The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2015

  • Why I want to be president – Nda Isaiah

    Why I want to be president – Nda Isaiah

    The All Progressive Congress presidential aspirant, Chief Sam Nda-Isaiah, said Tuesday in Abuja that he wants to be Nigeria’s President in order to change the course of history in the country.

    He promised that his government will be  “very harsh” on corruption.

    Nda-Isaiah told journalists shortly after he was screened by the presidential screening committee of the party that the only way to fight graft is to be harsh on corruption, adding that the anti- graft czar is the President himself.

    He said the body language of a President alone is enough to fight corruption, saying, “from your body language, people will decide whether to be corrupt or not. If your idea is to suspend the Central Bank governor for raising alarm about corruption, are you now surprise that there is corruption in the land?

    “I want to be President to change the course of history of this country. I did not leave what I was doing which I was enjoying to come and get harassed simply because I want to feel good about it.

    “I don’t believe that a President should come and tell us that he paid salaries or build roads or build boreholes. If you look at the issues that has changed the course of history of nations in this world, you will realize that big ideas changed the course of their history. It is not just coming to sit down and follow the normal course of events.
    “I have always said that when we take over in this country, we intend to unite the country as quickly as possible. Not the kind of unity you hear slogan about on television, but doing deliberate things to unite this country.

    “Nigeria is too divided to be called a nation and that is because we cannot develop with these quarrelsome people. If you see people like this, it is because that is how the leaders want them to be. It means that it is the leaders that are causing the problems.

    “First, if you want to unite people, there must be justice and fairness. All crimes must be punished, no matter how long it takes, no matter who commits the crimes. There are so many murder cases that we are told have been closed. No. We have to start running this country properly.

    “We cannot be Africa’s biggest economy as we claim to be and for 178 million people, we are struggling with 4000 megawatts of power. It does not make sense. From 1999 to date, we have spent $25 billion to achieve what we have achieved which is a change of name from NEPA to PHCN.

    “The biggest power station in the world which is the Three Gorges dam in China cost $26 billion and we have spent $25 billion to achieve 4000MW. So, you can know why it is not being done, because it is not about corruption. A President must really desire to leave legacies.”

  • 2015: APC screens Buhari, Atiku, others for primaries

    2015: APC screens Buhari, Atiku, others for primaries

    The All Progressives Congress has began the screening of its presidential aspirants ahead of the party’s presidential primaries slated for December 10.

    Those screened by the committee headed by a former National Chairman of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Ogbonnaya Onu are – the Publisher of Leadership newspaper, Sam -Isaiah, Kano Stage Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).

    Addressing journalists before commencing the screening exercise, Chief Onu said the committee will put into consideration the constitution of the party, the constitution of the country and the 2010 Electoral Act.

    He said that any of the aspirant who fail to confirm with the relevant section of the party’s constitution, the constitution the country and the electoral act will be disqualified from the contest.

    He said: “In screening the aspirants, we will take into consideration the constitution of our party, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act, 2010.

    “We will be doing something that is novel in this country because we will really want to effect change in the country. We want to produce a candidate that will effect change in the country, a candidate that will be able to address the problems confronting our nation.

    “So, in screening our aspirants, we will attach a lot of importance to the manifesto of the party. We will sensitize the aspirants on the urgent need in the area of security, the economy, job creation, foreign policy and corruption.

    “We believe that those who will be successful in this exercise will now be presented to our national convention that will be coming in the next few days and a candidate will emerge from there. It is only those we deem qualified that will emerge successful at the end of the exercise. By tomorrow, we will present certificate to those who scaled through the exercise.”

    He added that the committee will extract some commitment from the aspirants to accept the outcome of the convention and work in harmony with whoever emerges as the candidate of the party since only one of them can be the candidate.

    He said, “There will be some commitment on the part of the aspirants.

    “We want to be sure that all aspirants of the party that will deserve to be presented to our delegates at the national convention must undertake to abide by 10 rules and regulations of our great party, the nomination guidelines, the manifesto, the electoral act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “We would also want every aspirant to give us a commitment because only one will become the candidate, that at the end of the national convention, when the candidate emerges, that all others will support that person and will support the party to ensure that the party will be successful in the presidential election of February 14, 2015.”

  • Buhari to subject campaign funds to ‘public scrutiny’

    Buhari to subject campaign funds to ‘public scrutiny’

    The former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) Support Organization said at the weekend that funds accruing to the All Progressive Congress presidential aspirant’s campaign organization will be subjected to daily public scrutiny.

    The organization also said Buhari is prepared to support any aspirant that emerges from the party’s presidential primaries slated for this month.

    The Head of Media, Publicity and ICT of the organization, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, said at a media briefing that the Organisation is currently working on a website where Nigerians can monitor all donation to the retired General’s platform.

    Maduekwe said: “Like Buhari said, we are going to be transparent about everything. At the moment, we are working on the website which you can assess daily and see how much is coming in. A lot of money has come in, but I want that site to be functional so that you have the accurate figures. The amount coming in will be opened to everybody every second to view.

    On whether Buhari will accept money from other Nigerians, he said: “First, you build on your strength. Buhari’s strength is the crowd. Where you go for his campaign, you will see the large crowd that comes there. We want them to have a sense of buy in into the Buhari project and that is why we have established the crowd funding platform. By doing so, we have not disenfranchised any other willing partner.

    “As of today, we have a platform called Buhari Crowd Funding group. That is an innovation. Every second, some money is being paid into account by concerned Nigerians. So, that could serve as a pool to even pay for the ticket. You are aware that in politics, it is not usually how deep your pocket is.

    “Today, Barack Obama does not have a house of his own, but lives in an apartment. But he funded a campaign. We want to say that if people believe in General Buhari as the arrow head of the change we so deserve, then, they will be willing to make their contribution.

    “So, having borrowed money to buy his form, we have set up a platform that can provide money to pay back that loan and indeed fund his campaign. It will be a litmus test of how popular he is and whether he is really the peoples’ President in waiting.”

     

  • Why Jonathan must return to Otuoke in 2015

    SIR: I do not think Nigeria has ever had it this bad. Bomb blasts that used to sound so foreign to us as something that only happens in Iraq, Afghanistan has now become almost a daily occurrence so much so that our newspapers do not consider them worthy to be their screaming headlines anymore. Corrupt persons have become bolder in their debauchery that it seems there is a silent competition to see who or what organisation can loot and plunder the most. Security agencies saddled with the responsibility of protecting Nigerians appear to have become an armed political wing of the ruling party. Nigeria has become akin to a ship sailing directionless with a drunken Captain, rudderless and in a fiery storm.

    That some ordinary Nigerians still support this administration beats me hollow apart from career politicians, those that can be seen as government contractors, those that have benefited and continue to get their daily bread from this administration, big businessmen that policies of the government favour their businesses. On the other hand, we have those who support this administration just because the President is their own, from the Niger Delta area that has long suffered government neglect, never mind that that the lives of the people haven’t improved in any significant way. Poverty is still rife, except perhaps ex-militants that have now become multi-billionaires due to government patronage. Environmental degradation hasn’t ceased either and so to them, it is a good thing that their son is President and he must complete his term.

    This is just one of the mind-set of our people who to me are a big part of the problems bedevilling this country. All sorts of the ridiculous excuses are bandied about on why the President is not performing; that those against him are making him look bad. Then they point to his achievement in revitalizing the railways, rebasing the economy and that we are Africa’s largest economy and refer to the figures the likes of Okonjo-Iweala dishes out almost on a weekly basis about how millions of jobs have been created and millions more to be created due to some phantom government policies. These lies are so bold and in your face that one begins to wonder if these government officials actually live in this same Nigeria or a different one, because the reality on ground is a stark contrast to the picture they have become really good artist at.

    To be fair to President Jonathan, the problems of this country precedes his Presidency. The question is what has he done to stem the tides of maladministration? May be he done his best, maybe his best is not just good enough. He does not possess the capabilities to govern a complex country like Nigeria. He has shown over and over again that he has not the clout, political sagacity and maturity to deal with diverse interests, and issues a president of a country like Nigeria needs to do well.

    His style of leadership has further widened the divide of Nigerians along ethno-religious lines more than any other leader in the history of this nation. Missing funds, missing ships laden with oil are some of the absurdities that have now become commonplace. The insurgency in the north is getting worse with a part of the country already annexed by terrorists.

    Jonathan may in fact be a good man; or at worst a really simple man trying his best to put things right in the best way he can. But almost six years of his presidency has shown that he is just not capable of governing this country. I dare say that he is not fit to spend a day more after May 29, 2015 in the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     

    • Muizz Kazeem,

    Lagos

  • 2015: Between issues and tussles

    SIR: Elections offer voters the platform to make vital choices. Irrespective of its scope, whether local or national, elections give voters the chance to reflect on the issues which really matter to them and make a decision on which candidate to support. In a democracy, election campaigns, where candidates make attempts to persuade voters to support them, precede most elections. Campaigns present a windowpane for voters to study, discover and choose the candidates that truly represent their positions on critical issues that affect their future. Ideally, campaigns are always very critical to the final outcome of elections. In advanced democracies, voters’ preferences at polls are usually influenced by the performances of candidates during campaigns.

    But do campaigns really sway voters in our nation? Historically, electioneering campaigns in Nigeria do not usually address major issues that bother on the interests, welfare and security of the people. It, therefore, often leaves the voter with little or no premise to determine who usually gets his votes. Rather than addressing very germane issues, campaigns in our climes, more often than not, are characterized by name callings, mudslinging, thuggery, hooliganisms, maiming and killing. And whenever the contestants choose to address issues, they often limit the scope of discourse to the usually divisive lines of religion, ethnicity and tribal sentiments.

    Characteristically, as the all important electioneering year 2015 approaches, it is evident that nothing has really changed in terms of the style and pattern of political parties towards political campaigns. The incessant clamour by the media, civil society organisations, the academia, electoral monitoring groups, NGOs and other related bodies for aspirants and political parties to run issue based campaigns, seems to be yielding very little or no result. On the contrary, what pervades the polity is the usually needless acrimony that unnecessarily heats up the political atmosphere. From Sokoto to Maiduguri, Jos to Minna, Port-Harcourt to Benin City and Ibadan to Ado Ekiti, there is palpable tension, occasioned by unhealthy political happenings, almost everywhere. It beats one’s imagination that those that aspire to lead us often resort to tussles rather than concentrating on salient national issues that would engender socio-political and economic growth. Why, for instance in the 21st century, should maiming and killing become campaign strategies? Why should arson be a technique for political advocacy?

    Turning electioneering campaigns into a tug of war is a slap on the face of the electorates. The voters deserve much more respect. They deserve more than the blabbing, that lacks substance which are most often erroneously taken for electioneering campaigns by the contestants. It is this aberration that is partly responsible for the predominance of voters’ apathy in the country. Most voters, rightly or wrongly, usually conclude that since the major issues that directly have significant bearing on their daily livings are not often extensively discussed by politicians during campaigns, they would rather stay away from the polls.

    It is, therefore, imperative for all stakeholders in the electoral process to put in place a system that encourages dialogue, among aspirants, on relevant issues during political campaigns. There is need to put in place a structure that promotes healthy debates on burning national issues among aspirants. This would afford voters the opportunity to appraise the personality, character and other qualities of the respective aspirants. It is important that the electorates have a platform through which they could accurately gauge the preparedness, intellectual ability and emotional frame of these men before deciding on whom is most deserving of their precious votes.

     

    • Tayo Ogunbiyi

    Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

  • Umana’s defection alters 2015 calculations in Akwa Ibom

    Umana’s defection alters 2015 calculations in Akwa Ibom

    Former Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government Umana Umana has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a ceremony in Uyo, the state capital, witnessed by APC leaders and a large crowd of supporters. Correspondent KAZEEM IBRAHYM writes on the implication if the defection for the ruling party and next general elections. 

    Brooms fill the air In Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State. The large crowd of supporters had a message for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): the party will not remain the same, following the defection of former Secretary to Government Umana Umana to the All Progressives Congress (APC). No fewer than 30,000 supporters across the three senatorial districts defected along with the politician.

    Many believed that the defection of Umana will define the political direction of the state, ahead of next year’s polls. The Asan Ibibio Ground, the venue of the cross-over rally, was filled to the brim. As early as 10am, party faithful had converged, singing and dancing.

    Big wigs who defected along with the former SSG include two former ministers, Dr. Ime Okopido and Obong Rita Akpan, who are founding member of the PDP. Other  defectors include  Otuekong Sunny Jackson from Uyo Senatorial District, former treasurer of the defunct All Nigeria peoples Party (PDP) and member of the House of Assembly, Dr. Morris Ebong, Linus Akpan, an engineer, Obong Cyril Ekiko, a former lawmaker, Okon Uwa, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly; Uwem Udoma; Dr Chris Ekong, a former commissioner, Chief Sonny Udom, a the former member of the House of Representatives and Obong Imo Isemin, wife of the former governor.

    Others were former Commissioner Dr. Emem Wills, former Special Adviser Sammy Frank, Clement Bassey former commissioner and former member, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Emmanuel Obot, former member of House of Representatives, Chief Okon Ekanem, a former Permanent Secretary; Chief Victor Iyanam, and former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Bishop Asuquo Ekanem.

    Umana and other defectors were received by the APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, the National Leader, his deputy, Chief Segun Oni, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu,  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, presidential aspirants former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Sam Nda-Isaiah.

    The rally was witnessed by Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso, his Rivers State counterpart,  Rotimi Amaechi,  the Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Hilliard Eta.

    Oyegun his in address to party faithful said APC is confident of victory in the next year poll in Akwa Ibom State, saying with the coming of APC on board, the development which has eluded the people for long, would come.

    Oyegun told the electorate to equip themselves with their voter’s cards, which he described as  the only instrument needed to  sweep PDP out of power. He said that with the coming of Umana and others into the party, the train of change has begun in the state.

    He critisised the PDP-led government for abhorring corruption and using the security agencies to attack the opposition. His words: “Many of you who don’t have the voters’ cards must go and have the voters’ cards. The voter’s card is your weapon for change. How many of you are happy with the level of corruption in this country?

    “Corruption is the sole reason that education has collapsed, that health is collapsing, it is the sole reason that our roads are not looked after. It is the sole reason for the problem we are having in the country today. In APC we have zero tolerance for corruption.

    “Another duty we owe to the youth of this country is to provide them with jobs. We have worked out our programmes to achieve these.

    “Now we are going to have a third colossus like Umana in APC after having former Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Senator James Udoedehe and former Military Administrator of both Ogun and Rivers state, Sam Ewang.  Strong people like Umana are just discovering that they have been working for a party that is destroying this country. Umana should demonstrate how he can use the broom to sweep the destroyer.”

    Even the Akwa Ibom State APC chairman, Dr. Amadu Attai, in his speech, bemoaned the level of corruption in the PDP-led government, saying the last seven years of PDP in the Akwa Ibom state has been fraudulent and traumatic for the people.

    Attai decried that despite the oil-money, Akwa Ibom is still one of the poorest states in the country, this he said, would stop as soon as APC takes over the mantle of leadership in 2015.

    He said: “We have been suffocated by the government of the PDP. The state is the richest but the people are the poorest since Akpabio took over the mantle of leadership.

    “The ruling party and the Presidency have failed to listen to the concern of the elders. Governor Akpabio wants to install himself as a third term governor through a pseudo arrangement. Today’s event has proven that APC is on the part of winning Akwa Ibom State in 2015.”

    In his remarks, Asiwaju Tinubu, called for ‘common sense revolution’  to end  the PDP ‘misrule’.

    He said that when God wanted to deliver the people of Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh  He gave the Israelites instructions through their leader, Moses and they took their destiny in their hands and their deliverance from the Egyptian bondage of over 400 years was secured.

    He said the way to start the revolution is for the people getting their voters’ card from INEC  and be ready to vote for the agent of change symbolized by the APC in the coming general elections next year.

    He said: “Your voters’ card is the weapon for common sense revolution. The common sense revolution is not by bloodshed. It is about voters’ card. Ensure that you get it from INEC to change the government in Abuja and other states not controlled by the APC.

    Tinubu explained that with Umana and his supporters joining  APC and  working with people like Senator John Udoedehe, Captain Sam Ewang and others, the Akwa Ibom people are on the way to delivering  the state from impunity that has rocked the state all these years.

    The national leader also said APC would make the people the cornerstone of their policies and programmes.

    Tinubu also recalled how Senator James Udoedehe went to jail in the hands of the PDP-led government in the state during the 2011 general elections.

    He said: “John Udoedehe suffered, he went to jail and almost got killed in the hands of the PDP government. I am happy to see him stand here today with another of our brother Umana. Both of you must join hands together in Unity.”

    Also, the APC Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, urged Nigerians and Akwa Ibom people to unite and rescue the state from the ruling PDP next year.  He said: “Make sure there is a change in the next election. Whoever is you candidate, the persons who wins should be supported.”

    Another APC Presidential aspirant, Sam Nda-Isaiah, said it has become necessary for Nigerians to ensure they vote out PDP in the next general election.

     

    He said presently, there are 48 million young Nigerians without jobs.  He asked Nigerians to vote for APC candidates as the party, saying the party is ready to turn the misfortune of Nigerians caused by PDP miss-governance around with god policies.

    He said:  “The time to change has come and Nigerians must seize the opportunity to vote out PDP government.”

    Another chieftain of the party, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said with the coming election, time has come for Nigerians to deliver themselves.

    Onu  said nobody is happy the way things are in the country and prayed for God’s grace to enable the party win next year and turn things around for the good of all in the country.

    In his words, the national Vice Chairman of the party for the South/South region, Prince Hillary Etta, said majority in Akwa Ibom have taken a stand to secure change for the suffering of the people.

    He said though President Jonathan is from the Southsouth, he has failed to impact Akwa Ibom and indeed Nigerians in any meaningful way.

    Umana, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, asked PDP to return his N11million he used to purchase the nomination form for the governorship race.

    Umana said he decided to seek the mandate of Akwa Ibom people to serve as governor on the platform of the APC because the party offered the people the freedom to elect leaders of their choice without the undemocratic practice of imposition by a single person or a political cabal.

    He promised to lead an administration, if elected, whose priority would be job creation, industrialisation, war against poverty and unemployment; investment in quality education, healthcare, infrastructure and other forms of people empowerment.

    With Unana and others PDP bigwigs finally in APC, the coming months will be interesting politically in the oil-rich state between the party and PDP.

  • Politicians advised on 2015 general elections

    The Founder/General Overseer, The Power of Prayer Church Worldwide, Bishop Samson Olagbokun Similoluwa, has called on Nigeria leaders to have fear of God in all they do, especially now the 2015 general elections are fast approaching. This, he said, is to avoid bloody crisis that could disintegrate the country. He also urged Nigerians to forsake their sins and walk with God for Him to end bloodshed in Nigeria.

    He urged politicians to always put God first in all they do and ensure they work together to make Nigeria great.

    Bishop Similoluwa made the call during the 30th anniversary of the church.

    He said Nigeria needed leaders that would be mindful of the welfare of the people.

    “We look forward to a country where justice and peace reign; where health care system is functional; where the judiciary is independent; and schools deliver quality education.”

    He said Nigerians should shun moral decadence, bribery and corruption, electoral rigging and malpractices and pray for their leaders.

    Similoluwa urged politicians to shun do-or-die politics and cultivate good characters that can move the country forward and appealed to youths to avoid being used as thugs in the 2015 general elections.

    A prayer session was organised in respect of the present situation in the country, so that God would restore normalcy in the country.

    The General Overseer, Great Commission Bible Church, Reverend Olu Johnson, who led the prayer asked the congregation to speak with one voice for God to stop bloodshed that is currently rocking the country.

    They also prayed for the quick release of the abducted girls’ from Government Girls’ Secondary School Chibok in Borno State who have been held captive by Boko Haram since April 14.

    He thanked God and everyone behind the success of the ministry, the donors of the church camp ground and the programme anniversary committee. He prayed that the anniversary will mark the beginning of another new thing in their life.

  • Onu heads APC presidential screening committee

    Onu heads APC presidential screening committee

    Former National Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, will head an eight- man presidential screening Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Other members of the of the committee are former Kwara State governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, civil right activist, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Amb. Baba Ahmed Jida, Dr. Sam sam Jaja, Tom Matamaki Maiyashi, a former Education Commissioner in Kaduna State, Prof. Agbonlahor Denis and Amb. Fatai Balla

    Inaugurating the committee at the APC national secretariat, the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, lamented the level of impunity in the country at the moment which included Thursday’s prevention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, AminuTambuwal from entering the National Assembly complex by the police.

    He said “I want to say that I appreciate the sacrifice you are about to make on behalf of this party. In line with our name and what we stand for. As a critical committee, we are not going to do anybody a favour, but we are asking you to do this party a favour because your are major stakeholders in your own right.

    “As far as this particular committee is concerned, we have decided to choose persons who, when anybody hear their names and who when the presidential candidates appear before you, they will have respect for the people before who they are appearing because they know that you are solid individuals. So that when you make pronouncement, you are pronouncing your convictions and not to please anybody.”

  • 2015: Abia group calls for equity in power sharing

    As 2015 approaches and the dust of the just concluded PDP congresses yet to settle in Abia State, an organisation, Movement for Justice and Equity, has called on the leadership of the PDP across board to ensure that the governorship and senatorial slots of the party zoned to Abia South senatorial zone rotatesý between the people of Ukwa and Ngwa to avoid chaos and protests that may cost the party victory in next year’s general Elections.

    In a statement made available to journalists, in Umuahia, signed by Barrister Alozie Nwakamma and comrade Sylvester Nwamuo, state coordinator and secretary general of the organization respectively, the group commended the Abia State Governor Chief T.A. orji and the state PDP for zoning the Governorship slot to Abia south senatorial zone.

    They said “since Abia South senatorial zone of the state comprises of the people of Ukwa and Ngwa, it is morally and political wrong and defeats all forms of Equity, justice and fairness for either the Ukwaý or Ngwa people to assume both the governorship and senatorialý positions of the zone in next year’s general election”.

    “We shall vehemently reject and oppose it and we urge the PDP not to allude to a ploy in whatsoever guise to take a selfish decision that would affect negatively the electoral fortunes of the PDP in the 2015 elections “they said.

    The group explained that between 1999 – 2007, the senatorial seat of Abia South senatorial zone was occupied by an Ukwa son, and former senate president, Chief Adolphus Wabara after which an Ngwa man, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe assumed the position from 2007 and will exit in 2015 after two tenures served by both of them.

    “It will be practically, politically and morally unacceptable for the senatorial slot to remain in Ngwa land while the Governor also emerges from there and vise-versa.

    “We hereby warn leaders of Abia South senatorial zone to eschew selfish political motives, personal contraptions, absurdity and ensure that the right thing is done in order not to cost the PDP victory next year “they said.

    “The people of Abia south senatorial zone should know that if it was by struggle that it would have been difficult for them to produce the governor of state in the next 22 years but only for Equity and justice that the PDP did that “they said.

    The group called on the leaders of the zone to know that “he that goes for equity should go with clean hands and should act right in order not to sabotage the golden opportunity the present government have provided the zone”.

    The group maintained that any contrary arrangement of any party on this position will be counter-productive.

    Leaders of the PDP in Abia South Senatorial zone last Saturday adopted former Senate President Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu from Obingwa Local Government Area of the state as their sole candidate for the governorship election next year.

    The outgoing senator of the zone, Chief Enyinnaya Abaribe is also from Obingwa Local Government Area while the member representing Ugwunnagbo, Obingwa and Osisioma in the House of Representatives, Hon. Eziuche Ubani also hails from the same council.

    There has been rumours that the outgoing senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe has been given automatic ticket back to the senate but political watchers of the state say this will cause doom for the PDP should the party allow such political blunders.

     

  • ‘2015 elections will make Nigeria stronger’

    Though some think next year’s general elections will be a decisive one, perhaps witnessing the breakup of the country, Nigerians have been assured of even a stronger nation.

    The General Overseer of Abundant Life Gospel Church, Rev Jane Onaolapo gave the assurance, adding that those expecting doom are in for a shock. She blamed such negative dispositions on what she called lack of patriotism.

    Rev. Onaolapo was speaking with reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at an event marking the 30th anniversary of the church. She was optimistic that the country would triumph over its current daunting security and other challenges.

    The cleric, who said the nation needed good-spirited individuals to lead the country to glory, added that the church has been doing its best to teach people in public office to be righteous, saying, “when the righteous rule, there’s peace”.

    She also said that the country has potential to be greater than its present level of development, adding that leaders must have love of their people at heart to overcome the scourge of poverty, joblessness and insecurity.”

    The general overseer said the church has spent N2.1 million to sink boreholes “for our host communities in Ibadan and Ilorin.”

    She said further that it also sand-filled and graded a 1km road leading to the church premises from Oko-Erin Junction at the cost of N300,000.

    “We have also provided 1,150 bed-sheets at Ifako Ijaiye General Hospital last year, about 25 beneficiaries are also enjoying scholarships in Abundant Life Nursery and Primary School,” she said.

    The cleric said that plans were underway to establish a leadership training school to be used as a platform for training and preparing young men and women desiring to take up leadership positions in various arms of government.

    She was confident that God will be sending the church to revive the nation and be an instrument to effect the much-desired and awaited change in the country, even as she warned politicians to always discharge their duties in line with the mandate of God.