 general elections.

    He spoke at the grand finale of the church’s Ark of Convenant Anniversary held penultimate Saturday.

    Omoleye said credible leaders could only emerge when politicians play according to the rule, avoid crisis, bloodshed and assassination.

    He further said Nigerian leaders should evolve better policies and programmes that would elevate the country instead of engaging in do-or-die politics that does not promote democracy.

    “It is advisable for Nigerian leaders to remain focused and let the love of the country be uppermost in their minds, even as he said that Nigeria could compete favourably with advance countries.

    “Nigerians should continue to pray to God for bloodshed to end in the country,” he said.

    Omoleye, also appealed to youths to avoid being used as thugs in the coming election and to stop engaging in illicit acts such as secret cults, certificate forgery/racketeer, drug abuse, human trafficking, robbery, alcoholism and all forms of vices.

    He urged them to imbibe good habits that could take the country to greater height.

  • Parties deregistration, threat to 2015 elections

    As if he was referring to the pretext of the multiple judgment dilemma which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) raised in refusing to honour the Chris Okotie-led Fresh Democratic Party’s verdict, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, subsequent to his confirmation by the Senate as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, said; “… the personal interest of judges and lawyers in certain political cases had been behind the incidences of conflicting judgments… these conflicting judgments are mostly common in political cases involving election tribunals where there are a lot of interests…”

    It will be recalled that FRESH proceeded to Justice G. O. Kolawole’s Federal High Court 5, Abuja Division, where it secured a victory in July 2013. FRESH, which upturned its de-registration, has strenuously claimed that INEC was deliberately frustrating its incursion into mainstream politicking. The catalogue of events since the December 2012 de-registration shows this to be true.

    INEC filed a notice of appeal but failed to perfect the process at the Appeal Court within the stipulated 90 days. But in response to FRESH’s sustained calls on the commission to make good the verdict, it instructed the party to re-register. There was then hurried re-amendment of Section 78 (7) (ii) of the Electoral Act by the National Assembly, which stipulates that political parties must win seats during state and National Assembly elections, to include councillorship elections, though this section of the Act has been set aside by the FRESH ruling.

    But after months of silence and subsequent re-filing of another notice of appeal in July 2013, nine months clear of the 90 days window, INEC chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, declared unequivocally that the law is the law and until it is changed, the commission will maintain status quo. Invariably, FRESH should not expect to see its name on the ballot papers come 2015, irrespective of the ruling. Now, Hope Democratic Party (HDP) has also secured another verdict akin to FRESH’s at Justice Ademola Adeniyi’s Federal High Court, Abuja, who referred to FRESH’s verdict and questioned why the agency had not complied with it.

    INEC is out of touch with voter sentiments, and in making such a statement must expect a riposte, especially while touting a misleading notice of appeal which is now gathering dust, since they don’t regard the judiciary’s right of interpretation or even the verdict as worthy of the paper it was written on. The electoral agency is acting like an autocratic boss who doesn’t care about contradictions. INEC is 30 years behind the world’s current affairs, as a bird’s eye view of global politics shows that the paradigm of elective political participation has changed, and cunning play of political hands is obsolete.

    Political representation is not a question of winning over ideology, but that the dismal state of leading parties’ style of politicking and crony governance, a staple of Nigerian politics, needs to be put under with an integrity-focused and vibrant opposition. If there is a sector of Nigeria which needs a boom in un-curtailed representation, it is freedom of participatory politics. The prejudice of thinking that the new parties are not proper political organisms because they are not run by the old breed politicians is unfounded: INEC must be neutral, and not put the nascent parties under pressure to perform in a lopsided race.

    The internal manipulations and bureaucratic certification imposed by stalwarts of the ruling class is at the root of the emergence of smaller parties, and it can so easily asphyxiate the emphasis on innovation which the nation needs now. The yearning for a truly deregulated political space is being stymied by the daunting obstacle of animosity evidenced by INEC and the increased regulation by the Senate’s latest re-amendment of the voided electoral act. FRESH should be allowed to pursue its mandate without the fanged oversight of INEC. When it is asked to surrender itself to an abstract process which has consistently proven faulty, then it is stifled.

    The last few years has been filled with incredible upheavals inflicted by PDP’s super-stratum of politicians who have been moldering in politics with an inflated opinion of their own relevance and abilities. The irony of this cabal’s self-exultation is that the nation has been stuck in the doldrums, so growth is bound to stagnate and slow down to a halt, especially with unforeseen circumstance like the fall in global oil prices; Nigeria’s economic mainstay. To parry the threat posed by FRESH, the leading party, which is not on the side of the masses, faces humiliation at the hands of this nationalist rival they once dismissed as non-starters and closet politicians.

    Okotie’s paradigm shift is all about challenging the status-quo and putting things in a different and more productive light with a global mindset. His party’s strategic perception means it is alert to the need for change, creative about how to accomplish that change, and alive to the strengths and weaknesses which may influence, enhance or frustrate the right atmosphere to accomplish that change, like INEC is engendering.

    In today’s highly evolved and networked world, a robust political and governmental structure is vital in every nation, one that is reliable, providing innovative solutions to challenges, not one that bamboozles the polity by the amount of noise which government’s peddle through their media machinery. But they cannot dispose of the fact that the populace consults with each other about current issues, rather than depend on the rehearsed media façade of spin doctors. But to put deception lower down the pecking order, Nigerians need to take a stand. We can’t continue to be fobbed off with generic excuses- we must begin to assert our rights.

    So 2015 presents another chance to address arguably the two largest issues facing Nigeria: corruption and transparency, by voting out the ruling cabal, whose philosophy is best expressed as ‘to the greater glory of us’ (Ad Manus Gloriam). The present rumblings in the political atmosphere are indicative of the need for change, and CJN, Justice Mohammed must save the judiciary from this political attrition by politicians, by making cases like this FRESH/HDP tango a matter of urgency.

    Days after INEC’s lifting on the ban on campaigns, and the continued denial of these two parties the right to participate, despite an extant verdict, the possibility of a legal recourse already flies a red flag and jeopardizes the conduct and outcome of 2015 general elections. Now is the time for the CJN to alter the course of INEC’s highhandedness.

     

    • Godswill wrote from Delta State

  • Lagos 2015: Ope gets massive endorsement

    The people of Alimosho, Apapa, Ikorodu, Badagry and Eti-Osa local councils of Lagos State have endorsed the bid of Hon. Lanre Ope to become the next governor of the state, on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). This is coming on the heels of the ongoing state wide consultative tour of all local governments in the state by the aspirant.

    The tour is part of Ope’s engagement with stakeholders to solicit for their support for his aspiration. The aspirant’s efforts appear to be yielding positive results. Indications from various local councils suggest that the representatives of people have endorsed Ope’s bid to govern the state. The consensus is that “Ope is the only candidate with the right experience in both public and private sector that can sustain the drive to build Lagos State of our dream.”

    Hon. Ope’s political ascendancy and achievements preceded him. A successful private sector-driven reformer, he revolutionised security in the banking sector through the introduction of revolving security doors. The initiative, which has now become the norm in the industry, has mitigated armed attacks.  Ope is also a reputable real estate investor with over 400 housing units to his credit.

    He is also an accomplished public service innovationist with an impeccable track record. It is on record that he demonstrated strong leadership skills in the development and implementation of procurement and distribution strategies for fertilizers in Nigeria, as the Secretary of the Task Force on Fertilizer Distribution.

    As a member of the Lagos State Assembly, his vision of food security for Lagos State earned him the nickname ‘food security’ and he moved the motions that led to establishing the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the passage of the Child Rights Bill.

    In demonstration of his principled stand in the face of tyranny, Hon. Ope after due consultation with elders in his constituency, traditional rulers and seasoned politicians resigned from 1994 National Constitutional Conference. This move was hailed as a very principled position, as the issues he raised were real.

    According to representatives of Christian Coalition, “Hon. Lanre Ope is a Christian candidate with pedigree, a committed member of Mountain of Fire Ministries with over 20 years membership. We are however more interested in a Lagos State where everybody will have access to quality lifestyle, uniform development, security and highly improved infrastructure without prejudice to religious inclination.”

    The Christian Coalition also affirmed that they have the mandate of leadership of other Pentecostal and Orthodox Christian organisations to support Ope’s governorship aspiration without prejudice to those of other aspirants vying for the same position.

    Some of the party stalwarts at the various venue of the consultation were also unanimous in their view that the APC requires a candidate with a good dose of public and private sector experience, to present a formidable candidate with an impeccable track record in both public and private service as its candidate at the forthcoming election. This would help the party to consolidate on the achievement of the current administration.

  • 2015 and PDP’s fight to reclaim Kano

    One interesting state to watch in the run off to the 2015 general elections is Kano. Kano is what, in the American political lexicon, termed a swing state. You just cannot predict what will sway the unpredictable and huge number of voters in the state.

    Added to this is the imminent showdown between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC). The people of Kano, of course, are not new to PDP. In 1999, the people overwhelmingly voted the then freshly formed PDP. Four years later, the PDP lost to the then ANPP. However, eight years after, the same people turned to vote for the PDP. This shows the unpredictably of the voting populace and, at the same time, the fact that both parties could be interpreted to be on the support pedestal.

    However, with the incumbency factor to its advantage and the fact that the current governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso has succeeded in building a strong support base at the grassroots, APC is poised to give the PDP a tough fight to retain the job at Kano Government House. But it is not necesarilya hopeless case for the PDP. In fact, the party has a lot of advantages that it can turn on in making sure that it hands a clean defeat for the APC in Kano.

    A number of serious and not so serious aspirants have thus far indicated interest by purchasing the nomination forms. And it is in sieving the array of aspirants to come up with the better one that the PDP can make or mar it’s chances. Some of the people on the posters dotting the streets of Kano are politicians that have used up their goodwill or have no good standing to confront the massive structure that Kwankwaso has built for himself. For PDP to weather the storm, there is the need for a new face and one who can pull the crowd. It is in this that one would see Abba Risqua Mohammed, the son of late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed as one with the right credentials.

    In this knowledge-driven and youth-oriented world, the greatest treasure of a people is to have a leader who is in sync with modernity to lead it to the utopian world of progress. If a state as historic and important as Kano routinely gets into the news for the bad reason – from drug abuse to breakdown of epidemics, it certainly needs redemption. We need someone to rescue the state to a better clime.

    The Kano of today requires a pragmatic leader who is in tune with current events trends and development all over the world. Indeed, the future of Kano depends largely on a quintessential leader blessed with vision, focus, commitment, resourcefulness, exposure, dynamism, hard work, fearlessness, noble family background and above all, credibility and the fear of God. For the state to fit rightly into the modern society, the major catalyst is for it to be steered by one who knows exactly the right direction  to go.

    By way of introduction, Abba Risqua Mohammed is the only surviving son of late Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed. When his father was tragically murdered by some people opposed to Nigeria’s progress, in 1976, Abba Risqua was only six years old. He is now 45: fully made man and accomplished in all respects. A graduate of Banking and Finance from the University of Lagos, he also holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the prestigious Cardiff Business School, Wales, United Kingdom. He is also a trustee of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, an NGO that has done a lot for Kano people and other Nigerians.

    In terms of leadership and management acumen, Alhaji Abba Risqua had served as Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on International Relations from 2000 to 2007. He is now managing his booming business as the Group Chief Executive of AMG Petroenergy Limited, one of Africa’s foremost energy service providers.

    Coming from that golden heritage of a hero that was late General Mohammed, Abba has no hiding place for people looking for credible individuals to take critical leadership roles. It is therefore for this and his personal attributes as an accomplished man that a number of times people of Kano approach him to make himself available to serve the people by standing in for election. This time around, the magnitude and intensity of the demand is huge. As the 2015 general election beckons, the call is for Abba Risqua to come and take up the governorship seat of Kano per chance the state will have a Midas touch that Nigeria witnessed during his late father’s short sojourn in power.

    There is no gainsaying that General Murtala Ramat Mohammed is still regarded as one of Nigeria’s true heroes. He was not only one of those fiercely patriotic sons of the land who defiantly fought to keep Nigeria as one united country; he possesses startling qualities that are cherished by all.  He was detribalized, he was authentic, he was enthusiastic about the progress of the country, he was extraordinarily bold, and he was a patriot who truly loved his country. He was a man in a hurry to accomplish great things. He died in that hurry, in the prime of his life. Imagine what he could have done with power had he lived for a little longer?

    It is also worthy of note to mention that as a mark of his prudence and uprightness, when General Murtala Ramat Muhammed was assassinated in 1976 while serving as Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he left only N13,000 in his account and one bungalow in Kano – this was despite serving in various other positions at a time of the celebrated oil boom.

    As the Hausa say the offspring of antelope also runs like it’s parent, it is everyone’s expectation that anyone from the respected home of General Murtala Mohammed will just be as good! More over, for the PDP, the name of the Kano’s illustrious son alone is a huge asset that they can capitalise on to win the election. Additionally, Abba’s reputation is also intact with the people as he was never found wanting in all the key national assignments he has held. These, among other advantages that Risqua have, make him an easy-sale candidate for the PDP if at all the party wants to take back the Kano Government House easily.

     

    • Iliyasu wrote from Gwammaja, Kano.

  • INEC sensitises electorate on 2015 polls

    INEC sensitises electorate on 2015 polls

    Mindful of scathing criticisms against its apparent inefficiency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would prove critics wrong in the 2015 general elections. To achieve optimal performance, it said it has put in place adequate measures that would guarantee free, fair and credible election next year. To achieve its desired goal, it has begun sensitisation of the electorate on what is required of them during next year’s election.

    The INEC representative in Amuwo/Odofin Local Government Area, Mr Tajudeen Adeyemi said the electoral body is poised to make the 2015 general elections better than that of 2011, even as he said its determination to deliver credible election next year informed the sensitisation efforts in all the local government areas and wards in Lagos State on the collection of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and fresh registration of those whose names did not appear on the voters register and those who had attained the age of 18 years after the 2011 registration exercise.

    The fresh registration exercise in Lagos State began today.

    Mr Adeyemi spoke at a one-day stakeholders’ meeting the commission held for residents of Oriade Local Council Development Area at the council’s secretariat.

    Soliciting for continued support to the commission in order to make the electoral process more meaningful, he disclosed that INEC has adopted a system of getting everybody involved in the electoral process.

    Mr Adeyemi maintained that the essence of the stakeholders’ meeting was to appeal to every Nigerian to contribute to the success of the electoral process in the country by participating in the continuous registration exercise which will enable them to vote for their choice candidates in 2015 general elections. He advised those who were not able to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) which was concluded in some local government areas on Monday to visit the headquarters of their various local governments to collect them.

    He further said that INEC has put a process in place which aims at ensuring that INEC becomes one of the best election management bodies in the world.

    “Towards this end, we’ve lined up series of activities that would ensure that 2015 elections are better than those of 2011. We have embarked on continuous voter’s registration. The continuous voter’s registration will be different from that of 2011 in two aspects.

    “The 2011 registration exercise was held within two weeks. This time around, we are not going to give a specific time frame. Once we start, it will continue for a long time.

    “The essence is to register our children that have attained voting age. We also want to capture in our database those who were not able to register for the 2011 general elections. Those who successfully registered in 2011 need not register again because what they need is the permanent voter’s card from INEC,” he said.

    Mr Adeyemi urged the people to go to where they registered in 2011 to request and collect their permanent voters’ cards, even as he said they should go with the temporary voters’ card, give it to the distribution officer who ensures that the person signs, thumb prints and collects the PVC.

    The exercise lasted from Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

    In the Oriade Council area, Mr Adeyemi revealed that there are areas, especially in Kirikiri that have problems. He specifically said nine areas in Kirikiri have problems and would only witness fresh registration of voters as against collection of the PVCs. He also disclosed that registration centre in Kirikiri will be at Dr Lukas Memorial High School.

    For Agboju/Amuwo, the registration centre will be at Agboju Secondary School while registration centre in Ijegun will take place at Ijegun-Egba Primary School, even as he said registration of voters in Irede and Ibeshe, two riverside communities will be at Local Authority Primary School Irede and Local Authority Primary School Ibeshe respectively.

    Those living in Satellite will register at Satellite Primary School, he said.

    Commenting on the stakeholders’ meeting on the continuous voters’ registration, the Ovori of Ibeshe, Oba Gausu Alani Rasaki said the meeting aimed at letting the people know what to do and how to go about exercising their franchise.

    The royal father said one of the duties of traditional rulers is to organise their subjects in such a manner that would enable them to participate actively in any process that will enhance the well-being of the society, even as he said “there is no way you can separate royal fathers from the scheme of things. This, he said, is because they play fatherly roles on how to deliver the benefits of democracy to the people at the grassroots. We know our subjects and what they want. We are in a better position to talk to them for peace to reign.

    “They people’s needs are simply good roads to evacuate their farm produce. Residents of the riverside communities need quality health care, among other needs.”

    Contributing, the Council Manager, Mrs Florence Omotunde Peters said the programme was organised for people in this council area to know what is expected of them in terms of registration and collection of the permanent voters’ cards. As a result of rumours concerning the date for the exercise, we deemed it fit to put the records straight with regard to when exactly the exercise will hold.

    She noted that the people of Oriade LCDA are politically vibrant, even as she advised them and other Nigerians to remain politically active and wise in casting their votes so that the right people will be in government for the well-being of all Nigerians.